What if ...

McKay inherited Beckett's turtles?

"Excuse me - are you Rodney McKay?"

"Uhm, yes. Sorry, but you are?"

The dark haired woman looked quite familiar, but he couldn't place a finger on it.

"I'm Mary Beckett, Carson's sister."

"Oh, yes. I'm sorry, Miss Beckett."

It hurt to see her smile in such a well known manner, just like her brother used to.

"I have to leave in soon, or I'll miss my flight home... I just wanted to say thank you for all you have done for my brother. Carson valued your friendship a lot. I think he wanted you to have this."

Curious, Rodney took the small wrapped box, hearing the soft sounds of water swashing .

"Uhm... Well, thank you. But .. what is it?"

"Oh, just his turtles."

"Turtles?!"

Rodney almost dropped the box. What? He'd just inherited some turtles? A small note was attached to the box.

Dear Rodney,

If read this, I might not be alive anymore. I do hope nobody else got hurt in my death, for I wouldn't like to know being responsibly for the death of others aswell.
Please, take good care of my turtles when I'm gone. I know you can, and those buggers are the only thing I could think of leaving to you. They are red eared sliders, and are quite easy to take care of. I hope Mary also gave you the books I bought, they're quite helpful. Thank you for being my friend,

Yours Carson

Rodney couldn't help but whine.

"You've gotta be kidding me!"

The way back to the SGC and to Atlantis had been short and uneventful, almost dull. The box had sat on his lap the whole ride. Only when he was back in his room, he dared to open the lid, afraid what he might find.

Three small turtles float around in an inch of water, staring up into the light.

Unsure what to do, he went into the bathroom and poured water into the tub. Weren't turtles known for carrying loads of germs? He didn't dare to touch the creatures Carson had named James, Lizzy and Wanda, and so he just emptied the whole tank into the tub.

They did like swimming, didn't they? Uhm ... So just why did they look like they were drowning?

He quickly picked up the first book of the stack Mary had given him, looking up 'Setting up the tank'.

Even though most turtles can and like to swim, always provide enough area for them to dry, bask and eat. If the turtle appear to be drowning when the water level is increased, take it out immediately.

Damn! Panicing, Rodney looked around for anything he could use to get the animals out of the water. Finding nothing suitable in time, he had to grab them one by one with his bare hand, careful to avoid bites, setting the slick turtles disgusted off on the bath mat. After a few moments of looking round puzzled , the trio started moving, slowing leaving the soft fabric, heading for the heater.

Rodney was a brilliant astrophysician. No doubt he was fit to handle atomic bombs as well as exploding stars. But now he was at a loss, unable to take care of three tiny water turtles. This was too much!!

"Radek? You've got a moment? I'm facing a problem here – Yes, I need your help, now will you stop bragging and get over here?"

"We could use Plexiglas, and maybe the botanists would provide us with some water plants. Food won't be a problem."

"What if they are allergic to the water here? It's a alien planet after all, I think we should first built a filter system-"

"Rodney, you drink this water day after day, I think it's no possible threat to them. Let's get them a proper housing first."

The smaller scientist was amused to see his superior panic over a set of turtles. It was refreshing somehow.

"Okay. How big should it be? And shouldn't we separate the male from the others? Do you think we should use an heating lamp? We also have to think about some sort of death man's switch, just in case everybody round here dies and they are left on their own-"

Zelenka felt his glasses drop. This was new – McKay worrying about anything but his own wellbeing? Just who was this stranger, and what had he done to McKay?

"I said no! Why don't you just enjoy yourself for once?"

Sheppard tried to hush his voice, for he didn't want the Athosians to eavesdrop them. They had offered them shelter for the night, and even asked them to take part in their annual spring celebrations. Plenty of delicious food, whine, soft pillows – and yet here was Rodney, annoying the hell out of him to get back to Atlantis! The city was safe, no enemies approaching, they had functioning ZPM and a stargate – so why not enough life once in a while!

"Give me just one good reason why you want to ruin this evening!"

McKay bit his lip, hesitant to answer him.

"It's … I need to…"

"What? Zelenka's more than capable to take care of the city while your gone, and even though your good doesn't mean nobody else can do your job."

This came out more harsh then he had intend it to be, and John did regret his words the moment he said them. McKay possibly still thought he had made a mistake back then on this fateful Sunday three weeks ago.

"Sorry... I'm just..."

"Okay, Okay... Let's go."

"Thank you."

"James?"

Rodney had not felt this sort of bad since back in 1979, when his hamster had strangled himself between the cage gratings. He just had entered the living room, to look after his three little friends. Wanda and Lizzy we're peacefully sitting on the big stone, enjoying the heat of the bulb – but James wasn't happy at all. In fact, he looked pretty much like a drowned turtle, lying on the ground of the tank rather than swimming. Shocked, Rodney pulled him out of the water, trying to remember what he had read about first aid in such cases.

"Okay, what to do first… extend the neck… and now… oh my god.. turn it upside down, open it's mouth … common James, common! Okay, water dripping out … and now place it down again … straighten it's legs, and push them back… and pull … and push…"

Finally water stopped coming out, and after making sure James was breathing again, he picked him up and raced towards the infirmary. For the first time in his life he was praying at least one of the docs was a former vet.

"Hey, Zelenka!"

"Hello."

The scientist was busy working on a new simulation, and barely looked up.

"Have you seen Rodney anywhere round?"

"No, he must be in his quarters by now, feeding the-"

Some people's curiosity were audible even before they asked their questions. Radek knew he could not talk himself out of that. Sheppard would just not leave him alone until he told him the thruth.

"He might be feeding the turtles."

"Turtles? Rodney has turtles? Since when?"

Fortunately the program started to beep, and another scientist's project needed his attention as well. Sighing, he watched the Colonel leave the lab even faster then he had come in.

"May I come in."

The doors had already opened to his mental command, and it was not like John would have left if not being allowed to enter. It had been quite some time since he had been last in McKay's quarters actually – almost two years by now, never again after Doranda – but he had no trouble finding his way to the small living room. Rodney was kneeling in front of a big glass aquarium, watching something and was smiling.

"Hey, What' cha looking at Rodney?"

"Uh – Sheppard!? What are you doing here!"

Apparently Rodney hadn't heard him enter, and for a short moment he looked more scared than angered.

"Well, the door was open, so I just thought I may drop in. You have turtles."

Rodney tried to block his view, but was shoved out of the way as Sheppard crouched down next the aquarium.

"Yes, obviously."

The tree little turtles we're slowing munching on salad and some carrot sticks, enjoying the meal.

"Where'd you get them from?"

John's had always loved turtles, they were just too cool. His attention was captivated the smallest turtle. The red marks on it's head we're of a bright red, smart black eyes looking back on him. She slowly made her way to the glass wall, until a log blocked her way. Amazed, John watched her climb on it, not even stopping. Rodney's voice was surprisingly tender when he finally answered his question.

"They belonged to Carson. You remember? His wee baby turtles?"

"So … he gave them to you?"

"Yes."

They both watched Wanda reach the top of the log, her long neck turning to face her friends still eating.

"What are you doing with them when you're on a mission?"

"Zelenka takes care of them. Or Heightmeyer. She thinks it's good for me to have pets."

John was surprised how sincere Rodney's voice was. Sometimes, he tended to forget McKay was not only the abrasive, loud mouthed genius he always pretended to be, but also a very lonesome scared man at times.

"Well, how about we'll get us some dinner too? Teyla and Ronon should be done practicing by now, so why not meet them in the mess."

"You came all the way down here just to ask me that?"

"Yeah, we are friendm right?"

If Rodney was suprised by his comment, he didn't show it.

"Uh, Okay. Thanks."

The doors closed behind them, leaving the turtles alone in the warm room. Slowly, Wanda turned around and crawled back into the water.