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sg_five_things2011-08-31 06:39 pm
lilyleia78) wrote in sg_five_things2011-08-31 06:39 pm
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Prompt 131.2
Five ways Keller lost McKay to Sheppard
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Participation is open to all. If this is your own prompt, you're free to write to it (please do!). Post your list as a comment to this post, adding additional comments if you exceed the character limit. It's OK to post as Anonymous, then come out later or not as you choose. Responses will be screened until September 12 to see what people come up with independently. You can still respond to the prompt after the September 12 unveiling.
General info and a place to ask questions: the comm 'welcome' post.
Technical-support questions: tech help.
Suggestions: the suggestion box.
To supply a new prompt: the open call for prompts.
September 12 is the official due date. If you're posting a response after the unveiling announcement on September 12 please copy the link to your comment, click on the 'set 131' tag, and reply to the post 'Set 131 Responses Unscreened' with the link to your new comment-response. That helps people find and read and comment on responses that weren't there when they cruised through right after the reveal. Pimp the link in your journal, too, if you want to let your flist know you've posted something new.
Five Ways Keller lost McKay to Sheppard
And The Winner Is...
1.Before the Starting Gun
Jennifer’s about to invite Rodney for a drink but before she can, Colonel Sheppard enters – John, she corrects herself; he keeps telling her to call him John.
John apparently has the same plan for Rodney, inviting him for a beer, and although he invites her along, she can see his worry and concern for his friend etched on his face. She declines brightly and heads back to her own quarters. A bubble bath and a cool glass of wine will more than make up for her thwarted plans with Rodney.
2.The Back Straight
Jennifer wipes her eyes and turns off the computer monitor. She has to stop playing the video of Rodney telling her he loves her. Whatever Rodney feels for her, he was sick and she has to let it go, no matter how intrigued she has been by the Rodney evoked by the parasite. Jennifer shakes herself briskly and goes to check on her patient.
He’s awake and John’s with him; they’re laughing, heads crowded close together almost touching. John. He was the only person Rodney wanted at the end. With a flash of insight Jennifer wonders if they know they love each other. Jennifer’s lips twist wryly and she walks away without regret.
3.On The Bend
Jennifer catches up with Rodney in the elevator at the SGC. “Hey, Rodney! I’m glad I caught you…”
“You are?” Rodney asks brusquely.
“I just wanted to say sorry again that I couldn’t make the physics conference.” A family reunion she has to attend has caused her to decline his invitation but she’s been hoping he’d ask her out for a long time since she’s certain he likes her.
“No problem.” Rodney assures her. “John’s coming with me.”
Jennifer blinks in surprise. “Oh.” She hadn’t realised Rodney and John were… clearly she’s got her signals all wrong about Rodney.
“Not like that…just as friends.” Rodney’s eyes dart to the camera.
Of course, John’s military; they have to be circumspect. Jennifer smiles, letting go of her own momentary disappointment to feel happy for the two men.
“Of course, Rodney.” She says brightly.
4.The Home Straight
Jennifer’s gut warns her that Rodney might be going to propose at the dinner he’s invited her to that night. She’s suspected he might since they arrived on Earth and Rodney told her she’s everything he needs. It’s not that she doesn’t love him – she does – but it’s early days, days where she still wonders if Rodney is right for her, and she’s too young to think about settling down.
When she gets to his room, she enters and freezes at the romantic setting laid out, her heart sinking. Rodney clears his throat drawing her attention to him.
“I spent all day with John arranging this,” Rodney says, “but after he left…I realised I can’t marry you, Jennifer.” He grimaces rather than smiles. “I seem to be making a habit of not-proposing.”
Jennifer smiles tremulously. “I can’t marry you either, Rodney.”
He pulls her into a tight hug. “Friends?”
“Friends.” Jennifer lets go, relief flooding through her.
5.At the Finish Line
“How do I know he’s the right one?” Jennifer asks Teyla, watching as her friend competently places Torren in his basinet. She’s taken advantage of Rodney having a guy’s night with John to confide her doubts about her upcoming wedding.
Teyla shoots her a knowing look and straightens. “If you do not believe Rodney is the right one,” she pauses, “it is best to determine this now before the bonding.”
“Right.” Jennifer agrees.
“You should talk with Rodney.” Teyla chides gently.
“Right.” Jennifer agrees again and takes the subtle hint to leave.
It’s not like she’s meant to lead Rodney on, Jennifer thinks as she searches for Rodney; she loves him but as their wedding day approaches, she can’t help thinking they’re not right for each other – not for the long haul. She eventually gives up and retreats to her room only to find Rodney there waiting for her.
She knows without his saying a word what he’s going to say to her and she smiles grimly. Apparently she’s not the only one who’s realised they’re making a mistake.
Re: Five Ways Keller lost McKay to Sheppard
Re: Five Ways Keller lost McKay to Sheppard
Re: Five Ways Keller lost McKay to Sheppard
Re: Five Ways Keller lost McKay to Sheppard
Five way Keller lost McKay to Sheppard
When Rodney and the rest of the team get back from a mission to PX3-446, Jennifer is waiting in the gateroom with the on-call medics.
Sheppard radioed in a medical assistance code with his IDC and Jennifer has needle and thread, gauze and antiseptic, at the ready. When they come through the gate, Teyla is hopping on one leg, supported on either side by Ronon and Sheppard. They settle her on the waiting stretcher and Jennifer cuts off Teyla's pant leg to have a proper look.
"I saved your life again," Sheppard says to Rodney, smugly teasing, propping his P-90 against his shoulder.
Rodney scoffs. "Please, I've saved your life with science five times as often as you've saved me with that hunk of metal," he says, but his eyes shine with contradictory gratitude, trust, affection.
It's not a competition, Jennifer tells herself, wrapping a bandage around Teyla's leg, but she can't get rid of that feeling of loss.
ii.
Jennifer never thought she'd be one of those girls who got a flag and an apology, a pine box instead of a warm body.
When Sheppard comes into the infirmary--the copper smell of blood all over him, bright red on his hands, his jacket, a smudge on his cheek--she thinks he's the one who's hurt. The gateroom alarms are blaring in the distance as she sits him down, shines her penlight in his eyes.
"Jennifer," Sheppard says, his voice a hoarse whisper, as he takes her hand. "Rodney." The drying blood on his hands transfers to hers.
Jennifer takes a step back. "No," she says, and runs for the gateroom.
iii.
Jennifer is going to marry Rodney McKay in two days.
She's not going to see him until he's waiting in front of the glowing Ancient steps of the gateroom, wiping his palms on his tuxedo and asking Sheppard for the seventh time, "Do you have the rings? You have the rings, right?" while Sheppard pats himself down theatrically, gently mocking.
Sheppard, Ronon and Zelenka are taking Rodney to a planet called Amallia which Jennifer is given to understand is basically the Pegasus equivalent of Vegas.
"Don't worry," Sheppard says, smiling his lopsided grin as Rodney kisses her goodbye and promises there will be no strippers. "We'll have him back in time for the wedding."
iv.
"Rodney?" Sheppard's voice comes over their headsets, crackling and cutting out. "Could I... some help... jumper bay?"
"I've got to--," Rodney says, halfway out of his shirt and wriggling back into it.
"Go," Jennifer says.
v.
Jennifer likes San Francisco. She thinks it's somewhere she could live, could put down roots. Her father will still lament the distance between them, but California is infinitely closer than Pegasus.
The thing is, Rodney likes Atlantis. He's already put down roots--in the gateroom, the physics labs, the West Pier where he sneaks off to split six packs of beer with Colonel Sheppard.
Jennifer only wanted a short breath of adventure before settling down, safe and steady. Rodney wants a whole lifetime of near misses and brilliant saves.
"Take care of him," Jennifer says to Sheppard, somewhere between asking and telling. Sheppard's lips quirk up and Jennifer feels suddenly redundant. Sheppard has been taking care of Rodney since before she ever met either of them, one step ahead, gun at the ready.
"Sure thing, doc," Sheppard say, putting a hand on her shoulder.
Re: Five way Keller lost McKay to Sheppard
Re: Five way Keller lost McKay to Sheppard
Sheppard's lips quirk up and Jennifer feels suddenly redundant. Sheppard has been taking care of Rodney since before she ever met either of them
Re: Five way Keller lost McKay to Sheppard