I am so sorry this took so long but I had medical problem at home but things are ok for now. So hopeful I will get more time to write, I really did plan to update sooner. Thanks to my beta reader Katie for taking the time to check it over. I'd love any comments or thoughts you have on this chapter. All suggestion are welcome thanks and enjoy!

Chapter Two

Lorne's chest screamed with every agonizing breath, as scattered broken images tried to create a cohesive thought in his mind. He'd been shot by the Colonel! He couldn't believe he had shot him. Somehow he realized he was back in Atlantis, Dr Keller's face registered in his blurry vision. Riddled with pain, his mind flashed back to the events that had left him on the medical table, fighting for his life.

He remembered Teyla's face when he grabbed her arm, to stop her from leaving, it had been raw aggression. It was so unlike her and had startled him, allowing her all the time she needed to drop him to the ground on his back. Then all hell broke lose. Bullets started flying, and Lorne was trying to figure out what to do. He had to defend his men, but he wasn't about to take John's team out, leaving them with only one option: go defensive.

Suddenly his eyes had come upon Teyla. One of his men had managed to stun her before she could retreat to where the others now hid. He couldn't let them leave, not without an explanation as to what had happened to them. If they escaped they might never see them again and they might never realize they were friends. Like a fool he had gone for her. It had been a very stupid move on his part. As he reached her he remember the impact of the bullet in his chest and the unimaginable pain. He'd been so shocked he hadn't even realized he was on the ground, let alone that the Colonel had shot him.

Looking over, he remembered John's seething eyes and that was when he realized he had shot him. Lorne knew that look, it was the same look he given countless enemies that went after his team. This was a mess, he remembered thinking that over and over, while laying on the ground, bullets spraying over his head. His gaze examined the battle field before returning to Sheppard's team, wondering what had happen to them.

Then something odd had caught his eye, a glistening caused by the sunlight. Something was on the Colonel neck, a three inch colorful crystal cylinder. Lorne remembered how odd it was to notice that when he was dying.

Yet it didn't fit in and there was something about it that jogged his mind. He had seen it before, but couldn't remember when or where. His mind kept going to it, there was something important about it, but Lorne's bewildered mind just couldn't figure out what it was. A jolt sent waves of fire through his chest and his eyes fluttered open as a mask was placed over his face,

"Lorne it's ok, we're going to give you some morphine and sedatives, just try to breath as deeply as you can and try to relax," Dr. Keller ordered, "Everything is going to be ok." Keller's look told him just how bad it was. Then a cool feeling ran up his arm and through his body and finally the images faded away to an endless darkness.

Cater made her way down the hallway, to the infirmary after a quick debriefing by the two teams. Keller was still in surgery with Major Lorne and the Major's probability of survival was still pending. Teyla was out cold in the holding cell. Sam had given specific orders to be informed the moment she came around, so that left McKay. Entering the room she made a b-line for McKay who had two guards posted on him and had been place in restraints. Before she could reach him one of the Doctors intercepted her.

"How is he?" Sam's face didn't hide her worry.

"He will make a full recovery." Dr Derby informed.

"That's good news. He didn't give you too much trouble did he?"

"Beside his normal wonderful personality no, but we did find a subspace transmitter in his body. We mange to turn it off but…"

"Who ever put it there might have already found our location." Sam's face tightened at the realization that their position might already be comprised. They might very well be on the clock now before an unknown enemy showed up at their doorstep. She made a mental note to inform the command center to keep a watchful eye on the long range sensors for any usual ship activity.

"I have one of my people checking Teyla. So far our scans haven't shown anything out of the ordinary. We're still waiting on the test to see if they have any foreign bodies or drugs, but we aren't really sure what were looking for."

"Keep me notified about anything you find."

"Will do." McKay had already fixed Sam with a level cobalt stare.

"McKay," Sam put on a warm smile as she moved to his bedside. "It appears they got you all fixed up."

"Let me guess you're the one in charge around here."

"Yes I am, but you should know that."

"Oh please don't try to feed me that story again."

"McKay, we know each other. You work here."

"You can say that all you like, but I know I would remember if I worked somewhere like this."

"So what do you remember?"

"Nice try, but you aren't going to trick me so easily." He wore a smirk that reminded her of the old McKay, the one she would have pushed out the nearest air lock.

"I'm not trying to deceive you. All I am trying to do is figure out what happened."

"Sure you are. Now you're going to say we're friends"

"More like collogues."

"Your people shot me and attack my team. Why would you do that if you were our suppose friends?"

"Actually from the way I heard it, your team started shooting first. The others were only trying to defend themselves."

"Only after your people tried to stop us from leaving. Mind telling me what you were doing there?"

"We were doing recons."

"Oh really, sure you weren't trying to intercept our team?" He wore a smug look. "We were warned."

"Who warned you and about what?"

"So what do you want?"

"Nothing, I simply want to know what happen to your team. Who were you just talking about? Who warned you?" McKay just stared at the wall across from her, a stern look plastered on his face.

"Let me refresh your mind. Your team went to PX-895 to check out a power reading. While on the planet something happened. Your team vanished without a trace, untill three weeks later, when we encountered you on that planet."

"That's a very nice story."

"Someone has tampered with your mind McKay. Why or who isn't clear, you have to trust me."

"Actually, no I don't and how do I know you not the one doing the tampering. Trying to get me to believe this fabrication so you can gather intel.?"

"I can only guess the people who warned you about us are the ones who did that. Don't you see that they erased your memories?"

"Please, I know who I am. Dr. Rodney McKay, a genius may I add. I serve on Colonel John Sheppard's team"

"Who is a member of the United State Air Force"

"No, no he's not." So John didn't think he was part of the armed forces, that gave her a small lead.

"Ok who does he serve under, smart guy, and what facility do you work at?"

"Oh we have bases here and there." She caught the nervous look that ran over McKay's face. His actions were in line with what the teams were taught to do when captured. Use vague reference as not to give away Atlantis. It seemed only part of their memories had been altered.

"Have a name that goes to your group by any chance?"

"Not for you."

"How about I go pull up your personal file."

"Like that proves anything. I mean really it's clear you're an advance civilization using Ancient technology, as if you couldn't manifest some files."

"McKay, why would I go to all that trouble, if you look at them maybe you'll remember something."

"Why don't we skip to what you really want? This twisted little game isn't going to work." Sam bit her tongue in frustration.

"Honestly McKay, if I wanted to get facts out of you, don't you think I could resort to less pleasant means?"

"Unless you want us to believe your story."

"Get him a copy of his personal file." Sam ordered Zelenka, who just entered the room. "Cut out anything that might be a security risk."

"Ok." Sam moved passed him, seeing Keller hovering near the door to the OR.

"How's Lorne?"

"Alive. I managed to get the bleeding to stop. The bullet came within a millimeter of hitting his lung and by some grace missed all his major organs. He defiantly had a Guardian Angel looking after him. Still, he's far from in the safe zone, he lost a lot of blood and is very weak."

"I'm sure you did everything you could," Sam lay a comforting hand on the Doctor's shoulder who wore a solemn look.

"What happened?"

"From what I been able to figure out someone has altered the minds of Colonel Sheppard's team. They have no recollection of us. So when Lorne's team approached them they were seen as a threat."

"How could anyone do this? Who could have that kind of technology around here?"

"I'm not sure, but whoever it is very dangerous. I'm sure your staff informed you of the subspace transmitter found in McKay?"

"And Teyla."

"We have to consider the fact that whoever did this may have simply been looking to find Atlantis."

"How long before the Apollo gets back?"

"Three days."

"Let's hope no invasion fleet shows up before then, thanks for telling me. I'm going to go get clean up and start going over the data and see what I can find." Sam nodded.

"Ma'am, Teyla's starting to come around," her radio broke the silent as Captain Edward's voice was heard.

"I will be right down." Sam made her way to the holding cells, not very confident Teyla would be anymore forthcoming. Perhaps next time she'd try a little terror tactic to see if McKay could be scared into telling her more useful information. Entering the holding cell, she found the Athosian woman standing, a determined look on her faces, arms folded over her chest.

"Why have you taken me prisoner?" Teyla locked eyes with Sam.

"Colonel Samantha Cater. I'm guessing like McKay you don't know who I am. To make this short were friends and are on the same team."

"Oh, really because-"

"You find that hard to believe because you don't remember us. Your team vanished sometime ago and as much as we can figure someone has tampered with your minds." Teyla raised an eyebrow in speculation.

"Where is McKay?"

"He's in the infirmary; he's fine, unlike Major Lorne."

"I am sorry about your men, but you-"

"We didn't start shooting Teyla, think about it, who shot first?"

"We were only defending ourselves," she quickly stated.

"I think you believe that, but from what I can tell, you acted extremely aggressive, unlike yourself."

Teyla seemed to ponder this, but her face quickly returned to a neutral state. "Why have you taken me prisoner?"

Cater decide to shift gears and use a new tactic with Teyla. "Your Athosian." Teyla studied her carefully before answering.

"What if I am?"

"What if your people tell you we're your friends?"

"It would simply be a lie, because you don't know my people."

"I'll take you to them and let you hear it for yourself."

"It is pointless. I know what you are doing. You won't deceive me or Rodney with these illusions." Cater gave her a puzzled look.

"Captain, ask for some of our Athosian friends to make a visit."

"Right away Ma'am."

"You're wasting your time. I know where my people are and they would not have any contact with people like you."

"You seem quite determined you know us, have we crossed paths before?"

"No but we know what you are."

"Who and what do you think I am, that we are?"

"This is pointless. I'm not going to answer anymore of your questions. You can continue this charade as long as you wish, but know nothing will come of it." Cater could tell by her look, the conversation was over for now.

"Teyla we are your friends. Whoever you're working for is your enemy. All I ask is you to think about what we show you and try to remember the truth."

Even if neither had given her an official answer, she had gained some information. They were working with someone, most likely who ever had done this to them and Cater was starting to think they had the team thinking they were something they weren't. But what did they think they were and who did they think they were?