AN - Thanks to all of you that have reviewed and /or favorited this story and me. I enjoy reading all of your wonderful reviews! I do try to respond, but sometimes it takes me awhile, so just remember that I did read it and appreciate it! This story is currently at 19 chapters and looks to top out at 21-23. I am posting slowly in order to make revisions and to allow my wonderful beta, nacimynom, time to do her thing!
Now, on to the story ...
Part 8
When she felt his pain spike, Teyla knew John was waking. She moved as close as she could to whisper softly in his ear.
"John?"
His barely audible whimper and pain-filled motion told her that even a whisper was too much. Carson had been more right than he knew about John's probable condition. She decided to try again.
*"John, can you hear me?"*
This time, she used the bond to whisper into his head. Hopefully, that would not be as painful to him.
*"Yes. How long?"*
She was relieved when he answered her, although even his mind-voice was a bare whisper.
*"Two days. Are you in much pain?"*
*"Yes, hurts. Too much light. Too many machines."*
She had been concerned about that, that even this small amount of light and noise would be too much for him.
*"I shall let Carson and Jennifer know. They will give you something for the pain."*
*"Mmmm. Want to go to my room. Quieter. Darker."*
If, as she suspected, that it was all of the machines here in the infirmary, Terran and Ancient, then his quarters would be the best place for him since they were in an out of the way corridor. No one just happened to walk by his room unless they got really lost. An added benefit was that there would be fewer people around than in the infirmary where there was always something going on, making it difficult for a light sleeper like John.
*"I will let them know. I will be back, my love."*
Hopefully, knowing that relief was on the way, he would be able to ride the pain and rest while she went to speak to Carson and Jennifer.
*"'kay. Love you."*
Even though he couldn't see it, she lightly brushed his cheek and smiled before leaving the room.
Slipping into the main portion of the infirmary, Teyla spotted both Carson and Jennifer.
"Carson. Jennifer. John is awake."
They were both surprised; neither had expected him to wake this soon.
"Did he say anything? Was he lucid? Is he in pain?"
The two doctors traded questions like a ball.
Teyla nodded. "He did speak, but not aloud. I asked him a question in a bare whisper and it caused him great discomfort. He was lucid and complained of much pain. John said that there is still too much light and noise, plus there are too many Ancient devices around and they are adding to his pain. He wants to go to his room and I agree that it would be the best place for him."
Carson grimaced. "Aye, I was afraid of that. With his increased sensitivity to light and sound due to the migraine plus the head injury, bein' here is probably pure torture for the lad. I had not considered the Ancient devices into the treatment plan. I can barely hear them, but I can imagine how they would sound to someone that can hear them clearly." He looked at Jennifer. "What do you think?"
Jennifer stared into the distance for a moment, running ideas through her head. "I don't like the idea, but his injuries are not life-threatening. The migraine could be though, if we don't relieve the stressors." Jennifer grimaced. "The problem is going to be moving him. I'm sure Atlantis would darken the corridors, but we'd need the transporters and light to see and that would be as painful as staying here, not to mention that the motion will probably make him extremely nauseous."
"I think I can assist with that."
All three turned to the newcomer.
"Sam, I am glad to see you." Teyla said as she exchanged greetings.
Sam smiled. "Glad to see you too, Teyla. Carson, Jennifer, good to see you as well." Carter looked at the trio as she propped her hip against the nurses' station. "How is John doing?"
Jennifer answered this time. "He's got a nasty lump with an ugly gash on the back of his head and a moderate concussion. He had a dislocated shoulder and has two broken bones in his left hand along with a stab wound from a shape-changing device."
Carson picked up the litany. "In addition, he's exhausted and slightly malnourished. He also has a truly blinding migraine headache. And this is in addition to the healing burns and shrapnel wounds."
Sam winced when both doctors were done. "Ouch, and I thought Jack had gotten badly messed up a few times, this beats any of his."
Teyla and both doctors shook their heads, Carson answering. "Nope, this is mild. The lad has survived much worse.
Sam conceded the point. "True. I have read the reports."
"I do believe I heard an offer of assistance from ye?"
"You did, and I presume you were talking about moving John to his quarters for his own good?"
Carson nodded. "Aye. Stayin' here in the infirmary is nae doin' the lad any good. We can't get it dark enough or quiet enough for him. Transport is the problem."
"Well, that I can remedy easily." Sam looked at the two doctors. "Get what Teyla and, I presume, Ronon will need to take care of him together and I'll have Major Campbell do a site to site transport." Sam grinned. "He'll be in his own bed before he blinks twice."
Carson looked at Jennifer. "Why don't ye get what ye think they'll need together while I get somethin' for the Colonel's pain." He headed to the drug cabinet, pulled out a vial and filled a syringe. "Teyla, lass, I'm goin' to do somethin' unusual. I want you to give him this." Carson handed Teyla the syringe. "Just insert it in the IV port, makin' sure ye get the air out first."
"I remember how, Carson," Teyla looked at the Scottish doctor, a question in her eyes, "but why?"
"Because you can move quieter and if I go in there, I'm goin' to want to check his vitals an' the last thing he needs is to be bothered." Carson smiled a bit sheepishly. "It's also because your presence is soothing to the poor lad. Now get on with ye."
Teyla headed off, hearing the bustle behind her as Jennifer and Marie gathered the needed supplies. Reaching John's room once again, she slipped in as quietly as she could. She knew he wasn't asleep so she stepped carefully to his IV and injected the syringe. After just a moment, she could feel his relief as the powerful drug pulled him into the sweet arms of oblivion.
As the doctors prepared to move her favorite son, Atlantis made some preparations of her own. She darkened his quarters, turning the lights out completely then used the crystal conduits to make the walls glow softly. The light would be diffuse enough that it would not pain her son. She also darkened the corridor outside his quarters so that no light would penetrate whenever the door opened. Atlantis knew that her son and his mate would appreciate her efforts.
The transfer went smoothly. It had only taken just a few minutes to gather the needed supplies and prep John for the move. It took a couple of Marines a few more minutes to clear enough space for the bed. Now the injured pilot was sleeping soundly in his quarters, Teyla by his side to watch over him. Atlantis darkened the corridor leading to his quarters, shading it from barely dim at the edges to deep twilight in front of his door. Inside, the curtains were drawn over the window, blocking out all light except for a dim blue glow. There were no monitors in the room, not even an IV stand, although the catheter had been left in to make it easier to administer his pain meds. Two squads of Marines guarded the corridor, one at either end and under orders to only let certain people pass. Considering how obsessed some of the scientists could be when it came to their pet projects, Lorne ordered that the squads be armed with stunners. He felt that the visible threat would be enough to persuade even the most hard-headed scientist to respect Sheppard's privacy. Lorne knew that the Marines would not hesitate to use the stunners if that was what it took for them to protect their beloved CO.
As John slept, Teyla ghosted throughout his room, straightening and putting things away. The Athosian bed that Atlantis had decorated took up much more room than his previous one. To fit it they had to push many things aside. Many of the larger items were stacked in one corner due to his lack of floor space. This room was larger than his original one, but, if they were to be together, it was time to find a new one. Once he was feeling better, they could go over the city maps and look at the unclaimed residences for something they both would like.
John lay in the bed, covers pulled up to his chest. His right arm, sporting the catheter, rested across his chest. His left arm was propped on a pillow, with the hand laying on an additional one to elevate it. His head was turned to the right in order to relieve pressure from the gash on the back of his head. Since Sam had beamed him into his quarters four hours ago, the pain lines around his mouth and eyes had faded, leaving him relaxed and younger looking.
She walked over and sat on the edge of the bed. This one was much bigger than his old one and could hold both of them comfortably as neither were restless sleepers. Reaching over, Teyla brushed his hair back from his forehead, noting that it would need to be trimmed soon. Leaning back, she noticed the fingers on his right hand twitch. She took his hand in hers and was rewarded with another twitch, the fingers curling slightly around hers, gripping lightly.
"John, are you awake?" Her voice was soft as a spring breeze. She could see his eyes moving, eyelids twitching as he struggled to open them. Finally, her patience was rewarded with a sliver of hazel peering at her.
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