The room was quiet while Doctor Perry updated them on the condition of their friend.
"Do you have any ideas where these burns came from?" Hudson asked looking at the pictures showing the marks on the Lieutenant's arms.
"No virus, bacteria or poison that we know of could do this," Doctor Perry told him, "I've done some research and I have two possibilities."
Silence filled the room, the Captain and doctor could see every one of O'Neill's friends wanting to ask but no one wanted to be the one who did.
"Doctor," Hudson spoke up finally, "What are the possibilities?"
Perry leaned back in her chair, "Firstly it is a virus or bacteria he contracted during his time on Hyperion that we have no knowledge of, but there are no foreign agents in his blood or the blood of all who were with him."
"What's option two?" Hudson asked.
"From my research I found with a few instances with similar symptoms," Perry told them.
Tony frowned confused, "That's good, isn't it?"
"Not exactly," Perry explained, "Because the other instances were due to a telepath connecting with someone and showing the same symptoms as that person. Which is where the problem lies?"
"Because Tim isn't a telepath," Lonnie sighed frustrated.
Silence filled the room again before Lucas spoke up, "Commander?"
Jonathan grimaced, "I know."
"Know?" Tony demanded, "Know what?"
Jonathan and Lucas shared a look before they turned to Hudson.
"Let me guess," Hudson said softly, "Mr O'Neill has had some telepathic experiences."
Jonathan grimaced, "That's where it becomes complicated because there's no way to know if it was actually Tim."
Hudson took a deep breath, "Commander, please just explain and let Dr Perry decide if it's helpful or not."
Jonathan nodded, "It was about a month after Captain Bridger joined us. We were studying black smokers and Darwin fell ill."
"The pool was closed on the bridge as we were getting a bit rocky," Lucas took over, "All of a sudden both Captain Bridger and Tim knew Darwin needed help."
"So that was Darwin," Tony noted.
Jonathan shrugged, "Possibly. Darwin gave all the crew dreams later on in the tour."
Perry mused on this for a few moments, "Very interesting."
"There was one more possible telepathic episode," Lucas added, "Tim was given some time away not long before we were taken to Hyperion. The GELF Mariah managed to grab him and she tortured him. Whatever it was meant Wendy…Dr Smith felt his pain."
"And that was probably Wendy," Lonnie sighed frustrated.
"This has at least given me some avenues to explore," Dr Perry told them, "If any of you think of anything else, let me know."
x
Oliver entered the infirmary hoping he'd been called down because Dr Perry had a cure for Lieutenant O'Neill or at the very least an idea how to help him. Unable to see the doctor he moved to the bedside of his officer.
He thought back to the first few days after the Seaquest had been returned to Earth, when the task of letting his new crew know about their families fell to him. All of the crew had some family they were able to contact, all except O'Neill. Oliver remembered the look on the younger man's face at the news his entire family - parents, older brother, older sisters, brothers-in-law, sister-in-law, nieces and nephews were all dead, killed the year before in a Macronesian attack.
"Captain," Perry walked over to him.
"What news, doctor?" he asked.
Perry grimaced, "He's getting worse, in the past hour more burns have appeared. This time they're on his back and extremely nasty. I have absolutely no idea whether this is a result of a telepathic connection but I think we need to start acting as though it is."
"You're suggesting we take him to the Institute?" Oliver asked.
Perry nodded, "It's the best idea I have. The Institute is shielded against this kind of thing and although not one hundred percent foolproof I feel it's the best idea we have."
"Have you made the call?" Oliver asked
Perry nodded, "They're expecting us."
"I'll order the change of course," Oliver assured her, "And let you know when we're there."
Turning to the man lying on the bed Oliver rested his hand on the younger man's shoulder for a second before heading up to the bridge.
x
Jonathan entered the ward room when Hudson called to enter closing the door behind him.
"Sit, Commander," Hudson said before getting straight to the point, "As you know we've changed course."
"Yes, sir," Jonathan answered, he wanted to know where they were going and why it was so important no one knew the destination.
Hudson passed over a medical report, "Lieutenant O'Neill's condition is getting worse. Dr Perry is out of ideas so we're heading to the one place she feels can help."
"And where is that?" Jonathan asked before adding quickly, "Sir."
"The Westphalen Institute for Medical Research," Hudson told him, smiling slightly at the stunned look.
"Westphalen?"
"The year after the Seaquest disappeared she came into some money," Hudson explained, "She used it to open the Institute which has become one of the leading forces in medical as well as telepathic research."
Jonathan chuckled, "Will she be there?"
"Unfortunately," Hudson dropped his head slightly, "Dr Westphalen died two years ago in a shuttle accident. She saved the other members of the crew. However her legacy lives on in the Institute which her daughter runs these days."
"Knowing Kristin," Jonathan sighed softly, "It'll be staffed by the best people?"
Hudson nodded, "I know a few of them personally, Commander. The Lieutenant will be in the best hands. I can promise you that."
AJ scanned the file she'd just received as she ate what was passing as her breakfast today. When the phone began to beep she hit the button smiling at the man who appeared on the screen, "Hey."
"Is that your breakfast?" the disapproving frown made her chuckle.
"I'm working, Mike," AJ told him with a fond smile, "Just because you gave me a ring doesn't mean you can police my eating habits."
He smiled at her, "I know, honey. I just wanted to let you know I'll be gone for a few more days."
"I should have known not to get involved with a shuttle pilot," AJ chuckled, "I have a patient coming in so I have to go. I love you."
"Love you too," Mike grinned before he disappeared.
AJ finished eating just before the call came that the Seaquest had arrived along with her patient. She reached the airlock as it was opening and she smiled warmly at the man who stepped out first.
"Oliver Hudson," she drawled with a grin, "How's the leg?"
He frowned at her, "It's been five years. Are you ever going to let me forget that?"
"Never," AJ replied, accepting the quick hug he gave her.
Oliver caught her hand as she stepped back, "This is new," he said looking at the diamond ring that graced her finger.
"Mike finally proposed," AJ told him, "About six months ago. But that can wait. I believe my patient is here."
x
Oliver stood back as Perry and her team brought his stricken crew member out of the airlock. He knew AJ was a great doctor, he'd been one of her patients and although he would never admit it to anyone, especially her, Oliver knew the only reason he was able to walk never mind anything else was due to her tenacity.
"Has he had anymore seizures?" AJ asked as she went through the most recent notes Dr Perry had passed her.
"No," Perry told her, "We've managed to keep his temperature down with the gel packs and ice blanket."
"But the burns are still appearing," AJ mused before turning to the nurses, "Okay, room fifty five and start the tests I've noted." She turned to Oliver and Perry, "We have him. I will come and see you once we've done our initial tests."
Dr Perry nodded and drew her people back to the airlock to return to the Seaquest. When Oliver hesitated AJ rested her hand on his arm.
"I know you feel responsible for him," AJ said softly, "But trust me, I'm going to do everything possible to help him. Okay?"
Oliver nodded, "I'll be on the Seaquest. AJ, his friends…"
"I know," she cut him off, "I know the bond created by crews, I'm engaged to a shuttle pilot remember? I will tell you as soon as I know something."
With a final squeeze of his arm AJ followed O'Neill's gurney disappearing from sight very quickly.
x
All eyes turned to her the moment AJ walked into the ward room on board the Seaquest. She took a deep breath and walked to the empty seat.
"Alright," she said once she took her seat quickly taking note of everyone's name, "Lieutenant O'Neill is still unconscious and we are trying to discover the cause of his illness but," she said before anyone could say anything, "There is good news."
"Which is?" the man with a nametag that read Piccolo demanded.
"His temperature is returning to normal," AJ explained, "And the burn marks have stopped appearing. It seems that the theory this is telepathic may be correct."
"Is there a way to find out who is doing this to him?" Ford asked.
AJ grimaced, "I've sent a message to a friend of mine. I'm hoping he can use his abilities to trace the signal. Other than that there is the possibility that once Lieutenant O'Neill wakes up he will have some information that will be able to help."
"That's it?" the only woman demanded, "We have to wait?"
"Henderson," Oliver warned.
"I'm sorry, Captain but Tim isn't getting better," Henderson cried, "And all we have is maybes."
Oliver stood suddenly, "That's enough," he snapped, "Dr Munro is one of the best doctors there is. And she is doing everything she can to help."
Henderson sank back slightly in her seat at the reprimand.
"Look," AJ took over, "I know this is hard for you all. He is your friend and you want him to be well again instantly but there are no easy answers. We are doing everything we can and I will keep you up to date with his progress."
Oliver gave them a few moments to absorb this before snapping, "Dismissed."
AJ watched them leave before turning to Oliver, "That was fun."
"I'm sorry about that," he apologised, "Henderson was out of line."
"They're scared, Oliver," AJ reminded him, "He's their friend and he is sick with no explanation. It's understandable."
Oliver sighed, "There's something else I wanted to talk to you about, something I didn't want in O'Neill's file."
AJ leaned forward intrigued.
"You know he is one of the crew who went missing for ten years," Oliver explained, "Well I've been seeing signs of depression lately."
AJ grimaced, "How bad?"
"I don't think he's suicidal," Oliver continued, "But he has no real hope at the moment. His entire family were killed in the attack on Corral a year before he was returned to Earth and his closest friend onboard the ship didn't return with them."
"That's not good," AJ mused before tilting her head thoughtfully, "There's something else, isn't there?"
Oliver nodded, "I don't think my idea for helping him focus has really worked. And when I found him barely conscious he said something that worried me."
"Which was?"
"That he couldn't find Miguel."
AJ frowned, "Let me guess, his deceased friend."
Oliver nodded.
"Okay, I'd better get back," AJ gathered together her files and stood, "I'm doing everything I can, Oliver. Try not to worry too much."
It was cold.
He couldn't understand why it was so cold all of a sudden. The last thing he remembered was talking to Dagwood in the infirmary and he'd been really warm now though…
"Lieutenant?" a voice called to him, it sounded as though it was coming through water, "Lieutenant, open your eyes."
Tim tried to say something but all that came out was a soft moan.
"Lieutenant," the voice, he finally worked out it was a woman calling him, came again, "I know you're tired but I need you to open your eyes."
Tim sighed, he wanted to sleep some more but he liked her voice. It had a nice quality. The linguist in him could detect a few different tones that told him she'd travelled. It was commanding but comforting and Tim forced himself to try to open his eyes.
The light hurt but Tim managed to open his eyes finally and found a woman smiling down at him. She had blue-green eyes, pale skin and blonde hair that was pulled back from her face.
"Well hello, Lieutenant O'Neill," she smiled down at him, "How do you feel?"
"Tired," he forced out.
She smiled again, "I know. But I need you to try and stay awake for a little longer okay?"
"'Kay," he forced out before grimacing, "Cold."
She rested her hand on his shoulder, "I know. You've had a high fever and we've been using a cooling blanket to keep your temperature down. I'll remove it just now."
Tim shivered as the covers were removed, relieved when a new blanket was placed on him and he began to feel a little more comfortable.
"Okay," the woman said again, "I need to stay awake while we do some tests. Can you do that for me?"
Tim nodded wearily, "I'll try."
x
AJ checked the charts keeping an eye on her patient as he managed to sit up. The nurse brought him some water and AJ watched him. In the past few hours since he'd woken he had seemingly recovered. All tests were coming back normal which was just as confusing as the results they'd been getting when he got here.
"Doctor," he greeted her when she walked over to his bed, "When can I get out of here?"
"Excuse me?" AJ chuckled.
He frowned at her slightly, "I need to get back to the Seaquest. I have duties."
"Lieutenant," AJ stated firmly, "You have been extremely ill for the past few days. Your temperature was so high at one point you had a seizure and you have burn marks on your body that we have no idea where they came from. So, until I can work out where this came from and ensure it never happens again then you are not leaving."
"How long will that take?" he asked.
"Lieutenant," Oliver interrupted them, "I hope you're being a good patient and not giving Dr Munro any trouble."
AJ rolled her eyes at him, frowning at the way her patient jumped nervously at his Captain's presence.
"Oliver," she walked over to him, "No one could give me as much trouble as you did."
She caught O'Neill's confused look and gave him a quick wink.
"AJ, can I have a few minutes with Lieutenant O'Neill?" Oliver asked.
She nodded, "Just do not aggravate my patient or I will find an excuse for tests on your leg."
x
Oliver waited until AJ had left the room before turning to the man sitting on the bed looking uncomfortable.
"At ease, Lieutenant," Oliver told him drawing a chair to the side of the bed, "You're in your sick bed, I don't expect you to stand to attention."
"Sir, I am feeling much better," O'Neill told him, "I can return to my duties."
Oliver shook his head, "Until AJ…Dr Munro agrees then I'm afraid you're stuck here."
"Yes, sir."
"Lieutenant…Tim," Oliver saw the stunned look in the younger man's eyes at the use of his first name, "How much do you remember of when you were ill?"
O'Neill shook his head, "Not much. I remember going to bed then waking up in the infirmary."
Oliver hesitated, he didn't know if he should tell the younger man about what he'd said in the middle of a fevered dream. Finally he decided not to.
"Well you had us all worried," Oliver told him, hating the stunned look in O'Neill's eyes at that revelation, "Commander Ford and the rest are waiting to see you, do you feel up to it?"
"Yes, sir," he smiled.
"I'll let them in," Oliver nodded before walking out leaving O'Neill looking confused.
x
Jonathan smiled relieved to see Tim sitting up looking tired but much better than the last time he'd saw him.
"Commander," Tim greeted him with a slight smile.
"How do you feel, Tim?" Jonathan took the seat Hudson had just vacated.
Tim shrugged, "A lot better."
"Well you scared the hell out of us," Jonathan told him, "Dagwood especially. He's waiting outside with Tony keeping him from coming in while I'm here."
Tim frowned confused.
"Your doctor said only one visitor at a time," Jonathan clarified, "I pulled rank. I don't have long, Lonnie told me I only had five minutes before they were dragging me out so the others can check on you."
Tim looked slightly embarrassed, covering it by reaching for some water. Jonathan saw the angry burns on Tim's arm as his sleeve slid up when he reached out. He grimaced knowing that although his friend looked much better they still had no idea what had happened to him.
