Chapter 2

Everything was perfect, Rodney beamed as he announced the facts of what had occurred to his coworkers with the excitement of a hyper child. He still had his normal mental capabilities and his body, whole and in one piece and that would not change any time soon. Sure the loss of his awe inspiring 'super brain' would be cried over later, but for now the scientist was thrilled to still be alive.

Smiling broadly McKay glanced around the room at his friends, not sure at first who he was looking for until his blue eyes found the CMO's shaky, pale form. His original intent was to thank the doctor for his quick actions that had no doubt saved his life. Granted it was Rodney who had come up with the ingenious plan to save himself. Still the good doctor had played a very important part while Rodney had been unconscious. The smile vanished quickly as Rodney took a step forward, towards the crowd around him and his ailing friend.

"Carson?" Rodney's tone shifted from ecstatic to concerned so fast the others around him almost missed what was happening. Rodney's hands shot out, still thinking he had telekinesis capabilities and would be able to stop his best friend's quick decent. It didn't work, Rodney cursed inwardly at himself for being so foolish. His wide eyes moved with Carson as the medical doctor slipped gracelessly to the floor with a solid thud. "Carson!"

The room stilled and went silent (mostly because Rodney had stopped talking), everyone watching still trying to process what was happening.

"Somebody help him!" Rodney snapped finally, the first to jump into action, falling at Carson's still side to look the man over. The physicist stared in horror at the blood leaking out of Carson's nose sluggishly.

Lucky for Carson the medics that had rushed Rodney down to the 'super power' room were still bouncing with got-to-save-lives adrenalin and sprung to action when they had realized their boss had fallen over listlessly.

In the surge of movement Rodney was unceremoniously pushed out of the way, though he remained hovering just over the medic's shoulders as they worked, taking Carson's vitals and gently turning the unconscious man onto his back. Someone was shouting for the gurney and two of the nurses bolted up to grab it.

"What's wrong?" Elizabeth's usually calm voice called out as she and Sheppard stepped closer to their fallen man and the buzzing activity.

One of the nurses stood up as the rest placed Carson's limp body on the stretcher and whisked him away. "We are unsure at the moment, Dr. Beckett could simply be exhausted, he has not had proper rest since this whole incident began." She tried to reassure the group with a small smile but turned away before more questions could be asked and was on the radio calling Dr. Olivia Nortan to the medical room.

"Nortan? Is she even experienced enough to help Beckett? She's like a baby doctor!" Rodney snapped at Elizabeth and John, following the medical team down the halls, matching the rushed pace. Sheppard and Weir glanced back at him in an obvious way and Rodney shrunk back, "Hey, I don't trust any of those doctors with their mumbo jumbo except for Carson."

"Cool it Rodney, let the good people do their jobs." John shot over his shoulder, sending the group into an anxious silence as they followed after Carson's gurney.

"He's stopped breathing!" Nurse Joy called out, halting the gurney to place her hand on Carson's neck. The group held their breath when she shook her head, "No pulse, starting CPR. Bag him!" She climbed on the gurney, straddling Carson as she began chest compressions and another nurse slipped an oxygen mask over Carson's nose and mouth and started squeezing the air into Carson's lungs.

"That's not exhaustion." Rodney stated the obvious after the medical team started down the hall again.

The friends past glances around to each other and John nodded, "No, no it's not."

The group had been exiled to the 'waiting room' as Nortan worked on her patient. Teyla and Elizabeth stood off to the side, Sheppard lounged on a bench reading quietly while Ronon shifted uneasily and Rodney paced across the space in front of them.

It was tense as time ticked past. Each member of the group lost in there own thoughts. Carson was a friend to just about everyone in Atlantis, but he was family to those in the waiting room.

"Rodney, would you sit down. You're making Ronon nervous." John hissed finally, looking up from his book. He had been on the same page since they had gathered together, so anyone who had been paying attention would know that he wasn't actually reading. Not that anyone was in fact paying attention to such trivial things. "Dr. Nortan will come out and inform us-"

"It shouldn't be taking this long. Carson would have-" Rodney jumped in, starting to ramble before his own rant was cut off by Elizabeth.

"Carson will be fine Rodney, have a little faith in those he hand picked for his service." Dr. Weir's voice echoed her typical 'diplomat' voice. "I'm sure they'll update us soon."

The physicist was not consoled by his superior's words. "Dr. Nortan probably doesn't even know what she's doing!" Rodney ranted, turning to face the group as he spoke. All eyes turned to him in that moment, "She's what? Twenty five?"

"Twenty six, actually." A soft voice sounded from behind Rodney. Closing his eyes Rodney had the sudden urge to smack himself in the forehead, but instead simply glared at his comrades, "A little warning next time? Guys?"

John flashed Rodney his typical sucks-to-be-you smile, "Well, you seemed so passionate, who were we to interrupt. Again."

Rodney turned to face the tiny porcelain-skinned doctor. She was a pretty little thing, her small stature seemed better suited for a gymnast or a ballet dancer rather than a surgical doctor. Carson had informed him once before that Olivia had better qualification than he did to work in Atlantis, but Rodney didn't trust just any doctor. Well, with the exception of his best friend. It helped that Carson was one of the few, or the only one depending who was asked, people who could put up with Rodney.

"Well, if I'm not interrupting anything," Olivia smiled at the group shyly, the small smile playing on her lips caused Rodney believe she was not as innocent as she appeared.

"Go ahead, you've kept us waiting long enough!" Rodney snapped, crossing his arms and tapping his foot impatiently.

"Rodney!" Several of the group chastised weakly, but the young doctor shook her head.

"It's already, I know what it's like to have to wait for news like this." Olivia sympathized, "First I'd like to tell you all that Dr. Beckett is stable." The young doctor waited for the symphony of echoing sighs of relief faded before continuing with a small nod. "I've run extensive tests, everything from low blood sugar to detailed heart scans."

"You think he might have had a heart attack?" Elizabeth jumped in, concern evident in her eyes. The others reflected to the thought in their own ways, all looking devastated.

Dr. Nortan gave them a comforting smile, "I had worried that was the case at first, however, the tests showed there was nothing specifically wrong with his heart. The reason why his heart and lungs stopped working was due to traumatic shock to his system."

Confusion spread throughout the room, "But how is that possible? I mean, we were kind of focused on Rodney at the time but I don't recall Beckett being 'traumatically shocked' in any way." John spoke up, trying to wrap his head around what had happened.

"I still have a few tests to run, but as of now we still don't know the cause of Dr. Beckett's current condition." She gave them a smile, "However I believe he will wake up soon, if you want to sit with him until that happens."

Her green eyes turned to Rodney, "Now, I understand that you feel fine after your little…experience." Olivia started, "However, I believe Dr. Beckett would fire me if I didn't run some tests on you as well, just to make sure that you are fully operational."

"It's been hours and none of Carson's staff seemed be to worried about my heath!" Rodney snapped, suddenly not interested in medical attention. Not when Carson was somewhere laying unconscious and in need of help.

"No one checked on you because Dr. Biro and Dr. Saunders both refused unless you fainted, I however am still concerned." She tipped her head, "I promise not to do anything I don't deem absolutely necessary." Olivia smiled brightly, something in that smile made Rodney feel very uneasy.

"I don't faint," Rodney growled, but relented, following the young doctor as she led him to an exam table.

TBC

Thanks to those who reviewed! I am super excited to be writing for this fandom! I hope that you all enjoy my story! More will be coming soon!

Thank you so much for the reviews (LyraLollygagger, BMick, and ladygris!) and those who have signed up for alerts! You guys are awesome!

Reviews and Reviewers are always loved!

- Strawberrywaltz

(btw: any typos are mine…but the characters [except for Olivia] and Atlantis are not)