Author's Note: A bit of housekeeping. For those of you following "Those Who Survive," I apologize for not posting a chapter yesterday. I was in the process of switching computers, and I did not have the focus to edit a chapter after getting everything switched around and reformatting the other one. I haven't lost any of the work, and posting will resume on Monday. :)
This story, however, is a series of drabbles for the Carson Beckett Challenges and Fun thread over on Gateworld. The challenge this week was to write a drabble or drabbles using the following words as inspiration: clock, game, skeleton, bed, fly, book, gift, stairs, pray, ring, wire, thunder, knife, picture. I decided to use all of them and include word count underneath the word used. These contain spoilers for multiple episodes, so just consider yourself warned as they span the entire series. One of them is quite sad, so a tissue alert might also be handy. Enjoy! ~lg
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Skeleton
96 words
A plastic skeleton hung in the corner as Dr. Carson Beckett stood at the podium. He had twenty minutes before his guest lecture began, and he wasn't worried about the content. Just that he delivered it so it was understood.
The door opened, and a girl walked in. He normally wouldn't have noticed save for her obvious youth. Not yet eighteen, she dropped her bag at a table and sat down, eying him carefully. He smiled at her and went back to his notes.
He didn't realize he'd just met his protege: a young Jennifer Keller.
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Book
98 words
A book hit the floor midway through his lecture. Carson turned, as it echoed in the massive lecture hall. Only a handful of students had come out, but he taught as if he faced a crowd of a hundred.
The girl he'd noticed flushed to the roots of her hair, and she bent to pick up the large textbook while the young man next to her rolled his eyes. Carson saw the disdain they had for her, but he also recognized himself in her. If he could encourage her to continue her studies, she might accomplish great things.
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Clock
100 words
When the clock struck the hour, the lecture hall emptied. Carson stood behind the podium, knowing that most of the students had come to hear his lesson only because it would garner them extra attention. But he taught anyway. If he could influence one young doctor, it would be worth it.
"Excuse me?" The girl approached him. "I have a question."
Carson motioned to the stairs leading onto the stage. "Come on up, love." He smiled. "I was hopin' for a chance to talk with ya. I'm Carson Beckett."
She blushed and mumbled, "Jennifer Keller."
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Gift
99 words
Jennifer Keller had a gift. Carson saw it from the moment she entered the lecture hall. The first question out of her mouth only proved it. She wanted to know about an unknown gene he'd identified and written about in his thesis for the University of St. Andrews. They spent the better part of three hours discussing genetics as Carson bought her a mocha frappe at the university's coffee shop. In spite of her age, he recognized true brilliance. He left her university after making a note to follow her career.
He didn't see her again for seven years.
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Thunder
107 words
Thunder rumbled overhead, so different from the Pegasus galaxy. Carson stood in the SGC's parking garage, glaring at the rain. The last time he'd been in a storm, he'd nearly crashed a Jumper. He wanted to forget that, thank you very much.
"Dr. Beckett?" The voice was different, but he recognized it just the same. He'd kept true to his promise concerning this young woman.
He turned and smiled. "Dr. Keller! It's great ta see ye!"
She flushed like she had so many years ago and nodded. "Likewise." After a moment's hesitation, she peeked up at him. "Do you have a few moments?"
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Fly
100 words
Time flies when you're in another galaxy, Carson thought as he returned to the SGC that night. Jennifer Keller had made headlines as the youngest person to graduate medical school, and her work in genetics had drawn the attention of the SGC. Most notably, Dr. Carolyn Lam, the SGC's new Chief of Medicine. Carson headed for his room as he smiled.
Catching up with Jennifer had been a joy, and the two had kindled the friendship they'd felt seven years ago. His mind went to his purpose for being on Earth, and he smiled. Atlantis could benefit from Jennifer's brilliance.
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Ring
110 words
Carson watched Jennifer twist the ring on her right hand as she struggled to give him an answer. "I can't." Her voice was whisper-soft.
He wanted to ask why but sensed the tension in her posture and grief in her gaze. "What is it, love?" Over his time on Earth, he'd come to know her well, and he'd often seen this same expression.
"My mother." She lifted her chin, but tears filled her eyes. "She passed away a couple months ago. I'm all my dad has left, and I can't go off. . . ."
"I understand." He hugged her and left the subject alone.
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Pray
110 words
Jennifer was in the gate room when Carson beamed aboard the Daedalus. He faced a three-week journey back to Atlantis. Now, he walked over to her and met her eyes. "If ya need anythin', love, just call."
"I will, Carson." She smiled sadly. "You'll be okay?"
"Aye." He gave her a quick hug. "Take care o' yourself."
"You, too." She waved as he disappeared into the transport beam. "I'll pray for you." Her words were barely heard before he reached the Daedalus.
When a Wraith computer virus took over the ship, Carson remembered her promise and hoped she'd mentioned them in her prayers.
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Stairs and Picture
200 words
Carson took the stairs at the SGC two at a time. He'd been back on Earth for two days, most of it spent explaining how the Ancients had taken over Atlantis. He stung from the insult, and he knew it would take time to get over leaving the Ancient city. But, for now, he looked forward to dinner with a friend.
Jennifer had been waiting for him when he stepped through the wormhole. She'd greeted him with a smile and shy wave, and Carson looked forward to their dinner tonight. It wasn't romantic, just old friends reconnecting. With Rodney off at Area 51, he didn't need to worry about being teased.
After changing into street clothes, he rushed to the surface and met Jennifer at her car. She'd grown a lot in the last couple of years, and it showed in her speech and attitude.
Their dinner passed with laughter and stories whispered over a linen tablecloth. Jennifer had been shy at first, but she soon relaxed. As he snapped a picture of the two of them on his new phone, he thought about how good it felt to have friends around him, no matter which galaxy was his home.
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Bed
115 words
Jennifer kept that picture of her and Carson beside her bed. She'd returned to Atlantis with him and had settled into an easy routine. The day he'd died—a week ago, now—she'd cried until she slept. Now, she lay down after another long day in the infirmary and stared at his smiling face.
"Why did you have to do it?" Tears leaked out of her eyes as she tried not to break down again. "I need you here."
Her emotions overwhelmed her, and she once again wept for one of the best men she'd ever known. In her mind, Dr. Carson Beckett made her the doctor she'd become. She wouldn't forget him anytime soon.
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Game
110 words
Until he saw the scans for himself, Carson Beckett believed his friends were playing a cruel game of Torture the Scot. But, staring at the computer screen, he couldn't deny the truth. He was a clone. "And you're certain it's from my sample?"
"I ran the tests myself twice." Jennifer's voice was even stronger than he remembered, and her gaze steady. "There's no mistake. I'm sorry."
Carson let out a deep breath. Rodney tried to convince him that he was the same old Carson Beckett he'd thought he was for the last two years. But it was too little, too late. Life would never be the same.
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Knife
121 words
"I'm sorry. I don't dare make another incision," Carson said just after Jennifer crashed. When he, Teyla, and Rodney discovered tendrils growing out of her abdomen, he'd experienced a moment of panic. His time in Michael's custody had hardened him, but the fear he felt for Jennifer was magnified when he cut off that tendril.
As a doctor, he knew he'd eventually have friends who "went under the knife," but he'd never expected it to be Jennifer. She was always so healthy and full of vitality. Now, she lay there, slowly mutating into what they later learned would be a Wraith Hive.
When the entire crisis was over, Carson made sure to hug Jennifer before he returned to Earth.
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Wire
109 words
Atlantis had survived again. They'd squeaked into the Pacific Ocean just before the ZPM was depleted. Just under the wire, as Rodney had said. Carson stared at the Golden Gate Bridge, enjoying the feel of the breeze on his face and the chatter of his friends close by. One voice, in particular, stood out to him.
Never in his wildest dreams would he have put Jennifer Keller and Rodney McKay together. But they were happy, and that made Carson happy.
With Atlantis back on Earth, he couldn't help but feel he'd come full circle. Oh, he could never return to Scotland, but he was home. Right where he belonged.