Chapter 23

'What happened?' Sheppard rushed to the bed.

'That's what we are trying to figure out as well.' Keller said tensely.

'Well, get Rodney of Ronon for starters.' Sheppard still yelled.

'What do you think we are trying to do?' Jennifer shouted back.

Keller and her team carefully lifted Rodney off Ronon's torso. But when they tried to take him to his own bed, they found their hands tightly clasped together. No effort could separate the hands.

'Let me try.' Sheppard pushed Keller out of the way. Pulling one finger at a time, he tried to release the firm grip Ronon was obviously holding onto Rodney's hand. It felt almost desperate. No amount of effort made any difference.

'John, perhaps we should not try to separate them.' Teyla quietly drew his attention.

'And what good would that do?' John was not convinced.

'Doctor, what happened that lead to this?'

Jennifer collected her thoughts.

'Rodney was sitting next to Ronon. Suddenly he started convulsing. For a moment we thought he would wake up but instead just grabbed Rodney's hand. Rodney started to say something and then just collapsed.'

Sheppard and Jennifer looked at Teyla.

'I have heard of something similar. One on the brink of death, needing the other to survive. Are either of them in danger at this moment?'

Keller quickly checked Ronon and Rodney.

'Not for the moment.'

'Then may I suggest we wait.'

There was one thing Sheppard was not good at: waiting. Jennifer felt torn as well. But she had learned in this galaxy things were not always what it seemed, and certainly not always like home.

She made arrangements to put a bed next to Ronon's so McKay could be put on it. Several machines monitored both men. Teyla and Sheppard took some chairs and sat down. The waiting game started.

oooOOOooo

'. . . holding my hand.' Rodney finished his sentence.

'What have you done!' The man in front of Ronon shouted.

'I told you I don't want to die.' Ronon returned venomously.

'Ronon?' Rodney tried to get his attention, only then noticing the fierce grip Ronon held on his hand. Was this what had pulled him to this scene?

Ronon, finally freed from his father, turned to McKay.

'McKay, my father. Dad, Dr. Rodney McKay.' He introduced them.

'Father?' McKay mouthed to Ronon.

'We know Dr. McKay. We are keeping an eye on him.'

'Someone care to enlighten me?' Rodney tried to disarm the obviously explosive situation.

'He wants me to ascend.' Ronon sounded disgusted.

'Oh no, no, no. We need Ronon. I need Ronon.' Mckay complained.

'I know he has promised to help you, Dr. McKay. Ronon can cure you easily.'

'No, no. Why does everyone always think I only think of me? We still need Ronon. He's a very important member of our team. And ….' Rodney hesitated.

'He's my friend. I dropped him. He saved me from the spear. It's not fair he should die because of me.' Rodney finished.

The silence nearly overwhelmed him. Ronon was stunned at Rodney's admission.

'Rodney, I pulled away from you. You would have fallen out if I hadn't.'

'Oh, so you saved me again. I've lost count now of how many times you have saved me.'

'Who's counting? That's what you do for friends.' Ronon simply stated.

'All very nice and well. But Ronon is dieing. I need to take him.'

'No, I don't want to!' Ronon shouted again.

'McKay, can't you do anything?'

'Like what?' Rodney asked.

'You can give up your life for him.' The man in front stated matter of factly.

'No.' Ronon reacted immediately.

Rodney was silent. Either live with the urge to cut for the rest of his life, without his friend to help him or die and make sure said friend could continue to help others.

'OK.' Rodney simply said.

Ronon turned towards him.

'McKay, don't be stupid. You can't do that.'

'Ronon, I can't keep living like this. You know it. And you can help so many still. I'll gladly give my life for him.' Rodney addressed the man in front of him.

'Good. Let go of his hand.' He instructed Rodney.

But Ronon did not let go.

'You can't take him.' Ronon resisted. He felt the urge to hit out, to scream and fight.

But instead of being able to do anything, his body started to light up. He felt the energy inside him grow. He was lifted up in the air.

'Ronon!' Rodney yelled over the noise being generated.

'Ronon, settle down.' His father reprimanded.

'I remember now, Dad, how you always taught me to channel my anger in my fighting. One day when I was little, I let it overtake me and I lit up, just like now. What happens then, Dad? Am I too strong for you? Can't you take me with you when I'm filled with energy like this?'

Ronon knew he was right. His body in the infirmary might not be doing too well but in this plane of existence, he was very strong. And he would use that strength now to heal his body as well.

'Son, please. I only want what is best for you.' His father pleaded.

'Then go and leave us alone. When it is my time to go, I will know what to do.' Ronon's thundering voice nearly scared Rodney. Being linked to his friend, he could feel the energy and strength.

And then his father was gone. They were alone, bathing in the light. Slowly Ronon descended. He was still illuminated when he turned to Rodney.

'Give me your other hand.' Rodney only hesitated for a second.

Ronon closed his eyes.

'Once, when you were going to ascend, you healed my scars. Now I have healed yours.'

Rodney was speechless. And then all went dark.

oooOOOooo

It seemed like ages, this waiting. Sheppard had walked around the infirmary for the umpteenth time, when suddenly Ronon's body started to light up. Then the light extended to Rodney. It stayed there for a while and then slowly retreated to Ronon.

As soon as the light left Rodney, Ronon let go of his hand. Immediately Jennifer checked him over but all seemed to be ok. Actually, better than ok. All his cuts had somehow healed.

They rolled his bed a bit further away from Ronon now. Was something or someone healing Ronon in the same way?

'Ronon?' Rodney whispered his name.

'Rodney. Are you ok?' Sheppard helped him sit up.

He seemed dazed and unfocused. But not for long.

'How is Ronon doing?' He stared at his friend.

'You tell us. Rodney, what is going on?' Sheppard wanted to know.

'He's healing himself.' Rodney just stated.

Suddenly Rodney jumped off the bed and ran to Ronon.

'You can do this. Come on!' he shouted.

Finally the light seemed to fade away. Everyone was holding their breath, looking at the still body on the bed.

Ronon started coughing, annoyed with the tube in his throat which had helped him to breath.

Jennifer quickly extracted the tube.

Soon Ronon opened his eyes and looked around the bed. He saw the relief in all the faces and smiled. Then he closed his eyes again and went to sleep. He was exhausted.

oooOOOooo

The next day, Ronon finally woke up. Rodney, Sheppard and Teyla were sitting around his bed, eating, sleeping, reading. But they all got up as soon as they noticed he was awake.

'Hey Buddy. Feeling better?' Sheppard asked.

Ronon hesitated.

'Yes, better.'

'Looks like most of your wounds have healed nicely, the doc says. What happened?'

'Most? Not all?'

'Well, let's say you'll need a couple of weeks to find your strength again.' Sheppard explained.

'Yeah, ran out of energy in the end.'

Sheppard and Teyla looked confused. Ronon noticed.

'McKay not tell you anything?'

Sheppard and Teyla looked at McKay.

'I didn't yet. Thought it would be better coming from you, the whole father / son thing.'

Now Teyla and Sheppard were even more curious. Rodney had refused to tell them what had happened during those hours he had been linked to Ronon. But now they wanted to know.

Ronon smiled a little and closed his eyes again.

'Tired. Gonna go to sleep a little.' He teased.

'Oh no! You can't leave it at that!' Sheppard nearly shouted.

Smiling, Ronon opened his eyes to look at Rodney and then back to Teyla and Sheppard.

'Dad's an Ancient. Rodney can tell you all about it. Now let me sleep.'

'Rodney!'

Rodney was quickly walking out of the infirmary, intent on getting something to eat now that Ronon would be ok.

Teyla and Sheppard followed him quickly.

As Ronon saw them all leave, sure Rodney would tell the story a lot better than he ever could, he noticed someone standing next to his bed.

'Dad.' He simply said.

'Ronon. I'm glad you made it through. Just know I'll always be there for you.'

Ronon nodded and the shape of his father disappeared as if he had never been there. He had a lot of thinking to do. What other powers did he have that he was not aware of?

Something to think about. But not now. First get stronger. He was just glad he was going to find out with his team, all of them: Sheppard as leader, Rodney for brains, Teyla for strength and compassion and him.

THE END

oooOOOooo

That's it. I hope you all enjoyed it. Surely took me on a trip I did not expect. Reviews are very welcome!