Thanks again for all the reviews, I'm really delighted that you are enjoying the story so far.

Well poor John was left in quite a state, so what happens next?

DAMAGED

CHAPTER 4

"No!" Teyla screamed, horrified as the whip slammed into John's scalp, tearing a deep ragged line above his brow, leaving his ripped bloody body suddenly limp.

When she saw the amount of blood pouring from the wound, nausea washed through her. The rational side of her brain told her that the large, scarlet pool staining the dry sand below looked worse than it was, because excessive bleeding was common with head trauma. Though it was the resounding thud as the whip struck into his scalp that worried her most, especially as John, while not making a sound, had clearly been in agony, his body writhing with each vicious blow as the whip tore deep jagged lines across his chest. His body had bucked, reflectively jerking away with every strike…but now, he was motionless.

She strained against the strong arms holding her tight, desperate to reach him, but was held fast by the two men who waited grimly for Falack's inspection of the hapless victim hanging from the beam. The fierce sun was glaring, blinding her, so she couldn't tell if his eyes were open, but guessed John must be unconscious, as he hadn't moved since the last brutal assault. Teyla was worried sick, as she knew that while the deep, lacerations torn into his chest looked horrendous, his mutilated body would eventually heal, but the head wound was another, more serious matter. An injury like that often fatal, especially dangerous because John was still recovering from a concussion sustained only mere days before.

Teyla watched angrily, as the odious little man peered at John, prodding him like he was just a piece of meat hanging from a butcher's spike. She was furious, enraged about the precious time being wasted, time she could be releasing him from that cruel position and tending to his wounds, yet despite her frustration, she knew she must be patient, hold her tongue and stay strong for John's sake, until they were safely away from the settlement. Teyla decided then and there that regardless of his stupid order, she would not leave John with these callous people any longer than she had to. She was determined to get both him and the boy away from this hellish place as soon as possible, and take them home to Atlantis. But, when Falack finally opened his mouth to speak, all of her good intentions to keep silent disappeared.

"Despite the off worlder's brave attempt," the chief declared in a supercilious tone, "as Colonel Sheppard ultimately succumbed to his wounds and is now unconscious, according to the rules of the test he has failed, therefore the boy will remain with us." Falack made the announcement in an abstract fashion, scanning the eyes of the crowd as he spoke. Then once he was finished gave John another disinterested glance as he began to walk away, almost, in Teyla's view as if the torture Sheppard had been subjected to was of no consequence, and the man himself, worthless.

Furious, she broke free from her captors and ran to catch up with the old man, roughly pulling him round to face her, ignored by the dispersing crowd and her former guards, who were no longer interested in keeping her restrained. The main event of last two days was over, their gruesome entertainment had finished and John's bravery and persecution dismissed, by a few trite unjust words.

"Colonel Sheppard has not failed the test…it is you who have broken the rules," she snapped, her eyes filled with contempt for the uncaring man, enraged he would dare to break his promise after the cruel treatment meted out to her friend. "The lashes were to be on his chest, not his neck, and certainly not his head," she continued as her eyes filled with angry tears, raging at the injustice, but unable to stop herself staring at the constant stream of blood dripping from the deep gash on John's scalp.

"Take the boy…"

Both Teyla and Falack swung round, surprised to see the man who had inflicted the punishment, dismount his animal, throw away the bloody whip with a look of disgust, then walk towards them. He appeared about John's age, tall, with long, dark hair plaited and left to hang over one shoulder. His face was rugged, with deep lines etched into his golden skin, damage from what Teyla presumed was too many hours spent working under the blazing heat of the sun.

"The woman is right, Falack. I missed…twice." he said, as he turned to address himself directly to the old man. "You may be the chief here, but I am the boy's uncle, and a damaged child is no use to me. Besides, the man has won the challenge and shown his courage, so now give him and our tribe some respect, and let them leave with the boy."

There was a tense silence for a minute as Teyla watched the standoff between the two, then she breathed a sigh of relief as Falack glared at the man, then gave a curt nod, as a signal for John to be released. Then, for a horrible moment, when it looked as though they were going to just let him drop, Teyla rushed forward, surprised to find Elient's uncle by her side, helping her ease John gently to the ground.

"Your friend did well." The man spoke in a deep, gruff voice so quietly that at first she barely heard him. "There are many young men here who could not have endured what he has done today, especially in silence, and your friend has proved to be an honourable and brave man, a worthy protector for the child."

She watched as he paused for a moment to look at John, almost as if he was considering something, before he turned to face her. "When he recovers, I need you to tell him what I did was to satisfy the rules of my tribe, and not done out of malice. If it had been up to me I would just have released the boy to him, but Falack, well, he may be old but he's still the chief, and determined to keep the traditional ways. In the end, I chose the quickest of the tests available to get his ordeal over with sooner, although it was probably the most painful because of that. Please…tell the colonel things will not always stay this way in Pallonia. There are those of us who are fighting to introduce change," he said, with a determination visible in his eyes. "In the meantime, borrow my horse, take him home, and get him the help he needs."

Teyla stole a look at the rugged face of the large man by her side, and wondered how someone who apparently had such a strong sense of honour could be so dismissive of his own flesh and blood. As a mother, it was hard for her to believe that anyone could treat a child the way Elient had been treated, let alone an uncle against his own kin. Yet she kept her own counsel, her thoughts silent, as between them they carefully lifted John, placed his jacket gently around his shoulders, then secured him onto the horse with some well placed rope. It concerned her that he still remained unresponsive even throughout their awkward handling, as his head slumped forward to rest on the thick blonde mane, while the child took his place behind him, wrapping his small, grubby arms around his waist to keep him steady.

Desperate to get away, Teyla nodded her thanks, then grabbing the reins began the long walk back to the 'gate. She knew John needed first aid urgently, but first she wanted to put as much distance between them and Falack's control as possible, just in case the malevolent chief decided to change his mind…

ooooOoooo

Already Carson had done a full inventory of every box, every piece of equipment and every single medication held in the infirmary, but nothing distracted him for long. Each minute that passed seemed like an eternity, as he paced up and down the small office, wearing out a faded line in the floor, as he checked his watch for the umpteenth time.

He should have been back. By now, the colonel should be lying comfortably in the corner bed, hooked up to his best drugs and healing. This was all his fault…

Never again would he let the colonel talk him into anything, let alone going against his better judgement, regardless if there was a whole village of weans involved. Lorne could have gone, even Ronon for that matter, but no, Sheppard had to be the big man and risk getting himself killed.

He was raging, but more angry at himself than John. It had been his call, and he'd let his friend down. Carson cursed himself for being so bloody stupid. How long had he know the man…five years? Anyway, long enough to know how Sheppard made light of his injuries, hiding how much he was really hurting and keeping his pain close to his chest - private. Almost as if John believed that if he revealed his weakness, it somehow made him less of a man.

Why he did that, Carson didn't know. The colonel wasn't an idiot, although the way he sometimes recklessly risked his health was idiotic. Well, it wouldn't happen again, he would make sure of it. He just prayed the colonel came through this current adventure alive, so there would be a next time.

"Carson…are you okay?" Surprised, he glanced sideways and saw a concerned Rodney watching him intently from where he leaned in the doorway.

For a minute, Carson wasn't sure what to say, but decided against telling a lie to his old friend, knowing Rodney would probably suss him out anyway. "No, not really."

Rodney gave him a sympathetic but knowing look, then walked straight past him to pour both of them a cup of coffee. Next, Carson watched as he fished into his pocket, and producing two chocolate chip cookies, offered both to him. "I didn't see you at dinner last night," he said, sounding concerned, "and Jennifer told me you skipped breakfast this morning. You need to take care of yourself, Carson…you won't be fit to work your voodoo on John when he gets back if you get sick."

"Thanks…" Carson took a bite, savouring the soft, sweet taste as the treat melted in his mouth, not realising how hungry he was. He considered what Rodney had said and was sorry he'd worried him, but it wasn't that he'd deliberated not eaten. It was just that he was so anxious about John, he'd simply forgotten.

He saw Rodney watching him, and, aware of his love for cookies, especially chocolate chip, knew what a sacrifice his friend's gesture was. "Would you like a piece?" he asked, already guessing the answer, and at Rodney's nod, split the second cookie in half and handed it to his friend, detecting a hint of relief from the scientist that he didn't take up his initial offer and eat them both himself.

As the two men sat for a moment in companionable silence, Rodney muttered quietly, "It's not your fault, Carson. We both know what Sheppard's like." He paused, swallowing hard. "If anything, this is probably as much my fault as anyone's…"

"And how do you make that out, Rodney?" Carson interrupted, puzzled.

"I chose to stay behind. I thought it was a waste of my precious time to hike in the blazing sun just to visit yet another backward settlement with no tech. Besides, I knew Teyla and Ronon were with him so I figured his back was covered." His voice cracked slightly. "Maybe if I'd gone I could have talked him out of it."

Carson chuckled slightly as he shook his head. "You don't really believe that?"

"No, I suppose not." He gave Carson a wry smile. "Nothing will stop 'Captain Courageous' from saving the day." Rodney swallowed, as his voice trailed off. "Even it means risking his own life."

"Not if I have anything to bloody well do with it," Carson grunted in response, as he pushed off the couch and made for the door, stopping to turn and look at his friend. "How do you fancy helping me get my kit down to the 'gate room?" he asked, suddenly deciding what he was going to do next. "I want to make sure I'm there and ready when the call comes in, but first I need to make a wee detour to the mess."

"Why?" Rodney asked, looking puzzled.

"Well, you were right about me needing to keep my strength up; besides, those cookies were rather nice…"

ooooOoooo

Much to Teyla's relief, no one from the settlement had followed them, so she ignored the sweat tricking down her back, and the searing heat bearing down on her head to keep going, knowing if she didn't get John home soon, he along with his victory would be short lived.

Progress was painfully slow, however, as the long walk took on marathon proportions. Her feet were scorching, as the roasting sand had burned holes through the soles of her boots as she guided the animal cautiously onwards, the poor beast carrying not one, but two burdens. John, who was still unresponsive, precariously swaying side to side, only still seated due to some strategically positioned rope, and the small arms of a determined child holding grimly around his waist.

A soft moan, alerted her just in time to see her friend lose his fight with gravity and begin to slide off the mount. Within seconds, she was by his side catching him, breaking what would have been a painful fall and easing his limp frame gently onto the ground. The child immediately understood what to do as he quickly jumped off and helped her bear the weight, then working together, they dragged the wounded man to a small outcrop of rocks nearby. In the scorching, oppressive heat, they only afforded a little shelter, but given there was nothing else visible in the harsh, barren landscape surrounding them, Teyla knew it was the best she could do. It was then she realised that John had been right; the 'gate was still over five miles away and he was in no condition to go any further.

With the boy's help, she bathed his wounds with as much of the water as she could spare, then dressed them using the remaining field dressings left in her vest. Beckett's bag, which could have afforded extra supplies had been regretfully left behind in the rush to leave.

Teyla was worried that not once during this time did John awake, the only sign he was still alive, the weak, thready pulse fluttering beneath her fingertips. She didn't want to leave him, especially not like this, but Teyla was aware she couldn't get a message to Atlantis from this far away, and knew that John's only chance of survival was if she returned to Atlantis and brought back help.

The painful decision made, Teyla signalled to the child and saw the same uncertainty and remorse mirrored in his eyes. Yet she had no choice, so with a last, lingering glance at her friend, and Elient's small fingers gripping tightly around her waist, Teyla spurred her steed into a gallop, hoping she wasn't going to be too late.

ooooOoooo

TBC

Well, I hope you enjoyed the chapter and please, as always, let me know what you think.