Wednesday evening, Alison pulled into the drive of Carson's home and grinned. He'd told her that he'd purchased a vehicle—finally—but she hadn't expected the late eighties model Ford truck. Somehow, the slightly battered copper-colored pickup suited him, though, and she grinned at the thought of the man she was dating working out of the back of it. Of course, she'd never truly seen him in action in the field, so she couldn't say whether the idea of him doing manual labor was hotter than the thought of him being completely focused on saving a life.

Shaking herself from her thoughts, she left her mother's car behind and found Carson standing in the door of his home. They'd shared lunch at the coffee house on both Monday and Tuesday, but he'd asked her to join him for a private dinner tonight. She'd jumped at the opportunity, grateful to have a place where she wouldn't need to filter everything she said.

Carson accepted her coat, hanging it on the coat rack he'd recently acquired and letting her wander through the house. He had added a few more touches over the week, making it feel more like a home with each time she came. Tonight, a fire burned in the fireplace, and the table had been set with matching dishes, wine glasses, linen napkins, and a tall candle holder. Somehow, she imagined Carson setting the table like this all the time, but the effort made her smile anyway. They chatted about the truck, his work, and the coffee house while he served dinner. He grinned when she complimented his cooking, though she suspected he knew it was good already. He called the dish Scottish Beef with wild mushroom mash and green vegetables. Alison didn't care. It was wonderful.

After dinner, Alison insisted on helping him clean the kitchen. It had never been her favorite chore in the world, but Carson made it fun. Of course, it was hard to hate doing dishes when he was too busy flicking bubbles at her as the dishwater filled the sink. She was well and truly soaked before they even started washing, and his shirt wasn't much better.

Determined to ignore the way her damp shirt cooled after leaving the kitchen, Alison stood next to the fire and watched the flames devour the log that Carson had just added. She needed to talk to him, to find out how he was really doing, but she didn't want to break the light atmosphere that had dominated for most of their date. He clearly sensed that she had something on her mind and pulled her into his arms. A smile covered her face as she leaned into him and simply enjoyed the warmth of his arms.

"Sorry for soakin' you," he said softly. His breath stirred the hair around her ear, and she couldn't suppress the shiver that went down her spine. She sensed more than saw his smile at that.

"Don't worry about it, Carson." Turning in his arms, she decided to take a few plays from Dusty's book. The Marine and Chuck Campbell had started dating a few months back, and Dusty had never been one to be shy. Now, Alison put aside her personal reservations and draped her arms around Carson's neck. "I was just thinking about some things and not sure how to bring them up."

"You don't ever have to worry about bringin' something up in conversation, love." His brow lowered, though it wasn't in anger. "What's on your mind?"

"You." Though the comment could have been taken in a sexual connotation, Alison meant it totally different. And Carson knew it. She sighed and glanced over his shoulder to where the painting of the Golden Gate Bridge warmed the wall. "How are you really doing, Carson? I mean, I know you're loving life here in Esperanza, but there's got to be things bugging you. I know I have them. Dreams. Things I've done that no one else here in town would understand." She chuckled mirthlessly. "My own mother doesn't understand why I insist on the doors being locked at night when she's never locked them in her life. But you do, and I was wondering if I'm the only one feeling that."

His smile reappeared, and it was even more breathtaking up close. "You're not the only one." The smile faded, and shadows entered his eyes. "As for the dreams, they're there. The doctors told me I may live with them for the rest of my life."

"How do you cope with them?"

"I wake up." He shrugged. "I remember that, while I endured all of that with Michael, it's in the past. My family rescued me, and, even though my homecoming wasn't what I'd always envisioned, it was still wonderful to be back on Atlantis."

Alison saw the openness in his face and realized he wouldn't become upset with her. "Going into stasis had to be hard."

"Aye, it was." He let out a deep breath. "I dinnae want to go into that machine, but I couldnae watch them watch me die. An' I truly thought I'd never come out again. When I did. . . ." He shook his head. "I still had a long way to go physically, but coming out of that pod was probably one of the best days of my life."

"I can imagine." She blinked. "I couldn't imagine what I'd feel if I suddenly found Alicia Vega again."

"Aye," he said again. His arms tightened around her, and he laid his forehead against hers. "What brought this up? Really?"

"I dreamed last night," she whispered, the nightmare of the mission that killed Vega fading with every passing second that he stayed so close to her. "About the night we met. Only, this time, I didn't come back from the mist."

He nodded. "I dream about that night sometimes, as well."

"You do?"

"Aye." His smile turned up only half of his mouth this time, highlighting his dimple though his eyes were sad. "You don't get over somethin' like that overnight, Ali. Give yourself some time while you're here to react."

"I'm trying." She shrugged. "I just don't want to worry Mom." Then, she shook her head. "And I didn't want this to turn morbid, but it did."

He met her eyes with a pointed look of his own, one that melted her insides even as she recognized the seriousness in his expression. "We're the only people in town who truly understand what it's like out there. If anything, we should be able to talk to one another about the good and the bad."

Alison nodded and laid her head on his shoulder, enjoying the feel of his arms around her. She'd dated before, had tried the dating game since meeting Carson. But none of those men ever made her feel safe enough to stay close to for more than a short time. One of them had actually tried to make out with her on their first date, and Alison had shut him down quickly. While she wasn't opposed to making out with the man she was dating, she refused to do so until she knew him better. With Carson, she knew he wouldn't try anything until both of them were ready.

"Do you miss it?" she asked suddenly, the thought popping into her head and out of her mouth before she could stop it.

"What, Pegasus?" When she nodded against his shoulder, he sighed. "Aye. I miss the people. I know comin' back to Earth was necessary, but there's still people back there who could use the help. If the IOA ever releases Atlantis to return, I'll go in a heartbeat."

"Me, too."

They fell quiet for a time, each one lost in thought. Alison allowed her mind to wander, to imagine having Carson around all the time. And Carson propped his chin on the top of her head and simply smiled. Since coming out of the stasis pod and adjusting to the reality that he was a clone—a copy of the man he thought he really was—he'd resigned himself to a solitary existence. Meeting Alison all those months ago was a big surprise and made him think about more than simply repaying his debt to the Pegasus galaxy. She stirred the desire to have a life outside of his work, and he found that, now, he didn't want to ignore that. He wanted to know if this drawing that he felt would survive the stresses of her job and his unique existence.

As the night ended, both of them realized one thing. They were falling in love with one another, and neither one wanted to stop the free fall.

oOo

Outside the house, Katie stood on the sidewalk and stared at the scene through the plate glass window. It would have been heartwarming for anyone else, but it created a deep anger inside of her. And that was telling in and of itself. Had she truly loved Carson, she suspected it would have hurt to see him holding Alison Porter so gently. Instead, she just saw the loss of an incredible opportunity, one that stood a chance of making her the happiest woman alive.

Turning her head from the display as Carson propped his head on Alison's, Katie stalked down the sidewalk. She'd come to this neighborhood to meet with an old friend of hers, one she hadn't seen in quite some time although they talked on the phone often. She'd been surprised to realize that Carson had company and had stopped when she saw him pull Alison into his arms. At first, she wondered if there was about to be a real show, something she could film on her phone to hold over him as blackmail. But Alison seemed intent on talking, not taking advantage of the incredibly attractive man who held her. Katie couldn't imagine what other woman would be so innocent as to ignore the obvious. If Carson looked at her the way he looked at Alison, Katie would have dragged him to the nearest surface by now and had made his dreams come true.

Swallowing the bile that surged at the back of her throat, she realized that she needed to step up her campaign. Carson had been friendlier to her in recent days, actually looking at her and smiling rather than keeping his eyes fixed on whatever file or chart he held. He liked seeing her dressed modestly, and Katie had added a few extra things to her wardrobe over the weekend. Now, she just needed to figure out how to turn his head away from Alison Porter.

Mind whirling, she met up with her friend and spent a relatively enjoyable evening reminiscing about younger days.

oOo

"Dr. Beckett?" Katie's voice over the office intercom pulled Carson from his thoughts. She'd taken to using the technology as opposed to coming back personally, and he quite liked the idea of being left alone. Especially when he had so many thoughts whirling through his head.

Pressing the button on his phone, he set aside the questions that his evening with Alison had stirred. "Aye?"

"You have a visitor. A Dr. Rodney McKay?" Katie's voice was curious.

Carson blinked. Rodney was in Esperanza? Why? Pushing out of his chair, he hurried to the front of the clinic. Rodney stood with his hands in his pockets and staring at the large print hung on the wall. Carson grinned. "Rodney?"

"Carson!" The astrophysicist stuck out his hand, a smile lighting his features. "It's great to see you!"

"Aye," Carson agreed. He shook his friend's hand and then motioned. "My receptionist, Katie. Jorge's around here somewhere, but it's near lunch time. He may have gone home for that."

Rodney waved a hand. "Oh. Well. I'm not worried." Turning to Katie, he graced the woman with a perfunctory smile. "Nice to meet you."

Katie nodded, her eyes returning to her computer screen even though Carson realized she was still listening.

Carson motioned toward the rear of the clinic, back to the one place he knew he'd have some privacy to speak with his closest friend. "What brings you to Esperanza?"

"Oh, um, well, to see you." Rodney jabbed a thumb over his shoulder. "I was hoping we could get some lunch?"

Carson chuckled at that. "Sounds great. Give me a moment, and I'll be right back." He turned to Katie. "Why don't ye take the rest of the day, dear? We don't have any more patients today, an' I won't be back in the office."

She grinned. "Whatever you say, Doctor." Then, she turned to shutting down her computer.

Carson quickly shed his lab coat and grabbed the light jacket he wore most days. New Mexico wasn't as cool as he was accustomed to feeling, but it was December. And the incessant wind sliced through even the thickest clothing without even trying. By the time he returned to the waiting area, Katie was gone, and Rodney still stood with his hands in his pockets.

The physicist pointed. "Your receptionist lit out of here like a bat outta. . . ."

"Aye, she typically does," Carson interrupted. "She works a second job at the cafe and often heads straight there from here." He locked the clinic behind him, taking time to ensure that the pharmacy was also secured.

"So, how've you been?" Rodney asked as they started walking down the sidewalk.

"Oh, good." Carson grinned. "I love this town, though there's been a few surprises since I've been here."

"How's Dottie?"

"Debbie?" Carson grinned at his friend's slip.

"Debbie. God, what is it with me and names?"

Carson actually chuckled at that, having heard the frustration on many occasions. "She's good. Recoverin' with no sign of a relapse."

"Oh, that's good." Rodney eyed Carson as they reached the front door of the coffee house. "So, interested in anyone these days?" he asked in a near perfect imitation of the question Carson had asked him right after the two of them had been held captive on a Wraith hive.

Carson rolled his eyes and opened the door, knowing that he couldn't lie to his friend. Rodney might not catch the lie, but he would catch the undercurrents flowing between him and Alison. "I wouldn't say that I'm simply 'interested,' but I am seein' someone."

"Oh?" Rodney perked up. "Who?"

"Since when have ye been interested in anyone's love life?" Carson asked wryly. He turned as he saw Alison at the counter, grinning at him and blinking in surprise at Rodney. "Hello, love. You remember Dr. McKay?"

Alison's smile widened. "Of course."

Rodney blinked. "Porter? What are you doing here?" Then he turned to Carson, who stared at him with a confused expression. "We worked together on a couple of projects after getting back from overseas."

"Ah." Carson nodded and waited for Alison's response. He loved seeing that fire in her eyes and knew she didn't hold Rodney's blunt question against him.

True to form, she grinned. "Well, this is Porter's Tea and Coffee House."

Rodney had the good sense to glance around. "Nice place."

She rolled her eyes. "Thanks." Turning to Carson, she grinned. "The usual?"

"Aye." He waited for Rodney to order before leading his friend to his normal table.

McKay frowned. "Aren't you going to pay? Or should I?"

Carson shrugged. "The owner has a thing against charging her daughter's boyfriend for food."

McKay choked even though he didn't have his drink yet. "Boyfriend? Wait. . .you and Porter?" His eyes moved back and forth as Carson waited for Rodney's mind to make the connection. "A year ago, Sheppard asked how Porter was doing. You two were talking about that Porter?"

Carson couldn't help it. He let out a laugh that soon had Rodney chuckling ruefully. "Aye, Rodney, I was talkin' about that Porter." He sobered. "What really brings you to Esperanza?"

Alison interrupted briefly to set their drinks on the table. Carson thanked her quietly while Rodney fiddled with the coffee mug. Finally, the physicist let out a deep sigh. "Well, I know we kind of planned a team Christmas this year, and I. . .we. . .that is, Jennifer and I won't be there."

Carson's eyebrows rose, but he stayed quiet.

Rodney looked out the window at the town square with a few leaves scuttling across the cobblestones in the cold wind. "We're going to Canada."

"To see your sister?"

"Yeah." Rodney glanced up. "Carson, I know this is your first Christmas back on Earth, and Sheppard planned this big thing to celebrate with everyone. But, the thing is, I'm kinda planning to propose," he finished with a sparkle in his eyes and a grin on his face.

This time, it was Carson who choked on his coffee. "You're what?"

"You heard me." Rodney scowled. "What? You don't think I'm ready? Because I am. I've been waiting for the right time, and this is it! I know what happened with Katie Brown, but that's not going to happen this time. Jennifer's the right woman for me, and. . . ."

Carson held up a hand to stop his friend's rant. "That's not what I meant, Rodney." He chuckled. "I knew you'd get 'round to asking Jennifer eventually. I just wasn't planning on knowing about it before the fact."

"Oh." Rodney shifted in his seat. "Well, maybe I wanted to know what my best friend thought of it."

"I think it's great!" Carson sat back as Alison delivered their lunch. Seeing Rodney watching her closely, he frowned. "What?"

"Nothing." Rodney shook his head. "I just never realized what I looked like when Jennifer's around, though Sheppard is intent on telling me about it every single time."

Carson took a moment to blink at his friend. "Am I really discussing women and relationships with you, of all people?"

"I know. Weird, isn't it?"

"Aye."

The two men fell silent as they began to eat their lunch. Rodney McKay hadn't changed all that much since Carson had last seen him, but he'd grown a lot. The physicist was softer, less blunt and more aware of others around him. Carson supposed that it was Jennifer's influence on his life and thought the pair perfectly suited to one another even if unlikely.

Finally, Rodney set down the sandwich he'd ordered. "So, would you be my best man?"

"Do ye really have to ask?" Carson grinned. "I'd be honored."

"Good." Rodney frowned. "Just so we're clear. You're not wearing that skirt you keep hidden in your closet to my wedding!"

Carson rolled his eyes. "It's a kilt, Rodney, and I know."

"Whatever." Rodney waved his hand. "So, you have any plans for Christmas?"

"I'm not planning to propose, if that's what you're askin'." Carson grinned. "But I was thinking of taking Alison to Albuquerque the week before Christmas to the ballet."

Rodney shook his head. "Do you see what these women have done? They've turned us into huge softies."

Carson chuckled at that. "Aye, I suppose you're right."

Rodney frowned. "Wait, the weekend before Christmas?"

"Yes, why?"

"That's, um. . . ." Rodney shrugged sheepishly. "That's just when Sheppard planned the team Christmas so you could be back here and the rest of the group could make it home. He said he emailed you."

Carson cursed under his breath and pulled out his cell phone. Sure enough, there was an email waiting for him to read. It simply told him to pack warm and bring his passport. He frowned. "My passport?"

"That's what he said." Rodney grinned and leaned forward. "You know, I'm fairly sure he wouldn't have a problem if you bring Porter with you. Especially since you and she. . . ."

Carson gave the physicist a pointed look. They finished their lunch and spent the next few hours chatting. They couldn't talk freely, but both of them used enough of the code words to get the message across. Rodney even surprised Carson by asking Alison to join them for a bit, and the trio enjoyed a mid-afternoon snack provided by Margaret. Alison's mother was thrilled to meet another coworker of her daughter's, and she waved off Rodney's offer to pay for the food.

That night, Carson retired to his home with a smile on his face. He might have dealt with dreams of his time with Michael, but having people like Alison and Rodney around made life worth it. Thinking about Rodney's plans to propose to Jennifer, he grinned. He needed to find a reason to wear a kilt around McKay just to get a reaction out of the physicist. He knew Sheppard would help if necessary and would have spent way too much time reasoning it out if he hadn't fallen asleep.

Rodney returned to Atlantis the next morning after breakfast, but he promised to send pictures of the entire group soon. Carson waved while his friend headed to the pre-determined beam-out point and smiled.

It was good to be alive.

~TBC