Disclaimer: I don't own these characters or anything related to Stargate Atlantis. Of course in a parallel universe…. :D

Warning: Spoilers for Season Three episode "McKay and Mrs. Miller"

A Simple Gesture

Rodney sighed as he strode down the hallway. He had just finished his lab work for the day and now needed to put in at least another hour of packing before he could hit the sack. Did the work never end? Honestly, between Atlantis and Earth, Rodney suspected he wouldn't be allowed to retire until his was 90- assuming they all survived that long….suddenly the sound of heels echoing through the hallway interrupted his train of thought.

"Rodney!" a female voice called. "Do you have a minute?"

Rodney turned to see Elizabeth trotting towards him. "Elizabeth," he greeted her. "Look I hate to be curt, but I need to leave tomorrow and I still have to pack some-"

"I just wanted to give you these," Elizabeth said smiling, handing him a package. Rodney moved to unwrap them, but Elizabeth reached and motioned for him not to.

"They're sandwiches," she explained, looking slightly embarrassed. "I know you're going to be working a lot in the next few days, and," Elizabeth paused briefly, looking down before meeting his gaze again "I wanted to make sure you had something around to eat," she ended firmly, having reassured herself this was the right thing to do.

Rodney's eyebrows lifted in surprise. Opening his mouth to respond, Elizabeth again beat him to it. Raising her hand, she continued.

"I know, it's silly, but you need to be in good condition for trying to solve the world's problems and, well, frankly McKay sometimes you get so involved in your projects you forget to take care of yourself, so I figured…" she trailed off.

Rodney felt a warm glow encompass him at her words. Before he had met Elizabeth, no one would have cared where he was going or why. Now someone not only cared, but wanted to make sure he'd be alright once he was there? It was too much to be expressed in words.

Acting impulsively, he said "Thank you, Elizabeth," and stepped forward to hug her. Shocked but pleased, she hugged him back, ignoring the open stares of some passing scientists. "It uh-means a lot," Rodney whispered hesitantly as he embraced her.

Suddenly conscious of what they were doing, he coughed and stepped backwards.

"Well, guess I'll be going," he said quickly, pointing down the hall towards his room. "Still need to pack and all…."

Elizabeth nodded, and watched him walk down the hall again.

"Oh, and Rodney?" she called, making him turn and lock eyes with her again as he reached his door.

"Anytime," she said simply, and walked back down the hall to the transporter, flashing him a smile.

Rodney smiled back, and bounced into his quarters. I think I'll invite her to lunch when I get back, he mussed as he packed the sandwiches into his luggage. Yes, that would be the thing to do. She was one of his closest friends, after all. Besides, it would return the favor. Grinning, he continued with his packing. It was nice to leave when you knew you had sometime to come home to.

To be continued….(will probably explore some possible missing scenes from M&MM and an epilogue)