Author's Note: Still not mine, more's the pity... (pouts) Since you all asked so sweetly, here's the next chapter. Enjoy!
Dr. Zelenka strode into the infirmary with his laptop tucked under his arm. One of the nurses noticed his entrance and smiled.
"Dr. Zelenka," she greeted him warmly. "Here to visit with Jessica?"
"Ano. Is she able to see me now?"
"Of course," the nurse gestured for him to follow her. "She's been asking if there was anything else she could help you and the others with." They walked through the main infirmary and into the small hallway that contained the isolation and specialized care rooms. She nodded at the two guards standing on either side of the door before activating the opening mechanism and knocking gently on the frame. "Jessica, you have a visitor."
Jessica looked up from the notebook she'd been writing in, and a pleased expression washed over her face. "Dr. Zelenka," she nodded, and waved him over to the third chair in the room… the other two occupied by her and her broken leg and placed by the light panel pretending to be a decorative window.
"How are you feeling today?" Radek inquired politely. He'd taken a bit of a shine to the quiet, yet sad woman in the brief times he'd spent with her. While they didn't discuss much other than their work, he'd found himself enjoying her company. She was pleasant and soothing in counterpoint to Rodney's constant abrasive mood lately. Not to mention she knew how to speak Radek's mother tongue.
"Horrifically bored," she smiled back as the nurse waved and left them to their visit. "Sucks having nothing to do."
Radek chuckled as he sat down beside her. "Then you will appreciate my present," he replied.
"Not the laptop?"
He shook his head. "No, no, but I do have a problem." At the inquisitive tilting of her head, he explained. "You have no doubt seen how vast Ancient database is, yes?"
"Enough to know it'll take years to sift through it all," she nodded.
"We may not have that much time," Radek returned sadly. "We might have to evacuate Atlantis if we can not keep Wraith away."
Jessica's chestnut eyes widened slightly. "Not enough power for this shield?" she asked softly.
"No. We have not found ZPM," he agreed. "So now Dr. Weir and I must come up with way to back up Ancient database and then destroy it in case worse comes to worse…"
"And the Wraith take over the city," Jessica sighed. "From what I could see of Rodney's compression program, there's nothing I can do to strengthen it. It's as powerful as it can be with the equipment we have."
"I was afraid you would say that," Radek frowned. "My initial calculations say we will only be able to save about 8 of the entire database. Maybe nine."
"Ouch," Jessica winced. "What can I do to help then?"
"If Wraith gain control of city, and we are forced to abandon Atlantis, then we must wipe out Ancient database."
"You want a virus?" the Cheyenne asked thoughtfully. Already Radek could see her running calculations in her mind.
"I would most appreciate any suggestions you might have," he replied. "There is so much to do, and I could use the help."
Jessica's eyes refocused on the Czech, and she switched to his mother tongue. "Ze se ti chce depozitum mne s tato?"
"Já domnívat se tebe ar hoden ze depozitum." He seemed to surprise her with his sincerity.
Jessica's gaze dropped to her lap, where her free hand picked at the cast on her left arm. "I am… honored."
Radek reached over and gently tilted her head up so he could meet her gaze. "It is I who should be thanking you for your assistance, má druh. You have done so much for us already."
Jessica blinked away extra moisture in her eyes. "You haven't told them yet, have you?"
"No. I figure, let them think I am as smart as McKay for awhile, yes?" he chuckled.
Jessica's face lit up with a genuine smile. "You are," she replied softly. "But even geniuses need help sometimes."
Radek sighed, and began to type on his laptop. "True enough. Now, I have a few thoughts on what would work best…" he shifted back into work mode, and the two began to plan the destruction of Atlantis.
Radek left not much later, promising to return again in the evening with a snack and some more companionship. Jessica continued working throughout the day, not noticing the regular checks the nurses and the doctor-on-duty made as she typed away on her borrowed laptop.
It felt wonderful to feel needed and useful. She'd almost forgotten what it was like to be a part of a group of people working towards the same goal… even if it was survival.
She was listening to Nurse Madeline's iPod and subconsciously singing along with the music, rapidly typing out code on the laptop, when she sensed people rushing into the main infirmary. Jessica cocked her head to one side and extended her mind towards the group of medical personnel. She touched Nurse Saito, and picked up that one of the Sergeants had been seriously injured, and was unconscious.
Jessica quickly withdrew into herself, saved the work she'd just finished, and pushed the computer on to the side table beside her bed. Somehow she needed to get her hand gear back into her possession. Things were only going to get worse in Atlantis, and she wanted to be prepared to help out when…
'When the Wraith arrive,' she thought forlornly. The last thing she was going to do was sit in this blasted room and wait when she could make herself much more useful in defending the infirmary, at the very least.
oOo
A few hours later, Jessica was taking a break and meditating when she felt Dr. Beckett approaching her room. She frowned… he felt… off. Disturbed. And deeply worried.
She raised her head and watched the doctor enter her room. "Are you all right, Dr.?" she asked.
Carson blinked at the young woman. "Now why would ye be asking me that, lass?"
Her eyes crinkled at the corners. "You're very worried about something."
"Ah, ye picked up on that, did ye?" he sighed, and came over to check the Cheyenne's shoulder. The staff wound had almost completely healed, but he wanted to make sure that the skin wouldn't scar much. Then there was her collarbone. It was bloody difficult to break that particular bone, and when one did, it took forever to heal properly.
"Is there something I can do to help?" She winced when he gently probed the area under the collar of her T-shirt. "Ow."
Carson smiled sympathetically. "I know it smarts, but I need to make sure it's healing properly. I dinna like how much yuir moving yuir arm these past few days."
"I've kept it in the immobilizer," she protested.
"True, true, and I wish all of my patients were as cooperative as ye are," Carson replied with a smile. "But dinna think I haven't seen ye tryin' to type with that hand."
"It's faster," she winced again as Carson finished manipulating the muscle around her shoulder. "Supremely frustrating to write code at half speed."
"What exactly are ye workin' on anyway?" Carson tilted his head questioningly as he moved his attention to the cast on Jessica's leg.
"That would be program for me," Radek replied from the doorway. "Oops." He grimaced in apology as Carson regarding what he was carrying – a plate of cookies.
The C.M.O. merely raised an eyebrow with a small smirk. "I see the cooking staff's been holdin' out on the flour," he remarked in a mild tone.
Jessica's eyes widened. "Is that oatmeal?" she asked in wonder. "Those… are my favorite. How did you know?"
Radek grinned. "Little birdy," he replied as he crossed the room and offered the plate to Carson. "Only fair to share now that you know."
Carson took one with a nod of thanks. "Must say I'm partial to these myself. I thought there weren't enough of the old supplies to make cookies." He eyed Radek questioningly.
The scientist grinned. "I have my ways," he replied.
Jessica chuckled softly. "In other words, he sweet talked the one cook out of her secret stash."
Radek blinked in surprise. "I think I'm scared to ask how you knew that."
"I also have my ways," she smiled, and Carson exchanged a knowing look with the woman.
"Yes, definitely won't ask," Radek murmured. He set the plate down on the rolling lap table beside the bed and sat down with a sigh on the chair next to it.
"Long day, huh?" Jessica asked while Carson went back to finishing his exam.
"Ano." He shook his head in weariness. "So much to do, so little time. How was your day?"
The Cheyenne flashed a supportive smile at the scientist. "Productive, actually. I think I might have the basis for your program." She stopped and looked at Carson. "Um, Doctor, you won't tell anyone that I'm helping Radek out with something, will you?"
Carson paused in his manipulation of her right foot to look his question at her. "Why would I do that, lass?"
Her expression fell a little as she sobered. "I know how little I'm trusted by most people here," she replied quietly. "Until you have a way of verifying my identity, I could be some sort of spy for all you know."
Carson smiled reassurance at her. "I for one dinna think that."
"A very patient spy," she murmured as her gaze dropped to her lap.
Radek laid a gentle hand on Jessica's arm. "Do you really think spy would injure herself as much as you'd been just to get into Atlantis?"
She looked up at him tentatively. "I don't know… would they?"
Carson patted the woman's foot as he straightened up. "No one that we've met."
Suddenly Jessica's head reared up, and her startled eyes focused on the doctor. Her mouth worked, but nothing came out.
"Jessica? Má drahousek zena, co se deje?"
"They really are here, aren't they?" she whispered harshly. Carson could only nod as he realized what she was asking. "I'm so sorry," she continued.
"Sorry? What could you be sorry about?" Radek was completely confused now.
Carson tore his gaze away from Jesica's to focus on his friend. "A Wraith is here on Atlantis," he replied softly. "It was what attacked Sgt. Stackhouse."
Radek paled. "Have you told Dr. Weir?"
"Aye," Carson nodded. "I dinna know if there's just one, or if there are more."
"No, there's just one," Jessica whispered. "Unless the other one's been out of range the whole time."
The Czech scientist leaned forward intently. "Are you telling me you knew there was Wraith here?"
Jessica grimaced and nodded, once. "I sensed it weeks ago. Off and on since the first time."
"So, you're psychic. Like Teyla." Radek's face was inscrutable.
"Not something I felt would ingratiate me to the military contingent," she replied quietly.
Radek turned to look at Carson. "You knew?"
"Aye," the doctor replied. "I promised to keep it between her and I… although…" he trailed off uncertainly.
"You told Elizabeth," Jessica affirmed. "If anyone knows how to be discrete, it's her." She smiled a little to let the C.M.O. know she wasn't upset with him.
"How long have you had this… ability?" Radek looked more intrigued than upset, which allowed the Cheyenne to relax slightly.
"All my life," she replied. "Though it got much stronger after…" she hesitated as an expression of loathing, hate, infinite sadness and fury briefly crossed her features. "After I was… experimented on… by a Goa'uld queen." She hugged herself at the memories she'd just awakened.
"Ach, I am sorry, má druh." Radek patted her arm in a soothing manner.
"Sorry," she apologized as her shoulders shook minutely. "Memories are still a bit raw from that whole experience. That's what we were escaping from when Seshat and I came here."
"Yes, you never did say what you were doing with another Goa'uld," Carson changed the subject slightly to get his patient's mind off of her troubling memories. He had a feeling she'd need a powerful sleep aid again tonight, and he made a mental note to start encouraging the woman to talk to someone… anyone… about her experiences, as he was worried about how she still didn't seem to be able to cope with them.
She shook her head. "She wasn't Goa'uld, but Tok'ra," she replied. "She'd been undercover in Anat's service for many years when I came along, and Seshat felt I had much to offer the Resistance with my… gifts…" she rolled the last word around in her mouth as if it tasted foul. "At some point I should notify them about what happened to her. They deserve to know."
"Aye, lass, we'll see what we can do," Carson reassured her.
"Well…" Radek spoke up. He hesitated. Part of his mind was trying to figure out if they could find a way to track the Wraith scout's movements in the city.
Jessica nodded. "Yes, that is, if we all survive the Wraith," she acknowledged his unspoken concern softly.
Radek and Carson looked at each other in disquiet. The three finished the delicious cookies in silence, the weight of the knowledge they carried dimming their enjoyment of the rare treat.
After the cookies were gone (some of them sacrificed to the two soldiers at Jessica's door), Radek pulled up Jessica's laptop to go over her virus program while Carson led her on her daily physical therapy walk. Since she had broken her left arm and right leg, it made getting around with crutches impossible, and she used one under her right arm as her leg was awkwardly stretched out before her. But it was more important that she strengthen her other muscles and not let them atrophy while her bones mended, so Carson and Dr. Mengala, one of the physical therapists on the medical staff, worked with the woman daily. She was getting fairly adept at hobbling around, but she still had a tendency to list to the left when trying to travel in a straight line.
When the two returned twenty minutes later, Jessica had worked up a light sweat and was weary, yet happy to be free from her room. Only one of the guards had accompanied her and Carson on their stilted trek, which was an improvement and a testament to the doctor's authority. Carson had stated quite plainly a few days previously that although his patient was healing rapidly, she was still in no shape to attempt escape or even to attack anyone, and he snapped at Sgt. Markham that he "highly doubted the lass could stand on one leg and one-handedly take down two seasoned marines."
"Ah, Radek, yuir still here?" Carson greeted the Czech scientist. He helped Jessica hobble over to the bed and settle herself on it before fetching a basin of fresh water, some soap and a washcloth for her to freshen up.
Radek finished his rapid-fire typing and shot a triumphant grin at the Cheyenne linguist. "Yes, and I do believe we have a finished product," he announced proudly. At the woman's intrigued look, he handed her the laptop for her inspection.
She scanned over the code rapidly, and a smile washed over her weary face. "I believe you're right," she replied. But her enthusiasm faded when she remembered what the program was for. "I hope you don't have to use it."
"Me too, má druh," Radek returned gently. "But still, if it comes to it, at least we'll know Wraith will not get any vital information from Ancient database." He ran his hands over his face in an attempt to enervate himself. "Now, I really must take this to Dr. Weir. Still have much to do to prepare." He quickly connected Jessica's borrowed laptop to his and transferred the program. When it signaled its completion, he gathered his things and prepared to leave. "I shall leave you to rest."
Radek walked to the door and turned. "And Jessica…"
She smiled at him. "Please, call me Jess."
Radek returned the smile. "Thank you, Jess."
"I only wish I could've done more," she replied with a gracious nod.
The rest of the day became a bit of a blur for Jessica after Radek had left, as she felt the Wraith stunned, captured, and thrown in the brig. Despite her negative experience touching the consciousness of the one Teyla had channeled, the Cheyenne was curious about these strange aliens. She extended her mind to where the creature was being held, careful not to directly connect with him.
Problem was, he was completely aware of her presence, and kept trying to link up with her. Jessica was worried about what would happen if he succeeded, but yet she couldn't completely pull away. She was intrigued by the very nature of this alien… how feral and yet intelligent he was. Haughty too, as if he believed that the humans he had been captured by were mere… cattle to him.
Jessica snorted. "Moo," she muttered to the empty room, and returned to monitoring what was happening in the brig. She recognized the entrance of a man and woman to the room. 'Ah, Major Sheppard. And Teyla?'
She didn't expect the Athosian would attempt to connect with the Wraith's mind… nor the Major to shoot the Wraith captive. When she felt the pain flare up in the alien, she couldn't help but to experience it as well… even peripherally, it felt quite different from the times she'd been shot. Almost like sting from a needle, really. Strange…
"My wounds will heal," she heard the Wraith growl in her mind.
But when the Major kept riddling the Wraith's body with bullets, Jessica noticed that the seemingly inconsequential pain began to flare out of its control. She realized almost too late that it was dying, and desperately tried to remove herself from the edge of the Wraith's mind.
It didn't want her to go.
"Those who feed upon you will know what you've done to me."
Oh shit. This was bad.
"I will tell you this: no matter where you flee, we will find you -- just as surely as we will find Earth. And when we do, we will feast."
Oh shit shit shit shit shit shit shit. This was beyond bad.
Jessica was so wrapped up in what was happening to… Bob? that she didn't hear the citywide announcement that a heavily saddened Elizabeth Weir was making. The Cheyenne was desperately trying to disengage herself from the dying Wraith soldier.
She was failing. She felt the panic rising in her as the alien doggedly held onto her consciousness, and she screamed. "NO!"
Her body had slid down from her sitting position on the bed, and she writhed with the pain of the Wraith's death throes. It might not have showed Major Sheppard and the others witnessing its death how much it was hurting, but it sure shared everything with Jessica… in surround-sound smell-o-vision.
She barely noticed nurses and one of the infirmary's doctors rushing into her room at one of her guard's shouts of alarm. She felt the blackness encroaching on her mind as the Wraith gurgled its final breath, and her lungs refused to work out of sympathy.
Jessica didn't finish her last thought. 'You are so not taking me with you, you son of a…'
And then the darkness consumed her.
Czech (Once again, I did my best with the translator)
má druh - my friend
Ano - Yes
Ze se ti chce depozitum mne s tato? - Why do you trust me with this?
Já domnívat se tebe ar hoden ze depozitum - I suspect you are worthy of trust
Má drahousek zena, co se deje? - My dear woman, what's the matter?