Title: Out of Control
Author: SlayersGrl
Summary: A routine trading mission goes awry when a member of Atlantis's flagship team is taken hostage by a mysterious entity.

Author's note: Sorry for the sudden sappiness of last chapter… It decided it wanted to have a tragic history. Ah well… on with the show. Although, I think "It" needs to give itself a name… Any suggestions?

Chapter 8: Alone

The avatar ended the video transmission and then added, "The planet known as Argos was the 32nd to be decimated by the race known as the Wraith. There were no survivors."

Teyla understood how the entity must be feeling. Her people had been living with such a possibility for generations. "There was nothing you could have done."

"You're wrong!" it exclaimed, taking a step backward. "I was the only one who could do anything. Only I could activate the weapons platform."

Ford jumped at that statement. "There are weapons on Argos? What kind of weapons?"

The entity sighed and then leaned back against the wall. "It doesn't matter anymore. I couldn't do it in time. They were all destroyed in the Wraith attack."

"All you had to do was power the stuff, right?" McKay asked. "Why didn't it work?"

"Because I never learned how to do it."

Everyone stared blankly at the major for a moment before Teyla broke the silence. "You were just a child."

It nodded its head sadly before sliding to the floor in a heap. The major then wrapped his arms around his knees and leaned his head forward. "I screwed up. I thought they had abandoned me because of it. I didn't know they were all dead."

"Why did you stay in the temple?"

The entity took a moment to answer and when it did the response was so soft Teyla almost missed it. "Because I got stuck."

"You got stuck?" she asked, trying to make sure she had heard it right.

"Yes, I got stuck. I didn't know how to get back out of the technology once I had entered it. So, I had no choice but to stay."

McKay decided to jump in on the conversation at this point. "Until the major showed up. The gene activated the ancient device allowing you to free yourself."

Teyla kneeled down on the floor, trying to get better look at the entity. "But why did you hide your existence from us. We would have helped you."

"I didn't know that. Look how you have treated me so far."

"You instigated the whole thing by drawing a weapon against Teyla," Ford interrupted. "And you're still holding the major hostage. What would you expect us to do?"

It raised its head to look the man in the eyes. Hidden in their depths was a look of desperation. "I am sorry about how the events have played out. But I was afraid you'd leave me behind if I revealed what I was and what I had done. I needed something to bargain with. I had no choice but to take Major Sheppard."

"And what about now? We know about what happened and we don't judge you for it. You could let him go."

It closed its eyes and shook its head. "Your leader asked me what I wanted from our agreement. While it's true that I want to explore other worlds, that is not all I desire. I don't want to go by myself. I need him. I won't be alone again."

"And what about what Major Sheppard wants?" Ford exclaimed. He could hardly believe the attitude this creature had for others. All it cared about was its own selfish desires. "Have you even asked him?"

"Asked him?" it replied, sounding like it had never even considered the concept.

"Yes, asked him. As in, had a conversation with the man whose body you've taken over. This isn't some game you know. You can't just decide something like this and expect everyone to go along with it."

"All the previous hosts were willing participants… Very well. I must first carry out my end of the bargain and then I will have a discussion with Major Sheppard." It then rose from its position on the floor and looked pointedly at Ford, waiting for him to lead the way to Dr. Weir's office.

Ford was more than ready to hear from Sheppard, as was the rest of his team. They again formed a circle around the major and headed back the way they had came. Fifteen minutes later, they had gathered Dr. Weir and were all seated comfortably in the room they had to taken to using for briefings.

"How was the tour?" Weir began, deciding it would be best not to antagonize the entity at this point.

"Most enlightening," it responded. "And since you have kept your promise…" The voice trailed off as it lowered its head and closed its eyes. Then it immediately leapt from the chair, a startled expression plastered on the major's face.

"What the hell's going on!" he exclaimed.

"Major Sheppard? Is that you?"

"Uh, last time I checked…" John replied, cautiously returning to his seat.

Teyla asked, "What's the last thing you remember?"

He took a moment to think about the question. "We were at the temple… the planet Argos… they wanted me to sit in some chair… Crap!" He quickly scanned the occupants of the room. "Everyone's okay, right?"

"We are well, Major. It is you we are concerned about."

He visibly relaxed after hearing his team was okay. He vaguely remembered pointing a gun at Teyla and then intense pain. As he sorted through his hazy memories, he realized he was missing something… How did they get the thing out of his head? His eyes flickered to Weir. "Please tell me that thing isn't still inside me!"

She nodded sadly. "I'm sorry. We haven't figured out to free you yet."

"It seems to have possessed you, sir." Ford added.

"So exorcise it already!"

"It's not that easy," McKay explained. "It seems to be a highly conscious life form. Albeit, a lonely one… It, uh, seems to think you should be its traveling companion."

"Don't I have any say in all this?"

Ford nodded enthusiastically. "That was my thought exactly sir. We convinced it to have a talk with you."

Sheppard looked at him incredulously. "And how am I supposed to have a little chat with the thing inhabiting my head?" His team never had a chance to reply. The major instantly slumped forward over the table, unconscious yet again.