Wards

by boilerbmw

URL: http://www.area52hkh.net/asb/boilerbmw/wards.php
Summary: Someone deserves an award!

John Sheppard irritably tugged on the collar of his dress uniform. He was sweaty and uncomfortable and he fully blamed Rodney McKay. Next to him, Dr. Elizabeth Weir didn't look any less irritated. In fact the room as a whole had an undeniably cranky feel. There were mutters and grumbles and a few muffled curses.

"What the hell is McKay pulling this time?" John asked Weir. "Does he even have the authority to call a formal meeting like this? I mean the whole expedition in full dress?"

"I don't know what he's planning, to be honest. As the head of the Science department he has full authority over the science team. But he is on my command team and I didn't want to undermine him by not going along with this."

"Probably wants a standing ovation for saving the city." Grumbled John. Even as he said it he felt a twinge of guilt. McKay had done a really good job under pretty rotten conditions. And not just during the recent crisis. He had proven, to John's surprise, to be a valuable if sometimes annoying member of the team. He was brilliant and inventive and had worked really hard to become more of a team player. John could admit that he enjoyed the sharp wit and snarky comments..even if he sometimes pretended to be annoyed. And John saw the man beneath the arrogant exterior. In fact if he was honest with himself, he cared a lot for his teammate. Maybe more than he should but that didn't stop him from wanting to strangle him on a semi-regular basis..including today!

Elizabeth echoed some of his unspoken thoughts. "Well, he is a genius and probably does deserve some credit. Let's humor him this time and I'll speak to him later about public displays of self-congratulations!"

Just then Rodney entered the room. Without hesitation he walked to the podium that he had requested, tapped the microphone and immediately started talking.

"Thank you, everyone, for coming to this meeting. And yes, I know you weren't given a choice but still." Rodney paused and cleared his throat. "We've been through some incredibly intense times lately and I for one think it is time to give some credit where credit is due."

John found himself cringing and waiting for the other shoe to drop.

"We all rely on the military who put their lives on the line to keep us safe. Not only here on Atlantis but on each offworld mission that they undertake. So the science community thanks Major Sheppard and each man and woman under his command. Thanks also to Dr. Weir and her staff as well as Dr. Beckett and his staff. None of this would work with out each and every one of you. But today is a day I was going to deem Scientist Appreciation Day. But the acronym for that was S.A.D. and that seemed a bit depressing so I came up with something with the word Genius but G.A.D. wasn't much better. Well, you get the idea. This is a day in which I am asking you to give credit to the people who are often behind the scenes. When I look good or come up with a solution to an impossible problem it is only partially because I'm the smarted guy here! The fact is I am in charge a team of the finest minds in two galaxies. Each member of the Science expedition is smart, inventive and hard working. There are teams working almost around the clock each and every night to solve the mysteries of the Ancient technology here on Atlantis. Working towards solutions relating to defense and weapons and getting home. Some members go off-world, hoping to help find answers..some members have given their lives to this pursuit. So I'd like to ask for a round of applause for the science team. They deserve your appreciation and your respect. They have mine and my thanks as well. They make me look even better than I usually look! I am proud..so proud to be a member of this wonderful group of people."

Rodney started the applause himself. After a moment of stunned silence, John and Elizabeth started clapping, followed by the entire company. Most of the science team was looking as shocked as John felt. There were whistles and cheers and a feeling of community had replaced the irritated aura of the room.

As the deafening applause quieted, Rodney continued. " Just a few moments more. I'd like to have each team member stand and be recognized. My treat to each of you is a stretch of two days off in a row. The schedule is posted in Lab 1 and no switching. Took me longer to figure it out than it did to write any of my doctoral dissertations! Also I am appointing two new department heads. Dr. Zalenka will be in charge of team B. He has proven to be tenacious and patient and inventive. He even puts up with me so you know he deserves a reward!"

Laughter and congratulations followed the announcement and a very surprised looking Dr. Zalenka accepted hand shakes and backslaps.

"Dr. Kavanaugh will head up a special projects division and report directly to me. He has proven to be honest and willing to point out the less pleasant aspects of what we do. He was criticized for that but in reality we need to hear all options and aspects of each decision that is placed in front of us. He is also brilliant and creative and almost as arrogant as I am."

Silence reined again but then slowly the science team closed in on a pale Dr. Kavanaugh and once again accepted him into their group. Rodney then spoke the name of every member of his team and had them stand and be recognized. When he was done he merely thanked the ensemble for their time and patience and left the podium.

John was so proud of Rodney that he thought he'd burst. He and Elizabeth exchanged rueful glances and headed back to their duties. Walking through the group of men and women milling about, basking in the attention. There was a cheerful bounce to their steps and a gleam of pride in their eyes.

Later that night, almost with out conscious thought, John found himself outside Rodney's room. Rodney looked surprise and maybe even pleased to see him. And he didn't even pretend to misunderstand John's one word question. "Why?"

"Scientists as a rule are arrogant, touchy and territorial. It's a genius thing, I guess and I am a prime example of that. But being on your team showed me how much can be accomplished by working with others. I wanted to make my group a team in every sense of the word. And I realized that even the most proud and arrogant among us needs a pat on the back from time to time. Even if we don't know it." And Rodney smiled a strange almost sad little smile.

"What made you discover that, Rodney?" John was truly curious as to what had caused the previously self-centered man in front of him to become the man who generously lauded everyone in his group with no thought of himself at all. There had been a gradual change in the man since coming to Atlantis but his actions today spoke of a specific motivating event.

Rodney actually flushed a bit as he mumbled his answer.

"What? Can't hear you when you talk to the wall, McKay!"

"I said you told me you were proud of me and that you were glad I was on your team. You told me I had worked hard and had done a good job."

"Hey, I remember that..you rolled your eyes at me and said 'Of course I did..genius here!' I didn't think it meant anything to you." John was stunned to realize that Rodney had obviously been very affected by the comments.

" Well, I suppose I didn't want you to see how much it meant to me. You macho military types aren't the only ones who have pride you know! If I'm being honest..your respect means quite a bit to me. You..ah..you mean a lot to me." The last was said so softly that John had to lean in to hear it. "I found that I wanted to be a better person. I wanted you to be proud of me." By this time Rodney's face was beet red and he had started wringing his hands, a sure sign of discomfort.

John was an astute man and he realized that Rodney was trying to tell him something. There was an underlying subtext going on and John hoped he was getting it right. Slowly, he reached out and placed his hand on Rodney's shoulder, squeezing gently. He could feel the muscles tense and tremble.

"I think you're a pretty damn good man, Rodney. A good friend, an asset to my team and a damn genius to boot. Someone I admire and respect and care for." And John took a risk and hoped his instincts were as good as he'd always believed them to be. He turned Rodney to face him and framed the shocked looking face in his hands. He brought their lips together, slowly enough to give Rodney a chance to stop him. When that didn't happen, he pressed his mouth to Rodney's and experienced the best first kiss of his life. It was warm and wet and filled with affection and promise. He then did what he'd wanted to do from the first time he'd seen the vulnerable man beneath the arrogant exterior. He pulled Rodney in and gave him a full body hug. The two men stood in Rodney's room and embraced. Comfort, acceptance and maybe even love..given and received. When the chimes to Rodney's room rang, they stepped back and smiled at each other..on the same page and in perfect accord.

When John left the room Drs. Zalenka and Kavanaugh were excitedly updating Rodney on plans for their new positions. And John had a new project of his own. He was sure that falling in love with Rodney would be a full time job, but it was one he was going to love every minute of.