A/N:

Happy Talk Like A Pirate Day everyone! Avast ye!

Sorry McRaider, need to keep pushing through the years! But his foray into America will not be forgotten. I've covered less than four years so far! And not to worry, the next eight years will be dealt with a lot more quickly!

Chapter 7

Rob Davis turned to look at Carson as he washed his hands. He swallowed, uncertain of what the answer would be to his question. "So…tell me…are you going to stay on in the Navy?" He thought he'd achieved nonchalance.

Carson shut the cabinet, and faced his senior officer. "Do you think I should?"

Davis hadn't expected that. "You have an aptitude for research and statistics."

Carson wrapped his arms over his chest. "That's not all the navy is for. If I stay on I'll have to take a field appointment."

"True." Davis thought furiously. "I think you can handle it…I did." He rubbed his hands briskly with the towel.

Carson gave a rueful smile. "What if I can't?"

"Then they'll kick you out faster than a cruise missile, boyo. Listen, Beckett, three years in an Institute is no substitute for caring for the sick."

Carson recognised a need in him that Davis must once have dealt with. He missed taking that hand, giving that comfort. "Two and a half years. Plus six months in that bloody hot Texas," he corrected.

"Good though, wasn't it?" Davis smiled, and Carson's face mirrored his.

Davis pushed him. "You need to heal people, Carson."

His supervisor had never called him by his first name before, Carson thought. "Aye. I miss that side of things, sir. But…if I stay in the Navy it's not little old ladies I'll be dealing with, it's blood and guts and limbs."

Davis saw the fear in the younger man's eyes. "We need you out there, Carson. Those boys need you." They stared at each other.

Carson swallowed hard. "I know."

0o0o0

"Happy Birthday, Mum." Carson kissed her on the cheek, and gave her a solid hug.

With tears in her eyes, Mary grasped his arms. "You said you wouldnae make it home! How did you manage?"

"I made it for Dad's. I had to make it for yours." His mum was sixty, today.

Magnus Beckett appeared, carrying Carson's bags.

"Here, Dad. You should've left them for me." Carson grabbed the holdall out of his father's hand. He could see his dad getting weaker as the years went on. Just little things, it was only natural. Couldn't expect him to run a marathon any more, he supposed.

Over the obligatory tea and biscuits, Carson recounted his latest tales from the Institute. His parents could see his happiness in his position, but they were aware that the commission was fast approaching its conclusion.

When there was a pause in the conversation, Magnus was blunt. "Right, son. Just tell us. Are you staying on?"

Carson put his mug down. He sighed. Mary Beckett glanced at her husband anxiously.

"It scares me, right enough, Dad, Mum. I've loved doing the research. I can see me in a lab again one day. But I've decided to sign on for a two-year extension. I'll get a ship, maybe, a submarine, even. I could take a shore position, in one of the hospitals, but, to be honest, I want to get to sea." He actually smiled, he couldn't help it. "I've spent all my life watching those boats sail up and down the Clyde. It's about time I got on board."

Mary and Magnus raised eyebrows at each other. It was what they had expected.

"Fair enough, son. Fair enough."