Archive of Our Own ^beta

There was utter chaos outside, the sounds of people screaming and running for their lives as Wraith Darts continued to ravage the village. John groaned as he pushed himself up into a sitting position, looking around the small cave they’d been knocked into

There had been an explosion near the gate that sent the team flying in all different directions. He had no idea where Teyla and Ford were, but he could just make out McKay laying across from him in the stone alcove they’d rebounded into.

“McKay,” He groaned, hauling himself up to check on the scientist, “McKay, you alright?”

When the other man still failed to respond, panic began to set in. Rodney McKay never missed a chance to complain or show off his flair for the dramatic…

John was on him in a second, turning the other man on his back so he could get a look at him. Rodney groaned at being shifted and John let out a small sigh of relief, he was alive at least.

But his face was covered in blood, and John started to panic again - at least until he noticed the gash on McKay’s forehead. Not ideal, but not as bad as it could have been…

John dug through his pack for the first aid kit, pulling out a wad of gauze to press it to the cut on McKay’s head, “C’mon McKay… talk to me… Rodney! Say something!”

“Stop shouting…” He finally groaned, one eye opening slightly to glare at him, “My head’s killing me.”

“Yeah, well, you took a pretty good hit to the head, so that’s understandable…” John said, holding up his other hand, “How many fingers am I holding up?”

Rodney took longer than John would have liked for him to answer, “I… uh…. Six….”

“I don’t have six fingers, McKay.” John said, cursing under his breath as he applied more pressure to the wound on his head.

“You asked, I answered!” The other man snapped back at him, “Clearly I have a concussion or some other kind of TBI - everything is spinning and…”

He cut himself off, hand pressed to his mouth with a groan. John groaned as well, shaking his head, “Don’t you dare throw up on me…”

Whatever snappy comeback Rodney was about to make was cut off as he dove to the side, retching as he tried to hold himself up and John kept the bandages pressed to his head.

“Just perfect…” John muttered before the com devices crackled and Ford reported that he and Teyla were ok.

“Good.” John said back tensely, “Get the gate open and let Atlantis know we need Beckett on standby. Teyla, I need your help getting McKay back to the gate.”