PARADISE
By NotTasha

PART 18: WHEW

The sight of Beckett striding out of the event horizon nearly broke Sheppard's heart. "Beckett!" Sheppard called, as if he needed to draw the doctor's attention – but the tight knot of people was impossible to miss. "Beckett! He's not breathing!"

Beckett made a beeline to them, falling to one knee beside McKay. Sheppard tried to explain what had happened, but suddenly there was a flurry of activity as Beckett and his crew went into action. Sheppard and the others were shoved back.

The medical team swarmed over the patient, reminding Sheppard for a moment of how those creatures had gone after Rodney. Sheppard blinked, driving away that image. He listened to them, heard how Beckett's voice raised in alarm, demanding things.

They put Rodney on a ventilator. Stats were shouted out, but Sheppard didn't know what any of it meant. Perhaps he would have understood it if he concentrated, but it was like a wash coming over him. From time to time, some of what Beckett said made sense: "Come on, Rodney, hang in there, we've got you now;" and "Oh, Rodney, what did you do to yourself?" and "You're gonna be fine, Rodney. Just let us… ach, don't…!" And there was more medical stuff shouted that went beyond Sheppard and his tired-out mind.

The remaining team members had drawn close to Sheppard. Ford stood at one shoulder, looking tired, but he hadn't stopped scanning the woods. Teyla's gaze was on the doctors, watching as they took care of McKay.

Bates and four other soldiers had come through as well, armed with P-90s and plenty of ammunition. But for all their posturing, no further devil-dogs drew near – perhaps the creatures were afraid of the activity – perhaps they were all dead.

Sheppard's radio sounded, and he could hear Weir's voice demanding answers. He let her go on for a while before he finally responded, "They're taking care of him. We'll be coming home straight away."

Finally, Beckett stood, removing his rubber gloves. He walked immediately to Sheppard and the others. His eyes were wide and troubled as he asked, "What did that to him?"

Funny that the doctor hadn't noticed the bodies scattered around them – but Beckett had been rather focused. Sheppard pointed out the nearest of the pinkish dead creatures. Beckett jumped back, alarmed. "What the hell is that?"

"Devil Dog," Ford explained.

"We haven't agreed on that name," Sheppard responded automatically.

Beckett moved further away from the dead thing. "Is that the one that did it?" he asked.

Nodding to the little mound by the StarGate, Sheppard stated, "Over there. We'll get it." He spoke to Bates, getting one of his men to take care of the unpleasant task.

Licking his lips anxiously, Beckett glanced around, expecting more of these creatures. "We got to go back now," he said quickly, as he glanced to his team. They already had Rodney on a stretcher. "I need him in Medical. Can we leave?"

"Nothing would make me happier," Sheppard responded. "I just hope we can do it." He moved to the DHD. The thing still looked only partially constructed and he wondered if he shouldn't call for Grodin to join them. There was no telling if the system would actually work. They'd gotten it to reset – but dialing an address was a different matter altogether.

But McKay said it would work, didn't he? It was time to give it a try.

"We're coming home," John announced on the radio. "Cut your connection. If you we don't immediately reconnect – send Grodin over with a GDO."

Back on Atlantis, Grodin agreed and the wormhole disappeared, leaving only a blank gate – a wondrously blank gate.

Okay, let's see if this works. Hopefully, John pressed the first figure and released a sigh as it illuminated – and he dialed in the rest. He felt a tightness in his chest relax as the whole address appeared - and the new wormhole formed.

And they went home.

TBC -
A/N: I know nothing about SG technology... or anything medical. If things are wonky about this... well... sorry.