Taken On Trust
By Ann3
Writer's Note: I must admit that I wasn't quite sure which of my re-writes to put this bit in, since it didn't really seem to belong to any of them. So then, inspired by a big mug of hot chocolate on what has been a thoroughly horrible, wet and windy day, I thought - hey, let's just keep it as a really little scene all by itself ! So here's the shortest chapter so far - quite possibly the shortest chapter I've ever written. Be careful, dear reader, if you blink you'll miss it... ;o)
Chapter Eleven
Shock Tactics
Kate Buchanan wasn't one for taking the obvious for granted. All things considered, she now dryly reflected, that was just as well – because if she'd laid any odds on persuading six physically and emotionally exhausted friends to head for their beds, to catch up on some sorely needed sleep, she would have lost her money – big time.
Not that she could blame those friends for being so reluctant to leave. After such a long, terrifying wait for a much loved friend to step back from an irretrievable brink, it was hardly surprising that no-one wanted this joyous moment of Carson's recovery to end.
And, on the more clinically rational side, he wasn't out of the woods yet – the further challenge to his strength and courage expressed in Elizabeth Weir's quietly worried voice as she glanced back towards her now soundly sleeping CMO.
"I know with everything's he's been through, we can't expect Carson to just bounce back from this. He's going to need all the support we can give him, and I don't doubt that he'll get it, but…"
"…it's goin' to be hard for him… aye, lass, I know…" Kate finished for her, managing a slight smile while she, too, pensively studied her sleeping patient. "Once he starts to remember what those buggers did to him, the shock's goin' to hit him, right enough… and hit hard…"
Dryly realising that her advice to rest would have to wait a little longer, she then led the way into Carson's office – noting, with a quietly proud smile, that every possible place to sit was very quickly claimed.
Ronon's massive bulk alone took up one side of Carson's desk, John Sheppard's lanky frame balancing out the other, while Elizabeth and Teyla settled themselves, with weary gracefulness, onto the couch-cum-bunk opposite.
With telling significance, Rodney planted himself in the seat next to the office's still open doorway – allowing him a clear, unobstructed view to where his closest friend now lay in blessedly calm, healing sleep.
Vowing that it was only a temporary privilege as acting CMO, Kate herself claimed Carson's chair – its snugness around her exhausted body reminding her that she was long overdue for some rest herself.
First things first, though. The plan to get Carson Beckett back on his feet as soon as safely possible.
Over a traditional 'midnight munchies' selection of tea, coffee, biscuits and power bars, that plan began slowly to take shape. When the delayed shock from his ordeal inevitably hit him, they'd be ready to help him through it.