The Experiment

Disclaimer: I don't own anything.

Pairing: This is a friendship story, mostly Sheppard, McKay, Beckett

Spoilers for Phantoms since this is a tag : )

¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤

"You shot me!"

"Yes Rodney I shot you and I said I am sorry."

"You shot me too."

"I am sorry for shooting everybody!"

"I can't believe you shot me!"

"Get some sleep Rodney."

¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤

Daedalus Infirmary

Steven Caldwell came barging in to the infirmary even before the team had a chance to settle in.

"What the hell happened down there?" He demanded looking at Sheppard for an explanation.

"Uh, it's a long story..." Sheppard began smiling sheepishly.

"He shot me and he shot Ronon and..."

"Can it Rodney!" Sheppard gave him a glare.

"Wasn't his fault. I would have shot him too if he hadn't shut down the damn thing." Ronon said sitting on a bunk nearby McKay.

"I am sorry you lost me somewhere in the middle." Colonel Caldwell replied.

Carson just shrugged while watching over McKay. "It was most unsettling, one moment the Lieutenant over there was dead and in the next he was alive."

"Wow, could we start from the beginning?"

Sheppard straightened from his position between Teyla's and Rodney's beds and sighed.

"It's quite simple really..." Rodney began before Sheppard had the chance.

"We found dead Genii that had messed with a Wraith generator on the planet. It somehow affected us too. Major Lenard's team killed each other and the Major himself rigged the DHD killing two marines on the rescueteam in the process. He later killed himself with a hand grenade."

"He almost took Colonel Sheppard with him in the blast." Teyla said concern evident in her eyes as she glanced over to John.

Carson followed her gaze. No one had mentioned that part before.

Caldwell turned to Teyla. "How did you get your injuries?"

"I was shot by Major Lenard and would probably have been killed if Colonel Sheppard hadn't pulled me out of the way." She smiled at John who smiled back slightly.

"Why would the Major do such a thing?" Caldwell asked no one in particular this time.

"Didn't you get it?" McKay asked annoyed.

"We had our minds messed up by a Wraith experiment!"

"It will all be in our report." Sheppard said quickly before McKay could say anything more. "Very well, we reach Atlantis in 12 hours I suggest you all get some rest and by the looks of you, you all need it."

Carson watched the Colonel as he left the infirmary and let his eyes wander to Sheppard. He had closed his eyes probably clearing his head. Carson walked over to him.

"Colonel?" He said softly while placing a hand on his arm.

Sheppard jumped several centimetres jerking his arm away from the Doctor's grip.

"Uh I am sorry I thought...oh never mind."

Carson looked at him with concern. He had found the recent events very unsettling to say at least and he could imagine what John had been going through. He also knew the Colonel blamed himself for shooting two of his closest friends even though he didn't know it was them at the time.

He shared his worried look with Teyla who had moved into an upright position.

"Hey what are you think you are doing love?"

"I just needed to sit for a while." She smiled.

"You need to rest and..." He turned back to the Colonel "...That goes for all of you."

"I believe it should include yourself too Carson." One of the female doctors on Daedalus said gently.

"Well said...ow." McKay said while trying to shift position.

"Did you really need to shot me?"

"I am going to take a walk." Sheppard said quickly reaching for the door.

Teyla watched him go before turning to the scientist. "Was that really necessary Rodney?"

"I didn't mean it that way, I just couldn't help it and before you start I know it wasn't his fault but why did he have to shot me?"

"I am going after him." Ronon said swinging his legs over the bed.

"Oh no you are not." Carson said sternly.

"Look Doc it's just a flesh wound I will be fine."

Teyla grabbed a pillow and handed it to Carson. "Sleep."

"Thank you Teyla."

¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤

Corridor

John didn't go very far, he felt drained, exhausted by the days events. He leaned on the wall closing his eyes. He could still see the images in his mind, the Captain, Major Lenard, Teyla and McKay lying on the ground. What had he done?

"Sheppard?"

He opened his eyes only to look up at the Satedan.

"Hey Ronon I thought the good Doc had ordered you to rest."

"And I believe that's what he ordered all of us."

"Ah I don't need it besides I wasn't injured."

"You know I rarely miss." Ronon said folding his arms.

"Well I am glad you did."

Ronon nodded. "I thought you where a Wraith."

"I am not blaming you and by the way I thought you where the enemy too."

"Guess we are even."

"Even?" Sheppard said confused.

"I have shot you a few times remember?"

"Yeah I am painfully aware of that."

"Come on let's get to the mess."

"Good idea." Ronon began to move but John didn't follow.

"Are you all right?"

"Yeah I just...feel weird. Guess it must be from the generator."

He let go of the wall but his moves where not well co-ordinated.

"Sheppard?"

"Come on let's get you to the infirmary."

"That's not necessary Ronon. I just need...a moment."

¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤

Daedalus Infirmary

Carson stifled a yawn lying on the bed. He was so tired. The door suddenly opened revealing Ronon gently guiding Colonel Sheppard, a hand on his arm. Beckett quickly moved over to them. The Colonel didn't look well, he hadn't earlier either but Carson had let it pass. It was worse now and his skin was covered by a thin layer of sweat.

"I am fine he whispered as Carson came near."

"No you are definitely not son."

"Ronon get him on the bed." He said gesturing towards the one beside Teyla.

She sat up swinging her legs over as they came near.

"John are you all right?"

"Leave it to me Teyla." Carson said.

She could see he was worried.

"What's going on?"

"Go back to sleep Rodney." John whispered.

"Sheppard?" He watched as Ronon gently placed the Colonel on the bed.

"He is going to be okay right?" Annoyed when no one answered he tried again.

"Carson, he is going to be okay won't he?"

"Calm down Rodney and let me do my job."

"John can you hear me?"

"Cars'n?"

"Aye son I am right here."

"What's happened?"

"I don't know yet, are you in pain?"

"What?" He closed his eyes, he was so tired.

"No no Colonel you need to stay awake for me now."

"Still...here."

"Good does it hurt?"

"Only in my arm."

"Which one?"

"Right."

Carson gently removed the sleeve.

"What is that?" Ronon said.

"I don't know."

"What is it?" Teyla asked from her bed.

"Some sort of puncture wounds."

"Teyla was he bitten by anything?"

"No not when I was with him."

"Are you sure love?"

"Yes."

"There was a Wraith near the generator."

"What are you getting at Rodney?"

"He had puncture wounds but I thought it was from the fight."

"Rodney?"

"The generator itself! Yes yes that must be...ow."

"Lie still Rodney you are only going to hurt yourself."

"What with the generator?" Teyla asked.

"It contains organic substances right?" McKay asked but he didn't wait for an answer.

"It must have injected something into his bloodstream!"

Carson nodded. "It makes sense, do you know what it was?"

"As I have told you before I don't do medicine."

"Thank you so much for your help." Carson said dryly.

Sheppard now sported to IV:s and electrodes on his chest and temples.

"I need to know what it is and I don't have the necessary equipment here. I need the ancient's knowledge." He reached for his radio.

"Beckett to Caldwell. How far to Atlantis?"

"Four hours."

"I need all the speed you have Colonel otherwise I am afraid Colonel Sheppard is going to die."

¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤

To be continued...

...If you wish of course.

I got this weird idea after watching Phantoms and I am not sure where it's going though.

And I am sorry for the mistakes, I don't have any beta.