Walking, thinking, and overhearing

[dr_macgregor]

*Rachel couldn't bring herself to go back to the labs after chatting with Carson. She wandered around, nodding absently at people that greeted her. She wasn't terribly sure what to feel. Heartache, that his love may simply be a reflection of hers? Guilt, that she could inflict such emotion on someone as to make them do odd things? Despair,

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[engineer_radek]

*Radek quickly made his way to Rae's room. As he approached, the doors opened and he was grateful for this mercy. Silently thanking Atlantis for her consideration, he made his way to the bed. He only spared the time to remove his shoes and labcoat before curling up on the bed in a fetal possition, his back to the door, hugging Rae's pillow and breathing in her scent. After a few minutes he was able to go to his calm place and relaxed

[dr_macgregor]

*The last notes of the music die off and Rachel slowly moves the fiddle from off her shoulder. After a moment, she places it back on the case and reverently draws her fingers across the rich dark wood. A pale dust gathers on her fingers near the strings, and she lightly touches the tip of one finger to her tongue. It's bitter and sharp and really not good for her, but she communes with Sally this way. Rae then releases the tension on the bow and puts it inside the case before shutting the lid. She takes a deep breath and locks the intrument away. Rachel turns towards the back of her rooms and stops. A figure in the half-light lays there, watching her. Only one person would so lay in her bed. Somehow, it's strangely easy to keep calm, to watch him as well without drowning in the river of heartache so deep below.*

//I didn't realize you were here. Forgive me for disturbing your rest.//

[engineer_radek]

*his lips twitch in a weak imitation of a smile* //It is your room. I should be asking your pardon for intruding, but I could think of no where else I would rather be.//

*Radek hesitates then makes as if to get up, something he obviously doesn't want to do* //Forgive me for intruding. I will leave you alone.//

[dr_macgregor]

*She moves forward without thinking, drawn to him.*

//No, please. You're not intruding. Don't go.//

*It briefly flashes through her mind that she shouldn't be doing this, shouldn't be encouraging him. Shouldn't be sitting beside him on her bed in the dim room and reaching out to touch his arm. But Gods be damned if she can't help herself from smiling at him and trying desperately to believe he really loves her. So shove the other things back in the box, Rachel, she tells herself. Until he is better, give him only compassion and caring and your heart... All that he already has.*

//I take it you spoke with Carson, as did I? This will just take time, that's all. I'll just have to be more aware of what I'm feeling around you for a while. I... I can't bear the thought of hurting you in any way...//

[engineer_radek]

*he relaxes even more with her hand on his arm and his own eyes close in the pleasure contact brings him. Not sexual, just...pleasure* //Yes, he did. And, no, my heart, it is real.// *knowing eyes watch her* //Even with the empathy, it could not be as strong if there were not a shred of truth to the feelings.//

*his smile widens slightly, becoming more true* //Is obvious this is on your mind.// *one hand lets go of the pillow to trace her cheek* //I do love you, my heart. My Rezavý.//

[dr_macgregor]

*Her hand trembles a little as he voices her own fear. Yet... There is truth in his eyes as he reassures her. Her heart eases a little, and she lets the love flood through her. Rachel cups her hand over the one on her face adn turns to press kisses into his palm. She ignores it if a single tear flavors the kiss a little.*

//My love, my life, my light. I was so... It hurt to think I might have made you feel something that wouldn't otherwise be there, as if I were forcing you into something, projecting.//

*Another tear touches his palm.*

//I just... I thought I'd given you my heart and might in reality be bouncing it off a mirror... Gods, forgive me, milovaný, forgive my lack of faith, my doubts, please... I do love you, no matter what anyone says...//

*Rachel moved, sliding down the bed to lay on her side next to him. She moved into his arms, enveloping herself in his warm embrace.*

[engineer_radek]

*his smile widens, love in his eyes even as her own hits him, sending him into a state of euphoria* //No, my love, it is not you. You made me feel nothing that wasn't already there.//

*Radek kisses her gently, tracing the path of the tears with his lips then sharing them with her* //I love you, my Rezavý.//

*he reaches up and brushes her hair behind her ear* //Carson sent me home, to my rooms, until I could control this. John was...// *Radek grimaced* //...not helping.// *he sighs softly* //I know some meditation techniques from my time in the military. That is what I was doing when you entered. I didn't want to be alone, didn't want you to be alone and I knew what thoughts would be going on in here.// *he teasingly taps her temple*

*he frowns after a moment* //My love...what put you in such a mood? The music, the melody, was lovely. What you played. But sad. What put that in you?//

[dr_macgregor]

*Rachel wasn't sure she was capable of not loving this man. May she never have to find out. She tensed a little at his question, keeping her face next to his throat. How to word it so she didn't set him off? Yes, what the women had said hurt. She wasn't a slut and hated the idea that people thought she would so easily sleep with just anyone. Even if she felt some affection for the others, it just... wasn't her to be so free, so open, not so soon.*

//I... I just overheard some gossip. Nothing for you to worry about, love. I happen to know they'll be returning to Earth on the Daedelus, there's no reason to speak of it. We have better things to think about, ne?//

*Rachel inhaled, reveling in the scent of Radek's skin and hair so closer to her mouth. She pressed a warm kiss to his throat. This was real and true, and all that mattered. Not what was outside that door.*

[engineer_radek]

*he almost makes an issue of it, but his love is in his arms and the love she has been broadcasting is having an effect now that his worries for her are mostly settled. Plus, he can deny her nothing*

//Yes, love, we do.// *he runs his hands down her arms, taking her hands in his and bringing them up to his lips. He kisses each fingertip lightly then her palms, wrists...he gently rolls her onto her back and continues up her arms, going back and forth up her arms until he reaches the hollow of her throat*

*Once there, he pauses, whispering* //You are my goddess, Rachel, just as surely as the Lady on my back. Anything you wish, my love, my heart, and it is yours.// *he props himself up on his elbows beside her, leaning over to trace her cheekbone*

[dr_macgregor]

*She shivers as he moves over her. A deep ache of beauty comes into her heart on his words, his promise, his proclamation. How could she have doubted something like this? Smiling, Rae carefull take off his glasses and sets them on the nightstand behind her. She rolls back to him, scooting close enough that her body is flush against his, and places her hands on his face. She touches his forehead with her own, similar to an Athosian greeting. The words must be said without glass or barriers between them, soul to soul. A feeling of timelessness and age fills her. It takes a minute to recognize this. It's been a few years, but she is more than aware when a deity is present, when Gods and Goddesses witness things between their devotees. Rachel's voice is soft, but almost echoes with truth and promise. With the weight of a sacred seal upon her words, she speaks to Radek

[engineer_radek]

*Radek's eyes close, face a mask of bliss, true happiness. He feels Her in the air as well. In a way he hasn't since he got Her image engraved on his back. He knows this is Right and does not hesitate