Hello there! Glad to see some new reviewers (I now accept anonymous reviews)and thanks for reading.
Quezacolt: Sorry for the cliffhanger hun but I couldn't resist it! I'll need to watch that flying fist of yours! LOL.
Wolf Maid: thanks for reviewing and some of us should stick up for Bates. For those who don't like him he got a beating in Two Turkey Sandwiches.
Puddles 1311: thanks for reviewing and I figured Caldwell wouldn't allow Sheppard to go back because of the soldiers on the ground. You know the whole: everyone is expendable attitude. That's my take on it anyhoo.
King Henry the V( cool and unusual name by the way): Thanks for the long review and for your view on Caldwell being in charge. But I wrote it like that because in my world (and as you all know it's a very weird one) I thought that Everett was sent to be in charge of Atlantis. I'm assuming for this story he doesn't make it after Siege 2 so Caldwell takes over and is therefore in charge of Sheppard too who is still only a Lt. Colonel. (Caldwell was also a Colonel before Shepard) Who knows, maybe it'll be different in season 2 but it does fit my story for now. Glad you liked the chapter too!
After you read this you might think, "Yeah, like Sheppard could do all that!" but, again in my head, John Sheppard can do bloody anything!
So, here we go…
Worth It
4. The Rescue
As soon as Ford exited the wormhole the number of injured people lying in the control room overwhelmed him. He had no idea just how many they had managed to save. Running half way up the stairs he shouted to Rodney who was already up in the control room.
"Keep the gate open but raise the shield! Colonel Sheppard is still out there so wait for his code."
Turning to wait at the active ring he almost bumped into Colonel Caldwell.
"What the hell is going on?" he demanded although Ford believed he knew the situation.
Taking a deep breath Ford explained where exactly John Sheppard was and watched his CO's face become red, either from anger at John or himself for leaving Dr Weir behind.
"I gave him an order Lieutenant!" Caldwell seethed and Ford glared back in disbelief.
"Sir, we don't leave people behind!" He declared loudly and many of the Atlantis personnel around them went silent. Everyone held their breath as Caldwell looked over the young marine in front of him then turned to the control room. "Shut down the gate!"
"They just need time!" Rodney exclaimed and pointed a finger at the technician sitting in front of the control panel. "Don't shut anything off. Keep transmitting a radio signal to ensure the gate remains open."
"Who's giving the orders here! Do as I say!" Caldwell shouted to those around him and he was met by many defiant stares.
"Do you not wish Dr Weir to live?" Teyla asked accusingly and Caldwell's angry face turned into an ashamed one.
No one else spoke as they watched the rippling pool, in the hope of seeing their friends again.
John pressed his back against the tree and held his breath. Out of the corner of his eye he saw a young man walk past and prayed that he would just keep on going. He really didn't want to attack him if it was possible. He just wanted to reach Elizabeth.
Satisfied the soldier had gone a safe distance Sheppard continued to inch his way to the Atlantis jacket he could see, trying to ignore the bloody bodies scattered before him. Surveying the area once more to ensure no enemy troops were around he ran the last few metres to Weir's side.
His stomach churned when he saw the burns on her back and left arm and knelt beside her. Reaching out a steady hand the officer felt around the injured woman's neck and let out a relieved sigh when he felt a faint pulse.
Allowing his P90 to swing to his side John gently positioned his hands on her back and shoulder that were not burned and rolled Elizabeth over so he could see her face. He let out a quiet "Damn!" when he saw how white she was compared to the dirt covering parts of her face. Stroking a piece of stray hair away from her face he began to think about their escape and knew that it was going to be tricky with soldiers now probably making their way to the active gate.
Biting his bottom lip he came up with a plan. Delicately lifting Elizabeth over his shoulder John took her to the edge of the wood and sat her down next to a tree where he could see the gate. As he had predicted several men stood around it, seemingly in awe of it. John needed a distraction. Worried about leaving her John realised that anyone who passed would probably assume Elizabeth was dead, she scarily looked it. Giving her one last glance he set off deeper into the forest, away from the Stargate, to plant C4.
Once confident the few charges he had had would create a big enough explosion he made his way back to Elizabeth. Bending beside her again he touch his radio earpiece.
"Atlantis, this is Sheppard. I've got Dr Weir but it's going to be tricky getting back to the gate. I'm going to create a distraction so we may be coming in hot."
"Copy that sir. We're waiting for you. But you only have 5 minutes until the gate shuts down." Came Ford's reply.
"Understood. Standby" Sheppard ordered and took out his detonator. Peering at the gate he saw that even more men had arrived to look at it, clearly not knowing what it was. "Detonating C4…now!"
To the left of them there was a huge explosion and John covered his ears. Glancing towards the fiery area John saw his plan was working and a mass of trees were now on fire. Returning his focus to the gate he saw the majority of men run towards the bangs with their guns raised, expecting enemy targets to be there. Creeping forward John took this opportunity to take out the few men that had remained at the gate by firing a single shot into their backs. All five went down without a sound. Grimacing, he punched in his IDC and grabbed Elizabeth. Carrying her over one shoulder again John began to run to the open gate ignoring the shouts now coming from behind him. He was almost at the event horizon when he heard a bang. Not feeling any pain from a shot he stumbled through the gate and almost fell forward when he reached the other side.
"Raise…" he began out of breath.
"Raise the shield!" Ford finished for him and John sank to his knees hearing the gate finally shutting off. Just as he was about to lower Elizabeth other people lifted her from him and he saw her placed on a gurney.
"Watch her back Doc!" John managed to say as his breath slowly returned. "She's got some bad burns!"
"I know Colonel, I need to get her to the infirmary." Carson told him hurriedly and then, along with several nurses, escorted the gurney away.
John watched helplessly as they whisked Elizabeth away and then turned to see Ford offering him a hand. Giving him a small, grateful smile John grabbed it and pulled himself up. Teyla and Rodney also joined them and the scientist clapped him on the back.
"Well done Colonel." He said and Teyla nodded.
"I'm sure Dr Weir will be fine now," she told him seeing the worry remain in his eyes.
John raised his eyebrows, "Maybe I was too late." He said hoarsely and shot Caldwell, who was standing near the stairs, a resentful look.
"Perhaps you should go to the infirmary too Sir." Ford suggested seeing the bitterness on John's face and trying to prevent another confrontation.
John allowed Teyla to lead him away from the gate room and 10 minutes later found himself standing with her in the infirmary watching injured Lowderans be treated. Scanning the room he saw the woman who had warned them about Elizabeth. She was cuddling a small girl and kissing the top of her head while crying. It was then that John realised what exactly Elizabeth had done, risked her own life so that the little girl would have her mother.
He couldn't take the waiting anymore and walked into the back of the infirmary where he had seen Beckett working on a patient, ignoring Teyla's pleas to wait. He was covered in blood and John's stomach fell when he realised it was Elizabeth who they were working on. The people around him moved in slow motion as they tried to save Dr Weir's life and John barely registered the defibrillator being brought out.
Finding panic rise within him John began to think of all the things he'd never said to her. That she was the reason he got up everyday, no matter what she did he always wanted to be there for her, she made him feel whole and human again. It was in these moments that John wished he had told her he loved her and knew that in any second he could loose her forever.
Beckett powered the deliberator and charged the paddles.
"Clear!" he shouted and shocked Elizabeth.
John shuddered as her body shook violently and recalled how painful it felt when they had killed him using the very same device.
Carson checked her heart rhythm and pursed his lips. Motioning to the nurse he cried, "Charge to 200!"
After a second he said "Clear!" again and Weir's body jumped at the shock.
John stared her pale face as if willing her to wake up. Suddenly Carson said, "Wait a minute!" Coming from the monitor was a steady rhythmic beeping and the Scottish medic smiled as he listened to Elizabeth's chest. "We've got a heartbeat!"
The medical team's movements suddenly resumed back to real time and John watched as they scurried around the bed performing various tasks. Carson noticed the shocked pilot had been watching them and walked up to him with a grave face.
"Colonel…"
"Is she going to be okay?" John asked croakily, eyes wide as if he were a frightened boy.
The doctor sustained his serious expression. "The next 24 hours are crucial Colonel. Elizabeth's lost a lot of blood and I'm worried she may have caught an infection from her burns." His steady tone did nothing to calm Sheppard and he pushed passed him to stand next to the bed.
Reaching out to touch Elizabeth's face again John hesitated as if scared that he might hurt her even more. Looking up he saw nurse Brown give him an encouraging smile and he brushed her cheek with his fingers, frowning at how cold she felt.
"I can't loose her doc." He said quietly and Carson approached him to lay a supporting hand on his shoulder.
"I'm going to do my best John to make sure that doesn't happen." Becoming more worried about Sheppard's state of health after the day's ordeal, Carson cleared his throat. "You know, you could help us, and her, by having a rest. There's nothing you can do for Dr Weir now. Let the nurse check you over."
John considered the doctor's request as he stroked Elizabeth's cheek. After a minute of silence he agreed and reluctantly followed the nurse to an empty bed. Before Teyla left she gave Carson a grave look, which he mirrored. It was going to be a long 24 hours.
John had been lying in the infirmary for most of the night and still could not get to sleep. The nurse had given him the all clear but advised the exhausted officer to remain where he was. This didn't bother Sheppard, it just meant he was closer to Elizabeth.
That had been almost 5 hours ago and Carson had been in twice to up date John on Weir's condition. What pissed him off was that Caldwell had not visited the woman he supposedly loved. Then again, after leaving her back there the man would have a damn nerve coming to see her he thought furiously.
Carson had told him that Elizabeth was still going strong although explained that it would be at least another day before she woke up. All this information still did nothing to relax John and he had been watching the mother and daughter, who Elizabeth had saved, sleeping. They looked so peaceful and John's heart soared when he thought of what Elizabeth had done for them. That's my Liz he thought proudly and without warning fell into a deep sleep.
John woke with a start when he heard a voice calling his name and sat up to see Teyla standing at the foot of his uncomfortable bed smiling.
"Teyla…?"
"Dr Weir is still doing fine. Dr Beckett is very happy with her progress." She explained and saw John sigh in relief. Just as she was about to speak again John went to stand up.
"Can I see her?" he asked hopefully but Teyla held up her hands. "What's wrong?"
Looking nervous Teyla cleared her throat and gestured to the back of the infirmary. Looking in this direction John saw the curtain had been pulled round Elizabeth's bed and he could just make out a figure standing with her. Giving the Athosian an angry glare John clenched his fists.
"Is that Caldwell?" he asked in a low, gruff voice.
Teyla nodded and when John stood up she placed herself in front of him. Before they could discuss it any further Caldwell appeared from the cubical and looked directly at Sheppard. Suddenly, Ford and several other marines entered the medical bay waking up many of the Lowderans who began to watch the tense scene.
John glanced questioningly at Ford. The young marine looked down and Caldwell strode up to him so they were almost nose-to-nose.
"Colonel" Sheppard stated, his voice dripping with distaste while wondering what the hell was going on.
Giving the officer a scowl Caldwell clasped his hands behind his back. "Colonel Sheppard you are hereby relieved of your command."
The room went so silent that Ford swore everyone could hear his heart beating wildly.
"Excuse me?" Sheppard asked, genuinely shocked.
"You disobeyed direct orders officer, that is court-marshal offence. These marines will escort you to the brig where you will wait until your fate has been decided."
John couldn't believe what he was hearing and judging by Teyla's expression, neither could she.
"He saved Dr Weir's life!" she cried in disbelief. "Does that not count for anything?"
Not acknowledging her statement, Caldwell stood to the side and signalled for Bates to remove Sheppard. Even the sergeant couldn't look John in the face. When they had surrounded him Ford eventually spoke up.
"Sir, he did it…" he began but John cut him off.
"It's okay Ford, I disobeyed an order. It can't be ignored." He explained in an accepting tone and began walking out of the infirmary with Caldwell and the others following.
After they left all Ford and Teyla could do was gape at the closing doors.
"If Dr Weir was awake she would not allow this Aiden." Teyla told him crossly and Ford nodded sadly.
"Then let's hope she wakes up soon, for Colonel Sheppard's sake."
Author's note: Sorry for another crap medical scene, they're not by best writing. So, please review, let me know what you're all thinking.
