Chapter 15

Rodney had been too tired to realize that the domino effect would happen if he pulled one shelf down. Now pinned against the floor with what felt like half the dispensary lying across his back, he groaned in exertion, trying to raise himself up on one arm. He could just see the back of Carson's head and tried his damnedest to reach the Scot to see if he was still alive. "Don't you even think of joining those Highlander ancestors of yours, you Hippocratic fraud," he snarked tiredly, hoping to get some sort of reaction.

"Shut up," the Scot whispered painfully, "or I'll take off your head."

"Carson? Oh thank god," the scientist gasped, tugging his other arm free. Slowly he stretched it across the scattered medical paraphernalia and finally succeeded in touching the side of Beckett's neck. Feeling for a pulse and finding it racing beneath his fingertips, he let out a shallow breath of relief. "I thought you were a goner for sure. I can't see Lokii. Is he…?" he started to ask but stopped when he heard a familiar shout.

"McKay? Beckett?"

"Major," Rodney painfully called out, his hoarse voice sounded bad even to himself. "Back here."

Carson's head moved slightly as he tried to locate the Canadian "Rodney?" he mumbled, now barely conscious and needing to tell someone before the darkness over took him for good.

"Stay with me, Bones. The cavalry's coming."

Unable to comply, Carson whispered 'Digitonin' before passing out.

"Rodney?" Sheppard called from some place very close by and the scientist lifted his head to look around. "Over here," he began to reply but stopped when he noticed movement from under the shelf.

Boxes and bottles shifted, spilling even further across the floor to reveal a very bloody Lokii. There was a large jagged cut running across his cheek and left eye, leaving the ambassador looking like something from a classic horror movie. His remaining intact right eye shifted continually, as if searching for some unseen object. Shoving a fallen piece of equipment off his legs, he actually made it to his feet and leaned against the wall before spotting the two figures pinned beneath the shelf.

"Why can't you just die," Rodney moaned. Dropping his head wearily back to the floor, he noticed a sealed package close to his hand and palmed it carefully back towards his chest.

The sound of equipment being moved from the other side of the room caught his attention and he looked back up to catch a glimpse of familiar fatigues, before feeling someone pin him by the base of his neck to the floor. "Stay back," growled from behind him and he knew that it was Lokii talking to the major.

"Ambassador," Sheppard replied firmly while stepping carefully through the debris, spotting the man strategically kneeling between the two missing teammates, "let them go. You can't win this time."

"I have everything I need Major Sheppard," the deranged man replied, pressing his hand harder against the wounds on McKay's neck while shoving him painfully against the floor.

"Let him go." The cold deadly voice of the major was one that Rodney had seldom heard, except when it came to a certain Genii, and for a moment, a sense of relief flooded over him that soon this would all be over. Closing his eyes, he tried to hold his own darkness at bay while fumbling with one hand, trying to tear open the small hidden package. Feeling the plastic give way, he allowed himself a slight smile.

The major signaled Ford and Teyla to make their way slowly around the perimeter of the room while he distracted Lokii. He didn't want to take the chance of the ambassador snapping McKay's neck. When Rodney's eyes opened slowly and his dazed look finally met the major's intense gaze, Sheppard was surprised to see the badly wounded man wink at him. What the hell was McKay up to?

Lokii watched the figures moving around the room while trying to keep his grip on the scientist. He could feel the shaking in his hands getting worse and he used his free hand to reach in the pocket that held the open bottle of pills. Scooping up several tablets, he clutched them tightly and withdrew his hand. His gaze never leaving Sheppard's, he brought the pills to his mouth. So close to relief, that he forgot momentarily about the man pinned to the floor in front of him, he was surprised when the figure moved and then he felt a sharp stabbing pain plunge deep into his thigh. "Ahh!" he cried out, dropping the tablets as he gasped in agony, while grasping at the protruding object buried deep into his leg.

Rodney shoving the scalpel was exactly the distraction the major needed. "Lokii!" he shouted. The second the ambassador looked up, Sheppard placed two rounds directly into the man's heart, killing him instantly.

SG: A

Hands were touching him, calling his name from far away. "McKay, come on, stay with me here," it encouraged. Swimming through the fog, Rodney felt the items on his back and legs shift, the pressing discomfort removed and he cried out when circulation was restored to his lower limbs. "Digitonin," he gasped, biting his lip to stop another outburst when someone touched the back of his head.

More voices began giving orders and hands continued to touch the scientist. Uncertain if they'd heard him the first time, he groaned and reached blindly out, trying to connect with someone who'd listen. A firm grip encased his hand.

"Hang on Rodney." Sheppard said, trying not to cause the man any more pain. When he felt a slight tug, he leaned down closer. "Hey Answer Man," he quipped quietly, seeing McKay looking at him with one eye," It's gonna be okay. Just relax."

Rodney groaned, his battered body was so close to shutting down and he really needed Sheppard to listen to him. "Carson," he whispered.

"Teyla and Ford are with him. He's alive and the med team should be here any second."

The scientist tried to move and felt the major hold him still. "Digitonin," he repeated, hoping the major was listening. "Carson said Digitonin." The swirling darkness grew heavier and he panted with increased effort, trying to hold it at bay.

Sheppard looked over to the unconscious Scot and then back to Rodney. Patting his friend on the shoulder, he nodded, "I'll tell the doctor. You just rest, okay?"

After that, things got blurry. More strange hands, voices calling from off to the side for 'Atropine', an uncomfortable collar slipped around his neck, being strapped down onto a stiff object, moving, more voices, several sharp pinches to his arms, it all swirled faster and darker until he could no longer hang on and he just let go.

SG: A

One week later:

The North Pier was bathed in late afternoon sunshine, warming the three figures seated on the edge looking out over the water. A slight breeze ruffled their hair as each remained silent, waiting for one of the others to speak first.

It was Sheppard who eventually broke the ice. "So, when do your trips to Heightmeyer begin?"

Rodney blew out a slow breath and then reached up to scratch at the bandages on the back of his head. A slight slap from Carson to the wrist stopped him before he got very far. Giving the Scot one of his patented glares and getting a mocking raised brow in return, he rolled his eyes and heard Sheppard chuckle at the exchange. "She already came to see me this morning."

"I didn't know the lass made house calls," the Scot teased.

"Oh, you're one to talk there, Limpy. I saw the way that little physical therapist was giving you the 'special treatment'," Rodney challenged back.

That only made Carson smile larger, "Aye, lad, that she was." Stretching his leg out in front of his wheelchair, he waved it back and forth. "Almost as good as new."

"Do you two clowns have any idea of when you might be returned to active duty?"

Carson looked over Rodney's head to stare at Sheppard, "Itching to go through the gate?"

"Well, doc, things have slowed down around here the last few days. I feel like I'm getting a little rusty."

"Oh, sorry if I'm crimping your style, Major. I didn't plan on getting chased around by some child abusing drug addict," Rodney snapped, all earlier humor forgotten.

"Easy there McKay. I was kidding. You really think lying around in the sun, waiting for you two is a bad thing? Although, I do have to admit, being on this side of the hospital stay ain't too bad."

"Why? Do you have a problem staying in my establishment, Major?"

Sheppard stood up and backed away from the pair of doctors scowling at him. "Whoa, down boys. You two sure are crabby. I thought you'd be happy to be out here."

Rodney reached up to scratch again, but stopped when hearing Becket's familiar 'harrumph'. "It itches," he snapped to the Scot.

"That means it's healing and you need to keep your grubby hands off."

The banter continued to roll with each barb more colorful than the last. It wasn't until they heard the sound of a fourth person behind them that they grew silent.

"Gentlemen," Elizabeth said with a smile, happy to see things returning to normal. "I hope we aren't interrupting."

The trio turned to find her standing behind them with a special guest. "Bengi asked to come and see you before he goes back home."

"Hey buddy," Sheppard grinned, picking up the boy and swinging him around in a circle.

The boys little arms slipped smoothly around the major's shoulders, giving him a hug. "Can I sit out here with you until I have to leave?"

"I think we can find some room. Can't we, fellas?"

Rodney shifted back away from the water and patted the spot between him and Carson. "Put the boy down before you both fall in."

"I'm not going to fall in," Sheppard snapped.

"You're the one complaining of being rusty. I just didn't want to see Bengi fall off the pier because you're getting old."

Setting the little one down beside Carson, the major went after McKay. "Old? I'll show you old."

And the chase was on.

Beckett leaned over and grinned, "See? Little boys, just like I told you."

The End

A/N: Thank you for taking the time to read this. I was glad to take you along for the ride. It was fun. Until next we meet again, stay safe! Jen

Due to several comments that do make sense, there will possibly be a follow up story some time this winter. I intentionally left areas open for further exploration at a later date.

Thanks again to Gaffer and Emergencyfan for your beta help. You're the best!