The lights in the infirmary were low in deference to the night. John was still sitting in the same chair he had been in all day, despite Carson's demands he go back to his quarters and several annoyed looks from the nurse staff. He just smiled and settled down in the chair meaningfully. The heart monitor beeped steadily next to him and a bag of clear liquid hung from the pole on the other side of the bed. The IV line snaked down to Rodney, lying asleep and peaceful.
John wasn't worried per say. Carson had said he thought Rodney would wake up when he was good and ready without any ill effects from being bumped around. Rodney had even been so good as to wake up during the afternoon and throw up for them. There had been some cursing in French and general demands for chocolate and the location of teammates. The rest of the team had been seen to. John's arm was bandaged wrist to elbow and he had a nice row of stitches to show for his dinosaur encounter. Teyla and Ronon had been patched up. The cuts on Ronon's face were shiny with antibiotic cream and Teyla looked like she was wearing a weird white collar.
Rodney did have a concussion that Carson was not happy had gone untreated so long. The MRI scans hadn't shown anything the doctor was alarmed about but Carson had set Rodney up with a bed in the infirmary and had hovered all day anyway. John thought the Scotsman had fallen asleep in his office a few hours ago. A sound from the bed had John dropping his gaze from the middle distance to Rodney. The scientist lifted a hand and pawed at the nasal cannula. John waited until he had settled again before replacing the oxygen tube and leaning back in his chair.
John knew that some candy and DVD's had changed hands when SGA-1 had reported contact with dinosaurs. The botanists and the chemists ran a big betting pool on pretty much anything, including finding dinosaurs, dragons, unicorns, and any other mythical creature they could think up. The tiny dog like animals on PXW-489 that hiccupped fire did not count as a dragon. Somehow, SGA-1 was up on the charts for being the first ones to encounter large reptiles of any kind. John kind of thought he should be insulted a little by that.
When that last large dinosaur had picked Ronon up by his coat, they had been forced to scatter. John had yelled for Rodney to stay down and to stay hidden, not knowing that Rodney had been unconscious by that point, as he raced off into the forest with moving teeth on his heels. He had tried to circle back to the trail but had nearly gotten his head ripped off for the trouble. After he had managed to lose the reptile, John had begun to call for Rodney over the radios but the other man had not answered. Teyla had announced that she was making her way down a dry creek bed some distance away from the trail and Ronon had merely grunted into the radio and told John 'not now'. After some time discovering just how full of dinosaurs that planet was, John had called for Rodney over the radio again and gotten a response from Ronon that didn't please him at all. Then the dogs came and there was a whole lot more running and then flying leaps into buildings that John rather not repeat ever.
Spending a night on the planet time forgot had been no picnic either. John had stared fixedly at the doorway for most of the night, even when Ronon or Teyla were awake. After seeing the bloody mess that was the back of Rodney's head, John had worried about some unseen damage. Rodney had been sleeping very deeply despite the noise outside the building they had taken shelter in. John had settled a hand around Rodney's neck and was reassured by the steady pulse under his fingers. Near the end of the night Teyla had even been able to persuade John to lay down with Rodney, causing the scientist to wake up for a few minutes and fuss fuzzily at the pockets of John's vest before falling back asleep on his shoulder.
Then morning came and John had gathered up the nerve to make his intentions known to Rodney. That had been their first kiss. John leaned forward and slid his fingers between Rodney's on the bed and sighed. If he was truthful then John would have to admit that he had probably been falling in love with Rodney ever since the incident with the personal shield. Oh, not when Rodney had bravely walked into the energy creature to save them all but when Rodney had sought out John to test the shield before anyone else. Even then, they had drifted together. John thought he had been totally in love with Rodney by the time the siege happened at the end of the first year. When it seemed the chair would not be able to perform in time to defeat the Wraith, John had come to a decision. He couldn't, wouldn't let Rodney die then.
There had been other such times since then. Times when John's heart had stopped when he knew Rodney was in danger or had been hurt. Each time John had become more twisted inside with worry and concern. And everyday Rodney had become more amazing to him. John might have some problems recognizing love but he thought that what he felt now for the blue eyed scientist was probably it. He hoped, he was pretty sure, that Rodney returned those feelings. Rodney had seemed surprised by the kiss on Jurassic Park planet but not repulsed. Rodney had smiled at him before Ronon had interrupted them.
Movement in the fingers John was holding drew his attention to the occupant of the bed. John looked up to find sleepy blue eyes looking at him and John smiled softly. "Hey, you really awake?" he muttered.
Rodney licked his lips and winced. "Yeah, I'm awake." He coughed and licked his lips again. John grabbed the ice chips from the table and spooned some into his mouth. "What happened?"
"We were attacked by Barnie's evil siblings," replied John, setting the cup aside.
Rodney blinked and then quirked a slight smile. "Oh yeah. The Spielberg rejects." John nodded with a grin. "Teyla and Ronon okay? Teyla looked pretty cut up."
"They're okay. Teyla's cuts were not deep. They've been in and out while you were sleeping," said John.
Rodney frowned and shifted on the bed, flinching as he tried to sit up. "How long have I been out?"
John stood and helped him up, placing the pillows behind his back. "All day. We got back this morning and it's after midnight now. Should I get Carson?"
Rodney smirked. "That mother hen still here? No, I'm good. Just very sore." Rodney rubbed a hand across his face and sighed, leaning back against the pillows. John smiled softly at him and Rodney cocked an eyebrow. "What?" In response, John bent down and placed a kiss at the corner of his mouth, hoping against hope that he wasn't wrong. Rodney blinked up at him. "Really?" he asked just like before. John's smile widened and he nodded. "Wow. I thought I dreamt that part. It was a little tame compared to my other fantasies but…" Rodney trailed off and blushed.
John grinned widely. "You fantasize about me?" Rodney turned even redder and John chuckled. "That's okay. I fantasize about you too, so it's only fair." He leaned down but was stopped a few inches from Rodney's face by a finger to his forehead. "Rodney?" John asked.
"I haven't brushed my teeth and I know my mouth is disgusting," said Rodney with a frown.
"I don't care," said John, wiggling his head a little.
Rodney smiled. "That's sweet of you to say so, but yes you do." He pushed John's head back with his finger. "I get a toothbrush and some toothpaste and we can continue this but not until then."
"Damn," pouted John. He sat down on his chair and propped his chin up on his hand, elbow on the bed.
Rodney looked suspiciously at him. "We're not going to have to 'talk', are we?" Rodney raised his hands to make quotations in the air.
John shook his head. "No. I don't think so. Do you have something you need to 'talk' about?" He used his free hand to make the same gesture.
"No," Rodney said in relief. "I'm good." He yawned suddenly.
"Why don't you go back to sleep? Morning will come soon and we can bathe and have breakfast. You promised you'd eat with me," said John. He helped Rodney reposition the pillows and then stroked a hand over his hair. It was baby soft and very fine, just like John had always thought. "We can even bathe together. Save water and time that way," John said wickedly.
Rodney's cheeks turned red again and he turned his face into the pillow. "Stop saying things like that, John!" he cried in protest.
John laughed and leaned down to press a kiss to Rodney's temple. "Shhh. Go back to sleep. I'll be here when you wake up." The scientist snuggled down into the bed and was soon asleep once more. A soft footstep had John turning toward the curtain.
Carson peeked around the corner and smiled. "How did he seem? Any problems?" the doctor asked quietly.
John shook his head and looked back at the man on the bed. "No. Rodney seemed fine. He didn't look to be in pain and he spoke clearly." John watched as Carson fussed with the IV and checked the monitors. "How long were you listening in?" he asked suspiciously. John didn't think Carson would be the kind to react badly but you never knew.
Carson turned a warm smile in John's direction and the soldier relaxed. "Listening in?" Carson echoed. "I don't know what you are talking about, Colonel." Carson seemed satisfied with the sleeping man's condition and smoothed down the blankets over Rodney. "If all stays well tonight, I'll release Rodney in the morning. Keep an eye on him to make sure he doesn't exert himself. I'm sure he'll disappear into the depths of the labs in no time." They shared a fond smile. Carson nodded to John and slipped out of the curtain.
John listened to Carson's footsteps fade into the dark of the infirmary. He settled himself into the chair and turned to Rodney on the bed. It had been a tiring day with another mission that had gone sideways on them. John watched Rodney breathe gently in his sleep and kicked his legs up to rest on the bed's edge. Morning would come soon enough as John twisted in his seat. Soon, even John had drifted off to sleep.