Happy Birthday Zinnith!!
This story is dedicated to the wonderful zinfic - Happy Birthday honey!! She asked for Rodney and children... and well, this is the result. Also, because imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, this story is set in her fantastic Entangled Particles-verse in which Rodney is an author. Other stories in this 'verse include Entangled Particles, Spatial Separation, and Common Tangent - all available here. They're fab, so go read them if you haven't already!!
Title: Subtle Realignment (for Zinnith)
Author: the_cephalopod
Category: AU, McKay/Sheppard, established relationship.
Rating: R
Spoilers: None
Word count: ~ 4,500 words
Disclaimer: None of this is mine... and the 'verse is Zin's.
Subtle Realignment
“You want me to what?” Rodney whipped around to face John, eyes wide. His abject horror at John's suggestion clearly visible on his face.
“Come on, Rodney,” John wheedled, “Think of it as an educational exercise, a chance to pass on some of your genius to the younger generation.”
“No, no, no. Absolutely not - I do not do children,” Rodney screwed his face up in distaste as he said the last word; as if he could become somehow contaminated by simply uttering it.
“Hey, I though you said you liked children.”
“I have never said any such thing,” Rodney replied sounding most put out by the suggestion.
“You like Madison,” John countered.
“Ahh,” Rodney said and raised a finger. “I tolerate Madison - there is a distinct difference. Besides she's a McKay - she's bound to be brilliant.”
“Well, there you go then. Some of the kids down at the youth centre are really bright. They just need someone to inspire them.”
“And what makes you think I'm that someone?” Rodney asked, suddenly looking endearingly unsure.
“Because you're talented, successful and interesting,” John moved closer as he spoke and wrapped his arms around Rodney's waist from behind, resting his chin on Rodney's shoulder. “Not to mention incredibly sexy,” he continued, speaking softly into Rodney's ear and feeling him shiver slightly. “Also you're the only one I can get on such short notice,” he finished with a grin, giving Rodney a squeeze.
Rodney snorted at this, “That last one is the most likely,” he groused, but he was smiling. Turning in John's embrace, he stuck a finger into John's chest. “You are so going to owe me for this.”
John nodded, “I know,” he said. “And I really appreciate it.” He leaned forward to kiss Rodney softly. “Think of it like doing one of your lectures, just to a slightly different audience.”
“A totally unpredictable audience,” he said. “In other words, the worst kind.” He pulled out of John's arms completely and started pacing up and down the living room floor. “Plus, there's no reasoning with most kids. I'm going to have to think of some way to...” he trailed off and stopped pacing. The calculating gleam which suddenly appeared in his eyes made John slightly nervous.
“Hey, stop whatever diabolical scheme you're planning - they're just kids! Good kids at that. All you'll need to do is talk a little bit about what you do and why you do it, they'll ask a few questions, and that's it.”
“You're joking, right? Of course that's not going to be it - they're kids, that's the point. To them I'm fresh blood. They won't be happy until I've been completely humiliated. You forget, I've heard plenty of your stories about what happens to people when they come visit the centre.”
John winced at this, “Yes, well, that's just 'cause they're not properly prepared. But it'll be different this time - the kids'll be on their best behaviour. There will be other people there too, talking about their careers. And I'll be with you the whole time. So, it will be fine, I promise.”
Rodney nodded slowly, “Okay, fine. Since I can't think of anything else I need to be doing that day, I’ll do it,” he said with a sigh. “Honestly, the things I do for you…”
“Yes, I know, I’m a burden,” John answered with a smile. “But I’m sure you can think of something I can do to make it up to you…” he trailed off suggestively.
Rodney’s blue eyes snapped up to meet John’s and he grinned in return. “Well, when you put it like that, how can I possibly refuse?”
~*~
Careers Day was an annual event at the youth centre where John worked. The centre was a community project which aimed to provide children in the local area with a place where they could meet and socialise. They had a fairly large playground where the volunteers coached several sports teams, a small library, a few computers, and a well-stocked activity area. In addition to running various after-school clubs and societies, the centre tried to engage with others in the community by hosting a number of after-school events; one of which was Careers Day.
This was to be John's first Careers Day with the centre. From his discussions with Hal, the centre's director, he gathered it was a fairly standard event. Members of the local community from a variety of professions came in to talk to the kids about their jobs and tried to encourage and inspire them. Typical contributors were doctors, teachers, policemen and the like, and Hal usually spoke about his career as a professional footballer. He'd asked John if he wanted to participate and talk about his career in the Air Force, but John had felt that most of their kids were a bit too young. He'd happily talk to any of them if they expressed an interest in the military, but he wasn't about to encourage them at this early stage.
Instead, his thoughts had immediately turned to Rodney. Rodney was always so passionate about his work, John thought he'd be the perfect candidate. Another plus was the fact that, as far as he was aware, they'd never had an author speak before. Certainly not one as successful as M. R. McKay, who could now boast of two bestselling books and a series of sold-out lecture tours.
John told Laura and Carson about his plan one afternoon when he met up with them for a drink at their local coffee shop. He was caught somewhat off-guard at their response - Laura immediately burst out laughing, and even Carson seemed to think that the idea was hilarious.
“Hey,” John shouted over their hysterics, “I think it’s a good idea!”
“Ach, you’re serious then, lad?” asked Carson, sobering up eventually.
“Well, yeah,” John replied. “I think he’d make a great speaker.”
“God, you do know this is Rodney we’re talking about here?” Laura said as she wiped the tears from her eyes. “Honestly John, you don’t want to traumatize your kids do you? You know what Rodney’s like, he can be absolutely awful when he gets riled. You should see him at some of his lectures; when someone asks what he considers to be a stupid question, he’s no holds barred.”
“Yeah, I know what he’s like - I do practically live with him after all. But I don’t think he’ll be like that with the kids. I mean, he’s so passionate about his work - he loves explaining things so much, I just thought he’d be a natural.”
“Aye,” said Carson thoughtfully. “You may have a point there. Of course, there’s always the chance it won’t be the kids getting the hard time. Children can be a might difficult themselves when they put their minds to it.”
“Oh,” exclaimed Laura. “You know, I hadn’t thought of that, but you’re right. Are you sure about this John?”
John looked between Laura and Carson, both of whom were wearing identical expressions of concern. “Oh my goodness,” he exclaimed. “I can’t believe the two of you are making such a big deal of this. They’re just kids! Good kids, kids I know and work with on a daily basis. As for Rodney, you don’t need to worry about him either. He’s perfect for the job, I’m certain of it. I’ll make sure he’s properly prepared and I’ll be there the whole time. Nothing will go wrong.”
Laura and Carson exchanged a nervous glance, and John threw his hands up in the air in exasperation.
“Well,” said Laura slowly. “If you’re sure…”
“I am,” John interrupted quickly.
“Then I have just one question; are you completely insane?”
John got up and walked out of the café, leaving them to pick up the tab. As the sounds of their laughter followed him out, he felt entirely justified in his response.
~*~
“So, you decided what you’re going to say tomorrow,” John asked Rodney on the eve of the big day. They were both in the living room of Rodney’s apartment.
Rodney looked up from where he was hunched over his laptop, his hands poised over the keyboard. “Well, not exactly,” he replied. “But, genius here,” he chimed. At John's continued gaze, he waved a hand dismissively at him. “Besides, I've managed to gather everything I need together, so it shouldn’t be a problem. It’s not as if they’re really going to be listening to what I say at any rate. At least not a first,” he finished, and turned back to his typing.
“Everything you need?” John asked, starting to get just a tad nervous again. “I don’t really think you need much of anything.”
“Well,” replied Rodney, not even looking up. “That just goes to show what you know. Of course I need things; lots of things,” he finished with a decisive nod. The slightly maniacal glint was back in his eyes.
“It’s just a half hour talk to a bunch of seven and eight year olds, Rodney. What can you possibly...”
Rodney interrupted John by snapping his fingers three times in quick succession and then pointing one in John’s direction. “No more questions,” he snapped. “You’re not getting any more out of me. This whole thing was your idea entirely, so if you don’t like it now, well then, that’s just tough.”
John held up his hands in mock surrender. “Fine, fine,” he said. “I won’t ask anything else.”
“Good,” Rodney replied, obviously mollified. He typed a few more words into his laptop, then backed up his work and shut down. Turning in his seat, he looked over to John, who was sitting on the couch with Newton curled up comfortably on his lap. “Now about making it up to me…?”
John raised an eyebrow in response. “Well,” he drawled, “I’m sure that can be arranged. But may I remind you that you’ve yet to fulfill your part of the bargain.”
“Hey,” Rodney replied, “Might I remind you that you’re making me speak to children. So, if you think you’re going to get out of this lightly, you’re very much mistaken.”
“I wasn’t trying to get out of anything,” John said as he started to stretch; lifting his arms over his head and lengthening his legs out in front of him. Newton uncurled at the movement and, with a rather disgusted look at John, made his way haughtily off his lap. He bounded off the sofa, across the room, and up onto Rodney’s desk to make himself comfortable on the top of the computer monitor.
“Good,” Rodney murmured, his eyes locked on the strip of skin of John’s stomach which had been revealed when his shirt had rucked up as he stretched. He got up and moved to sit next to where John was lounging on the couch. John grinned up at him and then shifted his weight to the side so that he was leaning up against Rodney.
“Hey there,” John said softly, and then he reached out to wrap a hand around Rodney’s neck and pull him down for a kiss. Rodney went willingly and he hummed happily into John’s mouth. “So, have you decided what you want?” John asked, his mouth still hot against Rodney’s. Rodney groaned in response and kissed John again, his tongue thrusting into John's mouth and twinning around his own.
John settled himself even further into the couch and pulled Rodney more fully on top of him, careful not to break their kiss. He opened his legs and couldn’t stop a little moan of relief as he felt Rodney’s erection settle alongside his own. Canting his hips forward he managed to wrap his uninjured leg around the back of Rodney’s thigh and pull his crotch more snugly into him. Rodney started thrusting slowly, his movements pressing their cocks together perfectly.
“Oh god, John,” he panted into John’s mouth.
“Yes, that’s it,” John answered, reaching one hand down to grasp at Rodney’s ass. But when his hand made contact, he suddenly realized that they were both still fully dressed. “Hey,” he said, pulling his mouth free of Rodney’s. “I know I’m still kinda new to all this, but don’t you think it would be better if we had on less clothes.”
Rodney stared down at him, his blue eyes wide and glazed. He leaned down again to kiss John slowly, softly, and very sweetly. “Let’s go to bed,” he whispered and reached down to thread his fingers through John’s and pull them both up off the couch and towards the bedroom.
~*~
John awoke the next morning to the sound of the phone ringing. Beside him Rodney jerked awake and sat up with a start, almost tipping John off the bed in the process. He fumbled for the phone on the bedside table and finally managed to snag the receiver.
“McKay,” he barked into the phone. “Do you have any idea what time it is? Someone had better be dead.”
John sighed; people should really know better than to ring Rodney this early when it’d be unlikely he’d have had his morning caffeine fix. Struggling out from under the covers, he fumbled around on the floor trying to located his boxers. He decided to leave Rodney to his call and headed into the kitchen to put on the coffee.
Rodney appeared in the kitchen doorway just as the coffee had brewed. He'd managed to get partially dressed, but still looked endearingly disheveled and sleep rumpled. John poured the fresh coffee into Rodney’s favourite mug and then walked over to where he was hovering in the doorway. Rodney reached out for the coffee by reflex, but John caught his hand instead and pulled him into the room. He then quickly handed over the mug, forestalling any arguments. He smiled as he watched Rodney cradle the coffee in his large hands, his eyes drifting closed as he took the first sip. Filling his own mug, John sat down at the kitchen table.
“So, I need to get to the centre for about twelve today, but I can swing by and pick you up around three for your talk if you like,” John offered.
Rodney still hadn't moved from where he was standing just a couple of paces into the room. At John's words he lifted his head, a dark red blush starting to spread across his cheeks.
“Umm, look John, about that,” he started, looking distinctly nervous. “You know the phone call? Well, that was Laura; she's just heard from my publisher that Graham Morris is coming into town this morning.”
“Graham Morris?” John asked.
Rodney set his coffee mug down on the counter and turned to face John again, his waving hands denoting his discomfort. “He's a literary critic who likes to think of himself as something of a mathematician. He's just launched a book on the so-called philosophies underlying String Theory. Of course, it's nothing but a load of pretentious crap and lousy proofs, but...”
“The point please, Rodney?” John asked, successfully interrupting Rodney's tirade.
“Yes, well...” Rodney looked up at John nervously before continuing in a rush. “You see, its just that he's launching his book downtown this afternoon and has apparently challenged me to some sort of debate.”
John didn't respond. Rodney blinked at him for a minute and then said, “And, even though it's short notice, I was thinking that maybe I should go.” He raised his chin as he said the last bit, as if challenging John to disagree.
John didn't disappoint. “You what?” he asked in a dangerously low tone. “But you're busy this afternoon, remember?”
“I know, I know,” said Rodney. “But look, this is important, alright? It is the perfect opportunity to de-bunk all his theories. He's writing utter drivel about my books for years now under the guise of legitimate criticism. And now I've finally got a chance to turn the tables on him and I was just thinking that this might be too good an opportunity to miss.”
John didn't know what to say. He knew Rodney's career was important; that it made demands on him and his time. He was a talented and successful author - hell, that was the whole point in inviting him to the Careers Day in the first place. But, damn it, John's job was important to him too. It was nice to know that he was doing something worthwhile; that, in some small way, he was doing his part to help people. Other than Rodney, his job was the only thing that had given him back his sense of self-worth after he had been discharged. And it had been a god-send during those dreadful few months he and Rodney had spent apart.
“John?” Rodney's soft query interrupted his train of thought.
John shook his head in disappointment. He supposed that he shouldn't really be surprised. Rodney had made in clear from the outset that he hadn't wanted to do this. Furthermore, Rodney had always invested too much in his writing - so much so that they'd already had several fights over it. He knew that Rodney was trying to do better - to be more aware of other people even when he was in the run up to a deadline - but still, it hurt that he was letting John down like this.
“It doesn't matter, Rodney,” he said quickly, already moving past Rodney and into the bedroom to grab his clothes. He had to get out of the apartment before his pain over Rodney's decision overwhelmed him completely. He dressed in record time and headed for the door. He called out to Rodney as he went, hoping his voice didn't sound as broken as it did to his own ears. “You just go - do your thing. I think I'll head out now - try to hunt down another speaker...”
“Wait, John,” Rodney called after him. “Please, don't go...”
But John was already gone.
~*~
John's mood did not improve as the day wore on. He had left Rodney's apartment at a run, his heart pounding loudly in his ears as he rushed down the stairs, his disappointment a bitter taste in his mouth. He didn't know with whom he was more angry; Rodney for letting him down or himself for allowing it to happen.
Even though he wasn't due in until noon, with nothing else to do, he arrived at the youth centre a good couple of hours early. Hal shot him a confused look at his unexpected entry, but he just shook his head and joined the other centre staff with the preparations. When he was felt a little calmer, he sought out Hal and told him that Rodney wasn't going to be able to make it after all. When Hal queried why, all John was able to do was to mutter something about Rodney having to work again. Hal was a good friend, but John was still feeling far too bruised by Rodney's careless inattention to talk about what had happened in any great detail yet.
As it was far too late to try and organise another speaker, John resigned himself to having to talk to the kids about the military. Once all the preparations had been taken care of and the kids started to arrive, he took himself off to one of the storage rooms to prepare. As he thought back on his own experiences in the Air Force, he concentrated on trying to recall on the good parts, his motivations for joining the service in the first place, and the amazing freedom of flying. It struck him as depressingly ironic that even his most fantastic memories of flight paled in comparison to what he felt in Rodney's arms. If only he meant as much to Rodney as Rodney did to him...
John suddenly glanced down at his watch and realised he'd been in the storage room for a lot longer than he had realised. The talks would be well underway by now, and he'd better get out there or he'd miss his slot. John cursed softly under his breath as he made his way down the hall; having to stand up and be friendly and entertaining to a group of children was pretty much the last thing he felt like doing. As he reached the main hall, he took a deep breath and slipped inside - It was show time.
~*~
The sight that greeted John as he entered the room was one for which he was totally unprepared. Seated in the room was a group of about thirty kids, all of whom were regulars at the after-school clubs run by the centre. That in and of itself wasn't odd; but what was odd was the fact that they were sitting in absolute silence, completely enthralled. The object of their rapt attention was the man standing beside a large table at the front of the room wearing a white lab coat and a pair of safety goggles. On the table was a vast array of lab apparatus, test tubes, and bottles of chemicals.
“Okay,” the man said, looking around the room. “Has everyone got their goggles? Right, well put them on then - after all I don't think your parents would appreciate it if I sent you all home blind.”
“Rodney?” John couldn't stop himself whispering under his breath. What on Earth was he doing here?
The kids all laughed at Rodney's comment and all quickly complied with his order.
“And no, they're not an excuse to hit your neighbour in the face to test them out,” Rodney snapped pointing at a couple of boys who were doing just that. “I know, I know, it's all good fun; but when one of you loses an eye, don't come running to me. Besides, what I've got here is much more fun than childish fisty-cuffs. If you're very lucky, it might even explode...” he finished in an undertone. That got their attention and Rodney grinned at boys as they immediately settled down. Rodney's face was flushed and his eyes were bright; it was obvious that he was enjoying this as much his audience. “Now, count to three and watch closely.”
John watched in amazement as Rodney continued his lecture. He'd been right after all; Rodney was absolutely brilliant at this. Instead of talking about his books and what it was like to be an author, as John had expected, he held the children completely captivated by a huge variety of science demonstrations - everything from exploring the universe with them by showing them pictures of the Hubble deep field to the wonders everyday objects could hold by teaching them how to make ferro-fluids which they could then bring to life with magnets. Each experiment was accompanied by a though explanation - complete with all of Rodney's patented enthusiasm and hand waving. He seemed to have endless patience with the kids, taking his time to answer all their questions and foster their obvious interest. John didn't know what had prompted Rodney to change his mind about this afternoon, but watching him like this completely erased any anger John still felt towards him.
By the time Rodney had obviously started winding down his talk, many of the children's parents had arrived and were standing with John at the back of the hall, as engaged with the proceedings as their offspring. Rodney had yet to notice any of them, not even John. He was also as completely caught up in his science as the kids were. For his final display, he asked a couple of the boys in the front row to help him pull down the window blinds and then shifted his attention to the back of the room.
“Would someone please turn off the lights?” he asked, looking towards the back of the room, and his eyes collided with John's. Holding John's gaze, he smiled slightly at first, but then ducked his head, suddenly looking worried, a hot blush appearing on his cheeks.
“No problem, Doctor McKay” John called out and smiled warmly at Rodney.
Rodney looked up again at John's response. “I think you'll all enjoy this,” he said to the room at large, but he never looked away from John, even as the room was plunged into shadows. “Think of were we are in the universe,” and, with a quick flip of a switch, a device on the table by Rodney purred into life, bathing the room in a blanket of stars, planets and galaxies.
~*~
Sometime later, after all the last of the kids had been picked up and all the chairs had been stacked and put away, John finally sought out Rodney. He was still in the main room, painstakingly packing away all his equipment. John stepped silently into the room, propping himself up against the door frame, and just watched him.
Once Rodney had carefully packed away the last of his props, his eyes swept across the room doing one final check. He pulled in a deep breath when he finally noticed John.
“John,” he said, and took a nervous step towards him.
“Hey Rodney,” John said lightly. “Something happened to cancel the book launch?” he asked.
“No, no. Nothing like that,” Rodney replied, shaking his head. “I, well, I realised that... um... that I was being rather selfish. And I didn't mean to be.... really I didn't. I just got all het up about the idea of Morris, and his damn book, and his moronic maths, and... well, I didn't realise until it was too late that I'd hurt you. Please, John, you've got to believe me, that's the last thing I wanted to do.”
John felt something inside him relax at Rodney's obvious sincerity. He took a few steps into the room and heard Rodney let out a heartfelt sigh of relief as he approached him. He came to a stop before Rodney, just out of reach, and cocked an eyebrow at him.
“So, what was all that about potentially blinding the kids?” he asked with a grin. “I thought the most dangerous thing you writers encountered was repetitive strain injury from all that typing.”
Rodney snorted, “I do know something about kids, John,” he replied. “They were never going to sit still while someone talked at them about writing. Writing itself is boring, it's what you write about that matters... I am still a physicist you know. All that stuff I write about, it's all fact; the beauty and elegance of our universe at its most fundamental level.”
“I know, Rodney,” John said, finally stepping closer and letting Rodney pull him into his arms.
“I'm sorry,” Rodney whispered into his hair.
“I know that too,” John replied. “You came, though, that's the most important thing.”
“No, not quite,” Rodney said with conviction, pulling back slightly to level John with his serious blue gaze. “You are the most important thing,” he affirmed. “I won't forget that again.”
~fin~
Read the epilogue The Physics of Ferris Wheels