Chapter 7:
They got to the gym only find a spar was already going on. About 5 marines each sat on a bench looking tired and sore while their current comrade sparred. At the moment it was Major Lorne sparring with Jocelynne, though just as they walked in she swiftly took his legs out from under him landing him on hard on his back. The other marines cheered while Jocelynne held out a hand to help Lorne up.
"Are you alright?" she asked.
"Yeah, I'm fine. Sparring with you is not unlike sparring with Ronon." He said jerking his head in Ronon's direction.
She looked at Ronon, blushed and turned back to Lorne, "I'll take that as a compliment then."
"You should." He replied as he went over to join the others.
She turned her attention to Teyla, "Are you ready?" she asked politely while waiting for John and Ronon to sit down.
Teyla spared a look at the marines, taking in their tired appearance and figuring they all have had their turn turned back at Jocelynne. "Of course." She replied a little coolly than normal.
Jocelynne gave her a questioning look but didn't get a response. After a few minutes she smiled at Teyla and Teyla smiled back. John couldn't put his finger on it but it was like they were having a conversation without actually speaking.
They began their graceful dance of blocking and striking. Each going at the other with such force that the stick's resounding thwack sounded in the hallway. Teyla got in a few good shots to Jocelynne's wrist and back but she didn't even acknowledge the blows and kept striking at Teyla. There was a look of concentration and fury in Jocelynne's eyes that bothered John but he didn't say anything, figuring that Teyla would have noticed it by now and wasn't concerned about it at well.
A loud thwack resounded again, followed by a grunt from Teyla. One of Jocelynne's blows had landed harder than expected, drawing blood from Teyla's lip.
Jocelynne stopped. "I'm sorry Teyla, are you alright?" she asked clearly concerned.
"I'm fine Lynne." Teyla reassured. Lynne? Who the hell is Lynne? Noticing John's look of confusion Teyla explained, "I call Jocelynne, Lynne for short." She told him, wincing when the words pulled on her split lip a little.
By then the marines had cleared out and it was just the small group. John got up and crutched over to Teyla, "Maybe you should go to the infirmary." He said blushing at the level of concern he was showing her.
"No, I am fine." She told him, wishing he'd leave his hand on her face for a little while longer.
"Ok." He said, pulling his hand away so he could crutch back to the bench. He had half the bench to himself as he was keeping his ankle semi-elevated on it. He didn't have a pillow or anything but at least it wasn't on the floor. He rubbed his leg, hoping he could rub the ache out of his ankle with it.
There was a brief moment of silence before Ronon stepped up and said, "I believe I have been challenged to spar with you." He told Jocelynne.
"Oh really?" she inquired smiling, "by whom?"
"Teyla." He replied quickly.
"Ronon, I did not challenge you to spar with her I simply told you she may present one for you." Teyla corrected him quickly.
Jocelynne just laughed and John, once again, felt a warmth spread through him. "It's ok Teyla." She told her friend before turning back to Ronon. "Maybe another time? I'm a little tired right now and fear I would not be challenging enough for you." She told him a teasing look in her eyes.
Now that John looked at her, she did seem tired but at least she was happy as well.
"Sure, just let me know when." He told her. His voice softer than it usually is. MAN, John thought, he really does LIKE her!
She smiled back at him saying, "Of course!" before she walked out of the room.
Rodney was next to follow suit, saying he had work to do in his lab, Teyla left saying that she needed to check on Torren and relieve Kanaan from baby duty. Ronon had a training class with the marines so he stayed in the gym, leaving John the only one without a place to be.
He headed toward his quarters, figuring he was feeling a little drained and could use a small nap. He was almost there when his radio chirped, bringing Rodney's voice with it. "Colonel Sheppard."
"Go ahead McKay." he responded, pausing in his stride and turning around to head to Rodney's lab.
"Could you come down to my lab please?" Rodney asked.
"Already heading there." he said.
"What? How did you know?" Rodney asked.
"I didn't, I just assumed that's what you were going to say next." John replied.
"Oh, yes, well, hurry up. I haven't got all day." Rodney replied impatiently.
"I'll get there as fast as I can on crutches Rodney." John told him, sarcasm dripping from his voice.
Rodney merely replied by saying, "Hm, yes, well hurry."
John just rolled his eyes. He must have discovered something interesting. Hope it doesn't blow us up.
"There you are!" Rodney cried impatiently while throwing his hands in the air.
John just rolled his eyes while he crutched in to Rodney's lab. He spotted a few ancient devices on a table, Rodney on a computer right beside them, Radek Zelenka on a different computer and still another tech on another computer. "Hey doc." He greeted Radek, ignoring Rodney's impatience.
"Colonel Sheppard." Zelenka greeted in return looking up from his computer. "How are you?"
"I'm good. You?" John replied automatically.
"I am good as well." Zelenka replied before going back to his computer.
"Yes, yes, get the pleasantries over with already will you?" Rodney burst out.
"What did you need me for Rodney?" John asked. His patience was getting thinner and thinner the more his ankle throbbed and right now it was getting hard to ignore.
"I need your super mutant gene." Rodney said in a tone that clearly stated DUH. "We found an ancient device that we haven't catalogued and we need you to turn it on and see what it does." He clarified.
"Alright, fine. Can you promise that none it won't blow us up, leave us as vegetables or leave marks on us?" John asked going through what the ancient devices of late have done.
"Yes and No." Rodney replied impatiently while handing John a device that began to glow blue in his hand.
"Wait, no what?" John asked before he activated the device.
"I can't guarantee any of that but we have done as much research as we could and haven't found any evidence to support that it will do any of that. We think this device will unlock some of the barriers in the ancient database, making more information available to us." Rodney explained.
"Oh good, more files to go through." John responded sarcastically. "Because we don't already have over 100,000 of those that we haven't sifted through yet!"
Rodney just rolled his eyes. "Whatever, my point is do you really think I'd ask you down here to activate it if did?" He asked incredulously. "Now, come on already and activate it!" he finished excitedly.
"That's easy for you to say, you aren't the one it could potentially hurt." John replied half whining half sarcastically. None-the-less, he activated the device in one hand while he held on to the counter with his other hand to steady himself.
John felt a warmth spread through him, welcoming him. He felt the some of the locks in the ancient database release. Rodney watched as the device quickly glowed blue in his friend's hand, noticing the ancient database open itself up, releasing more information to the Lanteans. He couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement bubbling up in him. Come on Sheppard, open it up a little bit more! He urged his friend, hoping that the longer Sheppard stayed connected to the device, the more information they'd get.
John then he felt a surge of pain traveling from his hand, through his body and spiking in his head. He heard a scream so loud he thought all of Atlantis could here. It was then he realized that it WAS Atlantis he was hearing. Rodney then saw a virus start to take effect on the system. He didn't know what it was doing but he knew he needed to stop it before it caused some serious damage. That was when he felt the pressure in the room drop and saw the readings from his computer and automatically knew what was going to happen. Rodney quickly grabbed Radek, hauling him to the ground under a console in the room. He had just enough time to hope it would be enough protection from the implosion when he felt the pressure in the room explode, knocking everything down or over with concussive force.
John felt the pressure in the room drop and then release with overwhelming force, knocking him off of his already unsteady feet. John could feel his shoulder being yanked in a different direction as the rest of his body as the device in his hand works it's will to stay as close to the database so it can continue it's purpose. He felt himself thrown against the wall and felt a crack in his ribcage and then land on his already injured ankle before he crumpled on the ground in a motionless heap.
Rodney got up quickly and checked his computer. Luckily he was able to contain the virus to the newly opened files but that still left him with the problem of having a virus IN the computer. Suddenly his head snapped up, Sheppard! Rodney scurried around to find John while Radek went to check on the other tech.
He scrambled around his desk and found John lying on the floor, a red burn mark where the device once was. His hand went to his earpiece calling for Carson as he looked at Radek for confirmation on the tech, Gustav Schroder. Radek shook his head sadly indicating that the man was dead. Damn!
"Rodney, what happened? It felt like an explosion." Carson's voice responded immediately.
"Yeah there was an explosion of sorts in my lab, Sheppard's hurt." He said, his voice bordering on panic.
"How bad?" Carson asked.
"I don't know, he has a burn on his hand and he's unconscious." Rodney told him, just in time to see Carson flying into the room.
"Colonel, lad, can you hear me?" Carson asked, gently examining John.
John's eyelids fluttered and he groaned as light assaulted his sight, causing his throbbing headache to spike. "Carson?" he asked, confused as to why the doctor was there.
"Aye lad, I need you to open your eyes real quick." The doctor prompted.
"Hurtss." John replied, groaning as Carson opened the Colonel's eyelid and flashed his penlight into his eyes.
"I'm sorry son. I'm done. Can you open your eyes for me?" Carson responded coaxingly.
John, opened his eyes to slits to make sure he wasn't going to be blinded again, the opened them fully. "What happened?"
"The device released a virus, changing the pressure in the lab to increase to explosion proportions." Rodney answered.
"You mean, it blew us up?" John responded clearly reminding Rodney of his early question.
"Yeah, sorry." He replied, concern in his eyes.
"Device? You were testing devices down here?" Carson asked as he caught on to what was going on. "Ach, never mind that now. Let's get you sitting up. Do you think you can do that?" he asked John.
John nodded, then groaned when that increased his headache ten-fold. He used his arms to help push himself up but yelped when he felt a hot searing pain in his hand. Looking at it, he found an angry looking burn. Great!
Carson noticed the burn as well and quickly grabbed one side while Radek hurried in to help, leaving one of the nurses to prepare Gustav's body for transport. Carson examined John's hand, dressing it quickly to help with infection and then began examining the rest of him.
"Are you hurt anywhere Colonel?" he asked.
John paused for a minute to take stock of himself. His ankle throbbed angrily, his chest felt tight and it hurt to breathe meaning he hurt his ribs, his shoulder ached as well. "Mmm. Head, shoulder, ribs, ankle." He said groggily, the pain in his head spiking once again.
" Ok son, just hang tight and we'll get you taken care of." Carson assured him while his staff gently grabbed John and put him on the gurney. Carson turned to Rodney, anger in his eyes. "I'll talk to you later! Right now you and Dr. Zelenka get down to the infirmary and get checked out." He said before he turned on his heel and walked with John to the infirmary.
4 hours, 3 scans, 2 Ibuprofen and 1 examination later John was settled in his own bed. His whole body felt like one big bruise. He'd been diagnosed with a sprained shoulder, 2 broken ribs, a 2nd degree burn on his hand and a monster migraine. His ankle had not been injured any further but Carson had wanted to apply a fresh bandage to it as the one he had on had been torn so he had a fresh bandage on his ankle which was elevated on two pillows with an ice pack on it. His arm was in a sling to give his shoulder rest which also gave his burnt hand a rest as the injuries were on the same side. His ribs had been bound and he lay against several pillows positioned to help keep the pressure off.
He lay in the quiet trying to get his headache to die down. Atlantis, are you ok? He asked her, concerned. It took awhile but she responded Yes John, I am ok. For a brief moment it felt like I was going to explode. She told him. But the smart one helped stop it.
John grinned at the thought of Rodney being called the smart one. Atlantis' gentle hum came again, Are you alright? I could feel the explosion coming from my system and I tried to hold some of it back but you still ended up getting hurt. She sounded sad and remorseful.
I'm ok, nothing a little time can't take care of. He told her, trying to comfort her the way she comforts him. The female who loves you is outside your door, shall I let her in? John was confused then images of Teyla flooded his mind. Yes!
His doors swished open and he said, "Come on in Teyla."
"John, how did you know I was there?" she asked.
Wincing as the volume in her voice sent the throbbing in his head spiking, "Atlantis told me." He said simply. "How is Torren?" he asked remember that she was going to spend the day with her son.
She couldn't help the chuckle that rose from her and then apologized when it made him grimace and massage his forehead. "He is fine, John. Actually, he wanted to come and say "Hi" and make sure that you were ok." She told him.
He finally opened his eyes to notice Torren in his mother's arms, quiet as a mouse. The child's attention was purely fixed on John. John looked at Teyla with a question in his eyes.
"He had been fussy almost all day, like he could tell something was wrong but he grew much worse when he heard me tell Kanaan that you were injured and that I was coming to see you. He actually left Kanaan's lap and walked out the door with me." She told him, just as surprised at the behavior in her child as John was. Torren began to reach for John, wanting to be near him. "No Torren." She told him.
"S'ok Teyla. I'll be fine." John assured her before reaching his good hand out to Torren and grabbing him, grunting as it pulled on his injured and aching body. "Hey buddy, how are you doing?" he asked the child.
Torren picked his way carefully into John's lap, leaning against him being careful not to hurt him. The child hadn't made a peep, somehow understanding that volume hurt John. "You really are an amazing little boy. Did anyone ever tell you that?" John asked him, earning a huge grin and a giggle from Torren before he settled in to take a nap.
John gently laid his aching head back against the pillow, closing his eyes. After a few minutes he opened to see Teyla staring at him intently. "Hey, are you ok?" he asked her, reaching out to grab her hand.
"I am fine John." She told him, wincing slightly when the words pulled on her split lip. "Are you alright?" she asked, her concern clearly written on her face.
He chuckled, grimacing when the action sent spikes of pain radiating from his chest to his throbbing head. "I'm fine Teyla." He said with a bit of sarcasm, "I'm still alive, unlike Gustav Schroder." He commented dryly, his eyes growing dark with anger.
Teyla nodded, "Yes, it is terrible what happened to the scientist." She said, silently thanking the ancients that it was Gustav and not John.
"How's McKay taking it?" John asked genuinely concerned.
"He is taking it very hard. He believes that this is all his fault and he should have known something was going to happen when he asked you to activate the device." She told him. "I believe he blames himself for not only Gustav's death but your injuries as well." She finished with a sigh.
"What? That's ridiculous. None of this was his fault. Come on Torren, let's go see your Uncle Rodney." John said, automatically babbling while trying to get up. He didn't get far before his injuries made themselves know and he gently collapsed back onto the pillows groaning in pain.
Torren somehow sense John's distress and began to fuss and cry. John cuddled the child closer to him, ignoring the fiery pain in his side while he did so, "Shh, it's ok buddy." He cooed, calming Torren down.
Teyla waited for John to finished calming Torren down before she spoke again. "John, you are in no condition to be walking around Atlantis." She began.
"I won't be walking, I have a wheel chair-" John interrupted only for Teyla to interrupt him.
"Either way John, you need to stay in bed and rest. I can tell Rodney that you want to see him if you wish." She offered.
"He already knows." John pouted. She couldn't tell if he was pouting because she wouldn't let him up or because Rodney wouldn't come and see him.
"Then you must be patient, there is nothing more you can do." She told him soothingly, giving his hand a gentle squeeze.
She stood up and grabbed Torren. "I must feed Torren his dinner. Is there anything I can get you?" she offered.
Somehow he thought she was offering more than just food. "I would love some company while I eat, if you and Torren are up to it." He told her. "You could always leave him here with me while you go and get the food." He suggested.
"No, I do not think that would be a good idea. If he should need something, you would not be able to help him." She told him, effectively making John feel useless. Her expression softened, "I am sorry John, I did not mean that like it sounded."
"It's ok, I know what you meant." He said dismissively. "Well, then goodnight." He told her.
She raised an eyebrow, "I did not mean that we would not eat with you, I merely meant that I would not leave him with you. I am sure Ronon or Jocelynne or someone would be happy to help me carry the trays." She told him, kissing his forehead and walking to the door. Before she left, she turned back and said, "Get some rest while I am gone John." And with that she walked out, leaving his room in silence once again.
Teyla was standing in the mess hall trying to decide what John would want for dinner when a familiar voice called to her.
"Hello Teyla. Are you having trouble deciding what to eat tonight?" Jocelynne asked.
Teyla smiled at her friend, "No Lynne, I am trying to decide what Colonel Sheppard would want for dinner. He was injured in the explosion earlier and is unable to come here so I thought we'd bring it to him." She said, cuddling closer with Torren.
Jocelynne nodded somberly, "Yes, I heard about that. How is he doing?" she asked.
"I believe he is hurting more than he lets on but he will be alright." She said trying to keep her voice cheerful.
Jocelynne nodded before turning her attention to the food. She glanced up and down the table before grabbing a tray and placing some food on it. "I believe he will like this." She said, keeping hold of the tray and turning to Teyla, "Shall we?" she asked, indicating for Teyla to lead the way.
Teyla nodded, thankful for the assistance. "Yes, thank you."
"No problem." Jocelynne said cheerfully as she followed Teyla.
Atlantis let John know that they were coming before they showed up and chimed, knowing it would make his headache worse, so he mentally opened the doors just as they arrived.
"Hey guys." He greeted before he opened his eyes and noticed Jocelynne. "Hey Jocelynne, how are you?" he asked, wincing as he tried to sit up a little straighter.
"I'm good Colonel, how are you feeling?" she asked, concerned about him. She could feel the pain, anguish and frustration radiating off him making her heart ache to help him but not knowing if he'd want it.
He visibly straightened at the question, trying to act like he was fine. "I'm good as well." He told her even though she could obviously see for herself that he wasn't.
She nodded, "I see. Well I have brought some dinner for you. It seemed Teyla had her hands full so I thought I'd lend a hand. Have a good night sir and I hope you feel better." She told him, wanting to excuse herself as she sensed that her being there was doing him no favors.
"You didn't come to join the party?" he asked, smiling as much as he could.
She laughed louder than she meant to, making him wince as his headache spiked again. "Sorry." She told him. "No, I won't be joining the party. I was merely helping Teyla."
"Thank you for your help." Teyla told her, touching her forehead to Jocelynne's.
Before Jocelynne could leave, Ronon walked in. "Hey Sheppard, I brought you some food."
John smiled, "Thanks Chewie but I already have a plate." John told him before turning to Jocelynne. "However, Jocelynne here doesn't so she can have it." He said, turning to her, "And now you can join the party." He smirked.
She looked at Teyla, mentally asking her if it was alright. After receiving Teyla's Yes she replied, "If you insist Colonel, but let me know when you want or need me to leave." She added, not wanting to be nuisance.
John was truthfully not very hungry. He hurt all over and his head was killing him, making it difficult to lift his head off the pillow to eat without the throbbing kicking up a notch. Teyla handed him some Ibuprofen which he took gratefully. Carson had offered something stronger but John had known that his stomach couldn't handle the strong stuff and it would do more damage than it was worth so he declined and stuck with the Ibuprofen. It helped take the edge off but his head still throbbed angrily so he just sat there watching the others eat.
Torren walked over to John's bed and held his arms up to John, clearly indicating that he wanted to sit on the bed with him. John looked down at the child and went to pick him up but didn't get far before his body let him know that wasn't happening.
Jocelynne noticed the interaction and went over to Torren and lifted him on the bed. She was surprised to hear the child ask her Is he alright?
She smiled at him, Yes sweetie, he's ok. He's just hurting right now. She assured the boy.
I know. I can feel it. I wish I could help him but I don't know how. Came the reply.
I think you are doing wonderfully just like you are. Just try to keep him still, ok? She suggested, knowing Torren would know what to do.
Torren gave her a nod before she put him down gently in John's lap. She watching him crawl up to John and gently cuddle with him. And then she noticed John's smile when he looked down at Torren and knew they had a special bond that no one could break.
She looked at Teyla and noticed Teyla's face reflected the same joy she felt. Oh yes, they will make a handsome family some day she thought. Though Ronon seemed oblivious to the whole thing, she knew he had been watching with the same joy as her and Teyla. She could sense the Satedan's wish for his friend's happiness and that warmed her heart to the core.
For awhile no one said anything, mostly because they were eating but also because they were aware that any volume hurt their friend.
"You know, you guys CAN talk." John told them sounding tired but annoyed.
"What makes you think we aren't?" Jocelynne asked.
"Because I don't hear anything." He replied.
"Ah, just because we aren't saying anything doesn't mean we aren't talking." Jocelynne countered. She would have added another sentence merely for John to hear but she feared that would make his headache worse.
"Yeah, Yeah." He replied waving his hand. "How'd the training go Chewie?" he asked Ronon.
"Good. This group will be ready soon." Ronon replied.
"Did you send any of them to the infirmary?" John asked.
Ronon smiled, "Maybe."
John sighed, grimacing when it hurt, "You're supposed to train them, not beat them to a pulp. You know that don't you?" he asked sounding more amused than annoyed.
"Not my fault if your Marine Corps doesn't train their men well enough." Ronon replied.
"Hey, there is NOTHING wrong with our Marine Corps!" John stated almost angrily.
Ronon nodded, knowing his friend wasn't really angry at him. "I know Sheppard, I was kidding." He replied anyway.
John turned his head to look at him, "I know, I'm sorry." He said before he looked at the group as a whole. "I hate to admit this guys but maybe you should all leave. I'm not feeling too great and I'm not good company right now." He said, looking remorseful for having to ask them to leave. Groaning slightly when a sharp stab of pain ran up his neck and into his head.
"It's ok Colonel. I believe we should leave and let you rest anyways, you seem tired." Jocelynne said.
How'd she know that? he wondered before he turned to her and Ronon, who were walking out together, "Good night guys." He told them, weakly waving good bye.
"Good night Colonel" "Good night Sheppard" they both said at the same time.
"Is there anything I can get you before I leave?" Teyla asked, wishing she could stay with him through the night. She knew his injuries weren't life threatening (unless one of his broken ribs punctured a lung but with him immobile, that wasn't very likely) but she still wanted to be with him to help if he needed something.
John didn't know how to answer at first. He finally settled on, "Can you hand me my radio?"
"What do you need it for?" she asked while she handed it to him.
"Don't worry, I'm not going to call Rodney." He said, "I'm going to call Carson. Or maybe I should just get Ronon back here."
"Why don't we call Ronon?" Teyla suggested as she raised her hand to her radio and asked Ronon to come back.
"What's up?" he asked as he walked in.
"I, uh, need some help getting into the chair." he replied blushing. He hated admitting that he needed help. It felt like he was admitting defeat.
"I could have helped you, could I not?" Teyla asked a little offended that he thought he needed Ronon for that.
John smiled genuinely before replying, "Ah, but who would watch Torren?" while Ronon helped ease him into the chair and push him toward the bathroom.
Teyla looked at Torren who was sitting wide awake on the bed attempting to get out of it. She quickly grabbed him and helped him off before he fell off. He seemed calmer now and she thought he might actually be ready to go to bed as well.
When Ronon pushed John back to the bed, his door chime rang making him cringe. The door opened to admit Dr. Beckett carrying his med bag.
"Good evening Colonel." He greeted, trying to keep his voice soft.
"Hey Carson. What are you doing here?" John asked. Did you call him here? He asked Atlantis. Yes came the simple but final reply. He sighed, Thanks.
"Oh, just thought I'd check on you before I went to bed." He replied nonchalantly. "How are you feeling lad?" he asked.
Knowing that Atlantis had called Carson here to help, he answered truthfully. "Crappy actually."
"Aye, I bet. How's your pain from 1 to 10?"
"'Bout an 8.5." John admitted grudgingly.
"Aye, the Ibuprofen won't do much for the pain you'll be feelin' from your headache alone." Carson replied sympathetically. "Would you like me to give you something for the night?" he asked.
John shrugged, forgetting he shouldn't, and grimaced when the annoyingly dull throb in his shoulder kicked up a notch. "Yeah, thanks." John replied.
"Good." Carson replied, glad that John was actually being truthful with him. "It will also give me a chance to examine your hand, clean and redress it." He explained while he handed John a couple of stronger pain meds.
"I am going to go put Torren down for the night but I will be back." Teyla told John while Carson unwrapped John's hand.
"You really don't have to Teyla, I'm fine." John said.
"Actually, I would feel better knowing you have someone with you. You aren't exactly mobile Colonel and if you should need something it will be easier for Teyla to get it for you than for you to try." Carson interjected.
"I do not mind John." Teyla said, her look clearly stating she was not backing down.
John sighed again and said, "If you're sure you don't mind.."
"I don't." She said quickly then left to put Torren down.
When she left, John looked at Carson. "You and I both know I already have someone here who can get me help." He said pointedly.
Carson blushed, "Yes, but Atlantis can't physically help where as Teyla can. Plus, I think she really does want to stay with you tonight." He said blushing deeper when he realized what he just said, "I mean, she wants to make sure that you're ok for tonight." He corrected.
John just chuckled, "It's ok Carson, I know what you meant." He said, jumping slightly when he felt the cloth scrape over the damaged skin on his hand.
"Sorry." Carson told him.
"It's ok, didn't really hurt, just surprised me." John told him.
Carson just smiled but said nothing. It didn't escape his notice that John had spent almost the entire time staring at the door waiting for Teyla to come back or the look of excitement that crossed his patient's face when she had insisted on being with him.
Teyla came back shortly after Carson finished with John's hand. He was gently helping John get his injured shoulder back into the sling when she walked in, the doors opening of their own accord when she stood in front of them. She didn't know if it was Atlantis opening them for her or John opening them. She understood that John had a special connection with Atlantis and the city often responded to his every whim.
"Ok Colonel, now the medicine I gave you should help with your pain and let you get some rest. If your migraine persists, have Teyla put a cool cloth on you're head." Carson told John while he helped his patient lay back. "Good night Colonel." He said before he headed toward the door, stopping to talk to Teyla before he left.
"If it seems he still has a headache, you can apply the cold cloth but you could also try massaging his neck. It may help relieve some of the tension and make it easier for him to sleep. If I had to bet, I'd say that his body is pretty stiff right now which may be contributing to the headache." He whispered so that John couldn't hear.
"Thank you Dr. Beckett." She told him truly grateful for a way to help.
"Aye, goodnight luv." He said and then left.
He heard Teyla walk over to the chair beside his bed and sit down. Her movements fluid and soft, hardly seeming like she touched the floor. He let out an involuntary groan when he turned his head to look at her.
"John? Are you alright?" she asked.
"Yeah, I'm good. Just hurt to turn my head." He told her, looking at her with tired and pain filled eyes.
She looked at him, before deciding to ask, "Would it help if I massaged your neck?" she asked not knowing if it would help or if it would put too much pressure on his injured ribs.
He gave her a one-shouldered shrug, "Maybe but I'm not sure I could sit up long enough for it to help." He told her. The pain his body had been hounding him with had been muted enough for him to feel exhaustion pulling at him.
She looked at him and noticing that he was positioned to where his upper body would be help up by pillows if she removed the one under his head, she decided to suggest it. "I could remove the pillow under your head, leaving you where you are."
He looked at her, noticing the eagerness in her eyes and finally gave in. "Sounds good, thanks." He told her smiling, not looking forward to his head being moved.
She slipped softly onto the side of his bed and gently slid the pillow out from under his head. She heard him groan when his head was moved and wondered if this really was a good idea but she couldn't help her need to comfort him. She moved her hands over his neck, found the tight muscles and began to gently knead them out while she tried to keep his head from moving.
He groaned again causing her to stop but he said, "No, it feels good." So she continued. When she felt his muscles relax and noticed that he was almost asleep, she replaced the pillow under his head and gave him a kiss saying, "Good night John."
He opened his eyes briefly, smiled at her and said, "Good night Teyla. You're welcome to crawl up here to sleep."
"I would not want to hurt you." She said, "Besides, it does not look like it'll admit more than one."
"That's a shame," he said sleepily, "I'll have to ask Elizabeth for a bigger bed." He said then promptly fell asleep.
Yes, you should. Teyla thought before she settled into the chair and fell asleep, keeping a careful watch over her sleeping friend.