The Observer Part Two
As usual I have to split these stories,
Here's the second part.
Carson looked up as Laura’s father arrived in the infirmary.
“Dr Beckett?” the man asked.
Carson nodded, leaning back in his chair waiting.
“I’m General Greg Cadman,” he introduced himself.
“I know who you are General,” Carson replied, his arms folded over his chest, “I’m just waiting to see what you want in my infirmary.”
Greg frowned slightly, “I guess I’m not the most popular person here.”
“Well,” Carson shrugged, “You are trying to remove one of our people from us.”
Greg took the seat across from him, “I’m trying to protect my daughter. You can understand that, can’t you?”
“Aye,” Carson nodded, “But you have to remember one thing. She has a mind of her own General, and my experience of Laura is that she does what she wants.”
Greg laughed softly, “Oh you have no idea Doctor. The stories I could tell and completely embarrass her with are numerous.”
Carson laughed as well, “That could be worth a lot of blackmail.”
Greg nodded, a familiar smirk on his lips.
“I did have a reason to come here,” he told Carson, “I was hoping you could give me an overview of what was done to Laura, so I have a better understanding of it.”
“You know I can’t tell you anything that will violate Doctor/Patient confidentiality,” Carson reminded him.
“Of course. I just want the facts so I can understand better,” Greg replied.
Carson took a deep breath, “Alright, grab some coffee and I’ll get the files.”
Rodney stopped in the doorway of the infirmary finding Carson talking with Laura’s father. He’d left her once more in his lab, for some reason she was happy to hide out in there. Rodney had never got along with his parents but from what she’d said, he decided she needed to talk to her father.
Mostly so he could get his lab back.
“Doctor McKay?” General Cadman said when he noticed the other man.
“If you want to talk to her,” Rodney said, “I will let you in but if she gets upset then you leave. Understood?”
“And I thought I was her parent,” Greg glanced at Carson, who coughed to hide his laugh from Rodney.
“I asked if you understood.” Rodney demanded.
Greg nodded, “Lead the way Doctor.”
Laura was astonished by how many movies Rodney had on this computer, as well as how bad most of them were. It was brainless rubbish and it made her smile to know that he had them. The door opened behind her and she smiled as Rodney’s familiar scent reached her.
“Laura,” Rodney said.
“I thought you had a lot of work to do,” she noted, without turning round.
“Which is why I need you out of here,” Rodney replied sharply.
Laura froze as she sensed another presence enter the room. He smelled of coffee, a little of the infirmary before she realised she knew the cologne. Turning slowly she saw her father standing there.
“What is he doing here?” she growled.
Rodney rolled his eyes, “To talk to you Cadman. What do you think?”
She glared at Rodney, “I thought you were helping me.”
“I am,” he told her not fazed by her anger, he turned to the General, “I’ll be outside, so yell if she goes nuts.”
Laura watched Rodney leave the room, wanting to strangle him for daring to interfere in her life like this. The door slid shut and she turned to her father, he was standing watching her, staring at the tail.
“Stop it,” Laura moved so her back was to the wall, “I don’t want to be stared at.”
“I’m sorry honey,” Greg told her, “Laura, I know you’re angry that I’m here but when I found out what had happened to you I had to come.”
“Dad,” Laura sighed, “I’m fine. Okay, the tail and everything is not normal but I’m doing okay.”
“Even with Dr McKay?” Greg pushed.
Laura grimaced slightly, “Rodney is…he can be a pain and having to be in the same room as him every five hours is annoying but you just saw how much he cares.”
“That’s part of the reason I came,” her father said taking a seat, “If we could remove this connection to him, would you want us to do so?”
“Dad,” Laura winced, “Without the connection to Rodney I go…nuts.”
“Not if we connect you to someone else.”
Laura stared at him, anger filling her eyes, “That’s why you brought Dom with you. You want me to switch the link to him so I can leave Atlantis.”
“It’s for the best Laura,” Greg tried to calm her.
She let out a sharp laugh, “Do you by any chance remember I broke off the engagement?” she glared at him, her anger building, “Or did that just slip your mind in your quest to drag me away from the Pegasus Galaxy.”
“That’s enough Laura, “Greg snapped back, he moved to grab her hand.
“Don’t touch me,” Laura snarled shoving him.
Greg stared at her shocked as he slammed into the wall.
“I am not a little girl,” she snarled, she stepped closer to him anger in her eyes, “You can’t just come here and take me away from my life, away from the people who I care about. I’m not going to let you.”
Rodney appeared through the door and caught her round her waist walking her to the back wall. Turning, he gave the General a dark glare.
“Leave now.”
Stunned Greg left without arguing, his eyes focussed on his daughter as the other man calmed her.
*****************************************
“It’s just a simple survey mission;” Elizabeth reminded them, “So, please no casualties.”
John looked hurt, “What do you think we are?”
Elizabeth laughed, “Magnets for trouble.”
“I speak for the entire team,” John cried dramatically, “When I say, how hurt we are.”
“Yes, yes. Dismissed,” Elizabeth laughed, as they all stood she stopped them, “Rodney, Lieutenant Cadman, I need to talk to you both for a minute.”
John shot them a sympathetic glance as he, Teyla and Ronan escaped.
“What is it Elizabeth?” Rodney demanded, his arms folded across his chest.
“General Cadman has told me that there may be a way to sever your connection,” she started, Laura dropped into the nearest seat, “He’s ordering you back to Earth Lieutenant.”
“Son of a bitch,” she breathed, catching Rodney’s look of confusion before she turned to Elizabeth, “Dr Weir, isn’t there something you can do?”
“I’m sorry Lieutenant,” Elizabeth sighed, “I’ve argued against this but he’s adamant. When you return from this mission, you are to get ready to leave Atlantis.”
“You’ve not spoken since we left Atlantis,” Rodney noted, taking his seat beside Laura at the campfire and handing her an MRE, “Which, as nice as the peace is, is kinda worrying.”
“He’s making me leave,” Laura replied miserably, “So, sorry if I’m not in a chatty mood.”
“Look,” Rodney said, “If there was a way to actually break this connection between us I know Carson would have found it. Five hours into the trip when you start smashing the place up, he’ll understand and order the Daedalus to bring you home.”
Laura dropped her eyes to stare at the fire, “What if he’s right though? What if they can sever our link?”
Rodney gave a laugh, “Who’d be dumb enough to want to be stuck to you?”
“I’m not sure if that’s an insult or compliment Rodney,” she rolled her eyes, “But my dad brought someone to do it.”
“The ex-boyfriend?” Rodney asked a grimace on his face.
“Ex-fiancé,” Laura clarified, “And before you ask, I dumped him.”
Rodney chewed for a moment, “Having met him, I can see why.”
Laura let out a long sigh, “Rodney, I don’t want to leave Atlantis and I sure as hell don’t want Dom to be the one I have to be around. As annoying as you are, you’re already trained.”
Rodney gave her a glare before glancing around to see where the others were, noting none of them were paying any attention to them, Rodney did something he very rarely did. Sliding his arm around her shoulders, Rodney pulled Laura so she was leaning against him.
“I won’t let him take you away,” Rodney whispered into her hair, “I know the city better than anyone. He’ll realise fast that you staying with me is the best thing for you.”
Laura looked up at him, giving him a smile and after making sure no one was watching, placed a very gentle kiss at the side of his mouth.
“Thank you Rodney,” Laura murmured, her head rested against his shoulder as her tail slipped around his neck.
“Teyla, get the Gate open,” John ordered as he and Ronan returned fire, “Cadman, how’s Rodney?”
“He’s losing consciousness,” she yelled back, her hands pressing against the wound in Rodney’s shoulder, “He’s lost a lot of blood.”
John ducked as the arrow whizzed past his head, “Teyla come on,” he yelled, “As soon as the Gate’s open get him through.”
Laura pressed down harder on Rodney’s wound, murmuring softly to him as his blue eyes stared at her glazed, he was going into shock. She heard the Gate open behind her and whispering out an apology Laura grabbed his shoulders, dragging Rodney through the Gate and back to Atlantis.
Laura placed him on the ground and pressed her hands against the wound once more. Rodney was now unconscious and she felt others approaching.
Carson winced as he ran into the Gateroom; he saw Rodney on the floor with blood covering him but the bigger problem was Laura. He knew Rodney was unconscious which meant Laura would not be a very clear state of mind.
“Laura,” Carson spoke softly as he slowly approached her, “You need to let me in to help Rodney.”
“What the hell are you doing?” someone Carson didn’t know demanded.
“We’re making sure she doesn’t attack us Lieutenant Reed,” John replied sharply, “With Rodney unconscious, her instinct is to protect him from everything.”
“This is nonsense,” Reed laughed harshly.
Carson turned on him, “Shut up,” he snapped, not even bothering to see the look of shock on the man’s face before turning back to Laura, “Rodney needs help,” he continued to speak softly, “You have to let me help him.”
As he edged closer, Laura growled again before she gasped when Ronan slammed the pen against her arm and injected the sedative.
The moment she was unconscious, Carson and his team scrambled over to help Rodney. Ronan lifted Laura into his arms and followed the team out, carrying her as though she weighed nothing.
***************************************
Laura opened her eyes; she frowned finding herself staring at the ceiling of the infirmary before gasping as she remembered the mission.
“Rodney?” she called, moving to sit up.
“I’m fine,” his voice came from her side. Laura turned to where he sat with one arm in a sling trying to type one-handed.
Laura jumped off the bed and moved to his side, “Are you alright?”
Rodney rolled his eyes at her, “I have one arm. What do you think?”
She smiled, “You’re fine.”
He shrugged, wincing slightly, “Remind me not to do that.”
“How long have been out?” Laura asked, looking around the infirmary for some clue.
“About a day,” Rodney replied, “Ronan gave you a bigger dose than he meant to.”
Laura stretched, working out the kinks in her neck, “I guess you won’t be showing me any hiding places soon.”
Rodney rolled his eyes but before he could say anything Carson wandered over.
“Ah sleeping beauty,” the doctor grinned at her, “Finally back in the land of the living, I see.”
“Cute,” Laura grimaced at him, “Can I go?”
Carson nodded, “You’re free. Please make sure you’re back in less than five hours otherwise he’s going to annoy the hell out of me and I’ll take it out on you.”
Laura giggled, “No problem.”
Carson nodded, checking Rodney quickly before he left them alone.
“I’ll be back soon,” Laura told him.
“Laura,” Rodney called after her, making her turn back, “Do me a favour, watch your back.”
“Don’t worry about me,” Laura smiled slightly, her tail trailing across his neck, “I’ll be back in a few hours.”
Laura wandered towards her quarters frowning as the scent reached her. It was one she wasn't too familiar with and as she turned Laura knew why.
“What do you want Dom?” Laura demanded sharply.
“I heard you were in the infirmary,” he smirked, giving her a long look, “You seem fine now.”
“What do you want Dom?” Laura snapped.
Reed folded his arms across his chest, “Just looking forward to having you home.”
“I’m not leaving,” Laura replied sharply, “My dad will realise that separating me from Rodney is not a good idea.”
Reed started to laugh, “Laura, we can sever this connection you have with the geek. Though I’m beginning to wonder if there’s more going on between you two,” he smirked more, “You’ve really dropped your standards Laura.”
“There is nothing going on between me and Rodney,” Laura told him, “But choosing between you two, he’d win. Easily.”
Reed sighed, “Isn’t that a shame.”
Laura turned on her heel, falling as he hit her with a zat blast.
“You’re coming home anyway,” Reed murmured.
Rodney half-listened as John talked, something was trying to get his attention but couldn’t.
“Rodney, are you even listening to me?” John demanded.
“No,” Rodney rolled his eyes; he checked his watch, “What time is it?”
“Do you have somewhere to go?” John asked amused.
“The time,” Rodney snapped.
“It’s almost five,” John replied, frowning at his friend, “What’s wrong?”
“Cadman should be here by now,” Rodney mused, looking aggravated, “She’s almost out of time.”
“Cadman will be here soon,” John reminded him, “She doesn’t like losing it you know.”
Rodney frowned, shaking his head, “No. Something’s going on. She’d be here.”
John rolled his eyes before jumping as Rodney threw the covers back, “What are you doing?”
“Going to find her,” Rodney replied, thankful he was wearing scrubs and not anything with an open back, “Something’s wrong John, I can feel it.”
“Rodney.”
“Colonel, there is a problem,” Rodney snapped, “Now get the hell out of my way.”
With a sigh, John took a step to the side. As Rodney marched out of the infirmary John quickly called Carson on the radio, letting him know what was going on before he ran after his friend.
Laura winced at the headache pounding in her left temple, trying to move she groaned realising she was restrained.
“What the hell?” she moaned.
“Finally awake,” a smug voice made her wince, “I hope these aren’t too tight Laura. I know you like it rough, but you’re a little stronger than when we were together.”
“Let me out this, you bastard,” Laura snapped, struggling against the restraints.
“No,” Reed smirked; he continued working on something she couldn’t see.
“I swear to God Dom,” Laura snarled at him, her anger building, “When I get out of this, you are going to be a smear on the ground.”
“Actually Laura,” Reed laughed, “When I take those restraints off, you won’t be able harm me. Do you know why?”
“Give me a clue,” Laura snapped, her tone exactly like Rodney’s.
“The telepathic link is really amazing,” Reed told her, “Why you chose someone like McKay is beyond me.”
“Didn’t have the choice you idiot,” Laura reminded him, “If you’d actually read the file, you’d know that.”
Reed laughed again, he pressed something to her temple making her wince, before placing a disc on his own.
“The Tok’ra have given us some great toys,” he told her, “This was supposed to help with memory recall but the people I work for found some better uses for it.”
“Dom, I’m going to give you one more chance,” Laura snarled, “Let me go now.”
Reed laughed, he stroked her hair, “I’ve always loved how feisty you are. From what I hear, you’re much more aggressive now.”
“Want to find out?” Laura snapped, continuing to pull against the restraints.
Reed smirked some more, “I’ll find out. From what I know your ‘mating’ frenzy is due to start soon. I can’t believe McKay hasn’t taken up what’s on offer.”
“Because despite what everyone thinks,” Laura spat out, “He’s not the bastard you are.”
Reed continued to chuckle to himself as he turned back to his computer. Laura shuddered at the thought of what he was trying to achieve and closed her eyes.
I can find you McKay, she thought desperately, find me.
******************************************
Greg Cadman was sitting on one of the many balconies, wondering about his daughter. Laura was his second child, vivacious and boisterous from the moment she was born. Three years younger than Fiona and one year older than Michael, Laura stopped being the baby of the family quickly. Laura was the only one of his children who inherited his personality; the other two were much quieter like their mother.
She always had to live up to her big sister, the one who always got top marks in school, who was one of the most popular kids in school and then lived in her younger brother’s shadow, the High School Sports Star. Laura, as smart as she was, had been a troublemaker in school never paying attention in classes. Whenever something went missing, or something exploded (which happened more often than Greg liked to think about) it was Laura who was either the instigator or at least the brains behind the whole operation. That was one of the reasons they’d got her dance lessons, hoping she’d tire herself out and not get into any more or as much trouble.
He’d been shocked but quite proud she’d joined the Marines, a little disappointed it wasn't the Air Force but at least she had a lot more discipline than before.
When his old friend Hank had asked him to join an oversight committee to support a project he was working on, Greg had no idea what he was letting himself in for. The Stargate project astounded him but it was when he learned about Atlantis he discovered his daughter’s situation. He had been so sure that taking her back to Earth would be the best thing for her, so sure that removing the link she had to the scientist, would be something she’d welcome. It had surprised him how close she seemed to be to Dr McKay as well as the other members of Atlantis’ premier team.
He also hadn’t expected her reaction to Major Reed. They’d been so close and he had taken her explanation that Laura hadn’t felt ready to get married for why they’d broken up.
“Rodney!!!”
Greg frowned wondering what Sheppard was yelling for. With a sigh he looked into the corridor astonished to see the Head Scientist stalking through the corridors of Atlantis, his arm in a sling wearing blue scrubs while Atlantis’ Commanding Officer ran after him.
“Is something wrong Colonel?” Greg stopped Sheppard.
The other man gave him a slight shrug, “Rodney thinks Cad…Lieutenant Cadman is in trouble.”
Greg frowned worriedly, “What do you mean?”
“She usually arrives to meet him about an hour or so before it becomes critical,” the Colonel explained, running his hand through his hair, “She didn’t show up and Rodney suddenly jumped up and…” John waved his hand indicating the scientist’s flight plan.
Greg nodded, “Then let’s go.”
Rodney was worried. He was more than worried, he was afraid that something had happened to Laura. He knew she was irritating, he knew she could drive him completely insane within minutes but over the past few months since she’d become…different, Rodney found he had grown used to having her around. The possibility that something could have happened to her actually scared him more than he thought it ever would.
From the moment Elizabeth had told them that she was being taken away from him, Rodney had been planning ways to keep her in the city and now he was worrying that something unseen was taking her away anyway.
“Rodney, what the hell are you doing?” John yelled, “You can’t keep wandering the halls. If you burst your stitches, Carson is gonna kill you then kill me for letting you do it.”
“Doctor,” General Cadman called, “You have to stop and head back to the Infirmary.”
Rodney turned on the other man, “I am trying to find your daughter, who considering the time will be close to the stage of attacking anyone who isn’t me.”
Greg tilted his head thoughtfully, “You can find her?”
“I have no idea,” Rodney snapped, “But I have to try because she hates not being in control, she hates that she has to be around me or she will attack even her closest friends. You’re trying to take her away from the people who know about this, who understand and if you take her back to Earth do you think she’ll be able to continue in the SGC?”
“I just want what’s best for my daughter,” Greg replied sharply.
“No,” Rodney continued, “You want what’s best for you.”
“And what do you want Doctor?” Greg challenged, “What is it you want from Laura?”
Rodney’s eyes darkened at the question, “All I want from Laura is for her to be safe. I want to know that this thing that happened to her doesn’t mean she stops knowing how to laugh. That’s all I want.”
With that said Rodney turned on his heel and started walking again. Greg turned to John who shrugged. In that moment Greg made his decision.
Laura was losing control and she knew it. It was the worst part of this, feeling her sanity slip away. Reed was still working on his computer so he could transfer her connection from Rodney to him.
“Come on Rodney,” she begged silently, “I need you now. Come on.”
“All done,” Reed gloated, “Just think Laura, we’ll be together again and this time you won’t be able to run away.”
Laura struggled harder against the restraints, wanting to scream at him, wanting to yell for help but she couldn’t focus enough to get the words out. She needed Rodney to be there, she needed him so she could think straight again. Looking over she saw Reed touch the button and pain shot through her head.
The pain stopped abruptly and Laura found she was focussed again.
“Oh my God,” she gasped horrified, as Reed clapped himself on the back.
“It worked,” he gloated, “Oh honey, you’re mine again.”
“No,” she cried.
Reed smiled at her, “Your father will be happy we’re together again. He was so disappointed when you broke up with me.”
“He’ll be so disappointed to know what you really are,” Laura glared at him.
“I’m going to let you out soon,” he ignored her, “And when I do, you won’t be able to hurt me because without me, Laura, you lose your mind.”
Laura took a deep breath, squeezing her hands into fists.
“Who the hell is in charge here?” she groaned, annoyed as she thought over everything.
Her mating would start soon, the scent would start driving her wild very quickly and now that Dom was the one she was connected to…her stomach turned at the thought. Taking a deep breath, the scent teased her and she smiled.
“Dom,” she moaned, “It’s starting. You have to let me out.”
Reed turned to her disbelief in her voice, “Really?”
She started to pant, straining to get free, “I need this, Dom I need…I need…”
As she trailed off, moaning slightly her head lolling to one side as she took short gasping breaths.
With a smile Dom undid her restraints, “I’ve been looking forward to having you home, Laura.”
As he undid the final strap, Laura pounced slamming him against the wall. She punched him once, sending him across to the other side of the room. Stalking over she grabbed him again and hit him off the nearest wall.
“Laura,” Reed gasped, shakily wiping his bloody lip as he slid to the floor, “You’re only hurting yourself.”
“How?” she asked standing over him.
Reed tried to get to his feet, “You do anything to me and you’ll go nuts. And I’ll leave you that way.”
“There’s a flaw in your plan Dom,” Laura smirked, moving to one side so he could see the man strolling in, “I’m still connected to Rodney.”
Dom glared at them as Rodney joined Laura, she slid her tail around his neck while fastening her arm around his waist. As Reed struggled to his feet, Rodney turned to Laura who gave him a soft shrug. Rodney turned and punched Reed, the man slammed against the wall before hitting the ground unconscious.
“Are you okay?” Rodney asked Laura worriedly.
Laura shrugged before frowning, “Carson’s going to kill you Rodney,” she sighed, motioning to his shoulder where blood was seeping through the scrub top.
“Great,” Rodney moaned as they turned and walked past John and her father, neither one looking back at the unconscious man in the room.
***************************************
“I’ve looked over everything Dom had on doing the transfer,” Laura said, leaning back in the chair in Carson’s room, “And it all looked as though it should have worked. So why didn’t it?”
Carson smiled slightly as he handed her some coffee before taking his own seat, “You really want to know?”
Laura frowned at him, “I wouldn’t be asking if I didn’t.”
“Well Laura,” Carson took a sip of coffee, “From what I can tell it’s all about love.”
“Isn’t that a song title?” she frowned at him.
“Possibly,” he laughed, “But it is true. You see,” he started before she could interrupt, “I have been doing a great deal of research into your condition and especially the telepathic link. You and Rodney may not always see eye to eye,” he smiled again as she snorted, “But you care for one another.”
“Really?” sarcasm filled her voice.
“And you cannae deny it,” Carson told her, “The links created between the Felinee were between Mates, those who were already in love.”
“Carson, please tell me you’re not saying…”
“I’m not,” he cut her off, “But you do care for Rodney, while you’re feelings towards Major Reed are no longer so pleasant.”
“So, no one can force this link away from us,” Laura murmured.
Carson shook his head, “And personally I believe that even trying to move it to anyone else you do care for, is a very bad move.”
“Why?” Laura whispered.
“Because,” he squeezed her hand, “As possible as it may be for the link to be switched, the connection was made purposefully and it isn’t meant to be moved and my research shows that it could drive another person crazy.”
Laura’s lips twitched slightly before a wide grin covered her face.
Carson smiled, “I hate to tell you this Laura, but I have a feeling you two are going to be stuck together for a while.”
She sighed before shrugging, “I guess it could be worse.”
Carson laughed again, leaning back in his chair, “A lot worse.”
Rodney sat nervously tapping a pen as they waited for Elizabeth and Greg to arrive. Laura finally reached out and grabbed it out of his hand.
“Knock it off,” she told him, “You’re making me nervous.”
“He’s not going to make you leave now,” Rodney reminded her, snatching his pen back, “He knows the transfer won’t work and from what Carson’s told him, he has to let you stay.”
“You don’t know my father,” Laura murmured, she bounced up and started to pace with her tail swishing from side to side.
Rodney stood up and into her path, “Knock it off Cadman.”
“Make me,” she challenged.
Rodney rolled his eyes and sat down, “I’m not in the mood to fight with you Cadman,” he gave a cry as she smacked his sore shoulder.
“Stop that,” she snapped.
“What?”
“Calling me Cadman,” Laura glared at him, “You use my name often enough.”
“Not when you’re being an insane bitch,” Rodney replied.
Laura hit him round his head with her tail before she sat down again.
“What did I say?” Rodney demanded.
Elizabeth and Greg arriving meant he didn’t get an answer to that question at least.
“Laura,” Greg said, “I want to talk to you alone for a moment.”
Warily, Laura stood nodding at Elizabeth before walking out with her father.
“Well?” Rodney demanded sharply.
Elizabeth shrugged, sliding into her seat, “I’m not sure.”
Laura walked side by side with her father in silence until they reached a balcony; he closed the door and turned to her.
“I’m sorry I brought Reed here,” he told her, “I didn’t know what he had planned.”
“I didn’t think you did,” Laura leaned against the wall.
Greg frowned, “My reason for it was because I wanted you home, because I wanted you to be safe.”
“I am safe,” Laura reminded him, “Did you see what happened when Reed had me? Did you see Rodney track me down?”
“Yes, I did,” Greg admitted.
“Then you have to admit I’m fine here,” she cried anger filling her, Laura pushed it down not wanting to lose control.
Greg nodded, “As much as I hate to admit it, you don’t need me.”
Laura let out a long sigh, “Dad, of course I need you but not exactly in the same galaxy as me.”
Greg moved and pulled his youngest daughter into a tight embrace, “I love you honey. I know I don’t show it much.”
“Dad,” Laura laughed, “You came to another galaxy because you were worried about me. I know you love me.”
“I’m still concerned about your relationship with Dr McKay,” he told her seriously.
Laura laughed even more, “Dad, I can handle Rodney. He’s my friend, nothing more. You don’t have to worry about him. When I first had the…whole mating thing,” she winced having to talk about this with her father, “He didn’t take advantage of it, he looked after me when Ford shot me. You don’t have to worry. I promise.”
With a sigh Greg nodded, smiling as she hugged him again.
**************************************
Laura sat on the balcony watching the clouds on the horizon. The Daedalus had left an hour ago with her father and Dom safely on board.
“Here.”
She jumped as a mug of coffee was handed to her, before Rodney sat at her side.
“Thanks Rodney,” Laura smiled softly at him.
Taking a long drink of her coffee, she let out a long sigh.
“So,” Rodney spoke up, “Are you going to tell me?”
“Tell you what?” Laura demanded, not bothering to look at him.
“About the ex-fiancé.”
Laura winced, closing her eyes, “There’s nothing to tell.”
“Come on,” Rodney nudged her with his shoulder, “Just tell me. You know I won’t give you peace until you do.”
Laura turned and saw the little boy grin he got every so often making her grimace, “Fine.”
Rodney looked a little surprised she had given in and for once stayed silent.
“We met when I was visiting Dad,” Laura explained, “Dom was… very charming. He knew all the right things to say and do. I fell for him.”
She stopped waiting for the smart remark, surprised it didn’t come.
“He proposed to me on my birthday about two years ago,” she continued, “I actually said yes straight away. Dumbest thing I’ve ever done,” Laura sighed.
“Why did you break it off?” Rodney asked, his voice unusually gentle and understanding.
Laura looked up at him, her brown eyes filled with sadness, “Well for one thing he was cheating on me. He also wanted me to become bare-foot, pregnant and tied to the kitchen.”
“Bare-foot I see,” Rodney smiled down at her, “Pregnant, I would never wish you on any kid and…can you cook?”
“I burn salads,” Laura told him with a smile.
“Then the man’s an idiot,” Rodney told her, “I’m guessing you didn’t tell your parents everything.”
Laura gave him a sad smile, “They thought Dom was a great guy. So I lied and just said that I wasn't ready to get married. Dumb maybe but…”
Rodney put his own mug down and placed his arm around her shoulder, “Well, if you think about it. If you’d married that guy, you wouldn’t be here and never would have met me.”
Laura’s lips twisted in a slight grimace before she laughed and rested against him to watch the sun set.
“I definitely would have regretted that,” she sighed.