See part one for disclaimer and other important information.
"Vendel?" Elizabeth begins the briefing, "what are your thoughts gentlemen?"
"We don't speak their language," John states already having dismissed this planet as useless.
"True," Elizabeth acknowledges, "They also didn't seem receptive to our attempts at other forms of communication."
"Perhaps that is because we arrived on a day of ceremony."
"Which brings up another point—that blue glowy ball is scary. I recommend that we not revisit the planet based on the fact that they could have far more dangerous technology hidden away."
"Is that not a reason for us to become their friends?"
"They are hiding something." Ronon states, his danger radar is well honed.
"Rodney, what do you think?" Elizabeth intercedes.
"Religious objections aside the fact that they can produce a new born baby from just a copy of genetic codes in the course of one meal is scary to put it in the simplest terms," he begins, quoting John and getting a dig in at the same time, "That's centuries ahead of our research and something the Christian community wouldn't let happen anyway. We should stay far far away from this planet before we get mixed up with something more dangerous than a new born baby."
"They helped you reproduce—that in itself is questionable behavior."
Elizabeth smiles at John's light-hearted teasing. "I'll keep your recommendations in mind. Genetic engineering is a serious issue to consider."
They all get up to leave.
"Rodney," Elizabeth stops him.
He turns, hands carefully supporting the baby swaddled in an Athosian carrying harness. "How's it going?"
Rodney's face lights up, "Well considering the fact that she woke up every two hours last night—not too bad at all."
Elizabeth nods with a smile of her own. Fatherhood agrees with him.
"Where were you?" Rodney asks when he gets back to the lab.
"Section B—the lab with huge particle accelerator. We had a test scheduled—we talked about it this morning," Zelenka seems confused that Rodney cannot remember.
"Somewhere between the screaming baby and lack of caffeine—my brain shorted out."
"Oh—I will send you e-mail reminder next time." The likely hood of them going on the same mission again is rather slim, though.
"How did the test go?"
"It runs like a normal particle accelerator," he shrugs, "we're still trying to translate the rest of the controls so it may do more."
"Is that what you're slotted for today?"
As usual Rodney has forgotten a schedule he approved and even what he is supposed to be doing.
"Yes, you are supposed to take a peak."
"Oh, that's today?"
"Yeah, the day after whatever number was assigned to yesterday's planet."
"Okay, let's get to it then," he gestures toward the door getting his energy back.
"Aren't you forgetting something?" Radek points at the baby still bundled against Rodney's chest.
Rodney looks down causing a grimace to form across his face. The wet spot creeping across his shirt can only be from one problem.
"It was your turn to change her."
"You distracted me with particle accelerators."
"We'll have to go back to your quarters now."
With some very subtle maneuvering, Rodney takes his T-shirt off and wraps it around the child to contain the problem.
The journey is made a jog as Anezka exclaims her discomfort with loud wails. They stop to pant once inside of Rodney's quarters.
"Shhh sweetie—we're almost there now," Rodney comforts his daughter once he catches his breath.
Rodney carries her into the bathroom with Zelenka trailing behind, "Right—bath," he catches onto the idea.
Radek draws the water while Rodney untangles the child from her clothing. He then sets her in the tub kneeling down so he can support her upright. He uses a cup to gently pour the water over her little body. Radek kneels beside him, having retrieved the mild soap and sponge that Carson had provided and begins washing the baby.
Anezka smiles—happy to be in luke warm water instead of a dirty diaper. She experimentally moves her limbs, drawing surprised exclamations out of them.
"He—hey—that's not nice," Rodney fights the urge to duck and cover.
"I think you've had enough tubby time." Zelenka peals his shirt off before reaching for a towel. He accepts the squirming child from Rodney.
Anezka yawns now tuckered out from the exertion in the bathtub and the warm water. She drifts off to sleep before Rodney can restore some semblance of order to his bathroom.
"Look," Radek whispers.
Rodney smiles one those big smiles usually reserved for doohickeys. He reaches out to stroke his baby's cheek—his chest now pressed against Radek's bare arm. For a few moments, the two smiling geeks share a connection—a sense of family united by the little form—until Rodney unconsciously puts his arm around Radek's back.
They jerk apart—the connection going beyond what they're comfortable with or even ready for.
Anezka starts to scream—shocked awake by her parents' quick movements.
Radek carries her into the living area making comforting noises.
Rodney remains in the bathroom frozen—posed to give a smart remark, but nothing would come out. He shakes his head, clearing away the moment. He picks up the baby harness and uses the Ancient cleaning unit to take care of its mess.
"We are already late for first round of tests. Peterson and Veliti are probably discovering great miracles without us."
"Well, if you hadn't distracted me with particle accelerators in the first place we wouldn't be in this mess."
"Stop blaming me for your inability to focus on more than one thing at a time."
Rodney's mouth opens and closes like a fish—he struggles with a response since he knows he's been muddled all day.
Radek takes the baby harness out of the Ancient cleaning device and hands it to Rodney. He places Anezka inside to sleep against Rodney's chest.
"Let's go."
"Aren't we forgetting something again?"
"Right—shirts first—then go."
TBC
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