Chapter 11

After leaving his lover in Carson's capable hands John stormed to his favourite place, the south balcony.

Sitting down and letting his feet hang over the railing he thought about his friendship with Rodney and where he had ever let the other man think he wasn't important to him. How could he have deceived himself like that? He had thought they were friends. But apparently Rodney hadn't seen it like this. Instead of coming to him with his plan he had gone ahead and done what he thought was right without regard to regulations and chain of command.

Groaning he realised suddenly that he had left Evan with them in the infirmary. He had hurt him and then just left him there to fend for himself… What a great lover he was! Hurting and then abandoning the one he loved…

Another thing to think about.

"You don't think about jumping, do you?" Ronon's voice startled him and he would have fallen if not for the hands clamping on his arms.

After calming down John exclaimed, "Ronon! Don't spook me like that! And no I didn't plan on it."

Satisfied Ronon nodded, "Good, would hate to see Lorne mourn you." Stepping back Ronon looked at John, "Brought you something." He pulled a still resisting Rodney forward and crossed his arms.

"McKay" John acknowledged him.

"Sheppard," Rodney knew he had messed up and hurt his friend. "John, I'm sorry. It was just we had this idea and wanted to do it this very moment. We tried to call you but couldn't reach you. Later Bob told us about your lovers' spat and we decided that you shouldn't be disturbed."

"But why did you…" John was interrupted.

"You know of my not existent social skills! I didn't think you would take it this way! You know I always rely on you… I cherish your friendship, John. You were the first that wasn't put out by my inability to…to be friendly and non-sarcastic. You may not understand my science babbling, as you call it, but than not even most scientist can." Rodney shrugged uncomfortably.

John sighed in relief. He had read too much into their fight, probably still riled up by what happened with Evan. "It's alright, Rodney. I reacted without thinking, too. I… After the fight with Evan I went to him to apologize. I told him things that I was never able to tell anyone! After that we…we…"

"You had sex with him." Ronon helped Sheppard out.

"NO! It was more than just sex! We made… we made love." Embarrassed by his outburst John looked down. "And I hurt him during, you know…"

Surprised Ronon and Rodney looked at each other. "You hurt him? Are you sure? The way he clung to you earlier didn't seem so."

Shamed John still couldn't look up, "It hurt when we started but he told me it got better. After the last time…when I pulled out… there was blood. It hurt him to sit and…"

Rodney laughed. He couldn't stop it. Wiping his eyes he looked at Ronon and saw the relieved look and the satedan's face. Shaking his head Rodney looked at the now shocked looking John. "I take it he was a virgin?" Receiving a nod Rodney continued, "It's normal that one could bleed. That only means you should be more careful and stretch him a bit more." Describing it made Rodney blush, but after the things he had lived through in this galaxy he knew that live was just too short to sugar coat things.

"I didn't want to hurt him!" John burst out.

Shaking his head Rodney replied, "And I never plan on it with Carson, but sometimes things get wild, you know?"

Calming down John looked at Rodney and saw the seriousness in his stand. Maybe things would go right for once?

Looking at his friends John realised that he had at least two to confine in if he had things to ask.

"Hey, are we interrupting something?" Carson's voice startled him.

Immediately fearing the worst John jumps up, "Is something with Evan? Is he alright?"

Carson looked confused, "What should be with the major? He told us you should meet him outside your office."

"But he was hurt!"

"Ah! No that was just a small tear. Here take this and be more careful the next few days!" Carson gave him an ointment. "This has to be applied every two hours. I thought he would appreciate it more if you did it!"

John blushed crimson before tearing down the corridor to his office, "Thank you, Carson!"

Shaking his head Carson laughed, "So easy to rile up, that lad!"

Laughing the friends walked inside.

*******************

Evan led Bob into his office. "Sit down, Bob. I will just look for John and then we'll talk about your new status."

With that Evan left the office, leaving a confused Bob behind.

Just as Evan closed the door behind him James Stackhouse arrived. "Sir," he greeted.

"No need for that, James. You can go inside and wait for me. I just have to get Sheppard and will be there in a few minutes." Evan said and left.

Surprised James opened the door and stepped inside. What he saw made him stop short. There sitting on the chair in front of Sheppard's desk was the man, 'ghost' his mind provided, that he had been avoiding.

Standing at attention James greeted, "Mr. Bainbridge."

Bob whirled around when the door opened. But instead of Sheppard and Evan it was James Stackhouse that entered, unaware of his presence until those deep green eyes locked onto his own. Seeing a blush spreading over the man's face Bob knew that the time was right now.

"Lieutenant," Bob greeted back while standing up. "What can I do for you?"

"Major Lorne wanted to talk to me, sir." James blushed when those incredible blue eyes looked him up and down.

'So this is Evan's plan!' Bob could have crowed in delight of such a bashful move on the Major's part. "It would seem we have been set up, Jamie. May I call you this?" Bob asked innocently.

A shiver ran down James back and settles within his stomach, "If… if you want to, Mr. Bainbridge." Just as he wanted to ask about the 'set up' a touch to his cheek startled him. Flinching back at the unexpected touch James saw Bob standing in front of him. "What? How?..."

"All thanks to Dr. McKay and Dr. Zelenka. They worked together with Harry and gave me back a body, a life." The flinching worried Bob a bit, but otherwise James just seemed to be startled.

Slowly coming to terms with the fact that the ghost wasn't a ghost anymore but a man James touched the man's shoulder. Trailing his hand down the chest in front of him before he suddenly came back to himself and took a step back, "Sorry… I didn't mean to…"

Now really concerned Bob took Jamie's hands and held them firmly, "Why do I frighten you so much?"

Looking down in shame James replied, "I fell in love with my best friend, back in high school. He didn't react well and he got others to beat me up pretty bad. Something happened then…I don't know how but the ground they had me pinned down on opened and seemed to swallow me… Later it released me, but the four others were…they were dead. I was told that something had exploded and burnt them."

Uncertain Bob took hold of James' face and looked him deep into the eyes. Past the attraction, past the doubt burnt an inner fire surrounded by a wall of light. This could only mean one thing…, "You are a wizard, James. I can see the fire in you eyes."

"M… me…? A wizard?" James wanted to laugh at the absurdity, but as he looked into the serious blue eyes in front of him he knew that he would trust him.

"Yes, a wizard. It's possible that this is also the reason I make you this nervous. I take it you feel uncomfortable with Harry as well?" Receiving a nod Bob relaxed. Maybe he still had a chance…

Directing James over to a chair hand still clasped in his own he sat him down. Sitting down opposite of him Bob leaned back. "Your magic is what is making you uncomfortable with us. Despite you not knowing about it, it instinctively protects you. With wizards it acts like an alarm, sensing another presence to let you know that there is someone like you. And should they want to harm you it would protect you."

James shook his head, "But that's not possible! It only happened that one time, never in any other situation!"

Shrugging Bob looked at him, "It could be that your magic deemed you strong enough to master the other situations alone."

"You talk as if the magic is something living and aware…"

"It is! Magic is the energy flowing everywhere. It surrounds us and is in every living being. Good deeds and feelings set free more light magic, bad deeds and feelings release the darkness, dark magic. It feels your intentions; your feelings can make it dark or light magic."

Slowly believing him James asked, "And how do I stop this alarm? I don't want to feel this way around you or Dresden!"

Smiling gently Bob replied, "You must familiarize with us, our magic. Usually it is done by shaking hands, but as you have never done this before we must take the old fashioned way!" Concentrating Bob let his magic free. Floating along his arms it concentrated in his hands before slowly caressing James' hands.

James wanted nothing more than to run. As he felt the ghostly touch of what had to be Bob's magic his skin prickled. It trailed up his arms into his chest. When it touched his chest it was as if something released him, he could breathe easier and he relaxed.

Inside something rose and seemed to greet Bob's presence eagerly. It grew warmer and welcomed him just as easy as if it had waited for him for some time.

Bob knew what it meant and felt tears prick in his eyes.

James just looked confused as he felt himself become whole. Having not known that something had been missing he looked at Bob for guidance. What he saw there made his breath catch in his throat. The look of longing and warmth was difficult to interpret.

Leaning forward Bob's lips locked with James.

And somehow the world seemed to right itself.

tbc