Debbie418uk2 did a chapter on a body swap with Rodney and Jeanie, which was a chapter I had asked her to do. As a result of her fabulous work, I was inspired to do a chapter of my own, but I didn't want to make it exactly the same (feels like I'm stealing or copying the ideas then), so I tried to make it different.
I was made aware that my note, before, made it seem like she may have stolen the idea, and I do apologize for that. I have this habit, I tend to mis-state what I am trying to say, and people get the wrong idea. It's been happening for years, despite my trying to keep an eye out on it.
I am very happy she did a chapter for me, I do appreciate it (Thank you, thank you, thank you!). This note was to try and state that it inspired the idea for this chapter, and that I hope she didn't think I was stealing the idea, after she did it.
Also thanks for mentioning about the CPR, I don't know a lot of what I'm talking about, in many occasions, so I'm just winging it. LOL
I'm currently not at home, and on a bad connection (Won't be home and able to respond to PMs until Sunday evening), so I won't be able to put up my review reply in this chapter, but I wanted to update as promised.
Just added note, I can update on this computer, but I cannot have more than one internet page open at a time, so I cannot reply easily to PMs.
Hope you like it.
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(Atlantis lab, John's POV)
"And have you figured out what this one does?" I asked, pointing to a small machine with two platforms. I knew he hadn't, really, I was just asking because I knew he'd get annoyed.
It's fun annoying McKay.
Turning to me from one of the platforms, where he was scanning some machinery, Rodney scowled and raised an eyebrow. "No, I didn't. That's why I'm running preliminary scans, to figure that out." Shaking his head, he pointed to the other platform and sighed. "Just... Just do me a favor and start scanning that platform, ok? You can do that, right?"
Now it was my turn to frown, but I nodded quietly, grabbing the other scanner and walking over to the platform. Climbing the steps, I sighed as I raised the scanner. There were all kinds of energy readings. I didn't understand most of them. All I recognized was...
Oh crap.
"Rodney?"
"Not now, Colonel."
"Uh, Rodney. I think you-"
"I said, not now."
"Damn it, McKay! The machine's activating!" I yelled as the lights shone brightly and a buzzing filled the air.
Looking up, his jaw dropped in surprise and he turned to glare at me. "What the hell did you do?!"
"ME?! You're the one who wanted me to scan this thing!" I shouted back incredulously. "You're the one whose been tinkering with it, what did you do?!"
"And you're the one with the mutant gene that's always activating everything! Did you touch something?!"
Raising an eyebrow, I pointedly looked down to the platform I was standing on, the raising in the buzzing the machine was making, not catching my attention at all. "Nah, Rodney, I'm just hovering here, not touching a thing." I glared at him. "What the hell do you think?!"
He opened his mouth to say something, when there was a bright flash of light. I felt really dizzy, and as I moved to cover my eyes, there was a bolt of electricity. Suddenly, it felt like I was floating and falling all in one, and I must have closed my eyes, because when I opened them again, I was staring up at the blue lit ceiling of the platform. What the hell?! Opening my mouth, I wanted to repeat that verbally, but nothing came out. I did notice, though, that my body felt strange. Heavier than I was used to, and warmer. Not to mention, I was starving! Huh, funny. I wasn't hungry a moment ago.
Sitting up slowly, I became aware of a groan next to me, on the other platform, that is, and I blinked to get my vision to clear. I suddenly felt very, very hungry, and kind of weak, too. And again, my body felt like lead. Looking up, I saw our equipment on the ground and frowned. Wasn't that to my left, earlier? It was to my right now. Or was that my right, and it's my left side, now? Shaking my head, I raised a hand to it and paused when my hand touched my scalp. That's not right.
Where I should have felt thick, spiky hair, I felt softer, thinner hair that started farther back on my head. Finally, I heard the other person speak up and felt my eyes widen as my stomach plummeted.
"What the HELL?!"
Slowly turning my head, I was dreading what I was going to see, I found myself facing horrified and shocked green eyes, and black hair, looking back at me. I was facing a very familiar face. My face. "I'll second that." I stated as I slowly looked down. Yep, slightly chubbier body, thicker hands, and usual scientist's uniform.
"Oh this is not good." I heard Rodney mumble with my voice.
(Briefing room)
"Ok, so we're here." Elizabeth put in calmly, though one eyebrow was raised. She gestured to Carson, Teyla and Ronon, who were all sitting in chairs around the table. "What's so important, Colonel, that we had to have this meeting?" She was looking at me, or, rather, my body, but didn't realize she was talking to Rodney.
"Uh, Elizabeth?" I raised my hand a little, catching her attention before Rodney could launch into a bunch of accusations. "I'm over here."
Looking at me with a frown, she tilted her head a moment. "I'm aware you're there, Rodney. Hello." She stated patiently.
Shaking my head, I sighed and winced as a dizzy spell hit me. "Wow." I turned to Rodney. "When you said all that stuff about getting weak when you don't eat... You weren't kidding."
"Oh, yes, thank you for that Colonel. It means so much that you believe me now." he put in sarcastically, placing his hands on his hips and rolling his eyes. "I called the meeting Elizabeth, because we've had a problem with that machine we were investigating." He paused a moment. "That is to say, Colonel Clumsy over here touched something and set it off, some how switching our bodies, or...minds...or something." He added, pointing to me.
"Rodney. You told me to scan it. I scanned it. I didn't touch the machine, but in order to scan it right, I did have to stand on the platform." Giving him a sideways glance, I decided that posture really didn't suit my body. "So if anyone's to blame, it's you. You told me to do it."
"Wait. So let me get this straight. The machine you were investigating activated, and switched your bodies?" Elizabeth looked understandably confused.
"Well, no. Technically, it switched our minds, or something. I'm not sure why that would be a good thing, though, or what the ancients were..." Trailing off, he shook his head. "My point is, I'm gonna need some more time to check the machine out, before finding a way to turn us back."
She nodded with a frown. "Alright, I'm going to put Zalenka on it. I want the two of you in the infirmary."
"No, but... I'd be able to work faster than Zalenka. I should be the one to do it." I really didn't like the whiney tone Rodney had put in my voice, either.
"Regardless, I want-Rod-" Elizabeth shook her head. "John, is something wrong?"
I suddenly felt very dizzy and felt my body swaying. Distantly, I heard Carson asking about when the last time Rodney ate was, and an answer I wasn't able to make out. Finally, I couldn't take anymore. My legs just gave away beneath me, and I felt myself falling. I was still conscious, but I couldn't hear anything, and it was like my eyes weren't working. I couldn't understand.
What was going on??
(Infirmary, Normal POV)
"What happened Carson?"
"I'm just getting the lab results back, now. It looks like not only is Ro-I mean, Colonel Sheppard suffering from lack of nourishment, I've given him something for that, by the way, but there's a spike in his CAT scan. I've run more tests, and..." He looked over as a young nurse brought over some papers. She smiled at Rodney, who forgot he was in Sheppard's body, and he gave her a weird look in return. "Ah, yes, it looks like there's some... Colonel Sheppard's brain scan is a lot higher than it should be."
"Maybe it's a malfunction in the machine." Rodney frowned.
"Are you feeling any ill side effects?"
Pausing for a moment, Rodney rubbed his temple. "Now that you mention it, I do have a headache."
Nodding, Carson handed the papers back to Rodney as John slowly began to wake up. "Alright. I want you here for observation. I'll have Radek bring you your computer tablet, so you can work, since I know you won't rest without it, but I want you to remain in bed at all times."
"Oh, mannnnn." Rodney raised an eyebrow at John as the Colonel slowly opened his eyes. "What hit me?"
"Hunger, some kind of malfunction in the machine, and getting yourself worked up." Carson put in. "How are ya feeling?"
"Like something hit me." He put in with a frown. Seeing a lovely young nurse checking his readings, he smiled at her, only to get a polite and non-flirtatious smile back in return. He frowned and made a face as she turned and left. "Let me guess, I'm still in Rodney's body." He sighed loudly. "This is no fun!"
"Thank you. And being in your body's a huge picnic for me."
"It should be. You're in my body, Rodney." Raising an eyebrow, John offered an evil little grin before wincing. "What's this about a malfunction, anyways?"
"Apparently, your mind isn't as...integrated into my brain as it should be. An...incomplete sequence, if you will." Rodney supplied, rubbing the bridge of his nose with two long fingers. Sitting on one of the beds, he frowned and ran a hand through the thick hair on his face, looking a little disturbed. "This might be fun, if I didn't feel about ready to keel over, and wasn't freaked out about the whole being in someone else's body. Oh, god!" His eyes widened dramatically. "You didn't have any citrus recently, did you?"
"Rodney." Carson handed him the computer tablet Zalenka had given him. "You're in the Colonel's body. You can ingest citrus if you like and it won't hurt you."
"Oh." Wide eyes, Rodney looked all too intrigued by this.
"Don't get any ideas." John warned, wincing a little as he remained laying in the bed. With a deep frown, he closed his eyes and took a deep breath.
"Colonel, are you alright?"
Opening his eyes slowly, John nodded. "Just tired." He mumbled almost sleepily before closing his eyes again.
Checking the equipment hooked up to him, Carson frowned. "Blood pressure's a little low. Heart rate is slightly accelerated." Turning to Rodney, he frowned in worry. "Is it possible, because you didn't eat and your body is weaker, that this could increase the effects the Colonel is feeling?" Pausing for a moment, he quickly ordered new tests to be done and called Zalenka to tell him to hurry.
"Carson?" Rodney's eyes narrowed as he watched the doctor take some more blood samples from John. "What's going on?"
"I believe he's feeling weak as a combination of things, but mainly, he's suffering from accelerated effects of this machine." Looking up, Carson's eyes were all professional, but filled with concern. "He's dying, Rodney."
Elizabeth gasped as she just entered the room to that last statement, followed by Ronon and Teyla, who exchanged worried looks.
Some time later, Carson was running tests on Rodney in John's body, as John in Rodney's was resting. Elizabeth and the others had gone, and Rodney was about at the end of his chain.
"This is ridiculous. I'm fine, Carson." Frowning, Rodney rubbed his arms, trying to get used to the feel of thinner, more muscular arms. He was laying on one of the beds in the infirmary, and glaring at Carson who was wandering around, talking to several nurses. He got another smile, and being slightly more used to this, by now, he smiled back. "Really. I need to get ouf of here and work on the machine."
"Rodney, I'm afraid you're not going anywhere." Turning to him, the scot walked over and sighed. "Your scans are showing elevated readings, too. You're affected. It'll only be a matter of time-"
"Yes! Exactly! Time!" Pointing, he gestured over to John. "Time he doesn't have! I need to get my work done, before I'm as bad as him!" Getting up, he was suddenly hit with a dizzy spell and swayed on the spot, only kept from falling over when Carson grabbed his arm.
"Lad, I'm afraid you're not gonna be leaving. Not in your condition. Radek's called, he's making progress, and he's keeping you updated via your computer."
"Sit down Rodney." John mumbled, his eyes still closed. His words were filled with exhaustion, and he sighed loudly as he slowly forced his eyes open. "Why..." He paused and looked around through Rodney's eyes before closing them again. "I'm tired."
He must have passed out, but suddenly the machines we was attached to, began to beep loudly. Carson called several nurses, and ran over, checking his stats. "He's crashing! Bag him!"" A nurse quickly placed a bag and mask over John's face, and Carson began chest compressions, keeping count quietly and keeping it up as the nurse pumped steady air into John's lungs.
Rodney could only stare in shock as Carson worked on John for several minutes. Seeing his body there, dying... The pale face, the sweat covered skin, the way it shook with the force Carson used on his chest... It was really eery. The fact that it was John in his body...
"We got him! Get him on a ventilator, stat!" Checking his status, Carson frowned. He drew back a single eye lid and peered at the eye underneath with his pen light. With a sigh, he shook his head and turned to Rodney. "He's fallen into a coma, lad."
(Unknown Lab)
It must have been a good two hours since John Sheppard had fallen into a coma in Rodney's body. In that time, Rodney had lost the feeling in his legs, and was getting steadily weaker. Now it was up to Zalenka to fix the machine, and surprisingly, he'd managed to figure it out.
He thought.
Shaking his head, Zalenka glared at the almost incapacitated Rodney and sighed. "I am telling you, this might not work. We have not had time to test it."
"And we don't have time to waste." Rodney put back from the wheel chair he was sitting in. Unfortunately, despite being in the Colonel's body, the effect was lessened due to the weakness of his voice. "The Colonel's fallen into a coma, and I'm not doing much better."
Elizabeth stood by the doorway, next to the stretcher with the comatose Colonel Sheppard, a worried Teyla and a growing increasingly irritated Ronon. "Radek, did you finish the repairs?"
He paused and looked at the machines. "I do believe so. They will need to stand on the same platforms as they were when they got hit the first time, but in theory, it should work." He pulled off his glasses. "In theory."
"Well theory is going to have to do." Hissed Rodney, struggling slowly to stand up, and only succeeding with Teyla's help. "We don't have time to waste, finding test subjects." With her help, he guided her to the platform he'd been standing on when they switched in the first place.
Ronon carefully lifted John in Rodney's body as Carson quickly divested him of the IV and air bag he was using to keep him breathing. "McKay, when this is all over, remind me to schedule you in for some physical training." He grunted as he quickly carried John to the platform and carefully laid him down. Backing away, he watched as nothing needed to be pressed.
The machine, as if sensing them both there, lit up and began to hum. A bright light flashed, blinding everyone temporarily, and a moment later, Colonel Sheppard groaned.
"Wha...?"
Carson rushed forward, kneeling next to Rodney and placing the air mask over his face before checking for a pulse. "He's alive!" He called, pulling the mask away after a moment. "Rodney, can ya hear me?"
"Doc?" John sat up slowly, swaying a little as he was hit by a dizzy spell. Looking over, he found Carson kneeling next to Rodney and frowned.
"John?"
Looking to Elizabeth, John nodded. "It's me. We're back."
"Oh, god! I feel like I was hit by a bus!" Rodney groaned as his eyes slowly opened. "What the hell...? Carson? Hi. Where am I?"
"You're on the platform of the machine."
Being reminded where they were John scrambled off the platform as fast as he could, ending up swaying dangerously, and having to be held up by Ronon when a dizzy spell hit him.
"Oh it is alright, Colonel. The energies only flow one way. Just don't get back on now." Zalenka informed him lightly.
Nodding, he watched as Carson helped Rodney stand and insisted they both come back to the infirmary for more testing.
Luckily, they switched back with only some residual dizziness and weakness. Otherwise they were fine, but Elizabeth ordered that machine made off-limits, not wanting anything else to happen because of it. They never figured out what the machine was for, with the switching of consciousness', but they really didn't want to stick around and find out, either.
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Thank you again for the notice, Debbie. Sorry about the misunderstanding, I hope the change in note clears it up.
Hope you like it
R+R please
Thank you
Tenshi