The Date
A Stargate Atlantis story by Deana Lisi
Disclaimer: I don't own Carson or Rodney.

This story is dedicated to my wonderful friend Angela. She wrote me a story for my birthday, ('The Birthday Gift', story ID 3270776. Go read it!) so I wrote her a story for hers! Happy Birthday, my dear friend, I hope that you like this! Actually, I'm sure you will… ;)

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Carson left his quarters nervously, smoothing his hair and constantly pulling on the end of his button-down shirt as he walked down the corridor.

Smiling to himself, he remembered the events that led to his heading for a certain lady's quarters for dinner, rather then the mess hall.

"Dr. Beckett?" he heard.

Opening his eyes, Carson realized that he'd dozed off at his desk. Again.

One of his nurses, a pretty reddish-haired girl named Angela, set a mug of tea in front of him, blushing shyly.

Carson smiled. He knew that Angela had a crush on him. "Thanks, lass."

"You need to get more sleep," Angela said.

Carson chuckled. "As if that were possible." He scrubbed his hands over his face. "The way the past few days have been, I may fall asleep on m'way ta the mess hall."

"Um…" Angela said.

Carson looked up at her. "Yes?"

"I made some lasagna," she said, pushing around a paperweight on the desk. "Would you…would you like to have some for dinner tonight? It would be better than the meatloaf the mess hall is serving."

Carson smiled. She was asking him to dinner! "That would be lovely, lass," he said. "What time should I be there?"

Her head snapped up, as if having doubted that he would accept. "Oh…uh…six?"

Carson nodded. "It's a date."

At six o'clock exactly, Carson was standing outside her door, nervously fixing his hair again. Just as he raised his hand to knock, he heard a sudden voice.

"Carson!"

Startled badly, Carson thought he was about to have a heart attack when he turned to see Rodney approaching him.

"Been looking for you!" Rodney said. "They're serving meatloaf tonight!"

Carson quickly moved away from Angela's door. "Uh, yeah, right…I'll be there later, I was just called fer an emergency…"

"Emergency?" Rodney said. "What happened? In that case, why are you just standing here?" He frowned. Realization dawned on his face. "You're lying! I caught you in the middle of something that you're hiding! What is it? Huh?"

Carson sighed. There was no way he'd get away from Rodney unless he told the truth. "I have a date," he whispered.

"A date?!" Rodney yelled. "With who?!"

"Shhhh!" Carson said. "What's wrong with ya, ya daft bugger? Lemme go, yer makin' me late."

Rodney smiled. "Okay, fine, go ahead, Mr. Right!"

Carson rolled his eyes and walked away. He didn't have far to go, and realized that Rodney was watching him. He raised his hand to knock, before looking at Rodney and making a 'shoo' gesture.

Rodney chuckled and dashed down the hall.

Carson knew that the scientist was probably watching around the corner. He sighed, knowing that gossip would soon be flying.

Fixing his hair one more time and straightening his shirt, Carson knocked, and Angela opened the door.

She stood there shyly, wearing a mid-length purple dress. Smiling, she moved aside so he could enter.

Carson smiled back.

Angela had set up her table with the works; candles and wine. The lasagna sat in the middle, with salad and garlic bread.

The perfect Italian dinner.

They both sat, and Angela started to serve the food. Her blush seemed a permanent addition to her face.

Carson couldn't believe the wonderful aroma that wafted up from the lasagna. It'd been a long time since he'd had some.

Angela couldn't help but watch as he tasted it.

"Mmm," Carson said. "It's delicious! Lasagna is one o' me favorite dishes."

Angela looked surprised. "Really?"

"Aye," Carson said. "Raised in Scotland or not; me mum could make a mean lasagna."

Angela laughed.

The night passed quickly, faster than they thought as they talked and ate. They'd eventually migrated to the couch over tea and cake for dessert, and Carson wondered how long Angela had planned this. He was glad to have accepted.

"Carson?"

Carson blinked, aware that his mind had drifted for a second.

Angela smiled. "You zoned out for a minute there." She looked at her watch, her expression turning to one of surprise. "It's nearly midnight! I'm so sorry for keeping you up so late! I think it's time for bed for a certain tired doctor." She blushed and made a face, mortified at how that had sounded.

Carson smiled. "Don't apologize," he said. "I had a wonderful time."

Angela smiled back. "I did too."

They both stood and made their way to the door.

"We should definitely do this again," Carson said. "Soon."

Angela's smile widened. "I would love that." She blinked and looked down, at his lips, he realized, before looking back up at him.

Carson knew what she wanted…he wanted the same thing.

Touching her face, he leaned over and kissed her; a gentle, sweet kiss.

When they pulled away, Angela was noticeably shaky.

Carson smiled and ran his thumb down her cheek. "Goodnight," he said.

"Goodnight," she squeaked.

As he walked out the door and it closed behind him, Carson let out a breath. If he had known how much he would enjoy Angela's presence, he would've asked her out before she had to ask him. Realization suddenly dawned on him. She had ta ask me out! I was to daft ta do it myself!

A sudden snore caught his attention and he blinked, wondering who could possibly snore so loud that it could be heard through walls. Frowning, he realized that he knew that snore, and followed it around the nearby corner. The sight he found made him stare in shock.

Rodney McKay, PhD, certified genius, was asleep sitting against the wall.

Carson started to kneel beside his friend, to wake him up and ask him what on Earth—or rather, Atlantis—he was doing, when he stopped. The answer was rather obvious, really.

Rodney was waiting for him to come out of Angela's quarters.

Carson covered his mouth, trying to prevent an audible laugh. He stood, ready to happily leave his friend there to wake up and wonder if Carson was still inside. But then he realized that someone would probably come down the hall, see Rodney on the floor, and call for medical assistance.

Carson really didn't want to be woken up, especially for a false alarm. Shaking his head, he knelt again. "Rodney? Wake up."

The scientist mumbled something unintelligible, shifting his position.

"Rodney."

"Ummm…sleepin'…"

"Rodney! I have a new ZPM fer ya."

At that, the scientist was instantly awake. "What? Where?!"

Carson shook his head. "Ya daft bugger! Why ya sleepin' in the hall?"

Rodney frowned, looking around himself. "I'm what…? OH!" Rodney looked at his watch. "Midnight! Long date! Tell me all about it!"

Carson tried to look stern. "I don' think that's anyone's business but mine."

Rodney looked hurt. "What? But I'm your best friend!"

"Get up, will ya? Before someone comes along and thinks ya had another o' yer many accidents."

Rodney obeyed, following Carson as the doctor headed down the hall. "So tell, already!"

"I don' want ta be the subject o' gossip!"

"Not gossip! I just want to know, as your friend! What did you eat?"

Carson shot him an exasperated look. "She made lasagna."

"What?!" Rodney said. "And I wasn't invited?!"

Carson rolled his eyes.

"So do you like her?"

Carson nodded. "Aye. We had a good time, talkin'."

"Just talking?"

Carson stopped and looked at him. "What d'ya take me for? Of course 'just talkin'!"

"Sorry."

Carson glared at him for a second more, before continuing the walk to his quarters.

"Did you kiss her, at least?"

At that, Carson's annoyed look faded as he remembered. "Aye."

Rodney smiled, as they approached the doctor's door. It slid open, and Carson entered.

"Do you plan to see her again?" Rodney asked, from the doorway.

Carson turned to look at him. "Aye. I do."

Rodney's smile widened. He reached out and playfully punched his friend on the arm. "I'm happy for you. I hope it works out."

Carson was surprised to hear such a sensitive comment come from Rodney McKay, of all people. "Thanks," he said.

Rodney nodded. "'Night."

"G'night," Carson said.

Rodney left, and the door closed.

As Carson prepared for bed, he thought back to the evening that he'd just had, remembering Angela's smile, her laugh, her endearing blushes. He'd enjoyed it immensely.

The last thought that drifted through his mind as he fell asleep, was, I can't wait ta see her tomorrow.

THE END
Happy Birthday, Angela! Make sure you give Carson back to me when you're done with him, LOL! ;)