Atlantis

"We believe with a small strike force that we can successfully infiltrate the structure, here." Lorne told the briefing while pointing at papers scattered on the table. A screen had also been set up showing the scans they had taken with the puddle jumper.

"The life signs detectors will help make our infiltration easier as we can avoid patrols." He concluded.

"Okay Okay, When are we planning on doing this?" Rodney questioned.

"Dr McKay, maybe you should stay here!" Lorne told him.

"Stay Here! I need to be there if you need to hack into anything. I...I…I need to be there!" Rodney burst out.

"Okay, Okay!" Lorne agreed with a smirk.

"When do we leave?" Ronon asked abruptly.

"At 0600 tomorrow morning," Lorne told the briefing.

"That's not fast enough." Ronon replied gruffly, "We need to go now!"

"We need the time to gear up and finalize our entry." Lorne told Ronon shortly.

He gave a short nod, showing that he would submit to the startegy.

"Dismissed!"

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Elizabeth shivered as she felt Kolya's hand stroking her face. She shot him her dirtiest look knowing that it probably wouldn't help. John remained silent, not because he wanted to but because he needed to.

"Should I have some fun first?" Kolya taunted him, "Before I harm her?"

John couldn't remain silent any longer, "You son of a bitch!" he roared.

"If you touch her…I will…"

"You'll what?" Kolya asked in an amused tone, "The only thing you can do for her, is give me what I want!"

John glanced from Kolya to Elizabeth and their eyes met. She shook her head slightly and he knew what she was telling him, "No."
John broke contact, closed his eyes and lowered his head.

Kolya strode over to John and grabbed his hair, yanking his head up to look at him. John expected him to say something but all he did was smile and jab the pain stick into his stomach. John yelled out at the unexpected pain.

Letting his head go, Kolya walked back to Elizabeth and unzipped her jacket. After removing it he turned back to John.

"For your insolence, you will watch everything that is done to her. I will make sure you remember it for the rest of your life. The woman you love will die because of YOU!"

"John…" Elizabeth whispered loudly.

He looked up at her and what she saw in his eyes shocked her to the core, he looked defeated.

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Atlantis

The puddle jumper hovered in the gate room as the wormhole was established. Inside the taskforce was decked out in full gear with nothing left to chance. They would only get one shot at this, one shot to save their leaders.

Ronon was pacing anxiously while Lorne piloted and Rodney went through the details of the mission for the tenth time. All members of the task force knew what was on the line and each had been given the choice of remaining behind.

Landing stealthily about half a click south of where their friends were being held the group prepared to storm the keep.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Elizabeth was horrified. Why did John have that look in his eyes?

She didn't have much time to think about it as Kolya rammed the stick into her side repeatedly.

John watched as Elizabeth screamed out in pain. He felt like he was the one doing this to her. He loved her and he hadn't even been able to look after her. He had failed her. What hope did they have of beginning a relationship when he couldn't even protect her. He watched as Kolya pulled the stick away and Elizabeth started whimpering. This was killing him to see her like this.

"Anything Colonel?" Kolya questioned.

John looked at him and shook his head.

"Have it your way." Kolya responded and slowly pulled his knife out of its holster.

Moving towards Elizabeth, John watched as she tried unsuccessfully to move out of his reach. He was going to do it; he was going to kill her in front of him. John knew he had been trained for many horrendous things but nothing could compare to this. His heart was breaking just thinking about it. He didn't want to watch but something compelled him to.

His eyes followed the knife as Kolya's arm slowly rose coming closer to Elizabeth with each second that passed. John watched in horror as his arm came down...