Fic: Stop All The Clocks
Dec. 23rd, 2005 06:51 pm![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
sgasesa-admin.livejournal.com posting in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
sga_santaTitle: Stop All the Clocks
Author:![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
asjbg
Pairing: McKay/Sheppard
Rating: PG
Words: 1,551
Warnings: Death of minor character.
Spoilers: None. The attack referred to in this story is not one that has actually occurred in any episode.
Summary: Rodney was not the only one suffering.
Recipient:gwendolen
Note to Recipient: I managed to work in a few of your requests. McShep, Rodney/Zelenka friendship and somewhat dark with a happy/hopeful ending. This was different than what I normally write, so it was kind of a challenge for me. Hope you like it. And have a Merry Christmas! (or a Happy Hanukkah!)
Stop All The Clocks
~~ # ~~ # ~~ # ~~ # ~~
Dr. Radek Zelenka looked up as Dr. Rodney McKay stormed into Astrophysics Lab 2 wearing a dark look and a t-shirt emblazoned with the words 'BAH HUMBUG.' It was two days until Christmas by Earth's calendar, and despite the recent tragedy, the inhabitants of Atlantis-except for Rodney-had been making an effort to celebrate the holiday.
Radek smiled warmly as Rodney approached and asked, "Where in galaxy did you get grouchy Christmas shirt?"
As he expected, Rodney ignored him entirely and continued to his workstation where he put down his laptop and coffee cup. Wrenching open the laptop, Rodney began typing furiously, scowling at the screen.
Radek continued working while keeping an eye on Rodney and occasionally shaking his head ruefully at Rodney's antics. He was torn between annoyance and compassion for the man. He felt for Rodney. Truly, he did. But Rodney was not the only one suffering.
Almost two months ago, Atlantis had unexpectedly been attacked by an alien race called the Maldorans. Eight of their friends and colleagues had died in the Maldoran attack and twenty-two more had been injured, nine of them quite seriously. Dr. Beckett and his staff had been working around the clock to prevent any further deaths and as of today, fifty-five days after the attack, they were succeeding. No one else had died from their injuries and all but two of the victims of the attack had been released from the infirmary.
Rodney had not been injured in the attack. He had not even been in the city when the attack occurred. He had returned two days after it was over, on the Daedalus, to discover several sections of the city in ruins and a number of his colleagues dead or injured. Rodney had quickly assessed the damage and together with Radek, had been instrumental in restoring Atlantis' vital systems. He had worked quickly and efficiently, but his disposition had become increasingly unpleasant.
Rodney's attitude had continued to deteriorate, and his behavior the past few days had, in Radek's opinion, crossed the line. Radek had been waiting patiently for Dr. Weir to talk to Rodney, to let him know his conduct was unacceptable but as of yet, such a discussion had not occurred.
After observing Rodney viciously berate Miko, using language that could only be called abusive, Radek came to a decision. He rose from his seat and walked over to Rodney, laying his hand on Rodney's arm to get his attention. Rodney looked up, glaring balefully.
"I'm busy," he declared. "Unless the city's about to blow up, go away."
Radek sighed. "Rodney, you have to stop."
"Stop what?" Rodney snapped, turning back to his laptop.
"Rodney. He is out of infirmary. He is walking around, not permanently disabled. He was badly hurt but now is doing very well. In few months, he will be good as new. And I know for fact, that he spent last night in your quarters-.
Rodney's head whipped up, and he glared at Radek. "That's none of your business!"
"Yes. Is none of my business, and I assure you I am not wanting to know as much as I do. I only say this to help you."
Rodney snorted.
"Rodney, you must stop screaming at and insulting everyone. You have been stomping around like Christmas Grouch-"
"It's Grinch! Christmas Grinch!"
"-snarling at everyone and it must stop. You should be happy for what you have. Many others are not so lucky as you." Radek paused, looking deadly serious. "Carson, for instance."
Rodney had the grace to look abashed. "I know. I know. I wish Cadman had made it too. I wish everyone had survived. I wish it had never happened. I'm not a monster. I just..." he trailed off.
"Am not saying you are monster. Am saying you are making life miserable for rest of us. None of us is in mood for celebrations. But is Christmas, and we are trying. And your behavior," Radek said, looking pointedly at Rodney's t-shirt, "is not helping."
"It's just a t-shirt."
"Is not t-shirt that I am talking about, and you know this. Though t-shirt is symbolic. You are stomping around, screaming and glaring at everyone whether is warranted or not-usually not. You are being child, acting like your pain is more than your colleagues and friends."
Radek's gaze turned stern. "Your pain, your suffering, is no more, no less than ours. Is true, someone you care about very much-I suspect even love-was badly hurt in attack. But he is our friend too. And so was Lieutenant Cadman and Corporal Aster and Dr. Stuart and all of people who died and ones injured too. We all feel pain and loss of them. But we try to move on. We try to honor them by not giving up and by continuing our way of life, by celebrating silly Earth holiday. And you must do this as well."
Rodney's shoulders slumped, and he looked away. Radek waited for several moments, but Rodney didn't speak and so he returned to his workstation, unsure if he had reached Rodney. Unsure if Rodney understood the effect his behavior was having on all of Atlantis. That it was hampering their efforts to heal.
Radek resumed working on the power distribution scheme he'd been puzzling over since a few weeks after the attack. The repaired systems seemed to be using more energy than previously. He glanced up at Rodney every few minutes, waiting for a reaction, any indication that Rodney had heard and absorbed his admonishment.
Rodney sat there, unmoving, staring blankly into the distance. It was forty minutes before he finally stirred, shaking himself from his reverie. Radek looked up again just as Rodney turned to him. In a small voice, full of pain, Rodney whispered, "He's covered in scars."
Radek didn't respond. He waited patiently for Rodney to continue, knowing it was difficult for Rodney to speak. Like most men from the American continents, he was not one to voluntarily discuss his feelings.
"He's covered in scars," repeated Rodney. "Covered in them. Too many to count. I tried. Last night...it was the first time I saw them. All of them. The full extent of what they did to him. I knew it was bad. Close." He laughed humorlessly. "It's always bad. Always close. But he always pulls it off. He always survives. But this time...he really could have...he almost..."
Rodney blinked a few times and raised his hand to his eyes as if to wipe away the tears that threatened to fall. He caught himself though and dropped his hand to his side and turned away.
Radek rose from his chair again and walked over to Rodney. "I wish I had words to make you feel better, to reassure you, but I do not. Life in Pegasus galaxy is dangerous. We lose people. But we did not lose Colonel Sheppard-"
"This time!" Rodney cried.
"Yes, this time. Colonel Sheppard will be first to tell you we live on borrowed time here. He may one day be killed. Or you will be or me. Or all of us-"
"You really suck at this," Rodney interrupted.
"I know. And you suck at being human being. Especially since your boyfriend gets hurt."
"Shhh-quiet!" Rodney stammered, glancing around franticly.
"Is no one here. Everyone is avoiding you, remember? No one except Miko has come to lab for days. Besides, everyone knows about you and Colonel."
"Everyone?"
"Yes. And we know about your trips in puddlejumper for 'flying lessons' and that you move to new quarters because has back door for Colonel to sneak out in morning. But this is not point. Point is, you need to-how do you say-'Get over yourself.' Now." Radek pronounced.
Rodney crossed his arms and glowered. "OK! Ok! You win. I'll stop being an asshole."
Radek raised his eyebrows in response.
"More of an asshole than usual," Rodney amended.
"Is all I ask."
Rodney continued to glare at Radek who smiled sweetly at him and returned to his workstation. Rodney was still glaring when John appeared in the doorway.
"Hey, McKay," he called out. "I need you to go over the mission reports with me for the last two months. I been out of commission for awhile in case you forgot."
Affecting an air of outrage, Rodney turned his attention to John. "I have a photographic memory, Colonel. I don't forget anything. And I hardly think you need me to go over the mission reports. I wasn't actually on any of those missions, as you well know."
John just looked at him, his lower lip protruding outward in what could only be described as a pout.
"Oh, for heaven's sake! What do you want me to do? Read them to you?"
"Hey!" John smiled brightly. "That's a brilliant idea! And I thought all that genius stuff was just talk."
Rodney sputtered indignantly before beginning a vigorous defense of his unparalleled intellect.
Radek smiled as he watched John and Rodney continue to bicker like an old married couple. Rodney would return to his usual, tolerable levels of disdain for his colleagues. He would continue to smile stupidly at the Colonel when he thought no one was watching. He would survive this. They all would.
~~ # ~~ # ~~ # ~~ # ~~
A/N: The title is from a W.H. Auden poem which can be viewed at this site: http://unix.cc.wmich.edu/~cooneys/poems/auden.stop.html.
Author:
asjbgPairing: McKay/Sheppard
Rating: PG
Words: 1,551
Warnings: Death of minor character.
Spoilers: None. The attack referred to in this story is not one that has actually occurred in any episode.
Summary: Rodney was not the only one suffering.
Recipient:
gwendolenNote to Recipient: I managed to work in a few of your requests. McShep, Rodney/Zelenka friendship and somewhat dark with a happy/hopeful ending. This was different than what I normally write, so it was kind of a challenge for me. Hope you like it. And have a Merry Christmas! (or a Happy Hanukkah!)
Stop All The Clocks
~~ # ~~ # ~~ # ~~ # ~~
Dr. Radek Zelenka looked up as Dr. Rodney McKay stormed into Astrophysics Lab 2 wearing a dark look and a t-shirt emblazoned with the words 'BAH HUMBUG.' It was two days until Christmas by Earth's calendar, and despite the recent tragedy, the inhabitants of Atlantis-except for Rodney-had been making an effort to celebrate the holiday.
Radek smiled warmly as Rodney approached and asked, "Where in galaxy did you get grouchy Christmas shirt?"
As he expected, Rodney ignored him entirely and continued to his workstation where he put down his laptop and coffee cup. Wrenching open the laptop, Rodney began typing furiously, scowling at the screen.
Radek continued working while keeping an eye on Rodney and occasionally shaking his head ruefully at Rodney's antics. He was torn between annoyance and compassion for the man. He felt for Rodney. Truly, he did. But Rodney was not the only one suffering.
Almost two months ago, Atlantis had unexpectedly been attacked by an alien race called the Maldorans. Eight of their friends and colleagues had died in the Maldoran attack and twenty-two more had been injured, nine of them quite seriously. Dr. Beckett and his staff had been working around the clock to prevent any further deaths and as of today, fifty-five days after the attack, they were succeeding. No one else had died from their injuries and all but two of the victims of the attack had been released from the infirmary.
Rodney had not been injured in the attack. He had not even been in the city when the attack occurred. He had returned two days after it was over, on the Daedalus, to discover several sections of the city in ruins and a number of his colleagues dead or injured. Rodney had quickly assessed the damage and together with Radek, had been instrumental in restoring Atlantis' vital systems. He had worked quickly and efficiently, but his disposition had become increasingly unpleasant.
Rodney's attitude had continued to deteriorate, and his behavior the past few days had, in Radek's opinion, crossed the line. Radek had been waiting patiently for Dr. Weir to talk to Rodney, to let him know his conduct was unacceptable but as of yet, such a discussion had not occurred.
After observing Rodney viciously berate Miko, using language that could only be called abusive, Radek came to a decision. He rose from his seat and walked over to Rodney, laying his hand on Rodney's arm to get his attention. Rodney looked up, glaring balefully.
"I'm busy," he declared. "Unless the city's about to blow up, go away."
Radek sighed. "Rodney, you have to stop."
"Stop what?" Rodney snapped, turning back to his laptop.
"Rodney. He is out of infirmary. He is walking around, not permanently disabled. He was badly hurt but now is doing very well. In few months, he will be good as new. And I know for fact, that he spent last night in your quarters-.
Rodney's head whipped up, and he glared at Radek. "That's none of your business!"
"Yes. Is none of my business, and I assure you I am not wanting to know as much as I do. I only say this to help you."
Rodney snorted.
"Rodney, you must stop screaming at and insulting everyone. You have been stomping around like Christmas Grouch-"
"It's Grinch! Christmas Grinch!"
"-snarling at everyone and it must stop. You should be happy for what you have. Many others are not so lucky as you." Radek paused, looking deadly serious. "Carson, for instance."
Rodney had the grace to look abashed. "I know. I know. I wish Cadman had made it too. I wish everyone had survived. I wish it had never happened. I'm not a monster. I just..." he trailed off.
"Am not saying you are monster. Am saying you are making life miserable for rest of us. None of us is in mood for celebrations. But is Christmas, and we are trying. And your behavior," Radek said, looking pointedly at Rodney's t-shirt, "is not helping."
"It's just a t-shirt."
"Is not t-shirt that I am talking about, and you know this. Though t-shirt is symbolic. You are stomping around, screaming and glaring at everyone whether is warranted or not-usually not. You are being child, acting like your pain is more than your colleagues and friends."
Radek's gaze turned stern. "Your pain, your suffering, is no more, no less than ours. Is true, someone you care about very much-I suspect even love-was badly hurt in attack. But he is our friend too. And so was Lieutenant Cadman and Corporal Aster and Dr. Stuart and all of people who died and ones injured too. We all feel pain and loss of them. But we try to move on. We try to honor them by not giving up and by continuing our way of life, by celebrating silly Earth holiday. And you must do this as well."
Rodney's shoulders slumped, and he looked away. Radek waited for several moments, but Rodney didn't speak and so he returned to his workstation, unsure if he had reached Rodney. Unsure if Rodney understood the effect his behavior was having on all of Atlantis. That it was hampering their efforts to heal.
Radek resumed working on the power distribution scheme he'd been puzzling over since a few weeks after the attack. The repaired systems seemed to be using more energy than previously. He glanced up at Rodney every few minutes, waiting for a reaction, any indication that Rodney had heard and absorbed his admonishment.
Rodney sat there, unmoving, staring blankly into the distance. It was forty minutes before he finally stirred, shaking himself from his reverie. Radek looked up again just as Rodney turned to him. In a small voice, full of pain, Rodney whispered, "He's covered in scars."
Radek didn't respond. He waited patiently for Rodney to continue, knowing it was difficult for Rodney to speak. Like most men from the American continents, he was not one to voluntarily discuss his feelings.
"He's covered in scars," repeated Rodney. "Covered in them. Too many to count. I tried. Last night...it was the first time I saw them. All of them. The full extent of what they did to him. I knew it was bad. Close." He laughed humorlessly. "It's always bad. Always close. But he always pulls it off. He always survives. But this time...he really could have...he almost..."
Rodney blinked a few times and raised his hand to his eyes as if to wipe away the tears that threatened to fall. He caught himself though and dropped his hand to his side and turned away.
Radek rose from his chair again and walked over to Rodney. "I wish I had words to make you feel better, to reassure you, but I do not. Life in Pegasus galaxy is dangerous. We lose people. But we did not lose Colonel Sheppard-"
"This time!" Rodney cried.
"Yes, this time. Colonel Sheppard will be first to tell you we live on borrowed time here. He may one day be killed. Or you will be or me. Or all of us-"
"You really suck at this," Rodney interrupted.
"I know. And you suck at being human being. Especially since your boyfriend gets hurt."
"Shhh-quiet!" Rodney stammered, glancing around franticly.
"Is no one here. Everyone is avoiding you, remember? No one except Miko has come to lab for days. Besides, everyone knows about you and Colonel."
"Everyone?"
"Yes. And we know about your trips in puddlejumper for 'flying lessons' and that you move to new quarters because has back door for Colonel to sneak out in morning. But this is not point. Point is, you need to-how do you say-'Get over yourself.' Now." Radek pronounced.
Rodney crossed his arms and glowered. "OK! Ok! You win. I'll stop being an asshole."
Radek raised his eyebrows in response.
"More of an asshole than usual," Rodney amended.
"Is all I ask."
Rodney continued to glare at Radek who smiled sweetly at him and returned to his workstation. Rodney was still glaring when John appeared in the doorway.
"Hey, McKay," he called out. "I need you to go over the mission reports with me for the last two months. I been out of commission for awhile in case you forgot."
Affecting an air of outrage, Rodney turned his attention to John. "I have a photographic memory, Colonel. I don't forget anything. And I hardly think you need me to go over the mission reports. I wasn't actually on any of those missions, as you well know."
John just looked at him, his lower lip protruding outward in what could only be described as a pout.
"Oh, for heaven's sake! What do you want me to do? Read them to you?"
"Hey!" John smiled brightly. "That's a brilliant idea! And I thought all that genius stuff was just talk."
Rodney sputtered indignantly before beginning a vigorous defense of his unparalleled intellect.
Radek smiled as he watched John and Rodney continue to bicker like an old married couple. Rodney would return to his usual, tolerable levels of disdain for his colleagues. He would continue to smile stupidly at the Colonel when he thought no one was watching. He would survive this. They all would.
~~ # ~~ # ~~ # ~~ # ~~
A/N: The title is from a W.H. Auden poem which can be viewed at this site: http://unix.cc.wmich.edu/~cooneys/poems/auden.stop.html.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2005-12-23 07:15 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-01-02 09:55 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-12-24 01:35 pm (UTC)Radek raised his eyebrows in response.
"More of an asshole than usual," Rodney amended.
"Is all I ask."
HAH! I liked this one a lot. Thanks.
no subject
Date: 2005-12-25 05:35 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-01-02 09:57 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-01-02 09:56 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-12-26 01:19 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-01-02 09:57 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-12-26 12:42 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-01-02 09:58 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-12-26 01:44 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-01-02 10:37 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-12-26 06:46 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-01-02 09:58 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-12-28 06:00 am (UTC)I like the idea of Radek being the one to snap Rodney out of his mood - because he is truly the friedn that Rodney needs!
Great story :D
no subject
Date: 2006-01-02 09:59 pm (UTC)He really is, isn't he? Thanks for the feedback! *g*
no subject
Date: 2006-01-02 06:24 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-01-02 10:01 pm (UTC)Thanks for the feedback! Glad you liked it!