It had been over a week since he had last eaten lunch with Prylen and now this happens!? He had been pacing the hallways ever since he heard the news, his shift was over in nearly five minutes but he couldn't sit still. He had to let her know that he believed her, that he trusted her and her people. He rubbed his face with his hands, "Oh, God…" Elizabeth, what have you done…?

"Are you alright, doctor?" He looked up to see his nurse looking at him concerned.

"Aye… Just been a long day is all…"

"Clock out early. You only have a few minutes left."

"Aye that's just it, I can wait a few minutes can't I?"

She gave him a pointed look, "Just go!" She nearly pushed him.

"Aye! Alright, alright!" he let out a breath of air and smirked. He was free to go now, nothing was stopping him. So why wasn't he going? He released a heavy breath, I can do this… I can do this… He hesitantly stepped forward, urging his feet to continue their way along the halls of Atlantis until he found the Athosian's quarters. Calm down lad, you're hyperventilating… She's just a woman… A very beautiful woman… he conceded. He stepped forward to knock on her door and hesitated, Breathe! He hesitantly knocked and waited for a response. There was no answer so he tried again. He frowned, Aye… Just my luck… He sighed.

"Carson?"

He jumped and turned, nearly hitting the wall. He sucked in a breath as a blush formed on his cheeks, "H-hello, Prylen… H-how are you?"

"Well enough…" there was a slight frown gracing her features.

"I heard about what happened…" he paused, "I don't think you or any of your people have anything to do with what's been happening. And I don't think it's right for them to be locking you all away like this either…"

A soft smile formed on her face making him feel lighter, "Thank you. That means a lot."

"You're welcome, love."

He saw a blush creep up her cheeks and smiled as her smile deepened, Does she like it when I call her love? He heard a throat being cleared and snapped out of his thoughts to see a taller man beside her glaring down at him. "Who is this, Prylen?"

"Oh, father… Um, this is Dr. Carson Beckett, Carson this is my father Tenarin." Carson held out his hand for him to shake and the man stared at it before clasping it and giving it a firm shake.

"May I ask what you are doing here?" he asked gruffly.

"Father! Do not be so rude!" she scolded softly.

"It's alright, dear. I understand."

"Dear?" he narrowed his gaze.

Carson winced, "Sorry, it's uh-," he scratched the back of his head, intimidation showing in his movements, "It's what we say over in Scotland."

"He came to apologize for how his people were treating us," He let out a breath he didn't realize he had been holding when the man turned to his daughter.

He refocused his gaze back on the man, his face still sour as he nodded, "Thank you, Dr. Beckett."

"Please, call me Carson."

"Very well, Carson," he paused, "If that is all I would like to speak to my daughter."

He opened his mouth to speak when Tenarin pushed past him and entered their quarters, "I apologize for my father's rudeness."

As she walked past him he stopped her with a hand on her arm, he let out an embarrassed breath, "Would you like to join me for breakfast tomorrow? We haven't had a chance to talk for a while."

Her face lit up and she hid her hand as she nodded, "I would enjoy that."

He sighed in relief, "I-I'll see you tomorrow then."

"Yes," she nodded as he let her past and into her quarters. His face lit up as he made his way back to his quarters grinning like a fool.

"You look happy."

He finally noticed Sheppard walking past him. "Aye," he grinned.

Sheppard smirked knowingly, "Ah, I see! You found a girl, didn't you?" he walked closer. Beckett just blushed and scratched his cheek. "I knew it! What's her name? Is she part of the expedition? P3X-978? The Athosians?" He snapped his fingers and pointed at him, "So she's Athosian!"

"Aye," he admitted.

"Have you asked her out on a date yet?"

He shook his head, "Not officially, no."

"Well, why not!?"

"We just met less than three months ago!"

"So?"

"I want to get to know her first."

John tilted his head back and forth, "You got a point there."

"Aye. Now, why haven't you asked out Elizabeth?"

John took a step back and coughed, "I-I don't know what you're talking about," he scratched the back of his head.

Carson crossed his arms, "I've seen the way you look at each other."

"She-," he cleared his throat, "She looks at me?"

"Aye. Annoyance with a mix of admiration," he smirked, "Everyone can tell your interested in each other."

"Well, thanks… I'll save that bit of knowledge for later… I'm gonna," he pointed down the hall.

"Aye," Carson shook his head with a chuckle as he all but ran away.