Ronon slowly became conscious of the fact that he was again drugged, but it was a strange sensation - he knew he should be concerned, knew he should feign unconsciousness until he knew where he was and what situation he had gotten himself into; but frankly he didn't care and that was kind of funny.

"Carson must have given him the good drugs." McKay stated with mirth. A smiling Ronon was unusual and under different circumstances would be frightening; but today, considering the relief Rodney was feeling, Ronon was merely amusing.

"Ronon, you are in the infirmary. You were shot by the alien entity. Dr. Beckett has removed the bullet and you will recover." Leave it to Teyla to get the facts out straight and fast even if Ronon was grinning foolishly at them and trying to sit-up. "Lie still."

Ronon swung glassy eyes at Rodney and then back to Teyla, "I'm fine."

Rodney snorted, Teyla patted his shoulder; both inordinately amused with Ronon's standard reply even if it was slurred to the point of sounding like 'mmh ine'.

Carson returned to the jovial group and having caught Ronon's reply, gave a quick response, "Aye that you are."

Rodney collapsed into the nearest chair his laughter contagious only to Ronon who would snicker and then grasp at his stomach in pain which apparently was funny as he would giggle again. Carson looked to Teyla for explanation but she turned to question Rodney, "Dr. McKay, what is so amusing?"

Rodney tried to sober up but Carson and Teyla looked so serious and Ronon giggling! Between his own chortles Rodney gasped, "He's fine! ... Dr. Biro... now Carson..."

"Oh, for the luv of ... Rodney stop it ye're hurting him!"

Rodney's head snapped to Carson's immediately serious; but Carson was already leaning over Ronon who was no longer laughing but writhing, his hands being pulled from his stomach by the doctor and Teyla, the bandages showed red...

"Ronon. Lad look at me."

Glassy eyes full of pain and confusion seemed unable to focus even with Carson's pleading, Ronon looked over to Rodney, he needed to laugh again or he might cry... he was in a hospital except Melena hadn't come to him... something was wrong... where was Melena? Ronon asked, but no one answered; he asked again using her family name and occupational position ... he would have to go find her, himself.

"Specialist Dex! Lay down at once." Carson used his best Lt. Colonel Sheppard imitation and in Ronon's confused state it worked. "Now look at me lad. Ye've been shot, ye'll be fine once ye've had a chance to recover; but ye need to keep still. Ye understand me, Ronon?"

Ronon was exhausted and fading fast. Still he asked again about Melena, almost pleading for an answer; but he fell unconscious before he realized he never received a responce.

"What was he saying?"

"I haven't a clue Rodney, it was Satedan no doubt. If the slurring and his eyes hadn't given him away, speaking his native tongue definitively proved he wasn't really with us."

"Native tongue? but I thought..." Rodney looked to Teyla.

Teyla shook her head, "Ronon speaks our language well enough, but he refers to it as Trade Language, he confided in me that he is still learning."

Rodney gawked, that explained a lot. Sporadic intelligence, not! Ronon had been in the military not commerce and even if he had, a trade language, would have a very limited vocabulary...

-OO-

Ronon wished they would all just stop talking. He didn't need anyone to take turns sitting with him, he knew where he was... in bed and he wanted to sleep. Ronon attempted to roll over and bury his head with the pillow.

Pain shot through him and his eyes opened in shock. He didn't notice the concerned faces staring back at him as he tried to see his stomach. Arms grabbed his, keeping him from examining the bandages.

"Ye've been shot son; but ye'll be fine once ye've rested and had a chance ta heal." Pain filled eyes looked towards him and Carson continued. "Ye've woken several times but haven't known where ye are, do ye know where ye are lad?"

Ronon tried to compartmentalize the pain and looked past the doctor, John and Elizabeth were looking at him, Ronon reached for his gun while fighting to breathe.

"He knows where he is now, Doc." John threw his hands up and nudged Elizabeth to do the same, "It's over buddy the imprints wore off, they're gone." John sighed as Ronon kept fumbling for his gun that wasn't even there.

"Aye, now that we've all seen that everyone's ok why don't ye come back later and let me check the lad over."

Alone at last, Carson settled Ronon again, "Now, tell me where ye are son."

"Infirmary."

"And what's the last thing ye remember?"

"Sheppard and I we're going after Dr. Weir. He said the life sign detector was clear and she shot me."

Carson nodded, "They were still under the control of Thalen and Phebus, I can assure ye they are themselves now and they are both, along with yer friends, extremely concerned for ya." Patting Ronon on the leg Carson continued, "Ye're going to be fine. Now that I know ye have it all together we can find a pain medication that works for ya."

"No."

"What's this now?"

"No drugs."

"Ye're safe here lad. Why won't you let me make ya comfortable?"

Ronon just shook his head and tried to get up.

"Lie still! Or I'll have to sedate ya."

"Please Doc... I can't stay here."

"What about a private room Carson? One that looks less like the ward." Kate asked as she made her entrance.

Ronon's eyes pleaded with him to agree, "Aye, you stay here and behave while I see what I can arrange." with that Carson headed to the rear entrance of the infirmary. To the left of the infirmary proper were the observation rooms and to the right, previously unused, the private wing of the infirmary. Obviously, Ronon had issues with the infirmary which Kate had recognized... Carson was kicking himself for not having thought of that before. Who knows what the facilities looked like where he received his tracker or where the other two excuses for doctors had butchered his back further. Shaking his head, Carson selected a room and called maintenance.

Ronon looked at Dr. Heightmeyer as she sat on the stool next to his bed, his face expressing the gratitude he appeared unable to verbally relay. Kate patted his hand in acknowledgement. "Once you're settled in your room we'll start our sessions."

Receiving a raised eyebrow from Ronon, Kate continued. "I've already started sessions with Dr. Weir, Teyla, John, and Rodney so there will be no escape for you."

"I'm fine Doc."

"I know, but we are going through the motions just the same."

Ronon looked at her with something akin to respect and nodded his agreement then closed his eyes. The doctor sat quietly by his side until sleep claimed him, then with a wave to Carson slipped from the infirmary.