Rodney gripped the controls gently, as John coached him at his side, as they flew over the lush green trees through the beautiful blue sky. "You're doing good Rod," John said grinning.

"Is this world inhabited?" Ronan asked calmly from the seat behind John.

Teyla looked over at him with her dark eyes and nodded, "it was five years ago…I would assume it still is…"

"Okay Rodney, there's a clear spot about fifty yards in front of us, bring her down gently," John began.

Rodney focused his mind, as he tired his best to bring the puddle jumper down at a level decline.

"Steady, almost there, even her out, let the puddle jumper read your thoughts…" John whispered.

Rodney closed his eyes for a minute, he knew his three teammates and friends were watching him, he had only piloted the jumpers a few times, and usually not without John or Teyla by his side. He brought it down with a slight jolt, but nothing big to worry about.

"Good job Rod," grinned John as he clapped his brother on the shoulder, "now open the rear hatch, lets gear up and head out," John said smiling.

It took them moments to gear up, finally they headed out, John let out a small gust of air, "are you guys hot?" he asked as he stripped off his jacket and left it in the puddle jumper.

"I'm fine," Ronan replied.

"Right…we'll let's go…remember where we parked," John said as he hit the cloaking button and watched his jumper disappear.

Rodney watched his brother closely, never saying anything. It was obvious John was suddenly having a hard time. He looked in front of them as they continued to trudge, the grass was high near their ankles, making it that much harder to walk through it. The sky was clear and light blue, no clouds to be seen, the sun overhead was warm, but not blistering hot. Rodney couldn't complain, the climate was normal, what concerned him was that his brother seemed to be sweating brick suddenly.

"John..." Rodney began.

"I'm fine Rod…" John finished for his brother.

"Are you sure…" whispered Teyla questioned gently.

"I said…I'm fine," he murmured in reply.

They continued their walk until they finally made it to the outskirts of what looked like a town. It looked completely deserted, it was the was the epitome of a ghost town. "Do I really wanna know why this place looks so…"

"Decapitated?" John offered the word to his brother.

"Yeah…" replied Rodney.

"Okay…lets search the place, but be careful about it, Rodney you take the those two buildings over there, make it quick though and if you have any trouble whatsoever call us, Ronan you take those tow buildings over to the left by Rodney's, Teyla you take these three to our right and I'll take the two in the center. Let's make quick guys, we'll have to be careful."

"Will do," the three team members replied as they headed off to their buildings to check.

John wiped the sweat from his forehead, groaning at how hot he was, he groaned, his stomach rolling. His head was beginning to pound. He stepped into the first building and gasped at the sight of what he found. In front of him all over the floor lay bodies.

"Uh…guys…"

"I just found them too…" came Ronan's voice.

"As have I," replied Teyla.

"Oh my…" came Rodney's voice.

"Rod…you okay?" questioned John softly.

"I…ah…..think….I'm…"

John grimaced when he heard his brother remove the head phone, and heard his brother vomiting. John looked back down at the bodies, they were disgusting looking, they looked like they had been mummified while alive. It was like something from that mummy movie.

"Teyla…go…help…" he felt his world begin to spin, "help…help….get Rodney…." John tried to grab onto the nearest wall, as he tried to stay on his feet. He groaned in pain as he felt another stab of white hot pain shoot through his temple.

Rodney was hunched over by the other building across the way, Teyla gently rubbed his back, he stopped finally and took a deep breath, "I'm sorry," he whispered, "wow it's been awhile since that's happened."

"Come Rodney," she whispered gently placing a hand on his arm and helping him to his feet. Ronan appeared by their sides suddenly, offering canteen to his friend and teammate.

"Thanks…" Rodney whispered as he took a swig, then spit it out to rinse out his mouth.

"I think…we should get back to At…lantis…" whispered John as he made his way out the door, he had paled three shades, and was sweating heavily.

"I agree," Teyla said quickly, "Ronan help the Colonel."

They made their way back to the gate, albeit they took their time, John collapsed in the pilot's chair with a sigh of exhaustion, while Rodney followed closely in the chair beside him. He rapidly dialed the gate, "Atlantis this is McKay…"

"We hear you Rodney…" Elizabeth returned.

"This planet is uninhabited…there's a very good possibility that there was some sort of plague…we're on our way home…"

"Wait…we can't lower the shield Rodney…"

"What? Why?" John asked suddenly concerned.

"I don't know…it's like the computer isn't recognizing your codes…" answered a technician.

"Perhaps it…senses the plague…" Teyla suggested.

"You've all been exposed, Rodney, is it possible this is similar to the virus last year that almost killed you? That maybe Atlantis senses you have been exposed and is trying to protect Atlantis?"

"Yes…it's very possible…listen to me Elizabeth…John, he got sick as soon as he hit the atmosphere…send Beckett and his team, but make sure they're in their suits…"

"What about getting you all back to Atlantis?" Elizabeth asked, not liking the idea.

"Essentially if Carson comes in a jumper with a group of his people as well as a couple others he can come and go as long as they aren't exposed directly to whatever caused this lock down…Once we figure out how to…protect ourselves than we should be able to come home."

"All right…Rodney, are you all okay?"

"No," Rodney looked over at his brother, "we're not…"

"Do your best Rodney," Elizabeth whispered.

Teyla and Rodney had maneuvered John onto the seats in the back of the jumper, trying to get him comfortable, Rodney had gotten his brother down to his pants and t-shirt, removing his guns and weapons. They had Teyla's jacket pillowing his head as he lay there weakly looking up at them.

"Where's Ronan?" John was rapidly starting to feel worse, he felt a cool cloth against his head and looked up into the concerned bleu eyes of his baby brother.

"Outside, keeping watch and waiting for the others. How ya feelin'?"

"Terrible…are you guys all right?"

"We are all well John, try and get some rest."

"What's happening to me Rodney?" John asked as Teyla moved around on the other side of the jumper.

Rodney sighed as he gently ran his hand through his brother's sweaty, thick brown hair and shrugged, "wish I knew John, I'm working on it okay…tell me what hurts so if you're out when our good friend gets here I can let him know."

"Headache…chills, I'm really cold…stomach…chest hurts too…"

"All right, tell me if you need anything."

"Rod…be careful…we don't know if this plague…thing just likes me or if it's going to come after you."

"Ill be good I promise," Rodney said smiling as he squeezed his brother's hand.

"Reminds…me when ya…got Mono," John grinned.

Rodney chuckled softly and nodded, "I was sicker than a dog for a month."

"Didn't bring the chess board with you…did you?"

"Ah…on, not this time. Get some sleep John, I'll be here when you wake up. Maybe we'll be on Atlantis by then."

"Being…bit optimistic aren't you?"

"I thought you liked it when I was optimistic?"

"I do…I hate it when you lie."

"Sleep," Rodney whispered as he pulled the blanket tighter around his brother.

"Usually it's me takin' care of you," mumbled John as his breathing evened out and he fell asleep.

"McKay…Beckett just got here," Ronan spoke gently to his friend.

Ronan sat and watched Rodney pace the length of the jumper back and forth while Carson calmly looked over their leader. If there was one thing Ronan had learned in watching these people, it was they cared deeply for one another.

Ronan had been absolutely stunned when he found out that McKay and Sheppard were brothers, they seemed so very different, and yet at times they were very similar. Ronan had never seen anyone protect their siblings as much as John did, or even Rodney. John was always the first Rodney saw when he was hurt, always the first to ask how he was, and always the first to grab Rodney's hand to let his brother know he was there. There was a very strong bond there, and while Ronan had seen McKay screw up amazingly, John still seemed to be very proud of his brother.

So as Ronan sat, contemplating John he watched the younger brother and realized that perhaps as much as John strove to protect his little brother, Rodney wanted to protect John just as badly. Rodney had this way of protecting the people around him when he could, obviously those people who spent time getting close to him, he valued more than anything.

"Rodney, come sit down," Teyla whispered from where she sat beside Ronan.

Rodney seemed to study her for a moment, probably wondering if she would force him to sit, before Rodney finally moved over and sat down with them.

"He will be fine," Teyla said gently as she clasped her friend's hand.

"I know…I just…" Rodney shrugged as a young would when they were unsure what to say.

"You worry, we understand," Teyla replied casually.

"Rodney, are you feeling ill?" Carson asked as he suddenly came out of the back of the jumper.

Two blue eyes looked up to meet his, Rodney shook his head, "no…fine…maybe tired but that's it."

"Aye, that's what I was afraid of…there's a very good possibility that Ronan and Teyla could probably walk through that gate right now."

"Are you saying it's just John?" Teyla asked.

"In a way…I'm just jumping to conclusions at the moment, but judging by what you've been able to tell me, and the fact that none of you are ill….my guess is this might just be targeting his ancient gene."

"Well then why not me?" Rodney asked suddenly.

"Rodney, your gene isn't pure, it was dormant for years, it's because of the gene therapy that you have the ability to use it at all. Either ay I'm not saying you aren't going to become ill, you might, but perhaps not until later. I'd like to take a look at a couple of the bodies in town, if that's all right with you?"

"What about John?" Rodney asked again.

"Don't move him, he's very weak. It's as though he has the flu, but he says he feels worse, I don't doubt it. Rodney you stay with him, you may be safer here. I'll take Teyla and Ronan back to the edge of the city to check this out.

"What about getting home?" Ronan asked.

"We'll get you home don't worry lad, Dr. Biro is on her way to do some autopsies, as soon as we get a good look at those, we'll be able to determine if this has to do with the ancient gene or if you're all going to get it."

Rodney watched Carson being led away by Teyla and Ronan. He sighed then moved back into the jumper. John was curled on his side, looking terrible, there were dark circles already under his eyes, his face covered in sweat, and he looked like he was in pain. Rodney moved over to his brother's side, kneeling down he grabbed the hand that was lying by John's side, and grasped it tight. With his other hand he gently ran his hand through John's hair.

Hazel green eyes opened up slowly, fogged over with pain and perhaps confusion, "Rod?"

"Hey big guy…how ya feelin?"

"Terrible…seem to remember another time…I was in a jumper…" John smiled.

"Yeah…you gotta stop getting shot, sick and hurt on these trips John…people are gonna think you have a complex or something."

"Look who's talking," John grinned.

"Yeah, well we have bad habits. John, what else did Carson say?"

"Not much…"

"You're going to be okay? Right?" Rodney found himself suddenly feeling like a child again, wishing for their parents.

"Hey," John said suddenly gripping his brother's hand tightly in his own, "I…I'm not going anywhere, you understand me. Can't leave Johnny an orphan…or stuck with you," he whispered grinning.

"Lauryn likes me," Rodney said trying to sound hurt.

"Yeah well…she's young and naive," joked John.

"You are all I have left in this world John…"

"You've got all of Atlantis…Liz, Car…Teyla…the overgrown ape…your nephew and daughter…and you have me."

"Yeah…"

There was a quiet moment between the two brothers, neither loosening their grip. John grimaced against more pain, Rodney just sat there and held him through it, gripping his arms and rubbing his back.

"I'm here John," Rodney whispered.

"Know it…" came the reply before John slipped into a light sleep.

"Rodney is very concerned about his brother," Teyla voiced her concern as Carson knelt over on of the dead bodies.

"Aye…Rodney's been ill so much, I think perhaps he's seeing how his brother felt." Pausing he shook his head, "there's no way for me to tell they're ancients unless we can test them…"

"Then do we do?"

"We have to figure out what is wrong with him, and fix it."

"Dr. Beckett, how do you plan to do this?"

"If I knew that…I wouldn't be so confused and worried," whispered Carson.

Carson, Teyla and Ronan made their way back to the jumper, "Rodney?" Carson called, he saw the figure lying half on and half off his brother's bed.

"Rodney?" Carson hurried over to him, getting closer he saw the fine sheen of sweat covering the man's face, his raspy breathing. Carson reached out to grab his friend, and was stunned to feel the scientist's shivers through the protective uniform separating Carson from the illness. "Teyla, I need some help!" Carson cried over his shoulder as he gently maneuvered his best friend onto the floor.

"What happened?"

"He's sick, he's burning with fever…I think he has what John has."

Elizabeth sighed as she sat in front of Carson, Teyla and Ronan. Carson had come up with the idea of bringing Teyla and Ronan back through the gate with him. If they were allowed through it meant Atlantis didn't detect the illness in either of them. If they didn't have the illness then it was quite possible that this illness only afflicted those with the ancient gene.

"All of this is amazing information, but how are you going to cure John and Rodney?" Elizabeth asked.

"I don't know yet…I have Zelenka and several of the other scientists working on an idea."

"Carson, are you sure it's safe for you to go back there?"

"Elizabeth, as much as I think it's probably a terrible idea, I have to go…they're my friends…they need me."

"All right, just be safe, please."

"We will Elizabeth," Carson sighed softly as he slowly stood to his feet and headed out of the briefing room.

"One of these days…we're going to have a normal day on Atlantis," murmured Elizabeth as she ran her hand through her hair.

They returned to the planet shortly after the briefing, Carson stepped back into the back of the jumper and sighed. Rodney lay on one side, John on the other, both covered with towels, sleeping lightly, a wash cloth on their foreheads.

"How are they?" Carson asked one of the other doctors as he knelt next to his two friends.

"John lost consciousness an hour ago, he's been out of it since. Rodney is in and out of consciousness…he's pretty weak, we've tried to get him to eat something, but he says he isn't hungry."

"I'll take care of it lad, thank you," Carson said gently patting his friend's shoulder. Carson moved over to Rodney's side, kneeling down beside him he gently squeezed his best friend's hand. "Hey big guy, I know you're in there."

Rodney's blue eyes slowly opened to gaze up at his best friend and he sighed weakly, "Hey Bones," murmured Rodney.

"Hey Spock…how ya feelin?" Carson returned with a soft smile.

"Terrible…"

"Rodney, I know you're tired and you feel bad, but I need your help. Can you think of anyway we can stop this plague?"

"You're the voodoo priest…"

"Well if you're feelin' good enough to joke around, ye can't be that sick," Carson smiled.

"Is it the ancient gene?"

"We're fairly sure it is…any ideas?"

"How's…Kirk?"

Carson smiled a lopsided grin, "he's fine Rod."

"Terrible liar," mumbled Rodney.

"Apparently it runs in our little family we've made. Rod, have you had anything to eat recently?"

"Not since this morning…"

"We need to get food inside you, it's one thing for you to be dying of some plague, but we can prevent your hypoglycemic problems," Carson spoke kindly.

"Not hungry," replied Rodney.

"I didn't ask you if you were hungry, you need to eat," Carson looked around and spotted Rodney's vest, where he knew the scientist held his stash within. He only had to search for a moment before finding one of Rodney's cereal bars, "try and eat some of it."

"Thanks," mumbled Rodney as he took the bar.

Carson moved over to John, flashing a penlight in both his eyes, the eyes were still responsive, he had a weak heart beat, his fever was dangerously high, but he was still with them…for now.

Things only seemed to get worse, eventually both men became unresponsive, Carson was becoming frantic for something to do, and without Rodney to help him, he wasn't sure he could come up with an answer to this one.

"Carson?" came Elizabeth's gentle voice, he looked up from the papers sitting on his desk. He'd been spending all his time either on the planet with McKay and Sheppard or in his office trying to find someway to save them. It had been three days, and their deterioration rate was disturbingly quick. "How are you?"

"Me…I'm fine," he sighed, "it's John and Rodney I'm concerned about, if we don't figure this out soon, John's going to die, and Rodney isn't far behind him."

"Is there anything I can do?"

"Not unless you know how to get rid of the ancient gene…" Suddenly he stopped, his eyes growing wide.

"What?" Elizabeth asked.

"That's it, we don't have to get rid of the gene, we just have to hide it temporarily…"

"What are you thinking Carson?"

"Give them the Iratus gene…"

"WHAT?" Elizabeth cried, had her best doctor finally lost his mind, "You can't seriously be considering something so…so…"

"Drastic? Crazy? Think about it Elizabeth, it completely alter John's DNA, if we give them both a powerful dose, not enough to kill them, but just enough to do a fast job on them, maybe we can trick the plague into believe they're not Ancients anymore, and maybe we can get them back through the gate. Once they're through the gate, we have a medical team standing by with the reversal serum, we've got just enough."

"Carson it's crazy, and dangerous…"

"Elizabeth, it could be our only chance, if this plague senses the DNA of a Wraith bug, it'll instantly let go, and it's a good bet the Wraith could have created it."

"And if this doesn't work?"

"Elizabeth they're going to die, this is our only chance."

"They're not going to like it! John hated what he went through…"

"I'll talk to them, Elizabeth please, you have to understand, if we don't try something they will die."

"All right, I've got it!" hissed Elizabeth, she put her face in her hands and sighed, "I'm sorry," she whispered. She was surprised when she suddenly felt two very strong arms wrapped around her body. She never felt so safe, for the first time in a long time she allowed herself the opportunity to cry. She buried her face in his shoulder and sobbed.

"Rodney, John, I don't know if you guys can hear me…you're going to hate me for this, an' I'll understand if ye never forgive me…I think I may have an idea for helping you guys…"

"Stop stalling," mumbled John as he looked over at his best friend.

"I want to fool the plague by altering your DNA with that of the Iratus bug, essentially it should cause your DNA to be altered and confuse the plague, hopefully the plague will dissipate within your body, then we can rush you back to Atlantis, and return you back to normal with what's left of the shot we gave John."

"I hate…those bugs," mumbled John.

"I know you do, trust me…but this is the only thing we could come up with," Carson told his friends.

"Lets do it," whispered Rodney.

"Are you sure?" Carson asked moving closer to his friend.

"You didn….didn't give us a lot of…options…" replied John.

"All right, we'll do it."

John slowly opened his eyes and groaned as the light instantly permeated his senses. He instantly rose his hands to his eyes, but felt it captured by another hand.

"Easy Colonel," came the Scottish voice.

"What happened?"

"You've had a rough couple weeks, how do you feel?"

"Ah…like I've been put through the wringer…"

"It's to be expected, do you remember anything?"

"Some ancient plague…then I have the vague memory of you telling us you'd have to…turn us into bugs," mumbled John.

"Yes…well we succeeded in tricking the plague…we got you back here. Well to say the least you are doing much better."

"Rodney?"

"I discharged him yesterday, he's much better, hopefully resting in his quarters."

"Another disaster averted?"

"Aye John, another one…get some rest, you'll be out of here in no time."

John nodded and slowly closed his eyes, sighing against the pain in the back of his head. He allowed sleep to take over his mind. The soft beep of his monitors lulling him into a deep sleep.