Goodbye Atlantis

Chapter Four

John stomped through the busy corridors of Atlantis heading for Rodney's lab. All those in his path took one look at his scowl and made a hole. Moses would have been proud he snickered to himself. He arrived outside the lab all prepared to burst through and give the man in question a good slap but Elizabeth's voice echoed in his head.

'Go gently with him John.'

John wondered what she meant! He was Mr Diplomacy and Prince Charming all rolled up into one delectable package. He didn't need telling how to handle the troublesome scientist. They had an understanding, a partnership, a dynamic that worked. Or so he'd thought.

When Elizabeth had shown him the resignation he'd felt gob smacked. Just what the hell did McKay think he was playing at! They were supposed to be friends! Well friends don't just bail on each other when things get tough, and reading that short note had felt like a slap in the face. Apparently, he wasn't even worth telling in person, never mind discussing any problems Rodney might be having.

He pushed through the doors and stared about. The lab was alive with activity and scientists were bent over various computers and experiments. McKay however, was not there. One of Rodney's lab rats stopped what they were doing and looked up at him. Sheppard seemed to think she was called Miko but he couldn't be sure.

"Hello Colonel Sheppard. Can I help you with something?"

"Yeah, where's your illustrious leader?" he asked.

"He is not here," she said and offered a smile that he thought lacked sincerity.

"I can see that," he said and tapped his radio. "McKay, this is Sheppard. What's your location?" He was met with silence. Not unexpected but worth a try. He turned back to the small Japanese woman.

"Well do you have any idea where he might be?"

She stared at him intensely and Sheppard actually felt a little uncomfortable.

"You have not visited the lab for a few months," she said.

Was that an accusation he thought? He raised an eyebrow at her. "So…." he started but she cut him off.

"Doctor McKay is a brilliant and observant man. I admire him very much," she said folding her arms across her chest. "He is very good boss, but he has not been happy of late. If I was blessed to be counted as his friend I would know where he'd be." Her computer bleeped several times at her and she returned her attention to it.

Okay, that sounded like a dig. She just had a dig at me, right?

John felt himself approaching flashpoint. He stared at the woman's back preparing to ball her out when her words hit home. He hadn't a clue how Rodney spent his spare time or if indeed he actually got any spare time! The man just never seemed to stop. Rodney was not in his lab and John genuinely did not know where to look next, other than carry out a process of elimination.

Miko finished her adjustments at the keyboard and returned her scrutiny to him.

Okay. He got it. He was a crap friend!

"Right, well thanks for your help," he muttered and left feeling chastised.

He stood in the middle of the corridor and ran a hand through his hair. Okay, so he'd neglected Rodney of late, he could admit that. But what else had he taken for granted? His feet started propelling him away from the lab as he mulled things over in his mind.

Time after time, they expected McKay to pull a rabbit out of the hat and save the day. That was a lot of pressure, and sometimes not everyone made it back. Rodney was a civilian and had no training in dealing with life and death situations. He wasn't used to losing people. Now if he, Rodney's supposed friend hadn't considered all of this then no one else would have.

Except maybe, that small Japanese woman who'd made him feel about six inches tall! The man obviously had a fan there.

Yes, Rodney had cocked up royally, but he'd apologised. Most people learned from their mistakes and moved on with a little help from their friends. He should know he'd made enough of them in his time. John had no doubt that Rodney had learnt from his mistake but his friends had failed him. They'd obviously left him alone to go over and over his mistakes and that could only have lead to self-doubt.

It was time to help Rodney get his confidence back. All he had to do was get Rodney to listen to him. Oh yeah that and find him! Now how hard could that be?

His feet stopped moving and he smiled as he found himself stood outside Rodney's quarters. John raised his hand and used his ATA gene to open the door. He entered the room and looked around cursing as he saw boxes already filled with Rodney's belongings. No Rodney though – the man seemed to be more elusive than the scarlet pimpernel when he wanted to be.

He sat down on the cot and decided to wait. This time the mountain would have to come to Mahomet.

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Carson entered the infirmary a lot later than usual thanks to a hangover and Laura Cadman. Fortunately, for him, his staff did not have trouble getting to work on time.

Oh, to be young again he mused.

Carson cast an eye around the infirmary. Happy that all seemed to be in order he made his way to his office. Frowning at the large pile of paperwork on the desk, he seated himself and picked up the first folder. It contained the physical reports of those people heading back to earth on the Daedalus.

Just as he was about to pick up his first report a name caught his attention. He picked up the report and began to read. When he finished he shot out of his office and went to find the doctor who'd completed the physical.

"Doctor Woods could you tell me why Doctor McKay has had a discharge physical?" he called out.

A young doctor turned to face him. "I was surprised when he told me he was returning with the Daedalus. His name wasn't on original the list but he was adamant he was going back to earth. I was going to talk to you about it as soon as I saw you. I hope I haven't done anything wrong?" he said.

'No laddie, ye've done nothing wrong," sighed Carson before rushing for the door.

TBC