A/N: My huge apologies for the delay in posting this. My new laptop suffered a fatal crash, which led to me having to do a full System Restore, which resulted in the loss of virtually ALL of the chapter!

Needless to say, after many harsh words, many phone calls, even a few tears, and a lot of long hours, I have finally managed to rewrite it.

Sadly it doesn't feel quite as good as the original version, so I hope it doesn't disappoint….

Blood of the Heir

Chapter 11

It didn't matter how many times he told himself that it wasn't solely down to him, Daniel always managed to feel responsible for finding the answers. The greater the riddle, the harder he drove himself. After all, being faced with virtually impossible mysteries was his forte. But this was truly testing his tenacity, as well as his single-minded determination.

Daniel uttered a growl of frustration as he threw down his pen onto his notebook, and then pulled off his glasses to rub his eyes.

"What am I missing?" He sighed heavily, replaced his glasses and stared at the mess that was now his desk.

Apart from his laptop, he could no longer see the surface for all the opened books, reams of notes and screwed up bits of paper, some of which had been thrown across the floor. Half eaten sandwiches sat neglected beside yet another cold mug of coffee.

He glanced at his watch, and groaned. 0300 hrs. Great.

It had been forty eight long hours since they had rescued David Sheppard, and he had been hard at it ever since. But, no matter how much he searched the Ancient Database, he still couldn't find anything that would help David.

Of course, he had found countless references to the Asgard's obvious desire to find a way to fix their dying race. That fact was never in question. It was the matter of what exactly the Vanir had been hoping to achieve with their experiments that had him trawling through the Ancient database.

Admittedly, he wasn't sure what he was hoping to find, as what he really needed was access to the Asgard one. But that particular legacy had been entrusted to the warship, USS Odyssey. And, no matter how hard he tried to get their current location out of Jack, he still wouldn't tell him where it had gone. Though Daniel had his suspicions.

So he had to make do with what he had, but he was drawing nothing but dead ends.

Daniel had wondered whether John would have more success with the Rod of Janus, but his continued silence wasn't promising.

Only yesterday, Daniel had been present when John had visited the two men they had brought back from the museum. It had been interesting to watch John question them, as he calmly manipulated them like a seasoned attorney, and had quickly managed to tie them up in knots. But unfortunately both of the men, who turned out to be Doctors, had only been there to keep David alive. Both claimed that neither of them had even met Strom, let alone spoken to him.

Whether or not John actually believed them, still remained to be seen, as he had not spoken about it. But Daniel knew that he certainly had not forgotten about the Head of the IOA. John was in regular contact with Jack, who was still working on locating the slippery SOB, and knowing him as well as he did, Daniel was sure that his old friend would manage to track him down. Somehow.

Until then, Daniel was forced to continue doing the only thing he knew how to do.

Research.

His laptop had once more gone into screensaver mode, so after he shifted some papers off the keyboard, he swiped his finger over the touchpad, and the spinning Atlantis logo disappeared. Daniel sighed as he stared back at the image of the man himself.

"Well, Janus. What a tangled web you weave…"

As the face looked back at him, with an almost knowing smile, Daniel began to get a strange feeling. It was the same reaction he had gotten the first time he had looked at the face of Allesandra Sheppard.

Daniel peered more closely. Yes, it's definitely the eyes. Like John's. In fact, the more he looked at Janus, the more he could see the distinct similarities.

The same angled chin, the nose, the high forehead and defined cheek bones. Although Janus didn't have the somewhat wayward curls that John had, the tightly cropped hair did suggest the potential for the odd cowlick or two. The scientist even had the same pointed ears.

No, there was no denying it. John Sheppard did appear to bear an uncanny resemblance to his ancestor.

Daniel ran a hand though his hair, and slowly got up. He knew that there was no point in trying to go to bed now, as his mind was so full of scribble. What he needed was some fresh coffee.

Thankfully, someone had kindly brought him a coffee maker – he had a feeling it had been John – and he gratefully poured himself some more, and then wandered back to his desk.

Leaning over his desk, he turned back several pages of his notebook, then picked it up and sipped his coffee as he began to walk about the room. It never did his joints any good sitting still for any great length of time.

"Ok. So what have we got?" He scanned down the page.

1. Janus had ascended. Therefore he would have watched this whole situation play out.

2. For years, John had been put through a complex series of 'trials' in order to determine whether or not he was the true Heir of Janus.

3. As part of the trials, John had died and ascended, albeit for a short time.

So was this another test?

4. David has the incredibly strong ATA Sheppard gene.

So did he have a part to play in the Legacy too? Was this a test for him?

5. Janus had stepped in to save John from the Vanir. But he had not saved David.

Why? It would have been nice to have had the opportunity to ask the man himself, had he not decided to 'disappear' as fast as he had appeared.

6. If Janus had not intervened, the powerful weapons of the Vanir would have eventually killed John.

So would he have ascended again? Rather ironically, if he had, the answer to David's current predicament would have been resolved immediately. He would have healed him, just as he had done for Teyla.

7. If this really was a test for David, would he ascend?

Daniel knew only too well that it wasn't just as easy as all that. He had managed to reach out to John, and helped him to find the path to Ascension. So would John now consider doing the same for his own brother?

8. Were they even supposed to find the answers? Or was it the fate of both Sheppard brothers to find their own way?

Despite the fact that it was now after 3am, Daniel knew that John would not be sleeping.

He stared up at the ceiling, knowing only too well that they would be listening. "Please. Help him find his way…."

SGA SGA SGA SGA

Holy crap! I'm gonna be a dad!

John had to suddenly focus on calming the abrupt surge of his energies, knowing full well that it might wake her.

Despite the fact that it had been a whole 48 hours since he and Teyla had talked, he still couldn't help himself. Teyla was going to have a baby. His baby!

He remembered just how deeply it had affected him when she had revealed that she had been pregnant with Torren. He hadn't even been aware she was seeing anyone, but that wasn't the only reason he had felt so…devastated. Missed opportunities. But not anymore. He would once more be part of a real family….only this time, it would be his own.

He turned his head slightly on the pillow, watching her carefully. Her deep steady breathing confirmed that he had caught himself just in time, and she continued to sleep soundly.

Unfortunately over the last two days her morning sickness had increased, and though she struggled on as usual, he knew that it was exhausting her. He tried to think back to when she had been pregnant with TJ, and couldn't remember her suffering quite as badly as she was now. Perhaps it was just that he hadn't been witness to the number of times she would bolt for the bathroom, and emerge looking terribly pale and drawn.

He did try to ease her nausea whenever he could but he wasn't always able to reach out to her in time. But her symptoms were also beginning to get noticed, and he knew it wouldn't be long before someone put two and two together.

No. It was time to let the world know that they were officially a couple. Though when, and how, he hadn't quite figured that part out yet. But they would need to do it soon, as they were also finding it harder to maintain their secret. Especially now.

But when? With everyone so focussed on finding the answers to the crazy amount of questions, it felt inappropriate to say anything yet.

Rodney was still looking into the device they had brought back with them.

Carson and Jennifer continued to keep long hours, as they searched for a cure. Though John was beginning to wonder if Dave was now far beyond their medical expertise.

Daniel was meticulously scouring the Ancient Database, despite the fact that he knew that Daniel secretly wondered if he had found anything from the Rod. But John wanted to be sure. After all, Daniel had been the guy that had actually figured it all out the last time, so perhaps he would do so again.

John stretched his arms above his head, breathed out slow and deep, and stared up at the ceiling.

He had connected to the Rod. Twice. Ben's earlier guidance on how to use the Rod of Janus more effectively had certainly made a difference. Although there was now an incredible amount of information that had been unlocked and downloaded into his brain, there was still nothing that would indicate what the experiment might have been, or how they could stop it. But it had helped in other ways.

It wasn't so much that his 'powers' had come with a manual, neatly categorised into what he was now capable of. But he now understood why Ben had kept telling him to listen to his heart, and let the spirit free…

Just like everything Ancient he touched, it was all driven by thought, like one big neural interface. It was his emotions, his instincts, that his energies reacted to, which allowed him to tap into the power that lay within. So he no longer struggled to contain, switch off, or compartmentalise them. They were, after all, what made him the man he was, and what drove him to make the choices he made.

Though his emotions couldn't be more extreme at the moment. Like a surging tide, his feelings would crash into him, causing his heart and mind to race like a runaway train.

One minute, he was completely overwhelmed by the fact that he was going to be a father, and then in the next, the state of his brother would bring him hurtling back down, filling his very soul with utter wretchedness. But he didn't fight for control. He just let go, and embraced them; acknowledging that was how he felt, and that it was ok to feel. Then his energies would subside, like a calming sea, and he would once again feel centred, calm and focussed.

He could feel them begin to surge once again, as his complete and utter frustration began to peek. With the almost limitless information that must be contained within the Rod, he felt sure that somewhere, hidden deep, were the answers to Dave's current state. But so far he had found nothing.

What he had found was serious amounts of Intel about the Asgard, and the Alliance of the Four Great Races; the intergalactic alliance that had been composed of the most advanced races known. The Ancients, the Asgard, the Furlings and the Nox. Sadly the Alliance had dissolved after the last remaining Ancients disappeared, but John knew that the other three races had still interacted with each other for a time.

Now that the Asgard were technically extinct, well the good guys anyway, that only left the Nox and the Furlings. And, according to Daniel, not once had SG1 encountered the illusive Furlings.

John smiled. Yeah, well, they just hadn't known where to look.

His smile sank. But none of this was going to help his brother. He refused to accept that this was how Dave's life was to end. All because he had failed to protect him.

The remorse and guilt washed over him, and he took a deep calming breath and closed his eyes, as he rode the waves once more.

He had never believed in destiny. He had always made his own way, made his own choices. But, ever since his fateful flight with General O'Neill in Antarctica, and then his life in the Pegasus Galaxy, not to mention the whole 'Legacy of Janus', he was beginning to wonder just how much of that was true.

How much was your destiny just a series of random events, and how many were options created by some supposedly 'higher beings', in order to test him?

Some would say that life was indeed a series of never ending tests.

So was their current predicament just another test? If it was, who was it for? His brother had the ATA gene, and it was strong like his own had been before he had become the Heir. So was it a test for Dave? Would he be able to ascend? If he did, would he brought right back, or would he forever be lost to the higher planes of ascension?

But, would Dave even know how to ascend?

John had at least known about Ascension, and yet it had still taken Daniel to show him the path, and that there had even been a choice. Dave had only received the cliff-notes version of 'Ancients 101', so wouldn't know the half of what was involved.

Perhaps he was supposed to be his brother's 'Guide'.

Ironic. Todd had called him that once.

Although, he wasn't sure just how he was supposed to do that, seeing as he could no longer connect with Dave. Perhaps it was a test for them both.

John slowly opened his eyes, and sighed quietly.

How could such a microscopic molecule have such devastating consequences? But then, it wasn't as though Earth didn't have their own fair share of DNA mutations. Hell, that's what Sickle Cell Disease was, not to mention all the other hundreds of destructive illnesses there were in existence. So this was just…another twist in the evolution of the human species. Well. Sort of.

Although Carson had always claimed it was a very rare gene, John had often wondered just how much of that was true. Of all the billions of people on Earth, surely there would be more of them out there. They just didn't know it.

So, when he thought of it that way, he didn't feel quite so much of a one-off. Although, he wasn't exactly you bog standard, run of the mill Ancient DNA carrier now. He was the Heir to the Legacy of Janus….

And now, he had received the seal of approval from the man himself, no less. And that felt just plain…weird. On so many levels.

But why, after everything that had happened, had Janus chosen that moment to make himself known? It didn't make any sense.

Apart from confirming that John was his rightful Heir, the definite link to his mother and that Ben would not be taken from him, Janus hadn't really said anything. Ok, so he had advised Carson to put Dave into the Stasis Chamber the moment they arrived back in Atlantis, so that they could find their answers.

John frowned.

Ben did have a tendency of speaking rather cryptically. He was clearly a devoted follower of Janus, so it would make sense if Janus would also be just as obscure.

Listen to your heart, and let the spirit free….

John breathed out deeply, then cleared his mind, and let go.

It was instant!

Could it really be that simple? Could he actually…do that?

Ben?

Si,young Heir.

Am I right?

He knew that Ben would know exactly what he was thinking…

Teachers open the door. You enter by yourself.

So, I'm…right?

The real meaning of enlightenment is to gaze with undimmed eyes on all darkness.

John's eyes widened, and slowly began to smile.

Great pep talk, thanks.

Prego.

He had his answer. John now knew what he had to do.

SGA SGA SGA SGA

Rodney couldn't take it anymore. He had been laying there, staring at the perfectly smooth ceiling, for hours. Though his arm was still aching from the gunshot wound, it wasn't that which was keeping him awake.

Sleep was now so far out of his reach that he finally resigned himself that it was a pointless waste of his precious time. He needed to be doing… something.

So, after checking that Jennifer was still sleeping deeply beside him, he carefully slipped out of bed and carefully pulled on his dressing gown over his pyjamas. Yeah, everyone mocked him for it, but it really helped when you had an epiphany in the middle of the night!

He padded silently over to his desk, picked up his laptop and took it over to the couch.

It took mere seconds to pick up his research where he had left off, and began to recap what he, with a little help from Radek, had so far managed to determine over the past two days since they had returned from Earth.

They had worked around the clock to determine whether or not the mysterious artefact was a variation of Ancient Long Range Communications device, as Daniel had suspected.

They had used the spec from the Ancient Database to compare the limited readings from the strange artefact, and none of it had matched. So Daniel had been wrong. But was it an Ancient design?

He had encountered, read and experienced quite a few 'alien' devices in his time, especially Ancient ones, and they all seemed to have one thing in common. Whether it was a symbol, a crystal or a written language, it made the creators instantly recognisable.

But there was nothing on the device. Well, not that he could identify anyway. There were markings, but they just looked like decorative swirls. So who designed it?

It didn't have the look of either Ancient or Asgard usual, almost flawless lines of their other creations. If theirs were more twenty-fifth century, this looked more like fifteenth.

Although its shape was similar to that of a Communications device, it actually looked like something Leonardo de Vinci would have designed. In fact, the shape was so similar to one of the illustrations that Rodney remembered from years ago, that he had found himself looking further into the man who had been so advanced for his time. Rodney had often wondered whether he had been an Ancient too.

"Human subtlety will never devise an invention more beautiful, more simple or more direct than nature does, because in her inventions nothing is lacking, and nothing is without purpose…"

De Vinci had always taken his inspiration from nature for his designs, and the outer shell of his 'Tank' had been based on a turtle's shell. And that was exactly what this artefact looked like.

Its oval shape did appear to have four egg-shaped holes, positioned at regular intervals around its 'shell' body. Would it have held some kind of stone or gem of some kind?

Though the construction looked somewhat metallic, its colour was more bronzed than silver, but neither Rodney nor Radek had been able to, as yet, determine just what it was made out of.

So if it wasn't Asgard, or Ancient, who created it?

Rodney had thought of asking John, who still had yet to see the device, but he had actually seen very little of his friend over the last two days. Or Teyla for that matter, although Rodney was astute enough to have noticed that she had seemed to be a little under the weather lately.

When he had seen John, he had been very quietly reserved and preoccupied, which was understandable, considering the circumstances. But he also knew that John would be undertaking his own, very particular kind of research, so Rodney had chosen to continue on his own.

He could have asked Daniel to take a look at the strange markings, but his rather competitive streak had so far stopped him from doing so. He had, after all, figured out a hell of a lot of strange technology without the help of the archaeologist before, and he was sure he could do so again.

Unfortunately he was beginning to think that he had finally hit a dead end. He could no longer keep his findings, or lack of, to himself. He would bring the artefact to the 'table' at the meeting later on.

But there was still time to take another look.

He minimised the reams of data entries, pulled up the camera feed and zoomed in on the artefact. The subtle way in which the security lights illuminated the lab just further enhanced the mystery of the thing.

"C'mon. What are you designed to do?" he murmured quietly, as he stared hard at it.

At that very moment, his laptop gave a gentle bleep.

"Ah, what now?" he whispered, instantly annoyed.

He minimised the camera feed screen, and pulled up the Power Distribution System.

"What?"

A power surge.

His heart froze.

It had come from the Stasis Chamber Room.

"Oh no…."

SGA SGA SGA SGA

Rodney chose to ignore the startled reactions from the few people he flew passed. Running barefoot down the corridors, in the early hours of the morning, with his dressing gown flying out behind him, he knew that he must look like a real crazy person!

But he didn't care. All he could think of was getting to that Room, and the source of the energy spike.

His heart was thumping painfully in his chest, though it wasn't just because of the speed in which he was running. It wasn't that the energy spike was dangerous either. He knew what had caused it.

He knew of only one person that would have dared to touch the Stasis Chamber that contained David Sheppard. But what was John about to do?

As Rodney got closer to the Stasis Chamber Room, he couldn't help but notice how suddenly empty the place had become. Even though it was late, it was unusual for the corridors to be quite so deserted.

But then, if John was about to attempt something…experimental, he wouldn't want anyone close by.

Rodney immediately slid to a halt as he reached the door of the Chamber. He bent forward, leaning on his knees as he gasped for breath, and tried to prepare himself for what might lay just beyond the door.

Though he had never had to use one himself, Rodney knew the Stasis technology only too well. The sleeper was in a state of metabolic stasis. Though they would still age, as the 'old' Elizabeth Weir had proved, the aging process was significantly slowed.

So John had been correct, from a certain point of view. But the way he had described it, John had made it sound as though his brother's deterioration was far more rapid than usual.

He took a deep breath, then stepped up to the door, and swept his hand across the sensor.

The door swished open.

The only light in the room came from the active ancient consoles and displays, but the distinct blue light of the active Stasis Chamber, at the far end of the room, was dim. It was empty.

As Rodney stepped further into the room, he immediately froze. He could see a shadow at the foot of the chamber. For a split second, Rodney felt completely vulnerable and definitely unarmed. But then, as his eyesight adjusted to the subtle lighting, he peered closer, and he saw that it was not just a shadow.

It was John. He was sat on the floor, cradling his brother in his arms.

Not wishing to disturb him, Rodney tentatively moved closer, yet John gave no indication that he was even aware of his presence, as his eyes remained firmly closed, and his expression utterly peaceful.

Rodney's vision suddenly blurred, as the poignant scene tugged painfully at his heart. Was John trying to somehow connect with him, one last time? Perhaps to say goodbye?

John then gently shifted his hold, and moved his right hand over his brother's chest, hovering for a moment before he placed it lightly over the worst affected area, grimacing slightly as he did so. John then slowly lowered his head.

Rodney's eyes widened, as realisation dawned.

And then it began.

It was slow at first, and Rodney wasn't quite sure what he was feeling, only that an incredible calm began to wash over him, like a soft blanket of warmth. It steadily grew stronger, until the light of John's ascended energy began to emanate from beneath his hand. Though it was not the usual white light of the ancients, but the same blue glow of John's eyes; the unique energy of the Heir.

Rodney hadn't witnessed many Ascended healings: only when he had saved Radek, and when John had brought Teyla back. But it was enough to know that the healing process usually only took a matter of seconds.

Rodney frowned. This was taking minutes, and there didn't seem to be any sign of John stopping. If anything, it seemed to be entering a weird kind of second phase.

The light was growing brighter as tendrils of pure energy began to grow and reach out, like roots of a tree, slowly wrapping its thin vines around David's body, across his shoulders, arms and legs until nearly every part of his him was swathed in a blue mantle of swirling energy. It grew brighter and brighter, and then began to pulse, like a heartbeat.

John then raised his head, and slowly opened his eyes, which were once more glowing brightly, and his lips were moving, as if in some silent prayer.

Rodney was completely mesmerised! This was so different than the usual ear popping sensation he'd experienced whenever John had used his powers before. This was…tender, nurturing, and unconditional. It was love. In its purest state.

A deep voice, yet no more than a whisper, seemed to vibrate the atmosphere in the room. It was John, but his voice sounded so different. It was as though he was literally channelling the powers of his ancient ancestors.

Rodney then felt a sudden chill, like someone had just opened a door to the vastness of space. The air rapidly got colder, heavier, until Rodney could see the mist of his own breath in front of his face. Yet he could feel the warmth was slowly returning, fighting against the bitter cold.

It was as though the two elements, fire and ice, were fighting for supremacy as the mist grew denser, and the atmosphere more electric.

Rodney couldn't decide whether it was down to the heavy mist, or that he was so tired, but he couldn't quite believe what he was seeing. John seemed to be fazing in and out; becoming invisible, and then reappearing, like some faltering apparition.

This was definitely no ordinary healing!

Then the chill in the air began to dissipate, and Rodney could feel the warmth growing stronger. The battle between fire and ice was slowly being won by the sheer strength of the warmth. The true power of love.

John was actually saving his brother's life.

SGA SGA SGA SGA

It wasn't the best way to wake up from a deep and wonderful dream. Particularly when he should have been asleep beside her. But when Jennifer had taken the frantic call from Rodney, virtually ordering her down to the Infirmary STAT, she had not questioned him.

She knew him only too well and respected him too much, to know that, whatever had got Rodney to leave their bed, and not reveal the cause, it had to be an emergency.

But what on earth could have happened? Was it Colonel Sheppard?

She had not been in the Infirmary five minutes before she heard heavy breathing coming from behind her.

"Ah, thank God! You're here!"

"Rodney! What's this about? What's happened?"

But her questioning instantly ceased, as the Colonel suddenly entered, carrying his brother in his arms.

"Oh my lord!" she exclaimed, and then her instincts immediately kicked in. "Over here, Colonel," as she gestured to the nearest gurney.

As he gently lowered his brother down, Rodney hovered anxiously behind him.

"What happened?" Jennifer asked as she began to check David's vitals. She couldn't help but instantly notice how… different he now looked to when they had placed him into the Stasis Chamber.

"Sheppard healed him!" Rodney blurted out suddenly.

Jennifer's head shot up to gape at the Colonel, as he threw Rodney a stern look. "A little louder, McKay. I don't think the folks on the other side of the city quite heard you."

Rodney instantly looked ashamed. "Sorry."

Jennifer couldn't help but continue to stare at the Colonel. "You…healed him?"

Surprisingly, he looked rather awkward. "Yeah."

Although everyone knew that the Colonel now had certain ascended abilities, she and Carson had quickly ruled that out as an option, seeing as he was no longer an ascended being.

"Well, are you…ok?"

He was now looking down at his brother. "I'm good. I think…Dave will be too."

She stared at him more closely. Apart from the rather predictable dismissive response that the Colonel usually gave whenever he did something miraculous, he certainly seemed alright. Perhaps a little…shaken. But, considering how close to death David Sheppard had been, it wasn't that surprising.

"I just want to be…sure, you know?"

She pulled her attention back to David. "Yes, of course. Well, I'll run some checks and then get him under a scanner."

She then began her observations in earnest, and both men went to stand over by another gurney.

She worked quickly, as she ran through all the routine observations, though she couldn't quite believe what she was seeing. But the Ancient scanner confirmed everything, and she couldn't help but smile as she made her way back towards them.

Colonel Sheppard stood completely still, with his elbow resting on top of his forearm, he was stroking his chin thoughtfully. Rodney, however, was somewhat more restless. Pacing up and down, he was doing that annoying finger clicking, fist tapping thing he did whenever he was anxious.

The Colonel's head instantly shot up and looked straight at her. Now he looked apprehensive.

"Doc? How's he doing?"

Her smile widened. "It's incredible, Colonel! All his organs and immune system seem to be completely healed. His body temperature is coming up, his heart rate and oxygen sats are all well within acceptable parameters. The skin degradation has all but completely restored, and there's no sign of his hairline skull fracture. I'd like to keep him here for observation, and run a few more tests but, at this point in time? I think I can safely say, Colonel, that you did it. You saved his life."

The Colonel instantly blew air sharply through his mouth, as he turned and leant down on the nearest gurney, then dropped his head low between his shoulders and closed his eyes. "Thank God."

Rodney glanced at Jennifer before he stepped towards him. "Look, are you sure you are ok? Maybe Jennifer…"

His head snapped up quickly and he pushed away from the gurney. He then gave Rodney a slight smile. "Rodney, I'm fine."

He then glanced at Jennifer, and nodded appreciatively at her. "Thanks, Doc. Keep me posted, ok?"

She nodded. "Of course."

With that, he strode out of the room.

For a moment, neither of them knew what to say. Then they both spoke at once.

"I'm so sorry, Jennifer, but John…"

"I'm sorry, I didn't realise…"

Both laughed rather sheepishly for a moment, and almost forgot themselves as they moved in close.

"Doctor Keller?"

They both drew back. They could pick this up later.

"Yes, what is it Marie?"

As Jennifer turned around, she could see the look of shock in her colleague's face as she stared at David Sheppard. "What's going on?"

"Well," she broke into a smile. "I think we have just seen evidence of yet another one of the Colonel's rather… special abilities."

Marie just continued to stare at the Colonel's brother. "I'll call Dr Beckett. He is going to want to see this."

SGA SGA SGA SGA

There was nothing. Just an abyss of empty silence. Floating on a sea of oblivion.

Had his prayers finally been answered? Was he dead?

No. wait. He could….feel something. Faint. A tingle.

He could suddenly remember pain. Yes, excruciating pain. It had torn through him like some ferocious beast, ripping with claws and fangs, ravaging his body until he had begged them to just let him die. Just to let it end.

Strange. The peculiar tingle did not hurt. In fact, all the pain had gone. It was no longer agony to breathe.

There it was again; the tingling sensation. What was that? Whatever it was, it seemed to be getting stronger. He suddenly had the urge to reach out and grab it, like it was a lifeline, but the void of nothingness held onto him tightly.

But he wanted to live. He wanted to escape. To go home. But how?

As if it had heard him, the tingle started to pulsate, stronger and louder, like a heartbeat. No. It was more than that. It was like a beacon, a lighthouse in the never-ending darkness. Was it showing him the way back?

David was suddenly hesitant. Would this hurt? Certainly no more than he had already experienced. Besides, what had he to lose?

He reached out with his mind, trying to grasp it. Yet it seemed just out of reach, and the darkness was holding onto him so strongly.

He was a Sheppard, damn it! Fight!

Almost….

Just…a little…further….

Got it!

He felt a sudden surge of energy as the tingling rapidly spread from his mind, down through his veins, around his organs and muscles. He clung on tightly, as he could feel the hairs on his arms, legs and chest stand on end as the electricity continued to reawaken his entire body. His heart rate increased and his breathing grew deeper. He could now feel his entire body, and the nothingness had almost gone.

Consciousness was slowly returning. His fight was almost over.

Without opening his eyes, he could sense that he was once more in the land of the living. Heightened senses, all indicative of someone awakening from a coma.

He could smell something chemical: something metallic and yet sterile. Oh no.

A gentle rhythmical beep, like a heartbeat. So they still had him hooked up to…something.

Now he dared not move.

They would know, and they would come. Which would mean more tests, more questions, and even more pain. Again.

He could hear….voices. Oh God, no….

The voices came closer.

'Easy…" said the voice. But it didn't sound like it had before.

"…coming around…"

He struggled to prise his eyes open, but they seemed to be firmly sealed shut. A sudden wash of panic flooded through him. What had they done to him? Why couldn't he open his eyes? His heart rate sped up, and once again the bleeping increased.

"David?" a heavily accented voice came close to his ear. "Deep steady breaths for me, ok?" The voice was strangely soothing, but David still couldn't open his eyes.

He tried to speak, but no sound came. Was he a mute now too? What the hell?!

He knew that if he didn't slow his breathing soon, he would start to hyperventilate, but he couldn't help it. Panic was taking hold. Could he move, or was he now trapped forever in his body? Unable to speak, move or see?

He became aware of his hand, laying at his side. He focussed on it, praying for it to move. Slowly but surely, he felt his fingers begin to twitch.

Oh thank God!

He kept going, until he could feel the crumpled sheet clenched beneath his fingers.

The voice then sounded further away. "Get… Sheppard."

Did they mean John? David's heart leapt, and then instantly went cold.

It had all been a dream. Yet another figment of their creation. They had done this to him so many times before…Designed to trap him into believing that he had been rescued, and was safely back home.

But he had caught them out, every single time.

At first, it had just been a gut feeling that something was…out of place. But as the realities began to play out, the facts had started to unravel, and things definitely didn't add up. Yet he had played along, waiting for them to slip up. His patience had paid off, as they made mistake after mistake.

Their latest 'test' had proved to be their ultimate slip up. Irrefutable evidence that they were merely drug induced dreams, when his dead mother had appeared before him, begging him not to give up hope, and that his brother was coming for him. And then the pain had reached new heights, and the nothingness had set in.

Only seconds ago, he had been frantic to open his eyes. Now, he wasn't sure that he could bear the disappointment and utter devastation if he were to once again see the same brick walls and metal bars.

He felt his panic begin to rise once again, and both hands made fists of the sheets, as his breathing became shallow and rapid.

Then suddenly, he could feel the strange tingling sensation once again, and then an incredible sense of…peace and calm.

"Dave?"

He would know that voice anywhere.

It's ok. You're safe.

The voice was now in his head. Now that had to be proof that it was another trap!

It's no trap, Dave. Trust me.

Alright. So, if this isn't a trap, what are you doing in my head?

Let's just say…it's a new talent of mine, ok?

He certainly did sound like John, but then, they always did.

You seriously think I'm going to fall for that one….again?

Again? John's tone had hardened.

David snorted in his mind. Oh. Well, this is new. Acting surprised now, are we?

He felt his anger and hatred begin to build, and yet again the sudden feeling of calm washed over him once more, but David fought hard against it this time.

Dave, listen to me….

No! You listen to me. I have had enough of your mind games. How many times do I have to tell you, I don't KNOW anything!

Ok, stop. John's voice now sounded strange. This is no dream. This is real and you are safe.

And why should I believe you?

Because I'm your brother.

That's what you said the last time.

Silence. David could hear his blood pounding in his ears.

Open your eyes. John's voice was now soft, and gentle.

David literally screamed in his mind with frustration. I can't!

Then let me help…

A gentle touch on his arm sent the strange tingling sensation shooting through his whole body, and his eyes suddenly shot open.

For a second, the light in the room was unbearably bright and incredibly painful, but then it suddenly dimmed, and he slowly began to make out shapes as his vision came into focus. It appeared that the back of the bed they had him on had been raised, so his seated position allowed him to get a good look at, not only the area, but at himself.

He was indeed in some kind of infirmary, and white coated people stood around him. As he slowly looked down, he was instantly reminded that he still could feel no pain, especially from his neck. He was covered from the waist down, but his chest was bare, and he could clearly see it looked…normal.

He felt it again: the tingling, the warmth, strangely emanating from the other side of his bed, and he carefully turned his head towards it.

"Hey buddy."

And there stood John, with a gentle smile and a twinkle in his eyes.

Was this real?

John's smile widened. "Yeah, it's real, Dave."

David opened his mouth to speak, but yet no sound came. He swallowed hard, as his mouth was completely parched, but he tried again. "Where…?" His voice sounded incredibly hoarse and gravelly.

John leant over, grabbed a glass of water from a nearby table, and held a straw to his lips. "Small sips, Dave."

David carefully did as he was bid, though all the while he couldn't take his eyes off him. Thankfully, John was now speaking out loud. But was it really him?

John slowly took the glass away, placed it on the side, and slowly perched on the edge of his bed.

"You're in Atlantis."

What? When did that happen?

"About two days ago."

Although David desperately wanted to believe that this was all real, the fact that John seemed to be able to read his very thoughts was incredibly disconcerting to say the least.

"How much do you remember, Dave? About…me?"

But David swallowed hard again. The imaginary John had asked him the same question, many, many times. "Enough."

John frowned as he shifted slightly on the bed. "Ok. What would it take to convince you that I'm me? That this is all real?"

"I…don't…know." David's throat was still tight as he forced the words out.

"Do you trust me?"

David stared warily at him. "I trust…my brother."

John's brow creased and his eyes looked earnestly at him, as he slowly reached out his hand. "Then trust me now."

David wanted so much to believe….

"Please." The pleading sound of John's voice pulled at David's heart. He hesitated for a moment.

Believe…..

David started, and quickly looked around the room. No. She wasn't here. But he could have sworn…

He looked quickly back at John, who still held out his hand. He was now smiling, as if he too had heard her voice. Without taking his eyes off him, David cautiously reached out.

The moment their hands touched, the sensation was immediate. Warmth, love and tenderness flooded his very soul, and his breath caught in his throat. Then the images began.

Playing in the pastures, riding their ponies bareback down towards the lake, climbing the old oak tree that dad had told them never to climb. Hiding from Marie in their treehouse, as she calls them in for bed….Precious childhood moments, of times long ago.

The images changed. Their mother, so quietly supportive, yet so sad. Her fading delicate beauty as the illness ravages her body. The soulful sounds of a piano, echoing down the halls. Then the empty room, and the utter desolation and emptiness, of brothers standing side by side, united in their silent grief.

Switch. Their father, railing at his younger brother, for things he had and hadn't done. A family torn apart. Packed bags. Silence.

Switch. Their father's wake. Of scenes unseen. Buttoning of a suit jacket, a silent remorseful goodbye. Torn duties. Gunfire and a fight in a warehouse. A knock on the door, and a move to build bridges.

Switch. A mystical city, bathed in the glow of the moon. Legend and fantasy become one reality. Mystical powers and incredible pain. A Legacy. Janus.

The Heir.

John.

The images instantly stopped, as David felt the sudden break in the connection.

He blinked hard as his vision settled once more, and he stared as the man opposite him slowly lowered his hand.

David swallowed hard once again, though it was not from dryness, but from emotion. "John?"

John smiled gently. "Welcome back, Dave."

SGA SGA SGA SGA

Although Teyla had learnt to accept that her morning routine would now begin with a sudden rush to the bathroom, this morning felt somehow different.

She only just made it in time. As she continued to cling onto the toilet, she couldn't help but think about the anti-sickness tablets Jennifer had given her the moment she had confirmed her pregnancy. Clearly, they weren't working.

When the retching had finally finished, she gave herself a moment to catch her breath. Teyla knew that morning sickness was due to the imbalance in hormones. She had suffered from it with Torren, although she couldn't remember it being quite as overwhelming as it was now. Perhaps Jennifer had just given her a different type of medication.

She slowly heaved herself to her feet, wiped her face and rinsed out her mouth. Her image in the mirror was now clearly reflecting her current condition. Something would have to be said, and soon, as she was finding it harder to make her excuses plausible.

She made her way slowly back towards the bed, and it was only then she truly registered that John had already left, but a small piece of paper lay on his pillow. She slowly leant down to pick it up, and smiled as she saw the familiar scrawl of his handwriting.

Hey beautiful,

Don't worry, TJ is with Amelia. Apparently they had some really important pictures to draw. Meeting is at 1200hrs, but don't feel you need to be there. I can always give you the cliff notes later.

Love you,

J

xx

She sank down on the bed, and placed a hand gently over her still flat stomach. It would not be long before she would start to show. A delicious shiver ran through her, at the thought of finally meeting the child of John Sheppard. Their child.

Unfortunately, that very thought brought back the symptoms, and she bolted for the bathroom once again.

When she finally emerged, Teyla felt absolutely shattered, and leant against the door frame.

She knew that John's absence meant that he would be working, but she had quickly begun to rely on his ability to ease her symptoms. It was not usually like her to depend so heavily on anyone, but they were now more than just a couple. They were going to be a family.

She had tried to insist that he had far more important duties to perform than to ease her discomfort, and that she was perfectly capable of dealing with morning sickness. But his silent interventions had continued, and she was incredibly grateful.

But this morning there had been nothing, which was odd, as he always did come to her aid whenever he could.

And she did feel… different.

No. Enough was enough. It was time to see Jennifer.

SGA SGA SGA SGA

The closer Teyla got to the Infirmary, the stronger her discomfort became. When she finally made it to the entrance, she leant against the doorway, and held a hand over her stomach, wishing that she could connect with the baby as she had with Torren. But it was far too soon for that.

Then she felt it; the gentle, yet strong push, as John eased her symptoms once more.

"Teyla?" Then he was suddenly standing in front of her, his concern clearly written all over his face. He looked down at her hand, which she quickly dropped, as she became only too aware of the others that stood in the room.

You ok?

Yes. Thank you.

Communicating with him through the connection of their minds seemed almost effortless now.

You sure?

She nodded slightly, then tried to give him a shaky smile, as they were in public now. "John. I… did not…expect to see you here."

Teyla tried to sound as natural as possible, but the looks from the others clearly indicated she must look as terrible as she now felt. But as she looked at him, she couldn't fail to miss the sparkle in his eyes, as he tried to control a smile.

"I have a surprise for you…"

She looked at him quizzically as he gently took hold of her elbow, and she couldn't help but smile back at him. And then, he stepped aside. She gasped, and found herself leaning into his hold, as she suddenly felt lightheaded. She couldn't believe it.

"David!"

"Hello, Teyla."

SGA SGA SGA SGA

Although David had only been conscious for a matter of hours, he had never felt so…rejuvenated in his entire life.

Though his mind was still wary that this might well be yet another trap, his heart was telling him differently. This was real, this was his brother, and he was definitely on Atlantis.

David had yet to have any private time with John, as Doctors Keller and Beckett were full of questions. They had wanted to start undertaking a few more tests, which, unfortunately, had prompted a rather embarrassing panic attack. Thankfully, John had immediately stepped in, and asked that they gave him 'a break'.

Of course, David had his own ever increasing list of questions, especially for his brother. Apart from the actual rescue, David had only to listen to the conversations going on around him, to know that John had done something…rather extraordinary.

Although he had only seen the somewhat negative side effects of John's strange powers, he had never seen them in action.

David knew that, without a doubt, he had been dying. So was that one of his brother's powers? To heal the dying? It was too incredible to comprehend…

Whatever John had done, David also needed to understand just what he was feeling, as every part of his body still tingled.

But all those thoughts took a sudden backseat, at the unexpected arrival of Teyla. She looked extremely pale, and John was far more attentive too, as he held onto her tightly. Had she been injured during his rescue? Was she ill?

Sure enough, Dr Keller moved quickly towards her. "Teyla?"

An unspoken exchange seemed to pass between the two women.

"Shall we?" The Doctor gestured for her to follow her into a nearby room. David looked back at his brother, as both women walked passed them, and he looked unmistakably anxious.

"John?"

But his brother just continued to stare after them.

David tried again. "John, is Teyla ill?"

That got his attention, though John looked at the other medical personnel that still stood around his bedside.

"Er, guys? Could you give us a minute?"

Everyone rather obediently faded away into the background, finally leaving the two of them alone.

"John?"

His brother pushed both hands in his pockets and rocked on his heels. He now looked positively proud, and his grin was infectious. "No, Dave. She isn't ill."

"But…" Then it suddenly dawned on David, and his eyes opened wide. "Is she…?"

"Yeah." John was now beaming. "Only found out a couple of days ago."

For the first time, in what felt like ages, David laughed loudly. "Oh my God, John, that's fantastic news! Congratulations!"

John instantly removed his hands from his pockets and took a quick step towards him, his voice now much quieter. "Er, it's kinda not…official yet."

David looked at him accusingly. "You mean to tell me, that you still haven't…"

"Not yet, no."

"Oh, John…" He couldn't help but sound reproving.

"Look, it's not like I…we don't want people to know. Hell, I wanna shout it from the rooftops. It's just…there just hasn't been time."

David smiled at his brother's sudden exuberance, and then it faded, as the reason instantly dawned on him as to why. They must have been so focussed on saving him, that he felt instantly guilty, though he knew it wasn't exactly his fault.

He cleared his throat. "Yes, well. I wouldn't leave it too long before you do make it public. If I can figure it in a matter of minutes, I'm sure it will not take others long to do the same."

"I know."

David looked at him, and he broke into a rather smug smile. "So I was right after all."

"About?"

David's grin widened as he folded his arms somewhat carefully across his chest. "About signing back your inheritance. It looks like you are going to need the money, and sooner rather than later."

John chuckled. "Yeah."

David felt his heart swell. His brother looked so different.

David clearly remembered watching his brother fight against his powerful abilities, and how much it had caused him pain. But now, all that inner turmoil and torment seemed to have gone. Love certainly agreed with him, as did the prospect of fatherhood.

"So?"

John raised an eyebrow. "What?"

"You know what."

John smiled, but did not reply.

So, yet another question to add to David's ever growing list. Though he had already read the answer in John's eyes.

But right now? All that could wait.

He had been rescued, and he had been healed. Although he did not yet know the particulars, he knew one thing for sure.

Their mother had been right. John had saved him.

And, for now, that was enough.

To be continued….

Post script:

Of course John was going to save his brother! Doesn't he try to save everyone?

If you look closely at the SGA episode, Before I Sleep ( 15), Janus does actually share quite a number of similarities with John: the shape of the face, the lopsided grin, the odd eyebrow raise, even his ears appear pointed in certainscenes…further proof, in my warped little mind, that they could have been related. Put their photos side by side, and you will see what I mean…

For David's return I wanted to give him a similar experience as John had on M5S-224 (S1. Ep9). A different angle on a Sheppard response, and there will be a lot more of those as this story begins to enter its second phase.

The next chapter is almost complete, which I will post soon, and I promise that there will be more answers…

As always, please let me know what you think.