Long Strange Trip
Chapter 12
Alternate SGA-1 team on Alternate Atlantis
Major John Sheppard blinked open his eyes, trying to focus. Above him, in the flickering light, he could see a sagging ceiling. He sat up, groaning, rubbing at his neck. His gaze circled the room, settling on the still form of Rodney McKay next to him. Teyla and Ronon were no where to be seen.
"Rodney. Hey – wake up. I think we're home," John said. He grew concerned as the scientist remained still, then relief flowed through him as McKay gave a long, drawn-out groan.
"Did it work?" Rodney pushed himself up, scrambling to his feet, swaying slightly. His own eyes peered at the room, absorbing the ruined control panel and damaged walls.
"Yeah. Yeah, I think it did," replied Sheppard, and he let out a small 'yes!'
John's headset crackled. "Major Sheppard, this is Colonel Caldwell." He grimaced at the Colonel's tone, then sighed.
"Sheppard," he answered. He exchanged a look with Rodney as the Colonel demanded to know why they were lurking about in a damaged part of the city. As he mumbled some excuse, John followed Rodney out of the room, their footsteps quick.
"Major, I expect you to be on the Daedelus within three hours, is that understood?" Caldwell didn't wait for a reply, just clicking off his radio, and John frowned. What did he mean, be on the Daedelus? What did the other Sheppard do, anyway?
"I better go and see what's happening," John said. Rodney nodded, his mind obviously on reuniting with his wife and daughter. A thought occurred to him, and he turned to John. "You don't think that he and Jess…." Rodney trailed off, a look of horror on his face, and John grabbed his shoulder.
"No, I don't. After all, he is you, Rodney…..would you take advantage of the situation?" After a moment of consideration, McKay shook his head, relief on his face. They entered the transporter, and rode in silence for a few moments.
"Do you think we should tell Caldwell what happened?" Rodney asked, and John shook his head. After all, their device seemed far beyond repair. Besides, he never wanted to go through that experience again. By the look on McKay's face, John was pretty sure Rodney felt the same.
"No….we don't tell anyone. But, I do want to find Teyla and Ronon. I made a promise, and I intend to keep it." Rodney only nodded in reply.
The doors to the transporter opened and they exited, Rodney towards the infirmary and Sheppard striding to Caldwell's office.
oOo
Dr. Jessica McKay was kneeling on the floor of her quarters, tickling her daughter into giggles when her husband barreled through the door. Without a moment's pause, he reached down and yanked her up into his arms, enfolding her into his embrace. Puzzled, she wrapped her own arms around Rodney, hearing his heart pound as she lay her head against his chest.
"Rodney, what's wrong? Are you all right?" He only held her tighter, practically cutting off her air supply. When Rodney arrived at the infirmary, Carson had advised him that Jessica went home about an hour ago. Impatient to see his wife and daughter, Rodney had spun around and practically ran out of the room.
They stood together for a long moment, then Rodney reluctantly loosened his hold on the woman. He stared down at her, his blue eyes searching her face, worried and relieved at the same time. Jessica merely waited, knowing that when he was ready, Rodney would explain himself.
Lizzie's whimper caused the scientist to step away from Jessica, and he bent down, lifting his daughter into his arms. Jessica smiled as Rodney cuddled Lizzie close, causing her to wiggle in protest.
"Here, let me have her," Jessica said, and she took the baby from Rodney, crooning softly to her as she exited the living area. Rodney watched them go, warmth and relief spreading through him. Now he was home.
oOo
Ronon Dex was dying. Okay, maybe not dying, but he was in a lot of pain. Ronon didn't know what his alter-ego had done, but when he had opened his eyes, he had found himself in a glen, lying about fifty feet from the stargate. There was no sign of Sheppard, Teyla or McKay, or the city of the Ancients, for that matter. Whatever McKay had done, it seemed to have worked; Ronon was positive he was back on the planet. Only now, he was alone.
Stifling a groan, he rolled to his side, then slowly came to his knees. He stayed there for a moment, willing the bright spots to stop dancing before his eyes. He had serious doubts about his ability to stand, and was contemplating his next move when the stargate burst into life. He stared in awe as a strange flying vehicle shot through the gate and flew over him. He tried to get to his feet, but his body refused to cooperate. Resigned to his fate, he flopped back onto the ground, hoping that whoever was in the ship would think him dead, and leave.
Through closed eyes, he heard the ship make a pass around the glen, then settle down onto the ground. A moment later, the sound of a hiss let him know that a hatch or door had opened. Then running feet on dirt, coming closer. Tensing himself, hoping he had enough energy to fight, Ronon clenched his fists closed.
"Ronon! Hey, Ronon! You okay?" Surprise, mixed with relief, washed through the runner as he heard a familiar voice: Major Sheppard. Another set of running feet approached, and Ronon opened his eyes to see a younger soldier kneel down by his side, opening some kind of kit.
Sheppard's hands helped Ronon turn over, and the runner gasped in pain. The other soldier removed a device from the kit and it beeped repeatedly as he held it over Ronon's ribs.
"He's got at least three broken ribs, Major," the soldier advised, and Sheppard nodded.
"Ronon, do you think you can walk?" Sheppard asked, and the runner nodded. With the help of the other two, he stood, then staggered towards the ship.
"Sir, how did you know he was here?" the soldier asked as they set him down into a seat. Ronon's eyes were closed, and he sagged against the chair. For the first time in a long while, he felt safe.
"Ummmm……well, Ford, I received some intel from one of our…..allies," John mumbled. After leaving McKay, John had reported to Caldwell's office, unsure of his next move. The Colonel had repeated his command to return to Earth on the Daedelus, reiterating that Sheppard's inability to overcome his guilt were making him a liability to the expedition. John had stood quietly, silently agreeing with the Colonel, knowing this his actions over the last year had brought him to this point.
But….he had seen what he could be, had felt the respect and friendship that the other Sheppard received. He could be that man, if Caldwell would give him just one more chance.
So, after the Colonel had taken his seat, staring up at the Major, regret in his eyes, John had stepped forward. In a controlled voice, he had asked the Colonel to allow him just a little more time. He needed to prove that he was a worthy member of the Atlantis expedition; he knew that he had failed in the past, but now – now he was ready. Caldwell remained still and silent, his eyes betraying none of his thoughts. Just when John's shoulders started to slump in defeat, the Colonel sighed.
"Look, Major, I like you. I think you have great potential. But I cannot allow you to continue screwing up. Still – this time I believe you. So, I'm giving you one more chance. But…." and this time Caldwell's eyes were hard and cold, "if you fail me one more time, not only will you go back to Earth, but I'll see that you get assigned to the worst duty at the worst station there is. Got it?"
Relieved beyond words, John only nodded his head, then snapped the Colonel a sharp salute. He ran out the door, his hands already on his radio, calling to Ford to get a jumper ready. He had promises to keep.
John settled back behind the controls of the jumper, and dialed Athos. Ford had disappeared into the back of the jumper, searching for medical supplies. At the sound of the gate roaring to life, Ronon opened his eyes.
"We're going to Teyla?" he rasped, and John nodded.
"I decided to get you first, seeing as you told me you were fighting off a couple of Wraith's when we were switched. Teyla said she was on a hunt, so I figured it would better to get to you first." John abruptly quieted as Ford entered the cockpit, holding gauze and bandages.
"Good thinking," Ronon whispered, then leaned back as they entered the stargate.
oOo
Teyla Emmagen lay hidden under some debris, hearing the screams of the Athosians as they ran from the Wraith. Blood trickled from a gash on her scalp, and she gasped for breath. She had regained consciousness a few moments ago, and lay on the ground in a daze. She was on Athos, and her village was under attack from the Wraith. She looked around, but saw no sign of Sheppard or the others. Instead, she saw the three Wraith ships blasting at the ramshackle huts and beaming the few remaining villagers into their ships. Carefully, she leaned up on her hands, peering through the darkness and smoke. The sound of crying reached her ears, and she forced herself to her feet, ignoring the pain in her side.
Teyla spied a small group of children, and warning them to remain quiet, she led them to a hidden shelter. She lurched back to the village, hoping to find more survivors, especially Halling. Calling his name, she staggered from hut to hut, peering through the flames, ignoring the dizziness that overwhelmed her. She paused as the Wraith ships roared by, and, with a whoosh, disappeared into the stargate.
Teyla stood for a moment, her eyes seeing the destruction, her mind trying to comprehend the loss. Her village was decimated, most of people taken by the Wraith. A pain in her side caused her to wince, and she glanced down, surprised at the amount of blood staining her tunic. She bowed her head; once again, she had failed her people. Stifling a shout of frustration, she turned and started to walk towards the hidden children. At least all her people weren't lost. She had only taken two small steps, though, when her body betrayed her, and Teyla fell forward into darkness.
oOo
The jumper zipped out of the stargate, and John Sheppard gasped at the destruction before him. Although it was night, flames from the burning buildings illuminated the village. Or what was left of the village.
He heard Ronon's sharp intake of breath, and a moment later the runner asked, "Are we too late?" His voice was tight.
"I hope not," John answered as he took a slow cruise over the village center. He set the ship down, admonished Ronon to stay put, and he and Ford exited out the rear hatch.
"What are we looking for sir?" Ford asked as he clicked off the safety of his P-90. Both men walked carefully around spots of flaming debris.
"Survivors, especially their leader, Teyla. And keep an eye out for any Wraith," John advised. He directed Ford to the left, then swung right, searching for the Athosian leader. His stomach clenched at the thought of Teyla hurt or dying before he could make amends. His face grim, he used the barrel of his weapon to turn over debris, hoping to find anyone still alive.
"Sheppard! Over here!" Ronon's voice echoed across the compound, and John ran to his side. He took a moment to glare disapprovingly at the runner, then bent over, carefully turning over an unconscious Teyla. Blood trickled across her scalp, and stained the front of her tunic.
"Teyla!" John leaned in and felt frantically for a pulse, finally finding a rapid beat below his fingers. He keyed his radio, yelling for Ford. He exchanged a worried look with Ronon, then gently shook the Athosian leader.
"Teyla. Come on, open your eyes." John held his breath as she moaned softly, then blinked open her eyes. Surprise mixed with confusion filled their warm depths as she focused on John and Ronon. Realization blossomed, and she struggled to sit up.
"Whoa….stay put. You're injured," John said, pushing her back. Teyla fought for a moment longer, then sighed as she sagged down.
"The Wraith….my people…" her words dropped off, and John nodded in understanding.
"The Wraith are gone. We're still looking for survivors," he said softly, and Teyla could see the regret in his face. She lay still for a second, then reached up a hand, and grabbed his arm.
"You kept your promise, Sheppard. You returned to Athos. You could not know that the Wraith would arrive first." She waited until he gave a short nod of acceptance, then shut her eyes. She had never imagined that the man who had abandoned her so many months before would ever return, especially now when she and her people needed help the most.
John looked up as Ford arrived, leading a small group of crying children. As the lieutenant knelt down to examine Teyla's injuries, John stood, his gaze sweeping the destroyed village. Maybe he could have prevented this from happening if he had kept his word two years ago – he would never know. Still, fate had given him another opportunity, a chance to make things better, starting with helping these people. As his eyes focused on Ronon and Teyla, he managed a tight grin. Being switched to another reality may just have been a blessing in disguise. Now he could start to make things right again.
TBC