The rest of the day was spent quietly in the cave. Ronon never thought that he'd wish to hear McKay and Sheppard bicker, but the silence that followed Sheppard's outburst was worse than any conversation they had. Teyla looked like she was making a plan, but he couldn't imagine what would get them to open up.
"Teyla, what do you think we can do to end this?"
"Make them see what they are doing wrong. What has been wrong for the past month."
She walked to John's sleeping bag and sat down on the cave floor.
"How are you, Colonel?" She softly asked.
"Just peachy! After all that..." He said, waving his hand in the general direction of Rodney.
"Ronon and I believe that it will be safe to return to the Gate after dark. Do you want us to stay here one more day?"
"No." His tone was cold and even.
"Very well. May I ask you something?" Sheppard nodded and she continued. "Why have we come here?"
"To explore the planet and see how the... To make Carson feel better."
"Do you think we have achieved that?" She paused for a few minutes, giving him time to think about it. "I believe he feels worse now. Because he knows the truth. He's the only one of us who knows all the truths."
"I didn't do anything wrong. I just wanted to -"
"Doctor McKay said the same thing a few weeks ago. That did not help any of you," she interrupted him. "Before you can judge, you must understand. I trust Carson's judgement and maybe you should, as well."
John saw Carson by the backpacks, trying to do something, but not really achieving anything. He was wondering if he should try to help him, when Rodney asked: "Carson, need help?"
The doctor's face reddened in embarrassment "No, I was just trying to unpack some of the food packs, but their system is just awkward."
"Is it that late? I should probably start making the fire." Rodney got up and went to the centre of the cave, arranging the twigs they had collected earlier.
John moved closer to Rodney, "I'm sorry, okay?" John said the words before actually thinking about their effect, and as soon as Rodney replied, he regretted his action. "Are you sorry for what you did, or for the results of it?"
"Well, I don't exactly enjoy seeing you like this, Rodney, and I didn't mean to cause this, but -"
"Then why did you?" Rodney's angry voice echoed in the cave.
"Why? Because I wanted to know. Because I had to know why you were being such an ass."
"Me? Well, Mister Popularity, maybe you should look at -"
"Just stop it!" For the first time since they met, Carson shouted at them. What was a way of releasing the anger for John and Rodney was obviously very distressing for Carson. "We came here because you wanted to help me, right?" When it was obvious that no one was going to answer, he continued. "If you pity me so much, please wait until we get back to Atlantis."
"Carson, this isn't about pity." Rodney said, trying to contain his anger.
"Yes, it is." Carson resumed his unpacking of the food and hoped they would leave him in peace, so he could plan his return to Earth.