Chapter Twelve

Two days later and feeling much improved himself, Doctor Beckett returned to the infirmary for Alex's release. She was practically bouncing with excitement as she tried to wait patiently to be disconnected from all the equipment. Finally Carson and Rebecca finished and she pecked Carson on the cheek as she all but ran out of the infirmary. Stunned by this, Carson's face was a classic study in surprise. Turning back around, he caught Rebecca failing miserably at hiding a grin.

"Well, we have your answer, at least."

Carson glared darkly. "It means nothing."

Knowing she was on dangerous footing, Doctor Knightley let it go.

Since Major Lorne was busy in a meeting with Colonel Sheppard when she first got out, Alex wondered the city for a little bit feeling weird without her guards. Eventually she made her way to a practice room and worked out some of her fidgetiness. After a shower, she figured a quick lunch and then she'd have the rest of the day for Lorne to get her started on whatever she was going to need to know for off-world missions. Still practically bouncing with excitement, she headed into the mess hall. As ever, the voices either stopped as they turned to stare at her, or dropped to little more than a whisper. And, as ever, she ignored them. She hoped that with her change in status given by Doctor Weir, Colonel Sheppard, and Major Lorne, she might one day cause no more of a stir than anyone else when entering the mess hall.

Her tray in hand, Alex turned to find a seat. No way was she going to hide in her quarters anymore. Seeing an open seat near the back at a table with only a couple people, she started to weave her way through the crowds. It was bad enough that they would back away from her whenever she got close. But now, when she approached a table, they all picked up their trays and moved elsewhere. After three tables of this, Alex felt something bubbling up that was more than familiar to her even as a Wraith.

Turning around to take in all the staring eyes, she asked, "What? You've never seen a person eat before? Or is that that you're all so afraid of one little woman you can't handle being near me?"

"Did you bring a bomb?" a voice called out of the crowds.

All eyes on her, Alex gave a disgusted groan, she put down the tray at the table she was standing beside that was almost dead-center of the rows and rows of tables. She glared defiantly at those who had abandoned it. When no one else moved or spoke, Alex took to eating and to hell with everyone else.

Sitting quietly near the front, Weir watched the whole incident. She had to admit, she was more than curious how Alex would handle such rough social encounters. Seeing the woman's reaction almost made her want to applaud and join her. Almost.

She never did find out who threw the first piece of food, but the scene that unfolded was something she had never, ever thought she would have to break up while living in the ancient city of Atlantis. After the first bit of edible ammunition was thrown, several others joined in. Alex was pelted on all sides with food of every kind, hot and cold. Even as Weir was standing up to take control of the situation, someone grabbed an entire serving tray of hot gravy off the table next to them and slung it at Alex, managing to lightly splatter several humans as well as coating Alex from head to foot in scalding liquid. The only thing that likely saved the poor woman from permanent damage to her eyes or face was the fact that she already had her arms up to defend against the other food still being thrown at her.

Alex's scream of pain pierced the eardrums of every person in the room. Weir's voice went entirely unheard as she ran right up to Alex and began to strip off her jacket and wipe off as much of the scalding liquid as she could. Seeing Doctor Weir, everyone scattered. Alex bit back further screams as Weir's removal of some of the gravy soaked clothes took a layer of skin with it. Horrified, Weir called for a medical team. Looking around, there wasn't a person left in the mess hall. Her soul burned in fury. Seconds after the medical team arrived and she had explained the incident, she stormed to her office calling for Rodney and Sheppard on the radio. The mess hall was to be sealed off and untouched until further notice.

Minutes later the two met Elizabeth in her office. Her fury was visible in every inch of her being. It was a wonder to them that she did not start screaming like a banshee as she described what happened and what she needed. Sheppard himself wound up crossing his arms and pacing out onto the nearby balcony to control his rage. Rodney, keeping his expression utterly neutral, even seemed disturbed by this incident.

Within minutes of pulling up the footage of the cameras available in the mess hall they were all three watching and compiling a list of those involved. Weir didn't care if it was a cup of water, a leaf of lettuce, or something more. Every single person caught throwing anything was to be named immediately. Once they compiled a list as thorough as possible, Weir took it and Sheppard and headed to the infirmary.

There a red-faced, blazing-eyed Carson caught them as they were entering. He opened his mouth looking like he was about to tear into someone when he caught the fury in Weir's expression; and anyone that knew Weir, knew that was terrifying enough to silence anyone.

"How is she, Carson?" she asked; there was no need to specify who.

Visibly taking ahold of himself, Carson said, "She'll be fine in a day; three at the most. Her glucose dropped until she had a seizure. I think we can keep it up high enough that she won't lose much weight or muscle mass. She still hasn't completely switched to the new Wraith Retrovirus formula, so she's regenerating, but slowly." He paused, running his hands through his hair in abject frustration. "She's going to be in a lot of pain for at least the next twenty-four to thirty-six hours. And nothing I give her will work while her body's regenerating. I had tried that the last time."

For a moment, they all let this grim news settle in. In the silence, muffled screams from a nearby ward could be heard, making Carson flinch. Then his blue eyes took on a cold glare that made Sheppard and Weir concerned.

"You find who did this, Elizabeth. You find them, and put them away where I can't find them. Understand?"

"We will, Doc," Sheppard replied, his own expression just short of murderous.

"Good."

"Carson, I need a favor. May I have some pictures of the damage done to her? I'm going to need them for evidence in the criminal trial and something else."

"Aye, anything to help get that bastard out of this city and into a cage where he belongs."

"Thank you, Carson."

~o~o~o~

A couple hours later, several pictures of Alex's peeled-away skin and horrendous blisters were hanging from every wall of the mess hall. That's when she had them all brought in. Every single man and woman involved that she could identify now stood in a nervous group to one side of the mess hall. Weir entered, her expression still dangerously furious.

"Look at them," she demanded. "See what it looks like to have your skin scalded right off. Think of the pain. Every single one of you participated in the events that led to that. Every single one of you is being charged assault at the least, and possibly accessory to murder, depending on whether or not she survives," she told them, feeling no remorse at such an exaggeration.

"Now look at each other. I'm sure I've got most of you here who were involved. I will give you one chance, and one chance only, to gain any kind of leniency. If you see someone missing in this crowd, tell me now who they are and I will speak on your behalf at the trial, once I have confirmed their involvement with the security video footage."

They all looked around, as if trying to find someone so they could save their own skins. Three or four jumped forward with hands raised or just called out names. Within minutes the twenty-two people she had already had grown to thirty-seven.

"Is there anyone else? This is your last chance," she called out.

After a few more seconds of silence, Weir moved on; Colonel Sheppard still standing dangerously silent behind her.

"I hope you all have had a chance to let these pictures sink in. As we speak, Alex is in the infirmary missing nearly twenty percent of the top layer of her skin. Another fifteen percent is blistered into what you see here and peeling away rapidly. Doctor Beckett and a team of burn professionals are having to peel and scrub away the rest so that what is underneath can grow back healthy. And, unlike each and every one of you, pain killers do not work on her. She must suffer this entirely without relief.

"Imagine that? Think of the last time you burn your fingers on a hot plate or a hot cup. Then picture more than thirty percent of your body burning like that with no relief."

"But she's a Wraith! She'll just regenerate. So what does it matter?"

"Wraith?" Doctor Weir asked in a dangerous tone. "Does that look like the clammy green and yellow skin of a Wraith?! She is human! And, obviously, more human than all of you. Yes, she will regenerate, at a pace faster than yours but far slower than a Wraith. For the next twenty-four to seventy-two hours her suffering will be inconceivable to you all."

For a moment she sat silent.

"She's a Wraith. She's 'Carson's pet Wraith'. Am I to assume that's what led to this? Is that why you oust her? Or is there something you're not telling me?"

No one spoke or moved.

"Very well, then. Captain Mendoza, please step forward."

For a moment, fear flashed across Mendoza's face as he glanced toward Colonel Sheppard. Then his face turned into obvious anger and defiance as he did as requested. Now it was Sheppard's turn.

"Captain Mendoza, you are under arrest on charges of attempted murder. You—"

"Like hell I am!" he shouted, taking a swing at Sheppard.

Almost glad for the opportunity, Sheppard grabbed the fisted arm twisted, pulled, and ducked. The sound of Mendoza's back hitting the ground was echoed by the sound of his skull. Not quite unconscious, Mendoza shook his head trying to bring Sheppard into focus. Sheppard maintained a grip on Mendoza's twisted arm that was just a hair shy of tearing tendons and breaking bones.

"As I was saying, you are under arrest for attempted murder. You will be detained in the Atlantis prisons. You are to be returned to Earth for a military trial. And I hope to God they discharge your ass dishonorably, at the very least.

"Now, are you going to play nicely or do I need to knock you out before I send you off to your new quarters?"

"She's not human. You're just hot on her. That's why you're protecting her. You want to bang that piece of—"

Sheppard twisted the arm just a bit more with a smile, making Mendoza bite off his words and a scream. "So, you're not going to play nice, then. I was hoping you'd say that."

With his unoccupied hand, Sheppard pulled out a pair of handcuffs. He flipped the man over roughly with a boot to the ribs to cuff him. Nodding to two others waiting nearby he released Mendoza to their custody.

"Cell nine, if you would be so kind, gentleman," Doctor Weir called, giving a satisfied smile.

Sheppard gave a grin of his own realizing that that had been Alex's cell.

"Now, for the rest of you," Weir called to them. "You will start by cleaning every inch of this mess hall. If you're going to act like children, I'm going to treat you like children. Once you've cleaned up this mess, you will all return to your quarters. You are to remain on lockdown in your quarters until further notice."

The groans and angry mutters did little to improve Weir's already strained control.

"Do you all have a problem with this?" she asked in a dangerously cold voice.

"It was just a food fight!" one woman called out.

"Doctor Foreman, correct?" Elizabeth asked.

The blond woman stepped up. "Yes."

"Do you have more to say?"

"Yeah, it was just a bloody food fight. One person made it more. One person. Not all of us."

Weir nodded, seeming to accept that. "Very well. Then if it was just a food fight, why was there only one target?"

"Oh come on, you're making too much of this," yet another person spoke up near the back. "It was just food."

"Just food," Weir repeated musingly. "Just one target. Just one man. It was just all of you against one person. It was just an open attack on a woman who has done nothing to wrong any of you. It was just a disgusting display of human behavior.

"You may not want to accept it, but Alex is human. She has done nothing but be helpful since she got here. She's helped Doctor McKay get months ahead on his research into Wraith tech. She's helped Doctor Beckett's research by leaps and bounds, just by volunteering herself as a test subject. She's helped us to understand more about Wraith society in a few months than we would have ever learned in years of study.

"Alex suffered a transition from Wraith to human so horrifying you can't begin to imagine it. Her internal organs liquefied. Her exterior flesh shed itself in sickening globs. Her hair was lost along with her entire scalp. She suffered for days feeling as if she was burning from the inside-out, screaming in agony. And everything she has suffered was because she wanted to be human. To be like you. And I'm almost ashamed on her behalf after today.

"But, no. To you she's not even human. Do you all agree?"

Most of them looked at one another, but a few nodded their heads vigorously.

"And do you all agree that I'm making too much of the situation? That Mendoza is the only one that did anything truly wrong?"

To this everyone nodded enthusiastically.

"And yet not a one of you tried to stop him, even the ones who turned to watch him pick up the gravy tray. Not a one of you came over to help Alex. Not a one of you called a medical team to assist."

"You had it under control," one guy called out. "You didn't need us."

"Do you all agree?"

Again, they all nodded.

"So, instead of helping, you decided to save your own asses. Yes, you all are absolutely right. It's not right for me to make you clean up this mess and confine you to your quarters like children. You are all adults. You are thinking, reasoning, intelligent adults. You all knew exactly what you were doing and that it was wrong."

Weir paused, glancing to Sheppard. She had hoped it wouldn't come to this, but she needed to make an example. She had hoped they would take their punishment quietly and that would be the end of it. Colonel Sheppard nodded once in the affirmative. Weir turned back to the crowd.

"Very well, then. I am charging each one of you with assault. You will all be sent to the prisons where you will remain until the Daedalus returns. Then you will be transferred to the brigs on that ship and returned to Earth. You careers on Atlantis and in Stargate Command are over."

The roar of outrage at this made Sheppard and Weir glad they had brought backup. Sheppard pulled Weir back by her arm as he spoke into his radio. A half a second later more than sixty armed Marines flooded the mess hall. Within seconds the situation was under control as no one wanted to get shot over this. Sheppard and Weir watched grimly as each little group was led away to the prisons.

~o~o~o~

Meanwhile, in the hospital wards of the infirmary, Alex's screams could be heart in every corner. Doctor Knightley and Carson worked to remove the dead and damaged skin as gently as they could. But there was no position that would relieve the pain, for Alex. Even the air hurt on her scalded flesh. Carson had tried every painkiller and sedative he had with no visible results. Finally Carson did the only thing he could that might have any chance of relieving her pain even just a little. He brought out the tank. The tank was little more than an oversized glass tub seven feet long and two feet deep. He filled it with cool water and a variety of oils from plants all over the Pegasus Galaxy that had been known to relieve pain on the skin.

Carson's lips were a thin line of white as they helped Alex over to the tub.

"There's a good lass," Carson whispered in her ear. "You can do this."

Every inch of Alex's body was trembling. Her screams had lessened to exhausted sobs. She kept her eyes squeezed tightly shut as they led her to the tank and then carefully started to lower her into it. At first contact on her damaged skin, Alex flinched and screamed again. Carson very nearly yanked her back out of it, but he knew this was their only chance to relieve her suffering even a little. Forcing the voice in the back of his head to silence, he instead took Alex's weight completely from Doctor Knightley and pushed the suffering woman down into the tank. He held her torso down with one hand while using his other to keep her head above the level of the water.

At first the shock had Alex screaming and thrashing weakly. But, after a few seconds, the cold water and numerous oils began to take effect. Her thrashing slowed and her screaming again diminished to sobbing cries. Still standing with his feet in the tank on either side of Alex crouching until his muscles trembled in that uncomfortable position, Carson watched as her body began to relax.

"That's it, love. Just relax," he coaxed. "It'll start to feel better, soon."

Alex gave no indication that she understood, but Carson nodded to Rebecca to bring the prop they had designed to hold up her head. Carefully he slipped it under her head and set it down. Not for the first time he thanked God that her arms had already been up to protect that beautiful, innocent face. He accepted Doctor Knightley's hand to help him balance as he stepped out of the tank. Alex's trembling continued, but her sobs were slowing and weakening. There was still no indication of awareness or consciousness, but Carson had a sick feeling in the pit of his stomach that she was aware of everything.

Stepping over to a chair, Beckett collapsed into it surprised to find himself trembling. Rebecca squeezed his shoulder gently, but kept her peace.

"I'll tell Colonel Sheppard to come back later," she whispered.

Suddenly recalling that at some point in the last few minutes while they were trying to get Alex in the tank, Sheppard had showed up and barged right into the ward that was reserved just for Alex at this point in time. Seeing what was happening, Sheppard stepped back to the doorway and stood silent through the whole ordeal. His expression had been one of mixed pain and fury at the sight of her suffering. Seeing Carson trembling in the chair beside the tank, he waited for the man to collect himself.

"No, thank you. That's quite alright. I could use some good news right about now. And that better be what he has, or someone is not sleeping safe tonight," he replied, scrubbing his face with his hand.

Again she squeezed his shoulder comfortingly.

"Come on over, Colonel," he called, sitting up as Rebecca walked away.

He wasn't sure about his legs, yet. So he waved at another chair for Sheppard who swung it around and straddled it.

"How is she?" Sheppard asked staring down at the tank.

Carson was relieved to see her trembling slowing though her breathing was still very fast. He would have to get another IV with glucose going soon.

"I think you can see for yourself," Carson said sadly. "This is the best I can do for the pain. But the amount of damage combined with the second formula…it could be two, maybe three, days."

Sheppard bit his lip as he nodded. "You said something about good news. You ready for it?"

"Yes, because if you heard the rest of it, you might want to keep me under lock otherwise."

Sheppard flashed a slight grin at what he hoped was a joke, because the doctor's expression and eyes said it most definitely was not.

"Then you don't need to worry. It was Captain Mendoza that threw the gravy. He's under arrest for attempted murder, for the time being. He's going to stand a military trial, and hopefully, be in prison for a while. Worst case scenario the charge is reduced to assault on an unarmed civilian and he's still going to be discharged and possibly imprisoned."

"Good," Beckett said, his expression filled with fiery rage.

"There's more."

"Well don't keep me in suspense, Colonel," he prompted tiredly, grimacing slightly as he realized some of his sutures had probably torn getting Alex settled into the tank.

"This one is split down the middle. Some good, some bad. Which do you want first?"

He was still frowning, but his expression was much softer by comparison; in the same way granite is softer than diamond. "Bad."

"You're going to lose three doctors and two nurses."

"What? Who? Were they involved in this?"

"You could say that. I'm sure you caught on to the gravy, but the rest of it was a bombardment of lunch items hurled at Alex. From what Elizabeth says, Alex was going to grab lunch before meeting up with Major Lorne. When she tried to find a seat, entire tables of people abandoned their table to get away from her. So she spouted off something and sat down to eat. That's when they started throwing food at her."

Carson's eyes were blazing, "Pardon my French, Colonel, but that's a damned scunner. Those bampots! Ye should lock up the whole lot of those roasters."

Not understanding half of what Carson just said as his accent thickened in his fury, he at least nodded. In some things, no interpretation was needed. Sheppard felt exactly the same.

"That's where the good news comes in," Sheppard said, breaking into Carson's seemingly endless tirade of curses.

"And how is finding out that five people on my staff being involved in something like that is good news?"

"Because, as I said, you'll be losing them. Along with many other departments around Atlantis. They didn't want to accept having to clean up and endure a couple of days of house arrest, so Elizabeth is having them all charged with assault and deported back to Earth on the Daedalus next month. Until then, they're just going to have to learn to enjoy their five-star accommodations in the prisons."

At first Carson's angry expression turned to consideration before he just seemed to deflate. "Is it really going to accomplish anything, though?"

"That's what we're hoping," Sheppard said, all seriousness. "I didn't like the idea of a slap on the wrist in the first place. But she was right; treat them like children. Make them very visible examples of what bad behavior around here can earn. But, she was willing to entertain my idea of sending them all back to Earth with assault charges. We tried it her way, and they argued. Be glad you weren't there, Carson. I wanted to crack heads listening to them. I'm not kidding, they were just like a bunch of kids.

"In any case, now they're going to be very invisible examples of what can happen when you act like a fucktard, pardon my French," he said with a smirk. Even Carson quirked a grin at this. "So, we'll be making a few announcements to department heads and sending names around. Let their friends say goodbye and see what happens."

"And I expect some may want to leave Atlantis before all is said and done," Elizabeth added approaching from the door.

Weir's eyes were locked on Alex's as she stared up with her intense blue eyes.

"Alex!" Carson said, practically falling out of his chair to kneel next to the tank. "Don't move, lass. I've got you in a tank with herbs and cool water that will help with the pain."

"I know," she said softly. Then her eyes turned back to Weir, "Thank you."

"For what?" Weir asked, squatting down next to the tank.

"For helping me," she said before her eyes squeezed shut briefly in pain again. "I'm sorry."

Elizabeth's expression hardened. "Let's get one thing straight, Alex. You have absolutely nothing to apologize for. They owe you an apology; every one of them. And so do I. I had no idea things had gotten so bad. No one should have to put up with that. No one. Humans have not entirely outgrown racial prejudice and hatred, but I had thought this group, hand-picked for the Atlantis expedition, were at least beyond that. I'm sorry.

"And I'm sorry I didn't say this sooner, either. Welcome to Atlantis. I look forward to having you on our team."

Alex's eyes filled with tears and her entire face trembled. "Thank you," she whispered.

"See?" Sheppard piped up over Weir's shoulder as he gripped it gently. "She's not so mean once you get to know her."

Weir threw an annoyed look over her shoulder before turning back to Alex. "Once Carson has you back on your feet, you're to report to Major Lorne for your training."

"Thank you," she whispered again, as tears continued to roll silently down the sides of her head.

"Just rest, and get better."

Alex nodded and closed her eyes, relaxing into the tank.

"Carson, a moment alone, please?"

"Certainly, Elizabeth. I won't go far, love. Just shout if the pain comes back too strongly while I'm away."

She nodded one more time, not bothering to open her eyes.

Sheppard, Beckett, and Weir exited the ward but Beckett stopped them still within sight of Alex. "How can I help you, Elizabeth?"

"Did you tell him who did it?" Weir asked Sheppard.

"Mendoza," Carson growled dangerously.

"Yes. In that case, Sheppard, would you mind giving us a moment?"

"No problem. I'll come around tomorrow to see how she's doing, Doc."

"I'm sure she would appreciate that," Carson forced a smile.

With that Sheppard clapped Carson on the shoulder and headed out of the infirmary. Carson turned his attention back to Doctor Weir as she frowned at her feet as if trying to find words. Finally she just shook her head and started.

"Carson, this may be a bit of a delicate situation, and I apologize for treading on personal territory. You may not be aware, but Alex has feelings for you."

"Alex is falling in love with me," he stated flatly, having already read her expression and body language. "I'm well aware, Doctor Weir."

"Right, okay," she said, relief clear on her face. "So, what do you intend to do about it?"

Carson glanced at the ceiling trying to shake off the initial biting words that came to mind. He tried to remind himself that Elizabeth was his friend. But, he already knew she wasn't here as his friend. Finally he settled his thoughts and met her eyes again.

"I'll not lie to you, Elizabeth. The feeling is mutual. But she's nowhere near ready for something like that."

"How do you know?"

"Alex is still learning the wide range of emotions that humans feel versus Wraith. As she's pointed out to me multiple times, many of them are entirely new to her. I'm no psychologist, but I believe that would put her in a class of those who are severely underdeveloped emotionally. Which, as we both know, can affect their mental development. This presents a rare dichotomy of her mental development being far beyond that of someone in their twenties, while emotionally she may be on the level of a teenager, at best."

"So what are you planning to do?"

Carson rubbed his face as if trying to scrub away his obvious weariness. "I don't know. For now, keep my distance and hope her new assignment on Lorne's team will keep her away for a while."

Sensing the strain this whole thing was putting on her friend, Elizabeth reached out squeeze his hand gently, certain that anywhere else was likely covered in painful sutures. "I'm sorry, Carson."

"Don't be," he said, sensing her own darkening mood. "If I'd done what my mother had told me in the first place I'd be married, have a dozen kids, and running my own practice in Edinburgh by now."

"Well, I, for one, am very glad you didn't," she told him sincerely.

"Thanks, lass. And—damn," Carson cut off, noticing the spots of blood showing through his white lab coat on his left arm. "I guess I tore some, after all. If you'll excuse me?"

"Of course."

"And get some rest," Carson called over his shoulder. "You look like you need it."

Quirking a smile, Weir made no promises and left the infirmary. As a matter of fact, she expected more than a few sleepless nights in her near future as the dust continued to settle from the day's events.

~o~o~o~

Beckett and Knightley took turns watching over Alex throughout the night. As he has suspected, she had been aware of everything. Alex said nothing. She alternated between staring at the ceiling, clearly deep in thought, and crying, quietly. Carson did what he could to soothe her, but there was little he could say that would make any difference. His heart twisted with each quiet sob. One of the few places on her whole upper body that wasn't injured was her forehead and hair. He just stroked her forehead and hair softly.

At some point he must have dozed off, and so had Alex. He woke to Doctor Knightley gently shaking his shoulder to find he had crossed his arms on the edge of the tank and put his head down on top of them. Now his whole back ached from neck to coccyx. Biting back groans, he scooted back away from the tank and used the chair to leverage himself to his feet. Not wanting to risk waking Alex, he nodded toward the door to Rebecca and then followed her out.

"I was going to say that you'll regret sleeping like that, but I think you already know," the doctor teased slightly. "Why don't you go get some real sleep for a change? Even just the sofa in your office?"

"The sofa is almost as bad," he commented rubbing his neck. "How long was I asleep?"

"About an hour. Alex just dropped off about thirty minutes ago. I wanted to make sure she was in deep sleep before I came to wake you."

"Good. Thank you. Any changes?"

Rebecca sighed sadly. "Not much. I think she's asleep more out of exhaustion than any real sense of relief."

"Damn," Carson muttered.

"I heard it was Mendoza," she said, obviously fishing for an answer.

Carson sighed, sadly. "I got the update a few hours ago. We're losing Atkinson, Stream, Chellaiah, Baxendale, and Shadid."

"They're being sent back to Earth, right?"

Still obviously quite tired, Carson still managed to quirk a grin, "My, my, are you always such a rumor monger?"

Rebecca chuckled. "No, but the Atlantis grapevine is the best in the galaxy. If someone sneezes on the other side of the city, we'll hear about it before they blow their nose."

Even Carson chuckled at the truth of this.

"In any case, news like this flat exploded. I don't think you'll worry about having to keep any of it, including the names, secret. Most of the department heads were just happy to have someone actually working this evening once word got out."

"What do you mean?"

Doctor Knightley took a deep breath and crossed her arms with a frown. "Well, aside from those who normally spend more time engaging in gossip than working, anyway, there were some protests."

Beckett's blue eyes widened in shock. "Protests? You can't be serious."

"Oh I am, Carson. They were sitting in the halls and just about anywhere else they could be seen doing absolutely nothing useful."

"Why?" he asked, still trying to wrap his brain around this.

"Because they all feel that Weir is wrong for charging them with assault in the first place."

Carson shook his head and scrubbed his face. He was tired right down to his soul, now. Eyeing Rebecca he asked, "And your opinion?"

Rebecca nodded, as if expecting this. "If you had asked me two days ago, I would have agreed that it was a bit harsh. But after seeing what it did to Alex, they deserve it. Weir did give them a chance to take their lenient punishment and move on. But they didn't see the wrong in what they'd done. She's absolutely right to make an example of them. If it means shutting down the city until they can get over it, so be it."

Carson nodded. "I agree. It's starting to feel like the whole damned city has gone insane."

"There's nothing more you can do here tonight. Go on, get some sleep. I'll check your sutures in the morning."

"Thanks, love. I'll not argue. Call me if there's any change."

"Off with you."