A/N: Hello everyone! I'm not dead and I haven't forgotten about you all! I want to thank you for the reviews, I really appreciate them. I'm sorry I haven't been able to update as fast as I would like, but school's been really busy. Hopefully during the holidays I'll be able to post a few more. I hope you enjoy! Please R&R!

Chapter 10: Answers

Beckett checked over Lt. Ford's vitals one more time and was surprised that they were already getting stronger. He then patiently waited for the two young soldiers to compose themselves. When they were calm enough to talk he looked at Kristy, since she was the eldest and demanded "I want to know what just happened in my infirmary?"

"I'm the best one to talk too about Ford's condition" said Brian, standing up from the floor. "Kristy doesn't really understand what has happened too"

Carson crossed his arms across his chest. "Okay, then let's hear this little story of how you decided to inject my patient with an unknown substance that almost killed him"

Brian looked at Kristy for the go ahead to reveal information. "Just tell them" she said without even looking at him.

"The unknown substance is the antitoxin to the plant that infected Lt. Ford" he answered.

Carson's arms fell to his side as he looked at Brian in disbelief. "What?"

"I was able to isolate the residual antibodies in Kristy's system to synthesize an antitoxin." he explained.

"What antibodies in Kristy's system?"

Brian sighed. "Kristy and her team were infected by the plant's toxin several weeks ago while looking for another back up Alpha site. They went through the exact same symptoms as Lt. Ford, but I didn't recognize them until Dr. McKay told me the planet it happened on when we were working in his lab."

"What I really want to know is, why you tried to stop us from restarting Lt. Ford's heart?"

Brian sighed. "All of Kristy's team died when the antitoxin was administered because their hearts were shocked with the defibrillator after they stopped. When Kristy was injected with the antitoxin and her heart stopped, her father refused to stop the chest compressions as much as you tried to pull him away. Eventually Kristy's heart began to beat and she recovered"

Everyone stood there speechless and a few glances were thrown in Sheppard's direction. Each person thinking the same thing, Sheppard is definitely one stubborn man.

"Do you know why that happened?" asked Carson.

"The electrical shock seemed to multiply the toxin by a hundred, instantly killing them."

"How long did it take for Kristy to recover?" asked Carson.

"About a week." guessed Brian. "If you like, I have the notes on my computer about the toxin and Kristy's recovery for you to read over"

Carson nodded. "I would like to see those"

Brian nodded and turned to get the files when Beckett called him back.

"I just want to know one more thin'. When we removed the thorns from Lt. Ford, they deteriorated before we could get any of the toxin. How were you able to get a sample of it?"

"It was by sheer luck. A thorn was embedded into one of Kristy's teammate's field packs so it didn't get to secrete the toxin. It was removed and the toxin was milked from the plant." he said and then left to grab his laptop.

When Brian left, everyone wanted to hear Kristy's input on the events. To their surprise, they saw her head slumped to the side. Teyla knelt down to her side.

"She seems to be asleep" she stated.

"Aye…" said Beckett. "That lass is wearin' herself down." He saw the questioning gazes of the group. "She's been up helpin' the nurses tend to Ford this whole time."

"Well then I guess she deserves a nap in the comfort of a bed." said Sheppard. He scooped Kristy up in his arms as Teyla grabbed her crutches. "Can you contact us when Ford wakes?" he asked.

Beckett grinned. "Aye, major."

"Thanks, doc. We'll see you guys soon." he said while walking out the door.

Brian entered with his laptop partially open in hand. "I have the files pulled up for you already." he said, placing the laptop on one of the side tray stands. He then noticed Kristy's chair was empty. "Where did Kristy go?"

"She decided to go and rest." answered Carson. He then noticed the young man's haggard appearance for the first time. His dark hair was all messed and his eyes were red from lack of sleep. "I'd advise you to do the same."

Brian waved a hand, dismissing the comment. "I just need something to eat and I'll be fine."

"I think you should follow Carson's advise." said Elizabeth. "You look tired."

"I said I'm fine."

Rodney shook his head. "Sure you are." he said and clapped a hand on the young man's shoulder, steering him to the exit.

Elizabeth followed behind the two. She turned back to Carson to see him already immersed in the medical information on the laptop. "Keep us posted on Ford's condition?"

"Aye, I will." he said, never taking his eyes from the laptop.

When Sheppard entered Kristy and Alex's quarters, he placed Kristy on her bed and sat down bedside it as Teyla grabbed a blanket and covered her up. Teyla then sat on Kristy's other side and intertwined her fingers in her daughter's limp hand.

Sheppard watched Teyla. "How long have you known about Kristy and Alex's…parents?"

"Soon after they arrived." she answered, trying not to make eye contact. "And you?"

Sheppard brushed away a strand of hair away from Kristy's face. "The briefing." he answered. "I don't know…it feels…weird…to see them."

Teyla nodded in understanding. "It does feel strange to see what our children will become."

"Yeah…it seems to ruin the idea to having kids when you see how they'll turn out."

"But all we see is them now. There still is the whole process of raising them to become the people we see today."

John brightened up at Teyla's point of view. "I never thought of it that way." They both stood up and left Kristy to a well deserved rest.

Kristy awoke to sun in her eyes as it streamed through the window of her room. Groaning she rolled over out of the light and closed her eyes, wanting nothing more than to go back to sleep. Unfortunately she was attacked by a little bundle of energy tackling her.

"Finally you're awake!" said Alex excitedly. He heard Kristy groan and became suddenly worried. "Kristy, are you okay?"

Kristy peeked over the covers and then sprang into action. She rolled over and grabbed her brother, pinning him to the bed. She then began tickling him. He laughed and Kristy said over the laughing "I was until you woke me up!"

"You…were…already…up!" he said between bouts of laughter.

Kristy smiled "Yeah you're right." She then flopped back on the bed, letting her brother catch his breath. When she heard Alex's breathing even out she asked "How long have I been asleep?"

"Since yesterday."

Kristy laid there surprised she slept that long. She checked her watch and saw it was 1300. "Holy crap its late." she said jumping off the bed.

"For what?" asked Alex.

"I was planning on talking to Aunt Elizabeth about something."

"What?"

"Grown up stuff." she answered and entered the bathroom with a clean uniform, never seeing Alex's glare. When she stepped out of the washroom Kira was in the room talking with Alex. "Hey Kira." she greeted.

"Hey Kristy. I'm just here to grab Alex and take him to the recreation with Sam and David."

"Okay" said Kristy. Before Kira could leave Kristy said "Kira, I want to thank you for watching the kids for Brian and I."

Kira smiled. "No need to thank me. You guys are busy trying to get us home."

"Thank you anyways." she said and waved at Alex and Kira as they left. Walking over to grab her crutches, she frowned at them. She never liked showing weakness to anyone, even her family, and right now she needed to show she was strong when talking to Elizabeth. But the logical part of her mind overrode her stubborn pride and she grabbed them and left the room, heading for stargate operations.

When Kristy entered the control room, she looked at Elizabeth's office to see that she was alone. Steeling her self when she got to the door, she knocked.

Elizabeth looked up from her laptop and smiled. "Come in" she said and gestured for Kristy to sit. Closing the laptop, Elizabeth intertwined her fingers together and laid them to rest on the desk. "What can I do for you, Kristy?"

"Actually I'm here to ask what can I do for you?" she said, sitting up straighter in her chair. "I know this is an odd request, but since Lt. Ford is in the infirmary and major Sheppard is on light duty…I was wondering if there's anything I can do to help?"

Elizabeth sighed. "Kristy…"

Kristy didn't want to be shot down immediately, so she continued. "I have more experience with the wraith than anyone in the city, including Teyla. I also have been raised in Atlantis and know more about it than Dr. McKay and…I know the military operations inside and out."

"I thank you for your offer, but we can handle this ourselves."

"Meaning you still don't trust us."

"That's not what I'm saying. You saved both major Sheppard's and Lt. Ford's lives and we're in your debt."

"Then to repay your debt, let me do something. It'll take some weight off of the soldiers that are replacing Lt. Ford and major Sheppard and when Lt. Ford is fully recovered he can have his job back."

Elizabeth arched an eyebrow. "I see you've thought about this."

"Please Dr. Weir. I want to help."

"Very well, you have Lt. Ford's duties until he's recovered and you'll assist major Sheppard." she said.

Kristy smiled. "Thank you, Dr. Weir."

Elizabeth smiled. "You're welcome, Kristy."

And with that Kristy left Elizabeth's office never feeling this happy in a long, long time.

(TBC)