Chapter 9: The Cure

Beckett and Teyla left the two sleeping Sheppards to check on Lt. Ford. Beckett's smile immediately disappeared when he saw a certain young woman sleeping in the chair beside the fallen soldier's bed, instead of her own bed. Grumbling about how stubborn the woman was he checked Ford's vitals. When he finished he saw Teyla smiling. "What?"

"There really is a connection between those two"

Beckett watched Kristy sleep and then looked at Ford. "Kristy and Ford?"

"Yes"

"Thank God someone else sees it too. When did you notice?"

"When Kristy escaped from the infirmary. I found Lt. Ford carrying her back and he was clearly upset about her condition, more upset than he would be if it were anyone else"

Beckett smiled. "Aye, when he brought her into the infirmary, he looked a mess"

"Speaking of the Lt. Ford, how is he?"

"His fever is high but stable. He's also beginnin' to have seizures"

"So he is getting worse"

"Aye and I don't know what to do" he sighed, running his hand through his hair.

"You will find a cure Dr. Beckett, we all have faith" she assured him as she placed a hand on his shoulder. He turned towards her and gave a hint of a smile resting his hand on top of hers. She returned the smile and left the doctor to his work.

Beckett looked down at Lt. Ford and whispered "Hang on, son. Just a wee bit longer" He then left to work, not noticing that he was being overheard.

Kristy opened her eyes and rubbed her face wiping away fresh tears. She was beyond shock that Beckett couldn't find a cure. He always was able to save the day when it came to medicine. He was the best doctor in the entire Pegasus galaxy for crying out loud. Needing to clear her head she grabbed her crutches and left to clean up and get some fresh air.

On the way to her quarters, Kristy decided to see how Brian and Rodney were progressing on their research. When she was within earshot of McKay's lab she could already hear that the research was not going well. She opened the door to see Brian and Rodney arguing, not a big surprise.

"I'm telling you, your calculations are wrong!" shouted Brian.

"What are you talking about? You're only seventeen!" retorted Rodney.

They both heard the whoosh of the door and looked up to see Kristy standing at the doorway, looking very tired. She walked up to the opposite side of the table.

"I'm guessing finding a way home isn't as easy as predicted" she said.

Brian rolled his eyes at Rodney. "Well if Dr. Miscalculations would at least listen to me, then we would be fairing a lot better. But nnoooo, I know nothing because I'm a mere teenager"

"Will you quit being so melodramatic?" snapped Rodney.

"No!"

Kristy pinched the bridge of her nose attempting to drown out the bickering, but soon it became over powering. "Knock it off" she said in a soft but clipped tone. Both men stopped and looked at her. She came over to Rodney's laptop and started scrolling through the calculations.

"What is she….?" Rodney started, but Brian raised a finger, motioning him to be silent. He then watched Kristy.

"He's right, McKay" she said standing back up looking at them.

Brian and Rodney pointed to each other and said in unison. "Which one?"

Kristy suppressed a smile. "Brian" she answered. "The mistake is right here" she said pointing to the monitor.

Rodney looked down and sighed when he saw it. "You're right" he said. "I guess I've been a little preoccupied"

Kristy placed her hand on his shoulder, comforting the physicist "We all have been" Rodney gave her a hint of a smile and then she left the lab wanting more than ever to be left alone.

After awhile of typing, Brian decided to break the silence. "How is Lt. Ford doing?"

Rodney sighed and rubbed his eyes. "Not well. Carson said that his fever is still high and he's having seizures"

"Crap" mumbled Brian. "How did this happen?"

"You don't know?"

Brian shook his head as he scrolled through information on his laptop.

"Ford was on planet P4X-792 during a pick up of our first shipment of food. He was attacked, if that's what you want to call it, by a large plant. Beckett's trying to find an antitoxin for the plant, but it seems that it's becoming impossible"

Brian stood up abruptly from his laptop, startling Rodney. His eyes were wide as he slowly turned to face him. "D…did you say P4X-792?"

Rodney was surprised at the boy's reaction, "Y…yes, why?"

Brian was already running to the door. "I know where to get the antitoxin"

"What! Where?"

"Just tell Uncle Carson that I'll be there with the antitoxin in a few minutes" Brian yelled over his shoulder as he ran down the corridor.

Alex was walking down the corridors on his way to his and Kristy's quarters. "Do you want to watch a movie?" he asked the person behind him.

Sheppard had his hands in his pockets, smiling at the young boy. "Well since I don't go back on duty until tomorrow, I wouldn't mind watching one or two with you"

"How about three?"

Sheppard could tell there was something up this kid's sleeve. "What do you have in mind?"

Alex looked down sheepishly. "When we had to pack to go to the Alpha site, I brought some things I wasn't supposed too"

"Like some movies?"

"Yes. They're in mine and Kristy's room" he said as they approached the room. Alex reached up and waved his hand over the sensor, opening the door. He ran in and rolled over his bed to the other side, where his field back was located. He then rummaged through the pack pulling out some clothes and throwing them on the bed. "Ah ha" he said triumphantly. He stood up holding a battered blue box and handed it to Sheppard.

Sheppard hoped the movies weren't Disney or he would have to gouge his eyes out if he had to sit through three of them. He looked down at the cover cringing at the thought. Then he read the silver lettering. He let out the breath he was holding and almost laughed at the title 'Back to the Future'. He then saw the big grin on Alex's face. "You like these movies?" he asked.

"They're my favourite. My dad and I used to watch them all the time" he said, his grin beginning to disappear when he mentioned his father.

Sheppard saw the frown forming on the young boy's face. "Well if we're going to watch all of these then we better get started" Alex didn't even flinch. Kneeling down, he tilted the boy's chin until he looked in his eyes. "Hey cheer up kiddo. We can sneak into the mess hall and steal the last of the popcorn, how about that?"

Alex gave him a smile. "Sure"

"That's a trooper" smiled Sheppard. He stood up holding out his hand and Alex held it as they both left the quarters, smiling.

Kristy closed her eyes as a gentle breeze brushed along her face. She opened her eyes letting them scan the immense city from the balcony. She sighed and at that moment she'd never felt more alone in her entire life. Why does it seem that whoever she gets close too leaves? She lost her mother and her father and now Ford. What's next…her brother? She slammed her fist against the balcony railing, wanting so hard to scream out her frustration, but she needed to keep her emotions in check. She couldn't lose it now, especially when the other children were looking to her for answers. Instead she just stared at the ocean, burying her feelings as deep as the blue abyss below the city. She heard the doors behind her open and continued to stare at the open sea, wishing the person to go away.

"Kristy…" said Brian as he tried to catch his breath from running through the city looking for his commanding officer. "I've been looking for you everywhere"

"Why?" she said in a flat tone.

"It's about Lt. Ford" he panted.

She spun around to look at him in the eyes, showing the panic in hers. "What about him?"

"I know how to cure him. I just…."

Kristy interrupted. "Then why are you talking to me? Go tell Carson!"

"Will you shut up for a moment so I can talk!" he retorted. Kristy clamped her mouth shut. "You're the cure" he said getting right to the point.

Kristy arched her eyebrows. "Huh?"

"Will you just come with me to the infirmary? Ford doesn't have much time!" he yelled and grabbed her crutches, shoving them in her hands.

When they reached the infirmary, it was a blur of medical staff rushing over to Ford's bedside. "We need to intubate!" yelled Beckett over the wailing monitors.

"Kristy, we need some of your blood" ordered Brian. "I need to get my laptop while you do that" he added and rushed out of the infirmary.

Kristy hurried over to one of the medical cabinets and grabbed everything she needed to take blood. After placing it all on a tray, she threw her crutches to the side and took off her uniform jacket. She quickly tied a tourniquet around her arm and swabbed the crook of her elbow with an alcohol patch, quietly thanking Carson for drilling all of this into her head when she was younger. When she finished drawing several vials of blood, Brian entered and pointed over to where Beckett kept all of his medical equipment.

Brian placed his laptop on the table and began scrolling through files until he found the correct one. "Here it is"

"Will you please explain to me what's going on and why do you need my blood?" she said placing her hands on her hips.

"Just help me and I'll explain everything later" he said.

Kristy nodded. "What do you want me to do?"

Carson ran a hand through his hair and sighed after stabilizing Ford. He walked into the waiting room and saw Teyla, McKay, Sheppard and Weir sitting in the chairs. Surprisingly they were accompanied by all of the children, except Brian and Kristy which was odd. Carson smiled at how Ford was able to befriend the children so quickly. When everyone saw his approach they stood up from their chairs.

"Is Lt. Ford okay?" asked Kira, beating everyone to the question.

Carson smiled. "Aye, luv. He is."

"Can we see him?" asked David.

"He's restin' right now, son. So you'll have to be really quiet." He answered. "Kira, why don't you take the children in while I talk to the others?"

Kira nodded and led them into the infirmary. Knowing her father, all wasn't well with Ford and he needed to tell the adults what's really going on.

Carson watched the children leave until they were out of earshot. He then turned back to the others feeling the tension in the air.

"How is he, doc?" asked Sheppard.

Carson sighed, always hating to have to report bad news. "He stopped breathin' and is now on a ventilator and…he's in a coma"

Everyone paled at the information. "How long does he have?" asked Weir.

"Days"

Kristy overheard the conversation as she kept a lookout for any unwanted nurses while Brian did the finishing touches on the antitoxin. "Did you hear that Brian?" she whispered in panic. "He only has days"

"He's wrong. Ford doesn't even have that long"

"How long?"

Brian looked at her straight in the eye "Hours" They stood in silence for awhile until it was broken by Brian walking up beside Kristy. "It's ready" he stated.

"Are you sure you did it right?"

"I helped Uncle Carson when he made it for you and I also have the notes on it" He saw her quizzical look. "I'll tell you later" He led the way to Ford's bed and saw all of the children sitting by him.

"Brian!" said Sam. She jumped off the chair and gave him a big hug.

"Hey Sam, have you been behaving?"

She rolled her eyes. "Yes, Brian"

He smiled at his sister. "Good"

Kristy turned to Kira. "Kira, take the children to the recreation room"

"But we want to stay with Lt. Ford" whined David.

"I know David…" said Kristy. "…but Brian and I have to give him some medicine to make him better and we have to hurry"

David sulked. "Ooookkkaaaayyy" Then the children left.

Kristy's and Brian's smiles disappeared and they looked at each other. Kristy ordered "Do it" Brian nodded and inserted a syringe full of a clear liquid into Ford's IV. He emptied the syringe and stood back, waiting.

"How long will it take to get in his system?" she asked.

"Just wait" were the only words that left Brian's mouth when Ford's body began to convulse. They both rushed over to him to hold him down.

Kristy looked at Brian, fear reflecting in her eyes. "Is this supposed to happen?"

He flashed her a quick smile. "Do you trust me?"

Kristy never got a chance to answer, because Ford's body suddenly went limp and the heart monitor began to wail. "Brian!" she yelled.

"Start chest compressions" he ordered as he unhooked to ventilator from Ford and attached an oxygen bag to begin pumping his lungs. "Don't worry this happened with you when we gave you the antitoxin"

"I don't need to know these things" she snapped as she pushed down on Ford's chest.

Suddenly Beckett entered with a few nurses. The other adults ran in and stopped when they saw the scene before them. "What are you doin'?" Beckett ordered.

"Saving his life! What the hell do you think we're doing?" retorted Brian. A nurse came beside him and took over his job. She saw the syringe still in Ford's IV.

"Dr. Beckett!" she yelled and pointed to the syringe.

Beckett looked up from the monitors and his face turned red. "What the bloody hell did you put in him!"

"The only thing that'll save his life!" yelled Kristy this time.

"Get a crash cart!" shouted Carson and one of the nurses left.

"NO!" screamed Brian. "You'll kill him!"

"Get these two out of my infirmary!" he yelled pointing to Brian and Kristy.

Rodney went towards Brian putting a hand on his arm. Brian shrugged it off. "You don't understand Carson. If you shock his heart you'll kill him, just like Kristy's teammates. Do you want his death on your conscience?"

Beckett hesitated for a moment and then began to charge the paddles. "Charging to 300. Clear" he said, but Kristy didn't budge. She just continued the chest compressions. "Get her out of here, so I can save his life"

She looked up at Brian for support and he slowly nodded. "Keep going Kristy. If you stop now, Aiden's dead"

Determination flashed across her soft features and she continued, ignoring everything else around her. She then felt two sets of hands around her upper arms and she fought against the pulling. "No, just let me help" she protested, her voice beginning to sound tired. She broke their hold for a few moments and continued. Then they returned pulling her more forcefully. She struggled against them, but she was just too tired from the exertion. "Please…" she begged, her eyes never leaving Ford.

Beckett placed the paddles on Ford's chest. "Clear"

"NO!" yelled Brian and Kristy in union.

"Wait!" said a nurse.

Beckett looked up to see that Ford's heart was beating and he was breathing on his own. "Remove the tube and get him on oxygen" he ordered as he placed the paddles back on the cart and checking his vitals. Both Brian and Kristy relaxed and finally realized who was pulling them away from Ford.

McKay and Weir held onto Brian as his legs buckled and eased him to the floor. He placed his head between his knees trying to get rid of the sudden wave of dizziness that overwhelmed him as Elizabeth rubbed small circles on his back. McKay placed his hand on Brian's shoulder.

Kristy felt Teyla's and Sheppard's grips ease on her arms and she leaned her head back against Sheppard's shoulder. Closing her eyes, she whispered a quiet 'thank you' to the powers-that-be. She then straightened up and sat in the chair beside Ford's bed continuing her vigil.

(TBC)

A/N: Hey all! Finally updated again! WhooHoo! I'll try to be faster on the updates. So please R&R. They really help keep me going! TTFN, I hope to have the next chapter posted by next week 