Elizabeth ran her hand lightly over the stone wall, frowning at the carved texture beneath her fingertips.

She didn't understand.

Though that wasn't a feeling she was unaccustomed with of late. She didn't know what half the things she dreamed meant, nor if they were real or merely figments of her imagination. Part of her mused that no person, even with the worst of character, would conjure up the horrifying imagery that invaded her nightmares but that then paved way to a new dilemma. If her life before had been so wracked with violence perhaps it was something she'd intentionally tried to forget or in the very least, it was something she was subconsciously trying to keep buried.

A frustrated sigh broke her lips and as she cleared her mind, alert to the task of remaining focused. Through trial an error she'd learnt pushing for answers only served to throw them further out of reach and for the moment this location was her primary concern.

For some reason it's walls had become a reoccurring vision in her troubled mind, a place that her instincts had driven her to seek out and when she'd finally conceded to telling Aldran of it's importance, he'd been convinced it was worth checking out. Only now that she was here it was a large disappointment failing to jog even the slightest hint of a memory. There was nothing. The hollowed out carvings still held the same amount of mystery as they had in her dreams and she drew her hand back, turning as a scrape of gravel suddenly caught her attention.

The rough sound continued to edge closer and she tensed, watching a newly formed shadow grow higher over the far wall. The Genii had reassured her she was once a competent solider but even with their patience in re-teaching her the moves she still found the practices unnatural. She was learning, getting faster, quicker.... but deep down she feared there was a certain lack of ambition riding her in battles.

Taking a hesitant step backwards she pursed her lips together ready to call for help but faltered as a full figure emerged from the lowly cast light.

His eyes.

She knew those eyes.

The haunted look that lay just beneath their surface stirred a familiar twist in her gut and she sucked in a deep breath, lightly brushing the weapon by her hip. "How did you get in here?" she let her fingers hover, waiting to hear his response before taking any action.

John barely registered the movement, all coherent thoughts dying the moment he found her gaze. Maybe she wasn't the real Elizabeth Weir but her physical appearance played on his weakness and sarcasm was the only defense he could raise, indicating behind them with his thumb, "you left the back door open."

She bristled at the comment, taking another step back and he instinctively lowered his weapon. She certainly didn't look hostile. If anything, there was a vibe of fear from her tense movements and he narrowed his eyes, watching carefully as her lips parted in confusion, "Elizabeth...?"

Her head cocked to the side and a heavy wave of deja'vu washed over him at the mannerism. It was a response he'd seen her give many times but never in replicator form and every nerve in his body was suddenly set a light with an inexorable buzz. "What's going on," he shifted uneasily on his feet, "who are you?"

Elizabeth swallowed hard.

Despite the concern riding his words she could see he was still apprehensive and it made her all the more wary. Until now the Genii had been the only people she'd known and while there was an unexplainable desire dredging up from her instincts to trust him, Aldran had warned her they had enemies who were even more dangerous than the Wraith.

"You know my name," she held her ground forcing down the compulsion to back further away, "who are you?"

His pulse rattled unsteadily at the accusing tone. If she was any kind of replication she should have Elizabeth's memories and failing that, at least a more confident grasp on her surroundings. He hadn't met a Replicator yet who appeared anything less than arrogant. "Elizabeth it's me," he closed the distance between them feeling a rise of desperation, "John Sheppard, come on you have to remember-" her eyes turned a steely green, staring him down with utter distaste and he stopped dead.

If she had no memory of him and had been in the company of the Genii then there was no telling what lies they'd been filling her head with. "Look, I don't know what you've been told but we're friends. We came here together from earth..." she showed no recognition of the comment and he hesitantly took a step forward, "please, I'm telling you the truth."

Doubt rained heavily over Elizabeth as she put distance back between them. She knew all about Colonel Sheppard, about how he and his team had killed Aldran's father in cold blood and this time she was only a hairs breath away from calling for help. Without her memory she knew she was vulnerable to an attack and that he would use any means necessary to twist her thoughts.

"I suggest you leave Colonel, now." She offered the warning, ready to draw her gun at a moments notice.

John felt his heart slam violently in response but he wasn't ready to back down just yet. Despite wanting to stay cautious he couldn't remain detached from the idea that she was his Elizabeth, that he could have her back, no copy, no nanites... just her. Maybe it was his emotions getting the better of him but regardless, returning her to Atlantis was the only way to know for sure.

"Rodney, Teyla, Ronon, they're all waiting outside," he pressed trying to get through to her, "I swear Elizabeth I'm telling you truth but you have to come with me before-"

"Colonel Sheppard." Aldran's voice rang throughout the compound, announcing his presence with a twisted smile, "well, isn't this a nice little reunion-" he came to a stop beside Elizabeth feeling a small swell of pride at her obvious hesitation. Albeit the meeting was a little premature but that wouldn't stop him from enjoying it any less.

Anger seethed from John's body as he tensed, tightening the grip on his gun. While the man's face held a vague sense of familiarity he was struggling to recall having met him before. "Wait," he arched an eyebrow, "did I give you my number and forget to call? Sorry, I'm terrible like that..."

"You mightn't remember our previous encounter..." Aldran's eyes darkened as he squared his shoulders, "as I recall you were a little busy letting my father be fed upon by a Wraith."

It was a slight variation of the truth but re-inventing the stories had proved pivotal in convincing the former leader of Atlantis that Sheppard and his team were the enemy. So far the tactic had prevailed and he'd seen no evidence suggesting the lies would come undone easily.

John's mind ticked over trying to make sense of the allegation and then with a sickening wrench his gut settled on the only viable explanation, "you're-"

"Aldran Kolya."

With the flick of his wrist John released the safety on his gun, unsettled when the man didn't so much as flinch in response. If Kolya's son held even a morsel of resemblance to his father then the situation had just nose dived beyond comprehension.

"That won't be necessary." Aldran quirked an eyebrow making no move to secure his own weapon. He didn't need to. Everything was falling into place exactly as he'd anticipted. "I have no intention of trying to stop you from leaving, or Elizabeth if she so chooses. I think enough blood has already been spilt over our hands, don't you?"

John hesitated but didn't lower his weapon. There was no way the leader bent on revenge would willing let them leave alive but even so he was at a major disadvantage and had no choice but to play along. "Elizabeth please," he found her gaze tentatively,"I'm asking you to trust me, come with us."

Aldran let out a indignant puff of air at the request, "trust the man pointing a gun, interesting incentive Sheppard."

"Stay out of this!" John snapped, regretfully letting his anger take hold. He knew he was being set up, that by appearing hostile he was playing right into the younger man's hands but short of relinquishing his weapon there was nothing he could do. Appealing to Elizabeth was his only option. "I'm not going to hurt you," he tried again deliberately keeping focus away from the Genni leader, "I want to help you."

She stepped defiantly in front of his weapon. Having Aldran close empowered her confidence over the situation and she remained impassive holding her ground determinedly, "I don't need your help but thanks all the same."

John flinched, feeling a wave of defeat at the bitterness lacing her tone.

He was losing her.

"Listen to me, you can't-" the sentence was cut short by a burst of gun fire erupting outside and John felt his stomach drop as the sound of heavy footsteps echoed loudly behind him.

"Sheppard, we need to move!" Ronon stormed the room, instinctively raising his stunner at the two other occupants of the compound. "Guards from the city made our position," he eyed Elizabeth warily, "Teyla's got it covered but more are on their way, we need to go"

"Elizabeth please," John turned back to her once again overcome by desperation, "the people on this planet are dangerous... you're not safe with him, I can protect you."

For a brief second she wavered but Aldran's light hand on her arm distinguished the doubts. The Genii had found her, welcomed her home, and she wasn't about to abandon them on the word of two strangers who were holding her at gun point. "Just stay out of our way!" She spat, pulling her weapon from its holster. If it was going to be a fire-fight back to the gate then she was going down with her side.

John went to protest but Ronon grabbed his shoulder hard, pulling them back down the darkened passageway. Obviously Weir was against them and they didn't have the time or the resources to stay and try to convince her otherwise.

As they stumbled out into the light John broke forcefully from the Satedan's firm grasp. Initially his instinct had been to follow the man but adrenaline was kicking in and the fact he was leaving Elizabeth behind again, pressed heavily on his nerves. He'd lived and breathed that regret for nearly a year and there was no way in hell he was going to make the same mistake. "We need to go back!"

"To what!" Ronon turned, conscious of the time they were wasting. "The Genii are already on their way to the gate," he grasped his radio sparing no thought for an empathetic response. Whatever had transpired it was a matter that was best saved for Atlantis not the middle of an ambush, "Teyla, McKay... what's your position?" A rustle sounded in the bushes and Ronon raised his weapon, lowering it as their two remaining team members emerged.

"What happened?" Rodney looked around nervously, "where's Elizabeth, is she-"

"Gone." John forced the word out, reluctantly conceding that the Genii had probably already started to retreat. Maybe they wouldn't be able to head them off but they could at least slow down the guards hot on their tail, "come on, lets move."

Ronon raised his stunner taking point, deliberately ignoring the feel of Sheppard's eye's boring fiery holes into his back. He was doing what was necessary and once they returned to Atlantis, when the heat of the situation died down, he was positive the man would thank him for it.