"You said these things happen every twenty years?" John asked as he looked out over the balcony at their people coming back, with the gear, and relieved looks on their faces.

"That's what they tell us," replied Elizabeth looking up at her dear friend.

"How far in advance can we book days off?" John said, only half joking. Rodney's smile rapidly turned into a wince. Elizabeth grinned and turned away before she could respond.

"Okay Rodney, what moron taught you how to bandage provide first aid to yourself? Come on pal," he grabbed his brother's good arm and led him into the conference room.

He sat Rodney down, then moved over to get the first aid kit from the cabinets in the corner of the room, "sit still buddy," John felt like he was treating his teenage little brother again. He cut away the bandage and shook his head, "did you even clean this?"

"No…" whispered Rodney.

"Dork," John gently removed the jacket from Rodney's arms, and grimaced at the gash in the arm, he turned it over gently, barely touching the arm, there was no exit wound, but the blood was all over, covering his arm.

"Jesus McKay," John took out a large alcohol wipe and began to clean all the blood off, he found a wash cloth and some warm water and washed the blood off and began to wipe the gash.

He watched Rodney biting his lip, the truest Rodney McKay 'in pain' sign. John winched, "sorry Rod," he whispered. He looked at the wound, "this might be infected, I'd like Carson to take a look at it."

"John, I'm sorry," Rodney whispered.

John looked at him and sighed, he hit the intercom, "Dr. Beckett, it's John, I'm in the conference room with Rodney, could you get down here please?"

"Aye, I'll be there as soon as I can lad."

"Thanks," John sighed and turned his attention back to the man sitting before him. Rodney was shaking, his face had become pale again. John reached out and turned Rodney's face towards him and sighed, "nice bruise, Koyla?"

"I felt like it was my father again…" whispered Rodney.

"I'm sorry I wasn't there Rodney, to stop the bastard from doing this to you, if I had known he did this to you…I'd have shot him in the head instead of in the shoulder."

"I tried not to tell him I really did," John sighed and pulled Rodney close, he felt Rodney lean his head against his shoulder. He hugged him close, rubbing his back.

"I know Rodney, I know, cry Rodney. Just cry, it's okay."

The flood gates opened as Rodney let out all his fears, his panic attack, his pain and sorrow. John sighed as he leaned his head against Rodney's. Wishing for the pain to stop; John rubbed Rodney's back in circles, and eyed Carson as he entered the conference room, he looked exhausted, his face drawn and pale, but he was up on his feet and obviously feeling better.

"What have we got son?"

"I don't know yet, Rodney, look at me, did Koyla hit you anywhere else?"

"yes…"

"Take the shirt off lad, we'll do this here if we have to, I can get you to the infirmary later if needed," Carson said gently.

With the help of both men Rodney's shirt was unzipped and lifted over his head. Carson and John both gasped at the wide range of bruises, purples, blacks, blues and bright reds.

"My god, his back is covered in bruises," John whispered.

"He's go two cracked ribs, and several bruises on his stomach," Carson spoke as he probbed Rodney's back and sides.

"I think the gash on his arm in infected, and he might have nerve damage."

"Let's get in him to the infirmary," Carson muttered.

The two men helped their friend all the way to the infirmary, none of them looked very good to anyone who might be watching them but for them it didn't matter anymore.

Carson maneuvered Rodney down onto the bed, he looked up at them, "I'm going to get an IV started, John why don't ya keep your wee brother calm, see if you can't get him to fall asleep," Carson suggested.

John watched as the doctor stiffly walked away. John reached out and gently ran a hand over Rodney's hair, "talk to me Rodney."

"I failed…"

"No Rodney, you did an amazing job, you were brave, Rodney you're a strong man, and I'm proud of you," John said gently.

"I…I should have been stronger."

"No, just stay the way you are little brother, I love you anyway, everything about ya. Close your eyes Rod, I'll be here when you wake up."

"Promise?"

"Have I ever let you down baby brother?"

"No," Rodney mumbled before he slipped into a heavy sleep, his big brother watching over him.

Carson came back to John and Rodney's side and smiled sadly, "I heard he tried to start the shield early…"

"Yeah, he feels kinda shitty about that doc…"

"I know lad, and I don't blame him for wanting to start it early. I'm glad he didn't, but I know if it had been me I would have considered it as well. You should get some sleep as well lad. We've all had a busy day."

"I know, but I promised him I'd be here when he woke up, and I'm not going to let him down…never again," John whispered.

"You didn't let him down anymore than he let you down lad. You both did your jobs above and beyond the usual. I've seen you two together, and anyone who thought you two didn't like each other or wouldn't protect each other would be nuts."

"He's the best friend I've ever had…aside from you maybe."

"Aye you two have become brothers to me…I'm glad I decided to come on this mission."

"So are we," whispered John.

Rodney groaned slightly as he opened his eyes, everything coming back into focus, how long had he been out...he looked around and saw Elizabeth sitting on a cot across the room, John was to the left of his bed, feet propped up at the end, his eyes chin resting on his chest. Carson was already bustling off at work. The blue eyed physician came into view seconds later.

"How do you feel lad?" Carson asked as he began to check over Rodney's vitals. Rodney's temperature was still elevated, his heart beat and pulse were a little fast, blood pressure was still a little low.

"Crappy..." murmured Rodney.

"Are you in pain?"

"Feels like my arm is on fire..."

"Aye, you have an infection, we're trying to knock it out with heavy anitbiotics. Are ya hungry?"

"No...Elizabeth...is she okay?"

"She's survive, she's worried about you though."

"Nothin' ta worry 'bout..."

"Right...get some sleep Rodney, we'll try and get you some food next time you wake up."

"Supplies?"

"Rodney, stop worryin', ya need to rest," Carson whispered as he pulled up the blanket to Rodney's shoulders.

"My fault."

"Hardly."

"Car'...sorry," Rodney was frustrated that he couldn't seem to form a full sentence.

"Rodney, listen to me lad, you are not at fault, you did everything you could and more.I am alive, Teyla is alive, we're fine, a wee bit bruised and nauseated, but we'll be fine. Just worry about getting better yourself."

"Nigh'..." mumbled Rodney as his eyes drifted close.

Carson grinned and shook his head, squeezing his friend's hand reassuringly, he checked the vitals again and headed back to his office. He knew Rodney would be fine, his body was already starting to heal itself. But more than that, Rodney would be fine because he had friends and family that honestly cared about him. He would be back to good old annoying Rodney before anyone had a chance to really think about it. Carson smiled, no matter how much he complained or picked on Rodney and his annoying traits, he would always take a cranky Rodney to the quiet Rodney. It meant that Rodney was going to be fine, the quiet Rodney screamed for help. He sighed and dug into his work, aware there was still a lot to do.