Parting of the Ways
Ch. 3
(Destiny, Infirmary)
Amy slept in one of the infirmary beds. The room was relatively quiet. The patients that Keira had healed where resting in their beds for 24 hour observation. TJ sat, hunched over a microscope, examining yet another set of samples. The doctor straightened up and rubbed her eyes when Scott and Eli entered.
"Hey, guys," she stood and walked to meet them halfway. "How are you two feeling?"
"We're fine. We've just come and see if you've found anything," Matt said.
TJ sighed. "Well, I know what it's not. It's not passed by touch and it's not from the food or water."
"So, we could be breathing in whatever this disease is? Eli asked.
"That's what I've figured. But I'm afraid that's all I can do with the equipment that I have," she answered. TJ glanced over at Amy. "Keira's been helping me heal the sick ones until I've found that out. If it wasnt for her, I'm sure wed already have casualties."
Matt looked over to where Amy was sleeping.
"And how is she doing?" he asked.
"Keira is only resting, Matt. Don't worry. She's letting Amy rest while she can," TJ reassured him.
"I'm sorry," Eli interrupted. The two looked at him. "But who is Keira?"
Now it was Matts turn to sigh.
"Keira is the name of the Tokra Symbiote that is currently sharing Amy's body," Matt answered.
Eli wrinkled his forehead.
"A what now?" he asked.
"She is the last remaining Tokra," a familiar voice came added.
They all looked over at Amy, who was sitting up in the bed. She massaged her neck as the three went over to her.
"A fact that she likes to remind everyone, any moment that she gets," Amy said. She added feebly, "I was afraid that youd' freak out and not bother to talk to me if you knew that I had an alien in my head."
"Why would you care if I freaked out or not? I don't even knowwhat a Tok'ra is, anyway," Eli asked her, slowly.
"Because I like you," Amy told him.
"Really?" Eli asked.
The two looked at each other. Amy smiled shyly and nodded.
Amy bowed her head and then looked back up again. She looked over at TJ and Keira told her, "The illness is attacking the lungs first, Keira stood up and stretched. We won't know the full extent of the severity of this disease unless we let the illness run its course."
"That's not going to happen," TJ told her sternly.
Keira gave her small bow.
"So, where did this thing start?" Matt asked, eyeing his foster sister.
"My guess is that someone picked it up on the last planet we visited," TJ said.
"That would be my assessment as well," Keira nodded in agreement.
"But that was nearly two days ago!" Eli stated. "There's no way a disease could hit this many people in that short amount of time!" he turned to TJ, "Could it?"
"In our galaxy, perhaps," TJ reminded him. "We are in a completely different region of space."
Amy took over her body again as another pair came in, coughing slightly.
"I suggest you boys report to Colonel Young and the rest," Amy said to Matt and Eli.
"Wash up before you leave, just in case," TJ called to them as they made their way out.
Amy sighed, "At least we were able to bring top grade medical equipment when we went to Atlantis," she said to TJ lightly before making her way over to their newest patients.
Three days later . . .
The glow of the Healing Device faded midway through a curing process. Amy smiled reassuringly at her patient and then glanced over to TJ. She was across the room with her clipboard in hand, walking around from bed to bed, checking vitals. Amy caught her eye and motioned for her to meet her by the microscope. TJ nodded.
"Wha'ts the matter?" TJ whispered to her seconds later.
"The Healing Device has stopped working," Amy told her.
TJ sighed.
"Well, we knew it would be only a matter of time," she reminded her friend.
"I know. I know," Amy whispered. She rubbed the back of her neck, messaging out a headache. "How are you on a cure for this thing?"
"It's pretty slow going, seeing what we have to work with," TJ told her. "Listen, after youve washed up, go and grab something to eat and get some rest. You and Keira have both been up for nearly 24 hours straight."
"Doctors orders?"
"I can make them orders if I have too," she told her.
A very small smile appeared on Amys face and gave a lazy salute.
"Yes, Ma'am,"
To be continued . . .