Okay after months of having writer's block for this story I'm finally updating…probably not even worth the wait. But I'll let you decide. Villains are revealed (although you all pretty much guessed them a while ago) and someone gets a little whumped. Hope you like!
Bad Horror Movie
Chapter 15
After Elizabeth had finished telling John about sensing a presence he frowned and dropped his sandwich, "Why didn't you say something sooner?"
Elizabeth sighed guiltily and folded her arms, "Because all I've done recently is cause worry John." She explained quietly. "First I begin to see future you leading to a search for a crazed bomber and now I feel like I'm being stalked."
Shaking his head John looked unimpressed by her answer. "I don't understand why you feel we shouldn't worry about you. God knows you worry about everyone else and the city constantly." Elizabeth dipped her head and sighed. "It could be this guy we're looking for."
Elizabeth's head came back up and she nodded. "Yeah, I thought that too. But I'm also worried they know about us."
"Because of earlier when we were near your room?" He asked and she nodded. "It doesn't matter."
Her eyes went wide and she leant on the table. "It doesn't matter? Of course it does John!" She whispered watching for anyone listening in. "They could use it against us."
John sighed and leant forward, confidence shining in his eyes. "But we won't let them. Look, we're going to find this guy and ship him back to Earth. We won't let our relationship affect our work…okay?"
Elizabeth stared at him for a few minutes before finally nodding in agreement. "Okay."
John smiled and leaned back in his chair. "Good. In the mean time I want someone escorting you everywhere-"
"John!"
"Please Elizabeth. It'll reassure me and you'll feel safer." He stated but Elizabeth doubted an escort would help chase the creepy feelings away.
"Fine." She grumbled and stood up. "Well, could you please escort me back to the control tower?"
John smiled smugly and stood up. "Of course."
The crowd in the mess hall was still buzzing loudly, everyone engrossed in conversation and banter. But one individual ignored the comments flying around them and focused on Weir and Sheppard leaving the room. They were both chatting away as if nothing was wrong but this person knew they had scared the head of Atlantis. Glancing at their watch the marine stood up and said 'bye' to his companions. Walking away the marine dumped his tray and remainder of food in the bin. Walking briskly to the stairs he decided to pay a certain scientist a visit.
"Damn it!" Rodney cried in anger and flung the paper file down on the table, causing Dr Zelenka to jump.
"Rodney?" He asked frowning at the paper now scattered across the table.
"All I wanted was a theory of how to increase the shield's strength but nooooooooooooo Kavanaugh has been too busy playing with his ponytail to do his damn calculations correct!" Rodney fumed causing the Czech to roll his eyes at the man's outburst. He had one almost everyday so Radek was used to it. "Am I the only one who does any work around here?" He asked grumpily as he gathered in the file again.
"Of course you are Rodney." Radek muttered loudly, not caring it was a rhetorical question. "Everyone else just sits on their backsides, playing with hair and computer games."
Rodney huffed at his friend's response knowing he was jibing. "Think I'll pay our teammate a visit!" He announced and left Radek shaking his head and muttering some of his native language's curses.
"Kavanaugh?" Rodney snapped as he entered the scientist's lab. "Hello?"
Rodney waited for a response but received none so he turned on his heel to leave. But just as he left he heard two men's voices whispering further down the hall. Frowning, McKay quietly walked towards the voices realizing they were round a corner. Stopping just before the end of the wall Rodney peered round and saw to his surprise Kavanaugh and Bates in deep conversation.
"It's too soon!" The scientist was insisting causing Bates to growl in frustration. "I need time to prepare the material and to set up-"
"It needs to be tomorrow!" Bates told him folding his arms and glaring. "Weir's getting suspicious and she's got Sheppard and Heightmeyer quizzing everyone! I still don't know how she worked it out…"
"Well if it was simple I would have it ready but unfortunately creating a bomb like this takes time!"
Rodney had to stifle a gasp and slid back from the corner and tried to calm his racing heart. He took a deep silent breath and began to walk quietly away but in his haste he stumbled and dropped the file causing the paper to go everywhere again. Hoping it hadn't been too loud he paused, listening intently but knew he wasn't so lucky when the voices stopped and footsteps approached his position.
Glancing at the file one last time he then sprinted for the nearest transporter, lab coat flapping wildly and was about to tap his radio earpiece when he felt a familiar paralyzing pain go through him. His body went rigid immediately and he saw the ground come up to meet him. Then darkness.
Elizabeth glanced at her watch again and sighed again. Leaving her desk she moved to her door and watch it open to reveal the current guard posted by John.
"Lt. Miller, have you seen Dr McKay recently?" She asked curiously.
"No Ma'am." He told her turning to face her.
"Hmmmm." Tapping her earpiece Elizabeth tried to contact him. "Rodney?"
When she received no response she glanced wearily at Miller who frowned. "Rodney? Do you copy?"
Again she had no reply and this time opted for Zelenka. "Dr Zelenka?"
"Yes Dr Weir?" Came the chirpy voice and Elizabeth couldn't help but smile at his cherry sounding voice.
"You haven't seen Rodney recently, have you?"
"He left the lab half an hour ago. He went to shout a Kavanaugh for incorrect calculations."
Elizabeth rolled her eyes. Nothing new there she thought. "You haven't seen him since?"
"No. He is not at his meeting then?" He asked sounding concerned.
"No."
"That is unlike him."
"I know." Elizabeth stated biting her lip. "I'll have someone search for him. Maybe he went for some rest and overslept." It was a plausible thought so Radek agreed.
"Maybe. I'll have a look myself." He told her and Elizabeth smiled again. The scientist was so different from Rodney and always went out of his way to please her.
"Thank you Radek." She said and raised an eyebrow at Miller. He was about to speak when his watch beeped. "Change of guard?" She asked knowingly and he nodded.
"Sgt. Bates will take over." He told her and motioned to the marine walking briskly to them.
"Sorry, Dr Weir." He apologized as he nodded to Miller. "Was just talking to some officers about shifts."
"It's ok." She assured him and watched Miller nod then walk away to his other duties. "You haven't seen Dr McKay recently, have you?"
Bates crossed his arms and nodded. "Yes, Ma'am. He was heading to Dr Kavanaugh's lab not more than half an hour ago."
Elizabeth nodded and then smiled nervously. "Right. Thank you." She said and left the marine to guard her door. Standing in the middle of the room Elizabeth told herself not to panic. For all she knew the head of science had simply dozed off or was too busy eating to notice his radio…it had happened before. Returning to her seat she opened up her laptop and began reading the notes for the meeting again, waiting until she heard from Zelenka again.
30 minutes later Weir's radio buzzed to life again and she dropped a file ready to listen. "Weir."
"Dr Weir, I have searched everywhere for Rodney." Zelenka told her rushing a little, obviously worried. "I checked his room, the food court, all the labs…even the armory and the gym! He's nowhere!"
Elizabeth closed her eyes and began to feel sick. Rodney's disappearance was one thing she could do without. "Thank you Radek. I'll inform Col. Sheppard and start a search."
"Good, good." She heard the scientist mutter and then stood up while hailing John. "John?"
"Hey. Everything okay?" He asked.
"Not really." Elizabeth told him clasping then unclasping her hands. "Rodney didn't show up for his meeting and no one has seen him for almost an hour now. Dr Zelenka has looked for him but…this isn't like him John." She could just imagine how much she sounded like a mother hen right now but then again Rodney had a tendency for being childish.
"I'm sure he's fine. I'll organize two teams to search for him." John reassured her and Elizabeth wished he was with her right now to stop her shaking hands. All these strange happenings were too much of a coincidence.
"Okay. I'll check the sensors and see if I can help you." She said before taking a deep breath. Waving her hand across the panel the doors slid open and Elizabeth made eye contact with Bates briefly before moving towards the control technician. She felt Bates take up a position near her.
"Can you please check for any sign of Dr McKay on the sensors." She asked the young Canadian who immediately began pressing buttons. "Anyone in an unusual place?"
He shook his head. "No Ma'am. There's no one out of bounds. He must be in the main part of the city."
Elizabeth nodded. "Right. Activate city wide please." Waiting until she was given the go ahead she then spoke in clear and firm voice-her leadership tone. "Good afternoon, this is Weir. For the next few hours I need everyone to return to their quarters or remain in the labs, mess hall or gym. Right now Dr McKay seems to be missing and we need to search for him. If anyone knows where he may be or saw him recently please contact myself or Col. Sheppard." She suddenly felt like a principal informing her students. "Thank you."
As Weir gave instructions to the technician Bates continued to stand in his military pose and smirked a little. He watched as Elizabeth nervously played with her hands and tried to remain calm. He was really enjoying it. She suddenly turned to him and walked back into her office giving him a small smile as she passed. Waiting until the door closed Bates let out a satisfied sigh and glanced innocently at his watch. This time tomorrow, Elizabeth Weir would no longer be alive.
A/N: CUE DRAMATIC MUSIC I know I whumped Rodney a bit but I've done it to Liz and John so many times that I fancied a change. What did you think?