Radek watched McKay and Dr. Weir, as they watched each other. Their gazes locked and everything else in the room seemingly ceased to exist. He thought about trying to get their attention, but then thought of all the times they seemed on the verge of something and decided not to interrupt whatever silent conversation they were having. Instead, he quietly gathered his things, murmured a quiet farewell and slipped from the room with its occupants none the wiser.

Rodney walked into the lab, unsurprised to find Elizabeth there in front of the tank that held her…no, their daughter. It had been over a week, and yet, every time he came in, there she stood. He couldn't help but smile a bit at his seemingly good fortune, in spite of it all. Oh sure, he had no clue how this was gonna work out, and had NO idea what kind of father he'd be. But…as a man with supremely bad luck with women, he'd pretty much given up on passing on the McKay genes to any one. And while he usually had a weakness for dumb blondes, he couldn't think of anyone he'd rather have donating genes to his progeny than Elizabeth.

Elizabeth heard someone enter the room behind her, but was too busy watching the baby her daughter! floating and slowly rolling almost playfully in the tank. As the baby gently bumped the wall of the tank, Elizabeth instinctively reached a hand out to place it flat against the glass, and felt an unnamable surge of something flow through her and gasped.

Rodney was instantly at her side, a comforting hand on her shoulder. "'Lizabeth? What's wrong?" He placed his hand over hers on the tank, just in time to feel the infant give a mighty kick under their hands. He stared in awe then looked down at Elizabeth to see tears standing in her eyes. "She…she kicked me!" he said with amazement.

She looked up at him with a grin. "Definitely the McKay temperament!" He frowned slightly. "Oh! Rodney…I'm sorry, that was mean." She watched him, embarrassed, until she saw him smile slightly to show he wasn't upset, and instead seemed almost proud. "Goodness, how embarrassing! I just…" Here, she shrugged. "I don't know. I know it's been a week, but I still can't believe it! I'm going to be a mother! How am I going to raise a child? I was never cut out to be a mother, and I didn't think I ever even wanted to be one. And yet…" She looked wistfully at the tank. "The more time I spend here and look at her, the more I can't help but feel like this is…" She stopped, unable to find the right words.

Rodney stood next to her, and nodded slowly. "I understand completely what you mean, 'Lizabeth, and I feel the same. I'd pretty much given up on ever having children." He smiled sardonically. "Sorta difficult when the women all run away screaming when you approach. But…'Lizabeth, you don't have to do this alone. She's my child as well, and my responsibility."

Elizabeth stepped back to break the contact between them and looked up at his face as another worry cropped up. "That's another huge part! She's OURS! Rodney, you're one of, if not the best friend I have, in this galaxy or any other. But I can't lie and say I've been harboring some deep desire to have a child with you!" At his crestfallen look, quickly covered by a stoic mask, Elizabeth sighed. "You know what I mean, Rodney! I hadn't planned to have children with ANYONE. It wasn't in my game plan. How am I supposed to run this city with an infant attached to my hip, figuratively if not literally? Not only that, but how am I supposed to expect everyone to take me seriously if I smell like spoiled milk?"

Rodney frowned, his mind going back to the previous week, when he and Elizabeth had informed the senior staff.

"Gentlemen, Teyla. Thank you all for coming on such short notice, and so late. I know this is a bit unorthodox, but I, well…we needed to inform you of a situation that has arisen that will affect us all very soon." She looked individually at those seated around her office, trying to gauge everyone's mood. Carson appeared curious, but nothing more. John looked bored, though she had a feeling that would change quickly. Teyla looked a bit confused, but seemed to be willing to wait patiently for Elizabeth to explain. Radek just smiled slightly and nodded in encouragement. Rodney was at her side, and she didn't have to look at him to read his mood. She could feel the tension radiating off his frame in waves so she took a deep breath and began.

"Early this afternoon, Dr. Zelenka discovered something in one of the labs that he and Rodney brought to my attention. I'd like to give you a rough overview, and then we'll go to the lab so you can all see for yourselves."

Here Rodney stepped in and took over the story, as they'd agreed in their private meeting a few minutes prior. "Radek was following up on some anomalous power readings in the lab where we found the other Elizabeth almost 9 months ago. It seems that her ole buddy Janus decided to, in his opinion, help us out a bit." He rolled his eyes, and gestured to Radek, who took up the story.

"There, I found many things of much interest. Most important is previously unknown tank. The tank contains almost fully formed fetus…"

"Infant." Rodney interrupted quietly, but firmly, looking down at his lap. When Radek didn't resume talking, he looked up, to see everyone, including Elizabeth, looking at him questioningly. However, Elizabeth seemed to understand what he meant after a moment and gave him a slight nod. At her visible agreement, he straightened and said again with conviction, "Infant. It is an infant. Not a fetus, or embryo or thing. And technically, it's not even an 'it.' She's a she." He leaned back in his chair with a decisive nod and a scowl.

Radek looked at Rodney for a couple seconds, and then visibly pulled his thoughts together. "Yes, yes. Sorry. She is a baby. As I was saying, almost fully formed and ready for…"

"Wait a second!" John interjected forcefully, cutting Radek off again. "A baby? We have a baby? Since when did we get a baby?"

Rodney rolled his eyes at John, and then looked to everyone briefly before focusing on John again. "Actually, we…" he indicated the whole room, "don't have a baby. WE," now indicating himself and Elizabeth, "have a baby."

While he hadn't meant to announce it that way, he had to bite back the laugh that threatened to burst forth at the gobsmacked look on John's face. He looked to Elizabeth with a grin, but quickly schooled his features at the expression on her face. She had her eyes closed, and looked almost ill. Humor and sarcasm quickly vanished as he muttered a quiet "sorry" to her.

Elizabeth raised her head and eyes to again look at those gathered. "Well…that wasn't how I'd wanted to tell you all, but at least now you know. In short, Janus did some Ancient medical magic, and combined my, well the other me's, DNA with some of Rodney's," At this, John raised an eyebrow and Elizabeth answered the unspoken question. "Janus didn't plan for it to be Rodney. Apparently, Rodney just got lucky, since he was the first to have contact with the other me. Anyway, as I was saying, Janus combined the two and created a baby. She appears to be in perfect health and about ready to come out of the tank, though I'd like you to see what you think, Carson."

Carson, still trying to follow what was going on, nodded immediately. "O' course, Lass. Just show me ta the wee one and I'll set yer mind at ease as best I can." He smiled reassuringly at Elizabeth, then couldn't help but look at Rodney's face. For someone who should be freaked, he seemed not only amazingly calm, but even somewhat happy about it.

Rodney snapped back to the present as Elizabeth cleared her throat and he realized she was llooking at him curiously and apparently expecting an explanation. He wrapped his arm around her shoulder in a supporting gesture and gave her a partial hug. "'Lizabeth, relax. It's gonna work out. No one is gonna think less of you. It's not as if we've been having an affair or you've been sleeping around with a Genii. Besides…look at her." Here, he turned her slightly so they were both watching their daughter again. As if sensing their attention, she rolled a bit and kicked the glass again, causing Elizabeth to smile.

Rodney caught her smile and grinned. "See? How can you worry what John or Bates or even Kavanaugh will think when you'll have the angel?" Elizabeth smiled a bit wider and rested her head over on Rodney's shoulder, relaxing in the presence of her friend for a moment, the her head shot up, a look of horror on her face."

"Oh…my…god… I'd totally forgotten about Kavanaugh." Her face took on a slight green look. "Can you imagine what his next message home will be?"