Chapter 33

"Oh yeah," McKay said as Ford propped up against the wall, then Rodney let himself slip down to the floor. It was hard and cold but did that really matter? It was a floor on which he could sit himself down upon.

"Just take it easy," Ford said softly, while walking over to Beckett and motioning him away from Kiki. "Better come take a look doc, he isn't looking so good." Beckett shifted to one side in order to look around Ford and spy on Rodney. He did look a wee bit pale and tired. He straightened back up and nodded to Ford. "I'll take a look son," he replied gently, softly moving him aside and kneeling down next to McKay.

"Nice of you to join us Rodney," Beckett said, getting out his small first aid kit complete with everything a travelling doctor required.

"Yes we must stop meeting like this Carson," McKay managed to mutter. Beckett smiled slightly and took out the stethoscope and warmed it up, before ordering McKay to undo his jacket in order to slip it under his shirt. "Do you remember what happened?"

"I was running behind Ford and Teyla," he said in between breaths, then looked at the wall in front of him as if trying to remember precisely what happened. "Sheppard was behind me, then he turned back and I…" McKay looked confused now and he swallowed nervously. "I don't remember if I fell or if I…if I…"

"Is there a possibility you could have blacked out?" Beckett asked seriously.

"I suppose there is, I am dying you know."

--

Ford undid the collar of his jacket and sat down next to Kiki. "Hey Kiki, you okay now?" She sat up and faced him, tucking her knees under her folded arms and nodded. Her attention was more focused on Beckett's conversation. "Don't worry," Ford continued. "We're going to be just fine. I promise."

"Don't make promises you can't keep, Lieutenant Ford." It was at this point that Teyla walked in and stood next to the entrance, Ford looked up to her in question, waiting for Sheppard to simply walk in after her and when he didn't, Ford grew concerned and stood up walking over to her.

"Where's the Major?" he asked quickly.

Teyla regarded him with a steady look. "He is making his way to the stargate in order to alert Atlantis of what is happening."

"And you let him go alone," Ford snapped back, shoving past her.

"It is his decision Lieutenant," Teyla answered and stopped him by taking a hold of him by the elbow. "He says that if he does alert the Wraith that we are to make our way back to the stargate and back to Atlantis."

"And leave him behind," Ford asked as if it were the most insane idea he had ever heard. He shook his head slowly. "No way!"

"They are his orders," Teyla said raising her voice to match his own.

"We can't just leave him."

"We cannot stay longer than is possible either," she replied. Ford looked out the entrance then back to Teyla, he hated the idea of Major Sheppard out there and having to face the Wraith on his own but then again he knew what he was doing. He gave her another glare and sat back down, weapon in hand.

--

"Relax Rodney," Beckett said gently as he continued his examination as best he could.

"I am!"

"There's no need to shout," he said softly, using his fingers to take McKay's pulse. He would have preferred doing this in the comfort of his own infirmary. It was warmer, brighter and a hell of a lot more easier than trying to treat him here. McKay closed his eyes, they felt incredibly heavy and his breathing evened out some. Beckett was grateful that McKay had decided to stop protesting. "Right Rodney I need you to…" his words trailed off as he looked up. "No I need you stay awake."

McKay was starting to get agitated once more and that caused his breathing to become erratic. "Well I just wanted to say to all of you," he managed, trying not to close his eyes but it was becoming a very touch struggle. "How pleased I am at the effort you made in trying to save me and therefore not succeeding." Beckett had to smile; McKay being sarcastic to the end was an endearing sight to say the least.

"No speaking in the past tense," he scolded.

"Why not? I'm basically screwed."

"That's not true," Beckett answered firmly, determined to save him. McKay regarded the doctor with a look; it was one of his that pleaded him not to treat him like an imbecile. He knew what was going to happen eventually, they all knew.

"Please don't patronise me Carson," McKay said quietly. Beckett looked at him and gave a small nod while reaching into his field kit, checking labels of medication. McKay watched him for a moment before his lids grew heavy that it became difficult to keep them open, his head bowed and his chin touched his chest. Beckett found what he was looking for and prepared a hypodermic needle, but as he turned to McKay his face sunk. He tentatively reached forward and checked McKay's pulse, it was there but growing extremely weak.

Teyla and Ford looked over to him, saw the state of McKay and Teyla knelt down. "Doctor?" she asked quietly looking from McKay to Beckett. He gave a small shake of his head then looked up to Ford. "We can get him back to Atlantis," Ford said quickly.

"It's no good son," Beckett said looking to McKay then back up to the eager young man. "I've done all I can."

"There must be some way we can save him," Teyla said firmly and passionately. "Something you can do to stabilise his condition?" Her eyes searched his frantically.

"How many times can I stress this?" Beckett asked with a defeated tone. "I've tried everything medically possible."

Kiki listened into the conversation, keeping her chin tucked to her knees and guessed that Doctor McKay's condition must have worsened. She had never heard such defeat in a man's voice since that of her father's. Kiki was adamant that this would not be the case for Beckett. Quietly, she stood up and stood back against the wall, making sure that she hadn't been heard then quietly crept away, further into the temple.