One more tag to "The Lost Tribe"

Something's Different About Rodney

"So you can only give compliments to the dying?" Daniel was incredulous. How could any one man be so incapable of allowing his feelings to show to anyone? Never mind, he told himself. This is McKay we're talking about.

"It's something I'm working on." To his credit, Rodney did look discomfited at the revelation. Daniel took pity on him and changed the subject.

"Do you want to try any of this?" He indicated his nearly untouched tray.

"Ooo, fries?"

"Yeah, have it. Dive right in." And Rodney did so without hesitation.

Daniel looked closer at the man shoveling food into his mouth like he was starving. "Something's…different about you."

"Different? How?" His eyebrows came together in confusion.

"I don't know exactly. You just seem…happier…than I've ever seen you."

"Really? That's odd because I'm generally a happy person."

"No, you aren't."

"Yeah, I am."

"No. You're not."

"No, I'm not. Or I wasn't but I am or rather I'm starting to be. So, uh, how am I…different?"

"You're smiling. One of those cat-that-ate-the-canary smiles." Daniel overplayed it spectacularly looking more like the Cheshire cat.

Rodney drew his eyebrows together. "I'm not smiling. Why would you think I'm smiling?"

Jennifer walked up just then catching the last sentence. "Because you are, Rodney. How are you feeling, Dr. Jackson? Your vitals look as good as can be expected under the circumstances." He made a waggle with his hand as she glanced at his vitals on the monitor. She moved to stand beside Rodney, swiping one of his fries and popping it in her mouth. The side of her hand swept lightly across his thumb where it held the tray startling him. Flustered and blushing lightly, he nearly dropped it. Jennifer grabbed one side to steady it. When her eyes met his she too blushed, a small smile playing on her lips as she left them alone again.

To Daniel, a trained observer, the brush of her hand on Rodney's looked deliberate though he was sure she had meant it to appear accidental. "Oh, okay. I get it now."

"What? What do you get?"

Now Daniel had that pleased with himself smile. "Why you're so happy all of the sudden. You and Dr. Keller are…" He waggled his eyebrows.

"What? No, no. We're just, ah…" Rodney couldn't figure out how to end that sentence without giving everything away so he trailed off. Taking a deep breath, he decided to lay it all out. "She's uh, well that is, I, um…and she…"

"You're in love with her." Reluctantly Rodney nodded. "And she's in love with you."

"Really? You think so? 'Cause she's never…and I haven't…but Ronon said she um…and then I came here to uh see you and she…" He trailed off again.

"Trust me, Rodney. I've been there. I know the signs. You and she are hopelessly gone on each other." He was rewarded for his candor when another blush reddened Rodney's cheeks. "You should do something about it and soon."

"I'll keep that in mind. Well, you get some rest and I'll see you later."

He set the food tray aside and turned for the exit just as Jennifer came back through the infirmary. With Daniel's advice still ringing in his head he called out to her. "Um, Jennifer, could I, uh, have a word with you."

"Sure. What about?"

"Well, you see, I-uh, that is, I was wondering…and thought maybe you'd, that is, um…" He looked over at Daniel who nodded his encouragement. "Uh…Oh, the hell with it."

Rodney took her by the arms, pulled her against his chest and kissed her right there in the infirmary in front of Daniel and her staff. After a startled gasp, she relaxed, her hand sliding up his arms to loop around his neck. His hands moved to her back pressing her even closer, his happiness quotient going off the charts.

Just as Jennifer was about to part her lips to touch her tongue to his, a loud cheer went up from the spectators and, over that the couple heard a voice saying, "It's about time!" Arms still around each other, they turned to see John Sheppard standing there with his arms crossed and a very satisfied expression. Without a word the couple went back to kissing.

The End? No, it's just the beginning!