AN: We're meandering our way through both crews, so if you don't see someone for a while, just hold on; we promise that they'll be back! Specifically, we do feel bad that Zoe & Wash haven't made much of an appearance. We will get there!

Firegate: The Big Damn Circle

By Hah and Mer

- 5. Problematics and Solutions (or "Titles are Problematic") -

(Meanwhile, back in the infirmary)

"Well, Shepherd Book, it looks like you'll be as good as new in no time. Just give that leg some rest, and we'll keep that bandage changed." Serenity's handsome young doctor Simon Tam (cue drooling here) had insisted on caring for the Shepherd himself. It wasn't that he didn't trust their new hosts, it was just that … well, okay, maybe that was part of it. But, in his defense, when you've been running from people as long as he and River had, you were allowed a bit of paranoia.

"Thank you, Simon. I never knew bunnies could be so vicious, and I've seen a lot of strange things in my day." Shepherd Book gingerly swung his leg off the exam table and accepted the crutches the young man offered.

"Well, next time, you might want to try feeding the bunnies instead of poking them with sticks," Simon couldn't quite suppress the grin that he felt coming on. He knew that his job was to be objective, but the idea of this big man, who obviously knew a thing or two about defending himself, being attacked by a bunch of bunnies just cracked him up every time he thought about it.

"Glad to see you're recovering so well, Shepherd Book," Dr. Weir approached the two men. "Sorry to interrupt. I just wanted to come down and see how you were doing."

"I was just getting out of here, Dr. Weir. The good doctor here has me all fixed up," the older man hobbled, hesitantly at first, then more confidently.

"Let me know if the pain gets too bad, and I'll give you something a bit stronger."

"Thanks, son, but I'll be fine." He patted Simon on the shoulder as he passed him and smiled at Elizabeth before making his way out of the infirmary, accompanied the guard assigned to help him find his room.

Simon walked over to the nearest sink to wash his hands and Elizabeth followed him over, enjoying the view as she watched him walk. He was a little young for her, but hey, she wasn't dead!

"So, Doctor Tam, what do you think of Atlantis so far?"

"Well, I have to admit, I haven't seen a whole lot, but this infirmary… it's been a while since I've been in a medical facility this well stocked. You're missing a lot of things that I'm used to seeing, though. I guess 500 years would do that."

Elizabeth smiled. "Yes, I guess it would." She tucked her hair behind her ear. "You know, Col. Sheppard took a group of your crewmates on a tour of the city. How would you like a … personal tour?"

His response was cut off by a call over the radio. It was Rodney, and he wasn't happy.

"Dr. Weir, that … girl is down here, and she … she's wreaking havoc in my lab!"

"Rodney, calm down. Who exactly is down there?"

Elizabeth could practically see the cartoon light bulb go on over Simon's head.

"River!" He ran out the door of the infirmary to find his sister, then skidded to a halt and ran back into the infirmary, where Elizabeth was still standing with a mildly amused expression on her face.

"Er… how do I get to Dr. McKay's lab?"

(McKay's lab)

It had started out innocently enough. River had wandered in to the middle of the lab and stood there for a few moments, looking like she was listening for something that none of the rest of them could hear. Since McKay loooooved kids so much (AN: y'all catch the sarcasm here, right?), he figured that as long as she didn't bother anything, he wouldn't have to talk to her. Then she had to go and open her mouth…

"They were asleep, but they woke up," she started almost hesitantly.

He could feel his annoyance build at the sound of her voice. "Who do you mean?"

She continued as if he hadn't spoken, "They woke up too early. There wasn't enough. It was too early. They can't go on without more."

"What in the world are you talking about?"

She finally acknowledged his presence with a condescending smile and a shake of her head, "They're not in this world." She looked up and turned in a full circle. "But they were… not long ago… before the bright lights…before the city disappeared."

"Listen, kid…" he started toward her until she put her hand up and stopped him.

"No," her tone became more urgent. "They need to sleep. More will die if they don't go back to sleep. They just need some help," she strode over to the blackboard and erased the contents – a shield-strengthening theory he and his team had spent weeks putting together.

It was at this point he had called Dr. Weir. By the time she and Simon had reached the lab, River had managed to tie McKay to his chair and had pulled pieces from several machines and mixed several vials together.

Simon put his arm around his sister, "Meimei, it's time to go."

She turned and looked back at McKay, whom Weir was untying and ungagging. She rolled her eyes at her brother and sighed, "He just doesn't stop talking…" Elizabeth stifled a giggle, much to McKay's continued indignation.

Once ungagged, McKay continued his rant, "She's been talking about someone waking up and eating… You know your sister is certifiable, right!"

"I'm sorry for any inconvenience she may have caused. Dr. Beckett was examining her and then I was working on Shepherd Book… I'll try to keep a better eye on her. It's just that Atlantis is a lot bigger than Serenity." He turned his attention back to his younger sibling. "Are you hungry, River?" Simon put his hand on her shoulder and studied her face, trying to determine her level of lucidity. Her response was to look at him as if he was the one whose amygdala had been removed. He sighed, "Of course you're hungry. We haven't eaten since breakfast. Dr. Weir, how do we get to the mess from here?"

Dr. Weir accompanied the pair to the cafeteria, and Rodney set his attention to figuring out what she had broken. The more he read, the more his jaw unhinged.

He tapped his earpiece. "Dr. Weir, Dr. Beckett, this is Rodney. I have something I think you'll want to see."

(cafeteria)

River tilted her head quizzically at the plate in front of her, then turned the same expression on her brother, as if one or the other might be trying to harm her.

"It's okay, River," Simon tried to reassure her. "It's safe."

After giving brother and bowl one last suspicious look each, she picked up her a fork and speared the jiggly substance in the bowl. When she withdrew her fork, the substance slid back into the bowl. After a brief scowl, she used the edge of the fork to scoop a bite, but the gelatin slid right over the other edge of her fork.

"River, meimei, try the spoon," Simon encouraged her, extending the recommended utensil.

Obviously still skeptical, she accepted the spoon and, after a deep breath, made a third attempt, finally succeeding in keeping a bite on the spoon.

"This food is problematic," she lifted the spoon slowly up over her head and inspected the green from several angles before slowly sliding it into her mouth. She bit into it, then rolled it around in her mouth, keeping a dubious stare fixed on her brother. She grimaced as she swallowed.

"Zhe shi shenme?"

(Dr. McKay's lab)

Elizabeth and Carson arrived within a few seconds of each other. Rodney was practically bursting with excitement, pacing around his lab.

"Okay, the girl may be a stark raving loon, but I think she's on to something," he blurted before they could even get in the door. "Look at these calculations, they…"

"This is incredible!" Carson interrupted. "If this is what I think it is, this could change everything."

"Whoa whoa whoa," interjected Elizabeth. "What is it?"

Rodney continued his explanation. "From what I can tell, this formula here is for a toxin that attacks only the iratus bug portion of wraith physiology."

Elizabeth was intrigued. "What do you mean? Like the retrovirus?"

"No, this is a toxin. We'll have to run some more tests to see what it actually does, but I believe that the intent here was a toxin which could be delivered to the wraith without hurting the human prisoners."

"So, let me get this straight," Elizabeth pondered out loud, "she just walked in here and put this up on the board? Did anyone even tell her about the wraith?"

"Well, obviously someone did, or how would she have known?" Rodney barely stopped himself from rolling his eyes at Elizabeth's question.

"I don't think anyone did, Rodney," Carson finally spoke up. "She was in the infirmary more or less from the time she arrived in Atlantis to the time she came to your lab. I did a thorough examination of her while she was down with us. There's no way anyone would have had time to explain about the wraith – and definitely no way they could have explained anything about their genetics and physiology."

"So, what? You're saying she's a psychic or something?" If Rodney's sarcasm had been ice, it would've been thick enough to drive a zamboni over it.

Carson looked a bit uncomfortable. "There could be stranger ways to explain what goes on in that wee lass's head. Her brain scans showed abnormally high levels of activity…"

"…as one would expect in someone who, though she is obviously a LUNATIC, is also quite intelligent," Rodney butted in on Carson's thought.

"No, Rodney, that's not even half of it," Carson continued patiently, "The last time I saw this extent of brain activity was when… Chaya… was here."

"You mean to tell me that wacko is an Ancient?" Rodney was completely nonplussed.

"No, she's human, just like you & me. I talked to Dr. Tam, her brother, and he gave me some of her background, which confirmed my findings. She has had several brain surgeries, including one in which her amygdala – the part of the brain that allows you to filter your emotions – was removed. Apparently, she started having some… "abnormal" abilities after that."

It was Elizabeth's turn to interrupt, "What do you mean by "abnormal?"

Carson looked back and forth between Elizabeth and Rodney, as if trying to decide whether or not they could be trusted with the bizarre piece of information. "Basically, it appears that, according to Dr. Tam, wee River has some psychic abilities, but to what extent, he's not sure." Rodney started to interrupt, but Carson cut him off. "I know what you think about psychics and everything, but how else do you explain what she did in here this afternoon?"

"Oh, this ought to be good," McKay's tolerance was wearing ever thinner. "Did you even consider for a second that just maybe she accessed one of our computers along the way? Or are you suggesting that we just all start wearing tinfoil on our heads as a new security measure to keep her from finding all of our deep, dark secrets?"

Elizabeth shook her head at his exasperation. "Now, Rodney, whatever the explanation, she is our guest here, and is to be treated with respect and kindness." She cocked her head to one side as she contemplated her statement, then with a subtle smile added, "You know, to the extent that's possible for you."

"Ha ha, very funny," Rodney snarked. "Are you going to stand here and mock me, or are we going to get to work?"

Elizabeth shrugged, "Hey, I'm not a doctor or a scientist; I guess that means I'll just have to mock you."