Retribution

Elizabeth offered him words at the funeral. He'd declined with a "I don't think they'd be appreciated."

She felt disappointed, but not surprised. Blamed his dislike of people.

Understanding dawned when he'd stumbled into the infirmary, gripping a burnt wrist and staying unusually quiet, save for "It was an accident."

Zelenka's face told different. "An easy mistake," he said, sounding doubtful.

Not deliberate. But a casual miscalculation in an experiment and bang! Retribution for surviving when others had not.

He clammed up when she pressed the matter. Seven graves and all McKay wanted to do was bury himself.

End