Right, last update for the night. Big thanks to all me reviewers, and beign so patient in waiting for this update. Life's been a bit screwed up recently.

Chapter 9:Worse to nigh on apocalyptic

"What the hell?"

Carson stared in disbelief at the sight that met him when he reached the Gate. Elizabeth was sat on the floor, blood streaming from her arms. Teyla was kneeling next to her trying to keep her calm. Rodney was stood to one side looking on the verge of hyperventilating. John's gaze switched between Rodney and Elizabeth hoping neither of them was about to pass out. Ford stood in the centre looking bewildered.

"Major, would you like to explain this?"

"Well, we were walking to the temple when some huge creature jumped out and attacked Elizabeth."

"Right."

Carson sighed. It could only happen to John's team.

"Everyone to the infirmary. Now."

Elizabeth was lifted onto a gurney, while the rest of the team trooped out behind them.

In the infirmary, Carson set about cleaning up Elizabeth's arms while various nurses and doctors checked out the rest of the team. At last, the whole team were assembled around Elizabeth's bed. She was lying down and looked very pale.

"You've all been given the all clear, but I'm keeping Elizabeth in overnight to keep an eye on her condition. And in the meantime, I want to say this to all of you, especially John and Elizabeth. From now on, I want everyone going off world to have some sort of training in self-defence and weaponry. I know I probably can't make it official, but I'm the one stuck patching people up when they get injured. Even just a basic training is better than nothing."

Elizabeth sighed and shifted in the bed.

"Fine, I'll make it official. You're probably right Carson."

"No probably about it."

Carson turned and walked away. The rest of the team gave Elizabeth their best wishes before following suit. John stayed however, waiting until everyone was gone.

"I'm sorry Elizabeth, I should have listened to you."

"It's okay."

"Once your better, shall I pencil you in for some training sessions?"

"I guess so."

"Great, I'll let you get some rest then."

John flashed her a very boyish grin before disappearing. Elizabeth settled back in the bed. She could already see things going badly.

"So, ready for your first lesson?"

Elizabeth stretched out her arms, watching John entering the room.

"Yes, and you're late."

"I had to pick some things up."

John held up the bag, shook it and them dropped it to the floor. It clattered loudly, making Elizabeth jump back. She could see John smirking at her while he began to stretch.

"I hope there was nothing breakable in that."

John just smiled at her and stepped onto the mats.

"Care to join me?"

"I'd be honoured."

Elizabeth pulled off her jacket. John hesitated when he saw the bandages on her arms.

"You sure you're okay to fight?"

"Yeah, Carson said the bandages are just to keep from pulling out the stitches. A little light exercise would be good for me."

She stepped onto the mat and faced him. He smiled.

"Lets get started. Just a few basic steps, like blocks."

After a while, Elizabeth felt like she was getting the hang of what he was teaching her.

"Looks like you're getting better. Lets try a bit of a play fighting."

Elizabeth nodded and they began. They worked slowly at first, but they began to pick up speed.

All of a sudden John aimed a hit at her head, and Elizabeth raised her arm to block. She winced and gasped as he hit her.

"Hey, you okay?"

"Sure."

Elizabeth took the opportunity while John was distracted to aim a hit at his head. John didn't have time to block and she hit him squarely in the jaw.

"Hey!"

"That is nothing compared to the pain in my arms at the moment."

"If this was a problem, you shouldn't have come to training."

John struck out again, aiming at her stomach. She tried to block, but he went a little higher striking her in the chest. She gasped out as the air was forced out of her lungs.

"You should be more careful when blocking."

Elizabeth glared at him.

"It's your fault my arms are stitched up anyway."

"You didn't have to come off world."

Elizabeth launched at him and punched him in the stomach.

"Well, it was either that or hear you whine at me for weeks."

"I didn't have much choice, I can't go anywhere without you."

"And whose fault is that?"

John growled and kicked out. This time he hit her stomach and she fell backwards to the floor.

"I didn't ask to be made a Guardian of Atlantis."

He stepped forward. Elizabeth kicked out, knocking his feet out from under him. He fell forwards hard.

"You could have done something, talk to Serai or anything."

Elizabeth rolled over and looked at him. He propped himself up and faced her.

"You could've stayed back when we off world, like I told you."

Elizabeth kicked out again, aiming at his face. John grabbed her foot and held it.

"You're very good Elizabeth. Next time, we'll try to organise it more. You have a lot of potential."

He let go of her foot. It dropped to the floor, and he could see Elizabeth's face more clearly. She was looking sadly at him.

"What is it?"

"No John. I can't do this again; it goes against what I believe in. I won't fight, and I definitely won't use a gun."

John sat up and stared down at her.

"What?"

"I won't do this again. I'm sorry."

John stood up.

"I can't believe you're going to do this to me."

"John."

"Forget it. I need some time."

John stormed out of the training room. Elizabeth sighed and sat up. She felt pain shoot up her arm. Looking down, she could see blood seeping through the bandages on one arm. She pulled herself up slowly and walked to the infirmary.

"Elizabeth lass, what did you do?"

"I got into a bit of a sparring match with John."

Carson reached out and took her other arm.

"Come on, let's get you cleaned up."

He sat her down on the bed and hurried off to find what he needed.

Elizabeth sat on the bed cradling her arm. She was beginning to feel very sick, and her head was beginning to throb.

Carson came back with a tray of equipment, but stopped when he saw her.

"Elizabeth?"

"I'm okay, it's just a headache."

"Did John hit your head?"

"I don't think so."

"Where is John?"

"I don't know. He stormed off."

Carson looked her over carefully. She definitely had no other obvious injuries, and there wasn't enough blood to show that that was the cause.

"Right, I just need to check something with the control centre. You just lie down."

Elizabeth began to pull herself off the bed.

"I can help. He said he needed space. I know where to look for him."

She stood up slowly while Carson supported her. He felt her sway.

"You need to lie down."

"I'm fine."

Her head was spinning and her wrist felt like it was on fire.

"Puddle jumper."

She muttered it so quietly Carson only just caught what she said.

All of a sudden, she began to fall. Carson was glad he was there, as she passed out on him.

"A little help please."

A group of nurses hurried over and helped Carson lay Elizabeth back down on the bed.

"I need to get her stitches checked, blood tests, an IV line in and will someone find out if any puddle jumpers are gone."

As the infirmary sprinted into action, Carson prayed silently that Sheppard hadn't taken a puddle jumper, because if he had, things were about to get much worse. If that was humanly possible.