Part 8 – The Right Thing

John woke to the light of sunshine streaming though the infirmaries only window. He knew he must have slept for hours because the infirmary didn't get the sun until later in the day.

"Good afternoon, sleepyhead." A familiar female voice greeted him.

"Hi." John murmured back as best he could from his horizontal position.

Elizabeth grabbed her chair and moved around so he could see her. She wanted to be angry with him but that could wait until he was on his feet again. "Well, you certainly got yourself in a right mess didn't you?"

"Yep, I guess so. What have you told Rodney?"

"He doesn't even realize you're injured yet. I've sort of managed to keep him occupied for most of the day and he thinks you're busy with paperwork or something."

John tried to shift onto his side and was relieved to see he was in scrubs and not a hospital gown, which could have shown Elizabeth his naked butt. His back protested but the sharp agony was dull, almost reduced to an ache. Must be on some good meds, he thought.

Elizabeth helped him get comfortable before he asked. "So you realized what happened?"

"I have a good idea but if you'd like to fill me in, we're on our own here. No patients except you at the moment and the staff are on a coffee break."

John smiled slightly and began to tell Elizabeth what had transpired. The telling was straightforward until he got to the bit about the chanting and needing to touch the shrine.

"Have you any idea as to why they allowed you to touch it and yet made such a fuss when Rodney did?" Elizabeth asked.

John thought for a minute. The whole matter seemed so unreal now, almost as if it had been a dream. If it wasn't for his back, he would have said it was. "I can only guess that they believe that the shrine is somehow activated by the touch of a true believer or something like that. It's probably ATA gene related and some of the monks probably have the gene. Which makes me wonder how they pass it on in a closed sect like that?"

Elizabeth smiled. "Maybe the sect isn't that closed?"

"Yeah, could be. Although, how they recognized it in me, I have no idea. That doesn't really explain why they got so upset over Rodney? All I know is if the Wraith do come calling then the planet will be protected, I'm sure of that."

"Well, that's good to hear." Elizabeth hesitated not knowing how to approach the next subject. "You know what you did for Rodney was…err…very noble but surely there was some other way out?"

"Nope. I couldn't very well open fire on passive group of monks and I tried the negotiating bit but Vatu was adamant that the punishment should go ahead. I stepped in because Rodney wouldn't have handled it and I've been trained for such events. After all, it's not the first time it's happened," he whispered so softly that Elizabeth nearly missed it.

"What's not the first time?"

"I've been tortured before. In Afghanistan." Rather subdued, he continued. "I'd rather not talk about it."

"Of course." Elizabeth replied. She vaguely remembered seeing something in his service record about his two-day capture by Taliban insurgents before he'd thankfully been rescued, but she'd no idea that incident had included physical abuse. This new knowledge helped her understand ever more about why John was so devoted about not leaving anyone behind.

Just as she was about to say more, Carson entered the room. "How's our patient feeling?"

"Stiff and sore, doc, but the meds are good."

"Aye and I think ya're going to need them for a wee while, that was some job they did on your back."

"All in the name of their beliefs and before you say anything I'd still like us to trade with them if you can get an agreement out of the stubborn old leader?"

Elizabeth and Carson exchanged a look before Weir spoke up. "It is possible. I came to an agreement just as I was able to leave. Oh, and the fruit and vegetables you bought back were lovely."

A look of dismay crossed John's face. "Hey, has everyone eaten them all?"

"Not quite." Carson answered. "I think we can find ya one juicy grape."

"One grape?"

"Well, maybe a few more but they really went down well at lunch."

John sighed. "I might have guessed."

"Oh well, we'll 'ave to see what we can do about getting ya some food. Teyla and Ronon have been itching to visit, so they can bring ya something from the commissary."

"Do they know what happened?"

Elizabeth answered. "I had a quiet word with them and they have agreed to keep this from McKay."

"Good. So what do we tell him?"

Carson pondered for a moment. "I think its best we tell him that you've hurt ya your back. Slipped on some stones and bruised it rather badly and ya didn't realize how bad it was until you woke this morning and attempted to get up."

"Sounds good. Will it leave scaring?"

"I've done what I can to prevent it but one or two places will leave a little I'm afraid but you already had a few to being with."

Not wanting to go over that again, John quickly changed the subject. "Is Teyla better?"

The sudden switch of subject took Carson by surprise. "Teyla? Oh, her little problem was nothing, just a small tummy bug. We soon had that cleared up."

"Glad to hear it. One of the team out of commission is enough. So where's my food?" John asked as his stomach did a rather loud rumble.

"Coming right up, sir." Carson replied with a mock salute.

"Okay, Colonel, I'd better get back to work." Elizabeth stated as she stood and stretched. "Get well soon and don't you - ever - do anything like this again."

"Is that an order, ma'am?" John replied being equally as formal.

Elizabeth softened her voice. "I wish I could make it an order but with your penchant for trouble it wouldn't last very long."

John smiled. "I warned you about that."

"Yes, you did," she sighed, brushing some hair from his eyes. "Thank you for saving him pain, John and be good." With those parting words, Elizabeth left the room.

-SGA-

John had eaten a meal comprising of some of the vegetables from Darlenia and he'd had more than one of the grapes, which were delicious. Teyla and Ronon had come and gone a while ago leaving him with just his book and a nurse for company.

The nurse had just got him settled for the night when John heard Rodney finally come into the infirmary complaining about some bad damage to his person. Carson was right behind muttering curses and telling him to hold still.

"Do as the doc tells you, Rodney." John called as best he could from his prone position.

"What the?" McKay questioned coming closer to John's bed. "What the hell are you doing here?"

"Well, hello to you too, Rodney."

"Well, if no one bothers to tell me, how the hell am I to know you're were here. What's wrong with you anyway?"

"I fell onto my back." John muttered into his pillow.

"Hello, I'm not your pillow, so I didn't hear that, did I?"

John tried to turn slightly. "I said I fell onto my back and…"

"He wrenched and bruised it rather badly against some sharp stones." Carson finished for him. "Now let's look at that cut finger, shall we, Rodney."

"Oh, yes, yes, I think I've cut it to the bone."

Holding up said digit towards the doctor, John heard Carson explain. "But there's hardly any blood, Rodney!"

Yep, John thought as he drifted off. He'd definitely done the right thing for his friend.

tbc I was going to end it here but due to the great reviews I've decided to take it further. Next installment, hopefully, tomorrow.