Title: Storybook Hero
Rating: G
Author:
seramercuryCharacters: John, Teyla, Jennifer, Ronon
Notes: Thanks to
karri_kln1671 for the title! :D
Teyla was sitting worriedly next John. He had been unconscious a bit longer than normal for a Wraith stunner blast. She was about to lean over and check his pulse for the fifth time when he began to stir.
John blinked as he remembered where he was. He sat up immediately when he remembered where Rodney has gone to. Before Teyla could stop him, he jumped to his feet, immediately regretting it.
He could feel Teyla's arm on his shoulder as the dizziness threatened to drop him to his knees. "John?" she asked.
"Give me a minute," he replied, taking deep breaths. When everything finally stopped spinning, John looked at Teyla. "How long?"
"It has been nearly two hours since Rodney was taken... and you were hit with the stunner. John, are you certain you're all right? I have never seen unconscious for so long after."
John nodded. "I think so, but I am really sore and my head is pounding. Did I get in a fight or something?"
The pair heard chuckling and turned to see Ronon's 'friends' standing there. "You know, Sheppard," Rakai said, "you really need to learn how to defend yourself."
John ignored his sore limbs and rushed towards the cell doors. "What the hell did you do?"
Tyre chuckled. "Just took our frustrations with Ronon out on you. The Wraith have some kind of substance that they use to wake up their prey. How's your head?"
"How could you do such a thing?" Teyla asked, quite disgusted with the three before her.
The three merely laughed as they walked away. John sighed. "Well that would explain how sore I am... Not only did they beat the crap out of me, but it was enough that I don't remember what happened."
Teyla eyed him more closely now that she knew that something was wrong. She could see a light bruise was forming around his left eye and that his breathing seemed hitched.
Gunfire suddenly erupted nearby and Carter came into view along with a group of Marines. "You all right?"
"Well, it’s about time!" John replied. "Any longer and we would have had to save ourselves!"
*********
As John headed to the infirmay for his post mission check up, he knew he was going to regret covering up the fact that he was injured... again. Sometimes he felt as if he were in a story and the writer was getting off seeing him in pain.
Dr. Keller was waiting for him when the infirmary doors opened. She stood with her arms crossed and John almost turned tail and ran. She hadn't been the CMO for very long, but Jennifer Keller was a very determined physician.
"Um... hi Doc."
She shook her head and led him to one of the beds where he sat down. He had to admit that after that adrenalin rush in the warehouse, he was ready to take a nice long nap. Although the relenting headach was telling him otherwise.
"Colonel Sheppard I don't like hearing of injured personnel through a third party. You need to come to me when something happens. This expedition can't afford to lose you as well."
John blinked. He hadn't thought of that. They had lost Carson, Elizabeth, and almost Ronon within the span of three months! If he was having such a hard time dealing with this, what about everyone else.
"Sorry, Doc, I'll come to you next time." She gave him a look that said she didn't believe him. He shrugged. "I guess we'll just have to play it one injury at a time."
***********
John was heading to his quarters after being released from the infirmary. As he turned the corner, he saw Ronon standing at his door. The Sateden seemed distracted as he approached.
"Hey," he said. "Looking for me?"
"Yeah..."
He waited a few minutes, but Ronon didn't say anything else. "You know you really don't have to say anything, I understand."
"Yeah. Thanks."
John chuckled as his friend jogged off. He was about to step into his quarters when he felt strong arms wrap around him and suddenly let go. He continued to chuckle, ignoring the twinge of pain from being squeezed.