Whew! I'm back! Sorry for the delay! Now... Hello AU...

Oh, yeah, and it's Oberoth, not Oberon. Sorry 'bout that.

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Four weeks ago

He was beyond tired, but he had to continue assembling his new off-world team. Shrugging into his jacket, he grabbed his tac vest out of his locker and exited the room. On his way to the 'gate room, Sergeant Acker handed over a P90, and quickly told him of some new intel from the planet.

After quick re-introductions, they gathered at the foot of the ramp. With a nod, Sheppard signaled the technician to dial the 'gate. The first chevron locked, and the colonel felt apprehensive. I don't know any of these people, so I can be a little nervous, right? It wasn't until Doctor Lam mentioned alienation, Sheppard hadn't realized why only a people had introduced themselves. He barely knew his new team members, but this time he actually read their files all the way through.

The SGC was a bustling place; someone was always going somewhere, doing something. No more lonely walks in empty corridors. No more escaping to balconies to stare out at the foreign stars and the illuminated city.

Stop.

This is your life now.

"Let's move out!"

The mission nearly went off without a hitch until Babbis got too close to a ravine, stumbling twenty feet down to a babbling brook. As much as the colonel wanted to yell and rant – possibly throwing the biggest temper tantrum since he stole Rodney's last chocolate bar – he decided against it. The only one who could handle his mood right now was Rodney McKay.

When he returned to the SGC, the colonel blandly briefed General Landry as he tramped down the metal ramp. As he released Sergeant Wallace to the med crew, he explained the sergeant's injury. The general made a comment about chemistry, and Sheppard nearly snorted. I should email Rodney... An alarm sounded, alerting everyone of an incoming wormhole.

"Hold on, Colonel.You should get a kick out of this. That should be General O'Neill, and his scheduled check in from Atlantis."

Sheppard hesitated briefly. A kick out this? I doubt it. They're in my city, living in my home while I'm – "He went back, sir?"

"Woolsey needed a little back-up. The Ancients find him a bit trying... Imagine that."

The colonel mumbled distractedly, following the general into the communications room. As soon as he entered, he felt The City, and it threw him momentarily. Suddenly, his vest was too tight, and the air was stuffy. Taking a deep breath, he closed his eyes and opened them again. Sheppard sent a thought of greeting toward the screen, hoping Atlantis would calm down. Almost immediately, The City dampened its output.

"General!" Jack O'Neill's jovial voice came from the screen.

"General!"

"Is that Sheppard with you?"

The colonel nearly missed the question, trying to get information from his home. "Yes, sir." How can Atlantis do this? I'm a galaxy away, and I feel like I'm right there! If he were near a console, a HUD would have popped up. That device Doctor Jackson found... Pay attention, John.

"... the Replicators are heading back to the city."

"They are?" the colonel asked dumbly. He had to stall a bit longer to decipher what The City was trying to convey. He saw their lips moving, but all he heard was a hum.

Something. Something about Asurans...

"If you hadn't rescued the Ancients, and returned The City to their care..."

The colonel's breath caught, as pain sliced through his head. As soon as it happened, it was gone. "I would have lost The City anyway," he said quietly.

"Right," the general affirmed. "Well, we got to get back to our talks. And talks and talks. O'Neill out."

The transmission was suddenly cut, and left Sheppard swaying into the general. "Sorry, sir." He turned to face Landry, trying ignore the room spinning. "If you like, sir, I'd be happy to tell you a little more about these Replicator guys..."

The general shook his head. "Sounds like they've got everything under control," he said, then exited the comm room. "Listen, Colonel. Why don't you visit Doctor Lam – don't start with me, Sheppard. Don't think I haven't seen your pale skinny ass wandering these halls at night." A small smile bent his stiff lips. "And if I know Carolyn Lam correctly, she will hunt you down, son." Landry turned on his heel and left.

Sheppard stood a little straighter; he wasn't quite prepared for a dressing down today. His headache was reaching new heights as he left the room. The urgent plea from The City left him empty and frustrated as he tried to figure out what was going on. While he did not plan on seeing Doctor Lam, he agreed with the general. If he didn't show for his post-mission, she would hunt him down.

After handing off his gun and constricting tac vest to the nearest soldier, Sheppard headed off to the infirmary. He needed to check on Wallace anyway, and perhaps casually mention Motrin. This will never work...

"Colonel Sheppard. Good to see you again," the doctor said cheerily. Judging by the look on Wallace's face, she had heard how the soldier broke his ankle.

"Doctor Lam," the colonel returned the greeting, plastering a smile on his face. "Wallace, how ya doin'?"

"Fine, sir. Hurts a bit."

"Nice job setting it, by the way, Colonel," Carolyn said.

"Thanks. I've had a little practice," he said quietly.

The doctor grabbed a chart, and surreptitiously studied the colonel's face. Sheppard was trying not to squint against the light, and absently rubbed his temple. "Why don't you take that exam bed over there, and we'll quickly do your post check." For a fleeting moment, surprise registered on his face, then it was gone. He nodded once and climbed onto the bed.

A few minutes later, she rattled off a prescription for Wallace, and moved in Sheppard's direction. Carolyn paused when she saw the colonel staring off into space. He was evidently puzzling out something; his lips were moving and he kept patting his pockets looking for something. "Need a pen?"

Sheppard startled, hopping off the bed into a defensive position. Normally, his eyes were a vague hazel green; right now, they were bottle-green and hard. She blinked in surprise, wondering is this the soldier she had heard so much about. The Colonel from the stories seemed to be exaggerated, but seeing that look in his eye made her rethink her assessment. Again, it vanished in the space of a few seconds. The expressionless mask slipped into place, and the darkness was vanquished. He straightened, and she saw the lopsided smile slide across his lips. Carolyn watched this transformation with acute interest.

"Sorry 'bout that," he grinned. "You kinda scared me."

"I can see that, Colonel." She slowly removed her hands from her pockets when she noticed he was watching her closely. "Why don't we do this quickly, so you can rest up a bit."

With a sigh, Sheppard sat back down, turning the intensity of his gaze down a notch. Eventually, only weariness showed, his eyes back to normal. "I've got a couple things to report, and then maybe–"

"No, Colonel." Carolyn tentatively placed a hand on his arm. "I'd like you to at least try for a couple hours of sleep."

"But I've gotta... um... the general... Yes, ma'am." A little nap couldn't hurt, right?

She let him go, watching him curiously. "Eat, take pills, sleep. In that order, Colonel."

Pills? Ah! The colonel noticed her removing a small bottle of pills from her pocket. The best Motrin ever. He licked his lips in anticipation. Sleep, darkness, and oblivion was waiting for him – only if he got those pills. The colonel put on his best charming face and waited, holding out his hand.

She placed the bottle in his hand and smiled. "Oooh, you're good," Carolyn commented. "You sleep, and I will deal with the general." The doctor smiled, clapping him on the shoulder. Jerking her head towards the door, she said, "Now beat it, kid."

Sheppard gave a salute, and changed his plans for visiting Daniel Jackson. He left the infirmary, bottle tightly clutched in his hand, and actually headed for the mess hall. A little soup sounded nice and warm. The day was looking up. Finally.

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The phone rang as Carolyn Lam reached for it. Glancing quickly at the clock, she answered. "Good morning, General."

"Did Colonel Sheppard make it down to see you?"

"He did. I told him to get lunch and get a couple hours' sleep. Hope you don't mind, sir."

Carolyn could almost see the grimace on her father's face as he replied. "I don't. In fact, I was hoping you'd tell him."

"Well, he was concerned about getting you his report on time."

The general chuckled. "I never expect anything right away, but it's nice to see someone eager to get something in on time. Anything else I should know about?"

The doctor paused, wondering if she should tell the general exactly what was going on with their new lieutenant colonel. "He seems to be suffering some sort of withdrawal. But today, something was different."

"We got a call from Atlantis. General O'Neill spoke with him briefly. Sheppard had a dizzy spell, too. Then he seemed fine."

"Did he? That explains the headache today."

"You're thinking it has something to do with that damned city, aren't you?"

Carolyn smiled. "I am. I don't see how that's possible. He did mention that he could feel The City, like a vibration. But it shouldn't be invasive in that way, right?"

"General O'Neill described it as pins and needles in your brain."

"The colonel said it was like putting your tongue on a 9-volt battery. So evidently, it's uncomfortable, yet oddly pleasant."

"That's the only way to describe it, I reckon." There was a mumble in the background. "Thank you for keeping me apprised of the situation, Doctor Lam. I'm sure you'll let me know of any new developments."

"Yes sir."

"Good." With an abrupt click, the line was dead.

Smiling to herself, Carolyn hung up the phone, and decided to pay the colonel a visit in one hour.

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John Sheppard nervously paced his room, blanket wrapped around his body, snagging his feet now and again. After a very long shower, he couldn't shake the cold jittery feeling. Now he felt restless and loathe to lie down or sit still for anything. The hum he felt from The City lingered; he knew it had something to do with the devices locked up in Daniel Jackson's lab. The buzzing in his head lessened as he sat down heavily on his bed.

Focusing on the vibration, Sheppard closed his eyes, getting a fix on its location. What's your damage? I'm trying to sleep! The item in question got the connection from Atlantis and needed to be returned. His body relaxed once he appeased the object, and he barely felt the cool sheets as he tipped sideways. A small sigh escaped his lips as he slipped into the warm arms of sleep.

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Carolyn Lam smiled pleasantly at a Marine standing at Sheppard's door. "Standing guard, soldier?"

The dark man gave a sheepish grin. "No, ma'am. Just came by to ask a few questions, but he's not answering."

The doctor nodded slowly. "Well, he was a little tired this afternoon."

"Yes, ma'am. That's what I thought. We were supposed to go over some drills, but I wanted him to know I'd take care of it."

"I'm sure he'll appreciate that, Sergeant. In fact, I've come to check on him myself." She moved to open the door; the colonel never seemed to lock anything. "Mind if I pass along your message?"

The sergeant looked a little relieved. "That would be fine, Ma'am." He tipped his head, turned on his heel, and walked away.

The doctor knocked twice before entering. In the dimly lit room, she saw a bundle of blankets half on, half off the bed. Leaning down, she lifted the colonel's feet onto the bed, gently straightening his body. A quiet moan came from the depths of the blankets, and Sheppard curled into a ball.

Carolyn reached inside to carefully peel back the blanket. Eventually, she revealed a pale, sleeping face. She brushed away the hair plastered to his forehead by sweat. "Well, you're temp's back, Colonel," she whispered. At this moment, she realized she could do nothing to chase away whatever it was holding his health hostage. At least he's finally sleeping. Fishing for a wrist, she quickly checked his pulse. "A little fast, but I think you'll live." She studied his face again. Gone was the stone-faced soldier. In his place was a youngish face, unmarred by a recent nightmare, or infinite worry.

The doctor lay a hand on his cheek once more. Hopefully, the slight fever would abate when he woke. Quietly she left the room, wondering exactly what went on in that head.

A few minutes after the door closed, Colonel Sheppard sat bolt upright, breathing heavily. The device in Daniel's lab pinged him again, but the colonel longed for nothing but sleep. Soon, he thought, drifting away to darkness yet again. The pull of sleep was to great, and he welcomed it.

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TBC

Why can't I have one of those devices where you speak into it and it automagically types things out for you?