A/n: Thank you all so much for reviewing, for following this story, for your patience while I try to figure out what happens next! I love reading your speculations about it. I sincerely hope to be able to add to this story every day.
Warning for mention of homosexuality. Nothing explicit.
"Rumor," Kavanagh began, "would have it that Doctor McKay and Lieutenant Colonel Sheppard are going at it like bunnies every chance they get. In their quarters, on the balconies, in the Puddle Jumpers, on the mainland, in Doctor Weir's office…but I'm sure you get the picture.
"There's no consensus on when they started. Few put it any earlier than before the hurricane, and some date it as late as just after you showed up. Most believe Sheppard to have been the instigator, but say that McKay developed feelings of attraction first. Majority opinion also holds that at least one, if not both, are bisexual rather than exclusively homosexual."
He pushed his glasses up his nose, looking thoughtful while Caldwell squirmed inwardly, impatient to get to the facts. He found Kavanagh's pretentious, lecturing tone incredibly irritating, but couldn't afford to offend him.
"I haven't heard a single person who was a member of our original expedition express any dissatisfaction with or prejudice against them. Intriguing, don't you think? Of course, there are those who believe that it is Doctor McKay and Doctor Beckett who are involved with each other, and a fair number who feel there is some kind of romantic attachment between Sheppard and Doctor Weir."
He paused, frowning. "You know, I occasionally wonder if I should have studied psychology rather than concentrating on the hard sciences. I find collecting these rumors and speculations to be a highly entertaining pastime. There would certainly be less personal risk involved, although there would also be fewer tangible results."
At this point, Caldwell couldn't help but interrupt. "I'm not interested in gossip and innuendo, Doctor. I'm looking for evidence, and you told me you had it."
Kavanagh was silent, his small eyes gazing speculatively at Caldwell. "I didn't say I had evidence," he finally replied. "I said I would tell you what I knew to be fact. The fact is that there is no evidence, or at least if anyone has any, they aren't telling. The fact is that, while I'm not familiar with Colonel Sheppard's schedule, I see a good deal more of McKay than I would like, and although I don't care for him personally, I can't fault his work ethic. If he manages even half the number of assignations with Sheppard that are credited to them, he must have more energy and stamina than any three Marines put together."
A sardonic smile settled on his smooth face. "I may not approve of Doctor Weir's policies , or Colonel Sheppard's laissez-faire style of command, or McKay's 'smarter-than-thou' attitude, but I will not compromise my own ethics just to remove any of them from their positions. Your eagerness to begin a witch-hunt, in defiance of United States military regulations and based on nothing more than hearsay and your own prejudices, does not recommend you to me as a capable replacement." Acid dripped from his voice as he finished bitterly, "I may be a jerk, Colonel Caldwell, but I'm an honest jerk."