Thanks again for all the reviews, they are much appreciated! And thanks too to shepsgirl72 for her speedy beta and suggestions. Well here we go with the next installment...

COLLABORATIONS

CHAPTER 3

Teyla had only been a young woman, grieving for her father, when the burden of responsibility was thrust upon her slim shoulders. As leader of her people, she soon became accustomed to making decisions, some of them spur of the moment, to ensure the safety and wellbeing of her tribe. One of those decisions, probably the most significant of them all, led her to trust a stranger from another galaxy, which brought them to Atlantis and into yet another chapter of her life.

When she looked back on that day, trusting John Sheppard, someone she'd barely met, could have had disastrous consequences. However, he'd proved himself then and on numerous occasions since, as not just a strong commander, but also a man with a good heart. Someone who would put his life on the line time and time again, not just for his people but also for hers. As she watched the hatch close on his lopsided smile, Teyla was filled with remorse at having been the means of John's capture by a man who would stop at nothing until he was dead.

Even as the jumper soared into the pale, blue sky, quickly disappearing into the horizon, anxiety threatened to overwhelm her. Worry about John…would she ever see him again...and concern about Ronon. His blood covered her hands, her shirt, and despite pressing hard against the flow spilling from his side, it showed no sign of stopping. Tears of frustration fell down her face as she knew this day she'd failed, not just her friends, but also Atlantis. It was her job to protect her team, care for them, keep them safe just as if they were her own family…which in a sense they were. But today she'd been too eager to meet with a new trader, someone who could offer a bountiful supply of fresh fruit and grain…only to fall victim, into a trap set by Nessan to lead him to John.

How he knew John would be there, was irrelevant now. But it was obvious Kolya was well informed, and even without her co-operation found his way all too easily to the jumper.

"It's not your fault, Teyla," Ronon croaked.

"Shush, Ronon…try not to speak. Someone must have heard the gunfire and help will come soon."

"I'm…good…just…help…me…up aghh!"

"You must lie still, Ronon…I do not wish to lose another friend today."

Ronon reached up and grabbed her hand. "Don't….give up…we'll get…John…ba.." Teyla saw his eyes close shut, felt the Satedan's strong hand lose its grip as he fell unconscious, and prayed help would come soon.

ooooOoooo

Sheppard didn't want to die, but there was no way he was letting the jumper fall into enemy hands. At least if he took Nessan along with him…well his death wouldn't be entirely for nothing.

All too aware of Kolya's dark, piercing eyes boring into the side of his head, he began to press the 'gate address into the DHD. However, right at the very last moment, instead of pressing the last symbol John took the inertial dampeners off line instead, causing the craft to judder.

Quickly banking sharply right, then left, he heard the satisfying thud as his passengers hit the hard metal floor. In his peripheral vision, he saw Nessan dive towards him, but drove the jumper up then down in a swift, sharp movement sending the Genii back into the rear with a smack. Sheppard winced as his ribs crunched into the consul, but knew this pain was nothing compared to what would come if his plan failed. Satisfied no one was able to stop him for the moment, he sent the jumper towards an unpopulated area, only reinitialising the dampeners at the very last minute.

Even as the ground came rushing towards him, he struggled with the controls trying to reduce his speed realising he'd probably left it way too late. But it wasn't the first time he'd beaten the odds, and he hoped it wouldn't be the last, if not…at least he'd taken the bastard with him. Closing his eyes against the inevitable impact, John's last thought was of Atlantis as the jumper crashed hard against the forest floor, skidding unhindered along the lush green under growth, until pain exploded all around him and the world turned black.

ooooOoooo

Awareness came slowly as he opened his eyes, only to close them again quickly as the world spun and his stomach heaved. Spikes of pain were shooting through his skull and he choked on the acrid smoke filling the cabin. Nessan knew he must rise and leave quickly if he was to survive, but he wasn't going without him. So struggling to his feet, Kolya made his way over to find a deathly still Sheppard lying on top of the consol. The Lantian was bleeding heavily from a head wound… but was still breathing.

He steadied himself as another bout of dizziness hit, making him sway, before roughly grabbing the pilot off the consol, dropping his limp body onto the floor. Surrounded by dense, black smoke it was becoming harder to see, let alone breathe, but he wasn't leaving Sheppard behind. Nessan gritted his teeth as he reached down and grabbed the pilot's vest, before gradually dragging him inch by inch past the prone figures of his stricken men, out the craft and into the fresh air.

Kolya fell to his knees, coughing and gasping for breath, all too aware Sheppard nearly took his life. He glared at the still figure lying beside him, and cursed himself for being so stupid as to believe the bastard would do as he promised. The fact Sheppard had been willing to risk his own live, to take his, wasn't lost on him. However, revenge was something which would have to wait, be savoured, for another time because now he was stranded in the Genii home world where he was a wanted man. Part of him wanted to leave the Lantian to die in the wrecked ship or better still kill him…now. Except he needed to keep him alive as insurance, until he thought of a way to make good his escape. He must think of a plan, it was imperative, but as another wave of dizziness overcame him, jumbling his thoughts, Nessan knew he needed to rest even for a minute, so lying down on the cool fresh grassy floor he closed his eyes…

ooooOoooo

Teyla sat in the infirmary waiting room, staring at her feet, shunning everyone around her, as Kanaan walked through the door with Torren by his side. As the little boy toddled over, she wrapped him in her arms, hugged him close, and looked at Kanaan with tears in her eyes.

Rodney, sitting nearby, was worried about his friends. Even though he knew there was probably nothing he could have done to prevent John's abduction, he still felt guilty. This was his team and he should have been there with them. But instead, Sheppard asked him to stay behind and help Radek make plans for deploying the system, told him two heads were better than one, his expertise was needed on Atlantis. At the time he'd been infuriated, as he suspected John didn't want him at the meeting…thinking it was his fault Ladon hadn't signed up the first time round, which if he was honest, remembering the sour look on Radim's face, was probably true. He dragged his thoughts back to the present and looked over at Teyla, but she turned away, avoiding his gaze. She'd barely spoken since coming back, and he was concerned about her. It was unlike her to be so remote, so visibly upset, as she was always in control, the sensible one who provided the voice of reason to every situation…the glue that held their team together.

Looking to Kanaan for support, Rodney spoke. "Ronon's tough, Teyla…you know that. And he has the best doctors working on him. I know I kid Carson about not being a real doctor, but the guy knows his stuff, so does Jennifer…the big guy's going to be fine."

"Very nice of you to say so, Rodney...in front of witnesses, too."

Beckett appeared in front of them still in his surgeon's gown, looking exhausted. "Well, I'm happy to tell you, Ronon will be fine. He'd lost a lot of blood, which we've replaced, but apart from that he was extremely lucky all things considering, as the bullet went straight through, managing to miss every vital organ. The little bugger did manage to nick his large intestine though, but we repaired it easily enough, along with the muscle damage. However, he will be off his feet for a week to ten days, so I'm relying on the two of you to keep him amused while he's here. I presume you can manage that?" Beckett smiled. "Now, Teyla love…will you please go for your post mission check? I don't expect Ronon to wake before morning and we need to make sure you're alright. Dr Keller is waiting for you." Beckett watched as the young mother kissed her child, handed Torren over to his father, and walked as if in a daze, into the infirmary.

Satisfied she was out of hearing distance, he turned to Rodney. "Any word about Colonel Sheppard?"

Rodney looked up, eyes filled with concern. "Yes, but none of it good. Lorne did a sweep of the area and eventually found the jumper. It was wrecked, the hatch was lying open and he found two of Kolya's goons dead inside, but there was no sign of Sheppard or Kolya."

Carson put his arm on Rodney's shoulder. "Well, at least they didn't find his body, Rodney, and we know the Colonel has more lives than a cat."

"But he's out there somewhere hurt, Carson, and Lorne couldn't pick up his transmitter signal."

"Look, Rodney. We both know the transmitter could have been disabled in the crash, plus if Kolya took him, although that's not exactly good news…it still proves he's alive. I'm not normally a betting man, but I'd wager Kolya can't be feeling too clever either after that crash…so don't give up…you'll find him…you always do."

ooooOoooo

Jennifer took a final check of Ronon's vitals and, satisfied with the results, left the intensive care unit to go back into the ward. There, sitting on the bed and covered in blood, was Teyla, who was just staring into space.

"Hi, Teyla. I've just left Ronon. He's doing really well, and hopefully should be in the main ward by tomorrow." Keller didn't miss the complete lack of reaction and knew the reason…shock. "Let's get you out of those dirty clothes and into some scrubs, so I can have a look at you."

Several minutes later, showered and changed, Keller began to check her friend over, talking calmly all the while. "That's quite a bruise you have on your face…did someone hit you?"

Absently touching her face, Teyla looked back, surprised."Oh, yes…I forgot. When I walked into the room I only saw one man at first and fought back, but another was hiding along with Kolya. I struggled to get free…then Nessan slapped me with the back of his hand. It's nothing"

Keller took Teyla's chin gently in her hand to examine her face. "Let me be the judge of that. Were you hit anywhere else?" Teyla shook her head. "Teyla, you are not to blame for what happened. Rodney told me Ladon found the person responsible for the trap, an old associate of Acastus. So there was nothing, nothing, you could have done…I'm just relieved you're not badly hurt."

Keller saw tears well up in her friend's eyes. "Here's what I think we'll do. I know you would like to see Ronon, and just to be sure you didn't sustain a concussion, how about tonight I set you up on the next bed so you can keep him company?"

Teyla nodded and allowed herself to be led away. Jennifer knew there was no concussion but she also knew her friend needed proximity to Ronon to give her some comfort and hopefully a little peace.

ooooOoooo

John was in agony. His head was pounding, white, hot searing pain spiking through his skull. But every part of his body ached…especially his chest. Opening his dry, gritty eyes, instead of the pristine white walls belonging to the Atlantis infirmary, he found himself looking into the blurred face of a stranger, a short, tubby little man with short, grey hair dressed in a dark brown habit.

The man nodded, satisfied his patient was finally awake. "How are you feeling?"

"Sore. Where…am….I?"

The stranger poured water into a glass and helped him drink, causing John to hiss with pain at the small movement, before easing his head back down against the pillows.

"You are being cared for by the Order of Rathane on the planet of Sailden. We are a religious order who have resided here for many centuries. Our trading party found you and your friend lying unconscious. As your injuries were great, they decided it would be quicker to bring you here, through the Ancestral Ring, rather than attempt the longer journey back to the Genii settlement."

Sheppard's heart sank, wishing they had left him behind, knowing how long it would take Atlantis to find him now. "How…long…have…I…been…out?"

"Four days. The injury to your head is quite severe and three of your ribs are cracked. We were beginning to believe you may not recover from your injuries, but now you have awoken, I am confident with rest you will soon be able to join the faithful in the fields. Your friend has been most concerned about you."

"Friend?" John felt his heart thud in his chest…No, no...no. It couldn't be…could it? "I'm sorry…but I can't seem to think straight. What was my friend's name?"

The monk smiled. "Do not concern yourself. Memory loss is common with this type of injury. Your friend…or should I say travelling companion, John Sheppard, told me he did everything in his power to land the craft safely, but regrets the death of your two colleagues, Mr Kolya."

John's head swam, but not from the concussion. Panicked, he reached for his dog tags only to find them missing, just as Nessan walked into the room wearing them around his neck.

Kolya smiled when he saw John's distress. "It's good to see you awake, Kolya." He nodded to the monk. "Thank you for taking such good care of my prisoner…but are you sure he's going to be alright? He seems to have gone rather pale…"

"My, my. I do believe you are right. Too much excitement for one day I think, Mr Kolya." The monk poured liquid from a bottle on a nearby table, then helped John sip through lips too stunned to speak. "This will help you sleep and next time when you awake, I'm sure you will feel able to tolerate a longer visit."

Sheppard saw the gleam of hatred flash and die quickly in Nessan's eyes, as he struggled to stay awake.

Nessan turned to the monk. "Thank you, Brother. I'm sure that is something we'll both look forward to. In the meantime, goodnight, Mr Kolya and… sweet dreams."

TBC

Hope you liked the little twist...and please review, I really do like to know what you think!