A/N: Thanks again to my reviewers and hanging in there with me. This chapter should fill some holes. Its not my best but I promise the next two will be better.
Disclaimer: Remember, I don't own any of the Stargate Atlantis characters and this is stricly for R and R. No profits are being made.
Chapter 18: The Team Gets the News
It was the start of a new work week on Atlantis. The city was bustling with activity after a quiet, uneventful weekend. In the jumper bay, Lt. Ford was going over his final checks of Puddle Jumper 1. It was 0800 hours and he would be off shortly to pick up Teyla on the mainland. He was fondly remembering the time when the Major had decided on the name for the small shuttles chastising the Lieutenant good-naturedly over his choice of an identifier.
After completing external checks of the innocuous shuttle, the Lieutenant ran his pre-flight checks on the navigation system making sure all was in order. Once satisfied, he asked for clearance to disembark which was granted by Dr. Weir. The trip to the mainland was amooth and Lt. Ford traveled the entire time with a gleeful grin on his face like a little kid eating an ice cream for the first time..
Teyla was patiently waiting for the Lieutenant to land and after unloading a few supplies to the Athosian people and in return loading a few of the wild indigenous fruits Teyla's people had found in abundance, they were off.
The Lt. beamed at Teyla as they set a course back to Atlantis.. Teyla, picking up on the Lieutenants pleasure asked, "Lt. Ford, is this not the first time you pilot a puddle jumper without the assistance of the Major."
"Yes, siree," Ford affirmed.
"I'm sure that Major would be very proud of you."
"Yes, ma'am, I would like to think he is."
Teyla smiled at the young man. "You are doing a fine job, Lieutenant."
There were a few moments of silence between them as the Lieutenant concentrated on his driving. Teyla finally broke the silence, "Lieutenant, what of Major Sheppard? Is he well?"
"Well, to be honest, none of us except for Dr. Weir and Dr. Beckett has been able to see him. From what Dr. Weir tells us, he's doing fine. They've been locked up tight about the Major's condition all week, though."
"It is strange that they would be so secretive. He was tortured very badly and perhaps there were complications that they chose not to reveal right away. While I was happy to visit with my people, I also thought it strange that I was not allowed to visit with the Major."
"I guess we'll find out more about it in the meeting today. How are you holding up?" the young man asked remembering that Teyla was also a victim.
"I am completely healed. My people have a resilience about them, a trait we have developed over millennia of battling with the Wraith, allowing us to heal quickly."
"That must come in handy," Lt. Ford quipped. Teyla nodded her head at him in confirmation.
They were quickly approaching the city as the tall spires came into view dwarfing the jumper as it made its way back into its perch. The Lieutenant expertly landed the ship and escorted Teyla to the debriefing room. Dr. Weir and Dr. Beckett, had just arrived a few minutes earlier and were waiting for them and Dr. McKay to arrive who came in just after Lt. Ford and Teyla. They all took their seats joining Dr. Weir and Dr. Beckett at the sleek triangular table in the Ancient meeting room.
Dr. Weir opened the meeting. "I would like to thank you for all being here today. As you know, the Major has been in the infirmary over the past week. First of all, I would like to apologize for not disclosing information about Major Sheppard's condition to you right away. Dr. Beckett and I agreed that we would keep information limited until we could assess not only the Major's physical condition, but his mental condition, as well. We were not as worried about his physical wounds as we were about his mental state. The Doctor and I will be happy to answer any questions you might have and I will now turn it over to Dr. Beckett for further explanation."
"Thank you, Dr. Weir. As you know, the Major was the victim of severe torture techniques. He had several wounds including broken ribs, some light burns, and a slight concussion. The Major also suffered internal bleeding and we had to perform an operation to stop the hemorrhaging. He was beaten severely and unfortunately has some emotional scars to show for his ordeal."
The team was listening quietly at this revelation. While Teyla knew that the Major had endured agonizing pain, she, like the others, had not been aware of the extent of his wounds including the internal bleeding and the fact that the Major was having a difficult time dealing with their shared tribulation.
The Doctor continued. "Physically, the Major is recovering very well; however, mentally, that's a different story altogether. He is having a wee bit of a problem with post-traumatic stress. This is not uncommon for someone who has been through the horrors that the Major had to endure."
Lt. Ford and Dr. McKay nodded their understanding but Teyla tilted her head questioningly. "Dr. Beckett," Teyla interjected, "I am not familiar with this post-traumatic stress."
"Of course, let me explain. It would be equivalent to the stress and nightmares your people might have suffered after a bad Wraith attack."
"Ah..." Teyla's eyes widened and her chin dipped in understanding.
Lt. Ford jumped in with his own personal experience. "My uncle had that after he came back from the Gulf War. He couldn't hear a loud noise without flinching. As much as he tried he couldn't keep from being jumpy."
"Did you uncle eventually get over it?" Dr. Weir asked the Lieutenant.
"Pretty much, I mean he wasn't messed up or anything. Just at first but he's okay now. Just...jumpy."
"Yes...I'm familiar with the phenomena. What can we do to help?" Rodney asked concerned for his friend.
"That's what I'm getting to, Rodney. I just wanted to make sure everyone knew what this condition entailed. Now, the Major has been having what we call episodes. They are often disassociative moments triggered by a nightmare or bad memory. The Major is going to need emotional support and to rebuild his basic trust in others. The best way we have found to do this is through group therapy and family support. Now, we don't exactly have a support group readily available, so what we are going to propose is that you act as his surrogate family. You have been working as a team for several months and should have the proper bonds in place."
The Doctor paused for a few seconds to let the team members absorb this information. Teyla was the first to speak. "Among our people, we have a tradition, that when someone loses all of their family members, he is adopted by another family. This was the only way we could survive when so many of our numbers were decimated by the Wraith. I believe this is why my people share such closeness."
"Its like when I grew up with all my aunties and my grandmother," Lt. Ford added. "We considered close friends of our family as extended family. I had to listen to my aunties and their friends as if they were my mom."
"That's exactly what I mean," the Doctor affirmed. "Now Dr. Weir has been working with the Major and he seems to be coming around and ready for visitors. We have devised a holistic treatment plan that will provide for both his physical therapy and emotional support simultaneously. We are going to start slow with some simple exercises and daily living skills that will also work to build his trust."
The Doctor passed out his plan with each of the team member's assignments. He briefly reviewed the week's activities and asked if everyone understood what they needed to do. There were head nods all around.
"No problem, Doc. I had to help my grandmother when she broke her hip and had it replaced. I learned a lot from her physical therapist and I had to help her get around after she got out of the hospital."
"How about you, Rodney?" the Doctor asked.
"Hmm...yes...my father went through physical therapy after he suffered a stroke." Rodney had been unusually quiet, preoccupied and lost in his own memories.
"It's settled, then. We start tomorrow morning."
"One moment, Doctor," it was Teyla wanting to voice a concern after reviewing her assignments. "Why is it that I only attend to the Major's personal needs?"
"Ah, yes. The reason for that is because you went through the experience with the Major and he would trust you with the more intimate life skill activities the most. You can by all means help with the physical therapy but he's going to need someone that he can trust from the get go. You would be the best person to identify with what he's been through. Besides, he's been asking for you and is anxious to see you."
This brought a smile to Teyla's face. "I understand, Doctor."
Dr. Weir added on more detail. "If the Major does lapse into an episode while you are working with him, please call the Doctor, someone from the medical staff, or myself right away. If no one is available, then do your best to calm the Major down and keep reassuring him he is safe. There is also one other thing you should be made aware of. Major Sheppard suffered an episode that caused him to go into cardiac arrest and we almost lost him. We don't anticipate this occurring again, but you need to be aware of the extreme effects post-traumatic stress can have."
There were surprised looks around the table and Teyla, Rodney, and the Lieutenant exchanged alarmed glances.
At hearing this latest revelation, Rodney spoke up being the voice of the team's anger as he usually is. "What exactly did these people do to him? What kind of monsters, other than the Wraith, would do this to another human being?" Rodney knew that torture was a method utilized by many a dictator on Earth but his anger at seeing his friend suffering was overtaking him at the moment. Respecting Rodney's space, the group allowed him to vent his ire.
"Teyla and the Major were on a diplomatic mission to build bridges and save these people from a surprise attack by the Wraith and this is how they were treated in return," Dr. McKay raved.
Dr. Beckett realized that Rodney's outburst would be good for not only for the Major, but for the team, as well, and allowed him to vent. He understood that they would have to process this unhappy occurrence happening to one of their own.
"...And who do you think the two of you are keeping this from us?" He was now turning his anger on Dr. Weir and Dr. Beckett. "Didn't you think for one minute about our feelings?"
Dr. Weir hadn't heard Rodney get this agitated since the puddle jumper had been stuck in the Stargate. "Rodney," she said gently but firmly. "I understand you're upset by the way we handled this. It may not have been the best way, but we had a duty to protect the Major first and foremost. You need to know that he felt too ashamed to face any of you. He feels that he has somehow failed all of you."
"Well, that's ridiculous. Why would he think that? It wasn't his fault that these people decided to go postal on him and Teyla. Doesn't he know what a value and asset he's been to the team."
It was Dr. Beckett's turn to intervene. "Rodney, he's going to need your total support. If you have any doubt in your mind about your participation in his rehabilitation, you need to let me know now. He needs for you to be there for him without judgment. I won't let you near him if you think you can't manage that."
Dr. McKay's features suddenly softened and, a little flustered, muttered an apology. "I'm sorry. Of course I want to be supportive. It's just that...well...I hate to see him like this and I've been worried sick about him."
"Hey, Dr. McKay, I think he knows that," Lt. Ford pointed out. "I'm sure he appreciated our get well cards. Am I right, Dr. Weir?"
"You are absolutely correct, Lieutenant," she confirmed. "In fact, I think he liked your card the best, Rodney." She didn't exactly lie to the upset scientist.
"The Lieutenant and Dr. Weir are correct. I'm sure the Major knows how deeply we care for him," Teyla added.
Dr. Weir decided that it was probably time to take the discussion in a different direction. "Teyla, we haven't properly debriefed on this mission. I'm afraid with all of the fuss over the Major we haven't had a chance to find out what actually happened. Would you mind telling us what went wrong with the Xenotites? The Major hasn't been willing to discuss the mission and it would help us to better understand how to assist in his healing."
"Of course, Dr. Weir," Teyla began her story with her and the Major's arrival and meeting with the Xenotite Grand Council.
"The Council members were very welcoming and hospitable. Each seemed excited with the prospect of trading information and resources. The Major and I explained to them how we had come to inhabit the Ancient City. The Council members were amazed that Atlantis was operational again and expressed how formidable it could once again be in the fight against the Wraith."
"This was the most technologically advanced race that we had encountered, so far, that were capable of interstellar travel within the Pegasus galaxy. They appeared to possess the most advanced weaponry of the races that I am aware of among the worlds in this galaxy."
Teyla paused for a moment peering at the faces around her, gauging their reactions and then continued. She found that each was listening attentively. "The discussion quickly turned to the Wraith since the Major thought it only fair that we give them warning of their awakening. When he spoke of how your people had been responsible for this, the Council members understandably grew concerned. Reacting out of fear and anger, some of the members called for our incarceration seeing the awakening of the Wraith as a direct affront to their society. The Major and I attempted to further explain, but we were taken to their prison without being allowed to speak further."
"They had begun their interrogation with me; however, I was able to explain that my people were also affected by the awakening of the Wraith. Upon understanding this they quickly turned their complete attention on the Major considering my people victims like them. I was returned to the prison cell. I could hear the Major's screams as the interrogation turned to torture. I had not intended for them to turn their wrath on the Major." Teyla sounded anxious wanting to make sure the group understood her intentions.
Teyla again paused to allow her colleagues to absorb this new information. She locked apprehensive eyes with Dr. Weir who encouraged her to continue. "I know this is difficult, Teyla, but please continue."
"After a short amount of time, I was visited by one of the kindly Council members who represented a part of a faction who didn't agree with how we were being treated. I was able to further explain to her how the Major and your people took my people in and brought us to safety on Atlantis. That the awakening of the Wraith was not intended and occurred out of ignorance since your people were new to the galaxy and knew nothing of these evil beings. I explained how my people had aligned with yours and that our primary mission was to seek ways to protect ourselves and other worlds from the threat of the Wraith."
"Seeing the logic in my words, the Council member conferred with her colleagues and fought to have us released but not after the damage had already been done to Major Sheppard." There was sadness in Teyla's eyes as she recalled the shock of seeing the mostly naked form of the Major for the first time after he had been beaten nearly to death. She could only imagine what horrible things they had done to him. "We were escorted back to the Stargate and allowed to return to Atlantis on the condition that we never return or contact their people ever again."
"Teyla," Dr. Weir began in her business tone, "do you believe that the Xenotites can be a threat to us in the future?"
"I do not believe so, Dr. Weir. I would not be quick to judge these people on the bad actions of a few. They reacted out of shock and the possibility of the Wraith returning to their world. I do not sense that they would be a threat to Atlantis."
"Very well, thank you Teyla for your report. Does anyone have any questions for Teyla?"
Rodney spoke up ever thinking of power sources. "When you say technologically advanced, what types of weapons do they have? Are they comparable to ours or more advanced?"
"They are capable of interstellar travel; however, the lethality of their weaponry is comparable to what your people already have and what is available to us on Atlantis."
"What are you driving at, Rodney?" Dr. Weir interjected.
"Nothing really, I just thought that we might consider reopening negotiations if there is a chance of obtaining ZPM technology."
"Absolutely not," Dr. Weir shot back. "Haven't you been listening? Weren't you just a minute ago angry about how the Major was treated."
"Yes, yes, yes, I realize that, but Teyla just said that we should not judge these people too harshly. If there is a chance of trading technological knowledge, then maybe we should just keep it in the back of our minds."
"Noted, but I don't think they would want to be hearing form us too soon. Consider the topic closed for now." Sensing the group's restlessness, Dr. Weir facilitated the meeting in another direction.
"There is one other detail that you all need to be aware of. Rumors of the Major's situation are beginning to make their way around the base. I was confronted by Dr. Kavanagh yesterday morning and he suggested that we replace the Major while he is out of commission. I understand his concern and I've decided to appoint Lt. Ford as interim commander until the Major is back on his feet again. If anyone has any concerns or objectives about the leadership of the team, please voice them now."
Teyla was the first to speak up, "I believe that the Lieutenant is very capable of commanding in Major Sheppard's stead. I will support him in any way necessary."
"Thank you, Teyla. Rodney, how do you feel about this?"
"It's fine by me. I actually had a run-in with Kavanagh myself in the mess hall the other day. Even though he's a fellow scientist he was really starting to grate on my nerves. He was going on about how the Major needed to be replaced and he made the absurd suggestion that Sgt. Bates would be the ideal candidate. I agree that Lt. Ford is the obvious choice. He knows how we operate and is aware of our needs. Although I'm sure Sgt. Bates could do a fine job, Lt. Ford knows us best."
"Fine, it's settled then. You all have your assignments. Keep in mind that none of this is set in stone and if you have any suggestions, the Doctor and I will be happy to hear them. If there are no other questions or concerns to bring to the table then I call this meeting adjourned."