Fic: If They Knew, SGA, Rodney, Gen
This was made for the little!bang challenge at stargateland . It was made with Rodney as a character and the word "pretend".
Title: If They Knew
Characters: Rodney centric, John, Radek, Teyla, Ronon
Word count: 4000 words, rated G
Summary: Rodney has a lot on his mind.
Spoilers: Spoilers for "All my Sins Remembered" 4x10; best understood with that episode's knowledge.
Notes: Many thanks to my wonderful friends siluria and jaydblu for the beta. You girls are great!
Rodney looks at how Teyla is holding herself while listening to the High Chieftain, head slightly bowed and hands clasped loosely behind her back. It's not like Rodney can manage to look half as composed, but he tries for the same stance, hoping for the best. He hates this part of going through the gate and meeting possibly new trading partners where a bad impression can send everything to hell faster than a stray bullet. The motto in those ceremonies is always to follow Teyla's lead and that's what Rodney tries to do. He sees that Sheppard glances at her too and it makes something relax in Rodney to know he's not the only one out of his depth. Sheppard is a master chameleon, though, and he's doing fine. Ronon looms as usual, but no one seems to expect anything different.
The talks go on for what seems like forever, but at last there's a gong and people start to disperse. The Chieftain laughs, which prompts Rodney to look up and see he's gesturing for them to follow.
"You okay, McKay?" Ronon asks.
"Apart from losing hours of my life I'll never get back? Sure," Rodney says, because he knows a comment along those lines is expected. It works as Ronon does a little grunt-nod combo and lengthens his stride to catch up with Teyla.
"I think we've earned food, at last" Sheppard adds, the one to fall in step in sync beside him now. He's got his little satisfied smile, though he's reflexively checking around. That's a constant, how John never really relaxes on a world until at least the fifth visit without incident.
"Thank God, one more song and I'd have lost it," Rodney says. John grins and it makes Rodney's stomach clench painfully; he wants to make that smile happen again.
Rodney needs to find a solution soon or he'll just lose his mind.
**
He's distracted, code and hypotheses going around in his head when suddenly his bowl is knocked out of his hands, making Rodney yelp in surprise as the content falls on the ground.
"Jesus fuck!" Sheppard swears and he's gripping Rodney's chin to make him look up. John's eyes are opened so wide with worry and something akin to horror that Rodney can see the white all around.
"What? What's wrong?" Rodney says, panicking a little because John is nothing but cool unless something very very dangerous is going on.
"Breathe! Are you OK?" Then John's patting his vest, getting the EpiPen out.
Dizzy, Rodney holds a hand up, he's not following.
"Wait, what? I'm fine! What's the problem?" he says.
John's eyes narrow as he examines him.
"I saw... you ate one of the little green balls!" John says as if it explains everything.
Rodney looks down to the ground at the remains of his lunch and sees that there are indeed little green balls. He's not sure he ate one, he wasn't paying attention.
"Maybe?" Rodney says.
"I just ate one and... I swear, there's citrus in them," John says.
Rodney pales, hand going up automatically to his throat. Shit. He remembers that, the feel of a bad allergic reaction, how it makes everything swell shut until it's impossible to breathe. At the moment, though, he's breathing just fine.
"Citrus?" Fuck, he wasn't paying attention. He has to be more careful. Rodney takes a deep breath and scowl at John. "Obviously I didn't eat any, since I can breathe. But if you want me dead, that's a real nice attempt at causing a heart attack!"
John frowns and backs up, looking annoyed now.
"Well jeez, sorry for trying to save your life here. I could have sworn..."
Rodney takes a deep breath and tries not to snap in worry, he knows that it will only amp up the situation.
"I'm OK, I swear," he says and John relaxes a bit and even smiles.
"Hey, maybe it's a Pegasus variety and you're not allergic. How cool would that be? We should bring back some for the botanists," he says.
That would be a disaster just waiting to happen, so Rodney shakes his head.
"I don't think so. I won't chance it, not in a million years," Rodney says firmly. He smiles at John a little. "Thanks, by the way. Look, I really appreciate it. That, you know..."
And he does, so much. People looking after him didn't happen often in his life and even if John does it a lot out of obligation, it's not just that. There is genuine concern for his well-being and that's the most extraordinary thing that came out of this whole adventure, of being part of a Team. Sheppard smirks but Rodney knows that the feeble attempt at apologizing at how he reacted is appreciated.
"That I almost killed you?"
"That you almost saved me. Again," Rodney says.
"Don't mention it," John says, as if he does that for everyone. Which he mostly does, to be honest.
"Can we go back, now?" Rodney says and he knows he's whining. "I was not kidding, earlier; I really have something urgent to work on."
John leans forward to push his shoulder playfully.
"Won't be long, now. And everything is always urgent if we believe you, so it can wait."
"What kind of ridiculous argument is that?" Rodney sputters. "If I say it's important, then it is!"
John puts his hand on his heart.
"If I didn't know you love us, McKay, I'd think you didn't like being on the Team anymore," he says with what is way too much like a pout.
Rodney almost chokes in his haste to deny deny deny.
"That's not it and you are perfectly aware of that!" he says, voice rising. But John's grinning again and with a full body sag, Rodney realizes he's pulling his chain. Again. Rodney rolls his eyes and settles on his cushion the best he can. Of course a nice young thing comes to chat up Sheppard, after that, so it ends that conversation.
The worst thing is that Rodney can't even eat anything now to avoid surprise citrus in the food. It sucks. What he had tasted through his daydreaming haze had been pretty good.
***
Rodney's just glad the debrief is several logarithmic units shorter than the actual mission. Rodney managed another resounding success at avoiding going to the infirmary for a checkup that he doesn't need, so that's a win too. He's about to leave for the labs when John gets in the door frame at the same time as he does. Rodney gestures for him to pass first but John's not moving.
"Hey, what about a chess game?" John says.
It's been a while and even if Rodney knows he should not indulge - he has so much to do - he can't resist the temptation and John's eager expression. He nods.
"OK, later though. I really need to check those simulations," Rodney says. "What about eight-ish at your place?"
John smiles.
"Great. Hey, maybe I could do my report right now," he says, as if it's a revolutionary idea. In a way, it is. Rodney chuckles.
"Careful, that might give Lorne and Woolsey a heart attack," he says. "You'd be three for three today."
Laughing out loud, John looks like a mischievous twelve years old, complete with bouncing.
"Right! I think I'm gonna do that just to see their faces," John says, eyes crinkling.
Rodney smiles back.
"You go and amuse yourself, Colonel. I'll see you later."
Now Rodney has work to check up on, and it's definitely not simulations.
***
Unfortunately, Rodney's far from a solution when the time comes to go meet John. He makes sure that everything is under lock and key and goes to change in his quarters. He rings the chime at John's at eight on the dot. The door swishes open.
"Come in!" John says from his bed where he's setting up the chessboard on the little folding table they use.
"So?" Rodney asks as he pulls out John's office chair and goes to sit on the other side. "Did you do the report or were you sidetracked by something more interesting?"
John laughs.
"I did it. Both Woolsey and Lorne have awesome poker faces but for one moment there they looked at me as if I was a Replicator or something," he says, grinning, and Rodney freezes for a second. John notices so Rodney chuckles, trying to cover up.
"I can see why they'd be worried," Rodney says. It's a good opening, though. "Do you think there are still Replicator versions of us out there?"
It makes John frown.
"Well the ones we met died in that setup on M34-227, I'm pretty sure that they were the only ones. Why, do you think there are more?" John asks.
"Would that be such a bad thing?" Rodney says with a shrug. "Imagine what two of me could do."
"They'd be a serious threat to Atlantis, they know too much," John says and it's what Rodney thought. He nods.
"Yes, of course. Are you opening or not?" Rodney says, gesturing to the pieces.
The familiarity of it all is a luxury that lulls Rodney into a zone. It means his play is sloppy though, which is never good against John who's far too smart not to notice. When he captures Rodney's Queen, he nudges Rodney's foot below the table.
"Hey, are you OK?" John asks. "You don't seem all there."
Rodney blinks and passes a hand on his face.
"I'm just tired, I guess," he says.
"Or you could just admit once and for all that I'm better than you!" John says.
He will do nothing of the sort and John knows it. It still makes Rodney smile.
"Dream on, Sheppard. I'll call it a night, if you don't mind," Rodney says.
"It's only nine!" John says, looking concerned. "Are you sure you're OK?"
"I haven't been sleeping much lately," Rodney says, trying to get out of that one without John bringing him to the infirmary. "Let me pretend I'll get a decent night of sleep for once, when everyone knows I’ll be up in a couple of hours to go back to the labs."
"Maybe you should ask for sleeping pills or something," John says.
"If it's not better in a couple of days, I'll do that."
As he walks towards the door, there are a million things that Rodney wishes he could say. How he appreciates John's friendship, and how his life has changed for the good since he's known him. That he missed him every day since the accident. That Atlantis made him a better human being. But it would just expose him so Rodney pretends, once more, that everything is okay and that he's going to bed after a regular mission.
"Good night, Sheppard," he says instead.
"'Night!" John answers.
***
Rodney is surprised that Radek is still in the labs. Everyone in the science team works impossible hours in a crisis, but very few stay this late if it's calm. It's a fact that Rodney has always appreciated because it means he can have a bit of peace and quiet when he works late, no one coming over to interrupt him with inane questions or stupid ideas.
Radek looks up when the door swishes open for Rodney and gives him a smile.
"I thought you had gone for the night," Radek says.
"Clearly not," Rodney says, going to his work station. "What are you doing here this late?"
"I am trying to finalize the supply order," Radek says, pushing his glasses up on his nose and squinting at his laptop. "Should we ask for 3 centrifuges in hope of receiving one?"
"Or you could go for five and maybe they'll send two," Rodney says.
Radek makes an assenting noise and suddenly Rodney can't keep lying anymore. He's not used to secrets. Anyway, he's so bad at keeping them - not the classified ones, the personal ones - that he's generally called on his bluff pretty early. The facts are that Rodney's not able to fix the mess he's in by himself, even if he tried, so he'll need help. Radek is probably his best hope. Rodney pulls the little pyramid from the plastic box below his desk - hide your secrets in plain view is something he learned, at least - and deposits it on the surface. Rodney thinks "on" at it again, tries to order it to work already but it's of no use, as it's been for the last three days. As usual, it gives a faint orange glow but that’s it, it goes back to inert after a second.
As he thought, Radek noticed the new artifact and after Rodney lets out a long suffering sigh he speaks up.
"What is this?" Radek asks.
"I think it's some kind of portal, which switches you between universes. Kind of a quantum mirror mixed with communications stones," Rodney says.
"And how did you reach that conclusion?" Radek asks, coming closer.
"I have pretty good evidence," Rodney says.
When Radek extends a hand to touch the pyramid, Rodney slaps it away rapidly. Jesus, are people just that stupid?
"Are you insane? Don't touch it! It would probably do nothing to you since you don't have the gene, but let's not test it, OK?" Rodney says, looking closely at Radek for any sign of disorientation.
Apart from wanting to touch things that should never be touched, Radek is perceptive enough to sense there's something Rodney's not saying.
"You seem pretty sure of your hypothesis," Radek muses, and it makes Rodney sigh again.
"Look, I need to tell you something," Rodney says. "But you've got to promise me that you’ll listen to me until the end."
"This sounds serious. Go ahead," Radek says.
"Did you notice anything different about me in the last three days?" Rodney asks. He's been wondering about that, in fact, especially how it was for the people who know him best.
Radek takes some time to answer.
"You've been... oddly nice to people, though distracted. Tired, maybe. On edge even," Radek says.
Rodney nods.
"Okay, good. Yes, that's true. Look, I tried to fix this by myself but I can't. So I'll tell you bluntly: I'm not your Rodney McKay. I mean this reality's Rodney McKay," he says, ready to catch Radek if he tries to call security.
What he gets instead is a furrowing of Radek's brows.
"You are an alternative Rodney, who took our Rodney's place?"
The lack of panic is reassuring, so Rodney nods.
"Exactly. I was in my own reality, fiddling with this," Rodney says, pointing to the pyramid," when I suddenly was in my quarters. His quarters. He was nowhere to be seen so I suppose he took my place. How the fucking gadget appeared with me, I have no idea."
"If that is true," Radek says, slowly, as if he's not sure that it's even possible, "why didn't you ask for help immediately?"
Rodney winces.
"Well that's the problem. I checked the reports so I know it happened over here too, but I'm not really Rodney. I mean... I was made in Rodney's image and I have all of his memories and feelings, but..."
That makes Radek's eyes go round.
"You're a Replicator?"
"Yeah," Rodney says with a wince. "I was sure I could get out of this mess in a jiffy, but it's taking longer than I thought. I was afraid I'd be thrown out of a space gate or something."
Rodney can tell that Radek is tempted to open his radio, therefore proving him right in his need to cover up as much as he could.
"Please Radek," Rodney says, trying to be as earnest and pleading as he can. "I swear I am no threat to you or Atlantis! I just want to fix this and I need help."
Radek finally nods.
"Fine, I will help you. But we should tell..."
Cutting him mid-sentence, Rodney pleads some more.
"No! No, please. They... everyone would treat me differently, and I get why. Can you give me twenty four hours? I need to work without being worried that security protocols will fuck everything up."
Still visibly unsure, Radek sighs. Rodney knows, from working with the guy for years, that he's about to fold.
"Is Rodney, our Rodney, safe where you are from?" Radek asks and Rodney winces.
"He's safe, as long as he stays where I live," Rodney says and as Radek eyes widen he holds a hand up. "Let me explain. My team, the Replicator team of my universe, we did the same stunt as the ones over here: Sheppard had the jumper crash to lure the Asuran away from the gate on M34-227 to let the real versions of us out."
It still stings to think as himself as a fake Rodney McKay, but he has to accept the facts. He continues.
"Everyone was killed, destroyed, call it what you want, but me, though I don't understand why. I think I was shielded just enough from the explosion, but when I managed to regenerate enough to be functional I was alone. Losing my team... well you can guess it was a shock. I contacted Atlantis to explain, but I was still too much of a security risk to go there. So they helped me find a place where I could do something useful with my somewhat indefinite life and I help Atlantis when I can, when they come for me. Funny how being practically invulnerable is useful to infiltrate Wraith hive ships. Anyway, when I was transported here, I lived in a little outpost on MH0-819, nothing fancy but it's safe."
He's been thinking of how this universe's McKay must have reacted to the transfer, finding himself plucked from his bed to end up probably in front of Rodney's laptop in the little lab littered with bombs and prototypes. Hopefully he realized what was going on before running out to get himself into trouble.
"How can I help?" Radek asks.
Rodney gestures him to come closer.
"There's something here that doesn't look right to make the device reverse its process, but I can't put my finger on it. Maybe we could check the code together? I've examined it so much, I just can't see what is wrong anymore."
Without more questions, Radek comes over to check over Rodney's shoulder at his laptop. Together, they'll do it, Rodney is sure of it, and he's hit with a wave of gratitude.
"Oh and Radek?" he said, endeared when his friend looks up at him as if this is a perfectly normal side project. "Thank you," Rodney adds. "You are great, no matter what I say sometimes."
Radek smiles.
"I am rather fond of you, too, though I will deny ever saying such a thing," he teases.
Rodney grins back.
"Deal," he says, before they both turn towards the screen.
***
They make progress way faster than Rodney thought. He was on the verge of the breakthrough after all, or so it seems. It's nearly 8 am now and Radek blinks at the screen as if he has to re-read the results twice before it makes sense. Simpson got in earlier, clutching coffee as she sat before her computer and more should arrive soon. If it wasn't that they are finally done, Rodney would stop working on the device, but there is no reason to delay the inevitable.
"That is it," Radek says. "It should work now, yes?"
"I think so," Rodney says.
He hopes it will because Rodney knows that this Atlantis is not his place. On the other hand, it will suck to go back into exile. To see his friends, his Team, the whole fucking base has been as wonderful as it was torture and if Rodney's biggest wish would be to have that, he knows he could not pretend for long. It's a question of days before Rodney is forced into some medical procedure or another, or that he blows his cover by regenerating from an injury. Or not choke from an allergic reaction he should have had.
"Look, I never meant to deceive you or anyone," Rodney tells Radek. "I just wanted things to be as normal as possible, before I went. Just a bit. Can you tell them that?" he asks.
He doesn't have to be specific, Radek knows who. His friend nods.
"I will. Best of luck to you, Rodney," Radek says, offering his hand.
Rodney pulls Radek in a brief hug, surprising him, then as soon as he lets go he closes his hand on the pyramid and thinks of MH0-819.
Once again the transfer is instantaneous, not even a light or a tingly feeling. To his surprise he's now seated across himself and not Radek. The effect is destabilizing and something must show on his face because his other self frowns.
"What's wrong now?" his double asks, as if he's out of patience.
Rodney looks around and yes, he's in the labs in Atlantis, but not exactly in the same spot as he was a second ago, though it's close. It's his lab work bench, after all, it makes sense.
"Oh. It figures he came to Atlantis," Rodney says. There were only a couple of days of food over at his bunker on MH0-819, kept by habit since he doesn't really need it anymore.
"Who came to Atlantis?" his real counterpart in his universe (it has to be) says, looking suspicious.
"Him, the other me, or should I say the other you," Rodney says, showing the little pyramid he's still clutching in his hand. "Hi honey, I'm home!"
McKay's eyebrows rise and he taps his radio.
"Sheppard, haul your ass over to the labs, now," he says, clipped.
Rodney sighs.
"What's wrong?"
Rodney can hear Sheppard's reply from McKay's radio, a new proof that enhanced senses have their benefits.
"Is it really necessary to call the cavalry right this minute?" Rodney asks. Why does everyone have to be so paranoid all the time? Okay, if he was in this McKay's shoes he'd do the same thing, but heck. It's annoying.
"I'm pretty sure my double is made of nanites once more, seems he switched back," McKay says.
"I'm almost there," Sheppard says.
Rodney slumps in his chair, knowing he's going to have to go through hours of questioning before he's allowed to go. Probably the Rodney who switched back will, too. At least the other him is home, though. It was the right thing to do.
"Was he okay?" Rodney asks, gesturing at himself. "I had no idea this would happen, it was rather freaky."
"The other universe's Rodney? What do you think! He was this close to losing his mind since we had no clue what was happening, he was prodded and tested by Carson to within an inch of his life, stressed out and a royal pain in the butt. That's what he was," McKay says and for some reason it makes Rodney laugh.
"It sucks to be us, huh?" Rodney says and he relaxes a bit when McKay smiles back, amused even if he tries to hide it.
"Sheppard was going nuts having to deal with him and me," he replies and they turn to see Sheppard enter the lab on cue. John's trying to project cool but he's tense around the eyes and coiled like a spring, a hand hovering near his thigh holster.
"Is that you repli-Rodney?" he asks and Rodney rolls his eyes. He hates the nickname. Especially since Sheppard always says it 'replirodni' as if it's a kind of pasta or something.
"I told you that I shall now be named Edward," Rodney replies, a long running gag between them where he changes first names every time they meet.
Sheppard grins, relaxing a bit. Maybe there's hope to make his place in this universe after all.
Everything should be ok.
The End
Additional note at the end not to spoil: used for cliche_bingo for Mirror Mirror: Doppelganger, Clones and Evil Doubles
Also! using the same prompts, nowgold made this bookmark :)
isn't it great? I love it!
Title: If They Knew
Characters: Rodney centric, John, Radek, Teyla, Ronon
Word count: 4000 words, rated G
Summary: Rodney has a lot on his mind.
Spoilers: Spoilers for "All my Sins Remembered" 4x10; best understood with that episode's knowledge.
Notes: Many thanks to my wonderful friends siluria and jaydblu for the beta. You girls are great!
Rodney looks at how Teyla is holding herself while listening to the High Chieftain, head slightly bowed and hands clasped loosely behind her back. It's not like Rodney can manage to look half as composed, but he tries for the same stance, hoping for the best. He hates this part of going through the gate and meeting possibly new trading partners where a bad impression can send everything to hell faster than a stray bullet. The motto in those ceremonies is always to follow Teyla's lead and that's what Rodney tries to do. He sees that Sheppard glances at her too and it makes something relax in Rodney to know he's not the only one out of his depth. Sheppard is a master chameleon, though, and he's doing fine. Ronon looms as usual, but no one seems to expect anything different.
The talks go on for what seems like forever, but at last there's a gong and people start to disperse. The Chieftain laughs, which prompts Rodney to look up and see he's gesturing for them to follow.
"You okay, McKay?" Ronon asks.
"Apart from losing hours of my life I'll never get back? Sure," Rodney says, because he knows a comment along those lines is expected. It works as Ronon does a little grunt-nod combo and lengthens his stride to catch up with Teyla.
"I think we've earned food, at last" Sheppard adds, the one to fall in step in sync beside him now. He's got his little satisfied smile, though he's reflexively checking around. That's a constant, how John never really relaxes on a world until at least the fifth visit without incident.
"Thank God, one more song and I'd have lost it," Rodney says. John grins and it makes Rodney's stomach clench painfully; he wants to make that smile happen again.
Rodney needs to find a solution soon or he'll just lose his mind.
**
He's distracted, code and hypotheses going around in his head when suddenly his bowl is knocked out of his hands, making Rodney yelp in surprise as the content falls on the ground.
"Jesus fuck!" Sheppard swears and he's gripping Rodney's chin to make him look up. John's eyes are opened so wide with worry and something akin to horror that Rodney can see the white all around.
"What? What's wrong?" Rodney says, panicking a little because John is nothing but cool unless something very very dangerous is going on.
"Breathe! Are you OK?" Then John's patting his vest, getting the EpiPen out.
Dizzy, Rodney holds a hand up, he's not following.
"Wait, what? I'm fine! What's the problem?" he says.
John's eyes narrow as he examines him.
"I saw... you ate one of the little green balls!" John says as if it explains everything.
Rodney looks down to the ground at the remains of his lunch and sees that there are indeed little green balls. He's not sure he ate one, he wasn't paying attention.
"Maybe?" Rodney says.
"I just ate one and... I swear, there's citrus in them," John says.
Rodney pales, hand going up automatically to his throat. Shit. He remembers that, the feel of a bad allergic reaction, how it makes everything swell shut until it's impossible to breathe. At the moment, though, he's breathing just fine.
"Citrus?" Fuck, he wasn't paying attention. He has to be more careful. Rodney takes a deep breath and scowl at John. "Obviously I didn't eat any, since I can breathe. But if you want me dead, that's a real nice attempt at causing a heart attack!"
John frowns and backs up, looking annoyed now.
"Well jeez, sorry for trying to save your life here. I could have sworn..."
Rodney takes a deep breath and tries not to snap in worry, he knows that it will only amp up the situation.
"I'm OK, I swear," he says and John relaxes a bit and even smiles.
"Hey, maybe it's a Pegasus variety and you're not allergic. How cool would that be? We should bring back some for the botanists," he says.
That would be a disaster just waiting to happen, so Rodney shakes his head.
"I don't think so. I won't chance it, not in a million years," Rodney says firmly. He smiles at John a little. "Thanks, by the way. Look, I really appreciate it. That, you know..."
And he does, so much. People looking after him didn't happen often in his life and even if John does it a lot out of obligation, it's not just that. There is genuine concern for his well-being and that's the most extraordinary thing that came out of this whole adventure, of being part of a Team. Sheppard smirks but Rodney knows that the feeble attempt at apologizing at how he reacted is appreciated.
"That I almost killed you?"
"That you almost saved me. Again," Rodney says.
"Don't mention it," John says, as if he does that for everyone. Which he mostly does, to be honest.
"Can we go back, now?" Rodney says and he knows he's whining. "I was not kidding, earlier; I really have something urgent to work on."
John leans forward to push his shoulder playfully.
"Won't be long, now. And everything is always urgent if we believe you, so it can wait."
"What kind of ridiculous argument is that?" Rodney sputters. "If I say it's important, then it is!"
John puts his hand on his heart.
"If I didn't know you love us, McKay, I'd think you didn't like being on the Team anymore," he says with what is way too much like a pout.
Rodney almost chokes in his haste to deny deny deny.
"That's not it and you are perfectly aware of that!" he says, voice rising. But John's grinning again and with a full body sag, Rodney realizes he's pulling his chain. Again. Rodney rolls his eyes and settles on his cushion the best he can. Of course a nice young thing comes to chat up Sheppard, after that, so it ends that conversation.
The worst thing is that Rodney can't even eat anything now to avoid surprise citrus in the food. It sucks. What he had tasted through his daydreaming haze had been pretty good.
***
Rodney's just glad the debrief is several logarithmic units shorter than the actual mission. Rodney managed another resounding success at avoiding going to the infirmary for a checkup that he doesn't need, so that's a win too. He's about to leave for the labs when John gets in the door frame at the same time as he does. Rodney gestures for him to pass first but John's not moving.
"Hey, what about a chess game?" John says.
It's been a while and even if Rodney knows he should not indulge - he has so much to do - he can't resist the temptation and John's eager expression. He nods.
"OK, later though. I really need to check those simulations," Rodney says. "What about eight-ish at your place?"
John smiles.
"Great. Hey, maybe I could do my report right now," he says, as if it's a revolutionary idea. In a way, it is. Rodney chuckles.
"Careful, that might give Lorne and Woolsey a heart attack," he says. "You'd be three for three today."
Laughing out loud, John looks like a mischievous twelve years old, complete with bouncing.
"Right! I think I'm gonna do that just to see their faces," John says, eyes crinkling.
Rodney smiles back.
"You go and amuse yourself, Colonel. I'll see you later."
Now Rodney has work to check up on, and it's definitely not simulations.
***
Unfortunately, Rodney's far from a solution when the time comes to go meet John. He makes sure that everything is under lock and key and goes to change in his quarters. He rings the chime at John's at eight on the dot. The door swishes open.
"Come in!" John says from his bed where he's setting up the chessboard on the little folding table they use.
"So?" Rodney asks as he pulls out John's office chair and goes to sit on the other side. "Did you do the report or were you sidetracked by something more interesting?"
John laughs.
"I did it. Both Woolsey and Lorne have awesome poker faces but for one moment there they looked at me as if I was a Replicator or something," he says, grinning, and Rodney freezes for a second. John notices so Rodney chuckles, trying to cover up.
"I can see why they'd be worried," Rodney says. It's a good opening, though. "Do you think there are still Replicator versions of us out there?"
It makes John frown.
"Well the ones we met died in that setup on M34-227, I'm pretty sure that they were the only ones. Why, do you think there are more?" John asks.
"Would that be such a bad thing?" Rodney says with a shrug. "Imagine what two of me could do."
"They'd be a serious threat to Atlantis, they know too much," John says and it's what Rodney thought. He nods.
"Yes, of course. Are you opening or not?" Rodney says, gesturing to the pieces.
The familiarity of it all is a luxury that lulls Rodney into a zone. It means his play is sloppy though, which is never good against John who's far too smart not to notice. When he captures Rodney's Queen, he nudges Rodney's foot below the table.
"Hey, are you OK?" John asks. "You don't seem all there."
Rodney blinks and passes a hand on his face.
"I'm just tired, I guess," he says.
"Or you could just admit once and for all that I'm better than you!" John says.
He will do nothing of the sort and John knows it. It still makes Rodney smile.
"Dream on, Sheppard. I'll call it a night, if you don't mind," Rodney says.
"It's only nine!" John says, looking concerned. "Are you sure you're OK?"
"I haven't been sleeping much lately," Rodney says, trying to get out of that one without John bringing him to the infirmary. "Let me pretend I'll get a decent night of sleep for once, when everyone knows I’ll be up in a couple of hours to go back to the labs."
"Maybe you should ask for sleeping pills or something," John says.
"If it's not better in a couple of days, I'll do that."
As he walks towards the door, there are a million things that Rodney wishes he could say. How he appreciates John's friendship, and how his life has changed for the good since he's known him. That he missed him every day since the accident. That Atlantis made him a better human being. But it would just expose him so Rodney pretends, once more, that everything is okay and that he's going to bed after a regular mission.
"Good night, Sheppard," he says instead.
"'Night!" John answers.
***
Rodney is surprised that Radek is still in the labs. Everyone in the science team works impossible hours in a crisis, but very few stay this late if it's calm. It's a fact that Rodney has always appreciated because it means he can have a bit of peace and quiet when he works late, no one coming over to interrupt him with inane questions or stupid ideas.
Radek looks up when the door swishes open for Rodney and gives him a smile.
"I thought you had gone for the night," Radek says.
"Clearly not," Rodney says, going to his work station. "What are you doing here this late?"
"I am trying to finalize the supply order," Radek says, pushing his glasses up on his nose and squinting at his laptop. "Should we ask for 3 centrifuges in hope of receiving one?"
"Or you could go for five and maybe they'll send two," Rodney says.
Radek makes an assenting noise and suddenly Rodney can't keep lying anymore. He's not used to secrets. Anyway, he's so bad at keeping them - not the classified ones, the personal ones - that he's generally called on his bluff pretty early. The facts are that Rodney's not able to fix the mess he's in by himself, even if he tried, so he'll need help. Radek is probably his best hope. Rodney pulls the little pyramid from the plastic box below his desk - hide your secrets in plain view is something he learned, at least - and deposits it on the surface. Rodney thinks "on" at it again, tries to order it to work already but it's of no use, as it's been for the last three days. As usual, it gives a faint orange glow but that’s it, it goes back to inert after a second.
As he thought, Radek noticed the new artifact and after Rodney lets out a long suffering sigh he speaks up.
"What is this?" Radek asks.
"I think it's some kind of portal, which switches you between universes. Kind of a quantum mirror mixed with communications stones," Rodney says.
"And how did you reach that conclusion?" Radek asks, coming closer.
"I have pretty good evidence," Rodney says.
When Radek extends a hand to touch the pyramid, Rodney slaps it away rapidly. Jesus, are people just that stupid?
"Are you insane? Don't touch it! It would probably do nothing to you since you don't have the gene, but let's not test it, OK?" Rodney says, looking closely at Radek for any sign of disorientation.
Apart from wanting to touch things that should never be touched, Radek is perceptive enough to sense there's something Rodney's not saying.
"You seem pretty sure of your hypothesis," Radek muses, and it makes Rodney sigh again.
"Look, I need to tell you something," Rodney says. "But you've got to promise me that you’ll listen to me until the end."
"This sounds serious. Go ahead," Radek says.
"Did you notice anything different about me in the last three days?" Rodney asks. He's been wondering about that, in fact, especially how it was for the people who know him best.
Radek takes some time to answer.
"You've been... oddly nice to people, though distracted. Tired, maybe. On edge even," Radek says.
Rodney nods.
"Okay, good. Yes, that's true. Look, I tried to fix this by myself but I can't. So I'll tell you bluntly: I'm not your Rodney McKay. I mean this reality's Rodney McKay," he says, ready to catch Radek if he tries to call security.
What he gets instead is a furrowing of Radek's brows.
"You are an alternative Rodney, who took our Rodney's place?"
The lack of panic is reassuring, so Rodney nods.
"Exactly. I was in my own reality, fiddling with this," Rodney says, pointing to the pyramid," when I suddenly was in my quarters. His quarters. He was nowhere to be seen so I suppose he took my place. How the fucking gadget appeared with me, I have no idea."
"If that is true," Radek says, slowly, as if he's not sure that it's even possible, "why didn't you ask for help immediately?"
Rodney winces.
"Well that's the problem. I checked the reports so I know it happened over here too, but I'm not really Rodney. I mean... I was made in Rodney's image and I have all of his memories and feelings, but..."
That makes Radek's eyes go round.
"You're a Replicator?"
"Yeah," Rodney says with a wince. "I was sure I could get out of this mess in a jiffy, but it's taking longer than I thought. I was afraid I'd be thrown out of a space gate or something."
Rodney can tell that Radek is tempted to open his radio, therefore proving him right in his need to cover up as much as he could.
"Please Radek," Rodney says, trying to be as earnest and pleading as he can. "I swear I am no threat to you or Atlantis! I just want to fix this and I need help."
Radek finally nods.
"Fine, I will help you. But we should tell..."
Cutting him mid-sentence, Rodney pleads some more.
"No! No, please. They... everyone would treat me differently, and I get why. Can you give me twenty four hours? I need to work without being worried that security protocols will fuck everything up."
Still visibly unsure, Radek sighs. Rodney knows, from working with the guy for years, that he's about to fold.
"Is Rodney, our Rodney, safe where you are from?" Radek asks and Rodney winces.
"He's safe, as long as he stays where I live," Rodney says and as Radek eyes widen he holds a hand up. "Let me explain. My team, the Replicator team of my universe, we did the same stunt as the ones over here: Sheppard had the jumper crash to lure the Asuran away from the gate on M34-227 to let the real versions of us out."
It still stings to think as himself as a fake Rodney McKay, but he has to accept the facts. He continues.
"Everyone was killed, destroyed, call it what you want, but me, though I don't understand why. I think I was shielded just enough from the explosion, but when I managed to regenerate enough to be functional I was alone. Losing my team... well you can guess it was a shock. I contacted Atlantis to explain, but I was still too much of a security risk to go there. So they helped me find a place where I could do something useful with my somewhat indefinite life and I help Atlantis when I can, when they come for me. Funny how being practically invulnerable is useful to infiltrate Wraith hive ships. Anyway, when I was transported here, I lived in a little outpost on MH0-819, nothing fancy but it's safe."
He's been thinking of how this universe's McKay must have reacted to the transfer, finding himself plucked from his bed to end up probably in front of Rodney's laptop in the little lab littered with bombs and prototypes. Hopefully he realized what was going on before running out to get himself into trouble.
"How can I help?" Radek asks.
Rodney gestures him to come closer.
"There's something here that doesn't look right to make the device reverse its process, but I can't put my finger on it. Maybe we could check the code together? I've examined it so much, I just can't see what is wrong anymore."
Without more questions, Radek comes over to check over Rodney's shoulder at his laptop. Together, they'll do it, Rodney is sure of it, and he's hit with a wave of gratitude.
"Oh and Radek?" he said, endeared when his friend looks up at him as if this is a perfectly normal side project. "Thank you," Rodney adds. "You are great, no matter what I say sometimes."
Radek smiles.
"I am rather fond of you, too, though I will deny ever saying such a thing," he teases.
Rodney grins back.
"Deal," he says, before they both turn towards the screen.
***
They make progress way faster than Rodney thought. He was on the verge of the breakthrough after all, or so it seems. It's nearly 8 am now and Radek blinks at the screen as if he has to re-read the results twice before it makes sense. Simpson got in earlier, clutching coffee as she sat before her computer and more should arrive soon. If it wasn't that they are finally done, Rodney would stop working on the device, but there is no reason to delay the inevitable.
"That is it," Radek says. "It should work now, yes?"
"I think so," Rodney says.
He hopes it will because Rodney knows that this Atlantis is not his place. On the other hand, it will suck to go back into exile. To see his friends, his Team, the whole fucking base has been as wonderful as it was torture and if Rodney's biggest wish would be to have that, he knows he could not pretend for long. It's a question of days before Rodney is forced into some medical procedure or another, or that he blows his cover by regenerating from an injury. Or not choke from an allergic reaction he should have had.
"Look, I never meant to deceive you or anyone," Rodney tells Radek. "I just wanted things to be as normal as possible, before I went. Just a bit. Can you tell them that?" he asks.
He doesn't have to be specific, Radek knows who. His friend nods.
"I will. Best of luck to you, Rodney," Radek says, offering his hand.
Rodney pulls Radek in a brief hug, surprising him, then as soon as he lets go he closes his hand on the pyramid and thinks of MH0-819.
Once again the transfer is instantaneous, not even a light or a tingly feeling. To his surprise he's now seated across himself and not Radek. The effect is destabilizing and something must show on his face because his other self frowns.
"What's wrong now?" his double asks, as if he's out of patience.
Rodney looks around and yes, he's in the labs in Atlantis, but not exactly in the same spot as he was a second ago, though it's close. It's his lab work bench, after all, it makes sense.
"Oh. It figures he came to Atlantis," Rodney says. There were only a couple of days of food over at his bunker on MH0-819, kept by habit since he doesn't really need it anymore.
"Who came to Atlantis?" his real counterpart in his universe (it has to be) says, looking suspicious.
"Him, the other me, or should I say the other you," Rodney says, showing the little pyramid he's still clutching in his hand. "Hi honey, I'm home!"
McKay's eyebrows rise and he taps his radio.
"Sheppard, haul your ass over to the labs, now," he says, clipped.
Rodney sighs.
"What's wrong?"
Rodney can hear Sheppard's reply from McKay's radio, a new proof that enhanced senses have their benefits.
"Is it really necessary to call the cavalry right this minute?" Rodney asks. Why does everyone have to be so paranoid all the time? Okay, if he was in this McKay's shoes he'd do the same thing, but heck. It's annoying.
"I'm pretty sure my double is made of nanites once more, seems he switched back," McKay says.
"I'm almost there," Sheppard says.
Rodney slumps in his chair, knowing he's going to have to go through hours of questioning before he's allowed to go. Probably the Rodney who switched back will, too. At least the other him is home, though. It was the right thing to do.
"Was he okay?" Rodney asks, gesturing at himself. "I had no idea this would happen, it was rather freaky."
"The other universe's Rodney? What do you think! He was this close to losing his mind since we had no clue what was happening, he was prodded and tested by Carson to within an inch of his life, stressed out and a royal pain in the butt. That's what he was," McKay says and for some reason it makes Rodney laugh.
"It sucks to be us, huh?" Rodney says and he relaxes a bit when McKay smiles back, amused even if he tries to hide it.
"Sheppard was going nuts having to deal with him and me," he replies and they turn to see Sheppard enter the lab on cue. John's trying to project cool but he's tense around the eyes and coiled like a spring, a hand hovering near his thigh holster.
"Is that you repli-Rodney?" he asks and Rodney rolls his eyes. He hates the nickname. Especially since Sheppard always says it 'replirodni' as if it's a kind of pasta or something.
"I told you that I shall now be named Edward," Rodney replies, a long running gag between them where he changes first names every time they meet.
Sheppard grins, relaxing a bit. Maybe there's hope to make his place in this universe after all.
Everything should be ok.
The End
Additional note at the end not to spoil: used for cliche_bingo for Mirror Mirror: Doppelganger, Clones and Evil Doubles
Also! using the same prompts, nowgold made this bookmark :)
isn't it great? I love it!