Trials of Faith - Chapter 5

Another group of stars.

'Well that's it then, she's gone.' Carson slumped into a chair in the infirmary. The group had congregated around a bed in the far corner where Major Feretti lay.

'We'll get her back.' Sheppard paced.

'How do you plan to do that? Use your psychic powers to locate her and then your super speed and strength to stop her from kicking your ass? Doubtful. She wants to be alone, so let's leave her alone.' Mckay said bitterly, turning from the group.

John cast him a sideway glance, knowing that he was feeling the same thing. Betrayal. It was fresh, like the cut on his lip.

'Rodney's right, when she came in here yesterday, she seemed like she needed to be alone for a while. She wasn't herself.' Carson commented, shaking his head.

'What was she doing in here yesterday?' Ronan asked, curiosity breaking across his face.

Carson thought for a second. 'She had a chat with Marine.'

Ronan and Mckay both looked at John, who looked at Marine across the room, who looked swiftly back at her Husband. She had been listening.

The group walked over to Carus's bed, leaving Carson sitting.

'What?' he asked, confused, before following them.

'Marine?' John smiled, halting in front of the nervous woman.

'Colonel Sheppard.' She nodded, not looking him in the eye.

'What did Teyla want with you the other day, before she left?' He asked, still smiling.

She played with her hands. Mckay rolled his eyes.

'If you know something, tell us.'

'Now now Rodney, be nice.' John reminded.

'What?' He asked, the constant happy face John was using making him uncomfortable.

'Did she say anythin' to you, love?' Carson had finally caught on.

Marine looked at her Husband, sleeping, her children were off elsewhere.

'She came to say goodbye.'

'And?' John prodded.

'And…good luck for the future.'

'And?' John prodded further.

Marine looked up at his smiling face, to the face of the others all showing concern. Teyla had not told them.

'I cannot say.'

'Oh, of course you can.'

'Will you stop being creepy, smiling guy?' Rodney ordered. John gave him a dark look that meant 'shut up.'

'Teyla did not tell you for a reason, and neither will I.'

'Well, Teyla is being extra crazy person lately and she doesn't know what's good for her.' Carson and Rodney frowned at John, Ronan watched Marine.

'She could be in trouble. We want to help.' The Satedan stated.

Marine knew this was true, more so than they did. But Teyla did not want them to know. She paused. Maybe Teyla needed to accept the fact that she wasn't alone in this world and that she had friends who cared for her dearly. She melted.

'She has returned to Tolas.' The group exchanged nervous glances. 'She asked me about where the Council met, I believe that she has gone to find the reason why the Wraith came to the planet, and she has gone alone.'

John turned to the rest of the group. 'How did she know about the Council's hiding place under their meeting room?' He stared at each in turn, until his eyes landed on Rodney. Eyes the size of plates and unsteady breathing, Mckay was guilty as sin.

'Don't kill me.' He squeaked.

Ronan and Carson cast him pitiful looks before pacing in thought. John inched nearer and Mckay used the bed as a shield.

'I'm not going to kill you Mckay, oh no, I am how ever going to hang you upside down by your toes outside of a Jumper.' He breathed through the anger raging in side of him. 'Whether or not we'll be in space when I do that depends entirely on Teyla's condition when we save her.'

'I'd rather it not be in space.' He mumbled, his head looking to the floor.

'Well, lets' hope Teyla's okay then' John said calmly.

'In fact, I'd rather you didn't hang me upside down by my toes. I have very weak muscles and I doubt my toes could hold my weight. Especially my big left toe. An old basketball injury.'

John raised his eyebrows. 'You played basketball?'

'Sure. I mean, there was a ball and people on a court with hoops, most of whom were female…'

'Netball…?' The corner of John's mouth lifted. 'You were on a Netball team?'

'Reserves actually –' Then Rodney caught the smirks of all his friends. 'Oh yes, let's all mock the dead man because he played Netball in College. It was a great way of meeting women I'll have you know and I never, not once, had an issue with other guys I knew either. They all thought it was a great sport for talented athletes.' He crossed his arms.

'You mean the two guys who were also on the netball team, and not the reserves?' John teased. Rodney was about to come back with a snappy retort but John held up both hands. 'Enough! We need to gear up and get Teyla before she gets in serious trouble. She's already badly injured as it is, I don't think she could stand up to any Wraith right now, no matter how good she is at kicking their big blue butts.'

Ronan and Carson followed John out of the infirmary heading to tell Elizabeth their new discovery, leaving Rodney looking completely offended and Marine looking utterly uncomfortable.

'It's a very manly sport.' He insisted. Marine nodded reassuringly. Rodney sighed loudly. 'Oh, never mind.' He jogged to catch up with his friends.

Teyla stared at him in disgust, the dim orange light making her face appear even more menacing. 'You knew?' She whispered.

Yeda nodded. 'Yes. The council gathered in secret a few days before and decided that it would serve no one if we told them. They would only panic.'

'They would have run!' She growled. 'Gone to safety! They would have lived Yeda, over a hundred Athosians and thousands of Talosians are dead because you were afraid they would panic?' She gaped at this man who had been her friend. She could feel his hesitation, something he was holding back. Teyla was unsure how long she could keep herself off of him, her fists balled and waiting to beat him senseless. 'You are not being honest with me. Like you were not honest to your people.'

All the council members exchanged glances, except Yeda, his eyes were glued onto his former leader.

'We could not tell them.' He croaked. 'They could not know, could not leave.'

'Is this madness?' She rasped, so hurt, so confused. 'Yeda, why did you not save these people?'

Yeden turned from her now to look at Jardus, he slowly shook his head.

'She deserves to know.' Yeda whispered.

'No Yeda. The council agreed.' Krastan ordered. Her arms still folded.

'She is the leader of the Athosian people, my people, Jardus…' Yeda pleaded.

'She is in league with Atlantis. She will inform them, we cannot risk it, the Wraith are too close to them-' Jardus was still massaging his throat from where Teyla had attacked him, not knowing how close she was to attacking him again.

'Jardus is right Yeda, we have sacrificed too much.' Deener stated, clasping his two children close to him.

'I have left Atlantis. I am no longer one of them. I have come to find answers.' She informed firmly, both hands gripping her staff. 'And I will find them.'

'You have come alone to Tolas?' Yeda asked, frowning.

'I have.' How she wished she hadn't. That John was standing next to her, helping her…

'She is a leader, and she is alone. She would not betray us; Teyla can be trusted with the secret.' Yeda looked down at his own child, she stared up at him, not knowing what had happened and what her life had become.

'Teyla, if we are to tell you of the secret, you must keep it. Many have died across dozens of worlds in order to keep it safe.' Jardus whispered, as though he spoke of something sacred.

'Dozens of worlds? What could be so important that millions would die not knowing that there own people could have saved them?' Teyla asked, desperate for the answer to be something big. Something that would make her understand why so many had died, hoping that it had been worth it. But she knew that nothing, absolutely nothing would ever be that important.

Yeda looked at her, and said softly 'A girl.'

'I don't understand why Teyla would lie about where she was going; she knows we would have helped her.' Elizabeth asked, pacing around her office, which she suddenly believed to be far too small.

'Maybe that's why she lied; she didn't want to get us in harms way. Even though we have faced danger together countless times and survived.' John explained, a little miffed himself with Teyla's decision.

'It could be that she wants to do it herself, to find out what's going on and get revenge for her people. She can be awfully determined and independent when she wants to be.' Carson reasoned, wishing that she would stop pacing just for a second.

'Yeah, determined as in "stubborn" and independent as in "insane." Mckay commented, his arms folded.

'She lost over a hundred people Rodney, I think she's allowed some personal crazy time, don't you?' Carson backfired, not sure if he had just helped Teyla or not.

'Alright, it doesn't matter. She's walking into danger on her own and we know that she's not in her right mind.' Elizabeth stopped in front of Ronan who looked at her with a mildly nervous expression.

'The Wraith aren't the problem at the moment, Teyla went to that planet looking for human blood.' Ronan watched the Earth leader, waiting for the order.

'Okay, I need you to-'

'Doctor Beckett!'

The group turned to see Nurse Carol Brody jogging through the control room straight to Carson, a black sheet in her hand.

'Carol? Is everything alright?' Carson asked, concerned that one of his patients may have just crashed.

'No, I'm sorry Doctor Weir.' She handed the Scot the sheet. 'Teyla's chest x-ray.'

John looked between her worried expression and the sheet in front of Carson's face, not to mention the growing alarm Beckett was displaying.

'What?' He asked quickly, expecting the worst.

'Oh my god, how did we miss-' Beckett's blue eyes swept over the picture again before he rushed to Weir's side. John joined them craning his neck to see. 'Teyla got a right kicking from the Wraith, she has two fractured ribs up here, but it's the fourth rib on the right that's got me worried. It's broken, and sticking out at a bloody dangerous angle.'

'But she seemed fine - walking, running, punching.' Rodney said, worry flicking over his features.

'Aye, and she's been on strong medication, which'll wear off soon enough. Plus Teyla is made of strong stuff - she can be stubborn Rodney, you're right, and it's going to get her killed.'

'How?' Elizabeth and John looked at him in confusion.

'If she does anything overly strenuous, like oh say, fight a Wraith? The rib will puncture her right lung and it will collapse. To be honest, sitting down in one harsh movement will do the trick, it's only a matter of time.' Beckett saw the alarm in John's face. 'She needs surgery Colonel. Now.'

John met Elizabeth's eyes. She nodded.

'Gear up.'

The answer was so simple and so unexpected that Teyla took a step forward. She clutched her side as the stab of pain returned.

'A girl?'

'Yes.' Yeda confirmed.

There was a moment's silence where Teyla stared at each of them in turn.

'Millions have died - because of a girl?' She asked incredulously. 'A single human being.'

'No.' Krastan snapped.

'Then explain it to me.' Teyla advanced menacingly and Krastan rethought her hostility, stepping back and looking to the floor.

'She is not just a girl; she is not a human being.' Deener began. 'She is more.'

Teyla rolled her eyes in frustration. This was taking too long.

'Yeda.' She warned. He nodded and stepped forward leaving his daughter behind him.

'She is not of our blood Teyla; she is not of our stars.' He paced for a few moments, as though trying to think of words to do the girl justice. 'It was written on a tablet of the ancestors that there once lived a race from an entirely different group of stars, a race who knew nothing but peace. They were not human, but they were of good spirit.' He paused. 'They possessed abilities so great that technology was not needed, it was said that they controlled things with their minds.' Teyla watched him as he spoke passionately, the ice around her heart not melting at his words. 'As the years went on, they found that their abilities were not needed for everyday life, and so they stopped using them. They lived as we do, except they enjoyed life and did not know fear. Until a terrible enemy rose from the shadows and exterminated them - they could not defend themselves because they could not remember how to use their gifts.' He paused again, lifting his head in pride. 'The ancestors, through their need to explore further, reached out to those stars and began to feed their curiosity. They saved but a handful before they were forced to come home, the Wraith proving a more formidable threat than they had first believed drew them back.'

Jardus stepped forward and continued. 'Those few that were rescued lived among them for a short time, running from the Wraith as the ancestors fought them. Afraid of their powers, afraid of failure.'

'Over the years they lived on as though they were part of our stars, never returning home.' Deener jumped in. 'The ancestors left, offering them the chance to follow, but they remained, believing one day that they could find a way home.'

'She resurfaced recently when the Wraith discovered her,' Yeda bowed his head. 'They know what she is and they fear her.'

'Why? She does not know how to use the abilities of her people, after thousands of years this could not change.' Teyla commented, the information overwhelming her, making her dizzy.

'Because those abilities are within her. Why else would the Wraith perceive her as a threat? Destroying world after world to reach her.' Krastan had a look in her eyes, a look of belief. It made Teyla nauseas.

'A world like Tolas?' She breathed.

Yeda nodded. 'The girl was brought here with her Guardian for a time, hiding in the depths of the city, safe from those who would consider handing her to the Wraith for personal gain.' He glanced at Jardus. 'As you know, the Talosian people have impressive connections developed through trade. We were informed by trusted friends that the Wraith were coming.'

'When she runs to a world, they will already know of her coming. People would go to the next world and inform their leaders, so that if the Wraith were to come, the girl would know where to go. She would be safe, always.' Deener paused and studied the Athosian, pain and anger and confusion clear on her face.

'This does not explain why lives were sacrificed.' She gripped her side tightly, breathing hard, anger making her sweat.

'If the people knew of the girl and were captured by the Wraith, it would only be a matter of time before all her secrets were known to them. Maybe even where she had run to, the people she knew on other worlds whose people had not been attacked. Not all worlds have been destroyed, and those that have, died for a good cause.' Krastan insisted.

'What good cause? She can't help if she doesn't know about her abilities!' Teyla yelled. 'This only means that people have died for nothing! Nothing but beliefs haunted by false hope!'

Yeda stopped, frowning at her. 'I have never heard of Teyla Emmagan speak of false hope, not unless she has been lying to her people for all these years?'

Teyla scowled at him.

'Teyla, we know that she has it within her. She is the one we have been waiting for. She can defeat the Wraith.' Yeda insisted.

Teyla was unsure if it was madness, desperation grown from many years of fear and suppression. It was nonsense, and she didn't have time for it.

'And what is the plan for this girl?' Teyla rasped leaning against the wall, the pain in her side worsening. She was so tired. 'She is to keep running until they capture her?'

The room was silent. They had no idea. Millions had died in the hope that this single girl would suddenly produce an amazing power to wipe their enemy from the galaxy. Teyla was close to tears. Their stupidity astounded her. But their willingness to allow so many to die over such a small possibility made her blood boil, it coursed through her, pounding in her chest – aching at her side like knives being dug into flesh.

'I will not ask how many worlds have been destroyed by your – beliefs…' Teyla glared, standing gingerly. Krastan threw her a dirty look. 'I will ask for you to tell me where she has travelled to from Tolas.'

Jardus stepped forward in alarm. 'Why would we do that? You have the knowledge that you needed, and we have your promise that you will not inform anyone else?'

'She will keep running. People will keep dieing.' Teyla stated. 'She must stop and fight, she must face the Wraith.'

'Teyla…' Yeda began.

'If such a power exists it will not come to light while she runs! She must look inside of herself; she must look now if this is ever to have the remotest chance of success!' Teyla had always been a wonderful speech giver, Yeda knew. Her words came from the heart – a true leader. She gave off such strength that it was easy to follow her lead. But standing in the shadows as she did, it seemed that her strength was waning. She looked unwell. And the words spoken did not come from the warmth of her heart, but a dark and cold place he had never before seen. It was impossible to understand how she was taking the information after losing so many, but whatever had happened on Atlantis had left a deep hurt in Teyla's eyes.

'You will go to her.' Yeda stated, knowing that it was not a question – she would do it.

'I will try.' She whispered. 'I must see for myself if she has any hope of defeating the Wraith, I will help her look for the power to do so.' Teyla looked at each of them in turn. 'I will take her somewhere safe, where the Wraith will never go.' She took her hand from her side, holding herself up to her full height. Although, be it small, she was still impressive. 'If she cannot help, then I will inform others. The dieing will stop, and she will run no more.'

Yeda admired her so. Trusted her now more than ever. He had known her for so long, and he knew that she would keep her word.

'The girl has travelled to Medda, the second city-'

'Yeda!' Krastan yelled.

'Be silent!' Jardus snapped, casting Deener a look of panic. Deener merely watched the scene unfold.

'-you must ask for Dedoras. When you find him, you must use the password 'Shesti Lake.' He will take you to the girl.' Yeda ignored his fellow Councilmen and smiled bravely at Teyla.

'What is her name?' Teyla asked.

'We don't know.' He replied, Teyla rolled her eyes. 'But the name of her Guardian is Borus. He is a little…'

'Aggressive.' Krastan huffed.

Teyla nodded. 'That will not be a problem.' She smiled weakly at Yeda, thankful that she was finally going to be doing something. 'It had been many years since I have travelled to Medda, I cannot recall the address. You must show me.'

'On the surface?' Jardus scoffed. 'We must wait till morn, any survivors will emerge then.'

'And when they do, use this-' Teyla unclipped the radio from her belt and handed it to Yeda. '-to contact Atlantis. They will provide aid.'

She turned to the doorway. 'But I must leave tonight.'

Yeda nodded. 'I will take you.'

'I shall accompany you also.' Deener stepped forward. 'You should not venture out alone.'

Teyla nodded to both in turn, grateful for their help.

She would find the girl, and no man or Wraith would stop her from making sure that she had been worth so many lives.