Line of Fire
Chapter 6
Faintly, through the pounding in her head and the pain her side, Dr. Elizabeth Weir could hear beeping. She felt thick and heavy, like she was under water, swimming in a dark and murky pond. Above her was light, the warmth of the sun, but it seemed far away, too far to reach. Still, she mustered every ounce of strength that she could, and suddenly, blinking open her eyes, she was awake.
She carefully turned her head, trying to focus. She was in the infirmary, she realized. The beeping was the heart monitor, it's quiet blip-blip reassuring. She did a silent internal survey, flinching when she tried to move. Her left side…there was something wrong there. And, God, her head ached.
Elizabeth slowly moved her head the other way, and her eyes fell on John. He was slouched in a chair, his head falling forward, his arms across his chest. He was sound asleep. His breathing was light and even, and he didn't snore, she noted wryly.
"John." Elizabeth was surprised at how faint her voice was. Her throat was dusty and rough, and licking her lips with a dry tongue, she tried again.
"John." She watched as this time the Colonel jerked awake, his eyes confused. They flew around the room, finally coming to rest on her face. Relief, and something else, bloomed across his face, and John stood up, carefully taking her hand.
"Hey, Liz. Welcome back," John said softly. Gently, he pushed her curly hair off her face. "How do you feel?"
"I've been better," she said, her voice still hoarse. Man, she was tired. She could feel herself start to drift away, and she blinked her eyes, trying to stay awake. John's green eyes focused on hers, and he gave her a small smile.
"Carson says to get some rest, so don't fight it. Go back to sleep," he said, giving her hand a gentle squeeze. "I'll be right here if you need me," he added, his gaze softening as she gave a half-smile of her own, then whispered something. He leaned down, catching her words.
"I know," she breathed, her face relaxing completely as she fell back asleep.
Lt. Colonel John Sheppard entered Dr. Weir's office, his face rigid and hard. Sitting behind her desk was Colonel Caldwell, tapping away at a laptop computer.
"I understand you wanted to see me, Colonel," John spat out. He had reluctantly left Elizabeth's side after she woke, Carson demanding he shower and eat something before he returned. Too tired to argue, John had merely nodded his assent, stopping only to relate the good news to Rodney and Teyla.
Ronon Dex had stopped him outside, and informed him of his earlier encounter with Caldwell. Anger had radiated off the runner, and John felt his own rage start to build. Caldwell had moved in quickly when John had been infected by Ellia , taking steps to change procedures only hours after Dr. Weir had reluctantly put Caldwell in charge. It seemed that the Colonel was up to his old tricks, only this time he was usurping Elizabeth's authority.
"I'd like to know where you've been for the last eight hours, Colonel," Caldwell ordered. He drummed his fingers impatiently on the desktop, although his face remained stoic and unreadable.
John stared hard at the military man. "I've been with Dr. Weir," he answered shortly. The cold tension radiated between the two, each harboring a negative opinion about the other.
Caldwell sat back, steepling his fingers together. "As I recall, that would be Dr. Beckett's job. Not yours."
"Look, let's just cut the crap, Colonel. My boss was critically wounded not eight hours ago. I was concerned, and felt that I needed to be there. I don't care whether you think that's my job or not." Caldwell pushed himself out of his chair, pointing a finger at John.
"I suggest you watch your tone, Colonel Sheppard," he advised. "Rather than holding Dr. Weir's hand, maybe you should have been attending to your duties. As you know, if anything happens to Dr. Weir, the senior military officer takes over as leader of Atlantis."
"And I see you made yourself right at home," John replied. "Who's minding the Daedelus while you're down here, Colonel?"
Caldwell froze, his face revealing his fury. John glared back, just as angry. He took a step forward, his hands loose at his sides. "Let me refresh your memory, Colonel Caldwell. The last time I checked, I was the senior military officer on Atlantis, not you. Yet, while Elizabeth is hanging on by a thread, you take advantage of the situation and have the nerve to move into her office. Not only do you not have the authority to make such a move, but your complete lack of compassion is disturbing, to say the least."
"Now, I suggest you return to the Daedelus. Dr. Weir is recovering, and Carson assures me she'll be resuming her duties in no time. In the interim, I will be happy to oversee the running of Atlantis. Your presence is no longer required. Sir." John's voice was tight with rage, his green eyes dark and threatening. Only his need to remain on Atlantis, and stay with Elizabeth, prevented him from taking a swing at the Colonel.
Caldwell stared back at John. "I have some advice for you, Colonel Sheppard," he said. "This little clique of yours will cause the downfall of Atlantis. You disregard protocol, making the rules up as you go. Your stunts have nearly destroyed Atlantis and the Pegasus system numerous times. You continuously put the welfare of your team above the welfare of the expedition. And the fact that Dr. Weir gives you free reign, allowing this chaos to continue, reflects her dismal leadership capabilities."
John stood, shocked into to silence. But only for a moment. "Protocol? We are in a different freaking galaxy, and you're worried about rules? Take a look around, Colonel. There are no rules here. Yes, I put the lives of my team, and the people of Atlantis, first, but that's because without them, there's no point in being here. No team, no expedition, get it? And if you ever criticize Elizabeth's leadership again, I swear I'll make you regret ever coming here," John seethed. He took one angry step forward, his hands clenched into rock-hard fists.
Caldwell merely shook his head, grabbing up his lap top. "Don't threaten me, Colonel." He took one last look at Sheppard, then strode from the room.
John stood a moment, his breathing hard and ragged. He waited until his pounding heart quieted, then spun around, heading down the corridors to see Elizabeth.
TBC