FIVE
John sat in the cell waiting for something, release, death…he didn't know what. Teyla had promised him the situation would be resolved by morning. That was three hours ago.
He's never felt so helpless or embarrassed. Elizabeth had to come to his rescue because of a woman! Someone he didn't actually do anything to…nor would have.
She must really hate him now. She would never say anything, but he could always tell when he disappointed her. The first time had been after the Chaya incident. Because he'd taken the jumper and gone off to help 'save' her people, he'd been required to fill out a mission report…with all time accounted for. He had to put in the whole 'sharing' experience, which had been cool at the time, but actually left him feeling kind of hollowed out when it was done. Chaya had told him that he had too much anger in him…it made her uncomfortable.
So goodbye Chaya, hello Sanir on Dagan. She'd been the aggressor, coming into his room and crawling into his bed late at night, but only because she wanted information from him about Atlantis and the "Potentium".
Well, Sanir must've gotten what she wanted—not that John didn't get something too—but she was gone when he woke in the morning and kept her distance from him for the remainder of their time on Dagan. Then he found out she made a deal with Kolya.
John wondered if Kolya actually put her up to seducing him. He supposed seducing was the wrong word. It wasn't like she had to try all that hard, a beautiful woman climbed into his bed naked…he hardly argued.
Because it had to do with them getting taken hostage later, however, he'd had to fill out another damn report, including his 'encounter' with Sanir, though he tried to keep the details vague, he still got that look from Elizabeth. The look that told him she was re-thinking having asked him to come on the expedition.
Then he got stuck in the time dilation field and met Teer. Now for him six months went by before they got together, but in Elizabeth's eyes, he'd been off-world maybe two hours before hooking up with the local beauty.
She must think I'm a dog.
That's why he lied about Mara. It was bad enough she got disappointed in him when it came to military actions or injuries, but for Elizabeth to think poorly of him as a person…made his gut tighten painfully.
In truth, he'd been away from Earth for two years and had only four separate physical relationships…though he supposed they could be construed as strictly casual one-night-stands. It's not like he spent all that time in Antarctica with a lot of companionship. So, he was making up for lost time…
Elizabeth must really think I'm a dog.
Elizabeth…
What am I going to do about Elizabeth? I can't have her disappointed in me again. I can't have her look at me that way again.
A lock clanged and the outer door to the cell block opened, revealing Treyhil. The man's smile could light up the whole galaxy. "Colonel Sheppard."
John got to his feet and wrapped his hands around the metal bars. "Hey…um…what's going on? Where's my team?"
"They have been returned through the ring of the ancestors."
"Oh…well, that's good." He waited. "What about me?"
Treyhil held up a key. "I am here to release you. I do wish to apologize for the inconvenience."
"Excuse me?"
"Colonel. You're Dr. Weir is the finest negotiator I have ever met."
John felt pride in her abilities. "Yes…she is." John stared at him. "Then we were right. You did this just to get Elizabeth here."
He nodded. "Yes." Treyhil tilted his head to the side. "She knows…if you are concerned. She understood and has accepted my apology. I hope you will as well."
John studied the man for an extra minute then shrugged. "If Elizabeth can forgive, who'm I to hold a grudge."
Treyhil bowed his head. "You are kind." He reached to unlock the cell door but seemed to be taking his time with the lock. "It is unusual for me to make a request of this sort. Negotiations are to be one time only and never again. However…" he smiled. "Now that I have enjoyed her so thoroughly…I have even tasted her sweet nector--"
It took a second for the realization to hit him, but when it did, John slammed into the bars of his cage, reaching for the man who held his life in his hands, ready to throttle him to death. "You what!"
Treyhil jumped back before he finished turning the key. He looked shocked by John's outburst. "Our negotiation…took place with each other's bodies. Is this not customary on your world?"
John didn't know if he wanted to scream or throw up. "I swear if you hurt her--"
"Never!" Treyhil seemed genuinely insulted by the accusation. "She is the most amazing creature I have ever encountered. You must have seen…" his eyes widened. "Oh…I…I am in your debt, Colonel. I had no idea Dr. Weir belonged to you. She did not say--"
"Belong…she doesn't belong to me!"
"Then I do not understand this anger."
"You took advantage--"
"Quid pro quo, Colonel Sheppard."
"What?"
"It is a saying among your kind, as Dr. Weir stated. She entered the negotiations without hesitation and demanded quid pro quo. I guarantee you there was no advantage taken on either side." He looked sad. "Though, I do feel a loss at knowing we shall not negotiate again." He raised his eyes to John. "This is the reason I have come for you myself. I wish to entreat you to converse with Elizabeth. Instill in her the knowledge that I wish we should meet again."
John wanted to strangle him…but more than that he wanted to get free and make sure Elizabeth was all right. He could always return and kill Treyhil later. But if he attacked him now, he'd never make it out of the castle alive.
A throat cleared at the open door to the left. John glanced over to see Lt. Cadman standing firm, holding his gear. "Colonel," she nodded.
Strategy, John. Think strategy. He turned back to Treyhil. "Where is she?"
"She returned to the ring a short while ago." Treyhil unlocked the jail and motioned for John to join Cadman. "You will not forget my request."
John tossed a glare over his shoulder. "Trust me. That's something I'll never forget." As he turned to leave he could have sworn he saw Cadman wink at the other man. Then again, he hadn't had much sleep and right now all he could see was his own blinding rage. It was probably just his imagination.
oOo
"Where's your team?" John asked Cadman on the way back to the gate.
"Only Sgt. Fuller and I were assigned to this mission. Along with Teyla for the introductions, but she returned to Atlantis shortly after seeing you. She was feeling much better after drinking one of their potions. Carson should be very pleased about the new alliance."
"And Dr. Weir?"
"I'm sure she is fine, sir."
John grabbed her arm. "Talk to me Lieutenant. How is Dr. Weir?"
Cadman met his eyes, her blue ones impenetrable. She gave nothing away. "Eager to see her people returned safely, sir. Even you."
So she does think I did something wrong. Damn, why didn't Teyla tell her what happened?
She waited for orders. John motioned for them to start walking again. They reached the gate within minutes. Maddog waved to them. "Where's Dr. Weir?" he asked the sergeant.
"Safely back on Atlantis, sir," Maddog said, grinning. "I'm sure she will be happy to see you."
John grunted. Maddog glanced at Lt. Cadman. "What's with him?"
"He knows."
Her brows shot up. "He knows?"
Lt. Cadman shrugged. "Suppose we should have asked Lord Treyhil not to say anything about his negotiations with Dr. Weir."
Maddog's smile turned sly. "Suppose we should have considered that."
"You two knew what was happening all along and you didn't put a stop to it?"
"Interfere in alien negotiations, sir?" Maddog looked stunned at the suggestion.
"Or a woman's right to a proper orgasm?" Lt. Cadman added for Maddog's benefit but John heard it and glared at her.
"That's uncalled for!"
"Of course, sir. Can't imagine where I'd get an assumption like that."
She was playing with insubordination, something he'd never have associated with the lieutenant. He caught the way she was looking at him and was reminded of Elizabeth's disappointment. Obviously Elizabeth wasn't the only one who saw his off-world activities in a bad light.
And that bugged him more than he wanted to admit. "You should have told me," he grumbled.
They stood a uniform front. "We were ordered not to divulge the specifics about this mission, sir," Lt. Cadman stated.
John dropped his head and shook it, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Dial the gate." Maddog did as instructed.
The wormhole erupted and they went home.
