SILENT SACRIFICE...part 4

When John reached the cave he was beyond exhausted, but he plastered a smile on his face as he entered and he could feel the burn of two gazes upon him. He moved to Rodney's side first, dumping the back pack off his shoulders. His aching ribs thanked him. "How are you doing?" he asked, as he studied the pale face before him.

"I'm lousy!" Rodney groused. "I need pain medicine. Good stuff. And I'm hungry."

"Do you have to pee?" John figured that would be the first thing to get out of the way, while he was still on his feet. He had a feeling that once he did sit down, he was going to be down for a while.

Rodney eyes searched John's face for a moment, then he nodded. "Yeah, I do."

John leaned in, got Rodney's arm draped over his shoulders then hauled him upright. "Be right back for you," he said to Ronon. Then he made the trip out and back with Rodney, fighting a rising dizziness all the way. It must have shown because Ronon was watching him and when John went to get him up he shook his head at him.

"Rest first, I'm good," Ronon stated. "Did you find water?"

"And food?" Rodney piped up.

John pointed to the backpack. "Found some berries and there's a stream. It'll keep us going for as long as it takes." John turned to the opening. "I'm going to get some wood for the fire tonight, then I'll take you out," he said to Ronon. "After that we'll eat." John left before anyone could argue with him. It took him three trips to get what he figured would be enough wood. He then hauled Ronon to his feet and out of the cave, taking the time to relieve himself before hauling them both back inside.

Rodney watched John get Ronon settled again. "You don't look so good," he commented to John.

"I'm just a little tired," John replied, forcing a smile. "It was a long walk." He rummaged in the back pack then set about passing around the berries. As he handed some to Rodney, along with a power bar, he asked, "Do you want some Tylenol first?"

"Yeah, that would be good," Rodney replied, holding out his hand for the pills.

Which told John just how badly he was hurting, more than words would have. He doled out a dose, handed over a new bottle of water since Rodney's other one was empty, then pressed a hand to Rodney's forehead. No fever, which was a relief. John waved for Rodney to eat, then he grabbed the empty water bottle. In a day or two he would go to fill up the empties.

Moving to Ronon, John studied him a moment before handing over his share of food and water. "Want something now or later?" John replied, meaning the morphine.

"Later," Ronon said, reaching for the water bottle and chugging half of it down.

"You doing okay?" John asked, as he reached out for his forehead. He didn't like the heat emanating from Ronon. He grabbed the Tylenol, wishing they had more. He shook some out and handed them over. "This will help," John said, not mentioning the fever, but he knew Ronon was aware of his condition. And aware there was little more they could do. Once the pills were down he handed over berries and an MRE. "Eat up," he ordered, before he moved away and settled down with his own water bottle.

Rodney frowned at him, swallowing a mouthful of berries before asking, "Why aren't you eating?"

John took another swallow of water before replying. Or rather, lying. "I stuffed myself full of berries, so I'll eat later." He was relieved when Rodney took him at his word and went back to eating.

Once his companions were done, John cleaned up the area then went to work on starting a fire. It was getting dark. "Get some sleep," he told them.

"You sleep," Ronon replied, his voice sounding a bit slurred. "We dozed while you were gone. We'll keep watch for a while."

"Maybe for an hour," John allowed, settling onto his good side. He was tired enough not to put up much of an argument right now, so he let himself drift off to sleep. Only to dream about the Wraith finding them again, and sucking the life out of Rodney and Ronon. Which brought John awake with a strangled cry. He sat up, wincing when his ribs protested and pain throbbed in his temples. He drank some water only to have to rush out of the cave to puke. There was nothing in his stomach but bile which made John gag. It felt like hours before he could breathe again and his ribs were screaming with pain.

A cry from inside the cave made John scrabble to his feet and run back inside. Rodney was calling John's name and pointing at Ronon who had listed over onto his side. John ran to him already knowing what he would find. Ronon was burning up with fever.

"What's wrong with him?" Rodney asked, his voice betraying his fear.

"Fever," John replied, already working on getting Ronon's vest open. He grabbed a water bottle and a cloth and did what he could to try and cool the big man down. But it wasn't going to be enough. "I'm going to have to douse the fire," John said, rising to his feet and kicking dirt onto the flames. He went to Rodney with the blanket and his jacket and covered him. "You going to be okay?"

Rodney nodded, carefully. "Yeah...fine, whatever. Just help Ronon."

John patted Rodney on the shoulder. "I'll do what I can." And throughout the night he kept cooling Ronon down with water. He trickled some into Ronon's mouth and during lucid moments and at the right hour, gave him more Tylenol. But it felt as if he were fighting a losing battle, and it worried John that he had only touch to rely on for whether or not the fever was going down.

In between moments John tried to take care of Rodney. He watched the scientist doze a bit, then John made him eat a powerbar and some berries. He also hauled them both out for a bathroom break and found something for Ronon to pee in, although he didn't have to go much because the fever had him so dehydrated.

Come morning John was beyond exhausted, but Ronon seemed a bit better. John feared it wasn't going to last. They were low on water again so he knew he'd be making a trek back to the stream. He had an idea though. He'd build a travois, use one of the supply containers that he had rescued and he'd fill it with water and hopefully be able to use it to cool Ronon down. John was pretty sure he could get to the stream and back in three hours. He explained his idea to his companions, moved Rodney closer to Ronon so he'd be able to keep an eye on the runner, made sure they had food and water, then he headed out to make his travois. It was rough and John doubted it would hold together past what he needed it for, but it was good enough and he took off straight way, dragging it and the container behind him.

By the time he reached the stream he was sick with nausea. He fell to his knees beside the stream, jolting his ribs and head and ended up puking. Nothing but bile again, since there was nothing in his stomach. Once he stopped gagging, John splashed cold water on his face, then drank a bit. It helped. He then went to work filling the water bottles from his back pack then he grabbed the container and shoved it into the stream. It weighed a ton but he was able to push it back onto the bank and onto the travois. John was ready to go back, but he paused long enough to submerge himself in the water. It was shockingly cold but felt wonderful to his overheated body, and it helped to energize him a bit for the trip back.

He had lost track of time by the time he reached the cave. John left the travois at the bottom and climbed up knowing that it would be easier to bring Ronon down. Thankfully, the Satedan was awake and aware, but still burning up. But he was able to support himself a bit with his branch cane and John got him down to the water container. He then used his cupped hands to splash water over Ronon from head to toe. Not as effective as an ice bath, but it would have to do in a pinch.

John kept working until the water was gone and Ronon was soaked, then he hauled him back up to the cave and got him settled. He checked him and the Satedan's skin felt cooler. John got more Tylenol in him then he turned to Rodney,

McKay's eyes were wide with concern. "Is he going to be okay?" he asked in a hushed tone. Or hushed for Rodney.

"I hope so," John replied, rubbing a weary hand over his forehead. Everything hurt at this moment. It felt like even his hair hurt, but he couldn't rest just yet. He had to get Rodney settled for the night, then keep vigil over Ronon again. Rising to his feet he stumbled to Rodney's side. "Let's get you outside for a bathroom break."

"Yeah...that would be good," Rodney mumbled, blushing a bit.

They made it there and back with only a bit of a struggle and John was relieved to get Rodney settled again. He gave him water and a MRE and bade him to eat.

Rodney took a bite then stared at John. "When are you going to eat? And don't tell me you ate on the way to get the water. I know you didn't take any food with you."

"I'll eat later," John replied. He wasn't going to argue with Rodney, he just didn't have the energy.

"You need to eat and sleep," Rodney countered, his tone sharp. "You can't keep going without food and rest, Sheppard. And if you collapse on us, we're done for. Got it?"

John understood what Rodney was saying, but he didn't have time to rest. "I have to keep on eye on Ronon," he replied, and he doubted Rodney could argue that one.

But Rodney was Rodney, so he certainly was going to argue. "I can keep an eye on Ronon. Both of them!" he shot back. "You eat and sleep then you can take the night watch." His tone brooked no argument.

"Fine," John caved. It was easier to just agree and he realized his body was shutting down. He hurt to the point where he felt almost numb with it and his eyelids were heavy and when he looked at Rodney his vision was blurred. McKay was right, he needed to rest. "No more than three hours," John stated firmly. "And wake me if you need me."

"You'll hear my screams," Rodney promised. "Eat something first though," he prompted.

John shook his head, wincing at the pain that stabbed in his temples. He would have to stop doing that. "Later," he whispered, as he curled up on his side. "Too tired to chew." He was mostly mumbling now and doubted Rodney even heard him, but it didn't matter. A heartbeat later, John was asleep.

OoO

Elizabeth had sensed that something was wrong even before Sheppard missed his first check in. By the time they were actually late, she'd called Lorne and had him put together a team while they opened the gate and attempted radio contact. When they couldn't reach them, she sent Major Lorne to the first planet in search of John and his team. She stared at her computer screen, willing herself to concentrate on the work at hand but she was too distracted by her worry. She couldn't shake the feeling that something bad had happened, so she prayed hard that everything would be all right and that John, Rodney and Ronon would be coming home soon.

OoO

"Hey,Tigger, don't you wuss out on me!" John shouted at his friend. But Tigger, who's real name was Rupert Reese, didn't respond. John stared at his friend, feeling nauseous at the sight of him. He was soaked in blood, it stained one side of his face, and there was a gaping hole in his chest and John knew he wasn't going to make it. But he wasn't going to just give up either. If Tigger died then he was all alone.

"GET UP!" John shouted, gripping Tigger's shoulder and shaking him. He was rewarded with a moan of pain then dark eyes were staring at him, glazed with pain.

"Tell...Tell Rose I love her," Tigger begged, before a cough made him break off. Then he closed his eyes and went still.

John fought back tears. "You were supposed to go home and tell her that yourself you stupid, selfish, sonofabitch!" he shouted. Tigger and Rose were engaged to be married when he returned from this tour. But that was never going to happen now and John wasn't going to be Tigger's best man and make some stupid speech and John felt hot tears tracking down his face and he wiped them away with his sleeve before reaching out with a shaky hand, fingers stained with blood, to close Tigger's eyes. "Been an honor to serve with you, Sergeant," John whispered.

"Sheppard!"

John fought his way back to awareness, trying to shake off the memories of the dream that seemed all too vivid. When he opened his eyes he stared at his hands, expecting to see blood instead of dirt. He heard his name being called again and it took him a moment to remember where he was. He rolled onto his hands and knees then crawled over to Ronon and a panicked looking Rodney. "What's wrong?" John croaked, his voice acid rough in his throat.

Rodney's eyes were huge and dark with fear. "He started shaking and moaning then he went completely still!" he babbled. "Is he dead? Please tell me he's not dead!"

John reached out to press two fingers to Ronon's neck. It took a moment but then he felt the flutter of a pulse. He shifted his fingers a bit and found a reassuring thud. Another thing he noticed was that Ronon's skin was cool and clammy. "His fever broke," John announced, letting a smile curve his lips as he looked at Rodney. "He's better now." John saw relief flood Rodney's eyes.

"Good..that's good," Rodney said softly.

"Yeah." John rubbed his eyes then frowned as he glanced at his watch. "How long was I out for?"

Rodney waved a hand at him. "How should I know. My watch is broke." He twisted his wrist to show him the broken piece.

John realized he'd slept for almost seven hours. He should have felt rested but he felt oddly achy and lethargic. He decided against yelling at Rodney for letting him sleep so long, realizing that it was the scientist's way of trying to help. Instead he got to his feet and hauled Rodney to his. "Potty time," John announced.

"And food," Rodney said, as he leaned heavily on John as they made their slow way out of the cave. "Fear makes me hungry."

"You okay otherwise?" John asked, as they made their way over to their bathroom area. "How's your back feeling?" Rodney was leaning hard on him, making John almost stagger under his weight. In fact, he seemed to be leaning more than usual.

Rodney grimaced. "I'm a bit stiff from being still for so long," he complained.

John sighed. "Next time do what I tell you and wake me up," he chided. Rodney didn't reply and John let it go. He relieved himself as well then took Rodney back to the cave. Ronon was sleeping peacefully so John let him be for now. He gave Rodney an MRE and some water, grabbed a power bar for himself, which he waved in Rodney's face, then headed out of the cave. He told Rodney he was going to scout the area for a while, which he was going to do. But he also went so that Rodney wouldn't know he wasn't eating. Just the thought of food right now made John nervous.

He tucked the powerbar in his pocket then headed in the opposite direction from before. It was a cooler day which made it easier going for him, but he still found himself stumbling at times. At one point he tripped over a root and went down hard on his knees. Hard enough to rattle his ribs and send pain exploding into white lights in his head. Then the sparkling lights faded into gray, then darkness curled around John and he felt himself drifting into oblivion.

THE END...of part 4