Part 13 – False Hope
Teyla dried her eyes with one of the paper handkerchiefs that she loved from Earth. Taking another, she presented it to Elizabeth, who took it gratefully from her hand.
The noise of the machines still bleeped loudly but Teyla suddenly realized that the colonel's cries had faded and her heart began to hammer as she turned towards his bed. Elizabeth sensed Teyla's tension and turned towards John with worry and fear only to find him staring into nothing but obviously awake.
To give her space, Teyla went around the other side of the bed and waited as Elizabeth bent over John to speak to him. However, her words faltered. What could she say to someone who was obviously in great pain and slowly dying? She smoothed back a lock of damp hair from his forehead and murmured. "If you can hear me, John, Dr. Beckett is working on a cure, so please stay with us and fight this."
John turned towards the voice. He couldn't make out the words spoken through the noise that still dominated his brain but he sensed the speaker was Elizabeth from the scent of her perfume. He tired to focus his vision on her but his eyesight was dimmer than before.
His throat felt raw and bone dry. Someone must have sensed this as he felt a sliver of ice slip into his mouth. The cold sent shivers through his chest and he braced as another louder wave of pain washed over his body leaving him exhausted. The wave settled down but didn't leave as it gently crashed and swirled against him, waiting for the opportunity to strike again.
He wanted to speak before the wave broke through the barrier, so he swallowed hard to clear his throat and quietly pleaded. "Please…make…this end. Please…I can't…I can't go on. Too much pa…." His voice faltered before he could say more.
Teyla looked towards Elizabeth and whispered. "Maybe he did not hear you?"
Elizabeth nodded and moved closer to take John's hand. Speaking slightly louder and slower, she told him. "I know this is very hard but please hang on for a little while longer. John…" she said louder to get his full attention. "Dr. Beckett is working on a cure. We have the creature that bit you, so Carson and his team are working on a serum as we speak. Do you understand?"
Her words rolled over him and the wave lapped a little stronger to dance at his feet. A small levee broke and a burst of pain shot up his spine to explode into his brain. A scream escaped his swollen lips and he whimpered as the wave pulled out again. "No more," he whispered. "Please…no…more."
Elizabeth moved over to sit on his bed and she held him as the tears rolled freely down her face again. Resting her cheek on the top of his head, she started to murmur. "Please ride this out just a little longer. Don't give up - please. We need you. I need you," she pleaded. Taking a deep breath, she waited a half a minute before continuing. "John, I do not want to run this city without you. I know I'm being selfish but I don't want anyone else here other than you. Surely, you're not going to let something as small as a beetle bring you down. We love you, John - I love you," she said clearly, before falling silent not caring if Teyla had heard her or not but hoping that John had.
He lay quietly in her arms, the comfort of her presence and the feeling of being loved kept the giant waves at bay. Little ones still lapped and twisted through his frame but those he could manage, so he drifted down into the welcoming arms of sleep.
This is how Beckett found things when he entered the room some hour or so later. Elizabeth sat upright and dozed, looking slightly uncomfortable as she held John in her arms. Teyla sat in a chair, her head resting on John's bed, deep in her own dream world.
Carefully going over to Elizabeth, Carson lightly tapped her on the shoulder. She came alert with a start but not enough to arouse John. Whispering, she asked in hope. "Have you got a serum yet?"
Beckett smiled and held up a small vial containing the precious antitoxin. Moving over to the IV port, he swiftly injected the substance. "It was quite a tricky process. The little buggers were worse than the slimiest snake. I'm telling ya, it was a darn good thing that Teyla and Ronon brought back two because the smaller one had very little venom to milk. Without the larger one, I do believe we would have failed to make the antitoxin."
Elizabeth swallowed hard. "Thank you, Carson. I suppose now we'll have to wait and see what happens?"
"Aye, lass." The doctor told her. "I just hope we're not too late."
-SGA-
Like a summer day washing over the tide of life, John woke to a bright intense light, as bright as the sun on its midday high. Powerful enough to cause pain behind his eyes, but only his eyes as the rest of his body felt strangely numb and devoid of any sensation. He remembered the terrible pain, expected it and he waited in fear for its onslaught. However, it never came as a cold emptiness like rushing ice spread rapidly through to his veins and the light began to fade.
In fear and panic, he tried to open his eyes and focus. He tried to move but his consciousness began to fail as it spiraled down into a sea of dark were the light shone no more. The darkness washed over him and he tried to swim through the rough and roaring waves. He tired to fight it but after a few desperate attempts, his struggles became feeble, weak, and meager until he slipped into black, fearful void and John Sheppard knew no more.
-SGA-
Elizabeth sat at her desk half awake from lack of a decent nights sleep as she tried to catch-up on some paper work. Oh, she had gone to bed last night but the sleep she so desperately needed refused to come as her mind worried over John and the events of the day.
Tossing and turning, she had agonized over what to do about Kavanagh and had fretted over Davon the Athosian who was now in their custody. After restlessly shifting for what felt like hours, sleep had eventually claimed her. Although, in the end, it had probably only been a few hours. She had woken early and realizing that sleep wouldn't return, she got up.
The strong hot tea she liked so much helped her stay awake as she glanced at various reports. Slowly, she worked her way through them as a trickle of people began to enter the control room as the city started to wake. She acknowledged their presence with a nod of greeting but went back to her work without saying a word.
In another fifteen minutes or so, she would go down to the infirmary and she how John was fairing. Last night had brought some hope, as he seemed a little calmer and less restless in his sleep.
Putting another half-read and boring report aside, she went to pick up the next one but stopped in mid-action when Carson entered the room, grim faced and apprehensive.
Elizabeth's heart started to hammer and the blood drained from her face. "Carson?" she questioned, almost afraid to ask.
The doctor moved over and took her hand. "I am so sorry," he whispered, "But John slipped into a coma twenty minutes ago."
Her heart hammered even faster and a lone tear escaped to cascade down her cheek. "What does that mean?"
Sighing loudly, Carson tried to form an answer that would help her. "To tell ya the truth, we don't really know. He was doing okay in the night, even showing signs of improvement. Then unexpectedly this happens. We don't know if it will be long term or just a temporary problem." Letting go of her hand, he rubbed his tired eyes before continuing. "We're going to do a battery of tests to see what the problem is."
Carson paused for a moment, as he really didn't want to tell Elizabeth what Teyla had told him no more than fifteen minutes ago. However, she had the right to know. "What I'm about to say is hard and I'm hoping that it isn't the case but according to what Teyla and Ronon found out on Menzur, falling into a coma is the last…is the last thing that happens before…death." He managed to say the last word but it came out as a choked murmur.
"So John's going to die after all?" Elizabeth whispered as tears started to stream down her face.
Carson grabbed hold of her hand again. "We don't know that for sure and I'll do my utmost to ensure that it doesn't happen but the next twenty four hours will be crucial."
"Why twenty hours?" Elizabeth asked listlessly.
Carson looked directly into her eyes and murmured, "Because according to Teyla's information that's about as long as a victim stays in a coma before they die."
-SGA-
Three somber faces greeted the various expedition members as they trickled into the dining room to eat their breakfast. As soon as the reason for the grave faces became clear, some members found their appetite somewhat diminished as they looked over towards the table where Rodney, Teyla, and Ronon sat in dismal despair.
McKay's anguish showed in the way he pushed his food around the plate instead of munching away with his usual healthy appetite. Teyla looked outwardly calm as she wore her sorrow well, but her eyes betrayed her inner most feelings as they glistened dangerously close to unshed tears. Ronon on the other hand couldn't stop his feelings from showing. His face portrayed anger and barely controlled rage.
"I can't sit here and let that monster go unpunished!" Ronon loudly announced, without warning. Rodney dropped his fork with a clatter, Teyla sighed, but a few heads nodded or muttered - yes, around the room.
McKay eventually answered him but it wasn't what Ronon wanted to hear. "You can't do that."
"Why the hell not, McKay!"
"Because, because you can't." Rodney spluttered. Ronon growled and showed his teeth in a threatening gesture, causing Rodney to throw up his hands in defense. "For crying out loud, calm down will ya. We've been through all this before. I've told you twice already that the…the creep has certain rights. He has a right to a trial, a right to a lawyer and in the country where he comes from, he is innocent until proven guilty."
Ronon's snarl echoed around the room but he calmed down enough to answer Rodney after Teyla had placed a soothing hand on his arm. "Yeah, we had similar laws on Sateda but I still don't like it."
"I know, big guy. Believe me, I don't like it either."
Teyla spoke up for the first time. "That Dr. Kavanagh could even consider doing such a thing and taking a risk with such a dangerous creature, he is indeed a Doucav."
Silence followed her words as everyone agreed with her. Suddenly, McKay's face lit up as an idea came to mind. Maybe it was childish but it was better than sitting around and doing nothing, so he spoke up. "We may not be able to do anything permanent to the creep but at least we could give him a scare."
Teyla nodded in understand knowing where McKay's idea was coming from. It took Ronon a little longer to catch on as he began to play with one of his knives.
Teyla restrained him. "I believe Dr. McKay intends to use a less obvious method. Isn't that so?"
"Yes, indeed." Rodney answered. "As I mentioned before the Turaka has many look-a-likes, all of which are harmless. In fact, the insect Teyla thought was called a Salmialantian short Salmi actually lives on M7G-777. Now if we could get our hands on one..."
"And place it in Kavanagh's bed." Ronon interrupted.
Rodney winced. "Yes, yes something like that."
Ronon was already up and out of his seat. "Okay, let's go!"
Rodney stalled him. "Not so fast, we don't want word of this getting back to Elizabeth as she may not approve, so we can't all go."
"You are right, Dr. McKay." Teyla put in. "I have a few favors to collect, so I will send one or two of my people to find this creature. M7G-777 is one of our trading planets so it shouldn't look too suspicious."
Rodney agreed. "Okay that's settled then."
Teyla nodded and smiled but Ronon looked slightly peeved at not being the one to take action.
-SGA-
Dr. Kavanagh sat listlessly on the edge of the metal bed that lined one side of his holding cell. The brig that normally held any captive Wraith had been hastily turned into his prison cell. It contained the metal bed, one uncomfortable chair, a small table for eating off, a bowl for washing and worst of all, a bucket that Kavanagh had refused to use at first. He had no privacy, as all four walls were open to scrutiny. On top of that, the forcefield barrier hummed slightly to add to his irritation.
He had complained bitterly about his accommodation but the only answer they had given was that he was lucky, as they had no captured Wraith to throw in with him right now.
Since his confinement, the only people he'd seen had been Sheppard's men. They treated him with distain and answered none of his questions. In a minute, it would be time for supper, one of the highlights of the day. Then, as if on cue, a guard entered his cell and placed a tray holding a covered plate and a glass of water on the table. Without a word, the man left.
Kavanagh sneered after him before sitting himself down at the table. Picking up the provided plastic knife and fork, Kavanagh lifted the metal cover wondering what was on the menu. He sighed as it looked like tasteless lasagna again with a large side salad. Taking his fork, he scooped a portion of the pasta and popped it into his mouth. Chewing half heartily, he moved to scoop up some of the salad just as a jet-black object crawled from under a lettuce leaf. With a scream and heart-stopping jolt, he fell back against the chair and passed out.
The next thing Kavanagh knew, one of Beckett's doctors was standing over him with a stethoscope placed firmly against his chest. He blinked several times at the man before remembering the bug. "There's a Turaka on my plate!" he shouted.
"Be quiet, I'm trying to listen to your heart."
"But…but."
The doctor gave him a condescending look before removing the stethoscope and draping around his neck. "You'll live, unfortunately," he muttered under his breath. "Now what's this nonsense about a Turaka on your plate?"
"It must still be there." Kavanagh stammered as he attempted to rise.
"What a load of dribble," the doctor murmured as he reluctantly helped Kavanagh to stand.
"I'm telling you there was a Turaka on my plate! No doubt place by McKay and company to terrorize me."
The doctor remained calm, although he felt like hitting the creep in the mouth. "Why in heavens name would they do that with such a dangerous creature but let's have a look shall we?"
Together they moved to stand over the plate just Kavanagh noticed several other guards standing nearby with weapons held at the ready.
Looking closely at the salad, the doctor tut-tut as he removed a tiny black and gray spotted insect from one of the lettuce leaves. "These darn pesky bugs get everywhere don't they?"
"What?"
"It's just a type of lady bug, Kavanagh. Totally harmless, unlike the one you set on Colonel Sheppard." Saying no more, the doctor stormed out of the cell.
-SGA-
When Elizabeth heard about the incident, she questioned several likely suspects as to the truth. Of course, everyone denied any knowledge of the matter, so Elizabeth warned them but in reality, she applauded their action.
Tbc