Of Allies or Enemies

by stephaflea

After years of planning, many disappointments and many failures … At last he has finally succeeded. Acastus Kolya is now the leader of the Genii people and is in full control. What does this mean for Atlantis and how does John take the news?

3. Chapter 3 Why Did You Stop Me?

Title: Of Allies or Enemies

Author: Flea
Rating: M (for some major swear words)
Pairing: John/Teyla
Main Characters: John, Teyla and little bits from the others
Word Count: 3726

Genre: Angst?/Romance/Action a mixture of many
Summary: Kolya is know in control of the Genii and wanted to continue the Alliance with Atlantis. What will they do and how will John react?

Warnings: Just some bad langue at the moment
Spoilers: Vague one through all three season up to season 3's Irresponsible. Spoilers mainly from 'Common Ground'

Disclaimer: No copyright infringement is intended. All characters belong to MGM I'm only borrowing them for my own personal enjoyment.

Chapter 3 – Why Did You Stop Me

"Well that went well!" Elizabeth rubbed her eyes, she'd been up all night and the tiredness was beginning to hit. John storming out hadn't made her feel any better.

"What's going on Elizabeth" She looked up to see the concerned eyes of Carson. She tried to manage a small reassuring smile but it was weak and not very convincing,

"I don't know Carson … I just don't know"

"So what …" Rodney's voice cut in "Kolya informs us his now in control of the Genii and expects us to continue with the alliance after everything his done."

"That about sums it up Rodney!

"You think it's a trap." Ronan asked "A chance to get back at Sheppard."

"I don't know." Elizabeth let out frustrated sigh "I don't know any more than what I've just told you. I knew John would take it badly but …"

"Well he has every right to." Rodney exclaimed loudly.

"Can you blame him?" Teyla said from down in her seat. Since John had stormed out all the others had stood moving from their seats. Ronon had edged closer towards the door, as if he was waiting for the Genii to attack. Rodney was pacing around frantically while Carson has moved closer towards Elizabeth. Teyla had remained in her seat a look of worry etched across her face.

"No I don't blame him … I was just hoping things had gone a little smoother."

"Maybe someone should go talk to him." Rodney suggested suddenly hoping that Elizabeth didn't think that he was offering.

John was a good guy, a great friend but Rodney new what the Colonel's temper could be like and most defiantly didn't want to be on the receiving end of it.

"I wouldn't." Ronan jumped in "His angry give him some time. He'll yell at some people, punch a few things … He'll be fine." And with that Ronan once again took his seat propping his feet up on the table.

Ronan knew Sheppard and he also knew if anybody tried talking to him now, they'd most like get a black eye and bloody lip for their efforts.

"Perhaps someone should go talk to him ..." Elizabeth added not liking Ronan logic

"I would have to agree." Carson looked around at the people in the room. "And my suggestion would be either Teyla or Ronan."

"Why them?" Rodney exclaim glad but hurt that Carson had suggested him.

"Because Rodney the last thing I want is for someone to end up in the infirmary with a broken nose. But if Colonels going to pick a fight I'd much prefer it be with someone who can stop him before anyone gets hurt.

"You mean someone who can kick his butt!"

"Yes Rodney … that's exactly what I mean." Carson growled frustrated. Everyone was tense and Rodney wasn't helping matters.

"I will go." Teyla stood informing them all, and quietly slipped out the door before any one could question her decision.

Teyla walked down one of the many corridors of Atlantis not thinking about where she was going her mind was too preoccupied on other things. Ladon had fallen to Kolya and most likely now was dead … or at least soon would be. What did this mean for Atlantis? What did it mean for John?

If Kolya was speaking the truth wanting to honour the alliance between his people and the people of Atlantis, then how could they deny him?

What must John be going through? She could only image the pain he must be feeling. It wasn't long before Teyla reached the transport sliding her hand across the panel so the doors would open, thinking for a second where John might go. He had the whole of Atlantis to escape in to and no one knew the city better than he did.

She pressed an area on the map which would lead to a remount corner of Atlantis, an area which she had discovered a while back that John would go to often. Whether he went there to think or just relax she didn't know but this would be the first place Teyla would try.

Teyla thought back to the last time they had uncounted Kolya, It was on the planet were Lucius had tricked people into believing he was a great hero. She remembered exactly the looked of hatred which flashed through Johns eyes when Kolya appeared in the square and how easy it was for John to consider killing him. If Teyla had only stood back, if she had not stopped him that day then they would not be having this problem now, she would not be travelling around Atlantis looking for one very angry John Sheppard.

But could she have done it? Stood back and let John kill Kolya in cold blood, could John have actually pulled the trigger?

Teyla could remember being locked in the cell with Ronan, Rodney and Carson wondering how long it would be until the Colonel managed to get help. She had complete faith in John knowing that no matter what he would never leave them there. Teyla could still see the looked which shined in Kolya's eyes when Rodney figured out what the man wanted. It was look of amusement; he thought it was funny. Kolya liked the idea that soon he would be ending John Sheppard's life.

Teyla couldn't even begin to image what life would be like without John, and she didn't care to find out.

The transport stopped and Teyla watched as the doors slid open to reveal an empty corridor. She wasn't completely sure where in the city she was or what lay ahead of her, she had only been to this part of the city a few times and was unsure the best way to go. Teyla studied the corridors all around having no idea which was the best place to start looking.

Down the corridor to her left she could see some large windows letting in masses of the mid morning light. They seemed to look out over the ocean, maybe there was a pier of some sort. The other way was darker heading back into the heart of Atlantis. John liked the ocean; many times Teyla had found him standing on some balcony looking out onto the deep waters. She turned heading down the corridor bathed in light; if John Sheppard was here Teyla believed that would be the place she would find him.

While she continued down the corridor her thoughts once again returned to John. A man Teyla was proud to call her friend, they had been through so much in the last few years and she now considered herself as close to him, as she was with her own people.

Yes she had grown close to all of them. To Rodney, Ronan, Carson even Elizabeth but for some reason her connection to John seemed to be strongest. They were so alike but at the same time completely different. Teyla thought back to the conference room, she'd tried to comfort John but when he pulled away the feeling of hurt which ran through her body was confusing to say the least. She cared for John Sheppard deeply but as a friend, that was as far as those feelings went; or so she had believed.

As she reached her destination and looked out of the window into the morning sun, a lone figure stood at the end of the pier his back to her just staring out into the ocean before him.

The pain he was feeling and anger showed clearly in his body. Teyla could see even from this distance that he was tensed, fists clenched tightly by his sides. She had only seen him like this one time before, the night he returned to Atlantis after being kidnapped by Kolya. She could still remember the sound of his cry's as the wraith fed on him, the way his face screwed up in pain. She'd watched as he'd grew weaker and weaker; unable to do anything but watch.

When Kolya had not contacted them that final time Teyla had refused to believe that he was dead, that she was never going to see him again. Never going to see his smile, or hear his laugh. She'd never get to enjoy the little arguments he had with Rodney which she found so amusing.

The shock was evident as it was in the rest of their team when they found him. The Wraith standing over him draining what she believed was the last of his life. But to see him stand there a moment later, the winkles which had been present on the video now clearly gone. She was amazed!! He was standing there … alive. For the first time in her life and hopefully the last Teyla had been thankful for the wraith.

Taking a deep breath Teyla palmed the door control and took a step out into the sun shine. She felt the breeze on her face and could taste the salt of the ocean on her lips. Hesitant at first she was now beginning to wonder if Ronan had the right idea, would John welcome her presence or would he pass his anger on to her the way he did to Elizabeth in the meeting.

The door slide shut behind her and Teyla began the short journey towards the lone figure that stood at the end of the pier. Towards John Sheppard.

"Sheppard should have killed the guy when he had the chance." Ronan said bluntly

"It would have made things a hell of a lot simpler, I'll give you that." Teyla had left a little over 15 minutes ago and Elizabeth was lost with no idea what to do next. What would be the best course of action; not only for her and her people, but for Atlantis.

"Simpler please Elizabeth" Rodney still hadn't calmed down. She was beginning to think it was more to do with the 4 cups of coffee Carson said he drank on their way to the meeting, than this whole problem with Kolya.

"Rodney please lets not …"

"I would think it's perfectly simple what you need to do." Rodney looked around the room but all he got in return were blank faces. "You can't let that man through the gate; he has made it his life's ambition to seize control of the galaxy …"

"Not to mention kill Sheppard." Ronan added

"They do have a point Elizabeth." she turned to Carson with Rodney acting out of control and Ronan acting … well like Ronan, Carson seemed to be the only one seeing her point of view.

"I understand really I do." Elizabeth answered turned back to face them once more.

Rodney turned away in a huff which made a wave of anger course through her entire body. "Do you think I don't understand, for God's sake Rodney I was there remember! I've seem what his put you all through but there is one thing you are all forgetting." They all stared at her the look on their faces she was unable to place. "We signed a treaty … I signed a treaty to honour an alliance between our people, no matter who their leader. I can not go back on that without good reason."

"And the fact that his a murdering psychopath isn't a good enough reason." Rodney yelled

"No Rodney it isn't!" Elizabeth had never raised her voice like that to the scientist before and Rodney stepped back surprised. "He has requested a meeting to discuss our alliance … OUR alliance Rodney I can not deny him at least that opportunity. I wish to god I could."

Rodney didn't know what to say, mainly because he knew Elizabeth was right and that fact alone was driving him crazy. How could she even think of allowing Kolya into Atlantis the man was crazy.

Elizabeth was still looking at him waiting for the argument to start again but for once he had nothing else to say.

"Are we finished here" Ronan asked getting to his feet.

Rodney breathed a sigh of relief a chance to escape.

"For now … I don't see there's anything else we can do at this point in time." Elizabeth explained but they were gone before she'd even finish, leaving behind Carson. He offered her a smile of reassurance but like hers a little earlier it was weak and had no effect what so ever.

Elisabeth sat down in her chair with a soft thud, her hands once again returning to her eyes trying hard to rub away the feelings of sleep.

"Why don't you go and get some rest my dear." Carson told her "you look like you haven't slept all night."

"I haven't!" She replied a small chuckle escaping her lips. Carson stood preparing himself to leave when Elizabeth stopped him.

"Am I doing to right thing Carson?"

"As you said what choice do we have?"

"What about John"

"Well that's a tricky matter." Carson moved closer taking the seat which was next to hers. "He's a strong lad I have no doubt what ever decision is made, he'll do the right thing."

Elizabeth nodded looking down at her hands. John had been through so much at the hands of Kolya what if this was just another one of his plans to cause him more pain.

"Why don't you ask Dr. Heightmeyer to talk to him?"

"Kate?" Elizabeth asked surprise. She remembered after the whole wraith incident she'd asked John to talk to the physiatrist it didn't go down too well. Elizabeth had threatened to suspend all his off-world duties if he refused. All she asked was that for two weeks John took 1 hour out of his schedule to see her. It had taken some convincing and more threatening but finally John had agreed. John went and saw Kate Heightmeyer for exactly 14 sessions - one a day for 2 weeks; not one more or one less than she had asked.

Although Kate couldn't give out much information, all she could say was John was like any other military officer. Closed up, preferred to keep everything in and sort it out himself in his own time. Elizabeth wondered if this would be the one time when his method of coping didn't work. Would this be his breaking point?

"He needs to talk to someone Elizabeth!" She knew that Carson was right suddenly wondering if Teyla had found him yet.

"Teyla is …" Carson shock his head before she even had a chance to finish

"She's much to close!" Carson added "Her, Rodney and Ronan they have been there with him, she has seem more than anyone what Kolya has put John through. They may be close Elizabeth but I don't believe that's what John needs right now. If he spoke to some who wasn't there, who hasn't been on the receiving end of Kolya threats?"

"I'll speak to Kate, see what she suggests"

"It couldn't hurt."

John new it was her as soon as she stepped out the door. He felt her hesitate, hover at the door and how could he blame her. After the way he had acted in the briefing room it would make anyone second guess coming to find him. Yet Teyla came anyway.

He thought for brief second Teyla would change her mind, but it wasn't long before he heard the soft footsteps as she made her way closer.

John was still angry, fuming in fact! The ocean had done little to calm him today and that fact just pissed him off even more. Kolya, just the name made his skin crawl and blood boil. He was like a nasty habit that always kept showing its ugly head no matter what you did. Oh how John hated that man.

'Hate is a very strong word!' Christ how many times had he heard that over the years. But in Kolya's case it fitted perfectly … hate. John hated him and he hated John it was a neutral understanding.

Clenching his fists tighter together John could feel his fingernails digging into the skin of his palms but he refused to release the pressure. Why hadn't he killed Kolya when he had the chance? He could have gotten the head shot that day on Atlantis, ok it would have been a little more risky with Elizabeth held at gun point but he could have made it. Or why didn't he just leave him to rot down in that hole, it would have been so easy. But no John had to tell the villagers to give him a hand out. Jesus he was so stupid, thinking it would earn him some points; bullocks did it. All it succeeded in doing was making Kolya more determined to kill him.

And then there was the wraith. He'd crossed a line with that; a big one. But the arrogant bastard got away … AGAIN!! It had taken him some time to get over that, 4 times that wraith had fed on him; the feeling of his life draining away is something he will never forget. And then after each feed to wake up feeling so weak that you could hardly stand, that you wished he'd just finished you there and then.

He still woke some nights to the nightmares but it was nothing he couldn't handle. He'd been a solider for years live through things which were much worst … well maybe not worst but the fact was he'd lived through them.

He felt Teyla as she stopped beside him, he didn't turn to look at her just as she didn't look at him.

And that brought back the memory of the last time he'd faced Kolya. It would have been so easy to kill him then, just walk out putting a bullet between his eyes before he even realised what was going on. Shit … he could have done it from the window not even left the house but again he'd missed his chance. And that time it wasn't his own doing it was Teyla's.

She had stood her ground stopping him from leaving the house finishing it once and for all. Teyla who spoke of the innocent lives that would be lost if he chose to go down that path. Yet it wasn't those lives that stopped him that day … it was her. The reason why was still as unclear to him now as the day it had happened.

All John knew was the reason he didn't push past her and kill Koyla was because she had asked him not too.

Teyla had asked him not too; so he wouldn't. Not only did it confuse the hell out of him, but it made him bloody angry!

"John are you ..."

"I don't want to talk about it Teyla!"

"John please ..."

"NO!" She was taken back by his sudden outburst. "I said I don't want to talk about." Still he refused to look at her keeping his eyes fixed on the ocean in front.

"I am sorry for bothering you." Teyla hesitated for a second before hanging her head "I shall leave you to be alone." And with that she turned to leave.

John felt Teyla turn walking away from him, and for some reason it just seemed to fuel his anger more. But why? Why was he angry at Teyla? Kolya was knocking at their door, he was the one that had tried to kill him; had threatened his friends.

"Just answer me one thing Teyla" John shouted out after her.

Teyla stood about 10 feet from him her hand out stretched ready to open the door. Her back was to John and he could fell the tension which seemed to hang in the air all around.

"Why'd you stop me?"

"John?" Teyla asked confused at his question.

"Why Teyla?" John growled in frustration "I had the chance to take him out and you stopped me."

"Is that what this is about John?" She took a few steps back towards him. The tension between them seemed to shoot up a few notches as she drew closer. John could feel his heart beat rise, his palms were sweaty and his throat was dry.

"If you hadn't of stop me we wouldn't be in this position."

"You are blaming me for this?" John saw the glare she fixed him with.

"I'm not blaming you" John told her quickly

"Well it sounds like you are John!"

"Look Teyla ..." He tried to make her understand, to make her see where he was coming from.

"No John you look ..." She shouted. "Yes you are angry; you are upset I understand that ..."

"Do you! That bastard tried to kill me! I know that's nothing unusual but for God sake Teyla he fed me to a fucking wraith!" John shouted "He fed me to a wraith, he threaten my friends! You'll telling me you can understand that."

"John"

"NO! I had every right to shoot that son of a bitch and you" he pointed his finger at her. "You stopped me!"

"And what? You want me to apologise? "John threw his arms in the air he was furious, spinning around and walking back towards the edge of the pier.

"Is that what you want me to do?" She yelled towards him but he didn't reply. "Look at me John!" But still he didn't turn. Teyla marched over to him reaching out she grabbed hold of his arm swinging him around to face her.

"Fine … I am sorry! I am sorry that I stopped you from shooting him, stopped you from becoming a murder!" They stared at each other; breathing heavily. Teyla released his arm but neither made a move to leave.

"Are you happy now?" Teyla spat out the words. She was so angry she couldn't think straight. How had John managed to make her so angry that all she wanted to do was punch some sense into the man.

"No!" And before Teyla had time to stop him he had pushed passed her heading towards the door.

"John … if you had killed him that day you would be no better than he is!"

Her words hit home she knew they had, he stood there still as a statue but never turned around. Teyla could feel the impact her statement had on him; John knew that she was right.

Teyla stood watching; hoping that he would turn and face her. Things had not gone as she had planned! She did not mean to make him so angry or get angry herself; it had all happen so quickly her head was still spinning. Teyla watched hoping but as John reached out and palmed the door signal, her heart feel.

Teyla could do nothing but watch as the door slid open and John Sheppard walked out.