Fic - Lonely Hearts
This is the sequel to Determined to Ignore The Obvious.
Summary: - Rodney tries to deal with his feelings for Cadman.
Author’s Notes:- Thanks to Stonedtoad for betaing.
This is the sequel to Determined To Ignore The Obvious. This was written before I saw Season Three so will not adhere to canon.
Enjoy.
*********************************************
A gentle knock made Elizabeth look up from her work.
“Rodney,” she greeted her Head Scientist with a smile, “What can I do for you?”
He looked grim as he took a seat, “It’s about the message I received today.”
This caught Elizabeth’s attention, she’d been curious as had everyone about the message Rodney had received from Earth earlier while they had been making their monthly report to the SGC.
“What about it” she asked keeping her expression the same.
Rodney sighed, “My aunt died and I want to go back to Earth for the funeral. I can go through the Stargate; the Daedalus is due there in one week. I’ve wanted to go over some of the systems for a while so I can do that on the ride back. I’ve already spoken with Radek about the science teams and he has no problem with keeping everything running while I’m away.”
A little surprised Elizabeth nodded, “I’ve no objections to you going and agree with you on all but one point. You need to take a break, Rodney,” she stopped him from saying anything, “You barely took five minutes after you were hurt so I’m telling General Landry that you’re not allowed near the base until two days before the Daedalus leaves. Understand?”
Rodney nodded with a sigh, “Fine. When do I leave?”
“We’ll send you through tomorrow morning,” Elizabeth told him, “Make sure you have everything.”
“Thank you,” he headed for the door turning back as she called his name.
“I’m sorry about your aunt,” she told him, “If you want to talk…”
“Thanks, Elizabeth,” Rodney smiled softly, “But I’m fine. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Rodney was sitting on the balcony staring up at the stars when Cadman arrived. He was aware that there was someone else there but didn’t care enough to look round and see who it was while she missed him sitting in the corner as she leaned on the rail a mug of hot chocolate in her hand. They had avoided each other since just after he’d been released from the infirmary, she was angry at him and he was doing his best to stay away from her after kissing her when they’d been trapped. Cadman turned and started to find him sitting staring out across the sea. She was about to leave but Rodney decided to look around and caught her.
“Rodney?” she asked concerned by the look in his eyes, “Are you okay?”
He turned away from her, “I’m fine.”
“You really look it,” Cadman replied dryly taking a seat beside him, “Does this have something to do with why you’re heading to Earth tomorrow?”
Rodney looked at her confused, “How do you know that?”
Cadman laughed, “Come on, Rodney, everyone knows Atlantis isn’t exactly the best place to keep a secret,” she took a sip of her hot chocolate, “Want to talk about it?”
Rodney opened his mouth to tell her no but instead found himself telling her, “My aunt died. Her funeral is in a few days.”
“Were you close?” she asked before offering some of her drink.
He looked surprised at her offer but took a quick drink, “Yeah we were. I used to stay with her every summer when I was a kid. I didn’t even know she was ill.”
Cadman resisted the impulse to reach out and hug him instead she stood up again, “See you when you get back.”
As she left Rodney sighed, at least he’d be away from her for a few weeks. That was more than enough time to get over her.
“Rodney,” Radek called as he tried to sneak past the lab the next morning, “Rodney, I need to talk to you.”
“I’m leaving, Radek,” Rodney reminded him, “I have no time to do anything.”
“Rodney, it’s about Dr Matthews,” Radek told him, “She is nightmare, absolute nightmare. I do not want her working in my lab. I do not want her working anywhere within the city.”
Rodney sighed; this was the last thing he needed especially as this was not the first complaint he’d had about her.
“Stick her somewhere else,” Rodney groaned, “Radek, I have to go and you are in charge so work it out and I’ll approve it when I get back.”
Radek smiled, “See you when you return.”
Rodney nodded and started to the Gateroom.
*********************************************
Rodney stopped the car he’d rented outside the church giving a small smile to see Jeannie standing at the door waiting for him, her two-year-old daughter Emma held in her arms. He’d called her the moment he’d arrived on Earth so that he had at least one person at this thing that’d be partially on his side.
“Hi,” he greeted her softly.
Jeannie gave him a sad smile and a one armed hug as Emma reached out for him.
“N’cle ‘odney,” the little girl smiled reaching out her arms so that he would hold her.
Rodney grimaced slightly but took the girl into his arms unable to hide his smile as she hugged him before resting her head on his shoulder.
“Are they in there?” Rodney asked his sister nervously.
Jeannie nodded, “Sylvia was Dad’s sister of course they’re in there. You don’t have to sit with them though.”
Rodney sighed, “I’ll take the edge.”
Jeannie smiled sympathetically and led him inside the church, he walked slowly behind her involuntarily his spine stiffened as he saw their parents sitting in the pews. Jeannie slid in beside their mother who looked at Rodney surprised as he sat down, Emma still in his arms.
After the funeral they headed for the wake. It was at Sylvia’s house which brought back so many memories. Rodney parked just after Jeannie; he jumped out the car and over to help his sister with her daughter. The little girl grinned as her uncle picked her up again making Rodney sigh a little.
“She likes you,” Jeannie laughed, “Get over it.”
Rodney rolled his eyes before he grinned at his niece who was giggling in his arms. He waited until Jeannie had the baby’s bag before they walked together into the house.
“I hate funerals,” Rodney mumbled to himself wincing as Emma decided to pull at the hair at the back of his neck.
Jeannie didn’t say anything but tapped his arm motioning the approach of their parents.
“Oh no,” he groaned, he was not in the mood for any kind of confrontation today.
“Just don’t antagonise him,” Jeannie reminded him, “And don’t let him get to you.”
Rodney nodded shifting Emma in his arms as he came face to face with his father.
“So you came,” Stuart McKay said sharply.
Rodney nodded biting the inside of his mouth to keep himself from starting a fight.
“It’s good to see you, Rodney,” Melissa, his mother gave him a small smile, resting her hand on his arm.
“Hi, Mom,” he said quietly.
“So where have you been?” his father demanded, “Still playing at being a scientist.”
Rodney stared at him, “I am a scientist. And my work is classified.”
Stuart laughed harshly, “In other words you don’t have make up something for us.”
“Rodney,” Jeannie interrupted, “Could you take Emma to the nursery and put her down?”
He nodded taking the bag from his sister and heading upstairs. The house hadn’t changed from when he’d stayed here and he smiled as he entered the brightly coloured room Sylvia had set out for the babies she’d never had. Gently he rested the little girl who had fallen asleep on his shoulder into the cot covering her with the blanket before placing the small teddy he found in the bag beside her. Picking up the baby monitor he hit the switch for both of them before heading back downstairs.
Jeannie waited until she was sure Rodney was out of earshot before turning to her father, “Leave him alone.”
“What?” Stuart McKay frowned at her confused.
“Leave Rodney alone,” she repeated, “Dad, this is your sister’s funeral can’t you at least act like you’re human for a few hours?”
“Jeannie,” her mother tried to placate her.
“Mom, don’t defend him,” she snapped in a harsh whisper, “You may not stand up to him but I don’t have to live with him anymore. I’m telling you now if you keep on at Rodney then I will make sure you never have any more contact with Emma.”
“That’s enough, Jeannie,” Melissa told her.
Jeannie let out an annoyed sigh, “Look, this is Aunt Sylvia’s funeral so let’s pretend that we actually get along in front of the rest of the world. Okay?”
No one said anything as Rodney returned, he handed Jeannie the monitor.
“Come on,” she took her brother’s arm, “Let’s go get a drink.”
*********************************************
Rodney grimaced as he woke up to the sounds of a screaming child. With a groan he pulled the pillow over his head hoping to get a few more hours sleep but Emma’s screams penetrated even that.
“There’s our weapon against the Wraith,” he muttered to himself as he fell out of the bed and pulled on some clothes. Staggering into the living room he was greeted by the sight of his sister expertly changing the little girl before pulling her into a hug.
“Morning,” Jeannie smiled at him, “Sleep well?”
“Until the alarm went off,” he nodded towards Emma who was sniffing slightly with a few fat tears continuing to roll along her cheeks.
“Here,” Jeannie handed him the girl as he tried to protest, “I’ve got to make her breakfast.”
Rodney sighed and sat down with Emma in his arms. He’d tried to go to a hotel but Jeannie had insisted he stay with her until he had to leave. Rodney was actually quite pleased she’d insisted, he needed to feel wanted at the moment especially after the run in with his father the day before. Rodney focussed on his niece as she bounced on his lap her tears a distant memory while she watched some inane children’s show featuring presenters who had obviously been lobotomised when given the job.
Jeannie reappeared with some sort of grey goop in a bowl sitting at his side and starting to feed Emma who was still in his lap.
“Hey,” Rodney cried in protest as some of it spilled onto him.
“Get used to it,” Jeannie told him with an amused smile, “Aren’t you wanting one of these?”
The panic in his eyes made his sister laugh which meant Emma started to laugh as well meaning more grey stuff splattered over him. Rodney grimaced picking the girl up and placing her on the seat he vacated.
Rodney headed for a quick shower and put on some clean clothes before returning to find Jeannie and Emma sitting on the floor playing with a brightly coloured ball that jingled when it moved. He stood in the doorway for a few moments watching them smiling at the way his sister smiled at her daughter.
“How do you do this?” he asked sitting down on the couch, rolling his eyes and pulling the doll out from under him.
“Emma’s my world,” Jeannie replied rolling the ball back at the girl who giggled.
“I mean, with work and everything,” Rodney clarified, “How do you do it?”
Jeannie shrugged, “I have to, Rodney. I don’t have a choice.”
“Your job works around it okay?” Rodney asked smiling as Emma threw the ball at him.
“The University has a great day-care facility and occasionally she sits with me while I work,” Jeannie shrugged, “She can sleep in the library easily.”
“I wish I could help,” Rodney told her, “But my job…”
“Rodney, you work with the US military in something that’s top secret,” she laughed, “I know you can’t come and baby-sit at the drop of a hat.”
“I just wish I could,” he whispered.
“Well you could baby-sit today so I can go do my shopping without having to deal with her at the same time,” Jeannie told him a slight smile tugging at her lips.
“Just, don’t take all day,” he told her.
Jeannie laughed and pulled herself to her feet patting his shoulder, “There’s my brave big brother.”
Rodney sighed in relief that Emma was having a nap, he’d never realised how tiring it was looking after a kid. He’d always hated kids, they were sticky and irritating, asking stupid questions or being noisy when he needed quiet. Emma was all that but he couldn’t help but love her.
He started trying to tidy up Jeannie’s apartment since he couldn’t live in a mess like this. His lab, yes it could be messy because that was the way he worked but his room, the place he spent his downtime, he needed to be orderly and neat.
Confusion crossed his face as he picked up a pad of paper recognising his sister’s neat handwriting answering letters for a problem page?
“It’s a hobby,” Jeannie’s voice made him jump and drop the pad, “I let the University’s paper use the Library when their computers crashed for a few days. Their agony ‘aunt’ was hung-over and fell asleep. So I did it and they asked me to do it every week.”
Rodney laughed, “Well whatever you want.”
“Here help me with these,” Jeannie handed him some bags, “How was Emma?”
“She’s sleeping,” Rodney followed her, “She seemed to just run out of energy and peace finally.”
Jeannie rolled her eyes at her brother, “I meant is she alright and did you handle her?”
“She’s fine, I’m fine,” Rodney replied with exasperation, “I’m not incapable you know.”
Jeannie gave a soft snort of laughter, “Yeah right. My brother the genius until you put him with people.”
“Yeah,” Rodney sighed suddenly leaving her and heading to sit on the couch.
“Rodney?” she came looking for him concerned, “What’s wrong?”
“Just something that…” Rodney hesitated, “I’m not good with people am I?”
Jeannie sat beside him tucking one leg under her so she was looking at him, “Is there someone in particular you’re talking about?”
Rodney closed his eyes and sighed, “Yeah.”
Before Jeannie could ask Emma started to cry, Rodney motioned her away sitting back on the chair and closing his eyes again thinking.
*********************************************
“Good morning, Lieutenant,” John greeted Cadman as she jogged past him.
“Sir,” she kept moving on the spot.
“How’s it going?” he asked nodding her to move as he started to run at her side.
“Good,” Cadman replied.
“Just good?” he probed.
“You know what it’s been like the past few days,” she reminded him, “Chaos is normal.”
“You should try the labs recently,” John told her, “Radek is about to go hide in one of the Jumpers.”
Cadman laughed, “I take it Rodney is being missed.”
John tried to gauge her feelings on the subject but couldn’t, “Well the science teams are in disarray and I have some weird one taking his place on my team who jumps at the sound of a twig snapping.”
Cadman continued to laugh, “He is sort of a fixture around here isn’t he?”
“If you repeat this I’ll have to kill you,” John told her with a grin, “But Rodney is invaluable to the city. He’s a good man.”
“Yeah he is,” she agreed, and this time John caught a flash of something in her face.
“Even though you two don’t get along all the time,” he pushed.
Cadman bit her lower lip for a second; “I think he still has issues with the whole body sharing thing.”
“Well you did kinda hijack him at one point,” John reminded her making her wince a little.
“Rodney’s just a little over sensitive sometimes,” she shrugged offhandedly.
“I guess you’re right,” John agreed, “But that’s why it’s so fun to tease him.”
“Yes, sir,” she agreed as they continued on in silence.
Cadman stood on the same balcony she’d met Rodney on the night before he’d left for Earth, leaning against the railing sipping hot chocolate as she stared out across the horizon. It felt strange being in the city without Rodney, it was too quiet around here. She knew he was avoiding her after what had happened in the cellar, after he’d kissed her.
“Nothing happened. Understand Lieutenant?”
She was so angry with him for those words; they’d been closer to each other than that after everything they’d been through together.
Her hand drifted to her leg where she’d been impaled by the iron stake, it was a few days after they’d been rescued that she discovered he hadn’t taken anything to eat or drink keeping it all for her.
He was a good man; he had a good heart even if he rarely showed it to the world. Cadman pushed her hair back from her face sighing as she realised her thoughts were straying too much to him…again.
“Hey,” the gentle voice of her boyfriend brought her thoughts back to the balcony.
“Hi, Carson,” she smiled at him.
“What are you doing out here?” Carson asked leaning beside her.
Cadman gave a deep sigh, “Thinking,” she told him turning to look at him, “And waiting for someone to finish their shift so I can go eat.”
Carson leaned in and gently kissed her, he rested his hand on her cheek his thumb gently stroking back a stray strand of hair. As they parted she gave him a smile.
“Come on,” Carson took her hand, “Let’s go eat. I have to get back in just over an hour.”
Cadman rolled her eyes, “Typical.”
Carson laughed and moved her away from the balcony towards the mess, sighing as he knew things were going to have to change, and soon.
*********************************************
“Okay spill,” Jeannie told him after Emma was down for the night.
Rodney frowned at her, “What are you on about?”
“I want to know about whatever’s on your mind,” Jeannie replied curling up into a chair.
“What are you talking about?” Rodney demanded grabbing the TV remote and switching it on.
Jeannie grabbed the remote and switched it off again, “You obviously need to talk to someone because your face has been tripping you up for hours.”
“Jeannie,” he sighed.
She shrugged, “Fine, don’t talk to me. Just keep everything to yourself and be miserable. I don’t care.”
Jeannie turned on the TV and Rodney sighed.
“Okay, there’s this woman,” he started.
“Since when did I become Miss Advice to the lovelorn?” Jeannie interrupted with a teasing grin.
He tossed a cushion at her, “Never mind.”
“I’m kidding, Rodney,” she laughed, “Come on tell me.”
“Okay…” he started to tell her the story of how he’d met Cadman leaving out all of the classified things especially the body sharing before moving onto when they’d been trapped in the cave in leaving out certain details.
“So you two ended up stuck together a couple of times,” Jeannie noted grinning, “And now you like her. So what’s the big problem?”
Rodney sighed, “She’s seeing one of my best friends.”
“Ow,” Jeannie winced.
Rodney dropped his head back against the chair, “It’s driving me crazy, Jeannie. I don’t know what to do.”
“I wish I could help with this one,” Jeannie moved to sit beside him.
“I’m in love with her, Jeannie, and it’s not like I can avoid her,” he turned to look at her, “God this sucks.”
“Yeah I know,” Jeannie sympathised.
Rodney glanced at the clock, “I’m going to bed. Thanks for listening.”
“I’m always here for you,” Jeannie reminded him.
Rodney smiled sadly at her and disappeared into his room.
Summary: - Rodney tries to deal with his feelings for Cadman.
Author’s Notes:- Thanks to Stonedtoad for betaing.
This is the sequel to Determined To Ignore The Obvious. This was written before I saw Season Three so will not adhere to canon.
Enjoy.
*********************************************
A gentle knock made Elizabeth look up from her work.
“Rodney,” she greeted her Head Scientist with a smile, “What can I do for you?”
He looked grim as he took a seat, “It’s about the message I received today.”
This caught Elizabeth’s attention, she’d been curious as had everyone about the message Rodney had received from Earth earlier while they had been making their monthly report to the SGC.
“What about it” she asked keeping her expression the same.
Rodney sighed, “My aunt died and I want to go back to Earth for the funeral. I can go through the Stargate; the Daedalus is due there in one week. I’ve wanted to go over some of the systems for a while so I can do that on the ride back. I’ve already spoken with Radek about the science teams and he has no problem with keeping everything running while I’m away.”
A little surprised Elizabeth nodded, “I’ve no objections to you going and agree with you on all but one point. You need to take a break, Rodney,” she stopped him from saying anything, “You barely took five minutes after you were hurt so I’m telling General Landry that you’re not allowed near the base until two days before the Daedalus leaves. Understand?”
Rodney nodded with a sigh, “Fine. When do I leave?”
“We’ll send you through tomorrow morning,” Elizabeth told him, “Make sure you have everything.”
“Thank you,” he headed for the door turning back as she called his name.
“I’m sorry about your aunt,” she told him, “If you want to talk…”
“Thanks, Elizabeth,” Rodney smiled softly, “But I’m fine. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Rodney was sitting on the balcony staring up at the stars when Cadman arrived. He was aware that there was someone else there but didn’t care enough to look round and see who it was while she missed him sitting in the corner as she leaned on the rail a mug of hot chocolate in her hand. They had avoided each other since just after he’d been released from the infirmary, she was angry at him and he was doing his best to stay away from her after kissing her when they’d been trapped. Cadman turned and started to find him sitting staring out across the sea. She was about to leave but Rodney decided to look around and caught her.
“Rodney?” she asked concerned by the look in his eyes, “Are you okay?”
He turned away from her, “I’m fine.”
“You really look it,” Cadman replied dryly taking a seat beside him, “Does this have something to do with why you’re heading to Earth tomorrow?”
Rodney looked at her confused, “How do you know that?”
Cadman laughed, “Come on, Rodney, everyone knows Atlantis isn’t exactly the best place to keep a secret,” she took a sip of her hot chocolate, “Want to talk about it?”
Rodney opened his mouth to tell her no but instead found himself telling her, “My aunt died. Her funeral is in a few days.”
“Were you close?” she asked before offering some of her drink.
He looked surprised at her offer but took a quick drink, “Yeah we were. I used to stay with her every summer when I was a kid. I didn’t even know she was ill.”
Cadman resisted the impulse to reach out and hug him instead she stood up again, “See you when you get back.”
As she left Rodney sighed, at least he’d be away from her for a few weeks. That was more than enough time to get over her.
“Rodney,” Radek called as he tried to sneak past the lab the next morning, “Rodney, I need to talk to you.”
“I’m leaving, Radek,” Rodney reminded him, “I have no time to do anything.”
“Rodney, it’s about Dr Matthews,” Radek told him, “She is nightmare, absolute nightmare. I do not want her working in my lab. I do not want her working anywhere within the city.”
Rodney sighed; this was the last thing he needed especially as this was not the first complaint he’d had about her.
“Stick her somewhere else,” Rodney groaned, “Radek, I have to go and you are in charge so work it out and I’ll approve it when I get back.”
Radek smiled, “See you when you return.”
Rodney nodded and started to the Gateroom.
*********************************************
Rodney stopped the car he’d rented outside the church giving a small smile to see Jeannie standing at the door waiting for him, her two-year-old daughter Emma held in her arms. He’d called her the moment he’d arrived on Earth so that he had at least one person at this thing that’d be partially on his side.
“Hi,” he greeted her softly.
Jeannie gave him a sad smile and a one armed hug as Emma reached out for him.
“N’cle ‘odney,” the little girl smiled reaching out her arms so that he would hold her.
Rodney grimaced slightly but took the girl into his arms unable to hide his smile as she hugged him before resting her head on his shoulder.
“Are they in there?” Rodney asked his sister nervously.
Jeannie nodded, “Sylvia was Dad’s sister of course they’re in there. You don’t have to sit with them though.”
Rodney sighed, “I’ll take the edge.”
Jeannie smiled sympathetically and led him inside the church, he walked slowly behind her involuntarily his spine stiffened as he saw their parents sitting in the pews. Jeannie slid in beside their mother who looked at Rodney surprised as he sat down, Emma still in his arms.
After the funeral they headed for the wake. It was at Sylvia’s house which brought back so many memories. Rodney parked just after Jeannie; he jumped out the car and over to help his sister with her daughter. The little girl grinned as her uncle picked her up again making Rodney sigh a little.
“She likes you,” Jeannie laughed, “Get over it.”
Rodney rolled his eyes before he grinned at his niece who was giggling in his arms. He waited until Jeannie had the baby’s bag before they walked together into the house.
“I hate funerals,” Rodney mumbled to himself wincing as Emma decided to pull at the hair at the back of his neck.
Jeannie didn’t say anything but tapped his arm motioning the approach of their parents.
“Oh no,” he groaned, he was not in the mood for any kind of confrontation today.
“Just don’t antagonise him,” Jeannie reminded him, “And don’t let him get to you.”
Rodney nodded shifting Emma in his arms as he came face to face with his father.
“So you came,” Stuart McKay said sharply.
Rodney nodded biting the inside of his mouth to keep himself from starting a fight.
“It’s good to see you, Rodney,” Melissa, his mother gave him a small smile, resting her hand on his arm.
“Hi, Mom,” he said quietly.
“So where have you been?” his father demanded, “Still playing at being a scientist.”
Rodney stared at him, “I am a scientist. And my work is classified.”
Stuart laughed harshly, “In other words you don’t have make up something for us.”
“Rodney,” Jeannie interrupted, “Could you take Emma to the nursery and put her down?”
He nodded taking the bag from his sister and heading upstairs. The house hadn’t changed from when he’d stayed here and he smiled as he entered the brightly coloured room Sylvia had set out for the babies she’d never had. Gently he rested the little girl who had fallen asleep on his shoulder into the cot covering her with the blanket before placing the small teddy he found in the bag beside her. Picking up the baby monitor he hit the switch for both of them before heading back downstairs.
Jeannie waited until she was sure Rodney was out of earshot before turning to her father, “Leave him alone.”
“What?” Stuart McKay frowned at her confused.
“Leave Rodney alone,” she repeated, “Dad, this is your sister’s funeral can’t you at least act like you’re human for a few hours?”
“Jeannie,” her mother tried to placate her.
“Mom, don’t defend him,” she snapped in a harsh whisper, “You may not stand up to him but I don’t have to live with him anymore. I’m telling you now if you keep on at Rodney then I will make sure you never have any more contact with Emma.”
“That’s enough, Jeannie,” Melissa told her.
Jeannie let out an annoyed sigh, “Look, this is Aunt Sylvia’s funeral so let’s pretend that we actually get along in front of the rest of the world. Okay?”
No one said anything as Rodney returned, he handed Jeannie the monitor.
“Come on,” she took her brother’s arm, “Let’s go get a drink.”
*********************************************
Rodney grimaced as he woke up to the sounds of a screaming child. With a groan he pulled the pillow over his head hoping to get a few more hours sleep but Emma’s screams penetrated even that.
“There’s our weapon against the Wraith,” he muttered to himself as he fell out of the bed and pulled on some clothes. Staggering into the living room he was greeted by the sight of his sister expertly changing the little girl before pulling her into a hug.
“Morning,” Jeannie smiled at him, “Sleep well?”
“Until the alarm went off,” he nodded towards Emma who was sniffing slightly with a few fat tears continuing to roll along her cheeks.
“Here,” Jeannie handed him the girl as he tried to protest, “I’ve got to make her breakfast.”
Rodney sighed and sat down with Emma in his arms. He’d tried to go to a hotel but Jeannie had insisted he stay with her until he had to leave. Rodney was actually quite pleased she’d insisted, he needed to feel wanted at the moment especially after the run in with his father the day before. Rodney focussed on his niece as she bounced on his lap her tears a distant memory while she watched some inane children’s show featuring presenters who had obviously been lobotomised when given the job.
Jeannie reappeared with some sort of grey goop in a bowl sitting at his side and starting to feed Emma who was still in his lap.
“Hey,” Rodney cried in protest as some of it spilled onto him.
“Get used to it,” Jeannie told him with an amused smile, “Aren’t you wanting one of these?”
The panic in his eyes made his sister laugh which meant Emma started to laugh as well meaning more grey stuff splattered over him. Rodney grimaced picking the girl up and placing her on the seat he vacated.
Rodney headed for a quick shower and put on some clean clothes before returning to find Jeannie and Emma sitting on the floor playing with a brightly coloured ball that jingled when it moved. He stood in the doorway for a few moments watching them smiling at the way his sister smiled at her daughter.
“How do you do this?” he asked sitting down on the couch, rolling his eyes and pulling the doll out from under him.
“Emma’s my world,” Jeannie replied rolling the ball back at the girl who giggled.
“I mean, with work and everything,” Rodney clarified, “How do you do it?”
Jeannie shrugged, “I have to, Rodney. I don’t have a choice.”
“Your job works around it okay?” Rodney asked smiling as Emma threw the ball at him.
“The University has a great day-care facility and occasionally she sits with me while I work,” Jeannie shrugged, “She can sleep in the library easily.”
“I wish I could help,” Rodney told her, “But my job…”
“Rodney, you work with the US military in something that’s top secret,” she laughed, “I know you can’t come and baby-sit at the drop of a hat.”
“I just wish I could,” he whispered.
“Well you could baby-sit today so I can go do my shopping without having to deal with her at the same time,” Jeannie told him a slight smile tugging at her lips.
“Just, don’t take all day,” he told her.
Jeannie laughed and pulled herself to her feet patting his shoulder, “There’s my brave big brother.”
Rodney sighed in relief that Emma was having a nap, he’d never realised how tiring it was looking after a kid. He’d always hated kids, they were sticky and irritating, asking stupid questions or being noisy when he needed quiet. Emma was all that but he couldn’t help but love her.
He started trying to tidy up Jeannie’s apartment since he couldn’t live in a mess like this. His lab, yes it could be messy because that was the way he worked but his room, the place he spent his downtime, he needed to be orderly and neat.
Confusion crossed his face as he picked up a pad of paper recognising his sister’s neat handwriting answering letters for a problem page?
“It’s a hobby,” Jeannie’s voice made him jump and drop the pad, “I let the University’s paper use the Library when their computers crashed for a few days. Their agony ‘aunt’ was hung-over and fell asleep. So I did it and they asked me to do it every week.”
Rodney laughed, “Well whatever you want.”
“Here help me with these,” Jeannie handed him some bags, “How was Emma?”
“She’s sleeping,” Rodney followed her, “She seemed to just run out of energy and peace finally.”
Jeannie rolled her eyes at her brother, “I meant is she alright and did you handle her?”
“She’s fine, I’m fine,” Rodney replied with exasperation, “I’m not incapable you know.”
Jeannie gave a soft snort of laughter, “Yeah right. My brother the genius until you put him with people.”
“Yeah,” Rodney sighed suddenly leaving her and heading to sit on the couch.
“Rodney?” she came looking for him concerned, “What’s wrong?”
“Just something that…” Rodney hesitated, “I’m not good with people am I?”
Jeannie sat beside him tucking one leg under her so she was looking at him, “Is there someone in particular you’re talking about?”
Rodney closed his eyes and sighed, “Yeah.”
Before Jeannie could ask Emma started to cry, Rodney motioned her away sitting back on the chair and closing his eyes again thinking.
*********************************************
“Good morning, Lieutenant,” John greeted Cadman as she jogged past him.
“Sir,” she kept moving on the spot.
“How’s it going?” he asked nodding her to move as he started to run at her side.
“Good,” Cadman replied.
“Just good?” he probed.
“You know what it’s been like the past few days,” she reminded him, “Chaos is normal.”
“You should try the labs recently,” John told her, “Radek is about to go hide in one of the Jumpers.”
Cadman laughed, “I take it Rodney is being missed.”
John tried to gauge her feelings on the subject but couldn’t, “Well the science teams are in disarray and I have some weird one taking his place on my team who jumps at the sound of a twig snapping.”
Cadman continued to laugh, “He is sort of a fixture around here isn’t he?”
“If you repeat this I’ll have to kill you,” John told her with a grin, “But Rodney is invaluable to the city. He’s a good man.”
“Yeah he is,” she agreed, and this time John caught a flash of something in her face.
“Even though you two don’t get along all the time,” he pushed.
Cadman bit her lower lip for a second; “I think he still has issues with the whole body sharing thing.”
“Well you did kinda hijack him at one point,” John reminded her making her wince a little.
“Rodney’s just a little over sensitive sometimes,” she shrugged offhandedly.
“I guess you’re right,” John agreed, “But that’s why it’s so fun to tease him.”
“Yes, sir,” she agreed as they continued on in silence.
Cadman stood on the same balcony she’d met Rodney on the night before he’d left for Earth, leaning against the railing sipping hot chocolate as she stared out across the horizon. It felt strange being in the city without Rodney, it was too quiet around here. She knew he was avoiding her after what had happened in the cellar, after he’d kissed her.
“Nothing happened. Understand Lieutenant?”
She was so angry with him for those words; they’d been closer to each other than that after everything they’d been through together.
Her hand drifted to her leg where she’d been impaled by the iron stake, it was a few days after they’d been rescued that she discovered he hadn’t taken anything to eat or drink keeping it all for her.
He was a good man; he had a good heart even if he rarely showed it to the world. Cadman pushed her hair back from her face sighing as she realised her thoughts were straying too much to him…again.
“Hey,” the gentle voice of her boyfriend brought her thoughts back to the balcony.
“Hi, Carson,” she smiled at him.
“What are you doing out here?” Carson asked leaning beside her.
Cadman gave a deep sigh, “Thinking,” she told him turning to look at him, “And waiting for someone to finish their shift so I can go eat.”
Carson leaned in and gently kissed her, he rested his hand on her cheek his thumb gently stroking back a stray strand of hair. As they parted she gave him a smile.
“Come on,” Carson took her hand, “Let’s go eat. I have to get back in just over an hour.”
Cadman rolled her eyes, “Typical.”
Carson laughed and moved her away from the balcony towards the mess, sighing as he knew things were going to have to change, and soon.
*********************************************
“Okay spill,” Jeannie told him after Emma was down for the night.
Rodney frowned at her, “What are you on about?”
“I want to know about whatever’s on your mind,” Jeannie replied curling up into a chair.
“What are you talking about?” Rodney demanded grabbing the TV remote and switching it on.
Jeannie grabbed the remote and switched it off again, “You obviously need to talk to someone because your face has been tripping you up for hours.”
“Jeannie,” he sighed.
She shrugged, “Fine, don’t talk to me. Just keep everything to yourself and be miserable. I don’t care.”
Jeannie turned on the TV and Rodney sighed.
“Okay, there’s this woman,” he started.
“Since when did I become Miss Advice to the lovelorn?” Jeannie interrupted with a teasing grin.
He tossed a cushion at her, “Never mind.”
“I’m kidding, Rodney,” she laughed, “Come on tell me.”
“Okay…” he started to tell her the story of how he’d met Cadman leaving out all of the classified things especially the body sharing before moving onto when they’d been trapped in the cave in leaving out certain details.
“So you two ended up stuck together a couple of times,” Jeannie noted grinning, “And now you like her. So what’s the big problem?”
Rodney sighed, “She’s seeing one of my best friends.”
“Ow,” Jeannie winced.
Rodney dropped his head back against the chair, “It’s driving me crazy, Jeannie. I don’t know what to do.”
“I wish I could help with this one,” Jeannie moved to sit beside him.
“I’m in love with her, Jeannie, and it’s not like I can avoid her,” he turned to look at her, “God this sucks.”
“Yeah I know,” Jeannie sympathised.
Rodney glanced at the clock, “I’m going to bed. Thanks for listening.”
“I’m always here for you,” Jeannie reminded him.
Rodney smiled sadly at her and disappeared into his room.