THE CONNECTION...part 3

John came awake with a jolt, sitting bolt upright and gazing around frantically. Even as he took in the familiar surroundings of the Atlantis infirmary, he couldn't help searching for Dr. Fletcher and his white uniformed goons. Thankfully, none of them were around. Just Carson who came bustling over to him.

"Colonel, how are you feeling?" Carson asked as he reached him. Automatically he began checking John's vitals.

"You tell me," John countered, pushing up against the pillows and trying to relax. But he could feel himself shaking a bit and that bothered him. He also felt like shit warmed over. His head ached and so did his body, and he realized he felt a bit cold.

Carson sighed and grabbed a nearby stool. He sat down and locked eyes with Sheppard. "Well let's start with what you remember last."

John closed his eyes, rubbed his temples and tried to conjure up his most recent real memory. "I was checking on Elizabeth."

"That's right," Carson confirmed. "You touched her and the next thing I know you collapsed like a house of cards."

"Oh." John didn't remember that. "How long was I out?"

A glance at his watch and Carson replied, "Over two hours. I was beginning to worry. For the record, you're going to be here for a few days. At least until I get your temperature down. And if I can't get you better hydrated soon, you're getting an IV."

John made a face at that. "Ya know, I am a bit thirsty. Got any water handy?" He would do everything he could to avoid an IV.

"I just happened to have some handy," Carson drawled. He got up and retrieved a glass with a straw. "The more you drink the better."

"Right." John took a small sip. His throat felt dry but his stomach felt queasy and he didn't want to risk puking in front of Beckett. That would guarantee him an IV. He gave up after three sips and handed the glass back. "So...how's Elizabeth doing?"

Carson heaved a sigh. "She's doing much better. She woke up briefly then fell back to sleep. A healing sleep this time."

John was relieved to hear that. "Good. Did she say anything when she woke up?" He wondered if maybe she was aware of him being connected to her. Or, rather, to her hallucination. Because he couldn't figure out how else what was happening to him could happen."

"She just asked what happened and pretty much fell asleep before I could finish telling her," Carson replied.

"But she's nanite free now, right?" John asked. And it was a very VERY important question to him.

Carson frowned at John. "Of course she's nanite free. I told you she's better. She wouldn't be if she was still infected. Are you feeling all right, Colonel?" He reached out to press his palm to John's forehead.

John batted Carson's hand away. "I'm fine, I just...I wanted to make sure she's okay." He didn't look at Carson as he spoke, instead he plucked at his blankets.

"I need to take your temperature again," Carson said, as he grabbed the ear thermometer. He gripped John's head then stuck the device in his ear. At the beep he pulled it out and made a face.

"So what is it?" John asked, not liking Carson's expression. He had a feeling he was in for some bad news.

Carson popped off the plastic ear piece cover and chucked it in a nearby garbage can before replying. "It's up a bit. 102.1. I'll give you some ibuprofen in about ninety minutes and if that doesn't help I'll pump you full of antibiotics."

John nodded, wincing at the throb of pain in his temples. "Um...Doc...can I ask you something?" He needed to try and understand what was happening to him, but he wasn't sure how to explain it to Carson.

"You can ask me anything, Colonel." Carson settled back down on the stool. "What is it?"

"Have you ever come across anything in the Atlantis data base about the Ancients being psychic, or anything like that?" John winced at even having to ask, but he remembered how he had connected with Chaya and he wondered if maybe something had rubbed off on him in some way. Or maybe his time spent with Teer and the others. Maybe he shouldn't have tried meditating. Or maybe the stupid wraith DNA that had nearly changed him into a bug had something to do with it. Whatever it was, John wanted to know so this would make sense some how.

Confusion and surprise flitted across Carson's face. "Why would you be asking me such a question? You don't think you're psychic, do you?"

John laughed, hearing how nervous he sounded. "No...of course not. I was just wondering. I had this stupid dream."

"Some Ancients did have abilities," Carson allowed, looking relieved. "Some had healing powers and such, but I haven't had much time to do an in depth study."

"Oh." John felt disappointed and he was going to ask for a lap top so he could do some research when he got a flash of Dr. Fletcher's face in his head. It made him start and look around for the man to suddenly appear.

Carson saw John's reaction. "What's wrong?"

John pushed the covers off and slid out of bed. "I need to talk to Elizabeth." He had a feeling she was dreaming or something. She had to be reliving her experience for him to be seeing things again. At least he rather hoped that was what was happening.

"You need to get back in bed, Colonel," Carson countered, gripping John by the arm and trying to push him back down.

"No!" John felt a flare of panic, closely followed by desperation. He needed to see Elizabeth. He yanked free of Beckett's grip and pushed him roughly aside. He could apologize later. But he hadn't gone two steps when Beckett was pulling him back again. John shoved him off, anger crackling through him. "I have to talk to Elizabeth!" he shouted, then he instantly tried to calm himself. "Look...just let me talk to her and I'll come right back. I promise." But John could see that Carson didn't believe him. He was advancing on him and John had no choice but to retreat.

Right into Ronon's strong embrace. John felt the Satedan's arms close around him and he struggled against them. But even on a good day he was no match for the big guy, and today he was feeling like crap. Still, he didn't stop fighting against the hold on him, even though Ronon had just about lifted him off his feet. A moment later John found himself pinned down on the bed and Beckett was wielding a syringe.

"NO! Don't! Please!" John could well remember the needle Dr. Fletcher had stuck him with and this was too much like reliving that scenario for his taste. "I'm sorry, I'll stay put!" he promised.

"Just a pinch and you'll feel better," Carson said, ignoring John's protests.

Which made John fight that much harder. He pulled his legs up and kicked out, catching Beckett in the gut and sending him reeling back. But that only bought him a momentary reprieve and a male nurse popping up to pin his legs down.

Carson looked pissed when he loomed over John, his face tight with determination as he swabbed John's arm then he was plunging the needle home.

"Dammit!" John hissed. Then everything faded to black.

OoO

He woke up feeling sluggish and nauseous and suddenly Beckett was there with a straw pressed to his lips.

"Just a small sip, Colonel," he instructed.

John took the sip and the water felt heavenly. He wanted more and when Beckett pulled the cup away he went to reach for it, only to discover he was in restraints. "Doc..." John croaked, tugging on them.

Carson made a face, setting the water aside then moving to face John. "Sorry, Colonel, but it's for the best right now."

"Look...I'm sorry about freaking out earlier," John apologized. "I just...I need to talk to Elizabeth. It's very important."

"I'm here, John," Elizabeth called out.

He turned his to see a nurse pushing her over in a wheelchair. John felt relief wash over him to see that she looked much better. A bit grim and a little pale, but better. "Hey...you okay?"

She nodded as she reached him. "I am now. Thanks to you."

"Just doing my job," John replied, feeling a bit embarrassed. "Hey...do you think you can convince Carson to take these things off?" John tugged at the restraints.

"I think we should hold off on that until Carson is sure it's okay," Elizabeth replied, ever the diplomat. "You're fever spiked, John and you were borderline delirious for a bit."

That news surprised him. "Uh...how long have I been out?"

Elizabeth made a face. "About six hours."

"What?" He tugged on the restraints again, hating feeling confined like this. It reminded him of the way too many times he'd been held captive. Before and during his time in Atlantis.

"You need to rest and get better, John," Elizabeth said softly.

He made himself relax against the pillows, taking a few calming breaths before blurting out,"I've been in your hallucination." That startled Elizabeth, if the stunned look on her face was anything to go by.

She blinked at him, then looked around, as if searching for Carson. But the doctor had left upon her arrival, as had the nurse who'd brought her. "What are you talking about, John?"

"Does a Dr. Fletcher sound familiar?" he replied. And when her eyes went wide he knew it did. "And how about General O'Neill coming to visit you and telling you some story about collapsing during negotiations."

"Oh my god!" Elizabeth covered her face with both hands and trembled for a moment. After a time she lowered her hands and locked eyes with John. "How can you know that?"

He shook his head. "Beats the hell out of me. When I touched you while you were connected I got flashes of things. When I touched you after you were better...I ended up trapped in your freaky hallucination. I can't explain it. Did I...did I get infected?" John figured not since he wasn't in isolation, but he couldn't figure out what else might explain the unexplainable.

Elizabeth was shaking her head. "No. Carson scanned you twice and you're clean. In fact, he scanned you again after you flipped out on him, just to be sure."

"I didn't flip out!" John protested. "I just needed to see you." He tugged at the restraints again. "So these really aren't necessary."

"I suppose it would be okay," Elizabeth allowed. She maneuvered the chair a bit closer, still looking shell-shocked at what John had told her. But even as she reached out to undo the first strap, the nurse appeared.

Smiling at both Elizabeth and John, Nurse Ayers said brightly, "Time to get you back to bed, Dr. Weir." She moved behind the wheel chair and gripped the handles, smoothly pulling Elizabeth back and away from the bed.

Elizabeth stared at John, shaking her head at him.

He knew she was sorry about not being able to free him. He gave her a smile to let her know she was off the hook, watching as she was wheeled away. He would just have to convince Carson to free him. To that end he called for the Doc.

A moment later Carson bustled over. "Is everything all right, Colonel?" he asked, looking concerned.

"It would be if you'd take these damned things off," John shot back, tugging on the restraints. "I'm not going to flip out on you again, Doc. I promise. I was just...I needed to talk to Elizabeth, like I said."

"Which you've now done so it's time for you to get some rest," Carson interjected.

John took a calming breath then made an attempt to explain to Carson what was going on. "Look...I'm connected to Elizabeth's hallucination. Or nanite induced fantasy world. Whatever you want to call it. I was there." As he spoke, John tugged on the restraints. Being strapped down was starting to make him feel anxious.

Carson sighed and looked a bit put upon. "Colonel...you have a fever and it made you a bit delusional. You had a dream is all."

"No...that's not it!" John insisted, tugging harder. The straps bit into his skin but he didn't care. "Take these damn things off me now!" He realized he was freaking out a bit, but he was pissed that Beckett didn't believe him. In fact the Scotsman was looking at him like he'd suddenly grown two heads or something.

"Calm down, Colonel," Carson beseeched him. "You're going to hurt yourself!"

John tried to do as Carson asked, but he felt like he was ready to jump out of his skin. "Look...just let me out and I'll calm down. Okay? I just...I'm not delusional, Carson. I was in Elizabeth's hallucination. Ask her about Dr. Fletcher...she'll tell you. And General O'Neill was there." John didn't realize he was still tugging hard on the restraints until Carson gripped his arm to stop him. "Sorry...I'm sorry...I just need you to take these off. And to listen to me."

But Carson didn't seem to want to listen to him. Instead he moved over to a side table then turned back with a syringe in his hand. "I'm going to give you a little something to help you rest, Colonel," he stated.

"No...please don't do that," John begged. And damn if he didn't hate begging. "You have to listen to me, Carson."

"Just a pinch and you'll feel much better when you wake up." Carson gripped John's arm, preparing to stab the needle in.

John tried to pull away but he didn't have much give and he felt worn out to the bone. Even as he opened his mouth to beg again, he felt the sting of the needle and darkness swirled over him, dragging him down into oblivion.

THE END...of part 3