TITLE: Wait Until Dark
AUTHOR: Susan Zell
DISCLAIMER: All characters belong to Gekko and Sci-Fi and to those luckier than I. All I know is that they aren't mine so no profit has been made by this venture.
SUMMARY: Nightmares and paranoia plague Major Sheppard and his team must determine why before he sinks so deep that there may be no returning.
SPOILERS: Everything up until after "Childhood's End."
RATINGS: PG-13
TYPE: Drama mainly and some minor hurt/comfort; also some very minor 'shipping though I haven't made my decision between the ShepWeir or the Sheyla camps. So I'm keeping both ends open for now. I always try to follow show canon so I'll leave that decision up to them.
AUTHOR'S NOTES: My first Stargate Atlantis fic so be gentle. If it goes well, I may write another.
Chapter Three
"A Bone Head Play"
The next morning Sheppard slept late and though he felt he could have slept for another three days, he got up. He had things to do, despite being off duty.
He fully expected to hear Weir's voice on the intercom ordering him to the debriefing room, but maybe the guard wouldn't say anything. She was civilian and he and the guard were military. A part of him appreciated it since it meant the guard didn't hold Sumner's death against him. Some of the military folks did and there was constant tension on some missions. Sumner's death left Sheppard abruptly in charge and it was known that there had been doubt and a touch of animosity between the two. Now suddenly Sheppard was the chief ranking officer and it didn't sit well with some, though none of them had made an issue of it, except for maybe Bates. But it never stopped either of them from doing their job.
Sheppard made for the infirmary. Beckett was there to his consternation. The last thing he wanted was to answer some more questions about last night. He almost turned around and left but Beckett spotted him and waved him in.
"Our patient is getting antsy."
"Doesn't like your company, Doc?"
"I try not to take it too personally, Major."
"No, you shouldn't," he consoled. "But is there any reason to keep her?"
"I still haven't--"
"Finished running your tests," Sheppard finished. "I know. Weir told me at the debriefing."
"I thought I told you to go rest. You were supposed to go straight to your quarters last night." Beckett scowled at the brash young major, which had no more effect on the man as if he were any other authoritative figure.
"Look, so long she stays on base you can find her anytime you're ready. At least this way she can still get a breath of fresh air. It's not right that we get a vacation and Teyla's stuck in here."
Beckett conceded. "I guess you're right. I do sound like a mad scientist when you put it that way."
"I didn't want to say anything." Sheppard's easy grin transferred to Beckett.
The physician moved toward a closet and procured a wheelchair. "Here, teachin' her to use this should keep you both out of my hair for a while. Bring her back in two hours for another test. I should have it set up by then."
"You got it."
"Just don't wear her out. Or you." He eyed the major critically for a moment. "How are you feeling this morning, by the way?"
"Never better," replied Sheppard. It was partially the truth. He had caught a few hours peaceful sleep after Steve was put down.
Again warning bells were going off for Beckett. Sheppard could see it in the man's furrowed forehead, but thankfully the doctor didn't press the issue.
"You know if you want to talk--"
"I know where to find you." Sheppard moved past him toward the area where Teyla was resting.
Shaking his head, Beckett followed him with the wheelchair.
Teyla sat up straighter as she saw Sheppard enter, her dark eyes lightening with pleasure. "Major Sheppard!"
"I'm busting you outta here," he announced.
Her eyes narrowed a bit at his odd words, but she seemed to grasp his intention. "But Dr. Beckett said I was to remain."
"Yeah, he has some tests to run, but there's no need to sit here all day waiting till he's ready. You're free for a couple of hours. He'll call when he needs you."
She looked around the major towards the doctor. It was with great relief when the man nodded.
"What? Don't you trust me?" responded Sheppard with a grin.
"I just did not think that Dr. Beckett would let me go so easily." Her head cocked in that funny way of hers when she understood more than she let on.
"Major Sheppard is very persuasive." Beckett patted her arm. "The two of you just take it easy. Dinna go pushing her around all over this base, not with that arm of yours. Just find a spot and relax. Watch a movie or something of that nature."
Teyla's eyes widened. She obviously liked that idea. "I have been waiting to hear more about that intrepid, what did you call him? Archeologist?"
"You mean, Dr. Jackson?" Beckett asked.
"No, Dr. Jones!"
Sheppard leaned closer to Beckett. "Raiders of the Lost Ark."
"Ach, good movie. I wouldn't mind watching that one myself."
"Later, Doc. Tests remember."
"Yes, yes. But I get the DVD next."
"Absolutely."
Soon, the two had escaped and were heading for less crowded territory. Teyla clutched the arms of the wheelchair.
"Are you sure you know how to drive this vehicle?" It was shimmying a tad too much for her liking.
"Of course." But it was harder to push than he had thought. His arm ached with the strain. Besides the wheels were the funky gurney kind that never obeyed direct commands. "My sweet gray haired grandmother had one because of arthritis and she loved it when I pushed her around."
"I see." This information did not put Teyla at ease.
"Don't worry we're almost there."
"I am not worried." She paused as the wall kept getting closer and closer to her wounded leg, and then admitted quietly, "I think I am petrified."
"Oh ye of little faith. Look, here we are, safe and sound." He stopped in front of the recreation room.
Teyla muttered something that sounded like a prayer. Then said, "I can see why your grandmother was gray-haired."
"Now that was just uncalled for."
"I am sorry. I did not mean it." Her face fell thinking she had perhaps insulted her friend.
He leaned closer to her with a great deal of amusement showing on his face. "I'm just kidding, Teyla."
She smiled. "As was I." Among all the humans, Teyla found it very easy to relax around John Sheppard in particular. Perhaps it was the easy going way he grinned even in the most desperate of hours. Or maybe it was because he always placed others before himself, like a true leader. She still could not forget the incident with the Wraith bug, when the Major had shown more concern for her though he was the one that lay near death.
It took some time but finally the two of them were settled on the couch with popcorn and the remote. The opening strains of the music started to play. Sheppard handed Teyla the bowl, which she dug into eagerly; she had acquired quite an affinity for the crunchy yellow substance. He on the other hand slouched in the seat and was very comfortable. He concentrated on the movie. Though he had seen the flick a hundred times, it was one of those classics that never lost its appeal, which was why it had made the list of films to be lost on a deserted Atlantian base with.
Teyla's fascination with Earth films was an upshot. Here was someone who hadn't seen any of these films and could look at them with a non-jaundiced eye. Sure, she didn't get a lot of the references, and sometimes he flinched when he had to explain a strange human behavior. Like that whole debacle when they watched Some Like It Hot.
"This explorer seems to be very much like us," Teyla noted. "He continually runs into trouble. First darts, then falling temples, a traitorous guide and now a big boulder."
"I'd hate to think he's a metaphor. I might have to retire right now."
"Yet he seems to always survive. See now he escapes the angry natives."
"So long as we have his providence then, I guess we're okay."
"Is this a human trait?"
"Luck? Sure." His mind wasn't really concentrating on the conversation. His body was very relaxed. Apparently his body thought it needed more rest. The movie and the company lulled him into a euphoric state of tranquility.
"Athosians believe that having 'luck' is a gift bestowed on only the most worthy."
"Well, Indiana Jones is pretty damn worthy."
"And not John Sheppard?"
"Oh, he does pretty good too." He stifled a yawn and then drew his attention up to hers. "But then I have a whole team to make me look good. Indiana only has his whip and his hat."
"Clothes and accessories are not what make a good leader. You have far better qualities than even this man." Her hand waved at the screen as she again watched the archeologist fight off a large snake while the pilot just laughed. She frowned. "Alone, he is at the mercy of everything. But as a member of a team, one can rely on another." She was silent for a moment, her mind casting back to the swamp on their last mission. "You should not take foolish chances as this man does. Lieutenant Ford, Doctor McKay and myself are there to assist you. No one is invincible." She wanted Sheppard to understand that he could rely on her and the others. The way he had jumped into the fray on the last mission to pull her back was foolhardy. He was 'lucky' the laser had only grazed his arm. It could have easily been his head. She looked back towards Sheppard but saw he had fallen asleep.
Sighing, she watched his facial muscles slackened and his mouth opened slightly. His breathing deepened with each breath. He obviously needed much rest. The near escape yesterday weighed heavily on her teammate though he would not admit it.
So she let him sleep while she watched the rest of the movie and its fascinating glimpse into human behavior. It comforted her to know that humans had a powerful weapon like the "Ark of the Covenant". Surely they brought that with them to Atlantis. And she wondered what was "Sunday School"?
The movie was well into its second hour and the popcorn long gone when Teyla saw the major thrash his head back and forth and mutter in his sleep beside her on the couch. He was dreaming. She felt like an intruder as she realized she was listening to something unpleasant, even though she could hear no discernable words.
His pale skin was now coated in sweat and his erratic breathing disturbed her. Teyla's hand touched his shoulder.
"Major?"
He wouldn't wake.
"Major Sheppard! Wake up!"
He jerked awake with a shout, half coming off the couch. Teyla held his shoulders as he shuddered, his eyes casting about wildly. They came to focus on the woman in front of him.
"Major Sheppard, are you all right?"
"F-fine. I'm fine." He raised a trembling hand to wipe his face. "Damn it," he muttered. Her concerned expression looked down at him. He shifted away from her. "Just a bad dream."
"It must have been very bad."
"Yeah, very bad." His head ached like someone had been pounding on it with rock or McKay had been chattering at him for over an hour.
"Do you get these often?"
"No." He wanted to reassure her. "Too much popcorn, that's all."
"You did not eat any popcorn."
"I didn't?"
"No."
"I meant to."
"Should I get Dr. Beckett?"
"No!" That galvanized him. "No. I'm fine, Teyla. Really I am." But the bloodshot eyes with the dark half moons under them did not lend reassurance to his friend and teammate.
"I think we should go see--"
Sheppard headed for the door. "Finish the movie, Teyla. I'll be right back."
"Are you going to see Dr. Beckett?"
"Later." And then he left. The door sliding shut behind him.
She made to follow him, struggling to limp over to the door. The feeling of sudden dread was overwhelming. He should not be left alone. But the door refused to open. Waving her hand in front of the panel did nothing. Frowning, she pushed at the doors. Finally they slipped open, but Major Sheppard was nowhere in sight.
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This time Steve wasn't even surprised to see Sheppard, but nor did he step away from the cell door. Instead he stood right up close to it as if daring the major to open it, which he did. Immediately Steve rushed him but Sheppard refused to flinch. The weapon was up and firing. The blast took the Wraith right in the chest but the forward momentum carried him straight into Sheppard. The two collided and went down hard. The guard rushed in, his weapon aiming at the unmoving Wraith atop Sheppard. The major waved his hand, indicating that he was all right. With a hard shove he pushed the limp creature off him. The guard grabbed the unconscious body and dragged it back into its cell while Sheppard kept his weapon trained on both of them. The weapon would stun both if the Wraith awakened suddenly. Then Sheppard would drag the guard out if necessary.
Luckily it didn't come to that. When the cell door was sealed and the shield reactivated, the guard turned his attention to the major.
"That was a bone head play, sir."
Sheppard nodded and stood shakily. For a moment he sagged against the wall, his adrenalin abandoning him in a rush. His body shuddered. The guard made a move to approach him, but Sheppard waved him off.
"Damn freakin' son of a bitch," cursed Sheppard as he gulped in fresh air to steady himself.
"Yes, sir," the guard agreed. He himself had felt the icy touch of the Wraith from time to time.
Sheppard nodded and pushed himself upright again. He headed back up to the upper levels. He was replacing the Wraith weapon back in research when he bumped into Kavanagh on the way out.
Immediately the American scientist bristled. "What were you doing with that? These artifacts are for research not your personal amusement, Major."
"They're not? Shucks. And here I thought this was the playroom."
"I don't appreciate your flippant attitude, Major."
Sheppard spun back around, pure anger on his face. Kavanagh had never seen that emotion before on the laid back man. It took him by surprise and he took a few steps away from him.
"And I don't appreciate you, Kavanagh," the major snarled. "I'll be more than happy to help Weir drop you off on a barren rock. As much as you like to think you're in command, you're not. Not by a long shot." Sheppard paused, his breath coming a bit fast, the room spinning just a tad. "Just stay out of my way," he muttered and walked down the corridor, his hand steadying him against the wall.
tbc