Thanks again for the reviews and the alerts, they really do encourage me to keep writing. Thanks again to my beta Sherry 57, and any mistakes are mine - as I've made quite a few tweaks to this chapter.

As for the story - John is back at Atlantis?

THE TIES THAT BIND

CHAPTER 12

Atlantis was in his sights, but why had Forant come here? John didn't believe for one second it was to take him home. The bastard was up to something, but there was no way he would let him hurt his people – no way. Consumed by rage, John slipped off his belt and without thinking, rushed to confront him...

The wall of pain hit like a ton of bricks, as the concussive force of the field sent him flying, slamming him hard against the jumper floor. Stunned, John could only lie there groaning, as Forant appeared behind the sparks of light flashing in front of his eyes.

"Now that really wasn't too smart, was it, John?" Forant pointed out, in a clipped angry voice as he stood over him with his arms folded. Then he turned and instructed the man by his side. "Take this fool to the surgery, Janus, and stay with him until I arrive."

John didn't know what offended him the most. Forant dismissing him as a dumb ass, or being picked up like a rag doll and thrown over Janus' shoulder. The only person ever to have done that before was Ronon, but from what he could tell Janus was a smaller build, more like him, besides, John knew that despite McKay's scathing comments, he really wasn't that much of a light weight.

The world was spinning, his head thumping, and he was aching from head to toe, as he was bobbed along gaining an unusual perspective of the jumper as they went. John realised that despite the uncomfortable ride, he must have zoned out when he was jolted awake as his transportation dumped him unceremoniously onto the examination table. Then Forant arrived.

"Let's see what damage you've done to yourself now." Forant muttered as he pulled on a pair of latex gloves, and positioned the scanner over his body. His comment was so reminiscent of something Carson would say that a wave of homesickness hit him in the gut. Forant wasn't the caring Scot though, so John bit back a retort that he'd only got hurt because of his force field.

Minutes later, Forant pushed the device aside and started palpating his chest eliciting a pained gasp in the protest. The bright light flashed into his eyes didn't do him any favours either, as his headache spiked and John chewed his lip to suppress a low moan.

Finally the Ancient peeled off the gloves and threw them into the bin. "You're a lucky boy, John. There's a couple of cracked ribs on the left hand side, and I have no doubt you'll be black and blue tomorrow, but fortunately you only have a minor concussion."

John smirked, then winced. "Yup, that just about sums up how I feel – 'lucky'."

"I could fix those ribs for you, and give you something for the pain, but after that performance today I should really let you suffer for a bit…but I won't." Forant teased, but there was a steely edge to his voice and his eyes were cold. John didn't have any doubt the man was pissed, but then so was he. It was on the tip of his tongue to tell him that he'd suffered much worse, and to stick his miracle cure, but then John remembered if he wanted to find out what Forant was up to, he must try to keep his temper in check.

"Thanks, I'd appreciate that. But in a way this is really your fault you know." John forced on a smile but couldn't resist the dig, regardless of Forant's warning look. "Think about it. You've gone to all this bother to abduct me, then I look out the window and see Atlantis! Come on… how did you expect me to react when I saw you'd brought me home?" John reasoned, and saw Forant's expression change as the statement hit home.

Bleary eyed, John watched as Forant drew up a syringe, then felt a pinch as it was pushed into his arm, but his pulse started to race when a cold band of metal was placed over his chest. His mouth went dry at the thought he'd finally exhausted Forant's patience, and wondered what was coming next, but when it wasn't locked into place, John eventually started to relax when the band became warm and the pain slowly started to dissipate.

"Starting to feel better?" Forant asked, and John nodded, "Good. And you're right." Forant admitted. "I should have considered your reaction at being brought here, after all we're not friends yet, and so far I've done nothing to gain your trust."

John was amazed, but suspicious of his honesty, although for once the wry smile seemed genuine. "This isn't your Atlantis, John, it's mine, and I've brought you here to understand a few things - take you back to the beginning if you like. Help you to learn why I was so desperate to make sure of your existence, and show you something of my journey. Let you see the reason why I am so passionate to give Pegasus back the Atlantis it deserves." Forant swallowed hard at the end of his speech, and John realised that was the first time he'd seen any real emotion from the Ancient.

The warmth was seeping through his body, easing the sharp pain spiking through his chest, and lulling him to sleep, but he wanted to respond. John wanted to protest that Atlantis was already that kind of place, and the people in it, his people, were the best of the best, yet he remained silent. It went against the grain, and made him feel like a shit, but John figured it wouldn't do any good anyway, plus he needed to stick to the plan and try to keep on Forant's good side – at least for now. In any case, as his mom used to tell him, it was important to try and see things from the other guy's point of view, although John reckoned when she'd said that, mom probably never figured her young son would ever meet a psychopath like Forant.

"Sleep, John and let the healing band do its work." Forant went over to the other side of the room and returned with a blanket, which he gently tucked over his body. Then as the Ancient went to leave he paused, and turned back to give him a fond look. "Once you are feeling better, we will prepare to take the first step into my past, and your beginning…"

ooooOoooo

Forant smiled as he clicked it into place, and John tried not to flinch as he felt the slim, metallic bracelet mould against his wrist. It was similar to the one Forant wore, but more like the wristband locked away in Atlantis, and the knowledge that particular bracelet could have caused the death of his best friend, was ingrained in his memory. John wasn't willing to share that piece of information, so composed his features to pretend he was pleased with the gift. Still, the silver band glinting in the light seemed to mock him, and he just hoped his returning smile didn't reveal the turmoil he was feeling inside.

"Do you feel it, John?" Forant asked, his eyes shining, and without waiting for an answer he continued. "The bracelet responds to our specific gene, just like this craft." He raised his palms out to either side and gazed around. "I know that all gate ships can be operated by the Ancient gene, even the bastardised one your Doctor Beckett developed, but this one is only attuned to ours. That's why you felt the way you did in the cockpit – it recognised you immediately. The craft was calling out to you, John."

For a moment John was too stunned to speak. It seemed incredible, but with this man it appeared everything was possible. But a ship, especially one like this, attuned to his DNA, was every pilot's dream. Then reality struck home. "You'll never let me fly it, will you?"

Forant shrugged, then his eyes clouded over. "Perhaps, in the fullness of time…say twenty or thirty years, but in the meantime, no."

Angry at Forant for tempting him with a ride he'd never enjoy, John tried but failed to keep the sarcastism out of his voice. "Great. I'll look forward to that. So…if I'm not allowed to fly this bird, then what's the point in having the bracelet, and how do I get it off?"

"This device will accord you greater freedom about the ship, as all you need do is think about where you want to go, and you'll arrive. However if you really don't want it, just 'think' it off, the same way that you did with any of the Ancient technology on Atlantis." Forant said, then his face broke into a smug smile. "It's your choice of course, John, but without it, I'm sure you'll eventually learn to enjoy Janus keeping you company every time you leave your quarters - because it wouldn't do if you got lost." John's face fell, as he realised Forant knew he'd got him, and if he wanted any kind of independence, the bracelet would have to stay. "Now I need you to listen carefully, John, because it's imperative you understand how the device works." Forant continued.

John pushed his frustration aside, ignored the lingering ache in his joints, and tried to pay attention.

"There are three indentations on the bracelet. The oval one will grant you access to any room you wish, bar one - the control area. For that reason, the round indentation, which disarms the force field in the cockpit, has also been disabled." Forant narrowed his eyes. "A situation that will remain until I'm confident you can be trusted."

John had expected as much, so decided not to rise to the bait. "So what's the square one for?" He asked, as he lifted his wrist to scrutinise the bracelet in the light.

Forant's smile was back in full beam. "That's for your personal cloak."

"Did you say personal cloak?" John asked, incredulous. "The only guy I know who has one of those gizmos is Harry Potter, and last I heard he doesn't exist outside the pages of a book."

The Ancient rolled his eyes. "I do know who Harry Potter is, John. In order to fit in where ever I go, I've found it useful to acquaint myself with each planets arts, literature and cultures – even children's books. However, I digress. This isn't a separate invisibility cloak, the bracelet is connected, an extension if you like, to the one in the gate ship. Up till now though, I have only managed to boost the power to conceal our presence for up to approximately a mile from the craft. Therefore, it's important to plan each trip carefully, and ensure to dress in the style of the era we visit, just in case either the cloak fails, or we accidently exceed the range."

While he spoke, Forant handed over a tunic and matching pants, just like the ones John had seen on the holograms in Atlantis. He felt uneasy about what Forant was planning, but tried to conceal his feelings as he accepted his new threads, and went away to change. When he returned a few minutes later, both Forant and Janus were waiting for him dressed in a similar fashion.

"Ready?" Forant asked, but he wasn't. It was a rhetorical question however, as once again the entrance to the back of the jumper was revealed, then almost immediately John was ushered outside to what he recognised as the original Atlantis mainland.

It was early evening, and dusk was rapidly approaching shrouding the tall trees of the nearby forest with a rosy glow. John turned towards the city, and looked longingly at the golden hues setting the magnificent towering spires alight. He missed Atlantis, but this wasn't his home. Just like the time he'd visited the future, to yet another Atlantis, John had learned an important lesson. It wasn't a place that made it home, it was the people in it. Not normally a sentimental guy, John knew that without Rodney, Teyla, Ronon, and all of his other friends, this Atlantis, although beautiful, was just another city.

He felt a sharp pain in his arm as Janus roughly pulled him to a halt. John drew him a look, but Brantum ignored the exchange. "Before we go any further, John, no matter what happens you must stay silent." Forant warned. "Just like the cloak of the gate ship you know, it is only your appearance that is hidden, nothing else."

Janus then let go, and John rubbed the painful indentation, the red mark still visible under the white tunic. Yet when he arrived at their destination, and looked down on the scene below, the ache was shrouded by another, as he watched the prone figure of Elizabeth Weir carried from a wrecked jumper.

Her brown curly hair was matted with blood, the scarlet in stark contrast to her pallid features. She was unconscious, obviously badly hurt, and John felt an impulse to run and help, as he watched others lift her limp frame onto a stretcher and take her away. John knew it wasn't really his Elizabeth, but the one they'd found in stasis. His friend was dead, lost to the replicators, and he still missed her. Sam had been a good leader, and Woolsey, despite his initial reservations, was turning out to be okay. Elizabeth Weir though had been special, and would always hold a place in his heart. It was her who'd given him the opportunity which had changed his life, yet it was her, who of all people he'd failed to save…

Radek came next, and John was distressed to see the diminutive scientist's broken body examined, then his corpse covered with a blanket. He tried to remind himself that in his Atlantis the Czech was still alive, probably irritating the hell out McKay, but nevertheless, the sight gave him a jolt. From what the old Elizabeth had told them, he should've expected it, but at least he then knew his own lifeless form would come next. This time though it was Forant who stiffened as the other John's remains were carried outside, as the Ancient caught sight not just of the dead man, but also his younger self carrying the stretcher.

The body looked a mess, but it didn't bother John the way perhaps it would have before he joined Atlantis. It was spooky, for sure, but he'd been there, done that, and had already bagged his own corpse on the 'other' Daedalus. And when the young Forant appeared John wasn't surprised either, as he'd seen the picture, lived with the older version, but still had to admit Brantum as a young man was his mirror image. Again that too wasn't new, as he'd met his own clone and even fought the malicious double conjured up by the crystalline entity. Unlike either of them though, the man he was watching now wasn't just a copy, or even another version of himself. This guy, the young Forant, was his own flesh and blood, a relation, and John finally understood how Forant must have felt upon discovering his body.

ooooOoooo

He was shivering, but Brantum knew it wasn't just from the cool mist rolling over the hillside. It was so long ago since he'd started his journey he'd forgotten just how he'd felt. Brantum turned to John who was still watching the scene below, and knew despite his grandson's continued reticence, it had all been worth it. The fine young man by his side was his kin, the legacy to all of his hopes and dreams, but more than that, John Sheppard was the last of his line, and Atlantis's best hope for the future.

Regardless of the youth he'd lost along the way, Forant was glad he'd went back in time to make sure of John's existance. Things hadn't quite turned out the way he'd envisioned, nonetheless, he was optimistic that at last his plans were finally back on track. Now it was time to start making them a reality.

"What are you thinking, John?" He asked. Brantum was curious at what his answer would be, as John's face had paled at the sight of his friends being brought from the wrecked jumper, but strangely had shown no distress at his own lifeless corpse.

John's face was a bland mask as he faced him. "Why did I crash?

Of all the questions he'd considered, that was the last one Forant was expecting. Yet given the fact John was a pilot, he realised that had been naïve of him. "You didn't realise it was a time machine, and had no clue how the technology worked, it was pilot error, John."

John lips tightened into a firm line, and he appeared uncomfortable. "Fine, I understand, it was me who screwed up, and if you want thanks for giving me another chance at life, then - 'thanks.' But apart from that I don't know what you expect me to say?" John shrugged and looked him square in the eye as he responded. "Look, I'm a soldier, Forant, and death, well let's just say if it had been my time…" Then as John's voice trailed away, Brantum saw his expression soften. "I do get it though. I do understand why you felt compelled to do what you did," he said, " it must have given you quite a shock to see someone who looked so like you, lying dead in front of your very eyes."

It wasn't quite the answer Brantum had been hoping for, but as they walked back to the gate ship, he stumbled and would have fallen but for a strong arm gripping his - John's. Brantum nodded his thanks, but it was clear John hadn't given his reaction any thought. It gave him hope though, as despite what he'd done to him, John had protected him out of instinct, just like he would one of his own.

"I need you to do something for me, John. I would do it myself, but it will require a young Brantum Forant, to wander round the halls of Atlantis." Brantum asked, and saw John's expression turn cynical.

After a tense silence John asked. "What do you want?"

Brantum smiled. "I need you to get something for me from one of the labs. Once we get inside, I'll direct you to which one."

After a long moment, John nodded. "I'll do it, but what I don't get, is why you didn't take what you wanted before you left, or even when you came to Atlantis the last time?"

Forant wasn't amused by John's less than gracious reply, but as he'd agreed to do his bidding, he tried to keep the irritation out of his voice. "The Wraith were coming and I had to leave in a hurry, we all did, but I foolishly believed my work would be there waiting for me, when I was ready to retrieve it. However when I did eventually return to Atlantis to meet you, the lab in question had been devastated by flood water and the vials destroyed."

John searched his face for a moment, almost as if he was going to defy him, then marched straight ahead. "Fine – let's go."

ooooOoooo

The halls of Atlantis were busier than he'd ever seen them, and it felt weird being back home but with none of the familiar faces present.

John had left his bodyguards around the last corner to undertake the mission alone. Forant too afraid to proceed any further in case he lost the cloak, but Janus too was instructed to stay behind, which John thought was odd until he walked straight into - Janus.

At first he was stunned to see the doppelganger, then realised the man who'd abducted him was actually the fake. Right now John didn't know why Forant had fashioned his Janus on the real thing, but suddenly remembered the old Elizabeth having mentioned he was the Ancient who'd helped her save Atlantis. One thing was for sure, this man looked identical. Even the curly hair was the same, but the person who was steadying him was different, and the smile on his face kind - nothing like the taciturn man he'd left behind.

"I'm so sorry, Brantum, are you alright?" Janus asked, his cultured voice yet another difference from the Janus he knew, who shared a similar American accent to his own.

John nodded, but kept quiet, aware if he opened his mouth, that very accent would give him away. Before he left to undertake the mission, Forant had informed him the only danger would be if he met the young Brantum, although the older version said it wouldn't be likely, as he remembered his actions that day, and knew he'd still be in the morgue. Now, confronted with the real Janus, John felt pissed, and wondered why good old grandpa had neglected to mention this snippet of information, as if he wasn't careful this could land him in a whole heap of trouble.

Janus stood back on his heels and started to wave his hands about, gushing enthusiastically "Anyway, Brantum, I'm on my way to see the survivor you brought back. I find the whole thing fascinating, don't you?" John nodded again, and again fortunately, it was clear that Janus didn't expect a reply. "I'm astounded that my craft was used to come through time - I wonder how far in the future it came from?" Janus went silent, as he seemed to ponder the implications. "Anyway...the lady I understand wasn't in the pilot's seat, but I'm sure she'll know something, so I'm desperate to talk to her."

Janus was about to walk away, but then stopped and turned back with a concerned expression. "I understand one of them – the pilot - looked just like you." John nodded, and when it was obvious this time Janus was looking for a response, he pointed to his throat hinting he couldn't speak "Well, I'm sure that must have been very disconcerting for you." He said, then caught his eye. "When you're feeling better, if you want to talk about it, you know were to find me. In the meantime, take care of that throat."

As he watched the Ancient hurry down the corridor, John let go of the breath he'd been holding. It had been a close call, too damn close, and he didn't want to bump into anyone else, so keeping his head down, made his way quickly to the lab. The room was off the beaten track in a section he wasn't familiar with, but following Forant's instructions, he eventually found it. The cabinet containing the vials was just where Forant had told him, although John nearly dropped the lot when he heard a voice behind him. "What are you doing in here?"

The voice didn't have the familiar Scottish twang, but when John swung round it could've been Carson Beckett standing by the open door. "Oh, it's you Brantum, I thought it was Kinton spying on your research - you really do need to watch out for him. Anyway, a few of us are heading for dinner. When you're finished, do you want to join us?" The familiar looking stranger asked, and John quickly composed his features to conceal his surprise.

Again John pointed to his throat, and made the universal sign that he was catching an early night. Fortunately it did the trick, as the Carson lookalike just smiled with a sympathetic expression, then walked away. By now, his brain was in overdrive, and his heart was threatening to burst from his chest, but John couldn't consider the implications of the strange encounter, as he had to keep moving. Forant was waiting and he was on the clock, but before he returned there was something he needed to do…

ooooOoooo

TBC

Well, a few more surpises which I hope you enjoyed. And as always, please let me know what you think.