Series: Friends and Lovers
Author:Chaps1870
Rating: most likely NC17 eventually
Pairing: Rodney/Carson/John
Summary: The first story in the 40baisers story challenge in which I have to write to 40 different themes. The plan is to combine them into this series called Friends and Lovers.
Disclaimer: No infringement intended, only entertainment.
One Night Stand
John had been on Earth for a week now and was itching to get off base. Being cooped up in the mountain with nothing but work was not how he wanted to spend his precious Earth vacation. When he finally finished all the debriefings, reports and meetings he ditched the uniform and dressed in a pair of jeans that actually fit, his tightest black T under his leather jacket and was ready to leave.
“Major?”
Whirling around, John came face to face with McKay and corrected the slight with a grin, “Colonel.”
“What?” Rodney frowned in confusion
“It’s Colonel,” John said with a smug smile.
McKay ignored it, his hands waving, “Yes, yes, Colonel. Leave it to the military to make things difficult. It would be like me changing my name to Bill or something equally inane. What was wrong with Major?”
Scrunching his face, John retorted, “My name isn’t Major.”
“Oh right, it’s Colonel,” said Rodney, raising a brow. He emphasized, “So Colonel…” McKay paused, looking Sheppard up and down and realized he was dressed up. “Hey, are you leaving the mountain?”
“Yes. I’m going out for the night. Unlike you, I have to sleep here and staring at the same gray walls day after day is driving me crazy.”
Rodney huffed, “Don’t blame me. I offered to let you sleep at my place.”
“You already invited Carson. I didn’t want to overcrowd you.”
“Oh please, it’s not like any of us spend much time off the mountain. My apartment has plenty of room.”
Anxious to be leaving, now that he was dressed and ready to go, Sheppard sighed, “Did you actually have a reason for stopping me?”
“Right. I thought you might want to join me and Carson for supper at O’Malley’s. I asked Elizabeth but she said something about Simon,” said Rodney, his hands gestured to John’s clothes as he added, “I didn’t realize you were going out catting for the evening.” Rodney laughed and started walking the other way, “Have fun. I’m sure the women will be throwing themselves at your feet.”
“Fuck you, Rodney.” McKay took a perverse pleasure in teasing him about women and how they seemed to be drawn to him like a magnet. John called out to McKay’s retreating back, “You’re just jealous.”
Rodney waved him off without turning around and John found himself smiling despite himself. He found he’d missed interacting with McKay everyday. Being on Earth had limited their daily contact and it was just another thing that made him wish he was back home, back in Atlantis. Earth was nice and he missed a lot of what it had to offer, but Atlantis had become his home.
Speaking of Earth and what it had to offer, his steps quickened as he left the base in search of better offerings. He could have taken a base car complete with driver but that wouldn’t have played into his desire for anonymity so he’d arranged to rent a car for his short stay on Earth. It was easier than explaining himself and the rental place had a sweet Jag that suited him perfectly.
The Jag was parked in the lot per his request and he slipped into the driver’s seat, the feel of the car beneath him strange but exhilarating and after a mile or two of driving he was back to feeling normal. It wasn’t a puddlejumper but it had its own advantages.
Driving through town was an adventure in and of itself and John realized he hadn’t missed the traffic or the noise or any of it for that matter. Checking the street signs, he found what he was looking for and only found a place to park after cruising the lot a couple times. Even then it was about as far from the entrance as it could be and still be in the lot.
A quick check in the mirror and he exited the Jag, locked it up and headed into the club. He’d only been here once before, shortly before leaving for Atlantis and hoped to have as good of luck as last time. It wasn’t the best solution and not even a bright one, but damn near a year in the Pegasus Galaxy had made him desperate.
Two hours later, he left the club with a definite bounce in his step and feeling much better. He’d gotten lucky, very lucky and he had several numbers in his pocket that would take care of the remainder of his stay on Earth.
In hindsight, he should have been paying more attention to where he was going, rather than where he’d been. Almost to his car that was now practically hidden by the big SUV parked next to it he never saw them coming. It was quick and well executed, almost with military precision.
John thought oh fuck as two of them pinned him to the SUV while a third landed some nice blows to his stomach. Even tensing in anticipation didn’t stop the pain that exploded in his gut. He was kind of drifting after that, the words faggot and queer still making it into his consciousness as the three men continued their assault. After a couple more hits and a particularly nasty one to the side of his head, John let the darkness take the pain away.
********
Rodney and Carson were finishing dinner at O’Malley’s when Rodney’s cell rang. He hated leaving it on when he went to a restaurant but the SGC had provided the phones with the explicit instructions they not be shut off. Something about needing to be able to get a hold of them at all times. Rodney knew the drill. “McKay.”
The room was loud and Rodney had to put a finger in his other ear so he could hear. “What?”
“Colonel…John,” his voice was getting louder and more anxious. Carson had stopped eating and was now watching and listening to Rodney intently.
“Where are you?” The concern in Rodney’s voice was notable and he motioned to Carson that they had to go. Carson pulled out his wallet, threw enough money on the table to cover dinner and the tip and followed after Rodney, who was still talking on the phone. “Yeah, I know where it is.”
Rodney was out the door and on the way to his car as he fished his keys out of his pocket and handed them to Carson. Covering the phone, he spoke to Carson over the top of the car, “QClub. Somebody beat him up.”
Carson’s eyes went wide and he mouthed, “QClub?” Out loud he asked, “Ask how bad he’s hurt.”
Shrugging, Rodney’s attention was back on the phone, and got in the car. “How bad are you hurt?” Rodney relayed information to Dr. Beckett, “Stomach, ribs, blurry vision.”
Rodney was slammed back in his seat as Carson floored it. “Jesus Carson, are you trying to give me whiplash.” He sneered into the phone, “Oh yeah, Colonel laugh it up. Only you would find the strength to mock me with your last breath.” Realizing what he’d said Rodney winced, “Sorry. How you doing? Hang in there.” He shot a glare at Carson as he added, “The way Carson is driving we’ll be there in no time.”
“Yes, well, who knew he had it in him,” quipped Rodney, flashing Carson a smile. “Colonel? Hey…wake up! JOHN! Damn it!” Dropping the phone in his lap, Rodney leaned forward, checking out street signs. After several blocks, he pointed frantically to the right, “There, there, that’s the turn.”
Carson barely slowed as he made the turn, making Rodney grab for the dash. “What! Did you do a rotation as an ambulance driver or what?”
“Shut up, Rodney. I’m trying to get us there.” He nodded towards the phone in Rodney’s phone, “Keep trying to talk to him.”
Looking at the phone, Rodney snapped, “I think he passed out.”
“Rodney!” barked Carson, flashing him an evil glare while still trying to drive.
“Fine,” huffed Rodney, returning the phone to his ear. “Colonel…Sheppard… JOHN. Pick up the damn phone and talk to me you brainless flyboy piece of shit!” Rodney was sweating and fidgeting nervously and there was no mistaking his concern regardless of what his words said. He continued to babble nervously into the phone, “You know you fucked up my evening, don’t you. I was on my way to an evening full of sex when you had to do something stupid. What the fuck were you thinking? Of all the places you could go you had to pick QClub. Do you even know what kind of club it is or did your chick magnet go haywire, cause I can guarantee you won’t find what you’re looking for there.”
Rodney stilled and his finger went back in his ear, “Did you tell me to shut up?”
“Yes well, it woke you up didn’t it?” Carson poked him and pointed outside. Looking up, Rodney realized where they were. “Okay…we’re here. Where are you?”
Rolling his eyes, Rodney sighed, “A Jag. Of course, why didn’t I know that? You are nothing if not predictable, Colonel.” Pointing to the Northeast, Rodney told Carson, “Over there. Far end of the lot. A black Jag.”
Carson nodded and only slowed down as he neared the spot in question. As soon as Rodney spotted the Jag he was out of the car before Carson even had a chance to stop. “RODNEY! Are ya tryin’ to kill yourself. One of you at a time is enough.” Throwing the car in park, he rushed around the car to join McKay as he knelt beside John, who was leaning against the SUV looking worse for wear.
Looking up, John tried to smile, “Rodney. Carson. Thanks for coming.”
Carson did a quick check for injuries. Reaching into his pocket he pulled out a penlight and shined it in Sheppard’s eyes. “Rodney, I think you should call an ambulance. He may have a concussion,”
Rodney stared at him in disbelief at the penlight, “Don’t tell me you carry one of those with you?”
“No, Rodney. I snapped my fingers and it magically appeared.” Carson continued to exam John, but was interrupted when the Colonel grabbed his shirt in a tight fist.
“No ambulance, no hospital,” Sheppard pleaded, “Please.”
Carson was in full doctor mode. “You’re hurt, Colonel. I need to get x-rays. See if there is internal damage.”
“Nothing’s broke, just sore. Please Carson. I can’t go to the hospital.”
About to argue, Carson was cut off by Rodney who was hovering nervously, his eyes scanning the parking lot. “He’s right, Carson. He can’t go to the hospital and he can’t go back to the base.”
“What are you talking about, man? He’s hurt!”
Rodney was practically bouncing, “Damn it Carson, look around. Look where we are. Do you really think they are gonna understand why an Air Force officer is at a GAY club?”
“But he’s injured. He needs to be checked out. I can only do so much.”
Returning to Sheppard’s side, Rodney gently slipped an arm around his back. John moaned at the contact and his head lolled against Rodney’s shoulder. Rodney took a deep breath and tried to reason with the doctor, “Fine. You can do it at my place. If he gets any worse we can worry about it there. Now help me get him into the car before we make a bigger scene than we already have.”
“I need to bandage his head, Rodney. He’s bleeding,” insisted Carson.
“Do it in the car!” hissed Rodney, losing his patience with the doctor. People were mingling in the parking lot, looking their way and the longer they stayed the more likely they were to draw unwanted attention.
Through gritted teeth, Sheppard ground out as he tried on his own to get up, “You two gonna argue or help me?” His knees started to buckle and both Rodney and Carson reached out to support him.
Disgusted and outnumbered, Carson gave in, “Come on then. Let’s get you in the car and back to Rodney’s place so I can check you out thoroughly. If I find something serious you’ll be going to the hospital. Do I make myself clear, Colonel?”
“Crystal,” hissed John as they settled him in the car. “Can we go now?” He was holding his ribs as he slumped into the seat. Carson slid in beside him and Rodney hurried around the car and got in the drivers seat. The tension was very thick on the ride back to Rodney’s apartment. The only sound was Sheppard’s labored breathing and Carson’s muttered curses about bossy physicists and stupid pilots.
*****
John sat on Rodney’s couch while Carson poked and prodded, satisfied that Sheppard wasn’t seriously injured. Rodney looked on curiously, “So…you’re gay?”
“No, McKay, I wanted to risk my entire military career to see how the other half lives.”
“Well, you could have fooled me.”
“Do we have to do this right now?” sighed John.
Carson shook his head as the two men bantered with each other. He looked at John and tried to lighten his mood, “I hope at least you were coming out rather than goin’ in.”
“Why?”
“If you were comin’ out at least you got something out of it,” teased Carson. Rodney laughed.
John groaned, “Not worth it, trust me.”
Rodney peered over Carson’s shoulder at the bruising on Sheppard’s side and winced, “Somebody is going to be pissing in Technicolor.”
Snapping his head at Rodney, Carson admonished him, “Rodney!”
“What?” Rodney shrugged, “It’s the truth.”
Carson tilted his head and couldn’t suppress the small smile, “Aye, it will be a might colorful for a few days.”
John just slumped further into the couch with a moan. He was too tired and too sore to wonder why neither Carson nor Rodney was upset about his newly discovered sexual orientation.
*********
The next morning, John woke up feeling incredibly sore and opening his eyes he was surprised to see both Carson and Rodney dozing on small couch in the corner of his room. The fact that they were sprawled on top of each other, arms and legs intertwined surprised him even more. A grunt of pain as he tried to sit up woke Carson.
Lifting a still sleeping Rodney enough to slip away, Carson got up to check his patient. John raised an eyebrow, “Something you want to tell me?”
He took John’s pulse and prodded his ribs, ignoring the question “Any pain?”
John clenched his teeth, “More than there was, thank you very much.”
“Humph. I suppose telling you that you should be more careful would be a wasted effort?”
“Yeah, because I planned this, Carson,” snapped Sheppard, pushing away the doctors hands as they reached for the bandage on his brow.
Carson batted them away and continued to unwrap the wound. “I wouldn’t fight me. I can make your life miserable, Colonel.”
“More miserable than I am?” John ground out as Carson touched his tender scalp, “You’re taking this too well, Carson.”
Rodney chimed in, “And why shouldn’t he. He’s been fucking me in the ass for months now.”
John choked and started coughing. “Fuck that hurts.”
Helping John, Carson held him while he recovered from Rodney’s bluntness. “Don’t be a such cheeky bugger, Rodney. It’s not like you’re suffering any,” quipped Carson, offering a smile in return.
John shook his head, wishing he hadn’t as the pain flared. He lay back down on the bed, “Am I the only one freaked out by this?” Carson shrugged as he got up to retrieve fresh bandages.
It was Rodney that answered, “Freaked out as in you were stupid enough to go to a gay bar that is frequented by bashers or that Carson and I are fucking each other.” He added thoughtfully, his voice rising, “Personally, I’m freaked out by the fact that the man I thought as hopelessly straight is actually GAY.”
“Bi,” John corrected.
“Oh forgive me,” sneered Rodney, rising from the couch and rubbing the sleep out of his eyes. “What the hell were you doing at that club? There are better places.”
“What? You’re the expert on getting laid now. It’s not like I have a lot of choices and after a year of going without, I’m not that damn particular.”
Carson returned and began rebandaging John’s head wound, “One night stands aren’t exactly the wisest choice, Colonel. I hoped you used a condom.”
John glared at the doctor, “I’m desperate, not stupid.”
“I thought you’d be getting plenty of action from the all the princess bimbos in the Pegasus Galaxy,” said Rodney. He didn’t wait for an answer. Instead he yawned and stretched, “I need coffee.” He left without a backward glance.
Scowling, John asked Carson, “How do you put up with him?”
“I don’t. I try not to associate with him until he’s had several cups of coffee,” said Carson with a smile. “Rodney and I are not a couple, Colonel. Neither of us has time for anything so serious. We’re friends, nothing more.”
“You’re fucking each other, regularly” said John, almost wistfully, “Doesn’t that complicate things?”
Carson shook his head. “Not really. I like sex, Rodney likes sex. It’s a nice way to relieve the tension.”
John frowned, “I thought Rodney was straight. The way he moons over Carter is spooky.”
“Oh please…” said Rodney as he returned carrying three mugs of coffee, “Like she would have me. Even with my lack of social skills I’m not that stupid. Besides, she only has eyes for O’Neill.”
Scrunching his face, John closed his eyes, “I’m so confused here. Why bother if you know she doesn’t want you?”
Rodney rolled his eyes. He enunciated his words, “Because. I. Am. Gay. I work for the U.S. Military. You know the type, macho homophobic Marines that don’t need any other reason to beat the hell out of you.”
“I don’t think it’s that bad, McKay.”
“This coming from someone that has to sneak out to a gay bar to get his rocks off.” snorted Rodney. “How convincing.”
John still wasn’t getting it, “Okay, but what about Allina. You seemed interested after I told you she wanted you.”
“Oh please, do you think I’m so socially maladjusted that I don’t recognize when a woman wants me? I’m gay, Colonel, not bi. I don’t want a woman. It’s easier to play stupid than it is to end up in bed with one and not be able to get it up. It’s part of the game. I might add, one you’ve mastered rather well.”
“I’m bi, it’s really not that much of a problem,” said John, surprised that he wasn’t as embarrassed as he should be having this conversation. In all honesty, he’d never really trusted anyone to talk about it, but it was different with Rodney and Carson. Okay, it didn’t hurt that he knew they were gay. They certainly weren’t going to rat him out.
Carson asked curiously, “If you like women then why wait a year? You sounded like you weren’t getting any on Atlantis. I’m sorry, Colonel, but you don’t strike me as someone that has a hard time gettin’ a date.”
Chuckling, John answered as he sneered at McKay, “Contrary to what Rodney thinks, I’m not fucking my way across the galaxy. I have to work with the people on Atlantis. Like you, I don’t have the time or the inclination to form a serious relationship. Women get all clingy if you show any interest.”
Slapping Carson’s arm, Rodney teased, “No dinner dates any more, Carson. I found the man of my dreams.”
“You asked me, so don’t be callin’ me clingy,” joked Carson.
“Humph. Foreplay,” said Rodney, lightly.
Carson rolled his eyes, “Only you would think of food as foreplay.”
“Whatever works. Although, I did miss out on great sex because someone couldn’t keep it in his pants last night.”
John watched the two men interact and wondered how he’d missed the fact that they were together. Okay, not together per say but fucking. How do you miss that after spending a year in close quarters with both of them? Rodney was an ass to Carson and Carson did a lot of eye rolling around the man and yet they were fucking. John figured he had to be doing something wrong if Rodney could get laid and he couldn’t. Maybe the Pegasus Galaxy had some sort of warped polarity thing going and it messed with his gaydar, because watching Carson and Rodney now he shouldn’t have missed that.
He decided it was less painful if he didn’t think about it. “About last night…thanks for coming to get me. There was no way I could’ve driven myself.” He stopped and his eyes went wide. Sitting up, he ignored the scream of pain that shot through him, “Oh shit. My car. If it sits there too long they’ll try to find out whose it is. I’m so fucked.”
Sweating and hurting, John was forced back to the bed by Carson’s bulk. “Take it easy, Colonel. Rodney went back for the car last night.”
John stilled and stared at Rodney in shock, “You did?”
“Duh, genius here.” Rodney rolled his eyes and shook his head as he grabbed his empty coffee cup, “I need more coffee.” It didn’t take a genius to figure out that Rodney wasn’t comfortable showing the depth of his friendship and coffee was a good excuse to avoid John’s gratitude.
Exhausted, John slumped back on the bed with Carson’s help, “You need to rest.”
Nodding, John let his eyes close, “Thanks, Carson. For everything. Rodney too.”
Patting his shoulder, Carson smiled warmly, “Go to sleep, Colonel.”
********
Rodney was standing at the window of the conference room of the SGC, cup of coffee in hand as he watched the Gateroom comings and goings. John meandered in and slipped into the chair beside him, taking a sip of his own coffee. “I figured you’d be off harassing the new science staff.”
“Nah, after the third or forth one cries it kind of loses its affect.”
“You’re getting soft. It used to take five or six.”
“I have a regular supply of coffee again. Seems to help.” Rodney shrugged innocently, “Might be why Radek put in such a large order.”
John nodded knowingly and asked “What are you up to?”
“Killing time until the staff meeting. You?”
“Same.”
“Feeling any better?” asked Rodney quietly so as not to be overheard.
Nodding John answered, “If I don’t have to bend over or lift anything I’ll be good.”
“I hope you’ve learned a valuable lesson from this,” said Rodney, clearly amused by the whole situation.
John shot back a response, “Yeah. Next time I’ll call Carson. He’s less smug about it.”
“Asshole.” Both men could easily joke about it, because they both knew it wasn’t true. The past week had proved that even knowing what they did now, it hadn’t changed their relationship or the one with Carson. If anything it made it easier to be themselves, at least around each other.
Following Rodney’s line of sight and seeing what he was staring so intently at, John effectively cut off any further insults McKay might offer, “Whoa. Briefs.”
Rodney splattered coffee all over the window and snorted the rest up his nose. John was laughing as he patted Rodney on the back to get him breathing again. Rodney shot him a death glare, “Warn a guy next time, would you?”
Straightening, Rodney wiped his mouth then after an embarrassed look around the room, wiped the glass with his sleeve, thankful they were alone. He looked down below again, “Yep…definitely briefs.”
They stood at the window drinking coffee, only the occasional word passing between them.
“Boxers.”
“Briefs.”
“Nope. Boxers.”
“Briefs, you can see the lines.”
“Right. My mistake.”
“Boxers.”
“Yep.”
“Briefs.”
A new voice stepped behind then and whispered, “Boxers.”
Both men startled at being found out, but breathed when they recognized the voice.
“Very funny, Carson.”
Carson flashed a cheeky grin, “I thought so. What are you two delinquents up to?”
Looking at his watch, John answered, “Wasting time until the meeting. Care to join us.”
Rodney nodded to the group down below, “What’s your vote?”
Leaning closer and glancing downward, Carson asked, “Who am I voting on?”
“Jackson.”
Carson answered without pause, “Humph. That’s easy. The man goes commando.”
“No shit?” said John, staring harder at Jackson’s ass as he marched up the ramp to talk to one of the technicians.
Rodney thumped his head on the glass, “Never play this game with a doctor, he has inside information. Now I have to go all day with that image in my head. I hate you, Carson.”
“Of course you do,” laughed Carson, heading off to find a seat as others began arriving. John patted Rodney on the back and smiled as he followed after Carson. Rodney took one last look at Jackson and joined them.
Blurry
Sitting in the X302, Rodney gingerly touched his face when Sheppard turned with much effort and strain on his still healing rib to face him. John smiled, “Nice sunburn, McKay.”
Rodney looked up, aghast. “Sunburn, really? Oh my god, this is what happens when I’m forced to play the hero. I could have stayed here and faced a quick death by explosive decompression but no…now I’m going to die a slow and painful death from radiation poisoning…”
“You’re not gonna die, Rodney. It’s just a sunburn.”
“Oh sure, it starts out with a sunburn and then there are the headaches and puking and…oh my god…sterility. I could be sterile. Think of the loss to future generations if I’m unable to pass on…”
“Rodney, you’re gay. It’s really not an issue,” said Sheppard, rolling his eyes as he looked back at McKay, who was still surveying his arms and face for damage. He couldn’t help but tease. “It’s a nice shade on you.”
“Laugh it up, lobster boy,” said Rodney snidely. He smiled smugly when Sheppard touched his own red face and winced.
Looking around the empty hanger, McKay wondered out loud, slightly miffed, “I suppose they expect us to just jump down from here on our own or maybe you could have parked closer to the ladder. You’d think that at least Carson would be here to greet us.”
“It’s not like you’re going to get ‘the great to be alive’ sex here in the hanger, McKay.” quipped John as he lifted up in his seat and peered over the side of the plane. Rodney could see him pondering whether or not he could jump down without jarring his ribs enough to keep from passing out. The slight shake of John’s head let Rodney know that the Colonel still wasn’t feeling 100% after his beating back on Earth.
Rodney said smugly, “I’m rooming with him, so that’s really not an issue.”
“How did you manage that?” John asked with surprise and curiosity as he unconsciously wrapped an arm around his ribs and tried to stand in the tiny confines of the cockpit.
“Restricted space with all the new personnel. Makes sense for two senior officers to share a room.”
“How convenient,” John chuckled.
Rodney countered, “And keep your hands off, Major. I’ve got dibs on him.”
Standing up now, John corrected him with a wry grin, “Colonel. I thought you weren’t a couple. Can’t stand a little competition, McKay?”
“No,” said Rodney sullenly, before adding with his usual bluster, “I’m under no illusion that I’m god’s gift to women… or men in this case. Against the all-American flyboy, rakish hair thing you have going I’m hopelessly out of the running for sex god of the Pegasus galaxy. So I’d rather you didn’t mess with my one and only chance at getting laid. Go find your own.”
Scrunching his face, Sheppard answered with his own sarcasm, “Geez. If this is you with regular sex, I’d hate to see you have to do without.”
“Fuck you,” sneered Rodney, pushing the seatbelts out of the way enough to squirm out of his seat and stand up. He wasn’t angry, not really. It was just the way of things between them.
“No thanks,” retorted Sheppard. Scratching the back of his neck, he looked thoughtful for a second and added nonchalantly, “I could do with a blowjob though.” Sheppard turned towards the door of the hanger as voices approached.
Rodney gaped at Sheppard’s back, unsure what to make of his comment. People entering the hanger caught his attention and thankful for the interruption, blurted a response, “Oh look our welcoming committee. If we were hoping for immediate medical attention we’d be dead men.”
John shook his head, “I think you’ll live.” Reaching out he brushed Rodney’s shoulder. “I’m sure the hair loss is temporary.”
Rodney’s eyes darted to his shoulder and he touched his hair, panic setting in until he saw the smirk on Sheppard’s face. “Oh that’s just hilarious. Your humor slays me.”
His train of thought was lost in the crowd that surrounded him and the Colonel. The surprised expressions reminded him of his sunburn and his paranoia took precedence over anything else. Sheppard continued to taunt him, but that was normal and Rodney took comfort in his presence as they were whisked away to the infirmary.
*************
Carson woke to the sound of Rodney throwing up and stumbled out of bed, his eyes blurry with sleep. Rushing to his side he knelt down. “How are you doing?”
Rodney looked at him through wet eyes and said sardonically, “I’m puking. How do you think I’m doing?” At that moment his stomach lurched again, but thankfully nothing else came of it and he was able to relax. He weakly gestured to the intercom, “You should check on Sheppard.”
Nodding, Carson rose with a gentle pat on Rodney’s shoulder, “Aye, I’ll be right back then.”
Rodney slowly got to his feet and rested his elbows on the sink. Cupping his hands under the running water, he doused his face and grabbed blindly for a towel only to have it drop into his hand. He muttered to Carson and dabbed his face, “Thanks.”
Standing up, he noted the worry on Carson’s face, “I’m fine. Just a little sick to my stomach.”
“You do know it’s the radiation. It’s why I wanted you and the Colonel to stay in the infirmary,” said Carson, his ire coming through despite his concern.
Rodney changed the subject, “How’s Sheppard?”
“I don’t know yet. I sent someone to check on him. He’s worse than you when it comes to being sick.”
Rolling his eyes, Rodney tried crawling back into bed only to have Carson pull him upright. “No you don’t. We’re going to the infirmary where you should have been all along,” insisted Carson, his hand firm on Rodney’s arm.
Shrugging from his grasp, Rodney whined, “I just want to sleep. Surely I don’t need a horde of overbearing power hungry nurses to watch me do that. I’m fine right here.”
“Ach, what am I goin’ to do with you?” He glared at Rodney, “I need to go check on the Colonel. I’ll be back. If you’re still feelin’ puny I’ll be takin’ you to the infirmary.” His tone left no room for argument.
Rodney nodded as he slumped into bed, muttering, “Speaking of overbearing, power…”
Carson shook his head and left for the infirmary. Upon entering, he found the senior doctor arguing over the intercom with Colonel Sheppard. Stepping near, he gestured to the man to let him try and his finger replaced the doctor’s on the intercom, “Colonel.”
Sheppard’s voice answered, “Hey, Doc.”
There was a tinge of weariness in the colonel’s voice and Carson was immediately concerned, “How are you feeling, Colonel? Any nausea or headaches?”
“I’m fine,” drawled John, totally unconvincing.
“Aye, you and Rodney are two peas in a pod.” Carson knew there was no way of getting either man to the infirmary short of dragging them. His head dropped tiredly, “I’d like to check you out, Colonel. I’ll be there shortly.”
“You don’t have to do that, Carson. I’m fine, really.”
“Aye, and I’d be believin’ you too. Beckett out,” said Carson and he released the button. Turning to the night staff, he sighed, “I’ll be needin’ a few supplies. They’re both daft if they think they can avoid me just by avoidin’ the infirmary.”
Ten minutes later, Carson knelt at John’s side, holding a damp, cool cloth to his neck. “So you’re fine?” said Carson smugly.
Sheppard glared at him out of the corner of his eye and snarled, “I was.” He got to his feet and rinsed his mouth with the cup of water Carson offered.
Carson shook his head, knowingly. “I told you both that the symptoms of radiation poisoning don’t always show up right away. It can take anywhere from one to six hours.” Noting the lines in John’s forehead, Carson asked, “Do you want somethin’ for the headache?”
Sighing, Sheppard relented as he rubbed the back of his neck and nodded, “I’m not going to the infirmary.”
Handing him a couple of tablets, Carson shook his head in frustration. “You’re sick, Colonel and there’s a chance it’ll get worse before it gets better.”
“There’s also a chance that it won’t,” said John, stubbornly.
Tucking a hand under John’s elbow, Carson helped him to his feet. He said with exasperation, “Come on then. It’ll be easier on me if you and Rodney are in the same place. You’re both a couple of bloody fools and I’ll tell you what I told him. It gets any worse and I’ll make it an order. Do you understand, Colonel?”
Carson’s tone left little no choices and John nodded shyly, “Gotcha.” Being manhandled to the door, John stopped abruptly and pulled from the doctor’s grasp. “You don’t mind if I put some clothes on first do you?” He motioned to his t-shirt and boxers.
“You can put on a robe. You’ll be goin’ right back to bed,” ordered Carson.
The Colonel tried to balk, but Carson noted the paleness in face and took matters in his own hands. Grabbing the robe, he handed it to Sheppard. “If you throw up in the hall, I can guarantee a trip to the infirmary, Colonel.”
Carson knew he had the upper hand. Neither John nor Rodney would admit they didn’t want to stay in the infirmary with strangers looking after them, but Carson knew that was the main reason for their stubbornness. Normally he’d demand they stay but it wouldn’t be fair to subject the medical staff to either man under ideal circumstances. The two of them bored and restless would come to no good, so it was in everyone’s best interest to look after them himself.
Sheppard snatched the robe. “People are wrong about you, you know that?” he said as he looked over his shoulder. Carson frowned and John sneered, “You are not the mild-mannered doctor they think you are.”
Smiling, Carson stepped closer to John, there if needed as he teased, “Aye, but only my worst patients know that.”
“Hmph.” John reluctantly let himself be herded to Rodney’s quarters, pouting the whole way. “I want a shower.”
“You need to rest, Colonel,” said Carson, rolling his eyes at the man’s stubbornness.
John continued to sulk as they entered Rodney’s quarters, “I feel grungy and want a shower.”
Glancing at Rodney, who lay sound asleep, snoring lightly, Carson said quietly so as not to rouse his roommate, “I’d rather you didn’t. You’re barely awake and I don’t want you hurting yourself.”
The robe dropped to the floor as John ignored him on the way to the bathroom. He spoke over his shoulder with resolve, “I’m taking a shower but you’re welcome to join me.”
Carson swallowed hard, diverting his eyes from Sheppard’s chest to just above his shoulder and said bravely, “If you think embarassin’ me is the way to go, you’ve another thing to learn, Colonel.” He followed after John, taking a seat just outside the bathroom door. “Leave the door open. I’ll be right here, so don’t be dragging it out.”
John glanced at Carson as he turned on the shower and finished undressing. Stepping into the shower after testing the water, John countered with a wry grin, “Funny, you didn’t strike me as the voyeur type, Doc?”
Having seen the Colonel naked during his tenure as doctor, Carson shouldn’t have been affected by Sheppard’s nudity but watching the man rub his long lean muscles with a soapy rag was doing more then making him red in the face. Carson’s eyes darted away from the scene to where Rodney lay in bed and he sighed. What was he thinking bringing brought the colonel to their room when he could have had unlimited sex for the next three days. Well, maybe not considering their present condition, but Carson didn’t think it would last long. After their earlier sickness, both men appeared to doing much better. If their luck held that would be the extent of damages from the radiation exposure. They might be a little more tired for the next few days but even that was an acceptable outcome, considering the alternative.
Eyes closed, lost in thought, Carson shook himself before the worst case scenarios could linger in his mind. Opening his eyes, he found John standing in front of him, a towel hanging loosely at his hips. He averted his eyes upward and found concerned eyes staring back at him, “You okay, Carson?”
Nodding, Carson bustled to the dresser and scrounged for a clean set of clothes for the colonel. Pulling out boxers and a T-shirt he handed them off, “Here. You probably prefer something clean after your shower.”
John took them and let the towel fall to the floor as he changed, totally unaffected by Carson’s presence. Shaking his head, Carson wondered if the man had a modest bone in his body. Although, if he looked as good as John did, Carson probably wouldn’t be modest either. Helping John into the top bunk was easy enough given his lean frame and the colonel flopped onto his side, grinning at Carson who was covering him up, “What, no bedtime kiss?”
“Cheeky bastard.” Rolling his eyes, Carson turned away, his shoulders slumping slightly when he realized he’d be spending the night in the only chair in the room.
The colonel must have noticed. “I can go to my own room, Carson. I’m fine. No reason you should have to go without sleep.”
Carson shrugged, “It isn’t the first time I’ve spent the night in a chair. I doubt it’ll be the last knowin’ the two of you as I do.”
“Why don’t you lay down with Rodney?”
“I’m goin’ to assume you’ve never slept with Rodney if you can suggest that,” said Carson, smiling.
John choked on a breath and wheezed, “No, no I haven’t.”
Chuckling, Carson folded his arms across his chest and tried to make himself comfortable. “You wouldn’t think so but Rodney is a very touchy person.”
Snorting in disbelief, John frowned, “Rodney?”
“Aye,” nodded Carson, his smile fading a bit as he added, “He’s very sensitive to contact and even his shirts bother him at times.” Noting the redness in John’s face, Carson deduced the reason and chuckled, “As I’m sure you’ve noticed.”
“How can you not notice something like that? They just poke out at you, demanding attention.”
“They do at that, don’t they?” laughed Carson, remembering fondly the first time he’d discovered just how sensitive to touch Rodney really was. While Rodney remained aloof to people in public, behind closed doors he craved and often begged for Carson to touch him. It was one of the things he loved about Rodney. Carson felt the redness creep into his face at the unbidden thought and bit his tongue, slightly embarrassed that he might reveal more than he wanted to.
When Carson finally lifted his head, John was eyeing him warily. “Lost in thought, Carson?”
“Aye, something like that.” Thankful for the easy out, Carson changed the subject. “You should get some sleep.”
Sinking into the bed, John nodded, “Yeah, I could use…” his voice drifted off into sleep.
Carson sighed and shifted in his chair trying to find a comfortable position, knowing it wasn’t likely. He eventually gave up and let his eyes close and his mind wander.
He had tried very hard not to let Rodney in but as time passed it had become more difficult to remain detached. While others might detest the arrogant and often times pissy scientist, Carson had seen past the surface to the man beneath and had been helplessly drawn into Rodney’s need for human contact.
While Rodney might claim it was only sex between them, Carson suspected it was more a case of Rodney fearing that he might lose what he craved so much if he voiced the need out loud. More often than not, it was Rodney who came to Carson looking for attention. Not that Carson minded. It had been a very long time since he’d been getting sex on a regular basis. Ironically, Rodney was so insatiable that there were times when he wanted to say no, but couldn’t find it in himself to hurt Rodney by doing so.
Carson must have dosed off because the next time he woke it was with Rodney kneeling on the floor between his outstretched legs. Hands roamed his legs and thighs and Rodney was inches away from mouthing Carson’s cock through his pants. Jerking upright he tried to push Rodney away as he hissed in a whisper, “Rodney, we can’t. The colonel…” Rodney ignored him, his fingers finding the button on Carson’s pants with practiced ease. Carson sucked in a sharp breath, his hands shaking as he tried to push Rodney back. “We’re not alone…John, is up there.” Carson nodded towards the upper bunk.
Following Carson’s gaze, Rodney’s eyes widened briefly. He turned back to Carson and said very quietly, his eyes shining with more than mirth, “I can be quiet if you can.”
Carson’s head fell back on to the chair and he sighed desperately, “Oh god, Rodney. I can’t.”
Persistent hands and fingers were removing his pants before Carson could mount a reasonable response. In the next instant, Carson forgot about anything but the exquisitely warm mouth surrounding his cock.
******
John cracked an eye open and pulled an arm out to read his watch. Damn, it was five o’clock. He knew he should get up but yesterday’s events were still dragging him down and he sank back under the covers, only to realize he wasn’t in his own bed. Not only that, there were strange, familiar noises filling the room. Sloppy, sex noises. Nudging closer to the edge of the bed, he opened his eyes and bit his lip to keep from moaning at the sight below him. Carson was sitting in a chair, head lolled back, while Rodney was sucking him off and finger fucking him at the same time.
Blood that at first suffused his face, rushed south and John shifted to accommodate his growing erection. He should close his eyes, give them some privacy, but it was so damn hot there was no way he could avert his eyes. Hell, he was afraid to even blink at the moment. Carson’s breathing was erratic as Rodney took him deep in his throat, his fingers thrusting in time to his mouth. His free hand was up under Carson’s shirt and judging from the doctor’s twitching, John was pretty sure Rodney was doing a number on Carson’s nipples. His hips jerking involuntarily, John took a slow breath to calm his own breathing even as Carson opened his mouth for a last gasp of air and came down Rodney’s throat.
John watched as Rodney took every drop, never missing a beat as his fingers continued to stroke Carson’s ass with slower and slower thrusts. Rodney looked at Carson with desire in his eyes and begged softly, “I want in you.”
Looking at Rodney through half lidded eyes, Carson’s accent was thick as he drawled in a half strangled whisper, “We can’t.”
“Don’t stop,” thinks John. Both men’s heads jerk his way before John realized he’d said it out loud. John held his breath, fear racing through his veins at being caught.
Carson was too shocked to move but Rodney obviously took it as consent and dragged Carson from the chair, pulling free of his boxers at the same time. Any protests Carson tried to make died off when Rodney lowered him onto his blood red erection. Seeing Rodney on his knees with Carson backing onto his dick ranked up there with the hottest thing John had ever seen and his hand snaked under his hips to his own throbbing cock. Gripping the base in a firm grasp, John closed his eyes tightly, praying he wouldn’t come before this played out.
Sitting in Rodney’s lap, his dick buried in his ass, Carson was holding onto the chair for support as Rodney’s arm circled his waist for a better grip. Holding him close, Rodney was muttering softly in Carson’s ear as he pushed his hips upward with slow, deep thrusts. John didn’t think he was supposed to hear but the words drifted to his ears as loud as if they’d been screamed, “God Carson, he’s watching me fuck you.”
“Harder.” Carson moaned and his grip on the chair tightened as Rodney pulled almost all the way out and slammed back into his ass.
Leaning over Carson’s back, Rodney continued to whisper in a husky voice, “You’d look so hot fucking him. Thrusting in and out of his tight, skinny ass. Would you fuck him for me? Fill his ass, so I could take him all wet and ready.”
Carson keened loudly and tried to move his hand off the chair but Rodney’s thrusts threatened to unbalance him and John watched as Carson dropped his head and began pushing back to meet Rodney thrust for thrust. The room filled with the sound of flesh slapping flesh and John’s hand moved faster on his aching length as his hips bucked into his fist. Christ, he wasn’t gonna last much longer.
Rodney was getting closer judging by his motions, the arm around Carson’s waist tightening as he pounded Carson’s ass. His free hand snaked around to Carson’s chest, roaming over his nipples for several powerful thrusts before drifting lower. John knew when Rodney found his target. Carson’s back arched sharply as he shuddered uncontrollably.
Pumping into Carson’s ass while his hand stroked Carson, Rodney cried out, “Yes, oh god Carson, come for me.” John watched Carson come on command and followed, his eyes clenching tight at the force behind his own orgasm, Rodney’s voice making him come harder than he ever had in his life. Rodney hissed between thrusts, grunting with each one, “Fuck yeah, oh godohgodohgod. So fucking tight. Coming…. nowwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww!”
When the trembling subsided and he was finally able to open his eyes, John’s head lulled towards the edge of the bed and he peered at Carson and Rodney where they lay slumped on the floor, a mass of arms and legs but looking totally debauched. Rodney was covered in sweat, breathing evenly and John realized he’d passed out. Carson was trying to wake him with a shaky hand. “Come on, luv. Wake up.”
Swatting weakly at the hand, Rodney muttered, “Go ‘way. I’m dead.”
Carson grabbed his boxers and wiped some of the sweat from Rodney’s back before cleaning up his own mess. Rodney finally made some effort to move and shifted back until he was leaning against the bed. He risked a look up at John. John winced and tried to smile , “That was strange.”
“Strange as in weird, out of the ordinary or strange as in ‘who knew you were such a kinky bastard’?”
“Kettle black, McKay. You just came so hard you passed out and Carson just came twice in the time it takes to blink. Who’s calling who kinky?”
Carson snagged a clean pair of boxers and crawled into the bed behind Rodney. “Man has a point,” said Carson in a tired, totally sated voice. “Night.”
Rodney looked at him sharply, “Hey, that’s my bed.”
“Aye. I need my rest after that.”
Crossing his arms and pouting, Rodney groused from where he sat on the floor, “Oh that is so unfair. You were sitting there just begging to be fucked.”
“I was sleepin’, Rodney,” mumbled Carson, already half asleep.
John was hanging over the bed, listening to the conversation and smiling down at his two friends. Rodney looked up at that instant and caught him, “What? I didn’t see you complaining either.”
“Nope. No complaints here,” drawled John, flopping back on the bed, his arm under his head.
Silence followed for a very long time and John thought maybe Rodney had fallen asleep when a put upon sigh filled the room. Leaning over the bed, John countered quickly, “You are not sleeping with me, so forget it.”
“Fine,” huffed Rodney, lurching to his feet to grab his own clean pair of boxers. Returning to Carson’s bed, he nudged the doctor, “Scoot over or I’ll make your life miserable for weeks to come.”
“Bastard,” muttered Carson, scooting nonetheless, letting Rodney spoon behind him.
John listened to Rodney complain about the small bed and Carson mutter incoherently until all that was left was the sound of sleep. Rolling to his side, John closed his eyes and let his mind drift to the odd turn of events.
His whole world of nonchalance had been turned upside down after discovering his friends were gay. Before he could put it aside and forget they were actually having sex since they didn’t tend to broadcast the fact, now that he’d seen with his own eyes what he was missing, he wasn’t so sure of himself. He worked with Rodney almost every day and there was no denying he was attracted to him. Why, he wasn’t sure, but he tended to gravitate towards Rodney even when the man drove him crazy. Carson, not so much, but he’d actually come to know the doctor better because of the time Rodney spent with him.
Rodney’s mutterings to Carson as he’d fucked him only made the whole situation more bizarre. John would never have pegged Rodney as a dirty talker during sex but obviously he spoke his mind then just like any other time. What was said made him wonder what Rodney was hiding behind his acerbic personality.
He’d just watched his two best friends have sex and neither seemed particularly upset by it. That was alarming enough. Even worse was the fact that John felt a nagging sense of jealousy that he’d only been a spectator. It was true that he considered both Rodney and Carson his best friends but somewhere in the past half hour things had gotten blurry and he wasn’t sure if he could maintain an air of friendship after witnessing the two of them having sex.
TBC in ‘Taste”