Hey everyone! I noticed that many recently-posted stories have the first line repeated twice, and I figured I'd tell you all that I discovered how to fix that: Before you save a chapter in your computer, click 'file', 'properties', and then 'summary'. The first sentence of a document is always listed in the 'title' field. Erase it and save the file, and your chapter will post without the line being duplicated! ;) Enjoy chapter 4!

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When John woke the next morning, the first thing he heard was Rodney's snore. That wasn't unusual, since they often camped outside on various planets. The next thing he heard was a sigh, and his eyes popped open, remembering the events of yesterday.

Looking to the left, he found Carson awake, sitting cross-legged on his bed with his back against the wall.

"Hey," John said, sitting up and flinging his legs off the bed. "How you doing, Carson?"

"Fine," Carson told him, with an unconvincing smile. He still looked a wreck; his face was far too pale, and he still had pain lines around his eyes.

"How's the head?" John asked, concerned.

"Still attached, I think," Carson answered. He blinked tiredly, the dark spots under his eyes showing how badly he'd slept.

Sighing, John looked around to find that Ronon was up, probably in the bathroom. Rodney still slept like the dead, and Teyla was now sitting up. She smoothed her hair down, before purposely smiling at Carson.

Carson smiled back.

Teyla sat on the side of her bed, mirroring John. "How are you feeling?"

"All right," he lied.

The door opened and Ronon came out. Seeing Rodney still asleep, he grinned at the others before walking by the scientist and whacking him upside the head.

Rodney flailed under his covers for a minute, before sitting up, his hair sticking up everywhere.

"Wake up, McKay," said Ronon, unnecessarily.

Rodney sputtered for a minute. "I suppose you think you had a good reason for waking me so rudely?!"

"I always have a good reason for what I do," said Ronon, crossing his arms.

"And that was…?" said Rodney.

Ronon shrugged. "Felt like it."

Teyla chuckled and went into the bathroom.

Rodney climbed out of bed, muttering about being picked on by aliens.

Soon, everyone was ready for breakfast, though Carson still sat on his bed.

"Aren't you coming?" Rodney asked.

Carson, rubbing his forehead, sighed.

"Did you take those pills the doc gave you?" John asked.

"Aye," Carson answered. "They aren't helpin'."

"You need food," said Rodney. "Your blood sugar is probably lower than mine."

Carson had to admit that the scientist had a good point. He held out a hand for assistance, not sure that his body would painlessly obey his commands.

Rodney took it and pulled his friend to his feet.

Once upright, stars seemed to explode in Carson's vision. "Ooooh," he couldn't help but moan, leaning on Rodney for a minute with his eyes closed.

John quickly stepped forward and took hold of his arm. "Can you make it to the infirmary?"

"I don' need ta go there," Carson answered, eyes still closed, his voice sounding strained. "I'm okay."

John shook his head, trading glances with the others. "Why don't you stay here then? We'll bring you breakfast and pick up some more painkillers."

"No," Carson answered, quickly. His eyes opened, though he immediately squinted. "I'll come."

"Ooookay, doc. You're the doc," said John.

They left the room, and headed down the hall.

Carson nearly groaned again as the pulsing pain reverberated through his head. He tried to walk straight, but had to keep leaning on Rodney.

The scientist made no complaint—for once—holding onto his friend's arm lest he trip.

Halfway to the mess hall, John took a detour to the bridge, telling the others that he'd be back.

"I was just about to call you, Colonel," Caldwell said. "We should have you home in two hours."

"Great," said John. "Can you contact Dr. Weir for me?"

"John?" he suddenly heard. Apparently, Caldwell had already been speaking to her.

"Elizabeth," he said. "We're almost home."

"I know," she said, her voice sounding very relieved. "How's Carson doing? I didn't get to talk to him last night."

"Sorry," said John. "He was wiped out, went right to bed. I'm not sure if I can get him up here to the bridge right now, either. Michael left him with a massive headache."

"Oh no," said Elizabeth, sounding worried. "Concussion?"

"No," John answered. Once again, he didn't explain while in Caldwell's earshot. "I left everyone in the mess hall. I'd like to get back there to make sure he eats."

"All right, John. We'll see you soon."

"Right. Sheppard out."

Leaving the bridge, John quickly made his way back to the mess hall, to find exactly what he expected; everyone happily munching away, while Carson had only managed two bites of his french toast.

"Come on, doc, you can do better than that," John said.

Carson sighed again, elbow on the table with his forehead resting against his hand. He took another bite as everyone, clearly worried, watched.

"We'll be home in two hours," John said. "I just talked to Elizabeth. She's eager to see you, Carson."

Carson smiled at that, taking another bite.

Everyone lingered at the table, trying to give Carson as much time as possible to eat. He didn't finish his food, but he ate enough to almost satisfy them, after which, they returned to their room.

"Take a nap," John told Carson. "By the time you wake up, we'll be home."

Wordlessly, Carson obeyed, lying down with a sigh.

Teyla sat on the side of their friend's bed again, and began to sing, having noticed that after she'd done that in the night, he hadn't violently woken from another nightmare.

Carson closed his eyes, his emotions conflicting with each other. He felt like a baby, but at the same time he was touched to see how much his friends cared. Rubbing his throbbing forehead, he hoped that the pain wouldn't keep him awake.

When he put his hand down, it was replaced by Teyla's, startling him slightly.

The Athosian woman gently stroked his forehead and hair, hoping to ease the pain. Carson had done so much for them all, healing their many wounds and illnesses, so she was eager to help him for a change.

After Teyla's third song, Carson appeared to be sleeping. She remained where she was and continued to softly hum, hoping for it to penetrate his mind and ward off bad dreams.

Everyone else was as quiet as a mouse…even Rodney.

Time passed slowly, and not a second too soon, Caldwell finally announced their arrival.

Teyla was smiling as she gently squeezed the doctor's arm. "Carson? We are here."

Opening his eyes, Carson blinked at her a few times before her words seemed to penetrate his brain. "We're home?"

She nodded and helped him up.

Within minutes, the team was once again in the Jumper, and John immediately contacted Elizabeth. "Jumper One to Atlantis."

"We read you, John," she immediately replied. "Have you left the Daedalus yet?"

Sheppard had told Carson that Elizabeth was itching to speak to him, so he answered before John had a chance. "Not just yet, love."

"Carson!" she said, her voice full of emotion. "I'm so glad you're all right."

Carson smiled.

"Hold on, Elizabeth," John said, switching channels. "Colonel Caldwell, Jumper One is ready."

A few seconds later, the bay doors started to open.

"You're cleared for takeoff, Jumper One."

"Thanks, Colonel," said John. "For everything."

"Aye, thanks," said Carson, relieved that the Daedalus had shown up when it had.

"Anytime," Caldwell said.

The doors took another few seconds to finish opening, and Jumper One was finally on their way back home.

TBC