Author's Note: A few people have asked me about one of my other Series Academy Daze (Jon, Jack's Clone and Cassie at the AF Academy. The story starts with Who Am I; Who Are You?), specifically when will Year Two begin posting? The Answer is in three weeks. I will start next week on my Website (Monday), but I have two more chapters of this one to post and will begin then. Posting might be a little shoddy over the holidays but I hope to get at least one chapter a week.
Sit back and enjoy this chapter and leave a review if you feel like it I love to hear from my readers.
For those looking for more of my Post Vegas fic. I have finished writing it but it does need a bit of clean up and I hope to get to that soon. In the last month I finished two stories and have one more to go to reach my goal of wrapping of three WIPs this month. They are Post Vegas fic called Vegas and Beyond (Continuation of The Man He Sees.) A have fic Called What...? and an SG-1/NCIS crossover (This one is the last to be finished. It's close but not quite there yet.)
Anyway enough babble and on with the show!
The Verdict
John watched Rodney leaning against the railing shivering in his pajamas with his short arms wrapped around himself. It was cold out here on the observation deck at 0300 and John knew he should take Rodney back inside but he felt the boy needed to get something out first.
Could Rodney have changed his mind and decided to return to Earth with Jeannie. Knowing speculation would get him nowhere John crossed to Rodney's side.
"Whatcha doin buddy. It's kinda cold out here." He shrugged out of his warm jacket and wrapped it around the boy. Rodney smiled gratefully as he threaded his arms into the holes.
Rodney nodded out at the dark water. "The whale hasn't come back."
"You mean Sam?" John asked as he settled against the railing looking out over the railing and up at the stars. "You named him, Sam. He saved your life when you were trapped in a downed jumper."
Rodney frowned. "Really, but I hate whales." His voice didn't sound convincing.
John smirked. "I know they scare you."
Rodney puffed up, seeming like he was twice a tall and wide. "They don't scare me, I just don't like them. They're big, wet and they eat people."
John's eyebrow arched. "They eat people?"
Deflating, Rodney shrugged. "Well they could if they wanted too."
Nodding, John chose not to press the issue. "Teyla said you left our quarters in quite a hurry? Is something wrong?"
Rodney's expression and body language immediately changed as he pulled within himself. "I had a nightmare. Jeannie changed her mind and took me back to Earth. The bad guys found me and they-"
John wrapped his arms around Rodney. "Jeannie's not going to change her mind. She understands the danger you might be in on Earth and you're safer here, with me. It's all right Rodney, no one's taking you away from me!"
The force in John's voice, broke a wall that Rodney had been building. "You really want me stay, I thought you might have been glad to get rid of me?" Rodney looked up at John. "I thought you didn't like having to watch me."
Unable to stand the anguish in Rodney's voice, John scooped up the boy in his arms and held him tightly. "I do love you, Rodney and I didn't want to let you go, but if Jeannie decided to take you, there was really nothing I could do. The day that accident happened was the greatest blessing I've ever had in my life, and I don't want you to go anywhere without me."
"That's good, because I'm not going anywhere. I love you too, Dad.
John's heart was about to burst. "I love you too, son. Back to bed with you. It's late and Jeannie's leaving early in the morning."
"Do you think Jeannie will really let me and you come visit?" Rodney asked laying his head down on John's shoulder.
"Oh, I'm sure she will." But Rodney never heard John he was fast asleep.
Jeannie stared out at the stars. None of them were familiar or anything like the ones back home. This wasn't her home but it was Rodney's. Leaving him here was the right choice. He belonged to this city among the foreign constellations. Kneeling down she hugged Rodney tight and brushed a kiss on his cheek before stepping back.
She ruffled his hair. "You be good for John. I've signed all the papers. No one will take you away from him. I'm sorry you have bad dreams, but I had to make sure I decided what's best for you. You understand your happiness was important to me?"
Rodney nodded and wiped his eyes with his sleeve. "Why can't you stay? Madison would love to come and live here, together we'd have a lot of fun."
Tears pricked at Jeannie's eyes. "I wish I could but I don't belong here, not like you. My home is back on Earth in my world, but you can come and visit any time."
Rodney brightened. "I will. You can take me to the PNE. Dad, our dad, never did take us, even though he promised."
Jeannie laughed and hugged him tight once more. "Yes, we'll go on the rides and have a lot of fun. Bring John along if he wants to come."
Behind her the wormhole activated and Elizabeth came down the stairs. "Jeannie, I'm sorry but it's time to go."
Standing up she smiled and moved toward the open wormhole. "Yes, I know. I'll see you around Rodney."
He waved goodbye. "I love you, Jeannie. See you soon."
She waved once more and then she was gone.
John stepped up next to Rodney and took his hand. "Let's go home."
Rodney smiled and followed him toward their quarters.
This story is now complete on my site you can find it by Googling my pen name. I love to hear from you whether you liked it or loved it. As I said above Academy Daze will start on my site next week if you'd like to tune in. :0P
Also I have published two original pieces of work on Kindle you can find a link to them on my website as well.
