City of Blood and Falling Leaves

by RoaringMice

John's head spun, heart beating madly in his chest. He heard movement around him; perhaps Carson, maybe Elizabeth moving away. It didn't matter. Rodney was gone, and he was here, and none of this made any damn sense.

3. Chapter 3

The woman standing above him raised her hand. It appeared to be empty, but he knew better, and he shot out a rushed, "Don't," just as there was a flash of light, and he watched John fall.

He lost sight of his friend as he was dragged to his feet. They pushed him forward, and he stumbled into the darkness, his eyes still blinded from the flash.

John woke with a start, already half off the bed. He'd had a dream, he knew that much. Something about Rodney, about what had happened on that planet. He needed to get out there, help find Rodney. It was his fault. He'd lost one of his team. He needed to get out there.

"Colonel Sheppard?" A voice beside him, quite close. One of the medics.

John made to get off the bed, ignoring his dizziness. "I should be out there."

He felt someone press him back onto the bed. Then Carson's voice. "You're in no condition to be up."

John heard something about a weapon, then caught, "… likely impacting how you're feeling, your thought processes…" before the rest was swept away. Clenching his fists, John pushed them down into the mattress as he sat on the bed. He could be helping, but instead he was stuck here, apparently suffering the effects of some sort of weapon. He shook his head, hoping the motion might clear it. He felt odd. Maybe Carson was right. Maybe he was sick, or hurt. That flash of light – Carson had mentioned some sort of weapon. He tried to focus on that, but it spun away from him.

John only realized he was rocking when Carson put a hand on his shoulder, stilling him. Then it was as if a fog lifted, and he could suddenly see Carson looking at him with concern. "How are you feeling, Colonel?"

"Fine." His usual BS. From the look on the Doctor's face, John could tell that Carson obviously didn't believe him. "Why?"

"You appear agitated," Carson said. He glanced at the medic beside him, then looked back to John. "I'm going to run some tests."

John felt something press against his arm. The last thing he heard was Carson saying, "A bit of something to help you sleep," as the world rushed away from him.