Of the same kinds, class, or nature

Title: No Courting Sweater Required
Paring: Weir/Sumner
Rating: PG-13
Spoilers: Rising, Conversion
Word Count: 838
Summary: Colonel Sumner doesn’t need a courting sweater.
A/N: This is a present for smittywing. She’s been writing me fic on demand for the last few weeks, so I thought I would write her a little present. This is set in her AU where Sumner lives, but it's a stand alone fic. wojelah beta'd. :-)

In case you've been missing out on the wonder that is smittywing's Weir/Sumner fic - you can find all of it here - under her Weir/Sumner tag.


Mack walked into Elizabeth’s office and leaned against her desk. She would describe his position as causal except - there was nothing casual about it. “That was a long meeting you just had with Caldwell.”

“He just wanted to make sure we didn’t need any assistance getting things back in order.” Elizabeth realized she was probably a little more defensive than she should be, but something about the forced casualness of Mack’s position and demeanor was setting off warning bells.

“Caldwell certainly has been more helpful than I remember him being in the past.” If Mack was anyone else she would describe the tone of his voice as sulky, but from him it came out as a grumble.

“Well, when we couldn’t get a hold of you right away, and Major Sheppard started morphing into a bug, so he volunteered to step in and help.”

“I’m sure he did.” Mack smirked and sat down in the chair across from her.

Now Elizabeth knew something was up. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Nothing.” Mack shook his head and got up to leave, looking like he wanted to say something more, but was stopping himself. “I better go check in on my men and make sure Caldwell didn’t do anything to my city while I was gone.”

“Your city?” Elizabeth raised her eyebrows, baiting him a little. Something was bugging him, and she wasn’t letting him leave her office until she found out what.

“Yes. My city.” Mack had an almost possessive look in his eyes. Elizabeth got up from her desk and closed her door. She had a feeling this was one of those conversations she didn't want overheard.

“Mack, what has gotten into you?” Elizabeth sat down on her desk in front of the chair Mack had been sitting in and gestured for him to sit back down. She was a little surprised when he actually complied. It wasn’t the most professional position in the world, but the control room was pretty empty and she wanted to get to the bottom of what was bugging Mack.

“He was wearing that damn courting sweater.” If the man in front of her hadn’t been a decorated veteran, she'd have said he sounded petulant.

“Did you just use the phrase ‘courting sweater?’” Elizabeth couldn’t believe those words had just come out of Mack’s mouth.

“God damn it, Elizabeth, it's the sweater he puts on when he wants to hit on you!” Mack looked so incredibly perturbed. Elizabeth had to work extra hard to stifle her laughter.

“Hit on me? Where on earth did you get that idea” Elizabeth thought back to all of her interactions with Colonel Caldwell; he had never been anything other than professional with her.

Mack grumbled – it almost sounded like he was growling. “I overheard Sheppard and McKay talking about the ‘courting sweater phenomenon.’ Caldwell never wears it to official meetings but when it’s just the two of you, the sweater comes out.”

“Mack. Colonel Caldwell is not ‘courting’ me.” From the look at Mack’s face she could tell he thought she was just placating him, but really, Caldwell, hitting on her? She just didn’t see it.

“Elizabeth, I hate to say it, but you are being naïve. That blowhard zoomie would love to get his paws on you. I mean . . . look at you!” Mack waved his hand in her general direction.

“Mack, I think there was a compliment buried in there somewhere, but I am not naïve, I can tell when a man is hitting on me!” Elizabeth was trying very hard not to get annoyed with Mack. This had gone from funny, to almost insulting. Except she knew him well enough to know he really was upset.

“Can you?” Mack had an almost predatory gleam in his eyes as he stood up and loomed over her. She was still sitting on her desk, her legs hanging down. He stood her her legs were trapped between his and he put his arms down on the desk on either side of her. He leaned in close, got right up to her face, close enough to kiss her but he didn’t. Elizabeth knew she had to stop this or she would end up doing something inappropriate in her office.

She put both hands on his chest and tried to push him back. He grabbed them between his hands and took a step back. “Mack! We’re in my office!”

“I know. And trust me, that is the only reason you’re still wearing all of your clothing.” He released her hands and headed toward the door.

“Wait – you’re just going to leave?”

“Yes. And in five minutes you’re going to follow. Unlike Caldwell, I don’t need to use a courting sweater to get you naked and in my bed.” Mack swiped his hand over the door and walked out.

She shook her head and went back to her desk to tidy up her papers. The man could be infuriating - and yet. She checked her watch. Five minutes. She could just make it, if she hurried. And he was right. No courting sweater required.