The Mitchell Files Volume 7
(yeah, it doesn't have a title, either)
Disclaimer: I don't own any recognizable characters or places. JustMelony, Talon and anyone else that I might make up.
Author's Note: There's probably no point to this story. It takes place a day or so after Volume 6 ends, and will (most likely) just focus on Melony and Carson.
OOOOOOOOOOO
The dining room – or Commissary, as the military personnel were taking to calling it – was deserted, except for one person alone at one of the table, looking at her laptop and occasionally taking a sip from the steaming mug of coffee sitting in front of her. Doctor Carson Beckett hobbled over to her.
"I thought I'd find you here…"
Mitchell looked up from the file she was reading, and with careful deliberation closed her laptop. Then she smiled, and Carson felt his heart skip a beat.
"Here I am," she told him, a slightly teasing tone in her voice. "What did you find out about your ankle?"
"It's not broken."
"Good."
"It still hurts, though."
She gestured for him to sit beside her.
"Then you shouldn't be on it."
He wasn't technically on it – he was on crutches, after all – but he didn't deny the logic of her statement as he set his crutches aside and sat down next to her at the empty table, having just a little trouble maneuvering the air cast so he could sit properly. Luckily, she was fairly close to the end of the bench, so he could be close to her and still be able to stretch the leg out a little.
"What are you reading?"
"A mission report from A-03."
Since that meant absolutely nothing to him, he frowned.
"Which planet is that?"
"The second planet that the teams found signs of the Wraith on – although they didn't actually see any."
"You're not getting ready to go Wraith hunting are you?" He asked, unable to help himself – and unable to hide his concern. "You haven't even been back to A-08, yet, and gotten the lava base up and running…"
She shook her head, her hand coming to cover his and squeezing it lightly.
"I'm getting ready to go Wraith hunting, yes, but I'm not going to go for a while. I'm just reading through mission files to see if I can find a fairly safe planet to hunt for them."
Which sounded like an oxymoron to him, since there was no such thing as a safe Wraith hunt.
"Can you take a break?"
She nodded. There wasn't any rush, after all. He was right; she didn't even have the lava base up and running yet. And until she did there was absolutely no reason to risk life and limb hunting the Wraith.
"Did you have anything in mind?"
"I've been ordered back to my bed," he said, scowling – much to Melony's amusement. Since he was injured, he was – technically – out of the chain of command in the infirmary. Which meant he was subject to doctor's orders until his ankle healed. "And was hoping you'd want to keep me company? We could play cards…"
"You already owe me 800 bucks."
He shrugged.
"You should be willing to give me a chance to win some of it back, then."
She laughed, and nodded.
"Fine. I'll play cards with you, but when you end up being forced to sell organs to pay your gambling debts, don't coming crying to me."
He smiled.
"I'm getting better."
She'd only just started teaching him how to play Gin, and he was wrong. He wasn't getting better. He was still terrible.
And you're exploiting that lack of abilityI'm not cheating.
You're not helping him learnI point out his mistakes, but I don't want to hurt his feelings.
She didn't need to mention why she was so careful with Carson – Talon already knew. The relationship between Colonel and Doctor was healing, but it was still fragile, and they both knew it. Which was one reason Melony was glad that she was stuck on Atlantis for a week or so until Rodney McKay had gathered his team of engineers and scientists (that weren't claustrophobic) to help get the lava base useable.
They had a chance to get their relationship back. And at the moment, it meant playing cards with him, and not looking through files to find a Wraith planet.
That can waitYeah.
"I'll get the cards," she told him, getting up far more gracefully than he did. "Have you eaten?"
He nodded, taking his crutches.
"You could bring tea."
Blech. Why not bring dishwater?
He noticed the look of distaste, and smiled.
"You don't have to drink it."
Good thing.
"I'll bring you some tea. But only because I like you."
"In that case, I'll have a whole pot."
Bah.
She watched as he hobbled out of the room, and then headed for the kitchen to make him a pot of tea. Luckily there was always hot water available.
OOOOOOOOO
She didn't just bring tea. For one thing, she didn't have any intention of drinking tea, so she brought a large mug of coffee – that wouldn't last all that long, but it would do. Since she hadn't eaten lunch, she'd also brought a plate with rolls and cheese – which would do for an impromptu meal. If he changed his mind about being hungry, she'd share.
Juggling the heavy tray – which held a deck of playing cards and a small notebook as well – she palmed open the door to his quarters, knowing that he wasn't going to be able to get up easily and get to the door to let her in.
He wasn't in the living room area.
"Carson?"
"I'll be right out."
The voice was coming from his bedroom, and she noticed he sounded frustrated, and annoyed. She set the tray down on the coffee table.
"Are you all right?"
"Aye. I'm just having some trouble… I'll be right there."
"Anything I can help with?"
"Only if you hear a crashing noise as I fall down."
She smiled, deciding he was trying to get changed, and sat down on the sofa. If he needed her help, he was smart enough to ask for it.
Maybe.