Fic: Sympathy for Eve 25/27 (PG)
Title: Sympathy for Eve, 25/27
Author: SGAtlantisLight
Characters: McKay, Beckett, Sheppard, Emmagan, Dex, Zelenka, Heightmeyer, Weir, Lorne, Kusanagi, Kavanagh, Simpson
Relationships: McKay/Beckett, Emmagan/Lorne, Emmagan/Weir, Sheppard/Kusanagi, Dex/Zelenka
Rating: PG for this part, but the series as a whole is NC-17
Warnings: mpreg, genderbending, injury and blood, labour stuff but nothing real detailed, schmoop
Spoilers: None
Summary: Part 25 of the Sympathy for Eve series. When Rodney gets turned into a woman for a month, he decides to experiment, but little did he know it could have unforeseen consequences. Set somewhere in a nebulous third season AU after any cliffhanger-y stuff has been resolved.
Disclaimer: The characters, the setting, etc. are NOT mine, even if I wish they were.
Author's Notes: Beta and useful comments provided by lapislaz and desala, but mistakes are entirely mine.
John leaned against the DHD, hissing in pain, ignoring how his blood slicked the surface of the buttons as he typed in Atlantis's coordinates. He looked back as Teyla fired a burst behind them. "Ronon! Go!" He hit his radio. "Atlantis, this is Sheppard. We need a medical team to the gateroom! Multiple injuries. Gunshot wounds."
He tried to follow Ronon, who was still running fast despite Radek's weight and the blood running down his back from his wound. John felt his knee start to give out and then slender arms were wrapping around him, catching him. "Lean on me, Colonel. We must hurry."
He fought to stay conscious, focusing on his feet, on putting one foot in front of the other, quickly, quickly. There were splashes of bright red leading to the gate. He added some of his own.
***
"How are you adjusting to the pregnancy?"
Elizabeth curled her hands around the mug of warm Athosian tea and sat back in her chair, considering Kate. "Are you asking out of curiosity or are you in psychiatrist mode?"
Kate smiled. "I'm afraid I'm always in psychiatrist mode to some extent, but I was curious."
"Well, it's rather strange, actually. The few times I've thought I might be pregnant before, it was always cause for panic." She gave a rueful smile. "It's also a little strange to be pregnant by someone I've never had sex with."
"I suppose it would. How does that make you feel toward Teyla and Evan?"
"Oh, now you are getting into therapy mode."
Kate laughed. "Sorry. I can't help it. Other people's minds fascinate me-- 'How does she feel about this? What is he thinking? Do they realise they're attracted to each other?' I guess it makes me a bit of a voyeur."
Elizabeth smiled and took a drink of tea, enjoying how it soothed the butterfly feeling in her stomach. It wasn't just morning sickness this time, though. Kate had hit on the very thing that occupied her thoughts more than any other, remembering the way Teyla had kissed Evan and then followed by pulling her into a kiss that morning before they'd left to go to the pre-mission briefing and Evan to the shooting range, the way he'd looked away from them, the look in his eyes as they'd parted. Was it jealousy, desire, something else? She wasn't sure.
Down below, in the gateroom, a chevron lit up on the gate and Lenoir's voice announced, "Unscheduled offworld activation!"
***
Rodney stifled a gasp as his abdomen tightened again. Damn, but these Braxton-Hicks contractions were getting painful! He focused back on his laptop screen, typing quickly and then muttering in anger and backspacing over the gibberish he'd typed. He wasn't used to the smaller hands of this female form and kept placing his hands wrong on the keyboard. Distantly, he heard someone talking in the background, one-sided. He looked at his hands. Okay. On the right keys now. He chased down his previous thoughts and retyped carefully.
"Miko, are you okay? Miko?"
He looked up. Miko was standing at her usual place, face pale, trembling. "What's wrong?" he asked.
"That was... that was infirmary. John has been injured."
"Damn! How badly?" Simpson asked.
"I do not know. They wouldn't say and were hurrying because he is not the only one injured."
Rodney swallowed hard, fighting down panic for his team, for Radek. "For God's sake, go!" he snapped, more churlish than he'd intended. "Simpson, go with her, make sure she doesn't faint or anything."
Simpson gave him a quick disapproving look, then grabbed Miko. "Come on. Let's go."
Rodney watched them leave, conflicted. There wasn't anything he could do by being there except get in the way, but he wanted to go. He fought down a groan as another spasm hit him and then tried to focus back on his work, his mind in a whirl. If they'd called Miko, did that mean it was serious or was it a formality? Who else was hurt? They'd been too busy to explain to Miko. Did they not know or was it just that bad?
Suddenly there was a hand on his elbow. "You should go, too," Kavanagh said.
"I'd get in the way," Rodney answered, looking up at Kavanagh and pointedly pulling his arm away.
"They're your team. And Radek. You should go."
"Simpson will radio when they find out anything."
"Look," Kavanagh said, "you've got blood pressure issues as it is and this has to be stressing you out. It would be better for you to be there, just in case. I can take you if you want."
Rodney glared. "I'm quite capable of walk-- Agh!" He clenched his teeth, hissing.
"McKay? McKay, what's going on?"
"Brax... Braxton-Hicks contraction," he answered through gritted teeth.
Kavanagh yanked his chair back and laid a hand on his abdomen. "Goddammit, McKay! Those aren't Braxton-Hicks contractions. You're in labour."
***
"What happened?" Elizabeth asked.
Teyla fought to maintain a serene face, but knew she must look troubled. One of the nurse practitioners had cleaned and bandaged the graze on her arm and released her from the maelstrom that was the infirmary to the waiting room. Her three teammates were all being treated, leaving her to answer questions alone. "We were negotiating with members of the village council when one of their members who had been absent when we arrived came in. When he saw Ronon, he called him a 'wraithbringer' and opened fire without warning. Upon seeing this, all of the council pulled weapons."
"They were all armed?" Elizabeth asked.
Teyla nodded. "Colonel Sheppard commented on our arrival that it reminded him of an Earth location called Texas. I do not know if that means anything to you."
Elizabeth nodded. "A well-armed society is a polite society."
"That is the exact thing Colonel Sheppard said." She decided she would not like this place, Texas. "The Colonel and I both sought cover, but Ronon was pinned down and injured, as the first shot had gotten him in the shoulder. The one council member fired a second shot at Ronon and... and Doctor Zelenka stepped into the bullet's path, firing his own sidearm."
There was a hubbub and Teyla looked up to see Miko and Doctor Simpson enter the waiting room. "John?" Miko asked.
"He's being patched up right now," Elizabeth said. "He was conscious when they got here."
"He will be well, I am certain," Teyla answered.
"Okay, so the council started opening fire, Ronon was shot and pinned down, Radek stepped into the line of fire, and you and John were seeking cover," Elizabeth summed up, undoubtedly for Miko's benefit. "Please, go on."
"The shot he stepped into hit Doctor Zelenka's tactical vest," Teyla continued. "I do not believe it did him any damage, but the force of it knocked him off-balance and caused him to spin somewhat. A second bullet-- I do not know from whom-- caught him here under the arm, where there is no protection." She pointed high up on her own side, wincing as raising her arm pulled at her wound. "When he saw that Doctor Zelenka was injured, Ronon... became very distraught and began firing in a rage."
"Oh, my!" Simpson exclaimed.
"Seeing as the situation had degraded into combat, the Colonel and I began firing while trying to make our way to Doctor Zelenka." She paused, shaking her head. "I am unclear as to the order of events from there. I only know that we eventually escaped the council hall and made it back to the stargate with Ronon carrying Doctor Zelenka while the Colonel and I laid down cover fire. I believe the Colonel had already taken a hit to the arm, but during our escape to the gate, he was also shot in the leg."
Miko went very pale at this.
"He will be well," Teyla repeated, as much for her own benefit as for Miko's.
***
"Okay, okay, okay. Relax, McKay. Breathe through it. In and out. Come on." Kavanagh stood, watching McKay huff through another contraction. He was itching to hit his headset and call for a medical team, but Simpson had called and reported on the state of Team Sheppard and it didn't seem likely that the infirmary could spare anyone. Of all the times to go into labour, he thought wryly. "Ready? Okay. Just a few more steps to the transporter and then just a few from there to the infirmary. Come on."
***
"You need to wait in the waiting room," a nurse said, grabbing Rodney's arm to direct him back out of the infirmary. "We'll tell you what's going on as soon as we know anything."
"I'm not--"
"Teyla's out there. I'm sure she can fill you in."
"Wait, I'm--"
"Mer, we need you!" someone called.
"I'll be right there! Now, please, Doctor McKay, just wait outside," she said, pushing him through the door.
That did it. He opened his mouth to snap at her, when another contraction hit, silencing him.
"Of all the morons!" Kavanagh said, freezing the nurse in her tracks. "Are you blind? Can't you see McKay's in labour?"
The nurse blinked while Rodney tried to breathe through the pain.
"Why didn't you say so?" she demanded.
"I tried," Rodney said, weakly.
"Oh, God! Okay, um. How far apart are the contractions?"
"Three minutes," Kavanagh answered.
"Three minutes? Oh. Okay. Yeah. We'll get you to a bed."
"Mer?"
"I've got a problem here. Hold on!"
Teyla stepped up. "Perhaps I can be of assistance. I will help him to a bed and remain with him until someone is able to help."
The nurse looked grateful. "Oh, thank you! Just take her... him... um... over there."
Teyla led him to a bed and helped him into it, adjusting it so he was sitting up. "Shouldn't I be lying down?" Rodney asked.
"Not unless you wish to prolong you labour," she answered.
"Doctor McKay, how are you?"
Rodney looked up into Heightmeyer's grey-blue eyes. "Where's Carson?"
"He's in surgery with Doctor Zelenka," Heightmeyer answered. "I know it's unfair, but I'm afraid we're going to have to keep him from you for a while."
"How long?" Rodney asked. Heightmeyer hesitated. "Tell me how long!"
Heightmeyer reached out and took his hand. "Hours."
"Hours?" he asked, his voice quavering.
She nodded. "Assuming everything goes well."
Rodney tried not to think about what it would mean if Carson were freed up earlier than that.
***
John sat staring at the man in the next bed over, mind woolly from pain relievers, but he knew there was something he'd wanted to ask. Something... Ah, yes. "Why didn't you tell me?"
"Tell you what?" Ronon asked.
"You and Radek. You are, aren't you?"
Ronon grunted.
"Was that a yes?"
"He wanted to keep it quiet."
"Why?" John hadn't intended it to sound so plaintive.
"He's been hurt before."
John found himself drifting away. Wait, wait... What? "I wouldn't have... I wouldn't have hurt you. Either of you."
"I know," Ronon answered.
The door clicked open and Miko peeked inside. "John?"
"Hey, sweetheart. Come on in," John said, trying to hold out a hand and grimacing as it made the IV twist.
Her eyes glittered with tears, but she smiled as she gently took his hand.
***
Rodney leaned back against Teyla, who had settled behind him and held him tight. "Do not tense up," she instructed. "Let your body work. Breathe through it. In and out. Good. You are doing well, Rodney."
"I want Carson," Rodney whimpered.
"He'll be here soon," Heightmeyer promised.
***
Carson stood swaying, exhausted beyond all reason, as he let Biro finish up the sutures on Radek. He knew Elizabeth would be waiting for a report, but he wasn't sure he was even up to giving it. "How are the others?" he asked Mer as she stepped into the room.
"Miss Emmagan only had a graze. Colonel Sheppard and Specialist Dex are awake and recovering."
He nodded, tired eyes sweeping Radek's vitals, relieved to see them stable.
"There's something else, though," she said.
His fatigue vanished at the tone of her voice. "What?"
"You need to wash up. Doctor McKay is here in labour."
"Oh, good Lord! How long has he been here? Is he okay?" he asked, heading out and pulling off his scrubs as he went. "Why didn't ye tell me earlier?"
"Doctor Heightmeyer was afraid it might distract you too much," the nurse answered.
"She did, did she?" he snapped, though in truth he knew she was right. He reached the sink and began washing his hands furiously.
"She's, er, he's okay, really."
He shut off the water and toweled dry, turning to her. "So where is he?"
Her reply was cut off by the cry of a newborn baby, sounding angry at this harsh, cold, bright world it had been thrust out into. Carson's heart leapt and he dashed toward the sound.
***
Tears ran from his eyes, he wasn't sure whether from relief or joy, as Heightmeyer laid the baby in his arms.
"She is beautiful," Teyla said, wiping his face with a cool cloth.
"Hey! Shhh... It's okay," he said gently to the still-crying child.
The cries tapered off and blue-blue eyes blinked up into his. The baby hiccupped and he grinned, lost, absolutely besotted.
The door flew open and Carson stepped in, eyes wild, and then he froze, gazing in wonder at his family.
"Hi," Rodney said. "You missed all the excitement."
"I'm sorry, love," Carson said, stepping to the bed, eyes never leaving the pair before him. "I wanted to be here for you. I'm so sorry."
"It's okay," Rodney said, smiling up at him.
Heightmeyer and Teyla both stood and quietly slipped out.
Carson settled into the chair next to the bed, reaching out to touch the baby. "She's really here," he breathed.
"Yeah, she is."
Carson leaned over and kissed him, hot tears splashing onto Rodney's face, and then leaned down to press a kiss to the baby's forehead. "I love you."
"You better," Rodney said.
"Oh, I do." Carson slid his arms around both of them. "I do."
"So," Rodney said, gazing into the baby's face. "What do we call her? I mean, until we know for sure?"
"Why don't we call her by the name we picked out for a girl and if we have to change it in a couple of weeks, then we'll change it?"
"You think so?" Rodney asked.
"We can't just call her 'the baby', love," Carson said.
"Yeah," Rodney said. "Okay. So, Eve Marie Beckett-McKay."
Carson nodded. "For now."
Next part
Author: SGAtlantisLight
Characters: McKay, Beckett, Sheppard, Emmagan, Dex, Zelenka, Heightmeyer, Weir, Lorne, Kusanagi, Kavanagh, Simpson
Relationships: McKay/Beckett, Emmagan/Lorne, Emmagan/Weir, Sheppard/Kusanagi, Dex/Zelenka
Rating: PG for this part, but the series as a whole is NC-17
Warnings: mpreg, genderbending, injury and blood, labour stuff but nothing real detailed, schmoop
Spoilers: None
Summary: Part 25 of the Sympathy for Eve series. When Rodney gets turned into a woman for a month, he decides to experiment, but little did he know it could have unforeseen consequences. Set somewhere in a nebulous third season AU after any cliffhanger-y stuff has been resolved.
Disclaimer: The characters, the setting, etc. are NOT mine, even if I wish they were.
Author's Notes: Beta and useful comments provided by lapislaz and desala, but mistakes are entirely mine.
John leaned against the DHD, hissing in pain, ignoring how his blood slicked the surface of the buttons as he typed in Atlantis's coordinates. He looked back as Teyla fired a burst behind them. "Ronon! Go!" He hit his radio. "Atlantis, this is Sheppard. We need a medical team to the gateroom! Multiple injuries. Gunshot wounds."
He tried to follow Ronon, who was still running fast despite Radek's weight and the blood running down his back from his wound. John felt his knee start to give out and then slender arms were wrapping around him, catching him. "Lean on me, Colonel. We must hurry."
He fought to stay conscious, focusing on his feet, on putting one foot in front of the other, quickly, quickly. There were splashes of bright red leading to the gate. He added some of his own.
***
"How are you adjusting to the pregnancy?"
Elizabeth curled her hands around the mug of warm Athosian tea and sat back in her chair, considering Kate. "Are you asking out of curiosity or are you in psychiatrist mode?"
Kate smiled. "I'm afraid I'm always in psychiatrist mode to some extent, but I was curious."
"Well, it's rather strange, actually. The few times I've thought I might be pregnant before, it was always cause for panic." She gave a rueful smile. "It's also a little strange to be pregnant by someone I've never had sex with."
"I suppose it would. How does that make you feel toward Teyla and Evan?"
"Oh, now you are getting into therapy mode."
Kate laughed. "Sorry. I can't help it. Other people's minds fascinate me-- 'How does she feel about this? What is he thinking? Do they realise they're attracted to each other?' I guess it makes me a bit of a voyeur."
Elizabeth smiled and took a drink of tea, enjoying how it soothed the butterfly feeling in her stomach. It wasn't just morning sickness this time, though. Kate had hit on the very thing that occupied her thoughts more than any other, remembering the way Teyla had kissed Evan and then followed by pulling her into a kiss that morning before they'd left to go to the pre-mission briefing and Evan to the shooting range, the way he'd looked away from them, the look in his eyes as they'd parted. Was it jealousy, desire, something else? She wasn't sure.
Down below, in the gateroom, a chevron lit up on the gate and Lenoir's voice announced, "Unscheduled offworld activation!"
***
Rodney stifled a gasp as his abdomen tightened again. Damn, but these Braxton-Hicks contractions were getting painful! He focused back on his laptop screen, typing quickly and then muttering in anger and backspacing over the gibberish he'd typed. He wasn't used to the smaller hands of this female form and kept placing his hands wrong on the keyboard. Distantly, he heard someone talking in the background, one-sided. He looked at his hands. Okay. On the right keys now. He chased down his previous thoughts and retyped carefully.
"Miko, are you okay? Miko?"
He looked up. Miko was standing at her usual place, face pale, trembling. "What's wrong?" he asked.
"That was... that was infirmary. John has been injured."
"Damn! How badly?" Simpson asked.
"I do not know. They wouldn't say and were hurrying because he is not the only one injured."
Rodney swallowed hard, fighting down panic for his team, for Radek. "For God's sake, go!" he snapped, more churlish than he'd intended. "Simpson, go with her, make sure she doesn't faint or anything."
Simpson gave him a quick disapproving look, then grabbed Miko. "Come on. Let's go."
Rodney watched them leave, conflicted. There wasn't anything he could do by being there except get in the way, but he wanted to go. He fought down a groan as another spasm hit him and then tried to focus back on his work, his mind in a whirl. If they'd called Miko, did that mean it was serious or was it a formality? Who else was hurt? They'd been too busy to explain to Miko. Did they not know or was it just that bad?
Suddenly there was a hand on his elbow. "You should go, too," Kavanagh said.
"I'd get in the way," Rodney answered, looking up at Kavanagh and pointedly pulling his arm away.
"They're your team. And Radek. You should go."
"Simpson will radio when they find out anything."
"Look," Kavanagh said, "you've got blood pressure issues as it is and this has to be stressing you out. It would be better for you to be there, just in case. I can take you if you want."
Rodney glared. "I'm quite capable of walk-- Agh!" He clenched his teeth, hissing.
"McKay? McKay, what's going on?"
"Brax... Braxton-Hicks contraction," he answered through gritted teeth.
Kavanagh yanked his chair back and laid a hand on his abdomen. "Goddammit, McKay! Those aren't Braxton-Hicks contractions. You're in labour."
***
"What happened?" Elizabeth asked.
Teyla fought to maintain a serene face, but knew she must look troubled. One of the nurse practitioners had cleaned and bandaged the graze on her arm and released her from the maelstrom that was the infirmary to the waiting room. Her three teammates were all being treated, leaving her to answer questions alone. "We were negotiating with members of the village council when one of their members who had been absent when we arrived came in. When he saw Ronon, he called him a 'wraithbringer' and opened fire without warning. Upon seeing this, all of the council pulled weapons."
"They were all armed?" Elizabeth asked.
Teyla nodded. "Colonel Sheppard commented on our arrival that it reminded him of an Earth location called Texas. I do not know if that means anything to you."
Elizabeth nodded. "A well-armed society is a polite society."
"That is the exact thing Colonel Sheppard said." She decided she would not like this place, Texas. "The Colonel and I both sought cover, but Ronon was pinned down and injured, as the first shot had gotten him in the shoulder. The one council member fired a second shot at Ronon and... and Doctor Zelenka stepped into the bullet's path, firing his own sidearm."
There was a hubbub and Teyla looked up to see Miko and Doctor Simpson enter the waiting room. "John?" Miko asked.
"He's being patched up right now," Elizabeth said. "He was conscious when they got here."
"He will be well, I am certain," Teyla answered.
"Okay, so the council started opening fire, Ronon was shot and pinned down, Radek stepped into the line of fire, and you and John were seeking cover," Elizabeth summed up, undoubtedly for Miko's benefit. "Please, go on."
"The shot he stepped into hit Doctor Zelenka's tactical vest," Teyla continued. "I do not believe it did him any damage, but the force of it knocked him off-balance and caused him to spin somewhat. A second bullet-- I do not know from whom-- caught him here under the arm, where there is no protection." She pointed high up on her own side, wincing as raising her arm pulled at her wound. "When he saw that Doctor Zelenka was injured, Ronon... became very distraught and began firing in a rage."
"Oh, my!" Simpson exclaimed.
"Seeing as the situation had degraded into combat, the Colonel and I began firing while trying to make our way to Doctor Zelenka." She paused, shaking her head. "I am unclear as to the order of events from there. I only know that we eventually escaped the council hall and made it back to the stargate with Ronon carrying Doctor Zelenka while the Colonel and I laid down cover fire. I believe the Colonel had already taken a hit to the arm, but during our escape to the gate, he was also shot in the leg."
Miko went very pale at this.
"He will be well," Teyla repeated, as much for her own benefit as for Miko's.
***
"Okay, okay, okay. Relax, McKay. Breathe through it. In and out. Come on." Kavanagh stood, watching McKay huff through another contraction. He was itching to hit his headset and call for a medical team, but Simpson had called and reported on the state of Team Sheppard and it didn't seem likely that the infirmary could spare anyone. Of all the times to go into labour, he thought wryly. "Ready? Okay. Just a few more steps to the transporter and then just a few from there to the infirmary. Come on."
***
"You need to wait in the waiting room," a nurse said, grabbing Rodney's arm to direct him back out of the infirmary. "We'll tell you what's going on as soon as we know anything."
"I'm not--"
"Teyla's out there. I'm sure she can fill you in."
"Wait, I'm--"
"Mer, we need you!" someone called.
"I'll be right there! Now, please, Doctor McKay, just wait outside," she said, pushing him through the door.
That did it. He opened his mouth to snap at her, when another contraction hit, silencing him.
"Of all the morons!" Kavanagh said, freezing the nurse in her tracks. "Are you blind? Can't you see McKay's in labour?"
The nurse blinked while Rodney tried to breathe through the pain.
"Why didn't you say so?" she demanded.
"I tried," Rodney said, weakly.
"Oh, God! Okay, um. How far apart are the contractions?"
"Three minutes," Kavanagh answered.
"Three minutes? Oh. Okay. Yeah. We'll get you to a bed."
"Mer?"
"I've got a problem here. Hold on!"
Teyla stepped up. "Perhaps I can be of assistance. I will help him to a bed and remain with him until someone is able to help."
The nurse looked grateful. "Oh, thank you! Just take her... him... um... over there."
Teyla led him to a bed and helped him into it, adjusting it so he was sitting up. "Shouldn't I be lying down?" Rodney asked.
"Not unless you wish to prolong you labour," she answered.
"Doctor McKay, how are you?"
Rodney looked up into Heightmeyer's grey-blue eyes. "Where's Carson?"
"He's in surgery with Doctor Zelenka," Heightmeyer answered. "I know it's unfair, but I'm afraid we're going to have to keep him from you for a while."
"How long?" Rodney asked. Heightmeyer hesitated. "Tell me how long!"
Heightmeyer reached out and took his hand. "Hours."
"Hours?" he asked, his voice quavering.
She nodded. "Assuming everything goes well."
Rodney tried not to think about what it would mean if Carson were freed up earlier than that.
***
John sat staring at the man in the next bed over, mind woolly from pain relievers, but he knew there was something he'd wanted to ask. Something... Ah, yes. "Why didn't you tell me?"
"Tell you what?" Ronon asked.
"You and Radek. You are, aren't you?"
Ronon grunted.
"Was that a yes?"
"He wanted to keep it quiet."
"Why?" John hadn't intended it to sound so plaintive.
"He's been hurt before."
John found himself drifting away. Wait, wait... What? "I wouldn't have... I wouldn't have hurt you. Either of you."
"I know," Ronon answered.
The door clicked open and Miko peeked inside. "John?"
"Hey, sweetheart. Come on in," John said, trying to hold out a hand and grimacing as it made the IV twist.
Her eyes glittered with tears, but she smiled as she gently took his hand.
***
Rodney leaned back against Teyla, who had settled behind him and held him tight. "Do not tense up," she instructed. "Let your body work. Breathe through it. In and out. Good. You are doing well, Rodney."
"I want Carson," Rodney whimpered.
"He'll be here soon," Heightmeyer promised.
***
Carson stood swaying, exhausted beyond all reason, as he let Biro finish up the sutures on Radek. He knew Elizabeth would be waiting for a report, but he wasn't sure he was even up to giving it. "How are the others?" he asked Mer as she stepped into the room.
"Miss Emmagan only had a graze. Colonel Sheppard and Specialist Dex are awake and recovering."
He nodded, tired eyes sweeping Radek's vitals, relieved to see them stable.
"There's something else, though," she said.
His fatigue vanished at the tone of her voice. "What?"
"You need to wash up. Doctor McKay is here in labour."
"Oh, good Lord! How long has he been here? Is he okay?" he asked, heading out and pulling off his scrubs as he went. "Why didn't ye tell me earlier?"
"Doctor Heightmeyer was afraid it might distract you too much," the nurse answered.
"She did, did she?" he snapped, though in truth he knew she was right. He reached the sink and began washing his hands furiously.
"She's, er, he's okay, really."
He shut off the water and toweled dry, turning to her. "So where is he?"
Her reply was cut off by the cry of a newborn baby, sounding angry at this harsh, cold, bright world it had been thrust out into. Carson's heart leapt and he dashed toward the sound.
***
Tears ran from his eyes, he wasn't sure whether from relief or joy, as Heightmeyer laid the baby in his arms.
"She is beautiful," Teyla said, wiping his face with a cool cloth.
"Hey! Shhh... It's okay," he said gently to the still-crying child.
The cries tapered off and blue-blue eyes blinked up into his. The baby hiccupped and he grinned, lost, absolutely besotted.
The door flew open and Carson stepped in, eyes wild, and then he froze, gazing in wonder at his family.
"Hi," Rodney said. "You missed all the excitement."
"I'm sorry, love," Carson said, stepping to the bed, eyes never leaving the pair before him. "I wanted to be here for you. I'm so sorry."
"It's okay," Rodney said, smiling up at him.
Heightmeyer and Teyla both stood and quietly slipped out.
Carson settled into the chair next to the bed, reaching out to touch the baby. "She's really here," he breathed.
"Yeah, she is."
Carson leaned over and kissed him, hot tears splashing onto Rodney's face, and then leaned down to press a kiss to the baby's forehead. "I love you."
"You better," Rodney said.
"Oh, I do." Carson slid his arms around both of them. "I do."
"So," Rodney said, gazing into the baby's face. "What do we call her? I mean, until we know for sure?"
"Why don't we call her by the name we picked out for a girl and if we have to change it in a couple of weeks, then we'll change it?"
"You think so?" Rodney asked.
"We can't just call her 'the baby', love," Carson said.
"Yeah," Rodney said. "Okay. So, Eve Marie Beckett-McKay."
Carson nodded. "For now."
Next part