A/N: We're screaming down the last drop, hold on tight. Oh a little ticker tape parade for Jules47 for being the 100th review! Rock on!

Chapter 17

"We inspected the computer. We have no idea how to reconfigure it," reported Zelenka from the Puddle Jumper. "The program was designed to contain the essence of a mind. How it was inputted, we have not determined, yet. No information on the procedure remains."

"What do you suggest?" Weir heard mumbling in the background. "Dr. Zelenka?"

"Sorry Dr. Weir, we think the colonel can help us."

"You realize we had to sedate Col. Sheppard so we could send you there? And still the nano-bots caused him great distress. They devoured the sedative and he was awake within minutes."

"I know Dr. Weir, but he maybe able to interact with the computer and help us." Radek sounded apologetic. Causing Sheppard more stress was the last thing on his mind, but the computer would not give up its secrets.

"I'll discuss it with Dr. Beckett and Col. Sheppard." She already knew that this was probably the only solution for Rodney. They were no closer on the diagnostic bed than they were before. Sheppard was growing weaker, especially after his last encounter with McKay. And McKay, he was growing stronger. Even sedated, he downright scared her now. He had attacked Teyla at will and had controlled her. This had to end.

"Weir out."

She exited the transporter nearest the infirmary for the thousandth time. She realized this was not even going to be a request. It was going to be an order. Sheppard would be the easy sell. Carson would be like the adult lion protecting a cub. She was ordering the sacrifice of one patient for another. You can not ask that. It was something you had to command.

"Carson."

"Dr. Weir, have you heard anything from Radek? Dr. Kavanagh and Dr. Cooper are still having problems with the bed."

She cut him off. "I need to talk to you and John."

Carson stopped. "I'm not going to like this am I?"

"No." It was an understatement. "Dr. Zelenka wants Col. Sheppard's help on the computer in the research facility."

"He can't do it." There was none of his usual humor in his voice. There was none of his sarcasm when dealing with recalcitrant patients. He was not going to let this happen. "His body is so…out of whack that…He's dying Elizabeth."

It was a bitch slap to the face. "Dying? Please tell me you are being overprotective."

"Afraid not Dr. Weir, they have started building up in his lungs and heart. It's like pneumonia and congestive heart failure. They just keep building more to repair him or Atlantis or anything Ancient. His body is losing the battle." Elizabeth almost wanted to shrink from the intense gaze.

"I've got to go Carson. We can't leave that son of a bitch in Rodney."

Carson quickly moved to the curtained bedside. "I thought you were asleep Colonel." Beckett was not going to let this happen. Options, there were always other options.

"I can do it. Then Rodney returns the favor." His complexion was now a smooth battleship gray. Dark veins the only contrast in his skin.

Elizabeth walked smoothly by Carson's side. "You tried an EMP wave, didn't you?"

Carson grew pensive. "Yes. An EMP does not have any effect on Ancient technology." Still not happening.

She continued, "There is nothing else in the database or at the Archive?"

Carson became even more defensive. "We have found everything we can in the Atlantis database. The Archive did not know of the facility, she has nothing." This was not going to happen.

"We can't put him in stasis?"

"The stasis chamber is defunct." How could he let this happen?

"The bed is not ready." She wanted to scream in frustration herself.

"That's me. They won't let the program upload. It is foreign and they view it as a virus. I've tried to convince them. They have selective hearing." Sheppard knew it was going to happen.

Carson narrowed his eyes. "How long have you known that?"

"Not long. Other things have been keeping me distracted." He did not look directly at Beckett.

"I don't have a choice do I? You both have already decided. You'll over ride any of my protestations." He was going to let it happen. He was defeated.

"All at once. Everything all at once. The colonel, Rodney, programs, and whatever else we need." Carson's eyes met Elizabeth's. "There will be no return trip for him. He will not survive."

"I know Carson." She looked down a John. "Are you sure?"

"Of course."

"I'll go find the elephant tranquilizer. We are going to need it for both of them."

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

No sooner had the Puddle Jumper exited the wormhole, Sheppard woke up disoriented.

"It's OK Colonel, we're through." Beckett checked his vitals. "Well everything looks like it shouldn't, that means normal for you."

"I could still feel them and the wormhole. Those little critters really love it." He tried to look around. "Where's McKay?"

"In the other Puddle Jumper. According to my nurse, Tracy, he's still out."

"Good, I can fix the transporter before they bring him in."

They set down in a clearing a few yards away from the facility. Beckett helped Sheppard into a wheelchair. Ronon and a new team accompanied them. Teyla had wisely stayed behind. On the other Jumper, Rodney was escorted by the nurse and another new team of marines.

Sheppard and his entourage entered the hall and he immediately gripped the arms of the wheelchair. Instead of the loud raving, his voice remained hushed but frenetic.

"Rerouting…alternate found…diagnostic commenced…It's my first day…transport unit repairs complete." He released the arms of the chair and slumped forward. "There, the car's waiting. You can bring McKay in."

Beckett sent instructions to Tracy. A few minutes later Rodney was wheeled in still unconscious.

Sheppard stood up shakily. "The chairs won't fit in there." Ronon immediately grabbed him. 'Thanks Chewy." Sheppard gave him an intoxicated half smile.

They transported down. The little 'bots loved that as well. They exited and he tried to ignore the remnants of his last visit. Ronon half carried him into the side room.

"Colonel good to see you. Just let us know when you are ready," greeted Zelenka.

When no answer came, Zelenka looked at Ronon. He shook his head, unsure of the problem. Carson walked in with Rodney draped between him and a marine.

Sheppard had already closed his eyes moving them side to side. He started to speak softly to himself. Beckett released Rodney to the other marine and walked up to Sheppard and Dex. He frowned. Sheppard was not supporting any of his body weight.

"Sit him down."

"He won't let me," replied Dex.

"Laugh it up fuzz ball," slipped quietly out of Sheppard's mouth. More commands came quickly and quietly.

He stopped suddenly and searched for Radek. "I reversed the polarity." He gave another intoxicated grin and let go of Ronon. He slipped down the wall and seated himself on the floor. "Go ahead and wake Rodney up Doc; time to send Dr. Demento back home."

Beckett sent Tracy over to Sheppard. He extracted a pre-filled syringe out of his equipment. "Ronon, I think we're going to need your help."

Ronon stepped behind the two marines holding McKay.

"Alright, we will get him to the computer. We need everyone to hold him and make sure his hand touches the hand plate. On three, 1...2...3." They pushed him forward and Carson emptied the syringe into him.

The effect was immediate.

"What?" McKay took in his situation. "NO! I'M…NOT…GOING…BACK!" He struggled ferociously.

The group held on, but could not maneuver his hand onto the plate. A gray hand shot from the side and placed it on the surface.

"OUCH!"

"You can let him go." Sheppard staggered backwards and sat down hard on the floor.

The others released McKay. Ronon moved quickly to Sheppard and helped him to rest against the wall.

Rodney walked backwards, eyes darting from person to person. "Their dead. I killed them," Horror filled his face and his hands were shaking. "Oh God, Teyla, is she…Sheppard, I…"

Carson immediately grasped him firmly by the shoulders and sat him down on the floor.

"Let me get a look at ya Rodney." Their eyes met and Rodney acquiesced.

"Oh Carson, I'm, I'm…Radek?" Zelenka just smiled at him with his bruised face.

Rodney's eyes kept moving from person to person until they landed on Sheppard. His eyes were closed. Underneath his lids, Sheppard's eyes moved from side to side as he mumbled. His voice continued to decrease in volume. Ronon squatted at his side.

Sheppard's eyes slowly opened and he mumbled something to Dex. He nodded in agreement.

"Purge…complete ….Who do I look like, Superman?" The monitor of the computer quit scrolling data and cleared. He nodded at Ronon.

Dex stood up, pulled his weapon and fired. He blasted the console, then the hand plate, and finally the monitor.

"I hate Parcini," Ronon mumbled.

Sheppard gave a half smile and let his diminishing vision fall to the floor.

Rodney observed the entire chain of events as Carson mother henned him. He flinched as Ronon obliterated the computer. He watched the shock and disappointment in Radek's and the other scientists' faces. They would get over it. He returned his attention back to Sheppard. There was an air about him, a finality surrounding him.

"Carson, let me go. Carson, let me up." He started smacking at Beckett's hand. "Carson! I'm fine!" It was a lie but a necessary one.

Carson lifted his head at the urgency in Rodney's voice. He saw the intensity and panic in his face. Rodney was figuring out Sheppard's condition. "Tracy has him Rodney."

Rodney's dread and deep puckered brow met him. "Let me go Carson."

Beckett paused and let him go. He turned his body around to see Sheppard. Ronon was holding him up while Tracy was checking vitals and administering oxygen. McKay crawled over to him.

"Sheppard, Sheppard…you did it." He grabbed his team leader by the shoulders. "We'll get you back and fix this."

He never met McKay's gaze as he answered. "I know you could have fixed it; it's too late." His eyes closed and his head fell forward until it touched Rodney's.

Beckett practically materialized beside Rodney. "It was a one way trip. He knew there was no going back. Nothing worked. The little 'bots sabotaged our attempts to cure him."

He took his hand held medical scanner and moved it across Sheppard's body. He shook his head.

"His body is shutting down. He is drowning in little robots."

Unfair, so damn unfair. He gets brought back but not Sheppard. Unh unh, wasn't happening. "Think McKay, think," he whispered to himself. "Radek, what is the plan? What theories were you working on?"

"We are trying to program the bed to complete the programming of the nano-bots. Col. Sheppard keeps deleting the program. We are not sure how to get around that problem." Radek looked sadly at Sheppard. "I think we may not have to worry about it much longer."

Rodney held up his pointer finger with a don't-say-another-word scowl. "Need to keep the 'bots from deleting…" His head spun on his shoulders and faced the wall on the other side of the main lab.

A broad grin spread across his face.

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

A/N: Everyone chant: Rod-ney! Rod-ney! Rod-ney! The gears are a smokin' so hang on Shep!