A/N: No Beta so all mistakes are mine and mine alone.

~Sandy

Remembrances of Sunday

Radek

Radek looked up as Carson came into the room where the chess club had set up for the day. Moving quietly past the occupied tables the medical doctor came to his side just as his opponent huffed in annoyance.

"Son of a bitch! Stop that!"

"Stop what? Winning?"

The man rolled his eyes. "You haven't won yet."

The physicist jumped up to greet his friend. "Carson! You've come to join the chess club?"

"Uh, not quite."

"You've come to watch?" Radek's surprise showed in his voice. He hadn't thought Carson a chess player, though he always appreciated new blood as he was becoming bored with beating the same few people over and over. Rodney, however, was not one of them and Radek didn't bother wondering why.

Carson looked just a little uneasy. "Well, uh, no. Actually, Radek, I'm looking for someone to come fishing with me. Rodney bailed at the last minute."

His expression changed to one of frustration on Carson's behalf. "Surprise, surprise."

"I know. Any interest?"

Truly pleased that Carson would ask Radek was sorry he had to turn him down. "I would, but we're playing for trades today, you know? And no one can really beat me so… I've already won a desk fan, Dr. Mallozzi's animé DVD collection…" he lowered his voice and looked at Carson suggestively, "…and I got a coupon for a free Swedish massage from Dr. Ambrose."

Impressed and admiring of Radek's skill, Carson said, "Ouch!"

Radek smiled and nodded. "Perhaps we can go fishing next week?"

"Okay, alright. Well, uh, best of luck to you." Carson turned and started away.

"Oh, I don't need luck." Radek looked down at the board and made his move. "Checkmate."

Again, his opponent said, "Son of a bitch!" Angrily, he lay down his king in defeat.

~~O~~

Though he didn't want to look himself in the face, Radek knew he had to if he wanted to look his best for the memorial services. He and Carson had been friends from the first day they'd met at the base in Antarctica though Radek had spoken very little English at that time. Rodney was no help in that quarter but with Carson's assistance, he learned very quickly.

He hadn't known Marine Captain Lenny Wilkerson well as he'd only arrived on Atlantis a few weeks before, replacing Captain Durchenko of the Russian army as the explosives expert. Still, the man deserved to be remembered, not have his death overshadowed by another.

"I should have gone fishing with him," Radek said to his reflection knowing that even if they had gone fishing, he would now be preparing for someone else's memorial. Dr. Cole's most likely as she had been the doctor on call.

He'd tried to stem the flow of anger, but it was a losing battle. He wasn't angry at Carson, at least not yet. No, his resentment was for the Ancients who'd created the device that had produced the explosive tumors. How could people so highly evolved technologically even conceive of something that would kill not only their enemies but themselves as well?

Running a comb through his unruly hair, he sighed. Buttoning his jacket, he made his way to the Gate Room, taking his place between Ronon and Major Lorne as one of the pallbearers. Carson's last wishes hadn't specifically named those he wished to perform this tribute and Radek had been honored when Elizabeth had made the request on Carson's behalf. He'd said yes without reservation, wanting to in some way make up for not being there for his friend. As an homage to man Carson had been, Radek planned on keeping his promise of going fishing as soon as he and the others returned from Earth.

Glancing to the side, Radek watched Rodney standing next to John, hands clasped behind his back. He knew that Rodney's misery was so much more than his own. He also knew that Carson was the youngest of seven children. When they reached Earth and had traveled to Scotland, they would again perform this service for his large family and friends still living there. And though it wouldn't be easy to go through this a second time, he would do it with his head held high, proud to be able to pay tribute to a compassionate, generous and giving soul.

Captain Wilkerson's coffin was carried through the wormhole by his team and Carson's was moved into place. Elizabeth spoke the words they were all thinking, the bagpipes played its mournful tune, and when it was time, he and the others took their places, lifted the flag-draped coffin and carried their friend home.