Author's note: Commodore, I hope you enjoy your cameo. ;)
Chapter Five - "Of Chains and Corsets"
"You are my security. Now that I got it, can't go without it. 'Cause I need you, need you to keep me from going crazy. I can't pretend that I don't need you. With all this stuff in my life I just don't know what to do. Every time I'm afraid of what's in front of me, you keep me from going crazy. The show's done, but the tape keeps rolling. Can't push stop 'cause my life is recording. All this pressure keeps on pressing. You keep me from going crazy." - PlusOne, "Going Crazy"
Bright sunlight streaming in from the window awoke Sheppard the next morning. Funny, he hadn't noticed the window yesterday. He stretched out his legs and shifted his weight off his right arm, which had fallen asleep. He rolled somewhat awkwardly onto his other side, looking for Evie. He saw her lying in the corner, motionless, in a dark puddle. Was that blood? He managed to get to his knees and slowly began inching his way over to her. His stomach flip-flopped when his nose confirmed that the red liquid was indeed blood. When he finally reached her, his jaw dropped in horror. The blood in which Evie's lifeless body lay had come from a large, jagged wound across her throat. Suddenly, he heard a sinister voice behind him. "You're next, Colonel."
Sheppard jerked awake. He was panting and covered in sweat. He quickly rolled over and squinted, searching for the Lieutenant. When his eyes finally adjusted to the dim light coming from under the door, he was able to make out her silhouette only a few feet away from him. Evie was curled up in a ball, but he could see the steady rise and fall of her chest. He let his head drop back to the floor and sighed heavily. "Get a grip, John," he muttered to himself as he concentrated on calming his racing heart. After watching Evie for a while through tired, heavy eyes, sleep overtook Sheppard once more.
Guns aimed and ready to fire, Major Lorne and his men, along with Doctors Zelenka and Weir, stepped cautiously through the Stargate. The first thing that they saw were two bodies about three hundred yards away. The team ran as fast as their legs would carry them to the two bodies, which they quickly saw were Johnson and Michael. Elizabeth immediately rushed to Johnson, as he was closest to her. She quickly felt his neck for a pulse as Lorne ran over to Michael, who lay a few feet away. "Major Johnson has a strong pulse!" she called, relieved.
"Dr. Murphy does as well," Lorne reported. "I can't believe we missed them last night." He began to mentally berate himself.
"Not your fault, Major; it was dark." Elizabeth turned to one of the Marines who had just stepped through the gate. "Get Carson and a medical team here, ASAP!" she yelled. "And tell them to bring two stretchers."
"Yes, ma'am!" The Marine quickly redialed the Gate and dashed back through to Atlantis.
"Joshua, can you hear me?" Elizabeth asked, gently patting Johnson's cheek with the back of her hand.
Realizing that standing around, and more than likely being in the way, wasn't helping, Zelenka began searching for the transmitter. He located it next to the DHD, just as Lorne had discovered it the night before. He immediately began using his equipment to analyze the device.
The Marine couldn't have been gone longer than a minute before he returned with Carson and half a dozen EMT's. "What happened?" the Scottish physician asked, kneeling beside Major Johnson and checking his vital signs.
"I have no idea," Elizabeth said, backing up to give the medical teams room to work. "We found them like this." She chewed her lip nervously as she watched the medical personnel attend to the fallen men. In a matter of minutes, both Michael and Johnson were on the stretchers and being taken back through the Gate.
Just as Elizabeth was about to follow them through, Zelenka spoke up. "Dr. Weir, I calculated the range."
Elizabeth quickly walked over to stand beside him. "Yes?"
"When he was speaking with us, he had to have been within a one-mile radius of the Gate," he said, relieved at how much the search area had just been narrowed.
"Good work," she complimented and he began putting his equipment away. "Major Lorne?" she called to the team leader.
"Yes, ma'am?" he responded, approaching her.
"I had intended to join your team and hopefully talk to this Lord Stefan, but I have to make sure that Dr. Murphy and Major Johnson are alright," she said, pressing her lips together.
"Of course, ma'am. Don't worry," he said, placing a hand on her shoulder. "We'll bring 'em home."
Elizabeth nodded. "I truly believe that. Find the rest of Johnson and Sheppard's teams and start searching. Zelenka said the transmitter only had a one-mile radius."
Lorne nodded and released her shoulder, placing his hand back on his P-90. "Alright, men, let's move out."
When the morning birds awoke Sheppard with their songs, he noticed that he was much warmer than when he had fallen finally asleep, shivering, last night. When he looked down, he realized that this was because, during in the night, Evie had somehow managed to wrap her chained arms around him and her warm body was now snuggled up against his. When he tried to stretch out a little, Evie grunted softly and tightened her hold on him. Sheppard stifled his chuckle, not wanting to wake her, and grinned widely. This would be amusing when she woke up.
After a few minutes of the birds chirping loudly, Evie began to stir. She slowly opened her eyes and saw the Colonel's face only a few inches from hers. "Morning, Sunshine," he greeted.
Evie smiled slightly and then tried to pull back, to put a little space between them. She found she could not, however. "Whoops." She blushed as she quickly disentangled herself from him. "Sorry about that," she mumbled. "Guess I was cold."
Sheppard chuckled. "That's what they all say."
Evie shook her head, but couldn't stop the smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. "I wond--" She stopped suddenly when she heard footsteps approaching. Moving as quickly as she could, she replaced their gags and slipped the chain back around her feet. She was getting better at this. Faster. She had the chain back where it belonged by the time the door opened and one of their captors entered.
It was the shorter one, the one who had held the knife yesterday. "Special delivery," he said sarcastically, brandishing a canteen. He pulled Evie's gag down and held the canteen to her lips. Evie eagerly gulped down nearly half the water. "I don't suppose you have any food to go with that?" she asked. "Like muffins... Muffins would be good…" Sheppard couldn't help but smile a little.
The man shook his head. "You wish." He retied her gag, making sure the knot was tight, then let Sheppard have the water that remained in the canteen. The water gone, the man quickly left, locking the door.
Evie waited a few moments before fighting the cuffs yet again and bringing her hands back in front of her. As she pulled down Sheppard's gag, they could hear Kenno and the other man arguing in the other room.
"No, Namos, you may not give them food." Kenno's voice.
"They'll starve to death, Marshala," Namos contended.
"Do I look like I care?" The scoffing expression on his face was evident by his tone. "I already told you, as soon as their people give us what we want, we're killing them."
Evie gasped when she heard this; she had assumed that they'd be released for a ransom.
"We're not going to let them go?" Namos asked in surprise.
"No, you idiot," Kenno replied, his voice sounding annoyed. "If we were going to release them, do you think we would have let them see our faces?"
At this, Evie pulled her knees into her chest and hugged them tightly. When Sheppard looked over at her, he thought she looked ready to cry. "Hey," he said gently, "Our teams won't let us down. We'll get out of this." Evie didn't act like she had heard him. She continued to stare at the wall in front of her, nervously biting a fingernail. "Evie, take a breath," Sheppard said softly, quoting something that Summer had always said to Evie when the Lieutenant was stressed. "Think of Puerto Rico."
Evie laughed lightly, enjoying the few seconds of relief this comment offered her.
"What happened in Puerto Rico, anyway?" Sheppard asked, his curiosity aroused.
"What? Oh. Umm…it's kind of an inside joke." She laughed softly again. Then the worried expression returned. "You really think we'll get out of this?" she asked, searching his eyes.
"I promise you we will," he replied. Trying to get her mind off their pending fate, he asked, "What's your favorite TV show?"
"Huh?" The subject jump had caught her off-guard. "Uhh…I'm gonna have to say 'Gilligan's Island'. Hands down."
"Funny stuff." He nodded.
"I wuv me some Gilligan," she grinned. "What about you?"
"Probably CSI," he answered. "I didn't watch much TV back home, but I loved those two shows."
"I never watched it," Evie admitted.
"You're kidding me," he said in disbelief. "Never?"
"Not a single episode," she confessed, shaking her head. Sheppard shook his head, shocked that she had never seen either show of the forensic franchise. "Wait," she paused for a moment, apparently lost in thought. "I think I saw part of Miami one time. These two CSI's got caught in a fire in the Everglades…but I fell asleep before it was over."
Sheppard nodded. "That was a good one."
Evie fell silent after a moment, spacing out and following a chain of thoughts that only had a logical connection in her mind. She smiled as memories played in her mind. "What are you thinking about?" Sheppard asked when he saw her in an obvious reverie.
"The first time we went on a mission together," she replied after a pause. "When we began trade with the Venalians, remember?"
"Yeah," he nodded, bringing up memories of his own from the assignment. "You in that dress…"
Evie shook her head. "That would be the one part that you would remember."
Sheppard laughed. "My mother always told me I had a selective memory."
Evie smiled; she remembered more than just the dress…
"Hey, did you finish the book?" Evie asked as she caught up with Summer, who was walking down the corridor.
Summer nodded. "Yeah, it was really good, huh?"
"I told you the butler did it!" Evie said with a smug grin.
Summer rolled her eyes. "But you always say that, Evie."
"Yeah, well I was right this time." Evie was very proud of herself for guessing the perpetrator in the novel.
"Yeah, but technically he had an accomplice," Summer pointed out as they walked. "The guy's daughter bought the poison."
"So it was the butler and Amelia. I still got it right," Evie insisted. Summer just shook her head. "So, did Michael say which team Dr. Weir was pairing us with?" Evie asked, referring to their mission to P6B-482 which was scheduled to happen in half an hour.
"Major Sheppard's team," Summer answered with a grin. "I wonder if he'll remember you."
"I hope not. I still feel bad about the whole ice cream thing," Evie muttered.
"Hey, that's not half as embarrassing as that one time at the Academy when Ralph caught you sk--mmm nng mmf!"
"You swore never to bring that up again!" Evie cried, her hand over her friend's mouth. "You mention that to anyone, and I'll tell Dr. Zelenka you have the hots for him. Got it?" Summer nodded solemnly. "Good." Evie removed her hand. "C'mon, we don't wanna be late."
The two women hurried to the Control Room, and found Dr. Weir talking with Majors Sheppard and Johnson. Teyla, Ford, and Rodney were gearing up. When Summer and Evie approached, Elizabeth was just leaving. Johnson turned to the women when he saw them. "Major Sheppard, these are two of the other members of my team. Captain Summer Akerly and Lieutenant Evangeline Brooks." He nodded to each of the women as he introduced them.
"I remember Evie. The one with the ice cream," Sheppard said with a grin. Evie blushed and nodded.
"We'll be leaving in about five minutes," Johnson said. "Michael is late as usual."
Summer and Evie laughed.
"Michael?" Sheppard asked, not knowing about whom they were speaking.
"Dr. Michael Murphy," Major Johnson said. "He's an anthropologist, and the last member of my team."
"And my fiancé ," Summer added.
"I see." Sheppard nodded.
"Ah, here he comes now," Johnson said, nodding his head towards the flustered young doctor who was walking quickly into the Control Room.
"Sorry I'm late," he apologized, dropping his heavy-laden pack onto the floor.
"Dr. Weir, both teams are in place," Johnson called.
"Good. Dial the planet," Elizabeth ordered the technician in front of her.
"Yes, ma'am." The lights began spinning as the chevrons locked, one by one.
"Major Johnson, should we be expecting any kind of trouble?" Evie asked, strapping on her 9 mm.
"Teyla says that her grandfather traded with them frequently and that they were a peaceful people," he replied, shouldering his pack.
"Just remember what happened with the Genii," Rodney commented, checking to see that his gun was in working order.
XXXXXX
The Venalians proved to be just as Teyla had said. A peaceful people, and more than willing to trade. While the Venalian society did not consider women to be less than men, women weren't allowed to interfere with the affairs of men, so Teyla, Summer, and Evie were kept company by Melia, the daughter of the village Governor, while the men discussed trading terms.
"This place is incredible," Summer commented to her colleagues. "It's like it hasn't been touched since the early 1700's." Summer was referring to the manner of dress, progress of technology, and architecture.
"It does seem very 'Pirates of the Caribbean'-ish, doesn't it?" Evie said.
"Pirates of where?" Teyla asked, confused.
"It's a movie," Summer answered. Teyla looked at her blankly.
"Surely Major Sheppard has explained movies and television to you," Evie said, surprised. Teyla shook her head. Evie sighed. "Did you ever put on a play on your planet? Act out a story?"
"Many times the children will perform versions of great battles our people have fought," Teyla answered.
"There ya go," Summer said.
"I still do not se--"
"Here we are!" Melia called back to them. She had been walking faster than the other women and had gotten ahead of them. She had led them to a beautiful, grassy meadow that lay beside a large lake. Melia had invited the women to go on a picnic, wanting to get to talk with them.
"Wow, Melia, this is great," Evie said, loving the simple beauty of the place.
Melia sat down several yards away from the lake and began unpacking the basket she had brought. "I hope you find our food to your liking," she said. The women licked their lips when she began pulling out fruit preserves, delicious-looking pastries, and small sandwiches.
"I seriously doubt there will be any complaining," Evie said, eyeing the preserves.
XXXXXX
After a delicious lunch, the women were walking along the edge of the lake, exchanging information about their different worlds before returning to the town.
"And so you can drive anywhere you want to go in these…cars?" Melia asked, fascinated.
"Well, they can't cross oceans or fly, but yeah," Summer said. "Evie, be careful, you don't want to fall in," she warned her companion who was walking right along the very edge of the water.
"Psh. I'll be fine," Evie replied. No sooner had she said this than her foot slipped and she fell right into the lake, her arms flailing as she went down.
Summer just laughed as she waited for her friend to bob above the water.
"Should we not help her?" Teyla asked, concerned.
"Oh, she'll be fine," Summer answered. When Evie's head broke the surface, gasping, Summer called, "I told you so!"
"Get me out of here, it's freakin' cold!" Evie said, shivering.
Summer reached her hand down and she and Teyla pulled their friend out. Summer grinned smugly nearly the whole way back.
When the four women returned, the rest of their teams were waiting for them. "Evie, what happened?" Johnson asked, slightly amused by her bedraggled appearance.
"F-fell in the la-lake, s-s-sir," she answered, shivering.
Johnson bit back a laugh. Michael and Ford didn't manage quite so well. "Ma'am, do you think she could borrow something dry?" he asked Melia.
Melia nodded. "Yes, I have some clothes she can wear. Come with me," she said, waving Evie inside the small house. A few minutes, some muffled grunting, and a yelp later, Melia led Evie out, looking very pleased with her work.
Evie now wore a light blue dress with a full skirt that reached her feet. The long sleeves were belled at the end and trimmed with white lace. She had a corset on underneath, which gave her that perfect "hourglass" figure. The bodice of the dress was rather low cut, and Evie thought it too revealing.
Michael let out a low whistle. "I must say I agree," Rodney said, nodding. Evie blushed and looked down.
"She'll fit right in at the celebration tonight," Melia said with a smile.
"Celebration?" Major Johnson asked.
"Didn't my father tell you? Tonight we are having our annual feast celebrating the defeat of the Sha'rik many years ago," Melia explained. "Oh, please stay. My father wishes that you would."
Sheppard looked to Johnson, who shrugged. "We'd be honored to stay for the festivities," Sheppard answered.
Melia smiled. "My father will be pleased. I shall go tell him." With that, she went off to find her father.
XXXXXX
The two Atlantis teams immensely enjoyed the rich feast that the Venalians had prepared for them. They had decided to stay for a while longer before gating back to Atlantis. Festive music was playing and Michael was enthralled by the strange instruments the Venalians possessed. A slightly inebriated Rodney was entertaining a group of young men with embellished tales of other missions. The others were enjoying talking with the friendly race as well.
All but Evie, that is. A Venalian man who had a little too much to drink wouldn't leave her alone. "You sure do look pretty in that dress," he slurred.
"Thank you," Evie answered with a forced smile.
"Hey, yo-you wanna go dddance?"
Evie doubted the man could stand up, let alone dance; besides, she didn't want to dance with him anyway. "I don't think that would be a good idea," she answered. She turned to go find Summer, but he grabbed her arm.
"But lotsa people are," he said, managing to stand up. "C'mon, honey, we'll have fffun."
Evie tried to pull away, but the drunk had a tight grip on her arm. "Let go! I said I do--"
"There you are." Evie turned to see Sheppard walking over to her. The man immediately released Evie's wrist. "I've been looking all over for you, darling," Sheppard said, placing his arm protectively around her waist; he was satisfied when he saw the man back down. "Would you care to dance?"
"Absolutely, dear," she answered, taking his hand. He led her to an open area where there were many other couples dancing to the festive music. She slipped her hand out of his. "Thank you so much, darling." She grinned. "Something tells me things were about to get ugly back there."
"No problem," he assured her with a smile. "But don't think that you can just get out of dancing with me, Lieutenant," he said, taking her hand again and placing his other hand lightly on her hip.
Evie laughed. "Yes, sir." She placed her hand on his shoulder, and they began dancing to the merry music.
"I actually was looking for you," Sheppard said after a moment. "We're gearing up to go home. I'm guessing you're returning your…outfit?"
Evie smiled. "Yes. My clothes won't smell so good, but at least they'll be dry by now."
Sheppard nodded and when neither one of them made another comment, silence soon set in.
"Is my dancing really that bad?" he asked after a moment.
"What?" Her mind had been elsewhere.
"You look like you're in pain," he commented.
Evie chuckled lightly. "You ever wear a corset, sir?"
"Well, I was going to pack mine, but I had just sent it out for dry-cleaning." His face was completely serious.
She laughed, at least as much as she was able in the constricting garment. She attempted to inhale deeply, but was restrained by the tight bodice. "Gah, I can barely breathe in this stupid thing," she complained as they continued dancing.
"You look nice though," he offered, spinning her away from him.
Evie smiled. "Thank you, sir."
Sheppard nodded and spun her back into his arms…
Evie smiled slightly. "That's the kind of mission I like," she said. "The kind where nothing goes majorly wrong."
"Can't win 'em all," Sheppard murmured. He shifted so that he could lie down and rested his head on her thigh. "You don't mind, do you?" he asked, craning his neck to look up at her. She shook her head. He relaxed all of his sore muscles and closed his eyes, attempting to take a nap. Becoming lost in thought again after a few moments, Evie began absently running her fingers through his dark hair. The calming gesture would have had Sheppard almost asleep after a few minutes, but Namos suddenly threw open the door. He had planned on giving his prisoners some water, but he threw the canteen to the ground when he saw the removed gags and Evie's hands in front of her.
"Well, aren't you the talented little escape artist?" he asked with a wry grin. He grabbed her wrists and yanked her to her feet. If Sheppard had been able to stand, he would have attacked the man, but he could only watch as Namos slammed Evie up against the wall, pinning her arms above her head. Evie grunted and struggled against him, but his grip was strong. When he reached into his pocket for the keys, planning to better secure her, she steeled herself and smacked her forehead against his.
Namos groaned and released her, dazed by the hit. He called her a horrible name as he delivered a stinging backhand to the side of her face. Evie cried out as her lip was split by the force of his blow. She gently tongued the throbbing skin and tasted liquid tin. Sinking down to the floor, she watched as her tormentor pressed the heel of his hand to his head, trying to ease the throbbing ache. He swore and then muttered, "You're gonna pay for that later." With that, he left the room.
Evie winced as he slammed the door, hearing the deadbolt slide into place. The next thing she heard was their captors arguing loudly. She hoped that her rebellious act hadn't served to hasten their demise.
"You okay?" Sheppard asked, eyeing her with concern.
"I'm fine," she said with a sigh as she again tongued her split lip. "But in retrospect, I'm sensing that that probably wasn't the smartest thing to do." After a minute, she looked over at him, her eyes shining with a defiant fire. "Got any bright escape ideas?"