Fic: Irresistible Part 4

[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 4

Radek opened Rodney’s office door hoping to find Rodney. Rodney jumped out of his seat and stared at Radek, “What?”

“Jack is looking for you,” Radek came all the way into the office, “It is very hot in here. I’ll open a window.”

Radek had almost made it to the window before Rodney said, “No! He could get in.”

Radek look back at Rodney, taking in his appearance, “You are drunk.”
Rodney glared at him, “No I am not. I went to break it off with John and ended up floating on the ceiling after kissing him.”

Radek smiled, “You love him; you should enjoy it before he comes to his senses.”

Rodney didn’t answer. John was standing just inside the doors to the office. When John took a step toward Rodney, he stepped back looking wary.

John sighed, “I’m just returning this to you,” he held out Rodney’s wallet, “it must have fallen out of your pocket last night.”

Rodney gave a hysterical laugh, “While I was pinned to your ceiling you mean.”

“I said I was sorry.”

Radek moved over to John offering his hand, “You must be John.” After John shook his hand, “I shall leave.”

“No!” came from Rodney. Radek shook his head and sat down.

John looked at Rodney with a sad look his face, “Look I’m sorry about last night, I have no idea what the hell happened but I’m not going to apologize about anything else. I haven’t felt like this in a long time.”

Rodney’s voice was quiet when he replied, “You scare the hell out of me John.”

A knife suddenly sailed through the air, landing in the wall beside Rodney’s head.

John ducked, “More than that?”

Looking toward the door Rodney said, “Maybe not.”

Kavanagh was standing in the doorway, “Those knives are a disgrace. I will not work without my own.”

Rodney called out desperately as Kavanagh stormed out, “Can’t we work something out?”

Jack O’Neill entered the office looking angry. Rodney let out a groan; it figured the boss would be around to see him fail spectacularly. “Kavanagh just said he quit. What have you done? We can’t open this restaurant without him.”

“I didn’t do anything,” Rodney glared, “The asshole refuses to work without his knives. I can’t get him his knives, the airline lost them.”

“What are we going to do without Kavanagh? People are expecting to be fed an incredible meal by a four star chef.” Turning to John he said, “Who are you?”

Radek moved to stand next to John, “He is the one who made the éclairs.” Radek was referring to the éclairs he had gotten from Ancient Atlantis to try and cheer Jack up with Daniel being gone for so long.

“Oh,” Jack smiled. “McKay you are a genius. Those were awesome. Can’t say I’m sorry to see that asshole Kavanagh go.”

John blinked, “Whoa, what’s going on here? I’m not cooking for him.”

Jack simply asked, “Can you do it?”

John and Radek both said, “Yes.”

Rodney emphatically said, “No.”

After several minutes of arguing Rodney lost and John was being shown to the kitchen.

****

O’Neill’s was packed for opening night; John looked out to the crowd and panicked. Going back into the kitchen John said, “I can’t do this.”

Ronon shook his head, “Sure you can, and you’ve been doing it at Ancient Atlantis. Here isn’t any different.”

John sighed and rubbed his neck. It was then he realized that he’d forgotten something important, “I left my dad’s dog tags at home. I need those. Things started changing for the better when I found them.”

Ronon put his hands on John’s shoulders and gave him a shake, “Sheppard don’t make me hit you. We’ve got to do this. We can’t back out and you can do it. Things didn’t change because of the dog tags; they changed because you wanted them too.”

John took a deep breath, “Okay.”

After that things seemed to be running smoothly. John took control of the kitchen with moderate ease. When he found out Kavanagh took some of the ingredients John needed he had a brief moment of panic but managed to create some new dishes for the menu.

Things seemed to be going well.

****

Rodney and Jack had been moving around the room all evening talking to the guests and sweet talking the reviewers. So far it seemed like the evening was a complete success but the food hadn’t been served yet.

Rodney was also having a hard time staying focused on the restaurant. He kept thinking about John. About the things he had done. How he had refused Sam lemon because he knew Rodney was allergic. How he seemed to be able to make him laugh without much thought. Rodney sighed; he seemed to have fallen deeply in love without even realizing it.

Looking around Rodney realized that the first course had been served and everyone was crying. Something seemed to make sense then; everything strange was happening around the food. It was as if emotions were directly connected to it- of course that was impossible.

Panic was only staved off when Rodney realized that everyone was enjoying the food and no one seemed to notice that they were crying. Letting out a deep breath Rodney thought that maybe, just maybe they would be able to get through this.

****

Teyla saw what was happening and went back to the kitchen, “John you should see what is happening out there.”

Thinking the worst John ran out to the dining area. When he saw that everyone was crying he started to hyperventilate, “Oh shit...I’ve...what have I done? He’s going to hate me.”

Teyla tried to calm him down, “John you need to relax. I’ve had the food. It’s amazing and there is nothing wrong with crying every now and then.”

“I have to stop the rest of the food from going out,” John said desperately.

Teyla put a hand on his arm, “No you don’t. John this night will be unforgettable and I mean that in a good way.”

When John was calm enough he went back to finish the few things that needed to be done. After the last dish was sent out he said, “Do you think he’s just eating...too busy to come back here with everything?” John didn’t let Ronon answer, “Who am I kidding...he’s not coming period. I screwed up again.”

John left just as desert was brought out to the party. He missed the fog that came pouring out of the peaches-the same dish he had cooked on one of the strange nights with Rodney.

He also missed Rodney coming to look for him.

****

Rodney had gone back to his office after failing to find John. Looking out the window Rodney saw John waiting for the cab that was pulling up. Looking to his paper airplanes Rodney got an idea. Grabbing one he prayed and threw it out the window.

He watched as it landed in the cab. Smiling he waited long enough to see John get out before heading to the elevators.

****

The cab John had called pulled up moments after he got outside. Getting in he told the driver where he wanted to go. As the cab pulled away John opened the window. When the cab stopped for the red light a paper airplane landed in his lap.

Looking at it he smiled and paid the driver for the few dollars on the meter before getting out and running back to the store.

Entering the first elevator that he found John smiled at the suit sitting there on a mannequin. Looking at the note John stopped off at the washroom.

****

Rodney shuffled on his feet, John should have been here by now...if he was going to show up that is.

Rodney was about to give up when he saw John standing in the crowd wearing the black on black suit Rodney had left in the elevator.

“Sorry, had to stop for shoes. My runners didn’t really go with this,” John said with a smile.

Rodney laughed, “I’m sorry about everything; just kind of freaked.”

John nodded. Rodney asked, “Think I could have a second chance?”

“You might need a third or fourth.”

“Hey,” Rodney said indignantly.

John smiled, “But I’ll give them to you.”

Rodney kissed John and they joined the others dancing.

This time when they floated off the ground Rodney didn’t freak out; in fact he hardly noticed. He was too involved in getting reacquainted with John’s lips. The couple kissed passionately as they danced.

The End