Chapter 5
They had a problem: it has now been 7 hours and Rodney was still in the car. The scientist just refused to open the door, and no manner of pleading with KITT from those on the ship would budge it, either. As far as the car was concerned, Rodney would get out the moment Rodney wanted to.
Ronon leaned over the car, lightly tapping the dark window on the driver's side. "You think he can see us from in there?" he asked.
Rodney's muffled – but very agitated voice – came from inside the car. "Don't you touch the car, you oversized Neanderthal!"
"Okay, that's it," Ronon said as he stood back and pulled his gun.
But the moment Ronon's gun cleared its holster, two compartments in the car's hood slid open and huge machine guns pointed at Ronon. The Sateyden slowly put his gun back and took a few steps back. "Okay, so you have some guns as well," he said in his nicest voice. If KITT could glare he would have.
From the inside of the car came the sound of Rodney's soft chuckling.
"Any other ideas, people?" Weir asked. All of them were getting tired of waiting for McKay to show.
Suddenly John grinned. "I've got an idea," he said. Quickly he explained it to them, and the only comment Weir had was: "That's cruel. But it might just work!"
So it came to be that the entire SGA-crew, as well as a number of Deadalus crew, gathered in the cargo-hold a few minutes later. Every one of them had a steaming mug of coffee and a chocolate-glazed donut. A number of the crew had almost magically produced chairs for everyone, and in one corner someone was setting up a table full of snacks. If the scientist won't come out of his fortress, perhaps they can entice him out.
"Hmm, hey, isn't this Tim Horton's special Jamaican blend?" John asked loud enough for Rodney to hear inside KITT. Everyone knew it was the scientist's all-time favourite. John could feel his friend's glare on the back of his neck; even through the tinted window of the car. He could just imagine Rodney drooling in there.
In less than 10minutes the driver's side door opened and Rodney stepped out. He stormed over to John and took both the mug of coffee as well as the donut from him. Within seconds both coffee and donut were gone. Still glaring at Sheppard, Rodney handed him the empty mug.
"You burned the coffee," he told John.
"Sorry, buddy," John said. Was it just his imagination or did Rodney look almost ready to forgive him?
"You do know this is kidnapping!" Rodney then dashed John's hopes. "And do you have any idea what Sara is going to say when she finds out you've stolen KITT?" Then Rodney smirked. "I guess I'll leave telling her about it and explaining to you!"
John frowned. Then he smiled tentatively. "Would you trust me with that?"
Without a word Rodney turned around to the car. Everyone took a step forward, afraid he would return to his hiding place. But all he did was reach in and take out his laptop. As he straightened he was smiling. "I guess you'll have to earn my trust again."
And suddenly everything was right between them again. Weir rolled her eyes. Men!
Rodney turned to Weir. "So, Elisabeth, is that feast for me?"