Time Capsule

Chapter 4

Carson Beckett growled at the nurse. He didn't mean it, but really, he was ready to leave this infernal bed and get back to work. Dr. Amrubi had ordered him to remain in the infirmary for another two days after he woke up, giving his body time to recover. And giving Carson time to search his memories.

There had been a woman speaking to him. He was certain of that. He was not prone to hallucinations or delusions, and he did not manufacture the woman out of thin air. No, she was directly tied to the circlet. And therein was the problem.

Rodney had reluctantly allowed John Sheppard to try and activate the circlet. Try being the operative word. Although John had been lying in the bed next to Carson's, surrounded by Rodney and Radek, not to mention a platoon of doctors and nurses, nothing had happened. Nada. Not even a twinge, according to Sheppard. Frustrated, Rodney had paraded the few humans who had the ATA gene into the infirmary, each trying on the circlet. And each failing to generate even a blip from the device. Rodney had given up in disgust.

Now, Carson was ready to leave this blasted bed and at least put on real clothes, not this smock thing that currently left his ass hanging in the wind. Really…who designed these things? Laura had teased him unmercifully about enjoying the view, and he had felt his cheeks (the ones on his face, thank you) blush crimson at her remarks. The lady in question was currently at his side, her long hair tied up in a ponytail, her eyes on his. The nurse was removing his IV line, applying a Band-aid with a Tweety Bird on it.

"I brought you some clothes, Carson," Laura said, smiling sweetly at him. He gave her a grateful smile in return, wondering for the thousandth time what the pretty soldier saw in him, anyway. He had decided not to question it, just go with the moment. It was the only way to live in Atlantis.

Two hours later, with Laura back on duty and a promise to make him dinner tonight, Carson was in his office, trying to concentrate on his paperwork. His head still ached a bit, and he ran his hands through his hair. Images of the mystery woman flashed in his memory, interrupting his thoughts. The look of distress on her face worried him. Whoever….whatever…she was, there was something wrong. She had been trying to tell him, but then there was pain…Carson screwed up his eyes, remembering the agony. He stood up and began pacing the floor, his mind torn. Finally, reluctantly, he made up his mind. With a resigned sigh, he left his office, heading to Rodney's lab.

oOo

Dr. McKay was puttering. It was something he loved to do, sometimes even more so than actually solving the seemingly insurmountable problems that occasionally arose on Atlantis. Sure, he could save the day, but when all the fanfare subsided, he liked to just sit at his table and tinker with gadgets.

He stared morosely at the circlet. He had been sure that the Ancient device was some sort of communications interface, and he still would bet his last candy bar that he was right. But only Carson had managed to get the thing to do anything, and that incident had frightening results. Discouraged, Rodney lifted the circlet, giving it one last look before he stored it in a metal case. His perusal was interrupted by Carson, who strode into his room.

"Carson! They let you out?" Rodney asked, quickly dropping the device into the box and closing the lid with a bang. He was unsure if Carson was angry with him, but Rodney saw no need to upset the doctor needlessly by parading the device before him. Maybe he was getting nicer.

"Rodney," Carson replied in greeting. He rubbed his hands together, then squared his shoulders. "I want to try the device again," he blurted out. Nervously, Beckett paced the confines of the lab.

Rodney sat in shocked silence, not quite believing his ears. Carson wanted to try again? Was he out of his mind? Although the opportunity seemed almost heaven-sent, Rodney responded with a resounding, "No. Absolutely not." He must be getting nicer.

Carson paused in his pacing, his eyes boring into Rodney. He clasped his hands together, trying to organize his thoughts.

"Rodney, I saw someone. I know you don't believe me, that you think I should be seeing Heightmeyer, but I'm telling you…she was there. And she was trying to tell me something. Something important. I want to try again. I need to try again."

McKay stared at his friend, seeing the anguish on Carson's face. As always, Carson's need to help was causing the doctor to ignore the dangers to himself. Rodney nearly snorted; he was much the same when the cause was scientific rather than humane. Maybe they were more alike than he thought.

"Are you sure? I mean, really, really sure, Carson? Last time scared the hell out me, and I can't deal with a repeat performance." Rodney's voice was brusque with pent-up emotion, and Carson realized that the admission was unusual for Rodney. Compassion for his friend welled-up, and Carson reached out a hand, placing it on Rodney's shoulder.

"I don't blame you for what happened, Rodney. I think it was my fault, anyway," Carson admitted, hoping to relieve a little of Rodney's guilt. Carson knew both Elizabeth and Sheppard had ripped into Rodney, hard, after Beckett had recovered, severely limiting Rodney's capacity to experiment. Apparently, McKay had accepted both the tongue-lashing and the punishment without a word.

Rodney eyed his friend, seeing the need and resolve in his eyes. Resigned, he nodded his head, and grabbed the metal box.

"We'll do this in the sick-bay. After you," Rodney said, waving his hand towards the door. Carson merely grinned in relief, nodding in agreement as Rodney added, "And not one word to Elizabeth!"

oOo

Carson Beckett lay in the infirmary, on the same bed he occupied for the last five days. Surrounding him was a frowning Dr. Amrubi, a nervous Rodney McKay and a pensive Dr. Weir. Elizabeth had strolled down to the sick-bay to check on Carson just as he and Rodney returned. She had originally balked at allowing Carson to re-try the device, but with both Beckett and McKay focusing their pleading blue eyes on her, she had reluctantly given in.

Carson took a deep breath, ignoring the monitors attached to his body. Amrubi had insisted on precautions, and Elizabeth had agreed. Rodney placed the circlet on Carson's head, his worry clear in his eyes.

"If you feel anything…unusual, you take it off! Understand?" Rodney asked.

Carson just nodded his head, trying to ignore his own apprehension. He relaxed against the bed, closed his eyes, and concentrated on the device.

Almost immediately, he felt the room around him fade away. He was sinking, he was flying. Colors dissolved into a pure white, and he felt peaceful. He wondered briefly if he was dying, then decided he didn't care. This was bliss.

Rodney and Elizabeth watched as a smile settled on Carson's face. He was motionless, the only sounds in the room the blip of the monitors. A blip which was getting slower and slower.

"That's strange," Dr. Amrubi muttered. He leaned in to Carson, adjusting one of the leads attached to his chest. Rodney and Elizabeth exchanged a glance.

"Is there a problem?" Elizabeth asked, her eyes concerned.

"Well…..no, not really. He appears to be sound asleep, almost in a coma, but his brainwaves are extremely active. REM sleep, perhaps," replied Amrubi.

Carson peered through the pure white surrounding him. There was a shape coming towards him, moving slowly. A woman….the woman. Her shape took on form as she drew nearer. Tall, with long hair that fell to her hips. Dark hair, with light streaks of silver. A long dress flowed over a slim form, and she appeared to be barefoot. She stopped five feet away, and Carson gazed at her face. It was ageless…she could be anywhere from thirty to fifty years old. Pale, strong features in a heart-shaped face, piercing gray eyes. And a circlet around her own head. Carson's eyes widened as this realization hit. He watched as she put one hand on her hip and glared at him.

"Well, it took you bloody long enough!"

TBC