Chapter Nine

"Are you sure now? No cuts and bruises? Nobody bashed you round the head?"

"I'm fine." Ronon dismissed the fretting doctor. The idea that anyone could simply bash him round the head was sheer idiocy and if it had been any other man that had questioned his capabilities, he would have gladly demonstrated just how capable he was.

"You'll forgive me if I make sure myself," Carson said as he prepared the needle, "I know how you military types think that, a graze from a bullet here or a open knife wound there, are nothing much to worry about. Now just hold still, there you go. See, thats all I needed." Carson stopped his diatribe for a second as he wrote something on the label of the small vial of blood. "But you're not indestructible."

"Am I done now?"

"Aye, that's you. For now."

Ronon was up off the bed he'd been perched on and out the doors in a flash.

"Try and get some rest and something decent to eat while you're at it," Carson sighed, sometimes he didn't know why he bothered. No one listened to his recommendations once they were through those doors. Such was the plight of a doctor - everyone wanted a quick fix.

Rodney was last on his list. He braced himself against the coming sarcasm and constant jibes at the medical profession, something that the physicist continued to mock despite it being what saved his life and his team's more frequently than Carson cared for. There was only one other person that caused him even more grief during his stays, and for not the first time he found that he would gladly put up with it, if only to know the man who had become one of his unlikely friends, was safe.

Teyla had been waiting in the hallway outside the infirmary for Ronon to be cleared. Knowing Dr. McKay would be in there a good while longer than the two of them, she and Ronon had decided they would go straight to Dr. Weir's office so they could speak with her as soon as she returned. When Dr. McKay was cleared he could join them then.

They made their way through the corridors, their purposeful strides making quick work of the little distance. Personnel they encountered on the way gave them a wide berth, not sure if the two of them would stop if they got in the way. As they walked into the gate room, it was just in time to see a pale looking Elizabeth followed by Lorne and Mathews, come through the event horizon.

Teyla stepped forward to greet her, "Dr. Weir, we did not get the chance to thank you for seeing to our release."

"Teyla, Ronon, you are very welcome. Have you been to see Dr. Beckett yet?"

"Yes, we have just come from there. Dr. McKay is still having his examination, we would have waited until he could be present, but we had to speak with you right away."

"Yes, of course, I wanted to talk with the two of you as well. Once Dr. Beckett has finished with him, Rodney will most probably go to the mess hall. I suggest we go there to wait for him."

A couple of minutes later the three of them were setting their trays down at a table on the open balcony away from the other people so they could speak with some degree of privacy. Ronon wasted no time tucking into his food. After having to survive on the sever rations, meant only to keep them alive and no more, he could quite happily spend the rest of the day catching up on what he missed out on.

"Dr. Weir, we had wanted to let you know, that we believe it prudent that Colonel Sheppard is freed from those people as soon as possible and that we are more than ready to help with the rescue," Teyla said once she had swallowed a bite of her sandwich. She knew it was unnecessary to tell Dr.Weir this, but she wasn't the one that had spent a good deal of time cooped up in a cell. Even when you know someone will come for you, minutes can turn into hours and hours start to feel like days. Now John was on his own and from what she had learned about the man that held him captive since she got back, she was very concerned about her friend's welfare.

Elizabeth nodded her consent, "Thank you Teyla, but first we have to figure out a way to get back to see the Council, without further upsetting the man with a rope ready to slip around John's neck."

Two sets of confused eyes looked back at her from across the table.

"Did Lorne's men fill you in on what had been happening during our talks with the Council?"

"Yes, Dr. McKay demanded to know exactly what was going on the moment we had left the building where we were imprisoned."

"Why can't you just go back like you've been doing the last couple of days?" Ronon rumbled around a mouth full of whatever that was he was eating.

Elizabeth pushed the vegetables around her plate with her fork. "After you left I wanted to speak with the men who made it possible to have you released, to thank them and also remind them I still wanted Colonel Sheppard returned to us. While we were there, Athen, the foreman, his sister came to see us. She got a bit violent with the elderly Councilman, Phelo, but once she calmed down I was able to speak with her. For a second I thought I was getting through to her, but before she could agree to helping us, Athen came in and took her away. He practically threw us out, saying the negotiations were over and if we came back we could expect to be treated much like John."

"Is it still his intention to put Colonel Sheppard on trial?" Teyla queried.

"Yes. And he's already decided the out come, he's just using that as an excuse to justify it, to make a show of his power in front of his people. The day after tomorrow he's going to kill John."

"What? Then what are we doing just sitting around here?" Ronon had suddenly lost interest in his food at hearing of the imminent danger to Sheppard's life.

"Ronon, I can't just send in a team to extract him. Athen is not a stupid man, he's sure to have his men watching the gate and where John's being held in case we try that. He'll kill him out of spite before anyone could get close to him."

"I'll take care of any guard at the gate, there won't be anyone left to warn Athen."

Elizabeth could see Ronon was itching to be away, but he wasn't the only one who wanted this to be resolved and leaving a trail of dead bodies in his wake was not how this was going to go down. She shivered at his blatant disregard for the loss of a innocents life, but at the same time appreciated the level of dedication Ronon showed John. She had no doubt that he would do the same for any of the people he counted as his friends, herself included, but she wasn't quite there yet. "It's not as simple as that. These people are not our enemy."

"Yet they hold Sheppard hostage."

Elizabeth tried to be patient, but this really wasn't the time to be arguing about the delicate nature of this world's governing body, especially to someone who didn't much care. "Most of the population are traders and farmers and decent hard working people. All they've been told is that three men were killed, the man held responsible for this is in custody and will be punished in accordance to their laws. There are only a few privy to what's really going on. Under different circumstances we could easily become allies with them. I made a promise to the men who risked exposing themselves to have you released, that the innocent people of their society would not be harmed."

"Sounds to me like you care more for these strangers and their trading connections than you do about Sheppard's life."

"Ronon!" Teyla was shocked at how far off the mark he was, that and he'd actually had the nerve to say that to her.

Ronon's words had stung her and stunned her into silence. How could he possible think that she would put the life of anyone of them, anyone on this expedition, before the people that wouldn't think twice about killing them? Did he really think that poorly of her? Elizabeth could only stare at him unblinking, while he slowly spooned up another mouthful of food and proceeded to chew with more care than usual. He wouldn't meet her gaze, his eyes fixed firmly on something of great interest on his plate. Maybe he regretted what he said, he'd just needed someone to be angry at because he was incapable of taking any action and she happened to be the one that was telling him he couldn't go out risking life and limb to save his friend. Maybe, but it hurt all the same.

"I'm sorry Ronon. I didn't realise you had such a low opinion of me." It was just a whisper, but he looked at her then as if she'd just shouted at him in front everyone in the mess hall. There was something like an apology in his eyes now, but Elizabeth knew he would never say it.

It was Teyla that had to break the tension that had befallen them. "Is there nothing we can do?"

It was just at that moment Teyla saw Rodney come into the mess hall, he loaded his tray down with several plates, most of which she noticed were deserts. She caught his eye and waved him over, glad for once of his ability to completely ignore the awkward silence, but whether it was through his own lack of sensitivity or something else she wasn't sure, neither did she care as he cut straight through the heart of the problem.

"Ah there you all are, I see you didn't bother to wait for me. It makes me warm inside to know my friends care so much. Getting something to eat, while I was at Carson's mercy! You know he could use some practice honing his skills when it comes to taking a person's blood. I thought he was our chief medical officer? I'm sure there's already a bruise starting to show. The man needn't be so rough. Anyway, how are we going to get Colonel Sheppard back?" Rodney didn't even stop for a breath before he started shovelling food into his mouth.

"That was what we discussing," Teyla told him. "Perhaps you could help."

Athen had taken his sister home to their father's house and got her settled with some effort. Her grief consumed her and she had sobbed into his shoulder until her body was racked and shook with the struggle of just trying to take small breaths. He had finally got her crying under a tentative control and had persuaded her to lie down and rest. He had needed to remind her that her distress would be doing her child no good and it was only for the love of her baby that she had complied with his orders. Even after that she wouldn't let him leave her alone and so he sat in the chair at the side of her bed. Holding her hand and speaking softly, words of comfort, until she drifted off into a fitful sleep. He had managed to pry her tiny fingers from his large coarse hands and slip out her room. He left instructions with one of Liadan's women to watch over her and check in on her from time to time. He had something of great importance to take care of then he would be back.

He could feel the uncontrollable rage within him start to stir and simmer with each step towards his destination. How dare these people come to his world, destroy his sister's life and then have the audacity to come back, only to add insult to injury and causing her even more pain by trying to buy their way out of their responsibility. How could they honestly think that anything they could have given them would be equal in worth to Liadan's husband and the life they were building together. Not even if they had given him the weapons he had asked them for, would come close to retribution that was his right to seek. That way he would have considered returning the four that came through first, but now, that chance was gone. They had denied Liadan her future and then him the payment he sought in return. Now he would deny this man his life.

The chill night air did nothing to cool his temper as he got closer. Instead he let his righteous ire burn him up inside. He had no desire to stem the sensations, a fever was upon him and came near to complete madness. No man would dare question his decision. Not if they knew what was good for them.

John had been asleep, well nearly asleep,the closest he could get to actually sleeping was resting his eyes. Damn but this place was cold at night! They hadn't been given a blanket to go with the ridiculously small cots, that weren't nearly big enough to let a grown man get comfy on. He made a mental note to complain to the management when he checked out. And the busboys definitely weren't getting a tip, how did they expect anyone to keep eating the same gruel for every meal, five days on the trot?

He turned over in his cot carefully, remembering the thud and then the muffled cursing that had come from the next occupied cell down the night before, when Rodney had rolled in his sleep and fallen onto the floor. He would have laughed if he hadn't been so cold.

Thats when he heard the scraping of key against lock, the quiet footsteps of a solitary man and the opening of his cell door. At first he couldn't tell who it was that stood before him in the dark, but the gruff voice gave it away.

"Colonel Sheppard, I have come to speak with you," Athen said into the darkness.

John stood. "Well y'know, I always welcome a visitor. I didn't expect you to be the kind of guy to make a secret call in the middle of the ni..."

John didn't get to finish the smart ass remark. Athen's strong fist had come flying out of nowhere and rammed it into his face. The force of it had knocked him back a step and he would have been able to stay on his feet had it not been for the cot hitting the back of his knees. He went down hard, the hand he put out to brace himself took some of the force of his landing, but his head still made contact on the back wall.

"Ahh, son of a..." John brought a hand up to comfort the place on his head where it had hit the wall. "Okay, I get it - that one was for your sister right? Fine, I'll give you that one for free, but I'm gonna start charging after that."

"You dare speak of my sister! Do so again and I'll kill you."

"Well that's what you're gonna do anyway wasn't it? Doesn't look like I've got much to loose."

Athen let out an incomprehensible shout as he charged at Sheppard where he still sat on the cot, arms stretched out ready to grab him.

John's eyes were more accustomed to the dim light and saw him coming this time. His position on the bed allowed him to aim his foot for a well placed kick in Athen's midsection, pushing him back. Athen lost his balance in the backward momentum and landed ass first on the hard floor. He was a little surprised at how well the other man had managed to over power him and made him question the wisdom of coming here alone.

For all his size Athen had seldom needed to engage a man in fight. It was mostly down to the threat of what he would to someone that made them complacent, all he'd had to do was tower menacingly over them and the mention of his father's name was enough to intimidate a man into submission. He had forgotten what type of man he was facing now. He had known when he and his team had first come through the ring that they were warriors and despite the man's lean form and the sub-standard conditions he had been held in the last couple of days, he could probably match anything Athen could throw at him.

John was back on his feet, his stance indicative of his intention to defend himself. "I'll talk with you Athen, but if you do that again, I'll kick your ass."

Athen considered his options as he came to stand a few feet away from Sheppard. He was about half a head taller than him and used the extra height as much as he could to look down on him. He would have taken great pleasure in squeezing the sorry life out of this man, but he would have to settle for the public demonstration instead. "You may live another night, but do not think I will not get what I want from you."

"I take it Dr. Weir isn't as easy to con than you're average market trader?" John sneered at him.

"Has no one told you yet?" Athen took another step forward. "Dr. Weir will not be returning. She was extremely eager to have you back, though I don't know why. She did her best of course, but she could not give me what I wanted. Strange, how a beautiful woman like that, would have nothing with which to satisfy a man. But surely there is something she has of worth, what she can give may be acceptable to your kind, but it wasn't near to the level of what I've come to expect. How else could it be that she leads in a world run by men?"

John bit back all the things he could have said about how vile Athen was and that he knew what he was implying was far from true. If this guy didn't get out of his face right now, they'd have to get someone to come in here and physically restrain him. He kept his tone as calm as he could and instead answered, "If that's all you have to say then I think we'd done here. Now if you don't mind, I'd like to get a little shut eye. A man shouldn't have to endure a public hanging without a good night's sleep."

Athen laughed at him but he left all the same. Locking the cell behind him, he walked away.