"Secrets and Challenges"

Ch. 50

(Atlantis, 'Gate Room)

When the group went through the Stargate and back on Atlantis, no one talked. The walk back was just the same. John, holding baby Adam, and Carson were there to greet them.

"Welcome back," John greeted the team.

"Carson get these men and check 'em over," Stacey told the doctor with out looking at him.

Stacey was looking at John and Adam. Carson, getting the hint, escorted the men to the Infirmary. Once they had left Stacey took Adam from John's arms.

"How's my boy, huh?" Stacey kissed him on the forehead and cheeks.

"Hmm, A little hungry, I could use a cat nap, and I haven't seen my wife in a few days cause it's either she's fighting Amazons, in Briefings or locked up in Nemesia's lab. And that doesn't include the sleeping and eating, either," John ranted.

Stacey glared at her husband.

"What's your point, John?" she asked, as they headed to their suite.

"My point is, I haven't had sex with my wife in a month and a half!"

"John, I've been exhausted taking care of our newborn son while your off-world getting in to all sorts of trouble!" Stacey told him.

Suddenly Stacey's radio came to life.

"Stacey would come to the Infirmary, please. It's urgent," Carson said.

"Alright, I'll be there in five," Stacey spoke into her radio.

She gave Adam back to John and kissed both boys softly and left.

(Infirmary)

"What's up, Carson?" Stacey asked as she entered the large Infirmary.

Elizabeth was still fast a sleep on one of the beds. She also noticed Major Lorne, Dr. Dexter, Colonel Anderson and Dr. Jones were all lying down in Infirmary beds of their own.

"Carson?" asked again when he didn't answer.

He was deep in thought, sitting at a desk with a laptop and a microscope. Carson looked up when he heard his name being called for a third time.

"Of, Stacey, there you are," Carson got up and went to her. "It seems that they contracted a disease on PK3-510 and I cannot find a way to treat it."

"They've only had the disease for less than a day. There's still time," Stacey told him.

"Aye, if it were a normal disease. However, they have gone from healthy to near death in a matter of hours. There's not a disease I know that works that fast," Carson said.

Stacey nodded and went over to the men.

"I'll do my best. This might take longer than normal cause I'm so tired," Stacey told him, placing a hand on Lorne's forehead and chest.

She closed her eyes, took in a deep breathe, released it slowly and repeated twice before her hands started to glow. Stacey let go of him and sat down beside the bed. She repeated this three more times, only taking 10 minute breaks in between. Stacey finally collapsed into one of the empty Infirmary beds next to Elizabeth.

She tried to go to her own bed, but that was across the city. There was no way she would have made it out the Infirmary doors. That's how weak the healing made her.

To be continued . . .