Beta: Thanks to LittleKnux2008
A/N: I wasn't going to update until Grace Under Pressure, but Rocketlover asked, so this is for you!
Summary:
Elizabeth addresses Rodney's recent behaviour, but learns something
about herself. WIP.Chapter Five: Epiphany missing scene
Chapter Five
McKay patted the ground next to him, where he was sitting on the floor of the cave, his back up against the rough stone. Elizabeth hesitated, and then sank to her haunches where she was, near the portal. McKay looked up from his datapad, and saw that she had clearly declined his invitation to sit close to him while they waited for the others. He let out a short exclamation of disappointment. They would have about five minutes before the next person appeared through the portalbecause of the time dilation field. He wondered whether he would see his old Elizabeth back, ever.
The silence was thick in the air. Elizabeth thought she would suffocate from it. How ironic that McKay would save her even from her imagined dangers.
"You needn't worry that you'll give me the wrong idea, you know." His eyes were still firmly fixed on his screen.
Elizabeth shifted her weight on the uncomfortable cave floor. "I'm sorry?"
"I won't bite today, you know. I'm over the whole enzyme thing. Just the usual bark-worse-than-his-bite McKay."
"Oh. Right. I just…"
"Oh spare me please." McKay's tone was light and airy, no hint of antipathy. "Like I said, I get the idea. I can read you loud and clear. Sheppard is one good-looking guy; I'll give you that. S'no wonder you want to save him. I don't blame you. Just… well… look, Elizabeth…"McKay finally looked up, and into her anxious eyes. "If you were thinking of replacing Simon with Sheppard, just… oh, look, will you tell me to shut up already?" He looked quickly down.
Elizabeth swallowed hard and found it hard to respond to McKay's little speech. "Rodney, I… that's just ridiculous! How can you…?" She sighed. "Well, I can't deny some of it, I suppose. He is attractive. Yes, I do want to save him, desperately. Maybe it even looks desperate, me being here. Does it? Oh no, it does, doesn't it?" She looked away from him, into the dark, as if to gather her thoughts.
"You know he's Kirk, right? I mean, he's really grown on me, I'd even say we were friends, I know that's weird, but I'm just saying…" McKay's hands were gesturing in tiny, precise movements above his lap.
Elizabeth looked at him, her brow furrowed in amusement. "What exactly are you saying, Rodney?"
The muscle tone in McKay's face failed him as he became nervous. "I'm just saying, maybe he doesn't deserve someone like you, not that he doesn't deserve someone really nice, it's just, maybe he wouldn't appreciate you like…"
"Like what?"
"Like… I thought you were telling me to shut up?"
"That wasn't my idea."
"No, right. Ah. Never mind." He returned to tapping at his datapad determinedly.
As the silence settled again, Elizabeth took to scratching at the ground with a small stone. She was mulling things over in her head. She wasn't really trying to replace Simon, was she? She didn't have time for a new relationship. She certainly wasn't feeling in a frame of mind to share herself with anyone, most people irritated her beyond words these days. Even Rodney… She recalled a time when his manner almost excited her. He was arrogant, and it was fun. He was blunt, and she found it exhilarating. After all the dancing around the issues in her diplomatic assignments, his demeanour had been a breath of fresh air. A small smile played on her lips as she glanced over at him. He looked calm, ready. She wondered how he felt about her. She knew he respected her. He'd always deferred to her leadership, from the day they'd met, despite his egotistical personality. What he'd just said now, and other things he'd said from time to time, a look here and there, the occasional hug; she would be forgiven for thinking he was trying to protect her as well as Atlantis. She promised herself that she would allow him space to show his feelings, that she would show him once again that she was his friend, a true friend, and see what happened. She felt ashamed that she had just let him down again, without even trying. But not any more, not if she could help it.
Elizabeth pushed up off her hands and brought her feet under her, standing up a little stiffly. She brushed herself down, glancing over at Rodney, who was watching her. Picking up her gear, she began to walk over to him. Teyla appeared through the portal, almost colliding with Elizabeth.
"Sorry! Are you OK?" Elizabeth held Teyla by the arm, as she steadied herself.
"I am fine, Dr Weir."
Elizabeth looked over at Rodney; his eyes were on her. He smiled at her, knowingly.
"Why don't we all just sit down and wait for Ronan and Beckett?" He patted the ground beside him, grinning hugely.
Elizabeth returned his grin. "All right. You win." She planted herself next to him, instantly feeling his warmth.
Teyla gave them both a quizzical look as she made herself comfortable.
The silence wasn't so bad after that.
A/N: A little happier, I guess ;)