The Last Piece
AN: Thanks to all who have reviewed this.
I'm trying to get inside Sheppard's head a little more to figure out why he was so unconcerned about shooting Rodney. If nothing else, Rodney was a member of John's team and deserving of some sympathy from the person who shot him.
Anyhow, this story is what I thought might answer that.
I'd really like to see them snarking at each other again on the show,
just like in the first season.
88888888888888888
Chapter 3 - Self inflicted wounds
John listened to all that Carson had to say and found that now he really needed to see Rodney. He was determined that he wasn't going to lose another piece of himself. The wraith planet and fate were plotting against him and he had no intention of letting them win. Not this time.
He made his way down the line of beds in the large infirmary and passed by Kagan's bed, but the young Lt was asleep so he proceeded on, making a note that he should stop back and talk to him as well.
The very last bed had a screen separating it from the rest and behind that screen to John's surprise ,he found Ronon. The big guy was slouched in the chair with his long legs stretching out before him. A knowing smile crossed Ronon's face when he saw Sheppard.
"About time you got here. My rear's asleep. "
It was a friendly remark ,so Sheppard didn't take it as criticism."Yeah, I just found out."
Sheppard looked over at Rodney, who was lying so still on the bed, that it was hard to tell if he was breathing. Even though McKay's head was turned away from him, John could see how pale his face was.
This was the first time John had seen him since they had boarded the Daedalus almost two days ago.
Suddenly, he was very angry with himself.
Good going, John! Some friend you are! You just walked away and left McKay alone to deal with all that's happened. You know how hurt he must have felt.
I'm such a shit!
He walked over and sat down on the edge of the bed next to the unconscious man; trying to will McKay awake, so that he could tell him how really sorry he was and why he had shot him.
Ronon watched Sheppard carefully, he thought he knew what the man was thinking. "You need to talk to McKay when he wakes up. Explain what happened ,so that he understands what you were going through. "
John turned toward Ronon, a surprised look on his face.
Ronon leaned forward in the chair. "You and I know what we saw, so that explains what happened between us, but McKay wasn't involved with that. He's a scientist and as such wouldn't know about hunting an adversary. He just knows that someone he trusted tried to kill him."
John's eyebrows shot up, he couldn't believe he was hearing this from Ronon of all people.
Shaking his head, John smiled tiredly, "When did you become so darn smart?"
Ronon smirked, "Been hanging around with McKay, guess some of it rubbed off."
John chuckled, "Yeah, he kind of does that to people."
Suddenly, he realized how badly he missed Rodney's banter and snarky remarks. It hurt so much to see Rodney lying here and know that it was all because of him.
"I shot my friend, and all I said was ' I'm sorry, get over it and go to sleep'. How crappy is that?" John said softly.
Ronon agreed, "Pretty bad, but stop feeling sorry for yourself and worry about making it right with Mckay. You owe it to him." He started to get up. " I'm going for something to eat, you want me to bring you something?"
John knew Ronon was right, he was wallowing in self pity. Time to focus on the real problem and help his friend. "Nah, I'm good. I'll get something later."He watched Ronon leave then stared down at his feet on the floor. He hated bedside vigils, he'd done to many of them in his life, all of them painful, but this one hurt the most knowing that he'd been the cause of it.
Sighing ,he tried to push away all the pain that was inside him, including that ache that didn't want to leave.
"Come on, McKay, wake up! " He said out loud.
Rodney just lay there, unmoving.
John sighed, then reached for McKay's hand.
He sucked at all this comfort stuff, but it was the least he could do.
Maybe Rodney would know that someone was here with him,
and that he wasn't alone...
888888888888
