THE WHITE ROOM - Part 11

Rodney strode purposefully into the room. "Hermiod, what have we got?" He tried not to let his hope get ahead of him, but they had waited so long on a break, any kind of a break, that he found himself ready to do just about anything for some good news. "Please tell me you guys have come up with something positive."

Hermiod turned his head to the scientist. "I believe that we have indeed discovered something that may help Colonel Sheppard. Dr. Zelenka contacted me with some information he found in the Atlantis database."

Rodney motioned madly with his hand. "Well, spit it out, what did you find?"

Hermiod seemed to narrow his eyes slightly before looking back down at the screen in front of him. "Dr. Zelenka has found a program that he believes can be modified to help the Colonel. It was originally intended to be used with Ancients having to take in a large amount of information through a direct link with Atlantis. Certain scientists and military personnel were often required to take in more information than what the brain was normally capable of in such a short period. This program was used to enable the individual to safely store the information in a way it could be accessed."

Rodney's eyes widened. "Yes, yes, that does sound hopeful. But Sheppard has already had the information downloaded. Can it be used to remove it?"

Hermiod looked back up at McKay. "No, it cannot. But Dr. Zelenka and I believe it can be modified to help sort the information and separate it from the memories of the Colonel's that it has become intertwined with. In that way, Colonel Sheppard could function normally and also have access to the new information in his brain."

Rodney's mouth gaped for a second, unable to believe what he was hearing. "Well, that's great. What are we waiting for? Let's get Sheppard back to Atlantis and get started."

"It is not that simple. It will take Dr. Zelenka and I a minimum of two days to make the adjustments to the program. I am afraid even then it will be a slow process, taking many sessions to complete. If it is rushed, the Colonel's mind could be permanently damaged. And there is no guarantee this will work."

Rodney nodded, his elation of before dissipating as he realized the uncertain and dangerous nature of Sheppard's "cure". "Yeah, okay. At least he has a chance now. That's a heck of lot more than he had before."

"There is something else of interest. I have been scanning the readings from the Daedalus as requested and I have found something. In reviewing the records of when Colonel Sheppard was beamed on or off the ship, I found an odd energy reading that extends back almost one and a half years. It began shortly after the Daedalus began making trips to Atlantis and is only associated with the Colonel's movements."

Rodney frowned and tilted his head slightly. "How do you know that?"

Hermiod blinked slowly and almost seemed to sigh. "Each time someone is beamed using the ship's technology, they leave a trace signature that can be identified. The energy anomaly only appears when Colonel Sheppard is beamed on or off the ship, but once initiated, it shows up every time."

Rodney's eyes drifted down. "Holy crap, that's got to be it," he muttered.

"Holy crap indeed," agreed Hermiod in his usual deadpan.

"That's it. He didn't get this stuff from one big download, it came from a bunch of smaller downloads, when he was being beamed on and off the ship. Is that possible?"

Hermiod gave a small nod. "I believe the technology could be preprogrammed to recognize the Colonel's signature and do such a thing. I will need to investigate further in order to confirm that this is indeed what happened."

Rodney nodded enthusiastically. "Yes, yes, investigate further. I need to talk to Zelenka and find out when this program will be ready for Sheppard so I can make arrangement to get him back through the gate." Rodney turned to leave, throwing a wave over his shoulder. "Good work, Hermiod."

Hermiod watched as McKay walked out the door. "Indeed."

oOo

"Radek, I just talked to Hermiod and he told me what you two have come up with. Is this really going to work?" Rodney studied the scientist on the screen, no longer phased by the fact that the man was in a distant galaxy.

"We cannot know for sure until we try, but I think it will work or I would not suggest it."

Rodney nodded. "Fair enough. Hermiod said it would take a minimum of two days to get it ready."

"That is correct. I have spoken to Dr. Weir and she suggested you keep the Colonel there until then. It will then take another day beyond that to get everything ready. That day could be used to acclimate Colonel Sheppard to being back in Atlantis."

Rodney sighed, looking disappointed. "To tell you the truth, I'm ready to bring him back right now. This place makes me nervous."

"We miss you too, Rodney."

"I didn't say I missed you. I just . . . you can't trust anyone here, that's all. It's not . . . home."

"I understand. Dr. Weir has talked to General O'Neill and is making arrangements through him for your return. It is better, now that your team and Dr. Beckett is there, no?"

"Yes, I have to admit, I was glad to see Beckett, just don't let him know that. I haven't actually seen Ronon and Teyla yet. Something about not overwhelming Sheppard. Speaking of the man who likes to cause trouble, I better get back down there. And Radek . . . you did . . . okay. I mean . . . well, what I'm trying to say is . . . "

"You're welcome Rodney," Zelenka said softly.

Rodney just nodded. "Yeah. Uh, I'll have Carson contact you tomorrow for more details. Until then." Rodney watched Zelenka's grin fade away with the picture.

oOo

Carson sat down, relief flowing through him now that John was finally asleep again. He was still clutching the disc to his chest, twitching and mumbling in his sleep. Carson could still hear bits and pieces of the phrase John kept repeating, even now in his sleep. He remembered the John Sheppard that had held off Genii forces by himself for hours during the storm, the John Sheppard that had flown an armed jumper into the belly of a Hive ship, the John Sheppard that had escaped Hive ships twice, rescuing teammates both times. It was heartbreaking to observe what he had become and to know that he might stay this way forever. Sometimes life seemed so unfair.

The door opened and Rodney came in, heading straight for John. "How is he?"

Carson stood and looked down at his sleeping patient. "He's all right. He knew me, I think. He called me doctor, well, in Ancient."

Rodney's eyes widened as he looked at Beckett.

"Well, that's what Dr. Lam told me anyway," Carson said, flushing. "Then he kept repeating some phrase over and over, but I have no idea what it was. He finally stopped a few minutes ago."

Rodney nodded. "Good news. Zelenka found some program on Atlantis he thinks could help the Colonel, but it won't be ready for about two days. Hermiod said it will have to be done in small increments to keep from making the problem worse, and of course, there's no guarantee it will work. But at least he has a chance now."

"That is good news, Rodney."

Sheppard began to stir, moving his legs around under the covers and muttering to himself as he clutched the disc. "Lantea . . . Lantea . . . methora dae priseem." His eyes flashed open. "Lantea."

"That was it, what he was saying earlier."

Rodney gripped John's arm, making eye contact with his friend. "He wants to go home."

John struggled to sit up. "Azur . . . Rodney . . . Dasora . . . Car . . . Carson." He furrowed his brow and rubbed the side of his head with his knuckles, whimpering softly. "Lantea . . . Lantea . . . "

Rodney leaned forward and put his face close to John's. "John. It's Rodney. Rodney. We're going to take you home. Lantea. We'll take you to Lantea."

John had frozen, staring at Rodney, almost mesmerized by his face or his voice or both. "Lantea," he whispered.

Rodney smiled. "Lantea," he said firmly.

John clutched the disc to his chest with his left hand and continued to rub the side of his head with his right hand. He relaxed back into the pillow and closed his eyes. "Lantea."

The door opened suddenly and Ronon's voice boomed in from the hall. "I want to see Sheppard and I'm seeing him now."

John jerked at the sound, quickly scrambling out of bed even as Rodney and Carson tried to get a hold on him. Scurrying to the corner, he crouched down and folded himself into as small a space as he could. He buried his face against his knees and folding his right arm over his head protectively, still clutching the disc to his chest with the other hand.

Rodney threw up his arms in frustration as Ronon and Teyla entered the room, an angry guard behind them. "Congratulations, Conan, you just scared the crap out of him. Now we've got to pry him out of the corner again."

Ronon and Teyla stood frozen to their spot, watching the Colonel hunker down in the corner, his body visibly trembling. Teyla slowly walked over to crouch in front of Sheppard. She talked gently, without touching him at first.

"John, it is Teyla. Do you remember me?"

John responded by pressing his face down and whimpering. Teyla inched forward as the others watched breathlessly.

"John, it is Teyla. We are friends, are we not? I remember the things you have told me. You like Ferris wheels and things that go fast. You like to fly."

John stilled and then lifted his head a little, dark eyes peering at her over his knees. "Avolare . . . Lantea avolare. Amare avolare."

"He said he loves Atlantis and he loves flying," said Rodney, his voice quiet so as not to startle Sheppard. "Keep talking to him."

"I've missed you John. We have all missed you. Do you remember me? We are friends and I want to help you." Teyla's voice was soft and melodic, and John watched her closely.

John slowly lowered his arm from the top of his head, edging it forward as if afraid. He finally touched the side of Teyla's face, stroking it gently. "Tey . . . Teyla."

A grin spread across her face as her eyes misted. "Yes, John, it's Teyla. We've come to help you." She now reached out and touched his arm, barely putting enough pressure to be felt. When he didn't flinch away, she crept forward a little more until she could put her arm around him, talking softly to him the entire time. Eventually she had his head resting on her shoulder as she cradled him next to her chest. She stroked his back as he trembled, pressing his hand to his head and whimpering softly.

"I think it makes his head hurt to remember things," explained Rodney. "It seems when he had a lucid moment, it's usually followed by pain."

Teyla nodded and held John tighter as Carson came forward to put a blanket over John's thin, trembling form. "We should get him back in bed in a few minutes, lass, but he can stay put with you for a short bit," said Carson.

Teyla nodded. "We are here for you John and we will not leave you again." She leaned the side of her face against the top of his head. "We are here, John."

John lifted his head from her shoulder and looked across the room, his glassy eyes trying to focus. "Ronon?"

Ronon took a deep breath and then went slowly over to sit down by Teyla. "I'm here Sheppard. Sorry I startled you."

John looked at him in confusion for a few seconds before finally seeming to recognize the former runner. "Ronon," he stammered out. John smiled briefly before lowering his head into his hands and moaning in pain. He dropped the disc as he brought both hands up to rub his head and then firmly grasped a handful of hair and tightened his grip. His whole body tensed and shuddered before going limp. Teyla and Ronon instinctively reached out to keep him from falling over.

Teyla looked up, fear filling her face. "Carson?"

The doctor stepped forward to feel for Sheppard's pulse. He let out a deep breath as he pulled his hand away. "He's just asleep . . . or maybe unconscious. Let's get him back on the bed. I think this was too much excitement for him."

Ronon picked the Colonel up and carried him back to the bed. Carson immediately began arranging the covers over his patient. "Rodney, why don't you tell Ronon and Teyla about Radek's discovery while I check the Colonel."

Rodney kept staring down at Sheppard for several seconds before finally turning to talk to the two new arrivals to the Milky Way Galaxy.

oOo

Familiar faces and familiar voices. He knew them. John pushed the swirling images aside to concentrate. He needed to go home. He wanted to go home with every fiber of his being. Fear filled him constantly, fear and pain.

Rodney. Rodney was talking to him. He wanted to listen and understand but the flashing images and words kept getting in the way. Focusing on the words from the familiar face, he felt hope for the first time in a while. Were they going home? He couldn't be sure, everything was so confused.

Fear again, making him want to hide. He scrambled in a search for safety, trembling, afraid. But then another familiar voice, one he hadn't heard for a while. He looked up into her face, concentrating on pushing the chaos back. Teyla. Teyla was here with him. And Ronon was here as well. His team was here and he felt safe again. And then the pictures and screams and words came back full fold, making the pain arc up into the highest levels yet. He wanted to scream, but he couldn't make his voice work, so he gave in to the encroaching darkness and prayed it would bring relief.

oOo

Purdie raced into the lab, slamming the door behind him.

"Is that necessary?" asked Kel, eyeing him warily.

"I think it may be time to cut our losses and run. I just found out a few things you might be interested in. First of all, they may have found a way to fix Sheppard in Atlantis. Some program they think can shuffle all that information we downloaded around in his brain so that he can actually use it. Which might be exciting except for the fact that Hermiod is onto us using the beaming technology to get that stuff in Sheppard's head in the first place. He hasn't figured all of it out yet, but it's just a matter of time. And when he does, they'll start looking at who had access to the information and who was working on the Daedalus systems about that time and put two and two together. And in this case, two plus two equals us."

Kel just stared at him for a moment with his large, dark eyes. "You panic too easily. Humans are much too emotional. It's a wonder you ever accomplish anything between your outbursts of panic. We can still make this work. As I see it, we have several options."

Purdie took a deep breath and sat down. "Okay, I'm calm, not panicking. One option is grabbing Sheppard and running so we can do our own experiments on descrambling his brain. What are the others?"

"It will be several days until they are able to trace anything back to us. We can use this time to gather information from our sources about Sheppard and this program they have found. We can then either use that to start again with another subject or take Sheppard with us. I have not given up the possibility of running our own tests before they take him back to Atlantis, but it will be difficult in light of the protection he is under. Still, there may be a way."

Purdie narrowed his eyes and grinned at the alien. "You know, I like the way you think. What do you have in mind? And if it happens to make everyone's precious colonel uncomfortable, then all the better. That man is getting on my last nerve."

Kel nodded and almost seemed to smile. "Let me explain our options in more detail. I am certain we can make one of them work to our satisfaction."

TBC