Title: Another Life

Author: stella_pegasi

Rating: T

Words: Chapter Three 3758

Genre: Hurt/Comfort, Action/Adventure; partial AU (embedded in main story)

Spoilers: None

Warnings: Graphic violence, torture, some sexually suggestive but not graphic scenes, suggestion of non-con.

Characters: John Sheppard, Rodney McKay, Ronon Dex, Teyla Emmagan, occasional characters, original characters.

Summary: Sheppard leads his team on a search for a Marine missing for five years but SGA-1 only finds trouble. With Sheppard gravely injured, a familiar voice speaks to him and tells him not to worry; all will be well. But will he survive?

Disclaimer: I do not own them; I would have treated them better.

Author's Notes: This story was written for an Easter 2010 Fic Exchange in the sheppardhcchallenges community on LiveJournal. I was assigned a prompt by a community member, sterenyk_strey and based on that prompt, here's the story. As per my usual mode of operation, I wrote a lot. This story is seven chapters plus an epilogue long and I will post it in increments of two chapters per day. Hope you enjoy and always, let me know the good and the bad.

FYI…I have an alternate universe dream sequence in this story, which should be fairly easy to pick out…it is in italics. However, sometimes doesn't cooperate with formatting so if there is any confusion, my apologies in advance.

Everyone: Thanks to all who have read the story and for the kind words…hope you continue to enjoy. I really appreciate the feedback.

Also...I am having difficulty with the formatting...so my apologies.

Another Life

By stella_pegasi

Chapter Three: The Villagers

Ronon kept to the trees and bushes as he followed the road back to the larger village. His mind was racing, he had find out the planet's gate address and get to Atlantis, as soon as he could. Sheppard and McKay had both taking a savage beating and he wasn't certain how much more either man could take. His concern for Teyla took a different path and he knew that he had to be back in the village by nightfall; Teyla may have less time than Sheppard and McKay.

Entering the village on the north side, an area that seemed to be more commercial and deserted, Ronon kept a lookout for any of the men who had kidnapped them. He didn't want to alert Strayer to his presence any sooner than necessary and he really hoped to have a few jumpers and a lot of Marines behind him when he did confront him.

He walked onto the main street of the village, a narrow cobblestone road with wooden sidewalks; the one and two story buildings were built of wood and stone. There were some pack animals tied in front of what appeared to a tavern of some kind. Ronon was certain that Sheppard would make some reference to an Earth western movie if he had been with him. He walked into the tavern which he expected to be full of mid-day drinkers but was as deserted as the streets. Behind the bar was an older man of slight frame, his hair speckled with grey; the man looked up from a ledger as Ronon walked in.

"Stranger, what brings you here?"

Ronon walked up to the bar, "Why do you ask?" He leaned over the bar, his dark eyes boring into the man's.

"Hey, I don't want any trouble…." The fear in his own pale blue eyes was palpable and he was nervously fidgeting with the ledger.

"I'm not here for trouble, I am here for information."

"What kind of information?" The man pulled the ledger up to his chest as if he was using it for protection.

"What can you tell me about the man in the small village; the one who thinks he's a king?"

The man stared at him, his eyes wide and Ronon saw him swallow hard. He backed up from the bar until he reached the counter on the wall. "Why do you want to know about the sire?"

"The sire? He's no king and you know it, he's a soldier from the base I come from and we have been looking for him for a very long time."

"Before I answer any questions. How did you get here?" Ronon raised his eyebrow, and the man continued. "Did you come through the gateway?"

"Why, is that important?"

"You know it is; no one goes through the gateway unless the sire approves it. I have to have permission in order to go to Quena to buy fermented fraces, the drink I sell here. They guard the gateway, no one enters that they do not know."

Ronon stood up, "I did."

"Something very important must have taken guards at the gate away for you to come in without them knowing." The man was silent for a moment looking at Ronon as if he were trying to make a decision.

"I am Charpain Mody; I would like to know who you are and what you are doing here."

"Ronon Dex, the man you know as the sire kidnapped my commanding officer and his as well as two of my teammates. He is holding them in the prison and is torturing them. I need to know this planet's gate address and I need to get off this planet and go for help."

Charpain walked to a doorway on his left and called for someone; a young man appeared and Charpain told him to watch the tavern, he would be gone for a while. Looking back at Ronon he said, "Come with me, there is someone you need to speak with." Ronon followed him behind the bar and out a back door into an alley.


Richard Woolsey heard the stargate engage and he quickly left his office and strode to the gate technician's station. "Chuck?"

"It's Major Lorne, sir." They both watched as Lorne and his team exited the event horizon. Lorne sent his team to the armory and he headed up the stairs to the control room. As soon as he saw Woolsey, Sheppard's executive officer shook his head side to side.

"Nothing, major?" Woolsey motioned for Lorne to follow him into his office.

"Nothing, sir; it's like they vanished. Teldy's still there, she's waiting until the evening to talk people in the tavern to see if they might have any more information but I'm not holding my breath." Lorne sat down across from Woolsey, closing his eyes, he emitted a long sigh.

"There is absolutely no scrap of evidence of where they went?"

"No, sir, nothing. We spread out and covered the villages and the areas between the gate and the villages; there was nothing to show they had been there or where they may be now."

Woolsey dropped his head and rubbed his eyes, "It's a sure bet that wherever they went, they didn't go willingly. Colonel Sheppard had been contacting us before they left a planet letting us know where they were going." He looked up at Lorne.

"So what now, major?"

"Sir, for the moment, I want to keep a team on the three planets that SGA-1 visited and see if we can gain any intel. That's really all we can do at the moment."

Woolsey nodded and Lorne left to join his team and make the team assignments for coverage on the planets. Other than that, all they could do was wait.


Rodney and Teyla had been awake for about an hour. Rodney was in severe pain, more from the sunburn than the cuts from the whip, but Teyla had managed to get him to drink some water and eat a bit of bread and cheese. They were both in pain and very tired and hadn't spoken much and both were keeping a close watch on Sheppard.

Teyla had managed to get Sheppard lying on his right side where there were less cuts on his body. She wanted the wounds he had have a chance to stay clean. She had wrapped in him one of the blankets and folded a corner into a makeshift pillow. She soaked another scrap of fabric in water and squeezed some into his mouth, but she knew that he needed to wake up and drink on his own. He was already dehydrated, as was Rodney from exposure to the sun, and Teyla knew unless he drank more, he would get even more dehydrated.

"Teyla…how's…Sheppard?" Rodney voice was weak and shaky.

"Still asleep, Rodney; how are you?" Teyla's voice was tired.

"Cold…" was the only response from Rodney and Teyla realized that he must have been poisoned by the sun. She scooted over closer to him and wrapped the blanket more tightly around him. He was trembling and she knew he was chilling from the severe sunburn. But other than try to keep him warm she knew there was nothing else she could do to help him.

"Let me get closer to you Rodney, I will try to warm you up." Teyla moved next to Rodney and put her arms around him and then pulled her blanket around him as well. She hoped it was enough. Before she drifted off to sleep, she glanced at Sheppard and thought she saw a slight smile on his face. She was certain she was imagining things.


Dreams

"My dear Lady Isabella, it is good to see you." Sir Cason Beckett entered the farmhouse, handing his cloak and hat to Merry.

"As it is to see you, Sir Carson and you Sir Ronon." Behind Beckett, the very tall, muscular frame of Sir Ronon Dex, Knight of the Realm, entered having to duck through the low door. Isabella smiled as she watched the young Merry's reaction to the very handsome and imposing knight; she had seen that look many times over the years when Ronon entered a room. He could take one's breath away; she was glad she had grown up with him and was immune. If only she were immune to the presence of the other very handsome man in the farmhouse.

"Izzy, you look beautiful as always." Ronon, grinning, picked her up and was twirling her around when a voice interrupted them from the small bedroom doorway.

"It appears the 'Lady' has an admirer and she seems to enjoy the attention." Lord Sheppard was leaning against the door way, mug in hand. "I came out to see if the lovely Merry could fix me another cup of tea." He smiled but he never took his eyes off of Isabella. Merry ran to the stove to put on water for the Earl's tea.

Ronon put Isabella down and gazed at her with the look an older brother gives to a sister when concerned about her beau; Ronon had treated her like a younger sister their entire lives. "Lord Sheppard, may I present Sir Carson Beckett, personal surgeon to the King and Sir Ronon Dex, Knight of the Realm."

Beckett and Dex bowed to Sheppard who shook his head, "Please, don't do that. I have no use for royal nonsense, my name is John." He walked over to Isabella who was standing next to the dining table. Putting his mug on the table, he looked down at her and quietly said, "That goes for you as well, milady; my name is John."

The tension between the reluctant lord and his beautiful quarry was palpable and Beckett decided that he needed to intervene. "Lord…uh…John, Lady Isabella requested that we bring you some clothing," handing a bundle to Merry who took the clothes into the bedroom to unwrap them and lay them out.

John turned to Isabella, his green eyes twinkling and a slight taunting smile on his lips, "What, milady, you don't like me in a nightshirt?" Isabella blushed slightly, a fact not lost on either John or Ronon. Looking at Carson, John said, "Thank you, Sir Carson. If you will excuse me, I'll go change."

"I would like to check your wounds, so if you please, I will come with you." John nodded and Carson picked up a small leather bag he had placed on a side table and followed the Earl into the bedroom.

As the door closed, Isabella turned her back on Ronon and busied herself at the stove, "Ronon, may I get you a cup tea when the water is ready?"

He didn't answer; he walked over to her and turned her to face him, "All right, little one, would you like to tell me what is going on between you and your 'gentleman' guest."

She pulled away from him, hoping he didn't notice her trembling. "Nothing, now tell me what is happening at the palace. How is Jenny and of course, the Prince?"

"They are as fine as can be under the circumstances; don't change the subject on me. You seem to have more than a friendly interest in Lord Sheppard. Would you like to tell me what is going on?"

She paused for a minute then turned to her friend, "No, I would not because there is nothing going on," she pushed past him to pick up John's tea mug. Ronon grabbed her arm.

"Not so fast; not talking to me tells me everything I need to know. Izzy, I know that Prince Rodney values this man above all others, but he has been away for a very long time and we know nothing about him since he left. Please be careful."

Merry came out of the bedroom and took over the tea preparation and a few minutes later Carson emerged. "He'll be right out. He's healing well; you and Merry have been taking good care of him. I would like for him to eat a bit more; in fact, I think it would be wise if we all ate some of whatever smells so good." Isabella turned to Merry who nodded and started to prepare a bowls of stew for everyone.

The stew was on the table along with bread, cheese, tea, and bottles of ale that Carson had brought when the bedroom door opened and John joined them. Isabella hoped no one noticed that she grabbed the back of a chair to keep from falling when she saw him. Carson had brought black pants, black tunic with a stand up collar, and a vest of deep green velvet embroidered with silver and gold thread for him to wear. He simply took her breath away and she slipped into the chair she was holding on to before she fell.

John took a seat across the table from her and stretching his long legs out he slid his right boot under the edge of her skirt, touching her bare leg. She pulled her legs away quickly and busied herself stirring her hot stew, not looking up at him.

John spoke, "So, would you like to tell me what this is all about. I came back because Rodney sent me a letter asking me to return but he didn't say why. He simply told me that the King was dying and he would like for me to be here. When I arrived, I learned the King had died four days before; then on my way to the palace, I get ambushed. So, what's going on?"

Beckett spoke up, "Lor...John, you know that Prince Rodney never wanted the throne when he was young, he was more interested in scholarly things but over the years, he has accepted the responsibility that faces him. The problem is that there are many within the palace and the government house that been waiting for the king to die so that they could instigate a coup and replace Prince Rodney with the High Counselor Lord Henrig Davos and declare him king."

"As you know, the law of succession does not immediately deem Prince Rodney as king; there must be a thirty day mourning period before the king is interred and during that time, Prince Rodney must show that he is capable of the duties of king. Davos has been attempting to sabotage him at every turn but the Prince is too smart and has been able to thwart the efforts and we have done everything that we can to help.

"You were ambushed because they don't want anyone who is loyal to Prince Rodney to get close to him." Ronon picked up the story, "Carson has been banished from the palace, insinuations made that he murdered the king and I have been sent to the Tantu Wilds to quell a rebellion, only there is not a rebellion on Tantu Wilds. So I returned but I am unable to get back into the palace; I tried and was turned away by the King's guards. They told me that the Prince was too busy for an audience. I don't believe that Rodney had anything to do with that."

Isabella spoke next, "Sir, I am the only one who can come and go without question; Davos doesn't see me as a threat. I am to return to the palace tomorrow and you are to come with me. As of yet, Davos has refused me nothing."

Ronon jumped up and began to pace, "And we know why that is, don't we? I don't like you being used to lure Davos, Isabella."

John quickly asked, "What do you mean by 'using her to lure Davos'? Are you putting her in danger?" His eyes were boring into Ronon's.

Beckett, who was sitting next to John, put his hand on the Earl's shoulder, "Easy, John; no one is putting the wee lass in danger. We have people who are loyal to the Prince in the palace who will protect her; besides, as long as Prince Rodney is there, they won't dare hurt her."

John turned to her, "Why are you not in danger as long as Rodney is there?" His heart was pounding, he was afraid that the nature of her relationship to Rodney might be something he didn't want to hear.

"I grew up with Prince Rodney's betrothed, Lady Jennifer, she is Ronon's sister. They are like family to me. As of yet, Counselor Davos has not threatened me." Looking down again, she did not notice his sigh of relief.

Ronon sat back down next to her, "He doesn't threaten her because he wants her and he makes no bones about what he wants and what he wants, Davos usually takes." Ronon looked at John, "He intends to make her his queen when he overthrows Rodney."

Never taking his eyes off of Isabella, John simply said, "We'll make certain that doesn't happen."

Looking back at Carson and Ronon, he asked, "What do you have planned?"


Mody took Ronon to the outskirts of the village and then down a small, narrow path which ended at a small stone house. Mody knocked twice, waited a second and then knocked twice again. The door opened to reveal a tall, thin, grey-haired man.

"Char, what brings you during the middle of the day and who is this? This is dangerous." He motioned for them to enter and quickly closed the door behind him.

Sitting at a long table in the main room were five men and two women, all of whom were staring at him with both defiance and fear. Their host motioned for them to sit.

Mody spoke, "Galer, I know you think this is dangerous but this man is Ronon Dex and he is here to rescue his people from King Leonard. Somehow, he got through the gateway without the guards seeing him. His people are being tortured; he needs our help."

Galer stared at Ronon before he spoke, "Why were your people captured by the sire?"

"Your sire is actually a soldier who went missing over 5 years ago after three members of his team were killed; his commanding officer has been looking for him since he disappeared. A few days ago, he was spotted by one of our people and we have been on his trail since then. He must have discovered we were looking for him and had my teammates kidnapped. They came through your gate; I slipped in behind them."

"Why did he not take you as well?" The question came from a woman sitting at the table.

Looking at her, "I was only dazed by their stunners and I heard one of them say, the sire didn't know me; he only wanted the three that were on the base when he was." Looking back at Galer, "Look, I just need to get this planet's gate address and get to my world. I can bring help."

"There is no way we can get through the gate today. Tomorrow perhaps, one of our people is at the palace now hoping for an audience to gain approval to go off world for cloth and other supplies for his business. Since he is a tailor and makes many of the clothes that the sire wears, he should be able to gain approval. We were planning to try to send word to those who live in the ancestral city, Atlantis; we have heard they can help us. Perhaps we can send word to your people as well."

Ronon grinned, "Atlantis is my people."


Rodney woke suddenly and his skin felt like it was on fire. He threw the blanket that Teyla had wrapped him in off but cried out as he stretched the long deep cuts on his body. His cries woke Teyla.

"Rodney, Rodney, are you alright?"

"No…I'm not, but…neither are…you…or Sheppard."

"What…do…you…mean Rodney? I'm…fine." Sheppard's raspy voice was low and weak.

Teyla moved around as quickly as she could to face the colonel, "John, you are awake, we were worried."

"Yeah, I'm…" Sheppard began to cough.

"John, do not try to talk; you must drink some water." Over the next few minutes, Teyla managed to get John to drink about a cup full of water. Then she slowly fed him a bit of cheese and bread.

"Rodney, you need to eat more if you can." She managed to get a bit more food into him as well.

"Sheppard, how do you feel?" Rodney was worried; Sheppard hadn't said anything since those first few words.

"'kay, tired. Wha' happening…"

Teyla answered, "They have left us alone for the last several hours. Why I do not know."

Sheppard struggled to shift his position, "Straye', see us suffer…" He settled back down and was soon asleep again.

Both Teyla and Rodney, despite his own wounds, were becoming alarmed about Sheppard's condition. The colonel had appeared to Teyla to be resting well yet his hoarse voice and inability to speak belied his condition. Teyla was becoming very frightened; if Ronon did not survive, there was no way that Atlantis would find them in time.

She was still trying to wonder what she could do to change the situation and help Sheppard and McKay when the guards came for her. She tried to resist but they overpowered her; the last thing she heard as the guards carried her up the stairs was Rodney's weak voice calling her name.

"'kay…wha'...'appened?" Sheppard had been roused from sleep by Rodney's yelling.

"Those bastards just took Teyla away; John, I think they are taking her to Strayer. I don't want to think…"

"Can't…do...anything, Rodney. She's…strong…b' okay." Sheppard moved his arm slightly in a gesture to pat Rodney on the arm but he never made contact. He was drowsy and he fell back asleep.

Rodney reached over to tuck the blanket around him and felt his forehead. Sheppard was getting hot and clammy. Rodney found the water pitcher and one of the cleaner cloth scraps Teyla had used. He wet the cloth and wiped Sheppard's face and neck down but knew that wasn't going to be enough. Sheppard was going to get very sick and so was he and he didn't want to consider what was going to happen to Teyla. He lay back on his blanket with the realization that this time they might not make it.