Chapter 17: Searching for a miracle.
It had been three days since Carson had administered the anti-venom and the blackness in John's arm had disappeared, leaving extensive tissue damage and a deep down ache and weakness that had him worried. Carson had assured him that in time that he would have full use of his arm and fingers on his right side, but although his left shoulder was healing well, he would need another surgery and extensive physical therapy. That thought alone left him feeling depressed, as Carson had told him it could take up to six months for him to be put back on active duty and he may not be able to stay on Atlantis during his recovery.
His fever had broken two days ago and Carson had taken out the stiches in his right leg and side this morning along with the feeding tube, but the IV and catheter remained.
Marie had fed him the previous day, since he hadn't been able to use his hands, which was a surprise to him, because somehow, he'd managed to pull the trigger on a 9mil and kill Viallso and thanks to that act the Ngerans had hailed him as a hero to their people, not that he felt like much of a hero. Right now he felt down right miserable, not that he'd let anyone know about it, because the last thing he needed right now was a visit from Heightmeyer. As much as he liked her as a person, he hated the way she tried to psychoanalyse every decision, he'd ever made in his entire life. Shuddering he closed his eyes and tried to put the thought out of his mind.
At that moment he was feeling apprehensive, as Carson was coming to get him in a few minutes to take him to the OR to perform the skin grafts on his right shoulder and arm. After the surgery, he was supposed to spend two days in a clean and sterile environment and he was planning on sleeping for most of that time.
He'd returned to Atlantis nearly a week ago now and other than the infirmary staff and his team, he hadn't seen anyone else and he had no idea what was happening on New Ngering. All that he had been told was that the re-location had been completed and Ziall had returned to lead his people. The only reason he knew this was because Tiall had come to see him to thank him for all he had done, especially the part where he'd killed Viallso and there had been more than a little hero worship involved in that visit. Elizabeth and Lorne hadn't made an appearance since he'd been back on Atlantis and he wondered why.
Ronan and Teyla had spent a fair bit of time with him, but Rodney had been strangely absent. The last time he'd been into see him, Rodney had explained that he was looking for a way to speed up his recovery, which he appreciated immensely, but unless he got here in the next few minutes he was going into surgery and there was no way that he was going to be able to stop it.
Apparently he had also been researching what had happened to the other John Sheppard that had visited Ngering ten thousand years ago, but had found nothing of significance as yet. Rodney had also promised him a trip to XCZ-997, or New Ngering as the Ngerans liked to call it, when he was well enough. Rodney had insisted that there was something he should see there and it would blow his mind. Not that he really cared right now, since he was going to be stuck in the infirmary for the rest of his life. Especially the way things were at the moment.
Teyla had left a few minutes ago after wishing him luck and kissing him on the cheek, but he wished she was still here offering him some moral support, because he knew that he wouldn't be able to see her much over the next few days. Not that he'd be able to see much of anyone. My life really sucks right now, he thought closing his eyes and hoping that if he fell asleep now, he wouldn't wake up until it was all over. He had no idea how much longer Carson was going to be, so it wouldn't really hurt to have another nap, since that seemed to have been all that he'd done over the last two days anyway.
Despite the apprehension he was feeling, he began to doze off and he was annoyed a few minutes later when Carson came and disturbed him.
"Are you ready Laddie?"
All he could do was glare at Carson, because as far as he was concerned that question didn't deserve and answer, of course he wasn't ready, he was about to have his body mutilated again, all under the guise that it was supposed to make him better.
"Okay then lad let's get you to the OR and get your arm fixed up."
John was about to make some kind of sarcastic comment, when Carson tapped his ear piece and walked away. That was strange was his first thought, but then at least he had a while longer before he had to go into surgery and maybe those extra few minutes was all that Rodney needed to find a solution for his injuries other than surgery.
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Elizabeth sat in the mess hall at a table overlooking the ocean and her mind was racing despite the fact that she was feeling exhausted. The last week had left her feeling incredibly drained and she didn't see things getting better in the near future.
Although the Ngerans were settled on their new planet, there was still a lot to do on the new world and the old one. Ziall had yet to appoint a new military commander for his troops, so for the moment Lorne was still co-ordinating the Ngeran military, as well as trying to keep the military running back on Atlantis. Luckily Ronon had been a big help with looking after things on Atlantis. Ziall had told her that he wasn't about to make a decision on who should lead his military without Colonel Sheppard's opinion and of course that was a problem, since Carson had told them to stay away if they were going to discuss work matters with John, because he needed a lot of peace and quiet to give him time to heal properly.
The problem was that she really needed to talk to him to discuss the political and military situation on New Ngering. She certainly couldn't wait another four months to talk to her military commander. She had a meeting with Tiall and Ziall this afternoon, so it really couldn't wait any longer. Perhaps she would go and visit him after her breakfast, she knew John was due in surgery, but surely Carson wouldn't mind if she spoke to him for a while.
"May I sit with you Elizabeth?"
Looking up from her food she found that Teyla was standing beside her table and she looked as worn out as she did, "please sit down Teyla."
She watched as Teyla sat down and started to eat her breakfast, "have you see John this morning? How is he?"
"He is not in a very good mood this morning, but I do not blame him, as he is due in surgery this morning."
Elizabeth took a deep breath, she was well aware that John was due in surgery, but she desperately needed to speak with him, "I really need to talk to him about the situation on New Ngering, but Carson won't let me speak to him about work."
"I believe Carson has planned the surgery for half an hours' time, so I am sure if you go now, you may be able to talk to him."
Elizabeth smiled at Teyla, she knew that she'd spent most of the last week in the ICU with John, so she expected that she was exhausted and probably needed some sleep. "Why don't you go and get some sleep when you've finished here?"
"When I have finished eating, I have every intention of doing so."
Looking out over the bay, she made up her mind to go and see John as soon as she'd finished here and she would talk to him about the situation on Ngering whether Carson liked it or not. It was really getting ridiculous, having the leader of a people not willing to make a decision without help, and although Lorne had given him some advice and recommendations, he still wouldn't act unless he spoke to Colonel Sheppard first. She really hoped that if they formed an alliance with these people that they wouldn't become too reliant on Atlantis.
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Rodney was becoming really frustrated; he'd just spent the last three days trying to find a solution for Sheppard. He had found hundreds of medical files in the last day alone, but of the one's he'd skimmed through there was nothing that would help Sheppard. What he really needed was to find something that would speed up the healing process and if possible anything that could help the Colonel to avoid having surgery again.
He'd barely slept in the last twenty four hours and he was getting sick and tired of being hunched over a computer. His broken arm was beginning to ache and he wondered why Keller hadn't been in here to force him to take his pain meds or to get some rest. Radek had been in and out regularly to bring him food and coffee and he had even spent a great deal of time trying to help him, but still he had found nothing, until now. He had just found a file that could contain some useful information, but he really needed to eat.
Sighing, he decided that perhaps he needed to go for a walk and clear his head. Breakfast sounded like a good idea as well, so he thought that a trip to the mess hall would go down well. Standing up he was just about to leave his lab when Radek walked in with two plates of bacon and eggs, and a pot of hot steaming coffee.
"How is it going Rodney?"
A smile lit up his face, "You must have read my mind, as I was just about to go looking for food."
"Have you found anything that could help Colonel Sheppard yet?" Radek asked sitting down next to him.
"I was just about to look at this new file I've found, it's called 'tissue and muscle regeneration,' I really hope that there is something in there that can help."
"How about I help and then we can get through it much quicker?"
"Thanks Radek, you're a good friend."
They quickly finished their bacon and eggs and then poured a fresh cup of coffee, before turning their attention to the data base once again.
Five minutes later Rodney finally found what he was looking for and he couldn't be happier. Looking at his watch he realised that Sheppard was due in surgery at any moment, so hopefully he wasn't too late.
He tapped his earpiece and tried to contact Carson straight away, "McKay to Beckett, come in please."
"What do you want Rodney, I was just about to get Colonel Sheppard ready for surgery?"
"Can you hold off for a while?"
"Why, Rodney?"
"I have found a formula for a compound that is supposed to speed up tissue and muscle regeneration. Apparently, it can halve a person's recovery time."
"That sounds promising Rodney, but if I don't do something about the Colonel's arm right now, he may still now gain full use of it."
"Can't you wait a few hours longer?"
"No, I'm taking him into surgery now. How about you study the formula and see how easy it is to make the compound and perhaps we can use it once I have performed the skin grafts, Carson out."
The connection was severed and Rodney was incredulous, how dare Carson cut him off like that. He really thought the compound was worth a try and he knew that Colonel Sheppard would do anything to try and avoid surgery if possible. So he decided to speak to Elizabeth about it and see what she had to say.
"McKay to Elizabeth, come in please?"
"Go ahead Rodney."
"I have found a compound in the ancient data base that could speed up muscle and tissue regeneration and I want to try it on Colonel Sheppard, but Carson still insists on taking him into surgery for skin grafts."
"I'm on my way to the infirmary to talk to John now, so why don't you meet me there, we can tell John what you have found and then he can make a decision."
"I'll see you there, McKay out."
He cut the connection and downloaded the information onto his tablet, before waving at Radek and heading off to the infirmary.
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
John awoke to raised voices in the main part of the infirmary. Straining to listen, he held his breath, hoping and praying that they were arguing about whether he would have to go into surgery or not. Elizabeth was there and Rodney as well, he was sure of it, but he couldn't quite workout what the confrontation was about.
The voices grew louder, so he assumed they were coming his way. Closing his eyes again, he thought that he might get a sense of what they were quarrelling about.
"I think that we should let Sheppard decide for himself!" That was definitely Rodney, he thought and he had to wonder what kind of choice he would have to make.
"He needs to have all of the facts Rodney and in my medical opinion the surgery cannot wait!" Carson stated and he was definitely being forceful about it.
In the end he decided to open his eyes and find out what was going on, "can someone kindly tell me what is going on?" He asked trying to remain patient.
"Rodney had found a formula for a compound that can speed up tissue and muscle regeneration." Elizabeth explained to him.
Turning to Carson he took a deep breath, "in your opinion doc, can this compound do what you're planning on doing with the skin grafts?"
"I have looked at the formula and I believe that it can help speed up the healing process, but I don't believe that it can fully heal the necrosis that the spider bite caused."
"But it will ultimately speed up my recovery Doc?"
"Aye lad I believe it will, but unfortunately if you don't have the skin grafts now, the compound may not help your right arm at all." Carson explained with compassion.
John took a deep breath, he knew what he had to do, "I don't want to risk losing my arm Rodney, so I am going to go ahead with the surgery, but I would appreciate it if you could formulate that compound so that I don't have to spend the next four to six months recovering from my injuries."
"Are you sure Sheppard?" Rodney asked with a look that he had seen too many times over the last couple of weeks, he was positive that it was pity or concern.
"I'm sure Rodney, so can you please leave and make sure that compound is ready when I need it?"
A feeling of relief swept over him when Rodney nodded his head and left the room, but Elizabeth seemed reluctant to follow, "Carson, may I have a quick word with John?"
"You've got ten minutes and then I will be ready for Colonel Sheppard in surgery."
He watched as Carson left the room and then he turned to Elizabeth, "what do you need to speak to me about."
"Ziall seems to be unable to reach a decision on who should lead his military."
"So?"
"Well apparently he wants to speak to you before he appoints anyone."
Sighing he closed his eyes, he was absolutely drained and he had nothing left to give right now, so he really didn't care about politics, "tell him to listen to Lorne's recommendations, because I trust him completely."
"Are you sure John?" Elizabeth asked in a gentle tone.
He looked at her in disbelief, how could she have just asked him that? "Of course I'm sure Elizabeth. I'm about to go into surgery, so I really don't care right now!"
She certainly looked shocked by his response and he found that he was pleased, "I'm sorry John and I guess you're right that Major Lorne can handle it."
"I will see you later Elizabeth," he said before turning his back on her.
He barely heard her whispered goodbye, but he was glad that she had left. The more he thought about it the more he wished that he'd just told Rodney to try his compound and hope that it fixed the necrotic tissue in his arm, but then he trusted Beckett's medical opinion, so he knew that he was doing the right thing by having the surgery.
It wasn't long before a voice pervaded his thoughts, "it's time Colonel, I'm going to take you into the OR and then I'll give you the anaesthetic."
Moaning he rolled onto his back and looked up at Carson, "let's get this over with Doc?"
"I really hope that the compound that Rodney had found will speed up your recovery John, but I do believe that these skin grafts are necessary."
"I know Doc."
Closing his eyes, he let Carson push his gurney towards the OR. He knew that the next few days were going to be a real struggle for him, but now there was a glimmer of hope, thanks to the ancient healing compound Rodney had discovered. With a bit of luck he might only be out of action for another month or so.
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Leaving the infirmary Elizabeth slowly made her way back to her office, she suspected that Tiall and Ziall should be there by now, but her mind was on her John. How unfair it was that he had to undergo surgery again and this time it was thanks to the ancients and another one of their stupid experiments. The wounds that Tiall and Viallso had inflicted were minor compared to what an overgrown spider had done to his arm, other than the gunshot wound to his left shoulder perhaps.
A voice pervaded her thoughts, "Dr Weir, Tiall and Ziall are waiting for you in your office."
Surprised that she had reached the control room already, she looked up to see that Chuck was looking at her with a grin.
"What kind of mood are they in?" She whispered not wanting her guests to overhear her.
"They appear to be in good enough moods, but I wouldn't really know; maybe you should go and find out." Chuck whispered in reply.
Taking a deep breath she walked into her office, hoping that the Ngerans weren't in a prickly mood today, the last thing she needed was for them to be insistent that they needed to speak to Colonel Sheppard before making any decisions.
"Ziall, Tiall, it is good to see you again, what can I do for you today?"
Ziall put his hands on the table in front of him, "we are well thankyou Dr Weir. The reason we are here today is to see if you have had a chance to talk to Colonel Sheppard about our military situation as yet?"
Elizabeth put her hands on the table in front of her and stared into Ziall's eyes, "I spoke with Colonel Sheppard a few minutes ago and he told me to tell you that he trusts Major Lorne, so whatever he suggests is alright by him and in the absence of Colonel Sheppard, I trust his opinion as well."
The look on Ziall's face could only be described as one of shock, "I will consider what you have said and I will also talk to Major Lorne and consider his recommendations, but I would still like to talk to Colonel Sheppard as soon as possible."
"In the meantime we would like to offer you the anti-venom we have created for the venom from the spider-bite that Colonel Sheppard received."
A smile lit up Tiall's face as he replied, "thankyou Dr Weir, if you have a sample of the anti-venom and the formula, I'm sure that we should be able to make it ourselves."
"I will have our doctor contact you at the first available opportunity, but at the moment he is performing surgery on Colonel Sheppard."
Tiall bowed his head towards her, "thank you for your assistance today Dr Weir and please give Colonel Sheppard my best wishes and tell him I'll speak to him when he is feeling better."
"I will pass on your good wishes Tiall and we will get back to our negotiations soon."
Ziall bowed his head towards her, "I look forward to it Dr Weir, but for now we must get back home, there is still plenty to do on our new world and on the old one."
Standing to her feet she bowed her head towards them both and ushered them both out of the room.
"Chuck, can you please dial the gate to New Ngering, so that Tiall and Ziall can get back to their duties at home."
Elizabeth watched as the Chevrons lit up and then the gate finally sprang to life, "I will see you both very soon and hopefully by then Colonel Sheppard will be well enough to sit in on the next round of negotiations."
Nodding the two men walked through the event horizon leaving Elizabeth with a headache and as much as she liked the Ngerans they were really beginning to try her patience. Hopefully Rodney could find a way to speed up John's recovery and then perhaps John could deal with them for a while.
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Rodney left the infirmary and he found himself practically running through the halls to his lab. If he didn't do some proper research on the Ancient healing compound that he had discovered he was going to have to deal with a very grouchy John Sheppard and it wouldn't be for just a few weeks, he would have to put up with him for months.
It wasn't long before he arrived in his lab and when he walked through the door he was surprised to see that Zelenka was still sitting at his computer, "why are you still here Radek?"
"I'm still researching the formula for the healing compound you have found. I thought that Carson may want to use it on Colonel Sheppard as soon as possible."
"Well Carson has just taken him into surgery to perform the skin grafts on his arm, so we have time to research it properly," Rodney explained and although he was trying to not to show it he was feeling a real sense of agitation.
"Oh…" Radek replied," I still think we should continue to research it farther."
All he could do at that comment was, roll his eyes, "Really Radek, I never would have thought of that," he replied sarcastically.
"There's no need to be rude Rodney," Radek replied and Rodney didn't miss that glare that the little scientist gave him.
"Yes, well," he replied feeling a little sheepish, "perhaps we should get to work then.
Sitting down next to friend he brought up the computer files that he had found on the compound and totally ignoring his companion, he got back to work.
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
John was walking through a dark forest and there were huge trees as far as the eye could see, he had no idea how he'd gotten there and what his purpose was for being there. One thing he did know was that it was incredibly cold. Continuing on down a narrow path in front of him, he started to shiver and it didn't take him to long to realise that he didn't have a shirt or any shoes and socks on.
A real sense of foreboding came over him as he continued on, but for some reason he couldn't stop himself. Suddenly he heard a shuffling in the bushes beside of him and his first reaction was to stop. Trembling with fear he looked around at his surroundings and he was horrified by what he saw, standing in front of him was the largest spider he had ever seen, it had to be the size of a standard SUV, before he had a chance to back away, it pounced on him and all he could do as the spider devoured him was scream….
He awoke with a start to find that he was in one of the isolation rooms and Carson was looking down at him with a mask, gown and gloves on.
"Easy lad, you're still recovering from the anaesthetic we gave you."
That didn't really make him feel any better, because right now his stomach was beginning to churn, "Sick," he managed to croak out, just as Carson rolled him on his side and he lost his stomach contents all over the floor.
Once he had finished retching, he just lay on his back and moaned, "How'd it go Carson," he rasped out.
"Everything went well lad, I would like to keep you in isolation for two days and then I think we can move you back to the general ward."
"Great Carson, but can you please get me cleaned up and give me some pain meds, so that I can sleep for the next two days."
"Aye Colonel, I'll get right on it and I'll give you something for the nausea as well."
Lying as still as he could, he let the nurses change his bedding and his gown. Once they had finished he was happy for Carson to inject his pain meds into his IV and when the pain meds were flowing through his system, he was happy to give into the tug of sleep and drift off into the darkness once more.
TBC…