Fic - The Danger of Reading Plato (Carson/John)
Title: The Danger of Reading Plato
Characters: Carson Beckett, John Sheppard
Genre: AU, preslash
Word Count: 972
Rating: PG
AN: Title inspired by a quote found in an article about Atlantis. (here)
Many thanks to heimedall for the beta :)
"Some have argued that Atlantis was just a myth created by Plato to back up a previously invented theory," the man said in his soft Scottish brogue.
The man was talking with a passion he hadn't seen in a while. Of course, he had seen people who liked what they were doing, seen people who were giving everything they had for their job, but this man was able to give his passion to the others, too.
The audience was composed of people with ages ranging from twenty to well over fifty, and considering the subject, John was surprised to see so many had gathered: there were about one hundred persons in the room.
"Some have argued that Atlantis was just a myth created d by Plato to back up a previously invented theory," the man said in his soft Scottish brogue and smiled at some rather loud reactions in the audience. "The Utopian society that was described in the works of some Renaissance writers can be considered..."
John Sheppard, PhD, listed to the rest of lecture, enjoying the feeling of peace he had. Doctor Beckett was explaining everything so naturally; it felt like he was telling childhood stories to his family. Even as the hour was up and everyone started leaving, the atmosphere remained the same, with friendly goodbyes accompanied by smiles.
When the room was mostly empty, John approached the Scot. "Hello, Doctor. My name is John Sheppard and I was wondering if we could talk privately about something."
The man looked at him, frowning slightly. "Is something wrong?"
"Oh, no, not at all. I enjoyed the lecture and I was wondering if we could talk about... Atlantis," John explained, smiling.
Beckett smiled and nodded, "aye, I suppose we could, if you're willing to wait for a few minutes. I need to take care of some matters."
John nodded, "I'll wait for you outside."
~*~
They sat down at one of the table in the mostly empty cafe and consulted the menu. Beckett ordered a simple coffee with milk, and John took the same.
"The reason I asked you to come here is because I have a job offer for you," John began, studying his companion. He was the kind of man that didn't try to hide his emotions and feelings by smiling one of the impersonal smiles all the diplomats practiced. It was obvious the man was curious, so john continued, "you are one of the best known mythologists in the world, and you're one of the only ones that haven't betrayed it."
The Scot smiled, looking down. "You're the first person to tell me I'm not wasting my time with myths."
"Is there anybody who thinks those cheap novels are better?" John replied, smiling. "You had quite an audience today, what about them?"
"I did have a wonderful audience today, and I'm grateful for that, but tomorrow... this is one of the jobs that don't- I'm happy with what I do, don't get me wrong, but if people took this more seriously, as they should..." Beckett looked down, sighing.
"The job I want to offer you is quite stable," John said smiling.
The Scot looked at him with hope. "What would I have to do?"
"Basically... remember the myths you know, related them to each other, use the solid evidence we have."
"To prove what?" he asked, apprehensive.
John shook his head. "You must have gotten a lot of strange job offers."
"You have no idea," the doctor replied, smiling bitterly.
"Our job is to... discover. Tell you what, I'll meet you in Colorado Springs on Saturday, and I'll show what this is about."
Beckett considered his words for a few moments; then nodded. "Okay."
~*~
Colorado Springs was a peaceful town. John had always found it ironic that the most important things in the galaxy happened close to such a calm, quiet place. It was a sunny day and he couldn't have hoped for a better setting in which to talk to a mythologist about myths.
"Hello." The Scottish brogue coming from behind him made John turn around.
"Doctor Beckett, hello."
They started walking, chatting about the weather and an exhibition a local historian was preparing. When they stopped in front of the SUV driven by a marine and John gestured for him to get in, Beckett raised an eyebrow and stopped. "You didn't mention the US Army."
"They're just helping us," John said calmly. "Trust me, it's worth it."
The trip went fairly well, considering not a word was uttered, but the Scot's mood deteriorated rapidly as they advanced through the complex. As soon as they stepped inside John's office, he began talking, "coming underground in some secret military complex wasn't discussed, mister Sheppard and I assure you I wouldn't have come if-" He frowned deeply, then muttered, "you knew, that why you didn't tell me."
"I need you to sign this," John said, presenting him the non-disclosure contract.
Beckett read it carefully and signed it. "I don't know why I'm doing this," he said, shaking his head.
John smiled, taking the paper. "You'll be happy you did, now come."
They left the office and walked the few meters that separated them from the gate room. As the doors opened, he began explaining, "about five years ago, a certain discovery allowed us to travel to places we never dreamt we would see," he nodded at the gate technician, who initiated the dialing sequence. "Of all the places we have seen, there is one that stands out."
The gate whooshed and the mythologist stared at the blue puddle in awe. John began walking towards it and only seconds later they were both in front of the event horizon. He stepped through, knowing Carson Beckett would follow.
On the other side, a soft 'Wha' escaped the Scot's lips before he took in the view. "This is... "
"Welcome to Atlantis," John said warmly.
"Brilliant," Carson breathed out, turning around to see the entire room. "Just brilliant."
Characters: Carson Beckett, John Sheppard
Genre: AU, preslash
Word Count: 972
Rating: PG
AN: Title inspired by a quote found in an article about Atlantis. (here)
Many thanks to heimedall for the beta :)
"Some have argued that Atlantis was just a myth created by Plato to back up a previously invented theory," the man said in his soft Scottish brogue.
The man was talking with a passion he hadn't seen in a while. Of course, he had seen people who liked what they were doing, seen people who were giving everything they had for their job, but this man was able to give his passion to the others, too.
The audience was composed of people with ages ranging from twenty to well over fifty, and considering the subject, John was surprised to see so many had gathered: there were about one hundred persons in the room.
"Some have argued that Atlantis was just a myth created d by Plato to back up a previously invented theory," the man said in his soft Scottish brogue and smiled at some rather loud reactions in the audience. "The Utopian society that was described in the works of some Renaissance writers can be considered..."
John Sheppard, PhD, listed to the rest of lecture, enjoying the feeling of peace he had. Doctor Beckett was explaining everything so naturally; it felt like he was telling childhood stories to his family. Even as the hour was up and everyone started leaving, the atmosphere remained the same, with friendly goodbyes accompanied by smiles.
When the room was mostly empty, John approached the Scot. "Hello, Doctor. My name is John Sheppard and I was wondering if we could talk privately about something."
The man looked at him, frowning slightly. "Is something wrong?"
"Oh, no, not at all. I enjoyed the lecture and I was wondering if we could talk about... Atlantis," John explained, smiling.
Beckett smiled and nodded, "aye, I suppose we could, if you're willing to wait for a few minutes. I need to take care of some matters."
John nodded, "I'll wait for you outside."
~*~
They sat down at one of the table in the mostly empty cafe and consulted the menu. Beckett ordered a simple coffee with milk, and John took the same.
"The reason I asked you to come here is because I have a job offer for you," John began, studying his companion. He was the kind of man that didn't try to hide his emotions and feelings by smiling one of the impersonal smiles all the diplomats practiced. It was obvious the man was curious, so john continued, "you are one of the best known mythologists in the world, and you're one of the only ones that haven't betrayed it."
The Scot smiled, looking down. "You're the first person to tell me I'm not wasting my time with myths."
"Is there anybody who thinks those cheap novels are better?" John replied, smiling. "You had quite an audience today, what about them?"
"I did have a wonderful audience today, and I'm grateful for that, but tomorrow... this is one of the jobs that don't- I'm happy with what I do, don't get me wrong, but if people took this more seriously, as they should..." Beckett looked down, sighing.
"The job I want to offer you is quite stable," John said smiling.
The Scot looked at him with hope. "What would I have to do?"
"Basically... remember the myths you know, related them to each other, use the solid evidence we have."
"To prove what?" he asked, apprehensive.
John shook his head. "You must have gotten a lot of strange job offers."
"You have no idea," the doctor replied, smiling bitterly.
"Our job is to... discover. Tell you what, I'll meet you in Colorado Springs on Saturday, and I'll show what this is about."
Beckett considered his words for a few moments; then nodded. "Okay."
~*~
Colorado Springs was a peaceful town. John had always found it ironic that the most important things in the galaxy happened close to such a calm, quiet place. It was a sunny day and he couldn't have hoped for a better setting in which to talk to a mythologist about myths.
"Hello." The Scottish brogue coming from behind him made John turn around.
"Doctor Beckett, hello."
They started walking, chatting about the weather and an exhibition a local historian was preparing. When they stopped in front of the SUV driven by a marine and John gestured for him to get in, Beckett raised an eyebrow and stopped. "You didn't mention the US Army."
"They're just helping us," John said calmly. "Trust me, it's worth it."
The trip went fairly well, considering not a word was uttered, but the Scot's mood deteriorated rapidly as they advanced through the complex. As soon as they stepped inside John's office, he began talking, "coming underground in some secret military complex wasn't discussed, mister Sheppard and I assure you I wouldn't have come if-" He frowned deeply, then muttered, "you knew, that why you didn't tell me."
"I need you to sign this," John said, presenting him the non-disclosure contract.
Beckett read it carefully and signed it. "I don't know why I'm doing this," he said, shaking his head.
John smiled, taking the paper. "You'll be happy you did, now come."
They left the office and walked the few meters that separated them from the gate room. As the doors opened, he began explaining, "about five years ago, a certain discovery allowed us to travel to places we never dreamt we would see," he nodded at the gate technician, who initiated the dialing sequence. "Of all the places we have seen, there is one that stands out."
The gate whooshed and the mythologist stared at the blue puddle in awe. John began walking towards it and only seconds later they were both in front of the event horizon. He stepped through, knowing Carson Beckett would follow.
On the other side, a soft 'Wha' escaped the Scot's lips before he took in the view. "This is... "
"Welcome to Atlantis," John said warmly.
"Brilliant," Carson breathed out, turning around to see the entire room. "Just brilliant."