The Sun Before the Burn / Sunset to Vegas

[sgarb_mod]

Artist: gblvr
Title: The Sun Before the Burn
Medium: Photoshop collage
Pairing(s): Lorne/Zelenka

Author: clwilson2006
Title: Sunset to Vegas
Wordcount: ~6,800
Rating: NC-17
Pairing(s): Lorne/Zelenka
Summary: A chance encounter gives Evan Lorne a chance to grab what he wants from life.
Notes: Stargate Atlantis does not belong to me, I make no profit nor intend any harm. Artwork by the fantastic gblvr. Thank you to daveywavey who not only doesn’t watch SGA, but doesn’t own an LJ/DW account for beta work - and to toomuchfandom for giving me a good kicking. Czech translations and further author’s notes at the bottom, as I consider them spoilers.






Sunset to Vegas

Evan shifted the bag on his shoulder and climbed the last part of hillside, not looking till he reached his chosen spot. He stood and checked his view, perfect he thought. He had a clear view of the entire bridge, and checking his watch almost an hour until sunset. He was just checking his surroundings for the best place to set up his equipment when he spotted a familiar person sitting on the benches, a little way back from the fencing at the edge of the path he was on.

His immediate smile faded as he took in Radek’s posture. For a start Radek wasn’t looking at the view, he had his elbows on his knees and was leaning forward studying the ground. He looked... despondent and a little lonely Evan thought and closed the distance between them hoping that Radek would appreciate some company.

“Hi” Evan said, smile back on his face.

“Major!” Radek jumped up in surprise. “What are you doing here?”

“After two weeks with my family, I’m looking for a little peace and quiet,” Evan laughed. “And seeing as we’re both still on vacation how about you call me Evan?”

“Then you can call me Radek”

“Er. I already do, doc.” Evan sat on the bench and Radek joined him.

“No, you call me ‘Doc’. You just did.” Radek was smiling now. Evan was strangely pleased to have cheered him up a little.

“OK, Radek. What are you doing up here?”

“I come to see the bridge. It is magnificent, no?” Radek gestured to view before them, The Golden Gate Bridge shining in the early evening sun.

“Completely,” Evan agreed. “I was planning on painting it while I was here but I’m out of time, so I’m going with photos.” He indicated the bag he was carrying.

“Out of time?” Radek frowned. “Don’t we have another two weeks? Or are you being called back earlier?”

“Yes, but I had planned to spend the next two weeks driving to Colorado. I brought myself a beautiful silver mustang and I want to drive her as much as I can.”

“Ah. A pilot who drives a fast car, how predictable.”

Evan shrugged and grinned, completely accepting the cliché.

“I’m gonna set up my stuff, I don’t want to miss the sunset...” He paused, rubbing the back of his neck “...You wanna join me?”

Radek looked a little surprised then nodded and followed Evan back to the fence; there were very few people on the path. Evan put his bag on the floor and squatted next to it; first he pulled out a tripod and started to set it up. Radek squatted next to him and reached to help. Evan relinquished the tripod and went back to the bag to unpack his new digital camera. He was quite pleased with it, it was a little bit of an extravagance, but so had the mustang been. He was feeling a little like a kid in a toyshop, but with big boy’s toys. He’d never spent his money on such frivolous stuff before, but the planned return of Atlantis to Pegasus was a year’s posting, so he hadn’t bothered with off base housing like some people had. He already managed to get plenty of art supplies packaged and shipped to the city, the only thing not going with him was the car, he was wondering how much it would take to get Sheppard to sneak it in, but then it wasn’t like there was anywhere in Pegasus he could drive it. It was going to the care of sergeant Siler while he was in Atlantis.

“What exactly are you planning?” Radek asked him.

“Well I’m going to take one photograph of the bridge every six seconds throughout the entire sunset, then put them all together to make a time-lapse film of the whole event.” He explained settling the camera on its tripod firmly on ground. He switched the camera on and started to manoeuvre it to get a better frame on the bridge.

“So two thousand or so pictures, with couple of minutes of video at the end,” he added.

Radek hummed and leaned in close to get a glimpse of the picture framed in the back of the camera.

“A little to the left,” he said

Evan laughed, but moved the camera anyway. Radek took a few moments to consider the camera before opening his mouth.

“If you say a little to the right, I will shoot you myself,” Evan interrupted.

“It is a perfect view.” But Radek had a wicked gleam in his eye. “And you do not have a gun.”

“There are plenty of places on me to hide a gun, doc.”

“Radek. And no, a gun would leave bulge in your pants.” Radek was smirking as his eyes raked up and down Evan’s body, comfortable blue jeans, plain black tee shirt and cowboy boots. Evan blushed.

“Kalhoty příliš nalíznutý do dělo kdekoli” Radek muttered.

“What?” Evan lifted an eyebrow.

“Nothing.” Radek waved his hand vaguely.

“Normally you only do that when something’s gonna blow up, or sink, or you want to insult someone.”

“No insult, I promise.” Radek shoved his hands in his pockets. “So what time do you need to start the photographs?”

“Nice distraction.” Smirking, Evan checked his watch. “Well sunset is 20:26, so I figure I have enough room on the memory card to start ten minutes before that should get me all the way through it.”

Evan went back to his bag, pulling out a tiny fold up stool and a bottle of water. He offered both to Radek. Radek took the stool but shook his head to the water, he unfolded the tiny three legged stool and sat on it, crossing his legs at the ankle, the stool was only fourteen inches tall and Radek sat on like a little pixie. Evan had to bite his lip to not laugh and turned back to his bag.

“You have problem, Major?” Evan was really struggling not to find the whole thing just plain cute. There was nothing else in the bag to distract him so he went back to fiddling with the camera, checking the programmed settings for continual timed shots and that the tripod was firm and steady. He took a breath so he wouldn’t laugh at Radek and turned back to him. The scientist was looking up from his stool indignantly.

“Nope.” He managed to keep the laughter in but not the smirk on his face.

“You wish to make short joke?”

“Hell, no!”

“Do prdele tebe,” Radek said

“Now that one I understand.”

“Yes, how cultured of you, to learn only curse words in other languages.”

“Got to learn something from the marines,” Evan grinned

“Do you not simply let them beat you up?”

“Nah, that’s Ronon’s job. I can take most of the marines.” Evan shrugged and they looked at each other for a moment.

“You can take down Sergeant Gregson?” Radek queried

“Well OK, maybe not Gregson.” Gregson was as big as Ronon, and fully trained in various martial arts, he was in fact one of the few marines who could knock Ronon off his feet.

“Miller? Edwards? And what about Vong?” Radek was on a roll

“Right then, so perhaps not those guys,” Evan admitted. “I said most, not all”

“Maybe if you listed the ones you are superior to in battle,” Radek smiled.

“You want names?” Evan asked.

“Maybe just scientific evidence to back up your claim.”

“It is a rule that as an Air Force officer I must do everything in my power to prove that we are better than the marines,” Evan stated.

“Ah. Another of these military clichés.”

“Yep,” Evan agreed “But they’re all excellent at their jobs and I wouldn’t dream of doing any mission without them.” He frowned. “But don’t tell them I said that,” he added thoughtfully.

“Of course.” Radek nodded solemnly “I would not dream of tarnishing your fragile Air Force honour.”

“And what about all your scientist clichés?” Evan asked “Between you and McKay you have every evil overlord and mad scientist cliché covered”

“And which am I?” Radek wondered, exaggerating pushing his glasses up his nose.

“Um.” Evan floundered, somewhere between humour and insult, and settled for middle ground “You're mad but lovable. Without you McKay would be ruling the galaxy by now.”

“Lovable?” Radek asked incredulously. Evan flushed and looked away.

“Your camera,” Radek reminded in the slightly awkward silence.

“Right.” Evan checked his watch and the camera one last time.

“Okay. Let’s do this.” He started the camera going on its program and they waited quietly, they could just hear the tiny click of the shutter.

There were more people on the path now, but Radek had managed to position himself in such a way they everybody had to walk around them, no one would be able pass in front of the camera or jostle it. Evan didn’t know if it was intentional or not. After a while Evan noticed Radek was sliding into a similar position to which Evan had found him in, head down, looking at the floor between his feet. He carefully reached on hand out a laid it on Radek’s shoulder.

“You okay?”

“Yes. Yes. Fine” Radek didn’t look fine; he looked lost, and just a little bit sad.

“Radek?”

“My sister came to visit; she has never seen America.” He grimaced “She bought her dítě.” From the way he spit the word out Evan figured whomever Radek’s sister had brought wasn’t very popular.

“Her son,” Radek continued. Evan nodded. “We were tourists. I have seen the Statue of Liberty, Empire state building and Grand Canyon. Also the boy will only eat hamburgers. Greasy disgusting things. It was horrible.” Radek sighed. “I miss them,” he admitted quietly.

“My eldest nephew has turned into a sulking teenager, he only wears black and has his nose pierced. He kept on answering me back.” Evan confided .

“The youngest thinks he can be just like his brother, he’s eleven, he thinks the best thing to do is see how many times he can say ‘fuck’ in one day. They have no respect for their mother. It’s gonna break my heart leaving in the morning.”

“Family,” Radek agreed

“Can’t live with them, can’t shove ‘em through a space gate,” Evan nodded. “Kinda like McKay.”

Radek laughed.

“As an uncle it gives me pleasure give back child at end of day.”

“You never wanted kids? Wife?” Evan asked

“I have never met the right woman.” Radek said slowly, warily watching Evan’s face. Evan completely caught the message that was being given. He squeezed Radek’s shoulder slightly before letting go and turned away to look at the view of the bridge.

“Would you like to get a late dinner with me when this is done?” Evan asked very casually, giving a message of his own, hopefully without causing any offence.

Radek stood, briefly stretching his legs and came to stand next to Evan beside the camera. He was quiet for a long time and Evan was beginning to worry he’d over stepped, or at least that he was going to get rejected.

“Evan.” Radek started then stopped, Evan turned to watch Radek as he fished for words. “I would very much like to get dinner with you sometime.”

“But?” Evan sighed knowing he was being turned down.

“I am far too old to do something casual, no matter how much I want to.” Radek rubbed his hands over his face, under his glasses, dislodging them. “I would not expect a man in your position to be offering anything else.” He said flatly.

Evan blinked. “So you presume to know what a ‘man in my position’ wants or feels?” He threw Radek’s own words back at him.

“You can want or feel a great many things, but you are an Air Force officer. You don’t get them.”

“So my rank scares you?”

“I will not allow you to risk your career for a simple fuck on vacation.”

“Radek,” Evan hissed, taking hold of Radek’s arm and stepping closer to him. “If I wanted a simple fuck I’d be downtown in a club picking up a goddamned twink. That’s not what I’m asking you.”

“What do you want, Major?”

What did he want? Evan wondered. Everything? Nothing? He wanted Radek, he knew that. And Radek was right; he shouldn’t be able to have everything he wanted. He was in a great position career wise, due up for promotion within the next two years, re-posted to Atlantis, a CO he was friends with, doing work he adored, with a team he had bonded with. Why should it be wrong to want more than that, someone to come home to, someone to call his family, someone to love and be loved by in return. He couldn’t possibly say all that to Radek.

“Dinner,” he finally said. “Can we just start with dinner?”

“Very well,” Radek said. The mood had changed from the comfortable banter to something tenser. They made stilted small talk as the camera finished its program and it was dark. Radek helped Evan carefully pack everything away, and then walked with him down the path. The view of the bridge disappearing behind the hill.

oooOOOooo

Dinner had been at a nice relaxed Italian restaurant. Neither had drunk any alcohol and they’d shared a huge slice of chocolate cake for dessert. Evan made light meaningless chatter about nothing, afraid to make any perceived move on Radek, and Radek relaxed into the conversation. Halfway through the dessert Evan returned their earlier talk.

“Why is it so inconceivable that I would want more than something casual with you?”

“I have been working for the American military for the last fifteen years, Major. I know what to expect from them. I do not want that, anymore. Especially not from you.” Radek wouldn’t meet his eyes.

“Radek. Let me make myself clear. I would like something more than casual with you. I know the risk I would be taking and you are worth it.”

Radek was startled at that. Evan decided there and then that subtle wasn’t going to work.

“You are attracted to me?” Radek blushed

“Yes.” Evan looked at Radek, and the penny dropped. “You didn’t know I was?”

“That has not been my experience, no. I have not made a secret of my orientation in the past. Often it is easier for a soldier confined to base to seek... comfort... from a civilian rather than a fellow soldier.”

Evan felt a rush of anger on Radek’s behalf. Something must have shown on his face because Radek scrambled to justify his statement.

“I have never been coerced into anything I did not want to do,” he said. “It’s just that...” he lowered his voice. “Atlantis can change your views. Living in a war zone has made me want more than that.”

“And you don’t think that’s possible with me.” Evan sat back in his chair, hurt from being labelled in with the unnamed brief encounters of Radek's past.

“Of all the people I could see myself having a relationship with, you are the one I want,” Radek confessed.

“Can we try?” Evan asked, reaching across the table to take Radek’s hand.

“When will we have time? In two week’s we will be back on base preparing the city for departure. We will both be extremely busy.”

“What about the next two weeks.” Evan wasn’t letting this chance go. “What do you have planned now your sister has gone home?”

“Not much.” Radek admitted. “I will probably report back in the next few days. Rodney’s emails are getting more frequent and harder to ignore.”

“Then come with me,” Evan begged. “Via Las Vegas. Two days drive to Vegas, then four maybe five days there before the rest of the drive to Colorado.”

“I’ll let you drive the car,” Evan smiled. Radek seemed to be considering the offer.

“Come on. Get to know me a bit better. If you decide you hate me after all, we can make alternate arrangements, no hard feelings.”

“I will think about it,” Radek promised. “Walk me back to my hotel. It’s not far.”

“I would be honoured to escort you home, Doctor Zelenka.” Evan signalled a waiter for the bill. They almost got into an argument about who was paying until they were politely informed that they could spilt the fee onto two credit cards. Evan left a twenty for a tip and they left.

It was much cooler outside and nearing eleven at night, the streets were crowded full of people, tumbling in groups and couples from restaurants and bars. Evan kept a hand on Radek’s elbow as they walked the three blocks to his hotel, Radek didn’t speak till they were right outside the doors of the Hilton.

“I will travel with you to Las Vegas,” Radek informed him. “You collect me in the morning, please?”

“Yes, no problem. Around ten?” Evan was trying not bounce where he stood.

“I will be ready. Goodnight Evan.”

“Goodnight, Radek.” Radek turned and went through the glass doors into the hotel before Evan could decide whether or not to kiss him goodnight.

oooOOOooo

Evan pulled up outside the Hilton a little after ten the following morning, he didn’t like to be late but his sister had been reluctant to let him go without making sure he had a huge amount of food packed for his journey. When he had mentioned that someone was travelling with him she had started to make more sandwiches. Annoyed with him that he hadn’t been able to say exactly what Radek preferred to eat. He had a huge cooler full of sandwiches on three different sorts of bread, with six different fillings; lots of fruit and bags of potato chips, with bottles of water and cans of soda.

While the car seemed an acceptable accessory to be seen in such a location, the look on the doorman’s face said that Evan’s choice of clothing was not. Loose worn jeans with a rip in the knee and a red tee shirt that proclaimed “world’s greatest uncle” in large yellow lettering. He shot the doorman an easy smile as he lounged against the car waiting for Radek. The doorman’s glare deepened so Evan upped his smile to don’t-scare-the-natives level and ignored him.

Radek bustled through the sliding doors two laptop bags criss-crossed over his torso, wheeling a suitcase behind him. The doorman leapt to offer assistance and Radek let him take the suitcase but would not give up either computer. The suitcase went in the trunk and the laptop bags in the car.

Radek was also in jeans and a tee shirt, though he had a pale blue button down shirt over the top. They stood either side of the car looking at each other over the roof until the doorman cleared his throat from where he was loitering next to Evan. Radek ignored him and slid into the passenger seat. Fighting back a laugh, Evan shoved a ten dollar bill at him to make him go away then dropped into the driver seat.

“Shall we?” Evan asked before unnecessarily revving the engine and pulling away from the hotel quick enough to make the tyre’s squeal.

Mid morning traffic wasn’t horrendous but it was by no means easy, they chatted about the weather and planned route out of the city, Radek seemed disgusted that Evan had used an online route planner. They spent two hours on the MacArthur freeway and when Evan headed south on the I-5 Radek pulled an out an iPod and jacked it into the mustang’s stereo. Evan managed to tease him for fifty miles about Elvis before he switched it to The Beatles, then they managed to argue for another fifty miles. Radek made no comment about the speed Evan was driving at until they got pulled over by the cops.

Evan sighed presenting his Air Force ID, utterly appalled with himself but prepared to pay any fine right up until he found out his driver’s licence had expired. It wasn’t like he could explain where he had been for the last four years, the cop was being pretty understanding about the whole “classified overseas deployment” thing, then Radek had stepped out of the car and presented diplomatic papers and Evan wasn’t sure who was more surprised; him or the cop.

They kept the speed down after that and took a rest stop for an hour outside Lost Hills, where they both spent the time walking around and eating some the sandwiches Evan’s sister had made. Then headed south-east to Bakersfield then east, skirting the Mojave and passing Edwards Air Force Base.

Evan reached his limit for driving around that time but seemed reluctant to stop so pushed himself onwards, making it halfway between Bakersfield and Barstow before Radek insisted they stop for the night.

Kramer Junction was fairly busy and they chose a small hotel to stop at. Radek ordered two rooms without asking and Evan was content with that, he knew where he wanted to go with Radek but he wasn’t going to push, and his practised eye was picking off duty airmen out of the crowds with ease. He was a little too close to a base to do anything overt. They were recommended a Thai restaurant by the hotel and Evan yawned his way through diner, deciding that he’d let Radek drive tomorrow. Maybe.

Day two started slowly, Evan was stiff and sore from the driving and worked his way through thirty minutes of stretches and gentle exercise on the floor of his hotel room before meeting Radek for breakfast. Radek spent breakfast glued to his laptop, explaining it was easier to pick up the secure satellite signal while they were not moving and that Rodney had left six messages on his voice mail complaining about Vancouver and his sister’s food, or lack thereof. Evan had had to practice his diplomatic face quite carefully when Radek let slip that Colonel Sheppard was also in Vancouver with McKay’s family.

Evan insisted they left right after their late breakfast, he’d decided they could make Vegas that day even if he did let Radek drive for part of the journey. They made Barstow in an hour where they picked up more snacks and drinks for the car along with a couple of 80’s rock CD’s because Evan wasn’t wanting to listen to Radek’s iPod anymore and the radio just caused arguments.

They left Barstow on the I-15 and Evan let Radek drive for a solid three hours, even though he expressed entirely too much glee at driving the mustang. Evan was glad the route he’d planned was main roads, he could didn’t want to get lost and hadn’t wanted to drive through Death Valley, air conditioning notwithstanding. Evan dozed while Radek drove the stereo quietly playing classical orchestral in the background. He hadn’t got a clue who the composer was.

They passed the Mojave National Reserve and passed the state line into Nevada somewhere around six in the evening. Evan promised they’d stay in a five star hotel in Vegas and he was going to spend an hour in a hot bath, it changed the mood in the car and they started flirting with each other for the last hour’s drive into Vegas.

Vegas was gaudy and bright, it had been years since Evan had been there and Radek had never visited. If they were honest with each other it was a little overwhelming, Radek was particularly spooked by the crowds. Evan booked a two bed roomed suite at the Plaza for three nights and made the executive decision to stay there the entire time. They bought suits in the hotel; Radek picking a double breasted English style in a very dark blue and Evan more casual black that he could use again, both steering clear of a traditional tuxedo.

They spent a lazy day in the hotel, Radek abusing the hotel’s internet connection and Evan taking advantage of the in house spa facilities.

The evening of their second day in Vegas, they hit the casino.

“OK, what’s the master plan for beating the house?” Evan asks

“The House always wins,” Radek tells him, “but there are ways to keep ahead.” He’s scanning the cards tables trying to choose a game. Evan jingles the five hundred dollars worth of chips he has.

“You got a system, right?” Evan whispers to Radek.

“I could calculate the odds for blackjack easily enough.”

“Blackjack? I see you more of a Poker player.”

“There is only so far math will take you in Poker. You don’t play the game, you play the player,” Radek says scornfully.

“Yeah. I Know, but it’s fun.”

“No one will take their clothes off if they lose a hand here,” Radek informs him primly.

“I’ve played more than strip poker you know.” Evan’s thinking about Radek stripping his clothes off

“Very well. Poker it is. I suppose I can play blackjack all tomorrow evening if you lose too much.”

“I know how to play poker,” Evan moans as they make their way past the blackjack tables. “You get two cards right, then some more on that floppy thing.” Radek rolls his eyes dramatically and Evan just smirks.

“I will definitely be playing blackjack tomorrow.”

“There’s always the slot machines, they’re... shiny.”

Radek stops and turns to stare.

“Did you hit your head? If you put even one quarter in those money burning machines I will disown you on the spot.”

Evan raises an eyebrow.

“You are not spending anymore of our vacation talking to McKay. It was like he was right here in the room.”

Radek manages to look suitably chastised by the insult.

They pass two full tables and are just reaching the third when three of the players get up and walk away. It leaves two players at the table. A woman in a business suit with her white shirt undone enough to show the edges of a blue lacy bra over her ample breast and a huge man who’s long sleeved blue shirt is pulling tight across his back and his jacket is crumple in a heap on the chair next to him. He has a huge pile of different coloured chips in front of him. He’s muttering something under his breath that Evan doesn’t catch. Clearly Radek does, and also understands.

“Můžeme koupit?” Radek asks

The guy looks up in surprise, and then smiles broadly.

“A krajan , samozřejmě , vítejte.”

“In English please, for the sake of our companions,” Radek says politely, waving an arm to indicate Evan and the woman already seated.

“If you must.” The man’s accent is much thicker than Radek’s and he seems to struggle with the English words far more than Radek does.

“Radek.” Radek holds out his hand in introduction. “This is my friend, Evan,” he adds when the man doesn’t take his offered hand.

“You call me Mikal,” The man replies, Evan has no doubt that it’s not the man’s real name, but he smiles and offers his hand as Radek drops his back to his side. Mikal does shake Evan’s hand, his grip too tight and palm clammy. He trails his eyes up and down Evan’s body and Evan feels dirty all of a sudden. He wishes Radek had picked another table.

The woman introduces herself as Maria, and Evan and Radek settle at the table and split their chips evenly.

“Is not team sport,” Mikal says, so Evan moves one seat further away from him, putting an empty seat between him and Radek.

They play for nearly two hours, Mikal clearly bullying them, Evan manages to stay even, though he has made a few stupid plays because Mikal is casually insulting, and Evan has no idea what he’s saying when he slips into Czech. Maria runs out of chips and the game pauses. Radek is up over all, and playing completely calmly, though Evan knows him well enough that he’s spotted Radek’s tell.

Mikal leans over the table.

“We up the Blinds, yes? Make a man’s game.” They had been playing a one dollar table so when Mikal suggests twenty five-fifty for the blind’s Evan nearly gets up and walks away. Radek simply nods and Evans just along for the ride. The croupier breaks a new deck, informing a goon in a suit behind her of the change in the table’s status and play resumes.

Evan has no choice but to tighten his play and only bets on hands where he actually has something, Radek however makes increasing bold moves and loses a lot really quickly. Another hour passing where Radek loses as much as he wins.

Evan is repeatedly twitching at the corner of his cards looking at the jack and queen of hearts, when Radek rubs his nose under his glasses and slides five hundred in chips to the centre of the table. Mikal’s grin is predatory when he call’s really quickly. Evan glances at the flop; Ace of Hearts, Four of Hearts and Ten of Spades. He’s drawing to a straight and a flush, and itching to call, but he’s just below the five hundred and a creeping feeling up his spine tells him he cannot afford to go all-in. He’s damn sure Radek is bluffing and also damn sure Mikal knows that too. Whatever Mikal has, is obviously beating Radek, and Evan doesn’t want in to whatever mind games they are playing. He tosses his cards and prays that it will be over soon. The turn gives them the six of hearts, and after a moment’s pause Radek pushes the rest of his chips forward.

“All-in,” he says.

“Call,” Mikal says just as quickly as before. The croupier informs him that makes him all-in as well, Evan blinks, when had Radek gotten ahead of the guy. Radek is left with thirty five dollars in chips, he won’t even make his blind for the next hand.

The River comes with the four of diamonds, Evan has ditched his Flush, and he can only imagine Mikal is also flushing with the King of hearts, which would have beaten him anyway.

“Flush.” Mikal laughs throwing over his cards and reaching for the chips. King and ten of hearts, as Evan predicted.

“Full House.” Radek says turning over the two black Aces. Both Evan and Mikal freeze.

“Bastard.” Mikal slumps back in his chair. “Fucking bastard.”

“We will cash out now please,,” Radek tells the croupier.

Mikal lunges across the table and grips Radek’s arm.

“Možná sdílíte couro místo.” Mikal nods at Evan.

Before Evan can move, Radek has grabbed Mikal’s hand and twisted his arm up behind his back, forcing Mikal to his knees with a shout of pain. The move is clearly something Radek has picked up in self-defence classes somewhere. Evan knows that both Ronon and Teyla teach the civilians as well as the marines on Atlantis.

“Nikdy se ho dotknout,” Radek hisses in his ear letting him go as three large security people miraculously appear. Radek hold’s his hands up and away from Mikal.

“Just a misunderstanding. No Trouble” he backs away, right into Evan.

Evan moves to put himself between Radek and Mikal, one hand placed flat on Radek’s chest. He can feel Radek’s heart racing through his shirt.

“You Ok?” Evan murmurs to Radek. Radek ignores him.

“We will please leave now.” He asks the security and the croupier.

“Yes, Sir,” she says, expertly stacking the chips. And Radek is gone before Evan can stop him.

Evan gives their room number to the croupier and asks that the chips be sent up to their room and follows Radek, not giving Mikal a second glance.

He catches up with Radek by the elevators.

“Hey.” Evan touches Radek on the arm. “You played him back there.”

“Yes.” Radek steps into the elevator, Evan follows him silently; he’s not seen Radek this angry before. The doors slide shut and Radek stabs at the button for the eleventh floor.

“What did he say about me?”

“It is not pleasant and I am not repeating it.”

“Radek. What did he say?” Evan crowds Radek into the corner of the elevator.

“He wanted to ‘share’ you.” Radek sighs and looks away.

“Oh.” Evan pauses. “Well thank you for not offering that.”

Radek looks at him.

“You are not mine to share.”

Evan braces one arm either side of Radek head and leans closer.

“I could be yours,” Evan whispers

Radek closes the gap between them with a groan and kisses Evan. Evan kisses right back, moving one hand from the wall to wrap it around the back of Radeks neck, thumb brushing in his hair. Radek slides his arms around Evan’s waist, under the suit jacket, and presses their bodies together. The ding of the elevator reaching its destination separates them.

“God, Radek, I want you,” Evan breathes into Radek’s neck where he’s buried his head. Radek runs his hands up and down Evan’s back in agreement. The doors are starting to close again and Evan has to stretch his arm out to stop them. Radek drag’s him down the corridor and into their room.

The door has barely clicked shut and Radek is scrabbling at Evan’s belt and undoing the button on his pants.

“Whoa. Slow down.” Evan tries to draw Radek in for a kiss.

“Slow is for later,” Radek says unbuckling the belt and pulling on the zipper. “I have spent two days in a car with you trying to keep my hands to myself.” Radek tugs on Evan’s trousers and has his hands inside Evan’s boxers. “And then to listen to that... that...” Radek can’t find a word in English or Czech to describe Mikal, he stops, looking briefly at Evan. “He talked about you all evening. I was seconds away from killing him with my bare hands.”

Evan chuckles, putting his hands over Radek’s to keep them still.

“Don’t think about him. Think about me; Think about all the things you’re going to do to me tonight.”

A slow smile spreads across Radek’s face.

“Do you want me to tell you exactly what I’m going to do to you tonight?”

In answer Evan releases Radek’s hands and moves them to cup his face, kissing him hungrily. Radek teases Evan’s mouth open and slips his tongue in, his hand’s leaving Evan’s boxers and moving up Evan’s chest undoing shirt buttons as he goes. Radek breaks the kiss.

“I’m going to undress you.” Radek kisses Evan’s neck. “I’m going to touch and kiss you everywhere I can reach from here.” Radek kisses the palm of Evan’s hand, undoing the button at the cuff. “I’m going get on my knees, and make you come so hard the only thing holding you up will be the wall and my hands.” Radek undoes the other cuff and slides Evan’s shirt off, dropping it the floor. Evan is wide eyed and breathing in short sharp breaths. Radek glides his hands up Evans arms to his shoulders, placing a kiss on his collarbone, hands caressing Evan’s chest teasing at a nipple. When Radek kisses and sucks at the other nipple Evan thumps his head back against the wall.

“God, Please.”

“You wanted slow,” Radek mutters, kissing a trail down the centre of Evan’s chest as he drops to his knees, his hands brushing down Evan’s sides and wait of his pants.

There’s slow, then there’s torture thinks Evan as Radek skips over Evan’s erection and down to undo his shoes. He pulls off Evans shoes and socks putting them to one side with the shirt. Evan groans as Radek removes his pants and boxers.

“You are so beautiful.”

Radek kisses Evan’s hip, one hand on Evan’s hip holding him steady the other carefully wrapping around Evan’s cock. It takes all his will power not to blindly thrust into Radeks hand.

“Radek!” Radek obliges and sucks in the tip of Evan’s cock, working his tongue against the underside.

“Jesus,” Evan gasps and does thrust into Radek’s mouth. Radek coughs a little and pulls back.

“Sorry. Sorry,” Evan pants, forcing his body to still. Radek goes back to work, his hand stroking in time to his tongue until Evan chokes out his name in warning. Evan comes as hard as Radek had promised him and Radek swallows most of it.

Radek gives Evan a few minutes to settle down from his high before standing. Evan wraps his arms around Radek.

“Why are you still dressed” he asks, Radek shrugs.

“I have not finished with you yet.” And Radek takes him to bed.

They don’t leave the room the next day; they barely even leave the bed. Returning to the casino for another evening they steer clear of the poker tables. Radek plays blackjack for two hours while Evan feeds a slot machine, his pockets bulging with quarters. When Radek gets bored with blackjack they play a little roulette, losing two hundred dollars and laughing as Evan teases Radek about plotting the trajectory of the roulette ball.

They spend an hour over a really lazy breakfast before leaving the hotel hand in hand.

oooOOOooo

Evan got lost getting out of Las Vegas which Radek found outrageously funny and Evan managed to perfect a pout and puppy dog eyes getting Radek to search directions on his laptop. They finally got back on route, leaving on the I-15 north and taking a tiny corner off Arizona before moving north into Utah.

They switched turns in driving, stopping for a short break every hour or so, making out like teenagers pushed up against the side of the mustang and one very memorable time Radek fucked Evan hard as he was sprawled across the hood. Exchanging blow-jobs inside the car was a logistics nightmare and Radek ended up with bruises so they didn’t try that more than once. Radek continued to taunt Evan with Elvis and Evan retaliated by singing along loudly to the best eighties rock music he had.

Just after they turned east onto the I-70 they stopped at a motel outside the first town they reached. It was grubby and cheap compared to their previous choices but neither of them cared. They ate takeout pizza and two bags of M&M’s before falling asleep in each other’s arms. Radek didn’t even take his laptop out of its bag.

oooOOOooo

They make the last leg to Denver in one day. Switching every hour as usual, but with shorter breaks, deciding to have their last night in Denver. Choosing a hotel by picking one on the edges of town. Not talking about it being their last night together for a while. They leave Denver going south and just after Colorado Springs about five miles from the mountain Evan breaks the silence.

“We can make this work, you know.”

“Yes. We can,” Radek replies. “I want to, Evan, I can be discrete.”

“I trust you,” Evan tells him, not taking his eyes off the road. “Every relationship needs work.”

“It’s not like I’m going to jump you in the gate room after every mission,” Radek points out. Evan laughs.

“Maybe after post mission medicals and debriefing,” Evan suggests.

“I will be exceptionally sneaky in making my way to your quarters.”

“Or I could come and drag you out of the labs.”

“You should bring coffee to distract Rodney from your presence.”

“As long as he doesn’t think I’m trying to court him or anything,” Evan grimaces

“You do not have the necessary blonde hair or large breasts to court Rodney,” Radek laughs

“No I don’t,” Evan grins, sparing Radek a glance.

“Perhaps we can deconstruct the car and get it to Atlantis one part at a time,” Radek muses, idly patting the dash.

“Yeah, you gonna hide the hood under your sweater next time you beam over there?”

“There are many ways to get large boxes transported if they are labelled correctly.”

“You’re joking right? You really couldn’t get this car onto the city.”

“I could try if you wanted me to.”

Evan considered it for the rest of the drive. When they made it to the first checkpoint he finally said “I’ve got you. I don’t need the car.”

ooo The End ooo


Czech translations (via online translator)

By Golden Gate Bridge:
kalhoty příliš nalíznutý do dělo kdekoli – pants too tight for gun anyway.
Do prdele tebe – Fuck you.

In Casino:
Radek (to Mikal): Můžeme koupit ? - May we buy in?
Mikal (in response): A krajan , samozřejmě , vítejte - A fellow countryman, of course.
And
Mikal (about Evan): Možná sdílíte couro místo - maybe you share the little slut instead
Radek (in response): Nikdy se ho dotknout – you will never touch him

Author's Notes:
Lorne’s photography project is totally stolen from here. It’s fantastic, go watch.
http://thenextcorner.net/sunset-over-golden-gate-bridge/
I, like Evan Lorne, used an online route planner for their journey. I, however do not live in the USA so if it is wrong I apologize. I have also never visited the Golden Gate Bridge or San Francisco, so if it appallingly inaccurate I also apologize. I do really, really want to go there now.




download the fanmix cover art and separate MP3s in a zip file (56 MB)

download the fanmix as an M4B file (4-5MB)

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