Warnings: Implication of possible character death.
Spoilers: Possibly a tiny one for The Hive.
Disclaimers: Just playing in this world, wish I could stay.

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Heavy rain fell thickly from the sky obscuring the lush plains of the strange world. A world now littered with death and destruction.

Four massively muscular Wraith stalked along the tree line, hunting for any survivors. The massive deluge did not stop them. The thick rainforest vegetation ringing the plains provided good cover and the massive abundance of life-force here seemed to confuse the Wraith in their hunt. They kept on moving seeking out those who had dared to fight back so successfully.

The rain continued to flow down even through the dense canopy of the trees. Rivers of rapid water circled down grooves in the bark, fishing down to gather on Teyla's neck. The water deposited dirt and leaves against her skin, leaving a chilling dampness adding to her complete discomfort. She took a shaky breath in, feeling the cool damp air cling in her throat. The sound of the latest group of Wraith moved away and she risked a small movement to glance around the large tree behind which she was pressed. Behind her she could feel the frightened eyes of the other survivors.

She turned quietly, pressing her front against the moist bark. Her breath felt loud and shaky to her own ears so she took a moment to still her mind and breath. The moisture from the tree seeped into her top as she shifted slowly from the waist and peered around the tree. The fading shape of the last Wraith's back receded into the deluge of water outside the trees. Yet still she waited. She had to be sure before she allowed the others to relax properly for even a moment.

She searched deep into the trees and rain with her eyes, and into the deep cold place within her in which she sensed the Wraith. She could still feel them out there, so many it almost overwhelmed her. Pushing back the rising panic she focused on the immediate area around them and felt nothing. They were safe for a short while at least. She signalled to the others that the Wraith were gone and settled back down behind the tree.

She closed her eyes and tried to remember what it had felt like to be warm and safe. But, all she felt was cold and weak, so different from last night. Yesterday night she had blazoned with anger at someone she had respected and admired.

"John." His name slipped quietly from her lips unbidden. She wished he was here now alongside her, not to suffer with her, but so she could explain to him. There had been so much she had wanted to say…so much he had said. Now, she would never see him again. Tears dripped down her face. Shocked by the sudden wave of sorrow she focused on when she had last seen him.

He had said he loved her. An admission that had shocked her and shaken her strong will. What had cut even more was the similar look of surprise in his eyes. Had he really meant it? He had looked embarrassed and oddly frightened to Teyla.

"You should go, John," she had said, turning from him, forcing back the sting of tears. She felt ashamed at her words now. He had frightened her so completely. If he asked her to stay once more she might very well agree. She had to focus on her people and their obligations, not on her own heart. Her emotions didn't matter. As Ronan had said, "if it distracts you, ignore it". John Sheppard seemed to be able to distract her in a way no man had even done before.

He had turned from her as well and she felt the walls going up around him as they were around her. They were too alike: strong warriors, but scared of their hearts.
"You're right, the others are probably wondering where I went to" he had said and quickly headed out the tent marching straight for the Stargate. Left alone in the tent she could not bear the thought of him leaving with those final words, those final emotions. She headed out after him and reached him as the puddle flared to life. Then he had turned to look at her.

Then the moment was finally upon them. He was leaving and they might never see one another again…ever. A deep sorrow had flown through her, stealing any words she had hoped to utter. Her hands shaking she reached up placed her hands on his shoulders and leant her head forward. He slowly pressed his warm forehead against hers. Tears had flowed freely from her eyes, trailing down her cheeks till she tasted salt on her lips. And there they had stayed for what had felt like an eternity yet never long enough.

She had felt a loss so profound that she almost sobbed with it. How could she walk away from him?
He had drawn a deep slightly shaky breath in and let it out in a long sigh, resting his weight slightly more against her forehead. His body felt so strong and full of life beneath her hands as he breathed in. She trailed her hands up to cup his cheeks. Straightening away from him she had held is handsome sad face in her hands. His eyes had fallen shut, his lashes black against his cheeks in the fading light and she had brushed her lips against his.

Lightening slashed across the sky above her pulling her out of the memory. She brushed the tips of her chilled fingers over her lips. She could almost still taste him.
Her body felt heavy and tired as the last of the adrenaline was fading from her system. The pain returned even sharper than before. Resting her head back against the steady strong tree she looked up at the small patch of sky through the canopy. Her body was becoming even heavier and she felt herself beginning to shake from the cold that was snaking deeper into her system. Breathing hurt, but she had to focus on staying alive and keeping the others alive.

She watched the small patch sky she could see through the canopy above. A small patch of freedom. The sky was darkening and so were her thoughts. The wound on her side was deep and she had been unable to stop the blood flow completely. How long had they been hiding in this thick damp place?

Looking around at the others, she saw faces of fear and defeat. They had seen so much horror, so many Wraith, how could they ever escape? Yesterday she had been safe in Atlantis, now she would give anything to see a puddle jumper appear overhead. But, no she had turned away any help and it left her with no hope.

Beside her she heard someone trying to stifle a sob. She attempted to reach out and offer some small touch of comfort, but her arms refused to move. Her body felt like a stone and she realised she could no longer feel her arms or legs. All she felt was a deep completely engulfing chill. She struggled to look up at the patch of sky again, but saw no puddle jumper, no last minute rescue. Everything was becoming darker and even colder around her.

"John."

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To be continued…