Collateral

By: AntaresStar

Chapter 9: Home

A/N: Wow…last chapter! You guys have really been great. You reviewers made it worth all of the time, computer issues, writing blocks, and typos. Thanks so much, I love you all!
SKRoberts - No, you're actually the first to call me that, but not the last!
nebbyJ - Hey, I learned the fine art of evil cliffies from you, my friend…blame yourself!!
Moondogguy - Thanks so much, hope the ending was good!
OXBastetXO - Thanks so much! I really love your stories btw.
highonscifi - Yeah, I'm pretty proud that particular skill…lol
sgafan33 - You know me too well! I couldn't resist one last Rodney-whump, sorry!
pike2 - Ok, breathe deeply now…don't hold your breath! That scares me, lol, you'll just have to read it…enjoy!
webster82 - Well, read on and you'll find out, lol!
Katie - I feel so bad now! If I'd known the outcry that cliffie caused, I wouldn't have done it…wait…yeah I still would have! Lol, thanks
Laura - lol, I do that too! Well, the waiting is finally over! Thank you

Sheppard knew they couldn't hold the wraith off any longer, their only hope was with McKay. If he could just get the gate open in time. The scientist was almost there; Sheppard just had to buy him some time.

It was a last haul, a desperate stand to buy just a few more seconds. The humans were giving it everything thing they had, but the wraith continued to gain ground.

Amidst the noise of weapons blasts and shouting not much could be heard, but one sound rose above the battle. It was the sound of the stargate activating. Sheppard's heart skipped a beat, they were gonna make it!

"Keep them down, throw everything you got!" Sheppard yelled. He spared a look for McKay, who was franticly pressing symbols. As he focused back on the wraith, Sheppard's breath caught. Two of them had leveled their weapons and were aiming directly at the DHD. "McKay, watch out!"

The man was so concentrated he didn't hear Sheppard. Rodney raised his arm, stretching towards the last symbol. Almost there! The wraith fired in quick succession, and their aim was true. Three blasts slammed into McKay's exposed back with frightening power. He was hurled violently forward and crashed face first into the stone device with a painful impact. His limp body rolled sideways and landed in a heap on the grass. He never even made a sound.

Filled with dread, Sheppard yelled, "McKay! Someone goddamn help him!" The pair of wraith that had shot Rodney were grinning, their evil faces twisted into unnatural expressions. With a growl, Sheppard fired uncontrollably and watched in satisfaction as they went down hard. Smile at that, you bastards.

The remaining wraith were right on top of them now. Teyla didn't hesitate as she went hand-to-hand with one of the aliens. The other soldiers took heart from her confidence and dove into the fight as well. Ford took a hard punch to the face, but planted three close range bullets in his attacker's head as payback. He didn't take the time to watch the wraith fall, its features marred horribly.

Sheppard made his way perilously to the DHD, dodging shots all the way. Jennings had already dragged McKay behind the device and out of immediate danger. "How's he doing?" Sheppard asked while studying the panels.

"He's breathing." She didn't elaborate and Sheppard suspected she was leaving something out.

There was only one rune left to push; the point of origin. Sheppard hit what he assumed to be the Talvik symbol, then slammed a fist into the middle of the device. The stargate roared to life and he sagged with relief. "Jennings, your code!" His GDO had been stolen along with his other supplies.

"I got it!" Jennings pulled out her GDO and entered the code. She keyed her radio. "Open the iris, we're coming in hot!" She didn't wait for a reply. "Come on Thompson!" She demanded. The soldier lifted Beckett. "Major, we need cover fire!" She yelled up at him. He nodded and began firing at the wraith, being careful not to hit his own men.

Jennings leapt onto the stone slab that the stargate rested on. She sprinted towards the blue event horizon, thinking she'd never seen anything so gorgeous in her life, and leapt through. Sheppard was attempting to cover Thompson, but all of the wraith were trying to fire on him at once. "Don't let them fire!" Sheppard yelled. The few remaining soldiers tried to heed the request, but the wraith were too strong. A stun blast escaped from the fray and smashed into the gate's side, right by Thompson's head. He gave a surprised yell but managed to stumble through the gate, Beckett clutched in his arms.

"Go! Everybody get through!" Sheppard shouted. The two diplomatic officers went next, one hauling his unconscious partner. The wraith were roaring in anger but couldn't get another shot in through the onslaught of bullets. With a combined effort of everyone's firepower, all of the wraith were knocked down at once. Sheppard knew the lull would not last long, soon they would be rising back up. "Go!" One by one the soldiers retreated, carrying their fallen comrades.

"Ford, get Sanly!" Ford ran forward and collected the young boy in his arms. The child had fallen from his wraith's shoulder and was lying curled up and motionless. With his small burden, Aiden sprinted to the gate and leapt through.

The wraith were beginning to rise again. Sheppard swung his gun over his back and bent down to quickly lifted McKay into his arms. The limp scientist had a nasty cut on his forehead and was looking decidedly rumpled. "Teyla, you first!" He called. She was waiting for him by the gate but stepped through at his order.

Sheppard climbed onto the slab, hugging McKay close to his chest. He ran towards the gate, it was so close! A wraith struggled to its feet. It leveled its weapon. Head down, John Sheppard pulled all of his energy into this one final task.

The wraith fired a shot.

Sheppard heard it, felt it, behind him, as he hurled himself through the gate with one huge leap and let it take him away from the planet.

As he emerged on the other side he flew forward and crashed into the ground on top of McKay. The blast whizzed over his head and hit the stairs with a crash. "Close the iris!" He shouted.

Grodin smacked the button and the iris powered up with a flash of energy. The major rolled off McKay onto his back and stared at the gate, a feeling of intense relief flooding through him. They had gotten back! He rested his head on the cool floor and allowed a smile to grace his features. They'd made it!

His happiness faded quickly as he heard distressed speech echoing around the gate room. He flipped over onto his stomach and was met by the sight of several medical personnel bending over various injured people. Beckett was already strapped to a gurney and had an IV drip in his arm. They were asking him questions, but he couldn't seem to answer them. "All right, give him something for the pain, he isn't coherent enough to answer." One of the higher ranking nurses was directing the others. Carson was wheeled from the room, already surrounded by several of his staff. Sheppard hoped with all of his heart that the man would make it.

Sheppard sat up painfully as a nurse approached him and McKay. "Major Sheppard, are you injured. Please, don't move yet!" She protested, rushing at him with outstretched arms.

"I'm fine. Just help McKay." Sheppard positioned himself crossed-legged by the unconscious scientist's head. Rodney looked like hell; face covered in dirt and blood with emerging black eyes contrasting darkly on his pale face.

"Was it a stun blast?" She asked taking his pulse while holding a role of gauze to his head wound.

"Three." She looked up sharply and Sheppard didn't miss the worried look that flitted across her eyes. She covered it quickly and smiled fleetingly at the major. "Take this." She handed the bloody gauze over to Sheppard. She reached over and pulled some equipment from a bag.

"We'll take care of him. We need you to report to the infirmary as well, but please wait a few hours." Sheppard was surprised; usually they were told to report right away. She saw his look and explained. "We're going to be pretty busy in the next couple hours, with Doctor Beckett-" her voice broke, "-and the others." Pulling an IV drip out, she inserted it efficiently into Rodney's arm. She motioned a gurney over for McKay, and Sheppard watched as he was strapped securely to his cart and whisked away.

"Sir, Dr. Weir is waiting for you. She wants to debrief us immediately." Ford was standing over him. He clasped Sheppard forearm and pulled him off the floor. John groaned as his tired muscles protested. He couldn't wait to sleep in his own bed tonight.

Rodney McKay woke slowly to the steady beeping of his heart monitor. He was confused and not exactly sure where he was or how he'd gotten there. Pale curtains were pulled around his bed, and he could only make out obscure shadows through the sheer material. An oxygen tube snaked to his nose and a closer examination revealed several drips and wires snaking from his arms and chest. His foggy mind must have been a result of pain medication, but obviously not enough; his entire body hurt like hell. It felt like a large rock was pressing down on him, stealing his breath and cramping all of his muscles into painful knots. He groaned and attempted to raise an arm to shield his eyes from the bright lights.

The curtain was pulled aside and Nurse Jennings stepped through with a smile. She was dressed in fresh scrubs and looked well rested. "Dr. McKay, you're awake! Its good to see you." She laid a comforting hand on his arm. "We were wondering when you'd wake up, it's been eight hours."

He tried to respond but couldn't seem to talk. He wrinkled his brow in confusion and tried once again to raise his arm and cover his eyes. The appendage twitched pathetically but remained at his side. "Its ok, don't try to move yet. You were hit with three stunners, it overloaded your body's senses." She perched on the side of his bed and took his hand. "It'll take a while to wear off, remember the last time you were hit?" He blinked; couldn't do much more. "Oh, sorry, no questions, right. Well, this was three times as powerful, but at least they hit your back and not your face, right?"

He closed his eyes and couldn't hold back a pained sound; wondering when she would realize how much he hurt. She looked sympathetic as she revealed, "We have you on just about the highest pain meds your body can handle. I could raise it a little more though." She reached up and clicked the dosage button twice. "Its normal, your body went through quite a shock. Aside from the stun hits, you have a concussion and extensive bruising." He squinted at her meaningfully. "Oh, sorry about that, I'll turn the lights down for you." With one last pat on his arm she turned away from his bed. "I'll send in a visitor. Just for a short visit." He stared at her miserably. "It'll make you feel better Rodney. He wants to see you." He sighed as her soft footsteps retreated.

Jennings pulled the curtains closed and approached the bed in the corner where John Sheppard was sitting with Teyla and Sanly. The boy was already recovered and just staying here until they figured out what to do with him. Sheppard looked much better after changing clothes and having a decent meal. As she came closer she heard Sanly laughing loudly. Major Sheppard was grinning but Teyla looked confused. "I do not understand why one's hair color is the basis of these jokes. Why would that feature affect one's intelligence?"

Sheppard shook his head and was about to answer when Jennings came up beside them. "Rodney is awake major Sheppard, would you like to see him." Sheppard jumped up quickly. "Just a short visit please, the medicine makes him tired. He's in pain, so be nice."

"Me? Why, when have I ever not been nice?" She glared and he smiled back charmingly. Sheppard really was eager to see McKay. He didn't want to admit how worried he'd been about the arrogant scientist.

"Hey." Sheppard entered McKay's little alcove and stood by the bed. Rodney rolled his eyes up and took a few seconds to focus on Sheppard. He looked like a raccoon with his matching black eyes. Sheppard resisted the urge to tease Rodney about it.

"Hi." He croaked back.

Sheppard grinned. "You talked!" McKay gazed at him, unimpressed. "Sorry, I think its worth celebrating!"

"What…happened?" McKay managed.

Sheppard's grin faded and he pulled a stool over from the corner. "Well, after you were shot I managed to finish the dialing sequence and we left. Everyone got out, even Sanly. Everyone who was shot woke up a few hours ago, it took you longer." He rubbed a hand over his face and seemed to become very tired suddenly. "Beckett, well, he's still in ICU. He was in rough shape. They stopped the bleeding and bandaged him up, but it would have been nice to have the chief doctor on hand. I saw him after surgery, he looks…better than he was. It was infected, his fever hasn't broken yet. The next few hours will tell."

Rodney frowned and his eyes closed tiredly. "Ok, I'll go before Jennings drags me out." Sheppard clasped Rodney's arm. "Get better soon." Rodney let the blackness take him and was asleep before his friend was gone.

Two days later Rodney McKay was able to move around but still couldn't walk. He'd had a lot of visitors, from Dr. Zelenka to Lieutenant Ford. He was allowed to leave the infirmary at last, but was making a quick stop to see Beckett before he left.

"Ok, your ride's here." Sheppard said as he helped McKay into a wheelchair. Rodney sat heavily, exhausted by the mere act of lifting himself from the bed. Sheppard took the chair's handles and pushed Rodney the short distance to the quarantine/ICU unit of Atlantis's sickbay.

"Wait…I-" Now that he was here Rodney was not sure he wanted to go in. He didn't know what he'd say and was nervous that Beckett would look worse than he'd imagined.

"Ready?" Sheppard prodded. McKay took a deep breath and nodded. Sheppard swung the door open and wheeled Rodney in.

Carson was lying flat on the bed with an innumerable number of wires and drips hooked up to him. He was still pale but not as gray as he'd been on the planet. His brow was no longer sweaty with fever and his wound was wrapped in clean bandages. His lids were cracked, revealing blue eyes that lifted to fix blearily on Sheppard.

Sheppard parked the wheelchair by Beckett's head then went to the other side of the bed. "Hey Carson, you're looking a lot better." Sheppard tried to sound honest. He looked at the nurse expectantly when Carson didn't answer him.

"He's been in and out of it." The on-call nurse informed them. "The infection is under control; the wound's healing. As far as we can tell, he's going to make a full recovery." She smiled widely and Sheppard couldn't help but to mirror her expression. "Give him a moment to wake up, he's woozy, you know how those pain meds are."

"Do I ever," Rodney muttered. He sat back and sighed cheerlessly. He wondered what had happened to the Talvins.

Sadness seemed to settle over the room and its occupants. How many planets would destroy themselves because of the wraith? Sheppard tried to think of something cheerful to say but thankfully was saved the trouble when Sanly bounded into the room. "Hello Major Sheppard, Dr. McKay! The nurse says I am allowed to see Dr. Beckett!" He brimmed with excitement and Sheppard felt the melancholy feelings lift.

"Did she now? Well, you better get up here so he can see you better." Sheppard lifted Sanly onto the bed by Beckett's legs. Beckett seemed to snap out of his drugged state and open his eyes fully He smiled as he saw his visitors, face lighting up at the unexpected sight of Sanly.

"Son, what are you doing here!?" Beckett's voice was soft and slightly hoarse, but genuinely pleased.

"I came back with you. Mr. Ford rescued me!" The boy sounded so excited, and Sheppard felt slightly guilty. They had not told the kid yet about the probable fate of his planet, not to mention his family.

"That's wonderful son!" Beckett was smiling widely. The boy unfolded himself and stretched out on his stomach by Beckett's side. He grabbed the doctor's hand in both of his smaler ones and a suspicious look spread across his face.

"Are you truly better Dr. Beckett? You still look sick, your hand is cold," Sanly said almost accusingly.

"I'm better, I promise. Don't you worry lad." Carson opened his arm invitingly and let the boy snuggle against his side. When Sanly rested his head on Beckett's shoulder, the nurse looked like she wanted to protest. She restrained herself; after all, Beckett was her boss. "Are you feeling better love?" Beckett had noticed that the boy looked healthy and cheerful, surprising considering what he'd been through. They talked for several more minutes until a nurse escorted Sanly out.

"I'll see you later Dr. Beckett!" He called.

Beckett waved tiredly then focused his attention to his other two visitors. "Welcome back to the land of the living," quipped Sheppard, not missing a beat.

Beckett tried to smile, but it turned into a wince accompanied with a distressed gasp. "Are you ok?" asked Rodney quickly. The nurse hurried over. "He's in pain," McKay informed her.

She reached over and turned up his dosage. "Just for a bit, then it'll have to go back down." Beckett of course, knew this but smiled gratefully.

"What's gonna happen to Sanly?" He turned concerned eyes up to his friends.

"We're sending him to live with the Athosians on the mainland. He'll like it there, it'll be like home," Rodney replied. They all knew that wasn't entirely true, but it was at least a safe place to live.

Beckett broke a brief moment of silence. "Thank you, for everything. You saved my life, ten times over."

"Anytime." Sheppard replied. "You're still behind Rodney. I've saved his life so many times, I've lost count."

McKay crossed his arms. "I don't think so. I seem to remember a desert planet with one very unfriendly wraith on it. Who saved whom then? And let's not even say the words 'giant tick'."

Sheppard winced in remembered discomfort. "That was a low blow McKay." He turned grinning to Beckett. "So you see, the way I figure, you still have four or five times left for me to rescue you."

Shaking his head, Carson admitted, "One is enough for me Major. I think I'll stick to Atlantis for a while."

"Suit yourself." Sheppard shrugged and added thoughtfully. "But one day, we'll have to go back, you know. To Talvik."

McKay looked up sharply at this. "That's one mission I'll skip, thank you."

Beckett was nodding though. "Aye, we'll have to go back…one day. See what's left of the place."

The nurse butted in and regrettably informed them, "Time to leave. Dr. Beckett needs rest."

"Come on McKay, let's go to the mess hall. I hear we have ripe fruit and freshly baked bread today. At least something good came out of this mission."

McKay perked up. "All right! Wheel away! Hey, do you think they would make a pie if I asked?" Sheppard grabbed the chair handles and they said their goodbyes, promising to visit soon.

"A pie? I'm thinking doughnuts." Sheppard scoffed. Beckett settled his head back with a small smile and fell asleep to the sounds of Sheppard and McKay arguing as they made their way down the hall.

Wow! Done, one last review please???? Thanks. Happy New Year