Chapter 6: Weir Comes for a Visit
Elizabeth was relieved when she finally heard from Dr. Beckett that she was clear to visit with the Major. How would he react to her she wondered. Would he open up right away or was she going to have to coax what happened out of him. These thoughts swirled around in her consciousness as she walked from her office to the infirmary. What should she say? One thing she knew for sure is that she would have to choose her words very carefully.
Dr. Beckett was waiting for her when she arrived. "Good afternoon, Elizabeth."
"Doctor," she nodded back. "How's the Major."
Dr. Beckett knew what she was referring to and in a low exasperated voice said, "He won't even look at me. I have been having one-sided conversations with him. I'm afraid he's shut up tight. I'm hoping that you can make some headway with him. If anybody can, it would be you."
"Thank you for your reassurance, Doctor. Let's hope your right. So where is he?" She was in business mode.
"Right this way." Doctor Beckett gestured towards the rear of the infirmary and led Elizabeth to the farthest bed. The nurse had just been checking the Major's vitals and was putting his chart away. His temperature was much lower and just above normal since she and the Doctor had worked half the night to get it down to normal.
Elizabeth and the Doctor stopped just short of the bed. "Let me know if you need anything. I'll be in my office.
"Thank you, Doctor," Elizabeth nodded.
The major was propped up on pillows. Dr. Weir noticed that his eyes were closed but was awake as she strode closer to his bed. She didn't miss the number of monitors he was hooked up to and the numerous abrasions and bruises that now looked somewhat healed compared to the last time she saw the Major as she approached his side.
She steeled herself as she called out the Major's name. "John?" No response. John?" she repeated a little firmer. "It's Elizabeth." She opted to use her first name.
What happened next broke her heart. The Major turned his head towards the voice. Oh no. Not her. Anyone but her. He bitterly and shamefully thought to himself. He turned his head towards the voice and slowly opened his eyes. Sure enough, it was Dr. Weir. He quickly averted his eyes and fixated on a point on the wall in front of him. He just couldn't face her.
His eyes and the frown on his face had said it all. Ouch. That hurt. Dr. Weir thought to herself. Remembering how much physical and emotional pain John must be in, she pressed on more sympathetically. "Dr. Beckett finally gave me the go ahead to come and visit with you."
Getting no response, she tried again. "We've all been worried sick about you. Ford and McKay have been in my office constantly asking about you and bugging Dr. Beckett about coming to see you." She wanted to let him know that his friends and fellow team members were thinking about him.
"Teyla's doing well. I had her sent to the mainland so that she could visit with her people for a couple of weeks." At the mention of Teyla's name, the Major momentarily glanced at Dr. Weir, a look of concern on his face. Elizabeth took note of his behavior. This could prove useful in the future. Teyla and John had become like big brother and little sister. He took her under his wing and upon himself to be her tutor on matters pertaining to Earth and its cultural colloquialisms and nuances. He also respected her as a fellow warrior and was all business when it came to missions.
"Well, Major," she continued in as optimistic a tone as she could muster, "I have to get back for a meeting. I'll be back to see you tomorrow."
As she started to turn to leave, the Major turned to her. He didn't say anything but she wouldn't forget the look on his face. His eyes and knitted eyebrows reminded her of a lost, wounded puppy. He looked like he so badly wanted to say something. Her heart sank.
"What is it, John?" she asked her optimism replaced with concern.
The Major quickly reconsidered and shook his head "no" turning back to concentrate once again on the point on the wall.
"Alright, then. I'll see you tomorrow. Let me know if you need anything." Not wanting to press him too hard too quickly, she promptly left the infirmary. Besides, she wasn't sure how much more she herself could take and wanted to leave before she completely lost it herself.