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 Seven

"Exercises in Judgment"

Two men faced the sea and contemplated the waves and wind.

Ford regarded his CO expectantly. "So, what's the plan?"

Sheppard offered one of his smirks in response and then lifted a personal shield device. "Kavanagh found a new box of them. I procured a few."

"He's gonna love you for that." He pointed at the device in the Major's hand. "I don't have the ancient gene. I don't think I can use them."

"I'll try it first. If nothing eats me, then you can come on out."

"Sounds good to me."

Sheppard slapped the device to his chest and the familiar green glow encased him for a second before fading into invisibility. "Now I'm invulnerable." He waded out into the surf. With a strong push he threw himself on the sleek board and it carried him over the surf and into the deeper water.

Any second now, he expected for a giant gullet to swallow him up but nothing happened as he paddled his way out past the breakers. Finally when he thought he was far enough out he sat up and straddled the board, watching the water beyond him for the perfect wave. He also kept an eye out on the water around him, looking for large shadows beneath the surface. But so far it was just like the ocean back home.

For a moment he wondered if this wasn't the stupidest thing he had ever done. Exhaustion was still lying under the surface of his skin. His arm ached but that was more from the pressure of the wet suit and not the salt water. Still it wasn't going to deter him from enjoying this moment. He had waited too long to do this and no amount of discomfort or some damn Wraith was going to ruin it.

Then he spotted it.

The perfect wave.

He could feel the pull of the water as the wave gathered its force. He started paddling for shore trying to keep just ahead of the wave till he started tilting forward. With practiced ease he got his feet under him and rode the roaring wave. It was a humdinger and he could see it start to curl around him. Crouching low on the board he let the curl tighten. He could see the opening and he beelined for it.

His every muscle ached with the effort to remain balenced and on the board. But he finally felt alive and in control of his life, rather than letting something alien dictate it. The air pressure was building like a cannon as the wave collapsed behind him. It literally shot him out of the wave. He was airborne for a few seconds before falling into the water as the wave rushed by under him.

Ford let out a tremendous whoop and Teyla came hobbling forward in alarm.

"Should we not help him?" she inquired anxiously, waiting for the Major to surface. Ford reached to steady her and the crutches. His own eyes cast about the churning surf, looking for his comrade in arms. But to Telya he related none of his concern.

"Teyla, he's fine. He was supposed to do that. It was one of the most exciting things I've ever seen. The Major's a pro!" He let out another whoop and waved back to Sheppard who had finally surfaced and indicated he was all right.

"This is surfing? You do this for pleasure?"

"We do it for the thrill."

"Thrill?"

"People like the Major and I are, um, adrenalin junkies. We like things fast and wild. The faster the better."

"Like Ferris Wheels."

Ford regarded her oddly and then he remembered what Sheppard had told her that first day in her camp. "Well, not quite like a Ferris Wheel," he said with a laugh. "But close."

"Why are you not out there?"

"I'm waiting to see if anything eats the Major."

Concern immediately flooded Teyla and she directed a touch of anger at Lieutenant Ford. "That seems rather--"

"Easy, Teyla. He has a personal shield device on. Nothing is gonna hurt him. Once he gives me the all clear, then I'll head out with him."

Teyla fought to relax. It still sounded foolhardy. "I see."

"Just chill and watch the show."

"The show?" And why would he wish her to be cold?

"The Major and I are going to make you wish you hadn't hurt your leg. But we'll be happy to teach you how to surf when you're better."

"No. I don't think I'm ready for such thrills. Traveling to other worlds in search of food and weapons against the wraith are more than enough."

Ford laughed.

The Athosian shook her head at the young man and returned to her seat. McKay seemed oblivious to the "show". He had his head buried in his laptop.

"Do you not like to surf, Doctor McKay?"

"Surfing is an insane sport, much like football without the padding." He responded without looking up. "It's for crazy, senseless people like Major Sheppard. Too bad Lieutenant Ford caves under peer pressure."

"It does appear to take a great deal of physical fitness and skill. Perhaps it is good training for them as warriors."

"Yeah, I'm sure that's why they are doing it." He rolled his eyes.

"I see. You're not a warrior. That is why it is not necessary for you to participate."

McKay's head snapped up toward her. "What? No! I can do that. I just choose not to." He waited to see if she believed him, but then rushed forward with more explanation in case she didn't. "I'm a scientist. I prefer to exercise my brain rather than my brawn. Simple matter of intelligence."

Teyla stared at him, attempting to assimilate the odd phrases, but she believed she understood. Doctor McKay was a complex human being and all his answers were also complex. One had to think hard to find the single truth amidst all his words.

Out of the corner of her eye she saw Ford finally enter the water. Major Sheppard must have given him the all clear. Soon they were two small specks bobbing on the surface of the sea. Over the next half hour, they would ride the large waves into the shore and then methodically paddle back out to do it all over again. It appeared to be very exhausting and as she wondered whether Major Sheppard was overdoing it. It appeared her concern was well founded for it was not long before he staggered out of the foaming sea. He stood there for a while at the water's edge hanging onto his board, its end dipped into the sand beside him for support while he watched Ford. She could see his shoulders moving in desperate rhythm as his breathing settled from his exertions. It was several minutes later before he eventually turned and came toward them. She was relieved that he walked steadier. The salt water made his hair stand up stiffly and at odd angles. Oblivious, he plopped down beside her and stretched out on his board.

Teyla did not inquire about his health for despite his obvious weariness, his grin told the true tale. He was enjoying himself immensely and in her mind that was good for the soul. He had removed the shield device and unzipped his wet suit a bit at the throat.

"Is Lieutenant Ford safe out there?" she inquired.

"Oh, he'll be fine. There is a nice reef a few feet out that makes it difficult for anything too big to come in close.

"As you well know, sometimes the smallest of creatures can be the most deadly."

He regarded her with a scowl, knowing damn well to what she was referring. "Bugs don't count in the sea." Then he relented since she was right. "He's got his knife with him and we're watching him close. If a shark appears, I'll personally jump in and do battle. I promise." His hand crossed his heart.

She comprehended most of what he said. "Rest then. I will watch Ford and wake you if your services are required in battle."

For a moment Sheppard wasn't sure she was kidding or not. But the smile on her face warmed Sheppard. Teyla had quite the sense of humor when given the chance, which wasn't often enough to suit him. He leaned back on the surfboard and closed his eyes. The sun's rays started to warm him and it was easy enough to let go of any concerns. He only briefly wondered if this time his sleep would be untroubled.

------------------------------------------

"Well what were the results?" Weir demanded of Beckett.

"The good news is that the Wraith is not feeding any energy off the Ancient gene by just exerting his mental influence. I was worried that it might be able to garner something from Major Sheppard just by the close proximity and the dreams. But that's not the case."

Weir breathed a sigh of relief. Finally something was shifting in their favor. "That is good news."

"Well, there's bad news too."

Weir's face fell.

"The ancient gene definitely gives it an energy boost unlike anything I've ever seen. If the Wraith were ever to get a hold of someone with that gene it would be highly dangerous."

"Is our prisoner still secure?" Weir's stomach was doing flip flops just imagining what it was capable of now that they had fed it, regardless of how small a morsel.

"Absolutely. It ran at the shield a few times, but it quickly realized that the shield was draining it of whatever strength it had managed to suck from Tim."

"Tim? Just who did you use for this experiment?" Weir's stern expression was a bit daunting for Beckett.

"Tim is a mouse," he assured the woman. "A sweet wee mouse that had to be sacrificed for the greater good." He shook his head. "I'm not cut out for this type of thing, I think. I hate hurtin' anythin', even a mouse."

Weir sat back relieved, though it only lasted mere seconds. "So does the Wraith know that some of us possess the Ancient gene?"

"Well, normally, I don't think it had any reason to know. Unless that information was extracted from Colonel Sumner."

"Not likely."

"Well, if we assume that it targeted Major Sheppard by sheer accident, then I would have to say that Tim might have given it away."

Weir sat up straighter. "Meaning if our mice have it, we may too."

Beckett shrugged. "It's a possibility."

"Damn it!" Weir's frustration and anger was tangible. "How could I have been so stupid?"

"It was my idea, Doctor. I should have thought about the ramifications of the experiment."

"We both should have." She ran her hands wearily through her hair.

"We were tryin' to help Major Sheppard." Beckett noted helplessly. It had clouded both their foresight.

"We can't ever allow that Wraith to escape," Weir said. "We're safe in containing that knowledge so long as he can never pass on that information to any of its brethren."

"I think that won't be a problem soon."

"What do you mean?" Weir regarded the Doctor on the other side of the table.

"I was unable to find a means to prevent the Wraith from targeting Major Sheppard. So unless Rodney comes up with somethin' from the ancient texts, we may have no choice but to..." Beckett couldn't even say it.

But Weir could. "Execute the Wraith."

Beckett shrugged helplessly.

tbc

Thanks everyone for reviewing and for being so patient! Real Life's been a monster lately.