Stay with me

Chapter seven

John had tried several things to escape the prison he was currently locked in. Over the borders of Iraq, he had been sent on his second mission (ever) to find and retrieve a missing Captain O'Neill and Colonel Langham. The mission had begun well, they had exited the helicopter and descended over Iraq in parachutes, landing in a large wooded clearing. All four men had collected their guns, and began moving through the brush to the small compound at the given co-ordinates. Well, things had quickly gone sour. One of the group, Captain Sanders, had accidentally trod on a hidden mine, not only giving away their position, but killing two members of their team instantly.

Now in charge, John had ordered Lieutenant Jameson to run for his life back to the chopper pick-up point, but not only did he not make it, they were surrounded in mere seconds by enemy soldiers.

And so they both ended up here, in this crappy little prison, John in one cell, Jameson in the other.

Now, John sat alone, staring at the barred window, looking at the small patch of sky that was visible from his small confines.

He sighed. For some reason he felt…strange. Like he knew he was here, in this prison, but yet, it seemed like he was supposed to be somewhere else. It's almost like he could feel what was going to happen next here. But how could that be?

"It's quite simple, really." The ghostly voice startled him out of his reverie, as he looked around, seeing no sign of the voices owner.

"Who's there?"

"No one. Well, not no-one…I'm here but I'm not here. You get me?"

John frowned, quickly and quietly looking around.

"Not really."

"Oh well, I'm not here to make chit-chat. I'm here to tell you about why you're here."

"I know why I'm here." John said defensively.

"Actually, no, you don't. Your mind is withholding the memories of your present, in an attempt to stop you ruining your own timeline. But, the council think you'll be OK, so…I'm going to give you back your memories."

"Oh, well that explains everything." He answered sarcastically.

"Stop being a smart-ass. Give me a minute will you?"

"Says the voice with no owner." John retorted, only to stop as white light filtered through his eyelids. Suddenly remembering Atlantis, he looked around.

"Where's Elizabeth?" He said harshly, looking around.

The disembodied voice chuckled.

"Now you remember. Elizabeth Weir is fine. Well, that depends how you define 'fine'. Night now someone of…less then good intentions is planning something that involves her."

John looked around, trying to locate the voice.

"Let me see her."

"Umm…no. She's not of concern right now."

John frowned.

"What have you done to me? Why am I stuck here?"

"Ah. Don't blame us. That was YOUR fault. If you hadn't gone and thrown yourself in front of Elizabeth, your positions would be reversed. And Elizabeth wouldn't be the one in danger."

John climbed up to the bars of the cell and looked around.

"Why has she been here for some of my memories? And why am I here? How do I get back to Atlantis?"

The deep voice chuckled.

"Not so fast Johnny boy. Elizabeth was here because right now, you guys are linked with your little side glances and secret touches you share. It's called love A little flaw in our perfect plan I might tell you. Anyway, as for your other questions, we came to your city to help you. We we're originally planning to make your leader replay all her traumatic memories, so she could move on and see the bigger picture involving the wraith. We had no idea of this 'love' and as a result, you were affected instead. The way to leave, accept your pain and move on. It all depends on you."

John frowned.

"I am NOT in love with Elizabeth Weir. I just…care."

"Don't even try to lie to me. I'm in your mind. I can see every little dirty thought, every little confession of love, and most importantly, I see those dreams you have often during the nights. So, don't bother trying to dupe me."

"Great. Not only do I have to replay every horrible event that ever happened in my life, it appears I have running commentary too."

"You're the one that asked for it."

"You said something about Elizabeth being in danger?" John said suddenly, recalling the past conversation.

"Yeah…and?"

"You have to let me go save her!"

"Not quite. You've proved to be a valuable asset in Atlantis. Until you've gotten over your pain, you and I are both stuck here."

John sighed.

"There, over my pain. Can I go?"

The voice laughed.

"Your no where near it Sheppard. No where near it…"

And suddenly the voice vanished in a burst of white light.

John looked around, confused for a second, before remembering.

"Oh crap." He whispered, looking around. How did he allow himself to be captured? And Jameson…

"Jameson!" He called, "You okay?"

A muffled voice answered.

"Yes Sir. You?"

"Fine. We're both find. We'll both be okay." He looked around, "We'll both be rescued soon. I swear it."

"I hope so sir."

John took one final look around, before lying back down, feeling no recollection of the voice, or Atlantis.

Ttfn!