PART SIX

'What's happening?' Elizabeth demanded as soon as she entered the infirmary in response to Dr Beckett's summons.

'I wasn't sure at first, but there's been some improvement in Colonel Sheppard's condition,' Carson advised her.

'But I thought you said there was nothing you could do?'

'There isn't and I haven't, but I have noticed in both his and Laranne's brain activity there are peaks of activity that correlate, it's almost as though they were experiencing the same thoughts. It's the only thing I can think of that is causing Laranne to remain unconscious - she has remained completely unresponsive to any form of external stimuli and her pulse and blood pressure are slow.'

'I don't understand,' Elizabeth was puzzled.

'Nor do I really, but the similarities are too much just to be coincidence. I've also noticed that when Colonel Sheppard's vitals take a dip, Laranne's brain activity increases until he stabilises again,' Carson frowned before he continued. 'Colonel Sheppard crashed when we were bringing him to the infirmary, but as soon as we arrived he improved without us doing anything - Laranne was already here.'

'So you're saying their minds are working together to try to repair the damage in Colonel Sheppard?'

'I suppose I am,' Dr Beckett looked surprised as his own theory was put so succinctly.

'Is there anything else to be done?'

'I'm afraid not, I'll keep monitoring them and let you know of any further developments.'

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'Colonel Sheppard?' John heard someone calling his name. 'Colonel – they are coming back, you have to wake up now.' This time she was shaking him and his eyes snapped open, instantly alert.

'How far away?' He asked briefly as he got to his feet, taken aback as he realised the landscape had changed to the more familiar background of Atlantis. 'What the hell is going on? How did we get here?'

'Your mind has brought us to somewhere of great importance to you. This is where you feel most at home and this is what you are fighting for – to be able to continue your life in the place you have chosen.'

'So what happens now?'

'The form of attack will be based on your own experiences, as it was the first time. Your mind can only use what is already there and you will need to use your experiences to fight back. I will be here as before, but remember, I can only support you, I cannot take direct action.' Laranne stepped behind John and he realised the second attack was under way.

Now he was on more familiar ground he didn't hesitate to make his way to the control room, hoping desperately that he'd find some of his own team there, or at least some of the scientists who could help him figure out what to do next. As he entered, the room appeared deserted. The equipment all seemed to be functioning normally but there was no-one to operate it.

'Thank god!' A voice made him jump as he whirled around searching for the owner of the voice as first a head, then a body appeared from behind one of the consoles.

'McKay! Am I glad to see you,' John exclaimed in relief.

'That's got to be a first,' Rodney spoke nervously, looking around. 'Where is everyone?'

'No time to explain just now, but we're under attack and I need to know what's going on,' John snapped into military mode.

'Well, we've got…that's not possible…they think we destroyed the City…what are they doing here?' Rodney's voice rose as he began to panic at what he saw.

'Tell me Rodney, I have to know.'

'There are four wraith hive ships approaching the planet. They'll be here within 30 minutes.'

'Well panicking won't help, will it?' John spoke sharply, knowing McKay well enough to figure out he'd calm down if handled right. 'Are you detecting any life signs in the City?'

'As far as I can tell we're the only ones here.'

'Any idea where everyone went?'

'None, all I know is that it's just the two of us. We're going to die aren't we?'

'No we're not going to die. Let me think for a moment.' John considered the situation, memories of previous wraith attacks crowding his mind. Time was passing though and before he could formulate any kind of plan, Rodney broke in on his thoughts.

'If you're going to get us out of this mess you'd better come up with something quickly or it'll be too late.'

At that moment, a warmth spreading from his back through his body, reminded John of Laranne and what she had told him when they first arrived here.

'Rodney, what's the state of play with the ZPM?'

'It appears to be functioning normally, but I can't see how that will help – it will only power the shields for a limited period of time.'

'You're just going to have to trust me on this one,' John told McKay. 'I want you to make sure the chair is operational and the shields are at maximum strength.'

'But…'

'We don't have time to argue. Trust me.'

'I wish people would stop saying that to me – it makes me nervous,' Rodney snapped. 'Or is it just the thought of a very painful death…' Still mumbling under his breath Rodney left leaving John to make his way to the chair weapon, concentrating hard on the desired outcome of this battle. He didn't have too long to wait.

All too soon the telltale whine of wraith darts could be heard, accompanied by the sound of collisions and detonations against the shield. Steeling himself for the task that lay ahead, John settled himself in the chair, hoping Rodney had carried out his instructions and focussed on bringing down the enemy, throwing everything he had at them.

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'What is it? What's wrong with him?' Elizabeth asked anxiously as she saw Dr Beckett and the nursing staff busy over Colonel Sheppard.

Continuing with what he was doing, Carson brought her up to date. 'His blood pressure and pulse have fallen rapidly and he's starting to have convulsions. If we can't stabilise him quickly he'll go into shock.'

Elizabeth fell silent, standing to one side as she watched the medics working desperately to bring the situation under control. After what seemed like a lifetime, the activity suddenly stopped and Elizabeth moved forward to see what was going on.

'I'm sorry, there was nothing else…' Carson began to speak when his attention was drawn back to the monitors attached to John, monitors that had suddenly come back to life again. 'What the hell…' He turned back to his patient. 'Colonel Sheppard? You're in the infirmary. How are you feeling?'

John opened his eyes briefly then shut them again.

'Is he..?' Elizabeth asked nervously.

'I don't understand how, but he appears to be fine,' Carson told her disbelievingly. 'Blood pressure, pulse all returning to normal. I'll need to do some more scans to make sure it isn't just a temporary reprieve though.'

The Stargate, Atlantis, the characters, stories and anything else that is seen in the show belong to the people who made them up. This fanfic is not intended as an infringement upon those rights and solely meant for entertainment. All other characters, the story idea and the story itself are the sole property of the author.