After effects
By Wyndhamfan
Disclaimers in Chapter 1
Notes: Thank you so much for the kind reviews! It did a lot to encourage me as this is my f irst SGA fic and I wasn't very confident if I got it right, especially the technology bit and the characters. McKay was a challenge to write! (Though it was fun trying to figure out ways to insult Sheppard and Carson, lol.) Knowing me (and my inability to write short fics) there will be more chapters to come. To be honest, I've always preferred to read fanfics rather than write 'em (because you guys are doing such a good job already) but once in a while, I do get itchy. Do tell me what you think about this chapter. Hope you like it:)
Chapter 3
Teyla tied a red ribbon around the pot of tanno soup Vleeka made this morning. Tanno soup was equivalent to what the Earth people called "chicken soup", and Vleeka had insisted that she make one for Sheppard.
In fact, Teyla had been flooded with gifts from the Mainland the past two days from concerned Athosians who heard about Sheppard's abduction. However, she suspected the generosity was more than a sign of concern.
Word had gotten back to the Athosians very quickly that Sheppard's life was restored by the Wraith. Such a thing has never happened before, and Teyla suspected that Sheppard had become some sort of supernatural figure to the Athosians. "Blessed by the Ancestors", said many. "So favoured by the Ancestors that his life was returned," said Vleeka. And more disturbingly, "He is an Ancestor in disguise and he made the Wraith return his life."
She sighed. If Colonel knew that he was currently the subject of their adoration, he would be uncomfortable. And he shouldn't be concerned about such petty matters. Especially now. So, she decided that she will not tell him about it unless absolutely.
She remembered his blood-curdling scream from last night and shivered. John hid his fear well, even when he knew he was at death's door, but it did not stop the terror from flooding out of his dreams.
A beep signaled that someone was at the door, and she called him in. Her teammates stepped in: Rodney, looking impatient, and Ronon, unreadable as usual. No, not unreadable ... she could still sense the tremor of fury in Ronon's demeanor. Despite Sheppard back safe and sound, Ronon was still angry, most probably for not being able to kill the Wraith or Kolya, or to save him from his tormentors. Ronon didn't have to tell her that he felt that he "owed Sheppard one" because the Colonel came after him in Sateda.
"All set?" Rodney asked. He tapped his watch impatiently. "One more hour till that meeting with Elizabeth."
"Yes, I am ready." She handed the pot to Ronon, who took it and stared at it as if it contained live juta snakes.
"Anyway, change of plans. Sheppard has just been released to his quarters," said Rodney.
"Isn't that too soon?" Teyla wondered.
"Well, if Carson thinks it's okay, it's okay. Besides, Sheppard is probably driving the man nuts. Gotta give Carson a break once in a while."
They walked to Sheppard's quarters, each to their own thoughts ... until Rodney said: "Elizabeth knows."
Ronon and Teyla exchanged looks.
"I had to tell her," he said guiltily, not meeting their eyes.
"You did nothing wrong, Dr McKay," Teyla assured him. Ronon merely grunted.
"Well, if it wasn't me, it would've been the marines. The scuttlebutt is all over Atlantis by now. Times like these, you gotta wonder why he's such an honourable ass."
"It was the wrong thing to do," Ronon said, his voice a growl.
This time, it was Teyla and Rodney who exchanged uncomfortable looks.
"But I respected him for what he did," Ronon said grudgingly. Teyla nodded while Rodney shrugged awkwardly. Yeah, they all felt that in their hearts. They just hoped that Sheppard's honourable decision won't return to bite them in the future.
They entered Sheppard's quarters just in time to see Beckett remove a blood pressure cuff from the Colonel's arm.
"Still high. I'm going to give you some medicine to lower your blood pressure. And I will be back in a few hours to examine you again. Remember, total rest for one week, nothing strenuous – no workouts or your usual running sessions in the morning, just light walks. Next week, we'll see about putting you back on light duty. And remember, if you have even the slightest sniffle or headache, off to the infirmary you go, got it? And don't you dare be gung ho and walk to the infirmary – just give me a call."
"Yes, Mom," Sheppard drawled. Beckett got up and left, giving the team a brief smile before exiting.
When Sheppard saw the three of them at the doorway, he beamed.
"Hey guys, here to entertain me?"
"You wish," Rodney said caustically. "And I know you have that PSP hidden somewhere in your room, and Beckett says that I've got to take it."
"What? Seriously? That's kinda cruel, don't you think? Doing it to a sick man..."
"Yes, seriously. Resting means not doing things that uses too much brain power. Which isn't hard for you. And don't say that you're all rested because your panda eyes are not fooling anybody," Rodney said as he poked around his cupboards.
"Did anyone tell you that you're grumpy when you show concern?"
Rodney snorted. "Concerned? You bet I am. You don't know what a nag Carson is."
x….X…x
The team spent half an hour in his quarters, Rodney talking on and on about some project he's working on with Zelenka while Teyla handed him a pot of ... something. Ronon merely stood in a corner, silently watching them all – as if guarding them from something. Teyla told him that it was tanno soup, and Sheppard vaguely recalled a furry, eyeless, snake-like creature that he was served with during one of the Athosian banquets. It tasted like a cross between chicken and shark meat. And a touch of frog.
The comforting and familiar presence of his team almost made him forget about the lingering edginess he felt, the residual effects from the two nightmares that he had. It also made him able to ignore the beginnings of a headache. The thought of contacting Beckett over such a trivial matter annoyed him, but Carson did threaten another infirmary stay if he didn't, and said that he'd know if he lied about his condition. The doctor said something about being able to monitor his vitals from the infirmary, so Sheppard supposed he wasn't kidding.
Just as Teyla insisted on pouring him a cup of tanno soup (much to his dismay), Elizabeth appeared.
"Starting the party without me?"
And Sheppard sensed tension in the air immediately. And although they were all very polite – too polite - the team chose Elizabeth's presence as an excuse to get ready for some meeting and left as one. He caught Teyla looking at him sympathetically before she left with the rest.
He smiled wryly. That bad, huh?
"How are you feeling today, John?" she asked, sitting beside him on the bed.
"Good. Really glad to be out of the infirmary. All that hovering from Carson was driving me crazy," he said casually.
She smiled at that, but he noticed how strained it seemed.
"I'm glad you're feeling better. Teyla's been flooded with gifts from the mainland. They're bringing it over as we speak," she said, her voice straining with the effort of sounding upbeat.
This time it was his turn to give her an awkward smile. Then, he thought that perhaps it was time to end the charade.
"You can drop the act, Elizabeth. I'm not fragile china, despite what Carson says," he said softly, then smiled ruefully. "I know you know."
Weir gave him a very tight smile bereft of humour. She clasped her hands. "Yes," she answered shortly. "And for your information. It was not an act. I am concerned about you."
He winced, and wondered if Beckett had told him about the nightmares he kept waking up from in his one-night stay at the infirmary.
"I take it you're not … happy?" he asked, changing the subject.
"No," she said curtly. For a while she was silent, then she gave him a sharp look. "You remember what I said about snap judgments? How often are we going to keep doing this?"
"We had an agreement," he said, keeping his tone as level as he could.
"With a Wraith? And you know how well those agreements turn out," she said, her voice laced with sarcasm.
"I know that. But he honoured our agreement. And I did the same. For all you know, we have found an ally," he said, fixing his gaze on Weir.
"Do you really believe that?" she asked in disbelief.
No, he didn't. "Something tells me you don't," he said anyway.
"They are Wraith, John. They're not well known for being honourable. The dissolution of our agreement with the Hive ship recently demonstrated just as much. What makes you think that the Wraith will not inform the Hive that we still exist? Because in the end we are the bottom line; we are their ticket to a new source of food supply," she said, her voice sharp.
He knew, of course, that everything she said made sense. Hell, the same thoughts were running through his head when Ronon handed him the gun. But he couldn't pull the trigger … just couldn't.
"I couldn't kill him," he said under his breath.
"At least discuss it with me first before dropping him off the nearest Wraith planet!" she snapped.
"And what would you do if I brought back the Wraith?" he demanded hotly.
Elizabeth pursed her lips but kept her gaze steadily on him. She didn't answer him, but both were well aware that they had only two options when it came to Wraith prisoners: try the Wraith 'cure' on him ... or kill him. And because the Wraith cure turned out so well the last time with Michael, John knew that they would have no choice but to choose the latter option.
Frustrated, he walked towards the window and looked out to watch the waves undulating gently in the sea. Rodney said that a storm was coming. Nothing the magnitude of that storm that nearly destroyed Atlantis, thank goodness, but nothing tame either. The Athosians were being evacuated into the city as they speak.
"John. The International Oversight Advisory wants an answer for what you did," she said softly.
He stiffened at that. "Looks like it's the end of the road, huh?" he said dryly.
"No. They're not going to take you away from Atlantis," said Weir firmly.
John tore his gaze from the sea to look at Elizabeth, his expression unreadable.
"Atlantis needs you. But you have to work with me next time. At least allow me to protect you," she said.
And he realised then that Elizabeth was more mad at the fact that he didn't give her the chance to do just that; and meant that he could've made it her responsibility instead of his – for allowing that Wraith to escape.
"You know I won't let you take the blame," he muttered. The throbbing behind his eyes suddenly intensified and he closed his eyes, groaning softly.
"Are you all right?" Weir asked gently, her tone suddenly worried.
He waved her away. "I'm fine."
"You keep saying that. But you know I don't believe you," she said. He could picture her crossing her arms now, looking exasperated. That made him grin.
"When's the party coming over?" he meant Richard Woolsey, of course. If the IOA is involved, Woolsey is always nearby.
She sighed. "If I have it my way, never."
But he was quick on picking up her body language.
"They're coming over soon, aren't they?"
The tight smile that she gave him was all the indication he needed to know that there was going to be an enquiry.
"I'm going to be there," he said firmly.
"John," she began.
"No buts. It was my decision, and I will be there," he said.
She studied his expression, and then she shook her head.
"You're still on medical leave. The IOA may not care, but I do. So, leave it up to me."
"Elizabeth!" he protested.
"Doctor's orders, John. Carson will have my hide if I make you do more than lie in bed. Just rest," she squeezed his shoulder reassuringly and then made her way out his room.
Wearily, he sank into his bed. Being treated like an invalid when he didn't feel like one sucked.
Rest. If only I could, he thought with a wry laugh. Each time he closed his eyes, he worried that he would end up in a nightmare again, and he didn't want to admit how ... afraid he is of them ... to re-experience the horrible pain of your life being torn from you.
He could have killed the Wraith, like he should. But he wouldn't have been able to live with himself. It was enough to see the charred bodies of the humanized Wraith on that planet where they had kept them. After seeing the results of the carnage that he had ordered, he had sworn silently to himself: Never again.
"Yet it is strange, Sheppard, that you chose an enemy of humankind to save rather than one of your own," said a deeply accented voice.
Startled, he whipped his head around.
The poster of Johnny Carson greeted him.
He was alone.
Of course. How could he be here anyway? He died in Afghanistan.
Sheppard winced when the throbbing pain in his head became sharp stabs. Groaning, he closed his eyes and buried his face in his hands, willing the pain to subside.
After a few moments, it did, and he removed his hands from his face.
And saw that they were smeared with blood. Slowly, he wiped a finger across his nose – it too came away bloody.
"A nose bleed," he murmured, surprised. And that was the last thing he remembered.
TBC …