Author's Note: I think it was a given that Rodney would come under this heading. And of course it is a lot more humorous than the last chapter. This after effect of the 'gift of life' is just my imagination, so don't go looking for evidence in the transcripts. It's not there.

Eat

His face a moue of distaste, Rodney turned from the food line. Wishing their new commander to hell, he carried his tray of balanced, nutritious and wholesome food to a table where Ronon sat nursing a bottle of mineral water.

"Any luck yet?" the scientist asked. Ronon shook his head.

"Hm, so you're still on the…" The Satedan held out his hand where a large bandaid was covering an IV needle stuck in the vein.

"Actually, you're not missing much," Rodney tried to cheer up his teammate, scowling at the tofu patty and mixed vegetables on his tray. "Ever since Woolsey took over here in Atlantis the cafeteria food has taken a marked turn for the worse. Oh, there's no doubt it's good for you, but who wants to live to be a hundred years old on stuff like this?" He speared something that looked like broccoli and held it up for Ronon's inspection. "Let's face it, we come very close to sudden and violent death on a disturbingly regular basis, and our chances of growing to a ripe old age are approaching zero. So if I have to go early, I'd rather do it on a satisfied stomach. And mine craves fried foods, red meat, and lots of sugar and polyunsaturated fats."

"Yeah, well, it sure beats eating through a needle."

Rodney almost choked on the sprout. "Oh, I realize that, and I was in no way trying to belittle your predicament… Although in a way it's fascinating as well, isn't it? Not to receive any nourishment for - what was it, about ten days? I mean apart from what the wraith pumped into your…"

The glare Ronon sent his way prevented McKay from going there. Busying himself with cutting up the veggie burger, he asked, "So, what's Keller's prognosis? When does she think your organism can process food again?"

Ronon shrugged. "She just told me to keep trying. At least I can keep liquids down now, so my time on the drip has been halved."

McKay's eyes had taken on an excited gleam. "Liquids, eh? Excellent. I know just what you need."

"And what's that?"

"Chicken soup."

Ronon looked at Rodney as if the scientist had lost his marbles.

"Chicken soup."

"Yes, the way my grandmother used to make it. With bits of chicken, carrot, celery and of course with noodles. Although we should probably go easy on the solid parts in the beginning."

McKay had risen from the table and was about to hurry towards the kitchen when Ronon's hand clamped around his wrist.

"What's so special about chicken soup?"

"What? Oh, it's a universally accepted… no, let me rephrase that, on earth it's a generally accepted remedy for anything from a common cold to a broken heart. Why didn't I think of it before?" Seeing the Satedan's skeptical look, Rodney continued, "Look, I was especially prone to stomach flu as a child. Often couldn't keep anything down for days, and the first thing I could deal with afterwards was grandma's chicken soup. Put me right back on my feet." He smiled in a self congratulatory way. "Even know the recipe. Bugged her until she gave it to me when I was eleven. I did a full microbiological evaluation on it, trying to discern the cause for its healing properties, but at the time I only had a very basic lab, so I came up blank. And later, of course, my time was taken by…" Rodney broke off when he saw the scowl that was beginning to spread across Ronon's face. "Anyway, it's stored right here." He tipped a finger against his temple. "I'll just have to tell the cook." And off he went.

- A few hours later… -

"Ronon?" Jennifer Keller's voice came through the com. "I just wanted to remind you that you are already half an hour late for your IV."

His mouth full of noodles and soup, Ronon gestured at McKay to take the call.

"That won't be necessary anymore, Doc," Rodney replied into his earpiece. "The spell is broken. I came up with a magical formula that has Ronon on his third helping with no discernible ill effects."

There was a pause at the other end. "A magical formula? Please tell me you didn't cook up something in your science lab, Rodney?"

"Who do you take me for, Dr. Crippen?" McKay sputtered. "No, it's old fashioned chicken soup, of course."

"Chicken soup?" Keller said thoughtfully. "Why didn't I think of that?"

"Well, that's why you have a resident genius on hand," Rodney replied gleefully. "We may be in another galaxy, but as I was just able to prove some universal truths are truly universal…"