Due to overwhelming response I'm posting this one earlier than I was going to.

Thank you very much for the reviews. Character voice is something I try to work hardest one. If I'm not sure of a particular emotion in a character I'll watch an episode that I know they have a simmilar response in. (Thank God for Tivo!)

Chapter Three: Good Morning and Please Pass the Bucket

"Good morning Carson, how are our patients?" Dr Weir smiled despite the fact she knew Carson could not see it.

"I'm afraid it doesn't bode well," he said. "Ronon and the Colonel both have high fevers, they developed early this morning. Teyla's fever is rising and Rodney has developed muscle aches."

"From what you told us yesterday that is what happens during the typical course of the disease. I was under the impression we were just monitoring them for any complications."

"I am not quite so sure now. From talking with our hosts they seem upset that we are still here. I think that maybe this is more serious than they led me to believe."

"Possible epidemic?"

"No they are not worried about them catching it, they seem to be immune."

"Maybe we should bring them back here?"

"No, I don't want to risk infecting anyone on Atlantis. Plus here I can use the experience they already have with the disease to treat them better. However if it gets much worse we'll need to set them up in isolation." He paused, "I'm sending through some blood samples, if you could be so kind as to have these get to the lab as soon as possible. There is also a list or more supplies I am going to need."

"Carson…" Elizabeth trailed off. She didn't know what she intended on saying.

"Yes?"

"Take care of yourself too."

Colonel Sheppard stared at the ceiling. The last time he was this sick was when he had caught some weird parasite in Afghanistan. He shuddered, after that he had been so weak that he had to lie in a bed for weeks. Rolling over so he was on his side he looked over at Ronon. The man was pale and clammy looking, not good.

"Colonel, you're awake, how're you feeling?" Carson's masked face appeared in his field of view.

"If I told you I wanted my mom here would you laugh?"

Carson patted his shoulder, "No, I wouldn't laugh. But it may be a while until you hear the end of it."

"You know who I wish was here?" Rodney's voice drifted over from the other side of the room. "Samantha Carter." He sighed, "Such a brain to go with that body of hers. Her legs are probably…"

"I think I'm going to throw up," interrupted Sheppard.

"Oh and you've never wanted a beautiful woman to nurse you back to health?"

"No, I think I am really going to throw up." Carson dashed for a bucket and came back with the now empty crate which Sheppard promptly grabbed from him.

Ronon had woken up during their conversation and was sitting listlessly on the edge of his bed, "Sheppard, I think I'll need that after you."

Beckett looked over at Teyla who was still soundly asleep. "At least she's getting some rest." He looked at his watch wondering when Atlantis will have the next shipment of supplies sent along with the blood results. Ronon and Sheppard needed IVs as soon as possible.

Sheppard handed the crate to Ronon and lay back tiredly on his bed. "Rodney, just wait, you'll be just as sick as us."

Dr McKay had moved to the end of Sheppard's bed and glared at him. "Thank you for those words of comfort."

John didn't answer. "Sheppard? Hey, you awake? I hadn't finished yet."

"Let him get some rest Rodney," said Carson. "If you're feeling well enough you can help me carry the supplies back from the Stargate. They just radioed me to let me know they are there."

McKay glared at the sleeping Colonel, disappointed that he couldn't continue. "Sure thing Carson, I'm not an invalid yet."

It did not take very long for them to get the supplies moved back to the room. Carson quickly set up John and Ronon up on IVs and checked their vitals, slightly concerned to find that their blood pressure was a bit low as well. Rodney was the only one who was not out like a light, but he remained quiet, typing away on his laptop.

After making sure everyone was comfortable Carson settled himself on a bed to go over the blood work that had been returned with the supplies. He was pleased to see that he had not been infected yet, no trace of any antibodies had been found.

"Dr Beckett?" Vivana's soft voice drifted in from the hallway.

"Vivana, to what do we owe the pleasure?"

She quietly made her way to the rear of the room to the bed Carson was on. "How is your team doing?"

"They all feel pretty run down, sick to their stomachs. Most of the symptoms they are experiencing are what you expected them to have."

"And you?"

Carson was surprised with her concern for his well being. "I'm as healthy as can be. My blood shows no sign of infection."

She nodded. "There is someone I would like you to see. A young boy on the next plantation has the illness. Perhaps you would like to observe it in our own people?"

"That would be splendid."

Each of the Dolosian's plantations was spaced far apart. The locals used a bicycle-like vehicle to travel longer distances and Beckett was quickly learning to enjoy the contraption. He had missed simple things like this on Atlantis where everything was a highly specialized technological miracle.

The ride was over all too soon though. Bringing his thoughts back to the task at hand, Carson slung his bag over his shoulder and went to see the little girl that was sick.

"Hullo, I'm Dr Beckett, what's your name?"

She glared up at him from her bed, the eight year old was extremely grumpy. Four other children were in the room and were staring at the doctor curiously. It had been explained to him that when a child was infected all the children on the surrounding plantations would visit so that they could be exposed too. He had gotten permission to draw some blood from the girl so he was preparing for that task.

"Can I see your arm lass?" He gently extended it and put a tourniquet on her bicep, then swabbed it with alcohol. Immediately she began squirming, children almost had an innate directive to make it as difficult as possible for blood to be drawn of a vaccine to be given. He pulled the cap off the needle and was preparing to give it to her when she began screaming and kicking at the hapless doctor. The needle scratched her arm as she drew her arm back she cried out again and tried to push Carson away, who was trying to get the cap back on the needle; he swore in surprise when it tore through the fingertip of his glove and pricked him.

If he had not been infected earlier, he most probably was now.