Long Strange Trip

Chapter 9

Alternate SGA-1 team on Regular Atlantis

Teyla Emmagen glared at Dr. Beckett. He stared back, his blue eyes slightly confused. Teyla was normally one of his best patients, rarely complaining, always reporting for her check-ups on time. Apparently, whatever happened to her and the other members of Colonel Sheppard's team while they had been in that room had been significant.

"So, she okay, Doctor?" Sheppard's voice interrupted Carson's thoughts, and he gave a short nod.

"Aye. Other than her temper, she seems to be perfectly healthy." Carson moved closer to Sheppard, lowering his voice. "Maybe you shouldna shot her with that ZAT gun. I know I'd be mighty pissed off after waking up."

John just shrugged his shoulders. "Look, just keep her here until I locate Ronon. And don't let her out of her restraints for any reason, got it? She's still dangerous." Carson just nodded, then gave a sigh. Teyla lay back on the bed, her hands and feet bound by leather straps. She had not spoken a word since she had arrived, her eyes never leaving Sheppard. John didn't know why she remained silent, but he was grateful. He was sure any words she uttered were bound to raise a few eyebrows.

"Major, have you located Ronon yet?" John asked Lorne, peering over his shoulder at the device the soldier held in his hands. For whatever reason, the runner appeared to be invisible to the Ancient life signs detector. Major Lorne just grunted as he fiddled with the controls, then let out a breath.

"Got him! He's……he's here!" Both soldiers looked up to see the huge runner come crashing through the infirmary doors, his P-90 held in front of him.

"Everybody get down! NOW!" Ronon roared, and Carson and the medical staff immediately fell to the floor. Both Sheppard and Major Lorne reached for their weapons, and Ronon wheeled towards them.

"Don't do it!" he warned. He motioned with the barrel of his gun, and the other two dropped their weapons. Ronon slammed his fist against the control panel, and the doors slid shut.

"You! Sheppard! Over here," Ronon spat out, his eyes continuously circling the room. John slowly stepped towards the big man, his arms in the air. He stopped a few feet from the runner, his eyes on the man's face.

"I want to know what's going on. Right now," Ronon demanded. John stifled a sigh, then lowered his arms a bit.

"Fine. But you probably won't believe me." He stared hard at the runner, realizing that on another Atlantis, this man was a member of his team. The other John Sheppard trusted this man with his – and Teyla's and Rodney's – lives. The least he could do was give Ronon the truth.

"I'll tell you what's going on, but not here," John continued. Rodney wanted all four of them in the room, and now was as good a time as any to get them there.

John glanced over his shoulder, then addressed Carson.

"Dr. Beckett, do me a favor and release Teyla. She needs to be a part of this as well."

Carson carefully got to his feet, his eyes never leaving Ronon's gun. "Are ye sure, Colonel? She still seems…..well, a bit unhappy, to say the least." Teyla lay completely still on the small cot, her focus torn between Ronon and Sheppard and Carson. John only nodded, and Carson leaned in and unbuckled Teyla's feet, then hands.

The Athosian woman swung her feet to the floor, ignoring the doctor as he backed away, then grabbed up Major Lorne's weapon. She paused, unsure of her next move. She had sworn to kill Sheppard and escape to Athos, but now, her need for an explanation outweighed her desire for revenge. She looked into Ronon's eyes for a long moment, then lifted the barrel of her gun slightly.

"Speak, Sheppard, or I will allow the woman to kill you," Ronon said. John only sighed, running a hand through his unruly hair.

"Look, we need to get back to that room we were in this morning. I promise to explain everything on the way…okay?"

"This is another one of your tricks," Teyla growled, her gun leveled at Sheppard once more. She distrusted this man, and was loathe to allow him to lead them anywhere.

"Teyla, I know that I betrayed you in the past, but, right now, I need you to listen. Okay?" John stared hard at the woman, regretting his past actions more than ever. He drew in a breath, then made a bargain. "I promise that if you and Ronon come with me to the room, I can get you back home. Is it a deal?"

John ignored Carson's bewildered look. The doctor and Major Lorne, as well as the remaining medical staff, all gaped at him in confusion. What on earth was he talking about, going home?

Ronon exchanged a look with the woman, then he gave a short nod. "Agreed. Lead the way, Sheppard." He waved the gun at the Colonel, who strode towards the exit.

John paused, directing his words to Major Lorne. "Don't do anything, Major. We'll be fine. That's an order."

"Yes sir."

"And don't say anything to Dr. Weir or Colonel Caldwell, got it?" John said, his stomach knotting at the thought of leaving Elizabeth behind. The Major nodded, his look mystified. Teyla shoved John towards the door.

"I warn you, Sheppard, that if you make any sudden movements, I will cut your throat. Understood?" Her voice was little more than a hiss, and John flinched.

"Yeah, I get it. Let's go." The three of them strode out the doors, ignoring the look that was exchanged between Carson Beckett and Major Lorne.

oOo

Rodney stood up, placing his hands on his hips. His eyes were frustrated as he watched Radek and two other technicians scurry around the control panel.

He had been down here for a couple of hours now. Apparently, when the other Rodney had switched on the device, he had neglected to enable the shield that protected the controls. The energy surge created when the other Atlantis - his home - was accessed had damaged some key components. McKay had managed to bypass most of the fried circuits, but the device refused to power up.

"Aha!" Zelenka's muffled voice was triumphant as he emerged from under the control panel, his hands cradling a small blue crystal. "I think I found the problem!" He carefully stood, and Rodney took the glass, eyeing the crack along the center.

"Well, that's not good," Rodney muttered. He closed his eyes, searching his memory, trying to recall if he had ever seen another crystal this color and shape before. Nothing. Then again, he was from a different Atlantis; perhaps this one had a spare, and he just didn't know about it.

"Radek, do we have another one of these lying around somewhere?" Rodney asked. Radek thoughtfully rubbed his hands together, and started to pace. He muttered to himself in Czech, and Rodney had to bite back a smile. Some things were consistent, even in alternate universes.

Suddenly, Radek froze. He snapped his fingers, then whirled towards McKay. "Yes! In the stasis chamber…remember, where we found Dr. Weir? Only not really Dr. Weir….her older self." Rodney eyed the smaller man, unsure of how to respond. An older Dr. Weir? On his Atlantis, Elizabeth had been killed when the Genii had attacked them during the hurricane. To his knowledge, there was no 'older Elizabeth.'

Afraid to let Radek see his uncertainty, Rodney nodded in agreement. Zelenka stared hard at McKay, then shrugged his shoulders. Lately, Rodney was acting….oddly. Polite, even friendly. Radek didn't question it – he just was grateful for the respite from the physicist's usual grumpiness.

"Why don't you take a couple techs and go get the other one, and I'll continue bypassing the circuits here?" Rodney asked, then scowled. He was supposed to give orders, not request assistance. Radek merely nodded again, then trotted out of the room, two scientists on his heels.

Rodney watched them go, a glimmer of hope in his heart. Maybe – just maybe – he might be able to go home.

TBC