Timed to the 7th

[scientificsnark]

Rodney was trying to stay optimistic about Teyla's disappearance, but optimism was as alien a word in Rodney McKay's dictionary as creationism. Suffice it to say, he wasn't pulling it off too well. In fact, he had spent most of the day sulking, Sheppard-style, and then he ate himself into a sleepy stupor by early evening and slept until about 3am

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[jill_langston]

When she'd woken up that morning and found the snow gone, Jill couldn't help but feel better than she had for the past few weeks. The snow looked nice enough, but she hated the cold and after she'd pulled on a pair of shorts and a tank top, she'd briefly considered going out for a walk in the warm weather.

In the end, she'd done what she always did, and was sitting at her desk, her laptop open in front of her when she heard the knock at the door. Glancing over her notes one more time, she got to her feet and headed for the door, pushing it open to see who was there so early. In truth, she'd been expecting to see Mayko, but finding Rodney there caused her to smile brightly as she took a step back to let him inside.

"Morning," she said, but her smile faded almost immediately. "What's wrong?"

[scientificsnark]

In truth, the relief Rodney felt at seeing Jill there, alive and well and real and still actually there was more than a little eclipsed by an overwhelming feeling of sadness and guilt. Yes, guilt. He knew he wasn't responsible, it wasn't his fault for what they'd found on those databanks, but...Teyla was part of his team. He couldn't help but feel more than a little responsible, no matter how misplaced that sense of responsibility was.

"Teyla," he managed, his voice cracking as he took a step inside. "Teyla's gone."

[jill_langston]

Over the past two years, Jill had heard those words more times than she cared to remember, but even having practice in this didn't dull the pain. Beyond her own loss, she knew that John would be taking it hard, that Carson and Morgan would miss Teyla as much as she would. And Rodney... he looked so guilty and she knew she couldn't make that better.

"Oh, God," she murmured, letting the door shut behind him before she stepped toward him again, her arms wrapping around his shoulders. She wasn't going to fix this with a hug, but she needed the comfort of him there, even if it was just for a moment.

[scientificsnark]

Surprisingly enough, the hug was more comforting than anything else Rodney had tried so far. He folded his arms around Jill's waist and buried his face in her neck, breathing her in, her scent and her warmth calming him - not completely, but enough.

He wasn't sure how long he stood there like that, with Jill in his arms (or vice versa). But when he pulled away, he actually managed a small smile, and that was an improvement.

"Thanks," he said. He couldn't think of anything else to say.