Chapter 13
Disclaimer: Oh, I want to, but I don't own anything!
Author's note: ok, here it is, the next one. Thank you so much for all the great reviews, especially to all you lovely people who've reviewed all chapters! Enjoy and, as always, please review.
"And that's where we're up to." John finished. He'd been talking to Teyla for the last three hours, and it was the first time he'd felt relaxed since this had all happened to him and the General.
"You have no idea how long this will last?" Teyla asked.
"No, 'fraid not."
"You do not seem very concerned about that fact Major."
"General O'Neill's friend said that it was reversible and that you guys, and the sg1 guys, were the ones to get us out of this mess. And I have faith in you guys, so…" John explained.
"That is a very pleasant quality you posess Major."
"Huh?"
"The ability to believe in others when all else is against you is a very… nice quality." Teyla finished lamely.
"Are you saying I have nice qualities Teyla?" John teased.
"I think she said you have one nice quality John and that's definitely pushing it in my books." A familiar voice drifted in from the corridor outside.
"You can come in General." John replied.
"No that's alright. From what I'm getting from being halfway across the city, I'd say I was safer out here."
John leapt out of his sitting position as if he'd been hit by an electric jolt.
Outside, Jack laughed softly.
"Um Teyla I think I'd better go now… see McKay… let you get your rest…ok, I'll see you later." Mumbled John as he quickly left the infirmary room, leaving behind a very puzzled athosian.
The two men walked in silence down the corridor. As soon as they'd passed the corner, John erupted.
"You were feeling all of that!"
"Yes," said a now very irritated Jack "And believe me it's not by choice!"
"Can't you shut it off or something?"
"I tried… for the last three hours!"
"It can't have been that bad, I mean …"
"Oh, it was!"
"Can't have been as bad as before with you and-"
"Watch your step major." Jack said sharply.
"Oh come on! I know how you feel about her, and it's not exactly like I'm gonna tell anyone."
"Doesn't change anything."
"I think it does."
"Watch you step."
"Look, I just said-"
"I meant litera-" Jack began, but was interrupted by a loud crash as John fell over a large box of supplies that was in the corridor.
John took a deep breath, propped himself up, got himself up and then continued walking as before.
Jack hesitated behind for a moment. "Ouch."
"McKay, how's things going?" John asked as he strode into the lab.
"Oh just great. You know what would be even greater?" snapped Rodney.
"No, what?" Jack said slowly, earning a look off John as they both knew he was just baiting the scientist.
"If everybody would just stop asking me that so I could do some actual work!"
"Feel better now McKay?" John asked after a moment.
"Yes, actually i-"
"Good. Hows things going?" John repeated.
"I managed to calibrate the energy requirements needed to keep you and your bodies in a constant state, and I've also managed to set up an alarm system so as if your energy levels drop like before I'll be able to locate the problem immediately as well as give Beckett some warning on what's about to happen with your bodies."
"Cool." John said.
"But no idea as to how to shut them off?" Jack asked, his voice hard.
"No," McKay admitted "But give me some time. I've only had a few hours with all the information."
"That's alright McKay." John said dejectedly.
There was silence for a few minutes as the three men considered their options and tried to ignore the strong feeling of helplessness that was overwhelming them. Then Jack spoke up.
"Let's go visit my guys."
John, who was still stuck in helplessness mode, didn't register what he said.
"Huh?"
"Let's go major."
"Wha- Hey! Wait!"
But there was a flash of light and they were gone.
Ok, a little apology here. I keep using this symbol as a divider between the different scenes and I've only just noticed that it doesn't seem to have worked. So, sorry if it seems like the story is jumping a bit in places.