A/N: Sorry for the long wait. I was away for a week then had a variety of assignments due. Thanks to those who reviewed. Now I can continue knowing people are actually reading!

Chapter 2: Just For You

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She was pacing in her cramped cell when he came, bringing with him that spicy scent she'd smelt ever since she woke. His expression was smug, like that of a person who'd gotten their way in a highly debated matter and something jingled noisily in his pocket. Elizabeth forced herself to stare emotionlessly at him, despite the fear and uncertainty screaming in her mind.

'Where are my people, Briego?'

He smiled nonchalantly, settling down on the low bench in the corner.

'They are in cells not too far from this one, Dr. Weir. Or since you insist on using first names, Elizabeth.'

'What do you want?' Elizabeth asked, ignoring his smirk, which was so different in every way to that of a certain Major's. 'I thought our two people were allies. We-'

'We were never allies, my dear,' Briego interrupted. 'We have no common goal, not even against the Wraith. You know we both only wanted something from the other. It just so happens that we did not inform you of what we truly wanted.'

'Which is…?'

Briego didn't reply immediately, fingering the mysterious items in his pocket almost absently. He studied her face, strong and severe, but nevertheless lovely. He recognised that she was putting on an act; her eyes betrayed her, a glimmer of anxiousness was present.

'We Kisetans do not treat prisoners well, I'm afraid,' he said finally, noting her twitch suddenly. 'Your friends, if that is what they are, may very well be tortured to death in the next few hours.' He paused, but she made no comment. 'I would, however, be willing to allow your team to return safely to Atlantis, as long as you give me something.'

'You're not getting the city!' Elizabeth burst out.

Briego chuckled lightly, amused at how far she was from what he really wanted.

'Why would I let them go back if I wanted the city? No, what I want is your hand in marriage. I want you to be my wife.'

Her reaction was almost as he had anticipated. She positively launched herself back, eyes wide in shock. He was mildly insulted at her display of horror, but stood up to bridge the gap between them.

'Elizabeth, I promise, you will be treated well here.' He brushed a hand over her pale cheek. 'No one would dare harm you and life here will almost be like that you have on Atlantis.'

'You don't even know me. Why would you want to marry me?' She pulled away from his touch, though it burned there like she'd been branded.

'I know enough. And you don't have much of a choice in this matter. Unless, of course, you don't mind your friends dying slowly and… painfully.'

Elizabeth glared at him, hating that she was in this position. What she hated more was that he knew she didn't even need another moment to think about it. The threat was very real and if marrying him was the only way to save her friends… she would do it in an instant. She gave a short nod, aware that she had no idea as to what kind of life she was condemning herself to. He could make all the promises he wanted, but would he keep them?

Briego pulled out two silver bracelets, the objects he'd been playing with earlier. They were intricately patterned, tiny, but thick, loops linked together. He slid one over his own hand and fastened the other to Elizabeth left wrist.

'A sign that we are betrothed, to be married when the moon becomes a circle in the sky,' he said, smiling slightly. 'A guard will now take you to your room.'

With that, he left the small jail, which seemed to shrink as Elizabeth stood alone. A burly man beckoned for her to follow and she did, taking the opportunity to search for John, Rodney, anyone, to prove she hadn't been tricked, to reassure herself they weren't already dead. She couldn't see them.

Elizabeth was shown into a lavishly decorated bedroom and a click behind her signified she'd been locked in. The bed was only large enough for one, thankfully and she crossed over to the only window, pressing against the cold glass. She could just see the dim outline of the Stargate, at the far edge of the grounds. A shiver ran through her, maybe because of the glass, maybe not, but she couldn't cry at her predicament. She just felt numb.

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The other eight Atlantean prisoners had been placed in cells fairly close to each other. Through several brief exchanges of words, it was discovered that Elizabeth wasn't among them. John kicked at the bars running vertically around him, attracting a stare from one of two guards patrolling the hall.

What the hell was Korai up to? In this kind of situation, they would have had someone come along and make a demand or threat to kill or torture them. He would have preferred that to waiting helplessly, unable to ask about Elizabeth's whereabouts.

'Hey! Get Korai to come here. I want to speak to him!'

The men outside merely sneered at him, but stiffened as an unseen figure in the doorway behind them gave whispered instructions. The taller of the two strode down the row of cells, unlocking them and sliding the doors open with a clang.

'Follow me,' he grunted, aiming a nasty-looking gun at the group.

With little trepidation, the team did so, surprised when they were led out into the sunlight and to the Stargate.

'Dial it up!' the guard who'd released them, ordered, jabbing a finger at Rodney. He did, albeit with much muttering of curses.

The 'gate flared to life, waiting for them to enter.

'Go,' the shorter guard said. 'Don't come back.'

John was sure he looked as bemused as he felt.

'What?'

'Are you deaf? Leave!'

'You're kidding, aren't you?' We're not leaving without Dr. Weir.'

A snort of laughter erupted from the tall guard before he answered,

'Unfortunately for you, she is staying.'

'You mean, you're making her stay,' Rodney said.

'No, she volunteered. I will not tell you again, get out of here.'

'Why would she want to stay?' Teyla asked.

Clearly the guards had lost their patience. They raised their guns up to Rodney and Teyla's level, scowling fiercely. The Atlantis team were not at all armed; all they'd brought with them had been taken and not returned. A tense silence rose.

'Do not even touch them,' a clear feminine voice rang out. Syrella hurried towards them, the many layers of her skirt gathered in her hands. 'Or I will make sure you pay dearly.'

The weapons were lowered, the guards contrite despite the threat.

'Briego said they were to leave immediately. They will not.'

'I will deal with this,' Syrella said firmly. 'Go.'

The two men turned and marched back to the grey stone building they'd vacated, not once glancing back. Syrella gazed at the people her father and brother had so easily manipulated. She could guess at their reason for refusing to leave.

'You must return home. Dr. Weir cannot go with you.'

'Why's that?' John demanded. 'Do you honestly think I- we- will leave knowing she's still here, suffering god knows what?'

'She has made a deal with my brother. In return for your safe passage home, she is to remain in Kiseta and' -a shadow crossed Syrella's face- 'she is to marry him.'

Too stunned to speak, John shook his head. He couldn't believe it. He wouldn't. Judging by the looks on the faces of the others, they couldn't either.

'It is true. Briego is fulfilling an ancient prophecy. I have tried to stop him but…'

'She can't do that. Why-?' John felt sick at the thought of Elizabeth being forced into marriage with that smirking creep.

'Do you not understand? If she did not agree, you would all have been tortured, killed.' Syrella's tone became bitter, her brown eyes darkening. 'Briego knew she cared too much about you all to let that happen. Not when she alone could save you.'

The team, especially the four who'd joined them on this particular trip, were blown by Elizabeth's sacrifice. Their leader truly cared for them, even though half of them she barely knew. And now she might never see Atlantis or Earth, if they ever had the chance, again.

'Please, just go. Don't let her act have been for nothing. Those guards have no doubt told Briego of your unwillingness to leave. He will look for any excuse to kill you, whatever he may have promised.'

Her plea struck hard. Elizabeth had given her life, in a sense, for them. If they were killed now, what she had done would have been for no reason. One by one, faces set in sombre expressions, the group went through the 'gate. Only John stood back.

'I can't go. I can't leave her here.'

'I will make sure she is safe, as happy as she possibly can be in this place.' Syrella leaned forward. 'And I swear on everything I hold dear- you will see her again.'

And with amazing strength for a woman of her physique, Syrella pushed him forcefully through the 'gate.

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A/N: A bit of a slow chapter, I think. I really doubt I can get a chapter up every week, so make that when I can.