Ficlet: Mistakes (PG)
Title: Mistakes
Author: R. Tom Mato
Rating: PG
Warnings: Kid!fic.
Notes: Just something I wondered about with all the kid!fics I've seen. Usually the patterns in who gets kidified(?) and who's left watching over them.

Mistakes

Radek stormed out of the infirmary as soon as the technicians in the control room radioed him that Ronon and the others had returned. He saw the group as they were walking down the hallway to the transporter he just exited. They saw him, the children's (he did not see them as the Colonel Sheppard and Teyla Emmagen they had once been, he couldn't) eyes widening, but their presence didn't slow his stride. He stopped directly in front of Ronon and barely held his anger in check.

"Major," he snapped, not breaking his stare with Dex. "Would you please take the children to the infirmary. Meredith will be happy to see them."

Both adults stood straighter, but Major Lorne tactfully kept quiet and took John and Teyla's hands, leading them away. Radek waited until the children's inquieries faded away before exploding.

"You selfish, foolish man! No, not man. Caveman! Caveman with more muscles than brains and more hair than common sense! Do you have even the slightest idea what you did today?"

"What happened to McKay?" Ronon demanded impatiently, stepping the side to move past him.

Radek slid smoothly in front of him, gritting his teeth. "You!" He poked a finger hard in Ronon's chest. "You and your gallivanting off to who knows where!"

"Sheppard and Teyla wanted to visit Jinto," he explained with a dangerous look, glancing down at the finger and then back up to fix the look on him. Radek couldn't really bring himself to care at this point. "We were only gone a few hours."

"Gone is the key word! Gone without warning or explanation!" Radek seethed. "Why did you not take Meredith with you?"

"You had him. He doesn't like going to the mainland."

"*Rodney.* Rodney does not like going to the mainland. *Meredith* does not like finding out that the only people he trusts have abandoned him!"

Ronon's expression only darkened more at the accusation. "I didn't--"

"You did! You left without telling him where you were going! Once he realized that I could not reach you on the radio, he started crying! Once he heard that you were not on Atlantis at all, he had a panic attack and flashbacks! Carson had to sedate him!" He watched Ronon's face twist into its own version of startlement with satisfaction. "You," he continued, slightly calmer. "Are are responsible for him, for John, for Teyla. All three. You are the only one they trust. They are *damaged,* Ronon. You are the adopted father of three very special, very troubled children."

One thing that Radek had always found admirable of Ronon's personality was that he didn't say unnecessary words. He didn't argue and Radek could see that it was sinking in. He had had conversations like this with Elizabeth and many of the scientists since the offworld incident and Ronon was the only one so far who had understood.

"I don't know how to be a father," Ronon admitted gruffly, shoulders tense.

"Nor do I," Radek acknowledged. "But I know how to be the next best thing. I was often left in charge of my younger siblings, so I will help you. It will have to do. Now get to the infirmary and apologize and promise to never do that to him again; I will invent new and creative ways to make your life miserable if you do."

The promise was taken without doubt or mocking and Ronon nodded, moving past Radek and disappearing down the hall. The scientist counted to ten to calm down before following at a slower pace. By the time he got to the infirmary, Major Lorne was standing outside and he could hear Ronon talking in a low voice. Radek took a position next to the Major and leaned back against the wall with a sigh.

"All right, doc?"

Radek tilted his head just enough to meet Lorne's concerned gaze. "I will not be all right until this is fixed, Major."

The other man nodded. "I know the feeling. He's doing his best, you know."

"He will do better now."