Just Another Day for John & Lexi, Part 2

by J loves JS

It's never easy on Atlantis, especially when you're in a relationship with Colonel John Sheppard and just so happen to be the base's head shrink. But it's not all bad.

6. Chapter 6

Chap. 6:

---

Later on that evening, while sitting on the mess hall balcony eating dinner with his team and Woolsey, the conversation veers towards the situation with the Sekkari device. John joins in on it, outwardly the essence of calm, but a wreck on the inside.

"You know what I don't get, is the A.I. thing revealed itself that morning, you discovered the device that afternoon. I mean, that's perfect timing."

"The Colonel's right. That was very coincidental." Woolsey says to McKay.

"And I know what you're implying, ok. But my mind was clear, all right. That device was found because of my brilliant thinking." and hesitating a little before continuing, "and much as I hate to admit it, a little help from Zelenka."

"What are you talking about? Zelenka's off world."

Looking at John, "no, he's not. He came back yesterday." and seeing everyone's reaction, "Lieutenant Donovan had a nasty reaction to something he ate. They came back early." and again seeing the reaction of everyone sitting at the table, uncertainty creeping in, "didn't they?"

John stares at him and after McKay slumps back against his chair, complaining, John smirks, "guess it wasn't so much of a coincidence after all."

The group continues eating and chatting for a while longer, John not really talking, but staying quiet. Eventually, the group breaks up and goes their separate ways, leaving Teyla and John sitting at the table alone.

She had kept an eye on him through out the meal, sensing that even though he had been joining in on the conversation, even laughing a little, something was off.

"John?"

Drawing his eyes away from the skyline, "yeah Teyla, what's up?"

"Are you okay?"

Rolling his eyes, "yeah. I'm good." and getting up, trying to hide the wave of vertigo that assails him as he does so, "just tired. I think I'm gonna turn in. See you in the morning."

Watching him walk away from her, a frown on her face, as she had not missed how unsteady he was as he got up, "good night John."

A couple of seconds later, she hears a commotion coming from inside the mess and standing up quickly from her chair, she rushes inside, making a bee line for the throng of people now standing in a loose circle around something.

Pushing her way through the group, her stomach twists into knots as she sees John sprawled out on the floor, unconscious. Kneeling down next to him, "someone call for a med team." and positive that her command will be heeded, she takes off her jacket and places it under his head. That done she takes his hand in hers and keeps her eyes glued to him.

A few minutes later, "coming through."

Teyla looks up at the sound of Keller's voice and as Keller kneels down on John's right side, scanning him with the LSD, "will he be okay?"

Manually checking his pulse and pupil reaction, as corpsman Bailey attaches the EKG leads and oxygen mask, "I don't know and I won't know until I have him down in the infirmary and have run some tests." and standing up, she nods at the two corpsman, who load John onto the gurney, and rushing out of the mess with them, "radio Lexi and let her know."

Standing up, picking up her jacket and putting it on, she reaches for her radio, "Teyla to Ronon."

"Go ahead Teyla."

"Ronon, John is on his way to the infirmary. I am on my way to get Lexi."

"What happened?"

Reaching the transporter and swiping her way into it, "he just passed out."

"Will he be okay?"

Stepping out of the transporter and heading for Lexi's office, "Jennifer does not know yet."

"All right. I'll grab McKay and we'll meet you there."

Reaching Lexi's office, swiping the chime, "thank you Ronon. Teyla out." and as the doors open, she walks in to find Lexi sitting at her desk, eyes glued to her tablet, "Lexi?"

xxxx

Lexi had spent the day trying to keep herself focused on her work. Which had proven difficult as her mind kept wandering back to John, as well as being completely "galaxy lagged" as Keller had put it. She had considered radioing him a number of times to see how he was doing, but each time she reached up to activate her radio, a little voice in her head would yell at her not to.

Even though that voice kept telling her that he would be fine, another voice kept insisting that she should check on him. Torn between the two options, she smiles as she hears Teyla's voice.

Looking up from her tablet, the smile disappears as she sees the concern on Teyla's face. Standing up from her chair, "what's wrong?"

Coming to a stop, "perhaps you should sit down."

Sitting down, "you know Teyla, when someone says that it usually means that something bad has happened. So why don't you just tell me what's wrong?"

Frowning as she takes a seat as well, "Jennifer sent me to get you."

Bolting out of her chair, she rushes towards the exit, "I really wish he'd listened to me."

Running after her and reaching her just as the doors to the transporter open, "what do you mean, he should have listened to you?"

Stepping into the transporter and hitting the screen, sighing, "I told him to take it easy. The Sekkari device really messed with his head and g-d damn it I shouldn't have cleared him. Why do I let him convince me to do these things?"

Stepping out of the transporter and walking towards the infirmary, "Lexi, you let him do it because you love him and you know what it means to him to be able to do what he does."

Speed walking and looking over at her, "Teyla, I know that it's important that he feels like he's in control, but I should have listened to my gut. He wasn't ready."

Keeping pace with her, "I'm sure Jennifer will figure out what is wrong with him."

Reaching the doors to the infirmary and catching sight of the chaos that is taking place, she stops short, the world fading out around her as her attention is drawn to John, who is currently being shocked with the defibrillator.

"Lexi? Ronon, can you help me here?"

Panicking as she feels herself being gently lifted off the floor and she can no longer see John, "wa...wait, I need to..."

"No Lexi, Jennifer wants us to wait out here."

Looking up at Ronon, Teyla and McKay, as Ronon easily deposits her into a chair in the waiting room, "but Teyla, I should be in there."

"Lexi, take it easy. Jennifer will let us know how he is as soon as she knows. You would just be in the way."

Looking past the three of them at the doors leading into the infirmary, "I know that Rodney, it's just."

"We know." Ronon says.

Bringing her attention back to them, she sees them also looking at the doors. Leaning back against the chair, she wraps her arms around herself and sighing, she steels herself for whatever might happen next.

xxxx

An hour later, Lexi feels herself being gently shaken and hears someone persistently calling her name. As she opens her eyes, Keller's face comes into focus and seeing how grim she looks, she looks around to see Ronon, whose shoulder she had been using as a pillow, McKay and Teyla all focusing on her, looking equally as grim and realizing that no one has said anything, "is he...is he okay?"

Sharing a look with Ronon, Teyla and McKay, "right now I'm more worried about you."

"Jen, I'm fine, just tired. How's John?"

Standing up and looking down at her, frowning, "you sound more like him every day." and seeing the glare she shoots her way, "he's in a coma. I had to intubate him."

Feeling her gut twist in fear, she stands up quickly, but before she can take two steps, Keller has a hand on her arm, stopping her.

Looking at Keller, "what?"

"I wasn't finished."

Walking towards John's room, "I don't care that you weren't finished. I need to see him. You can explain it to me later."

"Jennifer, explain it to us. Please." McKay says, trying to get her attention.

Shaking her head in resignation, "it looks like the Sekkari device interrupted the firing of the neurons in his autonomic nervous system." and seeing the looks of confusion on their faces, "oh right. Sorry. In laymen's terms, the device caused a short in his system. Kind of like a computer."

"Will he be all right?"

"Yes Teyla. He will be, but.."

"Why is there always a but with you medical people?"

Rolling her eyes, "because Rodney, I don't know if the device did any permanent damage. The scanner and EEG only show so much. We'll have to wait until he wakes up, to be sure that he is in fact one hundred percent."

"But why did it take so long for it to affect him and why is it not happening to Woolsey or me?"

"I can only assume that his ATA gene left him more susceptible to the effects of the device. As to why it took so long to happen, I believe that his body finally just overloaded to keep with the computer analogy. He was already showing some physical symptoms when he came back from the mainland. But I just attributed them to the fact that he was in shock."

"Huh? From what?" McKay asks.

Seeing the looks of concern on all of their faces, "at the time, I believed he had suffered some sort of trauma. But now, I realize it was because of the device."

"He is going to wake up?"

Turning to face Ronon, "Yes. I'm just not sure when. It could be in a couple of minutes or a couple of days. It's really all up in the air. Right now, I'm just hoping he stays stable through the night."

"May we sit with him?"

Rubbing her neck tiredly, "yeah Teyla. Keep an eye on Lexi for me too. I don't need her worrying herself sick again. I'm gonna go brief Mr. Woolsey and Doctor Cole is here should anything happen while I'm gone."

"Thanks Jennifer. We will." McKay says as he, Teyla and Ronon all head for John's room.

"No problem." she says as she heads out of the infirmary.

xxxx

Rushing into John's room, Lexi stops short, taking in a deep breath at the sight of him. Letting the breath out slowly, she walks the few remaining steps to the side of his bed and carefully takes his right hand in hers.

Scanning her eyes over him, taking in the EKG, EEG, ventilator and various other wires and tubes that are attached to him, "you just don't do things halfway do you?" and running her fingers through his hair, trying to calm her nerves, "John, I don't know if you can hear me, but please don't leave me. I can't handle that." and sitting down in the chair next to his bed, leaning back in it, she closes her eyes, offering up a little prayer that he'll be okay.

A few minutes later, the rest of his team walk in and nodding at each of them as they also take up seats, they all settle into their vigil.

xxxx

Four days later, walking in to John's room to check him over, Keller frowns to herself at the sight of Lexi fast asleep in the chair next to his bed, chin to chest and his hand in hers. As she gets closer to the bed she shakes her head, she's worse than his teammates, and walking around to his right side, she takes out her pen light and shining the light in each eye, finally some improvement.

Ten minutes later after recording her notes on the computer next to his bed, she walks around the bed and resting a hand on Lexi's shoulder, "Lexi?"

Eyes snapping open and sitting up quickly, she blearily runs her eyes over John and as they come to rest on Keller, "is he?"

Shaking her head, "he's improving."

"Is it okay that he hasn't woken up yet?"

Raising an eyebrow in surprise, "Lexi, you know that comas are tricky."

Standing up and stretching out her neck and back, but not letting go of John's hand, "yeah, I do. But..."

Scanning her over, "I thought I told you to go get some sleep in your quarters."

Sitting down in the chair again, "you did, but I didn't want to leave him."

"Lexi, I know that you're worried. But you need to take care of yourself too."

Glaring at her, "Jen, I'm okay and you should talk. You've probably had less sleep then I have over the last four days."

Sighing, "oh all right. But at least go get something to eat."

"As soon as Teyla and Ronon get back, I will."

"No Lexi. Now."

"But Jen I..." she trails off as the alarms start shrieking.

Hurrying over to John's side, "I need help in here!" Keller shouts.

Standing up and backing out of the way, Lexi watches the chaos unfold around him as Keller and the nurses who are rushing into the room, try to stabilize him. She vaguely hears Keller shouting instructions, to take him off the vent and bag him and then the whine of the defibrillator as it charges up, flinching a little as she sees his body arch off the bed, as he's hit with the paddles.

Turning her head away from the scene and trying to keep the tears from falling, she cringes again and again, as she hears the jolts running through him twice more. Leaning against the wall to keep herself up right as she is shaking with fear, she buries her face in her hands, trying to tune out the chaos.

"Lexi?"

Taking her hands away from her face, she blinks her eyes up at Keller, okay, when did I end up on the floor? and finding her voice, "is he…is he okay?"

Kneeling down to look her in the eyes, "he's stable. But I've had it. You are going to go get something to eat and then you are going to sleep in your quarters."

Pushing herself up against the wall, glaring at her, "Jen, I'm not leaving him and I'm not tired or hungry for that matter."

Standing up as well and returning the glare, "Lexi, you can barely stand and I don't need you passing out on me right now. So if you don't do as I say, I will knock you out."

Pushing herself off the wall and starting to head for John's bedside again, "I'm not leaving."

Stepping in her path, reaching out to steady her as she sways a little and giving in, "okay, okay. Since you won't leave him, how about we compromise?"

Pulling her arm out of Keller's hand, walking over to John's side and sitting down in the chair again, "what're you offering?"

Smiling down at her, "I'll let you stay in the infirmary, but you have to sleep for at least eight hours straight and have a decent meal."

Looking up at her, "and where do you suggest that I get that sleep, if I'm not going to leave?"

"Well you can use the cot in my office and I'll have some food brought up for you."

Looking over at John, "I don't know."

"Lexi, please. I'm sure John wouldn't want you getting sick because of him."

Sighing and slowly standing up, "fine. But you have to let me know..."

Grabbing her elbow to guide her out of the room, "I'll wake you up as soon as he wakes up. I promise."

Smiling and letting herself be guided into Keller's office, "I'm not hungry."

Guiding her to the cot and helping her sit down on it, "that's okay." and watching her as she lays down, "get some sleep and you can eat when you wake up."

"Thanks...Jen." she mumbles out before her breathing evens out.

Grabbing the blanket that is at the foot of the cot, she drapes it over Lexi and after making sure that she is tucked in, Keller tiptoes out of the office heading for the nearest medicine cabinet. After getting the supplies that she needs, she heads back into the office, kneeling by Lexi's side. Opening up the sterile needle, she goes about inserting the IV catheter into Lexi's right hand and satisfied that she has the drip set at the right flow, she heads out to go on rounds.

xxxx

Bolting upright in bed, still half asleep, John jumps on Lexi, pinning her to the bed, hand wrapped around her throat, "leave me alone you son of a bitch! You're...dead! I killed you!"

Clawing at his hand, trying to take in a breath, "John, listen...to...my voice...I...need you...to wake...up." she chokes out.

Coming to his senses, he quickly snatches his hand away from her throat and staring at her, he backs his way off the bed, only to fall off of it in a tangle of blankets. Wrapping his arms around his legs and burying his head in his knees, rocking back and forth, "oh my...g-d! Lexi, I'm...sorry."

"John."

Hearing the pleading in her voice, he stops shaking and immediately his head snaps up. Fear sweeps through him, as they are now on the mainland and Kolya is holding Lexi, the same way he had been holding Doctor Weir. Gun to the side of her head and a huge smile on his face, "you might have been able to save Dr. Weir, but you won't be able to save this one."

John realizes he has his P90 in his hands and aiming it at Kolya, "I'm not going to let you harm her." he says as he sets his sights on Kolya's head, seeing the fear and pleading in Lexi's eyes.

Just as his finger is about to squeeze the trigger, a loud pop issues from Kolya's gun and John can only watch in horror as Lexi falls to the ground dead, "Noooo!" and as he rushes to her side to gather her up in his arms, Kolya's laughter echoes out through the forest.

Looking up and around, still cradling her in his arms, tears streaming down his face, "I'm going to torture you and then kill you slowly, you fucking monster!" he screams, and looking back down at Lexi's still form in his arms, he feels a sob wrack through him and just as he can't take it anymore, everything dissolves around him and he passes out, the darkness claiming him.

xxxx

"He doesn't look good. I thought you said he was getting better."

Glaring at McKay, who is currently sitting next to John's bed, his laptop perched on his knees, "Rodney, like I told all of you yesterday, he is getting better. In fact I wouldn't have taken him off of the vent if he weren't. He'll wake up when he's ready."

"Jennifer we are just worried. He has been asleep for five days."

"Noooo!"

They all snap their heads around to see John arching his back off the bed, pain creasing his forehead and as he curls in on himself, shaking like a leaf, Keller rushes to his side, grabbing his left shoulder. As she tries to keep him on the gurney, she gestures for Ronon to help her and as they get him on his back, "Colonel, can you hear me?"

"I'm going to torture you and then kill you slowly, you fucking monster!"

"Colonel, wake up! It's just a nightmare." Keller says, sharing looks of shock with the rest of them.

Eyes snapping open and quickly darting around the room, finally settling on Ronon, "Lexi?" he gasps out, trying to pull oxygen into his lungs.

Replacing the nasal cannula with an oxygen mask, "take slow and steady breaths Colonel." and looking at McKay, "Rodney, go get Lexi for me."

Gripping her arm tightly, "is sh..she okay?"

Seeing the fear in his eyes, "yes John. She is fine." Teyla says, coming up to stand next to Ronon and placing a comforting hand on his leg.

Slumping against the pillows, "are...you...sure?"

"John, I'm fine."

Eyes darting to the doorway, he smiles under the oxygen mask as he sees Lexi hurriedly walking up to him. Feeling her hand slide into his and her other hand running through his hair, "you weren't here. You're always here."

"Somebody certainly sounds like a kid."

Turning her head, "Rodney, out now please." Keller orders.

"But..but..."

Smiling and herding him and Ronon out of the room, "we will come back later. John I am glad that you are awake."

Returning the smile, "thanks...Teyla." he says, his eyes starting to drift shut.

"Colonel, I need you to stay awake for a little while longer."

Forcing his eyes open, he sees Keller and Lexi staring at him, "what...happened?"

Reaching for his wrist, "we'll get to that. But first, what's your name?"

Raising an eyebrow at her, "John Sheppard. Lieutenant...Colonel, United States...Air Force."

Finished checking his pulse, hooking her stethoscope into her ears, "I would have been happy with just John. But okay. Next question. Do you know where you are?"

Yawning and focusing on Lexi, "my room in the Atlantis infirmary." and wincing as he feels the cold metal of the bell of the stethoscope on his chest, "ah, that's cold."

"Sorry. Take a deep breath for me." she says, listening to his heart and lungs and a couple of minutes later, "well everything sounds good. Now, when's your birthday?" she asks, typing up the results on the computer next to his bed.

Eyes starting to drift close again, "January...5th."

"Jen, can you finish this later?"

"Yeah." and hitting save on the computer, "I'll stop by in a couple of hours."

Watching her walk out of the room, "get some sleep."

Talking over her shoulder, "you know, we've really gotta stop telling each other to do that." and with a smirk she leaves the room.

Smirking as well, she refocuses on John, startling a little as she sees him watching her, "hey, how are you?"

"I've been better...what's with the...twenty questions and why...am I here?"

Sitting down on the edge of the bed, "you've been in a coma for five days and Jen just wants to make sure you're all there."

"What! Why?" he asks, the beeping of the monitor speeding up, alerting her to his confusion.

Hearing it and seeing the fear in his eyes, "John, calm down. You're fine."

"Really?"

Smiling and running her fingers through his hair again, "yeah, really. The Sekkari device screwed you up a little and your body just needed to reset itself."

Pulling the oxygen mask down, "does that mean that I can get outta here soon?"

Leaning forward, kissing him on the lips and pulling away, she replaces the mask, smirking at the look of annoyance on his face, "most likely Jen will release you tomorrow. But be good and leave that on. You still need it."

Settling back into the pillows some more, his body relaxing as the exhaustion starts pulling at him again, "so where were you?"

Smiling, "you know, Rodney's right. You do sound like a kid." and seeing the annoyance flash in his eyes, "sorry. I was in Jen's office."

Shifting a little in the bed, pulling her down into his arms, careful of the wires and tubes, "why were you there?"

Looking up at him, "well, I told her I wasn't leaving and she said she'd knock me out if I didn't. So we compromised and I racked out on her cot."

Hooking his finger under her chin, locking eyes with her, "so you were here?"

Smiling again, "always." and catching the fear in his eyes as they start to close again, "what's wrong?"

"Nothing that...can't wait till...morning. Love...you." he mumbles out, as he falls back to sleep, the exhaustion finally exerting itself.

Resting her head on his chest again, she listens to his breathing and the beeping of the monitor, love you too, and a few minutes later, she too falls asleep.

xxxx

Sitting in Lexi's quarters John can't believe what he's hearing, "John I'm leaving and going back to Earth."

Standing up quickly and pulling her into him, "what do you mean you're leaving to go back?"

Pulling out of his arms and sitting down on the edge of the bed, putting some distance between them, "well, I thought I could forgive you, but I just can't and if I go back to Earth, we won't have to deal with each other."

Coming to stand in front of her and looking her in the eyes, "but you can't, just...leave. I mean we've got to be able to work through this." and kneeling down in front of her, placing his hands on hers, "please Lexi, don't go. I don't want to lose you."

Standing up and pushing past him, heading for the door, opening it with a thought, "well then, you should have thought about that before, John. Now please leave. I've got to pack."

Also standing up, but sitting down quickly on the edge of the bed as the room starts to spin, placing his head in his hands, "no. I won't leave and I won't...let you go." he grits out, before the world goes dark again.

xxxx

Pain. Horrible, unrelenting pain. John's eyes shoot open, the monitor screeching in time with the frantic beating of his heart. Trying to gulp in oxygen from the mask still covering his nose and mouth, it takes a couple of seconds for the fact that Lexi is calling his name to permeate the fog surrounding him.

Finally after what feels like an eternity he manages to get his breathing under control and as his heart rate settles down to a less frantic speed, he feels her hands on either side of his face, forcing him to look at her.

"John, look at me. Tell me what's going on. Please."

Shakily reaching up to take her hands in his, not believing that she is really there, "you're...here?"

Seeing the fear in his eyes and feeling the tightness of his grip on her hands, "of course I'm here." and quickly darting her eyes over to the monitors, she frowns and as she looks back at him, "nightmare?"

Slowly shaking his head, pulling the mask down, "yeah." and blinking his eyes a couple of times, trying to clear his vision, "you, ah..."

"Colonel, are you okay?"

They look over to the entrance to his room to see Keller walking in, a frown on her face. Rolling his eyes at Lexi, "yeah, doc. I'm fine. Just a bad dream."

Smiling at him and sliding off the bed as Keller reaches it, reaching for his wrist, "Jen, do you think you could release him now?"

Raising an eyebrow at her, as she moves over to the monitor to check the readouts, "I guess so. I'm not really happy about it, but okay."

Eyes darting over to her, "really?" John asks, shocked.

Turning to face them and smirking, "yes. Really. Although, you're grounded for another two days." and at the look he gives her, "it's either you agree to this or I keep you grounded until next week, when the mandatory vacation starts and I know that you and your team have an important mission scheduled for Friday. So I'd be good and listen to me."

Looking from her to Lexi and back, "deal."

Smiling and heading out of the room, "great. I'll go get a wheel chair and we'll get you outta here. Lexi can you come with me for a sec? Colonel, until I release you, keep that mask on."

Standing up and placing the mask over his face, smiling at the eye roll it elicits from him, "now John." and squeezing his hand, "I'll be right back." and stepping away from the side of the bed, she realizes that he has not let go of her hand. Looking at them and back at him, "I'm gonna need my hand."

"Huh?"

Concern twisting her stomach into knots, she sits on the side of the bed again and looking him in the eyes, "my hand John. You're gonna need to let go of it, so I can go talk with Jen.

Squeezing her hand tighter, "please don't go anywhere." and sitting up he pulls her into a hug, resting his chin on her shoulder, "I didn't mean it."

The fear in his voice makes the knots tighten even more, "you didn't mean what?"

"Lexi, what's taking..." and stopping short at seeing the two of them in an embrace, Keller quietly backs out of the room.

Hearing Keller leaving the room, Lexi feels his arms loosen around her, as they had tightened around her when Keller walked in and pushing him to arms length, "we're alone, so tell me what you didn't mean."

Taking in a deep breath, "I didn't mean to hurt you. I've lost too many people and I don't want you to be one of them."

"John, I don't understand. How did you hurt me?"

Slumping against the pillow, pulling the mask down around his neck again, "when McKay got me stuck in that stupid chair and you saw my dreams about Teer, Chaya and Larrin."

Sighing and putting the mask on him again, "I forgave you for that, so don't worry about me leaving you. Cause I'm not going anywhere."

"You promise?"

Smiling and leaning forward, she kisses him on the forehead and getting up, "I promise. But let me go talk with Jen and then we can get you out of here."

Smiling, "okay." and watching her nod and walk out of the room, he closes his eyes, running over the dream he just had.

xxxx

Lexi walks out of his room and looking around she spots Keller sitting at a workstation reading something on the tablet in front of her, "Jen?"

Looking up from it grimacing, "Lexi, I'm starting to reconsider letting him out of here."

Matching her grimace, "did anything show up on his scan from earlier this morning?"

"No."

"And his vitals are stable right?"

"Well yes."

"And nothing showed up in his blood work, right?"

"Right. But."

"Then release him. I'll make sure that he takes it easy and you know he feels more comfortable when he's not here."

Rubbing her temples, "all right. I'll release him. But he's on bed rest for the next two days."

"That's fine. What about solids?"

"Well, try some oatmeal and Jell-O first. If that stays down, then he can have something with more substance."

"Great."

Standing up, "I'm gonna let him walk out of here," and seeing the raised eyebrow that Lexi gives her, "I know that I usually wouldn't. But, I want him on his feet as soon as possible. Plus I'll be coming with you and I will be wheeling the wheelchair as we go."

"Do you want me to wait out here while you unhook him?"

Heading for John's room, "no, I took out the catheter before his scan earlier, so it's only the IV, EKG wires and oxygen mask that need to be removed."

Falling into step with her, "good, cause I think he'd freak if I'm not there."

Stopping mid stride, "what do you mean?"

"Don't worry about it. Just do me a favor."

"What?"

"Please tell him he needs to talk with me if he wants to be cleared for duty."

Nodding in agreement and walking into the room, "okay Colonel, let's get you outta here." and looking over at Lexi, as she comes to stop on the other side of the bed, "I'm adding one more condition to your release."

Sighing and looking between the two doctors, "you mean I have to do something other than just taking it easy?"

Gently pulling the oxygen mask off of his face and placing it on its hook, turning off the oxygen flow, "yes. You have to talk to Lexi and if you won't talk to her, you need to talk to someone else on her staff." and turning off the EKG machine, reaching to unhook all the wires from him, "and I will not clear you unless you have."

Looking at Lexi, "I'm not gonna get out of it this time am I?"

Taking out the IV port from the back of his right hand and placing a cotton ball over it, "no you're not John. But it can wait until we're back in my quarters."

Raising an eyebrow, "what do you mean this time?"

Looking at Keller, "um, nothing doc."

Looking at Lexi, "Lexi, what is he talking about?"

Shrugging, "don't worry about it Jen, it's not important." and looking at John, "you ready?"

Sitting up and swinging his legs off the side of the bed, "yeah. So doc, besides being laid up for another two days and talking with Lexi, I'm also assuming that I have to let you know if anything feels off."

Frowning as she comes to stand next to Lexi, "yes Colonel and please don't just shrug anything off, even if it's a headache. Okay?"

"Got it." and shimmying his way forward to the edge of the bed, he takes Lexi's hand and stands up slowly, smiling as he feels her grip on his waist tighten as he gets his feet under him, "can I get outta here now?"

Smiling as well, "yes. We'll grab the wheelchair on the way out." Keller says as she falls into step next to John and Lexi.

Reaching Lexi's quarters, John curses himself for being so stubborn, because by the time Lexi helps him into the bed, all he wants to do is sleep for the rest of the day. As he sinks into the bed, he watches the two doctors through half lidded eyes and the last thing he is aware of before he falls asleep is of Lexi climbing into the bed next to him.

xxxx

Strawberries, that's a new one, but not really sure where the scent is coming from, he tries to pry open his eyes. Having no luck however, he lets himself drift and the next thing he knows, he feels Lexi's lips on his.

As his eyes snap open, he catches the smile that curves her lips as she pulls away, "that works every time and I have to say I'm glad that Katya shaved you after Jen took you off the vent." she says, as she crosses her legs in front of her and stares at him.

Sitting up a little against the pillows and scanning his eyes around the room, settling them on her, "I was wondering about that." and motioning towards her hair, "did you change your shampoo?"

Smiling at him, "yeah. I bought it when I was back on Earth. I also brought those supplies you asked for."

Scrubbing his hands over his face to wake himself up more, "great, thanks. What time is it?"

Looking down at her watch, "1320. You've been out for a couple of hours." and looking over at the balcony attached to her quarters, "you feel up to some food?"

Suddenly realizing how hungry he is, smiling wide, "yes. Most definitely yes."

Climbing out of the bed and holding a hand out for him to take, "now don't get too excited John. It's just oatmeal and Jell-O."

Throwing the blankets off of himself, "I could eat the broad side of a barn right now." and taking her hand, he lets her help him out of the bed, scowling at how weak he still feels, "I hate this."

Rolling her eyes and wrapping her right arm around his waist, looking up at him, "I know. But, look on the bright side."

Looking down at her, "and that is?"

Helping him sit down in the chair closest to the door on the balcony, "you're not sick this time."

Staring out at the ocean, he doesn't miss the unsaid words, yeah, but mentally you're royally screwed up and looking back at her, he grimaces as he catches her staring at him, "are you sure you can't, you know?" he asks, pointing at his head.

Sitting back in her chair, grabbing an apple off of the food tray sitting on the table, taking a bite and matching his grimace, "like I told you after that whole craziness was over, I know you. I don't need a psychic connection to know what you're thinking."

Sighing heavily and reaching out for the spoon that is sitting on the table next to the bowl of oatmeal, "okay then. Tell me what's going on in my head, doc."

Smiling at him, "well. Let's see. When we were back in the infirmary you said that you've lost too many people and that you don't want to lose me."

"Yeah. I did." he says around bites, not looking at her, but inhaling the oatmeal.

"John, slow down. I don't think you want it coming back up." and smiling as he scowls at her, "okay, back to what's going on inside that head of yours. If I'd have to wager a guess, I'd say that the Sekkari device tapped into your deepest, darkest fear. Which knowing you like I do, is that you want to protect everyone, but yourself and you can't handle it when the people you love leave you or are taken from you."

Finished devouring the oatmeal, he refocuses on her, "can I ask you a question, since you seem to know exactly what I'm feeling and thinking?"

Taking another bite of the apple, "sure. What?"

Staring out at the ocean again, "will I be able to put these feelings back into their boxes again?"

Getting up from her chair, placing the half eaten apple back on the food tray, she walks around the little table and sits down on his lap, "yes and I don't think it'll take that long."

Wrapping his arms around her waist, pulling her closer to him, "you're not going anywhere right?"

Running her fingers through the hair on the back of his head, "like I told you back in the infirmary. No. I'm not going anywhere."

"Really?"

Looking him in the eyes, seeing the emotions playing in them, "what's got you doubting me like this?"

Sighing, he shifts her off of his lap and standing up, he walks over to the railing and leaning against it, looking down at the water lapping lazily against the city, "um," oh, just spit it out John, "I had a dream where you said that you were leaving me because of how much I hurt you."

Surprised by how quickly the words just tumbled from his mouth, she's not sure if she heard him right, and stepping up next to him, so their shoulders are touching and looking at him, "I'm sorry?"

Turning his head to look at her, frowning at the look of confusion on her face, "yesterday I had a dream in which Kolya killed you and then this morning I had another one where you told me you were leaving me."

Running her hands through her hair and looking out at the ocean, "oh."

"Yeah. Oh." he says, also looking out at the water.

They stand there in silence for a couple of minutes and when he can't stand it anymore, "Lexi?"

Turning to look at him again, "yeah?"

Taking a deep breath and taking her hands in his, "marry me?"

Completely shocked, it takes her a moment to find her voice, "wh..what?"

Smiling and getting down on his knee, "Lexi, will you marry me?"

Staring at him, matching his smile, she leans down and pulling him to his feet, "John, you know that I want to..."

Frowning, "but."

Kissing him and pulling away, leaving her arms draped around his shoulders, "but I don't want you to ask me to marry you because you think it's the only way to keep me from leaving you."

Stepping away from her and heading back inside, he walks over to the couch and sitting down on it, he rests his head in his hands, staring at the floor, fuming.

Following him, she sees how upset he is and walking over to him, she kneels down in front of him, taking the ring off her finger, "John look at me."

Looking at her, "I'm not asking you to marry me just so you won't leave me." and seeing the ring in her hands, "what're you doing?"

Handing it to him, "read the inscription."

"Love is true, love is kind, love is forever." and looking back at her, eyebrow raised, "yeah, I know what it says. But Lexi, I want you to be mine forever. I can't lose you. I know that I've already been married. But like I told you on your birthday, Nancy couldn't understand why I do the things I do. You do and that alone makes me realize that if we did get married it would work out."

Taking the ring back from him and slipping it on her left ring finger, "John, the last time you put this ring on my finger, I made a promise to myself."

"And what was that?"

Smiling and taking his hands in hers, "I promised myself that I would never doubt your love for me again." and standing up, she sits down on his lap again, catching the smile on his lips as she does so, "but if agreeing to marry you will make you feel better, then I will. You'll have to do something for me first, though."

Smiling even wider, "anything."

Shaking her head, chuckling a little, "oh, I don't think you're gonna like what you're gonna have to do. It's pretty scary."

Quirking an eyebrow at her, "Lexi, I face down life sucking aliens, McKay and g-d knows what else out here. What could possibly be worse than that?"

Rolling her eyes, "you have to get my dad's blessing as well as Evan's"

Staring at her, suddenly very nervous, "you're kidding right?"

Shaking her head, "no. I'm not."

"I get why I have to ask for your dad's blessing. But why Lorne's?"

"Because besides you, he's my best friend."

Sighing and leaning back against the couch, "all right. Let's say that I get your dad's blessing and Lorne's. Will you marry me then?"

"Yes." and seeing that he's starting to fade, "I think someone's ready for bed."

Shaking himself awake, "what? No. I'm fine."

Smiling and standing up, she pulls him to his feet, holding him steady until he gets his feet under himself, "right, whatever you say."

Draping his arm over her shoulders and leaning on her as they walk over to the bed, "Lexi, it's just that I ah.."

Easing him down onto the bed and covering him with the blankets, "shh. I know. Now why don't you stop trying to stay awake and go to sleep?"

Forcing his eyes open, glaring at her, "I'm...not...tired."

Coming around to the other side of the bed, she climbs onto it and lying down next to him, she cuddles up next to him, "stop being such a five year old. You can barely keep your eyes open. I'm not going anywhere."

"I...know." he says, still fighting to keep his eyes open, not wanting to let her out of his sight.

Running her fingers along his right arm, which is draped over his stomach, "just sleep John."

Finally giving into the exhaustion that is pulling at him and letting his eyes drift shut, "thanks...Lexi."

Watching him, "for what?"

"For...saying...yes." he mumbles out and as his breathing finally evens out into deep sleep, she catches the smile on his lips.

Rolling over, she grabs her book and iPod and hooking her headphones into her ears, she opens up the book and starts reading. A huge smile on her lips, as it hits her that she is now engaged to the love of her life.

Two days later, Keller clears John for active duty and he and his team head off world on the important mission that was scheduled for that Friday. Lexi gets back to work as well, eagerly looking forward to the mandatory vacation.