Firstly those who have read he previous chapter will notice I've changed the summary, but it's still the same story. I just felt the new summary was better.
Thanks for all the reviews, favourites and alerts for the story so far, it's good to know that people actually like my writing. I was really worried about posting what I had written because of all the really good stories already on the site.
Any medical stuff is researched but that doesn't make it right seen as I have no medical expertise what so ever.
Chapter 3- Planting the seeds/awakening, again.
With phase one complete, Darren could now get started on phase two. This part needed Sheppard out of his quarters for a short amount of time. The reason being, he needed to plant certain items within the room, secretly placed of course. One of the items that were going to be placed, had been given to him by his new 'friend', he had asked where it had been acquired but received only the answer that, is was from another world. He wasn't too bothered about where it had been obtained, as long as it did what it was suppose to. Darren had been told that the device was best used in conjunction with a certain drug. The drug, caused old nightmares to surface and, feel as real as being there again. Darren was looking forward to this part. Maybe, he would sneak in and watch the dreams play out. He didn't have to watch in person he would soon know Sheppard's worse nightmares and failures. The device, he had been told, could record a person's dreams whether good or bad. Darren had wondered why such a thing would be invented maybe, for the express purpose of torture or, so a person could deal with their dreams. Either way, Darren was going to use it for the purpose of breaking the man called Sheppard. Darren had also, been told that the drug if used too much could cause some negative side effects and, been told to use low doses. Though, he hadn't actually taken notice of the doses to be used, he just figured that he'd use what he saw fit. He had the feeling that this was the way to break Sheppard because, if he hadn't of been able to save his brother then, he probably hadn't been able to save others. Darren would use these two items along with others that he had come across. The purpose, to harm Sheppard, whether it be via use of weapons or poisons.
Perhaps, the way to break Sheppard's resolve was to keep him hurt. They may feel trapped by always getting hurt or get paranoid about someone being out to get them. While Sheppard wasn't a normal person, he could tell that he isn't the type not to want to be in control of what happens, he would feel that he had no control over what happened to him and hopefully, Darren thought that this would cause a crack in Sheppard's so called strength. Darren would make him think that he didn't belong here in Atlantis. Darren would practically drive Sheppard away from his friends; make him believe that he only caused them trouble. Isolate him. Make him believe that he himself had hurt his friends. Darren knew it would take a lot of work to break Sheppard away from his team but, at the end of it all, it would be worth it. Then, came the final phase, if the other phases had been successful then this final phase would be easier and the most satisfying so far, he would finally have his revenge, for his brother.
During Darren's observations, he notice that Sheppard hardly ever locked his quarters most likely because he felt safe, not for long Darren thought maliciously. Its seems that today was no different, he made it to his targets quarters with out being seen, he had left it to a time where there were less marines around and snuck past them. It was quite odd that he had yet to be caught as, all his people had been sent home maybe, if he had been seen, then others may have thought he was just a visiting Athosian. Theses people thought they were safe here, what little they know Darren thought. He would prove to them that they weren't even safe at home. When he was in the room he placed his items out if sight. The room itself was gloomy as he moved around. A few items that Darren didn't recognise were present; they obviously meant something to Sheppard, not that Darren cared. The sun was setting on the planet which created an eerie glow around the city. The last rays of light reflected off the interior walls and, gave off the atmosphere of, the warmness of a home at the same time of the day. Everyone here really was family to each other. Darren would enjoy destroying this family…
x-X-x
The first thing Sheppard heard on his way back to consciousness was, a soft accented voice, and it sounded very concerned. It was ordering him to wake up. He couldn't remember what had happened but, this time he knew he was in the infirmary. The voice grew louder as he became more aware. He had a killer headache, fuzzy images made their way around his mind again, all he could remember was that damned wall rushing at him.
"Come on lad, ya need to wake up" the voice was more forceful this time. "ya need to open ya eyes for me, than ya can go back ta sleep" the voice ordered.
Seen as Sheppard didn't think the voice was going to leave him alone otherwise then, he decided to comply with it. He opened his eyes to slits and, was met with a bright light. He winced at the brightness as it spiked his headache. He shut them to keep the light away and felt to tug of sleep. He shifted a little to try and wake him self up, he needed to know what happened. He felt the pinch of an IV drip in his right hand. How long had he been here he thought grimly.
"What happened?" he asked weakly. Both McKay and Beckett looked anxious as he voice this question. They looked like they hoped that he could answer that question. However, he couldn't no matter how hard he tried to think.
"Carson! You said would be fine, he can't even remember what happened. You and your voodoo…" McKay snapped but was cut off by Carson.
"Rodney! Ya know very well that a concussion can cause some memory loss, now be quite and stop disturbing my patients" Carson had gotten irritated to the point of thinking about using sedatives on the scientist but, restrained himself because he knew what McKay was like when he was scared. This fear had only increased in the hours that the Col had been brought into the infirmary, when he wouldn't respond to any outside stimuli. While Carson knew some memory loss was common, the concussion hadn't been that bad, and the fact that the Col had been unresponsive alarmed him. Not that Sheppard ever told him what was going on anyway; the lad was probably exhausted he thought. All the vitals were within normal range now, so hopefully nothing else was going on. He turned back to a sleepy looking Sheppard.
"What's the last thing ya remember lad?" Sheppard thought about the question, looking into his foggy memory and again remembered a metallic wall of Atlantis, he vaguely remembered running as well but nothing in between.
"erm…running…then a wall" he was unsure on the answer himself but, stuck to it in the hope maybe they could tell him. Beckett could see that the scientist was getting irritated with the answers from his friend and jumped in, before McKay could get started again.
"Ya gave us a bit of a scare lad, you were unresponsive when I got to ya and Rodney was in a panic" Carson heard a huff from the scientist. Sheppard frown a little, he didn't remember McKay being there at any point. Now he was worried about his memory loss, he hated loosing time, he'd done it enough times already. He hadn't meant to scare them. He hated when people worried about him. He would much rather do the protecting himself. Even as sleep pulled at him, he was about ready the get out of the infirmary so he could go back to his quarters and rest there, he hated staying in the infirmary. There was always too many people peeking in, wondering why you were there.
"Before ya ask, no, ya can't go back to yer quarters yet. Ya know the rules, now get some rest. I will come to check on ya in a little while" Sheppard gave Carson an innocent look, as if to say he wasn't thinking that exact thing. Carson shooed McKay away letting Sheppard rest quietly.
Dr Beckett heard the hushed voices and, was all ready to shoo McKay back out of the infirmary, this had become a common thing especially, if it were any of the team 'trapped' in the infirmary. However, he wasn't surprised to find that it was the other members of the Cols team. Ronon and Teyla moved quietly, unlike some, across the floor and headed his way. Carson figured that Rodney would have told them about what had happened to Sheppard, they looked a little worried. Teyla was the first to speak while; Ronon just hovered looking around for their team leader.
"We were told that Col Sheppard was here, is he alright?"
"Aye lass, he will be" Both Teyla and Ronon relaxed a little with this statement from the doctor.
"What happened?" asked Ronon in a tone both a little scary and caring at the same time, only Ronon and Teyla could do that. Ronon had become attached to his team over the 4 years here, this was home now, he knew they would look out for him and, he would do the same for them. It had been Col Sheppard who had brought him here and, for that he would always be grateful.
"We're not sure to be honest, he can't seem to remember anything, other than running this morning then waking up here" they all thought this a little concerning because anything could have happened to him. Though, they were on Atlantis, in relative safety, it was most likely an accident.
"May we see him?" smiled Teyla, she knew how Col Sheppard could find trouble, even in Atlantis.
"Aye ya can only for a moment though, we just got him settled."
Ronon and Teyla walked lightly towards Sheppard's usual bed when he was in the infirmary, so they wouldn't wake him. They looked upon him; he seemed just to be sleeping, no obvious signs of injury. The closer they studied his face; they could see a vivid bruise forming on his forehead though, his unruly hair did a good job of hiding it. They stood watching vigil over their friend for, the moment the doctor had allowed. Once they were sure he was resting peacefully, they headed for the mess hall where Rodney could be found, it was time for dinner after all…
x-X-x
A day or so later…
Sheppard had finally been released from the infirmary, after getting a talking to of course. He had only been allowed on light duty for then next couple of days, doctor's orders. He hated concussions; they had a way lingering over you, like a band playing in your head. Nothing a couple of Tylenol wouldn't cure he thought.
Sheppard strolled towards his room, basking in the glow and warmth that the sun had created within Atlantis. Over the past five years in the city, he had gotten used to the gentle hum of the city in the back of his mind. The hum always had a way of truly making him feel safe however; today the hum seemed a little off, something wasn't right. He had a feeling that he was being watched going back to his quarters. An uneasy feeling settled upon him. Maybe, McKay would know if anything was wrong with the city. There was no harm in asking, so he headed for the lab.
Couple of hours later…
Sheppard had spent a few hours trying to see if there was anything wrong, of course without McKay know why he was there; he had been made a Guinnipig for some devices the scientist had found. By the end of it all, the uneasy feeling had disappeared and Sheppard was feeling safe again. McKay hadn't been panicking so there was nothing major wrong with the city.
Sheppard headed back to his quarters so he could sleep. He became uneasy again heading to his quarters, as if the city was warning him against going there. However, he was so tired after spending most of the day with McKay, he didn't really notice. He also, didn't really feel the sting of a dart in his leg as walked lazily through his doors. One minute he was heading to his bed the next, he collapsed to the cold ground and slide into a fitful drugged sleep…
x-X-x
TBC- I know I'm cruel with the cliff-hangers but it is fun (evil smile)
I'm not sure if this chapter came out right though, was being difficult so I'd like to know what you all think. Thanks for reading.
