Trudging: it could be described as the constant movement of feet, when you felt like you could no longer go on, exhaustion having taken its toll and fear no longer evident because you've trudged through the fear. The character Chaucer from the movie A Knight's Tale, which he had only seen once, had described trudging as such: the slow, weary, depressing yet determined walk of a man who has nothing left in life except the impulse to simply soldier on.
Of course Rodney had never been the social butterfly, nor had he been a big movie person, he had seen many movies and few did he find intriguing enough to continue watching, perhaps the movie Cube, but aside from that he had very few favorite movies. However as he now "trudged" on with his team of three other people, he couldn't help but remember the line from "A Knight's Tale".
However, Rodney had the feeling Chaucer was speaking vaguely of life back in the early times of England, this was very different. Chaucer the character or the true Chaucer could never have imagined such annoying circumstances in which Rodney found himself now.
It was raining, not the light rain that many people enjoyed during summers, but torrential down pour, where each drop hurt as it splattered against the top of ones already dripping wet head. Rodney was beyond dripping wet, he was beyond soggy, he had now reached sopping, cold and cranky. Of course that could have easily described any and all of the three other members of his team. John treaded by Rodney's side, silently, clutching his P-90 at his side, saying not a word. Behind them covering their backs, was Specialist Ronan Dex, which Rodney had grown quite fond of recently, even though the man tended to be a little strange at times. Just in front of them walked Teyla, her light step marred by the obvious chill which had set in to her bones.
Their jackets did no good to them any longer, the biting chill seemed to seep through their skin and chilled them to the very bone. Rodney was fairly sure he would never be warm again.
The world itself was bare, little or no shelter, the ground seemed bare, covered in dirt, rocks and sand. The Pegasus Galaxy's own Death Valley. The clouds hadn't been there when they had arrived on the planet, they headed for the town, within twenty five minutes, John had pretty much decided there was no town, but pushed on anyway, they continued in a straight line for the city. And here they were, two hours later, at least two hours from the gate, soaked from the ran still searching for some town.
A wise man would have stopped by now, a woman would have asked for directions…if there was anyone to ask, and John Sheppard would just keep trudging. Rodney was just waiting for the sand to swallow them up like quicksand, with all the rain that was coming down on them.
Just as Rodney opened his mouth to speak, John pointed ahead, there perhaps a football field away, was a small town, looking just as wet, run down and cold as they felt. It had to be a ghost town of some sort, although Rodney shivered at the thought of what had caused the town to become so ghost like.
"Let's go guys, see if we can't find some type of shelter here," John spoke confidently.
No one responded, they chose to follow their annoying leader. For all the cold, rain and uncomfortable silence, it didn't take long to reach the tiny town. Ronan and John moved to the first building, it was hard, made of wood and looked like a shack, but for them it would be a decent sized shelter until they could reach the gate and get away from the damn chill.
"It's safe, let's go," John said as he and Ronan stepped in, their guns still drawn.
Rodney and Teyla both held their guns out as well, Teyla facing the town, while Rodney swung from side to side.
Amazingly the tiny shack didn't have a single leak. John closed the door behind them. And looked around, hoping to find blankets, or something to light some type of fire. "Rodney, you and Teyla check for other rooms, we'll see if e can't get a fire start," John called as he continued to rummage through an old trunk by one window.
Nodding Rodney held his hand gun out as he and Teyla crept towards the door. Rodney reached out and gently shoved the only other door in the tiny house open. They glanced around the room, then slowly stepped inside. It looked to be a sort of bedroom, a single twin bed lying in the middle of the room, in one corner sat a tiny cradle, wooden and simple looking.
Rodney over looked the pleasantry for a blanket or something that could keep him and his fellow teammates warm. That was until he heard a tiny cry. Rodney instantly began to search around for whatever had made the sudden sound.
"Teyla…did you hear that?" he asked as he moved over towards the cradle. He had over looked it previously, but as he moved closer he realized the blankets were twitching.
"Indeed I did…"
"I think I've found something," he whispered as he stepped closer to the crib. Inside the cradle lay a tiny infant, perhaps no older than two or three weeks. Tiny blue eyes stared up at intently, It's face bright pink, but tears streaming from her beautiful ocean colored orbs.
"I think you found a someone," Teyla whispered slightly as she stepped over to Rodney's side.
"Cute," Rodney replied, for every ounce of him that feared children at times, there was something in him calling to hold this little baby. He reached out, practically unaware of what he was doing. He removed the beautifully crocheted pink blanket. Rodney instantly decided it was probably a girl, based on the blanket and clothing colors. She was probably about six or seven pounds, thin, with long beautiful fingers, and sandy hair covered her small head.
"I think she likes you," Teyla said softly.
"Really?" Rodney asked as he reached out and gently stroked the infant's cheek, bringing out a beautiful coo from the baby.
"Very much, I fear why she was left behind," Teyla said sadly as she continued to look around the perfectly kept house.
"You don't think her parents are still around?"
"No, this place seems to be deserted," Teyla answered.
"Why would they leave such a small child?" Rodney asked afraid, suddenly, of the answer she may give.
"Wraith find little use of such small ones, they are after all, often the weakest of ones tribe."
"Wait, you mean they leave the small ones homeless?" Rodney felt sickened by such an idea.
"It is not unusual Rodney."
"Oh that's so not happening," whispered Rodney. He reached down and lifted the baby from the tiny crib, "can you move the blanket?"
"Of course, you wish to swaddle her?" she questioned.
"Yeah, that's good, thanks Teyla," Rodney laid the infant back down on the blanket, and within moments rewrapped her up in the pink blankets. Teyla smiled softly as Rodney lifted her back up into his arms and pulled her closer to his chest. This was a side of the way ward scientist she had not seen. She had seen so much from this man, he had deep inner strength, love and compassion when he wished to, and as she watched him, she realized that this was only further true as he held the baby. Like he had been doing it for years.
"You have held a child before?" she inquired.
"Uh…only once, one of my girlfriends…she had a baby…before you ask, no it wasn't mine. But he husband dumped her, and Katie asked for me to be there for her when the baby was born. I held Katie's little angel for probably about three hours until Katie felt up to it."
"And what of the baby?" Teyla asked.
"I'm her god-father…she's probably fifteen or sixteen now, not much use for me anymore….but I am her Uncle Rodney…she was the only little child, or baby that I ever felt comfortable around."
"This one brings back such memories for you?" Teyla asked smiling.
"Yes…"
"I believe she is your angel," Teyla whispered as she gently caressed the girl's head.
"Hey guys the rain stop…" John looked at the tiny child, then at his brother and Teyla, "did I miss something?"
"No Colonel, we found this little child…"
"Any folks?" John asked looking around the room.
"No, I believe the city has been taken by the Wraith…."
"I agree," came Ronan's voice from behind John.
"We should go…before they come back," Teyla spoke gently.
"You really think they would return?" Rodney asked her.
"No, but it would be a good idea none the less, perhaps take this one with us," Teyla said eyeing the baby.
"All right, well let's go before it rains again, Rodney there are a couple more blankets outside in the living room, why don't you wrap them around your precious cargo, and we'll get moving," John suggested.
"Okay," Rodney and his team headed into the living room. John handed the blankets to Rodney, who wrapped another one around the infant's body, which was now clingy to his soaked uniform.
"She could get a cold," he spoke.
"We'll try and get home as soon as we can Rod, let's go guys."
Carson looked at the thermometer pulling it out of her ear gently, she cooed on the cot, opening and closing her fists as she looked up at Rodney and Teyla. John and Ronan were briefing Weir and Caldwell about what had happened.
"Assuming she as normal as you and me, the wee lass seems perfectly healthy," Carson explained smiling as he gently tickled her tummy, causing her to gurgle.
"So it is a girl?"
"Aye, a beautiful wee girl, four weeks old, eight pounds, two ounces, seventeen inches long," Carson read clinically.
"So now what?" Rodney questioned.
"Well…someone has to care for her, she seems to have taking a like for you Rodney."
"Just because she doesn't cry in my arms, doesn't mean I can be a father," Rodney said in fear.
"Aye, but I say you'll probably do fine, until we can find someone to care for the wee one. And the first thin you are in charge of, is naming her. She can't be called it," he said smiling between the two little friends.
"No…that is not sensible…Lauryn Mae…"
"That is a beautiful name," Teyla responded looking down at the tiny child.
"Aye, I like it too, we'll create a birth certificate for her, how do you want to spell it?"
"L-A-U-R-Y-N, and M-A-E for a middle name," Rodney said.
"Lauryn Mae McKay, a beautiful name for a beautiful girl," Carson said as he lifted the girl into his arms. The baby instantly began to whimper and squirm.
"I think she wishes for her caretaker to hold her," grinned Teyla.
"Guys…" Rodney scoffed at the thought, as the baby was placed into his arms. Lauryn must have recognized him, her whimpers slowed back to a normal breathing rate.
"Rodney, would you like to learn how to feed a baby?" Carson asked smiling softly.
"Uh…are you really sure I can handle this?" questioned Rodney looking from them to the baby. Her small fist had grabbed the front of his shirt by this time and was cooing as she moved in his arms.
"I've never been more sure of anything in my life. At least for now," Carson said smiling.
"O…okay," he whispered.
"Come with me then Rodney, we've got a few lessons ahead of us."
Elizabeth, John, Ronan and Colonel Caldwell walked into the infirmary nearly an hour later, expecting to see Carson caring for an infant girl, and Teyla helping. The last thing Rodney expected to see why his little brother sitting in a chair, feet propped up on one of the beds, cradling the little baby in his arms, a bottle in one hand; which was firmly placed in the baby's mouth.
"Oh…my," Elizabeth said as she coughed to cover her smile that spread across her face.
It must have been contagious, because John and Ronan were also smiling at this point. The little girl had nothing on but a cloth diaper, her two fists balled up on either side of the tiny make shift bottle Carson had made. Her big blue eyes intently watching her savior.
"She is so beautiful," Elizabeth whispered as she crossed the room to peer over Rodney's shoulder. He glanced up her and smiled softly, nodding in agreement.
"So…did ya name her yet?" John asked as Carson joined them, Teyla at his side.
"Actually we have," grinned Carson.
"So, don't keep us in suspense, what's the newest addition to Atlantis' name?" John asked grinning widely.
"Lauryn Mae," whispered Rodney.
John's eyes grew wide, if it was possible, his smile only grew wider as her looked down at the beautiful little baby. "She's got the blue eyes," he whispered grinning.
"Who's Lauryn?" Elizabeth asked.
"Our mom," Rodney whispered as he continued to cradle his new found baby.
"Amazing how such a tiny little thing can turn three men into puddles of mush on sight," chuckled Elizabeth as she eyed Rodney, John and Carson. Although, as she looked over at Steven Caldwell, Elizabeth was fairly sure he was turning soft as well.
"Indeed, babies have a similar reaction to the men on Athos as well," Teyla said smiling as she caressed the baby's head.
"So now the real question is, what do we do with her from here?" Steven asked eyeing Rodney and the baby.
Steven had known Rodney for all of about five months, and in that time he had come to the conclusion there was much more to the man than he led on. However, he often didn't show much more than his arrogance.
The only time Steven had ever seen the scientist at ease was with his team, Carson or Elizabeth. He was a man in love with his job, but at this very moment, Rodney never looked more at ease than holding this little baby in his arms. He suddenly looked like he was used to holding babies, as though he had been raised around small children all his life.
Logic told Steven to contact earth, let them know what had developed, perhaps speak about having her placed in an orphanage. But as Steven watched the group of people, he realized that would probably do more harm than good. This little baby, at the moment was an alien, no matter how beautiful she was or how human she seemed. She was not from their planet and it wouldn't be the best idea to send her off to someone who didn't have security clearance, just incase she developed strange…traits.
Everything inside him was screaming 'the baby can't stay here.' Atlantis wasn't exactly made for little babies, of any race, culture or type. Although Steven assumed at some point the ancients had to have been babies. At that moment he looked over at Rodney, a wide smiled covered the man's face, as he looked up at John and Elizabeth. Steven decided he would indeed contact earth and let them know what had transpired, but he would do everything in his power and beyond to keep this child on Atlantis. Besides if anything that small could keep someone like McKay under control and make him less uptight and rude, than she was certainly worth keeping.
"Well, we have to contact earth, like it or not…"
"Sir, you can't honestly be thinking about…" John was immediately interrupted by Steven's hand shooting up to silence him.
"Don't worry, I'll let them know what happened, I'll see what I can do, pull some strings, I'm sure we can arrange to keep the baby on Atlantis, after all, I don't think she'll take to anyone at this point," chuckled Steven.
"Sir?" Elizabeth questioned suddenly confused.
"Twenty-nine years ago, I sat in a similar position as McKay is in right now, holding my little girl, and I know…I understand how easy it is to become attached to babies," Steven said grinning.
"Gee Rodney, someone's going to be a daddy," joked John poking his brother.
"Gee John, someone's an Uncle," Rodney prodded in return.
"Hey, I am!" John said suddenly as he looked down at the girl who suddenly became his niece, "So what do we do, have the Daedalus come back and forth every few months with diapers?" chuckled John.
"Hardly, I can head to Earth next week sometime, if you guys can survive a little over a month, than I think we can bring you back enough stuff to survive several years."
"You know it might be a good idea to go home with the wee one as well, perhaps taking Elizabeth and Teyla with you, pick out some clothes she can wear…" Carson suggested.
"I don't know Carson, maybe keeping her here is a good idea. It's not like Earth can come over here and take her, as where if Rodney heads to Earth, they could easily take her from him."
"Can we stop referring to her as…well her, her name is Lauryn!" Rodney hissed.
"All right everyone, I think the wee one needs a nap, and I'm fairly sure Rodney does too," chuckled Carson.
It ceased to amaze Rodney at how easy it was to fall in love with such a beautiful little baby. Ronan and John had returned to the planet to pick up the cradle and see if there weren't any clothes for the little one. Teyla went to Athos to pick up some items for Lauryn as well.
Rodney sat on the floor of his living quarters, knees drawn up, elbows both resting on a knee, his head leaning against his fists. As he watched the tiny baby sleeping on her side, cooing quietly every now and then. An awe struck look written all over his handsome features.
And that's how Elizabeth found him, just staring at the beautiful infant, as the baby slept soundly, unaware to the rest of the beautiful world. As was Rodney as he just gazed at the tiny little girl.
"Didn't your mother ever tell you your face could get stuck that way?" Elizabeth said grinning.
Rodney turned and grinned at her, she leaned against the door jamb. He shrugged non-chalantly and turned his eyes back on Lauryn, "I've never felt…"
"…so needed?" Elizabeth said grinning.
"Yeah, she relies on me, to feed her, clothe her, clean her, take care of her…it's weird. I mean usually it's me needing other people, for attention, or lack of attention."
"Your mother would have been proud to see you step up like this for such a helpless little thing," Elizabeth whispered as she came over and sat cross legged next to him.
"Thanks…I always thought John would have a child before me…well actually he does, but I guess…I always talk about wanting children…and in a way I really do want children, but I was so afraid of having them…afraid that maybe I'd be like my dad. But I look at her…and I don't think I could ever hurt her. I'm in love with her…I've only known her for a day…if that and I'm in love with her," Rodney whispered.
Elizabeth smiled softly, she didn't even think about what she was doing, but she slipped one arm under Rodney's arm, and the other over, cuddling by his side for a moment. She leaned her head against his shoulder, surprised almost when he leaned his head against hers.
"My brother had his first child…named it Bethie, I held her for the first time, and I was just so in love with that little girl. It is amazing how someone can get so attached to someone so quickly. But Rodney, you're not like that man…the man who raised you for the first ten years of your life. You're better than that, and I knew it from the first moment I ever met you. I knew there had to be more to you than that."
"Do you think she'll love me?" he asked softly, reaching out he caressed Lauryn's cheek, the baby seemed to move into his touch, almost seeking the warmth and love.
"I think she already does. Let's face it Rodney, she was alone for only God knows how long on that planet, and suddenly you come along, you give her something she doesn't know well, you gave her warmth, love and care. She doesn't know anything else but you anymore."
"I…I almost want to keep her…"
"You're going to keep her Rodney, because I don't think you're the first person to get attached to this little angel."
"My little angel," he said grinning. Almost on cue the tiny baby began to squall, Rodney smiled softly, "oh, oh, it's okay," he whispered as he reached out and scooped her up in his arms. Instantly the cries softened to whimpers and soon were back to even breaths again.
"McKay's angel," Elizabeth whispered grinning.