A/N: Apologies for posting too early. Old e-mails on old computer. Me using new shiny computer. Me sorry, but happy.


Chapter Two

Elizabeth's mind was racing as she walked through the corridor. Sam Carter had given a tantalising account of the astrophysicist, and she couldn't wait to meet the man in person. There was no question that Dr Rodney McKay would be involved in the Antarctica outpost – after all, his intelligence was second only to Carter's, as she had put it. How Elizabeth was actually going to get along with the man? Well, that was the crux of the matter, wasn't it? She remembered Carter's description – McKay was 'essentially unpredictable'. That had been the printable version, at least.

"Dr McKay?" she knocked on the door of the open laboratory. She had been told he was here, 'catching up on a few things' while he was back in Cheyenne Mountain. She hadn't scheduled a meeting with him; she had just sent word she would find him when he got here. It was the best way to approach him, she was sure. Few astrophysicists were designed for formal meetings.

The man turned around and looked her over. She studied his face carefully, as she did with everyone she met for the first time. His expression revealed that he could guess who she was, but that she may not have been quite what he was expecting.

"Dr Weir?" he asked. He was confident, but neutral in his tone.

She smiled. "Yes. Dr Elizabeth Weir." She held out her hand, and he shook it firmly. "Perhaps you would like to talk over lunch?" She had been told that he was fond of food, and he would probably be more receptive to her plans if they shared a meal together. It was a standard technique to use on his type.

Letting go of her hand, his brow furrowed a little, and he rubbed his hands together nervously. She blinked, watching him carefully, trying to detect the source of his procrastination.

"Thing is, Dr Weir, I wanted to ask, before we get right down to business, I mean, have you any idea how big this thing is…?" He was pacing now, his hands gesturing in small, rapid movements, his thumbs flicking nervously, "…because this could be the biggest thing any human has dealt with, in, well, ever, even accounting for the 'gate here in Cheyenne. I'm just saying, I really need to know, it's just…" he stopped pacing and pointed both fingers at her, with his hands low, like some kind of high noon cowboy, but his face was nervous, and his tone almost apologetic, "Do you think you are up to this job?"

She knew he wasn't questioning her skill, or her qualifications. She knew it from his tone, his face, his stance. The man was genuinely concerned about her appointment. Dr McKay had an obvious personal vested interest in the very fabric of this expedition. She wasn't quite sure if it was purely related to how he saw success - there was something else about him that she hadn't quite put her finger on yet. She would.

"Dr McKay, I…" As she began to respond, as she lifted her eyebrows slightly to begin a carefully crafted speech about her absolute confidence in her ability, she instantly noticed his face change. It almost caught her off guard; she'd never experienced anything like it. She actually watched his face fall. He took on a sad, pleading look, almost verging on disappointment, and she could tell it would go that way if she continued. This man wasn't interested in pretty speeches. He needed to know what she really thought.

"Well…" As she switched tack, she saw his mouth lift in anticipation, and she took a deep breath. She didn't know why she wanted to respond honestly, but something in his face had made it so. "I know what I'm capable of, and I want to get the best out of everyone involved. What we have in Antarctica is special, I know that much, and I want to work with you to make the most of it."

He grinned. She'd never seen anyone so happy with an answer that was so lacking in spin. Sure, she'd been optimistic, even glossed over an actual answer to his question. But she certainly hadn't lied. She could tell he knew that as well. That surprised her, given some of what Carter had said, but she could tell. Her answer had satisfied him. But he had another surprise for her. Maybe she hadn't quite realised his desire to see the truth from her.

He looked her up and down, and kind of squinted at her. "Are you really hungry?"

She almost blushed. Could he see through her ploy so easily? Smiling, she found herself saying, "Not really, no. But I would like to join you for lunch - I heard you never miss the first service. I really want to talk about the expedition. Why not get down to business as soon as possible?"

He gave her a knowing smile, and she felt he was reading her mind, hearing every thought she had had since she stepped through the door. Essentially unpredictable, indeed.

"Fine. You're right, it's always best to get there before anyone else. More choice, less congealment. And I have so much to tell you, Elizabeth - can I call you Elizabeth? I have so many things you need to know…"

As she followed him out of the lab, she had the feeling that dealing with her chief scientist was going to be a sometimes delicate, often unpredictable, and perhaps a strangely amusing task.

TBC