Disclaimers: I do not own these characters; this is written for fun, I make no money etc.

Spoilers: The Hive

A/N: Well, not sure I like where Season 2 is taking McWeir, but I can put my own interpretation on it, can't I? This is a bit more angsty, more chapters to come, maybe fix things a bit, why not?

Beta: Thanks to LittleKnux2008 for beta talents.

Summary: Elizabeth addresses Rodney's recent behaviour, but learns something about herself. WIP. Chapter Four: The Hive tag

Chapter Four

Elizabeth entered the mess hall. It was so late that she didn't expect anyone else to be there. The lights were dimmed. She headed for the lighting control panel, but someone beat her to it. When she saw the otherhand on the panel, raising the lux, she drew her own back.

"Elizabeth." He met her eyes, with a cold, tired stare.

"Oh, Rodney, I didn't expect anyone to be here." She broke the eye contact and hurried across to the serving cabinets.

With her tray in hand, she joined McKay at his table. She sat down slowly, feeling a little nervous inside. For once, she seemed unable to read his mood.

"Well, Rodney, I see you made it back in time for supper today. I'm glad." She tried to smile, but to all intents and purposes, failed.

"Yeah. Whatever. Look, recovering Wraith-addict here. Small talk is not easy, OK?"He gave her a huge scowl that made her heart freeze.

She thought about the events of the day. "Rodney, did Carson give you stimulants this afternoon? You were fine earlier."

"Of course he did. Are you crazy? It was the only way we were going to get the Colonel back, or that's what I thought. So don't expect me to be much fun for the next twenty-nine hours, OK?" He took a large swallow of coffee, and hung his head over the table.

"Oh, Rodney, I'm so sorry…" she whispered to him, and reached out her hand, lightly touching his arm.

McKay reacted sharply, pulling back his hand and snapping his head up, his face shocked and angry. "Don't touch me! "

His reflex over, his expression turned to one of shame. "Sorry, sorry, Elizabeth. I just can't handle… stuff… right now." He rubbed his face roughly with his hands, covering his emotions.

She touched her steepled hands to her lips, watching him suffer. She wondered how she had let herself drift so far from this friend. She had always given him a touch when he needed it. When she needed it. Her hand on his back, it had been a familiar and comforting gesture, to them both, she hoped. She hadn't given him that public contact since they had returned from Earth on the Daedalus. Now he recoiled from her touch even in private. Had she treated him so badly? She wondered just what was wrong with her.

"I should have been with you in the infirmary today, Rodney. Sure, I stopped by a couple of times, but I don't think I was in there for more than five minutes, tops. I let you down. I'm sorry."

He looked up at her, he seemed… sympathetic? "It's OK, Elizabeth, I wasn't even…"

"No. It's not OK! I should have been there. I'm so busy controlling things, proving myself to Caldwell, being and looking important. I've forgotten how to care! How to care… about my friends… about you." She finished her outburst in a subdued whisper.

He waved a hand dismissively. "Yeah, well, I can't see any of that changing anytime soon. You do what you have to, to stay in charge here. Caldwell breathing down your neck every few weeks, and I know what you risked to keep… Sheppard." He paused. "You do your job, and I'll do mine, OK?"

She looked at him, sadly. "I'm sorry, Rodney."

"Yeah, me too."

McKay pushed his chair back, and stood up. "I've got to go, Elizabeth. I need to go." His fingers waggled towards his head." Can't really think straight. Look, don't worry about… whatever. I'll see you tomorrow, OK?"

He wasn't really paying her any attention now, as he walked determinedly out of the mess. She watched him go, and stared down at her food, all appetite gone.

A/N: Elizabeth has some work to do... next chapter up in a few weeks, fix McWeir up a bit.