(no subject)
Written for cliche_bingo
Title: Final Tells
Cliche: Truth serum/spells & drugs
Pairing: John/Rodney Caldwell/Elizabeth
Rating: PG
Word Count: 1956
Betas: neevebrody and mischief5 It should go without saying, all mistakes are mine.
Summary: Caldwell tells the truth.
Part of the Sensual Magic AU where John is a vampire and Rodney is not. Follows Vampire Hunter
Final Tells
They’d arrived at full dusk. Rodney had been anxious to get to Caldwell’s as soon as possible. John had been willing to work his way among the lengthening shadows if it made Rodney happy. Besides, as far as John was concerned, the sooner they found out what the Colonel wanted, the sooner they could leave.
The old vamp had given John and Rodney his usual welcome. It was a combination of disapproving sneer for him, and unmasked envy for his Potential. John had happily answered back with his best wise-ass smirk.
Caldwell just nodded. John knew it was the only acknowledgement they were likely to get for agreeing to come. Cordialities over, Steven led the way to the library.
“Make yourselves at home gentlemen. Everything you need should be here. I’ll have my minions bring you both ‘suitable’ beverages while I finish up some other business.”
Rodney immediately busied himself, happily going over all the Potential research again, while John claimed the most comfortable chair in the room. The libertine was content to sprawl there, watching Rodney, and lazily fingering the bite mark on his neck. That his Potential’s obvious claim seemed to be driving Steven Caldwell crazy was just an added bonus.
When Caldwell returned fifteen minutes later, John smirked up at him. He and Rodney had made themselves quite cozy in the old vamp’s absence. John looked like he’d been poured into velvet wingback, and his Potential had casually spread his work out over half the room. John knew it would likely be hours before surfaces reappeared out from under the books and papers. At least Rodney had spared the Persian rug this time. But watching the old colonel swallow his obvious irritation was always fun for John.
Rodney looked up from his scattering of notes and asked Caldwell, “Who was that who just left?”
“That was Ms. Teyla Emmagan. She’s family.” Rodney raised an eyebrow and glanced over at John.
“Vamp family,” John said, answering the unspoken question. "Haven’t seen her around much." He turned to look at Caldwell, “What’s she up to these days, Colonel?”
“Teyla has some personal business to attend to,” was Caldwell’s gruff reply. “She needed some information on our newest vampire hunter.”
John sat up straight, narrowing his eyes. There was cold focus in his voice as he questioned the Colonel. “Do you mean Ronon Dex?
“I’m sorry, Libertine.”
“She’s going after him then.” John sighed and settled back in his chair. “That’s not a good idea. I know him. He’s a good man. A little intent maybe, but he knows how to get the job done and I respect him for it. She should, too.”
“I tried to explain that to her. When his connection to you came up in the background check, I told her, but it wasn’t enough to slow her down. ”
“Is there time to stop her?”
“I’m afraid not. You know how quick she is when she’s determined.”
John nodded in agreement. He knew exactly what Caldwell meant. It was easy to fall into a false sense of ease around Teyla. She carried herself with quiet dignity, her innate elegance a fitting match to this old Victorian. Only himself, the old colonel, and a few others knew how hard won her peace came. She’d struggled fiercely with the darker side of her nature, especially in the early years of her turning. Teyla could be a fierce opponent and it was a mistake to underestimate her abilities. John knew it was wiser to stay on her good side.
Caldwell continued, “She’s after something. Teyla hasn't been the same since Kavanagh. She seems lost.”
“Did you say Kavanagh? Dr. Calvin Kavanagh?” Rodney interrupted, his sharp voice making Caldwell wince.
“Yes, Potential. Dr. Kavanagh. Why are you so interested?”
“I know him. She didn’t…” Rodney couldn’t finish the sentence. “Is he okay?”
“He’s fine. She released him. No doubt, that’s part of her problem. Humans.” Steven shook his head. “Always more trouble than they’re worth.”
John looked uneasy with the entire conversation. “We can’t do anything about it right now," he said. "When Teyla comes back, if she comes back, we’ll ask questions then. Right now, Rodney, I think we should get back to work.” John ignored Rodney’s little glare at the word ‘we’ and got up to speak to Caldwell.
“When are you going to tell Rodney and me about the mirror?” John asked. “I noticed you’ve been staring at it since you walked into the library. It has something to do with why you wanted us here, doesn’t it.” It wasn’t a question.
The full-length mirror dominated its surroundings. Tall, foreboding, it seemed to absorb the light rather than reflect it. Even Rodney had chosen to work on the side of the room farthest away from it.
Caldwell actually looked uncomfortable. John had never seen the old colonel look so out of his element.
“I need your Potential’s help, John. And yours too, of course. Has Rodney found anything yet?”
“What kind of help?” John asked. “It would be nice if you gave us more to go on Steven.”
“He’s looking for more Potentials, John,” Rodney interrupted again. “He needs to know how my kind can travel through the time corridors. That’s it, isn’t it, Colonel Caldwell? That’s no ordinary mirror.
“Both of you come here.” Rodney waved them over. “You’re going to want to see this.” He was wearing his eager, my god, I’ve found it face, and John couldn’t help an indulgent smile back at him.
“Look, right here.” Rodney pointed to a page in one of the ancient manuscripts. “See this, this is the inscription we couldn’t figure out before. Notice how it matches some of the carved detail on the mirror’s frame. We’ve been going at this all wrong, trying to read it like a history text when we should have been looking at it as coordinates. My best guess is that this is a map for moving through time.
“There’s more.” Rodney was about to continue when John held up a hand and stopped him, turning to face Caldwell.
“You don’t seem that surprised by any of this, Colonel.” John said. He stood between Rodney and the old vamp, the instinct to protect his mate taking over. “I think it’s time you told us everything. What exactly do you want Rodney for?”
"I won't hurt him, I promise," Steven replied. John stalked closer and Caldwell backed away, hands raised, looking a bit desperate. “I just want what you and your Potential have, Libertine. She needs rescuing. Why else would she keep appearing to me?”
“Who needs rescuing?” John demanded.
“Elizabeth.” Rodney interrupted a third time. “It’s Elizabeth. I’ve seen her name in the records. She’s a Potential who’s gotten lost like I did, John. Like most of the Potentials did when time went wonky. We have to save her if we can.”
“And the colonel’s part in all this?” John didn’t take his eyes off Caldwell or take pains to conceal his distrust of the old vampire.
“I think the Colonel is her anchor, like you’re mine,” explained Rodney. “They must have gotten separated like we did. Lucky for us, I was able to sense the danger ahead of time. That’s when I put most of my magical ability into that journal and locked it onto your timeline, John. An inspired precaution if I say so myself. Then, you were able to use it like a touchstone and find me. With magic, the combination of you, me, and the book in one time and place was enough to stabilize my reference point. Elizabeth doesn’t have that.”
“Actually,” said Steven, “I think she does.”
John and Rodney just stared at him waiting for him to explain.
“This ‘touchstone’ -- can it take any shape, McKay?”
Rodney thought for a moment before answering. “It would have to be something personal and you’d have to have a way to bring the magic forth. It would have be something the two of you could share. For example, with the book, when I read it aloud to John, it was enough to bind us.”
“What about an inscription?”
“It’s possible,” Rodney answered. “Show it to me. I should have no problem detecting any magic in it if it was crafted by another Potential.”
“I don’t have it. But I’d be willing to wager Elizabeth does.”
“Oh.” Rodney stared at Caldwell in dismay. “This could be bad.”
John had had enough. A few false pretenses he could handle. Hell, he expected that from vamps. A talent for misdirection came ingrained to the undead. But this was starting to sound like Rodney could be at some sort of risk and John would not tolerate it. He bared his fangs, and gave a low threatening growl. Protective hackles up, he snarled at Caldwell, “Time for the truth, you bastard. What the hell did you want us here for?”
The only reason he wasn’t going for the Colonel’s throat -- right the fuck now -- was Rodney. His Potential had no idea how ruthless John could be when protecting his mate. However, by the shock on Caldwell’s face, he had a very good idea of what John could do.
“Wait, John.” Rodney’s soft distress was enough to make John stop and listen. “Don’t. I’m sure I can come up with something. We can’t leave another Potential to drift.”
“We can’t even be sure we can trust what Caldwell’s telling us. He’s been withholding information since the beginning. I can smell it on him.”
“I, I could, I could create a truth spell.”
“You could what? How long have you been able to do that, and why haven’t you told me before?”
“I’ve never done it before. But I’m sure I could and that way we could believe what he’s telling us. John. Please. We have to try if it might save Elizabeth.”
Well now, this could get interesting. John drew back his fangs and eased away from Caldwell. He still kept himself between the old vamp and Rodney. That wouldn’t be changing anytime soon.
“Do you agree to this, Colonel? You let Rodney do his truth thing and when I’m satisfied we have all the information, then I’ll decide whether we’ll help you or not.”
“I agree. It’s the only way you’re going to believe me. Hell, I barely believe half of it. Just do it and get it over with.” Steven closed his eyes, bracing himself.
Rodney took a deep breath and slowly released it. He pressed his fingertips to his temples then let his hands drop to his side. The movement was slow and completely different from Rodney’s usual quick, competent gestures.
“Okay, John, you can ask him.”
“Rodney, that’s it? That’s not very showy. There’s not even anything sparkly happening. Are you sure it’s working?”
It was Caldwell who answered him. “It’s working Sheppard, and I can say with complete honesty that I’m not all that happy about it. Go ahead, ask me about Elizabeth and I’ll tell you everything I know.”
“All right then, let’s get this show on the road.” Seriously, Caldwell had to know that John would be smirking a little over this. “Steven, tell me everything you know about the Potential Elizabeth and just what you expect us to do to save her.”
Four hours later Caldwell finally stopped talking. Rodney was holding the framed picture of Elizabeth carefully in his hands and John was tossing worried glances at the mirror.
“It’s over?” Steven asked, weariness in his voice.
John answered, “Yeah, we’re done. As long as we can do this without putting Rodney in any danger, we’ll help.” Then he grinned. “You’re nothing but a big, old, romantic softie, Colonel. Who knew?”
Next - Night Delivery
Title: Final Tells
Cliche: Truth serum/spells & drugs
Pairing: John/Rodney Caldwell/Elizabeth
Rating: PG
Word Count: 1956
Betas: neevebrody and mischief5 It should go without saying, all mistakes are mine.
Summary: Caldwell tells the truth.
Part of the Sensual Magic AU where John is a vampire and Rodney is not. Follows Vampire Hunter
Final Tells
They’d arrived at full dusk. Rodney had been anxious to get to Caldwell’s as soon as possible. John had been willing to work his way among the lengthening shadows if it made Rodney happy. Besides, as far as John was concerned, the sooner they found out what the Colonel wanted, the sooner they could leave.
The old vamp had given John and Rodney his usual welcome. It was a combination of disapproving sneer for him, and unmasked envy for his Potential. John had happily answered back with his best wise-ass smirk.
Caldwell just nodded. John knew it was the only acknowledgement they were likely to get for agreeing to come. Cordialities over, Steven led the way to the library.
“Make yourselves at home gentlemen. Everything you need should be here. I’ll have my minions bring you both ‘suitable’ beverages while I finish up some other business.”
Rodney immediately busied himself, happily going over all the Potential research again, while John claimed the most comfortable chair in the room. The libertine was content to sprawl there, watching Rodney, and lazily fingering the bite mark on his neck. That his Potential’s obvious claim seemed to be driving Steven Caldwell crazy was just an added bonus.
When Caldwell returned fifteen minutes later, John smirked up at him. He and Rodney had made themselves quite cozy in the old vamp’s absence. John looked like he’d been poured into velvet wingback, and his Potential had casually spread his work out over half the room. John knew it would likely be hours before surfaces reappeared out from under the books and papers. At least Rodney had spared the Persian rug this time. But watching the old colonel swallow his obvious irritation was always fun for John.
Rodney looked up from his scattering of notes and asked Caldwell, “Who was that who just left?”
“That was Ms. Teyla Emmagan. She’s family.” Rodney raised an eyebrow and glanced over at John.
“Vamp family,” John said, answering the unspoken question. "Haven’t seen her around much." He turned to look at Caldwell, “What’s she up to these days, Colonel?”
“Teyla has some personal business to attend to,” was Caldwell’s gruff reply. “She needed some information on our newest vampire hunter.”
John sat up straight, narrowing his eyes. There was cold focus in his voice as he questioned the Colonel. “Do you mean Ronon Dex?
“I’m sorry, Libertine.”
“She’s going after him then.” John sighed and settled back in his chair. “That’s not a good idea. I know him. He’s a good man. A little intent maybe, but he knows how to get the job done and I respect him for it. She should, too.”
“I tried to explain that to her. When his connection to you came up in the background check, I told her, but it wasn’t enough to slow her down. ”
“Is there time to stop her?”
“I’m afraid not. You know how quick she is when she’s determined.”
John nodded in agreement. He knew exactly what Caldwell meant. It was easy to fall into a false sense of ease around Teyla. She carried herself with quiet dignity, her innate elegance a fitting match to this old Victorian. Only himself, the old colonel, and a few others knew how hard won her peace came. She’d struggled fiercely with the darker side of her nature, especially in the early years of her turning. Teyla could be a fierce opponent and it was a mistake to underestimate her abilities. John knew it was wiser to stay on her good side.
Caldwell continued, “She’s after something. Teyla hasn't been the same since Kavanagh. She seems lost.”
“Did you say Kavanagh? Dr. Calvin Kavanagh?” Rodney interrupted, his sharp voice making Caldwell wince.
“Yes, Potential. Dr. Kavanagh. Why are you so interested?”
“I know him. She didn’t…” Rodney couldn’t finish the sentence. “Is he okay?”
“He’s fine. She released him. No doubt, that’s part of her problem. Humans.” Steven shook his head. “Always more trouble than they’re worth.”
John looked uneasy with the entire conversation. “We can’t do anything about it right now," he said. "When Teyla comes back, if she comes back, we’ll ask questions then. Right now, Rodney, I think we should get back to work.” John ignored Rodney’s little glare at the word ‘we’ and got up to speak to Caldwell.
“When are you going to tell Rodney and me about the mirror?” John asked. “I noticed you’ve been staring at it since you walked into the library. It has something to do with why you wanted us here, doesn’t it.” It wasn’t a question.
The full-length mirror dominated its surroundings. Tall, foreboding, it seemed to absorb the light rather than reflect it. Even Rodney had chosen to work on the side of the room farthest away from it.
Caldwell actually looked uncomfortable. John had never seen the old colonel look so out of his element.
“I need your Potential’s help, John. And yours too, of course. Has Rodney found anything yet?”
“What kind of help?” John asked. “It would be nice if you gave us more to go on Steven.”
“He’s looking for more Potentials, John,” Rodney interrupted again. “He needs to know how my kind can travel through the time corridors. That’s it, isn’t it, Colonel Caldwell? That’s no ordinary mirror.
“Both of you come here.” Rodney waved them over. “You’re going to want to see this.” He was wearing his eager, my god, I’ve found it face, and John couldn’t help an indulgent smile back at him.
“Look, right here.” Rodney pointed to a page in one of the ancient manuscripts. “See this, this is the inscription we couldn’t figure out before. Notice how it matches some of the carved detail on the mirror’s frame. We’ve been going at this all wrong, trying to read it like a history text when we should have been looking at it as coordinates. My best guess is that this is a map for moving through time.
“There’s more.” Rodney was about to continue when John held up a hand and stopped him, turning to face Caldwell.
“You don’t seem that surprised by any of this, Colonel.” John said. He stood between Rodney and the old vamp, the instinct to protect his mate taking over. “I think it’s time you told us everything. What exactly do you want Rodney for?”
"I won't hurt him, I promise," Steven replied. John stalked closer and Caldwell backed away, hands raised, looking a bit desperate. “I just want what you and your Potential have, Libertine. She needs rescuing. Why else would she keep appearing to me?”
“Who needs rescuing?” John demanded.
“Elizabeth.” Rodney interrupted a third time. “It’s Elizabeth. I’ve seen her name in the records. She’s a Potential who’s gotten lost like I did, John. Like most of the Potentials did when time went wonky. We have to save her if we can.”
“And the colonel’s part in all this?” John didn’t take his eyes off Caldwell or take pains to conceal his distrust of the old vampire.
“I think the Colonel is her anchor, like you’re mine,” explained Rodney. “They must have gotten separated like we did. Lucky for us, I was able to sense the danger ahead of time. That’s when I put most of my magical ability into that journal and locked it onto your timeline, John. An inspired precaution if I say so myself. Then, you were able to use it like a touchstone and find me. With magic, the combination of you, me, and the book in one time and place was enough to stabilize my reference point. Elizabeth doesn’t have that.”
“Actually,” said Steven, “I think she does.”
John and Rodney just stared at him waiting for him to explain.
“This ‘touchstone’ -- can it take any shape, McKay?”
Rodney thought for a moment before answering. “It would have to be something personal and you’d have to have a way to bring the magic forth. It would have be something the two of you could share. For example, with the book, when I read it aloud to John, it was enough to bind us.”
“What about an inscription?”
“It’s possible,” Rodney answered. “Show it to me. I should have no problem detecting any magic in it if it was crafted by another Potential.”
“I don’t have it. But I’d be willing to wager Elizabeth does.”
“Oh.” Rodney stared at Caldwell in dismay. “This could be bad.”
John had had enough. A few false pretenses he could handle. Hell, he expected that from vamps. A talent for misdirection came ingrained to the undead. But this was starting to sound like Rodney could be at some sort of risk and John would not tolerate it. He bared his fangs, and gave a low threatening growl. Protective hackles up, he snarled at Caldwell, “Time for the truth, you bastard. What the hell did you want us here for?”
The only reason he wasn’t going for the Colonel’s throat -- right the fuck now -- was Rodney. His Potential had no idea how ruthless John could be when protecting his mate. However, by the shock on Caldwell’s face, he had a very good idea of what John could do.
“Wait, John.” Rodney’s soft distress was enough to make John stop and listen. “Don’t. I’m sure I can come up with something. We can’t leave another Potential to drift.”
“We can’t even be sure we can trust what Caldwell’s telling us. He’s been withholding information since the beginning. I can smell it on him.”
“I, I could, I could create a truth spell.”
“You could what? How long have you been able to do that, and why haven’t you told me before?”
“I’ve never done it before. But I’m sure I could and that way we could believe what he’s telling us. John. Please. We have to try if it might save Elizabeth.”
Well now, this could get interesting. John drew back his fangs and eased away from Caldwell. He still kept himself between the old vamp and Rodney. That wouldn’t be changing anytime soon.
“Do you agree to this, Colonel? You let Rodney do his truth thing and when I’m satisfied we have all the information, then I’ll decide whether we’ll help you or not.”
“I agree. It’s the only way you’re going to believe me. Hell, I barely believe half of it. Just do it and get it over with.” Steven closed his eyes, bracing himself.
Rodney took a deep breath and slowly released it. He pressed his fingertips to his temples then let his hands drop to his side. The movement was slow and completely different from Rodney’s usual quick, competent gestures.
“Okay, John, you can ask him.”
“Rodney, that’s it? That’s not very showy. There’s not even anything sparkly happening. Are you sure it’s working?”
It was Caldwell who answered him. “It’s working Sheppard, and I can say with complete honesty that I’m not all that happy about it. Go ahead, ask me about Elizabeth and I’ll tell you everything I know.”
“All right then, let’s get this show on the road.” Seriously, Caldwell had to know that John would be smirking a little over this. “Steven, tell me everything you know about the Potential Elizabeth and just what you expect us to do to save her.”
Four hours later Caldwell finally stopped talking. Rodney was holding the framed picture of Elizabeth carefully in his hands and John was tossing worried glances at the mirror.
“It’s over?” Steven asked, weariness in his voice.
John answered, “Yeah, we’re done. As long as we can do this without putting Rodney in any danger, we’ll help.” Then he grinned. “You’re nothing but a big, old, romantic softie, Colonel. Who knew?”
Next - Night Delivery