Facing the Operative Word by AndromedaMarine

Messenger in a Bottle

"Elizabeth, would you come to the infirmary?" Beckett asked over the radio. "There's been an interesting turn of events with John." He glanced at Rodney's laptop with wary eyes.

Interesting hardly describes it, Beckett. I must see Elizabeth!!

"Calm down, John. I am only trying to help. Things will not get any better if you have a negative attitude."

I am waiting and my patience is thinning.

Rodney had a feeling that the word's effect would be much more powerful if he could actually hear John's voice. "Elizabeth's coming, John. Just a few more minutes," he said. He gave Carson an expression that voiced his worry.

Rodney's headset crackled. "Are the transporters working?" asked the leader.

The doctors exchanged looks of inevitable sickness. "No," he replied.

You are untrustworthy and irresponsible. The lights flickered again.

"It'll take me maybe half an hour to get there without transporters. Is the situation urgent?"

"Quite," Beckett said. "I'd suggest you get down here on the double."

--

Radek and Evan were on their way to the infirmary to visit John. They were met by Elizabeth who was running. "What's going on?" Evan asked, jogging to get into step with Elizabeth. "Where're you going?"

"Infirmary. Carson has something," she huffed between steps.

Ten minutes later Elizabeth, Radek and Evan were staring at the screen along with the two doctors.

"What on earth...?" Evan breathed.

"Wrong expression," Radek said mindlessly, eyes wide and unblinking at the LCD.

Elizabeth?

"John?" she said after a few moments and after checking the body of her lover.

I demand to speak with you alone.

Elizabeth glanced at Beckett, who shrugged. "As far as I'm concerned he can't do anything to hurt you," he wrote on a pad of paper. The woman nodded and her friends trooped out.

"John, are you all right? I was worried sick and I still am."

I am not John.

Elizabeth was taken aback. "What?"

Rather, I am – what you would say – John's "evil twin." Clichés aside I am not evil in any sense of the word.

"And who is making that assessment?" Elizabeth's diplomat side kicked in.

The operating part of his mind. I am simply a messenger, designed and woven into the gene of the Alterans.

Elizabeth merely blinked. "Continue."

As the strongest holder of the gene currently on Atlantis, Jonathan Sheppard has the ability to control Atlantean systems while in a near-death state. My program is for last words. When I was activated in Dr. McKay's lab I was merely imitating the John Sheppard you know – until the directive pushed me to contact you. I understand that the doctor who is caring for my counterpart's physical health is quite exceptional in his occupation. I, however, cannot determine if my counterpart will live or not. My program was simply a prototype in a few Alterans – those of which who were Jonathan's ancestors, if distant.

I am sorry to inform you that when and if Jonathan wakes he will not remember anything about this encounter as I am a separate function of is mind. I apologize for any inconvenience my attempts at getting your attention caused – it was I who removed the transporter crystals as to give you time to think. My program is interactive; I learn. If he dies, and I apologize for being blunt, my program will serve as his last memory of you. I was also designed for loved ones to decide their course of action when the one they love cannot speak for himself. My apologies again if my directive activated too soon – my programming has not improved over ten thousand years.

I have access to Jonathan's mind – and I believe that if and when he wakes you will need to discuss this 'operative word' you are so worried about. Goodbye.

The laptop died again but did not resume life. Elizabeth was shocked, even amazed. She turned and gazed at her lover. He seemed peaceful, and Elizabeth would die before believing that her best friend would never return. Perhaps the program designed by the Ancients had a good side – but Elizabeth still didn't know if John was going to live. She would let Carson determine that.

She exited the room and was met by the anxious and worried expressions of her four friends.

"Well?" Beckett asked. "What happened?"

Elizabeth seemed as though she were in a daze. "I don't know how to explain it, and I think he wanted me alone for a reason."

At first Rodney didn't understand. "Oh." What was said to Elizabeth was to remain with Elizabeth. "Is he still in there?"

The diplomat shook her head. "Carson, can you check up on John? I want to know how he's doing physically. And don't hold anything back."

Carson nodded and started to work.

The operative word was still waiting.