"Glad you're back with us, lass," Carson said as they approached the woman. "How do you feel?"
"Tired," she replied, yawning and stretching like a cat.
"At least you don't appear to have sustained any physical damage, if you can stretch like that," Carson said, smiling at his patient.
"I'm fine, Dr Beckett," she replied. "Honestly, I'm just tired."
John shot Carson an anxious glance.
"And how did you know his name was Dr Beckett?" he asked, suspiciously.
"It might have something to do with the name tag he's wearing," the woman said, a hint of a smile on her lips. Her eyes went to the name tag Carson was wearing on his labcoat. He had put it on after a recent influx of new staff on the Daedalus had found it difficult to remember who everyone was.
Carson tried, unsuccessfully, to hide his laugh.
"Well," said John, trying to recover some ground. "At least we know you can read."
He was saved by the arrival of Elizabeth, who had been notified of their new patients awakening.
"Hello," she said, softly. "I'm Dr Elizabeth Weir." She held out her hand, and the woman took it.
"I'm Ria Talon," the other woman replied.
"I'm Lieutenant Colonel John Sheppard," John added. "And you've already worked out who Dr Beckett is."
"The others who were with you," Ria said. "Are they okay?"
"Yes, lass," Carson responded. "They're all fine. Thanks to you."
"Just what did you do?" John asked. "I would bet my life on the fact that you were caught in the culling beam."
"I hope you're not a betting man, Colonel," Ria responded, grinning. "Because the evidence suggests otherwise."
"We thank you for helping to save the team," Elizabeth interjected, a pointed look at John accompanying her remark. "It is just that we are cautious about strangers we meet. We've had a number of bad experiences."
"I can understand that, Dr Weir," Ria replied. "I'm an explorer. Much like you are, I imagine. I've learned caution too."
"It was amazing," Rodney's voice could be heard coming from the corridor. "The beam seemed to go right over them, but didn't seem to touch them."
He walked into the room, with Dr Zelenka with him. "Oh, you're awake," he said, looking at Ria.
"And these are Doctors Rodney McKay and Radek Zelenka," Dr Weir added, trying to hide her amusement.
"I was just wondering," Rodney missed out completely on the social niceties and headed straight for the question. "Are you an Ancient or are you Ascended. Because if you are, you should watch out for Colonel Sheppard. He has a thing for Ancient or Ascended woman."
Ria looked at him, amusement on her face. "Dr McKay, are you accusing me of looking old?"
Rodney looked startled for a moment. Ria glanced at Carson and exchanged an amused glance.
"Of course not," Rodney said. "You don't look a day over . . . . ." Rodney hesitated. He knew how sensitive women could be about their age, and he didn't want to put his foot in it any further.
Ria didn't help. She just looked at him, a questioning look on her face. "A day over what, Dr McKay? Now think very carefully about this, because I could get offended."
Rodney looked to John for help, who just held out his hands in submission. "You got yourself into this one, Rodney," he said, grinning.
Before Rodney could think of a face-saving reply, he was saved by the arrival of Ronon and Teyla, and the round of introductions that ensued.
"Now where were we?" John said slyly. "Ah, yes, Rodney was about to tell us how old he thought Ria was."
"Thank you very much," Rodney responded, and everyone laughed, even Ria. She decided to take pity on the scientist.
"Don't worry, Dr McKay, I won't force you for an answer. After all, if you got it right, I'd have to kill you for revealing classified information."
Rodney laughed, not sure whether to be relieved or frightened. There was something about this woman that made him think that she could kill him, if she wanted to.
As the laughter died, Ria started yawning again. Carson immediately switched to doctor-mode.
"All right, everyone," he said, with authority. "My patient is tired, and I'm going to ask you all to leave." John started to argue, but Carson held up his hand. "I know you have questions, Colonel, but they will have to wait."
John was still grumbling as he left.
Ria put out her hand to stop Carson for leaving. "Thank you, doctor," she said softly.
"What for?" he asked, slightly confused.
"For understanding."
He smiled in return. "I should be the one thanking you, lass," he replied. "You saved my life back there. Look," he added as she started to interrupt. "I don't know what you did, and I don't really want to know. I'm just grateful that you did it."
He smiled down at her, and put a gentle hand on her shoulder. "And now you need to get some sleep, and don't worry, I won't let anyone bother you until you're ready to face them."
"My Knight Protector," she said, with a mischievous grin.
Carson looked embarrassed. "Ach, away wi' ye," he said. But there was a gentle smile on his face as he went back to his office.