Food Chain by Daryl Ann
Chapter 2: A little help from his friends
Pain.
Burning and unrelenting.
Neurons fired in protest as the toxin invaded. Cells screamed for reprieve.
Ronon returned to consciousness abruptly yet was completely unable to relieve his misery through movement of any kind. He was normally able to conquer even the most agonizing pain through mental focus and physical distraction. Dealing with pain was usually a combined matter of fortitude paired with shifting of his weight, pacing, flexing, kneading, punching, running...anything but lying perfectly still in a position chosen by others. His current state of immmobility undermined his mental focus and his strong mind's ability to phase out the torture.
The feral growl trapped deep in his chest remained prisoner of the toxin's insidious effects. The powerful Satedan warrior was unable to utter a single syllable, yet he could hear,smell, think, and feel.
He felt very little, however, beyond the electric agony thrumming through his system, keeping time with his erratically beating heart.
The sounds and smells of the infirmary distracted him fractionally from his torment. He recognized the unmistakable tang of disinfectant, sounds of hushed conversations, the whooshing of the ventilator as it fed him vital oxygen, and the constant yet erratic beeping of the heart monitor as it alerted Carson Beckett to his changing cardiac status.
"What the hell is going on Carson? It's been hours! Shouldn't there be some improvement by now?"
That would be McKay.
Ronon strained to hear the conversation as the doctor ushered Rodney to the far side of the room where his other teammates were quietly discussing what had gone so horribly wrong on this seemingly straight forward mission.
Carson exhaled tiredly as he addressed the small group to explain what he knew thus far about their friend's conditon.
Ronon had been placed on life support, unable to breathe on his own. His heart rate initially had become frighteningly slow. The bradychardia had been counteracted medically, only to give way to a faster more irregular rhythm.
Bloodwork revealed an unknown chemical substance, unable to be identified by any earthly standard. Similar in some ways to the sting of a jellyfish, yet not quite. It appeared that without some sort of antivenom, Ronon stood little chance of winning the unrelenting battle with the depressive nature of the poison. Circulatory and cellular damage was a real concern.
The intent of the poison was to render its victim motionless and able to be easily absorbed over long periods of time by the predatory plantlife of the forrested planet. Ronon in all probability would not survive long enough for the toxin to clear his system.
Dr. Beckett encouraged Colonel Sheppard, Teyla , and Rodney to talk to their fallen teammate, unsure if he would hear them , but optimistic.
Sheppard stepped forward as his face reflected the worry and fear the whole team felt at seeing their strongest member unable to breathe or open his eyes.
The constant rhythm of the respirator accentuated Ronon's state of dependence and absolute vulnerability. Both were concepts John found as difficult to associate with the big Satedan as serenity and grace would be used to describe Rodney McKay. It was, just, so...unnatural.
"C'mon, buddy...you can fight this! Beckett's gonna figure out how to help, and we're all here. We're not leavin' . "
Sheppard. ..no, just leave me.
The heart monitor picked up cadence as the Colonel's last words were spoken.
"...And before you even think it...you don't need to go and pull that macho crap with us. If you were able to, I know you'd tell us to leave. Well,that's not gonna happen! It's us, Ronon. We don't leave anyone behind. You're stuck with us, and until we get you back...you'll just have to adjust to the fact that we're gonna help you through this. You hang in there. You're not gonna let some flower get the best of you..."
Realizing his frustration with the entire situation was getting the better of him, he added with a lighter tone ..."if you need me to, I'll make it an order."
Sheppard knew without a doubt that relying on others for every nuance of survival did not set well with Ronon Dex. He would need to pull rank.
"We've got your back Ronon, you can count on every one of us. That's an order."
The monitor tattled out a quick but more even heart rate as several minutes passed without the previous manic staccato beat.
Teyla reached for Ronon's hand without hesitation as Rodney nervously moved closer to the bed.
A new sensation, that of warmth and gentle pressure on his hand battled with the vibrating electric torment throughout his body.
Teyla.
Ronon willed himself to concentrate on the presence of his teammates and friends as a distraction from the pain.
After all, it had been a direct order.
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Teyla remained at Ronon's side for several hours as the others left for coffee and food. They returned to find her gently caressing the same hand as she continued to speak in hushed tones to the only patient in the ICU section of the infirmary.
"...and then, as I attempted to make it past my father with the frightened animal, he discovered it hidden under my coat."
"Stories from your childhood, Teyla?... Here, I brought you some coffee...thought you might like a break. I'll stay for awhile if you'd like to stretch your legs a bit, maybe rest or get something to eat."
"Thank you John, I have already given Ronon the details of our discovery of the poisonous plants and our return to the stargate. I have stopped talking several times and released his hand, but he seems to become... upset. The heart monitor speeds up each time and Carson believes he is becoming agitated. I am running out of things to say."
Rodney, who had entered the infirmary just behind John had remained uncharacteristically quiet in his concern.
He pulled up a chair next to Teyla's as he said "You could sing something."
"Well, I ..."
"I know he would like it. I've heard you sing. It would be...umm...soothing."
"Thank you, Rodney... I will consider..."
"CARSON!" John's voiced resonated off the walls of the infirmary as it was joined by the heart monitor's shrill alarm. "We need help in here!!"
He had been watching the steady mesmerizing blip on the monitor as it made its way across the screen when it suddenly and without warning...stopped.
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"Clear!"
"Again!"
"Clear!
"We have him back."
Carson dared to exhale as he began to delegate post defibrillation care to his support staff. Ronon's heart was continuing to succumb to the effects of the poison.
Addressing the small group of concerned friends, he invited them into his office.
"I had hoped that his body would eliminate the toxin given the life support and medication to offset its effects."
"But... " Sheppard prodded.
"But it's not gonna work.", interrupted Rodney. "It's not gonna work because he doesn't have that kind of time!"
"Aye", Carson admitted. "As it is, his organs are startin' to fail. His heart is workin' hard, but the meds can't keep up.
"Can't you just give him some antivenom or something?"
"I would love to Colonel, but there are none known that will counteract this specific venom. I would need a suitable sample of actual poison from the thorns in order to manufacture it."
"We will obtain a sample as soon as possible then."
"Teyla, I don't think..."
"I am going, John. Ronon needs this, and I am perfectly capable of ..."
"Okay, okay! Just...Someone needs to stay in case Ronon wakes up. He seemed to respond really well to your company, but I'm sure Rodney would rather stay here than go back to that 'Little Shop of Horrors'.
"So that's it? You and Teyla go? Pardon me Colonel, but I don't think stick-fighting prowess and sharpshooting are prerequisites for picking up an 'Audrey Jr.' and getting it back here to save Ronon. I say we draw straws to see who stays and who goes."
"McKay, I'm just amazed you'd go back there, you know...so... willingly.
"Umm, yeah,...well...Ronon's my friend too," Rodney responded crossing his arms defiantly.
"Yeah, Carson told me...You're buds."
"All joking aside Sheppard, I want to do what I can to help. He's saved my life... more than once. I'd like to return the favor."
Understanding graced Colonel Sheppard's features as he gathered three pencils of different lengths.
"Short straw stays behind." Sheppard held out his hand first to Teyla. "Ladies first."
TBC...
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A/N: Any medical 'yeah, right' moments due to a special blenderized concoction of fact and fiction...hope it isn't too much of a stretch.
Thanks for reading!... :o) DA