Disclaimer: MGM owns SGA; KOI does NOT

Note: Setting originally suggested by DaniWilder

Chapter Seven:

Independence Day in The Springs

Part 1: Canada Day (in Spirit)

by koinekid

Wednesday, 4 July 2012

1536 MDT

Colorado Springs, CO

The crackle of meat searing in its own juices, the afternoon's first sip of beer swirling on your tongue, the din of a dozen laughter-filled conversations melding into a unified harmony that makes you glad, if only once a year, to be part of a community. Sure, you might wave a flag or sing a patriotic song, but that sense of belonging – of taking pride in your people's accomplishments – that's what this holiday is all about.

Even if you're an expatriate celebrating it three days late.

Rodney McKay opened his eyes and took in the panoply of red, white and blue. Jennifer and Jeannie had worked hard on the decorations, and Rodney had been pleased to see just as many red maple leaves in the centerpieces atop the rented picnic tables as starry fields of blue.

"All right, McKay." John threw an arm round his best friend's shoulders. "I get it: you're celebrating Canada Day and Independence Day at the same time. But did you have to hang the Canadian flag higher than the American flag on the Fourth of July?" John gestured to the full-sized flags hung vertically to either side of the patio doors. The Maple Leaf flag was noticeably higher.

Rodney exchanged a weary look with his brother-in-law. Kaleb Miller was the only other Canuck foolish enough to brave the afternoon heat with the tight-knit group clustered around the grill: John, Carson, Ronon, Radek, and Bill Lee. Hanging the flags had been Kaleb's responsibility. Though amused by his antics yesterday afternoon, Rodney had intended to sneak out after dark and obviate the potential slight before his military friends showed up. But Jennifer falling asleep in his arms last night squelched that idea. And prep work for the barbecue had driven it from his mind this morning. Or maybe Rodney was more subconsciously patriotic than he imagined. Still, he needed to defuse the situation and fast before Kaleb started in.

"It's a simple matter of geography, John." An academic smirk curled Kaleb's lip. "Rodney will back me up."

And there he goes.

John snorted his skepticism. "Geography?"

Deciding humor might be the best tack, Rodney nodded his agreement. "Canada is the True North. It says so on our website."

"Yeah, I'm sure that's the only reason." John stooped to retrieve another beer, his third of the afternoon, from the cooler. "One thing's for sure: a few more of these, and I won't care either way."

"In the interest of keeping John relatively sober," Rodney said. "Kaleb, would you mind fixing our unintentional faux pas? Thanks."

Grateful, it seemed, not to be thrown under the bus, Kaleb headed toward the garage to retrieve the step-ladder.

Concern and envy vied for Rodney's attention as he watched John pop the top on his beer can. As host of the Second Annual International Freedom Festival McKay Family BBQ – a name that still made him laugh – Rodney was responsible for keeping his and Jennifer's guests entertained, well-fed and sober enough to drive home safely. At the same time, with Jennifer's due date less than three months away, Rodney recognized today as one of their last big events before diaper changes and 3 a.m. feedings became part of their normal routine. He longed to cut loose and enjoy himself.

But responsibility came first. He watched John guzzle half his beer and casually asked, "Did Jennifer get your keys on the way in?"

"Huh?"

"We can't have Nate's favorite uncle – sorry, Carson – favorite American uncle getting into an accident." Rodney held out a hand. "You'll get them back at the end if Jennifer decides you're sober enough." Fat chance of that happening. John was already a little glass-eyed. Rodney was surprised he wasn't slurring his words yet.

"Too late, McKay. Your much better half already gave me the same speech, and I'll tell you what I told her." John jerked a thumb at Ronon, who was leaning against the railing and glumly nursing a Coke. "Talk to my designated driver."

Rodney raised an incredulous eyebrow.

"Yep." John wiped away an imaginary tear. "Our little boy's growing up. He's got his license now, and to celebrate he gets to drive our drunk asses home." Raising his beer high, John intoned, "To designated drivers, the life of the party."

Carson followed suit. "To designated dri..." He trailed off when no one joined in. "Sorry, I thought were were all doing that."

Ronon shook his head and mumbled something off color.

Rodney chuckled and turned back to investigate Kaleb's progress. Movement caught his eye. Something small and blonde tore out of the house at breakneck speed.

"Maddie, no running," Kaleb called from atop the step-ladder.

But Madison ignored her father. Sprinting into the middle of the backyard, she bounced from group to group, checking each before moving on. At first Rodney thought his niece might be playing a game, albeit an odd one, but her movements were too frenzied.

"Mum!" Madison yelled at the top of her lungs.

Jeannie broke off from one of the small groups and trotted over to her daughter. Madison seized her by the hand and practically dragged her back to the house.

Rodney didn't like the look of this. Tossing his spatula to Kaleb, he followed the girls inside.


Insurance companies and HMOs concerned Jennifer McKay little during her time with the SGC. When a patient needed treatment, she treated him. End of story. Spending three years in the private sector had given her renewed appreciation for the hardships face by civilian doctors, but it hadn't made dealing with bureaucrats like Gloria Fine any easier. Jennifer swore her hospital's new chief of medicine was incapable of making the simplest decision without crunching the numbers first. Can we afford three sheets of toilet tissue, or should I limit myself to two? Honestly, if Jennifer had to sit there and listen to one more—

"Gah!" Jennifer jumped when she felt a hand on her arm.

"Easy, sweetie." Jeannie rubbed her sister-in-law's shoulders. "Mer says we need more ice."

"Oh, it's in the freezer in the garage."

"Could you show me?" Jeannie said. "Please."

Breathing shakily, Jennifer rose from the couch. "If you ladies will excuse me, apparently I need to swoop in and save my husband's barbecue."

"Certainly, certainly." Gloria dismissed Jennifer from her own living room with the wave of a hand. "Now, Taylor, you were telling me how you delivered without a licensed doctor."

"Teyla," the woman answered. "My name is Teyla."

"Your name wouldn't be anything if infection had set in," Gloria clucked her tongue. "With an at-home birth, the risks of—"

"I was not at home." Teyla shot Jennifer a death glare as fierce as any that ever darkened the Athosian's visage on a Pegasus battlefield. Do not leave me alone with this woman, was her silent entreaty.

Mouthing a half-hearted apology, Jennifer allowed herself to be led away.

"Brr, it's cold in there," Jeannie muttered as soon as she and Jennifer had reached the kitchen.

"Central air. It's one of the perks of playing the happy host. While the boys are roasting outside, I sit here in comfort." She glanced back toward the living room. "Relative comfort anyway."

"I wasn't referring to the thermostat, Jen. The way your fists were clenched, I thought you were going to hit that woman. Why did you even invite her?"

"You can thank your brother for that one. Rodney thought cozying up to the chief of medicine would be good for my career." Jennifer sank into a chair at the kitchen table and massaged her temples. "I love that man with all my heart, Jeannie, but sometimes I want to strangle him."

"Wait until after he puts on the veggie burgers, okay?"

"I'll try."

"I'd appreciate that." Jeannie chuckled. "Now, where's your Tylenol."

"I thought you wanted ice."

"First things first. Tylenol."

"The drawer next to the dishwasher." Jennifer pointed. "How hot is it out there?"

"About eighty I'd say." Jeannie rummaged through the cabinets for a glass, then filled it with cool water from the dispenser on the fridge. "If you're thinking of taking a walk to clear your head, I wouldn't."

"No, it just seems like we shouldn't be out of ice this early."

"We're not. Mer didn't send me."

"Then why did you—? Oh, my God. You lied to my boss. I lied to my boss."

Setting the water on the table, Jeannie pulled up a chair and grasped her sister-in-law's hands. "I had to. Maddie came to get me, said she'd never seen Aunt Jen look so upset."

"I hadn't," a small voice squeaked. Madison stood in the doorway to the patio clutching Rodney's waist. "You don't really want to hurt Uncle Mer, do you?"

Jennifer's heart melted. She spread her arms, beckoning the girl over. "Of course not, sweetie. I would never hurt your uncle. I'm really sorry I scared you."

Madison shrugged. "S'okay."

"Thanks for the rescue. You're my hero."

Madison grinned, returning the hug a little too tightly.

Jeannie stood and strolled over to Rodney. "You were supposed to stay outside until I called for you."

"You try saying no to her." He nodded toward Madison.

"I'm her mother. I say no all the time."

"I stand corrected," Rodney snapped. "Now, could you give me a minute with my wife?"

"Come on, Maddie, let's go find your dad before he offends all the Americans." Jeannie slipped the bottle of Tylenol into Rodney's hand. "Make sure she takes one, Mer, and don't let her give you that doctor knows best bunk. One won't hurt the baby, and she knows it."

When they were alone, Rodney sank into the chair next to Jennifer. He shook the pill bottle, and at her nod, popped the top and handed over a caplet. She snapped it in two and returned one half to the bottle before swallowing.

Her stubbornness, as always, made him smile. "Are you okay?"

She sighed. "I can't stand that woman."

"I'm sorry I made you invite her."

"Made me?"

"You know what I mean."

She chuckled, dryly. "Yeah, but you were right, Rodney. This is my career now, and I need to learn to play the game. If I'd known how a few years ago, maybe I'd still be with the SGC."

"That wasn't your fault. It was nepotism, plain and simple." (*) Rodney squeezed her hand. A conspiratorial grin lit up his face as he leaned in. "I've been talking with Radek, and he says you-know-who is not doing so well researching you-know-what you-know-where."

"Really?" Jennifer tried to keep the surge of giddiness from showing on her face. Realizing it was just her and her husband at the table, she let herself go. "Tell me everything."

"Even with Carson's help, she's – and I'm quoting here – floundering."

"Oh, baby." She pressed forward to claim his lips. "You are a smooth talker."

"So, this is where you've gotten off to?" Silent on the living room carpet, the clicking of Gloria Fine's heels echoed off the kitchen tile. Scuff marks followed in her wake.

She extended a hand. Warily, Rodney accepted it.

"Mister McKay, Jennifer, thank you for inviting me into your...lovely home, but I've just been paged. It seems there was a five-car pileup on Ronald Reagan Highway, and I'm needed at the hospital."

"Should I join you?" Jennifer said.

"No, no dear. We'll be getting along without our Harvard-trained prodigy soon enough. Let's consider today a preview. Enjoy family time. I'll see myself out."

The front door slammed behind her, and Rodney quipped, "She certainly knows how to suck the life out of a party." He wound an arm around Jennifer's waist and perked up his ears for whatever scathing retort she cooked up. He couldn't wait to hear what his wife would call that horrid woman.

Instead he felt her shaking against him. He tilted her head up to espy the tears streaming down her cheeks. Interrupting the flow of one rivulet with a kiss, he surrounded her with his strong arms. That's when she let loose her first sob.

"It's okay," he said. "Shh, it's okay."

Teyla entered the room in a huff. "That woman is insufferable, Jennifer. If you were not carrying a life inside of you, I would..."

When Rodney met her eyes, she deflated. "I will make certain you are not disturbed," she said and went to stand guard at the patio door.

Nodding his thanks, he turned his attention to his wife. He had just opened his mouth to speak when the doorbell rang.

To be continued

Thanks for reading. Reviews are appreciated.

(*) Being chronicled in the companion series:

Valentine's Day in the Bay