I have no beta. All mistakes in grammar are mine and mine alone.
Show of Lights
Chapter 7
Floating through the nothingness of sleep, he could only faintly recall why he was so tired. Atlantis had spoken to him, and then…
And then what? He had fainted? No, he remembered being aware, but being…confused. The Doctor had come for him, and he had tried talking to him, but Carson just looked at him like he was something out of Steven King's It. Ow, bad analogy, he hated that movie. Aroused by the very thought of the movie that should never have been deemed as a film, he was more alert of his surroundings. They were not, however, what he had expected. He was lying in a hammock, suspended on two large oak trees, and looking out over a flowered meadow.
"Not again…"
He mumbled, and was surprised to hear an immediate reply.
"I'm afraid that's not the case. You're quite alive."
Spinning around to meet the voice, he stumbled backwards at what awaited him. Nothing. The voice whispered right in his ear, so close he could feel the stir of breath.
"It was supposed to kill you, filthy Ornean."
Ornean? Where did that come from? As he whirled around again, he caught a flash of black and red in the corner of his eye.
"Not to worry, you will die soon enough. I assure you it will be full of pain."
John finally came out of his shock and replied.
"Who are you?"
The voice seemed to cackle in glee at his confusion.
"Don't you know, filthy Ornean? Do you ask just to test me? Well, here is your answer."
A blast of freezing cold hit him in the chest, snapping him from the dream world back to reality.
Dr. Carson Beckett frowned as he inspected the Colonel's shoulder. Looking at his clipboard, then back to the odd lump, he sighed. Elizabeth walked up behind him.
"Well? Can you tell me anything?"
The Doctor shook his head.
"No, I have no idea what could have him suddenly speaking Ancient. Are you sure he didn't know it before?"
"He might have known a few words, but he was speaking in complex sentences."
Carson nodded.
"I see…Also…take a look at this…"
He lifted the gown so Sheppard's back was exposed. Indicating two unnatural looking protrusions on his shoulders, he spoke.
"I have no idea what this is. It's like a two new sections of bone are growing out of his shoulder blades."
With a concerned look, he put down the gown and went about his business. Dr. Weir went to leave, when she heard a soft moan from the bed. Turning around, she saw that John's eyes were fluttering open sleepily. Moving back to where she had been standing, she greeted him.
"Hey. How are you feeling?"
He looked at her liked it was a stupid question.
"Well, I'm usually not this blunt, but my back feels like crap."
Giving a lop-sided smile, he continued.
"I don't suppose Doc will let me leave already?"
She chuckled.
"I'm afraid not."
When he flinched at the words, she looked a bit more concerned.
"Are you okay?"
John avoided her eyes.
"Yeah...just a...bad dream…Look, if I can't get out of here, then I might as well sleep my time off, so...I'm gonna get some shut eye."
"Okay."
She frowned, waited for him to nod off, and then went to leave the infirmary. A bad dream. For now they would leave it at that. She would wait until he was feeling better to ask him about speaking Ancient.
A/N: Sorry for the delay. As they say, life comes at you fast. Anyway, who are the Orneans? And who is this sinister new foe? Well, I'm not sure even I know. Help me, reviewers! Grace me with your lovely ideas!
One thing I do know…there is much more Shep whump to come! –cackles-
Also, I have nothing against Steven King or It. If you happen to like it, just consider it a private joke. If you don't like it…consider it a public joke! XD