Second Chance:
As soon as Caldwell said that Michael's ship got away, possibly with Teyla in it, Rodney's heart sank. He felt worse after seeing Sheppard's face. Despite his vast knowledge, Rodney couldn't think of how they would ever be able to find her now.
A slight renewed hope came from Lorne when he pointed out that there must be a reason why one door was heavily guarded. Maybe Michael hadn't gotten away with Teyla after all. Instead, he received the shock of his life. They all did
Carson was alive, but how? He knew he died, they all did. He went to his funeral, on Atlantis and on Earth. What was going on? So many mixed emotions were going through his mind.
"If this the real one, then who died on Atlantis and if he's not, then what is he?" was all Rodney could think.
Once they got back to Atlantis they had to run a series of test and quarantine him for a while. He hated leaving him there in a room all by himself and not being able to see him or talk to him right away.
Rodney knew that John was beside himself as well. He was torn between being happy to see Carson again amongst the confusion of how it was possible that Carson was there. Ronon refused to talk about it. At first Rodney felt upset, but John reminded how he was the first time they lost Carson and how he reacted to the loss of Elizabeth, Rodney decided to give him the room he needed.
Rodney watched him from afar for a few days while Keller continued to study him, watching like they did Michael. Carson, from his part, didn't seem to mind. As long as he was back on Atlantis, he seemed content. Finally after a few days, Sam felt comfortable enough to let Rodney go see Carson.
When he finally got to talk to Carson, it wasn't as easy as he thought it would be. He had in mind what he wanted to say, but he wasn't prepared to hear of what Carson had gone through when Michael held him captive. The thoughts of what happened to the real Carson and those who had lost their lives on the expedition fled Rodney's mind. All he had thought of was how glad he was to have him back.
When Rodney did tell him of the other Carson's fate, and Elizabeth, McKay tried not to dwell on it too long. He wanted Carson to understand how much he missed his friendship over the past year.
Rodney made sure he was there with Carson when Jen said she had some important news to tell him, the news that he was a clone. He knew that Carson was crushed, but Rodney didn't care that he was a copy made by Michael. He would gladly accept this Carson, if it meant having his friend back.
It pained him to see Carson slowly get sicker and weaker throughout the week. It aggravated him to greatly when he didn't think the other were treating him with respect that the real Carson would have gotten.
After their failed rescue attempt on Michael's base, no one questioned this Carson's loyalty. They all saw how it crushed the doctor that he was unable to save Teyla and her unborn child. Even John in his grief, assured the doctor there was nothing he could have done.
Carson's condition became worse while away on their mission and they rushed him back to Atlantis. The sadness of putting Carson in stasis was overwhelming, but Rodney didn't want to show it show how it affected him. Carson shared his goodbyes to everyone before turning to Rodney.
Rodney didn't get to say goodbye to the Carson the first time and he doesn't plan to do it this time either. But he will do all that he can to save him and get a second chance to be a better friend.