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“I’m soaked! I told you we should’ve gone through the gate twenty minutes ago,” Rodney complained to John as they all stood dripping in the gate room, having returned from their mission on the jungle planet, PX3-451.
“We all got wet, McKay. I’m sure you’ll be fine,” John tried to calm him down. He could swear that guy gave himself illness sometimes with how paranoid he was about catching something.
“Let’s just go somewhere we can all dry off.” John began to herd McKay to the infirmary for their usual post-mission checkups when Elizabeth called to him.
“John, do you mind coming to my office for a few minutes? Something’s come up.” She called from the control room balcony.
“Yeah, sure. Be right there,” John called to her, “Rodney, go get changed. I’ll be there in a few minutes.”
“But you really should change too!” Rodney’s eyes were darting back and forth in worry, “You’ll catch your death if you stay in those wet clothes.”
John placed his arms akimbo and looked skeptical, “Just go!”
He took off up the stairs, his boots squishing with each step, leaving Rodney even more worried than ever. Wet feet left unattended were never a good thing. He left for the infirmary with Teyla and Ronon, his own boots making squishing noises.
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The next morning, John met Rodney for breakfast in the mess hall and started coughing as they sat down.
“You alright?” Rodney worried, “You don’t sound so good.”
John cleared his throat after his cough and glared at him, “I’m fine. Would you quit worrying?”
“Hmm, you’d better go see Carson about that,” Rodney ignored him, digging into his scrambled eggs.
“I don’t need to see Carson,” John huffed and coughed again. He took a sip of his coffee to settle his cough and rubbed his throat, “It’s just a dry throat. That’s all.”
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In their mission briefing meeting, Rodney was giving his report to Elizabeth on the local’s power source from PX3-451 and arguing how he could integrate it into their existing systems.
“Should be a viable option since their climate is very damp and…”
**Cough**Cough**Cough**
John looked embarrassed and took a sip of water, “Sorry, didn’t mean to interrupt.” His voice sounded gravelly.
“Speaking of dampness, when are you going to get that looked at, Colonel?” Rodney glowered at him. If his hypochondria annoyed Sheppard, McKay was just as annoyed by Sheppard’s denial.
John shot him a death glare at the mention of his rank, “Fine-d! **cough** I’ll go see Carson after this briefing. But it’s just a little cough. I’m sure it’s nothing, McKay.”
Teyla and Ronon looked at each other and smirked.
Rodney managed to quickly sum up his plan and then promptly escorted John to the infirmary much to his annoyance.
“I’m telling you, I’m fine-d, Rodney!” John sat on the bed, defiantly. He immediately started hacking.
“Uh oh! That doesn’t sound so good,” Carson came up to him and moved his stethoscope around John’s chest, “Lungs are clear so far but I want ya to take this or ya could be moving into more serious territory.” He handed him a bottle of pills. Fever reducer, John assumed. He shoved it in his pocket. He didn’t have a fever but it would be good to have on hand, just in case.
“I recommend bed rest for at least a few days, Colonel,” Carson gave him a very serious look, “Doctor’s orders. I’ll have someone bring in your meals. Understood?”
John nodded, “Fine-d!” He glared at Rodney then let out a tremendous sneeze.
“Bless,” said Rodney. He handed John a tissue and he began to help him up. John shook him off.
“I’ll be alright. I can’t believe I’m grounded because of a little cold!” He grumbled as he walked out of the infirmary, Rodney beside him.
“Look, everyone gets sick every now and then,” Rodney attempted to be helpful, “I’ll take you to your room.”
“I’ll go by myself,” John sulked.
“Oh, okay,” Rodney gave him a pitying look, “I’ll come check on you soon. Get some rest.”
John merely grunted as he entered the transporter, still feeling sulky. He couldn’t believe what a fuss Carson and Rodney were making over him, all over a silly little cold.
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About an hour or so later, Rodney knocked on John’s door. There was no answer. He sighed. He’d brought a tray of soup, tea and tissues but John must be asleep. Rodney opened the door. The bed was empty and he heard the shower running. He set the tray on the nightstand.
“John,” Rodney knocked on the bathroom door, “I brought you some soup.”
No answer.
Rodney peaked in, “John? oh god, John!”
John was passed out on the floor of the shower. Rodney’s eyes grew wide in horror as he turned off the water, grabbed a towel and instinctively checked his pulse. He was burning up.
“John, hey,” Rodney patted his face gently to revive him.
“Wha–” John’s eyes shot open. They were bloodshot and he immediately started coughing.
“Take it easy,” Rodney soothed as he wrapped the towel around John’s middle and put his arm around his shoulder, “Careful getting out. C’mon, let’s get you to bed. I told you I should’ve stayed with you. You scared the living hell out of me!”
“Rodney?” John seemed disoriented and was shivering as Rodney put him to bed.
“Yeah, it’s me,” Rodney cupped John’s chin in his hand, pulling his eyes towards him, “Did you take those pills Carson gave you?”
“Um,” John smacked his dry lips in thought, “I…I don’t know. He gave me pills?”
“Oh for crying out –” Rodney threw up his hands, “Wait a minute…”
He dug through John’s jacket pocket and found them. He gave him two to get his fever down. He dressed him in warm pajamas and put on warm socks. John groaned the whole time but was too delirious to fight back.
Rodney tried sitting him up to feed him his soup but John kept sliding back down. Finally, he sat in bed with him and lifted him to his chest. John hooked a leg around Rodney’s. He rolled his eyes. At least he was sitting up.
“Open up,” Rodney felt like he was feeding a toddler. But it worked and John ate some of the soup. His head slumped over and he snuggled into Rodney’s chest.
“You know, you’re going to give me whatever it is you have,” Rodney sighed.
John whimpered snuggling into Rodney. He set the bowl down and placed his arms around John, “Guess if that’s what it takes to keep you in bed…guess it’s worth it.”
Rodney pulled the covers over John and slid them both down to the pillow, cradling him in his arms. After a few minutes, John had quit shivering. He seemed to relax his shoulders and was breathing more evenly. Rodney kissed his head, despite the germs. It seemed like the right thing to do. John seemed so pathetic and adorable snuggled into him.
“Mmm, Rodney?” John’s raspy voice sounded small.
“Yeah?”
“Thanks…for getting my ass in bed and taking care of me. I…I thought I was fine-d but…guess you were right after all.” John began coughing again, moved his face into his own shoulder to avoid coughing on Rodney.
Rodney rubbed his back, “Shhh, no more talking. Just turn out the lights and try to get some sleep.”
John thought for a minute and dimmed the lights, “Aren’t you…afraid of getting sick?”
“Yes, of course! But someone decided to pass out in the shower and scare me even more,” Rodney chided affectionately, “Next time, I’m coming whether you want me to or not.”
“‘M sorry,” John snuggled back in, “Love you.”
Rodney softened, “Love you too, now for heaven’s sake go to sleep.” But John already was and Rodney was soon to follow.