I've Moved On, Carter

by Annie

URL: http://www.area52hkh.net/asa/annie/movedon.php
Summary: Rodney and Sam have a conversation late one night

"McKay!"

Rodney, carrying a mixture of food on a tray, turned round and saw a familiar face walking towards him. "Colonel Carter, how can I help you?"

Sam looked at the scientist, seeing the changes in him since he had first been brought into the SGC and smiled. "I was wondering how you're doing?"

"I'm fine, thank you. You?"

"Good, I'm good."

Rodney nodded his head at Sam's answer and said, "I'm glad to hear that, Colonel. It’s late so I'll leave you to it." He turned to leave the new commander of Atlantis but he was stopped as Sam once again called his name.

"McKay."

"What?"

"I'm trying to talk to you, you don't need to walk away."

"I'm sorry but I have things to do."

"I thought you said it was late.”

“It is, but that doesn’t mean I don’t have things to do or places I want to be.”

“Come on, McKay, we haven't had a chance to talk since I arrived and I was wondering if there was a problem?"

"In what way?"

"With me being posted here?"

"And why would I have any problems with you being in Atlantis, Colonel?"

"McKay."

"What? I'm just asking. Why would I have a problem with the fact that you are now in charge of Radek and I, or that you seem to think we can't do anything without you looking over our shoulders, hmm? Or that you outrank Colonel Sheppard? And should I have a problem with the changes you're already making in the way things are run? The changes you're wanting to make to off world teams."

"Look, McKay..."

"No, Colonel. If you have something to say to me then call a meeting, you seem to be very good at doing that." Again, Rodney went to walk away.

"Come on, I understand if you don't want to talk about work so how about we just catch up on what's been happening in our lives? Maybe we could have dinner, get to know each a bit better?" Sam placed one of her hands on Rodney’s arms. She had been feeling lonely since leaving Earth and SG-1, and hoped that Rodney's past infatuation with her could help ease that feeling.

"Why?"

"What do you mean, why?"

"Why would you want to talk to me about what's been happening in our lives, have dinner with me or even to get to know me? You've never shown any interest since we first met; in fact you've always seemed more likely to make fun of me and not in a good way. Why change your mind now?"

"Because we're friends?"

Rodney managed to bite back his laughter at that comment. "Friends?"

"Well, yes."

Getting tired of trying to be polite, Rodney shook his head and said, "So we were friends when you got General Hammond to send me to Russia?" Looking directly into Sam's eyes, he continued, "Or how about when you told the IOA committee I'd be perfect for the Atlantis position because, and I quote, 'It'd get Doctor McKay away from the SGC once and for all, and maybe make him realise people have more than just his fat ass to think about'."

"You heard about that?"

"Only recently, I didn't want to believe you'd say that. It seems I was wrong."

Knowing that trying to talk to Rodney any further wouldn't be a good idea, Sam turned to leave.

"Besides, I'm already seeing someone and we’re very happy together. I’ve moved on, Carter."

Sam turned back, her mouth had dropped open and the shock was clear on her face and in her voice. "You are and you are?"

This time Rodney did laugh. "Why is that so hard for you to believe? That someone would like me for what I am, a pain in the fat ass and all?"

"I never said that."

"The look on your face said enough, Colonel."

"Look, I'm sorry if I've upset you McKay..."

"To say that you've upset me implies that I'm bothered by what you think, Colonel. I'll admit that in the past I was slightly smitten by you, but you’ve made it abundantly clear what you think about me. You thought I’d be taught a lesson by being sent here but it may surprise you to hear, I'm very happy with the way my life has turned out”

“Even with blowing up five sixths of a solar system?”

“Yes, even with blowing up five sixths of a solar system. I learnt a lot that day, actually I’ve learnt a lot most days I’ve been here.”

“Wow, McKay, you must have mellowed if you’re admitting to that,” Sam replied with a smirk.

“I doubt any of the science team would say that, I’m still the only genius here after all.”

“And I suppose I’m chopped liver?”

“I wouldn’t go that far. I used to think that maybe on your best day you were close to the level I am, but that was because you had experience I didn’t.”

“And now?”

“And now I have quite a bit of experience of my own, I’d even go so far as to say that Radek has more of a brain than you, Colonel.”

“McKay.” Sam’s voice had lowered into what could be considered a growl.

“What, you’re going to get upset by what I say? Well get used to it because I’m like this most of the time, I tried to be nice and to walk away but you insisted on us ‘talking’. Live with it, I come with the city.”

Sam’s back straightened slightly and she took a step back. “In that case I’ll say goodnight and will see you tomorrow at the briefing.”

“Goodnight, Colonel.”

Rodney walked out of the commissary and made his way to his quarters. Opening the door, he carried the tray to the table and carefully placed it next to one of his laptops.

“What took you so long?”

“I saw Sam in the commissary.”

“And?”

Rodney turned round and looked at his lover who was lying on the bed wearing just his boxers.

“And she wanted to have dinner with me and to get to know me.”

“What did you say?”

“I told her I have someone in my life, someone I’m very happy being with.”

“Glad to hear that, McKay.”

“Can you not call me that tonight, that’s all she called me. How Carter thinks anyone will fall for her when she insists on calling them by their surname, is beyond me.” Rodney undressed and was quickly in just his boxers as well.

“You call me Colonel Sheppard all the time,” John replied with a grin.

“That’s when we’re out there.” Rodney waved a hand in the direction of his door. “In here, we’re John and Rodney.”

“So how did she take it?”

“Seemed shocked I have someone and that I’m happy. Mind you, she confirmed she really did tell the IOA to send me here so she could get rid of me.” Rodney crossed over to the bed and sat on the edge.

“I know it was a shitty thing for her to do, but I’m glad she did. We wouldn’t have gotten together if she hadn’t.” John pulled Rodney into his arms and turned down the lights.

Rodney yawned then said, “I know, which is the only reason I didn’t say half of what I could have.”

“Don’t let her get to you, I’m sure Elizabeth will find a way back soon enough.”

“I hope so, it’s not the same without her around. It’s only the two of us left from the original senior staff.”

John sighed, thinking of everything they’d gone through in the last three years. He watched as Rodney closed his eyes, the scientist’s body getting heavy as he relaxed. Smiling, he said, “Yeah, it doesn’t feel right without Carson or Elizabeth here.”

“At least we still have each other.” With that, Rodney fell asleep.

John pulled a blanket over the two of them, turned the lights fully off and followed Rodney into sleep.