*Disclaimer – see previous chapters, this is only for entertainment*

Upon leaving the infirmary, Rodney felt he that had aged a decade in the past thirty minutes. Sheppard was his best friend, their team leader, Atlantis' military CO; he shouldn't be off fighting for his life every other week. Rodney just wasn't built for handling this level of stress on a regular basis. Squaring his shoulders, Rodney began to head toward the nearest transporter, only to find himself both annoyed and surprised when his progress was abruptly halted.

"Dr. McKay?" It was Teyla's hand stretched upon his shoulder, delaying him, allowing precious seconds to tick away while John was who knows where. Yet there was a regretful tone to her stance, one that equalled McKay's own impatience, his own fear, one which McKay chose to ignore.

"What! You do realise that every second we waste standing around talking is another second that Sheppard is off rushing headlong towards his death . . . again. I need to get up to the control room so I can fix those transporters and begin narrowing down a proper sensory search grid for any solitary and weakened life signs in the southern sector. I cannot afford to stand around chatting over tea and crumpets in the hallways! You two should be off joining the search. Why aren't you joining the search? Why are we standing around here? What kind of friends are we?"

Teyla bit her lip and drew in a breath, "Ronon and I are aware of the situation's severity, Doctor. However, we also find ourselves battling a disadvantage which could directly impact our ability to provide proper assistance to John upon his retrieval."

"A disadvantage regarding Sheppard and you think I can help?"

"Yes Rodney. Doctor Beckett mentioned that John was suffering from delusions, as a complication from the injuries he received on P&R-3J6. While Ronon and I are familiar with

the nature and significance of John's most recent wounds, due to our presence during the rescue mission," Teyla could not repress the shiver that ran through her as she remembered the dire circumstances in which they had located John days earlier "and Dr. Beckett's subsequent reports, neither one of us could be considered . . . informed . . . regarding the importance of Afghanistan or its relation to John's past. The topic is one which remains relatively closed among your people.

Realization regarding his teammates' vastly divergent histories once again hit Rodney full force. If it weren't for the severity of the times, he would have found himself laughing at the fact he considered working with honest to goodness aliens, a forgettable aspect of daily life. Snapped back to reality by Teyla's querying face and Ronon's appraising stare, Rodney was once again shocked to find himself at a loss for words.

"Oh. Umm, well just how on Earth am I supposed to give you the Coles notes of Middle Eastern politics and their personal effects on one Lieutenant Colonel John Sheppard, in five minutes or less?"

"We're not on earth." Ronon helpfully pointed out, he really didn't understand most of the Terran's odder idioms, honestly, what did being on Earth have to do with helping Sheppard?

"Could you not try Rodney, for John's sake?"

"For John," Rodney softly echoed. "Well, as I'm sure you've both assessed during your time with the expedition, we Terrans aren't exactly the most peaceful of people, unfortunately, or especially, when it comes to our neighbours. I mean we try hard, I think, I mean, I hope we do but to be perfectly honest, that region seems to be at war more often than it's not."

"Know planets like that here" Ronon grunted remembering his runner days.

"Yes, well, the latest organized efforts were organized at the start of the current decade. We've sent thousands of men and women comprising a coalition force, representing multiple allied countries, overseas after a deadly attack on Sheppard's homeland. It shook them and their allies badly, destruction like that, it just seemed beyond the imagination," Rodney began to trail remembering the day that had officially changed life for so many. "As a member of the Air Force and possessing an unnaturally honed death wish, Sheppard pushed to join the forces overseas himself and quickly did."

Rodney paused, eyebrows drawn in concentration, comprehension dawning on his face "You know, it's not all that surprising that Sheppard's confusing the two experiences when you look at the available facts. I mean it's disturbing that his brain would focus on the similarities and the fact that he's had to endure two similar events, one is one too many in my own way of thinking, but it's not that far outside the realm of the expected."

"What makes you say that Rodney?"

"The Middle East isn't exactly one of Earth's more forgiving environments. It's a big, hot, dry, desert. Considering the geographically similarities on P7R-3J6, it isn't that surprising that Sheppard would connect the two location in his head, even if he wasn't consciously aware that he was making such connections."

"Yes the planet was quite the unique experience. I have never seen that much sand nor witnessed such extreme temperature variations."

"The similarities were startling enough that even I made the association and I certainly don't have Sheppard's travel experience. To be honest, it was probably close enough to create a fair amount of discomfort for the man, not that our resident fly boy would have shared such pertinent information with his teammates."

"Are you certain Rodney, I only mean, John did not appear to be any more uncomfortable or on any higher alert that he does on any regular mission. We even found him playing with some local children during a lull in negotiations."

"Oh yeah, I'm sure Mr. Macho would never admit it but he actually loves the little ankle-biters, thinks they're spirited or something. Can you believe it? I think he just enjoys the chance to interact with people sharing a common level of maturity. The truth of the matter is, Sheppard would never be vengeful or hold a grudge against someone based solely on their parentage or race, well, if you discount the wraith or the goa'uld , but that's an entirely different situation. Even if it brought up uncomfortable associations, John would ignore his discomfort for the good of the mission."

"Personally, I think that it's the similarities after our departure that cemented his delusions. Sheppard's time in Afghanistan didn't exactly end well: mission went south, people died, and Sheppard was taken prisoner by people who aren't exactly recognized for their strict adherence to the Geneva Convention."

"What is this Geneva Convention you mentioned Rodney and how do you know that John was taken prisoner during his mission. That does not seem like information he would willingly offer, even among his friends."

"McKay hacked his file."

"Rodney!"

"How did you find ou -? I mean let's stay focused on the situation at hand. As for your question Teyla, the Geneva Convention is a series of treaties outlining the humane treatment of prisoners and civilians during times of war on Earth. Sheppard had the misfortune of being held by a group which did not follow the Convention's directives. Who knows how many of the man's quirks were shaped during those three weeks."

"So, as a result of John's injuries, his brain may be connecting the two experiences due to their similarities in physical similarities, and" Teyla took a steadying breathe "the severity of what he experienced during the comparative captivities?"

"That's what Carson is theorizing and to be honest I can't find a flaw in his postulations as of yet."

"So, Sheppard still thinks he's a prisoner in hostile territory then. Fun."

"Thank you Rodney, we will not take up any more of your time, this information is most helpful in our quest to aid John."

"Of course, no problem. Honestly, we should have remembered that you would naturally possess gaps in your information and remedied the situation. I just kind of forget that you're from another galaxy sometimes, you're so normal"

Teyla raised an eyebrow at Rodney's comment, smirking in contrast to the tense atmosphere.

"I mean . . .oh no, not that you'd be weird growing up in a different galaxy . . . I mean we can be just as weird on Earth. Honest, umm, and by "just as" I don't mean to imply that you are, it's just -"

"Is there a problem here? I thought you'd already be in the control room Rodney" Elizabeth, unnoticed by the trio, had completed her talk with Carson and entered the hallway, walking directly into the trio's conversation.

"Elizabeth, we have just been going over additional, pertinent information regarding the current rescue mission. Teyla and Ronon were just leaving to begin their own search."

"That is correct Dr. Weir, Rodney you will inform us when you have the sensors reconfigured?"

"Of course Teyla, keep me posted on the search? More information means tighter search parameters and hopefully a shorter search."

"Understood Dr. McKay. Ronon?" The two quickly turned and headed south, Teyla fastening her hood and Ronon slipping on a rain poncho before disappearing into the torrent of rain.

"Would you mind some company on the way upstairs Elizabeth?"

"I would love some Rodney" Quietly and sombrely, the two walked onward, leaving the corridor abandoned in their wake.

Meanwhile in the Southern Sector:

Cold. So cold.

Pain. In, out, ever breathe a struggle against the overwhelming pain.

Fear. Where was he? Who was after him? Why did he hurt so much?

John groaned as he subconsciously huddled into himself, trying to trap more of the heat his body craved, and was struggling to produce. He quickly regretted the slight movement as his newly aggravated injuries screamed at the slight motions.

Injuries, pain, he was injured, badly by the feel of things. What had he gotten himself into this time? Why did he always have to be the one angering the locals or having cultural "miscommunications"?

Flashes of images, memories, began to assault his conscious mind

The flash of a whip . . .

Hunger . . .

Mind numbing cold . . .

Fists pummelling him, restraining him . . .

Darkness . . .

Screams, whimpers, crying . . .

She had been crying, John remembered the panic, heart-wrenching sobs, and it was all because of him. Where had she gone? John fought the rising pain and began scanning the room in which he had hidden. It was dark but empty, just scattered remains, no room for anyone to hide. He was alone and confused. The structure looked Lantean but if he was here she would be too, anything else meant failure. He couldn't fail, he had promised, wouldn't leave her, not again, he couldn't face himself if he had failed. Where was she?

"Mansa?"

Damn, why wouldn't his mouth work right? He sounded like he was drunk. There was no way she would be able to understand, let alone hear him, if she had hidden nearby like he had ordered he in case of an emergency and what was that awful noise?

Rain?

Well that explains why he was colder than normal; John took in his sodden clothes and the dirty tapestries. How had he gotten topside though? At least he had found shelter and the tapestries were fighting off further chill. John froze, what if she was outside?

"Manda? Are you there? Com'on answer me . . . please?"

With growing desperation, John attempted to force his battered body to rise and begin a more thorough search. After collapsing three times, John released his efforts were in vain, he was stranded, at least temporarily. John fought off the urge to cry. Soldiers didn't have the luxury of crying in enemy territory, he had to pull himself together, he had to find Amanda.

"I'm over here John"

"What?" John's head whipped around at the sound of the voice "Oh great! As is I wasn't already screwed enough, now I get to be really screwed," John groaned into the dirty tapestries wrapped around him.

"You asked for me and I came. Why would me doing as you asked make you think you're screwed John?"

"Let's see here. I've been arrested, sentenced, and condemned on an enemy planet for crimes I didn't do. I'm still in enemy territory. I'm wounded, probably severely wounded, and at risk from exposure and now, just to make my day even better, I'm hallucinating the presence of my dead mother to keep me company. Did I miss anything?"

"Well, at least you know I'm a hallucination. That's a positive . . . I think. I've missed you my precious baby boy." Hallucination or not, John blushed at the familiar nickname his mind had decided to dredge up.

"If you weren't looking for me who were you calling for Johnny?"

"You're a figment of my own consciousness, I thought you would already know, besides, much as I miss you, I don't have time for this. I need to get back 'Lantis . . . need team, help. Have to find 'Manda, made her a promise . . ." John's voice began to trail off as his body and mind began to succumb to the pleasant oblivion of unconsciousness.

"No . . .have . . . stay awake . . . find . . . I'm so sorry."

With that John gave into the unavoidable blackness, oblivious to his surroundings once more.

A.N. Thanks to Sam for keeping me on track and providing feedback and thanks to all who have reviewed and urged me forward. You people are amazing. Stay tuned for chapter four, we're heading for some flashbacks.