Thanks again to those who reviewed - I appreciate it. I'm sorry for leaving you on a cliffy, but the edits and RL caught up with me at the weekend.
As for the story - well, we left both the guys in quite a state, so what's next?
THE TIES THAT BIND
CHAPTER 19
"I shouldn't have left him." Ronon growled. "Why the hell couldn't he have waited till I got back?" the Satedan's voice was laden with guilt, and Dave saw him about to slam his fist into the wall, when Teyla stepped forward and grabbed his arm.
"How is he?" Dave asked, and for a moment his question seemed to hang in the air, as the two turned around, looking surprised to find him standing there.
Teyla answered. "Rodney's still in surgery…"
"Actually, love, he's in recovery now." Carson appeared and dragged off his cap before scrubbing a hand over his face. His exhaustion evident, in the stoop of his shoulders and blood-shot eyes.
Ronon stood with his arms folded, anxiety written all over his face. "Is he going to be okay?"
Carson nodded. "He'd lost a lot of blood, which we replaced, and the bullet fractured his shoulder, but with rest then some physical therapy, I expect him to make a complete recovery."
Teyla nodded, and pushed a strand of hair behind her ear. "How is Jennifer dealing with all of this? She must have been worried."
Beckett gave a sad smile. "Yes she was, still is - he is her boyfriend after all. But, the lass is a doctor so she knows the score. Under the circumstances, I insisted on taking the lead in the surgery, but she's sitting with him now." Carson's expression turned from one of concern to anger, when he turned to Ronon. "Did you get him, son? Did you shoot the bastard?"
If Ronon was surprised at the normally mild-mannered doctor's rage, he didn't show it. "Think I winged him…can't be sure though. He disappeared through that freaking forcefield just after I got the shot off."
"Well, I hope so, because that bloody toerag deserves a taste of his own medicine." Beckett ranted, then went quiet for a minute before he muttered. "At least with Forant in Tynos, we now have an idea where Colonel Sheppard could be. Of course, even if he is in the caves, how we're going to get him back is problematic."
"Give me the bracelet so I can check it out." Ronon marched up to Beckett and towered over him.
Dave noticed the Scot didn't give an inch, and matched the determined look with one of his own. "I'm sorry, son, but that's not going to happen." He told him in a firm manner. "You know as well as I do, that damn thing caused the death of one man, and would most likely have killed Rodney, if Colonel Sheppard hadn't managed to remove it. Anyway, even if you did manage to get down there, there's no guarantee that's where Forant has taken him."
His heart was racing, and he could hardly believe what he was hearing. They were talking about his brother, giving him hope one minute, and taking it away the next. Then he realised they'd forgotten he was there. "What are you talking about? Where's John, and why can't you use this bracelet to save him? I don't understand…"
Carson's face went beetroot and the room went deathly quiet, as everyone turned to face him. Then the penny dropped, as he remembered what happened the night he visited Rodney in the lab. "Forget it. I'm only the new guy here, and I'm sure you know what you're doing." He responded keeping the frustration out of his voice, but already deciding what he was going to do.
Dave turned and walked away, ignoring Teyla as she called after him, marching towards the transporter before anyone could stop him. He then rushed down the corridor straight to McKay's lab. It was empty, apart from Radek who glanced up when he walked in.
"Have you heard how Rodney is?" The Czech asked, while wiping his spectacles with a cloth.
"His shoulder's broken, but Carson says he's going to be okay." Dave replied while his eyes darted around, trying to remember where Rodney put the key. Radek looked at him strangely while he searched, but after a few moments, Dave realised he'd have to hurry as he heard the familiar Scottish brogue coming down the hall.
"Can I help you, Dave?" The Czech asked, sounding suspicious.
"Do you mind if I borrow this, Radek?" Dave asked, but didn't wait for an answer, as he took a large screwdriver off the shelf and forced it into the locked cabinet several times before the lid sprang open.
"Stop, don't do this! The Colonel wouldn't want you -" Radek ran over and tried to pull him away, but Dave pushed him aside, accidentally knocking him onto his ass.
"Sorry, Radek, but I want my brother back." Dave took the bracelet in his hand. He held it for a moment, examining it, watching as the shiny metal glimmered the light as he remembered Rodney's words "Let's just say, it's been responsible for the death of two men…" Then before he could change his mind, he slipped it on.
"Oh, no, son – what the hell have you done." He turned to see Carson standing there, with Ronon and Teyla beside him.
Dave could already feel the soft hum vibrating through his wrist, and suddenly realised the implications of his impulsive act. It was too late to turn back now, even if he wanted to. "Right, tell me how I get this damn thing to take me to John."
ooooOoooo
Tears sprang to his eyes, but not from the pain. John had spent so long putting the events of that day behind him, he was struggling to deal with it all over again. To endure it once had been horrific, let alone the four occasions Todd had fed upon him. Yet he'd eventually managed to put it behind him, kept his feelings hidden, and had gradually learned, if not to forget, then at least to be able to cope with the nightmares.
Through the visor, John had known what was coming, but couldn't stop it. In one brief moment, Forant had ripped open the barely healing wound, and now he was back to square one. None of those missions were good memories, but what he hadn't expected was to relive the physical pain. Now he was in agony, his ribs, arm, but worse of all the deep searing pain from the feeding mark on his chest. John could scarcely get a breath, but this time, there was no happy juice to dull the pain.
He was still restrained, so didn't know if he was alone, when he heard someone coming into the room. It was Forant, and the old man had been shot. John instantly recognised from the familiar dark discoloration on his jacket what type of weapon had caused the damage, and smiled.
"So had a run in with my friend Ronon did you?" John smirked, and winced as the small movement sent spikes of pains shooting up and down his body. Yet, with the knowledge his friends were nearby, he felt better than he'd done in a very long time.
Forant was cradling his left arm. His face was pinched, and the Ancient was obviously in no mood for humor. "Not before I put a bullet in your intrepid, but interfering Doctor McKay first."
John strained against the restraints. "You bastard! If you've killed him - Arrgh!"
Forant pressed a dressing down on the feeding mark with such force, John screamed at the torture. When the pressure eased, and the room stopped spinning, he became aware of another pressure and turned to see Forant sitting alongside, getting a direct transfusion of his blood.
The Ancient was clearly not used to being in pain, and sat staring ahead in complete silence, but John wanted a few answers. "Just a matter of interest, Forant, you could have come to these caves at any point in time. Why did you choose my timeline?"
"Why not?" He answered, then all of a sudden, the defensive tone vanished and he looked at John with a weary expression. "Honestly? If you must know, those little jaunts I took to try and win you round, used up most of my power."
John realised his surprise must have shown as Forant started to explain.
"I don't know why you look so shocked, John. It was always my wish for you to join me as a willing partner, but with that highly moral, not to mention stubborn streak of yours, I expected you to be a hard sell." Forant gave him a sad smile. "In anticipation of that, I pulled out all the stops, but I knew there would be a drain on the ships power - although perhaps not this much." John noticed he muttered that last bit almost to himself. "Anyway, it made good sense to come here, as your Atlantis is where I need to be, and it's just a short jaunt through the Stargate." He said. "In any event, once we get home the time machine will no longer be required, as I'll be back home and ready to proceed with my plan. Besides, if I needed to use it again, it would be a simple matter to top up the flux capacitor with one of the ZPMs."
For a moment there was silence, and John used the time to try and take it all in. He was feeling woozy, probably from the blood loss, and could barely focus for the crippling pain coursing through his body. For a moment he thought Forant had left, then he felt the Ancients hot breath on his cheek and the ruthless expression was back.
"Just because this is your timeline nothing has changed, John. It makes no difference that your friends know I have you, because they still won't know where you are, or be able to find you this far underground. With this transfusion, I'll soon have the strength to heal my wounds, but regrettable yours will have to wait. In the meantime, you'll need to go into stasis for a while as I don't want your body to deteriorate."
John felt like crap, and now he had stasis to look forward too - great. "You're all heart, anyone ever tell you that, Forant?"
"Actually, no." Forant said, lifting an eyebrow in mock amusement. Then he called out. "Janus!" Forant shouted, and a few moments later the clone appeared by his side.
"What happened, father? What can I do to help?" The clone asked, staring at the dressing on Forant's arm.
John swore, as Forant yanked the line out of his arm. He felt dizzy, really out of it, and wondered how many pints the bastard had taken this time.
"Take John and put him into stasis, but be CAREFUL. He's badly wounded, and I don't want any more accidents." Forant's warning was clear.
Janus removed the restraints and was about to put on John's cuffs, when Forant forestalled him. "Not this time, Janus. His wrists are a mess, besides, stasis is the best restraint I know of - true?"
The clone smirked, and lifted John off the table. When he wasn't immediately put on his feet, it was clear Janus was about to carry him. John knew he needed some help, but not that much, plus he wanted to show Forant he wasn't beaten. "Put me down, I can walk." At his response, Janus glanced over at Forant who merely shrugged, then the clone took his good arm and shouldered him out of the room.
John hadn't seen a stasis chamber since he'd arrived and wondered where it could be. He was a pilot and used to cramped spaces, but didn't relish spending more time in one of the oppressive pods where he'd been frozen once before. Then, he'd had no option, as it was the only way he could survive the trip back through time in order to save Teyla. Now, he was going to become a Popsicle, just because he was low on Forant's list of priorities. Like a frigging piece of meat he'd be kept on ice until the Ancient could spare the time to fix the wounds he'd caused. John just hoped they would get there soon so he could get it over with, because right now he could barely stand, never mind try and keep up with the pace Janus was setting.
Suddenly, John felt Janus tense up then felt his arm tighten round his neck. "Whoever's out there – show yourself. Or I'll break his neck like twig."
Lorne appeared from the shadows along with a couple of marines and John smiled knowing they wouldn't be alone. "Hi guys, glad you could make the party." John choked, as the pressure increased around his throat.
"Quiet, Sheppard!" Janus growled at him then shouted to Lorne. "How did you get down here?"
"With me!" Dave called out, then John felt the residual sting of Ronon's stunner, as the Satedan fired on Janus, and the stunned clone lost his grip sending him sprawling onto the floor. Janus' face contorted with anger, as he kept moving forward, but a second blast did the job, and the clone seemed surprised, as he shuddered for a moment before he fell to his knees, then flat on his face.
John was in agony, but right now, he'd never been happier in his whole life. Then his foggy brain realised it shouldn't have been possible, and that someone risked their life to rescue him. And why was his brother there?
"I'm really pleased to see you, all of you, but how did you get…" John spotted the bracelet on Dave's wrist and his heart sank. "Who allowed this?" He asked, glaring at each of them in turn. "This man is a civilian, not to mention my brother and what the hell - he shouldn't even be here!"
"Don't blame them, John, I never gave them a choice." Dave informed him. "I just wanted my kid brother back. Besides, I always wanted to know what it felt like to be a hero." Dave broke into a smile as he got down on his knees and helped John lean against the wall. Then his face fell. "What has he done to you, John – you've aged."
"It's a long story." John caught Ronon, Teyla and Lorne looking at him with a mix of anger and concern. He appreciated their anxiety, and was worried about the implications of the not so virtual feeding himself, but silenced them with a nod. In any case, John knew this wasn't the time for explanations. He reached over and touched the bracelet around Dave's wrist, relieved when it released at his touch. John then placed it over his own wrist.
"Lorne." John turned to his XO, "Forant has been producing clones. How many, I don't know. But enough for a small army, so I want you and the men to destroy them."
"Yes, Colonel." Then Evan paused for a moment. "With all due respect, sir, you don't look so good. I'd really like to get you to Doctor Beckett first. He's waiting out in the jumper."
John slowly shook his head. "I'll keep. Right now, the safety of Atlantis is more important. In any case, you'll need me to get back out." He lifted the wrist with the bracelet on it. John knew that Lorne was concerned about him, and didn't want to have to repeat the order, so was pleased when Evan nodded then strode away.
He noticed that Ronon and Teyla hadn't moved, and were still standing, rooted to the spot. "That includes you too guys. I want you to set as many charges as you can, but leave markers of your path and stay in radio contact, it's a maze down here." John instructed, but his team mates just glanced at each other.
"I don't like leaving you behind, Sheppard. What if Forant finds you?" Ronon grunted, twitching his hand over his blaster.
"I agree, John." Teyla said her anxious brown eyes boring into his. "You are in no condition to defend yourself."
John smiled, and motioned to his brother. "Dave will keep me company, and Forant takes fire like any man. You proved that, Ronon, so give me a gun." After a moments hesitation Teyla handed him her firearm, and while he checked it, remembered something important. "How's Rodney?"
"The bullet fractured his shoulder, but Doctor Beckett says he will make a full recovery." Teyla answered, then she lowered her voice. "Right now, I'm more worried about you."
John leaned up and grasped her hand. "Go, Teyla. I'll be fine. Dave will bring me up to date on all the gossip while you're gone."
His friends hovered for a moment longer, looking uncertain, before giving him a last anxious look and striding away.
John knew Ronon was right, he was in bad shape and the danger wasn't over, but he still felt more in control than he'd been in a very long time. He also had a bone to pick with his brother. "You shouldn't have done it, Dave. You shouldn't have gone risking your life for me."
Dave's response was immediate and angry. "So what the hell are you saying, John - your life is worthless?" He spat out. "Well, I have a newsflash for you, brother, you don't have the right to decide what I think, say, or do." Then he went quiet, but when Dave next spoke there was a crack in his voice "Here's the thing, John, regardless of what you want you're important to me, and I'm not the only one who feels that way. There are people who would do anything for you…"
"Dave - look out!"
John yelled, but it was too late as Janus grabbed Dave by the shoulders and flung him against the wall. He watched in horror as his brother slid unconscious to the ground.
"You bastard!" John aimed the gun and fired, watching with satisfaction as a red patch grew on the clone's chest. It didn't stop him though, as, when he went to fire again, Janus yanked the gun out his hands, threw it away, then hauled him by the neck until his feet couldn't touch the ground.
Black spots were gathering and he could hardly see, could barely breathe, and was helpless to resist when an iron fist tore through his gut sending him flying down the corridor.
He hit the unforgiving rock floor with an explosion of pain, and passed out. When the fog slowly started to clear, he could feel the blood frothing in his mouth, running from his lips, the rancid taste of metal souring his stomach - but Janus wasn't finished. The clone appeared, stared down, and with a twisted smile stomped on his leg. "Arrraghhh!"
The crack echoed in the corridor, and his scream lasted until his hoarse voice trailed away. John couldn't move, and was in so much pain he just wanted it to be over, so was almost relieved when he saw Janus raise his foot high above his chest. Then a shot rang out.
For a second John thought he was having a hallucination, as the clone was still standing even though he had a large hole through his head. His face a mask of surprise, then hurt, as Janus turned to the unseen assailant before falling to the ground.
John knew he was in a bad way, and wasn't giving up, but if it was his time to go, he was glad he wouldn't be going alone – there was room in hell for the both of them. He wondered which one of his friends had taken the bastard down, when Forant appeared with a smoking pistol in his hand.
Something was broken deep inside, and each breath was tortuous, but John had to know. After all his years of planning, Forant had chosen to destroy his creation in order to save him. "Wh…y?"
Forant knelt down so their eyes could meet, and the old man looked bemused. "You really don't know by now, John?" The Ancient rubbed his wounded arm and grimaced, then turned to peer down from where he'd come. "I have no time to explain now, your friends are coming and I need to leave. Survive John Sheppard, because I hope we'll meet again."
Then Forant was gone, leaving him more confused than ever. John's brain was spinning, but he couldn't dwell on what just had happened as he needed all of his strength to hold on. He still had a job to do, and must stay focused and remain lucid long enough, to get them out the caves. If he didn't, it wouldn't just his life that would be lost. Then he heard a familiar voice moan, and could have cried with relief knowing Dave was alive, and his brother was going to be okay. Footsteps came running towards him and he heard Ronon shout his name, then his nightmare was finally over.
There wasn't much time, before the caves would be blasted to hell, so John tugged Ronon's sleeve. "Help…me…up." The big guy lifted him gently, but it still hurt like hell, and he couldn't suppress a groan. "Gt…get…Dave."
Lorne nodded, and went to help Teyla shoulder a woozy Dave over beside him. Once he saw everyone was within range, John pressed the button he recognised from the bracelet he'd worn on Forant's ship, but nothing happened. His hands were shaking and John could see everyone watch with concern, but he could do this, he would get his people home. So he tried again, and this time the black walls gave way to a small grassy knoll, with the Stargate standing straight ahead.
It was cold outside but still daylight, the first he'd seen in days. John shivered and felt Ronon pull his coat in close around him, the warmth felt good. He also felt safe now, safe enough to close his eyes…
ooooOoooo
TBC