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THE TIES THAT BIND

CHAPTER 5

His mum once told him the road to hell was paved with good intentions, now Carson realised how right she was, as he watched Sheppard's fever return with a vengeance that night. Fortunately though John's heart was holding up under the strain, but he reckoned that was more down to heavenly intervention than thanks to him and his grand plan.

Carson had wanted to avoid a showdown with the colonel, as he knew only too well how Sheppard felt about taking time off, and although he'd meant well, unfortunately his scheming had backfired big time. He now felt guilty knowing John's setback was all down to him. Luckily this time however John's fever spiked fairly quickly, and he was relieved that within a couple of days Sheppard was well enough to give them all the cold shoulder, including his team, who he'd guessed – rightly – had also been aware of the plan. John was speaking to his brother though, which at least was something, but as Dave was going to leave in the morning Carson knew he had to end his reign of silence quickly, as he wasn't prepared to let Sheppard's black mood compromise his health.

"How are you feeling this evening, Colonel?" Carson asked, in a no nonsense tone, ignoring Sheppard's sour expression as he pointedly stared straight ahead.

"Fine…"

Carson then pulled out the chair, sat down, and folded his arms. "No, son – you're not."

When John turned to glare at him, he held the stare and continued. "Considering how ill you were, I'll concede that you are a lot better, but fine – no. Whether you want to hear this or not, Colonel, the fact is you will not be fit to return to even light duty for some weeks. Also, due to the nature of your illness I have advised Mr Woolsey it is essential you spend this period away from your place of work. Where you do that is up to you, but it won't be here, son, as you need to avoid stress, and we both know if you hang around it won't be long until you stick your nose into Atlantis business."

"That's a load of bull!" John protested and drew him daggers.

"Is it?" Carson responded, looking sceptical. "I'll admit I went about giving you the news the wrong way, as I should have done what I'm doing now – telling, not asking you, to take a break. I also realise I shouldn't have tried to deceive you, Colonel, and for that I'm sorry, but I'm not going to apologise for making you take the rest your body badly needs."

There was a tense silence for a moment, then John turned to him and instead of anger there was frustration written over his face. "Look, Carson, I'll admit I was pissed, still am a bit…but I know you meant well. I also know you could ground my sorry ass into next year if you wanted – but four weeks? That's a helluva long time, can't you make it two?"

Carson slowly shook his head. "No, I'm afraid not, Colonel. That bloody virus has severely weakened you, and it'll take more than a couple of weeks to get back to normal. How long is it since you've had a vacation anyway?" He asked and got his answer in the flush covering Sheppard's face.

"That long, eh?" Carson leaned back and gave him a grim smile. "You do realise it was exhaustion that contributed to your illness in the first place? It's entirely probable the infection wouldn't have resulted in such a serious outcome, if you hadn't been so run down in the first place."

He paused for a moment then looked John straight in the eye, "Tell you what, Colonel. I'll make it three weeks, but only on the proviso I like your results at the end of it, and you promise to take a full two week vacation every year from now on."

"Carson..." John moaned, as he thumped his head back against the pillows, but Carson continued undaunted.

"That, and you give your team a break. It was Dave and I, who came up with the plan so if you want to blame anyone – blame us. I know for a fact they were desperate to tell you, but I wouldn't let them. In any case, laddie, while I am sorry for not being straight with you before, you really do need to lose the attitude, because at the end of the day, it was done with your welfare at heart."

After he'd finished his speech, both men sat in silence for a moment until John finally spoke. "Three weeks in paradise, huh? Well I suppose I could cope with that. But how about you guys come and join me after Dave heads home?"

Carson smiled, happy to have reached a truce with his friend. "I was going to pay a flying visit to check up on you, but a wee vacation in the sun sounds just what the doctor ordered. In fact, I'll go and email Doctor Keller right now, and ask her to pick up some of that high factor sun cream before she heads back. Come to think of it, I'd better get a load in especially if Rodney's coming…"

ooooOoooo

Displays of emotion always made John feel uncomfortable, so he was happy to be standing alone in the 'gate room with only the skeleton staff on duty to watch him leave. He'd already said bon voyage while enjoying dinner with his team the night before, and made them promise they'd visit in two weeks time. They in turn had presented him with a camera, with instructions to email some shots, and Rodney gave him a Kindle downloaded with 'War & Peace." He was sorry to be leaving them behind, but knew they all had their own lives, besides he was looking forward to spending some quality time with his brother. John was worried about McKay though. Rodney was quieter than usual, not even a snark, but his probing had got him nowhere, so when the scientist told him he was suffering a headache, John put his suspicion down to paranoia, and really, really hoped that nothing was seriously wrong.

After a last lingering glance around the only real home he'd ever known, John nodded to Chuck and within moments he arrived in the SGC, where General Landry was waiting to greet him with a medic pushing a wheelchair. John knew he didn't need it, and reckoned it was a little payback for the time he'd disobeyed orders during the replicator invasion, but submitted to the humiliation of being wheeled through the gloomy concrete corridors, knowing the quicker he got through the standard checks, the sooner he could get on his way.

Forty-eight hours later, John stepped out into the sunshine and filled his lungs with fresh, clean mountain air. Despite the fact he was on leave, the doc had confined him to the infirmary ever since after his arrival, and it was now official - the whole invalid thing was getting very old, and he now actually welcomed the opportunity to get away.

John didn't have long to wait as freedom arrived in the shape of a sleek, black limo which would take him to the Sheppard Industries private jet. It was arranged that he'd make the journey himself as Dave was already there, but John relished the silence, his own company welcome after spending so long cooped up under supervision. The ride was smooth and he soon found himself dozing, lulled by the endless stretch of mountains as they whizzed by, cradled by the soft leather as he sank into the seat. There was a decanter of single malt in the armrest tempting him, but John didn't risk it, the meds in his pocket a reminder he was still on the mend, and he didn't want anything to stop him returning to work in three weeks time.

In his book, nothing compared to a 'jumper, but the jet was a sweet ride, and John snagged a visit to the cockpit. He'd been itching to fly, but the wary pilot had taken one look at his wane face, then politely denied his request. John was disappointed, but in a way couldn't blame the guy, aware with the dark circles and gaunt cheeks, he didn't exactly look like a poster boy for 'Men's Health'. The hospitality nearly made up for it though, as the stewardess was pretty, and the in-flight meal was the best food he'd enjoyed in quite a while. He even risked a small beer, but it soon became clear that the low alcohol content wasn't quite low enough, as he soon couldn't keep his eyes open and stretched out on the large leather couch for a short nap, only waking when it was time to buckle up.

A blast of heat nearly took his breath away as he stumbled down the steps. It was a beautiful evening, the rose gold sunset reminiscent of home, but John could barely take in the view as the heat sapped all his remaining strength. He was so damned tired all he wanted was a cold shower and an early night.

Despite being been warned it would take him a while to get his strength back, John was astounded just how exhausted doing nothing had made him feel. All he'd done for the last few hours was sit on his ass, on a car then a plane, but if he hadn't known better he could have sworn someone had taken his body for a ten mile run. Now he felt fit to drop, but Dave was no where in sight although there was a guy coming towards him from a black SUV.

"Mr Sheppard?" A tall slim man in his forties with short wavy hair stopped in front of him.

John roused himself when the man approached, as he didn't know who he was, and the only company he was expecting was his brother. "And who exactly is asking?" John gave the guy a wary look.

The man smiled and extended a hand. "My name is Janus, and I work for your brother. There was an emergency stock holders meeting and he was called away, but asked me to take you to the house, and said to tell you he would join you there tomorrow."

John asked. "Have you any identification, Janus?" Without changing expression the man handed over the clear plastic card with the Sheppard Industries logo. John took the proffered ID, and examined it as carefully as the fading light allowed, but the man on the picture was the same as the person in front of him - Janus Robertson. John was still suspicious though. "Janus, that's an unusual name. If you don't mind me asking how did you come by it?"

Janus broke into a smile. "Well I am the youngest of six sons and until I was born my mother held hopes for a daughter. The name, her mother's – Janice - was picked out in advance. Of course, when I arrived she had to revise her plans, so with all her favorite boys' names already taken, she decided to make up one of her own so Janus it became."

John laughed, and felt himself finally start to relax. "Okay…well, Janus, it's good to meet you, I'm John Sheppard. Now what say you take me to my new pad?"

ooooOoooo

His head was pounding, but Rodney groaned when realisation dawned he'd finished the last of his private stash of Tylenol that morning. There was no coffee left either, and as he shook the empty pot hoping for a miracle, he stared with disgust at the cold dregs congealing in his cup and wondered, not for the first time, why life hated him so much.

Rodney knew to get both essentials, he would need to brave the lion's den and visit the great voodoo chief Beckett, but apart from the fact he couldn't bear the thought of being prodded and stuck with big needles, he couldn't spare the time. He was so close. After all these weeks, the final clue to breaking the Trojan was within his grasp, but with the headache from hell he could barely concentrate, let alone see straight, still, he was loathed to call it a night. It was Ancient in design, but he still didn't know what it was intended to do, although there was something weird about the encryption, something he couldn't yet put his finger on. But at least now he was more confident the solution of the mystery would soon be revealed, or his name wasn't Doctor Rodney, Meredith, McKay.

The sound of footsteps behind him made him swing round so fast, his headache spiked and the resulting dizziness nearly sent him falling to the floor. When his vision cleared he found Ronon standing beside him, holding onto his arm.

"Enough, McKay. I'm taking you to see Beckett." Ronon said, looked concerned, in a tone that brooked no argument.

"Okay, okay…I'll go once I've finished." Rodney protested, but as he tried to back away from his grasp, he couldn't move, as Ronon was holding on tight.

"NOW!" Ronon grabbed the back of his shirt and propelled him out the door, only loosening his hold when the infirmary came in sight.

Inside, under the dimmed lights he could see the loan figure of Carson Beckett staring into his laptop. The physician so engrossed in the screen, he wasn't aware of their presence until they'd arrived by his desk.

"So you know then, you've heard the news?" Carson said, his voice dripping with concern as he addressed them both.

Puzzled, the team mates stared at each other, before turning to ask in unison "What news?"

"We've just received a message from Dave Sheppard. John wasn't at the airport when he went to collect him – Colonel Sheppard is missing."

ooooOoooo

TBC

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