Hey guys. Sorry this has taken so long to post. I know it isn't long but I was really busy. Thanks for waiting and for the reviews.
Ashkash: Special hug for all your help and ideas.
Worth It
9. The Infirmary
Elizabeth squirmed in the uncomfortable hospital bed as she tried to sleep. Although she had slept most of the night the diplomat was still exhausted and was attempting to ignore Carson's mumbling as he tidied up his sick bay. All she could hear was clattering and his Scottish voice rambling on to no one.
"Aye, no problem Rodney. I've not got other things to do other than be yir bloody guinea pig!"
Elizabeth suppressed the urge to laugh and decided to give up on sleeping. Slowly pulling herself up into a sitting position she notice that the stinging in her back was not so bad this morning and gave a pleased sigh which caught the doctor's attention.
"Ah, yir awake lass!" he cried pleasantly and Elizabeth had to admire his cheery attitude even when clearly pissed off at someone. "Hope I did nae wake you?"
Shaking her head she saw the relief in his face and gave him a smile. "No, I was just uncomfy. Besides, it's your infirmary, you can make as much noise as you like!" She joked and hoped Carson had relaxed slightly. It seemed to work and he pulled up a chair to sit beside the bed.
"I hope yir not just buttering me up so I'll let you visit Colonel Sheppard again!" he said in a mock warning tone to which Elizabeth pouted.
"Would I?" When he chuckled Elizabeth touched his shoulder. "Carson, is everything okay? You seem to be a bit stressed."
"Ack, no!" He said but when she continued to stare at him he gave in. "It's just Rodney keeps bugging me to test all these new Ancient devices he saw and he knows how much I hate leaving the infirmary when I've got a patient."
As he sighed in frustration Elizabeth felt bad for her friend. Without John available to test Rodney's discoveries his main go to guy was normally the medic and he hated going near any Ancient technology for fear of damaging it. Some might not guess it but the brilliant doctor was also very unsure of himself in anything outside of medicine. Just as she was about to reply the man in question burst into the brightly lit room and pointed at Beckett looking furious.
"So now you're just ignoring me!" he shouted and Carson wearily stood up. "I've been calling you for the last 15 minutes! This could be the answer to all of our lack of defence problems!" he said waving a small grey device in the air.
"You always say that Rodney!" the medic told him exasperated. "Last time our so called salvation was the equivalent of a fancy spa system and I got soaked!"
Elizabeth watched the exchange with an amused expression but felt very proud of Carson for sticking up for himself. Just as the annoyed scientist was about to retort a voice blasted over the com system.
"Medical emergency in the brig!"
All three glanced at each other nervously and then Carson bolted out of the infirmary closely followed by two nurses carrying a stretcher. Rodney glanced at Elizabeth who was trying to get out of bed.
"Uh, Elizabeth I don't think that's a good idea." He said walking over to her with a concerned expression. When she didn't respond Rodney laid a hand on her shoulder and looked into her fearful eyes. "It might not be Sheppard. It could be a guard."
The woman gave him a sceptical look and he sighed. "Even if it is they'll be coming back here anyway." Rodney pointed out and smiled when Weir nodded and sat back in bed. Claiming Carson's stool as his own Rodney scanned the infirmary as a heavy silence descended. Finally he looked back at Elizabeth and sighed.
"So, about this new device…"
Running along the corridor to the brig Carson wiped the sweat now forming on his forehead. Not that he was unfit but if his new patient was going to be Colonel Sheppard again Beckett knew it would be bad.
Rounding the corner he almost crashed into Sergeant Bates who was talking with two marines.
" Where's ma patient?" Beckett asked while breathing heavily.
"In there doc. It's Colonel Sheppard. He's been beaten up pretty bad." Bates explained and pointed to where the officer lay on his back. "Teyla and Ford are with him."
"Come wae me!" the doctor called to the two nurses behind him and entered the large room.
When Teyla noticed the medical team she nudged Ford and both exited the cell to let them through. Kneeling beside the colonel Beckett let out a loud sigh.
"Bloody hell! Whit happened to you this time son?" He asked the unconscious Sheppard and began checking his vitals. After a minute of this Beckett finally asked the nurses along with Ford and Teyla to lift the injured body onto the stretcher.
"Is he going to be okay doc?" Ford asked and Teyla looked at him expectantly.
"Aye. But I think he's got some internal bleeding so he's going to be stuck wae me for a while." He announced and frowned at his own last remark. "That'll be fun! Let's go."
Glancing worriedly at each other Teyla and Ford anxiously followed the group.
"Maybe it contains details on how to destroy the Wraith! Or plans for an Ancient weapon." Rodney exclaimed his eyes slightly glazed. "Ooo! It could give us a list of fully charged ZPMs!"
Elizabeth glared at McKay. "Somehow I think the thing is too small to contain all that Rodney!" she muttered and he shrugged.
Their attention was then drawn to the sound of footsteps thumping down the corridor and watched the sliding doors with anticipation. When they eventually opened Beckett entered followed by 5 others including John Sheppard lying very still on the stretcher. When Elizabeth saw him she jumped out of the bed so fast Rodney didn't have time to stop her and she rushed after the stretcher.
"John? Oh my god! Carson what happened?" she asked frantically and Ford took the liberty of explaining while the doctor began treating the pilot.
"When Teyla and I arrived at the brig this morning Bates and Stackhouse were outside the doors. Apparently Caldwell ordered them not to communicate with the prisoner unless it was necessary. But Teyla and I went in anyway and found the Colonel lying on the floor. He took quite a beating Ma'am."
Still watching Beckett treat John Elizabeth nodded taking in the information. "Caldwell ordered them not to enter the brig?" she asked and Ford could sense the anger in her voice.
Hesitating for a second Ford then said, "Yes Ma'am."
"It would seem that Lt Blake and Sanders were on duty at the brig last night." Teyla added and all three knew they were very loyal to Caldwell and therefore knew its implication.
"How's he doing?" Rodney asked joining them but was answered by the doctor himself.
"He'll be all right but I need some peace to attend to his wounds so…"
Everyone took the hint and left the cubical except Weir who stayed back.
"Carson-" she began but was interrupted.
"Dr Weir there's nothing you can do for him at the moment. Why not go with the others for something to eat or for a walk if yir up for it." He suggested and she reluctantly agreed. Taking one last glance at John she left Becket with his patient.
The others were hovering by the door and Ford was talking on his radio. Elizabeth took this opportunity to quickly change into her casual clothes.
"Understood." He said and then turned to the others. "That was Bates. He can't find Colonel Caldwell but Lts. Blake and Sanders are now being questioned."
Elizabeth nodded emerging from her cubical now fully dressed. "Continue searching for Caldwell." As she began to leave the infirmary all three crowded round her. "What?"
"Eh, where are you going?" Rodney asked.
"Eh, with you to the control room." She replied and had to fight the urge to cry "Duh!"
"Ma'am-" Ford began.
"Dr Beckett said I could go for a walk and I've chosen to walk with you. Anyone have a problem with that?" Her best command voice had returned and she glanced around the small group. When no one objected she nodded again and left the room followed by the others.
Just as Dr Weir and the others were passing the gym Ford's radio crackled.
"Lt Ford this is Bates. Colonel Caldwell was just spotted near the north east pier, heading for the balcony."
"Understood. Have your team make their way there and arrest him."
"Yes sir."
All four breathed a sigh of relief and then Elizabeth spoke.
"Lt, I would like to speak with him before you question him."
Ford was apparently stunned at her request then shook his head. "I'm not so sure that's a good idea."
"Please Aiden?"
As the doctor stared at him with wide pleading eyes Ford still had doubts but knew this whole fiasco had Dr Weir right in the middle of it.
"Okay." He answered and received a grateful smile from Elizabeth.
John opened his right eye and let out a moan when his head began to thump. Squeezing his eyes shut John tried to recall why he was in his favourite place in Atlantis and immediately felt sick. It all came flooding back, the beatings, kickings, and the threats. Suddenly he felt panic rise within him remembering Caldwell's threat about Elizabeth. Crying out in frustration Sheppard tried to sit up but felt a searing pain in his chest and fell back. His gasping from the failed attempt turned into a violent cough and John swore his chest was going to explode. His cough had attracted a female nurse and she had alerted Dr Beckett that his new patient was awake. He arrived just as the coughing died away.
"Well, if it isn't my favourite patient in the Pegasus Galaxy!" he announced then cringed when the pilot launched into another coughing fit. Grabbing the cup of water he held it to John's mouth and he took a big gulp. "Take it easy son. You have no idea how many injuries you've got."
Finally able to talk the officer retorted, "Think I've got a pretty good idea doc." The words came out slightly muffled and John frowned. He now could feel his tongue was slightly bigger than normal and touched his lips. Rolling his eyes at their largeness he could just imagine Rodney's remark.
"Colonel I love the whole Goldie Hawn thing you've got going on but you're sadly not as nice as the real thing."
Taking another drink he glanced up at the medic. "So, what's the damage?"
As Carson reeled off the multitude of injuries John had to yet again fight the urge to throw up. Once finished the Scot gave him stern glare. "What?"
"I was just thinking that we should name this room the John Sheppard wing." He said and received a scowl.
"Think I'd rather have a ship or maybe even a planet doc!" he snapped. "Besides, it's not like I went up to Caldwell and said 'Hey, I've not been beaten up for a while! Will you please do the honours!' "
Clearing his throat Carson decided to focus on the main issue at hand. "So it was Colonel Caldwell."
Sheppard nodded glumly. "Yip, along with his cronies. Well, namely Blake."
"Well you'll be pleased to know all three have been arrested and are being questioned."
"How's Elizabeth?"
Carson gave him a nervous smile. "Eh, good. I actually sent her out on a walk."
John had noticed the higher pitch in his friend's voice. "Okay. So what's wrong with that?"
"Colonel…she's asked to speak to Caldwell again."
"What!" he shouted and Carson squeaked.
"Colonel, please keep your voice down-"
"The guy's nuts doc! He threatened to hurt her!" John 's face was getting redder and his voice more frantic.
"Nothing can happen with Bates and Ford outside Colonel. Now please calm down or you're-" The warning came too late and John's coughing began again.
"I know it's hard to understand but he used to be important to her and I think she feels bad for how she ended it." Carson explained and received a sceptical stare. "I'll tell her yir awake and then you can speak to her about all this. But you have to rest!"
After they had a short staring competition John eventually nodded but was clearly not happy about it.
"Right, let's give you a wee check up." But Carson's cheery tone fell on deaf ears as John thought about Elizabeth and hoped she wasn't making a mistake.
Approaching the briefing room where Caldwell was to be questioned Elizabeth felt her stomach do back flips. She felt responsible for everything that had happened in the last 24 hours but was determined to get a straight confession from Ryan. As she and Ford drew nearer the many large doors they swung open in unison and both stopped to see Caldwell staring at the wall across from him.
Glancing at Weir Ford asked, "Are you sure about this Dr?"
Elizabeth gazed at Caldwell and couldn't believe she actually felt sorry for him seeing the despair on his face. Distractedly she answered, "Yes" and then entered the room.
Ford sighed restlessly as the doors closed behind her.
