Elizabeth stood in the doorway to Carson’s office, watching the doctor’s head droop before he jerked awake again.
“Carson,” she let him know she was there.
“Elizabeth,” the exhausted man greeted her, “What can I do for ye?”
She bit back the comment about him getting some rest, knowing he would simply ignore her.
“How many did we lose?” Elizabeth took a seat across from him.
Carson dropped his head, “Seventeen. Lieutenant Marks started bleeding internally and we just couldn’t stop it.”
“And the rest?”
Carson dropped his head, “Dr Ortiz lost her arm, we couldn’t save it. She’s being shipped back to Earth on the Daedalus.”
Elizabeth reached out and squeezed his hand, “You did the best you could, Carson. We could have lost many more without you and your team.”
“We have several minor injuries which have all been taken care of,” Carson dropped his head before sighing, “Though Lieutenant Cadman, Dr Wells, Captain Sullivan and Lieutenant Simmons will all be here for a while.”
“I heard you had Rodney stay with Cadman until you could operate,” Elizabeth smiled slightly.
Carson laughed tiredly, “I’ve never known Rodney to be so compliant. Anyway, her shoulder’s been fixed but I just want her to stay where I can keep an eye on her. Wells and Sullivan will both be on crutches and Simmons will be in bed for the next few weeks.”
“Carson,” Elizabeth decided to broach the subject, “Maybe you should go get some sleep?”
He shook his head, “I still have work to do.”
She frowned, but knew better than to push him. Rising once more, Elizabeth gave him an encouraging smile, “Keep me informed of their conditions.”
Carson stood at the door to his office, watching Rodney and Laura converse. He laughed as he watched Rodney give her a quick kiss; it was something he wouldn’t dare do when Laura was not doped up. Their ‘friendship’ consisted mostly of short interspersed periods where they would fight and argue, along with the times they would eat together and just talk. Laura’s injury had obviously scared the scientist in such a way he needed to break the rules of their involvement to reassure himself that she was alright.
Carson remembered how their bizarre relationship had made him slightly jealous when he and Laura were dating, in a way it still did.
Rodney turned away from Laura’s bed and stopped dead when he saw Carson watching him.
“I…em…I…” Rodney stammered.
Carson laughed, “I’m pretty sure she won’t remember.”
“Good,” he nodded before focussing on his friend, “You look like hell by the way.”
Carson rolled his eyes, “Goodnight Rodney.”
“Okay, Carson,” John marched into the office less than an hour later, Rodney at his side, “Up.”
“What?” the doctor looked at them confused.
“You have been working almost two days straight,” John told him, as he grabbed his arm and Rodney grabbed the other. Between them, the two men hoisted the Scot to his feet, “And you haven’t eaten properly or slept in all that time.”
“So,” Rodney continued, “We’re all going for food then you are getting some sleep.”
“I cannae…”
“Temple is going to be looking after things while you get some rest,” John told him, both men started moving Carson out of the door, “You have to trust in your people.”
“Alright,” Carson cried, wrenching himself free, “But I can walk by myself.”
John and Rodney shared a look before releasing Carson.
“If you try to escape,” John told him, “We get Ronan. Understand?”
Carson rolled his eyes, “Understood.”
*********************************************
Rodney sat in his lab for the first time in three days. Ever since the explosion, he’d spent most of his time working off-world on the remains of the ancient laboratory, trying to work out what had happened.
The base was finally getting back to normal, the memorial services were over and now, now they had to deal.
Except, Rodney just couldn’t focus on the things in front of him as the memory of the carnage continued to fill his mind. With a sigh, he closed his laptop and decided to wander down to the infirmary to see if Carson was still there, despite being ordered to get some sleep.
Strolling through the corridors, Rodney realised that the entire city was still. Usually there was something going on, people training, others joking, just something but just now, silence.
Entering the infirmary, he glanced around making sure Carson wasn't here. Satisfied that the doctor was finally following orders, Rodney stepped in further heading to the bedside of Dr Adam Wells.
“Wells,” Rodney greeted him, “How’re you feeling?”
Completely surprised at his visitor, Wells took a second to answer, “Better, much better. Broken leg but Dr Beckett says I’ll be up and about soon.”
“Good,” Rodney nodded sharply, “I’ll get you some work once Carson says you can have it. He’s a bit of a pain in the ass in that department.”
Wells nodded, “I guess you’ve had experience of that.”
Rodney folded his arms across his chest, a frown passing over his face but knowing the other man was on painkillers meant he didn’t say anything else.
“I’ll see you later,” Rodney nodded at the other scientist.
Wells watched him go; still completely stunned the man had come to visit. Closing his eyes, he decided not to bother thinking about it.
“Rodney?”
Laura looked at him surprised as he appeared at her bedside; she had been trying, unsuccessfully, to read. Having only one arm meant she couldn’t turn pages while holding the damn book and putting it down meant she lost her place anyway.
“How’re you feeling?” the scientist asked gruffly.
Laura shrugged, wincing at the movement, “Not bad. Carson’s still giving me pretty powerful drugs.”
“Well, you were in a lot of pain,” Rodney turned and found a stool, he pulled it over and took a seat, “This is probably better.”
“Having dislocated my shoulder once before,” Laura told him happily, “When there were no drugs around for several days, I’m in total agreement to being doped up.”
Rodney nodded slightly in agreement.
“I’m surprised you’re here,” Laura told him.
Rodney winced, shifting uncomfortably in his seat, “I couldn’t concentrate so I came to make sure Carson wasn't here and thought since I was here…”
“You’d come visit,” Laura smirked, “You were concerned about me.”
Rodney rolled his eyes, “Please, the drugs are scrambling that tiny military mind of yours.”
Laura giggled; an unusual sound from the woman. Rodney was sure it had to do with the drugs. Laura didn’t giggle; she never had in all the time he’d known her. She laughed, her laughs ranging from amused to dirty but never a giggle.
“Admit it, Rodney,” Laura waved her good hand accusingly, “You ‘like’ me.”
Rodney snorted derisively.
“You do,” she continued to accuse with a grin; “You think I’m wonderful.”
“I better get Carson in here,” Rodney told her, mock concern in his voice, “You’re delusional.”
Laura laughed, before letting out a slight cry of pain as she moved her shoulder in a way she shouldn’t have.
“Are you okay?” Rodney cried, slightly startled.
“Just jarred it slightly,” she winced, looking up at him with a smirk, “Were you worried?”
Rodney rolled his eyes at her, “I didn’t want to listen to you whining on.”
“Whatever you say, genius,” Laura laughed.
“You’re already trained, Cadman,” Rodney told her, his hand waving dismissively, “It’d take forever to get someone new sorted satisfactorily.”
Laura twisted slightly and snagged one of his flailing hands in hers.
“I remember you staying with me, Rodney,” she reminded him, “And I remember you telling me to stay with you,” she squeezed his hand, “Thank you for being there. Thanks for staying with me.”
Rodney licked his lips nervously, “No problem.”
“Told you,” Laura grinned at him again, “You like me.”
“Actually, Cadman,” Rodney replied, a smirk appearing on his own face, “I saved your life when you were stuck in my head,” he leaned into her ear, “You should really take better care of yourself. It’s not my fault you don’t and I have to sort it out.”
Laura turned so they were almost nose to nose, “My hero,” sarcasm filled her voice.
“Finally recognition,” Rodney moved back, “See you later, Cadman.”
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