Kelosians didn't have a middle class.

You were either part of the ruling class, or you were a slave.

And once you received the black mark on your right arm, you and all your descendents were automatically condemned to live in slavery forever.

In recent times, however, since there no longer were criminals or beggars to enslave, the new Kelosian manpower came from other planetary slave markets or from strangers that ended up imprisoned for futile reasons. Like John.

The underground facility where they were kept had been created centuries ago to teach future Kelosian slaves what submission, obedience, and humility meant.

By any means necessary.

When they first threw John in his cell, he immediately hid Elizabeth's watch in a small hole in the stone wall. He didn't know why; someone would call it sudden inspiration. He anticipated well, because mere moments later, four men entered his cell, and after besting him with the help of a metal rod, they left with John's shoes and vest.

He had no idea of where his friends were, but he kept his cool. He had his little revenge when he made them believe that Rodney's allergic reaction was actually the first symptom of a viral disease. His friends were released thanks to that lie.

Unfortunately, that also meant that the prison guards were now angry for losing three potential new slaves, especially the woman, and they would vent all their resentment on him. But it didn't matter to John. His team were safe. And they would come for him. He just had to wait.

The man with the task to break the black-haired stranger was called Nouza. He was one of the aristocrats, and he honestly believed that every man, woman or child inside that prison deserved to be there because of their inferior nature. The prisoners weren't aware of that, obviously. Not even the ones bought in the slave markets. But he was very good in making them realize the truth.

He was there when the Governor's guards brought in Sheppard and his team. The woman was a real beauty. The giant looked like he was unbreakable, and Nouza loved that type. The man who dared to offend the Governor was trying to keep a brave face, but Nouza could tell he was scared to death., He would be the first to break, Nouza was sure of it. People like him couldn't handle pain for long.

But the one that really caught his attention was the man called Sheppard. He clearly was their leader. Underneath the cocky smirk, Nouza could tell he was paying attention to every single detail.. A soldier… and Nouza loved breaking soldiers. He immediately accepted the job right after his colleagues told him they had to free Sheppard's friends. But they didn't want to lose everything, and he was the perfect guy to go to.

Nouza studied people. It was a hobby of his, really, but it also made him excel at his job. He could tell that it wasn't the first time for his prisoner. And Sheppard's attitude led him think he was just waiting for his friends to come back for him. He had to mine his certainties.

Nouza was a patient man. He watched Sheppard get thinner and paler for the lack of food, he heard his bones break and saw all the bruises his men gave to him. Still… nothing. He has something to cling to, something different from his friends and allies… Then, one day, he saw something shining hidden in the wall, and ordered his men to get to it. The prisoner, of course, reacted against the men with all his remaining strength, but it was a futile attempt. Nouza laughed a little even. He studied the object in his hand. A silver watch that the prisoner was willing to die for. Nouza twisted it around with his fingers, feeling the smooth surface, and wondered which one of the unworthy friends had left this gift with the prisoner. No personal objects were allowed in the cells, he told John, feigning displeasure. When the watch fell silently into Nouza's front pocket, John lunged. He pounced so quickly that he caught Nouza's men off guard. But Nouza was ready and before he could even touch him, John was on the ground again, slipping into unconsciousness.

For hiding that watch Nouza left Sheppard without food for three days; he was obliged to shorten his punishment, though, because John developed an infection. Normally that meant nothing to him, but this time Nouza had received precise orders to keep the man alive. Sheppard couldn't die yet. He had to survive and live as a Governor's slave for the rest of his life, as remuneration for the offence received.

He hoped to learn more about Sheppard now that his guard was lowered, but the man kept muttering only unintelligible things.

Nouza was about to give up, when he heard Sheppard call for someone. Elizabeth. A woman that died not long ago, he discovered. The watch was hers. And Sheppard still blamed himself for her death.

It took less than a second for the Kelosian to realize he had finally found Sheppard's weak point.

The pain was unbearable.

Elizabeth felt every wound, every bruise John received like she had been tortured in his place.

But she swore she had let her previous life go. She couldn't interfere.

The Elders were still watching her; knowing that, she was really surprised no one had discovered her secret meetings with Verna in the abandoned cloister where John had been stuck some years earlier. Verna explained to her how the time-dilation field, along with her powers, could conceal them to the Elders, but Elizabeth never really thought it would work. That Ancient girl was even smarter than everyone else already thought; a scary thing, Elizabeth thought.

As soon as she discovered what happened, Verna contacted Elizabeth and once in the cloister she told her immediately what happened to John, and what the people in Atlantis were going to do to save him. Verna's words didn't reassure Elizabeth. According to the Ancient girl, Kelosia's Stargate was heavily guarded, and the Daedalus and the Apollo weren't available. The Daedalus would be there in three weeks, but it could be too late. And it was highly unlikely a team could pass the slaves and the soldiers guarding the Gate. Kelosian weaponry were advanced; a Jumper couldn't be enough to break into their defensive lines...

"We have to do something!"

"If his destiny is to die, Elizabeth…"

Elizabeth gave her a menacing look "Not if I can help it, Verna."

Verna shook her head. "No. Elizabeth, please. I know you're suffering, but you can't interfere. You can't save him."

Elizabeth was going to reply when she fell on the floor, clutching her stomach in pain. It was like she was Oberoth's prisoner all over again.

But this time she had the power to make the pain stop. And she would use it.

When John was sent back to his cell he was feeling slightly better but he wasn't completely healed. He also had no idea of how many days he spent in the healing ward.. John just hoped he didn't reveal anything about Atlantis to the bastard that was torturing him. Atlantis… John knew there must have been a reason why his friends hadn't yet come to rescue him, but he couldn't think of one in that moment. The only thing he could think of was that if Nouza would put him through another round of torture, he wasn't sure he would make it.

And just like clockwork Nouza came. He sat down on the floor of the cell, across from John, and looked at him and his chains, taking Elizabeth's watch from one of his pockets.

Something in his smile made John shiver. And he realized all of sudden that maybe he didn't tell Nouza anything about Atlantis in his delirium, but he gave something away. Something to use against him. Something even more dangerous.

Elizabeth listened to the cruel words Nouza told John. He knew about her kidnapping, her death, and was using that information to break him. He couldn't have learned all these things from John. He must have had other sources. Elizabeth clutched her fists and reminded herself why she was there. She had to wait until Nouza left. Then she'd act. As soon as she thought he was far enough from them, she got closer to John and knelt before him.

"John. Don't listen to him."

John couldn't believe his eyes. In front of him there was Elizabeth, in her old Atlantis uniform, with the same worried look she gave him oh so may times in the last years when he came back injured. He touched his forehead, but he couldn't tell if he still had a fever. Head trauma… Yeah, had to be. Or he was going mad.

"You are not real. You can't be real. You're a hallucination. Like the one McKay had of Carter in the Jumper…"

Elizabeth was caught off guard for a second, but she decided to let him believe that.

"You need me as much as he needed her in that occasion. I'll help you to get out of here."

"If I could do that, I wouldn't need you."

"Don't talk like this."

"They didn't come for me."

"I'm sure they are doing their best to save you."

"It's what you repeated to yourself when you were in Replicators' hands? Right, you're my subconscious, you can't answer that. Sorry."

Elizabeth placed a hand on John's chest and used her healing powers. She couldn't heal him completely, but she could make him healthy enough to try and escape. John was still feverish, he wouldn't remember exactly how many broken bones Nouza gave him. And she needed him to be able to move on his own.

It took her another day to get John back on his feet. He was still weak, but with her help he would make it. The first thing he wanted to do, though, was retrieving her watch.

"It's not important. Your life is."

"It's the only thing I have left of you. The bastard won't take it from me."

"You never really lost me."

"Maybe. But I'm still getting your watch back."

Elizabeth sighed. She almost forgot how stubborn he could be.

Unexpectedly, Nouza himself helped them escape. Planning to start again with the physical tortures, he freed John from his chains. He didn't expect John to have enough strength to use one of the chains to strangle him to death. Elizabeth turned her head; she couldn't watch. Yet she knew it had been unavoidable. John immediately searched Nouza's pockets for the watch, and gave Elizabeth a big smile when he found it.

Elizabeth took her invisible form, and helped John avoid the soldiers and steal back his weapons. She could see he was already tired, but they had to go on. She would use her healing powers on him once out of the prison, but now they couldn't stop.

When the guards discovered Nouza's body, Elizabeth and John were already gone. But they weren't far enough. John lost consciousness in a alley nearby, and Elizabeth had to use her powers to conceal John from the guards that were searching for him.

She used her healing touch on him, trying not to think that it was in her powers to restore John's health completely. It would be easy. Just a little more concentration… But she still remembered what happened to the Ancient that tried to help Daniel find Merlin's Weapon. Galas Lal crossed the only boundary her people had. Elizabeth didn't want to think what they could do to her, a simple human, for crossing the same line.

When John regained consciousness, for a moment he felt like he was living a dream. The sky, the sunlight… in that underground prison the only light came from the few torches on the walls. John closed his eyes and enjoyed the moment. He was out of that hellish place, he was alive…

He looked at Elizabeth's watch.

"Thank you", he whispered.

"You are not safe yet" Elizabeth told him, startling him.

"You're still here. That's bad, that's really bad…"

"Do you feel strong enough to move, John?"

"No, but I don't have a choice, right?"

"We have to find new clothes for you" said Elizabeth, getting up and walking to the alley entrance.

"If you have a plan that doesn't involve me getting up or meeting the kind people that live on this planet… that's fine by me."

Elizabeth bit her lower lip, and out of nowhere, produced a cloak for John, that she pretended to find abandoned on the ground. John slowly got up, and leaning on the wall, he walked towards Elizabeth and got the cloak. It was dirty and battered, like the ones the slaves wore. He slowly put it on, and waited for Elizabeth to tell him he could get out of his hiding place.

Elizabeth remained visible only to him, talking only when it was needed, careful not to put any attention onto John. He concentrated on his steps and his breath. With every step he was getting closer to the Stargate and his freedom, he kept repeating to himself. He had to resist and keep going.

Elizabeth hid John again when they had to pass through the city doors. Every guard was searching for the escaped prisoner. It wasn't something that happened often, in fact it never happened. The honour and the pride of the guards was on the line, or so the superiors kept repeating to the others soldiers. Elizabeth concentrated on John, and let go of the anger she was feeling. Honour. What kind of honour could these people have? Their entire lives were based on the work of someone else. She just wished Atlantis could do something for all the poor people on whom the guards were now venting their rage.

But it would be more likely that Colonel Carter decided to break any relationship with Kelosia after what they had done to Sheppard. They had to fight the battle they could win; and this one wasn't it. You can't change what can't be changed…Elizabeth could almost hear Makaria's voice in her head.

Well, this battle she could win. The Gate was near, and with her help John would make it. Then he would go through the Gate and she would go back to her new life, even if it killed her.

When they arrived at the Gate, they hid, waiting for the perfect opportunity to escape. Elizabeth kept on using her healing powers on him at regular intervals, but what she did to him was like a band-aid on a open wound. For John's body it wasn't enough, and Elizabeth could do no more for him…

She didn't even notice when it happened. John, exhausted, was going to trip over a root, and instinctively she reached for his arm, her fingers closing around his elbow, supporting him. She was shocked at how close she was standing to him. And more importantly, she suddenly realized… She was human again.

It was strange if anything. She always thought the day she came back to her human form would make her feel happy, but in that moment, she was feeling scared. Her powers were gone. She was completely useless.

When night fell, they were still in the middle of the forest. John needed to rest, and Elizabeth sat next to him all night, with John's gun in her hands. She didn't want to use it, she wasn't sure she could use it, but she might not to have a choice. It was her stupid mistake, and as a result John could lose his life. She wouldn't let that happen. Not after everything she'd already done. Fortunately for Elizabeth, the search party never found their position. When she felt the soldiers had swept by Elizabeth cried, immensely relieved, and tossed the gun away from her. Once sure no one would come, she closed her eyes for a second; when she woke up, it was sunrise.

Elizabeth gently shook John awake, and helped him stand. . In a certain way she was happy his fever was high again; he wouldn't ask her questions she couldn't answer.

One step at the time, Elizabeth told herself. First John, then she would think of what to tell to the others once they were safely back on Atlantis.

There were slaves and soldiers still patrolling the Gate. No chance for them to pass unnoticed. Elizabeth's mind was racing when suddenly big, dark clouds formed above their heads. It wasn't natural, and all the people pointed to the sky in horror. They were scared to death, some even knelt on the ground to pray to their Gods. Others ran away. And then the rain began to fall, thick as a shield.

"I have to go through the Gate. I have to. I can't take it anymore…"

Elizabeth watched John, and the unwatched Gate. The rain and the wind worsened by the minute; they would make it, the Gate was near. And even if the soldiers did spot them, in this rain, chances were high they'd never be able to hit them with their weapons. . John was right: it was their opportunity.

Elizabeth could hear the panic. People wailing, their enemies screaming at the slaves to stop them, but no one was brave enough to step out of their shelters. John couldn't dial Atlantis or send his identification code; she had to do it for him.

"You've made it, John. You're going home."

Elizabeth smiled, but John looked at her bewildered..

"You are real."

Her smile vanished.

"There is no time for this, John. You have to go."

"You are alive…"

Elizabeth helped him with the steps to reach the Gate, without answering him.

"Go. This storm won't last forever!"

"What…?"

"It's the Ancients! They're helping me! But this means I can't come with you. Forgive me…"

Before he could say anything else, Elizabeth gently pushed inside the wormhole. John stretched an arm to reach her, and he clutched her necklace, the one she always wore during that first year on Atlantis. The wormhole sucked him inside, and as he dematerialized he felt the necklace break. He could still feel it, wrapped tightly in his hand when he found himself on the floor of the Gate Room.

Keller and the other doctors were hovering over him. And Rodney and Teyla, Ronon and Carter… he had to tell them what he saw, that Elizabeth wasn't dead.

"Elizabeth…" he whispered, and then he lost consciousness.

The wormhole closed in front of Elizabeth. It took a lot of self control to stand there, waiting for the connection to break without stepping in herself. But that storm was a sign; they knew what she was doing. And if they helped her maybe that meant they where willing to give her another chance. That was why she didn't go home.

And when she felt her body dissolve in the air, she knew she was forgiven.

--

When she faced the Elders, Elizabeth realized that 'forgiven' wasn't the right term to use. She disappointed them. And most of all, she disappointed Makaria, who had to stand next to her during the Elders speech.

The only one apparently on her side was Verna. Actually, she had been surprised by how much weight her voice carried between other Ancients. She didn't justify Elizabeth's actions but explained to the council how - until Elizabeth had taken human form - she tried to be just a guide, never interfering with John's choices. It was probably thanks to her that Elizabeth hadn't been banned.

But Verna warned her that she couldn't help her anymore.

"I know why you did it, Elizabeth… But you're playing with fire. The next mistake will be your last. Be careful."

Verna forced a smile on her lips and disappeared in front of Elizabeth. She reappeared in Atlantis, in the infirmary, but for once she wasn't happy to be there at all. She despised the task the Elders had given her. She didn't want to do it to John. But she had to think of her people, of the Ancients that lived there and confided in her. She had to act now, before she could change her mind.

"The Colonel had been lucky," said Keller. "He has no serious internal damage, no fractures…"

"You joking, right? Those Kelosians are sadistic bastards. Of course he must have broken bones!"

"The X-rays say otherwise, Rodney. But the weird thing is… Colonel Sheppard got some new fractures between this exam and his last one. But every one looks healed. I have no explanation for that."

"Like they cured him but not restored his health?

"A fracture needs months to heal. Colonel Sheppard was gone for less than a month. Like I said, I have no answer."

"But is John going to be alright?" asked Teyla.

"He has an infection and a high fever, but yes, he's going to make it."

"What's he keeping in his right hand?" asked Carter.

"Good question. It's a silver necklace, or something like that. But when we tried to take it out of his fist, he got extremely agitated so we just let him keep it. He's clutching it so tightly."

And he wouldn't let it go for any reason, John would add if he weren't sedated. The pain was gone, but he didn't want to sleep… Elizabeth… he had to go back and find Elizabeth… then everything went still. Everything, but a blonde girl dressed in white, standing near his bed with a sweet smile.

"Hello, John."

For an instant John t thought he was already dreaming.

"Not the best moment for a visit, old girl…"

Verna laughed. "I'm sorry, John. I'm not who you think I am."

"But I see you… every time I sit on the Chair… you are… Atlantis…"

Verna sat on his bed.

"Long time ago, I was her favorite child. Like you are now. She takes my semblance when she needs to speak to you in your mind. She believes you might be slightly more receptive to her advice, if it comes from 'me'. Strange, huh?" she said, with a hint of sarcasm.

"Who are you?"

"My name is Verna. Nice to meet you, Colonel Sheppard."

"How do you know my name?"

"I know everything about you. About Elizabeth. About what happened on Kelosia."

"Elizabeth… I have to go back …"

"Elizabeth doesn't need to be saved. She's fine. She ascended once again."

"Ascended? How…?"

"I helped her a little. Interfering is allowed in this case. But I'm afraid it's the only good thing I can do for both of you."

"What… What do you mean?"

"I'm sorry, John. I'm so sorry, but Elizabeth is one of us, now. Her path and yours go in separate directions; it has to stay this way," said Verna, touching John's forehead.

John stopped fighting to stay awake. Suddenly, he wasn't important anymore.

Hating herself for what she was doing, Verna erased from John's mind every trace of Elizabeth's involvement in his escape. She took the necklace from his hand, and visited all the doctors and the friends of John's that had assisted in his return to modify their memories as well.

She reappeared in front of the Elders, and reassured the other Ancients that everything went as planned.

"As far as John Sheppard knows, he escaped with the help of a slave."

"What about his friends?"

"I altered their memories and his medical file."

"Excellent. You can go back to Atlantis now."

Verna bowed in front of the Elders, and went searching for Elizabeth. Her friend was at the cloister, looking at the void in front of her. Verna didn't need to ask why she was so upset. She sighed and sat next to her.

"Why?"

"It was the only thing to do. And you know it. You broke the rules… and there is always a price to pay."

"Will he be alright?"

"I think you already know the answer. But for the time being, I won't tell you more. You crossed the line, Elizabeth. You crossed the Elders.. Few Ancients ever dared to do that, and even fewer are still here to tell the tale."

Elizabeth nodded. Then she turned to Verna and said, "Why is it that your opinion is so important in the Council?"

"I'm a Chancellor. The current Chancellor of the Ancients of Atlantis. They chose me… and I didn't find any reason to refuse. That reminds me… You are forbidden to set foot there again. I hope you understand why. It won't be forever, Elizabeth. Give the Elders and Makaria a little time. They'll get over it."

"In a century or two."

Verna suppressed a smile, and got up.

"I have to go. Chancellor things to do. Stay as long as you wish, but…"

"…but I'm forbidden to set foot here as well."

"Sorry."

"Go. Don't let me keep you."

Verna disappeared. Elizabeth felt grateful for her perfect timing. A few second later a tear rolled down her cheek. The first of many.

--

Atlantis wasn't happy with her. At all. Verna could feel it. The city took a strong liking of John and Elizabeth, and she made sure to show Verna just how displeased she was with her. Verna smirked.

If she fooled the city, she fooled the Elders. Good.

She looked at Elizabeth's necklace once again, and then she put it on John's nightstand. He wouldn't remember how he got it, obviously, but Verna knew that just by seeing that jewel, he would still feel a connection to Elizabeth, even with his memory erased.

"I really hate when someone interferes in someone else's destiny. Don't you feel the same, old girl?"

She would leave John this clue; If Elizabeth and him were meant to be, not even the Elders would keep them apart.

"What do you think you're doing?"

Verna rolled her eyes and turned to face Makaria.

"I'm doing what I think is right, and I know you'll do the same."

"Elizabeth won't throw ascension away again. She knows better than that."

"Complete the phrase, my dear. She won't throw ascension away like I did. You wanted to come back. I did it. I took human form again, I joined the fight, I did what I could do to change our fate."

"Fate can't be changed."

"Fate is not written in stone! I tried. This is all that matters. And if you think you'll keep Elizabeth from trying…"

"You can't help her anymore. You won't put your position at risk."

"If she wants to go back, she won't need any help, from me or anyone else. Deal with it. And before I declare you persona non grata here, I suggest you go as well. Immediately."

"The Elders' worst mistake was making a Chancellor out of an impulsive kid."

"But they did, didn't they? And I am Chancellor. So don't let me keep you, Makaria."

Glaring, Makaria disappeared. Verna sighed.

She glanced at the necklace one final time before she disappeared as well.

Days later, when John was back to his room again, he took it in his hand and wondered why it was there. A gift from one of his admirers, maybe?

He was going to put it away, but he changed his mind and put it back on the nightstand. John placed Elizabeth's watch next to the necklace. He didn't know why, but he felt that those two objects belonged together.

He got up from the bed, and opened the drawer where he had hidden Elizabeth's picture. He stared at the image for a long time. He still missed her deeply, but it felt like a fresh wound again, like he was back to square one; like he had just lost her. He felt uneasy, as if there was something he forgot, something important about Elizabeth, something that could change everything…

Stop dreaming, John. Elizabeth is dead; nothing can change this.

He put the picture away, a bitter smile just fading. John shook his head and closed the drawer.