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sga_flashficTitle: Ashore (Second Verse Challenge)
Author: Janne (![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
bergann)
Word Count: 3,000
Pairing: Mostly gen (but definitely McKay/Sheppard preslash)
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: None, really.
Summary: The people turn to stare at them, while the animals continue to stand completely still - looking bored. McKay pales a little at the sight of what looks remarkably like a saber tooth tiger.
Notes: My Ancient Greek? Not good at all, so any mistakes with the names are totally my own fault. Thanks, as always, to my betas - and to the religion class that started it all :P
a·shore
- adv.
to or on land: to the land from the water, or on land as opposed to on a ship or boat.
*
The planet P3X-395 is surprisingly lush. Not that a lot of the planets aren't all very green and flourishing, but there's something that makes it seem more...luxuriant than the others. The ground goes squish under Sheppard's boots.
"Oh great," McKay sighs and the ground goes squish squish squish as they turn 360 to look at the surroundings. "I thought it was about time for us to go through a really wet field."
"Must be rain season," Cadman says, smiling as she shades her eyes and stares towards the mountains. "Or it might just be the area."
"The Stargate isn't actually made of water," McKay says and looks away from the glare Sheppard shoots his way.
"Really?" Cadman's voice is full of surprise, face shocked, "I must have missed that part of the SGC training."
"Are we going?" Ronon asks impatiently, cutting off any response McKay had in mind, and McKay glances down at the life signs detector.
"Yes, yes, there's a village that way." McKay says and points away from the mountains. "It looks fairly large."
"Cool," Sheppard grins and slips the sunglasses on, catching McKay's eye-roll. "Let's head out."
It's only when they get to the top of a hill that the ground stops gurgling at every step, and they can see the faint outlines of a village up ahead.
"I'd say it's more a city, than a village, Colonel." McKay points out, and fishes the LSD out of a pocket. "Wait, wait, look at this!" He stops up and practically shoves it into the face of the nearest person - who happens to be Cadman. She squints and leans back enough to see what's on the screen.
"Hey, isn't that--"
"Yes, yes, that's exactly what it is!" McKay's vibrating with excitement and Sheppard's hands tighten slightly on the P50 as it for a moment looks like McKay might actually kiss her. Instead, he just stands there grinning like a little kid and the bastard is probably not going to tell them unless Sheppard asks.
"What?" Ronon grunts, and shoots Sheppard an amused look.
"There are energy signatures coming from the city. Strong ones, even, maybe even stronger than I'm getting now - they must be behind some sort of shield or cloaking device."
"Wait, so how advanced are we talking here, McKay?"
"I don't know, based off these readings, I'd say at least one ZPM, there might be more if there really is some sort of shield to keep the energy readings secret." McKay looks up, still grinning wide, and Cadman whoops loudly.
"Why can you read it if there's a shield?" Ronon shifts and arches an eyebrow at him. "What's the point?"
"Well there could be any number of reasons," McKay starts and starts walking again suddenly as he talks. "Maybe they got careless! Maybe they're not aware the energy is leaking! It's not like we spotted it from the gate."
"I highly doubt that they got careless with the Wraith around, McKay." Sheppard points out and gets a grunt of agreement from Ronon.
"Maybe they're not aware of the technology, sir." Cadman suggests, and shrugs as they look at her. "It's not like we haven't seen it before. The Ancients could simply have used this place for storage or something and conveniently forgot to tell the villagers about it."
"Plus, if they have shields to hide the signature readings, then chances are? They have shields against the Wraith." McKay points out, and Sheppard swears there's a bounce in his step.
"How far?"
"Hour," Ronon says, glancing towards the city in the distance.
Sheppard nods and relaxes a little as the sun continues to shine warmly down on them. Two hour trek from the Stargate to the city, leaving them maybe an hour to get to know the villages before sending someone back for check-in and jumper.
*
The first thing they notice is the boat. It's hard not to - it's big enough that it seems to block entire streets. The second thing they notice - once McKay is done pointing at the LSD and they've given up on hearing him speak complete, full sentences - is the line of animals and people.
The people turn to stare at them, while the animals continue to stand completely still - looking bored. McKay pales a little at the sight of what looks remarkably like a saber tooth tiger.
"This is new," Sheppard remarks, and removes the sunglasses - reminding the others out of the corner of his mouth to look friendly. The natives don't look like they're technologically advanced, but that doesn't mean they shouldn't worry - they'd been tricked once before and they've all experienced just how dangerous an object can be in the hands of an angry mob. "Lieutenant, experienced anything like this before?"
"No, sir. Nothing quite like this," Cadman answers, and manages to make the shift of her grip on her weapon look completely innocent. "There was that one planet where they were doing the sex partner-trade, but the boat and the animals weren't there."
"Right," Sheppard says, just as a man and a woman come out of the crowd.
"Greetings visitors!" The man calls, dressed in simple breeches and a loose shirt and what looks disturbingly like fishing boots, and he bows as he comes close. The woman curtsies, dress remarkably light for something that looks like it could have come directly out of a Victorian catalogue, and Sheppard's fairly certain she's wearing the same kind of fishing boots as the man. "Welcome to the city of Democritus! I am the Krites."
Out of the corner of his eye, Sheppard can see McKay's lips moving furiously, a frown on his face as he stares at the Krites. "We're peaceful explorers looking for trade and allies against the Wraith," Sheppard says, because the line works well enough for Teyla.
The Krites' smile disappears, replaced with a frown as he scans the sky. "The Wraith is not our worry today," he says slowly, like they're being exceptionally stupid.
"Oh no, Sheppard," McKay hisses and tugs at his sleeve. Sheppard's smile stays fixed as he ignores the tugging. "Sheppard. Colonel. John!"
"Really?" Sheppard asks, voice neutral and at least McKay's stopped hissing. "I've come to think of the Wraith as something to worry about constantly."
The Krites looks puzzled for a moment, before the smile is back in place. "No matter! Come, there is great rush to eat the food we cannot bring. We will talk over our meal, and you can tell me of your home." Sheppard's about to turn to McKay and ask him what's so important, but finds himself being tugged along by the Krites - grip firm yet friendly on his arm. "You must understand, you have not come at the best time. We are in the last stages of our preparations, and time is short."
"Just exactly what are we - you - preparing for?" Sheppard asks slowly, warning bells going off in his head.
"Why," the Krites says, surprised, "the Cleansing of course!"
*
The Cleansing turns out to be both really bad and incredibly secret. The Krites expects them to already know the details, and it doesn't much matter who asks - he answers only to Sheppard, and even then, the answer is a laugh. In addition, there suddenly seems no way to talk to McKay - whenever Sheppard turns, the Krites is there with another question - and the path they came is blocked by people and animals, at least as far as Sheppard can see before he's led into the Hall.
Ronon, Sheppard can see, is twitchy and ready to shoot - he can't say he blames him. Cadman's looking less happy than when they stepped through the stargate, and sticking surprisingly close to McKay's side - Sheppard can't tell if it's protection or if she's taking her cue from the villagers around them, where every man seems to have a female at his side. Whatever the Cleansing is, they need to get away before it happens.
"Listen, the Krites," Sheppard says slowly, fairly certain they're hiding their technology and weapons like the Genii used to. "We really need to get back to the--"
He's cut off by a young boy bursting into the Hall, out of breath and wide-eyed with fear and excitement. They're all on their feet in seconds, guns drawn - and Sheppard's sure that if it comes to this, they'll be on the losing side unless luck once more decides to back them up.
"Calm, friends," the Krites says, looking stern and unpleased as he turns to the boy.
"The Cleansing! The Cleansing has claimed the Ring of the Ancestors!" The boy says, and the Krites' eyes flick towards Sheppard and his team.
"Ah," the Krites says slowly and all too smugly. It has the feelings of a trap, except Sheppard can't see how - they weren't aware they were coming, and even if they'd left at once, then they wouldn't have made it back to the Stargate before the Cleansing claimed it - whatever the Cleansing was. There was no way it could have been planned, and yet Sheppard got that feeling from the look on the Krites' face. "You are welcome to have a place on our boat."
"Wait, is this a flood?" McKay demands, wide-eyed and probably thinking back to the sinking puddle jumper.
"Why, yes, of course," the Krites says, as outside a warning bell goes off. "What else would the Cleansing be?"
"You!" McKay says, pointing at Sheppard. "Why don't you listen? I was going to tell you how Democritus is a Greek name meaning judge of the people, and how he -" a jab at the Krites " - is the judge. But you ignored me, and now look at us!"
"McKay, in case you didn't notice, the 'gate is two hours away and we've been here twenty minutes. It's not like we would have made it back!" Sheppard snaps back, knowing full well that McKay already knows that and is just freaking out to get the fear out his system.
"You! Judge, executioner, whatever!" McKay snaps his fingers in the Krites' face, who for once, actually looks insulted and off balance. "Where's your technology? Don't give me that look, I saw the energy readings, I know there's something worth hiding here and just because there’s a flood coming does not mean I plan to go off like Noah. This city has shields and I intend to use them! "
"I assure you, doctor, there is no technology here." The Krites says calmly, and the lie is so bad that Sheppard can barely resist the urge to roll his eyes. Instead, three guns suddenly point towards the Krites.
"Listen, idiot, I know technology when I see it. These buildings? Are not built by people with donkeys and clay and - and - and fisher boots. They're built by experienced architects and advanced tools and..."
The sound of Ronon's gun powering fully up breaks across McKay's rant. "Tell us where it came from."
The Krites lifts his chin stubbornly.
"I know where the main station is," the boy who had come with the news says, and the Krites' watches him with narrowed, hateful eyes. "Come, you must hurry!"
They move out into the main street, but once what's left of the people see the Krites at gunpoint, they're suddenly outnumbered. "Come!" The boy shrieks and runs into a back alley, and before Sheppard can bark an order, McKay's gone after him and the villagers are firing.
*
Once the Krites is on board the boat, it seems the villagers couldn't care less about them. Cadman and Sheppard run towards where the LSD McKay left behind is showing several blinking lights, leaving Ronon behind just inside the city to deal with whatever might be thrown at them.
He'd assured Sheppard there wasn't anything he wouldn't be able to at least seriously injure, and Sheppard can all too easily believe that. It's only when they're running up the main street that Sheppard sees it. Water coming in larger and larger amounts down the hill from where they had walked barely a half hour ago.
"Permission to speak freely, sir!" Cadman shouts, sweat glistening on her skin as the sun continues to shine as they run.
Sheppard can't think of a situation where Cadman hasn't spoken freely one way or another, but shouts, "Go ahead, Cadman," anyway.
"If we survive this, sir," she says, and Sheppard can maybe see the building where McKay might be - it stands out, much like the tower of Atlantis, but in a lot of ways more subtly, "you really should go for it."
A overturned cart and stone blocks from a crumpled building blocks the road to the main station, and running is getting too difficult, so Sheppard stops and turns towards where the water is streaming down between the trees - his boots are soaked, and there's probably a question of minutes, if not seconds, before a wall of water hits the city. "Sorry?"
"I kissed him once," Cadman says, turning to watch the water along with him. "Right after the mind-share. He's not bad, once he gets over the shock. I'm just saying, if you don't take your chance if we survive this, I'll do it again just to spite you."
Sheppard glances at her, and she looks completely serious. "Is now really the best time?"
She stares up at him honestly and shrugs. "Now or never, Colonel." She says and climbs onto the cart as water smashes against the buildings opposite, and the water level climbs.
*
When Sheppard opens his eyes, it's to find McKay very close to his face, looking worried. His entire body is screaming with pain and he feels soaked to the bone, but - but he's alive.
"Oh thank god," McKay sighs with relief, and leans away from him. "God, I thought you were - I saw the wave and Cadman was screaming, and I couldn't see you and then -"
"Cadman? Ronon?" Sheppard croaks, and slumps with a wince as he tries to sit up properly.
"They're ok. Cadman has a broken wrist and Ronon doesn't have a scratch on him. They're taking care of the prisoners. You got the worst of it, Cadman says you got slammed between the cart and the building. You really shouldn't move." McKay looks miserable and sounds worried, and Sheppard wants to reach out and place a hand on his cheek to assure him he's fine - except moving is not something he wants to try again. "What hurts? I found a - a second DHD, I guess, at the main station, and a jumper is going to be here any minute. We'll - I requested half the infirmary personnel." McKay admits, and Sheppard manages a short breath of a laugh.
"Everything hurts, Rodney."
"Then - then don't move. Don't talk. We'll just...we'll just sit here."
"Prisoners?" Sheppard licks at his lips, but the word still barely comes out above a whisper. "What prisoners?"
"There were...they had ATA carriers locked up in a prison." McKay says, and applies bandages to a wound on his neck that Sheppard can't tell apart from the rest of the pain. "The boy - Nikandros - he was supposed to be on the boat, to start off a new generation of ATA gene carriers when the flood was over. Even though they apparently considered the gene carriers to be cursed, they saw that it was useful. And...
"And they were going to just drown them." McKay's hands are shaking against the side of Sheppard's neck, finished with the bandage but lingering on there anyway. "There were kids and one of the women was pregnant and they were just going to be drowned."
Sheppard feels something furious snap inside him, the same fury once directed towards Kolya, but worse. "What about the Krites?"
McKay surprisingly laughs a little, looking away, before meeting Sheppard's gaze with a strange, satisfied smile that Sheppard doesn't like at all. "Ronon shot a hole in their boat."
Sheppard takes a breath, doesn't like the fact that McKay's so pleased, but he's glad. He closes his eyes and feels the nab of a needle in his skin, and when he opens them again McKay’s holding a needle of morphine, and he smiles, almost sorry. "I knew you wouldn't let me until you'd had your questions answered, which is just stupid and masochistic, but you're - you're my team leader and I respect that. But if you don't sleep and enjoy the drugs, then I'm going over to another team, because this...this isn't good for me. Way too much stress and worry."
Sheppard grins - or at least tries to, and McKay huffs with irritation before he gently moves Sheppard around so that his head is pillowed in McKay's lap. He stares up at where the sky should be, and sees only water.
"'ow's the 'jumper gettin'n?" Sheppard asks, as pain slowly washes away from his body.
"The shields are special made to let any Ancient tech through without so much as a drop of water getting inside." McKay explains, and his fingers might be stroking through Sheppard's hair - he can't tell, too busy gazing up into McKay's worried, blue eyes. "They're letting us have the city. They're... they're not used to not having to hide their gene, so they're happy letting us explore and use the city as we like."
"'m kissin' you 'fter." Sheppard mumbles, closing his eyes with McKay's bright blue eyes still burning strong in his memory. "Promised."
"I'll hold you to that, John," it sounds like McKay says it, but Sheppard can't tell if it's real or not - he's already asleep.
Author: Janne (
bergann)Word Count: 3,000
Pairing: Mostly gen (but definitely McKay/Sheppard preslash)
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: None, really.
Summary: The people turn to stare at them, while the animals continue to stand completely still - looking bored. McKay pales a little at the sight of what looks remarkably like a saber tooth tiger.
Notes: My Ancient Greek? Not good at all, so any mistakes with the names are totally my own fault. Thanks, as always, to my betas - and to the religion class that started it all :P
a·shore
- adv.
to or on land: to the land from the water, or on land as opposed to on a ship or boat.
The planet P3X-395 is surprisingly lush. Not that a lot of the planets aren't all very green and flourishing, but there's something that makes it seem more...luxuriant than the others. The ground goes squish under Sheppard's boots.
"Oh great," McKay sighs and the ground goes squish squish squish as they turn 360 to look at the surroundings. "I thought it was about time for us to go through a really wet field."
"Must be rain season," Cadman says, smiling as she shades her eyes and stares towards the mountains. "Or it might just be the area."
"The Stargate isn't actually made of water," McKay says and looks away from the glare Sheppard shoots his way.
"Really?" Cadman's voice is full of surprise, face shocked, "I must have missed that part of the SGC training."
"Are we going?" Ronon asks impatiently, cutting off any response McKay had in mind, and McKay glances down at the life signs detector.
"Yes, yes, there's a village that way." McKay says and points away from the mountains. "It looks fairly large."
"Cool," Sheppard grins and slips the sunglasses on, catching McKay's eye-roll. "Let's head out."
It's only when they get to the top of a hill that the ground stops gurgling at every step, and they can see the faint outlines of a village up ahead.
"I'd say it's more a city, than a village, Colonel." McKay points out, and fishes the LSD out of a pocket. "Wait, wait, look at this!" He stops up and practically shoves it into the face of the nearest person - who happens to be Cadman. She squints and leans back enough to see what's on the screen.
"Hey, isn't that--"
"Yes, yes, that's exactly what it is!" McKay's vibrating with excitement and Sheppard's hands tighten slightly on the P50 as it for a moment looks like McKay might actually kiss her. Instead, he just stands there grinning like a little kid and the bastard is probably not going to tell them unless Sheppard asks.
"What?" Ronon grunts, and shoots Sheppard an amused look.
"There are energy signatures coming from the city. Strong ones, even, maybe even stronger than I'm getting now - they must be behind some sort of shield or cloaking device."
"Wait, so how advanced are we talking here, McKay?"
"I don't know, based off these readings, I'd say at least one ZPM, there might be more if there really is some sort of shield to keep the energy readings secret." McKay looks up, still grinning wide, and Cadman whoops loudly.
"Why can you read it if there's a shield?" Ronon shifts and arches an eyebrow at him. "What's the point?"
"Well there could be any number of reasons," McKay starts and starts walking again suddenly as he talks. "Maybe they got careless! Maybe they're not aware the energy is leaking! It's not like we spotted it from the gate."
"I highly doubt that they got careless with the Wraith around, McKay." Sheppard points out and gets a grunt of agreement from Ronon.
"Maybe they're not aware of the technology, sir." Cadman suggests, and shrugs as they look at her. "It's not like we haven't seen it before. The Ancients could simply have used this place for storage or something and conveniently forgot to tell the villagers about it."
"Plus, if they have shields to hide the signature readings, then chances are? They have shields against the Wraith." McKay points out, and Sheppard swears there's a bounce in his step.
"How far?"
"Hour," Ronon says, glancing towards the city in the distance.
Sheppard nods and relaxes a little as the sun continues to shine warmly down on them. Two hour trek from the Stargate to the city, leaving them maybe an hour to get to know the villages before sending someone back for check-in and jumper.
The first thing they notice is the boat. It's hard not to - it's big enough that it seems to block entire streets. The second thing they notice - once McKay is done pointing at the LSD and they've given up on hearing him speak complete, full sentences - is the line of animals and people.
The people turn to stare at them, while the animals continue to stand completely still - looking bored. McKay pales a little at the sight of what looks remarkably like a saber tooth tiger.
"This is new," Sheppard remarks, and removes the sunglasses - reminding the others out of the corner of his mouth to look friendly. The natives don't look like they're technologically advanced, but that doesn't mean they shouldn't worry - they'd been tricked once before and they've all experienced just how dangerous an object can be in the hands of an angry mob. "Lieutenant, experienced anything like this before?"
"No, sir. Nothing quite like this," Cadman answers, and manages to make the shift of her grip on her weapon look completely innocent. "There was that one planet where they were doing the sex partner-trade, but the boat and the animals weren't there."
"Right," Sheppard says, just as a man and a woman come out of the crowd.
"Greetings visitors!" The man calls, dressed in simple breeches and a loose shirt and what looks disturbingly like fishing boots, and he bows as he comes close. The woman curtsies, dress remarkably light for something that looks like it could have come directly out of a Victorian catalogue, and Sheppard's fairly certain she's wearing the same kind of fishing boots as the man. "Welcome to the city of Democritus! I am the Krites."
Out of the corner of his eye, Sheppard can see McKay's lips moving furiously, a frown on his face as he stares at the Krites. "We're peaceful explorers looking for trade and allies against the Wraith," Sheppard says, because the line works well enough for Teyla.
The Krites' smile disappears, replaced with a frown as he scans the sky. "The Wraith is not our worry today," he says slowly, like they're being exceptionally stupid.
"Oh no, Sheppard," McKay hisses and tugs at his sleeve. Sheppard's smile stays fixed as he ignores the tugging. "Sheppard. Colonel. John!"
"Really?" Sheppard asks, voice neutral and at least McKay's stopped hissing. "I've come to think of the Wraith as something to worry about constantly."
The Krites looks puzzled for a moment, before the smile is back in place. "No matter! Come, there is great rush to eat the food we cannot bring. We will talk over our meal, and you can tell me of your home." Sheppard's about to turn to McKay and ask him what's so important, but finds himself being tugged along by the Krites - grip firm yet friendly on his arm. "You must understand, you have not come at the best time. We are in the last stages of our preparations, and time is short."
"Just exactly what are we - you - preparing for?" Sheppard asks slowly, warning bells going off in his head.
"Why," the Krites says, surprised, "the Cleansing of course!"
The Cleansing turns out to be both really bad and incredibly secret. The Krites expects them to already know the details, and it doesn't much matter who asks - he answers only to Sheppard, and even then, the answer is a laugh. In addition, there suddenly seems no way to talk to McKay - whenever Sheppard turns, the Krites is there with another question - and the path they came is blocked by people and animals, at least as far as Sheppard can see before he's led into the Hall.
Ronon, Sheppard can see, is twitchy and ready to shoot - he can't say he blames him. Cadman's looking less happy than when they stepped through the stargate, and sticking surprisingly close to McKay's side - Sheppard can't tell if it's protection or if she's taking her cue from the villagers around them, where every man seems to have a female at his side. Whatever the Cleansing is, they need to get away before it happens.
"Listen, the Krites," Sheppard says slowly, fairly certain they're hiding their technology and weapons like the Genii used to. "We really need to get back to the--"
He's cut off by a young boy bursting into the Hall, out of breath and wide-eyed with fear and excitement. They're all on their feet in seconds, guns drawn - and Sheppard's sure that if it comes to this, they'll be on the losing side unless luck once more decides to back them up.
"Calm, friends," the Krites says, looking stern and unpleased as he turns to the boy.
"The Cleansing! The Cleansing has claimed the Ring of the Ancestors!" The boy says, and the Krites' eyes flick towards Sheppard and his team.
"Ah," the Krites says slowly and all too smugly. It has the feelings of a trap, except Sheppard can't see how - they weren't aware they were coming, and even if they'd left at once, then they wouldn't have made it back to the Stargate before the Cleansing claimed it - whatever the Cleansing was. There was no way it could have been planned, and yet Sheppard got that feeling from the look on the Krites' face. "You are welcome to have a place on our boat."
"Wait, is this a flood?" McKay demands, wide-eyed and probably thinking back to the sinking puddle jumper.
"Why, yes, of course," the Krites says, as outside a warning bell goes off. "What else would the Cleansing be?"
"You!" McKay says, pointing at Sheppard. "Why don't you listen? I was going to tell you how Democritus is a Greek name meaning judge of the people, and how he -" a jab at the Krites " - is the judge. But you ignored me, and now look at us!"
"McKay, in case you didn't notice, the 'gate is two hours away and we've been here twenty minutes. It's not like we would have made it back!" Sheppard snaps back, knowing full well that McKay already knows that and is just freaking out to get the fear out his system.
"You! Judge, executioner, whatever!" McKay snaps his fingers in the Krites' face, who for once, actually looks insulted and off balance. "Where's your technology? Don't give me that look, I saw the energy readings, I know there's something worth hiding here and just because there’s a flood coming does not mean I plan to go off like Noah. This city has shields and I intend to use them! "
"I assure you, doctor, there is no technology here." The Krites says calmly, and the lie is so bad that Sheppard can barely resist the urge to roll his eyes. Instead, three guns suddenly point towards the Krites.
"Listen, idiot, I know technology when I see it. These buildings? Are not built by people with donkeys and clay and - and - and fisher boots. They're built by experienced architects and advanced tools and..."
The sound of Ronon's gun powering fully up breaks across McKay's rant. "Tell us where it came from."
The Krites lifts his chin stubbornly.
"I know where the main station is," the boy who had come with the news says, and the Krites' watches him with narrowed, hateful eyes. "Come, you must hurry!"
They move out into the main street, but once what's left of the people see the Krites at gunpoint, they're suddenly outnumbered. "Come!" The boy shrieks and runs into a back alley, and before Sheppard can bark an order, McKay's gone after him and the villagers are firing.
Once the Krites is on board the boat, it seems the villagers couldn't care less about them. Cadman and Sheppard run towards where the LSD McKay left behind is showing several blinking lights, leaving Ronon behind just inside the city to deal with whatever might be thrown at them.
He'd assured Sheppard there wasn't anything he wouldn't be able to at least seriously injure, and Sheppard can all too easily believe that. It's only when they're running up the main street that Sheppard sees it. Water coming in larger and larger amounts down the hill from where they had walked barely a half hour ago.
"Permission to speak freely, sir!" Cadman shouts, sweat glistening on her skin as the sun continues to shine as they run.
Sheppard can't think of a situation where Cadman hasn't spoken freely one way or another, but shouts, "Go ahead, Cadman," anyway.
"If we survive this, sir," she says, and Sheppard can maybe see the building where McKay might be - it stands out, much like the tower of Atlantis, but in a lot of ways more subtly, "you really should go for it."
A overturned cart and stone blocks from a crumpled building blocks the road to the main station, and running is getting too difficult, so Sheppard stops and turns towards where the water is streaming down between the trees - his boots are soaked, and there's probably a question of minutes, if not seconds, before a wall of water hits the city. "Sorry?"
"I kissed him once," Cadman says, turning to watch the water along with him. "Right after the mind-share. He's not bad, once he gets over the shock. I'm just saying, if you don't take your chance if we survive this, I'll do it again just to spite you."
Sheppard glances at her, and she looks completely serious. "Is now really the best time?"
She stares up at him honestly and shrugs. "Now or never, Colonel." She says and climbs onto the cart as water smashes against the buildings opposite, and the water level climbs.
When Sheppard opens his eyes, it's to find McKay very close to his face, looking worried. His entire body is screaming with pain and he feels soaked to the bone, but - but he's alive.
"Oh thank god," McKay sighs with relief, and leans away from him. "God, I thought you were - I saw the wave and Cadman was screaming, and I couldn't see you and then -"
"Cadman? Ronon?" Sheppard croaks, and slumps with a wince as he tries to sit up properly.
"They're ok. Cadman has a broken wrist and Ronon doesn't have a scratch on him. They're taking care of the prisoners. You got the worst of it, Cadman says you got slammed between the cart and the building. You really shouldn't move." McKay looks miserable and sounds worried, and Sheppard wants to reach out and place a hand on his cheek to assure him he's fine - except moving is not something he wants to try again. "What hurts? I found a - a second DHD, I guess, at the main station, and a jumper is going to be here any minute. We'll - I requested half the infirmary personnel." McKay admits, and Sheppard manages a short breath of a laugh.
"Everything hurts, Rodney."
"Then - then don't move. Don't talk. We'll just...we'll just sit here."
"Prisoners?" Sheppard licks at his lips, but the word still barely comes out above a whisper. "What prisoners?"
"There were...they had ATA carriers locked up in a prison." McKay says, and applies bandages to a wound on his neck that Sheppard can't tell apart from the rest of the pain. "The boy - Nikandros - he was supposed to be on the boat, to start off a new generation of ATA gene carriers when the flood was over. Even though they apparently considered the gene carriers to be cursed, they saw that it was useful. And...
"And they were going to just drown them." McKay's hands are shaking against the side of Sheppard's neck, finished with the bandage but lingering on there anyway. "There were kids and one of the women was pregnant and they were just going to be drowned."
Sheppard feels something furious snap inside him, the same fury once directed towards Kolya, but worse. "What about the Krites?"
McKay surprisingly laughs a little, looking away, before meeting Sheppard's gaze with a strange, satisfied smile that Sheppard doesn't like at all. "Ronon shot a hole in their boat."
Sheppard takes a breath, doesn't like the fact that McKay's so pleased, but he's glad. He closes his eyes and feels the nab of a needle in his skin, and when he opens them again McKay’s holding a needle of morphine, and he smiles, almost sorry. "I knew you wouldn't let me until you'd had your questions answered, which is just stupid and masochistic, but you're - you're my team leader and I respect that. But if you don't sleep and enjoy the drugs, then I'm going over to another team, because this...this isn't good for me. Way too much stress and worry."
Sheppard grins - or at least tries to, and McKay huffs with irritation before he gently moves Sheppard around so that his head is pillowed in McKay's lap. He stares up at where the sky should be, and sees only water.
"'ow's the 'jumper gettin'n?" Sheppard asks, as pain slowly washes away from his body.
"The shields are special made to let any Ancient tech through without so much as a drop of water getting inside." McKay explains, and his fingers might be stroking through Sheppard's hair - he can't tell, too busy gazing up into McKay's worried, blue eyes. "They're letting us have the city. They're... they're not used to not having to hide their gene, so they're happy letting us explore and use the city as we like."
"'m kissin' you 'fter." Sheppard mumbles, closing his eyes with McKay's bright blue eyes still burning strong in his memory. "Promised."
"I'll hold you to that, John," it sounds like McKay says it, but Sheppard can't tell if it's real or not - he's already asleep.
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(no subject)
Date: 2008-02-28 02:07 am (UTC)Bwa-ha-ha-ha..... go Laura..... And Arcs and animals and shields and promises of kisses.... nice!
(no subject)
Date: 2008-02-28 11:03 pm (UTC)Ashore - story
Date: 2008-02-28 03:32 am (UTC)Love, max
Re: Ashore - story
Date: 2008-02-28 11:03 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2008-02-28 06:42 am (UTC)Cadman was quite enjoyable, and Rodney being worried is always always good.
(no subject)
Date: 2008-02-28 11:02 pm (UTC)Thank you!
(no subject)
Date: 2008-02-28 10:02 am (UTC)I love Rodney's concern for John, it's just perfect, completely Rodney.
(no subject)
Date: 2008-02-28 10:53 pm (UTC)Thanks! :)
(no subject)
Date: 2008-02-28 02:06 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2008-02-28 10:52 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2008-02-29 12:53 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2008-03-07 10:49 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2008-02-29 01:46 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2008-03-07 10:47 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2008-03-05 04:00 pm (UTC)This line was so satisfying:
McKay surprisingly laughs a little, looking away, before meeting Sheppard's gaze with a strange, satisfied smile that Sheppard doesn't like at all. "Ronon shot a hole in their boat."
It's awesome. Thank you again.
(no subject)
Date: 2008-03-07 10:44 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2008-03-05 08:05 pm (UTC)Thanks, I really enjoyed reading this.
(no subject)
Date: 2008-03-07 10:42 pm (UTC)and Cadman is fun for the banter. And for getting Sheppard's ass into gear :P
(no subject)
Date: 2008-03-08 04:41 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2008-03-09 12:56 am (UTC)