SGA Joint Writers Effort Alternative Ending Chapter 8
Author joaniexjony
Words:- 2750
Warnings:- Mention of previous violence and some bad language.
Well Karel was killed at the end of the last chapter so what happens next?
SGA WRITING EFFORT
CHAPTER 8
It was only supposed to have been a routine mission so what the hell went wrong? Woolsey snapped shut his laptop, pushed it away in disgust and wearily rose to his feet. He was still officially on duty, but as he wandered over to the credenaza he considered one small glass of brandy for medicinal purposes necessary, after the shocking revelations of the last twelve hours.
None of it made any sense. Colonel Sheppard’s team had been missing less than forty-eight hours before they appeared battered and blooded through the stargate, all suffering some degree of shock. Even doctor McKay who was never short of words looked deathly pale and was surprisingly quiet, more concerned for his unconscious CO slung over Ronon’s shoulder than answering any of his questions.
Still, after just visiting Sheppard in the ICU he couldn’t really blame the man. Even now John Sheppard was fighting for his life. The man’s back wrecked, ripped apart by a whip, with additional jagged scars torn into his torso, and angry raw chemical burns coating one side of his flank. His head wound, Beckett informed him, looked worse than it was, however despite this horrific catalogue of injuries, it was an unknown toxin in his blood which was killing him. Apparently caused by the slave bracelets he was wearing when his team eventually found him…
Slavery…in this day and age. It both sickened and angered him to know it existed here in Pegasus but really, why should it come as such a surprise? This galaxy contained the Wraith for goodness sake, so why not deal in the despicable act of trading human life? Anyway according to Ronon, they’d saved the colonel from that fate not realising the innocuous appearance of the bracelets contained a deadly secret. Needles, laced with a toxic chemical which unfortunately flooded Sheppard’s blood stream before they were finally removed. None of them realised at the time how serious it was, putting John’s collapse down to his other injuries. It was only after the results of the blood work came back, and then shortly afterwards the convulsions started, did a grave Beckett reveal the toxin was wrecking havoc on his nervous system and gave the grim prognosis that without a cure, colonel Sheppard would die. All they could do in the meantime was make him as comfortable as possible, while praying Atlantis’ brightest and best would find an antidote soon, before the damage was irreversible.
How Karel had found out Sheppard was coming to Folonja he didn’t know. Allegedly, no one there knew Kolya and the grand council told him they held no grievance against Sheppard, a man whom they’d yet to meet. Therefore why would they conspire in any kind of ambush?
Woolsey checked his watch, loosened his jacket and poured himself another glass. He was now officially off duty…whatever that meant here, but at least now he had an excuse, and in any case, it would take more than one drink to take the bad taste from his mouth.
Secrets and lies. It didn’t matter whether you were based on Earth or in the furthermost outreaches of the galaxy, it all boiled down to the same thing. Someone knew the truth, but they weren’t telling and now with Karel and all his men dead, they would probably never find out. The Kolya family it seemed cast a large shadow in this part of space and over his military CO in particular. Woolsey just hoped with Karel gone he was the last of the Kolyas. So hopefully, if Sheppard survived his ordeal, the man could sleep a little easier at night knowing at least one of his nemeses wouldn’t be back to bother him again.
ooooOoooo
Her quarters were just as she left them. The large embroidered couch, a present from her people still sat facing the balcony. A place of relaxion and tranquility where she welcomed the golden glow of the early morning sun, and saw the rosy hues of dusk glint off the majestic towers of Atlantis…the place she now called home. It was there, on the couch where she spent many happy times, enjoying the company of friends, laughing over countless tubs of popcorn, beers and some really bad movies. Yet sometimes it was a place where tears where shed after missions had gone fubar and lives were lost.
In the corner sat an old wooden rocking chair, a present from John. How many times had she spent rocking her fractious, yet precious child late in the night often falling asleep long before he did? A smile grew on her lips, Torren…where was he? Teyla desperately needed to hold his little warm body, to feel his soft baby skin against hers, and hear his life affirming gurgling laugh to chase away the horrors which threatened to overwhelm her.
Tears started to fall down her face. One at a time at first, then the deluge began… gut wrenching sobs ripped from her throat for another Torren, another beautiful boy who was dead before his time. She still had her son, but it tore her apart to think that somewhere another mother would never again get to see her child or hold him in her arms.
Teyla frantically searched every room, where were they? Kanaan, her child…her family. Then there he was, holding her close, caressing her hair in slow gently movements saying nothing…for words weren’t necessary. He knew, he always had. What she was feeling, what made her tick, what she needed…even if that mean continuing to work, to risk her life in order to protect not just them, but the rest of her people.
“Where…?”
“Torren is safe. Amelia is looking after him for a few moments as I didn’t want him upset seeing his mother like this.”
So tired, so consumed in grief Teyla was barely aware Kanaan was talking. “As soon as I heard you’d returned, I went immediately to the infirmary but was told you had already gone. I was about to leave when Ronon and Doctor McKay asked me to wait a moment and told me what happened. Karel was an evil man, Teyla and he deserved to die. I know how you must be feeling, but you must understand none of what happened…to John, or the young boy was your fault.”
“I know you’re right, Kanaan, I do. Yet I still feel guilty for what I was forced to do to John, and I wasn’t even able to protect that poor child…Why is it no matter how many evil men we kill, there are always others who take their place?”
Teyla felt Kanaan release his grip then lead her to slump wearily onto the couch.
“That is why tonight you will rest, my love, spend time with your child but then tomorrow re-take your place by your team. They need you, Teyla. It is your strength which bonds these men together and keeps them focused, ready for the battles which lie ahead. John needs you too. I know how much you care for him…and I know he cares for you and our child. So after tonight stay with him, support him while he heals, and know that I will be waiting here for you when you return.”
Almost unnoticed the door opened and a smiling Torren stumbled over towards her. Teyla reached with trembling arms, nodded in gratitude towards Amelia then held her son close. Kanaan was right. Tonight she would grieve, but although she would never forget the young life so brutally taken, there were other children out there to save. So tomorrow she would rejoin her friends and stand by their side. They needed her too, as did John but whatever happened; she would never give up the fight.
ooooOoooo
Carson took a final sip of the cooling coffee and wandered from the balcony back inside. The sea breeze which was invigorating just a short while ago now felt bloody freezing, and he shivered, unconsciously zipping up his jacket a little further.
Break over, he donned his white coat and followed his routine of the last twenty odd years. It was the same whether the hospital was in Glasgow’s mean city or a planet in the Pegasus galaxy. Check with the retiring staff on duty for updates on every patient, then start a ward round.
As Marie was telling him about sergeant Reynold’s broken arm, his eyes strayed to the man lying in intensive care. Colonel Sheppard was technically out of danger, an antidote having been administered days ago, but he still lay unresponsive, despite all attempts to rouse him. It was a worrying situation and he just hoped, prayed, that all of their efforts hadn’t been for nothing.
Not for the first time he was glad Jennifer allowed him to become John’s primary carer. Carson couldn’t really explain it to himself but in a strange way he felt responsible for the man’s wellbeing. He was there when an embarrassed Sheppard first sat on the chair, the start of the pilot’s journey bringing him to Atlantis in the first place. Of course, so much had happened since, but now John Sheppard was not just the military CO of this base, he was also his friend, and he was damned if the man was going to die on him now, at least not without a bloody great fight.
ooooOoooo
“Evening, Rodney. How is the colonel tonight?” Carson saw the physicist’s nimble fingers glide over the computer keys, so engrossed in what he was doing, he hadn’t heard him approach.
“Wha…Beckett, are you trying to give me a heart attack? What the hell have you got in those shoes of yours…cotton wool? Anyway, you’re the doctor; he got the cure days ago so why hasn’t he woken up yet?”
“I honestly don’t know, Rodney. The colonel’s vitals have improved and the toxin has more or less been completely neutralised, so by rights he should have come out of it by now. However his body has sustained quite a bit of damage so I’m guessing that could be the root of the problem.”
“Who…h..s…prob…m?”
Beckett turned and saw unfocused hazel eyes barely open, a question in their depths.
“No one son, not anymore. How are you feeling, John?”
“So..re…thirs…ty.” Beckett shared a smile with Rodney and reached for a glass of water, placing a straw to the sick man’s lips.
“Just a sip…” Carson watched his brow furrow, a clear signal to him Sheppard was in pain and some of his good drugs were required.
“You’re a lucky man to be alive, Colonel, but I’m happy to say you’re on the mend now. Also as warped as it might seem, I’m relieved to hear that you are in some pain…”
“Beckett…are you nuts? So, let me get this straight. Now you’re telling us being in excruciating pain is a good thing?” McKay got into his face, but Carson ignored him, knowing how his words must have sounded.
“No, Rodney, of course not. However I was worried the paralysing effects of the toxin may have left the Colonel with permanent side effects. Therefore the fact he can feel pain, tells me that concern isn’t likely to be an issue any more.”
Even as he spoke Carson loaded up the syringe with strong painkiller and pushed it into one of Sheppard’s IVs.
“Tha…ks…doc.” John’s raspy voice sounded weak, but it was a wonderful noise as it meant his friend was alive, and on the road to recovery.
Both men watched as the pinched look left Sheppard’s face and he succumbed to a deep healing sleep. When he left, Rodney was already on the radio to pass on the good news, while he made his way to the office for a cup of coffee and one of cook’s delicious chocolate chip cookies she’d kept back for him specially.
It was at times like this he was glad he became a doctor. Happy to have saved his friend’s life, but more than that, happy to have saved the man who made Atlantis tick. It was true no one person made the place what it was, after all look what happened to him. Still John Sheppard came pretty damn close and although no one was irreplaceable, it would be a cold day in hell before they could ever have appointed someone half as good to fill his formidable black standard issue boots.
ooooOoooo
Damn…how he hated being stuck in this place. John knew he was being ungrateful. Knew from the surly expression written over the Scots face that Beckett was pissed at him, but he had been here for two weeks now and he just wanted back to his quarters, so he could start feeling like his life was finally getting back to normal.
“Good morning, John. How are you feeing today?” As Teyla sat down next to the bed with Torren, the cute little boy put his arms out towards him. Except when he tried to high five the kid he winced, as even that simple manoeuvre spent spasms of pain rippling across his tender back.
“Better thanks. Ready to go to my quarters…” He made the last statement loud enough so that everyone, including Carson could hear.
Teyla smiled. “I’m sure Carson wouldn’t be keeping you here, John if it wasn’t absolutely necessary. Your back…” Teyla stopped, her beautiful features coloured in embarrasment and John saw her look away.
“Teyla…look at me.” He watched as she slowly raised her eyes to meet his. “Not your fault…remember? You did what you had to do, like the good soldier you are. I’m going to get better and I need you, all of you to get past the events of that day. We have a great team and I’m damned if one psychotic asshole is going to ruin the good thing us guys have going…understand?” John felt the tension gradually leave his body as she slowly returned his smile.
“Good. Now if I can’t get out of Dodge, could you at least ask the sheriff if I could get sprung for a while to get a breath of fresh air. This place is killing me!”
John couldn’t suppress a grin as Torren started to giggle, when Carson sauntered over using his best John Wayne walk. “Sheriff? Very funny I’m sure, Colonel, but I was already going to suggest to this lovely young woman to get you out of my hair for an hour. Teyla, lass would you mind doing the honours?”
John wasn’t happy at being an invalid, but after being slowly eased into the wheelchair with Torren perched on the edge of his lap, he was shocked at how achy and exhausted he felt. Karel had done a number on him that was for sure, but at least the bastard was dead and as for him, he would fight another day. The Wraith were still out there and unfortunately there would always be guys like Kolya hanging around. Evil was a constant that existed everywhere, and regrettably there would always be those who thought nothing of killing the innocent in order to achieve their own ends. Still why did he have to kill the kid? John just didn’t get that. The young boy wasn’t a threat so what was the deal…revenge on him? Yet that made no sense, unless of course Karel already guessed what Teyla’s answer would be and wanted to hit her where it hurt.
As they approached the balcony, the doors opened releasing a cool breeze which chilled his skin and wafted his hair. It felt good. Ronon was already there leaning against the rail, holding out a cold one, while McKay reached forward took the kid while he drank, and for the first time in days, John felt himself start to unwind.
He didn’t need Becket to tell him how lucky he was to have survived this time, but even if he hadn’t he still would have considered himself a fortunate man. John knew some people would consider that strange, but for him life wasn’t about the days you lived, it was how you lived them.
His life since coming to Atlantis had been good. Here he’d found the first real home in his adult life, and friends who were more like family than his own blood. Who knew what lay ahead? He didn’t, and after that last mission he sure as hell didn’t want to. Yet whatever cards were dealt out, he would play his hand knowing the game would work out just fine, as long as he had his team, his friends, by his side.
THE END