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xoxoxoxoxoxoxo
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"Let's stop for a minute, okay?' John suggested after they had been moving for a while. "The sun's already gone down and it's going to be dark soon. I want to see exactly what that bastard did to you."
Teyla did slow down but mostly because she knew John was in severe pain. And the blood leaking from his shoulder was not stopping. His wrists were also as raw as hers and she was thankful he had been able to get the cuffs off although he had broken many sticks trying to unlock them.
"I am fine, John," she assured him. "I am more concerned for you. We should attempt to control the bleeding in your shoulder."
John looked around and lowered himself to a large rock and tried to hide the groans as he did. His shoulder was on fire but that pain seemed to be competing with the jackhammer in his head and the bruises on his torso. He was pretty sure the bruises would be in the shape of standard issue tread, size ten or eleven.
Teyla perched on the rock next to him and he leaned over to give her a quick kiss. His good arm slipped around her waist and pulled her close. He blinked back the moisture he felt at the memory of what had almost happened.
"God, Teyla!" his voice was like sandpaper as he spoke. "That was too close. I …"
Teyla lifted her hand to his lips and whispered, "Shh, I know."
She leaned her head on John's shoulder for only a moment then sat up again to check on his wound. John shook his head and lifted her shirt.
"I want to see how bad it is. I know you're tough and are just shrugging it off but I can feel your pain, Teyla. I know it hurts. Just let me look."
When John saw the cuts on either side of her belly, his jaw stiffened and his first thought was that he wanted to go back and rip Armstrong's heart out with his bare hands. But he knew the man was probably not far behind them. Teyla had cut him a bit with the knife and John had gotten a few licks in with the wooden rail but he knew the Marine was tough and he didn't think for a moment that he'd just give up on them.
"They have stopped bleeding, John, so I do not think we need to worry right now. But I am concerned for you. I also can feel your pain and I know that you are hurt far worse than you are letting on." She gave a dry laugh. "But then you never like to admit to any weakness do you?"
"Armstrong knew what my biggest weakness is," John snorted in disgust. "He knew the best way to hurt me was to hurt you."
He looked around again and tried for a deep breath but the kicks he'd gotten in the ribs had caused quite a bit of bruising and it was difficult. "We should get going and see if we can find a road or some path instead of wandering aimlessly."
"And we will as soon as I have looked at your injuries," Teyla stated firmly. She started to untie the gag that he still had hanging around his neck and said, "I would like to try and wrap your wound and attempt to get it to stop bleeding."
Teyla lifted the shirt away from his chest and peered inside at both the front and back. "It appears that the bullet went through so at least we do not need to worry that it is still inside you. But the wound is raw and is still bleeding. We are moving too much and I fear it is keeping the blood from clotting. We should find a place to rest to allow this to happen."
John tried to shrug away from her. "We can't stop, Teyla. Armstrong is probably right behind us. And if he's got a gun, which I know he does," John gazed at his shoulder, "we're gonna have a harder time taking him down. And honestly I'm not sure I'm in any shape to wrestle with the guy or try and jump him. He's been a soldier too long to have anyone sneak up on him and he's been around here and probably knows this place and we don't."
Teyla looked like she was about to argue and John interrupted her, "And don't even think about suggesting that you take him on. I know you're perfectly capable of it but you've got our daughter to think of. And we almost lost her today. I can't take that chance again, Teyla. We need to get moving."
Teyla stood up. "Fine but first I need to find a spot to relieve myself. It has been far too long and this child has begun to rest heavy on my bladder. I do not think I will be able to go much further."
John tried for a grin but it mostly came out as a grimace. "Okay, how about behind that cluster of trees over there. But don't go much further."
Teyla walked away and John could feel his body sag lower into the rock. He really did just want to lie down and crawl into a hole somewhere but there was no way he would allow Armstrong to get his hands on Teyla again.
She came back a few minutes later and picked up the gag she'd left on the rock. "We are not going anywhere until I at least tie this around your shoulder. I wish I had something to pack the wound with though."
She looked down at her shirt and picked up the edge to rip it when John saw what she was doing. His hand grabbed hers and he shook his head.
"You'll need all the warmth you can get soon. You can take a few inches off the bottom of my shirt if you really need to do this."
"And you do not need warmth?" Teyla's voice rose an octave as her eyebrow rose also.
"I've got you for warmth," John quipped wryly and he managed a lopsided smile.
Teyla just sighed and reached to tear some fabric from the bottom of his t-shirt. She then folded it and stuffed it inside against his wounds and wrapped the gag under his arm and around his shoulder as tight as she could.
John gritted his teeth and clenched his jaw as she pulled on the knot but he managed to keep the groans inside. He gave Teyla another tight smile and nodded.
"All happy now?"
Teyla narrowed her eyes and her lips pursed. "I will be happy when we are safe and you can see a doctor. But for now, let us go. You are correct, we should not stay too long in one location. Colonel Armstrong seemed quite unbalanced and I do not think he will just forget about us."
Teyla slid her shoulder under John's good one and wrapped her arm around his waist. She gazed up at him with a sly smile. "I know you are fine to walk on your own. I am just doing this to stay warm. It has become chilly since the sun went down."
John gave a chuckle at her little lie but knew it had gotten chillier and he did want to keep her warm. He put his hand on her arm and rubbed up and down as they started marching through the forested area again.
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xoxoxoxoxo
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Teldy swept her eyes over the moss covered forest floor hoping to find some sign that Sheppard and Teyla were fine. They had been searching for a while and the sun was just about down, leaving things in definite shadow. They had been following Ronon's lead and she had to admit the man was a damn fine tracker. He had found quite a few places where Sheppard and Teyla had been. Unfortunately he had also seen drops of blood along the way every so often. That didn't make her feel any better.
She did wonder though whose blood it was. There had been some on the bed and if it had been Teyla's then she had to wonder if the baby was still okay. There hadn't been a ton but more than one would typically get from a small scrape or cut. She seriously hoped the baby was okay. Losing her would just about kill Teyla and she was pretty sure the Colonel would have a hard time as well. The man might keep his emotions hidden deeper than the ocean to his troops but she had seen him a few times in their quarters when the wall had been down and she knew he worshipped Teyla.
She saw Ronon stop and look around cautiously. She and Dusty eased their way over and cocked their heads in question.
"Sheppard and Teyla's tracks are fairly easy to find as they're moving right beside each other, maybe one is holding the other up. It looks like Sheppard keeps tripping every so often. He must be injured or else trying to hold up Teyla but her prints look a bit more steady."
He pointed to another area and shook his head roughly. "Right there it looks like Armstrong or someone else with standard issue boots came along. I don't think Armstrong's a great tracker but if he knows these woods he could definitely have an advantage over them."
Dusty looked up and then around. "The light will be completely gone in a few minutes. Are you still gonna be able to track them?" Concern came through her typical gruff attitude.
"Yeah," Ronon muttered. "But it won't be as easy and it will take longer. I swear I'm gonna kill Armstrong when I find him."
"Down boy," Teldy ordered humorously. "I understand how you feel but we've got to find him first. Let's concentrate on that for now."
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xoxoxoxoxoxo
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The light slowly faded and darkness surrounded them. John stumbled more often than he had been and Teyla worried that he was getting weaker. His pain was great and he was trying very hard to just stay upright. Moving his shoulder was agony for him. And every time he stumbled she felt the anguish he was experiencing flow into her.
Soon they found a small clearing and Teyla heard the trickle of a brook or stream and paused in her steps.
"Wha …" John mumbled when he realized she had stopped. Teyla held up her hand even though it was far too dark to see it and whispered, "There is a stream or some kind of water nearby. I can hear it. We should find it and see about cleaning your wound."
"Yeah, good idea." John's voice came out soft and low and they headed in the direction of the sound.
It was only a few minutes later that the sky grew a bit brighter and the trees thinned out where a small stream flowed in between. John looked up and saw that the moon had come out and the light from it was reflecting off the water.
"I don't know about you but I could sure use a drink. Can I buy you one, ma'am?" John joked.
Teyla gave him the wide, beautiful smile that he had fallen in love with and replied coyly, "Only if you do not expect anything in return. I am not that kind of girl."
John started laughing then bent over in pain as his bruises objected. "I'm not sure I'd be up for anything like that right now anyway. We'd have to take a rain check."
Teyla smiled again and gazed up at the handsome face of her husband in the dim glow of the moon. Her fingers caressed his cheek and gently stroked the bruises and cuts that were now swelling much more so than they had been. He had provoked Armstrong on several occasions this afternoon and she knew he had done it to protect her and keep Armstrong focused on him. She hated that he had needed to do this but she truly understood why he had.
John Sheppard was a man who protected people. And he was the protector of all not just those he was close to. But she knew that his love for her and their child had driven him to do what he did and he had paid the price for it. But she knew he would do it again and again if he needed to. He would give his life to protect what was his.
She pushed up on her toes and pressed a light kiss to his split lip and closed her eyes as the touch made her stomach do flips as it always did when they touched. Even after so long together, the sight of him and feel of his skin against hers, even in something as simple as holding hands, made her tingle with awareness. She hoped she would never lose that feeling.
She picked up his hand and drew him closer to the water and they both bent to try and scoop some up in their hands. Teyla grimaced when the lacerations on her sides began to pull. She did not wish to reopen them but she knew if she moved too much it could happen. She adjusted her position and managed to get close enough to cup her hand and get it back to her mouth.
The moisture was heavenly. She had not had anything to drink or eat since yesterday at the wedding and she knew that much of the weakness she was feeling was due to that. Since her pregnancy she often would eat little snacks throughout the day to keep her energy level up.
She looked over and saw that John had just sat down on the rocks and leaned sideways until his face was immersed in the water. She grew anxious for a moment thinking he had passed out but then he lifted his head slightly and shook his head. Water flew in every direction.
"John!" she quietly chastised but he knew she was not really upset. She took a few more handfuls of water then reached for her husband's shoulder.
"I would like to rinse out the cloths we have in there and check to see if the bleeding has stopped."
John sat back with a groan and allowed Teyla to untie the rag around his shoulder then she gently lifted the t-shirt to remove the folded cloth.
She was dismayed to see they were saturated with blood and that the wounds looked red and swollen. She pressed her fingers gently against the skin near the wound and John's eyes flew open and he made gasping, choking noises.
"No, no, don't touch it, Teyla. God that … hurts. Just … don't … touch it, please." His words were punctuated with short rasping breaths.
Teyla's eyes filled with moisture and she looked around wishing for the sight of a puddle jumper or one of their friends. But she feared the only thing she would see would be the insane face of Colonel Armstrong as he held the large knife in front of him.
She nodded her head and slipped the cloths in the water to rinse them out. When they were somewhat clean, she pressed them to John's face where some of the deeper cuts were. He allowed her to minister to him and she noticed his eyes were starting to droop, almost like Torren when they read him a story at bedtime.
Torren? She had barely thought of her son all day and guilt consumed her. But she knew he was safe and was more than thankful that they had decided to let him stay with David and Julia. Jennifer had insisted he come to the wedding but she and John had discussed it and thought it would be easier for them to enjoy the wedding without the child there. And as they were both in the wedding party someone would have had to watch him during the ceremony or any of the parts where their presence was required.
She hoped he was not too worried about them and wondered if David and Julia had told him what had happened. She had no doubt that they would have been informed but she did not think they would allow Torren to have that information as he was far too young to truly understand it.
Teyla gave a great sigh and rinsed out the cloths again and this time patted the area surrounding the bullet wounds attempting to clean them. The pain woke John from his stupor and he started shaking his head again and groaning.
"No, Teyla," he moaned but she held the side of his face and touched his forehead with hers.
"John," she said insistently. "I must clean them at least a little. They are possibly getting infected and it will do us no good if you pass out. I am unable to carry you and if Armstrong catches up with us, I will be defenseless."
John actually snorted at this and Teyla grinned. Yes, her husband knew she would never be defenseless but she was trying to play to his heroic side and get him to suck it up so she could rinse out the wounds. He nodded his head then let it drop as she continued to rinse the cloth out then squeeze it out around his wound. She attempted not to get his t-shirt too wet as the night had grown cold and the water was very chilly but she knew he was in more danger of infection from the wound than hypothermia. It was summer here after all and even though it was cold it would not be cold enough to be dangerous, just uncomfortable.
Teyla looked around the area they were presently in and wondered if there was someplace close by where they could perhaps take shelter. She glanced at the watch on John's wrist and noted it was just after midnight. She was exhausted and sore and weak from lack of food but she knew John was in even worse shape. He also had not eaten in the same amount of time as she and he had taken the brunt of Armstrong's anger today, too many times.
"John, I am going to find a private spot to relieve my discomfort," she lied as she saw him close his eyes again. "I will be right back."
He gave a small nod and she carefully picked her way along the shore of the creek following it for a short distance. She kept John in her sight for a while but his head was still drooping and he didn't seem to be aware that she had still yet to go into the woods.
She walked for a bit longer and found an outcropping of rocks not too far from the creek that formed a bit of a V shape. There were several trees surrounding them and one that had fallen on its side and had the roots all exposed near where the opening of the V was. Teyla thought it could perhaps be a good place to rest for a short while. She knew John could not keep walking and she herself needed a small respite.
She made her way back to where John was on the edge of the creek and gently rubbed his good shoulder.
"John," she whispered and waited while his eyes blinked a few times to get her in focus. "I have found what I think might be a safe spot for a short time. Perhaps we could rest there for a while and then begin our trek once more after we have gained some strength."
John closed one eyes and another grimace appeared on his face as he adjusted his position. "I'm okay, I … uh, "
"John, I do not think I can go much further," she fibbed again although it was not much of a lie. "I have been without food or rest for some time now and …" she allowed her voice to crack though it was not much of an effort on her part. She truly needed rest however she knew John needed it more.
John's chivalry and over protectiveness kicked in and he nodded understanding. "Okay, where is this place?"
"Just a small walk down the stream."
Teyla helped him to stand and they made their way to the pile of rocks and trees. John took a look around and said, "Yeah, this could do it. It'll hopefully keep us out of the breeze and a little warmer and the ground is covered in pine needles. That should be kind of comfy."
He looked around a bit more and walked over to where another tree had fallen and ripped off one of the branches that was still covered with brown leaves. He placed it against one side of the rocks and said, "This might keep us hidden if Armstrong manages to come this way. Go on in and sit down."
Teyla slipped into the opening and John followed, grunting each time he moved. He finally settled beside Teyla and reached for the branch. As he shifted he jostled his arm and his head flew back and his eyes squeezed shut. Teyla got to her knees and pulled the branch so it hung over them like an umbrella, hopefully camouflaging them a bit more.
She sank back on the pine needles and snuggled into John's right shoulder, his arm pulling her closer. She saw him lean his head back against the rocks and wished she had something to put behind it so it was softer. She herself had John's chest to lean against and this was a familiar feeling.
She felt John's lips touch her hair and then felt his head rest on top of hers. She could sense that his exhaustion and pain were getting the better of him and was glad he had allowed them to stop. Soon she could hear his rhythmic breathing letting her know he was asleep. She hoped it would be enough as she knew they would not be able to stay here for very long.
As her eyes closed and she listened to the beat of her husband's heart she thought of their friends and how she knew they would be worried about them. But relief filled her as she also knew they would do whatever it took to find them. She just hoped it was in time.
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xoxoxoxoxoxo
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