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?

19. Chapter 19 One Hour

Title: Of Allies or Enemies
Author: Flea
Date Sat Feb 10, 2007
Part: 19/?
Rating: M

Pairing: J/T
Characters: John, Teyla, (little bits from all the others)
Genre: Romance / Suspense /Angst /Action its got some of everything
Word Count: 1947
Archiving: only here and on fanfiction net
Warnings- angst, swearing, Violence and torture
Spoilers: slight once through out all the season, many from the episode which Kolya appears in.

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

Summary: 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?

Chapter 19 - One Hour

The first thing Elizabeth noticed as John, Ronan and herself arrived at the control room was that the Stargate was active; a sudden burst of panic filled her body.

"Rodney what the hell is the gate doing open?" John asked as he walked toward the scientist.

Rodney didn't even explain as he pressed a few controls on the panel in front of him; a screen to their left bursting to life.

"The gate opened a few minutes ago …" Rodney informed them. "He refused to talk to anyone but Sheppard."

John stood watching the screen; watching Kolya.

John didn't believe that the hatred he felt for this man could increase any more, but after hearing what the Genii prisoner had to say he was proved wrong.

Kolya had come to Atlantis with one main agenda … to kill him. Getting a chance to take over the city was just an added perk.

"I'm tired of waiting Doctor!" Kolya spoke; having no idea that the man he was waiting for was actually there.

"Where is she Kolya?" John demanded, noticing a look of shock appear on Kolya's face at his sudden arrival.

"I'm glad you could join us Colonel, as you have wasted no time getting to the point neither shall I."

John heard a number of gasps around him as Kolya stepped aside revealing Teyla's presence.

Teyla was hanging there, her wrists clamped firmly together held up to the ceiling by a chain. John could tell by the way Teyla stood that she was in pain, her face was pale and he could still see the blood from the gash on her head.

"I could kill her right now Colonel, for all of you to see." Kolya stated pulling his gun from its holster, pointing it to Teyla's head to prove his point. John was sure he stopped breathing as he watched as Kolya moved the gun 'till it was resting next to Teyla's temple. "But that would be too easy."

Kolya lowered his weapon and John began to breathe once again.

"What do you want Kolya?"

"I would have thought that was obvious Colonel?"

"Give me a hint!"

"I have grown tired of this game, no opponent has ever caused me this much trouble."

"I'm flattered" John answered sarcastically

"You should be … but the time for games is over. Give yourself up willingly and I will release her unharmed."

"And if I don't?"

Kolya didn't reply to John's question instead he turned from the camera nodding towards to his second in command.

John and the whole of the control room watched helplessly as the Genii solider slammed the butt of his gun into Teyla's stomach causing her to propel forward gasping for breath.

Yanking hold of her hair he pulled her head back with such force that Teyla was unable to restrain the cry which escaped her lips though it was muffled by the gag which restrained her mouth. The blade of a knife suddenly appeared from no where; only to be pressed against the exposed skin on her neck.

"Kolya stop!" John yelled. He could see a small tickle of blood run down her neck where the blade had nicked her skin.

"I can make the pain last for hours, Colonel. Even days."

"If I agree to your terms how do I know you won't just kill her?"

"You have my word, Colonel."

"That means nothing to me Kolya" John spat, his second in command still holding the knife to Teyla's throat. A sickening feeling formed in his stomach at the thought of what he could do with it.

"I have no interested in killing her, Colonel, I only want you. What are you willing to give to save her life?" Kolya asked; a grin appearing on his lips.

"This is madness!" Rodney cried, his statement only increasing the look of amusement on Kolya's face.

"I will give you one hour Colonel, go to the Genii home world and give yourself up and she will be released."

"You seriously can't believe him" Rodney turned to John, "You give yourself up and he'll have both of you."

"No more harm needs to come to her Colonel, I pray for Teyla's sake that you do not choose to doubt my sincerity."

Teyla felt helpless! She knew Kolya had no intention of letting her go even if John did give himself up. He would only use her to hurt him more. She couldn't allow that to happen.

Teyla glanced to the camera wishing that she could see John's face; she knew that he and the others would be there unable to do anything apart from watch and listen.

Would John do as Kolya asked? Teyla knew he would do anything for a member of his team even if it meant his life. But would he walk into such an obvious trap?

Teyla didn't need to think about it for long, if there was any chance that Kolya would keep his word and free her he would do it; give himself up willingly. She knew this because if their roles were reversed; she would do it for him in a heart beat.

They had not replaced the gag properly around her mouth! If she could just move it a little she'd be able to speak. Slowly as not to alert the guard to what she was doing Teyla tried to pull the gag down rubbing it against her arms in the hope that it would move.

Teyla couldn't hear what Kolya or her friends were saying, zoning out of their conversation as she tried desperately to free her mouth in the hopes of warning John.

The material moved, only slightly but now it was even looser than before.

"What are you doing?" One of the guards demanded, only just noticing her movements.

Teyla knew that Kolya had heard the soldiers question as he turned to see what was happening; she had to work quickly if she was to have any chance at succeeding.

As the guard got closer she waited 'till he lifted his hands to tighten her gag. This was what Teyla had wanted. Quickly she whipped her head to the side causing the gag to catch on the guard's fingers tearing it away from
her mouth. With one swift kick to the man's groin he hit the ground crying out in pain.

"He's lying John!" Teyla shouted. "It's a trap, don't…"

Teyla felt the pain shoot through her head as other of the Genii soldiers used the back of his gun trying to silence her outburst. The pain vibrated down her whole body before once again blackness took over.

John watched as Teyla's head slipped forward resting on her chest as she passed out.

"You have one hour" and with those final words Kolya vanished.

It was a trap! Teyla had said so herself. John knew it would be, but still he was considering Kolya's words.

John would give his life for Teyla's in a heart beat, but would it do any good? He would leave in an instant if he believed Kolya would keep his word and release Teyla.

"So what do we do now?" Rodney asked his voice breaking the silence which had descended over the control room.

John pondered the question: what do they do now? There was no way of finding the planet from the DHD, the Genii in the cell wasn't talking and Elizabeth wouldn't let Ronan beat the answers from him, so that was another dead end.

Where did that leave them? Where did it leave Teyla?

John knew the kind of things Kolya was capable of doing, he had first hand experience.

He also had first hand experience of torture and knew what kind of pain was awaiting Teyla if they didn't get to her soon.

"We need to find that address Rodney." Elizabeth pushed

"No you don't!" John's statement earning him a startled look from everyone in the control room.

He had made up his mind! Yes the chances of Kolya keeping his word and releasing Teyla was slim, but there was still a chance.

Everyone watched as John removed his side arm; handing it to the closest person which happened to be Carson.

Carson looked at the gun shocked not completely sure what John expected him to do.

"Take the gun Carson!" he ordered, the Doctor quickly doing as he was told.

"John ..." Elizabeth questioned not sure where he was going with this, and not completely sure she wanted to find out.

"Dial the gate for the Genii home world." John told the technician, refusing to meet anybody's eyes.

"What? You can't ..." Rodney yelled, which was followed by a number of objections from the others. John tried to block them from his mind keeping focus on what he needed to do.

"Open the gate or I'll do it myself!"

"Disobey that order." Elizabeth added; noticing that the poor technician didn't know what to do.

When John noticed that he had chosen to listen to Elizabeth John walked over to the dialling device determined to do it himself.

"John, you can't!" Elizabeth begged him.

"I'm not just going to sit around and let him hurt her!"

"John, I understand …" He twisted to face her.

"Do you?" he shouted. The anger which was inside had finally won; taking control of him. "Do you have any idea what he could do to her, the pain he could cause? I do! I will not sit around doing nothing."

"And I'm not asking you too!" Elizabeth raising her voice to compete with his. "You heard her John … it's a trap, you know Kolya well enough to know that he won't let her go; even if you give yourself up."

John turned from her and kicked the bottom of the control panel in frustration. Could he just do nothing, wait and hope that they got some other kind of lead?

Elizabeth watched as John fought an inner battle; a battle between his head and his heart.

"Think about it John." Elizabeth pleaded. "Kolya wants you! He's taken Teyla for one reason, and that reason is to make you suffer! Imagine what he would do to her if you were there!"

"Then what do we do? Nothing?"

"I won't accept that!" Ronan growled from across the room; joining the conversation.

"I'm not asking you to." Elizabeth tried to explain as she turned to face Ronan. "I'm asking you to give it a little more time to find where they're hiding out."

"And in the mean time?" John asked; drawing Elizabeth's gaze back to him. "What happens to Teyla while we wait."

"Sir …" Major Lorne spoke up. "Teyla's one of the strongest people I know. She knows we'll find her."

"He's right, Sheppard" Ronan spoke calmly. "I hate to admit it, but Teyla wouldn't want you or anyone to give their life for her own … not like this."

"John ..." Elizabeth spoke gently not wanted to anger him anymore. "Have faith in Teyla; she'll get through this."

"She shouldn't have to go through that." He spoke just loud enough for Elizabeth to hear, his voice so full of emotion that she felt tears form in her eyes.

"We'll find her." She spoke just loud enough for everyone to hear. Elizabeth swallowed hard; not wanting to say what she was about to. "You do what you have to."

Understanding completely what she was saying; John raised his eyes to meet hers, silently thanking her.

Quickly and quietly John left the briefing room, Ronan and the Major close behind. He would find out what planet Kolya was on no matter what.