Authors note: this story has been mullng around in my head for a while and i finaly got the courage up to post it. it hasnt been beta'd however my friend who knows nothing about stargate read it and said it was pretty good. all mistakes are mine and i hope they are not too severe.
Disclaimer: all charactors in this story are not mine and i make no profit from this. i promise to return them when im done in their original condition with thier original packaging and a docket, i hope that satisfies.
Teach me
"Teach me"
Rodney McKay looked up from his desk.
"What?" he asked, confused.
John Sheppard smiled. "Teach me"
Rodney leaned back in his chair and folded his arms over his chest. "Teach you what?"
"Chess," Sheppard answered simply, "you said it was tough finding challenging opponents, well teach me and then maybe I can challenge you"
"Chess," Rodney repeated, "you want me to teach you how to play chess?"
"Yeah, you never know it might turn out that I'm good at it." Sheppard smiled easily and sat down.
"Do you have any idea how long it would take to get you to a level where you might… in your wildest dreams… even contemplate being able to challenge me"
Sheppard opened his mouth to answer, but Rodney answered his own question.
"It would take a very long time; I have been playing for years, I have even competed in some of the best tournaments in the world and ranked fairly decently. Chess is not something you just 'pick up' Major." Rodney parenthesised his words for emphasis.
"Colonel" Sheppard corrected.
"Right, sorry" Rodney replied absently.
"C'mon Rodney, surely someone as smart as you can teach anyone how to play a little game." Sheppard smirked.
Secretly, Rodney was thrilled at the thought of being able to teach someone to play the game he loved. He was also glad that that person was Major…Rodney caught himself… Colonel Sheppard. Sheppard was smarter than he made out. Of course he couldn't give in too easily, couldn't be seen as too eager or willing… especially not after his earlier comments.
He got up from his chair and paced to the end of the room to think of a way to give in without giving in.
Sheppard provided his solution, "I would have thought this would be easy for you, but if you don't think you can…"
"Alright, fine," Rodney threw up his hands, "I'll teach you to play chess, but I can't guarantee that you'll ever be any good at it. Some people have it and some don't."
"Sounds fair," Sheppard remarked, getting up, "I'll meet you after dinner, we can start then?"
"Sure," Rodney turned back to his computer, "after dinner."
"Ok…" Rodney said, opening the case containing his chess set, "first I'll explain what each of the pieces do and how they can move then I'll explain the rules then we can have a practise match where I'll help you with the moves, alright?"
"Sure," Sheppard smiled, "you're the teacher"
Rodney set up the chess board, explaining each piece as he went. Occasionally Sheppard would ask a question about a piece, but otherwise he remained silent, nodding attentively.
"Do you want to be black or white?" Rodney asked when they were ready for their practice match.
"Does it matter?" Sheppard asked
"Well white goes first, which some people like to do," Rodney said, "however others like to find out the opponents strategies so they can react accordingly"
"It doesn't bother me either way," Sheppard said, "why don't you choose?"
"Ok, I'll be white"
Two hours later, John Sheppard strolled out of McKay's room, leaving a shell-shocked Rodney staring at the board and his own king tipped over in defeat.
Three moves into the game, Sheppard had told Rodney to stop helping him. He said he wanted to see if he could figure it out on his own. Rodney had said something along the lines of "your funeral," then silently sat back and played the game.
Sheppard chuckled to himself, as he made his way towards the cafeteria. The look on Rodney's face was classic and he applauded himself on his efforts.
It hadn't been particularly hard to beat McKay however. And he wasn't sure if that's because he was going easy on him because he thought he was a beginner, or if he wasn't as good as he said he was. Which meant that he was going to have to challenge McKay to a rematch to find out.
Sheppard glanced at his watch and calculated how long it would take the stunned scientist to snap out of his daze and come after him.
He smiled as he heard hurried footsteps behind him.
i may do another chapter depending on whether anyone likes this or not, i already have a few ideas on it.