Not a Failure (G)
Feb. 4th, 2007 04:35 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
skidmo_ficTitle: Not a Failure
Rating: G
Pairing: None
Spoilers: Instinct
Disclaimer: None of these characters belong to me...sadly
Feedback: yes, please.
Summary: Carson sorts his experiments into failures and successes. Beckett/Lorne friendship.
Author’s Notes: written for the gatecreation episodes challenge.
Carson sighed as he went over the notes from his latest “experiment.”
One more mark in the ‘failures’ column.
Each one made it that much more difficult to try again. What was it that Edison had said about the lightbulb? Carson tried to remind himself that he hadn’t failed to complete a useful Wraith retrovirus, he’d just found out a hundred ways how not to do it.
Still adds up to failure, though.
He was playing God, and he knew it. Fiddling around with the ATA gene was one thing. Those who received the gene therapy were still human. He wasn’t changing their DNA on a basic level.
This, though, was like reverse-evolution. He was going against nature, working backwards in evolution, just because he didn’t like the way it had turned out. He knew it was more than that really. Some part of him understood that this was war, and that he was trying to create a viable defense. His work was justified. It was only when he found himself face to face with another failed attempt that he began to question the morality of what he was doing here.
Och, this was a big one.
He’d not only failed in his attempt to make Elia human, he’d endangered the colonel’s life in the process. It was bloody luck he’d managed to reverse the effects.
Sighing once more, he put his notes away and turned to leave the infirmary. He was startled to see a newly familiar frame leaning against the doorway.
“Och, son, you startled me. What are you doing here so late?”
Major Lorne straightened and gave Carson a concerned look. “I just wanted to make sure you were okay, Doc. You looked a little shaky when you released Sheppard earlier.”
“Aye, I suppose I was. I’m fine now, though. But I do appreciate your concern, Major.”
Lorne smirked, “Like hell you do, Doc. You wish I’d just mind my own business and leave you alone.”
Carson blushed and stammered, “No, Major, honestly. I’m touched. I’ve just had rather a long week. And I’ve got to come back and do it again tomorrow.”
“Haven’t we all?”
Looking at the man again, Carson noted the dark circles under his eyes and remembered that he’d been worrying about his CO’s life this past week, as well as dealing with the stress of being Caldwell’s 2IC.
“Aye, I suppose we have. Are you alright, Major?”
“I’ll be fine, Doc. Nothing a good night’s sleep won’t cure.”
“Then you’d best be off, son. Don’t let me keep you from your rest.”
For a moment, it looked like Lorne was about to leave. Then he stopped and looked at Carson for a moment. “You didn’t fail, you know.”
Carson stared at the major.
“You saved the colonel’s life. That’s a success in my book.” Smiling, Lorne placed a comforting hand on Carson’s shoulder before turning and leaving the infirmary.
Not a failure after all, then.
fin
Rating: G
Pairing: None
Spoilers: Instinct
Disclaimer: None of these characters belong to me...sadly
Feedback: yes, please.
Summary: Carson sorts his experiments into failures and successes. Beckett/Lorne friendship.
Author’s Notes: written for the gatecreation episodes challenge.
Carson sighed as he went over the notes from his latest “experiment.”
One more mark in the ‘failures’ column.
Each one made it that much more difficult to try again. What was it that Edison had said about the lightbulb? Carson tried to remind himself that he hadn’t failed to complete a useful Wraith retrovirus, he’d just found out a hundred ways how not to do it.
Still adds up to failure, though.
He was playing God, and he knew it. Fiddling around with the ATA gene was one thing. Those who received the gene therapy were still human. He wasn’t changing their DNA on a basic level.
This, though, was like reverse-evolution. He was going against nature, working backwards in evolution, just because he didn’t like the way it had turned out. He knew it was more than that really. Some part of him understood that this was war, and that he was trying to create a viable defense. His work was justified. It was only when he found himself face to face with another failed attempt that he began to question the morality of what he was doing here.
Och, this was a big one.
He’d not only failed in his attempt to make Elia human, he’d endangered the colonel’s life in the process. It was bloody luck he’d managed to reverse the effects.
Sighing once more, he put his notes away and turned to leave the infirmary. He was startled to see a newly familiar frame leaning against the doorway.
“Och, son, you startled me. What are you doing here so late?”
Major Lorne straightened and gave Carson a concerned look. “I just wanted to make sure you were okay, Doc. You looked a little shaky when you released Sheppard earlier.”
“Aye, I suppose I was. I’m fine now, though. But I do appreciate your concern, Major.”
Lorne smirked, “Like hell you do, Doc. You wish I’d just mind my own business and leave you alone.”
Carson blushed and stammered, “No, Major, honestly. I’m touched. I’ve just had rather a long week. And I’ve got to come back and do it again tomorrow.”
“Haven’t we all?”
Looking at the man again, Carson noted the dark circles under his eyes and remembered that he’d been worrying about his CO’s life this past week, as well as dealing with the stress of being Caldwell’s 2IC.
“Aye, I suppose we have. Are you alright, Major?”
“I’ll be fine, Doc. Nothing a good night’s sleep won’t cure.”
“Then you’d best be off, son. Don’t let me keep you from your rest.”
For a moment, it looked like Lorne was about to leave. Then he stopped and looked at Carson for a moment. “You didn’t fail, you know.”
Carson stared at the major.
“You saved the colonel’s life. That’s a success in my book.” Smiling, Lorne placed a comforting hand on Carson’s shoulder before turning and leaving the infirmary.
Not a failure after all, then.
fin
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
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Date: 2007-02-05 03:07 am (UTC)And your icon makes me giggle. It's the combination of the halo with the expression on his face. :)
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Date: 2007-02-05 03:56 am (UTC)I got the icon from
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Date: 2007-02-05 04:52 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-02-05 06:26 pm (UTC)