Touched By An Ancient

By Ann3

Writer's Note: Thanks for the review, nebbyjen ! And just to answer your question from it - yes, we're going on vacation, so get your bags packed ! ;o)

You won't find out where, though, for another couple of chapters. Before then - well, there's a wee bit of help in arranging it to come from Elizabeth, and a certain 'delayed event' for Carson to get out of the way, so I'd better crack on with the first of those.

As always, I hope you enjoy ! Now then, Dr Beckett, what evil plan is going through that brilliant mind of yours...? ;o)

Chapter Thirty

After their earlier meeting, Elizabeth wasn't at all surprised to see her CMO in her office doorway. They'd already agreed, before he'd left for his 'wee chat' with Rodney, that he'd keep her 'suitably updated.'

What did surprise her, and silently worry her at the same time, was the multi-dimpled grin on his face. She'd seen that wonderful grin enough times to know that something outlandish, something quirkily Beckett-ish, wasn't far behind it. And whatever Carson Beckett was planning clearly needed her help, if not her approval.

Dryly thinking he'd been spending way too much time with a certain colonel, she smiled back at him – scenarios of all sorts of impending chaos flashing through her mind as she gestured for him to enter.

"Well, Carson, you're certainly looking happier…" she said at last, keeping her tone carefully casual. "So, how did it go with Rodney…? Did you two manage to straighten things out…?"

"Aye, lass… well, we've started to, anyway… and at least I've put him straight on a few things…"

If maybe not the complete outcome he'd hoped for, there'd still been more than a hint of satisfied triumph in his voice – this rare moment of self congratulation causing her smile to widen as she watched him sit down.

So her sweet natured Carson had put Rodney McKay 'straight on some things', had he…? No wonder he had that grin on his face. No wonder he looked so thoroughly pleased with himself. And, in hindsight, what wouldn't she have given to have seen, and heard, how he'd managed it…? Maybe if she caught him at breakfast again tomorrow, he'd be able to give her some pointers.

More immediately, though, Elizabeth had another intriguing mystery to try and resolve – and quickly, too, before her CMO exploded from whatever he was clearly just itching to ask her.

"That's good…" she said at last, finding it a real struggle now to keep her voice headmistressly stern. "Now that's been settled, here's another question for you… what are you up to, Dr Beckett…?"

Never had the word 'busted' been more charmingly demonstrated as Carson's mouth dropped open – the complete shock on his face effectively causing her façade of sternness to dissolve into helpless laughter.

Pulling a face back at her, Carson then sighed, the grin making a welcome, if rueful, re-appearance.

"Och, lass, am I that bloody transparent…?" he groaned, relieved and disappointed in equal measure.

"Yes, Carson, you are… especially when you go all Ascendy on us…" Elizabeth teased him, loving the chagrined redness which now swept, so charmingly, through those multi-dimpled cheeks.

"Aye, see if I ever pull that fool stunt again…" he muttered, though he was still grinning as he said it.

"Yes, it was certainly… different…" Elizabeth agreed, sobered a little by another kind of transparency.

For all the playful teasing, her CMO clearly had other, more serious concerns on his mind now – brought back, no doubt, by this reminder of what had caused him so much needless anxiety. She could see it in his eyes. See it in the absent toying of his fingers through the laces on his boots. And it didn't surprise her in the slightest that his distracted thoughts revolved around a certain scientist.

"You were right, Elizabeth… all this, it's… well, it's been hell on Rodney too…" Carson said at last, the cheery ebullience of just moments before faltering a little under the weight of returning concern. "I - I hadn't realised it, until seeing him just now… well, just how rough this has all been on him, and… well, you know what he's like, Elizabeth… Rodney doesn't exactly wear his heart on his sleeve…"

Distracted by her own thoughts, Elizabeth just nodded as she quietly studied him across her desk. It still astonished her that two people of such contrasting natures had become such close friends. Perhaps it was that very disparity which had forged such a unique, extraordinary bond between them – McKay's brash, insensitive arrogance kept gently in check by Carson's quiet, unjudgmental calm.

Gradually aware of his puzzled, patiently expectant frown, she then smiled and nodded once more – watching in renewed curiosity as those charming dimples made a tentative re-appearance.

"I – I think I know how to help him open up, lass, but… well, I'm going to need your help to make it happen…"

Dryly wondering if she'd ever be able to resist that smile, Elizabeth nodded for him to continue. Minutes later, to her open amusement, that wickedly conspiratory grin had returned, full force.

'Operation Rodney' was, officially, a go.