Title: The Enemy Within

Series: Stargate Atlantis

Theme: Alternate Universe

Characters: John & Teyla; select cast of SGA

Rating/Warning: R/Sexual Situations/Language

Summary: Teyla knew that a life here, with him, was impossible. He merely reminded her of a dream.

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Part 1: Life As A Colonial Agent

Chapter 1: Exposed

It was a dry desert heat; overwhelming, unforgiving and deadly. The fallen agent knew that time was of the essence. If shelter wasn't found soon, she would perish in the midday sun. The agent glanced to her right, towards the mouth of the caves and sighed. It would hurt like hell, but there was no other choice. Gritting her teeth against the pain, the agent slowly rose to her hands and knees. It was a long, agonizing journey; one that required all of her strength. The agent half crawled, half drug herself into the shadow of the caves before collapsing to the ground and succumbing to darkness.

Capital City, Planet: Sula Prime

From the shadows he watched the couple embracing in the window across the street. Just the thought of that bastard putting his hands on her was enough to sicken him, but to actually see it filled him with rage. It pumped through his veins, making his senses tingle and his finger itch to squeeze the trigger.

He readjusted the sights of the rifle's scope and gritted his teeth. One shot, quick, clean and it would all be over. The man would be dead and the woman….she would be his. But then, that would happen no matter how this little scenario ended. She wouldn't enjoy the circumstances that brought them together, but she had no choice. Once the job was finished, it would only be a matter of time.

Jezebel's Casino, Capital City

Teyla gazed around the room in amazement. When she'd arrived at Jezebel's, Orlan, one of the casino's security guards had escorted her upstairs to the living quarters. He'd told her that her host was running a little late and to make herself at home, but how could she?

She ran her finger tips over the cream colored, buttery soft suede of the plush sofa. A matching love seat and deeply cushioned chair stood guard on each end, drawing your eyes to the marble end table, abstract floor rug and the gigantic fireplace that acted as the focal point of the room. There, a cozy fire burned low buffering the chill of the evening breeze with a hint of warmth.

Teyla turned, glancing across the room at the intimately set table for two. White linen cloth, a white rose centerpiece, crystal, fine China, silver, wine, chocolate covered strawberries; it was two much. It was perfect. She slowly wandered over to one of the dining chairs and tugged one of the long stemmed red buds from the bouquet lying in the seat. Holding it to her nose, she inhaled deeply and sighed.

Teyla continued through the high archway that connected the living area to the bedroom. Again, she found herself surrounded by stunning beauty. To her right, a large bed stood high on a platform covered with silk sheets and fluffy white pillows. Overhead, long strips of silk flowed from the ceiling, falling to the sides of the bed, encasing it in a shimmering veil. To her left sat two winged back chairs on either side of a small table. They faced another fireplace which also contained a low lit fire.

Teyla continued forward to the row of tall windows covered in softly fluttering silk and paused. She pulled back the curtain and gazed out of the second story window at the busy street below. Up here, surrounded by so many lovely things, life seemed peaceful, simple. But that was far from the truth.

Teyla heard the door open and softly click shut. Muffled footsteps crossed the connecting rooms and slowed to a stop behind her. She smiled when a large warm hand caressed her waist, before sliding down to settle on her hip. An unsettling sense of déjà vu came to her, but she quickly pushed it away. Teyla titled her head as warm lips trailed butterfly kisses across her shoulder and along her neck, finally pausing to whisper softly in her ear.

"You look lovely."

She turned, gazing up at his dark tousled hair, captivating eyes and charming smile. Lifting her head, she captured his lips in a kiss. When it ended, Teyla grinned devilishly.

"So do you."

He laughed and arched a brow.

"Have you considered my offer?"

Teyla lowered her gaze to his collar. She had to admit that she was tempted, very tempted, by the picture of luxury and passion that he'd painted when he'd asked her to stay. But she knew that a life here, with him, was impossible. He merely reminded her of a dream. Of someone else. Teyla lifted her gaze.

"Yes, I've considered your offer."

He grinned smugly.

"And?"

"And…..it's complicated."

For a moment his face hardened.

"It's him, isn't it?"

Teyla's eyes widened in surprise.

"Yes….no….who are you talking about?"

He gently caressed her cheek.

"Logan. I see the way he watches you, the way he tries to protect you. Anyone with eyes can see that he wants you."

Teyla sighed. Logan Bates was her teammate and trusted friend, but nothing more. He was the last man she would have an affair with.

"No, it's not Logan. It's just that things can get sticky when you combine business with pleasure and I prefer to keep them separate. Business first and then we can 'seal' the deal."

She smiled seductively.

"Besides, we hardly know each other and I'm. …"

He tilted his head and gently traced his finger along her collarbone.

"What? No, let me guess. A business woman?"

Teyla nodded and he continued.

"A woman dedicated to her work?"

She nodded again.

"A spy?"

Teyla could feel his grip tightening around her throat. She was careful not to show surprise or alarm. Somehow, their cover had been blown. It was time to get out, now. His gaze hardened.

"Yes, I know that you're an agent, but that doesn't change the fact that I want you. Agree to my offer and your life, before this moment, will no longer matter."

Teyla returned his gaze.

"And if I say no?"

He grinned.

"Then once I'm finished with you, you will die along with your friends."

Over the last few weeks there'd been times when Teyla had almost forgotten Duncan Levingston's true nature, but then he would say or do something to remind her, like now. He was a criminal mastermind in the truest form; theft, drugs, murder, kidnapping, you name it, he'd done it. He was a monster and it was her job to put him in his cage. The charade was over. She took a deep breath and slammed her heel of her hand into Duncan's throat rendering him speechless. He stumbled back and clutched his neck.

"Then I'm sorry Duncan, I have to say no."

Teyla spun, delivering a high kick to his chin and watched as he crumpled to the floor. She clicked the center stone in her necklace, activating her communicator, as she searched his body for hidden weapons.

"Our cover's been blown. Duncan's down. Meet me at the rendezvous point."

Two soft clicks was the only response.

Teyla hurried to the door, listening for movement in the hallway. The top floor of the casino consisted of two areas; business offices towards the front of the building and Duncan's personal quarters near the rear, which was where she was. She could try to make it to out of the front, which required going through the hall which was filled with Duncan's thugs and even more security once she made it downstairs or she could go out the window. Glancing down at her dress and stilettos, Teyla sighed. She kicked off her shoes, hurried to the bed and ripped one of the silk streamers from the ceiling, then ran back to the window. Teyla pulled a small digger from her inner thigh and sliced the cloth in two. She paused when a knock sounded at the door.

"Duncan, Lee's on the phone. He says that there's a problem with tonight's shipment that requires your attention."

The knock sounded again.

"Duncan?"

"Duncan!"

Teyla tied the two pieces of cloth together and anchored one end to the foot of the bed. She could hear something banging against the door as she tossed the material outside and climbed onto the windowsill. She wrapped the silk around her wrist and leaned out as something grabbed her leg. Teyla kicked at Duncan and struggled to maintain her grip as the bedroom door burst open. A shot fired, striking Duncan in the center of his forehead and sent Teyla tumbling out of the window. She was able to regain her grip before hitting the ground, but landed poorly. More shots fired, providing the cover she needed to escape down the narrow street unharmed.

The Lower East Side, Capital City

Teyla ignored the pain in her ankle and continued running down the street. She could hear the footsteps pounding behind her and the yells from the crowd, but she didn't bother to look back. She ducked into an alleyway, hoping to lose her pursuers. There were less people, but more turns, nooks and doorways in which she could disappear. At the next corner, Teyla turned south. She was close to the rendezvous point, but had taken an indirect route.

Teyla made a left turn passing a narrow pathway, when suddenly someone reached out and pulled her inside. She turned on her assailant, knife drawn, but froze in shock. It was…..him. Before she could gather her thoughts, he pushed her to the side. As the sound of pounding footsteps rounded the corner, he tossed a dagger at the first man, which lodged deep within the thug's throat and then slammed his fist into the side of the second man's head. Another punch landed as the dazed man struggled to gain his balance and then his neck was twisted sharply to the side. The loud crunch and odd angle in which it dangled, confirmed that he was dead.

Teyla watched as her rescuer retrieved his knife, cleaning it with the dead man's shirt. She also notices the sniper rifle strapped to his back. He dragged the bodies into the narrow pathway and leaned them against the wall, then grabbed her by the arm and quickly walked away. He cut her off before she could speak.

"Are you okay?"

She nodded.

"How-?"

He paused, shoving her against a wall and cut off her words with a kiss. Teyla felt a whirlwind of emotions; shock, confusion, joy, passion. These were the lips that she desired, the hands that she craved. This was the man of her dreams. He ended the kiss just as quickly as it had begun and resumed his quick pace.

"There's no time for questions. Just get your team and get out. We'll make sure you get off the planet, but you have to go directly to Headquarters."

He paused again and looked at Teyla.

"Promise me…."

It went against every fiber of her being, but she knew she had to leave. She needed to get her team out and then she'd figure out what the hell was going on.

"I promise."

They continued until they were a half a block away from the rendezvous point. Teyla looked up as he cupped her face and kissed her again.

"Don't worry. When this is done, I'll find you."

She took one last look at him, before walking off to join her team mates. It didn't occur to her until she reached the next corner that she'd forgotten to ask his name. Teyla glanced back, but he was gone. There saw nothing there, but shadows and darkness.