"Conceivably Wonderful", SGA story, McShep, rated PG-13

[sid]

This is a sequel to "Don't Go There", and "Rodney's Busted Flush"

And it's NOT a drabble!  It's BIG!  

SGA. McShep, Rated PG-13
Summary:  John and Rodney have a little talk, and much is revealed. *g*

CONCEIVABLY WONDERFUL

"I guess we need to talk," John said calmly.

"Meeting," Rodney squeaked.

"Right. After the meeting." John smiled in what he hoped was a friendly, stop-worrying manner. By the guilty, panicked look on McKay’s face, it wasn’t working. "Rodney?"

"What?" Rodney swayed on his feet, just a bit.

"Relax."

"Yes? All right." He looked totally unconvinced.

"Seriously." John checked his watch. "Look, I’ll see you in a few minutes, okay? And, Rodney, everything is going to be fine."

Rodney nodded his head, dazed, and watched the major walk out of his lab. His thoughts rocketed back and forth between at least he didn’t hit me, and I am so dead.

And now he had to sit through a meeting in Elizabeth’s office. With everyone. With Sheppard. And afterwards they were going to ‘talk’. About Rodney’s staring at his crotch. Fuck!

~~~~

The meeting from hell was finally over, and a casual jerk of John’s head had Rodney unwillingly falling into step beside him. When John led the way into one of the transporter/elevators, Rodney was confused. "Where are we going?"

"A place I found. Where we won’t get interrupted." John looked at Rodney’s worried face, and said, "It’s nice; you’ll like it."

Somehow Rodney doubted that. He wasn’t in quite the right frame of mind. He felt sick. He hoped he wasn’t going to humiliate himself by upchucking all over Major Sheppard’s boots. He stared at them, picturing the scene with horror, until the transporter stopped.

They exited the elevator, and Rodney looked around. He was certain he had never been here before. And he didn’t care for what he was suddenly thinking. "Come on," John said, but Rodney hung back. "What’s the matter?"

"Um, I just realized that no one knows where I am."

John tapped his headset. "They don’t need to know where you are; they can get in touch with you any time."

"Yes. Right." Rodney’s palms were damp. "So."

"So," John gestured with his hand, obviously wondering why Rodney wasn’t moving.

"So, is this where you’re going to conceal the body?" Rodney bounced nervously on his toes.

John blinked for a few seconds. "Well, I wasn’t planning on it."

"Oh, good. That’s good to know. Really good."

"Great." John surveyed the sickly smile on McKay’s face. "You coming?"

"Yes, yes," Rodney said hastily. They started walking, up corridors and around corners. And walking, and turning, and Rodney had no idea where he was, or how to get back. He stopped. Sheppard turned around and stared at him. "I’m tired of walking," Rodney said loudly. His voice cracked a bit on the last syllable, and he cleared his throat. "So if you’re going to beat me up, why don’t you just get it over with?"

Sheppard shook his head, looking amused. "We’re almost there anyway. And I’m not going to beat you up. Where do you get these ideas?"

Rodney took a step, and then stopped again. "So, you’re just going to shout at me then?"

"I’m definitely reaching that point, McKay," John warned. "Come on, will ya? I want you to see this." He smiled in a way that looked so inviting that Rodney found himself moving forward before he was aware of it.

They approached the final corner, and Rodney saw sunlight dappling the corridor floor. So when they made the turn, he was expecting to find a balcony. The city was full of them. But this one was enormous. Sheppard opened the door, and Rodney stepped through, feeling the rush of salt air on his face, and the instant warmth of the sun.

"What do you think?" John asked. "It’s pretty cool, huh? Look, if you face this way, you get city skyline. Over here, nothing but ocean and clouds, and all the way over there is the mainland. This place has got it all." He walked to the railing and threw a smiling glance over his shoulder at a stunned Rodney. "Do you like it? I haven’t had the chance to show it to anybody else yet."

Rodney pivoted slowly, taking in the changing view. "It’s very nice," he said inadequately. He approached the railing cautiously, and peered over. He froze.

"It’s a long way down, isn’t it," John laughed. There was no response. "Rodney?" He stepped closer, and touched the other man’s arm tentatively. Rodney jerked upright, and backed away, eyes wide. John’s jaw dropped slightly, and then he set it grimly, and narrowed his eyes. "You’re right. I wouldn’t have to worry about concealing the body. The ocean would take care of that for me."

Rodney’s chin went up. "I’m not afraid of you," he said belligerently.

John’s irritation vanished, replaced by admiration. "I can see that. And there’s no reason why you should be. I just wish you’d relax, already!"

"Yes, well, that’s easy for you to say," Rodney pointed out.

"Hey, this is no picnic for me!" John scowled. He turned his head, and looked at the view he had quickly grown to love. "Although, come to think of it, this would be a great spot for one." He was smiling when he turned back to face Rodney, who was looking somewhat bemused. "Yeah, okay, you’re not in the mood. So what say we do this? Clear the air?" He looked at the other man expectantly.

Rodney straightened, and drew back slightly. "Why are you looking at me? You’re the one who wanted to talk. Go ahead. Talk!"

"Well, all right then. You’re attracted to me." Rodney swallowed, and paled, but said nothing. "You’ve been avoiding me like the plague for several days now, and when I confronted you about it, you stared at my crotch. How’m I doing so far?"

"I think I’m going to throw up," Rodney moaned.

John made a face. "Please, please don’t do that."

"Can I just die of complete and ridiculous embarrassment instead?"

"No," John said firmly. "This expedition needs you. You’re going to have to live. Sorry."

"That’s very funny," Rodney said bitterly. "And why aren’t you hitting me?"

"Because it’s okay."

"What? It is not okay, it is nowhere even approaching being in the vicinity of being okay!"

"Rodney," John sighed.

"I’m not gay!" Rodney shouted, and then spun around in horror, searching the city skyline for anyone who might have possibly overheard him.

"Bi, then." John shrugged. "Some of my best friends are bi." He smiled at Rodney’s flustered face.

Rodney stared in disbelief. "Isn’t that a bit unusual? For an Air Force officer?"

"Hey, I’m an unusual guy," John smirked. "But you must have known that already." Rodney looked blank. "I mean, something about me obviously caught your eye."

Rodney felt his face flare with heat, and his stomach plunged right off the balcony. He stood transfixed, watching Sheppard’s face reflecting his reaction.

"Rodney?"

"It wasn’t my fault," Rodney bleated. "You weren’t supposed to be there!"

"Okay," John said slowly. "You’re going to have to be a little more specific."

Rodney scrubbed his hands over his face. "Yes, all right." He looked at John pleadingly. "You left your football tape behind, and I was just returning it to you. That’s all, I swear."

"You put it in my inbox. I wondered how it got there." John looked confused.

"Yes, well, that’s…that’s where I put it afterwards. First I took it to your quarters."

"When?"

"I’m not sure? Um…"

"Wednesday morning? I’m guessing it was Wednesday morning."

"Yes, probably. That sounds right. I expected you to be on duty, it was pretty late."

"Yeah. We had a little crisis the night before, and I didn’t get to bed until dawn."

"Crisis?" Rodney was very willing to let himself be distracted. "I don’t remember hearing about any crisis."

"It was strictly a military thing," Sheppard told him. "If you didn’t hear about it, that’s exactly the way we wanted it. It’s all under control now, anyway."

"Oh, well. Good. That’s good, then."

"So we’ve covered why you came to my room, and we’ve covered what I was still doing there. What haven’t we covered, Rodney?"

Rodney winced. "What I saw."

"What you saw." John nodded his head. "Okay. Oh!"

Rodney closed his eyes.

"Oh, hey. Was I peeking out at you?" Rodney opened his eyes, and saw a blushing Sheppard grimacing at him.

"Um, yes?"

"I’m surprised your squawk didn’t wake me up."

"Who said anything about a squawk?" Rodney’s chin was up again.

"It just figures that you must have had some kind of reaction."

"Yes, well, a quiet one, obviously." Rodney hoped that would be the end of the conversation.

"I mean, apparently you liked what you saw." Rodney gaped. John’s eyes were gleaming. "So I’m kinda surprised that your reaction was a quiet one. Just what would a ‘quiet’ reaction be, exactly?"

Rodney licked his lips nervously. "Well, possibly it might be a person just…stopping…breathing?"

John looked both surprised and pleased. "You’re saying I took your breath away?"

"That’s one possibility," Rodney hedged, trying to keep his voice under control.

"It’s an interesting possibility," John amended.

"Oh?" Oh?

"Now that you’ve seen mine, don’t you think you should show me yours?"

"Excuse me?" Rodney gasped.

"Just to be fair," John clarified, grinning.

"Oh, that would hardly be fair! I would be awake, for one thing!"

John stepped closer. "Is that an invitation to sneak into your room late one night, Rodney?"

"No!" Rodney backed away.

"You’d rather take things slow? We can do that. Maybe start with that picnic I was talking about?"

"Picnic?" Rodney said weakly.

"You do like food, right?" John smiled invitingly, and Rodney felt himself being drawn in. "Fresh sea air?"

Rodney blinked. "Yes?"

"Get to know each other better. How’s that sound?"

"Um…"

"The word you’re looking for is ‘wonderful’," John prompted gently.

"Yes. I…" Rodney looked into a pair of sparkling eyes, and started to tingle. "Yes. That could conceivably be the word."

THE END

 

Comments

[or-mabinogi.livejournal.com]

Hehehe. That is so cute. And the voices seem right, too. I can so hear and see this "conversation" actually happening.

[sid]

Thank you for saying that! Me, too, but it's good to have my impression confirmed. I've been anxious, since these are my first forays outside the J/D world. *smooches*

[sgflutegirl.livejournal.com]

I love it!! I can so see, and hear this happening!! You did a great job!

[sid]

Thank you!!! I'm glad I got up the courage to try - these two were lots of fun to write!

[sgflutegirl.livejournal.com]

Well, you did great. I'm actually trying to write a SGA fic of my own. It'll be more Rodney-centric though.

[sg1atlantis.livejournal.com]

*grins* Loved this. It was sweet and funny and yea, I can see this happening. Awesome job. *worships with all the best junk food*

[sid]

Thanks! I'm so glad to hear that. And, please pass the potato chips.
:-D

[sg1atlantis.livejournal.com]

*passes along potato chips* ^_^

[delphia2000.livejournal.com]

I need someone to squee for me...this is...what's the word....WONDERFUL! :oD Sex is next, right? Picnic sex? Finger foods...yum. ;o)

[sid]

Um, I'm not actually thinking of a sequel to the sequel to the sequel. Unless the muse strikes! I've got J/d and j/D to write. ;-)

But I am thinking that I'm going to need an Atlantis icon - for when I switch hats. Shoulda thought of that earlier. Dammit!

It's not too late - I need to crosspost these stories - I can find an icon somewhere first! :-)

[janedavitt.livejournal.com]

Lovely banter! Poor panicked McKay... ::pets him::

[sid]

He's adorable when he's flustered, isn't he? *g*

I wrote banter?! *thud* Thank you!

[lavvyan.livejournal.com]

this is a very nice ending to the previous two parts. i liked the whole "concealing the body" bit. very nice. :)

[sid]

Rodney was just a little bit worried. *g*

Hey, I remembered to use my new Rodney icon! *points* Just snagged it last night, and I keep forgetting to use it. *shakes head at self*

[lavvyan.livejournal.com]

heh. nice one. i've got dozens of icons i either don't use or even forget to upload - i'm lazy like that. but i keep stealing them because they're so pretty. ;)

[amnellwyvern.livejournal.com]

I'm so glad you're writing SGA! You do a wonderful Rodney and Shep voice. More please! *eg* You know that this can't end until they are having wonderfully smutty man sex.

[sid]

Thanks, Nell! I enjoyed hearing them in my head *giggle*

I don't have any immediate plans for smutty man-sex. :-(

Well, not these two men, anyway!

[paian]

Really like the balcony, because (a) Sheppard sharing this private sense-of-wonder place with McKay is sweet, and (b) it's got this metaphorical thing goin' on, if you face this way, you get city skyline. Over here, nothing but ocean and clouds, and all the way over there is the mainland (like the two perspectives in the last fic, different views), and "It’s a long way down, isn’t it," John laughed (risky admissions, fear of falling). The we'll-take-it-slowly ending is also sweet. :-)

[sid]

(a) Plus it's a great spot for a romantic picnic *g*
(b) I liked the idea that you could choose your perspective, depending on the mood of the moment. And the city, with all its towers and spires, is a real thing of beauty, and deserves to be appreciated.

You make me look like an awfully good writer, with the lovely metaphorical allusions. But I think you're just a good reader. :-)

I hadn't actually decided how it would end until I got to that point, but Rodney pretty clearly was going to require more time (and a little wooing) before he would be ready to accept the risks of intimacy. *pets brave little Rodney*

[brandinsbabe.livejournal.com]

loved this!! the balcony scene was so good. i love rodneys reaction to the whole thing hehe. and youve got their voices down so well. :D

[sid]

*glee* Thanks so much! I'm really glad you liked it, and I'm still in shock about how clearly I could hear their voices in my head.

(While writing them, I mean. Not all the time or anything.) :-D

[brandinsbabe.livejournal.com]

LOL i wouldnt mind hearing them banter in my head all day ;)

[sid]

It would be kind of fun, wouldn't it? *teehee*

[slashfictionfan.livejournal.com]

Fantastic... absolutetly fantastic.
I love how you've made Rodney convinced John is going to beat him up but still follows him accepting his 'fate' ... and how John keeps him sort of guessing

Started with a sneaky peak drabble, through another lovely drabble and into this... now that's what I call quality.
*claps*

[sid]

*bows* I'm so happy that this worked out, and that people have really enjoyed it! :-) Thank you very much!!

[melagan.livejournal.com]

I am totally charmed by this. Thank you.

[sid]

*blushes* That's so sweet! I'm glad you enjoyed it. :-)

[adafrog.livejournal.com]

Hee, Great little story. More, more!

[sid]

Thanks! Hopefully the muse will strike again someday! This was so much fun!