Title: Death's in the goodbye
Disclaimer: not my characters; just for fun. Title from Anne Sexton.
Warnings: takes place during "Siege II"
Pairings: none
Rating: PG
Wordcount: 200
Point of view: third
John has never been much for long goodbyes, and there isn't a single person on Atlantis he'd trust to do this job and get it right—except Rodney, but if the city survives, she'll need Rodney to put her back together. Besides, John can't let Rodney—
John isn't needed, not like Rodney, the smartest man in two galaxies, the best friend John has ever had, closer than Dave, or even Mitch and Dex. He can't ask Rodney to sacrifice himself—besides, they need a pilot.
Without arrogance, John can say he's the best pilot in the galaxy. He watches Rodney scramble to make the plan work, but Atlantis is whispering in his mind.
The plan was good, but Atlantis is just so tired. Time is running out.
John has never been much for long goodbyes and he can't think of the words to convey how much Rodney has done for him. How much Rodney means to him. So he simply says, "So long, Rodney," and leaves before Rodney can react.
He has to do this, for Atlantis. Because he's the ranking military officer. Because he can't let anyone else fly to their deaths.
He has to do this, for Rodney.