Author: Porthos
Author's notes: Takes place during the episode Critical Mass. I have no idea if the science is right, so just humor me, or send me corrections. Either way works for me. :)
Update: I corrected the scientific inaccuracy about amniocentesis, so in order to avoid rewriting the whole chapter, I'm just pretending there's some other test that Carson could do to determine the paternity. (There probably is some other test, but I don't know what it is and I'm too lazy to research it, so there you have it.) Thanks to my anonymous reviewer for pointing that out:)
oOo
I'm kinda glad I passed out, because at least I wasn't conscious for whatever tests Carson had to do. Primarily, he wanted to make sure the baby was healthy, but he also ran a paternal DNA test against the DNA he had on file for McKay. After he got the results back, I asked him to run the test again. I think he just humored me the third time, but by the fourth time he flat out refused.
I guess you could say I was having a tough time accepting it.
After Carson had me breathe into a paper bag for a while, he told me he thought I was calm enough to return to my quarters for the day, and that he'd draw up the necessary medical paperwork. Then he gave me a few pills, a pep talk in which I really just glazed over and listened to his brogue and watched his lips for a few minutes, and sent me on my merry way. I needed the bag three more times before I made it back to my quarters.
After about an hour of pinching myself repeatedly, I still wasn't waking up, so I think I just decided to go with it. I needed to tell McKay…eventually. That thought nearly sent me running for the bag again, but I managed to calm myself down enough without it. First, however, I had to talk the Colonel into letting me stick around Atlantis for a while longer.
I rapped on his door sharply, hoping that he wouldn't be home and I could just avoid this whole awkward situation altogether. Just my luck, he opened the door with a sleepy, and surprised, grin. "Lieutenant Cadman? What brings you to my door at this hour?"
Okay, I may have gone temporarily insane, but at least I had a good excuse. I furrowed my brow and said, "Sir, it's nearly 10:00."
Sheppard gazed at his watch and rubbed his eyes. "So it is," he said sleepily. "Give me about five minutes and you can escort me to the mess hall."
"Actually, sir, I—" Before I could protest that I really just had a quick question, Sheppard had disappeared back into his quarters and I was left standing there, the door having shut in my face.
As promised, five minutes later Colonel Sheppard emerged dressed in his uniform, but I was amused to see that his hair didn't look any different. "Okay, Cadman, let's go. I just hope they've got some of those weird orange eggs left."
"Yes, sir," I agreed, even as I wrinkled my nose in disgust. "Actually, sir, I just had a quick question. I was wondering if I could stick around Atlantis, at least for a while longer."
"Okay," he seemed to consider that statement. "How much longer?"
Oh, about nine months, give or take a few weeks. "I'm not really sure yet, sir."
"Hmm. And I don't suppose you feel like telling me the reason you'd like to stick around?"
"It's…personal."
"This wouldn't have anything to do with Beckett, would it?"
"Uhm…not directly, no…" He'll just be the guy giving me ultrasounds and pumping me full of drugs when I finally have to go into labor.
The colonel shook his head. "Cadman, I don't know. If you're not willing to come clean about—" At that moment, we turned the corner to enter the mess hall, and the scent of those foul egg-things had me tossing my cookies into the nearest trash can. Literally. I know, cookies are not a part of your balanced breakfast, but they were there, they looked good, so sue me. I have a weakness for chocolate.
When I was done, the colonel, gentleman that he is, was there with a napkin ready. "Thanks," I offered feebly. He escorted me out of the mess hall within minutes, and that's when he had to ask.
"So, you want to tell me what's really going on?"
Okay, fine, he's gonna find out sooner or later, and doctor patient confidentiality doesn't really apply but I trust him, so… "You asked me how long I needed to stay on Atlantis. How does nine months sound?"
I watched his face as reality dawned. Yep, that was pretty much my reaction too, sir. "Does Carson know?" he finally asked.
This is where things get sticky. "Uh, Carson knows…but he's not the father...McKay is." Wipe that look off your face, Colonel, I am not a slut. "Through the Wraith transporter incident," I added quickly.
"Oh." And that's all he says for a while, is just, "Oh." Finally, I think it seems to dawn on him that his best friend is going to be a father, whether he likes it or not, and the blackmail and party potential irrevocably hits him. "This is so cool," he says with a smile. "Lieutenant, it's going to be a hell of a lot of paperwork, but you stay as long as you like. Permission granted."
I can't help but smile back. "Thank you, sir."
oOo
Two hours later, I'm on duty, working with some of the science department to help track some strange power signatures they've been recording. I'd just finished up with my section when I hear HIM approaching. I wasn't sure I was ready to face him yet, but fate seems to have taken that choice away from me. It seems odd, after about a month of him avoiding me, now it's me trying to avoid him! Abruptly, I decide to play it cool, which, once I get a good look at McKay, seems easy enough. I can't believe I still creep him out. I guess he thinks I have all these weird insights into his life since I've been in his head, but he doesn't realize that I'd be able to read him like a book even without being stuck in the same body. He's not as guarded as he seems to think. Still, I get a kick out of watching him squirm.
"Cadman?" he asks, sounding put out. "What are you doing here?"
"Well, it's good to see you too, Rodney."
"No, I thought you were leaving on the Daedalus."
Well, don't act too disappointed. "Yeah, I was, but something came up. I asked Colonel Sheppard if I could stay around a little while longer." The colonel and I exchange a look, and Sheppard smiles at Rodney like the cat that got the cream.
"Oh, well, that's fine."
Glad to have your approval, Rodney. How ever could I function without it? "You okay with that?" I ask, sarcasm heavy.
"Yeah, course it is, why wouldn't it be?" Twitchy, McKay, very twitchy. What is it about me that makes you so nervous? I give him a look that says, "I've got your number, buddy, so don't mess with me." It always freaks him out. With one last look at Sheppard, who is so loving this by the way, I slip past the two men and continue on to run a few more diagnostics. As I leave, I think I hear McKay telling Sheppard that I have a way of "getting under his skin." Poor Rodney, he's not going to know what hit him. I really need to break the news gently. If it freaked me out, and I'm a marine trained to deal with stressful situations, it's really going to send Rodney over the deep end.
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Author's notes 2: Okay, I have the second part of the episode coming swiftly along. McKay will find out either in the next chapter or the one after that (I have to keep you guessing, don't I?) so just be patient. The next chapter will deal with McKay's aversion to kids.
