Ch 21 The Awakening
Carson studied the latest brain scan done that morning and smiled. The adhesion was gone completely. Still, Carson was reluctant to immediately bring John out of the coma just yet. He wanted to wait one more day for good measure. After what John had been through, he knew his emotions would be getting a workout and Carson didn't want to take any chances.
John woke slowly, Carson's voice breaking through the fog that filled his head. Man, he had really zonked out. His body felt really stiff and oddly weak, but his head which he remembered had hurt like hell, felt surprisingly good. He opened his eyes and it took a few blinks for him to be able to focus. His first thought was that he could get use to waking up to this sight-the smiling, radiant face that was Teyla. He stretched out his lean body and couldn't suppress a huge yawn.
"Oh-look at that! Colonel Sleepyhead can't possibly still be tired? Rodney had just enter the curtained off infirmary bed. John's awakening had his teammates gathering to welcome him back. Ronon was already there, satisfied to stand back and wait until Sheppard had acclimated to the idea that he had been asleep for two weeks. He wasnt sure how he would react to that particular fact.
"Hey, Rodney...I'll trade places with you! You can have the headaches from hell for awhile-see how you like it! He sounded like he swallowed a frog and man, his throat was dry and sore!
John was getting curious at the attention he was recieving and the huge smiles on everone's faces. He wondered why Carson wasnt making a fuss over him, like he normally did.
Carson could see the confusion building on John's face. The last thing John knew was that he had had another excrutiating headache spike after getting a bit frisky with Teyla. He had no clue that it had been just over two weeks since that lovely event had happened. Carson took a deep breath.
"Colonel-there's something we need to talk about." He shifted uncomfortably from one foot to the other. "Your condition after that last spike of pain was very serious. I had to sedate you, afraid that if you woke another spike would cause severe damage."
John saw the uncomfortable look on Carson's face, then glanced around at his friends, settling on Teyla's eyes. She also looked upset and he noticed the signs of weariness that resided in her doe brown eyes. She looked up towards Carson, so John turned his attention back to Carson.
The doctor really looked nervous. "Doc, what? What's wrong? So you sedated me-I'm kind of glad you did-that pain was way too intense! Wait, am I dying or something?" John didnt feel like he was, and his headache was gone-he actually felt pretty good-tired, weak-but good. So what would make all his friends look at him so cautiously. His weak muscles! Had he suffered a stroke, was he paralyzed?
Carson cleared his throat. "John, I sedated you initially, but after reviewing the brain scan we did, it was necessary to put you in a medically induced coma." He paused, so John could digest what he had just told him. John's face paled a bit and he frowned, his head tilted slightly sideways.
"Come again? What?" John couldn't quite comprehend what Carson was saying.
"John, you've been in a medically induced coma for 15 days. Due to your condition, I couldn't allow you to awaken from the initial sedation. The adhesion had become too inflamed and was in danger of rupturing. Any kind of emotion, good or bad could have caused severe, possibly fatal damage. Carson wanted to avoid getting John upset, but it was inevitable, from the look on his patient's face, at least now-with the adhesion completely healed, there was no more danger from any emotional turmoil.
Teyla decide now was a good time to step in. "John, I am so sorry. After our...session..., you became quite ill. I feel it is my fault that Carson was forced to make this decision. He explained to us that it was a decison he did not make lightly, and it was the only way he could assure that your condition did not become critical or worse."
John's gaze softened. "Teyla, whatever happened-it was in no way, your fault. He squeezed her hand that held his. He would have to make sure that Teyla didnt feel bad about returning his kiss, because frankly, he intended to continue where he had left off-provided he was actually going to live!
His gaze went back to Carson. "So...wow-its been two whole weeks? No wonder I'm stiff! Wait a minute! Why is my throat sore-did you have to put a breathing tube in? Damn! I hate that thing and Oh, Doc! What other "tubes" did you assault me with? Oh-don't ...I don't wanna know!
John knew whatever Carson had done, he had done it for his welfare-but it didn't mean he liked what had been done to him while he had been unaware!
"Okay, so where are we at now? I'm assuming I must be better-or I'd still be in LaLaLand...Just tell me it was worth it. I'm hoping with two weeks of no emotions going on-this adhesion had time to heal, right?
"I don't believe it!" Rodney chimed in. "You aren't mad, upset, ready to rip out Carson's throat? Cause, honestly-I figured you'd be screaming bloody murder by now!
Ronon, also surprised by John's attitude but irritated by Rodney's bringing up how they all thought John would react, warned "McKay!" His look told Rodney to lay off.
With Rodney duly quieted, Ronon added "It's good to have you back, Sheppard."
"Thanks, Chewie... and sorry to disappoint you Rodney! Carson did what he had to do. I am healed, right Doc?" John asked, mentally crossing his fingers.
"Aye, you are! There is no evidence of the adhesion left. You are 100 percent clear!"
Carson grinned and was relieved and surprised that John was okay with what had been done to him without his knowledge. John was a fair, considerate and decent man, but cross him and all bets were off. He seemed a tad more mellow than usual, which had Carson a bit worried.
"So! Since I am 100 percent John Sheppard...when can I get out of here?
Carson chuckled. Yes, he was-100 percent...no worries...John was just-John...
"Aye, I will release you to your quarters. You may have been in a coma, but it wasnt like normal REM sleep...you need a few days of restful sleep to catch up. And ya need to get food in your stomach. The feeding tube did its job, but you still lost weight. Just take it slow-soft, easy foods to digest at first...Auck-you know better than most!
"Yeah, Doc...been there, done that! John shoved the blanket aside. He was pleased to see he was dressed in scrubs, shuddering to think about being unconscious while someone dressed him-but who was he kidding-he'd been through that so many times he didnt have enough fingers and toes to count! He would never, ever get used to it though!
Ronon had already secured a wheelchair. "Come on Sheppard, before the Doc changes his mind." John took one look at the wheelchair and opened his mouth to protest. One look from Carson had him swallowing his words of protest and figured he'd better just go while the goin' was good!
Teyla helped John as he stood. He tried not to leaned too heavily on Teyla, but his legs were like rubber. Luckily it was only a few steps to the wheelchair. Rodney offered his shoulder for support and John readily accepted he needed help.
"Now, Colonel...you are bound to be weak from inactivity. Take it slow...I don't want ya back with a fracture because ya fell. I want you back in the infirmary here tomorrow morning for a check-up. Any problems, and I mean ANY problems, use your ear com to contact me. Ideally, I'd like ya not to be alone for the night."
John looked over at Teyla. "Oh, that's a really good idea, Doc! I..ah...I am weak and all." Pointedly looking at Teyla, he asked "Who wants to spend the night?"
Teyla smiled and laughed. "It is Rodney's turn, I believe..."
"What? I sat with him last night!" He noticed the gleam in Teyla's eyes. "Oh-okay...you're kidding right?...Right...ah...I'll see you all in the morning. He looked down at John as he got comfortable in the wheelchair. "Its good to see you awake and...100 percent again...don't do anything I wouldnt do!"
John rolled his eyes..."Don't worry McKay-I will, you can count on it!" Rodney laughed as he made his way out.
"Let's go! I need my rest!" He threw his best puppy dog look at Teyla.
Carson shook his head and laughed quietly to himself. Yes, John would be alright.
TBC So John is all better, just needs to rest up and then he needs to set things right with his father. Hope you are enjoying the story! Please send me a review with your thoughts!