Carousel (part 3)

Dr. Beckett did something few had ever seen him do; he sat tiredly on the bed opposite Rodney, and watched the scientist sleep. It was strange, he pondered as he studied his new friend, how someone who looked so sane while sleeping, could possibly be the same irritating monster while awake. But then again, the little he actually knew from McKay's file, and the even smaller amount that the scientist had shared of his upbringing, it was hardly a surprise that Rodney made others maintain a distance around him.

Elizabeth had stayed briefly, until Rodney had informed her that his mother had long since quit watching over him and he wasn't in need of another. Carson found himself looking away so as not to get in trouble for laughing at Dr. Weir over the injured man's subtlety that left little to the imagination. That woman could give ya the eye and put the fear of God into ya, with only one brow lifted.

Now, all the doctor had to do was wait for Major Sheppard to stop by. It wasn't a matter of if, but rather when. Sure, the major acted as though McKay was the last person on Atlantis he would want to be stuck with, but when it came time to choose teams, Rodney had no doubt on whose he belonged. With the sound of soft footsteps on the floor behind him, Carson smiled to himself; right on schedule.

The major eased onto the foot of the bed beside Beckett and nodded towards the sleeping man, "How's he doing?"

"He's gonna be fine; nothin' more than a bump and nasty sunburn. I gave him something to make him a wee more comfortable and help get rid of his headache."

"Well that's good news. Did he say anymore about what happened?"

"No, but I didn't really push." Lifting himself off the mattress, Beckett stood beside Rodney and checked the monitors, "Ya've seen him now, so why don't ya come back in the morning, he should be a bit more agreeable by then."

"Yeah, okay." John stretched his arms above his head as he slid off the bed, and then shoved his hands in his pockets. "I'll be back in a few hours."

"Major, I don't want to see ya here until…." Carson watched the dark- haired man pull an item out of his pocket and study it. "What do ya got there, lad?"

"Just a ball of foil I found on the floor of the lab after you left." Carefully unrolling it, he revealed an energy bar wrapper.

"You found garbage on Rodney's floor and put it in your pocket?"

"Think about it, Doc, when's the last time you saw anything out of place in his lab? He wasn't the neatest person when he first got here and I had to have a few words with him, but now he keeps it so clean you could eat off the floor."

Seeing he had the doctor's attention, Sheppard continued, "And, why aren't his eyes burned? Maybe he was looking down when the flash went off?"

Beckett shook his head. "Maybe he was eating when he checked the lab and dropped it. Or maybe it's from Zelenka or Grodin?"

Sheppard leaned against the doorway and eyed the Scotsman. "Kavanaugh showed up after you left."

"Did he now. What did he want?"

"I'm not sure."

Beckett folded his arms over his chest and scowled, "He's not real fond of Rodney."

Sheppard nodded in agreement as he tucked the wrapper back in his pocket, "Tell me something I don't know."

The doctor stood beside the room controls and dimmed the lights for the remainder of the night. "Do you think…?"

Stifling a yawn, the major shrugged as he made his way to the door. "He's too smart to do something as foolish as hurting McKay in the lab. I want to go back and check on Zelenka and Grodin, maybe they've come up with something."

"Go to bed, Major, before you fall down."

His words were met by Sheppard's waving hand in the air before the young officer turned the corner, walking out of sight.

oOo

Radek Zelenka, Peter Grodin, Lieutenant Ford, and Teyla didn't hear Major Sheppard quietly entered the lab, as they were huddled around a counter examining a small object.

"What'd you find?" he asked.

The lieutenant stepped aside, making room for his superior. "It looks like someone set off a homemade flash grenade. They found pieces of what had to be the original container and there's residue of gun powder on the floor along with a phosphorous trace."

Peter Grodin handed over a piece of melted plastic. "It's crude but effective. Most first year chemistry scientists would be able to make something similar." Walking over to a cupboard on the wall, he removed several items, placing them on the table for all to see. "All you have to do is find a suitable container, add the chemicals, and fasten a switch or activation device. Then press, release, and run." The entire time he spoke, he put together a small device and held it out upon completion.

Sheppard carefully took the item from the outstretched hand. "Are you telling me you just made a bomb?"

"Major, what I just put together has the power of a flashbulb in a camera." Taking the small object back, Grodin pressed the center and tossed it into the sink. A moment later, they all heard a small 'pop' followed by a brief flash. "Now, from what I've been told about what happened to Dr, McKay, I can only imagine that that device was a bit stronger."

Inspecting the pieces in the sink, Sheppard turned back to the scientists. "You said any first year student could do this."

Both scientists nodded.

"Why?"

Zelenka gave him a puzzled glance, "Why, what, Major?"

"Why would they know how to make one of these?"

Peter scratched his head as he put the remaining materials back in the cupboard. "Professors or older students always wanted to show the new recruits something exciting, back when I was in school. This was one of the first basic reactions we were taught."

"You made bombs to impress your peers?" Teyla's quiet voice was filled with disbelief.

"No," both men answered quickly.

Radek added, "We're scientists, and when we want to know how things work, we make them."

"You haven't made any of these here, have you?" Sheppard questioned as he pointed to the used materials placed on the counter.

"No, sir."

"Tell anyone about them?"

"No, sir."

Sheppard glanced at each of the group, "All right, let's close up the lab for the rest of the night. Hopefully Rodney can remember something helpful when I check on him again." He stood beside the door as they each left, snagging Ford by the shirt and stopping him when the junior officer passed. "I want patrols doubled through the science labs until this get resolved."

"Yes, sir. I'll take care of it right now."

"Good." The major made one last check of the lab and McKay's quarters before heading back to his room in hopes of catching at least a couple more hours of sleep, then he could go back to the infirmary.

oOo

Peter made his way tiredly back to his quarters, through the deserted hallways of Atlantis. The low lighting of the early morning hours helped the crew adjust to the changing hours, but also made the passageway appear ominous. Hurrying around the last corner to his room, he stopped when he thought he heard someone call for help. Glancing about, he heard it again.

Slowly he made his way to a nearby stairwell, "Hello?"

A strong shove against his back caught him off balance and he tumbled to the bottom, landing painfully with a thump. Weakly lifting his head, he thought he spotted a figure at the top of the stairs watching him.

"Help," the injured scientist whispered.

The lone figure touched the wall, sending the stairwell into darkness before he walked away.

"Please," Peter gasped painfully, lying his aching head down against the cool floor, unable to hold his own darkness at bay.