Realizations

The Heart Won't Lie

"John, you're already in San Francisco. The government feels like they owe you and are willing to pay for a weeks stay at the Hilton." Jack muttered exasperatedly into his cell.

"But . . ." John started.

"Forcryinoutloud, John. Just accept it. It's not often the U.S. government pays for a week at the Hilton for former Air Force Officers." Jack interrupted.

For a moment there was silence at the other end and then John said, "Fine! I will," And hung up.

Jack leaned back in his chair. Well his and Danny's plan was going according to plan. Rodney should be arriving at the Hilton at about the same time as John. He smirked, god he loved it when everything actually went as planned.

John strode into the Hilton and headed toward the front desk, still annoyed at Jack for interfering with his life . . . again. He glanced around the lobby and froze. His eyes widened as he saw a familiar face walk through the lobby doors. Rodney, his Rodney, was here at the Hilton too. It hit him like a ton of bricks that no matter how far he ran, he could no escape his heart. It had been telling him to go back to Rodney all along and he had ignored it.

He left Atlantis, trying to escape what his heart was telling him. He thought about his time traveling across the country and how many times he wanted to turn around and return to Atlantis and to Rodney. He ignored his instincts though and continued his travels, trying to live his life from day to day. He looked at Rodney and realized just exactly how stupid he had been to just walk away like he did.

He caught Rodney's eyes and held them. He smiled softly and walked toward him, never letting his gaze waver. He stopped in front of Rodney and said, "Hi, Rodney."

He watched as Rodney breathed deeply and then stuck out his hand, saying, "Hello, John."

John smiled sadly, thinking about how he had burned his bridges behind him and all that was left was just ashes in the wind. He wondered what he would have to do to have Rodney return to him. He shook Rodney's hand and then asked, "So Rodney, how have you been?"

"Good. I've been good. I've been very busy at work and you?" Rodney replied.

John flashed a smile, "I've been good. I've been traveling all around the U.S. seeing the sites, ya know."

"Yes, yes." Rodney mumbled.

John sighed inwardly; here he was talking with the man he loved as if they were just acquaintances who had not seen each other for awhile. He talked about what he'd seen and did all the while watching Rodney, wishing things were different. He still loved Rodney. Though he had tried to let him go and had tried to disguise how he really felt his feelings did not change. John realized that even though he had tried to deny what he felt, the heart won't lie.

Rodney looked down at his watch again as if he had to go somewhere and said, "Its good to see you again but I need to go check in. I'm supposed to join a tour group soon."

John's heart stopped for a moment. Rodney was about to leave him. He intently studied Rodney's face hoping to find something. Then he saw it. Rodney still loved him. His heart was in his eyes. John stepped forward and cupped Rodney's face with both hands and kissed him tenderly. His heart sang when Rodney responded and kissed him back. John leaned back and whispered, "Are you really joining a tour group?"

"No," Rodney whispered back, a hopeful expression on his face.

"Good, I think we need to talk." John stated and rubbed his thumb along Rodney's bottom lip.

"Ok," Rodney replied. John smiled, knowing that he was getting back to where he belonged.

TBC

The Heart Won't Lie

Reba McEntire and Vince Gill

Looking back over the years

Of all the things I've always meant to say

But words didn't come easily

So many times through empty fears

Of all the nights I tried to pick up the phone

So scared of who might be answering

You try to live your life from day to day

But seeing you across the room tonight

Just gives me away

Chorus:

Cause the heart won't lie

Sometimes life gets in the way

But there's on thing that won't change

I know I've tried

The heart won't lie

You can live your alibi

Who can see you're lost inside a foolish disguise

The heart won't lie

Long after tonight

Will you still hear my voice through the radio

Long after tonight, after the fire

After the scattered ashes fly

Through the four winds blown and gone

Will you come back to me?

You try to live your life from day to day

But seeing you across the room tonight

Just gives me away

Chorus