Chapter 21
A/N #1 If you see any mistakes let me know.
A/N #2 I hope you enjoy this chapter, please r & r. Thanks.
Willow felt that she had been operating on autopilot the entire afternoon. She was working, but barely. She had tried classifying the plants but had stopped shortly after she had lost herself in just staring into the microscope for entirely too long. She was reminded of a prank Xander's best friend Jesse had played on her back in middle school. He'd put black shoe polish at the eyepiece and she had spent a good deal of the rest of science class with what surely looked like the worse black eye imaginable. She had wiped the polish off but it had left a dark ring around one eye. Her teachers had worried and considered turning 'her abuse' into child protective services, as if Sheila and Ira Rosenberg had actually cared enough about her daughter to even give her a black eye.
That was what hurt the most—it wasn't so much that Aiden was gone, doing his job, mind you. It was the aching feeling that if anything happened to him she would be left alone, again. She knew she was feeling sorry for herself—if something happened to Aiden then he would have far worse problems than just leaving her without someone to care about. Since becoming friends with Xander and Buffy and Giles and all the other auxiliary members of the Scoobies she had lost that feeling of aloneness. She knew that you could survive without others—all you really needed was food or water—but the truth was that the quality of her entire life was enhanced when she was secure and confident that other people loved her.
There was this aching fear that someone or something could rip that away from her. Something could destroy him. This fear was not something she could accept. She thought of him, surely standing around the ruins on the planet, ever watchful and vigilant, holding a p-90. Right about now, he would be engaged in a constant survey of the surrounding area, looking out for probable danger or possibly risky situations. He'd be watching over all the members of his team—but were they truly watching over him?
Willow stopped right where she was. She had it. She might not be able to be there to keep an eye on him but she could provide him with the only protection she had, Wiccan protection. She left the infirmary in a quick jog. She was getting back to her room and her bag. Why hadn't she taken it with her this morning? The quicker she got to her room—the quicker she would get to that musty old spell book and find a spell. She had thought of this once—but Giles had cautioned her. He wasn't here to stop her or to guide her. She had only her wits and guts to keep the one she loved alive.
She went to the book and quickly turned the pages. The room was silent except for her quick breathing and the turning of the pages. For a moment the pages fluttered wildly and it was as if someone else turned them for her. She didn't know what to make of this. Did some guardian ancestor, as Charin surely believed, watch over her and give her hints and clues? She found the section that indicated goddesses of the night. The pages fell open to Nyx. She knew whom she needed to entreat—a Goddess of the Night, of darkness. Not someone too powerful, not someone that would expect a dark bargain that would surely not save Aiden or save herself. She needed to ask for the help of someone who saw herself as a sort of guardian of humankind. She had it. She would ask Nyx.
Willow flipped open the laptop and opened a new document and started writing. She would entreat Nyx and ask her to protect Aiden—to save him from darkness and death. She had her idea, she had her spell. Willow read the words she had written to herself three, four times, until she had them memorized. She picked up a piece of chalk and the needed herbs and moved to the center of her room and sat on the floor. She drew a circle, with the chalk, around her body. She crumbled the herbs galagal and jalap together and said the words to her spell, "Goddess Nyx, goddess of the night, save him from the everlasting night. Born of night, born of chaos. Night, nox, nyx. Protect my love. Protect my heart. Do what is right. Shield my love. To you I entreat, to you I chant. Watch over him from above."
She repeated the words. She would do so until she had her answer. She repeated them again and again. She felt the moment she had an answer. A threadlike dark mist arose from the outer edges of the circle. It was Nyx—giving her answer, "You have what you want." Willow heard the words spoken in the stillness, spoken in her mind. She had what she wanted. The goddess would protect him. Willow dropped her hands to the floor and lowered her head. She hoped her actions would bring a good result. She wanted Aiden to safely return to her.
Willow pushed herself upwards. She rubbed her hands on her legs and squared her shoulders. Things would be okay, they had to be. She had to return to the infirmary and get back to work. She trusted that Aiden would be okay—Nyx would protect him. According to the Wiccan truth, she was night, the mother of the twins sleep and death. She would protect him—keep him from death and keep him from eternal sleep.
Willow left her room just as the alarm began to sound. It was a repetitive drone designed to instill panic and fright. She took off in a dead run back towards the gate room. When she reached the gate room she saw, McKay and Stackhouse dragging Major Sheppard's body through the gate. Aiden and Teyla were not with them. Willow felt all the color leave her face. Where was he? She stood on the balcony stock still. What if what she had done had backfired? A black mist rising from the ground didn't have to bode well. There was nothing she could do—except provide whatever assistance she could to the Major and wait. She knew, she just knew, Aiden was okay. Willow quickly made her way to the infirmary. She went over to Dr. Beckett and asked him how she could help.
"Go to the mess hall and get a bucket of ice." Willow rushed through the infirmary doors and went straight to the mess hall. She quickly pushed open the swinging doors of the kitchen and got a bucket. Jonathon helped her fill the bucket with ice, and she gave him a grateful smile. "You know, Dr. Beckett really doesn't need any ice. This is just the job they give to the husband when the wife is in labor…"
"What!" Willow practically shrieked the word. Surely Dr. Beckett hadn't just been trying to get her out of the way… though what was he going to do with the ice… add water and toss it on the Major? That didn't seem too likely. Jonathon was right.
"Take your time. Give Beckett and the nurses' time to work."
"I need to get this back to Dr. Beckett." Willow lifted the bucket and gave Jonathon a tight smile. She knew he was right but it didn't really matter. She had to keep moving. If she had something to do she could keep her mind of the fact that she probably had just royally screwed the man she had only just realized she loved. She had asked a goddess of darkness to watch out for him and where was Aiden? She had no answer.
Willow took the bucket back to the infirmary. Major Sheppard was lying still. His body appeared boneless. One arm reached almost towards the floor as if it had only just slipped from the bed. Dr. Beckett had nodded in her direction when she had entered the room. Willow almost forgave him for sending her on a fool's errand. She wanted to ask him if he wanted her to toss ice down the Major's shirt or dump the entire bucket over the Major's head but she couldn't. To do so would surely be rude.
Carson knew Willow had figured out he wanted her out of the way. He was a little ashamed of the task he had sent her on but he stood by his decision to send her out on the errand. He didn't know how she would react in an emergency situation. It wasn't as if he was privy to the type of training she had. It might have been a little amusing if it were a far different situation to see the expressions of worry and exasperation alternately cross her face.
"When do you think he will awaken?" She asked Dr. Beckett. There was little point in staying angry.
"Definitely soon. The Major is a tough man." Carson knew this was true. He walked over to the bucket and picked up a few pieces of ice. He went over to the cot and placed the piece of ice on Major Sheppard's head and a few pieces on both sides of his neck. Willow honestly didn't believe Dr. Beckett would take it this far. She knew he was just trying to appease her sensibilities but his bedside manner did leave a little to be desired.
Dr. Beckett and Willow stood side by side and watched as the ice cube on his forehead and those around his neck slowly melted. The one on his forehead slid down the side of the Major's face and like a spell he awakened.
Willow turned incredulous eyes towards Dr. Beckett. "Where did you learn that technique?"
"Medical School. It always worked with hung-over friends." Dr. Beckett gave Willow a tight smile.
"What the hell?" Sheppard was surprised that his words came out in a surely unintelligible mumble. He had no clue how he ended up in the infirmary with a chilled neck and cold forehead. He also had a suspicion that he couldn't move.
Willow leaned her head closer to the Major so he could see her. "Hi. You were hit by a wraith stunner. You should be okay in an hour or so." She reached down and lifted gathered his arm up to his chest. She hoped her bedside manner was better than Dr. Beckett.
"Oh. I wondered why I couldn't move. Could you get Stackhouse and Ford in here…" Sheppard stopped his words when he saw how Willow's eyes became shadowed.
"I think… Aiden is still on the planet. I will see about Stackhouse." Willow turned to leave and do just what he asked. She was startled at just how swiftly the pain had returned. She hoped she hadn't made a mistake and the goddess had truly protected her Aiden.
"Lass. I'll send a nurse to bring Stackhouse here—why don't you go wait by the gate room. I am sure Teyla and Ford will make it through on their own..." Carson hoped he was giving sound advice. There really was nothing she could do here. It wasn't as if she actually knew where to find Stackhouse. Despite the fact that she obviously wanted to keep working there really was no way she could really do anything to help.
"No. I can't just sit and wait. Give me something—anything to do." Willow was on the verge of begging.
"Um. How about reorganizing that cabinet?" Carson couldn't believe this was the best he could come up with. He wasn't too good with pointing out tasks to work off grief or worry. He was far from a psychologist. When he was worried about another person making it through or living he actually just—didn't. There was always another person to watch over even when members of the off world teams were missing. He had long ago learned how to take care of those he could and to do that job well. Worrying about those who were out of your reach was a waste of time. It was far better to pray and hope. You really could only wait for them to find their way home.
"Okay." Willow went over to the cabinet Dr. Beckett had indicated. She removed the first try of supplies and then began to carefully count them. She noticed a clipboard hanging on a hook on the outside of the cabinet. It was an inventory. She started working… counting out items and recording them. Whenever she found herself thinking again and worrying again about Aiden she would begin again. She wanted him safe and she wanted him back in Atlantis.
She had no idea how long she had been at her task when she heard the alarm sounding out again. It was Aiden, it had to be. Willow dropped the clipboard and raced towards the gate room. Before she had fully turned the corner she saw Major Sheppard, Dr. Weir, Sergeant Bates, and Dr. McKay standing together in a balcony room overlooking the gate. Willow quickly moved towards the Stargate. Still the alarm rang out. There was no Aiden and no Teyla. Willow knew he was just beyond the event horizon. Unconscious. Alive. What were they waiting for?
She reached out her hand, she longed to tear down the shield. She wanted to reach in and pull Aiden forward and back into her arms. She knew this was impossible; the matter stream in the wormhole could only travel in one direction. Why did they hesitate? Why hadn't they dropped the shield? She could hear the sounds of wraith stunner blasts and Teyla's voice. The shield finally dropped and Teyla dragged Aiden forward. The moment she crossed over into Atlantis' gate room six marines holding p-90's advanced on Teyla.
Willow pushed her way through them. What fools they were. She gently shoved one marine and his gun away from Teyla and dropped down at Aiden's side. He was alive. He was unconscious, but alive. She touched her fingers to his neck and felt his pulse. It was strong and steady. Willow gently touched his face. He was alive. She heard the loud sound of heavy boots moving towards her. Major Sheppard had reached them and dropped down to his knees beside Aiden. Willow didn't notice how it was only when Sheppard showed up that the marines had lowered their weapons.
"He is just unconscious." She said the words as she lightly stroked Aiden's forehead. Willow looked up at Teyla. "Thank you." She knew, without any doubt that Teyla had surely saved Aiden's life.
Sheppard didn't like the situation at all. It was obvious that everyone in the room that the marines standing around didn't trust Teyla and if given even a hint or a clue that he had any doubts would welcome the opportunity to open fire. They were loyal but definitely bloodthirsty. It was a lethal combination.
"Teyla, why don't you help Ms. Rosenberg get Ford to the infirmary?" It was the only solution he could come up with. He trusted Teyla completely but he was sure no one else—well few others did. She nodded. The infirmary nurses had arrived with the stretcher and between Teyla and Willow, Aiden was securely placed on the mobile bed. Sheppard stood and watched as the nurses pushed the stretcher towards the infirmary. Willow jogged beside them and Teyla hung a little behind. She still had her weapon. Teyla looked down at the ground and considered her next move. She wasn't sure of anything except the simple fact that John was a man to trust. She felt safe simply because he would keep her out of harms way. She walked back towards him and handed him her p-90. She gave him a quick nod and ran back to catch up with the stretcher. The infirmary was as a good of a place as any to wait for their judgment. She had done nothing wrong. She had nothing to fear.
Carson looked at his new patient. Lieutenant Aiden Ford, again. When Ford had been brought in he had been sure that he had just received his third wraith stunner victim of the day but this wasn't the case. Ford was clearly just knocked out. He examined him and found a growing knot at the base of his skull. "Lass, he will be fine. It is just a little bump. He'll likely sleep for a little while longer and then awaken—as good as new—except for a pounding headache." Carson was very happy to be giving such positive news. He was also quite happy that he had been given the chance to observe Willow in action. She was very calm and collected. No hysterics. She had helped move the stretcher quickly along the corridors and had leaned against the wall and let the professionals work. When he had started looking for gauze to bandage a spot at the back of Aiden's head she had quickly got a small patch from the closet. If he didn't know better, he would swear she had a fair amount of practice in doing this before.
"I am going to sit beside him." Willow made the comment. She knew there would be no way Dr. Beckett would deny her. "Sure, lass. Go right ahead." Carson went to the other bedside and picked up the visitors chair. He brought it over to Willow and turned to leave her in privacy.
"Do you think ice will wake him up quicker?" Carson heard Willow's whispered question.
"It's possible. But, don't worry, he will waken." Carson moved away and walked towards Teyla. She looked utterly lost. He knew every foolish and fearful person was sure she was a spy but he was positive she was not. She had dragged Ford through the gate and yet they did not believe she could be trusted. There was something inhumane about their actions.
Willow knew Aiden was asleep. He was not dead. Nyx had protected him. She had given him sleep when the choices were surely that or death.
She sat and she waited. He would waken. Willow folded herself in the chair. She leaned forward, her elbows on her thighs and her chin in her cupped palms. She would wait. Willow started thinking about all the things she would tell him about and all the questions she would ask, when he wakened. She would tell him about the time she had pulled the skanky vampire version of herself from an alternate universe. She would ask him about his parents. She would tell him about her favorite coffee drink and the time she almost set her bedroom on fire practicing magic. Actually she would set his bedroom or her bedroom on fire making love—when he wakened. She wanted to know the name of his high school, why he chose to study history, and how he was recruited for the Stargate program. His favorite color, favorite food, and the one sound that grated on his nerves. She wanted to know everything and at the moment she was restricted to knowing—beyond the shadow of a doubt that he would waken so she would surely learn.
She sat there watching for the moment when his eyes would flutter and she would be released from the hell of waiting, the pause that would not end, the delay between being alive and truly living. His eyelids began to quiver in a mockery of REM sleep. He was stirring. Willow stood up and went to his side. She lowered herself and gave him a gentle, full body hug. He was almost awake. She could feel it. Nyx had truly protected him. Willow knew it had been dangerous what she had done but she was glad she had the chance to keep him safe.
She felt his arm lift and drop to her head. Aiden was surely trying to draw her closer even though he was only partially conscious. She knew she shouldn't do it but she couldn't help herself. She crawled on top of him on the small cot. She was desperate to be closer. Willow laid her face next to his, on the bed, and gave him a desperate hug. He was truly alive. She stared at his face and watched as his eyes fully opened. His arm reached around and brought her face closer to his lips. He was going to kiss her and Willow was satisfied.
"Ahem"
Willow heard the sound and was sure it was Dr. Beckett. She wasn't particularly embarrassed because of the simple fact that any kiss they would share at that moment would only be a celebration of his being alive. Kissing in the infirmary was far from the most appropriate thing to happen but she knew she would surely always welcome Aiden's kisses. Willow moved to stand up beside the bed. She turned to face Dr. Beckett and instead found Major Sheppard.
Sheppard nodded his head, "Miss Rosenberg." Willow didn't know if he was trying to dismiss her or what. She assumed that was what he was trying to do.
"Um. You should probably call me Willow." She smiled slightly. "I'll be over there." Willow pointed in an indeterminate direction. What she really meant was I will hover just out of listening distance until you leave and then I will return for my kiss. She walked away, she had a feeling that Aiden was about to spill some crucial bit of information as to just how he had been injured. She wanted to know too—but she had to give him the chance to tell his military commander first.
Willow waited and waited. Dr. McKay rushed into the infirmary and ushered Sheppard out of the room. Aiden had actually sat up for his conversation with Major Sheppard. When Sheppard left, Willow moved back to Aiden's side. She sat down beside him and gave him a hug.
"I am glad you are okay."
"Me too." Aiden looked down at Willow's hair. He wasn't so sure this was what she needed. He wasn't exactly the most accident prone man in Atlantis but he did seem to end up in the infirmary pretty often. Was it fair to put her in a position to worry? Ultimately it was her decision, not his. He knew what he wanted. He wanted her to be the first thing he saw when he awakened and the last person he saw, when he closed his eyes at night.
"I did a spell to keep you safe." Willow muttered her words into his chest.
"Really?" Aiden was quite surprised. He wasn't so sure how to react.
"Yeah. I asked the goddess Nyx, the goddess of night and mother of sleep and death to spare you."
How do you respond to something like that? Had it worked? It really didn't seem that it had… after all he had been asleep…
"Did it work?" He decided to just be straight forward and ask.
"I think so. She chose to give you sleep over death." Willow sat up straight. She wanted to look him in the eye and see just how he was taking her announcement. She didn't know how she wanted him to take it. He didn't have to believe her. He might think she was just crazy. He might be insulted and hurt. She didn't actually know the ideal way for him to take her announcement.
"Thank you." This definitely hadn't been the easiest thing for her to tell him. Aiden knew the only thing he really felt about her actions was grateful and happy. He was thrilled she cared enough about him to entreat a goddess for his sake. Whatever entreating entailed. He wasn't so sure he believed she had actually communicated and convinced this Nyt-- Nyx… but what the hell? He was alive, right? And if he stopped hearing that incessant thumping sound he could surely continue where they had left off the earlier that day. They sat very still on the small bed, just holding each other and basking in the quietness of each others' presence.
Carson really hated to walk up on the couple but he was sure Ford needed his sleep and Willow's shift was well over. She could use a little sleep herself. "Lass, it is after seven in the evening. Your shift is well over."
"What about Aiden?" Willow couldn't just leave him in the infirmary.
"Well son, you need to stay in the infirmary for at least another hour for observation…"
"Dr. Beckett, I am a lab assistant. Don't I have clearance or the ability to observe him… maybe in a more private setting…" Willow wasn't exactly sure where her idea had come from but she had it and wasn't about to let it go. She gave Dr. Beckett a hopeful look. She wanted to get Aiden out of the infirmary and into a less public setting. She was aching to demonstrate to him just how glad she was he had returned safely.
Carson bit down on his lower lip to keep the laugh from escaping—he almost failed. "That you do. You can lead him back to his room and watch him there." He didn't know how else to say it. He wasn't sure how long he could keep his laughter in so he quickly excused himself.
"We missed dinner." Aiden had to smile at Willow's words. She sounded so forlorn.
"Well we do still have to eat…" Aiden slid his hand on her back, lightly stroking. He couldn't stop touching her. He knew she took fairness very seriously—last night he had set up dinner and tonight she had decided to handle things. To be honest, food could wait.
"Why don't I run off to the mess and get something quick and take away and then we can head to your room?" Willow leaned in close to Aiden and sniffed at his neck. "And maybe you can take a shower while I set up things."
"Hey—those are manly smells—sustained in the heat of battle—defending this outpost, from all things wraith." He tried to make it into a joke but it felt a little hollow. He knew he was shaken and bruised but he couldn't help but make the observation. She was right. He did stink of grass, sweat and gunpowder.
"Okay?" Willow said the word as a question. She waited for his answering yes--nod and smiled. She stood and grinned and prepared to move off to the mess hall. She hoped there would be something in the mess hall that was easily transferable and good—not another sandwich though. She'd had far enough of those.
Willow was utterly and completely giddy. Aiden was just fine. She could spend the evening in his presence, just basking. When she got to the mess hall she timidly knocked on the rear kitchen door. With any luck Jonathon would still be around to help her put together something to take back to the room.
"Aiden's okay?" Jonathon asked the question. Willow wasn't too surprised that he knew about the injury—news did travel rather quickly in Atlantis.
She nodded.
She was surprised when he handed her a large tray. It seemed he had already put together dinner. Willow couldn't help but be pleased. Things were always easier when you had friends or friendly people. She was touched. The real test would be when she got back to the room and looked under the tray. Hopefully there would be food enough for two people and not just a single serving. Chefs were notoriously prickly and she wasn't so sure her tense smiles and terse communications about the ice earlier had gone over so well.
Willow grinned at Jonathon and took the plate back to the infirmary.
When she entered she found Teyla just sitting on one of the cots. Aiden was standing off to the corner in deep conversation or rather in listening mode with Dr. Beckett. Willow made the easy decision. She put the tray down on the aluminum table and went over to Teyla. Teyla didn't even look up as she approached. Willow was sure Teyla knew who approached but she seemed so lost she couldn't react. Of course she had to be disoriented. In the day she had said goodbye to all her people and went off to do the job she had chosen to do. She had put her trust in the Atlantis expedition members and had even saved one person's life. In the end everyone was doing a million things to make her feel not welcome, as if she were the spy, by virtue of being the outsider. It was unfair and just plain wrong.
"Can I sit with you?" Willow asked. She didn't want to intrude on Teyla's thoughts but she couldn't stand to see her so bewildered.
"There is space." The words were spoken in a low voice. Willow couldn't tell if Teyla truly no longer cared or was simply calmly accepting her presence.
"I don't know if I told you thank you…" Teyla looked up at Willow as she began those words. Had not Willow already said thank you? Why was it that all the people from earth thought they had to completely set up each thing they said? It was as if very conversation was a ritual that she would never understand. Could they not just say what they meant—be true and honest—fully. Accuse with proof. Speak with truth. Deception was not anything she understood or wanted to learn.
"You did thank me." Willow heard Teyla's words and looked her in the eyes. She realized all her verbal circles were wasted. She decided to just lay the truth on her.
"I trust you." Willow made the statement and waited. Teyla didn't need to answer her because she truly didn't answer to her or to anyone really on the base. There were tentative bonds of friendship and support but those ties could easily be cut.
"I am not the spy." Teyla spoke the five words and waited. Would Willow fill the upcoming silence with excessive exclamations and assurances?
Willow had nothing to say. She had already told Teyla that she trusted her. Teyla had told her the truth. There was nothing else to say.
Aiden could not believe he was having this conversation with Dr. Beckett. It really wasn't a conversation. Beckett had pulled him to the side and started lecturing. Each time he would attempt to interrupt him Aiden received a pointy Scottish finger shaking in front of his face. Actually he could believe it—the man was an utter and complete mother hen. Dr. Beckett was actually giving him 'the sex talk'. The first problem with this scenario was didn't the man realize that he was far old enough to have been on the receiving end of this talk before? He knew part a slipped into part b… he had a pretty good idea as to how to give her pleasure and meet his own needs. Condoms would be good. He hadn't asked Dr. Beckett directly—he had really intended on raiding the supply closet closest to his room, just in case. Actually, the more he thought about it—there really was no reason for him to be hearing any of it.
The man couldn't possibly think he needed to hear this? Maybe he was just torturing him? This was far a more likely scenario. Aiden looked off to the side at Willow. Perhaps she would rescue him… maybe that Nyx goddess chick could do a quick intervention. He caught Willows' eye. She was sitting next to Teyla on a cot. She didn't look like she was getting up. Didn't she 'sense' his distress? Maybe not. There was no escape from the man. Aiden was sure the last bit of luck allotted him for the day had completely expired and then he heard a buzzing. It came from his radio on the table next to the cot. He patted Dr. Beckett's shoulder, "excuse me." He was sure not to smirk. Blessed escape.
"Ford. Are you there?" It was Major Sheppard's voice.
"Yeah. I'm here."
"Good. Okay here's the update—Teyla wasn't the spy—I know we already knew that—but the charm on her necklace is actually a wraith transmitter."
"Really?" This was definite news. He actually hadn't noticed Teyla even had a necklace. Such a detail was surely insignificant, except for the obvious fact that the charm had the ability to set them up for execution.
"Yeah. I found it day one, in the caves. My gene activated it."
Aiden had nothing to say. Not only did Bates obviously owe Teyla and every Athosian an apology but maybe they could use the necklace to their advantage. "Sir…"
"Don't. Already thought of it—I am thinking setting up a trap… I am thinking explosives… maybe capturing a wraith to interrogate… I am thinking I need to find Teyla and apologize…"
Aiden grimaced slightly. That was definitely one thing that the Major needed to do ASAP. He looked toward Teyla. It seemed the links between her and the members of the expedition had become tenuous at best. "Yeah you do need to do that." He turned away from Teyla, hoping his words wouldn't carry too far.
"She is in the infirmary."
"Roger that." Aiden couldn't actually believe Sheppard had used the words, roger that… as if apologizing to Teyla was a new mission he had been set upon.
"Okay, take the rest of the night off—see you tomorrow—pre-mission briefing at o-nine hundred hours. Sheppard, out."
"Okay." That was settled. Aiden wanted to breathe a few sighs of relief. He just needed to get Willow, get the food and get the hell out of the infirmary.
"Son…" It was Dr. Beckett, yet again. Great. He held a small brown bag. Aiden was too disturbed to ask him what was inside the bag. He just took it from his hands and waited. "Instructions are on the bottle. Take one pill every four hours for your inevitable headache. Give me a call." Carson tapped the radio transmitter on the side of his ear in emphasis. "…if you have any nausea."
Dr. Beckett had surely given him aspirin for the pain. Aiden shook the bag once. It did sound like pills. He shuffled the bag under his arm and walked towards Willow. He went to the aluminum table and lifted the covered dinner tray. He walked towards Willow and Teyla. They were sitting in companionable silence. Willow smiled as he approached.
"Ready?"
"Yeah." Willow was ready to leave. Dinner and being held in Aiden's arms awaited her. Willow smiled and stood.
"Teyla—I owe you another one, you know." He watched as she smiled and nodded. Maybe favors owed would further bind her to Atlantis in friendship and alliance. She was integral to the team and he could tell Sheppard needed her.
"I can carry the tray." Willow opened her arms to receive the tray.
"You can carry the bag." Aiden moved his shoulder a little to indicate the bag under his arm.
"You do realize you are the injured man here, right?" He shrugged. The tray was far from heavy and he really didn't mind. The woman of his dreams was going to his room, the least he could do was carry dinner.
"What's in the bag?" Willow was curious
"It's a Beckett gift." Aiden watched as Willow shook and smushed and wrinkled the bag.
"Um three things. One box and two bottles. One is definitely pills." She reached for the stapled top and prepared to open.
"Hey—hey. Let's wait until we reach the room." Aiden felt a little nervous. Based on the not-conversation, actual lecture-- he had a clue about the bottle and the box. He looked up to see the slightly reddening face of Dr. Beckett. Yes. He definitely had a clue.
"Okay. Let's go." Willow led the way, lightly shaking the bag. Aiden followed her sweetly curved backside. He knew he could really get used to following her around.