Rodney paced up and down the length of his quarters while Carson sat on the bed twiddling thumbs.

"You're really a great help, Carson", he huffed.

"I know", his colleague sighed apologetically, "But what shall we do? I mean really... Shall we go on strike or what do you think?"

"Hm", McKay pursed his lips, "haven't thought of that, yet. But there has to be a more intelligent solution..."

"Such as...?" Carson folded his arms.

"Stake out Sheppard. I'm damn sure that he's got a big stock of chocolate hidden somewhere."

Beckett squinted at him in a preoccupied way, "Rodney, you're sorta paranoid. Why should the major...?"

Rodney grunted rolling his eyes, "You should've seen the way he grinned at me. He's definitely got something cooking."

"I don't think that suspicions will take us anywhere", Carson stood up, "Know what? I'll fetch us some hot chocolate. At least that hasn't run out, yet."

"You mean that lumpy instant crap? No wonder there are still tons left...", he pondered.

"Rodney, you're far too choosy", Beckett tutted shaking his head.

"But you can get me some coffee."

"You're twentieth cup for today?" he teased him.

"No, my eighth. Black, no milk and under no circumstances sugar."

His friend turned to leave muttering to himself, "No sugar in coffee, but guzzling tons of chocolate."

"Hey, I've heard that", Rodney called after him.

xxxxx

Having reached the cafeteria Carson went over to the coffee machine and filled a mug for Rodney. He then poured some hot water for himself, but as he reached for the spoon in the cocoa bowl, he saw that it was empty to the last crumb.

He turned to Teyla who had just come to a stop behind him, "Teyla, do you happen to know if there's some cocoa powder around here somewhere?"

"I'm sorry", she stated, "but there's none to be found. I've just given up the search for it, since I wanted some myself."

"So it's gone as well. Looks as if I have to go for tea, then.", he bit his lip with a sigh, "It's all so frustrating, you know?"

Teyla eyed him curiously, "What is frustrating, Doctor?"

"It's Rodney. Since chocolate has run out he's slowly becoming cranky. And I'm the one he's bugging with it, because seemingly I'm the only one who falls for his pleadings."

"Oh", a grin crossed her lips , "perhaps I should talk to him."

"Thanks for the offer, but I think you don't have to bother yourself with his conspiracy theories."

"All right", she motioned away from him, "it was nice talking to you, but I have to return to work now."

"See you, Teyla."

Beckett grabbed a teabag and lifted up the two mugs. With a frown he left the cafeteria. He was not sure, but something was a little strange here. Somehow Teyla had not quite behaved the way she usually did.

Maybe Rodney was right and there was a conspiracy going on... But, no, that would have been too weird.

Was he already getting infected with Rodney's chocolate mania? Shaking his head he walked on through the corridors until he came back to the quarters.

xxxxx

"Hell, Carson, what took you so long?", Rodney snatched the mug from him almost instantly after Carson had entered. And about forty seconds later he had already emptied it.

"Wah, the stuff was already halfway frozen", he complained, "which abbreviation did you try this time?"

"None", Beckett shrugged changing the subject, "Has something come to you, yet?"

"Well, actually, yeah it has", Rodney told him, "We could assemble a team and go on the search for something comparable to chocolate."

"And who'd be on that team?" Carson questioned in an unnerved way.

"Me, you, and for the rest I'll go talk to Weir. But in no case I want Sheppard to be there..."

"Oh, really?" Beckett retorted cynically, "I think now you're exaggerating a bit, Rodney."

"You think? Then you're heartily invited to stay at home." McKay shot him a pettish glare and strode off through the door.

Carson let out a long groan before he finally decided to follow him and see what would happen next.

xxxxx

AN: I think Carson has already taken revenge for the voodoo comment in a kinda subtle way, since right after it he sorta hurt Rodney (and wasn't he sorta teasing him as well?), or am I the only one who saw it?

Sorry for the delay, but I'm currently having a big problem to access the net. But if you're lucky I'll get the chance to post another chapter next week...