Hello world, tomorrow is my birthday so I thought I'd give you guys an update as a present...

Thanks so much to my Beta Lyra who puts up with me…sniffle, you epic!

A special thanks to all who take the time to review, you make my day!

Chapter 7

After another round of testing, Carson's closest friends huddled around Dr. Nortan as she broke the news to them. "The tests show that – overlooking the obvious increase in stress due to the panic – Carson is in perfect health. His brain scans came back clean – there are no signs of bleeding or clots. The blood tests are clean, everything appears fine other than his constant panic and the nose bleeds. Anxiety can cause all his symptoms, but I've known Carson for some while now, this is not in character."

John frowned at the news, as did the rest of the group listening. "So what exactly are you saying Doc?" the pilot asked sharply, stealing a glance over to Carson's bed. The man was pale, head back against the pillows with his eyes closed. Even resting and drugged the man seemed unbelievably stressed out. Sheppard had known Atlantis's CMO long enough to agree the panic was not in character. Not for seemingly no reason – maybe off world being chased down by Wraith but not in the comfort of his own Infirmary.

Olivia sighed, looking across the room at the sleeping figure known to be Carson. "After what Rodney told me, I think that when he 'entered' Dr. Beckett's mind he may have reprogrammed Carson's brain activity and in turn his core emotions. Since Rodney was reasonably stressed and panicked himself, he may have overloaded Carson's mind somehow." She sighed and looked back at the group with honesty shinning in her eyes. "This is something I am very unfamiliar with – any doctor from Earth would be in this situation. For now all I can do is keep him lightly sedated so that his heart isn't put under such harsh strain it arrests and hope that the panic will eventually fade away."

The group fell silent for a moment, each of the friends digesting what they had just been told. Finally it was Rodney that shattered the silence, "Let me get this straight, you don't know what's happening to him? You just admitted to us that you don't have a clue what's going on."

"No one could!" Olivia jumped to her own defense, losing her mask of calm to reveal to them how frustrated she really was. Carson was her boss and her friend and she could do nothing to help him. "It's not like I've run across many psychic victims on Earth!"

Ever the one to prevent a fight, Elizabeth cut off Rodney with her own words before things could escalate. "Dr. McKay, I'm sure that Dr. Nortan and her staff are doing everything possible to understand this. Pointing fingers and berating people isn't going to help Carson." Though Rodney and Olivia both were still glaring at one another, the fight, for the moment, seemed to be quieted.

"Okay, so you think Carson's mind is overloaded with panic?" John asked Nortan, still trying to wrap his head around the idea.

"The brain is very delicate, and it's been known that during brain surgery if the surgeon argues with someone or there is a general negative atmosphere in the OR the patients personality can shift. Rodney was literally inside his mind…I can't think of another medical reason. For all we know Carson could wake up tomorrow, or in a few hours and be completely fine."

John's frown deepened and his forehead furrowed as he considered the young doctors words. "You think that this might wear off?"

Nortan closed her eyes, taking in a deep breath just to keep from screaming at them. She didn't know if it would wear off or not – she didn't know anything. This was out of her league and Olivia wasn't too proud of a person to deny that. "I've spoken with Carson and we both believe it's a possible outcome. However there is no telling when or if it will happen."

Dr. Weir let out another sigh and Rodney started pacing restlessly. Teyla and Ronon both shared confused and concerned expressions before glancing at John, whose face showed how his mind was tumbling thoughts around inside his brain for a plan. The pilot was a man of action and if anyone could come up with an out of the box plan it would be him.

"So if Rodney shoving his panic into Carson caused him to freak out…" John started, only to stop hesitantly.

"Hey!" Rodney hissed, taking the pause as a moment to defend himself. "I was dying!"

Sheppard ignored the outburst and continued his train of thought, eyes burrowing into Nortan's green orbs. "So maybe if someone projected calm into his mind? Would that work?"

The young female doctor took a minute to ponder the inquiry before answering. "In theory that would possibly fix the problem. However no one on Atlantis – as far as I've been told – has the ability to enter ones mind to project feelings."

John shook his head. "When I was stuck with those Ancients trying to ascend, Teer talked about reaching a state of mind were it was possible to do…that sort of thing." He waved his hand as he slowed his speech in hesitation. It wasn't like he was an expert in what he was trying to talk about – yet if there was hope he needed to throw it out into the idea pile.

The group considered his words and finally Nortan shook her head. "No, it's to risky. Even if someone gained the ability through meditation, the odds of doing more damage is too high. If it were someone with experience in this type of healing I'd be more open to the idea. But Carson's mind is in a very delicate state. If someone were to go back into his mind untrained, I'm afraid it might drive him mad."

With a light sigh Dr. Weir glanced at the two Pegasus Galaxy locals. "Teyla, Ronon, do either of you know of any way to help Carson? Some sort of place or people who can heal the mind?" It was a long shot, but it wouldn't be the first time the two came up with a Pegasus alternative and save the day.

Ronon grunted a no easily enough but Teyla paused, tipping her head to the side in thought. "There was a group of people who had great knowledge of speaking with the mind. We used to trade with them, however I believe their whole village was culled by the Wraith." She shook her head slowly, "I do not believe any of them survived. I am sorry."

While Teyla spoke, Ronon seemed to take interest in her words. "Are you talking about the Kyreans?" He asked suddenly, gathering the attention of the group.

Rodney, unable to keep his mouth shut turned his glare on the big man. "Did you just say Koreans? How is that helpful?"

"Not Ko-re-ans, he said Kye-rea-ans," Sheppard corrected, pleased to be the one to say things right for once. It seemed he was always getting the pronunciation of the Pegasus galaxy names wrong.

Teyla glanced at Ronon with surprised eyes, ignoring the others. "You know of them?"

The Runner dropped a shoulder in a light shrug. "I know of one," Ronon corrected, dropping his gaze for a moment before locking his brown eyes on Dr. Nortan. "How long does Carson have?"

Doctor Nortan glanced back at Carson again as the man winced in his sleep, muscles tensing. She would need to give the man another sedative soon to keep his heartbeat calm. "If we can keep his heart rate at a safe level and no new symptoms appear then he should be fine, however he won't be able to return to work in his condition."

"That wouldn't be living for Carson," Sheppard muttered to himself, concern and stress about the situation clear in his tense stance. Finally he looked up at Ronon who seemed to be considering something in the sanctity of his mind. "What are you thinking, big guy? Got an ace hidden up your sleeve?" The hope in his light-hearted comments was unmistakable. "Do you know where we can find one of these Kyreans?"

Ronon shook his head. "No, but I know where she might go."

"She?" Rodney piped in curiously. "What, is she an old girlfriend?"

Ronon glared at the physicist but didn't acknowledge the comment as he turned to look at Elizabeth. "Do I have permission to use the Stargate?"

"Of course," Elizabeth nodded quickly. "Do you think you can find this person?"

Ronon shrugged, "It depends," he admitted without making any effort to expand on the thought.

"Depends on what?" Rodney and John asked at the same time.

"Depends on if she thinks I'm dead or not."

As my beta put it: "The plot thickens!"

Don't worry, plenty more Carson Whump to come!

More coming soon

- Berry