A big thank you to everyone who has read, left a comment, favored or followed my story. It is greatly appreciated. I'm not one for long stories or chapters so I hope you find these satisfying.

I don't own the characters. They belong to the creators of Stargate Atlantis.

Chapter 3: Just that lucky

"John, this conversation is over. Every day when you get back home from school, you are to do your homework and concentrate on your academics. I don't want you anywhere near the tree line again, is that clear?" Patrick Sheppard slammed his fist on the corner of his desk in anger. John looked like he was going to continue arguing but thought twice about it with one glance towards David.

Without another word, John stormed out of his father's study heading towards the front door. He didn't really know where he was going yet but at the moment anywhere was better.

"John wait up?" David nearly had to run to catch up with his fourteen year old brother. He knew his brother would be angry but now he was just overreacting. "Don't walk away from me John."

"Why couldn't you keep your mouth shut Dave." John nearly spat the words as he turned to face his older brother. "You always ruin everything for me!"

"I ruin everything? You're the one who's so selfish all the time. Why can't you just listen to what dad says. I'm the one who always has to lie for you and go out there to find you." David straightened out like he's seen his father do countless times before. His brother was being unreasonable about this. "You're a selfish brat John and I'm tired of it."

For a second David really though John would hit him, but instead the youngest just turned around and stormed out the front door. "You only ever think about yourself John!" He called after him.

John's feet carried him past the garage and out into the back yard before his mind was able to catch up with him. Of all the things John loved the most, he enjoyed spending time in the forest that surrounded the house. It was the one place he knew his father or his brother wouldn't come looking for him. There was just something liberating about the serene woods. But of course Dave had to tell their father. Part of him wanted to keep going into the forest just to defy his family, but he also knew how much trouble he would be in. No, he would just hang out in the stables for a few hours and wait till they forgot all about it. Then he would be free again, just like last time.

Assuming he was being watched, he made a deliberate turn towards the horse stable. He didn't really have a plan, he never did. Tension between himself and his father had been mounting lately; ever since he scored so high on the stupid IQ test the school made him take. Personally he hadn't understood what all the fuss was about but he had noticed how happy his father had been when he found out. Since then, John had been pressured on a daily basis to improve his grades and take on extra credits to fast track his academics. He quickly regretted taking that test so seriously.

Inside the stable, John allowed himself a deep breath while he unclenched his fists. Between his brother and his father, John felt like he was just meant to be a robot; follow order, do well in school and stay out of the way when he wasn't needed. Once again, his anger started boiling inside him. Determined, he started saddling his favorite horse thinking a long horseback ride would do him good. If he couldn't go in the woods, then horseback riding was the next best thing.

Six hours later, David paced the living room. John had apparently gone for a horseback ride but no one has seen him since. Sure his brother was angry and needed to cool off some but being gone this long was ridiculous; just another example of his brother's total disregard for responsibility. Deciding to check the stables again before bothering his father, David made his way outside. Just as he was entering the open doors of the stables, he spotted his brother's horse coming over the crest of a hill. He couldn't see John at first, but as the animal got closer he could just make out his brother's slouched form.

John straightened up once he saw David waiting for him. "Came to check on me?" the usual banter told David that his brother was no longer angry. Without slowing, John led his horse into the stable to its stall.

He followed his younger brother. "Where were you? It's been 6 hours!" The silence stretched between the two. "John!" David could have sworn he had just seen his brother wince. After a few minutes, John slowly swung his right leg over the horse, gripping tightly to the saddle. He visibly paled when his feet touched the ground, taking in a sharp breath of air. "John?" David gripped his brother's arm to steady the swaying form.

"I'm okay." John took a deeper breath and closed his eyes. "I'm fine."

David knew his little brother better than to accept the word fine as an accurate description. "What's wrong?" David tried to turn his brother so he was facing him. Once again John took in a deep breath, growing slightly paler. It seemed to be taking all of John's concentration just to stay upright.

"A bear spooked the horse, it threw me off." John forced out through clenched teeth. David looked at his brother; he didn't seem to worse for wear, but he had learned that lesson the hard way last time. John needed to get checked out; who knows what kind of injuries could be hidden.

"Come on, let's get back to the house." Still holding John's arm David moved to guide his little brother back to the house. There he'll be able to get a better look at him and Dad would be able to decide whether a trip to the hospital was needed. That idea quickly disappeared, however, when John tried to take a step forward. In seconds the stable swirled dizzily around him and John could feel his consciousness slipping along with his calm. If David hadn't been so close, John would have crashed to the ground. Helping his brother lean against the stall wall, David quickly noticed his brother's heavy breathing has he fought to stay conscious. "What's wrong?"

It took a few minutes before John could answer him. "It hurts to breathe or move. I think I may have broken something." John closed his eyes in pain while he leaned heavily on the wall and his brother. With David's help, the two managed to get John down to the ground before he fell. Instantly his arms snaked around his ribs to try to ease the pain. Slightly panicked, David didn't know what to do. He didn't want to leave John but he needed to get help.

"I'm going to get Dad, okay Johnny? Don't move." He waited for John to acknowledge him before he left. To his credit, John managed to straighten up slightly and look more alert.

If Patrick had been annoyed for being disturbed again by John's latest misadventure, it quickly disappeared the second he saw his youngest son slumped in the stable. An ambulance was called and the family once again found themselves in the hospital waiting area. John had broken 2 ribs and cracked 1, topped off with a mild concussion. The tension that had been there earlier that day had been put aside. John kept waiting for the lecture from his father that was sure to come. But Patrick never said anything.

When they made it back to the house, everyone felt exhausted and easily retreated to their own rooms. Patrick Sheppard, however could not find sleep. After half an hour of trying he decided he might as well as get some work done. As he sat at his desk, rereading the same business report for the fifth time, he put that aside too. His mind could not put aside the image of John slumped by the wall. With a heavy sigh, he poured himself a glass of his finest scotch.

The next day was very quiet at the Sheppard household. Patrick was immersed in business meetings most of the day, while David and John spent the day together. "Why do you always seem to find trouble? I mean you've been ridding for years without falling."

"I'm just that lucky." John grinned back.

"Yeah lucky I came looking for you." It was David's turn to grin. Neither one of them wanted to imagine what would have happened if no one had come looking for him.

Feeling slightly uncomfortable with the thought, John shifted on his bed. "Thanks Dave," John said before grinning "you know, for coming to spy on me."