Chapter 5

Thanks for the wonderful reviews! I'm really suprised that your reactions have been so positive. Of course, I'm thrilled at the same time. Thanks to my betas, Kodiak and Merlin, who have kept me on the striaght and narrow, as well as being such hugeinspirations.

He must have been out of it for some time, as when he awoke, Sheppard discovered he was lying on the floor of the living room, head on a pillow, blankets tightly tucked around him. He opened heavy eyes to see Teyla's face swim in front of him. "John? Can you hear me? We have removed the splinters of wood from your hands and cleaned your wounds as well as we were able to. How do you feel?"

The pilot blinked in confusion, and looked up at the Athosian. "What happened?

Where am I? He couldn't think clearly, everything was jumbled. Had he been injured in a fight with the Wraith? Had the 'jumper crashed? No, they were on a mission, and they had walked through the gate, he suddenly remembered. There was a storm and they'd taken shelter in a cave. The ladder had broken; it all came rushing back to him.

"You fell from a ladder, John. We are on K7X-234. We are in Marrin and Jamos' home, in the cave. Do you not remember?"

Sheppard groaned, "Yeah, sorry. Just a little confused. I remember now." His throat was dry and his head felt heavy and hot. "Can I have a drink? I'm really thirsty," he begged.

"Of course. Here. Take only small sips." He felt the Athosian gently prop him up, and felt a glass being pressed against his dry lips. He took small sips of the water and sighed as the cool liquid eased his parched throat. She gently helped him settle back down on the pillows.

"Thanks," he whispered to the slender woman. "How long have I been out?" he continued.

He blinked and saw Teyla smiling down at him. "About eight hours. The others are sleeping. John, I am going back to the Stargate in the morning to contact Atlantis." No way, he thought to himself and went to open his mouth to interrupt her, but she just raised her hand to silence him. "Listen to me. I know the conditions outside are dangerous, but you need medical attention. Ronon will come with me. We will be fine."

"No. It's too dangerous. I won't let you risk your lives for me. We'll wait the storm out here, and then you can go for help." He wasn't going to let his friends venture outside in this weather. They would hold out till the storm calmed down, even if that meant his own life being in danger. He wasn't stupid, and knew his leg was probably already infected. He also realised that an infection could easily kill him if he didn't get help in time. But, no way would he let his team risk their lives for him.

Suddenly he was aware of McKay's head glaring at him from above. Sheppard knew the scientist was about to blow a gasket. "Here we go. Not pulling the old self-sacrifice routine again, are we? Well, you can just shut the hell up! Teyla and Ronon are leaving in the morning whether you like it or not. Period. So just go back to sleep, and let the rest of us have some peace and quiet." The scientist stormed off, huffing to himself, and finally slumping back on one of the soft chairs.

"Rodney is right. We will be going at first light. The wound on your leg is beginning to show the first signs of infection, and you need Dr. Beckett's help as soon as possible. Please, do not argue with me. Ronon and I are going. Try and get some more sleep. I do not think we should give you any more morphine. Would you like some Tylenol?"

"No, thanks. I don't feel too bad if I don't move," he answered, not being totally honest. His leg was burning and throbbing in time with his pulse. He felt hot and sweaty. He also realised he needed to empty his bladder. "Er, Teyla. I need to go to the bathroom. Can you help me up?" he asked the Athosian.

"I do not think that is a good idea. I will find you something to…"

Sheppard looked up at her like a frightened deer in the headlights of a car, "What? No way! I'm not peeing in a pot. Help me to the bathroom." She surely couldn't be serious? He felt his cheeks flush, and prayed she would capitulate.

The Athosian sighed and the pilot felt her soft, cool hand on his forehead as she brushed his hair away from it. "Very well. I will wake Ronon. He will carry you. But you will be in a lot of pain," she grudgingly conceded.

"'S'okay. I'll be fine." To say that he was relieved was an understatement.

Thirty minutes later he regretted not using the pot. He was back in his cocoon of blankets, but was panting at the exertion his little trip to the bathroom had cost him. His leg now felt as though red-hot pokers were being driven into it, and he could barely surpress his groans.

He must have zoned out, as when he looked up, Teyla had gone and McKay was now playing nursemaid. He groaned as the pain in his leg ground away relentlessly, sending spikes of agony up his thigh, and down into his calf. Through pounding ears he heard the sigh of the sullen scientist, sitting by his head. "I think you should have some Tylenol. It might just take the edge off the pain." The scientist was now rummaging in his rucksack and Sheppard heard a satisfied grunt from the man when he had obviously found what he was searching for. "Ah, here we are. I've got some water here."

This time Sheppard didn't argue and he let McKay lift his shoulders up, pop the pills in his mouth and help him swallow them down with some water. It wasn't long before the weary colonel started to drift, falling into a restless slumber, his trusty nurse ever watchful at his side.

-oOo-

The next morning he awoke to find McKay gently snoring beside him, sprawled on his side, mouth open. "Rodney…" he whispered.

The scientist twitched and sat bolt upright in a panic. "What? What's wrong?"

Sheppard mustered a half smile and looked up at his friend. "Sorry. Didn't mean to wake you…Thirsty… Need a drink," he managed to grind out.

"Sorry. Still half-asleep. Here. Not too quickly, now." Sheppard groaned as his head was lifted from the pillow, and drank greedily from the glass that McKay put to his lips. When he'd taken his fill, he slumped back against the pillows and briefly closed his eyes. "Have Teyla and Ronon gone yet?"

He watched as McKay stretched his limbs and looked down at him. "Yes. Several hours ago. Don't worry, they'll be fine. They'll be back before you know it. Try and get some more rest. Marrin said she'd be making breakfast soon, so that's something to look forward to. I'm starving and I'm sure you need to get some calories in that skinny body of yours."

Sheppard started to smile at the scientist's attempt at humour, but gulped as a wave of nausea suddenly enveloped him. He saw McKay frown at him, and realised he must have gone green when the scientist quickly moved and retrieved a bowl from the table nearby. He felt himself pushed onto his left side as he felt acidic bile at the back of his throat. The bowl was unceremoniously thrust under his chin just as he started to retch. He felt McKay rubbing his back in small circles, as the meagre contents of his stomach made an appearance. Once the dry heaves had settled down, he gasped as he was gently returned to his back. He heard McKay groaning to himself as he carried away the bowl, "God. I really don't do vomit, Sheppard. Argh, that's disgusting. Where's Teyla when you need her?"

Sheppard closed his eyes and thought of his two friends out in the vicious storm, and silently prayed they were faring better than him…

Tbc…