Ten minutes had passed with Rodney and Zelenka frantically working to figure out just what was that pillar of power and how to make it go away, preferably peacefully. More than once, when the frustration had gotten the better of him, McKay had slammed his hand against a panel. Sheppard had half expected Zelenka to chide McKay for his outburst, remind him that he might break something like his hand...or even worse... the one panel that might give them the clues they needed. Instead, Radek had merely placed a hand on McKay's shoulder, turning him away from the source of his frustration. They would talk intently for a moment. Then McKay would nod and they'd be back at work.
Engrossed as he was by the drama in the chamber, Sheppard looked over when he heard the outer door open. Weir led the charge, Dr. Chandrapurna right behind her steering a gurney. Sheppard flinched at the amount of equipment loaded on top, hoping it wouldn't be needed. "In there, Doc." he said, tilting his head to indicate direction. "No luck yet getting him out."
Weir moved over by Sheppard, her eyes on the chamber. "What the hell happened, John? Carson's in that? Is he ok?"
"No idea, Elizabeth. Can't see or hear anything inside. McKay and Zelenka haven't found anything. We still don't know what that thing is or what it's done to or with Beckett." He held up a block of grey. "the Life sign detector doesn't help either."
Ten more minutes passed as the scientists struggled to make sense of what had happened. Of the medical team who had initially arrived with Beckett, Chandrapurna had sent away most of them away, saying he needed them back at the infirmary to be ready for whatever resulted. Weir sent many of the scientists on their way, too. The crowd gone, the tension in the room lightened ever so slightly.
Then just as suddenly as the column appeared, it was gone. Hearing the change in the ambient noise, McKay spun around, seeing Beckett still sitting in the chair. Blue eyes wide in shock, the doctor blinked, looking around. "Rodney?" his voice was barely a squeak. McKay rushed over, his hands firm on Beckett's arms. "Carson, you ok?" Carson clutched at him, trying vainly to get up and out of the chair. "No. No. Stay still, Carson. Let Chandrapurna check you out."
"No...Out. Not hurt." Beckett shook his head, still struggling to get up. "Out. Now."
"Jeez, you're worse than the Major. Ok, ok." A quick nod from Chandrapurna confirmed he probably wasn't about to do something that would really hurt Carson. Shifting his grip, McKay levered Beckett to his feet. He steadied the man as he stumbled and sagged, unable to find his balance on legs refusing to provide support. Then Sheppard and Weir were there, along with Chandrapurna and the nurse. McKay saw the panic growing in Beckett's face at the numerous hands reaching for him. The man tried try to pull away, beginning to fight, though much too weakly. He just held Beckett, easing him down as he sank trembling to the floor.
His relief at seeing Beckett free of the pillar of mystery had rapidly turned to growing concern. Beckett's wide eyed stare frightened him, the man didn't seem to be focusing, wasn't really sure where he was. McKay placed a gentle hand on Carson's chin. "Carson, look at me." Even as he tried to reassure Beckett, McKay was shifting his body, placing himself between Beckett and the others, waving them not to get too close. "Its ok, Carson. Whatever it was is gone. Just let Anand help you, ok?"
He was mollified when he saw Beckett blink and finally meet his eyes. "Rodney, wha' happ'nd?" The blue eyes shifted. "Anand? Why 're you here?" he asked as Chandrapurna crouched next to him.
"Trying to keep an eye on you, Dr. Beckett." Chandrapurna gently reached for Beckett when it looked like the man had calmed. "Do you know you can be almost as much trouble as Dr. McKay and Major Sheppard?"
"No 'm not," Beckett batted irritably at Chandrapurna, trying to pull his arm free as his staff doctor tried to take a pulse. "Not my fault. Ancients don't like me."
"I could see that." Repeating McKay's earlier action, he placed his hand along Beckett's face, forcing the man's gaze to him. "Come on, Carson. Stop fighting me. You know I have to do this."
"Oh, aye, Anand." Beckett relaxed, allowing Chandrapurna to work. Weary, he let his head fall back to rest against the wall, his eyes closing. "G' ahead."
"No, no sleep yet. How are you feeling? Do you hurt anywhere?"
"No, don't hurt," the response was a tired mumble. "'M tired."
"You can rest soon. Can you tell me what happened?"
One blue eye slightly opened to glare at the doctor. "Had to sit in th' chair."
Out of the corner of his eye, Chandrapurna saw McKay roll his eyes. "Good. And?"
"Bright light." Beckett waved his free arm loosely, eye closing again. "Buzzy thing in my head."
That wasn't so good. Chandrapurna kept his tone casual, "Tell me about the 'buzzy thing,' Carson."
"Just buzzy. Noisy. Wouldn't stop. Didn' hurt. 'M tired."
"Let's get you to the infirmary then," Though Chandrapurna was satisfied there was no immediate danger, Beckett's words concerned him. The man was beginning to list to one side, his limbs going limp as he gradually lost awareness. "You can rest there," he patted Beckett's cheek. "Come on Carson.
At Chandrapurna's gesture, McKay and Sheppard reached out to help lift Beckett onto the gurney. To their surprise, Beckett flinched and pulled back, slapping at their hands. "Don't touch me!" Satisfied they had backed off, the Scot reached blindly for the gurney, steered gently by Sheppard using only one hand and a light touch.
Finding the platform, he lowered himself down and stretched out "Buzzy..." he whispered, his voice soft as his breathing evened out.
Chandrapurna shifted Beckett so the man was on his back then ran another quick check of vitals. "You'll get my report in the infirmary," he said to Weir, even as they were whisking the gurney out the door.
"Just what the hell happened?" Sheppard asked the question all of them were thinking.
"He's resting,"
Sheppard, Weir and McKay came to their feet as Chandrapurna entered the waiting area. Motioning them to sit, he took an empty chair for himself. "Other than some signs of exhaustion, we can't find anything wrong. He was a little combative when we first got here, but no more so than usual whenever he's a patient. Right now, I attribute that to what he's gone through. We've lightly sedated him to ensure he gets some rest. We'll assess him more when he wakes. "
"Did he say anything more about what happened?" Weir asked.
"If you mean that 'buzzy thing' he mentioned, no. I'm afraid not. But that's something that concerns me as well. Thus the further tests when we wakes. I know this is brief, but there's not much else to tell you right now." Chandrapurna stood, nodding respectfully at Weir, "So if you'll please excuse me, ma'am, I need to get back to work. With Dr. Beckett down..."
"...you're acting CMO. Of course." Weir stood.
McKay stood as well. "Can we see Carson?" He had been more concerned than usual since Beckett and the pillar, feeling somewhat responsible for what had happened. He had been the one to goad the man into the chair. We both did, had been Sheppard's response when he realized McKay was beating himself up. There's always risk associated with Atlantis. We know that. Even Carson knows that, almost more so cause he's a doctor.
"One of you at a time would be fine. No more, given his earlier reactions to too many people."
Weir smiled as McKay turned towards her, his body language clearly stating 'Well, what are you waiting for? Of course I'm first!'
"We understand, Doctor. Dr. McKay..."
"Thank you," sketching a quick nod, McKay was through the doors.
"Will you wait here, Dr. Weir?" Chandrapurna asked, "Or shall I call you when there's change?"
"Call me, please. I need to get back to the control room. Plenty of work myself."
"I'll stay," Sheppard said, stretching out in the chair and making himself comfortable. "Not very often I get to enjoy your fine accommodations from this side of the bed. Not that I want to be here, I mean."
Chandrapurna smiled at that. "I understand, Major. No offense. Please make yourself comfortable. You already know where everything is."
"Yep," Sheppard gestured at a cabinet in the corner. "It was thoughtful of Carson to create a stash here just for us."
"And I know Dr. Beckett had the staff refresh that stash only a few days ago. Still, do holler if you need anything.
"You're sure he'll be ok?" Sheppard asked, suddenly serious.
Chandrapurna nodded. "As sure as I can be. You know we'll keep a close eye on him."