The Grudge
Part 3
Author: Mac
Disclaimers in Part 1
Kavanaugh looked up to see Rodney McKay standing outside the cell. "What do you want?" he growled.
McKay crossed his arms. "I'm curious as to why you attacked Dr. Weir in the first place. Just because she did something other than what you suggested. It makes no sense."
"Of course you'd side with her," Kavanaugh replied, "your life was on the line. As was everyone else in this city! Her personal feelings got in the way on this latest escapade!"
"What the hell are you talking about?"
Kavanaugh shook his head. "I told Major Sheppard you couldn't screw in a light bulb."
McKay was really pissed now. "I'll have you know that if it weren't for me, none of us would be here today. Or, did you forget about the city having to rise from the bottom of the ocean so we wouldn't DIE!"
"Just shut up, McKay. No one wants to hear you gloat."
"Well, no one wants to hear your whining. This has gotten out of hand. Why did you even come out here?"
Kavanaugh was quiet now. That was definitely something he didn't want to talk about with Rodney McKay! He decided to change the subject. "Seriously, you haven't noticed what's been happening five feet in front of you?"
"I'm speaking to a child."
"Amusing," he said sarcastically, "but no. Sheppard and Weir. You don't see it."
McKay thought for a moment. What was this idiot talking about? Then it dawned on him. "So what. They like each other. With the situation we've been thrown in, it's likely to assume some of us would start developing feelings towards one another."
"You would see it that way," Kavanaugh muttered.
"This has been a waste of my time. Have a nice evening."
McKay had no idea why he even bothered going to see Kavanaugh. I have so much to do around here, he thought to himself as he headed up to the control room, after all Atlantis almost lost me, I should be out making up for it.
He found Elizabeth in her office reading over a few reports. She looked up at him when he entered. "Dr. McKay."
"Elizabeth. Are you busy?"
"Have a seat. I've been looking for an excuse to take a break from these reports," she said with a smile. "What can I do for you?"
"Not to be blunt or anything, but how the hell did someone like Kavanaugh end up on this mission?"
She laughed. "Not too blunt there, Rodney? Honestly, I don't know. I had heard about his reputation from Dr. Zelenka, but it wasn't my say on whether he should join us or not."
"So maybe Zelenka knows why he came out here. I just came from talking to him and he wouldn't tell me. Not that I thought he'd be very forthcoming. I wonder..."
Elizabeth eyed him. She could almost see the gears turning in his mind. "Well, don't keep me in suspense. Do you have an idea?"
"Maybe he was sent on this mission to keep us from learning the secrets of Atlantis. Anyone could have approved his presence here. The NID, Kinsey."
"Are you saying you think our former Vice President had something to do with this?" she asked.
McKay shrugged. "Why not? From what I heard from Dr. Jackson, they're known for misdirection."
The more Elizabeth thought about it, the more she agreed. After all, Kinsey was so hell bent on trying to control the Stargate program. "We can speculate all we want, Rodney, but the only one who has the answers is Kavanaugh. Damn, I still don't know what to do with him!"
"Couldn't we just pitch him into the waters of Atlantis?"
The pair turned to see John leaning against the door frame. McKay stood up. "I volunteer to toss him!"
"As fun as that may sound, boys, I don't think so." She quickly briefed John on their thoughts. "We were just getting ready to go down and talk to him."
"Lead the way, Doctors."
"Bates, you said you'd have a way for me to get out of here. I don't see you working any miracles right now."
"Keep your shirt on, Kavanaugh. I'm not as good at hotwiring these things as you are!"
Kavanaugh crossed his arms. "I can see that. You need to cut the green wire and connect it with the red." He sighed. He was having a hard time understanding how Bates got recruited by Kinsey.
"Got it!" The door to the cell easily slid open. "There's chatter going on. Weir and Sheppard are on their way down. We have to get to the control room as soon as possible if we're dialing out of here!"
"Let's go!" Kavanaugh exclaimed.
The two men had disappeared just as Elizabeth, Rodney, and John arrived. "What the hell! Bates, this is Sheppard! Kavanaugh's gone."
"Elizabeth, we're going to need a med team down here too!" She ran over to where Rodney was kneeling on the floor. There was a pool of blood around Sergeant Billing's head.
"Major?"
He shook his head. "Bates isn't responding. I have a bad feeling about this!"
:Dr. Weir, this is Grodin:
"Go ahead!"
:We have a-OOF:
"Peter!"
John didn't wait for any orders, he ran passed everyone and back to the control room.
