A Great (Dis)Trust
By Jayed
EMAIL: Jayed
WARNINGS: Post-Trinity AU. Deathfic. Somewhat Over-The-Top.
Author's Notes: My first real SGA fic. My answer to all those fics that show everyone treating Rodney with conscious and often vicious cruelty, and then he immediately forgives them when they suddenly realize they are soooo sorry, and "They'll never do it again," and, um, there's a crisis they need him to solve. (The first two parts remind me of Ezrafics in M7.) [On the other hand, I *love* some of those stories. So. Have you seen this site? http://iibnf.livejournal.com/1328223.html -- FAB!]
Disclaimers: As with other fiction before it, as always, not mine. Just borrowed.
Slowly he stopped trying. It really was gradual. He finally accepted that he was still needed, but emphatically not wanted. Elizabeth had replaced him on John's team with a rotation of scientists, giving them all some planetary experience. He was still nominally in charge of Sciences, but he left details for Radek on the computer and working in silent exile himself. Without the check-ins and check-ups of the Team, he faded even from Carson's radar. John had apparently completely cut him off. One last try, and he gave in, gave up.
Inevitably the morning came when no orders were left on Radek's machine. He radioed Elizabeth and never even bothered to try Rodney himself. Between the two of them, they decided that Rodney was sulking, and Elizabeth told Radek to take over until Rodney reappeared. Later, at lunch, she complained bitterly to John about Rodney's "continuing arrogant behavior," neglecting to realize that this was actually the first time she'd even thought about him in weeks. The City was running smoothly, after all. John just rolled his eyes and didn't even bother to ask for further information about the once "best friend" he hadn't seen in the fortnight since the other man's ill-advised attempt to apologize once again.
No one cared. No one came. No one even called. Alone, ill, abandoned, Rodney slid inexorably toward a death that could have been prevented easily if anyone had made any little effort. Fortunately for him, he lost consciousness early on.
Carson, who might have thought to check on him, was taking a long awaited mini-vacation, relaxing and spending time with the Athosian healers. Upon his return, the only thing he heard was that Rodney was continuing to "act badly." He shook his head, wondering that the other man could be "such an ass."
Very soon, of course, a system here and there began to fail. Elizabeth angrily decided Rodney had sulked long enough, and that it was time for him to get back to work. Furious when he refused to answer his radio, she sent John break into the room.
When Carson was called, it was far too late and had been for days. The autopsy showed officially that he had died of complications from his hypoglycemia, but Carson, unofficially, believed he had died of a broken heart. A picture of his former Team, in happier days, had been found on the bed near his lax hand. His report was blunt. If anyone had made an effort to find out why Rodney hadn't left any messages, even the second day, he could have been saved. No one had spared him even the slightest benefit of a doubt, despite everything they all suddenly remembered he had done for them.
Inevitably, even more systems began to fail, and it finally dawned on them all that Rodney had indeed been every bit the genius he claimed to be. John might have the strongest gene, but it was Rodney who had somehow intuitively known the City, and it had been he who had kept many systems running, and new ideas that would work flowing. Slowly, the City began to shut down. In failing Rodney so spectacularly, they'd failed themselves. They had proven unworthy of the great dream that was Atlantis.
In happier times, Rodney had once let slip that he would like to be buried on shore in view of Atlantis, a place he had then thought of as Home. Though his fellow travelers had failed him, the City never had, and so he was buried as he had wished.
Epilogue: Most of the Atlantians returned to Earth, although a few, including Carson, stayed with the Athosians. Ronon chose to go Earth. Radek left the SGC, took a quiet teaching position in his home country, and had Rodney's papers published slowly over the years as they were declassified. John retired and disappeared into the remote Northwest, near the Canadian border. There was some talk of putting Elizabeth on trial for her thorough dereliction of duty in the death of one of her people. She had known that the man had medical issues and yet made no effort to find him when he didn't "show up for work," but nothing came of it. She stayed in Colorado and worked as a translator, but never again took up a more demanding position.