Pulling his hood higher up on his head John carefully studied the people around him as he crossed the square. Briefly glancing at his companions John pretended to browse through some of the vendor carts.
"You're positive she'll be here?" John whispered to the now Colonel Lorne.
"Yes sir, she's in the market every other day at the same time. Just like clock work." Lorne whispered back.
"Sir," Aiden cut in, his eyes flickering to the right.
Looking in the direction Aiden indicated John's breath caught in his throat as he caught sight of Elizabeth. Holding his breath John subtly motioned for the group to move on. Ducking into a near by alley the grouped waited for their chance.
"There are three guards, same three every time." Lorne spoke softly. "Every time the same two guards disappear into that building," he pointed out a building on the edge of the market place. "You don't need an imagination to know what that place is. The two are always gone for two hours, leaving the third to watch Dr. Weir and the kid. In that time she does her shopping and then the group returns back to Koyla's place."
Shaking his head slightly at Koyla's arrogance John watched the group approach. Getting his first good look at Elizabeth in ten years John felt his blood begin to boil, eyes that once shined and were full of life were now dull and filled with hatred and fear. She was gaunt and much thinner looking than John had ever seen her looking before. What really got John was the cut and bruising he saw on Elizabeth's cheek. Seeing the two guards finally move off John took a quick step forward, but was stop from going further by Lorne and Aiden.
"Wait," Aiden gently but firmly gripped John's elbow. "She'll come this way soon enough."
"Yeah, she always stops at that booth." Lorne jumped in pointing to a booth next to the alley. "We can make contact there."
Giving a slight, frustrated nod John waited; his body tensing as Elizabeth got closer. He could feel and sense the pain and hatred that radiated off of her body. When Elizabeth finally stopped at the booth John made his move, his eyes on nothing but Elizabeth. While John moved towards Elizabeth, Aiden and Lorne discreetly grabbed the guard, pulling him back into the alley to be dealt with quickly and quietly.
"You look like hell, Doc." John dropped his tone as he gently touched Elizabeth's elbow.
Instantly green eyes snapped up in his direction. Swallowing thickly John pulled Elizabeth back into the alley. He didn't miss the way she kept a death grip on the young boy's hand that was with here. As soon as they were out of site Elizabeth had her free arm around John, holding on for dear life. Allowing himself the moment John wound his arms around Elizabeth.
"John." The sound of his name coming from her mouth forced John to hold Elizabeth tighter. Her tears wet his shirt as he cradled her head to his shoulder and chest. John kissed her head softly murmuring comforting reassurances.
"Mommy?" The sound of a small voice brought the two out of their moment. Looking down John saw the small boy plastered to Elizabeth's side, his wide eyes looking farther down the alley. Turning to look John saw Aiden and Lorne returning, John knew it was time to go.
Urging them along John led the group away from the market. John could tell the boy was frightened by the way he was looking around wildly trying to figure out what was going on, there would be time to deal with that later along with the whole 'mommy' issue, but for now it would have to wait. Moving away from the settlement through the woods the group boarded the cloaked Jumper being flown by Stackhouse.
Wanting to give John and Elizabeth a moment alone Aiden and Lorne joined Stackhouse at the front of the jumper, while they headed for the gate. Comprehension dawning that this all wasn't a dream, that it really was happening Elizabeth sat down heavily, closing her eyes briefly letting it all sink in.
"Shh, its OK." John sat down next to Elizabeth wrapping an arm around her shoulders. Inspecting her bruised face, pale with the jagged cut on one cheek John frowned.
"I'm fine." Elizabeth opened her eyes, seeing John's frown.
"Mommy?" Lucas edged in close to Elizabeth, eyeing John cautiously.
"Its OK, every things OK." Elizabeth pulled Lucas into a tight hug. "We're safe now, Lucas I promise." Brushing a kiss along the top of Lucas' head, Elizabeth turned Lucas around to face John. "John I'd like you to meet your son, Lucas Jonathan Sheppard. Lucas this is your father."
"Son?" It took a moment for what Elizabeth was saying to sink in. John had assumed the kid was just somebody Elizabeth had taken under her wing, but now that he really looked at the boy John could see similarities to both himself and Elizabeth. "None of the surveillance teams said anything about...I mean they had no idea..."
"They had no reason to. I know we have a lot to talk about, but that can wait right now I just want to go home."
Nodding his head, knowing now wasn't the time to push for answers John just pulled Elizabeth closer, wrapping his other arm around Lucas. It wasn't long before the Jumper reached the gate and was soon back in Atlantis.
Stepping out of the Jumper one hand holding on tightly to John's, the other resting around Lucas' shoulders Elizabeth took in the faces of Rodney, Carson, and Kate, all there to greet her. Even after all these years her friends still looked just like she remembered - with one noticeable change, Elizabeth didn't miss the rings on Kate and Rodney's left hands and the intimate way they were standing with each other. She would corner them about it later.
"Elizabeth." Carson stepped forward first, glad to have Elizabeth back.
"Carson." Elizabeth let go of John's hand and stepped forward letting Carson engulf her in a hug. Rodney and Kate followed suite. "Where's Teyla?" Elizabeth noticed the Athosian's absence, a knot of fear forming in her chest.
"Mainland." Rodney answered quickly seeing the flash of fear in Elizabeth's eyes. "She wanted to be here but unfortunately something came up and she got caught up with things on the Mainland."
"Mom?" Lucas edged forward between his mom and the others. He wasn't as scared as he had been earlier, but still wasn't quite sure what to make of everything that was happening.
"Allow me to introduce my son, Lucas." Elizabeth absently ran a hand through Lucas' hair. Surprised by Elizabeth's statement the others stood speechless for a moment. "Lucas these are some of my friends I told you about, Carson, Kate, and Rodney."
"Hello Lucas." Kate recovered first, stepping closer holding her hand out.
Unsure Lucas moved closer to Elizabeth, looking at her for what to do. Nodding in reassurance Elizabeth nudged Lucas slightly. Seeing that his mom didn't seem worried Lucas hesitantly reached out and shook Kate's hand.
"Look I know we all have millions of questions, but right now I think it would be a good idea to let these two get settled in first." John spoke up coming to stand next to Elizabeth and Lucas.
"Aye, but first a stop off by the infirmary." Carson started ushering the group out of the Jumper Bay.
After Carson finished giving Elizabeth and Lucas a quick look over he released them with strick orders to eat a good meal and to rest. At various points between the Jumper Bay and the infirmary both Aiden and Rodney had been called away to deal with one thing or another, and since Carson was still technically on duty that left Kate to show John, Elizabeth, and Lucas to guest quarters.
Entering the guest quarters Elizabeth caught Kate's gaze, slightly tilting her head towards John. Understanding that Elizabeth wanted a moment alone with John, Kate turned her attention to Lucas.
"Lucas what do you say you and I go find something to eat?" Kate held a hand out to Lucas, who took it hesitantly after an encouraging nod from Elizabeth and followed Kate out of the room to the mess hall.
Even though all the living quarters more or less had a kitchen area in them, the mess hall was still kept open, mostly as a place where soldiers coming off or going on duty could grab a quick bite to eat. Many of the scientists still ate there as well, since most of them worked odd hours and spent more time in their labs than their quarters it was easier to eat in the mess hall than to cook their own meals.
Once Kate and Lucas were gone John pulled Elizabeth in for a breath taking kiss. "God I've missed you." John whispered breathlessly resting his forehead against Elizabeth's.
"And I've missed you." Elizabeth replied just as soft.
"I wanted nothing more than to kill him." John spoke again a moment later. "I wanted to hunt Koyla down and kill him with my own hands, when I learned it was him who had taken you away from me. I still want to."
"No! John promise me, please that no matter what you won't leave me...leave Lucas to go after Koyla. Order him killed, send a team in to do it if it'll make you feel better, but don't leave and go after him yourself. Promise me, please."
"Elizabeth..." John stopped seeing the fear and pleading in Elizabeth's eyes. "I promise." He whispered softly pulling her close.
"Lucas and I need you to be here..." Elizabeth burrowed into John embrace, murmuring into his chest.
"Shh, I promise I'm not going anywhere." John kissed Elizabeth's forehead lightly. "Now go take that hot bath I know you're dying to take. I'm going to go find Kate and Lucas, if that boy is anything like I was at that age Kate's going to need an extra set of hands."
With a small grin Elizabeth gave John one last kiss, watching as he left in search of their son. As soon as he was gone Elizabeth headed for the bathroom.