Carson froze when he heard his name shouted in that particular tone. For a moment, he was confused, and then he spun round to see who wanted him. As soon as he moved, he realized it was not a good idea to turn quickly when you were recovering from concussion. The world started to tilt in an alarming manner. He swiftly put out his hand to steady himself, groping for something solid to cling on to.

One of the marines reacted quickly to Carson's actions. Before anyone could intervene, he swiftly brought up his gun, and fired at the doctor. It was only Ronon's equally swift response that saved the Scot. The Satedan shoved the marine so to the side, sending the bullet careering to the left, finally embedding itself harmlessly in the wall.

"What was that for?" Carson asked, stunned, bewildered and hurt all at once.

At the same moment as Carson spoke, a very angry voice reached them from the other side of the Infirmary.

"What the hell do you think you're doing to my patients?" A very angry Dr Stanton approached them.

John was equally as angry. He turned on the marine, who was not strictly under his jurisdiction as he was on the crew of the Daedalus, and gave the man a chilling stare.

"Just who the hell told you to fire, marine?" he asked, his voice as chilling as his stare.

"But he was reaching for a gun," the marine answered defensively.

"Anyone could see he was fighting to keep his balance," Elizabeth said, disapproval evident in each syllable.

Ronon took a more direct approach. He growled at the marine, and roughly took his weapon from him. "No more shooting!" he said, emphatically.

Stanton, seeing that everything was now under control with the military, hurried over to check on his patients. Rodney was still too heavily sedated to react with more than an instinctive restlessness. But Carson was another story.

The Scot was so pale he almost matched Stanton's lab coat. The hand that was resting on the trolley for balance was shaking so much it was visible from a few feet away. And the eyes showed hurt, bewilderment and a flash of anger.

With a gentle hand on his boss's arm, Stanton guided the other man over to the nearest chair, and gently pushed him down into it.

"Is he well enough for a few questions?" Elizabeth asked.

"Yes," Carson said instantly.

"No," Stanton answered just as quickly.

The two doctors looked at each other, and held that gaze for a moment, as one assessed and the other pleaded.

"Look, Jeff," Carson said, pleadingly. "I just want to get this over with. I want to prove that I've not done anything wrong. I'll be fine."

Stanton looked at his boss for a few more moments, then nodded. "Okay," he said finally. "I'll agree to it, but I want to be there too, so that I can take any action that is required."

"Agreed," Elizabeth said. "Let's use Carson's office."

Carson automatically went to sit behind his desk, then looked uncertainly at Stanton.

"It's still your office," the younger man said with a smile. Carson returned the smile, and eased himself down into his chair, relieved to be sitting down again.

Carson turned his gaze to John, a worried look in his eyes.

"Did someone really try to kill Rodney?" he asked.

"Yes," John confirmed. He was about to add more information, when Colonel Caldwell put a hand on his arm.

"I don't think we should tell Dr Beckett too much at the moment," he said, warningly.

Carson's gaze turned on Caldwell. There was hurt mixed with a hint of anger.

"You don't honestly believe I'd try to kill Rodney, do you?" he asked. "He's a daft bugger at times, and damned annoying, but he's my friend."

"So you say, Dr Beckett," the Colonel replied, dismissively.

"Aye, and not just me, I would think," Carson answered, annoyance creeping into his voice more now. "Ask anyone in this room the same question, and they would confirm that Rodney and I are friends."

There were nods all round. But there was still a troubled look on Elizabeth's face.

"Carson," she said softly, coming over towards him. "I don't honestly believe you tried to kill Rodney. But the evidence is there, and people are going to talk. We have to investigate this thoroughly, to prove your innocence. And in the meantime, I think you should remain in your quarters. We'll put a guard on your door – for your protection," she added hastily before Carson could object.

"Can't I just stay here, keep an eye on Rodney?" Carson asked.

John and Elizabeth looked at each other. John sensed that Elizabeth still wasn't completely convinced of Carson's innocence, despite her words. John knew the evidence looked bad, but he couldn't find it in himself to believe Carson was capable of something like this.

"I think you'd be better in your own quarters," Elizabeth said. "It would be quieter for you, away from all the hustle and bustle here in the Infirmary."

Carson looked at her, a hint of resentment in his eyes. He had sensed the lack of complete trust. eHHhhhkkkiikkklHe looked down, trying to hide his hurt.

"Okay," he finally agreed, too tired to argue further.

"I'll get you settled there, Carson," Jeff said, helping his boss to his feet.

With that, the two doctors left. As soon as they'd gone out of earshot, John turned on Elizabeth.

"That was convincing!" he said ironically. "You might as well have told him you thought he was guilty."

"I don't think he's guilty," Elizabeth said quickly. "I'm just not sure he's innocent." John looked at her quizzically. "You have to admit, John," she continued. "Things aren't always what they seem here in the Pegasus Galaxy. A number of us have already experienced the effects of being possessed by an alien intelligence. And we can't rule that out this time round. The evidence is pointing very strongly at Carson. And I think we have to rule out all alternatives."

"Dr Beckett does seem his usual self," Teyla interjected. "I can sense nothing unusual about him."

"It could be something so subtle, that even Carson isn't aware of it," Elizabeth said. "So I think we should err on the side of caution, just for the moment."

oOoOoOo

In the shadows, the watching eyes were smiling. Things were going exactly to plan. Now the doctor was firmly in their minds as a suspect. And that would make access to his victim all the easier.

oOoOoOo

Sitting by Rodney's bed, John felt very weary. So much had happened, since the explosion in the Chair Room. Rodney had almost died, twice. And now Carson was suspect number one.

"I just don't know, Rodney," he said to his unconscious friend. "There is something not quite right about this. I know Carson would never try to kill you. Shout at you, inject you with some voodoo medicine, but not kill you. But I think he is trying to hide something. You know what Carson's like. He's about as good a liar as you are. Neither of you would make good poker players. And I need you, pal. I need you awake and ready to put some of that great brain of yours into action, to get to the bottom of this."

"How'm supposed to sleep with you yabbering away?" Rodney asked, rather doopily.

"You're awake!" John said, relief in his voice.

"Your powers of observation never cease to amaze me," Rodney said, the words slightly slurred but still as biting as ever.

"Carson?" he asked, looking around, then groaning as the world began to spin.

"Take it easy, Rodney," John said, putting a gentle, restraining hand on his friend's shoulder. "We almost lost you twice, so don't try to do too much just yet."

"Careless of you," Rodney said, his eyes shut again to try to stop the spinning.

"How are you feeling, Dr McKay?" Jeff Stanton's voice sounded.

"I get blown up, and cut up, and filled with your voodoo medicine. How do you think I feel?" Rodney asked.

"He's feeling better," John said with a smirk and grinned up at Jeff Stanton.

"I'll give you something to stop the nausea, Dr McKay," Jeff said, smiling too. "But it's good to see you awake again." With that, the doctor left to get the medication.

"Carson?" Rodney asked again.

"He's okay," John said, trying not to give too much away.

But even ill, Rodney was a little too sharp for that.

"Then where is he?" Rodney asked, yawning as he did so. However, before John could work out how to reply to that, Rodney fell asleep again, the restful sleep of healing.

oOoOoOo

Sitting in his room, Carson let his head fall into his hands. He couldn't quite believe what had happened in such a short space of time. Only a day or so ago, he'd been arguing with Rodney about the Chair, and now here he was, accused of trying to kill him.

He was positive that he hadn't tried to kill Rodney. But the problem was, there were blanks in his memory. At first, he'd put it down to the concussion. But now he wasn't so sure. What if the gaps in his memory were there because he was deliberately trying to block something out? What if he was trying to blot out the fact that he had tried to kill Rodney?