mf_luder_xf: (SGA old!Rodney grey)
[personal profile] mf_luder_xf
Quick rec first (also, two posts in one day!). If you haven't heard of Tricia Helfer's (Battlestar Galactica) movie, Walk All Over Me, well, now you have. And I highly recommend it. I was nervous at first due to the subject matter (dominatrix) and the violence at the beginning, but despite some continued violence, it's actually a hilarious movie. Great lines include, "I've never seen a man so scared of male nudity in my life." A bunch of general humor that isn't campy like American Pie, but just fun. And Tricia, as always, is just gorgeous. Check it out!!

And secondly, a bit of post school-is-over-hooray! fic.

Title: Spring Cleaning
Author: MF Luder
Keywords: gen, humor
Rating: G
Spoilers: Nada
Disclaimer: They belong to SciFi Channel and various producers.
Archive: My LJ, Wraithbait, anywhere else, let me know.
Summary: Sam's had enough of the power bar wrappers on the floor.
Feedback: Mulder_Loves_Scully_Forever@hotmail.com
Author's Notes: A bit of silliness inspired by this thread. Unbetaed. Because I am lazy. Feel free to tell me if I've messed up my tenses.


Once Caldwell and the Daedalus touched down and large boxes that suspiciously said industrial cleaner on them were transferred off, Colonel Carter called a meeting of all department heads as well as the kitchen staff and the guy John had appointed head of supply closet duty. Of course, Sanders had a more official title, but that was what John thought of him as.

As the colonel stood up to address them all, John shifted back in his chair to shoot a questioning glance at Rodney, who simply shrugged his shoulders and went back to nervously eying Caldwell's smirking face in the corner.

“Attention!” Carter called out.

Everyone's eyes turned to her. She was smiling. But it wasn't her normal, gentle and friendly smile. This was more mischievous. John's pointer finger started twitching and somewhere in the back of his mind he wished for his P-90.

“I'm sure you're all wondering why it is I've called this meeting. I have good news.”

“You found something in the database?” Rodney perked up from his grimacing slouch. “ZPM?”

John rolled his eyes, knowing Rodney was salivating at the mere thought.

“Uh, no. Something much better.”

“What could be better than a ZPM?” Rodney asked, half confused, half looking down his nose at the very idea that something could possibly outstrip the benefits of a ZPM.

“Ok, maybe not better,” Carter amended, frowning before placing her hands on her hips and smiling again. It was then John noticed her braided hair pinned and her sleeves rolled up to her elbows. Uh-oh. Rodney wasn't going to like this. “Now, some of you might have noticed the, uh...state of things around here lately. And while I realize we're often so busy, we don't have time to think about candy wrappers that miss the decomposers, or dust piling up in the corners, we've got a lull. And Colonel Caldwell here, has been kind enough to bring us, well, basically. The entire cleaning section of Sam's Club.”

A few people had caught on by then and were murmuring to each other in doomed tones.

“It's time for a little spring cleaning of Atlantis!” John noted she was a little too enthused; either overcompensating or she was one of those people who cleaned when upset. His mother had been like that.

Behind him, Rodney spluttered. “Spring cleaning? Are you joking?! Why do you need us here, then? Isn't that a job for your-” he thrust his chin in John's direction, “-Marines?”

“Gee, thanks, McKay,” he drawled.

“No.” Carter held her ground, arms crossed over her chest. “This is everyone's job. Be honest, this place is a sty. And since Atlantis doesn't employ a cleaning service, you're just going to have to deal with it.”

Folding his own arms across his chest, Rodney sat back, smug look on his face. “Why don't we employ a cleaning crew? My scientists don't need to waste their precious time on chores. Besides, the labs are clean.”

Radek spoke up, pointing a finger at his fellow scientist. “You forget the coffee cups, McKay.”

“Those aren't mess. They're...back up. Ambiance.” Now Rodney looked defensive. “Couldn't we just have the Athosians come in and clean and we could pay them with a few goats or something?”

“I do not believe they would appreciate such an adventure,” Teyla chimed in, calm as always, but with a downturn to her mouth.

“Besides, we don't have any goats. No, think of this as a team-building exercise.” Carter touched the Ancient Smart Board and a few lists appeared.

Mission: Pine-Sol, John thought to himself.

“Team-building? Seriously. That's the dumbest thing I've ever heard.”

“I don't particularly care whether you find it dumb or not, Rodney. Think of it however you have to, the point is, no one is going anywhere until this city is spotless. Or at least the areas we work and live in.”

A chorus of groans went up. John leaned back, amused.

“That's right!” she said over the sound, “No gate activity until every last power bar wrapper is in the trash, your rooms are dust-free, and the windows are sparkling.” She paused. “There will be one team suited up and ready to go in case of emergency. But as for the rest of Atlantis, it's pick up time. Now, I've divided you into--”

Rodney jumped in to interrupt. “That one team. That wouldn't be mine, would it?”

His, John thought, inwardly rolling his eyes again, unable to control the snort that sliped out.

“Yes, yes, Colonel It's-My-Team-I'm-The-Almighty-Team-Leader. Keep your thoughts to yourself unless they're actually useful.”

“No, McKay,” and Carter was grinning evilly now, John would swear, “it will not be Colonel Sheppard's team on stand-by. Major Lorne's team instead--”

John could practically hear the mental yes! Lorne thought while outwardly refraining himself to a small smile and nod of acknowledgment as he continued to stand at casual attention in the back of the room. He'd have liked to stick his tongue out at the major, but figured that wasn't quite suitable behavior for a lieutenant colonel.

“--Will be on stand by. So that means you are assigned to lab duty. And by lab duty, I mean all of them. The botanists are on waxing duty.”

“You expect me to clean up dirt? Like, honest to God soil?”

“I do. Alright, so if there are no more complaints,” she shot a quelling glare in Rodney's direction who stared at her fish-mouthed, “let's get down to business.”

---

Two days, seven hours, and thirty-four minutes later, Atlantis sparkled like...like a sparkly thing, and sure enough, it smelled overwhelmingly of lemon Pine-Sol.

John was half lying on his bed with one untied boot on the floor when Rodney walked in at T plus two days, seven hours, and thirty-six minutes. He was too tired to move or even laugh at Rodney. Or the person he assumed was Rodney as no one else would just barge in with no more than a cursory door chime. It was hard to tell, though. Even his hair was covered in something resembling a shower cap.

One yellow-gloved hand moved up to tug down a face mask for a cautious sniff. Then the hand quickly ripped it off.

“Oh, thank God. Yours is the first place I've been that doesn't smell like its trying to kill me. I mean, what was the SGC thinking sending lemon-based cleaning products to Atlantis? They know I'm allergic!”

John took enough effort to lift an eyebrow. “You do realize that stuff doesn't have actual lemon in it. It's just scented.”

“Still! Could be like something packaged at a factory that also has nuts—one might slip in!”

At least that was what John thought he said; his voice was muffled as he stripped some kind of special lab coat off over his head at the same time. Next came the gloves. Then goggles. There was quite a pile on John's floor by then.

“You do realize you have your own room? Why don't you go change there? I just cleaned.”

Rolling his eyes, Rodney replied, “We all just cleaned. Your room was closer.” Then, glaring reproachfully, he continued on. “It's going to take Atlantis days to get the smell out of the city. Even if I don't die from allergies, I'm sure I'll asphyxiate from the oppressing stench.” He moved and sagged onto John's desk chair, putting his head in his hands. “I have never cleaned so many walls in my life. Actually, I don't think I've ever cleaned a wall.”

Managing to sit up, John rested his elbows on his knees and smiled. “Well, at least we won't have to do it for awhile. Probably not until next spring.”

“Next--!” Rodney shouted, though almost half-heartedly. Yelling at his minions for two days straight to clean faster! must have worn him down.

“If it makes you feel any better, Lorne and his team are on kitchen duty for the next month. And,” he leaned in conspiratorially, “I added a couple of extra inventory rounds for them to do, too.”

“Well, that...that does make me feel better. Though not by much. Although Parrish nearly being sucked down the third floor toilet is going to be quite the story to tell. Even I didn't know they had such good pressure.”

John chuckled at that. It had taken all three scientists near Parrish trying to yank him out of it before someone noticed the flush mechanism had gotten jammed. One good wiggle and it had spit the botanist right out again.

“You know, the worst part had to be Caldwell watching us the whole time. Who appointed him Nazi cleaning lady, anyway? His penchant for pointing out tiny smudges missed really grated on my nerves after the first, oh, I don't know, hour.”

Privately, John agreed, but decided it behooved him not to say anything bad about a superior officer while the man was still on base.

Instead he replied with, “But the water fight has to outweigh that. How did Carter manage to stick all the women on window duty?”

Rodney's face broke into a pleased smile. “Stroke of genius on her part, I'd say. It was like right out of a movie when Esposito threw that first sponge. Clinging tops, soap bubbles...”

Both sat there for a moment reimagining the scene. Then with a grin, John stood up. “You hungry?”

“Starved,” moaned Rodney. “Did you know, I have only eaten sandwiches in the past two days? All that new food like boxed potatoes and frosting and muffin mix, and I was stuck with sandwiches made by the Marines because the kitchen staff was too busy elsewhere.”

“Yeah, I know. I ate it, too.” He clapped Rodney on the shoulder. “Let's go, then.”

Motivated by the thought of food, the scientist practically lept to the door, reaching down to grab his face mask on the way.

“Rodney?”

“Hmm? Come on, chop, chop.” Rodney tapped his foot.

“Get your dirty laundry off my clean floor.”

Date: 2008-05-30 02:53 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] ladyflowdi.livejournal.com
Ahhhhaaa! I totally lost it at "Ambiance". Awesome, love the bit about Caldwell (even though I'm now imagining him in a little french maid outfit complete with riding crop), and hee! Mission pine-sol! You win at crazy-conversation ficletry.

Date: 2008-05-30 02:57 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] auburnnothenna.livejournal.com
*smishes you*

I wanted this and you gave it to me!

it behooved him not to say anything bad about a superior officer while the man was still on base.

Yeah, he might hear it if he's still there.

Love this.

Date: 2008-05-30 03:16 am (UTC)
rhianona: (Daniel Jackson)
From: [personal profile] rhianona
spring cleaning in Atlantis... wonder if I can borrow some of them to do my apartment? *g*

Very amusing concept and execution.

Date: 2008-05-30 07:03 pm (UTC)
grammarwoman: (Hewlett)
From: [personal profile] grammarwoman
Hee! Have you ever seen the show "Clean House"? I can totally see the Atlantis team stepping in: Teyla would be the yard sale Diva and master organizer, Ronon would be the goto guy for repairs and heavy lifting, John would be the designer, and Rodney would be the acerbic host who would make everyone feel bad about being clutterbugs.

Loved your story - it definitely put a smile on my face.

Date: 2008-05-30 06:56 am (UTC)
ariadne83: cropped from official schematics (Default)
From: [personal profile] ariadne83
Ahaha I'm imagining Caldwell in a hairnet, standing there with his arms crossed, his foot tapping in annoyance and a big scowl on his face, thinking "Elizabeth never would've let this happen."

Date: 2008-05-30 07:25 am (UTC)
ext_22485: (mcshep - OMG)
From: [identity profile] unaccompanied-g.livejournal.com
“Those aren't mess. They're...back up. Ambiance.” Now Rodney looked defensive. “Couldn't we just have the Athosians come in and clean and we could pay them with a few goats or something?”
RODNEY! ♥

Date: 2008-05-30 07:27 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] icarusancalion.livejournal.com
“Well, that...that does make me feel better."

Oh, ha. Good for John to make them pay.

Too much fun.

Date: 2008-05-30 05:59 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] icarusancalion.livejournal.com
Although he was sad to hear he missed Parrish's run in with that toilet.

*pats Lorne* No doubt they have pictures.

And then he can paint it.

Date: 2008-05-30 07:50 am (UTC)
tarlanx: Blue butterfly on books on rainbow colored background (McKay -  Couch)
From: [personal profile] tarlanx
LOL! That was a fun read :-)

Date: 2008-05-30 07:54 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] siberian-skys.livejournal.com
Why did it have to be Pinesol? I agree with Rodney. After reading that I can't get the smell out of my nose.

Date: 2008-05-30 05:58 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] siberian-skys.livejournal.com
Yes, you did. Couldn't you have used that sensory skill of yours to make me smell baking cookies or something? I hate the Pinesol. Blech.

Date: 2008-05-30 06:17 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] siberian-skys.livejournal.com
Cookies, cake, honeysuckle... I even like the smell of bleach, believe it or not. :-) I don't know what it is about PineSol. Somebody broke a bottle in the stockroom at work and I thought I was going to hurl.

Date: 2008-05-30 06:30 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] siberian-skys.livejournal.com
You'd hate my organic facial cleanser. It smells like orange. I don't love it, but it's not on me long enough to matter. When I run out, I might be looking for a different type. I've been trying to replace everything I can with organic products. There are enough chemicals in the air that I don't really need to put them on my body. I'm working up to the food. My palet is too much like Dean's to ever be a really healthy eater. I was the worst vegetarian on the planet. I may have not eaten meat, but that didn't mean I was eating healthy either.

Date: 2008-05-30 07:28 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] siberian-skys.livejournal.com
I'm so not girlie in that aspect. You're gonna laugh, but here's my list of beauty products: Face cleanser, shampoo, toothpaste, deo., body wash or soap, and sometimes conditioner and sunblock. I'm very low maintenance. I'm slowing replacing things as I run out.

Date: 2008-05-30 08:45 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] siberian-skys.livejournal.com
I'm sure Dean spends more time in the bathroom in the morning than I do. :-)

Date: 2008-05-30 10:38 am (UTC)
ext_9136: (McKay Butt)
From: [identity profile] birggitt.livejournal.com
Ah! I wish I could wake up every day with something as funny as this one to read. It could be a lot easier to start the day =D
Really great =D
(deleted comment)

Date: 2008-06-14 06:17 am (UTC)
sholio: sun on winter trees (SGA-Game-John-look)
From: [personal profile] sholio
This was adorable ... and it does make one wonder how the place gets cleaned!

(Edit: Here from [livejournal.com profile] auburnnothenna's rec)
Edited Date: 2008-06-14 06:18 am (UTC)

Date: 2008-06-16 04:07 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] wildcat88.livejournal.com
*giggles* That was fun! If they're available, my house needs a good cleaning.... :)

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