Summary: Sheppard has a run of bad luck or is it something more sinister? Shep whump with team and Carson.
Warnings:- Some violence and bad language.
Disclaimer:- SGA isn't mine, if it was it would be on its 6th Season by now.
THE ENEMY WITHIN
CHAPTER 4
Beckett wasn't happy to release Sheppard from the Infirmary. While it was true that the Colonel didn't have a concussion he was still trying to hide the fact that he still had a headache plus during the 24 hour period since the fall, Sheppard had developed some impressive looking bruises along the length and breadth of his back. Carson's gut instinct was to relieve John from duty for a few days but then the word came in that Major Lorne's team was over 5 hours late returning from a mission.
After discussing the situation with Dr Kellar they were realistic enough to know that with his 2IC missing, Sheppard was the only person in Atlantis with enough experience who could organise a rescue mission. Therefore a compromise was reached, John would be placed on Limited Duty until after the mission with strict instructions that although he could go off world to assess the situation and if need be negotiate a release, he was in no way allowed to become involved in armed combat.
Sheppard glared at the two medics from bed, he really wasn't happy about being kept out of the loop for so long but John knew that he was between a rock and a hard place as Kellar was CMO of Atlantis and had the authority to take him off duty for as long as she deemed necessary. Therefore if John was to be allowed to rescue Lorne and his men he had no choice but to agree to their terms.
If Sheppard was honest with himself he really wasn't in great shape right now as his head still ached from the stitches and as for his back, well... it only hurt when he moved...Carson handed John his uniform along with some Tylenol to take the edge off the pain with instructions that upon his return to Atlantis there would be something stronger waiting for him in his quarters.
Major Lornes mission to Listem had gone down hill way too fast. From what was supposed to be an initial "meet & greet" to assess possible trading links with the good people there it had ended with Lorne and his men having been tied up and placed in cages around the water fountain in the town square.
Sheppard arrived in a cloaked jumper with 4 marines, Ronon and Teyla but another cloaked jumper with a similar compliment was kept in the air just in case a diplomatic solution couldn't be found. Listem was similar to many towns here in the Pegasus Galaxy as it had stone buildings on either side of the street separated by a narrow cobbled road, however in this town there was also a water fountain in the middle. Sheppard was angry when he seen his men trussed up and sitting in cages just like turkeys waiting for Christmas. From what John could see apart from a few bruises everyone looked okay but if he was to get his men back home and resolve this situation without bloodshed Sheppard knew that he would need to be diplomatic. So putting on his best poker face Sheppard stood up straight and looked the Mayor straight in the eye. First order of business was to insist that he be allowed to speak to Lorne to find out what happened to get him into this mess.
As Sheppard approached Major Lorne he could tell that the man looked really pissed.
"I'm really sorry Colonel Sheppard to have dragged you all the way out here for what is really a misunderstanding"
Sheppard could fully identify with that – he had been a victim of a few misunderstandings himself since coming to the Pegasus Galaxy " Look Major, just tell me what happened so that I can try to get this sorted out"
Lorne winced as he shuffled in the small cage
"The trading negotiations had gone well. In return for fruit and grain Atlantis was to supply medical aid and advice on irrigation to improve the yield of their crops. I was just giving the order to head back when we were invited to share a meal with the Mayor and the council of elders to consolidate our trading agreement. I know how Mr Woolsey feels about keeping good diplomatic relations with our trading partners so I didn't feel that I could refuse (John nodded agreement) During the meal a young woman sat down next to me and well – theres no easy way to say this Sir – she put her hand on my leg! I tried to move away so as not to insult the young woman but suddenly all hell broke loose. To cut a long story short, It turned out that on this planet part of the negotiation process involves marrying a daughter from a Council member so that you become part of their extended "family". The way the Mayor put it to me if I refused to marry one of their own we were not a trust worthy people to trade with and must be considered deviants. My men saw me being backed into a corner and tried to stop it but then we were surrounded by guards. Look Colonel, I know that we could have taken them down in a heart beat but the place was full of family's with kids and I didn't want anyone hurt so I told my men to stand down."
If the situation wasn't so serious Sheppard would have smiled but Lorne and his men looked beat and it was his job to get this problem sorted out and get them safely home to Atlantis.
"Look Major you did the right thing. Leave it with me, I have an idea and if it works hopefully you'll all be home for lunch"
Sheppard may not have Woolsey's skills but he'd certainly learned a few tricks over the years. So approaching the stern looking Mayor John gave him a serious look of his own and the two men headed inside the council chambers set on a elevated position at the top of the street.. Within the hour a surprised Lorne and his team had been released from their bonds, helped out of the cages with many apologies from the same guards who had put them there and the entire Atlantis contingent were walking out of the town toward the jumpers and home.
Major Lorne had liked and respected Colonel Sheppard from the first moment they'd met. His COs leadership style may seen laid back but belied the fact that Sheppard was very serious about his role as Military Leader of Atlantis. John Sheppard was a man who wouldn't ask anyone to do what he wouldn't be willing to do himself and he really cared about the welfare of the entire Atlantis expedition, civilians and Military alike. However up till now Lorne hadn't figured his boss for being the most diplomatic guy in the galaxy so he was curious to know how Sheppard had got them out of this mess so quickly...
Rubbing his abraded wrists Lorne walked up to his CO " I want to thank you Colonel for getting us out of this mess but can I ask what exactly you said to the Mayor?"
Sheppard struggled to keep a straight face " Well its like this Major, I simply told the Mayor that you were too lowly a rank to become connected to their family..I explained that your visit was to start initial negotiations but that you didn't really have authority to consolidate the agreement as that was my job as Military Leader. After that I advised the Council that although you may have acted without my authority it was still with the best of intentions and that I was "displeased" with the way that my men had been treated. Its possible I may have hinted that as Military CO I would return to trade at a later date and for some reason he couldn't release you quickly enough after that... However as to future trade agreements, I think we'll get our fruit and grain elsewhere - what do you think?"
Lorne shook his head and smiled " I think Sir, that I don't ever want to play poker with you!"
With the initial adrenaline rush gone John was starting to feel every ache and pain in his abused back. Note to self – falling on a marble floor wearing a keflar vest – was not to be recommended....All he wanted now was to get back to his quarters, stand in a hot shower and then fall into bed with some of Beckett's good drugs.
Sheppard didn't know how he managed to fly the jumper home but getting out of the chair was a different matter. Ronon knew that John didn't like to share his pain with anyone - not even his team – but he guessed that his friend might just appreciate some help so Ronon waited until it was just him and Sheppard left alone in the jumper and offered his hand..
John looked up at his team mate "So, I look that bad do I?"
Ronon gave his CO a boost out of the chair and Sheppard groaned "Yup..Beckett said you had to go straight to your quarters"
Sheppard, tried and failed to completely straighten up "For once you'll get no argument from me"
It seemed like an eternity but eventually John made it inside and saw a sandwich, bottle of water, two pills and a note....
"Colonel Sheppard, this is to inform you that you are now off duty for the next 48 hours. Please obey the following instructions to the letter:-
1. Take a hot shower
2. Eat the sandwich – I will check for evidence of this later!
3. There are gel packs in the fridge - I'm sure a smart man like you will know what to do with them
4. Take both pills - they are strong painkillers for the pain that you "don't" have
I'll be in to check on you later.
If you don't follow the above, I will find out as I have spies everywhere...
Regards
Dr Carson Beckett MD – ( Despite what Rodney thinks, I didn't get my medical degree from the Internet!)"
Who would have guessed that Beckett had a sense of humour....Anyway, John was sore and beat and for once happy to comply – except for the sandwich – the pain had taken away his appetite but he did manage to choke most of it down..When he finally lay down it didn't feel as good as it should have, as every position he took felt sore but eventually John could feel his head go fuzzy as Beckett's good drugs started to take effect and a deep healing sleep quickly followed.
Rodney decided to make sure that Sheppard was okay. Ronon and Teyla had been worried about him so as Rodney could override every door in Atlantis he was the one delegated to check on their CO. As he walked down the corridor to John's quarters McKay noticed that the air was hazy and he could feel smoke catch his throat. Rodney coughed as suddenly he realised that there had been a fire and noticed two marines using extinguishers to put it out.
Why hadn't the alarm gone off? – Atlantis had protocols for dealing with outbreaks of fire, including locking down sections of the city if necessary. But he hadn't heard anything to indicate there was a problem.. " Dr McKay to control – did you guys know that there was a fire in corridor A9?"
Mr Woolsey answered " Good evening Dr McKay, yes but we have only just found out ourselves, it appears that the sensors in that area had gone off line, if it wasn't for a routine security sweep the fire could have become quite serious. I have initiated an investigation into the incident"
All of a sudden Rodney realised that Sheppard's quarters were only a few feet away! Running as fast as he could McKay banged on the door – no answer – This was not a time for privacy so moving the crystals on the frame opened the door to reveal the room was so thick with smoke that it was hard to see if there was anyone inside...
Frantic, Rodney called out " Sheppard! - John are you in there?"
As the smoke started to clear McKay worst fears were realised – Sheppard was lying still on the bed.
Calling to the Marines "Quick I need some help here!"
Rodney covered his face with his hand and ran into room. Sheppard face was covered with soot and his pulse was weak and thready. Within minutes they had dragged him out into the corridor but his friend looked as though he could be dead..
Quickly touching his radio Rodney called out" I need a Medical team to Colonel Sheppard's quarters – and hurry!"
Thanks for the reviews – please keep them coming as I like to know what you think about the story so far..
Next update will be on 3rd Jan - hope that you all have a good New Year and that 2010 brings you everything you wish for yourself!
