AN: I'm so sorry it has taken me so long to update, I have been having computer problems and have just now gotten them fixed. Here's the 14th Chapter, I'm currently working on the 15 but am having a bit of trouble starting it. Hopefully once I have it started the rest will flow. Reviews help too! :D
AN2: Also, forgot to mention that I do not own these characters, just borrowing them. ;)
Chapter 14:
Elizabeth sat in the conference room with Major Lorne, Ronon, Teyla, Rodney and Jocelynne. They were all waiting for a member of the medical staff, probably Carson, to join the meeting so they were all doing their own work while waiting. She looked up at each and every one of them from over her computer and found herself wishing she could postpone this meeting as all of them looked exhausted especially Teyla and Ronon. It wasn't her first choice to have the two join the meeting but having checked out fine in the infirmary they insisted on being there and Elizabeth didn't see the logic in denying them.
She laughed inwardly while she listened to the constant clack of keyboards. Everyone but Ronon and Teyla were on computers, checking up on emails and writing their mission reports. Teyla sat calmly in her chair, her eyes closed and her breathing steady and soft. Elizabeth guessed she was meditating. I probably would too after going through that! she thought Who am I kidding, I wouldn't have left the infirmary! Elizabeth knew that it wasn't ANY of their choice to leave the infirmary as Drs Keller, Cole and Beckett and ANY nurse that saw them kicked them out immediately saying they'd call or send someone when they had news. Carson said he'd join them in the conference room, acting as a go-between for the infirmary and the team, when he was finished in the infirmary since he wouldn't be any good there.
Ronon was the complete opposite of Teyla. He stood erect against the wall. His normally hazel-brown eyes colored chocolate brown as they filled with anger, hate and concern. Elizabeth guessed that if he thought he could get away with it, he'd be down visiting the prisoners giving them a taste of their own medicine. However, that's not how the Lanteans worked. They believed in a justice system taking over and, as far as Elizabeth was concerned, were going to hand both of them over to the Pegasus Coalition.
Carson came in 5 minutes later, quickly grabbing a seat while Atlantis closed the doors for them. Elizabeth had suggested that Carson skip this meeting as his eye was still quite swollen and darkly bruised and his arm was in a sling to give his injured wrist time to rest. He, however vehemently protested and all but demanded to be allowed to attend claiming he was fine. It had shocked her how adamant the normally calm and placid doctor was being and so she reluctantly agreed because she could tell this was important to him and she guessed he saw it as a finding a sense of closure.
Elizabeth minimized the window with her email but kept the computer on in case she should need it. She looked up at them all, "Alright, now that everyone's here let's begin." She said for the sake of officially starting the meeting. She turned to Major Lorne. "How are our guests?"
Lorne closed his computer and swiveled his chair to address her. "They are being held separately in Wraith holding cells." He informed her.
"Wraith holding cells is that necessary?" she asked a little concerned that they were taking things a bit far.
"Yes ma'am it is." Lorne immediately answered. "There are no Wraith in those cells so they're safe but it is also damn near impossible to escape them as well. I thought it best that they be kept under maximum security to ensure the safety of the City and it's occupants." He gave her a pointed look that clearly stated, The more secure THEY are the safer Colonel Sheppard is.
She nodded, "Alright. While I already have an idea I would like to know your opinions as well. What do you think we should do with them?"
"Kill them!" Ronon immediately growled. Elizabeth just gave him a look that plainly said You know we can't do that
"I think we should turn Lt. Ford over to the Marine Corps since he is obviously alive and still a member of the US Marine Corps." Lorne said. "As for Kolya, I'm inclined to agree with Ronon but since I know that we aren't allowed to, I think we should turn him over to the Coalition."
"No, we can't turn him over to the Coalition, with our luck they'd turn him loose just to spite us!" Rodney objected loudly. "I can't believe I'm about to say this but I agree with Ronon. Kolya has been a thorn in our side ever since he showed up, the galaxy would be better without him." He fumed.
"As much as I do not wish to, I agree with Major Lorne." Teyla replied after nodding her head. "I would like nothing more than to kill Kolya also but I know that it would not be right even though he would have killed John had he had the chance."
"I agree with Ronon and Dr. McKay." Jocelynne interjected. "I believe we should kill Kolya. Normally I am not one to kill but I have seen his mind and know that he would not hesitate to do the same to any of us especially Colonel Sheppard."
Elizabeth sat quietly while each expressed their opinions. She turned to Carson, noticing that he hadn't given his opinion yet. "Carson, what do you think?"
Carson was quiet for awhile before he answered, "I agree with Major Lorne on both counts." He said sighing heavily, his eyes looking regretful and saddened by his statement.
As Elizabeth was about to reply she heard the gate alarm go off and received an hail from Chuck in the control room.
"Dr. Weir, Ladon Radim is asking to be patched through and speak with you." He informed her.
Elizabeth inwardly groaned and rolled her eyes. She had forgotten that she had contacted Ladon before Colonel Sheppard was rescued. She'd wanted to cancel the meeting but as she had forgotten she figured she should take it. "Go ahead and patch him through to the conference room" she instructed Chuck.
"Yes Ma'am." He responded while doing as she said.
It appeared that it was a video feed as when the connection was made with the room a screen pulled up in front of the doors, enabling them ALL to see him. "Dr. Weir." He greeted, his voice hollow and void of emotion.
Ladon looked neutral but his eyes and tone of voice implied he was sad or disappointed. Oh this should be good! Elizabeth thought. "Ladon." She greeted back equally as hollow.
"I heard that you have rescued Colonel Sheppard and captured Kolya, congratulations." He said. While he was talking about John, she picked up on resent and anger as though he hadn't wanted John to be rescued but when he talked about Kolya his voice darkened a little more making it seem that he was even angrier that Kolya had been caught.
She nodded, "Yes we have." Was all she replied. She sensed something was going on with the Genii leader and the former Commander and she wasn't about to give anything more than what she needed to away.
"How is Colonel Sheppard?" he asked, his eyes hopeful.
"He will be fine, thank you for asking." She told him while she watched his expression change from hopeful to disappointment.
"What do you plan on doing with Kolya?"
"We were just deciding that actually. It seems the most popular vote is just to kill him-"
"You can't do that!" Ladon objected rather vehemently.
Elizabeth shot up her eyebrow at this. Since he hadn't given her a chance to finish her sentence he didn't know that they would most likely turn Kolya over to the Coalition and since she was curious as to why he so strongly objected she wasn't about to tell him. "And why not? He has tried to kill at least one of us more than once, I think we have every right to kill him." She smirked.
"Because he is a member of the Genii people. Though he has secluded himself from us and done many things that we do not agree of he is still Genii and WE will deal with him." He glared.
"I thought he was recruited by the Genii to invade Atlantis." She glared right back, smiling as she saw his mask falter just a little. "At any rate, I thought I'd let Colonel Sheppard have the final say." She said, noticing all the members in the conference room give her questioning looks. She wasn't going to actually do it as John wasn't in any condition to be making decisions for quite awhile but she wanted to see how Ladon would react.
"Colonel Sheppard is incapable of making an unbiased decision. He is too close to the matter." Ladon huffed. "Besides from what I understand from my contacts in the village, he will not be able to make a decision for quite a while."
The smile in Ladon's eyes as he said this sent chills down Elizabeth's spine, the smile was menacing, cold and calculating. She looked around the room and saw all except Ronon shiver slightly, obviously sensing the same feeling she did.
"Sheppard is more capable of rational thought and more of a man than you will ever be!" Ronon roared, unable to keep his rage to himself anymore. Teyla shot him a look and he quieted down clearly understanding that now was not the time to overreact.
Ladon smiled, "I see your opinion of me hasn't changed Ronon."
Ronon growled but didn't respond giving Elizabeth time to ask her next question. "Why should we turn him over to you when a few years ago you were more than willing to let us handle Kolya?"
"If I remember correctly, I asked you to let us deal with Kolya." He countered.
"Yes you did but you also recognized that we wouldn't let you do that and therefore stated your understanding when I told you "No promises"." She countered right back.
He nodded, "Yes, you are right, I did state my understanding but this was before the Pegasus Coalition came into play. Now I'm asking you that you turn Kolya over to them, since you will not hand him over to us, so he can receive a FAIR trial for his crimes."
Rodney snorted at the phrase "fair trial" but he knew better than to say anything right now, knowing that negotiating was Elizabeth's forte, not his. He wanted nothing more than to let Ronon, Lorne and Teyla loose on Kolya and just stand back and watch but a voice in the back of his head told him that isn't what Sheppard would want and he tried to comply, finding it increasingly difficult the longer Ladon talked.
Elizabeth raised her eyebrow again, "As a matter of fact we had all but decided on doing JUST that when you called. I was about to tell you when you felt it worth it to interrupt me instead." She informed him smiling. Her smile wasn't one of friendliness or greeting but one of viciousness and loathing. She watched as Ladon stuttered and faltered on the reply knowing that he understood that he has, in some form or another, shown his true colors because of his impatience.
He regained his composure quickly and said, "Please let me know when you will be transporting him to the Coalition. I am sure that it won't be until Colonel Sheppard is capable of going but I would like to accompany you."
She nodded her acquiescence and watched as the glowing screen darkened and died. She looked around the room, seeing her confusion reflected on all faces but one. Jocelynne kept her expression neutral and Elizabeth dearly wished she could read minds just to know what she was thinking. She turned her gaze to Carson, "How is John doing?" she asked knowing that that's what everyone was really wanting to know right now.
Carson drew in a deep breath. "He is still in surgery but Dr. Keller has informed me of their progress so far." He told them, pausing before he began. "He left arm was broken in 2 places and she had to put a couple of screws in to stabilize the bones while they heal. His shoulder blade was thankfully not shattered but it was broken in 3 places, Dr. Keller had to go in and surgically set the bones and fix the muscle damage the bullet caused. His other shoulder had some muscle damage from the metal rod digging deeply into it but it will heal without further complications. His kidneys were badly bruised so they are keeping a close eye on them. He had surgery to repair his spleen which had a small tear. She has bound his ribs and given his current physical state there should be no problems with them since he won't be moving too much." He paused to take a breath before continuing. "They are currently performing surgery on his hip. Thankfully it wasn't a bad break but it was in a bad spot, deeming it necessary to insert some hardware to insure that it heals right. Next they will move onto his knee which is a slight mess. He has torn his ACL, I set the bones but the weight of gravity pulling on them without any proper support caused them to slightly re-break and the cartilage between the joint separated from the bone. His knee cap was broken as well and one of the ligaments keeping it in front ruptured, that is detached fully from the bone. His feet contained a few hairline fractures each but, again, with the amount of time he will be spending in bed right now they will heal before the rest of him. There are several cuts from the metal rod that Kolya used which got infected that we are treating with broad spectrum antibiotics."
When Carson finished he watched as everyone's faces turned from ones of hope to ones of sadness. He had hoped to give them better news but unfortunately he just didn't have any.
"Will he recover fully?" Elizabeth asked tentatively.
Carson sighed, he had hoped she wasn't going to ask that. "I don't know." He told them. "Right now his body is so weak he's having trouble fighting the infection so if he makes it through the next week his chances go up to 90%. I know from experience that the Colonel is a fighter and fast healer so I have no doubt that with months of rest and physical therapy he will return to 95% of his former health."
"Why only 95%?" Elizabeth asked.
"His injuries are extensive and deep. I'm certain that both of his shoulders will be fine as will his arm though I suspect that it might give him some discomfort in bad weather and airplane security." He replied, trying to throw in a small joke to get them to smile again. He was rewarded with small smiles from everyone before he continued. "I'm more worried about his knee and hip. The knee because SO much damage is done and so much surgery is needed. I believe he'll regain 95% use of it once it's fully healed, meaning that some days it will be stiff and sore and he'll need to be careful for a while as it will be easy to re-injure it and it may be harder to rehabilitate after the re-injury. Because of the hardware in his hip, I'm afraid that he may never get full use of it again but he will still be able to Command Atlantis' military contingent and be able to go off world, he'll just need to be more careful since it will be stiff and painful for quite awhile."
"Ballpark, how long til he'll be able to go off world?" Elizabeth asked, trying to get an idea of how long Kolya will need to stay with them.
"I won't be comfortable releasing him to go off world for at least 9 months if not a year." Carson replied while reaching a hand up to massage his temples. The headache that had been his constant companion since being captured hadn't eased and it was beginning to build to a migraine. His wrist was chiming in it's displeasure at being used so much over the last day or so as well and both were getting hard to ignore. He hadn't actually felt well enough to come to the meeting but he wasn't about to admit that since he had to know what was going to become of the former Genii and he knew they'd all want to know what John's status was.
"So long?" Teyla asked, clearly confused as to why it would take so long for her friend to heal.
"Aye," Carson responded trying to refrain from nodding. "I'll not be comfortable letting him off of Atlantis until then. That way I can make sure he's fully healed and his body can tolerate going off world."
"Oh come on Carson, it's not like it's THAT hard on the body to go through the Stargate!" Rodney cried.
Carson turned on Rodney, glaring at him. "No it's not Rodney but anything he may have to do, including running, walking long distances, fighting, will be! It will take him MONTHS to get halfway close to his previous level of physical condition. I honestly don't know how long it will take him to get back to full physical health."
Elizabeth saw the slight changes in the doctor's appearance; the hand that casually went to the side of his head to seemingly support it but instead to massage it, the tight lines of pain around his gentle eyes and his almost never ending patience (especially with Rodney) that was slipping. She decided it was time to end the meeting and get him back to his quarters and leave the rest to go wait for John to be out of surgery. "Alright, thank you Carson." She said. "I believe that's all we need to discuss for right now, why don't we all get some rest? It's been a long couple of days."
They all nodded and proceeded to stand up and leave. Elizabeth caught Carson before he left. "Carson, can I talk to you a minute?" she asked.
"Aye luv, what's on your mind?"
"I just wanted to see how you're doing. I noticed that you seemed to be struggling a little at the end."
He smiled at her, "I'm fine Elizabeth. I was just about to go check and see if Colonel Sheppard's out of surgery yet, would you care to join me?" he asked.
It didn't escape Elizabeth's notice that his smile didn't quite reach his eyes and that though his voice made him sound fine his eyes gave away the fatigue and pain he felt. "I plan on checking on him but I think you should go get some rest. You were injured as well and though while not as seriously as John you need to rest just as much as he does." When she noticed that Carson was about to protest she added, "Carson, it's not a request. You look exhausted and in pain and John is in capable hands. I need you to take care of yourself as well as your patients."
The argument that was on the tip of Carson's tongue faded and he replied, "Aye, you're right. I am a wee bit tired and my head's pounding. I just wanted to check and see how things are going."
She touched his arm gently. "I know you do but as you said he will be in surgery for quite awhile yet and I'm sure Dr. Keller will let you know when she's finished. You did your part while on the planet and now it's time for you to take care of yourself." She told him soothingly. "Do you need anything?"
"No, I'll be fine." He told her as he began to head toward his quarters. "Please let me know when Colonel Sheppard is out of surgery."
"I will, sleep well Carson."
Six hours later Elizabeth, Major Lorne, Ronon, Teyla, Rodney and Jocelynne were seated around John's bed. Teyla sat on his right side with Rodney right next to her clacking away on his computer, Ronon and Jocelynne at the foot of his bed standing watch and Elizabeth on his left with Major Lorne behind her. When Teyla had first saw him she couldn't help the two tears that fell down her face. His feet and knee were elevated on pillows, his left leg was situated in a position where the hip would heal without complications. His back was supported by several pillows that were doing their best to keep pressure of his broken ribs and his shoulder and another pillow was under his splinted arm. There was hardly a place that didn't have a bruise and it made Teyla want to cry to see him so broken.
Very soon after they were allowed to see him, Dr. Keller came by to kick everyone out, insisting that they needed their rest just as much as he did. She allowed one person to sit with him and so the group, minus Major Lorne and Elizabeth who had duties to perform, worked out a schedule so that one of them was always there.
So that's how it was for a week, one person continuously there watching over him while he slept and healed. The infection was responding well to the antibiotics but since his body was so weakened it took twice as long for him to fight it.
John's first venture to reality was while Teyla sat with him, placing a cool cloth on his forehead and talking to him about the events going on in Atlantis. He wanted so much to continue sleeping but he heard her voice calling to him so he fought the fog covering his brain and the grogginess threatening to engulf him in sleep.
The first thing he was aware of was the smell of sterility that one associates with the infirmary followed by the heart monitor that was no doubt attached to him. At first he couldn't remember WHY he was in the infirmary but it soon came to him and he began to check his body to see how much damage was done. John began to gently move his toes and flex his muscles but soon stopped when many parts of his body protested loudly to the movement. He didn't think there was a single part of him that didn't hurt right now and he found that both disconcerting and annoying at the same time. He felt a cool cloth on his head again which soothed the migraine that was beginning to form and he felt a groan slip through his lips.
"John?" Teyla's voice asked.
He mentally frowned at the tone in her voice, it was worry coupled with exhaustion. He slowly rolled his head to the sound and even more slowly still opened his eyes, wincing and groaning when the bright lights of the infirmary assaulted his vision.
"John, you can open your eyes, I've turned down the lights." Teyla soothed.
He opened his eyes to slits to make sure the lights were indeed down and upon receiving no blinding light he opened them completely. John took a good look at Teyla and was disappointed to find that his observation of the tone of her voice was right, she looked exhausted and worried. "Hey Teyla." He croaked, his throat dry and sore from disuse and intubation.
Teyla noticed his discomfort and slid a couple of ice chips into his mouth. He smiled at her gratefully while the ice soothed his throat and moistened his mouth while it melted. She gave him a few more before she put the cup down and sat down next to him, grabbing his hand gently while she did so.
"How are you feeling John?" she asked, the exhaustion replaced by concern.
"M'ok." He responded tiredly. "How are you?"
"I am fine." She responded. "We have been taking turns sitting with you. Rodney and Ronon will be upset that you woke while I was watching you." She told him smiling. Her brown eyes revealing the relief she felt that he had woken up while she was with him.
John frowned, "Why has someone needed to watch over me?"
"You have been very sick for the passed week. You developed an infection and a very high fever. You were quite ill for a while." She replied.
John's frown deepened. He couldn't remember being rescued let alone arriving in Atlantis. He felt Teyla squeeze his hand gently, effectively drawing him from his musings and causing him to focus on her.
"I should get Drs. Keller and Beckett and let them know that you're awake."
John looked at her and noticed her hesitation to leave. He didn't understand it but he wasn't going to argue with it as he didn't want her to leave either. "There's no need, they are already on their way." He rasped after spotting the two doctors heading over to his bedside. No doubt his heart monitor alerted them to his wakefulness.
"Good Morning Colonel." Dr. Keller greeted while checking the monitor and getting his vitals.
"Hey docs." He greeted back, trying to refrain from pulling away when she flashed her pen light into his eyes.
"How are you feeling lad?" Carson asked him. His eye was no longer swollen but there was still a deep fading bruise.
"M'ok doc, how about you?" John asked guessing the doctor was ok but he was still concerned about his friend none the less.
"I'm fine son." Carson assured him. "How's your pain?"
John grimaced slightly as his injuries slowly started making themselves known. "Hurts but not too bad. Guess you got me on the good stuff huh?"
"Aye we do. You were in surgery for over 12 hours to repair the damage done, the "good stuff", as you like to call it, is necessary at the moment." Carson replied. "Once you're feeling a bit better and able to move around a bit we'll lower the medication."
"For now, I do believe it's time for another dose." Jennifer put in having finished her examination.
John didn't object as she inserted a needle into his IV and plunged it's contents into it. He wasn't up for staying awake too much longer anyway and he was beginning to hurt. He smiled as he felt the drugs take affect. "Teyla."
"I am here John." She replied, still holding on to his hand.
"Thanks." He had wanted to say more but he couldn't deny fight his 100lb eyelids that kept drooping any longer and fell asleep.
His next venture to reality wasn't quite as peaceful. The first noise that assaulted his ears was the clacking of Rodney's keyboard followed by "Are you people morons? How can you even call yourselves geniuses? You know what, never mind, I will be there in 20 minutes and you had better have it fixed!"
"Hey Rodney." John greeted, hoping to alert his friend to his wakefulness and therefore hinting to keep his tone down.
Rodney jumped, almost dropping his computer. "Geez Sheppard, could you warn a guy before you do that?" he scolded.
"How much more warning could you get McKay?" John returned, grimacing when Rodney's pitch cranked up his headache.
Rodney, who saw the grimace, lowered his voice. "How are you feeling?"
Before John had a chance to answer, Carson came up, his face as red as blood. "Rodney if you can't keep your voice down I will ban you from entering the infirmary!" he growled.
Rodney just turned to Carson, clearly not phased by his threat. "Sheppard's awake."
Carson looked down at John and jumped slightly before turning red from embarrassment, clearly he hadn't noticed that John was awake. "Oh, hello Colonel. How are you feeling?"
"Better than last time." John answered truthfully. While he still felt abominably weak and tired, it wasn't as bad as the first time he'd woken up. He guessed that he'd also recently received a dose of pain meds because he felt comfortably numb.
"That's not surprising Colonel, the last time you were awake was 5 days ago." Carson replied while he checked John's vitals, pulling out a thermometer and sticking it in John's ear. He noticed John's alarm at the news and added, "Not to worry lad, I've been keeping you pretty heavily medicated to give your body time to rest and heal."
"Well, I'm glad you're awake Sheppard but unfortunately the morons in my department that call themselves geniuses need help fixing something. I'll be back later but I believe that Teyla is in next." Rodney babbled on while he packed up his computer and stood up and left.
As if on cue, Teyla walked into the infirmary holding a squirming Torren. She walked up to John's bedside, smiling when she saw him awake. "Hello John." She greeted warmly, still trying to keep Torren from springing over to John's bed.
"Hey Teyla." John greeted and returned her smile. "Hey little man, how are you doing?" he asked turning his (and everyone else's attention) to the child. Torren stopped squirming, his attention solely focused on John and tried to reach out and touch John, making cooing and babbling sounds as he did so. John just chuckled softly, wincing when the action awoke bruises and broken ribs. "Sorry TJ, I can't hold you for a while I'm afraid." He told the child, smiling sadly and reaching out his hand for Torren to grab a hold of. Torren grabbed the offered hand but started fiddling with the IV line so John quickly withdrew his hand and placed it on his lap.
"How are you feeling?" Teyla asked him.
"Better." He replied and after she gave him a doubtful look added, "Really, I'm still annoyingly tired and weak but it's nowhere near as bad as last time." Suddenly a thought struck him, "What happened with Ford and Kolya?"
Teyla breathed in deeply, anger flashing in her eyes at the mention of their names. "They are being held separately in Wraith holding cells while we decide what to do with them."
"Well, that's easy, send Ford back to Earth and let the Marine Corps handle him and send Kolya to the Coalition and let them deal with him even though they probably won't." He replied bitterly.
"That was our thoughts as well but Dr. Weir would like to wait until you're well enough to accompany us before we hand Kolya over to the Coalition." Teyla replied understanding his bitterness.
"And Ford?" he asked, noticing she hadn't mentioned the former Lt.
"He will be leaving in a few days." She replied, focusing her attention on Torren while he squirmed to get comfortable on his mother's lap.
"I want to see him." John replied sternly.
"John, I do not think that Dr. Beckett will let him to see you." Teyla soothed, though her eyes told him that SHE didn't want Ford to see him either.
"Get Carson over here." He told her while he attempted at sitting up and grimacing when it failed completely. She came over and helped him to sit up a little higher while making sure he stayed reclined enough to keep pressure off his injuries. Afterwards, she placed Torren on her seat, knowing that he'd stay there with John, and went and got Carson.
Carson came over, slightly flushed. "Is something wrong Colonel?" he asked, clearly thinking that there was something wrong with John.
"Yeah there's something wrong. What's this I hear about the possibility of you not letting Lt. Ford come and see me before he leaves for Earth?" John asked pointedly staring at the both of them knowing that there was something they weren't telling him. He caught the look they gave each other and couldn't hold his next question in any longer. "What is it you're not telling me?" he asked.
"While we were in the cell on Adora, Lt. Ford came to visit us." Carson began.
"I remember, sort of." John replied.
Carson nodded, "Yes, well while he was there he asked me if any of your injuries would give you something to remember him by and sadly, I think they might."
John's eyes immediately shot up from the blanket sprawled over his legs to Carson's face, concern and panic in them. "What do you mean?"
Carson laid a gentle hand on John's right shoulder, "Easy lad, it's nothing terrible. I believe that once you heal, you may have problems with your knee, hip or both. They won't be big problems but it's possible that you may have a slight limp or some pain."
John let the information absorb before he answered, "So, you're saying that they may never heal completely." He stated, while slowly nodding his head.
"I don't know honestly. I mean, you have a knack for healing quite well and fast so it's possible that there will be no side effects from your injuries after they've healed." Carson replied immediately, trying to soothe his patient.
"Ok, but that doesn't mean that Ford has to know this." John argued for his earlier request.
Carson sighed heavily, "Aye, you're right and if you want Lt. Ford to come and see you before he leaves, I will authorize it as long as someone's ready and waiting with a stunner."
"Thank You Carson." John replied while yawning.
Teyla and Carson gave each other looks before Teyla turned to John. "We should let you rest. I will be back in a couple of hours to check on you."
"Do you need anything before I leave Colonel?" Carson offered.
John sat quietly, taking stock of his body before he answered, "No thanks doc. I think I'm ok for now." He gently scooted down a bit and promptly fell asleep, the conversation with Carson and Teyla taking more out of him than he thought it would.
Carson helped lower his bed back down so that John would be more comfortable while sleeping and then turned around and left, radioing Elizabeth about John's request.
"Dr. Weir, this is Dr. Beckett."
"Go ahead Carson." She responded. A soft clacking in the background letting him know that she was typing on her computer.
"I wanted to let you know that Colonel Sheppard has requested that he be allowed to see Lt. Ford before the Lt. is shipped back to Earth." Carson made sure that his tone showed he was NOT happy with the request.
Elizabeth must have frozen because the soft clacking abruptly stopped and then asked. "Do you think that is wise?"
"No not really but the Colonel is adamant about it and I have told him that I would make sure it happens." Carson replied immediately. "Although, I suppose it would be good for the Colonel's emotional well-being to show Lt. Ford that he isn't beaten yet." Carson sighed heavily, he hadn't thought of it that way until now and suddenly he understood why John had insisted upon seeing Ford.
"I see. Well, if he insists, I will set it up through Major Lorne. Let me know when he's awake again and I will have Major Lorne escort Lt. Ford to see John." She said sounding none too happy about the whole idea.
"Thank you Elizabeth. I truly believe it will do him some good." Carson tried to assure her.
"I hope you're right." Was all she said in reply before signing off, leaving Carson to debate what all could happen and praying that Lt. Ford would show SOME remorse for what he has done.