John ran a hand through his unruly hair, looking up into the cloudy sky and wondering how long it would be until the rain hit. He hoped it would hit soon. Most of the water would roll off his uniform, but it wasn't for him, it was for the man in front of him. Rodney McKay. Rodney had more padding, a thin sweatshirt and gloves, but John was of the opinion that a wet Rodney was a sexy Rodney.

Grinning, he waved to the goalie, who scowled and glared at him. Right now, everyone was waiting for the referee to call time-in. Lorne had missed the ball and kicked Radek right in the knee--not deliberately, Lorne was better than that. It was just misfortune, and unfortunately for player 15, Zelenka, it meant he was out of the game for a few weeks, if not forever.

Player 34, Ronon (no other name was printed on the shirt), was throwing murderous looks at Lorne, and John expected some rough playing in the next quarter. He'd bet dollars to yen that Lorne would be stranded for the rest of the game, and probably afterward. Ronon was very protective of his teammates, especially Zelenka, for some reason.

John, though, was a forward, and whenever they were playing the Atlantians, he spent as much time as he could by their goal. Strategically, Coach Sumner let him hang out there because it put him in the position to score for the Puddle Jumpers. Realistically, though, he hung out by the goal so he could hang out with Rodney.

Still grinning, John snuck a few steps closer. At first, he'd hated McKay, because he was the only man who'd succeeded in blocking his scoring kicks. But after a few games, where they tossed sarcastic banter and John gleaned insights into Rodney's personality, he found himself wanting to spend more time with the guy. At first, he was rebuked, and John accepted that Rodney's interest in blonds was real. Then he'd spotted Rodney in a gay bar with Zelenka, openly kissing some cute guy in glasses.

After that, John considered it no holds barred, and went after McKay every chance he got. He hung out around McKay's hotel, he stayed close to the goal, he 'coincidentally' ran into Rodney when the man was out for a solitary dinner. Rodney kept turning him down, excuses ranging from "you're not my type" to "I only date someone with a brain" (he knew the MENSA membership would come in handy at some point) to "No! Get a clue! I won't ever date you, you incompetent moron!"

But John had seen Rodney checking him out a few times on the field. Even Lorne and Stackhouse had noticed. John just had a find a chink in the armor, a way to get inside Rodney's defenses. Turning away from the field, John put his hands on his waist. "Hey Rodney! You think it's gonna rain?"

Rodney rolled his eyes, scowl still present. "No, I think the clouds are going to suddenly part and we'll be bathed in sun, especially since it's early winter."

"Cool!" John glanced back, seeing Zelenka finally being carried off the field. He bounced on his feet. "So, McKay, seriously, what would it take for you to go out with me?"

"Baring it being the only way to prevent the apocalypse?" Rodney stepped to the side, crouching into his ready position. "You ever score a point off me." The statement was a delivered with a sharp smirk.

John pondered this, eyes squinting at the clouds. It was well-known that while others could score, McKay never, ever let one of John's balls get into the net. A small smile spread across his face. "Really? I score, and you promise to go out with me?"

Rodney snorted. "What, you want me to pinky swear? Yes, I promise!"

John's grin returned. "Alright!" He nodded just as the whistle blew.

Within five minutes, Player 69, Sheppard, scored for the first time on Goalie McKay.