A/N: This is my second What If featuring The Shrine. I hadn't planned on doing another, but this one worked its way into my brain and wouldn't let go. Plot bunnies do that sometimes.

This AU has additional scenes that weren't necessary in the original because Jeannie Miller already had knowledge of the SGC and Rodney's involvement in it.

My thanks go out to ladygris for patiently Beta-ing this story for me. Dwparsnip was kind enough to look it over as well. DaniWilder should have no issues with it…hopefully.

The dialog came from GateWorld.

Namaste,

~Sandy

What If…The Shrine

Sheppard

Chapter 1

"Unscheduled offworld activation," Amelia Banks called over the alarms.

As he rushed out of his office, Woolsey called out, "Activate the shield!"

The shield came on, the wormhole shimmering behind it. "I'm receiving an IDC. It's Dr. McKay."

Rodney's voice sounded in the control room. "Atlantis, this is McKay. Have a medical team meet us in the Gate Room."

"Will do, Doctor." Woolsey nodded and Amelia sent the request to Medical. The shield blinked off and Team Sheppard stepped through the wormhole.

~~O~~

The medical team stood ready to assist as Ronon came through the event horizon carrying the unconscious John. Carson stepped forward pulling the gurney close. "What happened?"

"Don't know."

Rodney and Teyla exited together. "We were crossing a rope bridge when it collapsed dunking all of us into a freezing river. He passed out just as we got to the Stargate." Rodney paused to sneeze. "You know, I'm the one who usually gets sick. Why isn't someone hovering over me?"

"Because, Rodney, you didn't lose consciousness." Carson did a quick check of John's vitals then signaled for the medics. As they rolled the gurney toward the transporter, Rodney sneezed again. The doctor touched a hand to his forehead. "Were you running a fever when you left?"

"I could have been. I'm always running something."

Drawing Rodney along with him, Carson said over his shoulder, "I want all of you under the scanner. Even you, Ronon."

"I'm fine," the big man told him.

"And when did you become a doctor, then? Go!"

Ronon huffed, trailing after Teyla as she followed the medical team to the Infirmary, concern for her friend causing her to hurry.

~~O~~

John opened his eyes, blinking in the bright lights of the Infirmary, to find Amanda Cole at his bedside. That's a sight I'd like to wake up to every day. If only…

"Welcome back, Colonel."

He rubbed his eyes and yawned. "Where'd I go?"

"You passed out. How do you feel?"

"Peachy." He said it in a tone that told Amanda he'd bolt the first chance he got.

"Well, we're keeping you for observation anyway." She smiled as she straightened his covers, pulling them up to his chest. "Just till morning."

"I don't need observing. I need to sleep in my own bed."

Amanda gave him a tolerant smile, touching his hand in a way that was meant to comfort though it had a much different effect on him. The impulse to link their hands together was almost more than he could control, turning it into a simple flexing of his fingers. "That's why you're the Colonel and I'm the doctor. Don't make me have Ronon stand guard."

One shoulder lifted and he let her see the resignation in his eyes. It made her smile and just for a second, his stomach flipped over. She patted his hand one last time and walked away to tend to other patients leaving him with the feeling that more had happened than met the eye.

Across from him, a nurse was finishing Teyla's exam. She nodded and the Athosian went to John's bedside arriving at the same time as Ronon. "It is unlike you to be ill, John, much less pass out without a very good reason."

"I'm fine. The doc's just being overprotective."

Ronon smirked. "Yeah, right."

A little annoyed, John shot the Satedan a hard look. "What d'you mean by that?"

Teyla's eyes lit up with humor that her friend couldn't see what was right in front of him, but before she could explain, Rodney arrived rolling his sleeve down over the area where blood had been taken.

"How're you guys?"

"Ronon and I are fine, but John will be staying overnight."

"But what about…"

"Just go while you can, McKay."

Rodney thought that over. "Come to think of it, maybe I should stay the night. You know, just in case. I think I got wetter than you." He climbed into the bed next to John and settled in. Not long after, Jennifer returned having been offworld with Major Teldy's team since that morning.

With scorn, John said, "I don't know, Rodney. I got a little damp when you landed on me and we sank to the bottom."

Rodney was saved from answering when Jennifer entered. "What's going on, guys?"

"John is…" Teyla began but John interrupted.

"Fine though Cole and Beckett seem to think I need observing. McKay's staying of his own free will."

Going to the physicist's side, she felt his forehead and took his pulse. "You don't have a fever, Rodney."

"But we were thrown into an icy river and you know how susceptible I am to illness. I could have caught any number is disgusting diseases from it." His eyes never left her face and he didn't know that his expression had softened from its usual scowl into an almost lovesick smile.

"Then you should definitely stay where I can keep an eye on you."

Nodding, Rodney kept smiling. "I should."

Huntington Beach, California

The Sheppard Home

Several Days Later

Stefan pulled into the drive and cruised around to the side entrance near the garage. He'd been followed in by a dark sedan with military plates. Though he'd only met him once, neither the driver nor the passenger appeared to be his employer's brother. This had happened before and he didn't like what experience had taught him. When someone in the military was killed or severely injured, they sent a delegation to that person's family to deliver the news. The same thing had happened to him as a child when his father was killed in an explosion at the military base where he'd been stationed.

While Winnie and Seth removed the purchases from the car, he met the men at the front door. "May I assist you, gentlemen?"

The man in front nodded. "Lieutenant Colonel Paul Davis." He pointed over his shoulder. "Major Thomas Reynolds. We're here to see David Sheppard."

Opening the front door, Stefan asked, "What is this concerning?"

"I'm afraid that's confidential." Davis didn't smile but neither did he frown. In fact, his face, and that of Reynolds, betrayed no emotion at all. "This will only take a few minutes."

The man who was much more than just a housekeeper to the Sheppard family gestured the men inside, both removing their covers and tucking them under their left arms. "Wait here, please."

~~O~~

A few minutes later, David Sheppard joined Davis and Reynolds in the foyer. Introductions were made then David guided the Air Force officers into the den. He offered them a seat on the sofa while he took the armchair. "What's this about? Has something happened to my brother?"

Davis looked down at his cover which he was twisting in both hands between his knees. To stop himself, he leaned against the back of the sofa and crossed one leg over the other. "I'm sorry to be the bearer of bad news, Mr. Sheppard, but your brother is very ill. We would like for you to accompany us to his location."

Eyes the same color as his older brother's took on a worried expression. "Ill? Not injured?"

"Yes, sir."

"He's out of the country, right?" At Davis' nod, Dave got to his feet and went to the desk where he removed his passport. "Just let me pack a few things and…"

Davis stood and Reynolds followed. "You won't need your passport, sir."

"But you just said…"

"I'll explain on the way." Dave turned at the door. "And please hurry, Mr. Sheppard. There's not much time."

~~O~~

Annie watched her husband move from the closet to the dresser to the bathroom packing his gym bag. "Where is this base? How long will you be gone?"

"I don't know." Dave shoved his travel kit into the bag then sat on the side of the bed to change into sneakers. He hadn't been told what to bring so everything in the bag was casual.

"What's wrong with him?"

"Annie, I don't know. All this Colonel Davis would say is that John's very ill. If it wasn't terminal, they wouldn't have come." Done tying his shoes, he stood up and took her in his arms.

"The kids barely know him and now he's…" Her voice was muffled against his chest. "You've only been reconciled since Dad died. What're you going to do?"

Dave shrugged, kissed Annie's forehead and released her. "Deal with it as best I can." Taking up his bag, he went to the door. There on the dresser to the right was one of his favorite photos. John and he were struggling for possession of the ball in a game of one-on-one, both grinning. John had ultimately emerged as the winner.

Beside it was another of the family together. John was on his left, Annie on his right with Jason and Nikki in front. Dave had his arm around his brother and for once he didn't look uncomfortable at the physical contact he'd shied away from most of his life. He actually looked like he was having a good time.

Next to that one was a photo of their parents before their mother had passed away. They looked happy and very much in love. And so they had been.

Knowing what her husband was thinking, Annie took the photos, unzipped the bag and placed them inside, adjusting the clothing to protect them. He leaned down to give her another quick kiss and hurried away.

~~O~~

When they arrived at the Air Force base, Dave sat in the car after it had stopped a look of shock on his face. On the way, Davis had explained about the Stargate, wormhole travel and Atlantis.

"Sir?" Reynolds was holding the door open.

"Oh." Dave followed Davis and Reynolds to an office building. The base was spread out behind it, planes landing, taking off and sitting on the ground. Multitudes of hangars dotted the ground as far as the eye could see and beyond. Once inside, he was led to an empty office. Davis removed his jacket and seated himself indicating Dave should do the same.

"Mr. Sheppard, before we continue on the next leg of your journey, we'll need you to sign a standard non-disclosure agreement." He took a small stack of documents from the top drawer, laid it in front of the still stunned businessman and pushed a pen within reach.

Picking up the papers, Dave scanned the first couple of pages. "I don't normally sign anything without having my attorney look it over."

"I'm afraid there isn't time for that. As I told you before, the doctors have been unable to find a cure for your brother's condition. If you want to see him, I encourage you to sign the agreement."

Used to making quick decisions, Dave initialed and signed in the places indicated, pushing both back across the desk. "Now, take me to my brother."

"Of course. Please follow me."

Again Dave trailed after Colonel Davis, the Major behind them. They walked down a long hallway until they came to a secured door flanked by two very intimidating fully armed guards. Davis scanned his ID and ushered Dave in ahead of him. The room was filled with strange equipment, scientists and soldiers engaged in various tasks.

Dave was directed to stand in an open space in the middle of the room. "You'll be transported to the Odyssey then to Stargate Command where you'll be taken through the Stargate to the Midway Station and from there to Atlantis." Reynolds handed Dave his bag and stepped back. Davis nodded to the tech on duty and a moment later, David Sheppard was gone.

~~O~~

Dave looked around at the armed soldiers and futuristic equipment in the vast underground chamber but wasn't given a chance to ask any of the thousands of questions his brain had produced.

"Welcome to the SGC, Mr. Sheppard. I'm Sergeant Harriman. Please call me Walter. I'm sorry your visit has had to occur under such circumstances."

"Thanks. Uh, is that…"

"The Stargate? Yes, sir. Your escort should be arriving…" the alarms began blaring, the iris automatically closing over the open circle, the sound of the wormhole forming made Dave jump, "…now."

"Sergeant Harriman?" Walter looked up at the control room and the young Corporal sitting at the DHD. "It's Midway. He's ready."

"Open the iris, please." Normally, General Landry would have given the order but the General was busy and the situation too urgent to stand on ceremony. The iris retracted and a man in a black uniform stepped out of the event horizon. "Major." Walter nodded in lieu of a salute. "This is Colonel Sheppard's brother, David Sheppard."

Evan extended his right hand and Dave took it automatically. "Major Evan Lorne. Sorry we have to meet under these circumstances, Mr. Sheppard."

"Please, Major, call me Dave."

"And I'm Evan." He nodded to Walter who in turn nodded to the tech in the Control Room. The 'gate dialed and again the wormhole established itself. "This way please."

Evan led the way pausing at the event horizon. But he needn't have worried that Dave would be hesitant. Without stopping, John's brother stepped into the wormhole, whisked away on the next step in this very strange journey.

Atlantis

"Sir?" Chuck's voice made Woolsey look up. "It's Midway. They have Major Lorne and Colonel Sheppard's brother. I thought you would want to greet him personally."

"Of course, Chuck. Thank you." Standing, Woolsey tugged on the bottom of his jacket to straighten it and crossed the bridge just behind the gate tech. "Let them through, please."

~~O~~

Disregarding the alien architecture of the city, Dave concentrated instead on following his escort to the Infirmary and through the ward to a glass-walled office. Inside were two women the businessman thought too young to be in positions that brought them three million light years from Earth.

The reality of what John had been doing all these years and where he'd been doing it would hit him sooner or later but he couldn't think about that now. All that mattered was John and finding a cure for whatever it was that was killing him. Their company had vast resources that could be utilized. All they had to do was tell him what was needed and he'd get it.

"Dr. Keller?" Evan gestured Dave in ahead of him. "David Sheppard, this is our Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Jennifer Keller and her assistant, Dr. Amanda Cole." As they shook hands, Evan backed out and quietly slipped away to give them privacy. Jennifer offered Dave a seat but he stood, his arms crossed. The look on his face told them he was used to getting what he wanted when he wanted it.

"No offense, doctors, but I want to see my brother. Now please." His voice was firm and uncompromising, the voice of a man used to getting things done, moving mountains with just a word or two. And he sounded so much like John they were taken aback.

"Yes, of course, Mr. Sheppard." Jennifer and Amanda stood, motioning for him to follow.

Several Days Ago

"T-Tell me again why we didn't bring a Jumper?" Rodney shivered, clamping his teeth together to keep them from chattering.

"Because the village we were headed for is in a heavily forested area. Besides, we need the exercise." John kept up a steady semi-fast pace hoping to offset their cold, wet clothing with rapid movement.

Ronon snorted. "Some more than others."

"Is that snide remark aimed at me, Conan? Well, let me tell you…"

John sneezed breaking off whatever Rodney had been about to say, the others staring at him open-mouthed. "You've never seen someone sneeze before?"

"We have," Teyla told him, "but it's usually Rodney."

"Well, today it's me." John's fast pace didn't falter as they made their way down the path that led to the Stargate. They were headed home instead of completing their assigned mission due to an unexpected plunge into the river.

Quickening her pace, she came alongside her friend and team leader. John's face looked pale with beads of perspiration glistening on his forehead in spite of the cold. "Are you running a fever?"

"No." His response was clipped, annoyed that she even asked. She tried to feel his forehead but he waved her away. "I'm fine. Go bother McKay. He's the one who's always sick." He muffled another sneeze by shoving his nose into the crook of his elbow.

"But he'snot the one who's sneezing, John."

"The water was cold's all and it doesn't help that the wind is picking up." With that, a gust of wind pushed at them dropping already cold temperature another few degrees. "Can we just get home without discussing my health?"

Teyla was unconvinced, but dropped the subject. "If you insist." Her concerned intensified the closer they got to the Stargate because John's footsteps began to falter. He tripped and only Ronon's hand on his arm stopped him from pitching head first into a thorny bush.

"Finally." Rodney hurried forward.

Still in the lead, John stopped to the left of Rodney while he dialed, resting on hand on the DHD and shaking his head to clear it. He swayed and turned to his teammates, a puzzled expression on his face just before his eyes rolled back in his head and he fell into Ronon's arms.

TBC