Touched By An Ancient

By Ann3

Writer's note: First of all, thanks so much for all the reviews and comments ! Oh, and before I forget, to Emma and everyone else who have asked to know, Kate Buchanan is an original character from Hope ReBorn. I've made her Carson's second in command. And yes - she's Scottish too. So am I, by the way. Well, let's face it, with Sheppard and McKay around, the poor wee lad needs all the back up he can get !

Anyway, apologies for not telling you all that from the start, but I have a very good reason - kinda distracted in watching our favourite doctor in action, if you see what I mean ;o)

Speaking of which... now then, Dr Beckett, what is going on in that cute wee head of yours...?

Chapter 3

Dr Beckett…? Welcome...

Even through barely open eyelids, dazzling brightness still reached beyond to painfully sear his vision. Instinctively screwing them shut again, Carson growled a dire warning to that soft voice beside him.

"If that damn light isn't out my eyes in two seconds, lass, so help me, you'll bloody regret it…!"

Almost immediately, the brightness dimmed in obligation, to a much more comfortable level. Even so, several moments passed before he made another cautious attempt to open his eyes again – a rueful apology to a no doubt terrified wee nurse dying into silence at the sight which met them.

There was no terrified wee nurse. No comforting sight of familiar, worried faces beside him. No recognition whatsoever of his surroundings, or any point of reference that he could recognise. Only this surreal brightness that, to his rising alarm, seemed to be taking a life of its own.

It had started to take more definite form now, several thinner tendrils drifting out from its main source. Still transforming, it then began to move. With unmistakeable purpose. Straight towards him.

Backing in pure terror away from it, Carson Beckett didn't know what scared or confused him more – waking into this disorienting void, or the transformation of his fear into something equally bizarre. Surely he should be making some attempt to escape from it – whatever it was. So why wasn't he…? Why did he feel such an irrational feeling of peace…? This comforting sense that he was safe here…?

He'd been a doctor for long enough, of course, to have heard countless accounts of such experiences – hisinnate compassion always defeating his more cynical 'scientist' side when it came to believing them. He'd just never imagined he'd go through it himself before he reached forty, let alone thirty six.

But no. Several brisk pinches on the back of his hand told Carson Beckett that he wasn't dreaming. Or going crazy. Or re-living his first woeful, still sorely regretted experience of 'the hard stuff'. Just days before his thirty sixth birthday, he really was facing humanity's greatest challenge – meeting that moment, he dazedly reflected, just as countless others had no doubt met it before him.

"Oh, crap…" he whispered, directing his next equally shaken questions to the pulsing glow beside him. "Wh – Where am I…? Did you bring me here…? Oh God, am – am I dead…? Really dead…?"

The tiny part of his mind not consumed by tumbling emotions now silently mocked his stupidity.

'…it's a light, you gomeril…! You're talking to a ball of light, as if it's actually going to…'

No, you are not dead, Dr Beckett. And you have nothing to fear. You are perfectly safe...

'…answer you…'

On the verge of berating that last voice, in no uncertain terms, Carson stopped himself just in time. It wasn't exactly the kind of language which the other presence in his mind would want to hear. Instead he tried to concentrate on the first voice he'd heard, struggling to place its gentle femininity. He'd heard that voice before. Damn it, if he could just get his thoroughly addled mind to remember.

"I – I know you…" he said at last, silently pleading for something, anything, to help him place her – his mouth dropping open in further amazement as his ethereal companion instantly obliged. Her transformation was almost complete now, a face of extraordinary beauty taking his breath away.

As a hologram she'd captivated him, but here and now, in… what…? More importantly, where…?

Finally reaching her solidly mortal form, Melia watched his reaction in gentle amusement. She'd been connected to him, this kindred spirit, from the moment he'd released her onto this journey. Bonded to his gentleness, his selfless courage, they shared the destiny he had yet to fully accept.

This first calling to him had come rather sooner than she'd expected, but… well, that was no hardship. Set in a face of pure compassion, Dr Carson Beckett really had the sweetest, gentlest eyes – that softly cadenced accent charming her just as deeply as it finally stammered back into life.

"I – I remember you now… you're – you're the hologram I found, back on Atlantis... you're… you're…"

I am Melia, one of the Ancient guardians of Atlantis. Yes, Dr Beckett, you are right…

Melia then smiled, in approving encouragement, as curiosity started to replace the fear in his eyes – his acceptance of her hand without fear or hesitation another good sign as she coaxed him to his feet.

Come. You are ready to start your journey…