There's No Place Like Home... or Home is Where the Heart is... or something like that.

[atlantis_flyboy]

Right, it's (high) time for some coherent explanations. Sorry about yesterday. So, here's the deal. And sorry again, but it's long; not like a mission report at all. I want to describe as much of it as I can, so you know what I've been through, and why things are... as they are. I know you're not used to me talking this much, but bear with me. It's

Comments

[doc_beckett]

Sounds like those skellie things are straight out of Time Bandits, Major, chalkboard screech and all.

Oh, and uh, I may pass on staying at your place, what with the dragon and the whole slavery thing and all. Though maybe riding a-dragonback sounds fun. If you're the pilot, anyway. Ye know I've got no bloody talent at that sort of thing.

*backs away slowly*

[atlantis_flyboy]

Time Bandits? Isn't that the movie with all the little guys, and the kid, they have to go around the universe fixing holes and being chased by the bad guy, Mr Evil or something? Yeah I remember it... shit, doc, you're right! Heh. Guess She must've taken a fancy to them. She does that. Well, case in point here, huh?

Oh and sure, no problem, I don't blame you. Glad you've got a place with the original Beckett (TOB? And TOS, and TOM... no, maybe not, sounds like something Ford would call 'em). You should be safe visiting, anyway. She goes right to the source for her clones.

I *have* flown dragon-back since I've been here. *Huge grin*
Doc, you don't know what you're missing. You'd love it, I'm sure you would. Hell, I don't know how anyone couldn't. Yeeee-ha!!!

[doc_beckett]

Aye, that would be the one. Dwarfs and all.

And my original and I seem to have come to an understanding. Rodney has offered to let me use his couch, as he says he's rarely home. He's also let out that he used to play piano, but the poor lad is convinced he's got no art, and not soul to boot.

Can you imagine that? Rodney? No soul?

Now, there are moments when I'd suspect he's got no heart, but that's usually where Kavanagh's concerned...

[atlantis_flyboy]

*Snorts*
Kavanagh's got no heart, soul or liver so he's in no position to call Rodney out. That rat bastard was all for leaving us to die when the puddle jumper got stuck in the Gate; does he even know the meaning of the word 'team'?

Now Rodney... Rodney worries too much. I try to keep his spirits up, a little banter, some good humored sparring... all in the name of peace for everyone.

*Grins*
*Is not telling the entire truth but is trying to keep it light-hearted*

[doc_beckett]

I'm not sure we share a species with Kavanagh, to be honest.

Poor Rodney. He likes to have everyone think he's so confident, but so much is just a cover. I wish he'd admit it sometimes when he's not feeling so good. I don't mean about his health, he complains about that with every other breath, but... you know.

[atlantis_flyboy]

I know. But who's he going to admit it to? Man has his dignity. Can't blame him for that. I figure all we can do is be there for him. He's uncurling; just give him time.

I'm the same in some ways, you know? Military life doesn't really encourage you to share the emotional stuff. I admire the way you can admit when you're scared, sometimes, like when we ask you to pull off daredevil feats in the puddle-jumpers against a pack of Wraith (yeah, heard about that). You admit it, but it doesn't stop you, and it doesn't lessen you any in the others' eyes. Me, if I said I was scared, that'd do wonders for morale now, wouldn't it?

[doc_beckett]

I'd like to think he knows he could talk to either of us, but I do know how he is. Really, it's better just to let it out when sommat's bothering you.

I can't imagine being in the military. Such a hard, dangerous life. Not that life in Atlantis isn't a wee bit dangerous too, what with all the Wraith coming, and the Genii and energy-sucking clouds of darkness and all.

Oh, what have I got myself into? A clone's life isn't all skittles and beer.

[atlantis_flyboy]

No, it definitely isn't. Especially not when you're a slave-clone.
So you never thought of being an army medic? Not a M*A*S*H fan?

[doc_beckett]

Not really, no. Hawkeye was a bit too much of a drunkard for me. And war zones, you must admit, aren't all that appealing.

[atlantis_flyboy]

They look kinda different when you're flying above them at Mach 5... but I do see your point. I guess I never considered anything else - than the Air Force, I mean - because of the planes; and my dad.

[doc_beckett]

It's always different when you're standing in the ER, lad. The blood gets a bit much sometimes, even when you're used to it.

[atlantis_flyboy]

*Nods soberly*

I guess so. Well, you're doing a great job; so thanks, if I haven't ever said that before. Don't know what we'd have done without you.

[doc_beckett]

There are days when all I'd really like is a break, but we rarely get them. Seems like there's always someone coming back through the Gate all banged up. How you lot manage to get into so much trouble really does astonish me.

[atlantis_flyboy]

*Grins*

It's my middle name. Why'd you think I ended up in Antarctica in the first place?

[doc_beckett]

Ummm... because you like the snow?

*grins*

[atlantis_flyboy]

*Grins back*

Well yeah, I do, but I didn't choose to come to Antarctica; I was posted. Sort of the pilot equivalent of cleaning out the lavatories.