TITLE: Wait Until Dark

AUTHOR: Susan Zell

DISCLAIMER: All characters belong to Gekko and Sci-Fi and to those luckier than I. All I know is that they aren't mine so no profit has been made by this venture.

SUMMARY: Nightmares and paranoia plague Major Sheppard and his team must determine why before he sinks so deep that there may be no returning.

SPOILERS: Everything up until after "Childhood's End."

RATINGS: PG-13

TYPE: Drama mainly and some minor hurt/comfort; also some very minor 'shipping though I haven't made my decision between the ShepWeir or the Sheyla camps. So I'm keeping both ends open for now. I always try to follow show canon so I'll leave that decision up to them.

AUTHOR'S NOTES: My first Stargate Atlantis fic so be gentle. If it goes well, I may write another.

Chapter Six

"Surf City"

Sheppard opened the rear compartment of the puddle jumper and breathed in the fresh sea air. He swore it smelled different on land than it did at Atlantis base. Fresh air and bright sun and frothy waves greeted him.

"Everyone remember where we parked." He cast his head back to the rest of passengers, grabbed a load and made for the beach. Everyone grabbed some equipment except for Teyla who hobbled out on crutches. She was a bit unsteady since she had learned to walk on them no more than a few hours before and the natural terrain wasn't as easy as the smooth floors of Atlantis. Briefly she wondered if she hadn't made a mistake in turning down a chance to visit and recuperate with her people. But then she decided no, John Sheppard needed her. And the concept of a team was no different than the concept of family in Teyla's mind. She could withstand some discomfort. Besides, she was curious about the concept of "surfing".

It didn't take long to have a small camp set up on the beach. They would all sleep in the jumper at night for protection. So it wasn't long until things were in order. Teyla settled herself on a chair that was positioned in the sand. The sun was warm and Teyla immediately found herself relaxing. There were no seas that she knew of on her home world, so this was an enriching experience, one where she could see the allure this brought to the people from Earth where seas were common.

Teyla looked out toward the surf where Sheppard and Ford were standing at the water's edge out with two pieces of long flat polished wood. Both were wearing wet suits since, despite the sun, the water temperature was still cold. She had never really noticed how fit the two men were before. It was quite fascinating to see them don the gear over what they called their swim trunks. It seemed routine for them, but such customs were surprising to her. Athosians were very cognoscente of such things between men and women. However, on Earth recreation seemed to excuse certain customs that traditionally where more noticeable on the base. Each day brought new facts about humans that would take years before she understood all the different facets. It was utterly fascinating and it was a big reason as to why she stayed with them rather than with her own people.

Sheppard had apparently constructed these "surf boards" along with Ford in their spare time, somehow believing that with the discovery of a city underwater that "surf" would be readily obtainable. They had tried to coax McKay out with them but he just sniffed at the idea and continued slathering the exposed parts of his body, which were few, with a lotion of some sort. He had also smeared his nose quite liberally with a white substance. Teyla fought hard against a bubble of laughter that was rising. He looked quite comical while he struggled to put up a chair in the shade.

"I am so gonna burn" he commented to no one in particular as was his way. Sometimes Teyla thought he was one of the touched, who babbled unceasingly to things that were not that there, but then she realized that he talked out loud in hopes that someone would listen to him. Teyla obliged him. She found McKay an interesting study of human behavior, and an interesting contrast to the forthright thinking of Major Sheppard.

"But if you sit out of the sun will you not be protected"

McKay regarded her, as if surprised she was acknowledging him. "Um, yes, but I have very delicate skin. And I take antihistamines for my allergies. It says right on the label to avoid prolonged exposure to direct sun."

"And yet you risk such danger for Major Sheppard. Truly you are a good friend."

McKay regarded her as if she were speaking a foreign language, until he realized what her words actually meant. "Yeah, well, my condition isn't that life threatening" he muttered trying to cover the fact that he was pleased with her observation. It had surprised him. He never thought about it that way before. Maybe he was doing something that a friend would do. That concept was new and exciting to him.

"Do you think you will be able to help the Major" There was plain concern in her voice.

McKay was almost truthful to her. He didn't think there was anything he missed the first time he read through the ancient texts, but for a moment he didn't want to worry her. She was recuperating after all. "I'm going to try" he tried reassuringly. It sounded odd coming from him.

"I believe you will find a way." It was said without a trace of doubt.

The faith that people placed in him unnerved McKay. They all expected that he would continually pull miracles out of his hat. And the worst thing was that he tried. The thrill of the dilemma was nothing compared to seeing the respect of a job well done coming from Weir or Sheppard. He craved that respect most of all.

He thought briefly of Major Carter, well, Colonel Carter now. He once ridiculed her for her insane jury-rigging and guesswork as she tried desperately to find solutions to overwhelming problems caused by the Stargate. And yet here he was doing the same thing. He found there was never enough time for careful planning and double checks. Things were done on the fly out here. He no longer had months or years of research before implementing his theories. In the heat of things, shortcuts had to be considered, risks had to be taken. It still terrified him at times to do such reckless things. As a scientist he knew it was madness; insane long shots could spell disaster at any given moment. There were times the pressure was petrifying and the reality bloodcurdling. If they ever made it back to earth, he might even have to apologize to Samantha Carter. Talk about bloodcurdling. His stomach was already doing flip flops just thinking of the gorgeous major...um, colonel. Oh Crap.

Elizabeth Weir entered the infirmary and sought out Dr. Beckett. It had only been a few hours since the team had departed for the mainland, but she couldn't hold back the anxiety and restlessness that this incident had created.

"Carson" she called out.

"Back here."

Dr. Beckett was sitting in front of a computer that had a scan spinning about on the screen.

"Anything yet"

He didn't even look up at here, but continued with his analysis. "No, nothing yet that could solve our Major's problem. There have been no reports of the Wraith directing his attacks elsewhere on base. But the bioscan on our prisoner is absolutely fascinating. Look here." He pointed to the numerous red shades within the shape of the Wraith's simulated skeleton.

"What are those" she asked. It was glowing the brightest inside just the cavity of the skull.

Neurological activity. The Wraith are practically 80 percent telepathic. Most everything they do, whether it be sleep, eat, or attack is geared to their telepathy. It's as natural to them as breathing. We know they use it when they feed, almost feeding off a victim's fear as much as their life force, which might be why they confuse their prey by projecting ghost images while attacking."

"You think the Wraith is gaining energy off Major Sheppard" Now she was concerned.

Beckett shrugged. "No, no. I dinna think that is the case. I think it is more like a high than any true energy absorption. It won't sustain them physically." He looked up at her finally. "Though I'd need to test that theory."

Her eyes widened. "I'm not comfortable providing that thing with any food. It could use that energy to maintain its attack."

"True. But it's either that or wait for it to attack Major Sheppard again. I'll be able to scan it then of course, but..."

"But it feels like were making him the sacrificial goat." Weir nodded.

"Perhaps if we just offer it say a morsel. A snack if you will." He cocked his head. "A wee mouse, say one with the implanted ancient DNA. I could use the scan to determine if there were any increase in energy in the physiological and neurological regions thereby allowing it to sustain its attack on Major Sheppard. If there is any fluctuation there, I'll be able to read it."

Weir was still hesitant. Every ounce of energy it garnered was a day longer it could hurt one of their own.

Beckett stepped off his stool and came closer. "Whatever energy it could possibly get from a wee mouse" he gestured to a small glass terrarium where a dozen mice mingled"wouldn't give him much energy at all, maybe only a few extra hours nothing more. Otherwise, I'm playin' a guessin' game here and that's of no use to Major Sheppard." The frustration was plain on his face.

Weir let out a slow breath she wasn't even aware she was holding. She knew John would want to take the risk if it gave them more answers. He was willing to place his life on the line in order to find a means to defeat these soul-sucking creatures.

"All right. One mouse. Nothing more. Make sure you think up every test to run on it so we only have to do this once."

Beckett nodded fiercely. "Definitely. The data it will bring us will answer a ton of questions we now have. Especially if we mean to execute the damn thing. This could be our last chance. It will be worth it, Elizabeth. Trust me."

Weir nodded. But it did little to ease the skin-crawling sensation that was now sweeping over her. "Contact me when you have the results. Coordinate your test with Sergeant Bates in security." She headed for the door.

"Right." Beckett turned to his furry friends and his excitement waned a bit. "Now which one of you do I choose" He hated to admit it but he found the mice to be good company. Sighing he reached in and grabbed the tiniest mouse. "Sorry, Tim."

tbc

Thanks everyone for the wonderful reviews. I really appreciate it!