Torment of a Man
Chapter One
A/N: … Well, what can I say, due to popular demand, Bee's back!… Yay!…it can only mean trouble for the gang! …
SGA SGA SGA
John Sheppard tried to relax as he trailed behind Teyla and Bee as they explored all the stalls on Ba'tar.
Myriads and myriads of stalls.
Myriads and myriads of people at the stalls no less.
No, Sheppard was not going to relax.
He turned his head slightly to the right and watched a smirk appear on their guide for their second day here, Sjjern, who had already suspected the man was just a tad nervous with the market's lay out and colourfully dressed people. It was not the first time he had noticed Sheppard's wary expression and decided to try and reassure him of its peacefulness, so he could at least relax his tight shoulders and obvious grip on the small gun he knew he was hiding in his vest.
"Relax, my friend. There is never any trouble here. Let your friends' enjoy the outing. Look at Ronon, for example."
Sheppard watched Sjjern pointing towards the leather clad giant, expertly flicking his wrist round in the air as he felt the weight of a knife that had caught his eye. Holding it by it's tip, he balanced it between his fingers before tossing it in the air, catching it perfectly in his hand and then immediately throwing it away from his body, only to see it whoosh past the stall-holders cheek and land in the round slab of thick wood behind him, directly in the middle as planned.
The stall-holder put his hand up to feel the after effects of the blade as it whistled by and was surprised when he drew it away and looked at it expecting to see blood there; there was none.
"Whoa, that was close!" He exhaled.
"Was never going to touch you." Ronon said with a hint of pure glee in his eyes and took the knife back from the stall-holder, who had retrieved it; after having to really tug it out as it had almost been imbedded for good, such was the strength of the throw.
"A man used to knives deserves the best."
"It is a good balanced knife. You make these yourself?"
"I do. Tell you what, come back next time and I'll bring some swords for you to try."
Sheppard now stood next to Ronon and took the knife from him to feel, watching his friend's face grow even bigger at the thought of a gleaming new sword to play with. Acutely aware, he had taken his eyes off of Bee for a minute, he spun around until he saw her just two stalls away laughing with Teyla about something he perhaps did not want to know. Ronon took his new purchase off him and followed his gaze. Tutting at him, Ronon prodded his shoulder none too gently.
"Sheppard, if you could see your expression."
"What do you mean?"
Ronon just laughed at his, now changed to puzzled look, and paid the man with promises to return, before taking off at a slight jog to catch up with Teyla who held out her hand and admired the craftsmanship and feel of his new acquisition. Her eye caught Sheppard's and she immediately handed it back to Ronon and put out her hand instead for Sheppard to take and was delighted to feel his slight tight squeeze before it was quickly brought up to his mouth and a light kiss was placed on it. He winked at her but immediately became serious again when a loud noise caught his attention, only for him to notice it was a loose horse that was then caught, but not before it had backed into a stall and knocked over all the fruit and vegetables that had been beautifully displayed on it. The stall-holder was not pleased and a few people ran to help the man and woman pick up their produce, including Bee, Sheppard noticed, and quickened his pace to help alongside her.
"Where shall I put these?" Bee asked the wife, her arms full of long green leaves.
Sheppard had noticed an empty wicker basket and held it out for Bee to fill with her load.
"Oh, John, I did not see you there, thank you."
"Pleasures!" He smiled and she laughed at John's use of her little phrase. Sheppard walked up to the horse that had caused all the trouble and admired how black it was in comparison to its unusual grey mane and tail but the man who had caught it swiftly yanked it away and Sheppard smirked as he battled to hold it.
Basket handed back filled with more produce, Bee slipped her arm around Sheppard's and they made their way back along the path to find Teyla, Ronon and Sjjern.
"Thank you for bringing me here, John. It is a lovely place."
"Thank Sjjern. I have not been here before. Actually, thank Rodney, it was him who wanted to play about with the other scientists here before Sjjern suggested we come to the markets or be bored to death." He smiled.
"That's better." Bee said.
"What's better?"
"You smiled! You have been looking very tense."
"I have?"
Bee nodded, "You have."
"Uh, sorry. It's just, well, it's a very busy place, and…"
"…and we will be fine. Sjjern said so."
"Oh well that's all right then."
"John! Not every time you take me somewhere, it will end in an adventure you know!"
"Oh no? Are you forgetting the last time I took you off world, you vanished down a hole and we had to use ropes to pull you out? Or…or, when Rodney ate that pie you gave him and it made him ill and you got lost in the forest until we found the two of you? OR, are you forgetting when we first met…?"
Bee laughed and put her hand to his chest to stop him walking. "John, would you just stop for a minute and breathe."
Sheppard looked down at the blond-haired young woman and chewed on his bottom lip serious, until he caught her laughing at him and relented a small smile.
"Okay, okay, I'm relaxing, see?" He shook his body and tousled her hair before jogging off, knowing she hated him doing that.
"Very funny, Colonel Sheppard."
"Uh, oh. I'm in trouble when you use that tone and call me by my title."
Bee caught up with him and he quickly put his arm around her shoulder and drew her in tight.
"Sorry, can't help it!"
They were in sight of the trio and Bee physically felt his body uncoil when he took in the sight of Teyla, she noticed.
"I'm so glad the two of you are a couple at last, John."
Sheppard squeezed her briefly. "So am I Bee." This time the smile was not forced and Bee found it contagious so joined him. "Thanks to your meddling mind you!"
"I only found occasion for the two of you to be alone together when visiting me on Charon, it was pretty obvious that you two should get together. By the way, Pauley said for the two of you to come back with me for some swimming and fishing and of course to say hello to Jerome and Jinny."
"Then we will take him up on that offer gladly. Is Pauley's new assistant helping him share his load now?"
"Yes, Stane and he have really helped our government set up some new and fair laws and boundaries. I have an idea we are almost there and I look forward to spending more time with my husband…at last I might add!"
"I'm sorry for you, Bee. It's been a busy few months for you hasn't it; with a lot of changes too, some unsettling."
"I met you didn't I?"
"What do you mean?" Sheppard feigned some hurt.
"Wha…?..Oh, I see what you meant. Ha de ha John." Bee playfully punched Sheppard's arm and he grimaced. "Would you stop doing that to me Bee? It hurts."
They playfully pushed each other back and forwards until they caught up with the other three and Sheppard coughed.
"What's up guys?"
Teyla laughed and threaded her arm into Bee's and pulled her away to see something of interest.
Realising that they had been watching the two play fighting as usual, Sheppard coughed again and turned to look at Ronon.
"Quick, let's spar or something; knock me about a bit because I am in danger of losing my macho military leader credentials pretty soon if I spend any more time with these two women!"
"Hey, you're the one that seems to draw them like Satedan sandwich flies!"
"Thanks for that analogy Ronon."
"Anytime."
The two friends followed Sjjern's lead and soon, after rounding up Teyla and Bee, they followed the road back up to the borough where Rodney and Carson had chosen to stay in and work instead of visiting the colourful market.
Said physicist had his back to them as they entered the room and the first thing Sheppard noticed was the copious amounts of beakers laid strewn on his desk, drunk empty of the local version of coffee.
"Rodney!" Sheppard admonished. "You couldn't sleep last night because you were so high on caffeine and you've drunk so much again today."
Without turning around, Rodney wafted his hand in the air. "Rubbish, I couldn't sleep for you and Bee yapping all night."
"Now I know you are talking rubbish as we all turned in around midnight."
"I went to my cot at eight, so for me, that was all night!"
"You could sleep in another one of these yurt-like things we are sleeping in all by yourself if you prefer?"
"Really? I thought you wanted us all together because they were so big and offered a better protection against – whatever!"
"I do. But if you want to sleep in that huge canvas bag all by yourself to get some sleep, go ahead."
"Funny man. I don't see why we can't stay in a…oh I don't know…house! …for a change. They are civilised here on this planet you know."
"And miss the beautiful night sky, I don't think so, and besides we live in a sparkling city most of the time, a little glamping will do you no harm and at least you have a cot to sleep on this time and not on the hard ground." Sheppard stood with his hands on his hips, just about ready to blow a gasket with his verbal sparring partner, until Ronon spoiled his fun.
"I'll stay with you Mckay in another one."
Rodney got up, flapped the back of his hand against Ronon's chest and walked towards another desk cluttered with plates and beakers. "See, a true friend always looks out for the other."
Ronon raised an eyebrow. "Don't push it!"
Teyla, impatient to get back to camp, strode forward.
"Enough bickering. Where is Carson so we can move out?"
Sjjern at that moment came back into the room with the doctor following behind, looking very happy with himself.
He thumbed over his shoulder. "You should see the trees they use for just about every common ailment. If I can harvest enough of that it will make a great natural painkiller, salve and…"
"Fantastic Carson, pleased for you, but let's pack up and make our way to camp and leave our generous hosts some time to get over the caffeine induced research the two of you have subjected them to. We don't want to overstay our welcome."
"For now, Colonel…and I'll ignore your comment, as I only had two cups - but tomorrow, Lijjrn, will show me what the flowers of the trees make."
"We will be delighted to doctor. Colonel, you can stay and watch if you like?" asked the young woman scientist that had followed Carson into the room and whose pretty feminine eyes would occasionally steal a glance at the handsome Military Commander.
Sheppard was oblivious to this, of course, and it was only when Teyla and Bee's body language of crossed arms over their stomachs betrayed his ignorance, that he coughed and made a show of holding the small of Teyla's back and moving her forward without making a reply. Suddenly, he felt his face and neck turn red and slightly hot and would not look Rodney or Ronon in the eye, although he knew they would be laughing behind his back.
Back at the camp site after a long enough walk, Sjjern continued to be a good host – starting a spit roast which he and Ronon took to looking after. Sheppard watched for a while and then went into the yurt to see Carson flat out, sound asleep on his cot and also Bee on hers, one arm falling down the side in her slumber. He reached for it gently and placed it over her stomach and watched her sleep for a second. She was a funny wee thing but he loved every bit of his surrogate 'little sister' and quietly crept towards the flap to find Teyla. His thoughts turned to Sjjern again though, when he saw him with Ronon and to the next day when he had promised to take them all on a hike to see the very trees in the wild that Carson was interested in. It would be good to get away from the markets tomorrow. They really weren't his thing, although he knew that Ronon was as bad as Teyla and Bee for shopping – perhaps he was still making up for seven lost years of just being young and carefree.
Sheppard opened the yurt's door flap and the sight that greeted him almost made his heart leap out of his throat - Teyla.
"I was just coming to find you."
"You were?"
Sheppard nodded and slowly exhaled. The evening low sun settled behind her and caused an orange glow to envelope her whole body and he thought she had never looked more beautiful. He told her that.
"You said that last night." Teyla said and laid a hand on his stubbly cheek.
"I did? Well, it just goes to show that you get more beautiful with every passing day."
"Careful, one of the boys might hear you say all these soppy words."
"I made sure they were all out of ear shot." Sheppard laughed. "Come, there is something I want to show you down by the river."
A knowing nod of her head. "Is there now?"
Sheppard grinned and took her hand and together, feeling like naughty children, they almost ran into the woods so they could at last spend some quality time together.
Sheppard ushered her to a spot where soft green moss mingled with fallen leaves the size of plates beside the slow flowing river and where some of the red berries grew that they knew to be safe to eat. Sheppard picked some as Teyla sat down and soon Sheppard joined her on the ground, urging her to open her mouth where he popped in a couple and watched as she took in their wonderful flavour.
"On no, I don't have any berries for myself!" Sheppard mock cried.
Even though Teyla could see some in his other hand, she beckoned him forward. "Well, you had better share mine." She offered.
Sheppard accepted her offer and moved his mouth over her lips and Teyla squeezed on the fruit until it burst and they shared the sweet juices that ran over their tongues and down their throats, leaving a sweet taste on both their lips.
Sheppard moved his head back and looked her in the eyes.
"Wow, just wow Teyla Emmagen!"
"I have more." Teyla eyed him sexily.
"Good…I'm famished." He gently pushed her until she was lying on the soft ground and before stooping down to claim her lips again, he popped his own load of fruit into his mouth and popped them as they kissed. Heady with delight and wondering ever so slightly if he had been drugged by the fruit, such was his euphoria, he and Teyla spent many minutes sparring with their tongues soaked in the fruits juices. Words of love and affection were brought forth by both and finally they came up for air and Sheppard flung himself onto his back, pulling Teyla on top of him, where he stroked back her hair from her face and framed her head in his hands.
"Beautiful." He finally breathed.
Teyla smiled and brought herself up onto her elbows on his chest just staring at the man who loved her with his whole being. It gave her a thrill to know that. It also almost startled her that she was so intimate with him at last. She regretted the years they had missed with them both avoiding the issue, but more than delighted that they had at last got together as a couple, and she took great delight in flirting with the man whose eyes had suddenly taken on a glassy appearance that she knew had something to do with her and it gave her a jolt.
"I love you John Sheppard. Very much."
Sheppard moved some stray wisps of hair away from her eyes and smiled. "I love you too Teyla. Have you told Bee that we want our wedding ceremony on Charon at Jerome and Jinny's bay yet?"
Teyla moved her slightly stabbing elbows from his chest and lay down beside him, taking his hand in hers.
"No, not yet. I think she has guessed we are getting married soon though, as she keeps catching me looking at dresses."
"Oh! Dresses?"
"Nothing for you to see. I have been well educated by Jennifer about that Earth tradition."
Sheppard moved on his side to face her. "We are not on Earth. You don't need to wear a dress…or indeed any item of clothing!"
"Colonel John Sheppard, you are incorrigible!"
"But you love me anyway!" He smiled his best seductive smile that melted Teyla's heart like hot water poured on ice.
"Oh you know I do, I…"
Whatever she might have said next was gone forever as Sheppard pulled her into his embrace once again for another kiss that was deep and needing and they continued talking and kissing well into the evening until Sheppard suspected Ronon would start to worry and come looking for them for their supper.
When they arrived back at camp, trying not to look too obvious. Bee patted the bench beside her by the roaring fire and offered up a plate to them both.
"Finally. We were about to send out a search party."
Sheppard ruffled her hair and placed one of the rough cushions down for Teyla to sit on before he took a seat beside Bee and felt a very happy man sandwiched between his two favourite women.
The food was delicious and a happy banter migrated between the camp residents, more than not directed at the missing hours of Teyla and himself but he would not rise to the bait, just finally, after the plates were put down empty, he stood up and wiped his suddenly sweaty palms on his BDU's and coughed slightly, getting everyone's attention, as was the intent.
"Sheppard?" Ronon asked, worried he was ill.
Sheppard coughed again and Teyla giggled behind her hand but then took pity on his obvious discomfort and stood beside him, linking fingers with his hand. It was all the support Sheppard needed before facing his friends.
"I'm fine Ronon, in fact, more than fine. Teyla and I…we are getting married."
The rush of people hugging and shouting congratulations suddenly threatened to overwhelm them both but they went with it and soon found beakers of some sort of wine, produced by Sjjern, shoved into each of their hands. Carson eyed up the fact that both Teyla and Bee gave most of their unfinished wine to Sheppard to finish, which he wholeheartedly finished with a glint in his eye towards him, thoroughly enjoying the moment.
Bee was like a wriggling cat and eventually leapt into his arms to kiss his forehead and both cheeks in double time, her delight at the news making her eyes shine bright.
"We want the ceremony to be on Charon, at the bay, Bee. What do you think?"
"What do I think!?" She hugged him again…and again…and again. "Jinny will be so happy and will start planning the food the minute you tell her!"
Teyla stepped in. "We just want it to be very simple with a few friends."
"Oh yes, yes." She then hugged Teyla and then Sheppard again.
Teyla eventually just shook her head, laughing gently and allowed the diminutive young woman her excitement, after all she had had weeks of secret pleasure before they decided to share their news.
Sheppard accepted Ronon and then Rodney's shake of his hand with an embarrassed nod at Ronon when he flung him back from a crushing bear hug and slapped him on his back.
"Congratulations John. Really happy for you both." Rodney said more refrained but Sheppard knew his shake was genuine.
"Thanks Rodney." He coughed again. This was getting embarrassing.
"Colonel John Sheppard." Carson came up, smiling like a Cheshire cat. "Who knew that the first day Rodney and I met you, you would end up marrying the beautiful Teyla in a different galaxy."
Sheppard shook his hand and then ran it through his thick hair. "I know, mad eh?"
"You deserve it John. Truly happy for you both."
"Thanks Carson."
"Took you long enough though, you old bugger!"
"Yeah, yeah!" They embraced.
Teyla stepped back from the same treatment from her friends and proceeded to wind both arms around Sheppard's slim waist and he kissed the top of her head.
"See that wasn't so hard." She said.
Bee came up to them and Teyla stepped aside for a minute to allow the exuberant young woman to now put her small arms around his waist and watched as she then grabbed him and squeezed him, causing Teyla to laugh at his bemused look.
Ronon came running and swept Bee up into his arms before running off with her and her screams of laughter would have been heard for miles around.
Back with Teyla, they walked towards the yurt and their discerning friends gave them some time to be together before also making their way to their beds – all together in the same yurt he was glad to notice.
SGA SGA SGA
Sheppard was startled awake by a rough shove and Ronon shouting something at him. Annoyed, he pushed him away but the big man threw off his covers and started to shake him hard before Sheppard shoved him back. "Hey, what are you doing?"
Ronon was out of breath and panted over him, making Sheppard draw himself up straight when he saw how worried he looked.
"They are gone, Sheppard! Teyla and Bee...Oh Ancestor's, I'm sorry John…I've searched outside. They have just vanished along with Sjjern."
Rodney and Carson were also standing behind Ronon looking exceptionally worried and Sheppard felt the blood drain from his face.
He fell out of bed and Ronon steadied him. "No. No…they will be down at the river or something..." But he could see from Ronon's face that that would have been checked out already by his friend.
Carson took his arm and checked his wrist but Sheppard snatched it back and took his growing worry out on the doc. "What are you doing Carson? I'm not sick!"
Carson sighed and patted his arm. "But you have been out cold for several hours John. It's mid-morning and you have finally woken up. It looks like we were all drugged. You were out longer than us three."
"Hours! They could be anywhere… and Sjjern? Is he to blame? Did he take them?" Carson grew worried about him and looked at Ronon to get him to sit down as he watched his face turn whiter than white.
"Hours." He repeated quieter this time.
"Take your time and drink this." Carson handed him a hot drink.
"Yeah, Sheppard. Deep breaths and then we will go and look for them, okay." Rodney tried to calm his friend.
Sheppard felt sick and dizzy and allowed his friends to take over until he recovered from the shock as he knew he couldn't function properly just yet. But when he did, when the drugs finally left him and he found those responsible for kidnapping Teyla and Bee – they had better watch out, for he would not be responsible for the wrath he would inflict on them.
SGA SGA SGA
TO BE CONTINUED….
