sga_flashfic | fic: Once More...by bluejbird

bluejbird.livejournal.com posting in

Title: Once More…
Author: bluejbird
Pairing: McShep
Rating: PG-13, for language
Summary: Once More With Feeling, Atlantis style. An ancient device has the whole of Atlantis singing and dancing and fighting the Wraith while they do so.
A/N: This has got to have been done before. But I saw the challenge and instantly had Sheppard singing ‘Going Through the Motions’ in my head. Contains many of the songs from the BtVS episode ‘Once More With Feeling’, with, in some cases, large sections of the song unchanged. Not a crossover. Songs rewritten from memory, so there may be mistakes. Unbetaed. Words surrounded by #s indicates singing.
Disclaimer: I don’t own SGA, nor Buffy. I wish I did. Apologies to both.

It starts like this:

There’s an Ancient device. It sits on a table, enticingly shiny and covered with ancient text. A hand reaches out and picks it up. Suddenly it starts to flash patterns of different coloured lights and is placed hastily back onto the table. It continues to flash.

“Oh shit,” someone says. The device is hastily shoved into a corner, and retreating footsteps echo through the room, which is suddenly plunged into darkness.

In its corner, the device continues to happily blink away.

~~~

SGA-1 are off-world. Rodney and John are bickering companionably as they stomp through the too tall grass of the field. Teyla and Ronon have their guns ready, eyeing their surroundings suspiciously.

“Hey guys, stand down,” John calls back to them. “This planet seems to be fairly safe-”

A series of bullets pepper the ground by his feet, cutting him off. John swears and jumps back, pulling Rodney with him, who immediately starts bitching.

“Famous last words, Major,” Rodney says as John pulls him into the shelter of some nearby trees.

“Colonel,” John replies.

”Genii,” Ronon says, and John sighs, rolls his eyes and mutters “I don’t know why I’m surprised.”

Ronon fires off a couple of shots, taking out the snipers, and a large group of Genii soldiers come rushing across the field, brandishing knives and sticks. The team exchange looks, then move out into the field to meet them taking up their usual fighting positions (Ronon aiming his gun, Teyla with a large stick in her hands, and Rodney hiding behind John).

As the Genii approach, music starts up in the background. Everyone hesitates for a moment, and then they charge again.

John falls into a fighting stance and starts to sing.

#Every single week the same arrangement
We go out and fight the fight
Still I always feel the strangest strangement
Nothing here is real, nothing here is right
Trading really blows, and we keep making foes
And I just hope no-one knows#’

The Genii reach them, and the team start to fight. John continues to sing.

#That I’ve been going through the motions
Just playing my part
Nothing seems to penetrate my…heart#

Ronon sniggers, and John shoots him a look, and then shrugs and punches a Genii in the stomach, throwing him to the side. He pushes his way into the melee.

#I was always brave and kind of righteous
Now I find I’m wavering
I’m getting kind of bored with the excitement#

Ronon glances up from where he’s fighting three guys at once.

#That doesn’t mean a thing#

John picks up a large stick and whacks an oncoming attacker with it. Teyla narrows her eyes.

#You’ve not been practicing#

#Thanks for noticing# John replies, making a face.

Teyla and Ronon are fighting back to back as they sing.

#He’s always there to save us from the Wraith
But we’ve been losing faith
‘Cos he’s just going through the motions
He’s not the same somehow#

Rodney fires his handgun blindly into the group of Genii and smirks.

#He’s only slept with half the girls in- ow!# ‘Kirk!’ he adds, as he rubs his arm where John punched him. The Genii are quickly despatched with and the team pick up their fallen equipment and start walking back towards the ‘gate.

#Will I stay this way forever
Sleepwalk through my life’s endeavour#

A group of beautiful, scantily clad women are waiting for them by the ‘gate. One of them comes forward, holding out her hands to John, a suggestive smile on her lips.

#How can we repay-#

John waves a hand, brushing her off. #Whatever#

He motions for Rodney to dial the ‘gate.

#I don’t wanna be
Going through the motions
Trying to stay alive#

The wormhole whooshes open, and Teyla, Ronon and Rodney step through, without a backwards glance.

#I don’t want them to see
That I still feel guilty
‘Cos it’s all my fault that we awoke…the Hives.#

He glances back, shoulders slumping at the pile of bodies in the middle of the field, then steps through the ‘gate.

~~~

“So,” John says, leaning against Elizabeth’s desk. “Funny thing happened offworld today-“

“Let me guess,” she replies, “Everyone around you started singing and dancing some choreographed routine?”

John stares at her. “Yeah, how did you know?”

Elizabeth sighs, gets up and opens her office door.

Chuck is on his feet by his console, arms spread wide. #I put the shield up#

Together, he and the rest of the control room staff spin around, fall into a short dance routine and echo #He put the shield up#, finishing with jazz hands.

John stares at them for a long moment, then turns to Elizabeth.

“So, this is going to be a problem, isn’t it?”

~~~

Elizabeth steeples her fingers, glancing around the table.

“So,” she says, “Anyone have any ideas?”

They glance at each other, then John clears his throat.

#I’ve got a theory that it’s a Wraith attack, a dancing Wraith attack- no something isn’t right here#

Rodney rolls his eyes. #I’ve got a theory we’ve got to solve this, or we’ll be stuck inside this wacky Broadway nightmare.#

Elizabeth nods. #I’ve got a theory we should work this out
It’s getting eerie what’s this cheery singing all about?#

Rodney hesitates, then sets his jaw. #It could be Cadman. Lieutenant Cadman.#

Carson glares at him

#Which is ridiculous, I’m too suspicious, Laura’s lovely and was in my head and she can tapdance and I’ll be over here.# He pushes his chair away from Beckett and taps something into his datapad.

#I’ve got a theory it could be bunnies#

Everyone turns to stare at Ronon for a minute. Teyla shifts uncomfortably in her chair.

#I’ve got a theory-#

#Bunnies aren’t just cute like everybody supposes
They’ve got them hoppy legs and twitchy little noses
And what’s with all the carrots, what do they need such good eyesight for anyway
Bunnies, bunnies it must be bunnies!#

No-one says a word, and Ronon shrugs.

#Or maybe Genii#

Elizabeth sighs. #I’ve got a theory we should work this fast
Because it clearly could get serious before it’s passed#

John stands up suddenly.

#I’ve got a theory- it doesn’t matter
What can’t we face if we’re together
What’s in Atlantis we can’t weather
Apocalypse, we’ve all been there
The same old trips, why should we care?
What can’t we do if we get in it
McKay’ll work it through within a minute
We have to try, we’ll pay the price
Its do or die!#

Elizabeth smiles.
#Daniel Jackson’s died twice#

Rodney looks up from his datapad. “Actually,” he says “it’s more like 6 or 7-“

John shoots him a look, and they all stand.

“I’ll check the database,” Rodney says. “See if this is another surprise the Ancients left behind for us. And we should probably have the Marines sweep the city for anything unusual.”

“I’ll recall our offworld teams,” Elizabeth replied. “If anyone comes up with more theories, I’d be happy to know.

They start to file from the room, singing together #There’s nothing we can’t face#

Ronon frowns as he leaves. #Except for bunnies.#

~~~

Elizabeth watches them leave, then walks to her office, shutting the doors behind her. Through the glass panelling she can see Teyla and Ronon heading off in one direction, John and Rodney in another. She sighs wistfully.

“They’ve grown so close,” she says to herself, pouring a cup of coffee. She thinks about Teyla, leading her people, about John, leading the marines and his team, about Rodney, leading the science staff. Then she thinks about the people they’ve lost under her command, the accidents and injuries and enemies they’ve made.

She sits on the edge of her desk, watching her people work.

#We’re not ready for the worlds out there
I’ve told the SGC but they don’t care
I can’t admit it, but I’m feeling so scared
That I…#

She stands up and walks to the window, pressing her hand to the glass.

#The paths unbeaten and it’s all uphill
And we can meet it but I’m not sure we will
I can’t help think that it’s my fault we’re standing still
But I…

I wish I could say the right words
‘Cos this is getting out of hand
I worry John might play the martyr
And that Rodney doesn’t understand
What’s going on here
We need to make a stand
But am I standing in the way?#

She turns away from the window, going back to her desk and sitting in her chair. She picks up her datapad, stares at it, then sets it aside.

#I cry at night, but they don’t hear at all
They know someone else is there to make the call
So do I just lie there when I should be standing tall?
I…

I wish I could lay our arms down
And let us rest at last
Wish I could slay our demons
But now that time has passed
Wish I could be strong
Be stalwart, standing fast
But I think I’m standing in the way
Im just standing in the way…#

Elizabeth sighs, closing her eyes for a long moment and sits in silence. Then she opens her eyes and stands, moving to the door. She opens it, then hesitates, before stepping out.

~~~

Sheppard is walking down the corridor towards McKay’s lab. Wall and floor panels light up as he passes. He reaches the door to McKay’s lab, spotting the scientist inside, ranting at Zelenka.

John hesitates, leaning back against the wall, which lights up for him.

#I lived my life in shadow
Never the sun on my face
It didn’t seem so bad though,
I figured that was my place#

The entire corridor starts to glow, and John pushes himself from the wall, twirling on the spot.

#Now I’m bathed in light
Nothing should feel this right
I’m under your spell
How else could it be that I fit in so easily
It’s magic I can tell
Now you’ve set me free
You brought me here so eagerly#

John leans back on the wall, smiling, and continues to watch Rodney.

Inside the lab, Rodney shoves a laptop at Zelenka and shoos him away. He barks some orders and the other scientists, who all scurry away, leaving him alone in the lab. He sits down in front of his laptop, starts to type, and then pauses, leaning back with a thoughtful look on his face.

“I knew Atlantis would be enchanting
Technology lying everywhere
I always took for granted
I was the only one who cared
But your power shone
Brighter than any I’ve known#

He stands up, shoving the wheeled chair across the room.

#I’m under your spell
There’s nothing I can do
I would give my life for you
You worked your charm so well
Sheppard, can’t you see
You bring the best out of me
You make me complete#

Rodney stops, arms stretched outwards. His shoulders slump and he fetches his chair and starts to work, unaware of John’s presence.

Outside the lab John continues to watch Rodney, a thoughtful expression on his face.

~~~

Elizabeth looks up as Rodney enters her office.

“What’s wrong?” she asks, catching the expression on his face.

He doesn’t reply for a long moment. “We are so screwed. Whatever this device is, it’s interfering with the ZedPM power.”

“You can fix it, right?” Elizabeth asks, and Rodney shoots her a look like it’s a stupid question, which it probably is.

“Of course, although it will take several hours and it would be much easier to find out what’s causing our little…musical problem and stop it. At least we can now assume that whatever is responsible for the situation is on Atlantis. We’ve found a massive power spike coming from somewhere within the East wing of the city. Colonel Sheppard has sent teams of marines out to locate it.”

“Then this is good news,” Elizabeth says.

Rodney shakes his head. “No. We already know, thanks to Sheppard’s impromptu performance this morning with the Genii, and the offworld teams who have recently returned, that the effects aren’t limited to Atlantis. In fact, we suspect whatever this…malfunction is, it’s effecting all planets and areas of space in this part of the galaxy. What’s worse, it’s drawing those effected to Atlantis. We’ve had several unscheduled offworld activations over the past hour. Thankfully we’ve been able to dissuade people from coming through by informing them the shield is up. It’s only a matter of time before some idiot ignores our warnings and finds themselves not materialising on the other side. But that’s not the problem,” he adds, before Elizabeth can respond.

“That Wraith hive ship we were monitoring. The one that wasn’t heading in our direction? Well, it is now. And it’s bringing some friends. Three to be precise.”

Elizabeth stares at him. “There are four hive ships headed to Atlantis?”

Rodney nods. “Yes, probably all singing ‘Springtime for Hitler’. And we can’t cloak the city. The interference is too great. We have to evacuate. Now.”

Elizabeth stares at him, then taps her radio and starts issuing orders. Then she shoots Rodney a puzzled glance. “How did you manage to say that without singing?” she asks, and Rodney looks surprised.

“Oh! I guess…well, even the worst musicals seem to realise some things just can’t be sung. It would have been a little too ‘Modern Major General’, don’t you think?”

~~~

Space rushes past the windows as the hive ships head towards Atlantis at top speed. The queen of the lead ship stands, watching, as they grow closer. She makes a throaty growl, and a drone appears, clutching a frightened looking man.

“Kneel!” she says, her voice echoing through his head as he falls to his knees. She caresses his face with one hand, baring her teeth.

#They couldn’t defeat us, so many years ago
And you try to convince yourself that it isn’t so
Yet still you run from us, so I think you finally know
You’re scared, ashamed of what you feel
You lie to all the ones you love, you know they couldn’t deal#

She bends closer, pressing her lips to his ear.

#Whisper in a dead man’s ear: humans taste like veal#

He whimpers and she straightens up, swishing her skirts around her. She circles him.

#You taste great, but I don’t want to play
The slightest touch will take my hunger pains away
We’re going to hunt you down if you try to run away.
You should have let us rest in peace

Let us rest in peace
Let us get some sleep
Let us take our hunger and bury it deep inside, so deep
I can suck your body dry
But it won’t give me that release
You should have let us rest in peace#

The man tries to scramble to his feet, but the drone appears, shoving him back down. The Queen hisses at him, and stretches out her hand, thrusting it at his chest. He screams as she feeds.

#One day, you’ll be our willing slaves
And I’ll happily suck the life from you if you try to misbehave
Then I’ll pile up all your bodies into a shallow grave
Then we can rest in peace#

The man grows older, hair turning grey and skin sagging. She pulls back a little, sees the pain in his eyes.

#You try to go
But we’ll follow you, like we’re possessed
I can feel your heart, beneath your breast
And it smells better than you could ever guess
I’ll take your life as I press my hand to your chest
You try to fight but I’m unimpressed
Should have let us be#

She feeds again, and the lifeless body falls to the ground. The drone drags it out of sight.

#Let us rest in peace
Let us get some sleep
Let us take our hunger and bury it deep inside, so deep
I can suck your body dry
But it won’t give me that release
You should have let us rest in peace.
Why didn’t you let us rest in peace?#

She closes her eyes, rolling her head as she smiles in satisfaction.

”To Atlantis,” she says. “And then, Earth.”

~~~
McKay is lying under a console in the control room, something sparks and he curses.

#I touch Atlantis and she’s cold to me
Her lights are fading into black
Why can’t I feel, oh God, this can’t be real
I want the power back#

He sits up suddenly, eyes wide as he snaps his fingers, and hits his radio. “McKay to Sheppard. I have an idea.” He turns to Zelenka. “I need you to help reroute all the available power…”

John is walking down a corridor, but stops and turns around, jogging towards the Chair room.

#Now through the city he calls to me
To go and sit upon the Chair
To save the day, or maybe melt away
It better not mess up my hair

So I will run through the city
‘Cos what else can I do
I will run through the city
and let it -#

In the control room, Rodney is barking orders, his hands still under the console.

#These stupid crystals are scorching me
The Wraith are laughing I’ve no doubt
I hope they fry, but what if Sheppard dies?
I’d better help him out#

He gets up, grabs his datapad and runs from the control room, leaving the others staring after him.

Elizabeth starts pacing. #Will this do a thing to save us?
Am I leaving our people in danger
Is the city too far gone to care?
What if Rodney can’t repair it?#

Carson nods. #Elizabeth is right, we’re needed#

He makes a move towards the door, and Ronon shakes his head.

#Or we could just sit around and glare#

Teyla flinches as the hive ships appear arrive above the city and start firing down at the shield.

#They’ll see it through, it’s what they’re always here to do, and we will return their fire-#

John looks around the empty chair room. He taps his radio “McKay?, Weir?” He is greeted with nothing but static and sighs as he gets into the chair.

#So one by one they turn from me
I guess my friends can’t face the dark#

He closes his eyes, but nothing happens. John frowns.

#Something is wrong, the power won’t come on
I need to find the spark#

Rodney bursts into the room. John looks up, surprised, then grins when he sees Rodney. Rodney hurries to the chair, pulling out a scanner. He hesitates for a moment, then nods.

Elizabeth frowns. #I hope they know what they’re doing.#

Ronon shrugs. #If it kills him, McKay’ll save him
They have to find a way to stop the Wraith#

In the Chair room, Rodney stares down at Sheppard, who is staring blindly at the ceiling. He swears and gets back to work.
#First I’ll save him, then I’ll kill him
He’ll get us through all this, God willing
We just need to have a little faith#

John throws his head back and a bright, fiery light bursts forth from the chair, filling the halls of Atlantis with light. Everyone shields their eyes, and sings.

#These endless days are finally ending in a blaze
And we are caught in the fire
The point of no return
So we will walk through the fire
And let it burn
Let it burn
Let it burn
Let it burn#

The light channels through the main spire, and branches out, hitting the wraith ships. One by one they explode.

Rodney scrambles to his feet, blinking into the fading light. He sees Sheppard lying lifeless in the chair and rushes to him.

“McKay to Beckett. Medical emergency in the chair room! ”

~~~

Carson shakes his head sadly at John lying in one of the infirmary beds. He looks peaceful.

“I’m sorry,” he says. “There’s nothing more I can do. If he’s going to come out of the coma…I’m afraid the Colonel will have to do it himself.”

He starts to walk away, and Elizabeth, Ronon and Teyla follow.

“Can he hear us?” Rodney asks, moving to John’s bedside.

“Aye,” Carson replies. “I think so. Would you like a little time with him?”

Rodney nods, and the others file out. He sits in the chair beside John, and gingerly takes his hand.

#I’m under your spell
Sheppard can’t you see
Just how much you’re hurting me?
I know you’ve been through hell
But watching you die
Churns me up so deep inside…#

He reaches up and brushes a lock of John’s hair from his forehead.

#You made me believe that you would never go
And it grieves me because I never told…
But we both know#

He leans over and presses a tender kiss to Sheppard’s forehead.

#Wish you won’t say that it was just this once
But you must do what you must
I can’t adjust and it’s too much
And I just wish you would stay
Wish you would stay
Please, Sheppard, stay#

Rodney sighs, and replaces John’s hand on his chest. Then he stands up.

“Where are you going?”

Rodney jumps, then stares down at John. “I thought you- but you were- Oh my god. CARSON!”

~~~

“We found it,” Lorne announces, walking into the debriefing room carrying the small ancient device, still blinking cheerily. He hands it to John, who has just been let out of the infirmary with a complete bill of health. He thinks ‘off’ at the device, which stops flashing and hands it to Elizabeth who scans the writing on the top.

“It’s pretty clear what it does,” she says after a moment or two. “Whoever turned this on…if they had even a basic knowledge of ancient, they’d have known what it did.”

“We can at least narrow the suspects down to someone with the gene,” Rodney points out, and they all glance at each other suspiciously.

Carson gives a small cough, and all eyes swivel to him. “I, erm, it may have been me. I…well, I thought it would be a rather nice idea, you know? Everyone seemed a bit down and I thought a wee song and dance would be good for morale. But I couldn’t get the bloody thing to switch off and…”

He trails off, squirming uncomfortably in his chair, and Elizabeth sighs, holding up a hand to stop Rodney’s inevitable rant.

“What’s done is done,” she says. “I guess it was fun. Apart from the Wraith attack. Not to mention people seemed to become...rather honest when they were singing. I have a feeling there are worse repercussions than four exploded Wraith ships polluting our surrounding waters.”

They all glance around, trying to avoid making eye contact with anyone.

#Where do we go from here?# Teyla stood up suddenly, starting to sing.
#Where do we go from here?
The battles done, once again we won
So we sound our victory cheer
Where do we go from here?#

“I thought we switched that thing off?” John hisses at Elizabeth.

“It says there may be some…residual effects,” she replies, standing to join in. “I’m sure it’ll wear off soon.”

#Why is the path unclear
When we know home is here?
Understand we’ll go hand in hand
But we’ll walk alone in fear
Tell me where do we go from here
When does the end appear…#

“Fuck this,” Rodney says, and gets up to leave. The others continue to sing behind him, voices carrying as he hurries onto the balcony.

“Rodney!” John calls, running after him. Rodney’s shoulders are slumped and his hands are in his pockets. He turns, a guarded look on his face.

“You should go back inside finish the group singalong,” he says.

“I don’t want to,” John replies and Rodney turns away, a pained look on his face.

“The day you figure out what you want, Sheppard, will probably be declared the first Atlantis public holiday.”

“Rodney-“

“Don’t,” Rodney starts to walk away, and John catches his arm.

#I touch the fire and it freezes me-#

Rodney scowls. #You died!#

#I look into it and it’s black
This can’t be real-#

Rodney looks heartbroken. #But you can make me feel…#

John reaches out and places a hand on his arm. Their bodies lean in towards each other, faces inches apart. After a beat or two, during which they stare into each others eyes, then start to smile.

In the background, they can hear the whole of Atlantis singing

#Where do we go from here?#

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

From:

c-montgomery.livejournal.com

heeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

Awesome! I was singing the songs in my head along with Atlantis.

I love that Ronon did the bunny part!

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