The Puppet Master
Chapter Six - Faking It
The corridors in Atlantis were well designed to not just carry electricity, but also sound. She could hear their voices though they were hidden behind a corner wall, muffled, blooming as she turned into the same stretch of corridor.
McKay's back was turned to her. He stood hunched, shoulders bunched, defensive. Sheppard stood opposite, leaning forward, one arm lifted slightly from his side and hand twitching as though struggling to restrain himself. Both seemed oblivious to Teyla's approach and she found herself hanging back, reluctant to interrupt.
"I looked in the lab, McKay. That little Japanese girl was there, told me you hadn't been there for hours."
"Then I must have been somewhere else."
"Like, where?"
"It was evening, Major. Ever think I might be sleeping?"
"Your room was empty. I left you a note."
"How preschool of you. Must have missed it." Added, with a complete lack of sincerity: "Sorry."
She saw Sheppard take a step forward, lowering his voice. "Come on, Rodney. I realise I'm a few evolutionary steps behind you but give me a break."
"Fine. I went for a walk," came back the response, heated.
"All night?" The hand twitched. "Even geniuses need their beauty sleep."
She saw one finger reach out and jab Major Sheppard in the chest. "Ah. You're in league with Heightmeyer."
"What? McKay –"
"No," came back the response, sharp and biting. "go find another puppy, Major. I'm sure Lieutenant Ford won't mind being babysat. This one's wise to you." And then the finger became a palm, pushing Sheppard out of the way so its owner could continue down the corridor.
She heard Sheppard swear, throwing up his hands in despair. "Fine." He stepped into a transporter alcove, the doors closing on him. Teyla waited several moments before chasing after the scientist.
"Dr McKay?"
He was ignoring her, shoulders tense, pace picking up. Said, without looking: "If you heard that little brawl and want to comment then save your breath. I don't want to hear it."
"Perhaps," she said evenly, drawing to his side, forced into long strides to keep up. "Nevertheless –"
"You're going to tell me anyway." He shot a dark look at her and she caught a glimpse of shadows on pale skin and the hint of stubble. "Go on then. You may as well spit it out."
"Major Sheppard is only concerned for you."
"Concerned for his trained monkey." His fingers twisted against each other, an angry red mark blazoned across his right hand. "CO's job."
"As a friend," she emphasised, "he worries. As do we all."
"Why?" He nodded in apparent agreement with himself. "He thinks I'm a liability. He's waiting for me to screw up."
Teyla found herself at a momentary loss. "That is not what I meant."
"Hah. Right. Be polite. That's the proper thing to do."
She paused, then pressed on: "We worry." And though since the funerals the issue had been avoided, though she and Ford had respected the scientist's privacy: "These past weeks have not been easy."
McKay's reaction was not what she expected. She was shocked to see confusion in his face, apparent ignorance. "What?"
"The death of your colleagues," she prompted, hesitantly. "And the circumstances –"
His gaze broke off and he stopped, offering her an unconvincing: "Oh, that." And with horror Teyla realized McKay had no idea what she was talking about.
"Doctor McKay –"
He pulled his face into what she thought was intended as remorse. "I, ah, I'm coping." Then he continued his stride down the corridor.
She found her feet had slowed unconsciously, allowing McKay to create distance between them. He turned, snapped at her, gripping his right hand with the left: "Teyla - pass a message to Sheppard for me. Tell him to leave me alone. Him, and Heightmeyer, and anyone else in their little league. They can stop spying on me, because I'm not about –"
And then he faltered, anger dissipating as suddenly as it had formed, and he looked so exhausted Teyla feared he might fall. "There's too much," he muttered, to himself. "Voices. Eyes in the dark." Then he lifted his head with a jerk, glaring at Teyla. "Leave me alone."
