A/N: Now it's officially complete! Quite the miracle for me. I haven't finished a fic in years. Literally.

STATUS: Complete (le gasp!)

RATING: K+

SUMMARY: We all know Rodney McKay can handle the pressure of Atlantis life, right? But dreams are funny things...and sometimes you don't want to leave.

CHARS: Team fic w/ Carson and Elizabeth. But mainly Rodney :)

SPOILERS: Nothing specific. Takes place sometime during late Season three (after M&MM but before Sunday).

WARNINGS: Swearing. Our boys have quite the potty mouth sometimes. And McShep can be seen through squinted eyes, but it's mostly just friendship.

EDIT: This epilogue could be considered pre-slash if you look at it that way (which I do, hee!) but it can easily be seen as friendship, so no worries.

DISCLAIMER: Everything Stargate Atlantis related is property of MGM. I own nothing.

x x x

S.O.S – Epilogue

By: Azure Lupis

x x x

"Hey, doc!"

Carson glanced over his shoulder as he took a tray from the line in the Mess Hall. When he spotted Colonel Sheppard, he smiled and passed the man a tray of his own.

"Hello, Colonel. Everything alright?"

"Thanks, doc. And yeah, everything's fine." John slipped in behind Carson with a second tray. "Actually, I just wanted to know if you've seen McKay lately."

Eyeing the two trays John had started to fill up, Beckett shook his head.

"Nay, not since I released him two days ago."

John sighed. Ever since Rodney had been let go from the infirmary after his…incident, the scientist had been playing a rather good game of hide and seek, and John was losing. Big time.

"But I did hear Radek mention something about spotting Rodney in the Control Room this morning, talking to Elizabeth."

This perked Sheppard up. Another lead.

"Thanks, Carson!"

Beckett watched with an amused smile as the Colonel jogged out of the Mess with two loaded trays, a determined look on his face. If anyone could find Rodney and make him talk, it would be John Sheppard.

x

"Elizabeth!"

Pausing on her way into her office, Elizabeth Weir turned around to see Colonel Sheppard striding up to her holding two heavily laden trays.

"I hope one of those are for me," she said teasingly.

John plastered an innocent smile onto his face.

"Sorry, they're spoken for. Have you seen Rodney around? Word on the grapevine is that you were talking to him earlier today."

"Word gets around quickly."

"Yup."

Seeing that the Colonel wasn't to be distracted, Elizabeth sighed and nodded.

"Alright, yes. He came to me earlier today to talk. He's probably in his quarters right now."

"Great, thanks."

Sheppard turned and took a grand total of two steps before Elizabeth's voice stopped him.

"John, just—go easy on him, alright?"

He raised an eyebrow but nodded without comment.

Go easy on him…was Sheppard ever anything but?

x

Rodney flicked the metal locks of his suitcase shut with a snap. One down, one to go.

Setting the silver case by the door, he grabbed the second empty one and dropped it onto the bed. He didn't exactly have that much civilian clothes with him, but he would have to make due.

'I can buy more on Earth.'

He pulled open the bottom drawer of his dresser and took out an armful of clothes, dumping them on the bed beside the open case.

He had been folding for only five or so minutes before his door chime startled him. The scientist sighed. Two days of hiding. He should have known it was too good to be true.

Dropping a sweater, he headed over to the door and swiped a palm over the sensor. The door slid open, revealing Colonel Sheppard to a not-so-surprised Rodney.

"Colonel, what are you doing here?" Rodney asked indifferently. He couldn't help but eye the trays of food in John's hands.

"McKay, you've been hiding out for days! You didn't really think it would last all that long, did you?"

No, he didn't. But he wouldn't tell Sheppard that.

"Well, are you going to let me in?" John asked, undaunted by the silence. "You've led me on a wild goose chase across the city. The least you could do is let me in. Wouldn't want all this food to go to waste, would you?"

Rodney glanced over his shoulder towards the suitcase before nodding and stepping back.

"I guess so…Just eat fast, would you? My room isn't a restaurant booth."

With a smirk, John walked past Rodney and set the trays on the cluttered desk.

"Why? Going somewhere?"

"Well, actually…"

John frowned and turned towards the fidgeting scientist who was staring pointedly at the suitcase on the bed, half filled with clothes.

"What?" The Colonel glanced from the suitcase and back to Rodney. "You are? Where are you going?"

Rodney suddenly scowled and stomped over to his desk to grab one of the bottles of water that came with his Sheppard-delivered dinner. The top cracked open as he turned the cap.

"Not that it's any of your business, Colonel, but I'm going back to Earth."

It took John a few seconds to school his features, mouth threatening to drop open. Rodney was leaving? Had that coma really effected him that badly?

Rodney raised an eyebrow as the emotions whirled past John's face before it took on its normal impassive expression. He knew that one well. It was the one John normally used when he had his shields up.

"What's the matter with you? It'll only be for a few weeks."

The blatant relief that spread over Sheppard's face made the Canadian smirk smugly. "What? Thought I was leaving for good?"

When John still didn't say anything, Rodney frowned and set the water down.

"Colonel, you can say something any time now. This conversation is becoming a little one-sided."

"I think we should have a talk, buddy."

"…huh. That wasn't exactly where I was going with that." With a shake of his head, Rodney moved back over to his suitcase and grabbed the sweater he had abandoned a few minutes before. "I know what you're going to say, and I'd rather not talk about it right now."

John raised an eyebrow as he went to stand on the opposite side of the bed, staring at McKay from across his suitcase. He grabbed a shirt absently and started to fold.

"So then you know that I was going to apologize for what happened? That Teyla, Ronon, and I should have kept a better eye on you? And yes, I know you're not a kid, but you're one of our best friends, Rodney."

McKay had long since abandoned the sweater to stare at John with his mouth agape. John ploughed on, dropping the shirt into the case and starting on another.

"And I guess you know that I was going to promise that I would listen to you more often, work harder in the whole 'comfort' department, no matter how uncomfortable it makes us." Neither of them were good with talking and they both knew it.

After a few minutes of Rodney staring, Sheppard finally sighed and rolled his eyes.

"Now look who's doing all the talking. Spit it out already, Rodney."

Realizing that he had been gawking with his mouth hanging open like a fish out of water, McKay shook his head and tried to form a coherent sentence.

"You—wait…" Okay, so maybe Rodney didn't know what John had been planning on saying after all. "Huh…I was way off."

"Apparently," came Sheppard's wry response.

There was a moment of silence before McKay grabbed a shirt and started folding, using any excuse to keep his eyes off Sheppard and his hands from fidgeting. He really wasn't great at this talking thing. "Okay, look. All that stuff you said? It was nice, really. But come on. That wasn't what you wanted to say…" He paused, a thoughtful look crossing his face. "Though, granted…that 'best friend' comment was…also nice."

"What the hell are you talking about, Rodney? Of course that was what I wanted to say," John said, a peculiar look on his face. "What did you think I was going to say?"

Realizing that he had practically backed himself into a corner, Rodney waved a hand and stuffed the half folded shirt into the suitcase.

"Nothing. Never mind."

"McKay…"

"Nothing! I just--…" Deciding that he might as well get it over with, the scientist scowled and admitted, "I just got myself all geared up for a lecture from you and Ronon about being a quitter. Because that's what I am, right? A quitter?"

"A quit—what? Who the hell told you that?" With narrowed eyes, Sheppard dropped the shirt he was holding to fold his arms across his chest. "That's not really what you think, is it? That I think that? And Ronon sure as hell doesn't."

"Oh, come on, Colonel. I gave up. Why do you think it took me so long to get out of that damned dream of mine?" Rodney's scowl fell before he turned away to walk over to the tray of food on his desk. "Or why I was in it in the first place…because I couldn't handle the pressure. Because…everything was perfect in there." A ghost of a smug smile crossed his lips. "Well, of course it was. Genius."

Letting his arms fall to his sides, John stayed near the suitcase without saying anything. He knew Rodney had to get it all off his chest.

"And you know…" McKay turned to look at John, his smug smile taking on a sad note. "I knew…I knew that something was wrong. That it wasn't real. But I tried to ignore it. I really tried." He chuckled humourlessly. "But when you're able to start controlling rainbows and everything you know freezes in time, you can't exactly ignore it anymore."

'Rainbows?' Holding back a comment, John wandered around the bed to join Rodney at the desk. He reached out and opened his own bottle of water. 'Suddenly I wish I brought beer instead…'

"No one blames you for that," came his simple reply. "No one. Not me, not Ronon. The only person playing the blame game here is you, Rodney."

"Well can you blame me?" Rodney spluttered, arms flailing. "I almost stayed in there! I—"

"Almost. Almost being the key word, McKay," Sheppard stressed as he ducked automatically, not exactly wanting to get smacked by an errant hand. "Look, I can tell you over and over again that we don't blame you, that anyone would have crashed under the pressure you go through every day, that you're one of the bravest guys I know, but it won't matter unless you forgive yourself first."

Good thing he talked to Heightmeyer before this.

"…did you talk to Heightmeyer?"

"Course not, buddy. This is all from the heart."

There was a long pause before they both snorted in amusement, heads shaking.

"So…" Rodney began hesitantly after the quiet laughter subsided. "So you guys really don't think I'm a quitter?"

"Ah, give it a rest, McKay. Now I think you're just fishing for compliments." John grinned and repeated, "I think you're arrogant, smug, full of yourself, loud, shrill—"

"Uh, hello? Did you buy a thesaurus or something?"

"—but, you're not a quitter. Understood?"

"Got it," Rodney quipped, not being able to keep the pleased grin off his face. "So you really think I'm brave, huh?"

Sheppard cuffed the scientist upside the head with a roll of his eyes.

"You know what? No more heart-to-hearts with you."

With a chuckle, Rodney took his tray and sat down on the edge of the bed with it, balancing it on his lap.

"Thanks for bringing this." He raised an eyebrow. "You're not going to turn into a mother hen like Carson now, are you?"

"Nah, 'course not."

Now why didn't Rodney believe him?

"Teyla and Ronon, on the other hand…"

They both laughed, the previous tension thankfully gone. For a few minutes, they sat and ate in comfortable silence, just glad that the other one was still around.

Finally John asked, "So where are you headed? Earth obviously."

"Obviously. I'm actually going to see Jeannie and Madison. I suppose Caleb will be there too." A sort of pleased but embarrassed expression crossed Rodney's face. "They're going to meet me outside Cheyenne Mountain. Just outside the gates." He was lucky they could get that close, let alone the general area. "Apparently it's time for a vacation for me, and Jeannie decided it was time for them too. We decided to do the tourist thing there and then head down to Hawaii for a few weeks. Which, of course, will be havoc for my skin…"

"Oh, of course," echoed Sheppard, not bothering to hide his amused smile. "You'll have to bring some of that sunscreen you made. SPF 100, wasn't it? Smells like the tropics?"

"Yes, yes, mockery noted."

With a chuckle, John stood to toss his empty tray onto the cluttered desk, sending a few papers drifting to the floor.

"Well, let's get packing then, buddy."

Rodney stared, setting his own tray down absently.

"What are you talking about? You're not coming."

John rolled his eyes and snatched up a shirt.

"Obviously not. But I assume if you want to leave in the morning with the Daedalus, then you'll want some help. Now stop yakkin' and start foldin'."

Rodney paused before making a pleased 'hm' sound, chin lifting as he grabbed a pair of pants.

"Oh, hey! That reminds me. Did you hear about Kegan and Pearson? While you were in dreamland, they got fired."

"Well it's about time. Honestly, those two were the most incompetent, moronic…"

x

"Have a lovely trip, Doctor McKay."

Rodney smiled as he and Teyla touched foreheads, albeit a bit clumsily. Honestly, he would never figure out the right procedure for that.

Ronon smacked him on the back with a grin. "Have fun, McKay. Bring back food."

Nearly pitching forwards, Rodney huffed and smoothed down his 'I'm with genius' t-shirt.

"Don't you have some sort of mountain lion to hunt on the Mainland, Conan? I'm not a maître d'."

"What's a maître d'?"

Elizabeth stepped forwards and pulled the Canadian into a hug before he could launch into a complete rant.

"Really though, Rodney. We want you to have a good time. No work, just relaxation. Spend time with Madison. Get some sun and surf."

"Surf? You're joking, right?"

"You know what I mean," came the stern reply.

"Yes, yes. I will. Genius' honour."

"Geniuses have honour?" teased Sheppard. Again not giving Rodney a chance to retort, the Colonel clapped the scientist on the shoulders and gave him a gentle shake. "Have a great time, buddy. You deserve it."

Thankfully Rodney was spared from replying, an embarrassed smile on his face. Colonel Caldwell's voice crackled through their earpieces.

"We're ready for transportation. Everyone who's coming aboard ready down there?"

Elizabeth glanced around at the handful of scientists and marines who were heading back to Earth, gathered in the Gate Room below them.

"Everyone's all set, Colonel."

"Roger that. Standby for beaming."

The last thing Rodney saw before the bright Asgard light beamed him out were four faces, each with relaxed smiles directed at him.

"Shit, McKay!"

Rodney's heart skipped a beat at Sheppard's yelp. What now?

"I forgot! Bring us back some popcorn!"

Moron.

x

"Hey, lady!"

"Uncle Mer!"

Meredith Rodney McKay beamed as he hauled his niece up into his arms, the hot Colorado sun beating down on their backs. The Cheyenne Mountain gate slid closed behind him, sentries resuming their duties.

A few feet away, Jeannie and Caleb leaned against the doors of their rented red convertible, smiles on their faces.

"How've you been, kiddo?"

"Great! My birthday is coming up soon, did you know that? What are you going to get me? Lots of presents? I already have a list for you!"

Rodney laughed as Madison chattered away, still up in his arms while they began their walk to the car. Jeannie's hand went to rest on his shoulder, Caleb greeting him with a wave.

Above their heads, the hot desert sun blazed.

And not a damned rainbow was in sight.

x x x

A/N: Well, that's all she wrote, folks. I hope that wrapped up everything nicely. Thanks for the reviews and story alerts!