Author's notes: My very first Atlantis story!
I wrote it for the "Word a Month" from HRA, so thank you L.E for the challenge! Also, thanks to Stonedtoad for the beta!
He's leaving. Going to the Pegasus Galaxy. I don't know how far that is, but he was talking about billions of light years away. Sounds really far, even for me.
But then, I'm not as ignorant as I seem to be! After all, I've lived with Dr. Rodney McKay all my life… And when you share the house with a workaholic astrophysicist, you tend to find out more about science than you ever wanted…
Especially that Rodney always talked to me. He used to tell me about his theories, about his ideas and plans… I'm the one he used to confess his worries and frustrations to, it was me who listened to his techno-babble for hours during those long sleepless nights…
Truth be said, he thought he was talking to himself, ironically saying that I'm the only living soul that understands him… But it was true, I do understand him, I can see in him the gentle soul he wants to hide under a mask of arrogance and infatuation… I know he's just a man who, just like me, needs to be loved and cared about… And it breaks my feline heart to see that most of his own kind can't appreciate him at his true value…
Ever since I was a little kitten, I've been his faithful audience. Unfortunately, I couldn't do anything else, but I'm sure I was able to comfort his in a way… That's why he kept me, fed me and always found time to play with me. He even took me with him to Russia, and even if I didn't like the climate, I enjoyed being close to him.
And now that's about to change, because he's going to the Pegasus Galaxy! I don't want him to leave, but there's nothing I can do about it. And, even I don't like that I'll be stuck with Mrs. Thompson for the rest of my life (and other eight lives, that is!), I know that, for Rodney, this is the chance of his life.
But I'll miss him more than I can tell. I'll miss his voice calling my name when he comes home, and his fingers caressing my soft fur. I'll miss being able to curl down at his feet while he works… I'll miss my Rodney, my friend, my master…
He takes me into his arms for a last time and our eyes connect. For a brief moment, man and cat are lost in a deep silent understanding.
"Goodbye Rodney, and good luck, wherever you go."
THE END
I always thought that the montage showing some of the Atlantis crew saying goodbye to their dear ones was very touching. And it was so sad that Rodney only had a cat to leave behind. But who knows, maybe it was a special cat… Please review, even if it's just to say this was the silliest thing you've ever read…