See part one for disclaimers and other information.
"I've got it—I've finally got it!" Rodney exclaims rather smugly.
"You've only managed to turn it on," Radek doesn't sound nearly as excited.
"It's further than we've gotten in two hours."
"Half the panel didn't even light up."
"Maybe it's broke."
"That would be logical"
"It has power—we interfaced with it to download the code."
"And after six hours of analysis we are no closer to what it does."
"But whatever it does, it has something to do with the ZPM." Rodney opens a panel to get to the circuitry of the machine.
"Yes, it involves the same power equations, but that doesn't mean—hey, hey—what are you doing?"
"Trying to see if something's shorted out? What does it look like I'm doing?"
"Playing with live current while holding our child!"
Rodney looks down at the baby snuggled against his chest, "Sorry little one—Daddy's being forgetful again." He stands up, taking Anezka out of the harness and hands her to Zelenka, "Sweetie, play with the man with the funny name."
"Funny, Rodney," Rodney flashes a grin, "Diaper change time anyway."
"Yeah-yeah," Rodney responds before sticking his head into the console.
Radek makes a funny face at him since it was Rodney's turn to change the diaper.
He begins to sing in Czech to Anezka as he cleans her up. Rodney joins in off key and with terrible pronunciation.
Elizabeth strolls into the lab, taking in the singing scientists with a smirk.
"Radek"
He looks up from where he and Anezka are lying on a blanket, "Elizabeth," he responds sheepishly at being caught laying down on the job.
"How's it going down here?"
"Ouch!" a zapping sound comes out of the console, answering the question. The rest of the lights on the panel go out, "I think I found the problem. The panel lighting is just out—imagine that."
"Rodney, we have visitor."
"What?"
"Elizabeth is here," Radek answers a little louder.
"Oh-hi," he pops his head out of the console, waves, and then climbs back in.
Elizabeth casts a glance his way and then turns toward Dr. Zelenka.
"The Daedalus is headed back to Earth. I wondered if you needed anything," she gestures toward Anezka, "We don't have much in the way of baby supplies since the Athosians and most of the other cultures we meet prefer their traditional ways. I mean the Daedalus won't be back for several months so if want to think ahead."
"Umm ahh…clothes, Athosian infant ware is most difficult and um toys perhaps," he throws his hands up in confusion.
"I'm sorry—this is short notice and I'm asking you to plan months in advance."
"Rodney, a little help here."
"What?"
"Baby supplies from earth."
"Yeah-yeah-um-play pen—books maybe—I don't know."
"Alight," Elizabeth acknowledges, figuring that's as much as they're going to spontaneously come up with, "I'll put your requests through," she turns to leave, but pauses, "Could I hold her?'
"Of course," Radek picks Anezka up and gently set her in Elizabeth's cradled arms.
"She's beautiful."
"Thank you"
"Of course she is" Rodney comes over to join them.
Elizabeth raises an eyebrow at the remark. She ponders how much they've changed just in the past few days. She never expected to see Rodney's eyes light up this way for anything that doesn't involve blinking lights and data readouts or to hear him sing lullabies while working. The closeness of the two scientists surprises her—though it's very subtle—they stand in each other personal space—but they still argue the same.
"I'd better go speak to Colonel Caldwell before he leaves."
She's barely gotten the baby back in their arms when they're at it again. "I'm telling you the lights on the console have just shorted out."
"That's real helpful—we still can't read display."
Rodney grumbles inside the console.
"Colonel," she stops him as he's about to enter his ship.
"Yes, Dr. Weir."
"I have a report that needs to get to Earth."
He takes the fold and glances inside.
"Vendel—I heard there's a child running around Atlantis now."
"She's not quite up to running around at three days old, but yes Drs. McKay and Zelenka now have a child."
"Do you really thing it's wise to have two of your senior scientists distracted by parenting."
"Under normal circumstances, I would say no, but I can't exactly ask them to send their baby to another galaxy to be raised by strangers."
"We'll see what Stargate Command has to say about this."
"Has anyone ever told you that you have a negative personality?"
"Doctor, just because I prefer to look at the world from a professional rather than a personal view point, doesn't mean…"
"Have you ever been part of a family?"
The colonel looks confused by the interruption.
"Just deliver my report."
TBC
Thank you to all my loyal readers!