Part 15 – The Sound of Endless Babble
Down time of an Atlantis evening was one of Rodney's favorite moments. It enabled him to get some work done without interruption. To hole himself up in his lab and unwind after a stressful day by working on an Ancient gadget or puzzling the wonders of their latest find.
However, as hard as he tried, he just couldn't concentrate long enough to relax into his work this evening. His thoughts kept turning to tomorrow and John Sheppard's departure from Atlantis. A departure that could spell the end of Sheppard's tour of duty as Rodney didn't trust Caldwell's word. The bad feeling refused to leave his mind and all this because of one selfish arrogant little asshole and his bitter, depraved act of revenge.
Rodney felt his rage mount at the very thought of Kavanagh. Ever since the man's arrest, he'd had to curb his desire to go down to the holding cell and knock him senseless. He knew Ronon felt the same. That was why Elizabeth had forbidden any of them to go anywhere near the cell. As a result, she had posted several large marines before the entry to enforce the order. Of course, getting them to cooperate in the bug caper and other things had been very easy.
McKay tried to clear his mind by looking back at his computer screen and its complex diagram of god knows what. He couldn't even remember what the drawing was related to. "Hopeless, hopeless," he muttered to himself. How the hell could he work like this?
Therefore, out of frustration, he drove his computer down and thought about some coffee or maybe some food. However, even his insatiable appetite refused to surface because how could he eat at a time like this. Tomorrow he was going to lose the only man he could honestly call a friend. Oh, he expected to lose him sometime but not like this. The scenarios in Rodney's head had always been one of heroics when Sheppard's luck had finally run out and death had claimed him in an act of sacrifice while saving their collective necks.
Thumping the computer lid down harder than he should, Rodney stormed out of his laboratory. He'd had enough, he was going down to the infirmary to tell John Sheppard that he'd better wake up or else he was in serious trouble with him.
Of course, by the time he reached Sheppard's room some of the wind had gone out of his sails. He deflated even more at the sight of his still and lifeless friend.
The duty nurse looked up from her place near Sheppard's bed and smiled at him. "Oh, you've just missed seeing Mr. Dex. He was here for quite a while trying to talk the Colonel out of his coma but as you can see it didn't work. Mind you, Mr. Dex is not a man of many words."
"No that's true," answered Rodney, looking somewhat distracted and awkward.
The nurse must have noticed his discomfort. "Look if you'd like some time on your own with him, I could leave for a while. Just keep an eye on the monitors and let me know if anything changes. I'll be right next door."
Dragging over a chair, Rodney muttered. "Sure, fine and thank you." The nurse gave him a reassuring smile before leaving the room.
Suddenly faced with being alone with Sheppard, Rodney found himself uncharacteristically at a loss for words, so he thought of all the negative things about John to rile his need. "You know Sheppard you're one selfish son of a…" He hesitated to say bitch thinking that would be disrespectful to the John's mother, whoever she was. "You lie here making us do all the work. Getting far more beauty sleep than you really need because you're already beautiful enough or at least that's what the women always say. Personally, I find you ok looking but as you know, I'm not into that kind of thing. I prefer blonde-haired women, not unshaven, scruffy-haired men."
Rodney hesitated for a minute to mutter to himself, "Oh god did I just say that? It's a good job it's just me and sleeping beauty here," before continuing his rant at Sheppard. "If you think I'm going to give you a wake up kiss then think again. I'll leave that to Elizabeth or Teyla or Chaya or Teer or the little girl that wanted to marry you or any number of ascended women just waiting in line to get a bit of good old Sheppard. Am I jealous you'd ask, yep you bet I am, but you know what, if you'd just open those eyes for me, I'll forgive all that Kirking around."
Rodney paused, no reaction. "Okay," he drew the word out just as Sheppard often did, "How about the latest bit of news. Now listen carefully and take this all in because it's important. They're shipping your lazy ass back to Earth tomorrow!! You hear me, it's goodbye Atlantis as you speed back home to face an uncertain future because I for one don't believe or trust Caldwell when he says you can come back when you decide you've had enough beauty sleep. You know what the brass is like, especially with a loose cannon like you. Oh, he can come back they say, but when it comes to the crunch. Well, you know what I mean. On top of that, Caldwell is going to be running things while you're taking a nap. Now you know what happened the last time he took over. He came in and changed everything you had done. I distinctly remember you complaining about it for weeks afterwards. Now just imagine how much crap he can cause if given more time…" McKay sighed and suddenly stopped as he finally ran out of steam.
Turning away, he took a few minutes to calm down and muster up enough energy again to carry on talking to Sheppard, although it seemed to be a pointless one-sided conversation. "You know something; I'll have no one to turn to when you're gone. You're the only one who puts up with all my crap and still stays a friend. That's it, you see, I'm a selfish bastard too and I don't want you back on Earth to be looked after by a bunch of petty nurses while I'm stuck here having to save everyone's sorry ass without any help from you. See, I'll even admit that you come in handy from time to time." Rodney paused to take a breath as he composed himself to carry on and incredibly, for the next twenty minutes, he rambled on in much the same way.
-SGA-
John lifted his head as the black void twinkled with lighter points. He moved to one side and listened to the murmur of a distant wave of sound. It sounded like a voice but through the murk and black that surrounded him it was hard to tell. In places, the darkness remained intense but here and there, small breaks would appear only to close over again if he focused too long.
He couldn't move, couldn't work out where he was and why. For an eternity it seemed, he wanted out of this place but nothing changed. The voice grew slightly louder and he tried to latch on to it only to let it slip and fade. Crushing disappointment replaced hope and he hung his head and cried as the total darkness threatened to return. Then suddenly like a ray of sunshine, warmth slowly crept into the darkness and smoothed his anguish. The twinkling lights grew in number to form a star field across his vision. The murmur of the droning voice became incessant. Sometimes louder, sometimes softer but the message was always the same as it urged him to follow but his legs refused to move being weighted down with lead. A wave of light washed close by and he tried to grab hold of it to pull himself along but it slipped from his fingers. It happened repeatedly and he began to tire.
-SGA-
Rodney finally and completely ran out of steam. He was tired and by the end of his conversation totally depressed. With a very frustrated gesture, he thumped Sheppard's bed, hard and screamed. "Wake up, you bastard!"
"Rodney! That was totally uncalled for!" Elizabeth's voice carried across the infirmary.
McKay turned to her and at least had the decency to look slightly ashamed. He hung his head in despondency. "I was just trying to get him to wake up."
"By stabbing him with nasty words. Look, I know you're angry and upset at the thought of John going back to Earth but we have to accept it and take it from there. When he wakes up and if they go back on their word, then believe me, I would fight it tooth and nail because Atlantis needs him more than almost anyone else here."
"More than me?" Rodney asked in a small voice.
Elizabeth never fully understood McKay and his inflated ego. "As I've said before, I can't afford to lose either of you. Therefore, I guess that puts you and John on an equal footing. You're a team and together with Teyla and Ronon, you work miracles sometimes. I think it baffles everyone in Atlantis, and you are a team I'm not willing to give up, no matter what the USAF, SGC, or the IOA have to say. So when John wakes up from this, then we're getting him back even if I have to go to the President himself."
Rodney seemed utterly awed by her resolve and dedication. "Well that puts my mind a bit more at rest and we'll all back you up if it comes down to a fight."
Elizabeth smiled. "I'm sure you will. I'm not the only one fond of our resident scruffy haired flyboy." Then she turned to Sheppard. "Rodney's right, John, it's time to wake up. I'm sure you can do it if you try. Come on, John, wake up!" she called very loudly.
-SGA-
A rush of light descended even closer and this time John grabbed it and hung on for dear life. A familiar voice called out to him, so he rode the light to follow the voice, and at the end of the journey, he opened his eyes.
-SGA-
"Wow, I think the whole of Atlantis just heard that," McKay muttered as he covered his ears in jest. "I didn't know you could…" but Rodney's voice tailed off as he gapped towards John's bed.
Elizabeth's attention had been on Rodney but she followed his gaze and felt tears form as she looked at John. She let go of the tears as she locked onto John's lovely hazel green eyes for the first time in weeks. They were full of confusion but he was back.
John looked at her and tried to speak but the need for sleep flowed through him, so he drifted down into its comforting arms.
Rodney stood speechless as Elizabeth turned back to him. "Go and tell the nurse to get Carson," she requested quietly.
Coming out of his trance, Rodney rushed off, for once doing as he was told. When he had gone, Elizabeth reached over and gently pushed an unruly piece of hair out of John's eyes. He stirred slightly but didn't wake. To Elizabeth's this movement brought a thread of joy and her fear that the coma had returned became unfounded as she let tears of happiness roll down her cheeks.
The sound of rushing feet brought her out of her contemplation and she quickly wiped the moisture from her eyes to face Carson and the night duty nurse. "He woke up and promptly fell asleep again. Is that normal?"
"Aye, I'll run a few tests to ascertain his level of consciousness but it's quite normal that people coming out of a coma promptly sleep afterwards." Carson told them as he checked the monitors. After a few minutes, he straightened with a smile after listening to John's breathing and heart. "I think we're seeing the end of the tunnel. I can honesty say that he's out of the coma and in a normal sleep pattern."
Everyone breathed a sigh of relief as Rodney piped up. "I can't wait to see Caldwell's face in the morning."
"Believe it or not, Rodney, but I think he'll be pleased." Elizabeth stated. "Well," she smiled, "I don't know about you people but I'm off to bed for a good nights sleep."
"Aye, that sounds like a good idea and I suggest you do the same, Rodney?"
"What? Oh, I…err…can't I sleep here? What if he wakes up again? I don't think he should be left on his own."
Carson smiled and looked pointedly at the Elizabeth and the nurse. "Alright, Rodney, ya can stay but try to get some sleep. Ya look as if ya need it."
"Oh thanks, Carson, I could say the same about you," Rodney said as he made himself comfortable on the bedside chair.
"Well, I was just about to go to bed when the nurse called me. But seeing as John's out of his coma and my minds now at rest, I'll be following Elizabeth's example and getting my own good nights sleep."
Rodney nodded to him and wished him and Elizabeth goodnight as the nurse went back to resume her place across the room.
She turned the nights down low and Rodney soon found himself drifting as exhaustion finally claimed him and he fell into his own much needed sleep.
-SGA-
Light shining through the window woke John from his dream-filled sleep. He blinked several times to clear his eyes of fuzz and take in his surroundings. Staring at a sleeping, snoring McKay, his eyes clouded with bewilderment. The confusion spread as he tried to remember why he seemed to be in the infirmary yet again.
His mind cleared and he could vaguely remember being sick and feeling dreadful, then came a sense of never-ending pain, noise and no sight other then the burry outline of his friends. Conscientiously reaching out, he tested his senses, finding no pain and no discomfort. He could see again and the loud buzzing noise no longer filled his head.
He coughed slightly to clear his throat and a nurse appeared as if out of nowhere with a drinking cup. "Here's some water, Colonel. Take a few sips but don't overdo it for now," she instructed as she raised the bed head slightly and placed the straw between his lips.
John did as he was told, relishing the taste of the cool water as it slipped down his parched and aching throat. He swallowed a few slips more before sleep claimed him again.
The nurse smiled as she gently lowered the bed and tucked the blanket snuggly around his shoulders. It may take days before Colonel Sheppard would stay awake long enough to have any form of conversation but he would bounce back now, of that she was sure.
-SGA-
The early morning mist floated over the city as Steven Caldwell took in a breath of fresh sea air from his place on the main balcony. He stretched his tall frame and contemplated the pleasure he was going to have running the cities military for the unforeseeable future. What he'd told Weir was in many ways true but the opportunity was like a dream come true. Caldwell strongly believed that such a position should not include off-world travel and he did not intend to join any of the teams. No, he was looking forward to putting the cities military in true order and running things his way for a while. He had no doubts in his mind that Sheppard would be back but Caldwell hoped that it wouldn't be for a while.
His thoughts were interrupted by the sudden appearance of Elizabeth Weir. He turned to greet her and noted that she looked surprisingly cheerful, all things considering. "Good morning, Dr. Weir. Is everything ready for the transfer?"
Elizabeth smiled. For some reason, she was going to enjoy dropping this bombshell on the colonel. "There's no need for that, Colonel. I'm…"
Caldwell interrupted. "But the Air Force insists, doctor. I thought we'd come to an agreement?"
"Yes, we had but I'm sure Colonel Sheppard can recover better surrounded by his friends here in Atlantis."
"What do you mean recover?" Caldwell asked warily.
Elizabeth looked him straight in the face. "I'm surprised the Atlantis rumor mill hasn't reached your ears yet, Colonel. A rumor that I'm happy to say is true. John Sheppard came out of his coma last night and Dr. Beckett has assured me that he will make a full recovery within a week or so."
Caldwell's face was dumb struck for a minute before he realized how unprofessional he must look. Forcing a smile, he replied. "I'm very glad to hear that but…"
This time Elizabeth interrupted. "There are no buts. Atlantis is will fine until Colonel Sheppard is back on his feet. Major Lorne always does an excellent job in his stead, so there's nothing to stop you from going back with the Daedalus as per norm."
Caldwell looked like he still wanted to object but he held his tongue. "What about Kavanagh?"
"If you don't mind, I'd rather not waste energy by opening the gate back to Earth just for him. Of course, that means I'd like you to transport him onboard the Daedalus."
Caldwell could see the logic in her decision but he didn't like it very much. After a little pause, he replied. "Very well, we'll secure him in the brig. You know, I hate to say this but he'll probably come off lightly. I can't see the SGC or IOA allowing a public trial. So if he plays his cards right, he could go for a plea bargain and claim that certain circumstances drove him to the action."
"That's what I'm afraid of and believe me, Steven; it's at a time like this that I wish we had our own judicial system here in Atlantis."
Caldwell smiled slightly. "Yes, but that would mean having a whole bunch of lawyers under your care."
Elizabeth hid her own smile behind her hand. "It doesn't bare thinking about."
"No." Caldwell chuckled. "Look if it's any consolation, I'll do my best to make sure Kavanagh doesn't come off lightly. I can't guarantee anything but we in the Air Force don't take kindly an assault against one of our own. I'm pretty sure that General Landry will feel the same."
"Thank you, Steven. I'm just sorry we have to leave this matter to you."
Caldwell gave her a reassuring look. "Think nothing of it. Now if you don't mind I'd like to visit the Lieutenant Colonel and then inform the SGC that he won't be coming back."
Elizabeth threw him a disbelieving look. "Don't you trust our word?"
"I'm not implying that you're lying about Sheppard but I'd like some reassurance that he's on the mend." Caldwell answered her. Then he sighed and looked her straight in the eye. "I won't deny that I'm a little disappointed that I won't be staying longer but I am pleased that Sheppard is going to recover."
"Believe me, so am I. Thank you for being honest with me, Steven." Elizabeth stated.
tbc