A/N: Usual disclaimer – I only own Kyte Randall and Major Andrews, I'm just borrowing the major characters.
Chapter 4: Sidewinder Sleeps Tonight
I felt my gurney roll a short distance, as I fought to stay awake. The run had taken a lot out of me, given the shape I was in, not to mention the realization of how I had dared death, but staying awake seemed important. Teyla fell in step beside me.
"Kyte, you are very brave, but what you did, some would call very foolish. Still I and the others are grateful."
I pushed the oxygen mask aside. "Sometimes I just act without thinking…." I started.
Dr. Beckett put the mask back in place. "Seems like there's a lot of that going around here," he said in a scolding tone. We're here. I need to run some tests on you and your friend, and then we can start patching ye up. I'm guessing what you need most is food and sleep, aye, and those are certainly easy enough to prescribe."
I was briskly transferred to a bed, and put through something similar to a CAT scan. When that was finished, Dr. Beckett glanced at the results, "Your breathing and heart rate are almost back to normal, you're a little dehydrated and definitely mal-nourished, and you've got a low-grade infection from exposure, same as your friend the Major. I need to draw some blood to double-check a few things," he added pushing up my sleeve, before I could protest.
You almost sound cheerful about that," I winced slightly as he stuck the needle in. I guessed that my and Andrews' situation was a little more serious than he let on. I was no doctor, but I knew he was concerned about exposure and the amount of weight we'd both apparently lost.
"See, good patient," Beckett lectured to Sheppard and McKay sitting nearby. I gave them a look to say, I didn't usually put up with all this. "With all that happens around here, its nice to practice basic medicine," he commented. I didn't want to ask what did happen, but figured life here was not boring.
Curtains were drawn and I was handed a gown. I glared, but shrugged, since I knew I had no choice
"I know you'd like a shower, but a clean gown and a couple of washcloths will have to do now, " apologized a medic as she helped pull off the clothing I had been wearing for the last few months. I was suddenly more than a little attached to them, as they were gathered up. Yes, they were filthy, but they were a known.
"By the way, you friend fainted when Dr. Beckett went to draw blood."
I smirked, "Men." She smiled conspiratorially.
Curtains were drawn back and in rapid succession I was hooked to various monitors for heart rate, blood pressure and the like. No easy escape now.
Looks likes I'm staying here for the night. How's room service?" I quipped as Dr. Beckett walked over to start an IV.
He raised an eyebrow, not sure if I was teasing. "
We'll see later," he said as he taped the needle in place. "For now, these will have to do," he continued, hanging several bags. "Yer certainly handling all this better than most, which makes ye my favorite patient. Now get some rest."
With praise like that, I thought I could at least try and close my eyes for a moment…