Title: Of Allies or Enemies
Author: Flea
Date: 7.7.07
Part: 26/28
Rating: M

Pairing: J/T
Characters: John, Teyla, Rodney, Ronan, Elizabeth, Carson (little bits from all the others)
Genre: Romance / Suspense /Angst /Action its got some of everything
Word Count:3341
Archiving: Fever and Fanfiction Net
Warnings- angst
Spoilers: slight ones through out all the first half of season 3, 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?

Just to let you know I still have no beta reader, so please forgive any mistakes.

Chapter 26 – May Never Wake Up

Carson had been in surgery with John now for over 4 hours and in that time not a single word had been spoken by the people who waited anxiously outside.

Elizabeth stood looking thought the glass window watching Carson and the other doctors operating on John. Major Lorne and Rodney by her side but neither said a word. All three lost in the same thought; that these maybe the last moments of John Sheppard's life.

Teyla was sitting on one of the infirmary beds her eyes locked on the door which lead to the theatre; the door which Carson was behind working hard to save John's life. Ronan sat on the chair beside her bed but like the others neither said a word, both lost in their own inner thoughts.

Teyla's wounds had been gently cleaned and a nurse was busily dressing the cuts on her wrists while they waited. X-rays had been needed but Teyla refused to move, she wanted to be there if something happened to John. After a very heated discussion between her and the nurse they had agreed that the portal X-ray machine should be brought to them.

They had shown that one of wrists had been broken while the other was just a sprain, and her breathing difficulties were being caused by the three broken ribs. She had a number of deep lacerations on her back, a rather nasty gash across her forehead combined with a slight concussion. Her wrists were pretty badly cut from the cuffs and she could still make out the dried blood trails which ran down her arms but for what she had been through Teyla considered herself to be in good shape. Yes she was in pain ... but she wasn't in the other room fighting for her life.

"That's the last one of them dear." The nurse told her as she help Teyla slip into one of the infirmary gowns. "Dr Beckett will want you to be staying over night ... but something tells me you'd have been doing that any way." She smile trying to easy some the tension but it was of little use.

"Thank you." Teyla whispered as she brought one her bandaged hands up trying to massager some of the tension from her neck. Her eyes closed for a moment as she willed herself to hold on just a little longer.

"You look exhausted why don't I get you a little something to help you sleep."

"NO" Teyla exclaimed quickly a little louder than she needed too causing everyone in the room to turn and look at her. "I want to be awake when ..." her voice was weak and Teyla could feel her friends eyes on her as she fought to find the words she needed "I want to …"

"Its ok love ... I understand." The nurse's voice was calm and reassuring as she placed a gentle hand on Teyla's arm. "Dr Beckett's the best surgeon I know and the Colonel is a fighter, I sure he'll pull through."

"I hope your right." But Teyla couldn't help the nagging feeling in the back of her mind which told her otherwise.

"How about I just get you something for the pain ...you still might be in for a long wait."

"That would be wonderful ... thank you." and with one final smile the nurse disappeared.

Elizabeth watched as the nurse moved away from Teyla's side; her heart aching at the pain which she saw reflected in her friend's eyes.

"I should have got to them quicker." Rodney spoke from beside her breaking the silence for the first time in hours. "If I'd only ..."

"There's nothing you could have done McKay" Elizabeth heard the Satedan speak from across the room. "You couldn't have got there any faster than you did, I should never have let him gone on alone"

"There is nothing either of you could have done." Teyla's voice weak but in the silence of the infirmary it was easy to hear.

Elizabeth watched as she slipped off the bed pulling the white gown tighter around her body as she made her way over towards them, Ronan had moving instantly to her side.

"I am fine Ronan" her voice was soft and reassuring and even thought Elizabeth could see that the Satedan didn't believe a word, he let her continue to walk alone; keeping closer just to be safe..

Elizabeth saw the grimace on her face from the pain as she stopped half way her hand going to the wall to try and steady herself.

Teyla steadied herself against the wall as she tired to catch her breath. She felt Ronan move closer placing a hand on the small of her back for support. Taking a deep breath she tired to push pass the pain and willed away the tears which were stinging at her eyes.

"Teyla … "Ronan voice was soft beside her knowing what he was about to say even before he did "Let me help you!"

Ronan knew better than anyone how she hated feeling weak; always having to rely on the help of others. But now was not the time to be stubborn and Teyla knew it. Taking the arm which Ronan offered she transferred most of weight onto him as he helped her to the chair across the room.

"If you Ronan …" Teyla breathed heavy as she gently lowered herself into the chair, determine to say what she had started. "If you had not gone back and if you Rodney had not stayed to help the Major and his team, they would never have made it back to the jumper."

Rodney turned away at her words knowing it was true but not wanted to believe her. "We don't know that"

"Yes McKay we do!" Lorne informed them "There were way too many guards with out your help we would never have made it!"

"John would not have wanted that to happen!" Teyla words were the truth and once again silence filled the infirmary.

Another 20 minute passed before Elizabeth found the courage to ask the question she had been wanting too since they arrived back through the gate. "I'm still a little muddled on the details ..." Elizabeth admitted. "What happened out there?"

The only answer she received was silence, nobody wanted to relive the event which took place only a few hours ago.

"John and Ronan went in to get Teyla while Lorne as his team offered a distraction." Rodney finally spoke as he fiddled with his fingers his head hanging low not wanting to meet anyone's eyes. "Carson and I were directing them from the jumper when ..."

Elizabeth heard the pain in Rodney's voice and hated herself for asking the question. "It's ok Rodney … you don't have too ..."

"It was a trap!" he exclaimed loudly cutting her off, his words piercing the silence of the empty infirmary. "I should have known it was a trap … I should have seen the other door, but I didn't!!" Rodney was angry with himself once again. "I saw them leave the room I should have watched where they went; I should have seen the secret passage on the scans, should have seem the guards heading for it"

"That's the point of a trap McKay ... your not suppose to see it coming." But Ronan's words did nothing to easy the scientist's anger.

"I should have seen it."

"I don't understand" Elizabeth admitted noticing that the Major also looked a little confused.

"Kolya had rigged the door to the room Teyla was being held in so it could only be opened from the inside, John went in to get Teyla ... Kolya was waiting for him. We were separated I had no way of getting to them."

"So you blew up the building" She asked wondering where that part of the plan came into it.

"We lost radio contact with John. I could see another life sign in the room with him and Teyla …" Rodney paused breathing in deeply before he continued "I thought if I just gave the building a little push, just enough to knock anyone unprepared off their feet it would give them chance to escape."

"And it did Rodney ... it was a good plan." Teyla told him a small smile graced her lips as she tried to reassure the scientist.

"I miscalculated and the explosion was a little bigger than I had planned for."

"It brought down the whole bunker." Lorne added

"But you got out …" Elizabeth asked looking around at all their faces to see who was going to offer up the next part.

"My team and I were pinned down; the Genii soldiers just kept coming and coming." Lorne informed her "We had no way of getting back to the jumper."

"Sheppard told me to give them some backup while he got Teyla to the clearing for McKay to pick them up"

"But there was a problem?"

"It took us a little longer to get back to the jumper even with Ronan's help." Lorne continued "Doctor McKay and Doctor Beckett managed to give us a hand but it meant Kolya had time to find John's position."

"We got there to late." Rodney spoke quietly "if we had just been that little bit quicker."

"What happened to Kolya?"

"His dead" Ronan told her confidently.

"He managed to get one shot off before we took him down." Lorne added

"The lucky bastard" Elizabeth and all the others turned to Rodney slightly confused by his statement. "He gets one shot ... one bullet! One bullet and John's …" Rodney didn't need to continue they all knew what he was thinking.

Silence once again surrounded them as all 5 looked on through the window to where Carson and John were. The only sound coming from the nurses light footsteps as she brought Teyla something for the pain.

"They aren't too strong I'm afraid ... all the other painkillers cause drowsiness I didn't think you'd want that" offering Teyla a small smile before leaving.

Carson breathed a sigh of relieve as he removed the bloody gloves from his hands and placed them in the bin. It had been a long operation every complication which could have happened did but now it was over, and for the time being John was stable.

Glancing out the window as he washed his hands Carson could see his friend's worried expression as they looked on nervously.

"Carson." The soft voice of one of the nurses sounded behind him pulling him out of his thoughts. "Do you want me to move the Colonel to ..."

"Not yet lass" Carson told her softy before she could even finish "Just make sure someone's with him at all times, and tell them to call me straight away if anything happens. Its going to be a long night but if we can get through it he might stand a chance, let just prayer ..."

Carson's emotions took over, the rest of his words refusing to come.

Drying his hands Carson moved towards the door, pausing for just a second he inhaled deeply preparing himself for the questions he was about to receive.

"Carson" Came Rodney's voice before he'd even closed the door behind him.

"Is he going to be ok?" "What's happening?" Carson was showered with question after question.

"Please" he shouted slightly trying to get everyone's attention. Carson was tired and at that precise moment he wanted to nothing more than to sleep. But until he was sure John was out of the woods sleep would have to wait.

"I've manage to stop the bleeding and remove the bullet. We had a few set backs but we manage to get through them." Carson saw some of the tension and nervousness lift from there faces and for a second he allowed himself to enjoy that moment.

For that was the good news; Carson still had the bad news to tell them.

"Carson?" Teyla questioned as she rose slowly from her seat. Teyla had always been good at reading him; at reading anyone.

"He's not out of the woods yet, no where near."

"But you said ..."

"Aye Rodney I know what I said. But the truth of the matter is I'm surprised his still bloody alive. The bullet caused a lot of damage; he lost an awful amount of blood. I'm not even sure if he'll make it through the night!"

"But if he does?"

"I'm sorry Elizabeth there's not much more I can tell you. The fact is it took an awful long time to revive him earlier and we lost him another 2 times during the operation." The look on their faces pained him but lying would do none of them any good.

"What are you say" Rodney asked as he lowered himself in to one of the seats waiting to hear what Carson had to say.

"I'm sorry I really am …" Carson saw tears being to fill Elizabeth eyes as he continued. "Even if he makes it through the night it doesn't mean … he still …" Carson was unsure what to say; what words to use. He was a doctor a surgeon part of his job was informing friends and family of bad news, but now it was different. "He may never wake up ... and even if he does there may be too much damage."

"Carson?" Elizabeth questioned tears now freely running down her face.

"He may never again be the John Sheppard we know and love."

Carson watched as Elizabeth practically fell into the seat next to Rodney her legs no longer willing to keep her standing. Her hand instantly seeking out Rodney's in the hope of achieving a little comfort. Major Lorne stood a little further away his back against the wall, the military mask that usually covered his face now gone. Teyla sat motionless the little colour which had returned to her cheeks once again gone. Fresh tears shone in her eyes and Carson could see her hands were shaking as she held on to Ronan for support.

"He's stable at the moment and I've posted a nurse to monitor him 24/7 so if anything changes we'll know about it straight away."

"But there's still a chance?" Elizabeth asked searching for some hope; no matter how little it may be.

"Aye lass ... it's not a big chance but John's strong if anyone can pull through this its him. I can't make any promises though."

"Thank you Carson."

Carson turned eyeing the group before him; it was amazing how close all of them had become over the last few years. His eyes landed on Teyla noticing the colour was slowly beginning to return to her cheeks only to show more clearly just how exhausted she looked.

"Teyla love I think you should try and get some rest."

"I'm fine Carson ..." though her tone told him otherwise, he noticed how her eyes kept travelling up to John's room.

"There's nothing you can do lass ... try and get a few hours sleep I will wake you if there is any change." a hesitant look flashed across her face as she contemplated what he told her.

"May I just sit with him a minute." her voice almost begging which made Carson's heart ache even more.

"Just for a minute ..." He nodded "you both need to rest."

Carson and the rest of the team watched as Teyla slowly made her way over towards the room which John now lay in fighting for his life. They watched as she seemed too lingered at the door before finally disappearing through.

Teyla stood in the door way as she looked upon the figure that lay just a few feet away from her.

John was laying there, a white sheet pulled up just enough to cover the bandage around his middle leaving his chest bare to house all the monitors which were attached to him. She felt her heart drop and tears well in her eyes at the sight of him. The man lying before her couldn't be John … not her John; he looked so lifeless; so broken.

Teyla forced herself to move further into the room, the nurse who sat by his side moving offering her the chair she was sitting on.

Moving as quickly as she dared Teyla made her way towards the chair thanking the nurse as she slowly and carefully lowered herself down. The painkillers had done little to ease the pain but that wasn't her main concern at the present moment.

"I'll leave you two alone." The nurse whispered softly to her before slipping out the door.

Teyla stared at the man in front of her; the man she loved with all her heart. But look where that love had gotten them. Kolya had taken their love and used it to suit his evil plan. John was now fighting for his life all because they had fallen in love.

But had they?

There was no doubt in Teyla mind or in her heart of how she felt towards John Sheppard. She may have not realised it in the beginning; she may even have tried to deny it. But Teyla was in love with him and nothing in the world could change that fact.

But had he ever said those words to her; those 3 little words which Teyla longed to hear so much. "I love you." Had she ever said them to him?

That evening in the corridor when John had kissed her and to spent the night with him; Teyla had never felt such passion before. It was hard to believe that not even a day had pasted since she had been lying in John's arms, feeling his kisses on her neck as his body moved with hers.

Everything had happened so fast; emotions where stretched to their limits maybe that's all it had been between them.

No Teyla wouldn't believe that! What her and John shared that night had been too special just to be pasted off as a way to release some stress.

So he never told her he loved her … she never told him either.

Teyla leaned forward in the chair ignoring the pain she was feeling; taking hold of one of John's hands. He's skin felt cold and clammy; not how she remembered his touch being.

"John …" she whispered tears beginning to fall from her eyes. "Can you hear me?"

If Teyla had been expecting a response she didn't receive it, John's form remained motionless in front of her.

"You are safe now … I am safe because of you." Teyla moved her hands to gently cup his cheek the only sounds she could hear were the bleeping of the monitors and her own breathing.

"Please John … you need to wake up."

A noise sounded from the other side of the bed Teyla's head jerking towards it. One of the monitor had begun to flash, she could see the numbers it portray dropping rapidly.

"Carson" Teyla cried but the doctor had already heard the alarm and was running towards the bed.

She felt one of her nurse gently pulling her back as more people rushed to John side, Teyla saw Carson's mouth moving, shouting out orders but no sound reached her ears.

Teyla could see the forms of Ronan, Rodney and Elizabeth standing by the window watching anxiously. A nursed had replace the oxygen mask over John's face gentle helping him to breath while Carson was cutting away at the bandages.

Teyla stood rooted to the ground as she watched the medical staff work around her; not one even noticing she was still there.

Then sudden a noised reached her ears; a noise which caused her world to spin.

"He's flat lining." Carson shouted his words being confirmed by the steady buzz of the heart monitor. Teyla felt her world begin to disappears, her vision blurred before everything turned to darkness.

Authors notes

I'm sorry it's another cliff hanger. I don't mean to write them really I don't they just seem to happen.

But your be happy to know that the next chapter is written and just needs checking through a few times and I started writing the last chapter today. Its going to be a long one (the longest in the whole story by far) so it might take a few days to complete it.

I hope you enjoyed this chapter and like the story so far. Only two more chapters left and then it will be finished, I do have 2 stand only storied planned and ready to write afterwards though.

Please review if you have time and let me know what you think.

Love

Flea

xxx