Thanks for the reviews. Thanks also to my fab beta, shepsgirl72...as always any mistakes are mine.

COLLABORATIONS

CHAPTER 8

Malen slowly climbed down the rough, stone steps to the cellar, curious to know what he would find.

Twenty-four hours had passed since he punished the visitors, and as his eyes adjusted to the gloomy interior he saw both men huddled on either side of the long room, lying perfectly still. As he stepped over the refreshments left by brother Phailem, Malen noticed they were barely touched, but the fact they were disturbed at all, was evidence at least one of the prisoners survived the ordeal.

Mr Sheppard was moaning slightly, his face pinched in pain, but the monk was pleased to see his wounds had been thoroughly cleaned, which was very fortunate, as his lacerations were caused by the poisoned dagger. When he placed his hands on the man's skin, Malen found it a little warm. No doubt, a slight temperature caused by the lingering after effects of both the punishment and the diluted poison in his bloodstream. Nevertheless, the monk knew if not for the other mans efforts he would have died, but now, not only would Sheppard survive, he should also be able to recover quite quickly

Even in the dimness of the cellar, it was clear the other man had not fared so well, as he was shivering, despite the room feeling uncomfortably warm. On closer examination, the monk found Mr Kolya's skin to be hot, his flushed, rosy cheeks clammy to the touch…indicative of a fever. Observing his back, he shook his head in disappointment, because the reason for his illness was all too apparent. While some of the lacerations looked reasonably clean, the deeper cuts had barely been touched, resulting in the wounds becoming infected. How this happened was all too apparent, as the evidence spoke for itself. While this man, Mr Kolya, had cleaned his partner's wounds first, Mr Sheppard in turn, had not assisted his partner, shamefully leaving the man to heal himself.

Malen was more than disappointed, he was angry. From the very beginning he'd guessed there was something going on between these men, something more than what he'd been told. But regardless of their history, their deception, he'd still hoped they could learn to put aside their differences and work together in mutual respect and co-operation. Yet, despite their painful punishment, it was clear nothing had changed. Therefore, Malen was determined their lesson would continue, even if it meant a life was lost in the process. He took the empty metal basin and held it high above his head before dropping it hard, banging onto the sandstone floor, the resulting crash waking up both men to his presence.

"Good evening, gentlemen. Well, the fact neither of you is dead tells me someone did their job, Mr Kolya, while you Mr Sheppard did not, resulting in your partner becoming quite ill."

Nessan looked at Sheppard in shock…aware he had saved his life. He glared at the monk. "Well, aren't you going to help him?"

"No, Mr Sheppard, it's your job as his partner to take care of him. However, if you fail to heal him and he dies, then you will also forfeit your life."

Nessan saw Sheppard smirk. "Fine… release me from my chain, bring me fresh supplies and I will do as you ask."

"How very magnanimous of you, Mr Sheppard. I will most certainly have fresh supplies sent down, but neither of you will be released from your chains, therefore you must work together to achieve your goal."

Slamming his long chain against the ground, Nessan raged. "How am I expected to help him like this?

The monk smiled. "I am sure an intelligent man like you, a military commander, will find a way."

Kolya watched in panic as the door slammed shut, leaving them once more alone. "Sheppard, you're not really that sick, are you?"

John was seized by a bout of coughing. "Course not… I'm just peachy."

"Good, then come over here so I can get a look at you." Nessan watched as John tried to rise only to slump back down again.

"Maybe later, Kolya. I'm too tired and sore to move right now."

"Damn it, man…get over here so I can help you. Didn't you hear him? If you die so do I."

Sheppard looked at Kolya through glazed eyes. "I'm touched by your concern. What happened to accepting any punishment, just to have me dead?"

"Look, John, forget about me for a minute. If you want your people to find you alive, then do it for yourself. I can see from here you don't look well, and if the infection gets any worse you soon won't be able to move at all…so get over here so I can help you!"

In the dim light, Nessan saw Sheppard struggling towards him, and was alarmed to see him shivering, despite the heat in the stuffy cellar. Worse still, his face was pale, white almost, except for two rosy circles on his cheeks...fever. He cringed when he saw the inflamed lacerations, especially that last deep cut, looking raw and angry, filled with yellow pus. Eventually, Sheppard came close enough to reach, and he stretched out his hand, took hold of his enemy's arm, and dragged the Lantian beside him, just as the door creaked open to reveal brother Frama, laden with blankets and fresh supplies.

Nessan saw the old monk hurry down to Sheppard, with a concerned look clearly visible in his wrinkled features. Through the other men, he knew John had worked with Brother Frama in the kitchens, but although he'd never spoken about his stint there, it was clear the old man liked John, and was deeply worried, angry even, about his condition. Not for the first time, Kolya couldn't believe the way people were attracted to the Lantian, just like moths to a flame, or bees to the fragrant flowers in the field. And, as this proved, it wasn't just the women who were drawn to the man, as other men also, as in Frama's case, held him in admiration and respect. While this irritated him no end, in this particular instance it would work to his advantage, because the old man obviously cared about Sheppard, and he hoped with his help, the pilot would recover.

After he laid the basin, cloths, ointment and blankets on the floor, brother Frama placed his hand upon John's head. "You're burning up, young man…You" he looked now at Nessan, "place these blankets on the ground and help me get him onto them. Now, take this cloth and clean these wounds thoroughly, then put on the ointment, making sure it goes deep into the lacerations. I must leave now, but will return with something to help bring down the fever."

Sheppard's dark spiky hair lay soaked, flat against his white face. But Nessan saw him turn to smile at his friend. "Hi, Brother Frama" he said while the coughing took hold of him again. "Thank you for helping me, but can't I have one of those on top? I'm freezing, it's so damn cold down here."

Frama grew alarmed, knowing the airless room felt oppressively warm. "I'm sorry my, son, but it's cooling down you need, not a blanket. Let your partner help you, and I will see what I can do about bringing down your fever when I return."

Kolya saw the old monk struggle to rise on limbs ravaged by age, and make his way out of the cellar. Then taking the cloth, he soaked it in the warm water, and began the painful task. Sheppard flinched as the cloth, now blood red, grated against his ragged, infected skin and Nessan felt him shudder, as he meticulously cleaned each of the cuts, one at a time. It was strange. He normally enjoyed causing the man pain, but this time, knowing Sheppard had saved his life, it didn't give him the pleasure it normally did. Instead, it made him feel vaguely uncomfortable.

Beads of sweat were falling down his face, and the Lantian was obviously suffering. "Look, Sheppard. This is going to take a while, and I know from experience how painful this feels. So why don't you try to sleep…or something."

He saw Sheppard's eyes glaze over and start to shut. "Sounds… like… a… gd… ida..."

Kolya shook his head and couldn't help but smile…as the military man even fainted to order. Yet, as he continued to clean the wounds as best he could, Nessan felt anxious at the heat rising from Sheppard's clammy skin, and worried, hoping his help hadn't come too little, too late. By the time he was finished, satisfied he had done all he could, Nessan was exhausted. Weakened by his own injuries, he felt too tired to move back to his own side, so lay where he was, next to his nemesis, and promptly fell asleep.

ooooOoooo

There was no night or day in the cellar, only the soft light of the oil lantern breaking the darkness, as Kolya awoke to the delirious ramblings of the man by his side. Sheppard was arguing with someone, his father? Over something or someone called 'Stanford.' From the look on his face, he was distressed, angry even. But after a moment he became deathly still, silent… until his body started to shake, writhing in pain.

Nessan's back ached, but otherwise he felt better, where as Sheppard looked worse than before; burning up, shivering violently, and completely unresponsive to all his attempts to wake him. As Kolya struggled to rise, he saw fresh refreshments had been left while he slept, so, feeling hungry for the first time since his ordeal began, he helped himself to the now, cold meat stew, then drank a long cooling drink from the jug of water. Then, after he was finished, he took the remainder of the water over to his companion.

Holding Sheppard's head steady, he forced some of the water down the sick man's throat, and with the rest bathed his clammy skin. The Lantian had deteriorated so quickly it shocked him, and it was clear without medical attention soon, he may get his wish…Sheppard could soon be dead. For years all he wanted was to catch the man, who took the life of his brother, and to make him pay with his life. But as he watched John shuddering, victim to the raging fever wracking his body, it stunned him to realise, now that his wish could be granted, it gave him no pleasure.

Kolya couldn't understand it, but John Sheppard, unaware of which blade was tainted with poison, had chosen to help him first, saving his life in the process. It just didn't make any sense. Surely the Lantian must have realised he wouldn't return the favour, so why did he offer to help him first?

When he abducted Sheppard over a year ago, Nessan knew he had shown the Lantian no mercy…placing him first in a mask within a soulless prison. Then, treating him worse than an animal before eventually brutally beating him nearly to death…with his father's belt. However, this man, who must despise him for what he'd done, had put aside his hatred, and put his needs, his welfare before his own…Why? No one, not even his own family ever showed him this kind of compassion…or any consideration even. And now, because of that choice, he could lose his life…

Nessan wanted the Lantian dead, but not like this, and especially not while he was in his debt. Malen had made it clear if Sheppard died then so would he, but for once in his life Kolya didn't care about himself. He needed John Sheppard to survive as he didn't want to be beholden to any man, especially not him.

Slowly, painfully, rising to his feet, Nessan took the long chain in his hand and banged it hard against the ground, again and again, trying desperately to get someone's attention…but no one came. He continued his tirade, banging the chain, shouting for help at the top of his voice, until he fell weak, and exhausted to his knees. Just when he thought it was a lost cause, he heard the old wooden door creak open, revealing father Malen, accompanied by brother Frama, standing in the open doorway.

ooooOoooo

If Malen was shocked at Mr Kolya's deterioration, he didn't show it, but grudgingly admitted that Frama, the kind-hearted old fool, was right. He'd told him Mr Kolya would die if he wasn't removed from the oppressively hot cellar, and given the care he needed. Then, the monk had practically begged to be allowed to help him. Malen looked down upon the two men in front of him, one dying, the other desperate, and decided he may relent after all. From what he could tell, it seemed as though Mr Sheppard had finally learned his lesson. His cries for help apparently out of genuine concern for his partner, rather than the dire consequences he would face if the other man died.

Nessan struggled to his feet, and pleaded with the approaching Malen. "Thank you for coming, Father Malen. Please…help him. A fever is raging through him. I have done what I can, but without proper care he will die."

While he watched Frama go down to tend to the sick man, the senior monk made his decision.

"Well, I am pleased to see you have finally learned your lesson, Mr Sheppard, and are beginning to embrace the true spirit of brotherhood. I am not without mercy, so therefore, I will arrange for you to be taken to the infirmary, where you will both receive the care you need. In the meantime, however, I will still expect you to be your partner's primary carer until he recovers."

Malen saw relief flood Sheppard's face. The same face that only yesterday was ugly with hate…for him and the man lying unconscious on the floor. Even as he searched the dark, fathomless eyes smiling back at him, he wondered if this man could really have changed…so much…so soon?

ooooOoooo

TBC