The sight of Atlantis caused an actual lump to form in Carson's throat. I made it home. I actually made it!

Everyone was quiet as they reached the city and entered the bay. After the Jumper descended and the rear hatch opened, they were greeted by Elizabeth's smiling face—and a medteam.

John was assisting him out of the Jumper, and Carson opened his mouth to tell them that he was all right, but something suddenly struck him speechless.

The City of Atlantis was happy to see him.

John often told of how he could 'feel' Atlantis. Carson could too, thanks to his Ancient Gene, but not to the extent that the Colonel did. Perhaps it was due to Carson's well-known apprehension over the whole thing, making him suppress it.

But not this time.

Carson was suddenly hugged by Elizabeth, but he hardly realized it at first, so stunned was he by the feelings he was sensing from the…walls?

"I'm so sorry for this whole Michael thing, Carson," Elizabeth was saying. "I should never have allowed it."

Carson hugged her back, her words striking a chord. "No, lass, it wasn' yer fault. Don' blame yerself fer it." He pulled out of the hug and smiled. "See? I'm alive an' well."

Elizabeth smiled, squeezing his arm.

"I wouldn't exactly say 'well'," said John, gesturing his head towards the medteam who were eager to get at their boss.

Carson sighed. No matter what he said, he knew they wouldn't believe that he was fine. Especially since he knew that he didn't look very healthy at the moment. "I was examined on the Daedalus…"

His words trailed off as John took one arm and Elizabeth took the other, marching him out of the bay. "It's your own rule, Carson!" said Elizabeth.

A sigh was their only answer.

Carson let them lead him down the hall, not bothering to protest. Elizabeth was right; it was his own rule. Besides, he was too absorbed in the emotion that the city was broadcasting.

Atlantis was happy that her child was safe from the wraith.

Child?! Carson thought. Looking at John, he suddenly wondered if he was catching all this.

John looked at him and gave him a lopsided grin, making the answer obvious.

Carson had no more time to dwell on Atlantis' unexpected welcome, before they suddenly arrived. His relief at once more being home in his own infirmary was complicated by annoyance at his well-meaning staff, who seemed to drop everything so they could all crowd around him.

When the poking and prodding became too much, Carson finally exclaimed, "Enough! Are ya satisfied yet that I'm indeed still alive?!"

There were a few chuckles, and Biro gave him a mock-glare. "Fine; we believe you. Go to your quarters and rest."

Carson frowned. "I'd rather stay here."

Biro's expression changed to one of concern. "I thought you said you're all right?! What injury are you hiding?"

Carson rolled his eyes, forgetting that his headache wouldn't appreciate the gesture. "Are ya daft? I'm back and I'm fine. I have things ta do; I don' need ta be taken off duty."

One of the nurses had pulled back the curtain in order to leave, so Elizabeth suddenly popped her head in. "I think you should listen to her, Carson. As far as I'm concerned, you're not on duty."

Carson crossed his arms, looking like a little boy as he sat on the side of the bed, clad in scrubs.

Elizabeth didn't know whether to laugh or be concerned.

Rodney, John, Teyla, and Ronon watched from the sidelines.

"You need sleep, Carson," said Biro. "Have you looked in a mirror lately?"

Indeed, Carson had, the truth in her words proven by his pale skin and dark circles under his eyes. "I'm not tired," he lied. Standing, he started walking to a bed on the other side of the room, where a patient lay. His head practically exploded from the movement, and he was glad that they couldn't see his face.

The team, Elizabeth, and Biro all exchanged worried glances.

John watched as Carson read the patient's chart. In a flash, the Colonel suddenly understood. He doesn't want to be alone. Here, activity surrounds him, silencing Michael's voice. "Maybe we should let him," he said.

Everyone turned shocked eyes on him.

John shrugged. "He's exhausted; this'll probably make him wind down pretty fast, and then you can dump him on a bed."

Biro sighed, seeming unsure.

"John," said Elizabeth. "How has Carson handled all this? What exactly did Michael do to him?"

The team exchanged looks.

"He tortured him," said Ronon, bluntly.

Elizabeth's eyes widened.

"We should talk," John said to her. "Why don't you guys try to lure him out of here somehow, or something."

The others nodded.

John and Elizabeth started to walk out, before John turned to Biro. "Oh, he needs something for his headache. The good stuff," he said, wiggling his eyebrows.

Frowning, Biro started walking to where Carson was talking to the patient.

John and Elizabeth went to her office, where Elizabeth got down to business. "Okay, tell me everything," she said, standing in front of her chair, hands on the desk.

"I'll skip to the worst part," said John, sitting in the chair in front of it. "Michael did a mind-probe on him."

Elizabeth's eyes widened. "Do we know what he learned?"

John shook his head. "Not much. Carson said that a million memories whipped through his mind so fast that he has no idea what Michael saw. He obviously found out about the bomb we planted; after we saved Carson, we tried to detonate it, but it didn't explode. He'd probably dismantled it before we even got there."

Elizabeth sighed and sat down.

"We took care of him, Elizabeth. Michael will never bother us again," said John.

Elizabeth looked up. "Are you sure?"

John nodded. "The Jumper showed no life signs after we fired on the camp. Michael is dead."

Elizabeth sighed again. "I hope you're right. For Carson's sake."

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Biro had indeed gone at Carson with 'the good drugs', forcing him to take them, after which, she declared him unfit for duty while on such strong painkillers.

It was quite the sly trick.

Soon after, an irked Carson found himself lying on an infirmary bed. He stared at the ceiling, trying to ignore his headache.

"Need anything, Carson?"

Turning his head, he found, to his surprise, that Rodney had pulled a chair over. "No thanks. I'm fine."

Rodney nodded and sat. "Are the pills helping?"

"Not quite yet, but I'm sure they will."

Rodney sat there awkwardly, folding his arms across his chest. He looked around to make sure no one was listening, before he spoke again. "Look, Carson, uh…I wanted to say, uh…sorry, for what happened."

Carson blinked. Did Rodney just apologize to me? "What do ya mean, lad?"

Rodney shrugged. "When I fired at the camp. I know you didn't want me to. I had no choice though, you know that."

Carson sighed.

"When we found out that you were Michael's prisoner, I was…I was scared, Carson," Rodney looked over his shoulder again, making sure no one was around to hear him. It was hard enough admitting his feelings to his best friend, nevermind anyone else.

Blinking with shock, Carson briefly wondered if the painkillers were making him hallucinate. Rodney never discussed his emotions like this.

"And then when I finally saw you, alive, the first thing I did was something that you asked me not to do," Rodney shrugged again, staring at the floor. "I guess I feel guilty…especially since you made that puppy-dog face!"

Carson smiled and lifted his head off the pillow. "Puppy-dog face?"

Rodney looked uneasy now, as if regretting mentioning it. "Yeah. You make a hurt-puppy face. Didn't you know that? I would've thought you use it at will, or something."

Carson laid his head back down, with a chuckle.

"Didn't you notice how easily you get your way sometimes?" Rodney continued. "I mean, I'm jealous. All you do is pout with those blue eyes and everyone agrees to whatever you asked or said." He sighed. "I don't know why it doesn't work for me. I have blue eyes too."

Carson couldn't help it. He started to laugh.

It was a welcome sound, much better than the panic-induced nightmares. Rodney smiled despite himself.

Carson put a hand on his forehead and groaned in-between laughing.

Rodney frowned and stood, coming closer. "Hey, stop it. You might hurt yourself, or something."

Carson opened his eyes, still smiling. "Oh, Rodney. Ya never cease ta amaze me."

The scientist frowned. "I'm not sure how to take that."

Carson laughed again.

TBC