Disclaimer: In chapter one

Notes: You must be thinking: Where were you? Good question! I have to say, of all people to write fanfic, I think I'm one of the people that shouldn't, because not only do I write for a living (which means at the end of the day, the last thing I want to do is write some more), I travel a lot too. So that leaves me with barely any free time. And I'm so sorry for keeping you guys waiting! Really I am Especially to mtee1958 who wrote to me asking me to continue (and being the slacker that I am, I forgot to reply her e-mail. -v-")

Rest assured, there's an ending to this story. Why? Cos I wrote it already. I'm a little weird – I write the ending and the beginning then the middle parts. :P

But I can't express how grateful I am for hanging around. I just have three to four more chapters to go before the end. I hope you will remain patient with me a little while longer.

After Effects (Chapter 5)

By Wyndhamfan

A few minutes ago...

"So. I guess sitting up wasn't a good idea," Sheppard murmured.

"No, it probably wasn't," said Teyla. She gave him a smile that was tempered with concern.

To her credit, the Athosian still woman managed to sound perfectly normal, as if Sheppard merely woke up from a nap instead of lying in an infirmary bed, sick from some unknown side effect of a Wraith feeding.

Rodney, however, wasn't doing such a good job at hiding his dismay. He couldn't believe that just a few hours ago, Sheppard had looked normal. If ignoring the fact that he had nearly died and was actively pretending that all was right in the world was normal, that is. However, there was no denying now that there was something wrong.

All colour had leeched out of John Sheppard's face. Now, he lay in the infirmary bed bonelessly – as if he hadn't the energy to even lie down comfortably. A fine film of sweat covered his face; and he was breathing hard, as if he was running a mile a minute.

But Sheppard being Sheppard, was as usual, pretending that nothing was wrong. It drove Rodney crazy.

"For God's sakes, Colonel. You don't have to pretend that everything's okay for our sakes. We're big boys and girls now!" he wanted to scream.

Instead, he said: "That'll teach you that being Mr Invicible Hero is not such a great idea." It was a lame joke, but that was all he could manage to dredge up from his numb mind. Jokes are what Sheppard needs now. That's how he copes, right? McKay asked himself.

Sheppard managed a weak scowl. "At least I wasn't called Captain Untouchable."

Ronon shot Rodney a puzzled look.

"It's a long story. And it's a boring story," Rodney snapped.

Sheppard cast a furtive glance to his right – to an empty infirmary bed. Rodney caught the look and frowned. "Something wrong?" he asked.

Sheppard looked at him then shook his head. "Nothing."

"I don't think it's nothing. I know that worried look from anywhere," Rodney said, annoyed.

Sheppard frowned. Then looked to his right again. "Shut up," he hissed.

Well, that was gratitude for you, Rodney thought darkly. "I know you're not in a good mood, Colonel, but that language was uncalled for."

Sheppard frowned at him. "I wasn't talking to you, Rodney," he said, sounding annoyed.

"Oh? You're suddenly holding conversations with beds now?" Rodney didn't like the unsettling feeling he was getting at the pit of his stomach.

"Beds? Are you blind?" Sheppard remarked.

Ronon and Teyla gave him worried looks.

"What?" Sheppard asked defensively. Then he looked at the bed on his right again. "I said, shut up! I can't hear them with you yacking your head off!"

"Colonel ... who are you speaking to?" Teyla asked gently. Rodney couldn't have asked if he wanted to, because his mouth had turned dry. It was very obvious now that Sheppard was mad at the empty infirmary bed. It was wrong on too many levels.

Sheppard gave her a serious look. "Peter Grodin," he said irritably. "He's staring at me. And I'm getting sick and tired of it," he said darkly.

x...X...x

They watched as Carson examined Sheppard, who by then, was half-asleep and not entirely lucid.

"Ask him to shut up," the Colonel told Carson as the doctor placed a nasal cannula on him. Sheppard tried to swipe Carson's hand away irritably.

"Colonel, I want you to concentrate. You're on Atlantis, in the infirmary-"

"I know all that," he growled. "Why won't you listen to me? Grodin is making a lot of noise. And he's asking me rude questions."

"Questions? What questions?" Rodney asked, sounding numb.

"Rodney. The last thing we need to do is feed his psychosis," Carson whispered harshly. He turned back to Sheppard.

"Colonel, I'm going to give you something that will help you sleep now."

Sheppard nodded and waved a hand, as if trying to dismiss Carson. "Whatever," he slurred. Then the drug took effect, and he was asleep.

"Was it me, or did his personality morph into that of a 5-year-old?" Rodney whispered.

"Personality shifts are not unusual when a person has a ... psychotic episode," Carson answered, steering all of them away from Sheppard's bed.

"He totally believed Grodin was there. Like it never occurred to him that he's dead," Rodney remarked.

"Grodin?" Ronon asked.

"He was a scientist ... he was killed by the Wraith when they tried to invade Atlantis two years ago," Teyla said simply.

"It's as if all memory of that event just wasn't there. Are we dealing with amnesia too?"

"Rodney, when a person suffers from delusions-"Carson began.

"Are you saying he is insane?" Ronon demanded sharply. Teyla gave Carson a look of alarm.

"No!" Rodney and Carson answered as one.

Sighing, Carson raised both hands placatingly.

"Look, everyone, I believe that this is temporary. All this is happening because his brain chemistry is fluctuating like the rest of his body," said Carson.

"Can you give him ... something?" Teyla asked, uncharacteristically uncertain.

"Of course, but all I can do is ease his mood fluctuations and give him something that will help him sleep better. All we can do now is to wait."

"All right, Carson, please keep me posted about his condition," Weir said quietly. Absorbed in their concern over Sheppard, they forgot for a moment that Weir was still there, silently watching over Sheppard.

"Of course, Dr Weir. And about Mr Woolsey-"

"Is not even a problem,"Weir said, giving him a smile. But her eyes were hard with determination.

"Good. I don't have any bloody time to play politics with the IOA now. Excuse me," with that Carson left to be at Sheppard's side.

"Neither do I," Weir said under her breath.

The four of them watch Carson work at Sheppard's bedside silently, knowing that it won't be long when one of his nurses would appear and chase them out.

"Sheppard, you never do anything the easy way," Rodney sighed and crossed his arms.

TBC...