A/N Sorry I'm a bit late on posting this chapter. Between shoveling all the snow, work, and getting ready for Christmas, this story has been very uncooperative and didn't want to get written. Thanks for all of the great reviews; they help to keep me typing. (Yes, I Get Around, is from the Beach Boys. Rather appropriate, don't you think?)

Chapter 4: We All Live in a Yellow Submarine

Sheppard had changed quickly into a dry uniform before joining Rodney in having an MRE for dinner. Making quick work of their prepackaged dinners, they were both anxious to get down to the submersible chamber and ready the 'McKay' for their little trip. Neither man had been out on the small craft since their second voyage; after the scientist's release from the infirmary. Now they were ready to be taking it out once again,

Walking quietly down the hallway, the major could feel Rodney's gaze staring at him and he soon found the scientists continued silence unnerving. Finally having enough, he stopped and turned around. "What?"

Rodney came to an abrupt halt and looked puzzled by Sheppard's question. "What, what?"

"You know what. Ever since you pulled me out of the drink, you've been awfully quiet. I want to know what's up." John studied his friend's face, trying to read the man, before continuing, "Are you having second thoughts about going?"

"No." A bit of the familiar whine was in McKay's tone.

Sheppard waited for Rodney to expound and when that didn't happen, he reached out and poked the other man in the chest. "Hello, anyone home in there? For crying out loud, talk to me, McKay, or we're scrapping this right now."

A total shift in attitude enveloped the scientist as he suddenly glared back at the major. "Well, let's see. I spent a good portion of my day trying to make objects work that wouldn't cooperate because my genetically engineered gene wasn't compatible. When I wasn't able to get any help from other sections of Atlantis, I decided to take a short leave and try to make myself forget about all of this for just a few moments. Next thing I know, you and I are acting like a couple of teens with their first car and then you drove off Atlantis. When I saw you disappear, I thought…" Rodney stopped and stared at the floor.

"You thought what?" Sheppard prompted.

McKay grimaced before meeting the other man's gaze. "I thought you died because of me."

"What are you talking about? I didn't die. The brakes gave out because we were a bit rough on the cart earlier while making up the obstacle course. I knew if I couldn't stop, that I'd just swim back to the platform." John could see Rodney putting up walls, getting ready to argue. Something was bothering the scientist and he was damned if he wasn't going to find out what. "It wasn't your fault."

"Really?" The scientist sneered. He knew he was becoming irrational but he couldn't stop himself. "I knew the cart was unsafe. That's why I had it covered up. What the heck was I thinking, letting you talk me in to taking it out? Why did you even come to my workroom? Weir told me you wanted to be left alone."

All the tension from earlier in the day suddenly flooded both men as they stood eyeing one another. When the major didn't answer Rodney's question quickly, he took it as a sign that he was right and spun about to leave, only to be stopped when John grabbed his arm and twisted him back around.

"Enough," Sheppard snarled. "I'm tired of dealing with your moods and petty problems. If you have something to say, spit it out."

"I wanted to be left alone, that's all; just a few moments to myself without anyone asking me questions."

"Well, how do you think I feel, McKay? People are constantly asking me to try and activate this or take care of that. I would like to disappear also, but I can't. And unfortunately, neither can you."

Rodney felt some of his anger deflate, realizing that he was one of the one's continually bugging the major. Shifting to lean against the wall, he crossed his arms and leaned his head back, closing his eyes. "There's just so much we don't know."

"And everyone expects you to have the answers," John added, knowing he was guilty of expecting too much.

McKay sighed and nodded before looking back at the major. "You, too."

Sheppard nodded as he crossed his arms and leaned against the opposite wall. "In other words, we both need a vacation."

A small smile flittered at the corners of Rodney's mouth as he shrugged. "Maybe a little underwater voyage would help us relax?"

The dark haired major's cocky grin lit up his face. "That's what I was thinking, but only if you want to." Seeing a contemplative and then devious glint in the scientist's eyes, he knew the trip was back on and grabbed McKay's arm, pulling him away from the wall. "Let's go before they start looking for us."

The surprises of how cold Sheppard's hand was on his arm made Rodney pull away. "You're hands like ice." Before the other man could stop him, he reached out and touched the major's forehead with the back of his hand. "You feel alright?"

John swatted McKay away. "Yes, just got a little cold from my dip earlier. I'll be fine."

As much as he hated the thought, Rodney realized they might have to forgo their plans. "Maybe we should go see Beckett."

"You go if you want; I'm going to find the go cart."

"Oh, like you can even get the doors to the bay open without me."

"Speaking of which, how are we gonna get them open without command noticing?"

"Oh ye of little faith." Hitting the panel to open the hall doors, he led the way in to the dark chamber. "Turn on the lights."

Sheppard had just reached the panel when he heard a thump followed by 'What idiot put that there?' Activating the panel, the room flooded with light and he spotted McKay sitting on the floor beside a piece of equipment. "What happened?" he asked, although he already could guess. "Get a boo-boo?"

Rodney ignored him as he stood up and rubbed his knee. Making his way over to the control console, he began typing intently. Within a minute, his self-satisfied grin appeared as punched one last button. The hanger doors slid smoothly open, revealing the dark water. Standing back, he gazed in boredom at the major, "I've done my part, now it's your turn."

"I thought you'd never ask," Sheppard said as he stepped into the 'McKay'.

Rodney stomped across the bay. "Well, wait for me," he huffed. Making it just to the side of the vessel, he heard the unmistakable sound of someone clearing their throat behind him. To quote the major, 'Oh, crap.' Taking a deep breath, he turned around and discovered Beckett standing in the doorway.

"Goin' somewhere?" The Scottish doctor crossed his arms as he eyed up Rodney. It was all to clear the man knew something was a foot.

"Uh…" The scientist stuttered, momentarily lost for words.

"McKay," John called from inside the small ship, "get in here before someone comes down."

"Too late," he called back over his shoulder.

A second later, Sheppard's head poked back out the doorway and he spotted Carson. "Oh, crap."

"Gentlemen, you appear to be goin' on a journey." Beckett knew he had just caught the two men red handed.

Rodney opened his mouth to reply but then turned to John and scrunched his face, indicating that maybe he should try to appease the physician. The major in return, glared at the scientist.

"We wanted to check some of the lower hull areas."

"Mm-hm," Carson replied, seeing clear through the lie. "I was under the impression you both were on 24 hour leave. The hull can wait, can't it?"

Rodney reached up and scratched his ear, "Well, technically we are, but something came up."

"Actually, more like down," John said with a shrug, while leaning against the ship beside Rodney.

Beckett made his way towards the men, enjoying watching them begin to squirm. "I saw the mess in the old hanger bay. You two have been busy." Turning his focus on the scientist, he stopped directly in front of him. "I thought you put your cart away after your last accident."

"We fixed it," both men said simultaneously.

"I figured as much, lads. So, where is it now?"

John and Rodney glanced at each other before they both turned and looked at the shimmering water held back by the shield.

Carson followed their gaze before looking back at them in disbelief, "I don't want to know, now, do I?"

"Well, the brake failed…"

"And John couldn't stop…"

"And I didn't want to crash…"

"And he drove off Atlantis."

The doctor's critical eye scanned the major before he seemed satisfied that the man hadn't been hurt. "So, you need the sub to do what?"

"That's a no brainer," Rodney snapped in disgust.

"To get the cart," John finished with shrug, as if they did this all the time.

"Oh, good lord heavens, no." Carson held his hand up, "You two are in need of some down time, not another adventure."

"Come on, Doc, lighten up. We just want to go get it before Elizabeth discovers it resting on the bottom."

"On one condition."

"Please," Rodney huffed, "what's with this condition stuff?"

"McKay," Sheppard hissed.

Rodney turned away from the doctor to face Sheppard. "He's always coming up with conditions for everything. You know we're adults, specialists in our field. Why do we always have to put up with his conditions?"

"Because if we don't, he goes and finds Weir. Do you want her down here?"

"No." Rodney made his way inside the small sub.

"Well, then, deal with it." John turned back to face Carson, surprised to see a grin on the physician's face. "You're coming with us, Doc."

"That's all I was gonna suggest," Beckett replied as he followed Rodney on board. When John's hand brushed his arm, he was startled at how cold the major was. "Somethin' wrong?"

"Long story. We'll tell you on the way." Sheppard sealed the door and activated the controls on the small ship, guiding it back out into the dark water.

TBC

A/N So, you having fun, yet? Let me know!

Merry Christmas! Stay safe! See you soon! Jen