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Entry tags:	out of bounds, sga, sga fics

SGA Fic: Out Of Bounds - John/Rodney - NC-17 overall
The story in one file up to an earlier chapter: Out Of Bounds.

Title: Out Of Bounds
Author: Icarus
Rating: NC-17
Pairing: John/Rodney
Summary: "This scoring system is starting to seem a little arbitrary," John growled in complaint.

A/N: Thank you once again to my tireless betas, rabidfan and roaringmice, as well as tingler and mariamme.

Previously in Out Of Bounds: Known more for his jumps than his artistry, figure skater John Sheppard hires ex-skating champion and "artiste" Rodney McKay to be his coach. Their teasing friendship warms into something more. After a year of training and preparation... the U.S. Championships.

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Out Of Bounds
by Icarus



Heart-thumping disco filled the arena by the time John jogged down the steps, his hair still damp. He fumbled with the laces on his skates, stamping his heel into the back while Rodney sauntered up to the boards, sidling between staff members and bored cameramen. He gave the other coaches a dignified nod.

Clusters of older women under lap blankets filled the rows nearest the ice. The best seats in the house were up for grabs during practice sessions. A older guy, as small as a jockey and easily in his fifties, stepped down the rows diagonally over seatbacks with effortless balance, obviously an ex-skater.

John didn't manage to be first on the ice this time; he was still tugging the sleeves of his jacket off when his name was called. The little red-headed kid -- Nathaniel Peters from Sectionals -- cut around the ice with short, sharp strokes. Behind Peters came two new skaters, Wynne and Reinhardt, crisscrossing in front of each other. From this angle it looked like they'd almost collided but John knew there was plenty of room. Only beginning skaters needed a three foot clearance around them, and that mostly because they freaked out.

Mark Svick slid immediately over to his coach for an early conference. John had forgotten Svick had taken fourth at Mids; or well, not forgotten exactly, just hadn't thought much about it. Which was strange considering John had spent the last couple years focused on beating Svick.

John tossed his jacket at Rodney. Hopping over the lip of the rink, John bent and took his hard guards off, then put some power into his strokes to catch up.

He let his breathing even out, head down and one arm tucked behind his back like a speed skater. He edged into the first curve. His skates hissed like a jet trail. He did some easy crossovers, then got to work and opened up into his usual footwork pattern. He angled around the next corner -- and the back of his skate lost its bite into the ice. He skidded sideways, right into the boards.

John picked himself up, planting his skate on the ice and laughing in embarrassment.

Rodney looked down at John, his nose lifted. "Hmm, yes. You're permitted to do that here, but not during competition."

John dusted the ice off his pants. He looked surreptitiously around. The other skaters smothered smiles pretending not to look at him, while the little old ladies peered over in concern. John coughed into his fist. "Yeah. I'll keep that in mind."

"In addition," Rodney said. His eyes glinted with amusement. "You're allowed exactly two falls in practice today."

John raised his eyebrows. He was practicing the quad today. "Or else?"

"Or else..." Rodney paused, face going blank in surprise. Then he swung his pointer finger as if on sudden inspiration. "I deduct points!"

"You're on."

"Oh—and you're starting with a negative five, by the way." When John opened his mouth to protest, he added, "Hey! Just be grateful it's not ten."

"This scoring system is starting to seem a little arbitrary," John growled in complaint, but he dug his skate into the ice and swung into stride with a determined smile on his face.

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