Chapter 11: We're going to Vegas
"What's on the agenda for today?" I asked at breakfast the next morning. The diner wasn't that busy, the early morning patrons already done and out to work. Rodney, Ronon and Teyla had stuck around and I felt bad for a moment that they were in a holding pattern, and probably bored beyond description. I'd tried to get them to go back to the SGC after dinner the previous night but they were less than cooperative.
"Please no more sightseeing," Rodney begged. "I don't think I can take another day of cattle watching while trying to explain the colloquial use of language to these two without giving anything away."
"The livestock methods used here are very interesting," Teyla commented, ever the leader of her people even when a galaxy away.
"I'm guessing you were wondering how many stun blasts it would take to fell a cow," I looked at Ronon teasingly.
"Something like that," Ronon agreed.
"Well if no one has anything specific planned I've got an idea," I proposed casually, looking more at John than the others.
"Let's hear it then," John frowned slightly, probably wondering whether he'd be able to go along with whatever I was going to suggest.
"We were going to Vegas right?" I waited until John nodded wordlessly before continuing. "Okay then why don't we just continue with that plan? We're only a day away by road which isn't that far. Ronon and Teyla have never been anywhere like it and I'm sure even Rodney can find something interesting to do there. You and I can do that thing we talked about - it'll be like a team vacation for all of you, with me there too."
"What thing?" Rodney as usual showed no respect for the fact that people might not always want him to know everything!
"It's personal," I said dismissively, still hoping to enjoy the secret just a bit longer. Of course that was an empty hope ... it was Rodney after all.
"Did you ...?" Rodney raised an eyebrow at John expectantly. Rather than answer, John glanced at me, silently asking me how I wanted to respond.
"Did John ask me to marry him?" I asked blandly, noting how even Ronon looked suddenly more interested in the conversation. "No he didn't."
"Oh," Rodney frowned in confusion over that. John looked at me with a puzzled expression too ... I let them both stew for a few seconds before I continued.
"Did he tell me I had to marry him?" I smiled when all of John's teammates looked at me expectantly, waiting for the answer. "Absolutely."
"You told her she had to marry you?" Rodney asked John incredulously. "How do you get away with that?"
"Talent and class Rodney," John said with a superior tone, taking delight that Rodney seemed almost insulted on my behalf.
"I'm assuming you agreed?" Rodney shook his head when I nodded gleefully.
"Congratulations," Teyla said graciously, ignoring John and Rodney's banter with practiced ease.
Ronon rose and pulled John up into one of those big bear hugs he seemed so fond of. John groaned at the overly enthusiastic show of support, rubbing at his ribs when Ronon dropped him back down again. Then it was my turn – I got the equivalent toned down because Ronon would have been worried that I was still injured.
"You're good together," Ronon's voice rumbled low in my ear just before he let me go.
"We are," I agreed enthusiastically. Ronon's eyes twinkled with amusement over my giddiness as he stepped back to let Rodney say his piece.
"You should have made him work harder," Rodney gave me an awkward hug of his own, patting my back before stepping away.
"Don't worry Rodney," I smiled fondly, leaning in closer so John couldn't hear my murmur. "John was on bended knee so it's still a tale worthy of telling the grandchildren."
"Oh ... well good," Rodney nodded firmly. "So we're going to Vegas?"
"We're going to Vegas," John agreed, giving me his first truly relaxed smile since they'd rescued me.
oOo
"Is she really up to this?" Rodney tried to keep his voice down but I still overheard his whispered question to John. He and Rodney were packing things into the back of the four wheel drive and didn't notice me approaching. Of course I paused ... because I really needed to know just how worried John was about me.
"We won't get there until at least this time tomorrow," John pointed out. "That's hours of forced rest in the car - probably more than I could get Sabina to have if we weren't going. Besides Doctor Lam assured me physically she's fine. They've found nothing to be concerned about in any of Sabina's test results ... Doctor Lam didn't even see the need to keep tabs on Sabina - apart from a daily phone call she seemed fine with not seeing Sabina again personally until we get back to the SGC."
"Okay, but what about the rest ... the not physical stuff?" Rodney asked in concern.
"Sabina just needs time," John said quietly. "You've been there - you know what it's like."
"I never had a crazy doctor perform his sick medical experiments on me so no I haven't been there," Rodney countered. "And please don't tell me you have!"
"Look - I don't know what to tell you," John said irritably. "Clearly we all need time to recover - a trip to Vegas sounds perfect to me."
"I guess," Rodney agreed uncertainly.
"I'm not gonna go mental on you Rodney," I said, walking up behind them and making Rodney jump. "At least I don't think so ... but if I do it'll be more because I'm stuck in a car with you for eight hours than anything Walker did to me."
"Be nice," John murmured in an undertone, lips twitching as he tried not to smile when Rodney humfed at the insult.
"You're right," I relented, putting a hand on Rodney's shoulder to get him looking at me. "It's kinda nice you're so concerned about my wellbeing but you don't have to be. John's right - this trip is exactly what I need to distract me until I've had the time to put it all into perspective. Okay?"
"I wasn't concerned," Rodney tried to back pedal on the damage to his 'I have no regard for anyone' image.
"Yes you were," I retorted. "It's okay - you can admit that you love me - it won't hurt you."
"Ah - he might," Rodney glanced at John worriedly - John deliberately gave him a stern threatening look in return. "And I don't love you ... unless you can love an annoying itch you can't scratch!"
"Nice," I laughed, deciding to let him off the hook for now. "I don't know what it is with you guys - I mean, you love your sister right? I don't see why you can't feel that way about someone you're not related to. You're like the big brother I never had - annoying, superior, condescending ... but useful when required."
"So you love me too," Rodney pointed out triumphantly, glossing over all the insults I'd just included in that statement.
"I never said that," I protested. I would have said more but John finally got tired of witnessing Rodney and I snarking at each other and called a halt to it.
"You're geek brother and sister - we get it," he drawled. "Now can we get this show on the road? I'd like to get at least half way to Vegas before we have to stop for the night!"
"Fine," Rodney muttered, "but she started it!"
"Did not," I said under my breath.
"And you say I'm a big kid," John threw over his shoulder as he quickly walked out of hearing range. It was childish, but being that petty with Rodney did clear the atmosphere of the concern and tension he'd had been holding around me. If I'd had to put up with that for our entire road trip Rodney's concerns about me having a mental breakdown might not have been that far off mark.
oOo
I could bore you with the details of our almost nine hours on the road, broken in the middle with the time we spent sleeping in a motel over night ... but I won't. Needless to say Rodney found something to complain about at regular intervals, Ronon said little except for when he couldn't resist taunting Rodney about said complaints, and Teyla acted as the peacemaker when things started to get out of hand. I sat in the front, curled up against the window, alternating naps with listening to my iPod to drown out the sounds of the backseat conversation. John focussed ... grimly ... on driving, eyeing my IPod as if he'd like nothing better than to shut out the noice like I was.
oOo
And then we finally arrived in Vegas. When we took the highway exit and turned off into Las Vegas Boulevard I perked up, looking out the window in interest. I'd never been there before and although it was the middle of the day the place still made an impact.
"I didn't even think to ask where we were staying," I turned to John apologetically. "Did you have any trouble with that?"
"We already had a reservation," John reminded me. "They were pretty understanding on the delay, and happy to fit the others in."
"Good," I smiled excitedly. "So where are we staying?"
"Here," John pulled into a wide circular driveway.
"The Stratosphere?" I laughed. "You picked this just because of the name didn't you?"
"It's a long way from the main Casino strip but since we aren't here to gamble that seemed a positive," John didn't confirm or deny his reasons. "Plus the Clerk's Office is only five minutes away."
"I like it," I agreed, already unclipping my seatbelt before John had stopped the car. "This is all right with you guys right?" I turned to look back at the others.
"I am very interested in seeing more," Teyla replied graciously. Ronon didn't say anything - I hoped that was because he didn't have anything to say rather than because he was worried about being somewhere so unfamiliar without his usual weapons.
"Maybe Rodney could show you the Casino once we're checked in," I looked at Rodney hopefully, "explain some of the games, why people come here, that kind of thing."
"There's actually a mathematical basis for all of this," Rodney was already off and running, motioning impatiently for Teyla and Ronon to follow him out of the car.
Turning back to John I added "And maybe we could go do the license thing today - if there's still time?"
"There'll be time," John promised. "Stay there," he added when I made to get out of the car. I smiled when he jumped out and strode around to my side.
"I can get out of the car by myself you know," I smiled, taking the hand he offered me and letting him take some of my weight as I stepped down.
"You might be feeling better," John countered, "but you've still got two leg wounds, not to mention I don't know how many stitches. There's no reason to push things ... we're on vacation remember!"
John led the way inside the hotel and across to reception. Everything ran like clockwork and before I knew it I was throwing myself onto the large bed in our very impressive room.
"This is fantastic," I announced, jumping up quickly and walking over to the window. "How high are we anyway?"
"The towers about 1200 feet," John replied, coming over to join me. "We're pretty close to the top so I don't know - maybe a thousand feet?"
"You certainly know how to impress a girl," I turned and wrapped my arms around his middle. Tilting back to look up at him I smiled in apology. "I'm sorry you didn't get to do everything the way you wanted."
"Not your fault," John leaned down to kiss me, a light hearted intention that quickly got out of control.
When the knock sounded at the door John groaned before reluctantly removing his hands from the very exciting places he'd had them. Leaning his forehead against mine he sighed. "Rodney?"
"Rodney," I pressed another quick kiss on him before breaking away to answer the door.
"Sorry - did I interrupt something?" Rodney stood awkwardly in the hallway.
"Yes Rodney you did," I said, knowing full well what he'd assume.
"Oh - ah, I just wanted to let you know I'm taking Teyla and Ronon down to the Casino," Rodney explained quickly. "I've got my mobile ... you've got the number right? So you can call me you know ... if you need us for anything. I'll just be going now so you can get back to ... whatever it was you were doing." Waving a hand vaguely in the air he turned and walked quickly down the hall.
"Thanks Rodney," I called after him, closing the door with a laugh. "I think I actually embarrassed him."
"Not difficult," John looked at me hopefully. "I remember where we were up to if you want to come back over here."
"Sorry," I replied, giving him a hopeful look of my own. "There could be a line up at the Clerk's Office and I really want to do this today. You did pack the documents we need didn't you?"
"Yes," John gave in without arguing - I know he was puzzled at my hurrying but I couldn't explain it to him. It wasn't that I expected something else to happen to stop us but at the same time I wanted to lock it in ... just in case!
"Then grab them and let's go," I was practically bouncing with impatience by the time we were finally on our way. "Let's walk," I proposed, grabbing John's hand and dragging him across the foyer and outside.
John smiled as I looked intently at everything along the way. "What are you doing?" he finally asked.
"Memorising everything," I replied promptly. "You know - for when our kids ask about this kind of stuff. I don't want to ever have to answer with 'I don't remember'."
John stopped suddenly, using the hand he was holding to pull me around and into him. He kissed me right there on the street as people drove by, walked by and just generally created the backdrop of detail neither of us noticed.
"What was that for?" I asked weakly when he broke away and got us walking again.
"I love you," John said simply.
"Yes but that was true five minutes ago," I frowned before my face cleared. "You like it when I talk about our kids don't you?!"
"Maybe," John put an arm around my shoulder, urging me to keep moving.
oOo
And then it was done ... ridiculously quickly in the end. We sat through a short wait, filled in forms, paid over our fifty bucks, and walked away with an official looking document that said we could legally get married any time within the next year. And I couldn't have been happier.
Author's Note:
Thank you to Google Maps once again ... I used them extensively to get to know Vegas as much as you can when you're living half a world away and only have CSI to go on. The hotel and relative locations for the things I mentioned are all as accurate as Google Maps can make them ... I even studied pictures of everything, including the hotel itself (wouldn't mind staying there myself LOL). So, apologises if something isn't accurate but I did my best.
Next Up? Fortunate Journey Season 4 Chapter 12