Touched By An Ancient
By Ann3
Writer's note - that's the great thing about weekends, it makes for perfect fanfic writing time ! So I've managed to get another chapter posted after all, I hope you enjoy !
Chapter Six
If there'd been a sprinting record for reaching the Infirmary, then John Sheppard had just broken it. Tripping over his heels, Elizabeth Weir came in an equally breathless, nervously excited second.
It was the third arrival, though, which caused Kate Buchanan the most surprised, grateful relief. Not only was McKay still in one piece, he'd also been persuaded to show his face in the Infirmary, for the first time since Carson's collapse.
A certain colonel, it seemed, could add another string to an already impressive bow of attributes. John Sheppard, chief pilot and name giver extraordinaire, was also something of a miracle worker.
Another wondrous event now caused Kate's smile to widen as she led them across to Carson's bed.
In the subdued night-time lighting, it was difficult at first to see why she suddenly looked so hopeful. It was Elizabeth who, still frowning, finally noticed the cause for her cautiously delighted smile.
"Oh, my God, he's – he's crying…"
As both John and Rodney squinted closer for confirmation, she then turned expectantly to Kate – her own relief at this precious sign of life inevitably tempered by its most likely, unsettling cause.
"Is – Is he suffering…? I mean, has he said anything, or done anything, to suggest that he's…?"
Kate was already shaking her head, smiling welcome reassurance as she checked the monitors beside her.
"In pain...? No, there's nothing to say from these readings that he's unduly distressed, or suffering any harm. From what Halling told me earlier, many people back on Athos have gone through the same experience. They call it the Journey, where those gifted by the Ancients are reminded of their special destiny. My guess is that Carson's facing some past trauma, which has stopped him from accepting it…"
"Like the death of his father…" McKay cut in softly, his voice stricken in new found understanding.
The connection between their minds had been brief, shatteringly painful – but still so very significant. Within those agonising minutes, he'd learned the true, tragic reason for his friend's irrational terror. And that understanding privately appalled him, left him sickened by his own crass stupidity.
Oblivious to the puzzled frowns around him, he gave Carson's arm a tentative, consoling squeeze – hoping that connection was still strong enough to carry his next words of soft, heartfelt apology.
"I'm – I'm sorry, Carson, I had no idea… just – just had no idea…"
He'd have given anything, there and then, just to hear that familiar voice drift through his mind again. But no. This unnerving silence, both within his mind and outside it, continued to haunt him instead. His only comfort, met with startled gratitude, was John Sheppard's rallying squeeze on his shoulder.
Managing just a trace of a smile in return, McKay then turned still anxious eyes back towards Kate – so aware that the hopes of hundreds, not just his own, rode on the reply to his next, hesitant question.
"He – He will be okay… won't he…? I – I mean, when the time's right, he – he will come back…?"
Kate Buchanan recognised a challenge when she heard it. Just as she recognised a silent plea for hope. If they'd been back on Earth, she might have hedged her bets on the chances of her CMO's recovery. But here, where miracles were the norm, and the technology to hand was, literally, out of this world – well, she'd gladly take all odds on that recovery, no matter how impossibly long they were.
"I can't say when he'll wake up…" she said at last, finally meeting the scientist's silent challenge – her next words causing John Sheppard to smile, in fond memory of where he'd first heard them.
"We're dealing with technology here, an advanced civilization, that's light years ahead of our own. But everything we've learned about them has told us the Ancients have never harmed any of their kind. And Halling assures me that every Athosian who's been through this has made a complete recovery. You can see for yourself, Rodney, he's aware of his surroundings. He's trying to come back…"
"He certainly is…" Elizabeth agreed, giving her CMO's hand a gentle, proudly rallying squeeze. "We're here, Carson… all here waiting for you to come back… all waiting to welcome you home…"
Kate was smiling too, in silent satisfaction, as preparations for that homecoming continued around her. Chairs were re-arranged. Coffee organised. Plans for recovery and reconciliation quietly discussed.
The family was coming back together again. Healing and regrouping, strengthened by fresh hope. Things were looking up.
In depthless sleep beside them, Carson Beckett continued his slow, silent journey back to that family. Deep within his captive mind, that journey was about to take its final, astonishing, life-defining twist.