Part 10 - In Time?

Dave rubbed his weary eyes. He'd been traveling now for over fifteen hours since leaving Canada but apparently, according to the major, the end of the journey was in sight. Dave had expected to be taken to some military hospital but instead they were heading toward the mountains, leaving him even more puzzled. He had read the confidentiality agreement wondering what the hell his brother was involved in that required such a complex document. Dave realized that there were big secrets out there but this was taking things to the extreme. However, he had signed and had assured the major that he was one hundred percent a patriot and whatever secrets he would learn were safe with him. He'd been surprised when the major had replied that it wasn't just America's safety that was at stake but Earth's.

As the entrance to the Cheyenne Mountain complex loomed closer, Dave turned to his companion. "Isn't this a NORAD operation?"

The major was surprised that Dave Sheppard knew that. He wanted to ask him how but they were fast approaching the security outpost. So he made a mental note to ask Sheppard later and simply replied. "That's just the cover for a much larger operation."

"Okay, but why isn't my brother being treated in a hospital?

"The base infirmary here is the best there is and the doctors are all...top class." The Major assured him. Dave looked at the officer but didn't say anything. Although, he thought, I certainly hoped so for John's sake.

Their transport came to a screeching halt a short distance from the security post. Stepping out of the vehicle and straightening his casual jacket and pants, Dave remained silent as they passed through the security check and into the complex. Major Davis then led him briskly on along several corridors until they entered an elevator. It seemed to go down quite a way, but eventually the enclosed tin box came to a grinding halt. When the doors whooshed open, Dave was greeted by a face that he'd seen before, although, he couldn't put a name to it.

Ronon thrust out his hand. "Hello again." When Dave looked blank, Ronon provided. "Ronon Dex, we met at your father's…."

"Wake." Dave supplied. "Yes, I remember that now, you came with John."

Ronon's expression sobered. "Yeah."

Noting Ronon's apprehension, Major Davis asked. "How is he?"

"Not good. Come on."

The two men followed the Satedan through the tube-like corridors until they arrived in a rather drab, rudimentary looking room with a row of beds along one side. They were all empty except for the nearest. Dave slowly moved over to stand by it. Shocked to see his brother looking so very lifeless and fragile surrounded by far from primitive looking, monitoring equipment, numerous intravenous lines, and a mechanical ventilator. It all looked equal to, if not better, than any modern Intensive Care Unit.

A young woman that he hadn't noticed at first, moved over to shake his hand. "Mr. Sheppard, I'm Dr. Keller. I'm in charge of your brother's care. I'm sorry to say but his condition hasn't improved any."

Dave turned a worried face in her direction. He couldn't believe that this young woman was one of the experts that Major Davis had talked about. She didn't look old enough to be out of college yet alone a fully qualified doctor. However, he kept his mouth shut, at least for now. "So what are his chances?"

Jennifer wanted to say, good, but that would have been a huge lie. So she went for the truth. "At the moment it's hard to say. I don't know if you were given any details but he has a skull fracture that we now know was caused by two sharp blows to the head." Dave winced. "There has been some subdural bleeding but thankfully, the pressure hasn't increased as much as we feared. We're hoping that it clears up on its own."

"Then why is his life still in such danger?"

"Combine that with a serious bullet wound, Mr. Sheppard, and you get the picture. I'm not saying that he's going to die but he's got quite a fight on his hands." Jennifer smiled slightly before finishing. "Although, this is your brother we're talking about and I've seen him pull through things which would left other people six feet under."

"So you've known him for a while?"

Jennifer nodded. "A couple of years." Then she turned to Ronon. "Why don't you show Mr. Sheppard to the commissary, it looks to me like he could use a drink?" Ronon grunted and Dave was about to agree when someone else entered the room.

"Ah, there you are." A slightly stout looking man addressed Dr. Keller before turning to Dave. "So you're Sheppard's brother. Dr. Rodney McKay." He didn't offer his hand and had announced his name in such a way as if Dave was supposed to know exactly who he was.

It left Dave confused, so he asked. "Are you looking after John's medical needs too?"

Rodney snorted. "What me dabble in voodoo science, no way. Now astrophysics that's a true science and I'm a genius in it."

"Right, Rodney, so you like to tell everyone. Now why don't you go with Ronon and Mr. Sheppard for a drink and leave us poor voodoo doctors to save your friend's life."

Of course, John had to pick that moment to crash leaving Ronon, Rodney and Dave frozen on the spot as the room suddenly filled with loud alarms and rushing medical personnel.

Holding the paddles ready, Jennifer turned to them and shouted over the alarms. "Please leave!" Somewhat reluctantly, they left room to the sound of a defibrillator engaging.

No one felt like talking, not even McKay. So they walked in silence until they arrived at the commissary, not knowing how they'd really got there. Ronon led Dave over to an empty table. He sat down with a plonk not really feeling the chair or wanting anything to drink anymore. His brother had just technically died and Dave's heart still pounded while he waited for any news. The only thing that Dave wanted in the whole world right now was to be told that his brother would be all right. He sensed to same feeling emanating from the others. Even the loud mouthed scientist remained tense and subdued.

Some minutes later, they were joined by a pretty young woman, her face etched with sorrow. For a minute, Dave thought that she was bringing them some bad news, but it turned out that she knew no more than they did. She introduced herself as Teyla Emmagan, saying that she was a very good friend of John's.

Although, he was worried sick about his brother, as the time went on Dave's curiosity won out as he scanned the room. There were pictures of aircraft all around the walls but the personnel sported some very strange looking insignia on their clothing. One bald headed guy had a round patch on his sleeve that depicted what looked like the Earth in the background and an inverted V or an A without its crossbar in the foreground. There was also a small circle above the letter. Dave was so absorbed in his observation that he failed to notice when the blond doctor, he'd met earlier, entered the room. The first time he realized her presence was when Rodney McKay knocked over his chair in his haste to stand up. The doctor's face was etched with remorse and Dave's heart stepped up to a frantic beat as she slowly sat down next to him.

However, her news wasn't what they all feared. "We got him back but…I…don't know for how long." She shook her head, it looked like she was about to cry. "He's just not responding like we hoped."

"You mean he's not fighting this?" Ronon asked.

"Maybe it's beyond his ability to fight. I just don't know…I…" Jennifer shook her head again and lowered it before looking back up. "I don't have any answers."

Rodney couldn't believe it. "Are you trying to tell us that Sheppard has given up? That after all he's been through, he's finally had enough?"

Keller grabbed his hand. "Rodney, sometimes the injury is just so bad that no matter how strong the will to live is, it just isn't enough."

Teyla turned a devastated look toward the young doctor. "Would it help if we talk to him? Reassure him that we are there for him. I am not willing to lose John." Her voice nearly broke on those final words.

Ronon grunted "Me either. Maybe blowing up a Wraith Hive, but not like this."

In their concern, they had almost forgotten about Dave and the mention of this Wraith thing, whatever that was, had him even more curious but naturally his concern for John came first. "Would it help if I…talk to him?" he said. What he really wanted to say was, call in a top specialist that he knew from Washington, but he didn't think that would go down very well.

"It might help." Jennifer conceded.

Then Rodney suddenly realized something. "If you're here, then who's with him right now?"

"I didn't leave him unattended if that's what you're thinking. As Carolyn is still resting, we called in Carson. He's in good hands, Rodney."

Dave noticed that everyone seemed almost relieved by the news, leaving him to wonder who this Carson was. "Can I go back and sit with him for a while."

Jennifer looked at John's brother noting how weary he looked. "When was the last time you had any sleep, Mr. Sheppard?"

"Can we please drop the formality? Just call me Dave." Everyone agreed to do so before he answered Jennifer's question. "It's been a while but…I really don't need any sleep right now."

Rodney snorted." I see stubbornness runs in the family."

Dave bristled at the comment but then he saw that the scientist had meant it in good humor. "Yeah, we used to drive our father mad. But I meant what I said. I don't think I could rest right now anyway."

"I could help you with that and you won't be doing John any favors if you keep falling asleep on him when he needs you later. So I'm going to arrange a room for you to use." Jennifer turned to address them all. "In fact, I want you all to get some rest while you take it in turns to sit with John. I'll set up a schedule and we'll go with your idea of talking to him, encouraging him to fight it, and see if that helps."

Fifteen minutes later after a quick visit to see John, Dave was shown to a room with a bed, a couple of side tables and a few other comforts. It wasn't the Hilton but it looked comfortable enough.

Dave settled on top of the bed in an attempt to rest, but besides worrying about John, a multitude of questions just kept whirling around and around in his head. What the hell was his brother really involved in? Hopefully, he would get the chance to ask John that very question.

tbc