Coming Home
Spoilers: Not intentionally, but references to both seasons may slip in on occasion.
Rating: T for some mild language and potentially disturbing images in some chapters.
Disclaimer: I do not own Stargate Atlantis or any of the characters associated with it, unless you count Jesi.
Chapter Ten
Sheppard stretched lazily, eyes drifting open, taking in the hazy afternoon light filtering into his room. Wait... afternoon light? He shot up in the bed, his hands tugging at the ear buds, pulling them free and tossing the I-pod aside. Shaking off the fog of sleep, he glanced at the clock. He'd managed the resting thing for five hours. It hadn't seemed like five hours when he'd been in the park with Atlantis. Atlantis--he'd spoken with Atlantis! And she'd encouraged him to surrender to his instinct, so he would do just that. Right now, his instinct was screaming at him to take a second look at that artifact!
He thought open the door, peering cautiously up and down the vacant hallway before exiting his quarters. He strolled along casually, his cover story ready. Should anyone inquire as to his apparent lack of following doctor's orders, he would simply say he was on his way to eat. The way everyone continually hounded him over his weight, he figured he had the perfect cover. It helped that McKay's lab was in the same general direction as the cafeteria.
After a few quick explanations and one narrow miss when Beckett and Weir passed by, he rounded the corner and headed for McKay's lair. He heard the physicist's shrill voice echoing down the hall.
"I don't care! Beckett will torture me with every medical test known to man and the Ancients if he catches you in here!"
Sheppard jogged the last few steps and stopped in the doorway. McKay stood with his back to the door, arms flying frantically around his body, while he tried to shoo Jesi out of the lab.
"Rodney, if you don't tell him I was here, he'll never know!" Jesi implored her eyes huge pools of molten gold against her pale face. "Please… I just need to see the artifact. I have a nagging feeling that we missed something."
McKay stopped his flailing and took her by the elbow. He lowered his voice and enunciated slowly, as if speaking to a child.
"Jesi, listen, I understand you don't want to sit in your quarters for hour upon hour, but Beckett…"
"Won't find out if you can keep your trap shut." Sheppard grinned as McKay dropped Jesi's elbow and spun to face him. "My gut agrees with Jesi. There's more to that artifact than we understand."
"Sheppard! Oh, God! I'm dead. I'm so dead, and Carson's going to be my killer. He'll probably slip some citrus in my food and then sit back and watch me die a slow and painful death!" McKay's ashen face contorted at the thought, and his knees buckled.
Sheppard leapt forward, catching him and easing him onto a nearby stool. Jesi moved to his side and laid a comforting hand on his arm. McKay turned shell-shocked eyes from brother to sister before groaning and dropping his head into his hands.
"Just go away," He moaned.
Sheppard reached over and tapped Jesi on the arm. When she looked up, he stepped away from the scientist and motioned for her to follow. She frowned, but moved to stand next to him.
"I hope you're not going to try and send me to my room, too!"
"Nope." Sheppard stuck his hands in his pockets and smirked. He loved it when he had the upper hand and could tease her a bit.
"Okay… what then?" Jesi's frown deepened. She hated it when John was like this, smug like he knew a secret but wouldn't share with her.
"It's like I told McKay, I agree with you. We're missing something, and I think we need to dig deeper. But Rodney's right about one thing… we can't study the device because of the effect it has on us." Sheppard's eyes glazed slightly as his thoughts turned inward. How could they check out the box without touching it?
"Maybe Rodney can do the touchy-feely part for us." Jesi chewed her lower lip and began to pace. "Can we rig a camera so we can observe what he is doing from somewhere safe?"
Sheppard smiled in satisfaction. "Actually, The lab comes equipped with a..."
"Oh please, you people are such amateurs! You're thinking small. Leave everything in my exceptional hands. If we're going to do this—and you will take full responsibility, Sheppard—let's do it right!" McKay exclaimed, quickly rising from his stool and snapping his fingers. "I have a fortified observation room; you shouldn't feel the artifact's effects from within. You can watch safely and interact through the com systems."
"Great idea, Rodney," Sheppard replied dryly. "I should've thought of that!"
Sheppard indicated that McKay should lead the way, and Jesi fell in step with the two men as they walked to a nearby doorway. McKay ushered them into the observation room and made them as comfortable as possible. He showed them how to work the intercom system and where to hide should Beckett dropped by.
McKay returned to the main lab and retrieved the Ancient artifact. He removed it from the containment device and placed it in the center of his workspace.
"Can either of you feel the effects from in there?" McKay asked anxiously.
"Only a small low level hum, McKay. We're good," Sheppard assured him.
McKay looked relieved. "Good, good. Well, then, what do you want me to check."
"Why don't you start by giving me a rundown of what you know about the artifact?" Sheppard leaned back in his chair, folding his arms behind his head.
"Sure… little box… full of power… makes the CO and his sister bounce to another dimension every time they see it…" McKay stood facing the window, arms crossed and wearing a frown.
Jesi stepped up to the window and stared at the artifact. After a moment, she looked up at McKay.
"Rodney, is it solid or hollow?"
"I don't know." McKay picked up the little box, turning it in his hands. "It feels solid, but I have no way to verify that. I ran every test I know and came up empty. It's made out of metallurgical properties we've never seen before."
"It looks like an aristocratic jewelry box. Is there anything inside?" Jesi asked.
McKay raised the box to his ear and shook it. "Not as far as I can tell."
Sheppard dropped his lazy stance and rose to his feet. He moved to the glass, reaching out and placing his hands flat on its clear surface. "We're close."
Jesi raised her hands and placed them on the glass next to his. "You feel it too?" She watched the box closely.
"Yeah…" Sheppard closed his eyes and visualized the little box. Once he had a clear picture, he took hold of it mentally and turned it repeatedly, examining it closely. "It doesn't weigh much at all. And it's warm," he murmured.
McKay stood staring at the artifact in shocked disbelief. The object had moved out of his grasp and was turning lazy circles in mid-air. He glanced at Sheppard then back at the box. "Are you doing that, Sheppard?"
"Yes, Rodney, he is, but don't worry. He's fine." Jesi smiled reassuringly. "Do you think the box can be opened?"
"Opened?" the scientist repeated dumbly, then shook his head. "Not that I could see, no. Why?"
The box lurched forward, moving toward the glass observation panel then turning slowly. McKay followed, hands held under it, ready to catch it should it fall.
"Ah, John, what are you doing?" McKay's frantic voice reached out to Sheppard.
"I'm looking for something… Ah ha! Found it!" Sheppard exclaimed just as the little box opened.
McKay jumped back as two objects sprang from the box, colliding with his chest and sliding to the floor. The box sank slowly, eventually coming to rest softly on the floor next to McKay's shoe.
Sheppard opened his eyes and grinned at Jesi. "Come on!" He ran for the door, opening it and hurrying into the lab.
"No, no, no, stay inside! The device might still…"
"Relax, Rodney. I shut it down. We're safe. See?" Sheppard reached out and steadied the other man, then turned a quick circle. "I'm good. No dimension hopping!"
"But... how... What did you... I'm confused!" McKay sank onto his favorite stool and stared dumfounded. "How did you do that?"
"It was easy. I just followed your advice. I asked the device to show me what to do. I picked it up with my mind and examined it for a latch or some other way to open it. When I thought about opening it, a schematic display popped up in my mind, just like flying a jumper, and I could see the latch. I pressed it and the box opened, revealing the true power."
"True power..." McKay's voice trailed off as Sheppard bent down and retrieved the fallen contents.
"These..." Sheppard held out what resembled two ornately jeweled watches with many tiny buttons. "are what the Ancients used to traverse to other dimensions. We had a hard time controlling our flight because we were tapping into what little power managed to escape from the box." He held up one of the 'watches' and grinned at Jesi. "You were right; the container is an aristocratic jewelry box."
Jesi grinned and took the device, strapping it around her wrist. "Look, it's a perfect fit." She held out her wrist for McKay to see.
"Must I point out the stupidity of wearing an Ancient doohickey which has already incapacitated you twice? And that wasn't even at full strength! Oh, I guess I must, since I'm the only one in the room with a fully functioning brain!" McKay reached an unsteady hand toward Jesi. "Take that off!"
Jesi held out her arm, the vision of contriteness, and hid a grin as McKay removed the band. He turned and held his hand out to Sheppard, who, after a few reluctant moments, handed over the matching band.
"Calm down, Rodney. I deactivated them, remember?" Sheppard bent down and retrieved the box from the floor, handing it to McKay. "But, if it makes you feel better, you can put them back inside."
"Better, yes. Best would be to understand the technology." McKay stowed the bands and placed the box back inside the containment device. "What other information were you able to glean from… what did you call it… the schematic display?"
"Not much. I lost the display when I shut down the dimension jumpers.
"Dimension jumpers?... Where'd that name come from?" McKay eyed Sheppard suspiciously.
"Names should be consistent. Puddle jumper… jumps through the puddle; Dimension jumper… jumps dimensions. You know, uniformity." Sheppard cocked his head and shot McKay a sly grin. "Or do you have a better name?"
"I'm sure, given time I could…"
"Rodney, you mentioned an Ancient database. Does it reference anything like this?" Jesi asked, diverting the scientist's attention.
"What? Oh... not that I could find, no. But that was before we discovered the..." McKay glanced at Sheppard with a grimace.
"Dimension jumpers. Go ahead, you can say it." Sheppard nodded sagely.
"Very well, that was before we found the 'dimension jumpers'. I'll need to search again now that I have a better description." McKay returned the box to the storage shelf and turned to face two sets of expectant eyes. "I'll let you know if I find anything. Now get out of my lab! If Beckett catches you not resting... well, you get the picture." McKay grabbed them each by an elbow and towed them toward the door. "You kids go take your nappy now." He gently pushed them through the doorway and crossed his arms. "Go on. I have lots of work to do and can't very well get it done with the two of you lurking about now, can I?" With a self-satisfied grin, he shut the door and locked them out.
Sheppard smirked at McKay through the glass and waggled his eyebrows before turning to Jesi, his voice loud enough to reach through the closed door.
"I don't know about you, but I've had about as much napping as I can stand for one day. Did you bring your swimsuit?"
"Actually, I did! When I found out Atlantis was ocean locked, swimwear was the first thing I packed. Is there a beach?" Jesi's face glowed with anticipation.
"Sure! Well, by beach I mean pier. Still, we can catch some nice rays while we 'rest', and I can probably bribe some snacks from the kitchen staff; they like me. Carson can't fault us for eating and resting when, technically, we're following his orders."
"Sounds great! I'll meet you in your quarters after I change." Jesi hustled down the hall, heading for her room.
Sheppard turned an innocent face toward the glass door.
"Too bad you have so much work to do, Rodney." At McKay's stricken look, he hid a satisfied grin and hurried after Jesi.
McKay spent three sleepless days furiously scanning the Ancient database for any reference to the artifact; three days of mind numbing reading, three days of suffering Sheppard's evil grin each morning when he stopped by to rub McKay's nose in whatever stink the pair had planned for the day. He was beginning to hate the man!
"Damn it! It has to be here!" McKay slammed his fist on the table. "A device with such potential... the Ancients would have documented it!" He shoved away from the table, stool rocking in time with his frantic mind. He began to pace, ten steps to the door, turn, twenty steps to the window, then retracing his path again.
"Rodney, why don't you take a break? You've been at this for three days now." Zelenka studied McKay's drawn face with concern. "When was the last time you've slept, eh? Or eaten something?... Rodney!"
McKay paused at the window, taking in the scenic view of the city and the deep blue water beyond.
"Hmm? Sorry, Radek, you were saying..."
Zelenka rolled his eyes as he shuffled to McKay's workspace, digging through the drawers until he found a power bar. He crossed to the window and stuffed it in McKay's slack fingers.
"Eat, Rodney."
McKay tore open the silver foil and devoured the bar in three bites, so numb with exhaustion he never tasted it, couldn't begin to guess its flavor. Sensing movement on the pier, he grabbed his field glasses from the windowsill. Three days of this torture--three days of watching through his field glasses as Sheppard and Jesi sunbathed on the pier... without him. God he hated Sheppard!
"Rodney, you really need sleep! You're going to make yourself sick. The answer will keep a few hours." Zelenka took the field glasses from McKay's hand, interrupting his interlude.
"Radek, I've functioned on far less sleep with brilliant results. I think I know my own limitations, and I haven't met them yet." He rubbed a hand through his dull hair before facing Zelenka. "Why just a while ago, I formulated..."
Ding... ding... ding. McKay rushed to answer the chime sounding out from his laptop. He held up a finger, silencing any comment from Radek as he moved to scan the information on the screen. With a self-satisfied grin, he punched his radio, calling Elizabeth. Once he'd outlined his findings, she asked him to contact Sheppard and Jesi, an order with which he gleefully complied.
Sheppard truly enjoyed annoying McKay. He'd stopped by Rodney's lab every morning on the guise of checking in. He had dropped the casual comment on his planned activities for the day, which usually included a stop on the pier for a few hours of sun bathing with Jesi. Zelenka had let it slip that McKay spent a good portion of those few hours watching Jesi through the window with his field glasses, grumbling about infantile pilots. Sheppard took great pleasure in watching the scientist fight to maintain his unaffected façade. Which is why, on the third afternoon, he wasn't surprised when his radio crackled to life.
"Colonel Sheppard." McKay's arrogant voice interrupted Sheppard's light doze.
Tapping his radio, he responded. "Rodney, are you calling to offer poolside drink service? I'll have a Mai Tai."
"If you haven't noticed, Colonel, there's no pool! No pool--no poolside service! Besides, I have something better than a Mai Tai; I've located the artifact in the Ancient database. I informed Elizabeth and she asked that we meet in her office in an hour to discuss the findings." McKay's voice dropped an octave. "Oh, and bring Jesi. This concerns both of you."
"One hour, got it." Sheppard glanced at Jesi who nodded quickly. "We'll be there. Sheppard out."
Sheppard tapped off the radio and met Jesi's curious stare. "McKay's found something. We'd better pack up and shower if we're going to make the meeting." He stood and helped Jesi to her feet.
Jesi threw on her beach wrap and started gathering the towels and snacks into her bag. "One hour... no problem!" She tucked away the last of her supplies. "Let's go, slowpoke." She laughed as she jogged past a still-packing Sheppard on her way to the transporter.
TBC
A/N: Thanks for the reviews, those of you who've sent them. I'm glad to know people are still reading this, even if it isn't full of physical whump. I'm at the mercy of the bunny, and he's a mental whumper who does indulge in a little more physical whump toward the end of the story. smile
