Part 7 - Fateful Error

Inside the bank things weren't going so well, especially for John. He felt absolutely dreadful. Although his eyesight had improved a little, his head felt like someone had put it in a clamp and was turning the handle ever tighter. The growing pressure was making it difficult to stay alert. Difficult to even think straight. All John wanted to do was just lie down and succumb to his drowsiness, yet he knew that was dangerous.

Overwhelming thirst made his mouth feel as dry as a desert and hoping it would help, John requested some water. To his astonished, Wade allowed him to drink two cups but instead of quenching his thirst, it made him feel even queasier. He glanced at Rachel's concerned face. They both knew that his head injury was getting worse. He had a horrible feeling that he'd suffered a bad concussion or something worse. If it went on for too long he could be in trouble, especially if it was causing any internal bleeding.

Rachel and Mr. Franks both tried pleading again but to no avail. Even Clive added his pleas. However, his brother insisted on waiting until nightfall when he planned to use John as a shield to get them out. Which the way John was feeling right now, was one huge joke.

So left with little choice, John knew that he had to act soon if he was to stand any chance of getting out of this alive. No doubt even if they managed to get through the blockade, Wade would probably kill him once they were free. He nearly laughed out aloud at the irony. Of all the dangers he'd faced in the Pegasus Galaxy he had to come home and maybe die at the hands of a couple of dumb crooks.

Trying to stay inconspicuous, John moved his hand and lightly touched Rachel with the intention of conveying a message. He hoped that she would understand that he had to try and overpower Wade before it was too late. It would be a dangerous move as Clive was still an unknown factor. Although, John had the feeling that he wouldn't intervene. Regardless, Rachel needed to know that the minute he acted she must take cover. Hopefully, Mr. Franks would follow her lead.

One way or another she must have understood because she gave a slight nod while her face portrayed anxiety. Maybe for her own safely but somehow, John got the impression that it was for him. Whatever the reason, she suddenly started to talk loudly in the hope of distracting Wade. Unexpectedly, Mr. Franks joined in while John gave a very good impression of being out of it, which wasn't too far from the truth. Stubbornly, he found the awareness to watch Wade's every move, very, very, carefully.

Rachel and Franks continued to plead and surprisingly, Wade appeared to be listening. Then Clive said something that totally distracted his brother and for a split second, Wade's attention was off John. With a surge of adrenaline and energy that he didn't think he possessed, John launched himself at the man. The resulting body slam rattled John's head with an intense flash of pain but fortunately, it sent Wade and his gun flying in different directions.

Quicker to recover, Wade got to his knees and made a desperate lunge for his gun. John didn't bother righting himself. He quickly rolled over to roughly grab Wade by the waistband, yanking him as far away from his gun as his strength would allow. John then endeavored to pin the man down but in his weakened state, it was proving difficult.

They fought and kicked, each trying to get the upper hand while Clive stood by not knowing how to assist his brother. Finally after giving Wade a hefty kick in the kidney, John managed to grab both of his arms and pin him down. Wade struggled to free himself and he was proving to be stronger than he looked. Had John been in top form, he would have had no problem controlling the thief as his struggles were poor and predictable. Feeling dizzier by the second, John was finding it very difficult. Only grim determination kept him going. Gritting his teeth, he eventually maneuvered his body until he had Wade in a strangle hold, and like a dog with a bone, he was determined not to let go, no matter what.

With his air being cut off, Wade desperately struggled to free himself. He looked at his brother and begged through gasping breaths. "For…god's sake do…something. Shoot…the…bastard." Clive swung his gun around to aim at John's prone side. His hands shook with fear while his finger rested lightly on the trigger.

Rachel carefully peeked around the desk behind which she had taken refuge. Wade's gun lay no more than a few feet from her position, so she quickly left her cover to grab it. She spared a quick glance towards the struggling pair, John still had a hold on Wade, but his strength appeared to be weakening. Unsure what to do, Rachel picked up the gun and held it in a trembling hand. She'd never used one before and she couldn't risk shooting Wade for fear of hitting John. She spared a quick glance in Clive's direction. He appeared to be frozen to the spot, still holding his gun but hesitant.

John struggled, he knew his strength was going and Wade was taking too damn long to lose consciousness. He could see that Rachel had retrieved the revolver but he didn't want her to do anything for fear that Clive just might react. So he called on a pool of strength that he didn't think he had, Wade gave one final struggle for air before his body finally went limp. John gladly released it and turned to glance at Rachel with a relieved smile.

Rachel returned the smile and was just about to go to him and hand over the revolver, when the sound of a gun going off echoed around the room. It made her stop in her tracks and go cold. John lifted his eyes towards her, fearful and half excepting to see a bullet wound. Then the pain hit him and he lowered his eyes to his own body.

Stunned beyond words, Rachel turned to Clive. He appeared to be in a state of shock as he slowly lowered his weapon. Then she allowed her gaze to drift to John where he sat swaying, his hand tightly pressed against a bullet hole in his upper chest.

"John?" she asked fearfully. But he didn't reply. John's thoughts were elsewhere. Of all the dumb things to happen? He couldn't believe how badly he'd underestimated Clive's reaction.

With his body torn by incredible pain, he was finding it difficult to breathe. He knew he only had moments left, so he attempted to focus on Clive. He wanted to ask him why but the words refused to form. So he tried to determine if the man was still a threat, but a persistent haze hindered his sight. Not that he could defend Rachel anyway.

Somehow, he managed to remain upright. Maybe he was frozen with disbelief. Unbelievably, the pain intensified as more blood oozed through his fingers. He was bleeding out and he knew it. He'd been shot before but it had never felt like this. The pain in his head was competing with his chest making it one massive agony, almost as bad as being fed on by a Wraith. Too much pain and shock, added to that a great sense of sorrow and disappointment. It left his body and mind feeling terribly empty and cold. He tried to pull himself together but the effort left him floating on a sea of fog.

Was he dying? John suddenly felt broken and dejected at the thought. He wouldn't see his friends again or get to say goodbye. He'd faced that likelihood on the Hive only weeks before, but that had been for something meaningful. No, this just wasn't right. His death shouldn't be like this. Although, he'd always known that one day it could happen, probably way before his time, he felt genuinely terrified. And then he had no more time to think because seconds later, the darkness descended and his world came crashing down.

Clive stood motionless as John's body suddenly slumped to land limply near his brother's and in that second, he finally lost it. Throwing down the gun in an act of revulsion, he screamed. "Oh my god, I shot him! Honestly I didn't mean to do it." Then his panic overtook his senses and he rushed towards the door to key it open.

Rachel shouted after him, "Clive no!" But it was too late. The doors parted and the young man ran outside. Rachel waited for the gunshots that she knew were bound to happen.

tbc

Thanks for the super reviews. To those of you who thought that Rodney or Ronon would rescue him. Sorry that's not how I wanted it to go.