Letters from Home - Part 1b
By Karabdai

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Disclaimer: See part 1...

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Dinner that night was MREs. Rodney was thrilled. Everyone else was tolerant; luckily they only had to eat the things twice a week. Elizabeth sat with Rodney, Sheppard and Teyla; Ford seemed to be off with one of female scientists.

Sheppard and Rodney were arguing about the next planet to go to.

"But I think we need to look at getting more trading partners so we have some options..."

"No, no, I'm tired of people using us for something and then cutting us loose when it serves them. I say we need to find more ZPMS to power the shields..."

"All right gentlemen, I think that's enough for one night. We can have this argument tomorrow at the staff meeting. Can't we have one meal were we eat like civilized human beings."

Both men look chastened but Teyla looked gratefully at Elizabeth.

"Did you receive news from Simon in your letters?" Teyla asked.

"Yes, he wrote a brief note. It was a bit disappointing but he said he had been busy and he would write more next month. He said my dog is doing fine and that's the important part, right?"

Teyla laughed and turned and asked Sheppard about his package.

Elizabeth looked at Rodney. "Did anyone ever bring you're your mail?"

Rodney shook his head and changed the subject. They talked about random pieces of gossip until they finished eating and then he said he had to go back to his lab. He got up from the table and after saying goodbye to Sheppard and Teyla left. Elizabeth turned to the other two and asked the question that had started plaguing her after Rodney avoided talking about the mail again.

"Have you ever seen Rodney get mail, John?"

"Now that you mention it, I've never seen him with mail while we've been at Atlantis. He changes the subject whenever I ask if he got any letters from his parents or Col Carter. Maybe he just likes reading them in private. He's afraid we'll ask about all his women."

Teyla smacked John on the arm. "Be nice to Rodney."

"Hey, that hurt!"

"Serves you right"

Elizabeth was staring off into space not paying attention to the other two. "I forgot to give him that report from earlier. I think I'll take it to him now." Elizabeth got up and walked out of the cafeteria.

"Teyla, my dear, have you noticed anything funny with our two favorite doctors lately."

"I have no comment on that subject, John. Don't you have reports to write?"

"Why would I want to do that when you are here to keep me busy?"

"I'm not going to cover for you with Elizabeth this time, go write your reports and then meet me on the balcony on level 2."

"Yes ma'am," he said with a smile.

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Elizabeth wandered back to Rodney's lab after a stop at her office to pick up the report she was using as an excuse to go see him. She wasn't looking too closely at why she needed an excuse to go see him. This whole thing was getting strange.

His lab door was open again and he was once again sitting playing with something on his table. "We should stop meeting like this." She said with a smile.

"At least you didn't send me through the roof this time. I thought I was going to have to find a bell to put around your neck so you couldn't sneak up on me anymore."

"I brought you the report you needed for team 3. I've been meaning to give it to you all day but it kept slipping my mind."

"Thanks."

"So, I have a question."

"Well it's good to have questions, it makes you look smart."

"Ha ha, Mr. smart aleck. My question is about the mail."

"Do I look like the mailman? What is it with you and the mail?"

"Well, I just wanted to make sure everyone got their mail. It seems like a great moral booster."

"Yes, yes, great moral boost. So who did you get mail from?"

"Rodney, why do you change the subject every time someone brings up you getting mail?"

"I don't know what you are talking about. I don't change the subject, it just doesn't interest me."

"Now that's an interesting statement. Not interesting. Any particular reason you aren't interested in the mail?"

"Are you my shrink? I think you are unhealthily interested in the mail. Go read yours and leave me alone."

"Rodney, when was the last time you got a letter?"

There was silence for a few seconds. He huffed and said, "Fine, fine, my secret is out. I have gotten no mail. I have never received a letter while we've been on Atlantis. Happy!"

After an appalled silence Elizabeth asked. "Don't you get letters from your parents?"

"No. They think I am still in Russia, they didn't send mail then, why would it change. We have a strict policy of exchanging cards only on Christmas and birthdays, I guess they thought I was clinging too much and cut back."

Elizabeth didn't know what to say to that revelation so she asked the next question.

"I thought you got letters from Col Carter?"

"Sam? She's been busy with SG1 and that guy Pete, I heard through the grapevine. We talk over the radio and that's fine."

Elizabeth noticed he didn't seem too heartbroken about that and that caused her to feel slightly better. No, she wasn't going there.

"I don't really miss not getting letters. Everyone I used to work with are idiots and I had lost touch with all my friends from college. I just didn't like the funny looks I was starting to get when we had mail call so I bailed on this one. I figured on the off chance I did get a letter someone would drop it by later."

"I don't know what to say, Rodney."

"See, now you are giving me that look, it's not a big deal. Leave it alone!"

"But..."

"No, Elizabeth, its fine... did you need anything else."

She shook her head and said, "Well I better get going. See you in the morning, don't stay up too late."

Rodney smiled and said goodnight.

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The revelation about Rodney's mail situation did not sit well with Elizabeth. She felt mail was an important part of moral on this base and no one should do with out it. At least that was what she told herself. The flutters were back and no matter how hard she thought they would not go away. She sat on her bed and pulled a pen and paper onto her lap.

After about 20 minutes she finished and with a smile got up and put it in an envelope to be delivered in the morning.

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"Dr McKay, this came letter is for you."

"Letter, what letter?"

"I don't know, I was just told to make sure you got this first thing this morning."

"Thanks, Sgt." Rodney took the letter. It didn't have a post mark on it so it wasn't from earth and he couldn't imagine anyone sending him a letter here. He opened and looked at the signature. Lizzie? He started at the top.

"Dear Rodney,

I hope this letter finds you well and in good spirits. Things here have been crazy. Do you know how hard it is to keep the peace in a community of strong minded scientists and military personnel? Sometimes I just want to crack heads together but then someone comes up with a solution that makes everyone happy. Normally it's one of the scientists. He is a real pain sometimes but is one of the most brilliant men I have ever met. He comes up with these mad schemes but they seem to work out.

I have really enjoyed my time here. People have been very nice but I don't think too many of them are comfortable enough with me to become friends. That is probably for the best as I have to keep command. But there are a few people who I consider friends. That scientist guy is one. Anytime I have a problem or a concern about the base he always listens to me ramble on and gives advice when I ask for it and sometimes when I don't. If it wasn't for him my time here would be very lonely.

I hope you are getting enough rest. I remember that you used to never sleep. You would stay up nights and just play with your toys. You need to get more sleep.

I promise to be better about writing you while you are gone. Never forget how important you are to the members of your team and to me. Stay safe.

Your friend

Lizzie

PS- If you ever call me Lizzie to my face you are in for it!"

Rodney read the letter twice to make sure of what he was reading. At first he thought Elizabeth was playing some sort of joke on him but after reading the letter again she seemed to be telling him in her own weird way that she cared about his mental health. He always knew she cared about him as a member of the team; she was a good friend to him and he appreciated her. He never knew though she valued his friendship that much; they talked but there were thoughts in the letter that she had never shared before. He appreciated the gesture he decided.

He folded the letter back up and put it in the top of his desk. Maybe mail wasn't overrated.

FIN

AN: So that ends this part. Never fear the next part is set to roll out in a few days. I think we are headed for some good stuff in the next couple of chapters. But just to warn you, it is one step forward two steps back for our favorite pair. Leave your comments on the way out, please. Thanks!