Title: That Which Endures
Author: tridget
Rating: PG
Disclaimer: Stargate belongs to Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc., no infringements of any rights is intended.
Spoilers: None
Summary/Prompt: McKay tries to save Sheppard from the clutches of an mind-altering alien device. This was written for Round 2 of the Last Fiction Writer Standing #3 challenge at LiveJournal's sga_lfws. The prompt was to write 500 word fic in which science was the cause of whump. H/C obligatory.
That Which Endures
Rodney's hands trembled as he gripped strands of wire. "Hold him still. I can't hook him up when he's thrashing around."
Grunting in acknowledgement, Ronon repositioned himself, winding his arms around Sheppard's upper limbs and torso and pulling his friend firmly against his chest. Teyla twisted to lie on her hip, using her body weight to anchor her teammate's legs.
"Now, McKay!" Ronon's voice boomed above Sheppard's anguished moans.
Rodney dived forward, securing his leads to the bands ensnaring Sheppard's head. He opened his mouth to say something reassuring, but nothing came out. Instead, he gave a brief nod to convey a confidence he didn't feel.
Data began to stream from the alien contraption to the laptop screen. Rodney peered at the information while his fingers, spurred on by adrenaline, flew across his keyboard.
"I do not understand," Teyla frowned. "The records indicated that this place was used for research on methods of healing."
"Nothin' healing about this thing." Ronon eased his restraining grip.
"Actually, there is — in a warped sort of way." Rodney shuddered, glancing at Sheppard. "It scans for thought patterns that the inhabitants believed were deviant and then it applies…corrective measures."
Teyla knelt and pressed her fingers to Sheppard's neck, checking his pulse. "How long until you are able to remove the device?"
"It unlocks when treatment is complete, but before that I might be able to… Dammit!" Rodney made frantic adjustments as sparks shot across the circuit terminals.
Sheppard arched his back and screamed, the sound ending in choked sobs. He squirmed around and pressed his face to Ronon's shoulder, bunching fistfuls of the man's coat in his hands. "R-R-Ronon…s-stun meeee."
Ronon locked eyes with Rodney in silent inquiry, but the scientist shook his head.
"Sorry, buddy." Ronon's voice broke.
"S'okay," Sheppard ground out. Then he pitched to one side, retching violently.
"Crap!" Rodney scuttled backwards, trying to avoid the mess.
Ronon didn't even flinch. "Keep working, McKay."
"Right." Rodney gulped, hunching over his computer again. "The…uh…treatment is particularly intense for Sheppard because he's resisting it. B-but that's good, because if he doesn't…"
Sheppard sucked in ragged breaths. "It's…g-gettin'…harder…to f-f-fight."
"It will be over soon, John," Teyla soothed as she wiped his face.
Rodney snapped his fingers. "Maybe it merely needs to think that Sheppard's been treated…" He punched a few keys and sagged in relief when the apparatus unlatched and clattered to the floor. "Oh, thank God!"
Sheppard slumped against Ronon. "It's…over?"
Ronon watched Teyla use the tip of her P-90 to fling the device across the room. "It's over."
"So what w-wasn't to like 'bout me?"
Rodney examined the readouts. Disobedience to authority, interpersonal avoidance… The list went on and on. His heart clenched as he hit delete and then shut off his computer. "It said you shouldn't touch things you know nothing about."
"Yeah. Won't do th-that again."
"Knowing you, you probably will do that again," Rodney huffed, shaking his head.
Teyla clasped Sheppard's hand. "I believe we should be grateful for that which endures."
The End