First, I need to thank rogue1503 for the use of Nick. She let me borrow him for this story cause I really, really like him. You may see him pop up a lot more. I meant to do this last chapter, but had a brain outage and forgot.

As usual, thank you for all the encouraging reviews. I'm so very, very sorry it took longer to update this time. It was so not my fault. Long story made short, my hubby had other plans for me this weekend and seriously cramped my writing time. I should make good progress next week though - he'll be out of town.

Emrys1 - don't worry - I love your reviews. I think they may be more entertaining than the story. I catch myself watching for them to see what you'll say next, so don't give up and quit. I need them!

A little hint for all of you wanting to thrash Kavanagh - he'll get his eventually. I promise.

Drakcir - Don't worry. Elizabeth and Rodney don't understand either, so Carson is about to explain.

Chapter 5

Nick and Carson stood watching the heart monitor, concern on their faces. "Seems to be increasing," commented Nick.

Carson nodded in agreement. "We don't need to let this go on very long, not in his condition."

"Cardioversion?" asked Nick.

Carson nodded again. "Let's go with electrical - I'm afraid to try any more medication after this fiasco. There's no bloody way this should have happened in response to a mild muscle relaxer. Whatever this stuff is has really got him messed up."

"Agreed." Nick began moving the defibrillator closer to the bed. Elizabeth and Rodney looked at each other in fear and then back toward the doctors, now gettting ready for something.

"Carson?" Elizabeth looked questioningly at Beckett. "What's going on?"

Beckett turned to the pair and noted the concern in their faces. "He's got a rapid heartbeat, tachycardia. It's probably being caused by the atrial fibrillation. The top chambers of the heart aren't really contracting any more...they're just sort of quivering. The blood won't circulate properly and that can cause problems, especially in someone who already has other problems like the major. We're going to give his heart a mild electrical shock in hopes of resetting his pacemaker and getting the atria back on track." He gave a small, reassuring smile. "It's not as dramatic as when we are trying to restart the heart, like after the bug incident."

McKay and Weir seemed relieved. Beckett turned back to the major to find that Nick was ready with the defibrillator paddles. Beckett and a nurse folded the blanket down past Sheppard's waist and then carefully pulled the hospital gown down until his chest was exposed. Beckett took the paddles and placed them on Sheppard's chest in a postition like when he had restarted the man's heart on the jumper, not so long ago. Weir shivered, remembering the incident. Nick nodded to Beckett and he discharged the current. Sheppard barely flinched, instead of arching his back off the bed like he had in the jumper. The two doctors looked hopefully at the monitor. The sound had definitely changed and seemed to be slower.

"It worked," said Nick, smiling at Beckett as he took the paddles back.

"Aye. Hopefully that will slow the heart rate as well. We better keep a close eye on him. It could happen again."

"Correction. I'll keep an eye on him. It's time for you to go get some rest. I'm on duty now."

Beckett shook his head. "I can't leave him now. He could develop more problems and I need to be here to deal with them. I'll just..."

"Dr. Beckett, I can handle it. I promise I will keep a close eye on him. If you don't get some rest, you won't be much use if he needs you later. I promise I'll call you if we have any problems."

Carson looked at Nick. He knew he was a good doctor and perfectly capable of handling anything that came up. Carson had to admit that there wasn't any real reason for him to stay other than he wanted to. And Nick was right. They had no idea what would happen tomorrow and he needed to be rested and ready to go. "All right, you win. Let's get him settled and I'll go get some rest."

They gently replaced Sheppard's gown and blankets, and checked all the monitors and IV lines. Nick then began pointing out how late it was and that everyone should get some rest. Weir stood beside Sheppard's bed a few minutes, noting how still he was compared to earlier. He was still visible shaking and occasionally moved his position, but it was not the constant, jerking motions of earlier. She desperately hoped that meant he was getting some sleep. She knew he was exhausted. She gently caressed the side of his face with her hand. "Feel better," she said softly. And she turned and left.

Nick ushered Beckett and Weir out the infirmary door and returned to find McKay had pulled up a chair beside Sheppard's bed. He had watched the developing friendship over the last few months, as had everyone on Atlantis. He wasn't sure who was more suprised at the odd development, McKay and Sheppard or those around them. They argued and sniped at one another constantly...and when push came to shove, each was always there for the other. They had each spent many sleepless nights camped out in a chair beside the other's bed. That in mind, he was not suprised to see McKay where he was.

"He'll be okay. I'll watch him," said Nick.

"I know," said McKay. He watched Sheppard silently for a minute. "I want to be in my lab doing something to help him. There's usually something I can do to at least pretend I'm helping. Not this time...nothing. I just feel so...useless right now. If I can't do something to help the pain...I can at least be here for him. If he wakes up, someone should be here...he might need something. Even if he doesn't...he needs to see someone. He needs to see someone who really cares, not just a warm body watching for trouble. I'm staying, so don't even try to throw me out."

Nick smiled and nodded. "Wouldn't think of it. I'll check with you every few minutes. Let me know if you need me."

"Nick?" McKay looked at the doctor. "Do you think he's getting some rest? He's not moving nearly as much."

"I hope so. I'm not sure if he's actually asleep, but I think the pain level has gone way down. He's getting some rest on some level. We'll check his blood levels of the compound tomorrow. We're hoping they'll start to drop off."

McKay nodded and looked back at Sheppard, praying Nick was right.

Early the next morning, Elizabeth was on her way to the infirmary to check on Major Sheppard. She hadn't so much slept last night as much as she had dozed in jerks and spurts. As she turned the last corner, she almost collided with Carson Beckett. They faltered and dodged and managed to avoid a head on.

"Sorry, lass, I guess my mind was somewhere else."

"It's okay Carson. I wasn't exactly paying attention either. Mind if I walk with you?"

"No, I'd be happy to have the company." They walked in silence the last few steps to the infirmary, each hoping this would be a better day for the major. They both looked immediately towards Sheppard's bed, finding Nick and Rodney quietly talking as they stood by the foot of the bed. They quickly joined them, their heart dropping as they noticed the frantic, constant motion was back full force. Sheppard squirmed endlessly in the bed, once again drenched in sweat and moaning in pain.

"How's the major?" Beckett lost no time questioning Nick.

Nick handed Dr. Beckett the chart he had been updating. "He stayed pretty quiet for about two and a half hours before the restlessness began to pick back up. He's been flailing around ever since. We had to convert the AF twice more after you left, but it took both times. Other than that, he's been pretty much like he was when I got here last night. I was just..."

They all turned as someone walked quickly into the infirmary. Dr. Kavanagh walked over to the group. McKay was suprised to see he looked as if he'd been up all night. He didn't think Kavanagh was the type to lose sleep because someone else was suffering.

"Dr. Beckett, you're just who I was looking for. I've completed my tests on the compound. You were right in that there seems to be a core that acts as a sort of neurotransmitter. I think it's sort of a super neurotranmitter, causing the muscles to fire extremely forcefully and irradically. That would explain what you described as..."

"Ohhhhhhhh" Sheppard groaned loudly as he flipped over on his side, clutching his abdomen and gasping for breath. Kavanagh looked down at Sheppard, noticing him for the first time. He seemed genuinely shocked at the major's appearance. He continued to watch Sheppard, mesmerized by the constant motion as the major continued to squirm into different positions, one right after the other.

Beckett had noticed him watching Sheppard with concern. "He's in constant agony. The muscle spasms and cramps are relentless, not letting him have any rest. You can see why we wanted to get him some relief."

Kavanagh nodded. "Uh, as I was saying, this would explain the problems he's having. The bad news is that all those side chains and things around the core seem to act as a buffer...almost like a shield. They keep other chemicals from affected the core. I was going to suggest that you not try giving him any medication until this is out of his system. I think the extra chains around the core will interact with other meds to protect the core, and that could cause some very harmful side effects."

Beckett and Nick looked at each other and nodded. "I think we can confirm that," said Nick. "We tried a small dose of a weak muscle relaxer last night and he ended up with atrial fibrillation."

Kavanagh nodded. "I'm still studying it, so I'll let you know if I find anything different. There are some parts of the compound that I think may be new elements. I can't identify them as yet. It's all so very exciting!" Kavanagh smiled broadly. He realized after a few seconds that no one else in the room was smiling or cared about how important that discovery could be. All these people cared about was Major Sheppard. His significance paled in comparison to the possible discovery of new elements, but none of these people could see that. He looked back down at Sheppard. "I'm sure he'll be fine once the compound is out of his system." With that, he turned and left before he said anything to get himself into trouble.

McKay snorted. "Yeah, cause you know it's just that simple," he said sarcastically.

Sheppard continued his agonizing dance throughout the day. By evening, McKay was starting to doze off in the chair periodically. Elizabeth came by when her duties as expedition leader had been fulfilled for the day. She watched McKay's head drift down until his chin touched his chest. She would probably never understand the bizarre friendship between these two, but it had produced some good results. Of course, there was the occasional disaster as well. She smiled, thinking about the easy banter that normally flew between the two. When they were fully into it, they tended to drive everyone around them crazy. She couldn't imagine trying to run this expedition or Atlantis without either one of them. Beckett walked up, interrupting her thoughts and causing Rodney to stir, as well.

"Rodney, I want you out of here and gettin' some rest tonight. You're exhausted."

McKay rubbed his face. "I'm good...I...I mean...I'm okay."

Beckett gave a small smile. "I have a little good news. New blood results show the level of our mystery compound is starting to drop. We should start seeing a reduction of symptoms soon."

"How soon?" asked McKay and Weir together.

"Hard to say since this thing is new to me. Just guessing, I'd say by morning we should see something. Now it may be a while longer before he's out of pain, but at least we're heading in the right direction."

They both breathed a sigh of relief. Elizabeth looked at a very tired Rodney McKay. "Rodney, why don't you get some sleep. I'll sit with him."

McKay started to protest, but realized that Elizabeth really wanted some time with Sheppard. "Okay. Call me if there's any change." He got up from the chair. "I have it all warmed up for you."

"Gee, thanks," she said. McKay walked tiredly out of the infirmary, heading for his quarters. Elizabeth took his place beside Sheppard. She touched his hand. "I'm here John. I'm here." Sheppard continued to move and roll with the waves of pain, occasionally moaning.

At some point, John noted the pain had changed. It was still there, rolling and dancing across his body in a totally unpredictable pattern, and yet it wasn't as sharp. He still had to move with the pain to keep from crying out, but it was becoming manageable. He'd had a brief break earlier and he thought he might have slept a little - enought to give him some strength. He'd thought maybe it was over, and then the pain had returned with a vengence. Now, as the waves seemed to decrease in intensity, he wondered if he should hope. He needed this to be over. He couldn't stand much more.

Elizabeth watched him struggling against the pain and wondered how much more he could take. It was very late and the infirmary was dark. She had dozed off a couple of times, only to be awakened by the rattling of the bed next to her. How could he still be thrashing around like that after all these hours. Surely he had to be exhausted. She leaned forward and watched his face. Did she see something? His eyes briefly opened, then closed. She put her hand on his arm. "John, can you hear me? John, I'm here. You're not alone."

His eyes flickered open again and he lay looking at her. She couldn't tell if he was seeing her or not. "John...John, can you hear me?"

"T...t...time..." he whispered hoarsely.

"It's about two a.m. Would you like an ice chip?" she asked, reaching for the cup. Without waiting for an answer, she placed a small piece of ice in his mouth. He closed his eyes, seeming to savor it.

"John, if you can hear me, I have good news. Carson says the level of the toxin in your blood is dropping. You should start getting better by tomorrow. Just hang on a little longer. It's almost over. You're going to be okay."

Sheppard could not process everything she had just said. It was simply too much. He did, however, wrap himself around the words "almost over" and cling to them for dear life.

She had no idea if he heard her or not. There was no external response. She could only hope that he understood.

She left about six a.m. and went to her office to check on Atlantis and take care of business that had to be tended to. She returned to the infirmary about mid-morning to check on John's condition. Beckett was coming out of his office as she entered the room.

"Elizabeth, I was just about to call you. Good news. I just got his latest bloodwork back and the levels have really started dropping. It seems that he's not struggling quite as hard, either. I think this will be over by this afternoon...maybe tonight. He should be able to really get some rest tonight."

Elizabeth smiled broadly for the first time in three days. "Oh, that is good news, Carson. Finally!" They began walking towards Sheppard's bed. As they approached, she noticed that, while he was still shifting and moving under the covers, it didn't seem nearly as animated. "He does seem better," she commented, the relief evident in her voice.

"Aye. His blood pressure and pulse are coming back down as well. We/ve almost made it." Beckett seemed almost as relieved as Weir.

They turned toward the door as McKay entered with Ford and Teyla close behind. Ford and Teyla had been off world the last few days, on loan to another team that needed extra manpower for a mission. Apparently, the team had returned and McKay had been filling them in on the major's predicament. "Carson, how's the major?" McKay felt his heart leap when he saw the smile on Carson and Elizabeth's faces. "Good news?"

Beckett nodded. "Just got the latest bloodwork back. The levels are dropping rapidly. We were just noticing that his vitals signs are getting back to normal and his motions don't seem as frantic. We think the pain level must be diminishing."

McKay placed his hand on John's shoulder. "The trembling is still there...almost like he's really, really cold."

"Aye. That may last a little longer. I'm sure he'll have residual effects for a few days. This isn't going to go away completely overnight. I just want the pain level down where he can get some rest and at least have a lucid moment ever now and again. And he's goin' to be very sore. He's had almost continual muscle cramps for the better part of three days. He's really goin' to be sore."

Beckett could not get rid of any of them. Knowing that the symptoms were diminishing and that Sheppard might become conscious enough to talk to, none of them could bear to leave. So they paced, played cards, talked, and lay around on the surrounding beds until mid afternoon. McKay and Weir had completely filled Ford and Teyla in on all their efforts to find the source of the poison or toxin that had plagued Sheppard. They were silently contemplating what avenues hadn't been explored when McKay suddently stood up and walked over to Sheppard. "Get Beckett," he whispered.

Ford hurried to fetch the doctor, while the others gathered around Sheppard's bed to see what had happened to get McKay's attention. It didn't take them long to figure it out. Beckett and Ford joined the team, and the all stood around in silence watching Major John Sheppard sleep quietly, his body eerily still except for a slight tremble. The worst was finally over.

Weir decided to make one more stop by the infirmary on the way to her quarters. She'd practically driven Carson mad, contacting him several times in the afternoon and evening to check on John. There were things she absolutely had to tend to and she just wanted to sit with her major. Had she really just thought that? Her major? How presumptive of her. Right now, she really didn't care. He was getting better and she couldn't be happier. It was getting late and she really hoped Carson...or Nick...whoever was there, would let her sit with him a while. She just wanted to watch him sleep. Then, maybe she could actually get some sleep.

She entered the somewhat dark room and moved quietly to his bed. If you don't ask, they can't say no. She stood at the foot of his bed and took him in. He was still hooked to the monitors and IV, but the nasal cannuli had been removed. Must be a good sign. His breathing was even and reassuring. She noticed an occasional twitch - his hand...a few minutes later, one foot...and so on. But there was no frantic rolling and thrashing. His expression was peaceful...if somewhat exhausted. She took confidence that he really was going to be okay.

She walked over to the side of the bed to sit in the chair, and noticed his eyelids moving. She held her breath, not wanting to wake him and yet yearning to see those eyes. The latter took place as he opened his eyes.

"Hey you," she said. "Are you really here?"

"I'm here," he croaked, and then coughed, trying to clear the clog in his throat.

She immediately poured some water and placed the straw to his lips. one hand gently raising his head so he could drink. He gratefully drank several sips before running out of energy. She replaced the cup on the table. "Better?"

He nodded a little. He was so tired and his whole body felt like sore, molten lead. He didn't think he could move if he had to. He felt the stray muscle twitches jumping around his body in some bizarre, unpredictable pattern. But they didn't hurt. He could breathe again and he could think about something besides dealing with the pain. "Is...is it over?"

She smiled and nodded. "It's over. Dr. Beckett said the latest bloodwork shows the compound is almost completely gone."

She couldn't miss the look of relief that crossed his face. "I...I couldn't take much more...What...What compound?"

Sheppard looked confused and she realized , he probably had no idea what had happened to him. So she told him the whole story...or at least as much as they knew. By the end, she noticed his eyelids were beginning to droop and she thought about how exhausted he must be. "You need to sleep." She stood and kissed him gently on the forehead, wondering if he would be okay with his boss kissing him like that. She needn't have worried. When she stood up and looked down at him, he was already fast asleep. "Sleep John. Just sleep." She turned and left, knowing that she would sleep tonight.

Kavanagh stopped pecking on his laptop. He had recorded everything about the experiment with Sheppard. The fact that Beckett had come to him for help had been a blessing he had not expected. Not only did he get a sample of the compound and find out about the effects, he'd been able to keep check on the major's condition without raising suspicion. Everyone assumed it was natural curiousity because of his involvement in the chemical analysis. What a stroke of luck.

Now he was having more questions. Sheppard had consciously activated the rock. He wondered if it would activate unconsciously, like if the subject was unaware it was there or was asleep. Would the rock produce cumulative effects if a person was exposed to it more that once? Would the same rock activate twice? All these questions. Of course, no one knew what was going on yet. Maybe he could get answers. He knew Sheppard had worked most of the compound out of his system and was resting comfortably. It didn't look like it had done any permanent damage and the major's life had never been in any real danger. He'd been...in pain. There was no doubt about that. But military people were trained and prepared for that. It was part of the job. Kavanagh quietly convinced himself the research was for the greater good and prepared for phase two. He would need to slip into the infirmary undetected...and he needed to do it tonight. He hoped Major Sheppard was ready for part two of his experiment.

TBC

I know. I just can't help myself. It's a sickness. I should be able to update much more quickly this time.