Okay, I'm starting out my journal with a missing scene from "Hide and Seek". Barely even pre-slash, though I intend it to be pre-slash. Just trying to get my bearings with the characters. Enjoy!
Title: Adrenaline Junkie
Author: Cory Silver
Rating: PG
Genre: Gen, maybe pre-slash
Spoilers: Hide and Seek
Characters: Sheppard, McKay
McKay found him in the Jumper Bay, where he was putting the finishing touches on a pre-flight routine for the jumpers. He loved the intuitive feeling of sliding into the seat and feeling his nervous system extending to encompass the ship around him as if it were part of his own skin. Still, if he was going to be training other pilots, there had to be a slightly more codified system than “just see if it feels right”.
“Major!” Rodney announced himself still halfway across the bay. Sheppard could see that the other man was fully wound up, jittering with nervous, caffienated energy. As McKay got closer, Sheppard could also see a something green and glowing attached to the center of his chest.
Alarmed, John left the ship and jogged across the floor to meet him. “McKay, what *is* that?”
“Carson’s gene therapy! It worked! I have the gene! Of course, I was the ideal candidate for the first test. Since there is a strong mental component to ATA, I can hardly be surprised that I adapted so quickly…”
“Sure. Right.” John interrupted. “But what’s *that*?”
“Oh. This?” He indicated the object attached to his chest. On closer inspection, John couldn’t tell exactly how it was attached. “Well. I. Um. Was hoping you might help me test it.”
“Wait, so you turned that thing on, and attached it to yourself without knowing what it is?”
McKay set his face defensively. “I have a well-researched theory. Really, I’m ninety-nine percent certain that…” He trailed off as he noticed Sheppard’s face lighting in a grin.
“Why McKay, that almost sounds like something I would do. I must be rubbing off on you.”
Rodney couldn’t suppress an answering smile, “I can’t let you have all the fun, can I?”
“So what do you *think* this thing is?”
“I have good reason to believe that this device is designed to protect the wearer from all manner of physical trauma. A personal shield. So will you help me test it?”
Watching the scientist practically bouncing on his heels, John laughed out loud. “Alright, McKay. I can come out and play.”
* * *
The first few tests were innocuous enough: punching a wall, hitting his thumb with a hammer, standing stoically while Sheppard hauled off and slugged him one (the second time anyway. The first time he spooked and flinched reflexively.) He grew progressively bolder as each of his tests continued to produce no sensation stronger than the gentlest pressure.
The best part, of course, was the show he got to put on for the Major. Never mind that his confidence was artificially inspired. After about 10 minutes in the lab they were both wound up and enjoying themselves as thoroughly as a couple of little boys tousling on the playground.
“Well, It looks like you were right,” Sheppard said finally. “Of course, if we were really under attack it wouldn’t be hammers and fists.”
“Right.” McKay dropped into his chair, glance wandering uncertainly to the Major’s sidearm. “Think we should, um…?”
John pulled over a stool, putting himself at eye level with Rodney, and looked searchingly at the other man. McKay met his gaze steadily, chin lifted, but the fear was evident in his eyes. “Maybe we shouldn’t,” Sheppard said very quietly, almost gently. “I mean, I’m trying to imagine how I would explain to Weir that I shot her top scientist.”
“But if this thing really works, Major, it would be huge. Imagine the uses. Just do it… somewhere where it won’t keep me from doing my job.”
John pulled his gun slowly. Rodney stretched one leg out straight, towards John. Sheppard looked down long enough to aim, then brought his gaze back to Rodney’s face. The scientist’s mouth was set in a crooked line, lips looking a little white where they pressed together. “Are you sure?” John’s voice had dropped to almost a whisper.
Rodney nodded, almost imperceptibly. “Do it,” he ground out.
Never moving his eyes from Rodney’s, Sheppard squeezed the trigger. The gun recoiled in his hand, and Rodney tensed. It was over. McKay looked down at his leg.
“Are you… are you sure I hit you?”
“I felt it, but it didn’t hurt…”
Both of them were breathing raggedly. Sheppard was the first to relax, sagging against the desk. “Jesus, Rodney… that was so cool.”
Rodney actually laughed, then. His nervous system was humming, and he felt a shakiness similar to a hypoglycemic reaction. But it worked! It worked!
Then they were both laughing, Rodney’s laugh tinged with just the slightest edge of hysteria. He had a weird impulse to hug the Major, but he wasn’t sure how the other man would take it.
“I’ll turn you into an adrenaline junkie yet, McKay,” Sheppard teased. The look on the Major’s face was one of genuine affection, and something else Rodney hadn’t realized he desperately needed from Sheppard: respect.