Remember, Never to Forget---46
The sounds filtered through first, followed quickly by the smells he associated with the Infirmary and John slowly opened his eyes. A nurse moved around nearby and he realized he couldn't be too bad off because he wasn't in the ICU with numerous tubes and monitoring equipment attached to every part of his body. He shifted slightly, awakening the dormant pain in his side and realized his right leg felt impossibly heavy.
John lay still, soaking in the sounds and familiarity that he'd built up since coming to the Pegasus Galaxy. Atlantis was his home now and as such he had missed so much during the time he'd been a slave to Shazzia and Hawk. His memory had returned and with it the welcome feeling that this was where he belonged. Atlantis and the people here had become his family, and as such he would do anything in his power to protect them.
"Welcome back, Colonel," Beckett said upon seeing his patient awake.
"Thanks…guess you've been practicing on me again," Sheppard observed.
"Well, I took care of the wound in your side, but Dr. Shelby took care of your leg."
"How long will I be in a cast?" the colonel asked.
"Four to six weeks depending on how well you behave yourself. Now Ronon has already been warned about running marathons and the wheelchairs will be locked up for the duration," Beckett lightly scolded.
"Guess it'll be crutches at two o'clock," Sheppard said with a grin.
"Try it and I'll put you in four pint restraints," Beckett warned.
"Come on, Carson, where's your sense of humor?"
"I'll find it when there's something funny going on," the physician answered. "Seriously, Colonel, you need to take it easy and give yourself time to heal. I know you have your memory back, but you've had one trauma after another and it's taken a toll on your body."
"I'm not going to do anything stupid, Carson," Sheppard vowed,
"Good because I have no idea where I left those restraints," Beckett offered with a smile.
"Thank God," the colonel said.
"Now, son, how do you feel?"
"I guess you're giving me the good stuff again because I don't feel much of anything," Sheppard answered honestly.
"Good," the physician said and reached for the chart at the foot of the bed. "Dr. Shelby will be in later to go over everything with you. She's probably going to order physiotherapy."
"The leg is going to heal properly…"
"It will as long as you behave yourself, Colonel," Wanda Shelby advised from the partially open doorway. "Now I'm not here to read you the riot act, but there was extensive damage to your right leg and it required pins to keep the bone properly aligned. If you're not careful you could be in that cast for ten to twelve weeks…"
"Ten to twelve weeks!" Sheppard spat.
"If you do as I tell you it'll come off in four to six weeks and then a couple of weeks of Physio and strengthening exercises should have you back on your feet."
"Will I be able to beat Ronon?"
"I guess so."
"Good, because I never did before," Sheppard quipped.
"I'm glad you have a sense of humor, because you'll need it once I set the ground rules for you," Shelby warned.
"Ouch, no wonder I like you," Beckett told Shelby.
"I think I'm being double teamed and that's unfair when a man is already down," the colonel said as Teyla, Rodney, and Ronon appeared in the doorway.
"Are we interrupting something?" Emmagan asked.
"Not really, Dr. Shelby and I were just reading Colonel Sheppard the riot act," Beckett told them.
"Sorry, Sheppard," Dex said and leaned in conspiratorially. "Wheelchairs at ten…"
"So help me Ronon…"
"Easy, Doc, I'm just saying…"
"Stop, Ronon, or you'll get me in restraints and if that happens I'll make sure I'm not the only one," Sheppard said. He watched as McKay stood away from the others and knew Rodney was feeling guilty about suggesting the trip to Suduko's world. He wanted to talk to him about that, but not while the others were around and not while it felt like his head was stuffed with cotton balls. John closed his eyes and yawned tiredly as Beckett checked the IV line and knew he would soon be sleeping again.
"All right, people, why don't we let the colonel sleep and maybe he'll get something good for dinner today," Beckett suggested.
"Carson, can I stay?" McKay asked softly.
"I think that'll be fine, Rodney, but let him rest," the physician warned and herded the others out.
McKay stood next to Sheppard's bed and sighed tiredly before pulling a chair closer. How could he ever face Sheppard knowing he'd nearly cost him his life again? It didn't matter that the trip to Suduko's home was meant to be a time of healing because it ended with John being shot and nearly recaptured by Shazzia. The woman was dead now, but she haunted McKay's dreams and turned them into nightmares.
Rodney couldn't fathom how John Sheppard must have felt since he'd only spent a short time with the slaver, while Sheppard had spent at least several weeks with the woman. How much did he remember of that time now that his memory seemed to have returned? Was it as bad as his own time in her presence or worse? Probably a hell of a lot worse, but Sheppard was stronger than most people McKay knew. Would John forgive him for even suggesting the trip in the first place?
"Rodney, stop," Sheppard's voice was soft and weary as he opened his eyes and stared at the other man.
"Stop what?" McKay asked seriously.
"Whatever it is you're thinking about. I'm getting a headache just knowing those wheels are turning faster than a speeding racecar," Sheppard explained.
Almost a minute passed before McKay spoke in a voice filled with self loathing and pain. "I nearly got you killed."
"What the hell are you talking about, Rodney?" the colonel snapped.
"It was my idea to go to Suduko's home…I should have known that…that bitch would be lying in wait," the Canadian said, staring at the floor in disgust.
"McKay, look at me!" Sheppard ordered and waited as his friend raised his head slowly until they were eye to eye.
"I'm sorry, John."
"For what? Giving me back my memory?" the colonel asked softly.
"I nearly got you killed…again," McKay spat, his voice laced with self disgust.
"No, Rodney, what you did was show me I have a friend who gives a damn and wanted to do something to help me. You did that and more by suggesting we go to Suduko's home. If we hadn't gone back there's no telling how long it would take for my memory to come back. Kierra gave me something special, McKay, and she only did that because you brought me there. I am honored to call you friend."
"Even when I'm arrogant, and egotistical, and keep rubbing it in your face?"
"Even then because that's all part of your charm," Sheppard said with a tired grin.
"Even when I'm right…although I am always right."
"Don't push it, McKay," the colonel said, feeling at least some of the tension leaving the Canadian. Not everyone knew the real McKay; most simply saw an obnoxious bore who thought he was better than everyone else was, but the members of the expedition understood who he was and that he had changed a lot since coming to the Pegasus Galaxy.
"Thank you," the scientist said so softly Sheppard wasn't sure he'd heard him until McKay stared into his eyes.
"I think that goes both ways, Rodney," the colonel said tiredly.
"I should let you rest."
"No, you should sneak me in some real food," Sheppard told him.
"I could do that," McKay said.
"You could, but I'd have to ban you from the infirmary if I even get a whiff of anything other than what I've ordered for Colonel Sheppard," Beckett lightly scolded.
"Busted," Sheppard said.
"That's right and Rodney, I'm sure I told you to let him rest," the physician observed.
"I was just leaving," McKay said. "Thank you, Sheppard."
"Anytime, McKay," John told him and closed his eyes, content that McKay seemed to understand that Sheppard was grateful for his part in helping him regain his memory.
SGASGASGASGASGA
John Sheppard leaned heavily on his crutches and slowly made his way out of the infirmary. It felt good to be 'escaping' even if it was with Beckett's permission. The Scotsman had finally tired of having Sheppard as a patient and reluctantly released him with the promise that Sheppard would return for his check up or if he had any problems with the wound in his side or the injured leg.
John felt a little let down that none of his team had come to 'escort' him away from the infirmary, but realized they were probably on an off world mission or they had other jobs that kept them from being there. John headed for the gym, but found it empty except for a couple of newcomers who smiled and greeted him with respect.
Next Sheppard headed for the Mess Hall, and was surprised to find very few people there. He looked at the food, but it didn't really interest him and he turned on his crutches and made his way back out into the corridor. John thought about going to his quarters, but he didn't really feel like being alone so he headed toward McKay's lab. The door was closed, but it opened for him, yet there were only two people present who seemed intent on their jobs and only showed a passing interest in his presence.
"Can I help you, Colonel Sheppard," a pretty redhead asked.
"I was looking for Dr. McKay."
"He's not here," a young man answered without looking away from the Petri dish he seemed so intent on.
"Thanks," Sheppard said and turned away. His next stop was the Gateroom and then the main communication's area. There was no sign of McKay, Emmagan, Dex, or Weir and several others seemed to be missing. John knew they could be anywhere, in a meeting or as he'd thought earlier, on an off world mission.
With nowhere else to go, John headed for his favorite spot, but understood he would not be able to shoot any golf balls from the top balcony. He made his way toward the nearest transporter, feeling a little disappointed that his discharge from the infirmary did not warrant at least a bit of excitement.
When the doors opened and he stepped out of the transporter, John was shocked to see a large table set up like a buffet and laden down with some of his favorite foods. He smiled as Elizabeth and Teyla hugged him and moved away so that Rodney and Ronon could shake his hand, followed quickly by Beckett and Zelenka.
"Did you really think we would not celebrate your return, Colonel Sheppard?" Emmagan asked and placed her forehead against his in the Athosian tradition.
"I thought…"
"We know what you thought, John, but we couldn't resist," Weir said. "We owe Suduko and Kierra our thanks for what they did for you. I know it will be some time before you return to active duty, but I know when that time comes everyone on Atlantis will celebrate with you."
"Thank you, Elizabeth," Sheppard said and awkwardly hugged her without dropping the crutches. John smiled and accepted the thanks of his fellow Atlantians and was soon standing at the railing overlooking the ocean. He breathed in the sights and sounds and relaxed in the familiarity of the city he now called home and the people who were now part of his extended family.
SGASGASGASGASGA
It was three months before John Sheppard was released from Beckett and Shelby's care and returned to active duty without any restrictions. His leg was completely healed and there was no residual effect from the injuries and memory loss he'd suffered at the hands of the slavers. There'd been talks with Shariel and Kudrone, but there's been no word on Hawk's whereabouts. John knew he was out there, watching and waiting, but Sheppard had never been one to shy away from his duties in the wake of a danger that might or might not be lurking around any corner. He wanted his life back and that's exactly what he was doing…taking the bull by the horns and making damn sure his team came out ahead.
The Colonel was anxious to get back into the thick of things and was waiting at the gate when the rest of his team finally showed up. Teyla had set up a meeting with the people of PX4-2K7, a planet that had finally ended a war that had lasted for decades. The governing council had asked for help in implementing programs that would help repair the damage done to the land.
McKay and Zelenka and several other scientists would be meeting with the council and showing them the best way to save their world.
"Move out," Sheppard said and stepped through the gate with a satisfied smile on his face.
SGASGASGASGASGA
Hawk knew they were looking for him, but it didn't matter because he did what he had to do in order to survive. He'd found refuge with an old friend and was slowly rebuilding his life. He knew Shariel and Kudrone were watching for him, but they had no way of finding him, not here at the edge of the galaxy where the winds howled through a vortex created by the Cordelions. It would take some time, but sooner or later he would have enough power to go after his property, starting with Colonel John Sheppard. When that happened John Sheppard would find there was a fine line between hate and love and it would be a lesson he would Remember, Never to Forget.
The End?