Again thank you for the reviews and I'm sorry this chapter took a while longer. I've now just got one exam next wed and then that's me! Woo hoo! If any one else has had essays or exams then I hope all went well.

Chapter 6

"That's us Carson!" Rodney exclaimed, as there was now a large gaping hole in the wall. Just as the scientist was about to scramble up the small pile of rocks leading into the damaged room Ford grabbed his arm and pulled him back.

"Hey! Hang on McKay, notice everyone else is wearing a suit?" He reminded him patting his friend on the shoulder. "Let the doc and his team go in."

Rodney reluctantly stepped back to let Carson and his team, fully covered in hazmat gear, slip through the hole to help Sheppard. As the two men watched silently they could hear Weir's frantic cries as Carson tried to examine Sheppard.

"Please Carson! You have to help him!" Elizabeth gasped as the medic checked the Colonel's eyes and chest.

"Aye lass I will. I just need you to stand back a bit please." He ordered firmly and when she did was glad at least someone followed his orders these days. Helping two other nurses lift Sheppard onto a stretcher Beckett then placed a reassuring hand on the back of Weir and lead her through the hole.

When she appeared Rodney and Ford stared as for the first time since the Genii attack they saw their fearless leader scared and upset. Her eyes were blotchy and skin was pale which was a stark contrast to the blood stained hands she had. Her mid drift was showing although there was no evidence of any injury. Both figured that the blood had been from her original injury, which was now completely gone thanks to Sheppard.

As the rescue team stood back Elizabeth barely acknowledged them as she followed the medical team. Shaking out of their dazed state Ford and Rodney jogged to catch up with her.

"Elizabeth?" Rodney asked reaching out to grab her arm.

When she never answered he turned to Ford who shrugged and continued walking beside them. They then noticed the group entering another room on the same level where some medical equipment had been set up.

"Why are we here?" Rodney asked confused thinking they had been heading for the infirmary.

Carson prepped John on the bed by placing an oxygen mask on him and hooking him up to heart monitor before answering over his shoulder.

"It's just a precaution Rodney. Just in case the Colonel has caught the Ancient plague. I don't want to travel too far from this area and infect the rest of the city."

Elizabeth spoke up her voice husky. "I don't understand. The only reason SG1 caught the disease was because of the Ancient they found. Because of her blood sample." Even when distressed the woman was still able to think coherently.

Turning to face them Carson gave them a grave look. "Aye. However, when Colonel Sheppard healed you his white blood cells count more than likely dropped dangerously low and this has left him open infections. If even the smallest traces of that plague still exist here then it is possible he may have caught it."

If Weir could pale anymore she did. The look of guilt on her face had the medic silently cursing John Sheppard for his heroism. Despite his selflessness Becket knew that if something were seriously wrong with the Colonel, Dr Weir would never forgive herself.

"He'll be okay Elizabeth." Rodney told her his own voice shaking slightly. "It could just be a simple infection, right Carson?"

He nodded. "It is entirely possible Dr Weir. I just want to take every precaution." He said giving her a small smile. He hated giving her false hope, as at this point he really had no idea how the Colonel was, but at the moment the diplomat needed it. "Look, you need to be checked out too-"

"Oh I'm fine. He healed me completely remember?" Elizabeth suddenly spat letting the anger she felt show causing her three friends to gape slightly. Realising how she had sounded she shook her head and sighed. "Okay."

Carson nodded and indicated a nurse to take Weir aside for a check up. Before disappearing behind a curtain she took a final glance at the still form of John and wiped away a single tear that had rolled down her cheek.

As their leader departed Ford and Rodney watched as Carson drew more blood samples and continued checking the machines hooked up to the unconscious pilot.

"What's his condition at the moment doc?" Ford asked despite dreading the news.

"To be honest all that seems to be wrong with him is a slight fever and an increased heart rate, typical of any infection." Beckett explained never taking his eyes off of his patient. "We won't know anything for sure until the labs come back and that could be an hour or two." As he said the last part he looked pointedly at the two hovering men.

Ford noticed first. "Oh! Right, well we'll go and see how the rescue team are doing." As he turned to go he noticed Rodney still staring at Sheppard worry etched in his features.

"McKay? McKay!" Ford practically shouted nudging the vacant scientist.

"Huh? Oh right! What about Elizabeth?" He asked glancing to the back to the room.

"I think I'll keep her here. Besides, I don't think she'll want to be anywhere else." Beckett reasoned giving both men a reassuring smile.

They gave him a small, unconvinced smile and turned to leave. Picking up a chart the Scot began to note down some of the colonel's vitals again until he heard a whimper from behind the curtain Dr Weir was in. He moved closer listening with some pride as the nurse, Fiona, tried to calm her.

"Dr Weir, I'm sure Colonel Sheppard will be fine." She soothed in a gentle voice. "Soon he'll be moaning about being cooped up and threatening to escape." She joked earning a silent chuckle from Beckett.

Elizabeth sniffed before muttering, "Yes, I'm sure you're right." Her voice sounded slightly happier and Carson beamed at Fiona as she appeared from behind the curtain.

"Dr Weir is fine doctor." She said politely.

"Thank you Fiona." He said gratefully and she smiled back knowing he was proud of her work during the past hour. When the nurse had moved back to Sheppard's bed Carson joined Elizabeth perching next to her on the bed. Sitting next to him in the large orange suit was slightly daunting to the thin diplomat.

"How is he?" She asked anxiously eyes wide with hope.

"Slight fever and increased heart rate but I'll need to wait for the tests to know anything else. He's stable." He explained quietly patting Weir on the arm rolling his eyes forgetting he was wearing large, black, rubber gloves.

"He's also unconscious Carson." Elizabeth felt the need to point this important and obvious fact out and this earned a chuckle from Beckett.

"Aye, that too. But his brain activity is normal and for all we know it's just his body's way of repairing any damage that's been done."

Elizabeth sighed. "Damage because of me."

Even as a medical doctor Carson was amazed at how many different emotions Elizabeth had displayed so far. Fear, hurt, sadness, anxiousness and anger. It was this last emotion that had the doctor concerned. Colonel Sheppard had gone against Weir's specific orders not to heal her and whilst it was done to save her, the consequences of his actions would have serious ramifications. Not just on his own health but his relationship with Elizabeth too.

"I can't explain what goes on in the colonel's head Elizabeth" Carson said. "But I know that if I had been in there with you…well, I couldn't have just sat and do nothing."

His confession somewhat startled Elizabeth but also warmed her. Turning to stare at him surprised he gave her a sheepish smile through the small, steamy window and shrugged.

"We asked him to just sit and wait. That was never going to happen."

"But I asked him not to Carson." Elizabeth said exasperated. "If he…if he doesn't…I will never forgive myself. How can I live with myself if-"

"He will be okay!" Beckett assured her now desperately wanting to believe it himself. "He's a fighter."

Nodding Elizabeth clasped her hands and looked up with tears shining in her eyes. Looking closer Carson saw guilt as well as fear mixed in with her watery eyes. "I'm so angry with him. I know I shouldn't be but I am."

Her confession didn't shock Carson and he took pity in the fact that she was so confused right now. Deciding he had no words to offer support he allowed her to continue. If she ranted for a while it may resolve some of the confusion as well as lift a weight off of her shoulders before Sheppard woke up.

If he woke up.

"He knew how hard this was going to be for me. I always have to watch him go through this and I didn't want to see it happen again. I mean how much more can his body take!" Realising her voice had gotten extremely loud Elizabeth cleared her throat and looked down at her clasped hands. "He kissed me as he did it."

This statement did shock the doctor and he couldn't help but exclaim, "He what?"

"He told me he loved me and then kissed me. It wasn't until after that I felt…better." Her pain was evident in her voice and Carson finally understood why she was this angry. Even for Sheppard that was a real sneaky way of getting his own way. Hoping the man's words had been true and not just a way of manipulating her, he sighed again. But deep down Carson knew there was something bubbling between Weir and Sheppard so knew the latter would be unlikely. He just hoped John would wake up soon and they could figure out their relationship.

"Can I see him?" Elizabeth asked quietly but her exhaustion seeped through as well.

"Aye, but then I would like you to get some rest too." Before she could protest he pushed on. "I'll let you know the minute I get the tests back and discuss them with you. But for now you need to take it easy. 10 minutes only. Go"

Scowling at him Elizabeth went over to John's bed and peered at him from the foot of the bed. After a minute of just watching him from a far she finally moved to the head of the bed grasping his hand as she did so. With her free hand Weir reached out and grabbed a chair, sitting down heavily on it so she could examine John's face better.

Watching the woman's actions Beckett marvelled at how the two leader's relationship had evolved from being two people simply in charge of an expedition to being so close their relationship was difficult to define. Shaking his head and wriggling in his enormous suit Beckett thought once again about the effects of this long disastrous day.

A/N: I hope you don't think Liz is coming across as being ungrateful. I just wanted to show how messed up she was feeling, cause you know I've been healed by John Sheppard before and know how it feels. LOL. Soz, very tired right now so making very bad jokes. Anyways, yeah please review!