Disclaimer: I own a putrid green clicky pen, nothing more.

Rodney McKay was holding one of the annoying lime green clicking pens in his hand and was absently clicking away. Briefings had been bad enough, in Colonel Sheppard's opinion, before the Daedalus had brought new supplies on its latest run. Those new supplies happened to include the pens of doom.

Wincing with each click, John knew it was only a matter of time before he would explode. When Rodney clicked twice quickly in succession, that time had come. John jumped the briefing table and ran over to Rodney. He snatched the offending item, snapping it clean in half.

Rodney looked scandalised. His eyes narrowed and he announced crossly,

"Sheppard broke my pen."

"Give him another," Elizabeth commanded immediately.

Sheppard scowled and stalked back to his seat to collect one of his. He passed it over reluctantly before sitting quietly. He only realised his mistake when he was across the room. He'd just given McKay a clicking pen.

Click. Click. Click-click.

Elizabeth smiled at Rodney and picked up her own clicking pen. They synchronised perfectly. John shivered. He bit his lip. Then he got a twitchy, wild look in his eyes.

"Do you mind?" he demanded.

Elizabeth and Rodney shook their heads, both adding a click to each shake. Sheppard glared and picked up another pen. He clicked it furiously in a last ditch attempt to get back on top of the situation.

"He's being annoying," Rodney whined.

Elizabeth held out her hand,

"Give me the pen, John."

Sheppard howled like an animal struck with a spear, threw his pen agaisnt the wall and ran out pulling frantically on his hair. Teyla left her seat and retrieved his pen. She clicked it experimentally and smiled.

"I don't know why that sound doesn't bother me," Elizabeth mused.

Rodney threw his pen at her. She caught it deflty and tossed it back at him. It nicked his shirt. He jumped up indignantly and protested,

"I just got this washed, Lizbeth."

Rodney also left the room. Elizabeth turned to Teyla and Ronan (the former was amused while the latter was politely puzzled) and commented airily,

"Sometimes they're like children."

"Sometimes you play favourities," Teyla pointed out.