The next few days pan out in a similar way to the first one, with Sheppard forcing me to eat regularly, and to get outdoors for something other than work related activities. Sheppard hasn't asked me anymore about Abbi, probably figuring that I wasn't ready to give him anything more than I already had. He's right, even telling him as little as I did hurts like all hell. It's been around eleven years since everything that happened with Meaghan Callaghan, but Sheppard's the first person that I've ever told anything about the fiasco to. He's beginning to draw me out of my shell, beginning to convince me that my trust in him isn't something to be scared about, which in itself terrifies me. Opening up to someone means that I've given them the means to hurt me again, which is not something that I thought I ever would do. In fact...

"Oh Crap! Sheppard! What the hell was that?"

"Stop brooding."

"Did you have to pour freezing cold water over me?"

"Yup."

"I hate you."

"No you don't. Anyway, we've just been recalled to Atlantis, something about Carter not wanting to deal with McKay and Zelenka after they've gone a couple of nights with no sleep, and lots coffee."

"So what did they blow up this time?"

"Mitchell won't say. He keeps trying, but ending laughing too hard to get anything out."

I grin at him as he pulls me up off the lawn where I'd been enjoying the sun.

"So we have no idea what we're walking into?"

"Nope."

I turn to walk into the house to pack, but Sheppard grabs my arm as I go to walk past him.

"I've already packed. Everything, except for the two of us, is already in the car."

We walk out to the car, laughing about previous incidents cause by the science twins.

Hours later we arrive back at the SGC and beam back across to Atlantis. When the light dissipates we find ourselves surrounded by people welcoming us back home. The general air of excitement that permeates the environment is more than slightly concerning, mainly because the last time anyone on this city was this excited was when we returned to Atlantis after the exile. McKay comes barging through the crowd.

"We have three ZPM's."

Both Sheppard's and my jaw hit the ground.

"I take Lorne out of the city for not quite a week, and you find ZPM's while we're gone?"

"Yes. Zelenka, Carter and I found directions to the industrial facility in the database. There were three ZPM's down there, fully charged, that the Ancients didn't take with them for some reason."

"Or the replicators made them while they were in the city."

"Yes, or that. The point is we are now running at full power."

"So why did Mitchell keep laughing when I was talking to him?"

"Sam wanted us to surprise you, but Mitchell kept trying to tell you so she tickled him."

We both laugh at that. Our former CO could be quite childish when she was in a good mood and high on caffeine at the same time.

"Anyway, Keller told me to send both of you up to the infirmary when you got back."

Sheppard grabs my arm as McKay tells us this.

"Yeah, we'll head up there now."

We walk up to Keller's den, where she is waiting for us. Sheppard greets her.

"Hi, Doc. What do you need us for?"

"I need your help. There's a particular member of your staff that has been avoiding the infirmary, and has actually skipped a couple of appointments, since we arrived here."

I cringe slightly, as I had been hoping that the doc wouldn't tell Sheppard about that. His grip on my arm tightens slightly as he replies.

"Sure, Doc. We'd be glad to help; who do you need us to yell at?"

"Ok, do you think you could convince your executive officer that mandatory does not mean optional?"

"I'll make sure he understands, Doc."

"Now then, since your both here already do you think that he would mind if I went and did his monthly physical that was due last month?"

"I'm sure he won't mind, will you Colonel?"

"No Sir, Doc Keller can go ahead if she wants to."

"Good, and just to make sure you behave I'm going to sit here and listen, ok?"

"Yes, Sir."

Sheppard smirks at me, and claps me on the shoulder, before walking over to the closest chair and sprawling out in it.

What seems like hours later, I am finally release from the Doc's evil clutches, and back into Sheppard's custody. It's obvious by now that Sheppard's known about me skipping my physicals since before we went to his place. Which means that most, if not all of the command staff here are in on the plan to save me from my self, to use a phrase my sister uses to describe how she will have to deal with me at some point in the future. Sorry Erin, but someone is doing before you can.

Sheppard follows me silently as I walk back to my quarters. When we arrive I swipe my hands over the door controls and walk in. Sheppard follows. I collapse, face first, on my bed, leaving the chair for the Colonel. To my surprise though he sits down on the edge of my bed, and starts undoing my shoelaces.

"I can do that myself you know."

My voice comes out muffled, because of the pillow I have my face buried in.

"Yeah, but if I don't do it now, you'll fall asleep with your boots on again." He replies as he pull the boot off my left foot, and starts on the right one.

"Why are you doing this?"

"Because your feet will kill you in the morning if you sleep in your combat boots again."

"No, not this. Well, this, and everything else," I roll over onto my back, so that I can see him, "why have you gotten the entire command staff to help you tame me? No one else has ever bothered."

"You're worth it Evan. General O'Neill spoke to me when I chose you as my executive officer, told me I'd some issues to work through with you. My brother also warned me to never take anything you said at face value, when I saw him after Dad's funeral. He told me that he thinks that there is more to the story about you, your acquaintance, and Abbi, than meets the eye."

Fuck, I keep forgetting that David is Sheppard's elder brother, and that he know the 'official' version of what happened.

"Don't worry, he didn't tell me what had happened, he said that if I wanted to know that, I would have to ask you, little brother. Now unpack, and I'll see you in the Mess Hall at 1800."

Sheppard walks out then, leaving me to my own thoughts.