Stuck on You – Chapter 7

Though Rodney and Elizabeth had both gotten pretty comfortable attached to each other, they weren't as anxious to test that comfort with stares. On the way to the Commissary, they talked about it and decided to forgo breakfast and get right to work. They could always go during the off times and probably avoid many embarrassing questions.

They made it to the lab with only a few stares. Elizabeth wasn't sure if they were staring because his arm was on her neck, appearing to be almost around her shoulders in a hug. She was afraid they were staring because the happiness she was feeling was probably apparent on her face. She tried to get the grin off her face and failed miserably, only managing to turn down the wattage a bit. Oh, forget it! So I'm happy. So what? After all we've been through in the last 2 days, just shut up and enjoy the happiness when you can get it. Elizabeth decided her subconscious was making more sense than it ever had. Bless that little voice.

She decided to enjoy it. She'd have to get back to real life soon. She'd already missed a couple meetings that had been scheduled, not to mention the paperwork she knew was piling up on her desk. Thankfully, there had been no emergencies or even minor catastrophes. She kept her headset on as always, and knew if something major did come up, they'd call her. She also knew that it wouldn't stay quiet for long. If she and Rodney didn't figure this out soon, they'd pretty much have to let everyone know, simply because having him standing next to her all the time would need SOME kind of explanation.

Though…isn't that where he usually is? Next to me, contributing as an equal, or just behind me supporting me? The more Elizabeth thought about it, the more she realized he was right where he'd always been. Ever since the early days in Antarctica, when they had fought side by side against the government for more people and resources. Rodney had been the first person assigned to the base after her, and for better or worse, they'd been a team ever since. What was it Rodney had said to Kolya during the storm? "We're a package deal." At the time, she'd been too scared to realize what he'd said. And she was sure if they ever talked about it, he probably wouldn't even remember it. He was simply saying whatever it took to keep them both alive. She just hadn't realized how much truth was in his frantic explanations.

As soon as they reached the lab, they called up the information they had been working on yesterday, pausing only to get the coffeepot going to insure their caffeine source. After several hours of work, while both were focused intently on the computer screen in front of Elizabeth, it was clear that neither of them was using their ENTIRE mental capacity on the research. Elizabeth was alternating between mentally reviewing the image permanently embedded in her brain – Wet Rodney in equally wet boxers - and chastising herself for idly wondering if there was a way to work slower to lengthen their time together. She'd liked the Rodney she'd seen the last couple of days, but was sure that as soon as they were separated it would be more than just physical distance between them. He'd go right back to his old self.

Rodney, on the other hand was alternating between being worried she'd somehow found out about the tiny peek he'd been unable to resist taking while she'd been dressing, and mentally slapping himself for the silly kiss he'd given her earlier. If you could even call that little peck a kiss. Why hadn't he really kissed her? Shown her that just because he was a science geek didn't mean he wasn't a great kisser. Like all the guys in his science club in high school, he'd done a lot of practicing. He'd be forever grateful for Maryann Baker. While homelier than he'd even thought possible, she'd been willing to let all the guys in the club practice with her until they'd become proficient. Strangely, she'd never complained. Not even at having six dates for the Senior Prom.

Rodney was startled out of his thoughts by the sound of his lab door opening. He and Elizabeth turned in unison to see John Sheppard standing in the doorway with a confused look on his face.

"Elizabeth? Here you are! I've been looking for you for hours now. Why in the world are you in here on Rodney's computer? You have your own. Besides, we had a meeting scheduled for 2 hours ago."

Elizabeth realized with a start that she'd forgotten to cancel her personnel evaluation meeting with John. She wondered with a worried frown how many others she'd forgotten about. It dawned on her she hadn't even been to her office to check her schedule since this had all started. In fact, she hadn't even thought about her administrative duties other than fleetingly. She didn't think she'd had any other meetings planned, and she knew if an emergency had arisen, they'd have called her on the radio.

She smiled at John apologetically. "I'm sorry John. We just got into this and I forgot the time. Why didn't you just call me on the radio?"

John cocked an eyebrow at her. "I did. But when you didn't answer, I eventually came looking." He looked at her, and then at Rodney, who appeared to be giving her a neck massage, then back to Elizabeth. "Of course, I see why you were too busy to answer. Good thing the city wasn't being attacked, huh?" He didn't appear to even attempt to stop the knowing grin from forming on his face.

At his words, Elizabeth immediately felt for her radio. When she found nothing, her eyes slid closed and her face flamed as she realized the shower and kiss had rattled her more than she'd thought. She NEVER forgot to put her radio on before leaving her quarters. She tossed a quick glance at Rodney for help and was relieved when he actually caught the glance and took over with barely a hesitation.

"Oh please, Major. Don't be dramatic. Like we wouldn't have known if the Wraith attacked. Yeah, we would have totally missed the shaking of the city and the yelling and shooting and stuff." The sarcasm in his voice was so thick he sounded almost angry. However, Elizabeth had come to know him better than that, and apparently so did John. Rather than be offended, he just smiled knowingly, made a not-so-subtle apology for "interrupting something", and left.

Rodney rolled his eyes and was attempting to think of something reassuring to say to Elizabeth when his door opened again. He whirled back to face the newcomer with a snarl and a snapped, "WHAT NOW!"

Carson stopped dead just inside the doorway, startled. He must have known he'd probably have a fight on his hands, but actually faced with Rodney's ire, he appeared to lose his nerve.

"Carson, come in or go out. Either way, let the door shut. We're trying NOT to advertise all this, remember?" Rodney's snark came out again, but anyone who cared to listen closely could hear the underlying affection and friendship for one of his closest friends, Elizabeth decided.

Carson seemed to shake off the temporary paralysis and stepped forward, rolling his eyes as he said with exasperation, "A wee bit snappy, are we, Rodney? Unless ye want me ta surgically remove yer hand so the lass can get some time ta herself, I suggest ye calm yerself. I'm not here ta see ye anyway. I've got somethin' fer her." He motioned to Elizabeth, who saw for the first time that both hands were full.

"I've had a devil of a time avoidin' questions, Lass. Oh, an' be careful. Major Sheppard's lookin' for ye. Now, I know Rodney is used ta survivin' on those disgustin' Pow'rBars, but they're nae fit fer human consumption in my opinion. Now, from what I hear, ye haven't bin takin' regul'r meals since this started. Am I right?" Rodney rolled his eyes as Carson came closer extending his hands towards them. "At least take these vitamins an' eat this toast. It's nae the best, but its real food."

Rodney took the accompanying glass for Elizabeth while she took the vitamins and toast plate from Carson with, in Rodney's opinion, a very sweet grin. He looked down at the brownish looking liquid in the glass he was holding. "Carson, what IS this stuff? It looks like a liquid Powerbar. This is better…how?"

Carson reached to snatch the glass from Rodney before he could drink it, simultaneously saying, "its nae Pow'rBars, Rodney, its orange juice that's nae so orange."

As soon as Rodney heard the word "orange", he jerked his hand holding the glass in fright, accidentally spilling it all over the back of Elizabeth's head. She squealed, jumping to her feet with a "RODNEY!"

"Carson! What's the matter with you! I'm deathly allergic to citrus! One swallow of that could put me into a coma or worse! Why would you hand that to me!" Rodney was not to be calmed.

"Aye, that's why it was for the lass, nae ye." Carson handed Elizabeth some napkins, then tried to help her mop up as much of the juice as possible. "Oh, nicely done, Rodney. It's nae like she kin shower to get this off with ye attached. How's she supposed ta git this out of her hair?" He gave Rodney a not-so-gentle nudge to the ribs with his elbow to move him over and help Elizabeth.

Rodney stepped back, bringing his hands up defensively. "Hey, it's not like I did it on purpose. YOU'RE the….hey! My hand! My RIGHT hand! Elizabeth, Look! I have two hands!" He looked at his right hand as if he'd never seen it before or at least as if he'd never planned to see it again, an enormous grin threatening to split his face in two.

Elizabeth grabbed the back of her neck and felt nothing but residue, wetness and skin. Her OWN skin. She whirled to grin at Rodney, and without conscious thought from either of them, they crashed together in a celebratory hug, Rodney spinning her around while laughing loudly with glee. Carson was about to congratulate them and look at Elizabeth's neck when Rodney lowered his head and kissed Elizabeth full on the mouth! Carson froze in shock and was about to say something when he realized Elizabeth was participating fully in the kiss.

Carson stood there for a moment, and then wondered if he should leave. However, the horrible appearance of the back of Elizabeth's neck stopped him. "Umm…look, I hate to…interrupt ye, but I need to see ye in the infirmary. Yer neck looks painful. And Rodney, I want ta check out yer hand as well."

That said, he turned and left the lab. Rodney and Elizabeth, who had jerked apart at Carson's words, stood staring at each other, half embarrassed and half too giddy to care. Rodney was overjoyed just to be able to wrap his arms around her. Elizabeth, on the other hand, was simply happy to be free physically, but also to know that Rodney's emotions seemed to be running as deeply as hers were.

"Well…"

"Ummm. Well…"

They both spoke at the same moment, and then stopped. Elizabeth laughed and Rodney smiled wryly. "We've been spending far too much time together if we're even talking together now."

Elizabeth laughed again at Rodney's statement, and then stepped back just a bit. While his left hand fell from her waist to rest by his side, his right hand seemed to go to the back of her neck almost of its own accord. He frowned and winced a bit at what he felt there, and turned her around gently to look at her neck.

"Oh my God. Elizabeth! That has to hurt. Your neck looks almost raw."

"Really?" Elizabeth reached up and felt at her neck gingerly. It was a bit tender. "I hadn't noticed. I was a bit…umm…preoccupied." She grinned almost shyly.

Rodney smiled back, tucking her hair behind her ear gently. "Come on, we better let Carson take a look at us or he'd going to come back…with needles, no doubt." He put his hand on the small of her back, guiding her out the door and towards the infirmary.

"For the 300th time, Carson, I don't KNOW why it wore off! Something had to have happened." He stopped pacing for a moment and snapped his fingers with an idea. "Maybe it was the soap in the shower this..." At Carson's incredulous look, Rodney quickly changed tracks. "No. That couldn't be. It's an alkali anyway. We'd need an acid." He resumed his pacing for about three steps, and then froze. "Oh no. Tell me it's not that simple."

"What?" Elizabeth couldn't follow his line of thinking.

"If it's that stupidly simple, it would have dissolved the city long before now."

"What!" Apparently, neither could Carson.

Of course, if it's never encountered it before, it's possible…"

"RODNEY!" Their voices in tandem seemed to break his thought pattern and he turned to them both with a look of disbelief on his face.

"The orange juice. Ascorbic and citric acid."

"Wait a second… as in…Vitamin C? Rodney, surely Vitamin C wouldn't destroy glue that strong. It's too common."

"Are you sure, Elizabeth? Think about it. Have we seen anything resembling a citrus fruit since we got to the Pegasus Galaxy, other than what we brought? Any orange trees? Lemon? Grapefruit? Heck, a kumquat even? No. Not a one. Apparently, it's not something that's native to this area. And if it's not native, then the Ancients, as smart as they were, wouldn't have even thought to check if it was impervious. Why check for durability against an acid that doesn't exist? We don't even know if citrus existed when they were on Earth all those millennia ago."

At that, he fell quiet and resumed his pacing. It became clear as he began muttering again, but answering himself, that their continued attention was not required. He would figure it out himself. Carson and Elizabeth refocused on his treatment of her neck. A gauze pad soaked with orange juice seemed to be getting the last of the residue off.

As he finished and cleaned her neck off, he hesitated to tell her what had become clearer the longer he worked. While Rodney's hand was no longer attached, he had definitely left his mark. There, plain as could be while Elizabeth's hair was pinned out of the way, was a perfect handprint. He'd tried to remove it with a number of cleaners, disinfectants and even plain old rubbing alcohol. Nothing would remove it or even lighten it. From every indication, it appeared it was there to stay.