Rodney watched Cadman as she walked the corridors to her quarters. Whatever euphoria she'd felt on escape the infirmary had obviously ebbed; she was going slower, as if she wasn't sure her legs would hold her.

It made him slightly nervous. He wouldn't let her fall – he was right behind her, his attention alert for any sign of faltering – but he didn't know how she'd take any assistance. He supposed Beckett would have expected him to offer her an arm or something, but he didn't do that. It wasn't simply him not wanting to provoke her, but the belief that the more she could do by herself the better.

Or at least he thought that was how this worked. He didn't really know, so he watched her carefully. When she paused suddenly, he moved forward, his hand half lifted and hovering over the small of her back. She sighed heavily and he dropped it before actually touching her.

"What's the matter?" he asked.

"Nothing. I'm just tired."

"Well you can't sleep here, so on you go."

Cadman glared at him. "You're not very sympathetic. You ought to try not having proper control over your body."

"I have done on several occasions," he told her. "You ought to try getting hit by a Wraith stunner; that's really entertaining. Immobility followed by numbness followed by the worse case of pins and needles ever."

"Sounds like fun."

"Hell yeah," Rodney replied, but he'd caught the weariness in her tone. He looked at her, noticed how she'd lost the little colour she'd had. "You look exhausted," he told her then, taking her elbow. "Come on, I have to get you to your room. Preferably before Beckett finds us loitering in a corridor."

Cadman nodded and leant on Rodney's arm, seemingly past caring about him witnessing a moment of weakness. He blinked down at her, not saying anything as he took her weight. He was mildly surprised at her action, but then he knew she knew if he ribbed her about it, she'd wallop him.

They finally reached her quarters, managing it without incident and Cadman activated the door. She stepped in, then turned round, blocking the door. Rodney frowned but she didn't move. It seemed as if she wanted to say something, but it took her a moment to formulate the words.

"Um... Thanks for seeing me back," she said awkwardly. "I... I was thinking... I should be okay on my own, you know."

Rodney knew better. "I don't think so," he retorted and she sighed.

"Rodney," she said then. "Look, it's been difficult and I'm really tired and as much as I appreciate you... doing this, I just want some time alone."

He nodded, understanding that, but still... Beckett's warning rung in his head and he opened his mouth to deny her further.

"Please," she said. The pleading look on her face broke his resolve.

"Okay," he said grudgingly. "I need something to eat and I want a shower. That should give you an hour to... do whatever you want to do. I'll check on you after that."

"There's no need-" she started but Rodney wasn't listening to her.

"And if you're okay then I might – and I stress might – think about leaving you for longer. But you tell Beckett..."

"I won't," Cadman assured quickly, smiling now she'd gotten her own way. "Thanks."

"Hmm. Just remember this was your idea," he told her. He still wasn't completely happy about the situation but he turned and headed for the mess hall, too attracted by the idea of food and time alone to be overly bothered.

"Rodney?" Cadman's voice stopped him and he looked back at her.

"Thanks by the way," she said. She gave him a smile that seemed sort of apologetic. "For saving my life even though I made yours a misery."

Rodney's lips quirked into a smile.

"That's okay. Any time. And it wasn't that bad." He turned and walked off, smirking to himself at the slight shock he'd caught on her face.