A/N

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Chapter 6

As it turned out, it was nearly a week before Tamsin saw Carson again. She hadn't been looking for him, she told herself, but he had been conspicuous by his absence. Unless he'd been avoiding her - had she been too familiar? She usually kept her distance from people, but he had looked so lost and discouraged, holding him had seemed like the right thing to do. She'd been slightly surprised when he returned the embrace, but she'd liked it more that she wanted to admit, even to herself. She had almost forgotten the comfort that could be gained from the touch of another and realised it was something she missed.

They finally met again early one morning.

"May I join you?"

Tamsin didn't need to look up, she recognised his gentle voice instantly, but she did anyway, smiling.

"Of course, if you can find a space."

She had made rather a mess, papers spread out everywhere. She hastily bundled them into a pile. He pulled out a chair, managing to find a free spot.

"You're up early, or am I late?"

"I'm early." She laughed. "I went out first thing for a run and thought I'd try and get some work done before my shift."

She cast a glance in Carson's direction. He looked tired, a little pale, but more relaxed than that night when he'd come to her room.

"Night shift?"

"Aye, but not busy, managed to catch up with my paperwork." He stifled a yawn, a sheepish smile spreading across his face. "May I ask what you're working on?"

She looked back to the pile of papers, abruptly rising to her feet. "It's nothing, really, just some research. I'm getting some more tea, do you want anything?"

Carson shook his head, a slightly confused look on his face.

She knew she could have told him what she was doing, but keeping things to herself was a difficult habit to break. As she returned from the buffet, she smiled quickly, hoping he didn't think her rude for changing the subject.

"So we're going off-world together next week," Carson began.

"I'm looking forward to it. I haven't been off-world since M36-whatever it was. Getting itchy feet here, even if that didn't go so well."

"Ah, yes ... Rodney was telling me about that. Apparently there's some sort of mineral that scrambles the sensors, which is why no life signs show up on scans. He started babbling about particles and ions, but I lost track after a while."

"Dr. McKay?" Tamsin asked, barely hiding her frown.

"I take it you've met, then?"

"You could say that. We didn't exactly hit it off." She couldn't keep the look of distaste off her face this time.

"Aye, Rodney can have that effect on people."

"The fact that he referred to me as 'Nurse', because of course I have breasts and wasn't wearing a lab coat so that automatically makes me a nurse, might have had something to do with it. He then had the cheek to ask me where the real doctor was." She gave an evil grin. "I just told him it looked like his tetanus booster was out of date and I'd be happy to do it for him there and then. He went pale and stopped talking after that."

Carson gave a chuckle. "He just takes some getting used to."

"Well, you'll forgive me if I pass on that opportunity." Her tone was dry.

"Och, he's not as bad as he used to be. He's mellowed somewhat these last few years."

"Good job we've only just met then. Sorry, I know you're friends."

"I've been tempted to forget my oath on occasion." He chuckled again.

Tamsin had to admit she rather liked his laugh, hell, she liked him full stop. Sod it, Lucas, you're far too old for this nonsense, she thought. The last thing she needed was a crush on a colleague.

The mess hall had been steadily filling up while they'd been talking and people were now looking around for seats. A couple of scientists were hovering hopefully by their table.

Carson stifled another yawn. "It's been lovely chatting with you, but I really must get to my bed."

"I should be going too, I'm on duty in an hour."

Tamsin shut down her laptop as Carson stood up. He reached for the papers, but she grabbed them before he could touch them. She didn't miss the slightly hurt look he gave her. They made their way out of the mess hall, pausing at the end of the corridor.

Carson turned to Tamsin. "I saw the movie this week is Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom.I don't know if you were planning on going?" There was a hopeful tone in his voice.

Tamsin couldn't stop the grin. "I didn't know, but how can I say no? Shall I meet you there?"

"Aye, I'll see you there."

SGA

By the time Friday movie night rolled around, Tamsin was more than ready to take an evening off and chill out.

It had been a hell of a week – there had been an explosion in one of the chemistry labs, leaving several scientists with concussions, lacerations and suffering the effects of smoke inhalation. It had also meant an irate Dr McKay stalking around looking for the culprit until Keller had, in her own inimitable way, thrown him out of the infirmary. Tamsin had seen some unlikely couples in her time, but she would never have put those two together. Still, it just went to show there was someone for everyone.

Team Lorne, with a recently recovered Dr Ramirez, had run afoul of over-friendly locals and mildly hallucinogenic 'ceremonial' drinks. Forty-eight hours in isolation had seen them back to normal - well, what passed for normal in Atlantis. There were no lasting effects, but if personnel noticed the slight twitch from any of the four men at the mention of the planet, they ignored it. Ramirez was rumoured to think the Pegasus galaxy had it in for him.

Tamsin glanced at her watch. One more hour to go and she would be free.

The day hadn't started well – ruins on P39-42G had collapsed leaving an archaeological team trapped, two of them crushed under falling masonry. Though the surgical team had battled, one of the casualties had been fatally injured and coded on the table. The other had been brought in conscious and shaken with a broken leg, but no other apparent injuries. She was currently under close observation.

The mood in the infirmary was sombre. Dr Herschel hadn't been well-known, but every loss was keenly felt by the expedition.

"Dr Lucas, these are Dr Terekov's latest results,"

"Thanks Marie."

Tamsin leafed through the patient chart, checking the results against the previous ones. She didn't like what she saw.

"Marie, I want to get Dr Terekov under the scanner again. And can we get OR 2 set up for laparoscopy please."

"Of course, Doctor." The nurse turned to leave.

"Oh and can someone page Jennifer?"

"Already done."

"Thank you, you read my mind." Tamsin gave Marie a small smile as she hurried away.

Dr Terekovs's results indicated signs of shock, almost certainly from a slow internal bleed. Tamsin wouldn't know for sure until the scan was complete, but it was likely that she was going to have to perform exploratory surgery. It didn't look like she'd be joining Carson at movie night. Tamsin sighed – as much as she loved her job, it was far from the first time personal plans had to be pushed aside. She just hoped Carson would understand that patients would always come first.

SGA

Carson had spent the day off-world with Teyla, Torren and the Athosians in their new home. Their numbers were still low, but they were re-establishing themselves. Carson was always struck by their quiet dignity and strength in the face of hardship, but then they had had generations of practice.

As they returned through the 'gate, Torren was still chattering, telling his mother about all he had been up to that day.

".. and Halling said he would take me to see the ernea, next we visit him." Torren turned wide, dark eyes towards Carson. "He says it is a very long way, but a strong warrior like me will easily make the journey."

"Aye, I'm sure you will, son." He grinned down at the nearly six year old boy. Torren was much like any child of his age, but in his quieter moments, he seemed to have inherited his mother's easy charm and diplomacy.

"Torren, it is nearly time for bed, we must return to our quarters." Teyla took her son's hand, intending to lead him away.

"Can Carson tell me a story?" the little boy asked.

"I'm sorry, Torren, I'm afraid I have plans tonight." He hated to disappoint Torren, but he knew he didn't have much time to change if he wanted to get a decent seat in the rec room.

Teyla looked across to Carson. "You are going to movie night?"

"Aye, I am."

"Do you have a date, Carson?" There was mischief in her dark eyes.

"Och, no, nothing like that. Just meeting a … friend there."

Teyla's half-smile suggested she thought there was more to it than that, but she didn't comment further.

"Well, I hope you enjoy the movie. Good night."

The two Athosians waved as they headed out of the gateroom.

Carson glanced at his watch – he really would have to hurry. As he'd told Teyla, it wasn't a date, but it really would be rude of him to be late, especially as he'd been the one to ask.

SGA

Two hours later, Carson, along with a couple of dozen other staff was seated in one of the darkened rec rooms watching Indy, Wilie and Short Round tucking in to the Maharajah's feast. Carson couldn't help remembering the conversation that he and Tamsin had the first time they'd met. He also couldn't help noticing she still hadn't arrived. Logic told him she was most likely delayed in the infirmary, but a small part of him was disappointed that she wasn't there.

He knew it was crazy, but he kept remembering the feel of her arms that night. It had been a long time since anyone had held him like that, but surely it was nothing more than simple comfort?

As if on cue, Carson caught a flash of grey and yellow as a figure slipped into the spare seat beside him. A warm hand on his arm, lips not quite brushing his ear.

"I'm so sorry, I got pulled in to surgery at the last minute and I really needed to shower." A hint of scent, jasmine?, as she pulled away.

His doctor's instinct took over for a moment and he was about to ask how it had gone, but she must have anticipated the question.

I'll tell you later." A tired half-smile that didn't reach her eyes, even in the dim rec room. She turned her attention to the screen, resting her chin on her hand.

Carson turned back to the movie, but he could still see Tamsin out of the corner of his eye. Within minutes, she seemed to have fallen asleep. He had heard on the grapevine that there had been an accident off-world, but hadn't been able to find out the details before the movie had begun. Though his main purpose these days was research and off-world medical support, he still felt somewhat guilty that he hadn't been in the infirmary that day.

He wouldn't wake Tamsin – she clearly needed the rest, but he hoped she wouldn't be too bothered about missing the rest of the movie.

SGA

Tamsin woke with a start, quickly realising the lights were on in the rec room and the screen was dark. Carson was still seated in the hard chair next to hers, though everyone else had left.

"Rough day?" he asked, concern in his voice.

She nodded, giving him a summary of the day's events.

"I've had worse, only lost one today." She shrugged.

"Aye, I know the feeling," he replied.

"Dr. Terekov should make a full recovery, at least, although whether she'll want to come back is another matter." Tamsin paused for a moment, taking a breath. "Look, I'm sorry I stood you up..."

"No need to apologise, I understand as much as anyone patients come first."

"Always and everyone," she murmured to herself.

"Excuse me?"

Tamsin met his gaze for a minute. Would it really be that difficult to explain what those three words meant to her? Something that she had strived to uphold her whole career?

She glanced away, no longer able to look Carson in the eye.

"Something my dad used to say."

"Your dad is a doctor as well?" he asked quietly.

"He worked in the emergency department in our local hospital. He used to say the A&E stood for always and everyone. It meant always give your best for everyone you treat."

"He sounds like a good man."

"Yeah, he was." She couldn't stop the catch in her voice. She was grateful for the fact that Carson didn't seem to notice, or was keeping it to himself. There was so much she could tell him, but would he even be interested? Her emotions were threatening to get the best of her.

"It's late, it's been a long day and I think I need my bed."

Carson smiled. "I think you might be right, love."

"I'll see you tomorrow?"

"Not if I see you first." That gentle smile, but with a hint of playfulness in his eyes. God, she could just kiss him, right there in the deserted rec room. Bad, bad idea, she told herself.

Tamsin rose from the chair. Saying good night wasn't easy, but she managed to leave the room without acting on her feelings. This time, at least.