Chapter 2

"Rodney," Emily began, steam practically curling out of her ears. "What in the-"

"I know, I know. Just leave me alone. I can figure this out," he replied.

"Don't make me laugh, Rodney! Somehow you turned very simple instructions on how to improve jumper speed into blueprints for a bomb!"

"Well if they were a little clearer this wouldn't have happened."

"Clearer? The apes you evolved from could follow them."

"Look, I made a few minor miscalculations, but-"

Emily laughed. "Rodney, look at this place! There are pieces of puddle jumper everywhere, not to mention the smoke damage! 'Few' doesn't even begin to describe it!"

Rodney slammed a battered piece of Earth technology on the on the table before them. "Well we all can't be Ancients, can we?"

Emily threw her hands in the air and as she began to walk out of the jumper bay she said, "I'm done with you."

"Oh come on! You can't be serious!"

Emily ignored him and kept walking. She was done for the day. All she wanted was something to eat.

She swirled the water in her glass as she stared at the ice within. Rodney had really gotten her cackles up. He'd gotten on her nerves before, but never like this. She let out a long sigh. Why couldn't he just listen to her? For a man who boasts his intellect, Rodney wasn't very smart. Emily felt herself drifting back to when she first met him.

"I'm telling you, I can't remember what my name is!" she remarked sharply.

"But you somehow remember half the schematics of a ZPM," he remarked sharply.

"A what?"

"The thing you just drew. It powers the city."

"Oh that. I'd correct you on the name but-"

"You don't remember it. We've established that. Now you could just explain to me how to build one."

Emily sighed. "I don't remember."

Rodney let out a frustrated noise as he turned away from the worktable. "It would be so much easier if-"

"Calm down, Rodney. Give her a break," a new voice remarked.

"Hello, Sheppard," Emily replied with a slight smile.

"Hey. You remember anything else?"

She shrugged. "I woke up this morning and remembered the schematics for half of a . . . ZPM, but other than that I've got nothing."

"You remember that, but not your name?"

"Yes and don't ask me why."

"Well we can't keep saying 'hey you' whenever we need your attention, now can we?" Rodney growled.

"Hey! Don't blame me! I don't even know why I was in that stasis pod. I think that would be right up there with remembering my name!"

"Then tell me why you can remember how to build a perfectly functional jumper?"

"Okay, calm down you two!" Sheppard interjected. "Rodney made a good point. You need a name."

"I've never felt more like a pet in my life," she grumbled.

Sheppard ignored her. "You look a little bit like a girl I dated in high school. How about Emily?"

She smiled. "Emily. I like that name. It'll work."

"How could you people discuss nicknames when there's half of a ZPM on the table?" Rodney exclaimed.

Emily sighed. "Fine, we'll get back to work, but not on the ZPM. I gave you all I remember. Why don't we move into . . . crystals?"

"Oh what good are those?"

"A lot more than you know."

"Really! How so?"

"Well . . ."

"Emily," a voice said from behind her.

She looked up from the depth of her glass. She was shocked to see the once large ice cubes had turned into clear, room temperature water. Emily soon saw Zelenka walking over to the seat across from her. Immediately she switched from English into Czech.

"What is it?" she said with a sigh.

"Are you okay? You don't look so good."

"No, I'm fine. Just a little tired. Rodney's been riding me like a . . . like a . . ."

"Horse," he interjected.

"Yes, a horse. I haven't slept in a while."

Zelenka sighed. "Ah yes, the nightmares. They haven't stopped yet, have they?"

Emily sighed. "No, they just keep getting worse."

"Maybe you should see the psychologist."

"Not a chance! I don't want some stranger poking around inside my head. Besides, they're not that bad. I remember something every time I wake up from one."

He sighed. "If you think it's best."

Emily smiled. "Thanks. You know, you're the only one who doesn't talk to me just to pump my brain for information."

Zelenka stuttered for a few moments and Emily knew why. It wasn't everyday that he got a compliment from a sixteen year old who was actually thousands of years old. Let alone from one whose people where known for their arrogance. She decided to save him the trouble of a rebuttal. Quickly, she faked a yawn.

"It's getting late. I think I'm going to sleep," she remarked, motioning to the starlight leaking through a few windows.

"Yes, that's a good idea. Good night, Emily."

"Good night," she replied before getting up and leaving the mess hall.