(no subject)
With many thanks to tardis80
The journey back to the Pegasus Galaxy gave Rodney more than enough time to think over what he told Jeannie. Sister or not, he'd divulged classified information, national security stuff, and he couldn't deny that was big. He would have to tell Elizabeth, there were no two ways about it. She was going to be furious and he could only hope that she'd understand and not kick his arse back to Earth The possibility that she would wasn't one he wanted to dwell on.
The eighteen days were over too quickly. As the Daedalus descended, he watched Atlantis getting bigger through his window, a sick feeling twisting his stomach. He almost regreted his choice now. He should have told her something - anything - else. But at the risk of losing his only family... Rodney sighed and leant his forehead on the bulkhead.
A knock sounded on the door to his quarters. He stood, gathered his bag and opened it. He nodded to the young soldier who'd been sent to get him and followed the familiar corridors. Caldwell was waiting for him along with the boxes and crates of supplies. Somewhere in that chaos was his piano. Rodney found a smile on his face as he thought about that.
The transfer of supplies from the Daedalus to Atlantis was always fairly manic and this time was no different. After being beamed to the city, Rodney managed to loose himself in the bustle of activity. Avoiding Elizabeth - and evading the inevitable argument that would ensue - was his secondary goal. The primary one was finding somewhere that was just perfect.
Of course being part of the team that was mapping the huge city meant he had certain facts at his immediate disposal. Well, immediate once he'd picked up his tablet pc from the lab. That done, he wandered through the corridors of Atlantis, barking orders at the two poor souls he'd commandeered to move the still-crated piano. Fortunately for them, the piano had been packed in such a way the coasters were still usable and they could simply push it along. They didn't know what it was, other than delicate, important and worth their skins if it got damaged.
The room Rodney finally decided on was quite away from the occupied area of Atlantis. It was a fairly big room, with the huge floor-to-ceiling windows that tended to be used for public rooms. Half-patterned in the Ancient designed stained glass, the windows looked south-westerly. Sunsets would be an impressive display but, more importantly, the acoustics were perfect.
“Right you can go,” Rodney told the soldiers, dismissing them carelessly now they'd performed their task. They glanced at each other, but kept their mouths shut. At least whilst they were in earshot of the abrasive Doctor McKay anyway.
He waited until they were long gone, then removed one of the crystals for the door control, effectively locking himself in. Only then did he go to the crate. He'd had a moment of genius in the gate room, snatching a crowbar and placing it on top. Now he used it to carefully prise open the crate. He didn't breathe until the crate was a pile of wood on the floor and the piano stood there unscathed, the stool tucked underneath. Relieved, he blew out a heavy sigh and sat on the floor. After a few moments, he stood up and pulled out the stood. Smiling softly to himself, he sat down, lifted the lid and ran a C scale up the keys. It wasn't even out of tune. Marvellous.
Elizabeth watched the final few boxes moved out of the gate room and gave a small sigh of relief. As much as they needed the supplies, she hated how they blocked the Stargate for a good couple of hours and she was always on edge in case some emergency arose whilst they were unable to respond. Nothing had happened and that concern over, she found her attention turning to a different problem. Well not a problem as such, but they seemed to have mislaid their chief science officer.
“Colonel Caldwell, Doctor McKay did accompany you back didn't he?”
“He certainly did. Along with that huge crate he said was vital to the continued safety of Atlantis.”
“Which one was that?”
“I have no idea. You're best finding and asking him.”
“Yes. Well. I am trying to.”
Caldwell looked faintly amused, which didn't help Elizabeth's increasing irritation. She'd already put out a call for Rodney, with absolutely no response. Where was he? Thankfully Caldwell's need to liaison with Sheppard gave her the chance to get out of her office and go and look for the missing McKay.
Elizabeth's first port of call was his laboratory, thinking he would be there if he'd brought something important from Earth. It was empty. She frowned and thought again. Knowing Rodney McKay, past experience told her if he wan't in his lab, he'd be in the canteen getting something to eat. Turning on her heel, she headed there.
The canteen was far from empty, but as she scanned the faces, Elizabeth failed to find the one she was looking for. She sighed heavily. Well since she was here, she might as well get a coffee. As she did so, she caught a snippet of conversation that sparked her interest.
“So what is it?”
“I have no idea. Caldwell says he said it was of great importance. All I know is me and Martin were press-ganged into moving it.”
“What are the bets? Something explosive?”
“I'm thinking scientific. You know what McKay's like.”
“God yeah.”
Elizabeth went over to the table where the soldiers were sitting.
“Gentlemen. Did I hear correctly that you helped Doctor McKay with... the project he's brought back?”
“Yes ma'am. Well it was me and Martin. I mean Lieutenant.”
“That doesn't matter right now. Do you know where Doctor McKay is right now?”
“Yes ma'am. Would you like me to show you?”
“Please.”
The soldier's name was Franks and Elizabeth had decided she quite liked the over enthusiastic young man by the time they'd gone right over to the other side of the city. He stopped suddenly, seeming somewhat nervous.
“It's a little further down that way ma'am. Forth door on the left.”
“Are you okay?”
“Yes ma'am. It's just that Doctor McKay said... um.. actually I don't think I ought to repeat what he said. My mom would box my ears for saying such things in front of a lady.”
Elizabeth laughed softly. “Okay Lieutenant, I get the picture. Thank you.”
She laughed again as the soldier, trained to fight Goa'uld, Wraith and all manner of enemies, bolted in the face of McKay's possible wrath. She walked down the corridor, her steps slowing slightly as... could she hear music? She blinked, then frowned. So much for the 'safety of Atlantis'.
Somewhat annoyed that Caldwell had been lied to, Elizabeth strode up to the door. It slid open, she stalked in... and came to an abrupt halt. She'd not really got an idea of what Rodney was up to but whatever it was, she definitely hadn't expected this. In the large room she found herself was an upright piano. She wasn't sure what she was more surprised by that sight or the fact that Rodney McKay was playing it.
Elizabeth didn't recognise the tune he was playing but she was still amazed. Rodney played the piano? She had no idea. She shook herself out of her shock, closing her mouth and blushing slightly as she realised she'd been gaping at him. Fortunately, her presence seemed to have gone unnoticed, so she remained where she was, not wanting to break his concentration. Or to embarrass him. She'd really rather him not stop just yet.
After listening for a minute or so she began to suspect he was actually making up the tune as he went along. She leant against the wall, keeping her movements small so as not to make any noise. Then the pacing of the tune changed, becoming more defined. And then to Elizabeth's further surprise, Rodney began to sing.
His voice wasn't anything extraordinary, though he could certainly hold a tune. The raw ability leant a certain something to the song that she didn't recognise. However the words were clear enough and they froze her to the spot.
“If you think that I could be forgiven... I wish you would.”
Elizabeth looked up, her eyes going wide. She suddenly wasn't so sure he didn't know she was here. The song was too personal, the emotion in his voice too raw. She couldn't breathe. Tears pricked at her eyes and she had to swallow several times to stop them spilling over.
“I guess the winter makes you laugh a little slower, makes you talk a little lower 'bout the things you could not show her.”
Now Elizabeth knew he knew she was here. She didn't need to know what the song was, the words were enough and he had chosen this song for a reason. What she didn't know was what that reason was. It occurred to her that he might be doing this, might be performing for her, as a pre-emptive measure. The words made her suspect it was an apology.
Pushing herself off the wall and steeling her heart against the magic of Rodney's playing, she walked across the room, keeping her steps light. The song drew to a close and he stopped altogether. The following silence was almost oppressive. Elizabeth waited, the only indicator to the tension she was feeling was that her hands curled into fists.
“I told her.”
The confession was soft and she barely caught the words. She frowned.
“Excuse me?” she asked, just as quietly.
“Jeannie,” Rodney sighed. “I told her.”
Elizabeth stared at him. He remained as he was, eyes firmly cast down. There was an awful feeling in her stomach as if she was stood at the top of a very large drop.
“Told her what?” she asked, even though she knew.
“Everything,” he whispered.
“Oh god,” the words slipped from Elizabeth's mouth before she could stop them. “Why?”
“Does it matter?”
“Maybe not, but I'd like an explanation,” she retorted, unable to prevent anger from tainting her tone. She actually saw him flinch.
“She knew I was lying, demanded the truth.” He looked up then, agony reflected in his eyes. “She's my sister Elizabeth, my only family. I... I've lost enough.” He looked away.
His words cut into her. She understood but that didn't make it any more right.
“It's a matter of national security Rodney,” she said, shaking her head at the enormity of it. “You signed a non-disclosure.”
“I know what I've done Elizabeth!” he snapped, standing suddenly and sending the stool crashing to the floor. “Believe me I know. That's why I'm telling you and not Caldwell.”
“Because you think I wouldn't do anything?” She was furious he'd use their friendship to his advantage.
“Because I thought you might understand better!”
“My understanding has nothing to do with it,” she said, trying to calm down. She needed to think about this rationally. “What you've done is a federal offence Rodney.”
“I know,” he ground out. He turned and looked at her, his face tense, his blue eyes stormy.
Elizabeth felt her heart flip. He was too god-damned handsome for her own good. She closed her eyes, not needed the distraction of her emotions right now. The weeks he'd been gone battered at her and she knew she couldn't send him back. Even if she should. Maybe, if she talked very quickly, she could cover this before it was found out. And if she failed it would be both of them going back.
“Okay, okay. Listen to me.” She waited until he was actually making eye-contact. “Do not breathe a single word of this outside of this room. To anyone and I mean anyone. I'll get a message to General O'Neill, maybe he could get Jeannie security clearance. If so, then all this is moot. If not... well we'll cover that if it happens. The fact she's next-of-kin might sway them.”
There was a long silence.
“Thank you,” he said quietly, dropping his eyes to the floor. “I'm sorry.”
Elizabeth sighed again and went to him. Placing a hand on his arm, she waited again. He glanced up finally and she smiled gently.
“I do understand.”
“I know.”
“You realise if she doesn't get permission...”
“Yeah. Elizabeth...”
“Shut up. We are not talking about this any more.”
“But...”
“Rodney? Seriously. The less it's mentioned, the longer it'll keep. Just think of what... oh say Kavanaugh would do with this. Okay?”
He gave her a half-hearted smile. “Okay.”