Set after the infirmary scene at the beginning.


Conversion


Seated at her desk, and holding up some files in front of her as a shield, Elizabeth Weir offered a comprehensive nod towards her head scientist as he irritably informed her of some grievance or another. Today's particular upset seemed to be related to one of his fingers, and he held out the abused finger, shaking it for extra emphasis. She kept one eye on this while simultaneously skimming down some reports and wondering what sort of report Rodney would have to file because of a tiny splinter.

"…the incompetence of the half-wits with printed diplomas in the infirmary!" Rodney was saying heatedly. "They wheeled in Colonel Sheppard when he could obviously walk, and yet they didn't even give me a bandaid!"

At this point, Elizabeth drew in a deep breath and set down the files. Obviously mere platitudes would not solve this. "I'm sorry to hear about your injury. Will I need to take you off active duty?"

Rodney trailed off immediately. "No, no, there's being cautious – and then there's hypochondria."

Raising her eyebrows, Elizabeth leaned forward to take in everything. Stress and exhaustion were key things to watch for, and there were some lines around his eyes that hadn't been there before the last mission. But the fervour with which he was arguing reminded her of the Rodney before their return to Earth. This made her smile.

"That's funny, Rodney," she deadpanned. "Tell you what, if I find you a bandaid, you need to do me a favour."

"Elizabeth, do I look like I have any time for favours?"

Straightening the reports, she eyed him critically before standing up to his level. He quickly took a couple of steps back. Elizabeth informed him, "Well, you're due for some downtime before your next mission, but then again this might be some valuable time that could be better spent in the mess, am I right?"

"If you feel it absolutely necessary to bring up the pink elephant in the corner," Rodney said impatiently, "then yes."

"Pink elephant? Rodney, do you really think that applies?"

He regarded her uncertainly. "Uh, yes, that's why I – "

"And you're rather be in the mess?"

"Yes, but – "

"Come on," Elizabeth ordered, catching his elbow as she walked past him. "A bandaid is easily solved. Then I will take you to the mess to get some food into you, with some conversation, and then I will consider the favour paid."

"If you insist," Rodney said, but with little protest.


AN: Whoops! This is a few minutes past my daily deadline! Never fear, the next one will be up before midnight next time.