Chapter 15

Sheppard and Teyla turned immediately to Rodney's bed. Even Ronon wanted to jump up, quickly suppressing a moan as he felt the stitches pull and the heavy weight on his foot. He hated not being able to help.

Rodney looked up at them, fear radiating from his eyes, only slowly realising he was back home.

'Rodney, you are save now.' Jennifer whispered.

Rodney focused on Sheppard.

'You came.' He stammered.

'Sure, Buddy. Told you I'd be back.' John said gently. There was something odd at the way Rodney looked at them.

'They cut me.'

He looked so helpless and afraid. Not the usual Rodney at all.

'You'll be fine.' Jennifer assured him. But he refused to look at her.

'Didn't stop bleeding, all night.'

It was as if Rodney had to get his story out in bits and pieces.

'They gave you something. But it is now cleared from your body. The bleeding is stopped and your cuts are healing nicely. The infection is getting better all the time as well.' Jennifer explained to him with a smile.

Finally he looked at her.

'No, pain…. Cut….. Leave me alone!' He screamed at her.

She took a step back, unable to understand what was going on.

'Rodney?' Sheppard stepped forward.

'No…all of you…go away….leave me alone!' He shouted, refusing to look at them, closing his eyes while tears ran freely down his face.

'Please, just leave me.' He pleaded quietly.

Seeing Rodney so upset, the team gave him some space, returning to Ronon instead.

'What's up with McKay?' Ronon had seen something was wrong, even if he couldn't hear it. He could still read a situation like no other. And there was definitely something wrong here.

RODNEY ACTING WEIRD.

'So what's new?'

John turned to him. It would take too long to type out so he took the pad and instructed 'voice record'. Now, everything he would say, the pad would immediately show Ronon.

'He was pleased to see us first. Saying he was cut and bleeding all night. Then suddenly he wanted us to leave, pleading actually. Even Doc.' Sheppard could still not believe what had just happened. He looked back at Rodney where a new nurse was giving him a sedative, allowing him to drift back into a restless sleep.

John walked to Jennifer who stood a little away, looking at the restless Rodney.

'Doc?' He startled her.

'What's all that about?' The confusion was evident on her face.

Shaking her head, she didn't know what to say.

'No idea? He seemed to wake up ok. Perhaps it's the after effects of the drugs they used.'

She looked exhausted.

'Why don't you get some rest? We'll look after him.'

Finally Jennifer looked at him and smiled.

'Thanks but I'll be in my office for now.' And with that she walked away, looking back once more at the now sedated man she had fallen in love with.

Teyla was waiting for John on Ronon's bed.

'Why don't you two get some rest as well? Seems you didn't sleep a lot last night.' Ronon suggested.

John picked up the pad:

'I promised we'd keep an eye on Rodney.' He showed Ronon the message.

'I can keep an eye on him.'

Sheppard looked at Ronon, doubt showing briefly in his eyes.

'I just need eyes. I don't want to particularly hear him.' Ronon argued.

Sheppard and Teyla hesitated for a moment. They wanted to trust Ronon and show him he still had a place in the team, that his talents were more than just being able to hear. Sheppard thought it through for a moment. Rodney seemed fast asleep. So what could go wrong? And it wasn't like there was no one else in the infirmary.

'OK. But if there is anything, call us.'

Slowly Sheppard and Teyla walked out of the medical centre. They hadn't realised how many hours had already passed until they looked out and saw the double moons overhead the city.

'How about something to eat?' Sheppard suggested.

Teyla nodded and they walked to the mess hall, hoping to find something left to eat.

TBC