It was several hours before Mitchell opened her eyes, and when she did, she found herself in bed and sore – inside and out.

Don't make any sudden movements, okay?

Yeah.

Talon gave her a quick reminder of what had happened, and Melony couldn't help but shake her head.

Birds don't have very good braking systems, do they?

Nope. We'll have to work on that

She agreed, but before she could even start thinking about it, the door to the room she was in opened, and Carson walked in, his serious face lighting up a bit when he noticed her eyes were open.

"You're awake. Good…"

He came over and sat down beside her bed, and reached for her hand to take her pulse.

"How long was I out?"

"A few hours."

"How long will I be in bed?"

"A couple of days – unless Talon is quicker than I expect him to be."

A couple of days, Talon confirmed.

"Crap."

"You took a nasty fall," Carson said, reaching out and touching her cheek. "It could have been a lot worse, you know."

"Yeah." She supposed she could have rolled off the balcony and fallen the however many hundred feet into the water below. That probably would have sucked. "My harness didn't get damaged, did it?"

Carson shrugged.

"You'll have to ask Major Sheppard," he said. "Later." He added, when she started to open her mouth again, almost definitely prepared to ask him to go get the Major right then and there. "Right now, you need rest, and I don't want you moving around a lot. I stitched up the deepest of the gashes and I don't want you tearing them."

"Yes, Sir."

It was only slightly mocking, and Carson couldn't help but smile. He leaned over and kissed her, softly, feeling all the worries and concerns about their relationship fly out the window in that simple contact.

She brought her hand up to cup his cheek, holding him lightly in place for a moment as they kissed, and when he pulled away it was only an inch or so. His eyes met hers, and they both smiled. Melony ran her fingers along his beard, enjoying his nearness and thinking that maybe now would be the best time to tell him that she loved him.

"Carson…"

"Hmmm?"

He ran his fingers lightly through her short blonde hair, his eyes never leaving hers. Maybe he should tell her how he felt? Would she feel the same way? She was so beautiful, and so perfect, and he wanted her love so much that it actually hurt-

"Oops!"

The door behind them had swooshed open, and John Sheppard had entered the room, interrupting what was obviously a private moment. He stopped, unable to figure out a way to leave unnoticed – especially now that Beckett had practically jumped out of his skin at being startled by his sudden arrival. Looking more than a little chagrined, and apologetic, he gave them a slightly embarrassed smile.

"Um… sorry."

"It's okay," Carson said, blushing brilliantly. "I was just… uh…" He couldn't think of anything. "What did you need Major?"

John's smile turned wry.

"I was coming to ask you how Colonel Mitchell was, Doctor. But I can see she's… better."

Melony snickered, unable to help herself. They'd been so busted! Like a couple kids necking in the woods after a party.

"I am better, Major," she told him, trying to sit up further in her bed, but finding herself held down against the pillows with a hand between her breasts.

Don't move so much, Hot Shot, Talon told her at the same time Carson held her still. I'm not ready for you to be sitting up just yet.

"Don't move, Melony. Not for a little while, at least." Carson added at the same time.

Bah.

It's just for the rest of the day. Maybe some of tomorrow

Sheppard smiled, glad it wasn't him stuck in bed.

"I'll go let Doctor Weir and the others know you're… better."

"You do that, Major," Melony told him, "But then bring me my laptop, will you? If I'm going to be stuck here, I might as well get some things taken care of."

"Yes, Ma'am." He turned and reached for the door control. "I'll leave you two to your… um… amusements, shall I?" And without waiting for an answer, he let, the door closing behind him.

Carson realized he still had his hand on Melony, his fingers just between her breasts, able to feel the soft swelling beneath the scrubs they'd put her in without actually fondling her or anything. He moved his hand reluctantly, and Melony smiled.

"The doors need locks," she said, resisting the urge to reach out and put his hand back where it had been.

"Aye."

He leaned over and brushed another kiss against her lips, but the moment had passed, and they both knew it. Sheppard would be back – who knew when – with her laptop, and neither of them wanted to get caught in the compromising position again.

"You should probably get some rest."

She nodded. She was tired, after all, even though she'd been distracted from that quite nicely. She reached out and caught his hand, bringing it up to hold against her cheek as she closed her eyes, letting him know without words that she wanted him to stay with her.

He brushed her cheek with his fingertips before moving his hand and taking hers and sitting back down in his chair. He didn't have anything pressing to do and he had no desire to be anywhere but where he was.

"You and I need to have a talk," he murmured softly to her.

She nodded, but didn't open her eyes, already being lulled back to sleep by his touch and Talon's gentle ministrations.

"Soon…" she mumbled.

But it wasn't going to be just then.