*Disclaimer*
Still don't own them, belongs to MGM and all others who own a share.
"Set him on his mat please Timeus" Nelea softly directed, warming a pot of water over the room's central fire "Easy does it now."
Timeus shook his head, giving her a small and gentle smile while following through on her directive. "Ye always do seem to know when ye're going to be needed."
"Yes, I do, it is rather useful in watching over all of you she replied, taking the water off the fire, wiping her hands on her old apron, and turning to face the new occupants of the room. Doing a quick survey of which skills would, in fact, be needed she took a deep breath before addressing the young prisoner "Would you be able to wait in the side room in case I need your help with John's care later? I've taken the liberty of getting some rations delivered by one of the children for you already"
Timeus sighed lightly, "Of course Nelea."
He gently sat John down on his mat before walking over and, in a rare show of affection, kissed the slight, old woman on the cheek. "I could use a bit o' rest while I wait. Call if ye need me," and quickly the young man disappeared behind a threadbare curtain into the next room.
Watching Timeus disappear with a proud smile, Nelea smiled brightly before turning to her most regular patient of late "Now as for you mister."
John looked up warily, hunched into his mat, still embarrassed from his earlier display in the mining tunnels." Nelea. I . . ."
Grabbing the rest of her meagre supplies and carefully easing down beside John, Nelea raised her hand in a smooth motion. "Hush, now son. It wasn't your fault in the least." Gingerly she started peeling away the rags and dressing which covered John's torso.
"You certainly weren't the first to walk with your memories in this place and I doubt you'll be the last" Finishing the undressing, she paused to grab a clean cloth and began the growing process of cleaning and dressing John's wounds "Now, I know you aren't one for much in the way of talking, but, I've been around a few years so humour an old woman. I've seen men and women walk their memories before. The ones who returned from their memories to live with us again, they all say it helps to talk and I just happen to be noted for my ability to listen." Nelea easily said, wringing out her rag and moving to a particularly nasty gash on John's back
John hissed slightly before easing into the warm contact. "I don't talk," he muttered bluntly.
"Most of your kind generally don't from my experience." Nelea replied not bothering to look up from her work.
"My kind?"
"Military. However, I have noticed that that same group of people of a surprising tenacity when it comes to overcoming the odds and surviving great trials. It would seem, to an outside observer who cares rather deeply, that it comes down to a choice. Will you stick to what you know and is sage or will you give yourself and those whose care you've taken upon yourself the best chance of survival," Nelea paused to look John in the eye. "Can you sit up?" John gave a silent nod while mulling over Nelea's comment.
"Good, hold on a moment. Timeus would you please come and help us? Grab the broth on the table as you walk by? I would like John to try and eat something" Nelea explained as Timeus walked in.
Surveying the situation quickly, Timeus walked over and, with a practiced ease, grabbed the broth, brought it to the mat, gently helped John up, and returned to the other room without a word.
After assuring herself that John was taking the broth well Nelea continued "John, I don't ask to hurt you. I want to see you strong and as whole as possible in this God forsaken place. You have so much to offer in this life; don't let these savages strip it from you before its work is done"
"To be honest, there isn't much I'm allowed to say. According to our military it's classified information." John spoke slowly between sips of broth while Nelea finished fussing over his upper body injuries. "Don't look at me like I'm hiding, we may be kinda far away and all but there's a reason some things are classified and should stay that way" John looked at the woman carefully tending his wounds and sighed "Look, I can tell you this isn't the first time I've been someone's unwilling 'guest.' I figure between the rocks, the humidity, the small dark spaces, the hatred, I mean that's pretty standard but still, oh and the pain, cause pain just comes in different flavours" John rambled off "Sorry, I guess, when I say that girl get hit today, it was just too much."
Nelea met John's eyes knowingly "There was another little girl."
John paused in amazement before shaking his head. "Yeah, I, I didn't get to her in time. I didn't even know her name but no kid deserves that. Back there, I could of sworn that she was right there in front of me and those guards were . . ."
Worried that John may drift, Nelea firmly called him back."John? That sounds absolutely horrible and I know what it's like to watch the innocence of youth be taken before their time but, this time the story ended differently. Ralah is back in her assigned space and resting for tomorrow's shift" Nelea smiled "You have a good heart John Sheppard but you are still only a man. No one, except yourself, expects you to save the world. You would do well to remember this." Now it was John's turn to smile, though ruefully, at Nelea's words as he carefully worked on finishing the warm broth.
Nelea paused thoughtfully while working on John's legs. "You know, the girl was quite concerned with your well-being from what I've heard about today's adventure"
"Just how fast is the gossip around here," John muttered under his breath.
"Faster than you'd think, and yes, my ears still work perfectly well" Nelea smiled answering the impending question. "She brings pride and fulfillment to her name."
John noisily finished the last of his broth and looked up "What exactly does that mean? The whole bringing pride and fulfillment thing? I've heard a lot of the other prisoners muttering it after anyone does anything noticeable around here. Well, or does something completely boneheaded, though I haven't heard anyone say it about me yet, so I could be wrong"
Nelea paused painfully "I believe I told you once that the greatest insult bestowed on a prison child was the withholding of a name, correct?"
Setting his bowl down on the floor John readjusted himself to a more comfortable position. "You said a person's name was everything. A name becomes a person's identity, their family, and their heritage; in some cases even their future." John replied remembering conversations from the past.
"For our people, regardless of tribe or clan, a child's name not only anchors them within their family past and present. A name speaks towards the families hope for the future either with a blessing, a prophecy, or the recognition of a great strength within the child. For instance, within her tribe, Ralah's name means 'gentle soul.' I said that was a pride and fulfillment because through her care of you earlier she exhibited the traits of one who has a gentle and healthy soul." Nelea scanned John's face to make sure he understood. "Timeus, on the other hand, means overcomer. Again, this is an appropriate gifting by his family in light of his tendency to overcome the adversity in his life."
Nelea once again wrang out her cloth. "There we go, one more leg and you're all finished for the night and can get some rest."
John perked up at the word sleep before a new question entered his mind "What does Nelea mean?"
John watched as Nelea's face twisted into bitterness "Nelea, ha. My parents would have been wiser to choose any name other than the one which I'm forced to bear."
Honestly puzzled, John tilted his head in confusion.
Nelea sighed and finished bandaging John's leg in silence, collecting her thoughts.
"I'm sorry. Once upon a time, this name was a joy to carry but it is meant for someone who leads a far different life, someone with a future. You see, my name means hope and that is why it is such a heavy burden. My entire punishment in these mines, the irony of my sentence is to live in a place where my promise only exists in death." Nelea lowered her head in sorrow.
Moving as gently as he could John reached over and touched Nelea's face, easily directing it so he was, once again, looking into the woman's eyes "I think it's perfect." John answered softly. "Without you this place would be hopeless but you bring hope to all who meet you. You keep me alive. It can't be your fate to live a life without hope, I can't believe that. I'm going to get us out of here. I've been planning. I mean, I had hoped my team would have been here to help by now but, I know them, something serious has to have held them up to be away this long, so know it's up to us. Between my experience and Timeus' knowledge of the mines we've got a decent shot at this. I know it."
"Oh, John." Nelea said wistfully.
"I mean it, we are not finished. Oh, and I know you're there so you may as well come out little one and see for yourself I'm no worse for wear."
Out of the shadows a small child gingerly made her way into the middle of the room before launching herself wild eyed at John's mat, checking each inch of bandaging for herself before believing that John was, in fact, okay.
"Now, Nelea, I know you're going to order me off to sleep but, first, I've been talking with a few of my shift workers and, given our talk I think now is the time. " John stopped, thought a moment and turned seriously towards Nelea. "Believe me when I say, I know what I'm getting into. I've thought it out, and I'm in this for the long term, okay?" Nelea nodded her assent as John turned to the child in front of him "Little one?"
The child stopped her fiddling with the bandages on the mat and looked up questioningly at John.
"I know nothing's really easy around here and life's been pretty rough but I meant what I said. I'm going to get us out of here. One way or another."
Nelea gasped at the remark remembering the many who had left too early through the prison's furnaces.
John, undeterred, continued "but regardless of what the future holds. Little one, would you do me the honour of accepting the name Amanda" John paused suddenly to take a breath and glance towards the women on his right. "Nelea Shepard from me and all that that name brings with it?" John exhaled and studied the child in front of him.
The young girl's forehead creased as she considered what John had said before suddenly widening in realisation at the significance of what was being offered. "For real? You really want me?" The little girl's voice cracked with an unidentifiable emotion.
"If you'll have me. I promise to watch over you, care for you, and do what's right by you for as long as we're both alive."
Without another word, the little girl launched her small, trembling frame at John wrapping her arms around his neck and holding on for dear life.
"I have a name?" she whispered.
"My mother's" John whispered loudly so Nelea, still watching with quiet, though wary acceptance of the scene unfolding before her.
"Where I'm from the name means 'beloved.'" Seeing the question sitting in her eyes John answered the unspoken query. "Beloved means loved lots, something that you most definitely are. Nelea comes from this world. You little one are a promise of hope and love." John said rubbing circles into the emotionally overwhelmed girl's back, the room descending into silence.
"Well, that's mighty pretty." Timeus quipped suddenly, appearing around the curtained doorway and disturbing the scene before him. "Don't worry none, before you ask, I've been 'ere long enough to stand witness to your claiming on the kid. If you're serious about getting out of here though, you're right, you're going to need my help."
"I know." John answered quietly, not wanting to disturb Amanda.
"You gotta know, if you're serious about keeping her safe, this has gotta happen soon." Timeus pressed on.
"I know." John replied more firmly.
"You're going to take Nelea too?" Timeus questioned not bothering to look the woman, who'd yet to have spoken, in the eyes.
"That's the plan," John confirmed.
"Your people going to help get us out?"
"I don't know" John answered as Amanda's wriggled to better watch what was going on.
"You always have been an honest one." Timeus muttered, half under his breath. "You realise the consequences if we're caught"
Slightly frustrated, John replied " I kno . . ."
Timeus smiled interrupting John mid-word, " Just checking, needing and happy to confirm there's still a fighter in there after earlier. Though, I warn you now, still goin' to be watchin' you." Timeus looked at John pointedly. Then, rubbing his hands together turned around and sat down beside John on his mat "Let's make a plan."
A.N. New chapter! For those that wanted less whump and more comfort and cuteness hope this tides you over. After taking in the poll results I have decided the final fate of the characters and will work towards finishing the last chapters as time allows. Please review, they really do encourage us writers to update when we see them pop up in our inbox :D