Since his conversation with the athosian woman, Todd once again tried to refrain from touching any humans and specifically Sheppard, although the Colonel had explained that the rules, on which similar restraint had been based, were no longer valid. He just liked to tread carefully in his position and wanted to deal with all matters human as best as he could.

Thinking, of course, that it wouldn't do any harm, he chose to avoid contact like in the first days of their acquaintance, where he had to fear to be shot immediately, to prevent possible conflicts and problems. However, what he hadn't taken into account was the impossibility of stifling the urge to reach out to Sheppard.

Todd had the impression that he was more aware of his surroundings whenever they were close, while at the same time only being able to concentrate on that one man. The longing for some sort of contact turned into a physical ache, hurting more and more the more he fought against it. The tingling sensation in his fingertips turned into a burning pain stronger than the hunger when starving.

So he did his utmost to evade the Colonel, at one point even going so far as to use the first available excuse to flee from Atlantis under the pretense that one of the Hives under his command had suffered massive damage and his presence was required there. He lasted two weeks, before he eventually gave up and returned, tormented by his unwelcome wishes.

Yet again, though, he immersed himself in work to keep his mind occupied and to keep his thoughts from straying into dangerous territory, preferring almost everyone's company over Sheppard's.


"So, Sheppard, huh?" Although spoken in an almost hushed whisper, this actually got Todd to listen. It was more than just curious that McKay talked in a volume less than numbing. "I thought he'd never come out of the closet."

Never passing up a good opportunity, especially one to learn more about the Colonel, Todd stopped his work and looked up, across their shared table, at the scientist. "Why would he stay in a closet?" He was certain it had to be another of those ridiculous idioms that the humans seemed to like so much.

"Oh, how would I know? I don't understand half of those military rules. They only make life more difficult out here, the same as the IOA", McKay huffed. "Anyway, thanks, I guess. And, you know, welcome to the family or something like that."

It would be the biggest understatement of the century to say he was taken aback. Then again, Todd should have become used to that by now, shouldn't he? Working with humans from another galaxy tended to broaden one's horizons, no matter the millennia worth experience he already could call his.

Still, if he wasn't mistaken, what these people called family could be considered the human equivalent to a Wraith Hive. And he had no idea what would make a man like Dr. Rodney McKay regard him as such. He imagined it would be an honor as much as a burden to belong to this group.

Suddenly the human laughed out loud, "Hah, you can't threaten me anymore, because John loves me too much and everyone knows you'd never do anything to hurt him." He was met with a blinding smile, the overjoyed expression on McKay's face somewhat disconcerting.

Bemused, he stared at the scientist, tilting his head. "How can you be so sure?" Granted, in their current situation it would be a huge advantage to have the humans finally trust him, but he saw no reason why that should happen now of all times. It wasn't as if he had changed in any way.

Well, at least if he ignored what Teyla had so helpfully pointed out to him. He still found it hard to believe that his behavior had undergone a such drastic change that interventions were deemed necessary. He was proud of his unparalleled self-control.

"Oh, please." Rolling his eyes, McKay crossed his arms. "We were all there as you practically jumped in front of him, shielding him from enemy fire, or when you put one of your underlings in his place after he insulted us or that time you threatened the IOA with breaking up this alliance should Sheppard be removed from the expedition or even just his position."

The man began tapping his foot, probably waiting for an answer Todd didn't have. He couldn't deny it since he remembered those instances just as clearly, the overwhelming urge to protect what was his rushing through his veins. At those times, he hadn't focused too much on his motives and reasonings and he was regretting that now.

How should he explain what he had done if he himself didn't know why he had even done it? And, while he was at it, how could he possibly justify that he was still doing such things after he had rationally thought about it?

Impatiently, the scientist sighed, "He's the same, was all grumpy while you were away. It's been pretty obvious for a long time now, if you ask me. Made me wonder when you'd finally go public. But, hey, we're pretty open-minded here. Obviously not only regarding sexuality, but race as well."

Then the human eyed him contemplatively. "Probably helps that you're our favorite Wraith so far, what with all these mind controlling Queens, those sadistic Commanders pursuing the hobby of hunting after runners and the crazy kidnappers with a penchant for experiments."

For the sake of everyone's peace of mind, Todd decided to take that as a compliment, but he didn't know what else to do with it. In the end, when McKay showed no inclination to say more, he silently turned back to his work, mulling over what he had learned. He wasn't entirely sure what all had been insinuated just there, but, seeing the human's reaction, he was confident it couldn't be too bad.


Anyway, after he had finished his work, he resolved to talk to Sheppard and found him in his office, sitting at his desk in front of a huge stack of papers. For once, he actually appeared to be doing his paperwork and Todd wondered if the reason was him, or rather his absence, seeing how the man liked to use him as an excuse to put that dreadful task off for as long as possible.

Before his nerves would get in the way and he could change his mind, not only letting the human work, but possibly not following through with his quest for answers when the courage had left him, he spoke up, "On a scale from one to ten, how important is Dr. McKay to you?"

Sheppard stopped writing abruptly and warily turned to face him. He gave him a quick once-over and, apparently not finding what he had searched for, but instead visibly sagging with relief, smirked. "What has he done this time?"

"Oh, nothing." Glancing at the Colonel, Todd tested the waters and slowly stepped into the room, but the human showed no reaction. "He just made me aware of the fact that I could no longer threaten to remove him, seeing as you appreciate his company too much for me to go through with it." Slipping into one of the chairs opposite of the man, he then focused all of his attention on him. "And, of course, I would never do anything to hurt you, or would I?"

"Yeah. No, I don't think so." Sheppard pursed his lips as if he wanted to say more on the matter, but then simply shook his head. Comfortably, he settled back into his seat and lazily pushed his papers away from him, to the side. "What else did he tell you?"

Frowning, Todd tried to recall what exactly had been said. He had not yet processed all of it because on the one hand did he still doubt his complete and correct understanding of the scientist's remarks and on the other hand had he not fully worked through the impact and consequences his described behavior could and would have long-term. "Apparently, you've moved out of some kind of closet."

At first, the human only stared at him bewilderedly, but he could tell the very moment Sheppard understood whatever implications had been made through that statement. He almost seemed to choke on the answer, before he harshly coughed a string of very creative and thus quite interesting insults for his team member.