"Good Morning, Rodney", a pair of puffy, bloodshot eyes met John and Carson as they walked over to the Canadian's bedside, beaming mischievously.

"So, how you're doing, lad?" the doctor asked, still nibbling on the remnants of the croissant the major had brought along for him.

"Hungry", Rodney brought out in a croaky voice.

"Oh?" Sheppard snorted, winking at the Scotsman.

"What's so funny?" the physicist demanded, eyeing them both in a sulky way.

John uttered a slightly girlish giggle, "Nothing, only the fact that you're not going to get anything to eat today."

Rodney's eyes widened in panic, "Carson, please tell me that isn't true."

The Scot smiled with delight about the Canadian's reaction, "I'm sorry, Rodney, but the major is right. There won't be any food for you until the plasticine decides to come out of your bowels again."

"No", the physicist shrieked and started to whimper, "You're so mean to me. You and your damn mice... I'll tell Dr Weir."

Sheppard shrugged at him with a broad sneer on his face, "Well, Rodney. That happens when you eat other people's toys..."

"... and kill other people's helpless mice", the doctor added with a scowl.

For the millionth time in the last thirty-six hours, Rodney pouted, "For the record, I hate you, both of you. Now leave me be."

"Fine", both Carson and John turned away snickering, doing a high five once they were out of their colleague's sight.

xxxxx

Carson was just typing up a report as Elizabeth paid him a visit some hours later. On entering she smiled at him a little. He showed her to have a seat and prepared himself for her to lecture him about not giving Rodney anything to eat. But she didn't seem to be disturbed by it at all. Everything she said was, "I'm a bit curious. What is it with you trying to starve Rodney to death?"

The Scotsmen had to grin, "He just told you that, right?" She nodded, an amused twinkle in her eye. "It's just that I don't want his irritated stomach to get bad again. Aside from that... ", sighing he lifted the lid of the box that had become Stinky's minute coffin. "Look at what he's done to wee Stinky. The poor lad went into cardiac arrest because of Rodney's stupid shouting yesterday night."

"Oh well", Elizabeth's smile broadened, "in that case, the fasting should teach him a nice little lesson." She thought for a moment, stroking the lifeless mouse with her finger. "Have you thought of a burial place for the little guy, yet?"

Carson creased his brow, "How about the flowerpot outside Rodney's quarters?"

"Now that's mean", the expedition leader pulled a face for a moment, "but what about a sea burial?"

"Why not", the Scot agreed, "but only in Rodney's presence. Perhaps then he realizes what he has done to me."

That moment their conversation was interrupted by a trampling noise followed by an excited Rodney sticking his head into the office, "I think the stuff is moving now."

"Good", Carson looked at him coolly with his eyes half closed, "you know where the bathroom is."

"Of course", Rodney replied priggishly. He marched away again, calling over his shoulder, "In case I'd pass out there, you know whom I'll blame for it."

Elizabeth groaned, "How can you stand this all day? It's worse than I thought."

The Scot smirked knowingly, "You've no idea, love."

To be continued.