Chapter Twenty Seven

There was a silence throughout the room, once again things kept moving into a new perspective. Sheppard hadn't even given any thought that Kiki had found the weapon while rummaging through her new surroundings. "You're positive that you got it from the temple?"

Kiki pulled away from Beckett slightly, slipped her legs down and off her mattress and stood up. "I am sure Major Sheppard. I was frightened and had no means to defend myself, when I entered the large structure I felt around and clasped my hand around something cool and metal. I slipped my finger over the end and it was distinctly sharp."

"You cut yourself with it?" Beckett asked concerned, taking a hold and his wrist, turning her hands over to look for any marks.

"She had the shield remember," Sheppard replied looking to Beckett then back to Kiki. "Would you be able to give us some idea where?"

--

"You want to take Kiki back to the planet?" Weir asked as though it was the craziest idea she had ever heard in her entire life. Sheppard shifted from one foot to the other and glanced to Teyla and Ford, before offering a slow nod.

"She can help lead us to where she found the weapon," Teyla answered firmly.

"And what good will that do?" Weir asked.

"Perhaps we can find some sort of antidote, whoever created it must've developed some sort of cure." Sheppard folded his arms. "It's the only logical explanation."

"This isn't an episode of Star Trek, Major!"

"Oh gee it isn't," Sheppard asked, then unfolded his arms and clicked his fingers. "Damn." Weir was clearly not amused; he saw this and folded his arms straight away. "It stands to reason, it's worth checking out."

"Kiki is innocent in all this Doctor Weir," Teyla continued as soon as Sheppard stopped talking. "Let her prove her innocence by helping us find a means to save Doctor McKay." Weir glanced down at the desk, unsure of what to make of this request but she was nothing but diplomatic as she looked up to them each in turn.

"I'll think about it."

--

Slowly, Kiki walked ahead of Beckett and sat down next to McKay as she had requested. He put a hand on her shoulder, giving it a reassuring squeeze to let her know that if she needed him, he was there. "Are you sure you want to be here? It's been a long…"

"I am certain," Kiki replied softly and turned to him, wrapping her arms around his waist and hugging him tightly. Beckett looked down at her and smiled, he could get used to this father business. Finally, she released her intense hold on him and turned back to McKay. A soft beeping and hum of various machines. He watched her a moment before he stepped back, intending to give her some sort of privacy.

"Kiki, it's fantastic what you did for Major Sheppard, telling him all the information you knew about the weapon."

"All I told him was the truth," Kiki answered turning to face him slightly with a smile. "My family believes…" she instantly caught herself. "Believed in complete honesty. There was no reason to lie."

"Just so you know I never…"

"Doubted me." Kiki turned round fully. "I know you didn't." Beckett couldn't prevent another smile for the young girl then put on his lab coat.

"If you do need anything, I'll be right here. Just yell okay?" Kiki nodded as she turned to McKay. "Good."

There was still a terrible feeling at the pit of Kiki's stomach, even though the weapon hadn't been her own she had still brought this infliction upon Doctor McKay. Her own father would have been embarrassed by this act and would have automatically disowned her but Doctor Beckett was completely different. He had a heart of courage and his soul profession was to treat the sick and the injured. To save lives and that gave Kiki tremendous pride to be associated with him and his people. Lifting up her hand out of the comfort of her lap, she searched and placed it on McKay's arm. "I truly am sorry for what has happened to you Doctor McKay," she whispered softly, then took a breath. "If there were anything I could do to reverse this terrible process I would surely try."

The monitor did something peculiar, Kiki's hearing picked up an increased beeping sound and she immediately withdrew her hand and pushed her chair back. Beckett heard the instruments and looked up, "Something wrong?"

Kiki stood back and held up her hands. "I did not touch anything, honest." Beckett could see that and leaned over the monitor to check out his patients' vital signs, which were, to his surprise improving slightly, and McKay seemed to be coming around.

Unaware of it, he held his breath until McKay opened one eye, followed by the other. He grimaced slightly and smacked his lips together as if coming out of a deep sleep then realised where he was as he stared up at Beckett.

"Rodney?"

"You're not Samantha Carter," McKay replied still unable to determine fact from fiction and looked round without moving his head. "Where am I?"

"The infirmary."

"What the devil am I doing here?" McKay asked as he attempted to sit up to which Beckett placed a hand on his shoulder.

"I'll explain everything in due time," Beckett answered with a soft smile.

--

"What's there to think about?" Sheppard was in the middle of asking they went to the damn planet and got whatever they could find. It was plain and simple, at least to him.

"Beckett to Doctor Weir."

Weir held up her finger to prevent Sheppard, Teyla or Ford from saying anything further on the matter then tapped her headset. "Yes Carson?"

"I've some good news, Rodney's awake."

She felt a smile tug at her lips glanced up to see the reaction of everyone else. Weir secretly wandered if her own expression looked as relieved as their own. "That's great."

"There's also some bad news," Beckett answered not so brightly. "It's still effecting his immune system severely and it's only a matter of time before he collapses again. I fear that another episode may send him into a coma." This was not acceptable and she filled him in on Sheppard's plan about going to find an antidote or some sorts.

"Aye, I think that may be a grand idea. We don't know how much time Rodney may have." Weir narrowed her eyes then looked to Sheppard.

"You have a go, Major."