Chapter 2

The next morning Sheppard avoided breakfast in favor of checking on Miracle Baby. He was also trying to avoid McKay, who was frequently found in the cafeteria. He knew he would have to deal with him eventually, but not just yet. Besides, he, Teyla, and Ronon had to pick a name for their new little buddy. He somehow felt it was their right.

He found the baby still in the same bed, which now had a railing on one side. On the other side, Teyla was curled up asleep. He smiled down at them, then looked up to see Beckett watching them—and him. "Morning," he whispered.

Beckett beckoned him into his office, and half-closed the door. "Mornin', Colonel. Quite the pair, aren't they?"

Sheppard turned back to look at Teyla's sleeping form. "Has she been here all night?"

"Aye. She said she wanted to make sure he was comfortable, then she fell asleep."

"She seems to have taken quite a shine to the little guy."

"She's not the only one," Beckett said knowingly, winking at Sheppard.

Sheppard flushed self-consciously. "Well, he does have my eyes," he said somewhat lamely.

Beckett grinned. "Nothin' wrong with it. But I guess you're going to be after Elizabeth to keep him now."

"'Keep him?' What is he, a dog?"

"Well, you were going to name him 'Miracle.'"

"I was not! I was just—" Sheppard broke off when he realized the doctor was teasing him. Wanting to change the subject, he asked, "have you seen Rodney this morning?"

Beckett's expression became puzzled. "As a matter of fact, aye. He was in a little while ago, asking all manner of peculiar questions about the wee one."

Sheppard's face clouded. So McKay was still at it. "What kind of questions?"

"Well, he asked after his health, which was natural. I told him the tyke was dehydrated and the fever and the rest, and he seemed…" Beckett stopped, searching for the right way to put it. "He seemed puzzled and maybe a wee bit disappointed, not worried at all."

"That little—" Sheppard said heatedly, all thoughts of apology gone.

"And then the most peculiar thing," Carson continued, "was that he asked was the baby human."

"He doesn't think he's human?" Sheppard demanded. "What does he think he is, then, Wraith?"

Beckett shrugged. "I could not tell you. I told him the baby was certainly human, and he left, muttering something about Chaya looking human too."

That was it. Chaya. Leave it to McKay to bring up one of the things that was still a sore point between them. It took all Sheppard's willpower not to go start another screaming match. Instead he stood stiffly. "Thanks, doc." He left, ignoring Beckett's puzzled look.

Sheppard stormed down the hall to the gym, wanting to punch the daylights out of something. McKay would be preferable, but barring that, he would settle for a punching bag. At least now he recognized why he had gotten so angry at McKay yesterday over this. It was the Chaya situation all over again. Only at least then, McKay had chosen an adult to vilify. This time he was picking on a helpless baby. But both times, he had no regard whatsoever for Sheppard's feelings in the matter. Bastard. He angrily pulled on boxing gloves and spent the next hour beating out his aggression.

Teyla awoke later than usual, stretching luxuriously until her arm hit something warm and soft. The baby. She opened her eyes, smiling, as she remembered where she was and whom she was with. She curled around the sleeping infant, gently cupping one cheek in her hand. He looked better this morning, and he had slept peacefully all night. She was certain he would be alright. She frowned slightly, thinking about Rodney's reaction yesterday. It was unlike him to make such harsh accusations with so little evidence. She had not seen anything to cause her to suspect anything duplicitous, and neither had Sheppard or Ronon. She didn't want to dismiss Rodney's concerns lightly, but he had seemed to be…jealous. Her eyes widened. That was it! For some reason, he resented this baby.

She didn't have any more time to puzzle over the enigma wrapped in a mystery that was Rodney McKay, however, as the object of her speculation had just stepped into the room.

"Oh, ah, Teyla," he said, hiding something behind his back. "You're awake."

She smiled at him. "Good morning, Rodney. Have you come to see the baby?"

Rodney smiled in return, but she noticed that the smile didn't reach his eyes. "Sure. Just wanted to see how it was doing." He took a few steps closer, still holding one arm behind his back.

Teyla moved over so Rodney could have an unobstructed view of the baby. "I believe he is doing well."

"Good, good," Rodney said, sounding distracted, staring intently at the baby.

"You do not have much experience with children," Teyla noted.

"Ah, no," Rodney said, glancing at her. "I don't…relate well to them."

Teyla was about to decide that was the source of his suspicion when she saw a flash of electronics behind his back. "Rodney, what are you holding?"

Rodney jerked up, turning to face her and hide whatever was behind his back more fully. "What? Nothing! What do you mean?"

Teyla rolled her eyes. "I believe you are lying to me. You are holding something behind your back. What is it?"

Rodney grimaced and held his hand out to reveal a scanner. "Fine. If you must know, I was just taking some simple readings…"

Teyla narrowed her eyes. " Readings? Of the baby?"

Rodney shifted his eyes away from her gaze guiltily. "Look, Teyla, I know everyone thinks I'm crazy here, but what harm could it do to practice caution? I KNOW something's not right with this baby!"

At his elevated tone, the baby stirred in his sleep. Teyla stroked his stomach and glared at Rodney. "Keep your voice down, or you will wake him!" She hissed.

"Sorry," Rodney said in a voice pitched only slightly lower. "But come on. I have a point here."

Teyla looked at him coldly. For whatever reason, he was interfering with this baby. With this baby and the people who loved him. And she didn't like it. She didn't care if he was jealous because his friends had found someone new, or if he was just uncomfortable around children. He wouldn't use her—the baby as some sort of object to be studied. She very carefully stood up so as not to disturb the baby. She took a step forward. "You will not run your tests on him, Rodney!" She said in a voice that was soft, but full of anger. "You will leave us alone until you come to the conclusion that he is not to be feared or harmed! What is wrong with you?" She took another step forward, forcing Rodney back.

Rodney's eyes were wide. "What's wrong with you?" He managed. "Look, Teyla—"

"No! Get out!" She forced him another step back, then actually put her hands on his shoulders and gave him a shove towards the door. "Leave him alone!"

Rodney shot her one last glance, full of confusion, anger, and hurt, before his face became stony and he stomped out of the room. Teyla watched him go, then slowly went back to the bed, looking down at the sleeping baby.