Thanks for the reviews, as they mean a lot.

So the gloves are well and truly off now, and we finally know what Forant is up to. Question is, how is he going to get what he wants from John?

THE TIES THAT BIND

CHAPTER 16

The deep biting cold made him shiver, but as consciousness returned and the familiar dark, jagged stone walls came into view, the memory of overwhelming agony, along with the click, clack of high heels jolted John to complete awareness. He was back in the caves beneath Tynos. Jusana was dead, her withered corpse probably still lying next to her son's but John knew that Forant would be nearby, so he tried to flee. Except he couldn't move, and the cold, harsh feel of firm metal surrounding his neck, arms, wrists, thighs and ankles, confirmed he'd been restrained. He was naked too, covered only with a sheet, and for some weird reason that freaked him out more than anything.

There was a man with a big hammer pounding on his brain, and his mouth was dry. He hated drugs. They made him lethargic, but at least the fuzzy, cotton wool feeling had gone, and the adrenaline coursing through his veins was making short work of the remaining cobwebs. Restrained and helpless, he couldn't do a damn thing, but John forced himself to get a grip and suppress the panic rising in his chest, as he needed to focus, especially when he heard the sound of the familiar footsteps.

"I'm glad to see you're finally awake, how's the headache?" Forant had appeared by his side, but instead of wearing his usual three-piece suit, the Ancient was donned in green surgical scrubs.

"Sore…I don't suppose you have a couple of Tylenol?" John asked keeping his tone light, not willing to let Forant see his fear.

Forant didn't answer, and his expression remained impassive when John's flinched, as he forced in an IV. "I'm going to take some of your blood. I presume you don't mind, do you?"

"So it's going to be death by exsanguination, is it?" John peered up, trying to gauge Forant's reaction.

In response, the Ancient grabbed a stool and sat next to the table John was restrained to. "No my dear boy – you're much too valuable for that. At the moment, it's just a little blood I require, no more than a pint, but as you refused my generous offer, I've had to change my plans.'

Ignoring the pressure as his life force was drained away, John gave a wry smile "Really? I don't suppose you'd care to fill me in?"

"Certainly." Forant responed, and he went on to explain. "My clones are strong, intelligent, superior beings, but they lack the skill you've learned in the military. Books and DVDs can only teach so much, but instincts like yours and the experience you've gained are priceless, John. My army needs talents such as yours if it is to succeed."

"Wow! I never realised you were such an admirer," John whistled, "Do you want to go back and tell that to the brass who sent me to Antarctica?" John mocked, but Forant didn't look amused. "Anyway, seeing as I'm not exactly in a position to give lessons, how exactly do you aim to do that?" He pointed out raking his eyes down to the restraints.

Forant leaned back and folded his arms. "If you're reconsidering my offer, John, don't bother. As you Americans succinctly put it, that ship has sailed." The old man's expression then grew bitter. "Suffice it to say I have my methods, which you will discover as we go along."

His mind was racing, wondering what the hell was going to happen next, but John was more angry than afraid. With Forant watching, he was determined to keep a tight rein on his emotions, as it was pretty obvious the bastard was trying to wind him up. So he did what he usually did in these situations, the one thing that always unnerved the enemy, he smiled.

"By the way, for the record the answer is still no, but I think you've forgotten something buddy." John was furious, but he kept the smile pinned firmly on his face. "I've been missing for so long, my people will probably think I'm dead - well at any rate, they wouldn't accept my IDC even if I did manage to get home, so your invasion force will never get past the shields."

Forant smirked, and wagged his finger in front of John's face. "You really do need to stop underestimating me, John. To begin with, I never left a body so your friends will be running themselves ragged, trying to find you, clinging on to the hope you're still alive." Then the smile faded and Forant looked thoughtful. "Of course, there is a remote possibility that your Doctor McKay may have discovered one of the Trojans I planted, he is after all a resourceful man. Nevertheless, even if they have realised I'm behind your abduction, all I need for my plan to succeed is to get close enough to open communications with them."

Now it was John's turn to mock. "Right… and I can just see that happening. After that last stunt you pulled, Woolsey wouldn't give you the time of day."

Forant nodded slowly. "Perhaps, but I know he'd want to speak to his missing Military Commander, and when he does, I'll be able to send a signal to a hidden trigger which will deactivate the shields."

"Bastard!" John was enraged at the man who was plotting to take over his home, and throw out his friends as if they were garbage. He was also angry at himself because if anyone got harmed, it would be his fault for getting caught.

Ignoring John's outburst, Forant continued, "In the meantime, John, after you give me what I want, I intend to break you."

John spluttered with laughter. "Yah think? Good luck with that - "

His face scarlet with rage, Forant thumped the table with his fist. "I don't need luck. I've studied prisoners subjected to prolonged spells of confinement. Years spent incarcerated can eventually bend a man's spirit, but in some of the harsher institutions I visited, I witnessed that men who'd been kept restrained during their sentence, not only become subdued, but positively docile in a remarkably short period of time. They were more than happy to take part in my experiments...Of course with a strong man like you I don't expect it to happen overnight, but it will happen - everyone has their breaking point. It's regrettable, John, that you will never stand by my side in the way I'd hoped, but in time you will be happy to serve me as a willing slave."

"Dream on – I would rather die first!" John spat out, and he cursed himself for losing it, but he was struggling to keep a lid on his emotions. His heart was racing, thudding so hard he could barely hear Forant's next response through the blood rushing through his ears.

Forant didn't look at him while he answered, too busy removing his donation, and replacing it with a clear bag of fluid. "And you seriously think I would allow that happen? Let me make it clear, John." He said, turning to face him. "Whatever punishment your body sustains in order to obtain my goal, I will repair. I need you alive, at least for the time being. At the moment it's your knowledge and blood I require. When the time comes that you outlive your usefulness, and I tire of your company, then I intend to put you in stasis. After all, even I can't live forever, and your young body will provide me with a valuable source of spare parts for a long time to come."

"Screw you!"

The old man gave him a sour look. "A coarse expression, but apt. However, on this occasion I believe it's you who is screwed…"

ooooOoooo

Meditation always calmed her inner turmoil, but with John still missing and Torren keeping her awake night after night, Teyla could barely think, let alone concentrate on the ritual involved. Constantly exhausted, she had been unable to provide little if any support to her team, something which pained her. As a mother though, her priority was clear, Torren would always come first, besides there was nothing she could do for her friend at the moment.

Kanaan had an important meeting in the morning, and as there was no point in both of them losing sleep, she picked up the crying child, and headed for her new refuge, the mess hall. At this time of night it was usually empty, and with no one to disturb, it relieved the pressure knowing Torren could shed his tears without causing others inconvenience.

Teyla saw Martha look over when she saw them approach. The older woman had been her saviour these past weeks. Martha's homely face always lit up when they arrived, as she went through the familiar routine of taking the sobbing child off her hands to allow her a few golden moments of peace. Tonight though there was someone else staring out at the view from their usual table.

"Good evening, Dave. Can't sleep either?" She asked, already knowing the reason why.

His exhaustion mirrored her own as his tired eyes flew open, surprised, as he clearly hadn't heard her approach. "Sorry…what was the question?" He asked, confused.

Teyla smiled softly "Don't worry, it was a stupid question anyway," When Dave still looked puzzled, she repeated it. "I asked if you couldn't sleep, but as you're here nursing a mug of Martha's hot chocolate…"

Now Dave returned her smile, but his eyes were sad. "Well, usually I lie awake beating myself up over what happened, but now I know it wasn't my fault, I don't even have that small pleasure to enjoy." his smile faded and a tear glistened in his eye. "I have all this money, Teyla and I would pay any demand, give it all away - anything to get John home. But he's been kidnapped by a blasted 'Time Lord' for Pete's sake, and there's not a damn thing I can do to help."

Dave had been such a reclusive figure since he arrived, Teyla realised with shame that she had barely spoken to him. He was John's brother, but more than that, he was a friend in pain. For that reason alone, Teyla knew regardless of her own problems, she should have sought him out and been there for him.

The sound of the chair scraping the metal floor echoed in the near empty room as she pulled it towards her. Then she sat down, reached over, and took his hand.

"Unfortunately no one can help John at the moment." She said sadly. "Even a genius like Rodney is feeling useless, unable to do anything." Teyla knew Rodney wouldn't be amused at that description of himself. However if it made Dave feel better, she hoped her friend would forgive her.

Dave scrubbed a hand over his face, then changed the subject. "Is Torren still teething?"

Teyla leaned back on the chair, and took a long sip of hot milk before replying. "No, this week he has a cold," she informed him. "A lot of the Athosian children have had it, and I think Torren picked it up from his play date last week."

Dave nodded, and Teyla saw a cloud darken his expression."As a kid John used to pick up one bug after another." He told her. "Things were okay when mom was alive, but dad had no time for illness. He used to call John a weakling, and accused him of making it up to get out of going to school, he was wrong of course. Then one time John got real sick, but told no one, not even me, so we didn't know anything was wrong until he failed to come down for breakfast. I'll never forget that day…Dad ranted and raved then stormed up to his room, and minutes later he came down ashen faced, carrying John in his arms. He'd collapsed in the shower." Dave paused before he continued. "We nearly lost him that day to peritonitis, and I know dad never forgave himself, but he was a stubborn fool who lacked the courage to tell his own son how sorry he was. Later, when John came home from the hospital, he was a changed kid – harder, more determined, quieter around the house. Let's just say, things were never the same between them after that."

Teyla remembered all the times John had shrugged off illness and injury, telling everyone he was fine, when he clearly wasn't. Now she understood. "Well, that certainly explains a lot, Dave, and I think you should tell that story to Carson." she replied in a quiet voice.

Dave nodded, and drained the rest of his mug. "Think maybe I will." He said, then squeezed her hand, released it, and rose from the chair. "Thanks Teyla, I enjoyed the company."

"Are you going to try and get some sleep now?" She asked, as he started to walk away.

He shrugged, "I'll try, but probably not. Still, I'm not alone." Dave said, with a wry smile, "From all the bleary eyed people I've seen around this base, I don't think many of us will get a full night's rest until John comes home."

ooooOoooo

Voices wavered in an out of his consciousness. They were faint at first, only whispers echoing through a dense fog, but becoming louder, until Forant's insistent tone broke through as a cold hand patted his face.

John wanted to tell him to back off, but the noise which came out was choked, garbled. "Gah awummgh..."

"That's it John, it's time to come round." Forant coaxed him, though he sounded impatient. "You've had some surgery, nothing major. Just a small procedure - well several procedures actually, so it was more expedient to knock you out. Besides, I didn't have time to deal with your feeble resistance." The Ancient picked up a glass and pushed a straw into his mouth. "Now you'll need some water, but only take a sip."

John wanted to tell him where to stick it, but his throat felt raw, and the cold water helped douse the fire.

"Better?" Forant asked in an offhand manner without even looking at him, too interested in checking something out of his line of sight.

"Wha…what have you done?" He asked, trying to suppress the panic tightening his chest and threatening to choke him.

John could tell it was with reluctance, Forant dragged his eyes back from whatever he was checking to face him. "I've planted electrodes at various points inside your body." Forant informed him, clearly unconcerned when John's eye's flew open in alarm. "Their function is to monitor your reactions during the assessments I have planned. Except I need you conscious and alert for the last part of the procedure, as I have to assess your responses while I'm implanting the ones in your brain."

John tried to pull at the restrains but not even a finger could move, his body was completely frozen. He was living out his worst nightmare.

"You can stop worrying, John." Forant sounded bored. "The paralysis is only temporary as I need you completely still until I've finished, so relax as this won't take long and is completely painless. Once the anesthetic wears off there will be some lingering soreness and a slight headache for a few days, but, if you co-operate with me now, I'll give you that Tylenol you asked for earlier." Forant smiled, but it was a mean tight imposter of a smile, which didn't fool John for a second.

The Ancient moved from his sight but John heard him take up position behind him. He was freaking out, but unable to move there was no escape, he was completely under Forant's control. The screeching sound of the drill reverberated around the vast space and brought home just exactly what the bastard was doing, and while it didn't hurt, the knowledge of what was happening made the room seem to close in around him. Each vibration made him shudder, and the pressure of the drill bearing down made him nauseous. John knew he wasn't perfect – far from it. He had a lot of regrets, and there was a bunch of stuff he wasn't proud of, but surely he didn't deserve this? Forant was speaking, asking him a question but black spots were clouding his horizon, and he couldn't hear through the waves of terror fogging his brain - then there was a sharp piercing noise...

"Calm down, John, and don't be foolish." Forant scolded, in a bitter angry voice. "If you had accepted my offer none of this would have been necessary – you have only yourself to blame."

John had met some psycho's in his time, but no one as warped as this. Yet this man wasn't just any bad guy, he was his grandfather, so against his better judgment, John tried to reason with him. "Stop this. Can't you see what you're do...ing…is…is… wr…wr…ong?" John started to panic as his voice got deeper, then started to stutter before it tailed off and disappeared altogether.

"Oop's - sorry, John. I went a little too far to the left." Forant said in a matter of fact tone, "Wait a minute… that's it, I think I've got it in the right position now. Say something for me - anything will do."

"Go to hell!"

ooooOoooo

TBC

Is it the right thing to say I hope you enjoyed that? But please review anyway, as I really like to know what you think.