Fragile Lives
Chapter 12
The following day, rain clouds dulled the morning to bring back the mud and misery. Thankfully, unlike the time before, it didn't last long as just before midday the sun broke through the clouds to herald a pleasant afternoon. The land quickly dried so Teyla took advantage of it by taking the children into the field to pick more flowers to brighten up the shelters. As well as the lovely Shari blooms many other flowers grew in abundance. Beth delighted in gathering up as many different colours as she could find. Torren wasn't quite so interested. He found it amusing to chase the butterfly type insects that flittered over the field with carefree abandonment.
The innocents of childhood. Teyla envied her son a little, if only she could do the same. Not have so many worries and uncertainties in her life but that was the responsibilities of adulthood and being leader of her people, although Halling had taken over much of that since her involvement with Atlantis. However, right now her worries centred on John and his continuing depression. She felt so helpless not knowing how she could help him.
Sighing wearily, Teyla continued to watch the children until Beth couldn't hold anymore flowers in her tiny hands. The little girl toddled up to her and offered the flowers. "Why thank you, Beth. Now you can pick a few more then we will take them back to our shelter and find something to put them in. I am sure one of the drinking glasses would do the job just fine."
Beth nodded and toddled off to the nearest patch of Shari blooms. She picked a few and then came back to look up at Teyla with her beautiful blue eyes that nearly matched the colour of the flowers. "For Yon," she said clearly holding up her little bunch. It was first time she had spoken a few words even if she couldn't pronounce John's name properly.
Torren ran running over to stand at his mother's side, just in time to hear Teyla say. "That is a very good idea but first we need to put them in some water so they do not wilt."
The little girl nodded and squealed before trotting off towards the camp. Torren chased after her and the two toddlers giggled as if they didn't have a care in the universe. It pleased Teyla that Torren had found such companionship in Beth. Once again she vaguely wondered what would become of the child when they eventually returned to Atlantis.
Nurse Williams was still doing her bit even if the hard work was thankfully over. She and another nurse had volunteered to stay behind to assist Dr. Beckett as the colonel still needed medication and ointment applied to some of his more stubborn skin sores. The colonel's depression worried her greatly as it was so unlike the man she'd come to admire so very much. Patty just hoped things would improve soon as she really wanted to return to Atlantis despite the peacefulness of the lovely countryside surrounding their temporary camp. She checked her watch, in little over an hour she would have the late afternoon nutrient drink ready for her patient and hopefully he wouldn't reject it like he had his lunch. Dr. Beckett had told her not to force it on him but all the same it was extremely frustrating.
As she approached the colonel's shelter with the intention of checking to see if her patient was still asleep, Patty stopped for a minute to watch the two children as they ran happily in the direction of the camp. Teyla Emmagan appeared to be not far behind them. The nurse smiled thinking how carefree the children looked unlike Teyla who looked so fatigued but that was to be expected. Sighing, Patty moved to enter the shelter. Then she noticed three other people approaching up the path that lead from the town. Thinking they must be heading for the Stargate, she thought nothing of it. However, something about their appearance made her wait by the shelter's entry just in case.
It turned out to be a wise decision as the strangers didn't move on towards the Stargate. Instead, they stopped to stand directly in front of Patty. "We have come for the child!" A rough looking female demanded. She was accompanied by two equally scruffy and dirty looking men.
Patty really didn't know what to say, so she said the first thing that came to mind. "Child? What child?"
The woman turned to look over the field and smiled a toothless grin. "That child, you stupid idiot," she sneered, pointing directly at Beth who had nearly made it back by now.
That got Patty's back up immediately. "I don't know who you are but nobody calls me an idiot to my face and you most certainly are not taking the child away just like that."
By this time, Teyla had joined them. She'd heard the woman's demands and instructed Patty to keep the children a safe distance from the strangers. Teyla prepared to defend the child, but thankfully they made no move to grab her, at least not at the moment. "Why are you demanding to take her?" Teyla asked.
"Because I am her aunt and I want the little tarax corma back home with me. My brothers are here to back me up."
Teyla exchanged a quick glance with Patty. They didn't believe a word the woman was saying. Little did the local know but Teyla understood quite clearly what a tarax corma was. Roughly translated it meant illness bringer or plague carrier. Knowing that, Teyla had no intention of handing Beth over. She wouldn't have anyway. Being as polite as possible she told the woman so.
Obviously, Teyla's politeness didn't impress the local at all. Now feeling incensed, the woman made a move to grab Beth away from the nurse. Thankfully Patty had no problem avoiding the action and she quickly moved the children even further away from the woman. "You have no rights to keep that child away from me!" The woman shouted, pointing a thin knobbly finger directly at Beth. "I am her rightful aunt and I demand that you turn her over to me, immediately!" That set Beth off and she started to cry. Patty quickly picked her up to comfort her.
John had no idea how long he'd slept. It felt like hours now since the nurse had tried to get him to eat something. Then he'd been left in peace. Only now he'd woken to the sound of raised voices and a child crying. He lay there for a minute or so and listened, trying to make out some of the words. When he couldn't, he actually felt like getting up to see what the ruckus was all about. An intense feeling of real annoyance clouded his actions as he moved as quickly as he could, barefooted and dressed only in white scrubs.
Finally arriving on the scene, he demanded. "What the hell is going on here? Who are these people?" Seeing him, Beth immediately struggled in Patty's arms as she wanted to get down. John signalled that it was okay and the child toddled over to him as fast as her little legs could carry her. She clung on to his left leg, so John stooped down to pick her up even though it pulled on his healing skin and hurt somewhat.
Off in the distance by the med-lab, Carson and Ronon exchanged a quick smile. They would have intervened, especially if there had been any danger to the two woman and children, but they delayed hoping to get such a reaction out of Sheppard. They weren't disappointed and decided to hang back and give John a chance to sort things out. Although Ronon had his blaster set to stun just in case.
"This woman is demanding that we hand Beth over to her." Teyla explained.
"I see and what rights do you have?" John challenged.
The scruffy woman looked him up and down with an air of disapproval. "You are a fine one to be making demands you sickly looking, wretched man," she muttered. "I am her aunt. She is to come and live with me. I have the law on my side, so hand her over immediately."
John ignored her insults, as they may have been justified because he knew he probably looked dreadful. "Oh really? Have you proof to back that up?"
The woman scowled at him. "I do not need any proof! She is my flesh and blood."
John knew enough to know that this woman was one of the survivors that had left the town early on. "That's a strange claim seeing as you abandoned her and left her to die with all the other victims."
Teyla watched him, listening and finally having hope because John sounded more like his old self for the first time since the illness had struck. She also decided not to intervene, at least not just yet.
One of the brothers finally spoke up. "She had no choice! The child was the bringer of death. What was she to do? If she had taken her with us we would have all died."
John frowned. Beth a bringer of death? Then he remembered Carson had told him about her being the carried a few days back. At the time it hadn't fully registered. Anyway John knew the man's explanation was a load of nonsense because Carson had said it wasn't until later that they realised Beth carried the virus. So something was definitely off, their whole story was a load of bull and John had a feeling these people had no connection to Beth, whatsoever. From the look Teyla gave him, she must feel the same.
"What's your name, lady?" John asked as affably as he could even though he felt like hitting the old hag on her ugly nose. Something he wouldn't do as he'd been brought up never to hit a woman, even though he had so in self-defence a few times now.
The woman scowled before saying. "You do not need to know that."
"Oh, I think I do, after all we'll have to get your story checked out before we can simply hand over the child." John put on his best don't shit with me look and repeated. "So what's your name?"
"Edra Syoss."
"And the child's name?"
The woman hesitated long enough to make them believe she didn't know. Eventually, she said. "Tana Syoss."
"Really that's not the information we were given. We were told on good authority by the people of Bellem that her name is Elizabeth Charin. We've shortened it to Beth." It was a bluff of course because they still had no idea of the child's real name only that John was pretty sure the woman was lying to them. "Of course there is one sure way to find out if you're really the child's aunt or not and that's with a simple DNA test. So if you still demand that the child is yours then please allow our doctor to take a sample of the inside of your mouth. It's a simple procedure and quite painless."
The woman moved slightly closer to John and Beth. "I will do no such thing," she spat.
John calmly handed Beth back to Patty. Thankfully the toddler didn't fuss at being removed from his arms as she must have sensed a problem. "Nurse Williams will you please take the children away from here until this matter has been settled."
"Yes, sir." The nurse saluted crisply before leading the children away.
The woman eyed him up and down. "And who might you be, weedy one?" she asked, although she had a feeling this man was the only person to have caught the sickness and lived. They'd heard all about him back in the town. Some called it a miracle while she and a few others called it witchcraft. So now she had to trick him into handing over the child because such an evil soul, no matter how young, should not be allowed to live and flourish.
John looked her straight in the eye with something bordering on contempt. He really didn't want to deal with the old hag but he sure as hell wasn't going to hand Beth over to her, no matter what she claimed. He knew he looked far from his normal self. His unkempt hair being worse than usual, along with his pale complexion and he definitely needed another shave by the feel of it. Yet for the first time since falling ill, John actually felt alive again. He pulled himself up to stand tall and hopefully imposing. Well as much as one could in scrubs. "I'm Colonel John Sheppard, military commander of Atlantis. Now you can either submit to a DNA test or go back to where you came from."
The woman stepped just a little closer. "I could knock you down with my little finger but I am sure my brothers could do a better job. Now hand over the child or they will knock your scrawny head off your shoulders!"
Ronon made to move. Carson quickly put a restraining hand on his arm. "Give him a chance still. Don't forget Teyla is there to back him up. Believe me this is just what the doctor ordered, so let him get his worthiness back."
Teyla stood by prepared to help, being worried that John was unarmed. She on the other hand had several knives hidden on her. She slowly removed them while the woman and her brothers were distracted confronting John. She hadn't seen any weapons on the strangers, although that didn't mean they had none. The last thing John needed right now was a knife wound or worse.
Of course, Teyla never underestimated his ability to act no matter how incapacitated. And she had a feeling he would, especially after he exchanged a silent look with her. Then just as she thought the woman might attack, the old hag backed away as if she had just remembered something very important. Maybe she had because her next words implied it. She opened her mouth and spat out. "I will come no closer because how do I know you are not still carrying the sickness? You should be killed and burnt along with the rest just to make sure." With those words she almost confirmed what she had in mind for little Beth.
John spoke out with equal loathing, he'd taken great offense to the fact that she thought he should die. "I've just survived against all odds thanks to the dedication of our doctors and my friends. Do you think I would allow them to come near me if I was still infected in anyway? Now take your brothers and get the hell out of my sight."
Instead of moving, all the woman did was laugh out loud, although her brothers didn't join in. The atmosphere became tense as everyone waited for her next move. What they didn't anticipate was the sight of yet more towns' folk approaching off in the distance. They were moving towards them intentionally.
Over by the med-lab Carson signalled to the nurse. They had already talked about it and Patty wasted no time getting to the Stargate with the children. Quickly dialling up, she entered after the all clear was given, taking the children safely through to Atlantis. The Gate immediately shut down so Carson knew reinforcements would be here soon enough. In the meantime, he and Ronon quickly moved forward to join John and Teyla, just in case things should turn out nasty.
Naturally, the woman had heard the Stargate activate. Without warning she launched herself at John, nearly knocking him off his feet. Luckily, he managed to keep his balance. He pushed her away with surprising strength and she landed heavily on her backside. Glaring up at him, she gave a small curse. "You will pay for that! I will fight you, death bringer! Now hand over the child!"
John shouted. "You're too late, lady. You can fight all you like but the child is now safely away from here." John didn't know that for sure but he guessed as much because he had faith in his people.
The woman continued to look up at him from her prone position. Then she started to laugh again giving John the distinct impression that she was totally insane. "Then you are all doomed as that child will bring about your death and destruction. That I have foreseen." John just shook his head, not believing a word of it.
By this time, the other folk were nearly upon them. John quickly moved over to Teyla and she passed him her spare knife. "Sorry, but that is all I have," she whispered.
"Better than nothing." John murmured out of the side of his mouth. He noted that Ronon and Carson now stood a few paces behind them, making him feel a heck of a lot better.
The small group of people eventually stopped about ten feet away. One man stepped forward to address the Atlanteans. He seemed to be their leader. "I am so sorry. We tried to stop her but she gave us the slip."
"Okay, I take it she isn't the child's aunt then?" John asked.
Before the leader could reply, Edra got up and ran in front of him. "Do not be listening to them, Ivor. Demand justice from them as they will not turn the child over to me. You know she should be punished for causing all the death and suffering. Curse the day she ever arrived in our town."
Ivor stepped around her to finally answer John. "No, she is not the child's aunt. However, I will not apologise for her behaviour. Edra is not alone in thinking that way. Like her many have lost loved ones to the sickness and believe the only way to avenge their deaths is to kill the child responsible. I do not agree with them nor do these people." He indicated the others behind him. "Although I do suggest you leave our planet soon as possible as I cannot vouch that others may not try to take the child by force."
Teyla had heard enough, she turned to address Edra. "How can you and others hold a child responsible? It could have been anyone of you carrying the disease. She never asked for it."
John placed a restraining hand on Teyla's shoulder, worried that she just might lose it and hit the woman, even though he still felt like doing so himself. "I agree with Teyla Emmagan. I nearly died because of that child but I would never in a thousand years hold her responsible for my suffering. Besides Beth isn't here anymore and believe me, she will never return to this planet. Now if you don't want any trouble I suggest you match your callous…." At that moment Edra moved forward to spit fully in John's face. That was the last straw for Teyla and she decked the woman with one powerful punch. Once again, Edra landed on her backside.
John wiped the offensive moisture away with the back of his hand. "Well, I hope there aren't too many people like her in town or future trading is going to be difficult."
"Oh my goodness no, Colonel Sheppard. Edra is an ignorant old fool." Ivor stated hurriedly as he didn't want trade to cease between them. They would need that more than ever now in order to recover from their losses. He also knew Sheppard's people had a lot of influence within the Pegasus Coalition of Planets.
"So you know who I am?" John questioned. "She didn't." He pointed to the prone woman.
"Of course we do. It didn't take much to work that out and we are very sorry your first visit to our town has been such a torturous one for you, Colonel. Praise to the Ancestors that you survived."
John nearly rolled his eyes at that but kept it in check. "Yeah well, that's life. Now I think we'll take your advice and leave before others with her way of thinking turn up. Although it would be for nothing, so please pass the message along and tell them that the child is no longer here."
"I most certainly will, although you seem to have plenty of help now should they decide to march on you."
John turned around to see what he meant and was pleased to see Major Lorne and a small company of Marines now standing behind them. He turned back to face Ivor. "Yeah, but I think it's time to go home. If you need any help just get in touch through the Coalition."
Ivor nodded. "That is most kind of you. Your people have already helped by making the town a safe place for us again. However, like I said until this business has calmed down it may be wise for your people to keep a distance."
"Right that's good advice. If you want to trade in future you can do so, once again through the Coalition."
"Yes and thank you again, Colonel. However, we will need a short time to assess our resources before trading can begin again." Ivor turned to the others. "Come let us leave. Will someone help that stupid woman stand?" Edra's brothers immediately came forward to pick her up. John heard them mutter something about it not being their idea before they were gone.
John watched them for a while, thankful that there had been no bloodshed. Eventually, he turned to his people. "Okay, let's pack up camp and leave these folks in peace."
Carson stepped forward. "There'll be no packing up for you, Colonel. Just leave that to the lads." Out of respect he'd used John's rank because his men were still standing around them. "You handled that situation very well and I'm delighted to see you fit enough to take action once again."
John knew what he really meant but was grateful that Beckett hadn't made a thing of it in front of his men. "Thanks, Carson." John patted his friend's arm. "And thanks for everything you've done for me."
"You're welcome. Now I must go and start to sort things out. Come on you burly lads, give me a hand packing up the equipment and dismantling the shelters. We'll start with the med-lab." he addressed the Marines.
John looked at Teyla and exchanged a smile. She grabbed his arm and began to lead him back towards his shelter so he could rest while they waited. "I am also delighted to see the light return to your eyes, John."
"Yeah, I'm feeling a bit more positive about things now, but…," He hesitated for a moment, "could you make sure they don't make a big fuss when we arrive back home."
"We will." Teyla reassured him.
The reference to 'we' made John suddenly take note that Ronon was still hovering behind him. They hadn't exchanged a word since John's breakdown because neither had known where to begin. John was fearful that he had lost Ronon's respect and friendship, so when the Satedan grabbed him in a gentle bear hug it took him totally by surprise. After a few light squeezes, Ronon thankfully put him back down again.
Ronon looked almost shy when he said. "Good to have you back, buddy. I'm sorry for what I said."
"Na you were right. It was just that no matter how hard I tried to think positively, the world seemed as black as night. Guess that AI from way back was right about me, I do torture myself." That was the first time he had admitted it but thankfully both Ronon and Teyla never asked for details. No doubt they might some other time. "I think the darn virus just made matters worse by upsetting my chemistry. Anyway it seems Carson's potion is helping. From now on I have to try and be more upbeat about my successes and not so tortured by my failures. Everybody has them, I guess. I've got to remember that and try to be more assured. Not take it so personal when something goes wrong." John didn't say anything more. He really did need to get a focus on what was important in his life and right now his new found relationship with Teyla and getting his health fully restalled were his top priorities.
Teyla hooked her arm through his. "Well said, John, and do not forget we are all here for you."
John smiled for the first time in days and he even winked at her. "I know you are."
TBC
A slightly longer chapter to tie you over the weekend. Hope you have a good one and enjoy.
