Rodney sat in a corner of the room, tablet in hand watching Carson hobble around; the medical boot on his foot thudding an echo on the floor that would have been comical, if not for the forlorn look on the doctor's face.

As Carson moved to the door once again to try to leave the room, the guards standing nearby looked awkwardly at Rodney who just shook his head and muttered, "Let him be."

With his ankle healed enough to put some weight on, Jennifer had ordered the restraints removed to give the still silent doctor a small sense of freedom in hopes that he would finally start talking.

So far it wasn't working.

Placing his tablet down, Rodney stood as Carson moved from the door and started to walk the room; one hand trailing against the wall, his lips moving but no words escaping them.

It was…walk the room, bang on the door, walk the room…over and over again.

"Carson?" said Rodney as his friend neared him, but the Scot as he did before flinched away from Rodney's voice; moving away from him then back to the wall continuing his clunking walk.

Rodney sighed and slumped back into his chair, wondering just when all of this was going to end and he'd get his best friends back.

"Will you stay?" asked Teyla.

Odalia nodded from across the room as they watched a guard undo John's restraints.

"Of course." she replied, her eyes on John whose face reflected his curiosity and suspicion at the guard who was releasing him from his binds.

Several marines armed with stunners entered and took up spots around the room; followed by Jennifer, Ronon and two of Lorne's men pushing a large covered clear lab container.

Jennifer ordered them to move the container against the wall across from the foot of the bed, then turned to John who was sitting up slowly rubbing his now freed wrists.

He glanced at her, then the container.

"What is that?" he asked, as he swung his legs off the side of the bed.

"Colonel…" she began.

John huffed at her the turned to Odalia.

"Go and see." the old woman said.

He hesitated, glancing at the container then back to her.

"Why? What's in there?"

"We believe that it was in the room that you were forced into by Lucius."

John's brow furrowed and he shook his head, annoyed.

"What are you talking about?"

Odalia frowned and looked at Jennifer, who turned to Woolsey.

"Sir, this is a bad idea."

"We need to try to snap him out of this!" Woolsey replied.

"Yes, but not like this!"

He stared at her for a beat contemplating her words, then turned to Ronon.

"Ronon, the cover." he ordered.

The Satedan glared at him, then looked at Jennifer who paused then reluctantly nodded her okay.

Ronon removed the cover, his eyes focused on John who stood and slowly turned towards the container, annoyed at the armed guards and the others who were looking at him.

"Y'all seem very worried over something you have in a box." John muttered as he moved towards the container.

He glanced at the guarded door and wondered how many of Arex's men he would have to take down to make it out of there; he just needed to get one of their weapons…but first, he'd need to take care of the large man with all the hair who had a major staring problem; the man exuded violence.

As he neared the container, as the thing inside came more into view, John slowed to a stop.

He looked down at his feet confused…

Why'd I stop?

…then back up at the container and the thing inside.

It was some sort of mutated creature, huge and horrible to look at. John glanced at Odalia who smiled and nodded at him, then he returned his gaze to the mutation.

Why were they showing him this?

Coward!

John gasped softly and took a step back; a sudden feeling of fear washing over him, confusing him. Rubbing the side of his neck, he winced at the legs on the monster.

What was wrong with him? He couldn't stay here…he had to find…

Disgrace!

John twitched and took another step back, the whole room could hear his breathing hitch.

Ronon glared at Woolsey who turned and whispered something in Jennifer's ear.

She shook her head and started to step forward to put a stop to what was happening, when Teyla standing nearby held up a hand to stop her; she remembered what the creature had done to Lorne. John would have to remember what had happened to him, if there was any chance of him getting past it.

"It was with you in the room." Teyla whispered, her heart going out to her friend, when she saw him flinch.

"It crawled on top of you and tried to steal you away."

John glanced at her then back to the container.

"What?" he murmured, his breathing getting faster.

I won't run…please…please…

Teyla could tell that though John was present, his mind had found the pain that he had forgotten; she moved closer, remembering Lorne's screams.

"Its legs pressed against you...and the pain you felt…"

One more try!

"Stop!" John gasped.

"Lucius locked you in on purpose," Odalia said sadly, understanding what Teyla was doing. "He knew it was in there…he wanted it to touch you...

Stoptouchingmestoptouchingme!

…to hurt you."

Odalia reached out and touched John's arm.

"No!" John shouted and spun blindly knocking Odalia to the ground.

"NO!"

"NO!"

He continued to shout, his back slamming up against the wall; his eyes were squeezed shut, his arms flailing in front of him.

The marines tightened their grips on their weapons as Teyla rushed to Odalia's aid, and Ronon stepped between the armed men and John, an angry look on his face.

"I'm alright, I'm alright." muttered Odalia as Teyla helped her to her feet. They all turned to John who had slid down the wall to the ground, his legs pulled up and arms wrapped around his knees.

"Sheppard." Ronon said softly and crouched in front of his friend.

John's eyes were wide and unfocused, his body trembling.

"I won't run again." he whispered. "I won't…I…"

"Sheppard?" Ronon repeated, inching closer.

John's eyes turned to him and Ronon frowned at the trapped look in them.

"Hey, Buddy." the Satedan smiled, trying for friendly but tensed and followed suit as John pressed against the wall pulling himself to his feet, his eyes flicking around the room unfocused once again.

"…learned my lesson." John panted, his body now shaking, his voice growing louder.

"Open the door! Open the..!"

The door to the room slid open to the shock of everyone, as John in his panicked state unknowingly accessed his ATA gene. Everyone froze for a moment then all the guards lifted their stunners aiming at John who had gone unnaturally still and was staring at them.

He blinked, then slowly looked from them to the open doorway.

"Colonel Sheppard?" Teyla grew tense as she watched John's fists clench, his body almost vibrating.

Without thinking, Ronon reached out to steady his friend.

"Ronon, no!" warned Teyla.

In that split second, at Ronon's touch John turned to the Satedan with eyes almost feral, and growling he barreled into Ronon sending both of them sprawling to the ground.

"Let me out!" John roared.

"Sheppard!" Ronon shouted, his arms spread out to his sides to avoid touching John who kicked away from him half crawling half swaying towards the open doorway; his breath now coming in huge gasps.

"I learned my lesson…I..!"

The guard by the open door looked at Woolsey, unsure of what to do.

"Sir!" Jennifer turned to Woolsey, an urgent look in her eyes. "He feels trapped!"

He stared at her for a moment understanding, then turned to the guard.

"Stand down!" he ordered.

Immediately, the guard lowered his weapon and stepped aside.

The room grew silent, worried sets of eyes all on John as his movement slowed, his breathing now erratic as he made for the open door.

"L-let…me...I-I w-won't...I w-won't..!" He collapsed to the ground, his hands and legs twitching; then exhaled loudly and was still.

-tbc-