oOo
John could tell they were torn; torn between dashing full pelt to the jumper, and walking carefully, as if on egg shells, to avoid bumping the injured man.
The jumper had arrived and had to 'park' some distance away due to the boggy and unstable ground. Over Lorne's now motionless body, John watched as the hatch dropped and five or six marines emerged and took up defensive positions nearby. Then Carson Beckett, carrying his doctor's bag and trailing a small med team, scampered down the ramp and across the narrow piece of land where he and Rodney still watched over their patient.
Carson was asking questions before he had even slid to a stop.
"Major, can you hear me? Answer me, Major.", he waited for a heart beat, but there was no response. His practised fingers were searching out a pulse, a pulse John already knew was weak and thready.
After the unnerving convulsions, Evan's body had gone limp, his expression dead and lifeless, much as it had been earlier. Sheppard's hands had reluctantly searched for a pulse, this time convinced the man was actually dead. But, miraculously Evan clung to life with a determination that was typical of the officer, and his heart continued to beat, albeit weakly.
There being nothing more they could do, he and Rodney had tried to make the injured man more comfortable; rubbing at his cold hands, tucking more blankets around him, talking to him as if he could hear them... even though it was highly unlikely that he could.
Beckett, however, tried again, this time in a louder voice.
"Major Lorne, answer me. That's an order, soldier!"
Nothing.
John had seen head injuries before.. had seen people die from them, some immediately, some later. Also seen people who had never recovered, their injury so severe, that although they lived, they were no longer who they once were, living an empty life, a burden to others; he would not call that living, and he felt sure the major would feel the same way.
If Lorne was to suffer a similar fate, then John found himself hoping - God forgive him - for a merciful end.
Carson inclined his head, peering closely, and then without ceremony, ripped the gauze from Evan's wound. The doctor made no comment or showed any emotion as he studied the oozing dark bullet wound, but he snapped instructions to the nurse beside him, and waved two men forward who were carrying a stretcher. A light appeared in the doctor's hand and it was flashed across first one pupil and then the other.
Setting the light down, he grabbed Lorne's hands and said,
"Can you squeeze my hands, Major?", but this time he did not wait for a response, he simply breathed a worried sigh.
John had said nothing, but Carson fixed him with a sharp look anyway, as if he had spoken, "I can't tell much yet. But .. it's serious, John..."
And then quieter, he said,
"Ye should be ready..."
It was then that Rodney made a choking sound and turned distraught eyes to Beckett.
"Come on, Rodney... buck up..", said Carson kindly, "It's not over yet...", and he patted McKay's shoulder gently.
Now turning purposefully to the colonel, Carson said, "John, would you get Rodney back to the jumper, and my team and I will see to the major?", the doctor rolled his eyes meaningfully from Sheppard to the obviously anxious scientist. John nodded slightly in understanding, and rising, took hold of McKay's arm.
"Time to go, Rodney."
With care, he and Rodney lay the major's head down, and then John helped McKay up, to stand on wobbly, cramped legs.
As they were leaving, Sheppard had a sudden thought, and he turned back to the doctor, motioning at the injured man.
"Doc, I should tell you... he had trouble speaking, made no sense... his right side was weak, cold... and he had some kind of seizure about ten minutes ago. Also, we think the bullet that hit him was almost spent, fired from some distance..."
Beckett's expression remained serious and he nodded at John.
"Okay...let's get him back home and under a scanner as fast as we can.", said Beckett, already turning away.
Now, looking back as he walked McKay to the jumper, John saw behind him the medical team descend on Evan Lorne. Wrapped like a mummy in blankets and with a newly applied white bandage obscuring his head, they transferred him carefully to a stretcher, and brought him, swinging gently towards the ship and to safety.
oOo
"He's been incredibly lucky, and I'm not just sayin' that. You were right Colonel, the bullet was almost spent, and after impacting the major's hard head, it had little or no energy left. It did punch a hole in his skull, caused some inter-cranial bleeding and allowed infection in. We removed the bullet, put in a small plate, but there should be no permanent brain damage. The symptoms you mentioned, like the aphasia, hemiplegia... "
Rodney grunted and shoved his elbow into John's arm. Sheppard leaned over and whispered, "Loss of movement...one side..."
"...were as a result of the bleed and accompanying pressure. Now that's gone, he should make a complete recovery."
It seemed like the whole room exhaled.
Perched on a gurney in one corner of the small room, Rodney swung his legs carelessly, punched Sheppard on the arm and beamed. Teyla exchanged a relieved look with Elizabeth, where they stood together in the doorway. Ronon sat back in his plastic chair with a satisfied growl, also smiling.
... and John Sheppard, rubbed at his bruised arm and thanked a God somewhere, that he wouldn't have a letter to write to bereaved parents.
"Now, don't misunderstand me... ", went on Beckett, "...he's still very sick, and we're treating him with strong antibiotics and anti-nausea drugs. But with time and rest he should improve steadily."
"Is he awake?", asked Elizabeth.
"Not yet. He's still under from the anaesthetic. He should be waking soon though... and before y'all ask...", and Carson's eyes twinkled around the small waiting room, where everyone looked at him expectantly.
"Ye can sit with him... one at a time."
Another positive exhale flickered around the gathered team members, and Rodney hopped to the floor immediately, lap top tucked under his arm.
"I'll take first watch... I have some calculations to do that require absolute silence." he announced and disappeared round the corner. Elizabeth and Teyla left, after announcing they would bring coffee for everyone.
Carson approached John who had plonked himself down in a chair next to Ronon, his head in his hands.
"Are you okay, lad?", asked Carson, worriedly.
John raised his head and gave the doctor a genuine smile.
"Yeah, I am... It's just been one hell of a day. I'll drink my coffee and then I'll get some sleep. I promise...", and he tried to look sincere for the doctor.
"Make sure you do, lad... make sure you do", warned the doctor, smiling tiredly.
oOo
TBC and thanks for reading and reviewing!
Sorry this is a short chapter... more coming soon!
(Apologies again for medical inaccuracies.)