The Rings of Love
Disclaimer: "Stargate", "Stargate Atlantis" and all related characters are the property of MGM Television Entertainment. I don't own any of it. If I did there would definitely be a sixth SGA and an eleventh SG1 season. I'm a big fan!
Rating: T (13+)
SPOILERS: You should be safe if you've seen following episodes: S2E4, S3E20, S4E1, S4E2, S4E3, S4E6, S4E13, S4E16, S4E20, S5E1, S5E2, S5E6, S5E9, S5E10, S5E11, S5E16 and S5E18. If you have not and do not want to be spoiled, I strongly recommend you to stop reading now! There are a lot of spoilers especially for the fifth season, but there are no spoilers for S5E19 (Vegas) or S5E20 (Enemy at the Gate).
Summary: Somewhere after S5E18 Identity, but before S5E19 Vegas, Rodney McKay rejoins Jennifer Keller off-world to participate in an union-ceremony that leaves them linked by two Ancient rings. General romance and friendship mixed with mysterious, new and exciting Ancient technology and much more… It all comes together in this McKeller adventure.
Teasers:
- Teaser by DwParsnip: "The premise for the story is a great one, getting married without actually getting married in the conventional sense, and the plot is moving along nicely. You have the characters down pretty well, I think. I look forward to reading much much more." (Review left by DwParsnip on 2009-02-11 for Chapter 7 of RoL.)
- Teaser by Ed263/Elisa: "While off world, Jennifer Keller and Rodney McKay become emotionally linked through a pair of rings. Romance, friendship and Ancient technology all come together in this McKeller adventure."
- Teaser by x Varda x: "While off-world, Jennifer Keller and Rodney McKay run afoul of an Ancient device which allows them to get to know each other much, much more!" - "An innocent/innocuous ceremony along with a piece of Ancient technology in the form of two rings leaves them more dependent on each other than they could ever have imagined."
- Teaser by RodneyIsGodney: "Ancient technology gets the better of Rodney and Jennifer when they take a trip off world and participate in a spur-of-the-moment ceremony that leaves them linked in more ways than one!"
Characters/Pairing:
- Rodney McKay & Jennifer Keller are the main characters, but John Sheppard, Carson Beckett, Richard Woolsey and Radek Zelenka have large recurring roles.
- Evan Lorne, Ronon Dex, Teyla Emmagan, Amelia Banks, Chuck Campbell, Katie Brown, Samantha Carter, Jeannie Miller, Elizabeth Weir, Daniel Jackson, Janus, Melena, Todd, Kiryk, Neeva Casol, Malcolm Tunney, Torren John Emmagan, Steven Caldwell and others also appear or are mentioned. Some, like Ronon, have larger roles than others.
- There are OCs, but they only have small roles or are only mentioned occasionally.
- The story is general, no slash and it follows the general plot outlined by the episodes. The couple in the spotlights is McKeller. The rest is mostly friendship. I do mention McBrown, Melena/Ronon, Amelia/Ronon and the short-lasted 'love triangle' (McKay/Keller/Dex).
Written by Jasper (JperW)
Chapter 1 - Prologue: Previously on Stargate Atlantis
A/N: I begin this story with a prologue which contains important plot elements so that if you haven't seen one of the previous episodes – or forgot what they were about – you will be able to catch up by reading this first chapter or prologue. This prologue is a mixture of summaries, interpretations and additions. It contains some of my own additions and interpretations. The prologue is important and I will use all of the following information somewhere – or somehow – in my story. You could skip the prologue, but you may enjoy reading it. A lot of people told me they liked reading this 'recap' and I did add things.
2.04. Sometime after the events in the fourth episode of the second season – with Lieutenant Laura Cadman's mind and McKay's mind both stuck in McKay's body – Rodney McKay and Katie Brown start dating and get involved. Season2 Episode4 Duet
3.20. Dr. Jennifer Keller becomes the new CMO (Chief Medical Officer) of Atlantis, replacing Dr. Carson Beckett. This is the first appearance of Jewel Staite as Dr. Jennifer Keller. Dr. Elizabeth Weir gets seriously injured. Season3 Episode20 First Strike
4.01. Jennifer and Rodney work together to save Dr. Weir, who is seriously injured. McKay says to Keller: "You are a genius." Season4 Episode1 Adrift
Short summary: Jennifer Keller and a medical team take an injured Elizabeth Weir to the infirmary. Dr. Keller operates on Elizabeth and later visits Dr. McKay. She gives him the idea to get Dr. Weir back to her original self by reactivating the nanites Elizabeth was infected with a year ago. McKay tells Sheppard about the plan, only the Colonel tells McKay not to go through with it. However, Rodney works on a plan to reprogram the nanites in a way that they will not be a threat. Suddenly, Keller tells McKay to activate the nanites or Elizabeth will die. McKay gives her the activation codes. Of course Sheppard finds out about Weir and snaps at McKay. He orders him to terminate the nanites which McKay refuses. Keller stays out of it and McKay doesn't blame her or gets her involved. Elizabeth regains consciousness.
4.02. Dr. Elizabeth Weir is lost to the replicators on a heist of the Replicator home world. Season4 Episode2 Lifeline
4.03. Colonel Samantha Carter becomes the new leader of the Atlantis expedition because Dr. Elizabeth Weir was lost to the replicators. Season4 Episode3 Reunion
4.06. Dr. Jennifer Keller must care for the entire population of Atlantis when everyone is infected with a virus that causes amnesia. She herself is not immune too. Jennifer Keller, Rodney McKay & Katie Brown are together in the infirmary in this episode. Season4 Episode6 Tabula Rasa
4.13. Rodney McKay has had a two-year-relationship with Katie Brown. It ends badly when they get trapped in the plant cultivation room of the botany lab during a false quarantine lockdown of the entire city. He was planning to propose, but ultimately they break off their relationship. Jennifer gets stuck in the infirmary with Ronon Dex. She reminds him of Melena, the woman he was with, when he stilled lived on Sateda. Melena was killed when the Wraith attacked. Ronon & Jennifer grow closer. They are about to kiss, when the power reboots. The city is fully operational again and the lockdown is overwritten. This distracts Jennifer and Ronon from their very near kiss. Season4 Episode13 Quarantine
4.16. Samantha Carter, Jennifer Keller and Rodney McKay go on a mission to evacuate a planet prone to earthquakes. They end up trapped in an abandoned, underground mine left behind by the Genii. The three get to know each other better. They successfully escape and make it back to Atlantis. At the end Jennifer and Rodney grab a beer together. There's a little bit of flirting and Rodney admits that he isn't really good at "this". In this episode Jennifer asks Rodney about Katie and he confirms that they have broken up. Season4 Episode16 Trio
It's established that after 'Quarantine' nothing happened anymore between Ronon and Jennifer. She has moved on and that clears the way for the first Rodney/Jennifer moment. Deleted scene of Season4 Episode16 Trio
4.20. Sheppard finds Atlantis abandoned with all systems dead. He has travelled forty-eight-thousand years in the future. A hologram resembling McKay appears. He wants to change the timeline by sending Sheppard back to his own time. The hologram tells Sheppard about the alternate timeline. Rodney McKay and Jennifer Keller got together, but Jennifer died. That was the final straw for Rodney and he decided to save everyone including Jennifer, by saving Sheppard. They succeed and the timeline is altered. (In Episode2 of Season5 – The Seed – Sheppard makes a reference to Keller and McKay being together in this alternate timeline. However, the Colonel never told Keller nor McKay about this. Except for Colonel Sheppard no one knows about this.) Season4 Episode20 The Last Man
5.01. Richard Woolsey becomes the new leader of the Atlantis expedition, replacing Colonel Carter who is relieved from command. Season5 Episode1 Search & Rescue
5.06. Season5 Episode6 The Shrine (300th Stargate episode)
Summary and interpretations:
1.) Rodney McKay is stricken with a mental affliction fairly know in the Pegasus galaxy as the 'Second Childhood'. His brain was infected with some sort of parasite, which robs him of his knowledge and memories. It causes him to revert to a childlike state and ultimately it would kill him. The only way to save him is a shrine on Talus, which is the source of a new sort of radiation. It allows Dr. Jennifer Keller to save Rodney's life. Jeannie Miller, Rodney's sister, visits him on Atlantis and forces Jennifer to let him go to Talus.
2.) To monitor the progress of his amnesia amongst other things, Rodney records a video-log for himself and Dr. Keller. He's always in front of the camera while she's behind it. She helps and encourages Rodney.
2.1. The sixth day of the recordings:
Keller (She's off screen, behind the camera.): Uh, it was yours actually.
McKay (He's sitting in front of the camera with a smile upon his face.): Oh, ho-ho! Well… complaint duly registered then.
Keller (Off screen): It was a good idea to keep a record of what's happening to you and how fast, but if you'd rather not… (McKay shakes his head. He's still smiling.)
McKay: No, it's fine. It's fine. Start with my name, right?
Keller: Right.
McKay (Excitedly): Hey, I remembered something, Yay! (Jennifer laughs. Rodney looks in the lens of the camera.)
McKay: My name is Doctor Rodney McKay. I am head of the Department of Science… something… in Atlantis, in the, um… Oh, for God's sake… (Finally he conjures the information.) In the Pegasus galaxy. (Quietly)
Keller: Okay, not bad. Keep going. (Rodney pauses and looks at her. She's still behind the camera.)
McKay (He's still in front of the camera.): Jennifer, there's something I wanted to, while I remember, while I still can. There's something I wanted to say before...
Keller (Off screen, behind the camera): Go ahead.
McKay: I... I… I love you... I've loved you for some time now. (He pauses briefly.) Okay. Where was I?
It's indicated that Jennifer replays this recording several times and she's clearly overwhelmed by it. At the end she's seen smiling back at the screen.
2.2. It has been confirmed by Brad Wright that Rodney only remembers he has said some important things, but doesn't exactly know what. Because he was dying, he obviously told Jennifer that he loves her, but he doesn't remember actually doing it. So he only remembers bits and pieces.
2.3. The eighteenth day of the recordings: McKay barely remembers anything. He says goodbye to everyone (Jeannie, Teyla, Ronon & John) before whispering goodbye to Jennifer. (Who is again behind the camera.)
3.) It is acknowledged (again) in this episode that Rodney has a great deal of trust in both Jennifer and her abilities as a person and a doctor. It's obvious that she has a lot of influence on him. Something that is impressive for Rodney and also a huge achievement for Jennifer. For example: When they all have arrived at the Shrine on Talus, Jennifer tugs Rodney's arm and says: "Come with me." He clearly trusts her and comes along. He's asking questions, but on the other hand he doesn't tuck away her hand, struggles or doesn't move at all, like he would have done with everyone else. She even gets his immediate attention by pulling his 'toy' (the handheld computer-sensor) out of his hand without him protesting. This undoubtedly shows that this is an unique relation(ship) for Rodney!
It's clear that in this episode they are, at the very least, very good friends and both are really comfortable with each other. It's clear that Rodney loves her of course, but it's also clear that Jennifer's feelings run pretty deep. She refuses to quit and give up on Rodney. She stays with him and she gets really emotional some moments.
4.) Next to that there are a lot of things you could interpret as little hints.
4.1. The fruit cup scene. Rodney shares his food with Jennifer, something he isn't know for (and that's a big understatement).
4.2. Jennifer stroking Rodney's hair.
4.3. Rodney's turn around in demeanor at the end when Jennifer says she can pull of the surgery and suddenly he's not so against it anymore.
4.4. The dialogue at the end with the 'it was scary' and 'OUR Rodney' moments.
4.5. Jennifer's voice getting really emotional during the conversation with Jeannie when Jennifer says: "No, he's dying and I'm doing everything I can!"
4.6. Jennifer's resolution 'not to give up' something she repeats several times.
5.) One last point: Jeannie knows there is more going on between Jennifer and Rodney than meets the eye, especially from Rodney's point of view. Jeannie probably had this figured out some time ago. She has got conformation now she's in Atlantis. Jeannie has listened to Jennifer and seen how they interact with each other.
5.1. There's a little hint when Rodney is in the jumper, ready to go to Talus, between Jennifer and Jeannie. Jeannie says: "He will be glad you are here." Jennifer answers with a smile.
5.2. Jeannie also couldn't have missed the little hint when she's talking to her brother on Talus. The siblings are next to the 'Shrine' after Rodney calms down. She says: "Please don't be mad at me." Rodney answers: "Guess if I had to choose the people to spend my last day with..." and then he looks at Jennifer. Clearly at this point it isn't that bad anymore, certainly if you look at his expression on his face.
5.3. "You don't believe in magic shrines anymore than I do."
5.09. Rodney and Ronon, each unaware of the other's motive, volunteer to assist Dr. Keller. They join her on an off-world errand and must track her when she's kidnapped by a runner named Kiryk. Kiryk takes Keller to a seriously injured young girl. She must help the girl (Celise) and fast since the Wraith have found Kiryk and are hunting them down. Keller is able to help Celise, but they need to go to Atlantis for more care or the girl will die. Jennifer, Celise and Kiryk rejoin with Rodney and Ronon. They make their way to the gate. Kiryk dials the gate to another world and goes through it, with the Wraith following. Thus he manages to give the team time to dial Atlantis. Back on Atlantis, Keller is successful in saving Celise. At the end of the events and episode, McKay comes to Ronon in the gym:
McKay: Okay. Here's the thing. I've been thinking and, uh, I need to know your intentions.
Ronon: Intentions?
McKay: With Jennifer.
Ronon: I don't have any intentions.
McKay: Oh! Okay. Good. (He smiles widely and starts to leave.)
Ronon: Wait. (McKay stops.) What do you mean by intentions?
McKay: I mean, are you interested in her in a... romantic fashion?
Ronon: No.
McKay: Good! (Starts to leave again.)
Ronon: Wait. (McKay stops again.)
McKay: What?
Ronon: Maybe I do... have intentions.
McKay (Groaning): Oh.
Ronon: Do you have intentions?
McKay: Yes, well, of course I do. That's why I was asking you.
Ronon: So what are we gonna do about it?
McKay: I don't know. (Ronon lifts a stick and swings it gently in McKay's direction.) I'm not gonna fight you for her, if that's what you're thinking.
Ronon: Great!
McKay: I'm not gonna step aside, either. So we're just gonna have to let her decide.
Ronon: Okay.
McKay: Okay. So... may the best man win. (They both shake hands.)
Note: In this episode it's established that Jennifer and Ronon have been spending some time together. She at least has followed some sparring lessons, but we have never seen any of this, until now, on screen. Season5 Episode9 Tracker
5.10. When Daniel Jackson visits Atlantis, he and Dr. McKay discover Janus' hidden lab that brings a new enemy knocking. They kidnap McKay and Jackson. Meanwhile Jennifer and Ronon leave on the Daedalus on a mission. Season5 Episode10 First contact
5.11. Rodney McKay and Daniel Jackson are held prisoner by the enemy encountered in the previous episode (First Contact). Meanwhile Todd and his Wraith hijack the Daedalus with Jennifer and Ronon on it. They sabotage the ship and Todd becomes aware of them remaining still at large. He threatens to begin killing crew members unless they turn themselves in. Todd is on his way to the planet of the new enemy and plans to destroy them, in the process also killing Dr. Jackson and McKay. Ronon claims Todd is bluffing. However Keller runs to another room and turns herself in. Jennifer is having a difficult time with Ronon and some of his actions and demeanor, also towards her. Ultimately McKay and Jackson are saved, but the Wraith escape. The new enemy is destroyed. Back on Atlantis Ronon asks Jennifer out to get some food. She tells him that she's interested in someone else. She does say she's glad he came on the mission and saved their lives. Ronon says he's not interested in her, just wanted to get something to eat, but ultimately doesn't go with her. He hides his true feelings poorly. Season5 Episode11 The Lost Tribe
5.16. Season5 Episode16 Brain Storm Dr. McKay and Dr. Keller get a two weeks leave and return to Earth. Dr. Rodney McKay is invited to a landmark scientific presentation by Malcolm Tunney. Dr. Tunney has gone on to great success with public acclaim and lots of money. Rodney, meanwhile, hasn't published in years and can't tell anyone about what he really does for a living. Rodney brings along Jennifer Keller as his date. The two are brought to a secret desert facility by Tunney's private jet. There the test of a new technology is to take place, a demonstration that doubles as a high-society cocktail party for important guests. The device to be demonstrated activates and causes the temperature to drop. The device cannot be shut down and endangers the lives of everyone in the facility. Tunney and McKay work on a solution while Keller gets trapped in a hallway and freezing water starts to flood it. After finding out Jennifer is in trouble, Rodney rushes off to help her, leaving Tunney to finish the job. Rodney uses an axe to break through the door, into the hallway, where Jennifer is lying unconscious from hypothermia on the floor. Rodney gets Jennifer out of the wet corridor and lays her gently down on the floor. She's not breathing.
McKay: She's not breathing. Oh my God, she's not breathing. (Panting frantically he puts his fingers to her throat, feeling for a pulse.)
McKay (Tearfully): Please don't be dead. Please don't be dead. (He starts to apply chest compressions.)
McKay: Jennifer. Come back to me, please. Please come back to me.
In the corridor, Rodney is still pumping Jennifer's chest.
McKay (In time with the compressions): Please. Please.
(Finally Jennifer drags in a breath, raises her head and coughs. Rodney helps her to sit up, then wriggles into a sitting position himself and holds her.)
McKay: Oh, thank God. You're okay, you're okay.
Keller: I'm really cold.
McKay (Rubbing her arms): Me too. (They gaze into each other's eyes.)
Keller: You saved me.
McKay: Guess that makes us even. I used an axe – a big axe! I mean, I really wish you were conscious, 'cause I think it's the coolest thing I've ever done in my ... (Jennifer smiles and leans forward to kiss him deeply. He gazes at her as she pulls back.)
McKay: Oh, I don't know what I would have done if I'd lost you. (She looks into his eyes.)
Keller: I love you. (His eyes widen in amazement.)
Keller: I have for some time now. Just wanted you to know. (Rodney smiles gently.)
McKay: I ... (He doesn't finish the sentence as she leans forward and kisses him again.)
McKay successfully rescues Keller and Tunney finally shuts the device down. Jennifer and Rodney take the private plane again, as a ride home. They are flirting, and start to kiss. With a suggestion to something more – you know what I mean – the screen fades to black. Season5 Episode16 Brainstorm
Rodney and Jennifer have returned to Atlantis after their two weeks leave on earth, in which they attended Tunney's presentation together. They also had 3 weeks together scooped up in the Daedalus. Follow-up on Season5 Episode16 Brainstorm
5.18. Jennifer Keller's body is taken over by a cunning, dangerous thief and murderer, Neeva Casol. While Neeva tries to escape Atlantis, Jennifer finds herself in Neeva's body. She's on another planet, imprisoned with a death sentence. Neeva finds her way to the Jumper bay where she finds a handgun and pockets it. She is caught by Rodney McKay and tries to seduce him into taking her for a ride, but he resists. Still believing her to be Jennifer, he tries to get her back to the infirmary, but she pulls the weapon and threatens to shoot him. Ronon appears and stuns her with his gun.
Eventually the switch is undone and Jennifer is saved, but injured. She ends up in the infirmary. There's no trace of Neeva and she is presumed either dead or escaped. Rodney brings Jennifer flowers and chocolates and she agrees to go on a picnic trip in a 'Puddle Jumper' to the mainland. Season5 Episode18 Identity
Last week Jennifer and Rodney went on a 'moonlight picnic' on the mainland. They enjoyed some wonderful moments under the stars. It's established that they are indeed together and involved. Many people are surprised and most don't understand what someone like Dr. Keller sees in Dr. McKay. The news and gossip spreads rapidly through the city. Follow-up on Season5 Episode18 Identity
TBC