Warnings: Use of bad pseudo-scientific concepts, if your scientific mind is easily offended, please, do not read on. We will not be held responsible for brain melt.
Glow
This was fun! The sun was high and bright but the wind was counteracting its warming effects, thus helping to keep him in comfortable warmth. He could feel his muscles working as he lifted the bundle of grain and brought it to the homestead, skin glistening with sweat. It was incredible really, to be outside, working amongst others.
John leaned on a fence post and watched Rodney. He missed the complaining, the bitching, the snarking. He missed it atrociously today because the man was never happy to be outside unless it involved pretty women in bikinis and food. Even then, John doubted Rodney had ever really enjoyed the beach. All that sand…
The Athosians had not seen Rodney often though they knew what had happened and had been troubled by the doctor's disappearance. It was the first time he had come to the mainland well enough to interact with the others. Teyla, who had been with her people for a few days, helping them with preparations for the harvest, came to stand beside John.
"He is happy."
"Yeah."
"But he is not the man we wish to see happy."
John raised an eyebrow. How did she do it, always know the unspoken thoughts? He hadn't said it because it sounded so selfish, so callous. This Rodney should be happy. He was a very nice guy and he deserved a life he could enjoy, regardless of how embittered John felt.
"No…he isn't…"
"It is normal, John, to want Doctor McKay back…As pleasant as he is now, he is not whom we first met, he is not whom we grew close to."
"Heightmeyer said he was, in a way."
"Certainly…inside each of us lies the child we once were. Sometimes, it comes out. I believe yours enjoys Ferris Wheels, has great humour and, at present, longs for his best friend to be well. I believe Rodney's craves attention and love and is in awe from all the wondrous things the universe has to offer..."
"He likes pudding a whole lot too." They stood in companionable silence until John turned to her. "He was like that before, huh? He did become an astrophysicist, and he always gets too excited whenever physics are involved or when he thinks he's got a solution…or…he did before."
"Yes, I believe we are fortunate to fully see the part of him he denies, he tries to hide under layers of rudeness and impatience. In a way, this experience has brought us something very precious."
"The mystery that is Rodney McKay."
She nodded silently. This was difficult on them all. She loved the time spent in Rodney's company and hated it at the same time. It was a blessing to know the man behind the doctor, but she really wanted the doctor back. It was fortunate there had not been a big crisis in Atlantis in the time he had been gone. All the scientists were very smart but none could match Rodney's innate skills. She turned her eyes to the man occupying her thoughts to see him standing still, a frown upon his face. He seemed puzzled.
Indeed he was. A man had called him Doctor McKay, repeatedly, while standing right in front of him, looking at him. Then, with a bright red flush creeping up his face, he'd said Rodney.
Rodney felt strange now. He felt…he didn't know how he felt. He'd been so pleased to be here, helping, being trusted with something other than, oh, brushing his teeth. Now, he was just…frustrated? Yes, that was it. Frustrated. Because the man hadn't known his name? No, that wasn't it. Because…because this was all pointless! Why were they wasting time carrying pail after pail of grain to the homestead when all they had to do really was put it all in the Jumper and fly there once! The Jumper could land there! The area was sufficiently clear to land it and, anyways, John was a gifted pilot wasn't he! He could land the damn thing anywhere! Really, the energy they were using to walk all the way over there was completely wasted. It would be much faster his way!
"Woah…"
He hadn't realised he had spoken, or that John and Teyla were at his side.
"Woah what?"
McKay turned, wide eyes showing confusion and surprise.
"I think…I think we should…put the pails of grain in the Jumper and then you could fly over there and it would all be done much faster…"
John and Teyla stared at him, the surprise having transferred itself to them. Rodney was positively beaming now, muttering to himself.
"Yes….yes…that can work, that would work…"
Just when he was about to answer, John's radio clicked and he heard Elizabeth's – we have a problem but I am calm – voice.
"Colonel Sheppard? This is Weir. Come in please."
He turned away and distanced himself with a few steps. "Sheppard here."
"We have a problem, you need to come back."
"What sort of problem?"
"The gate. It's fall – what! Yes, I'll be right there," she said off-radio before going back to John. "Get back right away, John." A click and she was gone.
He turned and smiled reassuringly at Rodney.
"That was a great idea but unfortunately we have to go, seems the City won't work without us!"
Rodney smiled and nodded. "Ok…" he said before shifting his gaze to Teyla. "I will see you again soon, eh?"
They parted after her promise that she would be back in the City within the week. They bid adieu to everyone and left.
The ride back to Atlantis was a quiet one, John wondering what was wrong and Rodney wondering why he was feeling the way he was. It was new. He felt…impatient…He felt…he didn't feel at all pleased like he had earlier.
They got to Atlantis and John guided him to the lab. "I have a few things to do, Rodney, and I'm sorry, but maybe you can stay in the lab with Zelenka for a while? I'll be back soon and we can have dinner and read a bit? Sounds good?"
Rodney nodded. It was good! He loved the lab!
They went in and found frenzied scientists running amok in a panicked state. Zelenka was yelling, ordering people left and right.
"Ah! Colonel! You are here! You see Dr. Weir?"
John shook his head. "Been on the mainland, just came back. I thought maybe Rodney could stay with you…"
"Oh…yes…no…humm…He can stay, but…"
"You're busy, "Rodney said. "I don't mind. I can stay in my room, John, I can stay on my own…"
John grabbed his arm and left the lab after a quick nod to Zelenka.
"No, no, someone needs to be with you, we need to keep you entertained now don't we…maybe Ronon can stay with you…"
As Sheppard reviewed his options, Elizabeth's voice came over the radio.
"Colonel. You need to be here, now!"
He looked at Rodney who was trying to make himself as small as possible. Sheppard angled his head thoughtfully for a moment, and then made his way to the nearest transporter, Rodney in tow.
"Be there in a second, Elizabeth."
He turned to Rodney and smiled. "This is going to be fun! Very exciting you'll see! I just need you to trust me and everything will be great!"
"I do trust you, John…"
"Right, that's good. Stay close and listen to me. Can you do that, stay calm and do as I ask even if you're scared? I'm sure you can, you can do anything when you really try!"
"Yeah, I can do that…"
Rodney heard it, he heard the voice…really wanna try…really wanna try…really wanna try. He saw the unruly dark hair, the permanent grin and he knew that memory was his. It had always been his. The man it featured was real.
They got to the control room to see the gate engulfed in a red glow that pulsed erratically.
"What the hell is going on!"
"We…I…are you sure Rodney should be here?" Elizabeth asked.
The scientist had gone down the steps and was walking around the gate, frowning.
"It's fine, he's harmless…he'll be quiet if I ask him. Mind telling me why our gate's been turned into some kind of weird glowy heart attack simulation?"
"The Taulousiens want Rodney back. That…that Lord sent a message. We, of course, told him there was no way he was getting him back. They sent the pulse. They said the field will spread gradually. Nothing is affected for the moment, just the gate."
John wasn't angry, no. What he felt was completely off the scale, there was no word to describe it.
"That BASTARD! I should've made sure he was dead!"
"No…no…John. I don't think he was the same man. He wasn't blond. He was short, brown hair, receding hairline, big eyebrows, brown mousy eyes…"
"Mr. Esteban…"
"What?"
"He was the Ring Control guy! Mr. Esteban! The guy who interviewed us to see if we were worthy of their planet! He's the new Lord? What the hell does he want with Rodney?"
Elizabeth shook her head to indicate her ignorance. Their eyes went back to the gate and the man standing a few feet away.
"Zelenka's run tests. He's running a diagnostic on the pulse to see what might be causing it."
"Ok, and what are we doing to stop it from spreading?"
"We don't know yet but we hope it will not get to that."
"What about shutting it down?"
"We've tried that."
"So…what?"
"We don't know, we'll wait for Zelenka…"
Their eyes were drawn to Rodney, circling the gate and mumbling to himself, a look of intense concentration on his face. He stopped pacing and snapped his fingers, once. He left the room at a run.
"Did you see that?" Amazement coated John's voice and features.
John took off after Rodney. He had snapped his fingers! Snapped his fingers! He had never seen this Rodney do it! Or go anywhere by himself! His heart was pounding and he couldn't help the hope that swelled within him.
Rodney entered the lab and found it still in chaos. Striding in like the master of his domain, he spoke in a loud commanding voice!
"Alright people! I need a laptop and I need it now!"
He pointed to a woman and shooed her away. "You! Go exist somewhere else!"
When she didn't comply, she hadn't really understood the request, he grew much more impatient. "Out of the way, out of the way, out of the way…"
Silent stillness now characterised the lab. The only noisy, moving thing was Rodney forcibly, yet with extreme care, removing the woman from the chair before claiming it.
He was sitting at the desk, furiously entering data in the computer, muttering to himself when John came in. McKay reached for his headset…but it wasn't there. He snapped his fingers once more and asked for one to be provided. It was such a simple gesture but suddenly, the same hope that inhabited John spread throughout the room. Zelenka, who had moved to stand beside John, spoke.
"He…he's…but…"
"He's back," John said, smiling.
When no headset was forthcoming Rodney turned, a deep scowl on his face. It disappeared somewhat when he saw John.
"Ah! Colonel! I'm going to need you to activate the Chair. Don't get Carson to do it! I need someone who can handle the thing!
When John didn't move, Rodney got up and walked over to him.
"Today, Colonel, unless you fancy losing the gate. I understand you like it here and like flying everywhere a lot but you do understand no gate means no gate travel and that would just defeat the purpose of being here wouldn't it?"
"Yeah…I…yeah…so…the Chair, on?"
"Yes, I believe that's what I meant by I need you to activate the chair, have some vocabulary please! Shall I repeat it slowly for you?"
He joined miming to his next words to illustrate them. "I…need…you…to…ac-ti-va-te…the…Chair! And now, you…you…and you…and Zelenka, follow me."
A snap of his fingers sent the yous to his side and they followed as he barrelled down the corridor. Rodney explained his plan on the way. They entered the gate room and went straight for the gate.
"Rodney! I…what's going on? Where's Colonel Sheppard? What are you…are you alright?"
"Yes, yes everything is fine, .Elizabeth."
Rodney and Zelenka excitedly spoke gibberish for a few minutes before they pointed at each other and let out a loud "yes". Zelenka left at a run.
"Rodney, what is going on?" Elizabeth was leaning against the railing, above, in the control room.
"I'm trying to stop the pulse!"
This was definitely Rodney McKay...she already felt slightly annoyed. "I can see that. Explain to me how!"
He stood up and his hands prepared for the show they were about to give, flying this way and that, swerving madly through the air.
"That, is quite simply, a field created by a magnetic dipole…one half on this side –" he indicated the gate room with wide circles of his hands and then transferred his body weight to the side closest to the gate " – the other on their side."
"The Taulousiens use magnetic field to affect the gravitational pull on their planet in specific areas, to move things from one point to another without having to enter into physical contact. It produces a kind of elevator effect on certain things like boxes –" anguished flared briefly on his face before he smothered it with a frown " – uh…or more precisely containment chambers…pushing the chamber down a tube then reversing the polarity to push it back up.
Pausing, he took a few steps to meet Elizabeth near the stairs.
"Accessing the Jumper's inertial dampeners with the Chair, which Zelenka has interfaced with the gate, we'll incrementally change the gate's gravitational force effectively counter polarising it to create a dipole on this side of the gate. It will push their field back the way it came and allowing us to raise the shield." He smiled, pleased with himself. "I did a few calculations and – it's really quite simple and obvious, it's a wonder this City hasn't gone under with all the incompetents populating it. If this group of lethargic monkeys was the best and brightest on Earth then it is a sad, sad day for the human race…"
"Are you sure about the field, about what they're sending through!" Elizabeth cut in, effectively stopping his digression.
"… might as well give it up to the trained apes that popula…what? Of course I'm sure!"
"How can you know?" she demanded.
"I was there, Elizabeth! I read the books, the research papers, rode the damn elevator…" He lapsed into silent reflection for an instant and his face took on a haunted look. "Just, trust me!"
There was a moment when she hadn't the slightest idea of what to do, what to say.
Their eyes locked, bright green with the clearest blue, and she knew then that this was him, that finally, he had been found. Doctor Rodney McKay was back and he was as trustworthy as they came.
"I do…"