Stuck on You – Chapter 3

Elizabeth was getting a headache. After multiple explanations to Carson to explain what had happened, he seemed to at least accept the fact that the expedition leader and the head scientist were going to be really close friends for a while, if not permanently. Carson had assured her it wouldn't be permanent, but how he was going to bring THAT promise to fruition, she had no idea.

"Ah lass. Don't worry. If nothin' else, we'll jest cut his hand off." While he said it with a grin, Rodney, who had retreated with his own thoughts into his brain about 20 minutes ago, wasn't paying attention. THAT sentence, however, jerked his attention back and he began to sputter quickly.

"WHAT! You can't cut my hand off! I can't do my job without both hands. And this city would never make it without my skills. You'd be stuck with just Zelenka. And besides, it's my right hand! Carson, you can not have my right hand. Period." Rodney ran out of breath, and started to drag in another one. When it appeared he had no intention of stopping there, Elizabeth quickly jumped into the break.

"Rodney! Calm down. He was kidding. You're not going to lose your hand. Besides, I'm sure you're going to figure something out. You're not going to be stuck to my neck forever. Right?" When he didn't answer right away, Elizabeth gave him a quick look. "Right, Rodney?"

"What? Oh yes. Right. Of course. Sorry, I was thinking of how we can fix this and realizing we have a few things that need to be…taken care of and pretty soon." He said this last part almost embarrassed.

Elizabeth couldn't imagine what would be so urgent it couldn't wait until they'd solved this and was about to ask when Rodney's stomach growled loudly. She couldn't help but laugh quietly and reply, "Ah, yes. Food. We can't have you getting light-headed while trying to figure this out. However…I'm not sure going to the commissary is quite the best idea." After the looks they'd gotten walking down the halls earlier, the thought of the stares while she tried to eat was enough to put her off her appetite entirely.

"Umm.. yeah. Food is important. But…that's not my biggest problem at the moment." Again, his face turned read and he lowered his head and mumbled something incoherently.

"What was that last part, Rodney? I couldn't make it out," Elizabeth asked, truly confused.

He looked up, and repeated, "I said, 'I really have to use the bathroom' and I have no idea how that's gonna work."

Elizabeth felt her face flame and realized his predicament. Unfortunately, his bringing the topic up reminded her that she hadn't used the restroom in hours and the need was becoming a bit pressing as well. Her mind raced, trying and failing to come up with a way this would work out and let them maintain a portion of their dignity. Looking up at Rodney, it was obvious he was using his considerable brain power on the same problem and coming up equally stumped. She could feel his hand tightening on her neck in his anxiety and some corner of her mind registered the slight pain, but along with that, the realization that she could tell what he was feeling much easier. His emotions were seldom shown to the world, but she could feel the increased tension just in his hand.

"Oh, for goodness sake! It's nae that difficult! You kin use the bathroom here in the medical bay and cover yer eyes." Carson was trying valiantly not to laugh, but he knew if he didn't get them out of there soon, he was going to, and for a long time. However, if the looks on their faces were any indication, neither of them was ready to see the humor of the situation.

Elizabeth was relieved at the simple suggestion and looked at Rodney for agreement. Rodney on the other hand, was looking at her with something that looked a lot like nervousness and…suspicion. "Are you certain you can keep your eyes covered?"

She laughed out loud at that, and shook her head in amusement, hoping he wasn't offended, as would sometimes happen. Instead, she caught the barest hint of a smile and she realized it was his way of breaking the tension. She smiled and stood, leading the way to the restroom and motioned for him to go first.

She stood with her back to him, covering her eyes with both hands, hearing him rustle around, and then…nothing. She stood there until she couldn't stand it anymore, before finally asking, "Rodney? Are you okay?"

She heard him sigh, then "No. I'm not. I can't…I can't go while you're standing there listening. Can't you talk or…or sing or something?" He didn't sounds snarky, just embarrassed and frustrated. She stifled a giggle and thought fast.

"Nope. But I can do better than that. Make yourself presentable, we're about to have company. Carson!" With barely a pause, Carson was there. "Could you please give me a few cotton balls? Carson seemed puzzled, but complied without question. Bless the man, he must put up with strange things if he didn't even question my request, she thought.

Stuffing them in her ears, she spoke loudly over her shoulder to Rodney. "THERE YOU GO, PROBLEM SOLVED. I CAN'T HEAR A SOUND. JUST DON'T FORGET TO TELL ME WHEN YOU'RE DONE!" Rodney looked at her back for a minute, and took advantage of her inability to see his face and temporarily let his features soften in gratitude. His bladder concerns quickly overcame his sentiment and he refocused, completing his task as fast as possible and then reached up to pull a cotton ball out of her ear, simultaneously turning her around with a smile.

"Much better, though…well, let's just say…you ever tried to write with your left hand?" He looked embarrassed, but with a slight gleam in his eyes, which let her know he could at least find the humor in the situation now that his part was done. They quickly reversed positions, and Rodney squeezed his eyes tight, and used his free hand to cover his eyes to reassure Elizabeth he was a man of honor. While he was a normal, red-blooded male, and did find her attractive as any man would, sharing a bathroom with her before he even learned her middle name was NOT something he wanted to burn into his brain by seeing more of her than he should. He intended to forget this embarrassing little pit stop as soon as humanly possible.

As soon as Elizabeth tapped him on the shoulder, he turned with a slight smile. "Not even a LITTLE peak, Scout's Honor." Elizabeth laughed at that, blushing slightly, but as Rodney had, feeling better now that it was over.

"Alright. One major obstacle hurdled. Now, food time. However, I'm not sitting in the commissary. I have some snacks in my quarters. If it's okay with you, I'd rather just go there." It was the best solution Elizabeth could come up with. Rodney nodded gratefully, looking relieve to be avoiding the stares himself.

They thanked Carson several times, assured him not to worry, and asked him to not tell any more people than he had to. Yes, word would get around, but they were hoping to stall the rumors as much as possible. That taken care of, they headed to Elizabeth's room. Rodney looked around in surprise.

"Hey! How did you get a couch! AND your own bathroom with a TUB? I only got a shower!" Elizabeth just laughed and smiled enigmatically. She walked to the cabinet in the corner of the main room, Rodney following out of curiosity as much as necessity. She handing Rodney a couple power bars, some chips and…2 ho-ho's.

Rodney stared at them in shock. "Ho-Ho's? How in the world do you have ho-ho's?" He brought the package to his nose, inhaling deeply with a look of pure bliss. She laughed and pulled a third ho-ho out of the cabinet.

"Secret stash. My allowed personal item? Junk food. Enough to last quite a while. A girl's got to have chocolate. But do NOT tell anyone. It's my…well, now OUR secret. Or no chocolate. Deal?" She waved the third ho-ho in front of his face, with an eyebrow raised in question.

Rodney snatched the goodie away faster than she thought he could move and smiled at her with something akin to glee. "You offer me chocolate as long as I can keep my mouth shut? Do you even have to ask? Why would I risk losing out, or worse, having to share with someone else?"

Elizabeth rolled her eyes, then giggled as they sat down on the couch, Rodney's right arm along the back, sitting sideways facing her. It gave him a perfect view of her profile. The strong chin that reflected the strong temperament that let him get away with nothing. The aristocratic nose that she could look down to make idiots cringe. He smiled at her and slowly began to eat one of the powerbars, making small talk, surprised at how easy it was.

An hour later, as the last of the food was eaten, Elizabeth was surprised to find how effortless it was to talk to Rodney. She'd known he was interesting, just from their after-hours talks while in Antarctica, but those had always been work related. Now, they spoke of their childhood homes, their favorite subjects in school and their first jobs. Anything and everything and she was thoroughly enjoying every minute of it, hoping it could go on for hours more. The entire evening was made better by Rodney's subconscious massaging of her neck while they talked, relaxing her more than she thought possible.

Unfortunately, the mood was spoiled as she let out a huge yawn, too big to even be concealed behind her hand. It was followed seconds later by an identical one from Rodney, then a small smile. "Well, I guess that's our bodies' way of telling us that as much fun as this has been, it has to end…for now. It's bedtime."

He smiled and she returned it, shocked to find herself slightly disappointed that the evening had to come to an end. Then it hit her. Bedtime. She hadn't even thought of it. "Oh. Yes. Well… Can you…I mean, do you mind…sleeping in here? I do have a bigger bed than you."

She was surprised again, as he agreed without argument, "As long as you don't mind if I get a bit more comfortable. I promise I'll leave my boxers on. And I can't take my t-shirt off without cutting it and this happens to be my favorite shirt." He waited patiently for her to agree, and then sat precariously on the edge of the bed, unfastening his pants with difficulty and finally sliding them off, leaving him sitting there in his shorts and t-shirt.

"Close your eyes and stay that way until I tell you, alright?" It didn't take a genius to figure out this time it was HER turn to be embarrassed. At his nod, she slowly pulled the borrowed lab coat off, then her pants, before quickly shimmying into a long button up sleep shirt. "Okay. I'm done. You ready to go to bed?

At his nod of agreement, they carefully climbed under the covers, Rodney laying on his right side, his arm stretched out across her pillows. They both lay stiffly. As comfortable as the last hour or so had been, this was completely different. Rodney was a stomach sleeper. He couldn't sleep all night unless he started on his stomach. Elizabeth was a side sleeper, but stayed silent. After quite a while of laying there quietly, Rodney heard Elizabeth's breath even out as she drifted into sleep. He lay there several moments longer, smiling at the thought that he could easily get used to that sound as he followed her into slumber.