Fic: "Mean What You Say", SGA, John/Rodney, NC-17 (1/2)
Title: Mean Whay You Say
Fandom: Stargate Atlantis
Word Count/ Rating: 16 500 words, NC-17
Characters/Pairings: John Sheppard/Rodney McKay, Jennifer Keller (past McKay/Keller), Ronon, Teyla
Warnings: nothing I see as triggery, but there is kidnapping and drugging without consent
Notes: This fic was made for syfybigbang (where I want to thank the mods for bringing this to the end!), plus I owe big hugs to xmaidelx who did a fabulous job with the art, and assure my undying devotion to jaydblu and siluria for the beta ♥
Summary: John is really tired of aliens trying to kidnap Rodney. One of these days, soon, he's going to punch everyone in the face and confine Rodney on Atlantis, if possible in bubble wrap. Fortunately, this time they got him back from the sneaky Terivians before something bad happened, so it was just a bad scare. Or was it? Rodney's acting a bit strangely afterwards, saying things that rattle John's mind. Could it be that his hopeless crush on the man is mutual?
Master fic post: here
John pokes his P-90 in the back of the Counselor and shoves. He's done being patient.
"Get a move on," he says through clenched teeth.
Seriously, his finger is starting to twitch on the trigger again.
"Yes, yes, Colonel Sheppard, of course," Counselor Jing says, terrified and now obsequious. "I am taking you to the chambers in the most rapid of ways."
Two faced bastards, the lot of them, John thinks. They were so happy to trade with the Atlanteans, they had said with much bowing. They had heard wonders about their technology, of course, they had added with pretty smiles. Maybe such esteemed and knowledgeable visitors could help the Terivians fix this and that, and in return they'd be most generous, they had assured. The same old song and dance, with the little side couplet where they stole half of his team.
John can't believe he didn't even worry about Rodney and Ronon being MIA, not soon enough. It's his fucking job to keep his eyes on Rodney and make sure he's safe. But after they had toured the living areas, they'd been split as it often happened: fun and tech for Rodney, schmoozing and negotiations for John and Teyla.
As usual Ronon had shadowed Rodney, which never had to be said in occasions like that - it was their way. So, foolishly, John had thought that all was under control. Nothing could happen to Rodney if Ronon was there for him, right? It's easy to forget that even with all of his assets, Ronon is far from invincible.
**
earlier that day
The negotiations had given John a headache; it was probably in part because of the sweet smelling herbs burning in the room for good auspices. He suspected that the throbbing would clear up as soon a he got some fresh air, but it was annoying enough that he couldn't quite think straight.
"We would be pleased to welcome you to our table, Colonel Sheppard and Teyla Emmagan," the Counselor, a little man dressed in blue, had offered. "Surely you can eat with us before going back through the Ring of the Ancestors?"
John shot a glance at Teyla but she was smiling and discretely nodded her accord to him: score 1 for the Terivians.
"Just a sec," John said.
John stepped out of the sacred negotiating chambers where no technology was allowed, holstered his hand gun, snapped his P-90 in place and put his radio back on. At least no one had tried to take them. The blue guy seemed intrigued.
"Rodney, Ronon, come in," John called.
He was met with silence, which made John frown. The Counselor was pointing to the radio.
"Does that device permit you to reach your friends from a distance?" he asked.
The question was a reminder that many of the planets they visited were almost totally technologically deprived. John nodded.
"Yes, it's called a radio. It sends a signal to a similar device my friends have. Normally, they'd call me back." He clicked the radio again. "Rodney, Ronon, Sheppard here. Do you read?"
Still no answer. Teyla touched his arm.
"If I remember correctly, the Terivians have an elaborate system of tunnels in the mountain. They are probably out of reach of the signal," she said.
The man in blue smiled. His name was Jing, John suddenly remembered.
"Yes, Doctor McKay agreed to look at the geothermic heaters," Jing said. "They are far down the mountain."
It made John relax a bit.
"When are they due back?" he asked.
"Soon, I would think," Jing assured. "I reiterate my invitation for the meal."
Since they were stuck here anyway, John took an executive decision.
"It would be a pleasure, Jing of Terivia," he said, inclining his head. The move sure worked for Teal'c and Teyla: if John was lucky, it gave him a tiny bit of cool, too.
They were led to the equivalent of a mess hall, in a cavern of the first level that was large enough to have dozens of low tables. John appreciated that their entry wasn't a big production, though it got awfully quiet for a beat, before conversations started back in earnest.
Jing led them to a free table near the middle of the room, where Teyla lowered herself gracefully to her cushion. It was a bit clumsier on John's part, but he managed.
"We will do a proper feast when our alliance is official," Jing said. "Please do not take the lack of proper protocol as any sign that we are not thinking highly of you, because we do."
"No problem, this is perfect." John eyed the plates of roasted meat a young man brought them. It smelled great.
"I offer you our sincere thank yous, Counselor Jing," Teyla added. "May this be the first of a long series of meals taken in each other's company."
They started eating, and Jing was a very good host, but the more time passed where John didn't have news of Ronon and Rodney, the more he grew uncomfortable. A young girl, probably no more than 17, came over with something that looked like wine but John refused. He had a minimum of three peaceful visits rule before accepting alcohol on new planets, now. It came from experience.
"I can assure you that the Terivian wine is renowned, Colonel Sheppard," Jing said with a smile, drinking from his own glass.
"I don't doubt it one second, but no thanks." If John hadn't been looking directly at Jing as he said so, he would probably have missed the twitch.
But he did see and looked at Teyla, who was bringing her cup to her lips. John knew she rarely drank, too, and that it was mostly for show. But when she frowned, John immediately turned to Jing and there it was again, that twitch.
"Teyla?"
John tensed as her face changed, closing up. She put both hands on the table and fixed her unnerving glare number two - the one that made grown men start spluttering - towards Jing.
"What is this?" she asked, cold in tone.
It made John pick up his P-90, because that was the "do not fuck with me" voice.
"I do not know what..." Jing started, turning whiter by the second.
"Even Terivian wine cannot completely cover the smell of Onmout," Teyla said.
That didn't sound good at all.
"Onmout?" John asked.
"A very strong sedative. One mouthful of this wine," she said, pushing the cup towards Jing, "and I would have been incapacitated in a matter of minutes."
Oh no, this would not do. And it brought back the need to find Ronon and Rodney NOW.
"I'm going to ask one more time, and if I don't have a satisfactory answer, I swear you won't like the results," John hissed, cocking his P-90. "Where are my teammates?"
"This is a misunderstanding," Jing was saying, but John could see people in the room migrating towards the exits. It just occurred to John that they were all middle aged adults. No kids in sight except for the wine girl, who was long gone. They'd been conned.
Calmer than he felt, John got to his feet.
"Jing?" he said, quietly enough that it seemed to unnerve Jing even more. "I will ask you to take me to my friends. Now."
Jing twisted his hands in his robes and didn't even dare meet John's eyes.
"I cannot..."
John aimed his P-90 at a cloth that had been draped on the wall for color - maybe it was the clan's flag - in a corner of the room where no one stood at the moment. He fired over half his clip, surely 30 bullets, destroying it and sending rocks and ricochet flying all over. The sound was amplified by the cavern and the panicked cries of the Terivians echoed as they ran out of the room. That was another thing with civilizations pretty low on the technological scale: they were always impressed by fireworks.
"Jing?" John asked the little man, now crouched and trembling by the table.
"Y-Yes Colonel Sheppard. I will take you to them. Immediately."
John let a smile show; one that he knew made him look deranged.
"See? I knew we could get along."
***
Even with all of their lies and drugging attempts, the Terivians don't seem to have hidden technology or a warrior class about to come at them with prejudice; or they do have one and they are gathering to strike soon.
"You have to understand that the Terivians mean you no harm," Jing is saying.
"Yeah, right."
John curses inwardly that the corridors going down in the mountain are slightly curving on themselves, making it impossible to see more than a couple of steps ahead.
"You were to drug us, Counselor," Teyla says, still pissed as hell.
"I can assure you that no mistreatment was intended. When you would have come back to yourselves, we would have led you back to the ring of the Ancestors."
"Why drug us in the first place, then?" John asks.
"Only a ritual, to know your true intentions, as is our way," Jing says.
"Wow, talk about trust," John snarks. He'll feel better when they find Ronon and Rodney unharmed. "Ask me if we plan to trade with you guys anytime soon."
Jing looks devastated at that.
"This is a terrible misunderstanding."
"Drugs are not okay. And kidnapping is so far from okay, it's not even in the same galaxy as okay. I do not believe there is a misunderstanding at all, especially if I have to explain this," John says.
They reach a corridor where there's an actual door and someone sitting beside it on the floor. The boy scrambles up when he sees them coming, wiping his hand on his tunic.
"Counselor Jing," he says, then shoots John and Teyla a concerned look.
Something or someone of interest behind the door, then.
"Yuulo, please unlock the door for our guests," Jing demands, which said Yuulo hurries to do.
The room is dark, but a little oil lamp near the door lets them see a silhouette lying on a cot in the back. John opens the flash light on his P-90 and the beam reveals an unconscious Ronon. Teyla is by his side in a flash, touching his brow and shaking his arm.
"Ronon, wake up!" she urges.
"I am afraid he will need the antidote to wake, my lady," Jing says. "But you can see his sleep is peaceful. The Terivians condemn all physical violence."
"Give him the antidote, then," John says, exasperated. "And where's McKay?"
Knowing that Rodney is by himself gives John the hives.
Jing rummages in a pouch at his belt and takes out a little vial with a blue liquid. John tries not to overreact when Jing slightly opens Ronon's jaw and pours a single drop of it between Ronon's lips.
The effect is immediate and Ronon starts to stir. Then, from one heartbeat to the next, Ronon sits up and grabs Jing by the neck, causing the other man to flail.
"I know you poisoned me," Ronon says, slurring his speech a little. "Where's McKay?"
Since Jing is their only source of information for the moment and he is starting to turn purple, John steps forward.
"Let him go, Ronon," John orders. He needs Ronon to obey without thinking and not to snap Jing's neck. "Are you okay buddy?" he asks when Ronon lets go of the Counselor.
"Yeah." Ronon is obviously still fighting for complete consciousness.
"What happened?" John demands as Teyla shines a light in Ronon's eyes.
"McKay worked on their machine, then they gave us something to drink. Next thing I know the room is starting to spin and that is all. I don't remember what happened, but that I woke up just now." Ronon gets up and shakes his arms and legs, trying to get the sedative to exit his system. He turns on Jing who's flush with the wall, eyes as big as saucers. Ronon walks to him, looming with his best glare and if Jing could disappear, he would. "Where's McKay?"
"Not far! Do not hurt me, I will take you to him."
"How about you do that right the fuck now?" John points to the door.
Jing nods, ducking around Ronon and desperately trying not to meet his eyes.
"Follow me, we are almost there."
True enough, not even 300 meters from the room where Ronon was captive is another closed door, though there are no guards this time. John suspects that the first guard warned his friends and they hightailed out. He can hear voices and one is definitely Rodney's.
"Open this," John orders.
With a nod, Jing does a little tap-rap on the door while John gets ready to enter. As soon as the locks are undone and the door opens a fraction, Ronon kicks it in and John enters and sweeps the room. The door slams violently into the person who was opening it, who falls to the floor, and the three other people in the room jump back, looking scared.
"Everyone shows me their hands, now!" John bellows but his eyes are immediately drawn to Rodney, strapped in what looks like a dentist chair.
The relief on Rodney's face is obvious.
"Oh, thank god, there you are. I knew it was just a matter of time before you got here," Rodney says. "See, didn't I tell you that my team would come for me? There you go," he adds, looking at the woman with red hair on his right.
"What..?" the woman starts to say before she sees Jing. "What is this, Counselor?"
"There's been a misunderstanding," Jing starts once again but John is totally fed up by the bullshit.
"I don't think so," he says, already by Rodney's side to undo the straps that are restraining him. "Are you okay?"
"I saw Ronon fall like a potato sack earlier," Rodney says, then throws a thumb up at Ronon, "by the way, glad to see you are okay, pal. I've also been kidnapped and given shady chemicals. What do you think, John? Of course I'm not okay!"
Trying to calm him, John puts a hand on Rodney's arm and squeezes before going to the other end of the chair and unbuckling the straps at Rodney's ankles.
"It's okay, we've got you now."
Rodney's shoulders lose a bit of their tension.
"Yes, it's better now. I knew you'd come for me. But you know me: I can't help but worry," Rodney says.
John smiles at the understatement of the year. He helps Rodney as he gets on his feet.
"Did they drug you?" John asks, because Terivia seems to be the Planet of the Chemicals. Rodney's pupils seem normal, at least.
"I think so. They made me take something," Rodney says. "But if I do feel dizzy, I think it has more do to with not having eaten since breakfast than any ill effects of the drug. Did they drug you, too?"
"They tried," John says. "Come on, we're going."
"I am so, so ready to leave this place." Rodney glares at the Terivians in the room for good measure.
"But he cannot go..." the lady who seems in charge of the experiment says. "The ritual is not complete, and if..."
John cuts her off immediately. He's usually pretty open to any belief systems and has a live and let live attitude on most days, but Rodney's kidnapping was too much for him.
"I don't give a flying fuck about your ritual. We'll go now, but I warn you to never, and I mean ever, try to contact us."
John gestures at Teyla to take point. Usually, she tries to smooth things down after near catastrophes, but she's obviously just as mad as John is. She doesn't even spare a look at the Counselor and they are immediately out the door, going back to the surface and Ronon is all but growling as he covers their six. The Terivians jump out of their way and no one, John notices, looks innocent. They all knew and it's the hypocrisy that makes him even madder.
"I cannot believe this happened to me again," Rodney mumbles as they swiftly walk towards the gate.
"What can I say, you're a catch McKay," John teases now that he feels they aren't in danger anymore. Maybe if he jokes about it he'll relax a little himself.
"That's so not funny right now," Rodney says with a sigh.
To be honest, days like this John flirts with the idea that he should convince Rodney to stay on Atlantis at all times, and if possible in bubble wrap, so people stop trying to snatch him. But he never says it or acts on it because he knows that it would hurt Rodney's feelings, who loves being on the Team even if he bitches most of the time. Also, John often needs Rodney's fast thinking when shit hits the fan.
It's only when they step back onto Atlantis that John relaxes for real. In his book, coming back uninjured from a mission is overall a good day. When John looks up and meets Woolsey's eyes, he doesn't need to say anything to announce that there's bad news, just a shake of the head.
"Debrief in one hour?" Woolsey asks.
"See you then," John agrees.
Rodney has given his P-90 to a Marine and is already walking towards the infirmary.
"I'm going to make sure those lunatics didn't give me a slow acting poison," he says.
John eyes Ronon who looks to be on his way to the locker rooms.
"Hey, you too big guy."
Ronon doesn't seem to have any aftereffects of being drugged, but one cannot be too careful.
"I'm fine," he shrugs.
"You know it's procedure. Come on, we're all going," John says.
When they get to the infirmary, Jennifer is already drawing blood from Rodney.
"I don't know what it did, but I didn't feel so great," he's explaining. "Must not have been what they gave Ronon, he fell like a sequoia tree."
"It seems the Terivians change their chemicals from one potential victim to the other," John adds.
"I would agree," Teyla says. "Onmout would not induce sleep instantly on a man as strong as Ronon, and Rodney did not feel sleepy as a result of whatever they gave him."
"It was really disgusting," Rodney says with a little shudder.
"I'm going to do a full battery of tests," Jennifer assures with her indulgent smile.
John is happy that Rodney and Jennifer have managed to remain friends after the breakup, even if it seemed awkward at first. For a big city, they're basically living in each other's pockets on Atlantis, so a cordial understanding is best for everyone.
"You know, sometimes I wonder if you don't take sadistic pleasure in bleeding me like this," Rodney remarks as Jennifer pulls the needle out.
"Tut tut, stop complaining!" she chides playfully.
Rodney's holding his elbow, pressure on the cotton ball over the needle puncture.
"I'd complain less if it was over. Is this over?"
"Yes, you can go."
"Thank god, I didn't feel like staying here one more minute. I'm starving, I'll get something from the mess and meet you guys in the conference room," Rodney says, waving goodbye.
"Who's next?" asks Jennifer.
***
Rodney looks a little less wide-eyed when they meet for the debriefing.
"Please tell us what happened on your end, Doctor McKay," Woolsey asks when John has finished his report.
"Sure. As Colonel Sheppard said, I went down in the mountain to have a look at their technology. Let’s tell it as it is, technology is a big term: it's a glorified geothermic pump to help with heating the place, but that's all they have. It was old and patched up, so I suggested some improvements. Then they brought drinks and the next thing I know, Ronon is falling down. I freaked out, they brought me in a room and forced me to take a bitter green liquid before strapping me down. Then they left me for a while, by myself."
Rodney visibly shivers and John is mad once again. Shit like that is not supposed to happen on his watch.
"There was no give in the straps, struggling did nothing. Neither did yelling. I thought maybe it was poison and that I was going to die all alone in horrible suffering, but then they came back and started asking questions..." Rodney continues.
"Questions?" John asks.
"What we were doing on Terivia, what we wished to trade for, stuff like that," Rodney said. "By then I was wondering if they'd torture me for Atlantis' gate address or something but you guys arrived," he adds with a smile their way. "Great timing."
John doesn't say out loud that he should have been there a good half hour before. Maybe he could have prevented the whole ordeal. He thinks it, though.
"As soon as we knew something was fishy we went searching," John assures.
Woolsey sighs.
"This is most unfortunate, but at least everyone is back and unharmed," he says.
Rodney nods.
"Yes. One day, we won't be that lucky, though," Rodney says. "Are we done, here? Because I have more interesting things to do with my time than rehash how we always seem to land on pro-bondage planets."
John snorts and Rodney smiles smugly at him.
"You're so twelve."
John rolls his eyes.
"Am not," he replies.
"I think we are done, yes," Woolsey says and if John interprets the look correctly, it's 80 percent fondness and only 20 percent exasperation.
"Excellent. I am out of here," Rodney declares, already going for the door.
***
John's walking towards Lorne's office when he bumps into a preoccupied Keller who has her eyes fixed on her tablet. John manages to avoid a head on collision but it's a close call. Jennifer looks up at him, surprised out of her bubble.
"Oh, sorry, I wasn’t looking where I was going again, huh?" she asks with a smile.
John can see what Rodney liked in her: she's sweet and beautiful... but God, does John hate her with the power of a thousand suns for no reason at all. Okay, that's not true: he hates her for having Rodney, but then not realizing how special that was and dumping his ass, though amicably.
"Not really no," John says, forcing a smile. She holds his life in her hands too often; you always have to be as chummy as you can with your doctor and your mechanic (another rule John learned over the years).
She does a little head duck with a grin and John hopes to high heavens she's not considering flirting with him or he's going to lose it.
"I suppose Rodney is in the lab, right?" she asks, thankfully not pursuing the cute routine.
"Yes?" That's a stupid question and since Keller is not dumb, it means there's something serious going on. "What's wrong?"
"I got your blood work results back," she says, starting to walk towards the lab. "I need to check something."
"Is Rodney okay?" John is suddenly worried again. Shit, maybe Rodney was poisoned after all; usually Keller has them go to her, not the other way around.
"That's what I want to check," she says cryptically.
John appoints himself as moral support and follows. When they get to the labs, Rodney is busy looking intently at a device with Zelenka. The two of them are bowed over it, heads almost touching, trading ideas back and forth in that way they do sometimes. As if the almost mind reading isn't enough, Rodney's talking with his hands and Radek gestures right back in counterargument. John has always found it endearing.
After a minute of standing by their sides silently, unnoticed, Keller coughs.
"Rodney? A minute please?"
As if he needs a second to get out of the scientist subspace, Rodney looks over and blinks as if he's never seen Keller in his life, then his attention flicks to John and focuses immediately, jumping back to Jennifer. His eyes grow wide and he puts his hand where he got blood drawn the day before.
"Oh shit!" he says. "I'm dying!"
"You are not dying." Jennifer rolls her eyes. "Stop being so over dramatic."
"That's our Rodney." John smiles fondly.
"Well excuse me, I got kidnapped again, I think I am entitled to a little worry," Rodney says, crossing his arms over his chest.
John reaches to touch Rodney on the arm, which calms him a little. He found that out years ago, how touch seems to ground him. By now, John knows how to make it happen in a way that Rodney doesn't even realize he's doing it.
"When analyzing your blood, I found a chemical compound that must be what they made you drink. I just need to check if the levels have gone down in the last couple of hours," Jennifer explains.
"And since when do you come to the blood and not summon us to you?" Rodney asks suspiciously. "And what is that chemical, any idea?"
"I don't know yet. But I was going to the microbiology and chemistry lab to see Doctor Bisson about the growth rate of that fungus with possible antibiotic properties anyway, we'll get on it. Since I've re-calibrated this," she wiggles a little analyzer, the type you use for sugar levels, "I just need a drop and I'll be on my way."
It should not surprise John anymore how all of this expedition is so goddamn smart. Keller modified the thingy as if it's nothing and he'd bet a Mars bar that it's really not that simple. Even Rodney seems happily surprised.
"No syringe? Well I guess I can afford to part with one more drop, then," Rodney says while Jennifer is wiping his finger with an alcohol-soaked towelette.
"That's pretty cool," John says. "What about Ronon?"
"The compound in his blood, a different one, is rapidly disintegrating, even in the samples I had. He's probably free of it by now," Keller says. "I'll check, of course."
Rodney makes the obligatory "ow!" when Keller pinches the tip of his middle finger with a needle and gathers the crimson drop on the end of an analyzing strip. Rodney tries to look at the little display at the same time as Keller while John is highly distracted by Rodney sucking on the end of his finger. John’s traitorous mind transposes the visual and he has to look away before he starts blushing. Jesus. He definitely needs to get laid and soon.
"So?" Rodney asks as Jennifer makes a little humming sound.
"No change, but it's early yet. How about you come by the infirmary before meal times so we can monitor it?"
Rodney nods.
"Yes, okay. A bit inconvenient but it could be way worse. You’ll tell me as soon as you know what that thing is?"
"Of course," Jennifer says, tapping Rodney's arm lightly. "See you later."
To distract Rodney from whatever is still in his blood, John points to the device on the work bench.
"What is this?" John asks.
As expected, it works like a charm.
"Oh, this is a control module for emergency atmospheric purification. When we were off-world, Radek had the brilliant idea to test it in a controlled quarantine setting," Rodney starts.
It surprises a grin out of Zelenka.
"Brilliant? You are too kind, Rodney."
Rodney huffs.
"Please, you know I value your work, don't play the modesty card. If I say this is good, it's because I am able to see it. I may re-assess this if you keep making inane remarks, though."
"So what does it do?" John asks.
"Didn't I just say it's for emergency atmospheric purification? That was not clear enough? Well guess what, it purifies atmosphere! You shouldn't play stupid, John, I know you better than that."
You don't know the half of it, John thinks but then prods Rodney and Radek into explaining the possible wonders of an atmosphere purifier this efficient.
****
A close call with abduction - or fully fledged abduction - always makes John angsty. It generally results in pushing Rodney to train even more to get as proficient at hand combat as he can, so he could hopefully get out of dangerous situations by himself. Being a scientist gives Rodney an element of surprise if he decides to fight back. He's got tons of potential, being shaped like a linebacker, and he should put as much practice as he can into it. To make it easier, John arranges for it to be a Team activity. Not that Rodney appreciates his efforts or anything.
"Oh, god, you know I hate this," Rodney says as they are going to the gym. "There's nothing funny in getting my ass kicked repeatedly, let me tell you."
"I know." John does understand. "But it's important."
Rodney sighs.
"I know you think so, yeah. But I hate sucking at something."
John would be willing to bet that Rodney's been avoiding putting himself in situations where he can be seen as mere ordinary for a long time, probably since he didn't have those obligatory gym class anymore.
"You're getting better, Rodney," John assures. And he mostly is.
"And you're just saying that so I try again," Rodney says wryly.
"You think too much." John bumps his shoulder. And it's true, if Rodney would just embrace the strength he possesses, he'd be almost all of the way there.
"Well excuse me, but thinking is my main occupation, it's not like I can shut it off, even for 45 minutes of torture," Rodney says.
They have arrived though, and Teyla welcomes them with a smile from her lotus position near the stained glass. Ronon is doing his not-really-a-Kata in the back, with extra gusto, so John guesses he got his ass handed to him. He winces because that's not exactly the mood he needs Ronon to be in to teach Rodney some moves.
"John, Rodney, I am happy to see you," Teyla says as she gets to her feet with the grace of a dancer.
"I wish I was happy to be here," Rodney says, sounding miserable. "Did you really need to beat up Ronon before I got here?"
It surprises a laugh out of John, who sometimes forgets that Rodney sees what he wants to see and therefore most threats to his health.
"Come on, let's start together. It'll let the big guy cool off," John coaxes.
With an epic put upon face, Rodney nods while Teyla gives him a pair of sticks. John starts easy, going through the routine they've been practicing for weeks now, even if he ups the pace a little. He's happily surprised that Rodney mostly keeps up, looking a bit shocked at his efficiency.
"Very good, Rodney," Teyla says. "Keep your front stick a bit more elevated."
"I'm trying, I'm trying."
Rodney is circling slowly and John strikes by stepping in, breaking the rhythm. It takes Rodney by surprise though he manages to block the blow partially before shoving John away. It's John's turn to not expect the move and he stumbles backwards and gets a sharp blow to his thigh in the process. Of course Rodney second guesses the whole thing and doesn't press his advantage, letting John get his balance back. John faces him again, grinning.
"See?"
"Not bad, McKay," Ronon says. "Can you do it again?"
Rodney's still wide eyed that he managed to get a hit in and then grins.
"Maybe? Oh. Wow. I guess this isn't a waste of time after all," he says, but draws back in, letting his mind take the front and center again.
If Rodney wants to learn, John needs to give him a lesson. He lunges in, easily going through Rodney's defenses while he's not focusing on what has to be done, and manages three hits in rapid succession.
It was exactly the thing not to do, and John realizes it as soon as Rodney's shoulders sag. John's used to training with people who make it a point of honor to give their all and where a challenge is motivating. Rodney doesn't work like that, not with physical activities. The little demonstration just made him lose all momentum and he all but throws his sticks to the ground.
"What's the fucking use, huh?" Rodney looks humiliated and John could kick himself, hard. "Why don't you guys just leave me alone with this fucking training crap and just do your job and protect me, as you should?" he spits out.
It's meant to hurt and it does: protecting Rodney was John's job and he failed again, he doesn't need anyone to remind him of that. That no one was injured or worse was only luck.
"Come on, Rodney," John pleads, trying to not let it show that he's shaken by the finger pointing. "You know that to get better, we have to go harder on you."
"I've had enough of that fucked up motivational crap from my parents," Rodney says, and then makes a face as if he'd never wanted to share that, but that's McKay for you. "I don't expect it from my friends, too."
With that he officially gives up, tossing his sticks aside and gripping his towel, wiping down the sweat.
"Anyway, I need to get some work done," Rodney continues. "Amuse yourselves beating each other just as hard as you want, I'm out of here."
He leaves and John winces when Rodney doesn't even try to make eye contact with him but nods at Teyla and Ronon.
"Later," John says nonetheless before the door closes after Rodney.
"You messed up," Ronon sums up succinctly, poking John in a thigh with his stick. John sighs.
"I know, fuck. I sometimes forget how he gets."
"It's McKay." Ronon shrugs, as there should be no way to forget something like that.
"Rodney will be fine," Teyla says. "But you know better, John."
Great, so John has disappointed Teyla on top. But he might have an idea to make it better so hopefully that won't last long.
***
It's almost the end of hot dinner service and John hasn't seen Rodney in the mess hall yet. He must still be working, reasserting his confidence by working on stuff on which he has full control. It's high time that John does something to make it better, that's for sure; he grabs one of the butterscotch puddings and leaves for the lab. Surprisingly, Rodney is not alone, he's with half a dozen of his best and they're in a half circle around the white board.
John leans against the door frame and just watches them for a little bit. Rodney is in the middle, holding the marker and everyone else is speaking over each other. John can't really follow what they are talking about, obviously a brainstorming session, but once in a while Rodney points and reformulates, before writing something on the wall. He's liberal with the comments, generally acerbic, but once or twice he obviously praises someone. It seems as if John caught the tail of it, because a couple of minutes in Rodney stops writing new things on the board. They then start to argue about the priority order, which takes another five, before the merry gang disbands. That's John cue, so he goes to Rodney's side, not daring to brush shoulders just yet as he tries to decipher the scribbling. A to do list, by the look of it.
"Doesn't look like you guys are going to get bored anytime soon."
The list has small and big projects that could occupy everyone for years. Rodney snorts.
"Yeah. And that's the short list. We have so much work to do and so little qualified personnel to do it that I often wonder how we keep this city afloat."
"You probably missed the meatloaf by now," John says.
"I know." Rodney nods. "But this has been nagging me for days."
"So you give your crew some latitude on what to work on next?" John asks, a bit surprised because he was pretty sure that Rodney decided everything in excruciating details.
"No. I just make them believe they do," he says, throwing John a sideways smile and John can't help but laugh.
"Good one. You planned all of that?" John gestures to the white board.
"Mostly. They're predictable," Rodney says. "Is that pudding?"
He's zeroed in on the peace offering, of course. John gives it to him.
"Yeah. You know, about..." John starts, gathering his courage and ready to grovel a little bit. Rodney raises a hand, stalling his sort of apology.
"Shush, no need to have a moment, here." Rodney searches through his drawer and triumphally takes out a spoon, which he polishes on his lab coat. He then looks at John full on for the first time since this afternoon. "I get why you do it. But it's really not helping."
John sighs once more.
"I know, sorry. It's selfish, really. I'd feel a lot better when we're separated if I knew that you could hold your side in a tussle. And you can, Rodney, you are getting better."
"Yeah, right. But I hate it, even though I appreciate the tough love," Rodney says.
"Ha, see, I knew it! You like it," John crows.
"Did you even hear what I said?" Rodney asks, shaking his head. "I like the sentiment. The bruises? I'll take a pass!"
"Are you done for the day?" John tries the puppy eyes. "We could play a little chess."
Rodney nods, and then smirks.
"Yes, I'm done. Planning to let me win to feel better?" Rodney asks and he's way too perceptive.
"Why would I do that?" John says, though it was exactly what he had planned. Rodney raises one eyebrow.
"Because it's what you do? It's nice, but I don't feel like being condescended."
John raises his hands in a placating gesture, and decides not to insist. At least Rodney is talking to him again and he doesn't look pissed anymore.
"A movie, then? I think someone has Point Break." John's been saving that one for a special occasion.
Predictably, Rodney rolls his eyes but he follows as they get out of the lab and go for the transporters.
"Okay, a movie. But oh my god, I can't believe the shit I watch just to spend some time with you," he says.
Before John can wrap his mind about what that might mean, they bump into Kavanagh and Rodney spends a good five minutes bringing down his latest report. By the time John has to physically get in the middle to stall a fight and then get them on their way, the moment has passed and he doesn't dare ask about it.
***
It's one of the nice missions, finally.
Okay so it's quite early in the day to say so, but for the moment everything is going greatly and it cannot hurt to be an optimist. John smiles at the kids who are running in front of them and keeps an eye on Rodney who walks around with his eyes glued to his tablet. The sun is bright but it's not too warm, the natives seem happy enough to see them and there's enough scientific data of one form or another to keep Rodney busy and happy. He notices that even Ronon looks utterly relaxed and John takes a big breath, happy at the respite. This is exactly what they needed.
After some negotiation done expertly by Teyla, they sit around while a beast is being roasted for supper - it smells absolutely delicious - and chat with the locals. Rodney sits beside John and finally puts his tablet away.
"I'll have to analyze the data and do more testing, but there's definitely something here, John." He seems excited.
"Yeah?"
"Nothing man made, or more, to the point, alien made like a convenient energy source, but there's a metal these people use that is definitely loaded," he says, eyes shining.
"Cool." John stretches, getting comfortable and crosses his ankles. He likes this planet a whole lot.
He does, even when a pretty woman who has been eying Rodney all afternoon comes over and finally has the guts to speak to him. She's very young, though, and a brunette so John squishes down the impulse to hate her on principle.
"Doctor McKay? I am Lya, apprentice of Raom," she says with a shy smile.
"Raom as in the guy who's the teacher around here, right?" Rodney asks, curious.
"Yes." Lya nods. "We are of the opinion that we could learn much from you and your companions."
As expected, Rodney puffs up at that.
"I believe you could, yes. I know a lot of things about lots of stuff."
"May I ask what this is?" she asks, pointing at the tablet.
"This?" Rodney takes it, and then wakes it up. A series of curves and data appear and the girls' eyes go wide. "We call it a tablet. A computer. It can do complex mathematical calculations and analyze many parameters."
John is not sure if he should be annoyed by this or if it's just jealousy speaking. They usually don't flaunt their technology around, just in case the locals decide to become difficult and want some, too, and then follow that logic by taking the man that seems to make it work best on top.
"That is fascinating," Lya says. "Your planet must a place of many wonders, is it not?"
"Yeah," Rodney agrees. "Atlantis is the most awesome city ever. And Earth is not so shabby itself, sometimes."
It takes a second to register, but John gapes, not believing what he's hearing.
"Atlantis? Earth?" Lya asks and surely Rodney won't...
"We are from Earth, far away from here, but we found Atlantis about 6 years ago..." Rodney continues even if his playful tone is gone. John grips his arm, hard.
"Hey!" John hisses, trying to look somehow friendly to Lya still. "I think that's enough, why don't we go take a walk before we eat?"
"Yes, yes, a walk!" Rodney says, and now that John looks at him he doesn't look so great. He springs to his feet and John follows. As soon as they are out of earshot, at least of most of the locals, Rodney turns to him, wild eyed. John is still pretty pissed.
"What was that?" he asks and Rodney's eyes go round.
"I answered her questions, that's what happened!" Rodney says, clutching his head. "And now I have to answer you, too. I just have to! I don't know what's happening!"
John frowns.
"What do you mean, you have to?"
Rodney makes an inarticulate sound.
"As in I can't help myself, that's what I mean!"
"Like a compulsion?"
"Yes!" Rodney says, distressed. "God, John, what is happening to me?"
Fuck, this might be another deception and John has had it up to here with people trying to con them.
"Did you drink or eat anything?" he asks.
"I drank from my canteen and ate a couple of power bars, nothing local."
"Then how..."
Rodney groans and massages his temples.
"Shit, don't ask questions I cannot answer, it fucking hurts! And while we're at it, please don't ask any questions at all anymore, will you?"
"Okay, okay," John says. He clicks his radio. "Teyla, Ronon, we have a situation. We need to gate out ASAP."
"We are coming, John," Teyla answers.
John can't help but hover near Rodney, and right now he's in a zone where he'll hit someone in the face now and ask questions later if anyone comes close. Rodney looks miserable and panicky, clutching his tablet to his chest like a blanket and as soon as Ronon and Teyla arrive, John ushers them close.
"What's the problem?" Ronon asks, his blaster in hand. He probably saw John's white knuckled grip on the P-90.
"The problem is that something is wrong with me!" Rodney says. "Can we go now?"
"We need to get Rodney back to Atlantis right now," John says. "And no he can't say goodbye first," he adds, when Teyla opens her mouth so speak. "He's been drugged, somehow."
"Are you well?" Teyla asks, looking concerned.
"No, I am not!" Rodney says, impatient. "I don't feel bad unless I cannot answer something or try to lie. But right now anyone could get me to spill the gate address to Atlantis, the self-destruction code or the coordinates to Earth. So I am very far from okay."
"All good reasons to take him back ASAP," John says.
"These guys did this?" Ronon asks, looking as betrayed as John feels about their deception. You really can never trust people to be as they seem anymore.
"I think so!" Rodney says, but as John has started to notice, a question that cannot be answered totally truthfully seems to give Rodney a headache, if the rubbing of his temples is an indication.
"When did the compulsion to answer everything start? Just now as we were waiting to eat?" John asks.
Rodney blinks, tries to think and scrunches his face.
"No, no before that, I think. Wait, I think... no that's impossible." Rodney starts to pace. "I did answer a stupid question by Ramirez this morning, and then wondered why I had even bothered, but I chalked it up to the fact it was before my first coffee. Could it be..."
John looks around once more and no one seems ready to make a grab for his scientist. Could it be that they are innocent? The music is starting and John's pretty sure that they are expected to go back to the deliciously smelling banquet. No chance of that, unfortunately.
"I'm taking Rodney back," John decides. "Give our apologies and a bit of bullshit to the officials, then come back too."
"Understood," Teyla says. "We will follow shortly."
Rodney starts down the path towards the gate at once.
"You're going to be fine," John says, trying to reassure him.
"You can't know that," Rodney answers with a scowl.
John has to admit he's right.
***
Keller gives the blood sample to a technician and then turns back to them.
"For the moment, I cannot detect any physiological change. I'll have the results later," she assures.
"There must be something!" Rodney has passed the anger phase and is more into defeated.
"I'd like to do scans of your brain activity, to see if everything is under control," she says.
"Okay, yes," Rodney says. "But what I really want to know is how you'll stop this."
"I'll do by best," Jennifer answers, a bit tense.
"I know, I know," Rodney sighs. "I'm just really freaked out right now."
They've been in the infirmary since they got back, but it's time to debrief.
"I need to go report this to Woolsey," John says as Jennifer makes Rodney give a drop of blood for her analyzer.
"Yes, you do that. I think I'll stay here a little bit," Rodney says.
"I shall come back later, Rodney," Teyla assures him.
"Thanks. It's boring as hell over here unless I have visitors."
John turns to Keller.
"If you get any clue about what is happening, call me," he says.
"Yes, Colonel," she agrees with a nod.
John taps Rodney's shoulder, trying to be comforting though he doesn't have much practice at that kind of thing.
"Hang in there, Buddy."
"I will, I will. Now go do what you need to do," Rodney says. He looks miserable. "I just hope that this fades as soon as possible.
"I hear ya. See you later," John says.
***
"He has to answer all questions if he's asked directly?" Woolsey asks.
He looks fascinated. To be honest, that annoys John a little because this is not funny and Rodney is not an experiment gone wrong.
"Yes, from the little testing we did in the infirmary. On top, he has to say the truth. When he's not totally honest, his head starts to ache," John confirms. "We need to change the command staff codes until he's better."
"Do you think someone wants to take over Atlantis?"
John knows that Woolsey has read the file about the Genii invasion. Since that fiasco, they have been careful with unknown individuals and even with allies, but who knows?
"I don't think so but we can't take any chances," John says. "Also, I think we should tell as few people as possible about Rodney's condition for now. There's nothing worse than the rumor mill, and I don't want anyone to try and take advantage of this."
"I agree. I am sure Doctor McKay can arrange to work from his quarters." Woolsey taps a finger on his chin. "Major Lorne and Doctor Zelenka?" he suggests.
Nodding, John adds, "Yes. And someone else from the science team, maybe Miko, so there's always someone to play liaison."
"And how do we explain Doctor McKay's absence?" Woolsey asks.
"That we don't say. The rumors will fly, but then we won't have lied to anyone when it's over. The other solution is to say he's sick in a general sense, and that we want to avoid contagion. We should ask Rodney what he prefers," John says.
"I will," Woolsey says. "So, for the codes?"
"Let's do it."
***
A couple of hours later John goes by the infirmary but Rodney's been released already.
"How is he?" John ask Keller, who's working on a piece of equipment in the corner of her workplace. She sighs.
"Cranky. Defensive. Afraid," she lists. "He's getting paranoid that he'll let something slip, may it be personal or something that would endanger someone."
Just about what John expected. This really sucks.
"Is there a way to make it easier for him?"
"Asking as few direct questions as possible is a fair bet, but I think he just wants a bit of space," Keller says.
"And what the fuck is causing it? Any leads?"
"Nothing solid. There seems to be some increase activity in parts of Rodney's frontal lobe, temporal lobe and cingulate gyrus, at least more so than usual. I don't understand what is causing it. But this chemical in Rodney's bloodstream has been nagging me for days," she says, pointing to the machine in front of her. "It didn't seem to affect Rodney in any way, but who knows."
"The stuff the Terivians gave him?" John asks, and he knows that is important. "Delayed reaction?"
"If it was delayed at all," Jennifer says while scrunching her face. "Rodney says what is on his mind pretty much all the time."
That's... right. He does, and in great details. John tries to think of recent conversations and all he can come up with is the "I can't believe the shit I watch just to spend some time with you" comment and their argument about the necessities of training.
Jennifer is studying a graph when she freezes, then rolls her chair to her laptop.
"Could it be..." she mutters, then starts typing furiously, bringing up a molecule on her screen, which rotates on itself to show its three dimensions. On the other half of her monitor, she brings up another molecule, blue this time. The structures are almost identical.
"Got you," she says.
"What is it?"
"Amobarbital's Pegasus cousin," Jennifer declares, looking at him now.
Crap, John thinks. He hates truth serum.
Part 2
Fandom: Stargate Atlantis
Word Count/ Rating: 16 500 words, NC-17
Characters/Pairings: John Sheppard/Rodney McKay, Jennifer Keller (past McKay/Keller), Ronon, Teyla
Warnings: nothing I see as triggery, but there is kidnapping and drugging without consent
Notes: This fic was made for syfybigbang (where I want to thank the mods for bringing this to the end!), plus I owe big hugs to xmaidelx who did a fabulous job with the art, and assure my undying devotion to jaydblu and siluria for the beta ♥
Summary: John is really tired of aliens trying to kidnap Rodney. One of these days, soon, he's going to punch everyone in the face and confine Rodney on Atlantis, if possible in bubble wrap. Fortunately, this time they got him back from the sneaky Terivians before something bad happened, so it was just a bad scare. Or was it? Rodney's acting a bit strangely afterwards, saying things that rattle John's mind. Could it be that his hopeless crush on the man is mutual?
Master fic post: here
John pokes his P-90 in the back of the Counselor and shoves. He's done being patient.
"Get a move on," he says through clenched teeth.
Seriously, his finger is starting to twitch on the trigger again.
"Yes, yes, Colonel Sheppard, of course," Counselor Jing says, terrified and now obsequious. "I am taking you to the chambers in the most rapid of ways."
Two faced bastards, the lot of them, John thinks. They were so happy to trade with the Atlanteans, they had said with much bowing. They had heard wonders about their technology, of course, they had added with pretty smiles. Maybe such esteemed and knowledgeable visitors could help the Terivians fix this and that, and in return they'd be most generous, they had assured. The same old song and dance, with the little side couplet where they stole half of his team.
John can't believe he didn't even worry about Rodney and Ronon being MIA, not soon enough. It's his fucking job to keep his eyes on Rodney and make sure he's safe. But after they had toured the living areas, they'd been split as it often happened: fun and tech for Rodney, schmoozing and negotiations for John and Teyla.
As usual Ronon had shadowed Rodney, which never had to be said in occasions like that - it was their way. So, foolishly, John had thought that all was under control. Nothing could happen to Rodney if Ronon was there for him, right? It's easy to forget that even with all of his assets, Ronon is far from invincible.
**
earlier that day
The negotiations had given John a headache; it was probably in part because of the sweet smelling herbs burning in the room for good auspices. He suspected that the throbbing would clear up as soon a he got some fresh air, but it was annoying enough that he couldn't quite think straight.
"We would be pleased to welcome you to our table, Colonel Sheppard and Teyla Emmagan," the Counselor, a little man dressed in blue, had offered. "Surely you can eat with us before going back through the Ring of the Ancestors?"
John shot a glance at Teyla but she was smiling and discretely nodded her accord to him: score 1 for the Terivians.
"Just a sec," John said.
John stepped out of the sacred negotiating chambers where no technology was allowed, holstered his hand gun, snapped his P-90 in place and put his radio back on. At least no one had tried to take them. The blue guy seemed intrigued.
"Rodney, Ronon, come in," John called.
He was met with silence, which made John frown. The Counselor was pointing to the radio.
"Does that device permit you to reach your friends from a distance?" he asked.
The question was a reminder that many of the planets they visited were almost totally technologically deprived. John nodded.
"Yes, it's called a radio. It sends a signal to a similar device my friends have. Normally, they'd call me back." He clicked the radio again. "Rodney, Ronon, Sheppard here. Do you read?"
Still no answer. Teyla touched his arm.
"If I remember correctly, the Terivians have an elaborate system of tunnels in the mountain. They are probably out of reach of the signal," she said.
The man in blue smiled. His name was Jing, John suddenly remembered.
"Yes, Doctor McKay agreed to look at the geothermic heaters," Jing said. "They are far down the mountain."
It made John relax a bit.
"When are they due back?" he asked.
"Soon, I would think," Jing assured. "I reiterate my invitation for the meal."
Since they were stuck here anyway, John took an executive decision.
"It would be a pleasure, Jing of Terivia," he said, inclining his head. The move sure worked for Teal'c and Teyla: if John was lucky, it gave him a tiny bit of cool, too.
They were led to the equivalent of a mess hall, in a cavern of the first level that was large enough to have dozens of low tables. John appreciated that their entry wasn't a big production, though it got awfully quiet for a beat, before conversations started back in earnest.
Jing led them to a free table near the middle of the room, where Teyla lowered herself gracefully to her cushion. It was a bit clumsier on John's part, but he managed.
"We will do a proper feast when our alliance is official," Jing said. "Please do not take the lack of proper protocol as any sign that we are not thinking highly of you, because we do."
"No problem, this is perfect." John eyed the plates of roasted meat a young man brought them. It smelled great.
"I offer you our sincere thank yous, Counselor Jing," Teyla added. "May this be the first of a long series of meals taken in each other's company."
They started eating, and Jing was a very good host, but the more time passed where John didn't have news of Ronon and Rodney, the more he grew uncomfortable. A young girl, probably no more than 17, came over with something that looked like wine but John refused. He had a minimum of three peaceful visits rule before accepting alcohol on new planets, now. It came from experience.
"I can assure you that the Terivian wine is renowned, Colonel Sheppard," Jing said with a smile, drinking from his own glass.
"I don't doubt it one second, but no thanks." If John hadn't been looking directly at Jing as he said so, he would probably have missed the twitch.
But he did see and looked at Teyla, who was bringing her cup to her lips. John knew she rarely drank, too, and that it was mostly for show. But when she frowned, John immediately turned to Jing and there it was again, that twitch.
"Teyla?"
John tensed as her face changed, closing up. She put both hands on the table and fixed her unnerving glare number two - the one that made grown men start spluttering - towards Jing.
"What is this?" she asked, cold in tone.
It made John pick up his P-90, because that was the "do not fuck with me" voice.
"I do not know what..." Jing started, turning whiter by the second.
"Even Terivian wine cannot completely cover the smell of Onmout," Teyla said.
That didn't sound good at all.
"Onmout?" John asked.
"A very strong sedative. One mouthful of this wine," she said, pushing the cup towards Jing, "and I would have been incapacitated in a matter of minutes."
Oh no, this would not do. And it brought back the need to find Ronon and Rodney NOW.
"I'm going to ask one more time, and if I don't have a satisfactory answer, I swear you won't like the results," John hissed, cocking his P-90. "Where are my teammates?"
"This is a misunderstanding," Jing was saying, but John could see people in the room migrating towards the exits. It just occurred to John that they were all middle aged adults. No kids in sight except for the wine girl, who was long gone. They'd been conned.
Calmer than he felt, John got to his feet.
"Jing?" he said, quietly enough that it seemed to unnerve Jing even more. "I will ask you to take me to my friends. Now."
Jing twisted his hands in his robes and didn't even dare meet John's eyes.
"I cannot..."
John aimed his P-90 at a cloth that had been draped on the wall for color - maybe it was the clan's flag - in a corner of the room where no one stood at the moment. He fired over half his clip, surely 30 bullets, destroying it and sending rocks and ricochet flying all over. The sound was amplified by the cavern and the panicked cries of the Terivians echoed as they ran out of the room. That was another thing with civilizations pretty low on the technological scale: they were always impressed by fireworks.
"Jing?" John asked the little man, now crouched and trembling by the table.
"Y-Yes Colonel Sheppard. I will take you to them. Immediately."
John let a smile show; one that he knew made him look deranged.
"See? I knew we could get along."
***
Even with all of their lies and drugging attempts, the Terivians don't seem to have hidden technology or a warrior class about to come at them with prejudice; or they do have one and they are gathering to strike soon.
"You have to understand that the Terivians mean you no harm," Jing is saying.
"Yeah, right."
John curses inwardly that the corridors going down in the mountain are slightly curving on themselves, making it impossible to see more than a couple of steps ahead.
"You were to drug us, Counselor," Teyla says, still pissed as hell.
"I can assure you that no mistreatment was intended. When you would have come back to yourselves, we would have led you back to the ring of the Ancestors."
"Why drug us in the first place, then?" John asks.
"Only a ritual, to know your true intentions, as is our way," Jing says.
"Wow, talk about trust," John snarks. He'll feel better when they find Ronon and Rodney unharmed. "Ask me if we plan to trade with you guys anytime soon."
Jing looks devastated at that.
"This is a terrible misunderstanding."
"Drugs are not okay. And kidnapping is so far from okay, it's not even in the same galaxy as okay. I do not believe there is a misunderstanding at all, especially if I have to explain this," John says.
They reach a corridor where there's an actual door and someone sitting beside it on the floor. The boy scrambles up when he sees them coming, wiping his hand on his tunic.
"Counselor Jing," he says, then shoots John and Teyla a concerned look.
Something or someone of interest behind the door, then.
"Yuulo, please unlock the door for our guests," Jing demands, which said Yuulo hurries to do.
The room is dark, but a little oil lamp near the door lets them see a silhouette lying on a cot in the back. John opens the flash light on his P-90 and the beam reveals an unconscious Ronon. Teyla is by his side in a flash, touching his brow and shaking his arm.
"Ronon, wake up!" she urges.
"I am afraid he will need the antidote to wake, my lady," Jing says. "But you can see his sleep is peaceful. The Terivians condemn all physical violence."
"Give him the antidote, then," John says, exasperated. "And where's McKay?"
Knowing that Rodney is by himself gives John the hives.
Jing rummages in a pouch at his belt and takes out a little vial with a blue liquid. John tries not to overreact when Jing slightly opens Ronon's jaw and pours a single drop of it between Ronon's lips.
The effect is immediate and Ronon starts to stir. Then, from one heartbeat to the next, Ronon sits up and grabs Jing by the neck, causing the other man to flail.
"I know you poisoned me," Ronon says, slurring his speech a little. "Where's McKay?"
Since Jing is their only source of information for the moment and he is starting to turn purple, John steps forward.
"Let him go, Ronon," John orders. He needs Ronon to obey without thinking and not to snap Jing's neck. "Are you okay buddy?" he asks when Ronon lets go of the Counselor.
"Yeah." Ronon is obviously still fighting for complete consciousness.
"What happened?" John demands as Teyla shines a light in Ronon's eyes.
"McKay worked on their machine, then they gave us something to drink. Next thing I know the room is starting to spin and that is all. I don't remember what happened, but that I woke up just now." Ronon gets up and shakes his arms and legs, trying to get the sedative to exit his system. He turns on Jing who's flush with the wall, eyes as big as saucers. Ronon walks to him, looming with his best glare and if Jing could disappear, he would. "Where's McKay?"
"Not far! Do not hurt me, I will take you to him."
"How about you do that right the fuck now?" John points to the door.
Jing nods, ducking around Ronon and desperately trying not to meet his eyes.
"Follow me, we are almost there."
True enough, not even 300 meters from the room where Ronon was captive is another closed door, though there are no guards this time. John suspects that the first guard warned his friends and they hightailed out. He can hear voices and one is definitely Rodney's.
"Open this," John orders.
With a nod, Jing does a little tap-rap on the door while John gets ready to enter. As soon as the locks are undone and the door opens a fraction, Ronon kicks it in and John enters and sweeps the room. The door slams violently into the person who was opening it, who falls to the floor, and the three other people in the room jump back, looking scared.
"Everyone shows me their hands, now!" John bellows but his eyes are immediately drawn to Rodney, strapped in what looks like a dentist chair.
The relief on Rodney's face is obvious.
"Oh, thank god, there you are. I knew it was just a matter of time before you got here," Rodney says. "See, didn't I tell you that my team would come for me? There you go," he adds, looking at the woman with red hair on his right.
"What..?" the woman starts to say before she sees Jing. "What is this, Counselor?"
"There's been a misunderstanding," Jing starts once again but John is totally fed up by the bullshit.
"I don't think so," he says, already by Rodney's side to undo the straps that are restraining him. "Are you okay?"
"I saw Ronon fall like a potato sack earlier," Rodney says, then throws a thumb up at Ronon, "by the way, glad to see you are okay, pal. I've also been kidnapped and given shady chemicals. What do you think, John? Of course I'm not okay!"
Trying to calm him, John puts a hand on Rodney's arm and squeezes before going to the other end of the chair and unbuckling the straps at Rodney's ankles.
"It's okay, we've got you now."
Rodney's shoulders lose a bit of their tension.
"Yes, it's better now. I knew you'd come for me. But you know me: I can't help but worry," Rodney says.
John smiles at the understatement of the year. He helps Rodney as he gets on his feet.
"Did they drug you?" John asks, because Terivia seems to be the Planet of the Chemicals. Rodney's pupils seem normal, at least.
"I think so. They made me take something," Rodney says. "But if I do feel dizzy, I think it has more do to with not having eaten since breakfast than any ill effects of the drug. Did they drug you, too?"
"They tried," John says. "Come on, we're going."
"I am so, so ready to leave this place." Rodney glares at the Terivians in the room for good measure.
"But he cannot go..." the lady who seems in charge of the experiment says. "The ritual is not complete, and if..."
John cuts her off immediately. He's usually pretty open to any belief systems and has a live and let live attitude on most days, but Rodney's kidnapping was too much for him.
"I don't give a flying fuck about your ritual. We'll go now, but I warn you to never, and I mean ever, try to contact us."
John gestures at Teyla to take point. Usually, she tries to smooth things down after near catastrophes, but she's obviously just as mad as John is. She doesn't even spare a look at the Counselor and they are immediately out the door, going back to the surface and Ronon is all but growling as he covers their six. The Terivians jump out of their way and no one, John notices, looks innocent. They all knew and it's the hypocrisy that makes him even madder.
"I cannot believe this happened to me again," Rodney mumbles as they swiftly walk towards the gate.
"What can I say, you're a catch McKay," John teases now that he feels they aren't in danger anymore. Maybe if he jokes about it he'll relax a little himself.
"That's so not funny right now," Rodney says with a sigh.
To be honest, days like this John flirts with the idea that he should convince Rodney to stay on Atlantis at all times, and if possible in bubble wrap, so people stop trying to snatch him. But he never says it or acts on it because he knows that it would hurt Rodney's feelings, who loves being on the Team even if he bitches most of the time. Also, John often needs Rodney's fast thinking when shit hits the fan.
It's only when they step back onto Atlantis that John relaxes for real. In his book, coming back uninjured from a mission is overall a good day. When John looks up and meets Woolsey's eyes, he doesn't need to say anything to announce that there's bad news, just a shake of the head.
"Debrief in one hour?" Woolsey asks.
"See you then," John agrees.
Rodney has given his P-90 to a Marine and is already walking towards the infirmary.
"I'm going to make sure those lunatics didn't give me a slow acting poison," he says.
John eyes Ronon who looks to be on his way to the locker rooms.
"Hey, you too big guy."
Ronon doesn't seem to have any aftereffects of being drugged, but one cannot be too careful.
"I'm fine," he shrugs.
"You know it's procedure. Come on, we're all going," John says.
When they get to the infirmary, Jennifer is already drawing blood from Rodney.
"I don't know what it did, but I didn't feel so great," he's explaining. "Must not have been what they gave Ronon, he fell like a sequoia tree."
"It seems the Terivians change their chemicals from one potential victim to the other," John adds.
"I would agree," Teyla says. "Onmout would not induce sleep instantly on a man as strong as Ronon, and Rodney did not feel sleepy as a result of whatever they gave him."
"It was really disgusting," Rodney says with a little shudder.
"I'm going to do a full battery of tests," Jennifer assures with her indulgent smile.
John is happy that Rodney and Jennifer have managed to remain friends after the breakup, even if it seemed awkward at first. For a big city, they're basically living in each other's pockets on Atlantis, so a cordial understanding is best for everyone.
"You know, sometimes I wonder if you don't take sadistic pleasure in bleeding me like this," Rodney remarks as Jennifer pulls the needle out.
"Tut tut, stop complaining!" she chides playfully.
Rodney's holding his elbow, pressure on the cotton ball over the needle puncture.
"I'd complain less if it was over. Is this over?"
"Yes, you can go."
"Thank god, I didn't feel like staying here one more minute. I'm starving, I'll get something from the mess and meet you guys in the conference room," Rodney says, waving goodbye.
"Who's next?" asks Jennifer.
***
Rodney looks a little less wide-eyed when they meet for the debriefing.
"Please tell us what happened on your end, Doctor McKay," Woolsey asks when John has finished his report.
"Sure. As Colonel Sheppard said, I went down in the mountain to have a look at their technology. Let’s tell it as it is, technology is a big term: it's a glorified geothermic pump to help with heating the place, but that's all they have. It was old and patched up, so I suggested some improvements. Then they brought drinks and the next thing I know, Ronon is falling down. I freaked out, they brought me in a room and forced me to take a bitter green liquid before strapping me down. Then they left me for a while, by myself."
Rodney visibly shivers and John is mad once again. Shit like that is not supposed to happen on his watch.
"There was no give in the straps, struggling did nothing. Neither did yelling. I thought maybe it was poison and that I was going to die all alone in horrible suffering, but then they came back and started asking questions..." Rodney continues.
"Questions?" John asks.
"What we were doing on Terivia, what we wished to trade for, stuff like that," Rodney said. "By then I was wondering if they'd torture me for Atlantis' gate address or something but you guys arrived," he adds with a smile their way. "Great timing."
John doesn't say out loud that he should have been there a good half hour before. Maybe he could have prevented the whole ordeal. He thinks it, though.
"As soon as we knew something was fishy we went searching," John assures.
Woolsey sighs.
"This is most unfortunate, but at least everyone is back and unharmed," he says.
Rodney nods.
"Yes. One day, we won't be that lucky, though," Rodney says. "Are we done, here? Because I have more interesting things to do with my time than rehash how we always seem to land on pro-bondage planets."
John snorts and Rodney smiles smugly at him.
"You're so twelve."
John rolls his eyes.
"Am not," he replies.
"I think we are done, yes," Woolsey says and if John interprets the look correctly, it's 80 percent fondness and only 20 percent exasperation.
"Excellent. I am out of here," Rodney declares, already going for the door.
***
John's walking towards Lorne's office when he bumps into a preoccupied Keller who has her eyes fixed on her tablet. John manages to avoid a head on collision but it's a close call. Jennifer looks up at him, surprised out of her bubble.
"Oh, sorry, I wasn’t looking where I was going again, huh?" she asks with a smile.
John can see what Rodney liked in her: she's sweet and beautiful... but God, does John hate her with the power of a thousand suns for no reason at all. Okay, that's not true: he hates her for having Rodney, but then not realizing how special that was and dumping his ass, though amicably.
"Not really no," John says, forcing a smile. She holds his life in her hands too often; you always have to be as chummy as you can with your doctor and your mechanic (another rule John learned over the years).
She does a little head duck with a grin and John hopes to high heavens she's not considering flirting with him or he's going to lose it.
"I suppose Rodney is in the lab, right?" she asks, thankfully not pursuing the cute routine.
"Yes?" That's a stupid question and since Keller is not dumb, it means there's something serious going on. "What's wrong?"
"I got your blood work results back," she says, starting to walk towards the lab. "I need to check something."
"Is Rodney okay?" John is suddenly worried again. Shit, maybe Rodney was poisoned after all; usually Keller has them go to her, not the other way around.
"That's what I want to check," she says cryptically.
John appoints himself as moral support and follows. When they get to the labs, Rodney is busy looking intently at a device with Zelenka. The two of them are bowed over it, heads almost touching, trading ideas back and forth in that way they do sometimes. As if the almost mind reading isn't enough, Rodney's talking with his hands and Radek gestures right back in counterargument. John has always found it endearing.
After a minute of standing by their sides silently, unnoticed, Keller coughs.
"Rodney? A minute please?"
As if he needs a second to get out of the scientist subspace, Rodney looks over and blinks as if he's never seen Keller in his life, then his attention flicks to John and focuses immediately, jumping back to Jennifer. His eyes grow wide and he puts his hand where he got blood drawn the day before.
"Oh shit!" he says. "I'm dying!"
"You are not dying." Jennifer rolls her eyes. "Stop being so over dramatic."
"That's our Rodney." John smiles fondly.
"Well excuse me, I got kidnapped again, I think I am entitled to a little worry," Rodney says, crossing his arms over his chest.
John reaches to touch Rodney on the arm, which calms him a little. He found that out years ago, how touch seems to ground him. By now, John knows how to make it happen in a way that Rodney doesn't even realize he's doing it.
"When analyzing your blood, I found a chemical compound that must be what they made you drink. I just need to check if the levels have gone down in the last couple of hours," Jennifer explains.
"And since when do you come to the blood and not summon us to you?" Rodney asks suspiciously. "And what is that chemical, any idea?"
"I don't know yet. But I was going to the microbiology and chemistry lab to see Doctor Bisson about the growth rate of that fungus with possible antibiotic properties anyway, we'll get on it. Since I've re-calibrated this," she wiggles a little analyzer, the type you use for sugar levels, "I just need a drop and I'll be on my way."
It should not surprise John anymore how all of this expedition is so goddamn smart. Keller modified the thingy as if it's nothing and he'd bet a Mars bar that it's really not that simple. Even Rodney seems happily surprised.
"No syringe? Well I guess I can afford to part with one more drop, then," Rodney says while Jennifer is wiping his finger with an alcohol-soaked towelette.
"That's pretty cool," John says. "What about Ronon?"
"The compound in his blood, a different one, is rapidly disintegrating, even in the samples I had. He's probably free of it by now," Keller says. "I'll check, of course."
Rodney makes the obligatory "ow!" when Keller pinches the tip of his middle finger with a needle and gathers the crimson drop on the end of an analyzing strip. Rodney tries to look at the little display at the same time as Keller while John is highly distracted by Rodney sucking on the end of his finger. John’s traitorous mind transposes the visual and he has to look away before he starts blushing. Jesus. He definitely needs to get laid and soon.
"So?" Rodney asks as Jennifer makes a little humming sound.
"No change, but it's early yet. How about you come by the infirmary before meal times so we can monitor it?"
Rodney nods.
"Yes, okay. A bit inconvenient but it could be way worse. You’ll tell me as soon as you know what that thing is?"
"Of course," Jennifer says, tapping Rodney's arm lightly. "See you later."
To distract Rodney from whatever is still in his blood, John points to the device on the work bench.
"What is this?" John asks.
As expected, it works like a charm.
"Oh, this is a control module for emergency atmospheric purification. When we were off-world, Radek had the brilliant idea to test it in a controlled quarantine setting," Rodney starts.
It surprises a grin out of Zelenka.
"Brilliant? You are too kind, Rodney."
Rodney huffs.
"Please, you know I value your work, don't play the modesty card. If I say this is good, it's because I am able to see it. I may re-assess this if you keep making inane remarks, though."
"So what does it do?" John asks.
"Didn't I just say it's for emergency atmospheric purification? That was not clear enough? Well guess what, it purifies atmosphere! You shouldn't play stupid, John, I know you better than that."
You don't know the half of it, John thinks but then prods Rodney and Radek into explaining the possible wonders of an atmosphere purifier this efficient.
****
A close call with abduction - or fully fledged abduction - always makes John angsty. It generally results in pushing Rodney to train even more to get as proficient at hand combat as he can, so he could hopefully get out of dangerous situations by himself. Being a scientist gives Rodney an element of surprise if he decides to fight back. He's got tons of potential, being shaped like a linebacker, and he should put as much practice as he can into it. To make it easier, John arranges for it to be a Team activity. Not that Rodney appreciates his efforts or anything.
"Oh, god, you know I hate this," Rodney says as they are going to the gym. "There's nothing funny in getting my ass kicked repeatedly, let me tell you."
"I know." John does understand. "But it's important."
Rodney sighs.
"I know you think so, yeah. But I hate sucking at something."
John would be willing to bet that Rodney's been avoiding putting himself in situations where he can be seen as mere ordinary for a long time, probably since he didn't have those obligatory gym class anymore.
"You're getting better, Rodney," John assures. And he mostly is.
"And you're just saying that so I try again," Rodney says wryly.
"You think too much." John bumps his shoulder. And it's true, if Rodney would just embrace the strength he possesses, he'd be almost all of the way there.
"Well excuse me, but thinking is my main occupation, it's not like I can shut it off, even for 45 minutes of torture," Rodney says.
They have arrived though, and Teyla welcomes them with a smile from her lotus position near the stained glass. Ronon is doing his not-really-a-Kata in the back, with extra gusto, so John guesses he got his ass handed to him. He winces because that's not exactly the mood he needs Ronon to be in to teach Rodney some moves.
"John, Rodney, I am happy to see you," Teyla says as she gets to her feet with the grace of a dancer.
"I wish I was happy to be here," Rodney says, sounding miserable. "Did you really need to beat up Ronon before I got here?"
It surprises a laugh out of John, who sometimes forgets that Rodney sees what he wants to see and therefore most threats to his health.
"Come on, let's start together. It'll let the big guy cool off," John coaxes.
With an epic put upon face, Rodney nods while Teyla gives him a pair of sticks. John starts easy, going through the routine they've been practicing for weeks now, even if he ups the pace a little. He's happily surprised that Rodney mostly keeps up, looking a bit shocked at his efficiency.
"Very good, Rodney," Teyla says. "Keep your front stick a bit more elevated."
"I'm trying, I'm trying."
Rodney is circling slowly and John strikes by stepping in, breaking the rhythm. It takes Rodney by surprise though he manages to block the blow partially before shoving John away. It's John's turn to not expect the move and he stumbles backwards and gets a sharp blow to his thigh in the process. Of course Rodney second guesses the whole thing and doesn't press his advantage, letting John get his balance back. John faces him again, grinning.
"See?"
"Not bad, McKay," Ronon says. "Can you do it again?"
Rodney's still wide eyed that he managed to get a hit in and then grins.
"Maybe? Oh. Wow. I guess this isn't a waste of time after all," he says, but draws back in, letting his mind take the front and center again.
If Rodney wants to learn, John needs to give him a lesson. He lunges in, easily going through Rodney's defenses while he's not focusing on what has to be done, and manages three hits in rapid succession.
It was exactly the thing not to do, and John realizes it as soon as Rodney's shoulders sag. John's used to training with people who make it a point of honor to give their all and where a challenge is motivating. Rodney doesn't work like that, not with physical activities. The little demonstration just made him lose all momentum and he all but throws his sticks to the ground.
"What's the fucking use, huh?" Rodney looks humiliated and John could kick himself, hard. "Why don't you guys just leave me alone with this fucking training crap and just do your job and protect me, as you should?" he spits out.
It's meant to hurt and it does: protecting Rodney was John's job and he failed again, he doesn't need anyone to remind him of that. That no one was injured or worse was only luck.
"Come on, Rodney," John pleads, trying to not let it show that he's shaken by the finger pointing. "You know that to get better, we have to go harder on you."
"I've had enough of that fucked up motivational crap from my parents," Rodney says, and then makes a face as if he'd never wanted to share that, but that's McKay for you. "I don't expect it from my friends, too."
With that he officially gives up, tossing his sticks aside and gripping his towel, wiping down the sweat.
"Anyway, I need to get some work done," Rodney continues. "Amuse yourselves beating each other just as hard as you want, I'm out of here."
He leaves and John winces when Rodney doesn't even try to make eye contact with him but nods at Teyla and Ronon.
"Later," John says nonetheless before the door closes after Rodney.
"You messed up," Ronon sums up succinctly, poking John in a thigh with his stick. John sighs.
"I know, fuck. I sometimes forget how he gets."
"It's McKay." Ronon shrugs, as there should be no way to forget something like that.
"Rodney will be fine," Teyla says. "But you know better, John."
Great, so John has disappointed Teyla on top. But he might have an idea to make it better so hopefully that won't last long.
***
It's almost the end of hot dinner service and John hasn't seen Rodney in the mess hall yet. He must still be working, reasserting his confidence by working on stuff on which he has full control. It's high time that John does something to make it better, that's for sure; he grabs one of the butterscotch puddings and leaves for the lab. Surprisingly, Rodney is not alone, he's with half a dozen of his best and they're in a half circle around the white board.
John leans against the door frame and just watches them for a little bit. Rodney is in the middle, holding the marker and everyone else is speaking over each other. John can't really follow what they are talking about, obviously a brainstorming session, but once in a while Rodney points and reformulates, before writing something on the wall. He's liberal with the comments, generally acerbic, but once or twice he obviously praises someone. It seems as if John caught the tail of it, because a couple of minutes in Rodney stops writing new things on the board. They then start to argue about the priority order, which takes another five, before the merry gang disbands. That's John cue, so he goes to Rodney's side, not daring to brush shoulders just yet as he tries to decipher the scribbling. A to do list, by the look of it.
"Doesn't look like you guys are going to get bored anytime soon."
The list has small and big projects that could occupy everyone for years. Rodney snorts.
"Yeah. And that's the short list. We have so much work to do and so little qualified personnel to do it that I often wonder how we keep this city afloat."
"You probably missed the meatloaf by now," John says.
"I know." Rodney nods. "But this has been nagging me for days."
"So you give your crew some latitude on what to work on next?" John asks, a bit surprised because he was pretty sure that Rodney decided everything in excruciating details.
"No. I just make them believe they do," he says, throwing John a sideways smile and John can't help but laugh.
"Good one. You planned all of that?" John gestures to the white board.
"Mostly. They're predictable," Rodney says. "Is that pudding?"
He's zeroed in on the peace offering, of course. John gives it to him.
"Yeah. You know, about..." John starts, gathering his courage and ready to grovel a little bit. Rodney raises a hand, stalling his sort of apology.
"Shush, no need to have a moment, here." Rodney searches through his drawer and triumphally takes out a spoon, which he polishes on his lab coat. He then looks at John full on for the first time since this afternoon. "I get why you do it. But it's really not helping."
John sighs once more.
"I know, sorry. It's selfish, really. I'd feel a lot better when we're separated if I knew that you could hold your side in a tussle. And you can, Rodney, you are getting better."
"Yeah, right. But I hate it, even though I appreciate the tough love," Rodney says.
"Ha, see, I knew it! You like it," John crows.
"Did you even hear what I said?" Rodney asks, shaking his head. "I like the sentiment. The bruises? I'll take a pass!"
"Are you done for the day?" John tries the puppy eyes. "We could play a little chess."
Rodney nods, and then smirks.
"Yes, I'm done. Planning to let me win to feel better?" Rodney asks and he's way too perceptive.
"Why would I do that?" John says, though it was exactly what he had planned. Rodney raises one eyebrow.
"Because it's what you do? It's nice, but I don't feel like being condescended."
John raises his hands in a placating gesture, and decides not to insist. At least Rodney is talking to him again and he doesn't look pissed anymore.
"A movie, then? I think someone has Point Break." John's been saving that one for a special occasion.
Predictably, Rodney rolls his eyes but he follows as they get out of the lab and go for the transporters.
"Okay, a movie. But oh my god, I can't believe the shit I watch just to spend some time with you," he says.
Before John can wrap his mind about what that might mean, they bump into Kavanagh and Rodney spends a good five minutes bringing down his latest report. By the time John has to physically get in the middle to stall a fight and then get them on their way, the moment has passed and he doesn't dare ask about it.
***
It's one of the nice missions, finally.
Okay so it's quite early in the day to say so, but for the moment everything is going greatly and it cannot hurt to be an optimist. John smiles at the kids who are running in front of them and keeps an eye on Rodney who walks around with his eyes glued to his tablet. The sun is bright but it's not too warm, the natives seem happy enough to see them and there's enough scientific data of one form or another to keep Rodney busy and happy. He notices that even Ronon looks utterly relaxed and John takes a big breath, happy at the respite. This is exactly what they needed.
After some negotiation done expertly by Teyla, they sit around while a beast is being roasted for supper - it smells absolutely delicious - and chat with the locals. Rodney sits beside John and finally puts his tablet away.
"I'll have to analyze the data and do more testing, but there's definitely something here, John." He seems excited.
"Yeah?"
"Nothing man made, or more, to the point, alien made like a convenient energy source, but there's a metal these people use that is definitely loaded," he says, eyes shining.
"Cool." John stretches, getting comfortable and crosses his ankles. He likes this planet a whole lot.
He does, even when a pretty woman who has been eying Rodney all afternoon comes over and finally has the guts to speak to him. She's very young, though, and a brunette so John squishes down the impulse to hate her on principle.
"Doctor McKay? I am Lya, apprentice of Raom," she says with a shy smile.
"Raom as in the guy who's the teacher around here, right?" Rodney asks, curious.
"Yes." Lya nods. "We are of the opinion that we could learn much from you and your companions."
As expected, Rodney puffs up at that.
"I believe you could, yes. I know a lot of things about lots of stuff."
"May I ask what this is?" she asks, pointing at the tablet.
"This?" Rodney takes it, and then wakes it up. A series of curves and data appear and the girls' eyes go wide. "We call it a tablet. A computer. It can do complex mathematical calculations and analyze many parameters."
John is not sure if he should be annoyed by this or if it's just jealousy speaking. They usually don't flaunt their technology around, just in case the locals decide to become difficult and want some, too, and then follow that logic by taking the man that seems to make it work best on top.
"That is fascinating," Lya says. "Your planet must a place of many wonders, is it not?"
"Yeah," Rodney agrees. "Atlantis is the most awesome city ever. And Earth is not so shabby itself, sometimes."
It takes a second to register, but John gapes, not believing what he's hearing.
"Atlantis? Earth?" Lya asks and surely Rodney won't...
"We are from Earth, far away from here, but we found Atlantis about 6 years ago..." Rodney continues even if his playful tone is gone. John grips his arm, hard.
"Hey!" John hisses, trying to look somehow friendly to Lya still. "I think that's enough, why don't we go take a walk before we eat?"
"Yes, yes, a walk!" Rodney says, and now that John looks at him he doesn't look so great. He springs to his feet and John follows. As soon as they are out of earshot, at least of most of the locals, Rodney turns to him, wild eyed. John is still pretty pissed.
"What was that?" he asks and Rodney's eyes go round.
"I answered her questions, that's what happened!" Rodney says, clutching his head. "And now I have to answer you, too. I just have to! I don't know what's happening!"
John frowns.
"What do you mean, you have to?"
Rodney makes an inarticulate sound.
"As in I can't help myself, that's what I mean!"
"Like a compulsion?"
"Yes!" Rodney says, distressed. "God, John, what is happening to me?"
Fuck, this might be another deception and John has had it up to here with people trying to con them.
"Did you drink or eat anything?" he asks.
"I drank from my canteen and ate a couple of power bars, nothing local."
"Then how..."
Rodney groans and massages his temples.
"Shit, don't ask questions I cannot answer, it fucking hurts! And while we're at it, please don't ask any questions at all anymore, will you?"
"Okay, okay," John says. He clicks his radio. "Teyla, Ronon, we have a situation. We need to gate out ASAP."
"We are coming, John," Teyla answers.
John can't help but hover near Rodney, and right now he's in a zone where he'll hit someone in the face now and ask questions later if anyone comes close. Rodney looks miserable and panicky, clutching his tablet to his chest like a blanket and as soon as Ronon and Teyla arrive, John ushers them close.
"What's the problem?" Ronon asks, his blaster in hand. He probably saw John's white knuckled grip on the P-90.
"The problem is that something is wrong with me!" Rodney says. "Can we go now?"
"We need to get Rodney back to Atlantis right now," John says. "And no he can't say goodbye first," he adds, when Teyla opens her mouth so speak. "He's been drugged, somehow."
"Are you well?" Teyla asks, looking concerned.
"No, I am not!" Rodney says, impatient. "I don't feel bad unless I cannot answer something or try to lie. But right now anyone could get me to spill the gate address to Atlantis, the self-destruction code or the coordinates to Earth. So I am very far from okay."
"All good reasons to take him back ASAP," John says.
"These guys did this?" Ronon asks, looking as betrayed as John feels about their deception. You really can never trust people to be as they seem anymore.
"I think so!" Rodney says, but as John has started to notice, a question that cannot be answered totally truthfully seems to give Rodney a headache, if the rubbing of his temples is an indication.
"When did the compulsion to answer everything start? Just now as we were waiting to eat?" John asks.
Rodney blinks, tries to think and scrunches his face.
"No, no before that, I think. Wait, I think... no that's impossible." Rodney starts to pace. "I did answer a stupid question by Ramirez this morning, and then wondered why I had even bothered, but I chalked it up to the fact it was before my first coffee. Could it be..."
John looks around once more and no one seems ready to make a grab for his scientist. Could it be that they are innocent? The music is starting and John's pretty sure that they are expected to go back to the deliciously smelling banquet. No chance of that, unfortunately.
"I'm taking Rodney back," John decides. "Give our apologies and a bit of bullshit to the officials, then come back too."
"Understood," Teyla says. "We will follow shortly."
Rodney starts down the path towards the gate at once.
"You're going to be fine," John says, trying to reassure him.
"You can't know that," Rodney answers with a scowl.
John has to admit he's right.
***
Keller gives the blood sample to a technician and then turns back to them.
"For the moment, I cannot detect any physiological change. I'll have the results later," she assures.
"There must be something!" Rodney has passed the anger phase and is more into defeated.
"I'd like to do scans of your brain activity, to see if everything is under control," she says.
"Okay, yes," Rodney says. "But what I really want to know is how you'll stop this."
"I'll do by best," Jennifer answers, a bit tense.
"I know, I know," Rodney sighs. "I'm just really freaked out right now."
They've been in the infirmary since they got back, but it's time to debrief.
"I need to go report this to Woolsey," John says as Jennifer makes Rodney give a drop of blood for her analyzer.
"Yes, you do that. I think I'll stay here a little bit," Rodney says.
"I shall come back later, Rodney," Teyla assures him.
"Thanks. It's boring as hell over here unless I have visitors."
John turns to Keller.
"If you get any clue about what is happening, call me," he says.
"Yes, Colonel," she agrees with a nod.
John taps Rodney's shoulder, trying to be comforting though he doesn't have much practice at that kind of thing.
"Hang in there, Buddy."
"I will, I will. Now go do what you need to do," Rodney says. He looks miserable. "I just hope that this fades as soon as possible.
"I hear ya. See you later," John says.
***
"He has to answer all questions if he's asked directly?" Woolsey asks.
He looks fascinated. To be honest, that annoys John a little because this is not funny and Rodney is not an experiment gone wrong.
"Yes, from the little testing we did in the infirmary. On top, he has to say the truth. When he's not totally honest, his head starts to ache," John confirms. "We need to change the command staff codes until he's better."
"Do you think someone wants to take over Atlantis?"
John knows that Woolsey has read the file about the Genii invasion. Since that fiasco, they have been careful with unknown individuals and even with allies, but who knows?
"I don't think so but we can't take any chances," John says. "Also, I think we should tell as few people as possible about Rodney's condition for now. There's nothing worse than the rumor mill, and I don't want anyone to try and take advantage of this."
"I agree. I am sure Doctor McKay can arrange to work from his quarters." Woolsey taps a finger on his chin. "Major Lorne and Doctor Zelenka?" he suggests.
Nodding, John adds, "Yes. And someone else from the science team, maybe Miko, so there's always someone to play liaison."
"And how do we explain Doctor McKay's absence?" Woolsey asks.
"That we don't say. The rumors will fly, but then we won't have lied to anyone when it's over. The other solution is to say he's sick in a general sense, and that we want to avoid contagion. We should ask Rodney what he prefers," John says.
"I will," Woolsey says. "So, for the codes?"
"Let's do it."
***
A couple of hours later John goes by the infirmary but Rodney's been released already.
"How is he?" John ask Keller, who's working on a piece of equipment in the corner of her workplace. She sighs.
"Cranky. Defensive. Afraid," she lists. "He's getting paranoid that he'll let something slip, may it be personal or something that would endanger someone."
Just about what John expected. This really sucks.
"Is there a way to make it easier for him?"
"Asking as few direct questions as possible is a fair bet, but I think he just wants a bit of space," Keller says.
"And what the fuck is causing it? Any leads?"
"Nothing solid. There seems to be some increase activity in parts of Rodney's frontal lobe, temporal lobe and cingulate gyrus, at least more so than usual. I don't understand what is causing it. But this chemical in Rodney's bloodstream has been nagging me for days," she says, pointing to the machine in front of her. "It didn't seem to affect Rodney in any way, but who knows."
"The stuff the Terivians gave him?" John asks, and he knows that is important. "Delayed reaction?"
"If it was delayed at all," Jennifer says while scrunching her face. "Rodney says what is on his mind pretty much all the time."
That's... right. He does, and in great details. John tries to think of recent conversations and all he can come up with is the "I can't believe the shit I watch just to spend some time with you" comment and their argument about the necessities of training.
Jennifer is studying a graph when she freezes, then rolls her chair to her laptop.
"Could it be..." she mutters, then starts typing furiously, bringing up a molecule on her screen, which rotates on itself to show its three dimensions. On the other half of her monitor, she brings up another molecule, blue this time. The structures are almost identical.
"Got you," she says.
"What is it?"
"Amobarbital's Pegasus cousin," Jennifer declares, looking at him now.
Crap, John thinks. He hates truth serum.
Part 2