The Wishing Well
Disclaimer: I do not own Stargate Atlantis or any of the characters associated with it.
CHAPTER TWO
"What are we waiting for?" McKay stalked back and forth in front of the stargate in an agitated state while glancing at his watch.
Sheppard shared a knowing look with Teyla and Ronon. Teyla smiled and Ronon growled at McKay.
"Not what, Rodney,…who. We're waiting for Major Lorne's team to arrive. They're going to augment us as extra security on this mission."
McKay stopped in mid stride, his mouth agape. "Why? The planet is unoccupied, thanks to the Wraith. What possible reason could you have for bringing extra security, Colonel? If you ask me…"
"I didn't ask you! Elizabeth suggested it, and I happen to agree with her. If you have a problem with that, take it up with her." Sheppard waved at Weir who occupied her usual spot on the upper balcony awaiting the team's departure. Weir gave a knowing grin and a return wave. McKay just grunted and resumed his frenzied pacing.
"Sorry we're late, Colonel." Lorne and the rest of his team arrived in the gate room. "We had to do a little juggling with our schedule, and it took a little longer than I though it would, but we're ready to go, Sir."
"No problem, Major. I'm not the one in such a hurry!" Sheppard rolled his gaze toward McKay.
"I know you don't agree with this mission, Colonel, but some of us are excited about it. Since you have no interest in the outcome, may I suggest you just stay out of my way and let me take the lead on this one?"
"By all means, McKay." Sheppard turned and looked up at Weir on the balcony. "Elizabeth, we're ready."
"Dial the gate." Weir watched the group of people waiting to exit through the stargate. She sighed and leaned forward onto the railing. She bore the deep weight of responsibility each time a team went off world, but this time felt different. She gave herself a mental shake. Sheppard and his gut must be rubbing off on her.
The whoosh of the gate activating and the blue puddle of the event horizon were visible behind her best people. "You have a go. Be safe out there. And Colonel…" hearing a strange note in her voice, Sheppard looked up toward her suddenly concerned face. "Try to bring everyone back in one piece. Despite your team being prone to injury, Carson and I would both appreciate a break from the constant worry!" She gave him a half-hearted grin.
"I'll do my best." Sheppard gave her a small salute and a resolute smile before he and the rest of the team disappeared through the gate.
The planet was average, not much different from many other planets they had visited; completely unremarkable. No people, no signs of life. Wraith suck! Pun intended! Then why did his gut twist into painful knots as soon as they arrived? I hate this place already! Bad idea to come here, really bad.
Sheppard scanned the terrain cautiously, P-90 at the ready. "I know this place looks deserted, Major, but keep your eyes and ears open just the same."
"Will do, Sir." Lorne directed his men to spread out and secure the immediate gate area.
"I have not been to this world before." Teyla looked around with interest. "I am afraid I can not help with the history of its people."
"Neither can I, Sheppard." Ronon echoed Teyla's concerns.
"I'm sure McKay will be just fine. He has all the history he needs from the Ancient database. At least on an abandoned planet, he can't piss off the locals when he wants to play with their Ancient toys." Sheppard grinned at his two friends.
"As long as he doesn't get on my nerves…." Ronon gave McKay a telling look, but McKay was too engrossed in taking energy readings to notice.
"Okay, Rodney. You wanted to be in charge of this little field trip. Which way do we go?" Sheppard turned his head toward the scientist expectantly.
"What? Oh, right… I'm in charge. Um, there are energy readings coming from….over there." McKay pointed to a distant stand of trees. "That location correlates with the directions we found in the ancient data base." He looked smugly at Sheppard who was slouched against a tree looking like he hadn't a care in the world.
"Well, are we going to hike over there or not?" Sheppard smirked at McKay.
"Oh. Um, yes. It's on me again. Huh." McKay turned to the group. "All righty then, let's move out! Hurry, up now, chop chop! You too, Sheppard!" McKay waved his hands and snapped his fingers at the group.
With a snort, Sheppard pushed off from the tree. "Ronon, take point. Teyla, you cover Ronon, and I will escort Dr. Wacko to his appointed destination. Lorne, leave two men to guard the gate while we're gone, then you and your remaining man fall in and protect our six."
Lorne turned to his men. "Smith, Wesson, guard the gate. Ruger, you're with me."
"Wait, shouldn't I have said that? I thought I was in charge?" McKay stumbled a bit as Sheppard grabbed his arm and nudged him toward the trees.
"Just lead the way, Rodney."
The group walked in the general direction of the energy source, following McKay's course. McKay kept eyeing the scanner and murmured unintelligible drabble under his breath. To Sheppard, it appeared that McKay was whispering to the scanner. This struck him as amusing.
"Ronon, McKay's whispering sweet nothings to that thing, like it is his girlfriend or something!"
Ronon shot Sheppard an amused glance. "As long as it doesn't begin to whisper back, he will be fine."
"Hello…. I can hear you!" McKay groused as they moved towards the trees. "I'll have you know that when I whisper to a lady friend, she is much more receptive than this little device! Besides, Colonel, I haven't seen you whispering to any ladies recently!"
"If you haven't noticed, McKay, I've been a little busy trying to keep everyone on Atlantis alive! I haven't exactly been inundated by offers, either."
"Sheppard, you are so full of it. You know darn well you're a chick magnet!" McKay turned challenging blue eyes towards Sheppard.
"Chick magnet? I have not heard this term. Colonel Sheppard has explained chickens to me, but I do not understand why any man would want to attract this creature." Teyla whispered to Ronon, looking completely lost.
Ronon, having spent many an evening listening to Sheppard, McKay, Beckett and Zelenka swap tales of dating woes, understood the reference. He leaned in close to Teyla. "I think it means he is appealing to the opposite sex and does not lack for female companionship."
"Oh!" Teyla looked away and turned slightly pink. It wasn't often that the young Athosian woman lost her composure. "Somehow, I do not think Earth women find the comparison at all flattering!" Ronon elbowed her and chuckled quietly so as not to draw Sheppard's attention away from McKay.
"Oh, right, Rodney. That's why it's been almost two years since I've……." Sheppard remembered his audience. "been on a date." he finished lamely.
"Ha!" McKay laughed and awkwardly patted Sheppard on the back. "Me either, so don't worry."
"What about Katie Brown? Doesn't she qualify as a date?" Sheppard grinned and nudged McKay.
"No, that doesn't count! That wasn't really me; I was under the influence of Lt. Cadman at the time!" McKay scratched his chin, deep in thought.
"Have you ever been in love, Colonel? You know, really in love, the let's get married and have kids kind of love?"
McKay expected a quick denial and a sarcastic comeback and was thus surprised when Sheppard did not immediately reply. He glanced over at the man who had become like a brother to him. Not that he would ever give Sheppard the satisfaction of voicing those feelings. He realized, for all their time spent together, he really didn't know much about the John Sheppard, B.A. (before Atlantis), he only knew the John Sheppard of here and now. What better time to poke the sleeping lion, hmm?
They trudged along in silence for a few moments, catching bits and pieces of the conversation between Ronon and Teyla as they talked of their childhoods and first loves. McKay's thoughts were drifting towards what Ancient goodies he might find at the outpost when Sheppard's soft words penetrated his senses.
"I was in love once." Sheppard kept walking, not looking at McKay.
"What? When? Who was she? What happened to her? You screwed up and drove her away, didn't you!" McKay interrogated in rapid fire succession.
"Damn, McKay! Would you pipe down? You'd think you won the lotto or something the way you're shrieking!" Sheppard glanced around at the others, but realized they were not within earshot. He ambled along a few more steps before quietly resuming his story.
"Her name was Anna. We met when I was attending the Air Force Academy. She wasn't in the air force, but her daddy was. He was my CO." Sheppard shook his head and smiled at the memories playing across his mind. "She was smart, funny, and beautiful! Slim, athletic, with long, dark hair, and green eyes that reminded me of the ocean on a stormy day."
"Ugh! You're comparing her eyes to things in nature! You had it bad!" McKay chortled.
"Hey! You asked, now shut up and listen!" Sheppard walked on, unconsciously scanning the horizon for possible threats.
"We dated for two years, spent all our spare time together. We talked about what we'd like to do with our futures; careers, kids, y'know… the usual stuff. I asked her to marry me, and she said yes. We set the date for the weekend after I was to graduate from the academy…."
After several minutes of silence, McKay prompted, "And…. You told me to listen, and I am, so you can't stop there, Colonel. Did you get married?"
"No, we didn't." came the subdued reply. "About six months before my graduation, we were returning from dinner with friends. Some idiot drunken driver blindsided my car at 60 miles an hour. I was pretty banged up….. She was… killed… instantly."
McKay gasped, appalled. "Oh, Sheppard…. I didn't, that is, I…."
"Its okay, Rodney. The accident happened over 15 years ago. I'm over it." Sheppard ground out through clenched teeth, wondering why he'd ever decided to share this little tidbit of his past with McKay. He hadn't told anyone about Anna…ever!
"Funny, you don't sound over it." McKay watched his friend closely, feeling horrible for having brought up what was obviously a very painful memory. "Have you ever felt that way again,… y'know….since the accident?"
McKay didn't think Sheppard was going to answer, but after a few moments, he was rewarded for his rare display of patience.
"I didn't think I would ever love again, but time, distance….and recent events in my life, have made me reevaluate my original opinion."
McKay sported a lecherous grin. "Soooo, you have met someone special on Atlantis! Who is she? You have to tell me!"
"I never said I met someone, McKay!" Sheppard gave the scientist an exasperated shove, but quickly caught him when he stumbled and would have fallen. "Quit putting words in my mouth!"
"McKay! Is this the outpost?" The sound of Ronon's booming voice caused both Sheppard and McKay to jump.
"What? Oh, right, the outpost. Well, let's see, shall we?" McKay looked up and was surprised to find they had arrived at their destination. He could see through the trees the faint outline of buildings placed in a circular pattern around a central courtyard. "Yes, I believe this is the place."
Sheppard halted next to McKay and looked at the outpost. He had to fight the tremor that attempted to ratchet its way through his body. The hair on the back of his neck was not just standing at attention, but trying to march down his spine and take cover under his flak vest. Oh, this is SO not going to be a good day!
TBC