Fifteen

And it's a night at the infirmary. Again. At least this time she didn't need major surgery, but he thinks that in a strange way he would have rather preferred this to her current condition. Surgery means that there was a problem that can be fixed with some handiwork, something where the doctors know what's wrong and can immediately repair it with their own hands. A fever after an inflamed wound though... that's something no one but her can really fix. Sure, they can medicate her, support her body, but when everything's said and done, it's her alone who can fight it off.

So after administering everything they could and hooking her up to the screens, all Carson Beckett had done was tell him to wipe her forehead now and then and give it some time. He'd refrained from telling him to go to bed, as well as Sheppard and Woolsey, because by now they all know it's futile anyway and had left the ICU with an encouraging squeeze to his shoulder. Since then he's been sitting here, for a seemingly endless time, watching her sweat it off, now breathing shallow, then breathing labored. He's brought some of his paperwork with him, but up to now he hasn't touched a single sheet of paper.

He's taken to taking her hand now and then and running his thumb along her knuckles, brushing away those two wisps of hair from her face that just won't stay out of it and constantly checking her vitals. The personnel that is on duty this night have chosen to leave the two of them alone and so it's very quiet around him. Which is why he registers the slight shuffling of feet on the infirmary's floor, even though it's just really very faint. He looks up... and is a bit surprised to see one First Sergeant Will Meyers stand in the doorway, looking ready to bolt at any moment. Huh?

"Uh... I just... wanted to..." A little embarrassed, the Sergeant rubs his neck. It occurs to him that he isn't the only one worrying about Laura enough to sacrifice some sleep. Well... who would have thought? His first reaction is to send the Sergeant off to bed, simply because all of them have a pretty tough time behind them, but then he thinks that it would be unfair to the Sergeant to deny him the possibility to see for himself how his friend is doing. He sighs.

"Sergeant... if you want to sit down... just do it. I don't bite." Meyers, usually the epitome of self-assuredness and nonchalance, smiles a little nervously, but eventually draws a chair to the other side of Laura's bed and sits down.

"Thank you, sir." For a few moments, neither of them says anything, but before the silence gets too uncomfortable, he decides to break it.

"Great work today, Sergeant. And nice fireworks. The Lieutenant would have been impressed." Meyers smirks.

"Thanks, sir. But I think the Lieutenant would have been rather pissed that someone else got to play with her little goodies." Come to think of it… yes. So he better shouldn't tell her just how big the final explosion had been. Lately, the only work related to her actual expertise had been done in labs and on computers, not in the field.

"Well… yeah, alright, you may have a point there, Sergeant." Meyers just shrugs, maintaining a cool façade, although he's positive that underneath that the Sergeant is smirking and thinking "'Course I'm right. That's Lieutenant Laura "Fire in the hole!" Cadman we're talking about here." He chooses not to comment any further on this and decides to change the topic instead. "You know, technically you're not supposed to know about this yet, but... your request for the transfer of your wife just got approved."

He shortly thinks about telling Meyers that this was mainly due to his own hell of a recommendation, but decides against it. He doesn't want the Sergeant to feel grateful to him, because it's really enough that he still might think he's failed him and Laura, even after everything. That's already enough awkwardness.

Meyers, on the other side of the bed, has gotten back a little of his usual bearing and flashes him a grin. "Thanks for telling me anyway, sir. She's gonna love it here."

"I hope so. You're going to be one of the first married couples to serve here, by the way. That'll probably make you major celebrities." That prompts a minor laugh from the Sergeant.

"Well then, good for you and the Lieutenant, sir." The Sergeant does sound a little smug now. He simply raises his eyebrows. Usually that serves very well to intimidate the junior officers – well, maybe apart from Laura, that is – and NCOs, but Meyers merely shrugs. "Come on, don't tell me that you don't have a clue about all the talk going on about you two." Another eyebrow raising. "Uh... come on, sir?"

Before he can answer, Laura suddenly stirs, whimpering a little in her sleep and he gets up and tenderly wipes her forehead with the damp cloth one of the nurses left him, like Carson has instructed him to. The fever still hasn't broken, and that worries him immensely. So to distract himself from this – and distract the Sergeant from probably feeling embarrassed by such a private display – he says: "It may surprise you, but... I do think I'm not fully up to date with "all the talk going on about us two". Care to enlighten me?" That is, of course, not wholly truthful. Of course he knows that people are talking about them, but originally he'd chosen to turn a blind eye on it and simply ignore it. But if he's honest... he'd love to know at least a little bit of that.

"Uh... well, you know... it's not that interesting..." Read: It's right up there with the talking going round about John Sheppard and Teyla Emmagan and the triangle of Jennifer Keller, Ronon Dex and Rodney McKay in the base's gossip charts and that's really saying something.

"Well then it shouldn't be a problem telling me, right?" Now, that's a sight to see. Cool and relaxed poker-face Will Meyers squirming in his seat, trying to think up a way of getting his CO off the track he just set him on himself.

"Um... promise me not to shoot the messenger for the message, sir?" What just happened to "not that interesting"?

He sits back and discreetly takes Laura's ice-cold hand in his, because he feels like he needs to keep her from slipping away from him but doesn't want Meyers to see how much he actually worries for Laura. "Sure." Then, as an afterthought: "And what exactly is it about me that seems to make you afraid of me killing you, Sergeant?"

"Your authoritarian and intimidating nature, sir? Together with your impressive height, of course." Whoa, that's... quite some comeback, considering Meyers is at least a foot taller than himself. And why the hell do they all have to pick on his size today? He probably should stop this if he doesn't want to lose all of his standing with the NCOs, but now he's starting to get really interested in the stuff his subordinates are talking about behind his back.

"Getting cheeky will not get you out of telling me about this gossip-stuff, Sergeant. In fact, I may have to use that against you if you don't stop playing hard to get." Laura's hand in his seems to have grown even colder and he finds himself squeezing it a little tighter, silently begging her to stay with him and fight the fever that's still raging through her body. Come on, he thinks, you didn't defy those lunatics just to succumb to such a pesky little thing like fever. Opposite from him Meyers' thoughts seem to mirror his own, because for just a second or two, his face is scrunched in worry over the Lieutenant he considers a friend, no matter if she's his superior or not.

But obviously he has decided to keep playing along the "Let's pretend there's nothing wrong."-game. "Alright, fine... but don't say I didn't warn you. Anyway... mostly you're alternately admired and pitied for either having gotten into Laura Cadman's pa... conquered Laura Cadman's heart or having to put up with that volati... sparky temper of hers." Whoa. Sometimes there are things you realize you didn't really want to hear after you just did, and this is one of them, mostly because it isn't really helping him in getting a grip on his occasional bouts of jealousy. But he really brought that onto himself, so he probably should just keep his mouth shut now and remember that it's quite natural for a woman like Laura to draw some male attention.

"Better not tell that to the Lieutenant's face, Sergeant. She's a bit touchy on the subject or her temper." In fact, he knows she's trying to tie it back and work on thinking before acting, but if he's honest: He loves her temper just the way it is.

"No kidding. By the way, I've heard a couple of Marine and Air Force girls envying her for managing to drag you to her be... attracting your interest. Sir." He wonders if Meyers does these Freudian slips intentionally, probably to tell him what is said about them without really telling him too much. "Anyway... I've also heard quite a lot people who are kind of thankful that it happened because it reassured them that their superiors are still human despite their splendid service records and spotless combat performance. I mean, not that I ever doubted that you or the Lieutenant are anything else than living breathing human beings, but you know... some people..."

Meyers lets the sentence trail out, and he doesn't have to say anything more, anyway, because he knows that some people are suspecting him to be some kind of Replicator, simply unable to do anything wrong on duty as well as off-duty. But to be honest: The first time he realized this, he was absolutely astounded that obviously no one apart from Laura ever noticed that he is often enough second-guessing decisions or blaming himself for a mission gone wrong, and that of course there have been as much screw-ups in his off-duty life as in anyone else's life.

"Oh, and… don't worry about Lieutenant Simmons and Sergeant McPherson, sir." He raises his eyebrows.

"Sergeant… what did you say to them?" He isn't quite sure if he really wants to know, because the Sergeant has the decency to look sheepish.

"Oh, the only thing I did was telling Lieutenant Simmons that I didn't think it a wise move to voice his disapproval of you with nearly half the Atlantis officer corps in ear shot. They really hold you and the Lieutenant in the highest respect." He… doesn't believe this. Meyers obviously managed to teach Simmons a lesson about respecting his CO without actually having to do anything.

"Do I really want to know, Sergeant?" Now Meyers grins openly at him.

"Probably not. But you may expect an apology from Lieutenant Simmons in the next future." An apology for something the Lieutenant never actually said to his face. He's not sure if he should get rid of Meyers or request him as a substitute for Albright, who just told them he'll quit his tour on Atlantis for personal reasons. An apology… he still doesn't really believe it.

Which brings him back to the woman in the bed beside him who's still fighting a fever and whom he let go on this wretched mission without telling her sorry for throwing unjustified accusations at her. Sure, he's told her he's sorry right after they found her and she let him, but... she'd already been fever-ridden, and there's still the fear that she never actually got that apology in the first place nagging at him. "Sir... permission to speak on a private level?" He raises his eyebrows. What's this going to be about?

"Sure, go ahead, Sergeant." Meyers nods, but takes his time.

Then: "Hope you don't deem this invading your privacy, but... I couldn't help overhearing you back in that cell and... I'm sure the Lieutenant got your apology just as it was meant. And... she's a tough cookie, even for a Marine. Never seen 5' 5'' so full of energy and willpower. She'll brush this off faster than you can spell antipyretic, sir." Yes. Of course. She just has to. It's just a fever, and they have the best doctors and the best equipment of the galaxy – probably of two galaxies – here, so there just isn't any other option for her than to pull through.

And still... her paleness and the coldness of her hand in his and the sweat glistening on her forehead and the labored breathing... it's tugging at his heartstrings. He takes a deep breath. "Yeah, I know. But... thank you for the encouragement anyway, Sergeant."

The Sergeant nods, obviously relieved that he hasn't been busted back to Private for his boldness. Then he says: "You're welcome, sir. Anyway... what'd you bring to read this time?" What the...? The bewilderment must have shown pretty clearly on his face, because Meyers grins a little. "Hey, it's your trademark, sir. Whenever one of you's lying in a bed in the infirmary, the other one's bound to show up there with a book sooner or later. There are already bets running what'll be the next book... and some of the guys have actually started a recommendation list on the intranet, kinda like a BOTC."

That... for a moment, he considers immediately go looking for this list on the intranet and surprising them all with telling them that their little secret operation has just been busted, but then he simply huffs and leans forward to grab the book that's already lying on Laura's nightstand, ready to be opened the moment she's conscious again. He holds it up for Meyers to see the cover, with the words: "Found it on her nightstand in her quarters. Looked really battered and... there's a little note from her mother inside. So I figured it's one of her favorites."

""Little Women", huh? Funny. It's one of Jessi's favorites as well. Would have never thought, though, that the Lieutenant would be into that kind of books." He looks questioningly at the Sergeant. "Uh... she's that "one of the guys" kind of girl, you know. That kind of girl who doesn't like any of the girly stuff and that book... not exactly chick lit, but... uh... not what I thought the Lieutenant might enjoy." Well, that's Laura Cadman for you, he thinks. Always surprising you when you least expect it.

"Again something I'd rather keep quiet about it if I were you... she doesn't like it when someone uncovers one of her little secrets." Actually... this book is not the most delicate little secret. He remembers all too well the item she'd thrown at him when he'd been teasing her shortly after arriving back on Atlantis – he'd been delighted to see it in a quite different location shortly after kissing her the first time – and he also remembers the worn teddy bear he's seen tugged away under her covers when he'd been in her quarters after their unsuccessful questioning trip to the planet where they abducted her.

He'd briefly considered bringing it here with him, but then he got the distinct feeling that it wouldn't go with the image Laura tries to project of herself and had refrained from doing it. It would have meant overstepping boundaries, and he's done enough of that already.

"I'll be as silent as a grave, sir, if only for sheer self-preservation alone." Meyers delivers that line with an absolute straight face, and he's not quite sure how much of that is actually meant seriously.

"You better, Sergeant." Now they share a mutual grin, and he's surprised to discover that Laura's breathing has evened out considerably and that her hand... doesn't feel as clammy as before. Carefully, he brushes his hand over her forehead and while it's still damp with sweat it doesn't feel as hot as before. The fever's not gone completely, but to him it seems like the worst is over now. But hey, he's got a trained medic sitting opposite of him. "Uh, Sergeant... mind checking the Lieutenant's temperature? Seems to me she improved a little."

"She... did. And she would prefer if you two... could shut up... for a while... and let her sleep in peace." He's so startled by this that he actually jumps a little at hearing the sound of her low raspy voice.

"I second the Lieutenant's assessment, sir. Scanners say her temperature dropped from critical to simply elevated.", Meyers adds matter-of-factly. If he'd looked at the Sergeant, he'd have seen a smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth, but he simply can't take his gaze off Laura's barely opened eyes and the weak frown on her face. It's about the most beautiful sight he can imagine in that moment, and so he just barely registers Meyers murmuring "Yeah, well, gotta get some sleep anyway. Gonna leave you two alone now, huh." and silently excusing himself from the room.

"That's... more like it." Her voice is still sounding strained, like she really needs to make an effort to speak.

He simply squeezes her hand and says in an equally low voice: "Stop talking, Lieutenant, and go back to sleep. I'll make sure no one will come and bother you." He's a little surprised that he suddenly feels his throat constrict with a million emotions ranging from relief to remorse at the sight of the little smile appearing on her face.

"Yes, sir." It makes him press a kiss to her forehead as she closes her eyes again.

When he's sure that she's fallen asleep again, he can't help breathing: "Just so you know: 'Love you, Laura Cadman." A minute later he's fallen asleep himself, and so he never sees the small knowing smile that grazes her face in return to his confession.

A/N: Well then, Germany's national holiday (as in the national holiday... think July 4th in the U.S.) is over, and I have successfully helped my parents clean their place (BTW, whose idea was it to do the cleaning on a national holiday?), baked a carrot cake (my first one ever), proofread this chapter and managed to finally get on with "Minor Characters" (I daresay you may expect a new chapter in the next two days). That's quite an achievement for a day were I expected to be lying around on the couch and do nothing but watching TV and doing some writing, isn't it?

Oh, and there are still two more chapters to come, because remember: There are still some issues that need to be taken care of ;)