Silent Help

Within an hour, four more people had joined Jacob in the morgue. They had been quick to follow after him, and there was virtually nothing Carson, Castiel, and Forrest combined could do. They had been ready to react, anyone showing any signs of the itching feeling had been restrained to their bed in hopes of preventing anyone from trying to cut off parts of their body. What Jacob had resorted to in his last minutes was enough for everyone to willingly volunteer to be restrained.

But even with the aid of the restraints, they could not stop the fever when it jacked up to its high point. It seemed that when the fever stalled, you only had half an hour or so left. It was as if the virus would hold the body there till it could charge up and then would raise the body's temp at a rate fast enough to cause seizures and brain aneurysms. The temp at which people fell to this varied from person to person, but it seemed once past 107 there was not much going back.

It had left Carson and Forrest alike in a state of panic. The medical knowledge they both held did not seem to matter. Carson had pulled every trick in his book, nothing he could do would keep the temps down. Forrest the same, she had exhausted everything Castiel, and she knew. Short of hauling them to Loonrian to set up in the university, she could do no more.

But the problems only continued, Forrest and Carson both watching as their help started to fall ill. While at times it took detective work, but the nurses and doctors that were beginning to feel feverish were weeded out, and forced to lie down. It had dropped their numbers quickly, but Carson was more focused on the others than he was himself. It scared Forrest, she knew it would only be a matter of time before one of them started to get sick, and it terrified her to think that Carson would.

Thankfully John and Rodney had shown up with reinforcements. Eight Mutes had flowed into the infirmary like seasoned field medics. Able to communicate with Castiel and everyone else, they proved to be more than enough help as the trained medical staff began to fall. Carson had to admit; he had wanted to see a team of Mutes in action since he had watched Castiel work alone inside the city.

He had hoped it would have been under better circumstances. But he didn't mind. All the help the provided was lifesaving. They quickly took over, tending everyone and getting those coming in set up. With four in the mess hall and four in the main infirmary, they worked fast. Castiel bouncing between the two locations once again, reporting changes and events to them every time he changed positions. While for many, it would take getting used to, the dragons were just as kind natured and cared as any human nurse or doctor on the base.

The Mutes had left the infirmary painted in shades of blue, white, and grey. Forrest had explained to him when the dragons first arrived that many of the sub-breeds had a similar look or color pattern. She said that mutes would come in all shades of blue, white, and grey. With infinite combinations of the colors and patterns, the dragons could rarely display where two dragons identical.

Castiel's markings were unique, a mutation in standard genes giving him his elegant swirls of color. But Carson still found the standard ones stunning, one had hex like pattern across his entire body in a dark shade of blue with grey stripes along each of his legs and then the base of his head and neck. Another was black and white, her patterns looking almost like an old lava lamp, and across her body ran cyan lines that displayed like a circuit breaker.

Then, of course, he remembered the Destroyers, how they usually were a solid base color with one accent. Such as how Malco was solid black with his red runes, or Armada being solid blood red with a black accent. He had found himself already wanting to start figuring out the genetics behind it all, sadly Forrest had told him it was not something Loonrians concerned themselves with.

But, she had also said he was more than fine to go ahead and try to figure it out himself. With Castiel and his team of nurses now running most the incoming traffic, it had left Carson and Forrest time to go over their data and try and figure out what the hell was happening. They would take turns, one working with Castiel who would try and stabilize people while the other worked in the office, hoping for something to finally pop out at them.

"So, right now we know that in the end, the high body temp is what is killing these people." Forrest sat on his desk, feet hanging over the edge as he leaned his head on his hand, eyes scanning the computer screen before him.

"Yes, and that right now even keeping people iced only does so much. If we catch them early enough, we can slow it down. Give the people a few more hours." He took a deep breath, not even bothering to look up at her as she too sat thinking.

"We could turn down the entire city, maybe dropping the temp citywide would slow down the spread even?" "

We could, but that could also cause those not infected to become more susceptible to it." She nodded, watching as his tired eyes strained to read everything on the screen before him.

"Teyla still has not started to show the itching symptom. We still don't know why that has to be the key thing." He muttered, as his hands started to move across the keyboard.

"Well, Cas just reported the Ronon seems to be experiencing the same."

He paused, looking up at her, "So two of our three Pegasus native humans are affected differently?"

"Three?" her head tipped to the side, the question in her expression.

"Well, Teyla and Ronon are experiencing this as if it were a normal flu. You have not even gotten sick yet."

She looked down at her feet, "Yet, I have not gotten sick yet. Keyword in that sentence is yet." She pointed it out, before looking out the office windows, able to see one of the mute dragons moving slowly along the hallway.

Carson followed her gaze, watching as one of the giant Mute dragons waked by, Pushing a table with a white sheet over the top. Both of them knowing full well what number that person was. Carson's eyes drifted to the floor, the sigh audible as Forrest looked over at him. She knew how he felt because she thought the same. "We just have to keep working Carson." He didn't respond, but his eyes stayed on the floor. She shook her head, dropping to the floor to walk over to his side.

"Don't start blaming yourself, we have no idea what is happening; we just have to figure it out." Her fingers drifted to his chin, forcing him to look up to her. It broke her a bit, to see how exhausted his eyes looked. They seemed to be unable to open fully, and his features were starting to lose their detail. He was strong in what they faced, but even then it was wearing him down. she leaned down and kissed the top of his head softly, showing him a slight bit of affection. She could have sworn she felt a small lick of heat, but then again they had both been running around minutes prior.

He lost himself for a moment in the contact, but to his dismay, she pulled away. Her touch leaving his face as he kept the eye contact they held. She smiled, having managed to bring him back into focus. "So, since apparently Ronon and Teyla are immune to the later effects of the virus what are you thinking?" She was picking his brain with his own ideas, curious as to what he had come up with.

"Well, it would not be the first time that a virus not native to a people caused problems. On Earth, European settlers brought smallpox to the Americas causing the natives to suffer a plague from it. They had no natural immunities to the disease." She nodded, while her Earth history was not perfect yet she had a rough understanding.

"So you think it could be a Pegasus native disease, and they both have immunities to it?"

"Or even just how the virus interacts with their genetic makeup. What if because of genetic differences we are more affected, or the virus reacts differently."

"That would mean this disease could change itself, take into consideration its environment."

"It might be able to, we just don't know how. It would make sense though, thinking about how it is affecting the nervous system of the body. Teyla and Ronon are experiencing a horrible flu, but it has yet to even affect their nervous systems. Something about their systems is different enough to stop that next phase." He looked at the computer screen, and sighed again.

"How fast can you work on your gene therapies?" The question seemed a bit random, but she didn't care.

"It depends why?"

"Well, if they are genetically different in a way that allows the disease to just run as a flu, maybe we could change everyone else up the same way?"

"Well, I mean we could. But we don't know what that could do. It could cause other issues we don't want. Besides even if it was safe, that would take far too long."

"Even with my help?"

"Aye, I'm afraid so."

She leaned her head against the wall looking up at the markings on the ceiling. This had been going on for hours, one getting an idea then the other figuring out how it would not work. It was relentless, and it was causing both of their spirits to break down slowly but surely. As she looked at the markings, she began to think. "Have we checked anyone for any genetic changes?"

She looked down at him, and he returned with a puzzled expression. "Why would we, this is a virus." She stood, looking at him with a suddenly excited expression.

"When we look for it as a virus, we only find it as a flu virus. You said it yourself it is not much different from what you would find on Earth, why is that?"

He bit his lip, unsure of where she was going with this. But she smiled, bigger, "What if we are not finding a difference because it is two different things? The virus could be adapting in other ways."

"That would be nearly impossible, besides we would still be able to detect it as a virus." "Not if it has become a retrovirus." Her eyes locked to his, and he was quiet, before speaking.

"You may be onto something."

"What if this disease splits, what if it starts to have to factions? One side is the virus which starts things all off. Then, a retrovirus splits and starts to affect the body on the genetic level. We would not be able to detect it with standard blood screens."

"Only one way to find out." He was grinning from ear to ear as he stood up.

"I can go pull some more samples from the others. You stay here and start running them. If it is behaving this way, we may be able to at least turn those off. If we can turn those off and stop the nervous system from overloading, we may be able to wade this out." They stood together for a moment, Forrest looking up to him with a new glimmer of hope in her eyes.

"Forrest love you are a genius." This time, it was Carson who offered the brief amount of affection. He kissed the top of her head softly, before looking out the door. "I will be here waiting for your samples, and I'll also let Elizabeth know what we are going to try."

She nodded her head, "Remember, I just suggested this. You are the brilliant geneticist that is going to figure it out." Before he could even respond to her boast, she had dipped out the office.

Forrest had given Carson the samples she took from those in the infirmary, Teyla included. Much to Forrest's shock, the Athosian's fever had started to go down. Whatever it was, the virus seemed to have nearly run its course on her. Of course, it was good news and new information for them to work with. But she would be in the infirmary till Carson said otherwise.

She had passed Castiel on her way down to the mess hall, their exchange brief as she made her way there. She walked inside, taking a deep breath as she watched the Mutes doing their best to help. She looked over the large sea of people, and was able to pick out Ronon and Evan sitting in their beds. The pair having been joined by Radek within the past hour or so.

"How are you guys doing?" She asked, watching as Radek attempted to smile, only to lean over the bed for the nearest bucket. At least at the rate it worked, most the people would not have much to puke up later on.

"Been better Doc." She looked to Evan, who she quickly noticed was involuntarily itching at his knee.

"Have you started to itch Evan?" She asked as she walked over to him, setting her armload of things on the table.

"Oh I'm fine it was just a bug bite from a day ago." She glared to him, and he broke the eye contact. She had learned early on how to tell when these military men were lying about their condition.

"You know what happened; we can't risk that repeating" She did not wait for a response, as she began to grab hold of the Velcro straps and then the Major's wrists. Ronon and Radek watching as she did.

"I know, sorry." She offered a reassuring smile.

"Don't worry. We think we might have an idea on how to combat this thing. Just a matter of working on it." She said as she then moved over to Ronon, who other than slightly feverish looked fine. "You and Teyla may be our key. She has started to come out of whatever this is, her fever going back down. Hopefully, if our theory is right, we can get everyone else over this."

Thankfully, the people of Atlantis were used to being prodded and poked. It had taken her less than half an hour to get all the samples that they would need to test their theory. If it was as Forrest had suggested, it would just be a matter of figuring out how to turn the genetic side of the disease off. Once they did that, they could get everyone over the disease just as Teyla had.

It was a matter of figuring out what needed to be turned off within the virus to ensure it did not split to different things. It could be done, might take a bit of time, but it was possible. Forrest knew that if Carson and she sat down and focused, they may be able to get their cure out sooner than intended. She already had an idea on how to by those farther along time, seeing as they did have a bunch of stasis pods they could use. But Forrest would be the first to admit, she had no idea how they worked or if they would even be viable in this situation.

*Forrest, you need to speak with Carson when you get back up here.* The dragon's voice was somber, as she began to walk up some of the stairs leading back up to the infirmary.

*What is it Cas? Is he okay?* She nearly feels how drained her partner was, as he stayed in her head.

*Forrest, I smell fever* her step hitched, as she realized what the dragon meant.

*How bad do you think he is? Can you tell?* *I stopped to let him know the current count, I was able to smell it once I was in the office. I did not want to pry.*

*Thank you Cas, I will talk to him. You holding up?*

*While I will admit I am tired, I can manage like this. You need to let me know if you need a break.*

*That is going to be a while Cas, just let me know If things change* There was no response, only a feeling of comfort and encouragement. Cas had the experience she lacked; he knew how to work in these kinds of medical situations.

She walked back into the infirmary, her arms full of the samples Carson needed to work on. But right then, Forrest had a very strong feeling she would be doing this on her own shortly. If he had started to show a fever, there was no way she would allow him to keep working. He was already fatigued from the day before, his body in a weaker state than it should be. On top of the past few hours of stress, it was a killer mixture of factors. She walked with confidence, knowing full well the next few minutes would be a batter of wills with him. He cared for the others too much at times, and it would fuel his argument. She hated to have to be the person to fight against that, but someone had to do it.

She opened the door of his office; he had hardly moved since she left. "Got everything we should need." She said, causing him to turn and offer a smile. She could see it more now, the slight amount of sweat on his brow. She had been correct in her earlier feeling, it had started just barely then, and now it was starting to become more apparent.

"Just set that down on the table, I will start to go through it. How is everyone?" She shook her head, setting the pile of things down on the edge of the table.

"Everyone else is holding up, what about you?" She said as she walked to stand in front of him where he sat. Keeping herself close, she watched his eyes close and reopen slowly.

"I am fine, just a wee bit tired that's all." He was doing his best to hide it from her, but he should have known better.

"That is not what Cas told me." Her tone was a concerned one, as she ran her hand along his cheek and onto his forehead. Watching as his eyes closed, and stayed shut. His body relaxing, almost admitting defeat in her hands. He was hot; she could feel how his body temperature had risen in the short time she was gone. "You are running a fever, Carson."

He could hear it, the worry in her voice. It made too much sense, of course, the day after he finally gets to hold her this sort of thing happened. Pegasus had a horrible sense of humor and timing. "It is not that bad Forrest; I am fine."

"Do not argue that with me. You look like you are going to pass out." There was a slightly angry tone in her voice, but he could hear more than that. Her fear, and frustration as he leaned against the cool touch of her hand.

"I have to keep working, and we need to find a way to slow this down."

She shook her head, her hand leaving his face to take a hold of his hands and pulling him slowly up from his chair. "We, as in Cas and I. if you want you can keep a tablet in bed with you and help a bit. But you need to lay down and rest."

*you could always stun him.*

*Last resort Cas.*

*Just saying*

"Forrest please, I can't lay here while you try and do all of this." His tone was strained, as she held his hands still in her own.

"And I won't sit here and watch you work yourself to death!" They were both quiet before she spoke again. This time there was a pleading in her voice, as she held his hands in her own tightly. "I won't let you end up like them. And for me, that means you need to rest now before you get any weaker. Please, Carson, I can do this."

He looked down at her, able to see the fear in her eyes as she spoke. He had been selfish, realizing that in his attempt to be of help he had hurt her. He sighed, head dropping he knew he could not win this one, not at the rate it was going. "Where do you want me?" She looked, up, a soft smile with broken eyes holding him captive as she spoke.

"There is a bed over here, come on." She never let go of his hands, as she began to lead him out of the office doors. The number of people moving about the infirmary had gone down, seeing as now the dragons had started to do most of the work. It made things much less crowded as Forrest led him down away from the office again. "I will let you keep your Radio, for now." She directed him to a bed, before reaching up and carefully pulling the curtains closed around them. "That way if you need something, I can be here."

"Well, I already know this is going to get worse before it gets better." He watched her reach around, pulling out a set of scrubs for him to change into.

"Hopefully that is as bad as it will get for you okay?" It was as if her words were sedative, as he suddenly found himself the slightest bit dizzy. His body leaning against the bed with a sigh. "You are worse off than you are telling me." It was not a question, but a comment as she moved over to him. Skillful hands pulling his lab coat from his shoulders, and setting it on the bed.

"I guess." The tone of his voice now much softer, she could tell he was starting to drop the tough guy charade. She sighed, shaking her head ever slightly.

"You should have been in this bed an hour ago Carson. I know you want to help everyone, but you can't help them dead." She watched as he finally managed to peel off his clothing, as she took it from him and set if in a small pile on the floor. Watching as he began to slowly pull the white scrubs on. "Just promise me Carson you won't keep hiding this from me?"

He sighed, moving to sit on the bed before turning so he could lay down. It caused the room to spin slightly, as he finally leaned back onto the bed. "You will be the first to know, I promise." She smiled lightly, walking around the edge of the bed to start pulling monitors out and set up IV bags.

"Cas and I should be able to manage. You can keep working on a tablet, but don't overdo it. If you can sleep do it." She was careful as she began to hook him up to things, watching as even then he fought against sleep. He did not say anything, but she knew he understood, or she hoped anyway.

"I know you will get this figured out." He finally spoke, as she took a hold of his hand and set him up on the IV. "You are smart enough and skilled enough. Screw whatever Woolsey has to say."

She laughed, he always did that. Encouraged and lifted her, as best he could manage. She let her hand stay with him, enjoying the light feeling of his thumb as it ran over her knuckles. "Thank you for having such faith in me."

But he shook his head, leaning against the pillows. "What have we talked about? When it comes to thanking me?" she shook her head, trying to hold back her laugh.

"You deserve it though." She looked up, able to see how tried his eyes were. He was growing weaker by the moment, even if he did his best to stay strong. "Now, quit acting like the marines of this city, and let yourself rest." She leaned up, the curtains around them still blocking everyone out. She pressed her cheek to his own, feeling the heat on his skin for a moment. The contact held before she leaned back and away. "Just let me know if you need me."