SGA fic: Gaijin part 30/40
Dec. 22nd, 2008 11:23 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
sam_gamgeeGaijin, Part 30/40
The complete header can be found in part 1.
Previous parts can be found here.
The next day, Rodney didn’t see either Carson or John at breakfast, so by lunch time he was practically vibrating with curiosity. It took all of Rodney’s willpower to not blurt out – loudly – “*So*? What happened last night?” when both John and Carson sat down across from him.
“Thanks again,” Carson told Rodney. “Neither of us gets out much, so it was a nice change of scenery. Thank Chuck again for opening his quarters for us. And thank Evan for giving up some quality time with the two of you as well.”
“Where are your other parts, by the way?” John asked.
“Chuck said he owed Miko a favor and Evan said something about ordnance requests,” Rodney replied. Unable to hold his curiosity on one part any longer, he asked, “So, what’s up with Batman?”
Both John and Carson chuckled as they looked at each other and smiled. “Well, back while you were gone,” John started, “we were reminiscing about you.”
“And one thing led to another,” Carson supplied, “and we were talking about that time when we had run into Lucius Lavin when he was pretending to be a hero. And I don’t know what made me think of our discussion prior to meeting him, but I blurted out that I had never seen any of the Batman movies.”
“So I told him that we would need to watch at least the first one some time,” John added, “because even if you’re not a fan, the first one’s a classic. And he agreed to it, but then one thing led to another and we never did.”
“So when we were at Chuck’s last night,” Carson continued, “and we found out he had it, we knew we had to watch it.”
“Huh,” Rodney replied. “Well, I hope you enjoyed it, Carson.”
“Oh, very much so,” Carson replied with a smile. “And I’m sure you’re dying to know, but either Chuck or Evan – or maybe both – made you swear not to ask. We both agree that the date went well last night and we might be willing to try another one.”
Rodney grinned at that. “And what about after you two left?”
“Nothing,” John replied quickly. “I walked him home. You can accuse me of being Captain Kirk all you want, but I do know how to be a gentleman.”
“He’s certainly been one with me,” Carson muttered with a slight trace of wistfulness and a wry smile.
John didn’t seem to hear Carson’s comment, but Rodney’s eyes went wide at the admission. To cover his surprise, he rolled his eyes. “So, what are you two planning for you follow-up date?”
“We haven’t exactly gotten that far yet,” John replied. “It’s not like we can do a lot of the stuff we’d normally do on Earth.”
Rodney leaned back in his chair and scoffed. “I know both of you can be very imaginative and inventive when you’ve got the right incentive, so I have no doubt that you’ll both be able to find a way around this obstacle.” He glanced at his watch. “I’ve got to get back to the lab – I need to start running a simulation. I’ll see you both later.” He quickly headed out, hoping that the seeds that had been planted would bear fruit.
That afternoon, Rodney wasn’t surprised when John stopped by his lab. “What can I do for you?” he asked.
“I need to know what you’re expecting out of this whole thing,” John replied. “Out of me. Carson and I talked after you left and he told me that you had asked him to go out on *one* date with me.”
“I did,” Rodney admitted.
“And yet, you led me to believe that this was going to be a long-term sort of thing.”
“I think it could be – if you work on it,” Rodney replied. “I wanted the second date to be your idea, not mine. I think you and Carson would be great for each other.” He looked past John to one of the newer scientists who was looking at them nervously. “Can I help you, Dr. Steirsen?”
“I, uh, I was wondering if, um, you could, um, help me with part of this, ah, project I’m working on,” she told him nervously, the knuckles gripping her tablet going white as she glanced between Rodney and John.
“Sure,” Rodney replied, waving her closer. “This simulation will take a bit yet and our conversation can wait.”
John glared at him but moved over so Steirsen could stand next to Rodney and explain her problem while he looked at the information on her tablet. He smiled at her while Rodney looked over her work and hmm-ed a few times and she shyly smiled back. He was about to strike up a conversation when Rodney glared at him and handed Steirsen back her tablet. Rodney pointed out what she was doing wrong and what she could do to maximize the results she wanted. She grinned at him and practically bounced off when he was done.
“That wasn’t very nice, Rodney,” John told him casually.
“Oh, please,” Rodney replied. “You were flirting again – and don’t try denying it. Look, Steirsen’s a great scientist – they all are – but she literally got off the Daedalus two weeks ago. And I know you didn’t say this before, but we both know that you getting into a relationship with someone who wasn’t either in the original expedition or the first wave of replacements ultimately wouldn’t work – too many unique experiences and what have you.”
“Okay, true,” John said. “But Carson? Don’t get me wrong – I think he’s a great guy and all, but,” he made a face, “I don’t know if he’s my type.”
“He’s definitely your type, John,” Rodney told him.
John rolled his eyes. “Sometimes I wonder about the way your mind works.”
“Look, trust me on this. I know that the two of you would be great together if you give it even half a chance.”
John crossed his arms. “Why should I?”
Rodney’s gaze flicked to his computer screen for a moment as he sat back in his chair before turning his full attention to John. “Let’s see,” he began ticking off. “The two of you get along very well. He fits the bill of goods you gave me. Not only is he not military, he’s also the CMO, so you really won’t have any fraternization problems. He’s an original expedition member.” Rodney hesitated for a moment before adding quickly and quietly, “And I think he has a crush on you.”
John’s eyebrows shot up. “You want to use some possible feelings he might have for me to my advantage?”
“Maybe?” Rodney replied, looking contrite. “Look,” he held up a hand to emphasize his point. “I don’t know for sure since I haven’t actually asked him, but I think he does. And I’m not asking you to use them to your advantage, just to be aware of them so that if he does have feelings for you, you don’t completely break his heart. Having one heart-broken senior staff member on Atlantis is more than enough, thank you very much. Look, I know I sprung this on you the other day, so take some time and think about it. If you really do want me to drop it, then I will and we can chalk it up to a nice little date and we can figure out something to tell Carson.”
John’s arms tensed in front of his chest and his jaw tightened while the rest of him stayed relaxed and he looked straight ahead. And Rodney was surprised that he remembered this pose. John was uncomfortable with whatever he was thinking, but he was seriously considering it. “The thing is, Rodney, I have been thinking about it. I’ve been thinking about it ever since you first mentioned this whole thing to me.”
“And?” Rodney replied curious, yet also expecting John to completely shut him down.
“And I’ll admit that I’m curious about this whole thing. And you do have a point – I do need to move on. But I don’t like to think of using Carson as a rebound relationship – because that’s what he’d be. He deserves more than that.”
“You’re right, he does,” Rodney agreed. “But I think you have it in you to be what he needs. And I think that if you look at yourself and what you’ve been holding onto these past four cycles, you’ll realize that it’s all a bunch of shadows and dust and that it’s not worth holding onto. Come back to the land of the living, John Sheppard. And, yes, pain and heartache are still a part of it all,” he waved a hand dismissively, “but you’re a big boy and you can deal with it.”
John shook his head. “You’re still a piece of work, Rodney.”
“I’m going to take that as a compliment,” Rodney replied, glancing at the computer’s screen. “Now. Are you ready to have the training wheels come off?”
John sighed. “I guess so. It’s going to happen at some point whether I like it or not, isn’t it?”
“You betcha,” Rodney replied with a gleeful smile.
That evening, Carson stormed into Rodney’s quarters. “You lied to me!” he rebuked Rodney, pointing an accusing finger at him.
Rodney looked up from the book he had been reading. And a startled Chuck and Evan turned from the computer game they had been playing. Taking in Carson’s angry form, they judiciously grabbed their shoes and slipped out.
“I did not,” Rodney calmly replied from where he had lounging on his bed, as he put his book aside. “*I* asked you to go on one date with John because I knew that he was never going to do it himself. *John* should have known better and not said anything. I was merely trying to help the two of you out.”
Carson blinked at him for a long moment, his outburst slowly losing its steam. “So it wasn’t some kind of cruel joke the two of you were playing on me?” he asked quietly, his voice suddenly sounding small.
“What?” Rodney replied shocked as he stood. “No! What would make you think that?”
“Oh, I don’t know,” Carson replied with a slight shrug as he studied the floor. “It’s not like I’ve gotten asked on a lot of dates since the accident. I think people are a little afraid of how much work I might be.” He sighed. “Not that I got that many offers before the accident, mind you.”
“Believe me, that wasn’t my intention,” Rodney replied as he closed the distance between them and put a hand on Carson’s shoulder. “All I saw was that you and John get along well, so I figured that would make it easier on both of you. I’ve only wanted good things for both of you – you know that.”
Carson sadly looked up at him. “So you’re not setting me up?”
“Why would I?” Rodney asked, curious, wondering where Carson’s low sense of self-esteem was coming from.
Carson shrugged. “I know I’m not much to look at with my leg and my hand, not to mention the scars…”
“What scars?” Rodney blurted out.
“They’re all along my right side – from my armpit to my knee, from the blast.”
“Oh, Carson,” Rodney replied softly, gently squeezing Carson’s shoulder. “Believe me, you’re still a good-looking guy. And you’re the most compassionate, strong-willed, amazing doctor I know. Not to mention that you’re a great guy – one of the best I’ve ever known. Whoever let you believe you’re anything less since the accident needs to get their head out of their ass. It definitely hasn’t slowed you down any – or diminished your ability to do your job.”
“So, I’m letting my fears get the best of me?” Carson asked.
“Yep,” Rodney replied with a reassuring smile.
“And you didn’t chose me out of pity?”
“Nope.”
“Or because I have a crush on John, so you thought it’d be easier for him?” Carson looked a little shocked once the admission was out of his mouth.
“Nope, but that is an added bonus.” Rodney added, conspiratorially, “And I already kind of figured you had a crush on him, but I wasn’t completely sure.”
“So, now what?” Carson asked after taking a shaky breath.
Rodney squeezed Carson’s shoulder again before releasing him. “You’re simply going to enjoy this. I’ve already given John instructions.”
“Instructions for what?” Carson asked, brow furrowing.
“For wooing you.”
“You’re not serious, are you?” he asked, his eyebrows climbing. “You are, aren’t you?”
“You’d better believe it,” Rodney replied. “It’s tradition on Lapras for one person to do the pursuing.”
“So, what do I have to do?”
Rodney laughed. “Enjoy being pursued and don’t make it too easy on him. He needs the challenge.”
“But if he didn’t look at me twice before the accident, what’s going to make him do so now?”
Rodney grimaced. “I told him to take a second look. He’s still not completely convinced, but at least now he’s open to the possibility.”
Carson leaned against the doorframe. “And what if it doesn’t work out?”
Rodney shrugged. “Then it doesn’t work out. Do you need to sit down?”
“It might be a good idea, but I should get going,” Carson replied. “I don’t want to make more of a fool of myself than I already have.”
“Believe me, you didn’t.”
“Oh, I think I did,” Carson told him with a smile. “Barging in here with accusations and pointing fingers.”
“Then let me walk home with you. You’re not going to slink back to your quarters in shame. Besides, this way, you know that I won’t be able to radio John to intercept you on your way back.”
“Fine.” They headed out into the hallway. “Maybe on the way there, you can explain the whole thing between you, Chuck, and Evan to me?”
“What’s to explain?” Rodney asked as they set off. “We hit it off as friends when I got back. Then one day we realized that there was a mutual attraction between the three of us and instead of having a lot of unrequited love, tension, and jealousy between the three of us, we decided to just get together. Or something like that. It’s a lot like two people getting together, but there’s three of us.”
“But it’s got to be hard, making sure that no one feels left out or that one person doesn’t get too much attention.”
Rodney shrugged. “Sure, we put more work into it than most couples do, but it’s worth it. I can’t explain it, Carson, but this is it for me.” He gave Carson a mischievous look. “You always did say that I was more than enough of a handful for one person.”
“That I did,” Carson replied with a chuckle. “And in return, you got two of them to deal with you.”
They walked the rest of the way in companionable silence. When they reached Carson’s quarters, he said, “Thank you for this.”
“You’re quite welcome,” Rodney replied. “And just remember – you deserve this as much as anybody else.”
Carson nodded. “I’ll try to keep that in mind. Have a good evening, Rodney.”
“You too, Carson.” As he left, Rodney clicked his radio. “It’s safe to come back, guys,” he told Evan and Chuck on their private channel.
“How about you come over to Chuck’s?” Evan asked. “It’s almost bedtime.”
“I’ll be there in a few. Whatever you two might say, I’m not doing a walk of shame back to my quarters in the morning.”
“You have a clean set of clothes here,” Chuck chimed in. “I take it, then, that all systems are a go?”
“For the time being, they are,” Rodney replied as he passed his quarters and headed down the hall in the other direction from Carson’s quarters. “I just hope John was paying attention. I’m almost there.”
“We’re waiting, lover,” Evan purred before they clicked off. A shiver of excitement went down Rodney’s spine and he doubled his pace until he was practically running, thankful that there was no one in the halls to see him.
The next morning, Rodney stretched luxuriously. It wasn’t often that he had nothing on his agenda for the day. He was usually good about abiding by Elizabeth’s rules that he adhere to a normal work schedule, but like all of the other scientists, he tended to “wander” into the lab at some point during his “weekend” to finish up some loose ends on one project or to get another one prepped so it could be started on Monday.
But today was not going to be one of those days. He, Chuck, and Evan had made plans to spend it together. Which would mean sleeping late and spending most of the day in bed. As he opened his eyes, though, he hated that his body now considered “sleeping late” to be the equivalent of 8:30 am. Looking over at his sleeping lovers, he grinned devilishly. He could think of a few ways that he could entice them to start their day early.
As he lightly ran a hand down Evan’s stomach, Evan quietly mumbled, “Don’t even *think* about it. I’m still sleeping.” And to prove his point, he turned on his side, spooning his back against Rodney’s front, the movement casing the sheet to move and pool just below their hips.
“You know you’re just making it easier for me to tease you without waking Chuck,” Rodney whispered in his ear.
“Not if I do this,” Evan replied, taking Rodney’s hand in his and entwining their fingers.
“Who said anything about my hands?” Rodney asked.
To prove his point, he began trailing light kisses starting at Evan’s temple and down his neck. He gently sucked at the juncture of Evan’s neck and shoulder – where his pulse point was definitely showing interest – before continuing on out Evan’s shoulder. By the time his mouth had finished its journey, Evan was panting and his grip on Rodney’s hand had increased.
“Have I told you lately that you’re evil?” he gasped.
“Yes, but I still like hearing it,” Rodney replied. He began kissing his way back across Evan’s shoulder.
“Stop,” Evan choked out just before Rodney was about to turn his attention again to Evan’s pulse point.
Evan guided their entwined hands down to his straining erection. As he wrapped their fingers around the base of his cock, Rodney looked up to find Chuck awake and smiling at them. He smiled back before starting to lightly suckle a spot on Evan’s shoulder. Evan sucked in a breath and tightened their grip. Rodney began slowly pumping Evan’s erection, causing Evan to focus on what was going on and doing his share of the work as well.
Chuck turned onto his back, his erection tenting the sheet. As he watched them and they watched him, he slowly trailed a hand down his chest and stomach before slowly pushing off the sheet. He wrapped a hand around his own cock and matched their speed.
Soon the sound of skin against skin was matched by moans. Evan came first, shooting into Rodney’s hand. Rodney was next, the catalyst being Evan’s tongue against his palm as he cleaned him up, and he came against Evan’s back. When Evan released his hand, Rodney pulled the edge of the sheet up and cleaned him off.
They both watched Chuck, who had his eyes closed and was breathing shallowly. They knew he was close and had closed his eyes to prolong the experience. Evan moved out of Rodney’s embrace and positioned himself so Rodney could watch before he took the head of Chuck’s cock in his mouth. Chuck gasped slightly and instinctively thrust up. Evan placed a steadying hand on Chuck’s far hip as he began sucking him. Chuck’s moans turned to whimpers before he stiffened and came, Evan drinking him down.
Rodney watched them, heat pooling in his gut again at the beautiful sight of his lovers, as Evan gently lapped up the fluids that had escaped before releasing Chuck’s cock from his mouth and settling back in between them.
“What a way to wake up,” Chuck finally said. He grinned. “And to think, we finally have a chance to not get out of bed all day, if we don’t want to.”
“That sounds like a good plan to me,” Rodney replied, reaching over Evan and teasingly tweaked one of Chuck’s nipples.
Evan’s stomach growled and all three of them laughed. “You know the rules,” Chuck sing-songed.
“Yeah, yeah, yeah,” Evan groused as he got up and searched the apartment for his clothes. “I’ll be back.”
As Evan left, Chuck and Rodney curled up together and, after a languid ‘good morning’ kiss, started dozing until Evan returned with breakfast.
After which, they ended up getting up. Some of the soldiers wanted Evan to play in their baseball game on the East Pier. Chuck and Rodney decided to go along and cheer him on, even against Evan’s protests that he wasn’t a good player and therefore his team was doomed.
When they got there, they found Carson among the spectators and sat down next to him. “At least this is more exciting and easier to understand than cricket,” Rodney commented to him.
“I don’t know,” Carson replied with a shrug. “Cricket has its own sort of charm. I didn’t know John played baseball.”
“Well, it is a sport and he is a boy,” Rodney replied, ignoring Chuck’s snort. “And while I don’t think it’s his chosen sport, it does have a similarity to golf in that he gets to hit things.”
Carson shook his head with an amused smile. “I have to admit that I was surprised when he invited me to come watch.”
“I told you he likes you, even if he doesn’t realize it yet,” Rodney told him. “I think he just needed someone to give him permission to do things with you.”
“And the only one who could have done that is you,” Carson replied with a slight tinge of sadness.
“I’m sorry,” Rodney told him. “I didn’t know –”
“Believe me, Rodney, I’m not blaming you. Even if he had been completely free, who’s to say that I would have gotten up the courage to ask him out? This whole thing may have started with a total mess, but I think we’ll be able to hash it out all right.”
The game started and the conversation stopped for the time being. They ended up spending the rest of the morning and part of the afternoon outside, since the game turned into a best-of-three with Evan’s team winning two and John’s team winning one.
Rodney inwardly chuckled when Carson commented that the world must be coming to an end since he wasn’t complaining about getting a sun burn or sun poisoning. He hadn’t felt like mentioning that he *was* wearing his robe – which had long sleeves – and he had pulled up his hood, which shaded his face, when he started feeling hot. He knew that the look further accentuated the point that he was still acting differently, but he didn’t care.
“Feel like going for a walk?” John asked Carson as they cleaned up from their quick lunch.
Carson glanced at Rodney, who simply raised his eyebrows in question, before shrugging and replying, “Sure.”
As they left, Rodney commented dryly, “Ah, it’s so much fun to watch young love blossom.”
Both Chuck and Evan started giggling. “Romanticism isn’t a good fit for you, Rodney,” Evan commented.
“I never said it was,” Rodney replied as they headed out. “And they’re not all that young. But I’m still going to enjoy watching the two of them at least.”
“Dr. McKay?” a voice called after them.
“Yes?” Rodney asked as he turned around.
A young Marine jogged over to him. “I was – um – hoping I could ask you a question.” His gaze flicked first to Chuck and then Evan. “In private.”
“We’ll see you later, Rodney,” Evan said.
“What can I do for you, soldier?” Rodney asked him.
“Well, I heard what you did for Dr. Smith when you delivered her baby and I was hoping you could give me some advice.”
Rodney looked over the burly, black, and definitely male soldier. “Well, you don’t look pregnant to me,” he commented dryly. “I’m sure whatever you need the medical staff can help you with and they do know how to be discreet.”
“I know, but I prefer natural medicine – even if it is alien.”
Rodney sighed. “Okay, let’s go to my quarters and I’ll see what I can do. But if I can’t help you, or if I think that seeking the medical team’s help would be better, you *will* go to the infirmary, understand?”
“Yes, Dr. McKay.”
After that, the requests for Rodney’s help increased. He was surprised by the number of people who were into doing things as naturally as possible, or were simply wanted to try “the old way of doing things” as many of them put it – regardless of the fact that it was alien and actually quite modern. He treated people for what seemed like practically everything, including blisters, upset stomachs, migraines, colds, allergies, and things that were probably contagious. He even treated a few sprained ankles and wrists, a couple minor burns, and one fractured wrist – which he set, then sent the errant botanist to the infirmary to have it looked at properly.
Rodney was also surprised at how grateful they all were for his help. On Lapras, the give and take relationship he had with the rest of the village was an expectation – just like the people expected to repay him with their own goods and services. Here, though, they seemed genuinely surprised and happy when he agreed to help them and genuinely didn’t know what to do in return. Rodney felt bad about charging them, since he didn’t feel that it was a service he could charge for. So when they asked what they could do in return, he told them that he didn’t need anything, so they could do something good for someone else. He figured that with the tension that had sprung up from Chuck and Evan’s beating, the city was in need of some goodwill, regardless of how well the sensitivity training was going.
He could see the ripple effects of what he had started every once in a while throughout the city. Tensions between some of the more competitive scientists relaxed a bit and relations between some of the more experienced military personnel and the newer scientists eased as well. And regardless of what he told people, he still found that they did their best to repay him – even if they did it covertly. It usually consisted of fresh fruit left outside his door when the Daedalus arrived in Atlantis, but once he found a new pair of moccasins as well. That had surprised him the most – they had fit perfectly and looked like exact replicas of the ones he had. He was curious about how that had happened, but figured he’d leave the mystery be.
Rodney also kept a watchful eye on John and Carson. He didn’t interfere with how they did things, even if part of him wanted to tell John that he wasn’t doing things properly and to closely coach him. But, even so, John did come to him regularly with questions and concerns. Rodney was surprised that John actually did seem to be putting a lot of thought and intent into what he was doing. The questions tended to be focused more on Carson and what Rodney knew about him, and how he acted and thought. Rodney did the best he could to help him out, but he had to constantly remind John that he had been gone for four cycles and that at least some of Carson’s likes and dislikes could have naturally changed in that time, not to mention that things could have changed due to the accident and that John had a better idea of what Carson was like after that than he did. Rodney found John’s hesitant desire to make things work with Carson endearing. And with how happy Carson was, he knew it was working.
“You’re sure it’ll work?” John asked before taking a bite of his salad.
Rodney rolled his eyes. “I’m sure it’ll work.”
“It doesn’t sound too much like a pick-up line?”
“John, everything with you sounds like a pick-up line and Carson knows how to read you. You’ll be fine.”
“But I don’t want to rush things, you know? We both know I wasn’t taking this seriously when we started, but I have to admit that it’s working and I don’t want to ruin it now.”
Rodney couldn’t help his smug expression as he replied, “I’m glad you finally agree that my way works. But don’t worry; I think you’re both ready for you to kiss him ‘good night’. I think he’s actually been ready for the past month and a half.”
“And that’s okay?” John furrowed his brow in worry. “I’m not going too slow, am I?”
“For a glacier, no.” Rodney took a drink of water. “And I think that Carson’s needed this pace too. Believe me, it’s surprising how unsure of himself he is when it comes to dating and relationships. Factor in the accident and….” He trailed off.
“Yeah, I get your point,” John replied.
“I think it’s done you a lot of good too,” Rodney told John. “You’re not quite so insane any more. Although, you may want to work on your intensity level a little; it’s still kind of high. You don’t need to think so hard about what you’re doing.”
Carson sat down next to John and they both smiled warmly at each other. Rodney couldn’t help but smile himself when he saw that look that meant for a second the world around them disappeared. “I hope you don’t mind, Rodney,” Carson said when they both returned.
“Not at all,” Rodney replied. “I hope you’re having a good day?”
“Wonderful,” Carson replied. “It’s been very productive and we thankfully haven’t had any injuries yet that have needed any tending to.” He knocked on the table before he started eating.
“So, do you two have any plans for this evening?” Rodney asked.
They both shrugged. “Maybe watch a movie?” Carson said.
“Do you two want to come over and watch one with us?” Rodney offered. “That’s all we were planning on doing tonight too.”
“Won’t Chuck and Evan mind?” John asked.
Rodney shrugged. “They’ll get over it. And since it’s the two of you, I doubt they will. They’ve been asking me how you two are doing and I keep having to tell them to ask you themselves.”
“Well, you can report back that John’s gentlemanly reputation is not in any danger,” Carson told Rodney with a laugh as John feigned a hurt look.
“And that’s the thanks I get for not wanting to drag your good name down with me?” John asked in mock indignation. “It’s bad enough that I’ve gotten a reputation for being Captain Kirk.” He glared at Rodney.
“You brought that on yourself, John,” Rodney told him before shoving a piece of fruit in his mouth. “And maybe now you’ll be able to rid yourself of that – if you can make an honest man of Carson.”
“If the two of you are going to keep abusing me, I’m going to leave,” John told them.
“Please stay,” Carson told him seriously. Rodney saw him hesitate for a second to put his hand on John’s before pulling away.
Rodney rolled his eyes. “Your sensibilities have never been that fragile, John, and I’ve seen you take worse.”
John huffed. “Fine, I’ll stay.”
When they finished, John bussed their table, leaving Rodney and Carson alone for a moment. Carson took the opportunity to say, “I wanted to thank you for what you’ve done for me – for us. I really appreciate it and I think it’s done John a lot of good.”
“I think it’s done you a lot of good too,” Rodney told him. “You’ve seemed a lot happier the past few weeks.”
“I am,” Carson admitted. “John’s been very good to me.”
Rodney smiled. “I’m glad. You deserve it, Carson. You both do.” When John came back, he said, “So we’ll see you two tonight around eight?”
“Sounds good,” John said as they both nodded.
“Is this like a two-month check-in?” Chuck asked that evening as he ate one of the apples that Rodney had brought over.
“No,” Rodney replied. “It’s just a double date sort of thing. Besides, I did my own sort of check-in with them earlier. Not that they knew it.”
“You know, you really should do something about all this fruit,” Evan told him, eating a pear. “I’m surprised it doesn’t go to waste. Maybe you should start taking IOUs for when we get back to Earth.”
“I feel wrong taking people’s money for doing this sort of thing,” Rodney told them. The door chimed and Rodney opened it with a thought. “Besides, I kind of like this whole ‘country doctor’ sort of thing I’ve got going on.”
“So you’re why things have been really slow in the infirmary lately,” Carson commented as he and John entered.
“It’s not my fault,” Rodney replied defensively. “You help one person out and look what happens.”
“He enjoys it, though,” Chuck told them smugly.
Rodney looked sheepish and agreed, “I do. Have I apologized lately for calling your profession voodoo?”
“Not since the first time, but it’s still nice to hear,” Carson told him with a smile.
“So, are we going to get a movie started or what?” Evan asked.
“Impatient are we?” Chuck asked with a raised eyebrow.
“Well, *some* of us actually have to work tomorrow and I would rather not discount a movie just because it’s four hours long.”
“Like you’d last through a four-hour movie in one sitting anyway,” Rodney told him before saying to Carson and John, “He couldn’t finish the third Lord of the Rings movie.”
“It’s not my fault!” Evan replied indignantly. Making his case, he said, “We were watching the extended edition and I’d just had three coffees with dinner.”
“That would do practically everyone in,” Carson replied sympathetically. “So, what are our options?”
As they picked a movie and settled in, Rodney couldn’t help but wonder how his life had gotten to this point. He was in a city with scientific wonders beyond imagination, he’d found not one, but two people who loved him deeply and he loved in return, and one of his closest friends was finally finding the happiness he deserved.
He snuggled against one side of Chuck, feeling completely content and happy as they tangled hands in Chuck’s lap and he laid his head against Chuck’s shoulder. A moment later, Evan’s hand joined theirs and Rodney felt Chuck laugh. He looked over and saw that Evan had mirrored his position.
“Have I been relegated to the position of ‘snuggle pillow’?” Chuck asked in amusement.
“Only because you’re so good at it,” Rodney replied before kissing Chuck on the shoulder before settling back in as the movie started.
This time, Rodney’s attention was engrossed in the movie and he didn’t look at Carson and John once. When the movie ended, he looked over and they were sitting together, shoulder, hip and thigh touching. Their entwined hands were resting in the valley of their touching legs. He smiled – things were definitely going well for them.
“Rodney?”
“What can I do for you, Sergeant?” Rodney asked without looking up from his paperwork.
“Um,” she hesitated for a moment. “How did you know it was me?”
“You were stuck in my head, remember? It’s kind of hard for me to forget that. What can I do for you, Sergeant?” he asked, looking up at a slightly flustered Laura Cadman.
“Well, I heard what you’re doing for the Colonel and Carson and I was wondering if – maybe,” she twisted her hands together, “you’d consider doing it for me too.”
“I have a hard time believing a self-assured, modern woman like yourself would have a hard time finding a date,” Rodney told her as he straightened up.
“Yeah, well….” She looked down. “You’d be surprised. The uniform puts a lot of people off. And the people it doesn’t put off are wanting things that I am *not* into.”
“Ah, I see.” Rodney shuffled his papers together into a neat stack. “I might be able to do something for you, Sergeant, but I’m not going to make any promises.”
“That’s fine with me,” she replied with a small smile. “What do you need from me? Fifty bucks for a starter fee and a background check?”
Rodney laughed. “I already know you’re not psycho – well, no more than the rest of us. And I don’t charge, though I might want to start considering it, with the way things have been going.” He put a hand on her arm and started guiding her out of the lab. “I will need some information from you – either whether you’ve got your eye one someone specific or, if not, what your preferences are. That sort of thing so I know what I’m working with. Let’s go get a cup of coffee.”
As Rodney and Cadman left the mess hall, his earpiece chirped. He activated it and asked, “Yes?”
“Rodney, I need you in the Gate Room,” Elizabeth told him. “You have a visitor.”
Continue in Part 31
The complete header can be found in part 1.
Previous parts can be found here.
The next day, Rodney didn’t see either Carson or John at breakfast, so by lunch time he was practically vibrating with curiosity. It took all of Rodney’s willpower to not blurt out – loudly – “*So*? What happened last night?” when both John and Carson sat down across from him.
“Thanks again,” Carson told Rodney. “Neither of us gets out much, so it was a nice change of scenery. Thank Chuck again for opening his quarters for us. And thank Evan for giving up some quality time with the two of you as well.”
“Where are your other parts, by the way?” John asked.
“Chuck said he owed Miko a favor and Evan said something about ordnance requests,” Rodney replied. Unable to hold his curiosity on one part any longer, he asked, “So, what’s up with Batman?”
Both John and Carson chuckled as they looked at each other and smiled. “Well, back while you were gone,” John started, “we were reminiscing about you.”
“And one thing led to another,” Carson supplied, “and we were talking about that time when we had run into Lucius Lavin when he was pretending to be a hero. And I don’t know what made me think of our discussion prior to meeting him, but I blurted out that I had never seen any of the Batman movies.”
“So I told him that we would need to watch at least the first one some time,” John added, “because even if you’re not a fan, the first one’s a classic. And he agreed to it, but then one thing led to another and we never did.”
“So when we were at Chuck’s last night,” Carson continued, “and we found out he had it, we knew we had to watch it.”
“Huh,” Rodney replied. “Well, I hope you enjoyed it, Carson.”
“Oh, very much so,” Carson replied with a smile. “And I’m sure you’re dying to know, but either Chuck or Evan – or maybe both – made you swear not to ask. We both agree that the date went well last night and we might be willing to try another one.”
Rodney grinned at that. “And what about after you two left?”
“Nothing,” John replied quickly. “I walked him home. You can accuse me of being Captain Kirk all you want, but I do know how to be a gentleman.”
“He’s certainly been one with me,” Carson muttered with a slight trace of wistfulness and a wry smile.
John didn’t seem to hear Carson’s comment, but Rodney’s eyes went wide at the admission. To cover his surprise, he rolled his eyes. “So, what are you two planning for you follow-up date?”
“We haven’t exactly gotten that far yet,” John replied. “It’s not like we can do a lot of the stuff we’d normally do on Earth.”
Rodney leaned back in his chair and scoffed. “I know both of you can be very imaginative and inventive when you’ve got the right incentive, so I have no doubt that you’ll both be able to find a way around this obstacle.” He glanced at his watch. “I’ve got to get back to the lab – I need to start running a simulation. I’ll see you both later.” He quickly headed out, hoping that the seeds that had been planted would bear fruit.
That afternoon, Rodney wasn’t surprised when John stopped by his lab. “What can I do for you?” he asked.
“I need to know what you’re expecting out of this whole thing,” John replied. “Out of me. Carson and I talked after you left and he told me that you had asked him to go out on *one* date with me.”
“I did,” Rodney admitted.
“And yet, you led me to believe that this was going to be a long-term sort of thing.”
“I think it could be – if you work on it,” Rodney replied. “I wanted the second date to be your idea, not mine. I think you and Carson would be great for each other.” He looked past John to one of the newer scientists who was looking at them nervously. “Can I help you, Dr. Steirsen?”
“I, uh, I was wondering if, um, you could, um, help me with part of this, ah, project I’m working on,” she told him nervously, the knuckles gripping her tablet going white as she glanced between Rodney and John.
“Sure,” Rodney replied, waving her closer. “This simulation will take a bit yet and our conversation can wait.”
John glared at him but moved over so Steirsen could stand next to Rodney and explain her problem while he looked at the information on her tablet. He smiled at her while Rodney looked over her work and hmm-ed a few times and she shyly smiled back. He was about to strike up a conversation when Rodney glared at him and handed Steirsen back her tablet. Rodney pointed out what she was doing wrong and what she could do to maximize the results she wanted. She grinned at him and practically bounced off when he was done.
“That wasn’t very nice, Rodney,” John told him casually.
“Oh, please,” Rodney replied. “You were flirting again – and don’t try denying it. Look, Steirsen’s a great scientist – they all are – but she literally got off the Daedalus two weeks ago. And I know you didn’t say this before, but we both know that you getting into a relationship with someone who wasn’t either in the original expedition or the first wave of replacements ultimately wouldn’t work – too many unique experiences and what have you.”
“Okay, true,” John said. “But Carson? Don’t get me wrong – I think he’s a great guy and all, but,” he made a face, “I don’t know if he’s my type.”
“He’s definitely your type, John,” Rodney told him.
John rolled his eyes. “Sometimes I wonder about the way your mind works.”
“Look, trust me on this. I know that the two of you would be great together if you give it even half a chance.”
John crossed his arms. “Why should I?”
Rodney’s gaze flicked to his computer screen for a moment as he sat back in his chair before turning his full attention to John. “Let’s see,” he began ticking off. “The two of you get along very well. He fits the bill of goods you gave me. Not only is he not military, he’s also the CMO, so you really won’t have any fraternization problems. He’s an original expedition member.” Rodney hesitated for a moment before adding quickly and quietly, “And I think he has a crush on you.”
John’s eyebrows shot up. “You want to use some possible feelings he might have for me to my advantage?”
“Maybe?” Rodney replied, looking contrite. “Look,” he held up a hand to emphasize his point. “I don’t know for sure since I haven’t actually asked him, but I think he does. And I’m not asking you to use them to your advantage, just to be aware of them so that if he does have feelings for you, you don’t completely break his heart. Having one heart-broken senior staff member on Atlantis is more than enough, thank you very much. Look, I know I sprung this on you the other day, so take some time and think about it. If you really do want me to drop it, then I will and we can chalk it up to a nice little date and we can figure out something to tell Carson.”
John’s arms tensed in front of his chest and his jaw tightened while the rest of him stayed relaxed and he looked straight ahead. And Rodney was surprised that he remembered this pose. John was uncomfortable with whatever he was thinking, but he was seriously considering it. “The thing is, Rodney, I have been thinking about it. I’ve been thinking about it ever since you first mentioned this whole thing to me.”
“And?” Rodney replied curious, yet also expecting John to completely shut him down.
“And I’ll admit that I’m curious about this whole thing. And you do have a point – I do need to move on. But I don’t like to think of using Carson as a rebound relationship – because that’s what he’d be. He deserves more than that.”
“You’re right, he does,” Rodney agreed. “But I think you have it in you to be what he needs. And I think that if you look at yourself and what you’ve been holding onto these past four cycles, you’ll realize that it’s all a bunch of shadows and dust and that it’s not worth holding onto. Come back to the land of the living, John Sheppard. And, yes, pain and heartache are still a part of it all,” he waved a hand dismissively, “but you’re a big boy and you can deal with it.”
John shook his head. “You’re still a piece of work, Rodney.”
“I’m going to take that as a compliment,” Rodney replied, glancing at the computer’s screen. “Now. Are you ready to have the training wheels come off?”
John sighed. “I guess so. It’s going to happen at some point whether I like it or not, isn’t it?”
“You betcha,” Rodney replied with a gleeful smile.
That evening, Carson stormed into Rodney’s quarters. “You lied to me!” he rebuked Rodney, pointing an accusing finger at him.
Rodney looked up from the book he had been reading. And a startled Chuck and Evan turned from the computer game they had been playing. Taking in Carson’s angry form, they judiciously grabbed their shoes and slipped out.
“I did not,” Rodney calmly replied from where he had lounging on his bed, as he put his book aside. “*I* asked you to go on one date with John because I knew that he was never going to do it himself. *John* should have known better and not said anything. I was merely trying to help the two of you out.”
Carson blinked at him for a long moment, his outburst slowly losing its steam. “So it wasn’t some kind of cruel joke the two of you were playing on me?” he asked quietly, his voice suddenly sounding small.
“What?” Rodney replied shocked as he stood. “No! What would make you think that?”
“Oh, I don’t know,” Carson replied with a slight shrug as he studied the floor. “It’s not like I’ve gotten asked on a lot of dates since the accident. I think people are a little afraid of how much work I might be.” He sighed. “Not that I got that many offers before the accident, mind you.”
“Believe me, that wasn’t my intention,” Rodney replied as he closed the distance between them and put a hand on Carson’s shoulder. “All I saw was that you and John get along well, so I figured that would make it easier on both of you. I’ve only wanted good things for both of you – you know that.”
Carson sadly looked up at him. “So you’re not setting me up?”
“Why would I?” Rodney asked, curious, wondering where Carson’s low sense of self-esteem was coming from.
Carson shrugged. “I know I’m not much to look at with my leg and my hand, not to mention the scars…”
“What scars?” Rodney blurted out.
“They’re all along my right side – from my armpit to my knee, from the blast.”
“Oh, Carson,” Rodney replied softly, gently squeezing Carson’s shoulder. “Believe me, you’re still a good-looking guy. And you’re the most compassionate, strong-willed, amazing doctor I know. Not to mention that you’re a great guy – one of the best I’ve ever known. Whoever let you believe you’re anything less since the accident needs to get their head out of their ass. It definitely hasn’t slowed you down any – or diminished your ability to do your job.”
“So, I’m letting my fears get the best of me?” Carson asked.
“Yep,” Rodney replied with a reassuring smile.
“And you didn’t chose me out of pity?”
“Nope.”
“Or because I have a crush on John, so you thought it’d be easier for him?” Carson looked a little shocked once the admission was out of his mouth.
“Nope, but that is an added bonus.” Rodney added, conspiratorially, “And I already kind of figured you had a crush on him, but I wasn’t completely sure.”
“So, now what?” Carson asked after taking a shaky breath.
Rodney squeezed Carson’s shoulder again before releasing him. “You’re simply going to enjoy this. I’ve already given John instructions.”
“Instructions for what?” Carson asked, brow furrowing.
“For wooing you.”
“You’re not serious, are you?” he asked, his eyebrows climbing. “You are, aren’t you?”
“You’d better believe it,” Rodney replied. “It’s tradition on Lapras for one person to do the pursuing.”
“So, what do I have to do?”
Rodney laughed. “Enjoy being pursued and don’t make it too easy on him. He needs the challenge.”
“But if he didn’t look at me twice before the accident, what’s going to make him do so now?”
Rodney grimaced. “I told him to take a second look. He’s still not completely convinced, but at least now he’s open to the possibility.”
Carson leaned against the doorframe. “And what if it doesn’t work out?”
Rodney shrugged. “Then it doesn’t work out. Do you need to sit down?”
“It might be a good idea, but I should get going,” Carson replied. “I don’t want to make more of a fool of myself than I already have.”
“Believe me, you didn’t.”
“Oh, I think I did,” Carson told him with a smile. “Barging in here with accusations and pointing fingers.”
“Then let me walk home with you. You’re not going to slink back to your quarters in shame. Besides, this way, you know that I won’t be able to radio John to intercept you on your way back.”
“Fine.” They headed out into the hallway. “Maybe on the way there, you can explain the whole thing between you, Chuck, and Evan to me?”
“What’s to explain?” Rodney asked as they set off. “We hit it off as friends when I got back. Then one day we realized that there was a mutual attraction between the three of us and instead of having a lot of unrequited love, tension, and jealousy between the three of us, we decided to just get together. Or something like that. It’s a lot like two people getting together, but there’s three of us.”
“But it’s got to be hard, making sure that no one feels left out or that one person doesn’t get too much attention.”
Rodney shrugged. “Sure, we put more work into it than most couples do, but it’s worth it. I can’t explain it, Carson, but this is it for me.” He gave Carson a mischievous look. “You always did say that I was more than enough of a handful for one person.”
“That I did,” Carson replied with a chuckle. “And in return, you got two of them to deal with you.”
They walked the rest of the way in companionable silence. When they reached Carson’s quarters, he said, “Thank you for this.”
“You’re quite welcome,” Rodney replied. “And just remember – you deserve this as much as anybody else.”
Carson nodded. “I’ll try to keep that in mind. Have a good evening, Rodney.”
“You too, Carson.” As he left, Rodney clicked his radio. “It’s safe to come back, guys,” he told Evan and Chuck on their private channel.
“How about you come over to Chuck’s?” Evan asked. “It’s almost bedtime.”
“I’ll be there in a few. Whatever you two might say, I’m not doing a walk of shame back to my quarters in the morning.”
“You have a clean set of clothes here,” Chuck chimed in. “I take it, then, that all systems are a go?”
“For the time being, they are,” Rodney replied as he passed his quarters and headed down the hall in the other direction from Carson’s quarters. “I just hope John was paying attention. I’m almost there.”
“We’re waiting, lover,” Evan purred before they clicked off. A shiver of excitement went down Rodney’s spine and he doubled his pace until he was practically running, thankful that there was no one in the halls to see him.
The next morning, Rodney stretched luxuriously. It wasn’t often that he had nothing on his agenda for the day. He was usually good about abiding by Elizabeth’s rules that he adhere to a normal work schedule, but like all of the other scientists, he tended to “wander” into the lab at some point during his “weekend” to finish up some loose ends on one project or to get another one prepped so it could be started on Monday.
But today was not going to be one of those days. He, Chuck, and Evan had made plans to spend it together. Which would mean sleeping late and spending most of the day in bed. As he opened his eyes, though, he hated that his body now considered “sleeping late” to be the equivalent of 8:30 am. Looking over at his sleeping lovers, he grinned devilishly. He could think of a few ways that he could entice them to start their day early.
As he lightly ran a hand down Evan’s stomach, Evan quietly mumbled, “Don’t even *think* about it. I’m still sleeping.” And to prove his point, he turned on his side, spooning his back against Rodney’s front, the movement casing the sheet to move and pool just below their hips.
“You know you’re just making it easier for me to tease you without waking Chuck,” Rodney whispered in his ear.
“Not if I do this,” Evan replied, taking Rodney’s hand in his and entwining their fingers.
“Who said anything about my hands?” Rodney asked.
To prove his point, he began trailing light kisses starting at Evan’s temple and down his neck. He gently sucked at the juncture of Evan’s neck and shoulder – where his pulse point was definitely showing interest – before continuing on out Evan’s shoulder. By the time his mouth had finished its journey, Evan was panting and his grip on Rodney’s hand had increased.
“Have I told you lately that you’re evil?” he gasped.
“Yes, but I still like hearing it,” Rodney replied. He began kissing his way back across Evan’s shoulder.
“Stop,” Evan choked out just before Rodney was about to turn his attention again to Evan’s pulse point.
Evan guided their entwined hands down to his straining erection. As he wrapped their fingers around the base of his cock, Rodney looked up to find Chuck awake and smiling at them. He smiled back before starting to lightly suckle a spot on Evan’s shoulder. Evan sucked in a breath and tightened their grip. Rodney began slowly pumping Evan’s erection, causing Evan to focus on what was going on and doing his share of the work as well.
Chuck turned onto his back, his erection tenting the sheet. As he watched them and they watched him, he slowly trailed a hand down his chest and stomach before slowly pushing off the sheet. He wrapped a hand around his own cock and matched their speed.
Soon the sound of skin against skin was matched by moans. Evan came first, shooting into Rodney’s hand. Rodney was next, the catalyst being Evan’s tongue against his palm as he cleaned him up, and he came against Evan’s back. When Evan released his hand, Rodney pulled the edge of the sheet up and cleaned him off.
They both watched Chuck, who had his eyes closed and was breathing shallowly. They knew he was close and had closed his eyes to prolong the experience. Evan moved out of Rodney’s embrace and positioned himself so Rodney could watch before he took the head of Chuck’s cock in his mouth. Chuck gasped slightly and instinctively thrust up. Evan placed a steadying hand on Chuck’s far hip as he began sucking him. Chuck’s moans turned to whimpers before he stiffened and came, Evan drinking him down.
Rodney watched them, heat pooling in his gut again at the beautiful sight of his lovers, as Evan gently lapped up the fluids that had escaped before releasing Chuck’s cock from his mouth and settling back in between them.
“What a way to wake up,” Chuck finally said. He grinned. “And to think, we finally have a chance to not get out of bed all day, if we don’t want to.”
“That sounds like a good plan to me,” Rodney replied, reaching over Evan and teasingly tweaked one of Chuck’s nipples.
Evan’s stomach growled and all three of them laughed. “You know the rules,” Chuck sing-songed.
“Yeah, yeah, yeah,” Evan groused as he got up and searched the apartment for his clothes. “I’ll be back.”
As Evan left, Chuck and Rodney curled up together and, after a languid ‘good morning’ kiss, started dozing until Evan returned with breakfast.
After which, they ended up getting up. Some of the soldiers wanted Evan to play in their baseball game on the East Pier. Chuck and Rodney decided to go along and cheer him on, even against Evan’s protests that he wasn’t a good player and therefore his team was doomed.
When they got there, they found Carson among the spectators and sat down next to him. “At least this is more exciting and easier to understand than cricket,” Rodney commented to him.
“I don’t know,” Carson replied with a shrug. “Cricket has its own sort of charm. I didn’t know John played baseball.”
“Well, it is a sport and he is a boy,” Rodney replied, ignoring Chuck’s snort. “And while I don’t think it’s his chosen sport, it does have a similarity to golf in that he gets to hit things.”
Carson shook his head with an amused smile. “I have to admit that I was surprised when he invited me to come watch.”
“I told you he likes you, even if he doesn’t realize it yet,” Rodney told him. “I think he just needed someone to give him permission to do things with you.”
“And the only one who could have done that is you,” Carson replied with a slight tinge of sadness.
“I’m sorry,” Rodney told him. “I didn’t know –”
“Believe me, Rodney, I’m not blaming you. Even if he had been completely free, who’s to say that I would have gotten up the courage to ask him out? This whole thing may have started with a total mess, but I think we’ll be able to hash it out all right.”
The game started and the conversation stopped for the time being. They ended up spending the rest of the morning and part of the afternoon outside, since the game turned into a best-of-three with Evan’s team winning two and John’s team winning one.
Rodney inwardly chuckled when Carson commented that the world must be coming to an end since he wasn’t complaining about getting a sun burn or sun poisoning. He hadn’t felt like mentioning that he *was* wearing his robe – which had long sleeves – and he had pulled up his hood, which shaded his face, when he started feeling hot. He knew that the look further accentuated the point that he was still acting differently, but he didn’t care.
“Feel like going for a walk?” John asked Carson as they cleaned up from their quick lunch.
Carson glanced at Rodney, who simply raised his eyebrows in question, before shrugging and replying, “Sure.”
As they left, Rodney commented dryly, “Ah, it’s so much fun to watch young love blossom.”
Both Chuck and Evan started giggling. “Romanticism isn’t a good fit for you, Rodney,” Evan commented.
“I never said it was,” Rodney replied as they headed out. “And they’re not all that young. But I’m still going to enjoy watching the two of them at least.”
“Dr. McKay?” a voice called after them.
“Yes?” Rodney asked as he turned around.
A young Marine jogged over to him. “I was – um – hoping I could ask you a question.” His gaze flicked first to Chuck and then Evan. “In private.”
“We’ll see you later, Rodney,” Evan said.
“What can I do for you, soldier?” Rodney asked him.
“Well, I heard what you did for Dr. Smith when you delivered her baby and I was hoping you could give me some advice.”
Rodney looked over the burly, black, and definitely male soldier. “Well, you don’t look pregnant to me,” he commented dryly. “I’m sure whatever you need the medical staff can help you with and they do know how to be discreet.”
“I know, but I prefer natural medicine – even if it is alien.”
Rodney sighed. “Okay, let’s go to my quarters and I’ll see what I can do. But if I can’t help you, or if I think that seeking the medical team’s help would be better, you *will* go to the infirmary, understand?”
“Yes, Dr. McKay.”
After that, the requests for Rodney’s help increased. He was surprised by the number of people who were into doing things as naturally as possible, or were simply wanted to try “the old way of doing things” as many of them put it – regardless of the fact that it was alien and actually quite modern. He treated people for what seemed like practically everything, including blisters, upset stomachs, migraines, colds, allergies, and things that were probably contagious. He even treated a few sprained ankles and wrists, a couple minor burns, and one fractured wrist – which he set, then sent the errant botanist to the infirmary to have it looked at properly.
Rodney was also surprised at how grateful they all were for his help. On Lapras, the give and take relationship he had with the rest of the village was an expectation – just like the people expected to repay him with their own goods and services. Here, though, they seemed genuinely surprised and happy when he agreed to help them and genuinely didn’t know what to do in return. Rodney felt bad about charging them, since he didn’t feel that it was a service he could charge for. So when they asked what they could do in return, he told them that he didn’t need anything, so they could do something good for someone else. He figured that with the tension that had sprung up from Chuck and Evan’s beating, the city was in need of some goodwill, regardless of how well the sensitivity training was going.
He could see the ripple effects of what he had started every once in a while throughout the city. Tensions between some of the more competitive scientists relaxed a bit and relations between some of the more experienced military personnel and the newer scientists eased as well. And regardless of what he told people, he still found that they did their best to repay him – even if they did it covertly. It usually consisted of fresh fruit left outside his door when the Daedalus arrived in Atlantis, but once he found a new pair of moccasins as well. That had surprised him the most – they had fit perfectly and looked like exact replicas of the ones he had. He was curious about how that had happened, but figured he’d leave the mystery be.
Rodney also kept a watchful eye on John and Carson. He didn’t interfere with how they did things, even if part of him wanted to tell John that he wasn’t doing things properly and to closely coach him. But, even so, John did come to him regularly with questions and concerns. Rodney was surprised that John actually did seem to be putting a lot of thought and intent into what he was doing. The questions tended to be focused more on Carson and what Rodney knew about him, and how he acted and thought. Rodney did the best he could to help him out, but he had to constantly remind John that he had been gone for four cycles and that at least some of Carson’s likes and dislikes could have naturally changed in that time, not to mention that things could have changed due to the accident and that John had a better idea of what Carson was like after that than he did. Rodney found John’s hesitant desire to make things work with Carson endearing. And with how happy Carson was, he knew it was working.
“You’re sure it’ll work?” John asked before taking a bite of his salad.
Rodney rolled his eyes. “I’m sure it’ll work.”
“It doesn’t sound too much like a pick-up line?”
“John, everything with you sounds like a pick-up line and Carson knows how to read you. You’ll be fine.”
“But I don’t want to rush things, you know? We both know I wasn’t taking this seriously when we started, but I have to admit that it’s working and I don’t want to ruin it now.”
Rodney couldn’t help his smug expression as he replied, “I’m glad you finally agree that my way works. But don’t worry; I think you’re both ready for you to kiss him ‘good night’. I think he’s actually been ready for the past month and a half.”
“And that’s okay?” John furrowed his brow in worry. “I’m not going too slow, am I?”
“For a glacier, no.” Rodney took a drink of water. “And I think that Carson’s needed this pace too. Believe me, it’s surprising how unsure of himself he is when it comes to dating and relationships. Factor in the accident and….” He trailed off.
“Yeah, I get your point,” John replied.
“I think it’s done you a lot of good too,” Rodney told John. “You’re not quite so insane any more. Although, you may want to work on your intensity level a little; it’s still kind of high. You don’t need to think so hard about what you’re doing.”
Carson sat down next to John and they both smiled warmly at each other. Rodney couldn’t help but smile himself when he saw that look that meant for a second the world around them disappeared. “I hope you don’t mind, Rodney,” Carson said when they both returned.
“Not at all,” Rodney replied. “I hope you’re having a good day?”
“Wonderful,” Carson replied. “It’s been very productive and we thankfully haven’t had any injuries yet that have needed any tending to.” He knocked on the table before he started eating.
“So, do you two have any plans for this evening?” Rodney asked.
They both shrugged. “Maybe watch a movie?” Carson said.
“Do you two want to come over and watch one with us?” Rodney offered. “That’s all we were planning on doing tonight too.”
“Won’t Chuck and Evan mind?” John asked.
Rodney shrugged. “They’ll get over it. And since it’s the two of you, I doubt they will. They’ve been asking me how you two are doing and I keep having to tell them to ask you themselves.”
“Well, you can report back that John’s gentlemanly reputation is not in any danger,” Carson told Rodney with a laugh as John feigned a hurt look.
“And that’s the thanks I get for not wanting to drag your good name down with me?” John asked in mock indignation. “It’s bad enough that I’ve gotten a reputation for being Captain Kirk.” He glared at Rodney.
“You brought that on yourself, John,” Rodney told him before shoving a piece of fruit in his mouth. “And maybe now you’ll be able to rid yourself of that – if you can make an honest man of Carson.”
“If the two of you are going to keep abusing me, I’m going to leave,” John told them.
“Please stay,” Carson told him seriously. Rodney saw him hesitate for a second to put his hand on John’s before pulling away.
Rodney rolled his eyes. “Your sensibilities have never been that fragile, John, and I’ve seen you take worse.”
John huffed. “Fine, I’ll stay.”
When they finished, John bussed their table, leaving Rodney and Carson alone for a moment. Carson took the opportunity to say, “I wanted to thank you for what you’ve done for me – for us. I really appreciate it and I think it’s done John a lot of good.”
“I think it’s done you a lot of good too,” Rodney told him. “You’ve seemed a lot happier the past few weeks.”
“I am,” Carson admitted. “John’s been very good to me.”
Rodney smiled. “I’m glad. You deserve it, Carson. You both do.” When John came back, he said, “So we’ll see you two tonight around eight?”
“Sounds good,” John said as they both nodded.
“Is this like a two-month check-in?” Chuck asked that evening as he ate one of the apples that Rodney had brought over.
“No,” Rodney replied. “It’s just a double date sort of thing. Besides, I did my own sort of check-in with them earlier. Not that they knew it.”
“You know, you really should do something about all this fruit,” Evan told him, eating a pear. “I’m surprised it doesn’t go to waste. Maybe you should start taking IOUs for when we get back to Earth.”
“I feel wrong taking people’s money for doing this sort of thing,” Rodney told them. The door chimed and Rodney opened it with a thought. “Besides, I kind of like this whole ‘country doctor’ sort of thing I’ve got going on.”
“So you’re why things have been really slow in the infirmary lately,” Carson commented as he and John entered.
“It’s not my fault,” Rodney replied defensively. “You help one person out and look what happens.”
“He enjoys it, though,” Chuck told them smugly.
Rodney looked sheepish and agreed, “I do. Have I apologized lately for calling your profession voodoo?”
“Not since the first time, but it’s still nice to hear,” Carson told him with a smile.
“So, are we going to get a movie started or what?” Evan asked.
“Impatient are we?” Chuck asked with a raised eyebrow.
“Well, *some* of us actually have to work tomorrow and I would rather not discount a movie just because it’s four hours long.”
“Like you’d last through a four-hour movie in one sitting anyway,” Rodney told him before saying to Carson and John, “He couldn’t finish the third Lord of the Rings movie.”
“It’s not my fault!” Evan replied indignantly. Making his case, he said, “We were watching the extended edition and I’d just had three coffees with dinner.”
“That would do practically everyone in,” Carson replied sympathetically. “So, what are our options?”
As they picked a movie and settled in, Rodney couldn’t help but wonder how his life had gotten to this point. He was in a city with scientific wonders beyond imagination, he’d found not one, but two people who loved him deeply and he loved in return, and one of his closest friends was finally finding the happiness he deserved.
He snuggled against one side of Chuck, feeling completely content and happy as they tangled hands in Chuck’s lap and he laid his head against Chuck’s shoulder. A moment later, Evan’s hand joined theirs and Rodney felt Chuck laugh. He looked over and saw that Evan had mirrored his position.
“Have I been relegated to the position of ‘snuggle pillow’?” Chuck asked in amusement.
“Only because you’re so good at it,” Rodney replied before kissing Chuck on the shoulder before settling back in as the movie started.
This time, Rodney’s attention was engrossed in the movie and he didn’t look at Carson and John once. When the movie ended, he looked over and they were sitting together, shoulder, hip and thigh touching. Their entwined hands were resting in the valley of their touching legs. He smiled – things were definitely going well for them.
“Rodney?”
“What can I do for you, Sergeant?” Rodney asked without looking up from his paperwork.
“Um,” she hesitated for a moment. “How did you know it was me?”
“You were stuck in my head, remember? It’s kind of hard for me to forget that. What can I do for you, Sergeant?” he asked, looking up at a slightly flustered Laura Cadman.
“Well, I heard what you’re doing for the Colonel and Carson and I was wondering if – maybe,” she twisted her hands together, “you’d consider doing it for me too.”
“I have a hard time believing a self-assured, modern woman like yourself would have a hard time finding a date,” Rodney told her as he straightened up.
“Yeah, well….” She looked down. “You’d be surprised. The uniform puts a lot of people off. And the people it doesn’t put off are wanting things that I am *not* into.”
“Ah, I see.” Rodney shuffled his papers together into a neat stack. “I might be able to do something for you, Sergeant, but I’m not going to make any promises.”
“That’s fine with me,” she replied with a small smile. “What do you need from me? Fifty bucks for a starter fee and a background check?”
Rodney laughed. “I already know you’re not psycho – well, no more than the rest of us. And I don’t charge, though I might want to start considering it, with the way things have been going.” He put a hand on her arm and started guiding her out of the lab. “I will need some information from you – either whether you’ve got your eye one someone specific or, if not, what your preferences are. That sort of thing so I know what I’m working with. Let’s go get a cup of coffee.”
As Rodney and Cadman left the mess hall, his earpiece chirped. He activated it and asked, “Yes?”
“Rodney, I need you in the Gate Room,” Elizabeth told him. “You have a visitor.”
Continue in Part 31
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Gaijin by sam-gamgee
Date: 2008-12-23 06:59 am (UTC)I'm enjoying this story, especially the Lapras world you created.
Re: Gaijin by sam-gamgee
Date: 2008-12-24 04:21 am (UTC)And I'm glad you're enjoying the story. :-)