Man, I totally forgot about updating. Sorry, I've been working on three other Atlantis fics and completely forgot about this one. I'm definitely going to make sure to update faster.

Thanx for the reviews!

Spoilers: Spoilers for Before I Sleep

Chapter 7: Escape Attempt Part 2

Kristy sat down on a chair letting the new information sink in. "When can we leave?" she asked.

Brian sat on the chair by his laptop "I don't know. I have to go through all of this data and then find the right time to send us through"

Kristy nodded "But, wouldn't you think your father would've given us the proper time for us to go through? You know, instead of just giving us the data and making us do all of the work and disturbing the timeline even more than we already have?"

Brian held his hand against his chin thinking, mirroring his father perfectly. "You know that's a really good question. Unless our parents decided we have to stay around longer to help out their younger selves"

Kristy arched her eyebrow "You really think so?"

"Well, what other reason could there be for my father to not give us the exact date and time to leave?"

"I guess you're right" she shrugged. "It would just be nice to get home as soon as we can"

"Tell me about it. I mean it's nice to be with our parents, but it would be even better if they knew who we were. It feels weird having my parents treat Sam and I like strangers"

"I know, it's kind of creepy"

"And seeing Lt. Ford, I've always heard stories about what a great guy he was and I've always wished I could meet him and now I get the chance" Kristy didn't say anything but nod. "Since we're on the topic of Lt. Ford, what's with you getting all girly around him?"

Kristy felt her face warming "Wh…what do you mean?"

"Don't play stupid with me Kristy-Ana Sheppard. I saw how flustered you got when we ran into him in my mother's office and how you're allowing him to call you by your first name instead of by rank"

"I don't know Brian. I just feel that he shouldn't treat me like a superior when he's a couple of years older than me"

"So you're basically saying is that you have a crush on him" he smiled at Kristy's surprised look, he could always read her like a book, but unfortunately visa versa.

"No…I wouldn't say a crush. I just think he's…a little cute" she said starting to feel very uncomfortable.

"Aha! You are attracted to him" he said triumphantly.

"Okay, so I like him. What's the big deal?"

"Nothing, I just like bugging the hell out of you" he said, leaning back in his chair smiling in triumph.

Kristy stood up and ruffled Brian's hair. "Wait till I can walk on my two feet. There will be no place for you to hide" she threatened and left the lab laughing evilly.

Brian watched her leave and chuckled quietly. He turned back to his computer beginning the long and tedious task of analyzing all of the data.

As the lab door shut, the still laughing Kristy turned around and saw Ford standing by the door watching her, slightly amused. She immediately stopped laughing and started to blush.

Ford saw her reaction and smiled "Hey Kristy"

"Uhhh…Hi Aiden" she said trying to collect her thoughts. "What's up?"

"I just came here to tell you that Drs. McKay and Weir want to see you in the briefing room in fifteen minutes" he said.

"Do they want to speak to Brian too?" she asked.

"No, just you" answered Ford.

"Okay" she said and started for the briefing room, wondering why they would want to talk only to her.

"Kristy!" called Ford, before she turned the corner.

Kristy turned around "Yes?"

"Would you like to ahhh…join me for lunch in the mess hall?" he rambled out.

Now it was Kristy's turn to smile "I'd like that. What time?"

Ford checked his watch "Well I have a mission to pick up the first shipment of food from P4X-792. How does 0100 hours sound?"

"Great, I'll see you then" she said and they both waved good bye. When Ford was out of sight she leaned up against the wall waiting for her heart to stop pounding. She couldn't believe how nervous she got whenever he was around. When this was all over, Kristy was going to make sure to ask to Aunt Elizabeth how she was able to stay so cool and collected around Uncle Rodney before she confessed her love for him.

When Kristy entered the briefing room she saw Elizabeth and Rodney sitting at the briefing table facing the gliding doors. She sat down across from them and the doors closed. "How can I help you Dr. Weir…Dr. McKay?" she said nodding to them.

Elizabeth straightened up. "I was informed by major Sheppard about the incident on the pier…and more importantly the shield device" she said the latter cautiously.

Kristy tried not to groan in frustration. She knew that their parents weren't stupid and were bound to ask questions about Ancient technology. "What about the shield device?" she asked, playing ignorant.

"We heard that it can make the wearer go invisible" said Elizabeth.

"That's news to me" Kristy said, feigning surprise.

"Oh Please! Don't play stupid" said Rodney, his patience already gone. "We have it caught on one of Atlantis' video monitors" he said and spun the laptop in front of him around to show Kristy the footage.

Kristy watched the screen and then leaned back in the chair with no expression on her face and most of all no comment.

"Kristy, please if you have any information about the Ancient technology we could really use the help" said Elizabeth. Kristy still sat quiet. "This is important for our future as well as yours" she continued.

"We survived for twenty five years without help from the future" she stated.

"That's not true. If it weren't for the help of my alternate self than Atlantis wouldn't be here today" said Elizabeth. Kristy still didn't give any hint of changing her mind.

Rodney closed the laptop. "This is pointless. I don't have to waste my time with this selfish woman. I have better things to do than play the waiting game" he said hoping to get a rise out of the woman…and he did.

Kristy shot straight out of her chair almost falling over, forgetting about her ankle. She planted both hands on the table to show her anger and to keep from hitting the floor. She glared at Rodney and if looks could kill, he would have been dead in five seconds. "Don't you ever call me selfish" she said in a chillingly calm voice that made Rodney stay where he was. She then looked at Elizabeth "It's taking every fiber of my being to not give you valuable intel on the wraith and Ancient technology" Her cold gaze softened a little "I really want to, but if I do I would be changing the future even more and I would be compromising the lives of you and especially the lives of those children." She then looked at Rodney and back at Elizabeth. "Do you really want to possible deaths of your son and daughter on both of your heads?" she added without even thinking and exited the briefing room leaving the two stunned in silence.

Rodney slumped back into the chair letting Kristy's words sink in. "I never even thought…" he started, still shocked.

"…that their lives are hanging in the balance" said Elizabeth finishing off Rodney's thought. She sat there looking out of the briefing room replaying Kristy's words in her head. There was something the woman said that didn't make sense. 'Do you really want to possible deaths of your son and daughter on both of your heads?' 'Now why would Kristy say something like that?' thought Elizabeth. She was interrupted when Brian came into the room.

"Daaaaooooctor McKay" he said, quickly correcting his mistake. "I think I have a way to get back home, but I need your help….If you're available" he said.

Rodney, still in shock, looked up at Brian. "Oh…yes I am" he said and got up from the chair.

Elizabeth looked at Brian and then at Rodney. The boy definitely looked like Rodney, but the dark brown curly hair was throwing her off. She noticed he was spinning a pen in his hand with his thumb and forefinger, something she did when she was nervous. And then it clicked. She gasped and covered her mouth as the two men left.

Kristy was absolutely fuming at what they asked of her. She knew it was going to happen, but she was still shocked when they did. As she made her way to hers and Alex's assigned quarters she passed by Sheppard's and saw the door open. She slowed down her pace and peered in the room. "Hello?" she called and someone popped up from behind the bed making her jump.

Alex looked up at Kristy and sighed in relief that it was her "Hey"

"Alex! You just made me lose ten years of my life. You scared the crap out of me" said Kristy placing her hand over her heart. She then peered at Alex suspiciously "What are you doing in here anyway?"

"I'm betting that dad's bored being in the infirmary and I thought that I would bring him his book, but I can't find it" he said still looking around.

"That's a good idea, kiddo" she said entering the rest of the way into Sheppard's quarters. She went to his desk which was covered in paperwork and moved some sheets aside the reveal 'War and Peace'. "It's over here" she announced.

Alex went over to the desk and grabbed the heavy book with both hands and headed out the door. He looked behind for Kristy "Aren't you coming?"

Kristy was hesitant for a second, but decided to follow her brother just to make sure he doesn't divulge anything important to Sheppard about the future. When she and Alex entered the infirmary they heard the voice of a very angry Scotsman. As they slowly approached the bed they could begin to hear the conversation.

"Come on doc, just release me to my quarters" pleaded Sheppard.

"No, major" answered Beckett.

"Why not? I feel fine"

"Because this was the second escape attempt you've made and this time you fainted"

"I thought we agreed on 'passed out'. Come on I promise I'll stay in my quarters and rest"

"I know you major and if I release you to your quarters you'll probably go check on how Lt. Ford is doin' and do something that you shouldn't and then I'll be called because you've fainted again" he said and made sure to emphasize 'fainted'.

"But…"

"No buts major, you're stayin' here and if I hear another peep from you I won't hesitate to make your stay a little longer and maybe I could run some rather unpleasant tests, just to make sure you're healthy"

Kristy and Alex were quietly laughing when they didn't hear a sound from Sheppard. They both walked up to the bed to Beckett and Sheppard both having their arms crossed and staring at one another, fighting their now silent battle. Kristy and Alex looked at each other and shook their heads chuckling, snapping the two men out of their staring contest.

"Well hello you two" greeted Beckett. "What can I do for you? There's not a problem with your ankle, is there?"

Kristy smiled "No. Actually Alex just wanted to give major Sheppard his book to read since he's probably bored to tears"

Alex nodded and placed 'War and Peace' on the table next to Sheppard's bed and then walked back to Kristy's side still trying not to laugh.

"Well we'll see you later" said Kristy. "Glad you're feeling better, major" she grinned and lead Alex out of the infirmary.

Sheppard looked up at Beckett "What happened to her ankle?"

"Just a sprain" he answered, noticing Sheppard's worried gaze as it followed Kristy.

"How?"

"She hit it up against a railin' to stop her and Alex from goin' over the pier" he said. "In fact I'm amazed that she didn't tear any ligaments with carryin' you back to the city and all" he rambled. He saw the stunned look on Sheppard's face and mentally kicked himself when he realized what he just said.

"She what?" asked Sheppard.

Just when Beckett was about to answer, a scientist walked into the infirmary holding her injured hand. "I'm sorry major, but I have to go" he said and walked away. He looked up and mumbled under his breath "Thank you"

Sheppard relaxed in the bed. I am definitely going to have a talk with Beckett, he thought to himself. He then grabbed his book from the table and started reading.

After about an hour of reading Sheppard placed his book back on the table and sighed in frustration. It's not that he wasn't enjoying his book it was just that he was stuck in the damn infirmary. He pulled back the small privacy curtain and saw no one around. Slowly this time he slipped out of bed, stifling a yelp when his bare feet hit the cool floor. He started towards the door and stopped for a second trying to fight the constant dizzy feeling. Suddenly the door opened up to Teyla and Beckett laughing at something. They immediately stopped laughing when they saw Sheppard trying to make another break for it.

"Oh crap" said Sheppard as Beckett frowned at him. "I guess I should…" he said and pointed back to his vacant bed, Beckett crossed his arms. "..get back to bed" he finished and started back towards the bed followed closely behind by Beckett and Teyla. On the way back he stumbled and was caught by Beckett before his face met the ground. "Thanks" he said.

"You're welcome. I want to know major, what have we learned from this?"

"I should stay in bed?" he asked.

"Why major you are smarter than you look, despite what Rodney says" said Beckett as Sheppard climbed into bed. Sheppard just glared at the doctor not feeling energetic enough to fight. "Now you are going to rest, you have a concussion and had hypothermia that was more severe than Kristy's, which means you're still not fully recovered. So, I want you to stay in bed or I won't hesitate to have a guard posted and have you restrained to the bed, do I make myself clear?" Sheppard just nodded. "Good, I'll be back soon" he said and left Sheppard and Teyla alone.

Teyla placed the tray of food she brought for Sheppard for lunch on the table by his book. "You should try to get along with Dr. Beckett" she said.

"What's the fun in that?" asked Sheppard smiling at her.

Teyla smiled and for once in John Sheppard's life he was blushing over a woman's smile. Teyla noticed his cheeks turning a nice shade of pink and smiled even more. "Why major are you running a fever?" she teased.

Sheppard was speechless and before he could stammer out an excuse the intercom in the infirmary came to life. "Doctor Beckett, we have a medical emergency in the gateroom!" announced Peter Grodin.

Teyla and Sheppard watched Beckett ordering his med team around. And in seconds they were gone. Teyla looked at Sheppard. "I'll be right back" she said and was starting for the door when she heard him grunt as he climbed out of bed. She turned around and saw Sheppard holding on to the end of the bed to get his balance. She rushed to his side and guided him to the bed, ignoring his protests. "Just what do you think you are doing, major?" she demanded while placing her hands on her hips, after he was settled back in bed.

"Checking to see what's going on"

"I don't think so, major. I guess I will have to stay and make sure that you don't try to escape again" she said trying not to smile as he stared at her with his puppy dog eyes that would make any woman's heart melt.

Five minutes later the infirmary was full of commotion and someone screaming hysterically. Teyla walked over to see who was screaming and gasped. She went back to Sheppard's beside and sat down on the chair not wanting to meet Sheppard's questioning gaze.

"What's wrong? Whose hurt?" he asked, worried how pale Teyla was.

"It's…Lt. Ford"

(TBC)

Oh no, poor Ford. What could have possibly happened? Tune in next time…