THE ELEDGIAS
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE: OKAY...MAYBE A LITTLE HEAVY (this is for NotTasha)
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Okay. He'd lied. McKay was heavy. Controlling that android had done a serious number on the man, and, combined with his earlier head wound…well, Rodney was losing his ability to stay upright, even with help, just as Teyla had.
At some point, McKay sagged so much, Sheppard finally had to call Lorne and Ronon back, because he was unable to keep him up on his own—besides which, he was hurting himself. Taking the pack from the major, Sheppard watched as Lorne and Ronon got McKay propped up between them, the scientist's arms over their shoulders, and proceeded to half carry him out.
Sheppard grimaced, feeling light-headed and drowsy himself. His arm was killing him and he knew he'd have more bruises than he knew what to do with when they got out.
If they got out.
The walls seemed deader and colder now as they wound their way out of the eledgias, the feeling badly exacerbated by the complete lack of light. Three sets of flashlights pointed at the walls barely made a dent. And the damage caused by the earthquake was extreme—forcing them to take several detours and to do some scrambling that neither McKay nor Sheppard were really up to. And the farther they got from the central rooms, which clearly had been the most protected, the worse it got—and Sheppard's worry about whether the entrance would still be unblocked grew.
The wound around boulders, picked their way over chunks of masonry, and slid between toppled pieces of metal. It was worse than an obstacle course, because you couldn't be sure you would reach the end.
When they finally saw the square light of the entrance in the distance, the starlight shedding a soft, gray light down the steps, all three men sighed heavily in relief. McKay probably would have too, but his head was down. Sheppard wondered if he was still conscious—Lorne and Ronon were pretty much dragging him now.
Lorne tried his radio, hoping they were close enough for the signal to carry up out of here.
"This is Major Lorne. Anyone copy?"
"Sir?" It sounded like Sergeant Sanchez. "Oh thank God. Are you all right, sir? Is the colonel and—"
"Sergeant," Lorne interrupted quietly, his voice in deference to his surroundings, "We're fine. I have the colonel, Ronon Dex and Doctor McKay with me, and we're all alive, but Colonel Sheppard is badly hurt and Doctor McKay is very ill. Is Doctor Beckett still up there with you?"
There was a momentary stunned silence, then, quietly, Corporal Johnson's voice interrupted to ask, "He's alive?"
Lorne smiled, knowing that Johnson had an odd affection for Doctor McKay. He wasn't sure why, but Johnson was one of the few marines who didn't complain when saddled with McKay on a mission.
"Yes, corporal. Doctor McKay is alive, but, as I said, not well. Is Doctor Beckett still there with you or has he returned to Atlantis?"
"He's still here."
"Could you let him know what's happening?"
"I…Yes, sir. Of course. That's wonderful news, sir. Are you…far?"
"No. We can see the entrance. We'll be there in a minute."
A moment later, Beckett's joyful, almost hysterical laughter clearly echoed from above. Sheppard glanced at McKay, a smile on his face, but with his head down, he couldn't tell if McKay had heard.
When he looked up, he saw Beckett skipping down the steps with what looked like Corporal Recillos on his heels, the young woman obviously trying to stop the doctor. But Carson was oblivious and grinning, shining his light at them and half tripping, half running in his haste to get to them.
A moment later, he was by their side, displacing Lorne on Rodney's right side and getting his arms under his friend. He started up a litany of questions and statements, none of which Rodney answered. McKay was just too concerned with keeping one foot in front of the other, though Sheppard thought he heard a mumbled "Hey, Carson." But Beckett didn't notice, or, more likely, didn't care that his friend wasn't at full awareness, just too happy to see him alive. Shining eyes glanced to Sheppard, the smile in them evident.
When they reached the steps, and started to ascend, Teyla was there, standing at the top, waiting for them. She had obviously woken again, and the tension in her face over her worry for them was not hidden. Halling was by her side, helping her, almost holding her up. The woman's entire face lit up with a relieved smile when Rodney finally came into view, blinking up at them as the light of several flashlights lit his frame. At her obvious joy at seeing him alive, the scientist couldn't stop himself from smiling back.
Slowly, Ronon and Beckett got Rodney up the stairs, practically carrying him. Without a word, Lorne had moved so that Sheppard could put his right hand on his shoulder, so he could use the major as a crutch to get up the stairs. He gave him a silent nod in thanks.
The moment Rodney reached the top, Teyla wrapped her arms around him, and the two men let McKay go so he could hug her back, almost enveloping her.
Then she grunted a little, forced back a step to brace herself, because McKay had finally fallen completely unconscious.
"Help?" she asked softly, looking over his shoulder at the others.
The marines, Beckett and Sheppard laughed as Ronon reached in, pulled McKay back, then twisted the unconscious man around to sling over his shoulder. Teyla staggered then looked to Sheppard. Stepping over to him, she reached up to place her hand on his good shoulder and lowered her head. He did the same, and the two touched foreheads.
"Thank you," she whispered.
"You're welcome," he whispered back.
She stepped back, smiled broadly at him and Ronon...then swayed badly. Beckett was instantly there, his arms under Teyla's as she lost her fight to stay upright. He didn't notice that he'd completely blocked Halling from doing the same. And, in fact, the taller Athosian backed off a little, aware that he had been forgotten and suddenly feeling out of place in this small gathering.
After making sure she was okay, Beckett asked the colonel if he felt strong enough to walk back to Rodney's jumper, which was less than a mile out. At Sheppard's nod, he smiled, then glanced over to Corporal Johnson, who was being supported by Miller, and the still unconscious Sergeant Greene, who was lying on the ground next to a kneeling Sergeant Sanchez, the older man taking care of him. A couple of other marines stood around nervously, waiting for orders. They made a motley crew.
Sheppard sighed and nodded. "Okay, folks," he stated softly. "That's enough. Let's go home."
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TBC...you can blame NT for this little interlude. She wanted to see the reunion. And, thus, you can blame her for the fact that I still have three chapters to go—i.e. 24, instead of 22. Okay, not really, but I like to blame her for things. Anyway, tomorrow it will all be explained.