Stuck on You – Chapter 1
"Elizabeth! You have GOT to see this!"
Elizabeth looked up, startled, from the file she was reading, to see Dr. Rodney McKay, chief scientist, chief sarcastic wit and chief snark. He was standing there in the doorway of her office, bouncing on his toes in anticipation.
"What is it, Rodney? I'm pretty busy at the moment." In contrast, she was calm, though after 4 hours of reports and paperwork on room assignments, power usage and coffee supplies; she was ready for a break. But she couldn't let HIM see that. It was so much more fun to make him work for it. Bessides, she was sure if it was important enough for him to come all the way to her office to get her, it would probably be worth her time.
Rodney immediately stopped bouncing, a look of shock on his face that she didn't jump up right away, as excited as he was. The shock was quickly replaced by the "hurt little boy who had just been told Santa wasn't real" look. She hated that look. She gave in every time.
"But…Elizabeth…you really should see this. It will be worth the walk. Trust me." Rodney smiled triumphantly as she sighed and got up. He turned to lead her out, the bounce once again in his step. Elizabeth slowly followed him, her eyes watching his shoulders. Wow…either he's been working out, or those missions are tougher than I realized. He's really got shoulders. Strong. Her eyes slid lower of their own accord. Whoa! And an even nicer…
Before her brain could even finish the thought, Rodney turned to see what was taking her so long. She quickly looked up, her cheeks flaming with embarrassment at being caught looking at his butt. She risked a glance at his eyes, and rather than amusement, he appeared puzzled. Elizabeth quickly bit her lip to hold back a burst of laughter as Rodney craned his head to look down his back, seeming to look for what she found so fascinating. Apparently finding nothing, he gave a small shrug and gestured her forward. "Come on. Come on," he urged. "This is amazing!"
Getting her mirth under control and speeding up to walk next to him, she couldn't help but be saddened at the loss of view. Ohhh…but now I can see those incredible eyelashes! Those eyelashes that were thicker and longer than any woman, man or child's she'd ever seen. She realized she was being obvious again and quickly resumed her diplomatic façade as they entered his lab and stopped in front of one of the work desks.
"So…what am I looking at and why is it fascinating me?" she asked with a slight smile. She loved seeing Rodney like this. Hyper and excited to show off his newest treasure. Like the Energizer bunny with a car sized battery.
"It's glue!" Rodney beamed at her.
"Umm…glue?" Apparently she was missing something important. Either that or he'd been sniffing said glue too long and decided it was the answer to the mysteries of the universe. Hoping it was the former and not the latter, she asked, "What's so wonderful about glue?
Rodney looked up in shock, before seeming to realize that a bit more explanation was required. "It's not just glue, Elizabeth. It's…some kind of epoxy the Ancients used. I found the formula for it in the database. They used it for EVERYTHING! For repairs on the city buildings. In building and repairing the stargates. A variation of it is hardened and shaped to make the windows all throughout the city. That's why a bullet won't even go through! A much weaker version was used in their medical ward, better than stitches. Even for mending broken bones! Full strength, it's unbreakable. This stuff is so strong; it could have even made the U.S.S. Minnow seaworthy again!" He finished with a grin.
Elizabeth laughed at that last line, then looked at the beaker of gold colored goop with more respect, even a touch of awe. Rodney continued, his hands suddenly busy as he placed the container over the Ancient version of a Bunsen burner and continued his litany. "Not only that, but it appears, if you heat it to just the right temperature, it will reach a rubber-like consistency, not sticky, but remain pliable enough to use for everything from chewing gum to replacing our shoes' soles!" While talking, he stirred the beaker carefully as it heated up. They both leaned closer, cheeks almost touching as they watched the color change as it heated, turning almost clear.
"What is going on in here?" a nasally voice whined from behind them. Elizabeth whirled around, startled at the noise. At that point, chaos erupted in the lab. In a fraction of a second, Kavanaugh jerked in surprise at who McKay was snuggled close to, Elizabeth's elbow caught Rodney's arm as she spun around and Rodney's arm jerked involuntarily, shattering the glass container and showering Elizabeth's neck and back with the substance.
Realizing he'd caused it and knowing he was going to be on the receiving end of a furious Rodney McKay's acerbic tongue, Kavanaugh disappeared as fast as he could, closing the door behind him. Elizabeth fairly screamed out in pain. "RODNEY! Help me! It's HOT!" She pulled at her back, trying to get the shirt away from her back.
Without thought, Rodney reacted. He bent her forward and quickly stripped her shirt over her head, getting the scalding goop off her as fast as possible then pulled her upright. His right hand went to the back of her neck, moving her hair out of the way and examining her back for signs of burns. Other than redness, she appeared okay.
He reached his left hand up to gently cup her cheek, pulling her head up to look at him. Her eyes were closed tight and she was shaking. "Elizabeth… Elizabeth, are you alright?" No response. "Please, talk to me!" He used the hand on her neck to pull her closer, resting her head on his shoulder, gently smoothing his left hand over her hair while he attempted to calm his heart's racing tempo.
Elizabeth let out a shuddering sigh and pulled back, quietly thankful for Rodney's hand still on her neck. She felt like it was the only thing keeping her upright. "I'm sorry. Bad memories. I was in a car wreck once. Somehow, it splashed gas on my back and ignited my coat. I didn't think they'd get it out in time and I couldn't reach it myself." She shuddered at the memory playing in her mind and shook her head, trying to clear it. "I'm okay, Rodney. It was just really, REALLY hot." She smiled up at him, slightly sheepish.
"Just the same, I want Carson to look at your back. I don't want any residual problems. Umm…" he looked at the floor, then back up with a little blush. "Umm…I think your shirt's a lost cause. I'm so sorry. I have a spare lab coat you can use though." He was very careful to keep his eyes focused on her face, avoiding looking at her chest the best he could.
She smiled at him thankfully. "That would be wonderful, Rodney, thanks. I don't really think seeing their leader parading through the halls of Atlantis in her underwear would inspire a lot of confidence," she said with a wry smile.
Rodney still stood there, his hand on her neck, his thumb toying with her hair and smiled at her gently. "Don't worry. I don't think there is anything you could do to make any of them lose confidence in you. Nothing." He leaned forward and kissed her forehead lightly then rested his forehead against hers for a moment longer.
Elizabeth smiled at him in gratitude and started to pull away. "Um…that lab coat?" She tried to step back, but Rodney tightened his grip on her neck almost painfully. "Rodney…not that this isn't…nice, but you can let go now. I'm okay."
"Actually….I…umm…can't." The last words were barely a whisper. "I'm stuck."
