Terminus

Ch 10/11

Weeks, then a month and then two passed without a change in Rodney. It looked like he would stay a child permanently.

With hard work, he was able to regain his ability to read and write, but not the comprehension of the knowledge floating around his brain.

There was still the odd night when he woke from horrible nightmares. John did his best to help Rodney through these moments. Soon the two of them found their stride and became a family.

By the time Rodney remastered calculus John decided it was time for a holiday beside today was a special day.

Rodney was silent the whole time, John flew the Jumper and he knew there was something on the boys mind. When he landed the jumper, he tossed the boy over his shoulder and hurried off the ship into the warm sunshine.

"So Roddy, what's the bee buzzing around in your bonnet?"

"Nothing." The boy squirmed out of his arms and began to throw rocks in the lake.

"There's something going through that brain of yours I can see the wheels spinning."

Rodney looked down at his hands and a long silence filled the space.

John held out a chocolate bar. "Snickers for your thoughts."

Forcing a smile, Rodney accepted the bar and took a bite. Speaking around the food, he asked, "Do you think I'll always be trapped in this body?"

Turning Rodney's face, John made him look at him. "You're not trapped. Besides, I kinda like you this way, you not such a pain in the..." John stopped as Rodney looked up smirking.

"You like me this way? But I can't go on missions or save you guys. What happens if you all die because I can't remember or understand what I should know!" He tapped his head. "I have all this information in my mind and I can use it. I don't want you, Teyla or the others hurt, because I'm not me."

John knelt down to Rodney's level and it finally dawned on him what this was about. "Hey, Sargent Johnson's death wasn't your fault. Just because it took Zelenka a while to figure out how to open that door doesn't mean you could have found the solution any faster."

Putting his finger under Rodney's chin he made the boy look at him. "Yes, we'd like to have the old Rodney back but we can't. Right now, you just concentrate on what you can do. All that college level math and other brainy stuff with Zelenka. The world is open to you. One day you'll be able read those stacks of books in you old rooms, but for now we'll do what you can do and worry about the rest later."

Rodney nodded. "I can do that." His stomach rumbled.

John pulled him close. "Shall we eat? Teyla was laying out the food when I left to find you. Shall we see what she packed?"

"I'd like that. Do you think she brought Ketchup chips? I know Jeannie sent me a few bags for my birthday."

Grinning, John took his hand, heading toward when Teyla sat on the blanket. "Let's find out!"

Rodney had finished lunch and was enjoying the beautiful spring day. He was having a lot of fun, even if they hadn't let him wear his favorite shirt with Donatello, the Ninja turtle on it. The leaves were just beginning to bud on the trees and he felt so happy.

He was headed down to the water with John holding one hand, while Teyla held the other. Every few steps he'd jump lightly and they swung him in the air and everyone would laugh.

Today was his birthday and he was going to enjoy it.

Turning his face to the sun he wondered if it was warm enough to go swimming. Today he felt brave and it was a strange feeling to Rodney. Maybe it was because the two people he thought of a his parents were here with him and thanks to his talk with John he felt much better about being a boy. It wasn't his job to save the world, not even when he was an adult. He could just be a happy kid, he was allowed.

Suddenly a sharp pain shot through his body. Letting go John and Teyla's hands Rodney fell to his knees curling up into a ball. He heard a loud scream and he realized that it was his own voice as something wrenched on his body.

He could hear Teyla and John trying to speak to him, but the pain blotted out their words. There was a tearing sound and then he began growing. He was becoming an adult again and Rodney felt a tear on his cheek. He's loved being a little boy and he'd miss his mother and father.

Looking up into the worried eyes of the adults hovering over him he whispered. "I love you, Mom and Dad. I'll miss you."

Tears spilled out of Teyla's eyes. "I will miss you too, my son. You made me proud, I love you as well."

John squeezed his hand. " Rodney. Thank you for-" His voice broke.

Rodney nodded. "I know Dad. I know. Goodbye."

And then the pain became unbearable and Rodney lost consciousness.

This story is now complete on my site you can find it by Googling my pen name. I have also posted the first chapter of Academy Daze on my site it you've been waiting for that one. It will appear here on fanfiction in two weeks time. I love to hear from you whether you liked it or loved it. :0P

Also I have published two original pieces of work on Kindle you can find a link to them on my website as well.