Chapter 8 - Reunion

Teyla glared up at Titus as John stood gingerly, obviously having received a beating at some point or another.

Titus turned to the crowd. 'My people! I present to you…the leader of the Star Master's!'

The crowd cheered and John looked sarcastically amused.

'Ah gee, I've never been so popular.' He drawled. One of the guards hit him in the back of the head. John winced. 'Ow? Was that completely necessary?'

Teyla smiled.

Titus surged forward and grabbed the back of Sheppard's head thrusting his face into the stone of the balconies edge. Teyla moved forward with worry and anger, but there was little she could do down on the Arena's floor.

A thought occurred to her and she ran to the nearest corpse, producing a bow and arrow. She set up the shot and pointed it at Titus. At that moment a noise of clanging armour sounded and guards surged forward at all levels of the Arena, spears raised at her head. There were hundreds.

Titus laughed. 'Shoot me and kill you and your friends in the process? That doesn't sound like a hero's choice.'

John struggled against the hands on the back of his head and looked down at Teyla. 'Probably better if you put that thing down, Teyla. I don't fancy getting shish kebabed.'

She paused, thinking over her options, and they were few. Tycho rushed to her side, his presence an enormous source of strength and guidance. His green eyes stared at her though his helmet.

'Teyla, we can help no one if we are dead.' He said firmly. 'We cannot escape if we are dead.' He said more gently.

Teyla heard him, and felt her grip lessen. She dropped the bow.

'Whatever you have said slave, I applaud you.' Titus commended Tycho. Tycho stood his ground, loathing shooting off of him in waves.

'I am not your slave, Titus. I am your prisoner.' He said aggressively.

'There is a difference?' Titus asked wickedly.

'A slave may dream of killing an Emperor, a prisoner does everything he can to make it happen.' Tycho spat.

The guards raised their spears. 'No!' He laughed. 'Do not!' The guards rested. Titus laughed harder. 'You have penetrated the minds of the slaves with courage, Teyla.' He paused. 'Is that the only kind of penetration going on between you two?'

John pushed off from the balcony and sent Titus crashing onto the steps of his throne. John turned with a venomous expression. 'There's no need to be crude, you overgrown bat.' His fists balled with menace.

Titus stood quickly, rearranging his black robes and smiled. 'A little jealousy perhaps?' He whispered to the Colonel. John seemed momentarily surprised.

'John!' Teyla called. She couldn't see him or Titus after he had pushed away from the balcony.

The guards surged forward and grabbed him by the arms. Titus's face grew dark. 'Take him to my chambers. Bring me the woman also.' He ordered. The guards took John away and Titus stepped forward for all to see.

'Until our next meeting Teyla, and a little warning.' He turned to Tycho. 'Keep your boy in line.'

Tycho advanced but Teyla held him back. Titus roared with laughter and the crowd cheered on the warrior's defiance.

Tycho was thrust into the Underworld with Boran's man, but Teyla was held back as the door was shut. Tycho slammed up against the door as they took her away.

'Where are you taking her?!' He yelled. The guard at the door smiled.

'His highness wants a word with the Star Master, and Quintus will shortly want a word with you.' He said slyly.

Tycho ignored the pain in his side and banged his fists on the door.

Teyla did not go quietly. She made it practically impossible for the guards to lead her to Titus's chambers. Finally, she was thrown bodily into the room and landed hard on the cold floor.

She took a moment to get use to the new bruises and heard the door slammed shut. She looked up at the large room with the bed in the centre, long red drapings fluttering gently in the breeze coming through the large open window. Teyla paused as she squinted; there was a form on the bed. Her immediate thought was Titus, and then she heard something that made her think differently.

'A little too gauche for my tastes.' John said breathily. 'I'm not really a fan of red.'

Teyla hurried over and moved the drapings aside. John looked surprised and sat up quickly before wincing and grabbing his side. Teyla sat on the bed and pushed aside his robe gently. Large purple bruises covered his ribs. She ran a gentle hand across the skin and John winced again with a slight grin.

'Cold.' He explained, then looked at her with worrisome brown eyes. 'Are you okay?'

Teyla opened her mouth to speak but found no words. She was unbelievably happy to see him at the same time as being worried that he would be forced to endure what she had been made to endure. When she realised that she would say nothing, she leaned over and embraced him with relief.

John gently put a hand on her back and held her for a moment, slightly surprised. Still, she had been alone in this, and now he was here to help her out.

'Teyla, I know you've had sort of a crappy week and all, but we have a plan.' Sheppard assured her. Teyla broke the embrace and kept a hand on his shoulder.

'I believed so when I first saw you. If you had been captured without meaning to be, they would have found Ronan and Rodney as well.' Teyla said with a slight smile.

John nodded without really listening. His eyes were drawn to the massive gash on her cheek which was bleeding down the side of her face. John tore off a part of his stone coloured robe and gently pressed it to her cheek. Teyla gritted her teeth but made no other sign of pain.

'Thank you.' She said.

'You're welcome.'

Teyla frowned. His demeanour had changed from being happy to see her. His reply was troubled, stiff, almost on edge. His eyes watched her with a familiarity as well as a coldness that she had never seen before. Teyla was confused, but she had no time to ask.

'Isn't that tender? The lovebirds sit on the bed of red, caressing each other with fondness of the heart.' Titus drawled. Teyla slid off the bed and moved into the open space of the room, watching him with angry eyes. The eyes of a predator, John thought.

The Colonel carefully dropped off the bed and wandered toward Titus. He still wore his black robes and carried a sword at his side. Twelve guards entered the room with many more weapons and surrounded them.

Teyla looked irritated. Titus grinned. 'You shall not have my blood today, warrior, nor any other day.'

'Oh, I think you'll find she's persistent.' John told him. Titus cocked his head.

'You are not like her.' He pointed the sword at Teyla. 'You are different. You're speech and manner are of different worlds.'

John gave a mildly impressed nod. 'He's astute.' He said to Teyla. 'It's a shame he wears ugly medallions which you would typically see on 50 Cent, you know. It's just tacky, and it's not like you don't have taste, what with the massive slaughtering of innocent people and the cosy, little love nest back there.' He looked back at the bed. 'It shows you have principles, which are smart. But, you know, insane.'

Titus listened and laughed. 'Excellent – another jester. But will he perform as well as you in the Arena?' Titus turned to Teyla with a knowing grin. 'Perhaps his quick words are all the strengths he has.'

'Hey, I have skills.' John paused. 'I don't care to list them right now 'coz they're kinda personal – but I have 'em.'

Titus gave him a cold smile. 'I'm sure.' He fiddled with the sword. 'Set them down.'

Guards rushed forward and flung them to their knees, swords poking into their backs. John breathed slowly against the pain in his side. 'You know, you're not a very considerate host.'

'Well I shall try to be more accommodating, Colonel Sheppard.' Titus answered swiftly. John frowned. 'No, you did not reveal anything during your torture, and Teyla was candid enough to lie and say that you did not exist.' He said sarcastically.

Teyla curled her fists. 'Quintus.' She stated.

John did a double take. 'What? The guy that was like a hundred years old?'

'Yes. He is the Medicine Man for the warriors of the Arena.' Teyla explained. John shook his head.

'Shoulda seen that coming. No one is that helpful when we first come to a world where we mean instant death for anyone who even looks at us.' John said bitterly.

'Quintus has been in my service for many years…he is growing mad in his old age, but he has proven that he is still useful.' Titus crouched before them. 'I was overjoyed at the news of your coming.'

'Well I'm glad that we made you happy. Now if you don't mind, we'll be on our way and you'll never have to hear from us again.' John said simply. Titus gave him an incredulous expression. 'It was worth a try.'

'Mh, yes, by all means try.' Titus nodded thoughtfully. 'And whilst you do, I will find the two that travel with you. I know their names, I know their faces and I know places of where they could be. It will not be long before Ronan and Rodney join you.' Titus leant in toward Teyla. 'May their deaths be as sweet-'

Teyla lunged forward and threw her arm around his neck, dragging him to the ground.

The Guard surged forward and watched as they rolled on the floor, both of them trying to gain the upper hand. They pulled Sheppard back with a sword to his throat as he watched in anger and shock. This was not the right time to be losing her cool, and she would never have done it before coming to this place. 'Teyla!'

The tussle continued, Teyla growling her loathing and Titus grinning at her blood thirst. The sword skittered away across the floor as Teyla managed to pin him on his back. Titus laughed and threw her onto the floor pinning her on her back. Titus enjoyed the struggle as he sat on her, his strength finally winning over her own.

Sheppard struggled. 'That's enough!'

No one listened and Titus leant over Teyla as she continued to snarl at him, her brown eyes glaring up from the floor. 'You will not touch them!' She barked.

'And you will not stop me.' He whispered, slamming his face on hers. Teyla squealed with disgust and tried to turn her face to either side to escape his lips, but to no success. His mouth ravaged hers.

John felt a blinding rage fly through him and he strained against the guards, four of them holding him back as he tried to get to her, to get to him, and smash his face in.

John saw only Teyla and Titus's faces as he held her, stopping her from breaking free, his mouth tearing over hers, his tongue probing hers…

Titus screamed in agony, leaping away from Teyla, his hands immediately going to his bleeding mouth. Teyla stood shakily, blood covering her own mouth and dribbling down her chin. John frowned and saw Titus's hands fall. She had bitten his lip and his tongue – hard. John smiled thinly in approval.

Titus was outraged as blood leaked down his chest. He looked at them with malice. 'There will be a challenge tomorrow – for the both of you, and your helmeted friend who threatened my life.' He said gingerly, his tongue causing him great pain, but the words were clear. 'I will make you regret every breath you take, your guilt will consume you, and you will plead for mercy.' He promised. 'You will scream my name Teyla, whether or not I have to chain you to my bed with your head in a mask!' He said viciously, and then aggressively signalled his men to take them away.

John fought hard against the guards with an extreme urge to make this man feel pain – and lots of it. Teyla went quietly, the constant look of hatred filling her features.

They were taken immediately to the Underworld and thrown into the crowded room, news of their being sent to the Emperor an exciting thing to condemned men. Tycho surged forward and helped Teyla to her feet, before leading her to the haystack ion the corner where Dio waited. She flopped onto the straw with exhaustion and tears of frustration stinging her eyes.

'We are to fight tomorrow.' Teyla gasped. 'He has arranged something else.'

Tycho nodded. 'And we will face it.' He frowned at the blood on her lips, but saw no wound. Teyla answered.

'It is not mine.'

Tycho smiled in approval. Teyla looked down and saw a thick yellow paste over his wound and knew that he had visited Quintus.

'Uh, hi.'

Tycho turned to see a tall, handsome man with messy black hair standing over them looking slightly confused. Tycho stood also, looking him up and down. John raised an eyebrow.

'Tycho, this is John. John, Tycho has helped me in my time in the Underworld. He is a friend.' Teyla explained. 'This is Dio.' She stroked the boys head and grinned up at him.

John smiled back. 'I remember, from Athera's house. He made me a mean soup.' He said kindly and Dio blushed.

Tycho folded his arms. 'This is the leader of your group?'

Teyla watched. 'Yes.' She stated.

John frowned. 'What? You thought I'd be taller?' John said sarcastically.

'John.' Teyla warned. 'Tycho, would you please get me some water?'

Tycho nodded without looking at her, and crossed to the other end of the room. John shook his head and sat by Teyla, wincing all the way down.

'Interesting guy.' John commented.

'He has been a tremendous friend to me.' Teyla said firmly.

'Really? That's nice.' John said indifferently. Teyla sighed. Sheppard looked to the boy. 'How you doing, kid?'

'I am well.' He answered. 'I watched the chariots go round and Teyla jumped from one to another, and Tycho killed some archers with his sword.' He said animatedly.

'Yeah.' He looked to Teyla. 'I saw.' He paused. Teyla saw the same expression on his face that she had seen in Titus's chamber. 'I also saw her save you.'

Teyla frowned. 'You did?'

'Yeah, Rodney, Ronan and I came to check out the show.' John stated.

Teyla tensed. 'Was I entertaining?' She asked coldly.

John's face snapped to look at her. 'No not really, more like scary.' He said shortly.

Teyla stood. 'And what else was I suppose to do? Let them live? They would have killed me and Dio.'

'No. They had to die, that much was clear. You didn't have to play with them so much first.' He said firmly, looking up at her.

'What is it?' Tycho arrived with a wooden cup and handed it to Teyla.

'Nothing.' She said moodily.

Johns scowled. 'Can we have a minute please?'

Tycho gave him a doubtful look and Teyla ignored him completely. John growled tiredly and then stood.

'Okay, since people are obviously having trouble understanding English-'

Tycho moved forward menacingly and John braced himself. Teyla put a hand on Tycho's chest. His naked chest. She seemed a little too comfortable doing that…

'Tycho, no.' She ordered.

'He is disrespectful.' Tycho said angrily.

'I'm worried, that's what I am – and this conversation doesn't concern you.' John said, folding his arms.

Tycho looked down at Teyla with a look of venom, and when she did not allow him to pummel Sheppard he stormed off.

'Seriously, where did you find this guy?' John said curiously.

'Here.' Teyla said forcefully. 'In the Arena.' She stepped forward. 'Where you were not.'

Teyla walked away and John grabbed her arm and swung her round. 'If I could have got you out of here sooner, Teyla, you know that I would have.'

'That is not the point.' She said snappily.

'Then what is?' John retorted. Teyla glared at him.

'The way you look at me now that you know what I have done and what I am capable of.' She said dangerously. 'And you judge me for it.'

'I think you got a little carried away-' John reasoned.

'I did what I could to stay alive.' She said defensively. 'What I could to save others.' She stepped closer to him. 'You do not know what it is like to be in the Arena, John. Death is all that matters, it is a fact that I have never once considered before because my morals were held to a higher standard. That place gave me no choice but to change.' She pointed to the Arena above. 'Do I seem different to you?' She asked. 'I feel different.'

'Teyla that doesn't matter.' John said gently.

'It matters to me.' She said viciously. 'I will make him pay for what he has done.' She promised emotionally. 'He will die and I will do it.'

'Teyla-' John started, his eyes imploring her to just be herself.

'Did you not hear Milarya screaming? You were there, were you not? Watching.' She said cruelly. 'You have no idea what it is like to kill men whilst listening to thousands of people cheer you name. Titus will pay for what he had done. He will bleed like he made her bleed. Like he made me bleed.'

John stared with a look of anger. 'You know, I think you are different. You have changed. And it's not for the better.' He said matter-of-factly. 'Get some rest. I'll tell you the plan in the morning.' He said coldly, and released her arm.

Teyla watched him sit and felt a distance between them. She had felt so happy to see him, but really, all his presence had done was remind her of what she had become – and whatever it was, it was not Teyla.

She saw him deliberately avoid eye contact with her and walked away, looking for Tycho.

Dio watched her go with a troubled expression and John softened. 'Women.' He joked, half serious.

Tycho had found a corner in a cell where he silently fumed. Teyla paused with a smile and entered the cell slowly, other inmates swiftly exiting. She sat by him and watched as he lay his arms on his knees with clasped hands.

'Your leader is…irritating.' Tycho said certainly.

Teyla smiled. 'He is not always. And part of me thinks it is my fault.'

Tycho turned to her with a frown. 'He criticises the way you fight. He insults us all. He will learn tomorrow why we fight the way we do.'

Teyla did not argue. She knew he was right. John would have to summon the strength to kill mercilessly in order to survive.