Proof Part 1b
Jun. 1st, 2007 12:21 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
mf_luder_xfPart 1b of Proof
Loud music echoed from the house, very enthusiastic, but not so good. Madison snuck out the porch door and sat down, trying to avoid catching anything on the handkerchief hem of the dress Kristine brought for her. She stared up at the stars, mulling over her conversation with Colonel Carter earlier that day.
She hadn't noticed the band had taken a break until the door slammed shut and a beer was put in front of her face.
“Thanks,” she mumbled.
Joe had taken off his tie and unbuttoned the no longer crisp white shirt, rolling the sleeves up. He, too, had a beer. His face was just the slightest bit flushed and even his hair seemed enthused.
“You know, I think considering this is a funeral reception, it's gotten a bit carried away,” she said.
“I think it's good. Gives everyone a chance to relax. Besides, much as your uncle bitched, you know he wouldn't have wanted everyone to be depressed over his death.”
Actually, she wasn't sure about that, but let it slide. “Who's left?”
“About forty people or so. We're done playing for the night, though.”
“Forty, still?”
“The hardcore partiers, you know.” Joe sat down on the step next to her.
“Kristine's friends, you mean.”
“Actually, no. They left hours ago. No, it's mainly your uncles students. Mathematicians, you know. A few physicists. I think there's one game theorist in there.”
'He never taught game theory.”
“I think she's one of the physicist's girlfriend.”
“Ah.”
“Everyone was real glad when you invited us, you know.”
“It was Kristine's idea.”
“Still.”
“Well, your performance of 'Imaginary Number' was...nearly moving.”
Joe bumped her with his shoulder, a small, silly grin on his face. “Nice funeral. Well, I mean the presentation. It was nice of the Colonel to do that for your uncle.”
“Sure.”
“I think he would have liked it.”
“I think he would have laughed,” Madison snorted. “But yes, it was better than I thought.”
They were silent a moment, drinking from their bottles.
“You look beautiful.” Joe gestured at her and the outfit.
“Kristine chose it.”
“It's nice.”
“I guess.”
“It is,” he emphasized and she glanced away.
“When do you think they'll leave?” she asked.
“Inside? No clue. They like to party hard. Something about mathematicians. You know, I went to a conference in Canada last year and I thought I could stay up with the best of them, right? Let me tell you, they're insane. All day discussing math, all night partying.”
“Drugs?”
“Amphetamines, mainly. Not me, though,” he rushed to assure her, seeing the face she made. “The older guys. Hooked, I tell you.”
“Why?”
“Everyone seems to think math's a young person's field. That if you haven't developed five proofs by the time you're twenty at least, you never will.”
“My uncle thought he only got better with age. He knew more about the world, he said.”
“I think he was right. Sure, some might never come up with something, but I think it just takes effort and they get sucked into the game, the competition.”
“I just think it's sad it's mostly guys who rule the profession. Everything else, women have made great advancements. Political science, literature, genetics...but math, math is still mainly men.”
“There have been a few.”
“Who?”
“Can't really think of any...” he trailed off, concentrating.
“Sophie Germain,” she prompted.
“Oh, right. Germain Primes.”
“Mmhmm. My uncle gave me a book about her once. She wrote under a male non de plume for years.”
“The primes. Double them and add one, and you get another prime. Like two. Two is prime, doubled plus one is five: also prime.”
“Yeah,” she agreed. “Or 92,305 times 2^16,998 plus one.
“Right,” he responded, seeming surprised.
“It's the biggest one known.”
“Did anyone in her time find out she was a woman?”
“Gauss. A mutual friend shared with him that the brilliant man he was reading was actually a woman. He wrote back to Sophie, saying, 'A taste for the mysteries of numbers is excessively rare, but when a person of the sex which, according to our customs and prejudices, must encounter infinitely more difficulties than men to familiarize herself with these thorny researches, succeeds nevertheless in penetrating the most obscure parts of them, then without a doubt she must have the noblest courage, quite extraordinary talents and superior genius.'” She stopped, blushing slightly. “Sorry, I memorized it, it was just so--”
At that moment, Joe leaned in and kissed her. It lasted all of three seconds before he pulled away, running a hand through his hair.
“Uh, sorry. I'm slightly drunk...”
“It's ok. Look, I'm sorry about yesterday.”
“No, it's my fault.”
“I overreacted. Especially calling the police.”
“No, no, I don't blame you. I think you're right.”
“About?”
“It being crap. Nothing but ramblings. I think the only notebook is the one I showed you. And there's no math, no science in it.”
“No.”
“I'll keep looking, but in a few days, if I don't find anything...”
“Back to the guitar.”
He grinned. “Yeah.”
“And your own research.”
At that, his grin faded. “Sure.”
“What's wrong with it?” she asked, picking up on his distaste.
“It's just nothing special. I mean, some days I feel like I'm not even as smart as my dad was. I mean, he could recite Mersenne Primes all day. I think he did that to put himself to sleep. Some nights, I'd go to the kitchen to get water or a snack and I'd walk past his bedroom and hear recitations of numbers. Usually all prime.”
“What happened to him?”
“He died. He was consulting on some military project, got caught in the line of fire. It was sad, because he was retired by that time. He'd retired a year after making colonel. He wasn't supposed to be in the field, but my dad could never stand by and let people die.”
“I'm sorry.”
“It's ok. I think he preferred going that way than living until his nineties or something. Anyway.”
More silence. Joe shifted and Madison drank from her beer. Terrible stuff. Nearly as bad as last night's champagne.
“I just...I just wish I could do anything your uncle did, you know? He was so fast, so prolific.”
“It wasn't that, really. He went through hell on those problems, sometimes. While he never told me exactly what he did, he would tell me stories about saving people only in the nick of time. It took him forever in his mind to solve things. It's just, in comparison to everyone else, he worked about the speed of light. I know the few times he couldn't save people; those times haunted him.”
“I never want people's lives in my hands, but I wouldn't mind having just a little of that speed. Just some of that genius.”
“You have time.”
“I'm twenty-eight, remember? Going down the hill.”
“I've heard speed helps,” Madison quipped.
Joe paused, beer halfway to his mouth before he let out a guffaw. “I've heard that, too.”
“So, Joe,” she started, suddenly nervous.
“Yes?”
“What do you do for sex?”
Joe blinked. “Excuse me?”
“Just, conventions. Isn't the main point to waste your dollar and go drink somewhere not at home, have sex with someone you haven't met?”
Joe laughed, sounding nervous. She just hoped she was playing this right. Hell, she wasn't sure what exactly she was doing, even. “I don't know. Maybe.”
“So what do you all do?”
“Well, we are scientists.”
“And?”
“We like experiments.”
“Oh, really?” she laughed, scooting closer to him. She leaned forward and planted a kiss on his soft lips.
“Mhmm,” came his response, his eyes sliding half shut and so she leaned forward to do it again.
This time, the kiss was longer, wetter. She raised a hand to touch his face, brushing against his stubble. She pulled back.
“Wow.” He seemed happy, pleased.
“That was nice.”
“You think so?” he asked her.
“Yes.”
“Maybe, again?” Joe questioned.
In answer, she kissed him.
By the time they pulled back, they were both panting quietly.
“I've always liked you,” he said. “Before I ever knew you. I'd see you visit your uncle at school. I always wanted to talk to you, but it's not a good idea to flirt with your doctoral thesis adviser's niece.”
“Especially if you advisor is crazy,” she smiled.
“Especially not then.”
“You came to the house once.”
They kissed again. Madison shifted to settle in his lap, black skirt riding up her thighs slightly.
“I didn't think you'd remember that. I was just dropping off my thesis. I was so nervous.”
“You seemed it.”
“I can't believe you remember that.”
“I remember you. You seemed...not entirely boring.”
He laughed and they continued to kiss.
~~~
She hardly remembers the funeral. Just that there were a lot of people there, mainly military, and then her and Uncle Rodney. He was wearing his favorite gray suit, tie askance until she adjusted it discreetly.
She remembers having extra tissues because while he wasn't outright crying, her uncle's eyes were constantly wet and she knew how much he hated crying.
She remembers that only a month before, John had stopped by their house and given her a ring, calling it a late sixteenth birthday present. The metal was sleek and engraved with funny letters. The metal had an almost blue sheen to it and it shined in the sun. It was beautiful. He'd ruffled her curls and while she'd groused, secretly she loved that he felt he could do that despite her age. He'd told her one day soon he'd take her surfing but reminded her to bring along the hundred proof sunscreen for her cranky uncle. Rodney had grumbled at that, but like Madison herself, seemed pleased that his friend would suggest such an outing. Then they'd shooed her off. This time, she hung out at the top of the stairs to listen in on their conversation.
“I'm heading out again, Rodney.”
“How long this time?”
“Two weeks.”
“Lorne going with you?”
“He's already out there, actually. Helping Major Mages get used to the jumpers.”
“Well, good,” Rodney sounded pleased. “I don't worry quite as much when he's with you.”
“Aw, shucks. You worry about me?”
Madison could visualize the little head duck John would do and the exaggerated shuffling of his feet.
“You know very well I do, John. I don't see why you can't just do it all through the gate feed. One of these days, I'm going to set Mitchell right on how to use you. You're retired.”
“You know I love it. It's the only way I get to see the city.”
“But I also know how rash you can be and if something goes wrong out there, you feel you have to rally the troops and head out there, gun first, brain last.”
There was a braying laugh from John before a few moments of silence. She could imagine her uncle's lopsided smirk at knowing he'd pinned his friend down to a 'T'.
“How's your son?” Rodney asked a bit later.
“He's good. He started at the university in Denver in the fall, but he's already talking about the idiots there. I think he's planning on transferring to Boulder in January.”
“Damn straight. Don't know why he didn't come here in the first place. What does Denver have that I don't?”
“Well, you know kids. Never want to do what their parents tell them to. It's nothing against you. You know he loves you, Rodney. He thinks you're a genius.”
“That's because I am,” she could hear the smirk in Rodney's voice.
“Yes, yes, you and your ego.” John laughed again.
“So, he wants to fly like his crazy dad?”
“He does. He's not a total idiot, you know.”
“Seems to me he takes after his father a bit too much.”
“No, just right.”
“Yes, I suppose.” Her uncle sighed. “At least he got his mother's good looks.”
“Come on, now, McKay! You know you think I'm pretty.”
“You're just looking for validation and I think those men of yours give it to you enough. Just don't come crying to me when one of these missions you come back bald.”
“Aha! I knew you liked the hair!”
She heard a muffled smack and grinned, leaving them to whatever else they might talk about.
She remembers spending the entire funeral not looking at anyone or anything but the casket with its American flag and her ring. She didn't listen to the sermon, instead gazing off into the distance over Arlington and hearing the sound of John's laughter in her head. She never knew him as well as someone could, but she'd liked him. Liked him like a third dad.
She remembers all these years missing the way he would ruffle her hair and call her “Maddie”.
~~~
The next morning found Madison sitting in the cushioned chair on the porch. When she heard the back door open, she pulled her pink robe a little tighter about her.
“How long have you been up?” Joe asked.
She turned to look at him. His hair was pleasantly ruffled, one side sticking up. His sweats rode low on his hips and she had to jerk her face back up. “A bit.”
“Did I oversleep?” he joked, shifting from foot to foot before leaning against the house in a comfortable slouch.
“No.”
She attempted to ignore the awkward pause.
“Your friend awake?”
“Not yet. I suppose I should wake her. She's got a plane to catch in a few hours.”
He smiled. “Let her sleep a while longer. She did some hardcore partying with those theoretical astrophysicists last night.”
“Ok.”
“You know, most mornings, I go out, grab some coffee, get some breakfast.”
“Ok,” she responded, unsure what he was saying.
“Want to come with?”
“Nah. I should stay for when Kristine wakes up.”
“Sure.” He paused. “You mind if I stayed?”
“No. You can head upstairs, if you want.”
“Really?” he asked, surprised.
“Sure.”
“'Cause I'd like to stay. Unless you want me to go.”
“Do you want to go?” Her stomach twisted.
“I'd rather stay here. In fact, I kind of want to stay here as much as possible. Spend time with you. Unless, of course, that scares you and then I'll back off, and...”
She just grinned at him, feeling relieved. Seeing that, he walked closer and leaned over her chair. She raised her head and kissed him.
“Ok, then,” he said. “How stupid will I sound if I say last night was amazing?”
“Only stupid if I don't agree,” she teased.
“Uhh...”
“So don't feel stupid,” she said, pulling Joe down until he sat on the arm of the chair, kissing her, one hand slowly slipping into the top of her robe to rub at her collarbone. His hand caught on a chain.
Making a split-second decision, Madison slipped the chain off her head. “Here.”
“What's this for?” Joe asked her, staring at the small key.
“Bottom drawer of my uncle's desk.”
“What's in there?”
“Why don't you go see, Professor?”
He looked unsure, but couldn't seem to help grinning. She kissed him again.
“Ok, going.”
He tossed a look over his shoulder, eyes lidded, a slight swagger to his walk. She winked.
As Joe headed up the stairs, Kristine stumbled into the kitchen, groaning and clutching her head. “Never again,” she muttered.
“Good morning,” Madison said, cheerfully.
“Whisper, please,” Kristine moaned, gritting her teeth.
Madison kept her laugh to herself. “Why'd you drink so much?”
“Thought I could keep up with those science guys. I thought they'd stop at some point. Obviously not. Fucking mathematicians.”
“Want some coffee?” Madison asked, walking back into the house.
“Give me a minute. You're awful chipper this morning.”
“Shouldn't I be?”
“No, I just think someone got laid. Not that I'm complaining.” She paused. “Ok, coffee. Now.”
Getting up, Madison snickered and poured her friend a mug.
“I'm leaving in awhile. Don't worry about the mess. I'll send someone to clean it up, ok? Since I invited everyone.”
“Great. Thanks.”
A few minutes of silence passed as Kristine sipped at her coffee, eyes getting wider by the moment until she looked nearly human again. They could hear the sound of papers being shuffled upstairs.
“You know, Madison, I still want you to come to New York.”
“The wedding. In January.”
“No. I want you to move to New York.”
Her friend was suddenly eagle-eyed again. Madison preferred her hungover. She sighed. “What would I do there?”
“Live there.”
“I live here, in Boulder. In this house.”
“Umm, there's something I haven't told you.”
“What?”
“The house...In the papers, it's given to someone else.”
“Someone else?” Madison yelled, feeling no sympathy when Kristine winced.
“Yeah, the papers are kind of messed up, so I don't know who yet. But think about it. You can come to New York. Start a new life. Get away from the shadows of your uncle.”
“I live here, for fuck's sake. How could he do that?” she fumed.
“I'm sure he thought you'd be gone by the time he died. I think he assumed you'd be at school or married. I think that's what he wanted for you.”
“What the hell are you talking about? Uncle Rodney hated the idea of marriage. He wouldn't have done that to me.”
“I don't know what he was thinking exactly, but it's clear you're not. In all these years, you've lived off his military pay. It's starting to run low now. It makes no sense for you to stay here. Come back with me. I'm just trying to help.”
“With what?” Madison's voice was still raised.
“Everything! You asked me out here to help with legal stuff, that's what I'm trying to do. I think living with your uncle all these years hasn't helped you any. You didn't finish school, you haven't had a consistent job...”
Madison blinked at her friend. “What exactly are you saying?”
“Just that I think you've inherited your uncle's brilliance...but also...tendencies towards...”
“Wait. You think I'm crazy? You think I'm fucking mental?!” She couldn't help it, she stood up and stomped around the kitchen uselessly. This was not what she needed. She'd been trying to convince herself she wasn't, wasn't going to go crazy like her uncle, wasn't going to die in a car crash like her parents...and now Kristine thought she was doomed, too? “I bet...I bet you've looked for doctors for me, too, haven't you? A nice, upscale place to put your crazy friend!”
“It's not like that, Madison!”
“Then tell me what it's like, Kristine. Don't mince words around me.”
“Alright, fine. Yes, Sam and I have looked at a few places. But they're all places where you live on your own and it's more like a spa with therapy. They're nice. If I ever had a breakdown, I'd want to go there to rest and recover.”
“A breakdown? Oh, my, God, I can't believe you! I hate you! How dare--!”
At that moment, Joe descended the stairs, fully dressed and holding a purple notebook. Both women stopped.
“What are you--?” Kristine started, then nodded knowingly.
Joe, however, hardly noticed. “How long have you known?”
“A while now.”
“Why didn't you tell me?”
“I wasn't sure...I wasn't sure I wanted to.”
“Well...thanks. Thank you.”
Madison shrugged like it was no big deal, despite knowing it was.
“Wow. Just...thank you.”
“I thought you might like to view it.”
“What?” Kristine asked. “What is it?”
“It's a new...an entirely different way at looking at energy containment. A zero point energy formula. And it takes into consideration exotic particles. It's just...it's amazing.”
“Alright, I have no clue what that is, but--”
“Limitless energy. Astronomical proportions of limitless energy.”
“Ok, ok,” Kristine said. “Where did you find it?”
“In Rodney's desk. Madison gave me the key.”
“You know what this is?” Kristine asked Madison.
“Of course.”
“And it's good?”
“Of course, yes.”
Joe spoke up. “It's not just good. If it's right..this solves the energy problem. It means faster-than-light travel. It means...it's huge. This could change the face of the earth. The way we do everything.”
“Ok, fine. But what does it mean? What's the big deal?”
“It means that, when Madison's uncle was sick, when no one thought he could do anything...he was actually doing some of the most amazing work of all. That he finally fixed a problem he'd been trying for years to master. That humans have only ever dreamed possible. It means this needs to be published immediately. It means that whoever found this notebook,” he pointed at the purple journal, “whoever found this will be sought after by everyone. The military, journals, newspapers...”
“So, Madison.”
“Madison,” Joe reiterated.
“I didn't find it,” she spoke up, trying hard not to grin from ear to ear.
“So, Joe.”
“But I didn't find it.”
“Well, who did, then?”
Madison let the grin escape. “I didn't find it. I wrote it.”
Part 2
Loud music echoed from the house, very enthusiastic, but not so good. Madison snuck out the porch door and sat down, trying to avoid catching anything on the handkerchief hem of the dress Kristine brought for her. She stared up at the stars, mulling over her conversation with Colonel Carter earlier that day.
She hadn't noticed the band had taken a break until the door slammed shut and a beer was put in front of her face.
“Thanks,” she mumbled.
Joe had taken off his tie and unbuttoned the no longer crisp white shirt, rolling the sleeves up. He, too, had a beer. His face was just the slightest bit flushed and even his hair seemed enthused.
“You know, I think considering this is a funeral reception, it's gotten a bit carried away,” she said.
“I think it's good. Gives everyone a chance to relax. Besides, much as your uncle bitched, you know he wouldn't have wanted everyone to be depressed over his death.”
Actually, she wasn't sure about that, but let it slide. “Who's left?”
“About forty people or so. We're done playing for the night, though.”
“Forty, still?”
“The hardcore partiers, you know.” Joe sat down on the step next to her.
“Kristine's friends, you mean.”
“Actually, no. They left hours ago. No, it's mainly your uncles students. Mathematicians, you know. A few physicists. I think there's one game theorist in there.”
'He never taught game theory.”
“I think she's one of the physicist's girlfriend.”
“Ah.”
“Everyone was real glad when you invited us, you know.”
“It was Kristine's idea.”
“Still.”
“Well, your performance of 'Imaginary Number' was...nearly moving.”
Joe bumped her with his shoulder, a small, silly grin on his face. “Nice funeral. Well, I mean the presentation. It was nice of the Colonel to do that for your uncle.”
“Sure.”
“I think he would have liked it.”
“I think he would have laughed,” Madison snorted. “But yes, it was better than I thought.”
They were silent a moment, drinking from their bottles.
“You look beautiful.” Joe gestured at her and the outfit.
“Kristine chose it.”
“It's nice.”
“I guess.”
“It is,” he emphasized and she glanced away.
“When do you think they'll leave?” she asked.
“Inside? No clue. They like to party hard. Something about mathematicians. You know, I went to a conference in Canada last year and I thought I could stay up with the best of them, right? Let me tell you, they're insane. All day discussing math, all night partying.”
“Drugs?”
“Amphetamines, mainly. Not me, though,” he rushed to assure her, seeing the face she made. “The older guys. Hooked, I tell you.”
“Why?”
“Everyone seems to think math's a young person's field. That if you haven't developed five proofs by the time you're twenty at least, you never will.”
“My uncle thought he only got better with age. He knew more about the world, he said.”
“I think he was right. Sure, some might never come up with something, but I think it just takes effort and they get sucked into the game, the competition.”
“I just think it's sad it's mostly guys who rule the profession. Everything else, women have made great advancements. Political science, literature, genetics...but math, math is still mainly men.”
“There have been a few.”
“Who?”
“Can't really think of any...” he trailed off, concentrating.
“Sophie Germain,” she prompted.
“Oh, right. Germain Primes.”
“Mmhmm. My uncle gave me a book about her once. She wrote under a male non de plume for years.”
“The primes. Double them and add one, and you get another prime. Like two. Two is prime, doubled plus one is five: also prime.”
“Yeah,” she agreed. “Or 92,305 times 2^16,998 plus one.
“Right,” he responded, seeming surprised.
“It's the biggest one known.”
“Did anyone in her time find out she was a woman?”
“Gauss. A mutual friend shared with him that the brilliant man he was reading was actually a woman. He wrote back to Sophie, saying, 'A taste for the mysteries of numbers is excessively rare, but when a person of the sex which, according to our customs and prejudices, must encounter infinitely more difficulties than men to familiarize herself with these thorny researches, succeeds nevertheless in penetrating the most obscure parts of them, then without a doubt she must have the noblest courage, quite extraordinary talents and superior genius.'” She stopped, blushing slightly. “Sorry, I memorized it, it was just so--”
At that moment, Joe leaned in and kissed her. It lasted all of three seconds before he pulled away, running a hand through his hair.
“Uh, sorry. I'm slightly drunk...”
“It's ok. Look, I'm sorry about yesterday.”
“No, it's my fault.”
“I overreacted. Especially calling the police.”
“No, no, I don't blame you. I think you're right.”
“About?”
“It being crap. Nothing but ramblings. I think the only notebook is the one I showed you. And there's no math, no science in it.”
“No.”
“I'll keep looking, but in a few days, if I don't find anything...”
“Back to the guitar.”
He grinned. “Yeah.”
“And your own research.”
At that, his grin faded. “Sure.”
“What's wrong with it?” she asked, picking up on his distaste.
“It's just nothing special. I mean, some days I feel like I'm not even as smart as my dad was. I mean, he could recite Mersenne Primes all day. I think he did that to put himself to sleep. Some nights, I'd go to the kitchen to get water or a snack and I'd walk past his bedroom and hear recitations of numbers. Usually all prime.”
“What happened to him?”
“He died. He was consulting on some military project, got caught in the line of fire. It was sad, because he was retired by that time. He'd retired a year after making colonel. He wasn't supposed to be in the field, but my dad could never stand by and let people die.”
“I'm sorry.”
“It's ok. I think he preferred going that way than living until his nineties or something. Anyway.”
More silence. Joe shifted and Madison drank from her beer. Terrible stuff. Nearly as bad as last night's champagne.
“I just...I just wish I could do anything your uncle did, you know? He was so fast, so prolific.”
“It wasn't that, really. He went through hell on those problems, sometimes. While he never told me exactly what he did, he would tell me stories about saving people only in the nick of time. It took him forever in his mind to solve things. It's just, in comparison to everyone else, he worked about the speed of light. I know the few times he couldn't save people; those times haunted him.”
“I never want people's lives in my hands, but I wouldn't mind having just a little of that speed. Just some of that genius.”
“You have time.”
“I'm twenty-eight, remember? Going down the hill.”
“I've heard speed helps,” Madison quipped.
Joe paused, beer halfway to his mouth before he let out a guffaw. “I've heard that, too.”
“So, Joe,” she started, suddenly nervous.
“Yes?”
“What do you do for sex?”
Joe blinked. “Excuse me?”
“Just, conventions. Isn't the main point to waste your dollar and go drink somewhere not at home, have sex with someone you haven't met?”
Joe laughed, sounding nervous. She just hoped she was playing this right. Hell, she wasn't sure what exactly she was doing, even. “I don't know. Maybe.”
“So what do you all do?”
“Well, we are scientists.”
“And?”
“We like experiments.”
“Oh, really?” she laughed, scooting closer to him. She leaned forward and planted a kiss on his soft lips.
“Mhmm,” came his response, his eyes sliding half shut and so she leaned forward to do it again.
This time, the kiss was longer, wetter. She raised a hand to touch his face, brushing against his stubble. She pulled back.
“Wow.” He seemed happy, pleased.
“That was nice.”
“You think so?” he asked her.
“Yes.”
“Maybe, again?” Joe questioned.
In answer, she kissed him.
By the time they pulled back, they were both panting quietly.
“I've always liked you,” he said. “Before I ever knew you. I'd see you visit your uncle at school. I always wanted to talk to you, but it's not a good idea to flirt with your doctoral thesis adviser's niece.”
“Especially if you advisor is crazy,” she smiled.
“Especially not then.”
“You came to the house once.”
They kissed again. Madison shifted to settle in his lap, black skirt riding up her thighs slightly.
“I didn't think you'd remember that. I was just dropping off my thesis. I was so nervous.”
“You seemed it.”
“I can't believe you remember that.”
“I remember you. You seemed...not entirely boring.”
He laughed and they continued to kiss.
~~~
She hardly remembers the funeral. Just that there were a lot of people there, mainly military, and then her and Uncle Rodney. He was wearing his favorite gray suit, tie askance until she adjusted it discreetly.
She remembers having extra tissues because while he wasn't outright crying, her uncle's eyes were constantly wet and she knew how much he hated crying.
She remembers that only a month before, John had stopped by their house and given her a ring, calling it a late sixteenth birthday present. The metal was sleek and engraved with funny letters. The metal had an almost blue sheen to it and it shined in the sun. It was beautiful. He'd ruffled her curls and while she'd groused, secretly she loved that he felt he could do that despite her age. He'd told her one day soon he'd take her surfing but reminded her to bring along the hundred proof sunscreen for her cranky uncle. Rodney had grumbled at that, but like Madison herself, seemed pleased that his friend would suggest such an outing. Then they'd shooed her off. This time, she hung out at the top of the stairs to listen in on their conversation.
“I'm heading out again, Rodney.”
“How long this time?”
“Two weeks.”
“Lorne going with you?”
“He's already out there, actually. Helping Major Mages get used to the jumpers.”
“Well, good,” Rodney sounded pleased. “I don't worry quite as much when he's with you.”
“Aw, shucks. You worry about me?”
Madison could visualize the little head duck John would do and the exaggerated shuffling of his feet.
“You know very well I do, John. I don't see why you can't just do it all through the gate feed. One of these days, I'm going to set Mitchell right on how to use you. You're retired.”
“You know I love it. It's the only way I get to see the city.”
“But I also know how rash you can be and if something goes wrong out there, you feel you have to rally the troops and head out there, gun first, brain last.”
There was a braying laugh from John before a few moments of silence. She could imagine her uncle's lopsided smirk at knowing he'd pinned his friend down to a 'T'.
“How's your son?” Rodney asked a bit later.
“He's good. He started at the university in Denver in the fall, but he's already talking about the idiots there. I think he's planning on transferring to Boulder in January.”
“Damn straight. Don't know why he didn't come here in the first place. What does Denver have that I don't?”
“Well, you know kids. Never want to do what their parents tell them to. It's nothing against you. You know he loves you, Rodney. He thinks you're a genius.”
“That's because I am,” she could hear the smirk in Rodney's voice.
“Yes, yes, you and your ego.” John laughed again.
“So, he wants to fly like his crazy dad?”
“He does. He's not a total idiot, you know.”
“Seems to me he takes after his father a bit too much.”
“No, just right.”
“Yes, I suppose.” Her uncle sighed. “At least he got his mother's good looks.”
“Come on, now, McKay! You know you think I'm pretty.”
“You're just looking for validation and I think those men of yours give it to you enough. Just don't come crying to me when one of these missions you come back bald.”
“Aha! I knew you liked the hair!”
She heard a muffled smack and grinned, leaving them to whatever else they might talk about.
She remembers spending the entire funeral not looking at anyone or anything but the casket with its American flag and her ring. She didn't listen to the sermon, instead gazing off into the distance over Arlington and hearing the sound of John's laughter in her head. She never knew him as well as someone could, but she'd liked him. Liked him like a third dad.
She remembers all these years missing the way he would ruffle her hair and call her “Maddie”.
~~~
The next morning found Madison sitting in the cushioned chair on the porch. When she heard the back door open, she pulled her pink robe a little tighter about her.
“How long have you been up?” Joe asked.
She turned to look at him. His hair was pleasantly ruffled, one side sticking up. His sweats rode low on his hips and she had to jerk her face back up. “A bit.”
“Did I oversleep?” he joked, shifting from foot to foot before leaning against the house in a comfortable slouch.
“No.”
She attempted to ignore the awkward pause.
“Your friend awake?”
“Not yet. I suppose I should wake her. She's got a plane to catch in a few hours.”
He smiled. “Let her sleep a while longer. She did some hardcore partying with those theoretical astrophysicists last night.”
“Ok.”
“You know, most mornings, I go out, grab some coffee, get some breakfast.”
“Ok,” she responded, unsure what he was saying.
“Want to come with?”
“Nah. I should stay for when Kristine wakes up.”
“Sure.” He paused. “You mind if I stayed?”
“No. You can head upstairs, if you want.”
“Really?” he asked, surprised.
“Sure.”
“'Cause I'd like to stay. Unless you want me to go.”
“Do you want to go?” Her stomach twisted.
“I'd rather stay here. In fact, I kind of want to stay here as much as possible. Spend time with you. Unless, of course, that scares you and then I'll back off, and...”
She just grinned at him, feeling relieved. Seeing that, he walked closer and leaned over her chair. She raised her head and kissed him.
“Ok, then,” he said. “How stupid will I sound if I say last night was amazing?”
“Only stupid if I don't agree,” she teased.
“Uhh...”
“So don't feel stupid,” she said, pulling Joe down until he sat on the arm of the chair, kissing her, one hand slowly slipping into the top of her robe to rub at her collarbone. His hand caught on a chain.
Making a split-second decision, Madison slipped the chain off her head. “Here.”
“What's this for?” Joe asked her, staring at the small key.
“Bottom drawer of my uncle's desk.”
“What's in there?”
“Why don't you go see, Professor?”
He looked unsure, but couldn't seem to help grinning. She kissed him again.
“Ok, going.”
He tossed a look over his shoulder, eyes lidded, a slight swagger to his walk. She winked.
As Joe headed up the stairs, Kristine stumbled into the kitchen, groaning and clutching her head. “Never again,” she muttered.
“Good morning,” Madison said, cheerfully.
“Whisper, please,” Kristine moaned, gritting her teeth.
Madison kept her laugh to herself. “Why'd you drink so much?”
“Thought I could keep up with those science guys. I thought they'd stop at some point. Obviously not. Fucking mathematicians.”
“Want some coffee?” Madison asked, walking back into the house.
“Give me a minute. You're awful chipper this morning.”
“Shouldn't I be?”
“No, I just think someone got laid. Not that I'm complaining.” She paused. “Ok, coffee. Now.”
Getting up, Madison snickered and poured her friend a mug.
“I'm leaving in awhile. Don't worry about the mess. I'll send someone to clean it up, ok? Since I invited everyone.”
“Great. Thanks.”
A few minutes of silence passed as Kristine sipped at her coffee, eyes getting wider by the moment until she looked nearly human again. They could hear the sound of papers being shuffled upstairs.
“You know, Madison, I still want you to come to New York.”
“The wedding. In January.”
“No. I want you to move to New York.”
Her friend was suddenly eagle-eyed again. Madison preferred her hungover. She sighed. “What would I do there?”
“Live there.”
“I live here, in Boulder. In this house.”
“Umm, there's something I haven't told you.”
“What?”
“The house...In the papers, it's given to someone else.”
“Someone else?” Madison yelled, feeling no sympathy when Kristine winced.
“Yeah, the papers are kind of messed up, so I don't know who yet. But think about it. You can come to New York. Start a new life. Get away from the shadows of your uncle.”
“I live here, for fuck's sake. How could he do that?” she fumed.
“I'm sure he thought you'd be gone by the time he died. I think he assumed you'd be at school or married. I think that's what he wanted for you.”
“What the hell are you talking about? Uncle Rodney hated the idea of marriage. He wouldn't have done that to me.”
“I don't know what he was thinking exactly, but it's clear you're not. In all these years, you've lived off his military pay. It's starting to run low now. It makes no sense for you to stay here. Come back with me. I'm just trying to help.”
“With what?” Madison's voice was still raised.
“Everything! You asked me out here to help with legal stuff, that's what I'm trying to do. I think living with your uncle all these years hasn't helped you any. You didn't finish school, you haven't had a consistent job...”
Madison blinked at her friend. “What exactly are you saying?”
“Just that I think you've inherited your uncle's brilliance...but also...tendencies towards...”
“Wait. You think I'm crazy? You think I'm fucking mental?!” She couldn't help it, she stood up and stomped around the kitchen uselessly. This was not what she needed. She'd been trying to convince herself she wasn't, wasn't going to go crazy like her uncle, wasn't going to die in a car crash like her parents...and now Kristine thought she was doomed, too? “I bet...I bet you've looked for doctors for me, too, haven't you? A nice, upscale place to put your crazy friend!”
“It's not like that, Madison!”
“Then tell me what it's like, Kristine. Don't mince words around me.”
“Alright, fine. Yes, Sam and I have looked at a few places. But they're all places where you live on your own and it's more like a spa with therapy. They're nice. If I ever had a breakdown, I'd want to go there to rest and recover.”
“A breakdown? Oh, my, God, I can't believe you! I hate you! How dare--!”
At that moment, Joe descended the stairs, fully dressed and holding a purple notebook. Both women stopped.
“What are you--?” Kristine started, then nodded knowingly.
Joe, however, hardly noticed. “How long have you known?”
“A while now.”
“Why didn't you tell me?”
“I wasn't sure...I wasn't sure I wanted to.”
“Well...thanks. Thank you.”
Madison shrugged like it was no big deal, despite knowing it was.
“Wow. Just...thank you.”
“I thought you might like to view it.”
“What?” Kristine asked. “What is it?”
“It's a new...an entirely different way at looking at energy containment. A zero point energy formula. And it takes into consideration exotic particles. It's just...it's amazing.”
“Alright, I have no clue what that is, but--”
“Limitless energy. Astronomical proportions of limitless energy.”
“Ok, ok,” Kristine said. “Where did you find it?”
“In Rodney's desk. Madison gave me the key.”
“You know what this is?” Kristine asked Madison.
“Of course.”
“And it's good?”
“Of course, yes.”
Joe spoke up. “It's not just good. If it's right..this solves the energy problem. It means faster-than-light travel. It means...it's huge. This could change the face of the earth. The way we do everything.”
“Ok, fine. But what does it mean? What's the big deal?”
“It means that, when Madison's uncle was sick, when no one thought he could do anything...he was actually doing some of the most amazing work of all. That he finally fixed a problem he'd been trying for years to master. That humans have only ever dreamed possible. It means this needs to be published immediately. It means that whoever found this notebook,” he pointed at the purple journal, “whoever found this will be sought after by everyone. The military, journals, newspapers...”
“So, Madison.”
“Madison,” Joe reiterated.
“I didn't find it,” she spoke up, trying hard not to grin from ear to ear.
“So, Joe.”
“But I didn't find it.”
“Well, who did, then?”
Madison let the grin escape. “I didn't find it. I wrote it.”
Part 2
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no subject
Date: 2007-06-06 12:02 am (UTC)In a totally nitpicky comment, though... when you're talking about where Joe went to school, you have John say that he went to University of Colorado, and was thinking about transferring to Boulder. The main campus of CU (the University of Colorado) is in Boulder. So... to me at least, (I went to high school in Colorado, and most of my friends went to CU), your description of his education make little sense. You could say he went to CU-Denver (or CU-Colorado Springs), but if you're just saying Univ of Colorado, that's the Boulder campus. Also, for math, there's no reason for him to go to CU-Denver (or Springs), as far as I know. Though CU is best known for its engineering, especially aerospace, I'm not sure how its math is. Um. Sorry to lecture on about a rather insignificant detail, but... yeah, seriously, all my friends went there. If you want him to transfer to CU Boulder, you could send him to University of Denver (DU) or Colorado State University (CSU), though, really, for someone of his intelligence, going anywhere but CU-Boulder... really wouldn't make sense. Still enjoying the story though!! Thanks!
no subject
Date: 2007-06-06 05:03 am (UTC)