AN: Many thanks to Marie for the beta

Elizabeth was in her office, waiting for John. He wasn't usually late and she was usually understanding, but life had stopped being ordinary a few weeks before. First John was shot by Carson and Rodney, then Carson was injured, then he announced he had to leave. What upset her the most was that she felt she couldn't handle it. Not as a leader, she never hoped that she could maintain an image of a fearless leader, as a friend. As Carson's friend. She knew he needed his friends and she knew she couldn't be there for him, because she wasn't strong enough. Just looking at him reminded her of all the pain, the guilt, all the torment he went through after Hoff, after the incident with Ellia. She always hoped that there'd be a day when he'd be rewarded for everything that he did. Instead, he was sent back home with his entire life ruined. She could do nothing about it and knew there was little anyone could do about it.

John stopped in the doorframe and asked:

"Why did you call me?"

"You're a bit too impatient, John. Please sit down." She continued only after he sat down: "I was thinking of what we can do for Carson."

John calmed down a bit and explained: "I was in the infirmary. Schwartz is taking the CMO job a bit too seriously."

"He was appointed by Carson. He has the right to do that." Her voice was calm and she hoped she could calm John, too. She needed him to be able to think rationally, without being angry at Schwartz.

"Does he? Like that? All the doctors here came knowing what school taught them. Carson was the one who helped them move on. Helped, not pushed and threatened like Rodney did with his staff. And now Schwartz comes and bosses everyone around. He even told Carson to go to his quarters and continue his research, because he was taking up space in his infirmary." John was furious. In the infirmary, he'd bit back his comments because he knew they would've hurt Carson more. Now, thinking about it, he wished he had defended his friend.

"You need to calm down, John. You don't know what happened there or what the relationship is between them."

"It's hard to just sit and watch." His voice showed that it wasn't just hard for him, it was painful. He was sorry he never showed his support before the accident. Now, he feared Carson might see it as pity. "What were you thinking of… to help Carson?"

"Maybe he should go off – world."

John was surprised by this suggestion. If it had come from someone else, he would have said it was dumb, but from Elizabeth… There had to be a reason.

Seeing no understanding on his face, she explained: "It will be a good distraction. He wouldn't have to perform as a surgeon there, he could do what anyone else would normally do. The infirmary wouldn't be so close, so tempting."

"Okay, we send him off world. But with whom?"

"I think you should be on the team. And Teyla and Ronon."

"If we go, what excuse do we have for leaving Rodney behind?"

"Take him, too."

"Not sure that would be such a good idea, Elizabeth. Rodney and Carson have some… issues to solve." He wanted them to solve their problems, but an alien planet didn't seem like the perfect place for that.

"Do you think they'll have a chat over a cup of coffee and get over it? I'm trying to get them to talk about it, John, I'm just trying to help them find some… common ground. Something they're equally familiar with. Or in this case, unfamiliar with."

"Do you know what happened until now? Rodney was moody and difficult and Carson was helping him and mothering him. And when Carson needed help, Rodney wasn't there. When Rodney needed help after that, he was upset Carson didn't stop everything to go and help him."

"Is something wrong with Rodney?" Elizabeth asked, concerned.

"Yes. Not sure what, he wouldn't tell me. I think he didn't tell anyone, and that affected him more than the problem itself."

"I think this is a good idea, John. Things can't get worse between them. I know that Teyla and Ronon want to help and I think that they can do more than we think. We have too many…"

"Restrictions." John's voice was so soft, Elizabeth could barely hear him.

"I suppose we can call them that. Should I ask him if he wants to go? Will you find a suitable planet?"

"Yeah. I will." John left Elizabeth's office. He didn't hope for a lot, but he realized how much faith he always had in Carson. Not only in his professional skills, but in him as a person. He knew that he had the power to make it through this.