A/N: Please review and advise. Spoilers for The Shrine. What if Rodney remembered everything from when he was infected during Second Childhood? Thank you to all that have been leaving reviews so far.

The Newbies

Rodney peeked over the open lid of his laptop, spying on the two new scientists that came with the Apollo's last trip a week ago. He was trying to figure which of them was the one who had asked Jennifer out; the short dishevelled man who could easily pass as a relative of Radek's or the tall muscular man with black curly hair. "Has to be the Radek clone, not the Sheppard with curly hair."

"What Radek clone? Curly hair and me?" John had been watching Rodney spy on the two men for a minute before he decided to see what his friend was doing besides pretending to be working. He laughed as he obviously caught the other man off guard.

The distracted scientist jumped at the sudden presence behind him, "That's not funny." Rodney turned to face the would-be comedian. "What do you want?"

"Wondering what happened to you last night? I went to keep you company and you were gone. So where did you go?" Sheppard had a good idea where the Canadian had spent the night, but he wanted to see if Rodney would admit it.

"Does it matter?" McKay turned his attention back to the newbies who were chatting among themselves.

John shrugged, knowing Rodney was not going to budge. He had been free with the information when he was with Katie and now with Jennifer he could not get a hint at the progression of whatever was going on between the department heads. "Already plotting against the new guys? Did one of them blow something up already?"

Rodney sighed, "Not yet." He was trying to hear what they were saying and his ears perked up when the curly haired one mentioned Jennifer.

"I can't believe she turned me down. That has never happened before. What is wrong with her? Is she a prude or something?" the dark haired man complained.

John looked over at Rodney and knew why he was spying, "I get it now. You need to make a move before it's too late. I think his ego beats yours."

The idiotic words made Rodney angry and he slammed his hand on the metal table, "This is not high school. There is no need to cry like a girl because you were turned down for a date by the hot doctor. Boo hoo hoo for you. Get over it. It's not the end of the world. Now get back to work."

The two young scientists were shocked by their boss' outburst, thinking he had not heard their conversation.

"Not as if you have a chance with her," the egotistical young man muttered. He did not appreciate being berated as if he was a child even if he acted like one.

Rodney could only laugh as the man had no idea of the truth, "You have much to learn. Now get over yourself and concentrate on your work unless you want to be working overnights for the next year. This is not gossip time. It is work time and when it is work time you will do just that." McKay sighed heavily as he hated that sometimes he had to play babysitter for the wet behind the ear scientists. "When did I become a babysitter?"

"You were with her last night, weren't you?" John dropped his voice so only Rodney could hear him.

McKay shrugged and smirked. He could give an answer without speaking a word, but after a long pause, he spoke. "Someone had to get me warm," he saw the look John was giving him. "It's not like that. She has a hypoallergenic down comforter."

"Only friends, my ass. Friends let friends borrow said comforter. Not have them share the comforter in her room," Sheppard smirked.

Rodney became flustered, "I never said I spent the night."

"And you didn't deny it. You know you can shut up Curlylocks by telling him that doc is already seeing someone. You two are seeing each other as more than friends? John put quotes around his last words.

The annoyed scientist rolled his eyes, "Well, she is no longer going to be my treating doctor." That gave John the answer he had been looking for without giving him a straight yes or no. "And you will keep your mouth shut. This isn't to be public knowledge."

"Your secret is safe with me," John smiled as he started to walk away, giving his friend thumbs up.