Dorothy - Sorry about the delay. I was on a bad connection and only just got back to my computer. Here's the next chapter. Yes, Rodney does seem the type to try and be Rodney, no matter what form he's in.

Sparklyshimmer2010 - Well, I don't know. Some people might see it as just friendship, you know? I guess it depends on the person. LOL, glad you liked it. :)

Puddle-Jumper38 - Hm, I think Carsewell is either a combination of existing characters' names, or an OC more or less. I kind of pick random names for some of the characters, and don't really pay attention to it, so... LOL

Merrygal - Oh, yeah. I forgot about that. Well, I was referring to him being a soldier, who loves to spar and work out and such, but I'll go back and fix it. Thanks for pointing that out.

Debbie418uk2 - Oh, oops. I didn't even notice. LOL Hm, well, it's Katie. I figured if Rodney could be swayed, Katie would be the one to do it. It was a little too silly at points, but I was going for silly humor. I've done so many John gets badly hurt ones, that this one almost seemed like a slight relief and change, you know? Ahh, Lorne has the gene, yes, but I don't remember having him touch the altar. Oh yeah, I just went back to fix the errors, and I saw that. No, I didn't really think of Lorne, but I'd have to rewrite several parts (I think), if I were to have him change.

Ginger is a good idea, but I remember that in some episodes, Rodney seemed to have brown hair (like dark brown), and in others it seemed like he had blonde. I think I was going along the golden brown idea at the time.

Jasminesmommy - Glad you liked it :)

Shadows-of-Realm - Thank you :)

x Varda x - Hm, well, it depends. I don't think John would have minded, considering who was stroking him.... (Realizes how that sounded) Um, you know what I mean. LOL.

I'm glad you like this story so far and thank you all for sticking with me. I think I only have a few chapters left. Sorry about the late update, I've been spending all my free time at my grandfather's farm where he's got a really tempermental connection, so I can't update when I'm out there. Either way, here's the next chapter.

Legend :

"Talking"

Thoughts

Telepathic speaking

Flashback

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(John's POV)

Do you have any idea what it's like, to be able to see what's going on around you, but do nothing to change it? You can see your body moving of it's own accord, hear the words it spits out in a tone of disgust, yet you can't do anything to stop it all.

People begin to look at you like you've lost your mind, and for a brief while, you wonder if that's true. Then, you hear the laughter.

Suddenly it all makes sense.

I didn't remember it before, so I wondered why this was happening. For a while, I was convinced I was hallucinating. I mean, to suddenly walk around Atlantis, ignoring the pretty girls who said hello to me, and even ignoring Teyla as she walked by. It wasn't conscious, I was powerless to stop it all.

What the hell!?

The last thing I clearly remembered, our team had been sent to investigate a strange energy reading that had appeared on one of the farthest laboratories that was until recently under water.

Flashback

"It's damp, it's cold... I just don't see why Major Lorne's team couldn't check it out." Rodney was whining as usual as he shivered a little and rubbed his hands together. "And why's this section not heated, anyways??" Pulling out his computer tablet, he began typing furiously. "Oh. Independent power source. Hm, it seems the power's all concentrated in one area. Hang on, I'll reroute a little power to the heating system so we don't freeze down here."

"You sure that's smart?" Ronon put in as he stalked along quietly.

Teyla nodded from beside Rodney. "That could cause problems. I am not certain we should be tampering with the power source."

"Well, the computer shows the power's keeping a type of stasis unit powered up, but there's no bio sign that I can tell." Shrugging Rodney frowned. "It looks like someone just activated the control on an empty stasis pod. I don't see the harm in-what?"

"You can't mean to tell me the Ancients left an active stasis pod with nothing in it?" I asked sharply with a raised eyebrow. "Doesn't that sound a little, oh, I dunno..."

"Stupid?" Ronon threw in helpfully.

Turning to him, I grinned a little. "I was going for careless, but that'll work."

"Yes, it does." Rodney frowned. "And I can stand here all day debating on the millions of reasons, while we turn into popsicles, or I can reroute the power."

"Why can't you reroute power from Atlantis' main power generator?"

"Oh, maybe because we're low on power as it is, and I'd rather not drain our shields and weapons for heat. Personally, I'd go with the empty stasis pod." McKay was tapping away on his computer. "Look, I've run some scans, there's no sign of life anywhere near but us, and there's no alien viruses or anything, that Atlantis' systems can detect."

"Ok, fine. But I really don't like this." Frowning, I wandered on as Teyla stuck with McKay. I knew Ronon was following me, and I carefully stepped over a piece of fallen debris as I shone the light on my P90 to the walls and floor. "Hey, Rodney! While you're at it, can you see about lights, too?"

"Yes, why don't I just drain all the power?" Came the sarcastic reply. "There's barely enough to reroute to the heating systems, I can't power lights, too. Well, ok, I can but it won't last long, and then we'll lose both lights and heat."

"Got it." With a sigh, I rolled my eyes at Ronon, who nodded with a look that stated he agreed with me. Shaking my head, I wandered around a corner and froze. What...?

There, dashing around a corner, was the clear ghostly image of a Wraith. I didn't say anything for a moment as I stared at where it had gone. It was all so fast, I didn't even know if I really saw it or it was a figment of my imagination.

"Sheppard?"

I couldn't help but jump a little as Ronon stood next to me, his blaster raised slightly, and a confused look on his face as he looked around. Well, if Ronon didn't see it... "Nothing. Where are Rodney and Teyla?" Turning back to the corner, I was about to go back for them when I felt my body stop moving. A sudden pressure descended on my mind, and it felt like my brain was being compressed by a heavy weight.

My P90 lowered of it's own accord, and I felt my arms and legs relaxing. It was the oddest thing ever. I was looking around the hall, as if I was there, which I was, but I couldn't move. I tried to open my mouth, to tell Ronon something was wrong, but the words that came out of my mouth were entirely different from what I planned.

"You know what? Rodney was right. This is a waste of time. Come on, I'll send Lorne's team down in our place." My body began to move towards the corner, then stopped and turned around.

What the hell's going on?! Why can't I control my own body?!

"Something wrong?" Ronon was standing there, his eyes narrowed as he stared at me. "Ronon, I'm going back. I'm done walking around in a dark hallway that's freezing, when I can be sitting in my room, watching a movie and having a beer. Come on, I got some new movies I think you'll like. AVP. Pretty gory." My lips turned up in a half smirk.

Feeling anxiety rising in my body, I struggled to get control. It was like I felt myself moving, but my body was as still as could be.

"Sheppard..."

"Yeah, buddy?"

Ronon visibly relaxed and grinned. "Gory, huh?"

"Yup." With a nod, my body turned and walked on, turning the corner and walking bam into Rodney. "Hey! Would you watch it?!" The snarl was anything but me. The anxious feeling returned. "Uh, sorry. I...didn't expect that."

Rodney had fallen to the ground from our impact, and slowly got up with Teyla's help. "Geez! What crawled up your ass and died?!"

"Wouldn't you like to know." Walking past him, I felt a strange rage and nervousness fill me, along with disgust. "Come on. We're heading back."

"What?! After all I went through to get the power up and running for heat?? It'll only take a moment to heat up, and we're already this f-"

"I said we're going!" I heard myself shout. It was the truth, the hall was already warming, but that wasn't the reason we were leaving.

Suddenly everything shifted. My body stopped moving, and my mouth finally worked under my own control. "What the hell?!"

No! I won't lose to a pitiful human!

Jumping at the voice, I spun around, raising my P90 a little as I looked back. The others were looking at me with concern, their own weapons slightly raised, and Rodney looked unusually confused as he stared at me. I took a step back and wanted to sigh in relief when my body responded. I had control again.

But, whatever happened before... What was that? I could still feel the pressure in my mind, and it was all too familiar, but I just couldn't place it. There was no pain, just major discomfort. Frowning, I shook my head.

Maybe getting out of here was a good idea.

Let go.

The voice had turned eerily soothing, and seemed to echo through my mind. Again, I felt like I was floating, and felt my body moving of it's own accord.

Damn it! Not again!

Teyla's eyes narrowed dangerously, and I felt the nervousness and rage bubbling up again. "Are we going or not?" I called harshly, turning and stalking down the hall.

I was fighting again, trying to get control, but I felt a cold sensation and everything went dark.

End Flashback

Now I know why the sensation was so familiar. I thought darkly as I watched my body moving. Another marine said good morning, a very pretty one at that, and my body moved past her like she wasn't even there. I've been through this before.

Ahh, so now you see.

I felt the presence in my mind, and my lips curved up in a sneer that was completely unlike me.

A Wraith. A Wraith here in Atlantis, in control of my body. What the hell are you doing in my body?! What do you want?! It must have temporarily erased my memory.

What do you think?

Images flashed across my mind. Wraith coming to Atlantis and most of them being destroyed by our weapons. Wraith sneaking into the city, but being found and killed. One Wraith sneaking away with plans to destroy the city at the first given chance...

I was wounded, and hid. You came along, I sensed your mind. You will do to carry out my plans.

If you destroy Atlantis, you destroy yourself, too.

Your people would not let me survive anyway. If I go down, I take you with me.

My body turned a corner and I watched as Rodney waved and rushed over. Oh, crap! Not now!

"John! There you are! Look, Teyla's been trying to get a hold of you all day! And you're not wearing your radio, figures. She sensed a Wraith in the city." Frowning for a moment, he rushed along side me, trying to keep up. "Well, she sensed it earlier, but she wasn't sure. Now she's sure. Hum, it seems to be down in the hall we were in before."

"Lorne's team can deal with it, then." I heard myself say in clear irritation.

"No, no, no. That's not it. They came back two hours ago, and they couldn't find anything."

That's because I've hidden myself well. Your people will never find me.

"They've gone back down to keep looking and took two teams of marines, including Teyla, since she can sense them."

Infuriating little Athosian-

"Hey!"

Stopping, I turned to Rodney as he stared at me in confusion.

"Where are you going? Oh, right, I forgot to tell you why I'm here. Elizabeth wants us in the control room, as in ten minutes ago. Come on." Grabbing my arm, Rodney tugged, stopping and looking at me when I didn't budge. "Well? Aren't we going?"

"No. We're not." Lashing out, I grabbed the back of his head and spun him so he was facing the wall before bashing his head into it. Watching as he slid down to the floor, clearly unconscious, I felt the sneer form again.

Rodney! Oh, you are SO gonna pay for that!

Relax, human. He's alive, for now.

Reaching down, I grabbed his collar and dragged him into a transporter behind me. "But if he doesn't co-operate, I can't guarantee how long he'll remain that way." I hit the button and the doors shut behind me.

(Hidden Lab)

I have no idea how long we walked. At one point, Rodney began to wake up and instead of knocking him out again, my body grabbed his arm and twisted it behind his back as it dragged him off the ground.

It hurt to hear his pained yelp. His confused and hurt questions of why I was doing this. He's my friend.

"Damn it, John! What the hell's your problem?!"

I laughed. No, not me. My body, my voice, but the Wraith in control. The laugh was low and menacing and sent a chill through my spine. "Sorry. Sheppard isn't available." It hissed out, the words almost slurring.

Struggling even more to get control over my body, I felt a sensation of surprise, and a weird surging feeling. I couldn't name it, but I felt my grip lessen on Rodney's arm for a moment, and pressed even more, despite how exhausting it was.

"John?! Oh, god! Who are you?! What's going on??"

Impudent little human! The voice was filled with rage, and I felt the pressure on my mind again, but this time it was more forceful and there was definite pain involved.

My mind couldn't handle it. It was almost blinding. Jumping back, mentally, I felt myself being slammed out again, with no control as my arm tightened on Rodney's and dragged him with me. It didn't take us long before we reached a small, hidden lab I'd never seen before.

"Get over there! I want you to disable Atlantis' security systems!" I hissed, pushing Rodney in the direction of the nearest console. "Then you're going to rig an overload."

There was pressure on my mind again, and I fought against it, trying to keep the Wraith out of my head. It got worse, but then it quickly left, and I felt the presence leave my body.

"Like hell I'm gonna do that!" Rodney tried to sound brave but only ended up sounding scared out of his mind. "No way!"

"Good." Taking a deep breath, I clenched my fists and looked down at them. "Rodney?"

He paused. "...John?"

"Oh, thank god! Listen, you need to let the others..." Frowning, I felt the pressure come back and grimaced as I struggled to stay in control. "Wraith, Rodney!" I managed to get out, before I felt myself being pushed aside again. Damn!

"Stupid little Athosian wench." I heard my voice hiss out as I locked my eyes on Rodney and stalked forward. "I thought I told you to disable Atlantis' security systems."

"And I, uh..." Swallowing visibly, Rodney took a step back. "I won't do it!" He lifted his chin in a vain attempt to look stern.

Stepping forward briskly, I watched in horror as my hand flew up and backhanded him across the face. "You'll do as I say, or pay the price!"

He knows that if he listens, you'll kill him anyway. I thought darkly, struggling for control over my body. He won't listen.

He'll listen or be tortured.

"No! I won't do it!" Never the less, Rodney trembled and took a step back.

Stepping forward again, I grabbed the short blonde hairs on his head and held his face back so I could stare into his frightened blue eyes. "You really don't want to argue with me, little human." With a sudden force, I tossed Rodney aside like so much garbage, and watched as he hit the nearby wall with a resounding thud, only to slide down to the floor and lay motionless. "Pathetic."

You can't win. The rage this thing felt was starting to wear off on me. Rodney can't help you now that he's unconscious. I won't help you, and no one else will, either.

Then I'll just blast everything I see. Reaching behind me, I felt my hand grab a handgun that was tucked down the back of my pants, under my unbuttoned over shirt. Until I hit what I'm aiming at.

The presence seemed to stutter and deflate a little before fading away and then resurfacing. It was weird, like the Wraith was disappearing and reappearing. Fading in and out of existence.

This is unacceptable! That wench!

I got the briefest flashes of Teyla's mind, and somehow knew she was attempting to get into the Wraith's mind. It was probably due to the Wraith being in my mind, and us being linked that way. It was distracting and weakening him.

The presence faded, and I felt myself stumble as suddenly I had control over my body again. "Ok, this is nice, but annoying. Do us all a favor, and don't come back." I grumbled as I ran over to Rodney's side. Carefully grabbing his arm, I rolled him over. "Buddy? Rodney?" His eyes were closed, and there was a deep gash on his forehead. "Oh crap!" Reaching for my ear, I remembered last minute that I wasn't wearing my radio, and instead grabbed Rodney's, tapping it and bringing it to my mouth. "I need security and medical teams to my location immediately."

Sitting back, I looked around and frowned at the small lab. It was dark, but the screens were lit up, showing there was power running through the room. And there, in one corner, was a single stasis pod, only it looked different than the type we used. No, it was the same model, I guessed, but it looked like there was Wraith tech imbedded in it.

As I watched, the pod glowed brightly and seemed to come alive.

"You can't be serious!" Jumping to my feet, I looked to where I'd dropped the gun I was holding before. Forgetting everything else, I ran over and grabbed for it, lifting and aiming it at the pod as the ice melted away to reveal a Wraith. "Oh, yeah. I should have known." At least if he's awake, he can't easily control me. I thought, feeling the blush as the overwhelming sense of relief ran through me.

It was scary as hell and beyond annoying to be able to see what was going on and not stop it.

"Pathetic humans. You think you can stop me?!" Raising a strange blaster, the Wraith turned to Rodney and took quick aim.

Before he could even steady his arm for the blow, I was pumping him with every bullet in my gun. I emptied the clip into him, and watched with mounting horror as he staggered and fell to his knees, but didn't collapse completely. He raised his gun again, from where it had fallen and slowly took aim at me.

Then, more shots rang out.

Jumping as the Wraith fell forward on to it's face, I spun to find Rodney sitting up and shakily aiming a pistol at the fallen Wraith. He was glaring at it, and for the first time I took in that he had his thigh holster on.

"You were armed?"

Turning to me, he winced and adjusted his position to lean against the wall, reaching up to touch his forehead. "Yeah." He answered with a frown. "Wasn't it you who used to always tell me I needed to be more prepared for just such an occasion?"

I heard what he said, but turned to the downed Wraith, where I'd been standing; looked at my fist where the back of my hand still hurt from where I'd hit Rodney, and where he was laying on the ground. Ignoring his comment, I groaned. "You were armed?!"

"Yes." He said it slowly, raising an eyebrow and wincing as it pulled on the gash on his head.

"You were armed and you let me beat the hell out of you?!"

"You weren't you." He said simply with a small shrug, hissing and clutching at his stomach. "I wasn't about to shoot you."

"Have you ever heard of bluffing, Rodney??" Rolling my eyes, I groaned loudly and shook my head, walking over to sit next to him. "Never mind. Listen, I..." I frowned as I looked down at my hands and the empty gun. "I'm sorry."

"Hum, let me guess. This was why you didn't want to continue on that path, before? Because it led here, to the Wraith pod?"

"I...honestly don't know." Thinking about it... "It makes sense. The lab was hidden, but we would've probably found it. I didn't think about it at the time, I just knew something kept telling me I didn't wanna go on. Not to mention, I was being controlled, though I didn't realize that at the time."

"Explained why you were such an ass." He mused thoughtfully. "I mean more so than usual."

Slapping his arm lightly, I tried not to grin. "Gee, thanks, buddy. That means so much to hear."

"Don't worry about it." With a shrug, Rodney sighed and nudged my arm, looking at me sincerely. "I mean it. Don't worry about it."

That was when the marines and nurses showed up. As soon as Carson saw us, he rushed over and checked for obvious feeding signs, and when he didn't find any, ordered two of his cute nurses to take care of me, while he took care of Rodney.

Luckily, Carson figured the injuries weren't that bad. The gash, and probably a concussion, not to mention a few bruises from hitting the wall so hard, and where my fist got his cheek. Rodney would be fine. That was a big relief.

Teyla and Ronon came rushing our way with Lorne's team not too long after, having found nothing where they were and hearing my call. They were also all right. That, too, was a relief.

"Sir, if you could come with us, please." One of the nurses said quietly.

Turning to them, I recognized the girls as two of the people who said 'hi' to me earlier. Two I'd ignored coldly, while not being able to control my body. I bit my lip and tried not to grimace. Oh, boy. I've got a lot of explaining to do.

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Hope you like it.

R+R please

Thank you

Tenshi