It had been a week since they'd gotten John back, seven long days since anyone had heard John talk, seen him open his eyes, or even seen him move. Two days ago Carson had decided it would be ok to bring John out of his medically induced coma and yet John still hadn't woken up.
Even though he was still unconscious and unresponsive John's body had started the process of healing its self. Most of the bruises had faded and John's color had started to return, the ribs would take some time still, but they were coming along nicely.
Most of the medical equipment had been taken away by the end of the week. At some point Carson had put an oxygen mask over John's mouth to help him breathe, along with that only the IV and heart monitor remained hooked up to John. Over all John's recovery was coming along just fine. The only real concern was the fact that John hadn't woken up yet even though he should have by now. Carson had no explanation for why John hadn't woken up. All anyone could do was wait; it was up to John to wake up on his own.
Everyday John's teammates would stop by and visit, talking to John about anything: how their day had gone, what was going on in the city, any new rumors that might be going around, just whatever they could think to talk about. The sound of bantering between the three, sometimes dragging Carson and/or Elizabeth into it, soon became common in the infirmary. They all found that the banter helped keep their minds off of John's current state, and kept them from snapping at each other.
Lots of people came in and out of the infirmary visiting John, for a few minutes here and there, but the one constant always found at John's bedside was Kilik. He sat in the same chair every day only occasionally leaving when Elizabeth forced him out. Elizabeth was at John's bedside almost as much as Kilik, but she still had a city to run. If she wasn't in the control room she was in the infirmary either talking to John or trying to get Kilik to leave for a little bit.
Both Elizabeth and Kate were starting to get worried about Kilik. After talking to John that first day they got him back, Kilik had stopped talking altogether, only signed when absolutely necessary, and he was barely eating. The two plus Carson and John's team tried everything they could to try and distract Kilik and keep him from worrying, but they all knew the only person who could bring back the Kilik they knew was John.
Coming around the first thing John noticed was the annoying beeping sound some where off to his left, then the smell of antiseptic. He was in the infirmary there was no mistaking that, John seemed to spend more time in there than any where. Elizabeth had once joked that he should just move all of his stuff in there.
Thinking of Elizabeth John forced an eye open a crack, satisfied the lights weren't to bright John opened both eyes. Looking around John noticed Kilik sleeping with his head and arms resting on his bed, a discarded pad of paper and a pencil haphazardly perched on the edge of the bed sitting at Kilik's elbow. Past Kilik John spotted Elizabeth sleeping on the bed next to his and Carson slouched in a chair snoring away.
Attempting to move his head John found that to be a bad idea when his stiff neck protested. Forgetting that idea John tried to sit up but quickly threw that idea out the window when a searing pain shot through his chest. Lying there gasping to get his breath back an idea formed in his head. Carefully reaching over John grabbed the pencil from the edge of the bed, catching his breath again after the pain that shot through his chest, John lobbed the pencil at Carson, hitting the man in the head.
Jerking awake immediately Carson sat up straight in his chair looking around dazed for a moment. Seeing the pencil lying in his lap Carson looked up towards John's bed and was surprised to see the man awake. Quickly rising from his seat Carson hurried to the side of John's bed. Before Carson could say anything John held a finger to his own lips signaling Carson to be quiet then pointed to Kilik and Elizabeth.
Getting the idea Carson nodded his head once and stared checking John over. After a moment John sloppily signed for a glass of water, not surprised that John would be thirsty Carson got a glass of water and helped John take a few sips. Setting the glass aside Carson, in full doctor mode now, turned his gaze back to John.
"How do you feel Major?" Carson questioned keeping his voice soft and low.
"Like I was hit by a semi with a full load on the back." John croaked out just as soft and low.
"Aye I'm not surprised. You captors really did a number on you."
"How long?"
"It's been a week since..." Carson trailed off, seeing John's attention had shifted to Kilik.
"Hey." John croaked as he found himself staring into Kilik's sleep filled eyes.
Kilik just stared at John, not quiet sure if what he was seeing was real. Reaching a small hand out Kilik ran it through John's hair and down the side of his face. Seeming to come to a decision Kilik, a single tear running down his face, climbed onto the bed - careful of John's ribs - and laid down next to the man. A loose arm around John's waist Kilik drifted off to sleep again, a content smile on his face. Wrapping his right arm around Kilik, John smiled, yeah he was home and it felt good.
"What time is it?" John asked fighting to keep his eyes open, noticing for the first time that the infirmary was eerily quiet and deserted.
"Good question." Carson, yawning, glanced down at his watch. "A little after four in the morning."
'Well that explains the quiet and desertedness.' John thought as he lost the battle to stay awake.
"Sleep lad, we can talk more later." Carson made for his office figuring since he was already up he should probably get some of the paper work he'd been putting off done.
The next time John woke up Kilik was still lying next to him, and he could hear Elizabeth was awake and that his team was there too. Not opening his eyes just yet to let them know he was awake John laid listening to his friends.
"What could you and the other beakers possibly need more room for, McKay? I mean hell you guys already have control of more than half the space we've explored already." John heard Aiden ask.
"Why? Why? That's like asking an artist why they need canvas." Rodney countered. "Elizabeth would you please tell this Neanderthal that what I'm asking is not unreasonable and that it's necessary if the scientists are to continue their research."
"Actually Rodney I think Lt. Ford has a point. The science department does seem to have twice the work space as everyone else combined." Elizabeth agreed with Aiden.
"Oh now you're just saying that cause your still upset about that small little fire I accidentally started in the mess hall the other day."
"Little? Rodney you set the whole kitchen on fire trying to get that thing you thought was an Ancient's version of a coffee maker to work. You're lucky no one got hurt."
"Semantics, semantics, the point is you're not an impartial individual on the matter.
"She may not be impartial, but she does have last say in the matter." John finally made his presence known.
"Stay out of this Maj--." Whirling around Rodney stopped with his mouth hanging open slightly. "You're awake."
"Give the man the 'Mr. Obvious' award." John joked, it wasn't everyday he caught Rodney off guard.
"It is good to see you awake Major." Teyla interrupted before Rodney could form a come back and he and John got into what Aiden sometimes called a 'pissing match' she still wasn't entirely sure what that was but she figured it had something to do with John and Rodney's arguing.
"It's good to be awake." John acknowledged Teyla before turning back to Rodney. "Now what's this about you setting the kitchen on fire. It's barley been a week and you nearly destroy the city cause I'm not there to keep an eye on you."
"What is this 'let's all gang up on the beaker' day or something? For the last time, I did not nearly destroy the city." Rodney stopped a moment when Aiden started chuckling and it looked like John was biting his lip trying not to burst out laughing. "What are you two laughing at? I'm being singled out here and all you can do is laugh"
"You called yourself a beaker." Aiden choked out between laughter.
Rodney paused and thought back over what he'd just said. "Damn it! This is great just great, now it's offical people are never gonna stop using that term."
Seeing the look of horror on Rodney's face John stopped fighting it and started laughing, but soon found that to be a bad thing when his ribs protested. "Ah, ah...note to self no laughing. laughing equals pain, pain bad, pain evil."
With all the movement and noise Kilik couldn't sleep any longer and sat up, still being careful of John's ribs. The grin on Kilik's face and the caring kiss Kilik placed on John's forehead was more than enough to make John forget about his pain. Seeing that Elizabeth was awake as well Kilik got a thoughtful and knowing look on his face before climbing off the bed.
'Food.' Kilik signed to Aiden, Teyla, and Rodney giving them no choice but to go with him as he dragged them out of the infirmary leaving John and Elizabeth alone.
The two sat silently staring at each other neither one sure what to say. It was several minutes before either one spoke, both feeling like they were teenagers again.
"So..."
"So..."
"Rodney really set the kitchen on fire?"
"Oh yeah it's been two days and the place still isn't completely cleaned up yet."
The two fell into an akward but not extremly uncomfortable silence. After a moment Elizabeth moved to sit on the edge of John's bed and gently took a hold of his hand.
"You had us all worried you know."
"Sorry, it wasn't my idea to have the crap beat out of me, but what are you gonna do about it?" John shrugged his shoulders, wincing when pain shot through his left should and ribs.
"I should get Carson..." Elizabeth went to leave, but John's tightened hold on her hand stopped her.
"No, no it's fine. Don't go." John wasn't sure why but at that moment the last thing he wanted was for Elizabeth to leave. Yes his ribs and shoulder hurt like a banshee, but something inside John said he'd hurt more if Elizabeth wasn't there.
Something about the look on John's face made Elizabeth hesitate briefly before she sat back down on the bed. Ever since day one there'd been this unspoken thing a bond of sorts between the two of them, neither was sure what exactly it was, but neither questioned it. Both believed the bond or whatever it was they shared was part of what made them get along so well. In the beginning it was easy for Elizabeth to wright it off as a close friendship, but after everything that had happened over the last few months with the Sa'taree and with Kilik, Elizabeth was starting to if it couldn't become more.
Seeing the slight hesitation on Elizabeth's face John began to wonder if maybe he should have let her go, not that he didn't want her around, he did. It was just that lately John had started getting confused about the whole thing between Elizabeth and himself. Ever since Kilik had come along the two had started spending more time with each other and getting closer and yet at the same time John had never felt farther away from Elizabeth. When ever Elizabeth wasn't around John felt this sort to emptyness, but when she was around, instead of being filled, the emptyness was replaced with a pain, like there was something he wanted but couldn't have cause it was just out of his reach.
With them both wanting more but not sure what the other wanted a bit of tension had built between them and both John and Elizabeth were beginning to wonder if maybe Kilik had picked up on that and was trying to get the two to sort it out. For the last few weeks before John's capture Kilik had been coming up with all kinds of reasons to get the two alone together and then there was his sudden depatrue with the others just a few minutes ago. Both knew that if they did take their relationship to the next level there'd be no complaints from Kilik, but how would everyone else react?
"John we need to talk about this thing that's going on betwe--." Deciding it was best to get every thing out in the open then go from there Elizabeth turned to talk to John, but was brought up short when John pulled her into a tender, hesitant kiss.
Shocked it took Elizabeth a moment to process that John Sheppard...Major John Sheppard was kissing her. Getting over her shock Elizabeth started kissing back, soon the kiss grew more pationate.
"That about cover everything?" John whispered as he rested his forehead against Elizabeth's when they finally broke apart for some much needed air.
"Not sure. Maybe we should discuss it again just to be sure we understand each other." Elizabeth captured John's lips for another breath stealing kiss.
At that moment Carson, getting a little worried about how quiet it had gotten in his infirmary all the sudden, came walking out of his office to investigate what was going on. Spotting John and Elizabeth making out like a couple of teenagers, Carson cleared his throat, the sound caused both John and Elizabeth to jump a mile high.
"I have only two things to say. One no making out like a couple of love sick teenagers in my infirmary and two it's about damn bloody time!" Carson spoke before disapering back into his office.
Getting her nerves back under control Elizabeth saw John's 'deer caught in the headlights' look and started laughing. "My first boyfriend had that same look on his face the first time my dad caught us making out."
"Wha...?" It took John a second to shake off his rush of adrenalin and process what Elizabeth had just said. "Ok really don't want to know about any past boyfriends or lovers. As long as I'm the only one for you now, I'm happy."
"I think I can accept that, as long as the same goes for you."
"What you don't want to know about my past boyfriends?" John's playful pouting look probably would have been more effective if it weren't for the boyish grin.
"John." Elizabeth warned in a joking tone while playfully hitting him.
"Ah...no hitting, no hitting." John grabbed Elizabeth's wrist tenderly and pulled her closer. "Now you have to kiss it better." John captured Elizabeth's lips once again oblivious to Radek who had just entered the infirmary.
"You now this is going to be all over the city with in the hour now?" Elizabeth pulled back pointing to the fleeing Radek. No doubt going to tell anyone he could find; Radek was one of the biggest gossips in the city.
"Your point being?" John pulled Elizabeth back into the kiss.
"Can't seem to remember at the moment." Elizabeth murmured around John's lips.
A/N: Well I think that's about it for this story. If I don't drown in all the pre-mid term work all of my teachers have decided to dump on me this weekend I might come back and add an epilogue as soon as I can think one up.