And I Think

2006.

“Call me if he makes any sense.”

“Wait!” Rodney waved an arm in Elizabeth’s direction. “I have something to say.”

Dr Weir halted her step and waited. For a moment, she thought she imagined lucidity in his wide eyed gaze but it wasn’t long before he grinned happily again. Briefly distracted by the marauding itch on his nose, Rodney managed to muster up enough words to say vaguely, “Red is a pretty colour.”

Exasperated, Elizabeth shook her head at Carson and unconsciously pulled her jacket more over her red shirt.

Rodney batted the air towards her and mused, “I can’t reach you, Lizbeth. I think I had something to say. Oh. And I think – I think –”

“You don’t want to be saying that, lad,” Dr Beckett gently chided, catching on to his patient’s train of thought.

Carson felt it was in Rodney’s best interests if he didn’t spout declarations of love at the expedition leader. The scientist did his best at hiding any attachment but this was one thing that Carson had picked up on. Rodney frowned, snapping, “Of course I want to say this. It’s a matter of life and death!”

“Is it related to your team?” Elizabeth prompted.

The scientist fixed her with a wider grin, if that possible. He rubbed at his nose absently before light shone in his eyes again. He propped his elbow on the bed, pointing a finger up to the ceiling, and supported it with his other hand. Recognising the gesture as one he made when lucid, Elizabeth quietly waited.

Carson cajoled, “You don’t need to say it, Rodney.”

“I want to say it!” McKay insisted crossly. “Where was I – ah. And I think – I think – Liz is pretty!”

Beckett glanced quickly at Elizabeth, whose expression remained emotionless. Either emboldened by the lack of response or still lapsing into ramblings, Rodney ploughed on unrepentantly, “Pretty! And she’s nice. If Sheppard wasn’t so…so…Sheppard I’d have a chance with her.”

“Rodney…” Carson sighed.

But Dr Weir was slowly beginning to smirk. She inched closer and prodded sweetly, “Go on.”

Oblivious to her proximity, the scientist continued cheerfully, “I like Liz. I like her a lot. Hey, Carson. Maybe she’ll like me with an arrow in my ass.”

Here, an intensely thoughtful look came over Rodney’s face and he tried to reach behind to where the arrow was imbedded. His arm lolled lazily despite his best efforts.

Elizabeth smiled and whispered into his ear, “I like you just fine without anything in your ass.”

“Who said that?” Rodney demanded.

Weir patted his hand and replied soothingly, “No one, Rodney. Just relax, but please try to remember anything that might be useful.”

Carson watched her leave the infirmary – with what looked suspiciously like a sauntering gait – and shook his head. His patient dropped his head back to the bed and mumbled incoherently into the sheet. It was silent enough to hear the ocean outside with Rodney’s muffled ramblings.

Carson muttered under his breath, “Poor lad. She might have done him the courtesy to tell him when he could remember it.”