The briefing room was filled with both scientists and marines.
“Not only has Teyla been able to ascertain that the Wraith are more interested in Earth than Atlantis,” Rodney was explaining, “Which is...you know, terrifying, she realised that the hive ships will go right past the only surviving LaGrange point satellite.”
“The last of what we assume were dozens of defence satellites,” Zelenka interrupted, “Destroyed during the Ancients' last stand with the Wraith.”
Rodney hit the other scientist with a sharp glare. “Yes, yes, yes. The point is we think we can use it to our advantage.”
“I thought you said it was dead,” John spoke up from his seat.
“It is,” Rodney grinned, “But Alisa has been working on it with Zelenka and they’ve learned enough about it so we can bring it back.”
“If we are right about what is wrong with it,” Zelenka reminded him.
“Yes, of course if we're right about what's wrong with it!” Rodney rolled his eyes, “But if we're right and it's just out of power…”
“We can make the ships go boom,” Alisa threw in; making the others in the room laugh, relieving the tension a little.
Zelenka smiled at her slightly before continuing, “Our preliminary estimates indicate a single Naqahdah generator would be enough to bring it back online.”
“Why can't we use our generators to get the weapons systems of Atlantis working?” Ford asked.
“This place needs the ZPM,” Alisa spoke before Zelenka did, “The satellite doesn’t.”
“And you think it's powerful enough to take out a Wraith hive ship?” John leaned against the wall.
“According to the Ancient database, it should be able to take out all three when fully charged,” Rodney reminded him, “Keep in mind that the Ancient technology was far superior, they only lost the war because they were vastly outnumbered.”
John shrugged, “Well, we're vastly outnumbered!”
“And outgunned,” Bates added.
Alisa grimaced at them, “You two are a bundle of joy.”
“But they don't see the satellite as threat,” Zelenka reminded them, bringing the conversation back to its original direction.
“In military parlance,” Rodney grinned, “Surprise...is an element on our side.”
Alisa rolled her eyes at her father as he frowned at the end of his sentence.
Elizabeth stood silently before nodding, “What do you need?”
“The satellite's fifteen hours away by Puddlejumper,” Rodney reminded her, “I recommend that we put together a small crew, say myself, Grodin and a pilot,” he turned to his daughter, “You’re not coming.”
Alisa grimaced at him, “I help work out what you need and I don’t get to see it through.”
“When you’re older,” he replied pointedly.
“You were saying,” Elizabeth interrupted.
“Right,” Rodney nodded, “A pilot.”
“I'll go,” John volunteered.
“No,” Elizabeth replied, “Miller can handle it. Major, I need you to keep searching for alternate Alpha sites, just in case this fails.”
“The hive ships will be in range of the satellite in forty-nine hours,” Rodney told them, “We're gonna need every last second of that time.”
Elizabeth looked around the room, “Questions?” silence greeted her, though she did note that Rodney placed his hand over his daughter’s mouth, “OK, let's get on it.”
The meeting broke up and soon only Elizabeth, Rodney, John, Zelenka and Alisa were left in the room.
Zelenka put his arm around Alisa’s shoulders, “Come on, we need to make sure they have everything they need. It is the only way they’ll get things right.”
The moment they were out of hearing range, Rodney turned to his friends, “I want her sent to the Alpha site as soon as you have one,” Rodney told Elizabeth and John, “I don’t care what she says, you send her there.”
“Of course, Rodney,” Elizabeth nodded to her Head Scientist, “And I don't mean to put any undue pressure on you but at this moment, that satellite is the only thing standing between the Wraith and Atlantis.”
As she left the room John stood up, “No undue pressure?” he murmured as he left the room leaving Rodney standing alone.
“This will work,” he murmured to the empty space, “This has to work.”
“Rodney, I should go,” Zelenka told him as they got the equipment together.
“Yes,” Rodney rolled his eyes annoyed the other man’s insistence to help, “I agree. Go.”
Zelenka frowned at him, “I mean on the mission.”
“Why?” Rodney asked confused, continuing with his packing
Zelenka grimaced, “Sure, you probably know a little bit more about the satellite than I do…”
“Generous of you,” Rodney cut him off.
“But you know a lot more about the city than I do,” Zelenka continued.
Rodney stopped working and turned with a smug grin on his face, “Ok, I think I see where this is going now.”
“If, for whatever reason, there is problem there, it should be me, not you,” Zelenka finished.
“There's not gonna be a problem,” Rodney waved him away.
“Rodney, you don't know that.”
“If it seems like we can't fix it,” Rodney reminded him, “We'll just turn round and come back. Now, I realise I am invaluable everywhere…”
Zelenka snorted in annoyance, “You know what? Forget about it. I take it back.”
Rodney was smug, “Sorry…”
“No,” Zelenka snapped.
Rodney laughed gleefully, “You can't take it back because you've just admitted that I am smarter than you are.”
“I admitted no such thing,” Zelenka told him indignantly.
“It was hard for you to say,” Rodney sighed dramatically, “But the truth shone through and you were compelled to speak.”
Zelenka poked a finger at him, “You are a miserable little man.”
“Hey-hey-hey-hey-hey, let's not ruin the moment here, huh?” Rodney closed the lid on the case, “If anything happens to me, please be there for her,” he said just loud for the other man to hear while keeping his eyes on the case. Finally he turned to Zelenka, “Now,” he shook the other scientist’s hand, “Keep an eye on my city for me while I'm gone, huh?”
“Good luck,” Zelenka told him.
“You know I’d be able to help?”
Rodney smiled slightly as his daughter stood in front of his door, her arms folded across her chest.
“I know,” he told her, “I know how brilliant you are and I know that you can fix almost anything, especially if you’ve taken it apart first though.”
A small smile touched her lips; quickly she stepped forward and wrapped her arms around his waist, burying her face in his chest.
“Don’t worry, Lissa,” Rodney soothed, “I’ve got a good team with me and you know me. I’m a…”
“Genius,” she looked up at him.
“Got it in one,” Rodney kissed her forehead, “Now, you are to obey Elizabeth until I get back. Alright?”
“Yes, Dad,” Alisa replied before giving him a final hug, “Please be careful.”
Rodney hugged her quickly once more before starting towards the Jumper Bay, leaving her standing watching him.
“He will do this,” Zelenka came to her side.
Alisa sniffed slightly before turning to him, “But I might never get to know.”
He stood silently, not knowing how to respond to that so instead he placed his hand on her arm, “Alisa, there is still work to be done.”
“While I’m still here,” she let out a sigh of annoyance and started towards the lab.
*********************************************
Alisa had headed up to the control room to listen in to her father’s report from the satellite. Silently she joined Zelenka, hoping no one would notice her, she’d so far managed to avoid being sent to the Alpha site with the rest of the science team who were going.
“Doctor Weir, it’s McKay,” Rodney’s voice came over the radio clearly, despite how far away he was, “Satellite is armed and ready. It should fire within the next minute or so. Keep your fingers crossed.”
“Fingers crossed,” Elizabeth replied, managing not to show her anxiety, “Good luck.”
“Switching over from manual to automatic firing mode,” Peter’s voice came through next, “Stand by.”
“Standing by,” Rodney replied.
Alisa sat her fingers interlaced tightly, the knuckles almost turning white.
“Yes,” Miller’s voice came through the radio.
The entire room held their breath waiting.
“We have a kill,” Rodney cried joyfully.
A cry went out around the room and Alisa grabbed Zelenka in a hug, as several others embraced.
“We copy that, Rodney,” Elizabeth laughed in amazement.
“One down,” Rodney called, “Two to go.”
Silence filled the room again as they waited for the satellite to take out the other two ships. Alisa frowned, something had to be wrong or they would have been in contact again.
“Atlantis,” his voice came again, this time however it was cold and hollow, “This is McKay. We have lost the satellite.”
“Did you manage to take out any more ships?” Elizabeth called hopefully.
“Negative,” Rodney replied efficiently, not showing his feelings, “Two of the hive ships are intact.” He paused, “Elizabeth, Peter Grodin was aboard the satellite.”
“What?” Alisa’s horrified cry filled the room.
“Lissa?” Rodney’s voice was sharp, “Elizabeth, what the hell is she still doing there?”
“She made a good case about how it was pointless to leave if you succeeded,” Elizabeth told him.
“Get her out of there now,” Rodney snapped.
“Dad…”
“Alisa,” Rodney cut her off, “You are to leave Atlantis now. If I find you there when I get back…”
“She’ll be gone,” Elizabeth assured him, motioning Alisa to go get her things before refocusing, “Rodney, what's the status of the other two?”
“They're not coming any closer,” he reported tiredly, “Looks like they're rethinking their plans. At the very least, he's bought us some time.”
Elizabeth nodded to herself, “You can't do any more out there, Rodney. Return to Atlantis.”
“On our way.”
Alisa stood at the bottom of the stairs, thinking about the speech Dr Weir had just given to the city; her stomach was churning at the thought of what was coming towards them and her cheeks were stained from the tears she’d cried over her friend’s death while she packed.
“Hey, Alisa.”
She turned to find Ford jogging over to her.
“Hi, Aiden,” she whispered, “I’m going soon.”
“I know,” he replied softly, “And I know you hate the thought of leaving us here.”
Alisa covered her eyes with her hand as more tears threatened her. Ford wrapped his arm around her and hugged her tightly.
“I’m okay,” she pulled back, sniffing slightly. She quickly wiped her eyes, surprised as Ford pressed something into her free hand. Alisa looked down at her hand, “What…”
“My dogtags,” Ford told her, “I want you to hold onto them for me and I’ll get them back once this is over.”
“I…I…” Alisa struggled; the Gate opening saved her from trying to say anything else.
“Time to go, kid,” John appeared on the stairs.
Alisa swallowed, nodding slightly; she fastened the chain around her neck before picking up her bag and turning to them.
“Go,” John ordered, giving her a gentle push, “Dr Biro is waiting to meet you on the other side.”
The teenager did as she was told but just before the event horizon she turned back. Her eyes wandered the room, catching Elizabeth and Radek talking up at the controls with Carson while John and Aiden stood watching her, Teyla entering the room just at that moment. Finally she turned and walked away.
*********************************************
Alisa was sitting near the medical building under a tree, her laptop open on the ground in front of her as she tried to focus on something, anything other than what was happening in the city. She’d been banished here by Dr Biro after she’d firstly scared away the Athosian children playing near her then called Dr Kavanagh a pretentious pratt.
With a sigh, she turned off the computer and closed her eyes, “If only I’d said no,” she whispered over and over, “If only I’d said no.”
“What do you mean you’re going?”
Alisa sighed, turning back from the window to look at her best friend who was sitting at her computer desk.
“Kirsty,” Alisa bit her lip slightly, “Dad’s got a new job that’s out of the country.”
“He was in Antarctica,” her best friend cried, “How much further away can he go?”
Alisa turned away, wishing Kirsty could understand.
“Come on, Alisa,” Kirsty continued, “Why can’t you stay here while he’s away. You’ve done it plenty of times before.”
“Kirsty,” she took a deep breath, “This is different from before. When Dad starts working with these people, he doesn’t know when he’ll be able to get back home. You’ve always had both your Mom and Dad. When one wasn't here the other was. I only have my Dad. I hate that I only see him for one week every month so I agreed to go with him.”
“What about school?” Kirsty demanded sadly.
“Come on,” Alisa laughed, “You know I don’t really need it. Dad’s getting stuff so I can be ‘home-schooled’.”
“I’m gonna miss you,” Kirsty moved and the two friends embraced.
Alisa hugged her best friend tightly, “I’m gonna miss you too.”
“Alisa,” a voice snapped her out of her thoughts.
She glanced up to see Biro standing over her with some food, “Hey.”
The older woman sat beside her and handed her the plate, “You need to eat.”
“Thanks,” Alisa took the plate and without really tasting anything, she ate it.
Biro gently touched the girl’s arm, “I wish I could tell you everything’s going to be alright, I wish I could say something to make any of us feel better.”
Alisa rested her head back against the tree, “I just want it to be over, so that I can know one way or another.”
Biro nodded, “You’re too young to worry about anything like this. When I was your age, all I worried about was if the boy I liked was going to ask me out and if the outfit I was wearing looked alright.”
“They’re not exactly high on my list right now,” Alisa murmured.
“Did you have a boyfriend?” Biro asked, trying to distract Alisa from worrying.
The girl shook her head, “Nah, the guys were a little intimidated by me. Dad’s temperament and all.”
Biro laughed, “Nobody?”
Alisa shrugged, “There was one guy. Kirsty was determined to set us up but then I left,” she let out a long sad sigh, “You know I was thirteen before I realised something could happen to my Dad and I might be left alone.”
“Alisa…”
“You know for someone who’s meant to be smart,” Alisa laughed bitterly, “That’s pretty dumb.”
Biro pulled the girl into an embrace, “No, Alisa.”
“Yes, it is,” Alisa replied, relaxing into the comfort being offered, “My Mom died hours after I was born, my grandparents died when I was eleven. I should have known he wasn’t immortal by then but I didn’t.”
Biro hugged her tightly, rocking her gently as they fell into silence.
“I want to come back,” Alisa demanded, when John called to recall all military personnel.
“And you know your father would send you right back,” John reminded her, “Alisa, you’re not coming back until this is over.”
“Don’t even try to argue,” her father’s voice came through the radio, “Stay there, Lissa.”
“Dad,” Alisa sighed, relieved to hear him, “Are you okay?”
“Fine,” Rodney’s reply was short, terse.
Alisa frowned, “Dad?”
“He’s had to go do something, Alisa,” John came back on, “He’s pretty wound up with everything that’s going on. Don’t worry about it.”
A yell came from John’s side of the radio.
“I’ve got to go,” he told her, “The Calvary’s here, Alisa. We’re fighting them.”
With that, the Stargate shut down again and Alisa was left alone.
*********************************************
Alisa glanced up from the film they were watching, seeing her father wander in behind Kirsty’s mother. He gave her a small wave as he passed by, smiling at her wry smile.
“Sorry I’m early,” Rodney apologised to Diane as they entered the kitchen, “I finished…” he trailed off, seeing several other women in the room.
“It’s okay, Rodney,” Diane laughed, handing him a mug of coffee, “Here, come and relax for ten minutes. Everyone’s leaving once the movie’s over.”
Rodney smiled at her, hesitating as he looked at the others in the kitchen. Diane took his arm and moved him to a seat. He was never comfortable around people in general and the mothers of Alisa’s friends were the worst. For some bizarre reason, they all had this bizarre interest in him.
“How are you, Dr McKay?” Regina Dell smiled at him, “We’ve all heard how well Alisa is doing at school.”
“She is very intelligent,” Rodney said, wishing the movie would finish quickly so he could get Alisa and escape. Regina especially was one of the people Rodney wanted to get well away from.
Diane passed him and gently rested a supportive hand on his shoulder for a few seconds.
“Are you not having some cake?” Regina offered, turning to retrieve a plate of fairy-cakes.
Diane leaned into him, “Apparently I’m not capable of having enough food here for my daughter’s birthday,” she muttered, making him smile slightly.
Regina turned back and offered him the cakes. Rodney took one, forcing a smile onto his face.
“Sally’s excelling in music,” Regina chattered away, watching closely as Rodney ate his cake.
Rodney frowned as he felt a familiar tingle in his throat, “What…wha…” he struggled to force the words out.
“Rodney!!” Diane called shocked before she ran to the stairs, “Scott, get down here.”
Rodney could hear the sound of Scott running as he tried to breathe through his rapidly closing throat.
“Dad, the movie’s o…” Alisa called appearing at the door, stopping in horror when she saw him turning blue, “Oh my God,” she saw the cake in his hand, “What was in that?”
Regina shook her head, “Nothing. Just cake mix.”
“What else?” Scott appeared with his bag.
“I…” the woman hesitated, “I put some lemon juice in the mix, for flavour.”
“No!!!” Alisa screamed, “Dad’s allergic to citrus.”
“It’s alright, Alisa,” Diane pulled the girl to her; “Scott’s going to help him.”
Alisa stared in horror as her father gasped for air.
“Dad!!”
Biro caught the teenager as she woke up from her nightmare, “Alisa, calm down. It’s only a dream.”
Alisa fought with the woman; still caught up in the dream, calling for her father. Biro motioned to the nurse nearby.
Quickly Biro gave the teenager the sedative, holding her until she fell asleep again.
Rodney woke up feeling like someone had sandpapered his throat. Forcing open his eyes, he saw Diane looking down at him with a wry smile.
“Wha’ happened?” Rodney forced out.
“Regina tried to poison you,” she told him, “She put lemon juice in her cakes.”
“Lissa?”
Diane squeezed his arm, “She’s down in the cafeteria with Scott and Kirsty. She was pretty freaked out.”
“I’ll probably be here for a while,” Rodney murmured, he was exhausted despite just waking up.
“Don’t worry,” Diane told him, “She can stay with us.”
Rodney sighed in relief as he fell asleep again. When he woke up, Alisa was sitting at his side.
“Lissa,” he smiled, catching her hand as she moved to him, “Its okay,” he soothed, seeing her eyes fill with tears, “I’m okay. It was just an accident.”
“I thought you were going to die,” she whispered, holding his hand tightly, “Like Gran and Granda, I thought I was going to be alone.”
Rodney pulled his daughter into a tight hug, “I’m not going anywhere, Lissa.”
Alisa opened her eyes to find Biro standing there, a smile on her face, “What’s going on?”
The older woman smiled even more, “We’ve been recalled to Atlantis.”
“What?” Alisa sat up sharply, staring at her in amazement.
Biro squeezed her shoulder, “We can go home.”
*********************************************
Rodney was exhausted, actually he was beyond exhausted. He knew the only reason he was still upright at this moment was because of the excess adrenaline and stimulants left in his system. After the events of the past few hours, all he wanted was to collapse on his bed and sleep for several days, but not just yet. There was one thing he needed first.
“Dad!!!”
Rodney smiled as Alisa came flying out of the Gate towards him; her arms fastened around his neck, holding onto him tightly. After several minutes, she let go of him, “What happened?”
Rodney managed to grin at her, “Earth sent a ZedPM.”
“Really?” Alisa’s eyes lit up at the thought, “How?”
“I’ll show you,” he told her, deciding sleep could wait for a little while longer.
Before they could move John appeared on the stairs, “Alisa,” he grinned at her, shocked as she moved and hugged him tightly.
Rodney smiled as Radek arrived also, to talk to Alisa who hugged him too.
“Excuse me, Dr McKay,” Dr Biro spoke softly, “I wanted to speak with you quickly about Alisa.”
Worry gripped him, “Did something happen?”
“Not really,” Biro replied, “But I finally managed to persuade her to get some sleep and when she did…”
“Nightmares,” Rodney grimaced, “How bad?”
“I couldn’t calm her,” Biro replied.
“Damn,” he muttered, “Did you give her a sedative?”
“It was all I could think of,” the woman told him apologetically.
Rodney nodded, “Don’t worry about it,” he turned and joined Alisa with John and Radek.
“You were going to show me something?” Alisa told him.
Rodney dropped his arm over her shoulder, “Come on.” He led her up to the control room and brought up the picture of the Daedalus, “What d’you think?”
Alisa stared at it before turning to him, “That’s a spaceship. Earth has a spaceship.”
“Yeah,” he replied.
Alisa smiled at him before frowning, “You know you look appalling, don’t you?”
He rolled his eyes at her, stifling a yawn.
“Where are the others?” Alisa asked suddenly.
Rodney frowned and rested his hand on her shoulder, “There’s something you need to know.”
Alisa stared at Ford’s unconscious form.
“What happened?” she whispered, her hand clutching at the tags round her neck.
“It was the Wraith,” Carson explained softly, “We’re not sure what it’s done to him yet.”
“Can I sit with him?” Alisa asked.
“Only for a few minutes,” Carson replied, “I need to do some tests.”
“Lissa…” Rodney started from his position behind her but was unable to say anything else as he yawned.
“Dad, you need to sleep,” she reminded him, “I’ll be here for a few minutes then I’ll go see if Radek needs any help. Okay?”
Her father nodded not even trying to hide his yawn; he ruffled her hair quickly before disappearing.
“Just a few minutes, Alisa,” Carson reminded her as he guided her to a seat by Ford’s bedside, leaving her there.
Alisa sat and looked down at her friend’s face which now looked so different and she wasn't sure how to react. After a few moments, she took off the dogtags and placed them in his hand.
“You said give them back once this was over,” she whispered, swallowing hard, “So here you go.”
He didn’t move and Alisa took a deep breath, “I’d better go or Carson will be chasing me. He’ll fix this,” she continued, “He’ll make you…you again.”
A
lisa stood up but before she left she leaned over and kissed his forehead, “Don’t give up.”
*********************************************
“You still look like hell Dad.”
Rodney glanced over to the seat Alisa was taking up, “I’m kinda busy here, Lissa. Could you stop with the wisecracks?”
“I was just…” she shut up as he glared at her. She knew better than to continue when he looked at her like that.
“Are we ready?” Elizabeth asked as she walked in, followed by someone Alisa didn’t recognise.
He obviously didn’t know her either because he was instantly focussed on her.
“Who is this?” the man demanded.
“Colonel Steven Caldwell,” Elizabeth smiled turning to him, “This is Alisa McKay.”
“McKay?” Caldwell asked, an eyebrow arching.
Rodney looked up from the computer screen he was studying, “She’s my daughter and the reason she’s here, is so I can be.”
Alisa spread her arms wide and grinned at Caldwell, “Hi.”
“She has no business being in this meeting,” Caldwell told Elizabeth.
“I’m here to assist.” Alisa spoke up, her smile never wavering.
Rodney was focussed on the computer screen so Caldwell couldn’t see his smirk. There were other reasons Rodney had for keeping Alisa with him but he wasn't letting anyone else know, especially a man who didn’t even know them.
“Okay,” John said as he entered the room, “Let’s start.”
“I don’t think he likes me,” Alisa noted as Caldwell left the room.
“I wonder why?” John murmured under his breath as he passed her.
“Lissa, could you please refrain from antagonising the man with the big ship?” Rodney rolled his eyes at her, “He’s possibly going to stop the Wraith.”
“John will be on the ship,” Alisa replied, “I trust him, more than I trust this other guy.”
“Me too,” Rodney replied, rubbing her shoulder, “Look, go and see Radek. He needs some help.”
“With what?” Alisa asked amused.
“With everything,” Rodney replied, “Go.”
Alisa stopped and stared at him, “You want me out of the way so I don’t hear what happens if it’s not good.”
Rodney frowned at her, “I’m your father. It’s allowed.”
Her lip twisted slightly before she sighed, “Okay.”
“Good girl,” Rodney murmured, squeezing her shoulder before giving her a push towards the door, “And behave.”
Alisa turned and gave him a mock salute before disappearing.
Rodney sighed, “Have to stop letting her hang around with Sheppard and Ford.”
*********************************************
“I’m not leaving.”
Rodney let out an annoyed growl, “You are getting on that ship so that I know you’re safe.”
“Dad,” Alisa folded her arms, “I am not leaving again. I don’t care what you say.”
“The city is going to be completely unprotected,” Rodney reminded her, “You are not going to be in it when that happens.”
“If you try make me leave, I’ll run,” she told him desperately, “I know enough hiding places in this city that mean no one will find me…”
“Stop it,” he snapped, making her jump slightly. Rodney took a deep breath, resting his hands on her shoulders, “I don’t want you here. I want to know you’re safe, I need to know you’re safe.”
Alisa took a deep breath, “And I need not to shoved somewhere out of the way. Dad, I…I can’t be somewhere else again,” tears filled her eyes, “Please.”
Rodney wrapped his arms around her, “I’m sorry, Lissa. I’m sorry,” he rested his cheek against her hair, “I want to protect you, Lissa, I’ve always wanted to protect you.” He hugged her tighter, “Let me.”
Alisa sagged against him, “I believe in you, Dad. I believe this will work.”
Rodney let go of her and looked in her eyes, seeing the pig-headed stubbornness she got from both her parents, “Alright,” he sighed, “Zelenka is working in the Jumper Bay to hook up the cloak. Help him.”
Alisa smiled at him before slipping away, not giving him a chance to change his mind.
Rodney watched her leave, “You want to know why I let her stay.”
“I’m interested,” Elizabeth said from her position in the doorway, “I thought you’d have her sedated and on the Daedalus before she could blink.”
Rodney rubbed his hand across his eyes, “After Alisa’s grandparents died she had some…problems. Mostly due to what happened that day. For several months after it, she had trouble sleeping if I wasn't there; she was withdrawn and sullen refusing to talk to anyone but me. She recovered well but there have been times over the past year when I saw it starting again.”
“It’s better if she’s close to you,” Elizabeth sympathised, “Did she see anyone?”
“Not officially,” Rodney replied, “Her best friend’s father is a Doctor. One of his friends worked with her over the few months,” he shrugged, “Kate knows but Alisa’s not needed to talk to her yet.”
“We have to get started,” Elizabeth reminded him.
Rodney nodded, “Let’s save the city.”
Alisa stood with Radek in the Jumper Bay as the Shield switched to the cloak. His arm rested around her shoulders, his fingers tight on her shoulder.
“We seem to be safe,” he murmured to her after a few minutes, “I need to check some things.”
“I’ll keep an eye on the cloak,” Alisa rolled her eyes at him.
Radek nodded and started out the Jumper, his eyes on his computer pad. Alisa turned and jumped as he fell back.
“Radek?” she called running to him, stopping as Ford stood there, “Aiden, what are you doing?”
“I have to leave,” he told her; Alisa saw his hand tighten around his gun, “They want to kill me.”
“They wouldn’t do that,” Alisa tried to calm him, “Please, Aiden. Just go back to the infirmary. Carson…”
“Carson,” Ford yelled, making her jump, “He wants to take this away from me.”
“He wants to help you,” Alisa licked her lips, glancing at the unconscious Radek, “Aiden, we’re your friends.”
“No,” Ford snapped, “I am stronger than ever, Alisa, I am better and if I go back they’ll try and change me back.”
He grabbed her by the arm, yanking her out of his way.
“Aiden,” Alisa tried once more, “Please, please don’t do this. You’re my friend; I don’t want you to go. Please, Aiden.”
As he stared at her, Alisa felt a shiver run down her spine at the way one of his eyes was completely black and expressionless. Finally, he pulled off his dogtags and placed them in her hand, folding her fingers over them.
“Look after these for me,” Ford told her, he leaned in and gently kissed her cheek before shoving her back.
Alisa cried out as she slammed into the wall, all the air from her lungs was forced out and she could only sit there gasping as Ford took the Jumper. After several minutes, Alisa was able to crawl over to Radek to see if he was okay, not knowing if she should use the radio to call for help yet.
“Everybody,” Elizabeth Weir’s voice came over the city’s comm., “The Wraith are gone. We did it.”
Alisa let out a sigh of relief and hit her radio, “Medical team to Jumper Bay.”
Rodney walked into the infirmary, he’d been anxious to get there the moment he realised that Ford had attacked Radek and needed to check on Alisa, despite Carson’s assurance she hadn’t been harmed.
He found her sitting on a bed with her knees pulled up to her chest, her arms wrapped around them, gripping something tightly in her hands. She glanced up at him, her blue eyes filled with confusion and sadness.
Rodney smiled slightly as she moved to one side of the bed so he could sit beside her; he grabbed a pillow from the bed across from her and placed it behind his back as he moved onto the bed sitting at her side. Looking very childlike, Alisa pulled her own pillow from behind her back and placed it against her father’s side, cuddling against him. Rodney rested his hand on her back, feeling the tremors running through her; gently he stroked her back feeling her relax more and more.
When he was sure she was finally sleeping, Rodney closed his eyes and surrendered to his own exhaustion.
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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...
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Trying to Find Atlantis by Abby 13+
a Stargate: Atlantis/House MD Crossover. I'm hesitant to say more, but it will...
a Stargate: Atlantis/House MD Crossover. I'm hesitant to say more, but it will...