Chapter 3:
Spoilers: Suspicion, Trinity and Critical Mass, maybe others
Beta: J.A.B.
A/N: Any resemblance to actual medical procedure is purely by accident.
-------
"Not good, not good, not good," muttered McKay as he tried to twist his body into a pretzel looking at all the new soldiers and scientists at the same time. Now was when he wished he had his old teacher, Mrs. Drusky's, much cursed all knowing eyes in the back of her head.
As disgusting as that sounded.
Rodney hadn't carried a P-90 on this trip and he was beginning to regret his decision. At any other time, he would have been shocked by his impulsive desire for personal firepower, but right now, he just felt vulnerable. Being vulnerable was something he had felt too often in his personal and professional life up to this point.
McKay glanced at his 9 mil which, at the moment, looked pitifully small.
Rodney tried to stay behind his cover as his left hand did its little dance of stress. He kept rubbing his thumb against the side of his index finger. For him, it was an automatic and habitual motion that soothed his nerves—as a release valve for his anxiety.
"Ronon? How's Sheppard doing?" he asked with a touch of apprehension.
Part of Rodney's difficulty with this whole situation was that he had no information about Sheppard's condition or about who the shooter was. Rodney was a man who required information, even if it was information he didn't like.
"He is . . . unconscious," replied Ronon tightly, as if he was clenching his teeth.
"Teyla?" Rodney called out urgently, not knowing if he should stay put or attempt to move closer to Sheppard's position.
At the gate, Teyla's shock had turned into a purposeful anger at the news of Sheppard's status. "We must contain these new teams until we get back to Atlantis. Then we will find out who has done this . . . despicable thing."
Rodney felt a chill at Teyla's hard tone of voice. The rancor—the eagerness for revenge—seemed at odds with the serene mental image he had of her. "Sure, sure. Contain the new people. Just how do we do that? In case you hadn't noticed, there's a lot more of them than there are of us."
Without answering McKay, Teyla stood unexpectedly, her P-90 ready to fire if necessary, with her eyes blazing in the alien sunlight. "Lieutenant Hernandez, Lieutenant Tuck and Sergeant Meeks . . . have your people disarm themselves at once."
There was a short-lived silence and then a lot of uneasy babble over the radios.
"Silence! You will disarm or I will send to Atlantis for support! I promise it will not be a pleasant experience if we are forced to wait," responded Teyla in a scathing tone of voice.
The three new team leaders reluctantly recalled their people and had them pile their weapons in a small heap by the scientific equipment.
Hesitating for just a moment, Hernandez then ordered them all to raise their hands to show they were no longer armed. He didn't want any misunderstandings turning this into a bloodbath. Especially if it involved his own and his friends' blood.
When the soldier by Teyla's side tried to move forward, she put out a hand to stop him. "No, do not lay down your weapon. You were in my sight the whole time and I will have need of your support." She tried to use a reassuring tone with the young man. "I want you to help us guard until we can get everyone back to the security of Atlantis."
The young man named Reshad Ellmore smiled hesitantly at the warrior woman with the fierce eyes. He then hefted his SAW into a more comfortable position, with its weight resting on the wide strap over his shoulder. "Yes, Ma'am," replied Ellmore as he moved cautiously closer to the prisoners.
"Dr. McKay, I am dialing Atlantis. Make sure you watch them all carefully," said Teyla as she moved to the D.H.D. without her usual grace. She may trust Ellmore a little more than the others, but she still wanted to be cautious until they had more information. "I will see that the Colonel is sent through the gate first while we guard him against this traitor."
"Sure, yeah, I'll do that," was the dry reply she received from the astrophysicist. "Believe me."
-------
"Colonel? Colonel," called Doc Shay with a calm undertone to his voice as he started an I.V. and rechecked the man's vitals.
Sheppard's bleeding may have slowed greatly due to the direct pressure, but his heartbeat was still fast as his body tried to compensate for the initial blood loss.
"What's wrong?" grated out Ronon from nearby.
"He needs Beckett and soon," the medic said as the big man once again crouched down to hover at the Colonel's side. "He's going into shock and I'm really not liking his vitals."
As if in response to the medic's comments, Sheppard's wheezing quickened as his lungs tried to boost oxygen levels due to his racing heart.
"Damn! He needs Beckett—now! Shooter or no shooter."
As Ronon touched his radio to tell Teyla and McKay, they could both hear the stargate whoosh open.
-------
It took only a short, and shocking, call to Atlantis to have Beckett and his team waiting by the gate for Sheppard and Shay, and for a compliment of soldiers sent by Major Lorne to take charge of the prisoners.
Even though it was Ronon's first impulse to stay by his leader while Sheppard was unable to protect himself, the Runner knew he was needed by McKay and Teyla to watch the prisoners.
To prevent any further bloodshed.
For now.
Ronon held out his blaster steadily at shoulder height as the unarmed personnel materialized from the stargate and into the chaos and high emotion of Atlantis.
Ronon let his hard gaze and the business end of his weapon quell any objections as the soldiers plodded by him and into the waiting arms of the guards. The suspects were prodded unceremoniously out of sight to whatever accommodations the Major had arranged for them.
The scientists were quiet as they passed under the simmering glare of the former Runner.
Dr. White put his hand on Dr. Mawyer's elbow to steady her as she weaved slightly at the sight of the armed soldiers and hostile stares.
Dr. Grant was close behind them, his hands nervously rubbing at his jacket leaving sweat stains on the blue panels.
The guards took them as well, with little protest from the prisoners, just a slight sniffle from Dr. Mawyer as she tried to hold back her panic-stricken tears.
Rodney came through the gate next, his face in a grimace that pulled the left corner of his mouth downward. In the absence of Sheppard, McKay turned his head to seek out Weir's steadying presence.
"Rodney? What happened?" called out Weir as she turned from her view from her office catwalk and quickly came down to the gate level to stand close to the visibly distressed scientist.
McKay felt almost too drained to speak and took a moment to holster his gun and to gather his thoughts.
As he struggled with an answer for Elizabeth, Teyla and Ellmore exited the stargate. Teyla nodded to the gate tech to indicate that all were back from the off world mission.
With a whoosh the stargate wormhole was cut, throwing the room into an abrupt and stunned silence.
Rodney shifted his eyes to see Ellmore voluntarily giving up his SAW to the last of the guards and leaving with them without comment or protest.
McKay glanced back at Elizabeth and shook his head. "I don't know. One minute my people were gleefully taking samples of the local water, and the next, someone was shooting Sheppard." He was absurdly proud that his voice didn't crack as Teyla and Ronon drew closer to the conversation.
Dr. Weir nodded to Teyla and Ronon as all three turned at the same time to walk to the infirmary to check on the Colonel's condition.
"Teyla? Ronon? Did you see anything?" Weir's hands clenched as she asked the question and she tried to relax them by putting them behind her back.
Teyla's lips tightened and she still carried her P-90 in the ready position. "The Colonel was shot in our very midst and I saw nothing. Nothing at all." It was clear she was not pleased. What wasn't clear was what she blamed more, her failure as a teammate to protect her friend or the action of the unidentified traitor.
In an awkward attempt at comfort, Rodney tilted his head toward her, but he didn't try to touch her tightly flexed arm. It was as if she was still ready to attack or be attacked. "No one was expecting this . . . could have predicted this. Not even Sheppard. Nothing we did or didn't do caused this."
She didn't reply, only continued to stride toward the infirmary at a clip that forced her companions to walk a little faster to keep up.
Ronon was almost as morose as Teyla. He was a former soldier who had some experience with duplicity during his military service on his former home world of Sateda. "I was near the civilians when it happened. Sheppard wanted me to guard them. All I saw was them diving behind cover after the shot," he snarled.
Rodney didn't even attempt to ease Ronon's mind. It didn't look like the big man would appreciate it right now.
-------
They were almost at the infirmary door when the clump-clack of crutches caught their attention.
Major Lorne was coming as fast as he could and was surprisingly good at keeping his balance as his slightly bent left leg counter swung to his hurried movements. Even with all the gear he was wearing, including his holstered sidearm and his P-90 clipped to his vest, he was moving hastily.
"Major, really, you need to stay off of—"
"No, Ma'am. Not while the Colonel is down and there is an investigation to conduct," responded the second in command of Atlantis' military contingent. "I wanted to be in the gateroom when the prisoners came through, but this damn leg slowed me down."
Weir gave him an understanding wince. "Okay, Major. Here's what we know so far . . ."
-------
"Where did you send the prisoners?" asked Elizabeth wearily to break the strained silence as the four of them waited for Carson's report on Sheppard.
Time seemed to drag by and they had been quiet for a long while, letting their imaginations conjure up wild things about their friend's condition. They all needed a distraction.
Lorne shifted in his chair trying to ease the sharp twinge of his broken leg. "The Wraith holding cell."
"That's a little . . . excessive don't you think, Major. There are no cots, no privacy or facilities in that cell. Maybe one of the extra labs—"
"No, Ma'am. One of those people shot the Colonel. Until I know who did, they are all staying right where they are. I don't give a damn about their comfort level."
Elizabeth sighed, knowing that Lorne was right, but not liking it. It was a measure that would seem harsh to those that were innocent, but at the same time, she couldn't have some rogue assassin loose in the city.
"When are you starting the interrogations?" Weir asked. It was now a loaded word to use—interrogation. It reminded her of the line they had crossed recently, and that bit of humanity she had left behind trying to protect the city.
"As soon as I hear from the Doc how Sheppard is doing. I have to know if I'm investigating an attack or a murder."
That sent a chill down all of their backs and all eyes went to the closed off area where Beckett was fighting for their friend's life.
-------
Carson didn't come out to talk to them until what seemed like hours later. His face was pale and he was using an extra hand towel to wipe beads of water from his face.
Everyone but Lorne immediately stood, eager for any news.
"Well, the man is tough, I'll give him that. I've cleaned up his gun shot wound and made him as comfortable as possible under the circumstances. We won't know more until he recovers from the anesthesia, but he will have some discomfort when he wakes."
During the talk, McKay had been straining to see over Beckett's shoulder to catch a glimpse of his friend behind the screens. Until he heard the discomfort part. "What? Aren't you giving him the good stuff yet? I know from personal experience that you have a stock of some of the good stuff here, Carson."
The doctor smiled tiredly. "Aye, that I do, Rodney. Give the poor man a chance to wake up before you work yourself into a frenzy. Really, Rodney, there's no need to worry for the Colonel. He's being well taken care of."
"Good, I wouldn't want to send a message to General Landry at the SGC that he needs to replace the drug withholding quack the next time the Daedalus is in the neighborhood."
"Cheeky, Rodney. Just remember there will again come a time that you're here and in need of my quackery."
McKay closed his mouth with a click of his teeth.
Elizabeth snorted. "Can we just peek in, Carson? Just to see him?"
At the moment, they all needed a little reassurance that John Sheppard was still breathing.
Carson looked undecided for a moment until Rodney started bouncing on his toes. He nodded to Weir. "Just a wee peek and then the Colonel will need his peace and quiet."
He motioned with his right arm, indicating that the group should precede him behind the screened off area.
"And here he is," said Carson in his mild voice. "We'll be watching him for another hour or so until the anesthesia wears off. Just to make sure he doesn't have a bad reaction."
Rodney opened his mouth but Beckett stopped him with a glare, his arms crossing over his chest. "I'm sure he won't, given his medical history, but I'm not taking any chances at this stage."
They all gathered around the bed, careful of the monitors, tubes and machinery hooked to the Colonel's body.
Teyla leaned over the bed slightly, her P-90 clanking against the metal railing as she let go to let it swing on its clip. She softly recited one of her people's prayers for John's full recovery as she performed the accompanying graceful hand gestures over his sheet-covered chest.
Sheppard didn't move at either sound, his slack face turned slightly to the right, the oxygen tube shining dimly in the infirmary lighting.
Ronon stood stone faced at Teyla's side as she prayed. He still looked ready to physically tear someone limb from limb as he fingered his bone necklace. "What about his ribs?"
Beckett looked confused for a moment.
The ex-Runner's eyes shifted to bore into the doctor's. "Sheppard said he had broken ribs."
The doctor's expression cleared. "Oh, no, they were just bruised. At least that will be one thing he won't have to be dealing with when he awakens."
They were all trying to be quiet until Major Lorne's voice rang out. "Aren't you the medic that went out on Sheppard's mission today?" The suspicion was heavy in his voice as Lorne glared at Keith "Doc" Shay.
Doc Shay had been standing nearby, quietly helping one of the nurses. At the Major's voice, he turned and winced. "Yes, sir."
Weir was surprised to realize that they had all forgotten in the chaos that the medic had accompanied the Colonel and Dr. Beckett to the infirmary.
Lorne didn't waste any time in tapping his radio and calling for two of his men. "Sorry, but everyone from that mission is staying in the holding cell until this is sorted out."
Beckett looked about to object but Lorne held up his hand. "I know, Doc. I know he helped get Sheppard back here to you, but he was on that mission. I—no we, can't take any chances with this."
--------
After Beckett kicked them out of the infirmary so that Sheppard could have quiet, the small group started the slow walk back to Weir's office and they discussed what to do next.
"We need to examine the guns left behind on P3M-390 and we need someone we can trust to go get them," said Lorne as he clacked along Weir's right side.
She nodded. "To see if any were fired. If you do find the one that was fired, can you tell who the gun belonged to?"
Lorne wanted to nod, but all the crutch usage was making his shoulders and neck stiff. "We have a list of the weapons issued to each of the personnel. Shouldn't be a problem to locate the owner. If we find anything."
Teyla frowned. "You do not think we will find the weapon used?"
Lorne snorted. "Whoever it was would have to be stupid to use their own gun to shoot the ranking officer of Atlantis."
"Makes sense. I know I wouldn't," muttered Ronon.
When the others turned to glare at him, he just stared right back. "What?"
Weir cleared her throat and continued the conversation. "Who do you want to send to get our equipment, Major?"
Lorne stopped in the hallway, forcing the others to stop as well. He looked slightly uncomfortable. "You know I trust my soldiers, Dr. Weir, but I would really rather Teyla, Dr. McKay and Ronon go pick up the abandoned stuff."
"Oh, wait . . . why am I going back," asked Rodney in a high pitched whine. "Someone should be here in case, uh . . . you know . . . ," he stumbled feebly to a stop.
Elizabeth understood their need to stay near John, but they did need people they could absolutely trust on the investigation. "I'll be here, Rodney. And Carson will be here. John's in good hands right now and we need to start the investigation before this happens again."
Mollified, Rodney let his shoulders slump. "Fine, but I'm not staying there any longer than absolutely necessary. That place is just . . . creepy now."
Ronon grunted in agreement.
"Okay then, Major Lorne will give you what you need to pack the weapons and then you'll return to retrieve the evidence."
-------
Lieutenant Hernandez paced the holding cell, letting his eyes pass over the others in their various positions of sitting on the hard floor and standing near the doorway.
Mac, his sergeant, was resting against the weird, flat bars of the cell since the guards had deactivated the Ancient shield, and were playing cards with Cannel, Killip and Bitterman.
Some of the other caged soldiers and scientists were chatting up their jailors, trying to get a few pillows and some other amenities.
And Katy Mawyer really had to use the restroom, and she didn't want a male audience.
The five guards of the holding cell exchanged long-suffering looks.
-------
It seemed Teyla, Ronon and Rodney had barely stepped through the gate to P3M-390 before they were back carrying the cases of guns and the samples.
Lorne was waiting for them to escort the stuff to a newly cleared vacant lab that was to be the hub of his investigation.
Watching as the stuff was carted away, Rodney sat down on the sweeping steps of the gateroom, heaving a few gasping breaths. He used the back of his left hand to wipe the sweat of hard labor from his cheeks. "How many samples . . . did they need . . . from that stupid planet? I think I just threw out . . . my back," he huffed in exhaustion.
With a grimace of pain, McKay put a hand to the small of his back and tried to straighten.
He waved off Ronon and Teyla as they curiously looked in his direction. "Go on with Lorne. I think I'm going to go see Carson for this."
Teyla raised an eyebrow at his words. McKay had to be tired to try such an obvious plot to visit the Colonel against Dr. Beckett's orders.
"Very well, we will help the Major," said Teyla with a faint curving of her lips. It was the first smile her teammates had witnessed since the shooting. "Give the Colonel our regards if he is awake."
Ronon gave a toothy grin at McKay's mortified expression.
Then the two warriors turned and followed the clacking Lorne to the vacant lab.
Rodney jumped up from the steps and moved as quickly as he could to go check on Sheppard, momentarily forgetting about his bad back.
-------
McKay entered the infirmary and noticed two things. One was that Sheppard was still sleeping and the other was that Carson Beckett was standing in the middle of the room with a pillowcase in one hand and a grenade in the other.
TBC . . .