Through A Lens Darkly – Chapter Eight

SGA SGA SGA

"Is that everything?" Woolsey asked quietly, knowing it was already a lot to take in.

The silence spoke volumes.

They were exhausted from their trauma and briefing Woolsey of their original capture, Cassie being fed upon, their subsequent escape and now Sheppard's capture once again by the Wraith Queen – adding in a dash of new allies and old, in the shape of Caspva and Todd.

Teyla sought out Woolsey's eyes eventually and nodded. "Apart from the fact we left John behind!"

Woolsey would not allow the team to dwell on that subject. "Cassie is with Dr. Beckett?"

"She is, as is Caspva and his friends."

"You trust him – this Caspva? …Ronon?" At this stage, Woolsey was very interested in the new-comers, especially when they had told them of a hive ship that was hiding on the planet somewhere, empty of Wraith. It was intriguing to say the least. But his worry; increased worry, was for the health and return of his military commander, so, he knew, Ronon would not risk his rescue with strangers he did not trust.

Ronon stopped his pacing and leaned over the table opposite Woolsey.

"I trust them. Caspva said he would go back with us. Can we leave now?"

"No-one is going anywhere until I check you all out." Carson stepped into the room.

"Please Doctor, have a seat." Woolsey directed him to a chair.

"We are wasting time sitting here!"

"Ronon, I understand what you are feeling. Just let the infirmary check you over – and especially you, Teyla. I can see dried blood under your nose – don't think I am ignorant of what a Queen's mind can do to you." Carson said.

Teyla stood up. "Of course. If we are finished here Richard, let us be checked over, so we can quickly leave again."

Carson stood up, with his finger raised. "Just one moment." He looked at Woolsey, "I think I will go with them, goodness knows what has happened to the Colonel, I dread to think."

"Carson, we will bring him home so you can mother over him, but she is dangerous and I don't think you should come." Rodney put in. He was upset over one friend's tragedy already, the thought of something happening to Carson as well, was too much.

"I appreciate that Rodney, but I've made up my mind. The lad could be broken…I need to be able to see to him as soon as possible."

Rodney relented, knowing Carson was as stubborn as Sheppard was at times.

"Doc, you coming with us is a good thing. We are wasting time though, can we go now?" Ronon repeated.

Woolsey nodded.

Ronon, Teyla and Rodney all filed out of Woolsey's office and made their way to the infirmary for their health checks, leaving Lorne and Carson watching their retreating backs.

"Major, anything to add?"

"No, sir. I pretty much covered what Caspva said about the other hive ship. You still want me to take a team and search it out, whilst the others look for Sheppard?"

"Yes, unless you have any other ideas?"

"Only that I want to remain in radio contact with the others in case they need us."

"Of course. Get some food and gather your team. I don't think Ronon will wait too long to get going again!"

Major Lorne excused himself and Woolsey coughed to get Carson's attention as he made to follow him out of the door.

"The elephant in the room?"

Carson stopped walking and slowly turned to face him with a worried look on his face.

"Cassie?"

Woolsey nodded with a grimace.

"The lass is upset – understandably. I cannot lie Richard, I worry for her mental state, especially so if John is not returned…and to her! They formed quite a close bond in only a few weeks. I worry for the Colonel, if…when, we get John back and he sees her again - well, the worry and guilt, could prove to be too much for him, and especially if he can't find Todd to give her years back."

"He warned me about that in the beginning - he knew it would all end badly. I should have argued our case not to bring civilians here more at the time."

"Now, don't you start Richard - foresight, we do not have."

"No, you are correct." Woolsey smiled slightly, and then. "Cassie is comfortable?"

"She is. My staff, unfortunately, have seen these wounds before and are keeping a good eye on her. She is sleeping just now, but visit with her soon please. She would like the company and to be kept up-to-date about John I am sure."

"I will do that. Um, Carson?"

"Yeah?"

"Be careful out there."

Carson nodded. "We'll bring him home, Richard. Don't worry."

Woolsey smiled gently back at him, but worry and Colonel John Sheppard went together like a hand in a glove.

SGA SGA SGA

Sheppard felt the pull of the Queens mind to stand in her presence, but he remained obstinate – no doubt due to the last of the enzyme still in his body adding fuel to his fire.

What he did not expect next, was the speed of which she was able to open the door to his cell and roughly pick him up by his shirt, until his feet were dangling in the air. Contact was usually by using the mind, this Queen was different.

"I grow tired of your ability to fight me Sheppard, perhaps being physical with you will make you remember about Caspva and the interface.

Sheppard managed to raise one eye at the mention of being physical, but soon realised, thankfully, that that was not what she meant, as the next thing he knew, he was flying through the air at an incredible speed and he landed against the jagged stone wall with a smothered cry.

"St...op that!" He shouted out, whilst trying to get a breath and raise himself up off the ground.

"You leave me no choice..." Once again she landed beside him and swiftly took his head and threw him over her shoulder, where he actually landed outside the door. He was battered and very disorientated. Blood was pooling at his throat from a head wound and his shoulder screamed in agony. He wasn't sure if it was dislocated but the pain was enough to know something had been damaged. The head concussion was a problem he didn't need. Already feeling dazed, Sheppard staggered up and saw three Queens coming towards him. His balance was off and he struck out at one of them with a fist until he realised he had picked the wrong one and he punched nothing but air. The Queen spun fast and her foot connected with his stomach and once again he sailed through the air and fell over a sharp boulder that was still part of the rocky ground.

"St…" Sheppard tried to speak but had to cough out some blood.

The Queen stared down at him, licking her lips and moving her head from side to side. "Not so sure of himself now."

With speed he was now getting used to, Queenie knelt at his side and fingered the blood in the nape of his neck. She wiped her finger on the ground beside him with a grin and then poked the bash in his head when it had connected with the wall, until he made a grab for her wrist and connected with the real arm this time.

"Get..offf..me, um…"

Sheppard realised that the bang to his head had been severe enough to knock him out, and he felt his life force start to grown black in his vision; but just before he lost consciousness, unbelievably he saw Todd looming over her lowered height with a rock in his hand coming down and it connected with her skull. Todd's face was angry looking, but he managed a slight smile and then Sheppard knew only darkness.

SGA SGA SGA

"Shep-pard?"

Todd squatted down beside him after securing the Queen in many bonds and locking her in the cell, Sheppard had just been yanked from. He lay on his side, arms sprawled out. Todd, tentatively, checked for a pulse and sighed in relief when he found it. The head wound looked serious – enough to kill anyone. He checked him over for signs of other injuries. His back looked okay, apart from the mark he had left on him himself, but he balked when he noticed the shoulder at an odd angle and the dark bruising that was already showing on his body, including his stomach, side and neck.

Sheppard groaned and moved slightly but he did not awaken, even though his face was creased in pain. Todd quickly ran to fashion some bandages and used one of them to bind his bleeding head, taking care when lifting it up. He stashed the other strips and put them in his pocket.

"Shep-pard?" He whispered so as not to cause him more hurt in his head.

"John?"

Sheppard mumbled but did not open his eyes. Todd growled and left him where he was until he could perhaps find his or Sheppard's weapons and escape out of the cave.

He ran into the depths and noticed more humans that were chained up and gagged by the Queen but as he looked at them, he could tell by their wrists that they were already almost loose, so he felt no regrets at just leaving them like that. Sheppard would have wanted to rescue them, even though just hours earlier they had leered at him. He felt this was half way to helping them and pleasing his friend, so he was happy with that. The terrified looks he was getting from them, though, might just keep them quiet for now, and he was glad. He had to concentrate on getting his friend some help and then perhaps he could tell him where the interface was. He was pretty sure Sheppard had it hidden or at least knew where it was.

As he ran from cave shelf to cave shelf, he rummaged through the stashed goods to find anything of value but he was taking too long, so grabbed a coat, water and a blaster before he ran back to Sheppard's side. He still lay unconscious and he grimaced, he really wanted to fix his shoulder, but they needed to get as far away from the Queen as they could before she woke and no doubt escape given her power. He looked back to see if she was still secure and shook his head at the sight of her unconscious.

She was a young Queen and not fully in control of herself, never mind all those around her. Times were different and the Wraith had so many factions now. Todd was seeking out the right Wraith to join his Hive and trying to recruit those more inclined to listen to Sheppard and the rest of Atlantis, but the Queen had heard of his hive ship hidden on this planet and had taken some Wraith with her to overpower him and it. Foolish move, as most of the Wraith she took with her, were the crew he was recruiting, but now they were confined in the interface. Although no harm would come to them for days in one of these, it had now been weeks, and time was running short for him to be able to rematerialize them safely and in one piece. He knew he had more of his kind on the way here, but they were days away and the Queen's dart was obviously missing an interface, so he had no choice now, but to sling the wounded Atlantean over his shoulder, knowing that with a head injury, he shouldn't really move him in that condition and indeed, in that way, but he needed a free hand for a variety of reasons.

Todd carefully made his way down a steep slope around the back of the cave and on a different route than he knew, but definitely a path, he hoped, that the Queen would not think to travel herself as it was rough terrain. He realised that it wouldn't be long before she was awake and very angry… and an angry Queen – especially a young and furious Queen, would be a force like no other. Using mind control and threats, it would not take her long to use the captured humans to hunt him, with the fake promise of their lives saved. He knew she had a particular hatred for Sheppard, exasperated at the way he could withstand her mind to a certain degree. In fact, Todd had been surprised himself. It could only have been the effects of the kaa'lee for him to be that strong, even though he found him to be a remarkable human.

Todd curled his lip, as he made his way round a tall and wide rock on a narrow ledge, adjusting his load and very much aware he would have to lay him down flat soon; if he was not to cause his head injury any more trouble.

Sheppard, dictated his feelings on the matter and shifted in his grasp, groaning softly. Todd ran to a narrow wide overhang in sight, before he woke up fully, and put him down on the ground, cradling his bloody head and holding on to his shoulder tightly, in case he woke up fully with a start.

"John. Wake up properly. I need to know you are okay."

Sheppard grunted but failed to open his eyes, causing Todd to growl in the back of his throat. The bandage he had quickly wrapped round his head was soaked through, so he put another one around it and checked his pupils – their sluggishness made him grimace. Realising he was not going to get much out of him, he left him lying, quiet again, and sprinted off to check out a suitable path back to his ship.

The tall boulders afforded him much cover but unfortunately stopped him getting a lengthy view and he soon realised that he had no option but to go back and get Sheppard and make their way there in one go. Growling helped him think, but he realised he was getting too vocal, so curbed his anger at the way things had gone.

Damn Sheppard!

He had infiltrated the Queen's small amount of Wraith soldiers some months back and was swiftly working his way up in her ranks when the Hive ship was shot down and crashed on the planet. They had all ended up captured by the humans, but he was startled when their leader had been able to subdue the Queen with a device he had, and even more surprised that she agreed to help him some days later after he threatened her and her Wraith – no doubt it was originally part of her plan. He was not surprised, however, when the man double crossed her and then abused her mind and manipulated her to his benefit.

Todd, slipped his way round a particularly narrow section and caught sight of Sheppard again, lying where he left him, unmoved. He reached his side and looked down at him and smirked. He had been days away from acting out his plan to subdue the humans and collect the Queen and device for himself. That was, of course, until his unlikely ally; in the name of Sheppard, once again made his appearance in his life.

He knelt down on one knee, one hand held his recovered blaster loosely in it – he did not underestimate the Colonel at any time. He then pressed down lightly on his shoulder to see if it would initiate a response – nothing at first and then his eyes were finally forced open and Todd saw awareness slowly creep out.

"Tooo..d? Hurt..."

"It is me, my friend. Breathe easy, you are very hurt, I know. I did not intend to hurt you at all."

Todd watched as his eyes started to close, so he poked his shoulder again. "Please Shep-pard, try and stay awake. It is for your own benefit."

"Wha..." He licked dried lips, "What happ..nd?"

Todd shook a water bottle in front of him and watched as he nodded, but then grimaced at the pain that must have spiked throughout his head.

Struggling to get up, Todd moved forward and lifted his head up to drink, supporting his hand holding the bottle as it shook too much without his help.

"Better?" He asked when Sheppard slightly moved his head back into his hand and Todd withdrew the bottle from his lips.

"Not really…will do for now...will be sick if I drink anymore."

Stones falling down the hill and falling at his feet, made Todd throw himself forward to cover Sheppard, not knowing if it was the Queen or just a natural occurrence. He stayed that way for a while, amazed that Sheppard had not fought against it, until he decided it must have just been movement higher up the mountain, and risked poking his head out. Thankfully, there was no-body there and he sat back on his haunches and regarded the wounded man.

"You going to be ok to travel? We need to move."

"Fill me in." Sheppard let out a low groan but urged Todd on to speak, with a flap of a weak hand.

Todd had to repeatedly explain what had happened and was getting anxious to get moving so sped up his tale, until he was at the point where they were at now. He watched as Sheppard poked at his head and grimaced for him, as he sagged down, flat on the ground.

"Concussion, possible fracture. I – I probably shouldn't be moving about." He finally spoke up.

"I am aware, Shep-pard, that your head is broken and that you have been damaged, for you keep repeating things."

"I do? Where is your ship?"

Todd growled low in his throat. "I have already told you that we must find our way there…Shep-pard?" He suddenly kneeled in front of him again and watched as he turned a funny colour. Sheppard held onto his sleeve. "Si…ck…" He then reached over and his stomach dry heaved as there was nothing much to leave him. The action had a positive move, in that his shoulder, which he had been dragging, had clicked back into place, and not without a low cry of pain. Weakened by it, Sheppard panted, until Todd held him up again to take a small sip of water.

"P…promise me, Todd …something?" Sheppard said, as he slipped his hand into his pocket to stable his aching shoulder.

"Shep…"

"Listen!" He actually managed to raise his voice slightly.

Todd nodded. "I am listening."

"Cassie…she…she is my…"

"Woman?" Todd finished for him.

Sheppard laughed slightly at the way he said 'woman' but nodded. "I need you to give…her…her life back." He spoke through gritted teeth, as the pain spiked again.

"It saddens me that the Queen took what she did from her, Sheppard. I did not realise what she was to you…I lost my 'woman', but that is a story for another time."

Sheppard raised his eyebrow at that but continued to stare at Todd. "I will try my very best, John."

Sheppard let out a breath and didn't hold back from groaning at the pain that was everywhere in his body at the moment. "It is all I ask of you, Todd."

"We need to go."

"I know, I know…help me up."

Todd took Sheppard's raised hand and supported his elbow as he pulled him up, steadying him when he almost fell down the mountain.

"Sheppard, are you okay?"

"If we get spilt up, or I …don't make it, you will – you know, find her?... contact Atlantis and save her life?"

Todd sighed, "I will certainly try everything I can for you, my friend."

"All I wanted to hear. Where are we going?"

It was the fourth time, Todd had told him about his Hive ship, and that they were on their way there, so he didn't answer him again, as he was staring into space anyway. Todd held onto him tightly, circling his long arm around his waist and allowing Sheppard's injured and bloody head to fall onto his shoulder as they slowly walked towards their freedom, and ever so anxious at Sheppard's present state; the way he was, he was never going to find out where the interface was at this rate.

Todd, for the first time, felt he wanted to decant his life's story out to his friend so perhaps he would understand him better; infuse in him how his word and promises would be kept, if at all possible, but the man was walking in a pain induced stupor and it would be like talking to a piece of stone. Todd sighed and thought of the female human that was so special to Sheppard. He had watched as his friend put himself in between the Queen and her to save her life and for a second, marvelled at the man's sacrifice. Now he knew just how special she was to him, he would do his utmost to give her life back, as he had done for his friend twice now. The kaa'lee's effects were almost over, he thought, as the only contact he seemed to share with his friend and the Queen was just a dull awareness of both their heart beats. Curious as to what Sheppard felt when he received it, would have to wait for now. It had certainly added to his strength when he needed it and he was pretty sure the Queen could make herself known to his mind, so he was relieved that the life giving act had worked on him before he was lost totally. To tell him that it was a rare thing to do with a Wraith – inciting passion for war and promises of a unique bond, was something he would withhold, he thought, as the life giving had been swift and they had not been joined for long. It was too complicated for him to understand and was not meant for humans to adapt to.

And then Sheppard slid from his grasp when his knees could no longer hold him up in consciousness.

Todd gently lowered him to the ground and took off the coat he was wearing and laid it on his shivering body. He weakly squirmed on the ground like he was trying to move away from the pain.

Next was a gutsy decision for Todd, but he knelt beside his fallen friend and tapped his cheek to awaken him. It took a few attempts, in building impetus, until, he finally woke up enough to be aware of the Wraith's presence.

"You can go on no further this time Shep-pard. The Queen and I's treatment of you and the way you were when you brought to the caves before, has weakened you, it is of no shame on your behalf – and do not tell me that I lie; remember that I can still feel the effects of kaa'lee, although it is now dissipating. I know some of how you feel, my brother."

Sheppard nodded, morosely. He knew what Todd said was true, although it did not sit very well with him. Time and time again, he could raise a battered body into war, but this time; dam he ached enough for several battles, but it was his head that caused him the most grief. The ferocious pain throbbed like part of it was missing, the bandages felt too tight and the discomfort flashing from his eyes, caused him to blink rapidly. Todd was sometimes a lone Wraith standing looking at him with worry, but then he would be twins and then triplets and his eyes were trying so hard to catch up with the concussion; to bring him back, focused, into one body, which meant he was probably severely damaged, even to the point of life-threatening. Reluctantly, knowing and admitting his own strengths, Sheppard pointed with his good hand and Todd took it as his way of showing acceptance of the situation and for him to carry on without him.

Todd only took time to tuck the coat around him more and, without further thought, handed him his only weapon into a shaky palm. He curled his long fingers around the closed fist and squeezed tight for a few seconds.

"I am sorry, Sheppard, that I cannot beam you up in the dart – that would have been so simple and I am too far away from it now for my own use. I have to leave you here, to get to my ship and from there I can come to your rescue."

"Todd." Sheppard almost whispered.

Todd raised his head and peered at him. "Yes, Shep-pard?"

"The interface – it is wedged between two sharp pointed rocks, beside a cave system, left of where we are now... a good fifteen minutes …run from here, in your…speed." His voice wavered in and out, but he spoke with an urgency, like he had no time left to explain, so Todd let him speak on.

"Leave me. My team will come. Ro'n …will fine…me."

"You grow weaker..."

"Remember and come back…" Sheppard could not finish the sentence.

Todd knew he was not talking about himself. He cocked his head to the side and smiled. He knew Sheppard cared deeply for his team and Atlantis; but to see him so emotionally involved with an individual for his own self, was truly unexpected, and, in a way, wonderful – he remembered his own family with a pain he had not wanted to surface for years.

Sheppard was now out cold, so did not see Todd gently tap his knee or hear him whisper the words of promise, nor did he see Todd close his eyes briefly, before he took off in a fast run towards the area Sheppard described. This was minutes out of the time he had to get to his ship before the Queen would find him, and in turn, save Sheppard, he knew – and she would; but this sole act of selfishness, Sheppard had approved of, when he gave him the directions, so he did not rebel against this gift and hesitate – he would just made straight for there, and hope he would not be too long in coming to his aid.

SGA SGA SGA

Major Lorne swiftly brought the 'jumper down near the planet's surface and was in reach of Sheppard's favourite cloaked 'jumper, they had left behind and which seemed like an eternity ago now. They were all silent. Caspva went from face to face and watched the worry for their missing commander and friend, raw and open in each expression. He felt a jolt of sorry for the missing man that he had fared so badly in the Queen and his ex-gang's hands.

"Caspva!" Lorne shouted.

Caspva shook his head. "I'm sorry. What did you say?" He caught the annoyed look of Rodney's face and was party to the onslaught that came out of his mouth before he could answer Lorne back.

Teyla reached forward to grab his hand briefly. "Ignore him, he is just worried."

"I am not worried!" Rodney shouted out, obviously wanting to say the opposite of what ever anybody wanted to say, and then realised what a stupid thing he said, and couldn't get out of it. "Well, of course I am worried, but…"

"Rodney." Carson warned, as he held a finger up to his mouth. Rodney mumbled his apologies. Lorne sighed. "I was just asking you to stay here with me and my team, whilst Sheppard's team take their 'jumper back and look for the Colonel and then you can show me where this Hive ship is."

Caspva nodded. "Sure. Eh, can I ask something?"

"Go ahead, Lorne shouted over his shoulder as the piloting became more exact.

"The cave where the Queen and Korr's gang fitted themselves out…"

"Yeah."

"I've been thinking about the interface. She would try and get that back before anything else, and there would be no better place to keep Sheppard secure than there, whilst she searches for it. I think she would have gone back there and rounded up whatever worshippers she could gather to help her and throw him back in a cell until she could get off this planet."

"I thought the same." Ronon said.

"I, also, was thinking that." Said Teyla. "We cannot simply blast our way into the cave, without possibly hurting John though."

"Are you sure you don't want me and my team working with you, making our way towards the cave, before we search for the ship?"

"No." said Teyla. "It would be wise to go there as well, just in case that is where she is headed and not the cave."

"That is, if she even knows about the other Hive ship." Caspva spoke up.

"I think she will be at the cave." Rodney said, hopefully. They knew where that was. Narrowing down the search for Sheppard, was the way to go. Everybody verbally agreed and the plan to rescue Sheppard was born.

Trouble was, the darkness of night was not all that far away, and with it, the better chance of swiftly saving him from the Queen's clutches.

Lorne landed his 'jumper, and after checking their radios were working, Sheppard's team ran to their one as Rodney uncloaked it. It all felt strange to be rushing on board without their commander, but all hoped he would be in the pilot's chair in record quick time.

Rodney sat in Sheppard's chair and piloted the craft up and towards the cave system they had left late yesterday. Sheppard's life signs were still not showing up and Rodney tried very hard not to worry at that. He bit his lip, raised his chin and flew his friends at an even pace, skimming over the rocky ground as he went, looking for outward signs of an Atlantean uniform lying on the ground – such was his morbid thoughts.

SGA SGA SGA

Sheppard woke to find himself alone and cold. It was not a pleasant experience. He heard whispered voices and turned his aching head to see who was doing all the talking. A white, sharp piercing pain, stabbed behind his eyes and he moaned as he tried to shut them again, but the voice would not give up.

"Sheppard! …I can see you!" The voice repeated. This time, Sheppard took note and was more wide awake. He raised himself up on his good elbow, blaster shakily held in front of him to face the Queen's wrath at his escape.

SGA SGA SGA

TO BE CONTINUED.

A/N: Just one more chapter to go and a small Epilogue.