The Balcony I

by Anne Isabelle

URL: http://www.area52hkh.net/asa/aisabelle/balcony01.php
Summary: McKay's rape and its aftermath

Beckett was pacing the gate room like a caged panther. He was worried sick about McKay because Rodney was injured. The Major didn't have precise info on the nature of the injury when he had contacted Weir a few minutes ago, nor had he said if Rodney was gravely hurt or not. But Sheppard had asked a medical team to be here to take care of the scientist upon their arrival back to Atlantis, which was imminent now.

Dr. Weir stood not very far of the Stargate looking at the agitated head medical doctor with sympathy. She knew that he and Rodney were lovers, secretly. The way the two men looked at each other, lovingly and with adoration, when they thought that nobody would see, as well as their stealthy caresses when they were close to each other left no doubts thereupon. She could understand why they wanted to keep their love secret: the fear of the homophobia, the fright at being mocked, despised, the fright at being rejected. They didn't want to suffer from all that. Plus their love had to remain discreet because the military didn't like such relationships at all. Although neither men were technically in the military they did have to associate with them on a day-to-day basis. She smiled, happy for them, they were good men, and yes, even Rodney. The head scientist was sometimes arrogant, obnoxious, pompous, snarky and insufferable – but he was also a compassionate, tolerant person at heart too, and gentle, loving, caring, adorable with those he loved. Both Beckett and he needed to be happy. Thus, she could understand the head doctor's fears, very genuinely.

Carson Beckett chewed his lower lip anxiously and continued to pace the gate room hands behind his back. He suddenly stopped dead in his tracks when the Stargate came to life. Immediately the shield was activated preventing anyone from coming through the gate.

Suddenly Major Sheppard's voice was heard, "Atlantis, this is Sheppard, we're coming back in hot."

Elizabeth Weir heard, "It's Major Sheppard's IDC!" coming from the control tower then she ordered, "Lower the shield!"

The shield was deactivated a few seconds later.

Dying slowly with anxiety Beckett had started to gnaw at his fingernails when Sheppard and Ford appeared, followed by Teyla. They all looked devastated. The good doctor felt his heart skip a beat when he didn't see Rodney appearing behind them, thinking he was dead and he thought that he went pass out with pain and grief.

But ...

Rodney McKay was the last one to step out from the event horizon and everyone present in the gate room, except for Sheppard, Teyla, and Ford, and in the control room let out a gasp of surprise. The head scientist was almost naked and his face was battered and bloodied. His shoulders, torso, arms were black and blue and the man was as pale as a specter.

Huge embarrassment and intense shame froze McKay on the spot when he noticed a few surprised looks. Pale and trembling he tightly gripped Sheppard's jacket, which he had wrapped around his waist in order to hide his genitals and buttocks... but which unfortunately didn't hide the dried blood and semen, which spattered his pale legs. Then he saw his lover - Dr. Beckett and a medical team in tow, heading towards him, looking concerned. He suddenly squeaked and fled at top speed from the gate room not wanting to be touched by anyone, especially a man, crying out with hysteria.

Beckett wanted to catch his lover but the other man had already left the gate room. He looked at Sheppard, totally lost. "What the hell happened to Rodney? Why did he react like this?"

*

Rodney McKay ran and ran and ran in the corridors tears flooding his pale and haggard face, panting, not paying attention to the people he passed and who looked at him with astonishment as though he had become mad. All that the scientist wanted was to go hide in his quarters and to cry until he had no more tears and then black out of exhaustion.

* * *

Dr. Weir looked at Major Sheppard worryingly, "What happened to Rodney Major?"

The Major sighed sadly and then said, "What happened to McKay is entirely my fault Dr. Weir. McKay is a member of my team, a civilian who I have promised myself to protect because he's the most important person here, no offense. He's the one who can figure things out. McKay is our best mind, which makes him almost by definition the most valuable scientist in the galaxy. He's the one who one day will find a way to defeat the Wraith... and he's my best friend." Guilt twisted in Sheppard's gut at the thought of his failure. "I failed..."

Elizabeth lifted her hand up. "I understand your reaction Major. When the responsibility of leadership is on your shoulders it is hard when one of your people is hurt. But Doctor McKay chose willingly to be part of your team and he had accepted the risks of it... I know, it's hard, Rodney is your team mate, your best friend, but he's still alive... Now Major, I want to know what happened to Rodney."

Sheppard nodded. "To sum up, while we explored some ruins a group of natives ambushed us. We were taken to their village. There, the chief of the tribe found McKay to his taste and he ordered two guards to bring him to his hut. Rodney defended himself, but he was battered then... then he was raped Elizabeth. I-I can still hear him howling in pain and crying. The chief of the tribe raped and beat Rodney often. Teyla, Ford, and I... we finally succeeded in escaping, and liberating Rodney, then we returned to the Stargate as quickly as possible, with warriors pursuing us. I asked that a medical team be here because Rodney is hurt and in a state of shock ..."

Elizabeth Weir was aghast and she was speechless for a moment then she nodded and voice betraying her emotions, she said, "Poor Rodney. We have to help him."

Beckett horrified, let out a strangled cry then shaken, he nodded, and doing his best to stay in professional mode said, "It is necessary to bring him to the infirmary so that I can treat him. He could have internal damage and lose more blood."

Dr. Weir nodded. "You're right doctor. Find Rodney Major and take Dr. Beckett with you."

* * *

Rodney entered his quarters finally. When he saw the door of the bathroom, he couldn't resist the desire to wash, to rub, to clean away the sweat, blood and sperm, which mucked up his skin. He rubbed his body forcefully and did it again several times never thinking he was clean enough. Once the skin was reddened by rough rubbings and wrinkled by water, McKay broke down. He sank to his knees on the wet tiled floor and started to cry his eyes out.

* * *

Major Sheppard and Dr. Beckett felt their throats tighten with both pain and sadness when they found McKay rolled in a trembling ball under the shower spray, his eyes tight shut, weeping, his whole body shaking from time to time with erratic spasms. They both blanched when they saw a pool of fresh blood beneath the scientist.

Beckett turned the shower off then he knelt beside the distraught man, saying softly, "It's me Rodney, it's Carson. John is here too. We're not going to harm you..." When he reached out McKay, terrified, let out a scream his look haunted then he took refuge in the other corner of the big shower stall leaving a trail of blood behind him. As McKay leaned his back against the wall, wrapping his arms around his torso in a protective attitude the doctor then noticed the fingered-shaped bruises on the pale thighs, and huge bruises on the other man's hips. "Oh God!... Take it easy Rodney... I'm here to help you. You're injured and suffering. Let me take care of you..." Tears welled up to his eyes. Seeing his lover like this broke his heart, ripped his soul. "Please Rodney, let me help you..."

Rodney shook his head, pulled his knees up to his chest to roll himself in a ball again.

Carson looked at Sheppard expectantly. "Major, we have to find a way to bring Rodney in the infirmary..."

Sheppard nodded, reached out and... in a flash his fingers found immediately the nerve in the connection of the neck and McKay's shoulder and he pressed there. Rodney closed his eyes and his head fell on his chest. Then the major laid him down slowly on the wet tiled floor.

Beckett was sincerely impressed, "Good job Major! You neutralized Rodney like Mr. Spock would have, smoothly and efficiently." The doctor tapped his radio and then said, "Dr. Matterson, I need a medical team to Dr. McKay's quarters immediately. Bring a stretcher."

"On my way!" Matterson replied.

* * *

Dr. Weir drew the privacy curtain, which protected McKay from the inquisitive looks of the other patients of the infirmary and let out a shocked gasp when she saw Rodney's prone form. The back of the bed was tilted up, so Rodney was reclined at an angle, his head resting on his left shoulder. Unshaven, with shadows staining the skin beneath his eyes, the head scientist lay still and pale, hooked up to IV's and monitors that beeped softly. His face was swollen and tinged with purple, blue, green and yellow. He breathed so slowly, almost imperceptibly, that he looked like a corpse.

Elizabeth bent towards McKay and took his hand in hers. It was very hot. Rodney, heavily sedated, was sleeping soundly. She looked up at Beckett who had just joined her and asked, "How is he?"

Beckett sighed and answered, "He's out of danger Dr. Weir, that's the good news. But he has multiple rectal and anal tearing and anal bleeding. The anal bleeding is under control, as for the rectal and anal tearing... it will take time to heal. Physically, he will heal, but he will be in pain for a couple of weeks. Dr. Henderson had to perform surgical intervention... He will recover with time, as for his emotional recovery well... it depends on the person actually. Everyone is different. Some get over the trauma relatively quickly others take a lifetime to recover. There are some who pretend to cope, but once they're alone they are a mess, and there are others who openly admit that they are in distress, and they take all the help they can get. But unfortunately others can't bear the emotional chaos poisoning their mind and they chose to end their life not to suffer anymore..."

Dr. Weir nodded sadly. "Yes, I know. Which one do you think Rodney will be Doctor?"

Carson sighed again, "Rodney is a sensitive, emotional and fragile man. Knowing him as I know him... I think that he's going to try to commit suicide."

Elizabeth grimaced. "When Rodney's physically able to, Dr. Heightmeyer is going to take care of him. He will need therapy, which will be long and painful I'm afraid. He cannot be allowed to kill himself. You will watch him carefully Carson, I'm counting on you."

Beckett nodded. "Of course!"

* * *

Beckett opened his eyes wide with surprise: Rodney's bed was empty. Surprise quickly turned to panic. McKay had left the infirmary indubitably to commit suicide. He guessed where his lover probably was and made a dash towards the door. He then ran through the corridors at top speed jostling people here and there while cursing his personnel, which had not watched over McKay tonight, thinking that the scientist in his state would not move an inch. He also blamed himself for having slept a few hours and not watching over Rodney. Rodney, who in spite of his state, he continued to muse, had found enough strength to leave his bed and then the infirmary seizing the opportunity that he was alone. Then he had probably headed where they had made love for the first time, a week ago, far from prying eyes and ears.

Carson swore in a low voice. He knew that nothing could stop the stubborn Canadian when he had decided to do something.

The doctor finally reached the transporter. He touched the interface and was dematerialized instantly. He materialized a few seconds later in a remote part of the south part of the still unexplored Atlantis and again he ran in the corridors, gasping, praying that Rodney was not already dead when he reached their balcony.

*

Beckett was out of breath and bone tired when he saw McKay sitting on the floor, leaning on the guardrail of the balcony. The other man had a syringe in his hand and looked like a ghost.

"Oh dear God!" The doctor said, relieved that Rodney was still alive and relieved too that the syringe was still full of a bluish liquid.

Carson knelt beside his lover, slowly, gently, not wanting to frighten the other man more than he was already.

Rodney breathed, "It' s a powerful sedative. I stole the syringe and the sedative from the infirmary. An overdose would have been fatal to me Carson."

The doctor nodded and reached out, his hand open. "Give me the syringe Rodney. Please."

McKay complied then he said his voice hoarse, "I tried to kill myself, but I couldn't. My sufferings would have ceased yes, but yours would have begun and I don't want you to suffer because of me. I like you more than everything in the world and I could never make you suffer, never."

Tears ran down Beckett's cheeks then he fondled his lover's jaw tenderly, making the other man move back hurriedly and gasp with fear. "I'm sorry, I didn't want to frighten you."

Rodney tried to smile, but failed. "I'm sorry Carson. I didn't want to react like this. But since I was raped..."

Carson nodded. "You can't bear to be touched by a man. It's terrifying you. Don't worry, I understand luv. I'm going to wait. Take your time to recover."

McKay shook his head. "I don't want to wait. I'm terrified but I need... I need you to hold me. Hold me Carson."

Beckett frowned worryingly. "You're sure Rodney?"

Rodney nodded. "Yes."

Carson pulled Rodney into a bone-crushing hug expecting that his lover would push him back, terrified. But it didn't happen. Beckett's surprise turned to joy. Rodney started to tremble and to pant heavily as he controlled his fear, then when he felt at ease in the other man's arms, reveling in his familiar warmth and scent, feeling safe and loved he progressively relaxed. Then he returned the hug with everything he had, burying his nose in Carson's neck. "I love you Carson, I love you." He repeated again and again.

"I love you too Rodney," Beckett said when Rodney finally stopped. Then he began rocking McKay back and forth, rubbing his hand up and down his lover's spine in a soothing way. After a moment he finally remembered that Weir and Sheppard were probably worried sick about their absence. They probably thought that Rodney had killed himself and that he was grieving. His hand reached automatically to his earpiece.

"Beckett to Weir."

"Weir here. Is everything okay Carson?" Elizabeth's concern came through clearly over the comm.

Beckett nodded. "Aye. I found him, he's OK. He needs comfort so I'm going to stay here with him a little."

"All right. Take your time. Weir out."

One hour later, Carson and Rodney both physically and emotionally raw laid down on the balcony having neither the force nor the will to go back to the infirmary. They fidgeted for a few seconds, getting as comfortable as possible, ending up with Beckett laying on his back and McKay's head resting on his lover's chest where he could hear the doctor's slow and regular heart beat, enjoy his warmth, feel safe and protected. Twined together, the two lovers fell fast asleep.

A very painful nightmare woke up McKay approximately two hours later and frightened the scientist rolled himself into a trembling ball, gasping, eyes tight shut. Awaken too Beckett sat beside the other man not knowing what to do. He wanted to pull Rodney in his arms to rock him, in a soothing gesture but Rodney could badly react to the touch.

He chose not to move and said, "It was a nightmare luv. A bad dream. I'm here with you, you're safe."

McKay said his voice hoarse, "I tried to push him back, but he was stronger than me... I resisted Carson, I resisted. "

Beckett nodded. "I know Rodney. I know." He tentatively touched Rodney's shoulder and as the man didn't react badly, he gently and slowly made him roll on the other side, so that Rodney could face him. "You are still in shock luv. You need help."

McKay nodded. "Yes, help... I'm not feeling good Carson... maybe we should go to the infirmary..."

Beckett helped McKay to stand and noticed that the other man was very pale and fought nausea. The scientist suddenly sank to his knees in front of the doctor and threw up until his eyes watered and his stomach was empty. Then the scientist curled against the railing of the balcony, trembling and tightening his knees against his chest, he murmured with a voice strangled by the consternation, the dismay and the revulsion, "It's... it's so horrible... I can still feel that man's fingers touching me, and his breath on my neck ... his cock ramming in my ass... Oh God!" Rodney began crying his heart out.

"We are going to go back to the infirmary. You need to rest." Beckett said fighting the tears that pricked at the back of his eyes.

McKay nodded again.

* * *

Later in the infirmary

McKay stirred.

"Nooo! Please! PLEASE!" He murmured.

He brutally opened eyes his and immediately perceived the smiling face of Sheppard near his.

The Major smiled soothingly. "Easy McKay, it's me Sheppard. You had a nightmare." When Sheppard took McKay's hand in his, the scientist jumped and moved back, terrified, frantic. He began to breathe heavily. The Major, very worried rushed towards the closest nurse, grabbed her by her arm, pulled her up to McKay's bed and said, "Do something! Help him!"

The nurse approached McKay slowly, saying, "It's going to be all right Doctor. Please calm down. No one is going to hurt you here. You're safe, shhh..." The fear of being touched sent McKay into a full blown panic attack.

"Don't touch me! Don't touch me or I'll kill you!" He shrieked.

Carson heard Rodney's voice and what he had just said and left his office in a hurry. His head on fire, trembling, McKay got up from the bed and staggered up to the door. Sheppard launched himself at him and pinned his best friend on the floor.

"Carson!" He cried out.

Beckett appeared followed by two male nurses and ordered, "Lorazepam 1mg. Stat!"

McKay managed to get up and with a left hook he hit the Major square in his face, screaming. "Don't touch me!" The two robust male nurses apprehended him roughly while a third gave Carson the syringe filled with the powerful sedative.

"Let me go! Don't touch me!" Rodney roared, terrified. "Don't touch me! Don't touch me!"

Beckett planted the needle of the syringe filled with a powerful tranquilizer into the scientist's neck.

"Don't... touch... me!" McKay repeated again, in slow motion, already stunned by the drug.

He collapsed between the two male nurses who supported him. One of them lifted him in his arms.

"Bring him back to his bed and use the straps to hold him." The doctor commanded.

McKay was secured on his bed with solid leather straps then Beckett ordered medical exams.

* * *

Much later

Sheppard, Ford, Weir and Teyla waited for hours in the waiting room of the infirmary when suddenly a roaring of absolute terror made them all jump. They immediately recognized McKay's cries. They rushed into the corridor leading to the ICU room, pushing away the nurses – male and female - who tried to stop them from getting to him.

Beckett exited his office at top speed and then entered the ICU and paled as he discovered his lover. Rodney had put himself into the fetal position, screwing shut his eyes with terror. The scientist was as white as a corpse. Leaned against the head of his bed, he tightened the pillow against him as a shield, without moving, his glance fixed, somewhere else. He could have been dead.

Carson heaved a long sigh. He had been dreading this reaction and unfortunately he was right. "He's plunged into a catatonia. I don't know if he will be able to one day be himself again. He was very traumatized by his rape." He exhaled another sigh. "Subjected to a very strong mental pressure he's taken refuge in his inner world to escape this one."

Dr. Weir swallowed hard. "He's going to stay like this, forever?"

Beckett shook his head. "I don't know Elizabeth. The mind is still such a mysterious thing..." He sat down in front of Rodney and looked for the other man's glance. "Rodney do you hear me? Please come back. I need you don't leave me alone. Rodney, please come back."

Nothing. Not a lash moved.

"Poor doctor McKay." Teyla said pained.

Carson removed the pillow from Rodney's arms. He didn't move an inch. He slowly and gently lay him down on the bed then he kissed the scientist warm brow. McKay didn't react at all again. "I need a padded room. I can't tie Rodney up on that bed... I can put him there just in case he comes back violent."

Dr. Weir nodded. "I'll give the orders. You will have your padded room soon, Carson."

Beckett nodded. "Thank you."

* * *

Later

Sheppard and Beckett discussing in front of the door of the padded room about McKay's condition – unchanged for now - suddenly heard thuds coming from the room. The doctor opened the door and saw Rodney launch himself against the mats on the walls. He chose not to intervene thinking that the other man needed to release his pent up violence – his rage against the man who had raped him. He knew he was right when the scientist heard McKay howl his aggressor's name and curse him.

For half an hour the two men stood still at the door, silently watching McKay hit the mats covering the walls with all his strength howling the native's name, cursing him. Then McKay suddenly collapsed like deadweight on the soft floor, eyes closed.

Both Beckett and Sheppard entered the room and knelt beside McKay's prone form. The doctor immediately checked his pulse and breathing. He was unconscious.

* * *

McKay spent the next two days shifting between crisis of madness and periods of apathy, between sobs and hysterical laughter, between hyperactivity and profound sleep. When Beckett and Sheppard knelt down near him, the morning of the fourth day, the scientist was calm, curled in a fetal position in an angle of the room.

Beckett touched his lover's bearded cheek and said to him: "Rodney? It's Carson, wake up please."

McKay slowly opened his eyes. Sheppard raised him, leaned him against the mat then brought a glass of water to his dried out lips. Rodney swallowed little sips, his glance glassy, unfocused, and then he closed eyes. His chin fell on his chest and he fell asleep.

"He's exhausted," Beckett said. "Let's take him back to the infirmary. He will sleep better in a bed."

McKay slept all day long and opened his eyes around midnight. He immediately closed them. His vision was blurred and he perceived strange and colored forms which were divided into halves and deformed. His brain having recovered began to work again and he remembered everything.

He wasn't angry, enraged against his aggressor anymore. It had passed, and it served nothing too to be depressed now. It was futile and it was a loss of time. He had already lost a lot of time, he continued to muse, and time was precious if he wanted to find a way to protect Atlantis and all the people living there. He had to protect Carson who he loved.

He grimaced as he fought against a sudden sickness, which squeezed his throat and remained immobile, paralyzed by a horrible dizziness. He eventually fell sleep again. On the morning of the fifth day, Beckett noted with pleasure and relief that Rodney didn't have a fever anymore and that his pulse was regular although still weak.

Seeing that McKay was now awakening the doctor caressed the scientist's bearded cheek and smiled at him. "How are you feeling?" "Bad. Sick."

"I'm going to give you something and that's going to pass. Are you hungry, thirsty?"

McKay nodded. "Yes."

*

Beckett settled McKay between several big pillows to prevent him from collapsing in sleep. He then took charge of him as a mother with her young child, making him eat and drink to re-hydrate him and to give him some strength. The poor man was in such a state of exhaustion that he could do almost nothing.

Beckett again raised the glass of water to his lover's lips. Rodney shook his head, in slow motion.

"Sleep." He breathed.

"Drink Rodney."

McKay drank a little water then Beckett pricked another piece of pudding with his fork and brought it to the other man's mouth.

"One for Carson."

Rodney mumbled. "Sleep."

The scientist closed his eyes and rested his head on Carson's shoulder. He was so tired. He so wanted to sleep.

"Sleep."

Carson defeated slipped McKay between the cool sheets. He slid the pillow under his head then pulled the bedspread up on his shoulders. He finally kissed his lover on his forehead.

"Good night, Rodney."

McKay made an extraordinary effort to reopen his eyes but his extreme weakness prevented him from it.

"Mmmmmm. Carson stay. Don't want to be alone. Please."

The doctor nodded. "All right."

Beckett lay down next to the man he loved and took his hand. "I'm here Rodney. You're safe. Sleep." "Love you Carson."

Carson smiled fondly. "I love you too Rodney."

* * *

Six weeks later:

When McKay entered his quarters, he found Carson at his desk, a cup of tea in hand – waiting for him.

The doctor looked at his lover and asked, "How did your session go? How do you feel?"

Rodney flopped himself in an armchair and grinned. "It was exhausting, but I feel fine Carson. After six weeks of intensive, long and painful therapy I'm officially declared cured – sane, and I'm no longer grounded. I am again going to be able to take back my place in the team. Zelenka is going to go back to the laboratory and everything will return to order, as though nothing has happened. I accepted what happened to me, past is past. Of course, I shall still have nightmares sometimes, it is natural, but basically I've become the man that I was before my rape. Ok I'll still need to see the shrink every now and then but basically I'm Ok."

Rodney motioned to Carson. " Come here please."

Beckett complied and smiled when his lover stroked his face lovingly. "Are you sure you're okay with this?"

The scientist nodded. "Yes, but let's not rush things Ok? No sex yet, just touching..."

The doctor nodded in his turn. "Just touching..."

McKay smiled. "Yes, touching with hand and lips... but no blowjobs yet. Let's not..."

"Rush things. I know."

Rodney kissed Carson's lips tentatively, almost shyly dreading a bad reaction to this simple contact... and was relieved when nothing happen. Nothing bad at least, because it was good. He moaned when he felt the other man's mouth open, allowing him access. He cupped the back of his lover's head and drew him in, deepening the kiss. [Still no bad reaction! Oh yeah!] He thought distantly. His tongue swept the hot interior of the Carson's mouth, lightly brushing across the sensitive palate, tasting every inch of the doctor's mouth. He was rewarded with a deep groan. The kiss broke only for the brief span of time it took McKay to pull Beckett's white tee shirt over his head. Mouths sealed in passion once again, Beckett found himself being maneuvered toward the couch of the living room. Without breaking the kiss, Rodney gently laid Carson on top of the cushions and then pulled back and studied his lover's face. The Scot's pupils had dilated so that there was only a small ring of deep blue surrounding them and his cheeks were flushed. Rodney smiled and murmured, "So beautiful", while running a hand through Carson's ruffled hair. "I love you so much..."

There was a knock at the door then Sheppard said, "It's me McKay. Can I come in?"

Rodney groaned. "Very bad timing Major! I'm busy, come back later! I feel fine, thank you."

Sheppard knocked again. "I have something for you McKay. Two things actually. Do you want them?"

Intrigued McKay parted from Beckett eliciting of moan of dismay from the doctor. He headed towards the door, opened it and surprised let out a loud gasp. Sheppard was holding a bouquet of multicolored flowers and a big red metallic box.

The scientist blinked twice. "Flowers? For me?"

The Major nodded. "Yes, for you. Teyla, Ford and I went to pick them for you on the Mainland. Teyla's idea. Fields are covered with wild flowers there. It's Springtime."

McKay took the bouquet, blushing with pleasure. "It is very nice. Nobody has ever given me flowers." He turned round and looked at Carson intently noticing that the doctor had pulled his tee shirt back on. He added "I * love * flowers."

Beckett nodded, smiling. From now on, whenever he had to go give medical exams on the Mainland, he would go to pick flowers in the fields for his lover, he thought.

Carson took the bouquet, wondering where he was going to be able to find a vase on Atlantis. Rodney then took the red painted box, opened it and suddenly let out a cry of joy. It was filled with chocolate power bars, a few of them containing pieces of hazelnut and groundnut.

McKay started to salivate.

Sheppard chuckled. "I was sure that you would love these. Elizabeth collected them for you – God knows where. She didn't want to tell me. It's top secret. I think she has a secret stash hidden somewhere." He put his hand on McKay's shoulder, pressing it and tapping it affectionately and then he added. "Welcome back, McKay. We missed you."

McKay felt tears of happiness roll on his cheeks. "Thank you Major, it's good to be back."

THE END

Next: The Balcony II