Carson sighed heavily as he left the OR, leaving his team to prepare John for transport to Recovery ICU. He would be monitored round the clock for the next twenty four hours or longer if needed-depending on how long it would take for him to be stable enough to leave unattended for more than a minute.
In the open infirmary, the silence could be cut with a knife. Elizabeth, Ronon, Rodney, Radek and Lorne all sat around Teyla's bed. She was in for overnight observation due to some contusions she hadnt felt due to her emotional distress and Carson also wanted to watch for signs of internal bleeding due to the injury to her abdomen due to the seat belt. The force of her body being thrown against the restraining belt had saved her life, but had caused bruising and swelling, Carson would like to monitor to be safe.
Carson approached the group. He could sense their trepidation or perhaps it was his own. He hated this part of being a doctor. Anxious family and friends only wanting the best of news about their injured loved ones. This group were more family than some real families he had seen in his time. He supposed it was times like these, sadly, that glued them to one another.
As he approached, they all stood, waiting. Carson wasnt sure where to begin. He wanted to be succinct as possible while he tried to bolster his own as well as their collective prayers.
"John (Carson refused to use the military title at such a personal time) is out of surgery and at the moment, holding his own. We needed to resusitate him twice while in theatre. He seems to be rallying a bit, thankfully and he will be in Recovery ICU until I am sure he is out of danger." Carson wanted to give them hope, but he wasnt prone to false hopes, he wanted to be clear.
"I need to tell you that John was (he held his pinched fingers together) this close to leaving us for good. In fact he did leave us, several times. I'm still not sure how he is still with us. Bloody miracle, it tis...But I will be makin' bloody sure I do all I can to keep him here-with us." Carson's face had turned quite red and Elizabeth stepped up to hug their friend tightly.
When they had all let the words sink in and Carson had contained himself, he excused himself so he could go back to John. No one spoke, no one could. The vigil began, along with lots of prayers.
ooOOooOOoo
Five days passed with John's condition improving then slipping, alternately. His fractures were set, concussion mending, internal bleeding controlled, still the coma persist. The right side of his body was unscathed, if you discounted the numerous IV tubes feeding into him, but the left side, taking the brunt of the impacts, was covered with casts or bandages.
Carson had instructed them to talk to him, with the hopes that at the very least the voices would stir him or hopefully, he would know they were pulling for him. They had all done this before, for John or each other, unfortunately-the perils of the Pegasus Galaxy did not inspire good fortune.
On the sixth day, Rodney who had been sitting with John the most, shirking his scientific duties altogether, noticed a facial tick that spread across his comatose best friend's face. Fearing John was about to have a seizure, he panicked and yelled for Carson.
Carson came screaming around the wall that cordoned off the ICU from the open infirmary, three nurses were right behind him.
"What is it, Rodney?" Carson asked, confused since none of the sensors attached to measure the Major's vital signs had alarmed.
"I think he's going to have a seizure!" The nurses moved in around the prone body just in case. Each of them dividing their attention between the monitors and the Major himself.
Carson took out his penlight and lift John's eyelid and proceeded to check its response. His hand dislodged from the eyelid as John's head tried to move away from the light. An almost inaudible moan escaped his vented mouth. Carson smiled widely.
"I think the Major is ready to join us again!" This was confirmed as he grabbed the Major's right hand as it came up to rid his throat from the ventilation tubing.
" Major, can you hear me? This is Carson- Dr Beckett. You are in the Atlantis infirmary and are on ventilation. Another groan escaped his throat, as John's eyes slowly opened. Unfocused and choking, his right hand grabbed the tubing and yanked before they could stop him. The tube wasnt out, but it was close. Carson cursed, more at himself, as he knew how the Major reacted when he woke up with the tubing down his throat. He should have foreseen this and taken precautions.
He instructed the nurse to add a light sedative to the IV. John was gagging, but Carson was reluctant to remove the tube until he was sure John could breathe on his own. After performing such checks, he proceeded to remove the tubing all the way. John took in a much needed gasp of air, his eyes beginning to clear and become more focused.
"Welcome back, Major! We've all been waitin' for ya to come back to us!
Carson was relieved in so many ways. The ups and downs of John's condition had taken its toll on Carson in particular, since he had taken up residency in his office, grabbing an hour of sleep here and there ever since they had brought John back. Carson had been afraid that if he left, he would not be there if John needed him.
Rodney stood, beaming. He made sure John could see him and squeezed his right shoulder. "Welcome back, John" was all he could muster as he turned so the tears of relief were unseen. He walked a short distance away from the bed to contact the others.
Ronon and Teyla were the first to arrive, followed by Elizabeth and Lorne. Radek, who had joined the waiting members whenever he could, was currently off-world. They gathered around the bed and were dismayed to find John asleep.
" He remained awake for only a minute or two, but that is perfectly normal. He's been through alot. He wont wake properly for a few days since the pain meds will keep him under. But now we know he will awake! Lets give him time to mend and get stronger." Carson was pleased that they accepted his explanation, even Rodney had just nod his consent. They were all thankful that John was truly on his way to recovery.
"Carson, did he know who you were? Can you tell if he is, well-you know-okay?" Rodney just had to know.
"Aye Rodney, his cognitive tests at this point are responsive and normal. How much he remembers and how much his physical functions are affected remain to be seen. I am hopeful as he did seem to recognise myself."
TBC Well-John is on the mend. But does he have any lingering effect? Hmmmm-you'll need to read on to find out! Feedback would make me so very happy!