Thanks as always for the reviews guys. I know this is very different from my others but I wanted a change. Don't worry John lovers (like everyone on the planet!) He'll be popping up soon so hang in there. Please!

Chapter 3

"What?" Elizabeth choked out then laughed, a little hysterically. "If this is your idea of a joke Carson, cause if it is it's really not that funny!" When he never replied she began shaking her head and pacing the small room. "This can't be happening! I'm not crazy, oh god-"

"Elizabeth" Carson said gently while slowly approaching her. "You need to calm down. I know this is a shock but it's reality. Okay? This is the real world."

She stopped pacing and glared at him. "Reality? No! Reality for me has been living in Atlantis for the past two years!"

As she took a second to catch her breath Carson used this opportunity to place a hand on her shoulder. "Elizabeth, listen to me" he ordered quietly and her brown eyes focussed on him. "What do you think is more realistic? Being here on Earth? Or living in a flying alien city in another galaxy?"

Elizabeth opened her mouth to retort but couldn't think of anything to say. He had stumped her by stating the obvious. It did sound crazy. After a minute mulling over his questions she shook her head again.

"No, I'm not crazy." She stated and stared defiantly at him. "I have memories of the expedition! How do you explain that Carson?"

Carson sighed in defeat and then looked over his shoulder. "Ross, bring me Elizabeth's box please. Number 227."

"Yes doctor." The nurse replied and he disappeared.

The two left stood in silence and Carson waited patiently as Elizabeth examined his face. She was looking out for any flaws but saw none. He appeared to be Carson Beckett. He stood watching her with his hands clasped in front of him still holding the needle and she knew it was a silent threat.

Eventually Ross returned carrying a large white box and placed it in the middle of the room.

"Thanks lad." Carson said and handed him the needle.

He knelt beside the box and took of its lid. Reaching inside he brought out a thick book and to Elizabeth it looked very much like a journal. She gave Carson a confused look.

"What is that?"

"This" He replied holding it out to her. "Is where your memories have come from."

Still frowning Elizabeth snatched the journal and opened it to look at the first page. The page was full of her neat handwriting and several sketches of Ancient artefacts. As she began to read Elizabeth felt her stomach tie in knots.

The page detailed the diplomat's first trip to the Antarctica outpost after leaving the SGC. It described her first encounter with Dr Rodney McKay and some of the alien devices. Trying to ignore the wave of nausea that washed over her Elizabeth flipped over to another page further on. This one described the drone incident and her first meeting with John Sheppard.

Glancing up she waved the journal at Carson. "So, what? Are you saying all these people don't exist?"

"Most of them don't. You created them."

Elizabeth scoffed and turned to another page. After scanning it too she slammed it shut.

"So, Rodney? John? Teyla? None of them exist?"

"Actually they do. Most of the people you wrote about in great detail included those significant in your real life." Carson explained. "But, for example, Rodney McKay is a high school physics teacher and you've been very good friends for almost 10 years. In those journals you claimed you only met him 2 years ago."

"We did! We met at the SGC!" When Carson frowned at the name she elaborated. "Stargate Command! General O'Neill is in charge there."

The doctor shook his head. "If such a place exists I've never heard of it lass." He told her still standing patiently.

"No, I…" Elizabeth trailed off and felt as if her world was crumbling. Have I really been imagining everything? "Why now?"

"Excuse me?" Carson asked.

"Why are you telling me this now?" Elizabeth asked quietly looking unsure.

"When you first came in you reacted violently to the nurses. You thought they were…what was it? Ah, Wraith. Gave Ross here a black eye." He told her pointing to the nurse behind him with his thumb. The nurse shrugged and nodded, slightly embarrassed. "You've been sedated the majority of the time. However, I felt it was a risk to continue that so we will only use it now in extreme cases."

As his words sank in Elizabeth peeked in the box and saw many other books. The more he told her the more she was beginning to believe him. Feeling unsteady she stumbled backwards and leaned against the padded wall.

Carson bit his lip and then pushed the box towards her. "Read them. It may help explain all this."

Elizabeth felt numb but managed a curt nod and slid down the wall until she was in crouching position. As Carson turned to leave she called out to him.

"Wait! What about the others? John, Rodney. Can I see them?" she asked and Carson made a pensive face. "Please?" she whispered pleadingly her eyes filling up with tears.

"I'll see what I can do." He said softly and then followed Ross out of the room and closed the door.

Elizabeth let the tears fall silently down her face as she picked up another journal. Sniffing she shakily opened the book and wiped her eyes so she could see the words better.

After reading through 3 of the books Elizabeth glanced wearily around the room. She could accept the possibility of no Atlantis. But having imagined all the people she had met, it was scary to even think about.

Did Peter Grodin not die then? Did he even exist? What about Lt Ford? The entire Wraith attack? Who am I to John and Teyla?

As hundreds of questions zoomed through her mind Elizabeth began to rock in her crouching position. Throughout the mixed emotions of fear, panic and doubt Elizabeth just hoped she would see another friendly face soon before she really lost her mind.

A/N: Liz gets a visit in the next chapter. Who could it be? Please read and review!