Authors Note: This hasn't been beta-read so I apologize if it has grammar/spelling errors in or if the characters sound a bit off. Please let me know what you think of this, complaints, suggestions; any feedback would be helpful as long as it is constructive.

Well here's Kate's PoV on the whole thing. Not designed to make you hate her character though I feel some people will take this as Kate-bashing anyway, probably because Kate is a bit critical in this. Also but unsure about how she might act as a psychologist so I apologise for any mistakes on that and happy if anyone wants to point out them.

Spoilers: "The Gift" - for character introduction. No plot spoilers but if you don't want to know of a new minor character before it airs then don't read yet, not that her actions in this are canon, her behaviour here is pure fanon.

Disclaimer: I don't own the rights to Stargate in any incarnations of course and I'm not making any money, this is just some harmless fanfic fun.

Chapter 2: For everything a reason

Kate Heightmeyer sat in the mess hall to one side. Eating her lunch, one careful methodical chew after another.
She wasn't sure why she did this, prolonging her torture.
She was waiting for them to arrive, at the expense of her food that was long cold.
Or maybe for once it would be just him, alone, approachable.
For quite some time she wanted to call out to him, ask him to join her. It wasn't like she'd never spoken to him.

However, Elizabeth Weir's near constant presence made it impossible. Normally she was confident but there was a connection between the two that she didn't like and didn't particularly want to touch on. If she was ever going to speak to him she knew she'd have to overcome that.
There was nothing between Rodney and Weir. Not yet anyway. Maybe there never would be.

It had taken her a long time to find out how she felt about Dr. McKay. Rodney she corrected herself, prefering to use his first name.
He had come to her a few times now but he rather annoyingly insisted on calling her doctor and not Kate, distancing himself as she can tell he does with many. She'd come to know there were a few he let in, like Elizabeth Weir.

She can tell the woman is important to him. For someone who tends to act and frequently point out others inferiority it was strange. McKay as she'd first known him through her patients, had been an arrogant and often callous man who had sent many of more sensitive scientists running to her, cradling their shattered pride. For him to talk so much of their leader was quite astonishing - it tended to be 'Elizabeth thinks that ...' followed by casual references to previous comments involving her ideas. Such a phrase only coming up every now and then but the fact he trusted her, thought so much of her judgement and intelligence that his admiration shone through, breaking his defensive surface on occasion.

Kate was also sure he had visited her because Elizabeth recommended he see her. She could have ordered him to but it was clear Dr Weir wouldn't need to, he might resist and mouth off at the suggestion but it would never come to that. He did as she told, as a colleague under her command, as a friend and as something else he wanted to ignore.

On one level Kate knew it was probably a bad idea for him to bottle up his feelings for his friend, after all she tried to draw them out in helping him deal with his issues but at the same time she was happy to ignore those particular ones. This put her in a difficult position.

Back on earth she would never dream of dating anyone she worked with but here it was different. They were stranded with little hope of return, she couldn't help but get attached to those she was dealing with. They became her friends to a certain extent. It was unfamiliar to her but something she accepted as part of this situation, it was impossible to keep personal and professional separate as she had done previously in her career.

Which was why she entertained the ambition of becoming involved with Rodney. It wasn't like she could cut herself off from them all, be friendless and lonely. It was certainly selfish but she couldn't forsake her happiness because of rules that were made for another time and place entirely. The psychologists handbook hardly bore in mind being stuck on a colony in another galaxy.

The contradiction that was Rodney McKay walked into the room, she heard him well before his feet came clunking inside, enabling her time to reposition herself to watch his entrance surreptitiously. At first she thought he was without his usual chum, praying he was accompanied by Radek or Carson. Either possibility of two handsome doctors would have made her day. A chance to talk to Rodney and the pleasant companionship of his friends would have lifted her spirits greatly.

No such luck. Weir followed Rodney, her slightly cocky mild smile on her lips showing she was amused but not surprised by Rodney's rant.

One thing she didn't care for was the way Elizabeth Weir acted. It was fair enough for her role as a leader that she be calm and in charge but Kate hated how that applied to Rodney. Elizabeth never showed true appreciation for the man, could never allow herself to get passionate when he was in danger or to praise him fully for his achievements in case it was taken as further favoritism. Weir was set away from them all to a degree because it was part of her job, she was above them all in command and responsible for everyone equally. She saw how Weir was careful to show emotions, having mastered restraint, reigning herself in in times of stress. She also saw how the woman deliberately changed her use of the names 'Rodney' and 'Dr. McKay' based on who was listening, who was there and just how much a situation made her care. More and more it was Rodney no matter who was there but now and then when something looked bad there was the slip back into professionalism, keeping her distance and addressing him formally unless there was a need make a connection to calm him. Weir bumped his status back and forth between that of a colleague and a man she cared for, juggling the relationship and struggling to stabilise what was there. Obviously settling for a sort of friendship, that was unfair on Rodney.

Regardless Kate got on with her fine but it wasn't right that it should be Elizabeth and Rodney when neither wanted to recognise it and Weir would never do anything if she did. Rodney deserved better, someone to be with who understood him as well as Elizabeth but who could give themselves over to him.

Admittedly he wasn't suffering much as it was, ignorance or denial making bliss and friendship easy for them.
The unknowing couple had retrieved trays, filled them and made their way to the table in front of Kate. They sat down, with Rodney's back to her, only allowing her to see Elizabeth's face which wasn't the one she was interested in.

She could hear Rodney digging in to his lunch eagerly, munching interrupted at periods by his arguments. That was another thing about them, unlike his interactions with most he and Elizabeth managed to keep it at an amiable level, it was only really theorising with a good pinch of teasing thrown in; Elizabeth playing devil's advocate to his musings.

There was rising feeling of spite that Kate tried to quell, turning back to her worthless lunch.
She didn't dare look up, fearing Elizabeth would see her looking and what might be seen in her own eyes by the woman, that could not be passed off as concern or a chanced gaze.

Jealousy wasn't something she was used to. She despised that she was envious, things were harder for it. Having to watch Elizabeth's unconscious advances on Rodney. Being the one of the small number of people who realised what was there.

She listened to Rodney start rambling again when Elizabeth's name was called clearly across the hall.
"Dr. Weir"
It should have been a question but the man never talks like that, always so sure of himself and his place. If only he wouldn't transfer his ideals on her. Kate looks up cautiously between bites, pretending to enjoy eating the disgusting cold mush on her plate.

Peter Grodin leant over to whisper something in Elizabeth's ear, getting Rodney's attention. Rodney doesn't take another bite, waiting to find out what's wrong. Nice to see she's not the only one jealous today.
Elizabeth nods in an understanding manner and apologises to Rodney, leaving her food there unfinished.

She notes Grodin seemed unhappy to interrupt the two, looking apologetic at Rodney before giving her an unexpected look; catching her watching Elizabeth and Rodney and him.
She doesn't quite know what the man has against her but has her suspicions, not making much sense since shes sure he pines for dear Elizabeth Weir as much as Rodney does, if not more for his knowledge of it.

But Elizabeth leaves with Peter, who gives one last wary look back over his shoulder to where she sits.
And Kate sits up straight, a glare meant for him. She waits until the nosy Brit has left with Weir, not understanding why Peter can't leave her be, let her at least try. Elizabeth might be lost to him but Rodney isn't for her and someone ought to be content among the four of them.

She gets up, pulling down her top and walking straight round to the next table. Butterflies in her stomach as she approaches Rodney. She stands over him with a smile just about to speak but he beats her to it.
"Kate?" he asks surprised, through a mouthful of food, waving a fork around as he finishes swallowing it.

She's surprised to hear him say her name, as if he's testing it out, unsure but pleased he remembers, that she means any little thing to him. This isn't quite what she wanted but it's what she's been patiently seeking; by that measure it's perfect and she can't waste it with foolish behaviour just because she's nervous. She knows better, she knows what causes the fear and she pushes it back, reclaiming her confidence. It's Rodney and her for a change.

He motions for her to take a seat, one last glance to the door like he's checking if Elizabeth is really gone, as Kate sits down and pushes the leftover tray out of the way.
So Kate puts on her best smile for him because for once she's got a chance. That she saw through him and she would be there for him when Elizabeth was not, starting right now.

A/N: There may be more to come on this, if I can think of a way to do so. Should I do more of either of these two or someone else entirely? Open to suggestions since it was only ever designed to be two chapters.