Chapter 4

Weir smiled at Rodney as the rest of the crew came through the wormhole, which then disappeared like a morning's mist.

It took a few hours to establish everything was safe and to find adequate living quarters. Rodney was moving his photo of Davey and one of Jeannie around his room several times, never satisfied with the finished location until his attention was caught when a knock came from his door.

"Come."

"Dr. McKay if you have a moment?"

"Dr. Beckett what can I do for you?"

"Ahhh, I never properly thanked you for the incident back in Antarctica."

Rodney's cheeks began to burn as his memories lingered back to that day with Beckett sitting nervously in the command chair. Rodney quickly replied "Oh yes that, no problem."

"There was one other thing, you spoke to me and I don't have a clue what you said, but…"

Carson also began to blush; just the thought of Rodney's breath against his ear and the foreign accent that flowed from Rodney's lips enthralled Carson's body. Carson continued, "It somehow relaxed me like I was under a spell…"

"Don't be so ridiculous, why on Earth would I put you under a spell? It was Russian and the translation is…"

Rodney sighed realising his words and the translation he straightened his body and preceded;

"If need to cry, my shoulder is here,

If you need warmth, my arms are here,

If you need hope, I bare my soul for you.

Random crap as you can see. If you excuse me, Dr. Beckett, I need to get to the labs!"

"Aye. Sorry for annoying you. Good day."

Carson's head bowed as he left the room; Rodney watched him leave and sat on the edge of the bed, the words running through his mind. He'd meant them, or he thought he'd meant them, but how after taking one glance of a man could he fall so helplessly? He ran his hands through his short receding hair then he bolted from the bed, grabbing his new computer as he passed, and went to work. That moment was never spoken about again.

XXX

A year and a half had passed and the team had grown in strength with Teyla Emmagan, an Athosian, and Ronon Dex who was saved from the wraith; he'd been their toy, known as a 'runner', but they had formed close friendships and felt, as a family should. The team had faced a few problems, with John Sheppard awakening the Wraith, losing Sumner, the rising of Atlantis and too many others to recall. The most recent played over in McKay's mind as he lay in the infirmary. He could hear the faint sighs of Dr. Carson Beckett, who was paying more attention to this patient than most, as he waited for Rodney to wake. Carson read over the mission report.

McKay and himself had been escorted around a planet when a Wraith dart had appeared. Having been pushed out of the range of the dart, Beckett had to watch Rodney and Cadman, a marine, be taken by the Wraith. The ship had then crashed and they'd got McKay out hoping he would find a way to get Cadman out. However, the conscience of Laura Cadman was residing in McKay's body, which had caused McKay's behaviour to change. Rodney had asked a Botanist on a date and begged Carson to join him! Carson remembered Rodney's hand brush his own, the proximity between himself and McKay was intense, his heart racing and the heat causing him a slight euphoria. Rodney coughed, which brought Carson's attention back to the present. He watched eagerly, as with a slight movement of the covers Rodney drifted back to sleep. The date played over in Carson's head again; the uncomfortable moments watching Rodney McKay's arms around Katie Brown's waist, his lips touching hers. Carson's mind then wandered back to the Russian Rodney had whispered… "If you need warmth, my arms are here…"

Well Carson and the team managed to devise a way to separate them, but not before Laura Cadman decided on one last trick to play before she left. She marched Rodney's body up to Carson and kissed him.

Carson continued now to watch the slow breathing of Rodney. He couldn't help but think about the kiss; had it really been Cadman or was Rodney using that as an excuse?

"Oh, I need to stop doing this!" Carson whispered to himself. The Canadian began to warm to Dr. Beckett mission by mission, Rodney would rush to the infirmary with some hypochondriac illness, although hyperglycaemia was one illness he had and made sure everyone around him knew it. Though that had its uses. Carson had threatened him many a time with lemon tea if he kept up any disagreement.

XXX

Rodney was released later and spent no time staying in the infirmary. He shot to his room where he locked himself away from everyone in embarrassment and self-loathing. After that day Rodney found every reason to avoid Carson except for briefings, and even they were somewhat difficult for the scientist and he remained unusually quiet. The friendship seemed to revert back to what it was at the beginning of the mission to Atlantis. Very quickly others realised something was wrong.

"Anything you would like to add Dr. McKay?" Weir questioned at one briefing.

Rodney glanced up recognising his name and just shook his head "Dr. McKay do you have a problem? We can talk about it privately if you wish?"

"Thank you Elizabeth I am fine, if you excuse me."

Weir watched with a concerned look as Rodney pushed his chair back and walked out of the briefing room.

"Does anyone know what has caused this change of behaviour in Dr. McKay?" she asked the other people in the room.

Everyone looked around at each other and silence fell upon them. Beckett cleared his throat, "I believe I do Dr. Weir. He's still some what embarrassed around everyone, and me especially, due to Cadman's actions." Dr. Weir added.

"He realises we all know he couldn't control Marine Cadman, and no one holds anything against him?"

"Aye I know, but Rodney doesn't see it that way. He sees it as a sign of weakness and has knocked his pride somewhat."

Elizabeth Weir just nodded and made a note to chat to him at some point.

Outside the control room Rodney now slowly scuttled down the steps trying to avoid the glances of anyone. he stared at the stargate. Too many thoughts flooded his mind and he wished he could be back in Russia life was simpler there. He wouldn't be around Carson Beckett, would never had reencountered Samantha Carter. He sighed deeply and began to walk towards the cargo bay when the chevrons on the gate lit up one by one and a wormhole became apparent.

"Dr. Weir we have an unauthorised gate activation!" chuck beamed

Weir responded, "Who is it?"

"It's SG-1's IDC."

"Drop the shield, let them in."

Two figures stepped through, Daniel Jackson and Samantha Carter. Rodney had stopped and watched to see whom the visitors were and he now stared silently at the pair. His knees felt weak as Sam's smile took her usual effect on his mind. Carson had stepped from the meeting room onto the balcony; his eyes glazed over as his body emptied of any hope with Rodney McKay. Daniel watched as the Doctor lowered his sullen face and left for the infirmary

"Hello Dr McKay." Daniel chimed.

"Dr. Jackson, Carter! If you'll excuse me I have more important things to do!" Rodney replied before walking quickly away down a corridor.

Once Rodney left Daniel glanced at Sam as he sniggered.

"What? I think that went better than what I thought he would do when he saw you." Daniel said.

"Yes but a silent McKay is a bad McKay, it's a time bomb for disaster."

Daniel's eyebrow rose but before he could give a reply Dr. Weir appeared and ushered them into her office. Though their visit was merely scientific, they both wanted a few weeks away from SGA command and to explore Atlantis. They also wanted to update Weir on the impending problem of the Ori