Lucky you guys! It's another snow day! With record snowfall here you guys are getting another update!
Hope you're enjoying the story! I am loving all the comments and votes as we get closer and closer to Kai and John admitting there might be something between them 😉
Happy Reading!
><><
The Gift
><><
Kai was exhausted. She had been up half the night processing the sensor data for the Wraith hive ships. Part of her wanted to go back to bed, but she had made plans to spar with Teyla and after what happened on the planet, she didn't want to break them. Kai wasn't the type to talk about feelings, but it was clear something was going on with the Athosian leader, and clearly the other woman was not going to open up to the Major to discuss it.
Kai turned a corner and nearly bumped into someone heading in the opposite direction. She side stepped just in time to avoid a collision. "Teyla?" she said in surprise.
"Kai," Teyla said. Teyla's skin was covered in a fine layer of sweat, and her face looked tired.
"I thought-" Kai started to say, gesturing behind Teyla towards the gym. "I thought we were sparring today."
Teyla drew in a tight breath. "We were, but I'm afraid I'm not feeling well," she said. "I was supposed to spar with Major Sheppard earlier but..." she shook her head. "He offered to wait for you and take my place today."
"The Major?" Kai asked. She wasn't sure how she felt about that. She and Sheppard had been working together a lot lately, but they both avoided spending any time together outside of that. Sparring just the two of them didn't seem like a great idea.
"Yes," Teyla said with a tired smile. She had always been able to sense something between John and Kai, but she was honestly too tired to worry about it today.
"Okay," Kai agreed and turned towards the gym. It wouldn't be difficult to come up with an excuse to not spar with Sheppard. She would just go and tell him she was needed back in the lab. Then Teyla wouldn't feel bad and she could get out of a potentially awkward situation with the Major.
"Ah, Kai," Teyla called after her tentatively.
Kai turned around, lifting her eyebrows expectantly.
"I wanted to apologize, for yesterday. It was not my intention to-"
Kai quickly cut her off. "You don't have to apologize. We made a difference, that's what matters."
Teyla nodded. "Yes but, I fear that in trying to prove a point to Major Sheppard I may have unintentionally brought up painful memories for you."
Kai's jaw tightened. She was not going to discuss this. She considered Teyla a friend, but her past was off limits to everyone. "Not at all." Kai promised and moved to leave. The truth was Kai could care less about Teyla unintentionally bringing up her past, she cared much more about the fact that in questioning the Major's command Teyla had endangered all of their lives.
Teyla stepped in front of her again. "I value your friendship Kai, and I am truly sorry," she said taking Kai's hand.
Kai allowed Teyla to hold her hand for exactly three seconds before she snatched it back. "All is forgiven," she promised quickly.
Teyla nodded and a tired smile crossed her face. "Good. You better get going, The Major is waiting."
John turned to face the doors as they hissed open. Kai stood in the doorway, a backpack over one shoulder. She looked like she was ready to bolt. Teyla's assurances that Kai would rather spar with him than not at all looked to be incorrect.
"Hi," he greeted, shifting his weight uncomfortably.
"Major," Kai said nodding. "I am-"
"I can-" he started to say at the same time.
They both stopped. Kai looked over the Major's shoulder while he stared down at the mat. John had never been able to figure out how they managed to work so well together in the field, but every time they got home things turned awkward.
"Is Teyla all right?" Kai finally asked.
"Yeah," John responded, quickly seizing on an opportunity to break the uncomfortable silence. "She's just tired..." he broke off. He didn't want to betray Teyla's trust and Kai wouldn't be offended not getting any details. It was one of the things he liked most about her. Or rather something he respected in working with her. Kai didn't pry into things that weren't her business.
"Well, I appreciate you waiting around, but Zelenka could really use my help in the lab, so-" Kai dragged off. She turned to go.
"Zian wait," John called after her.
Kai turned back to face the Major.
"I owe you an apology," he said.
"An apology?" Kai asked, frowning. Other than the strange tension between them, she couldn't think of anything The Major needed to apologize for.
"For what happened on that planet. I let things get out of hand and-"
Kai was already shaking her head. "First of all Major, you at no point forced me to leave the jumper. I assisted knowing full well what the dangers were. And secondly," she paused and allowed herself to meet his gaze. "It isn't you who owed the apology and Teyla already spoke with me."
"She did?" He asked in surprise.
Kia nodded and looked away again. "Yes, when she said that you were waiting to spar with me..." she added.
"Well," John said with a grin. "I volunteered," he teased gently.
A genuine smile crossed Kai's face despite herself as Sheppard threw her own words back at her.
Kai's smile lit her entire face. John swallowed and looked away as he rubbed the back of his neck. Kai was beautiful, there was no denying that, but so were a lot of people. There was no reason it should effect him. Unlike Teyla who sparred in soft, flowing fabric that showed a lot of skin, Kai kept as much skin covered as possible. She wore black leggings and her usual fitted long sleeve black t-shirt, her hair was covered by her scarf that was wrapped tightly around her head.
He cleared his throat. "You weren't coming here to tell Teyla you had to get down to the lab were you?" John asked eyeing Kai's workout clothes.
The smile on Kai's face froze. "No," she said honestly looking down at her hands.
John felt guilty that she was so uncomfortable around him. He valued her skills and all she had done for Atlantis. "Well, lets do this." He said gesturing to the mats behind him. "There's a fight coming up we gotta keep you on your toes," he said with a grin trying to put her at her ease.
Kai followed him to the mats, she set her backpack down and stood across from him.
"Do your people bow or anything?" John asked pulling bantos rods off the rack.
"Nope," Kai said as she flashed him a cheeky grin. She took the end of her scarf and secured it over the lower half of her face, leaving only her eyes exposed. She took the rods from Sheppard.
"Don't go easy on me or anything," John told her. He couldn't see her face, but the corners of her eyes crinkled and he was fairly certain she was smiling at him again. "Teyla never does."
"Same to you Major," she said twirling the rods through her hands. They stood across from each other for a moment. Sheppard nodded once and Kai attacked.
She swung high with the left rod, aiming for his shoulder. He blocked the strike as she brought her right rod towards his midsection. He spun back out of the way and swiped for her legs. Kai jumped into the air. Sheppard wrapped his other arm around her waist mid-jump. He threw her down to her back on the mats. He moved to pin her but she brought her legs up to her chest and slammed her boots into his diaphragm. John grunted as he was throw onto his back with the wind knocked out of him.
Kai rolled in a backwards somersault to her feet. When she straightened the Major was climbing back to his feet. A boyish grin broke across his face as though he was having the time of his life. Kai didn't fight like Teyla. With Teyla it was all about moving meditation and breath control. When she fought Teyla gave the impression of being that much more in control of herself. Kai was different. With Kai, all that control she walked around with every day just went away. She cut loose and John felt like he was really seeing her.
Wearing her cowl, only her black rimmed storm-grey eyes were visible. There was a challenging glint in her gaze as she paced around him like a caged animal. John could feel the pleased smirk stretching his own lips. Teyla wiped the floor with him every day, but it was in a cold clinical way. Teyla was ice, Kai was fire.
He waited until Kai was just about out of reach and slammed one of the rods down towards her with all his strength. She parried but the strength behind the blow was jarring. Her eyes widened as the fluidity of her movements faltered. The strength behind the blow would have cracked bone if it had connected. She spun back out of the way. He was watching the rods in her hands however and she followed with a roundhouse kick.
Instead of kicking him in the head, like she would have with an enemy, she pulled the kick and caught him in the shoulder, sending him sprawling across the mat. She pounced on him, landing on his chest before he had a chance to recover. With her knees on either side of his torso pinning the rods, she shoved her rods crossways over his throat.
A smirk stretched John's face as he looked up at Kai. She was smaller than Teyla, not as strong, but faster. He had seen her in action, but it was even more impressive being on the receiving end. "Best two out of three?" he asked with a grin. His blood with up at the prospect of a challenge. This was the side of her he only saw when they were in the field together.
He and Kai were both still breathless, but neither looked away as they stared into each other's eyes from only inches apart. The tension rising between them was a tangible thing.
Kai opened her mouth, a cheeky response on the tip of her tongue, but Sheppard's radio sounded. "Major?" Weir's voice came through his earpiece going over the two of them like cold water.
John released one of the rods to reach up and touch his earbud. "Yeah, I'm here," John grunted.
"I've called a meeting of all the team leaders to discuss the current status of the Wraith," Weir reported. There was a brief paused before she spoke again. "What exactly is your current status?" She asked curiously.
John snorted and the tension drained from his body. He flopped back against the mat. "I'm in the gym with Zian," John said looking up at Kai guiltily. There was chemistry he felt between them, but it only happened in the heat of the moment. He had let himself be drawn into it again. He looked away.
Kai suddenly realized she was still sitting on top of the Major and had been shamelessly eavesdropping on his conversation. She climbed awkwardly off of his chest to her feet as a blush climbed its way up her neck. She turned away from him and pulled the cowl off the lower half of her face and the cool air against her cheeks helped her think more clearly. She had let herself get distracted and that couldn't happen.
Weir paused for another moment before she spoke again. "Why don't you bring her with you. She may have a few ideas we haven't considered."
"Roger that," John agreed. He climbed to his feet, turning to face Kai. He twirled the rods in his hands. "Looks like that rematch will have to wait for another day," he said, his tone brisk.
"Of course Major," she replied with a compliant nod, although she knew it would never happen. She couldn't let it.
><><
Kai was surprised to hear Weir wanted her to be included in the meeting. She had always thought of herself as an outsider, and the meeting itself was limited to the heads of departments and team leaders. At most she was a part time assistant and mechanic. She wasn't sure what she could contribute but she trailed after the Major toward the conference room nonetheless.
She wasn't sure what to think about what happened in the gym. She still didn't. There were times when she and The Major seemed perfectly at ease with one another, but then it was like a curtain would fall and neither would know what to say to the other. Like now. The awkward tension between them was so thick they both walked as quickly as they could to join to the briefing.
Weir was already standing at the head of the table when they arrived. She and Sheppard stood at the back as she began. "According to Doctor Zelenka's calculations, the Wraith will be here in less than a week. I want options," Weir said briskly as she paced in front of her people.
"You mean besides crying ourselves to sleep?" McKay asked wryly. Then he snorted and shook his head. "Well, not me. I haven't slept in days," he said self-importantly.
Weir crossed her arms over her chest. "And what do you have to show for your sleepless night?" she asked a little more sharply than usual. They were facing a real crisis and she and everyone else didn't have time to deal with Rodney's ego.
McKay sucked in a breath. "Well, since we've got here we've uncovered a number of defensive weapons systems beyond the shield. What-" he started to explain but Zelenka jumped in.
"We think our best option is the control chair," the Czech scientist explained succinctly.
"I was going to say that," McKay huffed indignantly. His lips were pinched together in irritation from being interrupted.
Zelenka snorted. "Yes, but you were taking too long as usual."
Sheppard leaned down so his lips were near Kai's ear. "Are they always like this?" he whispered.
Kai let out a tired sigh and nodded. "Always."
John snorted and straightened. Weir shot him a warning glare and he flashed her a charming smile.
"Yes, but the point is that this may not be our best chance," McKay growled leveling his narrowed eyes on Zelenka.
The Czech scientist crossed his arms over his chest. "Name a better one," he challenged.
"Gentlemen," Weir interrupted sharply.
McKay and Zelenka exchanged a sullen look before McKay finally spoke up, addressing Weir. "Of course, like the shield. Power will be our biggest problem. "
Zelenka jumped in. "We haven't even been able to initialize the chair yet, much less determine whether or not we can meet the power requirements to run it."
"Okay," Weir agreed. "Keep me posted." Then she turned to the military side of the room. "Sergeant Bates, where are we with our Alpha site?"
Bates nodded. "We've completed the ground and aerial security sweep and are ready to begin establishing a base camp. We're just awaiting final inspection from Major Sheppard."
Sheppard nodded briskly. "Right after lunch."
"Good," Weir agreed. "Teyla, are the Athosians preparing for an evacuation."
Teyla's shoulders were tight with tension and she was still on edge. "Yes, but many believe there is no other world that is safe from the Wraith."
Weir pulled back in shock. "They want to stay?" she asked in disbelief.
"As we have heard from our allies, and seen for ourselves," she added leveling a meaningful look at Sheppard. "There are cullings happening all over the galaxy. My people have spent their lives hiding from the Wraith."
Weir drew in a sharp breath. "Yes, well the difference here, being we do intend to destroy the city rather than let it fall into the hands of the Wraith. And if it comes to that anyone left on the mainland will be cut off from the Stargate for good. Now, thanks to Rodney's discovery of the gate's control crystal-"
McKay waved his fingers.
"-we at least know we will be able to take that with us and hopefully use it to access earth again sometime in the future."
Teyla's irritation and tension seemed to grow with each passing moment. Kai glanced towards Sheppard but he seemed equally as confused by it. He shrugged.
"We understand that Doctor Weir," she said tightly.
"I'm sorry I-" Weir started to explain but Teyla cut her off rudely.
"I am merely saying that the people of Athos wish you to know that if we are going to stay and fight, they too will help defend the city of the ancestors."
"That is very honorable," Weir said patiently. "But I-"
"Oh please," Kavanagh interrupted. "We can't possibly consider staying and fighting."
"Well I disagree," Sheppard said, scowling at Kavanagh. "I think it's entirely within the realm of possibility."
Kavanagh scoffed in disbelief. "There are tens of thousands of life sucking aliens in highly advanced space ships on their way here to destroy us," he shot Sheppard an indignant look. "And we have what? Two hundred people? Most of them scientists who have never even fired a gun before."
"Shockingly," McKay spoke up. "For the first time ever I find myself having to agree with Kavanagh."
Sheppard tensed. "All I'm saying is, let's not give up...just yet."
"What's that we were all supposed to remember?" McKay asked, turning to Kai. He grunted in disappointment when he realized she wouldn't get his reference. He lifted his eyes to look beyond her. "Oh yeah, The Alamo." he said dramatically.
Sheppard chuckled once, but he looked like he was ready to kill McKay. "Granted, you all are scientists, no one is considering putting you guys on the front lines," he stopped as his eyes caught Kai and he smirked. She was the only exception. "But," he said turning back to the others. "Science can turn the tide of war. Look at the A-bomb."
Zelenka massaged his temples. "Not exactly our proudest moment," he said.
Weir finally stepped in. "The point of the matter is that the Wraith are not here yet and until that moment I would like everyone to remain focused on what they do best. Like I said off the top, if there are any options, I want them. That's all," she said sharply and she walked out of the room.
Everyone else began disbursing. Bates stepped up and began chatting with Sheppard. Kai turned to leave when Zelenka caught her eye. "McKay and I could use your help with the chair."
"Zelenka," McKay called sharply. "We need to-"
Zelenka cut him off before he could finish. "Yes, yes, I was just-"
"I understand but let's-"
"After you," Zelenka said and Kai followed the two bickering scientists down to the chair room.
><><
Kai and Zelenka had been working in the chair room all day and they were still no closer to finding the energy reserves in the city's power supply to initialize it. McKay had been in and out, usually barking orders and taking control before sweeping out of the room again to go pursue another possible defensive plan.
He was currently standing over where Zelenka and Kai were going over the chair's control crystals. Most of them seemed to be intact but there was one that looked questionable.
Kai heard footsteps coming down the hall before the others. She lifted her head and turned towards the door focusing her senses. She recognized the footsteps and sound of his movements so she wasn't surprised when the door hissed open and the Major stepped into the room.
"McKay!" Major Sheppard's voice was a sharp call from behind them. "We need to get moving."
McKay grunted as he made some adjustments on his tablet. "In case you haven't noticed Major I'm a little busy."
"We're headed to this planet that Teyla needs to visit," Sheppard continued. "Something to do with The Wraith."
Rodney held a finger up to silence the Major. "I can't leave. I'm instrumental in a number of very important projects right now. Take this one for example," he said gesturing to where Zelenka and Kai were working.
"I can see that," Sheppard said sarcastically. He crossed his arms over his chest. "Look, we don't know what might be there. We might need some sciencing."
"Sciencing?" McKay asked in disgust. "I'm needed here."
"Well-" Zelenka started to say.
Rodney jumped in snapping his fingers in Zelenka's face. "You're right. Take Kai. We were only using her for her body anyway," he said.
John looked back and forth between McKay and and Kai slow blinking in disbelief.
"That's not what I was going to say," Zelenka filled in quickly.
McKay turned to one of his underlings. A small asian woman who moved around the lab like a frightened mouse. "Find Beckett, get him up here. We can use him to activate the chair if need be." The woman squeaked and scurried from the room.
Kai just shook her head, arguing wasn't worth it. And though she would never admit it out loud, McKay was right. They did need him there to work on the chair. She stood and scrubbed her hands off on her jump suit turning to Sheppard.
"Where to Major?"
><><
Sheppard set the Jumper down right on the edge of the village ruins. The sun was setting, and the shadows were getting long. The village itself was fairly basic, most of the structures were made of stone and even in the dim light they could make out blast burns from Wraith weapons.
The group was silent as they moved through what little remained. Kai stepped carefully to avoid the bones and bits of broken pottery that were still visible. It was obvious the Wraith had intended to leave no survivors.
They cleared every building, and every room, working from the front edge of town to the back. The Major stayed close to Teyla while she and Ford prowled through the remains.
The young lieutenant had been surprisingly quiet as they worked. Both she and the Major had life signs detectors but the Major had put his away after the first hour. It was clear no one was here. Kai adjusted the settings and continued to do sweeps for any random energy readings.
As the sun set a storm picked up. Kai could smell the sharp tang of electricity in the air moments before the first crack of lightning split the sky. Ford jumped and then shook his head, embarrassed by his reaction.
He looked up to see Kai gazing at him. "This place is creepy as hell," he said a little sharply. "Even you gotta admit that."
Kai nodded grimly as she toed an empty wooden crate. "It desolate," she agreed. "But I can't hear or smell anything that would indicate recent activity," she admitted. She lifted the detector. "And there are no energy readings."
"Wow, you can smell stuff like that?" Ford asked, clearly impressed.
Kai only nodded as she frowned down at the detector. She moved out of the building back into the main path where they met up with The Major and Teyla.
"Sir, there's nothing here," Ford complained after a few minutes.
"I know," Sheppard agreed, exhaustedly. He kept his voice low so Teyla wouldn't hear him.
Ford swung his flashlight over the dead-end where the edge of the village met the smooth surface of the cliff face. "Well it's dark, shouldn't we be heading back?"
"Just...give her a minute," Sheppard said gesturing to where Teyla was crouched over some broken pottery. She shifted it, cradling a small piece in her hands.
"Sir-" Ford started to argue but Sheppard turned on him with a severe look that had his words dying in his throat.
"Ford," John said. "I need her to put this behind her, get some sleep. We all do. So, whatever it takes"
Kai frowned down at the detector. She walked forward a few steps and back a few as the readings changed. It wasn't much, but it might indicate something that was shielded.
"Zian?" Sheppard called to her.
Her scowl deepened as she moved closer to the cliff face. "There's something here..." she said, moving towards Teyla.
"Really?" Ford asked excitedly.
"I don't know..." she said walking as she stared down at the detector. She moved quicker towards the cliff.
"Zian..." Sheppard called as he trailed after her.
"There's a faint energy signal..." she called over her shoulder. She adjusted the sensitivity of the scanner. "There!" She said triumphantly. "It's getting stronger." They stepped through an archway that looked as though it led to a dead end. "It's coming from here," she said in confusion as she looked up and realized there was nothing but a smooth expanse of rock in front of her.
Sheppard and Teyla stepped forward ahead of her as she adjusted the settings once more. Sheppard pressed his hands against the rock but nothing happened.
Ford stepped up behind her. "There's nothing here."
"I know," Kai agreed in exasperation. "But that's not what the readings are telling me."
"It's solid," Sheppard reported turning back to her.
"Well," Kai said thoughtfully. "There's some kind of strange energy here."
"Strange how?" Sheppard asked stepping up next to her and looking down at the detector in her hand.
A woosh sounded and all three of their heads snapped up in time to see Teyla disappear through the rock face.
Ford's eyes were wide with shock. "How about like that?"
><><
Hello! I really hope you enjoyed the update! As always I so appreciate your support! I would love hear what you think of the story so far!
Thanks!