A/N: Set after Inferno. Well, it couldn't go on like that between them forever, could it? Oh, and you guys are brilliant reviewers! Thanks. I like this chapter, I hope you do too.

Chapter Four - ERUPTION

"Good work, Rodney." Elizabeth said evenly. She kept her eyes on the datapad, reading the reports.

"Thanks. I've never survived a supervolcano eruption before." He flashed her a crooked grin, which she never saw. He leaned back in the chair, tucking his entwined fingers over his midriff.

She glanced up, and raised one eyebrow. "Enjoy yourself with the 'hot' scientist?"

A cloud came over Rodney's expression. He'd detected some venom in the remark. Not that it was hard to detect - in fact, it screamed at him. He hadn't heard her teasing voice for well over a year.

He put some ice in his tone. "I won't even dignify that by answering." What was it with her, anyway? She'd been a total pain for months.

"Fine." She clipped. "I'm sure you would have had enough time for whatever she had in mind."

He was utterly speechless. What was going on here? "Elizabeth, I don't know what's in that report, but I can assure you, there was nothing but pure science going on down there."

"Oh, really? Chemistry?" The malice was unmistakable.

Rodney got to his feet. "OK, that's it. I've had enough. I don't know what gives you the right to act like this. I refuse to be mocked." He turned and walked out of her office.

She smirked. Only went to prove what was true after all.

Rodney barrelled into John as he reached the bottom of the stairs to the Gateroom.

"Woah, there. Where are you going in such a hurry, Rodney?"

"Get out of my way, Sheppard," growled the astrophysicist.

John was not easily intimidated. Forgetting the mess hall, he did an about turn and shadowed Rodney as he passed the Stargate. The Canadian turned around just before he reached the double doors.

"Quit following me, Colonel."

John shrugged. "Just curious, that's all. Something's got you wound right up. That merits investigation."

"Oh… go… boil your socks." Rodney turned around again and there was barely time for the doors to open before he might have slammed face first into them. They hadn't even thought about closing as John followed behind.

"Boil my socks? Have you been spending too much time with Carson?"

Rodney stopped dead in his tracks, and John almost crashed into him. The Chief of Science threw his arms in the air and shouted, "Right. I've had it! Anyone who wants to know anything about my private life, just line up." He turned, and made an exaggerated sweeping gesture.

Rodney stood there, glaring at John, breathing hard.

John held up his hands in surrender, and took a couple of small steps towards his friend. "Easy, Rodney. I'm just concerned, that's all. You OK, buddy?"

Rodney was calmed by John's best military control tactics, and took a deep breath. He closed his eyes for a second.

"Sorry, Colonel. Just… had a bit of a run in with Elizabeth… again." He sighed.

John frowned. "What's up between you two, anyway? You guys were like that last year." He lifted up two crossed fingers.

Rodney gave a shrug, and replied bitterly, "Search me. She's got it into her head that the Doranian scientist and I were up to something… I wish."

John smiled in puzzlement. "Is she jealous? I thought she had the hots for me, actually." He smirked.

"Oh, great." Rodney's shoulders slumped. "Our illustrious leader has turned into a soup of hormones. See," he pointed a knowing finger at John, "maybe Kavanagh was right about a woman being in charge."

John leaned against the wall. "If she's jealous, why doesn't she just tell you she likes you?"

Rodney snorted. "Believe me, Colonel, there is no way that Elizabeth likes me like that. It's been a long time since we were friends. These days she treats me like I'm something she stood in by accident."

"Ew. Thanks for that lovely image, Rodney. Look, I'll talk to her, OK?"

Rodney turned purple. "Are you kidding? What are we, sixth grade or something? Just drop it. I keep out of her way most of the time now anyway, just… drop it, OK?" he turned around slowly, and walked away.

John let him go, watching him thoughtfully.

TBC

A/N: I don't think he's going to drop it, do you?