Ends and Means, Chapter 2
Teyla, Ford, and McKay are just walking out of the infirmary when Sheppard storms past them. He is clearly upset as he disappears into the infirmary.
"Major Sheppard does not look happy."
"I guess that wasn't a good discussion with Dr. Weir."
"Yeah...I didn't think that was gonna be good."
There's something in McKay's voice that make the other two look at him questioningly.
"You know something we don't?"
"Elizabeth was a little upset that I brought that ZPM back to Atlantis."
"I told you that wasn't a good idea!"
"Well I see that now!"
"I don't get what that has to do with the Major."
"He is the leader of our team. Our decisions reflect his leadership."
"So McKay making a mistake means that it's Sheppard's fault?"
"Hey! I was doing it for the right reasons."
Teyla chooses to ignore McKay.
"You forget, Lt. Ford. The major did give McKay permission to return to Atlantis with the ZPM."
"Maybe I should go talk to him."
"Did you see his face McKay? Somehow I don't think you talking to him is a good idea."
"I agree. I think it would be wise for you to avoid Major Sheppard for some time."
"Then I'll go talk to Dr. Weir."
McKay walks away before Teyla and Ford can stop him.
"I do not think talking to Dr. Weir is any wiser than talking to Major Sheppard."
"You're probably right. I'll go stop him."
Ford goes running after McKay. Teyla looks over her shoulder at the infirmary before turning to go back to her quarters.
In the infirmary, Sheppard is soothing his bruised ego by flirting outrageously with one of the nurses. He tells her about what happened on the planet and she is suitably impressed by how many lives he saved by stopping future sacrifices. He doesn't hesitate when she suggests they go grab dinner together.
They're a few corridors away from the infirmary when a frantic sounding McKay is heard over the communications system.
"Medical Emergency! Dr. Beckett to the command deck. Hurry!"
Before anyone can move, another voice, this time Ford's, is heard – only a little less frantic than McKay's.
"Negative! Negative! Scratch that. There's no time. She's burning up! Dr. Beckett, we're coming to you."
Sheppard breaks into a dead run for the infirmary. He gets there just in time to see Ford carrying someone in through the doors. He runs into the infirmary, but Beckett's team is surrounding the bed and he can't see anything. McKay is doubled over near the door trying to catch his breath. Sheppard walks up, grabs his shoulder, and forces McKay to look at him.
"Tell me what's going on!"
But McKay is too winded from his run from the command deck to respond clearly. Sheppard shakes his shoulder hard.
"Say something!"
"Weir." Is all McKay can say through gasping breaths.
Sheppard spins around to face the bed as all color drains from his face. He sees Ford get shoved aside by one of the nurses. He catches a glimpse of Elizabeth when the members of the medical team shift around the bed. She has an oxygen mask over her face and the only distinguishable feature he can make out is her hair that is plastered to her forehead.
Beckett stumbles into Ford and pushes the lieutenant toward where McKay and Sheppard are standing. He walks over, too stunned to notice the distraught look on the major's face. Teyla and Peter walk into the infirmary at that moment. She notices how pale John is and places her hand reassuringly on his arm.
"I am sure she will be fine."
"What-" His voice comes out in a croak and he has to clear his throat before starting over. "Tell me what happened."
"I was trying to stop McKay from going to talk to her." Ford is the first to respond. "I got there just as McKay was walking over to the conference room."
"She wasn't in her office." McKay adds.
"She was lying on the floor in the conference room. It didn't look like she hit her head or anything. She was too far away from the table."
"I called for the medical emergency and Ford went to check her pulse."
"She was burning up pretty bad, so I figured it was better to bring her here instead of waiting for Beckett to get his gear and go up to the command deck."
Sheppard turns to Peter. "Where were you?"
"I was on the command deck, but I didn't notice that she hadn't come out of the conference room after the briefing."
He valued his life, so he didn't add that everyone on the command deck had heard their argument. They couldn't quite make out what they were saying, but they all heard the raised voices. More than a few people were visibly startled by hearing Dr. Weir yell back at Sheppard. When he stormed off, there was nobody willing to risk disturbing Dr. Weir.
They all turn as Dr. Beckett walks over looking very concerned.
"Any of you notice anything wrong with Dr. Weir today?"
They all shake their heads.
"She looked a little pale during the briefing." It's the only thing Sheppard can think of. His team has only been back for a few hours.
"Wait!" Peter suddenly speaks up. "I saw her grab her side earlier today. It looked like she was hurt, but she told me it was just a muscle cramp. I didn't press her on it."
"Which side?" Beckett prods.
"Uh...her right, I think."
"Ya sure?"
"Yeah, yeah. Her right."
At that, Beckett runs back to Weir's bedside.
"I do not understand." Teyla says. Sheppard doesn't get it either.
"Appendicitis?" McKay guesses.
Sheppard relaxes a little at that. Kids get appendicitis all the time and turn out okay. It can't be too bad.
"Oh that can't be good." McKay sounds like he's in physical pain himself.
Sheppard looks up and can barely believe what he sees. Elizabeth's body is convulsing on the bed. Beckett is barking orders at his staff to try and control her fever induced seizure. They need to get it under control before they can prep her for surgery.
John knows that this medical team is top notch. They've already saved his life several times. But he can't help the fear that's coiling in his gut as he sees them wheel Elizabeth into the back surgical area. He's never been more scared in his life.
The others don't stay in the infirmary for too long. There isn't much they can do and they are confident that Beckett will do everything he can for Dr. Weir. Ford stays the longest, standing next to his CO, and trying to provide what little support he can. Ford can only guess at the guilt eating Sheppard up inside.
Eventually Sheppard is the only one left standing vigil in the infirmary. He doesn't notice the nurse he was supposed to have dinner with walk by. She, on the other hand, sees him and knows by the look on his face that she doesn't have a chance with him now. She probably never did.
John is holding onto the last thread of his sanity when they finally roll Elizabeth back out to the main part of the infirmary. Beckett is only slightly surprised to see Sheppard still standing there. He smiles as he walks over to the major.
"She's gonna be fine. We were lucky. There was only a small tear in her appendix and the infection hadn't spread too far. She'll be on some pretty heavy antibiotics for a while though. But she should be up and around in a few days."
"Can I go see her?"
"Sure. She's still under, but it can't hurt."
"Thanks."
John walks over to the bed as Beckett leaves in search of his dinner. Elizabeth still looks pale to him as she lays so still against the white sheets. They're alone in the now deserted infirmary. Not that he notices. He's focused totally on the woman in the bed.
He can only shake his head at the irony of the situation. He's usually the one in the infirmary needing to be worried over. John doesn't like the switch in their positions. Leaning over, he places a soft kiss on Elizabeth's forehead that is still warm with a slight fever. As he moves away, he whispers a soft command.
"Don't ever make me go through that again."