Title: Intel

Author: Rose Wilde-Irish

Fandom: Stargate: Atlantis

Rating: PG-13

Pairing: Sparky, Weir/Zelenka

Summary: John goes to gather some intel, but things go horribly, horribly wrong. Set after Competition.

Notes: In rough form. Spoilers for Childhood's End.

"What do you mean, 'what's up between the two of you'?" John put as much puzzlement into his voice as he could.

"Oh, come on, Major, give me credit for the brains we both know I possess. Zelenka was in here earlier, asking questions about you."

Inwardly, John winced. Outwardly, he blinked innocently. "What was he asking about me?"

Rodney rolled his eyes and sighed. "What type of boss you were, were you likely to take personal feelings out on a person, how badly you could hurt a man, whether you'd spoken with me about off-world missions for him, you know. Standard stuff you'd ask... if something was up."

"I still have no idea what you're talking about."

"Major, that is completely impossible, given that I've just explained how both of you have now come in to pump me for information about the other. Now, unless you want me to either dig up the reasons for myself, or conclude that the two of you have some latent desire to start picking out china patterns together some time in the future, I suggest you tell me what's. going.on. " Rodney folded his arms and gave John his patented Stubborn Look.

John was getting awfully tired of Rodney's Stubborn Look. "McKay. I'm trying to assess Zelenka's potential for future off-world missions." He gave his best Firm Commander Look.

It bounced off Rodney without reaction. "And that's why you need to know, what was it exactly, 'what kind of a man Dr. Zelenka is'?"

John nodded, feeling his stomach sink. This wasn't going to end well.

"And asking if he's 'likely to be a little underhanded about things'?"

John closed his eyes and prayed, then cracked one open. Nope, Rodney was still in front of him, intact and in one piece, and the ground hadn't swallowed himself up. Looks like there was no avoiding it. "I was trying," he drawled slowly, "to make surehe wouldn't be the type of person to swipe a ZPM from a planet full of kids with no other means of defense." He leaned back a touch, a little smugly. Maybe he had managed to weasel out of it.

One look at Rodney's face told him how wrong he was. "If that's the story you wish to stick to, Major, go right ahead. I'd be happy to sort through this puzzle on my own time. Because we all know how good I am with puzzles, don't we?"

John decided now was a good time for a strategic withdrawal. "Just think about it, McKay, and get back to me. I'd like to be able to work up some mission personnel for the future," he said as he walked towards the door.

"Fine, fine, but remember one thing, Major," Rodney said as he made it to the hallway. Rodney's voice rose a bit as he exited the room. "I'm not exactly subtle about these things!"

Groaning, John increased his pace. With his luck, Rodney would go to Elizabeth about it.

The thought alone made him trip.

fin