Inevitable Hints

Disclaimer: I don't own the characters, if I did, McWeir would be in every episode!

Spoilers for "This Mortal Coil"

I

Elizabeth never thought she'd get to see it. On the screen in front of her, Rodney's eyes were filled with a desperate joy, and it was plain to see that if she had actually been standing there he would have run to her in an instant. Sadly for both of them, she wasn't. And ever sadder, Elizabeth was about to break his heart.

II

She saw his eyes cloud over with pain when she told him she was a replicator version of Weir. Saw him waver on his feet when she told him the real Weir was dead. And lastly, she saw him look back at her with eyes as dead as the replicators who'd invented her as Sheppard lead the team back to the gate. Rodney, the man of a million gestures, was still save for the distant sight of his legs walking slowly away.

III

Back with her own Rodney, she tried to find comfort. But it didn't work. This McKay hadn't realized the feelings that lay between them, and, having just caused the real McKay severe pain, the clone of Elizabeth was in no condition to try and test the emotions of his double. So she just sat next to him, feeling all the pain she knew the real Elizabeth would have felt at breaking the heart of someone she hadn't even known she'd loved. Dr. Weir had only ever suspected she felt something for Rodney: the conformation it was much more should have made her happy. But, Elizabeth mused as she spliced her hand open again and again in the late hours of the night, it's hard to be happy when you've just told the man you love you're dead.

IV

Off in a room in the replicator world, the real Elizabeth Weir lay, cold and grey on the table. No heartbeat stirred on the monitor, no breath fluttered from her lips. But above the table, a light flickered as it soared upwards into space.

V

Beth Weir (as she'd taken to calling herself) never thought she'd get to see it. See Rodney run to a shaken Elizabeth Weir, teary eyed, and kiss her in front of 100s of people, including themselves. But, she mused later that night curled up next to Mere, (as he'd taken to calling himself) that's what happens when the woman you love descends at the wedding of your replicator doubles.

A/N: This flew into my head out of nowhere, but I'm happy my McWeir muse is back in time for the holidays. Thanks for taking the time to read!