A/N: Ah, breathe the scent of critique…so refreshing. Another talking chapter, I'm afraid…but this is much-needed­ talking. Hopefully some of the things said here will help to strengthen the action that comes next. Isn't that what dialogue is supposed to do anyway?

XxxXXx

"Well, Korianka, you have my stamp of approval," Dr. Heightmeyer said pleasantly. She turned off a small audio recording device sitting on the end table next to her chair. "As far as I am concerned, you are clear for gate travel."

Korianka smiled and took a much needed deep breath. The evaluation hadn't been as grueling as she had expected. It was only a series of interviews with fairly simple questions, seemingly unconnected, but she trusted that Dr. Heightmeyer knew how to learn from such questions. In fact, she admired the doctor's ability to ask a question in just the right way as to get the information she needed. Korianka could learn a few things from her.

All she had to do now was get clearance from Dr. Beckett and ultimately from Dr. Weir.

Dr. Heightmeyer pushed a lock of her red hair behind her ear and leaned forward slightly. Her expression softened tremendously, making Korianka wonder if she was going to like her next question. "Off the record," the doctor said. "I need to talk to you about you and Rodney."

Korianka willed herself not to tense up. She kept her body still and relaxed. "There is no need to tell me of Dr. McKay's redeeming qualities. I have heard about them many times already, though I have yet to see them."

Dr. Heightmeyer shook her head. "This is not strictly about Rodney McKay. I need to talk to you about your part in this relationship."

"Go on," Korianka said, her interest aroused.

"I know that you locked him out of his quarters. That is not a good sign, Korianka. You are isolating yourself from him and from the rest of the people here who care about you. When was the last time you meditated with Teyla or had lunch with Dr. Esposito? It seems she has taken quite a liking to you."

"I…I…" she stammered. The doctor had made an excellent point.

"I'm here to help you, Korianka, but you need more social interaction than a therapy session. Even a small group of close friends is enough."

"No one would understand," Korianka replied quickly. She shifted uncomfortably and looked away.

"It is part of human nature to think that our problems are our own, that no one can ever understand how we feel. That certainly is not the case. No matter what you are feeling, there is at least one person somewhere in this galaxy or the next who is going through the very same thing. And you only hinder yourself from overcoming these problems when you refuse to let someone help you."

"Then what do you suggest that I do?" Korianka pulled her legs to her chest and rested her chin on her knees. Her bony blue bodice jabbed into her belly, but she didn't care. Her heart sunk into the pit of her stomach; she knew where this conversation was headed: the truth.

"Talk to Rodney. Get to know him. You say you haven't seen his 'redeeming qualities'? It's quite possible that you have, but you have chosen to ignore them. He is trying very hard to make this relationship work, but you are only sabotaging his efforts by spurning him. Show him you are worth the effort, or sooner or later, he'll give up entirely, and both of you will fall apart."

Memories of Dr. McKay's actions suddenly flashed before her—standing up to her brother, bringing another bed to his quarters, not complaining about her changing the thermostat so often, his concern for her safety, even dragging her to lunch once—things she had completely ignored. Korianka shook her head fervently, sending the end of her chestnut brown braid whipping about her shoulders. "I c-can't," she whispered.

"You can't only because you won't allow yourself to." Dr. Heightmeyer leaned closer so that she was merely inches away from Korianka's face. Gently grabbing her by the chin, she whispered, "Let go of the baggage you have with your uncle. You are venting your anger for your uncle on Rodney merely because he happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. Let it go."

Dr. Heightmeyer moved to a seat next to Korianka and wrapped an arm around her. She gently stroked her hair. "It is often said on Earth that bitterness is like drinking poison and expecting your enemy to die. Your bitterness will destroy you if you don't let it go."

Korianka was silently crying now. She closed her eyes and buried her face between her knees. It was true—all of it. The revelation of her own insecurities hit her like a backhanded smack across the face, and she deserved it. She felt so weak—so vulnerable. She had to do something—anything­—to make that feeling go away.

After a few minutes, Korianka was able to calm down with Dr. Heightmeyer's help. "Take a nice long nap," the doctor said. "Talk to Rodney, and let me know how it goes."

XxXXxX The next day…

"What is it now, Radek?" Rodney asked without looking up from his laptop. "Can't you see I'm trying to finish this recalibration?" He rested his chin on his hands and leaned his elbows on the cool metal table. He typed a few strokes and then studied the screen again.

"Rodney, your wife is here to see you," was Radek's soft reply. The small scientist hovered over Rodney, waiting for him to respond.

"My wha—? Oh," Rodney said with a raise of both his eyebrows. He got up from his chair and went to the door of his lab. Korianka stood there, dressed in short gray pants and a conservative blue bodice, and hair pulled back into a braid. Something about her seemed different, but he couldn't put his finger on it. "Um, what's up?" That was really lame, Rodney.

"I was hoping I could speak with you, but if you are otherwise occupied, then I shall come back later." Her tone was softer than usual. With a disappointed look, she turned to go, but Rodney called her back.

"Well, I'm not terribly busy. We could talk for a few minutes."

She locked her hands behind her back and twiddled her fingers anxiously. "Dr. McKay, I—"

Rodney's watch beeped loudly, startling both of them. He glanced at it, suddenly realizing he had somewhere to be in the next five seconds. Damn! Of all the times to be important… "Um, look, I've got a briefing to go to and then I'm going off-world right after. Will you take a rain check?"

"It's quite all right." Korianka jerked her head toward the control tower; her shoulders slumped a little. "You are needed."

Rodney nodded, but said, "We'll talk when I get back, okay?" Korianka dipped her head slightly in agreement and walked down the opposite corridor, her braid swinging behind her back like a pendulum. She looked over her shoulder, met his eyes, and smiled. Maybe Rodney was actually getting somewhere.

Korianka, on the other hand, had one last thing to take care of.

XxxXxxX

Rodney strolled into the jumper bay dressed in his black uniform, ready for action—or lack thereof. It was going to be a simple mission: fly to the planet, get their ZPM if possible, fly back and gate to Atlantis, mission done. But there was still a nagging feeling in the pit of his stomach that something was going to go wrong.

Colonel Sheppard took the driver's seat of the nearest jumper and began to power it up. Rodney sat in the co-pilot chair while Ronon and Teyla took their seats just behind. While he was tapping on the control panel in front of him, Rodney's peripheral vision sensed movement nearby outside the jumper's windshield. He instinctively glanced up from his work, thinking nothing of it.

He did a double take.

He leaned forward and craned his neck to see outside the windshield.

"McKay," Sheppard said. "What are you doing?"

"Just a sec," Rodney mumbled, got up from his chair, and quickly left the jumper. That sinking feeling in his stomach got worse; he fancied he could feel an ulcer forming in his stomach lining. Keeping his footfalls slow and quiet, he approached a jumper two parking slots away. The rear hatch had been opened. Out of curiosity, Rodney stopped just outside the jumper and listened. Quiet voices emanated from within the jumper. Rodney recognized one of them as Major Lorne's and another as a female; Lorne seemed to be describing some of the jumper's sub-routines.

Major Lorne suddenly stopped speaking. Rodney turned his body just enough to peek inside the jumper. His eyes widened so much they might have actually popped right out of their sockets.

Rodney, what are you doing? Sheppard called over his radio, slightly irritated and concerned at the same time.

Rodney cursed under his breath and jogged back to his jumper. He should have known. No wonder Korianka didn't like him—she was into Lorne the whole time! Maybe that's what she was trying to tell him earlier, and he hadn't made the time to listen. He plopped into his seat. "Go," he said quickly, ignoring the questioning stares of his teammates. "Just go."

XxXXxX

A/N: And just when you thought they were making progress…I can be so cruel sometimes.