"Look, Mr. Sheppard, you know I don't want to do this." Rodney looked down at his boots, as if there was some answer in the brightly shined leather.

"Call me John - after all, I'll be your husband in just a few days." Sheppard looked serious, but his twinkling green eyes gave him away.

Rodney looked down again.

"Come on, McKay," John said. "You'd see your properties taken by Kolya rather than marry me?"

"Well," Rodney said, his mouth turning up in a crooked smile. "I suppose you're good-looking enough, and you're less stupid than most."

John gave an ironic little bow. "Thank you, kind sir. I think you'll find that I'm not so bad."

"Well," Rodney looked at John, blue eyes blazing. "You should be good - you've had a lot of practice in every bed in this county!"

John smiled a boyish grin that showed his even white teeth. "Lies and rumors, I swear," he said. "Lies and rumors."

Rodney rolled his eyes. "Do you even know how to be faithful, Mr. Sheppard? Or is that too difficult a concept for you?"

John stepped closer and grabbed one of Rodney's hands. "For you, Rodney, I'll be whatever you want."