Final Redemption

by The Huntress

URL: http://www.area52hkh.net/ash/huntress/finalred.php
Summary: Rodney gets the chance to set right a mistake he made many years ago

July 7 - Present Day

"Will you give up your life for this man?"

Aiden Ford was unconscious.

Teyla met John's eyes, the warriors within understanding each other in silent affirmation, nodding in final respect.

Rodney stared at John, ready to speak, John's voice cutting him off.

"No," John managed to get out, voice cracked and dry, staring back at Rodney, his eyes telling Rodney that he was not to acquiesce to these terms. "We do not give in to threats." He spit in the executioner's face. "I'll see you in Hell." As Rodney opened his mouth again, John shook his head. "You are needed. You've got the brains to save two galaxies." John was shoved to his knees, his head lowered and the axe began to fall.

Rodney met John's eyes one last time and finally saw what had been there all along, although he had been too blind to notice.

As his world faded to black and he passed out, Rodney McKay knew his life had been changed forever.

Forty Years Hence

When the Wraith entered the Milky Way galaxy twenty years before, they expected easy pickings, to feed off the humans that inhabited the many worlds. Instead they met defeat after ten thousand years, unable to fight the combined forces of the Tau'ri and the Goa'uld...with a little help from the Asgard. Peace had finally come to two galaxies, but it had taken the deaths of literally hundreds of millions to obtain it.

In the Pegasus galaxy, on a planet that still remained nameless, an old man sat in front of a fire and told stories to the children who gathered around him, the smallest in his lap. For years he had claimed to hate kids, detest them, but as their parents died in the 'Great War', he took them all in, raising them, teaching them...giving them hope. These days he told them tales about those that came first, those that began the battle, those that gave up their lives for the peaceful existence they now knew.

Jack O'Neill. Daniel Jackson. Teal'c. Aiden Ford. Teyla Emmagon. Elizabeth Weir.

John Sheppard.

His stories were always about how brave they were, detailing their adventures. And when the old man talked about Aiden or Jack or Liz or Teal'c or even Kavanagh, his mouth would form a tight smile. But when he talked about Sheppard....

It was only then that anyone saw the hint of a real smile on Rodney McKay's face. And just as soon as it was there, it was gone. And Rodney's eyes would darken briefly in shame and he would get up and leave, go to his hut, not coming out for hours.

Today though, Rodney felt old. For most seventy-eight was young but for Rodney, his body had been through too many battles, bore too many scars, had received too many wounds. He knew his time was short, everyone else he had ever known was gone already.

Rodney had buried them all, including two wives.

He lay down, wincing from the pain in his hip, bitching to the air that he should have stayed on Earth...with his cat. "Sure, Rodney," he murmured to himself, "it would have been great. You and Daria. No Wraith. Hell, Brendan would be alive." Rodney felt a tear roll down his cheek as he thought of Brendan Gaul. The kid was murdered by a Wraith. Yeah, there were some who said he shot himself, but they hadn't seen what the Wraith had done to him; Rodney had. He saw a young and vibrant scientist age a lifetime in a matter of minutes. "The kid would be alive."

"You do not know that."

Rodney heard the voice, so familiar...his eyes cracked open and he saw the light...literally.

"Wonderful," he muttered. "Hallucinations. I guess I'm finally going over the deep end, first the mind and then...oh God...."

"You do not know what Brendan Gaul's destiny was."

Rodney slowly turned around, mouth dropping open. He stood still for a few moments staring, finally whispering, "Chaya."

"It has been a long time."

"Go away, you bitch."

"The...I believe you humans call it a 'house of cards'...fell when John Sheppard died." She bowed her head. "It was not meant to be. His time had not yet come. I am here to ensure things are made right."

"And....? I thought you people weren't allowed to...interfere." The last word dripped of ice. Rodney had lost his last real friend, Daniel Jackson, seven months previous. He'd watched as Daniel ascended and it had taken three sedatives to calm him. Rodney had nobody left anymore. He was, in fact, preparing to die himself.

"A decision has been reached. You will be given the opportunity to correct the mistake."

"And how do you propose I do that? I'm too old to do much of anything."

"You are now, but forty years ago...."

"You still haven't explained how."

"Your current consciousness shall be placed in your younger self."

"And what about the younger me?" Rodney asked, not believing he was actually having this conversation.

"His conscious mind will be, in a sense, sleeping. When he awakes, he will believe that it all happened to him."

"And he...wakes up...when I return here, right?" Rodney asked.

"Yes. When you set things right, you will return to this time."

"And what does it mean to set things right?"

"You shall figure it out, Rodney McKay."

She was a glowy thing again, leaving him as she had arrived, and Rodney McKay lay back down, closing his eyes, convinced he had one hell of an hallucination. He did allow himself a small smile as he thought about having a chance to change things. He laughed for the first time in years as he compared himself to Sam Beckett, leaping into his younger self. He went back to sleep, wondering if this were a true prelude to madness....

July 5th - Day 1

Rodney awoke in a strange bed, groaning. He must have had an accident. That was the only reason he ever went to the city anymore, for medical reasons. And even then it was always because Wex would explain that he didn't want to lose Rodney, that Rodney was all he had left. As he stretched, he expected to feel the pain of arthritis, but didn't. He turned, knowing his hip was sore, but there was no pain there either. He looked at his hands and they were smooth, with no signs of age.

Slowly getting out of bed, he noticed that he was in his old room on Atlantis. He went into the washroom and took a look at his face, eyes growing wide. "Holy shit! She really did it."

"You have limited time, Rodney McKay," Chaya's voice echoed in his head. "Make swift use of it."

Rodney took a deep breath and got dressed, heading into the city. The first person he saw was Calvin and Rodney did all he could to not hug the man. He didn't realize he had missed the loudmouth, who had basically died of loneliness after the loss of Eugene Bates. He nearly told Kavanagh to get with the program and tell Bates that he loved him, but knew they would find each other eventually; and he might help just a bit...a tiny bit.

Rodney could have taken a transport tube, saved himself a half hour walk. Instead he reveled in watching the people. The last time he had been on Atlantis he had known nobody but the military commander, Colonel John O'Neill, the Asgard clone of Jack. He had arrived on Atlantis with Daniel Jackson following Jack's death. They would never be friends per se, but they had a deep and mutual respect for one another.

As he passed some of his fellow scientists, they nodded to each other and it occurred to him that he didn't even know some of their names. Rodney would have to rectify that ASAP. For the moment, he knew their faces, they were familiar...they were his home. He was about to enter his lab when a sight caused tears to form in his eyes. He quickly fought them; he would have no idea to explain why he was crying.

There was Major John Sheppard, alive and well, staring at the latest artifact they had found. John turned to him, a big smile on his face. "McKay, I came here because I was ordered to by the good Doctor Weir. I have touched this, played with it, concentrated on it...but nothing is happening. So let's go to the gym instead."

Rodney's mind was still sharp and he remembered they'd discovered that particular artifact on the fourth of July. John had wanted the day off from 'work', smirking as he reminded her it was a legal holiday. Weir asked, begged and eventually ordered John to 'play with it', see if it reacted to the gene. Rodney glanced at the Earth calendar he kept on his desk, July fifth. John would die on the seventh...unless Rodney could find some way to prevent it.

"You come with me to the gym, get the upper hand and I will give you a Power bar and let you come back to your lab for the rest of the day. Deal?" When Rodney didn't answer, John sunk lower and pouted. "Please?"

"Stop making that face," Rodney sneered on autopilot. "You look like a sick puppy."

"Aww, c'mon McKay. A quick workout is all I ask."

"All right," Rodney agreed. "But only for an hour, no longer."

"I have some new moves to show you," John snickered. "And I promise not to hurt you...much."

~~~

"I missed this," Rodney murmured, but not softly enough.

"Missed what?" John asked, flipping Rodney over his shoulder, grinning as Rodney went down. "Ya know, after all this time I would think you'd be able to defend against that move."

The present day Rodney wouldn't have known, he had never paid real attention to John's lessons. But the elder man inside him did; he had learned from Eugene Bates and Teyla Emmagon following John's...demise. A smirk on his face and Rodney executed a move that left John on his stomach, Rodney's knee against his lower back, arm twisted behind him.

"Good enough for you Major?" Rodney snickered.

"Where the hell did you learn that?" John asked, as Rodney released him.

"I do pay attention," Rodney said quickly. "So fork over the Power bar." He held out his hand, seeing a brief flush of pink tinge John's cheeks.

"I, um, don't have one with me," John said, almost shyly. "It's in my quarters if you want to come get it."

Rodney blinked at him. In all their time in Atlantis, John had never asked Rodney to his quarters. When they socialized, it was generally in the area designated the rec room or on the mainland and it was almost always with Ford and Teyla as well. "You can bring it to my lab. I floored you I get to go back to work, remember that part of the deal?" Rodney missed the downcast look on John's face, heading back to his lab.

John, in turn, went to his room, quickly closing the door behind him lest anyone see what he had done to it. There were a few candles ready to be lit, some Athosian wine, a tray of fruit...but no Rodney. John had been certain that Rodney would come to his quarters for the Power bar and once there, John was going to seduce him. Damn, he thought he'd planned it all so well. It had taken him almost two years to gather the courage to tell Rodney how he felt, to show him....

///

John would light the scented candles, pour Rodney a glass of wine (or two), take him outside to the balcony to look into the sky. They would talk about trivial matters then John was going to turn the conversation toward Rodney, complimenting him, how brave, how smart...how beautiful. While Rodney stood there confused (and John knew he would be) John would take advantage and steer Rodney back inside, to the bed, Rodney sitting up so John could feed him the fruit. They'd have some more wine, relaxing, getting a bit giddy, but not drunk and John would kiss Rodney. And Rodney would kiss John back.

///

....and so went John's fantasy. It went, all right, it went right into the sewer. At the rate he was going he'd be celibate for the rest of his days. He didn't want anyone else.

John Sheppard was in love with Rodney McKay.

~~~

Rodney didn't go directly to his lab. He had a few friends he wanted to see again, people he had missed, those he had buried over the years. His first stop was Weir's office and he rang the chime, hearing a reply of "Just a minute". When the door opened, Rodney saw Elizabeth at her desk, Peter Grodin sitting opposite her, looking rather flushed.

"Rodney, was there something you wanted?" Elizabeth asked, raising an eyebrow at him.

"Uh, yes," Rodney smiled, "Major Sheppard and I could not get that artifact to do anything, ergo I believe it to be useless."

"Thank you for letting me know," Weir nodded to him. "I'll see you later...much later."

Rodney noticed her eyes wandered back to Peter, who was shifting in his chair. And of course Rodney, being Rodney, couldn't resist a little snark. "Doctor Grodin," he smiled, "before you leave I would suggest you zip up your pants." Rodney actually laughed aloud as he left Elizabeth's office, heading to the infirmary and a visit with Carson Beckett.

Upon seeing him, Carson glanced up, softly groaning. "I know you've not been offworld so I would assume the only reason you have come down here is a paper cut."

Rodney just stared at him; God he had missed the Scot. "Actually, I came to give you a bit of advice."

"You?" Carson laughed aloud. "Okay, Roddy, go ahead."

Rodney felt a warmth rush up within him. Openly he had detested that nickname, yet never told Carson to stop using it. It identified their friendship as unique; nobody else had ever dared use it. It had never fit with Rodney's personality...except to Carson Beckett. "Kate Heightmeyer is being eyed by one Joseph Timmerman, Corporal, US Marines."

"And this means what?"

"Carson, I know how you feel about Kate and I think you should tell her before...before Timmerman makes his move."

"Am I that obvious?" Carson asked with a slight blush.

"Only to me, old friend," Rodney grinned.

"Ya know you're right, Roddy," Carson grinned back. "I think it's about time I asked her to have dinner with me."

"Yeah, you do that, Carson."

"And you Roddy? Are you ever going to tell...."

"NO!" Rodney snapped. "I can't and you know why."

"'Don't ask, don't tell' is a bloody stupid reason if ya ask me!"

"How about he's straight and leave it at that," Rodney sneered.

Carson sighed to himself. Doctor-Patient privilege prevented him from telling his oldest friend that John Sheppard was bisexual; it had been in his files. Files Carson destroyed rather then take a chance of the information being discovered. He didn't see why a person's sexuality was so damned important to the United States military, but knew it was. If even one person under John's command was homophobic....

So he'd destroyed anything and everything regarding sexual preference in everyone's files. And felt good about it afterwards.

But when Rodney began to drop by and talk about John, Carson realized Rodney was in love with him. And when he spent time with the two of them he watched closely. It didn't take him long to figure out John was in love with Rodney also. And since he couldn't tell either of them what he'd observed, he dropped hints...but neither man got it. God, the smarter the man, the more obtuse he could be.

"Carson?"

Rodney's voice brought Carson out of his thoughts. "Okay, Roddy, it's yer choice."

"And you?"

"I'll tell Kate," Carson sighed.

"Good, that's very good," Rodney grinned and left the infirmary, heading back to his lab. He had some experiments to take care of and if he was correct, he was about to increase the shield output by seven percent. As he worked, his mind supplied him with information he had gleaned over forty years and he began to input equations to increase the power tenfold, so his younger self would have record of it. The system shut itself down and Rodney heard Chaya's voice in his head.

'You can change but so much.'

"Yeah, okay Glinda," he groaned, adding under his breath, "and we should have dropped a house on you." Yet he worked to get it up to seven percent, a process that took the entire day. The only person who came by was John, with an MRE. Rodney had long ago given up on discovering just how many MRE's John had stashed away or where they were hidden; the mess had long ago run out of them. Yet John kept making them appear for Rodney when Rodney worked late in his lab; when Rodney would forget to eat, except for Power bars. Hell, even after John...left...Rodney had been unable to locate them.

"Beef patty," John smiled and also produced a juice box. "Apple, your favorite."

"Thanks," Rodney said shyly, turning back to his computer.

John placed the MRE in front of Rodney. "Eat."

Rodney placed his keyboard in his lap, knowing John wouldn't leave until he'd eaten. Yet John stayed silent, allowing Rodney to work while he ate and the moment Rodney was finished, he put the empty tray aside and placed his keyboard in front of him.

John picked up the tray, dumped it in the trash, placed his hand on Rodney's shoulder, leaned down and whispered a math equation in his ear.

Rodney smiled, knowing John had been watching him work the entire time...and understood at least part of it. He input John's calculations and he made it to four percent. 'Only three more to go', he thought to himself, then turned to John, not realizing John's face was right beside his, leaving them about a half inch apart. "Thanks."

"My pleasure," John smirked. "If you need more help, you know where I am."

Rodney felt his dick twitch, then figured he was reading more into it then there really was. John was just teasing him, showing off his math skills as he sometimes did. Either way, Rodney had a few more hours work ahead of him. By the time he'd reached his goal, he was half asleep and opted to turn in for the night. Not surprisingly, he had a fitful night. He kept seeing John die over and over. He had two days to come up with a plan to save him, and if he didn't, Rodney would pay the price for the rest of eternity...his soul would be damned once again.

July 6th - Day 2

"Need some help with that, Doc?" Aiden smiled as Rodney picked up the P-90. "We wouldn't want you to shoot yourself in the foot now, would we?"

Rodney had to bite the inside of his cheek to stop the tears that threatened again. He'd missed the (sort-of) innocent Aiden, the Ford that existed before John's death, the Ford that liked to giggle at the 'Alien' movies, who started more then one food fight in the mess.

The Aiden Ford that died the same day John Sheppard did, replaced by a hardened soldier whose saving grace was a loving wife named Teyla, two sons and a best friend named Rodney who always reminded him of what was really important.

Rodney had to fight the urge to load the magazine like an old pro, which he was...inside. After John died, Rodney learned about every weapon from Ford, becoming a crack shot; he never missed. Aiden had called him a natural. He smirked and handed the gun to Ford. "Then you load it."

"C'mon, McKay," John sighed. "It's only a target range. It's not like you're going to be John Wayne."

Rodney forgot who he really was and proceeded to hit every target dead on, which had every soldier staring at him. "Lucky shot?" he said wistfully.

"Fourteen of them?!" John asked as he gawked.

"I guess I'm just a natural," Rodney shrugged, then wandered over to the assembly line he had set up a few months before. With the metals they had obtained from various races they were able to make more ammunition. At first it had been a tedious job for the Athosian's although they welcomed the opportunity to assist the Tau'ri, but then Rodney got the idea for an assembly line/semi-automated system to speed things up. By now they were overflowing with ammo, although Bates didn't think it was enough...he never did.

John grew a bit concerned as Rodney actually sat down with a few of the children and began to speak with them. Calmly, like a sane person. He turned Ford around, so Ford could observe the scene. "Aiden, does McKay seem all right to you?"

Ford shrugged. "How should I know sir?"

"He's talking to the kids."

"And? This is a problem because...."

"It's McKay," John waved his hands in the air. "Since when has McKay liked being around kids."

"I don't know, sir...John. But if he's not bitching and complaining about being forced outside and his allergies acting up, I say we leave things be." He turned back to the course. "It's Bates' turn. You do know he's going to shoot everything, don't you?" Ford glanced up at the bird-things that inhabited the sky.

"Oh yeah," John sighed as he followed Ford's eyes, forgetting about Rodney for the moment, "I know. We'll be having braised whatever in the mess tonight."

"They need a name, sir," Ford said with a hopeful smile.

"No, you may not name them." Ford looked so sad that John felt sorry for him. "I'll make you an offer you can't refuse, Lieutenant. You make it to General and you get to name...something. Deal?"

"Yes sir! I'll remember!"

'I'm sure you will,' John thought, fighting a grin at Ford's boyish happiness. Damn, with all the young man had seen, he still maintained a bit of innocence. A few more men were up and John found himself wandering over to Rodney, who was still sitting with the children. What could he possibly be telling them? He snuck around so Rodney couldn't see him and listened....

"So Superman flies into the lab and rescues Lois Lane from the evil Lex Luthor...."

John's eyes were bugging out of his head as he heard what Rodney was telling the children. A Superman story?! Had Rodney hit his head lately and John not noticed? He backed away, returning to his men. Maybe it was time for his team to take a break, no missions for a while. Yeah, that was it. Especially Rodney. Rodney really needed a vacation. Maybe John could take him somewhere; somewhere quiet and peaceful. They could be alone, just the two of them, some chocolate, a tube of scented....

"YO SHEP! YOU'RE UP!" Bates screamed.

John just nodded, his daydream shot to hell. He hit every target, same as Rodney, then watched as the last of his men finished, talking to a couple who had seemed distracted and missed a few, before returning to the jumpers. He noticed Rodney wasn't there and went off on a search, wondering if he had entered the Twilight Zone...or one of those Quantum Mirror universe's Ford had told him about. For there, before him, sat Rodney McKay with a little girl and they were both giggling.

Rodney caught his eyes and quickly sat up, jumping to his feet, sobering. "I was just telling her about...."

"I don't care, McKay. Time to go home." John smiled at the little girl. "I can bring Rodney back to play if you want."

"Oh would you, Major Shep?" She grinned from ear to ear. "He's fun!" She hugged Rodney and ran off to her friends.

"Major Shep?" Rodney fought his laughter.

"Wex started it," John snickered and played dumb. "And just what were you telling them before?"

"You wouldn't understand, Major. Believe me."

John wisely chose to remain silent as they returned to the jumper. There was no way he was confronting Rodney over his storytelling. Rodney would just find some way to explain it and John's brain would be fried in the interim. So he kept his mouth shut all the way home.

Upon their return, Rodney followed Bates until the two were alone in the corridor. "Sergeant, I think you should know that he likes you also."

"Who?"

"Kavanagh," Rodney smirked, watching Bates change colors.

"How the fuck did you...nobody knows about...." Bates stammered. "I didn't even know until he got hurt on the mainland last week."

"I notice these things," Rodney shrugged. "Life is too short to allow something as stupid as 'don't ask, don't tell' to interfere with it. I know you respect your country and it's rules and regulations, but just once, Bates, for once in your life follow your heart. You only get one chance at love so don't mess it up."

"Yeah, okay, Doc," Bates replied. Rodney was right, but.... "And if people don't approve?"

"They will," Rodney reassured him. "Trust me. As for those that don't, I say 'fuck 'em all'."

Bates snorted in loud laughter. "You know, McKay, for a geek, you're not so bad." He calmed a moment later, smiling at Rodney. "What about you? Is there somebody in your life?"

"I love my work, Sergeant," Rodney lied like an expert. "That's enough for me." For a moment he was the old man again, placing his palm on Bates' face. "Tell him."

Calvin chose that moment to exit a transport tube, saw the two and his mouth dropped open.

"Now's your chance," Rodney grinned, laughing as he headed into the tube himself. He laughed even harder when he heard Bates scream, "Shut the fuck up and listen to me, Calvin!"

Rodney felt good for the first time in years.

Rodney had already changed the timeline, at least he hoped he did. Returning to the confines of his lab he sat down, his mind flooded with new 'memories'...he had changed the future, but not in the way he thought.

Two years later Carson was still dead from a lab explosion, but this time Kate and their unborn child died with him. The first time Carson had died alone; Kate had married Timmerman because Carson hadn't told her how he felt.

Three years later Bates gave up his life for Kavanagh and thus five years hence was not there to save Ford's life during a Genii trap. Teyla and Aiden never got married, never had children.

Beautiful Teyla, who should have lived another twenty years before sacrificing her life for her sons, Teyla died on the front lines against the Wraith eight years after that. She died childless and alone.

Rodney found himself wiping tears away, feeling guilt over not being with her, for staying behind on Atlantis. "Why?" he asked aloud.

"The timeline is fragile, Rodney McKay. Change one event and others shall be altered as well."

Rodney turned and saw the light. "So now Kate dies also? And Teyla...I should have been with her. Send me back."

"You are not finished Rodney McKay," Chaya's voice echoed in his head.

Rodney wished she were corporeal so he could punch her in the nose. His interference had made things worse. What else could he do to fuck things up? He wasn't ready for a shower so he headed for the gym.

The sight of Rodney coming into the gym shocked John, who was working out with Bates and John was quickly flipped over Bates' shoulder, Bates ready to break John's neck. John reacted by twisting Bates' arm back, rolling and getting the upper hand. "Never underestimate your opponent," John smirked, helping Bates to his feet, the two men turning to Rodney.

"What do you need, McKay?" John asked.

Rodney could do nothing but stare. He'd forgotten how sexy John looked in a black tee shirt...especially when he was sweating.

"McKay!"

"Huh?" Rodney blinked. "Oh, I, uh, I came down for a few rounds with the punching bag." He put the gloves on and hit it, a bit clumsy at the start, then began to pound it like a pro. He had so much anger to release.

"Okay, McKay, talk!" John ordered. "Earlier you were Billy The Kid and now you're Joe Frazier."

"I used to box, Major. It's in my personnel record." Rodney smirked. "I wasn't always a geek."

Bates nodded, mouth open. "Not bad, Doc. I think you could teach a few of my men a thing or two."

"No thanks," Rodney shook his head. "I have a reputation I'd like to keep."

"We won't tell," John smiled.

"Never!" Bates added. "And now, I have someone else, er, I mean something else, to take care of." He smiled at Rodney. "Thanks."

"What was he thanking you for?" John asked.

"I helped him solve a dilemma," Rodney shrugged. "Genius here, remember?"

"So you boxed. Big deal."

"You want to go a couple of rounds with me?" Rodney asked, a slow smile coming across his face.

"No way," John laughed. "I like my teeth, thank you very much. But I would like to have dinner with you. I mean, the mess. We'll meet in the mess for dinner."

"Yeah," Rodney nodded, "dinner is good."

"Unless you want someplace private, uh, maybe my quarters?"

Rodney inhaled sharply before replying. "You want to have dinner with me in your quarters? Really?"

"If you don't want to...."

"No, Major, your quarters are fine."

"Good." John had to play it cool; a bit frosty. If he wasn't careful he was going to start whooping for joy...and molesting Rodney in the gym. Now all he had to do was chill a bottle of Athosian wine and get some fresh fruit.

~~~

John's fantasy didn't quite go as planned.

Rodney entered his quarters and made a remark about the candles, but a positive one. John poured a glass of wine for each of them, ready to begin his seduction, but Rodney beat him to it.

It was John who had fruit fed to him, John who received compliments, how brave, how smart...how beautiful, inside and out.

It was John who ended up with his wrists bound above his head while Rodney feasted on his body with hands, tongue, lips and teeth.

It was John who lay beneath Rodney, filled with Rodney's hardness, begging for more, moaning, shouting "I LOVE YOU" when he came.

It was John, not Rodney, who blacked out from sheer exhaustion.

July 7th - Day 3

"Good morning," John grinned, snuggling into Rodney's arms.

"Too early to get up," Rodney murmured softly. "More sleep."

"We have a briefing soon," John sighed, reaching down to stroke Rodney's dick.

Rodney checked the time. "In about an hour," Rodney began to breathe a bit deeper. "Ahh, that's good...."

John rolled onto his back, Rodney atop him. "Again, Rodney."

Rodney happily obliged, making love with him. They came hard and rested a bit, but when John tried to get out of bed, Rodney tried to distract him, figuring that even a few moments would change history. He tried to go down on John but John insisted on a shower. So Rodney followed him in, blowing John and fucked John hard and when the water ran cold and they dried off Rodney dropped to his knees again, insisting John fuck him. And after John was dressed, Rodney attempted to undo his pants.

"RODNEY!" John was getting a bit pissed, batting his hands away. "Enough already!" He handed Rodney his clothes. "We'll have plenty of time when we get back, I promise." He softened the harsh tone with a kiss, which Rodney attempted to deepen, but John wouldn't allow. "Get dressed. You're insatiable and I'm only human."

Rodney did as he was told, but on the way out cupped John's face in his palms and kissed him chastely. "Thank you."

"You're welcome. And why are you thanking me?"

"Because."

"Oh. Okay, Rodney. And by the way," John leered, "when we get back I get to tie you up."

"Whatever you want, Major Shep," Rodney laughed.

The sound went straight to John's heart and he leaned in for a quick kiss. "Come along, Einstein. A new planet awaits."

~~~

Rodney fidgeted throughout the briefing, finally getting Elizabeth's attentions.

"Rodney, is something the matter?"

"I just have a bad feeling, call it a gut instinct," Rodney shrugged.

"Something about the Elindans sets off alarm bells?" she asked.

"I know it sounds stupid, but...."

Weir turned to John. "Major, have team two join you on this mission...incognito."

"My men and I will be ready shortly," Bates told her.

"I didn't say yes yet," John told him. "Rodney, we have guns, they don't."

"I'm telling you Major, I've got...."

"Bad vibes?" John almost mocked.

"I trust in Rodney McKay's gut instinct," Teyla said flatly.

"You do?" Rodney asked, a bit incredulous.

"I respect you and have watched you grow into an impressive warrior...of sorts." Teyla looked around the table, eyes resting on John, who finally nodded.

"But," John glared at Rodney, "if these people turn out to be friendly, you serve...Kavanagh...breakfast in bed for a week."

"Agreed," Rodney said quickly, knowing there was no way he could lose the bet. They entered the hangar and Rodney stood beside Jumper one, tracing his fingers along the name 'HMS Survivor' painted on the outside. They had 'retired' that jumper following John's death and Rodney remembered using acid to remove the name. He smiled when he thought of how John had wanted to name it the 'Enterprise' (which became Jumper three), the 'Kirk' or 'Picard' (Jumpers six and seven) or the 'Freddy Krueger' (which was vetoed by all, even Teyla). Ford had suggested 'Wraithkiller', his teammates glaring at him until he ducked his head and apologized for naming something. Rodney thought of 'Survivor' and his team didn't argue, although John did balk about HMS as opposed to USS. Rodney threatened to use the acronym HMCS, which would make Jumper one Canadian; John stopped complaining.

Rodney nearly laughed aloud as he thought of the fights that broke out when everyone else got into the 'name game'. Out of forty-seven jumpers, the only one there had been no arguments over was the 'Sumner'. And Jumper two was christened by team two, the marines who had claimed her. She was known as the 'USS Grunt'. Rodney remembered going to the hangar late one night and painting a skull and crossbones beside the name.

"Rodney?" John rested his hand on Rodney's back. "You okay?"

"Yeah," he replied with a soft sigh.

"Look, I'm sorry for making fun of you in the meeting. Really sorry."

"I know." Rodney continued to trace the letters.

"It does suit us, doesn't it," John wrapped his arm around Rodney's waist, his head on Rodney's shoulder. "We can survive anything."

"You've been watching those sappy European films with Zippy again, haven't you?" Rodney turned in John's arms and tried to sound angry, he really did, but John was giving him that look, the one that made his heart jump.

"Love you, McKay," John leaned in for a kiss but Rodney ducked under his arm.

"John, Bates is right there."

"And your point is? If he's horny, he can go bang Calvin in a closet. Which is where I found them earlier. God, Rodney, I'm going to have nightmares forever."

"Let's go, Major. Time to go and earn our paychecks." Rodney followed John into the jumper, but glanced back only to see Bates kiss Kavanagh and whisper in his ear. For the first time, Rodney McKay saw Calvin Kavanagh with a genuine smile.

The old man inside was pleased, but he wondered how his younger self would react. 'Ah well,' he thought, 'there's always Advil...and drugs, both the Earth and Athosian kind.'

~~~

Rodney slowly grew sick to his stomach as they entered the village and when they passed the sacrificial altar he had to swallow his own bile. He was so caught up in the memory of John's death that he missed the moment Aiden stepped away from the group, walking to the small green building, peering inside.

Rodney tried to prevent it, he truly did. He went so far as to trip Ford so the young man wouldn't enter the building. But it didn't work and the Lieutenant stepped into the middle of a sacred ritual, defiling it. There were screams of "BLASPHEMER" and "VIOLATOR" and "DESECRATOR" filling the air around them. It was like something out of a bad movie.

John unholstered his weapon, going into battlestance, his team following suit. He was about to radio Bates but before he was able a rock slammed into his head, followed by another. The team were being pelted and as Aiden managed to aim his weapon he was struck in the head and knocked out.

Their weapons were taken and poor Aiden beaten bloody, John held responsible as the leader. Before they knew it, John was being held over an old-fashioned chopping block. They were going to sacrifice him.

"Will you give up your life for this man?"

Aiden Ford was unconscious.

Teyla met John's eyes, the warriors within understanding each other in silent affirmation, nodding in final respect.

Rodney stared at John, ready to speak, John's voice cutting him off.

"No," John managed to get out, voice cracked and dry, staring back at Rodney, his eyes telling Rodney that he was not to acquiesce to these terms. "We do not give in to threats." He spit in the executioner's face. "I'll see you in Hell." As Rodney opened his mouth again, John cut him off. "You are needed. You've got the brains to save two galaxies." John was shoved to his knees, his head lowered and the axe began to fall.

Rodney met John's eyes one final time and remembered what he had seen in those eyes forty years ago...hell, what he'd seen in those eyes that morning. He felt forty years of emptiness, of being alone...God, he was making the same mistake all over again. "WAIT!"

The axe froze in midair.

"I will give up my life for this man!"

John raised his eyes, gritting his teeth, almost growling. "Shut up McKay or I'm going to haunt you."

Rodney didn't back down. "I will give up my life for him."

The axe was lifted, John tossed aside. To John's horror, Rodney was pushed to his knees, shoved over the chopping block. John got to his feet, but was knocked off them by two of the guards.

Teyla attempted to defend him but was hit with the butt of a weapon, going down, hit again as she tried to raise herself.

Rodney wasn't afraid to die now. John was alive, that was all that mattered. He had bought John's soul back and in doing so saved his own. And apparently that was all the time that was needed, because the next thing Rodney saw was a jumper appearing in the middle of the town square, sending the people running for cover, screaming that evil was now upon them.

The elder Rodney had changed the past; John was alive, albeit injured. In his memory, his reality, he, Ford and Teyla were the only ones to get on that jumper; John had already been executed.

But why hadn't he returned to the future yet? Chaya had told him when he 'set things right' he would return. Wasn't saving John's life doing just that? His memories were murky to say the least...as if they were being altered. For one moment Carson was dead, then he wasn't, then he was. Ford had been shot, then he was a grandfather. He saw John growing old...and then he passed out.

When Rodney came to, he was in the infirmary. As he sat up, he saw Aiden in the next bed, quickly having a word with a nurse as to his status. Once he was told the young man would recover, Rodney discharged himself, but since fate hated him he walked into a transport tube as Carson was exiting. After they exchanged a few (not-so-nice) words, Carson agreed to officially discharge him and he was free to go to the debriefing. By the time he arrived, Teyla was leaving and squeezed his arm, a small smile on her face. When Rodney entered he faced John and Elizabeth, who were both glaring at him.

John pretty much snarled and pushed past Rodney. The Major was angry, but in truth, he had been terrified that Rodney would die. He masked that fear with anger, not saying a word.

Elizabeth understood, but didn't pursue the issue, dismissing Rodney, telling him to get some rest. The moment he left, she sat down, thinking how neither man was more expendable then the other, no matter what each thought.

Rodney was a genius and John a brilliant tactician and Atlantis could not afford to lose either man.

And she would fling herself off the highest peak in the city before she admitted it out loud. She laughed to herself and headed up to the control room. Maybe teasing Peter for a little while would make things better. It usually did.

Rodney wandered to his quarters, lost in his own disturbing memories...or lack of. He didn't understand what was happening. His memories were still blurry as if they couldn't focus. He lay there for almost two hours wondering what was his reality and what wasn't. Did Teyla die fighting the Wraith? Or did she and Ford get married and have children? He didn't know anymore. His mind tried to reason things and he came to the conclusion that he had to do something else. At least that's what always happened in every science fiction movie he'd ever seen. He started the shower and tried his best to narrow down his final act in the past.

Just what was he supposed to do?

July 8th - Day 4

John was tossing and turning, unable to sleep. 'You are such an asshole, Shep,' he thought to himself. 'He was prepared to die for you and you don't even say thanks.' He soon got out of bed and wandered into the infirmary to check on Aiden, finding Teyla sitting at his side, talking to him. "Hey," he said softly. "How is he?"

"Doctor Beckett says he will be fine," she whispered back. "He woke briefly and asked how we were. I informed him we were all in...tip-top shape...and he went back to sleep."

John smiled at her use of English slang, glancing down, seeing her hand holding Aiden's. Teyla noticed him noticing and pulled her hand away. John put it back. "Tell him how you feel when he wakes up."

"And if he does not feel the same?"

"Teyla, I don't think you have a thing to worry about."

"Really, John?" She raised an eyebrow at him and smirked. "And you know this how?"

"Trust me, would you? Have I ever steered you wrong?" She arched her eyebrow further. "Okay, maybe once...five times...a dozen at most. But not about this."

"If you are wrong...."

"If I'm wrong, I will serve Kavanagh breakfast in bed for a month."

"It is a...deal," she smiled.

"He's a good man Teyla. He'll do right by you."

"I know John and...thank you."

John turned, deciding that he had to go see Rodney, to make up with him. He entered Rodney's room without announcing himself, hearing the shower water and decided to intrude.

Rodney turned so fast at the noise that he lost his footing and nearly fell out of the shower...nearly. Instead he found himself held in John's arms, John having prevented what could have been a serious accident. "Are you trying to kill me, Major?"

John was at a complete loss for words, so he did what any other completely insane person would do in his position. He kicked off his sneakers, pushed Rodney back under the spray and kissed him senseless.

"Major, what are you doing?" Rodney managed to sputter.

"If you don't know, then you are not the smartest person in this galaxy." John kissed him again. "I'm kissing you." He pulled off his shirt and his lips returned to Rodney's mouth, trying to undo his pants with shaky fingers. "I love you, Rodney."

Rodney responded by carding his fingers in John's hair. "Why are your pants still on?" kissing him and batting John's hands aside, his own deft fingers undoing them, "I hate button-fly's," finally finished, sliding John's pants and briefs down his lean legs, John stepping out of them. Rodney turned to the wall, pretty much growled, "Fuck me, John," and spread his legs.

John was so angry he didn't even think about any type of preparation, thrusting inside with one move, hearing Rodney cry out from the pain but ignoring it. "You could have died!" John moved faster, riding Rodney harder now, driving his dick as deep as he could bury it, stilling for a moment, laying his head against Rodney's back. "I don't want you to die." John's hands began to tease, one hand on Rodney's chest, the other sliding down to stroke his dick, lightly caress his balls. After a few minutes of playing John got rough again, pounding into Rodney's body, feeling Rodney come in his fist, letting his own orgasm overtake him. He eased out, turning Rodney to face him, burying his face in Rodney's shoulder, tears streaming down his cheeks.

Rodney understood, holding John in his arms, the two sliding to the floor, John crying it out while Rodney held him. And Rodney was finally able to say the words he'd wanted to say for forty long and lonely years.

"We're alive...you're alive. Everything's going to be all right now. I promise."

They sat there entwined until the water ran cold. Rodney finally moved to his feet, taking John with him, drying them off, the two moving to the bed, laying together naked. John's back rested against Rodney's chest, Rodney's arms holding him close.

"Mine," John murmured, snuggling into Rodney's chest.

"Yours," Rodney whispered, kissing the top of John's head. "Sleep, John. No bad dreams tonight."

"Not with you, Rod, never with you. I love you, know that always."

And Rodney McKay, genius with an IQ of two hundred and forty-seven, had an epiphany. He knew why he was still here, in the past. It was so simple, so easy....

"I love you too, John."

"I'm glad," John sighed happily. "I've been waiting for you to tell me." He allowed himself the luxury of a deep sleep tonight. Rodney would watch over him. Rodney loved him.

Rodney lay there for a while, listening to John's soft breathing. He heard her voice in his head and he tried to shut her out, but of course he couldn't. "I just found him," Rodney whispered to the air.

"You have made things right, Rodney McKay."

"Please don't send me back. I want to stay...."

"I am truly sorry," Chaya said sadly, "but it is time for you to go home."

Rodney reluctantly nodded, knowing he had no choice. "I found redemption. Whatever my future brings I can face it now." He turned to the man in his arms, kissing John softly. "I will always love you." He closed his eyes, begging to see John in the next life.

July 9th - Day 5

Rodney began to talk in his sleep, waking John, who shook him a bit. "Rod, you okay? You were talking in your sleep."

"Huh? Oh, sorry, I don't usually...."

"I know. We've been on overnight missions together," John laughed a bit. "Bad dreams?"

"I don't know." Rodney lay in John's arms and sighed.

"You still love me, don't you?"

Rodney was a bit confused. "Love you?"

John swallowed hard and pulled away. "I'm sorry. I thought you...."

It took a moment before Rodney's brain came to life, along with his body and he grinned and pushed John flat, crawling into his arms again. "Of course I still love you, you moron."

"You said some weird stuff in your sleep," John relaxed a bit, sharing a few soft kisses with his lover. "You were talking about Teyla and Wraith and...Kavanagh."

"I'm a weird guy or hadn't you noticed?"

"I noticed," John laughed, "believe me."

"I just thought...life is so short and I've missed so much living. I need to make up for it, you know? Like going back to P3S-998. You remember that one? The planet we went to a few months ago, the one where everybody sings and dances? They know how to live. You think we could go back there?"

"Rodney, you said they were all nuts and asked how anybody could live in an MGM musical all the time."

"Maybe they weren't as nuts as I thought. I just...John, could we go back there for a few days?"

"Whatever you want, Rod."

"John?"

"Yeah?"

"Don't call me Rod."

"Honeypie?"

"No."

"Lambchop?"

"Definitely not."

"Sweetcheeks?"

"Only if you want to die, John."

"Baby?"

Rodney opened his mouth and paused, thinking. "Baby is good."

John rolled on top, kissing Rodney softly. "You taste good, baby." He kissed a path down Rodney's face, licking his neck, tongue and teeth stimulating Rodney's nipples, down his abdomen, resting his mouth beside Rodney's swollen dick. He caressed the length with two fingers, licking the tip. "Taste really good." He took Rodney into his mouth an inch at a time, Rodney's hands urging him around into a sixty-nine. John filled Rodney's mouth, yet tortured Rodney by sucking him little by little, grazing his teeth along the length.

Rodney could only moan and suck John harder, taking the base of John's dick in his fist, sucking hard on the tip, drawing out the precome. He laved the tiny slit, murmuring, "Don't tease, lover...bring me off...." He took John deep again, one hand straying between John's ass cheeks, the other fondling his balls.

John did as he was told, swallowing Rodney all the way, feeling the tip at the back of his throat, Rodney shoving his cock deep, pulling back and sliding in. Rodney was fucking his mouth and John loved it.

"Ah yeah, John, just like that...." Rodney murmured before taking John back in, easing a finger inside, feeling John's moan around his dick. He rolled his hips, driving himself deep, John's mouth sliding up, holding Rodney's dick steady as he laved the head, suckling, teasing.

"You like being teased, baby," John murmured. "I can tell."

Rodney's response was to suck John hard for a moment and raise his head, lapping the tiny slit, licking his lips. "So do you, lover...I can tell." He wrapped his fist around John's length and jerked him slowly. "Come for me."

"You come for me first." John reached a hand up, pinching one of Rodney's nipples at the same moment he sucked Rodney deep again.

And Rodney came...and came. John pulled his head back and watched Rodney's come shoot all over his face, his body and the bed. He licked his lips, savoring the taste, willing his orgasm back...for now.

As Rodney lay satiated, John rolled away, moving to his knees. "John, you didn't...."

"Not yet," John smirked, taking his cock in hand, offering it to his lover. "Suck me off, Rodney."

There was a time Rodney would have felt degraded over such a request asked in a lewd manner. But not now; not with John Sheppard. He moved to his hands and knees, crawling over, John's free hand wrapping itself in Rodney's hair, pulling his mouth forward. John's cock rested at his lips and he relaxed, allowed John control, the thick cock sliding between his lips oh so slowly.

"Such a good boy, Rodney...oh yeah, what a sinful mouth...." John held his cock deep for a while, pulling Rodney's mouth up, leaning down to kiss him.

"I want to please you, John," Rodney said innocently.

"Ah, Rodney, baby, you have always pleased me." John swooped in for another kiss, his cock sliding against Rodney's stomach. "Love you so much...." John framed Rodney's face in his palms. "Never want to lose you." Another kiss, this one harder and John came all over them, holding Rodney tight as he came down from his orgasm.

"Never want to lose you either," Rodney murmured.

John calmed, going to the washroom for a wet cloth, tossing one to Rodney. "There ya go."

"Not going to clean me up, lover?" Rodney teased.

"Baby, I clean you up we're gonna be messy again." John cleaned himself and walked to the makeshift closet. "Spare set of sheets? We sort of got those...."

"Sweaty and come-stained?" Rodney leered, licking his upper lip.

"Oh no, McKay. I need sleep. Even I can't go on two hours at a pop."

"Okay," Rodney smiled, "but I don't have a spare set. I just wash this one every week."

"Then we go to my room." Rodney was hesitant and John noticed, studying his lover. "What?"

"You really want me to come to your room?" Rodney asked.

"Hmm," John seemed to go deep into thought, a frown coming to his face. "Nope." He tossed Rodney his clothes while he put his own on.

Rodney began to get dressed. "You don't want me to come to your room?" he asked, growing confused...and it showed on his face.

John interlaced his fingers with Rodney's, leaned in and whispered, "Our room."

"Our room," Rodney parroted, staring at John with wide-eyes.

"Yep. It's bigger then this one and I have that cool poster of Johnny Cash for decoration."

"John, where did you get a poster of Johnny Cash?"

"Brought it with me. Extra crate, marked 'Property of Major John Sheppard - Don't Touch Per General Jack O'Neill'. He said I could pack a few extras."

"Like what?" Rodney asked with a smile.

"Case of Bud, Ritz crackers, spray cheese and Spam."

"Spam?" Rodney made a horrible face. "How can you eat that?"

"This coming from the man who lives for chipped beef, the mess oatmeal and MRE's."

"Speaking of MRE's...." Rodney started.

John placed his finger over Rodney's lips. "Don't ask, because I'm not telling. Leave me one secret, baby." John kissed him. "Just one."

"Okay," Rodney agreed. "But that doesn't mean I'll give up trying to find them."

"I wouldn't expect you to. Now let's go because I'm tired."

"Whatever you say, John. You're always right, John. You're in charge, John."

"Fuck you too, Rodney," John laughed as they headed to John's room...their room.

~~~

"Thanks, Roddy," Carson said, approaching Rodney in the mess with a half bottle of scotch whiskey. "This is yours. You deserve it."

"Uh, okay," Rodney said, a bit confused. "You're giving me the last of your good scotch. Why, may I ask?"

"You were right about Kate," Carson chuckled.

"I was." Rodney hadn't the faintest idea of what was going on, but if it got him some good whiskey, he didn't care. "About Kate. Of course I was. Genius here, remember?"

"What happened with Beckett and Freud?" John asked, taking the scotch. "We can get blind drunk tonight."

"I have no idea and I don't care!" Rodney snapped and snatched the bottle back. "Mine."

"Ours."

"Okay. Ours. Happy now, Major?"

"Immensely," John smiled.

~~~

"This is your fault," Kavanagh growled at Rodney as he barged into Rodney's lab.

"What do you want, Kavanagh?" Rodney sighed, rolling his eyes.

"How did you know about Bates?"

"Bates?" Rodney was confused again. So far a few people had come up to him thanking him...for what, he hadn't a clue. He had figured out he got Beckett and Kate together, but didn't know how. But the scotch had been good so he gave up caring. But Kavanagh and...Bates? Eugene Bates? Lead grunt and all-American, mom's apple pie marine? Granted, he thought he and John made a strange pair, but....

"There you are, Doctor Kavanagh," Bates grinned. "You're not going to need him, are you Doctor McKay?" Bates was eyeing Calvin as if Calvin were his last meal.

Rodney's eyes grew wide, but he quickly composed himself. "No, Sergeant," he smirked. "You can have him for as long as you need."

Bates actually grinned, grasping Kavanagh's arm. "Come along, Doctor Kavanagh. We have a few things to discuss in my quarters."

Kavanagh swallowed hard. "Like what?"

"Like your lousy attitude towards your fellow man." Bates turned his head to Rodney and winked, then smiled at Calvin...like a cobra. "I think you need some discipline in your life."

"Discipline?!" Calvin almost shrieked.

"Move!" Bates ordered, turning to give Rodney one final smile as Kavanagh obeyed.

It would take a while, but eventually Calvin Kavanagh would become a nice person...most of the time.

Forty Years Hence

"I didn't change anything," Rodney nearly burst into tears as he woke up from his nap, still an old man, still alone. He turned over, burying his face in the pillow, wanting to die. Then he heard it, the soft whistling.

"Good morning, Doctor McKay. Breakfast is served."

Rodney was sure he was having yet another hallucination and he slowly turned, expecting to see nothing as always...just his overactive imagination.

"Waffles, with real Vermont maple syrup."

Rodney stared for a moment, terrified to speak. And when his vocal cords were working again, he could utter but one word...."John?"

"No, the Easter bunny." John sat down on the bed, fingers brushing Rodney's cheek. "Are you all right, old man?"

It was then Rodney took a good look at the man before him. John's hair was completely gray, it had thinned, but it still stood up in the strangest directions. His face had the lines of a man who had seen too much in his life. The hazel eyes still held the look of laughter, but the lips were pursed, concerned.

"Rodney? Did something happen?"

A flood of memories cascaded through Rodney's mind, new memories, yet old at the same time. He had offered himself for John, had saved John's life and in doing so prevented, as Chaya had said, the 'house of cards from falling'.

The Wraith never made it to the Milky Way galaxy. John's ingenuity (and some Ancient technology) had prevented that from occurring and the Wraith had been defeated in Pegasus. And the threat of the Wraith had given the Goa'uld pause in battling the Tau'ri and peace was finally achieved.

Aiden Ford hadn't met his death on the eve of his thirtieth birthday, to a Genii bullet; John shot the sniper before he had a chance to pull the trigger. Over time Rodney found himself Godfather to six 'mini-Ford's', as he chose to call them...and he grew to tolerate each and every one of them.

Carson Beckett didn't die in an explosion in medical; John got him out of there. Carson and Kate produced three of their own little rugrats and for some reason, like Aiden and Teyla's, they all gravitated to Rodney, especially litt le Katie, who would always be Rodney's favorite.

Elizabeth's heart attack didn't kill her; she didn't die alone in her quarters. John went to speak with her and found her in time. She lived another thirty years and happy ones at that, with Peter Grodin at her side.

John Sheppard had been the lynchpin, the one constant that kept them going, that kept them alive.

John...God there were memories of himself and John. Making love for the first time, John teaching Rodney to live, really live. They shared twenty-five years on Atlantis before moving to the mainland, joined over time by the people they had arrived with all those years ago.

Hell, their 'neighbors' for the past ten years had been Calvin Kavanagh and Eugene Bates and even now, Calvin and Rodney could still go at it verbally, even though the malice was long gone; they were too old and had been through too much together to truly fight anymore. And as had long been the case, Radek Zelenka got in the middle of it, telling them both to shut up and behave. Then the three elderly scientists would begin to laugh with each other, usually ending up reminiscing about those that had left them...Elizabeth, Peter, Gaul...so many had been lost, but their memories would always be kept alive.

Rodney now had forty years of wonderful thoughts, happy times. The nightmares were just that now, warped dreams, wisps of memories that were quickly fading, replaced by a reality he had dreamed about for so many years. Rodney finally met John's eyes again. "I...I almost listened to you that day, not offering up my life in exchange for yours." He felt his eyes well with tears. "If I hadn't spoken up...." His voice broke and his tears came, feeling the still-strong arms wrap around him, rock him back and forth, whispering in his ear.

"That was so long ago, babe," John said, a kiss to Rodney's cheek. "Did you have a nightmare about it?"

"I think I did," Rodney sniffled.

"Forget about it, Rod," John pulled back, kissing his lover on the lips, tongue darting inside. "You still taste as good as you did all those years ago."

"John, that is by far the most cliched line you have ever used," Rodney laughed.

"Eat your breakfast. We have a party to go to and I want you to stay awake this time." John pulled Rodney out of bed.

"Party?" Rodney asked, a bit confused.

"Rod, are you going senile on me?"

Rodney thought for a moment, then smirked. "Never, John. Just teasing you. It's Aiden's sixty-fifth birthday. And quit calling me Rod."

"I had a wet dream about ya last night...Rod."

"Now don't get any ideas, Major." Rodney had never used any other rank with his lover. "The last time you tried anything, you threw your back out for a month."

"I'll tell you about it when we go to bed."

"I hope it's not too...risque. I don't know if my heart can take the strain."

As Rodney ate, John drew his bath. "You want bubbles?"

"Make a decision, would you? I'm too tired to make any." Rodney finished his food, holding his side as he stood up.

John smiled as he helped Rodney into the bath, hearing the soft groan. "Rod, your hip bothering you again?"

"I'm fine, Major."

"Are you ever going to call me General?"

"Sure. In your dreams."

"We'll go see Katherine when you get out."

"Don't get any ideas of taking me to see young Katie Beckett. The woman is more of a pain then her father."

"You're going to see her."

Rodney answered on autopilot. "Yeah, okay John. Whatever you say, John. You're in charge, John."

"Fuck you too, Rodney." John gave his usual reply and snickered as he went to the other room, going through their clothes. "Hey Rod? Where's your sweater? The grey one. It's going to be a chilly night tonight." He received no answer and sighed to himself. It would be just like Rodney to ignore him. "Rodney!" He went into the washroom, seeing his lover laying quietly, eyes closed, looking more peaceful then John had seen him in years. "Rodney? Oh God no...please no...."

"What?" Rodney said quickly. "What happened? John?"

"I thought...you looked...."

"I looked what?"

"Dead." The word came out of John's mouth before he could stop it.

"Nah, not yet. C'mon, John. Everything we've been through, you think I'm going to die in a bathtub? And before Aiden's next grandchild is born? Philip says if he and Tara finally have a boy they're naming him Rodney."

"You know," John grinned, "we should have made it a law that no Ford's could name anything."

"Ah, but then you wouldn't have a village here called Sheppardville, would you?"

"He was drunk," John snickered, "and so was I. Or else there would be no place named Rodneytown."

Rodney got dressed and as they opened the door to leave a small girl came running in with a big grin.

"Unca Rodney, lookie! I drawed you a picture!" She handed it to him. "It's you and Major Shep!"

"It's General Shep!" John told her, trying to sound pissed, but failing.

"Grandpa Aiden says Major, so there!" She smirked. "But I prefer Unca Johnny."

"Me too, you little pain in the ass."

She covered her mouth and giggled some more. "You said a bad word. But that's okay. Grandpa says worse sometimes."

"Marines usually do," John nodded.

Rodney glanced down at the picture and had to fight his own giggle. It was two stick figures in a heart. Ignoring the pain, he knelt down to give her a hug. "Why thank you, Miss Ford. I'm going to put it right here." Rodney stood, John noticing the pain in his eyes, as he placed it on the wall beside the others. "I think it's your best one yet." She just laughed as she ran out and Rodney smiled. "God, she looks just like Teyla, doesn't she?"

John ignored the statement. "Rod, is the pain getting worse?"

"Please stop, John. It's called age. It happens to everyone."

"All right. I'll let it be. And when are you going to admit you like kids?"

"Not in this life," Rodney laughed.

~~~

The party was fun, even though Rodney did fall asleep after a short while.

"He's getting old," John grinned.

"So are you...Major," Aiden snickered.

"Me? I'm only seventy-eight. He's got four months on me...Lieutenant."

"It's General," Aiden laughed harder.

John narrowed his eyes. "Never...kid."

"Uncle John," Kate Beckett sighed, "Uncle Rodney needs to come see me tomorrow. I saw him wincing when he sat down."

"I'm fine, you butcher," Rodney groaned, opening his eyes. "Besides, you just want to get your hands on my body."

"Yes, Uncle Rodney," the young woman laughed, "just like every woman here. You're irresistible."

"I know that!" Rodney snapped at her, but his eyes were twinkling when he said it. "It's the genius thing. It's kinda rough being the smartest man in two galaxies."

"Of course you are, Uncle Rodney," she laughed harder.

"He's smart, yet balding." Calvin grew smug. "I still have all of my hair."

"Not if I shave it off," Rodney smirked.

"Just try it, ya old bastard," Calvin sneered.

"Don't tempt me...Cal."

A short while later the children gathered around Rodney for a story, which had become a tradition of sorts. Even Calvin couldn't deny that Rodney was an awesome storyteller, even if his tales were exaggerated a bit. He found himself grinning as Rodney mixed fact and fiction, telling a tale of two of the finest soldiers Atlantis had ever known...Starsky and Hutch.

The evening finally ended and John had to assist Rodney to his feet. "Time for all old men to go to sleep in their beds."

"Tomorrow, Uncle John," Kate warned him. "And I want to see you also. I heard you wheezing a bit."

"Yeah, okay, Doctor Franken...I mean, Doctor Beckett," John replied with a smile. "First thing in the morning."

~~~

Rodney woke during the night, hearing John's labored breathing. "I'll get Katie."

John shook his head. "No, no more, Rod. No more drugs, no more surgeries, no more damn doctors."

"What do you want me to do?" Rodney asked softly.

"Just hold me."

Rodney did as he was told, cradling John in his arms, kissing the top of his head. "It's been fun, hasn't it."

John glanced up, his vision fading. "It's over now." He turned his head into Rodney's chest.

Rodney saw Elizabeth on the other side of the room and smiled. "No...General," he buried his face in John's shoulder. "It's just beginning...."

~~~

It was Aiden that found them, arms around each other, smiles on both their faces. Teyla joined him, unable to hold back her tears. As they watched the two men began to blur, a light forming around them, the bodies slowly disappearing.

"We'll be waiting for you," Rodney's voice drifted through the room.

"Don't let him name anything," John's voice added.

A simple grave marker was erected in memory of the two men, adhering to their final wishes. The only other request was one Rodney had made in jest, yet it was carried out immediately, without question or hesitation.

And for the rest of his life, twelve years, Calvin Kavanagh sported a crew cut.

~~~

Two months later there was a new addition to the mainland community. Rodney John Ford would grow up with tales of his namesakes and would eventually become the Governor of Atlantis.

And whenever he had a tough decision to make, a soft voice would whisper in his ear and guide him. Of course this was often times followed by another voice that steered him in the opposite direction.

Epilogue

"We're not supposed to interfere, Major," Rodney almost growled.

"Aww, c'mon Rodney. It'll be fun. And what are they going to do. Unascend us?"

"They might," Ford said with a tremor in his voice.

"Are you saying you don't want to help those people?" John asked.

"Major...." Rodney shook his head, "we are going to be in so much trouble...again."

"Nah," John laughed aloud, "they've got so many headaches with SG-1 they'll just ignore us. We'll get corporeal, Rod," John licked his lips as his physical body made an appearance. "We'll get wet and naked."

"John...."

"I can suck you until you can't see straight."

"Jaack," came a whine, "I want to get corporeal also."

"Shut up, Daniel."

"But Jack...."

"Fer crying out...okay. And I suppose you want to join us?" Jack asked.

"Might be fun," Jonas replied with a laugh. "Let's go!"

"McKay is right," Jack told John. "We are going to be in deep shit."

"Oh yeah," John snickered, "but we will have done a good thing."

"And we'll get good sex out of it."

"And that makes it all worthwhile."

"Definitely."

"Come along General O'Neill."

"Right there with ya, General Sheppard."

FIN