Part 4 – A Little White Lie

For a moment, it looked like Vatu would object to John's request. The old man's eyes bore into his for several long minutes. Sheppard could almost see the wheels turning in the holy man's brain.

When he finally answered, Vatu's voice was surprisingly soft and gentle. "You are indeed a brave and honorable man, Colonel Sheppard. You would really do this to save your companion from pain?"

Without hesitation and pleased that the man finally had his name right, Sheppard answered. "He is my friend and yes, I would do this to spare him unnecessary pain. He is a good man, a very intelligent man but occasionally he tends to act before he thinks. We've kind of gotten into the habit of saving each others skin of late and I think it's my turn."

"I see," Vatu answered, for the first time with a slight smile. "All right, Colonel, your offer is acceptable and will be carried out straight away."

Sheppard felt his heart quicken at the thought of the beating but he was ready for it. Only one thing though, he didn't wantRodney to know about his actions. "Look, I'd like to keep this from McKay. He may not understand and get really upset if he knew about it. Under the surface, he's a very proud man and I'm…"

"Yes, yes," Vatu said holding up his hand to silence John. "I know what you're trying to say and this is agreeable. We will send him on his way before the punishment beings. The other will go with him. I will leave that for you to explain."

John got up from the bed. "Thank you."

The old man said no more as he led Sheppard back to McKay.

Opening the door to McKay's holding room, Vatu allowed the man to leave. Rodney wasted no time in joining Ronon and Sheppard in the corridor. "So what's going on?" he asked.

John looked at him trying to act as normally as possible. "Apologize to the man nicely Rodney and then you're free to go."

"Just like that?"

"Yep, just like that. Today's your lucky day," John muttered, "And Ronon, I want you go with him and make sure he takes the direct route back to the Stargate. I'll contact Elizabeth and ask her to meet you guys there and then I want you –all- to go home. Is that understood?"

"And what about you?" McKay put in.

"I'll follow you as soon as possible. There are one or two things I have to deal with here."

"Like what?" Rodney asked suspiciously.

McKay could be so stubborn at times, Sheppard thought, as he tried hard to find an explanation. However, before he could do so Vatu stepped in. "The Colonel wishes to see some of our relics and herbal remedies, so I have agreed to show him. Nevertheless, as part of our arrangement for your release, Dr. McKay, it is necessary that you leave our planet immediately. Your presence is no longer acceptable to us and if you delay then the punishment will be carried out."

It amazed both Sheppard and Ronon how quickly Rodney could act if his well-being was threatened. "Okay, look I'm truly sorry about touching your shrine. Really I am," he said with about as much sincerity as he could muster under the circumstances. The monks seem accept it.

Turning to John, McKay pulled him aside. "I still don't like this, since when have you been interested in herbal remedies and the like?"

Sheppard rolled his eyes and whispered. "I'm doing this to humor them, so will you please go before they change their minds. I'll come as soon as I'm finished here."

McKay stared at him for several long seconds before catching sight of the old priest. Quickly turning, he moved off with Ronon towards the exit. Before going through, he shot John a parting sentence. "You'd better join us soon, Sheppard?"

"Yeah, okay." John called back. When the two had disappeared from sight, Sheppard took out his radio and contacted Elizabeth.

It took a while before she answered and she sounded more than just a little up tight. "What is it, Colonel?"

"I take it things aren't progressing much?"

Softening her voice for John, she replied. "No, not much."

This bit of news was certainly going to make things easier from his point of view. "Look why don't you call it a day. I think we can find other places to trade. I've managed to get Rodney out of the fire but I'm sending him home as part of the agreement. Why don't you meet him and Ronon at the gate and then go through? Oh, and take…err…Macklin and the men with you."

"That the best idea I've heard all day, but what about you?"

"I'll be along soon. The head priest wants me to look at a few things." John answered.

"Really, is that necessary?"

That's all he needed, Elizabeth telling him to come back straight away. "They're peace loving bunch and some of the stuff here looks interesting, so give me an hour or two. Okay?"

Sighing she relented. "Alright John, but I'm leaving Sgt. Macklin to wait for you."

Sheppard didn't want that but if he argued too much then Elizabeth really would become suspicious. "Alright, tell him to wait for me by the Stargate. The rest of you go home. I'll be fine."

"You'd better be, and John…please leave before nightfall."

"Will do." Clicking off his radio, Sheppard turned to face Vatu and his monks. "Okay, let's get this over with."

-SGA-

Her face displayed concern as Elizabeth switched off her radio. Something wasn't quite right. John sounded normal enough to her ears but she had a small suspicion that he wasn't telling her the whole truth.

Turning her attention back to the town Elder, she was just about to tell him that she was leaving, when a villager entered the room and whispered something to his leader.

The Elders face broke into a smile for the first time since the negotiations had begun. "Arr…Dr. Weir it seems that we can do business with you after all. Your people seem to be highly honorable and totally trust worthy, so we would be very happy to trade."

For one of the few times in her life, Elizabeth wastotally bewildered. It had taken hours of useless talks and then suddenly this change of heart. She was almost inclined to tell him to go to hell but her diplomatic training kicked in, just in time.

Sounding a little frosty, she replied. "Very well that would be acceptable. How about the amount we first discussed?" she suggested.

"Yes, that would be just fine."

Surprised again at the easy response, Elizabeth stated. "Right, I'll send another team along tomorrow with the first assignment but right now, I'd like to get back to the Stargate before nightfall."

The Elder stood. "Oh, that is quite understandable." Holding out his hand to her, he continued. "Dr. Weir, it has been a pleasure negotiating with you. May you have a safe journey back to your planet."

Elizabethtook his hand and thanked him. Taking her leave,she quickly gathered up her belongings and exited the building. It was still light outside but the planet's sun was beginning to lower in the sky. She looked towards the monastery wondering what the heck Sheppard was playing at. Part of her wanted to march up there and get him to come with them but common sense told her to do as he had suggested. If she delayed then Rodney may come back to look for them undoing whatever agreement John had made for his release. Reluctantly, she signaled for the soldiers and Macklin to follow her to the Stargate.

-SGA-

The monks led him to the courtyard and indicated that he should strip off his clothes. Moving to one side, John put his weapons down and removed his tac vest, jacket and black t-shirt until he was down to BDU pants. There was no way he was getting out of them. They seemed to understand and accept that.

The sun had lowered behind the courtyard, leaving it cast in deep shadows of early evening. The chilly airfelt fresh on John's naked skin as they led him to one of the posts surrounding the tranquil fountain.

Trying to distance himself, he allowed them to tie his hands high above his head as he faced the rough wooden surface of the pole. This was going to hurt, no doubt, but he could do it. He could do this for Rodney and with that thought, he waited for the first bite of the bant, whatever that was?

-SGA-

Rodney and Ronon were already standing by the Stargate when Elizabeth and the soldiers arrived.

Nobody said very much as a slightly troubled and glum Rodney walked over to the DHD and began dialing Atlantis. When the event horizon appeared, Weir sent her IDC through and prepared to leave.

Wearily, she turned towards the men. "Okay, time to go home. Sgt. Macklin you stay here and wait for the colonel, please," she ordered.

"Yes, ma'am," he replied.

"I'm staying too." Ronon declared.

Elizabeth was afraid of this. She trusted Ronon but he had a tendency to act irrationally and he was sometimes over protective towards Sheppard. Whereas this may not be such a bad thing all told, she knew John wasn't always so thrilled by it.

"I'm sure that's not necessary, Ronon. I spoke to the colonel before leaving and he assured me that he would be along very soon, but if it puts your mind at rest then both Macklin and Meyer can stay here. Then if there's any trouble you can return at any time."

Ronon thought things over for a moment. He cast a quick glance at McKay knowing that Sheppard wanted him to see the man home. "Okay, but I'm returning if he doesn't come back in a few hours."

"Fine. Okay, let's get Rodney home." Elizabeth didn't see the grimace on McKay's face as she stepped through to Atlantis.