Rogue Element9

Moira straightened slowly, watched as Sheppard sat next to her. He scanned the surroundings quickly, intently. Green eyes narrowed. "You, you should go after him, colonel. Make sure he doesn't kill those men. Your men."

"John's men," he corrected. "And leave you? I don't think so."

She frowned. Made to stand. "I can move now. Let's go."

"Sit." He drew her back down next to him on the fallen log. "Rest for a while. We've got time."

"Time? What do you mean?" She looked round nervously. It was quiet. Even the waterfalls sounded muted. She stared at him. He was looking down the way Aiden had gone. "Colonel? What are you up to?"

"Protecting you, Moira. You see, we're at the end game now. Outnumbered, outgunned. You won't be harmed. And I'm almost reasonably sure I won't be harmed. The only real danger to you must be eliminated. So we'll let John do that. Or I will."

She thought a moment. "Ford. You're talking about Ford?"

"Yes."

"You never intended to take him to your Atlantis, did you?"

"No," he said mildly.

"But you...to buy time? Cooperation?" she guessed.

"Yes. I got what I needed. Well, almost." He met her gaze suddenly.

"Colonel? You–"

"How long have you been married to him?"

"What?" The change in topic threw her for a moment. "Oh. Nearly, nearly a month now. It is true, colonel. I have, I have the rings...you saw the rings..." She blushed at the memory. His hands on her bare breasts. His tongue scraping her nipples. "We have to keep the, the marriage quiet for now."

"I know. I believe you, Moira. Even before I saw the rings."

She sighed. "You are the only who does. Except for Carson." She sobered. "Colonel–"

"Which makes you my wife. Technically." He lifted her face to his. Kissed her. Pulling her into his arms. "And when you gave yourself to me it was perfectly legal now wasn't it?" he teased into her ear.

"I did what I had to do in order to survive, colonel. Just like you," she said icily. Returning his kiss but pushing back from him now.

"Did you?" He smiled. "Tell me, could you tell the difference? Between the two of us? And that's all it was? To survive? Nothing more?"

"Nothing more," she retorted, frowning. "I'm John's wife. No other's. My John's." She jumped at the sound of gunfire, grabbed Sheppard's arm. "Colonel? You have to stop Ford! He's killing those–"

"No. I think it's the other way round, Moira." He pushed her to a seated position. "Why don't we let John do his own dirty work for a change, hmm? He can kill Ford. I already killed mine."

"You...your version of...when?"

"Doesn't matter. Let's see how this plays out."


John heard the gunfire even as the men broke through the trees into the clearing. "Pierson! Report!"

"Banks down, sir! It's Ford! He–" More gunfire cut off the voice.

"Reynolds, take your team and hold that 'Gate at all costs!" John ordered. "No one gets through! Lorne, flank left, on me! Ronon, the six! Go!"

Men were crouched behind trees and rocks. Firing at each other. A maelstrom of bullets as Ford darted from tree to tree, nimble as a monkey, faster than a human. Causing them to inadvertently fire on each other. Finding the ship inoperative he took out his fury on the hapless marines.

"Cease fire! Cease fire!" John ordered, realizing what was happening. Guns fell silent. John peered round, motioned to the men. Spotted Ford crouched near the ship. Nearly hidden in the shadows of the drive pod. A dark stain marked his arm. "Ford! Ford, we've got you surrounded now! There's no way out this time!"

"You think I'm alone, Sheppard?" Aiden taunted, furious. "I'm not!"

"You look alone to me, lieutenant. Come out now, hands raised. Surrender. We'll take you back to Atlantis," John offered. Motioned his men to remain still. Glared at Ronon before the Satedan charged towards the ship.

"So I can be another of your scientific experiments? I don't think so, sir! I've heard what you do to freaks like me! Freaks you created! At least I train mine to fight the enemy, not become the enemy! Like Michael!"

The name sent a jolt through the men. Through John as his grip on his gun tightened. "You've heard of him?"

"Of course! Met him in passing, once! He'd make a useful ally, hates Atlantis as much as I do. Hates the Wraith too. If you want to find him you'll join me!"

"No, I don't think so." John could only imagine that unholy alliance. "Come out now, Aiden! Or this will end badly for you."

"So I heard. Shoot to kill orders? Yes, the colonel told me. Apparently he's as duplicitous as you are! He's got your precious Moira!"

"Better him than you," John muttered. Said tersely, "You've got five to surrender. Come out or I'm coming in. With shoot to kill orders. One."

"If you kill me you'll never find Michael."

"Two."

"I can be your ally, Sheppard! You should have joined me!"

"Three."

"Only together can we end the Wraith scourge on this galaxy! A scourge we created!"

"Four."

"You need me, damn it! Would you really kill one of you own?"

Five. Time's up, Aiden." John's voice was cold. Dispassionate as he counted down. He motioned the men to remain. Stood. Headed for the ship. "Flush him out!" he snarled. Ronon and Evan fired from each side, peppering the ground with bullets and laser shots. Some pinged off the ship, not harming it.

Aiden returned fire, suddenly sprang straight towards John.

John calmly stood and fired point blank at his former lieutenant. Again. Again. Until Aiden crashed to the ground. Became still at last.


Moira jumped at the gunfire, clutching Sheppard's arm. Tugging. "Please, colonel! We don't know what's happening! What if they need help? What if–"

"I'm sure the marines can handle it. John can certainly handle it." He met her anxious gaze. "Moira, I want you to come back with me."

She stared, startled by his serious expression. She freed his arm. The similarity to her John jolting her. "What?" was all she could whisper.

He smiled. "I want you to come with me, Moira. I need your help. Your expertise on the Wraith. Their biology. The virus, the serum, the enzyme, all of it needs to be collated and Carson hasn't had enough time. Too many wounded to heal. Too many dead to bury." His expression darkened. "I need you, Moira. I need you by my side, working with me."

"I...I can't...colonel. I can't leave John," she argued.

"Who has you do what, exactly? Hmm? I'm talking real research, Moira. To save lives. We've made some discoveries about Wraith biology that would astound you. Our time line is different than yours, but also more advanced. What you learn there you could bring back here. In time."

"I...you'd let me come back here? I don't believe you, colonel. The anomaly isn't like a door you can just open and close."

"True. But we're working on that too. McKay is. Moira," he took her hands into his, face earnest now, "we have Pleistocene Park. Remember? I'd let you go there to be safe, to study for as long as you wanted. To do what you were meant to do, were trained to do. If you come with me I can give you all that, and you'll be helping both realities."

She looked away, uncertain. His voice a sexy rasp that tickled her ears, slid over her skin. Green eyes brilliant, beautiful. Handsome face sincere. Hair unkempt, beard scruffy. Hands gently clasping hers. So like her John it hurt. "I...I can't leave John..." she protested.

"Only for a little while," he persisted, seeing her weakness. Her vulnerability. "Moira, I need you. I need you more than he does, than he ever could. I know what it's like to lose someone you love, someone you wanted to spend your life with. The same as you. He doesn't know that, but I know that."

"He...he will...if, if you take me from him," she whispered, glanced up to see his gaze. Felt tears.

"Not like us, though. He won't know the devastation of losing them forever. To death. Not like us, Moira. If you want to help him win this war here you will come with me now. Learn all that you can there and help both of us. Moira, I need you. I need..." His voice faltered for a moment, the weight of emotion coloring it. "I should never have let you go that first time. But I did. Because you asked me to. Because I love you, Moira. I love you more than I loved her. You are stronger, Moira. Smarter. Loyal. I need you to help me build a new sanctuary for the survivors. To rebuild what we have left to us, which isn't much."

Moira looked down, unable to hold his gaze. Felt tears. "Please, colonel...I...I can't. I can't leave John..." she repeated sadly. Guilt ravaged her.

"You can, Moira. You are stronger than this. I know you are. And you love me. I know that too. Deny it all you can but you love John Sheppard, no matter what version. I need you, Moira. Don't deny me. Please."


John slowly circled the body. A tumult of emotion assailed him. He felt the marines staring. Ronon staring. The silence was heavy. They neared with lowered guns. He felt their judgment on him. John eyed the body of his former lieutenant. Ravaged by the enzyme. By the Wraith arm attached to his body and slowly, slowly taking over the rest of him. His one human eye staring sightless up at the sky. The solid black one reflecting John's grim expression.

John dampened down his emotions. Looked up at the men. Tapped his radio. "Reynolds, hold the 'Gate. No one gets through." He gestured. "Pierson, Donnelly, Forest, take the body to the 'Gate for transport. Caldwell will want absolute proof." His voice was hash, cold.

"Yes, sir!" The three men moved to collect it.

"Lorne, you stay here at the ship. Guard it. Ronon, take the rest and head to the 'Gate."

"Sir? What about–" Evan questioned.

"I'm going to get Moira. Bring her home."

"Alone? He's already shot you once!" Ronon protested, moving to follow but John held up a hand, stopping him.

"True. Nevertheless you have your orders. It's better if I approach him alone."

"Stupid, you mean. I'm coming with you!"

"No, Ronon! I need you at the 'Gate in case more of those things appear! Got it? I don't want to lose any more lives on this! I'll be fine!"

"With all due respect, sir, you can hardly stand much less fight. How will you get Moira back?"

Evan asked, shaking his head.

"I'll reason with myself, major. Should be a piece of cake. Ronon, go! The rest of you, go now! That's a direct order! Lorne, guard that ship!"

John strode out of the clearing. He broke into a stealthy run up the forested ridge, ignoring his pain. The blood dripping from him. The dizziness in his head that came and went. He gripped his gun tightly. Heard voices. Recognized Moira's soft, emotional tones. Sorrow. He hastened his footsteps. Longing to see her, to save her. To secure her as his once more.

He wondered how he was going to get her back. To snatch her from the colonel's clutches. From a man who wasn't injured. Who was more than likely armed with something. Who would fight to keep her. At all costs. At any costs.

Worse yet, the dread whispered in his mind. What if she chose to remain with his darker self?