Word Count: 526
Rating: PG.
Category: Angst.
Story Status: Complete
Summary: 
Not all surprise birthday parties are welcome...

For the SGA_Flashfic Family Challenge - sga_flashfic contains gen, ship and slash fics.

Beta: Thank you to Leesa Perrie for the beta-reading.



Birthday

By Jayne Perry

Rodney opened the door to a cacophony of sound, of which Happy Birthday could just be heard.

John saw the look of horror cross his face as he turned round abruptly and almost ran out again. 

Surprise and confusion rippled around the room as John quickly exited to chase his fleeing team mate.

"Rodney, McKay," he called finally catching up with his team mate.

Taking John by surprise, Rodney rammed him up against the wall.

"DON'T EVER DO THAT AGAIN!"

"Hey, everyone just wanted to wish you a happy birthday. Geesh! What's the problem?"

Rodney released John, as if surprised by what he had done. He also couldn't help noticing that they were attracting stares from passing personnel.

"Tell everyone thanks. Now I have work to do," he said gruffly.

"Why don't you tell them yourself?  There's a coffee chocolate cake," smirked John.

For a moment, Rodney looked as though he was going to agree, then regretfully he shook his head.

"No, you go have fun.  Blow the candles out for me.  But save me a slice of cake, a large slice."

John watched him go down the corridor, head slightly bowed.  He wanted to chase after him, find out what was wrong, but knew the timing was wrong.  No, first he had to wait, and then a slice of cake and a coffee might help get to the bottom of it.

-----------------------

Rodney sat in his science lab, glad it was empty.  He assumed that they must have all gone to his party.

Memories of previous birthdays came out to taunt him from the box in his mind, where he had thought they were securely locked away.

His grandfather, who he had adored, had had a heart attack at his birthday tea.  That had been his first introduction to death, and his last birthday party.

Then there were the numerous occasions his parents had forgotten it was his birthday until a few days later.  But Jeannie had always remembered. He doubted she knew that he had kept all her handmade birthday cards in a shoe box at the top of his cupboard.

Once he had left home, his birthday had just became another date on the calendar, especially after he'd had the argument with Jeannie.  No birthday cards, no presents, no family to care, no close friends to party with.

The sound of silence in the room became too much for him. 

He wiped the tear away that had trickled down his cheek.

He didn't want to join his birthday party and be reminded of all that he had missed out on, but at the same time, he didn't want to have to deal with the looks they would give him after the effort they had made, or be told what a great party he had missed.

Sighing, he got up.

He would tell them he suddenly remembered he had a project he had to check on.  Radek would know the truth, but he also knew he would cover for him.  He would have to think up some explanation to give him and John.  But for now he just hoped there was some cake left.

The End

Rodney



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