Feeling Your Way
Sheppard's heart was pounding. He rested his head against Teyla's breast and waited for the world to come back into focus. He chuckled. The quiet and restrained Ms. Emmagan became very vocal while making love. He wouldn't be surprised if they had heard her on the mainland. Placing his weight on his forearms, he looked at her. She lay with her eyes closed against the soft morning light. A fine sheen of sweat covered her face and upper torso. She was beautiful. Sheppard leaned down and kissed her, but pulled away when he felt his self getting excited again. He eased her thigh from around his hip and lay beside her, pulling her close. Sheppard sighed. He still couldn't believe that she had given herself to him. He'd known that eventually their relationship would develop physically, but he'd thought it would take sometime. Even now, he was afraid he'd wake up to find that it was all a dream. Last night Teyla had taken him completely by surprise. It was her birthday but he was the one who had received a gift. A precious one, that couldn't be returned or taken away.
Dr. McKay glanced at his watch. Nine o'clock. He should be awake by now. McKay himself had woken earlier that morning. His mind kept replaying the kiss that he'd shared with Elizabeth. I like you too, Rodney. He smiled. Last night he'd made the decision to do something nice for Elizabeth, something really romantic. The problem was he wasn't too great in the romance department. So he decided to go visit the resident Don Juan for a little advice.
Sheppard was just starting to doze off when the door chimed. Disentangling himself from Teyla, he eased out of bed, grabbed some clothes, and hurried to the door. McKay was reaching up to hit the button again when he stepped into the corridor, letting the door shut behind him.
"Yeah?"
McKay watched as he slipped on his tee-shirt.
"Did you just wake up?"
"About an hour ago. Why?"
"Nothing," he hesitated, "Look, I need your advice."
Sheppard's eyebrows rose.
"Did the world come to an end and nobody bothered to tell me?"
"Ha, ha, very funny, Major."
McKay took a quick glance around.
"Can I speak to you in private?"
Sheppard shifted his weight blocking the door.
"Now isn't a really good time."
"What's wrong? You act as if -."
McKay reassessed his appearance.
"Do you have a woman in there?"
Sheppard crossed his arms.
"Do you want my advice?"
McKay grinned.
"Is it your dream girl?"
"McKay."
"Oh, all right." he frowned, "If I wanted to do something romantic for a woman, not too over the top mind you, what should I do?"
Sheppard shrugged.
"Depends."
"On what?"
He gave McKay one of his 'what are you stupid' looks.
"The woman."
"What does that matter?"
Sheppard sighed, for a moment he'd forgotten that he was talking to a scientist.
"Look Rodney, let's make this a little easier. Are we talking about Elizabeth?"
McKay quickly looked up and down the corridor, it was empty.
"Yes."
Sheppard smirked.
"Finally stepping up to bat are we?"
McKay glared.
"Look, Elizabeth spends all of her time cooped up in that office."
"Yeah."
"So get her out of the office."
"Okay, how?"
Sheppard rolled his eyes.
"Take her on a picnic."
"A picnic?"
"A picnic."
McKay frowned.
"What is it with you and picnics? Remember that Ancient lady. What was her name? Maya, Faya, Cha-?"
"Goodbye Rodney."
McKay stared at the closed door. A picnic, I could have thought of that on my own. He turned and continued down the corridor. A picnic. Picnic. What do you take on a picnic?
Dr. Weir sighed, she'd been reading the science report on some new device for the last ten minutes and was still on page one. She couldn't concentrate. Leaning back in her chair she glanced at the pile of unread reports sitting on the edge of her desk. There had to be at least twelve of them. She realized she needed a little break, something to take her mind off of work for a little while, to help her focus. Weir pushed back from her desk and stood just as Dr. McKay walked into the room.
"Good morning," she smiled.
"Morning."
McKay stood for a moment starring at her. God, she was beautiful.
"Can I help you Rodney?"
"Ah, yes." He rubbed his hands together nervously, "What are your plans for today?"
"Well, I was hoping to catch up on some reading," she gestured to the files on her desk. "Then I have to see Dr. Beckett to discuss the matter of our medical supplies. I have a meeting with Sgt. Bates to go over his weekly security report and I have to finish my weekly operational status report. Why?"
McKay's face fell.
"Okay so maybe I asked the wrong question. What would you like to do today?"
"I'd like to do nothing, absolutely nothing all day long, but I don't see that happening anytime in the near future."
"Well how about a compromise?"
Her brow knitted.
"A compromise?"
"Yes. You talk to Dr. Beckett and Sgt. Bates and catch up on your reading until lunch."
"What happens at lunch?"
He smiled.
"A picnic."
"Rodney, that's really sweet, but…." But what? Not two seconds before he walked through the door she'd just admitted to herself that she'd needed a break. So why not take one? She looked at McKay and saw the hope in his eyes. How often was she going to be invited to a picnic? After all, this was Rodney. The fact that he'd thought to go on a picnic at all was in itself a miracle. But then, he'd given her a few surprises lately.
"Okay, what time?"
"Twelve thirty, one at the latest."
"It's a date."
He smiled.
"A date."
Sheppard watched Teyla sleep. He'd given up trying to read 'War and Peace' when he realized he'd been staring at the same page for nearly twenty minutes and couldn't remember what he'd read. He'd been a bit distracted. Teyla was snuggled against his side, he could feel the imprint of her breasts and the weight of her thigh. Even though he lay on top and she under, just knowing she was naked beneath the sheet was teasing his imagination. It would be so easy for him to-. The door chimed. Knowing who it was Sheppard shot out of the bed. I'm going to kill him. As the door slid closed behind him he glared at McKay.
"What do you want?"
McKay ignored the glare.
"What do you take on a picnic?"
"Food Rodney."
McKay smiled.
"You can continue being cryptic and we can stand out here all day while I drill you with questions. Or you can tell me and I'll leave you alone."
Sheppard sighed. One of these days…
"Meat, cheese, fruit, vegetables, drinks, plates, napkins, utensils, and a blanket. All of these things are placed in a basket, which you carry. You lay it out, you clean it up. Got it?"
"Got it."
Sheppard turned to leave.
"Hey, where should we go?"
Sheppard smiled.
"To hell for all I care."
At twelve forty-nine McKay returned the Weir's office. He waited outside the door while she finished her discussion with Sgt. Bates. When he turned and exited the office McKay stopped him.
"Yes Doctor?"
"You've explored a lot of Atlantis. Where would you say is its best scenic view?"
"The southwest pier."
"Thank you Sgt Bates."
"You're welcome."
Weir stepped out of her office a moment later.
"Are we ready?" McKay asked. She glanced at his empty hands.
"I am, but it looks like you forgot a little something."
He raised a brow in question.
"The basket."
"Oh, we're going to swing by the mess hall and pick it up on the way."
"Ah." Together they turned and continued down the corridor.
Sheppard sat at the table. He'd decided to put a little space between himself and his temptation; letting Teyla get the rest that she obviously needed. He wanted to touch her, wanted to make love to her, but he wouldn't, and it was driving him crazy. Every time he looked at her he felt a wave of possessiveness so strong that he had to grit his teeth to hold it at bay. He wanted to brand her, mark her in some way to let the whole world know that she belonged to him. But he couldn't, not yet. Sheppard was so deep in thought that it took a moment for him to realize that the door chime had sounded. Dammit Rodney!
The door slide open.
"What?"
Sgt. Bates stepped back in surprise. Sheppard sighed.
"Sorry Bates, I thought you were McKay."
He nodded.
"Sir, Dr. Weir asked that I inform you that she would be out of the immediate area. She will be on radio contact, but if something should arise that requires immediate action, we're to come to you."
"Thank you Sgt."
Bates opened his mouth as if to say more.
"Is there anything else?"
He shook his head.
"No sir."
Sheppard narrowed his eyes.
"Then good day."
"Sir."
Sgt. Bates turned and walked down the corridor. Sheppard watched him go. What the hell was that about? Shaking his head, he went back into his room.
Weir leaned back on her elbows and looked at the sky. It was a beautiful day. Warm, but not too hot with a soft breeze every now and then. The sky, a rich blue, was cluttered with fat, fluffy white clouds. She glanced up at the towers of Atlantis, stretching towards the sun; its shine reflecting off of the metallic walls. She was still in awe of the city's beauty. Every once in a while she would get so caught up in her work that she would forget only to turn around and find something spectacular. She smiled. Atlantis reminded her of a woman; beautiful, patient, strong, and very complicated. Maybe that's why she loved the city so much, she considered her a friend. Weir looked at her companion. Rodney knelt beside her putting away the remainder of their lunch. The man really was full of surprises today; first inviting her to lunch, then presenting her with a bottle of wine. It was amazing what the people of Atlantis could come up with when they wanted something. She was pleased though, that he'd gone out of his way to make her feel special. She chuckled.
McKay glanced at her.
"What's so funny?"
"This, you, it was happy laughter. I really appreciate this Rodney. I didn't realize how badly I needed it. Thank you."
"You're very welcome."
McKay had repacked everything except the bottle of wine and two glasses. He moved the basket to one of the far corners of the blanket, then turned and sat down.
"What would you like to do now?"
"Talk."
"About what?"
"About us."
McKay looked at Weir a bit nervously.
"Us?"
"Yes."
"What about us?"
She sighed.
"Rodney, I need to know whether or not you want to date me."
She turned to him.
"I didn't plan on being so blunt, but the fact of the matter is that I'm your boss, and I can't afford to go around flirting with the idea of dating someone who works closely with me. I need to know whether or not you're seriously considering a relationship with me. Either way I'll understand."
Well, so much for taking it slow.
McKay looked out at the ocean and tried to gather his thoughts. He wanted to say something nice, something for them to look back on with fond memories. He leaned back on his elbows and turned to Elizabeth, gazing into her eyes. And simply said what was in his heart.
"Yes."
She smiled and leaned over to give Rodney a kiss. Her lips had just brushed his when he pulled back.
"So does this mean we're officially dating?"
She sighed.
"Yes Rodney it does. Now, kiss me." She didn't have to tell him twice.
Sheppard stood looking out of the window, reflecting over the events of the past month. One accident had changed his life forever. If it had never happened he would be alone in this room right now, still denying the feelings that he felt for Teyla. They would be friends, not lovers, close, but nowhere near the closeness that they now enjoyed. He closed his eyes and sighed. Luck was on his side. It didn't always answer when he needed it to, but it made up for it in amazing ways. It was luck that got him into the Air Force, when he would have rebelled against his father, it was luck that brought him to Atlantis, when his life needed direction, and it was luck who helped him realize that happiness was right in front of him, all he had to do was reach out and grab it before it was too late. Sheppard didn't know why Teyla chose him as a mate. The fact that she had was a humbling experience. He only knew that he was grateful to have her and had no intention of letting her go. Ever.
The End
Author's Note: Don't worry. The story is over, but the relationship developments are just beginning. This story was only intended to last for the duration of Teyla's convalescence. Its purpose was to set the foundation for how each couple started dating. More Sheyla and McWeir to follow. I promise.
Devine
P.S. Thank you for all of your reviews. They are greatly appreciated.