Irresistible Part 3

[felineferal]

Title: Irresistible
Author: Rose (feline_feral   )
Pairing: McKay/Sheppard
Word Count: 10,488
Prompt: Simply Irresistible - A department store executive tries to resist falling in love with a young woman, who he believes has possessed magical powers after inheriting a restaurant.
Rating: PG-13 For some language
Category: Romance, Comedy, Fantasy
Summary: Rodney McKay’s relationships never lasted past the third. Can one man and a little magic break through the curse of the third date?
Warnings/Spoilers: No spoilers that I can think of for Stargate Atlantis. Spoilers for the whole movie Simply Irresistible – some of the lines came from it and the plot is based off of it.
Author's Notes: I had major writer’s block while trying to write this. I tried changing my movie but nothing seemed to work. I hope this is enjoyable to read. AU of SGA. Many thanks goes out to Alisa for beta-ing this behemoth and putting up with my accidental tense change part way through.

Part 3

Rodney was walking around the ground floor of the department store. He had a couple of minutes before the meeting. He figured he might as well check up on things down here.

Walking over to Miko he looked over the display she was doing. Nodding he said, “It’s a little off center but it doesn’t look too bad.”

Miko smiled, “Thank you Mr. McKay.”

Seeing Radek a floor above Rodney excused him-self and walked away. Radek handed Rodney a file as soon as Rodney got up the stairs, “You need to read this and get to the meeting. It’s going to be starting any moment now.”

“Alright, fill me in on stuff before it starts.”

Down on the main floor John walked into the store. Looking around he held in a whistle. The place was impressive... and completely out of his pay range.

Walking over to Miko he smiled, “I’m looking for Rodney McKay.”

Miko nodded and looked around, “He was just...oh he’s up there,” she pointed toward the second floor where John could see Rodney talking to someone.

Thanking her John moved to make his way up to where Rodney was. Not watching where he was going John ended up walking into the corner of the display Miko had just finished putting together. Everything came crashing down.

John cringed, “I’m sorry.” Trying to help John crouched down and started picking up some of the perfume bottles; grabbing too many he ended up dropping them again.

Miko grabbed his hands before he could damage any of the bottles, “It’s alright, don’t worry about it.”

Standing up John tried to fight the blush that he could feel creeping across his face.

Rodney, who had come down after hearing the racket shook his head, “Are you quite through trying to demolish the store?”

John turned around sheepishly, “I’m sorry.”

Turning to Miko, Rodney said, “Get someone to help you and just redo the display.”

Grabbing John’s arm Rodney led him away from the perfumes, stopping when they were near the elevators, “Just so you can’t break anything else,” he said with a smile.

“Sorry,” John said again.

“It’s fine. You shop here often?”

“No, never...”

“Oh, what brings you here today then?” Rodney asked and he saw Radek in the background motioning about the meeting. Waving him off Rodney turned his attention completely to John. Throwing his hands in the air in defeat Radek mumbled and went back to the office.

“Plates...you said you’d replace what was broken...you did mean that right?” John was suddenly feeling more nervous then he really should be.

Rodney frowned, “Right, yes...no one was hurt earlier were they?”

“No.”

With a firm nod of his head Rodney said, “Good. Alright let’s go to the fourth floor. You can pick out the plates you want.” Rodney hit the button for the elevator.

Suddenly John remembered what he made earlier while Ronon was cleaning the restaurant. Pulling his backpack off his shoulders John reached inside pulling a small box out just as the elevator arrived. Stepping into it he waited until Rodney had pressed the button before handing over the box.

“These are for you. You left before dessert earlier. That’s the best part of the meal, you can’t miss that,” John said with a smile.

Rodney opened the box and found a couple small éclairs. Taking a bite out of one Rodney had to stifle a groan, “Hmmm, that’s really good.”

“Yeah?” Rodney didn’t reply as he ate the rest of the éclairs in the box but John heard a groan Rodney didn’t quite keep in.

Laughing John said, “Thanks.”

Choosing some new plates didn’t take very long and before John knew it they were heading back to the elevator. Looking at the paper airplane Rodney had subconsciously made the bill into John shook his head, “Nice plane.”

Rodney looked at the plane, “Yeah, I like the physics of them.”

John nodded, “Does it fly?”

“Probably but not where I want it to,” Rodney let the plane loose, aiming for an empty bucket. Sure enough the plane ended up doing an odd loop and landed in some poor customer’s hair. Cringing Rodney laughed and dragged John into the elevator before the woman could see where the plane came from. What he forgot was that the plane was made out of a bill with his name on it.

In the elevator Rodney hit the button that would take them to the mostly finished restaurant, “You should appreciate this,” he said to John.

John followed silently as Rodney led him to the kitchen of the restaurant. Looking around John was amazed; he would love to work in a kitchen like this. Seeing Kavanagh they left the kitchen area, Rodney mostly because he didn’t want to deal with the man at the moment.

“This is what it’s going to look like,” Rodney said when they entered the almost finished seating area, showing John the model.

John looked it over, “Trippy. I like it.”

As Rodney turned away from the model he heard soft music fill the air. Unable to resist he pulled John into a slow dance. John hearing the music as well followed letting the feeling wash over him.

Moments later the owner, Jack O’Neill walked into the restaurant. He laughed as he saw Rodney dancing to no music, even though he was surprised to see that it was with another man. “Excuse me,” he said, trying to get Rodney’s attention.

Smiling at the happy look on Rodney’s face Jack tapped the man on the shoulder. Rodney and John jumped apart, both blushing.

“Sorry,” John mumbled, not really liking how much he’d said that word today.

Jack shrugged his shoulder, “Quite alright, though I need to borrow Rodney.”

John nodded and grabbed his backpack off the floor where he’d dropped it, “I should go.” He all but bolted out of the room.

Rodney called out after him, “I’ll call you.”

****

The next couple of days were kind of hectic for both of them. Rodney had a lot of meetings to attend to and had to oversee the finalizing of the restaurant and the menu. Ancient Atlantis had become the hit of the town again and John was going crazy trying to keep up.

Smiling as he worked John thought about dancing with Rodney. If it was anything to go by he might have a chance. Ronon of course ruined his good mood by coming back into the kitchen.

Holding a bunch of orders Ronon said, “I think we’re going to need to hire another waitress; Teyla can’t keep up with everyone anymore.”

John saw the papers Ronon was holding and panicked, “I can’t do those all at once!”

Ronon laid them out, “Yes you can. I’ll help.”

The pair worked in silence getting all of the orders finished. As the last one, for now, went out the door John started muttering about Rodney, “He said he was going to call. Was he brushing me off....” it continued on for several minutes.

Ronon sighed and grabbed the phone. John didn’t even notice until he heard Ronon speaking, “I’d like the number for the Jackson-O’Neill department store.”

“What are you doing?” John hissed at Ronon, trying to grab the phone but because Ronon was taller the phone was easily held out of his reach.

“Stopping the moping,” Ronon said with a smug look on his face.

****

Rodney was in his office hiding from everyone. He wanted a break from the people; there was too much going on and he had barely had a moment to himself for days. Radek came in carrying two cups of coffee.

Giving one to Rodney, Radek sat down, “There is an interesting rumour going around the store.”

Rodney looked up, “And what would that be?” Though he already had an idea as to what it could be.

“That you were caught dancing to no music at all by the boss. Dancing with a wild-haired man,” Radek took a sip of his coffee, “I’m trying to squash it of course.”

Rodney snorted, drinking his own coffee, “If only it were a rumour. I was dancing with him; I could have sworn I heard music though. It was weird I only met him that morning and....there’s just something ....” Rodney trailed off starting to think about what it was that made John so irresistible.

Radek laughed, “Sounds like love...it can sneak up on you when you’re least expecting it. What’s the mysterious man’s name?”

Rodney glared at Radek; he was not falling in love, especially after only one day. Except that if he let himself dwell on it he knew that wasn’t true. “John.....”

The phone beeped and a voice said over the line, “John Sheppard is on line one for you Rodney.”

Smiling Radek said, “Freaky... answer it.”

Rodney hit the line one button and picked up the phone, “Hello.”

“Hi,” John’s voice filtered through the line sounding very nervous, “I was just wondering if you wanted, if you’re not busy that is, to come to dinner tonight.”

“Let me look at my schedule,” Rodney tapped the phone against the table while pretending to look at his schedule. Radek actually did. “Sorry I can’t,” he said after a moment, “I’ve got a meeting.”

John sounded defeated, “Oh, well if you get done early.”

“I’ll see if I can make it,” Rodney said, hanging up the phone after goodbyes were exchanged.

“Why did you do that?” Radek asked, “You have no meeting and according to the rumour you were happy when dancing.” Rodney didn’t answer.

****

John hung up the phone and glared at Ronon, “Thanks a lot,” he said dryly before going back to work. The night was almost over thankfully.

Later when everything was cleaned John and Ronon sat alone in the dining area. Resting his head on the table John said, “We must have done over a hundred dinners tonight.”

Ronon nodded, “Whatever is going on with you is a good thing. We should celebrate.”

John looked up at Ronon, “I think you’re on your own tonight pal.”

“I don’t think he’s coming John,” Ronon said getting up from the table.

John glared at him, “I’m not waiting.”

Ronon shook his head and left the restaurant. A couple of minutes later John sighed and followed, locking the door behind him.

As he turned to leave he saw Rodney standing in front of the window, “Hi.”

“Hi, I didn’t think you were coming,” John said as he pocketed the keys.

“The meeting took forever, I was sure I was going to miss you,” Rodney said moving closer.

John nodded, “Only got rid of the last customers a little while ago. They just refused to leave. I had to use Ronon as a bouncer.”

They laughed quietly and talked for a few minutes before deciding that while it was too late to eat dinner it was never too late for desert. John opened the restaurant up again and led Rodney into the back.

As he started to make some of the left over desert from earlier Rodney made a confession, “I uh, lied about the meeting. There wasn’t one...I just...”

John stirred the contents of the pot and laughed, “That’s okay I lied about the customers. They all left at eleven. I didn’t have to use Ronon as a bouncer.”

“So we’re both liars,” Rodney said, amused.

“It would seem so,” John said, pouring the sauce over re-warmed peaches he had cooked earlier.

When John turned his head Rodney laughed. With a blank look John said, “What?”

Rodney shook his head and moved to stand in front of John, “You’ve got stuff on your cheek. Trying to figure out how you managed that.” He wiped it off with his thumb at the same time as John cut into one of the peaches.

Fog filtered out of the peach smelling like vanilla and peach but neither man noticed. Rodney leaned in and kissed John. The kiss got deeper as the fog continued to thicken.

****

The next day Rodney decided that using the vanilla blossom plants in the restaurant was a much better idea then the roses they were going to use. Not even finding out that Kavanagh was threatening to quit because the airline lost his knives brought Rodney out of the happy mode he was in. Rodney just told Miko to get Kavanagh whatever knives he wanted in replacement.

While talking to the business people about the restaurant Rodney smelled something very familiar and after telling the people that he would talk to them later he went in search of it.

“Excuse me,” Rodney said to an elderly couple.

“Yes?”

“Do you have any outside food on you?”

When they pulled out a dessert container from Ancient Atlantis Rodney said, “I’m afraid I’m going to have to take that; new policy no outside food allowed.”

Grabbing the box Rodney went to his office, where Radek was waiting with papers he needed to sign.

“Not now,” he said to Radek. Walking around mumbling Rodney freaked out, “I can’t believe I just did that. What the hell was I thinking? What came over me?”

Radek looked on in confusion, “Rodney, what has happened? What is in your hand?”

Rodney looked at Radek in shock, “What just happened? I just robbed an elderly couple, over pastries!” he held out the box to Radek.

Radek opened the box; seeing no need to waste the pastries Radek ate one of the éclairs, “These are amazing.”

“Yeah but not enough to rob someone over,” Rodney said. As an afterthought he grabbed the box from Radek, “Give me those. I stole them, I’m eating them.”

After he was done Rodney said, “He’s done something to me. That’s it. I mean I had like one boyfriend years ago, never had any interest in getting another. He shows up and I’m ready to get down on my knees. Something in the food; got to be, never would have...”

Radek shook his head, “You have issues Rodney.”

“No kidding,” Rodney said with panic on the edge of his voice. “I’ve got to break it off with him. I’ll go tonight and tell him it’s over.”

Radek looked thoughtful, “Perhaps you should just call.”

****

Later that evening Rodney entered Ancient Atlantis to find that it was packed. Teyla, when she had a spare moment brought him into the kitchen.

“John, Rodney would like to talk to you.”

John looked up from the dishes he was finishing, “I’m completely swamped here. Can it wait?”

Rodney nodded, “Yeah.”

John smiled, “Great.”

Teyla grabbed some of the plates ready to go out and saw that there was too many. Looking to Rodney she gave him an appraising look. Apparently liking what she saw Teyla handed him a couple of the plates, “Please hold these for a moment.”

Rodney nodded silently and ended up helping Teyla cart plates around for the rest of the dinner service. It was much later when he and John finally got to sit down and talk. Everything had been cleaned up and Teyla and Ronon had taken their leave.

John had prepared some food for the two of them and they sat down. It was eaten in silence until Rodney said, “You cook very well.”

John snorted, “I didn’t until last week.”

Rodney saw the crab sitting on the counter, partially covered by lettuce, “I thought you cooked that thing.”

John looked over to the crab, “Not that one. Couldn’t bring myself to do it, there’s something about it.”

“It bit me,” Rodney said.

“How do you know it’s the same crab?”

“There’s something about it,” Rodney said, dryly.

John laughed, “What did you want to talk about?”

Rodney sighed, he was starting to think that maybe he didn’t want to break it off after all, “I just wanted to make sure I’m not going insane.”

John looked confused, but then it dawned on him, “Oh you mean the music no one else heard, the mysterious fog and the crab that seems just a little too aware?”

Rodney nodded, “Yeah.”

“You’re going completely insane, but don’t worry so am I.”

Rodney smacked him lightly on the shoulder, “That wasn’t funny.”

John smiled and pulled Rodney into a kiss, “Yes it was.”

Instead of replying Rodney pulled John into another kiss. They continued kissing until Rodney felt like he walked into a wall. That was strange he didn’t remember moving. Breaking off the kiss Rodney saw that he was on the ceiling.

“Oh my god, what the fuck is going on? What did you do?” Rodney began to freak out.

“I didn’t do anything,” John was trying to remain calm. As he took a deep breath he floated to the ground.

“Get me down!” Rodney demanded. “Are you a witch or something?”

John looked hurt before he covered it up, “I don’t know how to get you down and I am not a witch thank you very much.”

Rodney whimpered, “I’m sorry, please just get me down.”

“What the hell do you want me to say? Bibbity Bobbity Boo?”

Looking at him like was completely deranged Rodney said “What the fuck do you....” he didn’t get to finish. It was at that moment Rodney fell to the ground.

Getting up he scrambled away from John. “Just...just stay away from me. That didn’t happen; that’s impossible...” Rodney ran out of the restaurant.

John watched him go, trying to figure out what happened himself.

****

The next morning John was already sitting at one of the tables when Ronon came in to the restaurant. Going to the kitchen Ronon stashed some of the fresh produce he brought and took the newspapers back with him.

When he sat down John said, “Hey, we’ve got to talk.”

“About the mess you left in the kitchen?” Ronon asked, referring to the pots and food that had been knocked over in the chaos of the night before.

“No, Rodney...he-he left last night.”

Ronon saw the deserted, fallen look on John’s face, “Sorry.”

“I don’t know what happened. We were kissing and then we were on the ceiling.”

“Did you hit your head?”

“No, “I’m being serious.”

Ronon sighed; weird things always seemed to happen around John, “Maybe you should try talking to him.”

“Maybe, I do need to give him back this,” John held up Rodney’s wallet, “and no, I did not steal it, it fell out.”

Part 4