When things go wrong
Chapter 7
Rodney sauntered into the changing rooms, his fingers frantically tapping away at his tablet. Life was finally going his way and even his friends had noticed the bounce in his step as he made his wedding plans, leaving no stone unturned so as to make the day as perfect as possible.
John was already geared up and was clipping his P90 to his vest when Rodney had walked in, picking up his pack and stuffing his tablet into it. Mildly amused, John stopped what he was doing and watched as Rodney muttered to himself, trying to figure out some problem.
'Hey buddy, you ok'. John was still trying to figure out what problem would merit Rodneys hands being drawn back and forth over his midriff.
'Oh hey, what do you call those belt things that you wear with tux's. you know the ones. Big strip of material that sits over your dress shirt and pants'. His hands continued their ministrations, hovering a couple of inches over the material of his t shirt. The movements were getting faster as he spoke.
'Erm, Cummerbund's I think why?'. Curiosity and amusement got the better of him as Rodney clicked his fingers and nodded.
'yes that's it, cummerbund's. What.......oh why?. OK, I'm torn between a waistcoat/cravat combo and one of those cummerbunds with a bowtie. I'm swinging more for the waistcoat and cravat but can't make my mind up. I have two days to decide because the deadalus will be taking our orderforms and measurements back to Earth and they will be bringing our wedding suits back with them when they return'. His enthusiasm was infectious and John felt his spirits lift as his best friend talked about the wedding.
'I'll be off world so I was hoping to get this emailed to Carson before I go. Can't make my mind up though'. He paused and looked at John, his eyes sparkling as he pulled his tablet out of his pack.
'waistcoat and cravat, definately!'. The statement was sure as he plugged his tablet into one of the network sockets and tapped awayemailing his order to Carson. He didn't want Carson to know what he was wearing so he encrypted the file first knowing Sam would know what to do with it when she received it.
'There, right ready to go'. Rodney unplugged the tablet and stuffed it back in the pack, zipping it closed and swinging it over his shoulder. John reached out and grabbed the strap, pulling Rodney back sharply.
'Roodneey'. He drew the word out, hoping his friend would see exactly what the problem was. His hand never left the strap as he arched his eyebrows and stared pointedly at Rodney.
'What are you doi..........'. John pointed towards Rodneys gear and waited for his friends eyes to follow. He really didn't want to point out the fact that Rodney had walked in, picked up his pack and turned to leave, forgetting his tac vest and weapon.
'Oh, right of course. Gear up'. Rodney dumped his pack unceremoniously on the floor and picked up his tac vest and put it on. He checked the pockets and started to search around on the floor.
'what're you looking for exactly, no ones been in messing with your gear'. John's amusement soon turned to irritation as Rodney searched.
'Epi pens. I always have three in this pocket and now there are none'. The confused tone of Rodney's voice worried John. He knew Rodney liked to be prepared for all eventualities but Rodney hadn't had a reaction in years. He would have suggested just leaving seeing as he had made sure every member of the team carry Epi pens, anti histamines and glucose tablets in their tac vests but knew the one time Rodney didn't have his gear would be the one time stuff was needed.
'Here'. John had seen the epi pens sitting under the bench, bending down to pick them up. It looked like they had rolled underneath after falling out of one of the many pockets that were stuffed full with Rodney's stuff.
'Now can we go already'. John's impatience was growing as he handed the pens over to his friend, making sure Rondney put them where they belonged. Rodney patted pocket before walking over to his pack, P90 in hand. He swung the pack over his shoulder, oblivious to John's irritation, and clipped the weapon to the metal D ring on his vest.
'Well what are you waiting for'. Rodney had been completely relaxed recently, every insult and irritated tone seemed to roll off him like water off a ducks back. He stood at the door with his hand swept out towards as if trying to bait his friend. John scowled and pushed his way out of the door, ignoring the quiet chuckling behind him.
They mad etheir way to the gate room and Rodney was greeted by the perplexed face of his Fiance. Carson was waiting at the side of the gate holding his tablet. Glancing up, he saw his lover and smiled broadly as Rodney moved towards him to give him a kiss on the cheek.
'Glad to see you've made ya mind up a long last. I've had my order ready for days. Whats with the encrypting though'. He wasn't really surprised at the fact that Rodney had been so thorough and meticulous about his outfit. He was however as curious as hell about what his lover was going to wear.
'Think of it as ensuring good luck. Don't want you to see till the day'. Rodney leaned over and kissed Carson softly as the event horizon whooshed open behind him. Both men had long forgotton their shyness with public displays of affection. People had told them early on how happy they were for them with only the odd few homophobes being totally against the whole relationship. They now ignored the comments from those people, shrugging them off.
'Rodney. Come on. Put Carson down and lets go'. Rodney tore his lips away and sighed as he heard the widespread laughter filtering through the gate room. Shaking his head he grabbed Carson's hand and weaved his fingers through his lovers.
'I'll see you in couple of days'. He turned and waved at Carson as he hurried thorough the gate, leaving on a trade mission that would ensure the cities stock of fresh fruit and vegetables for the coming months.
Carson waved back and watched as the event horizon dissipated, his gut clenching into knots. He knew Rodney would be fine, but since the plane crash they hadn't really spent any time apart. The recovery had been hard for Rodney, the last few months being spent trying to get him to let go of the image of Carson lying there dead, replacing it with happy memories that didn't give Rodney nightmares. He had done really well in his sessions with Kate and Carson had noticed a mark-able change in the man he loved. Rodney had started to talk more and more to Carson, opening up in ways that made Carson love the man more........if that was at all possible.
He walked back to the infirmary nursing his irrational fear. 'He'll be fine. A couple of days that's all. Och Carson, stop being silly'.
It was the same thing he told himself everytime Rodney was off world. His lovers back was stronger now, the ache being so dull that Rodney hardly bothered with Pain killers anymore. That and Rodney's progress with Kate had conviced Carson that Rodney really was ready to rejoin the team on missions. It didn't stop him from worrying though and Carson knew he wouldn't be able to rest until he had his lover firmly in his arms.
Carson made his way through the infirmary, stopping a few times to check on patients. He walked into the small kitchenette and brewed some tea, adding a small amount of milk and grabbing one of the lemon biscuits that he loved but had given up when he had started to date Rodney. He only ate them now when Rodney was off world for more than a day not wanting to send his lover into anaphylaxis with a kiss.
He carried his tea and biscuit to his office and sat at his desk, sipping the tea looking thoughtful. He remembered the day he found his lover broken, sitting sobbing on the cold marble floor of their balcony. He also remembered the lovemaking, that wonderful closeness that had provided Rodney with the touch he had so desperately needed.
Rodney had asked to start the wedding plans as they snuggled afterwards, both completely sated as they lay there exhausted, wrapped around each other tightly. This had prompted them both to begin talking about the plans over breakfast the next morning. Writing a 'to do' list as they sat eating their cereal.
The list was currently pinned to the wall in their quarters, written in Rodneys neat script (mainly because Carson had typical doctor's scrawl), gradually being added to whilst other points being crosed off in red marker. He smiled and turned to his paperwork and picked up one of the charts, reading it before he started to write the annual physicals report to Elizabeth.
SGA-1 emerged through the star gate, surprised by the torrential downpour that greeted them, the rain was relentless, soaking through their clothing in a matter of seconds. Despite the rain, the team looked around and were in awe of the scenery, the planet was gorgeous and reminded Rodney of Rural Scotland as heather covered hills rolled to his left and a small forest started 100 feet away.
'Oh wonderful. Rain, we'll all get chills and spend the next few days sick. You know I'm prone to colds'. John and Teyla glanced at each other, smug smiles gracing their faces.
'The people of this planet depend on the rain Rodney. It's the reason why the crops are so abundant, a good mix of rain and sun'. Teylas sweet voice trilled as she explained. Trying to pacify her friend so he wouldn't spend the next few hours complaining.
'Yes, well anyway. You know it reminds me a bit of Scotland'. He was circling his team mates as he scanned the area, a look of confusion contorting his face. He finished scanning and put the small scanner back in his pocket, percing himself agains the DHD.
'Nothing, i've got nothing. Surely we should be reading some kind of ener................' His sentence died as he felt a sharp stinging sensation in his neck.
'Ow ow ow, crap i've been stu........' He sank to the ground and pulled his hand away from his neck, plucking out the source of his pain. In his hand sat a small black feathered dart that didn't look menacing but made him feel woozy. He tried to focus on his friends as watched with horror as they all mirrored his actions, the looks of horror on their faces evident as one by one they collapsed.
Those looks seemed to be burned into his retinas as blackness took over.
'Rodney, come on buddy open your eyes'. Rodney heard Johns voice calling him, it was distant and muffled as he tried to pull himself out of the darkness. Consciousness slowly returned and he realised his cheek was being slapped.
'RODNEY WAKE UP NOW!', Johns voice shouted, making Rodney groan as the words bounced around his skull making his headache even worse than it already was.
'm'up. Where'r we?'. He opened his eyes and squinted against the harsh light that was streaming through barred windows. Once the pain in his head abated, he tried to open his eyes fully, looking around at his friends before taking in his surroundings.
The walls looked like hardened mud and reminded him of the mud huts some tribes have back on earth. Something was out of kilter though and it took a minute for his drugged up mind to see the electronic door and the modern locks on the windows. He was struggling to focus as the pounding in his head kept it's relentless rhythm. He sighed and dropped his gaze to his team mates.
John, Teyla and Ronan looked pale and groggy and he sat bolt upright as he remembered watching them collapse before passing out. He felt a pang of guilt as he realised he was powerless to help them and shook his head to try to clear some of the fuzzyness. 'Bad idea' he thought as his stomach started to roll before he leaned sideways and threw up.
'Aw crap, Rodney you OK buddy'. John was still sitting by the Rodney's side and was runnig his his hand up and down soothingly. Rodney pulled himself upright and nodded, leaning his back against the wall behind him, head hung low on his chest. He was about to reply when the door opened.
Rodney pulled his head up and groaned at the sight of Koyla standing there, weapon trained directly on him. The sight the man that unceremoniously tortured Rodney made his stomach lurch again and he could feel his heart thrumming hard against his rib cage.
'Look for the small tubes they carry with them. Their records show these can be useful'. Koylas cronies searched the four prisoners and found what they were looking for.
'What the hell do you need those for'. John growled the words, his voice husky and threatening as he was pinned down and relieved of his three epi pens. The men stepped back holding the twelve pens as Koyla made his way over to Rodney.
'Dr McKay, From you record I know your weaknesses. Oh yes, did you think our time on Atlantis was a complete waste'. He sneered at Rodney as his prisoner's eyes went wide. Rodney had started to reply but was dragged from his position on the floor and pulled out of the room.
John jumped up and started towards his friend, wanting to help but was shot by an energy blast that paralysed him completely before knocking him out cold. There was nothing any of the team could do but sit back and watch in horror as their Chief Scientist was dragged out of the room forcefully.
Half an hour had passed and John could feel the heavy paralysis lifting as his faculties returned. He rolled onto his side and felt Teyla's soft hands brushing the hair away from his face.
'John, can you sit up'. He nodded as Ronan gripped onto his hand, giving John the extra leverage he needed to sit up.
'Rodney, they took him. Where is he'. Teyla's eyes glossed over as she tried to find the words to explain the fact that Rodney had not yet been returned to them. She was saved from having to break the bad news when the door opened and Rodney was tossed onto the cold stone floor.
John raced over to his best friend and bit back his anger at the sight of him. He took note of the tremors that assaulted Rodneys body and watched as Rodney curled his body into the foetal position, his shaking hands fisted into his shoulders. He was pale, very pale and small beads of sweat were rolling down his forehead.
'Shit Rodney, what the hell did they do to you'. Rodney started at the voice and uncurled his body as Ronan placed his balled up coat under his friends head.
's-some k-kind of l-lemon i t-think. They f-forced it into my m-mouth and I went into f-full anaphylaxis before they gave me epinep-epinephrine'. The words stuttered and John looked on in horror as his friend shook and weakly emphasised his point with his hands.
'T-twice. They d-did it twice. Need a-antihistimines. B-biphasic'. Rodney's energy levels dropped as John rummaged around in his vest looking for the Benedryl that would hopefully halt the reaction. He found it and popped two out of the blister pack, holding them out to Rodney as Ronan helped him sit up so he could take the medication.
'You gonna be able to keep these down?' Rodney nodded and took the tablets, sipping from the canteen that Ronan had handed him. His eyes started to close as exhaustion spread through his body as he felt himself being lowered gently back onto the hard ground.
His pillow had changed from being uncomfortably leathery to being wonderfully soft, firm and warm. He opened his eyes and realised he was laying with his head in Teyla's lap, the Athosian woman gently raking her fingers through his hair, quietly offering him words of comfort. Sleep soon overtook his aching body as Teyla carried on with her ministrations.
Rodney had been asleep for the better part of an hour before strong arms grabbed him and pulled him up. There was no time for him to shake the sleep out of his head as he tried to get his aching muscles to co-operate.
'No. not again, damn it Koyla you do that again and you're gonna kill him. His heart can't take that much adrenalin'. John was being held back by Ronan and Teyla as the guards threatened to shoot him again with their stunners. Teyla was intently staring at the weapon and wondered where they had got their hands on the wraith technology.
They pulled Rodney out of the room again and John felt as though his heart would break at the sight of his best friend struggling to walk, stumbling before being pulled to his feet.
'John, they have wraith stunners, where do you think they got them'. He hadn't really noticed what kind of weapons they had, instead concentrating on the fact that one of his team was about to be tortured. His mind was pulled back to the present and he glanced towards Teyla.
'I have no idea Teyla but i'm gonna find out eventually'. He roughly ran his fingers through his hair before huffing out a disdainful laugh.
'God damn lemon torture? Where the fuck did they get lemons?'. The question was out there but if he was honest he really didn't give a damn about the answer. The fact that Rodney had been given two epi pens already worried him and he knew Rodney's body probably couldn't take much more.
He leaned against the wall, sliding down into a sitting position. He drew his knees up to his chest and rested his head on his hands, using his legs as support. They all sat in silence as they waited for their friend to be returned, hopefully alive.
Rodney didn't really remember the journey to the torture chamber, all he remembered was being lifted from the floor of the cell and then being flung into the hard stone chair. Restraints were strapped around his wrist and ankles as Koyla cut the small citrus fruits in half.
'I'll admit Dr McKay, this form of torture is most unconventional'. He picked up half of the fruit and slowly walked over to Rodney who eyes were wide with fear.
'By the looks of it Dr McKay, it's unconventional but effective'. One of the guards pushed Rodneys head back and pinched his nose leaving Rodney no choice but to open his mouth. He tasted the acidic sharpness of the fruit as it ran onto his tongue down his throat.
Rodney struggled as he felt the familiar itcyness of the hives that started to appear on his face and neck. He knew it wouldn't be long before his throat started to swell, cutting off his oxygen supply, making him suffocate painfully before they used the epi pen. They watched him squirm as his mouth was filled with a metallic taste and laughed when his eyes widened with fear, the tears rolling down his anguished face.
'Ahh, the wheezing sound. Dr McKay, remind me to ask you how it feels to be killed by your own body. Treason, is that the correct term. No no, Betrayal. Betrayed by your own body. Now, whilst you are suffocating I want you to think about letting us know what we want'.
Rodney was torn as he fought to draw in breath, his throat was almost completely closed and his hold on consciousness was fading when he felt the familiar Jab in his thigh. His heart started to pound painfully as the adrenalin took effect.
'I c-can't tell you w-what I d-don't know. I h-haven't been privvy to that i-information'. The stuttering was worsening as his body started to convulse with the added stimulation. The original fight of flight hormone coursing through his veins for the third time.
'M-maybe you s-should b-be a-asking m-me something I actually k-know'. Koyla scowled as he reached for the other half of the fruit, nodding to his colleague so he could repeat the torture.
'Maybe you should stop lying Dr McKay. I want to know the gate address to Earth. According to the information we gathered whilst on Atlantis, it'll provide us with the technology and weaponry we need to defeat the wraith. Maybe this will make you a little more pliable'. He squeezed the fruit into Rodney's mouth and watched as the reaction started to take hold again, knowing he was being lied to.
'Damn it'. John banged his head backwards against the wall in frustration. Rodney had been gone a while and he was getting jumpy.
'John, you need to stay calm for Rodney's sake, if they bring him back anytime soon being angry will not help'. He looked at Teyla and knew she was right but it was difficult. Ronan had taken pole position in the room. standing against the wall facing the door, his glare unwavering.
He started as the lock on the door beeped and Rodney was carried in, jumping to his feet with anticipation of his friend being returned. Ronan stepped forward angrily and caught Rodney as he was tossed forward, beneath his large hands he felt the tremors wracking the mans body and could feel the wetness of Rodney's clothes where the sweat had leeched through.
'Shit, Shepperd!'. He gently lowered Rodney down and ripped a strip of his shirt, moistening it with the water in his canteen. John ran over as the door closed, watching as Ronan wiped the wet rag over Rodneys pale unconcious face.
The tremors were worse and Rodney looked as though his body was going to rip itself apart if the convulsions didn't abate soon. This worried John and he gingerly placed his fingers on Rodney's neck and hissed as he felt the racing pulse throbbing under his fingers.
'We need to get him home. His hearts beating too fast'. John stood and punched the wall, the pain in his hand dissapating his anger as he felt a hand softly rest on his shoulder. He turned and looked towards Rodney, watching as Ronan continued to tend to him. John was on the verge of sobbing as he watched Rodney's body painfully shake.
'We have no way of giving him benedryl whilst he's unconscious. If we were on Atlantis, Carson would have him hooked up to and IV. Shit, the epi pen isn't a goddamn cure Teyla and he's always biphasic.......... he gets secondary reactions, and we can't give him any more epinephr..............'. He was cut short by an explosion outside the room. He looked up and saw smoke filtering beneath the door and pulled Teyla away to the far corner.
The sound of P90's echoed through the corridor and he sighed with relief as he heard the familiar voice of Major Lorne shouting instructions to his team.
'Keep an eye on the door and don't let anymore of them in the building. Zelenka, have you got that door open yet'.
'Hovno..... no not yet. I'm nearly there..........yes'. The exclaimation heralded the sound of the lock retracting and the door opened.
Major Lorne ran into the room and looked over the team in front. His eyes wondered down to Rodney and he called for help before turning to John.
'Colonel, we have to go now. We've managed to secure the facility but I can't be sure as to whether more Genii will be on their way. Come on lets go'. He reached out and pulled Teyla and John out of the room, as he turned to grab Ronan his hand was swatted away and he watched with awe as the large man bent down and picked Rodney up effortlessly.
They ran towards the door that led out into the forest, the jumper wasn't far from the entrance and as they neared they heard the familiar growl behind them that signalled the fact that Koyla wasn't dead. John swung round and in the split second it took Koyla to raise his weapon he shot the P90 that Lorne had thrust into his hand, sending a bullet through their enemies skull, finally killing the man that had tortured his friend on more than one occasion.
The puddle jumper's rear door opened and John was surprised to see Carson running out towards Ronan. Major Lorne was in the middle of explaining how they came to be there when he heard Carsons panicked voice ringing through the trees.
'Och no no no, Rodney don't do this. I need the Defibrillator stat'. He had already started CPR as one of Lornes team raced to the Jumper to retrieve the equipment. John grimaced as he heard one of Rodneys ribs crack, knowing the sickening sound meant the CPR was being given correctly didn't make him feel any less nauseous.
The scene was strangely surreal and John felt as though he was watching the whole thing through someone elses eyes, Teyla and Ronan had joined his vigil as Carson placed the pads on Rodneys bare chest and shouted 'clear' before the machine fired, making Rodney's body jump off the ground. It took two shocks before Carson finally got the heart beating again.
'Bring me a stretcher, his hearts beating but it's in severe tachycardia and I don't have the medications to treat this in the field'. Two marines made their way over with a stretcher and gently lifted Rodney onto it before carrying him to the jumper. Carson had attached an IV in the time it had take for the marines and walked alongside holding the IV bag high, hooking it onto something in the back of the jumper.
John, Teyla and Ronan entered the back of the jumper and sat down on the benches at either side, watching as Carson adjusted the IV and attached the leads of a portable heart monitor. Within minutes fast beeping echoed Rodney's heartbeat and John heard Carson Swear under his breath.
'Och, can someone please explain how a simple two day trade mission turns into bloody awful rescue with my fiance once again knocking on deaths door. You've been gone for four days already'. Carsons voice was filled with hurt and anger and the words hit John like a brick, making him deflate. He felt tears pricking as he rested his elbows on his thighs, his hands cupping his head whilst he explained.
We were ambushed by Koyla at the gate, he used some kind of dart to incapacitate us. we woke up in a cell and he tortured Rodney using a fucking citrus fruit. Carson he sent him into anaphylaxis at least three times, using our epi pens to bring him back. We gave him benedryl when they bought him back the first time but he was unconscious the second time so we couldn't give him any'. Carson looked shocked as John explained how Koyla came to know about Rodney's allergy and Teyla was sure the good Doctor was going to fall apart in front of them.
Carson's eyes narrowed slightly, the fight in him gone, it was strange to see the internal struggle going on but even stranger to see that point when their friend pushed back his emotions, letting the Doctor in him take precidence.
'Damn it, Major Lorne we need to get home fast. I don't have the neccessary medications to help Rodney'. Carson's fear had grown when he had found out about the overdose of Epinephrine and the multiple reactions to an unknown citrus fruit.
'Doc I'm going as fast as I can and were nearly there. How's he holding up?'
Carson had returned his attention to Rodney, taking his blood pressure as Lorne spoke.
'He's bloody awful Major. His BP is way to high and his heart is going into overload. I need the medications ASAP'. Carson's Scottish brogue was getting thicker and thicker and John wondered whether Lorne had understood any of what the Scot had just said.
'Understood Doc, we're near the gate now'. Major Lorne reached over and dialled home, tapping the communication panel to open a com to Atlantis.
'Atlantis, this is Major Lorne, we need a team in the Jumper bay Asap with..........' The words died on his lips as he realised he didn't know exactly what it was the doctor wanted. Carson's voice boomed from the back of the jumper.
'Liz, Rodney's in a bad way. Tell Dr Biro we need IV antihistamines and steroids and tell her to prepare an injection of Nexterone. I'll need those medications as soon as I get to Atlantis'. Carson was relieved when he saw the event horizon nearing and heard Elizabeth voice ring from the console.
'Understood, I'll see you on you return'. the communication was cut dead as they finally made their way through the gate.
Major Lorne set the puddle jumper down in the gate room and opened the rear hatch. He turned to watch as Dr Biro rushed in flanked by two medics guiding a gurney up the ramp. Dr Biro handed Carson the nexterone and watched the monitor closely as Carson injected the medication into Rodney's IV port, they all waited with baited breath as the medication started take effect, slowing Rodney's heartbeat down to a more acceptable level.
'OK, lets get him to the infirmary'. Carson helped lift his lover onto the gurney and the team were left sitting in stunned silence as Rodney was whisked off to the infirmary.
Three days later............
Rodney slowly came round, the fuzziness in his head making it difficult for him to concentrate. His body felt heavy and detached as he was tried to open his eyes. Sounds were filtering through, Cacophonous to his foggy mind, making his head pound with every sound of the steady beeping which was accompanied by the rhythmic whooshing.
He blearily opened his eyes and moved his head slightly to the left to see John sitting in one of the chairs, head on his chest snoring gently. He realised at that moment, he couldn't breath.........something was pulling on his mouth and he couldn't physically pull in a breath because there was something down his throat restricting his airway.
John was woken sharply as the monitors attached to Rodney went crazy, looking up towards his friend he saw panicked blue eyes darting around as two hands made their way to the ventilator.
'Leave it alone Rodney'. John grabbed Rodney's hands and pulled them down to the bed and stood holding them, trying to pacify Rodney as he heard Carson running over.
'Rodney, you're awake. About bloody time, OK love, I've got you on a vent because you had a biphasic reaction on route to the infirmary. We couldn't give you any more epinephrine because you're heart rate was dangerously fast and it was the only way to keep your airways working. We can take it out now, but you need to stay calm, can you do that for me love'. Carson was cupping Rodney's cheek with one hand whilst rubbing his fingers back and forth through Rodney's hair. Carson saw the blue eyes clear as understanding hit, he knew Rodney hated the machines but it really was the only way to keep him alive. He watched as his lover nodded, a lone tear trickling down his face towards his ear.
'OK, give me a second and I'll remove it'. Rodney felt a pang of regret when Carson's hands left his face, all he wanted at that moment was to be swept into Carson's arms so he could feel safe once again. He felt the tube move slightly at his lips as Carson turned the vent off and disconnected the machine.
'Right love, listen to me. I need you to blow out hard as I pull the tube out. Just blow as hard as you can and I'll try to be quick'. Carson swiftly pulled the tube out as Rodney blew as hard as he could. The efforts and the feeling of the tube coming out left Rodney coughing hard, irritating his already tender throat.
He lay there gasping, the coughing unrelentlessly halting his efforts at drawing in breath as he felt an oxygen mask being placed over his face and the distinctive feeling of the BP cuff constricting the muscles on his arm. John had found the whole thing more than disturbing and didn't want to watch his friend struggle any longer.
'I'll come back later, it's good to see you awake answerman'. Rodney nodded at him deperately drawing in breath as John smiled as Carson before pulling open the curtain to make his way out of the infirmary, heading to the control room for a debriefing.
Carson had turned back to his lover, a soft relieved smile passing his lips has he picked up Rodneys hand, running his thumb in small soothing circles over the back of it.
'Good love, you're doing much better. You're throats going to be a wee bit sore for a couple of days but there's no permanent damage'. Rodney tried to speak but his throat was raw and he felt as though someone had stuffed his mouth with cotton wool, His voice was barely a whisper. Carson lifted the mask and picked up a cup of ice chips.
'Here, it'll help'. He was holding a large ice chip between his thumb and index finger and gently pushed it between his lovers parched lips, running his moist fingers over the cracking that was there.
'Och, i'll not be kissing them dry old things. I'll get one of the nurses to bring some lip balm in'. His tone was light and jovial but the pain he saw flash through the glassy blue eyes pulled at his heart. His brow knitted into a frown as his lover spoke.
'Thanks. Carson i'm sorry, he wanted to know the gate address to Earth and I wouldn't give it up. He kept forcing me to eat that damn fruit'. Carson felt his eyes fill with tears at his lovers hoarse voice, every word sounding painfull.
'I couldn't give it up, not after last time. I just couldn't'. Carson couldn't bear it any longer and placed his finger against Rodney's lips.
'It's ok love you're safe now, he can't hurt you anymore'. He bent down and kissed Rodney gently, Rodney responded deeply and moved over on the bed to give Carson room to lie with him. Carson understood Rodney's need for closeness and pulled away to scoot onto the narrow bed, leaning back against the pillows to allow room for Rodney to snuggle up to him.
That was how Dr Biro found them two hours later, Rodney nestled on Carson's chest, his IV arm draped over the Dr's waist. Both were fast asleep with Carson's head resting gently on top of Rodney's. She smiled at the sight and turned off the overhead light, closing the curtains on the two lovers.
'They make a nice couple' she thought as she made her rounds to the other patients, turning out the lights so they could sleep easier.
TBC
Hi guys
Another chapter completed. Thanks to everyone who reviewed and I Hope you enjoyed and as always please review.........
;D
