Work Text:
Wright salutes, which isn't an oddity in itself, because he hasn't quite shaken off the instinct yet, but he's radiating a kind of resolute terror.
"At ease, marine."
"Sir."
John waits a moment, and when nothing further seems forthcoming, he says, "What can I do for you, Wright?"
"Sir. Permission to speak freely, sir."
"Go ahead."
Wright continues to stare at a point some two feet above John's head.
"In your own time, kid."
"Sir." Deep breath. "You know about..." Pause.
"Yeah."
"And you know that..." Pensive frown.
"I do."
"Sir, I really didn't mean for any of this to happen-"
"Nobody ever does."
"Nossir. Sir-"
"McKay isn't still giving you a hard time, is he?" All things considered, John doesn't think this likely, but it's always possible Rodney thinks that destroying Wright's life would be a good way to distract attention from - stuff.
"Oh, nossir. Dr. McKay's been-" Pause, pensive frown. "-fine about all of this. Huh."
Oh, God, this is not the time for independent thinking. "So what's the problem, Tom?"
"Um, it's about Specialist Dex, sir?"
~~~