Who's In Charge?

by The Huntress

URL: http://www.area52hkh.net/ash/huntress/whosinch.php
Summary: Major Lorne appears to be taking over John's duties

Teyla was shuffling the cards like an old pro, pausing as she noticed all eyes upon her. "John taught me," she smiled, and began to deal. "The game is..." she paused, thinking for a moment, "...five card stud, deuces wild."

"My best pupil," John grinned. "Rodney flunked out."

"I'm surprised you haven't shot him after all this time, Colonel Sheppard," Major Lorne mused, reflecting on his time with Rodney. "I wanted to after two hours."

"Major, I did get to shoot him. And toss him off a balcony."

"Excuse me, sir?"

John explained about the shield. "So I got it out of my system and have not had the urge to shoot him since." He smirked at Rodney. "Beat the shit out of him, yes. But shoot, no."

"Is that device still around?" Lorne laughed and looked at Rodney. "I'd like to take a turn."

"Fuck you, Major," Rodney told him.

"You're not my type." Lorne picked up his cards.

"Just what is your type?" Rodney asked with a (barely) innocent smile.

John tilted his head, wondering if he'd heard correctly. Was Rodney flirting with Major Lorne?

"I'm sure you can figure it out," Lorne replied with just the hint of a smirk.

"IQ of two hundred and forty-seven here." Rodney chewed on his lower lip. "I can do a lot of things and do them better then most."

"I'll just bet you can," Lorne lowered his eyes to his cards, his mouth now a sly smile.

John blinked a few times. HOLY SHIT! Not only was Rodney flirting with Major Lorne, Lorne was flirting back.

"I'm in," Elizabeth added, tossing a candy bar on the table. "I'll bet a Twix." She then told John it was his bet but John didn't hear her.

John was too busy contemplating the fact that Rodney McKay, the man he had been in love with since Rodney saved him from the Wraith, might be gay, or at least bisexual. And EXCEPT for the fact that he was FLIRTING with MAJOR LORNE everything was FINE!

"Your bet, John," Bates said. "I'm not getting any younger here."

John looked at his cards and threw in a pack of bubble gum.

Lorne looked at Bates. "You call him John?"

"Poker night," Bates explained. "No ranks or titles when we play."

"Yeah, so place your bet...Francis," John told Lorne.

"Francis?" Bates snickered.

"I wouldn't talk...Eugene." Carson threw down his cards in disgust. "I'm out already."

Eventually Athosian ale figured into the evening and after two rounds Rodney made a remark about Teyla's breasts. Lorne's eyes widened and then he was laughing again as Teyla told a quick tale of how Rodney got caught in the women's shower area.

"I thought it was the men's," Rodney laughed.

John felt himself relaxing as Rodney relaxed. He loved it when Rodney laughed...*really* laughed. Not the usual sarcastic chuckle. It was rare and most times happened only when the physicist was drinking the Athosian brew.

Three hours later...

"I'll see your Butterfinger and raise you two Reese's," Rodney said solemnly as the candy pile reached eleven.

John was impressed. He never dreamed Rodney could bluff...if he *was* bluffing.

Ronon Dex had been watching and learning. He glanced at Rodney's hand. "Is having four of the same card a good thing?"

"For Christ's sake, I fold." John threw his cards down, joined by everyone else. "Take your candy, McKay."

"Thanks," Rodney stood as he gathered his candy bars. "But I don't know why you all folded. I only had a pair of two's."

"But he said..." Bates stared at Ronon.

"I only asked a question of the game," Ronon shrugged.

"Where are you going McKay?" Bates demanded as Rodney turned to leave.

"I'm a sore winner, Sergeant. I'm taking my winnings and leaving while I'm ahead." Rodney thought the door open. "Good night all." He left quickly, clutching his candy bars as if they were gold bricks.

"I'm done for the night," Bates groaned, staring at the lone candy bar before him.

"Cheer up, Gene," Carson snickered. "I'll bet Calvin has a hidden stash."

Bates stood up. "Uh, that was his secret stash."

"Then you are in a hell of a lot of trouble," Elizabeth laughed as Bates walked out. She bid good-night, as did Carson.

"Who's Calvin?" Lorne asked John.

"Kavanagh," John laughed at little. "I still can't believe that *anybody* would want him. But Gene must see something there that the rest of us constantly miss."

"Wait a second. You're telling me that Sergeant Bates and Doctor Kavanagh are..." Lorne waved his hands in the air.

"Major, if you have any problem with them, or any *other* relationships in this city, I would suggest you keep it to yourself."

"Is that a threat, Colonel?"

"No, Major Lorne, it's not." John gave him a small smirk. "But if you don't like it, I suggest you have a chat with Doctor Weir." He opened the door and nearly told Lorne to stay away from Rodney. But John thought better of it. If he opened his mouth, Rodney would most certainly kill him. And if Lorne wasn't interested in other men John would look like a complete idiot. So he kept his mouth shut and went to his room.

Lorne stood there for a moment and thought about what John had said. 'Don't ask, don't tell' didn't exist on Atlantis. And to Frank Lorne, that was a good thing...a *very* good thing.

~~~

"But Rodney, we always have dinner together."

"I can't tonight, John."

John perked up a bit. "I bet I guess what's in the Tuesday surprise. It might be actual food for a change."

"I...Major Lorne is giving me a weapons lesson."

"I told you I'd work with you," John said softly.

"I asked you twice," Rodney fired back, "and both times you said you had paperwork to finish and we'd do it later. But later hasn't come and that was two days ago! I can't exactly wait for the next invasion to learn about those defense cannons. I might have to eventually use one."

"I know."

"And he's not so bad," Rodney smiled, adding, "for a grunt."

"Chess later?" John asked hopefully.

"We'll see." Rodney stepped into a transport tube and didn't see the look on John's face. He would have recognized it very quickly. It was a look he'd seen many times in his own mirror...abandonment, pure and simple.

As for John, he returned to his quarters, skipping dinner. He really had no urge for food right now.

~~~

John kept busy for the next few days and was happy when a new mission came up. But Elizabeth told him he didn't need to come to the briefing because Major Lorne was once again leading Atlantis' premiere team.

John watched the Jumper leave and felt a lump in his throat. He hadn't been on the last mission because of paperwork and meetings and more paperwork. But he was there to greet them when they returned two days later, watching as Rodney and Lorne exited first, laughing at something. Next came Teyla who was smiling herself and lastly Ronon, who appeared to be fighting back his own mirth. John walked right over to Rodney with a big smile, glad his team, and especially Rodney, were home safe and sound. But Rodney just gave him a friendly wave and went with the other three to medical for their post-mission checks. John followed, but quickly left when his team seemed to ignore him.

Later on in the day he found out that Rodney was doing some testing on an Ancient artifact. For a change John wanted to help him but when he arrived he found Lorne focusing his attentions on the device, hearing it hum. He then heard Rodney thanking the Major and complaining that John never wanted to help.

John sought out Teyla later, hoping for a sparring match, but found her pummeling Lorne with her sticks. She told Lorne that when she sparred with John he tended to make jokes and never fought to his full potential.

A walk into the hangar bay further upset John as Lorne prepared to take some men to the mainland for maneuvers. John had done that twice a week for the year they'd been there. And when John heard Stackhouse say that having a fellow grunt lead them was nice for a change, his stomach wound up in knots.

But when Teyla mentioned some new trading partners who only bartered certain times of the year, John grew a little bit happier. He went to see Rodney, wanting to make peace with him. The tension between them had been so thick it could have been cut with a knife.

As he approached Rodney's door Lorne came out half dressed. "Thanks, McKay. It was nice."

"No problem, Major." Rodney's voice floated out. "If you want, you can come back another time."

Once again John's stomach knotted up and he fled quickly, heading to his office. For the first time he was *happy* he had paperwork. It kept his mind off of other things for a little while. He went to see Elizabeth regarding the new mission, but she explained that Lorne should lead this mission as well and John hid his feelings, nodding in agreement. He wasn't around when his team left on this mission, explaining to Weir that he had other things to do.

Nobody noticed that John wasn't in the mess at dinner time, nor the next day at breakfast. And even though he showed up the next night for dinner, nobody noticed he didn't eat anything. By the following morning his stomach hurt but he ignored it, just as he ignored the pounding in his head. He knew he should eat something...anything...but he had no appetite.

Elizabeth found him in his office, bringing him a tray of food but he lied, telling her he'd already eaten. She told him his team was returning in the morning, that they were all safe and sound, and that Rodney said he had a surprise for all of them.

John thanked her curtly, not even looking up from his work.

Like everyone else, Elizabeth figured John was catching up on things. She knew that paperwork could be tedious and time consuming, but she also knew John. He was growing bored. As she left, she decided that he had been doing enough paperwork and that he'd be going on the next mission...and every mission after that.

~~~

"Yo Shep!" Stackhouse was smiling as he spotted John. "We need a fifth for poker. You in?"

John turned to him, opened his mouth, his eyes rolled back and he dropped to the floor.

~~~

Rodney exited the wormhole excited. The planet was nice, the people were genuinely friendly and best of all, they had coffee beans. He couldn't wait to tell John. They'd had a long-standing bet that somewhere in all of Pegasus there would be a planet that coveted the holy bean as much as the Tau'ri did. Rodney immediately searched the area for John, his smile disappearing when he didn't spot John anywhere.

"Where is John?" Teyla asked.

"I don't know," Rodney answered.

"Probably doing paperwork," Lorne snickered. "He said that's what Colonel's do."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Rodney was growing concerned; something didn't feel right.

"I talked to him before we left. I told him to keep signing requisitions because I could deal with things now." Lorne seemed to find this humorous. "He's stuck in an office. Better him then me."

"What exactly did you say to him, Major Lorne?" The smile had left Teyla's face.

"That I could lead the primary team from now on and he could manage things here."

"And what did he say?" Rodney demanded. *Now* he was sure something was wrong.

"He told me I was right, that I *should* lead the team."

Rodney let the words sink in. "Are you sure he said *the* team? Not *his* team?"

Lorne thought about it. "Yeah. He just told me to make sure you stayed away from strange foods and that you didn't open your mouth at inopportune moments or help anybody build an atomic bomb."

"We should speak with him, Rodney," Teyla smiled. "Reassure him that he will lead the next mission. I missed the two of you arguing. I have become used to the...snark...between you. This mission, as the last two, were...too mellow for my tastes."

"They were, weren't they," Rodney smiled back. "That priestess would have probably drooled over him and I could have teased him about it for a week or more."

"Rodney..."

Rodney turned to Elizabeth, still smiling. "Nice planet, friendly people, coffee beans..." His voice trailed off when he saw *she* wasn't smiling. "Where's Colonel Sheppard?"

"He's in the infirmary," she told them. "He collapsed this morning." Elizabeth saw every bit of color drain from Rodney's face. "He's not hurt, not physically at least."

Rodney didn't hear her finish the sentence. He was already in a transport tube.

~~~

"He's malnourished. I checked his records and he's dropped three pounds in the last week alone. Isn't he eating?" Carson focused on Rodney. "You promised you'd make sure he ate more then a few mouthfuls of food." He was almost accusing. John wasn't much of an eater but had been improving since he began to take his meals with Rodney. It was difficult to *not* eat with the physicist around.

"I've been offworld for the last three days!"

"Rodney, this has been going on longer then that. When's the last time you...spent time with him? Played chess? Snuck off to swim on the Northern pier?"

"I...I've been busy," Rodney replied, not meeting Carson's eyes.

"Something is bothering him and I'd like for you to tell me because he won't."

"I don't know."

"You don't *know*? I thought he was your best friend!"

"He is."

"No, I'm not." Rodney and Carson both turned to see John awake and staring at them. "I thought you were my friend McKay, but you never were. I'm only good for making Ancient technology work."

"That's not true," Rodney said softly.

"That's what you told Major Lorne." John let it go at that.

"John, I didn't mean it like that, I swear!"

"It's *Colonel Sheppard* to you. Go away, Doctor McKay."

"John..."

"Don't *ever* call me that again."

Rodney bit the inside of his mouth, preventing the tears that threatened to fall. "I won't." He turned and left, walking into a tube. The moment the doors closed he punched the wall a few times, not feeling any physical pain. The ache in his heart was more then enough. Rodney had lost his best friend and he didn't even know why.

~~~

"What was that all about?" Carson asked as he stared at Rodney's retreating back.

"You leave me alone also."

"Colonel, if you want to be a bastard to anyone, I won't stop you. But *not* with Rodney! That I won't stand for."

"He said that Lorne was more fun in the lab." John was gritting his teeth. "And Teyla, she said she'd rather stickfight with Lorne then with me." John ran his fingers through his hair in frustration. "And he...he slept with Lorne."

"*Rodney*?"

John nodded. "I saw him coming out of Rodney's room half naked."

"There has to be more to it," Carson reasoned.

"Don't tell me," John laughed, but it wasn't a humorous sound. "He'd never do something like that, right? Well he did." He sat up and swung his legs over the side of the bed. "I have work to do."

"I'm not releasing you, Colonel."

John put on his sneakers. "Unless you intend to physically restrain me, I'm going to my room."

"Don't tempt me."

"I'll eat, okay," John told him. "I'll do whatever you want, but I am leaving."

Carson had two choices. One, go through with the threat and have John restrained and force-fed. But he knew he couldn't keep John there permanently so that led to his second choice. "I'll release you, but I *will* make sure you eat. If I find out you have skipped one meal, you will find yourself back here and I assure you it will *not* be a fun experience." He heard a voice behind him and smirked as he turned around. "Sergeant Stackhouse, please escort Colonel Sheppard to the mess and ensure he eats a full meal. If he refuses, bring him back here."

Stackhouse glanced at Sheppard.

"Sergeant, did you hear me?"

"Yeah, okay, Doc," he replied. "Make sure he eats. I heard you."

Carson sat down, ready to write his report on John but hesitated. If the incident made it to the official record, John would be grounded. That was all the city needed...a grounded John Sheppard. The last time he'd been grounded half the city had been stuck with a bored and cranky Sheppard, not a pleasant thing. So he opted to keep it quiet and keep a closer eye on John.

He spoke with Elizabeth and since Kate had taken a temporary sojourn to Earth, nobody needed to know.

Sometimes you had to break the rules to protect your friends.

Now all Carson had to do was speak with Teyla and Rodney. He knew that somehow John was wrong about everything and the two of them, his closest friends, would be able to make things right.

~~~

"Aww, c'mon Shep," Stackhouse was actually whining, "Beckett will have my ass if you don't eat."

"Just tell him I ate."

"I won't do that."

"Fine, Sergeant. I will eat." John slopped some stew on a plate, walked to a table and slammed the tray down. He shoveled the food into his mouth, cleaned his plate and stood up. "Happy now?"

"Yes."

"Good, glad you approve. I'm going to my room!"

"Maybe we could go on maneuvers," Stackhouse smiled. "And after we can play some football with the Athosian kids."

"Why don't you just have Lorne take you and your fellow marines on the fucking maneuvers!"

"I don't understand." And in truth, Stackhouse didn't.

John shoved the tray to the floor and fled the mess.

"COLONEL!" He chased after John. "We don't want Lorne."

"He's a fellow grunt, isn't he?" John sneered. "That's what you wanted, isn't it?"

It took a moment for Stackhouse to figure out what John meant. "No, you got it all wrong."

"That's what you said. I heard you. 'We'd rather have a fellow grunt then some hot shot flyboy.'"

"Hey, you're taking it completely out of context. And after what happened with the still, we don't want him taking us *anywhere*."

John tilted his head in confusion. "What happened to the still?"

"Lorne told Holling that he had to dismantle it, that our people didn't need Athosian rotgut. Holling was pretty upset, but he took it apart."

"He took apart the still? It took me, Holling *and* Zelenka to get that thing up and running."

"Shep," Stackhouse voice calmed, "whatever you heard...I really didn't mean anything by it. Lorne *is* a fellow grunt and there was a time we...jarheads...wanted that. But not anymore. You're more then our CO. You're our friend."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah, you are. And when you're feeling up to it, we can go to the village and you can fix the still." Stackhouse grinned. "I miss the rotgut."

"Now?" John asked with a small smile.

"Why not? We'll grab Zelenka on the way."

The knot in John's stomach seemed to loosen a bit and he and Stackhouse went to find Zelenka.

It took John and Radek almost two hours to put the still back together and an hour after that they were toasting themselves with a fresh batch of swill.

John was a little bit happier for the moment.

~~~

Teyla was listening to Carson, shaking her head in disbelief. "He thinks I do not enjoy sparring with him?"

"No, he thinks you enjoy it more with Major Lorne."

"I would never..." She paused. "I said that he didn't fight to his full potential, that he was more interested in making jokes. He could not think I meant..."

"He did," Carson nodded.

"I should go find him and explain," Teyla said with a smile. "I shall beat the crap out of him and he will feel much better." She managed to track down John in the hangar bay, requesting he come to the gym with her. "I wish to practice the sticks with you."

"Whatever Carson told you..."

"John, you are a lot of fun when we spar. You may not always do your best, but when we're done I am *always* smiling. I do not laugh often and it is a good feeling inside."

John ducked his head a bit. "Did you have fun beating the shit out of Major Lorne?"

"No. He was a bit upset because I am not a trained marine and still...beat the shit out of him."

"You really like fighting with me better?"

"I do. Major Lorne did not make me a banana split when we were finished."

"Aiden told me you liked ice cream. I miss him, ya know?"

"As do I, John. Shall we fight then eat?"

John smiled a bit. "How about we just eat today? In honor of our Lieutenant."

"That is acceptable. And perhaps you can tell me who...Bruce Lee is. I do not know him and I thought I knew everyone, even those who arrived recently."

"Bruce Lee?" John started to laugh. "Who told you about him?"

"Major Lorne said that I could kick his ass with one arm tied behind my back."

"After we eat, I'll give you my DVD of Fists Of Fury. That'll explain it all." John continued to laugh as they headed for the mess.

The knots in his stomach were almost gone...almost.

~~~

Carson's next stop was Rodney, finding the physicist in his lab as usual.

Rodney glanced up for a moment. "What do you want?"

"I'll come straight to the point. John thinks you're sleeping with Major Lorne."

Rodney's eyes grew wide. "Why would he think that?"

Carson explained what John had seen.

"Half naked?" Rodney was thinking. "No. The Major was using my shower because his wasn't working."

"The Colonel doesn't know that," Carson said.

"Why would he care anyway? It's not like we're...you know."

"How should I know?" Carson fired back. "Why don't you try talking to him and find out?"

"He doesn't want to talk to me," Rodney said.

"Since when has that stopped you?" Carson grinned.

"Touche, Carson. But if he injures me..."

"I'll patch you up free of charge."

~~~

Rodney gritted his teeth and stood outside John's door. "Here goes nothing," he muttered to himself and rang the door chime.

"GO AWAY!"

Rodney nearly did just that but instead thought the door open, facing pitch blackness. He saw the figure outside and stepped onto the balcony. "I thought maybe we could talk." Rodney put his hand on John's shoulder but it was physically removed.

"Nothing to talk about, McKay."

"John..."

John turned and shoved Rodney backwards. "DON'T CALL ME THAT!"

"Carson told me what you saw...what you *thought* you saw. I *didn't* sleep with him!"

"You're a lousy liar."

"I didn't...I swear to you."

"He was in your room. I saw him." John shoved him again and made a fist. "Get out of here."

"Or what? Are you going to hit me?"

"I...just get out, McKay."

"You are so obtuse! Yes, he was in my room, but he was using the shower."

"And you expect me to believe that?"

"Yes, I do. I've never lied to you and I wouldn't start now." Rodney smiled. "Please believe me, Colonel."

John stared at his feet. "I take it back."

Rodney understood. "John, talk to me. You've always talked to me. Why I don't know, but you have."

"I want...I want my team back." John slid down against the wall. "Elizabeth keeps sending *him*. She gives me paperwork and reports and meetings. Major's get to go on missions, Colonel's do paperwork. I wanna be a Major again!"

"John, do you know *why* she's been sending Lorne with us?" He didn't wait for John to think of an answer. "Because he has to learn how things work in Pegasus and the best way was to go on missions with Teyla." Rodney nodded. "Yep. Not me, but Teyla. And as for you, if you had said something you would have been going with us. Elizabeth thought you didn't mind, she said so."

"She did?"

"Yes, *fool*, she did."

"Oh."

Rodney rolled his eyes. "'Oh', he says." Rodney pulled John up, leading him to the bed and pulled back the covers. "Get into bed. I think you need some sleep."

"Yes, Rodney," John said, more then a bit contrite. "You really didn't sleep with Major Lorne?" he asked quietly. "Scout's honor?"

"I was never a boy scout."

"I thought you did."

"Yeah, I realize that John. And I never pegged you as homophobic."

"Huh?"

"You're so angry at the thought I slept with Lorne. Why else would you be pissed off? It doesn't matter anyway. I like women. So don't worry your little 'don't ask, don't tell' mentality about it."

John stared at him for a moment, the knots returning to his stomach. He pulled the sheet over himself and turned over.

Rodney sat on the edge of the bed. "John, what's *really* bothering you?"

"I'm not homophobic," John said. "It's difficult to hate what you are."

"Uh, John, could you explain that?"

"I've slept with one woman in my life, Rodney," John replied. "She did nothing for me. But men..."

"You're gay?"

"I am."

"That's why you were upset that I had slept with Lorne?"

"I love you, Rodney. I don't know how or why, just that I do. And I'm sorry."

"Why are you sorry, John?"

"'Cause you don't like men and I feel really..." John's breath hitched, "...really stupid right now. Please leave."

"I..."

"Rodney, I promise to eat, just please go."

Rodney had so many thoughts going through his head.

*Rodney's a faggot!* His sister, when she saw him kissing a man.

*You'll burn in Hell!* His parish priest, when he had gone to his last confessional.

*You're not my son!* His mother, when she let herself into his apartment one day.

And Rodney had learned to hide, to deny, to protect himself. It had become second nature. But now..."I lied."

John turned around. "About what?"

"They all turned their backs on me. Even the damn priest. That's why I gave up on religion."

"Rodney, as per usual, you're five steps ahead of me. Back up a few because I'm lost yet again."

"I thought you were homophobic!"

"And...?"

"That's why I told you I liked women!"

"That's why you...o-kay, Rodney, slow down and let me know if I understand you." John put his hand up as Rodney opened his mouth; Rodney shut it. "Good boy. Now just nod or shake your head. You told me you like women because you thought I was homophobic?" Nod. "Yes. Okay then, next question. You don't like women, you like men?" Another nod. "You didn't sleep with Major Lorne?" A head shake and a smile. "You like me?" Faster nodding. "Like me...more then a friend?"

"YES!"

"Then come to bed Rodney, because I'm sick and tired of sleeping alone."

"Yes sir, Colonel!" Rodney kicked off his shoes and joined John under the sheet. "Can I have a kiss?"

"You can have more then that." John kissed Rodney on the cheek. "Just testing the waters." John's hands carded in Rodney's hair and he dragged Rodney's mouth to his. "I'm going to kiss you now, just like I've been dreaming about." He brushed his lips over Rodney's. The kiss was soft and gentle and chaste. Rodney's lips were warm and full and lush and a thousand other adjectives that popped into John's head. His tongue licked Rodney's lips and it took a moment for Rodney's lips to open and John took full advantage, sliding his tongue inside, moaning at the taste. "I love you...love you so much. God, Rodney, you have no idea how long..." He dove in for another and another, until both their lips were red and raw.

"John..." Rodney was panting, "...sex now." He sat up and stripped off his clothing, smiling as John did the same, laying down on his stomach. "I've been dreaming too, ya know."

John couldn't resist the question. "How long since you...?"

"Six years...six long and lonely years."

"Six...shit, Rodney, we're going to have to make this last." John sat back on his haunches, one hand stroking down Rodney's back.

Rodney turned his head with a small smirk. "How long for you, John? Last week?"

John fondled Rodney's ass. "Contrary to what you think," John placed a kiss on one cheek, "I am not an intergalactic slut. Gay here."

"And there are plenty of men who want you," Rodney snickered.

"I know. I've turned down about a dozen since we arrived. As for how long since I...Rodney, it's been too long."

"What about Chaya?"

"I was waiting for that." John smirked back. "I kissed her, I thought maybe I'd been wrong about my sexuality all these years. She excited me but for all the wrong reasons. I think it was the gene and the fact that she was a...glowy thing. Don't you remember, Rodney? You cornered me after I escorted her to her room. And if you didn't notice, or chose not to, I headed in the opposite direction when you were done calling me Captain Kirk." John pulled Rodney's cheeks apart, placing a kiss to the center, tongue snaking out to taste. "Mmm, pure Rodney." He licked some more, swiping his tongue with wide, sweeping strokes. "I could do this all night." His fingers joined in, first one, then two, sliding as deep as he could get them.

"So help me, Colonel, if you don't..."

"Relax, baby. I'm getting there." John reached for his nightstand, taking out a condom and a tube of lubricant. "Before you ask, I've kept a condom and lube at my bedside since I was in college...just in case." He tore open the foil packet.

Rodney turned over and stilled John's hand. "No barriers."

John was hesitant; he'd never gone bareback before.

Rodney took the condom and tossed it. "Just you and I from now on."

John smiled and flipped open the cap, squeezing some lube onto his hands. He stroked Rodney's dick with one while the other reached behind himself.

"What are you doing, John?"

"Loving you." John straddled Rodney and slowly lowered himself, biting his lip. God, he'd forgotten how painful this could be. He rocked back and forth, settling himself and angled his body just so...

The scream was such that Rodney was thankful the rooms were soundproof. At first he thought it was a shout of pain until he glanced at John's face.

John was in the throes of what could only be described as passion. His eyes were closed, head thrown back and his body...his body was moving every which way. Hands on Rodney's chest, twisting his nipples, making Rodney moan. John was gentle at first, slowly rocking his body, taking Rodney as deep as he could.

And just when Rodney thought it couldn't get any better, John lifted himself up and slammed down and squeezed his muscles around Rodney's dick and Rodney lost it. He gripped John's hips so hard he knew he'd be leaving bruises. He took control, lifting John up and down, thrusting his own dick deep, until it wasn't enough anymore. Rodney wanted more.

"Rodney, what are you..." John's words were cut off as Rodney dragged him down, kissing him hard, rolling them.

"Your ass is mine, Sheppard..."

"Yes...yours..." John hooked his legs over Rodney's shoulders. "All yours."

Rodney pounded hard, tears springing to his eyes as John offered himself up.

"More...RODNEY PLEASE!"

Rodney gave him what he wanted, gritting his teeth, giving all he could. He wrapped his fist around John's dick, stroking in time with his thrusts, John's nails raking down his chest, leaving welts. John's come was spurting and Rodney moved quicker, his orgasm rushing through him, inside John, marking him as Rodney's.

John was laying there, arms akimbo, like a sacrifice. He was out of breath and he had the stupidest grin on his face. "I'm dead and this is Heaven."

"Is that your way of saying I'm a God?" Rodney smiled as he shifted back, the two groaning at the separation.

John couldn't help it, he started to laugh. "I'll worship at your altar any day."

"Make it every day..." Rodney leaned down for a kiss, "...and you have a deal." He shifted off the bed, cleaning them both with the edge of the sheet. "Dinner?"

"Sounds good, Rodney. I think I finally got my appetite back."

~~~

Elizabeth caught up with John after supper. "Are you feeling better, Colonel?"

"If by feeling better do you mean did I eat, then yeah, I am. And I, uh, have some reports to finish," John said softly.

"I finished them," Elizabeth smiled. "I was wrong, John. I thought...I was wrong and I apologize."

"Does this mean I get the team back?"

"*Your* team, Colonel. As for the reports, I just went over all of them. I will *never* ask you to do another one, I give you my word."

"Rodney and I...we..."

"I know, John."

"You're not upset?"

"No. But if you hurt him, I swear I'll..."

"Understood, Doctor Weir," John grinned and went to take care of one last errand. He still had a slight knot in his stomach and he knew just how to get rid of it.

~~~

John barged into Lorne's room, ready to set things straight. If the Major wanted Rodney..."ZELENKA?!"

"Yes, Colonel Sheppard?" Came the Czech's soft response. He was sprawled naked on the bed, Lorne beside him, the Major's arms tied to the bedhead, a gag stuffed in his mouth. "Was there something you needed?"

"Uh, no," John backed out of the room, "nothing that can't wait." He closed the door behind him and headed to his room, no, to his and Rodney's room, with a grin on his face and a spring in his step. The knots in his stomach had disappeared. He did make one quick stop along the way, to the mess.

Chocolate pudding would make great lube, he was sure of it.

FIN