Chapter 5

The reception finally over and the guests quartered for the night, Carson nodded to Elizabeth before parting. Making his way back to his own room so that he could change out of his monkey suit and back into more familiar comfortable clothing, he sighed and shook his head, remembering certain events of the evening.

He hadn't missed Sheppard and McKay slipping away sometime during the toast and that meant both men had most likely missed dinner. When they'd never returned, he'd caught Weir's deliberate glance directed towards him before the evening ended. He somehow knew it would be up to him to locate both officers before morning.

With a quick trip to the infirmary to check on its status, to see if anything had happened while he was gone, he was surprised to hear voices talking quietly in the dimly lit room. Entering as silently as he could, the speakers were unaware of his arrival as he came to stand just inside the door. It looked as though his search was going to be unnecessary, for there reclining back on two of the med beds, only one having the small overhead light on, were the missing men.

Sheppard appeared to be doing most of the talking as he rested with one hand tucked behind his head, the other draped across his chest. His left leg, dangled over the edge, swinging slowly back and forth. Beckett thought it was the most relaxed he'd seen the young officer in a long time.

On the other bed was Rodney, lying on his side with a pillow clutched to his chest, facing the major. The light from over his head made the scientist appear pale as his breathing deepened and he slowly gave into the powerful pull of sleep. Heavy lidded eyes snapped open a few times as he struggled to pay attention to Sheppard's stories before his tired body gave in to a deep slumber.

The story continued quietly for several more minutes before Sheppard finally stopped, his gaze shifting towards the doorway, somehow spotting the silent physician hidden in the shadows. "It's okay, Doc, you can come in now. He's out for the count," he said softly.

Carson made his way over to the side of the major's bed, leaning with his back against it, while watching McKay. "I must say, I'm a bit surprised to find you lads in here, of all places."

Sheppard blew out a long breath, his hand coming down from behind his head to intertwine with the one on his chest. He stared for several moments at the darkened ceiling before he turned to face the Scot. "He's having panic attacks." He paused, hating to divulge what was told in confidence. "I witnessed two today."

The physician stepped over to the other bed, gently grasping the sleeping man's wrist to check his pulse. Rodney never stirred when Carson settled it back on the mattress before he laid his own hand across the scientist's forehead. "Anything else you want to tell me?" he asked once he completed his brief examination and turned to face the major.

Swinging his other leg over the side, Sheppard pulled himself upright to face McKay. He didn't answer Beckett's question, choosing to remain silent.

"Can you at least tell me if he's eaten anything and been able to keep it down?"

"He finished his salad at the banquet and was with me the entire time afterwards. As far as I know, it didn't make a reappearance. I think he also drank a glass of water."

"Good. That's good. Well, Major, I think you can go back to your quarters for the night. From the looks of things, he's going to be asleep for quite some time. Why don't you come back for breakfast?"

"I'm gonna stay, doc." Sheppard's posture held no room for disagreement, clearly there was more going on than he was willing to say.

"All right, then. Let me get you some blankets at least." Half way back to his office, Carson turned around, "Is there anything else I can get you, lad? Something to eat perhaps?"

Sheppard had already kicked off his boots and hopped down to the floor, padding quietly over to Rodney's bed to do the same with the scientist's shoes. He hated to admit that he was hungry, and he certainly didn't want Beckett running around waiting on him, but the man did offer. "Yeah, actually, I could use something. Got anything stashed in the back to munch on?"

A smile lit up Carson's face as he winked, "Aye, I might have a little something. I'll be back in a minute." He promptly disappeared behind his office door.

Just the two of them, once more, in the quiet room, Sheppard reached out and checked Rodney's temperature for himself. The scientist felt cool to the touch. Hopefully the long wet sit on the pier wouldn't have any adverse affect on his friend's health. "What are we gonna do with you, McKay? You're way too much trouble, you know that?" he teased. "If you aren't finding it, it's finding you. And Weir thinks I'm the trouble magnet."

"She's right," a Scottish voice affirmed from behind him.

This time Carson did catch Sheppard by surprise, actually making him jump. "How in the…? Didn't you go to your office?"

"Aye, but I cut back through the dispensary." The physician grinned at catching the ever alert officer off guard. He tossed a blanket to the major before placing two on the empty bed beside Rodney. Shaking one loose, he draped it over the sleeping scientist.

Sheppard watched with an approving eye. "I thought you were bringing munchies back with you."

"Patience, major, they're right behind you." Stepping into the darkness, Carson retrieved a small tray he'd left on an empty bed and brought it into the light. Slices of an apple type fruit, chunks of Athosian cheese, and crackers were piled haphazardly for eating. When the physician heard the major's stomach growl, he smiled again. "I figured, when I saw you leave the banquet, that you didn't get any supper."

"Well, we had something else to take care of." He knew he was being vague, but Sheppard wasn't ready to include the Scot in their earlier discussion. Swallowing a large chunk of cheese and cracker, he began to cough when the dry biscuit got stuck in his throat. A bottle of water was handed to him and he nodded 'thanks' before taking a long swig.

"Why don't you try slowing down and eat like a normal person, instead of a soldier heading out the door to a mission? I promise, I'll leave your snack alone," Carson teased, hopping up on the other bed and opening his own bottle of water.

"What are you doing?"

"I'm getting ready to sleep." Carson fluffed his pillow and tipped back, scooching several times to get comfortable.

"Doc, you don't have to stay. I just thought I'd keep him company."

"That's alright, lad, I don't mind."

"But.."

Carson propped up on one elbow, staring Sheppard directly in the eye, "You aren't going to tell me what's wrong, yet you want me to let you spend the night here. You're suddenly acting like a big brother protecting a little brother. I think there's something that happened and you won't tell me because it has to do with Rodney. But, laddie, your over concern has made me want to keep an eye on him myself. Now, since I am his physician, as well as his friend, you don't have a problem with me staying in my own infirmary, do you, Major?"

Sheppard chomped down on a piece of fruit, smiling so that the peel covered his teeth in red. Another munch and it was gone. "Nope. None at all."

"Good." Leaning back, Carson kicked his off his shoes and let them drop to the floor. "Are we leaving the light on?"

"Probably a good idea."

The Scot nodded before taking another swig from his water bottle. Screwing the cap back on, he reached over and set it on the bed table. "When his nightmares start, let me know how I can help." With that, he closed his eyes.

Not if, but when. Sheppard snorted, shaking his head in amazement. Beckett was one tough cookie who knew the staff better than anyone on Atlantis. Finishing the final bites of his snack, he swallowed. "Thanks. That really hit the spot."

"You're welcome."

"Doc, if I could tell you…"

Carson's hand waved in the darkness to cut him off. "I understand, lad. Just remember, when either of you is ready to fill me in, I will keep whatever it is you're not telling me, in the strictest confidence."

The major tipped back onto his own pillow before rolling to his side. He watched McKay sleep, feeling his own eyes grow heavy. He really hadn't had a decent night's sleep in a few nights himself. Hoping that maybe their evening chat on the balcony might have chased a few of his friend's demons away, he finally allowed his own tired soul to rest.

SG: A

"NO!"

Sheppard sat up as if he'd been shot out of a canon, the panicked shout from his friend caused his own heart to thunder in his chest. Shoving his blanket away, he dropped to the floor and hurried to Rodney's bedside. Carson met him on the opposite side.

"Don't touch him," Sheppard warned, seeing the doctor reach out to comfort their thrashing friend.

The physician yanked his hand back, trusting the major to know what he was doing.

"Rodney. Hey, Rodney, wake up. You're safe. There's no one here that's going to hurt you." Sheppard prompted over and over, hoping to break through the nightmare. "Come on, McKay, I'm right here. Carson's here. We've got your back. You're safe."

Slowly the comforting words filtered down into the dreaming man's consciousness. His sweat drenched head stopped shifting; his tightly clenched hands released their deathgrip on the mattress. Taking a deep shuddering breath, he squeezed his eyes tight before daring to crack them open, only to find concern in the faces of his two best friends peering down at him.

"You okay?" Sheppard asked, cautiously reaching out to grasp one of Rodney's hands, while Carson took the other, as they helped him to a sitting position.

He nodded slowly, taking another deep breath to calm his own racing heart. When Carson placed an open bottle of water in his hand, he gratefully accepted. After a hesitant sip he whispered, "I'm okay."

Sheppard allowed himself a relieved smile, looking to Carson and seeing concern etched in the Scot's face. "Rodney, I think we need to let Beckett in on what's going on."

TBC