Chapter Text
Despite the oppressive heat and humidity, a shiver wracked through his form as he was half dragged through the dense foliage of the jungle. He had one good foot to use, the strong arm of Major Ryann slung around his waist with his arm across her shoulders. McKay had a white knuckled grip on her opposing shoulder, holding as tightly as he could to her vest strap. His breaths were coming in aggressive bursts as bile fought in his throat, burning its way towards his mouth. He leaned away from her, heaving. Getting the message, Ryann slowly lowered him against a tree for support as he tried to expel whatever was in his stomach – which was to say, nothing. Ribs ached with the effort, sweat coating his forehead and running down his spine. “I-I just need a mo-“ He began, heaving once more. A small leather water pouch was passed to him from one of the guides and he flinched back, hitting his head against the tree.
“Easy Doctor,” Ryann urged, taking the waterskin from the guide and putting herself between him and Rodney. She crouched to his side, her eyes scanning his condition as she slowly offered the water to him again. “Just a sip, we can’t afford to rest here long. Sheppard’s condition won’t stay stable for long.” Rodney’s eyes flicked to where Reeves had set John down, taking a breather of his own from running through the jungle carrying the Colonel. John was sagged against another tree, head down with his chin resting on his chest. Despite the pain, the fear, the exhaustion, McKay knew they had to move. He took the waterskin from Ryann and took a few tentative sips, the stale liquid doing little to relieve him.
“M-my foot…” He winced, looking down at the boot. They’d managed to get the boot over his bandages, using the article as a form of compression and protection from further damage but the pain and heat were reaching unbearable levels.
“I’m sorry McKay, I don’t have anything left to give you for the pain, but the faster we get home, the faster we get you on the good stuff hm? Beckett will be waiting for you with a warm bed, fresh clothes, morphine, and some well-deserved dinner.” The mention of good food, safety, and comfort sent Rodney and Ryann’s stomachs rumbling. He managed a crooked smile before handing back the waterskin with a nod. Ryann passed it back to the guide before helping McKay up, once more taking on the majority of his weight so he could avoid putting any pressure on his injured foot. Reeves took the silent cue and scooped up the barely conscious Sheppard, shooting Ryann a worried look that didn’t go unnoticed by the scientist.
The group pushed on, with a pace no less brutal than before. Teyla and Ford surged with them, quietly observing their surroundings for danger. McKay cautioned them a glance. They’d been burning the candle at both ends since their untimely capture, and were looking worse for wear, slowing considerably compared to their usual breakneck pace while off world. Teyla saw McKay watching her with worry blatant on his face and offered him a soft smile and nod as if trying to tell him they were doing better than they looked. He nodded back, nearly catching his one good foot on a root in his distraction. Ryann caught him, grumbling at him to keep his eyes on the path as she pulled him along. He could feel the dampness of her clothes under his arm as her hair clung to her sweat soaked skin. This was wearing on the Major, and Rodney had no idea how much further they had to travel before reaching the cave.
What felt like hours but was surely minutes passed as the dark stone of the cave system was spotted between the trees. Relief flooded McKay; however, it was sadly short lived. The sharp crack of a gun echoed through the jungle and the bark of a neighboring tree exploded. “Move, now!” Major Ryann barked next to his ear, sending it ringing as more rounds damaged the greenery surrounding them. They pushed through the brush, throwing themselves in the direction of the now visible hidden cave entrance. One of their guides fell with a short scream before silence.
The sound of a P90 exploded before them offering cover fire from the hidden entrance. Their party hit the ground to offer Stackhouse a clear shot behind them. “Come on!” He shouted, waving them in once the returning fire ceased. Teyla and Ford entered the cave, Ford taking a 9-mil from the Sergeant and joining at the entrance to provide cover. They weren’t going to fit through the gap while carrying their charges, so Ryann helped McKay enter the cave with Teyla collecting him on the other side. She immediately began leading him away from the firefight on the other side, just in case a stray bullet made it through the crack.
Teyla helped McKay against a wall, which he leaned against with the sweet relief of no longer having to run in the heat of the jungle. He watched as she jumped back into action, approaching the exit to help collect Sheppard from Reeves as he passed the half-conscious Colonel through. Teyla pulled him to where Rodney rested as the rest came in through the opening. Reeves, then Ryann, Stackhouse, then Ford. Just as ford entered the darker space, a bullet came through the opening catching him in the right shoulder sending him sprawling against the clay wall with a shout. “Keep Moving!” Ryann commanded, signaling to Teyla to help Ford. They paired up as they had before, surging through the dark tunnels.
McKay’s heart was set pounding again as the sound of soldiers entered the echoing chambers, tricking his ears into thinking they were closer on their tail then they probably were. Stackhouse took a moment to grab a smoke grenade from his pack, setting it off behind them to mask their movement as they pushed through to the ‘gate. Bates must have heard the commotion heading his way, because the gate was dialed when they entered the main cavern, the blue light illuminating the vast space. “IDC is in, go, go!” Bates called, P90 up watching their six’ as Reeves all but ran through the ‘gate with Sheppard. Ryann threw herself and McKay through just as the sound of gunfire erupted, suddenly silenced by ‘gate-travel.
The pair half fell into the embarkation room, and Ryann threw her weight off to the side, taking McKay with her. A bullet exited the gate not a moment after, embedding itself in the opposing wall as Rodney half landed on the Major knocking the wind out of her. They stayed there, on the ground frozen, both their gazes transfixed on the open stargate as stray bullets found their way through. Teyla and Ford came through at a run, followed by Stackhouse and Bates, guns raised and firing. They stopped shooting a moment later and the gate shut off leaving the space suddenly very quiet and still.
“-Line wide open, have the surgical suite prepped and ready.” The Scottish brogue was an explosive relief sent directly to Rodney’s nervous system as he felt his muscles systematically relax, ignoring the fact that he was still clutched protectively in the Major’s arms.
“I need medical over here!” The sound came from beneath him, bringing him back for a moment to reality. Ryann was carefully moving him off of her, onto the ground, her fingers already pressed to his pulse point on his neck. Three medical personnel rushed over to their side, taking over from the Major as McKay found himself desperately looking around for his commander, his friend. He was able to catch a glimpse of the top of John’s unruly hair as he was pushed away on a gurney, before his vision was swarmed with blue gloves and an oxygen mask. “-lacerations to his-” The words were feeling further away. Blue eyes glanced around as his hands rose to weakly bat away the hands touching him. “-dehydration, shock, have Dr. Heightmeyer on standby for when they’re stabilized.” He saw with blurry vision as Major Ryann gently held his hands down to his sides so the nurses and doctors could work. “-one, two, three-” Suddenly he was being lifted, placed on a soft surface, something plastic clipped to his index finger, something constricting against his bicep. “-check on Ford, I’ll make sure everyone gets up to medical.” McKay began to drift, comforted by the controlled calm of Ryann’s voice. She gave his hand a final squeeze before letting him be rolled away.
--------------------------------------------------
Repetitive beeping was his first greeting to consciousness. Rodney closed his mouth slowly, a dried patch of drool clinging to the corner of his lips. His tongue felt thick and dry, throat scratchy and parched. He made a little choking sound as he tried to swallow, and suddenly he was back there.
A cloth, stench of clinging humidity as it was pressed against his face, blocking his vision. Water. So much water. It penetrated his nose, stung his eyes and collected in the shells of his ears. Rodney coughed against it, trying to expel the water as it forced itself down his throat, interrupting his breathing with violent heaves.
The beeping escalated as he writhed against invisible restraints in the bed. The only sounds coming from him were choking sobs as he thrashed his legs, head turning from side to side as if trying to escape something oppressive. “Rodney! Rodney, you need to calm down,” Beckett was at his side, grasping his friend’s shoulders to help suppress the violent movement. A chair sounded as it was pushed against the floor and more hands found him. He was being held down, tortured, brought to the brink of drowning then brought back, again and again.
Blue eyes shot open, red rimmed with unshed tears as he fought desperately against the hands that tried to secure him, “NO! No more,” He sobbed, letting the tears finally fall. Beckett removed his hands as if burnt, holding them up by his shoulders. Teyla, who had joined in the restraining also backed away from her friend. Hiccups expelled out of him as the scientist curled in on himself, rocking, his fingers pulling at his already thinning hair.
“Rodney, you need to take some deep breaths,” Teyla tried, her voice calm, like a vocal sanctuary in a storm. He let out a shaky exhale, shoulders shuddering with the effort. “Good, now breathe with me,” She led him through a slow pace of breathing, his wide eyes watching her as she guided him through the panic. “You are safe. You are home.” The knot in his stomach loosened but remained, his hands now wringing the blanket in blatant anxiety.
“J-John?” His voice was so small, like a scared child as he asked. He hated the look of pity that Carsen pointed at his direction but avoided comment.
“I have him resting in an isolation room. His surgery went well, but the road is still long and rocky.” Rodney nodded along with Carson’s words, slowly lowering himself back into the bed. “I’ll let you know the moment he wakes up, okay? But you need to rest.” Rodney nodded again forcing himself not to flinch away from Carson’s touch as the doctor offered his hand a comforting squeeze.
Once Beckett had left his bedside, Rodney chanced a look at Teyla. She looked drained, dark circles present under her eyes though she was freshly changed and had showered off the sweat and grime from their captivity. “Sleep Rodney. I will watch over you.” Her words had a magical effect, his taught muscles loosening. McKay realized he had an intrinsic trust in the Athosian woman, as sleep began to creep up on him again. He would be safe… if she was there…
--------------------------------------------------
“Rodney,” It was Teyla’s warm voice again, nearby somewhere off to his left. He slowly lifted his eyebrows as if the effort would also lift his eyelids. Slowly, one eye at a time he managed to open them, blue eyes squinting against the light in the infirmary. “You need to eat something.”
With a low groan, Rodney pushed himself up, noting the tray that had been set at his bedside. Teyla rose to help him adjust his pillows behind him to which he nodded in thanks. The scientist still felt the pull of sleep, but the ache in his stomach was stronger. The Athosian lifted the lid on the tray revealing some sort of broth with rice and chunks of what he assumed was chicken. A small packet of crackers sat next to the soup spoon, along with a cup of water. Couldn’t even snag some Jello for the broken man?
“It has been some time since you ate anything. Carson requested you start with soup, but please eat slowly as to not upset your digestion.” He reached for the spoon, pulling the tray closer as to not spill the broth across his front, rolling his eyes. He was so hungry, and he doubted soup was going to cut it. When that first savoury taste touched his tongue, all anti-soup negativity evaporated as he moaned into the spoon. Teyla laughed at his enjoyment, and he couldn’t help the little shoulder dance he did as his tastebuds came alive. Had he been without real food for that long that a simple soup was euphoric?
“He’s awake!” The sudden sound made Rodney jump, bumping the tray with his knee and spilling a bit of the soup, though thankfully it stayed contained on the small table. “Good to see your eyes open McKay.” Ford approached his bedside with a grin; his cheekbone painted a nasty purple and his arm in a sling.
“Should-ah, should you be walking around?” Rodney asked as he ate another spoonful.
“Just got discharged. I was going stir-crazy after two days.” Rodney nearly choked.
“T-two days?” Teyla nodded at his words, standing to offer Ford the seat. The soldier shook his head, gesturing back to the seat for Teyla like some politeness standoff. She shrugged and sat back down. Rodney looked her over. She did look more well rested then the last time he was conscious, but her expression still held onto some exhaustion. “Has John…?”
“Yeah, for a moment he was awake, but he’s also been sleeping a lot. It’s been about,” Ford took a glance at his watch before continuing, “Ten hours since he last perked up. You’ve been out for at least sixteen.”
“No wonder my back feels like murder,” Rodney grumbled. He wanted his special-order mattress more than anything in that moment, now that he had food. Pausing, he looked down at his bare arms, noting the lack of red clay staining his skin. “Wait, why am I clean?”
“The nurses took care of that for the most part, though a proper shower would definitely do you some good,” Ford grinned.
Rodney shot him a glare just as Beckett entered the infirmary with Dr. Weir, Major Ryann and Lt. Reeves in tow. Ford straightened his posture as the Major approached, and she gave him a nod to relax.
“Dr. McKay, glad to see you looking more like yourself,” The Canadian Medic greeted, a smile playing on her face.
He stumbled over his words for a moment, his mouth opening and closing before finding his voice, “M-Major Ryann, yes, thank you for that, by the way.”
She nodded her head in acknowledgement before patting Carson on the shoulder, “I just got you here. Dr. Beckett and his team put you back together.” He noted the deflection of responsibility for their safe return but didn’t press it. “How are you feeling?”
A snort escaped him at the question, “Alive, I guess? I mean everything hurts…” Weir stepped closer offering a comforting touch on his shoulder, this time he didn’t flinch.
“We’re just glad to have you back. You really scared us you know?” Elizabeth had a tendency to worry if the team was event fifteen minutes late to check in, but this time, Rodney was endlessly grateful for her worry. Without it they may have never been found. That thought alone was sobering.
“So- um, what happened?” Rodney finally asked after a moment of extended silence.
“Which part?” Reeves asked, standing relaxed and at ease next to his commanding officer.
Rodney shot him an annoyed glare, trademarked as his one-of-a-kind ‘really?’ responses. “You’d made a deal with the Wak- what were they called?” He began,
“Wakshili.” Reeves supplied with a grin back at the scientist.
“Yeah, you made a deal right? Medicine, help with the invasion… yadda, yadda…” The pace of his speech was returning to his auto-fire speed, and once he finished talking, he returned to his soup to await a response.
“We got back about three hours ago.” Ryann stated, her voice cold and expression solemn. “The oppressing force had collapsed the only tunnel out of the main ‘gate chamber and had left us a gift.” She swallowed, looking to Weir and Beckett as if asking permission to share the details. Both nodded slowly, so the Major continued. “The commander of the guerilla forces whom I dealt with… They left him in the cave. Crucified, and eviscerated. The radio I gave him was at his feet.”
McKay felt… conflicted. Knowing the history of the people made this outcome both sad and maddening for the suffering population… but also, relief. The man who had orchestrated his and John’s torture was dead, and from the sounds of it, painfully so. He hated the inky dark feeling that roiled in his gut, and suddenly his appetite was gone. Rodney gently pushed away the tray of food, sitting back against the pillows.
“We don’t have a ship capable of getting us there, and there aren’t any space gates nearby,” Ryann continued, “so the planet has been designated unsafe.”
“W-what about the outpost? About the Zed-P-M?” Rodney stuttered, he understood why they would lock out a planet like that, but they desperately needed the power, especially with more and more wraith hives awakening from hibernation.
“I’m sorry Rodney. We can’t risk it. We’ll need to keep searching.” Weir stated, voice calm, soft, yet warning.
The scientist slowly nodded, dejected. That meant that he, that they went through all of that for nothing.
--------------------------------------------------
Two days later Rodney was finally wheeled into the isolation room. Sheppard was sat up against pillows looking fresh faced and well rested while playing cards with Teyla.
“McKay! Glad you could join us,” Sheppard mused, not looking away from his hand as he planned his next move.
“You’re far more awake than I expected…” McKay admitted, Carson depositing him at Sheppard’s bedside.
“Thirty minutes you lot, then our patient needs his rest,” the Doctor warned, turning to leave the room as Ford entered juggling snacks in his one good arm. Carson rolled his eyes and departed back to his rounds as Ford dumped his collection on the side of the bed, avoiding touching John’s feet. He pulled up a chair as John collected the cards again.
“Blackjack? Got anything in that haul to act as chips?” John mused. Rodney was staring at the Colonel, as if still trying to assess the health of his friend.
“You’re really okay?” Rodney spoke softly as Teyla and Ford rifled through the snacks for items to ‘bet’ with.
John absently shuffled the cards in his hands, brown eyes looking over McKay, equally assessing his friend’s wellbeing. “No, not really. I doubt either of us will be for a while.” The way John looked at him made him think the Colonel wasn’t talking about their physical state. “I’m seeing Heightmeyer in the morning. You should consider it too. Sooner rather than later.” John’s words confirmed what Rodney had assessed. The scientist nodded, his expression almost sad as he sat back into his uncomfortable wheelchair.
There was no doubt that Ford and Teyla had heard the exchange, however they left the two men to talk as they divvied out ‘chips’ in the form of cookies and hard candies.
Rodney fidgeted with the robe, fingers pulling at a loose strand as he absently watched his team set up for their game. They were each a little haunted by the events, some more than others... but they were able to smile, to laugh. Rodney wore a shaky grin, but someone who knew him well would be able to tell it was mostly forced. He pulled the strand free of the robe, twirling it between his thumb and index finger. Frayed. Like he felt. He just needed to learn to put one foot in front of the other. Take each day as it came. More emergencies would find them. More traumas were to be had in this far off galaxy. He already struggled to sleep most nights knowing the wraith were out there, waiting, hunting, searching... what was another nightmare to add on top?
“Alright. Deal us in.” he sighed and forced his smile a bit wider.