Chapter Text
“We can’t go on missions together anymore, Rodney,” She replied, her tone a mix of sadness a sense of being tired, as if she had already had this discussion with him. Except he didn’t remember it.
“Why?” It was the only thing he could think to ask. Sheppard would have a laugh at the idea of Rodney McKay ever being limited in his speech but he was just so surprised by her decision. He thought things were going well between them, but professionally and personally.
“Because at the end of the day,” she said looking straight at him, “I’ll still choose you over anything else.” She turned and walked away, leaving him standing there stunned. It wasn’t till Sheppard passed that he started to move. Even then it really took his name being called to get him out of his trance.
~~
He walked towards the infirmary as if on a mission, and he supposed he was. Nothing was wrong, everyone was in one piece, and for once he didn’t even have an ailment to complain about. No, his mission was of a personal nature unrelated to actual physical concerns.
When he arrived, the rest of his team were shortly behind him, though he ignored their presence and started to walk around, looking for Jennifer. Having a clue as to what he was about, they followed behind at a distance. He finally found her in the supply corner, going over the list of things they needed to order on the next Daedalus run.
“Marry Me.” He imagined he probably should have let her know he was there first, but the question just got blurted out, surprising both of them. She turned around, looking at him in surprise, not quite understanding what he had just asked. For one thing, she hadn’t been expecting him, AG-1 wasn’t expected till tomorrow. For another, it wasn’t a question she (and he if he wanted to admit it) had expected from him.
“What?”
“Marry Me. Because at the end of the day, you would be the only one I’d choose too.” After a moment taking in what he said, she looked at Sheppard, as if the team leader could explain what Rodney was on about. Whatever she saw in Sheppard's face must have reassured her that Rodney was neither possessed, under the influence or brain damaged.
“Are you serious?”
“Yes.” For once he bit back the sarcasm that came so naturally. He knew he could win or loose everything in the next few minutes and the sarcasm would probably not land things in his favor. He stepped closer, took her hands and pulled her closer to him. “I love you and I want to spend my hopefully incredibly long life with you.”
“That’s a little better,” she said with a smile There were tears in her eyes, and he hoped they were tears of joy and not sadness. Because joy was what he wanted. “I love you, too.”
“Was that a yes or a just a confirmation an already known fact?” She sighed and rolled her eyes, but she continued to smile as if she found his statement amusing rather then annoying.
“There’s my Rodney.” A few half concealed laughs could be heard and it was only then that he realized he had chosen a very public place to ask her, and that he could be rejected in front of quite a few people. He looked around the room for a second before a gentle hand touched his check and turned his face to look down at her again.
“Yes. Rodney.” A second later his mouth was on hers, and their hands made their way around each other in an embrace that was less then innocent. They ignored the cheers around them, caught up in each other. They knew there would be things they would have to discuss. There was work, and their professional relationship would be limited as they made progress with their personal relationship. And eventually he would have to explain how he came to decide to ask her without a plan in place.
Perhaps that was why he felt so confident in doing what he had. He hadn’t needed prep time or a pro-con list. He hadn’t felt the need to over think it. He just knew he had found the woman he was meant to be with, the one who would love him enough to always choose him despite his admittedly unfavorable social characteristics.
There was a tap on his shoulder, and he turned to see Teyla standing behind him holding a pair of Athosian bracelets. It seemed like she had rushed there from somewhere else and the reason was clear as she spoke.
“I believe it is tradition on Earth to show such a bond with jewelry. It is so with Athosians as well, and I thought you could use these,” She said as she held out the bracelets. “They are Athosian boding bracelets, similar in meaning I believe to your rings.”
Rodney looked like he was about to say something but a quick look from Jennifer kept him from saying whatever he was about to, which made Teyla smile, though she would never tell him that.
“Thank you, Teyla, we appreciate it,” Jennifer said taking the bracelets.
“You are welcome. Many blessings to the both of you.” She stepped back, allowing Rodney and Jennifer to step back from one another enough so that Rodney could take a bracelet and place it on her wrist. Jennifer repeated the action on his own. The happiness in her eyes made him smile, almost feel a since of giddiness. He hadn’t thought of getting a ring, but perhaps this was better. Something that was part of their story.
Still, he would get one next time he was on earth.
The group around them started to disperse back to their duties, leaving the couple alone with congratulations and best wishes in their wake.
“You know,” she started to tease, “I would really like to go celebrate this, but I have to get back to work. I still have a few hours in my shift.” He still had a hold of her hand, his thumb running across the beadwork in the bracelet. He wondered if they had a special meaning.
“I can wait,” he finally said, his tone serious. “Are you off tomorrow?” He was pretty sure she was, and he knew he was as his team was down for a week in the mission rotation. However, Jennifer and Carson, as the CMOs, were often always on call.
“Yes,” She responded anyway. “Carson’s On Call.”
“Good, I’ll see you later.” He kissed her then started to leave, looking back once he reached the infirmary doors. She was still watching him, a smile on her face, and her hand absentmindedly touching the bracelet. He smiled at her and turned and left, starting to whistle as he started to plan a romantic day for him and Jennifer.
He wondered if Zelenka would pass out from shock when he told him he wouldn’t be visiting the lab the next day?