Hi, I'm glad you enjoyed the first chapter, and thanks for the reviews and alerts – they really mean a lot.

BTW, apologies to the SGA fans as I tried to post this fic on both fandom sites, but the system wouldn't allow it. So thanks for coming on board with this story, but if you enjoy whump as much as I do, I don't think you'll be disappointed!

WHEN WORLDS COLLIDE

CHAPTER 2

The internal scanners in sector three were playing up, which should have been a simple matter to figure out, but Rodney couldn't concentrate. He reached for his mug, took a swig, and grimaced as the cold dregs hit the back of his throat – how long had it been sitting there? About to get a refill, a glance over at the empty coffee pot told him Zelenka had forgotten to fill it again. Furious, he got up from the desk determined to seek out the Czech and tear off a strip, when he remembered it was actually his turn.

Deflated, Rodney walked out the door and headed for the mess. The infirmary wasn't far, and he could easily snag a cup from Carson, but Rodney needed to think. He was worried. John had only been away for a few days, and there was no reason to suspect anything was wrong, but Sheppard was a walking trouble magnet. Undercover, in an undisclosed location, without them to watch his back, it stood to reason something was bound to go wrong.

Hunches had never been Rodney's thing until the day John sat his bony ass on the chair in Antarctica, and his life changed forever. Up till then, he was all about the science. He'd been numero uno. The genius behind the mission to find Atlantis, fulfilling his dream and reaching the pinnacle of his career, until a dumb flyboy with gravity-defying hair came along to steal his thunder. Reason and logic had been all he'd ever needed, the driving force that made him tick, and people, including his own family, just an unwanted distraction. Rodney had been happy in his world, or at least thought he was – until he met Sheppard.

For some reason, one he'd never fully understood, the then major followed him around when they'd first arrived. It had irked him at the time, but he knew there was a good reason for it – at least the grunt had acknowledged he was the smartest guy there. Still, Rodney was first to admit he'd never been a 'people' person, and back then, well… regardless of his lack of social skills, Sheppard chose him for his team, put a gun in his hand, and challenged him to be more than the geek who holed up in the lab.

He'd been scared at first, terrified, and tried not to show it, yet it had never occurred to him to refuse. Sometimes missions went fubar, but despite all the crap that came their way, he didn't regret the decision he'd made. The truth was, Sheppard had seen something in him, something he never knew existed, and because of John, he was a better man.

The flyboy could be a pain in the ass, always on his case looking for the impossible. "How long, Rodney?" That western drawl could really grate, especially when he used that sharp annoying tone, but he missed him, and Atlantis just wasn't the same. It seemed to have lost its edge somehow, or maybe that was just him. Without Sheppard hanging around, bugging him, he didn't have his sounding board. Radek was smart, brilliant even, and Rodney could figure out any problem eventually, but it was Sheppard who owned the happy knack of finding a simple solution to a complex problem. Yet it wasn't only John's absence messing up his concentration - something was wrong, he just knew it.

Lunch time was over by the time Rodney arrived, and the usually busy hub was nearly deserted. He'd only come for a coffee and maybe one of Martha's cookies, but wanted to enjoy them alone. Sheepishly, feeling a little guilty, he glanced over at their usual table and for once was relieved to find none of his friends there. Instead Woolsey was occupying Sheppard's spot, sitting alone, staring out into the distance and nursing a cup of tea. Rodney hadn't wanted company, especially not Woolsey's, but for some weird reason he couldn't fathom he filled his cup, grabbed a muffin, and ambled over.

"Is anyone sitting there?" He asked, pointing to the empty chair opposite, realising as soon as he said it what a dumb remark it was.

Woolsey glanced up, but his look of surprise was quickly suppressed. "No, but feel free to sit down, Doctor McKay – I was just about to leave."

Rodney couldn't explain what had made him come over, let alone sit beside a man who wasn't his biggest fan, but now, for some strange reason, he didn't want him to leave.

"Sorry! I didn't mean to interrupt." He blurted. "Hey, I understand what it's like trying to get a minute's peace around this place. The geeks in the lab drive me crazy - in any case, please, don't leave on my account." Rodney felt himself go scarlet and knew he was babbling, and inwardly cringed, aware he'd embarrassed the quiet man. He stopped talking, gave his boss an awkward smile, and began to walk away.

"Dr McKay…Rodney, please sit down." Richard returned his smile, and extended a hand to the chair in front of him.

For a moment there was an uncomfortable silence, while the two of them just smiled like idiots, then Woolsey coughed before he spoke. "I know this is irrational, Doctor, and I understand because of the nature of Colonel Sheppard's mission there has to be limited contact. Besides it isn't as if he's missed his check in, so…I have no legitimate reason to feel this way, but I can't shake the feeling something is wrong."

"Oh?" Rodney spluttered, choking on his muffin. When he cleared his throat with a mouthful of coffee, for the first time in his life he didn't know what to say. Then he noticed Woolsey staring at him.

"I do believe you're looking a bit peaky, Dr McKay." Richard said. "In fact, I was just thinking the same thing about Miss Emmagan and Mr Dex. How long is it since any of you had a vacation?" Woolsey asked with a glint in his eye. "I hear Hawaii's exceptionally beautiful at this time of year."

ooooOoooo

Voices, urgent and demanding filtered through the angry mist, and John struggled, desperate to get free. He couldn't let then take him again, wouldn't, but the pain was crippling, and he couldn't move.

One voice persisted, its tone calm and reassuring and as the fog started to clear John saw the concerned face of a dark haired man staring down at him. His head was pounding, and his brain was struggling to make sense of the words through the drug-induced haze, but the arms which held his although strong, didn't hurt, and John relaxed as the tension left his body.

Firm hands lifted him, but though their intent was gentle, he couldn't suppress a groan. Mutt and Jeff had done a number on him, and everything hurt. They'd beaten him with their fists, kicking him while he'd lay moaning on the ground, but he hadn't given them what they'd wanted, not even after they pumped him full of crap. Painful shit, releasing a fire that had just started to set his nerves alight, when he'd managed to escape. Now the flames were raging through his veins, and the fire in his belly was tearing him inside out.

He was in agony, could barely see, and was only vaguely aware of the voice breaking though his misery. John wanted to answer, needed to let them know the danger they were in, but pain, sharp and raw rippled through his chest, catching his breath when he tried to talk. The voice told him to hang on, and he tried, but it was just too much to bear, and John too damn weak to fight the darkness.

ooooOoooo

"Do you want to keep these, Detective Williams?" The pretty young nurse was smiling at him as she held up his shorts, the garish yellow material now caked with dark wet sand.

"Hell no! I mean yes - I need something to wear out of here." Danny saw the hurt and confusion in the deep blue eyes, and knew he'd blown it. Nurse Janet Liddell was pretty with long, dark hair, and looked a bit like Rachael. She'd been flirting with him ever since he'd been admitted, but, par for the course, he'd just screwed up his chance as usual. What was it with him and women?

"Well, I'm sure your friend will bring you something more suitable when you're fit to be discharged." Danny looked around and saw the voice belonged to a young blonde guy wearing scrubs. He didn't look much older than Gracie.

"C'mon, doc – you've got to be kidding me? I feel fine!" Danny grumbled, and sat up straight pretending not to feel completely wiped out.

The doc gave him a look over his trendy glasses. Danny could tell he wasn't buying the act. "Detective Williams, from what I've been informed you fell from your board, and didn't resurface for quite some time."

"So what? Like I said before, I'm fine." Danny waved his hands up and down around his body. "See – breathing, talking," he shifted his legs over the side, "more than able to walk out of here."

"Stay right where you are, Danno, and listen to the man – that's an order." Steve had been standing at the side watching the exchange with his arms crossed, when suddenly he intervened.

"Excuse me – what gives you the right to give me orders?" Danny glared at him, pissed. "You're not some big shot in the Navy now, McGarrett, and I don't give a shit even if you are my boss. Right here, right now, I'm off the clock, and it's up to me to decide whether I stay or not."

Steve's face was expressionless as he gave him a look, then spoke to the doctor. "Would you mind giving us a minute?"

The doctor nodded, glanced over at the two men, and quickly walked away. Once he'd left the room, Steve turned back to his partner. "You're right, Danno. I can't make you to do anything, but I'm asking you… as a friend. Stay the night the night, so I know you're going to be okay."

Deep down Danny knew Steve was only thinking about his best interests, but like hell was he staying. He wrapped the sheet around his waist, about to get up when Steve started talking again. "Look Danny, I had a friend once -"

"How about that, you actually had a friend!" Danny smirked.

It didn't have the desired effect, as Steve ignored the gibe, and continued. "We'd been deep sea fishing, and he slipped and fell over the side. He got caught up in his line and took a while to surface, but just like you he seemed fine afterwards and we joked about it on the drive home. His girlfriend called the next morning…he'd died during the night." Steve paused, and Danny could see the pain clouding his eyes.

"Anyway, what neither of us knew was even small amounts of water left in the lungs can lead to them filling with fluid later, and if untreated, the condition can be fatal. It's called 'dry drowning', so, please, I'm asking, not telling you to do what these nice people tell you. Hell, if you don't want to do it for me, that's cool – but think about Gracie."

Danny suddenly felt like a dufus, and slowly shuffled until he was lying back on the gurney. "Fine – all you had to do was ask." He sat quietly for a moment, then gave Steve a sideways glance. "Is that story true?"

"Does it matter?" Steve's expression gave nothing away. "What matters is this condition is real, and you need to stick around for observation, just as a precaution."

"You're a real piece of work, you know that, McGarrett?" Danny slowly shook his head, still not sure if Steve had played him or not. Then he remembered the look on his face when Steve was telling him the story, and figured not even McGarrett was that good an actor.

Steve smiled at him. "Tell you what, Danno, seeing as you're sticking around here for the night, how about keeping an eye on the John Doe." Steve asked.

"So let me get this straight. One minute I'm dying, and now you're making the sick man work?" Danny folded his arms, and huffed. "Sure…why not. It'll give me something to do after I've read all the old magazines. How's he doing?"

Danny was surprised but relieved to hear the guy was still alive. He'd been in real bad shape when they'd found him, and he'd been pretty sure the John Doe wasn't going to make it.

Steve rubbed the stubble on his chin. "Not good, but he's holding his own. Apart from the damage we saw he'd also been drugged. The doc is waiting for the blood work to come through before he can treat him." McGarrett's expression had turned serious.

Danny's eyes grew wide. "He'd been tortured?"

Steve nodded. "Looks that way. From the tearing of the abrasions around his wrists, the doc reckons he'd been suspended from a height for hours, maybe even a couple of days. And by the age of the bruising the beating was systematic. Torso first, cracking a couple of ribs, then after that he must have pissed them off as it got personal."

"The bruising on his face?" Danny responded, as he was all too aware up close and personal assaults said more about the mindset of the attacker, than anything else.

"Yeah, and at some point they kicked him when he was down, bruising his kidneys." Steve replied, his disgust visible. "But he fought back – hard. His knuckles are covered with lacerations, so whoever took him didn't get off light."

Just at that Steve's cell went off, and after a short conversation, Danny knew his friend would be leaving. "I'd better head to the office; there's been a couple of bodies found in Waipio Valley." His partner told him, tucking the cell in his back pocket.

"Duty calls - you coming back?" Danny asked hopefully. "It's not I want your company or anything, but you can't leave me wearing this thing all night!" He lifted the edge of the hospital gown in disgust.

A grin broke out Steve's face. "I get it - you're missing me all ready…aren't you? Well, don't worry, buddy, I'll be back. After all, someone has to protect the staff from the sight of those legs."

"Ha-ha, you're such a funny guy, McGarrett– see how much I'm laughing." Danny screwed up his face.

Steve had started to move away, but stopped by the door. "Seriously, man – take it easy, and I'll see you later. By the way, until the wave hit you were doing great out there today. I hope you don't let this put you off surfing for good."

"Now why the hell would you think a near death experience would put me off?" Danny sat up and glared at him. "Ever since I met you, my life has been like a freaking roller coaster – just one fun filled event after another." He ranted. "It wasn't enough for you that I was shot in the line of duty, now you screw up my free time by nearly feeding me to Nemo and his whole freaking nursery!"

"But you're not bored – right?" Steve grinned, as he dodged the pillow and ran out the door.

ooooOoooo

Danny was exhausted, and his muscles were aching from the effort it had taken to push to the surface, but sleep was elusive. He shuffled, trying to get comfortable, and winced as the IV pulled. He hated those damn things, but it turned out Super SEAL was right again, as the doc heard a crackle in his lung, and wanted to get on top of it. If he'd gone home like he'd wanted…

He'd nearly died today. Nearly left his kid without a dad. How could he make sure that wouldn't happen again? Fact was - he couldn't. Life wasn't neatly wrapped and tied up in a pretty bow, and sometimes shit happened. In any case, he had a dangerous job.

When he became a cop he'd sworn to serve and protect, and although he'd since become a husband then a father, Danny never forgot the oath he'd made. Rachel was the love of his life, but she couldn't handle being a cop's wife. Despite the way they'd met, she'd grown more and more frightened every time he'd left for work, until one day it just became too much for her to deal with.

Danny missed her, missed the life they'd shared, but didn't regret his decision to join the force. The way he saw it, his job was to protect every man, woman and child, including those he loved. If Rachel hadn't managed to convince him to give up his badge, then no-one could. He'd never talked to Gracie about what he did, but she was a smart kid, and somehow, he got the feeling she understood.

It was late, and the ward was quiet except for the guy in the next bed snoring, and Danny thought about the John Doe lying in intensive care. He'd been a cop for nearly fifteen years and had seen it all, but torture, while not exactly new, still gave him the chills.

Torture wasn't like any other act of violence. It was a slow, calculated assault designed to inflict so much pain the victim would rather give up their mother, or die, just to make it stop. Danny knew death wasn't the goal, at least not until the perpetrator got what they wanted, so what was the story here? John Doe had survived, but had he been released or did he escape? And what the hell did this guy have, or know, that someone wanted so bad?

ooooOoooo

TBC.

Hope you enjoyed the chapter, and please review. Reviews mean a lot, as I like to know what you think, and con crit is always welcome.

P.s. My pc is going to the doctors, so I'll be using hubbies laptop to post the next few chapters once they're ready, so fingers crossed there won't be any problems!