"Aw, crap." was Beckett's response to Sheppard's incident report.
"Yeah, that's pretty much what I thought." John replied. "We're not gonna be able to get back to Atlantis for at least a few hours. Zelenka's working on the Jumpers right now, they still don't know why it happened."
"Well, Eryn will be giving birth very soon. I'd say we'll have a new baby within the next hour or so. I could use Teyla's help, if that's alright with you, son."
"Sure, I'll go get her. She's looking after Ronon."
"Are you sure you're both okay?" The doctor asked anxiously. John pointed at the dressing on his head.
"She did a good job. We're fine, concentrate on her." John nodded at Eryn, who was lying on the bed behind Beckett. "She needs you more than we do. We can take care of ourselves."
"Aye. Okay. If you're sure..."
"Doc! We're fine. Go help her, I'll be right back with Teyla." At that, John left the tent before Carson could stop him and quickly jogged off back to the Jumpers, his aching muscles from earlier in the day no longer bothering him. He had more important things to worry about. He returned a short time later with Teyla and Ronon. John thought it would be best if Ronon stayed somewhere they could keep an eye on him, in case he had concussion or something. Teyla had agreed.
On their way back to the village, John had asked about the father of Eryn's baby – he hadn't seen any Athosians other than Teyla with her the whole time they'd been there.
"Nevan is offworld assisting one of our trading partners with their harvest." She had replied. "He may not return for some time."
'Damn,' John thought. 'She has to do this on her own?'
When they reached the tent, Carson was in scrubs wearing latex gloves and protective goggles. He handed the same gear to Teyla, and held out a pair of scrubs to each of the men. Ronon looked at him with an expression that was a cross between horror and disbelief, and hastily retreated outside. Carson gave John a look that would have made a Wraith run for cover.
"I'm probably going to need an extra hand, Colonel." He said in an annoyingly-persuasive yet desperate-sounding voice. "It's been a wee while since I've done this."
John's face took on an expression that was similar to Ronon's.
"Uh…can't one of the Athosians do it?" He said, getting panicky.
"You won't be down here," the doctor replied with an impatient sigh, "you'll be up there." The doctor gestured at Eryn. "She hasn't got anyone to comfort her. I'd appreciate your help, son."
John decided that as he wouldn't be at the 'icky' end and that the young woman didn't have her husband to be there for her, plus the fact that Carson genuinely seemed to need his help (and he would never hear the end of it if he didn't), he might as well. He edged forward, giving the doctor one last uneasy look, before kneeling at the woman's side.
"Eryn," Teyla said, "this is my good friend Colo…John. He wishes to help."
The woman looked warily at John, who gave her his best reassuring smile. She nodded and grimaced in pain at another contraction. John exhaled and gently took her hand, glancing up at Teyla who smiled thankfully at him. He returned it and focused his attention on Eryn, who suddenly cried out.
Carson gave her a sympathetic look and injected her with a shot of Pethidine, muttering something soothing to her as he did so.
"Alright ladies and gentlemen," Beckett said, disposing of the needle a biohazard bag. "Here we go."
Again, I'm not so great on my pregnancy-labour-pain-killer-stuff so I hope Pethidine is right. Please review, it might make my plot bunnies feel better!