Author's note: Would have been up earlier... but...

OOOOOOO

Carson wasn't waiting on the other side of the gate for her. Melony knew he wouldn't be – not with Dex needing that tracking thing out of his back and Rodney knocked senseless – but she'd allowed herself to hope that he would be there. Instead, it was Doctor Weir and one nervous-looking young Air Force doctor (newly arrived from Earth, Melony knew) with a couple of corpsmen behind him.

No doubt he has heard just how unpredictable and cold-blooded you are, Talon said, amused by the way he hung back just a little when they emerged from the gate.

Either that or I really do stink.

Well, that could be it, he conceded.

Considering the way Weir wrinkled her nose when Melony and Teal'c stepped close, that probably was it. Weir was far too good a diplomat to actually let them know just how little she wanted to be close at hand. Instead she smiled.

"Colonel Mitchell. It's good to see you safe and more or less sound."

Melony smiled.

"Thanks to you, I hear."

Weir shrugged.

"It seemed prudent to send some substantial backup, and Teal'c and the Jaffa were the most substantial help I could think of at the time."

Melony nodded her agreement, but before she could say anything else, the doctor – a lieutenant - stepped forward.

"Colonel Mitchell? We should get you to the infirmary. Doctor Beckett asked that I make sure you're comfortable while he deals with the others."

The two corpsmen stepped forward as well. They were more familiar with Mitchell – who was a regular around the infirmary since she was frequently there to speak with Beckett – so they weren't as diffident about taking up the spots that Teal'c and the other Jaffa had held supporting Mitchell. Which was a relief to Melony since they were a lot closer to her size and it didn't stretch her injured shoulder as much when she draped her arm over their shoulders.

"Would you rather have a gurney, Colonel?" One of them asked.

She shook her head. It wasn't far to the infirmary.

"When you and the others are up to it, I'd like a report, Colonel," Weir requested, moving to stand next to Teal'c, who didn't smell nearly as bad now that he wasn't attached to Mitchell.

"As soon as possible, doctor," Melony promised. She gestured to the dead cat that was still slung over the shoulder of the Jaffa. "I'd like you to have someone check that thing out."

"What is it?"

"A Tree Cat."

Weir glanced at it.

"Is it as dangerous as it looks?"

"Apparently it's far more dangerous than it's supposed to be," Melony said, looking at it as well. "I'd like to know if there's a connection between that aggression and the fact that it – probably – ate a Wraith."

Weir frowned.

"Ate a Wraith?"

"Most of it…" Boyett said, speaking for the first time.

"And maybe others…" Melony added.

"I'll have someone look at it," Weir promised. "Get to the infirmary – and maybe a change of clothes would be in odor – I mean order…"

Yeah.

OOOOOOOOOO

The infirmary was bustling, but not hectic. There were only four injured, after all – although Sheppard and Teyla were both being checked out by medical personnel when Melony was ushered into the room. Just in case. Carson wasn't in sight – presumably he was in surgery with Dex – but Rodney McKay had been put to bed in a corner of the room, and Melony glanced over at him.

"How is he?" She asked the lieutenant.

"Who? McKay?"

"No, General O'Neill," Melony snapped, her injuries finally taking a toll on her temper. God, she hated stupid questions.

Be nice

Before she could reply to Talon, the doctor spoke up.

"He's been knocked out, but everything seems to be in working order. They checked for any internal injuries and any head wounds, but aside from a couple of bruised ribs he's fine. He should be up and around in a day or so."

Or longer, Talon said. Depending on how the room service is here

Melony smiled.

True enough.

"Good."

Sheppard looked at her, tilting his head when the medic checking him out got in the way.

"How do you feel?"

"About how I look," she admitted. "Weir's going to have someone check out that cat we brought back, but I want you to get a report ready for her – if they don't keep you for some reason."

"He's healthy," the medic said, proving she'd been listening in. "I doubt we'll keep him."

"Hey," John protested. "I'm a keeper."

The medic smiled, but didn't reply. The doctor who was waiting to check Mitchell out, however, had had enough light banter for the time being. He had a patient to see to, after all.

"Bring Colonel Mitchell to bed four," he ordered, gesturing to a bed that actually had a curtain around it for privacy – and to reduce outside noise. "We'll want to get those cuts cleaned as soon as possible."

The corpsmen did as they were told, steering Melony toward the bed in question, but Mitchell looked over her shoulder at Teyla and Sheppard.

"As soon as you hear anything about Dex's condition, I want to hear about it."

Both of them nodded.