So I only realized after posting chapter one and re-reading it, I had drawn Beckette into the story, alive. This is set after Sunday, meaning Beckette is no longer around at the moment. Forgive me, but I went back and changed his name to Dr. Keller throughout, as it was meant to be.

Enjoy and let me know what you think!

Chapter Two:

THE CO

Drake blinked his eyes rapidly as the light faded and he found himself standing in the midst of a large, lit up alien room. He looked around, taking in the sight of the familiar gate before turning to take-in the rest of his surroundings.

"Welcome to Atlantis," a voice suddenly shouted, cutting through the babbling tones of his peers.

Drake turned his attention to the staircase and took in the sight before him. A man with dark spiky hair and intense blue eyes stared down at them, a friendly and somewhat amused smile on his face. Beside him stood a somewhat pudgy, balding man who looked clearly unamused by the scene in front of him and yet, he searched the sea of people as though looking for someone in particular.

Drake shifted his gaze to the next person on the staircase. This woman was quite pretty with light red hair brown eyes and dark skin. She was dressed in a strange clothing that looked very native, yet she seemed completely at ease, as though she were a member of the expedition and not just a guest. Perhaps she is, he wondered to himself before casting his gaze at the man behind the welcome wagon. This one was large and buff, clearly a person not to be messed with if his expression had anything to say. He looked clearly unamused by the bustle below him and looked like he would rather be anywhere than standing there on the staircase watching them. Slightly behind him, a man dressed in gray cargo pants a black long sleeved cotton shirt also watched, his brown hair and eyes watching the flow of traffic down below as though watching a rive passing calmly by. He seemed completely unfazed, yet oddly curious.

"If you would follow me, I will direct you to the military command area where you're debriefing shall take place."

The welcome-wagon, which Drake had mentally taken to calling the speaker, led the way. Behind him, the group he was standing with followed at a leisurely pace. With nothing else to do and unsure who they should actually be listening to, they followed behind, albeit a bit hesitantly.

Drake noticed the group in front seemed to know exactly where they were going and if the reactions of those walking through the halls were anything to go by, they were well known.

Eventually, after several minutes of walking, they arrived at a door labeled with a taped on paper 'MCC'.

"Military Command Center," the welcome wagon explained, "aka, Grunt Country by the science department."

Drake hummed before entering the room with the rest of the men. Several rows of chairs were arranged, so the men began to slowly fill them, waiting to be told what else they needed to do. Drake noted that several desks, probably the military commanders, were shoved up against the wall to make room for the debriefing soon to take place.

As the last of the men filtered in, a woman with a red shirt and black pants stepped into the room. Her arms crossed as she stepped back against the wall, standing beside the red haired woman in the native clothing. Drake shorted it to 'female native' for his own mental consideration. He also labeled the big man 'male native' and, perhaps a bit unkindly, 'Pudgy' and 'short-stuff' came to mind for the other two.

Taking a seat in the back, Drake was a bit surprised when short-stuff stepped into the front of the room and placed his hands behind his back, suddenly looking for lack of a better word, like a drill sergeant about to instruct his grunts.

"My name is Major Evan Lorne, the second in command of the military sector."

Drake snorted quietly, a bit amused. Guess he had better not called him short-stuff then, he thought to himself.

"I want to officially welcome you men and women to Atlantis. While most of you have served on SGC base, Atlantis is different and should never be compared to your previous station. As you wouldn't compare one assignment to another, so you shouldn't compare worlds."

A whisper of agreement went around the room, though Drake noted some looked unconvinced or completely uninterested in what the major was saying.

"Of course," the major added, smiling, "most of you will have to learn that the hard way as I did."

Some chuckled, most remained stoic.

"Now, I want to call roll call…"

The names were called and answering shouts were echoed, but it all faded into the background for Drake. His eyes instead focused on the laid back welcome-wagon standing off to the side watching the proceedings. His eyes were intensely focused, peering at each soldier with a casual curiosity. He seemed completely at ease, almost bored and yet…Drake got the distinct feeling that should something happen, this man would be the first on the scene. He wondered why he felt this, but his thoughts were gone almost immediately at the sound of his name being called.

"Lieutenant Drake Rook!"

"Here, Major", he replied calmly.

He spared another glance towards the man at the side and was surprised when those vivid blue eyes were locked on his own. One blink later and the man looked away as though he had never been staring at him in the first place.

"Now that all new arrivals are accounted for, we shall begin the debriefing."

Drake watched as the major stepped back and not entirely to his surprise, Mr. Welcome Wagon himself stepped up.

The men were all silent, curious stares taking in the sight of the man in front of them. Obviously he was someone with rank for him to be handling the debriefing. Some thought perhaps a sergeant, others a lieutenant or captain. Not even Drake had guessed his true identity.

"I had the pleasure of welcoming you upon your sudden arrival in our gate room. My name is Lt. Colonel John Sheppard, the military commander of Atlantis."

Drake could feel his jaw drop as he noticed many others had the same sort of expression. He could see their surprise, disbelief, and overall curiosity about the man before them. They had all heard the legends, but they had always imagined him somehow… as more. Drake certainly knew he had.

He noticed the amused expressions of those who had walked in with the Colonel and he wondered how often this reaction had occurred for the man. Bringing himself forcefully out of his own wondering to pay more rapt attention on his soon to be, new CO, he straightened his stance and stepped into full, yet casual, attention.

"I can already see the questions going through their minds," a voice chuckled just behind him. He turned just slightly and noticed it was "pudgy" who was speaking. 'Perhaps' his own thoughts said to him, 'you should be careful with your nicknames.' Already he had labeled the two from before somewhat unkindly, only to find them out to be his commanders.

"I will take questions at the end," the voice of Sheppard snapped him from his thoughts once more, "however, first, allow me to explain how things operate here."

SGA

Sheppard sighed inwardly as he explained the usual operations for Atlantis. He would be the first and was, to explain to them that the military protocol around here was lax compared to the SGC, but he went on to explain that their ability to be where they need to be and always ready at a single moment's notice, was unexplainably important. He wasn't sure how to get that across any better than telling them his own history with gaps here and there.

"I know you all believe you are ready, but let me tell you, you are not. The first day I arrived here, I walked in on this sunken city and was in awe. Only to find out moments later that we would all die to the water coming in upon our entrance. We gated off world and by chance, we met some very kind and valuable allies who have become close friends and family to all who have come to live here. With them however, came our first and unfortunate meeting with the Wraith; the Goa'uld of this galaxy. I find out first hand that they can, literally, suck the life right of you."

Everyone snickered, many thinking him joking. Others seemed a bit horrified and others, still did not believe. Sheppard knew many wouldn't believe him until they experience it themselves, but it was his job as both their commander and as someone who had the most experience with the Wraith, to tell them these things.

"Colonel!" a voice called out, "how would you describe these…err…wraith?"

Sheppard hummed, but a single image quickly came to mind.

"I would literally think of it as the Pegasus version of a vampire, for lack of better terms."

Many he could see were pretty excited about the idea. No doubt 'Vampire' at the moment, sounded cool. Cool until they witnessed their friends or themselves being sucked dry.

Sheppard shivered, his own memories flowing back at an incredible pace within his mind. Memories of Kolya, being tied down to a chair, his very life… being forced from him. He couldn't help it when he closed his eyes, still seeing the past. The past that had only occurred a few short months ago.

A firm and comforting presence suddenly appeared by his side and he didn't have to open his eyes to know Ronon had stepped up beside him. It didn't take a genius to see the Colonels discomfort, at least for those who knew him so well.

The men continued to whisper and laugh around them, but Sheppard just took a breath and continued on as though they hadn't taken it as a joke. As though they hadn't assisted him in remembering his own vivid torture.

"Tomorrow, everyone will have one down day to prepare themselves and their gear. You will report to me as you are called, here at the command center. You will be given your training schedule as well as your temporary assignment. Myself, Major Lorne, and Teyla, a member of my team, will be taking out three different teams of new arrivals for mandatory physical survival training."

He could hear the grunts and disgusted looks. Many probably thought their training was done and out of the way, but he wouldn't be satisfied until he had taken them out for himself and seen to it that they truly would live even a single day, in the Pegasus galaxy.

"Now that this is settled, let me introduce the other members of our senior staff. They each have something to say and then I will take questions."

Sheppard stepped back as Rodney stepped forward. The scientist looked less than pleased to be standing before this motley crew, but he did always seem to enjoy warning them off from doing anything recklessly around ancient technology and long abandoned laboratories not yet explored. Let's just say, he had a low opinion of anyone military, Sheppard and Lorne excluded.

"I am Dr. Rodney McKay, chief science officer here on Atlantis. Let me just tell you here and now that I will not being having any curious perusing or…"

Sheppard canceled Rodney out as he leaned back against the side wall, calming himself down. His heart was beating quickly and not just because of his discomfort in speaking before people, but because of his nightmares haunting even his daydreams. Ronon and Teyla who stood beside him were sending concerned glances his way, but he ignored them. He just needed a little time to himself and he would be fine. He would be fine…

SGA

Drake stole a glance at his CO. The man looked… well, tired, to say the least. His complexion was a bit pale and if he wasn't mistaken, the man's hands now clenched loosely at his sides had been shaking not even a minute before. Was he ill? He wondered to himself. Realizing he had been staring, he quickly turned his attention back to the scientist speaking. Seriously, the man still wasn't done squawking about being careful and keeping their grubby little hands off of his technology?

Drake sighed and closed his eyes, leaning his head back. He was tired after all the travel and he really just wanted to go lay down on a bed or something other than his very uncomfortable plastic folding chair.

"Now I will introduce Elizabeth Weir, our expedition's civilian leader."

Drake sat up a bit straighter. Elizabeth Weir… he had heard a lot about her. He also knew the story of how she got Sheppard promoted without the blessing of the military heads of state. Any woman who could do that because of her own whim, as many had put it, obviously had authority and power beyond normal means. Yet when he looked at her, not quite a young woman, but not old…she seemed so… average. He could see the intensity in her eyes and he could see her determination and kindness, yet he could also see she meant business. Still, looking at her now, she looked like any other woman to him. Pretty, not beautiful. Smart, yet not genius. He wondered what made her stand out above the rest of those considered for the position she was fulfilling here on Atlantis?

"Now, I will turn things over to Colonel Sheppard once again."

"Thank you Dr. Weir," he stated, completely professional. "I will now take questions."

Drake watched as many men raised their hands. He could hear snickering behind him and turned, curiously finding Major Lorne standing there speaking with some other military members he did not recognize from the trip. Veterans probably, he guessed.

"I wonder what questions will be asked to him this year," one whispered.

"You know Markham how everyone is. They will ask about the legends and their authenticity."

"You think the Colonel will really allow all those unnecessary childish questions to occur?" a younger man asked.

"Riley, he did it with you last year. Remember? What happened then?"

Riley looked a bit embarrassed.

"Well, he answered all of them. Every last one."

"Exactly. The colonel is a humble man," the major whispered, his tone serious yet almost proud, "however, he will never back down from a good story, even ones about himself. They make him laugh."

The three chuckled and continued whispering, but Drake droned them out as he turned back to the CO looking across the room at the hands raised.

"You," he pointed, "Corporal Scott, wasn't it?"

The man blinked, a bit shocked the colonel had remember his name from roll call.

"Err, yes Colonel, I had a question about our room assignments."

Sheppard smiled.

"Good question Corporal. Your room assignments will be given at the end of this debriefing. If you would all remain in here upon dismissal, your names will be called and a map handed to you for location purposes. Next."

"Colonel," one called out, "is it true you destroyed two wraith hives with a single dart?"

Sheppard pursed his lips, a grin kept hidden from sight.

"Yes private, it is. Although they mostly destroyed themselves. I just goosed them on a bit."

Everyone muttered, some in awe and others unbelieving.

"Colonel, is it true you killed your former CO?"

The room ran cold and everyone held their breath all at one time. Drake noticed the expressions of the other senior staff members darken. Whoever had said that truly didn't know what he had just asked and what anger had arisen because of it.

Sheppard however remained impassive, at least in expression. However, if his white knuckled hands holding the clipboard were anything to go by, he was angry.

"Sergeant…Franks, was it?"

The man nodded confidently, but Drake noticed he seemed slightly hesitant all at once. Idiot.

"When a time arrives that someone you are teamed with, whether they be friend, rival, or something in between is being murdered before your eyes; their very life essence being drained from them, their skin wrinkling to form an unrecognizable being; their eyes clouded with death and their hair turning white as snow though they are young… then and only then, will I think you understand what happened in that moment, because yes sergeant, I did kill him and I would do it again, if I was forced to make that same choice even now."

Everyone was silent and Sheppard suddenly sighed, looking even more tired than he already had seemed.

"I think that's enough questions now. Dismissed."

Drake closed his eyes and wondered just what the Pegasus galaxy had in store for them and what they had gotten themselves into.

SGA

Sheppard kept his eyes closed, his arm resting over his forehead. He laid across the couch in the rec-room, his mind desperate for some silence as he felt a nagging headache seep through him, creating a stinging pain behind his eyes.

A sudden, yet familiar voice broke through his quiet reprieve.

"Take two. You look like you could use them."

John blinked and looked up dimly at the shadowed figure above him. The light in the room was still off, thank goodness, but he could see just slightly from the light of the tinted city window.

"Rodney. You are a lifesaver," he whispered.

McKay snorted, but said nothing else as he sat down in the seat beside the couch, silently studying the colonel. He cursed to himself the man who had asked such a question of his friend. Of course, those buffoons did not know the colonel like he did, but one simply didn't ask questions like that, regardless of familiarity. Especially to John… he knew he kept his pains deeply hidden, but always present. John was just that type of guy. Still, Rodney felt the need to ask the obvious.

"Are you okay?"

Sheppard was silent and McKay wasn't sure he would actually answer, but then just as he thought about getting up and leaving the man alone to this thoughts, a soft whispered word came to him.

"No."

Rodney sighed. He wish he had something to say that would make it all better, but he knew nothing he could tell him was what he hadn't already heard and Rodney knew it never made the pain ease, even a little. Rodney knew, because he felt the same… maybe not quite as deeply, but McKay couldn't help but see the faces of those he had let down in the past, both since their arrival on Atlantis and before. Everyone had their demons, some just learned to handle them differently than others.

"You will be."

And all Sheppard could say, was "Yeah. Thanks Rodney."

And McKay could only stay silent, knowing right now, that was what his friend needed most. Silence and comforting, familiar presence by his side.