Touched By An Ancient

By Ann3

Writer's note: I can't believe it, but this is the penultimate chapter ! It only seems like yesterday that I was sending our favourite wee doctor on his journey, but... well, anyway, it's been an absolute joy writing this story, and thanks so much to everyone who have shared it with me.

Just a quick reference to Hide And Seek for this chapter, with a bit more angst for Rodney - and quite a shock for him at the end !

Thanks again, for all the reviews, and... well, back to the boys... I wish... ;o)

Chapter Thirty Six

He'd seen many lives ruined by the excesses of alcohol, but Carson Beckett also firmly believed in 'needs must'. Besides, a generous shot of Glenfiddich had done the trick for him. Well, subconsciously, anyway.

"Here, lad, get this down you…" he said gently, nudging a brimming glass into Rodney's hands – meeting his friend's astonished stare with a nonchalant grin as he poured another glass for himself. "For medicinal purposes, Rodney… and on your doctor's orders… now get it down you…"

He'd seen that raised eyebrow enough times in the past to know arguing against it was a waste of breath. Instead that breath was temporarily lost to him anyway, as Rodney obediently downed his glass in one go – his spluttering attempts to retrieve it both helped and hindered by several hearty slaps against his back.

By the time he finally succeeded, Carson had just about managed to bring his grin under control – the inevitable mutters of complaint about voodoo doctors and headless chickens forestalled, as always, by the irresistible diversion of food.

Making the most of that distraction while it lasted, Carson watched his friend eat in subtle interest – noting, with genuine satisfaction, that both his colour and appetite were starting to return to normal.

Beyond his relief, though – well, Carson Beckett still had some serious apologising to do.

"I'm sorry, Rodney… about your dad…" he said at last, casting his friend a genuinely contrite smile – one that fondly widened as a brilliant mind put two and two together, and, for once, came up with five.

"No, Carson, you – you don't need to be…" Rodney assured him, stammering in his haste to explain. "I – I mean, what I felt, with you, and – and that mind link thing we had, it… well, it was incredible… I could feel it, Carson… for the first time in my life, I actually knew what having a real father felt like, and… well, it's something I'll never forget, Carson… it's something I'll never forget, and… and something that... well, that I'll always be grateful for..."

They had been words of rare, openly expressed gratitude from the heart of Rodney McKay – and words which left his closest friend equally moved as Carson smiled his appreciation for them.

"That means a lot to me, Rodney, it does, but… well, I'm still sorry for all it's dragged up for you. All this time I've known you, and… well, I – I just never knew things were so rough with your dad…"

Smiling back at him with the same thoughtful expression, Rodney sighed too, shrugging his shoulders.

"Yeah, well, it's… well, hardly the sort of thing you'd be proud to talk about…" he replied softly – the supportive understanding he'd come to rely on so heavily found, as always, in a voice of unfailing, gentle calm.

"It's not the sort of thing to be ashamed of either, Rodney… it's not as if any of it was your fault…"

"No, you're… um… yeah, I – I guess not…" Rodney agreed, idly circling the rim of his glass – just the trace of a smile re-appearing, coaxed out by the warmth of some more gently chiding wisdom.

"There's no shame in showing your emotions, Rodney, it's all… well, it's all part of being human… because you are human, Rodney… contrary to popular belief, you're not bloody Superman…!"

That won him a slightly stronger, easier smile, in appreciation for a favourite, ongoing joke between them. It may not have been Rodney McKay's finest hour, but… by God, he was grateful for its memory now.

"What about Captain Untouchable…?" he asked at last, making a brave attempt to enter into its spirit. "I – I mean, I know it's not exactly leaping over skyscrapers in a single bound, but I could start by… well, you know, jumping across a few balconies, and… um… work my way up from there… right…?"

"Aye, you could…" Carson agreed, shrugging just as nonchalantly, before adding just as dryly, "But for the sake of your physical welfare, not to mention my sanity, you're not going to… right…?"

It seemed odd that a playful threat of bodily violence should now provoke a soft huff of laughter. But however perversely he'd gained it, Carson welcomed that laughter with a grin of pure relief.

It was, though, another cause for concern which now caused Rodney's face to fall back into a worried, uncertain frown.

"Carson, when we get back, you… I – I mean, you won't tell anyone else about this, will you…?"

"No, Rodney, of course I won't…" Carson assured him, with all the seriousness this moment needed. "All we've talked about here… well, I'd say doctor/ patient privilege should cover it, don't you…?"

Smiling at how unusually rapidly Rodney agreed with him, Carson then patted his friend's shoulder - the grin widening from an as yet unseen, unnoticed cause.

"Don't worry, Rodney… really, I meant what I said, I'll never betray the trust you've confided in me. It'll stay safe between you, me… and that sweet, friendly wee sheep who's stealing your lunch…"

"Oh sure, Carson… yeah, right, like I'm gonna fall for that old tr-… aaaaaaaagh…!"