A/N Thanks for the feedback! It helps keep the motivation going!
Chapter 5
"Major, incoming wormhole from Atlantis."
Ford's page to the makeshift infirmary from his position near the gate brought Sheppard out of his internal pondering as to how to make their situation right. Pulling himself to his feet from an uncomfortable chair situated next to McKay's bed, he passed quietly out of the room, careful not to wake the sleeping patients. "I'm on my way," he signaled back once he made it to the hallway.
He shoved up his wrinkled jacket cuff to check his watch, noticing it had been a couple of hours since they'd initially contacted Weir with their request. He could only imagine the fuss Kavanagh had caused when he was told he needed to come over to plague central. Honestly, he was surprised they had been able to convince the egotistical self centered scientist to join the away team, especially under the dire circumstances. But then again, Dr. Z had been more than cooperative and willing in helping them; he could only dream of what the imaginative Czech had come up with in motivating his greatest nemesis to enter the gate. At that thought, a hint of a smile graced the major's face for the first time since they'd found Rodney earlier in the suite.
The Krahn's gateroom was a large open-aire arena encircled with spiraling staircases and jutting balconies so that incoming and departing travelers from the other city could be seen by all. There was no need for security from offworlders because the external system had been inactive for centuries. But, now with the flurry of visitors arriving within the past few days and the rumored sickness returning to haunt them, several individuals stood watching expectantly, waiting to see what was to arrive this time from the city of the builders. All eyes were pinned on Sheppard's back as he strode over to Ford's side.
"Where is he?" The major questioned, nodding towards the reflective puddle of the gate.
"No sign of him yet, sir," the young lieutenant answered with a noncommittal shrug. "Want me to page Atlantis?"
Checking his watch again, Sheppard scowled, his eyes tightening as he tried to ignore the curious gazes directed their way. "How long has the gate been open?"
"Fifteen minutes on our end."
"Okay, that's it." Irritably he plucked the lieutenant's radio from his hand, "Atlantis, what's taking so damn long?"
"Major Sheppard, we are having a slight problem with…" Weir started to say but was drowned out by two voices shouting loudly in the background.
"What if you can't fix it?" Clearly Dr. Kavanagh's sniveling whine, they recognized the sound of him tormenting some innocent individual.
"We've been over this hundred times! You help Dr. Beckett interface computer systems, I fix gate on this side!" Ah, the one and only Dr. Z giving it back with both barrels.
"I've changed my mind. I can't do it. You can't make me go there. I might not come back. What if I get sick?"
"You claim to be smart man, now prove it. Save Dr. McKay. Remember our talk; you make him in your debt."
"No! I can't do it!" The sound of an ensuing scuffle could be heard over the radio.
"Gentlemen, stop it!" Weir snapped before her voice called out for Sergeant Bates.
Sheppard had had enough. Furious at listening to the struggle on the other side and not being able to do anything about it, he snapped. "Kavanagh, if you don't get your ass through that gate on the double, when I get back I will personally shave your head with a blunt razor and give your hair to the Athosians to weave a mud mat!"
A brief moment of silence emanated from the radio before a startled yelp could be heard, followed by an individual dressed in one of Atlantis' blue hazmat suits tumbling through the event horizon, landing on his knees to look up at one highly agitated Air Force Major.
"They pushed me!" Kavanagh complained bitterly, looking back over his shoulder to stare at the gate in disbelief. He had only a second to move before another heavily laden malp slipped through the horizon, coming to a stop where he had landed previously.
"Major? Dr. Kavanagh tripped entering the gate. Did he arrive safely?" Elizabeth's voice dryly asked.
Sheppard caught Ford's smirk at the tripped comment and winked at him from behind Kavanagh's back, "Yeah, doc, he made quite an entrance."
"Alright then, keep us posted. If you need anything else, let us know. Other than that, we'll call back at the top of every hour for updates. Weir out."
Handing the radio back to Ford, Sheppard began pulling crates and canvas bags off the malp. "Lieutenant, give Dr. K a hand so we can get this gear up to Beckett."
"Major Sheppard!" Havis' alarmed voice echoed throughout the chamber from above, "Dr. Beckett said he needs you."
Without a backward glance to the others, the major hastily grabbed a pair of heavy packs off the floor and tossed one over each shoulder, before charging up the staircase. Taking the steps two at a time, his chest was heaving with exertion by the time he made it back to the infirmary. "What?" he demanded breathlessly, spying Carson leaning over Rodney, "What happened?"
Beckett shot him a worried glance before turning his attention back to the combative physicist he had pinned to the cot, "Give me a hand with him, lad. His fever's rising and he's been sick again. I can't keep him still long enough to get an IV started and he's becoming dehydrated."
The major swapped places with the Scot and was surprised to feel the heat radiating off his friend. Glazed pale blue eyes looked up to meet his through mere slits barely dawning any recognition. "Hey, McKay," he said softly, "Beckett will be right back with something to make you feel better." The man squinted in response before rolling to the side looking for something then jerking back up to meet the hazel eyes so intently watching him.
Rodney tugged his arm in Sheppard's firm grasp. "Let me go," he whispered his voice raspy from vomiting.
"Doc wants you to stay put." When McKay's eyes clamped shut and his face paled, Sheppard glanced to the floor looking for the empty basin in case it would be needed again. "Shhh, take it easy, Rodney. Slow deep breaths," he encouraged quietly but to no avail. The bobbing throat and repetitive swallowing signaled a losing battle for the miserable Canadian. In one smooth move, he rolled Rodney to his side with his head over the edge of the bed just in the nick of time.
Sheppard held his gagging friend in his arms as the bout of dry heaves racked the exhausted man.
Now limp and unmoving, gasping for breath, Rodney moaned when the relentless jackhammer inside his head started another round. "Shoot me," he managed to whisper. He could feel the major's hands that were holding him secure from falling off the cot, stiffen at his plea. "Never felt this bad before," he moaned.
"Well, I can see Beckett mixing up one of his magic potions for you as we speak, so it shouldn't be much longer."
Rodney licked his parched lips; what he'd give for a sip of cool water. "Wish he'd hurry up." One of John's hands moved from holding his arm to rest on his neck, kneading the tightly strained muscles. "How's Teyla?" he grunted when the major pressed to hard on his painful shoulder.
Sheppard's hand stopped a moment as his eyes drifted over to the other bed. "She's asleep, like you should be." Watching her breath slowly, he looked back down to the trembling figure leaning against his leg, knowing if they didn't do something soon, she would be just as sick. "Did I tell you Kavanagh is here?"
There was a brief hitch in McKay's breathing. "You're kidding?" he wheezed in disbelief.
"Nope, Dr. Z gave him a shove through the gate. Beckett needs his help to integrate our system with the Krahns. And speaking of your Scottish tormentor, here he comes now." Sliding sideways to give Beckett a bit more room, he stilled when the physician motioned for him to stay put.
Carson's cool hand dropped to Rodney's brow, judging the fever, before shaking his head. "I need to start an IV on you, lad. You're starting to look like you've been out in the sun a wee bit too long." Swabbing a spot on the inner arm, his experienced hands slipped the needle painlessly beneath the skin, securing it with a piece of tape. Next he adjusted the bags of fluid, injecting one port with an antibiotic. "Do you think you could try a sip of water?"
"Do I have to move?" the scientist mumbled, still propped sideways against the major.
"Nay, lad, you can stay put. I have a straw." The sweaty head nodded slightly accepting the drink Carson supplied. Taking a slow draw of the cool liquid, he choked when something loud dropped to the floor, startling him.
"Where do you want all of this, Dr. Beckett?" Kavanagh barked loudly, staring around the jumbled room looking for the man who requested him to join this doomed trip. Spotting the physician and the major situated along side one of the cots, effectively blocking its occupant, and another holding the Athosian woman, he headed in McKay's direction to get a better view. "You look like hell, Doctor. What did you do this time?"
The major stiffened, while Carson patted Rodney on the back to stop the coughing. "Are you finished unloading the malp, Kavanagh? Because if you are finished, you need to get to work on the systems and keep away from Beckett's patients…unless you want to get sick."
Rodney coughed pitifully right on cue. No matter how ill, even he couldn't resist messing with the nitwit.
Kavanagh's eyes grew huge behind the protective cover of his suit before he stomped out of the room, nearly running over Havis as he and Ford entered the room carrying a large crate between them. Setting it down gently, they made their way over to the others.
"How are you doin', Doc?" Ford asked quietly, taking in the scientist's ragged appearance.
When Rodney didn't reply, Sheppard and Beckett both looked down to discover that he'd finally nodded off. With great care, they eased him back onto the bed, the major draping the cool towel once again over the heated brow.
Sheppard hated to leave but there was little for him to do now but get in the doctor's way. Gesturing to his 2IC, he made his way to the door, "Ford, let's get the rest of the gear and find Kavanagh. The sooner we get this lab up and running, the faster we can hopefully go home."
TBC