All I Ask Of You

All I Ask of You

"John, I'm ordering you to stay in this office until whatever this problem is, is resolved!"

Elizabeth's patience was quickly worn thin when faced with John's petulant child attitude. As soon as he had stepped into her office, he began spouting off at the mouth that he didn't want to deal with Rachel or Radek and that he was very busy doing his paper work, thank you very much. He only glared sourly when Elizabeth pointed out he finished his paper work days ago.

Elizabeth stormed out of her office, making sure the door closed behind her, giving the three occupants their privacy. She sighed, thankful for the soundproofing.

"John, I know that you don't want to talk to me and I understand why." John snorted, crossing his arms over his chest and standing with his back to them, facing the wall stubbornly. Radek had already sat himself down in a chair, prepared to sit this through to finally understand the dynamics of this new development. Rachel stood with her arms crossed and her stance screaming 'listen to me, damnit or you will get hurt,' as she glared at the back of John's head.

"Regardless of what you think, John, I'm not here to break you and Rodney up!"

"But you're married!" he spat, turning around.

"So?"

"So you two should be faithful to each other!" she rolled her eyes.

"John, let me explain something to you, ok?" she waited until he nodded curtly. "Ok. Here is goes." she took a deep breath before plunging in,

"Rodney and I met when we were in middle school. We immediately became friends, being the odd ones out because we were the smart ones of the class. We stuck together throughout high school and went to college together. When we turned twenty-five, my great-grandmother told me it was time for me to marry, otherwise she wouldn't leave me everything in her will; everything was supposed to be going to me because my grandmother had already passed away and Great Grandma didn't like my mother.

"She was only holding on to life because she was a very stubborn woman and wanted to make sure that I followed through with her wishes. She was on her death bed when she told me this and Rodney was visiting her with me. You following?" John nodded, a slightly confused look blooming on his face.

"Ok. She said that the only guy she thought would be right for me was Rodney because we'd known each other for so long and because we just worked together. Rodney and I talked it over and we both decided that we'd get married to one, appease my great-grandmother so that I could get everything in her will – which included money, and estates and what ever." She paused for second, clearing her throat before continuing,

"And two, because Rodney and I both knew that it was the logical choice. Well, I mean... we both knew that the chances of us both finding someone to be happy with and still be allowed to do what we loved to do, would be a very slim chance in all reality.

"Besides, Rodney swings both ways and he did want to have at least one child sometime in his unknown future. But whatever, so not the point I'm trying to make. We got married and a year later Great Grandma finally passed in her sleep and I came into my inheritance. Rodney and I split the money between us in whichever way we saw fit to pay for our continued schooling and all that crap that comes with it." She paused again, raising an eyebrow at John's near cross eyed look.

"We got married out of necessity, John, you must understand that. And, because we're really good friends. Both of us knew that eventually, we might want to move on with our lives and be with other people but we found that as long as we simply told each other of our relationships or one-night stands, then we were ok with it. Getting divorced just meant going through too much paperwork and we didn't want to deal with all that crap. Besides, what we have is good and it works for us."

John's face was screwed up into one of pure confusion as he shifted through everything he had just been told. Radek looked to be having a better time understanding everything that Rachel said and John silently cursed him for that. Rachel took a deep breath and let it out slowly.

"Since he left earth to come here, to Atlantis, we've been keeping in contact through letters and such sent back and forth through the SGC. He told me about you and, knowing Rodney as I do, I know that he liked you and that you two had formed a relationship together.

"Because he couldn't outright tell me that you two were together – you know, since it was going through the SGC and all – I let him know as best as I could that I was ok with it and that I was happy for him. Now you, mister," she glared at John, her hands moving to her hips to glare more intently at him, "you have been a right pain in the ass these past three weeks. I have been trying to find you to explain this to you and Rodney's angry with me because he thinks that I've screwed things up for the two of you!"

John had the grace to flinch.

"Well, I didn't –" he tried, but was cut off.

"You should have asked or something. And I know Rodney didn't tell you that he was married to me because he didn't want you to run away and because again, filing for a divorce through the SGC would have raised some eyebrows and led to some questioning."

John sighed, falling down into a chair and rubbing his hands through his hair. Rachel smiled softly and nudged him gently, sitting on top of the table in front of him, placing her feet on his chair.

"Now listen to me. I'm sharing a room with Rodney and I'm thinking that when ever you two need to be alone, I can just go to your room. It'll look like there are two people in Rodney's room and one person in your room because I'm pretty sure that the life signs detector can't differentiate between people, right, just species?" she glanced at Radek and he nodded.

"I must warn you though, I am affectionate towards Rodney, like a wife should be, but, to a person who's in a relationship with him, you might think it too affectionate. I'm telling you now, too, that there might be times when I either just need to be held or comforted or something – yes, maybe even sometimes I'll need some sexual gratification – and Rodney has always been the one I've gone to. I don't want that you come in between you two, either, because I do want Rodney to be happy. So just tell me if that upsets you and I'll try to find something else to do."

John shook his head, looking up at Rachel intently.

"No, I... I think I can be ok with that. It might take some getting used to, but... I think it'll be ok. I just need some time to, you know, get used to the whole I'm-dating-a-married-man thing." Rachel smiled and quickly leaned down, giving John a chaste kiss on his lips.

"I'm also warning you that I might get affectionate with you, too." John smiled, rolling his eyes.

"Only in Pegasus Galaxy could something like this happen." Rachel chuckled, glancing back at Radek as John laughed, too.