The Experiment

Disclaimer: I don't own anything.

Pairing: This is a friendship story, mostly Sheppard, McKay, Beckett

Spoilers for Phantoms since this is a tag : )

Thank you all wonderful people who read and reviewed : )

Anyway here we go...

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Daedalus Infirmary

Beckett called on the nurse who quickly handed him a set of needles.

"I am going to take all the tests that I can for now but that's all I can do." He sighed

"Without having the ancient's technology I have no way of knowing what it is since this substance is not known on earth." The Doctor said sadly watching his pale patient.

Teyla had moved over and was gently cooling the Colonel's forehead with a cloth.

Ronon banged his fist against the nearest solid object causing McKay to jump from his bed. "Hey take it easy would you!" He glared at the Satedan.

"Caldwell to the infirmary."

"This is Beckett go ahead."

"Beckett we are pushing the engines but it will only buy us another hour."

"Is that the best you can do!"

"Believe me McKay I am doing the best I can!"

Rodney threw his hands up in a gesture of helplessness. "I apologise".

"Hey...McKay...everyone can't be geniuses." Sheppard opened his eyes momentarily.

"Oh on the land of the living now, how nice of you to return."

Teyla leaned over Sheppard whispering in his ear.

"He is trying not to let his worry show." She smiled.

"Yeah...he is very touching." The Colonel returned dryly.

"I need my computer!" Rodney shouted and started to climb of the bed.

"Hey hey, Rodney I warn you!"

"Not now Carson I am trying to be heroic here."

"Fine stay where you are and I will get it for you."

"Excellent, while down on the planet I managed to take some readings and, it's just a thought here but at least the structure will be recorded."

"Forgive me but how does this help the Colonel?"

"I realise why you are practising medicine."

"Well thank you, now stop bickering and enlighten me." Carson was annoyed.

Beep, beeeeep.

"Doctor Beckett! He is not breathing!" The nurse shouted.

"Damn it Colonel don't do this to me!"

"Teyla help me begin CPR!"

"Come on Sheppard!"

"You have to make it otherwise I am personally going to kill you!" Ronon threatened.

"Nurse I need 10 mg quick!"

"Thank you!"

"Carson I think he is breathing again." Teyla said out of breath.

Ronon smiled. "He heard me."

"I hope you didn't mean it literally Ronon." Carson gave him the Doctor look.

"I...uh...we have got a problem here." Rodney swallowed.

"What?" Ronon moved over.

"This is very complex..."

"Well now is great idea to skip ahead and get to the point, Rodney." Carson said while checking the Colonel's pulse.

"Yes well remember the waves that were transmitted?"

"The ones that caused us to see things that weren't there?" Teyla asked.

"Yes right on the spot. The generator seems to have other functions as well."

"Such as?"

"I am not sure it is a desired function but...It is likely it killed the Wraith."

"Of course it did Rodney, we all saw them dead!"

"That's not what I meant Carson. They managed to create a machine that would kill anyone close enough to shut it down by the substance in it's circuitry."

"Wait just a minute why didn't it try to kill you?"

"It was perforated by the Genii bullets! Most of the fluid was gone."

"But when Sheppard moved the inner circuit to shut it down..." Ronon theorised.

"I am afraid that all this isn't going to help unless you specifically tell me what kind of toxin it is." Carson said.

"John?"

"John it's all right you are safe we are almost home." Teyla gently stroke his hair out of his face.

"So tired."

"Yes I know but it's going to get better."

Carson moved over. "Aye you need to save your strength son."

Sheppard nodded weakly.

"We got to get back there!"

"I agree with McKay." Ronon said.

"You two are not fit for gate travel besides the gate is not operational."

"It will be we just need to dial from Atlantis and keep an open stable wormhole...ow."

"See what I mean. And forgive me for being stupid but if that's the case why didn't we just go through?"

"Ah it's all Zelenka's fault. He is running a check on the systems."

"Carson he is not getting any better." Teyla said concerned.

"I know love." Carson said quietly. "I know love."

He smiled as to reassure her that John would be fine like he always did but Carson was not so sure this time. In fact he was afraid that this time he was going to lose him.

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TBC

There you go...uh...another chapter (smiles proudly)

Well can't leave it like this so another chapter should be on the way.