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xoxoxoxoxoxox

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Ronon looked at the prints on the ground in front of him and realized these were a lot fresher than the others he'd been following. But they were only Armstrong's and that worried him.

He thought of alerting the others but didn't want to give the man any warning if he was indeed close by. He walked a few more minutes in the forest following the very obvious tracks now and heard something up ahead; and it wasn't any woodland animals.

He moved stealthily along and the noises got louder. As he drew nearer he could see Armstrong standing with a gun pointed at Sheppard and Teyla. And his friends looked like crap. They were covered in dirt and blood and barely standing. He needed to do something about this now but he didn't want to alert the man to his presence.

As he approached closer he saw Sheppard rush at Armstrong and Teyla hit him with a stick but none of that seemed to have much effect on the man. Ronon picked up his pace and just as Armstrong was aiming his gun down at them and about to pull the trigger, he pressed his. The loud noise reverberated through the trees and Armstrong dropped like a stone. Ronon glanced down at his weapon and gave a smirk as he wondered how it had gotten on KILL instead of STUN.

He trotted over to his friends and looked down at their stunned faces. "Thought you might need a hand."

Sheppard's face twisted in pained humor as he replied, "What the hell took you so long, Chewie?"

Ronon laughed. He had wondered that himself. Teyla now looked up at him and her eyes held gratitude. "Thank you Ronon. We knew you would be looking for us."

"Yeah," Sheppard added, "great timing. Would have been a little better if it had been last night or even the night before when he first got the jump on us. But I guess beggars can't be choosers."

Teyla gazed anxious eyes on John and said, "Ronon, John is greatly injured. We need to get him to a doctor as soon as we can."

Ronon grunted then pulled out his radio and announced, "I found 'em. And I took down Armstrong, too. Gonna need the Doc here though as soon as he can find us." And then he rattled off the GPS coordinates he had on his device.

He saw John crawl over to Armstrong and check his pulse. He then looked up at Ronon. "He's dead."

Ronon just stared back emotionless. "Yeah, is that a problem?"

Sheppard just started laughing but collapsed on the ground with the pain of his body moving that way. But he continued to laugh and shake his head. "No, no problem at all."

Ronon walked over to Teyla who was huddled near her husband and asked, "Are you all right? We saw lots of blood back at the cabin. I wasn't sure what they had done to you."

"I am fine," Teyla said but shivered in the early morning chill. "I am more concerned about John. He has a bullet wound in his shoulder and I believe it has become infected. And he received much abuse by Colonel Armstrong throughout the day yesterday."

Ronon pulled off the large windbreaker he was wearing and threw it around Teyla's shoulders. She nodded gratefully at him and pushed her arms inside then leaned over John to try and keep him warm.

It was only a few minutes until they heard footsteps tromping heavily in the woods nearby and saw Jack O'Neill leading a pack of very concerned people through the woods. Carson's face was the most serious and he was right behind O'Neill.

When he saw John lying on the ground he rushed over and started shouting orders. "Get a blanket out of that emergency bag and let's move him onto it! We'll need a stretcher to get him back. Can you pull out my instruments, love."

John saw all the fuss and started to shake his head but that only made the drums inside beat louder so he stopped. Carson saw him and warned, "Don't even try and tell me you're fine. I can tell you aren't."

"Wouldn't dream of it, Doc," John squeaked out. "But make sure Teyla …" His voice drifted off and Carson noted his eyes were barely staying open.

"Aye, lad, I'll take good care of her. You just rest."

As he started cutting John's shirt open he looked at Teyla. "How are you, love? There was a bit of blood back at the cabin and we weren't sure whose it was. I can see your wrists are quite scraped up and I assume your ankles are too but were you injured anywhere else."

"I am fine for now, Carson, thank you. You must see to John first."

Carson looked at her suspiciously but continued checking out John's wound. When he poured disinfectant on it, John's eyes popped open and he sounded like he was choking. Teyla sat near his good shoulder and stroked her hand over his head while Ronon made sure his feet didn't kick the Doc.

Soon more people arrived and John was loaded on a stretcher. He tried to argue that he didn't need one but when he attempted to get up himself his injuries protested so much that the world spun and went black. Carson just shook his head and rolled his eyes and got everyone moving back to where the cars were parked. O'Neill and a few others stayed behind to take care of Armstrong's body and all the red tape that needed to be done with it.

Teyla was helped along by Teldy and Dusty who asked her a million questions along the way. Unfortunately it took almost an hour to make it all the way back and she was starting to sag by then. But she absolutely refused to have another stretcher called for. She was still conscious and would continue to walk while she was.

When they got to the cabin they were told the ambulance was only five minutes away and decided to wait for that instead of trying to fold John up in one of the SUV's. As Carson watched over John, Teldy guided Teyla to a bench to sit on and sat next to her.

"You know you've got blood on your shirt, Teyla," Ann pointed out. "What happened and why is there so much blood on the sheets?"

"Colonel Armstrong does not think that aliens belong on this planet or that they should interact, never mind interbreed with those from this world." Her voice held disgust when she said the word interbreed. She then lifted her shirt slightly and allowed them to see the slashes on the sides of her stomach.

"He thought it was best to rid the world of …" her voice caught in a sob and she tried to finish, "He was planning to cut …" She couldn't finish the sentence as the actual horror of what had almost happened climbed back into her mind.

Ann pulled her in close and allowed her to cry on her shoulder. "God, Teyla, I'm so sorry. That must have been agonizing."

Teyla just gave a small nod but continued to take deep breaths to attempt to keep her emotions from completely taking control. Ann just held her closer and told her it was okay to cry.

Teyla and Beckett were the only ones allowed in the ambulance with John and Teyla held his hand the whole way.

"He will be all right will he not, Carson?" Teyla asked anxiously.

"He's got a wicked infection going on in the gunshot wound and his fever is fairly high. I'm also concerned about some of these bruises. How exactly did he get them?"

Teyla explained to him exactly what Armstrong had done while they were there and Carson's face turned more horrified as she spoke. He then looked up at her and said, "You seem to be getting a colorful bruise on your face as well. I take it Armstrong hit you also."

Teyla nodded solemnly. "Yes, but not as often as he did John." She gazed back down at her husband's face so pale and drawn but at least he was sleeping peacefully now. Carson had given him something for the pain despite the fact that he suspected he had a slight concussion.

It took much longer to get to the hospital than either Carson or Teyla wanted but when they finally did John was immediately wheeled into an exam room and Carson tagged along behind but not until he had made sure someone took a look at Teyla.

"I'll be back in a wee bit, love," he promised. "And I'll make sure they take good care of John."

Teyla nodded and allowed one of the nurses to lead her into another exam room. They got her settled with an IV, cleaned her up and put a few stitches in the cuts that Armstrong had made. When she told them she hadn't eaten in well over a day they brought her a warm cup of soup then allowed her to rest for a bit.

Once done with her soup they wheeled her down to another department and performed an ultrasound where she was able to see the baby. Her eyes filled with tears yet again at how close they had come to losing her. But looking at her now on the black and white screen, she could tell she was still as perfect as she had always been. She knew John would be relieved.

The doctor who had been taking care of her, Dr. Winston, decided he wanted to keep her overnight for observation just to be sure she had no adverse reactions to what had happened. When she kept asking about her husband, they assured her they would find out for her as soon as they could. But when she was settled in her room she had still not heard anything and she was worried.

"Hey," came Ronon's voice slightly subdued from his normal velocity as he and Amelia walked in. "You okay?"

Teyla relaxed against the pillows and smiled at her friends. "I am fine. They did an ultra sound of the baby and she is well also. I am concerned for John, though. I have heard nothing so far. Have you gotten any news?"

"We saw Carson for a short while downstairs," Amelia informed her. "He said they took the Colonel into surgery to do some repair work on the gunshot wound but he seemed to think he'd be fine. He just had a little more to clean up than you did."

Teyla gave a big sigh and felt herself grow emotional once more. These pregnancy hormones were dong a number on her and she could not control them as she usually did her emotions. Amelia sensed she needed someone and came to sit on the side of the bed with her and draw her into her arms.

"Everything's going to be okay, Teyla," she tried to reassure her as she stroked her back. "You'll see. He'll be fine. He always is."

"Yeah," Ronon agreed from his spot leaning against the window. "The doctors here are probably just being cautious like on Atlantis and taking their time. You know nothing can keep John down."

Teyla gave a small nod but still allowed Amelia to hold her. She was so blessed to have friends who cared for her and John.

And soon two more showed up. Ann and Dusty poked their heads in and asked it Teyla felt up for more visitors. They of course were welcome.

"We just spent the last few hours finishing up all the paperwork and red tape on Armstrong with Detective Hawkins," Ann explained then looked slyly at Dusty. "I think Dusty was actually trying to draw things out so she could spend more time with the handsome police officer."

"I …I …" Dusty stammered then just blushed and closed her eyes. When she opened them her attitude resumed loud and clear. "You have to admit the man was damned good looking."

"I do not recall what he looked like I am afraid," Teyla confessed. "There were so many people around when we returned to the cabin and I was primarily concerned for John at the time."

Dusty wrinkled her face. "Well it's not like we can start a relationship or anything. The man lives on Earth for goodness sake and I live in another galaxy."

"You could always move back here," Ronon suggested.

Dusty just rolled her eyes. "Yeah, that'll be the day I give up killing Wraith for a guy and one I barely know."

The people in the room gave small laughs at Dusty's response and then began chatting about various things, like McKay and Keller's wedding to keep Teyla's mind off John's condition. Finally after what seemed forever to Teyla, Carson wandered in.

"Hey, love, how're you feeling? I saw all your test results and they looked good." Carson smiled at Teyla.

"I am fine, Carson, thank you. I will feel much better when I know that John will also be fine. Have you heard any word yet?"

Carson's face lit up with a huge smile and Teyla felt hope enter her. He nodded and said, "That's why I was coming to see you. They've got him all cleaned up and fixed as best they can and they're moving him to a room. And I tried to pull a few strings even though I'm not on staff at this hospital and I managed to get him right in the room across the hall. They just brought him up a few moments ago and are getting him settled right now."

"How is he? May I see him?" Teyla asked quickly attempting to slide off the bed.

Carson held up his hand and stalled her. "Now I'm not his doctor but apparently the staff here are not immune to the fame and notoriety that we all got last year with the news special. They allowed me to be in on most of his treatment. It's why I didn't get a chance to come see you before this. But I knew you were in good hands."

He moved closer to the bed. "I knew you'd want to see him so I brought a wheelchair and convinced them you would be fine if you were taken in to see him in that."

Teyla brightened up and saw Teldy check outside the door and wheel in the chair. Ronon narrowed his eyes and questioned, "So how is he and how many people can see him?"

"For right now perhaps just myself and Teyla," Carson said. "And that's mostly because he needs rest. His body was pretty banged up with all the abuse Armstrong gave him. He's got a very slight concussion and a multitude of bruises all over him. I assume those are from the kicks you told me about, love."

Ronon growled as he heard more of what his friends went through and Carson just looked at him then continued. "Now, the bullet wound is a wee bit infected but he has been started on antibiotics to clean that up and his left arm has been wrapped tight to his chest to keep it from bouncing his shoulder too much."

Carson looked down and took a deep breath. "Now they did a full body scan and x-rays and also found that his right arm has a small hairline fracture in it. Teyla, do you know how that could have happened? Was he kicked there as well?"

"He was kicked in many locations but Colonel Armstrong also knocked over the chair John was in several times and I believe he landed on his arm when he did. John did not mention his arm hurting although he truly did not complain about his injuries at all. We were quite intent on trying to get as far away from the cabin as possible."

Carson just nodded his head and moved the wheelchair closer to the bed and Teyla lowered herself into it. "You know I am able to walk, Carson. This is really not necessary."

He lowered his head and confided, "It's the only way they'd let me bring you to visit with John so it's this or you don't see him."

"Fine," Teyla softly huffed then looked at Amelia. "You and Ronon were supposed to be visiting with your family yesterday and today. Why are you not there?"

Ronon grumbled and Amelia just shook her head. "Like we'd go off on a little vacation when you and the Colonel were kidnapped?"

"Well, you know we are both fine so you should go now." Teyla bowed her head. "And it is very much appreciated that you came to find us, Ronon. Your timing was indeed impeccable. Another few moments and we would not be here. John and I owe you our deepest thanks."

Carson started wheeling Teyla out of the room and Ronon called out softly, "We'll be in here waiting for our turn to see Sheppard. Then we can go see Amelia's family."

Carson glared at the big man and rolled his eyes. "Well, come on then. I don't think they want too many people in there but if you take a quick peek, then you can be on your way. You too," he said as he looked at Teldy and Dusty.

The women looked pleased and followed Carson across the hall. A nurse was just leaving and looked disapprovingly at the large group. Carson just nodded and placated, "These people are just taking a wee look in on their Commanding Officer and after they have convinced themselves that he'll be fine, they'll leave, promptly. Thirty seconds, I promise."

The nurse nodded and left the room. "He's starting to wake up from the anesthetic but he's probably still a little groggy."

Teyla rolled toward the bed and the sight of John lying there very pale took her breath away. But she could feel that his pain was considerably less than it had been the last day or so and that made it better. She stood up from the chair and slid her hip on the side of the bed, taking his hand in hers.

John's eyes fluttered open a slit and a smile crept onto his face at the sight of Teyla sitting facing him. He attempted to lift his hand but realized his right one had a cast on it from his fingers to almost his elbow. And his left one was strapped tight to his chest and had tubes coming out of his hand. So he simply squeezed her hand as much as he could.

"Hey sweetie," he managed to get past his very dry lips and his tongue poked out to try and wet them.

Carson saw this action and immediately got him some water and a straw. Teyla took it from him and held it to John's lips for a few seconds while he took a sip. Then John's eyes moved up and he saw the others standing back in the room.

"We having a party?"

"Yes," Carson agreed. "A goodbye party. These lovely people are just making sure you're alive and then they're going along on their merry way. So, goodbye."

"You okay, Sheppard?" Ronon asked gruffly.

John gave a slight nod. "I will be Chewie and all thanks to you. If I didn't say so before, thanks."

"No problem," Ronon replied and put his arm around Amelia and moved toward the door. "See you back on Atlantis in a few days."

"Good bye, Sir," Amelia added in as they left. "Feel better."

John nodded and Teldy and Mehra gave a little wave too. "We'll be going too, Sir," Ann told him. "We're glad to see you're on the mend. If there's anything we can do, let us know. We were actually scheduled to go back yesterday but General O'Neill allowed us the time to help in your search."

"And we appreciate that you did, both of you," Teyla thanked them then accepted hugs from both women before they also left the room.

Carson turned back to see the couple on the bed and smiled when he noticed they had eyes only for each other. But it was no less than he expected.

The fingers of John's right hand touched Teyla's belly and his voice almost cracked. "Did they check everything out?"

Teyla's smile lit up her face and John relaxed a bit. "Yes, and she is perfectly fine. I saw her moving and heard her heart beating and I have felt that she is okay."

"Good."

That was all John said but his eyes spoke volumes. Carson could even read them and he wasn't in love with the man. But Teyla was and she most likely needed some time alone with her husband to process all they had been through. Carson cleared his throat and said, "I believe I'll go and check on that blood work that the staff was running. I'm sure everything is fine but we just wanted to make sure the dart didn't contain anything too dangerous for you. I'll see you both in a bit."

John and Teyla gave vague waves and called out goodbyes and Carson just chuckled as he left the room. But those two had been through so much he knew they would need to reassure themselves the other was okay. He puttered around the nurses' station asking many questions about many things.

When he went back to check on his friends a half hour later, he found them both lying on the bed, John's casted arm around Teyla's shoulder and her head tucked into his chest. He was pretty sure it wasn't protocol but he honestly didn't give a damn.

He walked back out to the desk and hoped he could convince the nurses on duty to feel the same way.

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xoxoxoxoxoxoxo

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