Disclaimer: Not mine.
Summary: Fate brought John Sheppard and Rodney McKay together. Follow their romance as they try to battle USAF rules, their friends, and their enemies.
Pairings: John/Rodney, Jack/Daniel (later)
Author's Note: John and Rodney belong together. This is my take on how it would happen. This story has been my baby since 2007. It's not finished, but like my other recent stories, each chapter can theoretically stand alone. Total AU. No spoilers. This one is more the start of the story, and takes place two years after chapter one. That much time will not be skipped again.
Undeniably Fate
by: JnnLuvsU
Chapter 2: Stupid Regulations
Chapter Summary: Though John and Rodney waited, others don't believe them.
John sat still as a statue in Elizabeth's office, wondering what this meeting was about. Elizabeth sat across from him, at her desk. She did not look happy.
Elizabeth crossed her arms over her chest, frowning as Colonel Caldwell walked into the room. Caldwell took up stance beside Elizabeth.
John looked from one to the other, dreading more and more this meeting. "Good Afternoon, Colonel," he greeted, trying to keep his voice light.
Caldwell avoided looking at him, "Lt. Colonel John Sheppard," Caldwell began and John stiffened. That title, that tone. This couldn't be good. Caldwell continued, either not noticing or not acknowledging John's change in demeanor, "You are hereby charged with conduct unbecoming an officer in the United States Air Force. You will be remanded to Earth, where an Article 32 hearing will be convened. You are henceforth relieved of your duty until such a time as it is determined whether or not a court-martial will take place." He read from the paper in his hand and sighed, handing it to John, "I'm sorry, Colonel."
John was confused, but knew it wasn't Caldwell's fault. The other man looked genuinely sorry. "Sir?" he asked, looking at the paper, "Conduct Unbecoming? I know I'm a little rash sometimes, but conduct unbecoming?"
Elizabeth nodded, "You are being charged for your...relationship. With Dr. McKay." Her tone was stiff and disappointed.
John turned to her, "But Rodney and I haven't done anything that could even remotely be considered conduct unbecoming." He could see in her eyes that she didn't believe him. He stood and saluted Caldwell, "When do we leave, Sir?"
Caldwell sighed, "You have three hours, Colonel. I'm trusting your honor that you will not go AWOL. Do I need to have a Captain follow you around?"
John shook his head, "No, Sir. I'll be ready." He looked at Elizabeth, "I swear to you, Elizabeth, we have done nothing."
Elizabeth sighed, "John," she began, "You know as well as I do that charges such as these don't reach this level if there isn't some grain of truth in them." She fixed him with a glare, "You are not to discuss this with him, either, Colonel. Do I make myself clear?" The last thing she needed was a belligerent, angry Rodney right now.
John stood straighter and gave Elizabeth a cold glare. He opened his mouth to yell, but stopped himself in time. "I am no longer under your command, Dr. Weir," he said instead and left the room.
John went immediately to the labs, intending to get to Rodney before Elizabeth could find a reason to keep the other man from him. He was relieved to see Rodney in his usual place, staring at a laptop. Walking to the other man, John couldn't keep the small smile off his face. He placed the letter on top of Rodney's hands and the smile dropped off his face.
Rodney nearly jumped out of his skin when the piece of paper landed on his hands, "Jesus!" he exclaimed, reading the letter, "don't do..." he trailed off and his face paled, "What the hell is this?!" He stood, facing John, "Is this your idea of some sick joke, Colonel, because..." he was agitated, waving the letter around.
John was aware that they'd acquired an audience and shook his head, "No, Rodney, it's not a joke." He lowered his voice, "I only have three hours." He looked into Rodney's eyes, seeing the moment that sank in.
Rodney closed his eyes, trying to gather his thoughts, "But we..." He swore under his breath as he heard Elizabeth's voice in his ear, telling him she needed him in the puddle jumper bay. His eyes flew around the room, "Kavanaugh, Elizabeth needs someone in the puddle jumper bay. Go." Then he wrenched the ear piece from his ear and flung it across the room. "Everyone out!" His tone left no room for arguing and the room quickly vacated, Radek mumbling under his breath something about finally going over the edge and getting Carson.
Rodney thought the door locked and began to pace, his agitation showing.
John sighed, "Rodney, look..."
Rodney cut him off, "No! Don't tell me to calm down. Not now. I think I have every right to be angry. Two years! Two fucking years we didn't give in. Because of the fucking Air Force's rules. Two fucking years, John, that we kept our distance, and this is the thanks we get. They court-martial you for it anyway. What kind of shit is that?" There were tears in Rodney's eyes now, and he began to hyperventilate.
John grasped Rodney by the shoulders, "Rodney, breathe." He pushed his hysterical friend into a chair, pushing Rodney's head between his knees. John knelt in front of Rodney, fingers caressing the back of the other man's neck. He fought his own tears, "I know, Rodney," he whispered, "Dammit, I know. But there's nothing I can do about this. It's just a hearing. If they can't get enough evidence, there won't even be a court martial."
Rodney got his breathing under control and lifted his head, resting his chin in his hands and looking into his best friends' eyes, "We haven't done anything," he whispered, anguished. "I haven't even gotten to kiss you."
John nodded, "I know. I know." He smiled softly. "I'm sorry, Rodney," he whispered, "I really am."
Rodney nodded, "Three hours, right?"
John frowned, "Yeah." He stood, "I think Caldwell believed me."
Rodney nodded, "And Elizabeth?"
John shook his head, "She, um, didn't. And she told me not to talk to you about it."
Rodney narrowed his eyes, "Apparently you didn't listen, thank God. And that does make the next decision much easier."
John was confused, "Next decision?" he asked.
Rodney stared at him in disbelief, "You really didn't think I wasn't going to come, did you?"
"Rodney..." John started when the banging started on the other side of the door.
Rodney turned to the door, "GO AWAY!" he yelled, not bothering to even ask who it was.
"Rodney, open the door," came Elizabeth's firm voice.
Rodney hung his head, looking at John, "Let me go with you," he pleaded, "I can testify, whatever."
"Rodney, we both know you're needed here," was John's only reply as the banging on the door got louder.
"I don't care." He sank into a chair, "I'm not taking the risk that you are going to Earth and not coming back. Don't fight me on this, please."
John sighed, nodding, "I want you to come, Rodney, but I'm afraid that if I have to let..." he cut himself off as the door opened.
Radek stood next to Elizabeth with an apologetic look on his face. Elizabeth, on the other hand, looked furious. She looked between them before turning her attention to Rodney, "Rodney, I've been trying to raise you on the radio," she said in an icy tone that clearly demanded an explanation was needed.
Rodney waved his hand dismissively, "It's over there somewhere." He didn't look at her. He wanted to yell at her, but knew that would accomplish next to nothing. Instead, he turned his attention to Radek, "Are the wraith attacking?" he asked, completely ignoring Elizabeth.
Radek looked anxious, his gaze going between Rodney and Elizabeth. He shook his head, pushing his glasses up his nose, "No, they aren't."
Rodney nodded, "Anyone dead? Hurt?" He asked, noticing that Carson, Lorne, and Caldwell stood in the hallway also.
Radek shook his head, clearly uncomfortable with whatever was going on here.
Rodney nodded, "Then we're good here." He stood up, and, with a last look at John left the room. He paused in front of Radek, "You're in charge." Then turned to Caldwell, "I will be returning with you. Now if you'll excuse me, I have to pack."
Caldwell nodded as the crowd began to disperse, Radek and Elizabeth following, Elizabeth calling for Rodney. Caldwell turned his attention to Carson, "Dr. Beckett, your presence has been required as well."
"Presence for what?" Carson asked, in confusion.
"My Article 32 hearing," John replied, standing and walking towards them. "Major Lorne, you will be taking over my duties while I am gone."
Lorne nodded, "Article 32 hearing, Sir? What for?"
"Conduct Unbecoming," John answered, noticing Lorne nod in understanding and Carson look even more confused.
John looked at him, "They think I'm having sex with McKay," he clarified.
Carson frowned, "But, why would they think that? I'm very afraid I'd know about that."
"Which is why your presence is required, Doctor," Caldwell said. He turned to John, "Are you sure it's wise to bring Dr. McKay if you are proclaiming your innocence?"
John looked at him, "I said we hadn't done anything, Colonel. I never said I didn't love him. But, last I checked, feelings couldn't be tried. He wants to go. I'm certainly not going to tell him no."
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Back on Earth...