Finally! I can post!

Thanks so very much for everyone who reviewed! And I guess I'll have to write a separate story for John meeting a Prior. I didn't think people would be into that. I actually wrote about 1,000 words on their meeting, but scrapped it for the conversation between John and Daniel. Now that I know, I'll flesh it out for ya...

Disclaimer: I own nothing, I swear.

Spoilers slightly for The Return, Part 2

One Week Ago

John Sheppard had always been a draw-outside-the-lines kind of guy. But sometimes he wondered if he weren't missing a few crayons. Not exactly crazy, but close. Maybe.

He and Rodney had concocted a plan so crazy, they should both be in restraints. Or maybe sleeping it off in the infirmary. In the back of his mind, Sheppard could still hear General Landry's gruff voice threatening to end everything. But he had shut it away; the colonel didn't want to know how he would lose everything. Lose Atlantis, his newly found family, and the privilege to fly spaceships. Most of all, he really didn't want to know how Jack O'Neill would – could – get it back.

Moving through the corridors like a ghost, Sheppard placed his hand on a random wall. The City had called out to him over light years, and now she was quiet. He had wandered over to the control chair a few times, but he wasn't welcome. Atlantis had shut the pilot out of the deeper systems, most likely as a protection for him.

He wasn't quite sure how the others left on Earth felt about their return. By now, the news must have spread like wildfire to the ends of the planet. Sheppard's small band of rebels were alone for now in Atlantis. The Ancients had fled before their arrival, and as far as they knew, every Asuran in The City had been destroyed.

The colonel had sent Ronon and Teyla on a scavenging mission; they had left Earth without much of a plan, other than regaining The City. Food, clothing, and everything else had been left behind. Mckay had shut himself away in his lab, and Beckett in the infirmary, acquainting himself with all the changes the long lost ancestors had made. Elizabeth spent time in negotiations with the SGC and the IOA; every time she would establish communications with Earth, Sheppard's heart lodged in his throat.

I just got you back! I'm not going to lose you again!

Twirling the projection device he had found in Daniel Jackson's lab in his hand, Sheppard conjured up an exterior real time view of Atlantis. Earlier, he had fantasized about stealing a jumper to flit around the Pegasus Galaxy. Rebel soldier fleeing the oppressive government. His first stop would be New Athosia, then maybe see Ladon about a job. Although he might have a problem dealing with the Genii, he could at least temporarily repay the leader for helping Elizabeth find Kolya. The very thought of Kolya made his stomach turn.

"Where have you been?"

Sheppard started badly at the exclamation from Rodney McKay. He had been sitting on the floor of his office, reading reports from Atlantis and McKay. The sudden and loud voice snapped him out of his sulking, causing the laptop to slide off his knees. His heart hammered away as the Chief of Science kneeled beside him. Sheppard blinked owlishly as he brought his breathing under control.

"What are you doing? We were all meeting for lunch, remember?" McKay said softly. "It's freezing in here, Sheppard."

Honestly, the colonel hadn't noticed. However, now that McKay said so, he was suddenly cold. Righting the laptop, he moved to stand, joints complaining all the way. While sitting in the corner of his cold office, his muscles had stiffened significantly.

"Take my hand." McKay held out his hand, staring intently at the colonel as he stood. "You look – what the hell did you do to your hands?"

Sheppard looked down at his throbbing fingers. He had bitten the nails down to the quick, some past that. A few were oozing blood; there were numerous cuts and scrapes across them. "How'd that happen?" I don't recall the last time I ever chewed my nails.

McKay gave an exasperated sigh, and grabbed the colonel's wrist. "Come on. We're going to see Carson."

"No!"

"Yes!" McKay yelled back. "Look, Atlantis hid you from me the first few days, but today this damned city gave me a raging headache until I decided to even try to find you." He pulled the colonel along the dim corridor, heading for the infirmary. "That humming is annoying! And you... You should see yourself. Have you even looked in a mirror lately? How about a shower, Colonel?"

Sheppard allowed his friend to pull him along simply because he was just too tired to do anything else. "I guess I–"

"Guess you'd what, Colonel? Die of starvation or dehydration? Contract some disease wandering around the city with no jacket and open wounds?" McKay stopped walking to face his best friend. His eyes held concern, anger, and weariness, all at war with each other. He didn't want to acknowledge the thin wrist in his hand, or the pallor of the man before him. How can he possibly be this way? We're home now...

The colonel flinched under the intense gaze. "Sorry, Rodney. I wasn't thinking," he said, finally breaking eye contact. He really, really had not meant to slip back into this behavior. Didn't you have enough of this on Earth? Jeez, Sheppard! Snap out of it!

McKay grumbled, and started walking again, Colonel Sheppard in tow. He wouldn't let go until they reached their destination. "What is wrong with you anyway? Because you've been acting a little, you know –"

"Crazy?" the soldier stiffened, yet resisted the urge to yank his arm away from McKay. I'm not crazy! I just wanted to get home!

"I know that, Sheppard," he said quietly, knowing that the ailing man probably hadn't meant to say it aloud. "How do you think I feel? Or Elizabeth? Or Carson?" He turned to face his friend; a frown etched itself in his face. "We all risked everything to get back. Defied the powers that be, and the Ancients. Not to mention the odds. Eight of us defeated hundreds of crazy robots! How cool is that?"

Sheppard looked down at the hand holding his wrist. He couldn't help but smile. Looking back at McKay's mobile face, the smile turned into a grin. "We kicked ass."

"Damn straight, Sheppard."

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When Carson Beckett turned around, he did not expect to see what he saw. His friends entered the infirmary, one's hand encircling the other's wrist, both with ridiculous grins on their faces. Both had a dark smudge on opposite cheeks, and both sported neglected beards. While both looked tired, Sheppard was, of course, worse off. But Carson suspected Rodney had given the colonel a lecture, so just this once, the doctor bypassed the opportunity.

"Why don't ye have a seat, John." He expected Rodney to let go of the colonel's wrist, however he led the colonel over to the bed. Sheppard was perched precariously on the edge of the bed until McKay fussed over him, urging him to lie down.

Surprisingly, the colonel did as he was told, rolling his eyes. "I think one medical doctor is enough, right now. Go sit down someplace."

Beckett took that as his cue, and stepped forward. "Aye, Rodney. Have a seat while I examine my patient." Before he could do anything else, McKay grabbed the colonel's wrist again.

"Look at this! The idiot doesn't even know how he got them."

"McKay!" Sheppard growled.

The doctor smiled contritely. "Thank you, Rodney. Why don't ye take a seat on the next bed. I'll be over shortly."

"What! Why? I'm not the one impersonating a ghost!"

Doctor Beckett's Patented Blue Glare fixed itself on the scientist. "Sit down before I sedate ya."

McKay opened and closed his mouth. "Fine," he mumbled.

The doctor turned his attention to the colonel. "I won't lecture ye, but ye really should've come to me before yer retched insomnia got outta hand."

Sheppard looked away, eyes distant. "I know. But I had to make sure everything was okay..."

"Of course everything is okay. Why wouldn't it be?" McKay had a deep scowl on his face, and crossed his arms tightly over his chest. Then his blue eyes sharpened. "Is something not okay? Do you know something? What did you do? 'Cause if you touched something–"

"Rodney!" Beckett and Sheppard said simultaneously.

The astrophysicist stopped his rant, leaning back against the pillows. "Fine. Shutting up."

Carson heaved a great sigh. "Well, Colonel. Let me get my bag, and I'll clean these abrasions." He left quickly, and returned with Teyla, Elizabeth, and Ronon in tow.

Elizabeth Weir appraised the colonel with amused eyes. "Well, now. What have you done this time?" She didn't look quite as tired as she had the last time Sheppard saw her.

The frequent patient tried to look innocent. "Nothing, I swear! Just a little tired, honest." He addressed the other members of his team, each holding a tray. Teyla looked unaccountably happy, and even Ronon wore a bemused expression. "What's goin' on?"

"We have returned from New Athosia with fruits and meat. I also procured some of your favorite rolls, John."

Sheppard let a grin split his face. "The really sweet ones that are all sticky? I love those. Ouch!" He snatched his hand away from the forgotten medical doctor. "Sorry, Doc. Stings a bit."

"Aye, of course it does. A few were close to being infected. Where – when – did you get these?"

"He doesn't know. I told you that," McKay replied, cutting off the colonel. "Is anyone listening to me?"

Elizabeth stepped up to clear the bed table. "Of course, Rodney," she said sweetly. Placing food on a plate, she handed it over to the sulking man. "Are you hungry?"

"What a ridiculous –" McKay halted the snarky remark. Shaking his head, he smiled. "I'm starving! Thank you, Elizabeth." He held the plate warily.

"No, there is no citrus, Doctor McKay," Teyla answered with a smile.

"Well, you can never be too careful," McKay groused.

"Ouch!" Sheppard said again, this time Elizabeth had batted his hand away from the sticky rolls.

"Not until after you've finished lunch," she said handing him a plate. She watched the colonel push himself up carefully with his newly bandaged hands. Carson had wrapped gauze around each hand, leaving the fingers free. "Comfortable?"

"Not really, but I'll live."

Elizabeth nodded once, and sat at the foot of his bed. "I finally finished negotiations with the SGC."

Sheppard immediately dropped the fruit he was eating as his stomach flipped.

"I know you've all been wondering what will happen to us since we pulled that little stint. Short answer is – nothing. Everyone will be reassigned back to Atlantis, albeit slowly. But we are all staying!"

The colonel passed a sticky hand over his face and neck. One week of tension completely drained away, leaving him breathless. Then a thought. "Am I –"

Elizabeth gave a brilliant smile. "Yes, John. You are still the Chief Military Officer of Atlantis."

Relief was visible on everyone's faces as they dug into their last lunch alone together in The City. Finally, all the unspoken tension, and the weight of their future had lifted, leaving them to enjoy the remainder of the day. The infirmary looked brighter with the sun cheerily streaming through the multi-colored window high above them.

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TBC

Just a little something to wrap it all up...