(hee hee. Thanks for the reviews everyone! You so make my day! So glad the site appears to be healthy again. Oh, and a warning...I got some more twists to wind before this is done...)

THE ELEDGIAS

CHAPTER EIGHT: WHAT JUST HAPPENED THERE?

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Teyla looked at them all, her expression completely depressed. Sheppard grimaced, knowing she probably felt horrible right now, especially with everything she was already dealing with from her own people, and sighed as he turned to her.

"Teyla…" he started, but she shook her head.

"It's all right," she said, her voice soft. "He is hurt and confused. I accept that. I am fine. If…," she sighed a little, "if you will excuse me." And she ducked her head in farewell to the group, then turned, walking out of the infirmary with a dejected step.

"Great," Sheppard muttered. "Nothing like being accused of lying to complete an otherwise successful mission."

Next to him, Ronon shook his head. "She prides herself on her fidelity. I'll go speak with her." And he sidled back around Sheppard and Elizabeth, quickly heading out the door to chase after his friend.

Sheppard followed Ronon's progress out the door with his eyes, and part of him wondered at how easily the man had fallen into the pattern of a close friend, despite the forced solitude over his last seven years. He and Teyla had gelled together seamlessly as friends, despite their seeming differences. Where Teyla was calm and diplomatic, Ronon was violent and rude. And yet, somehow, they complemented each other perfectly. Sort of like him and…

Sheppard returned his gaze to Rodney. There was still a hint of tension in the features despite the enforced sleep, as if the scientist knew something wasn't right with his world. Sheppard's jaw tensed.

"Okay," Elizabeth said, still on Sheppard's right, "What exactly just happened there?" She, too, was looking down at Rodney. "Is he all right?"

The physician shrugged, eyes examining the monitors around Rodney's bed as if for answers. "I can't rightly say, Elizabeth. Most likely, he's mixing up memories because of the knock he took. A memory of someone being scooped up by a Wraith dart, or Asgard beaming technology, or…anything." Carson frowned, "Frankly, what really bothers me is how agitated he got. That seemed extreme, even for him."

"He normally yells more than he acts," Elizabeth agreed, stepping forward and resting a hand on Rodney's almost unconsciously. "Whatever that was, it felt…"

"Wrong," Sheppard supplied. Weir gave him a single nod.

"Which brings us back to 'what just happened there?'" Carson said, looking up at them both.

"Maybe something in that temple messed with his head a little?" The colonel suggested. "Teyla did say she thought something activated that caused it to collapse—perhaps whatever it was…did something to him." Even as he said the words, Sheppard frowned at the thought, disliking the notion. Rodney had said it was built before the war with the Wraith, so that would mean the Ancients had designed something purposefully harmful even before they were attacked. It seemed wrong. One thing he'd learned is that the Ancients were, for lack of a better term, pacifists.

"Well, I don't know what to tell you," Beckett shrugged. "It could be any number of factors. He does tend to get uppity when he feels one of you," and here he looked at Sheppard, "are in danger or hurt. He hates things to be out of his control. Between his confusion and the pain, and his concern for Teyla, however incorrect, it is not inconceivable that he would act as he did, but…I do not like that he seemed so adamant." He sighed, resting a hand on the sweating forehead, eyeing the stitched wound, then looked at the two of them squarely. "He probably just needs rest."

"Nevertheless," Elizabeth said, "perhaps it's best if Kate is here when he wakes up."

Beckett's eyes narrowed slightly, but, when she gave him a look, he sighed and nodded in acquiescence.

"No, now, wait," Sheppard said, raising up his good hand. "I don't think that's such a good idea. He'll think we think he's crazy."

Beckett and Weir just looked at him. Sheppard rolled his eyes slightly, and shook his head.

"Come on," he tried again, "You know what I mean. Let's not start putting the cart before the horse and let me talk to him a little first, okay? I'm sure we can work out whatever synapses have gone wonky in his head. If it doesn't work," he shrugged, "then you can bring in Heightmeyer. Okay?" His eyebrows lifted, wanting them to agree, the smile on his face in full charm mode. Very few could deny him when he was like this, and he saw both Elizabeth and Beckett waver. Finally, Elizabeth sighed.

"I suppose it couldn't hurt. Carson?" she looked to the physician for confirmation. Beckett nodded at her.

"Aye, works for me." Beckett actually smiled, which led the colonel to believe Beckett hadn't really liked the idea in the first place. Probably because he, like Sheppard, knew Rodney's opinion of Heightmeyer's skills. Since the "Cadman" incident, Rodney avoided the beautiful blond psychiatrist like the plague.

"That's settled, then." Sheppard turned, looking for his chair. When he found it, he sat down and dragged the small tray table on which the cards he'd been using were resting. Weir gave him a tiny smile, accepting this rather innocent seeming dismissal, and then looked to Carson.

"You'll let me know," she said.

"I will," Beckett replied. Elizabeth smiled again at John, then turned and left the infirmary. The physician then looked to Sheppard.

"You know, he'll be out for a while. You don't have to stay."

"I'm good," John replied, trying to figure out how to shuffle one handed. He didn't look up at Beckett.

Carson just nodded, and smiled. He'd expected as much, and clearly welcomed it. With a small sigh, patted Rodney's shoulder once more before taking his leave. Sheppard watched him go, then returned to his cards.

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Ronon saw Teyla ahead of him, her head down, walking at a brisk clip away from him.

"Hey!" he called, brushing past the small people in blue and white shirts that always seemed to be underfoot. "Teyla!"

She stopped moving, and he thought he saw her shoulders slump a little more. He skidded up behind her, cleared his throat and, when she turned, he attempted a smile.

She looked a little taken aback by the expression.

Okay, smiling was not his strong suit.

"Hey," he said again. "Sorry, I—"

"I told you I was fine," she stated firmly, lifting her chin.

"Yeah," he shrugged, "sure, but—"

"I was not lying, Ronon. I really am fine. I understand that Doctor McKay is a little out of sorts. We all are. What happened was frightening. Now, if you will excuse me..." and she turned around again.

"Ho," he called, grabbing her arm, "wait. I didn't even—"

"You are concerned for me. I appreciate that. But there is nothing to be concerned about." She didn't even turn around. She simply glanced at him over her shoulder and pulled her arm free. "Now, I wish to be alone. If you would please respect that?"

"But I just—"

"Ronon," she turned, arched an eyebrow at him, "I am fine."

And, oddly, she did look fine. He frowned, honestly confused. Finally, he just nodded.

"Okay," he said. She gave him a head tilt nod, then she was off and walking again.

He blinked for a few moments, his frown deepening.

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TBC...hmmm. In the words of Bounty Hunter Early, does that seem right to you? LOL!