A/N: Okay this took like a whole load longer than I actually expected it to:P So sorry about that, but here is another long chapter for you wonderful Gaters:D Oh yes, I think everyone can remember in The Brotherhood when the Dart flew over the city...well if you can't go watch it again...and if you do, then you will know that the Wraith ended up in the city didn't it! Well I am using that, so spoilers right up until The BrotherHood now:)
Disclaimer: Eh not mind, never were mine, and never will be mine, im just borrowing them for a while, but i promsie they will be returned in full working order.:P
Chapter 3-How Long! Midnight Wonderings
The briefing didn't last very long and Elizabeth had dismissed them both to get cleaned up and have something to eat ten minutes ago.
It was now 1800 hours both John and Rodney had stayed asleep for the rest of the afternoon. But Elizabeth knew they would be waking up soon.
Writing up her report to the SGC-despite the fact that they couldn't send them to the SGC-about how Major Sheppard and Dr McKay had turned into kids. She imagined that General O'Neill would at least get a chuckle out of it.
Yawning Elizabeth sat back in her chair and looked out towards the Gate room. She knew that every team she sent through the Stargate there was a chance they wouldn't come back.
She also knew that getting close to any of them was risk. But they were isolated from Earth and she had made friendships with each and every member of the Atlantis expedition.
So when they go hurt, or upset she felt responsible for it. Sighing Elizabeth saved her work and closed the laptop down for the night.
Getting up Elizabeth left her office and started to make her way to the Mess Hall for a early dinner, well early to her since she normally didn't get dinner until 2100 hours.
As she turned a corner she nearly ran into Dr Mackenzie, the resident linguist who had managed to decipher quiet a lot of the Ancient Texts they had procured from around Atlantis.
"Ah Dr Weir, I was just coming to see you," said Mackenzie, her voice punctured by her rather strong Australian accent.
"Dr Mackenzie what can I do for you?" replied Elizabeth.
"Its more about the stuff that Dr Kavanaugh brought back," began Mackenzie enthusiastically, "It seemed the Ancients were looking into ways of actually pro longing there life before they ascended that is. It seemed there experiments went wrong though instead of pro longing their life it regressed there ages,"
"So they what abandoned the experiment?" asked Elizabeth curiously.
Sighing Mackenzie answered, "No the scientist that were working on it, got hit by a wraith culling, they were working…"
"Yes?" prompted Elizabeth.
"Well the text doesn't say exactly," answered Mackenzie, obviously holding something back.
"What does the text say Doctor?" encouraged Elizabeth gently.
"The last person that regressed died Dr Weir. The last entry says they were close to stopping the death," answered Mackenzie, her enthusiasm deflated now, "It looks like Major Sheppard and Dr McKay may die."
Elizabeth stood there shocked at that announcement; she stared at the brunette doctor before her taking a deep breath and asking.
"How…how long do they have?"
"By the calculations that we worked on and how long the texts-" started Mackenzie before being cut off.
"How long?" cut in Elizabeth dreading the answer.
Swallowing nervously Mackenzie answered, "I'm sorry Dr Weir, they only have a week,"
"A week?" repeated Elizabeth.
"Yes I'm very sorry," apologized Mackenzie.
Frowning Elizabeth said, "But you said the texts just finished, so maybe they managed to actually get the process right before they were all killed. It could be they just never documented it, due to the culling,"
"Its entirely possible Dr Weir, but I don't see how. The last entry clearly states that the wraith were going to cull that planet the next day," began Mackenzie, "What are you going to tell them?"
"Well I'm certain not going to tell two five year olds they are going to die. I want you to go through the texts again, see if there is anything we can use," explained Elizabeth.
"Dr Weir we spent several hours going through it there's nothing there!" protested Mackenzie.
"I am not going to condemn our people to death Doctor! Maybe you missed something, just double check everything please," ordered Elizabeth.
Nodding her head Mackenzie replied "Yes Dr Weir."
Turning around Mackenzie headed back to her lab, with a determination to find something hidden within the texts.
Elizabeth turned around and headed off to the infirmary to relay the new information to Carson. So much for an early dinner, thought Elizabeth.
Entering the infirmary for the what felt like the sixth time that day, the site that met her made her smile.
Ford was sat at the end of John's bed telling some form of scary story to both John and Rodney. Both the young boy's looked rather scared, yet seemed to be actually enjoying it.
"So as they crept into the house, there was lightening and rain pounding against the windows, casting eerie shadows across the old wooden creaky floor," Ford said, well into the story telling he never noticed Elizabeth come up behind him.
"Lieutenant, you wouldn't be telling scary stories now would you?" asked Elizabeth smiling.
Jumping up Ford seemed rather shocked as he answered quickly, "No Ma'am."
Both John and Rodney laughed at Ford; they found it funny that someone else was in trouble for telling them stories.
"At ease Lieutenant," replied Elizabeth smiling, "What were you telling them?"
"Just a story that my cousin told me when I was a kid, Ma'am," answered Ford.
"Well don't go scaring them to much, I don't think Carson wants to spend a sleepless night reassuring John and Rodney that no monster live under there beds," Elizabeth replied with a smile.
"I won't do Ma'am," responded Ford, glancing at the two five year olds that were now talking to each other quietly for a change.
"Good, now where is Carson, I expected him to be here?" asked Elizabeth curiously.
"He went to the Mess about five minutes ago Ma'am," answered Ford.
"Thank you Lieutenant," thanked Elizabeth.
Elizabeth turned around and headed back towards the door; just before she left she glanced over her shoulder. Ford was again telling his story to John and Rodney, who where sitting listening animatedly.
They are too vulnerable for there own good, thought Elizabeth as she turned away and left, a week, a week to show them the wonders of Atlantis. I just hope the Wraith don't decide to show up.
As she walked the corridor to the Mess Hall she noticed the odd couple of people standing around talking to one another, which was not uncommon. As she passed two people, who were engineers to the city, Elizabeth over heard part of their conversation and had to try not to laugh.
"I heard that Major Sheppard got that annoyed with Dr McKay he just asked an Ancient to turn him into a kid," whispered the person.
Shaking her head Elizabeth hid her smile, and entered the Mess Hall to see Carson sitting at a table on his own, obviously finishing off his dinner.
Going over Elizabeth sat down and started speaking, "Carson enjoying your dinner?"
"Aye I was. I take it you have some new information otherwise you wouldn't have sat down?" answered Carson, pushing his plate away.
Elizabeth looked down at the table before answering, "Dr MacKenzie reported her findings to me ten minutes ago, they weren't what we needed to hear…"
"Elizabeth?" encouraged Carson.
It weren't often he used her given name and only when he needed her to tell him everything did he use it.
"The findings as I have said weren't what we wanted. Apparently the Ancients were looking to pro-longing there life," began Elizabeth looking back up, "I don't know the exact content of the texts but, according to MacKenzie the experiments failed. The Ancients regressed in age to the age that John and Rodney are now. But that's not everything, apparently the subjects died within a week."
Carson sat back in his chair shocked at what Elizabeth had just said. So not only were his friends five year olds, they were also going to die.
"I'm sorry if this comes as a shock to you," apologized Elizabeth.
Finding his voice Carson replied, "Aye you could say it's something of a shock. Do we know what to expect?"
"I don't know, I have MacKenzie going over it now, looking for anything that can help us save them," answered Elizabeth determinedly, she wasn't ready just yet to lose two of her best people.
"What you going to tell them?" asked Carson.
"Well I'm not going to tell them they are going to die," replied Elizabeth sternly, "Have they shown signs of deteriorating?"
"None, they are perfectly healthy five year old boys," answered Carson, "speaking of which is Lieutenant Ford still keeping them company?"
Elizabeth smiled as she remembered Ford telling them scary stories, "Yes he is, and actually he's telling them a story,"
"Please don't tell me it's a scary one?" questioned Carson.
Sure he had, had some sleepless nights from looking after critically ill patients but never had he had to have no sleep for a scared five year old.
"I'm afraid so," answered Elizabeth, still grinning.
She was glad that the young Lt didn't feel so helpless with them any more, even if it did mean telling them scary stories.
"Well he best not scare the lads too much," put in Carson.
"I'm sure he won't, besides Teyla will keep them company if they have any nightmares," responded Elizabeth.
"Aye I'm sure she will."
It was deadly silent, no one was about, and nothing could be heard except for a slight sniffle in one of the beds in the dark infirmary.
John only having learnt time telling a while ago, could tell that it was late. Later than he had ever been awake before, he knew something was wrong with Rodney, the minute he had woken up to him, mumbling and sniffling in his sleep.
But how many times had he himself started crying and not wanted anyone to see him at it. But maybe it was the way the other boy was sniffling, so loudly that made him get up.
John pushed back his covers and straightened his top up before jumping off the bed, sucking in a sharp breath as cold floor met hot feet.
"Woah cold," mumbled John.
Walking across to the other bed in complete silence, John saw Rodney lying on his stomach face turned to the right and was mumbling in his sleep. It wasn't just the mumblings and sniffling that now had John concerned but also the screwed up expression on Rodney's face.
Like he was in some form of pain but couldn't actually get any help. Not liking the look on his new friends face, John reached up and shook Rodney's shoulder.
It didn't take long before Rodney was staring at the concerned face of John instead of the hard face of his stepmother that he was use to seeing from waking from a nightmare.
Sitting up quickly and wiping his eyes Rodney asked, "What?"
"I came to see if you were all right, I heard you…well I heard you talkin' in your sleep," answered John, not mentioning the sniffling.
"Well I'm fine thank you," Rodney replied bitingly.
"Good because I have something I want to show you," added John, not deterred by Rodney's tone of voice.
"Show me?" asked Rodney.
Smiling John just nodded his head before walking away slightly and said, "Come on."
John had over heard one of the nurses talking about the view from the south side of the infirmary. Now that was all good, but John wanted to take a look out the window for himself yet no one had let him.
So he had decided he would try to sneak a look and what a better way to sneak a look than with a friend and at nighttime.
"You sure we really should?" questioned Rodney cautiously.
Rolling his eyes, John answered, "Yes sure, sure. Now come on before the doctor comes out!"
Rodney didn't need telling a third time as he also got down from his bed, sucked in a sharp breath at the coldness before joining John's side.
The two young boy's silently crept away from their beds Rodney looking around at the dark infirmary, everything looked more threatening without the lights on.
He decided to stick close to John as the other boy navigated his way around the equipment in their way. Wonder how long he's going to stick around before he finds some other friends, thought Rodney folding his arms.
It had always been the same ever since he'd started school; they would stick around him for a day, before going off to find someone more exciting. Well it wasn't his fault he had an appetite for learning anything and everything.
"Psst!" hissed John quietly.
Shaking away his thoughts Rodney replied, "What?"
"Look," instructed John pointing at the window.
Moving his gaze away from John, Rodney took a look out of the window and the site that he saw frightened and awed him all at the same time.
They were on some sort of floating city that was sitting in the middle of the ocean. It seemed the infirmary they were in was several meters high up from the ground.
"I don't think we're in Kansas any more," muttered John, still staring at the amazing site.
In his fright Rodney took a step backwards only to walk into something. Losing his balance Rodney went falling to the floor taking the trolley he had walked into with him.
John snapped his head around just in time to see Rodney grab at the trolley and fall over. Trying to stop the trolley from going over John managed to grab at the trolley but ending up falling over as well.
Both boys' being on the floor shared a look before breaking into a fit of laughter. Unfortunately the laughter didn't last long as all the lights came on and a voice resounded around the room.
"Just what the hell is going on in here!" exclaimed Carson.
Both John and Rodney got to their feet and dusted themselves down and cast their eyes to their feet. Not wanting to provoke the Scottish doctors wrath any further.
"Well do one of your lads want to explain why you're outta bed and wondering around?" questioned Carson, glancing at both the guilt-ridden lads.
"Sorry," mumbled Rodney.
"Well sorry ain't gonna cut it lad," responded Carson.
"It's my fault," spoke up John.
"Oh Aye and just what were you doing?" repeated Carson.
Even as a young boy it seemed John would protect his friends. Obviously it was a trait he had been born with.
Holding his head up John answered, "I wanted to look out the window, Rodney woke up and I dragged him with me. I didn't know I'd frighten him and I'm sorry,"
"Well then get back to bed," began Carson, not wanting to berate the already guilt ridden boys any further, "I don't want to hear anything else from you, both of you until the morning!"
John nodded and pulled on Rodney's arm to go back to bed, but received a sharp gasp from the other boy instead. Thinking he had hurt Rodney, John immediately let go and stepped away.
Hearing the gasp Carson was at Rodney's side in seconds, taking hold of the child's arm he was surprised Rodney tried to pull away. Normally Rodney would be constantly complaining about any ailment he had.
Frowning Carson said, "I need to see your arm, son, to make sure it's all right,"
"Its fine," insisted Rodney, trying to pull his arm away.
"Rodney let him take a look," interrupted John softly.
Maybe it was something in John's voice but Rodney stopped struggling and let Carson push his sleeve up to reveal an odd shaped bruise, it was almost in the shape of someone's hand.
Twisting the arm slightly, Carson frowned even more and asked, "Rodney how did you get this?"
When he had first checked Rodney over he never checked the top of his arms. And it wasn't surprising the nurses had missed it, when changing their clothes they weren't looking for it.
"I…eh…I got hit with a football at school," lied Rodney, thinking quickly.
He was definitely not going to mention getting grabbed and shoved into the couch by his step-mum. After all he had been warned not to mention anything that happened to him, to strangers.
"Are you sure about that?" repeated Carson gently; he didn't like the look of the bruise not that he could do much about it.
"I'm not a liar!" exclaimed Rodney.
"I know you not. Well there is nothing I can do for bruises except let them fade on there own," explained Carson, letting Rodney's arm go, "Now both of you get back to bed, you have a long day ahead of you tomorrow,"
"Why, what's happening tomorrow?" questioned John curiosity perked up.
"That would be telling, now off with you both. Bed!" instructed Carson.
Not needing to be told a third time John and Rodney made there back to bed. They were both settled in there beds, covers wrapped around them when the lights went back out.
It didn't take the two boy's long to fall back to sleep, this time to sleep all the way through the night.
"There is several large quarters just off the East Labs they are rather secluded though," explained Stackhouse.
It was around mid-day the following day and Elizabeth had sent two teams out to have a look for some larger quarters so she could keep an eye on the two five year olds.
So far only Stackhouse' team had reported back that they had found quarters; Sergeant Bates team had only found more labs and water damage.
"Thank you Sergeant," thanked Elizabeth, leaning back in her chair, "Do we have power to the East side living quarters?"
"I think we would have to route some more power there, only the doors opened if pressed," answered Stackhouse.
Sighing Elizabeth looked at Stackhouse, the last thing they needed to do was bring more of the city online to use more power, power which they didn't have enough of to spare at the moment.
"With all due respect Ma'am, I could take my team back out and see what living quarters we have remaining in this area?" suggested Stackhouse.
Thinking it over Elizabeth answered, "Very well, but Sergeant I want you to have lunch first, the last thing we need is your team to end up in the infirmary,"
"Yes Ma'am," agreed Stackhouse, leaving the room.
Checking her watch Elizabeth let out another sigh, Sergeant Bates hadn't returned yet and she was hoping they hadn't ran into anything like the nanovirus they had come across a while back.
Leaning forward Elizabeth opened up her laptop back up, thinking of finishing off a report when her office door opened again and Carson entered.
"Carson shouldn't you be watching John and Rodney?" queried Elizabeth, looking up.
"Aye I was Teyla and Ford are watching them. I take it you heard about last night?" answered Carson, taking a seat.
"I heard something along the grape vine, they found out they weren't on Earth," replied Elizabeth.
"Aye but that's not all," began Carson, "I found them both on the floor, a trolley toppled over, caused quiet the ruckus,"
"I should imagine it did, how are they both this morning?" asked Elizabeth.
"Exceedingly well, although there is the problem of Rodney's arm. He has a nasty bruise on it," answered Carson concerned.
Shrugging slightly Elizabeth replied, "They did get trapped under a stone building Carson, we're lucky they are even alive,"
"Aye that's true, but that bruise was not caused by any falling rock. Not in the shape it was now, now I know none of my staff handled him that roughly," explained Carson.
"So what are you saying, that his actual younger self is here?" asked Elizabeth, not really expecting an answer to her question.
"It seems that way, and we know its possible to travel through time," responded Carson.
Elizabeth gave him a warning look at that, it had only been a few weeks since they had come across another lab, with what they had first thought was a living Ancient in a stasis chamber.
But after they had revived her and she had woken up, the team realized time travel was possible. As the person they had revived had been Elizabeth Weir.
"Okay then say that they are from the past, why didn't our John and Rodney remember Atlantis when we first arrived?" asked Elizabeth, feeling like she was stuck out to sea and there was nothing to help her get home.
"I have no idea, but if they are from the past. Then our John and Rodney are still out there somewhere," answered Carson.
Sitting back in her chair, Elizabeth rubbed her forehead; she just knew this day was going to give her a headache, "Okay for now lets deal with this John and Rodney. I guess we should tell them the truth and I will have Lieutenant Ford head out a team back to P5X 597,"
"Aye I'll head back to the infirmary," replied Carson standing up.
"Yes I'll be along later, thank you Carson," thanked Elizabeth.
"No problem,"
Elizabeth waited until Carson had left her office before she reached for her headset. She had always taken it off whilst in meetings.
Slipping it back around her ear she pressed it once and began speaking, "Sergeant Bates, I want your team to report to the Gateroom immediately please."
When she didn't get a reply from them, she assumed that they were out of radio range. Which even for Atlantis standards was strange.
Sighing Elizabeth clicked the headset again and said, "Lieutenant Ford, can you make your way to my office please?"
"Yes Ma'am," responded Ford, over his own radio a couple of minutes later.
Not ten minutes later Ford had entered Elizabeth's office and sat down in the offered chair.
Dr Mackenzie's lab
MacKenzie had worked through most of the night; deciphering most of the texts from the information that Kavanaugh had given her.
Now she was on her 12th cup of coffee and was literally falling to sleep on her workstations. She had been determined to find something, anything that would bring Major Sheppard and Dr McKay back.
Most of the texts had said mostly the same thing; the regression worked yet the subject died at the end of the week. The only thing that really changed was the way they died.
If MacKenzie didn't she was reading age regression, she would have been sure she was reading a profile on the plague.
"Dr MacKenzie you best take a look at this," spoke up one of the other linguists.
Turning to face him MacKenzie asked, "What you got Ryan?"
"Not so much what I've found, more of who did these reports," answered the man in question.
Getting up MacKenzie rushed over to Ryan's side and read through the script and read the name at the bottom of the screen, she sat in the chair heavily.
"Is this correct?" asked MacKenzie shocked.
"I ran it against the other experiments he ran, it is exactly the same person," answered Ryan.
"Great, great, great," muttered MacKenzie, before getting up and heading towards the door.
"Wait where are you going?" called Ryan.
"To find Dr Weir, she's gonna want to know about this," called back MacKenzie.
The doctor left her lab and ran towards Elizabeth's office.
Infirmary
"When can we leave?" asked John for the tenth time that morning.
Both boys' were dressed in some Athosian clothing that Teyla had found in one of the quarters her people had inhabited whilst they'd been staying on Atlantis.
"Soon, just be patient a while longer," answered Teyla.
She had been left alone with the two of them five minutes ago; so far the only one to cause some trouble had been John. He had tried several times to leave already, but each time he had been caught by either a nurse or Teyla.
"You said that ten minutes ago," pointed out John impatiently.
Sighing Teyla repeated calmly, "Then you shall have to be patient some more,"
"Please all I want to do is leave, please," begged John.
Teyla had only seen John be impatient once before and that was when he had over ruled Elizabeth's authority, when the nanovirus had been accidentally released.
"Aye as Teyla has already said, son, you have to be patient a little while longer," interrupted Carson, entering the infirmary.
John just crossed his arms and sat silently which made for a quiet infirmary since Rodney was sat still picking at his food, obviously not liking the meal on the tray one bit.
Sighing Carson said, "Rodney if you're not hungry, then you don't have to eat it,"
"But…I mean…Really?" asked Rodney; shocked he had been caught at picking at his food.
He had been so wrapped up in his thoughts he had actually forgotten where he was and who was with him.
"Aye lad you can," answered Carson, smiling softly at the five year old.
Relieved he hadn't gotten in trouble, Rodney got down from his bed and placed his tray next to John's empty one. Before he sat back down on the bed.
Neither of them had been told where they were going once they left the infirmary, but both of them were anxious, especially after what they had seen last night.
"Now I want to check you both over again, before Dr-ah-Elizabeth gets here. So jump back on your bed...John," explained Carson patiently.
It seemed that John was all out of argument as he climbed back up on the bed. But he still kept his arms crossed as though daring anyone to tell him other wise.
Rodney on the other hand seemed to relax as soon as Elizabeth's name was mentioned. Obviously Elizabeth had made quiet the impression on Rodney.
Carson started with John checking all the usual-blood pressure, heart rate, oxygen level-before checking the boy's back where he had been-supposedly-hit with a falling rock.
The bruise was surprisingly healing rather fast and was now a light greenish colour. Pulling John's top back down Cars moved onto Rodney and did exactly the same thing.
Running a hand over Rodney's head, Carson saw him over away from the pain but not make a noise.
"Does that still hurt you Rodney?" asked Carson.
"A Little," mumbled Rodney.
"Well next time just say so. Can't have you walking around in pain now can we," replied Carson.
Rodney just shook his head in reply and went back to being quiet. It weren't the fact he had nothing to say, on the contrary he had lots to say. But the people around him might have gotten mad at him for going on and on so he had kept quiet.
Finishing up the check up of the two boys, Carson said, "Well lads you're both perfectly fine and when Elizabeth gets here you can leave."
He was sure he'd never seen two happier patients being told they could leave than John and Rodney. John had whispered a not so silent 'Yes' whilst Rodney just smiled.
Ten minutes later and Elizabeth walked in to the infirmary a smile set in place. After all it wouldn't do to worry two five year olds over that could be nothing.
"Morning John, Rodney, Teyla," greeted Elizabeth.
"Hey 'Lizabeth," greeted John brightly.
Teyla just nodded her head whilst Rodney offered a mumbled 'Hello' in return.
Smiling at John, Elizabeth turned to Carson and asked, "So are they both fit to leave?"
"Aye they are but they are also to take it easy," answered Carson.
"Of course," replied Elizabeth, before turning back to the beds, "So you both ready to leave?"
"Yeah!" exclaimed John, as Rodney nodded.
"Well come on then, and I will explain a few things as we go," replied Elizabeth.
Again both of them climbed down from their beds and followed Elizabeth out of the infirmary, flanking each side of her. As they walked down a rather busy corridor, the two boys kept glancing up at the people walking past.
The one thing that both of them noticed were several people was wearing the same coloured clothing.
"So where are we?" asked John side stepping several people.
"Well that's a little complicated. In here," began Elizabeth heading them onto the balcony, where it was quiet.
"Well we're certainly not in Canada," remarked Rodney, edging towards the ledge.
"Or America," added in John.
Watching his new friend edge around the side's John sighed went over, grabbed Rodney's arm and pulled him over.
"Oy! What you do that for?" questioned Rodney, pulling his arm free.
"You want to know where we are, you can't listen over there!" pointed out John.
"But I-"
"Enough you two, I don't want you arguing," cut in Elizabeth, "Now what I am about to tell you both, you may not believe but I promise you it's the truth,"
"So…Where are we?" repeated John.
Neither of them had been told a lie before, but they had also never been told anything as extravagant before.
"Where either of you ever told of the myth of Atlantis?" asked Elizabeth carefully.
"It sank beneath the sea because it used its power for the wrong reasons," answered John smoothly.
"Very good John, Rodney what do you know about it?" praised Elizabeth.
Shrugging Rodney answered, "It's a myth, don't believe in myth's when you can't see it,"
Smiling softly Elizabeth replied, "That is two very different opinions, which isn't a bad thing. Now Rodney I want you to take a look around the balcony, tell me what you see?"
Rodney did as he was asked to do and looked around the balcony he was on. It weren't any different from the one's he had seen on TV.
Turning back to Elizabeth, Rodney answered, "Just the balcony, with me, John and you…oh and a weird looking plant on it,"
"That's right you can see everything on this balcony and you can see the ocean," replied Elizabeth.
John who had watched the interaction perplexed, asked, "What does this have to do with here?"
"Because John this city you are in, is the lost city of Atlantis," answered Elizabeth.
Both John and Rodney mouths dropped open at the revelation of where they were. They both glanced at each other, before they looked over the edge of the balcony at the city below them.
"Definitely not Kansas," mumbled John again.
The city below them weaved in and out of each other; there was also a pier they could see and a few people walking along it.
John followed the outside of the city with his eyes, travelling all the way up to one of the towers that rose several feet above the sea level.
Rodney, who had never been a good swimmer just gulped at the site of all the sea. Although he had to admit the city itself was magnificent.
"I understand this must be a shock to you both," began Elizabeth, "But there is one more thing you need to see,"
"More?" asked John turning around.
"Yes I'm afraid so, you see the people that built Atlantis, also built something else. Something just as good as the city," answered Elizabeth.
"Wait how do we know you aren't lying?" responded Rodney bluntly.
"Think about it Rodney, why would I make something like this up," replied Elizabeth, gesturing around.
It seemed Rodney did think it over as he glanced once more around the balcony before shrugging. He didn't have any proof that she was lying to them.
"So what's this more?" cut in John curiously.
"The more is something we call the Stargate," explained Elizabeth, "It is a device that lets people travel from one planet, to another,"
"Planets?"
"Travel?" questioned John and Rodney at exactly the same time.
Laughing lightly Elizabeth answered, "Yes, travel to other planets.
"Can…can we see this Stargate?" asked Rodney intrigued.
"Of course you can, but I must ask both of you not to touch anything," answered Elizabeth.
She wasn't sure if John's ATA gene would be more accessible with him being younger. After all in our younger self's we were more accepting of the strange and weird. So the last thing Elizabeth needed was John activating something they didn't know about.
"Okay, we promise," answered John.
"Good, come on then," responded Elizabeth.
Again Elizabeth led the two boys into the corridor and led them towards the Gateroom. Elizabeth hoped that the Airmen on duty didn't scare the boys too much.
The door slid open and Elizabeth walked the two five year olds towards the Stargate. As usual the Gateroom was busy, scientists running tests, military personnel on guard and then there was everyone else moving from one room to another.
John was the first one to stop walking as his eyes landed on the Stargate that sat there in the middle of the room in all its glory.
Rodney on the other hand carried on walking towards the Stargate, eyes wide in wonder. He didn't stop until he was standing at the side of it. He reached out a hand and touched it; he could feel its cool metal against his fingers.
Elizabeth who had stopped a foot away from Rodney watched him curiously. She had seen that look in his eyes before. She had seen it when he had found some ancient gizmo that he was trying to figure out.
A child likes curiosity that has not wavered from him, even with all he has been through in Atlantis, thought Elizabeth.
John on the other hand was staring at everything around him, the Stargate, the outside, the military personnel. It seemed there was so much for him to look at that he was scared of missing something.
"They look like stars," commented Rodney, pointing at one of the Chevrons.
"They are, in a way. Each one is like…like a number on your telephone. You'd press them in a certain order," explained Elizabeth.
"But you get a planet instead of a person," put in John bringing his attention back to the Stargate.
"Exactly," agree Elizabeth.
"Does it work?" asked Rodney, turning around.
"Yes of course in fact we have a team off world now," answered Elizabeth.
As soon as the words left her mouth the Stargate came to life making Rodney and John jump. Elizabeth took both of them by the hands and took them to the control room.
"Peter?" asked Elizabeth urgently.
"It could be the Lt's team, we haven't received any IDC yet," answered Peter.
"Raise the Shield then," instructed Elizabeth.
Peter nodded and hit the button that activated the shield and they waited until the last chevron lock and the wormhole splashed open.
They still waited and several seconds passed before several large bangs were heard as someone or something hit the shield.
Elizabeth flinched at each bang that hit the shield she just prayed it wasn't her people hitting the shield.
"Do we have an IDC yet?" questioned Elizabeth.
Checking the laptop Peter answered, "There still isn't one,"
Sighing Elizabeth pressed her headset and said, "Lieutenant this is Weir come in,"
There was silence except for the few crackles of static.
"Atlantis, we are under Wraith attack, they took out IDC we don't have time before we come through shield or no shield!" Came the panicked voice of one of the Airman, on the Lt's teams.
"Lower it," ordered Elizabeth, "The shield is down Airman."
Again there was silence on the radio but in the gate room there were stunner blasts coming through the gate at high speeds, knocking several of the men off their feet.
The security teams had spread out around the gate but they had to keep moving due to the stunner blasts.
Finally the team came through the Stargate, all of them landing on the floor as the gate shut down.
"Stay here," instructed Elizabeth to John and Rodney.
The two boys had not made a sound through the whole thing and had watched the thing play out in shock.
Elizabeth made her way down the steps quickly, several military personnel following behind her. Coming to a stop besides the team, she saw the state they were in.
Several of them had cuts, newly formed bruises and scrapes. The Lt was unconscious, obviously being hit by a wraith stunner.
"Just what the hell happened out there?" questioned Elizabeth, helping them up.
"A Wraith hive ship showed up Ma'am, we were lucky to have even dialled Atlantis," explained the Airman.
"Go get cleaned up, we'll debrief later on," replied Elizabeth.
"Yes Ma'am," the Airman said.
The team left the Gateroom the Lt wheeled out on a gurney down to the infirmary. Turning back to the control tower, Elizabeth saw John and Rodney watching her.
She smiled tightly at them and started back towards them, when a shout caught her attention.
"DR WEIR!" shouted MacKenzie, skidding to a halt at Elizabeth's side.
"Doctor MacKenzie," replied Elizabeth.
"It was Janis," blurted out Mackenzie.
"Excuse me?" asked Elizabeth thinking she had heard wrong.
"The texts the experiments weren't done by just any Ancient they were done by Janis," explained MacKenzie in a rush.
"But Janis did time travel not age regressions so surly…oh no!" trailed off Elizabeth.
"Exactly, it makes sense why most of them died. Because they ascended," agreed MacKenzie.
"So they really are the five year old John and Rodney," replied Elizabeth quietly.
"I think originally he was looking at pro longing their life, but to do that he brought they're past self's forwards. What he wasn't counting on was the Ancients he brought from the past Ascending," explained MacKenzie.
It was true that when past-Elizabeth was explaining her story, she had stated quiet clearly that Janis was or had been conducting experiments without the Atlantean council's permission.
"That explains why they couldn't remember anything. Thank you Dr Mackenzie you've shed a lot of light on this situation," thanked Elizabeth.
"No worries Dr Weir," replied MacKenzie.
Knowing a dismissal when she heard one MacKenzie took her leave back to her lab.
What have you gotten your self's into this time John, Rodney, thought Elizabeth, as she walked up the steps towards them.
"What are Wraith?" asked John, as soon as Elizabeth was in hearing range.
"The Wraith are a very powerful race, that want to take over Atlantis," answered Elizabeth.
"So why don't you just share it?" questioned Rodney frowning.
"We would if we knew they wouldn't hurt us. The Wraith would sooner hurt us than work with us," explained Elizabeth, "Why don't we head to the Mess Hall get a drink and find our quarters."
She had just gotten word threw her radio that Stackhouse had found a responsible sized living quarters in the already powered up area of the city.
So Elizabeth led the two of them back out of the Gateroom back down the corridor that was a bit emptier now and into the Mess Hall.
The two boys picked out a small bottle of water each before following Elizabeth back out and down several more corridors before they came to a stop outside of a rather plain looking door.
Pressing the console at the side of the door, it whooshed open to reveal Stackhouse standing there on his own.
Entering the quarters Elizabeth said, "Sergeant I wasn't expecting you here,"
"Ma'am I just stayed here to make sure you found the right quarters," answered Stackhouse standing to attention.
"Sergeant as in Air force?" asked John awed.
Smiling at the boy Stackhouse replied, "Yes I have been serving the USAF most of my life,"
"Are you a pilot?" asked John, "My dad was a pilot he flew all types of things!"
"I've piloted the odd helicopter," answered Stackhouse before glancing at Elizabeth.
Elizabeth spotted the look that the Sergeant gave her and immediately recognised it as something he wanted to tell her.
"John, Rodney why don't you go check out your bedroom," insisted Elizabeth.
"But…but…" protested John.
"No buts John, Sergeant Stackhouse will be around tomorrow," repeated Elizabeth.
"Come on John," put in Rodney.
He walked past Elizabeth and Stackhouse grabbed John's sleeve and pulled him towards the door that was just off the living area.
Elizabeth didn't say a word until she heard the quiet banter of John and Rodney.
"Sergeant what's wrong?" asked Elizabeth concerned.
"Its Sergeant Bates team, Ma'am, no one has heard anything from him for over two hours," answered Stackhouse.
"Yes I know he didn't respond to his radio. At the time I thought he may have stumbled into a shielded part of the city," explained Elizabeth.
With both Major Sheppard, and Sergeant Bates out of the question for CO, and Lt Ford was off world, it fell down to Sergeant Stackhouse, which was a big reasonability for the young Sergeant to be dumped with.
"It's highly unlikely as most of the city is still un-powered," replied Stackhouse.
"Take Teyla and see if you can pick them up on the cities life signs detector," responded Elizabeth.
"Teyla Ma'am?" asked Stackhouse.
"Yes Sergeant, after the Dart flew over our city last week, we don't know if it did any damage, and I'm not willing to take any chances, so take Teyla with you," answered Elizabeth.
"Okay Ma'am," agreed Stackhouse, making his way towards the door.
"And Sergeant stay in radio contact," called Elizabeth,.
"Will do Ma'am," called back Stackhouse.
Elizabeth watched as the door slowly closed behind the Sergeant. Another thing on my need to worry about list, thought Elizabeth.
Turning to the door that John and Rodney had gone through, Elizabeth headed towards the door and entered the room. The site that met her made her smile and realize just how much protection the two boys needed.
For both John and Rodney had fallen to sleep lying side by side on the bed. John with his arms tucked behind his head and Rodney laying on his stomach head to the side.
Smiling she walked further into the room around to John and very carefully picked the sleeping child up. John still asleep, moved his arms to his stomach and leaned into who ever was carrying him.
Elizabeth carried John over to the second bed in the room and again very gently put him down and draped a blanket over him to keep him warm.
Then she went back over to Rodney's bed and draped a blanket onto his still form as well, before leaving the room.
"Rodney! Rodney! Rodney!" hissed John, as loud as he dared.
He had woken up ten minutes ago and had been unable to get back to sleep.
"Wha'?" mumbled Rodney groggily.
"Are you awake?" asked John innocently.
Rubbing his eyes Rodney glared at John before answering, "No John I'm not awake!"
"Okay then, I'll just leave you here on your own," replied John flippantly.
Getting off Rodney's bed, John made a be-line for the door, but only got half way there when Rodney spoke again.
"Wait! Where are you going?" asked Rodney, pushing his covers back.
Stopping in his tracks John just smirked as he replied, "Going to go find that big ring again,"
"Stargate,"
"What?"
"That's what 'Lizabeth called it, Stargate," muttered Rodney, joining John at the door.
"Well then we'll go to the Stargate," whispered John, reaching out to the door.
"Woah…wait!" exclaimed Rodney.
"What?" asked John stopping his hand.
"Well…its going to be dark out there…I mean to say…do you know where you're going?" stumbled Rodney quietly.
"Yup, or at least you do,"
"Me!"
"Yeah you remembered the hall ways we walked, I saw you looking at the direction we kept taking," began John, "Look nothing will happen I've done this lots of times…at home,"
"Exactly at home this isn't home," hissed Rodney.
"Well then it's a good job you have a good memory," replied John.
This time he opened the door and stepped out of the room before he heard Rodney start mumbling again. Sighing John rolled his eyes and carried on towards the door that led to the corridor.
Rodney followed John out of the bedroom and into the main living area. He threw a quick glance at Elizabeth's door, which remained shut as he passed. He had half hoped and half prayed that the door would open, but it didn't.
Ten minutes later and John and Rodney were walking down a corridor arguing loudly, so far they had come across not one of the members of staff.
"You're lost just admit it!" protested Rodney.
"I am not lost, I just like walking in a straight line," countered John, as they rounded another corner.
"Which in turn means you're lost," repeated Rodney.
Stopping in his tracks John glared at his friend and snapped, "We could easily go back and tell 'Lizabeth what we did! I just thought you might have liked to see that…that…Stairgate again!"
"Stargate,"
"WHATEVER!" shouted John.
Turning around John was just about to stalk off and leave Rodney behind when something shot him in the chest sending him flying backwards.
Rodney who hadn't turned around jumped half a mile when John went flying past him. Terrified he turned around to see the tallest creature he had ever seen.
"Oh no!" exclaimed Rodney, as his face went pale.
Just knowing that he was going to end up in the same situation as John, he stared the creature down, until it lifted its gun up again, and working on pure adrenalin Rodney dodged the creature and ran to the only place he knew he would be safe the infirmary. He was running on pure adrenalin and was surprised he even knew the way back to the infirmary, let alone run into Carson as soon as he flew through the door way….
Meanwhile back in the corridor the creature snarled and hissed as it's pray escaped him. Snarling at the small human on the floor its eyes lit up at the thought of the feast it would soon get. Going over to the fallen pray, it nudged it rather hard in the chest just to make sure it was unconscious before picking it up and taking it with him.
"Another Atlantean," snarled the creature.
It turned the corner and literally vanished into the shadows of the nights, an unconscious five year old slung over its shoulder like a sack of potatoes.
Reviews:-
Night-Owl123-Update for you, thanks for the review.
amyordinary- An update for you as well. Thanks for the review.
elemental-sparky- laughsOh i wish i could beam Kavanaugh aboard a Wraith Hive Ship, but we tried that and they sent him back;p lol glad that John makes you go aww, doesn't he always. And A bit of background stuff on Rodney for you there Grace:) So yes here is an update for you, with an even bigger role for an Auzzie:P
fischergirl- Thanks, you have no idea how long it takes to get there adult interactions in there younger selfs! Thank you for the review.
supersquish-Hey supersquish, didn't know you read fanfiction. Thank you for the review:)
Aesir-James- Well wait no longer my dear James:P heehee enjoy and thanks for the review:)
Saynt Jimmy-I can guarentee you it, is darker in the next few chapters, but still has the humour i hope as the others:) Thank you for the review.
obessedwithscifi- An update for one! Thank you for the review:)
potterfan2006- Thank you for the review:)