Remember, Never to Forget---45
Shariel knew they'd arrived too late to help stop Shazzia, but she moved to help John Sheppard's people as more of Shazzia's men arrived. There were shots fired and she heard someone cry out John's name and saw him and Shazzia fall to the ground. Whether one or both had been shot, there was no way of knowing, but right now they needed to secure the area before anyone else got hurt.
Shariel recognized McKay, Emmagan, and Dex as they worked with Suduko, Bendor, and Kierra and hoped they would understand she really was on their side now.
"Shariel, I need to help John," Kudrone said.
"I'll cover you, but be careful…Shazzia will not give up easily!" Shariel warned as she watched the slaver dragging herself and John toward the thick brush. "Shazzia, give it up!"
"You are a traitor, Shariel!"
"No, I just realized what we were doing was wrong on so many levels," Shariel said and moved toward Shazzia even as Ronon and McKay did the same.
"Let him go, Shazzia!" McKay ordered.
"Jealous, Rodney?" Shariel asked as she kept Sheppard's semi conscious body in front of her. "Perhaps you would like to accompany John and me?"
"I don't think so!" the Canadian spat. He saw Teyla out of the corner of his eyes and realized she was nearly in position where she could take the slaver down. Their biggest problem was that Shazzia could easily take Sheppard's life if the gun she held was still in operation.
John had remained unmoving, pretending he was unconscious, but now he had to do something or one of his friends could be hurt. He couldn't allow that to happen and reacted on instinct as Ronon and Rodney moved toward his position. His body ached and there was a sharp pain in his leg as he moved, while a spreading wetness on his side told him he'd been shot.
"Come, Rodney, you know you enjoyed being in my company."
"Sure, just as much as I'd enjoy being with a hungry anaconda!" McKay snapped and noticed the change in Sheppard. The man was pale, but he seemed to be conscious and if he was McKay was sure he could be counted on to try something. Rodney just hoped it wouldn't get Sheppard killed.
John moved on instinct and drove his head back into the woman who was dragging him across the ground. She was stronger than he remembered, but he'd never forget what it felt to be her slave. There was no way he'd go back to that, not when his memory was finally returning and Atlantis and his family were waiting.
Shazzia cried out when her captive's head snapped back and connected with her chin. She tried to hold him, but he rolled away, leaving her exposed to the people surrounding her. She lifted her gun and aimed it toward Suduko, but cried out as something slammed into her back and the weapon dropped from her lifeless fingers.
John lay on the ground, his body trembling as the adrenalin rush that had made it possible for him to move dissipated. He was aware of pain in his leg and he held his right arm tight against his side. Hands touched him and he recognized Kudrone and knew the man was trying to help, but he suddenly wished Carson Beckett was somewhere close by.
"Don't move, John, let me see how bad it is," Kudrone ordered and lifted the shirt so he could check the wound in the man's side.
"We need to take him back to Atlantis," McKay observed.
"Kudrone knows what he's doing," Shariel offered.
"Yes, but we need…he needs Carson," the Canadian said.
"Rodney, why don't you go bring the Jumper here," Teyla suggested.
"The Jumper…yes," McKay said and stared at Sheppard. "I'll bring the Jumper. We'll have you back under Carson's care before you know it."
"John, you're bleeding pretty badly," Kudrone said as Shariel handed him his kit and didn't bother to ask how she'd got it so fast. "Are you hurt anywhere else?"
"Leg…twisted it under me when Shazzia shot me," Sheppard explained.
"Dr. Beckett said he would take care of the colonel's leg when we returned. It was not set properly when he injured it with Hawk," Teyla explained.
"I did the best I could, but Hawk would not allow me the time…"
"Not your fault, Kudrone," John said and gripped the man's hand in his own. "You saved my life on more than one occasion."
"I wish I could have done more."
"You and Shariel are doing more than you can possibly know," Sheppard assured him and looked up to see Ronon watching him and a small grin formed on his face as he spoke. "Chewie."
"Good to have you back, Sheppard," was all Ronon needed to say.
"There's nothing more I can do here. I believe Rodney was right about him needed to be back on Atlantis," Kudrone said.
"Rodney will be back with the Jumper shortly," Teyla explained.
John looked from Ronon to Teyla and couldn't help, but smile at the feeling their presence gave him. They hadn't given up on him, not even when they'd been sure he was dead. They'd picked up the search with Rodney McKay and he was finally going home, something he'd remember never to forget again.
John closed his eyes as Kudrone continued to press something against the wound to his right side, but he felt the edges of darkness reaching for him. The pain had grown worse and he knew he wasn't hiding it from the others as Teyla placed her hand on his shoulder.
"Rodney is here, John," Emmagan told him as the Puddle Jumper landed near the edge of the clearing.
"Should I carry him?"
"I don't think so, Ronon," Sheppard said and reached for the offered hand.
"John, you shouldn't move around too much," Kudrone warned.
"Not planning too…just need to make it to the Jumper," the colonel explained and allowed the Satedan to pull him upright. He leaned on Ronon, allowing the other man to take his weight as he limped toward the Puddle Jumper. He knew McKay was inside as the rear hatch opened and stopped Dex long enough to turn to the people who had saved his life. "Thank you…all of you," he said softly.
"We will remember, John, and we will never forget what slavery does to people," Shariel assured him.
"That's all we ask, Shariel," Sheppard told her as they finally made it on board the Jumper. He lowered himself onto the seat at the back and allowed the fatigue and pain to show as Teyla knelt beside him.
"Colonel…"
"I'm okay, Teyla, let's go home," Sheppard told her as she reached for the first aid kit. "Rodney, take us home!"
"I'm working on it," McKay said from the pilot's seat as the rear hatch closed. He silently cursed himself for suggesting the trip and hoped his friend would not pay the price for his suggestion.
SGASGASGASGASGA
Carson Beckett's medical team was waiting in the gateroom when Puddle Jumper one returned. McKay had contacted Atlantis before entering the gate and told them of the injuries to John Sheppard. The stretcher had everything he'd need to make a cursory examination and start treatment, but they'd be taking the injured colonel directly to the infirmary.
The rear hatch opened and revealed an extremely worried SG team as they hovered around Sheppard. Beckett hurried inside and knelt beside the man, shaking his head when he saw the blood staining the bandage covering his right side. "What have ya done now, Lad?"
"Just ran into a bit of trouble, Doc," Sheppard managed weakly.
"Now why doesn't that surprise me? You could find trouble at a birthday party," Beckett lightly scolded. He motioned for the stretcher to be brought inside and soon had Sheppard moved to it. They quickly hooked up an IV and Carson injected several medications including one that would help with the pain so openly read on Sheppard's face.
"Thanks, Doc," Sheppard said, smiling thinly as Elizabeth Weir and Radek Zelenka joined the people waiting outside the Jumper. "It's good to be home."
"It's good to have you home, John," Weir said as the stretcher was wheeled past her. "Carson?"
"I don't know anything yet, Elizabeth," Beckett said and helped maneuver the stretcher toward the infirmary. Once inside they wheeled Sheppard into a closed trauma room where monitoring equipment was quickly set up. Carson checked the readings as he explained to the injured colonel what they were doing and was surprised when the man placed a hand on his wrist.
"I trust you, Doc, always have," Sheppard told him.
"Yes, well…"
"I remember…everything, Carson," the colonel managed before letting the darkness claim him.
Carson Beckett couldn't help the smile that formed when Sheppard spoke those words. There'd been something in his eyes just before he'd surrendered to exhaustion and the heavy duty pain medication he'd been give, something that leant credence to the man's words. Atlantis would soon be whole again once the colonel was back on his feet, but right now they needed to see to his injuries.
Carson had never been one to shy away from his duty and he wasn't about to start now. He eased back the bandage and checked the raw wound with gentle fingers as the nurse started a second IV to replenish lost fluids. "We need to remove the bullet."
"Carson, how is he?"
"Wanda, he's got a bullet in his side and lost a lot of blood, but in typical stubborn Sheppard style I believe he'll make it. I'm going to scrub for surgery. Are you ready to fix his leg?"
"Certainly, Carson, I was just going over the x-rays and scans and as long as you think he's strong enough we might as well kill two birds with one stone."
"That's one cliché I'd rather you didn't use right now," Beckett said.
"Sorry, I forgot where I was," Wanda Shelby said with a slight smile. "Is there anything else I should know?"
"No, I believe it's just his side and leg this time," the physician said. "I'm going to let Elizabeth know what's happening and I'll join you in a few minutes."
"All right, Carson," Shelby said and looked at the monitors, glad there seemed to be nothing that could cause problems.
Carson hurried out of the room and found the members of Sheppard's team, accompanied by Weir and Zelenka waiting for him. Beckett held up his hands to ward off the questions he knew were coming. "I just have a minute so let me tell you what's happening and I'll update you as son as we're finished. The wound to Colonel Sheppard's side is serious, but once we remove the bullet he should be fine barring any complications. Dr. Shelby is also going to fix his leg at the same time."
"Thank God," Weir said.
"Yes, well, I'm sure Carson already did," McKay said and sank tiredly onto the chair.
"I'll be back as soon as we're finished, but it could take some time so you might as well go…"
"I'm staying," the Canadian vowed.
"Stay then, but don't go harassing the nurses for word because they won't know anything until surgery is over," Beckett lightly scolded.
"Come on, McKay, I'll let you buy me dinner," Dex said.
"Oh really and just what makes you think-"
"Ignore him, Rodney, and I'll buy you both dinner," Weir offered as Beckett headed back through the doors. The group made their way toward the Mess Hall and soon had their meal and was seated at the table. Would anyone like to explain to me what happened?"
"I screwed up!" McKay snapped and shoved the tray away.
"Rodney, it wasn't your fault," Emmagan tried.
"Wasn't it? I'm the one who suggested we go to The Retreat!"
"Yes, you did and because you did Colonel Sheppard has his memory back."
"He does?" Weir asked incredulously.
"Yes, Kierra, Suduko's sister gave him a stew made from Sakurios Tree," Teyla explained. "It helps stimulate the memory and it seems to have worked for Colonel Sheppard."
"There is no more, Elizabeth," McKay said before Weir had a chance to ask. "We searched the planet, but it seems the tree was destroyed completely."
"Perhaps a more thorough search," Zelenka suggested.
"We used the Jumper and checked the area where the Sakurios Tree was supposed to grow, but there was nothing," Teyla answered.
"Teyla, is it possible the Sakurios Tree grows on other planets?"
"I do not believe so, but I have learned from you that even when we think things are not possible it is usually not true," Emmagan answered. "I will ask my people if anyone knows of another location for the Sakurios Tree."
"Thank you…and thank you, Rodney," Weir said.
"What are you thanking me for?" McKay said in disgust.
"If you hadn't suggested taking John to The Retreat he might not have gotten his memory back so soon," the Atlantis team leader said.
"But he's been hurt again," the Canadian said.
"Yes, but Carson and Wanda will take care of those injuries…who knows how long it would have taken for John's memory to come back on its own. At least now he can stay here and do the job he was meant for," Weir told them. They grew quiet, picking at the food while waiting for news on John Sheppard.
SGASGASGASGASGA
Carson Beckett was not surprised when he found the same group of people anxiously waiting for him when he cleaned up after surgery. He thanked Zelenka who gave up his seat for him and gratefully sat down.
"Well, Carson, how is he?" McKay asked impatiently.
"Surgery went well and the bullet was easily removed. I've started him on antibiotics and he should recovery nicely," Beckett answered.
"What about his leg?" Weir asked.
"Wanda reset it and he'll be in a cast for four to six weeks depending on how well he listens to her instructions."
"Probably just as well as he does yours," McKay griped.
"Yes, I seem to have that problem with the lot of you, but at least he won't be running marathons with Ronon until the cast is off," the weary physician remarked.
"Oh I don't know…wheelchairs…"
"Ronon, so help me if I catch any of you racing in wheelchairs I'll…"
"Easy, Doc, I was…"
"Joking…sure you were and I'm locking up the wheelchairs until further notice," Beckett vowed.
"How long before we can see him?" Teyla asked.
"Well, he's going to be sleeping the rest of the day, but you can look in on him for a few minutes then I want the lot of you out of here for at least eight hours," Beckett said and led the group toward the room where Sheppard slept.
Rodney took a deep breath as he looked at the man on the bed. John Sheppard looked pale lying against the pristine white pillow with his head tilted slightly to the left. His hair looked like it could use a good wash, but at least there were no bruises visible on his face this time. There were two IV lines and the usual paraphernalia of medical equipment, but there was no sign of a ventilator. The right leg was encased in a fiberglass cast that would help the leg heal properly, but would wreak havoc with Sheppard's need for speed. McKay knew there would be a bandage hidden below the blankets and saw the bloodied discharge from a drainage tube.
"He is going to be all right, Rodney," Beckett vowed.
"Thanks, Carson," McKay said while the others left.
"Rodney, you need to get some sleep," the physician ordered softly.
"Can I stay with him, Carson?"
The question was spoken so softly and filled with remorse as Beckett placed a hand on McKay's shoulder. "All right, Rodney, but you might as well take advantage of the bed over there because he won't be awake for several hours."
"I will," McKay said, but pulled a chair close to Sheppard's bed and sat down.
Beckett knew there was no point in arguing, but when the time came he would resort to drugs if he had to because Rodney McKay looked like he was ready to fall flat on his face. He left the man alone and went to fix a drink before making sure the Canadian got some rest.
TBC