Descent by Elnea [Reviews - 31]
Chapter or Story - Text Size +
Category: General
Characters: Aiden Ford, Carson Beckett, Elizabeth Weir, John Sheppard, Original Character, Other, Radek Zelenka, Rodney McKay
Rating: PG
Genres: Action/Adventure, Drama, Episode Related, Friendship, Humour, Hurt Comfort, Team
Warnings: None
Series: None
Word count: 25525; Completed: Yes
Summary: Members of the Atlantis Expedition are inexplicably losing their sanity, and Rodney makes an interesting discovery under the city. Spoilers for 38 Minutes, The Eye, Hot Zone, Sanctuary & Before I Sleep
Author's note: A friend of mine who is also a physician was doing triage on patients after the 1989 earthquake in San Francisco. He saw a number of people who had gotten so frightened, and hyperventilated so severely, that the change in their blood pH caused the muscles of their hands to contract into claws. I think it is pretty amazing what the human body will do in extreme circumstances.
This story takes place in Season One after "Before I Sleep" and before "The Brotherhood". Thanks to TB and ER for beta-reading, and KB and MR for technical advice. The usual disclaimers apply. Please enjoy.
* Chapter One : Hysterica Passio *
"Time is an illusion. Lunchtime doubly so."
-Douglas Adams, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
"I should do this every day." Elizabeth Weir took a deep breath, gazing out over the ocean. The blue midday sky was clear and bright, and the gentle breeze made her feel more refreshed than she had been in many weeks. Her reverie was interrupted by the sound of her growling stomach. She turned and looked at Rodney McKay. He was rifling through the lunchbox he'd brought with him.
This morning, Rodney had stopped her after the staff meeting and had told her that she looked tired. He'd suggested she take a break, or at least get away from her office for lunch. "I'll even bring it for you," he'd said. "You can take off your radio and have a few minutes of peace. Look, you've been working really hard and it isn't good for anyone here if you aren't running at top efficiency. My motives are entirely selfish, I promise you." She'd been taken aback by his sympathy, and had agreed to meet him here on the East Pier observation deck.
Elizabeth looked down at Rodney speculatively as he dove his hand into the box and pulled out a water bottle. He surprised her on a daily basis. His scientific team all treated him with a measure of respect for his work, but didn't hide their dislike for his narcissistic manner. He was incredibly unfeeling in most social situations, but he had proven his concern for his co-workers in crisis many times, and had been a loyal friend to her. She would never forget that he had stepped between her and Koyla's gun when the Genii had invaded Atlantis during the storm four weeks ago.
Right now Rodney was unwrapping an MRE entrée with distaste. He sniffed at it tentatively and then looked up at her. "All the marginally acceptable rations are long gone. I think this is supposed to be some sort of burrito." He reached back into is bag and pulled out a purple fruit. The people that had traded it to them called it heaven fruit. He thought it tasted like motor oil. "I'm always little nervous to eat the new food. Eventually something is going to give me anaphylaxis." He started as his radio crackled.
"Doctor McKay, are you with Doctor Weir on the East Pier?"
"Yes, who is this?"
"It's Margaret Reese. You're at the observation deck, correct?"
"You'll have to wait. Doctor Weir is busy."
He paused. There was no answer.
Elizabeth looked at him quizzically. Rodney shrugged. "Doctor Reese wanted to know where you were."
She looked at him questioningly and he rolled his eyes. "Chemist. American."
Elizabeth smiled. Evidently that was sufficient explanation in his mind. She sat down on the bench next to him and took the MRE from his hand. She decided not to bother warming it; it didn't make much difference, in her opinion.
"This was a good idea, Rodney. Thank you."
He took a bite of the heaven fruit and gave her a painful smile. She knew he hated the things. "You've been under a lot of stress," he said, wiping some juice from his chin.
"Everyone has. Doctor Beckett tells me that he's had a rash of people complaining of headaches and upset stomachs. We all need a break."
Rodney nodded, chewing his fruit unenthusiastically.
She took a fork out of the lunchbox and began prodding at the burrito. "Not just the civilians either. Marines too. Even Major Sheppard says he's been on edge."
Rodney snorted. "The man falls asleep at the drop of a hat. If he were any less 'on edge' he'd be in a coma." He considered for a moment, swallowing with effort. "Although an impending nervous breakdown might explain his lack of restraint with that Ancient woman Chaya."
Elizabeth didn't know how to respond to his comment. She had a standing policy of not talking against any of her charges. On the other hand, John and Rodney's constant bickering since the incident with Chaya was really starting to wear on her. She said so.
Rodney glanced up at her apologetically. "I... didn't realize we were making your life more difficult."
A call sounded behind them and they both stood. Elizabeth turned and squinted toward the sunlight reflected in the glass windows overlooking the observation deck. Doctor Reese was striding towards them with a large backpack slung over one shoulder. She stopped directly in front of Elizabeth. "I have to go."
Elizabeth put her MRE down on the bench and wiped her hands on a napkin. "Doctor Reese, I am in the middle of having lunch."
"I have to go now. It isn't safe here for me and my baby."
Rodney frowned, "Reese, you don't have a baby."
"Shut up, McKay, I'm not talking to you." Reese stared up at Elizabeth, tense.
Rodney blinked. Maggie Reese was a petite, drab mouse of a woman. He'd never heard her raise her voice once. She looked sweaty and rumpled, which wasn't like her either. He glanced down. She was sliding one hand into her backpack, and he could just make out the handle of a service pistol inside the pouch. He looked back up at her and realized she wasn't wearing a headset. He choked suddenly, "Let me just put down this fruit." He bent over to put the fruit inside the lunchbox, hiding his own movement as he switched on his radio earpiece. He hoped someone would be listening in the Control Room. He cleared his throat. "Doctor Reese, there's no need for your pistol here."
Reese looked at him sharply, pulling the gun completely out of her pack. "I'm not here to talk to you. Get over by the railing."
Rodney watched the pistol pointed at Elizabeth's midsection. He could see Reese's hand was shaking. "Reese, you aren't honestly going to shoot me or Doctor Weir."
Elizabeth was staring at Reese warily, "What can I do for you, Doctor Reese?"
"I'm going to have a baby, and I have to get away from here!"
Rodney swallowed convulsively, backing up towards the nearby railing. "Where exactly do you want to go?"
Reese glanced at him and her features hardened. She swung the gun over towards him, digging into her pack with her free hand and pulling out a roll of duct tape. "Doctor Weir, tie him up with this or I'll shoot him right now. Then we're going to the stargate."
Elizabeth reached out to take the roll, and moved towards Rodney, her eyes wide.
She pulled off a strip slowly and wrapped it around Rodney's wrists behind his back. She looked back up at Reese. "You don't have to hurt him, I'll go with you."
Reese grabbed the roll out of her hands and walked behind her, grabbing Elizabeth's arms and securing them with the tape. She grabbed Elizabeth by the elbow and started walking toward the door to the city, turning her head back to Rodney. "Don't move."
"Not moving."
When Reese turned back to look towards the city, she found Major Sheppard standing twenty feet in front of the doors, chest heaving, blocking her way off the deck. He was wearing sweat pants and a tee shirt, and had his feet spread wide in a shooting stance, his own Beretta pistol pointed directly at her.
Elizabeth stiffened as she felt the muzzle of the Reese's handgun dig into her ribs. She could hear the irrational desperation in Reese's voice. "I won't let the Wraith kill my baby!" When Sheppard didn't respond, Reese tightened her grip on her captive's arm. "I'll shoot her, I will!"
John Sheppard swallowed heavily, keeping Reese in the sight of his pistol. He'd been jogging around the East Pier promenade two levels down when Bates called him and opened the channel to Rodney's radio. He'd scooped up his weapon and sprinted up to the deck as fast as he could, shouting orders to his men as he ran. He figured it would take them three or four minutes to get to this level of the East Pier.
"Okay, hold on, Doctor Reese. Nobody wants to hurt you or your baby." Reese looked terrible. Her eyes were sunken and her dark hair was hanging in strings around her pale face. He needed to keep her talking until someone could get here with a stunner. "Let's just talk about this. Doctor Weir, are you alright?"
"We're fine, Major, and I think we should..."
"Shut up!" Dr. Reese pushed the barrel painfully against Elizabeth's ribs again without looking away from Major Sheppard. "All I want is to dial out. You don't really need me here. There are plenty of other specialists here."
Elizabeth frowned, "We do need you, Margaret."
"I said shut up!"
Elizabeth bit her lip and twisted her hands against the duct tape. She glanced back at Rodney. He was staring over the railing down at the water below him, muttering something to himself.
She looked at John for guidance, but his gaze was fixed on her captor.
John didn't move a muscle as he heard Rodney's muttered comment over his radio earpiece. He licked his lips. "What do you say we all put down our guns and talk about this. You look like you might be thirsty." Reese's clothes were soaked in sweat and she was visibly trembling. "I can get someone to bring you a drink."
"I don't want a drink. Get out of my way or it will be your fault when I shoot her."
Directly behind the two women, Rodney was looking at him urgently, nodding frantically towards the water behind him. John frowned. "Let's not any of us do anything hasty."
He heard Rodney hiss into his ear, "Let's humor the crazy pregnant lady with the gun shall we? I can do this."
John set his jaw as Reese dragged Elizabeth all the way back to the railing where Rodney stood. Rodney abruptly straightened and looked at her innocently. "Reese, I mean, Maggie, look, you don't need both of us here as hostages, right? Let Doctor Weir go, and I'll stay with you until they can arrange to get you out of Atlantis."
Reese's face flushed with anger, "Don't patronize me!" She pushed Elizabeth back up against the railing and grabbed his arm, spinning him around and up against Elizabeth. Elizabeth wobbled in fright to maintain her balance, leaning into his chest, trying to right herself.
Rodney took a shaky breath as he felt Reese press the gun muzzle into the small of his back and pulled back his head to look down into Elizabeth's eyes. He mouthed "Get ready" at her and she frowned at him in confusion.
Behind him, Reese's voice was shrill. "I'm going to shoot him so you'll know I'm serious. I won't let the Wraith take my baby!"
John grimaced in anger. He had lost control of this situation and he didn't like any of the options open to him. He muttered, "Bates? Where's my stunner?"
Over his radio, Bates said tensely, "ETA one minute from your location. And we checked, McKay is right. We've powered up the East Pier. We'll have Jumper Three en route immediately."
John looked at Doctor Reese, who was now ghost white and trembling and looked like she was about to pop.
Rodney gulped and spoke rapidly, holding his gaze with Elizabeth as he did so. "Reese, if you shoot me Sheppard won't give you the chance to shoot Doctor Weir. I know him, and he will seriously kill you and your baby. Think about this rationally for a second."
"You want him to shoot me," she sobbed. "You don't care if I die."
John had to make a decision. Reese's weapon was jammed into Rodney's spine, and Rodney was pressed against Elizabeth. Reese could give them both mortal wounds in one shot. And they were teetering dangerously near the edge of the railing. He saw Reese's thumb flip off the safety of the pistol and cursed himself for not having noticed it had been engaged. He muttered into his radio, "I'm taking the shot," and then shouted loudly, "Doctor Reese, my men are in position above us, you have nowhere to go." When her gaze flicked upward to the windows behind him, he pulled the trigger.
Rodney shouted, "No!" as Reese shrieked in response to the gun shot in her arm, swinging her weapon away from him to return fire at Sheppard.
Rodney lowered his head, and used his shoulder to push Elizabeth over the railing. She tumbled backwards with a yelp of terror. He threw himself forward and plummeted down toward the water with her.
[end chapter one]
Chapter or Story - Text Size +
Category: General
Characters: Aiden Ford, Carson Beckett, Elizabeth Weir, John Sheppard, Original Character, Other, Radek Zelenka, Rodney McKay
Rating: PG
Genres: Action/Adventure, Drama, Episode Related, Friendship, Humour, Hurt Comfort, Team
Warnings: None
Series: None
Word count: 25525; Completed: Yes
Summary: Members of the Atlantis Expedition are inexplicably losing their sanity, and Rodney makes an interesting discovery under the city. Spoilers for 38 Minutes, The Eye, Hot Zone, Sanctuary & Before I Sleep
Author's note: A friend of mine who is also a physician was doing triage on patients after the 1989 earthquake in San Francisco. He saw a number of people who had gotten so frightened, and hyperventilated so severely, that the change in their blood pH caused the muscles of their hands to contract into claws. I think it is pretty amazing what the human body will do in extreme circumstances.
This story takes place in Season One after "Before I Sleep" and before "The Brotherhood". Thanks to TB and ER for beta-reading, and KB and MR for technical advice. The usual disclaimers apply. Please enjoy.
* Chapter One : Hysterica Passio *
-Douglas Adams, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
"I should do this every day." Elizabeth Weir took a deep breath, gazing out over the ocean. The blue midday sky was clear and bright, and the gentle breeze made her feel more refreshed than she had been in many weeks. Her reverie was interrupted by the sound of her growling stomach. She turned and looked at Rodney McKay. He was rifling through the lunchbox he'd brought with him.
This morning, Rodney had stopped her after the staff meeting and had told her that she looked tired. He'd suggested she take a break, or at least get away from her office for lunch. "I'll even bring it for you," he'd said. "You can take off your radio and have a few minutes of peace. Look, you've been working really hard and it isn't good for anyone here if you aren't running at top efficiency. My motives are entirely selfish, I promise you." She'd been taken aback by his sympathy, and had agreed to meet him here on the East Pier observation deck.
Elizabeth looked down at Rodney speculatively as he dove his hand into the box and pulled out a water bottle. He surprised her on a daily basis. His scientific team all treated him with a measure of respect for his work, but didn't hide their dislike for his narcissistic manner. He was incredibly unfeeling in most social situations, but he had proven his concern for his co-workers in crisis many times, and had been a loyal friend to her. She would never forget that he had stepped between her and Koyla's gun when the Genii had invaded Atlantis during the storm four weeks ago.
Right now Rodney was unwrapping an MRE entrée with distaste. He sniffed at it tentatively and then looked up at her. "All the marginally acceptable rations are long gone. I think this is supposed to be some sort of burrito." He reached back into is bag and pulled out a purple fruit. The people that had traded it to them called it heaven fruit. He thought it tasted like motor oil. "I'm always little nervous to eat the new food. Eventually something is going to give me anaphylaxis." He started as his radio crackled.
"Doctor McKay, are you with Doctor Weir on the East Pier?"
"Yes, who is this?"
"It's Margaret Reese. You're at the observation deck, correct?"
"You'll have to wait. Doctor Weir is busy."
He paused. There was no answer.
Elizabeth looked at him quizzically. Rodney shrugged. "Doctor Reese wanted to know where you were."
She looked at him questioningly and he rolled his eyes. "Chemist. American."
Elizabeth smiled. Evidently that was sufficient explanation in his mind. She sat down on the bench next to him and took the MRE from his hand. She decided not to bother warming it; it didn't make much difference, in her opinion.
"This was a good idea, Rodney. Thank you."
He took a bite of the heaven fruit and gave her a painful smile. She knew he hated the things. "You've been under a lot of stress," he said, wiping some juice from his chin.
"Everyone has. Doctor Beckett tells me that he's had a rash of people complaining of headaches and upset stomachs. We all need a break."
Rodney nodded, chewing his fruit unenthusiastically.
She took a fork out of the lunchbox and began prodding at the burrito. "Not just the civilians either. Marines too. Even Major Sheppard says he's been on edge."
Rodney snorted. "The man falls asleep at the drop of a hat. If he were any less 'on edge' he'd be in a coma." He considered for a moment, swallowing with effort. "Although an impending nervous breakdown might explain his lack of restraint with that Ancient woman Chaya."
Elizabeth didn't know how to respond to his comment. She had a standing policy of not talking against any of her charges. On the other hand, John and Rodney's constant bickering since the incident with Chaya was really starting to wear on her. She said so.
Rodney glanced up at her apologetically. "I... didn't realize we were making your life more difficult."
A call sounded behind them and they both stood. Elizabeth turned and squinted toward the sunlight reflected in the glass windows overlooking the observation deck. Doctor Reese was striding towards them with a large backpack slung over one shoulder. She stopped directly in front of Elizabeth. "I have to go."
Elizabeth put her MRE down on the bench and wiped her hands on a napkin. "Doctor Reese, I am in the middle of having lunch."
"I have to go now. It isn't safe here for me and my baby."
Rodney frowned, "Reese, you don't have a baby."
"Shut up, McKay, I'm not talking to you." Reese stared up at Elizabeth, tense.
Rodney blinked. Maggie Reese was a petite, drab mouse of a woman. He'd never heard her raise her voice once. She looked sweaty and rumpled, which wasn't like her either. He glanced down. She was sliding one hand into her backpack, and he could just make out the handle of a service pistol inside the pouch. He looked back up at her and realized she wasn't wearing a headset. He choked suddenly, "Let me just put down this fruit." He bent over to put the fruit inside the lunchbox, hiding his own movement as he switched on his radio earpiece. He hoped someone would be listening in the Control Room. He cleared his throat. "Doctor Reese, there's no need for your pistol here."
Reese looked at him sharply, pulling the gun completely out of her pack. "I'm not here to talk to you. Get over by the railing."
Rodney watched the pistol pointed at Elizabeth's midsection. He could see Reese's hand was shaking. "Reese, you aren't honestly going to shoot me or Doctor Weir."
Elizabeth was staring at Reese warily, "What can I do for you, Doctor Reese?"
"I'm going to have a baby, and I have to get away from here!"
Rodney swallowed convulsively, backing up towards the nearby railing. "Where exactly do you want to go?"
Reese glanced at him and her features hardened. She swung the gun over towards him, digging into her pack with her free hand and pulling out a roll of duct tape. "Doctor Weir, tie him up with this or I'll shoot him right now. Then we're going to the stargate."
Elizabeth reached out to take the roll, and moved towards Rodney, her eyes wide.
She pulled off a strip slowly and wrapped it around Rodney's wrists behind his back. She looked back up at Reese. "You don't have to hurt him, I'll go with you."
Reese grabbed the roll out of her hands and walked behind her, grabbing Elizabeth's arms and securing them with the tape. She grabbed Elizabeth by the elbow and started walking toward the door to the city, turning her head back to Rodney. "Don't move."
"Not moving."
When Reese turned back to look towards the city, she found Major Sheppard standing twenty feet in front of the doors, chest heaving, blocking her way off the deck. He was wearing sweat pants and a tee shirt, and had his feet spread wide in a shooting stance, his own Beretta pistol pointed directly at her.
Elizabeth stiffened as she felt the muzzle of the Reese's handgun dig into her ribs. She could hear the irrational desperation in Reese's voice. "I won't let the Wraith kill my baby!" When Sheppard didn't respond, Reese tightened her grip on her captive's arm. "I'll shoot her, I will!"
John Sheppard swallowed heavily, keeping Reese in the sight of his pistol. He'd been jogging around the East Pier promenade two levels down when Bates called him and opened the channel to Rodney's radio. He'd scooped up his weapon and sprinted up to the deck as fast as he could, shouting orders to his men as he ran. He figured it would take them three or four minutes to get to this level of the East Pier.
"Okay, hold on, Doctor Reese. Nobody wants to hurt you or your baby." Reese looked terrible. Her eyes were sunken and her dark hair was hanging in strings around her pale face. He needed to keep her talking until someone could get here with a stunner. "Let's just talk about this. Doctor Weir, are you alright?"
"We're fine, Major, and I think we should..."
"Shut up!" Dr. Reese pushed the barrel painfully against Elizabeth's ribs again without looking away from Major Sheppard. "All I want is to dial out. You don't really need me here. There are plenty of other specialists here."
Elizabeth frowned, "We do need you, Margaret."
"I said shut up!"
Elizabeth bit her lip and twisted her hands against the duct tape. She glanced back at Rodney. He was staring over the railing down at the water below him, muttering something to himself.
She looked at John for guidance, but his gaze was fixed on her captor.
John didn't move a muscle as he heard Rodney's muttered comment over his radio earpiece. He licked his lips. "What do you say we all put down our guns and talk about this. You look like you might be thirsty." Reese's clothes were soaked in sweat and she was visibly trembling. "I can get someone to bring you a drink."
"I don't want a drink. Get out of my way or it will be your fault when I shoot her."
Directly behind the two women, Rodney was looking at him urgently, nodding frantically towards the water behind him. John frowned. "Let's not any of us do anything hasty."
He heard Rodney hiss into his ear, "Let's humor the crazy pregnant lady with the gun shall we? I can do this."
John set his jaw as Reese dragged Elizabeth all the way back to the railing where Rodney stood. Rodney abruptly straightened and looked at her innocently. "Reese, I mean, Maggie, look, you don't need both of us here as hostages, right? Let Doctor Weir go, and I'll stay with you until they can arrange to get you out of Atlantis."
Reese's face flushed with anger, "Don't patronize me!" She pushed Elizabeth back up against the railing and grabbed his arm, spinning him around and up against Elizabeth. Elizabeth wobbled in fright to maintain her balance, leaning into his chest, trying to right herself.
Rodney took a shaky breath as he felt Reese press the gun muzzle into the small of his back and pulled back his head to look down into Elizabeth's eyes. He mouthed "Get ready" at her and she frowned at him in confusion.
Behind him, Reese's voice was shrill. "I'm going to shoot him so you'll know I'm serious. I won't let the Wraith take my baby!"
John grimaced in anger. He had lost control of this situation and he didn't like any of the options open to him. He muttered, "Bates? Where's my stunner?"
Over his radio, Bates said tensely, "ETA one minute from your location. And we checked, McKay is right. We've powered up the East Pier. We'll have Jumper Three en route immediately."
John looked at Doctor Reese, who was now ghost white and trembling and looked like she was about to pop.
Rodney gulped and spoke rapidly, holding his gaze with Elizabeth as he did so. "Reese, if you shoot me Sheppard won't give you the chance to shoot Doctor Weir. I know him, and he will seriously kill you and your baby. Think about this rationally for a second."
"You want him to shoot me," she sobbed. "You don't care if I die."
John had to make a decision. Reese's weapon was jammed into Rodney's spine, and Rodney was pressed against Elizabeth. Reese could give them both mortal wounds in one shot. And they were teetering dangerously near the edge of the railing. He saw Reese's thumb flip off the safety of the pistol and cursed himself for not having noticed it had been engaged. He muttered into his radio, "I'm taking the shot," and then shouted loudly, "Doctor Reese, my men are in position above us, you have nowhere to go." When her gaze flicked upward to the windows behind him, he pulled the trigger.
Rodney shouted, "No!" as Reese shrieked in response to the gun shot in her arm, swinging her weapon away from him to return fire at Sheppard.
Rodney lowered his head, and used his shoulder to push Elizabeth over the railing. She tumbled backwards with a yelp of terror. He threw himself forward and plummeted down toward the water with her.
[end chapter one]