The ten minute ride back to the gate seemed to take forever. Having instructed the waiting med/surgical team back on Atlantis to be ready, Carson finally had a moment to think and wished he didnt.
Carson didnt want to think the worse, he had seen John in such bad shape before and he had pulled through. Why was this different? Was it the fact that so much time had passed? Or was it the thought that John's seemingly nine lives were counting done quickly...How many times could the man cheat death?
His initial head injury no doubt had caused a concussion. The hypoxia had only aggravated that injury more. With the injuries he sustained in the crash being over three hours old, swelling was causing significant restrictions and infection had set in.
Carson was pulled from his thoughts when he heard the shrill alarm of the heart monitor go off. He and his team were in motion as the defibrillator was charged and applied. Three attempts and the damned alarm was the only sound any of them heard.
"Doc-Doc-maybe we need to let him go?" Carson wasnt sure who said it, but those words chilled him to his core. Was it time to let John go? He wasnt ready for that! Atlantis wasnt ready for that! With tear filled eyes, he looked up and demanded "Charge!"
"Dammit, John-dont you give up on me now, ya bugger! Ya been in worse messes than this (he lied), Fight, man-Fight! "Clear!"
Carson applied the defibrillator once more and this time was rewarded with a faltering blip on the monitor.
He leaned down to John's ear. "Fight, dammit!" Carson couldnt help the tears that escaped his eyes then. There wasnt anything more he could do, it was up to John-or God.
The faltering blip became more steady and Carson closed his eyes and nodded his thanks. Carson opened his eyes to thank his crew. He was met with similarly teary eyes. "Thankyou, everyone."
At that instant, they felt the jumper land. The hatch was lowered and the med team was met with another waiting team with a gurney. Major Sheppard was gingerly placed on the gurney and they all took off for the infirmary.
Lt Stackhouse had been piloting the jumper and had not missed one iota of the drama that unfolded in the back of the jumper while he sped the jumper as fast as he could home. He wiped his eyes clear. He was alone in the jumper bay, the silence almost too much to bear. He leaned against the jumper and prayed that his CO would pull through. A curse echoed through the empty jumper bay as he sank from exhausted tension, his head bent to his folded knees.
TBC Sorry-I hope I got the emotion right? Hope it wasnt too schmoozy-although I guess that was what I was aiming for! LOL! Anyway-If I did this chapter justice, you will be filled with angst! We will take a break from John's fate and visit the Ancient base to see how they are faring -next chapter. Didnt realize this chapter was so short-so I've decided to post the next chapter right away-I know its frustrating when you're a reader waiting for more!