I don't own Stargate Atlantis or any of its characters. My bad guy is my own though. Hey there folks. Holy crap it's been a really long time. I think I just went into writer's block mode with this story. And I also dedicated most of my down time to writing a couple of completely home made stories with all of my own characters. Absolutely nothing to do with fan-fic. I wish I could post those stories because I love them. They have the same main character and he's awesome. Oh well, I hope you enjoy this chapter. It's not really the best but bear with me, I'm getting back into the swing of things. And I tweaked the rest of the story to make it even better. There probably won't be a whole lot left, but we'll see. Ta for now. :)

Chapter Twenty-Two

Sheppard lay on the floor with his hand cradled against his stomach. All he could feel was the pain. His eyes were closed and his teeth were clenched tight. He tried to think of Ronan but his brain wouldn't let him. It was all about the pain. Then his eyes flew open when he heard the whispering voice again. "Ronan's coming back John. Don't worry. He's coming." He now knew exactly who that voice belonged to.

He looked up at the imposing form of Puren standing over him in Ford's body. The evil sneer had not left his face. He knew that both he and Ronan were going to wipe that smile off of his face. He wasn't about to let the bastard win. Not in his own brain godammit! Not ever.

"You know," John said with his teeth still clenched "You are one dead motherfu…."

"Now, now Colonel John Sheppard. There is no need for such language. Is it really necessary?"

"Yes it is. Totally necessary. I only wish I weren't saying it to Ford's face. Cause that's something that I would never say to him."

"Then maybe I will change into a different form. How about this one? Does this suit you better?" Puren's image fluctuated and then he became another person.

John just stared at him, trying to ignore the pain the best that he could. "I don't believe you. You are such an asshole."

"What? You do not like this image?"

"I would like it better if it wasn't someone who was already dead." He said angrily. "I don't need to rehash those feelings thank you very much. Why don't you just show me your real image? Or are you just too afraid to do that?"

"This is more fun John Sheppard. Why would I show you my real self when I like these images better? And before we completely get off of the subject, you are supposed to be telling me where your bodyguard went to."

"I told you that wasn't going to happen. No amount of torture is going to get that answer out of me. So go screw yourself Puren." John tried to smile but it just came out as a grimace instead.

An angry look crossed Puren's face and he move towards the Colonel again. He reached down and grabbed hold of his hand again. He yanked it up as John protested. He yelled out in pain again as the finger next to the already broken one erupted in white hot pain. Now he had two broken fingers.

"You will answer my questions."

Everyone in the lab jumped when they heard Sheppard yell out a second time. They turned to look at him and saw that he was still unconscious. They knew he was in tremendous pain.

"McKay!" Ronan said emphatically.

"Almost have it. Almost have it." The man said hurriedly.

"Now McKay! He's hurting Sheppard!" Ronan said as he moved closer to the man. He practically stood in his space to make him work faster.

"Okay…. Done! Now here's the plan."

Sheppard now lay on his back, holding his hand to his chest. Tears were streaming down his cheeks to the floor. With two broken fingers on the same hand all that entered into his mind was the pain. He could feel himself going numb. He stared at the ceiling and a stray thought of Ronan popped into his head. He prayed the man would come back. Then it was gone and the numbness overtook him.

Just as Puren was about to grab for John's hand again Ronan appeared behind him and grabbed hold of his shoulder. He threw him backwards and watched as he landed with a thud on the floor near one of the gurneys. Ronan turned back, bent down and took hold of Sheppard by his torso. He put one hand on either side and pulled him to his feet. He put the man over his shoulders and headed off to find a safer place.

Puren lay stunned on the floor of the infirmary.

A short time later Ronan sat beside the bed that Colonel Sheppard lay on and wrapped his injured hand with gauze from a first aid kit. The man was fading. Ronan knew the pain must have been overwhelming. He tried to speak to his friend. "Sheppard? Can you hear me? Are you there?"

There was a slight nod from the man, otherwise there was no response. Ronan finished wrapping the hand and then carefully placed it on John's stomach. He knew he had McKay's plan, but how were they supposed to carry it out if John could barely function? He couldn't do it by himself. The plan hinged on Sheppard being able to trick Puren into thinking he'd won. It wouldn't work with just him.

Ronan stood up and walked around the quarters they were in. He didn't know who's they were, but it was a sparse room. A few pictures in frames by the bed and a guitar in the corner by the window. He didn't think he knew this particular crew member. He thought it had to have been somebody new who had come over on the Deadelus. He rubbed his face with his hands and then looked back at Sheppard. He didn't know how to get Sheppard back into the plan.

"Something must be wrong. Nothing's happened yet." Rodney said as he turned to look at the pods where John and Ronan were.

"Maybe you have to give them a little time." Weir said with some hope.

"No that's not it. You heard me tell Ronan that he had to give me ten minutes and then they could act. It's been over that and nothing's happened yet. Maybe Sheppard was worse off than we thought. It did sound like he was in a fair amount of pain. If they don't start anything soon then this plan won't work."

Teyla walked over to the pods and placed one hand on each. She closed her eyes and began to pray. Then she spoke quietly. The others could barely hear her. Then they all walked over to her and stood around the pods. Praying together.

Ronan was sitting beside the Colonel when he could hear whispering around him. He looked around but saw nothing. Then he heard it again. "Ronan. Please, you must put your plan into action. You must. Time is running out." He wasn't sure he heard it at first, but then he knew that it was Teyla. Sheppard had mentioned something about hearing Elizabeth's voice. Now he was hearing Teyla's. Letting him know what he had to do. Then he heard more whispering. Many voices this time. "We're praying for you." That was Becket. "We're all here for you and John." That was Weir. "Come on buddy. Get your buts in gear." And that was McKay's contribution. Ronan sighed and then stood up. They were right. He had to act. Both of them did.

"Come on Sheppard. This is all in your head. Literally." He said as he reached down and shook the man lightly. "Get with it. If this is in your head then you should be able to do what you want. Don't let Puren take control. Fix your hand, get rid of the pain, put the plan in motion." He shook a little harder.

John's eyes opened and he looked at the Runner. Ronan looked back at him. After several seconds John brought his hand up in front of him and then closed his eyes again. "What are you doing Sheppard?" Ronan asked as he took his hands off of the pilot's shoulders and then stood back.

John opened his eyes again and looked at his friend. "I'm doing what you told me to do Ronan. I'm doing what I want. He grabbed hold of the gauze with his other hand and began to unwrap it. When he finished Ronan just stared at the hand. John flexed his fingers and sighed. "Man, I wish that I had been able to do that sooner. Thanks buddy. Thanks a bunch."

"What took you so long?"

"I guess I need the motivation. Let's say we go kick some ass and get this bastard out of my noggin. Huh?" John smirked.

Ronan smirked back and then he helped John sit up. "I couldn't agree with you more Sheppard."

They left the room at a dead run, both smiling the whole way.

TBC in Chapter Twenty-Three….

A/N: Hope ya'll enjoyed the first chapter I've written in a while. So what do ya think? Is Puren going to get his ass kicked finally? You just wait and see my friends. Later days. I should be able to finish this soon. I hope. Now I'm off to listen to the thunderstorm. I don't know how relaxing that will be at 10:30 at night. Not really what's going to help me get to sleep. Have fun!