Lets Make A Deal. Chapter fourteen
"Sheppard! Slow down! What?! Do you want to end up back in the infirmary exactly two point five minutes after just being released!"
Rodney had to almost break into a jog to keep up with the crutch-aided Colonel, who was expertly maneuvering through the hallway, dodging personnel with practiced ease.
"You know, its a good thing you've had lots of practice with those things, otherwise I would probably be calling Ronon to come pick your scrawny butt up off the floor!" Rodney huffed out as he lost sight of his charge as he rounded the bend.
"Sheppard! Hold up! Carson's gonna kill me if you get hurt before he can finish his first cup of coffee! ...Colonel!"
Rodney collided with something hard as he rounded the bend, which sent both parties sprawling in a heap to the floor.
"Dammit, Rodney! Watch where you're going! You told me to hold up!"
Sheppard growled, as he tried to roll out from under Rodney. At the same time, Rodney braced himself with his arm on the floor in an attempt to get up. Sheppard's body ended up swiping Rodney's arm out from under him and his full weight once again pinned the Colonel to the floor.
A marine was headed down the hall and upon seeing the tangled bodies (and recognizing one as being their CO) rushed forward to help get both men untangled and upright.
"Are you okay, sir?"
"Fine, thanks for the assist Jenkins." The Colonel winced as he tried to bend down the retrieve a crutch. The marine grabbed both crutches and smiled as he handed them to his CO.
"No problem, sir! Glad to be able to help...ah...are you sure you are okay?"
Sheppard pulled himself straighter, suppressing the urge to groan from the pull of sore muscles. "Yeah, I'm fine Corporal...ah...you don't need to mention this to anyone, okay?" John smiled.
"Yes, sir...I mean, No, sir..." The young Corporal returned the smile, though he watched his CO move stiffly as he settled against the crutches for support.
Rodney waved at the serviceman as he moved on. "Ah, thanks! I'm okay, too!" He then turned and scowled at Sheppard. "Are you really alright? Because you know...Carson will blame me if you're not! What are you in a hurry for, anyway?"
Sheppard sighed. "I'm fine Rodney...just wanted to get a real shower in before the meeting."
"You do know Carson will be at this meeting! He released you on the condition that you rested, in your quarters."
"Yeah...but I need to be at this meeting. I can't believe Woolsey would have the meeting about the Ancient device without me! I'll deal with Carson...after the meeting."
Ten minutes later, a freshly showered and shaved Lt Colonel John Sheppard hobbled into the conference room. Since he was a few minutes late, he was only subjected to the scowling glare Carson immediately bestowed upon him as he walked in. John was going to ignore him, but felt that was ill-advised, so he opted for a sheepish smile. Carson rolled his eyes, his futility
apparent. John knew he'd get an earful later.
Elizabeth was surprised to see him. "Colonel? Dr Beckett informed me that he had released you to your quarters to rest."
Sheppard was fully prepared to defend himself for disobeying the physician's orders. " Ah, yeah, but I can rest just as well here as in my room. It's not like I am doing anything strenuous...just sitting here...which is what I'd be doing in my room." He looked over at Carson. "I'll go straight back to my room when the meeting is over."
"Yes, you will. But Colonel, if you can't follow simple medical orders that are in place to insure your welfare, what example does that set for those under your command. I dare say, it does not set a prudent one." Elizabeth was trying to make a point, but knew it was lost on the stubborn military man.
"We'll, you're here now. Take a seat and rest. In fact, I will have Dr Beckett escort you back to the infirmary for a check after the meeting."
Sheppard went to protest but Elizabethheld up her hand.
"No argument, Colonel." Elizabeth actually smiled with satisfaction, as did Carson.
John knew he had just been chastised and was still in for an ear-bender from Carson. He took his seat grumpily. He missed the slight smiles that appeared on everyone else's face.
"Okay, as I saying, I called this meeting so that Dr McKay could update his findings on the device that healed Colonel Sheppard. Colonel, since Rodney informed me that he had this discussion with you earlier, I deemed your presence not necessary at this point."
Score one for Weir. And Carson. John sank in his seat when he realized he was in trouble for attending the meeting he didn't really need to be at. Damn!
John sat brooding, only semi-aware of the conversation going on around him. It's wasn't like he didn't already know...apparently. It wasn't long before it became harder and harder to keep his eyes open.
Teyla was sitting next to John and noticed that he was close to nodding off. To save him the embarrassment of face-planting on the conference room table, she gently placed her hand on his arm to get his attention. Luckily he didn't startle and his attention was instantly drawn to her. Teyla smiled warmly, her eyes concerned.
John sat up straighter, wincing at the muscle stiffness that seemed to envelope his whole being. He was also unaware that Carson had been keeping his eyes on him throughout the meeting. Watching his stubborn patient drifting off to sleep was one thing, but the obvious signs of pain was another.
Feigning a call from the infirmary as an excuse to get the Colonel out of there, Carson interrupted the meeting to excuse himself.
"Excuse me, I am needed in the infirmary." He stood up to leave but his eyes fell onto John. "Colonel? I think we have a date in the infirmary?"
It wasn't so much a question as a demand and John knew there was no way he could get out of Carson's grasp gracefully.
Resigned to his fate, John gathered his crutches, smiled wanly at the remaining group and slowly followed Carson out. The look on Carson's face as he let the injured man go ahead of him was priceless. Everyone at the meeting couldn't help but feel a little pity for the Colonel.
After a good dressing down and a more than complete physical, Carson let Sheppard free, warning him that he had spies all over and if the Colonel so much as crossed his toe over the threshold of his quarters door, a certain Colonel's head would roll.
Back in his room, John sat on the edge of his bed and sighed. He was tired and a nap did sound good, but it was the middle of the day. If he took a nap now, he would have a hard time going to sleep at night. Spying the neglected copy of War and Peace on his nightstand, he sighed again and leaned over to grab the book. He figured he might as well catch up on his reading. His goal had been to read ten pages a night, but so far he was way off that goal. Settling back against his headboard, he reread a few pages to refresh his memory. He managed to only reread a few pages before his eyes closed.
Three hours later, John was startled awake by a thumping on his door. Recognizing the thump as Ronon's, he thought the door open. Ronon walked in.
"Hey"
"Hey"
Ronon pulled the desk chair out and sat. "Bored?"
John chuckled. "Yeah, and this is only day one."
"Carson reem you out?" John noticed the smirk on his friend's face.
"Got an earful." John sighed. "Guess I was lucky not to have Carson make me stay in the infirmary, but he's watching me like a hawk." The displeasure was apparent on his face.
"He's just concerned. We all are." John was taken aback as he saw the slight blush rise on his big, burly friend.
"Yeah, thanks...I get it. I'm a lucky man...got all my limbs intact, a great doctor and fantastic friends. I know Carson and you guys are just looking out for me." John smirked fondly.
"Wanna come watch Teyla and me spar?"
John wanted to, he really did. But..."Can't buddy, Carson already threatened to sedate me senseless if I'm not a good little outpatient."
Ronon stood and thumped John on the back. "Yeah, not good. Want us to bring you a tray and have dinner with you? I borrowed "Sky Fall" from Dr. Stravinsky. We can watch it while we eat.
"Sounds good, Chewie! I need you guys to stop me from breaking my promise to Carson."
Ronon winced. He knew how he would feel being ordered to stay in his room. He would need to find things to keep Sheppard busy for the next few days until Carson cooled off.
TBC. Sorry these chapters are coming slow...the writing bug is on vacation from my brain! LOL! I know this chapter wasn't too exciting..kind of a filler chapter...some downtime. Thanks to all of you who are sticking around! Will try to find more time to write...real life is hectic, as I am sure you all know about too! My Best to all !