Touched By An Ancient

By Ann3

Writer's Note: Well, I hope you brought your bags and passports, because - yes, it's holiday time ! No prizes for guessing where we're going, although I hope there'll still be a few surprises for you along the way.

Thanks as always for the latest reviews - and for anyone who's ever wondered what it would be like to take Rodney on holiday with you, then read on... ;o)

Chapter Thirty Two

Sunrise. A stunner, too, bringing spectacular tints of reds, pinks and greys to a cloud-topped horizon.

From his seat at the train's window, Carson Beckett sat watching its beauty in a trance of pure pleasure. This had always been his favourite part of the day, just for the simple uncertainty of what it would bring. All those new challenges for him, waiting to be faced. All those new discoveries, waiting to be found.

Wrapping his fingers around a styrofoam cup of steaming tea, Carson felt his smile contentedly widen. After what he'd just been through, this everyday miracle held more meaning for him, now, than ever. It had been a long time, a hell of a long time, since he'd felt so settled, so at peace with himself, as this

And okay, so John Sheppard was still working on a better name for it than 'Doc's glowy handy thing'. But whatever name they'd eventually find for it, Carson knew one thing, for certain, beyond all doubt. He would treat this new gift, its incredible privilege, with all the gratitude and reverence it deserved.

He'd use these gifted hands as they'd always been destined to be, to cure the sick… heal the injured…

"Ow…! Damn it, Carson, has the concept of padded seating not reached your charming country yet…? As if I've not suffered enough already, now my whole spine's been re-arranged by these damn seats. I'm sure a disk's gone, I felt it go, and… yeah, I – I can feel it, Carson, it's – it's the same one, and… well, this is just great, isn't it…? I finally get a vacation, and I'll be spending it flat on my back…!"

…oh yes, he'd also use them to strangle scientists who'd raised hypochondria into a bloody art form. Then he'd strangle the damn eejit who'd suggested that he and Rodney McKay go on holiday together.

Idly wondering if self-strangulation was medically possible, Carson released another patient sigh. 'Operation Rodney', as his ruefully ignored inner voice had tried to warn him, was not going smoothly.

The warning signs had started at Heathrow, with the fated 'displacement' of a certain person's luggage. An unlisted use of lemon on their hotel menu had set further alarm bells ringing, in every sense – a well meaning crowd of curious onlookers denying Carson the chance of some 'glowy handy healing'

Instead they'd spent that first, far from relaxing night of their holiday in a chaotically busy A&E. Throw in a sleeplessly lousy night, for both of them, and the taxicab driver from hell on the way to Euston, and – well, Carson could have been easily forgiven for wishing they'd both stayed on Atlantis.

Luckily his cheery optimism had been rewarded, in spectacular beauty, as they'd crossed the border – his excitement at returning home lost, inevitably, on the person he'd most wanted to share it with. Ten minutes out of Euston, still grumbling over the joys of railway coffee, McKay had closed his eyes. To Carson's chagrin, and their fellow travellers' politely silent tolerance, he'd been snoring soundly ever since.

Now he'd woken more cranky than ever, to ruin this relative quiet as only Rodney McKay could – prompting equally well practised, softly calming patience to diffuse the potential fallout.

"Ye cannae slip a disk as easy as that, Rodney… you're just stiff from sitting so awkwardly…"

Needless to say, the mouth was already open, all ready to deliver further pearls of sarcastic wisdom. Except, to Carson's quietly relieved satisfaction, those familiar witticisms failed to materialise. Instead, Rodney's mouth dropped further to gape, in sheer wonder, at the stunning beauty around him.

"Oh… my… God…" he finally whispered, his dinner-plated eyes darting in spellbound speed to take it all in. "Oh, my God, Carson... that's… that's impressive, isn't it…?"

Now it was Carson's turn to blink and stare in astonishment, before a grin of patriotic delight took over his face. An 'impressive' from Rodney McKay…? Well, would wonders and miracles never cease…?

Wonders and miracles of a different, equally welcome kind now caused his smile to happily widen. They'd not even reached Glasgow yet, but the beauty of his homeland was already working its magic. Not even the rattle of an approaching snack trolley could break its hold over his spellbound friend.

The healing, Carson gratefully noted, had started. 'Operation Rodney', it seemed, was back on track.

"Aye, lad…" he said at last, not surprised in the slightest, or insulted, by Rodney's lack of response. Instead he settled back in his seat, sipping his tea while enjoying a wee bit of that homeland magic for himself. "Aye, lad, it is… and trust me, son, you've no' seen the best of it yet…!"