The Next Five Minutes

Author's Note: OMG, I have betrayed my OTP! gasp What have I done?! begins to sob hysterically Okay, I'm good. Takes place during "38 Minutes", starting right where Ford pushes McKay into the Event Horizon and contains a missing scene between where we see the Jumper come through the Gate and where Beckett is shocking Sheppard. Told from McKay's POV. Preslash, Ford/McKay

Disclaimer: Atlantis is not mine.

One of us is going to die. Fantastic. Yeah, great idea Cavanaugh, "Blow the rear hatch". One problem with your theory, asshole, the stupid lever is in the back BY THE HATCH! Whoever came up with that brilliant stroke of engineering should be shot. Seriously, if I ever get my hands on the Ancient who -

Wait a minute. Ford, what the hell are you doing? Is he pushing ME into the Stargate? He can't open the hatch, he'll -

- die. Dammit! How did he get me into the Event Horizon? I'm bigger than him.

I find myself watching the back of the Puddle Jumper as it comes out of the glowing puddle. Is it going really slow? It's not supposed to - Yes! Hands! His hands! Ford, you tricky bastard, you made it! Thank -

He just drops to the floor once we're completely out of the Stargate. Ouch. That looked painful... He's not moving. Why isn't he moving?

I kneel beside him and roll him over onto his back. His eyes are closed. I stammer out his name as my fingers probe his throat for a pulse. Nothing. Oh, God, no, he can't be - Wait. There it is! Weak, but there! Yes! I knew you were too stubborn to die, you and Sheppard!

I hold my fingers under his nose...and I feel nothing. Shit, he's not breathing! I begin CPR, trying to look like I know what I'm doing even as I'm trying to recall the procedure. Okay, was it ten compressions, or -

I go nearly weak with relief when Carson and his team rush onto the Jumper. I move out of their way, half-mumbling that Ford isn't breathing. Another medic takes over CPR while Carson starts to work on the Major.

As I watch the medical team fight to save Ford, the hero of our whole ordeal, I find myself barely breathing. If he doesn't make it, I...I think a part of myself may die with him. I don't know exactly how or when it happened, but I may have...some sort of attraction to him. I barely know him, but I know all I need to. He's a good man. He risked his life, maybe even gave his life, to save a group of people he hardly knows. Although, this wasn't the first time. He did it for the Major back on Athos, and he did it for some subordinate when that energy thing got loose in Atlantis. Granted, I wasn't there for either event, I was just told what happened, but, still...I can't see it as out-of-character for him. After all, he did shove me into the Event Horizon and risk space to save us.

Please, breathe. If not for me, then for Sheppard, he -

I sigh audibly when Ford gasps, then begins to cough. I have to force myself not to smile when his eyes open. He's alive.

Thank god, he's alive.