Title: I Always Want to Be a Pianist

Author:

Characters: Samantha Carter, Rodney McKay, John Sheppard

Rating: G

Summary: Sam overhears a familiar conversation between Rodney and John.

Warnings: slight shame on Sam but not much

Disclaimer: Stargate SG-1 and all it's little pieces belong to Showtime, Gekko and Sci-Fi.

Sam had only been on Atlantis for a few months now but she had already grown used to the sound of the ocean and drew comfort from it on her nightly rounds.

This particular night she had stopped at her office to grab some folders when she heard voices out on the balcony across the hall. One of the first things she had learned was that this particular balcony had been Elizabeth Weir's favorite.. She tended to avoid it but Sam recognized the cadence of the conversation- one voice slightly whiney, one voice slightly amused both trading volleys.

For some reason she recognized this particular conversation as well..

"Did I ever tell you- I always wanted to be a pianist? A concert pianist. You know a guy who plays the piano in front of a lot of people?"

John rolled his eyes. "Yeah McKay, I know what a pianist is…"

"Right, well I had a not so comfortable childhood. My parents hated each other, blamed me." He took another swig of the ether Radek had made up. "Music.. was my salvation. It had this.. perfect order for me."

A pause stretched between them and John let it.

Rodney swallowed once before continuing. "When I was twelve my teacher told me to quit. A fine clinical player, he said, but no sense of the art whatsoever."

"Dick."

The science officer chuckled. "I turned to science because I thought it would be different than music."

"But it isn't?"

"No it isn't, it's just the same. It's just as much of an art as anything else. Even you're an artist John and you just blow stuff up!"

"Hey!"

"You know what I mean.."

Again they sat in silence, although this a bit more comfortable then the last.

"My dad had my whole life planned out for me by the time I was fourteen." John looked over. "His idea of rebellion was going to Stanford isn't of Harvard." He took a bigger sip of the drink they were sharing. "In fact I haven't spoken to him since I graduated.."

"Well I'm glad you didn't listen to him because you are exactly the kind of certifiable lunatic we need here. I'm actually a little concerned because you're one of the most deranged people I know but I trust you with my life.."

After a small awkward pause Sam could hear the grin. "Thanks Rodney, back at you."

The more Sam learned about this new Rodney McKay the worse she felt for the way she had treated him in the past.. Although he had been a twerp. He kind of reminded her of Daniel, the way they both had grown from their contact with the Stargate Program from pure intellectuals into warriors.

Above all Sam found herself thinking she was glad Rodney had found his niche, it hadn't been at the SGC but here at Atlantis he had friends and a family of sorts and she was happy for him…