Set after the episode.


Aurora


Hunched over his laptop, Rodney flicked his eyes backwards and forwards over the screen, missing nothing. Each line he scanned seemed to bore into the back of his retinas until the words burned into his very brain, before leaving indents on his skull. Rubbing his forehead with irritation, he rested his hand on the top rim of the computer and seriously considered snapping it shut. But then she entered, which meant briskly returning to work – at least for effect.

"It won't be long before this headache turns into a full blown hangover," Rodney announced to Elizabeth as she drew nearer. "And trust me, you don't want to be here for the big bang."

Her voice carried a touch of amusement. "Rodney, it was one drink."

Rodney frowned and he set aside his laptop – not closing it, just putting it off to the side – before demanding, "Do you know how long it takes to build up that kind of tolerance?"

"So drink some water," Elizabeth suggested, after muting her laughter. "Or you could eat something, which I know won't be any terrible inconvenience for you."

Somehow his hand found the laptop and succeeded in snapping it hard enough that his hand spasmed. Wincing, Rodney rubbed his palms together while deliberately avoiding her eyes. He decided that he was offended, mainly because he had heard the laugh. Added to this, his temples were still throbbing unsympathetically.

"Is that what you think?" he asked sardonically. "Easily bought with food?"

"I rather thought that was the case."

Rodney slapped his already sore hand against his knee. "Well it's not – whatever you might believe about my tolerance for bribery, corruption and skulduggery – "

"Skulduggery?" Elizabeth repeated, her eyebrows performing that infuriating rise up towards her hairline, for the umpteenth time since he'd met her.

Momentarily quietened by this preoccupation with her facial expression, Rodney shook his head frenetically before turning back to his laptop, opening it with practiced ease. He continued as casually as he could, "It's for emphasis…what was I saying?"

The eyebrows went down to their proper place, and Elizabeth sighed. "You were accepting my sincerest apologies."

"Right," Rodney muttered, unable to feel sufficiently angry. "Then this conversation has reached its natural conclusion."

He snuck a look out of the corner of his eyes, to make sure she left. Elizabeth stubbornly remained where she was, crossing her arms in that gesture of defiance. Picturing somewhere he'd rather be – say, a black hole – Rodney clenched his fingers. Finally, she commented, "I could always locate sunglasses."

This warranted a confused look.

"For the big bang, of course," Elizabeth clarified, with a small smile that totally failed to ignite any indignation within him.

Rodney rolled his eyes, but found himself responding, "You should probably bring coffee and a doughnut, as well."

"I'll be sure to remember that. When can I expect an invitation?"

This time, it was easier to feel righteously irritated. Rodney diverted all his attention to his laptop, eyes once again following the text as it flowed from his fingers. His neck burned from her staring, much to his annoyance.

"How about never?" he snapped abruptly.

"Goodbye, Rodney," she said simply and left.

It was barely half a minute later that Rodney glanced over his shoulder at the doorway and closed his eyes, drawing in a breath. Then it was back to work.


AN: I've started fixing up the formatting in the earlier chapters, but it's nothing too major. Just trying to make it more coherent.

And yes, a lot of inspiration for this chapter came from SG1...