Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters etc and make no profit from writing.
Summary: A quarantined planet, ill health and new ancient technology all lead to trouble. A Ronon centred fic.
A/N: The original idea for this story came from Bellestarr01 - Many thanks for the inspiration and I hope I have not twisted it too much!
"Colonel welcome back." Marie smiled. "Seeing the Apollo only arrived ten minutes ago I am assuming the pair of you can not have had a sparring accident already." She added looking from Sheppard to Ronon, who loitered in a corner.
"No." Sheppard smiled. "Ronon here was unwell on the trip so I thought I better bring him along to get checked out."
"I can tell Mr Dex is enthusiastic about the plan."
"Well the joys of being the boss means I can order him to come. So where's the doc?"
"Stuck off-world with Captain Bicknell's team. So one of the others will have to do. Preferably one of the ones due to leave anyway."
"Aren't you leaving to?" Sheppard asked.
"I am, but I'll be back. Not all he doctors who are leaving will be." She explained.
"I'll leave the choice to you, but I might hang around and make sure he kind of behaves."
"Try to get him to a gurney, I'll fetch a doctor." Marie said before heading off.
"I'm fine." Ronon said as Sheppard approached him.
"Ronon you locked yourself in your quarters for over half the trip. That is not fine."
"I'm fine now."
"That is what we are going to check."
"It's a waste of time."
"Humour me." Sheppard shot back as a weary and nervous looking doctor approached.
"I hear you've been unwell." The doctor said only for Ronon to remain silent.
"Can you tell me what your symptoms were?" The doctor probed after a painful moment of silence.
"Didn't feel great." Ronon explained, causing Sheppard to roll his eyes.
"How exactly?" The doctor continued.
"Didn't feel normal." Ronon shrugged.
"Ok, did you have a headache, temperature, muscle ache, sore throat?"
"Yeah."
"Yeah what?"
"I had them, but I don't now."
"Ok." The doctor sighed. "I am going to run a few tests." He said as he attempted to put a cuff round Ronon's arm. As Ronon growled at the action Sheppard said.
"You want to get out of here let the nice doctor do the tests. If you're good I am sure we can get you a lollipop."
Ronon growled but let the doctor take his blood pressure. The next few minutes were spent with Ronon scowling at the doctor whilst they nervously ran a battery of tests. Eventually the doctor took a step back and said.
"Everything appears normal, so it was probably a cold or the flu, but I have taken some blood to test just in case."
"Thanks doc." Sheppard smiled as Ronon got off the gurney and left the infirmary without a word.
As Sheppard reached the corridor Ronon was no where to be seen. Having re-scanned the corridor Sheppard took a guess at where Ronon may have gone and went to the mess hall.
"Hey what took you so long?" McKay said between mouthfuls.
"Oh I don't know. Possibly something to do with intergalactic travel." Sheppard said as he put his tray down.
"I meant the Apollo beamed you down over an hour ago."
"You checking up on me McKay? That is either really sweet or disturbing." The Colonel said, causing McKay to roll his eyes. "Well I had to take a detour to the infirmary."
"Are you all right?" Teyla asked with genuine concern as McKay backed away from the Colonel.
"I'm fine, it was Ronon."
"What's wrong with him?" Teyla asked.
"Probably nothing. He locked himself in his quarters for most of the trip saying he wasn't feeling well. I just wanted to make sure it wasn't serious."
"Was it?" McKay asked, still fearing for his own health.
"The doctor didn't seem too concerned. Maybe I'll send him to see Keller when she gets back."
"You'd better hope it's not serious then." McKay said resuming the demolishing of his chocolate cake.
"Why?"
"Her luck hit the mission again and she is stuck there for the next month." McKay explained before Teyla added.
"There is an outbreak on the planet. It is very contagious so Dr Keller has quarantined the planet for the next month."
"Are Keller and Bicknell's team ok?" Sheppard asked.
"Corporal Stewart has succumbed to the illness and Corporal Hick has started to display symptoms." Teyla answered.
"How serious is it?" Sheppard probed.
"Put it this way the planet is basic." McKay rejoined the conversation.
"So?"
"So there is no way Jennifer would want to stay there for a night let alone a month. Don't look at me like that she likes her comforts. She is not the outdoors type. Anyway my point is to quarantine herself there for a month she must be worried." The physicist explained before looking over Sheppard's shoulder and saying. "He looks fine to me. Nothing wrong with his appetite either."
Turning round Sheppard looked at Ronon who was carrying a tray laden with food. "Hey buddy where'd you disappear to?"
"My room."
"Why?"
"To make sure McKay hadn't removed my stuff." He said as he sat down.
"That was one time and you'd left." McKay protested. Ronon just stared him into silence.
"How are you feeling?" Teyla asked, still concerned by what Sheppard had said.
"I'm fine." Ronon answered after glaring at Sheppard.
"Still it is unlike you to be ill." Teyla pressed. "And locking yourself in your quarters?"
"Needed to escape his mothering." Ronon answered nodding at Sheppard.
"I don't mother."
"Sure you do." McKay said finishing off his dessert.