Once they were in his quarters, Carson got Cait a glass of water before sitting next to her on to couch, listening as she talked about getting the turtle. He felt his throat tightening, remembering how they had talked about getting one. Back when they had still been together, there on Atlantis. Back when Carson had been sure she was they one he was going to marry. But he had never asked because he wasn't sure it was a good idea, considering everything that had happened in their first year. Then Cait had been transferred back to the SGC.
Then Cait had broken up with him because she wouldn't be returning to Atlantis. And he couldn't leave the expedition.
He wasn't sure what to tell her, but when she hugged him, he found himself wrapping his arms tightly around her, his eyes closing as he held her. "It's good to see you too," he whispered before letting her go and watching as she curled up, like she had so many times on this same couch when they had been together.
Once she was asleep, Carson sighed softly and looked at her hand. He grabbed his kit and bandaged it, then picked her up, carrying her over to the bed and placing her in it. After he pulled the blanket up over her, he stood there for a moment, his heart aching at the sight of her there again. Oh God, he couldn't do this anymore.
He walked out of his quarters, intending to go over and see how Sam was, surprised to find her sitting in the corridor. As they spoke, he realized both of them knew something that they had obviously been ignoring. In the long run, though, it would be for the best, he knew. They couldn't marry each other, knowing that the other wasn't who they really wanted.
Back in his quarters, he looked at Cait again before grabbing an extra blanket and stretching out on the couch. After a bit, he fell asleep, not waking up until he heard her voice calling his name. Opening his eyes, he saw her sitting up in bed.
"Right here, love," he told her, standing up and going over to the bed, where he sat down on the edge. Reaching out, he pressed the back of his hand against her forehead and cheeks. "How are you feeling?"