Part Two

Rodney adjusted the bag on his shoulder while he waited for the door to open. He knew this visit was going to be difficult, but he wanted to see his sister one more time. He was well aware that he wasn't exactly the world's nicest or most loveable person, but that didn't mean he didn't have feelings. Even his relationship with his sister had been slightly estranged, but he owed her this one last visit.

It wasn't that Rodney didn't want to get along with others, it was just that humans were so damn unpredictable. They didn't fit inside a logical equation - a + b didn't always equal c, and it drove him nuts. His brain liked things neat and orderly, for things to be the way they should and follow along projected paths, and most people were never like that. It was probably inevitable that he had been drawn into science for that very reason.

There he could work problems out on paper and the computer, then watch them follow the same path in real life. It was the whole reason he wanted to go to Atlantis. He could theorize and predict about the sciences and technologies of the Ancients and watch as they either turn out to be true or false. Well mostly likely true, he was, after all, a genius.

His sister, Jeannie, on the other hand, was his complete opposite. She was open and friendly and had the uncanny knack for saying exactly what someone needed to hear. If he was being the least bit honest with himself, he rather envied her for it. She always seemed to be a little disappointed that he never opened to her the way others did, but she knew him in spite of it. Knew him a little too well for his comfort and it could cause problems on this little visit. Still, this needed to be done.

The door opened and a blonde woman looked at him in shock. "Rodney? This is a little unexpected."
"Sorry to just drop in like this, but would it be ok for me to stay for a day or so?"
"Are you in some kind of trouble?"
"No. What makes you ask that?"
She grinned at him. "Because I know you. I still remember the CIA showing up on our doorstep because of your 'science project'. Come on in," she said, opening the door wider and moving to the side.

Rodney could see that she was itching to give him a hug, but he stayed firmly out of her reach. "Where can I put my bag?"
"Just set it there," she said, gesturing to a corner of the living room. "We can take it upstairs later. I'm more interested in learning what brought my long lost brother to visit. I know it wasn't for my company," Jeannie said, sitting down on one end of a plush sofa.

He nervously chuckled. "That's just silly. Can't a guy visit his sister without an ulterior motive?"
"Most, yes. You, no," she said shrewdly. "I know you. Something is up, now give."
Rodney didn't get a chance to answer because a tiny figure with pale blond hair and bright blue eyes tore through the living room and launched itself at Jeannie. He could only watch in bewilderment as his sister laughed and hugged the little boy. He knew it had been a while since he had visited, let alone talked to his sister, but he didn't think it had been that long. "Umm, Jeannie?"
"This is my son, Lucas." She grinned down at the wriggling figure in her arms. "Lucas, this is your Uncle Rodney. Why don't you go say hi?"

"No! No, that's quite al... oof!" Rodney grunted as Lucas nearly tackled him.

The boy wrapped his little arms around Rodney's knees. An impish smile shone up at him. "'Lo, Unc 'Nee."

"Hi kid," Rodney said, awkwardly patting his head. If people in general confused him, kids were the worst. They never seemed to know when to leave things well enough alone and just shut up. Plus, they were usually synonymous with runny noses and dirty hands. And he didn't have the slightest idea how to interact with them. "Can you let go now?"

"Why?"
"Because I asked you to."
"Why?"
"Because I don't really like kids."
"Why?"
"Because."
"Why?"

Rodney sent a pleading look to his sister. "A little help here."
"You're doing fine." She rose from the sofa and began to leave the room.

"Where are you going?" He asked, slightly panicked.

"Into the kitchen to pour everyone some ice tea," she said, smirking at him before leaving.

Rodney sighed and looked back down at Lucas. The toddler was still smiling up at him. "Will you please let go?"
"Why?"
"So I can sit down."
"'Kay," Lucas cheerfully said before releasing him. As soon as Rodney sat down however, he climbed into his lap.

"Do you have to sit there?" Rodney asked.

"Yes."
"Is there a particular reason why?"
Lucas shrugged and settled himself into Rodney's lap and rested his head on his chest.

"You two look comfortable," Jeannie said, coming back with their drinks.

"Extremely," Rodney said, drawing the word out. He was relieved to see that Lucas' tea was in a sippy cup. He had images of himself being covered in the drink. As Jeannie sat back down he asked, "Where's the great Dr. William Wolenczak?"

Her dark blue eyes dimmed some as she looked down at the glass in her hands. "He's in Australia this week, next week Japan, and then England the week after that."
Rodney looked at her in confusion. "I thought he didn't like to travel?"
"He doesn't," she said with a half-hearted smile. "He has an idea to create free electricity to the entire world. The traveling is to meet with other scientists and governments."
"He's insane. That's not even remotely possible."
"William insists that it is."

"I don't care if it's a magical never-ending energy crystal, it's not possible. They'd have to be charged something if only to cover labor costs at the relay facilities."
She sighed and took a drink of her tea. "It's his dream, Rodney, and I'm not going to try and stop him."

"Then you're just as insane."

Jeannie looked at the small boy in his lap. "Lucas honey, why don't you go into the kitchen and play with your puzzle so your Uncle Rodney and I can talk."
"'Kay," Lucas said, sliding down and scampering out of the room.

When she was sure he was out of earshot, she turned her steely gaze on Rodney. "You have no room to talk, Rodney. I think it's just as foolish for you to alienate everyone around you so you can concentrate all of your energies on your precious science. What gives you the right to show up on my doorstep and criticize my life?"
"Jeannie, I..."

"No, Rodney. I will not tolerate this attitude and behavior in my home. I'm happy. If you have a problem with that then you can leave."

He sighed. This was not how he expected the visit to go. Once again he found himself floundering in human interaction and wished, not for the first time, that communicating with others came as easily to him as science did. But he was not going to leave their meager relationship this way. If he was to never return from Atlantis, he didn't want his sister's last memory of him to be clouded in anger. He sucked in his pride and did something he rarely ever did. "I'm sorry Jeannie. You're right. I shouldn't have said that."
She blinked several times in surprise. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing. Why do you ask?" He said, confused by the sudden change in topic.

"You never apologize. Something's going on."
Rodney shook his head. "Nothing. Just stopped by for a visit."
"Your left eye is twitching so I'm positive you're lying now."

He took a long drink from his tea. "Look at that. I'm out. Really thirsty. I should get some more."

She grabbed his arm as he stood and pulled him back down to the sofa. "Oh no you don't. Something has to be going on. You pop up here unannounced, back down from an argument, you apologize! Rodney, you're my brother and I care about you. Please tell me."
"I can't."
"Yes, you can."
"No. I mean I really can't." He looked her square in the face. "It's classified."
"Oh."
"Believe me. I wish I could tell the world, but I can't. Just know that I'm doing something amazing."
"Where?"
"I can't tell you that either." He looked back down into his empty cup. "I just came to see you because it might be a long, long time before I can again."
"How long?"
He shrugged. "Don't know. I'm really thirsty," he said, standing and going into the kitchen.

"Hi, Unc 'Nee," Lucas said from the floor.

Rodney stopped and stared at his nephew. When Jeannie had sent the toddler in here to work on a puzzle he assumed it was one of those cartoon ones with huge pieces that had at most ten pieces, but not this. In front of the two-year-old was a huge picture of a garden that was halfway completed. The little blond boy was happily adding pieces to complete it.

"Jeannie! Can you come in here," Rodney called out, his eyes never leaving the boy.

She ran into the room with a worried expression. "What's wrong?"

"How many pieces are in that puzzle?"
"A thousand I think."
"And how long has he been putting it together?"
"About two days. Why?" She asked.

He turned and looked at her in disbelief. "Your two year old son is putting together a puzzle that most adults would find challenging. Don't you think that's rather odd?"

"I never really thought about it," she replied. "He just likes to play with puzzles."

Rodney fought the urge to roll his eyes. She was clueless! He squatted down and watched the boy for a moment. Lucas considered several pieces before selecting one and fitting it into place. "How did you know that was the correct one?"

"Jus knew," Lucas said with a shrug before adding another piece.

"Is there something wrong?" Jeannie asked Rodney.

He held up a held to quiet her and continued watching Lucas. After several minutes he looked up at his sister. "This boy is a genius."
"I thought so, but then all mothers tend to think that about their children."
Rodney stood and shook his head. "No, I'm serious. Lucas is a genius. He's not really seeing the puzzle as a whole picture."
"Then how is he..."
"He's seeing the individual pieces and how they interlock. He's able to pick out patterns and follow them. Has he done anything else that seems unusual?"
Jeannie chewed one her bottom lip as she thought it over. "He does seem to understand things pretty quickly and the doctor said his skills were more advanced than others his age."
"Jeannie, you need to start on his education right away. He could become an amazing scientist one day," Rodney said, excitement gleaming in his eyes.

"What if he doesn't want to be one?" She asked haughtily.

"Then he'll be an amazing whatever. All I'm saying, is don't let that boy's talents get wasted in the public school system."
XXXXXXX

Rodney scowled as he looked down at his nephew who had once again latched himself to his uncle's legs. It didn't matter if this kid was a genius, Rodney just hoped he wasn't wiping his runny nose on his pants. "You can let go now," he practically growled.

"No."

"Why?... Oh god, I'm starting to sound like him," he groaned.

"Don wanna go."

"You're not going anywhere. I'm the one who is leaving," Rodney corrected.

"No."
"Yes. Now let go."
Lucas only responded by holding him tighter and burying his face into Rodney's leg.

"Jeannie," Rodney pleaded.

"For some reason he likes you," she said with a smile.

"I'm probably the first superior intellect he's encountered. Can't help but be drawn to it," he said nervously. He looked back down. "I have to go or I'll miss my plane."
"No."
Rodney closed his eyes and tried to reign in his temper. He didn't really want to do this, but he really couldn't see any other way. "I promise to come back and visit," he said between clenched teeth.

Lucas looked up at him with hopeful blue eyes. "Pomis?"

"Yes, I promise." Rodney really hoped it was true, he hated lying, even to little kids. It was just too hard.

"'Kay," Lucas said, releasing him. The boy waved and then ran out of the room.

Jeannie frowned at him. "You better not break that promise. I'm not sure what you're up to, but I get the distinct feeling you don't think you'll be back."

"We'll see," he said. They stood there for an awkward moment before he hesitantly reached out to hug her.

"Now I'm even more worried," she said when he released her.

"Nah. I'll be fine," he said, before turning and walking out the door.