When It Snows (part 5)
Ten steps forward. Stop. Stare. Pivot. Ten steps back. Stop. Pivot. Stare. Sheppard had done this now for six hours, over twelve gate openings, and an untold number of mental scenarios on what had happened to his friends. The only thing keeping him from bolting through each open gate was Dex leaning nonchalantly against the wall watching him like a hawk. This time was no exception as he waited expectantly for Elizabeth to inform him of the latest MALP readings. As soon as she relayed even the slightest change in the planet's weather for the better, he and Ronon would act.
"Colonel," she called out from above.
He stopped on step number ten, mere centimeters from the gate, closed his eyes a moment to ready himself, and then turned to face the observation deck. He caught movement out of the corner of his eye as his rescue partner shifted casually to grasp the top of the hidden away gear without drawing any attention to himself.
"What's the good word?" he asked stiffly, his back almost touching the luminescent wormhole.
She frowned, listening to Zelenka relay the latest readings and then nodded. "It appears that the weather is beginning to break…" the rest of her comment was left hanging in open air as she stared in amazement, and then anger, down at the empty floor in front of the gate. From out of nowhere, Dex had charged Sheppard, knocking the colonel through the gate backwards so fast that the officer didn't even have a chance to yelp in surprise. And then both men were gone.
SG: A
Rodney pushed his way through the knee-deep snow towards one of the closest trees, his flashlight beam highlighting nothing but branches weighted down to the ground. One well-placed kick released a small avalanche before a limb popped free to wave at him when a stiff wind blew through the stand of trees. Already feeling the cold steal the warmth of the shelter from his bones, he turned his head to the side to stop more snow from blowing against his face.
He felt like death warmed over but refused to quit, for it was only a matter of time before a rescue team came looking for them. Clambering down on his hands and knees, he pushed his way under the tree in search of dead or broken branches to take back, and was surprised to discover it had already been raided. When did that happen, and by whom? A sigh slipped past his sore throat as he wearily dragged his way back out and went to search under the next tree.
Another kick and another cascade of snow released more branches. Back down on his hands and knees, he worked his way through the limbs to discover what he was searching for. Teyla, his mind supplied as he snapped several pieces of kindling free. She must have gathered wood from under the previous tree while he'd been sleeping earlier. Too bad she hadn't left some sort of signal or marker so that he knew to avoid spending time on something she'd already done.
Signal or marker. His mental ramblings clicked as he tugged hard against a stubborn branch. He needed to create a signal. Putting more effort into breaking the limb, he found himself panting heavily and had to sit down when a sharp cough stole his breath away. Would they send a jumper through the gate or come on foot? Closing his eyes, he resisted the urge to lie down. Either way, they'd have to have radios to communicate. Back on his knees, he gathered the firewood under one arm, the flashlight held tightly in his free hand, and wiggled back out into the deep snow.
His chest heaved from the simple exertion and he could feel his heart pounding an uncomfortable rapid beat. Carson would have his hide on a silver platter if the physician was in his right mind. But the hypothermia had left the doctor physically wasted and Rodney knew that if they didn't keep the fire going, any chance of saving Atlantis's CMO would be lost. Hypothermia was deadly enough, but a second exposure so soon after the first would most likely be too taxing on the Scot's heart. Shoving his own discomfort aside, he forced his way back to the shelter and deposited his load outside the opening before staggering to a third tree.
It was as he stood there, eyeing the snow-laden tree with dread that it suddenly dawned on him. He could see. Glancing about, he realized that moonlight filtered down, casting long shadows over the dense cluster of trees. Slowly, he tipped his head back to look heavenward and discovered that the clouds had broken up, leaving several patches of stars and night sky visible. It looked as though the blizzard was over.
He sniffed and then coughed; a violent sneeze erupted, leaving him bent over grasping his knees. If this was Hell, he never thought it'd be so cold. Straightening back up, he set himself to complete his task so that he could go back inside the shelter and get warm once more before working on the signal.
SG: A
Carson groaned, shivering beneath the lightweight blankets in search of warmth. When the pillow beneath his cheek shifted and someone began to rub slow circles between his shoulders, he tried to open his eyes but found himself exhausted. "Where…?" he muttered, his hand reaching out blindly in search of whoever was touching him.
"Shhh. Rest," a soft female voice crooned from above him.
He tried to place the familiar voice but found his thoughts muddled. "C-c-cold," he whispered.
"Rodney has gone for more wood for the fire. You will be warm again soon."
The hand on his back shifted to his head and touched his face. It felt good against his cool skin and he silently hoped it wouldn't move.
"Dr. Beckett? Carson?" the voice called softly, now the hand gently patted his face in an attempt for a response.
He groaned but didn't move.
The hand slipped beneath the blanket and touched his chest. "You are too cold," she said.
He felt the pillow beneath his head move and then he was resting on his side with his face lying on soft material. Pleasant warmth moved before him, and then someone slipped underneath the blankets behind him, wrapping warm arms and legs around his body. Too weak to protest, he stayed still, not understanding what was wrong with him.
"Help will come soon," she encouraged in his ear and he slowly realized it was a woman pressed up against his back.
"Who are you?"
The woman stilled for a second before she slowly ran a hand over his hair. "It is I, Doctor. Teyla Emmagan. You fell through the ice during the storm and now we are waiting to be rescued."
That name seemed familiar. Fell through the ice? He tried to clear the fog in his brain and remember. Images of snow filtered through his memories, and then running, ice breaking, and a man helping him. He knew the man. "Tey-la?" he slurred and the arms encircling him tightened.
"Yes, Carson?"
"Wh-who…water?"
"Rodney pulled you free and then found us this shelter to wait out the storm."
Carson nodded slightly, remembering someone calling to him. Rodney? An image of the scientist came to mind and he frowned. "Where's he?"
She shifted, drawing the blanket tighter about them. "As I told you earlier, he has gone out for more firewood."
"Oh." For some reason, he knew he was forgetting something important. A rustling at the shelter's opening, followed by a cold draft, caused him to shiver harder.
"Did I miss something?" a man's raspy voice asked.
SG: A
Rodney dropped his bundle of broken branches next to the few remaining pieces scattered to the side of the shelter. Although definitely warmer than outside, he could feel the lower temperature and noticed the deminished pile of embers in the fire pit. Adding several branches slowly, he soon had the fire glowing brightly once more before turning his attention back to his teammates. Nodding towards Carson, he caught Teyla's eye, "What happened?"
"He is awake, but," she paused, studying the man resting in her arms, "confused. He has asked for you twice."
Peeling off his gloves and letting them drop to the ground, Rodney settled on his knees beside the pair, hesitantly reaching out to touch Carson's face. "Hey, Bones," he whispered painfully, "you missed me?"
One blue eye cracked lazily open to stare at the scientist before recognition set in. "R'ney?"
"Who were you expecting? Sheppard, or that hairy behemoth, Dex?"
Both of the physician's eyes were now open, scrutinizing the man in front of him. "You're sick," he whispered.
"Little chest cold. Nothing for you to worry about." The tickle in the back of his throat demanded to be released and he effectively stifled it with a swig of water from one of the bottles. "How are you doing?"
"Cold."
Rodney turned to look back at the fire, tossing on a few more pieces of wood, before removing his warm parka and draping it over his friend. "Better?"
Carson closed his eyes, relishing in the heat emanating from inside the coat. "Need to go," he mumbled.
The scientist frowned, shooting Teyla a questioning glance. "Go where?"
"Nature," Carson said quietly.
Teyla watched Rodney's gaze rapidly shift around the shelter and then rest on the physician. "Perhaps, since he is awake, "she started, nodding to the entranceway.
He chewed his bottom lip in thought. "The blizzard has stopped and I was able to create a path of sorts. Carson, are you sure you're up for a little walk?"
"Aye." Sitting up slowly, with Teyla's help, he let Rodney slide his arms into the warm parka before they successfully got him back in his slacks. Once his now dry boots were slipped on over his feet and tied, he took a deep shaky breath and waited for Rodney to pull on the other parka.
"Ready?" the scientist grunted, helping his friend to the entranceway.
Carson felt like a pool of jello and wasn't entirely sure his legs were going to take his weight, but he really needed to take care of business. Giving Rodney's arm a squeeze, he let the scientist slowly pull him to his feet out into the dark night.
They stood side by side a moment, both getting their bearings before Rodney slipped his arm around Carson's waist and slowly led him over to a nearby, but out of the way tree.
"Need a hand?" he asked hesitantly.
Carson shook his head 'no'. "I've been taking care of this by myself for as long as I can remember. Just keep me on my feet." Hearing Rodney mumble 'Thank God', behind him, he allowed himself a small smile as he fumbled with his zipper. Once finished, he turned around with Rodney's arm still wrapped around him. "You need to?"
"Took care of it earlier."
The physician sighed, looking around at the stand of trees surrounding them. "Where are we?"
"Few kilometers from the gate." When Carson sagged in his arms, Rodney gripped tighter. "Ready to go back? Because personally, this little show and tell side trip is tiring me out."
"You're sick."
"And we already discussed this." Lifting the branch to the opening with one hand, he steered the physician back inside the shelter with his other.
The pair dropped to the pine needle covered ground, both panting from exertion before Teyla's small hands undid their coat zippers. Tugging them free, she wrapped them both in an emergency blanket and then placed a cup of warm liquid in each of their hands. "You both need to eat and drink something."
"Not really hungry," Rodney moaned as he tipped sideways to rifle through the backpacks, pulling out the radios and his small portable tool kit.
Teyla easily plucked the kit from his hand and replaced it with a roll from an MRE. "You must keep up your strength."
He stared at the food in contempt but forced himself to take a bite when he caught Carson watching him closely. "I'm eating, so stop staring at me," he rasped, washing a bite down with a swig of water. When the physician slowly began to crumple sideways, Rodney dropped his food and caught his friend. "Stay awake a little longer, just until you taste some of Teyla's fine home cooking. Probably haven't had anything this good since you last tasted some of that moldy sheep head you packed in Tupperware from home."
"Shut up," Carson snapped in mock irritation, blinking heavily against the demanding sleep. When the arms holding him suddenly let go, and Rodney turned sideways to release a deep painful cough that seemed to go on for a minute, leaving the scientist breathless, he motioned to Teyla to hand him his bag. "Come here," he ordered Rodney as she helped him sit back up. Fumbling with his stethoscope, he got them in his ears with more of Teyla's help.
The scientist balked before coming to sit next to them.
"Lift your shirt." Carson might not be running at even half of his usual energy level, but his orders left no room for refusal. Closing his eyes, he listened to several spots over Rodney's chest and back before tugging the instrument from his ears. "Have you been coughing up anything?"
"A little."
The brief answer was what he was expecting. "Rodney," he started to say but was cut off.
"I know. But since there's really nothing we can do about it right now, I suggest that you tuck yourself back under all the blankets and get warm before you pass out. I have work to do."
"There's nothing more important than your health." Carson plucked through his bag before finding what he was looking for. On the verge passing out, just like Rodney had predicted, he was able to pass over a bottle of antibiotics before his eyes rolled up and he lost consciousness.
Teyla eased him to the ground on top of one of the open jackets, before snuggling close and draping the blankets over both of their bodies. Tucking in their legs, she draped her arms once more over the sleeping physician while keeping a watchful eye on the scientist.
"Rodney?"
He grunted, not looking up from the radio he'd dismantled.
"Rodney!" Her tone snapped in the small enclosure, and this time he looked up in annoyed surprise. "Take the medication."
He stared at the bottle before twisting off the cap and emptying two tablets into his palm. A quick swallow and they were gone. "Happy?" he growled wearily.
"I am only concerned for your health."
He sighed and went back to his project.
"You never answered my question from earlier," Teyla said quietly, hoping to prod the scientist into conversation, and help keep him awake.
Setting down a battery, he looked over to her with a questioning brow.
"How is it that you know about survival in such conditions?"
TBC