Fools Said I You do Not Know5
Moira stared. She stood in front of the cell, frozen. She took hold of John's arm as he stood next to her. The other Moira stared back at her. It was like looking into a mirror, except this was a three-dimensional, living, breathing reflection. A perfect copy of herself, as if she had a twin, or a clone. "I...I don't believe it..." she muttered.
"John?" the other Moira asked. "Is that the...it can't be...it...how? John, that's the imposter! Not me! How can it look like me?" She stared back as if equally baffled.
"It's remarkable! And there's no trace of Wraith DNA? How is that even possible?" Moira asked, science overtaking shock.
"It's not possible," the other replied. "There has to be a trace of Wraith DNA! Unless the retro-virus can inhibit all of the Wraith DNA down to the molecular level."
"It has to be more than that. Even added DNA wouldn't convert into an exact replica. There has to be something else...some other dynamic that we haven't discovered yet."
"Another catalyst creating the likeness, but how?"
"Down to the genetic level, the proteins...the answer is always in the proteins..the coding..."
"The RNA, of course! But still how could it be manipulated into creating a perfect likeness?"
"The cells would have to be replicated at an alarming rate. Multiplying and overtaking any alien DNA to transpose their own identity on them."
"Still that is way behind our science or our technology...but maybe not theirs."
John looked from one to the other as they discussed the possibilities. He would have found the situation amusing if things weren't so dire. Two Moiras locking into scientific mode to prove that the other was an imposter. Tossing theories and ideas into the air in the same voice, the same tone. He shook his head. "Carson?"
"The scans are identical!" the doctor exclaimed, clearly frustrated. And intrigued. "And I mena identical! There's not a hint of variation that would find in a twin or even in a clone! How on Earth do we tell the real from the fake?"
"I'm the real!" Moira declared, her hold on John's arm steady. Secure.
"No, I am!" the other rejoined, shaking her head. "John, can't you see that?"
"I already know which is which," John stated, looking away from the imposter. He glanced at his wife. "I need to know how this is even possible and how to reverse it!"
"John, please! It's me!" the woman in the cell pleaded. "You can't base your conclusions on a momentary lapse! You startled me! John, please, that thing next to you is not me!"
"It even sounds like me!" Moira complained. "How is that possible? My God...if the children were to see this..."
"You keep away from my children!"
"They're my children!"
"Moiras!" John barked, silencing them. He led Moira away from the cell. "As far as I'm concerned this is finished. I know this one here is my wife. Case closed."
"John, are you one hundred percent certain?" Carson asked. "You told Rodney that Moira hadn't been acting like herself recently."
"You said what?" Moira asked, glaring at her husband. "Thanks a lot, John! I've been tired recently, and trying to work plus raise three little children plus–"
John shrugged. "Sorry, Moira. It's not like I knew we'd come back here to find you had a doppelganger, now is it?"
"Show me your arm."
"What?" Moira met Carson's gaze. Was startled by the suspicion in his blue eyes. In everyone's eyes as marines neared, as Richard walked towards them. It was disconcerting to be regarded with such naked suspicion. By everyone except her husband.
"Your arm," Carson repeated. "If you are the real Moira the wound should be equal if not worse than hers." He indicated the woman in the cell who was watching. Gaze intense, serious, fixated on her rival, on the man beside her.
"I..." Moira hesitated, realizing.
"You see? We have proof that–"
"No. Show him, Moira. Go on," John urged. He had come to the same realization. His gaze narrowing as he regarded the doctor. Such overt suspicion from Carson was unexpected. Apart from the fact that this Carson was a clone of the original, nearly identical in every way he was still their friend, their ally. Nearly. John began to wonder.
Moira shook her head. "No, John. That won't prove anything!"
"You need to show your arm or I will have no choice but to forcibly reveal it," Richard stated. Gestured toward the marines.
"Over my dead body," John stated, voice mild but serious. "Moira, please. It will be all right."
"But John, the..." She felt tears. Knew it would either condemn her or reveal the extent of some of his changes. Things he could do that no one else knew, except for her. Changes to his DNA that rendered him more than human, more evolved in some ways. Things they had decided to keep secret for now. Reluctantly she touched her arm. Touched her sleeve. She rolled up the fabric to her shoulder.
"My God...it's healed..." Carson stepped near. Touched her arm, traced the faint lines of what had once been a deep scar. A knife wound that had torn through flesh almost to the bone. Now it was only a pink, healing wound. The flesh closed, barely bruised or marred by the attack. His probing didn't make her react, not even flinch. There was no pain there.
"I healed it," John informed. "I can–"
"No, I took the enzyme to help me, that's all," Moira quickly interjected, protecting him. "I injected it into the injury and you know how swiftly it can heal any–"
"Even with that it wouldn't have healed this quickly," Carson refused.
"No, I said I healed it. Me. I can–" John began again, but Moira intervened.
"No, John, please!" She rolled down the sleeve. "You just have to take my word for it! I used the enzyme on it!" she insisted, refuting her husband's words. Even though she knew it would more than likely condemn her. "I know it was wrong but it was so painful and I made John agree to it but you can't blame him for this just me!"
"That's not good enough, I'm afraid," Richard said. "I am going to have to take you into custody pending the–"
"No. Then take my word," John said. "I healed it. End of story. You best stand down now." He glanced at the marines. At the half-raised guns that lowered at his scowl.
"What? You healed it? John? How?" Carson asked, clearly baffled. All eyes were on John now.
"No, no, no, he means he helped me with the enzyme, that's all," Moira quickly interrupted before John could begin to explain. "He secured me some, the little we had, that is, in a secret place for testing and such, and yes, it went against protocols but I persuaded him to help me with this and you can't blame him for–"
"Moira, it's all right, they may as well know that part, at least," John temporized, "given these circumstances." He paused. Eyed the men watching him. "I can heal injuries...sometimes. It's part of my, um, changes. What I endured when I was...um, transforming. Evolving. That's all you need to know. This is my wife. End of story. Now get that thing out of my city!"
"Changes? What changes?" Richard asked, shaking his head. "What do you mean by evolution? You mean when you were, um, tranforming? But you were healed, right? Restored back to normal, or so I was told." He glanced at Carson.
"Are you trying to suggest that you can magically heal people now?" Carson asked, equally incredulous. "I think not. You are fully human, John. Fully."
"John! Listen to them! You're not thinking clearly! Carson, you're right! Look at my wound! It hasn't magically healed because I am the real Moira! John can't magically heal anyone, that is utterly absurd! She's using her psychic abilities to create doubt in you, to cloud your minds! You know they can do that!" the woman in the cell shouted.
"Shut up! She's clouding yours!" Moira refuted. "Carson, you know me! All of you know me! I am the real Moira. My arm proves nothing!"
"It creates enough suspicion to warrant your arrest, Doctor Sheppard," Richard decided. "Until we can get this sorted I am afraid I have no option but to take you into protective custody."
"No." John's voice was quiet, but firm.
"John, we need to clear this up before something terrible happens. To you or God forbid to one of your children!" Carson insisted.
"John, please! Keep her away from our children!" the woman in the cell pleaded.
"They're not your children!" Moira argued.
"Enough! Colonel Sheppard, I have no choice. As leader of the city the decision is mine to make and to enforce. She needs to be in a secure holding cell until we have absolutely determined which is which. Lieutenant, escort Doctor Sheppard to the next holding cell."
"No." John glowered, moving Moira behind him. "You won't lay a finger on my wife. My wife stays with my children and I'll keep them secure! I am telling you that one in the cell is the imposter! Is the Wraith! Why don't you believe me?" he asked, eying the two men. "It seems to me that the thing in there is clouding your minds! Not mine!"
"John, please! Do as Mr. Woolsey says, I beg you! Keep her away from our children! Please, John, keep her away from our children! They're in danger! Why can't you see that? John, she's clouding your mind, making you see what she wants you to see! Please, John, think of the children! Our children! They are helpless against her!"
"I'll restrain you if I must, colonel," Richard threatened. "Please don't let it come to that."
"You'll find I'm a lot less likely to be restrained now," John vowed. There was a tense silence as the two men stared at each other. Remembering the last time John had been restrained. Forced by his own men to his knees as Moira was taken from him. Taken by his darker self to that other Atlantis. A bargain to save both cities. The memory was bile in John's mouth even now. He had vowed it would never happen again.
"Enough!" Moira stepped round John. "The sooner we clear this up the better! I will go with you, voluntarily."
"Moira? Hell no!" John objected.
She turned to him. "It's the only way, John. To prove I am your Moira. Otherwise the doubt will cripple us, the city, and God knows what it will do to the children."
"Thank you, doctor. This way, please."
"Doesn't this prove she is the real Moira?" John asked, clearly not liking this.
"She's playing you all!" the woman in the cell shouted. "Damn it, can't any of you see that? She's not me! I'm me! John, John, you know I'm telling the truth! John! John! Look at me! John, please! Don't be duped by her!"
John ignored her. Escorted his wife to the next cell. Entered it with her. Pulled her into an embrace, a lengthy kiss. "I will only tolerate this for one day, Moy. One. I don't care if their damn tests prove nothing. I know you are my wife. My Moira."
She smiled. "Always, John. As long as you know it that's all that matters. But we have to get to the bottom of this. And this is the only way to appease everyone." She frowned, lowered her voice. "Without revealing everything about you."
"I don't care, Moira. I'll reveal everything if that's what it takes to keep you safe."
She kissed him. "No, John. We agreed. We can't reveal more. It's too dangerous. One thing will lead to another and we have to protect you as well as the boys. At all costs, John. We agreed. Don't you ever forget that. Science will prove my identity. We'll find a way, we always do. Trust me, sweetie."
"As always, baby, but if not science than I will prove it. One way or another. I can reveal stuff about me but never about the boys. Don't you worry." He freed her. Exited the cell. Engaged the force field. Turned to the watching men. "Do your damn tests. I don't care. I know my own wife and she is leaving that cell within the hour. Got it?" He glowered at the men. Stalked out of the room.
"Right. Then I had better start," Carson agreed, glancing at Richard. He opened his data pad, readying his scanners.
"Yes, you had better. And find out which one is the real Moira now." Richard glanced at John as he strode out of the room. "Before John does something rash. Something he may regret. Something we may all live to regret." He looked at the two women, shook his head. Nodded at the marines and exited the room, hands clasped behind his back.