Authors note: sorry it took me so long to update but i hate essays, they are cruel and unjust punishments for being stupid enough to go into higher education... moo. The story is still at that boring bit with explanations on feelings and with no action (I hate these bits) still quiet a low rating but i am building up to a higher rating - good on you if you notice the hints and stuff on the romance front. My sister sadi she'd help me on those bits later cause i'm a really shy person and she's so brash - should be good.

Disclaimer - I don't own this or anything to do with it

This seemed to carry on for an eternity with Kalen not knowing what to say and Carson waiting for Rodney to say something to show that it was really him. Eventually Carson started to tire of this and decided to be blunt, taking a deep breath he once again launched into the conversation.

"What happened?"

It wasn't the most thought out question, but it wasn't often that you best friend returns from the dead.

Kalen could not answer, he of course didn't know this man and it was hard for him to think of anything to say. Instead he just started to scratch at his arm, it had been tingling since he'd come through the gate and it was starting to annoy him.

Carson finally noticed that the other man wasn't talking and took attention to what he was doing. Frowning he pulled at Rodney's arm and checked out the rash that was on the underside of his arm. Making a couple of humming sounds he poked at it and looked at it closely.

"You shouldn't itch that, I'll get you some cream."

Kalen stared at his own arm as the man disappeared behind the curtain. A red rash, starting at his wrist, continued up half way towards his elbow.

"Must be some sort of allergic reaction."

Carson came back and preceded to show Kalen how to properly apply the salve. Once this was done he again went quiet. He thought it strange not to hear Rodney complaining and mouthing off to the staff. The situation seemed unreal and it was hard for Carson to comprehend. Finally the other man decided to speak and it once again it scared Carson slightly.

"I said this a lot today I know, but who are who?"

"Carson Beckett. I'm a doctor and I was your friend."

Kalen nodded like he understood what was going on. But he couldn't really take it in. It was just another name that he didn't know and now needed to remember.

"I'm sorry."

"For what?"

"You know me but I don't know you. I look around and I recognize nothing. The others see me and expect me to be this Rodney McKay guy but I don't know how – all I know is that I am Kalen and my home was just destroyed by the wraith."

Carson looked at him in sympathy and in pity. While working in a hospital in Edinburgh he had come across cases of amnesia but he didn't know the effects on someone who hadn't been on earth at the time and wouldn't even be able to recollect what planet he was on. The psychological impact of something like this must be hard. Carson made a mental note to get Kate up here in the morning, she would be better equipped to deal with a situation like this.

"It'll be okay. There's a good chance your memory will come back, we just need to let it unfold by itself."

Kalen nodded. He wasn't sure of this alien medicine, he had already been fed these small white chalk things that they said would ease his headache. They had worked but it hadn't stopped him from being slightly suspicious of them.

"Umm… it's late. You should get some rest."

Carson stood back from the bed, making it clear that he was going to be listened to. Kalen just lay back and closed his eyes, trying to get the images of the city to stop dancing through his mind.

The next day a buzz had started to go through Atlantis. Rumours had started floating around about the return of Rodney McKay. Those who had previously been on his science team were bombarding Elizabeth for information, information that she wasn't going to give up until she knew all the facts herself.

Walking down to the infirmary she met up with the Colonel and they continued walking in silence. She had been aware that there was something amiss with John since Rodney had returned. She couldn't explain what it was, he seemed to want to do something but couldn't seem to get anything out.

Coming to the doors to the infirmary she gave John a warning glare in case he decided to do something. He seemed to realise this and nodded before brushing his hand over the control panel. Walking in they both looked around for Carson before going over to his office to find him. They found him with his head in his laptop and muttering to himself.

"Carson?"

"Mmmm."

"Are you busy?"

"W-what? Sorry. How can I help you?"

"How is Rodney this morning?"

"He's doing fine." Carson said reluctantly.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Well the fact that he doesn't remember anything is worrying me slightly. We did a CT scan and it came up with an area that gives us some concern."

"What is it?"

"Could be anything. But according to Rodney he landed on that planet at a high velocity and hit his head pretty hard. This may have caused some damage, we're going to keep an eye on it incase it changed but right now it poses no danger to him."

"That's good...isn't it?"

"Kate's with him now. Hopefully she'll see if any of this has caused any damage to his state of mind."

Elizabeth was worried. It would be a great hurt if they found their friend only to have him permently lost to them.

"Well we can only hope he'll get better. Can we see him now?"