Summary – John's trying to let Rodney know he wants him but words have always been open to misinterpretation – McShep – 500 words

Rating – PG-13

Disclaimer – I still don't own any of the show or the characters. This is a situation that isn't likely to change as the people who created and own them aren't likely to sell them.

Misinterpretation

"Heya Major," Rodney greeted him cheerily as he entered the lab. "Can you turn this on for me?"

As John took the device he reflected that it probably showed how nervous he was that he hadn't corrected Rodney's 'Major' to 'Colonel'.

Suddenly he threw the device back on the desk.

"I love you," he blurted, flinching in response.

\\\\\\\

Rodney didn't even look at him. "Quite a nice delivery Major but usually your speeches have a few more words in them. I quite like it though, sounds sincere. Who is she?"

Since 'I love you' had been confused with John practicing a speech this time he was going with something else, it probably wasn't a good idea to say something that could be misinterpreted.

"Rodney…"

"Hmm…?" John couldn't even see the scientist's head, it was buried under a console, perhaps that would make things easer.

"I need you," he murmured quietly.

Rodney's head popped out and John repeated it louder.

"I need you."

Rodney rolled his eyes and disappeared again. "Well whatever it is it's going to have to wait Major."

John blinked. "What?"

Rodney's voice echoed out of the hole under the console. "Whatever it is you need me to do is going to have to wait. Do you know what kind of a workload I've have currently? First I have to fix this then the transporters in the living quarters have been acting up then there's a problem with the North-East grounding station then one of the DHD crystals is sticking and then I have to look over the calculations of the experiment that blew this morning and see if I can find out why. What was it you needed me to so anyway?"

John bit his lip. "Fuck me."

Rodney's face appeared again, an approving expression on it. "Though the profanity isn't necessary Major it's certainly appreciated. It's about time someone realised just how much I have to do. Your surprise is totally justified and could you hand me that wrench?"

\\\\\\\

Okay, this time there was going to be no room for interpretation. John looked him straight in the eye. "I need it and I need you to give it to me." The undercurrent of sexuality in his voice was unmistakable.

Rodney blinked, John continued, "I need it Rodney I need…" He broke off.

"Alright, if you need it that much."

And Rodney left the table, pushing something towards him as he did so.

John was confused until he looked down and he sagged.

Teyla dropped into a seat next to him. "John?"

John nodded miserably at the table. "He gave me his pie."

\\\\\\\

Okay, fuck it, if Rodney didn't get it this time he was going to give up.

Grabbing the shocked scientist by the shoulders he kissed him firmly.

\\\\\\\\

An hour later Rodney was absently tracing patterns on John's bare chest. "What I don't understand though," he murmured. "Is why you didn't just say something."

John didn't reply, things were less confusing when he wasn't talking.