Fic: Storm Breaking

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Title: Storm Breaking
Author: gwendolen
Pairing: McKay/Sheppard
Rating: PG-15
Recipient: sian1359
Spoilers: none, except very vague and general season one and two spoilers
Summary: Exploring alien planets can be both dangerous and enlightening.
Notes. Unfortunately unbeta'd. I hope there aren't too many mistakes in it and that you enjoy it. I tried to stick to your wishlist and to incorporate as much Ronon as possible. I hope you enjoy it. Merry Christmas!

Storm Breaking

"There's a storm coming up."

John turned towards Ronon and then frowned up at the sky. It was blue with only a few fluffy clouds in sight. Nothing that hinted at a storm, but he'd learned enough about the weather to now that abrupt changes were possible, especially on alien planets that looked like enough Earth to bring memories back, but in the end were nothing like Earth.

"You positive?"

"Yeah, air smells like it, smells like rain, and maybe snow too. It's coming up fast."

John nodded, trusting Ronon's judgement on this. Ronon's senses were much better than his, even better than Teyla's and if Ronon said that there would be a storm then there would be storm.

"Snow?"

Ronon nodded.

"Right, let's get Teyla and Rodney and head back to Atlantis."

They'd left Rodney happily poking around in some ruins that might or might not be Ancient with Teyla keeping an eye on him to make sure he didn't get himself hurt, imprisoned or eaten by the unknown technology and had officially gone exploring the uninhabited planet. Not that there was much exploring to do, there were trees, scrubs, some more trees, lots of grass and wow, even more trees. All in all a very green and very peaceful planet. And for the moment Rodney-free. John felt like he needed a Rodney-break.

Lately the interaction between him and Rodney had been strained and often enough he didn't know whether he wanted to hit or kiss him. Considering everything, hitting might be better than kissing, except...it was Rodney and the temptation of kissing Rodney was on some days downright unbearable. Especially when Rodney was in his element, all quivery and excited about something new they'd discovered, some new challenge for him to explore.

Better to keep his distance and hope that this strange attraction would run its course and die a quiet pitiful death. There were reasons why he stayed away from men, no matter how snarky and fascinating and amusing and downright infuriating they were.

With Ronon leading the way they quickly made their way through the spares woods and brushes and high grass towards the ruins where they'd left Rodney and Teyla.

By the time the reached the first depilated buildings that were nothing more than a few crumbling walls, the wind had picked up force and the sky had turned a threatening murky grey that was growing darker by the minute.

The force of the wind gales grew in strength and John could see the first snow-flakes starting to fall. Unfortunately not fluffy little snow-flakes but something that seemed a mix of snow and rain and felt cold and wet when it hit his face.

The force of the wind made it hard to stay on his feet. One powerful gust nearly threw him off his feet and it was only Ronon's had at the scruff if his jacket that kept him upright. Finally they reached one of the few buildings that still seemed relatively intact and where they'd left Rodney and Teyla and stumbled inside. Being out of the wind felt like a blessing and the sudden cessation of sound even more.

Following the light of Rodney's powerful torch deeper into the building they found Rodney half-buried in some console, muttering to himself and pulling out things, throwing twigs and stones to one side and handing other things to the other side, where Teyla stood and dutifully took them to put them on a table. She looked bemused and smiled at John and Ronon when they stepped inside the room

"You are back early, Colonel."

John smiled back at her and rubbed a hand through his wind-blown hair, shaking out some leaves and dust. "There's a storm gathering outside and we should head back to Atlantis before we're caught in it."

Teyla nodded and turned away to start gathering her things and packing them away, fast and effective as always.

"Storm?"

By now Rodney had managed to extract himself from the console and had turned towards John. A smear of dirt was streaked across one cheek and some leaves and cobwebs were struck in his hair. John thought he looked adorable and a side-glance sowed him that both Teyla and Ronon were smirking slightly.

"Yes, Rodney," he drawled, "the storm brewing outside. Get your gear together, we're moving out asap."

Rodney send a look towards the passageway that lead outside, then sharply nodded once and began gathering his things; stuffing bits and pieces into his back-pack. John was really glad that Rodney had shaped up as well as he had and by now followed orders without arguing about each and everyone.

O course, Rodney being Rodney couldn't really do anything without commenting on it. "I really don't understand why we always have to walk. What's wrong with taking one of the jumpers? Why can't we just fly to wherever we're going like supposedly intelligent people would? But no, instead we have to hike through dangerous, possibly lethal wilderness for hours, only to run back when disaster strikes and turns out to be, right, dangerous and lethal. If we'd taken the jumper then we now could easily walk into the jumper and would be back in Atlantis within moments instead of having to walk through a gathering storm to the gate."

John was beginning to lose his patience even though Rodney managed to pack and talk at the same time. Multitasking at its best. "Rodney!"

"Wait a moment. Walk through the storm? Are you insane? We could be killed by flying debris, hit by lightening, thrown of our feet, swept away, drowned by torrential rain,,."

By now he'd shouldered his pack and was waving his hands, slashing though the air in a rather impressive way. It was rather impressive though it did nothing to ease the growing knot of tension inside John. Once he'd loved storms but since coming to Atlantis they'd turned into something of a bad omen and he wanted his team safe on Atlantis before, as Rodney so eloquently had put it, disaster struck.

"We'll be fine if we move now." Turning the last word into a bark.

"Ready." Rodney only flipped back.

John took point ordering Rodney to follow him, then Teyla and finally Ronon at their six. Stepping out, the force of the wind drove John backwards right into Rodney. Rodney's hands closed around his arms and easily held him upright. It always surprised John just how strong Rodney really was. The strength and the muscles hidden underneath the grey uniform somehow never fit with John's image of a scientist who spent most of his time locked away in a lab. Yet they only added to the attraction. He wanted to feel that strength.

Gathering his control, he nodded briefly before he pushed forward again. The temperatures had dropped even more and the wind and the snow had picked up. John wondered if they would even manage to make it to the gate but they really had no choice. He definitely didn't want to stay on the planet with the storm raging around them.

The storm made it impossible to move fast and within moments he was soaked and shivering.
Visibility was dropping and somehow John was glad that the wind drowned out any noise and that he couldn't hear Rodney's complaints because he was sure that Rodney was complaining loudly, if he still had any breath left to complain with.

Sudden movements at the edge of his vision made him stop in his tracks, raising his gun, scanning their surroundings. He noticed that Ronon and Teyla also had their guns at the ready and were scanning their surrounds while Rodney had drawn his Beretta and was alternating his attention between John and their surroundings.

The next moment something huge and white, barely discernable in the snow was hurling towards him and knocked him over before he could squeeze the trigger and instinctively he tried to turn, raising his arm to protect himself. There was white fur and wild dark eyes and way too many teeth that bit into his arm, pain shooting up into him and John thought he was screaming. He heard the bellow of Ronon's gun, Rodney screaming, then Teyla, gunfire, Ronon's gun again and he was fighting, trying to wrench his arm free and to reach his knife. Whatever had hold of his arm wasn't letting go, holding on tight and trying to drag him down and away. Finally it led his arm go and John was free. Ronon was pulling his sword free, looking like some mythical warrior - or a run-a-way from the Xena-cast. The blood on his sword was bright red among the whiteness of the snow.

And then Rodney was there, all wide eyes and concern and rough hands trying to be gentle, touching him, trying to help him up. He reached out, feeling Rodney's strength. Ronon was at his side too and he heard them talking though he couldn't make out the words. The sound of the wind and the falling snow drowned everything out and all he wanted was to lie down and sleep. Everything was white and fluffy and he really just wanted to sink into the nice fluffy snow, it looked comfortable. Then he was suddenly forced to his feet. The pain when Ronon jarred his arm and side made him grit his teeth and hiss, swallowing hard to keep the scream bubbling in his throat in. Ronon just held him up and looked at him.

John wondered where Rodney had gone.

Then he was back. His eyes were wide and panicky but John knew that Rodney was able to shove the panic aside and pull his act together. He'd seen it often enough. Under pressure and with no option open, Rodney shoved amazing leader-ship qualities.

"Colonel, John, you have to get up and move. Come on, John. Move." The panic added an edge to Rodney's voice and John was nodding even though he really didn't want to move. Yet the urgency in Rodney's voice forced John to gather his strength and move. He swallowed hard against the bile rising in his throat and let Ronon take part of his weight, focusing his attention on Rodney's blue eyes, drawing strength from them. For a moment he greyed out and when he'd fought his way back to consciousness again Rodney was gone. He must have had made a sound of protest because Ronon's comforting rumble reached his ear even over the storm howling around them. "He's with Teyla."

"Teyla, how..."

"She's fine. Cuts and bruises, twisted ankle. McKay's helping her. We're going back; the ruins are closer than the gate. Guess we'll have to sit this one out."

John nodded resignedly. It made sense and from his perspective disaster had already struck and so it no longer mattered when they would get off the planet, unless these beasts would come back.

Every move hurt but John forced himself to swallow down the pain and focus on each step. His arm was throbbing and he was shivering. He couldn't tell if the fluids running down his arm were blood or water but he knew he was bleeding. He focused on taking one step after another, Ronon's strength and warmth at his side a tremendous help and support but he still couldn't help the fact that he would rather have had Rodney next to him, that he would have liked to hear Rodney's voice, his acerbic comments and constant complaints about the weather and the situation and berating John's stupidity specifically and in general, instead of Ronon's steadfast silence.

)o(

Mentally ticking off his list, Rodney knelt down next to the Colonel. They were out of the storm and, for the time being, safe from these monstrous beasts. They had enough supplies to last the a few days any by the he storm should have broken. Ronon was taking care of Teyla and that left the Colonel to him.

Sheppard was as white as a sheet and for once Rodney cursed the fact that his medicinal knowledge was rather limited. He scanned the Colonel and was already making up another list. Vest, jacket and shirt off first, then treating Sheppard's wounds and after that getting him out of the rest of his wet clothes and into something dry. It was truly a good thing that they'd prepared for a lengthy trip and had enough supplies with them.

"Colonel? Sheppard?" When Sheppard didn't stir Rodney reached out. In the last moment he stopped himself from simply shaking Sheppard's shoulder and instead carefully touched the other man's check. Dangerous territory given the fact the he often wanted to do a lot of touching, but maybe better than to aggravate the wounds or startle Sheppard.

Sheppard's eye-lids fluttered and finally opened. For a moment he just stared and blinked and Rodney frowned while he tried to keep his breathing even to keep the panic hovering at the edge of his consciousness at bay. He couldn't lose it, not now. Not when Sheppard depended on him. There was too much at stake here. The smile that suddenly crossed the Colonel's face was a surprise, but a very welcome one and Rodney felt himself relax infinitesimal and smile back.

"How are you feeling, Colonel?" The moment the words were out off his mouth, Rodney realized how idiotic the question really was. He could only blame the company he was forced to keep for this deterioration of his mental abilities.

Sheppard's glare said it all but instead of the biting come-back he'd expected, Sheppard just murmured: "Just fine."

There was something in his voice that told Rodney that nothing was 'just fine'. Not that the scratches on Sheppard's pale face and the blood soaking the sleeve of his jacked were any indication.

"Right, silly question. Okay, okay, first, let me take a look at your arm and your other wounds and then we have to get you into dry clothing so that you don't get hypothermia or pneumonia and I absolutely refuse to have you die on us now, after Ronon and I defeated the dragon-wolves."

"Dragon-wolves?" Sheppard's inquiry had a hint of life in it but not much and Rodney wondered if shock was truthfully setting in, or if it was the loss of blood, but it didn't look as if Sheppard was bleeding that much.

"Yes, yes, dragon-wolves. Those beasts that attacked us? They looked like a rather ingenious combination of dragon and wolves, without the wings, of course, but with more than enough teeth. I think Ronon killed two and I managed to wound at least one." Just remembering the massive beasts with their long sharp teeth and seeing one of them with Sheppard's arm in his mouth and trying to drag him away, send a shiver down Rodney's back and the large, cold knot in his stomach seemed to grow. Better to focus on other things, like the man who needed his help and probably some distraction.

"We've barricaded the door, so we should be safe in here. It's also dry and we're out of the storm. I think I'll even be able to come up with something to generate heat. I only have to..." Rodney trailed off for a moment. Heat, they needed heat maybe if he used the stove and the crystals he'd found and dug out some of the circuits, he could...well, it was definitely worth a try - later. He shook himself slightly and turned his attention back to the colonel. "The moment the storm clears up Ronon will go for the gate and call for reinforcement from Atlantis."

"Okay." Sheppard was still drawling, but this drawl sounded more tired than anything else. He looked like he had trouble keeping awake, blinking all he time and his eyes staying closed longer and longer. And no matter how willing Rodney was to let him sleep, he had to get the man out of his wet clothes first and make sure that the tiredness wasn't the result of his injuries. The colonel could be dieing of blood-loss right at this very moment. Or hypothermia, Or....

The thought galvanized Rodney into action and he started to tug open the fastening of the colonel's vest, still trying to be careful so that he wouldn't hurt the other man more than he had to.

"Some cooperation would be helpful here, Colonel."

Somehow with the colonel's rather lethargic assistance Rodney managed to get him out of his vest and jacket. One look at the shirt had him giving it up as a lost cause and reaching for the scissors in the medkit.

"Hey, that was one of my favourite shirts." The protest lacked a lot of the colonel's usual bite and Rodney found himself growing even more worried, especially when Jo...Sheppard smiled at him. He shouldn't, shouldn't, shouldn't think of the Colonel as John, not even when he smiled like that, all soft and sweet and sleepy.

"I'll give you one of mine," he snarked back, his answer falling pitiful short of the measuring-line of their usual battle of verbal wits.

"Blue's really not my colour." The colonel sounded more and more drowsy and had obvious troubles keeping his eyes open and focused.

"Yes it is, but since you're asking so nicely I'll even get you a black one. Happy?"

"Ecstatic."

Rodney inspected the wounds on Shepard's arm. They looked nasty, the skin torn and scratched, but nowhere near as bad as he'd expected. Also, they hadn't bled as badly as he'd anticipateed. A good bandage would probably suffice and he wouldn't have to try his had at stitching them. Disinfecting and bandaging the bites was the work of moments, it didn't take much longer to deal with all the other scratches and scrapes the colonel had sustained.

Thorough all the treatment Sheppard had remained relatively still, only hissing occasionally. It was disgusting, in a rather impressive way. "You have a disgustingly high threshold for pain, Colonel. Has anyone ever told you that? It's really not a nice ability to have."

Sheppard only blinked at him, before a smile tried to uncurl on his face, but it came too slow and felt wrong. Rodney studied his patient more intensely and noticed the dilated pupils. Shock? Or something in the beasts salvia?

He frowned at the medkit and ran through his options. Antibiotics to stave off possible infection. Maybe something against the pain? Though if Sheppard was suffering from some sort of poisoning, pain-medication might be he absolute wrong thing to give him. Where was Carson when you needed him?

In the end Rodney settled on a dose of antibiotic and a very low dose of painkillers, ordering himself to keep an eye on Sheppard, just in case.

Once he'd medicated the colonel he made short process with the rest of the man's soaked clothing and had him dressed in fresh and dry clothing within minutes. After he'd settled Sheppard on his bedroll, he finally was able to get out of his own clammy and chafing uniform.

A quick glance at Ronon and Teyla showed him that Ronon was watching him thorough half-closed eyes and that Teyla seemed to be asleep, curled up next to Ronon, with her head pillowed on his thigh.

"McKay. Rest, I'll take first watch." Ronon said and Rodney nodded his thanks.

"Yes, thank you. I'll be..." he pointed to Sheppard,"...with the Colonel. Wake me up when you want to switch." Not that he actually planned to sleep, someone had to keep an eye on Sheppard after all.

"I will."

Settling down next to Sheppard, Rodney finally allowed himself to relax a bit. He frowned when Sheppard suddenly opened his eyes, smiled at him and offered a soft. "Hey."

"Shouldn't you be trying to sleep, Colonel?"

"Yes, probably," the other man agreed quietly. Rodney really didn't like how drowsy and sluggish the colonel sounded. He'd seen Sheppard wounded often enough and he never sounded like that. There was always too much bite, too much power and drive in his voice, even when he drawled and sounded all lazy and mock-stupid. Now, he sounded more stoned than anything else. Stoned? Maybe something transferred from the beasts? Salvia was full of bacteria and viruses and who knows what else. Not the most hygienic thing to happen and by the time they'd been able to take care of Sheppard's wounds, who knew what had already found its way into his bloodstream?

Before Rodney could say anything Sheppard suddenly began to scooting closer, until he was pressed against Rodney's side. Rodney almost squeaked at the sudden contact, especially when Sheppard began to lean against him and almost cuddled into his side, his head resting on Rodney's shoulder.

"Hmmm, you're nice and warm and very comfy."

Rodney snorted softly at that and shifted, getting comfortable again with Sheppard leaning against his shoulder and with the tension running through his body at the sudden close contact. He looked over to Ronon who was watching him and smirking slightly, though he seemed in no better position with a sleeping Teyla almost draped over his lap.

Rodney wasn't really sure what to think of it but so far the Colonel wasn't exhibiting any negative sign, aside from this tendency to cuddle, mumble something about being cold and trying to bury into Rodney's side, while his cold hands somehow found a way onto Rodney's warm stomach. Not only were his hands cold, but also rather persistent, especially when Rodney tried to remove them from his warm stomach.

"Stop this, Colonel," he finally snapped.

"'s cold and I hurt." The whine was unmistakable, though Rodney had never expected Sheppard to be capable of whining. The pout, when he finally looked at the colonel proved his undoing. Sheppard somehow managed to look about six years old and hot beyond description at the same time. He wanted to whimper.

"I hurt and you have to kiss it better. Just like my mom always did." For a moment his face darkened, sadness heavy on his features, but then Sheppard's face brightened again. "And then you have to kiss me. A proper kiss. On the mouth."

God help him, not only did Sheppard look like a six years-old, now he sounded like one too. "I'm not your mother, Colonel. I'm sure you'll be fine without me kissing it better."

"No, you have to!" This time it was not the put, but the petulant complaint and Rodney recalled just why he hated children. "You have to. Promise you'll kiss it all better. Healing kisses."

With a put-upon sigh Rodney finally gave up and pulled Sheppard close once more. "Very well, you're worse than every kid I've ever dealt with. I want you to know that Spock never had to deal with a mentally regressing Kirk, so why do I have to do it`?"

John just stared at him with wide eyes and Rodney bent down to press a quick chaste kiss on the scratch on his cheek. "There, kissing it all better. Really, Colonel, the things I do for you." He placed another kiss on the bruise along Sheppard's chin and then lifted his arm up to place a kiss on the bandages there. Once he was done, he leaned back and pulled Sheppard back into his embrace. The Colonel was still shivering and sharing body-heat was a logical form of treatment, especially as they didn't have that many supplies. All he had to do was to ignore his boy and the fact that it liked the idea of John Sheppard snuggled up against him and wanted more; more skin, more touching, just more. Not that it would get more.

"Now, you have to kiss me since you're done with kissing it better."

"Excuse me? Colonel!"

"You have to! You promised!"

The whiny command was bad enough, the very kissable pout just made it worse.

"No, I don't."

"Yes, you do!"

Rodney snapped his mouth shut when he realized what he'd been about to say. He was not going to get into a No, I don't-Yes, I do-debate with an obviously incapacitated Colonel. Instead he pressed a finger against Sheppard's mouth, ignoring his attempts to actually kiss said finger.

"How about this? Once we're back in Atlantis and Carson has had a look at you, you will ask me again and then I will kiss you as often as you want me to. I promise."

"Okay."

"Good, fine. Now try to sleep. "

"'kay."

Rodney sighed when Sheppard relaxed against him and allowed himself to drowse a bit, still very much aware of the hard body nestled against his own and the scent of sweaty, exhausted male. Not that it was much of a turn on, but it was familiar.

When Sheppard suddenly shifted in his arms, twitched and tensed, Rodney was instantly alert.

"Rodney? I don't feel so well."

Before Rodney could even say something the Colonel arched into his arms and started to convulse. "Shit."

There wasn't much Rodney could do, except try and hold the Colonel down and hope that it would end soon. His eyes briefly met Ronon's when the other man suddenly appeared next to and helped him to hold Sheppard down.

Finally Sheppard collapsed and with a pained whimper buried himself into Rodney's chest. Pulling Sheppard closer and stroking his sweaty hair out of his face, Rodney tried to calm his heart. He pressed his fingers against Sheppard's jugular, trying to find his pulse. Too fast. This couldn't be happening. He looked at Ronon who was kneeling next to him. "We need to get him to Atlantis as fast as possible."

His gaze wandered towards the door. Should they risk it? Sheppard wasn't really in a position to walk and Teyla had twisted her ankle, probably sprained it. She wasn't really in a position to walk either.

"I'll go for help." The quiet offer drew Rodney from his thoughts. He frowned at Ronon and finally shook his head.

"No, Ronon you can't. The storm. Those dragon-wolves."

"I will watch out. Don't worry."

For a long moment Rodney just started at the runner and then looked at the shivering man curled against his chest and then over to Teyla who looked worried and slightly spooked. Ronon was right. It was the best option they had. As much as he hated splitting them up and the thought of Ronon alone out there scared him beyond compare, but there really wasn't much else they could do, aside from sitting around and waiting. And he had the feeling that Sheppard didn't have the time.

Finally he nodded. "Good. Go."

The last word had barely left his mouth when Ronon was already up and moving. Rodney carefully extracted himself from Sheppard's embrace and followed him, to close and barricade the door after him. He only caught a brief look of the snow-storm outside, but what he saw didn't look good. Now he could only hope that nothing would happen to Ronon, that he would reach the gate and Atlantis and that help would come soon.

Once he stepped into the room they'd their camp in, he noticed that Teyla had moved to their side and was stroking Sheppard's air. The Colonel looked pale and drained and was shivering. Once Rodney had settled next to him, Sheppard inched closer again. "Rodney?"

"Yes, Colonel?" Rodney tried to keep his voice low and soothing while he really just wanted to give into his panic and have a nice little panic-attack.

"You left. Don't leave again."

"I won't. John. I won't." He wrapped his arm around Sheppard's shoulder and pulled him closer. "I'm here. I'm not leaving. It's okay." He rubbed up and down Sheppard's arms, mindful of the bandages on his left side and tried to somehow calm and centre the other man.

He could feel Sheppard's shaking get stronger and then he was convulsing again. And again there was nothing he could do, except to try and keep him down, make sure he didn't injure himself or aggravated his wounds even more. When Sheppard finally collapsed, unconscious this time, Rodney shared a worried look with Teyla while he checked Sheppard's life-signs.

He could only hope that Ronon would be back soon. He hated not being able to do anything to help and the cold not in his stomach was now big enough to choke him.

It felt like hours had gone by and Sheppard has gone into convulsions twice more, his breathing becoming more and more laboured and Rodney had been ready to tear out his own hair because all he could do was hold onto John, hold him, talk nonsense to him and in the end beg him not to give up, to fight, to stay since he still had a promise to fulfil. John had to live so that they could kiss and that's what he would do, kiss John as often as John wanted him too.

Sudden noise at the door drew Rodney's attention from the shivering pale man in his arms and he frowned in the direction of the door. Recognizing Beckett's brogue galvanized him into action and he was up and opening the doors before he could even actually think about it. The next minutes passed n a blurry of action, with Beckett ordering everyone around and the Sheppard was stabilized and hey were on the Jumper and on the way back to Atlantis. Before the Gate engaged Rodney noticed that the storm had broken and that the sun was comping up, sparkling on the snow.

)o(

When Beckett finally released him from the infirmary the first thing John did was take a long, ht shower. The baths in the infirmary were just not the same as the one in his own quarters where he could take as long as he wanted, without a worried nurse constantly interrupting him.

Thanks to a new discovery the wounds on his arm were almost completely healed and nothing more than pale pink scare-tissue. One more memento courtesy of the Pegasus galaxy. If this kept up he would have quite a collection soon.

He stroked the winding scar-tissue with his finger-tips and thought about what had happened. Carson had called the poison these beast must have had used with their bite, rather ingenious; first it lulled the victim, relaxed it to the point of non-resistance and then, after a while it started to attack the nervous system and led to convulsions and finally death. Except it hadn't come to that. Rodney had somehow managed to keep him alive until Ronon had arrived with a jumper and a medical team from Atlantis and John woke up in Atlantis' infirmary.

Ronon had spend the first day in the bed next to John and had turned out to be bad company, at least in the infirmary, though he obviously had been delighted with the mothering of the nurses and all the food. John had merely been disgusted, bored and slightly worried. Worried about Rodney and how tired he looked and about the distance he felt between them and couldn't explain. There was much he couldn't remember, something Beckett called completely normal and something John might have to live with, except that John didn't want to accept the possibility of not remembering what had happened. He wanted to remember. He needed to remember. It involved Rodney and it was important.

Then, two days ago, his memory just came back and from one moment to the next he knew what had happened. Knew what he'd done and asked of Rodney. Knew what Rodney had promised him. He was floored and left in quite a quandary. What should he do now?

While not yet allowed back on active duty, John still wandered the halls of Atlantis and wasn't surprised when he found himself heading in the direction of the labs. Rodney was on his mind and he couldn't stop thinking about it. When he saw Rodney one level down, arguing wildly with Zelenka John stopped to watch. Nothing unusual there, nothing new and yet John found he couldn't look away. Couldn't stop watching the way Rodney's hands flew through the air, oddly graceful in a purely Rodney-way, all wild energy and fire and purpose.

John still remembered snuggling up to Rodney, being held and begging for kisses, which he even got except for the one he'd really wanted. Though that one he could get if he dared.

"You remember now?"

Looking away from Rodney John met Ronon's eyes and glared defiantly back at him.

"Is here something I should remember?"

"Maybe? If you're brave enough."

The answer surprised John and he frowned. "Brave enough..?"

"Yes. You were offered something precious. Now, all you need to do is ask for it. Simple as that."

"It's not that simply."

Ronon's raised eyebrow was answer enough and John snorted. "There are reasons why I can't ask him. Rules..."

"Reasons? Rules? Sounds like excuses to me."

John only glared at him. "It is not that simple.

Ronon shrugged and his version of understated smile put in an appearance. "I would call nothing involving McKay simple. Maybe you should ask yourself if this is worth the risks."

With these words as a parting Ronon disappeared as silently as he'd appeared at John's side. John watched him move, disgusted with the way such a big and noticeable man could move so silently and seemed so good at blending into crowds or shadows. He turned his attention back to Rodney, pondering Ronon's words. The risks were there, especially now that they'd re-established contact with Earth. New people were constantly coming and going and Caldwell was around often enough to stick his nose into everything. And yet, Ronon was right, Rodney was worth the risk. Sticking to the rules or to Rodney? He'd sneered at the rules before, especially when it involved something important. And Rodney...went beyond important.

He could no longer deny it, he wanted him. Wanted all that energy and drive and focus; wanted the loyalty and hidden caring and utter brilliance; the snark and skewed humor. And the rather gorgeous body.

Decision made it was time to come up with a plan. Operation Get Rodney commencing.

)o(

"Is there anything I can help you with, Colonel? If not then I suggest you do whatever you military grunts do to pass the time." Rodney knew that he sounded harsher than normal and right now he didn't really care. He'd read Carson's report about the enzyme contained in the dragon-wolves salvia and knew that the probability that Sheppard didn't remember anything about what had happened on MGH-789 was extremely high. Otherwise Sheppard would have already said something, done something. He wasn't the type to procrastinate.

Of course there was also the possibility that he'd changed his mind. With the US military being as it was and Caldwell breathing down their necks, just waiting for Sheppard to step out of line, it wasn't really surprising. Or maybe it simply was his usual phenomenal luck when it came to relationships. It was somehow fitting that he'd finally found someone who managed to deal with him on his level, who was not really put-off by Rodney's usual bluntness and lack of diplomacy and social niceties. Who managed to snark back and hold his own. Who was not only very attractive but also hid quite some intelligence under that wild mop of hair. Granted, Sheppard was neither blond nor female, but sometimes brunet and male also wasn't bad, especially when they came in the form of one Lt. Colonel Sheppard.

Maybe the whole Colonel-thing was the problem? First Carter, now Sheppard. Or maybe he should stick to his decision to focus on his work and stay away from everything that might

Rodney turned when Sheppard didn't answer and frowned at the other man. Sheppard had the indecency to lean against the long side of Rodney's table and too look extremely hot and edible slouching like that. It really wasn't fair.

"Well?"

"Yes, as a matter of fact there's something you can do for me, you can." The glint in Sheppard eyes was almost predatory and Rodney didn't like it at all, no matter how hot it made Sheppard look. No matter how much he wanted to pounce on the man, kiss him senseless and the turn him over and fuck him through the table.

"I do?" Cool and detached, that was the way to go. Busy head of science here, much too preoccupied with important thing, too preoccupied with them to have time for whatever.

"I've come to collect, Rodney."

"Collect?" That was not the answer Rodney had expected.

"Yeah, my promised kiss, remember?"

Of course he remembered, it wasn't as if he'd managed to forget. He only had to close his eyes and was able to recall everything perfectly, the way Sheppard had felt and smelt while he'd cuddled closer and the way he'd looked when he'd begged Rodney for a kiss and how much he'd wanted to kiss him. Kiss the luscious mouth, kiss Sheppard until he was drugged on kisses, kiss all of him, all over and then start it all again. Kiss until they were both drunk on it.

"Your kiss. Yes, I remember, I... when you didn't say something I though you didn't... Carson said that short-term amnesia..."

"...was a probability but not a given." Sheppard frowned and then stepped a little bit closer. "There were a few things I had to settle for myself first, before..."

"Right, I understand. The US Military and their rather back-water view of things. So you have... settled things?" Rodney couldn't help it, his heart was fluttering and he knew that his hands were shaking, was Sheppard really saying what he thought he was saying? Could it be possible?

"Yeah, I did and now, I'm here."

So he was and not only was he here, he was offering Rodney everything. "So you are." He wondered if his voice sounded as overwhelmed and delirious as he felt. He couldn't look away from Sheppard. He actually would get to kiss him and touch him and that was not what he'd expected. Not at all. Not ever, though he'd hoped and of course who could resist a genius like him, yet still, it was Sheppatd...John.

"Rodney?"

"What? What?"

"My kiss?

"Oh, yes, of course. Your... kiss." Was he really going to do this? Rodney took a step forward and the another one and then he had John's face between his hands and was leaning in and their lips were touching, softly, chastely. He changed his angle slightly and leaned back in, another soft kiss. John made a soft sound deep in his throat that sounded like a mix between whimper and moan and that Rodney really liked. Maybe he could get John to make a lot more noise. With the next kiss he licked along John's lush lower lip and then slipped his tongue inside. John just opened upon to him and it was better than anything Rodney had ever imagined. It was hot and wet and hungry and just perfect.

When he drew back his lips were tingling and he was sure his face was flushed and his eyes wide. Not that John looked much better. He looked extremely kissable that way.

"There, your kiss."

"Can I have another one?"

"Yes, but maybe not here?"

John looked around at the empty lab and smirked. "What, you never fantasized about making out in your lab?"

Rodney swallowed hard. Of course he had. More than once and in all possible combinations. And not only the lab but all over Atlantis. Everywhere John slouched and leaned and exuded sex and hotness.

"What do you think I am? Stone? I'm sure even Kavanaugh has had fantasies about the lab, but that doesn't mean that I want to turn them into reality."

"No?"

"Well, yes, no, although maybe..." He looked briefly to his desk and imagined John bend over it, legs spread wide with Rodney's cock deep in his ass. It has possibilities. "Definitely maybe, but not tonight. Not..." Rodney shrugged, refusing to put 'our first time' into words. He still wasn't sure that there would be a first time.

"Yeah, you're right. Tonight we should try a bed. But only if you promise me, that next time we can try your desk? "

Next time? Rodney liked the thought of that and found himself smiling as he followed John out the door. He could even promise him the desk. Right now he would probably promise John anything: desk, bed, floor, chair. Whatever John wanted.

Comments

My present

[sian1359.livejournal.com]

So sorry I was late in getting this read.

Thank you. You captured exactly the type of relationship between the characters I was hoping for and added a couple of things I would have asked for but didn't, so you're either telepathic or I'm very lucky.

Tender, sleepy and cuddling have always done it for me.

Thank you again.

-- S