Disclaimers: I do not own these characters; this is written for fun, I make no money etc.

Spoilers: Grace Under Pressure

Summary: Radek has to tell Rodney that he is dating Elizabeth. It does not go well, and Elizabeth has to sort it out. Tag for Grace Under Pressure. Angst/Drama.

A/N: Written for the McKay/Weir Ficathon 2006, response to a challenge (#41) from Kellyanne - Write Weir / Zelenka with jealous McKay. Full details and links at mcweir central website. I do like a bit of Weir Zelenka, as you may know, this one got me good.


Chapter One

"I am coming with you," Radek insisted as Rodney batted him weakly away.

"I can walk to the infirmary on my own. I'm not injured," Rodney growled.

Radek exchanged glances with Colonel Sheppard, as the medical technicians hovered nearby. They had just exited the rescue puddlejumper, having retrieved Rodney, alone, from the jumper at the bottom of the ocean.

"No, not at all, Rodney. Merely the gash in your head which has spilled blood all over me." Radek grabbed Rodney gently by the arm and propelled him towards the gurney. "Get onto that, let them wrap more blankets around you, and stop being foolish."

Rodney meekly did as he was told, which disturbed Radek somewhat.

Lying on the gurney, Rodney blinked at his friend, "Tell Elizabeth I'm back."

Radek's smile twitched as he nodded, "I will." He turned to the medical staff, "I'll be along in a moment, you'd better get him to Dr Beckett now."

Feeling a little guilty, Radek hurried from the jumper bay down the stairs to the Control Room. He had meant to stay with Rodney, he truly had. But Rodney had suggested it, and there was no time like the present. Correct? Perhaps, but a little voice whispered to him repeatedly... you need to tell him... you need to tell him... He ignored his unwanted own advice and slipped into her office, shutting the door.

"Radek, thank god." Elizabeth dropped her file and stepped across to him - arms around each other, hands on faces, lips sharing quickly.

Within moments, they moved into the centre of the room, now visible to all in the glass box of her office.

"He says to tell you he is back." Radek was nervous.

She smiled, "I am very grateful for that. Let's go down and see him. You did an amazing job, I know it wasn't easy for you."

He closed his eyes, "I did not tell him."

Elizabeth frowned and smiled in equal measure, confused, thinking, "What are you...? Oh. But I thought...? You said..."

"I know. I said I would tell him this morning." He sighed, rubbing a tired hand over his stubble, "He was in full flow. Taking this flight instead of me... I just couldn't. I am sorry."

Elizabeth wrapped her arms around herself and walked away a few steps. "This is not a good time now, is it? On the other hand," she gave a hollow laugh, "perhaps it's best if he can hardly remember. Some friends we are."

Radek reached out and slipped his hand through hers. "Come on. We will go and see him. He needs us, both of us. Then, when he is feeling better, we will tell him we are in love, and he will hate both of us for a while. That is all."

Elizabeth let him pull her towards the door, her expression one of pain. Rodney had always looked at Elizabeth with affection and respect, and probably more. She knew it was going to hurt him when he found out about her relationship with Radek, one which had grown slowly and silently when no one was looking, least of all her. But he would get over it. Wouldn't he?

When they entered the infirmary, Carson met them. He walked with them to Rodney's cubicle.

"He's sedated, for the moment." The soft Scottish brogue was full of care and relief. "Mild hypothermia, ten stitches to the scalp, concussion, a wee bit battered here and there. Not bad, when you consider the circumstances." He smiled, and left them as they stood by Rodney's bed.

Elizabeth patted Rodney's hand, and smoothed his hair away from his bandage. "I hate to see him hurt," she whispered.

Radek couldn't help but think that it was nothing compared to the revelation he had to bring him. Rodney practically worshipped this beautiful woman. And it was he, Radek, who had won her heart. Seeing her touch him invoked no jealousy, it was just what she did. He lowered his gaze to the floor and his tired body into the chair.

As the minutes ticked away, Elizabeth took Radek's hand silently, and squeezed it.

"Radek... will you stay with him? I need to get back to work."

He sighed, and squeezed her hand in return. "Of course, Elizabeth. I will see you later, yes?"

"Of course, Radek." She leaned down and kissed him, then left the infirmary.

Sitting in silence, watching Rodney's chest rise and fall, Radek worried and worried.

0o0o0

"C-4." Rodney smirked.

Radek groaned, and picked up a small red pin. "Hit and sunk. That was my aircraft carrier, you know."

Rodney grinned smugly. "Yeah. I know. Thanks, Radek, this was a great idea."

Radek scowled. "Yes, well. I was getting bored looking at your bruises. E-10."

A snort of laughter. "Miss! I've got to see Carson later. He wants to check my blood glucose and probably some other voodoo stuff." He had only been released from the infirmary the day before.

Radek looked up from the game. "You are looking and sounding well, Rodney."

Rodney shrugged. "I feel good. Well, apart from... Griffin." His hand gestured uselessly.

Radek nodded. "I am sorry. What he did... it was heroic."

"Yeah. These military types are strange sometimes." He stared into space for a moment.

For some reason, and Radek knew in his heart there was no good time, he decided to do it now. "Rodney... I have something to tell you."

Rodney looked back at him, puzzled, "Oh?"

Fingering a red pin absently, Radek kept his eyes down. "It's that... I thought you should know... I have been seeing Elizabeth."

Rodney just blinked, his face a blank. He said nothing for a moment, but Radek could feel his eyes on him. "You and Elizabeth?"

Radek nodded silently, eyes still down.

"Right. That's... nice. What, like, dating?" Rodney's voice was hollow.

Another nod, and a glance up. Eyes met briefly, before they both looked down. The silence hurt Radek's ears.

Rodney was watching the door. "You know, Radek, I'm feeling a bit tired, actually. Maybe I should get some rest before I have to go to the infirmary. I don't want Carson to keep me in if I look a bit off. You don't mind, do you?"

Radek swallowed. He felt a brute. Kick a dog when he is down. "What about the game, Rodney? You have probably won anyway."

"Yeah, well, maybe. Please, just..."

"Sorry. I will go. Let you rest." Radek stood up, leaving the Battleships game lying open, a small submarine lying on it's side next to the box with two red pins in it. Radek could hear the words Rodney hadn't spoken – I didn't win, you did.

"Can I bring you anything? Walk you to see Carson later?"

"No, no. I'll be fine." Rodney lay down on his bed and his curled back faced the door.

Radek just sighed and slipped out.

TBC