They go back to the labs and John wastes a few pointless minutes trying to get the strange device to work. Then he spends another few minutes explaining to Rodney that yes, he really is doing everything Rodney tells him to do, and yes, the device really isn't responding in any way.

After Rodney finally gives up with a muttered comment about how John really is just a pretty flyby with no brains, something John knows from experience to ignore, John leans on the console and crosses his arms comfortably, just watches Rodney work and smirks obnoxiously when the astrophysicist demands to know why he's still here. He knows Rodney doesn't really mind, that he only does it for the show. It's a very Rodney thing to do, and John kind of lov- likes it.

Some the other scientists are giving him dirty looks, but most of them are grateful ones, so John ignores them like usual. Rodney doesn't pay attention to any of them, keeping all of his focus on his work, which is also normal.

John likes watching Rodney when he doesn't realize he's being watched, likes the way his expressions change and the way he moves. Which is creepy and weird, he know that, but he can't seem to stop. He likes to think there isn't even one face of Rodney's he doesn't like or hasn't seen, but then he remembers the expressions on Rodney's face after he destroyed a whole, or 'five-sixths' as he constantly pointed out, of a solar system.

John can tell that Rodney is still being careful, waiting for the other shoe to drop, for John to say that no, he can't actually do it and being friends again is impossible. It's painfully obvious, or at least to him it is. What hurts the most, however, is when Rodney seems to forget everything and acts normally, then tenses up or even flinches when he remembers.

It's clear what this means. Rodney has earned John's trust back, but John hasn't yet earned Rodney's.

"Feel like dinner yet?" John asks after a few hours, stretching out of his cramped position. He really shouldn't have stayed like that for so long.

"Huh? Yeah," Rodney says distractedly as he types out the last few words with deliberate care and then presses a button with a flourish. He stares at results intently, then frowns. John claps his back with a "Better luck next time, buddy." Surprisingly, Rodney only nods and trudges along.

It might be because today is Friday, which means that the entire team has dinner together. They usually have dinner together anyway, but Fridays are mandatory. John says it's for bonding when asked, but really he just likes spending time with all of them together. They've become like a family to him, and he's sure it's the same for them as well.

It might also be because Rodney is hungry, but John likes to think that Rodney just wants to spend time with his team.

After dinner they usually go to Rodney's place because it's the biggest, and watch a movie or chat or just enjoy each-others presence in silence. The last one is the rarest since Rodney can't stand being quiet for more than a minute, although occasionally even he needs the time to just think without having to narrate. John hopes they watch a movie tonight, preferably something they can talk over. He feels like Rodney needs some cheering up. It's really not like him to be so monosyllabic.

Teyla gives him a proud smile when they walk in, which thankfully Rodney doesn't notice, having already rushed to get in line for food. John grimaces and follows Rodney's example, but not before seeing Ronan's condescending grin.

They both load up their trays, and this time their portions are about equal in size - although Rodney's is still bigger, but that's pretty normal. There's some grumbling from Rodney when he sees that there isn't any jello left, but it's pretty minor when compared to the way he'd been earlier today, so John isn't too worried and just plays along. He's a little disappointed that he didn't get to give Rodney his jello like usual, but he'd get over it.

"I can't believe there was no jello today," Rodney repeats when they get to their table.

Ronan smirks and pointedly places a single finger on the lid of his own jello. "Oh yeah, real shame."

Rodney sputters and points a slightly shaking finger at him and the jello cup. "How dare you! Give it to me!" Ronan laughs loudly enough to make a few heads turn to look at them, and shakes his head pityingly.

"You snooze you lose."

John is endlessly amused whenever Ronan uses earth slang like that, but that's really the point John stops paying attention to them and just enjoys the familiar banter between the two, Rodney's angry hand waving and Ronan's low growls. Teyla is frowning slightly, but John can tell that it's mostly an act by the mirthful shine in her eyes. It's a good day.

He's mournfully scraping his fork across his plate and thinking about getting some more food when Teyla clears her throat to get their attention.

"Shall we go to your rooms tonight, Rodney?" She asks, gesturing to the table to indicate that they're all finished eating. Rodney blinks and looks down as well, as if he hadn't noticed that his plate was empty. He nods and stands up to take his stuff away. John and the others look after him in concern.

"Is he alright?" Teyla asks, furrowing her brow.

John shakes his head and says "I don't know." But it's pretty clear that Rodney isn't alright. This isn't him and everybody can see it. The only question is what's causing it.

They arrive in Rodney room with relative quietness, which isn't all that strange. What is strange is that Rodney just open the door and goes to sit down at a chair without sparing them another glance and then proceeds to ignore them. John shares a look with the other two, then sighs when it becomes clear that they expect him to do something about this.

"So, do you wanna watch a movie?" He asks helplessly. Rodney gives a distracted nod, still not looking at any of them. It's as if he doesn't realize they're all worried about him, like he thinks they haven't noticed something is terribly wrong.

John throws his hands up in surrender. "Okay, I've had enough." He goes over to Rodney and pulls him up to stand. He hadn't wanted to do it like this, but it doesn't really seem lke he has any other choices.

Rodney yelps. "What do you think you're doing?!" He tries to get out of John's grip, but Ronan and Teyla come over and crowd around them as well.

"We've had enough of this Rodney." John says sternly, "Tell us what's going on with you."

Teyla pinches him for his roughness. "What John is trying to say is that we're your friends, Rodeny. We'd like to help you if you'd tell us why you've been so..." She searches for a word.

"Weirder than usual." Ronan fills in, earning a scowl from Teyla.

"I was going to say distant."

Rodney looks away from them, a shifty look entering his eyes. "Distant? I haven't been distant. And I'm not weird, either!" He shoots Ronan a glare. Ronan doesn't stop frowning, which makes Rodney deflate somewhat.

"Okay, so maybe I've been a bit... out of it...But that doesn't mean you can just corner me like this!" He tries to cross his arms, then realizes that John is still holding on to them and his scowl deepens. John releases him with an apologetic shrug.

"We only want you to be happy. Just the other day you were radiating with joy, what has happened?" Teyla asks, gently putting a hand on Rodney's shoulder and directing him to sit on the bed. Ronan and John follow them, each sitting on either side of the couple.

Rodeny dips his head very uncharacteristically. Actually this whole conversation has been very strange and un-Rodney like. "Well... You know how Keller has been away for a few days?"

They all nod, John with a dawning sense of dread.

"Yeah, well I heard from one of her collages- not that I was actually talking to them, I just overheard them telling it someone else." He hurries to clarify, his prejudice toward botanists shining through. John has to smile at that, at least some things don't change. "I heard that maybe the plant she went to check out could somehow cure allergies."

John takes a moment to process that. It's so far from every idea he'd had that he almost asks Rodney to repeat himself. Allergies?

"But that's great, right?" John asks enthusiastically, this time not having to fake anything.

Rodney gives him an annoyed look. "Yeah, except that they were completely wrong, and the plant is only good for curing flues." He turns his head away, not letting any of them see his face. "So it's fine, nothing's wrong." He says sarcastically.