Elizabeth had often entertained the thought of logging the hours Rodney spent in the infirmary. It had been just three weeks since he'd been given the cure to the virus from Regalus and he was already lying unconscious on the bed closest to Carson's office. It was an impressive feat, considering he'd been on bed-rest for the first week.
On a recent recon mission to a planet on the outskirts of the Pegasus Galaxy, AR-1 had stumbled across an emphatically religious civilization that worshipped the Ancients. Rodney, bored with the technologically inferior people, had made a snide comment about the former inhabitants of Atlantis. A four-mile sprint later, AR-1 stepped into the 'gate room. All of them were sent to the infirmary immediately. Teyla and Aiden had escaped with minimal scratches from foliage, but John had received a surprisingly deep cut on his forearm. Rodney had been hurt the worst. One of the natives had managed to shoot him while they were running, sending an arrow straight into Rodney's upper back. It was embedded dangerously close to his spinal cord, but Carson had been able to remove it without incurring any more damage. For the moment, Rodney was unconscious, recovering from the surgery.
Elizabeth sighed, shifting in the chair. She had hundreds of other things to attend to, but she couldn't bring herself to leave Rodney's bedside. Sighing, she leaned forward, resting her forearms on the bedrails. Rodney was bound to wake up soon, she told herself. There would be plenty of time to do work after that.
She reached out and took his hand in hers, squeezing it gently. It was physical barrier she would cross only at times like these, when he was none the wiser. Their friendship was so dear to her; she didn't want to ruin it with the inexplicable want for something more; that odd longing that had been plaguing her lately.
"Elizabeth?"
Carson's voice startled her out of her reverie. She turned to see him standing next to her, holding a cup of steaming coffee in her direction.
"I thought you might need some," he informed her with a small smile.
Elizabeth grinned back. "Thanks," she told him, cautiously taking the cup with both hands. Her eyes moved back to Rodney as she blew gently on the liquid.
Carson began to walk away, but then stopped, turning toward her. "Listen, Elizabeth… I don't mean to pry, but… Why on Earth do you not jiss stay once he starts waking up?"
Her eyes darted away for a brief moment before she replied, her voice soft. "He doesn't need to know that I worry."
Carson pursed his lips. "If you really wanted what's best for him, lass, you'd stay," he said simply, holding her gaze for long minute before turning and heading back into his office.
---
There were only a few droplets of coffee left in her cup when Rodney began to regain consciousness. She immediately straightened in her seat, her eyes moving back to him.
"Carson, he's awake," she said aloud, sending a quick glance to his office before returning her attention to Rodney. A ghost of a smile claimed her face as she watched his eyelids flutter.
It was time for her to go.
She stood quietly, but Carson noticed her movement. Their eyes met briefly, and Elizabeth felt her stomach sink. His gaze had been full of an emotion more hurtful than anger: disappointment. Swallowing tightly, she turned away from him and walked toward the exit of the infirmary.
He doesn't understand, Elizabeth thought, pursing her lips tightly. She stopped briefly at the exit, her gaze settling on Rodney's bed. A stab of shame ran through her when she realized that it was just Rodney and Carson in the infirmary. They were friends, close friends, but Carson was Rodney's doctor first and foremost. Rodney would be waking up alone…again.
She thought about Carson's words to her earlier, and her nerves pulsed with anxious indecision. Maybe Carson understood more than she gave him credit for. Maybe he understood this more than she did.
Her irrational fears pulled at her, but she ignored them, looking at the situation with a clear mind. Rodney was her friend. Her closest friend. Why wouldn't she be there for him?
She hated admitting that sometimes she pondered about being more than friends. She hated how the idle positive thoughts about Rodney that struck her during their conversations hovered in her mind for hours. She hated how his comforting assurances seemed so much more genuine than everyone else's.
But mostly, she hated herself for being so illogical about the situation. So she had feelings for her best friend. That didn't mean she had the right to come to his bedside, wait until she got what she wanted – a sign that he was going to be okay – and then leave.
Elizabeth didn't know where her feelings would take their relationship. She didn't know if he felt the same way. She didn't know if they'd be friends forever and nothing more. She didn't know if these new emotions would ruin their friendship.
But she knew she cared for him, and it was about time she showed it.
Elizabeth tossed her empty cup into the garbage receptacle by the door before walking back toward Carson, determined. She met the doctor's eyes only briefly, missing the small grin on his face when she sat down. Without the smallest ounce of uncertainty, she reached forward and grasped Rodney's hand with both of her own. She squeezed it gently and couldn't help but smile when her gesture was returned.
Rodney opened his eyes and immediately winced at the bright light. When they finally adjusted, his gaze turned to Elizabeth. "'Lizabeth?" he murmured weakly.
"I'm here," she told him, smiling softly. And as Carson assessed Rodney's condition, she silently promised herself that, from here on out, she would be here for him.
Always.
When she left the infirmary, there was a smile on her face, and a blue-eyed scientist in the wheelchair in front of her. For the first time in weeks, the cold knot in her stomach had dissipated and she felt truly content. Today, Rodney's fears were alleviated and he shared in her happiness.
Today.
---
Author's Note: It's finally done! This is the last part in this little ficlet. Thanks be to all of you who stuck with me on this one, and to Fifi for the wonderful beta, as usual. I'm really trying to finish up all the old WIPs! (And, by the way, a little fact that amused me: Rodney has a total of four lines in this entire little story. Really. Go look. Count. Be amazed. Lol) I hope you guys enjoyed this. :)
