Author's Notes:- Thanks to Stonedtoad for betaing.

There's one more part after this.

Enjoy

Rodney moaned as he woke up opening his eyes to find Cadman still fast asleep in his arms. He had been so sure last night had been a dream because things like that did not happen to him. Women did not appear in his room in the middle of the night and climb into bed with him but it had happened and she was still here. Rodney lay still not wanting to wake her because that would mean the end of whatever this had been. But even that didn't stop her from waking up.

Cadman blinked sleepily at him, "Morning."

"Morning," he murmured back, "I think we should talk about what happened last night."

"You're right," she stretched slipping her arms around his neck drawing back down to her, "But later."

x

Rodney pulled on his sweater turning to find Cadman slipping on her shoes.

"When are you going to tell Elizabeth and John?" he asked her.

"I have a meeting with them in about an hour," she replied as she raked her hands through her hair trying to get it to be at least semi-neat.

"I want to be there," he told her.

"I'm a big girl Rodney," Cadman told him, "I don't need anyone holding my hand."

He frowned, "It's not to hold your hand Cadman. They're both going to know the baby is mine so I thought it'd be a good idea if I was with you."

She rested her hand on his arm, "This is a side of you I like Rodney. Try and let it out more would you?"

"Does this mean you'll wait for me?" he asked exasperated.

"Just meet me five minutes before I have to meet them and you can come," she told him, "Otherwise I'm talking to them alone."

x

Cadman stood waiting for Rodney finally giving in and heading to the briefing room where Dr Weir and Colonel Sheppard were waiting for her.

"Welcome back Lieutenant," Elizabeth greeted her with a smile, "I'm glad you decided to take the position."

"Yeah Cadman," John added, "Welcome back to insanity central."

She smiled before taking a deep breath, "Sir, Ma'am there is something I need to tell you."

"Sure," John rested against the table, "What's up Lieutenant?"

Cadman dropped her eyes for a few seconds taking a deep breath, "I'm pregnant."

She glanced back up to see two shocked faces.

Elizabeth recovered first, "The baby is…"

"It's Rodney's," she clarified, "And he knows. I told him last night when I got here."

"And…"

"We're talking about it," she cut Elizabeth off.

"How did you get through your medical?" John asked thoughtfully, "I'm pretty sure they would do that test as standard."

Cadman swallowed, "I'd rather not say sir."

"Carson," John nodded knowingly to Elizabeth.

"It wasn't his fault," she said quickly, "I coerced him so that I could return to Atlantis."

Elizabeth smiled, "As long as this doesn't interfere with your ability to perform your duties here on Atlantis then I've no problem. However, you are now restricted from going off world until after the baby is born."

She knew this was coming but it was still disappointing, "Yes Ma'am."

"Dismissed," John told her.

Cadman turned and headed out stopping to find Rodney standing in the hall his arms crossed.

"Hey," she sighed.

"I thought you were going to wait for me?" he demanded.

"Well you were late," she snapped, "Look Rodney, I didn't need you here?"

"Of course," he threw his hands in the air, "I don't know why I bothered," with that he turned on his heel and left.

Cadman sighed in annoyance, this was all she needed.

Dear Fiona,

I hate to do this to you this way but if I'd told Mom before I left then she'd be trying to find someway to stop me returning to my posting.

I'll get this over with quickly.

I'm pregnant.

I wish I could tell you face to face because I'd really love to see your expression right now but as I already explained I can't.

Anyway, I'm leaving tomorrow and as soon as I arrive I'll be telling the father he's about to become one, which is why you're getting no info on him.

Hope I haven't ruined your honeymoon.

L.

x

Dear Laura.

Thank you so much for your bombshell.

Mom is freaking, Dad is quiet every time someone mentions your little news item and my honeymoon was interrupted by our folks wanting to know if Kenny's Dad had any influence that could get your ass back home.

I'm hoping the next time you write we'll get some info on the 'genetic lineage' of my future niece or nephew.

Kenny's offered to kick his ass if he's scum by the way, just FYI.

Look after yourself,

Fiona

P.S. Kenny here, I might not be able to kick his ass but I can ban him from a lot of hotels."

It was after dinner when John finally had the time to go and talk to his friend. He hunted a good part of Atlantis before he stumbled across Rodney sitting on a balcony just at the edge of the explored part of the city.

"Hey," John started with a classic opener.

"What do you want?" Rodney demanded as he took a drink from the mug he held.

John slid down the wall beside his friend, "To see how you're doing."

Rodney rolled his eyes ignoring John.

"Rodney," John snapped forcing his friend to look at him, "You have to talk about this."

"About what?" Rodney laughed slightly hysterical; "The fact some poor kid is going to have me as a father? That the mother is…"

"Cadman's a good person," John stated softly.

"She's…" Rodney sighed, "I can't get her out of my mind John. Especially after the Ellis thing and then last night…" he trailed off again.

"I thought you two had things sorted," John probed.

Rodney snorted, "Yeah right. She tells me, I talk nonsense then after I fall asleep she wakes me up and we…"

"Picture received," John stopped him.

"Anyway, this morning I asked her to wait so I could be there when she told you two," Rodney explained dropping his head, "But no she went right ahead without me and then got pissed because I was slightly late."

John laughed.

"This isn't funny," Rodney snapped.

John sighed, "Look, I've not got anything to tell you. As you've probably noticed my own track-record with women is not exactly astounding."

Rodney laughed this time before dropping his head back against the wall, "She drives me crazy."

John clapped his friend's shoulder, "You should go get some sleep Rodney. You look like you need it."

x

Rodney opened the door to his room stopping dead as he found Cadman sitting on his bed simply waiting for him.

"I was beginning to think you weren't coming here tonight," she spoke softly.

"What are you doing here?" Rodney asked confused.

"I thought we should have the talk," Cadman shrugged, "We'll have to have it at some point."

Rodney pulled over the chair so he was facing her, "Okay."

They sat in awkward silence for several minutes before Cadman sighed.

"Look, I don't expect anything from you Rodney," she told him, "I don't need you to be there for every medical test or when the baby is born. I just needed you to know."

"And last night?" he asked.

"Like I said," she shrugged again, "What happened with…Ellis was something I've had a lot of problems with. And I just wanted to be able to tell my baby that the night I spent with its father was something we both wanted."

"Oh," Rodney licked his lips, "That's good. I can understand that."

Cadman gave him a smile and stood up, "I need to get some sleep."

Rodney stood as well and walked her to the door, it opened and she turned to him.

"Goodnight Rodney," she smiled.

As she started to leave Rodney grabbed her arm pulling her back inside and pressing her to the wall his mouth finding hers in a deep kiss. Her arms slipped around his neck holding onto him responding to his embrace enthusiastically.

"I don't want you to leave," Rodney murmured resting his forehead against hers, "And I don't want to be a bystander with the baby."

A brilliant smile covered her face and she hugged him tightly before taking his hand and leading him to the bed.

Dear Fiona,

Sorry about letting you take the brunt of Mom hope you forgive me, tell Kenny thanks for his offer but I don't need anyone banned from a hotel just yet.

As for who the father is, well let's start with he's nothing like the guys I usually go for.

To start with he's a scientist, who if you ever ran into him you would probably want to run a mile from if he's ranting but he can be the sweetest person in the world.

And yes this is me talking.

His name is Rodney; he's an astrophysicist and a genius, which he makes sure everyone knows.

We're now almost living together, most of my stuff has moved to his place and it's good. We're getting along well, mostly.

I'm starting to show now. Not much but there is a slight swell. Rodney's already talking to the baby, it's sweet but there are times I just want to knock him unconscious.

I'm happy and I'll try to send you a picture with the next letter.

Bye for now

L.

x

Dear Laura,

I'm still debating whether or not to forgive you by the way. Mom's still going on at me as though it's my fault as well so when you get back you owe me big time.

As for this guy he sounds different.

But as long as you're happy then that's fine by me. Just make sure you bring this guy with you when you and the baby come otherwise you will not hear the end of it trust me.

Take care of yourself and junior.

Fiona.

Rodney turned over in his sleep his arm draping over Cadman who was sitting reading over some things Carson had gathered for her about pregnancy, she was now into her fourth month and she was showing. Rodney kept touching her every chance he got. He would take her hand or rest his hand on her neck though his favourite seemed to be standing behind her with his hands spread across her stomach.

He was being extremely possessive about her time as well but rather than infuriate her as it had with previous boyfriends she found it sweet and that was irritating her.

"Why aren't you sleeping?" Rodney murmured from beside her looking up at her sleepily.

"I'm not tired," Cadman replied looking down at him before smiling suggestively, "Are you?"

She laughed as he wrapped his arm around her legs pulling her so she slid down to lie on the bed. Rodney leaned over her stroking her hair away from her face and looking into her eyes. Cadman wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him into a kiss sighing as he tightened his hold on her.

"I love you," he breathed as they parted.

Cadman froze, "What?"

Rodney stared at her amazement in his own eyes, "I love you."

She took a few shuddering breaths totally unprepared for his admission.

"It's okay," he told her with a shrug; "I know you probably don't feel the same. I just…" he was silenced as she kissed him.

Cadman parted from him resting her forehead against his, "I love you too."

x

Cadman hated paperwork, unfortunately ever since she'd returned to Atlantis pregnant it seemed to be all she had to do. Sheppard had her working on who was on what team and their briefings meaning all he had to do was read her reports. She did enjoy being in charge of the duty assignments; it meant she could work it so that her downtime coincided with Rodney being on Atlantis.

She glanced at the clock and realised she was going to be late for her meeting with Weir. Gathering up her things she headed up to the control tower nodding to those she passed. Her morning sickness was no more and she felt great. Every morning she joined Sheppard and Ronan for their early morning run which Rodney kept trying to talk her out of doing worried she was going to hurt herself or the baby.

Cadman just laughed at his worry but it made her adore him just that little bit more.

"Good morning Lieutenant," Elizabeth greeted her.

"Dr Weir," she smiled back taking her seat.

"How are you feeling today," Elizabeth asked as she did every morning.

Cadman smiled, "Wonderful."

"Good," Elizabeth nodded, "To business, team 5 and 6 are in the infirmary so will have to be taken off of rotation for the moment…."

x

Rodney was sitting in his lab when she went looking for him so they could have lunch together, as she moved closer she realised what he was studying.

"What the hell are you doing with that?" she demanded as she stared at the cube, the cube that had started everything.

Rodney looked up at her a little shocked, "It seemed to be sending out some sort of signal. I'm trying to block it."

Panic flowed through her, "What?"

"Honey," Rodney stood up and took her hands, "I'm going to fix this. I promise he's never going to come near you again."

Cadman sighed moving into his arms before frowning slightly, "Did you just call me honey?"

He looked at her a little embarrassed, "It sort of slipped out."

Cadman looked up into his eyes and smiled softly, "It's sweet," she allowed him to kiss her quickly before turning back to the cube, "What kind of signal is it sending?"

Rodney shook his head, "I don't know. But I think I remember Ellis sending some sort of signal when we were at the palace."

Cadman froze her hands gripping his shirt tightly, "We have to do something, I can't let him near me again Rodney. What he wanted to do with the baby…"

"He's not going to get near our baby," Rodney said his hand automatically sliding down to the small bump, "Trust me."

Resting her hand on his Cadman sighed, "Alright Rodney, I trust you."

Rodney wasn't in the mood to meet any visiting delegates from their newest trading partners but unfortunately Elizabeth had insisted on it. He needed to work on where the signal was going so he could protect Cadman and his baby. He always got a thrill whenever he thought of them.

He heard the sound of Elizabeth coming closer and stood up turning to face the lab door as his friend walked in with a small man.

"This is our head scientist Dr Rodney McKay," Elizabeth introduced them, "Rodney this is Haro."

"And that," Haro noted seeing the cube on the worktop, "Is why I am here."

Before Rodney or Elizabeth could say anything Haro had stunned them both leaving them where they fell. Haro stepped over them and reached out for the cube, he smiled as he felt the power enter him.

x

Ellis stretched as he entered the new body looking down at the two people lying unconscious on the ground. He needed to get out of the city and head to rejoin his people. There they would find a way for him to reclaim his queen and child.

Ellis smiled looking down on his previous host's unconscious form. They thought they had defeated him but he was a King and they would learn not to challenge him. Quickly he left the lab and headed to the Jumper Bay, as he moved silently through the corridors he was overjoyed by the sight he saw. Jogging along the corridor was his queen, the clothing she wore revealing the swell where the child lay. Pulling out his gun he waited until she jogged past grabbing her arm and jamming the gun into her stomach.

"Hello again my Queen," he breathed.

Fear filled her face, "Ellis?" she gasped trying to pull away wincing as he pushed the gun into her stomach just a little further.

"If you wish the child to live," he told her, "You'll do exactly as I say."

Cadman glared at him, "You want the child alive."

Ellis laughed sending chills through her; "I can make another just as easily my Queen."

His words sent her stomach churning and Cadman moved with him without resistance unable to do anything that could endanger her child.

Ellis knew the city well enough so that he could get to the Bay without anyone seeing them. Once in the bay there was one guard and Ellis stunned him before he could even turn around.

"It's not that I don't trust you my queen," he smiled as he sat her in the co-pilots seat and tying her hands behind her, "But I would not want you doing anything foolish now would I?"

x

Rodney and Elizabeth ran into the Gateroom just as it started to dial.

"Shut the power down," Rodney snapped, "Radek do it now."

"I cannot," the Czech who had been working on upgrading the computer systems looked confused, "The Jumper has taken control."

"We have to do something," Rodney grimaced as he tried to take control of the systems.

Elizabeth grabbed the radio, "Ellis, we will come after our Jumper."

A laugh filled the room, "And what of your personnel?"

"Personnel?" Elizabeth asked worry covering her face.

"Dr Weir," Cadman's voice came over the radio and Rodney's face went chalk white.

"Cadman!" he cried panicked.

"Rodney," her voice was steady, "Don't keep me waiting."

Before anyone could say anything else the Jumper slid through the Gate. Rodney stared after it.

"Cadman," Rodney whispered achingly.