Chapter Eighteen

Zelenka slowly counted to ten but for some reason was never able to reach the intended number when Rodney McKay was within the vicinity. The man could talk for his country and seemed completely unaware that most of the time whatever words were spilling from his mouth were either complete rubbish, didn't make sense or were too complex for even the most brilliant mind. At this present time, it verged on complete rubbish that didn't make sense.

"Are you completely sure about this?" one of the younger scientists asked.

"Of course I'm sure," McKay answered, bent down over the open laptop and typing away. The astrophysicist gave a slight frown to the young man who dare question his judgement then looked back to the work.

"So you really think the Z.P.M is located in this temple you spoke of?" Zelenka asked as he folded his arms and walked over to McKay.

"I have reason to believe so," McKay said turning round to face the man directly as he spoke, straightened up and gave an awkward smile.

"But you didn't actually see it," Zelenka continued, sounded a little sceptical.

"No I didn't see it," McKay said trying his hardest not to sound condescending, sarcastic or arrogant all rolled into one. "But my equipment recorded a large power source."

"Was this before or after you got jumped by little girl?" Zelenka asked.

Oh I am so not going to live this down anytime soon McKay thought as he glanced round the room to all the people, who were supposed to be hard at work but were instead finding something remarkably hilarious about his predicament. "Yes very amusing," he quickly snapped off, trying not to sound offended. "I'm here all week." The smile faded and he looked at Zelenka. "I'm just trying to find a way to come up with a power source for when the Wraith turn up, and believe me they will! If we don't have anything to power up the shields, we will be turned into noodles!"

Zelenka had caught every word of that, and by the silence that quickly followed, everyone else had to. McKay looked round the room with an air of superiority, made a small-pleased sound and made his way over to the door. "I'm glad we settled that," McKay said turning back to them and mustering a grin.

The door closed and Zelenka carried on looking at the laptop. "Noodles?" he asked himself.

--

Beckett sat with Kiki; Teyla had left them on their own. Apparently, Major Sheppard required her assistance for something. From what he could see, Kiki was still extremely pleased about the news and remaining on Atlantis. "You do understand that living here on Atlantis, you will not always get a chance to see me."

"I understand," Kiki replied quickly, she had come to the realisation that he was what his people called him the chief medical officer and he had a lot of duties to perform on an regular basis. Some of those duties also included him going off world in some situations.

"Although, I imagine you will get sick of me after a bit."

Kiki frowned slightly and looked over to him, shaking her head. "I can not imagine ever getting 'sick' of you Doctor Beckett," she answered quietly and confidently. "You have shown me great kindness, more than I deserve for what happened to Doctor McKay."

It was his turn to frown and he bloody well did. "Kiki," he scolded gently, reaching out and placing his hand on top of her own. It was small and cold in comparison to his own. Beckett looked back up to her face, at the expression full of regret. "Lass, I've told you time and time again. It was not your fault what happened to Rodney, you were scared and people do incredible things when they're threatened."

"That is not what Major Sheppard thinks," Kiki answered quietly, if she could, she would be staring at the dull surface of the table and refusing to meet his gaze.

"That's not true."

"I may be blind but I can still see that he does not trust me." Kiki removed her hand from under Becketts own; his comfort was welcome but not necessary. He reminded her too much of her father, her father for which she would never see, or more accurately, be with ever again. "I do not belong here and it seems that he is eager to remind me of that."

"I think he just doesn't know what to make of you," Beckett said, pulling his hands back after she broke away from him. "He has a very important job here and protecting people. He may consider you a threat because of the way you were able to handle yourself."

"He does not hate me?" Kiki enquired gently. Beckett gave her a meek smile, attempting to reach across the table and take a hold of her hand once more. Relieved when she didn't pull it back.

"No," he said softly with a thoughtful expression. "He doesn't hate you."

--

"I cannot work with this man Doctor Weir." Zelenka stopped pacing to give her a look. "He is annoying and unpleasant."

"It's Rodney," Weir answered as if that would solve all his problems.

"I was looking for something a little more helpful," Zelenka replied brutally honest and taking a seat. As he did, he glasses slid down the bridge of his nose much to annoyance and pushed them up using his index finger.

"What do you want me to do?" Weir asked calmly, sitting back in her seat. "Order him to stop being a pain in the ass? You should know by now that with Rodney McKay what you see is what you get." Zelenka gave it some thought, it was true that he did not know the man very well but knew of his reputation and knew enough to know that he was acting strange. He looked at her over his glasses, he knew that he would have to try and tolerate the man. "This is still big problem."

Weir gave him a tight smile. "I'm sure you'll find a way around it."