Through A Lens Darkly

by Thoseeyesoh

Sheppard has to follow orders against his better judgment and worries this could be the end of his time on Atlantis one way or another, when the lives of everyone he knows are threatened. Some cameo roles in this story, but it's the usual Team plus Sheppard and a couple of new OC's that make this a darker tale than usual.

2. Chapter 2

Through A Lens Darkly – Chapter Two

SGA SGA SGA

The next morning found Sheppard and Ronon pounding their feet in a fast run around the base of Atlantis at six a.m.

"So why is Carson joining us on this mission later, Sheppard?"

Sheppard pulled up and jogged on the spot before he answered, just slightly breathless. "Because, if anything should go wrong, medical help is not a puddle jumper ride away!"

"Nothing is going to go wrong Sheppard."

"You don't know that Ronon." He said taking off again. "It's not on your neck to protect these journalists."

Ronon grabbed his shoulder and halted him from running any further. "It is my job to protect you though, and right now I need to protect you from you!"

"What is that supposed to mean?"

"Going overboard with security for these people, and now you are bringing along Carson as well. Rodney said this planet is safe."

Sheppard was incredulous. "After all these years, you don't think things can change drastically from one scenario to the next? And besides, this is a delicate manner that requires delicate handling." He took a step back and stared hard into Ronon's eyes. "I can't afford for anything to happen to these two Ronon. I need you to be extra vigilant buddy."

Ronon caught the tone in his voice and the slight slump in his shoulders; but the ache in his eyes of the unseen calamity ahead made him stand straight and take notice. He got it. No more jokes or contesting his orders. Sheppard needed him on top form the next few days. He saw his friend's need for full commitment and he would give it to him, but with a bit extra thrown in for good measure.

"I will be. Hey, don't worry. It will all go okay."

"It better be. Damn, now I have a stitch."

Stretching exercises solved the problem and then they were back at the door to the city. Sheppard swiped it open. "Quick shower and breakfast and then I'll see you in the 'jumper, okay?

"Yeah. Uh, Sheppard?"

"Buddy?"

"I got your back."

Sheppard smiled and jogged away shouting. "Got yours too buddy!"

SGA SGA SGA

Cassandra checked and re-checked her equipment one more time - all present and correct. This was an important assignment from her Uncle and she didn't want to let him down. She also understood a lot was at stake here for the Military Commander; John Sheppard, so she did not want to appear to be unprofessional today in her approach to her work. With ten minutes to go until she had to be in the control room, therefore, she sat on her bed and marvelled again at the sight of all that water out of her window, just gathering herself.

She had to smile at young Pyeter yesterday, when he voiced her thoughts at being in another galaxy; and that then got her thinking about Sheppard, and she could tell how utterly angry he was at their presence in Atlantis, and more importantly, the dangers he thought if they leaked out the secret and exposed Atlantis. That was okay, he did not know them. Once he realised they were one hundred percent committed to the project and its rules, he could relax. She just needed to get on an even ground with him.

Afghanistan.

They had both been there during the war she knew. One reporting, and one serving as a soldier. Different and diverse, but united in witnessing the horrors that unfolded there on a daily basis. That's what puzzled her about him. He seemed a man of action, and even though she was only allowed to know a little about him; and yes, of course, nobody had ever had this assignment before in a different galaxy; still, why did he remain here? Also, there didn't seem much that the many Marines she had met here could do in a day; but train, she supposed; and explore. Cassandra had taken many photographs of them yesterday, but again, the Colonel remain shy of her camera and hesitant of being in any videos. She really did have to win him over, she decided. She flicked through some of the pictures she had of him and found herself staring and staring at them. He was handsome, for sure and Pyeter had ribbed her later in the day yesterday that he thought she had been flirting with him. Cassandra laughed as she looked at the photograph again. What was that boy thinking! Still, as she looked again at his photo, she couldn't help but feel a small blush on her cheeks come out. He had a lovely smile that came out when he was speaking to his team and Dr Beckett and she would give anything for him to smile at her like that.

Cassandra! She scolded herself. Now, was not the time to fall for some-one. She had a job to do and she would do it well; as always.

Her door chimed, and she jumped up to answer it.

"Pyeter! I got a fright!"

"Ha Ha. This is unreal, yes?"

"For sure. Come on, let's go to the control room. We don't want to upset Colonel Sheppard with our tardiness." She smiled back at their marine guards as she said that, but they remained blank faced, so she didn't push her luck.

They met up with Sheppard and his team and then the chance for more conversation was cut short by their brief by Colonel Sheppard and then their first sight of the puddle jumpers and they stood with their mouths open. Realisation kicked in that they were actually going on a space flight. Cassandra stood rooted to the spot but Pyeter clicked on his camera and filmed his run towards the craft. Sheppard was standing there at the top of the ramp to welcome them and even mock saluted Pyeter as he walked up the ramp and entered the 'jumper.

"Wow!" He said, "Wow, just WOW!"

Cassandra started her own walk towards it and Carson scooped up beside her and linked his arm with hers. "Come on, love. Don't be shy. You'll love this." He guided her in and by this time Sheppard was in the pilots chair and going through his pre-flight checks.

"Ronon and Teyla have relinquished their seats for your inaugural flight so pop on up front the both of you." He prompted.

Cassandra took many photographs, but Sheppard held up his hand for her not to take photos of what came up on the HUD. She obliged, understanding the sensitive information he wanted kept private.

"May I take one of you sitting there…please?"

Rodney sat himself in the co-pilot's chair. "Of course! He doesn't mind. Do you Sheppard?" He said with a grin.

Sheppard sighed. "Make it quick." He grunted.

Cassandra looked down the lens at the Pilot and adjusted the focus until he was in her sights, in all his Atlantean glory. The look he give her, raw and open, almost took her breath away, and she had to remind herself to actually press the button.

Rodney coughing alerted her to the deed and she thanked Sheppard, before taking one of McKay and then making a show of packing the camera away in her vest she had been supplied with.

"You got a cough, Rodney?" Sheppard asked.

Rodney quickly dispelled Sheppard's fears of him coming down with something; rather he wanted to remind Cassandra to press the button as she seemed to be taking a long time to take the photo of Sheppard. He had thought he would have been uncomfortable with that, but perhaps he had been mistaken as he hardly moved and fixed his stare on the photographer. Uh oh, was all he thought. Was Sheppard really falling for Cassandra? This could only end in tragedy.

Satisfied everything was good with the 'jumper, Sheppard closed the hatch and they all watched the excited expressions on the faces of Cassandra and Pyeter as they went through the Stargate and into the wide open dark space of the Pegasus galaxy.

There, there was no sound, and that carried into the interior of the 'jumper, where the two journalists were in awe of their surroundings and equally with the 'jumper's superior capabilities. It was unlike anything they had travelled in before.

"Bet this beats a helicopter any day?" Cassandra asked Sheppard, now standing behind his shoulder and leaning over him slightly to look into the black velvet, pinpricked with stars.

"It sure does. To fly one is to be immersed into its core really. Like you are one with it – not constantly battling a stick in a helicopter anyway!" Sheppard caught the slightly perfumed scent coming from Cassandra and he unconsciously breathed it in and held the fragrance in his memory. It was light and flowery, but with a hint of musk. Sheppard was pretty sure he had never smelt anything quite so nice. Or was it because she was wearing it! Damn. He couldn't afford to bungle this mission by falling for the very person he had to protect. Yes, with his life – not his heart; that would be treacherous and lead to mistakes on his behalf.

Mentally chiding himself, he; as quick as he acknowledged his growing fondness for the journalist, forced the feeling back into the recesses of his mind and mentally locked the door on it.

The short journey continued and the green duo oh'd and ah'd at all the right moments; making the rest of the team smile with appreciation; and may-be just a reminder to them also, at the wonders of the galaxy around them.

Soon, the 'purple' planet came into view and Sheppard – not without an inward cry of relief – landed the 'jumper on it, with Pyeter hardly able to contain his excitement. Sheppard released the ramp and Ronon stepped out first, blaster in front of him in readiness, but was soon holstered by the lack of any initial sign of trouble, the planet was uninhabited, after all.

Cassandra drew in a big breath of the alien air and smiled.

"Did you think it would be different somehow?" Carson asked.

"Guess so!" She smiled, her eyes creasing in wonder.

"I do thoroughly check the planets for breathable air before we land." Rodney said.

"I know Dr McKay. It's just…well…"

"Amazing!" Pyeter piped up.

There was a dull roar of the sea and of wind and the light danced up ahead in an alien glow. A flash of lightning and a clap of thunder and Sheppard turned on his heel to look at Rodney; his face unable to betray his disappointment.

"Rodney? I thought the weather was good here?"

Rodney flapped about with his tablet. "It is. I can't predict the weather exactly, you know!" He said indignant.

Sheppard could have retaliated but he had temporarily lost sight of the two journalists who seemed to be captivated by the sights in front of them and were filming and taking photographs in a serious speed; almost like a semi-automatic releasing its full potential.

"What did I say? Keep close to us, and DO NOT wander off!" Sheppard was furious. Deeply worried, he was having a hard time not holding out for their hands to hold, like some overprotective parent.

Carson spoke up. "Let them off the leash for a wee while lad, it's a joy to watch their excitement."

Sheppard looked over to the doctor, surprised he had spoken up; usually allowing the Colonel to lead in his decisions.

Sheppard swallowed a quick retort and decided to recognise the doc's observations and allowed the due's darting about – but never keeping his eyes off them. On a proper mission, things would be different.

Carson clapped him on the shoulder and walked after his team as they walked ahead to take in more of the planet with Sheppard walking quite a bit behind, surveying everything and everyone with equal observation.

He became aware of Ronon slowing his pace and knew that he would be at his side soon.

"You okay Sheppard?

"No. Not really, nervous." He admitted.

Taken aback at how fast he was to lay bare his feelings, Ronon stared at him for a few seconds too long.

"Don't Ronon. I'll be fine …when they step back through the 'gate on Earth anyway!" He muttered the last bit.

"I wasn't going to say anything."

Sheppard allowed a quick reprieve of his supervisions to briefly stare at his friend but soon replaced his view of him with that of the rest of the team, posing or helping the two journalists. Teyla and Rodney seemed especially happy to help Pyeter and Carson drifted between the two separate parties, spreading himself equally.

Sheppard was just deciding if they had walked too far from the 'jumper, when he noticed Cassandra launch herself off of a large boulder she had been precariously perched on, and out of his sight.

He hurried over, shouting to Ronon to keep his eyes on the others and tell them to make their way back to the 'jumper so they could see the other side of the planet.

Cassandra had scurried up the large boulder she had favoured from yards away, loving the warm feeling of its surface but knew she had to climb it quickly before the ever watchful Colonel stopped her from doing so. The prize to capture with her lens, from the greater height, was the rolling purple and blue cloud that was gathering momentum quite a distance away.

It surprised her, when she found herself continuing to see if he was watching her; and even more surprised to feel that her breath caught in her throat to find that he was. He was a constant presence, almost like an enigmatic, black clad, bulldog. The thing was, she didn't need anybody to look after her; never had. A well respected journalist back on Earth, she had been a war photographer in Afghanistan for several months and then took a secret assignment she still struggled to get over. An esteemed portrait photographer for the White House, Military and private clients followed for the quieter life. She could handle herself with anyone; friendly and serious and equally admired for her tenacity in any situation; leaving her a friend of both males and females with equal alacrity. Therefore, one Lt Colonel was not going to thwart her professionalism on a mission – no matter how good looking or absorbing he was.

So she jumped off the relatively low height and onto the soft bushes below. This planet was living up to her expectations and her mind was reeling with the new experiences; so when she was yanked back hard from her next step by her shoulder, her reflexes to protect her camera and work, caused her to step abruptly away from whomever was grabbing her and cradle her equipment. Unsteady on her feet, she would have fallen if Sheppard had not pushed her back against the boulder at the same time.

"What do you think you are doing?" He bellowed angrily. "You stay in my sight at all times!"

Cassandra stared at him; not used to having somebody speak to her so angrily. She felt angry herself and pushed away from the boulder and righted herself without the offer of his proffered hand; shaking it away with a slap.

"Don't speak like that to me Colonel! I am not a small child." She said defensively.

Staring daggers at him, she could see his forehead was covered in a slight sheen of sweat and his eyes, god his eyes! They were so fierce, so livid ... so worried; that any reply was stolen from her and she finally understood just how much his job had been made worse by her brief deviation from the rest of the team.

Sheppard stood there looking at her.

Going against her usual defiant nature, Cassandra backed down and faced him. "I am sorry Colonel. I guess I got a bit carried away with all the colours, textures and different plants… and look at the sky?"

Sheppard looked at the planet as if noticing it at last. Cassandra had been correct. The colours of the planet screamed different colours of greens, blues and purples, broken up with a dash of yellow and white here and there; and then he looked up towards the sky in the distance she had been pointing to.

Forgoing scolding her further, Sheppard tapped his ear.

"Rodney. What's the weather saying?"

"Wh'r… are you? We were abou... to send … a search par…"

"Rodney!"

"Hold on Shep'd... I've been checking!"

"Well do it faster." He looked at his LSD, happy to see they were almost beside the 'jumper.

Sheppard didn't acknowledge Cassandra as she starting walking up beside him, without uttering another word, but made sure she was in his peripheral at all times. His heart had been in his mouth when she had disappeared out of sight and he had fairly ran the short distance to find her.

Still panting, he walked with quick strides to meet up with the others when his radio buzzed in his ear.

"Shep'rd?"

"Rodney. Tell Me?" No niceties, this was serious.

Sheppard cringed into his shoulders when a loud burst of static burst forward instead of Rodney's voice. He tapped his ear piece again. "Rodney. Say again?"

"Sh'ppd…" It sounded like Rodney was shouting.

"Is something wrong?" Cassandra puffed as their walking speed had picked up a notch.

Sheppard raised his hand to silence her for now, but his look was soft; he just really needed to hear the transmission.

"Ther…s'thing…wr...ng…get back to…"

"What?" He fairly shouted, suddenly feeling a cool breeze on his face and then an obvious and total silence froze the planet in time and he stopped his walk/run and instinctively grabbed hold of Cassandra's elbow.

"Rodney, please repeat. Rodney, you are breaking up?"

Incredibly loud crackling noises once again caused him to momentarily pull out the offending ear piece before reinserting it, albeit it with caution.

Cassandra stilled beside him. "Colonel, what is that?"

Sheppard, his hearing still disturbed by the loud interference, snatched a quick look to where she was pointing and this time his heart did fall.

"Bloody hell. Cassandra, stay with me." He ordered.

He had heard of them of course. Everybody across the world had witnessed the horrors one particular tsunami had reaped several years ago and friends who had been caught up in it had told him of the incredible quiet that had come over their beach they had been sitting on. The first sign something had been wrong.

The next sign, he was looking at now with unbridled horror, was the receding of the body of water he had flown over in the 'jumper.

Sheppard seemed frozen to the spot. Is that what was happening to them?

He had to move, he knew that, as coming towards them next, accompanied by precipitation, would be a surge of displaced water so huge, it would sweep them, his team, including Pyeter and the 'jumper further away to their probable deaths.

"We need to get to higher ground." Sheppard spun around and darted towards a hill in the opposite direction from where they came.

Cassandra followed mechanically. "Oh my goodness. What's happening?"

"Just run!"

"The 'jumper is in the other direction!" She screamed.

At that, a roar started to break up the silence and both of them couldn't help but steal a look behind them.

Her hand at her mouth, Cassandra, looked at Sheppard and witnessed his immediate sorrow that this was happening to them.

She took a second to stroke his cheek and closed her eyes briefly.

Sheppard grabbed her hand, causing her to open them sharply. "We would never make it there in time. Come one, if we can climb that hill, it may be high enough."

"If we get there in time!"

Sheppard flashed her a rare smile of assurance and started his run, pulling her by the hand and she did not want him to let her go. Her feet pummelled the previously lovely green grass-like plant and was glad of his strength because she would never had been able to keep up with him at the pace he had set.

Cassandra watched as Sheppard kept pressing his ear piece with his free hand as they ran, not wasting precious seconds looking behind him.

Silence was too conspicuous in his ears, but he could not worry about his friends just now; instead he trusted Ronon and Teyla would see the others to the 'jumper in time. Unfortunately, the roaring noise had picked up in intensity and Sheppard could feel his heart roar in protest at the pressure he was putting his body through. His hand was crushing Cassandras, he was certain; but he had to hold on to her, keep her safe; well as much as he physical could. Nature on a strange planet was forcing that issue. Damn Rodney for his lack of research! No – that was wrong, he had been given an unrealistic amount of time to come up with a suitable planet to visit and for them to choose. No, damn Stargate Command; he had told them it would end in tragedy. Okay, he reckoned it might have been a Wraith invasion or something like that - not a natural disaster. Still. The fact remained that both Cassandra and himself were facing imminent death if he didn't get them to safety soon.

The longed for hill came into view just as a crushing weight of rain fell on them as they ran, making the ground slippery with its deluge in minutes. The warmth of the planet previously, was like a distant memory, as shards of glass like daggers had their clothes soaked and their skin battered. This was a precursor to the body of water, and it felt bad enough.

Military boots were tough, almost impenetrable; but no rubber soles on any footwear could keep a grip for long and Sheppard fell to his knees on many occasions, dragging a, fused to his hand, Cassandra, with him.

Sheppard risked a side glance to Cassandra but struggled to hear what she was saying to him for the incredibly loud noise that now was within reach and about to hit them.

With a last surge of strength, Sheppard hauled Cassandra up beside him when they, at last, reached the hill. The water divided at its base and he could feel it lap heavily on his ankles, matching his climbing speed. He felt the wet drag of foliage but he climbed steadily, ignoring the persistent ache in his back and shoulders, until he could no longer see where he was going, just gripped Cassandra's hand and pulled her upwards in a mad fury, until the roots and limbs of various bushes and trees came up at him too quickly, out of the dark and gloomy sky, and he felt a limb whack him on the forehead and he stumbled, abruptly and unwillingly, letting go of Cassandras hand. He never felt the sting of the branch open his skin or the piercing rain as it flowed down his face with the rivulets of blood seeping from the wound, he just knew he had to rise up and grab the photographer again for another surge upwards.

The first reach outwards, searching for her hand, came up empty and he flailed in the dark and wet, seeking the feel of her cold skin on his. Desperate for it now, Sheppard spun around and shouted out her name, although he could not even hear it himself, in the all-consuming boom of water.

The next touch was at first like a prickling sensation and he thought he heard a gently whisper in his mind but he didn't allow the growing numbness to reject this chance and he splayed out frozen fingers until they grabbed onto the cold hand of Cassandra and his pulse jumped wildly, he could not hold it. Pain punctured his head and his body, as everything that came on the wave's wild ride, slammed into him without protection. He hunted for his reserves and drew strength from adrenaline and reached behind him until he had her hand once again in a tight grip. Screwing his eyes up into slits against the torrent, he peered out of that shuttered vision and when a flash of light in the stormy sky lit up her face, he could have cried. She looked terrified, a little bit cut up, but otherwise and so far, not broken or dead.

Sheppard's body grew heavy when temporary stimulation started to fade, and after he had pulled, slipped and climbed to almost the top, he felt Cassandra suddenly stumble as if in slow motion. Another lightning strike highlighted the distance that was starting to separate the two and Sheppard, shivering, wasted no time in diving after her descent, witnessing her wide eyed stare towards him in horror. He fell back at one point but kept a good hold of a branch, his right leg slipping downward. Something pulled at it and he then felt a strong grip on his ankle. Cassandra.

He laid back, for just a moment to catch his breath, and lay there in the cascading stream caused by the rain. There were many lives he knew and had known, but at that very moment, the only life he cared about was presently hanging on to his leg with a weak grip, shaking with a tiredness that he knew, would not hold out for long.

He tried to grab her hand but she couldn't either see him or had not the strength to reach that lifeline, and he could not feel flesh under him neither; he also knew he could not risk moving his leg in case he uprooted Cassandras hold if she was still holding on to him. He tried to stretch his arm further and felt a sudden shift. His hands and feet were numb with the cold and the wet but he reached up this time and anchored a hold onto another branch of a resident tree he hoped and not one just lodged in place by the disaster.

Trying not to think negatively, Sheppard just breathed and rode the storm as it battered him, and no doubt Cassandra, in its path. One unseen object slammed into his thigh, causing him to jump at the sharp pain. For a second he thought he felt movement leave his ankle and he realised he may have dislodged Cassandra after all, but then, through the numbness, the comforting hold of Cassandra was felt.

Sheppard tried reaching down again and was rewarded when Cassandras cold hand grabbed his at last. Through the boom of water hitting land and the storm above their heads, he saw her mouth open and close with silent words but he then felt her try to pull herself up so he realised she must have found a good foothold. Sheppard pulled and pulled, and at one point the wet disturbed his grip on her so much, he was only left with her fingertips and he panicked, but then she was there, leaning awkwardly into him and clutching his jacket this time.

"Bloody hell!" Cassandra cried out.

Another flash above their heads and Sheppard got a good look at her. Bedraggled, didn't even cover it. He didn't think there was an inch of skin on her face, that wasn't covered by either a leaf, grass or mud; and perhaps even a smear of blood here and there. Cassandra found occasion to laugh all of a sudden; probably a release from fear, but it started off Sheppard too and together they hung on to each other and freed some pent up emotion.

Another almighty roar and Sheppard pointed to a hollowed out area where a tree had come away from the hillside and almost propelled Cassandra into the scooped out area left in its wake. It had just enough room for her, so Sheppard stayed attached to the tree itself at its entrance and felt the force of the water as it continued to pour all around him. He reached into one of his pockets and pulled out a small watertight bag and handed it to Cassandra. She tried to open it to retrieve the pocket sized thermal blanket, but her hands could not stop shaking with the cold.

"Take your time." He shouted but Cassandra received the advice as a whisper. Still, she understood what he had said and finally she pulled the golden metallic sheet out to its full size and wrapped it around her, realising that Sheppard had no hope of taking some comfort from its warmth. Whilst she shuffled about in the small space, trying to get comfortable, she pulled her heavy camera towards her and grimaced looking at it. So far, it seemed intact, but it could fall into the water at any given time. It was waterproof, of course, but not against biblical proportions as this, and she looked at it with worry. Sheppard noticed her expression and he pointed to the empty bag the blanket had been in. Not understanding what he meant at first, she shrugged her shoulders and looked at him quizzically until he pointed towards the narrow slit on her camera and then the bag. Ah, it was a perfect solution. Cassandra opened up the slot where the memory card was stored and quickly deposited it into the bag and sealed it tight, pocketing the package inside her top pocket. 'Thank you', Cassandra mouthed towards him, not even attempting to speak. Sheppard nodded and quickly squeezed her arm.

For the next few minutes, Cassandra watched Sheppard as he clung on to the tree. His face was taut with the strain of staying in the same position. She wiped her face clear of the storm deposits and studied Sheppard's face, he had quite a gash on his forehead and even as she watched him, she saw an egg shaped lump appear underneath it. Numerous red scratches criss-crossed across his nose and cheeks and she imagined that when she looked in a mirror next, she would see the same things on her, as her face smarted with pain, like tiny little paper cuts.

Both chilled to the bone, it took a good few minutes for them to realise that the water had not risen further and it must have reached its height; which was quite considerable compared to a few minutes ago.

"Colonel, are you okay?" Cassandra tentatively asked, unsure if he could hear her.

Sheppard grunted and raised his head towards her. "Never better, you?"

Cassandra released a weak smile, knowing perfectly well he was being cheery for her sake.

"Wha … what do we do now?"

"Wait for rescue."

Cassandra sat huddled in her muddy shelter, too weary to move into a better position. She knew Sheppard could not hold on for much longer, but at least the water had now remained at that level. She reached out her hand and sought his shoulder, offering what comfort she could give him.

"It'll be fine."

He said that, soaked as he was. "Rescue will be imminent, as long as they got back to the 'jumper in time." Sheppard speculated.

Cassandra grew worried for him as time moved on; so she nodded her head, trying to believe he was right. Once again she reached for him, but this time she gently wiped away the dirt she could reach on the left side of his face. He leaned into her palm slightly and she found herself cupping his face. They remained like that for a minute longer until Sheppard pulled away as he momentarily lost his grip on the fallen tree. Her hair soaked water, it was hard for Cassandra to know if it was the rain falling down her face or tears as she watched him right himself once more and barely contain a groan or two. The cold rain persisted, enveloping them in a cloak of ice and she watched Sheppard violently shiver. Her thermal blanket afforded her some warmth but she still trembled; so how much more so did Sheppard feel.

"You are too cold …John, I can hear your teeth shattering over here!"

His teeth were indeed chattering together. Sheppard blinked away some water from his eyes and coughed slightly. The cold was piercing, as was the pain of whatever had slammed into his thigh and the thumping pressure of the whack to his head. The two competed with each other and he moved gently, fighting against them because they both wanted him to fall into unconsciousness.

"Sh…shatt...ering…good! Means…I…hav…nt...got …too cold…yet!"

Sheppard shivered convulsively, stomach knotting up against threatening nausea, his limbs jerked when the wind caught him with a brutal slam and threatened to move the stuck tree. He twisted his head to look at Cassandra watching him with worry and wished he could reassure her further, but it was beyond him at the moment. He just needed to ride it out until the 'jumper came into view and then worry about how they were going to rescue them.

He swayed in the buffeting wind and tried to move, but his arms were now too chilled to move accurately, and his hands fumbled on the rough bark, trying to get a purchase. He felt Cassandra move suddenly to take the only arm that she could reach and pat it hard so that he knew he was holding on okay. He smiled. The light diminished, wrapped in advancing clouds that spat out its greeting in a melting mist. Chilled to the bone, Sheppard could feel his head hang heavy and tried so hard to fight his new enemy: fatigue. He was struggling to stay awake now. It threatened to suck his very bones, his very blood. It was the worst of his present enemies and the one most likely to succeed in making him lose his grip and sink into the water, tugging at his legs as it had been trying to do since it all started.

He managed to look up at Cassandra again, and her watching face reminded him of his means to escape his predicament He could not let her down and leave her here; possibly unseen from her position, and not be rescued. He should have insisted that their two guests and sub-q's implanted after all. He hung there with the chill working its way into his bones. How long had they been missing? Should they not be here by now?

Cassandra was shaking his shoulder hard now and he watched her point to something in the sky. Wearily he looked up and smiled. Rodney had found them. He allowed himself to stare at the 'jumper as it drew nearer and even creased his face into a grin when Rodney's concentrating face stared back at him with tight, thin lips.

Cassandra grabbed hold of his sleeve and he could tell she was wondering what the next step would be to rescue them. To be honest so was he; as his brain had given up some time ago, along with his numb body. The 'jumper slowly turned round and Cassandra again pointed in wonder, as the back ramp was lowered and they hovered over their space.

"Sheppard?" Ronon shouted down to them against the buffeting wind, leaning over the edge as far as he could.

But Sheppard's attempt at answering him was a low croaked version of his normal voice, so Cassandra put her hand on his arm to stop another try.

"He is cold. Too cold. Please, you need to get him out of this water." She fairly cried out.

Sheppard waved a feeble hand and tried to point upwards, wanting to know how far from the top they were.

Ronon now paced, trying to decide what the best thing to do for their rescue, with Pyeter getting in his way; the young lads face was all pale and worried, but he sat down on the bench with none too gentle direction from Ronon. Teyla held Beckett back from falling as he wanted to kneel down and speak to Sheppard.

"It is tricky holding her steady." Rodney shouted from the cockpit. "Hurry it up!" and then, "Is he all right?"

"Just try and hold her, Rodney. He looks frozen." Teyla said.

Carson was now about a couple of arms reach away from Cassandra, who had left her burrow and was holding on to Sheppard's fallen tree as best she could without turning it round and dislodging him.

"Cassandra, good to see you both alive. Any injuries?"

"Are we pleased to see you Doctor Beckett! I am fine, just some scrapes and bruises but the Colonel has been in the cold water too long and he has had a blow to the head."

Carson followed her eyes to his half-drowned friend and grimaced. He looked worn out and pale.

"Colonel, hang on. We will get you out of there soon. How is your head? Concussion?"

Sheppard managed to shake his head and grinned sleepily. "Just tired, Doc. How far away is the top?" He croaked out between coughing fits.

"Not far at all lad. What were you thinking?"

"Don't ask him anything. His brain is all slush at the moment!" Rodney half joked.

"Noth…ing wrong…with…m'hearing Rodney…" Sheppard chittered away.

"I think Teyla and I should get out the 'jumper at the top and work our way down to them. I'll take the ropes and we can harness them that way and drag them out. Pretty sure that's what Sheppard would want us to do." Ronon said.

"It's a steep drop down to them with lots of shingle. How will we get them up the rest of the hill back to the 'jumper, when they are so very tired already?" Teyla asked.

"Push, pull or carry. Whichever one it takes." Ronon enlightened.

"I'll jump in the water and rope them up first?" Pyeter suggested.

"No way." Carson said. "You sit tight, we will get your friend out soon enough without you getting chilled as well."

"Perhaps he should. He is young and fit and he can support Sheppard as he looks like he can't hold on to that tree for much longer."

"Yes, please. I can do this! Cassie and I have been in all sorts of predicaments before you know."

"I imagine you have lad. Well if you think that's the best option Ronon?"

Sheppard screwed his eyes up, wanting to know what his team were planning. The next thing he knew, Pyeter had landed not far from him in the water, holding two ropes; himself having one tied round his waist and it's length floating behind him, waiting on Ronon's strong pull up the hill.

"Pyeter!" Cassandra cried. "You young idiot! What are you doing in the water?"

"Oh goodness, it's so cold!" Pyeter gasped and struggled for a bit when the cold temperature soaked into his clothes and touched his skin.

Rodney flew the 'jumper up higher and eventually landed it in a clearing. The rest of the team ran down the hillside until they were as near to the other three as possible.

"Stay there Doc, I'll get Cassandra first and hand her up to you." Ronon instructed and dropped into the water from his precarious position on the loose shingle at the fallen trees position.

Ronon could know see Sheppard close up and knew he had to work fast as his friend was failing fast.

"Sheppard. We are here, hang on okay. Don't fall asleep yet."

"Trying to…buddy…"

"Good. I'm getting Cassandra up the hill first, so don't move."

Ronon touched Cassandra's arm and noticed that Pyeter had already put the rope around her waist in readiness.

"Good job, Pyeter. Could you support Sheppard and get him ready next?"

Pyeter never said a word but left Cassandra in Ronon's capable hands and watched him pull her out fully from her protection.

"Sorry, but you will have to go in the water."

"I can see that. Don't worry, just direct me and I'll follow on."

Ronon grinned. Cassandra was made of strong stuff and he admired the woman for that.

"Carson grab her rope and hold it until I get to you."

The rope flew in the air, a curtain of droplets fell from it as it soared and Carson deftly caught it. Next, Ronon instructed Cassandra to duck under the tree into the water, which she did without wasting a second and pushed her towards the slippery bank.

Between Carson and Teyla pulling the rope and Ronon pushing her up from behind, Cassandra made it onto the banking and Teyla quickly wrapped her up in a blanket and together with Rodney, who had now joined them, slipped their way to the top, with Cassandra sandwiched safely between them.

Ronon didn't take time to check everything was okay. He just had one focus now and that was Sheppard. Pyeter had again, been busy with the other rope and was holding onto Sheppard with a worried expression on his face.

"He's like ice. I've only been in a few minutes and I can't stand the feeling of the cold!"

"Get out of it now, if you can do it by yourself, Carson will pull your rope. Throw it to him. You have done a good job Pyeter."

Ronon turned his attention back to his friend. "Sheppard?...John?" Ronon asked him quietly, afraid his head was hurting.

Sheppard had heard him, but moving and replying was a whole different ball game so he remained where he was, unable to move. The ice cold water was making a frozen statue of him.

A quick glance up at Carson, and he saw Pyeter out of the water and the doc wrapping a blanket around his shoulders before he trudged his own way to the top and the warmth of the 'jumper.

"How is he?" Carson shouted to Ronon when he saw him watching him.

Ronon just shook his head slowly and Carson cringed slightly, waiting on an ill Colonel coming out of the water to tend to. He watched Ronon gently put one arm around Sheppard's waist and pull him away from the tree with Sheppard clutching in empty air for his lifeline, not realising he had a new one holding him tight against his chest. Ronon whispered in Sheppard's ear words Carson could not hear, but next he watched Ronon put his hand on the top of his head and ducked him under the tree into the water and pulled him to the other side, where Sheppard came up gasping and coughing.

With urgent strides, Ronon reached the best way up again and Carson was ready for the expected rope. Once again, he caught it but was surprised to see Ronon managing to push himself up onto the banking first. The strength he had to do that by himself, almost caused Carson to stop what he was doing in awe of him, but the pull on the rope made him aware that he was in fact holding all of Sheppard's weight, so he dug his heels in and waited on Ronon to join him.

"Start pulling Doc." Ronon shook, and then joining him, pulled the rope until the top of Sheppard's head appeared and then his shoulders.

"Keep him there tight!" Ronon bellowed and slid his way closer to Sheppard's body. Once there, he got a hold under one arm and started dragging the soaked man up and out of the water, which soaked his clothes and made him twice his normal weight. "Pull, Carson, now!"

Soon, like a fish flopping on the ground, freshly caught on a line, Sheppard appeared and immediately started to struggle. Ronon was there in an instant and grabbed him around his waist and hauled him up beside Carson who took one look at him and grabbed the other side.

The two men had no words but their eyes spoke volumes at the state of their friend.

"Son, we've got you now." Carson eventually panted out, struggling with the weight of him.

"Hmm … Cass…"

"Ssh, Cassandra is fine. Teyla is looking after her."

Sheppard remained quiet after that and his head drooped, causing them to hasten their strides upwards.

Teyla rushed out to meet them.

"Rodney dialled Atlantis and they are having the infirmary ready with warming blankets and… oh goodness, John!"

"That's good news. Quick, let me see to him."

Teyla, and now Pyeter, took Sheppard out of the arms Carson and Ronon and placed him on the floor of the 'jumper with Carson falling to his knees beside him.

"Ronon help me get these wet clothes off of him. Colonel, can you hear me?"

Pyeter held Sheppard up whilst the other two men stripped him but he was unconscious and did not hear the doc's questions. Ronon quickly dried his chest and back before putting on a fresh shirt to warm him up. When Carson started cutting away his trousers to save time, he audibly gasped.

"What the…?"

"What is it?" Rodney shouted back from hurriedly flying towards Atlantis." He was on auto-pilot but concern for Sheppard was making him snap at everybody because he was unable to see what was happening behind him.

Ronon looked down to where Carson was looking and his mouth opened.

"What the hell is that?"

Teyla had helped Cassandra remove her wet clothes and get dressed in some dry BDU's, so now she and a shivering Cassandra looked down from the bench they were sitting on too.

Sheppard's right thigh was one huge black and blue bruise but in the middle of the injury was a piece of metal, jammed into the flesh, with a slight trickle of blood escaping the hole.

Ronon went to touch it, but Carson put his hand out, blocking him. "No Ronon, don't touch it, leave it there. It's stopping him from bleeding out. I'll take it out in theatre back on Atlantis."

"I don't understand." whispered Cassandra. "He never said a word about that when he was in the water."

"He probably didn't feel it, as cold as he was. It's no bloody scratch either!" Carson shook his head, "I'll just put a bandage on it just now to secure it, as he isn't losing too much blood, thank goodness." Carson looked towards Cassandra. "His head has had a bang too." To which Cassandra nodded. "But it's the cold that's making me not like these readings." Carson looked up towards Rodney. "How much longer Rodney?"

"Thirty minutes, I'm going as fast as I can."

"I know you are lad." Carson replied as he wrapped Sheppard in yet another blanket.

Teyla came down beside him and lifted his head onto her knee, stroking back his wet hair from his bruised forehead. Carson started an I.V and some fluids on him and soon turned his attention towards Cassandra.

"Sorry, lass. How are you doing?"

"I am well, Teyla got me out of my wet clothes and I am warming up now. Just look after the Colonel."

Carson stood upright and took her wrist as he sat down beside her and then went through a quick health check against her objections, with a smile on his face.

"I suppose you are one of these stubborn ones too – I get that a lot."

Cassandra let her head fall back against wall of the 'jumper and sighed. "I could sleep." She yielded.

"Aye? Well, you can do that for as long as you like when we get back to Atlantis, but do me a favour and stay awake until then. You've had quite a shock young lady and you've got a few scratches that are needed cleaned up first, never mind how frozen you feel too, Okay?"

"Okay." Cassandra looked back at Sheppard's face and Teyla stroking his brow. "He will be okay though, won't he?"

"Aye, he will. Don't worry, I'll fix him up, good as new. Looks like we got to him in time though, any longer in that cold water…" Carson left the rest of his sentence unspoken. He didn't need to finish it, everyone had noticed how still their friend had got but his lips were no longer blue and he was starting to feel warmer to the touch.

"What the bloody hell happened anyway?" Pyeter asked, pulling on another dry jacket and throwing down his wet towel.

"I'll look when we get back to Atlantis." Rodney said. "But it looks like somethings has caused a tsunami type event.

Ronon had finally cast his own wet clothes and put on dry scrubs, but his hair dripped all over Carson as he stood guard over Sheppard.

"Ronon. Sit down." Carson instructed him. "There's nothing else you can do for him just now."

"He looks cold."

"He is … cold!" Sheppard stuttered out. "… feel … …ice block." He added shivering like mad.

Teyla looked down at him and smiled and then placed her hand on his forehead, arching slightly over his bump. "You will be warm soon enough John."

"That's quite an adventure you've had there Colonel. Just lie still and you will be in a nice warm bed in a few minutes…"

"Cassss..andra?" Sheppard looked up at Teyla's face.

"I am here John. Please stay quiet and let Carson look after you."

But Sheppard was Sheppard, and he wriggled about on the floor, trying to raise himself up to see Cassandra for himself, until Ronon knelt at his side and firmly, but gently, kept him flat on the floor.

"Sheppard!" He warned.

Sheppard allowed his head to fall back down on Teyla's knees and groaned when he felt a sting in his leg.

"Ah, my leg?"

"Something has stabbed you lad. That's why I want you to stay still. Now, how are you feeling? Anything else I should know about?"

"No. My head and leg just…apart from cold…" Sheppard closed his eyes after his short inventory of his health and Carson took the opportunity to tuck a nasal cannula under his nose and gave him some extra oxygen. He never moved or objected, worrying Cassandra.

"Doc? Is he okay?"

Carson went through his checks and leaned back from kneeling, to sitting down on the cool floor.

"Aye, just a wee bit help with his levels, that's all. He will be fine once we are home." Carson, however, continued to watch Sheppard as he slept, willing the 'jumper to go faster.

Pyeter walked over to her side of the 'jumper and knelt down in front of her.

"You doing okay, Cassie?"

Cassandra reached out to him and moved his wet hair out of his eyes. "Fine, I'm fine, don't worry." She lifted her camera. "Equipment has made it unscathed as well…and the photos I took, thanks to the Colonel."

At his curious look, Cassandra sighed tiredly. "I'll tell you later, I'm too tired just now. Hey, what happened to you guys?"

"After Sheppard's radio transmission, we couldn't get a good enough signal to warn you that Dr McKay had picked up some frightening readings and we hightailed it back to the puddle jumper, just as the water came. We soared higher trying to find you but there was so much debris, it was hard at first until Dr McKay picked up Sheppard's sub-q."

Cassandra nodded tiredly and Pyeter sat beside her, just two friends finding comfort in each other. She watched as Sheppard's friends rallied around him and wished she could see him awake again, to thank him for saving her life. She was finding the military man increasingly special. Her Uncle had been right, he may be a man of mystery to many, but he was living up to his deserved rank in her eyes, and if some people in the IOA or Stargate Command had a problem with him from now on, she would instil in her Uncle the capabilities and sacrifices of the Military Commander, to defend him, in her absence.

Cassandra felt Pyeter tap her knee to get her attention and she looked at him to see what he wanted. A startled expression was on his face and he subtly moved closer to her to whisper in her ear and point out something they both had not noticed before.

Pyeter whispered one word to her and it was as if a window to yet another door had been opened. She looked towards the object he had whispered about to her, and then in wonder, turned back to face him, dumfounded at his observation. Cassandra nodded once and then gripped his knee and shook her head. She needed time to think this through and Pyeter knew she would seek him out once she had recovered enough from her ordeal, so he sat back and waited on their return to Atlantis.

Cassandra also sat back and pulled the blanket closer to her. This time though, it was not the cold of the storm that chilled her, it was the object that was sticking out of Sheppard's thigh. A jagged piece of what looked like engraved metal. How could that be? That meant the planet they had just left had signs of intelligent life.

Cassandra looked at Sheppard's friends all huddled around him, watching him. No wonder they were all super wary of their arrival. One secret of the Pegasus galaxy had just been made know to them. What else were they hiding?

SGA SGA SGA

TO BE CONTINUED.