CHAPTER 23 – AFTERMATH

Carson simply shook his head in resignation as John led a battered and bleeding Nicole into the infirmary, with Sam following along behind. Nicole had not spoken in the jumper and Sam, casting concerned glances in her direction had seen the inner turmoil and wondered what had happened out there. She knew from John that contact had been made, and knew it was likely that Nicole had been threatened somehow, and the very fact that she was not talking indicated to Sam that she had been told to keep silent. She would not put her in a position of having to choose... not just yet. She needed to set up a safe area for them to talk, away from prying eyes and ears, somewhere Nicole could feel as though she was not putting herself or anyone else in danger.

"I'm not even going to ask lass... really Colonel? You couldn't keep her out of trouble for more than one day? So far you hold the record for visits to the infirmary, and this young lady here is likely going to top that..."

He shook his head again, but his professional eye was going over her with a fine tooth comb, noting the pallor of her skin and the haunted look in her eyes. He knew that something was going down, and knew that it was likely top secret and he would not be made privy to it unless he was invited. And that was fine with him. He'd do his job, keep her as healthy as he could and patch her up. But that didn't stop him from softening his touch as he tended to her cuts hoping that she had the strength to get through what she needed to do.

Carson was no fool. He watched as a piece of paper was passed between Sam and John and saw John's imperceptible nod as he read it. Saw his rip the paper into tiny pieces and put it into his pocket. Whatever was going down was top secret and he felt more than just a little unease. And hoped that these people were able to help the young woman who sat up on the hospital bed looking as though the weight of the world sat squarely upon those tiny shoulders.

"You can go now lass... you'll sleep better in your own bed.. for what's left of the night, anyway! Take a couple fo these pills now... they're painkillers... I understand you had a little too much of the good Athosian wine, and that stuff can kick you squarely in the teeth the next morning, so these little pills? Will give you a jump start on that headache, believe me." His smile was kind and she had relaxed under his touch, letting him patch her up and listening without responding, to his light chatter that had immediately put her at ease.

"I know you likely don't feel up to it, but I'd like you to eat, lass... before you go to bed. You've lost weight, and you can't afford to lose any more. You're thin enough as it is. Colonel Sheppard? Take her to the mess before you escort her back to her quarters, make sure she gets some food into her stomach." His voice was firm and his eyes as they made contact with John's, sent a clear message. Look after her. John nodded once. He fully intended to do just that.

"I'm taking her back to my quarters tonight... this morning..." he amended that, looking down at his watch and finding that it was almost 5am. "So, if anyone's got anything to say about that... say it now."

Carson shrugged and hid a smile and Sam quirked her eyebrows up at him. It was Nicole who gave him the biggest reaction and he smiled, glad to have brought some colour to her pale cheeks. Firstly she blushed, then a spark of anger lit her eyes.

"Please do not assume that I will be spending the night in your quarters... Colonel Sheppard. I am quite comfortable in my own quarters thank you! I do not succumb to bullying..." Her voice faltered, remembering the conversation she had had with the man who had kidnapped. Bullying... that is exactly what she was having done to her at the moment, bullied into taking photos and exposing a top secret programme that some group had decided needed to be stopped. Her mind reeled again, and as gears clicked into place she wondered about their real reason for wanting the programme brought to task. Knew that there was an ulterior motive, and one that was perhaps just as bad or possibly even worse. She caught Sam Carter's eye and saw the knowledge that she held there. She knew. She knew what they wanted. And this same knowledge made her stomach plummet and she reached out to grab hold of John's arm, suddenly not so tough anymore. Damn, she did need him right now, and the idea of being alone in her quarters suddenly did not hold any appeal at all.

He watched the play of emotions across her face, and held her against him as she steadied herself.

"No one's bullying you Nic... you know that. I just want you to be safe. In my room... I know where you are and maybe that way? I can get some rest too... ok?"

She nodded, suddenly too tired to read the undercurrents that rattled around that room. Too tired to do anything more than lay down and sleep. Her stomach growled, and a small smile lit her face.

John tugged on her hand. "Food..." His own stomach growled in response and he led her out of the room. They'd talk in the privacy of his own quarters, but first they'd eat. It was almost a new day.

A large plate of toast and a cup of chamomile tea...colour had come back to her face and he studied her eyes as he pushed her down gently onto the bed and waited for her to speak. He scrubbed a hand down his face, feeling the rasp of his beard and grimaced. The previous morning's shower and shave seemed a long time ago, and he thought longingly of a hot shower now. Turning he went into the bathroom and turned it on, letting the steam drift out and into the living area, noting that when he came back out she was still sitting on the bed, her expression a little numb.

"Shower, miss... then bed. We can talk later. Ok?"

She didn't protest, just stumbled to her feet and moved past him into the bathroom, shutting the door behind her. He dug out a clean tshirt and some sweatpants and knocking on the door, he opened it carefully and placed the clean clothes on the floor, quickly closing the door again to keep the warm air in there. He moved out onto the balcony after that, letting the cool sea air move over him in cleansing waves and saw the lightening in the sky indicating that dawn would soon be here. A night of hell, the start of a new day. New directions and a new plan. Something had gone down last night and she now had her instructions.

The shower door opened and he turned, smiling a little as she came out. His sweatpants were rolled both at the hips and the leg bottoms, and still she seemed lost in them. His tshirt hung down to her knees and she looked like a lost orphan child, hair bundled up into a towel, small pale face and huge chocolate eyes. She just stood in the centre of the room, unsure what to do with herself, and he swore softly. Moving to her side, he took the towel off her hair, using it to dry it as much as he was able, and ran his fingers through it to get the tangles out. They he simply guided her toward the bed and pulling the covers back, eased her down onto it. Covering her back up he saw her eyelashes flutter as her head lay back on the pillow and he stood for a long time. A very long time. Just looking down at her. Finally he went to have his own shower,standing under the hot spray letting his thoughts spiral around inside his head. Sam's note had given a secure meeting place in one of the lower labs, one that was not in use by any of the science team. They would meet there in future, with a prearranged signal. No one outside of his team and Sam would know what was going on. For all intents and purposes, the group that was keeping tabs on her would think that she was going it alone. That is how they would play this out. For her safety and for his peace of mind.

When he finally came out of the shower after shaving, the sun was just peeking over the horizon and he spared it a moment's glance before turning his attention back to the woman in the bed. She slept soundly, curled up onto her side, knees pulled up. Her long dark hair curled over her pillow, and spilled over onto the pillow beside her. Fighting a small internal battle of his own, he shrugged his shoulders. Chair or bed? Proprietry dictated that he should take the chair, leave her the bed. But he needed to feel her warmth beside him, so he chose the bed, and pulling the covers back carefully, he eased in beside her bringing his large framed body in behind her so that her back tucked up securely against his front. He placed a hand gently over her hip, securing her body against his and heard her sigh as she subconsciously snuggled closer to his warmth. He smiled, closing his own eyes as sleep waiting on the edges of his own consciousness gave up the waiting game and decided that the rules had changed.

Dark hair beside dark hair on the pillow. Together in sleep as she invaded his dreams as well as his waking mind. And he sighed letting oblivion have it's way. A new day had begun, but for now? It could wait until he was ready to face it.