“Dr McKay,” Elizabeth called as he headed past her, through the Antarctica Base, “Rodney, I need to speak to you.”
Rodney turned with a sigh, knowing what she was going to say, “Yes, Elizabeth? What can I do for you?”
“I need you to come with us, Rodney,” she told him, “You are the most qualified person for the job; you know more about Ancient technology than anyone. We need you.”
Rodney sighed again, hating this, “I’m flattered, Dr Weir but I’ve already explained that I can’t,” with that said he turned, heading back to work.
“General O’Neill told me your reason,” she called after him, making him turn back to her, “I understand.”
“If you did you wouldn’t ask me to come,” Rodney snapped, “Don’t you think I want to, Elizabeth? This is the opportunity of a lifetime but I have responsibilities I can’t walk away from.”
Elizabeth sighed, “Is there nothing I can do to persuade you?”
“No,” he replied sharply, leaving her standing.
“Hi, Lissa,” Rodney smiled for the first time in over a day when she answered the phone.
“Hi, Dad,” the cheery voice of his fifteen year old daughter greeted him; “You’re a day early for your weekly call.”
“Is that a bad thing?” he asked with a laugh, talking to her always cheered him up.
“Course not,” she replied, “I just didn’t expect to hear from you till tomorrow.”
They talked for a while; Rodney questioning her on school, making sure there were no problems that he’d need to deal with when he arrived home and he smiled indulgently as she told him about things that were happening in her social life.
“How are things in Antarctica?” she asked after she’d finished.
“Cold,” Rodney laughed, “You’d hate it here but the good news is I should be home for good sooner than I expected.”
“That’s great!!” she exclaimed before pausing, “Does that mean your job’s finished?”
“Kind of,” Rodney sighed, wishing he could join the others heading to the Pegasus galaxy but leaving Alisa was something he could never ever do, “I’ll be back to my old job though.”
“Don’t think I’m trying to get rid of you or anything,” Alisa said, in a manner very similar to his, “But weren’t you really excited about this thing in Antarctica?”
“And I’ve been, saw and solved everything for them,” he lied, “I should be home by Saturday so I’ll see you then okay?”
“Great,” she told him.
“I love you, kiddo,” Rodney told her with a fond smile.
“Love you too, Dad,” Alisa replied, “I’ll see you soon.”
With that they hung up and Rodney sat down annoyed, both at not getting this opportunity but also having to lie to his daughter.
“Rodney?” Carson’s voice brought him back to reality, “Are you alright?”
“I’m fine,” he sighed, “There’s still a lot to do before you guys head to Pegasus.”
“It’s a shame you can’t come with us,” Carson told him, “But your daughter does come first.”
“Could you tell Elizabeth that?” Rodney grimaced, leaning back against the wall, “I want to come but her mother’s parents died a few years ago and, if I could ever even contemplate leaving her while I did this, they would be the only ones I’d even consider to care for her.”
Carson clapped his friend’s shoulder, “Come on, your team are looking for you. You’ve got some things to wrap up.”
“General,” Elizabeth caught up with Jack O’Neill, “We need to talk.”
“Look, Doc,” Jack rolled his eyes at her, “One, you can’t take Daniel with you I need him here. Two, I’ll talk to Sheppard about going with you. Three…I don’t have a three just now but give me time.”
“I had no intention of even trying to take Dr Jackson along, I only pick the battles I can win,” Elizabeth said, “And I know you’ll talk to Major Sheppard, which I’m grateful for. This is about Dr McKay.”
“What about him?” Jack asked suspiciously.
Elizabeth took a breath, “We need him. He’s the best person for the job, he has the most knowledge of Ancient technology but he says he won’t come.”
“He has a kid,” Jack reminded her, “He’s not going to abandon her and I for one think that’s the best reason in the world.”
“Could she come too?” Elizabeth asked.
“Are you nuts?” Jack demanded, “A kid? On an expedition of this kind?”
“From what he’s said, she has his brains,” Elizabeth continued her pitch, “We need Dr McKay if we’re going to have any hope of returning home; you know this as well as I do.”
Jack sighed, “Alright, Doc you win. You give him the choice but if he refuses then that’s it. He has the final say on it and everything to do with her.”
“Thank you,” Elizabeth smiled, disappearing to talk once again with the man she wanted as her head scientist.
“Lissa,” Rodney called as he entered the house, although she had been staying with her best friend’s family while he was away, he knew she’d be home since he’d called her from the airport, “Hey, Lissa where are you?”
“Dad,” his whirlwind ran down the stairs, jumping into his arms; her dark blonde ponytail swinging, “You’re back.”
Rodney hugged his daughter tightly, he always missed her when he was away working but this moment almost made up for it.
She looked up at him, her blue eyes sparkling, “What did you bring me?”
Rodney rolled his eyes, “Some ice,” he pulled out the bottle of water he had and tossed it at her.
Alisa stuck her tongue out at him before taking one of the bags he handed her as they headed into the lounge. He watched her, wondering how to bring this up, still reeling from being told it himself. Elizabeth had cornered him and explained everything to him, leaving him to make the decision. Now he was here with his daughter not sure how to bring up the subject, thankfully he didn’t need to.
“What happened with your job?” Alisa asked, taking a seat, “You said you could be there for a few more months.”
“Something…” Rodney paused for a second, “We found something that is going to take us in whole new directions.”
“That’s great,” Alisa said before frowning at his gloomy expression, “So what’s wrong?”
“I’ve been offered the job of head scientist with an expedition,” Rodney explained, “But it’s far away and we don’t know how long it’ll be for so…”
“So because of me you can’t go,” Alisa sighed, upset that her father was obviously upset by it.
Rodney took a deep breath, “I’ve been told, if we agree, you can come too.”
*********************************************
Elizabeth stood in arrivals, waiting for Rodney to arrive with his daughter; she’d decided to come pick them up herself, mostly so she could meet Alisa before they were in the intimidating interior of the SGC.
After a few minutes she saw her Head Scientist walking towards her, deep in conversation with the girl at his side. She didn’t look like him much, Elizabeth decided as she studied Rodney’s daughter. Alisa was slightly chubby with long dark blonde hair that was hanging down around her face; her eyes were the one thing that spoke of any connection to the man beside her.
“Elizabeth?” Rodney asked, confused to find her there, “What are you doing here?”
She smiled, “I thought I’d come pick you up so I could get out of the base for an hour or so,” she turned to the girl standing there, “And you must be Alisa.”
“Lissa,” Rodney smiled at his daughter, “This is Dr Elizabeth Weir, the head of the…team.”
“Hi,” the girl said quietly, shyly Elizabeth realised which was strange considering who her father was.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Alisa,” Elizabeth offered her hand, not missing the look that the girl gave her father before shaking it.
“Come on you two,” Elizabeth told them, “The car’s outside.”
Jack O’Neill watched as Rodney walked through the corridors, a teenage girl at his side, clutching his arm looking more than a little overwhelmed.
“Dr McKay,” Jack greeted him, “And this must be your daughter.”
Rodney smiled proudly, “General Jack O’Neill, this is Alisa.”
“Nice to finally meet you,” Jack offered the girl his hand, smiling as she shook it, “Doc, I’m going to steal her for a bit while you get ready to open the Gate.”
Alisa looked at her father confused but Rodney simply nodded and squeezed her arm whispering, “Don’t worry, honey. He’s in charge.”
Alisa followed the General through the corridors to his office and took the seat he offered.
“So, Alisa,” he started before frowning, “Mind if I call you Alisa?”
“Of course not, General,” the girl replied softly.
“Well,” he dropped into his own seat, “Call me Jack. Anyway, I was wondering why you agreed to do this.”
“Do what?” Alisa asked confused.
“Go to Atlantis,” Jack clarified, “You’re leaving your home and going to a completely new world with nobody your own age.”
“Gen…” she paused as he held up his finger in warning, “Jack, I know this must be hard to understand but I’m doing this for my father.”
“Really?” Jack asked, leaning back interested.
“I was born when my Dad was twenty one, my Mom died not long after,” Alisa explained, “And because of me, he lost out on a lot of opportunities to use his brilliance. He wants to do this and I don’t want to be the reason he doesn’t get to.”
“Alisa,” Jack said, “You understand that we don’t know if you’ll be able to return, that we have no idea what’s on the other side of the Gate, don’t you?”
“Yes I do,” Alisa told him, swallowing hard, “I am scared, General but I don’t want to be the reason my father doesn’t get to follow his dreams.”
Jack smiled at her, “It’s an absolute pleasure to have met you, Alisa.”
She stood up when he did; following him, gasping in amazement as she saw the Stargate for the first time.
“There you are,” Rodney appeared, smiling at his daughter, “There are some people you need to meet. Are you finished, General?”
Jack nodded, “You have a great kid, McKay.”
Rodney grinned, wrapping his arm around Alisa’s shoulders and squeezing, “I know.”
*********************************************
Alisa followed her father through the corridors, finding herself in the commissary where there were several people sitting around eating; in one corner there were three men sitting ,wearing a sort of uniform similar to what her father was wearing.
“Lissa,” Rodney pulled her over to the three men sitting around, “I want you to meet some of the team,” he motioned to the man nearest who Alisa noted had a Scottish flag on his sleeve, “This is Dr Carson Beckett, he’s the head of the medical team.”
“Pleased to meet you, Dr Beckett,” Alisa said politely.
“It’s nice to finally put a face to all the boasting,” Carson smiled at her, “And call me Carson.”
Rodney motioned to the next man, “Dr Peter Grodin.”
Grodin gave a gentle wave and a grin as Rodney turned to the third man.
“Dr Radek Zelenka,” Radek introduced himself; one McKay who couldn’t remember his name was bad enough, he didn’t want two.
“It’s nice to meet you all,” Alisa smiled, taking the seat Rodney pushed her to.
“Well we’ve all heard so much about you,” Carson grinned, “Are you excited about where we’re going?”
Alisa laughed, “More scared but I doubt there’s anybody else my age can claim this sort of trip.”
A call for Rodney made him frown, “I have to go, Lissa…”
“She can stay here,” Carson waved him away, “She’s going to be stuck wi’ us for the next while so…”
“Sure,” Rodney nodded, squeezing his daughter’s shoulder, “Be good and I’ll see you later.”
“General, I don’t agree with bringing this…child with us,” Sumner was saying as Rodney reached the briefing room, “We have no idea what we’re heading into, not to mention having someone who has no actual function within this expedition…”
“She’s coming so I can come,” Rodney stopped the marine mid-rant, “I am the foremost expert on the technology we will be walking into and if I’m not there it is more than likely you’ll get yourself killed within minutes.”
“And there’s no one to leave her with?” Sumner demanded.
Rodney’s eyes narrowed, “I am not under any circumstances abandoning my daughter, Colonel. The only reason I’m coming on this expedition is because she has been given permission to join us. If she is refused this now then I’ll just unpack my stuff and head home.”
“That won’t be necessary, Doctor,” Jack interrupted them, “The President has already agreed with Alisa McKay joining the Atlantis mission. Dr McKay, Siler is waiting for you to hook up the ZPM. Let’s get everyone ready to go. People it’s show time.”
Rodney nodded and left the room, if he hadn’t been extremely worried about bringing Alisa on this expedition before Sumner he was now.
*********************************************
John fixed his pack, looking around the room filled with the expedition team. His eyes fell on a girl standing with three men looking nervous, a backpack almost dwarfing her. He recognised at least two of the scientists with her, one being Dr Beckett who’d shot that drone thing at him.
John grabbed one of the marines, “Who’s that?”
The kid, Ford it said on his jacket grinned, “She’s Dr McKay’s daughter.”
“McKay?” John frowned, he knew that name.
“Scientist, Canadian,” Ford listed, “Sarcastic, arrogant.”
“I know him. And she’s here why?” John asked confused.
Ford glanced around, “Rumour has it the only way Dr McKay would come with us was if she came too. Apparently she’s meant to be as smart as him anyway.”
“Great,” John muttered; that was all they needed a smart-alec kid on hand to piss people off.
Alisa listened to Dr Weir’s speech, feeling Carson rest his hand comfortingly on her shoulder. The Doctor had been really nice to her since they’d met; apparently her father had talked about her to him all the time. She stared in amazement as she watched the Stargate dial, jumping at the explosion of what looked like water from the centre.
“Oh my God,” she breathed, looking at the three men she was standing with, “We’re going through that?”
“It’s not so bad,” Carson told her with a grimace.
“You’ve never be through it have you?” Alisa noted.
“No, I haven’t,” he smiled at her, “But as far as I know it’s easy.”
Alisa looked at him slightly panicked, relieved as her father arrived. He placed his hand on her shoulder for a second before picking up his pack and moving her forward.
“Dad,” Alisa whispered worriedly.
He turned to her “If you want we won’t go. We’ll just turn around and head home. It’s your choice.”
She stared at the ring that people were walking through before looking up at him, “Let’s go.”
She smiled at the relief that filled his eyes, gripping his hand tightly as he led her forward. With a glance back, she saw General O’Neill standing watching them; he gave her a quick encouraging nod before she turned back and with a deep breath stepped through with her father holding onto her tightly.
Alisa stared in amazement as they entered Atlantis, she found herself moved away from the Stargate and her father dropped his pack before removing hers and placing it beside his. This was home now.
“Lissa, stay with me,” Rodney told her as he started up the stairs with one of the military guys.
The lights came on with every step they took and Alisa fought the urge to grab her father’s hand. She needed to be as brave as possible considering he had things to do.
She glanced around the room they were in; the place felt so clean, so sterile and so cold.
“Lissa,” her father’s voice brought her back to the group standing there, “Can you grab my laptop, honey?”
She slipped over to his bag and pulled out his computer for him, switching it on quickly before handing it to her father. He gave her a quick smile before turning to work, Alisa found a seat and pulled it over watching as her father pulled up schematics of the city and she gasped.
“Wow,” she breathed, leaning further over her father’s shoulder who turned and frowned at her, “Move back?” she asked.
Rodney nodded but he was smiling fondly at her.
“Holy hell,” he muttered, he put the computer down and turned to Peter, “Keep working,” Alisa was a little shocked as her father grabbed her arm, “Come on, Lissa. Stay with me.”
They headed down until they found who Rodney was looking for.
“Colonel, Doctor Weir,” Rodney called finding them.
“We’re under water,” the man they’d walked up to the control room with called back.
“Yes I was just, uh, coming to tell you. Fortunately there is some sort of a forcefield holding back the w...water,” Rodney stopped and stared out the window, “Oh, that is impressive, isn't it?”
Alisa stood at her father’s side and stared, “Wow,” she breathed again.
“I second that,” the other man murmured.
“Dr Beckett has found something you should see,” Rodney told them moving them away from the window.
Alisa found herself walking beside the unknown man who looked down at her.
“Hi,” he said.
Alisa looked up at him confused, “Hi.”
“I’m John Sheppard, he introduced himself.
“Alisa McKay,” she replied softly, “But I’m guessing you already knew that.”
John grinned at her, “I did. Having fun so far?”
Alisa looked a little confused but nodded, “It’s interesting.”
He gave her another grin as they entered the room where Carson was standing watching some sort of hologram. Alisa turned and studied the man who’d been talking to her as they all listened to the Ancient recording. He was the only military member of the expedition who actually looked at her. The marines she’d met so far especially Sumner would give her a quick glance before dismissing her from their thoughts but Sheppard actually seemed interested that she was there.
“Stop,” her father yelled suddenly, “Turn it off. Power levels throughout the city are dropping like a stone.”
Sumner frowned, “What does that mean?”
“That if we don't stop everything we're doing right now, we are dead,” Rodney replied, motioning his daughter as he left the room, “Lissa.”
Alisa followed him, quickly aware that everyone else was coming as well. She listened as her father explained to the group exactly what was going on making sure she was in no ones way.
As the team assembled to go through the Stargate, Peter opened a case; he handed Alisa several devices.
“Give these out,” he told her as he turned to the team, “For now, we're going to use the tried and true system for identification for inbound Gate travellers.”
When Alisa handed him the GDO, John grinned at her, “Don’t worry. We’ll find something.”
“My dad’s the best,” Alisa replied with a shrug, “He’ll work it out.”
“Alright,” Sumner yelled, “Move out.”
*********************************************
Alisa sat with a laptop in front of her, rhyming off numbers for her father and Peter as they worked to keep them alive. She’d never actually had the opportunity to witness her father’s genius but at this precise moment in time, she’d rather have forgone the pleasure. Every so often the city would shake and a deep rumble would fill the room, making Alisa shiver with fear.
Rodney glanced over at his daughter, smiling proudly at how calm she was being in the middle of all this. He was interrupted as the city started shaking again. He reached out and caught her by her wrist until the shaking stopped.
“Dad,” she whispered softly.
Rodney pulled her into a quick hug, “It’s going to be okay,” he whispered into her hair.
She nodded nervously as they went back to work.
“We can't wait,” Rodney snapped at Elizabeth, “It is time to go now.”
Frustrated, she walked away from him then activated her radio as Rodney returned to the console where Alisa was sitting.
“Attention all personnel, this is Weir,” she started as the base began to shake violently, “Stand by for immediate evacuation,” she turned to Rodney who was waiting, “Dial the Gate.”
Rodney started dialling but before he could get through the sequence the Gate dialled in.
“We've got an incoming wormhole,” Rodney called, switching on the force shield as the Gate activated.
“I'm reading Lieutenant Ford's identification code,” Peter called from his console.
Elizabeth smiled in relief, “Let him in.”
Rodney lowered the shield and Alisa sat watching as John came running through the Gate, followed by the rest of the marines and several villagers.
“Step in folks, move away from the puddle,” he called, motioning the frightened people forward as Elizabeth ran down the steps towards him.
“Major Sheppard?” she demanded as the last people come through and the Gate shut down, “Major Sheppard, who are all these people?”
John managed to keep himself steady as the city continued to shake violently, “Survivors from the settlement,” he reported, “We were attacked. Sumner and some of our men were taken. What's going on?”
Elizabeth glared at him; “We are in no condition to help anyone right now.”
“What the hell's going on here?” John demanded.
“We are about to abandon the city.” Elizabeth explained her voice sharp.
“Going back there is a really bad idea.” John replied.
Elizabeth frowned at him, “Major Sheppard, the shield is about to fail and the ocean is about to come crashing in on us. Do you have a better place for us to go?”
“Jinto,” John grabbed a boy standing behind him, “Do you have any other address we could gate to?”
“Yes,” the boy replied enthusiastic at the man requesting his help, “Many.”
“He's just a boy,” Elizabeth stared at him confused.
“I am Jinto,” the boy introduced himself to her as John yanked the boy past her.
“She's pleased to meet you,” John told him, dragging the boy up the stairs.
-
Rodney glanced at the screen finding their time had run out, “The shield is collapsing,” he cried.
The entire base jolted and everyone was thrown to the ground. Rodney grabbed the console with one hand, pulling Alisa to him with the other. Alisa wrapped her arms around her father’s waist, burying her face against his chest. Rodney rested his cheek against her hair, wishing he could go back and stop himself from being so stupid as to bring his child to this place.
“I'm dialling an address,” Peter yelled as he gripped the console trying to stay upright.
Elizabeth glanced up at him, “No, wait!”
“She's right,” Rodney called; he was managing to keep his eyes on the computer screen as his daughter held onto him tightly.
John held onto Jinto, keeping the boy from falling down the stairs, “We're moving!”
“Lissa,” Rodney whispered as light suddenly flowed in through the windows while water ran down the panes, “You can let go.”
“What happened?” she whispered to him.
“We're on the surface,” Ford answered her question from his position, staring out across the ocean.
Rodney and Alisa moved to join them. Rodney kept his arm around his daughter hugging her tightly; they were safe.
“I was hoping for another day,” Elizabeth breathed as she stared out with a smile before turning to the others, “Looks like we just got a whole lot more than that. Let's not waste it.”
*********************************************
Alisa stood at the balcony; watching as the members of the expedition and the Athosians mingled, sharing in the relief of being alive and the excitement of the city.
“Here,” her father handed her a mug, “Just don’t get used to it.”
Alisa looked at him confused, smiling to find some of the champagne sent through for them by General O’Neill.
“So,” Rodney leaned beside her, “What do you think?”
“It’s incredible,” Alisa breathed, “I mean…the technology…just everything.”
Rodney laughed, wrapping his arm around his daughter’s shoulder, “I know.”
“This is going be great, Dad,” she told him as she looked across the crowd of people, “I’m actually looking forward to what we’ll find.”
“Just don’t let anything get in the way of your schoolwork,” he reminded her, “I expect you to work on that while we’re here.”
“Dad,” Alisa frowned, “School doesn’t start for at least another two weeks back home. I should at least get the rest of my vacation.”
Rodney laughed, “Alright. Two weeks and then work.”
They stood side by side watching everyone eating, drinking and enjoying themselves. Rodney gently stroked his daughter’s hair, actually quite relieved that they’d met the Athosians as that meant there were at least some people the same age as his baby. Looking down at her, Rodney wished he knew if he had done the right thing but they were here now. Alisa looked up at him and smiled, she looked so like her mother sometimes it made his heartache. Smiling back down at her, Rodney hoped that bringing her here had been the right thing.
Alisa von LE McMurray
Kapitel Bemerkung: Thanks to Stonedtoad for betaing.
This is an Alternate Universe; Rodney’s personality will be very different at points especially when dealing with his daughter.
This is going to go through the series and will be a mixture of stories long and short connected to the episodes and also flashbacks showing Rodney’s struggle raising Alisa. In certain chapters there is dialogue taken from the episodes, as I am too lazy to sit and take it myself from the eps, I used Gateworld transcripts.
Enjoy
Featured Stories
Fortune\'s Favor by Offworlder FAM
Winner of the Atlantis challenge for the December 2007 fic challenge contest.
Winner of the Atlantis challenge for the December 2007 fic challenge contest.
Most Recent
Alisa - The College Years by LE McMurray 13+
Having left Atlantis to go to college in no way meant Alisa McKay's life would...
Having left Atlantis to go to college in no way meant Alisa McKay's life would...
Random Story
Entwining Options by Rotem Shahar GEN
Sheppard's and Weir's thoughts during the last scene of The Storm
Sheppard's and Weir's thoughts during the last scene of The Storm