Title: Shadow Play
Author: Cindy Ryan
Summary: Sequel to Eternal. In a turnabout Dean finds himself in the underworld fighting for Sam's soul.
Not knowing this Sam works with the Atlantis team trying to find a way to save Dean's life.
Notes: See part one.

Daniel stood and stretched. He picked up his dark blue coffee mug and crossed over to the small coffee machine on one of the long tables that ran the perimeter of his office.

Through some miracle of computer technology that Daniel didn't begin to understand the SG techs had been able to feed the video link to his computer.
Since Weir had been delayed by some kind of medical emergency Daniel had been glad the techs had been able to do this. It meant he could sit in his office and flip through John Winchester's journal as he waited for the Atlantis team.

Daniel was overwhelmed and fascinated by this subculture he'd uncovered by reading the journal. Tales from people from varying walks of life that had either been thrust into becoming a hunter by personal tragedy or by family tradition.

Daniel poured the luke-warm coffee into his mug and returned to the desk.

"Dr. Jackson?"Elizabeth Weir asked as Daniel's computer screen flickered.

"Dr. Weir."Daniel greeted. "I hope your medical emergency turned out to be nothing serious."

Elizabeth shook her head. "Unfortunately one of the Winchester brothers has fallen seriously ill."

"Which one?"

"The oldest, Dean. He was fine earlier, but when Sam returned to their quarters he found him not breathing."

Daniel raised an eyebrow. "Any indication of foul play?"

Weir shook her head. "No. Were you able to locate the device they found?"

Daniel nodded. "Yes, techs are looking over it as we speak. As soon as there's a report available I'll send it your way."

"Any way you can deliver it in person? I know SGC is as spread thin as we are."

"I would like to talk to Sam Winchester. I'll clear it with Landry."

"Daniel, do you know anything about their background?"

Daniel nodded. "Landry gave us their files and Mitchell and I found their father's journal in their car. Do you believe them?"

"I can't explain it, but I do. Especially with what's happened to Dean."Weir replied. "He was fine this morning and now he's in a coma fighting for his life. No poison, no signs of struggle, no visible wounds. I could really use your help on this one."

Daniel stood. "On my way. They've been having a few glitches with the McKay-Carter bridge but I think it's operational at the moment."

"Thank you, Daniel."

"Is that what I think it is?"Sheppard asked as he joined McKay in the newly discovered room.

"The Ancient's backup gate for Atlantis? Yep."

John cocked his head to the side. "Why does it look like a rejected children's toy?"

McKay laughed at Sheppard's analogy. "It does, doesn't it? My guess is it was never completely finished since they probably thought they'd have no reason to use it. So just the very basics."

"So the Winchesters found what…..a control box of some kind?"

Rodney shrugged. "Has to be more sophisticated than that. Takes too much power to galaxy hop."

"Why didn't we detect this earlier?"Sheppard asked as he moved toward the gate his dark gaze examining every inch.

McKay joined him. "I think the room outside is pretty heavily shielded. Teyla proved that the Ancients were determined to protect their last hope of escape. Even if they never planned on using it they sure didn't want the gate technology falling into the wrong hands."

John shone his flashlight up and around the small, slender, silver gate. The circle still had the familiar markings. No base to speak of just shoved into the floor.

"Have you detected any energy readings in here?"Sheppard asked as he continued to make a slow pass of the room.

McKay shook his head. "None. Any change in Teyla?"

Sheppard met his friend's gaze briefly and shook his head sadly. "No."

"I should've been more alert,"Rodney stated solemnly. "I should've been able to protect her more."

Sheppard closed the small space between them. "Listen to me,McKay….unless you started getting visions like Sam there's nothing you could've done, understand?"

Rodney was grateful for what John was trying to do, but the guilt was still there. "I know, but…."

"No buts. Teyla's one of the best warriors I've ever come across and she didn't sense any danger, did she?"

Rodney shook his head.

Sheppard clasped a hand on McKay's right shoulder. "Come on, let's see if there's anything else in here."