Chapter Ten
Rodney opened his eyes to a quiet room. All he heard was the beeping of the monitor beside him. The lights in the room were dimly lit, allowing the nurses and doctors to see their patients and so they wouldn't stumble.
Movement to his left brought his attention to Carson. The man was surprised to see him awake and offered a slight smile.
"Look who's awake," Carson said, moving around the bed to the monitor.
"Can I get out of here?" Rodney asked, feeling restless.
"I plan to release you later today," Carson answered. "You're good as new as far as I'm concerned."
"Great," Rodney said, throwing the bed sheets off him. He attempted to get up, but Carson stopped him.
"Not right now, Rodney," Carson said.
"I'm starving, Carson. I don't think going to the mess hall is going to strain me."
Carson sighed and Rodney raised an eyebrow.
"All right," Carson said, giving in.
Rodney smiled and jumped out of bed. He grabbed his clothes, pulled them on and headed out the door.
He entered the mess hall and saw Elizabeth with Sheppard. The two were in line getting something to eat. Sheppard brushed her hand with his as they retrieved their trays. A wave of longing washed over Rodney followed by the pain of loss. He closed his eyes, taking several deep breaths.
He watched as the two went to a table and sat. His heart racing, he slowly backed out of the room. He heard Elizabeth laugh as he headed down the hall.
What made me think she actually cared? Rodney thought as he headed for his room.
He stepped into his quarters, tossing his jacket on the floor. He lay on his bed, staring up at the ceiling. He sighed, the ache in his heart growing unbearable.
What am I to do? Rodney thought. How am I to pretend everything's fine when she's around him?
His stomach growled, but he ignored it. He couldn't go into the mess hall and watch as the two laughed over their lunch. He hated being miserable when she was so happy. He closed his eyes wishing he'd never come to Atlantis.
Elizabeth entered the infirmary, heading toward Rodney's bed. She stopped short when she saw the empty bed.
"He left for the mess hall," Carson said behind her.
She turned around, shaking her head. "I didn't see him there."
Carson blinked in surprise. "He was complaining about needing to eat. He told me he was going to the mess hall. Maybe he snuck past you."
Elizabeth shook her head, looking back to the bed. She sighed and tapped her earpiece.
"Rodney, come in please."
No answer. She stared at Carson as she swallowed the fear before it bubbled up. Maybe he took off his earpiece and forgot to put it back on. She took a deep breath and tried again.
"Rodney," she said louder. "Are you there?"
"What is it?" Came a sleepy voice.
Elizabeth sighed in relief and the tension left her body. "Where are you?"
"In bed," Rodney grumbled, his voice thick with sleep. "Is something wrong?"
Just my nerves, Elizabeth thought. Aloud, she said, "No, I just want to know where you're at. No one told me you left the infirmary."
"Sorry," was all Rodney said.
Elizabeth pictured the scientist in bed, rolling his eyes and holding back a sarcastic comment. The image brought a smile to her face. Warmth flooded her body as the image changed, revealing his naked chest. Her breathing increased and her heart raced.
Where had that come from? She pushed the image from her mind before she embarrassed herself any further.
"That's all right, Rodney," she said, hoping she didn't sound as aroused as she felt. "I'm sorry if I woke you."
"Don't worry about it. I need to get up anyway."
Elizabeth smiled. "I'll see you later then. Weir out."
She tapped her earpiece and looked at Carson, who stared at her. She sighed, folding her arms across her chest.
"He was in his quarters," she said. "He didn't go to the mess hall."
Carson shook his head. "He told me that's where he was going."
"I'm not saying anything to the contrary. Maybe he changed his mind."
"It must have been something to get him to change his mind about eating," Carson said. "Or maybe he was just trying to get me to release him early."
"That sounds about right," Elizabeth said, smiling. "I better get to watching him."
"That you do. I hope you figure out what's been bothering him. I'm afraid he might really get himself hurt."
"So do I," Elizabeth said, the fear threatening to swell. She pushed it down and left the infirmary to find Rodney. She knew he'd be in his lab if nowhere else.
Rodney headed into his lab and everyone came to a standstill. He stared at them, wondering why they had stopped.
"What?" He snapped, irritated. "Don't you people have something to do?"
The staff scattered before he said anything else. Rodney went over to his laptop and brought up the information he'd attained from the Ancient flash drive. He scrolled through the data until something caught his eye. He clicked on it and the information filled his screen.
"What are you doing?"
Rodney jumped at the voice then looked up, a nasty retort on his lips. It disappeared when he saw Elizabeth standing over him.
"Elizabeth," he said, stunned to see her before him.
"I missed you at the infirmary," she said, smiling.
He looked away as his pulse sped up. He closed his eyes, trying to force his arousal down. It didn't work and he took a deep breath to calm himself.
"He was going to keep me there," Rodney said, staring at his screen. "There were things I needed to do here."
Elizabeth moved closer and the warmth of her nearness washed over him. He closed his eyes again, wanting to breathe in her perfume. He wanted to take her in his arms and hold her forever.
"You found another lab to explore?" Elizabeth asked, bending over to get a better look. "That area is dangerous. I don't think you should go down there."
"You're going to suggest I take Sheppard?" Rodney asked as he downloaded the map to the location.
"No one should go down there," Elizabeth said, straightening to her full height. "That area was flooded, there might mold and mildew and someone might get sick, especially you with your allergies."
"I can wear a mask while I'm down there," Rodney put in, wondering why she was so worried about a little trip into the deeper part of the city. There were still areas they hadn't explored, yet. He didn't want to pass up such an opportunity like this.
"You're not going, Rodney," Elizabeth said.
He saw her reflection in the computer screen; her arms folded and her expression one of determination. She wasn't going to let him go anywhere. He rolled his eyes and sighed.
"Fine," he grumbled as he turned off the computer. "Want to tell me what I can and can't eat as well?"
"Oh, for Pete's sake, Rodney," Elizabeth snapped. "I don't want you to get hurt and if I can prevent it, I will. If that puts a damper on what you want to do, then so be it. At least, you'll still be alive to gripe about it."
Elizabeth stormed out of the lab and he watched her go. He sighed and ran a hand over his face. She was only trying to help and she did say she planned to watch him. He shook his head then caught Radek staring at him.
"What?"
"She is very worried about you," Zelenka said.
"So everyone tells me. Apparently she's taken it upon herself to watch me. I don't know why."
"Probably to stop you from going to very dangerous area of city," Zelenka said as he headed back to the other side of the lab.
Rodney shook his head as he stared at the computer screen. He sighed as his stomach growled. He hadn't had anything to eat since leaving the infirmary. He grumbled as he stood then grabbed the edge of the table as a wave of dizziness washed over him. He closed his eyes, waiting for it to pass.
"Are you all right?"
"No," Rodney snapped as he opened his eyes and stared at Zelenka. He went around Radek before the other scientist could ask another stupid question and headed for the mess hall.
"McKay," Sheppard called to him, stopping Rodney in the hallway.
"What?" Rodney asked, folding his arms across his chest. He was in no mood to talk to Sheppard at the moment. He wasn't in a mood to talk to anyone. All he wanted was to get something to eat.
"Elizabeth is coming with us on our next mission," Sheppard said.
Rodney narrowed his eyes. What was Sheppard up to? Was he trying to make him insane?
"Why? It's going to be a boring mission."
"She told me she's taken it upon herself to watch over you," Sheppard said, folding his arms across his chest. "This is what you've reduced her to, your babysitter. Why don't you tell her what's wrong with you? She and I need to have a vacation from you."
"Why don't you go and have your vacation!" Rodney snapped, his temper getting the better of him. He stepped closer to Sheppard, glaring at the taller man. "I don't know what she sees in you. Is it the bravery, the charm?"
"What the hell are you talking about?" Sheppard asked, his expression one of confusion and growing anger. "At least I don't get on her nerves with my warm personality!"
Rodney hit Sheppard, causing him to take a step back. Sheppard stared at him in surprise, but Rodney didn't care. He had enough of Sheppard and the fact he had Elizabeth's affections. Ignoring the passersby, he took another swing at Sheppard. It was blocked by the other man's forearm. Sheppard hit Rodney in the jaw, sending him stumbling back.
"What the hell is your problem?" Sheppard asked as he strode over to him.
Rodney glared at Sheppard as he tested his jaw. He'd bit his tongue and he tasted the blood. Angered beyond reason, he took another swing at Sheppard, connecting with his jaw, splitting his lip in the process. Sheppard snarled and shoved Rodney into the wall, knocking the wind out of him.
Sheppard pushed him against the wall. He held his arm under Rodney's chin. He glared at Sheppard as he tried to get the man off him.
"What is the matter with you, McKay?" Sheppard asked.
Rodney's temper snapped. He brought his knee up, surprising Sheppard. The other man backed away, bent over and breathing hard. Rodney followed him, bringing his fists down on Sheppard's back. Sheppard cried out and fell to one knee. He grabbed Rodney's leg and yanked it out from under him. Rodney exclaimed in surprise and fell onto his back.
"You've completely lost it!" Sheppard said. He grabbed hold of the front of Rodney's shirt and yanked his head up.
"According to some, I lost it long ago," Rodney said, taking a swing at Sheppard's head. It connected and Sheppard fell to the side off of Rodney. Rodney grabbed Sheppard's collar and was about to pound him into the floor when Sheppard slammed his fist into Rodney's side. He fell onto his back, holding his side.
"What the hell is going on here?" Elizabeth's voice brought their attention to her.
"He hit me!" Sheppard stated, getting to his feet. "He's insane."
Rodney glared at Sheppard as he held his side. He looked up at Elizabeth, her green eyes narrowed. She folded her arms across her chest as she stared at both of them.
"The last time I checked this wasn't high school," she said. "You're grown men, find some other way to settle your differences what ever they are."
"I tried to talk to him," Sheppard said as Rodney slowly climbed to his feet.
"Was that before or after the fight?" Elizabeth asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Before," Sheppard drawled.
"Go to the infirmary, both of you," she said, shaking her head. She turned and headed back down the hall before either of them was able to say another word.