A/N: Once again, many, many thanks to ladygris for her help with this chapter.

Merci,

~Sandy

Never Far Away

Chapter 12

The rage on the woman's face might have terrified someone who hadn't endured the pain of hybridization and reversal of the same. His eyes met hers without flinching as she slammed him against the pylon then swung him around causing him to stumble though he kept to his feet, backing away in an effort to diminish the amount of damage that would be done to him.

She followed him, a dangerous glint in her eyes. His attention was diverted for a split second as others arrived on the scene. It wasn't much, but the woman took advantage of it, balancing on one foot and kicking him in the stomach.

That same foot came down as she spun around and hit him on the side of the head with the outer edge of her foot. She planted that foot and turned again in preparation for another kick. When her eyes were not on him for that split second, he swung his right arm across his body to strike her on the back making her stumble away from him. This allowed him to get his hands into position to defend himself.

Their hands and feet lashed out again and again, blocked by the other as they moved around the Gate Room. He could see they'd drawn a crowd but didn't dare a glance to see who watched though he knew Teyla had to be one of them. He could feel her censure in the air, but couldn't spare the smallest amount of his attention to look for her.

~~O~~

Watching Dusty and Mahesh beat the crap out of each other, John knew he had to put a stop to it soon. But not yet. The Staff Sergeant was only doing what John himself wanted to do though her motivation was much different.

Dusty lashed out with her right foot getting Mahesh on the shoulder. Mahesh called out in pain and John winced at the sickening crunch that meant she'd broken his collarbone. His nose had been bloodied and his left arm was held close to his side where she'd kicked him in the ribs with the steel toe of her boot. Hopefully she'd broken a rib or two.

As much as he was enjoying this, it was time to put a stop to it before she killed the man. He'd not even taken one step when he was halted by Teyla's strong grip on his arm.

"No, John. At this moment, she is not one of your soldiers. At this moment, she is Carson's mate and it is her right to avenge the betrayal."

"But she'll kill him!"

"You do not give Sergeant Mehra the credit she deserves, John. I cannot allow you to interfere."

The lift of one side of Teyla's mouth made John feel ashamed that he'd thought Dusty incapable of controlling her temper. But he did as she instructed and watched the man who'd framed Carson get what was coming to him.

John was jolted out of his visions of his own revenge when the fighting abruptly stopped. Dusty had Mahesh in a sleeper hold with what had to be her own revision. The way her hands were positioned, she could easily choke the life from the man without much effort. Her expression had been fierce, primitive. Now it was calm. Too calm. He took an involuntary step forward to intervene, drawing up short at Dusty's snarled, "Stay back, sir."

~~O~~

Mahesh had stopped struggling seeming to have accepted that his life was about to end as Dusty slowly and inexorably exerted pressure on his windpipe until he could barely draw in a breath. Her voice so low that only he could hear, she squeezed just a little more. "This is me killing you for what you tried to do to Carson." He struggled, his survival instincts making him claw at the arm across his throat.

"This is Carson stopping me." She released him so suddenly that he fell to his hands and knees, drawing in rasping breaths through his bruised throat. Using her foot to push him over onto his side, she watched him lay there staring up her with surprise and shock. Turning her back on Mahesh as if he meant less than nothing Dusty went to stand in front of John, hands clasped behind her back, head up and back straight. "Sorry, sir."

"Don't be." John slanted his eyes to Teyla and back. "It was your right."

"Permission to release Dr. Beckett from the Brig, sir?"

"Granted, Staff Sergeant."

"Thank you, sir." She strode from the scene without a backward glance.

~~O~~

Mahesh cried out in pain when Ronon grabbed a handful of his shirt and lifted him to his feet, has hands going to support his broken collarbone and cracked ribs. Every few seconds Ronon urged him to move faster by giving him a shove. The Satedan started to take him straight to the Brig only to be stopped by John.

"This way, Chewy. First stop is the Infirmary."

"Doesn't deserve it." The big man shrugged at the look he got from his friend and changed direction.

"No argument from me, but Teyla might have something to say about it." John glanced over his shoulder at the Athosian leader who was strangely silent.

"Beckett too." John couldn't argue with Ronon's retort.

On the walk to the Infirmary, Mahesh hadn't said one word in his defense. Not that it would have helped. He'd killed a man and blamed another. Nothing could change that.

They neared the Infirmary, Ronon once again giving Mahesh a shove that caused him to stumble to his knees, one hand on the floor in front of him. He cried out in pain when Ronon grabbed his arm and hauled him to his feet again. "Get up!"

Just then John, Ronon and the guards turned at the sound of an angry voice.

"What the bloody hell are ye doin'?"

~~O~~

Carson glared at the men, going to Mahesh's side to lead him to an exam table. To Mahesh he said, "Sit there, lad and we'll have ye fixed up." He turned to the male nurse. "Get him inta a gown n' under the scanner." The guards stepped forward at John's nod as Dusty stopped next to him. "What happened?"

"I happened."

He turned to study her face at the matter-of-fact tone in her voice. She stared back, her eyes going to the small cuts and bruises on his face that were already beginning to heal, waiting for him to make some remark. "Why…"

Teyla pushed to the front of the crowd watching Carson tend to the man on the bed, the man whose actions caused the doctor to spend the night in the brig. "It was Sergeant Mehra's entitlement as your mate to exact payment for what was done to you."

"Excuse me?"

"She means I got to beat the crap outta him for framing you for murder."

Her tone was still expressionless as if she had no feelings about the damage she'd done to Mahesh one way or the other though he knew otherwise, could see it in her eyes. She hadn't enjoyed it, but she also wasn't remorseful.

Carson moved to the scanner's display, his back to the others and sarcasm in his voice. "Oh? Why didn't ye say so?" Inside he was thinking She 'n I will need t' discuss this, but not now! That is until he realized what Teyla had just said. He spun around, his eyes wide and a light blush creeping over his features. "Mate?"

John, Ronon and Teyla chuckled and the guards just grinned at the comically shocked look on Carson's face. The doctor looked back at Dusty who blew another bubble and shrugged in a way that meant she was okay with that evaluation of their relationship.

Trying not to grin herself, Amanda came to his side. "You better let me take over, Carson. I think you and the Sergeant need to have a talk."

"Aye. We do."

~~O~~

With just a touch of unease, Dusty meekly followed Carson to one of the empty exam beds.

"What were ye thinkin' gettin' into a fight with…" he pointed his chin at Mahesh as he ran the handheld scanner over her back, "…him?"

"I was gettin' back at him for…" she cut off remembering what Gunny had told her just hours before, "…wait a minute! You started a bar fight! What were you thinkin'?"

With a snort of frustration Carson set aside the scanner he'd been using, crossing his arms and matching her glare with one of his own. "I was defendin' yer honor. Lockhart said…"

"I'm a Marine! I don't need anyone to defend my honor." She hopped off the exam table and pushed past him.

"I know that but…where are ye goin'? We're not done…"

Dusty returned to stand toe to toe with him. "Well I'm done! How I could possibly…"

"Hey!" All conversation came to a stunned halt at the sound of Jennifer's voice. Rodney followed her out and Dusty could see the physicist didn't know what to make of the argument taking place in the middle of the Infirmary and in front of so many people. "You two! Take that in my office!"

"But, Jenn…"

"I mean now, Carson."

Dusty exchanged a sheepish glance with Carson then led the way into the glass walled office. For the first few minutes they just stood there, Dusty with her arms crossed, staring at the floor, and Carson rubbing his forehead as if a headache were coming on.

~~O~~

The guards kept a watchful eye on Mahesh though John was certain he wouldn't cause any more problems. Not that he was physically able to do so at the moment, but just in case. Instead, he and Teyla stood next to Rodney and Jennifer watching the couple yell at each other.

"What do you think they're saying?"

Jennifer shrugged. "As long as they're engaging in a frank and open discussion of their issues, does it matter?"

John shrugged. "Guess not." Inside the office, Carson and Dusty abruptly stopped talking. They stood there looking into each other's eyes, their chest heaving from the adrenaline pumping into their systems from the heightened emotions. "What the…Whoa! I did not need to see that!" Turning to face the other way, he tried to wipe away the memory of what he'd just seen but it was futile. "Oh, crap! How'm I gonna get to sleep tonight without seeing that every time I close my eyes?"

~~O~~

Aside from the soft susurrations of the environmental systems, a tense silence surrounded Carson and Dusty. Finally, she spoke. "You never said why you started a bar fight."

"'N ye never said why ye beat the livin' daylights out o' that young man." Looking everywhere but at him, Dusty mumbled something he couldn't hear. "What's that?"

A long huff, part annoyance and part resignation, hissed out of her throat. "Because…I…"

"Ye what?"

"Love you."

Carson had been tense, his body rigid, but at Dusty's confession, he sagged in relief. "That's good because I love ye too."

Her head came up, their eyes meeting for the first time since they'd come into the office. The darkness of her irises sparkled with happiness though she wasn't smiling. When had he come to know her so well that he could tell her mood even when she didn't change her expression? He didn't know, but he was more than willing to spend a lifetime figuring it out.

"Really?"

A smile came to his face as he took a step closer, his hands lightly gripping her arms, rubbing up and down. "Aye."

One side of her mouth lifted. "So why are we fighting?"

"No idea."

Her hands rested on his arms above the elbows giving him a squeeze just before drawing him into a passionate kiss. A kiss he returned with equal fervor. Dropping his hands to her backside, he lifted her onto the desk, her legs encircling his thighs and pulling him close.

It occurred to them at the same time that they were still in a public place. They pulled apart, Carson took Dusty's hand and led her from the office. To leave they would have to pass Mahesh's bed. As they drew near Ronon crossed his arms and thrust a hip to the side not taking his eyes off of the Athosian.

~~O~~

"Two guards on him at all times, even in the Brig." John turned to leave knowing without hearing the words that his orders would be carried out. He hadn't gone but a few steps when the prisoner called out to him.

"Colonel Sheppard, you see what the woman has done to me. Should she not be imprisoned as well?"

John exchanged meaningful looks with all who had been present for Dusty's butt-whooping seeing understanding in their eyes. "I didn't see anything. Anyone else see anything?" A chorus of negatives answered his query.

Ronon went to Mahesh's bedside. "You got beat up in a bar fight…" the Satedan punched him in the face just hard enough to get a little blood on his knuckles, "…by me."

Nodding, John said, "That's how I remember it."

Rodney slipped an arm around Jennifer's shoulders. "Me too."

The only member of the group not involved in the banter was Teyla. She did not smile. "As one of the leaders of Atlantis, John, you should know the punishment that will be proclaimed against Mahesh."

Not knowing what she had in mind, John crossed his arms and waited.

Mahesh lay in the hospital bed, his ribs wrapped to support them while they healed and a sling on his left arm to prevent movement of the broken collarbone. Various cuts and bruises showed on his face and several stitches were covered by a bandage on his cheek. Despite all that, he stared boldly at Teyla, ready to accept his fate.

The sound of metal rasping against leather brought the soldiers instantly alert, bringing their weapons up in preparation for use. Holding the knife by the handle, Teyla swung it high intent on ending the life of Mahesh.

"STOP!" Carson insinuated himself between Teyla and the injured man who was unable to defend himself against her attack. "What the bloody hell are ye doin'?"

"It is our way. When one has committed the crime of taking the life of another in this manner, that person's life is also forfeit. Mahesh will die in the same fashion as Lockhart, left to slowly bleed to death, alone, without friends or family to comfort him in his last hours."

"Sorry, I cannae let ye do it."

"You must!"

She attempted to push Carson aside, but he refused to move. "No, I mustn't! It was th' work I did that changed th' lad in th' first place. If I hadnae cooperated with that monster…"

Rodney stepped forward, fear and anger warring in his eyes. "You had no choice, Carson! If you hadn't helped him, he would have killed even more people."

"Aye. But that doesnae change th' fact that I'm still responsible. If he is judged to be guilty, then I should be too. Are ye goin' t' kill me as well?" The misery in his eyes stopped Teyla, the hand holding the knife slowing dropping to her side. Carson turned to Mahesh, the Athosian having watched and listened to the conversation without commenting or giving his opinion one way or the other, accepting that his fate had already been decided the night he'd killed Lockhart. "I have already forgiven him for his actions. Are there no provisions for leniency in extenuatin' circumstances?"

"There are not. But as this is a situation that the Ancestors could not have foreseen, perhaps it is time to create new laws and traditions." She sheathed her knife. Arms raised to the side palms up, head tilted back, she closed her eyes, saying a silent prayer. Her eyes opened again focusing solely on Mahesh. Her hand produced another much smaller knife. This time no one stopped her as she leaned over Mahesh and quickly carved a symbol into the center of his forehead. "Let it be known to all! For the rest of his days, he will wear the mark of the betrayer, Olin.

"Mahesh, you are hereby stripped of your heritage never again to set foot upon New Athos." A collective gasp went through the spectators though no one commented. "As of this moment, you are no longer Athosian. You are and shall remain a man without a homeworld, without friends, without anyone to turn to for comfort in times of distress." Turning her back on him, Teyla's eyes met John's as she replaced the knife in its place of concealment. "Do with him as you will, Colonel Sheppard. He is no longer a concern of the Athosian people."

John turned his gaze on the former Athosian though he spoke to the guards. "When he's released, take him to the Brig. We'll deal with him later."

~~O~~

"Why'd you help him after what he did?" Carson could see that Ronon was upset at the turn of events. It was Carson's nature and it hadn't surprised him that he'd done it, but he didn't like it.

With a glance at the man on the bed listening to every word, Carson gave Mahesh a smile that had little to do with kindness though he was speaking to Ronon. "Because killing someone for doin' ye wrong is easy, but forgiveness is th' ultimate revenge. Now if ye don't mind, I'll be takin' my girl 'n goin' now."

The couple got as far as the exit before John spoke. "Sarge?"

"Yes, sir?"

"Dr. Beckett is confined to quarters. Mind escorting him and making sure he stays put?"

Carson blushed again, a shy embarrassed smile coming over his features. Dusty blew a bubble and let it pop trying in vain to hide a smirk. "Not at all, sir."

~~O~~

As Dusty and Carson made their way to his room, she reflected that finding him and the things they shared, how they managed to heal each other, was like finding a diamond while hiking a trail you'd been on hundreds of times before. It was always there, but it took just the right circumstances to see it. Not normally given to fanciful notions, she snorted at herself.

"What is it, love?" He passed a hand over the sensor, led her inside his room pulling her into a loose embrace as the door closed.

She sighed at the loving tone in his voice realizing he'd been telling her of his love for a while though she hadn't been listening as closely as she should have been. He called most women love, but now it was so much more than just a generic term of affection. Now she knew it was meant. He loved her. "I was just thinkin' about that song the blond actress used to sing, the one about diamonds."

Carson chuckled. "'Diamonds are a Girl's Best Friend'?"

"Yeah. Reminds me of you."

"How so, love?"

"You're like a diamond though you aren't just some old rock."

"What're ye sayin'?"

"That diamonds may be a girl's best friend, but you're better than all that." He pulled her close and she let herself lean into him, her head on his shoulder. "Carson, why…" With little experience to guide her, Dusty didn't know how to phrase what she wanted to say.

"Ye want t' know why I've fallen in love with ye." Without lifting her head, she nodded. "My love, there's something in you that speaks to a part of me I'd thought Michael had destroyed. When I found you, I found myself again."

Puzzling that over in her mind, she smiled slow and sexy. "Ditto." He lowered his head as she leaned into him, their lips meeting in a hot and passionate kiss.

A short time later, they had stripped each other of their outer clothing, standing in the middle of the room. He had on a T-shirt and boxers and she a khaki green tank top and a pair of boxers with the Marine logo. He didn't make a move, simply took her hands and just looked at her, his eyes automatically seeking out that bit of sparkle in her belly button.

"What're you starin' at me for? You've seen me undressed before."

"Aye, but I wasnae permitted th' time t' just look at you." When his eyes met hers again, he was grinning. "I was just thinkin' about the way ye looked in yer dress uniform. All professional and serious. And far too sexy fer my peace o' mind. It's the only time I've ever seen you in a skirt."

~~O~~

Dusty rolled her eyes at him. "Don't like skirts." She thought over what he'd said about how she'd looked on the day of Reed's service. "You're not gonna, you know, go all weird on me are ya?"

"Och. No!" He let his hands rest on her waist, slipping around to her spine to pull her closer. "I want ye t' be yerself."

Her grin was almost evil as she reached up to kiss him again. Their lips had barely made contact when she leaned back. "Wait!" Pulling free of his embrace, she went to his dresser, opening and closing drawers until she found the one she wanted.

"What's that yer doin'?"

She faced him again with a sock in one hand, and the most evil smirk he'd ever seen on a woman. One eyebrow lifted as she headed for the door. He stopped her by taking her hand and leading her to the bed. Sitting on the side, he pulled her onto his lap, both arms around her waist. "Yer a cheeky bugger."

"Damn straight!"

They kissed again, his hand taking the sock from her and tossing it away. She broke the contact and stood, turning so her hands were on his shoulders. Placing a knee on each side of his hips, she exerted just enough pressure to make him lie down and she followed, pressing her lips to his again. With her straddled over him, he kept hold of her waist as she sat back, her firm backside resting on the tops of his thighs. As she had at the lake, she crossed her arms to grasp the hem of her top, lifting it up and off.

When her eyes met his again, he knew he was ogling her but couldn't stop. "Och…you're…"

"What?"

He was at a loss for words. The sight of her naked from the waist up had robbed him of the ability to speak earning him a huff of annoyance from the woman he loved. It broke through the haze of desire though it did nothing to dissipate it. "…absolutely lovely."

"Thanks." She said it without sarcasm or rancor. "Your turn. Take it off, Beckett."

When he didn't immediately follow her instructions, she grasped the bottom of his shirt and slipped her hands inside, blazing a trail of heat across his chest and stomach until those sweet strong fingers eased beneath the elastic of his boxers. He stopped her foraging by taking her hands from his skin then hugging her close, loving the feel of her pressed against him. Rolling until she was under him, he gazed into her beautiful face. "Sorry, love, but this time we're takin' our time and gettin' t' know each other."

Not waiting for her agreement, Carson removed his T-shirt and together they spent the night proving their love.

TBC