AN: Sorry for the delay, thanks for your patience!

Doctor Carmen Ruiz strode briskly through the corridors of Atlantis, determined not to run. Carson was stable and not in any immediate danger, according to Doctor Weir. She glanced over her shoulder at Rick Baker. The young nurse, by nature energetic and cheerful, was grim and anxious as he followed her down the hall. Carmen wondered what he was thinking – was he recalling the catalogue of injuries Weir had reported, running through treatment protocols? Or was he struggling with the thought of his CMO jumping off a balcony and falling, falling, falling through the night? She wished she had the words to reassure Rick, but her own thoughts were swirling like the inky water that had nearly claimed Carson's life.

They didn't slow their pace as they transitioned from the city to the Daedalus, moving purposefully through the ship towards sickbay. They were an entire corridor away when they started to hear the shouting.

It was McKay, of course. Whenever there was shouting going on in the Pegasus galaxy, chances were good that the temperamental astrophysicist was involved. This time, however, he had good cause.

Carson's heart monitor was beeping at an alarming rate. His face was pale under a sheen of sweat, making the limp hair clinging to his forehead seem that much darker. A condensation-fogged oxygen mask covered his mouth and nose, and his eyes were screwed shut, brow drawn down in a frown. Both legs were elevated on pillows, packed with ice and strapped loosely in braces.

He wasn't awake, but he was struggling against the soft restraints that bound his wrists to the bed frame. McKay was standing toe to toe with a short-haired officer Carmen had never seen, demanding to know why his friend was tied up like a criminal.

"It's protocol, Doctor," the stranger responded heatedly. "It's also for his own protection, especially now that he's agitated. I don't want to give him a sedative and risk depressing his respiratory system."

"So you're just gonna leave him like this?" Rodney made a disgusted noise and pushed his way past a nurse, taking up a position at Carson's side and covering one tightly clenched fist with his hand. "Carson, can you hear me? I need you to calm down, buddy. Come on, Carson, it's okay."

Carmen nodded to Doctor Weir and pushed through the small knot of medical personnel gathered around the bed. Running her gaze over the monitors, she said "Good, Doctor McKay, keep talking to him. His heart rate's coming down. Where's his chart?" A file appeared in her hand and she flipped it open. "He hasn't had any pain meds?"

The man with the crew cut shot McKay a sour look. "I was about to order them when Doctor McKay threw his tantrum."

"Let's get them on board, please. We'll wait a few minutes before we move him to make sure he's comfortable."

McKay beckoned from his place by Carson's head. "He's waking up."

Carmen leaned over her boss, noting the sliver of blue showing beneath his heavy lids. Carding a hand through his sweat-dampened hair, she called his name. "Come on, Carson, wake up for me."

Beckett's eyes opened a little more and lazily followed her voice. His jaw worked silently for a moment before one word slipped from his parched lips. "Mum?"

The plaintive note in his voice was heartbreaking. "No, Carson, it's Carmen. Do you know where you are?"

His eyes slid closed. "'Firm'ry?" The pain meds abruptly kicked in, and he fell asleep without waiting to see if he'd guessed correctly. Carmen gave the tousled hair a final brush with her fingers and straightened.

"Okay, Rick, let's get him on the portable O2 and heart monitor and take him home. And take those damned restraints off."

SGA

In a crude but welcoming hut on the mainland, Teyla Emmagen accepted a steaming cup from her oldest friend. Halling folded his large frame into a chair and studied her critically. "What has brought you here at this hour, and so suddenly?"

Teyla felt a stab of guilt. "I'm sorry for the intrusion, I did not realize the hour." No wonder Major Lorne had looked at her oddly when she'd requested transportation to the Athosian settlement.

"You are always welcome, at any time," Halling admonished gently. "I cannot help but be concerned when you show up unexpectedly, looking weary and careworn. Something is bothering you."

"You know me so well." She smiled at him over the rim of her cup, but she lacked the energy to sustain the façade. "I have not been sleeping well," she admitted. "In fact, I've been having the strangest dreams…"