AN: Okay so this fic was getting a little dark, even for my mind, and so this chapter is an interlude before they leave. Just a little insight into what Carson, Rodney and Radek are doing while the four of them duke it out. Next chap. Will be back on topic and should be out by tomorrow.

Thanks again for the reviews, I love getting feedback!

88

"Okay this is ridiculous."

"It is not!"

"No, really really ridiculous!"

"Shut up! Shut up!" Dr. Radek Zelenka screamed, about to pull his hair out at the two men squabbling in front of him. The scientist was at his wits end, up to his arms in wires, explosives and no idea what the hell he was doing it for. All he knew was that John Sheppard was unconscious, Ronon had intimate knowledge of the Wraith, Teyla was unavailable and Elizabeth was not moving from her room. Carson and Rodney arguing was not helping matters at all.

"I am trying to make some kind of device to blow up an entire planet and I have no idea what for! So, if you two could be quiet for thirty minuets maybe I could accomplish something!" he yelled slamming the wires down, resulting in a loud bang. Swearing vehemently, he grabbed his tools and went back to work. He got five minuets before the whispering started again and he whipped around.

"No it's important," Rodney said holding up his hands.

"And what could possibly be more important than the bomb?" he demanded.

"How about Ronon and Teyla sleeping together," Rodney said smirking. He dropped the tools.

"Not sleeping like that—" Carson began.

"Oh come on," Rodney said, "they were lying on top of each other on the floor," he glanced either way, "if you want, we can put you in the betting pool. You're still on for the Elizabeth/John one right?"

"How much are you in for?" he asked, glancing both ways too.

"I'm in for one hundred, he's in for one fifty," he said pulling a black book from his pocket, "that's on top of the hundred each for John and Elizabeth."

"Why more on this one?" he asked, puzzled.

"Because they were lying on top of each other," Carson said, earning looks from both of them, "what? I'm not an idiot. I know a good win when I see one."

"You are according to Elizabeth," Rodney muttered under his breath, earning a look from Carson and a mutter about Canadians, "so how much?"

"One hundred," he paused, "were they wearing cloths?"

"Barely," Rodney said.

"One fifty then," he said, "for right after this mission."

"See most people are giving it another three weeks," Rodney said scribbling his name down. Radek arched his neck and Rodney pushed the book to his chest earning a look from the scientist which he returned sternly before turning back to the wires on the table. Carson and Rodney went back to whispering, lounging and generally discussing who would win the pool that most of Atlantis had gotten in on and miraculously managed to keep from their commanders.

"It's finished!" Radek announced holding up the device causing Rodney and Carson to stare open-mouthed. It was circular and looked more like a roach-trap than a bomb.

"What is that?" Carson demanded.

"I call it the E-Bomb," Radek announced, "I modified your original design," he said to Rodney, "it makes a big explosion with very little effort," he said to Carson who nodded, "they should be able to set it off and get out before it blows."

"I'm moving my date up," Rodney announced, "for John and Elizabeth."

"Is that all you can think about!" Radek yelled, "I just made the—when are you moving it up to?" he asked suspiciously.

"Right after this," Rodney said, "I'm keeping the date for Ronon and Teyla."

"Why them?" Radek demanded, putting the bomb down carefully, "hmm?"

"Ah!" Rodney held the book up as the other scientist made a fruitful grab for it. Carson dove forward, catching the bomb as they knocked it off the table. Holding it to his chest, the doctor's eyes widened in horror as lights and beeps started going off. The two scientists stopped arguing with Radek having one arm around Rodney's throat and the other grabbing for the book. Rolling off him, he grabbed the bomb and quickly disabled it.

"I'm going to bring this to Weir—or whoever's running Atlantis at this point!" he announced pushing his glasses up, "before it goes off and destroys this planet!"

"Good plan," Carson said breathlessly. Radek huffed out of the room. Carson collapsed weakly against the table. Rodney got to his feet and adjusted his jacket, holding the book in one hand, "move me up another day," Carson said, "I think Radek might be right."

"For once," Rodney muttered scribbling something in his book.