Thanks for the reviews, and again I'm sorry that I can't answer reviews posted under the 'anonymous' banner, as the site doesn't allow it.

By the way, this isn't a kid fic - and I don't intend writing any either, as I like my Sheppard all grown up! Thanks again to my beta Sherry 57, but any mistakes are mine.

So...John's in 1975, but what's happening in 2011?

THE TIES THAT BIND

CHAPTER 7

"Put your head down, son. That's it. Now just take slow, deep breaths." Dave heard Carson's brogue as if through a haze, but did as he was told and slowly felt his heart rate begin to settle, and the black spots dancing in front of his eyes vanish, as the hard wood floor once again came into view.

The last time he'd felt this way was in second grade after Garth Miller stood on a nail, the resulting blood spilling everywhere. Dave had actually passed out then, but at least this time he was spared the indignity of falling in a heap, but only because Ronon was near by and had caught him in the nick of time. He couldn't believe, and didn't want to accept that some one had abducted John, but the evidence was there in front of him. John's suitcase, unopened, but separated from its owner, and Dave couldn't help thinking it was all his fault.

He had only been slightly late – no more than ten minutes, but when he'd arrived at the airport, John was already gone. The pretty flight attendant had remembered seeing him chatting to a man then getting into a black SUV, but thought nothing of it. So he'd headed back to the house but when John wasn't there, a trawl through the cab companies revealed the first sign something was off, as it soon became clear John hadn't used a hire. Dave had waited a little longer, just in case he'd snagged a ride instead, but when John still hadn't showed after an hour, he knew instinctively, that his little brother was in trouble.

Dave's first instinct had been to call the cops, but given John's job and the security implications involved, he'd contacted Carson instead. Within hours the house was swarming with security personnel from the SGC, shortly followed by John's team. Earlier that morning, when the wrecked remains of the vehicle was found at the bottom of a cliff, his heart skipped a beat. He'd managed to hold it together though, and thought he was coping pretty well, right up until McKay brought in John's dented suitcase…

At the click of the lock, he slowly raised his head to see McKay poking around inside.

"I don't think anything's missing." Rodney announced. "Mr 'Neat' has everything packed in military precision, and his Kindle is just where I saw him put it the night before he left. His laptop is there too, so I think that pretty much rules out robbery." McKay sat back on his heels, giving a small grunt as he rose to his feet and took the computer over to a chair. "The case is cracked, but I'll see if I can retrieve any data. If I can even get access to his email, something there might give us a clue."

Dave was aware of a cold glass pressed into his hand, just as the warm sure grasp on his other wrist was removed. "Feeling better?" Carson asked and Dave nodded. "Well, your pulse is getting back to normal, but I want you to stay where you are for a wee bit longer, and take small sips of water – you've had quite a shock."

"This is my fault." Dave mumbled sadly, as his voice trailed away. "If I'd just checked the tank before I left, I wouldn't have run out of gas…"

Rodney's head popped up from behind the laptop. "When did you last fill up?" He asked.

Teyla tutted and drew him a look. "Rodney – It was an easy mistake to make, and I'm sure Dave didn't mean for it to happen."

Undaunted, Rodney, ignored Teyla and pressed the issue. "Seriously, Dave, when did you fill up, and how much gas did you get? It's important."

Dave could see his hand trembling get a grip man, and made a conscious effort to remember.

"It's a rental I picked up at the airport a couple of days ago. I wanted to arrive on the island before John to make sure the work had been finished, and to stock up the kitchen." Dave said, then as his head started to clear, something dawned on him. "I'm not sure, but I think it came with a full tank – let me check the paperwork."

Dave went to rise, but Carson put a firm hand on his shoulder. "You stay were you are, lad. Tell Ronon where it is, and he can find it."

"I'm fine, Carson…" Dave protested, but Ronon was already on his feet awaiting instructions. "Thanks, Ronon. I think you'll find it in the top drawer of the credenza."

Some shuffling and a few seconds later, Ronon returned and handed the yellow slip of paper over to the scientist. Rodney quickly scanned the contents and looked up, his face drained of colour. "It was a full tank, at least that's what you paid for. So unless you've done the whole sightseeing thing since you've arrived, I think someone has siphoned your tank."

"You mean…"

"Whoever took Sheppard didn't leave anything to chance. They made sure you wouldn't show up on time, so there wasn't a damn thing you could have done to prevent this from happening." Rodney told him, but Dave's small relief was short lived, as the fact remained that his brother was still missing.

"So who's got him?" Ronon grunted, as he stood with his arms folded, looking ready to start the hunt at any minute.

Rodney answered distractedly, his frustration evident as he squinted at the laptop, banging hard on the keys. "Dunno. The only fingerprints in the car were Sheppard's, but on the plus side, at least there was no blood. There was a half empty bottle of water that was laced with a sedative, so it doesn't take my genius to guess that's how they got him…Oh wait a minute - cool! I've managed to get the email online."

Everyone looked tense while he worked, but then a few minutes later he peered up, disappointed. "There's nothing here that will help. The last email he got was from me – it was a chess move, and John hasn't sent any messages since the one to tell Dave when his flight was arriving. "

"Could someone have kidnapped him for his money?" Dave asked, and was surprised when everyone turned to stare at him. "John's a millionaire – didn't you know?" At the stunned silence, he continued. "Dad left him a ten percent share of the company. He didn't want it, and I know he gave most of it to charity, but there's still a sizable chunk left. It was him that bought this house, not me."

"Well, John is certainly a private man, and I am sure he would not welcome his affairs being made public, Dave." Teyla scolded, but her tone was gentle, to take the sting out the rebuke.

Dave sat back on the chair and folded his arms. "And I wouldn't have, Teyla, but it occurred to me it could be a reason to kidnap him."

"He's right." Rodney said, "So now we have one more motive to add to the list. Along with the Trust, and anyone else who Sheppard has pissed off – that's a huge list on its own, but there is a chance it might be to do with you too, Dave." McKay informed him.

"What are you getting at, Rodney?" Dave asked, feeling his hackles rise.

"Well, let's put it this way, I'm sure you didn't get to be a successful business man without stepping on a few toes." Rodney said, in a matter of fact tone.

"Excuse me, are you implying I'm corrupt, Doctor McKay?" But as he felt himself go scarlet with rage, Dave felt Carson's hand back on his shoulder.

"Calm down, son." Carson stood between the two men and put his hands up. "What Rodney is trying to say, badly, may I add, is that perhaps a disgruntled competitor may have kidnapped John to get back at you."

Rodney flushed, and looked embarrassed. "Um…I didn't mean. Look, I'm sorry. Carson's right, I just figured someone, or maybe a few someone's might not be too happy at your success."He said. "In any case, if you would let us have a list of anyone who you think may have an axe to grind, then we'll add it to the list of suspects. In the meantime, I'll set up surveillance to trace any calls you receive, just in case there is a ransom demand."

"Thanks, Rodney…and I'm sorry for the misunderstanding." Now it was Dave's turn to feel awkward.

After a few uneasy moments Teyla got up and started roaming around the room. "This is a truly beautiful house, Dave, and I'm sure John will love it." Teyla smiled, and as her eyes flitted about, he could see her take in the pale cream walls, the black, leather sofas and the dark grey patterned rug lying in front of the unlit log fire.

"If he ever gets to see it…"

Teyla stopped in her tracks and turned to give him an intense look. "And he will, Dave, I promise. John is our friend and we won't rest until we find him, and bring him safely home."

ooooOoooo

Normally, the ocean had a calming effect on him, but right now the idyllic view only served to mock, as it reminded him of Atlantis, his home. It was hard to believe that in this decade, the Ancient city was still a myth, and would remain undiscovered at the bottom of the sea for over another thirty years. John couldn't get his head round it, and was struggling to get a handle on the concept that Dave could be sitting on the same stretch of beach, at the same moment, but separated by the passage of time.

John didn't want to believe it, but the beachcombers drifting past in their outrageous clothes gave credence to another decade, as did his house, so he couldn't deny the ugly truth. Besides, if Forant had been lying Dave would be with him, enjoying a cold one stretched out on the balcony. He hated knowing his brother would be frantic with worry, but if he was honest, John was more than a little concerned himself, as for the first time, in a long time, he hadn't got a clue what to do.

When Forant had told him it was 1975, he'd been too stunned to speak so had just stared at the bastard then stormed out the house and onto the beach. John didn't know where he was going, didn't care, he'd just wanted out of his sight, but was surprised when no one followed. Then he realised - why should they? He had no relevant documents, or currency, so where was he going to go?

Any faint hope that it was all one sick joke, had been quickly dispelled when he reached the strip. Up until then, John wondered if the house had been staged, and he wouldn't have put it past Forant to have paid a few extra's to roam about the beach, but there were way too many people dressed in similar gear, plus the cars driving past were classic. There was now no doubt in his mind, he was stuck in the freaking seventies, right down to the flares hanging in the closet.

Exhausted, his legs trembling, John fell to his knees unable to walk another step. People were staring, looking at his hair and his weird clothes, but he didn't care, there was no where to go, nothing he could do. All of his friends, the people who could help were living their lives over thirty years in the future, while he was a man out of options, out of hope and out of time.

"Where did you think you were going to go, John?" Forant asked, as he sank down on the sand beside him.

John heard the voice, but didn't move, choosing to ignore the man who had ruined his life.

"I'm sorry, John, but despite what you said in the house, be honest. We both know neither of us truly believes you would ever have initiated contact with me." Forant pointed out. "However, I hope that given a little time, we will learn to become friends, or at the very least you will come to respect me, and understand your sacrifice is for the greater good, because together, we will make the galaxy a safer place."

John didn't really want to talk to the bastard, but among all the questions he had, this one was nagging him. "Of all the places you could have taken me, why did you bring me here? And why 1975 for fucks sake?"

"Watch your language, John. I understand you're annoyed, but I will not tolerate bad manners or behaviour, even from you." Forant scolded, but then his voice lost the sharp edge as he answered. "Hawaii is the perfect place for a vacation, and this is what we are having, John, to allow you to recover while we get to know each another better. Besides, we could hardly stay in 2011 could we? In any case the seventies were a favourite era of mine." He smiled. "Now, you need to rest, regain your strength and become well again, so please, let me help you – my car is parked nearby."

"You have a car?" John smirked, and gave him a cynical look. "What the hell does a time traveller need with conventional transport?

Forant grabbed some sand in his hand, and let it sift through his fingers. "To fit in. Also I enjoy driving, especially in a climate like this when I can cruise by with the top down."

"Regardless of what you want, Forant, don't you think it's a little late to play happy families?" John glared at him, and didn't wait for an answer before he continued. "In any case, I could never be the man you want me to be, so take me back now, and it will save us both a lot of trouble in the long run."

Forant gave him a wry smile. "I'm a patient man, John, and I never expected this to be an easy transition. My hope is that one day you will accept your new life, perhaps even enjoy it, and when that day comes, you will be able to visit your friends at any time you want. In the meantime, as your grandfather I must be the judge of what is best for you, so for now you will come back to the house, as I can see you're unwell."

John shook his head and drew him a cynical look. "I'm touched you care…tell me one thing – is that actually my house?"

"Well…technically, at the moment it's mine." Forant informed him, then went on to explain. "Your father began building it when your mother, my daughter, became ill. I believe it was his hope it would help her to recover knowing she would once again have a home in the place of her birth. Unfortunately, she died without ever seeing it, and I persuaded Patrick to sell it to me."

"You went back in time to engineer all this? John rounded on Forant, astonished.

"I told you I'm a patient man, John." Forant said. "In the original time line, your father was grief stricken, so upset, he allowed the property to fall into disrepair. One short journey through time, and a chance meeting later, well, suffice to say, I persuaded him to part with it. The provision to sell it back was of course pure fiction, an easy thing for a man of my skills to arrange, as everything is within my grasp - something you would do well to realise now."

John leaned back with his elbows in the sand. "I'm curious? Why did you think I'd bite?"

"Reseach." Forant said. "After we met, I decided to learn more about you. I know you love the beach, and to surf, so when I found out Doctor Beckett intended making you take a vacation, this house, in this place, ticked all the boxes. I'll admit that to a certain degree, I also relied on the persuasive powers of your brother – he really does care about you, John."

The realisation that Forant had used both his dad and Dave made him angry, but John knew he couldn't afford to lose his temper, at least not yet.

"I suppose I should feel flattered you went to all this trouble to get me." John smirked.

Forant extended his hand to help him. "Yes, you should. Now it's time to get back as Janus will have lunch ready."

John drew him a dirty look, and had a mind to stay just where he was. Besides, his legs felt like jelly, and he really didn't know if he could move right now.

Then Forant's expression hardened. "Don't be foolish and take my hand, John. I understand you're angry, and perhaps you have a right to be, but I can tell you now that I won't allow your stupid pride to undermine your health."

John unwillingly took his hand, but stumbled as he tried to rise, and hated the fact it was only Forant's strong grasp keeping him upright. The very touch of the serial killer repulsed him, and the thought he would be forced to spend time with the man made his stomach heave. Right now though there was no escape, besides where would he go? One thing was for sure, his revenge would have to wait until he was both stronger, and learned what Forant's game plan was...

oooOoooo

TBC

Hope you enjoyed that, and please let me know what you think.