Remorse
A Stargate Atlantis story by Deana Lisi
Disclaimer: I don't own Carson, Teyla, or anyone else on SGA

Tag for the episode, 'The Gift'.

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"Dr. Beckett?"

Carson looked up from his desk, finding Teyla standing in the doorway. She held a small pack in one hand. "Hello, Teyla. What can I do fer ya, love?" he asked, standing.

Walking into the room, she shook her head. "Please sit."

Puzzled, Carson obeyed. "Can I help ya with somethin'?" he asked, wondering why she looked so unhappy.

She reached for the chair in front of his desk and brought it around beside him. "I came to offer assistance to you," she said.

"With what?" he asked, confused.

Wordlessly, she reached towards his face and gently turned it to his right. "Does it hurt very much?" she asked, studying the bruised and split side of his cheekbone. It was very close to both his temple and his eye, making her inwardly cringe at the potential danger of it's location.

Carson finally understood. "Oh lass, I don' blame ya fer that."

Teyla merely sighed and gently removed the butterfly bandage stuck to his face.

Carson didn't pull away, allowing her to do whatever was required to ease her obvious guilt.

Teyla opened the pack on her lap and removed a small bottle of alcohol. A sudden half-smile graced her lips. "This may sting."

Carson returned the smile, remembering the hundreds of times he'd said those words to his patients. It didn't sting very much, since the cut was now some hours old.

"As I lay there," Teyla suddenly said. "I didn't merely see myself on the Wraith ship. It was as if I…was a Wraith." She paused, trying to make sense of the experience. Hesitating on her next words, she picked up a tube of antibiotic ointment. "When I opened my eyes and saw you, I still felt as though I was a Wraith and you were my enemy. I struck out without thinking, or even recognizing you. For that, I am very sorry."

Carson smiled as she dabbed the ointment on his injury. "I know that ya weren't yerself. It was a risky experiment—"

"A risk that I chose to take," Teyla said. "But I never intended to hurt anyone…especially a person who could never deserve such abuse."

Carson smiled again. "Ya don' have ta apologize, Teyla. Especially since ya just did and I accepted it."

The Athosian woman smiled, as she gently placed a bandaid over the cut.

Carson lifted his hand and placed it over hers before she could pull away. "It feels better already," he said. "Thank you, love."

"It was my responsibility, since I caused it," Teyla told him. "But also, it was my honor; you care for each and every person in this entire city, even at risk to your own health. It was time for someone to care for you."

Her words touched Carson, and he smiled.

"Thank you for accepting my apology," Teyla continued. She laid her hands on his shoulders and tipped her head forward in the Athosian show of affection.

Carson's smile widened and he imitated the gesture, touching their foreheads together. He'd thought it to be a beautiful tradition, and was overjoyed to be one of the few humans allowed to experience it.

All too soon, Teyla's earpiece suddenly came to life, startling them both.

"Teyla?!" Rodney's familiar voice whined. "We're waiting for you!"

Tapping her earpiece, Teyla replied, "I will be there in a moment, Rodney." She looked at Carson, and sighed with a smile. "I think I would not feel such remorse if I'd struck him."

Carson laughed at that.

With a chuckle, Teyla stood and returned the chair to its original position, before smiling at him again as she left the room.

Carson gave her a little wave and touched the bandaid on his cheek, blushing slightly as he turned back to his computer.

THE END
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