Universal, by Giddygeek for the Amnesty Challenge

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Title: Universal
Author: giddygeek
Spoilers: Seige III
Note: Amnesty, 38 minute challenge, and voyeurism too.
Warnings: This is what happens when everyone in #primenotprime is like, 38 minute challenge! and I'm like, not me! I do it anyway. And it's pure sap like I haven't written since three fandoms ago. But for once, it's flashfic length, 870 words. Go me, and thanks kaneko!



At first, Teyla thinks that they have simply picked up the habit of an Athosian embrace, foreheads touching, eyes closed. But there has been no time for embraces, certainly no time for habits, and Major Sheppard's hand curled around the back of Dr. McKay's neck is not the Athosian way.

"You should be sleeping," Major Sheppard murmurs. His voice is quiet, soothing, shaken. "Hell, I'm surprised you're not already down for the count."

Teyla hesitates. Dr. McKay is needed in the control room, but there are some moments that should not be interrupted. Beyond that, the way Dr. McKay is slumped, Teyla wonders if he isn't already asleep, held up by the Major's chest and hands.

She does not regret reminding him of the Wraith still in the city, and is grateful for the work he accomplished in the long hours afterwards, but there must be a limit. She will return to the control room and inform them that Dr. McKay is--

"I think I am," he says. "I think I'm done." He moves, but it is only to slump further, his head falling down to Major Sheppard's shoulder.

The Major seems startled but his hands come up, and after a moment, his grip tightens. "You're all right," he says. "Nothing a few hours of sleep won't fix. C'mon, Rodney. Wake up a little, and I'll walk you to your room."

"My room is destroyed."

"Then I'll walk you to mine. And don't--it's not--I've got to go back to the control room for a while. There's probably security stuff that we need to work out. I might be gone a couple hours." There's the soft sound of cloth against cloth; Major Sheppard has tightened his arms again. "Then maybe I can join you," he says.

Teyla takes another step back, but doesn't turn and walk away. There are many things she doesn't know about these explorers from another galaxy, phrases and subtext that she doesn't understand, but some things are truly universal. The tone of the Major's voice, the strength in his grasp--she knows them for what they are. She should go--

"I'm still mad at you," Dr. McKay says.

--but she can't.

"That's fine," Major Sheppard says. "But you'll be sleeping then. You won't even know. And maybe it'll help you wake up un-mad."

Dr. McKay snorts. "Unlikely." He stirs. Teyla can see his face now, mouth loose with exhaustion, eyelashes long and pale against dark shadows. If he opens his eyes, she will be caught spying. "Maybe if you came with me," he says. "Maybe then it'd be different."

Major Sheppard hesitates, and Dr. McKay doesn't open his eyes. Teyla is going to go to the control room and tell Dr. Weir and Colonel Caldwell that they are unavailable, that they are far too exhausted to be of any use, that they are already asleep and should not be disturbed. That they deserve a few hours. No one is well-rested, no one is prepared for the work that needs to be done, but the shield is up. The Wraith are no longer in the city. Everything else can wait.

Major Sheppard taps his comm, and Teyla winces. Too late. "Elizabeth?"

"John," Dr. Weir says after a moment. "Have you seen Rodney?"

"Yeah, and he--"

"Was he sleeping?"

"No, he was just about--"

"To go to sleep," Dr. Weir says. "We've rechecked the systems, and for the moment everything is running smoothly. Rodney is to sleep."

Major Sheppard touches the doctor's neck again, smoothing his hand down it. "Yeah, I don't think that'll be a problem. We'll find somewhere for him to sleep--"

"Major Sheppard is going to lie down too," Dr. McKay says without raising his head. "Or I'll knock him out. Have you seen the man? He looks like hell. His hair is flat."

"No one looks fresh and shiny, we just held off the Wraith," Major Sheppard says. "I'll be up in a couple minutes--"

"Oh no." There's a smile in Dr. Weir's voice, but it's hiding steel. "Everyone sleeps, unless told otherwise. Find a bed and settle in, John. If I see you before dawn, you'll be very sorry."

"Ha," Dr. McKay says smugly, and Teyla smiles. "Roger that, Elizabeth. Over and out, or something." He reaches up blindly and taps the comm, pats Major Sheppard's cheek. "But you're shaving first," he says, and Dr. Weir coughs.

"You missed. Uh, good night, Elizabeth." Major Sheppard taps the comm again, and untangles himself. "C'mon, Rodney, let's go to bed," he says. "Before Teyla decides she's gonna come in here after all and make us go."

Teyla jumps, and Dr. McKay opens his eyes. He doesn't look surprised. And when Major Sheppard turns his head, he's smiling. "I'm sorry--" she begins, but it's unnecessary. Dr. McKay had said he was still angry, but there is no real anger here. There isn't room for it, not between them, or against her. She takes a step back, another, smiling. "Sleep well," she says, and turns away, padding quietly from the room.

She ignores the quiet noises behind her. Some things are universal, and the kiss of lovers reunited is one of them.

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