"…So, Teyla is here on Atlantis?" Colonel Sheppard was unsure how he felt about this. Getting Teyla to come back to Atlantis with him had been his main aim for several months. But waking the Wraith from hibernation to do it seemed a bit drastic, even for him.

"Yep, I don't think that she will be at this meeting though. Dr Beckett said that he was keeping her in infirmary overnight for observation. She has broken leg, but will be available for visiting later." Zelenka smiled at Sheppard over his glasses. It was patently obvious how the Colonel felt about Teyla.

The two men continued along the corridor until automatic doors opened and Sheppard and Zelenka entered the briefing room. Drs Weir and Beckett along with Ford and Bates were sitting at the conference table in heated discussion. Also seated, holding a metallic beaker in his left hand and typing frantically into a laptop with his right, was a hunched figure radiating nervous energy.

"Rodney?"

He looked up, his face full of life. "Ah, Colonel Sheppard, Dr Zelenka has already briefed me on the basics, but if you could describe to me exactly what happened immediately before you entered the gate on M3H - 136, that would be most helpful."

"Rodney?"

McKay's face fell as he caught the incredulous tone and leapt to his own conclusion. "Oh no... I'm dead in your world, aren't I?"

"No, you're not dead Rodney. I would have mentioned it earlier." Aw hell, McKay's expression rang alarm bells for the Colonel. He checked for the tell-tale signs and flashed a look at Dr Beckett who, incredibly, hadn't reacted. Here was Rodney, in the throws of a panic attack and no-one had even moved. It was unbelievable. Sheppard watched as Rodney absently rubbed his left bicep. Oh no, not that too.

Acting hurriedly, Sheppard stepped over to Rodney and took the beaker out of his unresisting hand. A quick sniff confirmed that it was coffee; strong coffee. McKay stared at him in astonishment, as he placed it out of reach on the table.

"Lt Ford, escort Dr McKay to the infirmary please." Now, that got a reaction. A sharp intake of breath from Zelenka, standing beside him; an expression of total bewilderment from Dr Weir; a look on Rodney's face as if he had been slapped.

And from Ford a dubious, "Sir?"

"Lt Ford; that was an order."

"With all due respect, Sir." Sgt Bates' voice sounded unnaturally loud in the stunned silence. "You are not authorised to give orders here."

"Someone has to be giving orders, Sergeant!" During this exchange, Dr Beckett had finally reacted. He walked to McKay and started checking him over.

"You OK, Rodney?" Beckett moved swiftly and confidently through a basic check-up.

"Apparently not, Doctor." McKay allowed Beckett to manhandle him for several seconds before slapping his hand away in annoyance.

"Ach, you're fine." Beckett turned to frown at Sheppard. "Would you like to discuss this here or in private, Colonel?"

OK, here it comes, this is the bit where Beckett and I have the shouting match, thought Sheppard as he turned and left the room.

Once in the corridor, Dr Beckett confronted Sheppard; annoyed at having his professional judgement questioned in such a way, but curious as to the reasons behind it.

"Would you please tell me what just happened in there?" The Scottish brogue brought John up short. This wasn't his world and he felt out of his depth, out of control; not a pleasant sensation for a man used to being in command.

"Look, Beckett, I know things are a little different here, but when I saw Rodney in that state, I had to do something, didn't I?"

"What state? That was perfectly normal behaviour for Rodney."

"That was perfectly normal behaviour?" Come on Beckett, the guy was twitching like an angry cat.

"For Rodney, aye."

"What about the obvious pain in his arm? Was that normal?"

"Colonel, you weren't the only one I had to patch up after today's mission. Rodney took a bad whack on the arm. Why? What did you think it was?"

"I assumed it was his heart."

Ah, thought Beckett, well that explains a lot.

"There's nothing wrong with Rodney's heart. I would certainly know by now if there was. And, if there was, do you really think that I would allow him through that damn Stargate on a daily basis?"

"I'm sorry doctor. Where I'm from, Rodney has a serious heart condition and is subject to severe panic attacks. I did what I thought necessary."

"No need to apologise, son. You did right. But for God's sake, don't tell Rodney. I have enough trouble treating his own accidents and allergies, without adding someone else's."

"Thanks Beckett. Is there anything else I should know about? I don't want to make a complete fool of myself...again."

"Am I the only one who fully understands that he is not Major Sheppard?" Back inside the briefing room, McKay was becoming exasperated. Why couldn't anyone else see that this man should be treated the same as any other unknown on the base. "We need to acquire as much information from him as possible to get the Major back."

"You're just pissed 'cause he took your coffee away." Ford muttered, head down.

"Yes, you're right Lieutenant. I'm basing my conclusions entirely on his lack of manners." You could cut the sarcasm with a blunt knife.

"Gentlemen." Elizabeth smiled to herself, aware that there was a grain of truth in both men's statements.

"Look, for all we know, he is 'evil' Sheppard."

"I don't think so Rodney." Dr Zelenka felt that he had to intercede. "I have spent some time with him and he is basically John Sheppard."

"No doctor, he isn't. That's my point. Despite appearances. We know nothing about that man."

McKay turned to face Dr Weir, "Elizabeth, you must treat him as a possible threat to Atlantis."

Behind his back, Zelenka made a face. He almost wished that Ford had escorted McKay from the room. He had enjoyed talking to Colonel Sheppard. It had reminded him of his days in Prague when he was in charge of his own facility and didn't have to work alongside a Ješita¹ like McKay. No, that was unfair. He enjoyed working with Rodney ... some of the time... most of the time in fact. It was a challenge, both to keep up with him and to keep from thumping him.

"...If that is OK with you doctor?" Zelenka realised that Dr Weir had been speaking to him.

"I'm sorry?" He flashed a quick grin.

"Rodney was suggesting that you might like to act as liaison with Colonel Sheppard while he is here, since you appear to be part of his team in his reality." Zelenka turned in surprise towards McKay who was wearing his 'martyr' look. Ha, he evidently didn't like the idea that he was not universally in charge – or should that be multiversally?

"Yes, yes, is fine by me."

Ješita¹ – smug/arrogant man.