Thanks for the reviews as we make our joint story debut.

What's Left Behind – Chapter 2

John could feel Thalan sapping what little strength he had left. Or maybe it was the fever sapping his body and his spirit, he wasn't sure anymore. Not that it mattered. Either way Thalan was in control of his body. He had access to his thoughts and he made John say things that were out of context. Things that were lies. What bothered John more than anything was that Thalan knew everything about him. Knew the way he thought and what he thought about others. He knew everything and he could use it to control Atlantis and the others. And John knew that Thalan had a plan. He knew Thalan wanted to keep control of him, to keep his body to use at his whim. What scared John was not knowing if he was strong enough to stop him before someone else got hurt.

A familiar voice pulled John out of his reverie and he realized Beckett was fussing over him. Over his body. He wanted to scream at the man that Thalan was still in him. He wanted to be able to do something to that would make Beckett realize something was wrong. But he didn't have the strength. John railed against Thalan's will. He screamed at him to get out. He tried to focus all of his own will to force Thalan to speak the truth, but nothing happened. Thalan was battling the weakness of John's body at the moment, but he still had enough control to keep John muted.

The invisible dark force of Thalan's control over him, wrapped around John once more and he was pulled back into oblivion.

OoO

Thalan managed to push Sheppard back into the recess of his awareness where he could not do any harm, so to speak. Which left him free to focus on the doctor. Beckett. The man was asking him questions about how he felt. Or rather, how Sheppard's body felt. It was easy enough to give him the truth. It was harder to remember that he had to be Sheppard for now. At least until this body was well again. Then he could find away to be free to live his own life. That he would be doing so in another man's body made no difference to Thalan. To his mind he had earned this right. He had battled Phoebus and won. But more than that he was the last of his kind and he would not allow the fates to make him simply disappear. Thalan wanted to live.

"Would you like an ice chip?" Beckett asked.

Thalan was confused by the request, wondering what an ice chip was, but he nodded and a moment later a piece of frozen water was slipped between his lips. It felt heavenly on his tongue, easing the sore dryness of his throat. "Thanks," he whispered.

Beckett patted his arm. "You're welcome, son. Can you tell me if anything hurts?"

"Head," Thalan replied, because it did hurt and if the doctor could do something to make it better, he was all for it. He needed Sheppard's body to be well and strong again.

"I can give you a bit of something to ease the pain," Beckett allowed. "But what you need most right now is to rest, Colonel. You're temp is still high but we're doing everything we can to get it back to normal. Rest now and you'll be feeling right as rain again soon."

Thalan found himself believing the man, because he knew that Sheppard trusted him. He knew that Sheppard did not trust easily, but that he could be fooled because of his own desire to believe in the good in people. A naivety that was dangerous for any soldier, but Thalan knew that Sheppard was not like most soldiers. Not like most men, really. It was something he found himself admiring about the man at times. Realizing he was drifting away from the moment, Thalan focused on Beckett and asked, "How long?"

Beckett seemed to understand. "You're going to be down and out for a while, Colonel. Once we get the fever under control, you're going to be weak. So don't be getting any ideas of sneaking out of here any time soon." As he spoke, Beckett shook a finger at Sheppard.

Anger welled up in Thalan, anger that this stranger would take that tone with him, only to remember he was Sheppard now and that he needed to act accordingly. He had to live out this charade until he was strong enough to escape this place. Thalan believed he would be able to live again in Sheppard's body. If it were not possible then his imprint would have ceased to exist by now, but he was still here and he would get stronger. So he quelled the anger and whispered, "I'll be good." It seemed to be the right thing to say. A Sheppard thing to say, because Beckett grinned at him and looked relieved.

"Sleep now," the doctor ordered.

Thalan resisted the urge to snap at the man, instead letting his eyes drift closed as he slid into warm darkness.

OoO

Elizabeth headed for her office after leaving the infirmary. A part of her wanted to stay there, to keep an eye on John, but she knew he was in good hands with Beckett. Besides which, she could go back later and maybe read to him for a while. He didn't seem to be getting to far along in War and Peace on his own. Mostly, if she were honest with herself, Elizabeth just wanted to be near John. No one else could understand what she felt. No one else could even imagine what she had gone through. What it had felt like to have no control over her own body. To be lost inside herself. To be screaming and no one hear her.

She was so caught up in her thoughts that Elizabeth didn't notice the figure coming out of her office as she was about to enter and they collide. Elizabeth stumbled back but strong hands caught her arms to steady her and she looked up to see Caldwell's concerned face. For a moment she was surprised to see him, only to remember that he was sticking around until she was back on duty. Somebody had to be in charge of Atlantis with her and John out of commission, and Elizabeth was rather glad it was Caldwell. He had proven himself to be capable and trustworthy. He had done a good job of controlling an out of control situation. "Sorry," Elizabeth apologized. "I wasn't paying attention to where I was going?"

"I could see that," Caldwell allowed. "Did I hurt you?" He asked the question as he released her.

"I'm fine." Elizabeth managed a warm smile. "I want to thank you for agreeing to stay and keep an eye on things while I'm out of commission."

Caldwell shrugged. "It's the least I can do. Although I'm not happy about the circumstances, I'm glad that what happened has given me a chance to regain your trust. I know Colonel Sheppard wasn't too happy to have me back here."

Elizabeth had pretty much felt the same way, but too much had already been said that she preferred to forget about. "I think at this point we're all glad you're here."

"Did Dr. Beckett tell you when you can go back on duty?" Caldwell queried, as he stepped aside so Elizabeth could enter her office.

"A few days," she replied, moving to her desk but resisting the urge to sit down and pull up the daily reports on her laptop. "To be honest I can use the rest. Being imprinted and fighting against Phoebus's control was exhausting. All the more so because I was so damn helpless."

Caldwell moved to stand before her and nodded. "I know the feeling. But Phoebus is gone and you're fully back in control. Just give yourself to rest and you'll feel comfortable in your own skin again."

Elizabeth felt her eyes go wide at Caldwell's perceptiveness. But then she realized he was the only other person, besides John, who could understand what she had gone through. "I hope you're right," she said with sincerity.

"How is Colonel Sheppard doing?" Caldwell countered. "I understand he fell ill last night."

"He's doing better but his temperature is still high," Elizabeth replied, and that reminder brought back the full weight of her concern for John. He was sick and suffering and, ultimately, it was all her fault. If she hadn't chosen him to be imprinted by Thalan, then he wouldn't be going through hell right now.

Caldwell studied her and he seemed to be reading her pretty accurately as he stated, "Stop feeling guilty, Doctor. Phoebus is responsible for what happened to Sheppard, not you."

Elizabeth sighed, one hand lifting to her face and she scrubbed hard. "Tell that to my conscience."

"You need a distraction," Caldwell said firmly, taking her by the arm and guiding her out the door. "Let's get something to eat."

"Okay." Elizabeth didn't argue because she was feeling hungry and she most definitely needed the distraction. So she let Caldwell lead her off. But right after they ate she was heading straight back to the infirmary.

OoO

Thalan slid between darkness and light. Sometimes he dozed and other times he simply lay there, listening to the voices and movement around him. He needed to learn about this place and its people. He needed to belong here. If only Sheppard's body would cooperate. Thalan cursed this unexpected weakness. Before becoming ill, being in Sheppard's body had been a gift. Sheppard was a strong and fit man, a fighter pilot like Thalan himself. He was a clever man as well, managing to find ways past Thalan's defenses. Sheppard had chipped past his defenses at times and Thalan was angry at himself for that. He would have to be more careful in the future. He couldn't do away with Sheppard because he needed the man in order to survive in this body. He needed what Sheppard knew. But he had to find a way to keep the man's spirit under his firm control.

"Colonel?"

The soft voice, so close to his ear, startled Thalan, making him - or rather Sheppard's body - jump. His eyes flew open and he found himself staring at the face of the woman who had come close to shooting him. Teyla. That was her name. She was beautiful and exotic and Thalan was drawn to her. He knew that Sheppard considered her a good friend. That he cared about her deeply, but that caring was tempered with admiration and respect. Sheppard considered Teyla to be his equal. "Hey," he said, knowing it was a familiar greeting between them.

Teyla looked worried. "I am sorry, John. I did not mean to startle you."

"S'kay." Thalan heard how his words were slurred. That bothered him. This body felt too hot and his head was hurting again.

"I wanted to apologize for what happened. I did not wish to harm you." Teyla looked stricken as she spoke. "But I had no choice, if forced. I would have shot you." She was making a confession.

Thalan had no interest in it. In truth he was angry that she had almost brought about his demise. But he realized that Sheppard felt forgiveness towards her, so he gave in to it. "I would...would have done the same," he whispered. And it appeared to be absolution enough for Teyla visibly relaxed and a smile curved her lips.

Leaning over him, Teyla pressed her forehead to his and said softly, "Thank you."

"Sure..." Thalan broke off as a fit of coughing overtook him. It made the pain in his head spike and he felt nauseous but suddenly Beckett was there with another ice chip and a cool cloth for his head. After a moment he felt better, or would have if Sheppard were not screaming in his mind. He wanted to know about the other one. Ronon. The warrior that Phoebus had shot. Thalan was pleased with himself for having the wit to use Ronon as a shield. Sheppard had screamed and screamed at him for that one. To the point that Thalan had relented enough to call for a medical team to help the big guy. Thankfully, Sheppard had fallen silent for a time after that. But he was far from silent now so Thalan croaked out, "Ronon?"

"He is resting," Teyla replied, before Beckett could. "He has asked about you. He is worried."

Thalan managed to raise one shaky hand to his head, pressing hard against his temple. Sheppard would just not shut up! So he gave in enough to choke out, "Tell him...I'm...I'm sorry. Sorry he...got hurt." It hurt to say and Thalan felt exhausted.

Teyla touched his arm lightly and replied, "I will let him know. But he does not blame you, John. He knows you did not betray his trust."

"Good." It was hard to say because what Thalan really wanted to do was scream at Teyla to leave him alone. He wanted everyone to leave him alone. He was tired and hurting and he felt as if this body was on fire. As if he were burning from the inside out.

"Are you in pain, Colonel?" Beckett interjected, his concerned face hovering above Thalan.

If he had the strength, Thalan would have punched the man for his stupidity. Of course he was in pain and Sheppard's screaming in his head wasn't helping. Thalan was about to ask for medicine when he felt a hard shudder course through Sheppard's body. Followed by another. Then another. Then white-hot pain was coursing through him and Thalan wanted to scream but suddenly he couldn't breathe. But he could hear voices.

Beckett was shouting orders to Teyla. "He's convulsing, hold him down!"

He felt hands on him, heavy and painful. Then darkness claimed him.

THE END . . . of part 2.