"Secrets and Challenges"
Ch. 6
(Medical Lab)
Dr. Beckett and Dr. McKay were putting the finishing touches on the MALP satellite. Dr. Grayson lay on one of the medical beds. Her eyes were closed and her facial expressions were relaxed. Dr. Weir took a quick glance at Stacey and then approached Beckett and McKay. While Major Sheppard went over to Stacey, held her hand, and stroked it gently.
"Is it ready?' she asked.
"Yes," Stacey answered.
"The micro-wave is ready to disperse. Whenever you're ready, Elizabeth," McKay said.
"Do it," she ordered.
McKay nodded and pressed several buttons. There was a low hum coming from the satellite.
"The effects should be immediate," Beckett told Weir.
"Let's go see then," Weir left for the Isolation Room.
(Isolation Room)
All of the infected are waking up slowly. Beckett, McKay, and Weir looked at one another and smiled proudly.
"Good job, boys," she said.
"The thanks should go to Stacey, Dr. Weir," McKay said.
"Of course. I'll congratulate her as soon as she wakes up," Weir said.
"Which should be soon," Beckett said. "It took an awful lot out of her this time."
(Medical Lab)
When they entered Stacey was still asleep. Beckett went over to her.
"Why hasn't she woken up yet?" Sheppard asked, his voice showing concern.
Carson checked her over.
"There's no fever and no signs of discomfort, but, she's non-responsive," he said. "She's unconscious, by the look of it."
"When she's awake and talking, is when I'll stop worrying, Doctor," Sheppard said.
(Sheppard's Quarter's)
John leaned over beside his bed. He pulled out a big, white, scrapbook. Although, you could only bring one personal item to Atlantis, the Major managed to sneak this along with his clothes. John opened the book and read the phrase: "Time goes by and seasons change, but love forever stays" Major Sheppard gave a tiny grin. This is Stacey's favorite saying.
He turned that page and read the description at the top of the page, "Forth of July Celebration, Huntington Beach, CA; 1992." He remembered this day very clearly. It was his and Stacey's first date. A blind date set up by their friends, in fact.
The first picture was of the them just getting on the Ferris Wheel. The monumental occasion where Stacey cured her fear of heights. He closed his eyes and remembered that night. She wore a plain red tank top and jean shorts and her blonde hair was short, shoulder length at the time, rustled in the summer breeze. Every time her hair blew in the wind, John would breath in deeply, catching the strawberry scent.
Major Sheppard reluctantly came back to reality. He turned the next few pages, skipping photos of past birthdays, and stopped at the most vital section of the album: The Wedding. The two didn't have a big wedding: just close friends and family members attended. She had worn just a simple, white dress; and carried a realistic size bouquet filled with a mix of white and red roses, tied together with a simple pink ribbon. Her hair was up in a loose bun, with one white rose for decoration.
John looked at the picture of them dancing their first dance. Then he remembered her going crazy in the middle of the song. She flashed her green Cat-like eyes at him. Stacey, them thrashed around the ball room, breaking plates and totally ruined everything. They had to get everyone out of the room and just let Stacey go wild.
By the time she stopped, around the morning the next day, she was on the floor. Stacey had cuts and bruises everywhere on her arms, legs, and body. John took the nearest first aid kit and tended to a semi-unconscious Stacey.
He quickly jumped back to reality, happy to get out of that specific memory. But, then realized that, right now, wasn't a fun place to be either. Stacey was in the Medical Lab, unconscious. The last time she was like this was their wedding. John banged his head against the wall in frustration. His wife is in trouble and he can't do a thing about it.
To be continued . . .