Chapter 10: Dinner and Rumors
Once outside of the infirmary, Elizabeth was met by one hyped-up, Dr. Rodney McKay. "Rodney?" Dr. Weir acknowledged a little surprised. "What can I do for you," she asked as Dr. McKay stepped into stride with her.
"Well, how is he?"
"How's who?"
"Major Sheppard...of course! Who else could I possibly be referring to? Weren't you just in the infirmary to see him?" he questioned rolling is eyes. For all of Dr. Weir's intelligence and diplomatic skills he swore sometimes she could be so dense.
Dr. Weir smiled confidently having just seem the Major. "He's fine."
"Then why won't Dr. Beckett let anyone else see him?" he said in a petulant voice.
"He's in pretty bad shape," she replied not exactly lying to him, "...and Dr. Beckett feels its best to limit his visitors. I respect his decision and you should, too. It's nothing personal."
There she went lecturing him again. "Well...is he improving?"
"Of course he is. I'll let him know you're concerned. I'm sure he would appreciate that you asked about him. Why are you so anxious to know?"
"Well...you know..." he hedged shrugging one shoulder, "we're kind of getting behind at the lab and we could sure use his gene. Not to mention that we need to continue the search for Z.P.M.'s."
Sensing Rodney's nervousness and reluctance to explain his true feelings, Dr. Weir reassured him. "I'm sure he'll be up and around in no time to give you a hand in the lab. His injuries were extensive and he just needs a little more time."
"Goodnight, Rodney," Dr. Weir excused herself.
"Ah...goodnight, Elizabeth," Rodney replied feeling somewhat flustered and at a loss for words. He chided himself for still getting nervous and intimidated around her. He was determined to find out what was going on with the Major. Dr. Beckett was no help since he was in the infirmary twenty-four seven these days. Maybe it was time to do some investigating.
Rodney made a beeline for the mess hall. Usually around this time of the evening, he could find Dr. Zelenka and some of the other scientists there. Just as he suspected, he spotted Dr. Zelenka having dinner with Dr. Kavanagh.
He went to the kitchen area and grabbing two sandwiches, a cup of coffee, and three deserts, headed for the table where they were, intending to join them.
"Rodney!" Dr. Zelenka greeted the hungry scientist gesturing for him to take a seat. Stress always seemed to make the man want to eat everything in sight. It didn't help that he was hypoglycemic.
"How is your weekend going?" Dr. Zelenka asked genuinely.
"Fine," Rodney replied curtly as he launched into his chicken salad sandwich.
"Is everything all right?" Zelenka inquired. He decided that the man was indeed stressed over something judging by the amount of food he was just about to pack.
"I'm sorry," he apologized realizing how he must have sounded nodding an additional greeting to Kavanagh. "It's just that I can't seem to get a straight answer from anyone about how the Major is doing."
"What have you heard?" Kavanagh asked grinning, his curiosity peaked. Not that he cared much but it was unusual to have the Major out of his way for the better part of a week.
"That's just it. Nothing," Dr. McKay said flatly chewing on his sandwich.
"Well just between us three," Kavanagh cut in, "I sure haven't missed him."
"...and your point would be?" McKay challenged. He was aware of Kavanagh's dislike for the Major and the military presence he represented. McKay had grown to appreciate John in a weird sort of way. The man had saved his ass more times than he cared to admit and he flat out respected his ability to get them out of a tight situation. His whole attitude towards Major Sheppard had turned around after the bug incident.
Kavanagh backed off.
"So, what have you heard?" Zelenka pressed Rodney, having a taste for gossip.
"Well...I waited for Dr. Weir outside the infirmary. She has been visiting the Major quite frequently and I figured that's where she was. Sure enough, she was there and when she came out I asked her about his condition. All she said was that the Major was fine and needed a little more time to recover. No one else has been able to see him. I don't know...it all just seems...fishy. I think there's much more going on than she's letting on." Dr. McKay gulped down a sip of coffee and making a face, grabbed for five sugar packets.
Zelenka nodded thoughtfully. "Perhaps there is more to this than we thought," he speculated. "What have you heard Kavanagh?" he asked turning his attention to the younger man.
"Actually," he leaned in to the other two scientists and in a low voice said, "I heard that there was screaming coming from the infirmary. Simpson was passing by there the other morning on the way to the lab and she could have sworn someone was yelling," he reported with a smirky grin on his face obviously delighted with the thought that the Major might be suffering.
"Maybe this is worse than we thought," Dr. McKay realized looking up from his second sandwich, his mind churning.
"Perhaps we are just allowing our imaginations to get the best of us," the Czech scientist chided.
"Well, if Major Sheppard's out of commission, I would be concerned for the security of Atlantis," Kavanagh suggested. "If he's not able to perform his duties, maybe its time we got someone else to be in charge of the military and the off-world teams. My vote is for Sgt. Bates," he added not trying to hide his eagerness.
That rubbed Rodney the wrong way. "Would you just shut it," he barked at Kavanagh with rare assertiveness. "The Major is the best we've got as far as military strategy not to mention the...the, gene he possesses that runs damn near everything on Atlantis." He reached for one of his deserts having gone through his two sandwiches.
Wow...where did that come from? When did the Major become so important to him? It's not like they had hit it off as buddies when they first met and here he was defending him against his fellow scientists. Doesn't he always side with the scientists? What's different now?
"Well it sounds to me that Weir is probably hiding something. I wouldn't doubt it if she was allowing her personal feelings to get in her way just like when the jumper got stuck," Kavanagh defended. He was obviously still prickly with Dr. Weir over their little 'disgreement.'
This time Dr. McKay defended Elizabeth. "If it weren't for her personal feelings, I wouldn't be here having this discussion with you right now." The clarity in Rodney's voice surprised even himself.
"Well..." Kavanagh smirked getting up from the table having finished his dinner, "Major Sheppard has been a problem from the beginning and perhaps its time he step aside. Afterall, he did botch up the first off-world mission losing Sumner not to mention unleashing the Wraith on the entire galaxy." With that suggestion he left a miffed Dr. McKay and befuddled Dr. Zelenka and left the mess hall in search of better things to do with his time. Staring after him as Kavanagh left the mess hall, Rodney decided he was developing a strong dislike for the man.
"What was that all about?" Dr. Zelenka asked Dr. McKay not always sure of Western customs.
"At the moment, I don't care. My only concern right now is getting to the bottom of what's up with the Major."
Rodney finished his third desert and decided to retire to his quarters. He said his goodbyes to Dr. Zelenka and headed back to his room. The evening's conversation was swirling around in his consciousness.
What if there was more wrong with the Major than they thought? What if he was seriously impaired in some way and could not lead any more missions? Surely, Dr. Weir would be more forthright with them if John was in severe shape. If the rumor is true, what could the screaming have been about? His head was starting to ache. He needed answers and he needed them soon.
Rodney decided to go to bed. Tomorrow he would start his inquisition. He had to get over his fears and confront Elizabeth. He made up his mind to not back off the next time they met. The team deserved to know what was going on. She owed them that much.
A/N: Merlin 71 – glad you were able to make the connection with John and Elizabeth relating to each other. That was my exact point. I meant to shock everyone with Elizabeth's confession so it must have worked.
I don't know if "smirky" is a real word. I made it up since "smirk-like grin" didn't seem to fit Kavanagh's cheesy, geeky ego. Thanks again for the encouraging reviews. I am actually having fun with this story. I'm making it up as I go so be patient.
Also, not sure if its hypo- or hyperglycemic. I went with hypo-.
I am facing some life challenges this week so I may be slow to post. I have to work late two nights this week and my mother-in-law had two strokes over the past month and we're dealing with her rehabilitation. Someone at work also committed suicide last week and staff is working through that, as well. You all keep me going! Hugs...