A/N: Thanks a lot to those who have reviewed. To the rest, come on! is not that hard, that lets me know how the thing is going! Also it keeps me wanting to write more, so please R&R!

Shorter chapter, but the end is near.

Enjoy!


Chapter XIII: Returning to Normal.

With everyone on board, they could finally return home, possibly without having to come back to this planet ever again. McKay had carried Amara to the jumper and once the wormhole to Atlantis had been established he had immediately requested a medical team.

In no time they were home and in the jumper bay, where Dr. Weir and Dr. Beckett were ready to receive the team. The medical team went to work as soon as the Jumper's rear hatch opened. Both Elizabeth and Carson were a little taken aback when seeing in what state John was really in. Carson immediately started to work on his patients. A quick check up later he already ordered the wounded to be moved to the infirmary.


The rest of the team had been forced to wait just outside the infirmary for hours on end, hoping to get some news, whether it be good or bad, about Major Sheppard's condition. By the time Carson finally walked out of the infirmary, everyone immediately started talking at the same time, asking him al sorts of questions all relating to the condition in which the Major was in. Carson held up his hands in an attempt to silence and calm the group of friends down. "Major Sheppard's in bad shape but we were able to stabilize him." Seeing Rodney was about to explode, Carson quickly said, "Don't worry Rodney, you did a good job with his shoulder. It's more the trauma to his leg that has me concerned for the moment. He did loose a lot of blood there. I'm going to ask that anyone who has blood type O negative should come down here and donate some."

Rodney's explosive mood disappeared at once and his face brightened up a little. "I'm O negative; I have no problem donating some now." Carson smiled, "OK, Rodney you can come in now." Elizabeth turned to Carson, "I'm going to contact everyone on the base. I'll make sure those who are compatible come by for a visit."

"Thank you, Dr. Weir."

"Keep me informed!"

Rodney looked at Ford and Teyla, "I'll let you know how he is." The two friends nodded as he walked into the infirmary following Dr. Beckett.


As Rodney entered the infirmary, his heart sank seeing John so helpless and fragile. He was very pale and with all the machines around him, it made the scene only more surreal. Then he noticed that Amara was lying a few beds away from John. She was looking pale as well albeit less then Sheppard. Rodney blinked as the events of the past few hours returned to him in a little flash. "How is she?"

Carson stopped, glancing from his friend to Amara. "She's unconscious. She had a couple of broken ribs and she has lost a bit of blood. But nothing to worry about, she'll be fine." Carson moved again but instead of going to check on John, he walked towards Amara's bed. "There's something you should see though." Rodney joined the Doctor at Amara's side. "I think you'll find this very interesting." Carson carefully opened the front of the young woman's gown, revealing her wounds. "She was attacked by a Wraith, right?"

"Right!" Rodney nodded, remembering how the Wraith had pinned Amara between his hand and a tree.

Carson pointed at the wounds on Amara's chest, "Look at this." Rodney immediately recognized what was wrong with the picture in front of him while Carson continued, "She has all the markings of a Wraith hand, except for the mouth." It was true, all she had was her skin bruised by the impact, but the markings of the mouth like opening on the Wraith's hand were nowhere to be seen. "So, how is that possible you think?"

Even though Rodney was as confused as Carson, he tentatively answered, "She's immune?"

Carson looked at Amara, then back at Rodney, "Should I be worried about that or is this normal?"

Rodney shrugged, deep in thought, "I have no idea."


Few days had passed by without either patient showing any signs of regaining consciousness. The only ones who had been allowed to visit regularly were Dr. Weir, Rodney, Lt. Ford and Teyla. The rest of the citizens of Atlantis had been restricted to donating blood when having Sheppard's blood type or being O negatives. That night the infirmary had been swamped with people, all more than willing to help one of the most beloved people in the city.

The four that had been allowed entrance to visit the Major had taken turns to visit John; Dr. Weir in the mornings, followed by Ford in the afternoons and Teyla in the evenings, while Rodney took the night. Most of the time Rodney would catch up on some readings from his lab or talk with Carson about John and Amara's condition. John was still unconscious, and Amara was going to be according to Carson but for now she was still out.

Rodney was on his way to the infirmary as it was his turn to sit with John and Amara. He made a quick stop in Carson's office, asking him about the status of the patients. Once inside the infirmary, Rodney noticed Sheppard having a little more color and fewer machines around him. Looking over at Amara's bed, he was momentarily panicked as it was empty. For a second Rodney considered going back to Carson, but dropped that thought as he saw Amara cowering against the wall next to her bed.

Her knees were drawn to her chest, her head resting on top of them. Carefully, as not to frighten her, Rodney closed in on Amara, "Amara?"

She looked up, but stared at the wall on the other side of the room. Then she brought her hands up and stared at them. To Rodney it looked as if this was the first time she was able to see something. She was contemplating every inch of her hands, closing them into fists and opening them again. Then Amara placed her hands on her chest, with this her actions suddenly changed. Rodney witnessed Amara going from spaced out but calm to complete hysterics, acting as if something was crawling over her chest.

"He is trying to kill me!" Rodney heard her soft murmuring slowly turn into frantic screaming. "Let me go!"

"Amara!" Rodney tried in vain to attract her attention on him instead of the invisible thing crawling over her chest. As quick as she had started wriggling about she started to take off the bandages and pulled the IV out of her hand. At this point McKay sank on his knees next to her side. "Amara, stop it!" She didn't react to his presence. "Carson! You better get in here!"

Rodney grabbed Amara's wrists, preventing her from harming herself. She fought against his grip, in vain, while repeating over and over again that someone was trying to kill her.

"No one's trying to kill you, Amara!" Rodney realized she was finally reacting to the Wraith attack on the planet, albeit a few days late which scared him a little and was most definitely not good. "Stop it ... Right now!"

Her eyes snapped open and locked with McKay's, "This is all my fault. I am so sorry. I tried to heal him, but I could not, I really tried. I am so sorry."

"You don't have to apologize." McKay said as he let go off her. At that moment, Carson arrived and Rodney signaled him to stop, as Amara was staring at him. "You know it is my fault, I am so sorry." This time tears started to fall and roll down her pale face, "I am so sorry." McKay sat down beside her and slowly put his arm around her. Amara looked at Rodney and promptly hugged him for dear life while more tears made their way down.

While Rodney was trying to calm Amara down, Carson had gotten a sedative for Amara. Rodney tried to move her, but she was holding on to him as if life depended on it. Carson moved close enough to give Amara the sedative. The needle wasn't out off her arm when she went completely limp in Rodney's embrace. Carson helped McKay get up and put her back into bed.

Once Carson had the IV-line back where it belonged in her hand, he walked over to where Rodney was sitting at John's side. "She will be fine. I'll better inform Dr. Weir."


A/N: Please remeber to review:)