Don't Drink the Water…part eight
John and Rodney laughed until they cried over Elizabeth doused in shaving cream. And it wasn't until Rodney started hiccupping that they noticed Beckett had come back, and was standing there, tapping his foot.
"Uh oh," John muttered to Rodney. "I think you're in trouble."
"Me?" Rodney was astonished. "Why me? I didn't do anything. It wasn't my fault --"
"SILENCE!" Carson thundered, making both men jump. And he was right pleased when they fell quiet and simply stared at him. "Now...we're going to run a few more tests, laddies."
Rodney wasn't having that. More tests meant more needles and he hated needles. "No way!" he shouted, and then he made a run for the door. Only to be grabbed by one of the marines guarding the exit. Rodney didn't think, he kicked out and nailed the guy in the groin.
John wasn't about to let Rodney hightail it to freedom without him, so he jumped off his bed and ran over to help. When the second marine tried to grab him, John ducked then popped back up, slamming the heel of his hand into the guy's nose, making his head snap back and blood spout. John then grabbed for the gun holstered on the marine's thigh. He had the safety off and the gun pointed at Carson, who had been advancing on them. "You leave Rodney alone!" John shouted.
"Major...put the gun down," Carson beseeched him. He knew this was going to be bad if he couldn't get Sheppard disarmed. And the marines weren't going to be much help. One was curled up on the floor, holding himself, the other was bent over, holding his nose, with blood gushing from between his fingers. Carson had to fight the urge to go to them. He had to deal with Sheppard first.
"Can't do that," John said, his voice cold. No one was allowed to mess with Rodney, other than himself.
Rodney was scared but eager to escape. He grabbed Sheppard's free arm. "Come on...let's go already before they call in the reinforcements."
John nodded. "Move out," he ordered, sidling back to follow Rodney. "Don't move, doc," he warned Carson, as he made it a point to cock the gun. Then he was out the door and running.
"Bloody hell!" Carson hissed, even as he clicked his earpiece. "Dr. Weir...we've got a problem," he announced. Then he winced as he explained what happened.
OoO
"Where to?" Rodney asked as they ran. "They're going to come after us."
"I know." John was trying to think. "We need to go to a section no one knows about."
Rodney grinned. "I know where to go. It hasn't been mapped out yet. I just discovered it in fact. And guess what?"
John could see that Rodney was excited and that pleased him for some reason. "What?"
"It's below sea level."
"Really?" John was intrigued. "Where? Show me."
A huge smile threatened to split Rodney's face. "This way." He started running and led Sheppard down several corridors, only to stop in front of a transporter door looking crestfallen. "Nothing works. We can't use the transporters and that's the only way to get down there," he pouted.
John bit his lip as he considered their predicament. "Move over," he said, pushing Rodney aside. Then he reached out and pressed a hand against the transporter door. It lit up and a moment later it slid open.
"How did you do that?" Rodney asked, looking stunned.
"I kinda willed it to open," John replied, a bit sheepishly. "Wasn't sure if it would work. Come on." He herded Rodney inside. The door slid closed. "Now where too?"
Rodney studied the panel then tapped a point. "Hang on." he was smiling again.
John leaned against the wall, suddenly feeling dizzy. "Uh...Rodney?"
"Yeah?"
"I don't feel so good." In fact, John felt like shit all of the sudden. His vision was graying out and his legs felt like rubber.
Rodney grabbed Sheppard by the shoulders as he started to slide sideways. "What's wrong? Major?"
But John didn't answer. Darkness had claimed him.