Dreams Come True, Chapter 6

Lt. Colonel John Sheppard is standing in the Cheyenne Mountain infirmary staring down at an unconscious Canadian scientist. He still can't believe they managed to track him down at the Broadmoor this morning – at 4am no less. It's a good thing that Elizabeth sleeps like the dead after...yeah, probably not good to think about that now.

"Just a quick hop into Canada and back," his CO had said. "You'll be back in time for brunch."

John looks at his watch. Crap. It's almost one o'clock and Elizabeth is probably fuming by now. All she woke up to this morning was a hastily scribbled note of apology and a promise he'd be back in time to have lunch with her. Now it's almost past lunch time and he's still here babysitting the damn scientist.

The guy had upped and fainted 5 minutes into the flight. He hadn't even done any barrel rolls like he usually does to freak out new fliers. This scientist must be pretty important to require flying him in on an F-15. John should probably let an airman take over, but he did feel some responsibility to make sure the idiot was okay after fainting in his plane. Elizabeth would understand, right? Damn. He is so sleeping on the couch tonight.

"Ohhh," comes a groan from the bed. "Where am I? What happened?"

"You're in Cheyenne Mountain," explains John. "I picked you up this morning in my F-15, you fainted, and got dragged in here."

"Do you have to say faint? Can't you call it –"

"Yeah, yeah. You'd rather I say you passed out. Whatever. Now that you're awake, I have to get the hell out of here."

John turns to leave.

"Wait!" The scientist is trying to sit up. He looks a little queasy and John takes a step back. The last thing he needs right now is to get hurled on. "Wait. Do I know you?"

"We met this morning." John wonders if the guy hit his head on something in the fighter.

"No. I mean before that. Because I could swear I've met you before. Maybe at a convention somewhere?"

"I don't really hang out at ner – uh, scientific – conventions. Look, I really have to-"

"Colonel!" Lt. Ford says as he walks into the infirmary. "I was wondering who they dragged in to fly this morning."

"Ford," John responds. "You stuck with babysitting duties today?"

"Hey! I know you too!" comes from the bed. "And could you call it something other than babysitting?"

"Sorry." John's back is to the bed, so he rolls his eyes dramatically. Ford grins. "Lt. Aiden Ford, I'd like to introduce you to Dr. Rodney McKay. You will be escorting him today. But don't worry. Apparently, an artifact of passing out in an F-15 is thinking you know everyone, so you shouldn't have to introduce him to too many people."

"Ha. Ha," says McKay sarcastically before turning to Ford. "You've never met me either?"

"No sir," answers Ford, but there's a quick flash of uncertainty in his eyes as he says it.

"I swear you guys look really familiar," says McKay.

"Colonel Sheppard could be right. You may be experiencing déjà vu after losing consciousness."

"Look kids," interrupts Sheppard before the scientist can start in on his own theories. He's met enough other scientists to know they always have theories. "As much as I'd like to stick around and discuss the aftereffects of unconsciousness, I have to go pick up my wife before she decides she doesn't want to be my wife anymore."

John jogs out of the infirmary and Ford turns to Dr. McKay.

"Are you ready to go, Dr. McKay?"

"Uh...sure." McKay doesn't move, but stays on the bed with a perplexed look on his face. "He's married?"

"Yeah. Yesterday was their five year anniversary, which is why she's probably not too happy with him being here today."

McKay swings his legs over the side of the bed, then freezes. A look of sudden understanding and fear crosses his features. The scientist looks like he's going to be sick.

"Dr. McKay? Should I get a doctor or, uh, a basin or something?"

"No." Rodney's face is pale when he looks up at Ford. "Tell me, lieutenant. Is his wife's name Elizabeth?"

TBC...