A quick author's note: Just to let everyone know, I am posting this chapter without it being betaed... I take full responsibility for any mistakes, hopefully they will be at a minimum. Sorry for the long delay in updating this story.
Thank you to all of you who reviewed. :) It means a lot to me that you took the time to review my story.
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Chapter 9
Rodney tried to calm himself down when Delano left the room, hopefully for help or medical supplies. He took deep breaths; desperately wishing Carson was awake. Of course the only one in the room with most medical training was the one that needed it himself. Maybe he should have played more attention when Carson insisted all teams have some medical training. Looking at his friend's bruised and bloody face again he winced; it looked painful. He wondered what Carson exactly said to make Ahriman so mad. The door opened suddenly and Delano came in bearing their vests with some other supplies. The teen hurried over and laid down his cargo. Rodney ruffed through the pockets on Carson's vest, pulling out some gauze.
"Do you need anything else?"
Rodney looked at his friend's face again, for a second time that day he wished he knew more about bandaging up wounds.
"Some water."
"I shall bring you some shortly."
He hurried out of the room again, leaving Rodney alone with Carson. Rodney sighed; he wondered how his team always managed to find trouble. As gently as he could he pressed some on the gaze onto the nasty looking cut on his friend's temple. He couldn't tell what other injuries the doctor might be sporting besides a battered face and a concussion. Delano returned the room and placed a wooden bowl filled with water besides him. Grabbing one of the small pieces of cloth Delano had brought earlier he dipped it in the water. Carefully he wiped some of the blood off Carson's face. He wished he would wake up; it was strange seeing his friend in desperate need of medical attention.
"Do you think he will be alright?"
He looked up and met Delano's worried face. Not really knowing what to say he decided to tell the truth. The truth never hurt right?
"I don't know."
Upon seeing Delano's face pale maybe lying would have been better.
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John was wandering through the woods by the stargate; the ground was barely visible through the thick fog. He knew he was looking for something but he couldn't remember what. It felt like something important, he knew a second ago. It was right there, frowning when it still didn't come to him. He stopped in place as he heard a familiar voice call out in pain. Running toward the direction of the yell he rushed by the trees, brushing aside the branches not caring if they hit him. He could just make out a village ahead of him. Finally entering the village that seemed vaguely familiar he came to a stop, finding it almost impossible to see anything with the fog covering the ground. Looking around he felt a cold gust of wind swept by him clearing the ground. He felt his heart stop as he saw a familiar figure propped against one of the buildings. It couldn't be. Running towards the person, time seemed to slow down. His footsteps and panic breaths filled the silence but all he could hear was his racing heart. Reaching the person he kneeled in front of him, he reached out a hesitate hand and shook the person's shoulder gently. To his surprise the person started to lean toward the ground, he caught the man and laid him on the ground. Finally seeing whom it was he gasped in shock.
"Doctor Beckett?"
He shook the doctor's shoulder.
"Carson?"
He then quickly grabbed his friend's wrist and felt for a pulse; to his horror he didn't find one. As he was about to start CPR he felt a cold hand on his shoulder. Spinning around he saw a very pale Rodney.
"McKay?" He asked in disbelief.
Rodney mumbled something but he was unable to hear it.
"What?"
"Why?" Rodney whispered.
"Why what?"
"Why did you take so long to find us?"
"I…"
"You killed us."
"No…"
"You know you did."
Before he could respond he felt someone shake his shoulder and heard a distance voice call out his name.
"Major Sheppard."
He turned and didn't see anyone. Then he felt the hand and voice again.
"John?"
Turning he saw no one. He felt the hand shake his shoulder harder. He jerked awake and found Teyla staring at him, concern in her eyes.
"John, are you alright?"
John rubbed his eyes and shook himself, "Yea. Just a little tired."
Glazing around he noticed the rest of his team members up and about.
"Are we leaving?"
Teyla nodded. Getting up he rubbed his stiff neck. He must have fallen asleep while sitting up.
"Come we shall best be leaving now," Uma spoke as she approached them.
They nodded and followed her toward the other end of the cave.
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Carson was slowly became aware of voices whispering nearby. Keeping his eyes closed he tried to determine who they were, they sounded familiar. Where was he? He ached all over, he groaned, and tried to roll over on his side. He didn't hear the footsteps rushing over to him. He hissed in pain as his injured shoulder made contact with the hard floor. He stopped and laid back on his back in defeat. His "friendly" meeting with Ahriman was slowly coming back to him.
"Carson?"
He gingerly opened his eyes and found himself staring into Rodney's concerned eyes.
"Rodney?" He asked, his voice coming out barely louder than a whisper.
"Thank god you're awake! Now tell me what to do."
"What?"
"In case you haven't noticed you're hurt and I'm not exactly a qualified master of voodoo. So tell me how to fix you."
Carson shut his eyes in frustration. How many times did he have to tell Rodney he was a medical doctor not some voodoo practitioner. Suddenly feeling extremely sleepy he wanted more than anything else to go to sleep. A light tap on his cheek brought him out of his thoughts.
"Go away," he moaned barely opening his eyes.
"Don't close your eyes! You have a concussion, you need to stay awake."
"Bugger off."
"Oh no you don't. Every time I have a concussion you always keep waking me up. You need to stay awake. Are you a doctor or not?"
Carson opened his eyes completely at the word doctor and grinned slightly.
"Aye I am."
He slowly tried to sit up but was stopped by Rodney.
"Whoa, shouldn't you stay laying down?"
"I'm fine. Just help me up. If I stay any longer on the floor I won't be able to keep my eyes open."
"Okay."
Carson bit his lip to keep himself cry out in pain as Rodney helped him sit up.
"Are you okay?"
Rodney peered at his face with concern.
"Aye."
Just as Rodney opened his mouth to reply the door slammed opened revealing two guards, different from the two that dragged Carson out earlier. The taller of the two approached the pair on the floor. Before a word could be said Rodney was grabbed, not too gently, by his arm and pulled toward the door.
"Let go of me."
"Ahriman wishes for your presence."
"What for?"
"You must come now."
"I rather not."
The guard raised his hand to strike Rodney as Carson quickly stood up, ignoring the pain he was feeling.
"Leave him alone."
Turning the guard glared at him.
"What did you say?"
"He wants to know why Ahriman wants to see him. That's no reason to resort to violence."
"How dare you!"
Before Carson could blink he was knocked to the ground with a blow. He lay grasping on the cold ground. He vaguely was aware of Rodney protesting in the background. Just as the guard was about to kick him, Delano stood protectively in front of the downed doctor.
"Leave him. I believed he has learned his lesson. Ahriman would be most crossed if the second traveler is not brought to him in a timely fashion."
The guard was silent as he pondered what the young teen said. Slowly he nodded his head and left the room with a protesting Rodney in tow. When they were gone and door closed, Delano quickly bent down to the still doctor on the floor.
"Carson, are you alright?"
The doctor in question had his eyes closed and was clutching his arm.
"Aye I will be. Just give me a few seconds."
The teen nodded.
"Could you help me up?"
Delano helped him into a sitting position, causing Carson to groan slightly.
"Perhaps it would be best if you laid back down?"
"I'll be fine."
Delano gave him a suspecting look, clearly not believing the doctor. Carson shrugged it off; there wasn't much that could be done for him. His shoulder felt like it was on fire and he was on the verge of consciousness. He desperately wanted to be back in the safety of his infirmary. Attempting not to think about it much further he looked at Delano.
"So what does Ahriman want from Rodney and myself?"
"He wishes to blame you and your friend for Xerxes' death."
"I figured that much but why?"
"The way Xerxes became injured seemed very suspicious to many of my people. It has been rumored Ahriman has been wanted to take over the village. To draw attention away from himself he is blaming both of you and since you're not from around here many will believe him."
"Is he going to question Rodney?"
Delano merely nodded. Carson grimaced at the thought; he hoped John was close to finding them for both their sakes.
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Rodney was roughly dragged down the corridor. He struggled against the two guards but he couldn't free himself from their grasp. After walking a few minutes he was pushed through a doorway into a room, not too gently. Ahriman stood in the middle of the room with his back facing them. Rodney had a sudden urge to leave the room. He tried to make his way to the door but was held in place by the two guards. Slowly Ahriman turned to face him with a frightening smile on his face. Rodney felt his heart pound against his chest, he had a feeling this meeting was going to be less that pleasant.
"Ah Doctor McKay. It is nice to see you have decided to join us."
"What?"
"Ouch…" He moaned when he was cuffed on the back of his head. "What was that for?"
Ahriman's smile was gone and was replaced with a cold glare.
"You may not speak unless spoken to! I have already explained this to your companion. For your sake I pray to hope you are not as stubborn as he is."
Rodney only glared at him defiantly. Never let the enemy see how truly scared you are, he kept thinking to himself. He tried to will his heart to slow down but was unsuccessful.
"Perhaps you will answer the questions your friend refused? Or do you wish for the same fate?"
"What questions might that be?" Rodney asked trying to sound oblivious.
"Why have you and your fellow traveler betrayed us so brutally after we welcomed both of you with open arms into our humble village?"
"Betrayed?" Rodney asked as he snorted at Ahriman's outrageous question.
"I do not see the any amusement in this situation! Answer my question!"
"What question?" He knew he shouldn't be pushing Ahriman's buttons but he couldn't help himself, he had a horrible habit of saying whatever was on his mind. Another cuff to the back of his head had him groaning again.
"I will not tolerate your incompetence much further. I will only ask you nicely once more. Why did you and your fellow traveler murder Xerxes?"
"We didn't kill him."
"Then what happened?"
"We…I…I think he bleed out and there weren't enough medical supplies. I'm sure if Carson had more…"
"You think? Are you are not the healer's assistant?"
"Uh…I'm still in training. Carson's more of an expert than me."
"So you are saying it is the healer's fault? That he committed the murder?"
"No! All I'm saying is if things had been differently there might be some remote chance he would still be alive."
"How dare you imply that I am to blame for my great leader's death. I am one of his most loyal servants. I would gladly give my life to save his, if it were only possible. Now answer my question, I do not care for your opinion on the matter. Why did you and the healer murder Xerxes?"
"As I said before, we didn't kill him."
"Fine if you shall not answer that question perhaps you will to this next one. How long have you and your companion been spies for the other village?"
"What? You think we're spies?"
"What else would you both be to commit this horrific act?"
"Travelers from another planet and second of all I didn't kill him."
"So the healer killed him?"
"No! We both didn't kill him and we aren't spies."
"How do I know both or one of you killed Xerxes when you were alone in the room with him?"
"Because we didn't and he died from his injuries which he had before we were so kindly brought here."
"We do not take kindly to liars here. This is the very last time I am going to ask you nicely. Why did you kill him?"
"I didn't. You're just as…"
A fierce punch in his abdomen prevented his next sarcastic comment.
"I want answers not your assumptions! Answer my question!"
"I already did."
"Fine. Who in the other village put you up to this murderous act?"
"What." Yet again another punch greeted him, leaving him short of breath.
"You heard me, now answer my question!"
"We're not from the other village and we don't work for them."
Ahriman's eyes narrowed and he stepped toward Rodney. He grabbed him by the front of his jacket and looked him in the eye.
"Just as I feared. It appears you are as stubborn as your friend. I'm afraid our little meeting will not be pleasant for you if you continue to evade my questions."
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Uma led the team to the other end of the cave and pressed something on the wall. As the cave wall slide open water could be heard. Opened up completely they could see the back of a waterfall.
"This way. Please be careful, it is very slippery."
Uma gesturing them to follow, she walked carefully to the side of the waterfall. They followed her and found themselves by a river in the forest again. The air was cold and there was a faint mist surrounding. John shook himself, reminded of his nightmare. He turned to Uma and asked, "How far is the other village from here?"
"It should only be an hour or so. We must keep our voices low. Sandor has mentioned his village have scouts along the tree line of their village."
They nodded and followed Uma and Talos into the woods, the sun slowly rising overhead.
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The door slammed opened, breaking the silence in the room, and a battered Rodney was thrown into the room. Carson and Delano rushed over to him, Carson ignoring his own pain as he kneeled beside his friend. Rodney was curled up on his side, both of his arms around his abdomen.
"Rodney?"
"I'm fine. Just a little sore."
Carson gave him a look telling him he didn't believe him.
"Really."
"You weren't gone very long."
"I guess Ahriman doesn't like me as much as he liked you."
Sighing Carson rolled his eyes. Even when he was injured Rodney still had his sarcastic personality.
"I do not believe I understand? Ahriman was most harsh with Carson," remarked Delano with confusion written all over his face.
"Just ignore him lad, even I don't understand all the time," Carson replied.
"Hey! I…"
"Rodney stop. I need you to tell me where you hurt."
The physicist in question just sighed as he noticed Carson was in his doctor mode. Hopefully he wouldn't be blinded with the evil penlight.
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Walking for an hour they could finally make out a village up ahead. The village was around the same size as the one they left from.
"Your friends should be in that big building over there," Uma whispered to John, pointing out the biggest building.
"Are you certain?"
"If this is indeed the village, they should be there."
"Where are the scouts?"
They all looked around and didn't see anyone; the forest around them was still.
"It is possible their village is performing an ancient ceremony that requires everyone."
"Alright. Teyla you're with me. Goodrich and Reynolds take the left. Edwin, Howell, and Ford take the right."
They nodded in response.
John turned to their guides, "Both of you stay here."
Talos opened his mouth to protest but Uma beat him to it.
"We will do as you wish Major Sheppard."
"Okay. Let's go."
They crept toward the towering building with their weapons out, seeking cover behind the numerous rocks and trees they lay in their path. John felt his heart racing as he moved. Within seconds they should have Rodney and Carson back. More than anything else he wanted this nightmare to end and to back on Atlantis. They were almost to their target location. Their quick footsteps could be heard as their boots crunched the dry grass in their path. Pausing only a few seconds behind the shelter of some boulders, not seeing anyone approaching they ran the last few yards to the building. They pressed themselves against the outside wall of the building by the door. Seeing everyone there John didn't wait any longer, he kicked the door open and rushed into the room with his team following.
