[identity profile] gulessable.livejournal.com posting in [community profile] sga_flashfic
Testament
By gulessable
Pairing: McKay/Sheppard
Rating: PG
Warnings: Character death
Spoilers: None
For the Documentation challenge.
Summary: Sometimes, Elizabeth's job is hard



Sometimes, Elizabeth’s job is hard.

The block letters on the envelope stand out dark against the white paper. Last Will and Testament of Doctor Rodney McKay. Elizabeth swallows hard and pulls out the data storage device inside. This part of her job has never got any less difficult over the years, and is always heart-wrenching when done for friends.

In her dimly lit office, mid-way through the third shift, the light from her lap top is muted as Rodney winks into view. He is standing in his lab, fatter, more tired and less bald than she has seen him in recent memory. The date stamp at the bottom of the screen makes the recording over eight years old.
Her heart is heavy in her throat as she watches and listens.

“Okay. This is the last will and testament of Doctor Rodney McKay, Chief Science Officer, Atlantis Base. Ah…Hi Elizabeth, or, I suppose, maybe John. Though I don’t think that’s likely, but one must prepare for any eventuality, all probable things and what not.”

Rodney’s almost hysterical energy is palpable, across years and data storage media. Elizabeth notes the glazed eyes and hectically flushed cheeks. She can’t recall which crisis this recording falls into, but it is obviously one of the more serious close calls. Rodney is clearly under some form of chemical influence.

“So. Elizabeth. I, Rodney McKay, being dead (well, obviously, or I hope you’re not watching this) bequeath almost all my goods and possessions to Colonel John Sheppard.

Please send my Nobel Prize, or, well maybe it’s Prize*s* by now, I mean…then. I mean, *now* when you’re watching this, not now as I’m making this…Or, wait. Have we been declassified by then? I need this project to be declassified before I can win a Nobel. Yeah, anyway. Please send my Nobel Prizes to Brigadier General Samantha Carter. Unless she won more than I did. Then it’s just pathetic. If she has, please send her my notes on Unified Field Theory but, ah, spill some, some coffee on the last few lines. Smudge it up a little. Radek will help you. Oh, for the love of…”

Impatiently Rodney taps his ear piece and presumably responds to a summons for assistance.

“Is two minutes too much to ask of you monkeys? What have you broken now? Yes, yes, fine. On my way.”

And the vid feed blinks momentarily before winking back to life. The lab is brighter, but still deserted. The time stamp indicates a month has passed. Rodney is better rested but his usual slightly manic air is still present.

“Hi. It’s me, obviously. Back again. So. John gets most of it. Send Sam my Nobels, and/or my Unified Field Theory. Um. I would like you, Elizabeth, to give all my other notes and research to Radek. And, and, tell him I really do respect him. He is almost my equal as a physicist and possibly as good an engineer. God, I hope I’m dead before you get this, or I’ll never hear the end of it.

Tell Ronan to look under the bench in my bathroom. He is to keep what he finds there, but never tell anyone.

Please send the picture of my cat to my sister. She’s allergic. And tell her, tell her I died saving a bunch of kids, would you? Even if I don’t go down in some lab accident, just say there was a flood, or, or a fire and a bunch of kids. She won’t believe you, but it’s worth a try. Oh. WHAT?”

Once again, Rodney roars into his head set and Elizabeth winces in sympathy for the person on the other end, waiting for the scathing response.

“Carson?” Rodney is immediately tense and tentative. “Now? No, no. Of course it’s not ‘inconvenient’. Tell her I’ll be right down.”

Rodney’s image stands and freezes and Elizabeth sees an almost painful wave of uncertainty cross his face. She has rarely seen Rodney look so open and vulnerable. He gestures over his shoulder and says, “I’ve, I’ve got to go. I’m about to be a father. Um. See you later?” And again he is gone.

When the image returns the clock shows 48 hours have passed. Rodney appears tired, scared and jubilant all at the same time. In his arms is a tiny, sleeping baby. Cinnamon skinned and blunt-jawed.

“Me again. I just saw you, in the hall. But I guess it might be a bit since you’ve seen me. Anyway.
I hereby acknowledge paternity of David Emmagen and Mera Emmagen. Elizabeth, you win the baby pool for David, please collect from Radek. I have no idea who will win for Mera, here, but Radek will probably be running that pool as well. I absolutely disavow any responsibility for Halling and Charin, by the way. They are none of my work and you can’t blame me for them. What? I’m just saying…”

He addresses someone off camera, then stamps out of view momentarily to return without the baby. It must have been Mera, Elizabeth realises.

“In the unlikely event that I am pre-deceased by John, please see to it that everything is given to Teyla Emmagen and her heirs and descendants, all of them. Even the hell-spawn I am totally not the father of. There. Satisfied?” Rodney is talking to the person off camera again. The audio pick up catches a small snort, but Elizabeth can’t tell who it is.

“I have one last request Elizabeth. Even if you do nothing else, just please, do this. See this ring? Please…please give it to John. Living or dead, I want him to have it. We’ve never said anything, and I guess some people will have worked it out over the years, but, ah, maybe, maybe not. Anyway, he gave it to me, and he, he’s never said anything about it, but I’ve always taken it as a promise…”

Rodney isn’t talking through the camera to Elizabeth any more. He’s looking at someone off screen, and there are something quite close to tears in his eyes. Suddenly another figure appears on her screen. Long and lean and topped with messy hair.

Rodney is now plastered with tall, lazy Colonel and not complaining at all. John whispers something in his ear on his way to licking down Rodney’s neck.


Rodney squeaks and gropes for the remote to deactivate the camera. Just before her friends wink out, Rodney manages to gasp, “Um..as you can see, Cadman won the pool. God. John. Shit. Wait, wait!” And they disappear as the camera topples over to catch a micro-second shot of the lab ceiling.

Elizabeth smiles sadly to herself, wondering if she witnessed a proposal or an anniversary. This will certainly put some tongues to rest. She is just about to shut down her lap top when the vid feed comes back to life.

The lab is dark and Rodney bears several day’s stubble. Instead of standing in front of the camera as he has before, he is holding it in his hands, the view shaking slightly. The depth of emotion on his face, in his warm eyes, is almost too much for Elizabeth to watch.

“John? God, John. This had better be you watching. I’ve just been called down to the infirmary. You had better not die. You hear me? Don’t fucking die. Not now. We made a deal remember? Me first, or both together. I can’t do the grieving widow thing. I can’t keep watching you risk your life unless I know I’m going to go down first. You don’t get to die yet.”

The screen fades to black.



After a minute, Elizabeth wipes at her eyes and picks up the other envelope on her desk. Addressed to her, from John. Dated five years ago:



Dear Elizabeth,

If you’re reading this, then Rodney is probably dead and I’ve finally managed to exceed my luck as well. Hopefully we both died peacefully in bed, but I’m not really stupid enough to think that’s how we’ll go.

Probably we were doing something stupid and pointlessly heroic. Maybe we were arguing and walked off a cliff. Ronan’s always saying that’s how it’ll go down. But I know us, and I really hope we didn’t take anyone but a whole bunch of Wraith with us.

Rodney showed me his Will once, and I thought I should maybe make one as well. For the first time, for a long time, I have people worth remembering. Then, when I thought about it, I realised I have nothing to Will. Sure, there’s money, sitting in a bank account on Earth. But what will it buy out here?

All my riches, here in Atlantis, are people. And I am the richest man in two galaxies because of you all. So instead of a Will, I leave a Testament.

So.

Rodney McKay. Who I love. But not enough. Not as much as I love flying. Not enough to stand before all my friends and take his hand and make him a promise. He has always understood though. I think he maybe feels that secret promises, secretly kept count more. He was always a hopeless romantic. I bet you all didn’t know that about him. I regret my cowardice. Just, not enough.

Teyla. Who gave me a child. Who gave me friendship and treated me like a backward brother, in need of an ass kicking and maybe a good meal.

Ronan. Who made me a leader, simply by following. Who taught me more about honour and courage than all my years in the Airforce.

It has been an honour and a privilege living and serving with every single inhabitant of Atlantis. I look forward, hopefully to many years more of service, bad food and exceptionally cool spaceships. I hope to see Rodney grow old and grumpy(er). I want to see our children grow up together, far smarter than us, and happier too. I want to see Atlantis alive with ZPMs, glowing under the touch of hordes of ATA gene carriers. Take good care of her, she’ll be lonely without me, I think.

Elizabeth. If I was at any time a good team leader, I also know I was often a piss-poor Commander. The same things that made me good at one made it harder to be good at the other. I apologise for every grey hair I added to your head. You have been the best of friends to Rodney and I. I know that hasn’t always been all you’ve wanted, but I think it’s clear now why that was. I can regret any hurt that caused you, but really, not the reasons.

To be clear:

I hereby acknowledge paternity of Charin Emmagen. I believe that means you win the pool, Elizabeth. Please collect your prize from Zelenka.

I hereby acknowledge Rodney McKay as my long time lover and partner. I’d say husband, but then he’ll just start calling me ‘Mother’, and it all goes down hill from there. We’ve had ten years, God willing I’ll get twenty more. Tell Cadman that she can collect her prize from Carson. I wish I could be there to see the looks on both their faces, when they realise. I swear this city is populated solely by nattering yentas.


I would like you, Elizabeth, to take the Colours at my funeral. Ronan is to be given all my medals. I know Rodney has made provisions for disposal of his remains and I will reiterate them here for clarity. Please give him my tags and place us in the vortex of an opening wormhole. Anywhere but Earth. P4X-6969, if you can stand the joke. I was always rather fond of it, in all senses.


Rodney McKay, if not already dead, is the sole beneficiary of the rest of my worldly goods. If I am pre-deceased by him, or we die together, then Teyla Emmagen, and her heirs and descendants, inherit our combined estates, minus the bequests specifically made here and in the Will of Rodney McKay.


With love, and respect

John Sheppard

PS: Remind Lorne that the left drive pod on Jumper 3 runs a little hot. And, also, if anyone comes to you with a small wooden box they found in Jumper 5? Don’t open it. Please. JS.

PPS: Tell Rodney’s sister he died saving a bunch of kids, from a flood, or a fire. JS






Elizabeth sits at her desk, unmoving. Dawn is just beginning to creep over the horizon and soon she'll have to face the rest of Atlantis. For now she is alone, counting two more old friends who'll never stand in her office again.


(no subject)

Date: 2006-01-23 09:27 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] neery.livejournal.com
Ouch. Poor Elizabeth. Strangely enough, this is almost a happy fic, despite the fact that they are dead - it sounds like Sheppard and McKay had a really happy life.

(no subject)

Date: 2006-01-23 09:32 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] mcalex22.livejournal.com
[livejournal.com profile] maryavatra's story made me laugh harder than I've laughed in a while! And looking at the number of responses it has, you can tell it's a big hit!

Your story made me cry and mourn the boys - and it's been a while since I've read one that made me cry (the last one was by [livejournal.com profile] chaps1870. Yet, I thought it was very sweet and beautiful and I loved the way you added bits of pieces of Rodney - especially him getting interrupted (because that is so Rodney to do that. And the bits of humour especially with the betting pool.

I don't recognise your name in many SGA fics but I do hope you write more as I like your writing.

Great work and prose and thanks for sharing. :D

(no subject)

Date: 2006-01-23 09:37 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] kellifer-fic.livejournal.com
Wow... very nicely done and painful...

(no subject)

Date: 2006-01-23 09:44 am (UTC)

(no subject)

Date: 2006-01-23 09:45 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] saavira.livejournal.com
Just so you know, you totally made me cried. I was a little sniffly, but you know, mostly laughing at Rodney's will and then Sheppard's testmanet and I just started crying.

I haven't cried reading fic in a really really long time...well, at least where the writer intended for their readers to feel some sort of sad emotions. Crying because of the lack of English/French education for our youths these days does not count.

(no subject)

Date: 2006-01-23 10:15 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] teawith.livejournal.com
Ouch. But in a good way. I was wondering all the way through when this was set. How long did they have together. How they died. I don't really want answers to these questions, you understand. It's more like picking at a painful scab - you just can't help yourself :) Great stuff.

(no subject)

Date: 2006-01-23 10:16 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] adannu.livejournal.com
This... yeah. Nicely done. The postscripts to John's testament made my chest just *clench*.

(no subject)

Date: 2006-01-23 10:19 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] eliabrith.livejournal.com
Awww so sad but very nicely done :)

(no subject)

Date: 2006-01-23 11:01 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] torakowalski.livejournal.com
*sniffles* This is beautiful.

(no subject)

Date: 2006-01-23 12:05 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] lemonbella.livejournal.com
very nicely done.

(no subject)

Date: 2006-01-23 01:05 pm (UTC)
ext_1175: (boo boo face)
From: [identity profile] lamardeuse.livejournal.com
This actually made me smile, because you nailed the two of them so well. Nice job.

(no subject)

Date: 2006-01-23 01:18 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] druidspell.livejournal.com
Oh God.. I just cried when I read this fic, and I have class in 2 minutes.

(no subject)

Date: 2006-01-23 02:02 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] mecurtin.livejournal.com
So, I'm crying. I think what broke me was:

Rodney McKay. Who I love. But not enough. Not as much as I love flying. Not enough to stand before all my friends and take his hand and make him a promise.

I really hope John would grow beyond this place -- and that the USAF would, too, to not force him to make that choice. But it's very realistic to have them stuck there.

At least J&R died together. I didn't quite follow the bit about Teyla's children -- did she have twins by Rodney and a singleton by John? And Halling by Ronon?

Have you done other SGA, and if so, where are you hiding it?

(no subject)

Date: 2006-01-23 02:18 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] bakarti.livejournal.com
I don't quite know how to show my appreciation for this. It was beautiful and bittersweet. Thank you for sharing it.

(no subject)

Date: 2006-01-23 02:47 pm (UTC)
spikedluv: (mcshep_peacefulexplorers_lowdownbeat)
From: [personal profile] spikedluv
Wow. That was sad. And beautiful. And funny. And sweet. *wipes tears* I normally hate death fic, but this one was so full of life. Thanks for sharing it.

(no subject)

Date: 2006-01-23 04:04 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] cynicalcylon.livejournal.com
Oh! *cries*

(no subject)

Date: 2006-01-23 04:08 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] porntestpilot.livejournal.com
That last line makes me sniffly, but I agree with [livejournal.com profile] neery, the whole tone isn't that sad, I like the idea of them happy for at least a little while.

(no subject)

Date: 2006-01-23 04:25 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] teand.livejournal.com
That was perfect. Sad, but also a celebration of two lives well-lived.

(no subject)

Date: 2006-01-23 04:31 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] morudai.livejournal.com
Sniffle!!!

testament

Date: 2006-01-23 04:42 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] laceymcbain.livejournal.com
I'm not fond of death fics, but this was lovely because they sounded so alive in it. That made it bearable and almost happy. Also, the fact that Elizabeth is reading them both at the same time, I have to believe they went out together. *g* Although hopefully not arguing and walking off a cliff. (So them.)

I liked that John was able to acknowledge Rodney finally. As far as death fics go, this one was pretty painless. Thank you.

(no subject)

Date: 2006-01-23 06:51 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] ravenlaughing.livejournal.com
oh gods! make me nearly cry at work, wouldja?
that was beautiful.

(no subject)

Date: 2006-01-23 07:25 pm (UTC)
paranoidangel: PA (Default)
From: [personal profile] paranoidangel
That is so sad. I think its seeing Rodney so happy in his video contrasts nicely with John's letter.

(no subject)

Date: 2006-01-23 07:46 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] duskyfox.livejournal.com
oh God. This is amazing and painful and real. I can see it so easily. Loved the bit about Teyla & the boys' children. Wonderful story.

(no subject)

Date: 2006-01-23 08:38 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] anjak-j.livejournal.com
Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah! :'(

Brilliant piece... *can't speak*

(no subject)

Date: 2006-01-24 01:03 am (UTC)
ext_24105: jackie and hyde, that 70's show (sga shep)
From: [identity profile] miss-universe93.livejournal.com
This really an amazing piece.

(no subject)

Date: 2006-01-24 01:49 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] arsinoee.livejournal.com
So good! Made me sad and happy at the same time. I'm dying to know, though - what's under Rodney's bathroom bench for Ronon?

(no subject)

Date: 2006-01-24 02:14 am (UTC)
fairestcat: Dreadful the cat (SGA Best and Brightest)
From: [personal profile] fairestcat
Oh, wow.

This gave me chills. It's just so perfect and sad and yet so hopeful too, that they got so much time together and got to love each other so much.

Wonderful, wonderful story.

(no subject)

Date: 2006-01-24 02:24 am (UTC)
ext_970: (p0rn)
From: [identity profile] tazzles.livejournal.com
sniff sniff. This was beautiful. Seriously.
I'm just going to go into the corner for a minute and have a cry.
Thanks for sharing.

(no subject)

Date: 2006-01-24 03:05 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] kajikia.livejournal.com
Oh, lovely. Very moving, very in character. I like the feeling of little glimpses into their lives. Elizabeth's not my favorite character, but you really made me feel for her in this, and I love the idea that Radek will help her fudge Rodney's work so Rodney can score points off Carter even after he's dead.

(no subject)

Date: 2006-01-24 03:38 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] paradise-city.livejournal.com
Oh, that was beautiful. They were so alive, so palpably joyful of all they had experienced, that this was more of a celebration than a mourning. Very gracefully handled and nicely done. Thanks for posting.

(no subject)

Date: 2006-02-01 12:41 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] justabi.livejournal.com
*sniffle* So sad and funny and just perfect.

(no subject)

Date: 2006-02-01 05:02 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] ex-nilahasi174.livejournal.com
Okay, this kind of ripped my heart out a little bit. Especially with John's last "PPS: Tell Rodney's sister he died saving a bunch of kids, from a flood, or a fire. JS." Wonderfully done.

(no subject)

Date: 2006-03-09 07:23 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] mercurydraconix.livejournal.com
now i wanna know what's in the box in jumper 5.

also, i love that atlantis has long running bets - that even now, years after the initial wager, Elizabeth will get up tomorrow and tell cadman she won, and cadman will collect even as they're all mourning the deaths of their friends.

plus, P4X-6969? *snerk* that is so perfect.

(no subject)

Date: 2006-10-09 08:11 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] margarks.livejournal.com
wow. that was extremely sad. poor elizabeth. but i loved both wills/testaments. and john's confession that he didn't love rodney enough made me ache.

well done.

thanks for writing.

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