A/N: Hey all! This story just popped into my head while cuddling with my new kitten. It's plotless and silly I know, but I hope you enjoy anyway. :) No beta, so forgive any mistakes. Takes place during any time Carson was the doc, because I love him. :)
Chapter 1
The incoming wormhole alert blared through Atlantis' speaker system, causing Rodney to simultaneously choke on his muffin and spill his steaming cup of coffee all over his hand. He sputtered angrily as he increased his pace to the gate room. He turned a corner and nearly collided with Elizabeth Weir, who was also on her way to see what was going on.
They jogged up the steps, and Elizabeth immediately asked for information. Chuck the gate tech looked at his screen in disbelief, then back at her. "It's...it's Colonel Sheppard's IDC ma'am."
Rodney neared dropped his muffin, for the second time in about a minute. "Lower the shield!" Elizabeth ordered. Chuck hit that command on his control station, and McKay turned to look down at the event horizon. Sheppard...alive? He'd be missing for almost a month now, and they had all assumed the worst. Elizabeth radioed for a medical team to get to the gate room. A few seconds of hushed silence filled the expansive room, and a skinny figure slowly stepped through. John Sheppard looked like he'd been through hell and back several times. His left arm hung uselessly at his side, his face covered in bruises and half-healed cuts. One eye was almost swollen shut. His standard black t-shirt was ripped and dirty, showing bruises and other injuries on his skinnier-than-usual torso. He held his right arm carefully to his side. Rodney couldn't believe his eyes. He and Elizabeth slowly approached the injured man, who looked warily at them. "John? Do you remember me?" Elizabeth asked. The Colonel looked at her carefully guarded, then after a moment, nodded slightly. "'Lizabeth," he whispered. She smiled encouragingly. Just then Carson emerged with his medical team, shock registering on his face when he saw who his patient was. Elizabeth turned back to face John, this time close enough to reach out and gently place her hand on his arm. He startled a little at her touch. She motioned to Carson. He carefully approached, setting down his bag at the Colonel's feet. "Aye lad, you gave us all a good scare. Do ya think I could have a look at ya now? See if we can't get you fixed up in a soft bed to rest and feel better." Sheppard's eyes met the doctor's with a startling amount of clarity for someone in his condition. He nodded his permission, and promptly collapsed into Carson's arms. Beckett and his assistant carefully laid the injured man down on the waiting stretcher. A tiny squeak made everyone pause, and Carson stared in disbelief. Out from under the Colonel's shirt, wriggled the smallest kitten he'd ever seen. The tiny creature stared up at Carson with scared round eyes, and quickly scuttled back under the safety of John's arm. The doctor turned to Elizabeth, wondering if she'd seen what he had. She looked as surprised as everyone. He looked back down at his patient. "Aye, well that's something you don't see every day. Right, let's get to the infirmary and get him under the Ancient scanner." They quickly headed out of the gate room, Rodney and Elizabeth close behind.
~~~SGA~~~
Rodney paced around the waiting room, not good at the "waiting" part. Elizabeth's radio clicked once, and Carson's pleasant brogue came through. "Lass, do ya think you could come help me with a wee problem?" Elizabeth replied she was on her way, and shrugged at Rodney on her way out. Rodney decided he would run to his lab to get a laptop to actually do some work while waiting instead of wearing a hole in the floor with his pacing. He nearly ran headfirst into the large solid wall that was Ronon Dex. "When did you guys get back?" he asked, surprised. Teyla smiled slightly sadly. "We received word of Colonel Sheppard's return, and came immediately." Ronon grunted in agreement. "How is he?" Rodney plopped down in the nearest chair. "Carson hasn't said anything yet, except that he needed Elizabeth's help with 'a wee problem,'" he replied. "Guess what Sheppard brought through the gate with him? A tiny kitten! Wonder where he found it. I didn't even know Sheppard liked cats." Teyla looked confused, and Ronon just looked stoic, like usual. Just then Elizabeth emerged, holding a tiny bundle of fur wrapped in a towel. Rodney's mouth fell open. "That was the wee problem?" Dr Weir nodded, and sat down next to Rodney. "John seemed to be comforted by this little thing, but Carson needed her out of the way. She dug her claws in, not wanting to leave her rescuer I guess." She stroked the small kitten's head with her finger, and the round eyes stared up at her, looking forlorn. "Don't worry little one," Elizabeth whispered, "he will be alright." The kitten seemed to understand, and let out a quiet purr. Just then a nurse, whose name was Leah, popped her head into the room, and motioned to Elizabeth. "Dr Beckett requests that you bring the kitten back. We can't get Colonel Sheppard to relax without her next to him." Elizabeth stood quickly and followed her, leaving the rest of Sheppard's team staring after her. Following the nurse down the corridor to the infirmary, they stopped at the entrance. "We'll need you to wash up and put on scrubs ma'am," Leah said gently. Elizabeth nodded, and followed her to the changing room. She placed the tiny bundle of fur into a box Leah supplied, and quickly scrubbed her hands and arms. She turned and Leah handed her a clean towel to dry off, and then helped her put on gloves and a long sleeved scrub top. "Looks like you're ready ma'am," Leah said with a smile. "Follow me." Dr Weir nodded and picked up the small bundle, and headed after the nurse. They turned the corner into Carson's exam room, to see a very distraught looking Colonel Sheppard, weakly thrashing about on his bed, mumbling and crying out. Elizabeth was shocked at the sight. Dr Beckett saw she had arrived and motioned her closer. "Colonel, listen to me. I have your kitten right here. Now can you stay still for me?" John's eyes blearily tried to meet Carson's, and he relaxed slightly. Elizabeth stepped forward and placed the tiny kitten on Sheppard's chest. The little ball of fur let out a very loud meow of happiness, and immediately curled herself against John's neck, purring. The pure relief on his face made Elizabeth want to cry, and she was sure she saw a tear track its way down Sheppard's cheek. She turned away and Carson led her to a nearby chair. "He's not completely with us lass," he said quietly. "I can't imagine what he's been through, emotionally. The physical trauma alone would be enough to fell a lesser man." Elizabeth nodded, not wanting to let any tears fall. Carson patted her leg. "I'll fetch the rest of his team, and fill you all in on his condition."
She smiled in reply and followed him to the Observation room, and the rest of Sheppard's friends filed in a moment later. Ronon stood at the window looking down on the pale form on the bed. "How is he Doc?" he rumbled. Dr Beckett clicked a few buttons on his data pad, and cleared his throat. "Aye, well, this is a long list. Broken left collarbone, cracked sternum. Bullet wound in left shoulder, several days old I'd say. Nasty infection there. Dislocated left shoulder. Several cracked metacarpals in his left hand. Six broken ribs. Cracked jaw, probably why he hasn't wanted talk much." He paused to rub his eyes. "Raging fever, numerous cuts that required a grand total of 79 stitches and/or staples. His right knee was severely twisted at some point, resulting in multiple major muscle tears. Lastly a severe concussion."
The physician looked up at his patient's worried friends. "Now I can't even begin to access his mental state. Several of his injuries look intentional, like he was beaten." Ronon's face darkened and he suddenly smashed his fist onto the table, startling everyone. Dr Beckett eyed the big man calmly. "Sit down Ronon. We will find who did this to Colonel Sheppard, and we will make them pay. In the meantime, we need to help him heal."
Ronon sat down, but didn't look any less angry. Carson continued, "His attachment to that wee kitten has me baffled. I can only assume he turned to it for a small comfort while captured, or on the run, whatever happened." Ronon met his eyes, anger simmering near the surface. "So what now Doc?"
Dr Beckett sighed, wishing he had a better response. "We wait. His shoulder needs another surgery, but that will have to wait until he's a little stronger. I need him to be a little more alert before I can say for sure."
Teyla chimed in quietly, "I would like to sit with him Dr Beckett, if that is alright with you." Carson smiled at her. "Of course lass. I figured one or all of ya would ask. I'll get ye a chair and ye can take turns sitting with him." He stood up and tried to stifle a yawn, quite unsuccessfully. He gazed around at the concerned faces sitting at the table. "I won't lie or sugarcoat anythin' about his condition to ya. It's very serious. But with lots of support and care I think he'll make it." The worried mood in the room eased slightly, and Carson left to check on his patient. It would definitely be a long road for the Colonel, but the good doctor had no doubt that his team would help John every step of the way.