what makes a soldier chp 2

[sgpr_fan]

 

Title: What Makes A Soldier Chp. 2
Rating: G
Genre: General
Warnings: none
Disclaimer: I own nothing

After the meeting and the confrontation with Ellis, Colonel Carter takes a break. She has earned one. As she reaches her quarters after making a stop in the mess for a power bar (the one thing that makes her more like McKay, she thinks, but one she still vehemently denies) she realizes she is exhausted. She knew that taking this command would be a trial, but that ultimately it would make her a better person.

She appreciated the advice that she was given from people who had worked in or around Atlantis, especially with their flagship team. She appreciated the advice that Jack gave her knowing that it was more accurate and heartfelt, than that of Woolsey. She even appreciated the advice from Caldwell, who only wants the best for the city and gets that, no matter what he had wanted before, that it would not be him.

As she sits and looks at pictures of her team, her family she abruptly misses their warmth. She cannot believe the audacity of Ellis. That he believed he could get away with what he did, with what he said without reprimand.  Sam knows McKay, has more than once wished she could do what Ellis did, and has on occasion. But that’s the thing she knows McKay, can say that they are friends of a sort and that their relationship has always been antagonistic. She knows Sheppard, more from when the whole Atlantis mission was recalled than from him on Atlantis, but she knows him.

Ellis does not know these people. He does not try to, he is arrogant in a way that McKay never is and even was (and God knows if McKay had not changed he would have been killed by now). He is also part of the Air Force she abhors-not just because he seems to have trouble with women in command, but because of the fact that seems to have trouble over the fact that civilians hold command posts. As she reflects on the meeting she realizes that Ellis will never be accepted in Atlantis, and that while the Apollo’s help is appreciated there is nothing else there for the inhabitants of the city.

John makes his way to the labs. He knows that McKay will be in an even worse mood, because of the meeting. He did not appreciate what Ellis said and knows that, if Carter had not said something he would have, and that would have been worse than anything else he could have done. There are few people who have the right to put McKay in his place.

Elizabeth, he ignores the pang to his heart at her name, is chief among them. Colonel Carter, because Sheppard is not stupid, has asked about their past, and knows that because of that, she has more right than some, as do the other members of SG-1. Then, Ronon, Teyla and himself, Rodney is their friend and it is their job to make sure they keep him grounded.

Colonel Ellis is not one of them and John wants to make sure that Rodney is okay. He knows Rodney, knows that what was said hurt him, more so because it was in front of friends and that no matter what he says, that he is not okay.

As Stephen Caldwell, makes his way through the city of the Ancients, he finds himself thinking. He cannot believe what Colonel Ellis said to McKay, that someone could actually be that stupid to confront the man that has saved their lives more times than anyone can count. He finds that since the Apollo was given orders to come to Pegasus, that he feels threatened. He thinks that is role as protector of the city is going to be handed over to the Apollo and for awhile there, that might have been true. He surprises himself by how much the very thought hurts him. He knows that he has become more attached to this city and its people than he ever thought he could be, especially considering the reason he first came.

He finds himself competing with Ellis, likes to be able to give orders because he has the experience, and more glad than he should be that the Daedalus has destroyed more Wraith Hives, than the Apollo. But as he walks through the halls, he reflects on his changing thoughts toward the command team of this city. He does not have a problem with Colonel Carter in command; he has always thought there should be a better military presence in the city. He wishes it has not come at the price of the lost of Elizabeth Weir, knows that that lost damages the city in ways no one can understand save those who were around the SGC when Daniel Jackson died. He has come to believe though that Sheppard belongs in Atlantis, has earned his position along with the rest of his team. That thought more than anything else, shows Stephen he has changed.

As he comes across Ellis speaking to Sheppard hours later, he acknowledges that without a doubt he is part of this city, he will fight for his post, because Ellis is to Air Force and will not be able to bend to Pegasus ideals-and Caldwell knows that, for that reason alone the Apollo will not be stationed here-because that can get them killed. Plus, he realizes that the others have changed to, that when he interrupts the meeting and Ellis leaves, Sheppard’s relieved breath is actually what it sounds like-neither knows who is more surprised. 

wow 927 words-if only it was that easy to write school papers