Born Killers
Chapter 7 Part 2
Last time….
Jenifer was angry about the whole incident. The first time she'd gotten to see her patient awake—he's a wreck. Todd was going to have a sore throat and a bump on the back of his head for a day or so; but over all fine. 'However, he might need therapy after this' she thought bitterly. Ronon had taken it too far; she looked up to see the two men standing with Rodney; dutifully, listening to his fears. Jen's anger was a tiresome burden to hold on to and she must accept that trouble revolved around Atlantis' team one.
A nurse had cleaned up Rodney's injury. Several needle sharp teeth penetrated the skin. The injury wasn't all too serious. She didn't doubt that it hurt, the knee isn't all that accepting of "abuse". When Todd first came to Atlantis (3years ago) they tested the Wraith prisoner for EVERYTHING. So it was fair to say Rodney wasn't going to need rabies vaccine, but instead a cocktail of antibiotics—just to be safe.
~/~Todd's POV~/~
Todd kept his head down; submissively, focusing on the pastel sheets. Palms flat against the bed, trying to regain his equilibrium in short controlled breaths. Todd was unable to bottle up his whimpering cooing noise; that shook him from the core. He could feel them examine him; lifting, pulling, and pushing things at him. Doing his best to remain stationary; he can feel the Runner watching him, pressing the need to flee more acute.
~/~
Once again they sat in the debriefing room. Woolsey wanted to discus the next course of action. Jen had argued hotly with John's decision to lock Todd in the private room. The Alternative was to cuff him to his bed and that hadn't sat well with her. He would be better off alone with the option to move about then tied down surrounded by humans, particularly since he just got beaten by one.
"For what I understand, Todd attacked Dr. MacKay" Woolsey looked exhausted. Today he'd been pulled all around Atlantis dealing with negotiations with SGA-8, new arrivals that came over on the Daedalus, and the continued debriefings and updates on Todd. Another event unto itself was a situation where one of their allies was suffering from a bad case of ammonia sweeping thru their village.
John could already tell where this is going, "well not exactly."
"How does one not exactly get attacked?" Richard had had enough. The day was stressful as is without John skirting the issue.
"Well –I don't think he really new what he was doing." Sheppard ran the scenario in his head again and again.
"How could he not", Richard concluded. "Explain to me Col. Sheppard."
Sheppard rubbed his hands together going over the whole incident. "Todd was under a considerable amount of sedatives'."
"Col. Sheppard, I believe that's Dr. Keller's area of expertise."
Quickly, Jenifer to the cue, "The Col's not wrong, Todd, was struggling to metabolize 'Frevrow'. A drug used in the St-dy-so world as a pain killer." Jen looked from Mr. Woolsey to Col. Sheppard and back.
Jenifer managed to stammer out "Mr. Woolsey—the situation was regrettable however; I believe Todd was not in full control of his "emotions".
Woolsey closed his eyes and breathed deeply for a moment releasing a sigh he began," where is Todd currently?"
"He is being detained in the isolation room" Jen offered.
"Col. Sheppard, do you believe in Todd's current condition, is he a danger to Atlantis or her personal."
Sheppard new Woolsey was covering his ass. If shit hits the fan, there would be only him to blame. "No—no I don't believe Todd is a threat."
"Very well," Woolsey stacked his papers together. "John, I hope you understand, Todd is only getting one chance. Despite Todd cooperation these last several months he is still considered a prisoner of war and an enemy of the people's of Earth."
Richard looked between the two of them, Dr. Keller and Col. Sheppard. "I would like the two of you to make the most of this opportunity. Get as much information from Todd as you can. Dr. Keller, perhaps Todd might be food motivated."
"Will see," John replied knowing Jen was about to erupt in fury.
"Good night then", Woolsey was the first to leave.
~~/~~ 6 Hours later ~~/~~
Major Lorne sat in the mess hall idly stirring his coffee, bemused by Todd's "inspection" of his food. Being not entirely sure what the wraith would eat he settled for getting a little bit of everything. However, being well after lunch, that didn't leave much choice. It wasn't so long ago that the Major and his charge got kicked out of the infirmary. The peoples of M15-H5B, turned out not to have ammonia but an aggressive staff infection that needed treatment in a clean environment. Thus Todd's private prison returned to being an overflow quarantine area for the sick. Perceptively, Dr. Keller decided it would be best if the peoples' of M15-H5B didn't see a wraith. Effectively; Todd was homeless, without any place to go. Lorne decided the mess hall was a good option and if Todd ate he most likely wouldn't be inclined to bite anyone.
Other then the few scientists there wasn't anyone here for a late lunch. Lorne chose the best seats in the Mess Hall. A couple of tables lined the bay windows, figuring if the food didn't hold the wraith's attention the view would.
Watching Todd 'poke' at his food Lorne finished his coffee. If the food passed the 'poke test' he'd taste the offending finger. The process was decidedly slow, but Todd wasn't causing any problems and John warned him about Todd's one chance.
At least Todd seemed to have chosen upon a dish, Alfrado. Lorne wasn't sure what he was thinking when he piled some Alfrado with the rest of the assortment on to the wraith's tray. Reflecting on the wraith's predatory teeth; Alfrado would have to be one of the most difficult things for Todd to eat.
When Todd was fully engrossed by his meal choice, Lorne decided it was safe enough to refill his coffee. Adding his 2 sugars Lorne stole a peek at Todd, whom was still focusing on eating. Hurrying along Lorne sat across from Todd again. The Wraith didn't seem to notice. He might not have noticed or was actively ignoring everything around him. He whipped his black coffee, the sugar long dissolved but the action was familiar and soothing. The clanging of the kitchen staff prepping the buffet table for supper time rush. Seem to draw the attention of him and the wraith.
"So do you like the Alfrado?" Lorne took the wraith's current awareness to ask questions.
Turning his gaze away from the buffet tables, "whom?"
The lazy answer actually sounded like the Wraith commander. "Um— the pasta— the food," Lorne pointed for effect.
Todd followed the finger's path back to the tray that sat before him. From Lorne's perspective he seemed to be considering his answer more carefully then was needed. He was actually expecting an arrogant answer like 'tolerable' or 'sufficient'. But Todd surprised him again like how easy it was to get him to try and eat there was no: negotiating, protesting, snarls or any wraith version of communicating. He sat down and seemed to understand he was expected to eat. Maybe he was in fact hungry. Lorne just needed to keep the wraith away from the off world visitors that were currently in the infirmary. Todd threw up… it was awful; and those special predatory teeth that made eating difficult made the whole process worse. By the end of it Todd was trying to catch his breath and looked to be in utter misery. It was probably safe to say he didn't toss his lunch just to be difficult. By the end of the dry heaving that followed he was holding his guts and looked frightened.
Calling for towels from the kitchen staff that spectated the event, Lorne pulled the wraith and chair away from the mess. Giving him a once over he radioed Dr. Keller. Mindful that she could be working on a patient at the moment and the last thing they need to know is that there is a wraith in the city.
"Dr. Keller, this is Major Lorne."
"Major I'm a little busy at the moment, can it wait?"
"No, I don't think so. Todd threw up. Where would you like me to bring him?"
"Where are you now?" Jen really had a professional coolness to her 'art'.
"The Mess Hall…" The kitchen staff were clearing the table and rolling a mop and bucket over. Todd had done a pretty good job keeping it on the tray.
It was quiet on the other side, "He ate?"
She sounded skeptical, "Yes… should I take him to the Sun Room?"
"No—not this floor. How about your apartment? I'll send someone to meet you."
"Wait! Not you?"
"I'm in the quarantined area it will be faster to send and off duty nurse outside the area. They can report back."
"Okay—Lorne out."
Todd looked like he was ready to heave again, "Are you going to be able to move?" He shook his head no. Stopping immediately he seemed to have gotten greener. "Kay, Todd I'm going to pick you up and if you are going to be sick again let me know so I can put you down." A slight grunt was all he got in response. Slowly, he lifted the wraith off the ground careful not to jostle him to much. Just outside the transporter Todd went stiff. Which made Lorne freeze; when his charge relaxed he made the rest of the way to his apartment.
Carrying the wraith into the bathroom, using his foot to knock the seat down, he sat his burden on the toilet. "Just stay put. I will be right back." Lorne was interrupted by a knock at the door.
He opened the door and was greeted with a "Major Lorne?"
"YES… Doctor?"
She smiled shyly, "No, Nurse Winfree… the patient?" she stressed.
"He's in here," leading the petit woman threw his home, bringing her to the washroom. Looking inside to where the wraith still sat. Hesitantly, she passed the threshold approaching the wraith with more caution then was needed. Todd still looked greener then he should, holding his eyes and guts tightly. Nurse Winfree grabbed her stethoscope and listened, checking vitals.
"What was it doing before it had gotten sick?"
Lorne pausing, he thought Jenifer would have informed her. "He was eating." She was obviously creeping away from Todd.
"What?"
Lorne could guess where this was coming from. "Alfrado—mostly. Maybe a couple wedges."
Making a few notes she looked at the wraith again. "I can't say for certain, but it could be Lactose intolerant."
"That quickly?"
"Well it's new—to them."
That made sense, "so let him sleep it off?" Lorne hoped it would be that simple.
"Pretty much, might get diarrhea. Is this all Major Lorne?"
She was wearing thin now, all he wanted to do was get her out and change his clothes. "Yes, I'll radio if I need anything."
"I'm off duty—you'll have to contact someone else." She made her way for the door and left without so much as a good bye.
Lorne standing in the threshold of the washroom he watched her leave. "Bitch," he whispered to himself. Todd snickered behind him. Lorne turned to see Todd whisper just as quietly, "agreed."
~~/~~
Ok so I didn't finish chapter 7 part 2 where I wanted to.
But It's been so long since I posted anything and for those that like this story I apologize. (I Moved and misplaced my note book)
With Lorne and Todd (Guide and various other names) AKA Wraith Commander are bonding so well I thought it would be a good place to leave off. (make you want more… you know cliff hangers)
********Read below******
NOTES: The Fictional medicine "Frev-row" comes from the a planet called St-dy-so and is effective when treating the native peoples. Primarily used as a painkiller for medical purposes. Also used in animal bait (when hunting) to dull response in prey animals; making the targeted animal that consumes said substance by making them clumsy, slow to respond, unpredictable and less aware.
