I Will Be There
"I have very important simulations that I have running, John! I can't just leave for the whole day to go to some ridiculous festival on the mainland."
Sheppard pulled his shirt over his head and sighed, turning around to face Rodney. "It's one day. And besides--" he paused, turning back to the mirror he was standing in front of and fluffing his hair absently. "They're called 'simulations' for a reason. They can run unattended."
He nearly growled as he watched John from his perch on the edge of their bed. "Not the point, Colonel."
"Then what is the point?"
He hesitated momentarily before crossing his arms over his chest. "I just don't want to go, okay?"
"Yeah, I figured that was it," offering him a cocky grin, he turned around and buttoned his pants before resting his hands on his hips. "You're comin' anyway."
"John!"
"Rodney!" He mocked, chuckling when the other man stuck his bottom lip out pathetically. "C'mon. It won't be that bad."
Four Hours Later -- Athosian Settlement
"'C'mon. It won't be that bad,' he says. 'It's just one night,' Bastard." Rodney grumbled, rubbing his stomach absently. He was starting to feel sick, and if he was being honest, he wanted to go home hours earlier. "Where the hell did he get off to, anyway?" He asked, pushing himself up and starting back toward the fire pit where the majority of the people at the feast were located.
"Lookin' for me?" John asked, sneaking up behind the younger man and wrapping an arm around his waist, pulling him back against his body.
"Jesus Christ, Sheppard!" McKay yelled, practically jumping out of his skin as he spun around to face him. "You scared me!"
A wide grin crossed his face as he raised the drink cup he had in his hand. "Havin' fun yet?"
"No, I'm not. I'm definitely not having as much fun as you are."
"You need to relax," he said, draining the strong drink that was in his cup. "Loosen up, have fun."
"Easier said than done, Colonel."
"Why do you insist on callin' me by my rank, Rodney? Do I run around callin' you 'Head Scientist'?"
McKay crossed his arms over his chest, a smug smile firmly in place. "No, but I wouldn't mind if you did."
"Of course you wouldn't, you cocky bastard," John quipped, rolling his eyes before leaning in and kissing him firmly on his lips. "And that's why I love you."
"Yes, yes, I know how you--" he stopped mid-sentence, his mind finally wrapping around the last three words that escaped John's mouth. "You what?"
"What? I what, what?"
"What you just said. Why did you say that?"
John's eyebrows furrowed, looking at Rodney confusedly as he went over his own words in his head. "What? I said... oh."
"'Oh'? That's the best you can come up with?"
He shrugged, his hazel eyes locking with Rodney's blue ones. "What do you want me to do? Take it back?"
"Well... yes!"
"I can't do that, Rodney."
The younger man's mouth contorted into an angry scowl as he stared at John. "Why not? It's easy. Just say 'I take it back.' I won't hold it against you."
"I meant it."
"Well... I can't."
"You don't have to. I only want you to say it when you mean it," Sheppard explained, stepping into his personal space and resting a hand possessively on his hip. "Don't cheapen it by sayin' it before."
"God, I feel sick."
"Well, Jesus, McKay. I didn't know it would disgust you."
Rodney shook his head, a hand automatically going to his stomach as if it would help calm his nausea. "No, not because of what you said. I really feel sick."
John immediately softened, leading the younger man over to a chair and sitting him down before crouching in front of him. He was just about to ask him what the problem was when he felt a heavy hand on his shoulder, forcing him to turn around to see who it was.
"Are you done yet?"
He rolled his eyes, returning his attention to Rodney. "Not right now, Ronon."
"Look, you owe me a sparring session for comin' here today, so did you tell him or not?"
"Tell me what?"
"Ronon--" John warned, sparing a quick glance at him.
"That he loves you," he explained, crossing his arms over his chest as he rolled his eyes, missing the sharp glare that Rodney shot at John. "He wanted it to be special. Like he's a woman or somethin'. I don't know, but I'm ready to go."
"You had this planned?"
Sheppard dropped his head back, releasing a quiet sigh as Rodney pushed himself off of the chair, pulling John with him. "Rodney--"
"Don't 'Rodney' me!" He cried, pausing slightly as he felt his stomach turn uncomfortably. "You had this all planned, and then you played it off like you didn't know what happened?"
He opened his mouth to reply when Rodney pitched down suddenly, the sound of vomit hitting his shoes and the dirt below them reaching his ears before he realized what was happening. Jumping to the side, he rested his hand on Rodney's back, massaging it gently as Ronon released a roar of laughter.
"You weren't kidding about catchin' him off guard, Sheppard! You made him sick to his stomach!"
McKay forced himself to stand up before fixing Ronon with a harsh stare. "He didn't make me sick," he explained, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. "I've probably got food poisoning, you Neanderthal."
Ronon cocked an eyebrow at him, crossing his arms over his chest again. "Doesn't surprise me, considerin' how much you ate earlier."
"Woah," John said, stepping between them. "Ronon, go find Teyla, let her know we're headin' back to the city."
He nodded, following his order as he headed back to where he had last seen Teyla. Shaking his head, John wrapped his arm around McKay's waist, making sure he had a good hold on him before starting back toward where they had parked the Jumper nearly five hours earlier.
"You gonna be okay until we can get back, or are you gonna puke in the Jumper?"
Rodney glared at him for a moment, but found himself unable to hold it as he doubled over again, spilling the contents of his stomach in the grass on the side of the dirt path they were walking on.
"I... I think--" he trailed off, swallowing hard. "I think I'm okay now."
"Good, because I love you, Rodney, but if you puke in my Jumper, I may be forced to push you into the ocean."
"Funny, Sheppard. Very funny."
John merely smiled, leading the scientist back to the Jumper slowly. They were less than 30 feet away when Rodney stopped suddenly, wrapping his own arm around his waist and releasing a pathetic moan.
"What's wrong?"
"Cramping," he managed, wanting nothing more than to drop to his knees and curl into a ball in hopes that the pain would stop. "Hurts."
"Oh my!" John glanced over his shoulder at the sound of Teyla's voice through the trees, surprised to see her running toward them at full speed. "Rodney? Are you alright?"
"He's fine," Ronon said, waving a hand absently. "Ate too much."
"Don't think so, Big Guy," John said, watching as Teyla made her way to Rodney's other side and helped him get the younger man into the Jumper. "We're gonna get you to the infirmary as soon as we get back, okay?"
"Oh, God," he groaned, dropping his head back against the side of the Jumper as he sat next to Teyla on the bench in the back compartment. "You would want to torture me like that."
"Doctor Beckett is very good. He would not torture you, as you say."
"No, not in the traditional sense, he wouldn't."
"I think you are exaggerating, Rodney."
He cocked an eyebrow at her, an arm still wrapped firmly around his waist as he struggled to not vomit in the back of the Jumper. "You clearly don't know Carson very well."
She woman just smiled, resting a gentle hand on his shoulder. "You will be just fine after some rest. I am sure of it."
"I don't--" Rodney started, only to be interrupted by his stomach churning again just as they entered the Jumper bay. He barely managed to hold it in until they landed, running out the back door as quickly as he could manage before vomiting all over the floor and the tail hatch of the Jumper. "Ugh."
It didn't take them very long to get Rodney into the infirmary, and after a quick once over that was accompanied by Rodney's constant complaining, Carson informed them that there was nothing he could do.
"It's food poisoning," he said, offering a sympathetic smile to John and Rodney. "Possibly something that you didn't know you were allergic to. That would explain why I haven't heard of anyone else being affected."
"Well, aren't you going to give me something?" Rodney demanded, his arm still wrapped around his waist protectively.
He shook his head, stuffing his hands into his pockets. "Unfortunately, there's nothin' I can do, Rodney. I would suggest keepin' yourself hydrated, but the nausea and cramping will pass on their own."
"Voodoo."
"Well, now, I'll admit that the human body remains quite the mystery, but you know how I don't like you callin' my work voodoo."
"I speak the truth. You can't even tell me why I'm sick!"
"You have food poisoning."
McKay rolled his eyes, pushing himself up so he was sitting on the edge of the bed. "Yes, yes, but I knew that before I was cattle-prodded into coming in here!"
"Okay, that's enough," John said finally. "C'mon, Rodney. Bedtime, Doctor's orders."
He grumbled, not afraid to admit that he was unhappy about the situation, but he followed obediently, allowing his lover to lead him out of the oppressive infirmary.
"Hey, McKay."
Both he and John stopped, turning back to see Ronon and Teyla approaching them. "What is it?" He asked, clearly irritated by having to stop.
"Sorry. About what I said earlier. I didn't know you were really sick."
"Yes, well, maybe next time you'll take that into account," he said, the words bitter but spoken without any real feeling.
"We hope you feel better soon, Rodney," Teyla said, smiling knowingly before patting Ronon's arm and motioning for him to follow after her. He did as he was told, trotting down the long hallway like a puppy.
Once they arrived at the room they had been sharing for the past six months, John ushered him inside and helped him to lay down on the bed before turning toward the large Ancient-style chest that they kept their clothes in.
"Don't get too comfortable, huh? I wanna get you changed outta those clothes."
"Mmph," Rodney managed, burying his face into his pillow and waving him off. "Leave me alone, I already feel like shit."
"That's why I wanna get you changed. You'll feel better, trust me."
Rodney lifted his head when he felt John toss a pair of sweats and a clean shirt onto the bed next to him. "You're a pain in the ass, you know that?"
"I don't hear you complainin' any other time," he teased, patting the younger man on the thigh. "Roll over. The sooner we get you changed the sooner you can get some rest."
Rolling over onto his back, he helped the Colonel to change his clothes before climbing under the cool sheets, burying his face in his pillow again. He felt the mattress dip as John climbed onto the bed next to him, shifting against the pillows as he tried to make himself comfortable.
"C'mere," he said, slipping his arm under McKay's head and tugging him closer until he was resting his head against his shoulder. He felt Rodney tense next to him, and almost immediately he sat up, a worried look on his face. "You okay?"
"'M fine. Go to sleep."
"Rodney, tell me what's wrong," Sheppard demanded, leaning up on one elbow and studying him.
He groaned, burrowing himself closer to John's side. "It hurts, alright? I feel sick to my stomach."
"Need to go to the bathroom?"
"No, not right now. I just want to sleep."
John remained silent, settling himself back against the pillows and allowing Rodney to settle against his chest again.
After nearly an hour of tossing and turning, he fell asleep, snoring quietly with one arm draped over John's stomach. He couldn't help but smile, ducking his head and pressing a gentle kiss into his shaggy brown hair.
"Love you, Rodney. Hope you feel better."
Sheppard hadn't been asleep long when he jerked awake suddenly, feeling a sharp pain in his side. When his eyes opened he groaned, seeing Rodney attempting to climb out of their bed while gripping his stomach, clearly trying to get into the bathroom before vomiting all over their bed.
"Rodney?"
He didn't answer as he forced himself to cross the room, nearly growling at the door to the smaller room when it didn't open fast enough for him. Stretching his arms above his head, John released a deep yawn before forcing himself up and following McKay into the bathroom. When he got inside, he frowned darkly, hating the sight of him gripping the toilet seat so tightly that his knuckles were turning white.
Dropping to his knees behind him, he ran a gentle hand over his back, the other reaching up to the small sink and dampening a washcloth before handing it to him. "Feelin' any better?"
"No, not really," he managed, leaning back against John's firm chest. "And... 'm startin' to get a little lightheaded."
"You should probably eat somethin'."
"I don't think I can just yet," he admitted, allowing John to hold him.
Sheppard nodded, dropping his head to Rodney's shoulder. "What about some water?" He asked, pushing himself and his lover up from the cool stone floor.
"I'll try," he said, moving to sit at the end of the bed while John got him a bottle of water.
"Take little sips."
Rodney waved him off, taking a sip of the water and groaning appreciatively. He drank nearly half of the bottle, and just as John was about to suggest that he lay back down, he jumped up and ran back to the bathroom, barely making it to the toilet before vomiting all the water he had just finished.
Sheppard frowned darkly, watching from the doorway for a moment as he started dry heaving uncontrollably despite having nothing in his stomach to bring up.
Moving into the bathroom, he knelt beside him again, running a hand through his hair. "C'mon, need some help gettin' up?"
"No, I'm fine," he managed, leaning back and shrugging John's hand off. "I just wanna go to sleep."
"We need to go to the infirmary, Rodney. You're gonna get dehydrated if you keep pukin' every time you take a drink."
John was surprised that he didn't even complain, instead letting him lead the way down the long, quiet hallways to the infirmary. When the doors slid open in front of them, they made their way inside, finding Carson easily despite the late hour.
"Hey, Doc. Didn't expect you to be in here this late," John said, helping Rodney onto one of the exam tables before easing him back so he was laying down.
"Aye, well, you two are up late as well."
"He's still pukin', and I'm afraid that he's gonna get dehydrated."
Carson nodded, stepping up to the scientist and running his scanning wand over his head quickly. "That is a valid concern whenever you vomit excessively. You haven't been able to keep any water down, Rodney?"
McKay shook his head, touching his own forehead after the doctor removed the small wand. "I don't have a fever, do I?"
"No, no. Just checkin' though," he smiled, crossing his arms over his chest as he regarded him. "I'm going to give you an IV, to keep you hydrated until you stop vomiting, alright?"
Rodney moved to protest, but only managed to upset his stomach again, causing him to dry heave over the side of the bed. John stayed at his side, rubbing his back until he calmed down, the whole time sending a clear look of concern at the doctor. He nodded his consent and Beckett left the small curtained area, returning a few moments later with IV tubing and a bag of saline.
After getting him set up, he offered the couple a reassuring smile, patting Rodney on the arm. "Well, I think I am off to bed, lads. Perhaps you should get some rest as well, Colonel."
"Nope," John said, dropping into the uncomfortable chair next to the bed. "I'm stayin' right here."
"John--"
He silenced his unvoiced complaints, giving the doctor a smile. "Night, Doc. We'll see you in the morning."
The Next Morning
"God damn these chairs are uncomfortable."
"No one forced you to stay the whole night, John, so you can quit complaining anytime," Rodney whined, rolling his eyes as he shifted on the chair he was sitting in.
John scoffed, offering McKay a cocky grin. "Wasn't gonna leave you here alone all night."
"Good to see you boys are gettin' along," Carson grinned, pulling back the curtain and stepping closer to the bed. "How're you feelin' Rodney?"
"I'd feel much better if Colonel Cranky-Pants over here would quit whining about the uncomfortable state of your chairs. I didn't complain when I sat in here for nearly two days when he was sick, did I?"
"Yeah, yeah. You're a better person than I am, McKay, you've made that clear. Now answer the man's question. Honestly."
He narrowed his eyes at Sheppard before turning his attention back to Carson. "My stomach's still cramping a little, but other than that I feel fine. Much better than yesterday, anyway."
"That is very good to hear," he beamed, checking Rodney's chart quickly on the little pad he carried with him. "Well, as long as you promise to try and eat somethin' after you leave here, I don't see why you can't go back to your own quarters."
"Kicking me out, Carson?"
"Aye, while Colonel Sheppard is a particular pain of a patient, you do have quite a way of getting to my colleagues."
"Thanks for that, Doc," John said, a smirk crossing his lips.
"I only speak the truth," he teased, patting Rodney on the shoulder. "I hope that you are feelin' much better by the next time I see you."
"Thanks, Carson."
"Aye, it wasn't a problem," stepping back, he watched as John helped McKay off of the bed and out the door before smiling, shaking his head at them as they left.
45 Minutes Later
"Feelin' better now?"
McKay glanced over at John as they made their way from the mess hall to their room, offering him a crooked smile. "Yeah, I do. Ready to get some quality sleep."
"Good thing I told Elizabeth we were takin' the day off then, huh?" He teased, moving closer and dropping a soft kiss to his lips as they reached their door. It slid open automatically, much to Rodney's irritation, and they stepped inside, allowing the door to close behind them.
Rodney crossed the room and dropped onto his side of the bed, closing his eyes as John rummaged through their clothes chest. "You know, I really hate how you make this city work."
"Yeah, I know," he grinned, peeking at the younger man over his shoulder. "You've told me on multiple occasions."
"Such a whore." Rodney added, shaking his head. "Such a whore. I mean...it's ridiculous!"
Sheppard blocked out the rest of his rant, tugging his t-shirt over his head before moving over to the bed and climbing onto it, straddling Rodney's hips. "You know what?" He asked, effectively interrupting him.
His eyes flew open before they narrowed slightly, a small smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "What?"
"I'd give up makin' the city work, as long as I can keep the way I make you work," he smirked, waggling his eyebrows.
"I hate that too, you know."
John rolled his eyes, moving off of him and settling next to him. "No you don't, you'd just like me to think you do."
"Yes, you cocky bastard. Yes I do," Rodney conceded, rolling onto his side and allowing John to pull him closer.
He simply chuckled, dropping a kiss to his lips before laying back against the pillows. "Get some sleep, Mr. Genius. Maybe you can check if my gene still works later."
McKay smiled, resting his head on John's shoulder, happy to have the closeness between them. They remained silent for a few minutes, and it wasn't until he heard Sheppard's breathing start to deepen that he spoke again.
"I love you, John."
A wide smile crossed his face, his hazel eyes opening slightly to look down at him. "I love you too, Rodney. Goodnight."