Chapter 2: Vacation, All I ever wanted…

Seagulls. That's what's missing, Sheppard thought to himself while he sat with his feet swaying in the warm water. Stripped down to only his shorts, he leaned back on his palms and basked in the late afternoon sun.

He'd found this spot quite by accident and for some reason didn't tell anyone. As near as he could figure, it was some sort of diving platform, although he had yet to find any gear. But then who knew what the Ancients did for recreation. He just needed a place to get away where he could be left alone. He liked being alone. He wanted to be alone.

Closing his eyes, he envisioned himself out on his grandfather's fishing boat. The memory of the smell of the sea, the gentle rocking of the vessel, and the cries of hungry gulls overhead brought a smile to his face. He'd never forget diving over the side when he was ten years old and almost drowning. The water had looked so inviting, so safe and deceptively warm. The instant his young body hit the water he knew he'd made a mistake, for the ocean was like ice and he'd cried out for help. The old fisherman actually dove over the side and rescued him; dragged his sorry butt on board and gave him the scolding of his life while never letting him go.

That wasn't the first or the last of many dumb stunts he'd pulled while growing up. He had craved adventure. Now he had all he could ever want and the only thing he could think of was going home.

With a grunt, he pulled himself up to his feet and gazed out over the water. The urge to jump in once again flooded his soul but this time he knew better. His grandfather, or anyone else for that matter, wasn't nearby to save him if he got in trouble this time.

Once back inside the safety of the shield, he unrolled his bedroll and stretched out on the floor. Facing the platform, he let the quiet lapping of water against the ship lull him to sleep.

SG:A

Pretzels, that's what he missed. And chocolate milk. Whenever he worked late on projects while growing up, he always made sure he had a healthy supply. Of course, he had to work odd jobs about the neighborhood to earn a few extra bucks to keep his hidden habit supplied. His parents never let him have junk food, saying sweets and indulging in unhealthy eating habits was what made people stupid. And by god, their Rodney was a genius, and they made sure to tell anyone and everyone they came in contact with that little fact. Of course, they knew nothing of their son and left him alone most of the time while they socialized and hobnobbed in the upper echelons of society. Apparently, alcohol didn't make people stupid.

Shoving that painful memory back, Rodney shook his head and stared at his latest project. He smiled, recognizing that he was almost finished while checking the worn magazine directions one final time. He'd stolen the issue from Kavanaugh one day when he went to the other scientist's lab, looking for his nemesis and finding the place deserted. But the article was there, laying open, waiting for him. Oh sure, the evil genius had named a sub after Rodney, but one missing magazine wouldn't destroy the beginning of a truce, would it?

He picked up a small container filled with liquid and made sure the lid was on tight. Then he grabbed the two remaining items and made his way back out to the empty hanger. That would be the perfect spot to try out his creation and there wasn't a soul around to bother him.

SG:A

A persistent buzzing whine abruptly filled the silence Sheppard had been enjoying, instantly bringing the major to his feet. "What now," he hissed, grabbing his gun and running towards the intrusive sound. Rounding the corner, he stopped dead, staring in utter disbelief at the sight before him. Rodney was standing in the middle of the empty hanger bay staring at the ceiling, watching a small airplane circle around the roof.

"McKay, what the hell are you doing?"

The buzzing noise coughed as the scientist's hands slipped, startled from Sheppard's yell, causing him to almost lose hold of the controls. The small plane banked and came to a shaky landing on the other side of the room.

Spinning on his heels, Rodney eyed the intruder with contempt. "Go away. I'm on vacation," he snapped before making his way over to his creation.

"McKay..." Sheppard started, only to be stopped by the scientist glaring at him. Following him, he looked over the other man's turned shoulder and eyed up the plane. "You build that?"

Rodney ignored him while he inspected the device for damage. Not seeing any, he picked it up and made his way back out of the hanger.

"McKay!" The major yelled, watching the other man blatantly disregard him as he disappeared around the corner. "Oh, crap." Looking back longingly in the direction of his comfortable spot along the water and then in the scientist's route, he kicked the floor and went in search of Rodney.

Making his way after the Canadian, he stopped outside of a room he was unfamiliar with and pressed the panel. The door slid smoothly open revealing the biggest mess he'd seen since arriving at Atlantis. Scattered pieces of machinery, empty MRE containers, and power bar wrappers littered every surface possible. Sitting in the middle of the disarray at a worktable totally engrossed in his project was the mad scientist himself.

John walked cautiously through the room, careful of where he stepped for he was still in his bare feet. He stopped beside a large item draped in a piece of tarp and slid the material back revealing a tire. His curiosity piqued, he pulled harder and uncovered a small go-cart type vehicle.

"McKay," he asked as he made his way over to the desk, "what is all of this? It looks like Santa's workshop in the middle of a dump."

Rodney's shoulders tightened as he continued ignoring the major.

"Look," John started, trying to get some response from his friend, "I'm not here to bug you; I just wanted to see what was making that noise."

"Well now you know, so leave. I've got 22 hours left before I have to report back and I want them alone."

Deciding that two could play the ignore game, Sheppard wandered through the room some more. Spying an odd shaped contraption set up carefully in the corner, he went over to investigate.

"Don't touch that," Rodney snapped, stopping the major.

"What is it?"

McKay sighed as he put down his plane and made his way over to where Sheppard was standing. "A fuel source."

Sheppard's face scrunched as he tried to figure out what McKay was talking about. "Fuel source?"

"Yes," the scientist retorted. "What do you think these run on?" he asked as he waved his hand around the room. "I don't exactly have a gas station to run to when the tank reads empty."

Dawning hit the major like a ton of bricks. "You made a still!"

"No, I made a viable source of energy that can be burned inside the small combustion engines of some of my… my inventions."

"Does the go-cart run on it?"

Rodney shrugged, not giving the major a definite answer. He just wanted the man to leave.

Sheppard wasn't about to be stopped. "Have you driven it?"

"Once or twice."

"And…?"

"The clutch sticks and I haven't been able to find what I need to fix it."

"You know, McKay, I've always been a bit of a car buff. Mind if I take a look?"

The scientist chewed on his upper lip as he eyed the major. He really wanted to be left alone, but on the other hand, maybe having someone else around wouldn't be such a bad thing. "What's with the Robinson Caruso outfit?"

John glanced down at himself. He'd forgotten that he was still only wearing shorts. "I was catching some rays."

"Out on the platform?"

"You know about that place?"

Rodney rolled his eyes. "Oh, please. I know this entire floor by heart."

"That's true." Changing the subject, he nodded back to the cart, "How fast does it go?"

A small grin crossed McKay's face, "Well, you see, I didn't build a speedometer but I have so say that it feels impressive."

John grinned. "What do you say I tinker on the clutch while you clear us a path out of here and we take her for a spin?"

"One condition."

"Name it, Friday."

"Get dressed, Caruso. I'm not some little space bunny who gets all googlie eyed at seeing you without your shirt on."

Sheppard laughed out loud, "Space bunny? Don't tell me you're jealous?"

Rodney shot him a withering gaze and pointed to the door. "Go, Robinson, before I change my mind." He could hear the major's laughter fade as he disappeared back down the hallway. Turning back to his mess, he shrugged; maybe his vacation wouldn't be so bad.

TBC

A/N The boys are about to have some fun.