milliways_bar | (no subject)

(no subject)

Sheppard steps into the bar carrying a laptop once more, and once again he only gives his surroundings a quick once-over before heading to a booth and sitting down. At least any distractions here won't be centered around McKay's latest complaints or Kavanaugh..being Kavanaugh. He turns the laptop on and opens a document staring at it for several moments before rubbing his forehead. "Caldwell was right about this," he grumbles.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Girl with a guitar not too far away, and curious as she saw him tapping away at the keyboard.

Kitt approached, hand on the back of the booth bench to look over his shoulder. "Right about what?"

"Writing up this report," he said distractedly, tapping at a few keys before he looks over his shoulder. Kitt is eyeballed, as is the guitar-but mostly, his attention is on Kitt. "...Hi. Need to sit down?"

"I wouldn't mind." Guitar and hot chocolate. "I was just wondering if you were having a computer problem. I'm... good at them."

And then she smiled.

He returned the smile because, hey, pretty girl. Why not return the smile? His attention went back to the computer for a moment, and he shook his head. "It's not a computer problem; it's a 'how the hell do I explain this' problem."

"...Oh, reports are always like that," said Kitt, rolling her eyes with a grin. "No-one quite believes just what it is you have to say."

"I'm pretty sure they'll believe me," he says with a wry smile. "The thing is just explaining how things went to hell so fast. It was kind of a weird day."

"Oh heavens, it always happens fast, too. One thing right after another, without any time to catch your breath..." She nodded, sipping her hot chocolate calmly. "I know exactly what you mean." She chuckled. "I always end up doing reports."

Sheppard raised an eyebrow slightly. "So what kind of stuff did you get mixed up in? It sems like everybody here has something weird in their universe..."

"Honestly? You name it, we're into it. ...Almost." That got a grin. "Never quite into the supernatural, or what could be considered the supernatural, but most anything else."

"Aliens? I don't think that counts as supernatural, and I'm always kinda curious to know if anybody else has to deal with the same species we do." He shrugs. "Doesn't hurt to hope, anyway. We could swap tips that way." Or ammo. Whatever works.

"Not aliens. Yet." But she smiled, leaning back. "Generally, the criminal element, but with high doses of scientific and violent crimes."

"Sounds interesting," he said, nodding. "Bet it keeps you on your toes, anyway. When're you from, anyway,..." He trailed off, frowning a bit. "We didn't get around to saying names yet."

"Kitt," she answered. "Kitt Knight." And she offered her hand over the table, along with a smile.

Her right hand.

It took a moment for him sort out the hey, I know that name feeling and remember where he had heard the name before. "John Sheppard. Y'know, I met somebody here named Kitt Knight before. Must be getting popular."

And the neural connection rebuilt.

John Sheppard. She'd known the name, not the face, and...

Well. She got the feeling that if she said that she was that Kitt? He wouldn't understand.

"It must be," she chuckled. "I've heard my name in other situations before." And that was not a lie.

"Yeah, I know the feeling. I think it kinda comes with having a really common name." He raises an eyebrow again. "So're you Bound, or just killing time?"

"Killing time. Taking a long - and long-awaited - vacation without anybody out there noticing." She nodded toward the door. "It's the perfect way to be truant without anyone noticing. And it's got almost all the comforts of home. Good food, good seating - I can only complain that the beds aren't the ones I'm used to."

He nods, glancing towards the door. "I don't vacation here-I think I've Bound a couple too many times to really get a kick out of it. But it's nice to find a place where you're pretty sure you won't be eaten sometimes."

"Eaten?" asked Kitt. "Goodness. That's not a pleasant thought in the least..." Her eyes were widened just a bit. "...Eaten?"

He nods, frowning. "Eaten. Getting the life sucked out of you, anyway, and since they use that as food...eaten."

"...And you willingly put yourself in this situation?" Yes, she was disbelieving. And for good reason, she thought.

"Well, we didn't know about the Wraith before we went through the gate. But...yeah, pretty much." He shrugged, frowning. "Somebody's got to try and actually fight them."

There was also that whole matter of guilty obligation due to accidently waking them up, but he didn't mention that.

She sighed, then reached out to squeeze his shoulder. "Well. At least I can say you're brave. I'm used to risking my life, but not to the thought of being eaten."

He smiled faintly. "I can't say I'm used to it, but we're making some progress. Kinda."

"That's good to hear, at least." She was good at warm smiles. "Progress is always a good thing."

"Especially when it keeps us-and Earth, and people in the Pegasus galaxy-off the menu."

"...Yes, thank you for not letting the aliens eat me," she grinned.

His smile widened slightly. "Well, if you're not from my universe, I don't think you have a lot to worry about."

"Still - you deserve the thanks." She lightly touched his hand. "It's a hard job."

"We try to not screw up too much. Usually we don't do too badly." He frowned. "And then other times, we accidently blow up solar systems..."

After a moment, he added. "That was McKay, not me."

Kitt... stared.

"Well. If that was him, not you, then I should be safe. You, after all, aren't McKay."

"I'm kinda glad for that," he said, rolling his eyes.

"So am I," she chuckled. "If he blows up solar systems..."

"Only one so far. We don't really need a repeat performance; I don't know about you, but I like my solar systems intact."

"I completely agree," she chuckled. "I like sunbathing too much to want it destroyed."

He glanced towards the back door. "You might have to wait awhile for that."

"Well... if you go out that door, sure," she chuckled. "But if you go out my door, you're in California."

"That probably makes a difference. The last place on Earth-my universe, anyway-was Colorado."

"I've been to Colorado," considered Kitt. "It would've been more pleasant if I'd not been there on business."

"I'm usually there on business. Talking to people, that kinda thing. Although we did get some vacationing time in..." He paused to think. "...couple months ago."

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only