Candle in the Dark by Sholio (T)

[abyssinia4077.livejournal.com]

Rec Category: Gen
Pairing: none
Category: John Sheppard, Rodney McKay, John and Rondey friendship, action/adventure, hurt/comfort
Warning: whumping
Author on LJ friendshipper
Author's Website: City on the Ocean's Edge
Link: On website: Candle in the Dark
On Livejournal: Candle in the Dark
On ff.net: Candle in the Dark

Why This Must Be Read:
This was written for the sensory loss challenge at sheppard_hc and was the of the first SGA stories I read from someone who has become one of my favorite SGA gen authors.

John and Rodney, after accidentally offending some natives, are trapped in a maze-like Ancient ruin being hunted by its still-working security system - a killer robot that should be silly but friendshipper manages to make very scary. After an accident leaves John blinded and Rodney's hands badly burnt, they have to truly work together to escape alive.

friendshipper writes fantastic John and Rodney and really captures the banter between the two characters. Here she creates a well-paced story that will keep you at the edge of your seat and wondering how, or if, they'll get themselves out of trouble this time.


The clashing down the hall was getting louder, starting to resolve into a distinctive metallic skittering sound. "So, Rodney, anytime would be good, here."

"What do you think I'm doing, Colonel, taking a lunch break? Dammit!" There was a clattering sound and a hiss of frustration or pain from Rodney. Looking around, Sheppard saw that the console was partially dismantled, with crystals lying on top of it.

"Rodney, now is not a good time to rebuild the thing; just shut the damn door!"

"What's it look like I'm doing? Nothing works! After sitting in this damn climate for ten thousand years, it's a wonder it'll even power on!" He yanked on another crystal and managed to crack it loose. "I'm trying to hotwire it. I could really use a hand."

Sheppard backed away from the door, keeping his P90 trained on it. He could now hear the skittering even when he wasn't standing in the doorway, and from the increased tempo of his movements, so could Rodney. "You know, McKay, in about thirty seconds a really pissed-off killer robot is going to come through that doorway --"

"So let's have the doorway shut by then, shall we?" Rodney swung himself under the console. "Okay, what I need you to do is watch the readouts and tell me when you see those three blue lines -- there, on the left -- go all the way across."

Sheppard leaned over the console and hunted through the incomprehensible readouts for the one Rodney was talking about, trying to also keep an eye on the doorway.

"How's that?" came the muffled voice from under the console.

"Nothing changed." That he could see, anyway. "You know, I'm really not trying to rush you, but --"

"Yes, Colonel, I'm well aware of death speeding towards us on little black bug feet, thank you." There were some rattling sounds and suddenly the text displays on the console, which Sheppard assumed were numbers, began to change rapidly, and the various status bars that he could see started crawling forward.

"Hey, something's happening."

"I'm aware of that too, Colonel; do you think I'm having a picnic under here? I'm bringing up power to the doors now."

The numbers had began to change so rapidly that they were a blur, and all the blue lines were turning red. "Hey, Rodney, whatever you just did, I think it caused some kind of --"