Title: Adapting

Chapter: Any News?

Author: Gypsy Lupin-Black

A/N: I was planning to make this a long chapter, instead of a drabble like all the others. But my insomnia has just given way and I can hardly keep my eyes focused, so here's more of the regular! Stay with me, we're almost there!! And keep the fantastic reviews coming!

When Henning and Carson came to see Rodney the next morning, he was sitting up in his infirmary bed, right in the middle of a full-blown snit and geek-out with Radek. He was so focused on the argument that he didn't even notice the doctors' arrival.

"What do you mean that won't work?!"

"I am telling you, Rodney, the calculations just do not add up! With these, you would have us blowing ourselves up instead of conserving and redistributing power!"

"Oh, so sorry if I'm doing all these calculations in my HEAD, Zelenka," Rodney yelled over the Czech, "it's not like I can look at a computer screen!"

Radek made an exasperated noise, "Do not try to make excuses, I will not believe them. You would still have made mistake even if you could see the screen!"

"The power calculations YOU presented me with would leave too many vital systems starving!"

Carson cleared his throat, but Rodney ignored him as Radek let out a stream of Czech.

"Oh yeah, THAT'S mature, Radek, I know you're insulting me, even if I don't know what you're saying!"

Carson tried again, "Rodney!"

Rodney turned and snarled "WHAT?!" When he saw who it was though, he stopped. The frustration, fury, and *slight* enjoyment at getting to bicker and argue with Radek drained away, and he stared at the doctors in trepidation.

"We could hear you two all the way across the infirmary," Carson told him.

Rodney sneered. It was their fault, really. He'd wanted to go back to his quarters for the night, but Carson had insisted on keeping him, just to make sure he didn't have a reaction to the medications or a panic attack. He could have had this argument with Radek in the comfort of his labs, but Carson had ordered him to stay put. "Please tell me you both didn't come all the way over here to tell me that irrelevant bit of news." Turning on Henning, he added, "Henning, can you fix my eyes or not? I have work to do. I have galaxies to save, not only from the Wraith, but from my incompetent research teams, and the sooner you get moving and fix my eyes, the easier it will be for me to save our collective asses."

Radek let out another snarl of Czech, but Rodney was busy watching Dr. Henning shift his weight uncomfortably, obviously not expecting a verbal barrage. Inside, Rodney smirked.

"It's still too soon to know, but I did want to tell you that the samples survived and the cultures are growing. We should know later today what the chemical is doing, and by tomorrow we'll know if we can fix it or not," Henning told him.

This is why Rodney preferred the hard sciences. Aside from not dealing with people as much, there wasn't a lot of wait-time while research specimens were being grown. He waved a dismissive hand at Henning, "Fine, thank you for telling me, now let me get back to real work." He turned back to Radek, ready to continue their argument. He heard Henning walk away, but then Carson's hand was on his arm.

"Rodney. Not really a great idea to antagonize the people who heal you," Carson admonished. "And do not yell in my infirmary. You'll disturb the other patients."

"If you'd let me out of here, you and your patients wouldn't have to hear genius at work," Rodney snipped.

Carson let out a frustrated sigh. "Fine. Go on and get out of here. You're healthy enough for now," Carson squeezed his arm. It wasn't reassuring squeeze.

"Thank you!" Rodney rolled his eyes and swung his legs over the side of the bed, pushing Carson away in the process.