Apologies for the delay. During the last month I not only moved but changed careers. It was my New Year's resolution to finish fics I've been working on and this is on top of the list. Thanks to those still with me. Cindy
Title: Eternal
Author: Cindy Ryan
Notes and Summary: See chapter one.
Mitchell and Daniel reported to a garage sized room on the level above the gate room. A young brown haired woman wearing a lab coat greeted them.
"I apologize for dragging you down here after you just got back."
"It's alright, Lieutenant Peters."Jackson replied having caught the woman's name tag just before she turned around.
"What did you find?"Mitchell asked quietly as he approached the Impala. The trunk and both doors were open.
Peters moved back toward the trunk of the car. "Quite a few things that are illegal in most states. The owners of this car could be in a world of trouble if we turned this over to the police."
Daniel approached the rear of the car to see that the brother's bags of clothes were set on the ground a few feet away. The floor of the trunk was now elevated to reveal a secret compartment.
Mitchell whistled admiringly as he looked in at the wide array of weapons lined up neatly.
"Look at all this."Daniel stated in amazement as he moved past Mitchell to reach into the trunk. "Phony ID's, guns,knives and what looks like a wicked looking machete."
"Tricks of the trade."Mitchell muttered as he leaned next to Daniel his arms resting on the back wall of the trunk.
"Whatever their trade is."Peters replied as she looked down at the items she had already listed and inventoried on her clipboard. "They're looking at serious prison time if the proper authorities ever get a hold of this car."
"Thank you, Lieutenant."Mitchell said as he straightened and turned toward the tech. "If you could send a copy of the inventory of the trunk to my office. And I'd like pictures of everything."
"Of course, Colonel."Peters replied. "I'll have it to you within the hour."
After all he'd experienced on Atlantis and other worlds John Sheppard thought he was prepared for anything. Thought not much fazed him any more. However he wasn't prepared for Teyla to materialize out of thin air and fall literally at their feet.
"Teyla!"Sheppard shouted as he knelt next to the woman's all too still form.
"Is she alive?"Rodney demanded anxiously as he closed his laptop and laid it carefully on the floor.
John swallowed hard as he nodded. He'd found a weak pulse but he didn't like how cold her skin was.
"Yeah, but get Beckett down here stat. Her pulse is weak and her breathing's not too good."
As Rodney radioed for the medical team John gently brushed hair away from Teyla's face.
"Hang in there, Teyla."John whispered having realized during the time she was missing just how much a good friend Teyla had become. "Help's coming."
Sam was sitting in the control room. He was off to the side and out of the way at one of the computers Weir had set up for him to have access on.
Sam was scrolling through page after page of Ancient text aided by a translator program.
"How's it going?"Weir asked as she crossed the room.
Sam flashed her a rueful smile. "Slow, but then I don't know what I'm looking for."
"When Colonel……"Weir began but broke off as the radio crackled to life behind her.
"Sheppard to Weir. We've got Teyla and are headed up to the infirmary."
Sam stood and crossed the short space so he was standing behind Weir.
"Acknowledged. Good work, John."Elizabeth replied quietly. "How is she?"
"Not good."Sheppard replied in a clipped tone.
"On my way."Weir stated as she hit the button to end the radio transmission.
"Dr. Weir….."Sam began as he took a step toward her. He didn't know why but he felt the need to check on Teyla for himself. He needed to see this vision through to the end.
Elizabeth paused and placed a hand on Sam's left shoulder. "I'm sorry, Sam, you can't come with me right now. I am grateful for the help you gave us that led us to finding her. I will let you know how she is."
Rodney hovered in the doorway of the infirmary his arms folded across his chest. His worried gaze fixated on the flurry of activity in the exam room a few feet away. Rodney nearly jumped three feet as Elizabeth stepped into the doorway and stood to his left.
"How is she?"Weir asked as her gaze went from Teyla's still form to Sheppard's statute like one against the opposite wall.
Rodney cleared his throat as he fought to get moisture enough to speak. "Nearly lost her…..she flatlined once….stopped breathing. Beckett's a genius to get her this far."
Elizabeth placed a hand on Rodney's arm and squeezed it gently
John Sheppard saw Weir enter the room out of the corner of his eye but didn't acknowledge her. Protocol was the farthest thing from his mind.
John watched Beckett and his team scurry around the room in their frantic attempt to save Teyla's life. Guilt nearly overwhelmed him. John's rational mind knew that it was all part of being in command. Being in command meant putting good people in danger. He also knew it'd been Weir's order to send Teyla with Mckay but that didn't ease the guilt. He could've offered another suggestion.
John shifted to a more comfortable position against the wall as Beckett continued to bark orders. Being Beckett's friend John was able to pick up on things he wished he hadn't. Things that told John that it wasn't going well.
Little things like Beckett's Scottish brogue thickening with each order he gave; or Beckett glancing once too often at the monitors that surrounded Teyla.
/Come on Teyla./John urged silently./You're part of this family. We're not going to let you go anywhere….hang in there./
