Nightwalker - Chapter 2
Sheppard sat picking at his breakfast, worrying about how he ended up in Elizabeth's room without remembering going there. He had at least made it back to his quarters without running into too many people. He'd passed two soldiers and a scientist in the corridor and had hurried past them, pretending to be on a run. He had no idea if they noticed he was barefoot or not, he had just nodded and plowed on by them as fast as humanly possible.
"May I join you?"
Sheppard looked up and nodded at Elizabeth as she set her tray on the table beside his and slid into the seat next to him. He set his fork down, giving up the pretense of eating and downed the rest of his coffee.
"I see you made it back to your room unscathed."
"Yeah, I guess. I saw a couple of people, but I went by them pretty quickly, so I don't think they noticed anything."
"Have you given any more thought to why you might have been there? Was anything upsetting you when you went to bed?" She picked up her toast and took a bite as she watched and waited for his answer.
Sheppard rubbed his eyes. "I remember dreaming about you, that someone had you and I had to find you and get you back. I felt driven to protect you for some reason. Maybe I was still upset about what happened yesterday. I don't know, this is all so strange." He rubbed his face and ran his hand back through his hair.
"John, maybe you should talk to Kate."
Sheppard gave a humorless chuckle. "I wondered when you would suggest that. Look, I was just tired and still a little on edge. I'm sure it was just a one time thing." Sheppard grinned mischievously. "It's your fault, you know. You're always accusing me of acting like a child and I guess I just matched your expectations. Besides, you should lock your door at night."
Elizabeth squinted her eyes at him. "Oh, really? It just so happens my door was locked."
The clanking of trays on the table pulled their attention away and they glanced over to see McKay and Beckett sitting down across the table from them.
"What about the door locks?" asked McKay as he forked a bite of eggs.
When Elizabeth looked back at John, she could see him shaking his head ever so slightly, a frown wrinkling his forehead. "I, uh, think my door lock is broken. I thought I had locked it earlier, but then someone dropped by and came in before I could unlock it."
McKay nodded as he ate. "I'll teck it lather."
Carson rolled his eyes. "Rodney, don't talk with your mouth full. And people say they have a hard time understanding me."
McKay swallowed. "I said, I'll check it later. There, happy?" He shoved another bite in his mouth and chewed furiously.
Sheppard automatically pressed his left arm against his ribcage to brace the muscles as he stood up. "See you guys later. I have a run with Ronon in a bit and I don't want to keep him waiting. A cranky Ronon is not a happy Ronon and that doesn't make for a happy me either." He smiled as he picked up his tray.
"Colonel, don't be overdoing it while those ribs are healing. I'm not sure a run is such a good idea," Carson warned.
"It's okay, Doc, I'll be careful. I already warned Ronon it might be more of a light jog than a run and that I probably wouldn't make it very far. I'll quit if they start hurting."
Beckett didn't look convinced, but he conceded anyway. "All right, but I want you to check with me when you're done so I can make sure you haven't made it any worse."
Sheppard sighed. "Doc, is that really necessary? I'm just running, not fighting."
Becket waved his fork at Sheppard and used his best lecturing tone of voice. "Aye, it is necessary or you'll be occupying a bed in the infirmary for the next few days where I can keep an eye on you."
Sheppard saluted the doctor. "Yes, sir. I'll report as soon as we're finished, sir."
Beckett smiled smugly. "Now, lad, that's more like it. Cooperation goes a long way in my book. I'll be watching for you."
Sheppard just shook his head as he carted his tray away. Beckett then pointed his fork at Elizabeth. "Now, where's your sling?"
oOo
Sheppard popped two ibuprofen tablets in his mouth and washed them down with some water. Then he crawled slowly into bed and pulled up the covers. He was dead tired and his ribs ached and his head hurt. He'd had his run with Ronon and pushed himself a lot harder than he'd intended. Beckett had lectured him for a good twenty minutes, calling him several things he'd never heard of and accusing him of being a "bloody fool" three or four times. He'd been shocked when the doctor gave him a small bottle of ibuprofen instead of a set of scrubs. Promising to be good, at which point Beckett had snorted rather loudly, he made a quick getaway before the good Doc changed his mind and slapped him in a bed. He'd managed to piddle the rest of the day away helping Rodney turn on a few things in the lab, checking on his men, and helping with the puddle jumper maintenance. He was purposely trying to exhaust himself so he'd sleep through the night.
And he was most definitely exhausted. He closed his eyes and tried to relax, but he kept thinking about ending up in Elizabeth's room. He had wondered all day if anyone saw him roaming the hall in his boxers, but since he hadn't heard any snickering behind his back and no one had come to lock him in the loony bin, he thought maybe he'd gotten lucky. Not taking any chances, he was sleeping in a pair of light running pants and T-shirt tonight. If he started walking around in his sleep, at least he wouldn't shock anyone this time.
By four a.m., he gave up. He'd tossed and turned all night and he was now even more tired than when he went to bed. He'd actually dozed off a few times, but always jerked awake almost immediately. He was too wound up, too afraid of sleepwalking again. He just couldn't shut down long enough to fall asleep. He climbed out of bed and went for a long jog to the outer edges of the city.
Two hours later, he hit the showers, letting the hot water wash away the sweat and loosen his tightening muscles. When he was dressed, it was time to go to the mess hall and find some coffee. He was sipping the cup of java, letting the steam rise up and warm his face, when Elizabeth sat down next to him.
"John, I need a favor."
Sheppard opened his eyes and glanced over at her. "Ask away."
Elizabeth gaped at him for minute, taking in the dull eyes, drooping eyelids, and lines of exhaustion. "Did you sleep at all last night?"
Sheppard looked back down into his coffee. "Sleep's overrated," he said defensively.
"John – "
"Look, it's no big deal. Let's not blow this out of proportion. I was a little freaked out about what happened and I couldn't relax last night. I was afraid it might happen again. I'll be tired enough to sleep tonight, okay?"
Elizabeth took a deep breath. Part of her wanted to say that no, that wasn't okay and maybe he needed to see Carson or Kate about it. But part of her realized that he could very well be right and she would have created a fuss and embarrassed him for nothing. She tried to place it in the right perspective. It was just sleepwalking, after all and he wasn't hurting anyone.
"All right, John. I'll drop it."
"Good. Now, what was that favor you needed?"
Elizabeth hesitated, not so sure he was up to what she needed. He sensed her uncertainty and moved to dispel it.
"Elizabeth, just ask already."
She sighed and gave in completely. "The Athosians have found some new possible food plants in the forest around their camp on the mainland. I'm sending some of the botanists over to collect samples for testing. Teyla and Ronon are going along to help and so Teyla can spend some time with her people. Anyway, they need someone to give them a lift and since you're on light duty, I thought maybe you could do it. It would give you a chance to visit Halling and Jinto as well."
Sheppard nodded. He was always happy for a chance to fly and a nice, quiet visit to the mainland sounded like just what he needed to help him relax. "How long are they staying?"
"They want to stay overnight and come back some time tomorrow. Teyla says they have several extra tents they keep set up for when our people visit, so you'll have a place to stay."
"Okay, sounds good. When do we leave?"
Elizabeth smiled, relieved to have found a pilot and happy it would give John a chance to get away for a while. She knew he needed it, even if he was unwilling to admit it. "They want to leave about ten. Oh, I contacted Carson. He said check with him before you leave, but he thinks it will be okay."
"Okay. Guess I'd better go throw some clothes in a bag and check on my jumper."
She watched him leave and hoped he could stay awake long enough to make the flight. Maybe she would clue Teyla in on his lack of sleep so she could poke him if he dozed off at the controls.
oOo
Not only did Sheppard not go to sleep at the controls, but he actually felt sort of energized by the time the jumper took off for the mainland. He had two days of hanging around with Halling and Jinto and taking advantage of the slower pace of the Athosian people to look forward to. He hadn't realized how tense he had become lately until he began to loosen up at the thought of relaxing. Maybe this was just what he needed to solve his problem. He'd even managed to help Rodney in the lab for almost an hour before they left, so he didn't have to feel like he was shirking his duties. Beckett had ordered him not to go plant collecting with the others, but to stay around the settlement and rest and, for once, he intended to follow doctor's orders.
oOo
As darkness began to settle across the land, the Athosians prepared a large evening meal for everyone in honor of their visitors. Sheppard noticed several new dishes that he had not tasted before. As he reached for one, Teyla put her hand on his arm.
"Colonel, do you like your food . . . spicy? I believe that is the correct term."
Sheppard nodded. "Yeah, I like spicy food sometimes. Is this stuff hot?"
Teyla nodded. "It is an old dish, that has been prepared for many generations, but it is only for those with a very strong stomach."
Sheppard dipped up a spoonful, but not as much as he had intended. "Thanks for the warning. I think I'll try a little though. I've eaten some pretty strange and spicy stuff from all the weird places I've been." He tentatively put a small bit in his mouth and began chewing.
"Hey this is pretty good." He smiled and nodded to Teyla as he scooped up another bite.
"Be careful, Colonel. It is very . . . sneaky."
Sheppard had eaten almost all of it when his mouth and esophagus suddenly erupted into flames. He grabbed his cup so fast, he almost knocked it over and downed the whole thing in just a few seconds. He then grabbed Ronon's cup and emptied it as well. Gasping and panting, he fanned his open mouth as Teyla grinned and Ronon looked like he might smack him.
"Sheppard, you just drank my water."
"Sorry . . . Ronon . . . mouth . . . on fire."
Ronon grunted and looked around him to Teyla. "Didn't you warn him?"
Teyla arched one eyebrow as a warning not to question her in such a way. "I did. He chose to eat some anyway."
Ronon grunted again as he watched Sheppard. "It figures."
Sheppard would have defended himself, but he was still fanning his flaming taste buds, pretty sure he wouldn't be tasting anything for a very long time.
As the evening wore on, the team from Atlantis ended up in chairs around a fire just outside their tents, talking about the activities of the day. They were all relaxed, enjoying the cool night air and the stars above them. Teyla looked around the group until her gaze fell on Sheppard. He was leaned back in his chair with one hand on his stomach and a distinct grimace on his face. She got up and walked over to stand next to him.
"Colonel, are you all right?"
Sheppard groaned softly under his breath as he rubbed his stomach. "I don't think supper is agreeing with my stomach. I feel like there's a volcano erupting in there."
"Maybe you should go lie down."
"No, I can't lie down now, not until this stuff settles a little and quits rolling around quite so . . . " Sheppard looked pained and then suddenly stood up, making his way quickly to the edge of the forest several yards away. He stepped just beyond the treeline, out of their line of sight.
"Where's he going?" asked Ronon.
"His stomach was bothering him," responded Teyla, watching the trees for Sheppard.
After a few minutes, Ronon squinted in the direction the colonel had gone, but saw nothing. "You think I should go check on him?"
Just then, Sheppard emerged from the trees and walked gingerly back to the group around the fire, his left arm pressed carefully against his side. By now, the talking had died down and everyone was looking at him.
"Feel better?" asked Ronon, handing Sheppard a bottle of water.
Sheppard rinsed his mouth and then drank several sips of water, slowly and carefully. "Yeah, actually I do. I think I'm going to turn in now, so I don't go to sleep standing up." He headed toward the tent as the others said good night. Sheppard pulled his boots off and eased himself back on the cot, his ribs burning from the effort of emptying his stomach. He was so tired, he didn't even remember his head hitting the pillow.
oOo
Teyla sat up abruptly, listening for the sound that had awakened her. Someone was moving around outside the tent. She slipped out of the bed and eased over to the door of the tent, peering out into the darkness. She saw a lone figure, walking quietly a few yards from the tents. Slipping outside, she saw Ronon standing at the door of the men's tent and she quietly made her way over to him.
"It's Sheppard," he said before she could ask.
"What is he doing?" she whispered.
"I don't know. He got up several minutes ago and he's just been walking around out here ever since."
Teyla frowned and shook her head. "This is not like him. Perhaps he is ill again. Why did you not ask him where he was going when he left?"
"I did. He didn't answer. Guess he didn't hear me."
Teyla sighed, wondering why men didn't have more sense. She marveled at how large groups of only men warriors ever survived, because they had no idea how to take care of one another. "I'll check on him."
Ronon shrugged his shoulders, not understanding what the big deal was. "Suit yourself." He turned and went back into his tent. If Sheppard wanted to roam around outside all night, who was he to stop him?
Teyla walked up to Sheppard, careful to make a little noise so she wouldn't startle him. She was rather surprised to see he was barefoot. "Colonel Sheppard, are you all right?"
Sheppard continued walking as if he hadn't heard her. She quickened her pace and called to him again, but still no answer. Becoming frustrated, she hurried and stood right in front of him, holding her hands out to catch his shoulders so he wouldn't run over her.
"Colonel Sheppard!" She jostled him as he literally ran into her outstretched arms. His eyes were open, but he didn't seem to see her until they collided. Sheppard then rubbed his face and shook his head, looking a little dazed and a lot confused.
"Colonel Sheppard, are you okay? Maybe I should contact Atlantis and get Dr. Beckett."
Sheppard looked around a few seconds, trying to figure out where he was. "No, don't call Beckett, I'm okay." His gut tightened as he realized he'd been walking in his sleep again. Crap, this was getting out of hand.
"Colonel, what are you doing out here?"
Sheppard tried to grin, but he was glad the darkness hid what he was sure was a pitiful attempt. "I, uh, just needed to get some air."
Teyla eyed him for a few seconds before she said anything. "How long have you been a nightwalker?"
"A . . . a what?" Sheppard stammered.
"Perhaps we should sit and talk, Colonel."
Sheppard sighed deeply. He never could lie to Teyla, she could read him like a book. He rubbed his hand across his eyes and then dropped his arm to his side. "Okay."
Teyla led him away from the tents, to a little clearing with some logs and stumps. They sat side by side on one of the fallen logs. Teyla placed a hand reassuringly on his leg. "Sometimes my people experience nightwalking. They get up in their sleep and walk around their dwelling and sometimes even outside their dwelling. They are asleep, so they are unaware of what they are doing. Sometimes they awaken in a strange place and do not remember how they got there. It occurs more in children, but it may also happen in adults as well."
Sheppard looked at the ground as he listened. After a few seconds of silence, he answered Teyla's question. "We call it sleepwalking. I did it a few times when I was twelve, but not since til the other night. Then . . . night before last, out of the blue, I did it again. This makes twice now and I have no idea what's going on."
"You are worried."
"Yeah, I'm worried. I can't go on missions like this, take a chance on giving away our position to the Wraith or the Genii by taking a midnight stroll in my sleep. I don't know what's wrong with me."
Teyla thought for a few minutes. "We had a man who nightwalked every time he ate this one dish for supper. It was very strong, much like what you ate tonight. He loved it, even though it made him nightwalk. He would get his wife to make it for him sometimes." Teyla smiled broadly. "Then, one day she quit making it for him. It seems he wandered into the woods when he was nightwalking and she couldn't find him. He awoke the next day and it took him most of the morning to walk back to his home. She was afraid he had wandered off a cliff or been attacked by an animal. It scared her so badly, she refused to ever make it for him again and he never nightwalked again."
Sheppard looked at her hopefully. "So, you think that hot stuff I ate earlier tonight might have caused it?"
Teyla shrugged. "I think it is possible."
Sheppard took a deep breath and blew it out. "Well, I won't be eating that stuff any more, that's for sure. And the other night I was really worried about Elizabeth after that deal with the Tellurians. Okay, maybe I'm not losing my mind after all."
"Colonel Sheppard, I do not think you're losing your mind, no matter what the reason for the nightwalking. You will figure it out and deal with it, of that I am certain."
Sheppard rubbed the back of his neck. "Yeah . . . I just wish I was as certain as you are."
Teyla patted his arm. "Right now you need to rest. Dr. Weir said you did not sleep well last night, so I know you are tired."
"Yeah, I guess I am. I just wish I could tie myself to the bed so I don't go wandering again."
"I have never known of anyone to walk twice in one night. I think it will be safe for you to sleep." She was glad to see Sheppard seemed relieved over that.
"Okay, well, let's get back to bed then. Thanks. And Teyla, I'd just as soon not tell a lot of people about this."
Teyla nodded. "I understand, Colonel. Ronon saw that you were up, but I do not believe he knew you were nightwalking."
Sheppard nodded. "Okay, thanks." They stood up and walked back to their tents to salvage the last few hours of the night. Sheppard wasn't sure if he wanted to go to sleep or not. He was equal parts exhausted and afraid and this was getting old in a hurry.
TBC
