Chapter 19: Teyla Gets First Crack
Teyla Emmagan was very excited at the prospect of doing her part to help the Major get better. She was very much looking forward to seeing him after being away for a week. She herself had recovered well from the injuries she suffered at the hands of the Xenotites.
Teyla was to be the first team member to meet with the Major. The Doctor felt that the presence of someone who had shared part of his experience would help build trust and set the stage for Dr. McKay and Lt. Ford to come in and assist the Major at a later time. They had finally convinced the Major that it was not a sign of weakness to seek help, especially of those he cared for and who retuned that care, but a sign of inner strength and resolve.
Teyla accompanied Dr. Beckett back to the infirmary after the meeting. Dr. Beckett showed her to the Major's hospital bed. He was alert and seemed to be in good spirits having rested well the night before without any sort of episode. His spirits were about to be lifted even higher. He had been told that Teyla would be joining him today and he wanted to be on his best behavior. He was looking forward to seeing her again.
The Major spotted two figures approaching his bedside. The first was dressed in a familiar white lab coat and the second figure...well what could he say, he'd recognize that mane of long copper hair a mile away. He excitedly called out her name, "Teyla!"
Teyla, upon hearing the Major's voice lit up with a bright smile, that same sweet smile John recognized from the first time they had ever met. "Major Sheppard." Teyla quickened her pace and threw her arms around the Major's neck as he returned her embrace wrapping his arms around her. Sobering, Teyla pulled back and rested her forehead placing her hands on the Major's shoulders in the traditional Athosian greeting that could have a variety of meanings depending on the situation. In this case, she meant it to mean relief that the Major was well. It also conveyed how much she had missed him.
After a few long moments, Teyla pulled away and took in a deep breath of relief. "Major, it is good to see you. I have missed you greatly."
"I missed you, too," the Major replied. "How are you? Are you okay? Let me look you over," he expressed anxiously ever concerned for his fellow team members.
Not wanting him to fuss over her so much, she reassured, "I am well, Major Sheppard. My stay with my people has been rejuvenating."
Satisfied, the Major relaxed. "So...I understand you're here to help me with my rehabilitation?" he asked through raised eyebrows.
"That is correct," Teyla confirmed glancing at the Doctor momentarily who nodded his agreement.
"We're going to start you off with some liquids and then move on to some light physical therapy," Dr. Beckett interjected.
"Lovely..." John quipped, "...can't wait. My own little private Club Med," he smiled sardonically. He could only imagine what the Doctor had in store for him.
Dr. Beckett excused himself to go have the Major's lunch sent over with a technician. Teyla and John caught up with what Halling and Jinto had been up to lately and chatted about how her people were adjusting to living on the mainland. She also told him in on the wild, delicious fruit her people had discovered. The technician finally arrived with a tray of food and Teyla prepared to help the Major to eat his first close to real meal in over a week.
"I hope you're hungry?" Teyla inquired.
"I'm starving." The major was not entirely lying since the Dr. had removed the IV that was sustaining his vital nutrition the evening before and he had the sensation of hunger for the first time this afternoon. He was anxious to see what they had brought him to eat.
Teyla set the tray of food on a valet in front of the Major. It consisted of a simple bowl of tomato bisque soup. Not exactly the Major's favorite but it would do. It sure beat the protein drinks.
Teyla took a napkin and tucking it under the Major's chin, neatly placed it over his hospital gown. She fed him a couple of spoonfuls and then allowed him to feed himself as the Doctor had directed in his instructions. This would give the Major a sense of autonomy and power over his environment and at the same time, get him to exercise and use his arms.
"How is the soup, Major?" Teyla asked making light conversation as she had been instructed.
"Just lovely, tasty, what is there to say about MRE's? Do we have any salt or pepper around?"
"Unfortunately, we do not. I can go and get some."
"NO!" the Major practically yelled but them immediately softened. "I mean, no, don't go. Please stay. It seems like forever since I last saw you and I don't want to waste a minute on you going to get something as trivial as salt."
Teyla thought this would be a good time to turn the conversation to other topics. She learned from Dr. Beckett that she should get him to talk about his part of their shared experience as soon as possible.
"I would much rather remain here and speak with you, as well," Teyla beamed. She paused a few minutes reveling in their peaceful visit. The Major was nearly finished with his soup and Teyla was glad at how eagerly he had eaten the nourishing sustenance.
"We learned of your condition at our staff meeting this morning," she started as she removed the valet and repositioned herself on the stool by the Major's bed. The Doctor revealed that you are suffering from post-traumatic stress. I am very familiar with this among my own people who have suffered from this with the Wraith attacks."
"Did he tell you that I'm a basket case?" The Major said this not without some slight disdain for himself in his voice.
Teyla not familiar with the term 'basket case' asked the Major to clarify. "I'm not sure what you mean."
"It's an Earth expression...never mind. It just means that I'm not altogether there."
"Major, I truly don't believe that to be the case. You are here now having conversation with me and eating your meal by your own accord. I do not envision you as hopeless."
This seemed to placate the Major somewhat and he flashed Teyla a slight grin as she made him feel comfortable in that magical, earthy way she had about her.
Teyla, taking note of his acceptance of her words, thought this a good time to pry deeper into his memories. "Major, what happened during the time we were apart in the Xenotite prison? I had been taken to our prison cell and I was extremely disturbed by your screams and shouts. I was frightened for you and was very relieved when they let us go." Teyla tried to be as gentle in her probing as possible trying to choose her words carefully.
The Major winced and made a face at the woman's words. He wasn't exactly ready to talk about this topic. God, she could be direct, but he guessed that she did deserve to know since she literally saved his skin.
"It was horrible, Teyla," the Major shook his head back and forth, his eyes with a distant look in them. "They started off with punching, hitting, and kicking the crap out of me. I tried to resist as long as I could. I tried doing math problems which worked for a while but when they got that damned prod thing out, I...I just about lost it." The Major paused quietly contemplating his memories.
"I think the worst part of it was hearing you scream." The Major looked towards the olive skinned woman who locked concerned eyes with his. He had a lone tear just about ready to fall from one of his eyes. "There was nothing I could do to help you and I had never felt so helpless in my life. I was relieved when you stopped screaming but then I thought that maybe you had passed out, or worse, had been killed." The tears were falling much more freely now.
Teyla took the Major's hand and held it tightly in hers. "I'm sorry, Major, I did not mean to make you uncomfortable," she quickly apologized.
The Major, noticing the distressed look on his friend's face, tried to compose himself wiping the tears from his eyes and face. He certainly didn't want to make Teyla feel worse than she already had for him. "Hey...its okay, I've been talking to Dr. Weir about it. I'm going to be fine." He made a weak attempt to smooth things over and lighten the mood.
Teyla catching on to his efforts followed along and put a gentle hand on the Major's shoulder. "We are going to help you recover, Major. I am here to assist you in any way. Please know that you can talk to me about anything in total confidence. Know that I am available whenever you need to share your thoughts."
The Major had no doubt about the woman's sincerity. "You will be the first to know if and when I'm ready to share my feelings."
"Major," Teyla started, "you have nothing to be ashamed of." She squeezed his hand again. She felt that she had to add this last bit sensing that he did feel ashamed of what happened to them and his inability to take control of the situation. There was that word 'ashamed' again. The Major wasn't ready to admit to Teyla that this was how he truly felt.
He was saved from having to say anything more as Dr. Beckett had discretely come into the infirmary waiting for the appropriate time to step in. "I'm sorry lass," he addressed Teyla. "I'm going to have to limit your time. The Major needs his rest."
"Aw...does she have to go so soon?" the Major protested in a mocking, whining tone.
"I'm afraid so, John. She'll be back in the morning to help you with your breakfast and other things."
The Major wondered what the 'other things' could be but not wanting to press the issue further said his goodbyes to Teyla. They lingered in a relieved embrace and finally tore away from each other reluctantly. The Major was happy that he got to see Teyla for at least a little while and he did feel much better after sharing his thoughts with her. He was already looking forward to the morning.