Status: Completed 4/01/2009

Word Count: 3,815

Author's Notes: This chapter changes PoV's a little bit too, from Teyla to John than back to Teyla. I finally managed to work in the final challenge word. Can you find it? Many thanks to Annie and Cheryl for the beta.

To say Teyla was concerned was an understatement. After walking for nearly three and-a-half hours, Major Sheppard was still stubbornly soldiering on, and as darkness approached he was beginning to lean on her quite heavily. Frowning, she could feel sweat soaking through his shirt, even though the evening air was not hot. Barely brushing the bare skin of his hand, she was alarmed at the heat she registered. With each step he took, he stumbled but true to his stubborn nature, he’d steadfastly refused to stop, despite Teyla's attempts to let the team rest for the night. Cursing the man's resilience, Teyla sighed softly as Sheppard tripped over a small branch -she knew he could not keep this up for much longer. Time to try again, she mused.

"Major, you must rest," she insisted. "Pushing on at this time would not be wise."

The major, if he'd even heard her words, made no attempt to acknowledge them. Teyla glanced at his face. It was flushed; one didn't have to be a doctor to see the man was developing a fever. His eyes seemed focused on something slightly to their left and she wondered if he was beginning to hallucinate, or if he had sensed something she had not.

"John?"

Sheppard remained silent, alert. Saying nothing, he stumbled again but his eyes never changed their focus. Teyla realized that while he was getting weaker with each step, that wasn't what had caused the major to stumble. He was concentrating so intently on scanning the area to his left that he was not paying attention to where he stepped.

"Do you see something?" she asked in a whisper.

After a few more seconds of silence, he finally replied.

Then all hell broke loose.

John wasn't paying any attention to Teyla. Several times after they started walking, he'd heard the rustling noise again. It was soft, and for a while, he thought he'd been hearing things, especially when he'd begun to feel the fever taking hold of him. He hadn't actually heard anything for some time now, but his instincts told him that they were being followed. Whatever was tracking them seemed to have moved away from them for a while, but now he was certain it was getting close again. He wondered if it was one of those Wraith-creatures. Had it moved away to meet up with more of it's kind and now returned with reinforcements? Perhaps it had seen them take out its buddies?

Finally acknowledging Teyla, he replied, "No, but I get the distinct feeling we're being followed."

This time when it attacked, John was ready.

For the first one anyway.

John raised his Berretta and fired three quick shots dead center into the creature's chest, watching with satisfaction as it fell to the ground with a strangled howl. A second creature came barreling out of the woods, a third close on it's heels. Teyla and Ford took care of them with ease. John aimed at a fourth one that was coming from McKay's direction and was mildly surprised when McKay actually raised his gun, fired several rounds, and actually killed the damn thing. He was a little concerned that the man had done it with his eyes shut. Making a mental note to talk to McKay about that when they got back to Atlantis, John turned to survey the woods to his left. He had a bad feeling that it wasn't over yet.

Hearing another one behind him, John tried to turn. This time, he wasn't fast enough and he found himself being slammed into the ground with a bone crunching force. His Berretta was sent flying and landed several feet away from him. Well beyond his reach. Landing on his already wounded side, he felt something give as a separate, white-hot pain shot through his body. Gasping for breath and clutching his abdomen against the agony, he could do nothing to defend himself. He rolled onto his back and attempted to reach for his weapon, but it was no use. Even that slight movement sent agonizing waves of pain through his battered body. Closing his eyes tightly, he tried to will the pain away.

An eternity later, and with some effort, John pried his eyes open to see the worried faces of Teyla and McKay looking back at him. Although he couldn't see him, he knew Ford must be close by, probably making sure they'd gotten of the creatures and setting up a perimeter.

"Major, were you injured further?" Teyla asked. From the look on her face, John guessed it wasn't the first time she'd asked that question.

Still gasping, John answered, "Not . . . cut. . . . Think . . . some . . . something . . . broke . . . though," he gasped as Teyla, who'd finally managed to pry his hands away from his side, pressed down on a particularly sensitive spot. He inhaled sharply and gasped, "Oh . . . yeah . . . def . . . definitely . . . bro . . . broke . . . broken." He lay silently for a moment as he tried to catch his breath. He tried to take a deep breath and regretted it immediately as a stabbing pain shot through his chest. "Need to . . . sit . . . up."

"Are you sure that is wise? Perhaps you should lie down for a few minutes," Teyla said. She was still kneeling beside him, her weapon was back in her hand, and she seemed to be scanning the area.

Nodding, John replied, "No. Not really." He gasped again then added, "Need . . . to any . . . anyway."

John groaned as Teyla helped him into a sitting position. Although moving had hurt like a son-of-a-bitch, he felt marginally better once he was partially upright. It made breathing a little bit easier at least.

"How are you feeling?"

Peachy, John wanted to say. Just fine and dandy, thanks for asking. He settled for, "Hur . . . hurts . . . breathe," and it did. A lot. John involuntarily groaned again.

"Do you wish to lie back down?" Teyla asked making a move as if to help John lay back down.

"No! . . . No, I'm . . . I'm . . . good. Thanks." Okay, so that was a lie, but lying down would not help him at this point. It would just make it hurt worse. Besides, he needed to be able to see what was happening, and he couldn't do that lying down. That position would also put him at a big disadvantage if the creatures attacked again. He couldn't shoot them if he couldn't see them.

Teyla's face flashed her displeasure as she nodded. Without a word, she stood and walked the few feet to where Ford was standing and was joined a few seconds later by McKay.

"Aaah," John groaned as he tried to raise himself a little higher. Resisting the urge to panic, he forced himself to take slow, shallow breaths, forcing himself to remain calm. Panicking wouldn't do him or his team any good and could further aggravate his injuries. He checked the clip of his weapon -empty- as he'd figured. Replacing it in its holster, he turned his attention back to his team. By the look on Ford's face, Teyla had filled him in on the details of John's new injuries. It annoyed the hell out of him that they were whispering in an attempt to keep him from hearing what they were saying, which, of course, meant that they were either talking about him or discussing their next move. Probably both.

Apparently, they didn't realize that his hearing was better than average.

Ford spoke first. "We'll have to make camp here tonight. We can set up a defensible perimeter then break camp at first light."

John heard McKay's panicked voice next, "He may not make it until tomorrow!"

He watched as Teyla put her hands on the scientist's shoulders in an attempted to calm him down. In a lower voice he heard her placating reply. "We have no other choice, Doctor McKay. The major's injuries are severe; he cannot walk any further tonight. Lieutenant Ford is correct; we will have to wait until first light. At that time, we can make a stretcher and carry him the rest of the way back to the 'gate."

Now he had moved past annoyed and onto angry. He might be injured, but he was still alive and awake. "He is not dead yet, can still hear, and he is still in command here," John called out, grimacing against the sudden increase in tempo the little man with the jackhammer in his head had taken. He was pleased he'd managed to keep the pain out of his voice when he'd spoken and, at the same time, been able to keep the anger and command authority in it. He didn't like having his authority over-ridden when he was still capable of making decisions for himself. As long as he was awake and lucid he was damn well still in command of this mission!

"We will rest here for another fifteen minutes then we'll move out. We can't be more than five or six miles from the 'gate." John stifled another groan then continued, "If we keep moving we should be able to make it there before morning. We don't know how many more of those creatures there are or how close they are, and I really don't want to find out."

Ford, followed closely by the others, walked towards him. John did not miss the determined look in his junior officer's face and braced himself for the argument he was sure was coming.

"Sorry for leaving you out of that, sir, we shouldn't have tried to shut you out."

"Why do I feel a "but" coming on?"

Ford looked a little nervous but also resolved. "Respectfully, no, sir."

"Excuse me!" John barked, not entirely surprised.

Standing straighter, Ford began, "I said-"

"I heard what you said, Lieutenant." John bit his lip to keep from crying out as he pushed himself up even further so that he was sitting straight up. "I am the commanding officer here, Lieutenant," John began, again emphasizing the younger man's rank, "and I give the orders. We move out in fifteen minutes. That is an order."

"No, sir. You are in no condition to be walking anywhere, especially since it's getting dark. In less than half-an-hour we'll be lucky if we can see five feet in front of us."

In his mind, John new he was being stubborn and, perhaps, a bit foolish, but having his authority so blatantly under minded first by the three of them together, then to have Ford disregard a direct order, he was past angry now and had moved on to royally pissed. He opened his mouth to say more when Teyla and McKay stepped up on either side of Ford, matching looks of concern and determination on their faces.

Teyla spoke first. "Major, I understand your anger with us for speaking behind your back and I do not blame you for it, but you must realize that this course of action is unwise. Your injuries are serious and you are developing a fever. You need to rest," she reasoned. Sighing, she added, "We are all tired."

Against his will, John felt his anger fading. He wanted to be angry, but he knew she was right. She and Ford both were. The pain was getting worse and he could feel the fever creeping up on him. His face was beginning to feel warm and the pounding in his head was reaching a crescendo.

With a heavy sigh, he relented, "Fine. We'll make camp here for the night. I'll take first watch," as soon as he'd made the decision, he'd known there'd be opposition. He held up his hand against the protests he knew were coming. "Don't argue with me on this one. I know I'm not exactly in the best shape here, but even you admitted you're all tired. Any idiot could see that you three are exhausted. You need to rest too. So, like I said, I'll take first watch, Teyla, you take second, Ford then McKay. Were moving out at oh-five-hundred." His tone left no room for argument and the others nodded in agreement. "Lights out in fifteen, kids." Besides, he hated feeling so damn useless.

Maybe he should have just let them take longer shifts and gone to sleep. He just couldn't bring himself to do it. It would mean admitting, to himself and his team, that he was too weak to be much use for anything. It would also mean giving up command, if not right that minute then soon. After all, if he couldn't take a simple two-hour watch then, maybe, he was in no condition to lead. He simply wasn't ready to do admit that. Not as long as he could still hold his weapon steady and hit his target.

John watched for a few minutes as his team set up camp. For a split second, he considered getting up to help then realized that would be a very bad idea. Instead, he simply watched Ford walk the perimeter. After a few minutes, he turned his attention to McKay. The scientist was hunched over his data pad. Occasionally, he would look up at John then, seeing John looking back, quickly turned his attention back to whatever he'd been looking at.

After a few minutes of watching McKay, John leaned his head back against the tree. Resisting the strong urge to close his eyes, he tried to focus on watching the tree line in front of him. The fingers of his left hand remained firmly curled around his Berretta. Tempting as it was -and with his head pounding the way it was, it was so very tempting- he knew he couldn't afford to close his eyes. If he did, he knew wouldn't be able to stay awake.

John's eyes began to close and he yanked them open. He yawned and shook his head, immediately regretting it. Blinking rapidly did nothing to shake the lure of sleep from his eyes. Yawning again, this time his head started to dip towards his chest. After a few seconds he woke with a jerk and grimaced at the figurative ice pick that had just been slammed into the back of his head. Rubbing his eyes with the back of his hand didn't help either.

Then again, closing them just for a minute couldn't hurt. . . .

Teyla had considered arguing with the major when he'd stubbornly told them he would take the first watch. He was in no condition to do much of anything if the creatures attacked again. However, she knew him well enough by now to know that he would not be dissuaded, and she was almost positive the creatures would not attack again that night. With any luck, the major would simply fall asleep. Then she and Ford could split his time for watch and add it onto their own.

Teyla was relieved when she looked over and saw Major Sheppard's eyes flutter shut again and finally remain closed. Waiting till she was sure he was fully asleep, she rose and approached him, testing his forehead for signs of the heat she'd felt earlier. His fever had elevated slightly, and while she was sure he was far from dying tonight as Doctor McKay had predicting, he was definitely very ill and getting worse. She checked his pulse as Doctor Beckett had shown her –it was strong but thready. Standing, she approached the lieutenant.

"How is he?"

"He is asleep," she whispered. Although Teyla doubted the major could hear her this time, she did not wish to take any chances. "His fever will get worse throughout the course of the night, but there is not much we can do about that."

"Yeah, I know. Maybe I should give him some morphine. It will help with the pain, which should help him sleep better."

The lieutenant did not look happy about his own suggestion, but he made a valid point. Knowing him as she did, Teyla knew he would feel it was his responsibility, especially since they both knew what Major Sheppard's reaction was likely to be when he found out.

"Agreed," Teyla said. "But first we should get him to try to eat something. He needs more of the antibiotic and it must be taken with food." Ford nodded in agreement and Teyla asked, "Do you want me to wake him, Lieutenant, or do you wish to do it yourself?"

Lieutenant Ford took a deep breath before answering. "I'll do it."

Teyla nodded. "Very well, I shall stay on watch until you are done." She watched as the lieutenant walked towards his pack, rummaging through it to find the required items. He turned to walk over to the major then stopped and looked back at her.

With a small smile, the lieutenant called to her, "Teyla?"

"Yes?"

"Just call me Aiden, okay?"

"Okay," she replied, smiling. "I will do that, Aiden."

The lieutenant, Aiden, then turned and approached the still sleeping leader of their team. She was pleased he had requested to be called by his given name. While she was still not familiar with many Earth customs, she knew that most of the military people on Atlantis referred to each other by rank and surname, rank alone, or surname alone. Requesting that she call him by his first name meant that he considered her a friend.

It surprised Teyla a little that the major did not make the same request. She knew that he also considered her to be a friend. Why then, did he not wish her to call him John? Perhaps, she thought, it was because of his position as the leader of the team. She made a mental note to speak to him about it after they returned.

Keeping her eyes on the woods as she walked the perimeter that Aiden had set up, she listened to the conversation Aiden and the major were having. The major agreed, with little resistance, to eat and take the medication to help fight the infection, but steadfastly refused the morphine. Such a stubborn man! She understood his reluctance, to a point, but what good would he be to them if he collapsed during the day when his help might be needed most?

Teyla had noticed -and thought the major would have too if not for the severity of his injuries- that the creatures seemed to only attack during the light of day. She assumed that, like they did, the creatures slept or rested at night and hunted during the day. After several rounds of arguing and approximately tens minutes, Aiden returned to her.

"He didn't even eat half of his MRE, but hopefully it'll be enough to keep the antibiotics down. He refused to allow me to give him any morphine."

Teyla could see the concern in Aiden's voice reflected in his eyes, and the frustration as well. They were emotions she shared with him. Unfortunately, there was not much they could do.

There was a fierce determination in the young lieutenant's eyes when he spoke again. "I'm going to wait until he's asleep, then I'm going to give him some anyway."

Teyla opened her mouth to voice her concern about that idea, but Aiden put up a hand to stop her.

"I don't like it either, Teyla, and I know the major will be seriously pissed when he finds out, but we really don't have much of a choice." Aiden sighed in resignation then continued, "I'm sure you've observed, as I have, that those Wraith-things only seem to attack when it's light out. I'm fairly certain we're safe for now, but if they attack again during the day, we may need the major's help. If he doesn't get a good night's sleep he won't be any good to us at all by morning and it will only make his situation worse that much faster. I won't give him the full amount, just enough to ease the pain so he can rest easier."

A loud gasp caught their attention and they both turned to see that Major Sheppard, eyes scrunched shut tightly, was grasping his side again.

"Ford's right."

Startled, both Teyla and Aiden turned to see McKay standing behind them, looking at their commander with concern. The scientist had been so silent since they'd last spoken, Teyla had almost forgotten he was there. By the look on his face, she guessed Aiden had as well.

"What?" McKay asked indignantly. "I'm not always completely self-centered you know? I am aware of what's going on and just how badly off the major is."

Teyla smiled. "We know, Rodney."

"The lieutenant," she glanced at the young Earth military officer then amended, "Aiden and I will split the major's shift between us. You should get some rest. Tomorrow will be a rough day."

For a moment, Teyla thought Rodney would protest the decision. Nodding after a moment, he said nothing else as he grabbed his pack, pulled out his sleeping bag, and curled up into it. Within a minute, he was snoring softly.

"You should go to sleep as well."

"I will," Aiden replied. "I just want to give the major some morphine first."

Teyla watched as Aiden dug through his pack. Finding the pre-filled syringe, he made his way over to the major. While he did so, she pulled a bandana out of her pocket and walked over to them. Kneeling beside Sheppard, she poured some of the cool water from her canteen onto the bandana then put it on the major's brow. Hopefully, it would bring him at least some relief.

Aiden knelt beside her and administered the morphine quickly. Teyla held her breath and glanced at Aiden worriedly as the major's eyes opened slowly. He looked at them with unfocused eyes for a few tense seconds. Then his eyes slid closed. She placed a comforting hand on Aiden's forearm and smiled. He smiled back at her then stood. She watched as he readied his own sleeping bag and climbed into it. Within seconds, he too was sound asleep. Turning her attention back to the major, she used the damp bandana to wipe the sweat from his face and neck. It was a small comfort to see that some of the pain had left his face and he seemed to be resting more comfortably.

Teyla was well aware of the trouble Aiden could be in and she would stand beside him if the need be. He had made the correct decision. She was sure, once they got the major back to Atlantis and into Doctor Beckett's capable hands, that Major Sheppard would realize it as well. Wringing the bandana out, Teyla poured more water onto it then placed it back on the major's forehead.

Standing, Teyla stretched then grasped her P-90 and began her patrol of the perimeter. With one last glance at her team leader, she braced herself for what she was sure would be a very long night.

TBC