John was tossing in his bed. Lips moving in incoherent mumble, his hands gripping the sheets tight. His breathing was fast and he was unnaturally pale. Drops of sweat were forming on his skin. Teyla placed a wet cloth on his forehead and gently brushed some strands of that jet-black hair out of his face. His skin seemed to radiate heat and he felt even hotter than when he had been brought in. Absently she noticed that even Ronon seemed concerned as he watched the Colonel sleep.

"Dr. Beckett? I think John's fever is still rising."

The Doctor, who had been taking notes on another patient, stepped over. He placed a hand on the patient's forehead and frowned. "Ya, right. His temperature is still rising. But don't you worry, lad. It might has to get worse before it gets better." He gave her a calming smile.

"It might has to get worse? What kind of explanation is that. Medicine after all is still voodoo." Unnoticed Rodney had appeared behind the doctor. Carson, knowing that the scientist's ranting was in fact concern, put a reassuring hand on his shoulder.

"It's alright, Rodney. The Colonel is tough. He`ll be right as rain in no time." The doctor left the team to check on his other patients. Rodney started pacing in front of the bed. After watching the restless scientist for several minutes, Teyla gently padded the chair next to her. "Rodney, please sit down. We should trust Doctor Beckett as he has a vast experience in treating patients.

Rodney stopped and turned towards her. "I do trust him, but what is it with medicine? Why can't he just give Sheppard some wonder pill to make the fever go down. He was completely fine earlier and now… well look at him." He gestured towards the pilot.

John eyes were tightly shut as in pain, but his eyes moved vividly beneath the lids. He was panting. As he turned his head the cloth slipped from his forehead. Quickly Teyla replaced the already warm towel with a fresh one.

Rodney had stepped up to the bed and was watching his friend's restless sleep from the end of the bed.

"I wasn't even there to help him." he mumbled and started pacing again. He had to stop as Teyla stood in front of him, hands placed on both his arms.

"Rodney, this is not your fault. How were you supposed to know that John was not feeling well? You know that he can be rather stubborn on these issues."

"I don't know I just feel like… like I should have been there." There was guilt in his eyes. "He would have come for me."

"You did not let him down, Rodney. He must have been in pain before but did not want us to notice. He just…"

"He is a warrior. He doesn't like to show weakness." Ronon said with his eyes still on Sheppard.

"Right", Teyla nodded and smiled at Rodney.

She returned to John's side and took his hand in hers, gently stroking it. Rodney sat down next to her and managed to stay quiet for about five minutes.

Suddenly John's hand jerked lightly. He frowned, and a quit moan escaped him.

"I think he is waking up", Teyla said. McKay slipped closer and leaned forward. "Sheppard? Can you hear us?"

John eyelids twitched than his eyes started to open slowly. He blinked several times irritated by the bright light. Everything was still blurred but he could make out the voices of his team.

He started coughing. His throat felt like sandpaper and he felt way too hot.

Strong hands supported his back and helped him sit up. Than someone held a glass to his lips. "Here, drink some water." He noticed Teyla's gentle voice. John closed his eyes as he swallowed some of the liquid. Afterwards he was lowered back onto the cushions.

"What… what happened?"

Rodney's head came into sight. "You passed out, because you were to stubborn to tell anyone that you weren't feeling alright, genius."

"What Rodney wants to say is that we were all very worried about you. You should have told us that you were not feeling well."

"I'm sorry", he mumbled. The room seemed to spin slightly, the faces of his friends becoming fuzzy again. "Why is it so hot in here?" John tried to shove the blanket away. He felt sweaty all over but noticed that his body had started to shiver violently. He weakly tried to push himself up.

Ronon placed a hand on his chest and held him back. "Stay."

"Teyla," John gasped. "I don't feel so well right now."

The next thing he felt was bile rising up in his throat and his desperate try to roll over. Luckily Ronon understood fast and supported his weak body as he was heaving over the edge of the bed.

His muscles were shivering as his body was wrecked by cramps. He couldn't breathe, only gasp for air in between several convulsions. It felt like an eternity until the urge to vomit subsided. John let his head drop onto the matress. He felt exhausted and embarrased.

A hand was stroking his back gently in order to calm his rigid breathing.

"sorry… so sorry", he mumbled.

"It's alright, John. Do not worry about this."

He wanted to say something, but could already feel himself succumbing to the darkness.