Chapter Two
"You know this is getting ridiculous," Rodney said as he dialed the gate back to Atlantis, gunfire sounding all around him.
"Shut up and dial the gate," Sheppard said before firing his gun again at Kolya's men.
Rodney rolled his eyes and pressed in the last symbols for the address. He stared up at the gate as it activated.
"Got it!" He shouted, his ears ringing from the sound of guns. "Let's go."
He pulled out his gun and shot off a few rounds before racing toward the blue event horizon. He didn't care if he hit anyone. He was more concerned on getting back in one piece.
At least I'm not sitting in the damn puddle jumper, Rodney thought as he dived into the gate.
Rodney landed face first on the floor of the gate room. He grumbled as he pushed himself up, the gate shutting down behind him. He looked up to see the rest of his team, staring at him.
"What took you so long?" Sheppard said, smiling.
Rodney glared at the man as he got to his feet. "I was keeping Kolya at bay while you ran through the gate like scared little girls."
"Wait, Kolya was there?" Elizabeth asked, bringing Rodney's attention to her for the first time.
"Apparently he had the same idea we did that the planet might contain a working ZedPM," Rodney said as he took in Elizabeth's attire. She wasn't wearing her typical red shirt as she always did. Instead, she wore a form fitting pink top with black slacks. He took her in, soaking up how nice the outfit made her look. His heart skipped a beat and he took a deep breath to calm himself. What was he doing, staring at his boss as if she was a discovery he had just made? He couldn't help it, though. There was something about her that kept him wanting to be around her, near her.
Elizabeth turned her green gaze to him and he blinked. She raised an eyebrow and he realized that he had missed the entire exchange between the team and Elizabeth.
"Rodney?" Elizabeth said. "Was there a ZPM?"
Rodney blinked again, clearing his throat as he glanced at the rest of the team. Couldn't they have told her that? They were right there with him?
"No, there wasn't," he answered turning his gaze back to Elizabeth. "Kolya didn't believe us, though and tried to take us hostage until we found it. Needless to say, we didn't take kindly to that."
Elizabeth nodded. "Good work and I'm glad you all came back in one piece."
"We always try to accommodate," Sheppard said with his typical roguish smile.
Rodney rolled his eyes, but thankfully no one was taking notice. He followed after the group, noticing how close Sheppard walked next to Elizabeth.
What's that about? He wondered, a pang of jealousy forming. He quickly pushed it aside, concentrating more on taking his gear off and finding something to eat.
Rodney strolled down the hallway toward the mess hall, his laptop in hand. He glanced at it, reading a report from Zelenka about a device they had found two weeks ago. He shook his head, wondering if they would ever figure out how to turn the damn thing on.
He glanced up in time to move around a pillar then switched to another report. He heard laughter and glanced up in time to see Sheppard and Elizabeth standing outside the doorway to the mess hall. He stopped short in surprise. He'd rarely seen Elizabeth laugh and he took a moment to drink it in. He loved her laugh, but he loved her smile even more.
And she's wasting it on Sheppard, Rodney thought with a sigh.
He was about to break up their little exchange with his reports when Elizabeth leaned into Sheppard. His stomach dropped as she placed a hand on Sheppard's chest and he lowered his head down to kiss her.
He's kissing her! Rodney thought, his breath leaving him.
He stood rooted to the spot as the kiss went on. He felt sick to his stomach and he almost dropped his laptop. He shook himself out of his stupor and moved behind a pillar. He closed his eyes and tried to force his stomach to stop churning. He took several deep breaths, hoping to calm himself.
Rodney didn't know how long he stood there, but when he pushed himself away from the pillar he saw the two were gone. His heart pounded in his chest and his knees threatened to buckle.
His reaction to what he saw only confirmed to him he had stronger feelings for her than he first thought. He ran a hand over his face, trying to get himself under control. He swallowed a lump in his throat and pushed himself toward the mess hall.
Once inside, his gaze immediately went to Elizabeth. She sat with Sheppard, a smile on her face. Pain sliced through him and forced himself to focus on getting something to eat. He grabbed a tray, placing food upon it. None of it looked appealing, but his stomach informed him it was empty.
Rodney sat at a table nearest the far wall away from everyone. He stared at his food, pushing it around on his plate. He tried to avoid looking at Elizabeth, but he knew she was there. He shook his head and forced himself to eat.
"You're looking glum," Sheppard's voice brought him out of his thoughts.
Rodney looked up as the other man sat down across from him. A surge of anger he had no reason to feel welled up inside him. He wanted to hit the man, but he tamped it down.
"I was thinking," Rodney said.
"Must be some bad thoughts," Sheppard remarked.
"You could say that," Rodney answered, pushing more food around on his plate.
"What's wrong?"
Rodney shook his head, not wanting to discuss his feelings with Sheppard. It hurt too much already without Sheppard making light of it.
"If it'll interfere with…"
"It won't interfere with anything," Rodney said, glaring at Sheppard. "It doesn't concern you."
Sheppard stared at him, but Rodney didn't care. He wasn't in the mood to be nice, especially to John.
"McKay, it does concern me if you're like this during a mission."
"Don't worry about it, Sheppard," Rodney said, fighting the urge to punch Sheppard in the face. He glared at the man, wanting him to shut up.
"I am going to worry about it. What is wrong with you?"
"Nothing!" Rodney snapped as he stood. "And I'd appreciate it if you'd drop the matter."
Sheppard stood as well and was about to grab him, but he stepped out of the way and headed for the door.
"McKay!" John shouted, but Rodney ignored him and stepped into the hallway.
Rodney stalked toward the lab, his mind racing. He couldn't believe the gall Sheppard had in asking him what was wrong with him. It irked him that the man even cared when he hadn't before. He doubted Sheppard would take it well if he knew how Rodney felt about Elizabeth. The man would probably laugh.
"Dr. McKay," a voice interrupted his thoughts as he entered the lab.
"What?" Rodney snapped, glaring at the woman as she handed him her report. He took it and watched in mild amusement as she scurried away. He glanced down at the laptop as he headed for his desk.
"Rodney," Elizabeth's voice startled him. He glanced up, expecting her to be there, but realized it was the headset. He sighed and tapped the earpiece.
"Yes?" Rodney said, both irritated and excited she was talking to him.
"Come to my office, I need to talk to you."
"Be right there," he said, wondering what she wanted to talk to him about. He both dreaded and anticipated what she would say. He left the lab and headed for her office, his heart racing.
Rodney stepped into her office several minutes later. She sat at her desk, staring at her computer screen. He took a moment to admire her, bask in her nearness. A twinge of loneliness washed over him and he closed his eyes against the wave of pain. He took a deep breath, clearing his throat as he stepped further into the room.
"Elizabeth," he said as he stood before her desk.
She looked up, her green eyes boring into him. His heart skipped a beat and he found himself falling into the depths. He almost didn't hear what she said.
"Rodney, I'm talking to you," she said, bringing him back to reality. "John is worried about you. He said you didn't look well in the mess hall. What's bothering you?"
Rodney blinked, anger building inside him. He didn't like the fact John told Elizabeth about their altercation in the mess hall. He folded his arms across his chest and fought the urge to glare at her.
"It is none of his business, Elizabeth," he said.
"It is if it might affect your job. He said you were distracted to the point where you almost took a bite of key lime pie."
Rodney blinked, caught off guard by that little fact. He had no idea he had even put it on his tray.
"And no one bothered to tell me?" Rodney asked.
"Someone tried, but you walked away in a daze. If you are so distracted that you don't even notice what you're putting on your plate then we have a lot to be concerned about. What is wrong, Rodney?"
Rodney shook his head, not able to get over the fact he nearly ate a lime pie. He sighed and looked at her, concern in her green eyes. He wanted to tell her, but he knew better. He didn't want to put her in such a situation. It was better if he kept his feelings to himself.
"It won't affect my abilities," he said. "I'll be fine."
Elizabeth stared at him and he had a feeling she didn't believe him. She glanced away, sighing as she stood.
"See that it doesn't," she said as she came around to stand in front of him.
A wave of warmth flooded his being at her nearness. His pulse raced and he fought the urge to take her in his arms and kiss her into oblivion. He hoped she didn't see it in his eyes.
"I also want you to talk to Kate."
Rodney stared at her in surprise. Talk to a shrink about his feelings? Was she insane?
"Don't force me to make it an order," she said obviously knowing he was about to balk at the suggestion. He never got over the knowledge that she read him so well.
"Fine," he said, clearing his throat. "I'll make an appointment."
Elizabeth smiled and his heart jolted, his pulse pounded. He wanted so much for her smile to be for him only, but he knew better. He'd bask in that smile as long as he could and hoped she'd smile at him again.
