Title: Finding Happiness

Author: sglab

Rating: PG

Summary: Rodney is there for John after losing Elizabeth in an accident

Spoilers: None

Pairings/Characters: Sheppard/McKay and Sheppard/Weir

Warning: Character death, slash

Disclaimer: Characters aren't mine, just having fun with them.

A/N: Teyla/Ronon and Carson/Laura are miner pairs. The end of season 3 didn't happen nor did season 4

Chapter 2

By the next week, Rodney was being released from the infirmary. In that time he hadn't heard from or seen Sheppard. No one had seen him much in fact.

"Ready to get out of here, McKay?"

Rodney was about to push off from his position against the bed when he heard the voice. His left crutch slipped and fell clattering to the floor. A cry pierced the quiet of the infirmary.

"Good job, Rodney," Sheppard growled handing him his lost crutch before picking Maddie up from her stroller.

"Sorry," Rodney grimaced while straightening up.

"Come on," John said once he got Maddie quieted.

They walked in silence until they made it to Rodney's quarters. Entering the room, McKay slumped down on his bed sitting against the pillows. John sat down in the only available chair in the room putting Maddie next to him.

"I'm sorry for what I said when you visited me in the infirmary," Rodney saw the scrunched eyebrows of his friend. "Carson gave me an ear full after you left. Something about being a 'daft bugger'. I just can't believe Elizabeth is dead," he had to swallow past the lump in his throat. It was the first time he had spoken the words out loud. "She has you and Maddie. She shouldn't have died," his voice was catching and he could feel the tears behind his eyes wanting to come out.

"Rodney," John's voice was pleading. "I can't talk about this right now," John stood up and took a hold of Maddie's stroller and again left before Mckay could say anymore.

Not having the energy to go after his friend, Rodney curled up on his bed and let the tears flow until he fell asleep.

A few days later Rodney returned to his lab. He promised Carson he would take it easy and not work all day, but as the hours ticked by, he was still sitting in the same place when a voice startled him.

"Rodney, Carson's not gonna be too happy you've spent all day in here," John was leaning against the door frame of the lab. Maddie was in her stroller in front of him.

"Yes, well this place doesn't run itself and we are here to unlock the secrets of Atlantis, are we not?" He unconsciously echoed similar words Sheppard spoke a few years earlier.

"Come on Rodney," John coaxed. "It's Thursday."

"Colonel, you know perfectly well the days and hours are not the same as on Earth and even if it is Thursday, so what?"

"It's movie night at my place. Teyla and Ronon are busy so I guess it's just you, Maddie and me."

"Fine," Rodney sighed and when John smiled he couldn't help smiling back. Maybe it wasn't such a bad idea after all.

Once they got to John's quarters, Rodney collapsed sideways onto the couch and rested his broken leg along the seat. He looked around the room listening to John in the small kitchen fixing them something to eat.

Rodney noticed the pictures scattered around the room and his eyes fell on one of John and Elizabeth on the day of their wedding. Rodney remembered the day they announced their engagement.

Rodney was entering the briefing room when he was practically tackled by a certain Lt. Colonel. "What are you doing, Colonel?" He was trying to extricate himself from the arm wrapped around his neck.

"I asked Elizabeth to marry me last night," John still had his arm wrapped around his friend and was guiding him the rest of the way into the room where Ronon and Teyla were sitting waiting.

"Congratulations, John," Teyla offered.

"You didn't say if she said yes," Rodney remarked.

"Funny," John proceeded to press a knuckle to the top of Rodney's head and rub.

"Ow, ow, ow. Sheppard!"

"Yes Rodney," Elizabeth's voice came through the room as she entered passing the two 'boys'. "I was suffering from temporary insanity last night and said yes."

John pouted and let Rodney go ignoring the man's grumbles as he rubbed the top of his head. He stepped over next to her and with his most charming smile pressed a light kiss to her cheek.

Elizabeth rolled her eyes, but let him put an arm around her.

"Hey Rodney," John said still next to Elizabeth. "Want to be my best man?"

Rodney stared at Sheppard for almost a full minute. "Umm. Uh, really?"

John smirked. "Yes, really."

"I would…I mean…that is to say," Rodney cut himself off, took a deep breath and said, "yes."

"Cool," John slapped his friend on the back. Elizabeth shook her head and gave Rodney a hug and a peck on the cheek. Congratulations were offered from the rest of the team before the meeting continued.

"So how is Siobhan doing?" John asked about Dr. Siobhan O'Brien; the new leader of Atlantis and Elizabeth's former protégé.

Rodney took the plate John offered him and scooted up to make room for his friend on the couch. "She was trained by the best."

"That she was," John agreed.

By the time they had finished the movie Rodney was worn out. John told him to stay for the night. Rodney was too tired to even make it to the guest room so he opted to stay on the couch.

It was late when Maddie's cries woke Rodney. John came out of his room with his daughter.

"Sorry about this," John said to Rodney.

Rodney shrugged and propped himself up on the arm rest.

John came around with Maddie who had quieted and sat down in an arm chair. "I was thinking about taking Maddie back to Earth next week…"

"What?" Rodney's voice came out almost a screech. "You're leaving?"

"What?" John frowned and shook his head when he understood, "no, I'm just going for a visit," John stopped and looked down at his sleeping daughter. "I have to tell Elizabeth's Mom what happened. Or at least some version of the truth."

"Oh," there was relief in Rodney's voice.

"I might go see my brother too. It's been five months since my dad's funeral," John was silent again for a long moment. He shifted Maddie in his arms amazing Rodney how he was able to move the infant without waking her. "I was wondering," John's voice startled Rodney, "would you come with us to Earth?"

Rodney was speechless. He opened his mouth to say something, but couldn't think of what to say.

"It's okay," John said. "You don't have to if you don't want to."

"No," Rodney blurted out. "I didn't think you'd ask me."

"Who else would I ask?" John said. "You're my best friend, Rodney."

"I am?" Rodney all but squeaked.

"Yeah," John began to fidget. "So do you want to come with us or not?"

"Yes."

"All right," John stood up. "I should get her back to bed," John said goodnight and left a restless Rodney on the couch.