Word Count:
661
Rating:
PG.
Category:
AU. Angst.
Story Status:
Complete.
Summary:
AU set
two years after at least ‘The Return, Parts 1 &
2’,
possibly later episodes, but no spoilers. Rodney is watching the snow
as it falls...
WARNING:
Not a happy fic, but no character deaths.
Beta:
Thank you to Jayne Perry for
the beta-reading.
Snowing
By Leesa Perrie
He sat at his computer, the desk situated so that he could glance
outside, through the clear glass panes in the back door, and watch the
snow falling.
It had snowed early the morning before, not that he had not seen it
falling at that time, being still in bed, but he had seen the inch of
snow it had left as it started to melt in the morning sun.
Now, the following afternoon, he watched as big fat flakes fell, at
first melting on the stone path, and then settling, turning the garden
white again, covering the paw prints of the passing night scavengers;
racoons, most likely.
He had started leaving food out for the birds, following on from those
who had owned this strange little house before him, and had watched
them come from far and wide, braving territorial battles. The
ground had unfrozen the day before, making food easier to find, but
still they chose his feeders. So he did his bit for the local
birdlife. And although he did not encourage the racoons or
other
night visitors, he did not discourage them either, letting them be.
Soon, the snow would fall in earnest, and he would be cut off from the
town ten miles away, but he was prepared. Food and drink was
stockpiled, along with other necessities to last the winter
months. Not that he would be cut off for long. Snow
ploughs
would clear the roads, and a certain flyboy would come and clear the
narrow lane to the house, and stay until warmer weather returned.
In summer, they kept in touch by mail; email mostly. In
winter,
he came to stay, not trusting him to make it through alone.
It
was an excuse, and he welcomed the visits, welcomed the winter.
Photo from a royalty free site
Two years had passed since moving here. He was still the
brilliant man he had always been, and worked on theories from his home,
and sometimes visited those secret government places, to work on
projects. But never for long.
Sometimes she came to see him, as blonde and distracting as
ever.
They’d bandy theories back and forth, ridiculing many,
admiring
just a few. Sometimes she came in winter, bringing others; a
Scottish doctor, a Czech engineer, an Athosian warrior, a Satedan
soldier, and there would be a party, of sorts. A gathering of
lost souls, if he believed in souls.
Just over two years since Atlantis fell. Not to the Wraith,
not to the Replicators, but to unseen disaster.
Just over two years since they returned. Him, without the use
of
his legs. But at least he still had his mind, and his hands
to
write it all down with.
Just two years since Elizabeth faded away, withdrawing from her once
friends. He hadn’t seen her since.
Just two years since Teyla and Ronon came to Earth, as there had been
no time for them to gate to a world within their own galaxy.
No
time, no choice, but to come with them. He knew they wanted
to
return, and maybe they would at that, one day.
Just two years since Carson started working at the SGC, and Radek at
Area 51.
Just two years since Sheppard resigned his commission; he flies
tourists in the summer, and comes to bug him during the
winter.
Has his own memories to fight. His own guilt.
Just two years for it all to change.
And to prepare, knowing that the Wraith will come one day. No
doubts, no ifs, no maybes. It isn’t if, but when.
Night was falling quickly now, as quickly as the snow continued to
fall. Time to eat, to watch the news, and later, phone a
friend.
It was Carson’s turn to be annoyed, to hear his
complaints. He smiled, a wicked grin crossing his
face.
If he complained enough, maybe Carson would visit, just to shut him up.
After all, it had worked before.
And he was nothing if not persistent.