A/N:
I'm really happy that even though the alert system has been off for quite some time, still so many of you came across the new chapter by chance and reviewed.
BTW, I'm terribly sorry for taking again so long to update. bows head in shame But rest assured, this was another example of a chapter way too long to post in one. Therefore, the following bit is almost finished already and will probably be updated in two or three days at the latest.
Muchísimas gracias to TCB 0.5 for her very helpful beta!

IX

When John returned his attention to his team, he couldn't help a broad grin as he saw his friends falling on the tray like famished birds of prey on their victim; especially Ronon eyed every hand moving towards the food suspiciously, ready to jump into action should anyone dare to pick an item he claimed for his own. Approaching Beckett's side, Sheppard shook his head.

"You know, doc", he said cheerfully, "they are really quite a bunch. Honestly, sometimes I really have to fight the urge to knock their heads together! And you're no exception!"

While rewetting the cloth on the physician's brow, he grew serious again. "Listen… Carson… I think I've never told you before… and I probably wouldn't if you could understand me right now", John added hastily. "Besides, Rodney would never let me hear the end of it…" He paused briefly, looking to the shining floor. 'Man, this was worse than pulling teeth!'

"Carson… what I want to say…", he took another pause, then perceived soft steps coming closer and the curtain parted.

"Sorry to interrupt, Colonel, but will you give us a moment?" Dr Cole's voice broke the silence. Sensing she couldn't have chosen a worse time to enter, she apologised, "Sorry, I didn't know… I'll come back in a few minutes."

"No. No, it's okay. Really." John immediately put on a casual expression and faced Beckett again. "Seems like you're pretty popular lately if even Caldwell pays you a visit and now a beautiful blonde wants to share a moment in private…" He gave the Scot a short pat on the arm and left.

In the meantime the others had finished their meal and looked expectantly at Sheppard when he approached.

"He seems to be alright. Cole is with him, so I guess it'll take a while."

"Thanks for the Jell-O by the way", exclaimed McKay, still chewing.

"Yes, thank you, Colonel. That was very considerate", Teyla concurred while Ronon just nodded and lifted his hand in agreement, swallowing the last bites.

"Welcome", the pilot dismissed, sitting down on Teyla's bed.

xXxXx

For the most part of the next few hours they sat in silence at Carson's side. They had given up talking about meaningless things, the fake cheerfulness being too much to bear. During his shift Dr Jollet had only bothered them twice and said nothing after his examinations, which Sheppard took for a good sign, but Rodney wasn't quite so sure about that. He never told the others; yet, to his mind an air of despair filled the room, and nothing these 'voodoo apprentices' did could dissipate this impression.

Just before the lights were dimmed for the night, Elizabeth joined the waiting team, bringing fresh coffee and snacks. She was about to take a seat when the low and soothing voice of Dr Gitano resounded in the peace of the quiet infirmary. "Good evening."

They all turned towards the doctor.

"I see you are still here waiting. Sis is a really nice touch from you. But you were here already se whole time. Now I must insist sat you go sleep some hours. Miss Emmagan, for you it is time also."

McKay glared at the physician as if he had just proposed to never use the stargate again. In his opinion the suggestion was completely and utterly absurd. While Teyla and Weir seemed to contemplate the proposition, John and Ronon started to object, obviously liking the idea no better than the astrophysicist.

"All of you are very exhausted", Gitano defended himself. "You are not doing a favour somebody if you stay until you collapse. You need some sleep. Dr Beckett is doing good, the fever even went down a bit, so you don't have to worry about."

Once more the protest began, but Elizabeth cut them short with a commanding tone. "Dr Gitano is right. You all look dead beat. A few hours of sleep won't hurt. I'll stay here with Carson over night", she offered, casting a stern look at each of the men – one they knew better than to challenge.

The doctor wasn't entirely content with the solution, but being fully aware that this was probably the best arrangement he could achieve, he nodded his agreement. "Okay sen. If anysing is wrong, I will call you." He briefly checked the monitors and wrote something into the chart. On his way out he threw a reassuring smile at them and wished everybody a good night.

Reluctantly, McKay rose from his chair and watched Sheppard and Ronon help Teyla to her bed before they all headed for their respective quarters. Of course Rodney knew Elizabeth and the Columbian doctor had been right and he was almost literally dead on his feet, but that made leaving Beckett no easier. Somehow the unsettling feeling of having to stay close at Carson's side just wouldn't vanish. The only thing that quieted his mind a little was the fact that Weir had stayed there, so his friend wouldn't be alone. Furthermore, no matter how desperately they needed to crash for a short period of time, he trusted Elizabeth to know how much they all cared for their CMO. She would not hesitate to radio them if anything happened.

After drinking a cup of coffee Elizabeth slowly settled onto the chair nearest to the bed. It had been a long day and despite her vigorous efforts, she had never quite succeeded in pushing her growing concern aside. She regarded Carson's relaxed features and couldn't get around her immense disquiet. She had never been one to be easily spooked, but this menagerie of machines and monitors Beckett was connected to, was indeed frightening. Usually he was the one in control of this. This was his very realm. Now seeing him as the patient and in such a poor condition was more than unsettling – it was outright disturbing. Weir leant back and closed her eyes, letting the constant beeping lull her thoughts. The rhythmical noise was unnerving, but it was also a comforting reassurance that the kind-hearted Scot was still alive.

xXxXx

The night passed without incident, and when one by one John, Rodney and Ronon returned to the infirmary in the morning, having rested for a couple of hours and taken a shower, they really looked much better. Too tired for any lengthy conversation, Elizabeth greeted them with a smile followed by a yawn.

"I think there's someone else who's in need of a nap," Sheppard stated.

Weir noticed the colonel wasn't wearing his usual boots but some more comfortable sneakers, which squealed audibly on the floor. "No time. I have to get back to work", she replied after a short moment.

"Yeah. I bet you do", came John's retort.

"Sheppard, correct me if I'm wrong", McKay joined in the exchange, "but I seem to distinctly recall someone giving a speech about 'looking exhausted' and 'some sleep wouldn't hurt'. So don't give us the same lame excuses we tried on you a few hours back!"

"Come on, Elizabeth", the pilot's tone masterfully preparing the final strike, "Atlantis won't immediately fall apart without her leader. At least not for a few hours if I manage to keep Rodney away from his lab."

"Haha, very funny, Colonel!" Said physicist crossed his arms in front of him, huffing condescendingly.

Giving a sheepish smile, Elizabeth accepted her defeat with a sigh and tilted her head. If nothing, she was too worn-out to argue any longer, so she gave in and nodded. "Alright." Gingerly she got up, stretching her sore limbs.

"Don't worry, I'll see to McKay not sinking the city", John called after her, a smug smile on his face.

Rodney paid no attention to the teasing remark. Instead, he carefully eyed Beckett while rinsing the damp cloth. He couldn't quite put his finger on it, but somehow the physician looked different than yesterday – worse. It was really more a gut feeling than anything else. So maybe it was just him, and he was only imagining things. Taking in a deep breath, he crouched on one of the chairs, Sheppard and Ronon following suit. There was nothing they could do anyway – nothing but wait.

Twice before noon Dr Cole checked on Beckett, the forced smile and worried face she sported each time she left her patient, equalling a hard punch in the stomach region. McKay confronted her on both occasions but she would simply look away saying she wasn't sure as of yet, subsequently disappearing in one of the labs. Having his fears sort of confirmed, Rodney realized that as much as he usually enjoyed it to the full, sometimes being right sucked, big time.

Several more hours passed before the young doctor hurried back with a stern face. Yet, to the team's surprise, she didn't come alone. In tow she had two nurses, who were pushing a strange machine. All four jumped to their feet, startled, nervously gazing at the newly arrived personnel and equipment.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Rodney demanded.

"Excuse us for a moment, will you?" Samantha Cole expressed in no uncertain terms, her chin pointing in the direction of the infirmary's waiting area. "I will talk to you in a minute. Please."

Ronon, Teyla, John and Rodney stared at her with a mix of disbelief and annoyance but most of all, concern. When the young physician gave them no heed, they walked off, hearing the nurses draw the curtain shut behind them. John gazed at his team, then wordlessly headed towards the waiting area.

xXxXx

By the time Dr Cole appeared from behind the curtain and motioned them to follow her into Carson's office, Ronon was positively convinced that both Sheppard and McKay had already left tracks on the floor from their constant pacing. Without doubt, these two geeks must have been a heaven-sent punishment for some horrible crime he had committed in a previous life, as Beckett would have put it. Some time ago, after he had overheard the usually so patient physician curse over Rodney's whining, Carson had explained to him the concept of rebirth and retribution for past sins. Having spent more than two years on Atlantis by now, the Satedan found the Scotsman's outburst was alarmingly fitting.

Upon entering the office, Dr Cole was sitting at Carson's desk, the palms of her hands digging into her eyes as her elbows rested on the table-top. John and Rodney exchanged a quizzical glance, feeling helpless, not sure whether the young doctor was merely tired or crying. It was Teyla, who took the initiative and stepped forward, putting a consoling hand on Samantha's shoulder, softly whispering, "Dr Cole, are you alright?"

"Yes", came the subdued answer. "It's nothing. I'm only a bit short of sleep." She raised her head and faked a weak smile but the reddened eyes and wet spots on the sleeves of her lab coat betrayed her.

To be continued…

A/N 2:
After I realized the alert system was offline, I tried to PM everybody who had my story on their alert list; but guess what, PMs weren't transmitted either. So, if you are interested, send an eMail to
twinchaosbladeATquantentunnelDOTde
there I'll create an eMail list for 'Surviving Sunday' which will kick in should the alert system fail again. Of course all eMail addresses I receive will be handled confidentially!