Part 12 - Not exciting enough!

John woke to the sounds of a ventilator, at least that's what his befuddled brain thought it was. He tried to swallow and sure enough his throat was restricted by an unpleasant tube. Panic crept in as he hated the feeling, but before he could even make a token effort, oblivion reclaimed him.

Ronon looked on, disappointed to see John lose consciousness almost immediately after regaining it. He swallowed his frustration and quickly moved out of the way to allow Carson access.

The Scot muttered. "Oh my, I know how he hates that tube but I really didn't expect him to wake so quickly." He then checked the various monitor readouts, "Looks like he's breathing satisfactorily on his own now, so we can safely extubate and fit him with a nasal cannula to provide a little extra oxygen. If you'd like to wait outside, Ronon, I'll have it out in no time." The big Satedan didn't need to be told twice. He hated the procedure done to him but it was ten times worse seeing it done to someone he cared about.

In no time, Carson called him back and Ronon was relieved to see John looking more normal without the ugly tube and mouthpiece. His dark hair still stuck-up wildly where the head bandage had pushed it even further up and his complexion still looked awfully pale under his dark stubble but Ronon finally began to believe that his buddy would make a full recovery.

-oOo-

John's next venture into the land of the living came many hours later. He tried to force his heavy eyelids open but they felt glued together as if someone had squirted super glue onto them. A soft moist cloth landed on his brow and someone lightly bathed his eyes. After a while, he was able to open them to see the smiling face of a nurse that he didn't recognize. She continued to bathe his face with cool water and he vaguely wondered if he had a fever. Yet he didn't feel shivery or anything.

She softly spoke to him. "Welcome back, Colonel. I've just giving you a little fresh up."

Her face left his field of vision and was immediately replaced by Teyla's. His friend's countenance looked relieved and he even detected some moisture in her eyes, as if she wanted to cry. "Welcome back, John, you have given us quite a scare these passed few days."

John tried to remember why but for the life of him, he couldn't. He licked his lips in an effort to talk but his mouth felt so dry. The nurse handed Teyla a cup with some ice chips and she gently placed one between his parched lips. John let it melt to coat his mouth before attempting to speak. His first effort came out as a croak. He cleared his throat and eventually managed to form the words. "What…happened?"

Teyla looked puzzled. "You do not remember?"

John went to shake his head but realized quick enough that that wasn't a good idea as a sharp pain spiked along his forehead. What the hell had happened to him? He answered Teyla with a simple. "No."

Jennifer Keller came into view. "It's not so unusual with a head injury. What's your last memory, John?"

John racked his aching brain for an answer. "Err… staying in a motel, having breakfast and then…oh yeah, I went into a bank for some cash and after that…? Wait a minute…there was a hold-up…two guys tried to get some cash at gunpoint and I...I ended up getting shot?"

Jennifer nodded. "Yes you did. Well it seems that your memory hasn't been badly affected. Hopefully it will all come back to you soon but what you need to know is that you suffered from a chest wound and a fractured skull."

John looked alarmed and the heart monitor picked up its pace. Taking several calming breaths, John eventually managed to ask. "How?"

"One of the thieves whacked you in the head, twice. Unfortunately, he managed to catch you in the same spot. Do you remember that?" John thought about it of a moment and then gave the tiniest of nods. "The fracture was a clean break with no bone fragments entering your brain. There was a slight bleed behind but that's righted itself and even the fracture is showing signs of healing."

Relieved, John breathed out audibly. He was getting drowsy. However, he had one question he needed to know before he could allow sleep to claim him again. "So…why do I feel like I've been…through a…meat grinder?"

"Because you nearly died on us, John. In fact, up until yesterday you were still on the critical list."

"Oh." He managed to croak out before turning his head a fraction. "Where…are we?"

"The SGC."

John wanted to ask why but his eyes became impossibly heavy and drifted back to sleep before he could engage his mouth.

-oOo-

It took a long time before he opened his eyes again. John tried to recall his surroundings. He remembered seeing Jennifer Keller the last time he was conscious but this didn't look like the infirmary on Atlantis. Then he remembered her saying something about the SGC. Yep that seemed about right. But why was he there?

He felt marginally better but his head still ached and he was as weak as a kitten, although not so weak that he couldn't turn his head. Then again, the sight that greeted him left him shocked and totally perplexed. "Dave?"

Dave had been reading The New York Times for the latest stock prices when he heard John softy speak his name. Quickly putting the paper aside, he stood up and smiled down at his brother. "Hi there."

John frowned. "What are you doing here?"

"Worrying about you. God, John, you gave me such a scare, I thought I'd lost you too."

"Sorry." John tried to moisten his lips but his mouth still felt impossibly dry. Dave saw his problem and shouted for a nurse. A few minutes later, John was propped up and sipping some cool refreshing water. It felt like heaven. When he could speak a little better, John asked. "Was I so bad that they called you here?"

"Yes, little brother. They thought you were going to die."

"Really. I can only remember…" Then it came to him. "Clive shot me didn't he?"

"So I've been told. Clive was the younger one wasn't he?"

"Yeah, I think I killed the other one."

Dave nodded. "He died on the way to hospital. Clive is being held on possible murder charges. From what I've heard, he really didn't mean to do shot you. Apparently, he really lost it afterwards."

Right now, John couldn't care less. Although deep down, he knew that Clive wasn't a bad type. He'd just been just over-influenced by his good-for-nothing brother. John regretted the way things had ended up but Wade hadn't given him any choice. It wasn't John's fault that the idiot had been too dumb to realize that there was no way out. Another more important question came to mind. "Clive didn't hurt the others did he?"

"The others?"

"Rachel and the manager?"

Dave smiled. "So you were on first name terms with the store owner, huh? Rodney McKay thought as much."

"Rodney's here?"

"Yes, along with that civilian contractor Ronon Dex and a rather sexily dressed young lady. They all claim to be part of your team, whatever that means? I had no idea that the Air Force employed such people."

A small smile flashed across John's face at the mention of his team. "Haven't they explained anything to you yet?"

"No, I've been cooped up in this strange base worrying about you and no one has given me any explanations. Rodney McKay said something about asking you when you were well enough. But I know one thing for sure…there are some pretty weird things going on around here."

John tried to look innocent. "Oh really?

"Yes. Like the dark haired, good looking woman who used a strange glowing disk on you."

Even John was confused by that. It sounded like something Vala might do but Keller hadn't mentioned a thing. Not that he'd had the stamina for a long conversation. John gave his brother an earnest look. "I guess you've signed a confidentiality agreement?" Dave nodded. "Okay then. When I'm feeling a whole lot better, I'll explain everything to you. That's if the General allows it."

Hearing John's words, Dave was beginning to wonder just how much longer he could afford to stick around. After all he had a business to run. Yet in spite of his absence, his people had assured him that everything under control. So maybe a few more days wouldn't hurt, therefore he answered. "I'd like that, John."

John nodded, he was feeling increasingly drowsy, but before he drifted off again, he said. "You never answered my question. Did Rachel get out all right?"

Dave took his brother's hand and lightly squeezed it. "They all did, John." Then he reached over to pickup a large card from a table beyond John's line of vision. Holding it up for John to see, he said. "This is a thank you card from the folks of Bracton. There are also some personal messages for you to read when you're up to it." Then he winked and smiled. "And there's one from Rachel. Anyway, the town is hailing you as a hero because no one was injured or died thanks to your actions." Dave paused for a minute to reflect, how things could have been so different. "Well, no one apart from you and that idiot thief, of course. The motel owner has sent your belongings to Peterson along with the things the sheriff had. I think it was your handgun, sunglasses, jacket, and an iPhone, which was recovered from the young thief. As for the rental, it's been returned to Hertz with no extra charges."

John smiled and nodded his thanks before settling down to sleep some more.

-oOo-

It took a number of days more, but John went from being entirely bedridden to regaining some mobility far quicker than anyone could have foreseen. But then again, the doctors from Atlantis knew better. Vala Mal Doran claimed it was all her doing and to keep her pacified, everyone had agreed. Although there was no doubt that the healing device may have given John an edge, everyone agreed that it was more likely John's stubborn will and his desire to live that attributed to his remarkable recovery.

Of course, John still had a quite way to go before being one hundred percent but by the sixth day, he was dressed in a T-shirt and sweat pants and ready to leave the infirmary for the first time with the help of his team. After all, John still had a promise to keep and today was the day he would show Dave the truth.

General Landry hadn't been too pleased when Sam Carter had approached him for permission to show Dave the Gateroom, but he eventually relented. John's argument had been that it was far better to tell his brother the truth than leave him with a lot of unanswered questions. Secretly, John was relieved to be able to show his brother some of things he'd been doing these last few years. Maybe it would help to mend the fences that still stood between them.

Ronon entered the infirmary pushing a wheelchair and John looked at it with alarm. "What's that for?"

"You. The doctors don't think you can walk that far yet."

"The gateroom is only an elevator ride away. I think I can manage that."

"Well think again, Colonel." Jennifer told him as she approached his bed with Rodney in tow. Dave and Teyla where just a few steps behind them.

"You should listen to the doctor, John. She only has your best interest at heart."

Rodney turned to Dave. "Ha…I don't know what he was like as a child but he never listens when it comes to medical advice."

They all heard Dave mutter. "Then some things haven't changed."

John scowled. "Thank you, Rodney."

"You're welcome."

Teyla had to have her say. She lightly touched John's arm. "I believe the stress of walking so far on your first outing will not be good for you. Please use the chair and let Ronon push you as far as the big door. Then if you wish to walk, we shall not prevent it."

John looked at them in turn, he knew that they were only concerned for his well-being but he hated feeling helplessness. He really didn't want to enter the Gateroom in a wheelchair, so Teyla's suggestion seemed sensible. "Okay if you'll stop ganging up on me, then I'll use the chair as far as the entry but after that…I want to walk in unaided," he emphasized. He had a few questions regarding the Stargate but he couldn't ask them with Dave around because that would spoil the big surprise. "All right then, let's go."

Without further argument, John stood up and Ronon helped him into the chair. The small group then trooped out of the infirmary toward the elevator and for the first time, Dave would be going down instead of up. The guard quickly acknowledged Sheppard with a salute and pushed the down button for them. When the elevator arrived they all traipsed in and waited silently until it reached level 28.

John felt like a small kid again eager to show his big brother his latest model airplane. Not that Dave had been all that interested. Even at an early age their pursuits had been vastly different. John preferred sports, action games, speed, and anything to do with flying. Dave loved his books and writing, taking an early interest in their father's business. They both excelled at math, but for totally different reasons.

John felt his heart step up a beat. Would his business minded brother be remotely impressed by what he was about to learn? The answer had to be a resounding - yes. After all, this was the biggest 'Hail Mary' of all time. After the Atlantis expedition, of course. And even though this wasn't his Stargate, John suddenly found himself impatient to see one again. Maybe Stargate travel was addictive?

Eager hands helped him to stand. Thankfully the head-rush he'd experienced in the infirmary didn't recur. Ronon opened the big door just wide enough for them to walk through. John told Dave to close his eyes and supporting each other, they moved on into the Gateroom.

The Stargate was inactive at the moment and somehow it didn't seem all that impressive. John turned to Rodney. "I think Jeannie's way of finding out was far more spectacular."

"What being beamed to…" Ronon's large hand quickly slapped over Rodney's big mouth, effectively shutting him up.

John nodded his approval and turned to his brother. "Dave you can open your eyes now."

David Sheppard did just that. He starred wide-eyed and speechless for several minutes before looking to his brother and saying. "What the hell is that thing?"

"Told ya. Not exciting enough."

Rodney spluttered. "Not exciting enough! I'll have you know…that…" This time it was Teyla's small hand covering Rodney's mouth. Everyone laughed, except Dave.

John quickly sobered on seeing his brother's doubt. "Okay that big round thing is called a Stargate. It has the ability to transport things…like people, other life forms and objects to other planets or…even…other galaxies."

As John had feared, Dave looked totally unimpressed. "This is one big joke right?

"No. I'm being deadly serious. It's not active at the moment but when powered up…"

"Oh...will you just let me explain." Rodney interrupted. "What he's trying to say is, the Stargate forms wormholes enabling objects to be transported through space from point A to point B. Now if you've got any questions concerning wormhole physics, then…I'm...your...man."

"Rodney!"

"Well...you weren't explaining things very well."

Luckily, General Landry chose that moment to enter the Gateroom. "Good to see you up and about again, Colonel."

"Thank you, sir."

Landry moved to Dave and held out his hand. "I'm General Landry in charge of Stargate Command and you must be Colonel Sheppard's brother."

Without hesitation, Dave shook it firmly. "Yes that's right. I'm David Sheppard."

"Well, I sincerely hope you're not as bad at taking orders as he is?" John cringed, but was relieved to see that the general said it with a genuine smile.

Dave didn't really know what to say to that. He knew that John had been in trouble because of his tendency to disobey orders. However, he wondered where this was leading to, so he decided to simply answer. "It depends on whether I agree with the order or not."

Landry nodded with approval and smiled. "Well, I hope you'll agree to this order. What you see here today must remain a total secret. As for your brother's tendency to disobey...well, we probably wouldn't be having this conversation if he didn't from time to time. Not that I'm giving you a green light to disobey orders, Colonel."

"I wouldn't dream of it, sir." John replied and he meant it. Well most of the time.

"All right then. Oh, I'm sorry that our Stargate is uninteresting, Mr. Sheppard, but the Atlantis Stargate has rather spoiled our action."

"Yes about that." Rodney stated.

Landry held up his hand. "In a minute, Dr. McKay. Colonel, you've got two weeks before I want you to report back to Atlantis for the President's visit."

For some reason, John felt ill at ease. Although a Presidential visit had been predictable, he just didn't like the idea. Nevertheless, he had no choice but to go along with it. Even if it meant having to wear full-dress uniform, which he absolutely loathed. He ended-up answering the general with a straightforward. "Yes, sir."

"Oh, and Mr. Sheppard, as a family member of the Atlantis base Military Commander, you're welcome to come along too. As long as you can keep that a secret but I think you already know the penalties if you don't."

"You can trust me, General, and thank you for the invitation." Dave answered with sincerity. He didn't know what the heck this Atlantis base was but at least he would get to meet the President. Something he had always wanted to do. It took several minutes for the rest of general's words to register. Although, he kept quiet until Landry departed with a babbling Rodney just one step behind him.

In a small way, John was relieved to see McKay go as now he could explain things without any interruptions. However, he didn't get the chance to speak up because Dave gave him a very puzzled look and said. "I have no idea what Atlantis is, but did I just hear right when he said that you are the Military Commander?" Dave seemed overly skeptical, as if such a notion couldn't possibly be true.

John felt a flash of annoyance, upset at his brother's reaction. "Yes, I am." He wanted to defend himself further, but a sudden wave of dizziness made him feel unwell. He swayed to one side but quickly regained his balance, hoping that no one had noticed.

Of course, Teyla had noticed and she immediately went for the wheelchair. "John, we must get you back to the infirmary. You can explain everything to Dave from your bed." John didn't argue with her as he felt absolutely exhausted already. With Ronon's help, he eased himself into the chair and was greatly relieved to be sitting again.

Dave spared a last perplexed look at the Stargate before following his brother and the others back to the infirmary.

Laying back on the comfortable softness of his bed, John had every intention of telling Dave the full facts but five minutes later, he simply nodded off.

Teyla smiled warmly as she lightly covered him with a blanket. Then with Ronon's help, she took up the tale of John Sheppard's adventures on Atlantis and in the Pegasus Galaxy. Of course, she included plenty of their tales too.

Dave was shocked to find out that they were indeed aliens and even more shocked when Teyla explained that Earth had been under threat from some dreadful, life-sucking creatures called the Wraith only a few weeks before.

By the end of Teyla's telling, Dave's world had been turned upside down, forever.

tbc.

Well just one more chapter to go after this but it will be a long one. Please keep those reviews coming.