Warning: Bit of swearing in this chapter. Also an adult situation. Enjoy.
Chapter 11 – To greet a Fiend
Something woke John from his deep slumber. He sensed some slight movement within the room. Trying hard to pinpoint the disturbance, John let his eyes wonder beyond the bed while keeping his body perfectly still. However the area was cast in total darkness, which meant he must have slept into the late evening or possibly even the night. Continuing to lay perfectly still, he kept his breathing even. Let whoever it was believe he was still asleep. Of course it could be McKay but he would have switched the light on regardless of John's slumber.
John tensed as he felt the mattress quiver and someone slide between the sheets. No it can't be? How could she have gotten into the room?
Part of the answer came when a long nailed hand slipped under his t-shirt and started to caress his chest. A soft feminine voice murmured. "I have missed you so my lover."
Play the game, play the game. But John had no desire to do so with her. He had to think of something quick or god knows what could happen. "Albina! Can't you let a wounded man have a few nights peace? I said I wasn't in the mood."
"But it has been so long." He could almost hear the pout in her voice.
Her hand started moving further down. John quickly grabbed it to stop its progress. "I said no! And how the hell did you get in here anyway? I had the code changed."
"What the hell is wrong with you, John? I was very angry when I found that the code had been changed. I was forced to ask that dreadful Maynard to let me in. Now you refuse my advances. Worse of all, I keep hearing strange rumours about how McKay is spending a lot of time with you, firstly in the infirmary and now here. I am beginning to think you may have gone... " Getting an idea where she might be going with that, John quickly interrupted and told her the same excuse he'd been telling Weir. "So you are using that idiot as your manservant. Well that is a relief to know you haven't lost interest in women but you can stop using McKay right now." She demanded
"No, it fucking well can't! If you haven't noticed, bitch, I can't walk. I'll need someone to fetch and carry for me for a while yet." John hated talking to a woman like that but he was sure the other Sheppard may have. At least he hoped he was getting it right, otherwise things might get awkward.
It seemed she hadn't taken offense as she ran a finger down his cheek and moved closer. It was then that John realised she probably didn't have any clothes on. He gulped just as she said. "As guff and rude as ever I see. And in such a foul mood. But that is only to be expected if you have been around McKay for too long. Somebody should have removed his tongue years ago." Totally unaware of Sheppard's look of disgust, her hand resumed its caresses. "Anyway my dear, Commander, I am here now and will personally look after you until you are back on your feet again. Then we will celebrate by spending the day in bed making hot passionate love."
Oh hell we've got to get away from here. It was very difficult for him to say the next few words. "I'll look forward to that." He felt like choking on them but managed to continue anyway. He needed to clarify matters. "However, McKay stays right where he is until he has paid his dues. And right now I need my rest so pl…piss off and leave me alone to sleep."
He couldn't see her face so missed the reaction his words had caused. Although, he could feel the tension in her body. "I think you need a long talk with my brother again on how to assert your authority. I do not care if you think McKay should pay for what happened on that planet or not. I cannot even understand why you went with him in the first place, but I will not allow him to serve you a moment longer. He and that Athosian woman of his should have been disposed of years ago."
"Oh, I know how to assert my authority alright and McKay will fucking well serve me until I decided otherwise. As for your brother I have no desire to meet him at the present time."
She grabbed his chin and turned his face towards hers, so close their noses nearly touched. "Well, that is such a pity because he is coming tomorrow to make sure things are still running smoothly. We would not want to upset him now would we, Commander? You know very well what could happen if you did."
Oh crap. Obviously John didn't know what could happen but he could guess. And the last thing he wanted was to come face to face with a man he had already killed once. "I thought he'd been sick. I mean really, really sick so why is he coming so soon after getting off his death bed?"
"News concerning my brother's ailment was somewhat exaggerated. He was ill but certainly in no danger of dying from it. I am happy to say he has made a full recovery and will be coming to visit tomorrow at noon. I have already informed Director Weir and she will make the appropriate arrangements to welcome him. I expect you to be in full dress uniform to greet him even if you have to sit in that demeaning wheelchair."
"Like hell!"
She grabbed his face again and dug her nails in. "If you want to continue sleeping in my bed, Commander, you will do as I say. Otherwise you may find life not so quite so comfortable in future." With that she bent down and roughly kissed him on the mouth, making sure her teeth bit into his lower lip.
John roughly pushed her off. He tasted blood as he quickly wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. "No need to get nasty."
"I will if you defy us. Do not forget you are only in this position because Acastus and I wish to keep you here. We could easily have had you removed if we so desire." She reached over and turned on a small light, giving John a full view of her naked body. He averted his eyes, which naturally she noticed. Confused, she asked. "What is wrong with you? Normally you cannot get enough of me and yet now you turn away as if you find me repulsive."
John knew he had to get his act together or she would question him further. He turned to look at her and gave her a smirk, hoping it wouldn't look too false. "Get real woman, I'm tired and in a great deal of pain that's enough to put any man off. Normally I love seeing your beautiful naked body and if I was healthy I'd grab you and…." He lifted his eyebrows and leered at her seductively, hoping she got the message.
She moved over and roughly kissed him again before reaching for her clothes. "Very well, I will leave you alone for now but get well soon my dear commander." Her scratchy voice sounded like a cat being pulled by its tail and not the slightest bit sexy.
The moment she left, John gave a massive sigh of relief. Now he just hoped Rodney turned up soon. They needed to leave and quickly, as he had absolutely no desire to meet Koyla in any shape or form. Yet somehow he had a feeling he would because unless a miracle occurred in the next eight hours or so, he was totally screwed as Rodney would put it.
oOo
Rodney did return, eventually. And after hearing all of John's woes, he spoke the immortal words. "We are so screwed."
"Tell me about it." John muttered from under his cover where he had taken refuge ever since Albina's visit. A cowardly act he knew but right now he was feeling far from his usual courageous, heroic self. "Why can't we just leave for that planet and hope for the best."
"Because, Colonel, despite searching through hundreds of McKay's files I have yet to find any information regarding the machine he found. And I really need at least some info before we go because if we don't find a solution or we encounter a problem while there, then we'd have to return anyway. I'm sure there'd be no McDonalds or Starbucks on every corner so we could just set up home and live happily ever after." Rodney wished he hadn't said that as a sudden overwhelming desire for coffee had he wondering if they shouldn't take the risk anyway. But no, he had to find something positive before wandering off to a planet that could be filled with flesh tearing creatures and a machine he hadn't a clue about. He felt truly sorry for John's situation but it couldn't be helped.
John let out a muffled groan and muttered that he was doomed before sticking his head out. "I guess we're right, wouldn't want to live with you anyway. Now please fetch the wheelchair, will ya. Then help me get to the nearest balcony. I need some fresh air, desperately."
Although somewhat reluctant, Rodney did as John asked. As Rodney helped him settle down on it, John quietly suggested. "You know maybe the information you require is in Teyla's quarters and not in McKay's lab. I think you'd better ask her first thing tomorrow morning so we can make our escape before high noon."
Fat chance, Sheppard. But Rodney didn't voice his opinion out loud. John was already depressed enough without his pessimistic input. When Rodney really thought about it, being so negative was highly unusual behaviour for the intrepid colonel. He had never seen John quite so scared before even though he still tried to joke. Rodney guessed it definitely had something to do with losing himself in this reality. So as he manoeuvred the wheelchair into a thankfully empty passageway, Rodney swore he would try his hardest to obtain the required information before Kolya arrived. If not maybe they should take the risk anyway.
oOo
Sometimes no matter how hard you try, things just don't come together in time. That's how Rodney felt right now as he looked across the control room at poor John as he stood awkwardly sandwiched between Albina and Elizabeth just outside her office. Someone must have miraculously found a pair of clutches for him to use while he waited for the Stargate to engage. Overdressed in Sheppard's awful black leather uniform, he looked almost fragile in the jacket and pants that literally hung off his slim frame.
Rodney noted the odd looks he received from the various personnel. He could almost read the bewilderment on their faces. Confused because this was not the usual behaviour from the arrogant man they probably all hated. In fact, John looked positively apprehensive and quite ill. It worried Rodney too so he remained close by, well as close as he could get without being too obvious. After all he was supposed to be the city's biggest Sheppard hater. He put on a scowl just to make it look more convincing, which it probably wasn't.
The chevrons started to engage and someone shouted very loudly, "Scheduled offworld activation!" Strange that they did it today and not yesterday when the boy's life had been in danger. And it was totally unnecessary to announce a scheduled activation in Rodney's humble opinion. His snarky self would have made a comment back home but he kept his mouth shut so as not to draw attention to himself. It was then that Rodney realised they didn't seem to keep the shield active. Maybe they just didn't have the power to do so, and he supposed it wasn't necessary with no pending threat of a Wraith invasion or any other bad menace apparently. He wasn't even sure if they had made any contact with the Asurans yet.
His thoughts were draw away when the two women dressed in their finest moved forward and started to descend the stairs to greet their visitor. Thankfully they hadn't forced John to follow them. He seemed to slump forward as the Stargate engaged and Rodney quietly edged closer, worried that John's problem might be happening again. And rightly so. Just like before, John's form started to shimmer just ever so slightly. Strangely nobody else seemed to notice but then again, maybe they were all concentrating on the Stargate and not the Supreme Commander.
The Stargate? With horror, Rodney suddenly realised John's problem could really have something to do with the formation of a wormhole. If so, it could mean that John would never be able to go home again. But why was that happening? Rodney now had some of the information he needed; it had been in Teyla and McKay's quarters. Teyla information had been correct. The machine on M5S 779 was supposed to be a long range transporter and nothing else, so why in all likelihood had it torn a rift between realities and why was John being affected so badly. Rodney knew that he had to get to that planet as quickly as possible. Although now it looked like he would have to leave John behind while he did his investigation. It certainly wouldn't be an easy task to get away when most people here would probably try and block him. Somehow he had to find a good excuse but what? And now there was the added complicated of the arrival of the most unpleasant Genii of them all…Kolya. As he looked on, Rodney could even feel his arm begin to ache at the remembered knife wound the man had inflicted. Although not from this Kolya but nevertheless Rodney was sure this one was equally as cruel.
When Rodney looked next, John had moved to the edge of the balcony overlooking the Gate. His fingers were wrapped tightly around the hand rail as if to anchor him to reality. His expressive bore grim determination and maybe hint of pain, although that was probably his leg playing him up. Rodney moved even closer to lend his support if needed but he didn't want to get too close with Albina on the prowl.
The Stargate disengaged. John let out a thankful breath and loosened his hold as the surroundings began to stabilise again. He didn't need Rodney's astrophysical knowledge to connect the dots. He quickly came to the same conclusion as his friend. The Stargate was causing his problem and it scared the shit out of him. Like Rodney, he wondered if actually going through the Stargate could kill him. Snuff him out like a candle in the wind. He needed to ask Rodney about that right away. Unfortunately just as he turned to seek the scientist out, Kolya and the women topped the stairs.
Kolya came to stand directly before him. He had the same craggy, hard face that John remembered only too well, although he looked somewhat older. "Albina is right. You look like hell, Sheppard, and very different somehow. If I didn't know better I'd say you weren't the same man."
"Who the hell do you think I am other than me? As for looking bad, have you looked in the mirror lately?" John muttered.
"Ah…I see your attitude hasn't changed. As charming as ever." Kolya turned to his sister. "Apart from the weight loss and strange ears, he seems about the same to me but I'll take your word for it." He said no more, leaving John to wonder what the hell Albina had said about him.
Director Weir stepped forward. "Unfortunately, I was away when the Supreme Commander came home badly injured. I intend to mount a full investigation as to why he wasn't taken better care of. And believe me heads will roll if I find there has been some neglect." There were more than a few worried looks passed around the control room.
John saw them. "To hell with that!" he shouted. "They did the best they could. Not their fault the damn creatures were bacteria ridden." The worried looks turned to confusion. This behaviour was so unlike Sheppard.
On the other hand, Kolya looked irritated. "Let us go into your office, Weir. I think we have a few matters to sort out." They started to move away but John stayed exactly where he was. "Especially concerning you, Sheppard!"
John turned and exchanged a quick look with Rodney. He lightly fingered the Beretta 92 that he'd been given by Sergeant Maynard when the man had helped him to dress. John recognised it as his own 9 mil. Strangely the man had never questioned it, so maybe in this reality Sheppard also owned one. Now he was very thankful to have the familiar sidearm strapped to his good leg. There was something about Kolya, no matter what the universe that made John want to kill him. Not that he would do so in cold blood, although if the opportunity were to arise, say in self-defence or to defend others, then all bets were off.
He and Rodney had had quite a long and heated discussion as to whether they had the right to interfere with anything regarding this reality. Rodney believed that they shouldn't, while John had argued that they already had by simply being here in the first place. In the end, they had agreed only to do what was absolutely necessary in order to survive. Now John was wondering about that too. For him survival may not be so easy because what will happen when he tries to use the Gate. Will he simply disappear? The thought sent spine chilling terror into his soul.
Before he could further contemplate, Kolya stuck his head around the door frame and told him to move his backside immediately. Although it annoyed him no end, John didn't have any choice but to comply. As he hobbled towards Elizabeth's domain, he made note of the fact that Kolya's overconfidence had meant that he had only come to Atlantis with one escort. A man John remembered shooting years ago when the Genii lead by Kolya had attempted to overrun his Atlantis. The man in question now stood guard before the door. John gave him a sickly smirk that promised death if he should try anything. The man glared back making John wonder what the other Sheppard may have done to provoke him. Now John knew for sure he would have to be on his guard the whole time.
oOo
Rodney came to a halt behind his distraught friend and grabbed the back of his chair. "Look at me, John. It's not safe for you to use the Gate and you know it. All I'm asking is that you stay here while I go and investigate. I'll come back. I'm not going to abandon you here."
"It's not safe for me here either, Rodney! You weren't in that office with those three tyrants. They have grand plans to allow the complete takeover of Atlantis by the Genii. If I stand against them they're sure to bump me off."
"So don't stand against it. Just go along with their plans. This isn't your Atlantis."
"Oh yeah, what if things don't work out and I'm stuck here with or without you. Do you really think I want Kolya breathing down my neck every time I turn around or anything to do with those women? And what about the people who live here? I don't think Marie, Carson, Ronon or Teyla and her son deserve that."
Rodney shook his head. "Whoa, wait a minute. What's all this sudden concern about them? If the other Sheppard was here, the Genii would be moving in tomorrow for sure."
John slowly turned to look at the computer screen once more as if reading would help him explain his feelings. "Somehow I don't think so. The way Kolya was acting towards me with threats and all, I got the impression he was concerned that I wouldn't be quite so willing to hand over power. Obviously at some point Sheppard B must have given him plenty of cause for concern. What I can't understand is why Weir is so amenable. When I questioned her about it, she simply said Atlantis needed it for security reasons and stability. Which is probably a load of bull but," John pointed to the screen, "I won't know for sure until I've read some of Sheppard's reports."
"John we can't afford to get too embroiled in their affairs."
John knew Rodney was being deadly serious because he'd used his first name, again. He looked down at his lap. "No, I guess not but like I said, I may be stuck here for the rest of my life and there's no way I'll accept the Genii in any version of Atlantis. There's another problem too. Won't they find it rather strange when I don't use the Stargate ever again? I mean now that you're pretty sure my problem is related to the Gate then I guess I'm totally screwed."
Rodney blinked. Wasn't the doom and gloom scenario always his take on things? He didn't say anything other than being the positive voice for once. "I'm sure I'll find a way out of this mess. I'll just have to go to the planet..."
"That's just it. Even you gating to that planet is going to cause my problem to return. Every time someone uses the Gate I feel it, and it's especially bad when I'm actually in the gateroom."
"Yes, yes, you've said so before but it has to be due to something McKay B did. So I…"
John bit his lip and clung onto the edge of the desk before him, decision made. "No, Rodney, I've made up my mind! There's no way I'm staying here while you go off-world and maybe never come back. I'll take my chances with the Stargate. I'd rather die that way than face Kolya again. So please don't ask me to stay."
Rodney was speechless. Never before had he heard such emotion in John's voice. This situation must really be getting to him. Even more than anything he'd ever faced before. In the end, Rodney agreed with a growing sense of disaster.
tbc
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