"Shakespeare Got It Wrong", John/Rodney, rated G

[sid]

Inspired by a conversation in the mckay_sheppard community.  

SGA, John and Rodney, vignette, rated G
Summary:  What's in a name?

SHAKESPEARE GOT IT WRONG  

When Rodney walked into his lab, John was sitting in one of the chairs, idly twirling from side to side. “Colonel? Something I can do for you?” Rodney’s brow furrowed.

“Good morning, Rodney,” John replied. “No, I’m just killing some time.”

Rodney was moving around the room, getting things organized, ready to start working. “Elizabeth give you the day off? Or don’t you have enough work to do?” This delivered in the tones of a man who had more than enough on his plate, and no time to waste.

“No,” John said slowly. “I’m just tired.”

Rodney turned and blinked at him. “Tired? Of what?” He turned back to his computer monitor.

“Just tired. A little down.”

“Maybe you should go see Carson,” Rodney commented, reaching for a book. When there was no response, he looked up at John and frowned. “What?”

“Carson,” John said, making a face.

“What have you got against Carson?” Rodney asked bewilderedly.

“Not a thing.” John shrugged. There was a momentary silence. Rodney kept looking at him. “You call him Carson.”

“Yes.” Rodney looked confused. “That’s his name.”

“I have a name,” John mumbled.

“Excuse me?”

“I said, I have a name!”

Rodney laid down the book he was holding. “I know that. John Sheppard. I have a name, too. Most people do.” He stared at John as if he doubted the other man’s sanity.

“I call you Rodney,” John pointed out.

“Yes. Sometimes you do,” Rodney said warily.

“Not all the time.”

“Didn’t I just say that?” Rodney wondered aloud.

“What I’m getting at is that you never call me John.”

“Oh!” Rodney looked thunderstruck. “I didn’t think…”

“I mean, we’re alone right now.” John looked into Rodney’s eyes. There was a long silence.

“Yes. Yes, we are. So there’s really no reason that I should be calling you Colonel?”

“Right!” John smiled. “It just would seem more…friendly-like if you maybe called me by my name. Not that it’s a big deal, or anything.” Another shrug, to demonstrate just how much of a big deal it wasn’t.

“Well, never let it be said that Rodney McKay isn’t willing to be friendly. Like.” Rodney bounced nervously on his toes.

“Great!” John grinned.

Rodney blinked, and smiled back tentatively. “So, John…”

“Yes, Rodney?”

“Did we just, um, ‘have a moment’?” Rodney sketched quotation marks in the air.

“You know? I think we did,” John said, beaming.

“Ah! I thought so.” Rodney’s cheeks flushed, just a bit.

“Don’t worry though,” John added, “I promise I won’t tell anybody.”

“Yes, well, I’d appreciate that.” Rodney nodded rapidly. “John.”

John rose from his chair. “Okay then. I’ll let you get to it. I’ve got things to do myself.” He smiled into Rodney’s eyes, waved, and went out of the room, suddenly feeling re-energized.

~~~~

Rodney’s knees finally gave out on him, and he collapsed into the nearest chair. Above the pounding in his ears, he could hear John whistling as he walked away.

Huh!

THE END