Chapter 11

"Col. Ellis…" Sam started.

Ellis nodded towards the officer on his right. "Already on it. We'll beam him to the infirmary now."

"No! Wait! I have to get Col. Sheppard under the scanner. I need to know what's going on." Jennifer suspected John would end up causing himself serious damage and came to the bridge to monitor the conversations between the Apollo, Atlantis' control room and the chair room.

They had no idea what the near continuous interaction with the disabled city would do to him. The boost in his synaptic activity was a little too reminiscent of Rodney's experience with the ascension device. The last few scans indicated that the effects were dissipating at a much slower rate. The fact that he went back to the chair with only a short break didn't help. Her protests regarding Sheppard did not fall on deaf ears, but his argument that he could continue, had to continue, were more persuasive.

"Your staff is here on the Apollo." The colonel reminded her.

"Beam me and Col. Sheppard to the infirmary now. Only Dr. Cole and two nurses are here. Send them next." She didn't want to waste time. "Colonel, please."

"I agree, Colonel." Sam broke in.

"Okay." He said with a good measure of uncertainty, but the infirmary had power and the equipment she needed. The Wraith were gone and the city was back online. He was not going to argue. "Ronon, we're sending you to the infirmary now."

xxxxxxxxxx

The Apollo's beam deposited the doctor in the infirmary an instant after the two men. Ronon held a nearly unconscious John at his side.

"In here." Jennifer pointed him to the scanner room. "What happened?"

"He just collapsed." Ronon replied as he effortlessly picked up his friend and carried him to the bed under the scanner.

She placed her hand on John's forehead and cheek for a moment. His skin was cold, clammy and a frightening color. He groaned and tried to turn away from the light. She pulled open his shirt and, with practiced speed, cut down the length of the t-shirt underneath. Putting on her stethoscope, she listened to his heart and lungs. His breathing was fast and shallow and his heart was racing.

"Col. Sheppard? John?" There was no reaction when she firmly shook his shoulder then rubbed her knuckles on his sternum. She pulled a pen light from her pocket and flicked the light across his eyes, closely watching the reactions. At least that was normal, she thought. Jennifer glanced up at Ronon. "He's unconscious. What happened before he collapsed?"

"Nothing. He just tried to stand up. What's going on?"

"Come hold him for me." She showed him how to hold John's head straight for the scan. As Ronon took over, she hurried to the scanner controls. "What about the headache? Was it getting worse?"

"It was really bad and getting worse." He didn't hesitate to tell her what she wanted to know. "You know he started puking yesterday, don't you?"

"No, he didn't mention it." She said suspiciously. "Anything else?"

"I think he was having trouble seeing."

"Damn it. I was afraid of that." Jennifer switched on the scanner and it started the steady sweep down his body. She stopped its progress, holding it over John's head. "Oh my God."

It was a whisper, but Ronon heard it. "What? What's wrong?"

At that moment, Dr. Cole rushed in, followed by Marie and Alex. Jennifer dragged her eyes away from the monitor for a bare second. "Marie, get an IV going. Normal saline for now. Alex, get a gurney. Once we have him in bed, I want oxygen on him for now, as well."

"Yes, Doctor." Both nurses said as they disappeared through the door. They returned within seconds, but waited while the scan continued.

"Jennifer, what happened?" Dr. Cole asked as she peered at the monitor.

"I'm not sure." She compressed her lips and shook her head. "I just don't think human beings are supposed to be using the Ancient technology like that for such a long period of time."

"What do we do?"

At a loss for how to treat her patient, Jennifer threw up her hands and shrugged. "I don't know. I've been searching the Ancient database for any information about how prolonged use of the technology affects humans, but there's nothing."

"Well, the Ancients were probably the only ones using the technology so there might not be any data." Dr. Cole suggested.

"That's what I was thinking." Jennifer stopped the scan and they checked his vitals again. The results were only marginally better. "Well, at least his breathing and pulse are slowing down. His blood pressure is low, but not significantly so. I think the only thing we can do for now is keep him hydrated and comfortable."

Alex pushed the gurney to the bed. He and Ronon swiftly transferred the unconscious man to it.

Jennifer stopped Ronon as he tried to follow when Alex and Marie moved Sheppard to the next room. "Let us do what we need to do. I'll call you as soon as I know something."

He scowled at her for a second then nodded and left.

Jennifer followed her patient to the other room. Dr. Cole and the two nurses were already removing his BDUs and dressing him in scrubs. As she readied the heart monitor, she instructed them, "I want him on his side. Ronon said he's been vomiting and I don't want to risk aspiration."

xxxxxxxxxx

The Apollo began beaming personnel back into the Gate room as soon as Col. Carter gave the go ahead. First and foremost, she wanted to confirm the viruses had been eradicated and all systems were normal. Ensuring the city was safe had to be their top priority for now. Zelenka was brought back from the ZPM room and was quickly followed by those transported to the ship.

At McKay's stern orders, everyone was to do nothing but review code. At the first sign of trouble or if anything questionable was found, they were to let him know immediately. The threat of his displeasure, however, was less of an incentive to obey than the thought that Col. Sheppard was in the infirmary.

Leaving the Jumpers parked near the Apollo, Lorne and the other Jumper pilots materialized on floor in front of the Gate. He ran up the stairs, two at a time and walked to where Col. Carter was working. His smile was tentative. "Good to see we're still here, Colonel."

"It is good that we're still here." She said tiredly. "Evan, we still need to confirm that all traces of the viruses have been removed and systems are functioning normally. Let's leave the Jumpers where they are for now."

"Yes, Ma'am. I take it you're not recalling anyone from Midway just yet." He said.

"No, not yet."

"What are your orders, Colonel?"

"Security in sensitive areas has to be reestablished." She paused. "We still need to sweep for computers, too. All our computers are accounted for and will be scanned, but there may be another unauthorized one out there."

"That's a scary thought. I'll start assignments as our people are beamed back."

"Thank you." She nodded. They both noticed Ronon approaching. "How is John?"

"Don't know. Keller has him in the infirmary."

"Well, is he talking? Is he up and around?" McKay asked anxiously.

Ronon leaned against the back side of the console where they were working. "No, he's unconscious."

"What did she say?" the scientist pressed him.

"Um, she said his vital signs aren't good but getting better. There was something about the scan, but I don't know what it meant." He scowled at the lack of real information. "She told me to leave."

Sam gave him an encouraging smile. "I'm sure Dr. Keller just wants him to get some rest. She'd let us know if there was a real problem."

"Yeah." He wasn't really convinced. "What can I do?"

She blew out a wear breath. "You can help Maj. Lorne."

"Okay."

"Come on." Lorne headed for the stairs with the Satedan close behind.

xxxxxxxxxx

Jennifer looked up at the sound of approaching footsteps. "Colonel?"

"Doctor." Sam nodded toward the next room, knowing Sheppard was in there. "How's he doing?"

"He's stable." Jennifer tapped the edge of the tablet resting in the crook of her arm. "How about you?"

It was obvious that Sam was ready to fall asleep on her feet. Every single person she'd seen the last couple of days was in the same condition. Come to think of it, she probably looked the about the same. Jennifer had tried to avoided mirrors lately.

"I'll be fine. It's nothing a good 24 hours sleep won't cure." Sam responded wryly.

"I think I'm going to be prescribing a lot of that in the next day or two." Jennifer said, only half joking. She saw Sam glance at the door again. "I really don't have anything yet. I'm still going over the scans and other tests. For the time being, Col. Sheppard's condition is stable and his vital signs are in the normal range for him."

"Ronon said he was unconscious."

"He is and he isn't. He isn't responding to normal stimuli, so he isn't just sleeping. But, he isn't unconscious, either. Not exactly, anyway."

"Excuse me?" Sam was too tired to try to follow that.

"I was able to run a scan when Ronon brought him in. The activity level was more intense than any of the earlier scans. Much more." She tapped on the data pad again. "His EEG…shows waves that are not normally associated with unconsciousness."

"Then why isn't he awake?"

"The EEG indicates John is dreaming, but he isn't exhibiting the physical activity typical with REM sleep such as rapid eye movement and muscle twitching. His mind is very active. It's just that his body is disengaged. Sorry, I don't have an explanation." Jennifer led her into the scanner room and brought up a set of images. Each was date and time stamped. She scrolled through them slowly. "I want you to see this. These are the scans I showed you the other day."

"What about now?"

She changed the images. "These, you haven't seen, and this one is from a couple of hours ago. I want to run another one in a few hours, but I'll have to see how he's doing first."

"What's going on?"

"To be honest, I don't know." The doctor threw up her free hand and sighed in frustration. "Each time I've been able to run a scan right after John was beamed here and then before he went back to the chair room, the rate at which the unusual synaptic activity diminished was slower. It has taken longer for it to return to normal every time. Actually, during the last couple of days, there hasn't been enough time. He's had significantly increased activity for more than 48 hours straight."

"Do you have any idea when he might wake up?"

"Sorry, no." Jennifer shook her head. "It's all up to him."

This worried the colonel. "What about long term effects?"

"This is a first. I don't know if the intensive use of the Ancient technology has made a permanent change to his brain. Right now, I think the only thing we can do is wait and see."

"You can't give him anything?"

She sighed. "I think it's best to do nothing while he's stable. I'm not sure if there would be any side effects from the painkillers or any other medication, and don't want to risk it if at all possible."

Sam's eyebrows went up. "Do you think it could cause more harm?"

"Probably not, but there are too many unanswered questions about what's going on that I'm reluctant to try it if I don't absolutely have to. I'll keep him hydrated and closely monitor him. If his condition deteriorates or he doesn't come around within 24 hours, I'll intervene."

xxxxxxxxxx

Jennifer's eyes went from the heart monitor to Ronon then to the tablet that seemed to have become attached to her since this started. She entered the numbers from the monitor then turned off the tablet. His vitals steadied soon after Ronon brought him to the infirmary and stayed that way for the last dozen hours.

She walked over to the Satedan and whispered, "You don't need to stay."

"I know." He replied so quietly that she barely understood the words. He'd quietly slipped back into the infirmary when Lorne scheduled him for a few hours sleep. The doctor relented and let him stay after a very short and intense stare-down.

Jennifer wasn't really concerned about waking her patient, and would have actually been happy if he came around for a minute. Until that happened she wouldn't be able to truly gauge how he was doing. The scans and EEG told her only part of the picture. This was a unique situation and she needed to talk to him to be certain.

"Okay. Call me if he stirs." Jennifer gently squeezed Ronon's shoulder and walked out. There was no need for Ronon to say anything, actually. Either she or one of her staff would be in the room at all times. John was the only patient, but even if the infirmary were full, it wouldn't change the fact that he needed close and constant monitoring. She nodded at Marie as she left, hoping another search of the Ancient database might turn up something that would help.

xxxxxxxxxx

McKay walked around the consoles in the control room, a steaming mug of coffee in one hand. He groaned as he sat in the chair. The long days of sitting at the computer hour after hour with few chances to move had stiffened muscles he never knew existed. He blamed Sheppard for it. His knack for getting them into situations where physical exertion was necessary to stay alive and in one piece resulted in the scientist being more physically fit than he'd been in his life. Being a geek was not easy any more. Gone were the days he was content, even happy, to sit at a computer for hours on end. His body, now used to getting fairly regular exercise, protested inactivity.

Everyone who remained on Atlantis was now able to get much needed sleep. Col. Carter ordered it as soon as they were reasonably certain that the place wasn't going to fall down. With the Apollo backing up the city's sensors and fire power, both civilian and military personnel were being rotated out on mandatory six hour rest periods. She wanted to ensure that her people didn't fall down, either.

He stopped with the mug halfway to his mouth, thinking. Sheppard collapsed almost fifteen hours before. In that time, diagnostics were run, Radek had written a program to sniff out Earth based computers, McKay looked it over and they ran it. No-one knew whether it was a good thing or not, but just the one computer found by Sgt. Simmons appeared to be the culprit. Just to be sure, though, at least one more physical sweep would be done, and Rodney decided to beef up the Czech's program and run it again. It would take time, but it had to be meticulous.

Sheppard was still unconscious, asleep, whatever. McKay frowned at the thought that Jennifer still didn't know what was going on in that stubborn head. She allowed him only a quick peek in as he made his way to his quarters earlier. The room was almost too dark to see anything, but he saw enough to know his friend wasn't just sleeping. That, with the obvious concern of the doctor and her staff for their only patient, was distressing.

Col. Carter's sudden appearance jerked him out of his thoughts. "Rodney, did you get any sleep?"

"A couple of hours." Blinking with still bleary eyes, he looked around. "I take it the city didn't fall apart while I was asleep?"

"Nope." She smiled, relief in her answer. "Diagnostics are still running, but we seem to be in good shape."

"Good. I'm going to write a program to search for viruses or anything else that shouldn't be in the programming. I should have it finished later today."

"That's a good idea." Sam said then shook her head thoughtfully. "I didn't think we'd have to watch out for an attack from Earth."

"Well, the bad guys aren't restricted to the Pegasus Galaxy." Rodney observed dryly.

"No, that's for sure." She said as she walked around the console to sit at her computer. "We'll wait until we've run your program before bringing everyone home."

xxxxxxxxxx

There were only two jackhammers in his head now and the darkness was no longer quite as black. John had the feeling he needed to be someplace but he couldn't remember where or why. And, for some reason, he wasn't worried about it. It would come back. He just had to give it a little more time. At least it felt safe now. He didn't know why, but it finally felt safe to climb out of the hole.

"Colonel?"

The urgent tone gave John the sudden feeling he had to wake up. There was something important he had to do. What the hell was it? His brain objected to the need for information, the need to think. He sensed more than heard deliberately quiet movement coming closer.

"John?" The voice wasn't much more than a hopeful whisper now. Something cool touched…what was that called again? Face. It touched the side of his face. "John?"

He opened his eyes just enough to see a shape bending close to his face. Was it talking to him?

"John, can you hear me?"

"Hnn?" The croaking sound seemed distant.

The shape moved, letting a dim light shine in his eyes. He tried to turn away, but something was stopping him. It held him and he couldn't move it. Even raising a hand to shield his eyes was nearly impossible. John groaned softly.

"I'm sorry." Jennifer moved back to block the light. He was still propped on his side by pillows, and couldn't escape the glow.

"Is he awake?" Ronon leaned across the bed in an effort to see his friend's face then walked around it.

She kept her attention on her patient. "Yes, just now."

Sheppard knew he was supposed to be doing something other than just laying there. It took a moment to realize that Ronon was nearby and it shook loose the memory he sought. He slowly moved his hand and found the bed rail. At least the hand was moving, he thought. Isn't it? It was difficult to tell.

"Gotta…" was all he could get out.

"No. No. No. You're not going anywhere." She said quietly, taking his hand and deftly moving her fingers to check his pulse.

"City. Need to..." He tried to move again but couldn't find his body.

"The city is fine, John. You did it." She tried to reassure him.

Didn't she understand? "Wraith."

"The Wraith are gone. Everything's okay." This time Ronon stopped him, needing no more than the gentlest pressure. He squatted low so that Sheppard could look straight at him. "They fixed the computers."

"Sure?" John tried to wet dry lips.

"Yeah. Carter said it looks good. She and McKay are keeping an eye on things."

John peered at him for several seconds, trying to get his sluggish brain to work faster and his eyes to focus. His mouth and throat were too dry to swallow and the only sound he could make was a hoarse cough.

"Would you like a little ice?" Jennifer asked. It was a moment before he nodded. She carefully slipped a small piece between his lips. He let it melt and took another, closing his eyes as the water soothed his mouth and throat.

"Thanks." The cold liquid helped to clear his head a little and he was thinking in something resembling real time again. "It worked?"

"Yes, it worked." Jennifer offered another ice chip which he took.

"They're going to start bringing everyone back from Midway soon." Ronon added.

"Good." John said as his eyelids began to close. They jerked open again and he frowned at Ronon, who was still at eye level. "You sure?"

The Satedan smiled and nodded. "Yeah, buddy. We're good."

"'Kay." This time he couldn't stop himself drifting off to sleep.

Jennifer watched the EEG closely.

"Is he okay?" Ronon looked from the monitor to her back to Sheppard.

"He's better. I'll need to see more, but it looks more normal." She nodded, marginally happier with what she was seeing. She put on her stethoscope and listened to his heart and lungs, gently maneuvering the instrument between the sleeping man and the pillows. She glanced at Ronon, who frowned at his friend. "Look, John woke up and was lucid. He remembered what happened. And, he did it a lot faster than I thought possible."

Ronon watched in silence while Jennifer finished her exam. She motioned the nurse to come over while she guided him away.

"He'll probably be asleep for some time." She said, but could tell he wasn't convinced. "It really does look like John is sleeping, and that is exactly what he needs right now. You look like you could use some yourself."

"I'm fine." He rumbled.

"I know, but all the same, you should get some rest." She thought for a moment. "Why don't you go let Rodney and Col. Carter know that John woke up. I'll call you if he wakes up again. Okay?"

Not taking his eyes from his friend, he considered her suggestion for several seconds. To her relief, he nodded. "Okay. You'll let me know?"

"I promise." She replied with a reassuring smile.

xxxxxxxxxx

This time, awareness was instantaneous and jarring. John woke with his heart pounding and in near panic, but didn't know why. He tried in vain to push himself up on rubbery arms.

"Wait. Where do you think you're going?" Dr. Cole hastily set down a data tablet and put her hands on his shoulders.

"Have to go." His voice was raspy with dryness. He gulped breaths as he tried to push her away, becoming dizzy with the effort. "Wraith…coming."

"No. No. They're gone, Colonel." She tried to reassure him.

"They're gone. The Wraith left yesterday, John." Dr. Keller suddenly appeared on the other side of the bed.

He licked his lips, blinking in an attempt to focus on her. "Yesterday?"

A small smile appeared to ease his anxiety. "About eighteen hours ago. They didn't find anything here so they left."

He closed his eyes and stopped struggling. Both women could see he was still in considerable pain despite the full day since Ronon brought him in. They thought he was sleeping again when he asked, "Sure?"

"Quite sure. Col. Carter has even brought back everyone that stayed on Midway after the evacuation." Jennifer tried again to reassure him. It seemed to work this time. He relaxed, nodding once.

"Jennifer?" Dr. Cole raised an eyebrow at her colleague.

"Yes." She responded without looking up. "John? I want to run a scan. Are you up to it?"

His cringed inwardly at the thought of moving but nodded. "Yeah."