264 Hours, by Lenore. (NC-17)

[thady.livejournal.com]

Rec Category: Episode Related
Pairing: McKay/Sheppard
Category: episode tag, Atlantis, Rodney McKay, John Sheppard, earthside
Warning: none
Author on LJ: scribblinlenore
Author's Website: http://scribblinlenore.wordpress.com/
Link: 264 Hours

Summary: Set after Siege. The battle is over, except in Rodney's mind.


Why This Must Be Read:

This is an extremely realistic and well written portrayal of the siege's aftermath. The effects of Rodney's sleep deprivation and stress are very realistic described, and Rodney's dealing or non-dealing with these issues seems very much in character.

People step up to welcome them home. General O'Neill. General Landry. Dr. Jackson. Even Sam is there.

She quirks a smile at him. "Made it through okay, huh?"

The words take a second to sort themselves out in his brain. "Oh, yes. Yes. Still intact."

She gives him a scrutinizing look. "It's good to see you, Rodney." She puts a hand on his arm, but he can only see the press of her fingers, doesn't feel it. "Get some rest, huh?"

He nods distractedly. More uniforms file into the room, and Sam goes adrift, lost in the milling crowd. People are like that, there one moment, gone the next, and Rodney doesn't even try to find her in the sea of faces. That would take an optimism he doesn't possess.