Carson sighed as he sat in front of his laptop. After Rodney had finished forcing some brownies into him, he'd radioed Elizabeth and Sheppard's team, asking to meet in the briefing room the next morning at 0800. They had readily agreed, especially Elizabeth, who Carson knew was dying to know what had happened.
Writing the report wasn't as easy as Rodney made it sound. 'Just write what happened?' Argh. The hardest part was describing the mind-probe. His memories weren't becoming clearer; they seemed to be drifting further away. His report wasn't looking like a well-described account, by any means.
Sighing, Carson rubbed his still-throbbing head. He believed that Rodney was right; Michael obviously ripped out what he wanted and purposely left a mess behind. He wondered if he'd ever regain full memory if the horrible incident.
Part of him hoped that he wouldn't.
Without even really thinking, Carson stood and walked away from the table. Crossing over to the window, he looked out on the ocean, inwardly thanking the ancients for the wonderful view. The sky was clear, the stars of the Pegasus Galaxy shining incredibly bright.
Suddenly, Carson felt isolated. He didn't want to be alone—like he told Rodney—after being stuck in that tent with an insane wraith. He knew it was an irrational feeling, and wondered if it was another 'gift' that Michael had left him.
Turning, he walked out of his room, heading for the closest pier.
He reached it quickly, hardly remembering the walk. Striding to the edge, he sat down heavily, wincing at the pain that it sent through his head.
Looking up at the stars, he watched them twinkle, wishing that he could find familiar ones: Orion, Cassiopeia, the Big Dipper…anything.
But, naturally, there was nothing even remotely similar to Earth constellations.
Sighing, Carson laid down flat, his hands under his head…and was asleep within minutes.
"I wish you to tell me of everything you know regarding Atlantis' defenses."
Carson blinked his eyes open, wondering when he'd closed them. His head was throbbing, and he squinted, staring up at Michael, incredulous. "An' ya really think I'll tell ya?"
Michael laughed at that, humorlessly. "You are a hard person to read, Dr. Beckett. The impression you give is that of an anxious person. Incredibly intelligent, I'll admit, but timid and fearful. You seemed an easy target; one who would…I believe the word is 'squeal'?"
Despite the fear that Carson did indeed feel—how could he not?—the wraith's words made him angry, but then he unexpectedly laughed. "Never judge a book by its cover, lad."
Michael nodded. "Indeed. I will never again make the mistake of underestimating a human."
Carson gave no answer.
"So I make the correct assumption that you will not 'squeal', then? Must I do a second mind-probe?"
'Oh crap…' Carson thought.
"Humans do not tolerate them well, you know," said Michael. "I learned some interesting things the first time…in fact, something your mind so graciously informed me caused an interruption in the probe…though I do thank you for the information."
'The bomb,' Carson thought, his heart sinking. 'He went an' dismantled it.'
"Are you going to give me the information, or do I need to rip it out of you again?" said Michael. "I do not wish to kill you, Dr. Beckett…yet. Therefore I will ask again. Tell me of Atlantis' defenses."
"An' I say again," said Carson. "No."
Michael nodded. "You choose the probe, then."
Carson closed his eyes, taking a deep breath. "I will no' betray my friends, or the glorious city of Atlantis. If yer gonna do it, you can try, but I will resist."
Michael shook his head. "You amaze me, human. I commend your bravery, however useless it is."
Carson had no time to brace himself before the wraith moved at lightning speed, and the pain in his head doubled. 'No no no no…' he thought. 'You will get nothin' from me! Nothin'!'
The doctor couldn't see the effect that his resistance had on Michael. The first probe had been easy, as Carson wasn't prepared for it, but now, all he could hear was Carson's 'no no no no'. It was interfering with what the wraith was trying to see, and he was secretly amazed at the inward strength the doctor unexpectedly possessed.
"Stop it," Michael growled. "Stop it now!" With that, he strengthened the probe.
To Carson, it felt like something in his mind literally snapped, and every wraith in the camp heard his cry of pain…
Freezing cold liquid suddenly covered Carson's body from head to toe. He came awake with a gasp, and inhaled water. Flailing and opening his eyes, he incredulously found himself in the ocean.
Swimming, he broke the surface, finding that he couldn't reach the pier. Even if he could, his head was hurting so badly that he thought it might explode. Reaching up to his ear, he prayed that his earpiece had stayed in.
Thankfully, it had.
Hitting the button, he immediately called, "Major Sheppard! Rodney!"
"Doc?" said John, immediately. "What's wrong?"
"Carson?" said Rodney.
"I fell off the bloody north pier!"
"What?!" Rodney exclaimed.
"We'll be right there, Carson, hang tight!" said John.
Carson sighed, treading water. He was cold! The water was freezing and his head was splitting! He couldn't help but groan.
"We're almost there, doc, hang on," said John, startling Carson, who didn't realize he'd left the channel open.
A minute later, the doors to the pier swished open, and someone running could be heard.
"Carson!" yelled Rodney. "CarsonCarsonCarson!"
"Over here!" the doctor yelled back.
A flashlight suddenly shined right into his face, making him close his eyes. Ooooh…me head didn' need that!
"Give me your hand!"
Carson opened his eyes to see Rodney leaning over the pier. Blinking the little yellow flashlight-dots out of his eyes, he reached up his right hand.
Rodney leaned dangerously far to reach, finally lying flat on the pier and grabbing Carson's hand. "I got you!"
They looked at each other for a few seconds.
"N-now w-what?" Carson asked, teeth chattering.
"Um," said Rodney. "We wait?"
They stayed in that position for almost a minute before a crowd of running feet were suddenly heard.
"I got him!" Rodney yelled, proudly.
John and Ronon dropped to their knees, the Satedan taking over from Rodney. His incredible strength succeeded in pulling Carson up, and within seconds, the doctor was lying on the pier, shivering.
Blankets quickly covered him, and he opened his eyes when someone started rubbing one across his pounding head, trying to dry his hair.
"What happened?!" Elizabeth exclaimed.
"F-fell off," Carson told her, trying to sit up.
Teyla and Rodney held him down. "Do not move," said the Athosian. "A medteam is coming."
Carson groaned at that. "I don' need 'em. Call it off, I'm fine."
"How long were you in the water?" John asked, hand on Carson's shoulder.
"I called ya right after I fell in."
Rodney looked at his watch and counted the minutes on his fingers.
At that moment, the medteam burst onto the pier.
Dr. Biro immediately knelt, putting her hand under his chin and pulling his face up to see if he was conscious.
Carson blinked up at her and winced when she shoved a thermometer into his ear. "I'm fine," he said, trying to sit up.
"How long were you in the water?" she asked, echoing John's question.
"About five minutes," Rodney answered for him.
The thermometer beeped, and Biro took it out. "97. Let's get you to the infirmary."
"No," Carson said. "I'll just take a hot bath. I'm fine."
Biro threw her hands into the air. She said nothing though, remembering the conversation that she and Carson had had a few hours ago. With a sigh, she shrugged. "Fine, but I want you to stop by the infirmary after the conference tomorrow morning."
Carson nodded. "Fine."
Biro stood and looked at Ronon, motioning towards Carson.
The huge man reached down and helped the dripping doctor stand. "Come on, doc."
Carson realized that his friends meant to escort him back to his quarters. Huddled in the blankets, still dripping, he made no complaint as they headed inside.
TBC