He was half asleep, the baby fast asleep in her crib, or so he thought. Somehow in the past eight days that she had been with them, he had grown more attached to the little angel than he had ever intended.

The horse cry however, instantly awoke him from his tender sleep. He snorted from his soft snore as he looked around, quickly taking in his surroundings he realized he was on Atlantis, in his room, and that his baby was crying.

"Oh you have to be kidding me," he grumbled as he wearily stood from his bed and meandered over to the crib across from his bed. His hair in every direction he continued to grumble. He had been lucky thus far, the tiny infant slept through every night. Unaware that most babies her age didn't sleep through the night. Rodney had been so happy to find out his newly adopted daughter did ninety percent of her crying during the day.

"Lauryn…you don't cry at night," he muttered as he reached into the crib and lifted the precious cargo into his arms. She was rubbing her fists over her ears as she screamed loudly, her face turning bright red, tears streaming down her pale face.

Fear and terror struck him instantly, and like any father, who wasn't thinking straight. Rodney hurried out of his room, unable to remember that he had a intercom to the right of his bed. He hurried down the hall with the crying infant in his arms. He came to a sliding stop in front of one door and instantly began to pound on it furiously.

"CARSON!" he screamed frantically.

Half of Atlantis, at least the Senior staff and second in command staff were wide awake at this point and standing at their doors, waiting to either pounce on the idiot scientist and his daughter, or to pounce on the doctor for not hearing the confounded screaming as early as they had.

The door suddenly slid open, and a very exhausted looking Carson came walking to the door. His blue eyes opened at the sight of Rodney holding the screaming baby, Rodney only clad in a pair of his Marvin the Martin boxers and a white shirt that read "got Physics".

"Rodney…" mumbled Carson, trying not to sound irritated or confused.

"She…she started crying," Rodney said, his arms shaking.

"Aye Rodney, she's a baby that's what they do…"

"No…no listen to her," he said handing her over to Carson carefully.

Carson sighed and took the baby into his arms, it didn't take but a second to realize what Rodney was talking about. He looked at Rodney for a moment, a little worried about the baby.

"Carson, what's wrong?" Elizabeth asked as she pulled her robe tighter around her thin waist. John moved over, donning only socks and a pair of flannel pajama bottoms.

"Let's get the wee one to the infirmary," Carson said trying to sound reassuring as he whisked Lauryn off to the infirmary, followed closely by Rodney, John, Teyla, Elizabeth, Ronan and Zelenka.

Elizabeth had never seen Rodney so jumpy and jittery; it wasn't unusual to see the man wired and unable to sit still, but this was ridiclus. John had already told him to sit down two or three times, in the twenty minutes they'd been sitting there.

Carson had disappeared behind the infirmary doors with Lauryn in his arms, and Nurse Mary DeSantos by his side. He hadn't said another word to any of them, his attention all focused on the little baby in his arms.

"Rodney, sit down! And that's an order!" Elizabeth finally lashed out, she didn't mean to, but he was driving her nuts. They all loved and adored Lauryn, but his pacing wasn't helping anyone.

"No, I'm here," Carson said smiling softly as he exited the doors and looked at the large group of Atlantians' clad in only their pajamas. "Now, before ya'll start askin' me what's wrong, let me speak first. It isn't anything abnormal in a baby, alien or human. The wee one has an infection in her otitis media."

"That doesn't sound good," John said.

"That's an ear infection, John," stated Elizabeth, causing a small grin from Rodney and a chuckle from Carson.

"Oh…I knew that," John said confidently.

"Aye…anyway she'll be fine in a few weeks, she just needs plenty of rest, love and takin' care of. She's gonna be a wee bit cranky, like a scientist we know," he said eyeing Rodney.

"Can we see her?" Rodney asked oblivious to the look being shot at him.

"Aye, but she's in a lot of pain, all we can do if give her baby Tylenol, I'll prescribe some antibiotics strong enough for just her, she should only take it twice a day, at morning and night. She's going to cry, and probably vomit, she is to young to control such functions. Sorry to tell ya lad, but you've had it fairly easily up until now. This is where parenting really takes over."

"I'm doomed," Rodney mumbled as he dropped himself into the chair.

"Hardly Rodney, I survived at least four ear infections from Lisa," John said smiling.

"You spent twenty years with Luke and Lauren…"

"Yeah, and ten years had to have rubbed off on you," John replied slapping his brother gently on the shoulder.

"Come on Rodney, Lauryn is going to what her da'," Carson said leading his friend back to the infirmary.

"Rodney…no offense but we're all going back to sleep," Elizabeth said grinning.

"Thanks," Rodney replied sarcastically as he watched his friends retreat from the small child.

"Come on Rodney, I'll get you started…"

"Wait…you mean your not keeping her here?"

"No Rodney, I don't keep you and John here, no matter how much you whine, when you have colds, there is no such reason to do so with your wee daughter. It is simple lad, she's going to want you to hold her a lot, so plan on taking the next few weeks off, she's going to have drainage, now if any of it has blood in it, bring her here immediately, otherwise just try and keep her calm, I'll also give you ear drops for her. No matter how much she fights it she needs sleep and to eat, otherwise it'll just get worse. She's going to run a minor fever, if it gets any higher than 101 degrees, bring her here and we'll set her up on an IV."

"Carson…"

"Rodney, she's just a wee baby, she isn't going to hurt you, if anything she's going to need you. I don't know what else to tell ya lad, lots of love."

"Carson…" Rodney began again as Carson gently handed over Lauryn to Rodney. Rodney instantly took the slight burden, and looked down in the teary blue eyes.

"She can hear me right?"

"Aye, she'll hear you, she might fuss off and on between medications, but she'll be fine, I'll check up on both of ya every couple days."

"O…okay," he whispered softly.

"You'll be fine…."

'Famous last words' thought Carson Beckett as he covered his ears at the shrill screams breaking through his night. It was amazing that such a little girl could have such a powerful cry.

Carson knew Rodney was doing his best, and he had seen Rodney in the past two days, both times Rodney had looked terrible, exhausted and ready to break down at any moment.

Teyla Emmagan was quickly running out of patience, she could only listen to a small child cry and scream for so long. She had no doubt in her mind that Rodney could be and was a great father; he was strong, kind and loving. However, there was also no doubt, that he had no idea how to handle a small screaming infant.

Meanwhile in his own room, Rodney McKay was getting ready to cry himself. He'd been pacing his bedroom for the past five hours, with a wailing infant on his shoulder, it didn't matter what he did, feed her, rock her, hold her, play with her, read to her, nothing seemed to work. She had thrown up on three of his shirts before he figured out not wearing shirts was easier to clean. He wore a pair of flannel plaid pants, and bare feet. The little girl cuddle to his chest, gripping his chest hair tightly in her tiny fist. He tried not to show how badly that hurt in itself.

Finally it dawned on him, he smiled softly, "you know something, when I was a baby my mom used to sing to me when I was sick…which was a lot…god, what did she sing to me…

"Goodnight, my angel

Time to close your eyes

And save these questions for another day

I think I know what you've been asking me

I think you know what I've been trying to say

I promised I would never leave you

And you should always know

Wherever you may go

No matter where you are

I never will be far away…" his voice trailed off, her screams had toned down a octive or two and he felt himself relax, sighing he crawled on top of his bed, stretching out wearily on his back, he placed her against his chest, her good ear against his chest.

"Goodnight, my angel

Now it's time to sleep

And still so many things I want to say

Remember all the songs you sang for me

When we went sailing on an emerald bay

And like a boat out on the ocean

I'm rocking you to sleep

The water's dark

And deep inside this ancient heart

You'll always be a part of me…" he continued as he gently ran his hand through her growing hair, which was also growing darker by the day. Her tiny whimpers sounded so painfully sad. He felt terrible listening to her whimper and cry. He moved his hand to her back, rubbing it in small slow circles.

"Goodnight, my angel

Now it's time to dream

And dream how wonderful your life will be

Someday your child may cry

And if you sing this lullaby

Then in your heart

There will always be a part of me…" another verse and the whimpers were becoming softer as her harsh breathing became slower and soft. He smiled softly, and decided to continue, after all he needed sleep as much as she did.

"Someday we'll all be gone

But lullabies go on and on...

They never die

That's how you

And I

Will be…" his voice trailed off, eyes sliding closed as sleep took him as well. He never heard his door slide open. Carson, John, Elizabeth and Teyla stuck their heads into the bedroom and grinned.

Rodney was completely stretched out on the bed, on hand gently holding his daughter, the other still rubbing slow circles on her back. Soothing the savage soul, calming the crying infant.

"I think our little Rodney is all grown up," joked Carson.

"I fell asleep with Lisa like that the first few nights after she and Cheryl came home from the hospital," John said grinning.

"I think we're in this for the long haul," Elizabeth said grinning from ear to ear.

"Let's leave them alone, they all need sleep," Teyla whispered.

"Hang on," Elizabeth quietly crept into the room, grabbed the blanket off the back of the bed, she draped it over the two forms, giving them the warmth and comfort. "Sleep well," she whispered as she pressed a soft kiss to the back of Lauryn's head.

With that the four friends closed the door and left the father and daughter to the sleep they deserved and had earned for so many days. Carson decided he would check on her fever later tomorrow, and perhaps even see how Rodney was doing.

Elizabeth crept back into the room mid morning the next day, she wrote a quick note to Rodney, letting him know that she would be taking Lauryn for the day, allowing him the chance to sleep.

Lauryn protested for all of two seconds, before her big blue eyes landed on Elizabeth, and she curled back into the woman's arms. "Shh, lets let daddy get some sleep," she whispered. Elizabeth pulled the blanket back up around Rodney's shoulders and carried Lauryn out of the room.

Elizabeth headed off to the infirmary, Carson smiled softly and took the infant into his arms, "there's our little angel, and obviously down for the count."

Elizabeth sat by Lauryn's side, watching the baby sleep, as Carson gave her a thorough check up, "well?" Elizabeth questioned.

"She'll be fine, a few more days, I think she got past the worst part last night. Let her daddy sleep for now, we'll wake him up later. Let them both sleep."

"Thanks Carson…" Elizabeth whispered.

"Elizabeth, you don't think Earth is going to make Rodney give this wee one up…do you?"

"I hope not…why?"

"Well…honestly, the past week is the first time I haven't heard him screaming down the hall at his scientists, and there haven't been any accidents, for the first time, the city seems to be running well, and Rodney seems to be easier to deal with."

"I've noticed as well, and while I honestly believe it won't last long. You're right, Lauryn has done an awful lot of good for all of us, especially Rodney. He knows he's got family here, but I think this little one gives him a real reason to feel needed."

"Aye, it's a grand feeling…" Carson said gently.

"Carson?" Elizabeth replied raising an eyebrow.

"No, I don't have any wee ones, I would love one or two, but I remember when my wee brother was just a little lad, used to cling to me side all the time…I felt really needed."

"You're really needed here too Carson, everyone knows it."

"Thank you lass."

Carson was feeding Lauryn when Rodney came in, looking frantic, but less haggard than he had in the past two days. Judging by his appearance however, he had at least changed his clothes and received several hours of good sleep before he figured out that his new daughter had gone missing.

"You scared me!" Rodney hissed as he came over to the little girl.

Carson grinned as Lauryn instantly recognized her father, she stuck out her hands, lower lip trembling; threatening to sprout tears if Rodney didn't scoop her up there and then.

"Come here you," Rodney said as he lifted Lauryn into his arms and smiled at her. "How is she?"

"On the mend at last, still sick, and fussy, but I think she's finally starting to feel better. How are you feeling lad?"

"Exhausted, I could use a million more hours of sleep."

"Then go get some, I can watch her for a few more hours, we aren't busy, the only patient we've got is Major Lorne who is complaining about pain in his side."

"What's wrong with him?"

"Appendicitis I believe, I've got him on some pain medication watching him for now, Dr. Mitchinson and I are going to operate later this afternoon."

"Oh…I'm sorry to hear that. Well, we should be going, I've got a few tests to run for a project," Rodney said smiling.

"Just remember she needs rest!" Carson called as Rodney headed out of the infirmary with Lauryn in his arms. Carson had to grin at that, Rodney had a rough time suddenly being separated from the little girl, just as much as Lauryn had trouble being separated from her recent caregiver. Shaking his head he went back to work, knowing he had more important things to do; than laugh at his friend's sudden change in demeanor.