The Long Trip Home - Chapter 5
Teyla began cleaning up the jumper floor while McKay contacted Atlantis. Sheppard better make it through this so I can have the pleasure of killing him, he thought to himself as he continued to try to breathe through his mouth. "Atlantis, this is Jumper One."
Weir answered almost immediately. McKay wondered if perhaps she was sitting on the radio. "Jumper One, this is Atlantis. What is your status?"
"Elizabeth, we may have a problem. We need to talk to Beckett."
Weir's heart seemed to make a violent jump to her throat and get stuck there. She knew even before she asked. "John?"
"Who else," replied McKay. "Apparently he was hurt a lot worse that he was letting on. Oh my, what a suprise!"
"We'll patch you through."
A minute later, Carson Beckett's voice came through the radio. "Rodney, I understand Major Sheppard is injured. Elizabeth has already filled me in on the information given her earlier. I need to know what's happened since then."
"Dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and he's in a lot of pain. He's either sleeping or unconscious, I'm not sure which."
"Teyla, could you check his pulse for me?"
Teyla had returned to the back of the jumper to kneel in the floor next to the major. She placed her fingers along the side of his neck and felt carefully. "It is very fast and rather weak, doctor and he is very pale. His face is sweaty, but he seems to be shivering."
Beckett frowned, worry etched in his expression. "Sounds like he's going into shock. He may have internal bleeding. Do you have a blanket?"
"Yes," she answered, digging one out of an overhead bin.
"Cover him up then. How's his breathing?"
She had already noted a slight rattle in his breathing as she covered him with the blanket. "He's breathing okay for now, but it's starting to sound...,.noisy."
Beckett frowned even deeper. He didn't much like the sound of that. "Okay, keep a close check on him. Let me know if there's any change, especially in his breathing. I'll probably check in with you every hour. What's your ETA?"
"Seven...maybe seven and a half hours," replied McKay.
Beckett sighed loudly in exasperation. "Can you not go any faster?" he asked. The pleading nature of his question scared McKay worse than anything he had yet encountered on this trip.
"I can try."
Dr. Weir had been listening to the exchange about Major Sheppard's worsening condition. The worry in Carson's voice shook her deep down. Please, don't let him die, she prayed silently. She hurriedly wiped her face to rid herself of the tears welling in her eyes before they spilled over onto her cheeks, giving her away. As she turned, she made eye contact with Peter Grodin. He knew. And his eyes sought to comfort her silently across the busy room. She smiled bravely and nodded.
Four hours later, John Sheppard felt like an elephant was sitting on his chest. It hurt so much to breathe. When he did draw a breath, it felt like he wasn't getting any oxygen. He wanted to breathe deeper and faster to make up the difference, but he couldn't.
With much effort, he managed to prize his eyes open. Not really open --- more like narrow slits he could peek through. The world was fuzzy and the sounds seemed garbled at first. Something was trying to cover his face. He tried to fight it, but that made his side hurt. He tried to say, "No," but it came out a gurgle. Strong hands, yet soft, pushed him down gently as he struggled. The voice began to clear up a little, where he could understand some of it.
"Major Sheppard...relax...help...oxygen..." What was it saying? A familiar face, but still fuzzy, floated above him. She was looking at him and talking, but he couldn't quite understand. He lessened his struggle. He thought maybe he trusted her. Hands on his face again! But now, somehow, breathing seemed easier. He accepted it gladly as he drifted away once more
Teyla sat on the floor next to the major and breathed a sigh of relief. She clicked on her radio. "I have the oxygen mask on him," she reported to Dr. Beckett He had struggled. She could tell he had no idea who she was or what she had been doing. He'd seemed almost frightened at first.
"Is he conscious?"
"No. He mumbled something, but I was unable to understand what he said. He seemed frightened and confused. He is resting now, though. and his breathing seems easier."
"How's his temperature?"
Teyla placed her hand on the major's forehead. "He feels warm, but he's still shivering." She pulled the blanket back up over his shoulders.
"Aye, sounds like we've got an infection settin' in." He had been expecting it, yet hoping it wouldn't take hold until after he had the major back in Atlantis. "Just keep doin' what you're doin' and let me know if anything changes. I'll continue to check in with you."
"Yes, doctor," Teyla replied. "Jumper One out."
The jumper was strangely silent except for the gentle hiss of the oxygen. McKay finally worked up enough nerve to speak. "He's not doing to well, is he?" He turned to make eye contact with Teyla. He didn't much like what he saw.
"No," she said softly. "No, he's not." She quickly looked down as she retrieved the cloth she had been using to gently dab the sweat from his forehead and returned to her caregiving. She knew it did little for Major Sheppard, but it made her feel like she was doing something. She could not simply sit and watch the life flow out of the soldier who had so earned her respect and friendship. "Please hang on, Major," she whispered into his ear.
"Amen," said McKay to himself.