John sighed as he took the front, Ronan and Teyla near the back as usual, and of course Rodney was right by John's side; driving his big brother up the wall…as usual.
"This is ridiculous," muttered Rodney as he tried to keep his footing.
"Well, keep complaining about it and we may get there faster." John shot in return. There were days when his brother could easily try the patience of a saint…and today seemed to be one of those days. He had to hide his smile, but a part of him was honestly glad to have his brother back to normal after all they had been through.
"Well, couldn't we have met these people on a tropical beach planet populated by tall blonde women, hmm?"
"Whoever wants to speak with us obviously values their privacy," Teyla piped up from behind them.
"Yes, well I value my time, and this is a waste of it."
"What's a waste of time is listening to you, Rodney." Grumbled John, he didn't mean for it so sound so annoyed, but he was getting tired of hearing the man grumble and gripe.
"Yeah, well it strikes me that this is a mission better suited to one of the, uh, lower echelon teams."
"Lower echelon?" Ronan asked in confusion.
"He means to say less important." Replied Teyla shaking her head. Part of her knew what Rodney said was true, they were indeed the most talked about, and perhaps most respected and best team on Atlantis, some even said they reviled the SG-1 team from earth, however she also knew that Rodney was trying to be a spoiled brat, not to truly make a point.
"We got a tip from one of Teyla's contacts; we're following it up."
"And this is like, what? The umpteenth tip we've followed up in search of a ZedPM?"
"Rodney," came Teyla's kind yet some what annoyed warning.
"Look, I just wanna make it clear that every second I am out of my lab is a second the galaxy goes without another ground-breaking ..." His words were cut off when he was hit in the back with something. He dropped to the ground, unconscious and unaware that the rest of his team followed.
John shook his head to clear it when whatever had been over it was finally removed. He was seated at a table, he quickly searched, not having to look far, for his other three team members. They were in a cave, there was food on the table in front of them, and men with guns standing far to close to his team. "You guys okay?" he asked.
"Oh yeah, fine!" hissed Rodney.
"Seems like a whole lot of trouble to go through just to get us to dinner. Not a talkative bunch, are you?" John mumbled when the men didn't respond.
"We'll release you from your bindings if you promise not to attack us." The first man spoke.
"Sure," came Ronan's sarcastic remark.
"Yeah. We promise," John replied as well, just as unconvincing as Ronan was and just as annoyed.
John jumped at the sound of a familiar laugh, all eyes moved to Aiden Ford, he was alive, but looked just like he had the last time John had seen him. Ronan tried to jump to his feet, but he was pushed down by a man. "Before we untie them, they have to know they're among friends."
"Ford?"
"Thought I was dead, didn't you Shep?" the man said grinning. "Now please, eat," he said grinning. Reaching out he took a bite of Teyla's food, as if to prove something. Ronan just sniffed the food, the other's didn't move. Rodney tentatively picked up something and put it in his mouth.
"Well men, this used to be my team." Ford said to one man, then paused at Ronan, "Well, not this one, but I think he's OK too."
"What is all this?" John asked.
"Some local vegetables; a sorta alligator thingy. It tastes like salted meat, it's good, try it." Answered Ford, knowing exactly what John meant, but not caring.
"I'm not talkin' about the food. What the hell is going on?"
"Who are these men? And why bring us here like this?" Teyla added.
"Whoa. That's a lot of questions," Ford replied smiling.
"Pick one," bit Ronan.
""Pick one". That's good. Where'd you find him, Sheppard?"
"Maybe you should start with how you managed to escape being culled by the Wraith Dart, hmm?" Rodney paused noticing his brother's look, "What? I get nervous, I get hungry. It's the enzyme. Makes you almost immune to the Wraith stunner so when you're dematerialized from the Wraith Dart, you're awake as opposed to, uh ..." Rodney stopped.
"... as opposed to dead." Answered Ford. "I cut open its enzyme pouch, took my fill, made my way off the ship. You can get around pretty easy on a Wraith ship. They're not used to people making it aboard, so there's next to no security. I walked off with enough enzyme to last me a little while. Tracked down the Stargate, dialed the first friendly address I could remember," explained Ford
"We know how to administer it now, how to regulate it, refine it. We've gotten so good, we can even lace food with it," he paused watching his former teammates get very nervous. "Congratulations. You just had your first dose."
"What!" Rodney cried spitting out the food.
"I thought long and hard about how to show you that the enzyme was safe, to convince you that it was the first step to defeating the Wraith. So you can convince Weir, convince the military." Smiled Ford.
"Are you out of your mind?" Rodney screamed as he stood, fuming at the man he had once considered his friend.
"Hey, settle down, McKay," Ford said grinning.
"No, I will not settle down! I've been drugged against my will, you little punk!" Rodney's voice cracked as he felt his stomach begin to churn…how many times was he going to be betrayed, how many times would he have to suffer?
"You should not have done this, Aiden." Teyla said trying to remain calm.
"Hey, be as mad as you want. Couple of days, you'll be thankin' me. We'll have a good laugh about this. Now eat up," Ford said grinning.
John sat at the table, watching his three friends pace, however his eyes solely watching the little brother he had failed. Rodney's breathing was heavy, and it was obvious that he was scared, no doubt from memories he was having.
"Seriously, I'm getting, uh, I'm getting, uh, chills and hot flashes, chills and hot flashes again and again. None of you are feeling that?" Rodney whimpered
"The enzyme's side effects are gonna be the least of his concerns if he keeps this up," Growled Ronan.
"I know – just be patient…look Ronan, he's having a rough time, in case you've forgotten about the past four months…they haven't exactly been easy for him."
"Historically, that hasn't been a strength for me," snapped Ronan.
"I know," replied John tiredly. He wanted nothing more than to just grab his brother and hug him, tell him that everything was going to be okay, he wanted nothing more than to believe that everything was going to be okay, but not for the first time in the past year, he didn't feel very good about anything right now.
"Regardless, the hive ship will be on a hyperspace pause, yes, but it will not enter the planet's atmosphere, nor will it take up any sort of stable orbit. It will be flying through space, which means that unless your enzyme allows you to jump much higher than you've let on ..." Rodney growled.
"We've got a spaceship," Ford replied smiling.
"Oh yeah? Really? What's it made out of, huh? Bark?" McKay spoke sarcastically.
"No, it's real, McKay. In fact, it's the only ship I'd feel comfortable using on a mission like this."
He turned, along with the rest of the team, and they all watched in horror as Aiden's men unveiled the Wraith Dart. John felt his stomach clinch, "okay…where'd you get it?"
"Does it matter?"
"None of us have had much success flying it. Banged it up pretty bad last couple of landings. It's in need of some repairs," spoke one man Aiden called Kanayo.
"And a real pilot," grinned Ford.
"This is why you brought us here?" John felt his anger rising, this is why Ford had brought them, had kidnapped them, had drugged them.
"It's the reason I waited 'till now, yeah."
"Assuming this guy can get it working again," Kanayo replied as he poked Rodney in the arm.
"He can, these people are the best at what they do," bragged Ford.
"Look, you fly it, you scoop us up, you take us to the hive, you drop us off. All we need is time to lay the charge. We'll be in and out of there before the Wraith have any idea what's going on," explained Kanayo.
"It's perfect," grinned Ford.
"It's far from perfect," snapped Rodney.
"But-it is possible," John finally spoke again.
"Colonel…" Teyla said in disbelief.
"Are you honestly…honestly considering this?" Rodney asked, betrayal in his eyes.
John sighed, "it's on it's way to a culling Rod…"
"Yeah and I'm sorry…but this is insane!"
"Maybe not…" Sheppard began, as he tried to reason his brother, he knew it wouldn't happen.
"Jace has been trying to get it working, but he's not you McKay. Can you fix it?" Ford asked.
"Probably not!" retorted the astrophysicist.
"That usually means yes," pointed Sheppard, suddenly aware of the angry glare from both Ronan and Teyla, as well as the betrayal in Rodney's eyes.
"Aren't you the one not taking the enzyme? You're supposed to be the clear voice of reason here." Bit Rodney in one last shot of desperation.
"Look, can you fix it?" Ford spoke.
"Even if I could, I wouldn't. I'm sorry – drug me all you want, I'm not doing this!" he growled as he stalked off away from them. He couldn't hold the anger back anymore, desperately as he tried to blink the tears from his eyes that had somehow formed.
"Let me talk to him – he'll come round," John murmured. He felt terrible, he had hurt his brother. He hurried after him, thankful that the scientist hadn't gotten far. "Rod…"
"You are on the enzyme…he just won't tell you! Because no rational person…not the John Sheppard I know…would think this idea was good!" bit Rodney as he continued to walk away.
"Rod, stop," John said grabbing his brother's arm and whirling him around. "I'm sorry, okay, this is a shitty idea, obviously, but there are good things that could from it, okay. For starters I could convince Ford to put you guys on the ground team, I could sweep all of us up, and then take us home. Rodney, I'm not going to let anything bad happen to you…"
"Do you realize how many times you've said that…"
"Rod…"
"No John! We could get killed! I for one would like to return to my daughter safe and preferably alive! Wouldn't you! What about Johnny? We've been gone for at least two days…don't you think they're a little worried about us right now. In another five days they'll announce us MIA…and in a month they could pronounce us KIA! Is that how you want this to happen?"
"Rodney, listen to me, okay, that's not going to happen. I won't let it happen. Ford…the Aiden we used to know and love is still in there somewhere, he's still listening to us, we just have to reach him."
"He's drugged…"
"So are you…by the way, when did you do pot in college?" John grinned as his brother shook his head.
"That's not the point here John…I'm sorry, I'm scared…" whispered Rodney.
John nodded and squeezed his brother's shoulder. "Yeah…so am I, you have to believe me Rodney, the last thing in the world I ever want to happen again is for you to be captured or hurt. I didn't want this or plan for this to happen."
"I know," whispered Rodney finally.
"Don't give up on me Rod, I haven't finished with Ford yet…I'll get us out of this."
"And if you can't?" questioned Rodney.
"Then you will Super Rodney," John grinned as he wrapped an arm around his brother's shoulder.
John sat in the cockpit of the Wraith dart, looking at some of the things around him, he found it quite disturbing to be sitting in one of these, but he remained quiet. Jace, one of Aiden's henchmen, stood on the ladder also looking in.
"Okay, move," Rodney said as he took Jace's place. "Look this is probably gonna make you a little uneasy but, well…when the canopy forms it's perfectly opaque."
"Then how am I supposed to fly this thing?"
"The whole thing is one giant heads-up display. It'll show you all the per pertinent information that you need," Rodney explained.
"You mean…in WRAITH?" John looked at his brother in a loss of words.
"Yeah…which is why I've installed an interface to translate a lot of the readouts," Rodney replied.
"And by "a lot" you mean "all"…right, because my Wraith isn't so hot…"
"It's enough that you'll get by just fine."
"I knew you could do it. Right on time," Ford said as he came over and slapped his former friend on the shoulder. "Kanayo's gonna get suited up, so you should get ready."
"Right," McKay murmured, he quickly eyed his brother again, the climbed off the later. He headed past Teyla to get ready, while Aiden climbed up the ladder and smiled.
"Seems nervous."
"You know Rodney," mumbled John trying to remain as neutral as possible.
"You know how to dial the DHD on this thing?" Ford questioned.
"The address is already memorized."
"Good, Listen I should really tell you there's been a slight change of plans."
"Oh yeah?" John tried not to act scared or nervous.
He watched in horror as Ford called out his henchman, within seconds everyone had a gun pointed at everyone else. Kanayo smiled and grabbed Rodney roughly; John watched his brother struggle to stay on his feet.
"What the hell do you think your doing?" yelled John in a sudden rush of fear.
"McKay's gonna stay here…while we do the operation…Take him."
John watched his brother began to protest and cry out for help. John's stomach turned to led, this was too familiar, no doubt for Rodney as well. 'Oh god' John thought, as he realized he had yet again failed his little brother. He had made a promise, and now he failed.
"You didn't really buy that whole speech I gave you…wow I thought you were smarter than that," laughed Ford.
"YOU STUPID BASTARD!" screamed John as he tried to lunge out at the twit, Ford instantly had a gun pointed at John.
"There's definitely one thing I learned about you and that dear baby brother of yours…that look…you need to stop looking at each other before you execute a plan…it's dead give away."
"If you hurt a single hair on his head, I'm going to kill you!" growled John.
"You said the same thing to the Genii…"
John wanted to scream, wanted to kick, most of all he wanted to run after his little brother and get him the hell out of this situation. How could he keep failing Rodney, how many times would his brother suffer before John finally got something right?
"Shouldn't they be back by now?" Rodney asked for what seemed like the hundredth time. He was scared, terrified actually…was a much better word. His brother, Teyla and Ronan were out there without him, and he didn't feel they needed him, for once he honestly felt he needed them. He had failed his brother, he hadn't found a way to save them yet. The longer they were gone the least likely they were to survive. This wasn't like John being caught under rubble or being held hostage, no this was very different. This was more like knowing he was quite possibly gone forever. He wished he had told his brother something before they left, that he loved him, that John was his best friend. He wished he had told him how thankful he was to have John in his life, how thankful he was especially to have him in the past three months after the whole kidnapping. He wished he had given Lauryn another kiss…he wished he had kissed Elizabeth at the Christmas party when he had wanted to. Wished he had told her that he really did love her, and that no matter what it meant he wanted to spend the rest of his life with her. To hold her forever and protect her from the world, he wished he had told her that he wanted her to help raise his daughter, so she would be their daughter.
Ronan glared at Ford angrily as he watched Sheppard escorted off, "if he dies…you die," he said blatantly. Although Ronan was seriously going tokill the little bastard for what he had done to McKay as it was.
The Wraith marched John down the corridor and into a chamber very similar to the one Sumner had been in. Gulping past the lump in his throat, John began to take the room in around him. He gasped when he suddenly came face to face with a female wraith. She smiled at him and lifted her hand to his cheek, gently sliding it down her his cheek, "Kneel," she spoke and watched John drop to his knees against his will.
All John could think was 'where is Rodney when I need him.'
"The ship? Where did you get it?" the Wraith queen asked as she stared into his eyes.
John struggled to not reply, he couldn't it could very well mean the lives of his friends. "You mean the Dart? We call them Darts because they're so pointy," he replied finally.
"Tell me. Where?"
"I really don't wanna say."
The Wraith grinned as she suddenly backhanded him, John grunted and recoiled from the aggressive slap, realizing what his brother probably felt like all those years ago. Suddenly her long talon came to caress his cheek, "I don't even know your name," he managed to grunt.
"In time, you will tell me every..."
"Tell you what?" John watched her leave as two of the other wraith grabbed him by the arms, "What's wrong? She didn't even tell me her name!" he cried as they dragged him out the door.
John wasn't going to lie that he was relieved to see Teyla and Ronan in the cell looking obviously unharmed, Teyla immediately looked up at him and smiled, "Colonel?" She watched as the Wraith opened the cell and threw John in, sending him crashing to the floor by her feet. "Are you all right?" she asked kneeling by his side and gently helping him to roll over.
"Where'd they take you?" Ronan asked as he moved over to John and offered him a hand.
"A little Q and A with the Queen of the hive," He mumbled as he dusted off his pants off.
"What'd you tell her?" Ford suddenly asked from where he stood in a nearby corner.
Sheppard sat down on the bench, grimacing slightly, "it was a short conversation, she walked out before I could say a word."
"Why?"
John rolled his eyes at Ford's question, no wonder Rodney got annoyed with the officer. "I dunno. Maybe she was late for a meeting."
"No. There's something else. I sense she was agitated, even angry," Teyla offered as she moved over to sit down beside him.
"Why?"
"Another hive ship has arrived," she explained as she looked up at the ceiling, closing her eyes for a moment.
"Are you sure there's another ship?"
"I sense it, close by."
"Well, maybe they're planning on culling the planet together," mumbled John.
"Or they're gonna fight for it," Ford offered, sounding a little more like the old Ford.
"Either way, the planet's only a few days away so we don't have much time if we still intend to stop them," replied the man named Kanayo.
"Alright. First things first: how to get out. Any luck?" John asked as he stood and move towards the door. He sighed, if Rodney were here, he could get them out. His mind suddenly moved to his brother on Ford's planet.
"Not yet," replied Ronan, snapping John from his thoughts as the larger man joined John by his side at the door.
"Don't worry, I'll figure a way out," Ford replied confidently.
"Yeah…right, I was afraid you would say that," mumbled John.
"Are you sure you're okay?" Ronan asked.
"Worried, that's all…" whispered John.
"About?" Ronan asked.
"Rodney," whispered John softly again, "not to mention what my kid must be thinking."
"I am sure they are fine, we will get Rodney," Teyla offered as she gripped John's elbow.
"Right, just have to keep reminding myself how resourceful that guy is," John replied but he didn't feel it, he didn't feel confident.
"Okay, they definitely should have been back by now. Seriously, am I the only one who thinks that maybe things haven't gone according to plan?" Rodney said suddenly as he paced around the entranced of Ford's cave.
"Yes," replied one guard as he rolled his eyes and continued to play the game with his partner.
"Okay, look, we can't just sit here. We need, we need to, we need to do something," mumbled Rodney nervously.
"Like what?" The guard returned.
"Like go get help! Look, we can dial the Stargate back to Atlantis where we have a ship – a fast ship with, with, with shields. We can fly to the hive and then, then rescue them if we need to."
"Can't dial the Gate, remember? Ford removed the control crystals from the dialing device."
"Yes, I know that. But here's the good news: you're the ones guarding them! Look, all you have to do is get me the crystals, I can fix the DHD and then, then, then; look, you just have to walk into Ford's little room back there and get em."
"We're not giving you anything."
"Then I can't dial the Gate." Rodney answered the guard again, getting further annoyed and agitated.
"What I said." The guard replied.
"What is this, an Abbott and Costello routine? Look, just give me the damned crystals!" He quickly made his way toward Aiden's room, however both the guards quickly got to their feet and blocked him, pointing their guys at him.
"You want the crystals, you're gonna have to go through us first."
"Unbelievable!" he growled as he stormed away. He tried to breathe deeply, but he was getting scared and nervous. His mind was going a hundred miles a minute and he felt like he was losing it.
John sighed as he looked at the control panel, suddenly remembering something Rod had done before, "last time we were on one of these ships McKay was able to open the door by cutting right into the wall…"
"You like with a knife?" Ford asked as he suddenly pulled a small knife out of his jacket.
"You have a knife?"
"One for them to fine, and one to keep, everyone knows that…" Ford deduced.
Sheppard felt like an idiot, the military taught them that, it had been the first thing he had taught Rodney when they had arrived on Atlantis, however he knew for a fact that while Ronan, Teyla, Elizabeth and Ford probably listened to that rule all the time, Carson and McKay were not people who would. "Right! Forgot all about that rule."
"Well it's a good thing I'm here," Ford said grinning.
John chose to really ignore the comment, it was his fault they were in this position in the first place. John didn't feel like Ford being here was a good thing at all, "right…" pointing to the wall he nodded, "now just uh…take your time…"
Aiden threw the knife into the panel but it didn't budge, John growled "I said take your time!" as he grabbed the knife out of the wall.
"I hit the exact spot you pointed too!"
"All right! Anybody else have a knife?"
Ronan stepped forward and rolling his eyes he pulled out his own small knife, flinging it at the wall. John rolled his eyes, unable to believe he was the only one who apparently forgot this rule. Ronan hit the wall, and this time the lights went out, but the door still remained closed. "Getting warmer…" John watched as Ronan suddenly pulled out another knife, "how many of those things have you got?"
"How many d'you need?" he said grinning.
John smiled lightly, remembering why he liked this guy being on his team and shook his head as he watched Ronan take careful aim.
Rodney stood in Jace's lab, staring at the vials of liquids, "Okay, you can take them out, easy. Just a few well- placed karate chops and, and, and, and down they go. Piece of cake…." He muttered, reaching out for the cabinet door, he suddenly withdrew his hand, "are you an idiot!" he walked away then suddenly turned back again, he opened the door, "desperate times call for desperate measures…" he took out one of the vials of Wraith enzyme, pausing he looked at the larger bottle. Taking it instead he smiled, "that's one hell of a karate chop!"
He paused again, "John is totally going to kick my ass," he murmured.
John, Ronon, Teyla and Kanayo all stood by the door of the cell, looking at the four knifes sticking out of the control panel, Ronan reached into his hair and pulled out another small knife, "you must have a hell of a time going through airports," muttered John. He paused suddenly, he quickly looked around.
"What is wrong?" Teyla asked him.
"Nothing…I just…I thought I heard Rodney's voice," John quickly shook it off and nodded at Ronan who quickly took aim. John wanted to cheer when Ronan hit the target perfectly and the doors slid open.
John lookd back and realized that Aiden was injecting himself with the enzyme "What the hell are you doing?" John growled.
"What about the rest of us?" yelled Ronan.
"That's the last of it."
"You don't need it…" stated Kanayo.
"You don't know that," Ronan quickly returned with frustration.
"We're heading to the dart bay, stay together and stay quiet," John instructed as they all headed out the door.
Rodney was leaning on the bench, groaning as he finished injecting himself. The bottle was completely empty. Grunting, Rodney stood up, he quickly looked around to the door and grinned wildly, "lock and load." He headed out the door where the two guards were still engrossed in their game.
Rodney suddenly grabbed one of the men's shoulders and threw him across the room in rage, the other guard rose to his feet, only to have Rodney bunch him hard in the nose, sending the man back flying, Rodney grabbed a bottle from the table and crashed it over the man's head, watching him drop to the ground senselessly. "And that's what happens when you back a brilliant scientist into a corner!" He turned around only to get a fist right in his face. The other guard grabbed Rodney by the throat.
Rodney reacted instantly, smashing his hand down on the man's arm, then kicked him hard in the stomach, knocking the first man down to the floor unconscious. "Now focus!" Rodney said as his eyes grew wide in obvious hysteria. He quickly moved into Aiden's room, and opened a drawer, after a quick search of a couple different drawers he found the crystals, "Yes!"
Rodney ran as fast as he could to the gate, he looked down at the DHD, it only took him moments to fix the device before he started punching the symbols, "Big dose! Big, big dose…needed it….needed the crystals, needed to get out…." He hit the last symbol his gaze returning to the gate, "please work, please please work," he whimpered. He watched in desperation as the foot opened with it's normal sound, "okay going home!" he mumbled.
Elizabeth watched from the control room as the technician nearby looked at his computer, "unscheduled activation…It's Dr. McKay's IDC!" grinned the man.
"Lower the shield!" she cried as she quickly ran down the stairs. She was horrified by what met her. Rodney stepped through the gate looking like a complete mess, he was covered in sweat, walking fast, and he was jittery.
"I know what I need to do!" he cried as he tried to move towards the stairs.
"Rodney, what's happened?" she asked grabbing his arm, "Rod, where's everyone else?" she asked gently.
Two bloodshot blue eyes met hers, "no time…no time…the planet. Not Ford's….the u…uh…ship's headed towards, we need to get there….we…we don't have much time," he began to pace frantically again, gesturing and hyperventilating as he began to shake as well, "I was barely able to escape myself…managed to take…the guards out," he said smiling "you would have been proud…proud….John's gonna kick my ass… You should have seen me…I was amazing! I wish we'd got it on camera…that's not the point…"
"Rodney, slow down, are you all right?"
"Yes….yes…I mean, um…" he shrugged, and giggled, " dunno," he started to pace again, "I mean….I did take out the guards….they were big and dumb and huge…and stupid and and…."
"Rod, I need you to focus, what guards?" she asked grabbing him gently, he looked so terrible, so afraid.
"Ford's guards! Haven't I mentioned Ford yet?" he whimpered.
"No,. you didn't, you haven't really mentioned Sheppard, Teyla or Ronan either?"
"Did too…John's gonna kick my ass….kick it! I mean into oblivion…won't sit down for months…Lizzy," he smiled at her, "I took out the guards! All by myself, you'd be so proud….they were huge, massive, and I had to take 'em out…so I injected myself…with the enzyme," he said grinning.
Elizabeth felt tears prick in her eyes as she shook him, "you did what? Rodney, are you insane? You took some of the enzyme?" she was scared, she shouldn't have said it, instantly his face fell in almost contorted pain.
"no…no….no, I didn't take some of the enzyme…I took lots of the enzyme…I had to Lizzy…. Because I had to take out the guards, you shoulda seen me! John is so gonna kick my ass…but…I didn't need anyone…I did it myself…my ass is dead… I was amazing!"
"Rodney!" she cried.
"Yes….yes….not I've taken the enzyme….insane," he giggled again as his face suddenly contorted in pain
"Rod, focus please, where is John?"
"No, no, no, I had to take the enzyme because, because I had to take out the guards! But that's not the point – the point is we don't have enough time. We need to stop the ship from getting to where the ship is going…"
She put an arm around his arm, turning him around again, "come on sweetie, let's go take a walk to the infirmary, okay?"
"Whoa! What are you doing? Where are you going? No…no…no…no…I don't wanna see Mr. voodoo…I wanna go to the uh…I wanna…" his heads rolled up into the back of his head and he dropped to the floor.
Two guards ran towards him, Elizabeth dropped to his side and gently touched his cheek, "Dr. Beckett, we've got an emergency! We're headed to you!" she said into her radio as the guards began to lift Rodney. "please be gentle with him," she whispered gently as she lifted his head.
"Dear God," whispered Carson as he looked at the body of his best friend, "what the hell happened?" Carson hurried over to his side as they set Rodney on a bed.
"He took a very large dose of the enzyme…aperently," Elizabeth replied.
"Oh Rodney," Carson whispered, "come back in an hour or so…" Carson quickly set to stabilizing his best friend as he tried not to think about the next several days ahead of them.
Colonel Caldwell and Elizabeth walked to the Infirmary an hour later, as Elizabeth had been told. Carson turned from Rodney's side, he sighed and headed over to Caldwell and Elizabeth, surprised to see the latter of the two. "Colonel, I didn't think you were due back for days…"
"Doctor Weir requested we join the search ASAP, so we pushed the engines a little."
"How is he?" Elizabeth asked eyeing the man she loved. He looked like he was dying, Elizabeth felt her heart shatter.
"I've sedated him; administered a beta blocker to bring his blood pressure down to a more manageable level. It's a wonder he didn't suffer a stroke."
Did he mention anything further about the location of Colonel Sheppard and his team?" Caldwell asked.
"Nothing coherent, I'm afraid. By the time he arrived here, he was hyperventilating, pulse extremely rapid. He could barely get out a word – although, being Rodney, he certainly tried," Carson whispered smiling ruefully.
Elizabeth offered a short smile, "how much did he take?"
"A very big dose, I'm afraid. I found a significant amount of it in his system – nearly as much as Lieutenant Ford."
"Alright – can you wean him off it?" Elizabeth asked hopefully
"I wish I could. Unfortunately, Lieutenant Ford took the last supply of our enzyme when he left Atlantis, so an incremental withdrawal is out of the question."
"Unless we harvest more enzyme." Offered Caldwell.
"Not an option. By the time you go out and collect it, the enzyme will have broken down in his system already. No, I'm afraid for Rodney the only choice is ..." Carson paused.
"... cold turkey." Caldwell replied gently.
"Aye, to put it bluntly. I can administer some drugs to help ease the process: anti-nausea medication, pain reliever, benzodiazepine for anxiety, as well as a multi-vitamin injection to bolster the immune system ..."
"Good."
"... but there's no dodging the fact it's gonna be difficult – possibly even deadly." Carson said almost sadly.
Carson felt like his world was falling apart, John was still missing, Rodney was dying, and Carson was helpless to change any of it. Rodney had only woken up an hour ago and was already torturing Carson's staff.
"Don't just stand there! Get me more enzyme!" cried Rodney frantically as he looked at the person who was supposed to be his best friend.
Carson sighed and looked sadly at his best friend, "Rod, I'm sorry I don't have any for ye…"
"It's in the cave….Ford's cave….he's got lots of it….please…" whimpered the man.
"Do ye know the address?"
"What? NO!" he cried.
"I'm sorry Rodney," whispered Carson.
"You don't have to scream at me! " growled Rodney hysterically.
Carson sighed, it felt like his world was dying, he rubbed his eyes wearily, "I'm not screaming…" Carson murmured.
"This is fun for you isn't it! Watching me like this!"
Carson's eyes practically bugged out of his head when he looked at his best friend, "I assure you this is far from fun lad, there is nothing more in this world that I could possible want then to help you…."
"What is this, payback? You're jealous, huh? Jealous of how vital I am to this mission – vital, vital – jealous of how I get to go off world and, and you get stuck in this stupid, pathetic excuse for a hospital."
"You know that's not true," Carson murmured as he tried not to cry in front of his best friend, it would instill much hope in Rodney to get better if he burst into tears.
"Jealous I get all the women and you don't!" came McKay's contempt voice.
"Excuse me!" Carson couldn't believe that had just come out of Rodney's mouth.
"Please, just give me a little enzyme – just enough to take the edge off. I'm dying here….Carson please," sobbed Rodney.
Carson leaned over and held Rodney's hand tightly, "I'm here Rodney, that's all I can give you, I'm sorry," whimpered Carson, he felt the tears beginning to slip down his strong cheek bones. "We don't have any enzyme…I'm sorry Rod."
"You think I don't know your lying!" screamed Rodney as he ripped his hand from Carson's grip.
"I'm not lying Rodney…"
"You are. You think I don't think you are but you are. And don't think I won't forget it ... " Rodney's voice trailed off looking confused and unsure what he had just said, his eyes began to fill up with tears again. "Please, just kill me," he whimpered.
"Rodney, listen to me, I know it hurts, I'm trying to understand lad, and I know you're hurting, but please believe me when I tell you you're not going to die. You just have to have a little faith in me," Carson whispered.
"Why! You're trying to stab me in the back! I hate you!" cried Rodney as he arched, closing his eyes to another wave of white hot pain.
His eyes closed he didn't see Carson shut his eyes to his own wave of pain, he rubbed his eyes again, "I'm sorry Rod," mumbled Carson as he slowly moved away from the man he called a best friend.
Elizabeth slipped into the infirmary quietly later that night, she didn't expect to see anyone around, however there sat Carson at his best friend's beside, "how is he?" she asked softly looking from Carson to Rodney's sleeping figure.
"Oh…sleeping, finally…it's been a very rough day for him," whispered Carson as he rubbed the tears from his eyes, but Elizabeth didn't miss them.
"And for you too," she said smiling softly.
"Aye…I imagine so, he hasn't told me anything about John or Teyla…any of them…all I heard today were words of hate and anger…God Elizabeth…he's like my wee brother, and honestly I'm not sure when I suddenly became so close to him. I've always respected him and trusted him from the moment I met him, but…" Carson shook his head with a soft shrug.
"You love him, we all do…the truth is Carson, that as much as Rodney drives every crazy…he's part of us, he keeps us going at our best. I know I've fallen for him," she whispered as she clutched the limp restrained hand.
"I want to protect him, but sitting here…listening to his words, I didn't realize you could feel your heart break in two."
"Oh, yeah you can, trust me, I'm sure Rodney's felt it a couple times…He didn't mean it Carson, what ever he told you, he didn't mean it. I can tell you that you are Rodney's go to man, you're the only person he can talk to about anything. He's always been the most comfortable around you. He loves you like a brother and a best friend. Your relationship is very deep like Jack O'Neill's and Daniel Jackson…all three of you are very close. Cherish it, he does," she whispered softly as she took Carson's hand in her's as well.
"I hate to say it, but his stubbornness is probably what's sustained him throughout the ordeal."
"Well, we won't tell him that, Carson, thank you," she pressed a kiss to his cheek, "for bringing him through this."
"Aye…I doubt he'll feel the same, but you're welcome." He mumbled.
"I'm sure he'll see the truth."
"Maybe… he'll be afraid of me and my infirmary even more now…"
"You should get some rest, you're exhausted."
"Aye…but I would like to stay with him a little longer…"
"I'll sit with him…go get a shower and some rest."
"Thank you lass." She watched Carson slip off for awhile, as she took up the seat he had vacated.
"What is it about you that...that makes us keeping coming back for more...I love you...I don't know when or if I'll ever get the guts to tell you that to your face...but my god, when I heard Lorne tell me they couldn't find you...when I had to announce MIA...I felt like I had lost part of my world. I felt like everything that meant anything to me had died. I felt so lost, and so sad," reaching out she pushed his matted hair away from his forehead, "you are an arrogant, incorrigable, ignorant man who is so over confident that it gets you in trouble...and for some reason I miss hearing your words of arrogance, of hearing you no doubt ideas. I miss you, you have to get through this, it's not over, not by a long shot, but as Carson said you're through the worst of this. It's another long road ahead of you, but I'm here," leaning down she pressed a kiss to his forehead.
Aiden lay on the floor, groaning as the pain ripped through his body, whimpering at how bad it hurt to be in withdraw, "Come on buddy, hang in there, you can't leave us yet," whispered John as he squeezed his friend's shoulder.
"Yes sir…I'm sorry sir…"
"No, none of that. The mission's not over, remember? We've still gotta figure a way to get out of here. You hear me? We've gotta get back home…."
"Yes, sir."
"Aiden. You can make it through this…"
"Tell my grandparents I love 'em…"
"Tell 'em yourself buddy."
Elizabeth sat at her desk quietly working, trying not to worry about John, Rodney or anyone else. She couldn't help it, she worried about all of them every time they walked through that gate, but now she worried about them coming back home. At least she had Rodney though. Speaking of which she heard footsteps, she grinned as she looked Rodney, he looked much better, although there were still bags under his eyes.
"Well look at you," she smiled softly, she got to her feet and moved around her desk.
"Ah, yes. Bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, as the idiom goes," smiled Rodney softly.
"You gave us quite a scare," she whispered softly.
"Yeah…listen I'm sorry…" he looked at her for a moment, taking another step closer, not caring what anyone saw he drew her into a tight hug.
Elizabeth smiled as she eagerly returned the hug, rubbing his back. When he pulled back, he didn't pull away completely, "thank you…for listening to me, hearing me," he whispered.
"I'm glad you're all right," she whispered.
"Me too…" he replied.
"Alright. Up you go." Carson said gently as he helped Ronan and Teyla sit up, he smiled and nodded at both of them. Suddenly the door burst open and Rodney came hurrying in, followed by Caldwell.
"Why aren't you dead!" Rodney asked.
"Ah, it's good to see you too Rod," grinned John as he eyed his brother.
"No, no, I mean – well, you know what I mean. Why aren't you – dead?"
"Well, I knew when the hives started to shoot at each other, it was just a matter of time before they blew each other up, so I went to the space Gate and dialed an address where I could land safely. I didn't think the Dart could fit in our Gate room."
"The Colonel was kind enough to make us whole again, and we returned home." Grinned Teyla as she looked between Rodney and John.
"I'm curious, Sheppard – how did you know the Wraith would fight each other?" Caldwell asked.
"Uh, a little intel from Ford in the game, plus, uh, well, I kinda goosed things along with the Queen." Answered John.
"It would appear the Wraith are becoming more territorial than we had thought. There is definite tension building among them."
"Which is good for us," stated Ronan as he nodded.
"Certainly is. It also opens a brand new strategy in fighting them," Elizabeth smiled softly, glad that all her people had survived this, all of her friends.
"Hmm! And, and, where's Ford?" Rodney asked looking around.
"He was aboard the hive ship when it was destroyed," Teyla whispered.
"He was last seen aboard the hive ship," replied Sheppard confidently.
"What does that mean?" Rodney asked again.
"Well, you know Ford. I wouldn't be surprised if we run into him again."
"Aye, well somehow you're all bloody fit as fiddles…ye can get out of my infirmary now," grinned Carson softly.
"Yeah, well, I think we've still got some things to talk about…but they can wait," John said squeezing his brother's shoulder.
"That's our cue," grinned Teyla softly, she reached out and hugged Rodney close, "I am glad that you are all right," she whispered as she pressed a kiss to his cheek.
"I'm glad you're okay too," Rodney replied smiling.
Ronan looked at Rodney and grinned, "I'm not hugging or kissing you on the cheek…but we know what you did…thanks McKay, that took a lot of guts," Ronan said putting out his hand in an eath gesture.
McKay smiled and shook his handwith strength and a little pride. "Come on little brother, let's go get some dinner," John led his brother off.
"Rodney," John finally stopped when they were near a science lab, they ducked inside, making sure no one was there and then John smiled, "what you did, was stupid, foolhardy, idiotic and insane…you could have been killed…"
Rodney opened his mouth to protest, but John quickly held up his hand, "let me finish," taking a deep breath he gently placed both hands on his brother's shoulder, "and I'm very proud of you…" he smiled at his brother's bewilderment, "there's nothing stronger than the love of friends, and to know that you were willing to very well die just to save us…that means a lot to me Rodney. I'm very proud of you…you've changed here and for the better."
"I couldn't leave you there… I just had this feeling…"
"Some people call it twin speak, but we'd have to be twins for that, but you were right and I certainly felt something was wrong with you…come here," John pulled his brother close and held him tightly.
Rodney instantly returned the hug, "I owe Carson the biggest apology," whispered Rodney as he held his brother just as tightly.
"I love you Rod," grinned John, as he kept his arm around his brother's shoulder.
"Love you too Kirk," joked Rodney.
"Okay see, that wasn't my fault!" John faught as the two headed out of the room smiling.
"Carson…" Rodney tapped against the door to his friend's office lightly.
Carson looked up from his laptops and carious computer screens and smiled sadly, "are you all right?"
"I'm fine…well, no actually I'm not, but I will be," Rodney answered truthfully.
"What can I do for you?" Carson questioned.
"I came to talk to you…I remember…far too much of the withdraw, and I just wanted to say…" he paused shrugged, "Carson, John is my brother and I love him, but he can't replace my best friend. You are the one person that I can always talk to…you're the only other person who's ever stood by my side through everything…Elizabeth is the only other person and even she hasn't stood through it all. You're my best friend, and I didn't mean to say such hateful things to you…" Rodney shrugged.
"I'm sorry I couldn't help you, I…I was sure you were going to die thinking I hated you…"
"Deep down I knew you were there because you cared…anyway I just wanted to tell you I'm sorry."
"Forgiven, you're a good man Rodney…far more than you give yourself credit for."
"Yeah, I suppose, but it's because you people like you all that I know that," Rodney grinned.
"Are you hungry?"
"I could eat," Rodney replied with a shrug.