Chapter 12: Best Laid Plans John's POV

Silently, I sat, waiting, knowing the reactions would come, and the questions. The ones I didn't have any answers to. Who was this man? Why did he hate me so much? Call me a murderer? My stomach knotted, warring between fury at the damage this madman had already done, and fear of what he may dig up. There were so many regrets, so many mistakes in my past that I wanted to stay buried. Especially here, where I'd gotten the second chance, the fresh start, I had thought was beyond my reach after Afghanistan. So, now I watched as my friends examined the object that could be tearing holes in the walls protecting me from my demons.

Predictably, Rodney was the first to say anything. "Somebody really doesn't like you. What'd you do, steal his ascended girlfriend?"

Normally, I would have had an equally smart ass answer to that. It was an effective way of defusing tension that Rodney and I had down to an art form, but this time I just stared at him.

"I don't know. But it ends now."

I saw him flinch hard at the cold edge to my voice, taking an unconscious step back and knocking into an equally shocked Carson. I just didn't care. Elizabeth, however, was giving me a penetrating stare, eyes narrowed suspiciously. I met her head on.

"Elizabeth, this is a military situation, correct?"

It was more of a statement, a respectful warning of my intentions, then a question. I had a great deal of respect for this woman, this diplomat who offered hope and friendship to all, but had proved she could lead with an iron fist when necessary. The last thing I ever wanted to do again was undermine her publicly, but I also needed her to allow me to take the lead on this one.

"What do you need done, Colonel Sheppard?"

Softly, I let out the breath I had been holding. In that simple question was all the trust, the foundation of the friendship, the partnership, that we had built in the last two years. She would follow my lead.

Elizabeth, you never cease to amaze me.

I felt the tension that had filled the room with my original question drop just the slightest bit at her calm answer. Many of those here knew the history behind those simple remarks, knew how painful it had been for both of us to find the balance we now had. Unfortunately, that tension wouldn't be staying gone for long. What I was about to say next would lead to explosions from at least two of them, especially since my legs were still shaky enough that I really hadn't been able to object when Dr. Kirran insisted that I use the wheelchair. Of course, I really didn't have much control over what I'd have to do, either. At the moment, my unknown enemy was on the offensive, while I was strictly on the defense deep within my own territory. Not a good position in the military or football. I needed to turn this around, fast, before anyone else was hurt or killed because of me.

"Rodney, can you pull up a map of Atlantis on your pad along with which systems are operational at the moment?"

With a contemptuous snort, he retrieved the requested item.

"Of course I can. And speaking of systems, how did the man who thinks computer repair involves fire arms lock down the gate shield! While playing zombie in the infirmary, I might add!"

Rodney was definitely a little put out with me over that one. Too bad I didn't have the luxury of drawing this one out, I could have had tons of fun with it. Instead, I needed to answer him without giving away the precious secret I carried to any unfriendly ears potentially listening. The slightest hint of a smile quirked up the side of my mouth as I recalled the real reason I'd woken so suddenly...

Earlier...

With an almost audible snap, I was fully conscious once again. Only I wasn't in the Atlantis infirmary. Quickly, I stood, eyes darting around the familiar room. Did I dare to hope?

"Allie?"

For a long moment, I stood in the silence, grief beginning to well up once again. Then...

"John?"

Her call was so weak that I almost didn't hear it. Fear jolted me into movement, frantically searching the balcony area futilely until I recalled where I had found her once before. Kneeling down, almost not daring to look, I peered under the main computer console. Two large, terrified, pain-filled blue eyes met mine. Allie. Alive.

I barely felt it as my body crashed into part of the console, no longer responding to my commands to stay upright. My vision grayed for a long moment, then small hands were patting my cheeks, tear-filled voice frantic.

"Please stay with me! I need you! Please, John!"

Gathering my will, I forced myself back once more just as little arms went around me, squeezing with all their might. Gently, I hugged her back. A gasp of pain, however, had me struggling to prop myself up, to push her away to examine her.

Firmly, she shook her head, stopping me. "I'm okay. Just really scared. That man wants to kill you and I don't understand why! You help people!"

"I don't know either, Allie." I reached out and lightly brushed the tears from her pink cheeks, noting with alarm the strained white cast to her features. "Did he hurt you?"

Her head instantly dropped, hiding her face from me. I had to strain to hear her whispered answer. "He hurt Atlantis and he hurt you. I...I couldn't stand it, so I cut myself off from everything, I ran. I'm sorry, I should have been there to help you!"

I closed my eyes, pulling her back into a tight hug, heart quaking at the thought of what might have been. My little girl...

"No sorry's. You did exactly what I told you to do. I'm so proud of you, kiddo." My hand cupped her chin, forcing her to look me in the eye. "If they get Atlantis fixed, will you be all right?"

"Yes. There's just so much damage right now, so many systems down. And the power surges...they hurt. It makes me weak. I sealed the gate, though. He was gonna take you through!"

The self-satisfied smirk on her face was one that I was very familiar with. Except I usually only saw it in a mirror. A wave of fatigue washed through me again, threatening to pull me away. Must have been because of my injuries somehow...

"Just what did you do?" I grated out, fighting to stay with her just a little longer.

"I locked the shield with your command codes, like that snake-guy did with his program. Now you can go get rid of the mean guy an' he won't be able to hurt anyone again."

The absolute, innocent faith of that nonchalant statement momentarily took my breath away. The unshakable trust of a child, even a computerized one, never ceased to amaze me. I was here, the adult, so everything would be fine. She didn't have any doubts any longer. It scared me to death.

"Allie, I don't want you tangling with this guy again. He's proved he'll go after you and I need to know that you're safe, okay? I want you to tuck yourself back into that corner you found and stay there until this is over."

She stiffened, lip puffing out in an angry pout.

"I can help!"

Another wave of dizziness, tugging me down...

"No! You help by being safe! Promise me!"

The last thing I saw before waking in the infirmary to Bethany Kirran's frantic shaking was one reluctant nod of a curly blond head.

Present...

"I had a wee bit of help with that one, Dr. Smartypants."

I could almost see the gears begin turning in McKay's head as he puzzled that one out. First, the slack jaw with the eyes to the side, thinking, then the flash of comprehension, and lastly, the annoyed look directed at me.

"You mean... She..."

"Yes." I cut off further comment with a quick shake of the head, knowing the 'run of the mouth' disease that the scientist suffered from. Surprisingly, the man seemed to be genuinely relieved to get the news. I had thought that Allie truly drove him nuts!

"At least something has gone right." Elizabeth ghosted me a smile before the somber mood descended on the room once more. "What are you suggesting we do?"

I sighed, "Gather everyone here, in the Central Command Tower, then seal it off from the rest of the city. That should give our own people protection, as well as an escape route if things go really wrong. Shut down and take all the Naquadah generators with you, as well as the ZPM. If we can limit what this guy can do, I may be able to deal with him before we lose any more lives."

I sat back and chaos erupted.

"Sir, without back-up, you'll be a sitting duck! We can form teams to-"

"John Sheppard, if you think for one moment that I'm letting you take on a madman alone-"

"Son, ya can't possibly-"

"-Colonel Martyr! You're not indestructible!"

"-believe this to be a wise course. We may-"

"You won't go alone, Sheppard."

The voices, words, overlapped and fought with each other, but all said essentially the same thing. They wouldn't allow me to face this madman alone. The problem was I didn't agree with them.

"Listen!" My sharp shout tore through the babble, bringing them all back around to stare at me. Once again, I focused on Elizabeth, my leader, my support, my friend.

A very angry one right now, however.

Her body stance was rigid, arms firmly crossed, jaw tightened, eyes flashing. Usually when I saw her like that, I found an excuse to be on another planet as fast as possible. Not that those excuses ever worked...

"This guy, for whatever reason, wants me. Anyone who gets in his way has wound up dead and I'm not going to put any more lives at risk! He killed the two marines guarding me in the infirmary without anyone even noticing just because they were in the way when he wanted to leave me his damn message! I need-"

"Colonel Sheppard!"

I jumped as my ear piece, which I didn't even remember putting on, went off.

"WHAT!" I growled, then sharply reined in my temper. "This is Sheppard."

"Sir, its Lieutenant Thomas. I'm on the security sweep by your quarters. There's something here you really need to see, Colonel."

Hell, what now?

"I'll be right there, Lieutenant."

I started to get up, only to be pressed firmly back into my seat by several hands.

"Oh no ya don't, son. We're all goin' and yer ridin' in the chair."

"I'll take him, Carson."

Elizabeth steered me out the door, leaving me no choice but to enjoy the ride, or risk a broken ankle by trying to jump out. Grinding my teeth in irritation, I settled on the former idea. Without a word, I was pushed into the transporter, Elizabeth and Carson crowding in with me, to the apparent disgust of Ronon. The Satedan looked ready to reach in and yank Beckett firmly out when the doctor hit the button.

One flash of light and a few seconds later, the doors opened and we moved out into... a room I instantly recognized as being on the far uninhabited side of Atlantis. Then the power went off and we were left in absolute darkness.

"This guy is really starting to piss me off!"