AN: Once again, I am not a medical professional so I apologize if some of the injury tidbits are wrong. Also, keep in mind that I had him heal fast for a reason. :o)

AN2: Also, Aeric is pronounced Eric and the planet Adora is named after my husband's Grandma. :o)

Chapter 4:

"Colonel Sheppard, please respond!" Elizabeth's voice rang through the radio full of alarm.

"This is Sheppard, go ahead." John replied groggily. He was sitting in his office, computer on and paperwork spread out on his desk. He had his aching ankle on a chair.

It had been 5 weeks since his bone breaking landing on the gate room floor. Carson was pleasantly shocked to see that it had healed so quickly and had taken the cast off a week early than he had planned. The doctor speculated that it had something to do with his ATA Gene and drew some blood so that he could study it.

He had been doing physical therapy for a little under a week and each time afterwards, the ache was less and less. Today the ache wasn't too bad at all but he was told to rest the ankle anyways for the time being. That's what he was doing when he apparently had fallen asleep at his desk.

"John, are you alright?" Elizabeth asked clearly concerned.

"Yeah, M'fine. Why?" He asked, confused as to why she was asking him that.

"Because Ladon Radim will be here any minute and you were supposed to be here to welcome him." She told him, obviously annoyed at having to remind him.

CRAP "I'll be right there." He told her, standing up quickly and jogging to the gate room. His physical therapist won't be too happy when he finds out but right now he didn't care. He knew his limits and how far he could push them and luckily his office wasn't too far from the gate room to begin with. He arrived just in time to join the group and watch Ladon Radim walk through the gate.

Ladon came through, along with 5 guards. He walked confidently up to Elizabeth while his guards handed over their weapons. "Dr. Weir." He said by way of greeting.

"Hello Ladon." Elizabeth greeted in return as she began to lead him, John, Teyla, Rodney and Ronon to the conference room.

John fell in step easily with Teyla as they followed Elizabeth and Ladon. The quick jog to the gate room had made his ankle hurt, turning the annoying ache into a more pronounced throb, causing him to limp a little. He was thankful that he was behind Ladon so that he couldn't see John limping. He wasn't about to show the Genii that he was injured, for all he knew they'd take advantage of it. Teyla noticed however, and slowed her pace a little to make it easier for John to keep up without making it look like that was what she was doing.

They all entered the conference room and took their places, Elizabeth and Ladon at the "head" of the table with Ronon and Rodney on one side and Teyla and John on the other. John was thankful to be sitting and had to refrain from letting out a sigh of relief. The stairs to the conference room had only served in increasing the throbbing in his ankle which made the limp slightly more pronounced.

"Would you like something to drink before we began?" Elizabeth asked Ladon, obviously trying to keep the Genii leader at ease.

"No thank you" Ladon replied while the rest of the team, excluding John, grabbed a bottle of water from the side table.

"Very well, shall we begin?" Elizabeth asked waiting for a nod before she continued. "5 weeks ago, one of our teams went to a planet called Adora to establish contact and to negotiate trade. They encountered some resistance on their way to the village but not from the villagers themselves, but from Genii soldiers." She paused before continuing, "Since we have an alliance, I would assume that it wasn't your men on that planet but we were hoping you could help us clarify who they were."

Ladon nodded while he absorbed the information that they presented him. "Yes, I heard about that incident –"

"How did you hear about it?" Elizabeth asked, immediately suspicious.

"We have contacts on that planet who alerted us to strangers coming through the Stargate." He replied without blinking.

"So, it was you?" Ronon spoke up, clearly angry.

"No they were not ours." Ladon replied immediately. "We do not know who was commanding them."

"If they are not yours, then who was your contact on the planet?" Teyla asked.

"We have made allies with the villagers on this planet. They trust us ("Boy, are they idiots", Rodney piped in) and wanted to know if we knew anything about these strangers. I assume the strangers were your team?" Ladon inquired.

Elizabeth cocked her head, clearly not wanting to give away more information that she had to. "Why don't you tell us since you said that your contact alerted you." She replied.

"We do not know what these strangers looked like, they did not specify. The villager said that the strangers came heavily armed but going by your description of the Genii soldiers, that could have been either party." He replied.

An uncomfortable silence descended upon the group as the tension in the air increased ten-fold. "We had heard rumors of Kolya beginning to make a move but we have also heard rumors of another rogue leader emerging, though we do not know what his name is." Ladon provided, breaking the quiet with his informative voice.

Ladon smiled inwardly as he took in the obvious shock the group was in. They had obviously hoped that they wouldn't be hearing from or about Kolya again but they also hadn't thought of someone else leading the rogue Genii.

"Have you heard a description of the man?" Elizabeth inquired.

"No, we have not." He told them, while trying to decide what all to say. "We only know that he has emerged recently and inspires great loyalty and confidence in his men."

The team gave each other a meaningful look which was lost on Ladon but not on Elizabeth. She raised an inquiring eyebrow but held her question, deciding she'd ask the group after Ladon had left.

"Is it possible that Kolya is making his move?" Elizabeth asked, hoping to get more out of Ladon.

"I do not know." Ladon replied.

"The last time Kolya made his move, he had people in your inner circle and you didn't even know it. Is it possible that that is what's happening again?" Elizabeth pushed.

Ladon paused, taking deep breaths to keep his anger in check. He finally responded with, "It is always possible I suppose, but I do not think that is the case this time."

"What makes you so sure?" John asked, hoping he didn't sound too nervous. He was by no means afraid of Kolya but he didn't really want to run into the man again.

"Because from what we've heard, Kolya would stand nothing by infiltrating my people." Ladon told them.

"What do you mean by that?" Elizabeth asked curiously.

Ladon let out a big sigh before answering, "From what my sources tell me, Kolya is no longer interested in being leader of the Genii. It seems his only interest would be Colonel Sheppard."

Everyone drew in an audible gasp before John asked, "What does he want with me?"

"I do not know. As Kolya is no longer interested in us, we did not see the point in investigating him any further." He paused and in seeing the anger seething off the group, particularly that of the Satedan, he added, "but I would be more than willing to find out, should you like."

"Yes we would like! What kind of a question is that?" an irate Rodney yelled.

"Rodney!" Elizabeth scolded the scientist. "If you could please find out what Kolya wants with Colonel Sheppard that would be great, thank you." She responded turning to Ladon.

Ladon nodded, "Of course."

Elizabeth took a deep breath and nodded before speaking again. "Alright. I believe that is all our questions for now. Thank You for your help." She told Ladon. "Would you and your men like some food before you leave? The least we could do for dragging you here is to offer you that." She offered in an obvious attempt to keep him there for further questioning.

"Thank You Dr. Weir. I believe we will take you up on your offer." Ladon responded, looking none too fooled. And with that, he left.

Elizabeth waited until Ladon was well out of ear shot then she turned to look at the team. "Alright, what's going on?"

"What do you mean?" John asked her innocently.

"I mean, what was that look that all of you shared when Ladon mentioned a new rogue leader?" she replied, clearly not fooled by his act of innocence.

John shared another look with his team before explaining. "While I was laying down cover, I believe I saw Ford. He was standing behind the Genii force, acting like a quiet observer."

Elizabeth's mouth fell open but quickly recovered. "How do you know it was Lt. Ford? Wasn't he killed when the Wraith Hive Ship exploded?"

"We don't know that he WAS killed when it exploded. The man I saw had dark skin, like Ford's, and had one human eye and one pure black eye. I don't know any other people who fit that description, do you?" John replied, a little defensively. Why did everyone insist on believing that Ford was dead? They thought he was dead when he was taken up by the Wraith culling beam and it turned out he'd escaped.

"No, I don't, but that doesn't mean I'm willing to believe that Lt. Ford is on that planet." She told him rather sternly. Her eyes widened slightly as understanding settled in, "that's why you wanted to go back to the planet wasn't it?"

"Mostly," John responded, seeing no point in lying, "I also wanted to check out the villagers and see if we could gain some new trading partners but, yes, I mostly wanted to go back and see if we could either find Ford or find traces of him."

"And what if you don't find anything?" Elizabeth countered.

"That too. Look, either way, I have to know." He told her, his eyes so full of guilt, anger and pleading.

"I understand." She told him, and she really did. She knew where he was coming from and understood his need to get Lt. Ford back. "Well, in lieu of this information, I believe we should reconsider letting you go back to the planet." She told him.

"You have GOT to be kidding me!" John all but exploded. "I don't care what Ladon says, I don't care IF Kolya IS out to get me. I'm not staying on Atlantis and seemingly hiding just because of hear-say." He told her calmly but just as defiant.

She knew he wasn't going to stay behind not matter what but she felt like she had to try to get him to. "John, you may not be afraid of Kolya but the rest of us are."

"I never said I wasn't afraid of him, I just don't see the point in hiding and what do YOU all have to be afraid about?" John stopped abruptly, then hastily added while furiously blushing, "Not that you all don't have a perfectly good reason to be afraid of Kolya," he added with meaningful looks at Elizabeth and Rodney, "but Kolya wants me, not you guys."

"And that is what scares us." Elizabeth told him. "WE had to sit and watch the last time he got a hold of you. WE have no desire to experience that again!" she all but pleaded.

John sighed, "I'm sorry guys. I can't imagine having to watch that but I am NOT hiding on Atlantis and I am NOT staying behind while everyone else goes back to that planet!" He finished. His voice lending a sense of finality that no one wanted to argue with.

"Fine." Elizabeth conceded. She sat quietly for awhile, lost in her thoughts, before she looked up at them all and added, "Well, I guess I can let Ladon return home for the time being. I shall go and tell him." She informed then while standing up.

"Elizabeth," John said standing up to walk with her. His ankle still throbbed but not as badly so it was easier to hide his limp. "I'll walk with you." He told her, his tone broaching no argument.

"Alright, if you think you can keep up." She told him jokingly. He smiled at her and began keeping her pace, which was quite fast.

"Where's the fire?" he asked curious as to why she was walking so fast when she normally didn't. The pace was not helping his ankle any but he wasn't about to ask her to slow down for his benefit.

She turned her head to look at him and, noticing the slight winces and the limp that was becoming more pronounced, decided to slow down a bit but still keep a relatively brisk pace. "I can't explain why but I want him out of this city and I think the sooner the better, wouldn't you agree?"

He had to admit, she had a point. They were doing the inhabitants (or the city for that matter) any favors by keeping the Genii in the city. He could feel Atlantis getting agitated that they were there. The normally gentle and soothing hum in the back of his mind was now staccato and strained. I'm sorry girl, we're working on it he told her. Anything that had Atlantis agitated had him worried. Usually Atlantis never complained when visitors were allowed to roam.

"I think that sounds like a good idea and so does Atlantis." He told her.

Elizabeth stopped short of the mess hall, which John was thankful for. Though he noticed that she slowed her pace, it was still quite fast. "Atlantis?" she queried. She knew of his connection to Atlantis and, like him, understood that Atlantis was more sentient than the Ancients gave her credit for.

"Yeah, she isn't happy about them being here either and I don't know why." He told her, slightly panting. GOD he hated being so out of shape!

"That's never good. Could you ask her why?" Elizabeth asked.

"She hasn't given a reason. It's more of a frantic feeling I get from her. Like she's scared of them or something." He replied shaking his head.

Elizabeth's eyebrows furrowed. Anything that scared Atlantis scared her even more. "Ok, well, I'll go and let them know they can leave. Why don't you go rest?" she told him.

He looked at his watch. It was 1545. "Nah, I'm going to go back to my office and finish up some work first." He told her. He could rest his throbbing ankle there just as well as he could in his room.

"Alright. I'll talk to you later about going back to the planet. Meet me in my office at," she looked at her watch and let out a sigh, "1800 hours." And with that she walked in to the mess hall, leaving him to go finish the dreaded paperwork.

Ladon Radim sat in Atlantis' mess hall with his men, each picking at the snacks on their tray. The Lanteans only saw 6 people come through the Stargate, but there were actually 7. A scientist by the name of Aeric Malfor also joined the group but was hidden from everyone by a person cloaking device the Genii happened upon while they were investigating a recently culled planet.

They were waiting for confirmation that the plan succeeded and that the scientist was back with them before they started making a fuss about leaving. They hadn't counted on the Lanteans inviting them to stay but were pleasantly surprised when they did. The original plan was for Aeric to wait on Atlantis until the Lanteans went back to the planet (which they would do soon, no doubt) and sneak off Atlantis with them. However, when the Genii group stayed, they swiftly informed the scientist and changed the plan.

Aeric had just joined them when Dr. Weir came up the them to politely inform them that, should they wish to, they were welcome to go home.

Ladon noticed that her demeanor had changed slightly from confident to nervously suspicious. Does she know? He wondered. No, she couldn't know otherwise we wouldn't be leaving and Colonel Sheppard would be in front of them instead of Dr. Weir.

Colonel Sheppard! Now there was a man he'd love to get rid of for good! Ladon had been disappointed to find the Colonel alive and mostly uninjured. He had noticed the Colonel limping but it wasn't enough for him. Hopefully he'll be in the way when the first part of the plan happens. Ladon thought scornfully.

Ladon turned to Dr. Weir just before he left. "Thank you for your hospitality. I hope that the next time we meet, it will be under as pleasant circumstances."

He gave her a head nod and spared Colonel Sheppard (who was right behind her smiling at him with cold, hard eyes) a cold but seemingly indifferent look of goodbye and then stepped through the event horizon.

Elizabeth was reviewing a report submitted by the Botany department when she caught the scent of food and heard a knock on her door. She looked up to see John Sheppard leaning against the doorway in his usual relaxed manner, with 2 trays of food in his hands.

He caught her looking at the food and told her, "I thought we could eat dinner while we talk. I'm guessing you haven't eaten since breakfast this morning."

She smiled at him and motioned him to come in, not missing that he was still slightly limping. "Yes, dinner sounds wonderful. I have been so busy today that I haven't been able to stop and grab something since breakfast." She told him, knowing that he already knew that.

"Well it's a good thing I can read minds." He replied with his usual John Sheppard charm. He put their trays down on her desk and sat down in a chair across from it, stretching out his right leg.

She wanted to suggest that he use the other chair for his ankle but kept her mouth shut and instead began the meeting. "So, let's begin shall we?" she asked, knowing that he'd take it from there.

"When can we go to the planet?" he asked, seeing no point in beating around the bush. He was anxious to get back to the planet and in his opinion they've waited long enough.

"I am not sure. What do you think?" she replied.

"I think tomorrow is as good a day as any, 9 am." He responded immediately. He didn't think she'd agree but he wanted to try at any rate.

"You don't think it's too soon after the meeting with Ladon? I mean, if it was his group, he would expect us to go back tomorrow. For all you know, you could be landing your team and those that go with you in the same position as last time." She told him, hoping to get him to think this through. John Sheppard was a man who followed his heart first and brain second, which often got him into trouble.

"I think that if Ladon is behind the attack a month ago, it doesn't matter when we go, there will always be someone there to greet us. At least this time if we go, we'll have a cloaked Jumper with us." He told her without even pausing to think. Obviously he's thought this through.

Elizabeth sat quietly for a while, silently thinking while she ate. Finally she nodded saying, "Ok, you can go. But be careful and if there is any sign of trouble, come back right away. I know you want to see if Lt. Ford is there but I will not have you jeopardizing your health or that of your team to find out."

His eyes went hard at her last sentence and he visibly straightened. He kept his tone quiet and soft while he spoke, "I would never knowingly jeopardize the health of my team and those with me to save someone else."

"No, just yourself and that's not acceptable either." She told him coldly. She regretted saying that he would risk harm to others for Lt. Ford but she wasn't about to back down and let him find a loophole either.

He studied her for a moment before saying. "Deal." He got up, grabbing their trays, and walked out of her office. His posture emanating anger and his walk doing it's best to state that as well as it could with a slight limp.

Well that went well! She thought before she dove right back into her paperwork.

John stormed out of Elizabeth's office and headed to the mess hall to drop off their trays before storming to his quarters. He was furious! How could she believe that I'd endanger anyone else on purpose? He raged in his head.

He got to his room and started pacing, knowing that would not help. He would have gone to spar with Ronon or Teyla but he knew they knew he wasn't allowed to spar yet so he did the only other thing he could think of even though he knew he'd pay for it later.

He changed out of his uniform and changed into sweats, a t-shirt and running shoes. He left his quarters and headed for an unoccupied part of the city, knowing that if anyone saw him, they'd report him to Carson and he really didn't need that.

He began at a gentle jog, letting his body get acclimated to the exercise before he kicked it up a slight notch. He knew he wouldn't be able to go long but at this point, 2 miles would do! So, that's what he aimed for figuring he'd run 1 mile out and 1 mile back. As he fell into a good rhythm he let his mind wander and mull over what Ladon had said. He used his anger to fuel his body and soon he began to feel it slip away. Before he knew it, he'd gone 1.5 miles which was a ½ mile longer than he wanted to so he turned around and headed back.

He decided to walk the last ½ mile and was glad to find that he felt better, mentally, after his run. He felt good physically, though his ankle was starting to grumble it's protest at the abuse. Overall he felt pretty good, that was until he got to his quarters and found Carson Beckett waiting for him, his face a deep red. If looks could kill, the one Carson gave him when he showed up at his door would've killed him (and everyone else walking by) before he even got within 10 feet of his door.

"Doc." John nodded in greeting. "How are you?"

"What the hell do you think you're doing jogging around Atlantis?" the irate Scot began. "You have only had your cast off for a week, you're not ready for jogging!" Carson began to sputter, which was a rarity for the doctor and so John thought it best to cut him off now.

"Doc, would you like to come in and continue this conversation in my quarters?" The smile on his face belied the anger and annoyance he was actually feeling.

"Don't even try to work your charm on me Colonel!" Carson raged before John cut him off.

"Look, doc. If you're going to yell, fine, come inside and do it. If you aren't going to come inside, then go back to the infirmary and leave me alone. I really don't care which you choose. I'm tired and I need a shower. You're welcome to come back and rage at me afterwards." John told him, only mildly sarcastic. He didn't want to be mean but right now he didn't really care.

Carson stood there with his mouth open, shock written on his features. John Sheppard has never spoken to him like that, not even when Carson wouldn't allow him to go on a mission. Something was bothering the Colonel and he decided it was time to find out what.

"Fine. You have 10 minutes before I come back. Be done with your shower and don't put any socks on, I want to examine your ankle." He told the Colonel before he stormed off. He really hadn't wanted to walk away but it made a better statement if it did.

"Can't wait" John replied sarcastically as he limped inside and took a shower.

15 minutes later, John was dressed and limping to the door to let Carson in. The doctor walked in and sat down beside John's bed with his arms crossed. He had calmed down quite a bit and things made more sense after his conversation with Elizabeth but he was still mad at the Colonel.

"Sit down, I want to examine your ankle." Came the demand. Great! I had to piss off Carson before he felt like doing an exam. John thought before he complied.

Carson examined his now swollen ankle. Manipulating and prodding it none-to-gently, making John hiss and grunt in pain. Carson proceeded to wrap and ACE bandage around it before grabbing a pillow and placing his ankle on the pillow. Still silent, he stood up and grabbed an ice pack and applied it to the swollen joint before landing John with a glare that clearly stated Tell me what's going on, now!

John looked up at Carson with an innocent expression saying, "What?"

"Colonel, I know something's going on and I want you to tell me what it is. For instance, why do you want to go back to that planet so badly? What makes you think that going for a 3 mile jog on a still healing previously broken ankle is a good idea? What has you so riled that you'd rather punish your body than talk to your friends?" Carson replied, clearly not letting him off the hook any time soon.

"Maybe you should ask Elizabeth, she already knows." He told Carson, wincing at how the statement sounded. "I mean, we've already discussed all those things so she'll know."

"I already did Colonel, but I want YOU to tell me." Carson told him, smiling at the look of shock on John's face. "You didn't think I'd just happened to come upon your doorstep as you finished your jog did you? Elizabeth told me about your conversation and about why you want to get back on that planet. But for God's sake lad, why won't you confide in your friends?"

"I did tell them." John replied defensively. "I told them about seeing Ford and they think I should just leave him be. But I can't leave him be because I'm the reason he's out there alone in the first place!" John's mouth fell open as he finished those words. He couldn't believe he'd just said that.

"Colonel, you are NOT the reason why Ford is the way he is. You have tried to help him and he won't let you. You need to realize that Ford does not want to come back and that he may in fact be dead." Carson told him gently.

John snorted, "So you don't believe me either?" he accused.

"No, lad. I know you well enough to know that you believe what you saw and judging by how the Genii were acting at the meeting I'd say you're right. What I'm saying is that the Aiden Ford you knew IS dead and you need to accept it before you get yourself hurt." Carson told John, his startling blue eyes soft with compassion and understanding. "Luckily, you didn't injure yourself any further with your little jog." He commented again with a little bit more humor in his voice, trying to lighten the mood.

John sighed, "I'm sorry Carson. I didn't mean to snap at you earlier. I know you were only concerned for a patient and acting as their doctor."

Carson stood frozen. He couldn't believe that that's what John really thought. "No, lad. I wasn't acting as a doctor. I was concerned as a friend. You aren't one to push beyond your limits unless it's a life and death emergency, so when you do when there isn't anything wrong in the city, it makes me worry about you."

"Thanks." John replied, clearly shocked by Carson's response.

"Aye, and I'm sorry if I was a little rough while examining your ankle. I don't think I should perform an examination when I'm mad at the patient." He said with a slight chuckle.

"S'alright doc. I'm sure I deserved it." John said with a slight smile.

"Aye, well, goodnight Colonel." Carson responded before he got up and left.

After Carson left, John lay on his bed thinking. His stomach gave a loud growl and he looked at the clock. 2000 hours, not too late to go to the mess hall and grab a snack. He got up, slipped on some socks and shoes and limped down to get some food.

When he got there, he spotted his team sitting at a table, eating their own snacks so he went over and joined them when he had his.

Teyla was the first to notice him coming over. "John, are you alright?" she asked.

"Yeah, I'm fine." He replied automatically hoping to not have to discuss anything.

"Hm, last time I checked, fine people didn't limp." Rodney added. John just rolled his eyes at him and sat down. "Seriously, what's wrong?" Rodney continued.

"Nothing, ankle's just sore." John replied.

"Well maybe if you hadn't gone for a 3 mile run, it wouldn't be." Rodney countered sarcastically.

John just ignored him and changed the subject. "So, we leave tomorrow morning at 9 for Adora. Be on time and be well fed." He finished with a pointed look at Rodney.

Rodney just rolled his eyes, "We already know. Elizabeth let us, Carson, Major Lorne and 3 other marines know."

"Oh, good." John replied, chewing on some fruit. Truthfully he was glad that Elizabeth had let them know because he would've felt bad waking the others up to let them know.

An uncomfortable silence fell upon the team, each wanting to say something to John but not knowing what. John just rolled his eyes, "Look, you guys don't have to go you know."

Rodney visibly relaxed before saying, "Good, because, honestly, I have better things to do than look for ghosts."

John winced at his words but said nothing. He knew Rodney was just being blunt which is what Rodney does. To ease some of the tension he said, "Good, they'll be more room in the Jumper." and smiled his mischievous smile.

"Hey! I do NOT take up that much room. If anything Conan, here takes up more room than I do." Rodney replied defensively.

John just smiled, not knowing how to respond. "Right, well, I'm going to go to bed. We leave at 9. I'll see you guys tomorrow." He replied looking at Teyla and Ronon. He turned to Rodney saying "Take care of my city." Then he left.