Bad Day
Disclaimer: Sony/MGM own all of Atlantis. The wonderful interpretation of the characters is thanks to the cast.
No profit comes from this, but it is a whole lot of fun!
Thanks to all who leave reviews, it's an inspiration to write more!
Sorry for the delay, our other computer is older than dirt and I had to resurrect my other computer for them to use.
Enjoy!
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Chapter 10
Carson wiped his eyes, trying to take away the urge to go and lie down somewhere and become unconscious. He made his way down the hall to resume his vigil over Rodney; trying to walk softly so that he didn't disturb Sheppard, who slept one bed over from McKay's.
What he found when he got there was a still sleeping Sheppard, but a missing scientist!
Thinking that his patient might be in the lav, he went to check. When he didn't find him, he started to worry.
Where've you got to, you daft bugger! I swear I'll tie you to that bed when I find you.
He immediately searched the rest of the infirmary and still not finding the missing man, went to wake the Colonel.
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Ronon woke up immediately when Sheppard radioed him to ask him to check Rodney's quarters as well as the lab to see if the scientist was there. It took the Satedan all of three minutes to dress and head out the door; after checking those areas he radioed back.
"Sheppard, this is Ronon, no sign of McKay in either place."
Sheppard was disappointed, he had hoped Rodney had gone to his own quarters to sleep. "All right, Ronon. Wake Teyla and meet me in the hallway that leads to the infirmary. I'm heading your way checking the area; should meet you somewhere in the middle."
"OK, Ronon out."
The big man headed to Teyla's room to wake her. He was worried and so was Sheppard; Ronon could hear it in his voice.
This could be very bad, if we don't find McKay soon.
He headed down the hall at a run.
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Sheppard was frantically searching each and every room as he and Carson made their way down the hallway. While he headed toward the living quarters, Carson had gone down the hall in the other direction. Beckett said he had only left McKay for ten minutes; long enough though for the scientist to leave.
Where are you McKay? God, I hate this . . . Rodney's sick and in his state of mind he could be any where, including the ocean.
That thought made Sheppard decide to check the balconies. He hoped he was wrong, but McKay might have jumped. Putting that thought aside as something he didn't want to think about, he gave the balcony door a push and quickly glanced outside. There was no one there; relived he turned back and again headed down the hall.
Where would he go? He kept asking himself . . .
Carson was frantic with worry; he knew how ill Rodney was and this disappearing act wasn't good.
No, not good at all.
They'd be lucky if Rodney was still alive when they found him. Again he chastised himself for leaving; he should have known something would happen while he was gone. Now he would have to live with that if something happened to his friend. Of all the people on Atlantis, Rodney was the one friend he cared most about. Because of Rodney's ailments, they had become very close as the scientist depended on him, only this time Carson felt that he had failed him.
Where have you got to?
John continued his search down the hallway, minute by minute he was getting more anxious. It was as if Atlantis had taken him away and hidden him from them. Finally he walked out onto another balcony and was about to call for Major Lorne and his men to join the search, when he spotted something white in the far corner. His heart clenched when he recognized who it was.
Rodney was lying on his side and was very still; for a moment Sheppard thought he was too late, since Rodney felt very cold, but a faint pulse proved him wrong.
"Sheppard to Carson, I've found him, east pier balcony."
Carson stopped in his tracks, "Thank the Lord! How is he?"
"There's a pulse, but he's ice cold, how soon can you be here?" Sheppard knew he couldn't carry the scientist alone.
"On my way, three minutes or so." Carson started to run.
Ronon was almost at Teyla's quarters; when he heard the radio exchange, he changed direction and headed their way at full speed.
"Sheppard, I'll be there in four minutes."
John pulled Rodney up into a sitting position, then sat beside him, putting an arm around his back. McKay's head rested against his shoulder; the man's whole body felt like an ice cube. Sheppard pulled him closer trying to keep him warm while they waited for Carson and Ronon. He wished he'd worn his field jacket, so that he could cover McKay with it.
The very stillness of the scientist worried him; never was McKay this quiet and Sheppard feared his friend had gone and done something really stupid this time and would pay dearly . . .
Carson was there in record time and had his stethoscope out before he even crouched down before McKay. He quickly checked Rodney's vitals.
"Dear Lord, he's freezing cold!"
John smirked, "Tell me about it, he's making me cold! He's like a heat-sucking alien."
Carson stood up, "Pulse is weak, we need to get him back and warmed up quickly!"
He took off his lab coat and with Sheppard's help put it on Rodney. The scientist was like a rag doll and dead weight; they were still trying to get him up and carry him between them when Ronon arrived.
"I'll take him," the large man said, scooping up the scientist as he would a child. Once he had McKay's weight evenly balanced, they all headed to the infirmary with Carson running ahead to get the infirmary prepared.
John ran along side Ronon, hoping that they would be in time to save the scientist . . .
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Carson had the warming blankets ready just as Ronon arrived with Rodney.
It took all of two minutes to get McKay undressed and covered with them. After Carson reattached the drip and the oxygen, he took one of McKay's arms and started rubbing it vigorously, trying to restore the circulation. When Sheppard arrived he took Rodney's other arm and did the same. They worked at this for at least fifteen minutes, Ronon watching McKay's face for any change. Finally, some color started to return to the scientist's cheeks. Carson checked and found Rodney's temperature was starting to rise as well.
"Thank heavens," was all he could say as he sat heavily in the chair next to the bed, exhausted.
Ronon patted him on the back. "You did good, Doc."
Beckett looked up and smiled slightly, just thankful they had found Rodney in time. . .
John slumped down on the edge of the bed, emotionally drained, "That was too, dam close."
Carson nodded in agreement, "Aye," was all he could manage, too exhausted to say more.
TBC