Facing the Operative Word by AndromedaMarine

Hearing Words of Wisdom

Elizabeth walked into the infirmary rather slowly, contemplating what she would do when she saw her lover near death. Just the thought made tears well up in her eyes. The Scot looked up from another patient and saw the leader standing at the door to John's room. He hurried over and placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Elizabeth? Are you okay?"

She reached her hand up and rested it on Carson's. "No." She didn't have to say anything else for the doctor to understand. He left her and watched as she entered the room that housed the unconscious Colonel Sheppard.

Elizabeth sat next to John and gazed at his face. He had long, jagged scratches marring his face from where the wraith swiped at him. His left eye was black and there were a myriad of other scrapes and bruises on his face and neck. The wraith had also stabbed him wherever it could – leg, arm, even his stomach. Surprisingly John looked no older, which was strange because any amount of life taken by a wraith showed change in age.

For many minutes Elizabeth just looked at John, memorizing the features she already had stored in her mind, learning every mark and wound on his visage. She found his hand and held it. It was extremely cold and Elizabeth wrapped both of hers around his.

Carson quietly entered John's room. "Lass, he needs a familiar voice. Talk to him."

"What do I say? He can't hear me anyway," she said without looking at the Scot.

"Oh, believe me, he can. I remember hearing Laura when was in my coma a few years ago. It took me a while to admit it, but it helped me through. He'll hear you. I promise." He started to leave.

"Carson..."

The Scot turned. Elizabeth left her seat and awkwardly hugged the doctor. "Thanks, Carson. Thank you for everything. Please save him."

Carson wrapped his arms around her and returned the unexpected embrace. "I will, lass. I will." I have to, the doctor added in his mind. He had to. He let Elizabeth alone and returned to his office.

Elizabeth sat again. "Hi John!" she said, a small smile flitting across her features. "You know I have terrible bedside manner. But I've never had to use it seriously until now. I'm not mad at you, John. I'm scared. I've had to endure a few things that pale in comparison to this. I'm worried, John. Carson said you can hear me. I sincerely hope you can." Elizabeth grasped her lover's hand again and more tears streaked her face. "You've heard me say this a million times and more: I love you. When you wake up we need to talk about the operative word I know you know. I love you, John, and I don't want to lose you. I don't know what I'd do if I lost you. I don't know what Atlantis would do. You're her favorite son, John, and don't forget that. I miss you already – I'm cold at night. But at least I have your voice. I love you because you are the world. You are gentle and compassionate and caring. You are the one I love because you are John Sheppard."

--

As Major Lorne sparred with Teyla in the gym – which was actually harder than it looked – he found himself wondering how Elizabeth was holding up. Even as he'd been on Atlantis for a few years now the major thought of Elizabeth as a sister. His thoughts wandered farther than they should have and Evan found himself hopping around the gym on one leg. Teyla's bantos rod had found Evan's leg in his inattention.

Teyla smiled. "You are improving, Evan, but I find your mind still wanders."

Still hopping, Evan replied, "How do you know that my mind wanders? I could be figuring out how to beat you at this."

"Unlikely," Teyla said. "A short intermission? Sparring with Ronon is quite difficult and takes much strength to complete." She sat and grabbed a bottle of water from the bench. "Have you been to see John yet?"

Evan nodded and joined the Athosian. "I know it's still early but I'm wondering if he'll make it."

"I have learned while on this city that it is wise to...assume...that one will survive. Dr. Beckett's medical proficiency is more astounding than anything I have seen in my lifetime. I believe that John will live, as should all who worry on his behalf."

Evan Lorne enjoyed his time with the Athosian. She knew how to instill hope and drive in someone. Her words were what made him trust that his commanding officer and friend would live.