"Sir, you asked to see me?"
"Doctor Keller." Woolsey closed the file he was reading and stood up from his desk, motioning to a chair. "Please, sit."
He moved around his desk sitting on its edge as Jennifer took a seat.
"So, Doctor. It's been several days…"
"And you'd like an update on Doctor Beckett and Colonel Sheppard." Jennifer finished.
"And Major Lorne…how are they?"
"The Major is doing better, I'll be discharging him today; though if you could keep him off any work rotation for the next few days that would speed his recovery. He's still showing some signs of anxiety, and there was a sleep-walking incident in which he awoke quite alarmed."
"Done." nodded Woolsey. "I'll have a guard placed at his door, in case of any further incidents, and will order him to check in with you until you deem him fit to return to duty."
"Thank you, sir."
"As to Beckett and Sheppard..?"
Jennifer sighed. "Doctor Beckett's ankle seems to be healing nicely, but he still hasn't said a word. I've re-done some tests to be sure, but there's no physical reason why he can't speak. I'm just not sure how to help him."
"I don't think any of us can help him; whatever happened between them…that may be something only Colonel Sheppard can do. How is the Colonel?"
"There's been no change."
After his breakdown in the isolation room, John had become unresponsive; his team taking turns going back and forth between his and Carson's room hoping for a sign of change in either of them.
Woolsey sighed, removing his glasses for a moment and squeezing the bridge of his nose.
"That is unfortunate. Lately, I'm beginning to think we're doing them a disservice keeping them here. The trauma they experienced…maybe they can find the help they need back on Earth."
Jennifer stared at him for a beat. "You want to send them home?"
"No, but maybe it's…"
"Sir," she interrupted. "I understand your logic. On some level as their doctor I actually agree with it. However…in this case, I believe sending them back would be the worst thing we can do for them. They were traumatized on an alien world! They'd be studied then locked away with no hope of ever returning to Atlantis; and from what I know of both of them, that's something they would never want. They have people here who care about them and are willing to help in any way that they can. We need that time...and they need that chance."
Woolsey stared at her, a small smile forming on his lips.
"Okay, doctor…okay." he nodded.
...we have to go..!
…no…no take me!
...run..!
…Father, no!
...want to be proud of you…
…you ruined everything…
…coward…
….disgrace…
…everything!
…he's my friend…
…liar…
…I will never be proud of you..!
…Father..!
…never…
…I choose…
…ever..!
...I choose..!
"Carson!" shouted John, his eyes snapping open.
Rodney, who was sleeping at his bedside, head tilted back and snoring softly, gasped, instantly awake; he jumped to his feet, his tablet clattering to the ground.
"Sheppard?"
John slowly blinked, groaning softly.
"Hey..." Rodney leaned over the bed. "Can you hear me?"
John frowned at the sudden shadow over him…
Disgrace!
…and flinched violently causing Rodney to jump back.
"Uh, Sheppard?"
He watched as his friend blinked rapidly trying to focus.
"McKay?" John finally rasped out.
Rodney's eyes widened at the familiarity in John's voice.
"You remember me?" He broke into a grin and turned to the observation room, only to find it empty; the night nurse had stepped away from her post. Glancing at the clock on the wall he saw that it was just after 4 a.m.
"Jennifer," he said, snapping his fingers. "I need to call Jennifer!"
"McKay." said John, fatigue staining his words, his brow furrowing.
"Yes…yes?"
"Wha's goin' on?" John tried to sit up, confused at the restraints binding him. "…the hell?"
"Jennifer!" Rodney shouted into his comm, causing John to wince at the noise.
"Sorry…sorry." the scientist whispered turning away from the bed.
"Jennifer…" he tried again in a lower voice. "Jen…"
"Yes, Rodney." came a tired reply over the comm. "Sorry, I fell asleep at my desk."
"He's up, he's up!"
"Slow down….what…"
"It's Sheppard!"
He heard the clatter of a chair falling over.
"I'm on my way!" she said.
Rodney turned back to the bed; his friend's face a mask of confusion and a hint of something else.
"Rodney?" John whispered. "Where's Carson?"
It was a few hours later and John's team, Jennifer and Woolsey were all standing around John's bed looking at him.
His restraints had been removed and he was returning everyone's stares with a raised eyebrow.
"Okay, so you're all freakin' me out a little…so quit starin'!"
"Colonel…" started Woolsey.
"If you're going to ask the questions," said John. "Keller already beat you to the punch. Name, rank, serial number and all that…was a little iffy on the date, but got the year right." His smirk didn't reach his eyes.
"Well that's good." Woolsey replied. "However, would you mind answering some questions for the rest of us?"
John sighed. "I'm Lieutenant Colonel John Sheppard, I'm on Atlantis, I..."
"Do you remember what happened to you?" Woolsey interrupted.
John frowned and grew still; the group becoming concerned when several seconds passed and he still hadn't moved.
"Colonel?" Teyla whispered.
He blinked, inhaling sharply as he looked at the worried faces around him.
"Carson and I, we were on Ulatai…there was a meteor storm…then…we were at the manor…and…"
"What happened between you and Beckett?" Ronon asked.
John stared at his warrior friend, his lips tight then turned to Woolsey.
"I need to see him."
"Colonel," Woolsey crossed his arms. "You didn't answer Ronon's question."
John sighed and looked down at his lap. "Just tell me...is he okay?"
"He has not spoken since his return." said Teyla sadly.
The guilt in John's eyes as he looked at her then at Woolsey was evident to everyone in the room.
"Woolsey…" John's voice a whispered plea.
Woolsey stared at him, then turned to Jennifer.
"Get him a wheelchair." he said.
-tbc-
