A/N: Story Beta'd by The Puppeteer, Angw, and Trickster's Queen of War(Soon). This story wouldn't have been possible without the wonderful support and creative thoughts of The Puppeteer, also known as Vaberella.

Whoever believed in luck, had never met John Sheppard and his team. No less than three months ago they'd been captured by Aiden Ford and gone on a suicidal mission to a wraith Hive Ship. Less than two months ago they'd been ambushed again, this time by a group of overly dramatic Shakespearian melodramatics.

At least this time, they were still fighting. John had to admit that was good. The trick was to avoiding getting encircled, and they'd gotten themselves into a mess. The mission had started off peacefully enough, with the team walking through the gate investigating a power reading that had caught Rodney's eye. They should've stayed away.

After they'd traveled a mile they had been ambushed on the road, resulting in the current firefight they were now in. Ronon and Rodney were leading the way, while John and Teyla covered. Generally all they could do was shoot blindly into the trees. The people they were fighting were definitely human, and definitely professionals.

He traded fire with one group of enemies, not pausing to see if he hit anyone. He just wanted their heads down. He quickly glanced over to see Teyla doing the same thing, but for a different group, coming more from her side. Her hair was a mess, and her brow stained with sweat. Her jacket sleeve had ripped on a tree during the early part of their flight and was now hanging loosely, there wasn't enough time to fix it.

"Dead end!" Ronon announced as they found themselves pressed against a rock wall. It was a small cliff, but large enough that climbing it was out of the question.

"Go left!" John yelled. Either direction was just as bad. Enemies pouring in from all sides and not enough room or distance to effectively shoot back. He wished he'd brought a bigger gun. Of course, none of that mattered now.

John wished he'd brought a smoke grenade too, remembering that Ford generally had those with him. No time to miss the young Lieutenant now, not when he still had to get his team out of this mess. Rodney couldn't take the running much longer, and John knew it.

"Into the cave." Rodney yelled.

There was a cave in the rocky outcropping that compromised the rock wall. Rodney hadn't been picking blindly. The cave's entrance was half covered in rocks, making it an ideal defensive position. John didn't want to stop moving though.

He and Teyla set up positions behind the two largest rocks, using them for cover. He made sure Teyla was covering him before turning back to face Ronon and Rodney. "Find out if the cave has a back door. Ronon go with him."

Ronon nodded and shoved Rodney to get the scientist moving. Rodney muttered something about Conan and John rolled his eyes before turning and firing again. Rodney was lucky Ronon knew next to nothing about Earth culture; especially about the reference to Conan the Barbarian.

He ducked fully behind the rock for second, allowing himself to slow his breathing and letting the enemy fire away at the rocks. Better that they waste their ammo than he did. Teyla took two careful shots before doing likewise.

"Where are they coming from?" She asked, her voice carrying across the small space even over the gun fire.

John caught site of one of the soldiers trying to get close. He aimed around the rock and fired a quick burst. He didn't wait to see if he hit but he knew he did. "Don't know." He replied to her earlier statement. "What have we done to piss them off?"

"Perhaps it was your hair?" Teyla replied, taking her turn to shoot briefly. More bullets chipped away at the rock she was hiding behind.

"Ha, very funny." John replied, carefully looking to see if any of the enemies were exposed. At least they hadn't rushed them, but he was sure that it was coming if they didn't find a way out soon. "You have been hanging around McKay too much."

Teyla didn't reply, but took aim and fired a burst of her own. She must've hit someone because he heard the distinctive sound of a body slumping over. "This is a waste." She replied, frustrated. "We should be allies against the Wraith, not fighting each other."

"No argument here." John ducked as a torrent of bullets began ricocheting off the rock walls.

Ronon and Rodney came running back. Even he looked tired from the hard running they'd been doing in the last few minutes.

"There's another entrance on the other side of this cave." Rodney said between gasps.

"No enemies." Ronon finished.

"Good, here's the plan. Teyla goes..."
Teyla must've been distracted by him giving out orders because she didn't see the enemy that shot her. Ronon immediately took the enemy down, but Teyla was already clutching the side of her stomach. Her hand came back bloody.

"Damn it!" John yelled. Taking a chance he threw a grenade out into the open. At the very least it bought them time. He glanced at Ronon. "Get Teyla out of here, head for the Stargate. Whatever you do, don't stop!"

"But what about?" Rodney protested.

"I'll hold them back and distract them." He replied. "Once you're at the gate, radio me but don't wait!"

"I'm coming back for you." Ronon replied. It was a statement, not a request.

John wouldn't have any of it. He fired a burst to keep the enemies heads down as Rodney pulled Teyla back further into the cave. Rodney hastily bandaged her wound; it wasn't perfect, but it'd have to do. "Get Teyla back to Atlantis! No arguments!"

"We're not leaving without you!" Rodney stated exasperated.

"We don't have time for this." John replied.

An enemy grenade exploded near the opening of the cave, showering John with dirt. He quickly ducked back to where McKay was, knowing they were running out of time. Teyla was unconscious and her bandage was already bloody. He quickly pressed his forehead to hers.

He turned back to Ronon. "Get the hell out of here!"

Ronon finally conceded, picking up Teyla, hoisting her over his shoulders. Rodney grabbed Teyla's P90. John took two of her extra clips, handing the rest to Rodney. With one last look, John let his team go.

He turned back to the entrance just in the nick of time. The enemy had advanced. That was fine with him. Discarding and empty clip on the ground, he fired a burst that drilled through a whole group of them. He ducked behind a rock further back.

He quickly checked his supplies. Two grenades, three clips, two pistol clips and the clip in the gun, along with a lot of useless junk in his flak vest. He grabbed one of the grenades and tossed it out the cave entrance.

He must've hit something because he was sure the enemy was cursing. He took that as a good sign, now he had to convince them not to follow his team. That meant exposing himself, drawing their fire. It wasn't a duty he enjoyed, but it was his responsibility as team leader.

He fired a long burst as he ducked behind his previous piece of cover. Now he had to keep them occupied long enough for Ronon, Teyla, and Rodney to get to the gate. Taking a risk he fired a long burst, perforating the tree line, not worrying about hitting anyone, but forcing them to duck.

He dropped the empty clip to the ground and loaded another one. Two more clips before he was down to his pistol. He pulled the pin on his grenade and tossed it over his rock, making sure that no one was sneaking up. He knew he was running out of options now that he had no grenades.

He looked through the site and carefully took aim around the rock. He didn't see anyone, but a hale storm of bullets forced him to rethink the strategy. There was no way he could take them all, he was just buying time.

He quickly thought about the distance to the gate. Accounting for the fact that carrying Teyla and Rodney's whining would slow Ronon down, it shouldn't take him long to reach the gate. They were already pretty close, this rock wall was the problem.

Then he heard a distinct whistle blow loudly into the air. Suddenly, all the gun fire stopped. John held his breath, and then he heard the grenades begin exploding near his position. He wasn't going to die in a grenade explosion, so he quickly darted back into the cave.

They only had so many grenades, or at least that's what his logic was telling him, but the explosions were sending dust flying everywhere, making it difficult to see, and even harder to breath. He figured it was time to set up a line deeper in the cave.

He was back far enough so the grenades couldn't reach him, but he could still see the entrance. The charge was coming and he knew it. Taking a deep breath, he raised his P90 to a ready position, aiming carefully down the site.

He never expected what happened next. Suddenly a torrent of wraith stunner blasts ripped through the area where he'd been hiding. One hit him square in the chest. Paralysis slowly began to claim him, making it impossible for him to shoot at the soldiers now pouring into the cave, flashlights illuminating the dark space.

His radio squawked. "Sheppard, we're at the gate now get out of there." It was Rodney's voice, but John was already beginning to lose consciousness. "Sheppard, do you hear me?"

His last thought was that he'd bought them enough time to escape, at least he could die happy in that way. It didn't occur to him that he'd wake up later from the stunner blast, his mind was already slowing to the point in which he could barely focus anymore. His gun was kicked from his hands and a rifle butt sent him straight to unconsciousness.

XXX

"Damn it Sheppard!" Rodney yelled into the radio.

Ronon grabbed the scientist and shoved him through the active gate, knowing that Sheppard had been captured. He also knew there was nothing they could do. Sheppard had told him to get Teyla and Rodney back to Atlantis. He intended to fulfill that oath.

It also mattered because as he stepped through, more soldiers were running for the gate. He came through to the other side and instantly yelled. "Raise the shield."

Elizabeth hesitated for a split second before giving the order. She looked immediately to Ronon, who gently set Teyla down. He returned the glare before silently motioning to Teyla.

"We need a damn medic!" Rodney yelled, still in distress over losing Sheppard.

Ronon knew Teyla was in good hands as soon as he saw the Doctor come running with a stretcher and a team of nurses. He walked over to Rodney and shook the scientist, forcing his gaze upon him.

"Get it through your head McKay. Sheppard gave us our orders and there wasn't anything we could do about it. Focus on how to get him back." Ronon didn't wait for the scientist's response, preferring to unnerve him because it got him back on track.

He didn't get five feet before he was stopped by Weir.

"What the hell happened out there?" Elizabeth said calmly, but her voice told him he'd better make it quick.

"Sheppard bought us the time we needed to escape." Ronon replied. "Without him, we'd all be dead."

"Full debriefing, you and Rodney, in twenty minutes."

Ronon nodded, then headed off to catch up with the Doctor. He didn't relate to a lot of people in the expedition. He carried a sword on missions, didn't use a P90. Maybe that was why he and Teyla had found each other such strong friends. They were alike in some ways, and different in others, but they were both natives to this galaxy.

The infirmary was bustling with activity, but that was nothing new after they'd cut it so close to the edge. Ronon pushed his way through the crowd until he caught site of Carson Beckett, the Scottish doctor he'd grown found of over his stay on Atlantis.

"How is she?" He asked.

"She'll be fine." He replied. "The bullet went straight through, which is good. It also missed any organs."

Ronon raised an eyebrow. None of this meant anything to him.

Carson sighed. "We've cleaned up the wound, but it's gotta stay bandaged for awhile. Other than that give her a day before she's on her feet, and a week before I want her back on missions."

He nodded. "Can I see her?"

"I've got her sedated, but you're welcome to look. The nurses are finishing dressin' the wound." Carson motioned to the door.

Ronon quietly stepped in as the nurses finished. Teyla's flak vest and equipment had been dumped on the floor, and shoved out of the way. Her brown tank top was pulled up so the wound could be properly bandaged. He figured they get her into hospital scrubs eventually, but for now she was fine, resting comfortable.

An IV was inserted into her upper arm, attached to a packet of blood, and another clear liquid. He didn't understand how it worked, but after being injured numerous times off world, he knew it was effective and that he should trust Beckett. Now it was a waiting game until Teyla regained consciousness. Hopefully it wouldn't be too long.

XXX

He had a splintering headache, so he must not be dead. At least, that was his logic at the moment. His whole body felt like jelly, barely moving when he want to the shake the feeling back into his limbs. That and all he could see was a gray blur, hopefully it'd get better.

His vision was the first to clear up, finally confirming his theory that he was in a cell. At least it wasn't something crudely constructed in rock. The room had four identical walls. One of which had to be an entrance.

His arms and legs were next, slowly responding to his commands. He sat up and immediately wished he hadn't. Pain, raw and fierce, exploded in his head, immediately blurring his vision. He groaned as it continued unabated, threatening to knock him out like a light.

Thankfully, not moving seemed to be the key and the pounding gradually dissipated, allowing him to think again. His hands and arms weren't bound or restrained, but he assumed his captors had plenty of ways of keeping him restrained if need be. Large, burly henchmen seemed to be par for the course whenever he was captured.

At moment, he could care less what was going to happen to him. His team was safe, or at least he assumed so because he knew they'd made it to the gate. He was fairly certain they'd torture him in some form, but he'd long ago learned to distance himself from it. After they'd either gotten what they wanted or gotten bored with him, they'd put a bullet in his skull, end of story. Not exactly a rosy thought.

He took a deep breath, savoring the peace, going through the mental exercises Teyla had taught him a long time ago before they'd started sparring on a regular basis. He'd never paid to much attention, but now they all seemed to come up from his subconscious. At least she'd gotten out okay, that was enough.

Sure enough, one of the walls slid away and three people stepped in. The one in the center looked important, with various medals on his uniform. John couldn't even guess the language. The two flanking him were the burly henchmen he'd come to associate with the usual bad guy routine.

"I'd stand but my head hurts right now." John said sarcastically.

The man in the center wasted no time, and didn't pay John's sarcasm any heed. "I am Orin, deputy first minister of the Telvass Empire."

"Not a pleasure to meet you." John snapped back, sarcasm laced in his voice.

"Do you know what the punishment for spies is under our laws?"

"Well, I'm not a spy, nor do I care." John idly felt along his head wound, which was mercifully not swollen, but sore.

Orin raised an eyebrow at John's open sarcasm. "First we get all we need from your mind, then we kill you. I can assure you the first is very draw out and painful."

John yawed visibly. "Sorry, didn't catch that."

Orin wasn't fazed. "You'll see." He stood up, motioning to his henchmen. "In time, you'll tell us everything."

John mentally cataloged the man's weaknesses as he left. Orin was overweight slightly, which meant John could probably outrun him, the two henchmen would be a problem, all muscle, and very large rifles in their hands. With any luck, he'd be able to not tell them anything, and hopefully they'd kill him quickly. At least then, he wouldn't have to put up with Orin's smug demeanor.

He rolled his head from side to side. Mercifully, he felt only a time bit of pain from it. That was enough. He now knew he could at least resist, or if they made a massive mistake, run for it. The guards had pistols too, if he could get his hands on one of them, he would at least have a fighting chance.

XXX

Well, they let him sit there for over an hour, or at least that what he thought it was. His watch had been taken, along with all his gear. Hell, they hadn't even left his belt. Not that he needed it. The pants were the perfect fit as was true of most military issue gear.

He'd managed to even achieve a kinda mental state of sleep yet he was still fully alert. Having all that time to just sit in silence allowed his mind to wander. He'd remembered things. Lots of them. The one he kept thinking about was the first moment he'd met Teyla, second only to shooting Sumner. He didn't know why that memory kept playing itself over and over, but it did.

The door opened and Orin stepped into the cell again. His henchmen were in their usual spots. He stood to face him. Orin met his gaze evenly. If this was the worst they could throw at him, then they were not going to get anything. He knew it wasn't the case, but a small part of him was hoping that these guy's were stupid.

The two henchmen walked closer. John took a split second glance at the nearest pistol on the guard. It was in an open holster, making it assessable. He met Orin's gaze one last time, smirking slightly as his plan came to fruition.

He made his move, elbowing Orin and knocking him backwards. In the next instant he reached for the guard's pistol. It entered his hand and as he brought it up he fired, or tried to. The gun coughed and refused to fire. It was then that he felt the other guard grab his gun arm, wrenching it around at an awkward angle.

The pain exploded in his shoulder joint, causing him to grit his teeth. Orin was picking himself off the floor. He dusted himself off and came to stand right next to John, who was pinned by both guards. He pulled a needle from his pocket, inside was a clear liquid of some sort.

There wasn't much he could do, pain making thinking difficult. Orin wasn't gentle in shoving the thing into to back of his neck. John spit in response. It was then that he noticed he was losing feeling in his arms and his legs. The pain disappeared, but his arms were still held at the same angle, and he couldn't even struggle.

"Bring him." Orin ordered.

John wasn't even blessed with regaining consciousness. Whatever that liquid had been, it had completely immobilized him below the neck. Now he knew what it felt like to be paralyzed. He immediately knew that he wasn't prepared for what would happen next.

They dragged him into a well lit room. Control panels lined the walls, but they were all unoccupied. No one would witness what would happen here. He'd yet to see any trace of natural light, so he assumed he was underground. Another negative for a rescue team finding him, if one was sent at all.

The two guards dumped him in a chair. They strapped his head down so he couldn't even move his neck. From there, they attached all kinds of sensors and wires to his head. Physical torture he could handle, he had a feeling this was about to get far worse.

Orin sat down at the controls and pressed a single button. Pain exploded into his head. He closed his eyes and gritted his teeth, being careful not to chew on his lip. He was facing a blinding white light in his skull. His eyes refused to focus, further reinforcing the belief of blinding white light.

Hell, they hadn't even asked him any questions yet. It was the opening round, a taste of what they could do. John didn't even notice when he finally blacked out from the pain, but welcomed oblivion.

Or not. He found himself standing in the Atlantis gate room. It was devoid of life, except for a smug looking man. John vaguely recognized him as Orin, but this Orin was in shape and didn't have the usual medals and what not. He also carried a sword on his belt.

"So, it's just you and me." John said, falling into a combat stance without so much as a knife to protect himself.

Orin laughed. "You have no idea. Physical torture will not give you anything, but with your mind forced open, we have better means at our disposal."

"I'm going to kick your ass." John said, closing the distance. Or at least trying to. Every step he took didn't seem to get him anywhere. He finally stopped, glaring at Orin.

Orin turned, drawing the sword. "The mind is an interesting thing."

The gate room vanished and John suddenly felt himself living a memory. His mutated hand wrapped around Elizabeth's neck.

"I won't send another team!" She yelled.

His mind rebelled against the growing feeling of helplessness in watching himself strangle her. He dropped her, then rammed his hand to her chest. That was when he realized he was feeding on her, and he couldn't stop himself.

Her body withered and slowly turned to bones and dust. The whole scene vanished as he found himself back in the gate room, shaking visibly from the excursion. He vomited on the ground, emptying whatever his imaginary stomach had set fit to give him.

Orin stood their smug, but this time he wasn't alone. Restrained and held against his chest was Teyla. John didn't dare move, but every instinct in his body rebelled, telling him to go and save her. Orin's sword was carefully drawn across her neck.

John slowly relaxed his fists. "What do you want?"

"The codes to get into your city."

He chewed his lip, none of this was real. It didn't make the feeling of helplessness go away. He took a breath. "Never going to tell you."

In one fluid motion Orin sliced Teyla's stomach open and sent her flying into his arms. He instinctively laid her on the ground and desperately tried to stanch the bleeding. It was futile, her blood seeping onto the floor. John screamed her name as her eyes closed. He screamed her name until his throat was raw. For the moment, everything was too real.