DISCLAIMER – Stargate: Atlantis is not my property. It belongs to MGM/UA and associates. I am writing this story for fun and entertainment, not for profit. (yes, this is a desperate plea for non-litigation)
RATING – Story rated T
SPOILERS – Everything up to the final episode of Season 2 is fair game.
A/N – Okay, so Chapter 14 and Chapter 15 should probably have been one chapter instead of two, but I decided to split them up because it would've made for a wicked long post if I hadn't. My apologies if that didn't make a whole lot of sense. Erm…yes…I probably should say there's a bit of an "Aaaww!" factor in this chapter (at least I think so, but I'm biased cos I wrote it! lol) I promise it's not fluff, though…it's all relevant to the story. (the fluff comes later. hehe) I hope you all enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it. Keep those wonderful replies coming. I really enjoy reading them and I appreciate each one of you who replies!
Anything in «double-angle quotation marks» represents something written in Ancient.
Erm…I think there's -one- Czech word in this chapter. The translation for it will be at the end of the chapter, as always.
Beta-less. Yep. Blame me for any mistakes you happen to find. :P
The Song Of Silent Rivers
15. Guardian
It was not unusual, in Carson's experience, for someone to call him to the Infirmary when he was ostensibly off-duty. He always had to smile when he considered what 'off-duty' actually meant in his world. Even when he wasn't actually working, he was on call, likely to be summoned at any hour of the day or night. He was never off-duty, truly. He simply had times when he was less busy than usual.
He was in his quarters, reading and enjoying a cup of tea when one of the other doctors radioed him. He was worried at first, when he heard Dr. Hanna Eriksson's voice requesting his presence in the Infirmary as soon as possible. Carson couldn't imagine what sort of situation had come up that Hanna didn't feel capable of managing on her own. The Swedish woman was a skilled physician and should have been able to handle anything short of a major crisis in Carson's absence. He promised Hanna that he'd come straight away. Then, with a rueful glance at his half-finished tea, he headed for the Infirmary.
Everything became clearer to him when he got there. The reasons for Hanna's frustration were manifest in the figures of Radek and Shadow, who were sitting side-by-side on one of the Infirmary beds. Judging by the way Shadow was clinging to Radek, the deaf woman had been frightened by something or someone. Carson wondered if it had been Hanna who'd scared Shadow. That would explain why Hanna had called him to come down here. At least Carson could get near Shadow without frightening her.
At the moment, Shadow was pale and teary-eyed, and Radek looked anxious. Their physical appearances notwithstanding, Carson was glad to see them both, and he quickened his pace as he crossed the room.
"Well, now, look at who's decided to turn up at last," Carson said. He touched Shadow's hand to get her attention. "Where have you been hiding all day? I daresay you could use something to eat by now."
"She needs to eat something that is not chocolate," Radek said.
"She's been eating chocolate? Where'd she get that?"
"Rodney gave it to her."
Carson detected a note of exasperation in Radek's voice when he mentioned Rodney. He didn't want to explore that sentiment too closely at the moment, because he was sure he'd set the engineer on a tangent that would be of no benefit to anyone. Instead, Carson asked, "How in the world did you find her, Radek?"
"I didn't," Radek said.
"If you didn't, then who did?"
"Rodney found her."
Carson's eyebrows went for his hairline. "Really?"
"That is what he would like us to believe," said Radek. He made a nondescript sound that Carson interpreted as signifying disdain. "She came to his lab, looking for food, and they frightened each other. Then, Rodney did not know what to do and he felt it was necessary to call me."
"He ought to have called Elizabeth."
"He should have called you," Radek said. "I think Shadow is sick."
Shadow looked pale and tired, but based solely on that fact, Carson wouldn't have said the lass was ill. He reached out, intending to rest his palm against her forehead, but Shadow whimpered and turned her face away from his touch. Carson lowered his hand.
"That's odd," Carson said. "Did she tell you or Rodney what's wrong?"
"All she tells me is that she's very cold," Radek said. "Rodney said she was sneezing. She is acting…I don't know how to say this…neobvyklý. Not like normal."
"All right," Carson said. "Well, I'm sure it's nothing very serious. Why don't you go and call Elizabeth, while Shadow and I discuss what's troubling her?"
Shadow was reluctant to let Radek leave, and he seemed just as reluctant to leave her. To Carson's relief, however, the engineer did as he was asked. Carson pulled the curtain closed around the bed where Shadow was seated.
Shadow wasn't exceptionally obliging when Carson examined her. She allowed him to take her temperature and listen to her heart and lungs, but she made it perfectly clear she was not happy about him checking her ears and throat. She put up the most fuss when he drew a blood sample. Carson guessed she didn't like the needle. He couldn't blame her, really. He didn't much enjoy being on the receiving end of needles himself.
When he'd finished his examination, he let Shadow curl up on the bed. She needed to sleep, and Carson was not about to prevent her from doing so. He slipped out past the still-closed curtain, and went to look for Radek.
-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-
Radek was standing in the corridor outside the Infirmary when Carson found him. Carson had almost expected to discover the engineer pacing back and forth, but it was only Radek's fingers that couldn't seem to keep still. The engineer was fiddling with a small object in his hand, but Carson didn't see exactly what it was. Radek slipped the object into his pocket when he noticed Carson watching him.
Carson raised an eyebrow in an unspoken question. Radek looked embarrassed, and put both his hands in his pockets. "Is nothing," he mumbled.
Carson said, "Did you call Elizabeth?"
"I did, yes. She says she'll be here soon," Radek told him. "How is Shadow?"
"She's got a low-grade fever, and her throat seems a wee bit irritated," Carson said. "I actually think she might've caught that cold that's been going around."
"Really?"
"She's been here for a few days, which is plenty of time for the virus to have incubated."
"That sounds very bad," Radek said.
"It's most likely not as bad as it sounds."
"Most likely not? Carson, do you try to be vague, or does this happen by accident?"
"All right," Carson said. "I'm sorry. You do need to know, so here it is. Shadow was perfectly healthy when she arrived in Atlantis. She didn't show any signs of infection when she came, so whatever she's got, she picked it up here. Now, I don't know what sort of minor infectious diseases are present on Shadow's planet, so I don't know what sort of immunity she's built up against colds and the like. If there's anything similar on her world, then she should be fine."
"What if there isn't something similar on her world?"
Carson glanced away for a second before meeting Radek's gaze again. He always hated explaining the worst-case scenarios, even though he knew it was usually necessary to do so. He said, "If Shadow doesn't have the proper antibodies in her blood to fight off a viral infection like this, she could become very ill before the virus runs its course."
"What can you do?" Radek asked.
"There's really nothing I can do for the common cold except to treat the symptoms," Carson said. I've ordered some blood tests, so we can see exactly what we're dealing with. I think it's best if Shadow stays here for now. I'm reasonably certain she'll be all right, but I'd like to watch her in case this develops into something more serious."
"We must tell Elizabeth when she gets here, and we need to explain this to Shadow," Radek said.
"My grasp of Ancient isn't nearly good enough to explain much of anything to Shadow," Carson said. "I can talk to Elizabeth, though."
"I will explain to Shadow," Radek said.
Carson was amazed by the engineer's equanimity, and silently congratulated him on remaining composed despite his obvious concern. He reminded Carson of so many fathers and mothers whom he'd observed back on Earth, worried over the health of their children, yet putting on their bravest faces for anyone who might be around to see.
Carson smiled at that particular thought, and he couldn't help sharing it with his friend. "Radek," he said. "Has anyone ever told you that you'd make an excellent parent?"
"Me? No, no…I don't think so," Radek said. "I don't even like children."
"Maybe you've never really gotten to know any children before now."
"You are talking about Shadow?"
"Aye, of course I'm talking about Shadow."
It was Radek's turn to smile. "I think you forget Shadow isn't a child. She is adult."
"Physically, yes she is an adult," Carson agreed. "Emotionally…mentally, I'd say her development's about equivalent with someone who's ten or eleven years old. In some respects, she is very much a child."
"But—"
Carson patted the engineer's shoulder. "Never mind, son," he said. "Why don't you go and see her? I expect she'll rest more easily if you're nearby."
-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-
The more Radek considered it, the more he began to realize Carson was right. It wasn't that he didn't have the potential to like children. He'd just never met a child who didn't set his teeth on edge, or cause him to yell, or make him want to cover his head and hide in a corner. His nephew Zdeněk provoked all of those reactions, by turns. Radek thought he'd rather face a shipload of hungry Wraith than to spend more than five minutes with Zdeněk and his little friends. He'd only allowed Milena to bully him into babysitting Zdeněk one time. After that, 'Uncle Radek' had been exceptionally busy with one tremendously important project or another whenever Milena had needed a babysitter. Now, of course, Radek had the good fortune to be in a completely separate galaxy from his nephew.
With Shadow, things were different. When Radek reflected on Shadow's behaviour, he decided Carson had been right about that, too. Shadow might look like an adult, but she acted more like a child. Radek thought it was odd that Shadow's behaviour didn't provoke the same reaction from him that his nephew's behaviour did. Instead of wanting to yell at her or hide from her, he wanted to protect her and take care of her. It was true Shadow had been the one who'd saved Radek from drowning, but it seemed to Radek that the deaf woman needed to be rescued as much as he did. Shadow just needed help of a different, less physical kind.
Radek found Shadow on the same Infirmary bed where he'd left her. She was curled into a tight foetal position, on top of the blankets. She looked forlorn, lying there with tears streaking her face and her tangled hair falling into her eyes. Radek brushed back her hair with his fingers.
Shadow reached up and caught his hand in hers. She turned his hand over in her grasp and traced a line on his palm with her finger, as if she were writing.
This was a sign Shadow had established rather quickly with the Atlantis people she trusted. I want to talk to you, was what it meant. Radek wanted to talk with Shadow, too, but the things he needed to tell her could wait a bit longer. She obviously had important things of her own to say.
Carson had thoughtfully left paper and pencil for her on the small table next to the bed. Radek collected both things and gave them to her. Shadow uncurled her body from its self-comforting huddle and sat up. Radek sat on the bed with her, watching patiently as she wrote.
«Do I have to stay here?» was the first question she asked.
«Yes. The Healer wants you to stay,» Radek told her. «I will stay here with you.»
«I am cold. My head hurts.»
«We will tell the Healer when he returns.»
«He will return?»
«Did you think he would not?»
«Yes,» Shadow wrote. «In my village, my father was not permitted to heal me when I became ill. The Elders forbade it. That is why I cannot hear.»
Radek had to resist the impulse to speak aloud when he read that statement. He hadn't expected Shadow to start talking about her village all of a sudden, and he certainly hadn't expected her to tell him something like this.
Radek wrote. «Is this true? Why would the Elders forbid your father to heal you?»
«The Elders forbade many things. Are you angry?»
«Yes, angry because of the Elders.»
«Are you angry with me?» Shadow asked.
«Why should I be angry with you, Shadow?»
«I concealed myself.»
«I was very worried about you, but I am not angry,» Radek told her. « Why did you hide?»
«I was afraid.»
«Why were you afraid?»
«I did not wish to displease you,» Shadow confessed. «I did not wish to displease the Leader and risk punishment.»
«The Leader is not angry,» Radek assured her. «Even if she was angry, she would not punish you.»
«She is different than the leaders of my world.»
«How?»
»The Wraith came to my world on the day of my birth,» Shadow wrote. «My father told me the Elders believed it was an evil sign.»
«I do not believe it was an evil sign.»
«My father did not believe so, either. When I grew and the Elders learned of my knowledge, they were afraid.»
«Why were they afraid?»
«They believed my knowledge was dangerous. They believed that when I touched the Ancestors things, I would summon the Wraith. They did not wish me to live in the village, but my father would not send me away. He defied the wisdom of the Elders.»
«I do not believe the Elders were wise.»
«You are wise, River Man,» Shadow wrote.
«Where is your father now?»
Shadow did not reply for a long time. Finally, she declared, «I am tired.»
«Sleep,» Radek wrote. «I am here.»
Obediently, Shadow wriggled beneath the blankets and closed her eyes. Radek placed Shadow's pencil and notebook on the small table, and then he settled himself in the chair beside her bed.
Radek felt stunned by the entire exchange he'd just had with Shadow. The whole thing had assumed a kind of surreal quality in his mind. He didn't have any trouble believing she was tired, because when he stopped to evaluate his own physical state, he realized the conversation had taken a lot of energy out of him, too.
What sort of people were the Elders of Shadow's village? Superstitious, certainly. Cruel, most definitely. He understood their fear of the Wraith well enough, but he could not comprehend their belief that Shadow's ability to use Ancient technology enabled her to call the Wraith to her world. And the idea of Shadow's birth falling on the same day the Wraith had come was one of life's pitiless coincidences. The Elders of Shadow's village must have been paranoid and narrow-minded as well as superstitious and cruel. Radek was not the sort of person prone to make snap judgments about people he didn't know, but already he found himself not liking these Elders very much.
Radek decided he would ask Shadow's permission to show their conversation to Elizabeth. This was something the expedition leader might be interested to know. She wouldn't like it, but it could prove to be valuable information just the same.
Radek reached across the space between them and curled his fingers protectively around Shadow's frail hand. He knew she couldn't hear him, but that didn't prevent him from saying good night to her and making her a promise that he would still be there when she awakened.
-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-
There's never a dull moment around here, Elizabeth thought, as she left Carson Beckett's office. One thing she never had to deal with in Atlantis was boredom, that much was certain. She was sure they'd manage to get themselves into every kind of situation imaginable before this expedition was complete. Their adventures ran the gamut from deadly confrontation with the Wraith to dealing with people from other worlds who'd caught cold while visiting the Lost City.
Elizabeth shook her head. She'd just finished speaking with Carson about Shadow. Elizabeth hadn't been happy to hear Shadow was sick, but she had to admit she was relieved to find out Shadow had picked up a virus here in Atlantis instead of bringing some sort of alien disease to Atlantis with her. Elizabeth didn't think she was ready to handle a quarantine situation right now, and in any case, she wouldn't have wished something like that on Carson and his staff.
Elizabeth decided she would look in on Shadow for a minute, before returning to her quarters. When she peeked behind the half-closed curtain around Shadow's bed, she discovered Shadow already had a visitor. She should have expected Radek would be here, she told herself. She smiled fondly at Radek and Shadow, and found herself having to quash the temptation to hug them both. Radek looked more fretful than she'd ever seen him, and poor Shadow just looked worn out.
Elizabeth stepped around the curtain and came to stand near Radek's chair. She touched his shoulder lightly with her fingertips. "Hi," she said. "You're up past your bed time, aren't you?"
He looked up, startled. "Elizabeth. I didn't see you there."
"I know," Elizabeth said. "Aren't you supposed to be sleeping?"
"Carson says so."
"You should listen to him."
"Will I be in very much trouble if I don't?" he asked.
"Yes," said Elizabeth, but she softened the word with a smile. "If you don't do as you're told, I might have to escort you out of here personally."
Radek smiled in return. "I think that wouldn't be as terrible as you want me to believe. You'll have to threaten me with something worse than that, Elizabeth, or I will not go."
"I'll have one of the Marines escort you."
"Now you're teasing me."
"I am," she admitted. "You don't mind, do you?"
"No."
"How's Shadow?"
"Carson says she's all right for now," Radek said, "but he doesn't know how much immunity she has against this virus. If there is nothing like it on her world, she would not have proper antibodies to fight it." He added quietly, "Carson says she could become very sick."
"Would I be wasting words if I told you not to worry?"
"No, because if you told me that, I would know you care," Radek said. "But I would still worry."
"And I can't convince you to go to your quarters and go to sleep?"
"No."
Elizabeth watched Shadow for a moment. The deaf woman's eyes were closed, but Elizabeth knew she wasn't asleep. Shadow's fingers were intertwined with Radek's in a way that suggested neither of them were the least bit interested in letting go. Some impulse made Elizabeth reach out and cover their joined hands with one of hers.
"Well, if you're staying for a while," she said to Radek, "I think I'll stay, too."
TBC
--------------------
neobvyklý
– strange, unusual
A/N #2 - So, I just have to say the youth program was a roaring success. I think all the kids had fun this week, and I know I certainly did! I should be able to update more frequently over the weekend & next week. Also, I want to post the pic of Grace standing next to the Coca-Cola can, cos it's very amusing. I just have to upload it somewhere, and then everyone can see. -giggle- She's a Coke dog lol!
