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sga_santaTitle: Senses and Sensibility
Author:![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
eviljr
Recipient:clwilson2006
Pairing: Lorne/Parrish
Rating: PG13
Disclaimer: Takes place post Tabula Rasa
Author's Notes:clwilson2006 asked for H/C and a Sentinel crossover which admittedly I did watch back in the day but I haven't seen in YEARS and barely remember. Having said that I still wanted to give you something you wanted so I decided to do a mini homage to it instead. I hope this will work for you! Many thanks to my wonderful beta, Mare!
Summary: A touch of feels
-o-
"I don't see why we need an escort," the third wheel scientist was complaining.
Lorne sighed and mentally rolled his eyes. He could hear an echo of a sigh coming from David behind him. "The city is dangerous at the best of times, especially in the undiscovered areas," David said over his shoulder to the man. "Besides, the Major is a natural gene carrier and he may be able to assist in accessing areas that we cannot." He concluded putting on his best teasing voice. "That's why we really bring him."
But Evan didn't bite, not evening giving David a knowing smile. The airman's back stiffened some but he said nothing.
David's skin flushed a bright red at the non reaction. He couldn't understand what was going on with Evan. He'd been mostly giving him the cold shoulder the past two weeks, since the day the whole city was plagued with temporary memory loss. The airman had taken late patrol shifts every night and hadn't visited him at all in his lab. They been together almost two years and now this? It hurt, hurt deep. Evan wasn't normally like this and even though they still had separate quarters to keep up appearances they rarely slept apart. He coughed away his uncertainty and pretended to check something on his tablet which was tucked into his arm.
Evan kept the pain from his face as he walked through the long hallway. It had been tense between them the last few weeks. They hadn't seen each other between shifts, barely spoken. Evan felt a twinge of guilt, as he knew it had mostly been his fault. He had been avoiding the scientist. When David's name had popped up on the list of scientist doing this recon Evan had cringed. He didn't know how to deal with the struggles bombarding his mind. He had been so distracted, he couldn't focus. Even now he couldn't even remember the complaining scientist's name. He had taken to referring him as the grouch-a-sauras. "We've arrived at the unknown territory," he advised stopping in front of a door confirming their arrival by indicating the blank area above the access panel with a wave of his hand.
David stopped besides him, the grouch-a-sauras almost running into David. "Ah, yes. No marking." The grouch-a-sauras acknowledged.
The marking system adopted by the city's residents had been implemented over a year ago. Each room that was explored would have an X placed just above the access panel. If the room was a dangerous, cross was placed above the X, If the room was boring or benign a circle around the X. If the room had potential technology or other possibilities the circle would go above the X. It was an easy enough system and had been working out nicely for the expedition.
David eyed the panel a moment then worked it over a moment, effectively rigging it to open. The doors hesitated a moment then slid open with a rough wooden sound. David's lips turned down a moment then he looked at his counterpart. "What do you think, Dr. Rice?"
Aha, Evan thought and smiled to himself. The other scientist shrugged peering around David's shoulder into the room. "Looks safe," he ventured.
"I'll be the judge of that," Evan replied pulling his P90 upright and with a glare he pinned the two scientists in place and moved into the dim room.
The pair of them waited a moment as a light sparked to life within. "Clear," Evan said loudly.
David nodded, if only to himself as Dr. Rice slipped around him and into the room eagerly. David's shadow bounced off the far wall, the room was not bright, even with the lighting on. There was little ambient light as he took in his surroundings. One small window took up a corner, as the remaining walls were lined with endless panels of Atlantean shelving, the kind of panels that slid out from the wall. This suggested that there were goodies of unknown origin in those panels. David tried to smile at Evan who was casually leaning against one of the large console dominating the center of the room but the other man's eyes darted away. "It looks like a typical lab," the airman commented.
"Yes," Dr. Rice said. "But what kind," he hoisted up his tablet from the sling at his back and started to rapid fire tap on it.
David joined him laying his own tablet on the smooth surface. "Are you connected?" He asked.
Dr. Rice nodded. "Its botany," he replied with disappointment, his own field of study being fauna rather than flora. "Right up your alley, it seems. You win the first go."
David grinned. "Sorry, James-maybe next time."
"Win some, lose some." The other man replied disconnecting from the console. David took his place, connecting his own.
"Does it say what's in all of these?" Evan asked to the room at large, rather than directing it to David.
The scientist bit his lip. Evan's disregard for him lately was really starting to grate, and worry him. What was going on he thought, had he done something wrong. Evan was never this off-handed. "I'm not sure yet," he replied. "There's a great amount of data to transfer to my tablet. Try opening a panel, maybe?"
Evan nodded his hand randomly selecting a panel as he pressed the thumb sized pad to open it. The air whooshed as it slid out toward the airman man revealing a shelf, with multiple specimens of the same stick like plant, all suspended in various colors of liquid.
"Well, that's interesting, "Dr. Rice said but his voice did little to hide his lack of interest. "I think I'll wait in the hall.
Neither Evan nor David acknowledged the scientist's exit as David continued to tap as his tablet. "Are we going to talk about it?"
"What?" Evan whispered still eyeing the panel intently.
"The elephant that magically appeared sitting between us." David huffed, he was too afraid to look up. Afraid Evan wouldn't be looking at him, avoiding him. It was tearing him up inside.
"Look, "Evan said pointing to one of the sections of colored liquid he replied instead, changing the subject. "This one seems to be broken open. His hand reached up toward the section. "The liquid seemed to be drained. I think I can take it out."
"Caref-" David started to say looking up from his tablet but was cut off by a sharp retort from Evan as he yanked back his hand. "What happened?" The scientist replied.
Evan's eyebrows were arched in annoyance rather than pain. "The glass cut you?" David asked
Evan shook his head studying the gash on his hand. "That stick plant got me. It has some wicked barbs on it, not unlike a rose."
David nodded. "We'll need to make sure you're checked out when we get back, in case it gets infected."
Evan didn't reply, instead his face pulled into a mask of uncertainty. "I-" he started to say.
"What?" David asked.
"I feel wrong," Evan's voice croaked and he screamed out in sudden pain. His voice rising sharply as his hands flew to his face, pressing into his eyes as he collapsed echoing David's scream of panic.
-o-
Evan's eye's opened slowly, pain radiating from behind them as he forced them to focus but it was rewarded with only a fuzzy view of his surroundings. His mouth was dry and his lips darted over them in response. He groaned lightly attempting to move but he realized his body didn't want to respond and he panicked slightly as his voice tried to call out but his vocals cords weren't responsive either. Suddenly his vision snapped into a clear hi-definition view of the room and he gasped in surprise. His eyes once again scanning the room and in an instant he knew he was in the infirmary on Atlantis. This calmed him some but he could still feel the panic racing through his mind. He couldn't move; was he injured? How bad was it? These thoughts scrambled around each other and his hearing snapped to attention latching onto David's voice.
"I understand, Jennifer," David was saying. "How long will it before we know?"
"Well, David I think that's something I should ask you as this plant is more your field of study." She replied her voice filled with encouragement she added. "But his vitals are stable and he doesn't seem to be in constant pain.
"I've got Katie Brown and a few others helping me run tests on that plant we found. We should know more soon."
Evan's eyes roamed the room quickly, trying to find David but he couldn't see him. Evan was shocked when the door to the infirmary opened and the pair of them walked in. He could hear them from down the hall, every word like they were standing next to him. He could see Jennifer rest a comforting hand on the scientist's shoulder as they glanced toward Evan. Then they both walked out again.
Evan's vision blurred once more and a quick flash of pain raced across his field of vision as his eyed closed and he fell into sleep.
-o-
David was sitting bedside when Evan's eyes finally opened. "Hey," he said. "You're back."
The scientist picked up his hand and Evan winced slightly in fear. He hesitated a moment then looked down at his hand. David almost pulled away from him but Evan gripped his hand in response. He could feel again. He breathed a sigh of relief and looked into David's confused expression and the scientist released his hand moving toward the table.
"Hi," he replied his voice croaked. "How long was I out?"
"About two days. You had us all a little worried, some more than others." He lifted up the cup with a long straw that was sitting there and offered it to him.
Evan took it gratefully. "What's wrong with me?" he asked sipping the water slowly. He had woken in the infirmary enough times to know the routine. A strange commentary on my life, he thought but seeing David waiting for him was something he could never get used to and something he hoped he never would lose. He felt a pang of loss suddenly like part of him thought David might not be there again when he woke up.
"As far as we know nothing," he sighed leaning back into the plastic chair. "All of your tests are normal you were just unconscious but the plant we think caused this could be untraceable in blood, we're just not sure yet. We've got a team studying it, and it has some amazing properties, we think th-" but he stopped mid sentence and flushed. "That's not important though, I'm just glad you're ok."
Evan grinned; he loved when David got all excited over a new discovery. He nodded in understanding. "David, something happened to me," he searched for the words to explain. "I experienced something."
"What, what is it?" David asked leaning forward again.
"I woke up; I don't think it was long after I was brought here. I couldn't move. It was like I was paralyzed, but I could hear you and Dr. Keller talking."
"Talking?" David asked.
"Yes, I could hear you talking about me and you were in the hallway."
David frowned slightly. "Are you sure, we were pretty far off."
Evan nodded. "I know, it was strange. I could hear every word," he shook his head as though trying to bring back the memory and was silent for several minutes. "When can I be released?" He finally asked.
David made a motion of smoothing out his pants, a quirk Evan knew all too well. David was stressed. "I will talk to Jennifer and we'll see about getting you moved to your quarters for some rest." He rose from his chair, his hand covering Evan's for a moment then he swiftly walked away.
-o-
David poured another sample into the beaker and swished it lightly. He sighed as the color remained clear. Why, why couldn't he breakdown the components for this thing? He pulled up his notes again via the tablet and tapped through them lightly. He knew the Atlantean scientist was experimenting with the odd branch like plant but the results were all over the map. The scientist had tried it on himself and noted that several outcomes were promising. Heighted smell, and sometimes touch but the scientist had abandoned this particular plant when he had almost overdosed on his final trial run. He had to give the Ancients their due; they were fearless when it came to discovery.
David rubbed a hand over his face quickly and bit his lip as he glanced up and took in his lab. It was quiet, and empty. Everyone else had turned in for the night but he was still slaving away at it. Three days had passed since Evan had awoken; the airman had been on bed rest the first day and back on duty since. He was back to avoiding David and he still didn't understand why.
"Hi," a voice said.
David's head whipped around to the door. Evan was leaning against the frame watching him; his P90 sat casually in his hands. "You look tired." He said.
David nodded. "I haven't been very successful with this thing." He replied pointing to the remaining samples of the plant suspended it various containers on his lab table.
Evan nodded. "Anything on the side effects I mentioned?" he asked coming further into the lab to stand closer to the table.
David smiled. "Yes actually, I found several references from the Atlantean scientist about heightened senses. Smell, touch, things like that."
Evan scoffed. "Well, my sense of touch wasn't elevated. It was the exact opposite. I couldn't move at all."
David smiled. "I think the reaction is different for everyone. It depends on your level of the Ancient gene as well. It seems to trigger different senses, but I think he, the scientist, was trying to synthesize a way to elevate them all. At once."
"Really?" Evan asked eyeing the plant with interest. "Did it work?"
David shook his head. "No, he gave up before it almost killed him but I've been recreating a few of his formulas. I just wish I could test them."
"You can, with me." Evan replied.
David's eyes went wide. "You can't be serious Evan; I would never do that to you."
Evan shrugged. "I trust you." He replied. "More than I trust myself."
"What does that mean?" David replied standing. "What is going on with you, why can't you talk to me?"
Evan changed the subject. "I better go, I have to finish my rounds," he said, turning. He disappeared into the city before David could reply.
-o-
David's adjusted his collar and the tablet, cleared his throat as he approached Carter's office. He had never been summoned to her office before and he suddenly had a strangled feeling.
"Colonel?" he said standing her in doorway. "You wanted to see me?"
Sam looked up from her tablet. "Yes, Dr. Parrish. Please come in, sit down." She smiled indicating a chair in front of her desk.
David took a few quick steps and settled into the chair, his tablet settling into his lap.
"I called you in because I've heard you've had promising results with the Atlantean plant discovered a week ago," she said, her hands clasping and going under her chin.
"I don't know about that Colonel, but there are some promising aspects if we can isolate some of the properties. I've managed to come up with a condensed sample that can be easily injected. Testing is the key but live subjects are out."
"Why's that?" she asked her head angling, her face remaining neutral.
"Why?" David coughed. "There's so much that's unknown with this species of plant. Even the Atlantean's had given up on this thing, it's dangerous."
"I see," she replied frowning. "I wasn't made aware of that. There has been a volunteer who has spoken highly of your abilities who would like to try this condensed sample you mention and I respect him enough to trust his judgment."
David nodded; he knew who she meant so he didn't ask for the name. "He must have been really convincing," David said.
Sam smiled. "Oh, he was. I'm not going to force you to do this Dr. Parrish, but I wanted to let you know you have my go ahead and you have a willing volunteer." She opened her hands and spread them across her desk a moment. "I just wanted to inform you of your options."
"I see, well thank you Colonel." He replied standing. "I will report any findings if we move forward. Is Dr. Keller aware of this?" He moved toward the door but paused, turning back to her.
"She's been informed. She wasn't keen but she understands the implications this experiment could give us."
"I see, ok thank you." He whispered and hurried from the room.
-o-
Evan chewed on his sandwich thoughtfully while watching the water, his feet dangling over the edge of the platform. He was sitting in his favorite place in the city. Not many people knew of this place, and fewer knew he liked coming here. The salt and breeze off the water put him at ease. "Evan?" a voice came from behind him.
David was standing behind him holding a tray. "May I join you?"
The airman padded the space beside him with his empty hand but said nothing.
David plopped down next to him. "I spoke with Colonel Carter; she told me what you want to do."
"And?" Evan replied taking another bite. "What have you decided?" he asked still looking over the water.
"I think it's dangerous and I'm saying no." he said.
Evan nodded as if he knew that was the answer all along. "I knew you wouldn't approve, but I'm asking you to do this for me."
"Why?" David asked.
Evan shook his head, and tossed the remains of his sandwich into the wind. "I can't tell you that."
David sighed, exasperated. "Evan, you want me to try a dangerous experiment on you. You say you trust me to do so but you can't trust me enough to explain why? Please, tell me what is going on."
"Please, David. Can we just try this? If it doesn't work or it goes wrong the first time then I'll drop it."
David studied him a moment. Evan's normally easy going expression was grim, his laugh lines hiding. David's heart cringed, he wanted to reach out to the other man and hold him. Do something, but not in broad daylight in this public space. He could see he was in some sort of mental pain, and he didn't know what else to do. "Ok," he finally acquiesced. "Ok, we can try it, if after we do we talk. You tell me what is going on and why you're avoiding me. It's tearing me apart, Evan. I can't do this anymore. If you don't want to be with me then we need discuss it."
Evan nodded turning to him, his face relaxing some. "Thank you David." He his hand twitched as though he wanted to reach out to touch the other man and then realized where they were and it fell back into place. "I know this has been hard, and I'm sorry. You're right we do need to talk."
"Tomorrow morning, my lab." David said as lifted his untouched tray standing in one fluid motion and walked away.
-o-
Evan arrived just David was refilling his coffee mug. "Have you been here all night?" Evan asked eyeing the scientist. David's eyes were red and puffy.
"Possibly," he replied sipping from his cup. "I've been retesting my samples as it seems the man I love is insisting on putting himself at my mercy and not in a manner that's nearly as fun as it is normally."
It was Evan's turn to flush red at the comment and he coughed to cover his unease. "Are you ready for this?" He asked.
"No," David replied indicating the other man sit in the stool next to him. "But you're not giving me much in the way of options."
Evan slipped onto the stool and rolled up his sleeve. David wiped a small spot on his arm and picked up the needle. "Last chance," David said.
Evan caught his gaze and nodded before tensing slightly and David slipped the needle into his arm and pushed the contents in. "Feeling anything?" David asked.
Evan shook his head then gasped. "Wait," his eyes rapid blinked then opened wide before he slid from the stool to the floor. For the second time in as many days David's voice cried out in panic, screaming his name.
-o-
"I knew this was wrong," David whispered. "Why, why did I let him talk me into this?" his voice cracked as he sat beside the bed. Evan was motionless, his vitals pinging on the machine next to the bed.
"He's stable and breathing on his own David," Dr. Keller replied from the other side of the bed. "Essentially he's just as he was last time, better even as we have rapid eye movement. He's sleeping not comatose as before."
David shook his head and rocked back and forth in the chair chewing on his lip. "I will never forgive myself if something happens to him, "he whispered.
"Hey," Evan said his eyes jumping open, going wide. "Where am I?" he asked his eyes searching. "How long was I out this time?"
"You're in the infirmary, "Jennifer replied. "It was only about an hour. David is here. "She pointed toward David. "Can you see us?" she asked shining a pin light into his eyes.
"Not fully, yet," he replied. "It's still fuzzy; you're like large blurs that I can almost distinguish. Like when I woke up last time. I can move though." His right hand moved slightly, his fingers wiggling. "That's progress."
"Evan, I'm so sorry." David said his voice catching.
"Don't be," Evan said and his eyes focused on David suddenly. "I can see you now and whoa. It's like crisp, it's-I can even describe it."
"What?" David asked. "What is it?"
Evan sat up. "I can smell mint."
"Mint?" David repeated confused he looked to Jennifer who shook her head. A figure walked into view, a nurse holding a tablet.
"Are you wearing anything mint or did you eat anything with mint?" Evan asked her suddenly.
She frowned slightly. "Yes, I had some mints a few minutes ago but I was in another room." She handed the tablet to Dr. Keller and with another surprised glance toward Evan she left.
"I could smell it." He said. "It was strong, like I was inhaling a handful of mint."
David gasped. "It worked." He said. "I can't believe its working."
Jennifer tapped lightly on the tablet. "These are your exam results. You're healthy as can be, with some added bonus, it seems."
Evan nodded, his eyes becoming weary.
"I think our patient may need some rest." Dr. Keller finally said. "We should let him be for a bit."
David nodded before rising he ran his hand along Evan's arm. The airman's eyes drifted close.
Evan closed his eyes as the water ran over him. The water felt amazing, to his sense of touch now. It had been twelve hours since David had given him the dose. His eyes focused and brought images in clearer than he ever thought. He could hear conversations in another room; if he concentrated the same with smells. Although, he didn't always favor that option as he had a snoot full of unpleasant smells throughout the day.
He was surprised that David hadn't appeared at his door for answers but perhaps he was waiting for Evan to do the mea culpa. Evan didn't blame him; he hadn't been a pleasant person to be around. He completed a briefing with Colonel Carter and Colonel Sheppard an hour ago. He had his first mission in the morning, escorting a scientist to the mainland a trial run for his new abilities. He sighed inwardly, wishing he could share this with David but he wasn't sure if he was ready to face the other man or if David would even forgive how he had been acting.
He pushed the off button and shook out his dark hair as he stepped from the shower. He did a quick run over with the towel and pulled on a dark pair of running pants. He was poised to run the towel back over his still damp hair when he heard something. His head cocked sideways, pausing a moment as he focused. Yes, they were approaching his door. He tossed the towel over his shoulder and stood in front of the door. He smiled to himself; he could smell David's aftershave from the other side of the door. He knew the scientist was steeling himself before announcing himself.
Evan motioned his hand over the sensor and the door slid open. David jumped slightly looking up, and his eyes took in the half naked airman. He made an undignified noise and swallowed it down. He pasted on a neutral look and nodded. "Evan, I was hoping we could talk."
Evan stepped back opening his arm to indicate welcome. David slipped past him and went to the bed sitting on the corner; he coughed slightly and cleared his throat. Evan took up residence against the far wall, his arms sliding under each other to cover his bare chest as he leaned against it. "Evan, I've been looking over your test results and have been comparing them to my studies."
Evan stood upright. "There's something wrong with me?" his face softening.
David shook his head. "No, you're fine but if I'm right the effects are not going to last. You'll have these abilities for maybe a day or two at the most but they're not permanent."
Evan turned away and paced the room; David looked down at his hand and grasped them. "I'm sorry Evan for disappointing you. For letting you down and I can understand if you don't love me anymore," He whispered.
Evan turned to him in surprise, his focus taking in the scientist all at once. The wrinkles at the corners of the other man's eyes, the pain in his voice assaulted his senses. "Oh, God David. I never stopped loving you. " Evan was kneeling at his feet in seconds. "You have nothing to be sorry about. It's me, it's all me." He took the other man into his arms. "I'm such an idiot for putting you through this but it was me."
"Please, Evan. Tell me what's wrong." Evan pleaded into David's shoulder.
Evan pulled back wiping at the corners of David's face. "I-" he hesitated rocking back a moment then pulling himself up to sit next David and placing his arms around him. His sense of touch kicking up as David nestled into side. "When the city lost its memory a few weeks back we all lost our way."
David nodded. "Yes, I don't remember much as the botanists seemed to have the most memory loss, Katie and I both piecing things together."
"I remember," Evan said to the top of David's head. "I almost killed you, David. I almost shot you by accident. "
"No," David replied shaking his head he pulled away and looked into Evan's eyes. "That didn't happen."
"It did," Evan said. I was coming down a hallway alone, not long after I first wave of memory loss. I was armed and I think I must have been looking for you before I lost my memory and you were running around a corner, waving your hands and shouting. Before I knew what I was doing I brought up my weapon and fired. I missed thankfully, but only because you had slipped and fallen on the floor. Your face, David. It was full of fear, and I remember it. I remember almost killing you." Evan choked down the last words.
David pulled the other man to him. "I don't blame you, I don't." he said.
Evan continued. "I've never felt so weak; I couldn't even protect you, the one person I love. When I felt the effects of that plant the first time, I thought there was an answer. A way I could," he paused considering his words. "Improve myself so I could keep my wits, even in the direst situations."
David smacked him. "Hey!" Evan exclaimed.
"You fool," David admonished. "You don't need to improve anything. I don't care if you can see in the dark, or hear something coming from a mile away or whatever. You are the strongest, most amazing person I've ever known. I love you, and I would never blame you for what could have happened in a situation you had no control over. You should know me better than that." He pulled Evan to him their lips colliding with need, with everything they had not been able to share the last two weeks. It was an eager kiss, tongues entwining with need as Evan guided David onto the bed with him.
"I love you," Evan whispered when they finally broke apart.
David smiled his fingers tracing over Evan's bare chest. "I love you too, and I hope you never put any doubt between us again. Please Evan, know that."
Evan nodded. "So, no chance I will be super-powered forever?" He asked with a grin.
David shook his head. "No, and don't even ask me to shoot you up with that stuff again. I'm scrapping the whole thing. Long term I don't like what it could do."
Evan sighed. "I guess it was just wasn't meant to be, but in the meantime," He pulled the other man closer his hands sliding over David's butt appreciatively. I would like to use this sense of touch to my full advantage.
David's reply was lost as Evan met his lips once more.
The End.
Author:
eviljrRecipient:
clwilson2006Pairing: Lorne/Parrish
Rating: PG13
Disclaimer: Takes place post Tabula Rasa
Author's Notes:
clwilson2006 asked for H/C and a Sentinel crossover which admittedly I did watch back in the day but I haven't seen in YEARS and barely remember. Having said that I still wanted to give you something you wanted so I decided to do a mini homage to it instead. I hope this will work for you! Many thanks to my wonderful beta, Mare! Summary: A touch of feels
-o-
"I don't see why we need an escort," the third wheel scientist was complaining.
Lorne sighed and mentally rolled his eyes. He could hear an echo of a sigh coming from David behind him. "The city is dangerous at the best of times, especially in the undiscovered areas," David said over his shoulder to the man. "Besides, the Major is a natural gene carrier and he may be able to assist in accessing areas that we cannot." He concluded putting on his best teasing voice. "That's why we really bring him."
But Evan didn't bite, not evening giving David a knowing smile. The airman's back stiffened some but he said nothing.
David's skin flushed a bright red at the non reaction. He couldn't understand what was going on with Evan. He'd been mostly giving him the cold shoulder the past two weeks, since the day the whole city was plagued with temporary memory loss. The airman had taken late patrol shifts every night and hadn't visited him at all in his lab. They been together almost two years and now this? It hurt, hurt deep. Evan wasn't normally like this and even though they still had separate quarters to keep up appearances they rarely slept apart. He coughed away his uncertainty and pretended to check something on his tablet which was tucked into his arm.
Evan kept the pain from his face as he walked through the long hallway. It had been tense between them the last few weeks. They hadn't seen each other between shifts, barely spoken. Evan felt a twinge of guilt, as he knew it had mostly been his fault. He had been avoiding the scientist. When David's name had popped up on the list of scientist doing this recon Evan had cringed. He didn't know how to deal with the struggles bombarding his mind. He had been so distracted, he couldn't focus. Even now he couldn't even remember the complaining scientist's name. He had taken to referring him as the grouch-a-sauras. "We've arrived at the unknown territory," he advised stopping in front of a door confirming their arrival by indicating the blank area above the access panel with a wave of his hand.
David stopped besides him, the grouch-a-sauras almost running into David. "Ah, yes. No marking." The grouch-a-sauras acknowledged.
The marking system adopted by the city's residents had been implemented over a year ago. Each room that was explored would have an X placed just above the access panel. If the room was a dangerous, cross was placed above the X, If the room was boring or benign a circle around the X. If the room had potential technology or other possibilities the circle would go above the X. It was an easy enough system and had been working out nicely for the expedition.
David eyed the panel a moment then worked it over a moment, effectively rigging it to open. The doors hesitated a moment then slid open with a rough wooden sound. David's lips turned down a moment then he looked at his counterpart. "What do you think, Dr. Rice?"
Aha, Evan thought and smiled to himself. The other scientist shrugged peering around David's shoulder into the room. "Looks safe," he ventured.
"I'll be the judge of that," Evan replied pulling his P90 upright and with a glare he pinned the two scientists in place and moved into the dim room.
The pair of them waited a moment as a light sparked to life within. "Clear," Evan said loudly.
David nodded, if only to himself as Dr. Rice slipped around him and into the room eagerly. David's shadow bounced off the far wall, the room was not bright, even with the lighting on. There was little ambient light as he took in his surroundings. One small window took up a corner, as the remaining walls were lined with endless panels of Atlantean shelving, the kind of panels that slid out from the wall. This suggested that there were goodies of unknown origin in those panels. David tried to smile at Evan who was casually leaning against one of the large console dominating the center of the room but the other man's eyes darted away. "It looks like a typical lab," the airman commented.
"Yes," Dr. Rice said. "But what kind," he hoisted up his tablet from the sling at his back and started to rapid fire tap on it.
David joined him laying his own tablet on the smooth surface. "Are you connected?" He asked.
Dr. Rice nodded. "Its botany," he replied with disappointment, his own field of study being fauna rather than flora. "Right up your alley, it seems. You win the first go."
David grinned. "Sorry, James-maybe next time."
"Win some, lose some." The other man replied disconnecting from the console. David took his place, connecting his own.
"Does it say what's in all of these?" Evan asked to the room at large, rather than directing it to David.
The scientist bit his lip. Evan's disregard for him lately was really starting to grate, and worry him. What was going on he thought, had he done something wrong. Evan was never this off-handed. "I'm not sure yet," he replied. "There's a great amount of data to transfer to my tablet. Try opening a panel, maybe?"
Evan nodded his hand randomly selecting a panel as he pressed the thumb sized pad to open it. The air whooshed as it slid out toward the airman man revealing a shelf, with multiple specimens of the same stick like plant, all suspended in various colors of liquid.
"Well, that's interesting, "Dr. Rice said but his voice did little to hide his lack of interest. "I think I'll wait in the hall.
Neither Evan nor David acknowledged the scientist's exit as David continued to tap as his tablet. "Are we going to talk about it?"
"What?" Evan whispered still eyeing the panel intently.
"The elephant that magically appeared sitting between us." David huffed, he was too afraid to look up. Afraid Evan wouldn't be looking at him, avoiding him. It was tearing him up inside.
"Look, "Evan said pointing to one of the sections of colored liquid he replied instead, changing the subject. "This one seems to be broken open. His hand reached up toward the section. "The liquid seemed to be drained. I think I can take it out."
"Caref-" David started to say looking up from his tablet but was cut off by a sharp retort from Evan as he yanked back his hand. "What happened?" The scientist replied.
Evan's eyebrows were arched in annoyance rather than pain. "The glass cut you?" David asked
Evan shook his head studying the gash on his hand. "That stick plant got me. It has some wicked barbs on it, not unlike a rose."
David nodded. "We'll need to make sure you're checked out when we get back, in case it gets infected."
Evan didn't reply, instead his face pulled into a mask of uncertainty. "I-" he started to say.
"What?" David asked.
"I feel wrong," Evan's voice croaked and he screamed out in sudden pain. His voice rising sharply as his hands flew to his face, pressing into his eyes as he collapsed echoing David's scream of panic.
-o-
Evan's eye's opened slowly, pain radiating from behind them as he forced them to focus but it was rewarded with only a fuzzy view of his surroundings. His mouth was dry and his lips darted over them in response. He groaned lightly attempting to move but he realized his body didn't want to respond and he panicked slightly as his voice tried to call out but his vocals cords weren't responsive either. Suddenly his vision snapped into a clear hi-definition view of the room and he gasped in surprise. His eyes once again scanning the room and in an instant he knew he was in the infirmary on Atlantis. This calmed him some but he could still feel the panic racing through his mind. He couldn't move; was he injured? How bad was it? These thoughts scrambled around each other and his hearing snapped to attention latching onto David's voice.
"I understand, Jennifer," David was saying. "How long will it before we know?"
"Well, David I think that's something I should ask you as this plant is more your field of study." She replied her voice filled with encouragement she added. "But his vitals are stable and he doesn't seem to be in constant pain.
"I've got Katie Brown and a few others helping me run tests on that plant we found. We should know more soon."
Evan's eyes roamed the room quickly, trying to find David but he couldn't see him. Evan was shocked when the door to the infirmary opened and the pair of them walked in. He could hear them from down the hall, every word like they were standing next to him. He could see Jennifer rest a comforting hand on the scientist's shoulder as they glanced toward Evan. Then they both walked out again.
Evan's vision blurred once more and a quick flash of pain raced across his field of vision as his eyed closed and he fell into sleep.
-o-
David was sitting bedside when Evan's eyes finally opened. "Hey," he said. "You're back."
The scientist picked up his hand and Evan winced slightly in fear. He hesitated a moment then looked down at his hand. David almost pulled away from him but Evan gripped his hand in response. He could feel again. He breathed a sigh of relief and looked into David's confused expression and the scientist released his hand moving toward the table.
"Hi," he replied his voice croaked. "How long was I out?"
"About two days. You had us all a little worried, some more than others." He lifted up the cup with a long straw that was sitting there and offered it to him.
Evan took it gratefully. "What's wrong with me?" he asked sipping the water slowly. He had woken in the infirmary enough times to know the routine. A strange commentary on my life, he thought but seeing David waiting for him was something he could never get used to and something he hoped he never would lose. He felt a pang of loss suddenly like part of him thought David might not be there again when he woke up.
"As far as we know nothing," he sighed leaning back into the plastic chair. "All of your tests are normal you were just unconscious but the plant we think caused this could be untraceable in blood, we're just not sure yet. We've got a team studying it, and it has some amazing properties, we think th-" but he stopped mid sentence and flushed. "That's not important though, I'm just glad you're ok."
Evan grinned; he loved when David got all excited over a new discovery. He nodded in understanding. "David, something happened to me," he searched for the words to explain. "I experienced something."
"What, what is it?" David asked leaning forward again.
"I woke up; I don't think it was long after I was brought here. I couldn't move. It was like I was paralyzed, but I could hear you and Dr. Keller talking."
"Talking?" David asked.
"Yes, I could hear you talking about me and you were in the hallway."
David frowned slightly. "Are you sure, we were pretty far off."
Evan nodded. "I know, it was strange. I could hear every word," he shook his head as though trying to bring back the memory and was silent for several minutes. "When can I be released?" He finally asked.
David made a motion of smoothing out his pants, a quirk Evan knew all too well. David was stressed. "I will talk to Jennifer and we'll see about getting you moved to your quarters for some rest." He rose from his chair, his hand covering Evan's for a moment then he swiftly walked away.
-o-
David poured another sample into the beaker and swished it lightly. He sighed as the color remained clear. Why, why couldn't he breakdown the components for this thing? He pulled up his notes again via the tablet and tapped through them lightly. He knew the Atlantean scientist was experimenting with the odd branch like plant but the results were all over the map. The scientist had tried it on himself and noted that several outcomes were promising. Heighted smell, and sometimes touch but the scientist had abandoned this particular plant when he had almost overdosed on his final trial run. He had to give the Ancients their due; they were fearless when it came to discovery.
David rubbed a hand over his face quickly and bit his lip as he glanced up and took in his lab. It was quiet, and empty. Everyone else had turned in for the night but he was still slaving away at it. Three days had passed since Evan had awoken; the airman had been on bed rest the first day and back on duty since. He was back to avoiding David and he still didn't understand why.
"Hi," a voice said.
David's head whipped around to the door. Evan was leaning against the frame watching him; his P90 sat casually in his hands. "You look tired." He said.
David nodded. "I haven't been very successful with this thing." He replied pointing to the remaining samples of the plant suspended it various containers on his lab table.
Evan nodded. "Anything on the side effects I mentioned?" he asked coming further into the lab to stand closer to the table.
David smiled. "Yes actually, I found several references from the Atlantean scientist about heightened senses. Smell, touch, things like that."
Evan scoffed. "Well, my sense of touch wasn't elevated. It was the exact opposite. I couldn't move at all."
David smiled. "I think the reaction is different for everyone. It depends on your level of the Ancient gene as well. It seems to trigger different senses, but I think he, the scientist, was trying to synthesize a way to elevate them all. At once."
"Really?" Evan asked eyeing the plant with interest. "Did it work?"
David shook his head. "No, he gave up before it almost killed him but I've been recreating a few of his formulas. I just wish I could test them."
"You can, with me." Evan replied.
David's eyes went wide. "You can't be serious Evan; I would never do that to you."
Evan shrugged. "I trust you." He replied. "More than I trust myself."
"What does that mean?" David replied standing. "What is going on with you, why can't you talk to me?"
Evan changed the subject. "I better go, I have to finish my rounds," he said, turning. He disappeared into the city before David could reply.
-o-
David's adjusted his collar and the tablet, cleared his throat as he approached Carter's office. He had never been summoned to her office before and he suddenly had a strangled feeling.
"Colonel?" he said standing her in doorway. "You wanted to see me?"
Sam looked up from her tablet. "Yes, Dr. Parrish. Please come in, sit down." She smiled indicating a chair in front of her desk.
David took a few quick steps and settled into the chair, his tablet settling into his lap.
"I called you in because I've heard you've had promising results with the Atlantean plant discovered a week ago," she said, her hands clasping and going under her chin.
"I don't know about that Colonel, but there are some promising aspects if we can isolate some of the properties. I've managed to come up with a condensed sample that can be easily injected. Testing is the key but live subjects are out."
"Why's that?" she asked her head angling, her face remaining neutral.
"Why?" David coughed. "There's so much that's unknown with this species of plant. Even the Atlantean's had given up on this thing, it's dangerous."
"I see," she replied frowning. "I wasn't made aware of that. There has been a volunteer who has spoken highly of your abilities who would like to try this condensed sample you mention and I respect him enough to trust his judgment."
David nodded; he knew who she meant so he didn't ask for the name. "He must have been really convincing," David said.
Sam smiled. "Oh, he was. I'm not going to force you to do this Dr. Parrish, but I wanted to let you know you have my go ahead and you have a willing volunteer." She opened her hands and spread them across her desk a moment. "I just wanted to inform you of your options."
"I see, well thank you Colonel." He replied standing. "I will report any findings if we move forward. Is Dr. Keller aware of this?" He moved toward the door but paused, turning back to her.
"She's been informed. She wasn't keen but she understands the implications this experiment could give us."
"I see, ok thank you." He whispered and hurried from the room.
-o-
Evan chewed on his sandwich thoughtfully while watching the water, his feet dangling over the edge of the platform. He was sitting in his favorite place in the city. Not many people knew of this place, and fewer knew he liked coming here. The salt and breeze off the water put him at ease. "Evan?" a voice came from behind him.
David was standing behind him holding a tray. "May I join you?"
The airman padded the space beside him with his empty hand but said nothing.
David plopped down next to him. "I spoke with Colonel Carter; she told me what you want to do."
"And?" Evan replied taking another bite. "What have you decided?" he asked still looking over the water.
"I think it's dangerous and I'm saying no." he said.
Evan nodded as if he knew that was the answer all along. "I knew you wouldn't approve, but I'm asking you to do this for me."
"Why?" David asked.
Evan shook his head, and tossed the remains of his sandwich into the wind. "I can't tell you that."
David sighed, exasperated. "Evan, you want me to try a dangerous experiment on you. You say you trust me to do so but you can't trust me enough to explain why? Please, tell me what is going on."
"Please, David. Can we just try this? If it doesn't work or it goes wrong the first time then I'll drop it."
David studied him a moment. Evan's normally easy going expression was grim, his laugh lines hiding. David's heart cringed, he wanted to reach out to the other man and hold him. Do something, but not in broad daylight in this public space. He could see he was in some sort of mental pain, and he didn't know what else to do. "Ok," he finally acquiesced. "Ok, we can try it, if after we do we talk. You tell me what is going on and why you're avoiding me. It's tearing me apart, Evan. I can't do this anymore. If you don't want to be with me then we need discuss it."
Evan nodded turning to him, his face relaxing some. "Thank you David." He his hand twitched as though he wanted to reach out to touch the other man and then realized where they were and it fell back into place. "I know this has been hard, and I'm sorry. You're right we do need to talk."
"Tomorrow morning, my lab." David said as lifted his untouched tray standing in one fluid motion and walked away.
-o-
Evan arrived just David was refilling his coffee mug. "Have you been here all night?" Evan asked eyeing the scientist. David's eyes were red and puffy.
"Possibly," he replied sipping from his cup. "I've been retesting my samples as it seems the man I love is insisting on putting himself at my mercy and not in a manner that's nearly as fun as it is normally."
It was Evan's turn to flush red at the comment and he coughed to cover his unease. "Are you ready for this?" He asked.
"No," David replied indicating the other man sit in the stool next to him. "But you're not giving me much in the way of options."
Evan slipped onto the stool and rolled up his sleeve. David wiped a small spot on his arm and picked up the needle. "Last chance," David said.
Evan caught his gaze and nodded before tensing slightly and David slipped the needle into his arm and pushed the contents in. "Feeling anything?" David asked.
Evan shook his head then gasped. "Wait," his eyes rapid blinked then opened wide before he slid from the stool to the floor. For the second time in as many days David's voice cried out in panic, screaming his name.
-o-
"I knew this was wrong," David whispered. "Why, why did I let him talk me into this?" his voice cracked as he sat beside the bed. Evan was motionless, his vitals pinging on the machine next to the bed.
"He's stable and breathing on his own David," Dr. Keller replied from the other side of the bed. "Essentially he's just as he was last time, better even as we have rapid eye movement. He's sleeping not comatose as before."
David shook his head and rocked back and forth in the chair chewing on his lip. "I will never forgive myself if something happens to him, "he whispered.
"Hey," Evan said his eyes jumping open, going wide. "Where am I?" he asked his eyes searching. "How long was I out this time?"
"You're in the infirmary, "Jennifer replied. "It was only about an hour. David is here. "She pointed toward David. "Can you see us?" she asked shining a pin light into his eyes.
"Not fully, yet," he replied. "It's still fuzzy; you're like large blurs that I can almost distinguish. Like when I woke up last time. I can move though." His right hand moved slightly, his fingers wiggling. "That's progress."
"Evan, I'm so sorry." David said his voice catching.
"Don't be," Evan said and his eyes focused on David suddenly. "I can see you now and whoa. It's like crisp, it's-I can even describe it."
"What?" David asked. "What is it?"
Evan sat up. "I can smell mint."
"Mint?" David repeated confused he looked to Jennifer who shook her head. A figure walked into view, a nurse holding a tablet.
"Are you wearing anything mint or did you eat anything with mint?" Evan asked her suddenly.
She frowned slightly. "Yes, I had some mints a few minutes ago but I was in another room." She handed the tablet to Dr. Keller and with another surprised glance toward Evan she left.
"I could smell it." He said. "It was strong, like I was inhaling a handful of mint."
David gasped. "It worked." He said. "I can't believe its working."
Jennifer tapped lightly on the tablet. "These are your exam results. You're healthy as can be, with some added bonus, it seems."
Evan nodded, his eyes becoming weary.
"I think our patient may need some rest." Dr. Keller finally said. "We should let him be for a bit."
David nodded before rising he ran his hand along Evan's arm. The airman's eyes drifted close.
Evan closed his eyes as the water ran over him. The water felt amazing, to his sense of touch now. It had been twelve hours since David had given him the dose. His eyes focused and brought images in clearer than he ever thought. He could hear conversations in another room; if he concentrated the same with smells. Although, he didn't always favor that option as he had a snoot full of unpleasant smells throughout the day.
He was surprised that David hadn't appeared at his door for answers but perhaps he was waiting for Evan to do the mea culpa. Evan didn't blame him; he hadn't been a pleasant person to be around. He completed a briefing with Colonel Carter and Colonel Sheppard an hour ago. He had his first mission in the morning, escorting a scientist to the mainland a trial run for his new abilities. He sighed inwardly, wishing he could share this with David but he wasn't sure if he was ready to face the other man or if David would even forgive how he had been acting.
He pushed the off button and shook out his dark hair as he stepped from the shower. He did a quick run over with the towel and pulled on a dark pair of running pants. He was poised to run the towel back over his still damp hair when he heard something. His head cocked sideways, pausing a moment as he focused. Yes, they were approaching his door. He tossed the towel over his shoulder and stood in front of the door. He smiled to himself; he could smell David's aftershave from the other side of the door. He knew the scientist was steeling himself before announcing himself.
Evan motioned his hand over the sensor and the door slid open. David jumped slightly looking up, and his eyes took in the half naked airman. He made an undignified noise and swallowed it down. He pasted on a neutral look and nodded. "Evan, I was hoping we could talk."
Evan stepped back opening his arm to indicate welcome. David slipped past him and went to the bed sitting on the corner; he coughed slightly and cleared his throat. Evan took up residence against the far wall, his arms sliding under each other to cover his bare chest as he leaned against it. "Evan, I've been looking over your test results and have been comparing them to my studies."
Evan stood upright. "There's something wrong with me?" his face softening.
David shook his head. "No, you're fine but if I'm right the effects are not going to last. You'll have these abilities for maybe a day or two at the most but they're not permanent."
Evan turned away and paced the room; David looked down at his hand and grasped them. "I'm sorry Evan for disappointing you. For letting you down and I can understand if you don't love me anymore," He whispered.
Evan turned to him in surprise, his focus taking in the scientist all at once. The wrinkles at the corners of the other man's eyes, the pain in his voice assaulted his senses. "Oh, God David. I never stopped loving you. " Evan was kneeling at his feet in seconds. "You have nothing to be sorry about. It's me, it's all me." He took the other man into his arms. "I'm such an idiot for putting you through this but it was me."
"Please, Evan. Tell me what's wrong." Evan pleaded into David's shoulder.
Evan pulled back wiping at the corners of David's face. "I-" he hesitated rocking back a moment then pulling himself up to sit next David and placing his arms around him. His sense of touch kicking up as David nestled into side. "When the city lost its memory a few weeks back we all lost our way."
David nodded. "Yes, I don't remember much as the botanists seemed to have the most memory loss, Katie and I both piecing things together."
"I remember," Evan said to the top of David's head. "I almost killed you, David. I almost shot you by accident. "
"No," David replied shaking his head he pulled away and looked into Evan's eyes. "That didn't happen."
"It did," Evan said. I was coming down a hallway alone, not long after I first wave of memory loss. I was armed and I think I must have been looking for you before I lost my memory and you were running around a corner, waving your hands and shouting. Before I knew what I was doing I brought up my weapon and fired. I missed thankfully, but only because you had slipped and fallen on the floor. Your face, David. It was full of fear, and I remember it. I remember almost killing you." Evan choked down the last words.
David pulled the other man to him. "I don't blame you, I don't." he said.
Evan continued. "I've never felt so weak; I couldn't even protect you, the one person I love. When I felt the effects of that plant the first time, I thought there was an answer. A way I could," he paused considering his words. "Improve myself so I could keep my wits, even in the direst situations."
David smacked him. "Hey!" Evan exclaimed.
"You fool," David admonished. "You don't need to improve anything. I don't care if you can see in the dark, or hear something coming from a mile away or whatever. You are the strongest, most amazing person I've ever known. I love you, and I would never blame you for what could have happened in a situation you had no control over. You should know me better than that." He pulled Evan to him their lips colliding with need, with everything they had not been able to share the last two weeks. It was an eager kiss, tongues entwining with need as Evan guided David onto the bed with him.
"I love you," Evan whispered when they finally broke apart.
David smiled his fingers tracing over Evan's bare chest. "I love you too, and I hope you never put any doubt between us again. Please Evan, know that."
Evan nodded. "So, no chance I will be super-powered forever?" He asked with a grin.
David shook his head. "No, and don't even ask me to shoot you up with that stuff again. I'm scrapping the whole thing. Long term I don't like what it could do."
Evan sighed. "I guess it was just wasn't meant to be, but in the meantime," He pulled the other man closer his hands sliding over David's butt appreciatively. I would like to use this sense of touch to my full advantage.
David's reply was lost as Evan met his lips once more.
The End.
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