(no subject)

[maisfeeka]

Lyrical Literature Fic Challenge


Fandom: Stargate Atlantis

How dare you say that my behavior is unacceptable
So condescending, unnecessarily critical



She stood there listening to him in disbelief. "And how is this your business?" she asked. "Since when does it matter what people do behind closed doors?"

He stood his ground, a little smirk on his face. "I wouldn't say it's exactly been 'behind closed doors'. The other day? In the movie room?"

She flushed, remembering that evening all too well...


She was curled up happily in Rodney's lap, dozing lightly on his shoulder. In typical Rodney fashion, he made no attempt to lower his voice or even reduce the level of his gesticulations. In his defense, she showed no signs of being bothered by it and, if asked, would have said that she found the vibration of his voice and the movement soothing. It let her know it was Rodney whose arms she was sleeping in.

John sat next to them on the couch, watching the movie and egging Rodney on by suggesting there might be some logic to the particularly bad science the heroes were planning to use to save the day.

"Please tell me this is some kind of horrible joke," Rodney replied. "Please tell me that you don't for one minute believe that if they route the nuclear device through - My God, just when I was beginning to think you had a brain!"

John chuckled loudly, knowing that was a surefire way to completely rile him.

"Oh, right, yes, yes. Let's torment the scientist," Rodney retorted sharply. "As if the utter lack of respect I'm given from you people in general isn't enough.

He pointed a finger accusingly. "For one thing," he began, letting his arm flail in the general direction of the screen without regard for the woman in his arms.

"Hey, careful," John exclaimed, putting an arm out to prevent her from toppling to the floor. "Precious cargo here."

"Hmm? What?" Rodney looked down as if surprised to find her nestled in his arms. "Oh yes. Thanks and… all that." He pointed again, making a concerted effort to keep his movements smaller and less sharp. "As I was saying… For them to have any hope of making this work they should have considered -" His eyes went wide. "Oh. Oh!"

He went to stand up and caught himself just in time. "Major scientific breakthrough here. Major. As in, must go immediately and did I mention major scientific breakthrough? Is there any way you could…"

He gestured helplessly and John grinned. "Yes, I'll take Sleeping Beauty off your hands."

It only took a moment to move her from Rodney's arms to John's, but it was enough to wake her up. She stretched a little and looked up at John with trusting eyes. "Switching?" she murmured sleepily.

"Rodney had a -"

"Major scientific breakthrough," Rodney interrupted.

"Major," John told her solemnly.

"Oh," she said and turned her head to smile at Rodney. "So…"

"So… I have to go. All my equipment is, well, you know. And if I don't get this down now -" He shook his head, most of his attention already gone. "I'll be back -"

"When you get here," she said with another smile. "Okay." She rested her head on John's shoulder.

John stroked her cheek lightly and she turned her face to look up at him.

"Soft," he said quietly and leaned down to kiss her.

She met him halfway, a slow gentle kiss, and when he pulled her in closer she raised her arms to wrap them around his neck. Still sleep-warm and drowsy, she let herself get lost in the intensity of the feeling. When they finally broke apart they were both smiling a little dreamily and she put her head on his shoulder again.

"Kissing!" Rodney said accusingly and they both looked up at him.

"Are you still here?" John asked with a grin. "Didn't you have some sort of -"

"Ha, ha, very funny. That was definitely kissing. Why was there no kissing when I was holding you?" he asked plaintively.

"Plenty of kissing to go around," she said, looking in his direction. "Finish your work and I'll show you." There was promise in her eyes that even Rodney couldn't miss. "Besides, you know you're my favorite pillow."

His face softened for a moment, then went back to suspicious again. "Hmm... This isn't some sort of dig because I'm not as thin as Colonel Skin-and-Bones here, is it? Because -"

"Rodney…" She sat up and turned towards him. "You know I love you. I love both of you. Now go do whatever it is you have to do and come back. I want both of you in my bed tonight."

"Yes. Right. I'm…" He headed for the door then turned back. "If I can just write down the basics… I mean, there's no need for me to do everything tonight, is there? I'll -" He stopped, glaring, as he realized the two of them were laughing at him.

"Just go, Rodney," John said. "Before we decide we're not going to wait for you any more."

***************************

She and John were curled up together in the big bed when he got back at some godawful hour of the morning. She knew he'd stood there and watched them, John sprawled out on his back, she tucked in against him with her head on his chest.

He'd stripped off quickly and slipped into bed, resting his cheek against her bare back and making a pleased hum when she roused herself enough to sleepily tug his arm around her.

They lay there, snuggled into each other's warmth; his fingers just brushing John's stomach, hers curled around his hand, and let themselves drift off.

"Love you, Rodney," she murmured and was asleep again before he got the words out himself.



It had been one of those beautiful moments stolen between death and disaster and ugliness and now this man, this... Kavanaugh sought to destroy it.

"Why would you do this?" she asked, unable to believe anyone would be so cruel. "Why would you want to ruin something so beautiful, try to destroy the careers of two good men?"

"Because I can," he replied. "They make my life miserable. I should be the chief scientist here and if it wasn't for them screwing me over, I would be. You have no idea how long I've waited for an opportunity like this. And if you get caught in the crossfire, that's just too bad."

She shook her head firmly. "No. You will not do this."

He smirked at her once more. "You have no say in it."

"But I do," she said quietly. "If you feel the need to go to Colonel Caldwell with this, then I shall advise the Athosians who witnessed your blatant attempt to sabotage the project Dr. McKay was working on to come forward. If things had worked out differently during the attack, we would all be dead. They remained quiet because they didn't understand the implications of what they saw. I do."

His face was white. "You wouldn't."

She tilted her head. "Really? Perhaps you should consider your own actions before deciding what behavior is unacceptable. I don't bluff."

Comments

[thefannishwaldo.livejournal.com]

Hm... seems I've seen some of this before. :) :) :)

Nice way to weave it into something. :)


... as for me... off to NaNo for the night. :)

[maisfeeka.livejournal.com]

Seems to me you have indeed...

Have fun nano-ing!