Multific Submissions by Rogue_Planet
At the mods direction, a multi-post.
Author: Nemesis, the rogue_planet
Rating: Let's go with a T for teen in general
All stories are set prior to Return II.
First Night Challenge
Welcome Home (Sanitarium)
Gen, Radek centric
Radek was the last one off the Daedalus and when he materialized on the Disembarkation Platform on the West Pier, he drew in a deep breath and knew he was home. Shouldering his bag, he walked towards the transporter and let it take him to his old room. He touched the door and it slid open, welcoming him like he'd never left. Maybe the city couldn't love him like it did John and Rodney, but it was certainly fond of him, even with his inferior genetics.
There was a bottle of vodka on his desk and a note. He picked it up, a little smile on his face.
Radek,
I hate to admit it, but it is *really* hard to
run this place without you. Apparently, I
am "abrasive" and "impossible to work
with." Unfortunately, this means a few of
your handpicked recruits are returning to
Earth, unless you can convince them
otherwise.
Also, there may have been a
small mutiny among the social scientists
about resource allocation but not to worry.
It's not like linguists are that dangerous,
although we may have to keep our eye on
the botanists. I wouldn't put it past them
to affect the food supply. But we can get
all that cleared up bright and early
tomorrow morning.
There was no note, but Radek knew who it was from. Ah, the joys of making up for Rodney's social dysfunction. Radek could only imagine how much work there was to be done. Rodney had been alone with the first return team for more than a month and if he was admitting to a small mutiny, that probably meant the linguists had planted a bomb in his office. Radek cracked open the bottle, took a swig and tried to remember where he'd packed his wire snippers.
It was good to be home.
---
The Enclosed Spaces Challenge
Half-Bath
John/Rodney
John pulled the door shut and locked it. He stood in the dark, back pressed to the door, and searched for some sense of his usual unflappable demeanor. "Oh god, why did I come back here?"
Someone banged on the door. "Johnny, are you hiding in the bathroom?"
"I'll be out in a minute!"
"Don't be too long. Your Great-aunt Sarah is here." There was a sound of shuffling, and John was once again alone in the dark.
He flipped open his cellphone and dialed Rodney's office in Area 51. Yeah, it was a Saturday afternoon, but where else would Rodney be?
"Hello?"
"Help!"
"What?" John could hear Rodney shutting his office door. "What's wrong? Is it the Ori? Oh god, is it the Wraith?"
"No," John hissed. "It's my family."
There was a moment of silence. "You have a family?"
"No, Rodney. I'm hiding in a bathroom from strangers."
A snicker. "You're hiding in the bathroom?"
John sank down the linoleum and rested his head against the door. "It's a half bath actually. It has just enough room for me, the shower, and the toilet. But it's better than being out there, with *them*."
"No, seriously. I thought you were an orphan or something."
"I am, but I have this huge extended family and someone told them I was back. They showed up at my apartment, Rodney. I've been invaded."
"I'm.... sorry?" Oh, Rodney was so bad at this. "Are they like my family? Do I need to get on a plane and come rescue you?"
"No, they're not like your family. No one has insulted me, or told me my genius is inferior, or tried to feed me food I'm allergic to. It's just..."
"It's just what, Sheppard? It sounds like you have a nice, normal family, god help you."
"They keep touching me!" John knew he sounded like a petulant child, but he couldn't help it. "And there have been kisses, and hair mussing."
"Are you sure no one ever molested you, because your whole 'no non-sexual touching' thing is pretty odd."
"My parents weren't exactly touchy feely. I can't deal with this."
Rodney sighed and even over the phone John could tell it was one of his long suffering, why am I sleeping with you again sighs. "Close your eyes." John obeyed. "You're not hiding from your relatives in a tiny bathroom, you're with me, on our balcony. There are no crazy relatives who want to shower you with affection, there's just us, and your issues."
John took a deep breath, and let it go. "Thanks, Rodney."
"Shields back to maximum?"
"Yeah, thanks. Still coming out next week?"
"Barring the destruction of the planet, I'll be there." There was a click and Rodney was gone.
John got to his feet, and opened the door. His Uncle Erwin was right outside the door. Oh, it was going to be a long night. Even as he let the door close behind him, John was already longing to be back in the little room, all by himself.
---
Rough Waters
The Swimming Challenge
(Despite my preference for Nick, we'll go with Evan for Major Lorne's first name.)
He was a competitive swimmer in college and he'd been good enough for a "leadership" scholarship that was really a sports scholarship in disguise. There was lots of water in Atlantis, but David had to admit, he hadn't done more than take the occasional dip in the ocean since he'd come here three years ago. Trying to keep Evan's head above the choppy waves, David vowed he'd resume his morning laps immediately. There must be a lap pool somewhere in Atlantis. "How bad are you hurt?"
"Concussion, broken arm..." Evan's voice was slow, and a little garbled. "Also, I think I swallowed a gold fish."
David shifted his grip and Evan made a pained noise. "I'm going to have to make a swim for it. Can you hold on?" He thought that was a nod. "Okay." He put Evan's good arm around his midsection, hoping he could stay awake long enough to not drown. "Hold on tight. The Colonel told me before we left that he just got you broken in and I wasn't allowed to lose you."
---
Laundry
McShep
38 Minutes Challenge (Boy, this was harder than I thought)
Rodney wasn't used to this anymore. On Atlantis, the washing machines had been sonic and damn near instantaneous. After five minutes, he'd dug out John's owners manuals and looked up the cycle times, sure the machines were broken. They weren't, of course. Perhaps living in another galaxy for three years had spoiled him but come on, thirty eight minutes, just for the wash cycle? And another hour for the dryer? "What the hell am I supposed to do for an hour and half?"
"You know, Rodney, most people don't do their laundry naked." John was leaning on the doorway, looking seductive and leering.
"Please. All the scientists on Atlantis did their laundry naked. Why do you think the laundry room’s locked" Of course, if he'd remembered how long it took to wash clothes in this galaxy, maybe he'd have kept a pair of semi-clean boxer shorts.
John advanced into the laundry room and he had that gleam in his eyes that left Rodney totally helpless to his sexual whims. "Good to know." For every step forward John took, Rodney took one back until he was pressed up against the washing machine. "You know, I suddenly feel the need to do some laundry myself." He had stripped off his shirt and was reaching for the buckle of his pants when the doorbell rang. He leaned in closer to Rodney and kissed him, before whispering, "Just ignore it."
"Okay." Rodney sounded a little dazed, but he wrapped his arms around John's neck and pulled him in for a deep kiss before going after the belt buckle himself. He barely had time to fumble at it when a voice called, "Hello?" from the general direction of the entry way.
John pulled away, a panicked look on his face. "It's Mitchell."
"You gave him a key?"
John had the good grace to look embarrassed. "Just, uh, stay here and try not to out me to the head of SG-1."
As John shut the door, Rodney punched the washing machine in frustration. For a man who kept his quarters on Atlantis under triple encryption, John had been pretty free with his apartment keys. This was the second time someone had barged in on them unannounced and Rodney was sure it was going to be far less pleasant than when it had been Radek.
---
Touch
Ronon/Melena
First Contact Challenge
Ronon Dex had been twenty the year the Wraith had destroyed his entire world. Melena had been three months older, but still in the same year of school. He'd spent their entire formal education sitting opposite her at their group table and fallen madly in love with her. They had both been raised in conventional households and he'd never touched her, no matter how much he'd wanted to. In all the pictures of them his mother used to display, there was a tiny slice of sky between them. She'd been so proud.
Despite all the discipline his family had imparted to him, Ronon flunked no less than four exams their last year at Nestr Academy because he'd zoned out staring at Melena's cleavage. As a result of Melena's breasts, he hadn't been accepted into a University and hadn't gotten a deferral from military service. Meanwhile, Melena had gotten into one of the top nursing schools in their nation-state and they'd both been given ship-out dates for training.
He'd knelt before her the night before they'd both left, forehead touching the floor, and presented her with the traditional glass bead of promise. She wouldn't take it, wouldn't even speak to him, and he'd left the bead at her feet and gone home to finish packing. Ronon had given up on ever having her and when he'd arrived for training he'd checked the box that applied him for an arranged marriage.
It was the second cycle of Tirka, not the dark ages, and most people found love matches, but the government agency that had chosen all matches just one cycle before was still operational, even if it no longer served the majority of the population. Certainly he could have held out and found a love match, but at eighteen, with the love of his life walking away without a backward glance, he'd just given up. When he'd gotten back from essential training, there had been a notice from the Ministry of Social Contracts telling him to report for civil union.
He'd almost passed out when he'd shown up at the appointed time and found Melena waiting for him, dressed in blue, his shiny promise bead braided into her hair. After they'd said their vows, she'd whispered, "I'm sorry, I was scared," just before her lips touched his.
---
Darkness
Teyla, gen
Athosians are not afraid of the dark. The time of day means nothing since the monsters strike whenever they please. She even feels free to walk in the darkness on Earth, because nothing here is frightening; strange, but not scary. And damp. It had rained every day she'd been here even though John had promised her snow, something she hadn't seen since she was a child. Still, it wasn't raining at the moment, so she's closed the umbrella and walked the three miles back to the hotel.
The boots she'd bought in the large indoor market the Earthers called a mall, had spiky metal heels and she was absently considering putting sharpened metal heels on her combat boots (as opposed to her covert boots) when someone in the darkness said, "Pretty girls like you shouldn't walk alone. Some guy might get the wrong idea. Or the right one."
There was a gleam of a knife from the darkness and Teyla frowned at it. Stamped blade, inadequate joining to the handle. John had warned her about men like this. "Are you a," what was the word, "Mugger?"
She could make out greasy looking man as he stepped into the moonlight. "That and a bit extra for a fine thing like you."
Slimy men: The universal constant. "I was advised your laws allow for the use of deadly force for self defense."
"Lady, I've got a knife." He was advancing closer. "Whatever they taught you at the Y-"
He stepped within striking range and she swung her umbrella handle first at his head. There was a satisfying cracking noise and while he was stunned, she drew back and struck again, this time landing a blow on his genitals. He sank to his knees and then fell onto his side. Teyla placed one spikey heel on his chest and considered him. "Do you really think having vulnerable parts of your reproductive system outside your body is advantageous and superior?"
Before he could answer, she pressed the toe of her boot onto his windpipe and there was only darkness.
---
Much thanks to sgkoneko for the quick beta.
Author: Nemesis, the rogue_planet
Rating: Let's go with a T for teen in general
All stories are set prior to Return II.
First Night Challenge
Welcome Home (Sanitarium)
Gen, Radek centric
Radek was the last one off the Daedalus and when he materialized on the Disembarkation Platform on the West Pier, he drew in a deep breath and knew he was home. Shouldering his bag, he walked towards the transporter and let it take him to his old room. He touched the door and it slid open, welcoming him like he'd never left. Maybe the city couldn't love him like it did John and Rodney, but it was certainly fond of him, even with his inferior genetics.
There was a bottle of vodka on his desk and a note. He picked it up, a little smile on his face.
Radek,
I hate to admit it, but it is *really* hard to
run this place without you. Apparently, I
am "abrasive" and "impossible to work
with." Unfortunately, this means a few of
your handpicked recruits are returning to
Earth, unless you can convince them
otherwise.
Also, there may have been a
small mutiny among the social scientists
about resource allocation but not to worry.
It's not like linguists are that dangerous,
although we may have to keep our eye on
the botanists. I wouldn't put it past them
to affect the food supply. But we can get
all that cleared up bright and early
tomorrow morning.
There was no note, but Radek knew who it was from. Ah, the joys of making up for Rodney's social dysfunction. Radek could only imagine how much work there was to be done. Rodney had been alone with the first return team for more than a month and if he was admitting to a small mutiny, that probably meant the linguists had planted a bomb in his office. Radek cracked open the bottle, took a swig and tried to remember where he'd packed his wire snippers.
It was good to be home.
---
The Enclosed Spaces Challenge
Half-Bath
John/Rodney
John pulled the door shut and locked it. He stood in the dark, back pressed to the door, and searched for some sense of his usual unflappable demeanor. "Oh god, why did I come back here?"
Someone banged on the door. "Johnny, are you hiding in the bathroom?"
"I'll be out in a minute!"
"Don't be too long. Your Great-aunt Sarah is here." There was a sound of shuffling, and John was once again alone in the dark.
He flipped open his cellphone and dialed Rodney's office in Area 51. Yeah, it was a Saturday afternoon, but where else would Rodney be?
"Hello?"
"Help!"
"What?" John could hear Rodney shutting his office door. "What's wrong? Is it the Ori? Oh god, is it the Wraith?"
"No," John hissed. "It's my family."
There was a moment of silence. "You have a family?"
"No, Rodney. I'm hiding in a bathroom from strangers."
A snicker. "You're hiding in the bathroom?"
John sank down the linoleum and rested his head against the door. "It's a half bath actually. It has just enough room for me, the shower, and the toilet. But it's better than being out there, with *them*."
"No, seriously. I thought you were an orphan or something."
"I am, but I have this huge extended family and someone told them I was back. They showed up at my apartment, Rodney. I've been invaded."
"I'm.... sorry?" Oh, Rodney was so bad at this. "Are they like my family? Do I need to get on a plane and come rescue you?"
"No, they're not like your family. No one has insulted me, or told me my genius is inferior, or tried to feed me food I'm allergic to. It's just..."
"It's just what, Sheppard? It sounds like you have a nice, normal family, god help you."
"They keep touching me!" John knew he sounded like a petulant child, but he couldn't help it. "And there have been kisses, and hair mussing."
"Are you sure no one ever molested you, because your whole 'no non-sexual touching' thing is pretty odd."
"My parents weren't exactly touchy feely. I can't deal with this."
Rodney sighed and even over the phone John could tell it was one of his long suffering, why am I sleeping with you again sighs. "Close your eyes." John obeyed. "You're not hiding from your relatives in a tiny bathroom, you're with me, on our balcony. There are no crazy relatives who want to shower you with affection, there's just us, and your issues."
John took a deep breath, and let it go. "Thanks, Rodney."
"Shields back to maximum?"
"Yeah, thanks. Still coming out next week?"
"Barring the destruction of the planet, I'll be there." There was a click and Rodney was gone.
John got to his feet, and opened the door. His Uncle Erwin was right outside the door. Oh, it was going to be a long night. Even as he let the door close behind him, John was already longing to be back in the little room, all by himself.
---
Rough Waters
The Swimming Challenge
(Despite my preference for Nick, we'll go with Evan for Major Lorne's first name.)
He was a competitive swimmer in college and he'd been good enough for a "leadership" scholarship that was really a sports scholarship in disguise. There was lots of water in Atlantis, but David had to admit, he hadn't done more than take the occasional dip in the ocean since he'd come here three years ago. Trying to keep Evan's head above the choppy waves, David vowed he'd resume his morning laps immediately. There must be a lap pool somewhere in Atlantis. "How bad are you hurt?"
"Concussion, broken arm..." Evan's voice was slow, and a little garbled. "Also, I think I swallowed a gold fish."
David shifted his grip and Evan made a pained noise. "I'm going to have to make a swim for it. Can you hold on?" He thought that was a nod. "Okay." He put Evan's good arm around his midsection, hoping he could stay awake long enough to not drown. "Hold on tight. The Colonel told me before we left that he just got you broken in and I wasn't allowed to lose you."
---
Laundry
McShep
38 Minutes Challenge (Boy, this was harder than I thought)
Rodney wasn't used to this anymore. On Atlantis, the washing machines had been sonic and damn near instantaneous. After five minutes, he'd dug out John's owners manuals and looked up the cycle times, sure the machines were broken. They weren't, of course. Perhaps living in another galaxy for three years had spoiled him but come on, thirty eight minutes, just for the wash cycle? And another hour for the dryer? "What the hell am I supposed to do for an hour and half?"
"You know, Rodney, most people don't do their laundry naked." John was leaning on the doorway, looking seductive and leering.
"Please. All the scientists on Atlantis did their laundry naked. Why do you think the laundry room’s locked" Of course, if he'd remembered how long it took to wash clothes in this galaxy, maybe he'd have kept a pair of semi-clean boxer shorts.
John advanced into the laundry room and he had that gleam in his eyes that left Rodney totally helpless to his sexual whims. "Good to know." For every step forward John took, Rodney took one back until he was pressed up against the washing machine. "You know, I suddenly feel the need to do some laundry myself." He had stripped off his shirt and was reaching for the buckle of his pants when the doorbell rang. He leaned in closer to Rodney and kissed him, before whispering, "Just ignore it."
"Okay." Rodney sounded a little dazed, but he wrapped his arms around John's neck and pulled him in for a deep kiss before going after the belt buckle himself. He barely had time to fumble at it when a voice called, "Hello?" from the general direction of the entry way.
John pulled away, a panicked look on his face. "It's Mitchell."
"You gave him a key?"
John had the good grace to look embarrassed. "Just, uh, stay here and try not to out me to the head of SG-1."
As John shut the door, Rodney punched the washing machine in frustration. For a man who kept his quarters on Atlantis under triple encryption, John had been pretty free with his apartment keys. This was the second time someone had barged in on them unannounced and Rodney was sure it was going to be far less pleasant than when it had been Radek.
---
Touch
Ronon/Melena
First Contact Challenge
Ronon Dex had been twenty the year the Wraith had destroyed his entire world. Melena had been three months older, but still in the same year of school. He'd spent their entire formal education sitting opposite her at their group table and fallen madly in love with her. They had both been raised in conventional households and he'd never touched her, no matter how much he'd wanted to. In all the pictures of them his mother used to display, there was a tiny slice of sky between them. She'd been so proud.
Despite all the discipline his family had imparted to him, Ronon flunked no less than four exams their last year at Nestr Academy because he'd zoned out staring at Melena's cleavage. As a result of Melena's breasts, he hadn't been accepted into a University and hadn't gotten a deferral from military service. Meanwhile, Melena had gotten into one of the top nursing schools in their nation-state and they'd both been given ship-out dates for training.
He'd knelt before her the night before they'd both left, forehead touching the floor, and presented her with the traditional glass bead of promise. She wouldn't take it, wouldn't even speak to him, and he'd left the bead at her feet and gone home to finish packing. Ronon had given up on ever having her and when he'd arrived for training he'd checked the box that applied him for an arranged marriage.
It was the second cycle of Tirka, not the dark ages, and most people found love matches, but the government agency that had chosen all matches just one cycle before was still operational, even if it no longer served the majority of the population. Certainly he could have held out and found a love match, but at eighteen, with the love of his life walking away without a backward glance, he'd just given up. When he'd gotten back from essential training, there had been a notice from the Ministry of Social Contracts telling him to report for civil union.
He'd almost passed out when he'd shown up at the appointed time and found Melena waiting for him, dressed in blue, his shiny promise bead braided into her hair. After they'd said their vows, she'd whispered, "I'm sorry, I was scared," just before her lips touched his.
---
Darkness
Teyla, gen
Athosians are not afraid of the dark. The time of day means nothing since the monsters strike whenever they please. She even feels free to walk in the darkness on Earth, because nothing here is frightening; strange, but not scary. And damp. It had rained every day she'd been here even though John had promised her snow, something she hadn't seen since she was a child. Still, it wasn't raining at the moment, so she's closed the umbrella and walked the three miles back to the hotel.
The boots she'd bought in the large indoor market the Earthers called a mall, had spiky metal heels and she was absently considering putting sharpened metal heels on her combat boots (as opposed to her covert boots) when someone in the darkness said, "Pretty girls like you shouldn't walk alone. Some guy might get the wrong idea. Or the right one."
There was a gleam of a knife from the darkness and Teyla frowned at it. Stamped blade, inadequate joining to the handle. John had warned her about men like this. "Are you a," what was the word, "Mugger?"
She could make out greasy looking man as he stepped into the moonlight. "That and a bit extra for a fine thing like you."
Slimy men: The universal constant. "I was advised your laws allow for the use of deadly force for self defense."
"Lady, I've got a knife." He was advancing closer. "Whatever they taught you at the Y-"
He stepped within striking range and she swung her umbrella handle first at his head. There was a satisfying cracking noise and while he was stunned, she drew back and struck again, this time landing a blow on his genitals. He sank to his knees and then fell onto his side. Teyla placed one spikey heel on his chest and considered him. "Do you really think having vulnerable parts of your reproductive system outside your body is advantageous and superior?"
Before he could answer, she pressed the toe of her boot onto his windpipe and there was only darkness.
---
Much thanks to sgkoneko for the quick beta.