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(Day 4, John's POV)
When I woke up that morning, I basically said 'forget this' and lay back down. Ok, so what I said was a little more vulgar, but it doesn't need repeating right now. Another sleepless night, broken periodically by the sharp jolt in my hand, whenever I was tempted to fall asleep. And today was worse than yesterday, because I now also had a headache, nausea, and the beyond irritated feeling that if one person said one wrong thing to me, I was going to shoot them.
Still, I couldn't help but frown as I rolled on to my side. Why do I feel like I'm forgetting something?
On my dresser next to my bed, my radio beeped, and when I looked over, I noticed with a confused frown that my watch wasn't where I'd lain it. Sitting up slowly, I stopped and closed my eyes as a dizzy spell washed over me. Once I felt it had passed, I opened my eyes again, and reached for my radio.
That's about when I noticed my watch lying on the floor next to the opposite wall, beeping quietly.
Oh, alarm. Must have thrown it. I thought hazily as I put my ear piece in and sighed before tapping it. "'Lo'?" Blinking blearily, I struggled to focus on the room. "Yeah? I…" Eyes widening, I shot up fully straight and nearly fell over with a groan as the room spun and everything went black. After a moment, I glared into thin air as the insistent voice called to me from the other side. "'M here."
Getting up slowly, I spoke to Elizabeth, who'd called me because I was late reporting for the mission. Apparently both Carson and Rodney had spoken to her, and she was postponing the mission until this was resolved. I tried to argue with her, but when I slipped up and called her 'mom'… Well, I don't think that sailed too far. I also don't think she was too thrilled, either.
So here I am, getting dressed and ready to go rip Rodney a new one. Carson I could understand, after all, I did go to him, but Rodney too? I thought he didn't even know what the full effects of the machine were, yet, or something!
"Just 'cause 'M tired, doesn't mean I can't go on a mission." I was yanking on my boots with my eyes closed, trying to ignore the dizzy spells that came over me. "Damn! Why'd I have to call her 'mom'?!" Oh, I'm gonna pay for that one later!
Once I was ready, I beat a hasty exit out of the room and towards the mess hall, knowing Rodney would be in there for this third cup of coffee. After all, it was only 11:00am. People stared at me like I was insane, as I passed, and some actually stopped and called to ask me if I was alright. I didn't even bother answering. I made it to the mess hall and sat down across from Rodney, fully intending to think about how to word it before I said a word.
"What were you thinking?!" I hissed, instead, almost embarrassed at how childish it sounded. "God, why'd you have to tell her?!"
It was Rodney's turn to look at me like I was insane. "Uh… What are you talking about, Colonel?"
"You told her about the deep seprivation!" Realizing my slip, I felt my face heat up and glared as Rodney began to smirk. "Deep Sep… Sleep se..." Letting my head fall to the table with a thud, I thought about the words I wanted to say a few times, before lifting it again. "Lack of sleep." I stated, instead, cursing my stubborn tongue.
Chuckling quietly, Rodney sighed. "Look, I've figured out how they managed to set the machine up to keep you from sleeping, and I'm already working on a reversal program, but it's gonna take a while to complete. Even geniuses need time."
I raised an eyebrow and snatched his still full and untouched coffee cup.
"Wha-Hey!"
Taking a big gulp, I glared at him. "Until you fix this, you're gonna have to put up with me stealing pretty much as much of your coffee as I can get my hands on." I told him simply. "Not to mention, I'll be on your ass constantly." Getting up, I kept the mug with me as I left the room, knowing that, that alone would be a good incentive, if not to get me to leave him alone, then to keep his precious coffee safe.
Making my way back to my room, I sat on the bed, relaxing as the coffee took effect… Yeah, I know, I'm weird like that. The energy rush was helping me to relax. Either way, I grabbed my computer and loaded the series of Scary Movies on it before setting them to play one after another.
Hey! I had to keep busy somehow! It's not like they were going to let me go on missions in my state, obviously, and everything else I basically did here could also be handled by Major Evan Lorne.
Lorne's a good guy. I thought, randomly. I should put in a recommendation for a promotion, or something. Elizabeth would be all on board for that. Getting lost in my thoughts, and ignoring the movie that was playing, I didn't even notice as the first one ended and the second one started.
(Day 5)
"Wow, I haven't seen you in ages!" Staring across my room with wide eyes, I wasn't sure if I should be worried, amused, or just go with it. The kid in me wanted to go with it, and with all the sleep deprivation, that kid was getting pretty damn strong. "Um, you shouldn't be here." Funny enough, I wasn't as exhausted or dizzy as I was before. I felt strangely energized, despite another sleepless night.
And... Kind of strange, too. Maybe it had something to do with my...unexpected visitor.
"Oh come on. You want me here. I wouldn't be here, otherwise."
"You're here because I want you here?" Raising an eyebrow, I crossed my legs under my blanket and leaned back against my headboard. "Really? I haven't seen you since I was ten. Why would I suddenly wanna see you now, after all these years?"
"Maybe it's subconscious."
"Oh, god! Don't tell me I'm gonna pull a Rodney and daydream about.. Wait. He daydreamed about his dream girl, and I get you?! That's so not fair!" Frowning, I sighed and tapped my radio. "Rodney! Tell me you have something!" I didn't mean for my voice to sound so harsh, but this was really starting to creep me out.
"John…. Don't be that way…"
"Shut up! I don't wanna hear it! I wasn't talking to you." My eyes widened a moment and I shook my head. "No, Rodney. I was talking to you. No, I wasn't talking to you just now." Shaking my head, I glared at the figure across my room and mouthed 'See what you did?'. "Rodney… Rodney! I wasn't talking to you when I said I wasn't talking to you. I was talking to you…" Wow, I just confused myself. Pausing for a moment, I wanted to grin when, perhaps surprisingly, Rodney didn't have a comeback. "McKay, do you have anything?"
"John. I just got here, don't tell me you want me to go, already? Come on, we used to be so close."
"That was years ago." I hissed out, blanching as Rodney asked me what the hell I was talking about. "I wasn't talking to you." Closing my eyes, I rubbed the bridge of my nose as a headache began to form. "No, this time I was-RODNEY!"
"You were Rodney?"
Glaring at the form across the room, I wished to god I could shoot it, right about now.
"Aww, that's mean."
"Do you mind not doing that? It's just plain freaky. And I'm not talking to you this time, Rodney. ...Trust me, you wouldn't know them. ...No, seriously, you wouldn't know them. ...Status, McKay, don't make me ask again, or I'll come right down there and see for myself." I waited for a moment, holding up my hand to silence the comment I knew was coming from my room mate at the moment. "So….you're telling me at least another day, yet." Rodney got into his griping about constantly being bored. "McKay, put everything else aside and focus on this, or pretty soon, you're gonna have an insane shadow by the name of John Sheppard, got it? I will haunt you! Sheppard out." Tapping my radio off again, I snapped my gaze back to the other occupant of the room.
"So… What should we talk about? Hmm… How about how cute-"
"No." I interrupted it and glared at it.
Oh, yeah, people are probably wondering what I'm talking about. Well, right about now, I'm pretty sure I'm hallucinating. You see, across the room from me is a big stuffed teddy bear. And no, I'm not talking puppy sized, or the big novelty ones you win at fairs. I'm talking man-sized. It's brown, has a black bow around its neck, and was staring at me with deep brown, glass eyes.
"Why are you so mean to me? We used to be best friends." It's widely stretched arms bobbed a little and its head ducked a little. It's mouth didn't move, but it's voice came out as clearly as if it had. "Best, best friends."
Really freaky. "You were my imaginary friend." I muttered darkly. "One I got rid of when I was still a kid."
"Nope, I've always been here."
Getting up from my bed, I looked around for my clothes and began to change. "Look, I'd love to stay and chat…" Ok, so no I wouldn't… "But I'm really busy."
"You just don't wanna chat…" I swear the voice sounded pouty.
Spinning in place, getting a dizzy spell, and toppling back onto my bed, I closed my eyes and grimaced. "I thought I told you not to do that!" Once I could see clearly again, and the bear had turned upright, damn spinning rooms, I finished getting dressed in a hurry and left the room. Anything was better than dealing with this!
(Day 6, Normal POV)
"Rodney…"
"Not yet."
"Rodney…"
"I said, not yet."
"McKay…"
"JOHN!" Spinning in place, Rodney glared at John with a look that could make paint peel off walls. "What?!"
"Why're you…." Giggling a little, John sat cross legged on the floor. "Wearing a pink tutu?" His eyes were glazed, his face pale, and he was leaning back in the corner of the room, using the walls to keep himself more or less upright. He was also once again in his panda pjs, too, since he hadn't bothered to get dressed today.
Looking down at himself slowly, Rodney raised an eyebrow before turning back to his work, just as slowly. "O…k…" He wasn't wearing a pink tutu, and he really had to wonder why, out of all things, John saw him wearing that. "Listen, I need to get this work done, ok?"
"Not my fault you're so slow."
"Hey!" Spinning back around, Rodney raised a hand and pointed at John. "I am not slow! It's you who took so long coming to me about the sleeplessness, and there's a lot of work here, and I'd get more done if I wasn't constantly being interrupted! I'd like to see you try and get this done in less than a week!"
John shrugged and grinned. "Ok." He made as if to get up, when Rodney held up a hand and groaned.
"Metaphorically! Sit down, I don't need you messing things up."
"Hey! I coulda gotten into MENSA too you know! I'm not a total idiot!" John yawned loudly and stretched before leaning back against the wall.
"No, some parts are missing." Rodney mumbled under his breath as he turned back to his work. "But you sure could pass for one, right about now."
Frowning behind him, John rolled his eyes and curled up in the corner. "Mr. Twinkle says you're mean. I think he's right, you are mean Why are you so mean? Oh, Mr. Twinkle thinks you need to get laid."
Stopping typing, Rodney thought about all that for a moment and wasn't sure if he was meant to be amused, freaked, or worried. "John?"
"Mmm?" Came the sleepy response.
"Um, who's Mr. Twinkle?" Now a grin was tugging at the corner of the said scientist's mouth, sure there was one hell of a story behind this all. Maybe, if he was lucky, he could get some ammunition to get John to stop calling him 'Meredith' now and then.
"He's right behind you."
Jumping in surprise, Rodney spun around and stared in confusion when there didn't seem to be anyone there. "Ok, that wasn't funny."
"Say hello, Mr. Twinkle." John opened his glazed eyes and grinned a little at Rodney. "He says hello, by the way." Yawning again, he closed his eyes and leaned against the wall. "'M tired."
Realizing John had to be in bad shape, Rodney turned back to his work and entered the last few lines of the equation quickly. Checking over it, he made minor corrections and checked the estimated result on the test on the computer. "Well, everything seems to be working." He ran a few quick simulations, and when they all turned out positively, he turned back to the Colonel. "John? I think we're about ready."
John didn't move. His hand jolted a little, as if he'd been shocked, but his eyes didn't flicker or open and he didn't make a sound.
"John?" Walking over briskly, he knelt down next to his friend and checked his pulse. "Slow and steady. Hey, don't tell me you fell asleep!" Realizing how that would sound, Rodney raised an eyebrow and rethought his choice of words. "I mean, it's a good thing you fell asleep, but why now, of all times?? Why make me go through-" When there wasn't even the tiniest hint of being heard, Rodney's eyes widened and he tapped his radio. "Carson! It's Rodney, we've got a problem!"
(Later, Day 6)
After having filled Carson in on the situation, the doctor, one of his nurses, Teyla and Ronon rushed to the lab to find John curled up in a ball in the corner of the room, breathing deeply. After checking his bio signs, Carson sighed and gestured for his nurse to call a team and get a gurney.
"It seems the Colonel may have fallen into a coma. How many days without sleep is this now?" Carson was frowning deeply looking directly at Rodney.
Staring back in worry, Rodney sighed. "Six, closer to seven. He's gonna need to get on the machine now. He was acting weird, but I just pushed it off as him being, well… Overly tired, you know?" Getting up, he walked over to the machine and turned it on. "Here." He pushed a chair over to the same console John had touched almost a week earlier. "Sit him in the chair, and drop his hand lightly on the panel. It should automatically reverse the process. Just make sure not to be touching any part of him or the panel until after I shut off the power supply to it. If you do, you'll be infected."
Ronon didn't even wait for further instruction. Picking up John, he frowned for a moment and exchanged a glance with Teyla. "He's lighter than usual."
"Come to think of it, I haven't seen him in the mess hall for a few days, other than when he came to talk to me, and he only ever had coffee. My coffee at that." Rodney put in with a frown.
Walking over to the chair, Ronon carefully sat John in it, careful to make sure not one part of him was touching the console. Once he was set up, Ronon took John's hand, held it above the panel by a few inches, backed away and dropped the hand.
Instantly, a visible shock went through the limb and Rodney began typing.
"I think it worked!" Typing on the panel in front of him, he nodded after a moment, and the panel John was touching powered down with a hum. "Ok!"
Carson rushed over with Teyla at his side, just as a gurney was rushed in with two more nurses. Checking his pulse, Beckett frowned. "His pulse is weak. Turning to Ronon, he gestured him over. "Give me a hand, lad." Together, they lifted the Colonel's body on to the gurney and hurried off, Carson shouting orders to his nurses as they went.
As they left, Ronon turned to Rodney and glared at him. "Get rid of that thing." He growled, gesturing to the console that had been powered down.
Already ahead of him, Rodney was rerouting power to keep away from this room, and set up programs to make sure no one would ever be able to access it without a special password, then he made sure they'd need at least three of them to get use of this lab, ever again.
(Mess Hall, Two Days Later)
John was sitting at the team's usual table with a glass of milk in front of him, as well as a turkey sandwich. Yawning a little, he stared almost blankly into the glass as Rodney, Teyla and Ronon approached.
"John? It is late. Why are you still awake?" Teyla sat next to him and nudged him with her arm.
Looking at her, he blinked a moment. "Hungry." Was all he said.
"This from the man with an untouched turkey sandwich in front of him??" Rodney's eyes were impossibly wide. "Well, if you're not gonna…" He made as if to reach over, but before he could, John grabbed the sandwich, growled and took a big bite.
Chewing thoughtfully and trying not to grin at Rodney's white face as he counted his fingers, as well as Ronon and Teyla's laughter, John took a moment to finish his bite and speak up. "Like I said, hungry. I was just thinking, Rodney, that's all."
"Don't ever get between John and a turkey sandwich." Ronon stated with a raised eyebrow and grin.
Rodney nodded and lowered his hands. "Yeah, because he gets like you." Ignoring Ronon's glare, he raised his own eyebrow. "So… Do I dare ask what you're thinking about? Wouldn't happen to do with a 'Mr. Twinkle', now, would it?"
John was about to take a drink, but paused and flushed as the others looked at Rodney curiously. "Rodney…" He looked about ready to say something, but then seemed to think better of it. "Sorry, Mer, I don't know what you're talking about." Taking a drink of his milk, he picked up his turkey sandwich again and took another bite, thoroughly enjoying how Ronon and Teyla prodded McKay about 'Mr. Twinkle' and denying any knowledge of it, when they turned to him.
From the glare on Rodney's face, John knew this wasn't over by a long shot, but after finishing his sandwich, he bid fare well to his friends and left the mess hall, beating a hasty retreat to his room for some well deserved rest.
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Hope you like it, another two parter.
R+R please
Thank you
Tenshi