Author's Note: Well, folks, here it is: the final chapter! I hope you've enjoyed this story as much as I did. There are more stories in the works, but I've been enjoying some time to just let my muse rest and have fun over the holidays. As always, let me know what you think, and be looking out for my next story that is (hopefully!) coming in the next couple of weeks! ~lg
oOo
Alison left Esperanza three days after Christmas. She stayed for Katie's funeral, her arm looped comfortingly through Carson's as they watched the woman's casket as it was lowered into the ground. Not many people came to the memorial, and Carson was disheartened to see so few family members. He stayed out of respect for life, though he wondered if Katie had ever had someone who cared enough about her to pull her out of her lifestyle. The sadness of it all rested on his shoulders as he drove Alison and Margaret back to their home.
Alison's departure solidified a lot of things for Carson. He began searching for a replacement, thinking that he'd return to Atlantis soon. And he contacted Mr. Woolsey, who welcomed him back with open arms. The period between Katie's funeral and New Year's was quiet, though the emails from Alison told of back-to-back off world missions. She sounded happy when she spoke about her team, but he heard the wistfulness in her voice when she called him each day.
He missed her. More than he missed Atlantis, more than he missed his friends, he ached for Alison's presence. Their time together, while short, had showed him how deeply he truly cared for her. He kept the sgian-dubh she'd bought him for Christmas on his desk, often holding the dagger and wondering if he had made the right decisions in his life. His time in Switzerland—with the team—had answered many of his questions about who he was. He'd accepted the idea that he was Carson Beckett, that he was driven by the same desires, that he shared the same passion for saving lives. He no longer felt like he belonged in Esperanza, no matter how the townspeople accepted him. With Engleside's ranch going belly-up, several businesses had closed down, and the town struggled to survive. Even Margaret started thinking about moving Porter's Tea and Coffee House closer to her daughter's job in Colorado.
Carson's relief came in from an unlikely source. Two weeks into January, Jorge appeared in the clinic with a surprising offer. He'd left the DEA following the events in Esperanza, and he wanted to purchase the clinic. He knew that Carson wasn't meant to be in a town like this, and he was qualified as a nurse practitioner. Very few people in the town knew of his work with the DEA, leaving him wide open to take over the business. Within a week, Carson had signed papers, talked Margaret into transferring rent over to Jorge and his family, and packed up his belongings.
It was time to go home.
oOo
Atlantis was the same as when he'd left, yet different. There was a weariness about the faces of the city's long-time residents that Carson didn't find surprising. The IOA still dragged their feet about letting the city return to Pegasus, and even Woolsey had started considering mutiny. This came from Sheppard, of course, who kept Carson updated on events in the city. Carson shook Woolsey's hand and walked to his new quarters, somewhat relieved they weren't the ones he'd occupied in a previous life. It would have felt a little too weird to him.
After taking some time to settle in, he left his quarters and strolled to the infirmary. Rodney had emailed to tell Carson that Jennifer said "Yes!" Carson smiled now as he saw the young doctor treating Ronon for a cut above the eye. The Satedan shrugged at Jennifer's scolding and left a few moments later, butterfly bandage in place.
Jennifer smiled at Carson. "I heard you were coming back."
"Aye," he said as he hugged her. "Mr. Woolsey's been kind enough to give me a research position here, an' I'll be takin' some shifts in the infirmary as well."
"It's great to have you back, Carson." Jennifer held out her left hand. "Look what Rodney got me for Christmas!"
He laughed at her enthusiasm and gave the large diamond solitaire its due attention. "It's beautiful, lass. You'll make a wonderful bride."
Jennifer blushed at that and returned to her duties. Marie stood next to a work bench, watching and reminding him of his departure months ago. Carson moved to her side, a smile touching his lips as he saw the tears in her eyes. "Marie."
"Carson." She shook her head. "You came back."
"That I did."
The nurse hugged him then, and he remembered how insistent she'd been about his promise that he'd return to Atlantis to visit. At that time, it had reminded her of the other Carson's death, and he hadn't had the heart to tell her that he wasn't carrying a bomb out of the infirmary. Now, he was grateful to be here, as well as to know that he had found his place.
That evening, after making the rounds and smiling until his face hurt, he stood outside of one specific set of quarters. Teldy's team had been off world for most of the day, but Sheppard had quietly informed him of their return. He gave Alison enough time to get through her post-mission physical and to clean up from the mission before arriving at her door. Now, she answered his entry request wearing a pair of jeans, button-down blouse, and the snowflake necklace he'd given her for Christmas.
"Carson?" She blinked up at him. "You're really here?"
"I'm really here." He stepped inside and, mentally commanding the door to close behind him, took her in his arms. After kissing her like he'd dreamed about doing for the last three weeks, he held her close. "I'm back for good."
Alison pulled away just enough to look at him. "For good?"
"Aye." He put a hand on her face, gently rubbing her cheekbone with his thumb. "Esperanza's a beautiful town, but it's not where I belong."
"And where is that?"
"Here. With you." He grinned at the fire lit in her eyes at that comment.
"You know, Carson, I was supposed to meet Dusty and Anne for dinner." She wiggled out of his arms long enough to grab her radio. "I'm thinking I might change those plans."
His eyebrows rose as he caught the meaning behind her words. "Don't, love," he said softly. When she frowned at him, he leaned close to whisper in her ear, "There's plenty of time for that later. I happen to know you've been given tomorrow as a day off."
Alison blinked up at him and nodded. "You're right." Then, she grinned. "Dr. Beckett, would you like to join me for dinner?"
Remembering the night she first flirted with him, telling him that he'd never played poker with her before, he grinned. "Dr. Porter, I'd be delighted."
oOo
Three days later, Carson sat in the mess hall with Sheppard's team around him. Alison had gone off world again that morning, leaving him behind to continue researching the effects of the serum that kept him alive on the human body. The events in Esperanza raised some alarm at the SGC, but Carson knew it would settle in time. He wanted to know if there was a way to modify the serum so that it could be used for more than stabilizing his own condition.
Now, however, he enjoyed a second cup of coffee as the banter flowed freely. The grill that Major Lorne had manned months ago still stood on one side of the patio, showing signs of regular usage. News of Carson's relationship with Alison had spread through the base, and most everyone smiled to see the pair together. Jennifer and Rodney's engagement had also made waves, as had Lorne's proposal to Amanda two days ago in the infirmary. That time, Carson had been on hand to see the battered, tired major unexpectedly ask his doctor to marry him. Amanda had spluttered, leaned close to carefully kiss Lorne, and then promptly asked Carson to take over the major's care. Carson had laughed with the rest of the infirmary and happily tended the major's wounds.
"So," Rodney asked, interrupting Carson's thoughts, "what made you decide to come back?"
Sheppard shrugged when Carson blinked. "We have been wondering. Was it Porter?"
Carson shook his head. "Aye, it was Alison. And, no. It wasn't Alison."
Rodney frowned. "Either it was or it wasn't, Carson. You can't have it both ways."
"Yes I can, Rodney!" Carson frowned at the physicist. "Alison was the one who helped me see who I am and where I belong. My decision to come back was based on that realization. Having Alison close is just icing on the cake, as you like to say."
Ignoring Sheppard's smirk at that, Rodney held up a hand. "Wait. Where you belong? Didn't you use that excuse when you left?"
"Aye." Carson shook his head. "I needed to get away to realize my family is here. I don't belong in a little town, treatin' broken bones and drug addicts and little old ladies. My place is here, on Atlantis."
"Well, I could have told you that," Rodney replied. "In fact, I did tell you that."
"So you did," Carson agreed quietly. He'd missed this banter with his family and Rodney's impatience. "Maybe I just needed to realize it for myself."
Teyla smiled at the two. "Well, I, for one, am happy that you have decided to stay, Carson."
"Yeah, Doc," Ronon said as he stood up. "Wasn't the same without you around." He ambled off to finish training with some new Marines. Teyla also excused herself, and Sheppard agreed to come see Torren with her. That left Carson and Rodney at the table.
Rodney met his friend's eyes. "Seriously. You're sure about coming back?"
"Yes, Rodney, I am." Carson picked up his coffee cup.
"So, you and Porter?" Rodney grinned. "You proposing any time soon?"
"Perhaps." Seeing the sly look on the physicist's face, he shook his head. "Besides the fact that I doubt Jennifer would want a double weddin', I don't think you want to wear a kilt for it."
Rodney choked on his coffee, tears springing to his eyes. "A kilt?" he asked in a strangled voices.
"Aye." Carson grinned. "When Alison and I get married, all my groomsmen will have to wear one."
"When. . .you get married?" Rodney still hadn't recovered form his coughing fit. "You just said you hadn't proposed."
"Doesn't mean we haven't talked about it."
The two men sat on the mess hall patio, their banter going back and forth and often seen as humorous by others in the city. Carson sat back in his chair and looked out over the Pacific Ocean. Aye, this is where I belong, he thought. An' I'm happy to be here.
~The End~