For disclaimer check the 1st chapter...

A/N: I have two things to say. The first is that I don't have any medical knowledge, I did some research but we all know that's not accurate enough. We're just having some fun here so don't grill me for it. And the second thing is I'm flattered by the story alerts but my pride is taking a hit by the lack of reviews. I've been posting often so you have plenty of material! Pretty please? *puppy eyes*

Chapter Six

They left as soon as the outgoing event horizon appeared. The injured soldiers were taken to the infirmary while Sheppard's team debriefed. Another planet that would be crossed off the list if Woolsey couldn't succeed with negotiations, and after the raining bullets part both Sheppard and McKay were hoping to never set foot there again. After the debriefing Woolsey ordered the team to have their post-mission checkout and if they were all cleared they could start writing reports on the disastrous mission.

Before entering the infirmary Sheppard told McKay to keep his little incident to himself which the scientist agreed only if his vitals checked out. They sit on side by side gurneys and patiently wait through the normal routine, the needle goes in, the blood goes into the test tubes, the pressure cuff, etc. Rodney required 8 stitches to close the gash on his head, and complained before: "You should do a CT Scan just so we know I'm not bleeding inside my skull or something", during: "You're a butcher! I want Jennifer, in fact I'll take Carson before you." and after: "I'm gonna have a horrible scar, can't a guy get some pain killers? Not the kiddie stuff; I want the strong ones." He was also diagnosed with a mild concussion but the attending physician told him after a few hours of observation he could go rest in his room, which of course brought another set of complains about how irresponsible that was and how he could die in his sleep without anyone knowing. Before the drama was over though, the nurse declared Sheppard was finished and he gave Rodney a smug look and the latter replied with an angry 'fine'. Before he reached the door the nurse stopped him.

"Colonel Sheppard, your pressure wasn't normal so I would appreciate it if you got some rest and came back for me to re-check it."

"Is that really necessary Mandy?"

"If it was high it would understandable considering the events, but Sir, it was somewhat low." She could see him about to break out the charming smile so she held up her hand. "I'm being fair Colonel. In fact, I'm being generous, if it was Dr. Beckett or Dr. Keller you would not be allowed to leave the infirmary."

"Okay you win. I'm gonna grab something in the mess hall, go to bed and be back here in six hours."

"Two."

"Four"

"Either you're here in two hours or I'll tell the doctor."

"Mandy I didn't take you for the tattletale type."

"If it will keep you healthy that's what I'll be."

"You drive a hard bargain. Guess I'll have to take it."

"Smart man"

"Mind telling McKay that? He doesn't think so."

"See you in three hours Colonel."

"You're the best Mandy."

She caved in and he was glad for it. The truth was he wasn't saying that his ribs were hurting quite badly. He had had broken ribs before so he was no stranger to that pain but he could feel them shifting every time he took a breath. He was going to have to wrap them himself once he was in his quarters and definitely taking some pain relievers. It wasn't that he was a masochist but everyone believed he couldn't get hurt; they had seen his skin heal. Nobody was going to believe he was hurting inside even when there were no indications on the outside. Okay, maybe Beckett would fuzz about it and that would mean a lot of tests and being grounded. So he kept the secret to himself. He grabbed a quick bite in the mess hall (since he made it a rule not to eat everything people offered him in the planets he visited) and left for his quarters. He was achy and tired and all he wanted was to forget the day's event with a hot shower and some well deserved sleep.

While in the mess hall he started to get a feeling in the bottom of his stomach that made him anxious and half way through his meal he lost his appetite. As soon as he reached his quarters he felt like he couldn't hold himself together. He went straight for the bed and sat down for a bit. It felt like his body was out of control, he couldn't breathe properly, he had a headache and the stupid feeling in his stomach had turned into raging nausea. When his symptoms cleared away somewhat he grabbed some clothes and headed to the bathroom. He got in the shower and let the water run across his sore body. He suddenly felt so tired and cold. The water wasn't hot enough to warm him, as soon as he moved away he felt like he was freezing but under it the drops of water were hurting him as they touched his skin; almost like needles poking him.

With some effort he got out of the shower, got dried enough and put on some sweat pants and a shirt and just when he was about to leave the bathroom the vomit rose to his throat and he emptied his stomach's content into the toilet. Sheppard closed his eyes tight; the only thing worse than vomiting, was having to do it with busted ribs. There was nothing he could do but ride the pain that was coming in waves. When he was done he rinsed his mouth and decided to wrap his ribs in case he felt like hurling again. To say that he was in misery was an understatement, but his pride wouldn't allow such words to be uttered out loud. Before climbing into bed he place a trash can near the mattress and put on some socks and an Air Force hoody. He wanted to do nothing more than to sleep it off but his body was so sore he couldn't find a comfortable position and the drill in his head was driving him nuts. He wondered why the device wasn't healing whatever bug he had picked up but he thought that maybe it wasn't rigged to cure the Earth flu. Finally, after an hour of laying there shivering he fell into a restless sleep. The cramps in his stomach were getting worse and he was sweating but still somehow he still felt cold. When the sick feeling returned he maneuvered his upper body just so he could reach the trash as he retched; at least his position and his previously wrapped ribs allowed him to do it without extra pain, which was a great thing considering the intervals were getting shorter. He didn't know how he could keep on going, there had to be nothing left in his stomach. He could taste something coppery and bile though. When Sheppard thought the wave was over he laid back to his previous position and before he knew it consciousness began to leave him.

McKay was still worried about the events that took place in the distant planet and because Sheppard made him promise that he would talk he couldn't share with Carson what had happened. He really missed Jennifer right now; the beautiful doctor might have been of some help but her duty called her to another planet. Is wasn't that he didn't trust the nurses because they didn't know what they were doing, because they did, most of the time at least. But with Sheppard, one little smile or a brainless comment and they pretty much melted; he'd seen it up close and personal, so that made it easy to doubt them. The next best thing was for Rodney to make sure with his own eyes so he stopped by Sheppard's quarters. Besides, he figured with his concussion he could convince Sheppard to keep an eye on him while he kept a close watch on John just to be on the safe side.

He called out and nothing happened, he pressed his ear close to the door but no sounds were coming from inside. He turned around to leave thinking that maybe the events of the lab, the device and the shootout had caught up with Sheppard and he was finally resting but his gut wouldn't leave it alone. Sheppard was definitely rubbing off on him, but then again after so many years it was the only possible outcome. So instead of leaving he did the only smart thing to do, he override the controls and got the door opened. He tip toed inside the dark room in case Sheppard was asleep. As if to be proven right he saw him sprawled across the bed, and hesitated, not wanting to intrude, but the feeling of something being wrong only worsens when the foul smell flies up his nose. He walked carefully up to the bed until he could hears the shallow breathing; for a moment he mistook it for soft snoring but he'd heard Sheppard snore before, too many times for his liking. Sheppard fell asleep in his lab while being his guinea pig, and this time it didn't sound the same. When he looked closer he saw the trash can; Sheppard had obviously been vomiting, which solved the mystery of the bad smell. He then looked from the can to the sick man's face and noticed a dark substance peeking out from his lips, which had gone a couple of shades lighter along with the rest of his features. He took a closer look and panicked; the unknown substance seeping out seemed to be blood. He immediately tapped his radio after checking and finding a weak pulse.

"This is Dr. McKay I need a Med team in Colonel Sheppard's quarters ASAP!" he then directed his attention back to the Colonel and slapped his cheek lightly to get a response. "Sheppard wake up! Talk to me John! My God you're burning up! Sheppard!" He remained unresponsive. "Come on John, I think once scared is enough for the day. You don't get to die on me twice! Wake up!"

"Rodney we're on our way, what is it?"

"Carson, its Sheppard he's unresponsive, his pulse is weak, he has a fever and he's been puking."

"Sounds like food poisoning that got out of hand maybe something he ate in the planet."

"He barely touched his food and Carson…"

"Yes Rodney?"

"There's blood on his lips and on the can where he puked."

"I'm almost there Rodney, stay put."

As soon as Carson got to the room he began a cursory evaluation. He could hear Rodney's worried rant. "He still hasn't regained consciousness! What is wrong with him Carson? You're the doctor you're supposed to know!" nothing Carson hadn't heard before but in the situation they were in it was pretty distracting. "Rodney I just got here, you'll know after I know. "Hmmm…Pulse is weak…no visible laceration or contusions… shallow breathing…oh here we go, decreased breath sounds on the right…probably a pneumothorax…Oh lord…at least three fractured ribs as a probable cause…" His gaze flew back to the trash can with bloody vomit "People we gotta rush get him to the Medlab in record time!"

"Carson what is it?"

"He's got tension pneumothorax, but the blood means there has to be some internal bleeding as well, possibly from a broken rib or another source. I need to do a scan to know for sure. The Colonel is a very sick man right now and he needs help."

TBC