Disclaimer: I do not own Stargate: Atlantis and I am not making any money by writing about it.

Title: The Gift

Author: Madelin Breaker

Warnings: Suggestion of Sexual Situations

Pairings: McKay/Zelenka

Spoilers: Anything aired is game

Rating: K+

Status: WIP

Archive: Sure, just let me know—also, at my website geekyone. Please

Summary: A team visits the planet of Vendel where Rodney and Radek participate in a local ceremony. The end result brings them closer together than they ever imagined. Warning: If you find slash offensive please don't click here!

"Retolda Ma Nelarivelda," Re'ven, the high priest on Vendel, recites over the blue glowing ball, which Rodney and Radek have both placed a hand upon.

"Ke'en'el Dehtyl K'Tonal," he continues, as the ball grows brighter—radiating warmth.

The rest of the room stands in silence, gathered around the stage upon which the ceremony is being preformed, until the ball stops its glowing. They irrupt in what must be the Vendel manner of cheering, "Kelta!"

Rodney, Radek, and the rest of the team from Atlantis are then guided to a giant banquet hall. The pair of scientists is seated at a table of honor while the others find themselves pulled to the back of the room.

"What just happened?"

"Do you think if I knew I wouldn't have said something?"

"Yeah," he responds distracted by checking out the functioning ability of his hand.

"Your hand is fine. Look around—all other people at this table seem happy."

"How do you know it doesn't work differently on humans?"

"My hand is fine."

"Well…" he makes a mocking face at Radek.

He doesn't look any better when the food begins to arrive.

"You don't know how to mime the word citrus?"

McKay shoots him an evil glare. He really doesn't like it when the culture doesn't speak English.

Laughter fills the banquet hall as the local Vendel people dine on the exquisite platters of food.

Then, the tapping of a staff three times on the stone floor brings silence to the room.

Re'ven holds his staff up in the air, "Nevnma J'elda bnavu" A line of younger men, dressed in similar robes, march through the archway—each carrying a baby.

The couples seated at the table with Radek and Rodney all rise and bow their heads. The staff taps three more times. The line of young men walks along the front of the banquet table each stopping in front of a couple.

Radek and Rodney now stand like the rest of couples, having been chastised by Elizabeth's sharp gaze.

Three more taps—the babies are presented. The room irrupts in joy—friends coming forth to give congratulations and well-wishes.

Rodney stares down at the baby cradled in his arms. He looks dumbstruck, confused, and a little afraid—the same emotions are mirrored by Zelenka.

"Rodney, what's going on?" Elizabeth asks, having found her way to the front of the room with Sheppard, Teyla, and Ronon.

"I think this is our baby," Radek answers for him, pointing between Rodney and himself.

"How is that possible?"

"Of course it's our child—that blue glowy ball copied our DNA—merged it—and then replicated it at an accelerated rate."

"Why did you not say this before?'

"I just put two and two together."

"That means that they have technology way beyond our own."

"Or that they have something left over by the Ancients."

"Either way, I don't think they can provide us with any useful information unless someone happens to be an aspiring linguist?"

"What are we going to with the kid?"

Rodney pulls the baby closer at Sheppard's question while Radek reaches to let the baby hold his finger.

"I think that answers your question, John."

"You're going to let them be parents."

"I don't think we have much of a choice."

TBC

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