Chapter Three
Getting back to the Puddle Jumper, they each walked in and took a seat, Sheppard in the pilot's chair, as they then lifted off the ground and flew up into the sky, heading back to Atlantis.
"How come I have not heard of your celebrating ceremony before?" Teyla asked as they flew.
"It only comes around once a year, like birthdays," Sheppard said. "We don't talk much about birthdays or Christmas until it is close to the date," He explained.
"Back on Earth most people begin celebrating Christmas, or start getting ready for it around the middle of November, that way they have over a month to get everything ready," Ford added. "Christmas is a very important time of year there," He continued. "All family's get together and celebrate, they have great big pine trees as Christmas trees, that all the presents go under so that on Christmas day everyone gets to open them, with the sound of Christmas carols going in the background" He continued on, reminiscing as he spoke.
"It sounds like a very joyous time," Teyla said with a smile.
"It is," Ford said smiling back.
"For some…" Sheppard said under his breath. Teyla and Ford just turned to look at him briefly.
"Last Christmas was a really good one," Ford said. "I spent the whole day with my Grandparents, when my Aunty and Uncle and cousin came over, we had a massive roast dinner, got to open all our presents, I got a great present, it was awesome, exactly what I wanted," he continued as he remembered.
"What was that?" Sheppard asked. "More mags for your P90?" He asked jokingly.
Ford just turned to him and rolled his eyes. "No," he replied. "And it was just something I wanted for a long time," he said, not wanting to actually mention what it was, believing that that would mean Sheppard picking on him about it.
"Fine don't tell me," Sheppard said with a cheeky grin.
"I won't," Ford said smiling. "It was just a great present and a great Christmas," he stated turned back to face Teyla.
"Sounds like you enjoyed yourself," Teyla responded still smiling.
"Yeah, I did… we did" He said as he then turned back around and looked out the front window into the sky as they flew heading for Atlantis.
A while later and a nice trip through the skies of Atlantis and they reached the city, lowering the Puddle Jumper back into the Jumper Bay, they parked and then got out of the ship, making there way from the Bay and back down into the Control Room and Weir's office.
"Still here McKay?" Sheppard asked as they entered the Control Room to see Rodney still there typing away on his laptop.
"Hmmm," McKay said not paying attention to anything other than what was on the screen in front of him. Sheppard just shook his head and then turned and glanced back at Teyla and Ford who were walking behind him. The three of them then continued on towards Weir's office.
Weir had returned to her office after sending Ford and Sheppard off to collect Teyla and to talk to the Athosians; she was now once again sat down at her desk reading all the information displayed on the screen of the laptop in front of her. Finding something quite interesting to read she leant on her shoulders and read more thoroughly, she was so immersed in what she was reading that she was oblivious to the fact that there had been a knock on her door. Though her head turned immediately to the door when it opened, seeing that it was Sheppard, Ford and Teyla she breathed a sigh of relief then turned back to the screen and closed the lid of her laptop. "Welcome Back," she said to them with a smile.
"Thanks ma'am" Ford said, speaking first.
Weir just nodded to him and smiled again before turning to Teyla. "How are things on the Mainland?" She asked.
"Very well" Teyla answered. "The crops are coming along well, Halling took me to show me their progress and it is a good yield, I have not seen crops grow so well on any other planet," Teyla spoke as she smiled.
"Sounds impressive," Weir said still smiling. "So how are Halling and Jinto?" She asked.
"They are also well," Teyla replied. "Jinto was very excited when Lieutenant Ford mentioned this celebration you call Christmas," she added with a small rise of her eyebrow, indicating she still didn't quite understand the entire 'Christmas' situation.
"Ah, so you did mention it," Weir said as she turned to Ford.
"Yes ma'am." Ford replied. "I did, and they seemed to like the idea of getting to help out with it," he added. "Halling even said that he and some of the other Athosians would make presents for us and Major Sheppard suggested that we could give them presents," he continued as he smiled.
"Seems reasonable enough." Weir responded. "Guess we could put together a few things," she continued. "Not sure what yet, we do have limited sources here, no supermarkets here," she added with a grin.
"Yes but no shops, means no Christmas rush," Sheppard stated joining in the conversation. "So hard to shop at this time, when you can't even walk down an aisle without moving sideways," he continued.
Weir just shook her head. "Well yes, guess that's an upside," she said smiling. "But I suggest that you ask around and see if anyone's got anything they wouldn't mind getting rid of," she said as she then turned to Ford.
"Yes Ma'am" Ford said and then turned and left her office.
"He is way too excited about this," Sheppard stated after Ford had left.
"Is this uncommon?" Teyla asked, the whole situation still confusing her slightly, but it was not the only thing about their culture that she didn't understand.
"Umm, for me… yes" Sheppard stated.
Weir just laughed. "No it's not uncommon, most people get excited about Christmas," Weir stated. "Back on Earth it is a time when families get together and celebrate, they have a big meal and they all share presents around, where we are from," she said indicating herself and Sheppard. "It is winter and so the whether is cold, it mostly snows, so most people stay indoors around a fireplace…" Weir continued, smiling as she remembered her own past Christmas's at home. "It is just a great, festive time of the year!" She added.
"Oh…" Teyla replied. "Then I am sorry that you cannot spend this year with your families."
"It's okay Teyla, we are still spending time with family," Weir stated. "Everyone on this base, we're all a family now, all each other has," Weir said with a smile.
Sheppard just shook his head. "You guys take Christmas too seriously," he stated.
"You do not?" Teyla asked turning to look at him.
"Ah, not really… no," he replied. "My family never did anything for it so… guess it was never a big deal," he continued. "Always liked the pressies though," he added with a grin.
Weir turned to look at him again. "Well this year John, you are going to celebrate with the rest of us" She stated firmly and then smiled again. "So like it or lump it, but at least try and enjoy yourself like the rest of us," She continued.
"Yes, Elizabeth," Sheppard responded. "Whatever you say," he added.
Weir just shook her head again. "Now go and help Aiden get everything ready," she stated and wavered them out of her office. Watching them leave, she smiled once again and then opened the lid of her laptop back up and started reading again.
Ford had left Weir's office and heading out through the Control Room, he didn't know where to go first to talk to some others, so he decided, first place to start would probably be the Commissary, so that is the direction that he headed.
Entering the Commissary he saw several conversations were happening some between several soldiers, others between scientists and doctors, he looked around, they really where one big family now, even if not all the scientist and soldiers and doctors got along, when did families ever? He smiled to himself and then headed across to a table where a group of soldiers were sitting, eating and chatting.
"Hey guys!" He said approaching the table.
"Ford!" One of the men at the table said. "Hows it going pal?" He asked.
"Fine thanks Jim" Ford answered. "How about you guys?" He then asked.
"Fine" One of the other men at the table said. "So what brings you here Aiden?" He continued. "Saw you talking to Weir earlier, what's up?" He added.
"Nothing Robbie…" Ford replied. "Was just organising something… You guys do realise what time of year it is… right?" He asked them.
"Ah, no…" Another of the guys said. "Why don't you enlighten us?" He continued.
"Well its December…" He said simply. And the guys at the table looked up at him expectantly. "And Well December equals Christmas!" He said with slight excitement in his voice.
"Oh yeah, man I can't believe I totally forgot!" The same man said. "Dam that's come around quickly…" He continued.
"Yeah" Another said and then turned to Ford. "So Ford, guessing you've got a plan ey? He asked.
"Well yes, I do Chris…" Ford responded. "That's why I'm here" He admitted. "Dr. Weir has given us or me, a go ahead to do some decorating and stuff, you guys interested?" He asked.
"Yeah sure" replied Jim. "No problem, none of us are due on missions for a while anyway" He added. "So what ideas you got?" He asked.
"Ah, well Major Sheppard and I went across to pick up Teyla from the Mainland before and so some of the Athosian kids are helping making some stuff and Halling offered to do some other stuff for us, such as present making, I thought it'd be fair if maybe we put some stuff together so we could give them presents in return" Ford explained. "Dr. Weir said it'd be a good idea and that I was to ask everyone if they had anything they'd be willing to part with" He continued.
"Hey sure, great idea…" Another of the guys said. "I'm sure I'll be able to find something worth giving them, I mean it's Chrissie" He continued. "We gotta spread the festivities across the galaxies" He added with a grin.
"Oh yeah, nice analogy Kyle" Jim said shaking his head. "So Ford, what else you got planned?" He asked.
"Well I thought… maybe we could use some rope, maybe colour it a bit and use it as tinsel and decorate the place" Ford suggested to them. "I also thought we could use the Athosian trees as maybe Christmas trees" He continued. "Any of you got any ideas?" He asked them.
"Well I'm liking yours so far" Chris stated. "Although… It'd be nice to get the real stuff, to bad there's no local shops" He said in a joking manner.
"Yeah" Ford said. "Oh and one other thing, Weir's planned on having the Athosians come here on Christmas Day and we can all have a nice big Christmas meal, exchange of presents and so forth" He added.
"That's a great idea" Robbie said. "And I have another idea… I was thinking maybe we can each bring pictures of our own families and friends out and put them up with some decorations, around where we'll be eating and where the Chrissie tree with the pressies will be" He suggested.
"Wow, great idea Robbie" Kyle said. "Didn't know you could think so deep" He added with a cheeky grin. Robbie just looked across at him and glared slightly. "Only joking man, only joking" He said and put his hands up.
"It's a great idea Robbie…" Ford said with a smile. "That'd help make people feel more at home I think, it'll be good, thanks" He continued. "So guys, I can count on you to help out?" He asked.
"Yeah sure, no problem" Jim said.
"Good then" Ford replied. "Thanks and I better go, got to get around to all people on base" He added and then he turned and headed across to another table across the room, one full of scientists.
Sheppard and Teyla had exited Weir's office and were now making their way through the Control Room, seeing that McKay was still focused on whatever it was he was doing they laughed slightly and then continued out of the room. "So now we gotta find where Ford went" Sheppard said as they walked down the stairs to the Gate Room.
"Maybe Lieutenant Ford went to the Commissary to ask people there" Teyla suggested. "It is the most logical place" She added.
"Yeah, guess so, but he could of gone to the labs as well" Sheppard suggested.
"Maybe it would be best to check the Commissary and if we do not find him there, head to the labs" Teyla suggested.
"Good idea" Sheppard said. "Let's do that!" He added and the two of them turned and headed down the corridor towards the Commissary.
They walked most of the way in silence, neither of them saying much, other than hellos to the other members as they passed in the corridors. "Major Sheppard" Teyla said as they walked.
"Teyla?" Sheppard asked.
"Do you not agree with Dr. Weir and Lieutenant Ford, in how you celebrate this time of year?" She asked him.
"Ah, I do and don't, I mean its good to get together and have fun, I like it but then again… Some people don't know when enough is enough and so go slightly overboard" Sheppard responded.
"Do you believe that Lieutenant Ford is going… overboard?" Teyla asked him.
"Yeah, I think he is slightly" Sheppard admitted. "But I guess that in his family Christmas was a big deal, I know how close he was to his family, his grandparents at least" He continued.
"As do I" Teyla said. "He always enjoys telling stories of his life back on Earth his family, and friends" She continued a smile crossing her face. "He seems to have a very loving family back on Earth" She added.
"Yeah, he does" Sheppard said. "See, I don't, all I've got back home is my house and my job, some friends…" He explained. "Always wanted a dog, but never got one" He said with a grin.
"Dog?" Teyla asked slightly confused.
"Ah, it's an animal, four legs… likes to run around, chase balls…" Sheppard said and Teyla just looked back at him confused. "It's just a pet…" He said.
"Pet?" Teyla asked, her confusion growing.
"Yeah, just an animal that lives with you, you take care of it etc…" He explained.
"Okay…" Teyla responded nodding her head.
"One day I'll show you" Sheppard said.
"And I shall look forward to that day" Teyla responded smiling at him.
"Good" Sheppard said as they then continued walking
Rodney was still sat at the Control Panel, staring at the screen in front of him, his eyes moving as he read the information, then his fingers would start typing away on the keyboard as he checked things over. He had been sitting there doing the same thing for over three hours and was still just as tranced in it as when he had started. Suddenly something flashed up on the screen that caught his attention. "Oh my god" He said as he stared blankly at it for a moment. Then starting typing again as he checked over a heap of things.
A few minutes and he jumped up from his seat and heading straight for Weir's office, knocking on the door once, he then pulled in opened and walked in. "Elizabeth!" He stated as he entered.
Weir looked up from her own screen to scare at McKay as he walked in and right up to her desk. "Rodney?" She asked.
"I was just going through all the information on the computer and the screen started flashing up new information, using a code I developed I was able to access the data and…" McKay launched straight into his explanation and then paused. "Well, somethings happening to the gate, I don't know what it is exactly, but its something!" He stated.
Weir listened to McKay as he explained the situation to her, over the time they had been in Atlantis and the time they'd worked together in Antarctica she had gotten used to the way McKay always launched into his explanations and the way he seemed to speak as quickly as he could trying to get all the relative information out. "So what are you saying exactly Rodney?" She asked him after a pause.
"I'm just saying, that the gate is doing something that it normally wouldn't and honestly shouldn't" McKay said slower this time.
"Is it going to be a problem?" She asked.
"Well, I don't know exactly, but I don't think we should use it any time soon, I have no idea what it is trying to do" McKay stated.
"Okay then" Weir said getting up from her seat. "Do we have any teams off world?" She then asked.
"Nope, last team came through two hours ago" McKay responded.
"Then in that case I suggest that we cease Gate activity and you get to the bottom of this" She said and then walked out of her office, McKay following closely behind. Walking out into the Control Room, McKay went back and sat at the Control panel whilst Weir stood in front of it. She then turned around to face him. "Give me City Wide" She said and then McKay pushed a few buttons and nodded his head to her.
"Attention all Atlantis Staff, this is Dr. Weir, as of this moment I have to announce that due to problems with the Stargate I am going to have to cease all Gate activity until further notice. Please continue as you have been and thank-you for you patience" Finishing the announcement she then turned back to McKay and nodded to him.
Pushing a few buttons on his laptop he McKay then turned to face Weir. "Done Elizabeth" He said. "And I'm on it…" He stated and then went back to looking at the screen.
"Good, thanks…" Weir responded as she then walked over to the balcony that looked over the Gate Room. "Find out what's going on and inform me the moment you have anything" She said and turned to head back to her office. "And Rodney…" She said as she reached her door and turned back to face him. "Get some help with this, call Zelenka up" She said and then disappeared into her office.
McKay looked from the screen up to Weir, but she had already gone back into her office before he had the chance to object. "Doesn't think I can handle this one…" He said under his breath then turned the PA system back on, but this time only to be heard in the labs and surrounding areas. "Zelenka to the Control Room, Zelenka to the Control Room" He said and then turned it back off. "Back to work" He said to himself as he concentrated back on the laptop's screen in front of him.