[SG-AU] [Gen] [K+] The Paint Job
Originally written for the auficathon.
Title: The Paint Job
Author: kate98
Written for: seldear in the auficathon
AU: shermer_high
Character/Pairing: Teyla
Request: A situation where Teyla goes from being excluded by the other students to included. Try to keep the characters and dynamics from SGA intact. May include gang wars, turf fights, bitching, backstabbing, and befriending, but the focus of the story should not be relationshippy. And include as many of the 'minor' characters as possible, please.
Acknowledgements: My thanks to raisintorte, Pixie_on_Acid, and Groovekittie for their help and encouragement.
Summary: Team Shermer High engages the Genii in battle - on the paintball field.
The Paint Job
“We’re going to miss the previews,” Bates grumbled, looking at his watch for the fifth time in five minutes.
John gave Elizabeth a questioning look. She knew his football buddies weren’t happy about them tagging along to begin with, but he was leaving it up to her. She glanced back at the large clock over the theater’s entrance. “Just five more minutes,” she said. “It’s not like Rodney to be late.”
Bates muttered something Elizabeth couldn’t hear in reply, and a few of his teammates laughed.
John’s lips twisted in displeasure and he glared at Bates. “Chill out, Sarge.”
Teyla looked to Elizabeth in confusion. “It’s short for Sergeant.” Elizabeth spoke softly whenever she and Teyla had these little discussions. She didn’t want the others to know how hard a time Teyla was having learning to fit in. They already thought she was strange and weren’t very happy that Elizabeth had brought her along.
Elizabeth’s answer did little to clear up Teyla’s confusion, nor did Teyla get the hint that she should whisper too. She leaned around Elizabeth to get a better look at Bates as she said, “Is that not a military designation? Is this boy not small to be a member of your military?”
The jocks broke out in raucous laughter, with the exception of Bates himself, who gave Markham an angry shove, nearly toppling him into Ford. The three began pushing and shoving each other.
“We call him Sarge because he likes to yell at everyone on the team while we run drills. Like a drill sergeant,” John explained, watching the tussle with no apparent alarm.
“Oh, my god,” Elizabeth cried out, and the grappling came to a stop. Even Bates, with Markham in a headlock, turned to see what had made the normally unflappable Elizabeth flustered.
Rodney McKay had finally arrived, leaving a trail of maroon and yellow footsteps in his wake. He looked like a bad example of the modern art they’d seen on their museum field trip last week. Paint dripped from his bedraggled hair, and his clothing hung at odd angles from the weight of the liquid. His face was a mixture of fury and humiliation that the jocks would have found hilarious, except for one thing. Those colors he was drenched in were Genii colors.
Elizabeth rushed up to meet her friend, and Teyla followed closely behind. Elizabeth instinctively reached out to touch his arm, but stopped short. “Rodney, what happened?”
“Elizabeth, you’re a smart girl, but sometimes you ask very stupid questions,” Rodney huffed. “What do you think happened? Those Genii punks assaulted me. With paint.”
Teyla looked him over with concern. “Did they injure you in any way?”
“Two for two with the stupid questions. Yes, Teyla, they injured me. I was just withholding the information from you because I’m so stoic when it comes to pain.”
Elizabeth quickly turned to reassure her. “That means he’s fine. We’re going to have to get him home so he can get cleaned up.”
“Hey!” Bates yelled. The others turned to see three of the Genii headed their way.
“Nice paint job,” Ladon snickered, gesturing towards Rodney.
“Yes,” Sora said with a plastered on smile. “I like what you’ve done with the geek.”
John stepped into their path. Bates and Ford drew up behind him. “You think that’s funny?”
Tyrus, the oldest of the three Genii took a step forward and gave John a shove. “Yeah, I do.”
John took a step closer and smiled dangerously. “Do you know what I think?”
“My money is on ‘not a whole lot,’ jock-boy.”
Aiden tapped John on the arm insistently. “Cop.”
John and Tyrus both took a step back. The mall security guard paused in his progress toward the boys, not wanting to get involved if he didn’t have to.
“I think,” John repeated with emphasis, “that you should pick on someone your own size.”
“Name the day,” Tyrus smirked. “I’ll clean the floor with you.”
“Oh, there’s going to be nothing clean about it. Paintball field, full squad, one week.”
“Paintball?” Ladon sneered disdainfully.
Ford gestured at Rodney as John and Tyrus continued to stare each other down. “You chose the weapon, moron.”
“Yes or no,” John demanded.
“Fine,” Tyrus agreed. “And you’d better be there, or we’ll find another way to mess up that pretty face of yours.”
“Aww, Shep, he thinks you’re pretty!” Bates sing-songed.
Tyrus made a sudden move towards Bates. “Hey, you kids!” the security guard yelled, and Tyrus backed away. He pointed to Bates as they walked away, a clear sign that he’d be looking for him on the paintball field.
As soon as they were out of earshot, Bates turned to John. “Now, what the hell did you go and do that for? Jesus, Sheppard!” He pointed at Rodney. “Over him?”
John reached out and pushed Bates’ hand to his side. “If it weren’t for him, you wouldn’t be passing Chem. And do you really think they did this just to mess with McKay? He’s one of ours. They just tagged our property.”
“Your property?” Rodney echoed incredulously.
“This isn’t about you, Rodney,” John insisted.
“Uh, meanwhile, I’m the one dripping with paint. You see how that doesn’t quite work for me?” Rodney asked, dripping not only with paint, but with sarcasm.
“John,” Elizabeth interrupted, “we really have to get him home. The paint is beginning to dry.”
John’s eyes widened. “You want to put him in the puddlejumper?”
Elizabeth grimaced at him. “Run down to the hardware store and buy some plastic sheeting, so he won’t get any paint on your precious truck.”
“Alright,” John agreed reluctantly, “but he’s not sitting in the cab. He can ride in the bed.”
“Oh, of course,” Rodney muttered. “I’ll sit in back with your dirt-bike. I’m just another piece of property, after all.”
John jogged away toward the hardware store at the far end of the mall. Elizabeth began to usher Rodney out. “Teyla, I’m sorry about this. Do you want to stay and see the movie, or do you want to come with us?”
Teyla looked over at the remaining boys. Bates’ glare made it pretty clear he didn’t welcome her company. “I think it would be best if I came home with you, Elizabeth.” She turned and nodded politely. “Good evening, gentlemen.”
“Oh, please,” Bates scowled.
&&&
Teyla cautiously approached the lunch table where Elizabeth sat. She knew the girl would always welcome her, but it appeared that Rodney and John Sheppard were arguing. She didn’t know if she would be intruding. Elizabeth caught her eye and smiled; Teyla joined them.
“You have to do it, Rodney. You’re the whole reason this is happening.”
“You said it had nothing to do with me when we were in the mall!”
‘That was for Sarge’s benefit, and you know it. C’mon, Rodney, you know you have to do this. You have to stand up for yourself, or these guys are going to think you’re an easy target.”
“If you put me on the paintball field, I will be an easy target!”
“Boys,” Elizabeth interrupted sharply. “Getting loud.” Teyla looked up to see Vice-Principal O’Neill looking intently in their direction.
John sat back and took a deep breath. Quietly, he continued. “If you don’t do this, the Genii will not stop hassling you and your friends. What happens if the next time they catch you, you’re with Radek, or Carson, or Elizabeth?
Teyla watched the expression on Rodney’s face change. Clearly, Sheppard knew McKay’s Achilles’ heel. She was not surprised to see Rodney relent.
“I’m going to get slaughtered out there. I don’t see how that’s going to make them stop harassing me.”
John leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms over his chest with a smirk. “You’re not going to get slaughtered, because I’m going to teach you. You’re going to skip chess club tonight, and we’re going to the paintball field.”
“Skip chess club?” Rodney whined.
“Would you rather miss space club tomorrow?” Elizabeth knew the answer before she asked.
“I would like to accompany you.” Teyla spoke up before Rodney could start a long explanation of the space club’s latest project.
“To space club?” Rodney asked in confusion.
“To the paintball field,” Teyla clarified. “I am curious about this game. I would like to learn, as well.”
“Uh, Teyla…” John seemed to be struggling for words. “It’s pretty messy.”
“I assumed so. It involves firing volleys of paint at one another, does it not?”
John looked over Teyla’s petite figure and perfect hair. “Yes, but we also crawl around in the dirt, hide in the bushes, sometimes climb trees. And there’s a lot of running. It can get kind of rough.”
“It sounds very enjoyable,” Teyla concluded with a smile.
John threw up his hands. “Okay, then. We’ll give it a try.”
&&&
John handed Rodney and Teyla their goggles. “Okay, listen up. We’ll be playing woodsball with seven-man squads. Whether we play Capture the Flag or Total Elimination will be their call, because we challenged them. Once you get your markers, we’ll go over the rules.”
Rodney raised his hand. “Could you repeat that in English?”
John sighed, and pointed to his left. “Woodsball - we’re playing in that fenced-in wooded area over there, not on the tournament court. There are two different types of games, and which one we play is up to the Genii. Clear so far?”
“What is a marker?” Teyla asked.
“That’s your weapon. Here.” John handed each of them a marker and ammo. “These are rented, but they’re pretty decent. I’ll show you how to load them once we’re out on the field.”
Rodney turned the marker over in his hands, looking at it from every angle. “How’s it work?” he asked.
John rolled his eyes. “Compressed gas - liquid CO2. You can take it apart later. C’mon.” He led them towards the woods, pausing at the gate. “Okay, goggles on.”
Rodney looked at the well-worn rented goggles disdainfully. “Is that really necessary?”
“Every second you are inside this fence, you will have those goggles on,” John ordered. “Paintballs travel at up to 300 feet per second. You don’t want to take one in the eye.”
“Understood,” Teyla said, donning her goggles.
Rodney looked on incredulously. “Don’t want to take one in the eye? I don’t want to take one anywhere! You’ve got to be nuts if you think I’m going to do this. No way. Just no way! Getting hit with anything traveling that fast has got to hurt. What kind of sadist decided this was a sport, huh? And aside from the risk of injury, I’ve already been covered in paint once this week. Surprisingly, it’s not a whole lot of fun.”
Sheppard grabbed the marker out of Rodney’s hand and loaded it while Rodney ranted on. He cocked it and placed it back in Rodney’s hand. Rodney stopped talking and stared up at him. John walked six feet ahead into the woods and stood with his arms outstretched. “Shoot me.”
“What? No, I’m not going to shoot you. Didn’t you hear a word I said?” Rodney protested.
“Teyla?” John nodded towards Rodney and his marker. Teyla wrapped her hands around Rodney’s, aimed the weapon and fired, hitting John square in the chest.
“Did you see me so much as flinch, McKay?”
“Alright,” Rodney said with resignation. “Show me what to do.”
&&&
“You should have seen her, Elizabeth.” John’s voice reflected his awe. “Teyla was incredible. She’s a natural. Her first game of paintball, and I really think she’d give any one of the guys a run for their money.”
“Maybe the martial arts she practices have helped her coordination,” Elizabeth suggested, looking at Teyla, who was modestly looking down at her lunch tray.
“You practice martial arts?” Rodney asked around a mouthful of turkey sandwich.
“She’s a black belt,” Elizabeth answered for her. “And you should see her - she’s so graceful.”
John snickered and nudged Elizabeth’s shoulder playfully. “I don’t think they give black belts for grace. She must really know how to kick butt.”
“And what about me?” Rodney demanded. “I didn’t do half bad, now did I?”
“No,” John acknowledged. “Not too bad.”
Rodney turned to Elizabeth. “You see, there is really a lot of physics involved in the game.”
“So!” John interrupted loudly. “Teyla, you are going to play against the Genii, right?”
Teyla looked up in surprise. “No! I was curious about the game; I never intended to participate in your match!”
Suddenly, everyone was speaking at once. “What?” “Why not, Teyla?” “But we need you!”
Raising both her hands in front of her, Teyla brought the questioning to a halt. “I do not believe that the other members of your squad would wish it.”
“Maybe not,” John agreed, “but they’ll change their minds as soon as they see you on the field. Plus, we really need someone to watch Rodney’s back.”
Rodney looked at her pleadingly. “And excluding Sheppard, I don’t know if I’m in more danger from their side or ours. You’re the only one I can trust. Please, Teyla?”
Teyla smiled. “Very well. I will play.”
&&&
“No way is she playing!”
It was game day, and Bates was not taking John’s news well. Teyla was gearing up near the bleachers, and he was glad she was too far away to hear the argument. He kept his cool and tried to reason with Bates. “Sarge, she’s as good as any of us, maybe even better. Just give her a chance, you’ll see.”
“It is bad enough we have to play with the Dork King -“
“Gee, thanks,” Rodney muttered.
“- but I am not playing with… with her,” Bates insisted, glaring at Teyla.
“Look, the Genii are going to be here any minute. We don’t have time to argue over this. Teyla is playing. Rodney is playing. I didn’t ask anyone else, so if any of you back out, we have to forfeit. Are you with me or not?”
Ford stepped up. “You know I’m with you, Shep.”
Stackhouse and Markham looked to Bates for their cue. “I’m not spending one second watching her back,” he growled.
“You won’t have to,” John assured him.
“Riiight. Tell you what, Shep. I’ll bet you ten bucks she’s the second one eliminated - right after McGeek here.”
John smirked. “You’re on. But I’ve seen her play. You’re throwing away your money.”
At that moment, Teyla and Elizabeth came jogging up. “They’re here,” Elizabeth said breathlessly.
“Are we ready?” Teyla asked, looking from Sheppard to Bates.
“Yeah, we’re ready.” John grabbed his marker, and Bates followed. They led the others to meet the Genii.
&&&
As expected, the Genii chose Total Elimination. Both games took strategy to win, but Total Elimination required less teamwork and allowed all of the players to roam the field, since no one needed to guard a flag. The game had been on for twenty minutes, and so far no one had been marked.
Behind a large bush, Teyla dropped to a crouch and quickly motioned for Rodney to do the same. “I saw their leader, approaching from that direction,” Teyla whispered, pointing to the way ahead of them. “I want you to draw him out.”
Rodney whispered back nervously, “You want to use me as bait?”
“They chose this game so that they could operate independently. They will not be expecting us to work as a team. If you stand, then quickly move behind that tree, I will mark him before he can aim.”
He looked at her skeptically. “I don’t know, Teyla.”
“You said that you trusted me.” Teyla’s tone was mild but her stare was pointed. Rodney sighed and nodded. Teyla placed her hand on his arm to keep him still, and peered around the edge of the bush. After a moment, she let him go and whispered, “Now!”
Rodney jumped up awkwardly and lunged for the tree. He heard the pop! of Teyla’s marker as he hit the ground. She dropped back down behind the bush. “Did you get him?” Rodney whispered.
“Yes, but there are others nearby. I could not see if they are ours or theirs.”
“I’m marked,” Tyrus called out as he left the field. Rodney peeked out from behind the tree in time to see Ladon approaching and Tyrus silently point to the bush and the tree where they were hiding as he passed.
“One of them is coming,” he said quietly. Suddenly, several more pops were heard, along with a few choice words.
“Fogged!”
Rodney and Teyla cautiously peeked around the foliage to see who needed help. Ladon stomped off the field of play - marked by Bates. Bates himself was standing at the edge of the small clearing, his goggles and hair covered in paint splatter from a ball that impacted a nearby tree.
“Should we help him?” Rodney asked.
“I think perhaps we had better wait for the referee to find him.” Teyla pointed across the clearing, behind Bates. “Do you see there? Sora and another Genii player. They are waiting for us to help him.”
“That’s against the rules! Sheppard said you had to cease fire if someone was fogged or lost their goggles.”
“Fogged!” Bates yelled again.
“I do not think they have much respect for the rules.” Teyla watched as the Genii crept closer. “I think they intend to mark him!”
“That’s cheating!” Rodney hissed indignantly.
“We will not allow them to cheat. Get ready.” Teyla cocked her marker, and Rodney followed suit. “On the count of three… Three, two, one…now!”
“Bates, get down!” Rodney yelled. Bates dropped to a crouch, as Rodney and Teyla fired. The Genii, who had been on the point of firing at Bates, were taken off guard, but not for long. Teyla managed to hit Sora, but Rodney missed her companion as he ran for cover behind a tree. A moment later, he emerged, marked from behind by Sheppard.
“That’s the last of ‘em,” John called out as he broke cover. “I counted the other five out on the bleachers.” John waved cheerily at the two Genii as they stormed off the field.
Bates stripped off his paint-covered goggles. “Thanks for the save, Shep.”
John grinned at him. “Wasn’t me. I just got here.” At Bates’ look of confusion, John gestured behind him, and he turned to see Rodney and Teyla - without a spot of paint on them.
“Thanks,” Bates grumbled unhappily.
“You are welcome.” Teyla smiled pleasantly, and Rodney couldn’t restrain a smug grin.
As they made their way off the field, the four still standing were met with a round of applause and cheers from their friends. “Way to go, guys!” Stackhouse yelled.
“And girl,” Elizabeth pointed out, grinning at Teyla, but Stackhouse and Markham were already headed for the main building, whooping and cheering as they ran.
Ford patted her on the back as he followed them to the locker room. “Nice job, Teyla.”
“Yeah, nice job,” Bates echoed grudgingly.
John slipped between Rodney and Teyla and threw an arm over each of their shoulders. “So, we have a standing game every other Saturday. You kids interested?”
Title: The Paint Job
Author: kate98
Written for: seldear in the auficathon
AU: shermer_high
Character/Pairing: Teyla
Request: A situation where Teyla goes from being excluded by the other students to included. Try to keep the characters and dynamics from SGA intact. May include gang wars, turf fights, bitching, backstabbing, and befriending, but the focus of the story should not be relationshippy. And include as many of the 'minor' characters as possible, please.
Acknowledgements: My thanks to raisintorte, Pixie_on_Acid, and Groovekittie for their help and encouragement.
Summary: Team Shermer High engages the Genii in battle - on the paintball field.
The Paint Job
“We’re going to miss the previews,” Bates grumbled, looking at his watch for the fifth time in five minutes.
John gave Elizabeth a questioning look. She knew his football buddies weren’t happy about them tagging along to begin with, but he was leaving it up to her. She glanced back at the large clock over the theater’s entrance. “Just five more minutes,” she said. “It’s not like Rodney to be late.”
Bates muttered something Elizabeth couldn’t hear in reply, and a few of his teammates laughed.
John’s lips twisted in displeasure and he glared at Bates. “Chill out, Sarge.”
Teyla looked to Elizabeth in confusion. “It’s short for Sergeant.” Elizabeth spoke softly whenever she and Teyla had these little discussions. She didn’t want the others to know how hard a time Teyla was having learning to fit in. They already thought she was strange and weren’t very happy that Elizabeth had brought her along.
Elizabeth’s answer did little to clear up Teyla’s confusion, nor did Teyla get the hint that she should whisper too. She leaned around Elizabeth to get a better look at Bates as she said, “Is that not a military designation? Is this boy not small to be a member of your military?”
The jocks broke out in raucous laughter, with the exception of Bates himself, who gave Markham an angry shove, nearly toppling him into Ford. The three began pushing and shoving each other.
“We call him Sarge because he likes to yell at everyone on the team while we run drills. Like a drill sergeant,” John explained, watching the tussle with no apparent alarm.
“Oh, my god,” Elizabeth cried out, and the grappling came to a stop. Even Bates, with Markham in a headlock, turned to see what had made the normally unflappable Elizabeth flustered.
Rodney McKay had finally arrived, leaving a trail of maroon and yellow footsteps in his wake. He looked like a bad example of the modern art they’d seen on their museum field trip last week. Paint dripped from his bedraggled hair, and his clothing hung at odd angles from the weight of the liquid. His face was a mixture of fury and humiliation that the jocks would have found hilarious, except for one thing. Those colors he was drenched in were Genii colors.
Elizabeth rushed up to meet her friend, and Teyla followed closely behind. Elizabeth instinctively reached out to touch his arm, but stopped short. “Rodney, what happened?”
“Elizabeth, you’re a smart girl, but sometimes you ask very stupid questions,” Rodney huffed. “What do you think happened? Those Genii punks assaulted me. With paint.”
Teyla looked him over with concern. “Did they injure you in any way?”
“Two for two with the stupid questions. Yes, Teyla, they injured me. I was just withholding the information from you because I’m so stoic when it comes to pain.”
Elizabeth quickly turned to reassure her. “That means he’s fine. We’re going to have to get him home so he can get cleaned up.”
“Hey!” Bates yelled. The others turned to see three of the Genii headed their way.
“Nice paint job,” Ladon snickered, gesturing towards Rodney.
“Yes,” Sora said with a plastered on smile. “I like what you’ve done with the geek.”
John stepped into their path. Bates and Ford drew up behind him. “You think that’s funny?”
Tyrus, the oldest of the three Genii took a step forward and gave John a shove. “Yeah, I do.”
John took a step closer and smiled dangerously. “Do you know what I think?”
“My money is on ‘not a whole lot,’ jock-boy.”
Aiden tapped John on the arm insistently. “Cop.”
John and Tyrus both took a step back. The mall security guard paused in his progress toward the boys, not wanting to get involved if he didn’t have to.
“I think,” John repeated with emphasis, “that you should pick on someone your own size.”
“Name the day,” Tyrus smirked. “I’ll clean the floor with you.”
“Oh, there’s going to be nothing clean about it. Paintball field, full squad, one week.”
“Paintball?” Ladon sneered disdainfully.
Ford gestured at Rodney as John and Tyrus continued to stare each other down. “You chose the weapon, moron.”
“Yes or no,” John demanded.
“Fine,” Tyrus agreed. “And you’d better be there, or we’ll find another way to mess up that pretty face of yours.”
“Aww, Shep, he thinks you’re pretty!” Bates sing-songed.
Tyrus made a sudden move towards Bates. “Hey, you kids!” the security guard yelled, and Tyrus backed away. He pointed to Bates as they walked away, a clear sign that he’d be looking for him on the paintball field.
As soon as they were out of earshot, Bates turned to John. “Now, what the hell did you go and do that for? Jesus, Sheppard!” He pointed at Rodney. “Over him?”
John reached out and pushed Bates’ hand to his side. “If it weren’t for him, you wouldn’t be passing Chem. And do you really think they did this just to mess with McKay? He’s one of ours. They just tagged our property.”
“Your property?” Rodney echoed incredulously.
“This isn’t about you, Rodney,” John insisted.
“Uh, meanwhile, I’m the one dripping with paint. You see how that doesn’t quite work for me?” Rodney asked, dripping not only with paint, but with sarcasm.
“John,” Elizabeth interrupted, “we really have to get him home. The paint is beginning to dry.”
John’s eyes widened. “You want to put him in the puddlejumper?”
Elizabeth grimaced at him. “Run down to the hardware store and buy some plastic sheeting, so he won’t get any paint on your precious truck.”
“Alright,” John agreed reluctantly, “but he’s not sitting in the cab. He can ride in the bed.”
“Oh, of course,” Rodney muttered. “I’ll sit in back with your dirt-bike. I’m just another piece of property, after all.”
John jogged away toward the hardware store at the far end of the mall. Elizabeth began to usher Rodney out. “Teyla, I’m sorry about this. Do you want to stay and see the movie, or do you want to come with us?”
Teyla looked over at the remaining boys. Bates’ glare made it pretty clear he didn’t welcome her company. “I think it would be best if I came home with you, Elizabeth.” She turned and nodded politely. “Good evening, gentlemen.”
“Oh, please,” Bates scowled.
&&&
Teyla cautiously approached the lunch table where Elizabeth sat. She knew the girl would always welcome her, but it appeared that Rodney and John Sheppard were arguing. She didn’t know if she would be intruding. Elizabeth caught her eye and smiled; Teyla joined them.
“You have to do it, Rodney. You’re the whole reason this is happening.”
“You said it had nothing to do with me when we were in the mall!”
‘That was for Sarge’s benefit, and you know it. C’mon, Rodney, you know you have to do this. You have to stand up for yourself, or these guys are going to think you’re an easy target.”
“If you put me on the paintball field, I will be an easy target!”
“Boys,” Elizabeth interrupted sharply. “Getting loud.” Teyla looked up to see Vice-Principal O’Neill looking intently in their direction.
John sat back and took a deep breath. Quietly, he continued. “If you don’t do this, the Genii will not stop hassling you and your friends. What happens if the next time they catch you, you’re with Radek, or Carson, or Elizabeth?
Teyla watched the expression on Rodney’s face change. Clearly, Sheppard knew McKay’s Achilles’ heel. She was not surprised to see Rodney relent.
“I’m going to get slaughtered out there. I don’t see how that’s going to make them stop harassing me.”
John leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms over his chest with a smirk. “You’re not going to get slaughtered, because I’m going to teach you. You’re going to skip chess club tonight, and we’re going to the paintball field.”
“Skip chess club?” Rodney whined.
“Would you rather miss space club tomorrow?” Elizabeth knew the answer before she asked.
“I would like to accompany you.” Teyla spoke up before Rodney could start a long explanation of the space club’s latest project.
“To space club?” Rodney asked in confusion.
“To the paintball field,” Teyla clarified. “I am curious about this game. I would like to learn, as well.”
“Uh, Teyla…” John seemed to be struggling for words. “It’s pretty messy.”
“I assumed so. It involves firing volleys of paint at one another, does it not?”
John looked over Teyla’s petite figure and perfect hair. “Yes, but we also crawl around in the dirt, hide in the bushes, sometimes climb trees. And there’s a lot of running. It can get kind of rough.”
“It sounds very enjoyable,” Teyla concluded with a smile.
John threw up his hands. “Okay, then. We’ll give it a try.”
&&&
John handed Rodney and Teyla their goggles. “Okay, listen up. We’ll be playing woodsball with seven-man squads. Whether we play Capture the Flag or Total Elimination will be their call, because we challenged them. Once you get your markers, we’ll go over the rules.”
Rodney raised his hand. “Could you repeat that in English?”
John sighed, and pointed to his left. “Woodsball - we’re playing in that fenced-in wooded area over there, not on the tournament court. There are two different types of games, and which one we play is up to the Genii. Clear so far?”
“What is a marker?” Teyla asked.
“That’s your weapon. Here.” John handed each of them a marker and ammo. “These are rented, but they’re pretty decent. I’ll show you how to load them once we’re out on the field.”
Rodney turned the marker over in his hands, looking at it from every angle. “How’s it work?” he asked.
John rolled his eyes. “Compressed gas - liquid CO2. You can take it apart later. C’mon.” He led them towards the woods, pausing at the gate. “Okay, goggles on.”
Rodney looked at the well-worn rented goggles disdainfully. “Is that really necessary?”
“Every second you are inside this fence, you will have those goggles on,” John ordered. “Paintballs travel at up to 300 feet per second. You don’t want to take one in the eye.”
“Understood,” Teyla said, donning her goggles.
Rodney looked on incredulously. “Don’t want to take one in the eye? I don’t want to take one anywhere! You’ve got to be nuts if you think I’m going to do this. No way. Just no way! Getting hit with anything traveling that fast has got to hurt. What kind of sadist decided this was a sport, huh? And aside from the risk of injury, I’ve already been covered in paint once this week. Surprisingly, it’s not a whole lot of fun.”
Sheppard grabbed the marker out of Rodney’s hand and loaded it while Rodney ranted on. He cocked it and placed it back in Rodney’s hand. Rodney stopped talking and stared up at him. John walked six feet ahead into the woods and stood with his arms outstretched. “Shoot me.”
“What? No, I’m not going to shoot you. Didn’t you hear a word I said?” Rodney protested.
“Teyla?” John nodded towards Rodney and his marker. Teyla wrapped her hands around Rodney’s, aimed the weapon and fired, hitting John square in the chest.
“Did you see me so much as flinch, McKay?”
“Alright,” Rodney said with resignation. “Show me what to do.”
&&&
“You should have seen her, Elizabeth.” John’s voice reflected his awe. “Teyla was incredible. She’s a natural. Her first game of paintball, and I really think she’d give any one of the guys a run for their money.”
“Maybe the martial arts she practices have helped her coordination,” Elizabeth suggested, looking at Teyla, who was modestly looking down at her lunch tray.
“You practice martial arts?” Rodney asked around a mouthful of turkey sandwich.
“She’s a black belt,” Elizabeth answered for her. “And you should see her - she’s so graceful.”
John snickered and nudged Elizabeth’s shoulder playfully. “I don’t think they give black belts for grace. She must really know how to kick butt.”
“And what about me?” Rodney demanded. “I didn’t do half bad, now did I?”
“No,” John acknowledged. “Not too bad.”
Rodney turned to Elizabeth. “You see, there is really a lot of physics involved in the game.”
“So!” John interrupted loudly. “Teyla, you are going to play against the Genii, right?”
Teyla looked up in surprise. “No! I was curious about the game; I never intended to participate in your match!”
Suddenly, everyone was speaking at once. “What?” “Why not, Teyla?” “But we need you!”
Raising both her hands in front of her, Teyla brought the questioning to a halt. “I do not believe that the other members of your squad would wish it.”
“Maybe not,” John agreed, “but they’ll change their minds as soon as they see you on the field. Plus, we really need someone to watch Rodney’s back.”
Rodney looked at her pleadingly. “And excluding Sheppard, I don’t know if I’m in more danger from their side or ours. You’re the only one I can trust. Please, Teyla?”
Teyla smiled. “Very well. I will play.”
&&&
“No way is she playing!”
It was game day, and Bates was not taking John’s news well. Teyla was gearing up near the bleachers, and he was glad she was too far away to hear the argument. He kept his cool and tried to reason with Bates. “Sarge, she’s as good as any of us, maybe even better. Just give her a chance, you’ll see.”
“It is bad enough we have to play with the Dork King -“
“Gee, thanks,” Rodney muttered.
“- but I am not playing with… with her,” Bates insisted, glaring at Teyla.
“Look, the Genii are going to be here any minute. We don’t have time to argue over this. Teyla is playing. Rodney is playing. I didn’t ask anyone else, so if any of you back out, we have to forfeit. Are you with me or not?”
Ford stepped up. “You know I’m with you, Shep.”
Stackhouse and Markham looked to Bates for their cue. “I’m not spending one second watching her back,” he growled.
“You won’t have to,” John assured him.
“Riiight. Tell you what, Shep. I’ll bet you ten bucks she’s the second one eliminated - right after McGeek here.”
John smirked. “You’re on. But I’ve seen her play. You’re throwing away your money.”
At that moment, Teyla and Elizabeth came jogging up. “They’re here,” Elizabeth said breathlessly.
“Are we ready?” Teyla asked, looking from Sheppard to Bates.
“Yeah, we’re ready.” John grabbed his marker, and Bates followed. They led the others to meet the Genii.
&&&
As expected, the Genii chose Total Elimination. Both games took strategy to win, but Total Elimination required less teamwork and allowed all of the players to roam the field, since no one needed to guard a flag. The game had been on for twenty minutes, and so far no one had been marked.
Behind a large bush, Teyla dropped to a crouch and quickly motioned for Rodney to do the same. “I saw their leader, approaching from that direction,” Teyla whispered, pointing to the way ahead of them. “I want you to draw him out.”
Rodney whispered back nervously, “You want to use me as bait?”
“They chose this game so that they could operate independently. They will not be expecting us to work as a team. If you stand, then quickly move behind that tree, I will mark him before he can aim.”
He looked at her skeptically. “I don’t know, Teyla.”
“You said that you trusted me.” Teyla’s tone was mild but her stare was pointed. Rodney sighed and nodded. Teyla placed her hand on his arm to keep him still, and peered around the edge of the bush. After a moment, she let him go and whispered, “Now!”
Rodney jumped up awkwardly and lunged for the tree. He heard the pop! of Teyla’s marker as he hit the ground. She dropped back down behind the bush. “Did you get him?” Rodney whispered.
“Yes, but there are others nearby. I could not see if they are ours or theirs.”
“I’m marked,” Tyrus called out as he left the field. Rodney peeked out from behind the tree in time to see Ladon approaching and Tyrus silently point to the bush and the tree where they were hiding as he passed.
“One of them is coming,” he said quietly. Suddenly, several more pops were heard, along with a few choice words.
“Fogged!”
Rodney and Teyla cautiously peeked around the foliage to see who needed help. Ladon stomped off the field of play - marked by Bates. Bates himself was standing at the edge of the small clearing, his goggles and hair covered in paint splatter from a ball that impacted a nearby tree.
“Should we help him?” Rodney asked.
“I think perhaps we had better wait for the referee to find him.” Teyla pointed across the clearing, behind Bates. “Do you see there? Sora and another Genii player. They are waiting for us to help him.”
“That’s against the rules! Sheppard said you had to cease fire if someone was fogged or lost their goggles.”
“Fogged!” Bates yelled again.
“I do not think they have much respect for the rules.” Teyla watched as the Genii crept closer. “I think they intend to mark him!”
“That’s cheating!” Rodney hissed indignantly.
“We will not allow them to cheat. Get ready.” Teyla cocked her marker, and Rodney followed suit. “On the count of three… Three, two, one…now!”
“Bates, get down!” Rodney yelled. Bates dropped to a crouch, as Rodney and Teyla fired. The Genii, who had been on the point of firing at Bates, were taken off guard, but not for long. Teyla managed to hit Sora, but Rodney missed her companion as he ran for cover behind a tree. A moment later, he emerged, marked from behind by Sheppard.
“That’s the last of ‘em,” John called out as he broke cover. “I counted the other five out on the bleachers.” John waved cheerily at the two Genii as they stormed off the field.
Bates stripped off his paint-covered goggles. “Thanks for the save, Shep.”
John grinned at him. “Wasn’t me. I just got here.” At Bates’ look of confusion, John gestured behind him, and he turned to see Rodney and Teyla - without a spot of paint on them.
“Thanks,” Bates grumbled unhappily.
“You are welcome.” Teyla smiled pleasantly, and Rodney couldn’t restrain a smug grin.
As they made their way off the field, the four still standing were met with a round of applause and cheers from their friends. “Way to go, guys!” Stackhouse yelled.
“And girl,” Elizabeth pointed out, grinning at Teyla, but Stackhouse and Markham were already headed for the main building, whooping and cheering as they ran.
Ford patted her on the back as he followed them to the locker room. “Nice job, Teyla.”
“Yeah, nice job,” Bates echoed grudgingly.
John slipped between Rodney and Teyla and threw an arm over each of their shoulders. “So, we have a standing game every other Saturday. You kids interested?”