My Brother's Keeper

Title: My Brother's Keeper

Author: Mice

Category: Stargate: Atlantis, Carson/Rodney/Ronon

Warnings: slash, h/c

Spoilers: Season two up to Aurora

Rating: NC17

Summary: Ronon decides that Carson and Rodney both need a keeper.

Archive: If it's on your list, you can archive it. If it isn't and you'd like it, just let me know where you're putting it.

Feedback: Feed me, Seymour.

Website: Mice's Hole in the Wall http://www.squidge.org/mice

Mirror: http://mice.inkpress.org

Disclaimer: Not mine. They belong to many other people. But if they were mine, they'd be having very interesting adventures.

Author's Notes: For the Beckett Slashathon, written for lisaroquin. Her two prompts: tired, annoyed. Evil kudos to Zortified for doing the 'thon in the first place, and for her killer beta skillz. Beta and handholding by Pas, despite her surgery, along with kaytee4ever, heuradys, and AmIReal.

***

For men of the same tribe or family little value one another when dangers press; but a band cemented by friendship grounded upon love is never to be broken, and invincible; since the lovers, ashamed to be base in sight of their beloved, and the beloved before their lovers, willingly rush into danger for the relief of one another.

~~Plutarch~~

Ronon held a steadying hand out to Beckett as the three of them climbed the steep, slippery mountainside. McKay was too worried about Beckett to complain about the situation; Ronon thought it only half a blessing. Sheppard's team had been sent to Anjavasa, a world with reasonably high technology, to scout for potential weapons against the Wraith, but they'd scattered when Darts were sighted.

Beckett wasn't doing well. He'd taken a bad blow to the head when they'd dived for cover not long ago. The shale slope had crumbled under him, sending him tumbling, and McKay had nearly leapt down after him. Only Ronon's firm hand had kept him under cover as the Dart went by.

Blood was flowing down the side of Beckett's bruised, dirty face. Ronon thought he'd broken something and they should stop soon to take care of it, but they were far too exposed on the open, rocky ground. They didn't need to be feeding the Wraith today.

McKay grabbed Ronon's arm, panting. "Carson needs... needs to stop," he huffed. Beckett's eyes were dazed and he said nothing, wobbling a little where he stood.

"I know," Ronon said. "It's too dangerous here." He pointed to a rock formation. "Probably a cave there." Beckett looked like he'd need the shelter.

McKay caught Beckett's weight when he swayed, holding him upright. "He's not... not going to make it." McKay blinked and paled when he realized what he'd said. "To the cave," he huffed. "By himself."

"Doesn't need to," Ronon said. He stooped and slipped the groggy healer across his shoulders. Beckett groaned and shuddered but held on, fingers clutching the leather and fabric of Ronon's thick coat. Ronon didn't want to say anything, but he was worried.

McKay just looked at him for a moment, exhaustion and annoyance in his face and the set of his body. "Need to catch... my breath."

"When we get there." If he was cautious, he could negotiate the treacherous slope without any further harm coming to his charge, but that assumed they wouldn't have to hide from a Dart again before they got to the cave.

McKay gave him a pained look and stumbled behind, hands and feet busy trying to keep his balance as Ronon led him along.

He could hear McKay panting as they neared the shelter, and the whine of a Dart approaching in the distance. Ronon knew by the sound that they'd make it unseen if McKay could keep the pace. "Hurry," he said, pushing himself hard with Beckett's weight on his shoulders. Beckett grunted with each step Ronon took, whimpering a little when he moved.

"Not much further," he assured Beckett. Ronon wished there was something he could do to ease the man's pain. He'd become very fond of the healer during his time in Atlantis.

"Hurts," came the quiet, strained reply. "Think... I broke something." Beckett's voice was slurred and Ronon didn't like that.

"Could things... be any worse?" McKay grumbled.

Ronon cast a glance at him. "Yes." They were almost to shelter. He could see the mouth of the cave and had to scramble the last stretch where it came close to vertical. Beckett twitched and covered his head with one arm as they scraped along the rock ledge on one side of the opening. Ronon set him down quickly but carefully then grabbed McKay by one arm and hauled him up into the small, damp space.

"Oh, great." McKay leaned against the wall for a moment. He peered at Beckett with an assessing look.

"Shelter is shelter," Ronon said, cutting him off before the complaints escalated. He turned back to Beckett, tugging the pack from his back and settling him carefully against the cave wall. McKay staggered over to Beckett and collapsed next to him.

"Carson?" McKay's face was red from the effort of the climb, but the worry in his eyes was clear. "How bad are you hurt?" He opened Beckett's pack and fished around inside. "Gotta... gotta get you patched up." Ronon could hear the fear in his voice.

"Let me," Ronon said, kneeling before them. McKay's hands were shaking and Ronon took the pack from him. "Catch your breath, then try calling Sheppard again. He's gotta be out there." He laid a hand on McKay's shoulder for a moment, hoping it would steady him. He might be noisy sometimes, but he was a good man if you could see past the bluster.

McKay nodded and swallowed. "Right, right." His eyes didn't leave Beckett. Ronon knew McKay worried a lot about Beckett. At first Ronon thought they were just good friends, but it hadn't been more than a week before he'd realized it was more than that.

They were quiet about it. That had surprised Ronon, because nothing else about McKay was quiet. Beckett was more soft-spoken, but anyone who looked at the man could read him easily. The fact that no one had ever said anything about them was just as strange.

The thing that made no sense at all was why they weren't living together. He wasn't sure what kinds of courting and partnering customs the Atlanteans had, but he could see how close these two were and, back on Sateda, people who acted like Beckett and McKay did together were usually mated or well on their way to it.

Ronon pulled a couple of field dressings from the medical kit. One he wet and used to clean Beckett's head wound. A moment's search brought him a tube of antibiotic and he smeared some over the bloody gash as Beckett hissed in pain.

"Carson?" McKay asked.

Ronon kept working, ignoring McKay. He pressed the second field dressing against the wound. He took McKay's hand and put it over the bandage. "Hold this."

"Right, right, holding" McKay said, restless. Beckett's eyes had slipped closed while Ronon was bandaging him.

"What do you think you broke?" He looked Beckett over closely after the bandage was tied securely, studying the way he held himself. Probably a rib or two.

Beckett indicated a place on his chest. "There."

"Colonel?" McKay tapped on his radio. "Col. Sheppard, do you read me?" His face twisted with disgust. "Damn it, nothing. Why does this always have to happen when somebody's injured?"

Ronon opened Beckett's vest and tugged at his shirt and Beckett grunted. "Och, tha' hurts." His voice was still slurring. McKay put a hand on Beckett's arm.

"Carson?" McKay's voice was quieter now, intense, and he looked at Beckett closely. Beckett turned his head slightly toward McKay, leaning it on the rock wall of the cave, and opened his eyes. He blinked.

"Rodney, can... any luck?"

McKay shook his head. He leaned in close to Beckett, foreheads nearly touching. "Nothing. We need to get you back to Atlantis."

Ronon's fingers found the fracture quickly by Beckett's hiss. "It's broken but not too bad. There's nothing we can do here."

McKay glared at him. "What? Can't you at least wrap it or something? The man's obviously in pain."

Beckett shook his head. "No' that bad," he said. His cringe afterward wasn't convincing, but he was right. Immobilizing the ribs wouldn't do much right now.

The Dart whined by outside and all of them stilled in the cramped space, looking toward the cave's opening. They couldn't see the sky from where they were, but Ronon knew the Dart hadn't found them. "Wonder why Sheppard isn't responding?" he said quietly, looking into Beckett's eyes. They looked more or less okay, but the light wasn't very good.

"I don't *know*," McKay snapped. "Maybe his radio's broken. Maybe he and Teyla were... um..." He shifted his weight nervously as Beckett moaned and he looked at Beckett. "Are you gonna be okay, Carson?"

Beckett closed his eyes and took McKay's wrist. "Home," he said softly.

"I know, I know," McKay muttered. He raised a hand as if to stroke Beckett's forehead but stopped and looked at Ronon instead. "What are we going to do now?" he asked. Beckett whimpered, almost inaudibly. "Easy, Carson. We'll get you out of here," McKay promised. "We'll get you home." His voice wavered as he spoke.

"They don't know we're here," Ronon said. "They were just doing a pass. They've probably headed down into the valley to do a culling in the city."

"Lovely," McKay growled. "At least it's not us. We should be doing something, not just sitting here watching the mold grow. My allergies are going to be acting up any minute now. And who knows what this'll do to Carson's breathing?"

Ronon shrugged and tapped his radio. "Sheppard? You out there?"

"Hey, Dex." Sheppard's voice was breathless. "Couldn't reply before. We were a little too busy hiding. We had some Wraith guards on the ground."

"Understood. Beckett's knocked his head, fractured a rib, maybe two. We need the Jumper to get him back. He's not gonna make it on his own." He looked back at Beckett, who was listing slightly toward McKay. McKay looked at him for a moment, looked at Ronon, and then let Beckett lean on him. Beckett's head fell slowly, coming to rest on McKay's shoulder.

"You didn't see this," McKay hissed softly as Ronon's radio clicked off, glaring at him.

Ronon blinked. That made no sense, but he'd ask about it later. Sheppard responded. "Crap. Is he conscious?"

Beckett tapped at his chest, missing his radio switch twice before giving up. "Barely," McKay said into his radio.

"Damn. Listen, Doc, we'll be back at the Jumper in about fifteen minutes. Dex, where the hell are you guys?"

Ronon nodded. "Cave about halfway up the slope to the west of you."

"Right, gotcha. Sheppard out."

"What?" McKay snapped. "He can't land out there!"

"They hover, don't they?"

McKay's eyes widened, then he grumbled. "Right, yes. Of course they do. Hovering." His arm slipped around Beckett and he was stroking Beckett's shoulder, seemingly unaware of it.

"What is it that I didn't see?" Ronon raised an eyebrow as he watched McKay.

McKay startled and made to pull his arm back, but Beckett groaned and McKay stopped moving. He mumbled something soft to Beckett, stroking his cheek gently then looked back up at Ronon. "This. You didn't see this."

"Why?"

McKay glowered at him. "What, you mean I have to spell it out to you?"

"I have no idea what you're talking about, McKay."

McKay sighed and pulled Beckett a little closer, being careful of his ribs. "Don't tell me you haven't noticed that there are a lot of military on Atlantis."

"Of course. What's that got to do with anything?" Ronon asked. Beckett looked like he was going in and out of focus as they talked.

"Most of the military," Beckett said, "not keen on... on men... together."

Ronon blinked. "What?"

Beckett's hand tightened on McKay's wrist. McKay looked terrified. "So, like, don't tell anyone about this," McKay said.

"I don't understand. Why would anyone be upset?"

McKay gave him a long, hard look. "You really don't get it, do you?"

"What I don't get," Ronon said, "is why you two aren't living together. That makes no sense."

McKay paled. Beckett just looked up at Ronon, eyes narrowed with pain. "Can we not have this conversation?" McKay squeaked.

"You're hiding it?" Ronon asked. The Atlanteans were really strange people.

"Yes! Yes, we're hiding it!" McKay shouted. Beckett flinched. "Sorry," McKay said, much more softly.

"Not doing a very good job," Ronon said. "I figured it out about a week after I got here."

McKay rubbed his palm over his face. "Oh peachy. If anyone else finds out, we're in for a world of shit."

"Why?" Ronon asked.

"People from our planet are frequently uncomfortable with two men... umm... well... with two men." McKay looked pretty uncomfortable talking about it, too. Beckett shifted and buried his face in McKay's shoulder.

"But what's the military got to do with any of this? That's just stupid."

McKay glared at him. "The American military's the worst about it. Seriously -- where we come from? They kill people like us for... for being people like us. People are tortured and raped and murdered for being like us." Ronon could see a shadow of genuine fear behind McKay's eyes. McKay turned to Beckett for a moment, his arms surrounding the healer protectively. "Carson, try to rest." Beckett nodded carefully, then flinched, eyes squeezing shut in pain.

Ronon growled, angry at the thought. It couldn't be as bad as McKay believed. He was sure he wasn't the only one to have figured it out, and nobody had harmed them. McKay probably meant somebody might say mean things to him. Wouldn't be the first time he'd made a mountain out of a bump.

"Feel sick," Beckett whispered.

"Easy, okay? We'll get you home as soon as we can." McKay's brow wrinkled and he let his forehead touch Beckett's temple for a moment. Ronon had never seen him act like that before. Hadn't really seen McKay touch much of anybody willingly. Beckett slowly slumped into McKay, boneless. "Carson?" There was an edge of something frantic in his voice.

Ronon didn't believe for a second that Sheppard would allow anyone to be violent with McKay and Beckett just because they were together. "But they're supposed to be Brothers," he said. "It's how the military does things."

"Maybe yours," McKay said. "Sheppard's, not so much."

Ronon nodded. "I see." Suddenly a lot of things about the Atlanteans made more sense. "So none of the military men sleep together?"

McKay sputtered, shock on his face. "Not the Americans, at any rate. If they do, they can't say anything about it or they'll be thrown out. And that's if the people around them are feeling generous and don't just beat the shit out of them. They're the majority of the Atlantis military right now."

"No wonder they never felt right." Ronon shook his head. "How do they expect to bond if they're not Brothers?"

McKay touched Beckett's face again, his voice soft. "Carson? Talk to me." Beckett didn't respond. "Crap, he's passed out."

"That's not good."

McKay glared at him. "No shit, Mr. Obvious," he snarled. He shook his head. "What if he dies before Sheppard gets here?" He gave Ronon a panicked look.

"I doubt that'll happen."

"Yeah, and what's your medical degree in?"

"I was trained in basic field aid in the military. Everyone was. He's still breathing."

McKay held Beckett gently, touching the pulse point at his throat. He looked up when the hum of the Jumper's engine sounded in the distance. "Oh, thank god."

"Don't worry," Ronon said. He stood and went to the opening of the cave. He looked up but didn't see the Jumper. They were probably cloaked anyway. He waved and the sound of the Jumper's engine came closer. "They'll be here in a minute," Ronon called back to McKay.

The Jumper decloaked in front of them. "Hurry it up here, guys," Sheppard shouted. "Can't leave us exposed for long."

Ronon leaned down and took Beckett from McKay, carrying him carefully. McKay picked up Beckett's pack and hurried after them. "Let's get out of here," Ronon said.

"Yes, by all means," McKay echoed, panic in his voice. "Have a med team waiting. Carson's passed out."

"Gotcha," Sheppard said. Teyla and McKay helped Ronon ease Beckett down onto one of the benches as they raced for the Gate.

***

Rodney was on his fourth cup of coffee after midnight. Carson was sleeping. His barely competent staff had insisted he'd be all right, but Rodney wasn't so sure. He wasn't going to believe anything until he was able to speak to Carson himself, and get a clear, coherent response. He was startled when he heard footsteps.

"Hey." Ronon slipped his head inside the privacy curtains. "Still awake, huh?"

"No, I'm sleeping with my eyes open," Rodney snapped, but he was quiet about it, not wanting to wake Carson.

Ronon came in and held up a powerbar. "Thought you might need this."

Rodney calmed down a little. "Yeah, okay. Thanks." He took the bar, ripping open the wrapper, and ate it quickly. He wished his stomach would settle.

"How's he doing?" Ronon's voice was soft.

Rodney shrugged. "Asleep. They're saying he'll be okay."

"Told you."

Rodney snorted. "When you learn to use cutlery, I might consider listening to your medical opinion."

Ronon just smiled, pulled up a chair, and sat next to him. "How are you doing?"

"Fine. I'm fine." It was a lie, but he wasn't going to admit to anything.

"Don't look it."

Rodney glared at him. "I think know how I'm doing, thank you."

"Don't wake him," Ronon said, tilting his head toward Carson.

Rodney blinked. "Sorry," he said quietly. "Is there a reason you're here?" He settled back into his chair.

"Thought you might want to sleep with somebody watching him." Ronon's lips quirked into a one sided smile.

"I... no. I've got too much caffeine in my system to sleep right now, but thanks." The offer was tempting and even appreciated; he was surprised Ronon realized he wasn't going to sleep if somebody he trusted wasn't watching Carson. Rodney, however, wasn't going to leave until after his lover opened his eyes.

"Not gonna do him any good if you're exhausted." Ronon watched him and Rodney fidgeted.

"I'm fine. Really." He rubbed at an ache in the back of his neck.

Ronon shook his head. "Let me." He reached out with one massive paw and touched Rodney. Rodney twitched. Ronon's hand was warm.

"What do you think you're doing?"

Ronon shrugged. "Trying to help." His hand closed gently, squeezing a little where Rodney's fingers were. Rodney moved his hand away and Ronon squeezed a little harder. Actually, it felt kind of good. "You mind?"

"Uh, well maybe... I guess not." Rodney relaxed a little and let Ronon massage the sore place.

"Sheppard been by?" Ronon asked.

Rodney nodded, leaning a little into the strong hand. "About 2200, before he went to bed."

"Good."

Rodney sighed. "He was worried too."

Ronon nodded, shifting a little closer as his fingers moved. "If I know, he probably does."

Rodney's heart skipped a beat and he looked up at Ronon, panic rising. "We can't talk about this here," he hissed. "Really, trust me. It's a lousy idea."

"Nobody's here," Ronon said. "The nurse is in her office."

Rodney grabbed Ronon's wrist, stilling his hand for a moment. "Please. You really don't understand." Rodney was whispering now, frantic. "He's hurt badly enough. Do you want to see anyone hurt him worse?"

Ronon frowned. "No. But Sheppard would never let that happen."

"Sheppard wouldn't know about it before it did." Rodney took a deep breath. "It's not that I don't trust the Colonel, it's that I don't trust any of his goons."

"Why?" Ronon's fingers began moving again.

Rodney slumped a little in his chair. "Look, before we got back in contact with Earth, it might not have been so bad, but with Caldwell in and out on the Daedalus there's just too much chance that somebody who isn't... well, who hasn't been through what the rest of us have will see this and decide they don't like it."

"It's none of their business." Ronon gestured to Carson. "Everyone likes him. Nobody would hurt him."

"They'd change their minds, believe me. And I'm not nearly so popular." Rodney shuddered, not wanting to imagine someone hurting Carson. "Neither of us are military, but that doesn't mean that they wouldn't take offense."

"On Sateda we were taught that the best soldiers, the best warriors, were Brothers." Rodney could hear the capital letter in Ronon's voice. "They take better care of each other. They risk more for each other."

"Sheppard's superiors don't believe that," Rodney said. "In fact, they think it harms morale, that it's unnatural. And the general attitude is that anyone who... who sleeps with other men is a threat to military order and discipline. So we don't talk about it. And we shouldn't be talking about it now." Rodney's heart was racing. "You don't know what they do to people like us back there. They'd hurt him. They'd hurt me. If the Canadians were in charge, this shit wouldn't happen."

Ronon's eyes narrowed. "I won't let anything happen to either of you." His thumb strayed along the side of Rodney's neck, almost a caress, and Rodney shivered.

"You wouldn't even know what to look for," Rodney insisted.

Ronon gave him a solemn look. "I know what danger looks like."

"Why do you even care?" Rodney asked, confused.

"Because I see you." He looked over at Carson. "I see him."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

Ronon turned back to Rodney, fingers still moving. "I have some things to think about." Ronon's hand left Rodney's neck. He rose and looked down at Rodney. "Try to sleep." With that, he turned and left. Rodney watched the soft sway of the curtains for a moment then turned back to Carson. He rested a hand on Carson's arm, thumb tracing gentle circles on the bare, warm skin.

"Weird."

***

Carson shifted his weight gently on the couch, tucking his feet back under the blanket. He still had a miserable headache and his cracked ribs throbbed despite the pain medications. He'd been home from the infirmary for about a day now. Rodney had been by several times to fret over him, but it was driving him more than a wee bit mad.

When the door chimed, he looked over at it. "Not now, Rodney," he called wearily. The door opened anyway. It wasn't Rodney.

"Hey," Ronon said. "How you doing?"

"Ronon? This is a surprise." Carson settled back carefully and sighed. "Not so bad," he said. "Still hurts though."

Ronon nodded. "Yeah. It will for a while. Mind some company?"

"I suppose I could do with a little."

"Not McKay?" A ghost of a smile crossed his face for a moment.

Carson smiled. "Only because he's been here three times already today, the great lout. It wouldn't be so bad if he'd help out a bit more, but he mostly frets and doesn't do much."

"Sounds like him." Ronon smiled. He sat in the chair next to the couch.

"Aye," Carson sighed and smiled back. "That's just Rodney."

"I've been thinking," Ronon said. He tilted his head thoughtfully, dredlocks falling forward to shadow his face.

Carson raised an eyebrow. He'd always believed Ronon thought more than he spoke. "About what, lad?"

"You. McKay." Ronon paused, and Carson waited, wondering what this was about. "He loves you."

Carson's heart nearly stopped. They'd tried to be discreet, but he knew how hard it was for Rodney not to show anything. He took a deep breath. "Aye, he does," he whispered. He had vague memories of Ronon and Rodney talking in the cave, but none of it was coming clear.

"Seems like it's hard for him, hiding it." Ronon was watching him, brown eyes half closed.

"For both of us," Carson admitted, unsure of how he felt about Ronon's knowledge. "Why?" He cringed, holding a hand to his head as the pain spiked behind one eye. "Och," he hissed, squeezing his eyes shut against it.

A moment later, the couch sank a bit with Ronon's weight. "Easy," Ronon said softly. One large hand stroked Carson's forehead soothingly. Carson startled and looked up.

"What's this then?" he asked.

"Just want to help." Carson nodded and sighed and forced himself to relax his tight muscles. He took a few long, measured breaths. "That's better," Ronon said. His hand continued the warm, gentle stroke, easing the spike in Carson's head.

"Thanks," Carson said quietly, suddenly exhausted by the pain, his energy drained.

"Why doesn't Sheppard take better care of you two?" Ronon asked. His deep, rumbling voice was quiet.

"I don't know what you mean," Carson said. He didn't want to open his eyes. The light bothered him even though it was low.

Ronon's weight shifted, his hip resting against Carson's side as he kept up the careful motion of his hand. "He should be here," Ronon said.

Carson opened one eye and looked up. "He should? Why?"

"He's the commander here. You're his responsibility."

Carson shook his head, trying to understand what Ronon was getting at. "His responsibility? No, lad. He's only responsible for the military here."

Ronon sighed, fingers straying into Carson's hair. It felt good. "The way you people do things, it confuses me. You and McKay aren't soldiers, but you have to work with them; go on missions with them. You have to be like them."

Carson shifted and sat, looking into Ronon's brown eyes. "We've been isolated from our world for a long time now, at least until recently, and getting there and back is still difficult. We do what we have to in order to survive. And I'm still not sure what you're on about regarding Colonel Sheppard."

"On Sateda, he'd be the one taking care of you. The Taskmaster does that. You're not trained for what you're doing, so you need somebody to watch over you. Seems like he can't, so I will."

Carson blinked. Ronon's hand was still moving, soothing the pain. He reached up and put his own over it. "We can take care of ourselves, you know."

Ronon nodded. "I know. But in the field, you need help." Ronon's hand stilled.

"This isn't offworld."

"I know that too. And nobody's taking care of you now."

Carson's brow wrinkled. "What are you trying to say, lad?"

Ronon leaned down until his forehead touched Carson's, his hand still cupping Carson's temple. "You and McKay, you need a Brother." Ronon raised his face and looked into Carson's eyes. "It's not an insult, to be cared for. It's an honor."

Carson gave him a blank look. "A Brother? I don't think I understand."

"Brothers are responsible for each other," Ronon said. "When you took that tracking device out of my back, that was the act of a Brother." Carson just nodded and let him continue. "There's a bond between Brothers. They work together. They watch each other's backs. They share a bed. They take care of each other if they're hurt. They--"

"Just a minute now. Share a bed?" Carson blinked. "What's this?"

"It's part of it. Not the whole thing."

Carson shook his head. "You're saying you think the Colonel should be... should be sleeping with me and Rodney?"

"If he were Satedan, he would be."

"He's not, nor are we. And-- wait, lad, are you suggesting you should be?"

"Since Sheppard can't -- or won't."

"No, no." He waved a hand in the air. "I'm not getting this. You think he should be sleeping with all his men?" Carson was too confused to dwell on Ronon's assertion that anyone should be sleeping with both him and Rodney.

"No. The Taskmaster chooses men as his elite. Those are the ones he's with. But you're different, and on Sateda, you'd be the Taskmaster's personal responsibility. If he couldn't, he'd give his most trusted Brother that honor."

"You do realize that Rodney and I are together?"

Ronon nodded. "But that's not what this is about."

Carson's head was still spinning about the whole concept. "Then what is it about?"

Ronon shook his head, smiling. "Responsibility. Protection. Honor. Making sure no one gets left behind."

"Nobody gets left behind here." Carson took a deep breath. Ronon was a little too close for comfort now, though neither of them had moved.

"Not their bodies. But you were here alone."

"This... this is all a bit much for me right now." Carson shifted back a little on the couch. "I'm not sure I'm comfortable with it all." When the door chimed, Ronon sat back a little but didn't get up. Carson breathed a sigh of relief. "Who is it?" he asked.

The door opened and Rodney came in. He stopped for a moment and looked at both of them. "Am I interrupting something?" He sounded uncertain. "I mean, I really hope not."

"Just a conversation," Carson said. He held out a hand to Rodney. "Come on over, love."

"What are you doing here?" Rodney asked Ronon as he came over and took Carson's hand.

"Making sure he's all right," Ronon replied.

"Seemed like you had a wee bit more on your mind than that," Carson said softly.

"What do you mean by that?" Rodney asked, suspicion in his voice. He stared at Ronon.

Carson tugged at Rodney's hand, pulling him down for a hug. Rodney gave in, reluctantly. "I think we're having a bit of a misunderstanding."

Rodney looked up at Ronon from where he knelt next to the couch, arms around Carson. "What's going on?"

"He's got this idea that... that..." Carson wasn't sure what he could say that wouldn't set Rodney off on a neurotic rant.

"Is this about that whole taking care of us thing again?" Rodney asked. "Because really, adults here."

"Aye, something like that." Carson sighed as Rodney got up and slipped onto the couch behind him. He pulled Rodney's arms tighter around his chest, avoiding the aching place where his ribs were cracked.

"It's not that simple," Ronon said.

"Then explain it to me," Rodney snapped.

Carson shook his head. "Oh, this is goin' ta be brilliant," he muttered. He listened as Ronon carefully explained what he'd told Carson earlier, Rodney getting more and more agitated as the explanation went along.

"So what you're saying is that... that you think either you or Sheppard should be sleeping with us?" Rodney's voice held a combination of astonishment and shock that would have been amusing if Carson weren't feeling it himself.

"You both keep asking that."

"Well, it's a good question!" Rodney shouted. Carson cringed as the sound shot through his head. "Sorry." Rodney tightened his grip on Carson possessively, still staring at Ronon. "You think I'm gonna give him up just because you want him? You're nuts."

Ronon sighed. "It's not about that. I told you."

"Look, I know you could beat the crap out of me with both hands tied behind your back. Hell, you could probably do it with your hair, but really, he's mine." Rodney's voice was taking on an edge of hysteria now.

"Easy, love," Carson said. "I'm not going anywhere."

"Yes, well, thank you for that, but I'm not sure Chewbacca here gets it."

Carson held Rodney's hand, appreciating that Rodney was willing to risk dealing with Ronon on his behalf, but he honestly doubted it would come to that. "I don't think he's trying to suggest stealing me away from you."

"No," Ronon said. "Why are you stuck on that? It's not like I want to break you up."

Rodney moved restlessly behind Carson. "It's pretty big, in case you hadn't noticed."

Ronon shrugged. "Not really."

Carson stroked Rodney's arm gently, resting against his broad chest. "Ronon, lad, I gather that you like us and that you think we're... I don't know, worth taking care of I suppose, but that's just not how our people do these things."

"I know," Ronon said, "but maybe it should be." He reached out and took Rodney's arm, looking him in the eyes. "It's not just about Beckett."

"Oh, god, he's suggesting some sort of perverted threesome now, isn't he?" He glared at Ronon. "You remember what I told you about what they do to people like us back home? If we got involved in some kinky threesome, it would be like ten times worse. A hundred times worse. Worse to the hundredth power."

Ronon sighed. "I think I should go."

"Yes," Rodney said. "Yes, I think you should."

Carson put a hand on Ronon's knee. "I appreciate what it seems you're offering, Ronon. I'm just not sure either of us can quite wrap our brains around it."

Ronon nodded. "I know. Give it time." He stood and went to the door. Pausing for a moment, he looked back at them. "Think about it." With that, he left.

"Oh god oh god." Rodney was muttering, shaking his head. "What the hell was that all about?"

Carson turned in his arms. "Far as I could tell, he thinks we both could use a little extra watching offworld. I'm not so sure he's wrong about that, you know. If it wasn't for that other bit, I'd be right flattered that he thinks we're worth it. And to be honest, I wouldn't mind having a man like that thinking you were his personal charge when you're away."

"You can't be serious." Rodney rested his cheek against Carson's temple. "Tell me you're not serious."

One hand brushed along Rodney's arm, moving up to his shoulder, and Carson kissed him softly. "I'm not sure what to think right now, to be honest. I just know I worry for you when you're away. You come home hurt so often."

Rodney stared at him. He touched the stitches in Carson's scalp. "And you don't?"

"He may have a point."

"Yeah, and he was the one who was allegedly looking after us when you got this way." Rodney's eyes narrowed.

"Aye, but what would have happened to me if he'd not been there?"

Rodney paused for a moment, looking shaken. "Not going there," he whispered, his voice rough with emotion.

"So perhaps the lad's right."

"I don't want to think about it," Rodney said. "I came here to see you, not get mixed up in some kinky threesome discussion."

Carson sighed. "Then let's set it aside for now. We'll have time enough to talk later."

"You're not thinking of trading me in for a younger, better looking model, are you?" Rodney's face showed his worry. Carson smiled.

"No, Rodney. I don't want anyone but you." He kissed Rodney again, harder this time, wanting to convince his lover. The man could be so insecure; there were moments when Carson wanted to be able to sear it into Rodney's brain that he wasn't like to leave.

"You mind if I stay tonight?" Rodney asked.