The Solaris Device Pt 16

The Solaris Device

 Because every good SGA team fic should have an infirmary scene:

Pt 16.  The Infirmary

Looking back, Nikki couldn’t remember much about that mad flight back to the gate, everything was hazy. She had a vague memory of Teyla dialing the gate address, and sending her IDC. The auto dock procedure initialized, and Nikki slumped over the control panel in relief. She was vaguely aware of Teyla telling someone to have a medical team standing by. Then the jumper passed through the rippling surface of the event horizon, and came to rest on the floor of the gate room.

Someone opened the hatch of the jumper remotely, and Ronon helped the medical team lift John onto a stretcher. Teyla shook Nikki gently. “Nikki, we need to go to the infirmary.”
Nikki mumbled that she was fine, that she just wanted to stay where she was for a few more minutes. Suddenly, she was being lifted by strong hands, and she found herself balanced between Teyla and Jayne. Nikki was glad that she didn’t remember much more of what happened. She had once seen her friend Trish go through withdrawal from the wraith enzyme, and she knew that it wasn’t pretty.

Mirth found herself standing outside the jumper feeling lost. The adrenalin boost of the escape had worn off and she felt strangely depressed. Suddenly, Rodney appeared out of nowhere and pulled her into a tight hug.
“Ohmygod, you’re OK, that is, you look like you are, I was so worried when I heard they were sending a medical team to the gate room and Sheppard’s hurt, but that’s pretty standard for him, I’m sure he’ll be fine, he always is and……”
Mirth listened to his babble with a happy smile on her face, until finally she shut him up with a kiss.

            ***************************************************

Apart from the effects of the wraith stunner, John had a number of bruises and scrapes, but fortunately he hadn’t broken any bones. Dr Keller decided to keep him in the infirmary overnight for observation, along with Nikki. After the usual post mission check-ups, the others were released to get a shower and change of clothes before the post mission briefing.

Later that day, Jayne, Barcardi and Mirth were sitting at a table in the mess, eating dinner. Radek came over and sat down next to them.
“Have you seen Rodney?” Mirth asked him. She hadn’t seen him since he had agreed to move Jumper 1 back to the jumper bay.
“He’ll be in the infirmary, with the Colonel.” Radek told her.
“Oh.” Mirth said, looking disappointed.
Jayne looked thoughtful for a moment. “I thought they weren’t allowed visitors?” she asked.
Radek shrugged. “Wouldn’t stop Colonel Sheppard’s team. If one of them is sick, the others stand vigil. Is old custom.”
“Really?” asked Jayne, a calculating look on her face. “Excuse me, there’s somewhere else I need to be.” She left her unfinished meal behind on the table, and walked determinedly towards the exit.
“What was that all about?” asked Barcardi, looking puzzled.
“Jayne wishes to see a friend.” Radek replied, smiling.

        *****************************************************

Jayne was met at the infirmary door by Katie, the nurse who was friends with Nikki.
“Can I see her?” Jayne whispered.
Katie hesitated for a second, then seemed to make up her mind.
“OK,” she replied, “but you better make sure Dr Keller doesn’t catch you.”
Katie led Jayne to a side room where Nikki was sleeping.
“The worst seems to be over now, but she’ll probably sleep for several more hours.” Katie informed her.
As Jayne walked through the door, she was surprised to see Rodney sitting in a chair by her friend’s bed. He looked up at her, startled, a guilty expression crossing his face to be replaced by relief. Jayne pulled up a second chair and sat down next to him.
“I would have thought you’d be sitting with the Colonel.” she whispered.
“Yes, well, Ronon’s with him right now, and Teyla’s going to drop in later. I thought someone should sit with her.” he waved his hand in Nikki’s direction. “I kind of know what she’s going through right now. Besides she helped save my life once.”
Jayne nodded, as she remembered the story Kass had told her about Nikki’s first visit to the Pegasus galaxy. Nikki wasn’t just Rodney’s friend, she was part of his family.  Jayne realized that Nikki had become part of her family too.