Last time on "Cold"-

"I want to hear the truth…why do you care so much about what I think of you?" He asked his anger leaving him as he sat back down.

Rodney took a deep breath, 'Here it goes…time for truth' he thought to himself.

Cold

Chapter 8- Truth time

Rodney fidgeted slightly as he folded his arms over his chest tightly. He kept his head down, "Ok…you want the truth…fine…" he snapped out bitterly.

"The truth is…before I came here...to Atlantis I never felt as if I fit into the world….no one's ever tried to be my friend like you have…no one's taken the effort to see past what I put on…but it's grown john…it's grown to so much more and I can't stop it…" he spoke softly a hint of nervousness in his tone.

John leaned forward slightly, "Can't stop what?"

"I can't stop these feelings….for you…I know that it would never happen and I've accepted that just being your friend…best friend was all I was going to get but then to lose you like that…god john…I thought I was left out in the dark. To see you hold all that anger and disappointment in me…it was painful and as if that wasn't enough you put me on criminal watch. As if I was going to try to destroy more solar systems! What kind of an animal do you take me for?" He asked his tone turning angry as he looked up.

His eyes gazed over johns face as he waited for a response. He watched as john stared at the ground before lifting his gaze to Rodney.

"Rodney," He began his tone light and controlled, "I didn't think you were an animal…it was just what protocol made us do…the IOA over stepped the protocol and had it in effect for longer but I'm not saying your blame was placed on the wrong shoulders. I…I encouraged them to draw out the restrictions…I figured it would do good for you to learn the consequences for your arrogant behavior." He paused, "I can't tell you how much I hate myself for saying those things about you…I didn't realize how much it hurt you…"

"well it did…badly…I....I want to show you…" Rodney said gently as he started to pull the wrappings off his arms. John reached out to stop him.

"Rodney don't…" he said but Rodney ignored him and pulled the wrappings off.

The cuts were red and vivid as they criss-crossed over his arms. John looked at them as he felt a surge of emotion rush through him.

And for the first time in a long time john wanted to cry.

He reached out and slid his hand under Rodneys up turned hand. His hand was cold and shaking ever so slightly. His other hand brushed against the uninjured smooth parts of his arm. They were both so stuck in their own world they didn't even notice the nurse close the privacy curtain around.

"John…" Rodneys voice was quiet and light as he looked from his arms to john. John returned the gaze and saw what Rodneys first and foremost reason was.

He was in love with him.

Rodneys breath taking eyes studied johns for a clue into what he was thinking.

"your hands are cold…" john broke the silence as he held Rodneys hands firmly in his grasp. Rodney squeezed his hands in response.

"I know…john I..." he started but john stopped him with a hand on his shoulder as he stood. He leaned in close, so close so that they were at whispering range. He could feel Rodney trembling under his hand.

"Tell me…" he whispered as he looked into Rodneys wide eyes.

Rodney closed his eyes, "I've fallen in love with you…" he whispered softly.

"Look at me" john whispered and Rodney opened his eyes. Fear of rejection lay in them. John reached up and cupped rodneys cheek in his hand.

"I never thought…I'd fall in love…with my best friend…" john said softly before he leaned in and pressed his lips to rodneys.

At first Rodney was shocked still his eyes wide, but he didn't pull away. He closed his eyes and melted into the kiss.

The sound of distant footsteps broke them apart just seconds before the privacy curtain was pulled back Carson walked in with his chart and Dr. Heightmeyer.

"Rodney…it's time for your appointment." Carson said gently as he glanced at john.

John nodded and looked to Rodney. He squeezed rodneys hands lightly even brought them to his face and kissed them ever so slightly before he left.

Carson nodded at Rodney with a relieved smile as Dr. Heightmeyer sat down.

"Looks like the scars are going to heal just fine…took the bandages off I see…" Carson commented as he looked over Rodneys arms.

"Yeah…they were getting itchy." He lied as he pulled his arms closer to himself. He may have made amends with john but he still has to help himself.

"Alright lad…I'll leave you in Dr. Heightmeyer's capable hands." Carson said before he left with a nod to her.

"Ok Rodney…let's begin"

TBC

I think this is one of my biggest chapters lol. Good/bad?