Hibernation7
The shot rang out. It echoed in the room, out into the hallway. Into John's ears as he ran into the agricultural lab. Skidded to a halt. Moira was standing stiffly. Arms outstretched, gun balanced in both hands. The weapon lowered to the floor. A container of seeds was splattered across the wall, the floor. Seeds and glass spread everywhere. Susan was standing near the desk, wide-eyed. Shock on her pale face.
"Got it now, bitch?" Moira calmly inquired. "Stay the fuck away from us." She relaxed her hold of the gun. Turned as John was standing behind her, a mixture of pride and concern on his handsome face. "John." She handed him the gun.
"Moira." He took it, checked to make sure the safety was back on. He turned as marines rushed into the room, pausing in uncertainty.
"Arrest her! She tried to shoot me!" Susan flared.
"No. I didn't shoot you. I shot the container," Moira clarified. Voice calm, so calm.
"Accident. Gun went off. Dismissed," John ordered. Gestured. The marines filed out, casting curious glances at John, at the two women.
"No! That's not what happened! She–"
"That is what happened," John sternly advised. Touched his wife's arm. "Moira." He guided her out of the room. Turned to Susan once more. "And if you say otherwise I'll just return this gun to my wife and walk away. And no one, no one will question me. Or her. Got it? Thought so." He followed after Moira as she headed down the hallway. "Um, Moira?"
"Did you really think I was going to shoot her?" she asked, as they entered their room.
"No, I, crap, I didn't know what to think. Moira, um, look, I..."
"Save it, flyboy. Are we still going on the mission tomorrow?"
"The what? The, oh. Yes. Um, Moira, I–"
"No, John. I'll gather the research then" She eyed him a moment. Began to pull off her wedding ring. Tugging determinedly at the gold band.
"Moira, no! Please!" John exclaimed, rushing to catch her hand in his.
"What? No, no, you're not getting rid of me that easily, John," she soothed, realizing what he had been thinking. "Don't you remember? You said not to wear our rings off world, on missions."
"Oh. Yeah, I did," he recalled, relief a wave hitting him. "I've changed my mind. Keep it on, Moira. Keep it on and never take it off. Okay?"
"Okay, if that's what you want, John."
"It is. What I want. Moira, Moira, I swear I never, never meant to ever cheat on you or–"
"I know." She brushed her lips across his. "I've got work to do before we go on the mission. I'll see you later, John." She freed her hand. Quietly left.
John stood, staring after her. Not certain what to do. Worried. Wanting her. He holstered the gun. Decided to give her some time, some space. Wondering if his marriage was over even before it had truly begun.
Moira trudged to her room. She yawned behind her hand. She had been collating data for hours in the bio lab. Until the sequences started to blur into one another. Reluctant to return to he room, to John she finally surrendered to fatigue. She entered her room, crossed to the bathroom and got ready for bed.
She emerged, clad in her sabertooth cat pajamas and a pair of fuzzy socks. Turned off the lights and stood staring at the bed. John was already there, sprawled on his side. His back to her. She frowned. Sat. Shoved his arm. "John. John! I know you are not asleep! Get out."
John's eyes were open. He had heard her entrance. The soft sounds as she got ready for bed. Removing clothes. Replacing them with pajamas to his disappointment. Now her anger and weariness were hitting him. He rolled onto his back to see her. "What?"
"You heard. Get out."
"Out?" he asked, heart hammering for a moment. He glanced down at her left hand but the wedding ring was still there. A circle of gold and diamonds glinting.
She sighed. "Get out of my bed and into yours, colonel," she clarified. Waiting.
"Oh." He sat, frowned. "Moira, this is our bed and I–"
"No, John, not tonight. Tonight this is my bed. So you go to yours. Go!"
He debated. Reluctantly slid out of the covers. Stood as she took his place. Snuggling in the warmth he had left behind. "Moira, look, I know you are pissed at me and hurt and upset but–"
"Go, will you? I need this, John, okay? I don't want to be with you right now!" S he softened her tone seeing his genuine consternation. "We'll see how it goes, okay, sweetie? Just go, please."
"Okay, Moira. Tonight. Only tonight." He grudgingly walked to his room. Got into his bed. Annoyed. Knowing he was being punished. Knowing he deserved it. Nonetheless it irritated him. Rattled him. He stared at the ceiling, arms folded under his pillow. "Moira!"
"Go to sleep, John!" she called, irritated, but also touched by his very real disappointment. She snuggled under the blankets, seeking traces of his warmth, his scent. Wanting him, but knowing she needed this separation to handle all the conflicting emotions.
"Moira," he called again, "it's really cold in here."
"Get another blanket then," she retorted.
"Moira, this mattress is too hard and my back hurts," he tried.
She smiled. "Then add some pillows, John, or sleep on your stomach."
"You could give me a massage. Strictly platonic, of course," he suggested.
"I don't think so. Get a hot water bottle if you are feeling that bad."
He smiled. Considered. "Moira, I might start having serious abandonment issues."
She replied, "Hilarious, John. One night won't kill you! Go to sleep!"
"Can't. Hey, will you drone on and on in Latin? That usually does it."
She snorted a laugh. "Shut up, John! Or I will."
"Crap. Okay, Moira. Shutting up now. Goodnight, Moira."
"Goodnight, John!"
Moira stood in the 'Gate room with her team. Pack slung over her shoulder, ponytail in place. She shrugged, wondering at the delay. Teyla and Ronon were quietly talking. Evan and Aaron Josephes were doing the same. She moved to her team leader. "Evan, where is Thomas?" she asked, not seeing the long-haired physicist who always accompanied their team.
"He's not invited, per your husband's orders," Evan noted with a shrug. He did not seem too upset by it. He glanced at Aaron. The two men exchanged a smile. Sharing the relief.
"It's not funny, Aaron," she scolded. "Of course we will need his expertise. John," she turned, as he joined them, P90 in hand, "where is Thomas?"
"Who?"
"Kavanaugh! He is a member of Major Lorne's team and should be–"
"Ah. No. Three scientists are more than enough for me on any mission. Almost too many." He glanced up at the control room. "Dial it up, lieutenant! Carson, let's get a move on!"
"I'm coming, I'm coming!" the doctor hastened to them, medical kit slung over his shoulder. He smiled at Moira. "I had to be certain I have enough–"
"I've had enough," John noted, eyes on Moira as the wormhole engaged. "I couldn't sleep a wink on that hard mattress," he complained quietly.
She rolled her eyes. "Yeah, right. That sound I kept hearing was just what then? A foghorn?"
He smirked, but grew serious. "DHD?"
"Fully operational, sir," Evan reported as he checked a readout. "Looks dusty but it works."
"The whole planet appears dusty," Rodney noted. Sniffed.
"This is a world I have never visited," Teyla stated. "There appear to be no settlements."
"At least not any more, perhaps," Ronon gravely suggested.
"All right. Cut the chit-chat. Let's head out!" John ordered.
The planet was quiet. Gray. A leaden sky felt heavy, oppressive. Clouds looming as if they would crash down, but they carried no promise of rain. The air was still. The land was dusty, rocky. A straggling tree line loomed in the distance. Thorns lined the meager bushes. There were no buildings in view. The Stargate looked disused. Dead vines were clinging to it and to the DHD. The teams looked round and the Stargate disengaged.
"Hold up. Rodney?"
"Nothing," Rodney answered to John's question. "Not a single blip on any scan. If I didn't know any better I'd say this was a dead world."
"It's too quiet," Aaron noted. The young man looked round nervously. Not even a breeze stirred the dead grass. The scrawny bushes.
"Yes," Moira agreed. Looking round. There had been animals on the footage taken by Jason and his team on their quick recon, but there was nothing in view now. Not even a bird song or an insect's buzz was to be heard in the relentless silence.
"Heads up, people. Lorne, Josephes, Ronon, keep on the 'Gate. Maintain radio silence. Our intel spotted one human, so keep sharp. There could be more. Any contact at all and you will radio me. Do not engage. The rest with me. Teyla, take point." He waited as the two groups dispersed. Saw Moira lingering near Evan, fiddling with her pack. "Sheppard, that means you as well! Let's go." He was trying not to smile.
Moira shrugged at Evan, moved towards John. "It's O'Meara on missions, colonel," she icily corrected. Stepped past him.
"Like hell it is," he muttered, following her. "How far?"
"Two klicks. I don't see why we couldn't take a Jumper," Rodney grumbled, eyes on his scanner.
"We won't be here long enough," John answered.
"Besides, it's a lovely day for a walk," Carson jested.