After effects
By Wyndhamfan
Disclaimer: Stargate Atlantis doesn't belong to me. Isn't that sad? Oh, I mean, this story is written not for profit but for fun. Don't sue me!

Chapter 1

Sheppard watched as the Wraith looked up into the sky, his serpentine eyes probably on the Wraith Darts that he had not seen in years. The rear door of the puddle jumper then completely closed, and the Wraith disappeared from his view. Then, only then did he allow himself to lean tiredly against a wall.

It was over. Finally over.

"Are you all right, Colonel?" Gentle hands clasped his shoulders. He turned slightly and saw Teyla's brown eyes studying him anxiously.

"I'm good," he said, smiling broadly.

Rodney snorted. "Said the man who was wraith-sucked three times," he said.

"Rodney," Beckett chided.

How did he feel? Right now, all he could feel was the adrenaline surging through his body and hear the frantic beating of his heart. Yet, despite all that he has been through the past few hours, despite having been, as Rodney so eloquently put it, Wraith-sucked, he felt better than he remembered. Like he was on a high.

You came. I knew you would, he thought as he looked at his team. Rodney was sitting in one of the seats, still eyeing him with that same stunned look he had on the planet. Ronon was frowning deeply – well, deeper than he ever had before, which only meant he didn't agree with what he just did. And Carson-

"All right! Enough of this. It's bad enough that precious time was wasted when you took your detour. Move aside lads and let me have a look at him," said the Scottish doctor, expertly elbowing Ronon, Teyla and a few lingering marines aside. He went on full blown doctor mode, pushing Sheppard to one of the seats and taking out a portable Ancient medical scanner from the medical kit at his side.

Sheppard had refused medical attention when they left the planet, insisting that they concentrate on relocating the Wraith to a new planet. Beckett had only agreed to that arrangement if Sheppard allowed him to examine him immediately after that.

"Take off your jacket," Beckett ordered.

"Aw, Carson. Really, I feel fine," John protested. But he shrugged off his leather jacket anyway.

"I beg to differ, Colonel. Your blood pressure is incredibly high and your heart rate is up," he said as he read the readings on his scanner.

"Can you blame me, doc? I've got my life sucked out of me and then had it restored. Anybody would be-"

"Dead," said Beckett curtly. "I know you're strong lad. But your body has been through tremendous stress. It's a miracle that you're even walkin' around the way ye are," said Beckett, his Scottish brogue getting thicker - a sure sign that the doctor was worried.

Almost as one, his team looked anxiously at him.

Sheppard held up his hands. "Guys. I'm fine."

"Don't know, Sheppard. Last time I checked, you didn't have a medical degree. I prefer Carson to be the judge of that," said Rodney. Then, he looked at Beckett. "Besides, don't you think he looks younger to you? I mean, who knows about the side effects of that?"

"Lie down, Colonel," Beckett ordered, not-so-subtly ignoring Rodney's comments.

"What? Seriously, I'm-"

"Now," Beckett stressed.

Awkwardly, Sheppard lay down on the narrow seat, and eyed the equipment hammock above him with a frown.

"This is really unnecessary. I mean, look at the marines – they have to stand around. Is that fair?" he muttered.

"We're fine, sir," said one of the marines. Art Baythart, if he remembered the name right.

"Hey, you're supposed to be taking my side, not theirs," Sheppard responded, eyeing Baythart. The marine merely smirked and then threw him a big smile. Like he was really happy to see him. That made Sheppard uncomfortable, so he returned his eyes to the hammock.

"Shut up, Sheppard. And let Carson do his voodoo," Rodney said from somewhere to his right.

John caught Beckett rolling his eyes and smiled at that. During the time when he was enjoying Kolya's "hospitality", he didn't once allow himself to think that he'd die there in the underground dungeon. But he did flirt with the thought that he may never see the people he came to regard as friends ... as family ... again. Seeing his team together, hearing Rodney snarking away, and heck, even having Beckett fuss over him, was a glad sight.

Sheppard winced when Beckett cut his shirt open.

"That was my favourite shirt," he muttered.

"Sorry, Colonel, but there is more where it came from. I can't say the same for you."

Then, he heard Beckett gasp in shock.

"What?" he asked. No response, just Beckett prodding his chest. That made him nervous enough to lift himself up on his elbows and what he saw was -

"Nothing. Not even a scar," Beckett exclaimed, touching Sheppard's chest and pressing the skin there as if searching for dents. Teyla, Rodney and Ronon crowded around Beckett for a look-see. Even the marines behind them were craning for a look. All studied his chest intensely.

"Guys, feeling a little weird here," Sheppard said, scowling at the group.

"Oh, sorry," said the doctor, snapping out of his daze. He quickly took out a penlight and shone it into his eyes.

Sheppard sighed as he endured the probing light. He really hated those things.

When Teyla draped a blanket over him, it was the last straw. He groaned and sat up despite Beckett's loud protests.

"I'll lie down. On one condition - no blankets," he said to the two.

Teyla gave him one of her "Sheppard is being silly" looks but he crossed his arms defiantly. He won. A small smile crept up her lips. She could never stay mad at him for long, especially when he turned on the Sheppard charm.

"Okay, no blankets. Now lie down," said Becket in exasperation. He pushed Sheppard down and continued with his pen light thing.

"You okay, Sheppard?" Ronon rumbled after a while. The Satedan crouched beside him and studied him with an unreadable expression.

Sheppard smiled as he blinked away the after-image.

"Never better," he said.

"What you did, letting him go ... you know Dr Weir would probably be unhappy about it," said the Satedan.

That took out his smile mighty quick.

"Yeah."

"You got an answer for her?" Ronon leaned closer, his blue eyes studying his intensely.

He returned the former Runner's gaze steadily. "Nope."

"Sorry, Ronon, but the Colonel needs to rest," said Beckett, who pushed Ronon gently away.

But just then, the puddle jumper burst through the Atlantis gate.