An apology to those who read this a couple of months ago, but I took it down to edit it to my liking. I might actually edit it again, but won't be taking it down again. To those of you who haven't read it, I hope you enjoy it.

Chap. 10:

Twenty-four hours later Beckett is at his wits end. Lexi has coded four more times and having to deal with John, who he is getting more and more worried about, on top of trying to keep Lexi alive has brought him to this point. Tiredly rubbing his face, he thanks the medical g-ds that he was at least able to get John to take a shower. Taking a look at the clock on the wall, he stands up and heads for the back part of the infirmary, to go check on Lexi again.

Walking into the room, he frowns, as he sees that John is still awake and Teyla is curled up fast asleep in her chair. Angry with himself for letting John convince him that he is all right, "okay, that's it. I've had it."

Turning his head to look at him, "what d'you mean?" and before he knows it, Beckett is hauling him out of the chair over to the other bed, "wh...what are you doing?"

Pushing him back against the bed and noticing that Teyla is now staring at them, "I'm doing what I should have done last night, but was too stupid not to." and letting go of his shoulder, glaring at him, "you need to sleep John."

Returning the glare, but not getting up from the bed, as now that he is somewhat horizontal his body is screaming at him even more for sleep, "but what happens if..."

"You'll be right here."

Looking over at Lexi and then at Teyla, who smiles encouragingly at him and back at Beckett, "has Ronon radioed in yet?"

"No not yet."

Frowning and looking at Lexi again, "but you said that if she didn't get the treatment within twenty four hours she would..." he trails off and stares at Beckett, "what did you just give me?"

Disposing of the syringe, watching as John's eyes start to close, his body relaxing, "just something to help you sleep."

Eyes closing all the way, "but...I...need..." he mumbles out, as the sedative fully takes effect.

Patting his shoulder, lowering the head of the bed and pulling a thermometer out of his coat pocket, inserting it into John's ear, "just sleep lad. It'll be okay."

"Carson?"

Looking over at Teyla, "aye love?"

Sitting forward in her chair, "is he okay?"

Taking the thermometer out of John's ear as it beeps, frowning at the reading, "I thought as much."

"Carson?"

Startling and looking up at her, "oh sorry. No, his temperature is a wee bit elevated." and placing the thermometer down on the tray table next to the bed, reaching for John's wrist, "he's fighting something."

"What do you think it could be?"

Sitting down on the stool that is between the beds, "I'm not sure. But right now, I'm gonna chalk it up to exhaustion and worry."

Matching his frown and looking at Lexi, "how is she doing?"

Sighing, "not well. I don't know how she's doing it. But she's still with us and she shouldn't be."

"Will she come out of this?"

Eyes darting over to Lexi's monitor as it beeps erratically, he starts to get up from the chair, but sits back down, nodding as it settles down again, "it's possible."

Shifting in her chair, trying to get more comfortable, "I hope she does. For all our sakes."

Nodding, "aye love. So do I."

xxxx

The following morning, Beckett walks into John and Lexi's room in the infirmary, quickly looking over at the bed where John is curled up on his right side. Shaking his head, looking at his watch, which reads 1015, he frowns to himself remembering the call that he had gotten three hours before from one of the nurses.

He had been grabbing a catnap in his quarters when the call came in. John had woken up with a bout of severe vomiting and his temp had spiked to 105, causing him to become delirious. Beckett had rushed back to the infirmary and after making sure that the proper doses of medication were administered through an IV he had stayed by John's side, keeping an eye on him and Lexi.

Coming back to the present, he pushes his worry aside for a moment and steps up to Lexi's right side. Placing the tray he is carrying down on the table that is next to him, he sets up an IV catheter in her right hand. Attaching the IV bag with the anti venom in it to the catheter, he takes a seat on the stool that is between the beds, watching the monitors.

Half an hour later, slightly encouraged by the readouts on the monitors, he gets up and stepping over to John's bed, reaching out and gripping his shoulder and wrist at the same time, "Colonel?"

Eyes snapping open and darting around the room, coming to rest on Beckett, "doc?"

Raising the head of the bed, "aye lad."

Turning on his back, wincing as the lights make his head pound, "how…is she?"

Not having missed the wince, he lays John's hand back down on the bed and reaching for the thermometer, "I administered the anti venom half an hour ago. But it's too early to tell."

Looking over at Lexi, frowning, "so you don't know if she's gonna pull through?"

Sticking the thermometer in his ear, "no I don't."

Glaring at him, "what're you doing?"

Rolling his eyes and taking the thermometer out of his ear, looking at the screen, "I'm taking your temperature. What does it look like I'm doing?"

Sighing and trying to sit up, "Carson."

Pushing him gently back against the bed again, "Colonel."

Sighing again and scrubbing his face with his hands, he feels a slight pinch in the back of his right one and pulling it away from his face, he stares at the catheter and tape holding it in place, "what's with this?"

Crossing his arms across his chest, staring at him, "what do you remember from last night?"

Squirming under his gaze, "um. You knocked me out…" and racking his brain, not able to think of anything else, "and that's it. Why?"

Sitting down, pulling his penlight out of his pocket and clicking it absentmindedly, "well, you spiked a fever and were vomiting on and off for a good fifteen minutes. It was easier to treat you with it."

Frowning, "oh." and staring at the IV again, "well, I feel fine now, so could you take it out?"

Eyeing him critically, "I'm not so sure that's a good idea."

"Please."

Shaking his head, but standing up and reaching for John's hand, "I really shouldn't, but okay."

Wincing as the catheter slides out of his hand and he feels Beckett placing a cotton ball over it, "thanks Carson."

Rolling his eyes, "yeah, yeah. I'm a big softie. I know. But since the IV is out, I want you to take another dose of Tylenol. Your temp is still higher then it should be."

Grimacing as he swings his legs over the side of the bed, "you worry too much."

Grabbing him by the elbow and smirking, "about you, yes I do. You've caused most of my gray hairs, lad."

Frowning as Beckett helps him sit down in the chair next to Lexi's bed, "I don't mean to."

Heading for the door, talking over his shoulder, "I know that you don't John."

Watching Beckett walk out of the north entrance to the room, he's right John. and refocusing on Lexi, "yeah, but she needs him more than I do." he says under his breath and standing up he sways a little, but after a couple of seconds he gets his balance in check and reaching for the collar of the gown that Lexi is wearing he pulls it back a little, smiling as he sees the chain around her neck. Easily finding the clasp, he unhooks it and removing the chain, he settles the dog tag and ring around his own neck. Sitting down slowly, he gingerly leans back in the chair, swallowing a couple of times to keep his stomach in check, cursing the fact that he feels so rotten.

xxxx

Just as Beckett was giving John the sedative, the Jumper carrying Ronon and Doctor Blaine returned from the mainland.

Walking out of the Jumper bay ahead of Doctor Blaine, "I'm gonna go check on Lexi and Sheppard."

"No Ronon. Go get some sleep."

Stopping short, turning around quickly and glaring at the Doctor, "but I need to be there for Sheppard."

"I know you do, but you'll be no good to him if you're run down."

Realizing that he's right, Ronon nods his head and turns in the direction of the transporter to take him to his quarters.

Watching him walk out of sight, Doctor Blaine nods to himself and hurries off to the infirmary to get started on producing the anti venom.

Reaching his quarters, Ronon peels off his clothes and gets into the shower, letting the hot water run over his tired body. When he was a runner, sleepless nights were a common occurrence, but standing under the spray of the water now, he realizes that this is a different kind of tired. Slapping his palms against the shower wall, he lets out a howl of anger, pain and frustration that he did not get the snake in time.

Turning off the shower and getting out, he dries himself off and after getting dressed he climbs into his bed. Lying there for a while, he lets the past day and a half replay in his head, trying to figure out if there was anything he could have done differently to catch the snake sooner. Twenty minutes later, after continuing to beat himself up over it, he finally falls asleep.

Twelve hours later, around the time that Beckett is administering the anti venom to Lexi, Ronon bolts upright in bed, shaking. Letting out a string of Satedan curse words under his breath as he rubs his hands over his face, he gets out of bed and heads for the bathroom. Relieving himself, he washes his hands and then brushes his teeth. Putting on some deodorant, a guilty pleasure he adopted after a couple of weeks of being on Atlantis, he walks back into his room and throwing on a pair of shoes, he leaves his quarters for the infirmary.

Reaching it, he looks around for Beckett and spotting him walking out of the room where John and Lexi are, looking dead on his feet and very worried, "doc?"

"Ah, Ronon. Good job lad."

Sticking his hands in his pockets and frowning, "but I didn't get the snake soon enough."

Clapping him on the shoulder, "rubbish, you did your best. So don't blame yourself."

Nodding and sticking his chin out in the direction of the small room, "how are they?"

Walking towards the closest medicine cabinet and opening it, "it looks like Lexi might be turning a corner."

"And Sheppard?"

Picking out a packet of Tylenol, "he says he's fine."

Snorting, "which means he's not."

Locking the cabinet and turning around to face him, "aye. Can you do me a favor?"

"Sure."

Coming up to him and handing him the Tylenol, "please get him out of here."

"He's not gonna want to leave."

Sighing, grabbing a bottle of water from one of the storage shelves and handing it to him, "I know that. But he needs to take a break."

Accepting the water bottle, "you got it doc." and falling into step with Beckett as they head back to the small room, "is he up for a run?"

Frowning as they reach the entrance, "I'm sure he'll say that he is, but I'd prefer it if he didn't."

Smirking, "okay. Should I stay with him?"

"Aye. That's a good idea." and walking into the room, heading for John's side, "Colonel?"

Looking up at him, smiling, "Carson, she squeezed my hand."

Matching his smile and walking around to Lexi's side to check her over, "did she now?"

Catching sight of Ronon, "hey Chewy." and refocusing on Lexi, "I owe you a big thank you."

Shrugging and handing him the Tylenol and water, "no you don't." and catching the look Beckett is throwing him, "how about some breakfast?"

Swallowing the pills and watching Beckett checking over Lexi, "nah, I'm good."

"John, go with Ronon."

They all turn to see Teyla walking into the room with Torren in her arms and as she comes to stand next to Ronon, "I'll stay with Lexi."

Looking from Ronon and Teyla to Beckett, "Carson?"

Looking up at him from his position of leaning over Lexi, his stethoscope in his ears, "it's okay. She's doing much better."

Standing up and nodding, "when can I come back?"

Coming around to his side, "you can come back after you've gotten something to eat and some more sleep."

Frowning to try and hide a wince as the room spins a little, "why?"

Eyeing him critically, "because I said so."

Turning and heading for the door behind him, "come on Ronon, let's go do as the doctor ordered."

Pushing off the wall he was leaning against, he looks at Beckett who nods at him and he follows John out of the room.

Reaching the transporter just as John swipes the control for it, "so, breakfast?"

Stepping into it and hitting the screen for the section where Lexi's quarters are, "no. I'm not really hungry."

Stepping out of the transporter, "but you just said."

Stopping in front of Lexi's quarters, mentally feeling that the doors are locked, he closes his eyes and unlocks the doors, only to snap his eyes open in confusion as he feels Ronon's hand gripping his shoulder, "what?"

Dropping his hand from his shoulder, concern written across his face, "you were swaying."

Shivering as a chill runs through him, "oh." and heading into the quarters, not missing the look Ronon is throwing at him, "I know what I just said, but, believe it or not sleep sounds better than eating right now."

Following him into the quarters and sitting down on the couch, "you want me to hang out?"

Heading for the bathroom, "you don't have to."

"Are you sure you don't want anything?"

Walking into the bathroom, talking over his shoulder, "I'm sure."

Shrugging and getting up, heading for the doors, "okay. I'll come and check on you when I'm done."

Glaring at him from the entrance to the bathroom, "I don't need a babysitter."

Chuckling, "I know you don't. But Beckett asked me to keep an eye on you."

"Fine. I'll see you later."

Swiping his way out of the quarters, "get some rest Sheppard."

Heading into the bathroom, peeling off his clothes, he heads for the shower, turning it on with a thought, swaying a little as the concentration is difficult, "that's my plan." and stepping under the hot spray he lets the water run over his aching muscles, letting out a moan as a shiver runs through him.

Twenty minutes later he startles awake as the water abruptly turns cold and flailing out a hand he steadies himself against the wall, I'm awake, I'm awake and thinking the water off, he takes some deep breaths to keep his stomach from escaping out of his mouth.

Groaning as every muscle in his body screams at him along with the jackhammer pounding through is head, he steps unsteadily out of the shower stall, reaching for and wrapping himself in his towel.

Keeping his hand on the wall to keep himself upright he shuffles over to the sink and leaning against it he starts to brush his teeth, only to drop the toothbrush into the sink, as he scrambles for the toilet, dry heaving.

What feels like an eternity later, but in fact is only a couple of minutes, he shakily flushes the toilet and slumps back against the wall. Curling his knees into his chest, he rests his head on them, shivering like crazy, what gives?

A couple of minutes later he jolts awake again and realizing a second later that he is still sitting on the floor, it hits him that he should probably get up and put some clothes on. But as he tries to uncurl his legs he only manages to breathe through the nausea and pain that spikes with the movement.

Pass out John it's okay. Ignoring the voice in his head, gritting his teeth, he pushes himself up the wall, closing his eyes tight as the world spins on him and his stomach threatens to rebel again. A few seconds later, satisfied that it's as settled as it is going to get, he squints his eyes open and stumbles his way back to the sink.

Trying to stand up straight, another moan escapes him as the world spins again and his stomach flip-flops. Gripping the edge of the sink tightly, he breathes through the nausea and letting out a sigh he shakily reaches for the toothbrush. He brushes his teeth, leaning heavily against the sink the whole time.

Washing out his mouth and placing the toothbrush back in its holder, he turns around and slowly shuffles into the main part of the quarters and reaching the dresser he grabs a pair of boxers, sweats and a long sleeved t-shirt.

Slowly he makes his way over to the bed and falling more then sitting down on it, he bites the inside of his cheek as he pulls the boxers and sweats on. Leaning over, wrapping his arms around his stomach, he tries to calm his breathing down. A couple of minutes later, after the pain has subsided a little, he gingerly sits up and pulls on the t-shirt, shivering the whole time.

Freezing and in pain he slowly stands up, holding in a moan, as he pulls down the blankets and climbing into the bed he buries himself under the blankets. Closing his eyes, he wills himself to ignore the pain and after a while he drifts off to sleep.

xxxx

Two hours after Ronon left John in Lexi's quarters, around 1320 he makes his way back to them and swiping his hand over the door, "Sheppard?"

Getting no answer, he reaches up and hits his radio, "Ronon to Beckett."

"Go ahead son."

"Doc, Sheppard isn't answering the door."

"What do you mean he's not answering the door? I thought you were with him."

Sighing, "I was, but he told me to go get something to eat and he went to sleep in Lexi's quarters." and hearing muttering curses on the other end of the radio, "doc?"

"Sorry lad. I'm on my way."

Turning off the radio link, Ronon begins to pace back and forth waiting for Beckett to show up.

He doesn't wait long, as five minutes later Beckett shows up, two corpsman, gurney, med bag and LSD in hand, "I take it he hasn't answered the door yet?"

Frowning, "no."

Closing his eyes, Beckett mentally unlocks the doors and opening his eyes, he sighs in relief as the doors slide open. Walking quickly into the quarters, Ronon right behind him, he mentally brings up the lights, enough to see, making a beeline for the bed.

As soon as he reaches it, he kneels down and laying a hand on John's shoulder, frowning as he doesn't stir, "Colonel can you open your eyes for me, son?"

Slowly surfacing through the blissful pain free world of sleep, it takes less then a second for awareness to slam into him and as it does, John sucks in a breath, clumsily batting Beckett's hand away, "no…hrts…wnt…sleep."

Easily catching hold of his left hand, "I know lad, but you can't go back to sleep just yet." and inserting an IV into the back of his hand, "I need you to open your eyes and tell me where it hurts."

Trying to peel his eyes open, but curling tighter into a ball as another wave of pain and nausea radiates through him, he gives up on staying conscious all together.

Seeing him slipping into unconsciousness, "damn it." and scanning him with the LSD, grimacing at the readings, "okay lads, let's get him down to the infirmary as quick as possible." and shifting John onto the gurney, settling the oxygen mask on his face, he reaches up to activate his radio, "Danielle, I need a quarantine set up for Colonel Sheppard and run blood work on everyone that's come into contact with him over the last forty eight hours."

Following Beckett and the gurney out of the quarters, "doc?"

Keeping one eye on the scanner and one on the hall as they move the gurney along, "he's very ill Ronon and if he has what I think he has, we have to make sure that he isn't contagious."

Frowning and walking slightly behind the gurney, keeping his focus on John, "should I have stayed with him?"

Stopping short, but nodding at the corpsmen to continue on without them, "Ronon, there is nothing that you could've done to prevent this." and starting to move again, "this one's all on me."

Falling into step next to him, "what can I do?"

Walking through the doors to the infirmary, "let Danielle draw some blood from you and then go sit with Teyla and Lexi."

Watching as Beckett hurries off towards the isolation rooms, "okay doc." and sitting down on a gurney, he waits for Danielle to come take his blood.

xxxx

Rushing into the isolation suite, Beckett accepts a mask from Doctor Blaine, "Dylan, have the samples been taken from everyone?"

"Yes Carson, except for you and Ronon."

Taking off his jacket, holding his arm out, "well let's get on with it then. I have a patient to take care of."

Chuckling and swabbing the crook of Beckett's arm, "yes sir."

Wincing as the needle pierces his skin, "how are Lexi's vitals?"

Withdrawing the needle and placing a cotton swab over the puncture mark, "improving. We should be able to take her off the vent by tonight."

Slipping into a sterile gown, "that's great news. Let's hope that she hasn't caught what John has."

Following Beckett into the inner room of the isolation suite, "what do you think he has?"

Heading for John's side, slipping on a pair of gloves and taking the control tablet for the ancient scanner, hitting start, "meningitis."

Letting out a low whistle, "well that explains the quarantine."

"Aye." and reading the results that are appearing on the view screen, "and it looks like I was right."

Taking a look at the scan and taking the tablet from Beckett, "not entirely. Look at this."

Reading the text, "okay then. That's just…I don't know what that is." and running his eyes over John as he shifts on the gurney, "all right then, do me a favor and see if his and Lexi's blood work is ready."

Heading out of the inner room, talking over his shoulder, seeing Beckett maneuvering the scanner out of the way so that he can reach John more easily, "do you want to do a spinal tap?"

Nodding as he leans over John, listening to his heart and lungs, "I want to see an improvement in his BP first. Let's wait an hour. If it doesn't come up by then, we'll do the tap." and straightening up, Doctor Blaine's "all right" can be heard through the door.

Slinging the stethoscope around his neck, he reaches for the thermometer and inserts it in John's ear.

As he does so, he smiles behind the mask as John let's out a soft moan and turns his head away from the offending instrument, "John, are you with me lad?" and getting no answer he runs his eyes over the monitors.

A few seconds later, just as the thermometer beeps, Beckett frowns as John has yet to wake up, although he has continued to shift restlessly on the gurney. Placing the thermometer down on the tray next to the bed, gripping John's wrist, "come on son, just open your eyes for a moment and then you can go back to sleep."

xxxx

Pain, nausea and an all over feeling of walking through a mix of the hottest places he can recall and the coldest at the same time, had John trying his hardest to ignore the voices that kept asking him to wake up.

However, the instant something hard enters his ear, it hits him that he is no longer going to be able to stay in the blissful world of unconsciousness. Turning his head on the pillow to try and put off waking up for as long as possible, he is vaguely aware of Beckett asking him, "John, are you with me lad?"

Ignoring that too, he tries to let himself drift a little longer, until he feels a hand on his wrist and Beckett telling him, "come on son, just open your eyes for a moment and then you can back to sleep."

The feeling of Beckett's hand gripping his wrist grounds him enough that he starts putting in an effort to pry his eyes open. After what feels like ages he finally manages to blink them open to slits and as Beckett's form solidifies in his line of vision, "hot."

Nodding, "aye, I'd imagine you would be." and checking the readings on the monitor again, "can you tell me your other symptoms?"

Sucking in a breath as his stomach rolls, "nauseous…headache…neck hurts." and as his teeth begin to chatter, "co…cold."

Pulling the blanket that is draped up to his waist up to his shoulders, "all right lad. You just go back to sleep, I'll be right back."

Nodding a little, letting his eyes slide shut, "o…kay."

Turning to head out of the room, as he wants to check on the blood work, Beckett stops short as, "Carson!" has him turning around quickly to see John struggling to sit up in the bed.

Hurrying over to his side, reaching him just in time to keep him from falling out of the bed, "easy now lad. I've got you."

Breathing heavily and trembling as shivers run through him, "where's…Lexi?"

Gently pushing him against the bed, recovering him with the blankets and untangling the IV line, "she's fine John." and seeing him relax a little, "go back to sleep."

Fighting to keep his eyes open, "no…have…to…"

Running his eyes over the monitors as John's breathing evens out in to sleep, he frowns as he heads out of the room to get everything ready for the spinal tap, realizing that if they wait the hour to do it, John will only get worse.