Chapter Twelve

Sheppard and Weir watched the event in front of them unfold, then exchanged a glance with one another. From the looks, they could both tell what the other was thinking and that they had something in common. It wouldn't help if Beckett got too attached to Kiki and from this current display; the possibility of it happening existed.

"It's all right," Beckett said still rubbing the young girl's back, trying hard to sympathise with her pain. "No one's going to hurt you, you're safe here." Her sobs slowly dissipated, no longer ravaging her body with their intensity, whatever the dream had being. It had certainly scared the hell out of her. Kiki wiped at her eyes and pulled back from Beckett, the now familiar sight of white and blue before her. It was a welcoming sight. A friendly sight.

"I am sorry," Kiki finally said, managing to pull herself together enough to form a sentence.

"Don't apologise, there's no need to be ashamed about crying. Sometimes we all get frightened," Beckett answered, remaining soft-spoken and finally letting her go and brushed a tear away from her cheek. His heart going out to her completely.

"Thank you," Kiki answered and smiled.

"That's what I like to see," Beckett said with a smile. "Would you like a drink of water?" Kiki shook her head silently as the smile faded and he helped her lie back down. "Now try and get back to sleep." He pulled the covers up over her once more; she grabbed his hand and said in a panicked voice, "Don't leave me."

"Don't worry, I'm not going anywhere."

Beckett turned back to Weir and Sheppard.

"Is she okay?" Weir asked unfolding her arms and placing them behind her back. Beckett took one long last look at Kiki and nodded.

"She'll be fine, I suspect that she's reliving events." Beckett paused thoughtfully. "It's not uncommon after a traumatic experience."

"She seems to have taken a shine to you," Sheppard said, basically thinking outloud what both he and Weir had been thinking.

"Kiki needs all the comfort she can get right now, it can't be easy for a girl this young to go through something like this alone." Beckett walked past them and back to his desk, sitting down slowly and bringing up a load of files.

"As long as it's not too long before we can question her," Sheppard answered putting his hands on his hips and looking over to Kiki who seemed to be be resting more easily."

"Question her, you make it sound like she's a prisoner John."

"Okay, so we can ask her questions," Sheppard said in response to Weir.

"I promise that when she's had adequate rest you can ask your questions," Beckett answered.

"Well. Good," Sheppard replied, giving Weir a look that indicated that he was done here before walking off.

Elizabeth watched Sheppard swagger off then looked to Beckett. "Carson."

"Yes Elizabeth," Beckett said turning to face her after watching Sheppard walk out of the infirmary. That was one very paranoid man indeed, as if Kiki was dangerous perhaps when she thought she was threatened but now she was softer than a wee kitten. Anybody could see that, except maybe McKay but then he did have good reason.

Words formulated in her head but she didn't know how to voice them, this was going to be difficult enough to say the least. They really could not afford for Beckett to get attached to this child; she did not belong here on Atlantis with them. She must've had her own home somewhere. Who knows, maybe she didn't have a home anymore thanks to the Wraith and that here she would be cared for. "Let me know when Kiki is ready to talk," Weir finally said, deciding against the idea at the last minute. It would be no good trying to change his mind about her anyway and seeing Kiki the way some of her team did.

"Aye, I will don't you worry." Beckett paused, sensing that she had something more to say but he was a reasonable man and not one to push.

"Thank you Carson," Weir said with a smile before gingerly making her way out and back up to the control room.

--

With his stomach full, McKay hummed, yes actually hummed as he made his way to his lab intending to get back to work. One of the good things about working indoors was that the chances of anyone trying to attack you were very slim. Unless of course they were other scientists who disagreed with your theories and arguments started. It could get very ugly in the brotherhood of the white coats, just like the way it did on message boards in discussions should as "Which is better? Star Trek or Star Wars?"

His arm was still aching but less now, he decided it could have been a lot worse. He also decided that it would have been better if it hadn't happened at all. Oh yes, he could live with that. Walking over to the table, laptop in hand he sat down and placed it down gently, opening it up. The screen came to life with all sort of statistics, and plus his very prized files with all his ingenious ideas. Password protected and encrypted of course.

Content, he reached for the extra cup of coffee with him and a brownie and started typing away, Nothing but the sound his fingers connecting with the buttons, and the soft faint clicking made by the keys could be heard. McKay was thankful for this moment after the "exciting" expedition. "Now let me see," he said talking to himself as he typed, figuring out what he had to do next. He sat back and rubbed his eyes, concentrating at the screen as it blurred slightly. He leaned forward and tapped the side of it, "Hmm must be the resolution or something."

Rodney shook his head as the words cleared up slightly so he could resume with his brainstorming as the screen went fuzzy then clear again. "Damn thing. Probably made in Taiwan or something," he muttered pressing on.