Yoyi's notes: Hello there! Chapter WITHOUT beta, meaning horrific English and confusing plot, so any correction or suggestion will gladly be accepted. Expect some OoC. I don't own SGU nor it's characters. This is for fans. Enjoy!

4. In which gay stuff happens

"Stay still," TJ instructed Varro. "Can you feel it?" When TJ looked at him, he nodded. "Good. Look at this watch, count how much times you feel it withing six tics of that tiny pointer, the one which is always moving. OK?"

Varro nodded again and both went silent. After the six tics Varro looked at TJ. "Seven times."

"Very well. Then, you multiply it for ten, and that's it."

"Seventy?"

"Yes. At rest you have seventy pulsations, which is good. It's what it should be." She took something from the table at her back. "Now, let's begin with pressure."

Today was the day when TJ and other volunteers taught the crew's members the basics of first aid. Camile planned everything after a talk with TJ, Col. Young and some SG's Medics. For the day, she was teaching how to get the vital signs, how to treat some cuts and wounds and what to do when facing dehydration or heatstroke.

Chloe was nowhere to be found, even when she told TJ she should come and see. TJ figured out Chloe must be taking care of Rush – or that Matt didn't get too close to the scientist, more precisely. The thought of the girl shielding the acerbic man from the puppet-like boy amused TJ to no end. And maybe she would join that shielding thing.

TJ knew she was being cruel, but it amused her see Matt's attempts to "acquire" Rush affections and, truth be told, she liked to be the bad one once in a while.

Camile was there. She was helping with the Lucian Alliance's members who joined them with the language – they didn't knew the meaning of first-aid, for example – and socialization.

Eli, on his part, was too focused reading on a screen, searching for the use of new medical devices. At his side was Lisa, commenting what she heard to Math-Boy with a cheerful smile, who laughed from time to time.

Here was, also, Sergeant Greer, who was looking with narrowed eyes towards Eli and Lisa, but was focused on his tasks too. His group were learning how to stitch a self cut. TJ shook her head. It was so obvious Ronald was jealous of Eli and his proximity to the scientist woman, which reminded her that today was Game's Night!

"Oh, shit!"

Varro took away his gaze from what he was doing and looked at her, surprised to hear her swearing – Eli had been instructing them about insults.

"What happens? Did I do something wrong?"

"Eh?" TJ focused on Varro, a little lost. "Ah. No, not you. I forgot to tell something stupidly important to Colonel Young."

Varro nodded.

"If you need to tell him, I can manage from here," he offered.

"You are making me love with that," she answered with a smile. Nodding, she left back a very much confused Varro.

/0/

"Lieutenant."

"Colonel, I need to ask you a favor."

Young was surprised to see TJ in his quarters looking this agitated, panting, with her hair undone in some parts. "It must be a really big one," he nodded. "Tell me, TJ."

"Well, you know about today's Hunter's Game, I suppose." She stopped to breathe. "Well, I want you to allow Rush to be left out the game."

Young frowned. "Why would I...? Oh..."

"Yes, 'oh'. I always can make up an excuse, but it'll be really suspicious since he has been going in and out the infirmary too much lately. I don't want to make panic arise. We are lucky it haven't happened yet."

"I understand. I'll see what can be done, Lieutenant. We cannot simply say he won't be in the game now, since he is the big prize."

TJ frowned. "Big prize?"

"Yes. Sergeant Greer and Camile had a lottery and Rush won the biggest roll: to be the big prize."

"That sounds weird." She looked worried. "Maybe we can send a team to hide him until the game is over."

The Colonel nodded. "Yes, we can do that. He's sneaky, after all. It wouldn't be a surprise if no body found him"

TJ sighed in relief. One less thing to worry.

"Who will go to get him?" she asked before leaving.

"Mm. I can do it."

"I want to be on that team too."

"Fair enough. If something were to go wrong he surely will need your help."

She left then.

/0/

Lieutenant Matthew Scott was lying over his bed, hands on the back of his head, looking absentminded at the ceiling. He had a little chat with his superior, Colonel Everett Young. This chat helped him to relax. He had been really tense this past days and now he could feel all his muscles. A bit more of tension and he would develop muscle contracture.

Matt breathed in and out, with some kind of compass. Slowly, he closed his eyes, trying to focus in nothing.

"Rush is a person, not an object," he whispered like a mantra. He opened his eyes. "Rush is a person, not an object. Even if he was an object he wouldn't want anything to do with me, because I'm too young or I'm the wrong gender." Little by little his voice was saddening. "But I want to be with him."

Matt got up and started an impatient pace.

"But I like Chloe!" he snarled at a wall.

He sighed. Matt was too tired to deal with this anymore. Chloe wanted to break up, and Rush... well, Rush was Rush. He rubbed his hands over his face. He almost sank in self-pity when someone called at his door.

He opened, not wanting to talk with anyone, but not wanting to be irrespective either. He froze. It was Rush. Rush was there. Rush was...

Before the man could say anything he dragged him in and closed the door, then he pulled him into a tight hug, trembling with emotion.

"What are you doing? Fuck off!"

But he didn't move. Rush struggled in his embrace and he tightened his grip, making his hold stronger.

"Why are you doing me this?" asked the young man, almost a whisper. "Why are you being so cruel? Why can't we be together? Why can Eli be near you and I can't?"

"Bloody hell, boy! Can you release me, for fuck's sake? I can't breath!"

"Oh!" Matt stepped back, blushing. "Sorry."

"Whatever," said Rush, dismissively. "I want to confirm something with you about this, and please, don't do that again or I'll skin you, got it?"

"Yes, sorry." Matt looked at the floor, feeling his cheeks too hot.

For the next hour or so, they discussed about the effects the device produced and Rush analyzed everything. Matt lost track of what was the scientist saying when some strange smell came into his nose. It wasn't a disgusting one, rather, it was really appetizing. He sniffed the air around him without realizing, until Rush looked at him as if he had grown another head.

"What?"

"Do you want to help? Because if you are going to play like that I better go back to my..."

"No! It's not that. It was the smell."

"Smell? What smell?" Rush sniffed too, but he frowned. "I don't smell anything."

"No? Are you sure? I'm pretty sure that-" Matt cut in mid sentence, looking at Rush. He had a revelation. Suddenly, he leaned on and buried his nose in Rush neck, holding him with his hands. He inhaled once, twice, slowly. "It's you! You are the one..."

Rush wasn't looking at him. Rush was looking somewhere at the floor. Rush was slightly shuddering. And his cheeks were brighter than before.

Intoxicated by the mood, the smell and his own desires, Matt leaned again and inhaled, breathing over Rush skin.

"Don't... do that..." mumbled Rush, with the faintest hint of pleasure in his tone.

"Do what?"

When Rush finally looked at him, he had a strange haze in his eyes. "You know what..."

Matt kissed him. It seemed like the proper thing to do. He feared Rush would reject him, push him off. But he didn't. Rush didn't rejected him nor pushed him. In fact, Rush approached more, giving in the kiss, parting his lips so their tongues could start a sensual dance of friction and saliva. Matt swallowed a moan the scientist made.

The kiss grew in passion and Matt saw the perfect moment to show his possessiveness over the man. He guided Rush until they were lying on his bed, tangled, desperate. He touched everywhere, feeling his heat increase whenever he felt Rush hands over him. Oh, God! He had desired this for so long now. It was like a dream.

Rush exposed his neck to him and Matt took it, kissing, licking, biting. When he withdrew a little he saw a kiss mark that wasn't his and felt something revolt in his stomach. No! Nonono! No, Rush wasn't... Rush didn't... Who...? When? Why?

This moment of hesitation, of revelation, feeling betrayed, was long enough to make Rush come to his senses. He pushed Matt off him and got up, panting, fixed his clothes and hair the best he could, and was gone before Matt could think anything to say to make him stay.

What the hell had just happened?

/0/

Young was playing matchmaking, and he was really enjoying it. He got the names of the Hunters and Hunted for the game of this night and was playing matchmaking. For starters, he put Sergeant Greer in the same team as Dr. Lisa Park. Lieutenant Scott was, of course, with Chloe Amrstrong. He put TJ and Varro in the same team, too. His team.

It was going to be so funny. Camile was with Brody and Corp. Barnes. He was almost done when his first Lieutenant entered in his quarters. He looked worried. Like in really worried.

"What is it, son?"

"Colonel, I need advice."

Young nodded. "Close the door and take a seat."

When Matt sat down, Young got up and sit beside him, looking straight it his eyes. Matt's hands were shaking and he gaped before talking.

"I... Rush... we... It was so strange!"

"Calm down, boy," said Young while frowning. What had happened between those two. Some strange feeling got hold of his guts and squeezed his stomach, shrinking it. "Start from the beginning."

Matt nodded and took a deep breath before talking again. "I was in my quarters, thinking about what we talked earlier." He looked at his colonel, then averted his gaze. "Then, Rush came. He wanted to talk about the device and made me lot's of questions. We were just doing that and then..., and then... His... his... his smell changed and I couldn't... and he... and we... This is so strange! This is more than I can take. I can't continue like this."

"Matt, Matthew," called Young, trying to make eye contact. When he achieved it, he continued, "calm down. Ok? Breathe, that's it. Slowly, very good. Ok. Look, look at me. Tell me what did you two do?"

"We... we kissed. But it wasn't a chaste kiss in the lips, it was so hot and so... and I touched him, and he touched me and... and I saw... I saw it... In his neck. I didn't put it there." His puppy-like eyes were teary by now.

Young didn't know what to say. On the one hand, he was more than worried about his lieutenant, and was feeling guilty, after all, he was the one who put that kiss mark on Rush's neck. On the other hand, he was jealous of what just happened between those two. Maybe it was the device's fault, but he still felt jealous. He couldn't help Matt with this anymore. Not now, not after realizing his own messed up feelings.

"Don't worry, son. Everything will be all right," Young said, feeling like he was lying the young man.

Matt nodded, sobbing a little, sorrowful. He looked so pitiful, so helpless.

/0/

Destiny's bowels were silent and quiet. People should be sleeping by now, but they weren't. Instead they were playing "hide and seek", well a new version. In this new version they were forced to use all their skills to survive. It was more like a war game. The hunters moved silently, searching for their preys. The hunted hid as well as they knew. The game will last until a gong sounded through the internal communications of the ship – around two hours.

Young's team were headed to Rush's quarters as soon as the game started. Without hesitation, they opened the door and entered. To everyone's surprise the place was empty.

"Wha...?"

"I told him," said Tamara, rising her hands to hide her face. "I told him to stay here until we arrived," she complained between her fingers. "I'm gonna kill him for this."

"Um. Maybe he went to somewhere else or didn't come back to sleep," pointed out Varro.

Young nodded in approval. "We need to find him first. We will split into two teams. TJ, you will go that way with Varro. Dr. Simms and I will go this way. If you find him before us, hide him and wait until the game is over."

They parted ways.

Tamara run as fast as she could doing the less noise possible, followed by Varro. They searched all room they passed by, almost frantic. Varro and Dr. Simms didn't know the real reason they needed to find Rush and hide him. Tamara told them that Rush had come health issue, nothing contagious, but something to take care of.

"Tamara, now that we are alone, I wish to know the real reason why you want to..."

"Varro, not now, please."

They found other groups, looking for "hunted", doing lots of noise. When almost all the hunted had been caught, Tamara and Varro gave up in searching for Rush, and went to the meeting place. It was almost full: hunters with their preys, hunters without preys. No sight of col. Young. Tamara didn't know if that was good or bad.

She assumed it was good, until Young appeared, looking around. When he spotted her, she saw his face close down, as if something bad had happened. She hurried to his side.

"Colonel, did you...?"

"No. Not a trace. Nothing. It's like he has disappeared in thin air."

Tamara nodded. About fifteen minutes latter, the gong announced the end of the game. The teams which could catch some hunted cheered, mixing with the cheers of the hunted who weren't caught. Even now, Rush didn't show himself.

Camile gave the prizes and a short speech about fellowship. More cheers. Still, nothing about Rush. When Chloe dimmed the light and music started, when no-body paid attention to the gateway, Eli came in, followed by someone else.

Young felt his heart skip a bit. It was Rush. Rush came with Eli. In fact, Rush was using Eli as support, with a hand holding one of the younger man's shoulder. He walked as if he couldn't do it properly, and that was, in Young's opinion, suspicious. They walk together, too close for his liking. They are hiding something, and Young want to know what is it.

After a few moments in which Eli talked with Chloe and was asked how did he managed to get away from the hunters, him and Rush slid out. Young follows.

Some corridors away, Eli spoke.

"So... Um... how are you feeling?"

"I'm good, Eli. Stop asking that, please."

"Yeah, but... yeah, I know, but... It's only that..."

"Eli, you promised to help me reach my quarters, right?"

"Yes."

"Then, shut up and help me."

When they arrived at Rush's quarters Eli stopped, looked at both sides and leaned to kiss the man. On his lips. Rush answered the kiss, but suddenly broke it and went inside his room. Eli stood there a little longer, scratching his head, not knowing what to do.

"Yeah, um... See you tomorrow," he whispered, not so sure of that statement.

Young retreated, too, going back to his own quarters. He was tired and wanted to sleep. All this day was so weird he wanted it to disappear from his memory.

/0/

Rush knew it wasn't just Becker's body as soon as he saw that smirk. He rolled his eyes.

"Colonel," he greeted before leaving.

Both colonels looked at each other, smiling. "You made him run away."

"Me? I didn't do anything."

"Oh, yes, you did. The fact you are on board is more than enough," teased Young. He motioned, inviting Telford to follow him.

When they arrived at the mess hall, Young got two mugs, one for himself, the other for Telford.

"Here you go, David. A nice, hot cup of coffee."

At his words, Telford took one of the cups, frowning. "This isn't hot. In fact, is so cold it's freezing me."

"Oh! C'mon, it's not even that cold," said Young, taking a sip. "It's a nice cup of coffee."

Telford tasted it and grimaced afterwards. "Bloody hell, Everett! It's awful."

Young laughed. "Yeah, a cup of coffee," he offered, taking another sip. Telford mirrored him.

"Is it even coffee?"

For an answer he only had to look at Young's face to know. They both laughed now.

"If this is your thought of a joke, I think is good. But please, don't do it again."

"Can't promise."

After a comfortable moment of silence, Telford spoke again, "So, what's going on with Rush?"

"Uh?"

"I saw him... different. What happened?"

Young looked both sides, not wanting some indiscreet ears to hear this conversations. "I told you before, you don't want to know."

"Oh! C'mon, Everett, it can't be that bad. It's not as if he is..." he sopped in mid sentence, looking serious. "Everett, if you don't tell me now, I'll have to-"

"To what? It's better if you don't know, believe me. You will sleep better at night."

Telford sighed. "Ok, I'll investigate on my own."

"Then, I'll love the moment after you discover all, when I'll say: told you so."

Telford laughed, taking another sip from his cup, still making a face of disgust, finishing his drink. He palmed Young in the shoulder and went looking for answers. Young wished he could follow him and play a little more, but he had other things to do, papers to fill.

/0/

Colonel David Telford had been a bastard with him as long as he could remember. He didn't know why, but that was why he didn't like the man, either. He always knew how to piss him off on Icarus Base. However, it was true that after Young got him back from the Lucian Alliance's mind control he wasn't so annoying. Until now.

Telford was smiling. At him. Pleased with himself. No. He wasn't smiling at him, he was laughing at him, a little smug. And that bothered him more than anything else.

"What do you want, colonel? I'm pretty busy."

"Yup, I can see that." He was still smiling.

God, give me forbearance, because if you give me strength... thought Rush.

"What on hell do you want from me?"

Telford chuckled before answering, "being self conscious, aren't we?"

Rush looked up from his console. Telford looked back, smile widening. Then, the colonel, took some steps forward, put a hand on Rush's shoulder to the scientist surprise, and said something that made him angrier.

"Congratulations, mom."

"How the hell...?"

"You are not the first one I meet with this kind of... situation."

Rush slapped Telford hand, annoyed, angry and feeling a little murderous.

"Don't worry, I won't tell anyone," said Telford, "after all, your body will do that in time."

"Fuck off."

Telford left him, laughing a little. But before he could close the door, Rush threw him a kino, hitting on his head. Telford looked back, touching his head.

"Ah! Poor Becker, it'll leave a bump," Rush said, turning around, looking back at his screen.

/0/

"So, you are telling me that we need to protect him from not one, not two, but three people from the ship?"

"Yup."

"How did you know?"

"I have been watching him, and his surroundings. Matt's not the only one who's after him."

"Uh? Who else?"

"Colonel Young..."

"Seriously?"

"... and Eli."

"... Chloe... We need more help."

"I agree, Tamara," she paused. "What about Camile?"

"Mm... Let me think about this. See you latter."

"Ok. Bye."

Final notes: The cup joke. I took it from a joke of Watson and Holmes (BBC tv show).