Title: Worry
Fandom: Stargate SG1/Stargate Atlantis
Pairing: Janet Fraiser/Carson Beckett
Rating: PG
Spoilers: SG1 The Curse
Word Count: 819
Summary:
“
The words, Janet knows before she even says them, won’t have the desired effect. Mere words alone will not distract Carson Beckett when he’s got his mind set on something. That said, she’s not prepared for the effect that they do have – namely to have him stop in his tracks, stare across the room at her with a look of incredulity.
“Oh aye,” he says, with the type of
withering scorn that only a Scots accent can truly convey. “Stop fussing she
says. Don’t worry, she says. ‘Tis only a quick hop to
Janet reaches up to rub her temples, the
headache she thought she’d slept off on the plane threatening to return with a
vengeance. “
“Because you met up with a pissed off Goa’uld, who decided it’d be a good idea to play handball off pyramid walls, using you as the ball.” The blunt assessment brings back memories of a blast of heat, of flying through the air, of the impact of the solid brick of a structure that has stood for thousands of years. “You were bloody blessed you didn’t break your neck. Or your back.”
“I am a doctor,” she reminds him, with just the merest touch of asperity. “I do know that.”
“Which is why you probably also know that the worst thing you could have done was get right back on a plane and fly halfway across the globe,” he pointed out. “But, oh wait, you did.”
Deciding a change of tack might be in
order, Janet looks up at
Again, the words have an effect, just not the one she was expecting. “Oh no you don’t.” A pointed finger accompanies the words. “Don’t be thinking you can play me off with sweet words and fluttering lashes… you could have been hurt. Really hurt. And you expect me to just… just…”
His voice trails off and he throws up his
hands, turning away from her but not before she catches the flash of pain on
his face. Feeling suddenly guilty, she holds out a hand to him, trying not to
wince in pain. “
It takes a moment, but he does, takes her hand in his. “I know you were worried… and scared. I was too. But this is the job we have… the life we chose. And I know what could have happened… but I’m here. I’m ok.” He tilts his head in question and she chuckles, the slight twinge that accompanies it reminding her that it might not have been such a good idea. “OK might be a little strong,” she acknowledges. “But I’m here… with you. That’s all that matters.”
His thumb runs over the back of her hand, his blue eyes staring down at the path it takes. Finally, he lets out a deep sigh, looks up to meet her gaze. “Aye,” he says quietly. “That it is.” He brings her hand to his lips, presses it in both of his as he lays them on his lap.
“So… no more worrying?” It’s a hopeful request, but one that’s greeted by a laugh, followed by refusal.
“Not bloody likely lassie.” She tries not to roll her eyes, does it anyway, and he grins, reaching up with one hand to tuck a strand of hair back behind her ears. “It’s just because I love you y’know,” he says, and she smiles.
Then freezes at the exact same time his hand does, because he’s never said those words to her before.
She looks into his face, sees panic there, and she knows that it’s fear that he’s said the wrong thing, that they’re moving too fast, that this isn’t what she wants.
But he hasn’t, and they’re not, and it is.
Which is why she reaches out, runs her hand down his cheek, feeling the bristly stubble there. “That’s ok then,” she tells him. “Because I love you too.”
A beaming smile breaks across Carson’s face, the one that always makes her want to kiss him – to do more than kiss him actually – so that’s just what she does. He responds, as he always does, enthusiastically, at least until she tries to lean back, to pull him down on top of her.
“Janet, love… you’re a mass o’bruises…”
She smiles. “So be gentle with me.”
Just like always, he doesn’t let her down.