Chapter 7

It might have been morbid fascination, or it might have been fear at what Carson might find, but Rodney found himself unable to step away as Bengi's examination continued. He knew even before the Scot confirmed it, that the boy wouldn't have any marks on him, at least none of the physical nature. And when the doctor asked him to keep an eye on the lad while he went to retrieve his stethoscope, he suddenly found himself unable to breathe when the dark green innocent eyes met his.

Boy, how many times have I told you not to look at me like that? When I talk to you, you should be looking at the floor, and only answering 'Yes, sir' or 'No, sir'. I don't want people telling me what an uppity son, I have. Do I make myself clear?

Yes, sir.

Speak up! No one wants to hear you mumble.

Yes, sir!

The second Carson stepped back into the room he recognized the signs of distress etched in the scientist's face. "Rodney," he spoke gently, his voice reflecting the same tone he'd used on Bengi in the hallway, "why don't you sit down?"

"I think I'd rather go back to my quarters." Edging away, with his back to the door, he kept his gaze firmly fixed on the doctor, "I'm fine Carson, just need to go back to bed. Peace and quiet. Can't seem to get that here." Reaching behind himself, he felt for the doorway, before quickly disappearing into the hallway. He knew Carson wouldn't follow with the boy still in there.

He ducked down the closest stairwell, blindly taking the steps, only to land with a thump when he missed one. He had to get back to his room; he didn't want anyone else to witness his attacks. Sheppard had been embarrassing enough. And now with his heart pounding double time in his chest, he squeezed his eyes tight and tried to concentrate. That was all he needed to do; take his mind off it. Turning on the landing, he shifted directions and headed towards his lab. It was late and no one should be there; exactly what he needed.

SG: A

"What do you mean, he left?" Sheppard hissed, pulling Beckett aside. "Didn't you get a good look at him? He's a mess."

"What do you think I should have done, Major, chase after him and leave the little one here alone? He's a grown man, and if my hunch is correct, he's beelined it to his lab. Whenever Rodney needs to distract himself, he finds a project."

Dr. Weir cleared her throat to gain the two men's attention. When the major had initially paged her, informing her that they had come across the ambassador's son in a stairwell, it never occurred to her to ask why they were up at such an hour. Something was definitely going on with her chief scientist and if her gut instincts were right, these two knew exactly what it was; unfortunately, now was not the time to discuss it. "Gentlemen, if you're finished, I'd like to take Bengi back to his father." Carson had given him a clean bill of health just as they'd arrived.

She gave the boy a warm smile and was surprised when he suddenly stiffened beside her. Shooting a questioning glance towards Carson, he in turn faced Sheppard.

"Thanks a lot," he snapped under his breath to the Scot. Walking over to the bed Bengi was sitting on, he held out his arms, "Hey, buddy, we got to go see your dad. What do you say I give you a lift?"

The child's reaction was instantaneous. He shut down. His reaction was so similar to what Sheppard had seen in McKay over the past few days when confronted with an unpopular decision, he found himself glancing again towards Beckett to see if he had noticed. From the look on the Scot's face, he had.

Sheppard lifted the boy and sighed when the little fellow once again wrapped his legs around the person who carried him. "Aren't you tired?"

Bengi mimicked the major's sigh, shaking his head slowly 'no'.

"Oh. You're pretty quiet for a little guy, you know that?" The only response was a small shrug. "Well, what do you say I give you a lift back?"

This time Bengi studied the three adults in the room, his eyes shifting from one to the other before he laid his head to rest on Sheppard's shoulder, facing away towards the wall.

"Carson, you didn't find any reason for him to stay here?" Weir asked, trying to find some reason why not to take the boy back to his father.

Beckett's shoulders drooped as he passed his hand over Bengi's short blonde hair, "Nay, lass."

"Okay then." Taking a deep breath, she gestured to the door, "Major."

"Elizabeth," he protested, hugging the little one closer to his chest.

"I'm sorry, John, there's nothing else we can do."

SG: A

It practically killed Sheppard to drop the boy off with Lokii. The look on the ambassador's face remained completely neutral as he took his son's hand, resting his large open palm on the top of Bengi's head. The boy never looked up at them, his expression never changing.

"Thank you for bringing him back. He has a bad habit of wandering about at home when he can't sleep. Don't you son?" he asked, tapping Bengi on the back of his head.

The boy grimaced ever so slightly before nodding his head, "Yes, sir."

"Say thank you and good night to Dr. Weir and Major Sheppard, son."

"Thank you, ma'am, and sir. I'm sorry for causing you any trouble."

Hunkering down eye level to the young visitor, Sheppard smiled, "Not a problem, little man, we were out for a walk anyways, just like you."

The green eyes briefly flickered in his direction before he turned and headed silently back into the guest quarters. Standing back up, the major schooled his own expression as he met the ambassador's impervious gaze. "He's a special little boy. How old is he?"

"He is eight. Forgive me, Major, Dr. Weir, but it is late and I must get my son to bed. Until later." He bowed before stepping back, allowing the door to close.

Sheppard rested his hand on the wall, scowling at the ornate door, "I don't like him."

"Major, it's not up to us how he chooses to raise his child."

"But he could be hurting the boy," the officer interrupted.

"I'm sorry, John, but Carson found nothing wrong. We cannot interfere."

His dark gaze stared into her compassionate face but was unable to find what he was looking for. Disgusted, he spun on his heel, leaving her alone as he went in search of McKay.

SG: A

Two voices carried quietly out into the empty hallway where Sheppard stood, listening to the familiar, well rehearsed argument as it progressed to the point of a well meant threat.

"Rodney, you need to sleep. If you don't, I'll have Weir ban you from the lab."

"Been there, done that, Carson," the scientist's voice replied. "When you come up with something new, let me know.'

"Rodney…"

"Carson," there was a sigh, "I can handle this. It just took me by surprise. I don't want my life on display for everyone to stare at. This," he paused, "this is private. Please, just drop it."

"I can't do that, son."

"You never even knew anything about it until tonight," McKay replied irritably.

"I've had my suspicions. And when you go and disappear, with the major having to go look for you, is that normal? What if it had been Major Sheppard who was in trouble? Can you tell me that you wouldn't feel the exact same way, the same concern, he's having about you?"

Silence. 'Come on, McKay,' the major silently urged.

"There's nothing anyone can do." The Canadian's voice was filled with resignation. "I just need to be left alone."

There was a sound of something being dragged across the floor. Taking a quick glance into the room, Sheppard spotted Beckett sitting down on a stool beside the scientist, who was already seated at a table, toying with a tray of food that looked vaguely familiar.

"Did you leave him alone after the incident with that Chaya woman? Did you leave me alone after what happened with the Hoffans?"

Rodney dropped his head into hands, staring at the counter top. "That was different."

"Nay, it's all the same."

That was his cue. Entering the room quietly, Sheppard stood on the other side of his friend, "He's right, McKay."

The scientist's shoulders drooped, his fingers carded through his hair. "I'm tired," he mumbled, his head dropping to rest on his arms.

Grabbing the tray of cheese and fruit before the man's face got planted in it; Carson pushed it to the other side of the work table. He then stood up and slipped a hand under Rodney's arm while the major grasped the other. "Come on," he urged, lifting his exhausted friend to his feet. "You need to sleep on a bed."

TBC