Beckett was watching the two men with interest. McKay had brought a variety of things so that they could test what Sheppard had begun referring to as the 'zap factor'. Carson had agreed, provided they do the testing in the infirmary so that he could keep an eye on things; especially when he found out the two men had already tried Rodney's theory that Sheppard could be used as a battery to power ancient devices--without either supervision or success. McKay had laid out a range of items and he and Sheppard were sitting at the table methodically going through each item, one at the time. Rodney was in the middle of an involved explanation of how the Ancient power differed from Earth-type electricity.

"…as opposed to 'Earth electricity' where metallic bonding is present in all metallic elements and in alloys like steel or brass. Positive ions of the metallic element or alloy form a giant lattice, with the valency electrons floating over them. These are the electrons that would be transferred to other elements to form compounds. This arrangement means that the electrons are not attached to specific ions, but move from one ion to another. With an insulator like plastic, wood, non-metals of all descriptions, the electrons are not free to move they are attached to a specific atom and won't move amongst the other atoms. This means that the electrons won't flow through the material, and as that is what an electric current is, a flow of electrons, they are known as insulators. Even though the Ancient system doesn't use 'electricity' per se, the power, once converted from our naquadah generator, does seem to react in a similar manner when it comes to most conductors."

Sheppard turned and gave Beckett a blank look which the physician returned. Both men then turned to look at Rodney.

The scientist gave an exasperated sigh. "I doubt wood or plastic will 'zap' you."

"Why didn't you just say so?" Sheppard reached out and gave a darting tap to the wooden spoon then a more lingering touch. "You're right, wood's okay."

McKay made a notation on his electronic notepad before pointing to another object.

"That's metal, McKay."

"I know, but it's aluminum. We haven't tried aluminum yet. As I said before, while similar, the Ancient's power system…"

Impatient to forestall yet another technical explanation, Sheppard reached out. He was rewarded by a sharp spark of green where his fingers made contact. "That's it! I'm done getting zapped for the day." He stood up but immediately hit the floor when his legs buckled, barely managing to break his fall in time with his hands.

"Major?" Beckett and McKay asked at the same time, both men hesitating to touch him since neither were wearing gloves.

He waved them off. "I'm okay," he assured them, pushing himself off the floor and quickly standing back up, though he kept one hand on the table just in case.

"People who are 'okay' do not collapse for no reason, Major," said Beckett, watching him worriedly.

Deliberately releasing the table, he took a step back from its support. "Really, I feel fine. Good, even. I don't know what just happened."

Beckett still looked uncertain but McKay picked up one of the rubber-handled probe off the table and touched it to Sheppard's arm.

"Ouch!" The major jerked, rubbing the spot when it had made contact. "What did you do that for?"

Rodney poked at him quickly two more times, a greenish spark appearing each time it made contact.

"Ow! Son of a …I'M GONNA TO KICK YOUR ASS, McKAY!" said Sheppard, bristling as he took a threatening step towards the scientist.

"Rodney, have you gone daft?" asked Beckett, putting an arm out to block any further contact between the two men.

"I have a theory," Rodney stated happily.

"What you're going to have is my foot up your ass if you so much as think about touching me again!" Sheppard promised, narrowing his eyes. He looked as though he might have carried through on the threat then and there except that Beckett's arm was still blocking him.

"How do you feel, Major?" Rodney asked, oblivious Sheppard's ire.

"Like I want to dip you in barbeque sauce and throw you to a Wraith," the major growled, still trying to decide if it would be worth the zapping he'd have to endure to show McKay the true extent of his 'feelings'.

The scientist casually waved away the threat. "I'm betting you feel tired…drained, even?"

Dropping his arm, Beckett's frowned thoughtfully when he saw the surprised look on Sheppard's face. "Do you, Major?"

"Maybe a little," John admitted, still eyeing Rodney angrily.

"You said you felt 'good' just a second ago," the doctor reminded him.

This time it was Sheppard who frowned thoughtfully. "I did."

"Touch the wall," suggested McKay.

"What? Why?"

"Just humor me, Major."

"I'd like to do a hell of a lot more than that," grumbled Sheppard but he put his palm flat on the wall.

"Feel better?" McKay asked.

He let go of the wall and looked at his hand curiously. "Yeah, actually I do."

Beckett looked from one to the other, totally confused. "What's this all about, Rodney?"

"I think Atlantis is somehow 'recharging' him. Power constantly runs through conduits behind the walls and in the floors and ceiling. When the Major touches the walls, he draws energy through his contact and gets recharged. Electricity can 'jump' so I'm assuming the power the Ancients use can also 'jump' from the conduits to the wall, spurred by Sheppard's vicinity - similar to the pull of a magnet. His rubber-soled boots insulate him from the energy in the floor. I think his clothing insulates him to some degree as well, creating a barrier between his body and the walls. The more he discharges," he looked to Sheppard to clarify, "gets 'zapped', the more energy he loses."

"I don't like the sound of that," said the physician.

Sheppard shrugged. "I really do feel fine now, Doc. You know, all except the overwhelming desire to kill McKay!" He took a threatening step forward now that Beckett's arm no longer blocked his path.

Rodney took an involuntary but hasty backward, suddenly noticing how angry the major really was. Realizing he still had the probe in his hand, he nervously put it down on the table beside him as he continued to back away. "Well um, I need to get back to the repairs. I've had Zelenka supervising the techs doing some of the more simple but time-consuming work. They should be almost done by now." He slipped quickly out the infirmary door.

"I think I'd like to run a few more tests, Major," said Beckett, still pondering the lasted developments.

"Oh, could we? Please?" asked Sheppard, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

"Grumpy," Beckett remarked as he waved the man toward the exam area.

After he had been poked and prodded, and drained of various fluids, Beckett insisted he stay and nap while they waited for the additional test results. Sheppard rolled over in the infirmary bed, trying to find a comfortable position when his wrist brushed the metal bed frame and he was zapped for what he was sure was the millionth time. He loosed an expletive and got out of the bed, getting another zap for his efforts when his elbow accidentally made contact with an unused I.V. pole.

"Major?" inquired Beckett when he saw him out of bed and seething.

"I can't do it, Doc. I get zapped every time I move. It's driving me insane!"

The doctor pursed his lips in sympathy. "Go on. Back to your own quarters, then."

Sheppard blinked. "Really?"

"Yes, if you promise you'll get some rest. I'll call you if we learn anything from this latest batch of tests."

"Thanks," he said sincerely as he jogged toward the door, anxious to leave before the doctor could change his mind.

oOo

A few hours later, Sheppard was eating supper in his room. Attempting to use wooden chopsticks since the utensils from the cafeteria proved to be conductive, he carefully picked up a piece of chicken. Just as he brought it to his mouth, the chopsticks twisted in his hand and the morsel went flying into the air. Sighing, he tried another piece. It was just a hair's breath away from his lips when there was an impatient banging on the door, startling him. He made a futile effort to catch the falling morsel with his tongue but it dropped into his lap, leaving a small sauce stain on his pants before sliding to the floor. Closing his eyes, he counted to ten, ignoring the continued pounding. Then putting aside his food, he rose to answer it. The sliding door revealed the person he least wanted to deal with at the moment. "What do you want?" he asked in a surly tone, blocking the doorway, and pointedly not inviting the scientist to enter.

"My, aren't we in a good mood?" responded McKay, hiding his amusement as he caught sight of stain and Sheppard's bare feet.

"You try pissing rainbows and sunshine when you get the crap zapped out of you every ten minutes," snapped Sheppard.

"What's with the feet?"

"I stay 'charged' without having to think about it. Have you found out how to de-electrify me yet?"

Rodney wisely decided that this was not the time for another lecture on the difference between electricity and what the ancient actually used for power. "Not yet, I did bring you this though." He handed him a lidded plastic pail.

"What is it?" Sheppard asked, looking at the container suspiciously.

"It's rubber mix. Add a little water, stir it up, and coat whatever you want in it - in a couple of hours, instant insulation." At Sheppard's depressed look he quickly added, "It's just temporary, as soon as we get the power conduits fixed and the control room back on-line, we'll be able to access the database again so we can find out how to 'cure' you. Oh, and here," he said, pulling something out of his back pocket. "Rubber gloves," he explained. "We found some that are a little less cumbersome than the ones Beckett's been using."

Sheppard accepted them gratefully. "Thanks."

"You're welcome. You realize if you had listened to me in the first place, none of SHIT!" He jumped back, clearing the doorframe.

"Oops." Sheppard smiled despite the stinging in his fingers. "Sorry about that." He let the door slide shut between them.

oOo

The gate lit up and the alarm began to sound.

"Unscheduled off-world activation," announced Peter Grodin over the open channel. Several soldiers rushed to take up positions along the stairway and each side of the Stargate.

"Raise the shield," said Weir, coming out of her office.

The shield obediently glowed, flickered briefly, then disappeared in a bright flash--along with most of the lighting in the control room. The remaining glow from the gate's event horizon bathed the room in a soft, blue light.

"We've lost power!" announced Grodin unnecessarily.

A Wraith stepped through the undulating event horizon, stood for a moment taking in his surroundings, then walked forward; several more quickly appeared behind him. All had a light dusting of snow on their heads and shoulders. Everyone in the control room turned their undivided attention to the gate and the four soldiers assigned to guard the control room immediately began emptying the contents of their P-90's into the newcomers. They managed to take out three before Wraith stunners blasted the men into unconsciousness.

oOo

"This is Sheppard," he said, clicking on his radio when he heard the off-world alarm. He knew there were currently no off-world teams. "What's going on?"

"Wraith!"

He could hear gunfire in the background. "Where?"

"Control room," came the reply before the radio went dead.

Sheppard shoved his feet into his boots and grabbed his pistol, dropping it onto the bed when he got a zap for his efforts. He hurriedly put on the gloves Rodney had given him and picked it back up, running out the door towards the control room.


Credits & Notes:

Rodney's spiel on electricity was taken from the GCSE SOS Teacher website.

The barbeque sauce was hubby's idea. (Can you tell he's Southern born and bred?)