A/N - This can be part of canon as a missing scene for the break up mentioned by Carson in The Return.

I wrote it when it came to mind (once again when I was trying to sleep) as a PG2 story.

Hope you like it!

Please read and review.


Laura Cadman stood in the doorway to the infirmary, watching the man she had been dating for the past year as he worked. She was nervous. She knew she had to do it now, but it was still a frightening concept. She went to walk over to him but hesitated, contemplating putting it off. Her choice was made for her when Carson turned around and spotted her.

"Hello love," he greeted warmly.

"Carson… uh…" she began, not knowing where to start. He looked into her eyes and realisation dawned.

"I'm not going to like this, am I?" he questioned. Laura sighed.

"Carson… it's not working, and everything came through Rodney. Not that it's his fault entirely, or yours. You're both wonderful men… although Rodney can be a bit… but that's not the point. I like you, and everything, but we're too…" she explained, rambling in her nervousness. Carson nodded slightly and put a hand on her shoulder, effectively cutting her off.

"Laura. I understand. I had almost come to the same conclusion myself," he replied. She looked relieved.

"I'm sorry," she offered. Carson smiled gently and moved the hand from her shoulder to her cheek.

"Nothin' to be sorry about, love. I want you to be happy," he responded simply. Laura smiled a small, sad smile and moved closer, pressing a soft kiss to his lips.

Her way of saying goodbye.

With one last sad look she turned and left the infirmary, hastily brushing away the lone tear that slipped down her face, not knowing that, in the room behind her, Carson had unknowingly mirrored her action.

With a sigh Carson went back to work. Another chapter of the drama that is their lives was over.

-fin-