Promises to Keep---15

Elizabeth Weir's hands went to the glass separating her from the activity in Sheppard's room. Her heart was in her throat and she could hear Rodney McKay behind her asking questions that were unintelligible to her ears. She watched as Sheppard's body went into some kind of convulsion before dropping back on the bed and lying totally still. She closed her eyes and leaned her head against the glass, trying hard to come to terms with what she'd just seen. "John…oh God…no…no…"

"Elizabeth, it's okay. Beckett's in there with him and I think…I think he's okay," McKay tried. He'd arrived in time to see the horrifying effects of the convulsions, and although his heart was in his throat he'd seen Beckett's face go from a mask of horror to relief in a matter of seconds.

"Don't lie to me, Rodney…I saw…I saw…"

"I know what you saw, Elizabeth, but look at the monitors. Sheppard…John is alive," the Canadian told her, wincing as she turned and her elbow caught his injured side.

"Sorry," Weir told him.

"It's okay…I've had worse lately," McKay said with a grin and returned his attention to what was happening in Sheppard's room.

SGASGASGASGASGA

Carson Beckett reacted instantly when John Sheppard's body arched upward on the bed. His first instincts had been that he'd killed the colonel by not allowing time to do more thorough tests on the antidote, but one look at the monitors told him Sheppard was still with them. He watched as the heart rate seemed to return to normal, although there were still fluctuations that had him worried. He glanced at Elizabeth Weir, but could not take the time to explain the situation to her.

Beckett reached for the stethoscope and listened to Sheppard's lungs, worried about the heavy wheeze that signaled the start of a chest infection, possibly pneumonia. If the antibiotics didn't kick in soon it wouldn't matter whether the antidote worked or not because the colonel was already weakened by the injuries and mistreatment at the hands of Kolya, Michael, and Ford.

"Come on, Colonel, I know you can beat this…"

"Did you say something, Dr. Beckett?"

"Sorry, Lass, I was just thinking out loud," Beckett told her. "It looks like his heart rate has returned to normal, but his lungs are full of congestion and his fever's still too high. We'll need to keep watching that and I want you to let me know if there are any other changes in his numbers. Keep an eye out for a repeat of the convulsions and let me know right away if it happens."

"Yes, Dr. Beckett, do you think it was caused by the antidote?"

"Probably, but hopefully it was just a one time thing, and Colonel Sheppard will start to heal now. I'm ordering several more tests including blood work and I want it repeated every two hours until we know the pathogen is cleared from his system," Beckett said, his gaze once more coming to rest on the monitoring equipment. He studied the numbers for several minutes before breathing a sigh of relief and exiting the room, discarding the special scrubs in the receptacle and turning to face Weir and McKay and several others who'd gathered in search of word on John Sheppard.

"Carson, what happened?" Weir asked worriedly.

"He had a convulsion, Elizabeth. Now we don't know if it was caused by the fever or the antidote to the Traxian's pathogen or the pathogen itself, but his heart rate has returned to normal and I'm hoping it was a one time thing," Beckett explained and turned to McKay. "Rodney, how are those ribs?"

"They're still there, but it only hurts when I breathe," the Canadian answered.

"Then don't breathe," Ronan said, a hint of a smile on his face.

"Oh, that's real funny, Ronan," McKay said, shaking his head at the injustice of it all. "Why don't you ask Ronan about his headaches?"

"I don't need to…I can tell he's feeling much better," Beckett said. "Now, John Sheppard is probably going to sleep for several hours and I know there are still three people who should be doing the same. Rodney, Ronan, Teyla, eat, rest, and sleep and maybe you'll all be able to visit him later."

"I've been resting…that's about all you'll let me do," McKay griped.

"You're obviously not getting enough," Beckett said.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"I think he's alluding to the fact that you're as grouchy as a wounded Parodiac," Dex answered.

"A what?' Weir asked.

"A Parodiac," Ronan answered.

"I think it's a little like those polar bears you showed me, Rodney, except that the Parodiac walks on two legs and has razor sharp claws. Luckily they seem to be indigenous to Sateda," Teyla explained.

"Yes, well, I'm glad I won't be running into a Parodiac. With my luck the damn thing would have me for dinner," McKay grumbled.

"And wind up with a bad case of indigestion," Beckett added and smiled when the others tried to cover up their laughter by coughing.

"When did I miss the memo about everyone rehearsing for the comedic relief on this venture?" McKay said, shaking his head before glancing at Sheppard, relieved to see the numbers were unchanged. God, he felt so tired lately and knew it would be some time before he was sleeping properly. The guilt he felt over leaving the colonel was overwhelming at times, and he'd lay awake staring at the ceiling above his head. There were times when he'd give up on sleep and make his way to his favorite spot and watch the sky overhead.

"Rodney, did you hear me?"

"Huh, sorry, Carson, I was thinking about Sheppard," McKay answered and noticed that the others had already left. "Where did the others go?"

"Elizabeth was needed in the control room. Teyla and Ronan went to grab a bite to eat and I believe you should do the same. Come on…my treat," Beckett said teasingly. He waited for McKay to join him and knew the Canadian was still holding on to the guilt of having left Sheppard on the planet where Kolya and the others caught him.

"How long before we know if the antidote is working?" McKay asked.

"It could take some time, Rodney," the physician answered. The truth was he really had no idea how long it took for the antidote to work on the pathogen, but he was hopeful it was the answer to Sheppard's problems. It took a lot to give him the antidote, but there was no doubt in his mind that without it the colonel would not be around much longer.

"You did the right thing, Carson."

"Thanks, Rodney, I hope you're right," Beckett said and walked alongside the other man, briefly wondering why McKay tried so hard to make people dislike him because of his brilliant mind. He really did have a brilliant mind when it came to Atlantis, but there were times when that mind fought against the friendship offered by others.

SGASGASGASGASGA

John Sheppard opened his eyes and looked around at the familiar surroundings. He had no idea how much time had passed since he'd last been awake and lucid, but there were friendly faces watching him from the other side of the glass. He shifted slightly and took a deep breath, surprised when his chest didn't tighten up.

"Welcome back, Colonel," Beckett said as he stepped up beside the bed.

"Thanks…did I go somewhere?" Sheppard asked, smiling thinly when Elizabeth Weir caught his eye.

"Very nearly," Beckett answered. "How do you feel?"

"Like I went ten rounds with a gorilla and came out on the losing end."

"That you did, Lad, but I believe you're on your way back now."

"What happened?"

"What do you remember?" Beckett asked, not surprised that Sheppard was having problems recalling everything that had happened to him. He watched as the injured man frowned and closed his eyes and for a minute Beckett thought he was sleeping, but the soft voice was unmistakably filled with grief.

"Ford…he saved my life."

"Yes, he did, but let's not forget that he's also partially responsible for what happened to you," Beckett reminded him.

"Kolya…and Michael were there…are they…did we get them?" Sheppard asked.

"No, Elizabeth has been in contact with Ladon Radim, but Kolya's gone into hiding. He has contacts all over the Pegasus Galaxy and we probably won't find him until he's ready to be found," Beckett answered.

"Michael?"

"Nothing, he's gone to ground somewhere too," Beckett told him.

"What about the…the little people?"

"Leprechauns?" Beckett asked incredulously.

"No, the ones who helped me…I think Rodney called them travelers," Sheppard told her.

"Oh, yes, I remember. I don't believe he's seen them since the day Lo'ra'tek told him how to find you," the physician offered. "I don't know if we'll ever see them again, but if we do I, for one, will tell them how grateful we are that they helped us find you."

"Me too…how long have I been here, Carson?"

"Well, you've been in isolation for a week, but we should be able to move you out of here in a day or two," Beckett advised. "That doesn't mean you'll be up and around any time soon, Colonel. You're bound to feel weak and sore, but at least we're on the right track."

"The antidote worked?"

"Yes, it did. You had us all worried for a spell…"

"Sorry, didn't mean to," Sheppard said, eyes closing as sleep overtook him once more.

"That's all right, Lad, we're just glad you're a fighter," Beckett said, automatically glancing at the monitors before making a note of his findings in the patient's chart.

SGASGASGASGASGASGA

Rodney McKay knew where he'd find John Sheppard and made his way to the top spire of Atlantis. Sheppard often went there when he needed to think and McKay had seen that look in the colonel's eyes when Beckett had finally released him from the infirmary. Sheppard was a thinker and a worrier and it was ten times worse when he was down and unable to stay on top of things. Sure enough, Rodney found his friend standing at the edge of the terrace and knew by the set of his shoulders that he'd been thinking too hard, for too long. It was time to get him back on track now that Beckett couldn't hound him day and night.

"What's on your mind, Rodney?" Sheppard asked, startling the other man from his reverie.

"Oh, Sheppard, sorry, didn't mean to intrude…"

"Yes, you did, but it's okay…I could use the company," the colonel answered honestly. "Rodney, when Lo'ra'tek came to see you…did he say anything about his people?"

"No…he just told me you were in trouble and that we needed to hurry if we wanted to get you out of there alive," McKay said.

"Kolya and Michael killed a lot of Lo'ra'tek's people," Sheppard whispered.

"I know they did…but it wasn't your fault. Kolya is a malicious bastard and he didn't give a damn who he hurt as long as he got what he wanted."

"The codes for Atlantis."

"Pardon me?"

"Kolya and Michael wanted the codes to Atlantis. They had plans to come in here and take control, but I wouldn't give them to them. I made a promise to myself when Kolya tried to take Atlantis before…I swore then they'd never get the codes from me."

"You kept that promise and then some," McKay said.

"I have one more promise to keep, Rodney, and I'd like for you to be there," Sheppard said.

"Name it," the Canadian vowed.

"Will you come with me tomorrow?"

"Where are we going?"

"I spoke with Elizabeth and she's agreed that we can bring Ford's body home. He saved my life, Rodney, and I'm going to keep my word to him. His folks deserve that much."

"I'll be there," McKay vowed and grew silent while watching the stars blanket the sky overhead. Sheppard still had some healing to do, and maybe this would go a long way toward his healing both emotionally and physically. "Come on, John, it won't do for you to catch a cold when you've only just escaped the voodoo section of Atlantis."

"Better not let Beckett hear you saying that or he might just find that needle he's always threatening you with," Sheppard said and the two friends walked back inside the base.

SGASGASGASGASGA

Colonel John Sheppard was dressed in full military uniform when he helped carry Aiden Ford's casket from the church to the graveyard. He stood shoulder to shoulder with Rodney McKay as the coffin was lowered into the ground. A light speckle of rain had begun to fall and it added to the sorrow that made his heart ache. He glanced toward Ford's parents and grandparents and hoped he would get the chance to speak with them before they left. He wanted to tell them their son was a hero and had saved his life on more than one occasion.

John listened as the minister spoke to Ford's parents and watched as they dropped a red rose into the open grave. He'd stayed back and allowed the family and close friends the privacy they deserved to say goodbye, but he needed to speak with them before they left. Ford's family turned away from the grave and made their way toward the cars parked along the driveway. Sheppard walked slowly toward them, surprised when both women turned and came to him, hugging both him and McKay.

"Thank you both for bringing our boy home," Mrs. Ford said, gently touching her hand to Sheppard's arm.

"It was an honor to serve with Aiden, Mrs. Ford. He saved my life more times than I can count on both hands."

"I know you can't tell me how my son really died, Colonel Sheppard, but did he…did he suffer before he died?"

"No, sir," Sheppard lied, hoping to alleviate some of the pain he saw in their eyes. "He asked me to tell you he loved you and that the hardest part of his job was knowing that he was away from you. He did everything with honor and I'm glad I had the opportunity to walk beside him."

"He spoke of you in his letters, Colonel Sheppard…he looked up to you and I know he was prod that you asked his opinion on things and that you even took his advice on times," Ford's grandmother told him.

"Aiden was a good man…and he will be sorely missed," Sheppard advised.

"I know he will, but you need to wipe that guilt from your eyes, Colonel, Aiden died doing what he loved and for you to feel guilty over his death would not serve anyone. I'll miss my son, but as long as he's got friends like you and Dr. McKay I know he'll live on through your memories. Would you like to join the family for a late luncheon?"

"I wish I could, Ma'am, but we have to report back to the base." John shook hands with the men and hugged the women before he and Rodney joined the other military personnel in the jeep for the ride back to Cheyenne Mountain and the trip back through the stargate.

SGASGASGASGASGASGA

John Sheppard looked at his team and smiled. Beckett had a finally given them the all clear and they were ready to embark on their first off world mission since Kolya, Michael, and Ford had kidnapped him. Teyla's leg was fine and she was able to get around just as easily as she'd done before. Ronan's headaches were also a thing of the past and he was looking forward to this trip as much as Sheppard was. Rodney may not show it, but there was an excitement in his eyes that spoke of the little boy who lived within him.

"All right, Colonel, you're cleared to go. Just don't mess this up or Major Lorne will have both our heads," Weir told him. Lorne had made the initial contact with the people of a small planet that closely resembled earth. The best part was that it had an abundance of fruits and vegetables that reminded Lorne of those grown on their home world. He'd brought back several samples and they'd run tests that showed they could easily be a close relative to apples, tomatoes, oranges, broccoli, and potatoes.

"I'll be diplomatic, Elizabeth," Sheppard assured her.

"Sure you can…as long as you're carrying a weapon in your hand," McKay said.

"I'll keep them on their toes, Elizabeth," Teyla assured her.

"We'll bring back dessert," Sheppard told her and smiled before turning toward the gate. There'd been some changes in his relationship with Elizabeth Weir, but they preferred to keep it to themselves for now. The truth was he'd spent a couple of late nights with her and had come to appreciate just how much time she put in with Atlantis and how well she knew both civilian and military members alike.

They'd talked about how dangerous the off world missions could be and what could be done to stop people like Kolya and Michael, but came up empty. No matter how many safety protocols were put in place there were outsiders who would do anything to take Atlantis by force. The only thing they had to depend on were themselves and the allies they'd found in the Pegasus Galaxy and the promises they'd made in exchange for loyalty and supplies. Promises they intended to keep as long as they lived in Atlantis and there were people who needed their help. Taking a deep breath, Colonel John Sheppard stepped up to the gate, turned, made a half hearted salute to the people in the control room and stepped through the event horizon with the promise that he and his team would return.

The End!