The Near Miss Saga 1

Rodney Sighed

by Cynical_Coat

URL: http://www.area52hkh.net/asc/ccoat/nmsaga01.php
Summary: None

Rodney sighed.

He didn't speak, didn't snipe, didn't complain, didn't argue.

Rodney sighed.

Just sighed.

Sheppard narrowed his eyes and peered at the normally pugnacious (if sometimes cowardly) man.

"You okay, McKay?" He had to smile at the way that sounded. Rodney blinked at him as though he had only just realized that he wasn't alone.

"Fine, Major. Never been better." He said, shifting his pack with his feet and looking around the tiny waiting room. "Why?"

"No reason." Sheppard replied, chalking his own concern (if that's what you wanted to call it) up to boredom and a dislike for tiny rooms and waiting. A few more moments passed in silence, and then--

Rodney sighed.

"McKay?... Was there something you wanted to say?"

Again that surprised look, as though he couldn't imagine why Sheppard kept talking to him. As though they weren't alone in this closet of a room waiting, waiting, waiting, waiting for Teyla to convince the locals that they were 'good allies and fair traders'.

As if he wasn't sighing.

"No..."

"Nothing?"

Rodney paused to think for a second and then shook his head.

"Nope. Nothing." He seemed faintly surprised by that as well, and that was a response that John could relate to. McKay always had something to say. Sheppard nodded and returned to his study of the room to forestall any questions from the other man, though none seemed forthcoming. It was an easily defensible position, no windows, only two doors... but if it came to that they'd be screwed if the cavalry didn't high-tail it through the 'gate pronto. Not that he thought that it would come to that. These people seemed nice enough. But it never hurt to be prepared and--

Rodney sighed.

Sheppard's eyes snapped to him at the barely audible sound and he caught the other man looking at him. McKay jumped a little, narrowing his eyes.

"What?" He snapped and Sheppard felt a little more at ease. This was a McKay he could deal with.

"What do you mean 'what'? You were looking at me."

"Only because you were looking at me." Rodney shot back.

They stared at each other for a moment , both knowing how absurd the arguement was, how childish. But all their arguements were, when you got right down to it.

"No, you sighed, I looked over and you were already looking at me."

Rodney sat up straighter.

"I do not sigh."

Sheppard smiled.

"Oh yeah? Just like you don't faint?" The smile became a full out grin. "Bet you don't snore either, huh?"

Rodney crossed his arms.

"I would know if I sighed, Major."

Sheppard rolled his eyes.

"You have been ever since Teyla left. Every couple of minutes or so."

Rodney shook his head and then resumed his own study of the walls. Sheppard took this as a sign of his victory and leaned back in his chair, stretching out his legs and crossing them at the ankle. He let his eyes drift closed, drowsing but still remaining alert for any sound that might signal trouble on the way. Letting his mind wander from football to cars to football to guns to football, two things kept resurfacing.

One was the usual: Weir. He'd find himself dwelling on some arguement or disagreement that they'd had, trying to isolate were it went south. He'd reconsider every order he decided to disobey, every command he ignored, trying to see if things would have been different if he had just listened. The other thought that refused to be supressed was a bit more disturbing.

Rodney's eyes wouldn't leave his mind, even while he was thinking about something else. Even while he was thinking about Elizabeth. No matter what, he could see Rodney's eyes staring at him. Could almost feel them. Like a palpable heat, like a caress--

Rodney sighed.

His eyes flew open again, and this time there was no getting around it.

Rodney was staring at him.

Not through him, into him. Like he could read his mind.

"McKay?"

"Why don't you ever call me 'Rodney'?" He said suddenly, looking as surprised as Sheppard felt. He kept staring though, not dropping his eyes, and pushed on. "I mean, everyone else does... with you it's always 'McKay'..."

"Would you rather I call you--" For some reason he couldn't bring himself to say it, even in a question. Somehow, he thought he'd lose something if he did... like he'd be giving something away. Rodney nodded.

"Yes, actually... I think I would..."

"Fine." Sheppard said. "I will... if it'll keep you from griping."

Rodney rolled his eyes.

"Fine. Then say it."

"Now?"

"Yes, now, Major."

Sheppard steeled himself, drawing a deep breath to clear his lungs.

"Alright, Ro--"

"It is done." Teyla said, bustling into the room, trailing delegates and towns folk who really didn't fit in the room. "Our good friends will now speak of trade between our two peoples."

Sheppard jumped to his feet, smiling at their new allies.

"Great... that's great. Maybe we could talk some where else though? It's just a tad stuffy in here." He looked over at Rodney. "Isn't that right, McKay?"

Rodney sighed.

fin

Next: Round Hole, Square Peg