Happy Holidays everyone! Please go back and read chapter thirteen before you read this since 13 has been rewritten. Enjoy :)
Title: Family and Home
Author: Cindy Ryan
Pairings: Sheppard/Keller, Lorne/Keller friendship
"I can't see any wounds."John reported feeling Evan's tension next to him. He knew the Major felt responsible but it was something they'd deal with later.
Conners crouched on the other side of Jennifer quickly assessing her vitals. He observed the area that John was holding the gauze on. He gently pushed the Colonel's hands aside.
"Colonel, it's not her blood."Conners stated as he looked over at Dex. "Is the baby hurt?"
Ronon double checked the screaming infant as he pulled the blanket away then shook his head. "No."
Conners nodded before returning his attention to Jennifer. "Her breathing is good, no cracked ribs. Help me lift her."
John and Evan quickly moved forward and gently lifted Jennifer off the ground easing her into an angle.
John swallowed hard as he saw Conner's hand come away with blood after examining Jennifer's back.
"Ease her onto her side."Conners ordered quietly as he took more gauze and medical tape out of his vest. "Looks like she got pretty cut up during the fall….there's a large gash on her shoulder blades …..I need to get that bleeding under control."
John gently turned Jennifer and helped Conners ease his wife's torn jacket off Conners lifted Jennifer's uniform shirt and freed her arms.
John tried not to cringe as Conners lifted the shirt up revealing the ugly cut. It was about the size of a pair of scissors and ran from her right shoulder blade almost to the left.
Conners checked Jen's pulse once more before he met John's worried gaze. "She'll be okay….her pulse is strong now….she'll need stitches once we get home. We just have to monitor her when she wakes up….no sleeping."
John nodded releasing a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding. He took one of Jennifer's hands and squeezed it lightly letting her know he was there.
Matthews came around his superiors and knelt by Conners handing him more gauze.
Conners nodded his thanks to his teammate before concentrating on the task at hand.
He applied pressure to the wound. After a few minutes the bleeding stopped and the lieutenant began applying the dressing
Rodney knelt behind Lorne and John. He gave them a blanket out of his pack.
"Thanks, Rodney."John acknowledged quietly as he draped the blanket over Jennifer's lower body not hindering Conners work.
"Done."Conners confirmed after a moment and he replaced Jennifer's shirt to its previous position and drew the blanket farther up around the doctor.
"Good work, Lieutenant."John complimented as they carefully moved Jennifer onto her back.
Evan shrugged out of his jacket and folded it. He lifted Jennifer's head and placed the makeshift pillow underneath. He watched his friend for a moment before standing and walking away.
John looked back at the scientist. "Rodney, give me a way out."
"You're assuming there is one."Rodney replied as he turned his tablet on and began running a scan. "These people seem to be hiding…..not very well mind you but they obviously came here to hide……..this place was self sufficient water supply, food supply."
"Air's comin' from somewhere."Ronon suggested as he continued to awkwardly comfort the scared infant in his arms.
"Obviously."Rodney bit back not looking up from his small screen.
"Rodney."John prompted as he glanced from his wife's still form to the baby in Ronon's arms and back again.
He had to get them out.
Rodney shook his head as he read the data. "With this interference it's going to take me awhile."
"Work fast."John ordered as he stood.
"No pressure."Rodney muttered sarcastically as he looked briefly at Jennifer's still form before continuing.
"Major."John called catching Lorne's attention.
"Yes,Sir?"Evan asked as he walked back towards them.
"Take your team and scout the perimeter of the cave. I'll radio you once Rodney gets a search area."
"On it."Evan replied as he motioned to Matthews and Conners and they left the building.
"I'll head out."Ronon commented as he stepped forward.
Sheppard shook his head. "Uh huh….need somebody on baby-sitting duty."
"Why me?"Ronon asked looking about as uncomfortable as an elephant on a sheet of ice.
"Sorry Chewie, you're all I got."
Ronon glowered at his team leader before settling back against the wall. The infant's wails had quieted a bit.
John retreated to Jennifer and knelt next to her. He tenderly laid a hand against her right cheek.
"Come on, Jen."John whispered. "Open those beautiful eyes for me."
Silence answered and John tucked the blanket farther around his wife. He took off his jacket and placed it on top of Jen's shoulders.
He exchanged a glance with Ronon before sitting down next to Jen….all they could do now is wait.
Wait and hope that whoever got the beacon's signal wasn't coming.