Instinct
Chapter 7: Revelations
John quietly entered the white curtain only to find himself hurting more. Elizabeth Weir lay motionless on an infirmary bed, though in spite of her condition, her authoritative presence remained. John walked closer to her bed, every step becoming harder than the last. He didn't want to see her like this; this wasn't Elizabeth. When he reached out to touch her hand he was shocked at how cold she was. He kept a hold of her hand hoping in some way that his warmth would wake her, though deep down he knew it wouldn't. John sat down on the edge of the bed carefully and began to speak to the woman lying next to him.
"Hey, Elizabeth. You know we're gonna figure this out, right. You'll get through this." John paused for a second letting out a short laugh, "Wow. And I thought you needed help with your bedside manor." There was no response. He took time to look around the small space that held her in. It was so wrong for her to be here. If anyone should be here it was him.
"Atlantis is waiting; this city needs you, the people too." It was the truth and John Sheppard fully believed it. She deserved so much more than she ever received. Well, that was an understatement. Going quiet he found himself simply staring at her pale face; lost in silence. The visit was interrupted when a small 'ahem' was heard behind him.
Sheppard turned cautiously; he hadn't heard anyone approach. Was he that focused on Elizabeth that it blocked his senses? The man standing behind him surprised John. He hadn't expected him to show up this quick. Then again, he didn't know how long he'd spent with her; all time was lost the moment she called his name. He slowly looked back to Elizabeth and reluctantly let go of her warmed hand. There was so much more he wanted to say to her, but the company he now had barred that from happening. Standing to follow the man, he paused to look her over one last time.
Meanwhile in the control room….
Rodney McKay ran to the computer as he saw the chevron's lighting up around the Stargate. "Raise the shield!" He commanded the airman next to him. When the man turned to him with a shocked expression he knew they had a problem.
"It won't rise." The airman said trying anything he could think of.
"Wonderful. Move out of my way." Rodney said practically pushing the airman to the floor. Chevron 6 locked….7….
"Why won't this work!" Rodney shouted to no one in particular as he scrambled to fix the shield. His efforts were lost when the 'kawoosh' of the Stargate's wormhole surged forward. What was even more shocking was the figure standing in the center of Atlantis.
"Is she alright?"
"She will be."
"I saw the way you were…sorry, I interrupted you didn't I?" The man eyed Sheppard hinting towards the infirmary room they were standing outside of.
"I was just… uh, what are you doing here…sir?" John cleverly avoided the question.
"As of now, I'm taking control of Atlantis." Colonel Steven Caldwell answered firmly.