AN: Very small chapter, I know. But I've got the next chapter hand written, and it's not only longer, it's much more interesting. This is kind of a filler chapter.
…Treading Water and Waiting…
...X...
Sheppard collapsed unconscious into the ocean.
With a strangled gasp, Weir clutched his arm, yelling for the others to keep his head above water.
"Is he breathing?" McKay asked desperately, treading water as well as he could.
"Yes, but his pulse is unsteady," Teyla replied softly, helping Ford and Weir keep Sheppard steady.
"What the hell happened?" Ford snapped, laying on his back with Sheppard across his chest.
"I don't—I—," McKay stuttered, starting to go into shock.
"Rodney!" Weir yelled, wishing desperately that Sheppard was awake—Sheppard who always knew how to respond and keep McKay focused.
"I…he must have triggered some sort of Atlantian safety feature and…ah…well, I don't think it was made to handle more than one person…"
"Will he be all right?" Sora asked sharply.
"How the hell should I know?" McKay snapped, and Weir traded a small smile with Teyla—at least he was going to be okay.
"When do you think we can expect help?" Teyla asked Weir softly, so as not to worry the others. Weir, who had already been thinking of this, bit her lip.
"Beckett most likely thinks we're dead, if not seriously injured, but he'll keep calm. He'll grab one of our young pilots-in-training, and take a jumper out here. But I don't think even he can get out here under ten minutes, although I'm sure he's breaking records even as we speak." Teyla nodded, no longer needing to have "breaking records" explained, which pleased her, although she was currently terrified for her friends.
Sora and Ford were warriors—they'd stay calm. Dr. Weir had stayed collected—a seeming mircacle considering the shape Major Sheppard was in. Dr. McKay, however, was perilously close to losing whatever cool he could be accused of possessing. It was just lucky for all of concerned he knew how to swim.
She glanced at her unconscious friend who had—miraculously, it seemed, or even instinctively—saved their lives. But at what cost?
They stayed above the icy water, feeling the cold seep deep into their bones.
McKay sneezed.