Chapter 12

It was a few weeks later that was it time for Alison to send a report to the foundation. She sat staring at her computer at her work station debating whether it was a good idea to include her suspicions of John Sheppard's identity. She had gotten to know the man and he was a good man and friend. She had heard rumours about an incident in the infirmary and she had been quite concerned about him especially since john had been a little reluctant to seek help with it and would brush of the concerns with a simple 'I'm fine'.

John appeared to be a very private person very much like John Sinclair was. Knowing that John had some obvious issues with his memory she could not help be concerned if his past memories started to resurface especially things relating to his last case before he disappeared.

After staring that her current report for over an hour she decided that weighing all the pros and cons that it was best for Macgyver to know the truth. She detailed all her observations and recommended that Macgyver be allowed to read into the project. She hoped that he would be allowed to visit Atlantis. Feeling that this was the right thing to do she saved the document and readied for the data burst that was going to be sent to Stargate command later that day.

Despite her convictions regarding informing Macgyver that his nephew was in fact alive, she was still unsure on whether to tell John Sheppard that she knew who it was. Building up some courage she decided to approach Rodney Mackay first, and seek his advice. Knowing that Rodney was his friend she wondered if perhaps he could give her some insight into how to approach John without hurting him.

Gathering to the USB she left her work desk and headed towards the lab where Rodney was completing his current project.

Rodney was not alone where she approached she noticed that he was having an intense conversation with Radek about the power systems.

'I don't care if you think that using this algorithm would cause a small data purge, we have been working on this for weeks and this is all we have' she heard Rodney shout. 'But Rodney we do not know what this data purge will do to other systems' she heard the little Czech man reply. Rodney seemed to sigh and nod his agreement, but she could see that he was not happy that this project was going to take a little longer to resolve.

Seeing Radek wonder away with his data pad she slowly walked over to where Rodney was staring at the marker board. Rodney sensing her approach quickly made her know it was her that he was too busy for idle chitchat 'and Miss Mallory make it quick I don't have all day' he quickly snapped. 'Ok' she paused ' and who stole all your cookies today; she replied and then pausing suddenly realising that she had not meant to say that out loud. Rodney huffed in surprise and turned his full attention to her.

'Well Miss Mallory I have had one of those days where everyone does not appear to know what they are supposed to be doing today, please don't tell me you are another one' he asked, he continued to stare at her whilst he was waiting a response.

Sighing to herself she then continued on ' Well Mackay I have my report to add onto the data burst as requested'. Pulling the USB out of her pocket she handed it to the smaller man. Surprised he gave a quick 'thank you' before continuing with 'at least one person is on time to day with this' putting it on the side along with a number of other USB's he had.

Expecting her to then turn and leave he then looked up again to see that she trying to decide how to phase her next question. Deciding to help her out of her current predicament he asked ' Miss Mallory if that is all, and if not can you please spit it out'. Taking this as a prompt to ask she quickly decided to ask her question before she lost all courage.

'Rodney what do you know about Colonel Sheppard's past?' Rodney continued to stare at her like she had a second head. 'Don't tell me Sheppard has another fan, on man Kirk is at it again' rambling it did not expect her response to his rant, 'Rodney I'm serious, have you noticed any anything weird about John?'. Rodney was not sure how to respond to that question.

'Who are you?' Rodney quickly asked 'and why the sudden interest in the colonel?'. Rodney was now pacing and looked worried. 'If you're working for the IOA I have nothing to say to you, John is a good man 'he gestured.

Stopping him mid rant she decided to continue on cautiously 'no, no Rodney it isn't like that and no I don't work for the IOA, 'hoping that this was enough to appease his concerns.

'Then what's going on' he whispered no wanting others to listen in. Deciding that it was best to tell the truth she began her story.

'I work for an organisation called the phoenix foundation' seeking Rodney nod his understanding she carried on. I have worked for them since 2001 and when I first came on broad I was partnered with the best when I first came on broad I was partnered with two men by the name Macgyver and his nephew John Sinclair.' She could see that Rodney recognised the names.

'They were the best, in 2003 we were split up and Macgyver went back to working freelance and john went undercover. John was sent to gather intel on a drug cartel that was also trafficking women.' She paused and allowed Rodney to digest the information. Rodney before she continued decided to ask a question as he was still not sure what this had to do with his John.

Sensing what was about to be asked she quickly covered with 'I'm coming to that, shhh.' Taking this as her point to continue without any further interruptions she proceeded 'John was working on the inside and was close to getting the racket shut down, unfortunately the head of the cartel took a shine to John.' She paused a moment to allow herself to gather the courage to say what came next. Rodney was attentive awaiting patiently to see where this was going.

Taking a breath she carried on with the story 'One day, John met up with me to feed back intel, he was shaking and covered in bruises, when I questioned it became apparent that he had been beaten and raped'. Rodney gasped ' I asked him to come away, he told me that the boss was obsessed with him, he told me that he was close to the boss and in a few days he would be able to get the info needed to close them down for good.' Needing to know why 'to get him to come in' at this she started to cry, 'his last words were I need to do this and make sure that they cannot ever hurt anyone gain, that was the last time I saw him. The cartel was brought down a week later and all members arrested.' Before Rodney could ask she finished with 'john was nowhere to be found and when we questioned members of the cartel, they just smiled'. Breaking down completely Rodney hugged her awkwardly.

Thinking about she told him he needed to know more, seeing that she had calmed slightly he sat her down and offered a tissue to dry her tears. Seeing a much calmer person to answer questions he started 'what was he like?' she smiled before replying 'he was smart, but he liked to hide it, he was kind and cared about others more than himself. He was brave and funny, sound familiar Rodney' staring at his face seeing his reaction to what she was implying.

'I know that you believe John to be this Sinclair person, but it's not possible. John has a family and he has been in the air force for years' he expressed. However, there also appeared to be slimmer of doubt in what he was saying. Rodney remembered the conversation with Carson about the incident with John in the infirmary and the indication that he had been raped. Alice could see that he was considering something. 'Something happened? ' she accused.

'I don't know, I mean can it be possible' now no longer sure about his own certainties. Knowing that the only way now to be sure was to confront John was scary, as he didn't know how he would react. Rodney treasured John's friendship but he also knew that there was something wrong with John and he needed help before it torn him apart.

Looking again at Alice at that moment he decided that he would help her, 'ok what do you want to do?'.