Promises to Keep---7

"Now, Colonel, you and I have a unique understanding of each other and you know I will carry out my threat if you do not tell me the codes for Atlantis' security system," Kolya repeated, striking Sheppard openhandedly across the right cheek and striking his head against the hard wall.

"They w…won't do y…you any g…good…"

Sheppard's voice was weak, but there was a strength to this man that Kolya admired and he wondered if they could have been friends if they'd met under different circumstances. Right now time was running out, and the window of opportunity was fast approaching, making it imperative that he get the codes and gather his forces. Michael and his followers were unlike the other wraith because of Beckett's recessive gene therapy, but they were still wraith and therefore untrustworthy. He'd used them to get what he wanted and now they, like Ford were unnecessary. "Then what harm would it be to give them to me? Who would know Colonel?"

"I would," Sheppard whispered. His body felt as if it was on fire and he knew there was a fever raging inside him, probably caused by the Traxians, but he was no doctor and was only guessing. The wounds burned and were swollen, giving of a noxious odor that made his stomach churn, and he knew Beckett would be incensed when…if he ever got back to Atlantis.

"Colonel, I get that you are a proud man, but what good is pride when you're dead? I'm sure you're friends on Atlantis respect and admire you, but they'd also tell you keeping the codes from me was a stupid…"

"Go to h…hell, Kolya!" Sheppard spat and cried out when the former Genii commander pulled him to his feet and threw him across the room. He landed hard against the wall and slid bonelessly to the floor, but would not bow down to the other man, instead he used every ounce of strength he had to climb onto his knees and haul himself to a standing position. He stared at Kolya, a hint of a defiant smile on his face as he worked to find his voice. "Is that all you got, Kolya, 'cause my eighty year old grandmother packs more of a punch…"

"Insults, Colonel…I'm afraid they don't mean a damn thing to me," Kolya said and advanced on the other man. He knew Sheppard had no idea what the codes could do in the proper hands, but time was running out for him and he needed those codes now. There were things about Atlantis that Sheppard and the others didn't know, including another way into the high tech system if he had the codes, any codes as long as they'd been used at some point in time. He really didn't want to kill Sheppard, but it was beginning to look like he wouldn't have a choice.

John watched Kolya through blurred eyes and managed to duck out of his way when the man lunged for him. His movements were slow and he knew it was only a matter of time before Kolya caught him. He feigned left, but moved to the right and kicked out at the other man's knee, somewhat surprised when he actually made contact with enough force to make the man stagger. Unfortunately, Kolya recovered quickly and stood with a slight grin on his face.

"Not bad, Colonel, but you must realize you are at a disadvantage," Kolya told him, amazed that the SGA colonel was able to stand, let alone try and attack him. "You know, Colonel, you and I are a lot alike…brothers in a way and we should work together…"

"Not a chance, Kolya," Sheppard vowed and readied himself for the attack he knew was forthcoming as Kolya's face lit up with impatient anger.

"I should have taken McKay…"

"Rodney wouldn't give them to you either…he may talk, but he'd make damn sure none of it made sense to you," Sheppard said and tried to move as the former Genii commander reached for him. John thought he'd made it, but Kolya was fast and healthy, while he had been tortured and was showing the effects of his wounds. Kolya grabbed him and struck him several times in the abdomen before throwing him onto the cot. John felt darkness reach for him and surrendered to it even as Kolya finally bellowed his frustration and stormed from the cell.

SGASGASGASGASGA

Michael knew wherever Ford was holed up there would be no finding him until he was ready to be found. They'd searched the trails leading out of the compound, but had found nothing that would tell them where he was gone. When they'd come up empty he'd ordered the others back to the compound just as Kolya was exiting Sheppard's cell and he wondered what the Genii male had been up to while they were gone. Did he have the codes? Did Sheppard talk or had he proven as stubborn as always? Somehow he doubted Kolya would share the information with him if Sheppard had answered his questions.

Michael regretted working with Kolya even more than he did Ford and knew Kolya would be the one to betray them if he got what he wanted. Ford could be controlled; all he had to do was keep the enzyme away from the hybrid.

"What are you going to do about Kolya?" Jacob asked. He and the others had been with Michael since they'd escaped the planet Weir and her people had stranded them on. There was a fierce hatred for the people of Atlantis, but there was also the need to survive and sometimes that mean doing things they didn't like.

"Kill him when he outlives his usefulness," Michael answered.

"Do you think Sheppard told him anything?"

"Sheppard is stubborn…I don't believe he'll give us the answers we need. It may be necessary to use him to bring some 'pure' wraiths here and get them to force the information out of him," Michael explained. His own kind had turned their back on him and would probably feed on him if they could, but something had changed in his body. It was no longer possible for him to feed off humans or other wraiths, and vice versa.

"That could be dangerous if they found out what we're after," Jacob told him.

"I know…but it may become necessary to fulfill our needs," Michael said and watched the smaller creatures moving around the compound. There was something about them that bothered him, but he could not quite get a read on them and right now they were necessary to keep the area surrounding the compound from being over run by the gaseous atmosphere.

"Perhaps we should take Sheppard and leave," Jacob suggested.

"Perhaps…we shall see," Michael agreed and made his way toward the entrance to the lower level. He knew it was time to feed, and once they were finished perhaps he would take Sheppard and leave Kolya and Ford to fight it out between themselves.

SGASGASGASGASGA

Carson Beckett checked the supplies he'd loaded aboard the Puddle Jumper and still felt as if he needed more. John Sheppard was injured, there was no doubt of that, but how badly he really didn't know. From what Lo'ra'tek had told McKay, the colonel was in desperate need of medical attention, but it would take them several hours to reach the planet. That was another thing that mystified him, how could they find the planet if it wasn't always visible? It didn't really matter because he was needed and God help him he'd do anything in his power to make sure Sheppard lived to see Kolya, Michael, and Ford taken down a peg or two.

"Carson, bring him back," Weir said as she watched the CMO secure the last of his supplies.

"I'll do my best, Elizabeth," Beckett vowed. He knew Weir had been against his going on this mission, but he'd convinced her he would be needed if things were even half as bad as they suspected. They'd all seen what Kolya had done to Sheppard the last time, but the wraith had managed to reverse the effects without any residual affects. This time it was different because no wraith was feeding off the colonel and therefore no 'brother' would be there to give him the gift of life.

"All right, Carson, are you ready?" McKay asked, hoping no on could see how much pain he was in. Running around Atlantis was not doing his injured ribs any good, but if he said anything Beckett would have him tossed into bed and strapped down if need be.

"Rodney, you should be taking it easy…"

"I will, Carson…all I'll be doing is sitting in that seat. Major Lorne will be flying the Puddle Jumper," McKay answered, aware of Elizabeth watching his every move, and was relieved when Ronan joined them and diverted everyone's attention from him. He stepped into the Puddle Jumper and made his way to the co-pilot's seat and lowered himself into it while Lorne took the main seat. "I've programmed in the coordinates so once we go through the gate we'll be able to head straight to the planet."

"I hear you, Dr. McKay," Lorne said and silently prayed they'd be bringing Sheppard back with them.

SGASGASGASGASGASGA

Lo'ra'tek knew the time for action was fast approaching as darkness surrounded them, bringing with it the frigid temperatures that marked the night. He knew Ford would be acting on his plan soon and had already initiated a plan that would help him succeed in getting Sheppard away from Kolya and Michael. He'd watched the wraith hybrids guarding Sheppard and knew it would be hard to get them away from the cell, but his people had long ago discovered ways to make even the wraith think nothing had changed. It was simply a matter of using what the humans termed telepathic powers, similar to the wraith's ability to make every see things that were not there. There were several of his own kind ready to do just that as soon as Ford made an appearance.

SGASGASGASGASGASGA

Aiden Ford fought the nausea and pain that attacked his body, leaving him soaked in perspiration as his body cried out for the enzyme. He now understood what drug addicts went through and the withdrawal was killing him, but he had to fight it if he was going to help Sheppard. He would need to keep his wits about him and the enzyme took that away from him. 'But it also takes away the pain,' he thought and curled into a ball in one corner of the cave.

All he needed was a small amount of the enzyme and the pain would go away. "No…I can't…I need…God," he ground out through tightly clenched teeth and hauled himself up on his hands and knees. Ford knew he needed to move and that his best hope for getting Sheppard to safety lay in the shadowy darkness that now enveloped the land and sealed it in solitude. Aiden reached out and used the cave wall to get to his feet and stood fighting the urge to be sick. He swallowed several times and finally stepped outside the cave and listened for telltale signs that he was not alone.

Ford looked up at the sky so different from earth because of the lack of a moon and stars and felt saddened by the thought that he would never see his home or family again. He knew he was dying; there was no way to avoid it now that he refused the enzyme that sustained his life. Death's shadow had fallen across his path, but he would not succumb to its call until he was sure Colonel John Sheppard was away from Kolya and Michael.

Aiden knew if he was caught they'd kill him, but what did that matter to a dying man? How long had it been since he'd thought about anything, but the enzyme and been able to do something to even feel remotely human again? Could he fight the craving long enough to help Sheppard? God, he hoped so and started toward the compound. He knew they probably knew he was missing and would have doubled the guard on Sheppard, but if the little guys were as good as he thought they'd be able to cause some form of diversion until he had Sheppard.

Ford moved along the path, letting his eyes adjust to the darkness until he was able to make out shapes. He knew exactly where he was in relation to the compound and the cave and could easily manage it with the changes in his eyesight. The problem was it meant stopping and allowing his eyes to make the adjustment. His heightened senses and strength meant he'd be able to carry Sheppard, but he knew it wouldn't be long before those quirks would drain the last of his strength and he would die. Death didn't scare him anymore and his eyes narrowed as he wondered what had brought on the change. How had his mind cleared enough to make sense of what the enzyme was doing to him? That question might never be answered, but Ford had a feeling it was something to do with Colonel John Sheppard and the friendship the man offered without asking anything in return.

Aiden saw the dark shapes of the buildings that made up the compound and gathered the courage and strength he needed to enter the clearing. He stayed to the shadows and spotted several of the little humanoids watching him. He hoped they would do what was necessary and wondered why he trusted them, but it was too late to think about changing his mind. He nodded to the one he'd spoken with earlier and received a signal he hoped meant things were clear.

SGASGASGASGASGASGA

Colonel John Sheppard could no longer discern where he hurt the most, but he knew he had to figure out a way out of this mess. Kolya, Michael, and Ford were not going to let up and he knew they would not let him die until they had what they wanted, and he couldn't betray his people even if it meant saving his own life. He moved on the small cot, feeling the blood on his side and wondering whether there was enough left inside him to sustain life.

John heard sounds at the door and tried to find the energy to move, but there just didn't seem to be anything left. 'Get your ass moving, Sheppard…you have promises to keep!'

Sheppard recognized the voice in his head and couldn't help but smile, wincing as the movement brought back the memory of Kolya's latest interrogation techniques. John knew he had to move, no matter how hard it was because to lie down and die would mean betrayal of not only the promises he'd made, but of his own beliefs. He had to fight…to the very last breath or he'd never be able to live with himself.

"That's funny, John, because dying is not what it's cracked up to be," Sheppard whispered and moved to face whoever was about to enter his cell. He stood behind the door and held his breath as it opened inward and prayed he could take his nemesis down.

"Colonel..."

Sheppard knew it was Aiden Ford and wished there was something he could have done to prove to he regretted what had happened and wished there was some way he could change it. As Ford entered, John drove his upper body forward in a vicious attack that was meant to throw the other man against the wall. It didn't totally succeed, but Ford was off balanced by the attack and John forced the issue, but his dwindling strength was nearly depleted.

"Colonel…stop…I'm going to h…help," Ford tried and reached out to grab the flailing arms. He had no idea where Sheppard found the strength, but the man still packed a powerful punch. "Colonel…wait…"

John heard the words, but they didn't cut through the anger and pain as he fought with the former lieutenant. He knew he was weakening, but he couldn't give up even as Ford took the upper hand and manipulated his body so that his arms wrapped around Sheppard's abdomen. He tried to snap his head back, but Ford easily moved out of the way, but John wasn't about to quit.

"Colonel, listen…we need to get the hell out of here before Kolya and Michael realize what we're doing!" Ford said, and finally forced Sheppard to the floor of the cell. He knew he wasn't probably opening the wounds he'd helped cause, but right now he needed Sheppard immobilized so he'd have no choice but to listen. "You ready to listen, Colonel?"

John suddenly realized there was something different about Ford's voice and that it held none of the hatred that had been present earlier. He stopped struggling and tried to draw enough air into his lungs, but with Ford's weight holding him down it was next to impossible. "I…I'm listening," Sheppard managed and was relieved when Ford got off and he was finally able to breathe.

"Good…we need to move fast. Do you think you can walk?" Ford asked.

"No, but I'll do it anyway," Sheppard told him.

"That's what I thought," the former lieutenant said and couldn't suppress the half smile on his face. "We need to get out of here and wait for McKay…"

"McKay's c…coming?"

"Yes…I'll explain later," Ford said and helped the other man to his feet. He offered his arm in support and quickly helped Sheppard to the open door. He saw Lo'ra'tek near the edge of the path and hurried toward him, silently thanking the little humanoid for his help and praying Sheppard remained on his feet long enough to make good his escape.

Sheppard knew he was weakening and leaned heavily against Ford as they made their way out of the compound. He couldn't see a damn thing and wondered how Ford was able to move without a problem. John quickly realized it must have something to do with the heightened senses cause by the enzyme and wondered at the difference in his former lieutenant. John had no idea how long it took them to reach the cave, but he'd never been so glad to lie down in his life. He concentrated on breathing and blinked his eyes when Ford lit a small torch and placed it in some kind of wall sconce.

"Colonel, I'm going to make sure we weren't followed so stay put," Ford warned.

"I'm not going anywhere," Sheppard said and closed his eyes. His gut churned, and his vision blurred as he turned on his side and noxious bile spewed from his mouth.

"Easy, Colonel," Ford said upon returning a couple of minutes later. He knew Sheppard was in bad shape, and that he was partly to blame for it, but right now he couldn't take the time to hold the blame. Right now he needed to keep Sheppard alive long enough for help to arrive.

"Aiden…thanks…" Sheppard said, but could no longer keep the darkness at bay.

Ford looked down at Sheppard and knew there wasn't much he could do for the Colonel, but at least he would be alive once the others arrived. Ford sat on the ground, leaning his head back as knifing pain lanced through his gut and his head felt ready to explode. He knew deep down he was dying, but at least he was dying with a clear conscience and that the enzyme would no longer make him an animal.

TBC