Thanks again for all the reviews and alerts - I'm glad you're enjoying the story so far. And thanks again to my beta Sherry 57 - but all mistakes are mine!

Now it's time to catch up and see how our favourite Lt Colonel is doing.

THE TIES THAT BIND

CHAPTER 4

McKay could be an arrogant, condescending, pain in the ass at times, but Ronon liked him.

He was as irritating as hell, but also honest and uncompromising, something Ronon admired, as the scientist was unafraid to say what he thought, whether he liked it or not. It was a quality the Satedan respected because he'd been burned by so called friends before, but there was no deception with McKay, no pretty words, and Rodney was prepared to face up to anyone, if he believed he was right.

McKay was also surprisingly brave, especially for a geek. When Ronon found out he was part of his team he'd wondered at Sheppard's choice, but Rodney had got them out of some bad situations with his smarts, and he was a courageous little guy, even if he wasn't the best shot. The man was a true contradiction, yet Ronon couldn't get his head round the fact, that while McKay put his life on the line alongside them, he'd stayed away from Sheppard, just because of a little sickness.

Teyla had tried to explain it to him, but Ronon just didn't get it. In his book it was simple. If your friend needed help or support you gave it, no questions asked, human frailty was something he really didn't understand. Still, at least judging by what he could see now, he reckoned McKay was trying to make up for lost time.

From his viewpoint by the door, he could see the two bowed heads of his friends engrossed in a game of chess. John's eyes looked huge in his pale face, but more alive than he'd seen him in weeks. In comparison, Rodney seemed tense. His shoulders looked rigid; although Ronon saw his head bob from time to time whenever he made a move. To Ronon, chess was a game he just didn't get. He understood it all right, Sheppard having explained it to him once, but personally, he didn't see the point. To him, he got way more satisfaction from taking out a real opponent, feeling the crunch of bones under his fist, or sending them to hell with his blaster - knocking over a lump of wood, would never do it for him. Still, it was good to see them together again, as these guys were his family, and Ronon didn't like when the status quo was upset in any way.

He still found it hard to believe after everything they'd been through, it was a freaking virus that had nearly taken out his best friend. Over the years, he'd seen Sheppard turn into a bug, nearly sucked dry by a Wraith and almost bleed to death after being impaled by a piece of rebar, but a virus – that was no way for a warrior to die.

Now with John finally on the mend it was McKay Beckett was worried about. The doc was so concerned about McKay working too hard, he'd been asked to take the stubborn SOB under his wing. His instructions, to make sure the geek took the time to eat and sleep, as Rodney had done little of either, having barely left his lab for weeks.

"You ready to go, McKay? I'm heading for the mess hall." Both men looked up surprised, neither of them having heard his approach and Ronon suppressed a smile. It pleased him to know that despite being a big guy, he was light on his feet and could still get the jump on anyone, anywhere, even if it was just a couple of friends.

"Yeah…suppose so, but I want to check something in the lab first." Rodney's expression was mutinous as he mumbled his reply, showing no signs of leaving as he stretched on the chair and rubbed the back of his neck.

Sheppard looked shattered, but his bleary eyes became suddenly alert. "Oh? What are you working on?"

"Nothing…well obviously something. What I mean is its nothing important, just an experiment Zelenka and I have been setting up." Rodney blustered, and Ronon just hoped the scientist would manage to keep his mouth shut about the Trojan he'd found in the database.

Unfazed, John persisted. "What kind of experiment? You've never mentioned it before. Is there anything wrong? Something I should know about?"

Rodney's face went scarlet. "Of course not! It's just that we think we might have discovered a new way to boost the power of the ZePM's…"

"Right, visiting time's over, lads. The colonel here needs his beauty sleep." Beckett interrupted, and Ronon watched Rodney sag with relief. He just hoped Sheppard had been too beat to notice something was up, as McKay was a really bad liar.

"Okay, well I'll see you tomorrow then, Sheppard." Rodney jumped up, nearly knocking over the pieces in his haste.

"Catch you later, Sheppard." Ronon said, then turned and give McKay's shoulder a nudge. "C'mon, McKay, lets go."

John's face fell as he mumbled his good nights, and Ronon was pleased when Beckett distracted him by checking his vitals. From what he could tell, it didn't look like Sheppard had caught on. He hoped not, as John had been real sick and still wasn't well, so the cloak and dagger routine was for his own good. Ronon did feel guilty about his part in the deception though.

Ronon wasn't happy as he hated lying to him, and withholding information - was just as bad. Sheppard was his buddy and had always been straight with him, but Beckett had asked them to keep shtum about the Trojan as he reckoned if John found out, the stress could damage his heart. Personally, he thought John could handle it, but took the doc at his word, besides, he knew McKay would figure it out before Sheppard got wind of it.

What he wasn't sure about was this dumb plan Beckett and Dave were cooking up. Ronon understood the guy's meant well, but Sheppard got pissed when people didn't consult him, never mind planning a vacation behind his back. Beckett though, was so sure John needed this to get well, Ronon agreed to say nothing...but he didn't like it.

ooooOoooo

It was freezing, and he was drenched to the bone, but the driving rain suited his mood as it wasn't just Atlantis showing her worst side today.

John was angry, but the rage which had propelled him onto the pier was now fading fast, and he was shivering, his muscles shaking with exhaustion and his breathing becoming laboured, even though he'd only come a short way. He hated feeling constantly weak and being treated like an invalid, but he'd accepted the help so far as he'd had no choice. What he couldn't accept, and didn't know if he could forgive, was being duped and treated like a freaking idiot by those he trusted.

He knew he'd been sick, and he'd tolerated being stuck in the infirmary for what seemed like forever, but he was better now. A lot better, and couldn't understand why Carson wouldn't let him leave. John knew the guy cared, but this was ridiculous. He felt like a prisoner instead of the military leader of the base, so what if he still felt a little weak? A few days in his quarters catching up with emails wouldn't hurt, then maybe in a week or so, back to light duty. This was his base, they were his people and he needed to get back to work - didn't he get it? John was so sick and tired of being sick, he just wanted his life back to normal. What the hell he didn't need or want, were people making decisions on his behalf – he wasn't a child.

As for his brother – how dare he. When Dave had first approached him about the house in Hawaii, he'd been skeptical, but in the end took his advice and made his first tentative step on the property ladder. Not for himself, as John couldn't imagine growing old, let alone settling down, but he bought it as a vacation pad for the Atlantis folks, his family, a place where they could blow off steam when they had some down time.

He'd even envisioned spending a short vacation there himself, maybe next year, or the next, whenever he had the time. John loved Hawaii, having fallen for the island after his mom had taken them to see the place of her birth. He remembered that vacation well. The fun they'd had running in and out of the sea, and the warm feel of the sand as it sunk beneath his feet. It was a cool place, beautiful with awesome waves, and he'd always intended to return, but he'd been too busy. Just like now, he could barely afford to spend the time being ill, let alone visit his new place. The way he saw it, the Wraith wouldn't take a vacation, so neither could he.

What John didn't expect, and sure as hell didn't want, was a fucking, enforced vacation! He wondered just how long Dave and Carson had schemed and planned behind his back before presenting it to him as a fait accompli. They'd came to see him wearing huge grins plastered over their faces, like a freaking double act, and looking oh, so, pleased with themselves. He'd listened while they'd given him the good news, informing him that instead of recuperating on Atlantis, he was to spend four weeks in his new place in Hawaii. John had let them talk, in truth because he was too stunned at first to make any response, but in any case, he'd wanted to hear just how far they'd gone taking liberties with his life.

Once they'd finished giving him the spiel that he needed peace and quiet, and couldn't possibly recover living in his place of work, John had told them exactly what he thought, not just about their plan, but also of them, for daring to make decisions on his behalf. At the time, he'd gained some satisfaction as he watched their smiles slowly fade, but soon felt like a heel when the color drained from Carson's face as he slipped out the bed then staggered past them out the ward. John was mad at them for sure, furious at not being consulted, but he'd gone too far, and now he was angry at himself.

Deep down he knew they'd only been looking out for his best interests, but he hated it. He was just so frustrated and angry. Angry with himself for getting sick, frustrated that he still felt as weak as a kitten after all this time, and really, really hurt that they hadn't felt able to come to him with the suggestion. What the hell was he, an ogre? Sure, he admitted when it came to his job he was nearly as obsessed as McKay. Still, to plan everything to the last detail behind his back – that just wasn't right. John was sorry he'd lost his temper, he'd been out of line, but then so had they. Good intentions aside, what they'd done was all wrong…

"John…I'm sorry. Please, come in out the rain." He heard Dave calling to him, and his voice was full of remorse, but John didn't turn to face him as he didn't want anyone, least of all his brother to see his face streaked with tears.

"Go away, Dave. Get off this pier, off Atlantis and out of my life." John didn't really mean the words he spat out, but couldn't seem to control anything he did these days.

"If that's what you really want, I will." Dave said. "But not before I get you inside – look at yourself, John you're shaking. If it wasn't for that railing holding you up, you'd be flat on your face."

John reluctantly turned to face him, and was shocked to see his brother, a captain of industry, looking upset with fear shining out the familiar blue eyes.

"Why did you do it Dave?" He asked. "Carson, I can partly understand as all he can think of is my health, but you, why did you think it would be okay to humiliate me by treating me like a kid? I thought we'd got past all that, but what you did, that's just the sort of thing I would have expected from dad…"

"And it's because of him I did it, but not in the way you think." Dave interrupted. "I had to watch the old man suffer years of agony with heart disease, before it finally killed him, and when I saw you, lying in that bed…I couldn't face losing my brother, not the same way, especially after just finding you again."

John watched, rooted to the spot, as Dave make up the ground between them, raising his voice to be heard over the brewing storm. "I am so sorry if I made you feel small, but when Carson told me how ill you'd been, and how weak you'd become, I just acted on instinct. But my reason for wanting you to buy the house was real, although I will admit neither Carson nor I believed you would ever take the break you needed, unless someone arranged it for you," he said, then gave him a wry smile, "I was also kind of hoping we could spend some time there together – give us a chance to chill out and really re-connect. Let's face it, we never got the chance the last time you were on Earth, and I've really missed my kid brother."

Stunned, the last of the adrenaline which had brought him to the ledge vanished, as John stumbled and would have fallen to his knees, if not for Dave catching his arm. "Less of the kid," John protested, but smiled to take the sting out his rebuke. "Anyway, I think it's time I went in now – I don't want you catching your death of cold." he quipped, but then the shivers took hold, and he coughed, wracking his body.

Dave shook his head, as he shouldered John towards the wheelchair, waiting by the door. "You're a piece of work, John – you know that?"

"So I've been told." John coughed again, then his chest went into spasms and he struggled for air.

"Hell's bells! I know you're pissed at me son," Carson exclaimed as he ran forward, "and maybe you're entitled, but that doesn't give you the right to nearly kill youself."

John could barely stand, as Carson quickly shouldered his other arm before helping Dave maneuver him onto the chair. By now, too weak to object as the Scot layered so many blankets around him he felt like an extra from 'The Mummy.'

"I'mmm…f-fine…g-good." He tried to tell them, but the words wouldn't come out right. It didn't matter though, as John knew he was with people who cared, so it seemed as good a time as any to pass out…

ooooOoooo

TBC

Oh, dear, John didn't take that suggestion too well...

Anyway, I hope you enjoyed the chapter, and please review - as your comments really give me encouragement to keep writing.