Part 3 – Don't Drink Coffee on a Bad Stomach
When Kavanagh heard about the expedition Sheppard was heading, he jumped at the opportunity to go. He'd been waiting for this chance for a week or so now in nervous anticipation, ever since Davon had obtained the Turaka.
The nightmarish thing had been living in his room far too long for Kavanagh's liking. Although, the bug was housed in a strong cage, the scientist wasn't taking any chances as he carefully followed Davon's instructions to the book, 'Keep the creature well fed and nothing will happen,' the little man had insisted. Kavanagh was doing just that.
Procuring the ugly little jet-black insect had gone relatively well and the trader had taken the offered goods without question. Some poor drudge had taken the rap when a shipment of medical supplies had come up short. His signature was all over the manifest and although he denied any knowledge of the missing goods, Kavanagh had made sure that the finger had pointed squarely to him.
The scientist let a sickly smile spread over his face as he carefully placed the small cage into his backpack along with his other belongings. Getting Weir to agree with his request had been very easy as she was still on her guilt trip. Sheppard and McKay had been another matter but in the end, Weir had overruled them and given him the green light.
A plan of bug deployment was slowly forming in Kavanagh's mind and because the stay was over several days, the team would be required to camp out at night. He'd done his homework well and had learnt of the colonel's habits on such occasions. After setting up camp, it seemed the man liked to take first watch and then Ronon or Teyla would replace him. They all had their own small army issue tents and sleeping bags clearly marked with their names, and because the climate would be cold at night it was a safe bet that Sheppard would snuggle into his for warmth. All Kavanagh had to do was make sure that the colonel wasn't alone in his sleeping bag.
-SGA-
Rodney's insistent prodding brought John out of his cozy sleep. "What ya want, McKay?" he slurred as he slowly opened his eyes.
"Just came to tell you that its morning already, sleepyhead, and I thought you'd like some freshly made coffee?"
"Morning? Wow, the fresh air on this planet is sure making me sleep well." Then suddenly realizing what Rodney had said, John quickly unzipped one side of his sleeping bag and sat up. A wave of dizziness passed over him but he put it down to sitting up too quickly. "You brought me coffee?" he asked with hope.
"What? Oh no, no, I just came to tell you we've made some."
John struggled to standup as another dizzy spell rushed through his head. He quickly hid his discomfort from Rodney by grumbling. "Thanks a lot, Rodney. You know sometimes a little kind thought would be nice, like bringing a friend a cup of coffee."
"What am I suddenly your servant or some…?" But Rodney abruptly stopped in mid-sentence as he watched Sheppard struggling to rise. "Are you alright?" he questioned.
John looked at him blearily as he finally managed to get his bare feet to remain firmly planted on the ground. "What? Oh yeah, just a little woozy this morning. I guess I need that coffee you didn't bring me."
For once McKay actually looked a little sheepish. "Okay, I'll get you one."
"Na, it's alright, I'm up now so I'll get my own." Sheppard answered as he slipped on his sneakers. Stepping out of the tent, he moved off in the direction of the cooking area near the parked jumper. Dressed in a dark blue tracksuit at least he was fairly well covered against the morning chill but it promised to be another fine and warm day once the sun managed to climb above the trees.
McKay watched him go for a minute before moving to follow. The colonel's steps seemed a little uncertain as he walked the short distance between his tent and coffee pot causing Rodney to frown. Pushing his unease aside, McKay turned his attention towards the mist-covered ruins as he walked. This was their last full day on the planet and as of yet, nothing of any real value had been uncovered but he was still sure that something was bound to turn up eventually. He'd even considered asking Sheppard if they could at least stay another day or two before remembering that the Sovians had insistence that the trip be for three days duration only.
John eventually made it to the coffee pot only to find that the darn thing was empty. Kavanagh and four of his fellow scientists sat near the small refreshment table they had set up happily drinking huge mugs of the coffee and stuffing their faces full with the last of the bagels brought in from Atlantis. Ronon and Teyla had obviously had their fill and were working out on a grass strip between the jumper and the ruins, while the two marines they had brought with them stood guard amongst the ruins.
Resigned, John grabbed a water bottle and drank a small draft before replacing the cap just as McKay came alongside and inspected the coffee pot. "Okay, who's the greedy son of a bitch that emptied this?" he asked in an angry tone towards the scientists.
A sea of shaking heads answered him, as no one was willing to admit fault. With a growl, McKay turned to Sheppard and muttered. "I'll put a fresh pot on."
The water in John's stomach swirled alarmingly and suddenly the thought of coffee made him feel darn right sick. Hiding his discomfort again, he murmured. "Don't bother, Rodney, I'll stick to water. It's healthier anyway."
McKay grunted. "Whatever, but I need some more java before starting work so it's going back on." Without another word, he started to fill the machine again.
John watched him for a second before grabbing a dry biscuit and making for the interior of the jumper. He would try to eat the thing but the way he felt this morning, he doubted it. Must be coming down with something, he vaguely thought as he took a tentative bite.
Kavanagh watched the whole exchange between Sheppard and McKay with interest. Stage 3 seemed to be progressing nicely towards stage 4. It had taken a while to plant the bug but last night the opportunity had arisen when most of the team including Sheppard had been distracted during a minor accident. So now, all he had to do was recover the bug.
Breaking away from the others, he furtively slipped into Sheppard's tent. Quickly moving over to the sleeping bag, he carefully inspected the ground around it but there was no sign of the Turaka. Therefore, either it had crawled off somewhere or the insect was still tucked up within the cocoon shaped sleeping bag. Which was more likely the case because Davon had explained that the thing wouldn't venture far in the dark and warm environment of the sleeping bag. If it was still in there then the scientist needed to get the thing out.
A little hesitantly at first, he was just about to unzip the closed side when Teyla's shadow moved over him. "What are you doing here, Dr. Kavanagh?"
Kavanagh quickly straightened the military issue sleeping bag, thumping it a few times for good measure and then he went about folding it up into a neat bundle. "I'm just helping to clear up the camp this morning. I do believe it is my turn."
Teyla looked at him strangely. "I did not see you helping the others and I think the Colonel is perfectly capable of folding his own sleeping bag."
"Yes, I'm sure he is but he doesn't look too wonderful this morning, consequently I'm trying to help."
His words caught Teyla's attention, as she hadn't seen John up close yet. "I will take his things to the jumper. I expect he would like a little privacy to get dressed." Saying no more, she grabbed the sleeping bag from Kavanagh and collected John's neatly folded clothes. Marching out of the tent, she headed for the jumper.
The scientist watched her go in annoyance. The damn woman just had to interfere right at that very moment but no matter, he would deal with the sleeping bag later.
Teyla stormed into the jumper still annoyed with the pony-tailed scientist but her irk quickly dissolved when she caught sight of Sheppard. Seeing him listlessly lift the half-eaten biscuit to his mouth, she watched him take a reluctant bite. "Are you all right?" she called to him.
John looked up from the monumental task of eating one small tasteless cookie to look her blearily in the eye. "I've felt better. I must have eaten something disagreeable last night."
Teyla moved to stand over him, worried because it was rare for the colonel to admit illness. "We all had the same and no one else is complaining this morning."
"Yeah, just my luck to get the rotten bit."
Teyla lifted a hand to his forehead and finding no sign of fever, she asked. "Is it just your stomach that is feeling bad?"
John hesitated before answering her question. In truth, he was beginning to feel really terrible but he couldn't pin point the symptoms to any specific area except his nauseous stomach. Pushing it aside, he told her. "I'm feeling queasy but I haven't actually been sick. I'm sure it will pass off soon."
"I hope you are right, John. Don't worry about doing anything until you feel better. We will look after the scientists."
John nodded in agreement just as McKay marched into the jumper carrying a steaming mug of coffee. "I know you said you didn't want any coffee but I'm sure it will do you the world of good so here you are, your Colonelship." Rodney finished brandishing the mug under John's nose.
Sheppard exchanged a weary look with Teyla before she spoke up. "Dr. McKay, the Colonel is feeling a little under the weather, I am not sure coffee is the best remedy right now."
Putting up his hand, Sheppard forestalled Rodney before he could say anything. He didn't really feel like hearing one of Rodney's rants, so he said. "Its okay, Teyla, it's the thought that counts. You could be right, McKay. I'll try to drink some of it when it's cooled. Right now, I need to get dressed, so could you please both leave me in peace for a minute."
"Colonel, you need to rest," insisted Teyla.
Putting on a brave face, Sheppard answered her. "Maybe I need to move about and do something. You know get the circulation moving and all." Then without further a do, he made to stand up but the jumper's interior started to swim before his eyes as his stomach tried to turn in on itself. "On the other hand maybe not." John whispered, sitting himself back down with a heavy thud.
Teyla quickly grabbed John's sleeping bag and spread it out across one of the benches like sheet. "Come on, I think you had better lie down for a while."
John looked at her blearily. "I will in a minute but first, I'll try to drink some of the coffee."
Teyla was just about to argue that coffee wasn't the best thing on a bad stomach but John had already taken a few gulps of the strong brew. Both Teyla and Rodney waited in trepidation to see what the result would be but after several minutes, Sheppard took a few more sips of the drink until the mug was empty. "It helped a little but I think I will lie down for a while," John muttered to the others.
"Fine, you do what you like but I need to explore further, especially as this is our last day here." Rodney grouched as he picked up the now empty mug and strode out of the ship.
Teyla sighed as she helped John stand up. "I sure he did not mean to be so rude. He is just worried about you."
"Yeah, I know." John answered as he allowed the Athosian girl to help him over to the bench. Settling on top of his sleeping bag, he felt Teyla cover him with a blanket as he drifted off to sleep.
Teyla quietly watched him for a few minutes before stepping out of the jumper. Her face was etched with worried which quickly changed to annoyance when she found Dr. Kavanagh hovering near the hatchway.
"How is the Colonel?" asked Kavanagh before she could say anything.
"He is resting, so please do not disturb him." Teyla answered the doctor. She noted that although he seemed somewhat worried, she could not shake the feeling that it wasn't sincere. "I believe he has eaten something that has not agreed with him. Therefore it is best that he sleeps it off," she concluded.
Kavanagh nodded in agreement and watched as the Athosian walked away until she was out of sight. Food poisoning. That's what you think, he laughed silently before slipping inside the jumper with the intent of finding the annoying sleeping bag. However, he came to a sudden halt when he spied the desired item firmly placed under the sleeping pilot.
"Oh damn," he muttered quietly, as there was no way he could inspect the sleeping bag now. He made to leave when Sheppard suddenly cried out and turned over onto his side to spew a stream of coffee, cookie and stomach acid onto the jumper's floor. Kavanagh leapt back and shouted, "Oh damn!" again as some of the offensive liquid splattered his gray pants.
Sheppard didn't seem to hear him as he rolled about in obvious discomfort on top of the bench. Deciding to make a hasty retreat, Kavanagh quickly backed out thinking that maybe he should go and call Teyla back.
Reaching the hatchway, he abruptly turned only to come face to face with a very angry Ronon Dex. "What the hell are you doing here?" The large Satedan growled.
Kavanagh stammered. "I…err…I heard the Colonel cry out, he's been sick. I was just going to get help."
"Yeah, I bet." Ronon muttered darkly but his irritation was cut short when Sheppard cried out again and the rest of his coffee hit the floor. Suddenly all business like, Ronon ordered. "Go and get Teyla now!" Kavanagh wasted no time in running off.
Putting on an act of concern, Kavanagh returned five minutes later with an apprehensive Teyla in tow. They both entered the jumper to find Ronon sitting behind Sheppard, keeping him upright. John looked decidedly green and waxy as Ronon explained. "He started to choke."
"Is he all right now?" Teyla asked with great concern.
"Yeah, sitting him up cleared his throat."
Before going over to them, Teyla rummaged in a storage compartment and found some of the granules they usually used for spillages. She spread a good coating over the floor and immediately the liquid was soaked up. However, a strong smell still permeated the interior making Kavanagh feel decidedly nauseous. As the others were preoccupied, he crept out to stand nearer the open hatchway.
Unconcerned by the doctor's disappearance, Teyla sat herself on the edge of the bench near John and Ronon and softly spoke. "I will get Rodney and the others, Colonel. I think we need to get you home."
John looked at her blearily, his eyes showed embarrassment and something more, but Teyla couldn't put a finger on it. "No, don't do that, it's just a stomach problem. Let Rodney finish his explorations and then we'll all go home later."
Teyla protested. "I think Dr. Beckett should look at you now. I do not like the way you look."
A small smile crossed John's pallid face as he tried to joke with her. "I didn't think I was that bad looking." He looked sheepish as an air of exasperation crossed her beautiful face. "No, really, I'm beginning to feel a little better already, just let me sleep it off. Okay?"
Teyla shook her head in frustration. "All right but if it does not improve, we are going home. Understood?"
"Yes, ma'am," John tried to joke again but a sense of drowsiness began to coat his brain like so much cotton wool.
That was until he heard Rodney shouting from the hatchway. "I'm not coming in any further. It smells…."
"McKay!" Ronon growled. "Shut your mouth".
John cringed over the loudness of both their voices. "I'm sorry, Rodney. Why don't you go back to work?" he muttered
"Yes, I…err…only came to see how you are?"
"I'm fine. Now just let me sleep."
tbc
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