So I've kind of cut this chapter up a bit just so I can make it dramatic haha :)

Happy Reading :)

CARSON'S POV:

It was lovely catching up with somebody like Joanne but I knew I had to be getting to my brother and even with that going on I think there was a conversation to be had with John somewhere along the line.

We got back in the car, the rain had lightened a little but there was still a definite drizzle and the sky was grey. We drove along the motorway, something that John needed a little explanation for as we tend to play things a little different than on 'freeways' but he picked it up quickly.

Once we were settled and I calmed I turned to look at him, smiling at his bump protruding over his seatbelt slightly. "There was a 'but' missing from that sentence you know." I stated and he looked over to me questioningly. "When you said that you weren't an alcoholic, there was a 'but'." John let out a sigh as his shoulders slumped.

"I had a problem with drugs, but not as serious as it could have been. It was stimulants; we were working fifty hour shifts up in the air and it was close to impossible to stay awake. It lasted for about three months before my CO dragged me into a freezing cold shower and locked me in my room for about three days." John gulped and I could see the pain from just the memory of it.

"That's why you barely reacted during the siege. You already had a tolerance. You helped Rodney the same way your CO helped you." I said gently, not judging him at all.

"I'm not proud of it, Carson, that's why I don't talk about it. I'm not that person, Carson, I don't give into drugs." I rubbed his arm gently.

"I know you don't and I'm sorry I made you take those drugs, if I'd have known…" John shook his head, "You were right, we would have all been dead if you hadn't have done it – and you didn't know so don't try and blame yourself for anything. I kept it to myself purposely." I sighed and gave in, tilting my head until it rest gently on the chair.

"I'm sorry if it hurt, John, that's all." I knew he wouldn't appreciate me taking any blame. He shrugged tiredly, "I got over it." The rest of the drive was quiet from then on; it only took us about an hour to reach the hospital.

We pulled up in the car park and took a deep breath before stepping out. Both of us briefly pulled our hood up, pulling the back down once inside the door. I went up to the reception desk and had to look twice before I fully recognised Anne on the desk.

"Bloody hell woman, what are you still doing working here?" I exclaimed and she looked at me in shock before recognising me, "Carson!" She ran around and wrapped me up in a hug. She pulled me away at arm's length before looking me over. "Damn, you still look hot." I couldn't help but blush, especially when John chuckled. "Anyway, as much as I love seeing you, I was wondering if you could tell me where Craig is." She nodded sadly, "Aye, he's in ward thirteen – four 'B', Jake took his case." I nodded, Jake was my mentor when I went through my surgical training and he was the best at what he did and I trusted him.

I took John's hand and tried walking away but Anne grabbed me with a raised eyebrow, "introduce me to your fella first, your brother can damn well wait, he's been pestering the nurses since the moment he got in here." I rolled my eyes, "Anne, this is Colonel John Sheppard; John this is Doctor Anne Williams, toughest and most overly qualified nurse on the planet." John chuckled and shook her hand, "It's a pleasure to meet you." He gushed and she fluttered her eyelashes, it seems she had an appreciation for his accent.

I dragged John away and over to the elevator. "So you know her?" John stated more than asked, "I used to work in this hospital, John, but I didn't expect anyone I knew to still be working here. Especially not her, she's probably better qualified than I am yet she insists on being a nurse." John had a proud look on his face for her.

We walked down what would have seemed to John, to be a maze of corridors until we reached a door with a large sign reading 'ward thirteen'. I stopped in front of the door and let out a shaky breath. John gripped my hand tightly before pushing the door open and pulling me through gently.

"I know you Carson, if I don't push you you'll hesitate and I don't want you to do that." I nodded, showing him that I understood; he knows me too well. "Right, he's in 4b which should be just down the corridor on the right. I want to talk Jake before I go in there though. He won't sugar coat anything." John nodded and pulled me over to the office style area.

Luckily, Jake stepped out just at the moment, almost tripping over when he spotted me. His hair had changed from being grey to white now but he still had the same intelligent face, "Jesus, Beckett, you nearly gave me a heart attack – I didn't think you'd show." I chuckled a little, "Good to see you too Emery. How's Craig doing?" He flicked through a few pages of his chart before showing me. "The bullet hit his side and fortunately didn't do much damage, just hurt like a bitch." I rolled my eyes, "I take it that's why he's been a pain in the arse?"

"I take it you spoke to Annie?" I nodded, the two of them to my knowledge were married still, "He's a wind up merchant but he's fine and he's healing up well with no sign of any sort of infection." I handed him the chart back, satisfied with my findings. "Where've you been, kid?" He said with a thick voice and I gave him a sigh.

"You know where I went, Jake, I know you and I know that you would have followed my every move." John stood confidently behind me, my rock. "I did, I know you're apparently in America but you've been quiet for an awfully long time, Carson, what's going on?"

John stepped forward slightly, "He's a consultant to the United States Air Force, and a lot of his work gets classified." Jake looked over to me with confusion. "Jake, this is Colonel John Sheppard, he works for the Air Force but he's also my partner. John, this is Doctor Jake Emery, my mentor."

"I don't understand." Jake claimed and I bit my lip trying to explain, "I'm doing research for them, nothing serious but they require a certain amount of discretion from me." He nodded, "Can I see Craig?" I changed the subject and Jake went back to being professional, leading me to Craig's room.

And now they're going to actually meet Carson's brother...Any surprise around the corner? Maybe ;)