AN: So, you all suspect a certain someone while pleading it not be the other one, while one lies in a coma! You guys kill me, but in a good way! Shelly and I were talking about how fast you guys catch things (and we're trying hard to not grumble about the perceptiveness)...but don't worry, we've still got a few twists and turns to take!

ABOUT A BABY...part 6

When John woke up he felt like shit. His foot throbbed, his head ached and his body felt heavy and clumsy. Despite all the above he got off the bed and hobbled into the bathroom. After emptying his bladder, he stripped off his clothes and stepped into the shower. Showering while standing on one foot and attempting to keep the bandages dry about did him in, but John managed. He needed to feel clean and clear-headed. By the time he finished and was drying off, he was both of those things. Along with exhausted to the bone.

Hobbling back out to his room, John managed to get dressed. A slow and rather excruciating process and it wasn't until he was about ready to pull on his socks did he realize he wasn't alone. Which shook John more than it should have. He should have been more aware of his surroundings. Before hobbling into the bathroom he had checked for Lily and not seeing her had figured she was with Rodney, since he was gone too. But Rodney happened to be staring at him from across the room. Panic flooded over John. "Where's Lily? Is she okay?"

"She's fine, she's with Teyla." Rodney rose from the chair he had been sitting in and crossed the room. "Take these." He held out two white pills and a glass of water. "And just so you know, Alicia is on her way to re-bandage your foot. Idiot. You know you're not supposed to get the stitches wet." It was said with both affection and frustration coloring Rodney's tone.

"Oh," was all John had in reply, as he accepted the pills and downed them. Then he asked, "How's Vasquez?"

Rodney grimaced. "She's in a coma. It doesn't look good."

John cursed. "We need her alive!" he spat, then winced at the pain that stabbed in his temples from being so loud. Rubbing at them, John spoke more softly. "Do you think she's the one?"

"I don't know." Rodney looked as tired as John felt. "She was holding a gun on Alicia and Alicia wouldn't lie to us. The thing is, there's just no real proof it was her. And then that whole thing with Lorne shooting her..." he trailed off.

"Yeah...I trust Lorne, but..." John fell silent as well. Just then a knock sounded and he watched Rodney let Alicia in. John didn't say a word as she went to work on his foot. He noticed she looked tired and a bit pale and her hands seemed a little shaky. "You okay?" he asked, when she was finished.

Alicia expelled a sigh while tucking a lock of hair behind one ear. "I'm just tired. With Dr. Beckett off his feet and Sgt. Vasquez in a coma...it's been a rough night."

John felt guilty and said as much. "Sorry to add to the burden." He pointed at his foot with its new dressing. "I'll be more careful in the future."

"Use these." Alicia bulled out what looked like a handful of baggies from her tunic pocket. "They'll help keep the stitches dry."

"Thanks." John accepted the bags, placed them on the bed table, then searched for his crutches. Rodney held them out and helped him to his feet.

Alicia studied him a moment, appeared satisfied that he could handle things from here, then headed for the door. "Don't forget to eat," she called out over her shoulder and even as the door opened, Ronon was standing there with a tray. Alicia grinned at John, looking a bit less tired for a moment, then she was gone.

Ronon stepped in, setting the tray down at the side table. "Time to eat," he growled.

"I have work to do in the lab," Rodney interjected. "I'll see you later." He offered half a wave then he was gone as well.

"I can't eat all that," John declared, as he examined the tray. "You're helping, right?" He looked up at Ronon who shook his head. "I can't eat all that," John repeated. And he wasn't trying to be difficult. After the pain killers from last night, his stomach felt queasy and just the smell of the food was making him nauseous.

Ronon shrugged. "Try."

Knowing it was pointless to argue, John hobbled over and sat down. He picked up his fork, took one bite of the mushy thing that passed for eggs and felt himself turn green. Thankfully, Ronon noticed and helped him into the bathroom by pretty much carrying him there. John didn't complain. He was too busy heaving his stomach contents into the toilet. When he was done he sat back against the wall and accepted the towel that Ronon handed him. "Can we try this later?" he asked, weakly.

"Later," Ronon confirmed, then he hauled John up and got him into bed.

OoO

John managed to eat a third of what Ronon brought him for lunch. He felt better, having downed four Tylenol for pain before his power nap and after another four the pain in his foot was there but at an acceptable level. So he was able to hold a meeting with Elizabeth and hobble down to Rodney's lab to discuss what they could do next before needing another four pills. He then made his way down to the infirmary and plastered a smile on his face as he spoke with Beckett. The Scotsman was cranky and making life miserable for his staff, who refused to let him get out of bed until tomorrow. John rather enjoyed the show, making sure Beckett didn't see how tired he was or the fact that his foot was throbbing like a bastard.

After a few minutes with Beckett, John moved to visit Vasquez. She looked like death warmed over and he felt a stab of sadness and regret and, not solely in a positive light. He wanted her better, but not just because she was one of his people, but because she could be the sonofabitch who killed Dreya and so many others. John needed to find out the truth.

His next stop was the brig and John was more than a little relieved to hobble into Lorne's cell then sit down on the bench beside him, ditching his crutches. "How are you doing, Major?" John asked.

"Been better, Sir," Lorne replied, not looking at him.

"I hear that," John stated. He studied the other man for a moment and Lorne looked like hell. It was pretty obvious he hadn't slept since he'd shot Vasquez.

John focused on his own hands as he said, "She didn't have a gun."

Lorne stiffened. "Sir?"

"We checked, she didn't have a gun." John was not happy having to relay this news. Straightening his good leg, John reached into his pocket and pulled out a scrap of material which he held out to Lorne. "This was what we found. This patch." It was black with red and white symbols which looked like triangles, intertwined. And within the triangles were what looked like the Roman numeral 3.

"What is that?" Lorne asked, not reaching for it. He stared at it with an expression of horror, no doubt the realization of what he had done sinking in deep. He had shot and unarmed soldier.

John studied the patch. "We don't know and with Vasquez in a coma, we can't ask her."

Lorne looked sick. "I thought she had a gun, I swear, Sir! It looked like she was going for a gun."

"I believe that you shot her because you felt I was in danger," John replied.

"But you don't trust me." It was a statement, not a question, and Lorne's tone was flat.

John made a face as he considered how to reply. He wanted to trust Lorne. "I don't know what to think right now," he confessed. "But Dr. Weir trusts you to the point where she's asked me to release you. You'll be grounded to Atlantis but you'll be out of the brig." John hadn't been too willing to agree to this at first, but he could tell that Elizabeth really did believe in Lorne and since John knew all about trusting one's instincts, he decided to trust in his, which told him he could trust in Elizabeth's.

Lorne looked surprised. "So...I'm free?"

"So to speak," John allowed. "We're still investigating so you'll be watched, but you're out of here at least."

"Thank you, sir," Lorne replied, sounding hollow. But he stood up at attention. "May I leave now?"

John nodded. "Go ahead." He watched Lorne walk out, not budging from the bench. Instead he leaned back against the bars and closed his eyes. He was so tired of being so damn tired.

OoO

Four days later, life was a bit more normal. John was off crutches, Beckett was back to work, Vasquez was still in a coma and nothing more had happened so John was grateful for that alone. He spent every moment he could with Lily, tried to choke down the food that Ronon brought him, while avoiding Beckett's lectures because he had only gained half a pound in a week.

On the home front, John slipped back into a more comfortable relationship with Rodney as they both made a point of avoiding the gigantic white elephant that was always in the room with them. John told himself that sometimes avoidance was the right thing to do. They had other things to focus on right now. Like finding the bad guy.

Lily seemed to be the only person who wasn't feeling the weight of what felt like oppression that seemed to cloak the very air of Atlantis. John felt it and it manifested itself in his dreams. Sleeping was a struggle and he was thankful to Teyla who came in just last night to say goodnight to Lily and had caught him in a nightmare. She had checked on Lily then soothed John back to sleep with a backrub. This morning he had awakened with Teyla curled up next to him and the realization that he hadn't dreamed for once.

Slipping out of bed, John checked on Lily then jumped in the shower. After getting dressed he found Lily was awake and playing with her mobile so John changed her, got her dressed and was feeding her when Rodney came in. He had John's breakfast tray. "Where's Ronon?" he asked.

"Elizabeth sent him to the mainland for supplies so he asked me to bring your tray." Rodney set it on the table then stared at the bed, where Teyla was still sleeping.

"She gave me a backrub to help me sleep," John explained, and he felt the need to do so, which bothered him a bit. Everyone knew that he and Teyla were nothing more than friends and teammates.

Rodney scowled but nodded. He moved to take Lily so John could eat but the moment she was in his arms she started crying. Screaming cries that woke Teyla.

John took Lily back and she quieted immediately, but was a bit fretful.

"Guess she's not happy with me today," Rodney stated, sounding hurt. "She should get in line." He crossed his arms over his chest and looked absolutely petulant.

"Who else did you piss off?" John queried, trying to hide a grin.

Rodney shrugged. "Zelenka."

By this time Teyla was up and stretching, Lily's cries having woke her. She assessed her surroundings them moved to take Lily from John. "Sit and eat, I will care for her," she said.

But Lily had other ideas. She started screaming again the moment she was out of John's arms. So Teyla handed her back.

"I guess she's daddy's girl today," John said, as he bent his head to kiss her forehead. Her skin was warm and flushed but John figured that was a given after her little screaming fit. He snugged her into the crook of his left arm then reached for his fork. "I can eat and hold her," he said to Rodney, who was glaring at him. "Won't be the first time."

Wouldn't be the last time that day either. As it turned out, Lily screamed if John wasn't' holding her so he spent the entire day limping through Atlantis with Lily in his arms. Which wore him out far more quickly than he would admit to anyone. And by suppertime John was feeling as cranky as Lily, who was becoming fretful even in his arms. He laid down with her on his chest and hummed them both to sleep.

John came awake with a start, feeling hot and sweaty and realizing that it was Lily's mewling cries that had awakened him. That and the heat of her tiny body. She was burning up. Panic flaring through him, John grabbed his radio and contacted Beckett who said he was on his way. And he was serious. Three minutes later he was knocking at the door and John let him in. He thrust a crying Lily at him. "She's burning up! What do I do?"

"Calm down, first thing," Carson replied. He gestured for John to lay Lily down in her crib then he examined her, cooing softly as she fussed and fretted.

All the while John alternately hovered or paced, pausing once to contact Rodney who came racing into the room, huffing and puffing.

"Is she all right?" What's wrong? What happened?" The last was almost an accusation that he launched at John.

"I don't know what happened!" John snapped back.

Carson intervened. "It looks to me like she has an ear infection which is quite common," he stated. "I'll give her an antibiotic and some Tylenol and she'll be good as new in no time. Well...after a day or two of fussing." He looked at John. "I need you to hold her while I give her a shot."

John balked and backed away. "Not me." He remembered the first time Beckett had given Lily a shot, without warning John what to expect. Lily's screams still haunted him.

"I'll do it." Rodney shouldered John out of the way. "Big, brave, soldier," he mocked. But by the time the shot was over, Rodney looked pale and he was shaking.

"Here, Colonel." Carson scooped Lily up and gave her to John. "Keep a check on her temperature and call me if it doesn't' come down. Oh...and make sure you eat and get some sleep or I'll haul you both into the infirmary." That said, Carson leaned in to kiss Lily's cheek, uncaring when she batted at him with a tiny fist. Then he was gone, leaving John and Rodney alone. Something they had been fairly good at avoiding being. At least here in this room.

John moved to sit in the rocking chair, cooing at Lily as she fussed.

Rodney moved to sit on the bed. He watched John and Lily for a time, saying nothing. Then, abruptly, he got up and headed for the door.

"Stay!" John called out, watching Rodney freeze. He didn't want to be alone with Lily right now. He was tired of feeling alone and disconnected. "Please stay," John repeated, softer this time.

"Um...I guess I could, for a while." Rodney turned around and came back to sit on the bed. "I really do have work to do."

John locked eyes with him. "You have work to do right here, helping me take care of Lily. She matters most." No matter that things were uncomfortable between them at times, he knew that their daughter would bind them together and he was willing to use that right now.

Rodney nodded, looking ashamed. "Of course she does," he whispered. "Uh...can I get you anything? You should probably eat something."

"I'm good," John waved a hand for Rodney to sit back down. "Ronon will show up when it's chow time. He's like a freaking terminator or something."

"Yeah...be glad he's on your side," Rodney countered, relaxing a bit. "Even knowing that he scares me sometimes."

John grinned. "Yeah...it's cool though. Sometimes I feel like he's Chewbacca to my Han Solo."

Rodney snorted. "You wish."

John had a great retort to that only Lily decided it was time to intervene with some fretful crying. John got up and started walking about the room to soothe her. It took ten minutes to get her to sleep and when he tried to sit back down again, she started crying again.

And that was how John's night passed. He paced until his foot was throbbing. Swallowed Tylenol to get him by. Choked down a few bites of food with Ronon scowling at him, then Beckett would show up and give Lily more Tylenol. She was doing good until bedtime when her fever soared to 104 and Rodney went into panic mode. John wasn't far behind him. The rest of the night passed in a blur of trying to cool Lily down until the Tylenol kicked in, then walking with her until John no longer felt the pain in his foot. His entire body felt numb.

Two days passed the same way. By the time Lily's fever broke and she ate well, before falling into a peaceful slumber, John was done in. No one had been able to comfort her except for him and now he was paying the price. He vaguely remembered Rodney taking Lily from him then collapsing onto the bed. Everything after that was fuzzy.

Until John woke up from a nightmare. A Wraith had infiltrated the city and kidnapped Lily. John couldn't find her and she grew up to become a Wraith, returning twenty years later to kill him, blaming him for her mother's death.

"John!"

He blinked hard and brought Rodney's face into focus, trying to ignore the way his heart thudded hard in his chest and that he couldn't seem to breathe properly.

Rodney was rubbing his back. "Easy...it was just a dream."

"Lily?" John was halfway off the bed, but when his feet hit the floor his knees buckled.

"She's fine, lay down." Rodney pushed him back against the pillows, reaching for the covers and drawing them over John. "She's sleeping, which is what you need to do. Here...take this." He held out a pink pill.

John stared at it suspiciously. "What is it?"

Rodney sighed. "Something to help you sleep. Carson dropped it off when he checked on Lily. Just swallow the damn thing." He held out a glass of water.

"Thanks." John took it and the pill and swallowed it down with on gulp. "You're sure Lily's okay?"

"She's fine."

"Vasquez?"

Rodney shook his head. "No change."

John was disappointed to hear that. "But she's still alive?"

"Yeah." Rodney fussed with the covers.

"We have to figure out what to do," John whispered. "We have to figure this out, Rodney."

A heavy hand squeezed John's shoulder. "I know. We will. Sleep." Rodney got up and turned off the lights.

John let himself drift into darkness, knowing that he wasn't alone.

OoO

A week later John was restless. Lily was fine, his foot felt fine, and he wanted back out through the gate. He needed the distraction since they were getting no where in figuring out who the bad guy was. Nothing more had happened since Vasquez had been shot so it was looking more and more like she really was the one. But something inside John was telling him this wasn't over yet.

Neither was his food and fitness regime over. Beckett was peeved that he had only gained a pound so Ronon was still breathing down John's neck. He was tired of it. To the point that when the big guy made the mistake of stepping into his personal space to intimidate John into eating, he got a fist to the nose for his efforts. It hurt like hell, making John shake his hand, but he felt a bit of satisfaction at the fact that he'd made Ronon stumble back a few steps. Still shaking his hand, John glared at Ronon.

"Feel better?" Ronon asked, as he pinched the bridge of his nose. But he showed no other, outward sign, of being punched.

"As a matter of fact, I do," John replied, deciding there was no reason not to be honest.

Ronon nodded then pointed to the tray of food on the table. "Good...now eat."

John bit back a sharp retort, stomped over to the table, sat down and started eating.

OoO

"I want to go on a mission," John stated, as he faced Elizabeth from across her desk. "Me and the team. We need to get back out there."

"Are you sure you're ready, John?" Elizabeth countered, looking skeptical.

He sighed and started pacing. "I'm ready. Believe me I'm beyond ready. I need to be doing something."

Elizabeth studied him a moment then asked, "Will Carson clear you?"

"I don't see why not." John made a face as he said it. In truth he was pretty sure he'd have a bit of a fight on his hands on that end. He'd only gained 2 pounds total since his food and fitness regime had been put in place and Beckett was pissed at him. Not that John felt it was his fault. He had a good metabolism and he'd been doing extra workouts in his room. So the blame wasn't with Ronon either. "Look, Lt. March's team discovered that coin on M3X-884. Rodney thinks it might mean something since the symbol on it is Ancient...which you verified."

"Actually...you picked up on that first," Elizabeth countered, grinning. "Guess our lessons have taught you something."

John chuckled. "Yeah, well...you're a pretty good teacher."

Elizabeth accepted the compliment. "You're not such a bad student, when you apply yourself."

"I guess. So...can I take the team to the planet? Just do a scout around?" John was getting ready to beg if he had too. And he might have had Rodney not popped in just now, with Lily in his arms. Whom he thrust at John. "It's your turn to watch her. You're late. I have work to do."

"In a minute." John glanced at his watch. He was late.

Rodney huffed his frustration, even as he cradled Lily back against his chest. Just in time for her to puke on him. He squeaked in horror and thrust her at John. "She puked on me!"

John studied the slimy mess on Rodney's shirt front. "You fed her that pea stuff again, didn't you? I told you she doesn't like it."

"It's good for her," Rodney shot back, as he used the burp rag to rub at his shirt. "I have to change." He ran out, holding one hand over his nose and mouth.

"So…can we go?" John asked, not missing a beat as he turned back to Elizabeth with Lily tucked in one arm.

Elizabeth came over to give Lily a kiss and tap at her nose to make her smile. "I'll talk to Beckett and we'll go from there," she said, with an edge of finality in her tone.

John could live with that. For now. "Thanks," he said, and he meant it.

"Do you think this is over?" Elizabeth asked, as he was heading for the door.

"I want it to be," John replied, knowing exactly what she was asking. "But...I don't think it is."

Elizabeth looked disappointed, but she nodded. "I'll get back to you," she promised.

John waved and headed out. He wanted to spend some quality time with Lily before the shit hit the fan again.

OoO

One week later to the day, John stood before the gate with his team. Convincing Beckett to let him go hadn't been easy, but he'd actually had his team to back him up. They all had cabin fever and everyone promised to look out for him. Which left John feeling like he was about five years old instead of the team leader, but he didn't argue the point, since it got him what he wanted in the end.

Elizabeth moved down the stairs to join them. "Ready to venture out again?" she asked.

"More than ready," John replied, smiling. He looked at his team, grinning as he watched Rodney checking his vest pockets to be sure he had enough power bars on him, then he faced Elizabeth again. "Maybe our luck will change and we'll come back with a ZPM or something."

"That would be nice," Elizabeth allowed. "Be safe."

John nodded. "We can do that." He watched Elizabeth turn back to the gate room, then she called out,

"Dial the gate!"

A moment later John led the way through the puddle, feeling both excited and panicked. Then the wormhole closed out behind them. Standing in what looked like a tropical rainforest, John smiled at his team and said, "Let's get this party started."

OoO

Lorne entered the infirmary, making his way over to the area that had been curtained off. The critical care corner where Vasquez lay. Lorne felt it was time to make amends.

THE END...of part 6