"What are you doing?" McKay asked as he and the younger Sheppard entered his lab and saw John at a console.
"Trying to figure out a way to get back."
"Get back?" James asked confused.
"To my time. To save Rodney and Ronon and everyone else who died as a result of what I did and to meet my son."
"You can't just go back. You have seen to much, you'd be interfering with the time line." McKay said.
"What are you a Federation time cop?" John asked.
"A what?"
"Never mind. Look I've done this before. Rodney helped me then."
"I know. I have seen the report." James said.
"Good, you can help me."
"Help you?"
"You are a physicist? And related to Rodney McKay?" John asked.
"Well yes."
"Then who better to help me?"
"He's not questioning his ability." The younger Sheppard pointed out. "He's questioning your ethics. If you go back and change things this reality may never exist."
"I thought you hated your life." John pointed.
"Doesn't mean I want to see my reality wiped from the universe."
"Actually our reality will probably remain unchanged. A new reality will be spawned where the Colonel goes back in time. In that reality we may not exist, but in this reality we will." McKay explained.
"Thanks for that clarification." Both Sheppard's said sarcastically, causing both men to look at each other with suspicion.
"Look." John said. "If everyone had lived long lives I probably wouldn't be doing this."
"Probably?" The younger Sheppard asked.
"I'd want to go back, but I'd like to think I'd have some self control." John shrugged. "The point is though people died because of me. People I care about. If I can do anything to stop that happening I will."
"If you go back to just after you left, in time to save the others, James McKay will never be as the events that led to his conception will never happen. Are you really willing to wipe him from history?" The younger Sheppard asked.
"I hadn't thought about that." John confessed feeling guilty. Looking at James he said. "Sorry."
"As I explained just now, I will still exist. I just won't exist in your timeline."
"And that doesn't bother you?" John asked.
"Why would it? I would never know. There is a bigger concern though."
"Which is?"
"I believe it is too big a risk to have two John Sheppards in the same time. Currently I am going through your ship's logs to see whether you travelled through time before you crashed on the moon."
"What difference does that make?" John asked.
"If you didn't and we get you back that means that you will exist both in your city and on the moon at the same time. If something happens to you on that moon that causes you not to make it here there may be a paradox. Everyone in your universe and ours could be in danger."
"Even if I did accidentally jump through time won't the problem still remain? If anyone finds me even after I am dead it will cause problems." John said.
"It will, but the probability is less. For someone to find you they would need to seek you out. Knowing the effect it could have on the timeline the only reason to do that is you have ticked them off. You are more likely to do that only in your lifetime."
"I don't know I have a knack of rubbing people up the wrong way. Take him." John said nodding towards the younger Sheppard. "I have never met him, but he looks like he wants to kill me."
"Currently there are a lot of unknowns." McKay said. "Time travel is not something we do often and there are many assumptions, some will be wrong. But we have to act in a way that will maximise everyone's chances of safety."
"So what do you suggest?" John asked.
"Until we know when you arrived on that ice moon there is no point discussing this. I will finish extracting data from the logs and get back to you." McKay said. "In the mean time, try to keep a low profile."
"And don't mention this to anyone." The younger Sheppard said.
"Why?"
"You're a hero remember? Heroes are a politician's dream. Now you are back there are many already trying to take advantage of the situation. An endorsement from you will guarantee power. Currently you are the most dangerous man alive. If one of them thinks you are trying to leave they will stop you buy any means."
"Does this mean you will help me get back?" John asked.
"It means I will do whatever is necessary to keep my city and friends safe." The younger Sheppard said. "If that is by removing you from this time so be it."
