Kate returned from putting her various files in her office and met Rodney in the hall. "I hope they're not having tuna surprise tonight." she shuddered.

Rodney wrinkled his nose in disgust. "I really think they should use that stuff to clean out the pipes with..." he replied.

She laughed at this. "I think you might just have a plan there, my good sir. Cleaning the pipes with it might just serve a purpose."

He shrugged. "I think most of the stuff they serve in the mess has more practical applications than eating it. Take the pizza for instance. It's so tough and stringy by the time it hits the table that I think we should carve it into boomarangs and use them as weapons."

The psychatrist rolled her eyes and had to smile at his absurdity. "You know Rodney, I think people are going to be surprised when they find out that you actually have a sense of humor..." she teased gently.

"Don't blow my cover?" he asked seriously, although there was a slight twinkle in his eyes.

"Never." she replied in kind as they approached the doors to the mess.

He frowned as the doors opened and he saw the darkened room. "Hey, what's going on?" he said, more than puzzled. "It's dinnertime and there's nobody in here."

Suddenly, the lights went up, blinding both of them and people popped out of various hiding places yelling "Surprise!"

Rodney fell back a step as he looked at all of the people in the room. Carson was there with his arm around Teyla, Radek was standing near Elizabeth, John had a smirk a mile wide, and various people he worked with in the labs were there, all beaming mischeviously at him.

"Happy 40th birthday, Rodney." Elizabeth said, coming foward and hugging him.

"Thanks..." he replied, sounding somewhat shell shocked.

Everyone had a chuckled before Carson and John brought the cake forward and sent it down at the table in front of him. "I made it myself." Carson informed him with pride.

The scientist looked up at his friend before lowering his eyes back down to the cake. "Thanks Carson...you didn't have to do this." Rodney said softly.

Carson put a brotherly hand on Rodney's shoulder. "Not a problem."

Before Rodney could protest, the group gathered together and began to sing, "Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you. Happy birthday dear Rodney, happy birthday to you." He rolled his eyes, but swallowed down a small lump in his throat.

A knife was placed into McKay's hand and he began to cut the cake, mentally making note of how many people were there and how many pieces he needed for everyone to get one.

Looking up, his eyes widened as he saw various brightly wrapped packages making their way into the room and being deposited on another table. "Presents?" he asked in near disbelief.

"Yes, Rodney, presents. What's a birthday without some presents?" John replied, looking quite pleased with himself.

He chuckled and once the cake had been eaten, parcels were shoved into his hands. He was very pleased with the Stephan Hawking book Elizabeth gave him as well as the biography of Albert Einstein from Miko and the other lab techs. John gave him a t-shirt that said, "Keep out of direct sunlight" along with a sign that said "Genius Crossing". Once he was done laughing, Rodney vowed to hang the sign on the wall of his lab the next morning.

Other presents were given, mostly mix cds that others thought he might like. He gave John and Carson a mock glare for the mix they'd entitled, "The Science Mix", but accepted everything with a grace that surprised them.

At a signal from Elizabeth, Carson retrieved his guitar as Teyla stood before the small crowd. "Among my people, it is customary to sing them a special song that is for them alone. Since I was not aware of Dr. McKay's birthday before today, I did not have a chance to compose anything. However, with the assistance of Dr. Beckett, I have chosen an Earth song that I believe to be suitable. He will accompany me on his guitar and we will sing it for him now."

Rodney had a half smile on his face as Carson took a seat on a chair and made sure all of the strings were properly tuned. Teyla nodded to him and he began to strum softly. Their voices began to sing in perfect harmony and Rodney recognized the song as one of James Taylor's called "You've Got A Friend".

You just call out my name and you know wherever I am
I'll come running to see you again.
Oh Rod, dont you know that,
Winter spring summer or fall,
Hey now, all you've got to do is call.
Lord, I'll be there, yes I will.
You've got a friend.
You've got a friend.
Ain't it good to know you've got a friend.
Ain't it good to know you've got a friend.
You've got a friend.

Carson finished with a flourish and Rodney was surprised to find a little water in his eyes. "Thanks..." he said sincerely. "I don't think I've had a birthday this nice since my dad died."

Everyone smiled and it was Radek who said, "We are all as family here, Rodney...we wanted to make sure your day was happy."

"It was...it really was."