Authors Note: This hasn't been beta-read so I apologize if it has grammar/spelling errors in or if the characters sound a bit off.

Please let me know what you think of this, complaints, suggestions; any feedback would be helpful as long as it is constructive. It is all written already but going through stages of betareading, with this only checked over by myself.

Also please read "Window to the Soul" and "A Sour Taste in the Mouth" the prequels to this. "The Perfect Pair" is the sequel to this, as will be my Christmas fic if I can write it all in time.

Spoilers: For Season One episode "Hide and Seek" but none others I can think of.

Disclaimer: I don't own the rights to Stargate in any incarnations of course and I'm not making any money, this is just some harmless fanfic fun.

Chapter 4: What's it Worth

"Should I be worried about what went on in the tent?" John asked as Teyla walked out to a place in the clearing, followed by a gaggle of teens.
The girlish giggling and roaring laughter coming from the tent Teyla had taken Rodney to had made him inquisitive about what had happened. Especially since he'd been waiting half an hour for them to emerge.
"I was simply explaining Rodney's situation to the young people, among other things."
"And now?" he asked, peering towards where they were all heading, a square marked out on the grass, with quadrants and cross sections.
"We are to engage in a game"
"A game? You've never mentioned any Athosian games."
"It is a game reserved for the young adults of our culture."

"You're telling me you never told me because I'm too old to play"
She nodded to him, trying not to smile at his hurt puppy look.
"Then why are you playing it?" he asked defensively, feeling left out.
"I must instruct Rodney and a few of the others."
"Right of course"
It was pretty obvious reason for why she got to but still he felt like she had held back on him.

"The game is instrumental in teaching interaction between peers."
He smirked, suddenly understanding what it was about.
"You mean it teaches boy how to talk to girl."
"Or girl to girl, or boy to boy." she said slightly annoyed he was so closed in his perceptions of peoples interactions. They had no such limits in her culture.
"Yes, I knew that." he replied, hoping he hadn't bristled her too much with his careless comment.

"Cooperation is important to the community. Many of our customs relating to this stage of life focus on learning ones responsibility and contribution to our society."
He stood back and watched her show them how to play, selecting mixed teams and finally throwing the three balls she had brought out with her onto the 'court'.
She too retreated to the sidelines letting the boys and girls get on with the game alone.

"So what other customs do you have?" he teased
"If you wish to learn more on our customs you can consult with Dr Hartford over there, she will be returning to Atlantis soon."

She pointed to a young woman he would have thought was an Athosian; black hair in an intricate plait down her back and clothed in the same unique style of the Athosians, some leather and cloth contraption with binding and lace up bits. She looked up at him smiling before getting back to what she was doing, the only thing that made her stand out was the small tablet pc in her hands which he'd not noticed previously as he'd walked around, which she now tapped and scribbled onto the pressure sensitive screen writing notes on the game.

"How about you tell me for now, she looks busy."
Teyla conceded, sensing John didn't want to talk to the woman she knew as Mia, who had few friends on Atlantis.
"Very well. The young people choose mentors, two people they admire and wish to emulate or learn from"
"Who did Rodney choose?"

She gave him a sideways glance as she answered.
"You are correct in assuming we performed that custom, Rodney chose Dr. Weir as his main mentor."
"He did, did he? So when you say mentor that translates to who do you like."
His smug expression faltered when he realised she didn't appreciate his mocking of her customs.
She did have a trick up her sleeve that she thought might shut him up on the matter, or at least take it more seriously.
"No. Though the young people do often choose those they find appealing, the primary function is to choose one as a role model."
She sweetly carried on slyly adding in the finishing touch to her plan "You were his other choice."

"Oh."
He was surprised the young man had chosen him after knowing him for such a short time.
Teyla observed this, giving him her thoughts on the subject.
"He seemed taken with your use of the ancients technology, envious that he could not fly the machine."

"Yeah well he doesn't have the gene anymore, he sort of regressed to this age. He didn't have it when he was 17 so he doesn't have it now."
"Could you not ask Dr. Beckett to reintroduce the gene?"
He didn't really know why she was pushing this conversation topic, wanting to know what she saw in it.
"What good would that do, we want to get McKay back."
Teyla rolled her eyes, sighing in frustration, two habits she had picked up from her time spent on Atlantis.
"He is Dr McKay for the time being, is his well being not important in your eyes?"
"Of course it is"

"I believe the gene would raise his self esteem, he may even be useful with testing the technology. He is young and in my experience young are often unburdened with preconceived ideas, full of fresh thoughts. With a mind such as his he may be able to approach your problem in an innovative way."
"I'll keep that in mind."
It was weird to think of it like that but he could see her point, figuring he'd mention it Elizabeth when they got back. See if they couldn't put the boy to some use whilst he was like this, he'd probably like the chance to do something to occupy his mind.

"Major"
Weir's voice jumped on the radio link, relayed from the jumper.
He hit the talk button, "Yes, is their a problem?"
"We need you and Rodney back here."
Something didn't sound quite right with her voice, he sensed there was more to this sudden recall of them than she wanted there to be.
"You found a solution?"
"Of sorts."she said tersely.
"What is it?" he asked growing more concerned at the way she had said it.
"It would be better if this was discussed in person."
He didn't much like the sound of that but agreed anyway.
"Ok, we'll head on back."

He watched Rodney playing around with the Athosian kids, seemed a shame to stop him having fun but the guy was needed and maybe they'd even have him back to normal soon.
"Rodney?" he shouted out, waiting for the boy to turn his trusting face to him. He nodded to the jumper and Rodney turned back to say his farewells to the others.

As they stepped up into the puddle jumper John wondered if he'd miss this version of Rodney, who'd grown on him the more he'd seen of him. Not that it was likely they would get stuck with him this age, the survival of Atlantis depended on McKay and they no doubt needed the old guy back soon as possible.

"How are ye lad?" was the uncomfortable greeting from Carson, who doubted he'd be ok for long once he heard the plan.
"My sucking chest wound is a lot better thanks." said Rodney with a smile, looking expectantly around, "Why did we have to come back so soon? I was in a middle of a game of Paloosa."

"A game?" queried Kavanagh unbelievingly as he entered the control room where the group was standing. "Doesn't sound like you McKay" added the scientist flashing a short grin in his direction .
Rodney slumped at the name, said so much like an insult, why did this man hate him so?
"Whats wrong with me playing sports? Don't I ever do that anymore?" he asked confused, not knowing much about the man they knew him as.
Sheppard put a stop to Kavanagh response, "No one here has much time for games lately, lots of work you see, isn't that right Kavanagh?"
"Yeah, whatever." was the mans sour reply.

"Rodney, nice to see you looking better. Did you have a nice trip to the mainland?"
Elizabeth asked the question fondly but even Rodney picked up on the strain in her voice, like she was pretending to everything was fine. His eyes darted across them all, finally looking at Sheppard accusingly.
"What's going on? What's wrong?"
Sheppard frowned, wanting to know himself.

"I think you'd better come with me Rodney" said Elizabeth solemnly, folding her arms behind her back in a stance of strength.
Sheppard watched an agitated Rodney follow her up to her office before demanding answers from the Beckett and Kavanagh.

Rodney didn't say anything as they advanced to her office. He sat down silently, looking to her for the answer when he was rested.

She hesitated to speak, pausing to gather her courage. It was going to be hard to say this.
"We may have a way to restore you to your previous condition."
His wide eyes penetrated her gaze, a fear emerging on his face, trusting that she would explain all to him.
"But?"

It hurt to say this but she knew she had to, for the good of Atlantis
"There's a good chance it may not work and if it doesn't you will most likely die."

The news sunk in, his usually chatty facade obliterated, replaced by a pale complexion and an ominous silence until he said something that surprised her.
"I have to do this, don't I?"
His question was blunt, getting right down to the surface of the truth which she couldn't deny to him.

"Yes, I'm sorry. Its really more of an order though I'm not much for giving direct ones like this, but even clever as you are now we need your literally older self back with the knowledge he has. This is the best and only plan we have. The longer we leave it the less chance it can be carried out."

He looked up at his friend, albeit one he didn't remember or know well.
She hated to ask it of him when it could very well mean his death.
"It wouldn't be like this but we're stuck in another galaxy, we need what he knows and its important we try it. I hope it goes well."

His eyes were watery and she wondered if he might cry but he looked up to her bravely giving her what could have been his goodbye, his last words. Only she hoped sincerely that they were not, that they were only the last words of the younger man and not of the friend she knew and cared for.

"I respect you and and I like you, I believe you when you say you're my friend and even though I don't know who I became, I hope maybe I'm the kind of man who'd do this for everyone."

They were profound words for a man so young and she felt touched by then, but he had not finished. Only pausing before admitting the rest.

" But I'm doing it for you and I hope if it works I remember that because I don't stand a chance as I am." he paused further, looking down at the table instead of her, "You probably think I'm silly having a crush on you, I only met you a day ago but as someone older I think I'd be lucky to be around you."

She blushed at his compliment, smiling as she brushed it away as nothing.
"Well I don't quite know what to say about that, though your feelings for me are probably just hormones." she added and hoped for the sake of their professionalism it was just that.

"I wouldn't think much about it. You are a smart and brave man when you are older but I had no idea what it would be like to meet you so young and I'm not disappointed. I'm sorry that you have to do this"
He smiled a little at that, though it was hard to break through the tension of the day now that he knew what he had to do.

He got up to leave, suddenly seeing the painting behind her.
"Cool painting, it makes you look pretty...... Not that you aren't already" he stammered embarrassed at what he'd said, like digging himself into a hole.

"Thank you." was all she said, leaving him to walk out to what Carson had described as almost certain death.