A/N: Ya'll really rock! I'm glad you are enjoying my little tale. Got me blushing. Now on with the show.

Chapter 16

"We stabilized him. The little critters repaired any damage. It also means they took from him too. We are just trying to keep the balance and we are losing ground." Beckett looked at the group gathered in the infirmary. "On a positive note, Col. Sheppard remembers what happened. A computer in a side room of the lab, it burned Rodney's hand. We need to check it out," requested Carson.

"I saw it." Stackhouse fiddled with his hands as he leaned against the infirmary wall. "I didn't get a chance to get a really good look at it."

"It's all right Sergeant; I think you were busy. We'll send a team back." Weir sighed. The Ancients reminded her of those neglectful parents who left the Mr. Clean out on the counter. The expedition was like the two year old child, who found it and took a big gulp thinking it was Mountain Dew.

"In order for you to use the Stargate, I will have to sedate Col. Sheppard. Of course, the little buggers in his system will eat it like candy. You have to be quick."

"Why?" Weir asked.

"Anything that is not supposed to be there, they fix or eliminate. This makes him worse. They are using his own minerals and other reserves to create new nano-bots to deal with each new task." Carson was waiting for Sheppard to blow up like Violet in Willie Wonka. Instead of juice, he would be filled to the brim with nano-bots. "We are replacing his fluids and nutrients, but it is a Catch 22. Once again, it comes down to trying to maintain a balance."

Weir acknowledged Beckett and turned her attention to Radek. "Dr. Zelenka, I will send you and a team to the facility. Choose who you need to go with you."

"Ma'am, you can take a Jumper. There are no buildings around the Gate anymore." Stackhouse looked at her and then at the curtained off area of his Commanding Officer.

"Thank you Sergeant." She nodded her head at him. She noticed the weariness of everyone. It had only been just a little over 24 hours since the entire mess had started. In contrast, the afternoon sun shone brightly in one of the windows. It was way too cheerful for the mood in the room.

"Dr. Zelenka, how is the reprogramming of the diagnostic bed coming?"

"We have hit a few snags. The bed will not accept our commands. It keeps deleting the program; we are stumped." He shrugged. "We will keep trying."

"Understood. Thank you. You will leave with the team in 2 hours."

Everyone collected their things and made for the exit. Weir walked over to Sheppard's bed for a short visit.

--------------

She was alone in her room. It was time.

"Teyla, Teyla, you're my little gal," sang Rodney low enough the guards did not hear him. Then, he spoke louder.

"Sing a song of sixpence,
Look at Sheppard's eyes,
Four and twenty blackbirds baked in a pie.
When the pie was opened, The birds began to sing,
What a tasty dish to set before Rodney!"

The guard ignored his little ditty and kept his eyes straight ahead.

He went back to singing his little, quiet tune. "Teyla, Teyla, help me out now. I'm not going back. Go on little girl give that nasty guard a zap."

A thump was heard outside the door. The guard inside clicked his radio.

"Graves?"

The door opened and Teyla immediately shot the guard with a hand held stunner.

McKay smirked and commanded, "Turn off the shield; it's time for me to go."

She did as asked and the field dropped. She disengaged the lock on the door and Rodney stepped out.

"Thanks."

He walked over and relieved the guard of his sidearm, stunner and knife. He threw the stunner to Teyla.

"You'll need this. Since I'm the one who will have to bypass security, I'll need my hands free." He looked down and nudged the guard with his foot. "Ciao ladies."

McKay jogged out of the brig with Teyla bringing up the rear.

--------------

As the brig's force shield dropped, Sheppard's eyes flew open. He was connected to the sensors as they tracked two armed individuals picking their way through Atlantis. He made a request of the little scamps in his body. He rose from the bed disconnecting everything attached to him. The monitor alarms chirped piercingly.

He was gone before the nurse rounded the corner to check on the noise.

--------------

Someone was slowing them down. Certain doors would not open and the transporters would not work. Sheppard. He could get around all that. He was leaving, no matter what.

It was late, not much foot traffic. He and Teyla finally entered the command center and as silently as possible incapacitated the four individuals on duty. He motioned Teyla to stun the remaining on-duty personnel patrolling the Gate room floor. He closed and locked the doors to the entire area and started dialing the Gate.

It would not accept the symbols.

"You're locked out McKay." Sheppard stood just inside the side entrance way of the Gate room. "Security is on the way."

"Teyla dear, kill him."

Teyla discarded the stunner, descended the stairs, aimed her sidearm and fired. Each shot found its mark.

Sheppard watched as each bullet impacted the wall behind him. He looked at McKay and gave a half smile. He then focused on Teyla. She was conflicted.

"Teyla, I knew you were stronger than that. Do not let that bastard continue to control you."

The fight played out in her body language and facial features. She walked up to Sheppard and purposely left herself open.

"Sorry." He punched her. She hit the floor with a thud.

"No fun! No fun!" Rodney shouted. He jumped over the balcony and landed lithely on the Gate room floor. He stalked over to Sheppard.

"You arrogant, self-righteous, plebeian hypocrite!" McKay sneered. "You! You think your way is the only way. You think only your mistakes are forgivable. You dare to condescend towards me. I am clearly your better. I am not going back. I like this. I make a good team." McKay stepped over Teyla and stared him right in the face.

Sheppard stared back. The request he had sent to his little minions was to help him fix an error. He needed to walk to do that and so they stimulated his muscles for him to carry out the task. He could walk and stand, but not much else. OK, maybe throw one punch, but that was about it. The bitter irony was in order to help him; they were killing him. What a lark.

McKay pushed him back against the wall easily.

"OK freakshow, what do I do first? Fry Teyla's brain or disembowel you where you stand?"

Rodney held him at arms length with one hand and traced the borrowed knife across Sheppard's belly with the other.

Sheppard returned the stare with one of outward apathy. McKay had expected some concern for Teyla at the very least. He did not expect such lethargy in the man.

"You are truly pitiful. I'll show compassion and start with you first." He pricked the knife through the hospital shirt.

Sheppard spoke up. "You know McKay; you might be right about everything. But I can be patient too." He changed his focus to behind McKay. "Now Lieutenant."

A quick intake of air through his nose was followed by his body shaking with rage. McKay pressed the knife into Sheppard's gut as a stunner blast hit them. They fell in a heap to the floor. McKay tried to get back up. A second blast completely ruined his bid for freedom.

--------------

A/N: What now? We are hanging over the last drop of the coaster, please hold on to your hats! I did mention the Shep whumping right? Please stay tuned.