A/N: I own nothing. Enjoy, and please review.

Laura and Carson stood in the gate room waiting to leave Atlantis. Laura hadn't been on Atlantis for very long, but it was her home, she belonged there and her friends had become like family. Even McKay had become like an annoying little brother, she wondered how he would react when he found out she was dead. She bet he would regret everything he'd done to her then.

"Chuck, dial the gate," ordered Dr Weir.

Chuck did as he was told and Laura watched as the gate span to life. She knew that the news about her condition had spread through the city, the looks of sadness that she had been receiving on her way to the gate room told her that.

Once a wormhole had been established, Dr Weir walked down the steps and came to join them. Laura could sense that she was uncomfortable and didn't know what to say, so she said, "Thank you, Elizabeth."

"For what?"

"Everything," she smiled. "For being a great leader and a better friend."

"You to," said Elizabeth. "Have fun, and see you both soon."

Laura nodded. She hadn't decided if she was coming back to Atlantis or not. It depended on how long she and Carson spent on Earth. She hugged Elizabeth and saluted to Col Sheppard and Major Lorne, whom had both come to see her off.

Taking one final look at the city and all its glory, she entwined her fingers with Carson's and stepped through the gate.

A few seconds later she was walking down the ramp that led from the gate in the SGC. She saluted to General Landry who was waiting for them. He saluted back and smiled. "Good to see you again, Lt," he said. "Dr Beckett."

Carson gave a slight nod.

"I understand that you've requested some time off. Any particular reason?" he asked.

"It's personal, Sir."

General Landry smiled. "Well, just a quick trip to the infirmary and you can be on your way."

Carson thanked him and led them to the infirmary where he used to work. He'd met Janet Fraiser when he was visiting America a few years ago. She had been impressed by his knowledge about genetics and spoke to General Hammond, who was in charge of the SGC back then. The General had also been impressed and Carson was offered a job, which he accepted.

He filled the other doctors in while Laura was being examined as he felt they had a right to know.

After they were done they went to their quarters. They had requested shared quarters, although she doubted they would use them. She wanted to hit the road (or air, as they were flying) as soon as possible.

"You want to get something to eat?" asked Carson.

She pulled a face and shook her head. "I hate the food here, it's worst than on Atlantis. We can get something on the way," she said as she got her cell phone out of her bag and dialled her mom.

"Hello?" answered a woman.

She took a deep breath. "Hi mom."

"Laura? Hi, how are you?"

"I'm fine. You?"

"Yeah, I'm fine. We've just had the house redecorated, it looks great!"

"Really?"

"Yeah, you should come see it sometime."

She smiled. "Actually mom, that's what I'm calling about. I was wondering if I could come round for a visit."

"Of course you can."

"Great," she said as she gave a thumb up to Carson. "Because I've already booked a flight."

Well, she hadn't, the SGC had. "Would it be alright if I brought one of my friends? There's someone I want you to meet."

"Sure, the more the merrier."

"Ok, I'll see you soon," said Laura as she hung up the phone.

She turned to Carson. "Well, that's sorted. Let's go."

They grabbed their bags and left the SGC. She was going to miss life here. It was never boring and how many people could say that they'd been to another galaxy?

She called a cab and told the driver to take them to the airport.

They made it with minutes to spare and quickly boarded their flight. As they were taking off Carson turned to Laura and put his hand over hers. "So," he said. "Anything I need to know about your family?"

She thought about it. "I don't think so. They'll love you…I do," she said as she lent over and kissed him.

Carson wrapped an arm around her shoulder and she spent the flight sleeping in his arms. He sat there with his girlfriend, thinking about life. These past few days with Laura had really made him realise how precious life was. She taught him more than how ever many years as a doctor ever could.

The plane landed in California a few hours later. They got another cab and Laura gave directions to her house. She lived right by the ocean.

"How are you going to tell them?" asked Carson.

She shifted in her seat. "I…I don't think I am."

Carson sighed. "Love, you have to. They're your family, they have a right to know."

She shook her head. "I can't. It would hurt them too much. You can if you want, but do it when I'm not around."

"I won't tell them if you don't want me to," he said, smiling as the ocean came into view.

They paid the driver and got their luggage out of the trunk. Laura led Carson up the drive and round the back. Carson laughed as he read a note on the front door that said 'This is the back door, the front door is round the back.'

Laura knocked on the door and waited for it to open. A tall woman with brown eyes and blonde hair answered the door. She was clearly Laura's mother, but looked young for her age. She gave her daughter a hug.

"Mom, I'd like you to meet someone," she said. "This is Dr Carson Beckett, my boyfriend. Carson, this is my mom, Candice Cadman."

Carson extended his hand and she shook it. "Pleasure to meet you," he said.

Candice smiled. "You to. Come in. I think Damien and Charlotte are around somewhere."

They entered the house and Candice led them into the siting room where two others were watching TV and reading magazines.

"Hey guys," whispered Laura. She wondered if she'd be able to do this. This was probably going to be the last time that she ever saw them.

"Hey Laura…and co.," said the girl when she saw that Carson was with her.

"What are you doing here?" asked the guy. "I thought you were to busy for us, what with being a spy and all."

Laura rolled her eyes. "For the last time, I may work with the government, but I am not a spy," she said. "This is Carson by the way."

"Hi."

"Hey."

"Carson, that's my older brother, Damien, and my younger sister, Charlotte."

Of course he'd figured that out. The whole family looked very similar, sharing many family traits. They all had brown eyes, but Damien had light brown hair and Charlotte had strawberry blonde, Laura was somewhere in between.

"So, what brings you here?" asked Charlotte, flipping through a magazine.

Carson could see that she was having trouble keeping it together. "What, I can't come and visit my family without needing a reason?" she asked.

Charlotte shrugged and Laura sat down on the couch next to her, dragging Carson with her. Candice came in a few minutes later and announced that dinner would be ready soon.

"So," said Damien. "What's with the two of you?" he asked, pointing to his sister and the man next to her.

"We're dating," smiled Laura as she snuggled closer to him. "Where's dad?"

"Playing golf, he won't be back until late."

They were called for dinner. Candice had made pasta and garlic bread. The food was great, she was a wonderful cook, which made Carson wonder what went wrong with Laura, she couldn't even cook toast without burning it.

He helped clear the table while she served desert, which was chocolate cake. Laura saw the look in his eye, he loved chocolate and she wondered if there would be any left over for other things.

"So how long are you in town for?" asked Candice.

Laura shrugged. "A week or two maybe."

Carson nodded and took another bite of chocolate cake.

After dinner was over they switched on the TV and Laura caught up with everything she had missed recently while she was on Atlantis.

Candice told her that her room was as she left it and she and Carson had an early night, as they were tired from jetlag. "So," said Laura, as she pulled he top off her head and changed into her night clothes. "What do think of my family?"

"I like them. Your moms a great cook, what went wrong with you?" he teased.

She punched him lightly in the arm. "Nothing, I just didn't waste my time in high school learning how to make toast."

Carson smiled. "Aye, that's for sure. You were learning how to blow things up."

Laura nodded and crawled into bed. Carson turned off the lights and soon joined her.

The couple went to the beach the following day. Laura had grown up here, so she knew how to swim and surf. They picked a nice spot and Carson got to work on his tan while Laura stripped down to her bikini, grabbed her surfboard and headed for the waves.

He watched her from the shore, she was good, really good. Atlantis may be surrounded by water, but it was too cold to swim or surf. The only time they were actually able to make use of it was when they went fishing or in the winter when it froze over and they went ice-skating.

They stayed out until it was dark. After lunch Laura tried to teach Carson how to surf, but they quickly gave up on that. Instead they decided to make out for the evening and then they made love under the stars.

The next day was spent at the mall. The whole family went out for the day and they had lunch at the local restaurant. Candice introduced Carson to Laura's dad. They really liked each other and he told him loads of stories about Laura when she was younger, all of which she denied.

Laura and her father went to pay for the food while the others waited outside. "So, do you like Carson?" she asked.

Eric Cadman nodded. "He seems nice. He doesn't seem your type though."

She shrugged. "Opposites attract I guess."

She looked at him for a moment. "Dad, you know I love you, right?"

"Of course. Why?" he looked at her quizingly.

She smiled slightly. "I just don't say it anymore, that's all."

She excused herself to go to the ladies' room where she whipped her tears away and tied her hair back.

Over the next few days Damien and Charlotte gradually excepted Carson and they really seemed to get on well. At the end of the week while Carson was packing the last of his stuff, Laura made her decision. She gathered everyone into the living room.

She took a deep breath and began. "Thanks for a great week guys. I've really had a lot of fun. I wish I could say let's do it again, but this will probably be the last time I see you."

Everyone but Carson looked confused. "Why?" asked Candice.

Carson got up off the couch and went to hold her hand. He gave her shoulder a light squeeze and she carried on. "I'm dying. I have a brain tumour. I have under three months left to live," she whispered as she buried her face in Carson's neck, she didn't want them to see her cry.

Their reactions were as he expected. Eric left the room, Candice sat there in shock and Damien sat there holding a crying Charlotte. In a way, the sight made him smile. Laura was lucky to have such a nice family that cared about each other and her.

She wanted to get out of the house as soon as she could, so she hugged her family and they went to call another cab.

Before they left Carson promised the Cadman's that he'd look after her, and that he'd be there for her, always.

They drove to the airport and got on a plane to Scotland. A few days ago Carson rang his mom and asked if they could make a quick visit. Carrie Beckett had agreed and said that she couldn't wait to meet Laura, although she was a bit annoyed that her son had forgotten about the time difference between California and Scotland and ended up ringing at three in the morning.

Laura didn't say much during the flight or drive to his house. She slept on the plane and stared out the window in the car. "Anything I need to know about your family?" she asked, finally talking and braking her gaze from the window.

Carson smiled. "Only that they are all a bunch of loonies!"

She smiled. "How many of them are there?"

"Seven including me. Only two of them should be there though, and I think their both leaving soon."

"Which ones?"

"Jamie and Shona, both older," he said.

Laura nodded and went back to looking out the window. It was raining, just as Carson remembered it. The taxi pulled up and once again they paid the driver and got their luggage out of the back. Taking Laura's hand in his, Carson walked up the path and knocked on the door.

Only one chapter left. Let me know if you want a happy or sad ending. xxx