Remember, Never to Forget---24
John waited for Hawk's return with a mixture of trepidation and hope. The fact that he'd been allowed to move around without discovery weighed heavily on his mind. What if it hadn't been a test? What if Hawk really did trust him? What if he'd lost his one chance of escape because he'd relied too heavily on his instincts? What if his instincts were wrong? Could he have escaped before Hawk became aware he was missing?
"What are you thinking about, John?"
John jumped at the sound of the voice next to his ear and realized he'd been so deep in thought he hadn't heard the man enter. 'Oh crap,' he thought, but managed to hide his emotions. "On my world we say 'a penny for your thoughts," he whispered.
"What is your world, John?"
"I don't remember," John answered honestly.
"For your sake I hope that's true," Hawk told him and watched as his slave fought to control his emotions. "We are going to the underground chambers in two days."
"Why? Is there another storm?"
"No, this will be a special occasion. You and I will be the only fighters," Hawk answered.
"You and me?" John asked incredulously.
"That's correct…"
"Why would I fight you?"
"For Tyrel's freedom," Hawk answered.
"What about my freedom?"
"I will not release you, John…but I give you my word that Tyrel will go free."
"You'll let him go?"
"I will…if you win," the bigger man said.
"And if I lose?"
"When you lose I want your word that you will bend that stiff neck of yours when we are in the presence of others."
"I don't know if I can do that," John spat.
"Not even for your friend's freedom?" Hawk asked and watched as the man stood up and paced back and forth in front of him.
"How do I know you'll keep your word?"
"I am a man of honor, John, and my word is law. If you defeat me Kudrone will see to it that Tyrel is dropped off on his world."
John took a deep breath and turned to look at his captor. Hawk was big and he wasn't sure if accepting his proposal was a foolhardy undertaking, but if it meant setting Tyrel free then John would do his damndest to defeat him. He swallowed several times before answering. "I'll do it."
"Very well…you missed lunch and I am hungry," Hawk said and stood up. "How is the wrist?"
"It's fine."
"Good…perhaps it will give you an advantage when we meet in the arena."
John looked at the cast on his wrist and was shocked that he hadn't even thought about the injury when Hawk made his proposal. Perhaps it would give him a minor advantage, but it would also hurt like hell if he used it. He'd fought through pain before and come out on top, perhaps it would happen again.
"Come, John, we both need to keep our strength up for the coming challenge," Hawk said and led the way to the door.
SGASGASGASGASGA
Rodney brushed at something that landed on his cheek and grumbled incoherently before slowly peeling his eyes open. He frowned at the unfamiliar surroundings and sat up too quickly. His stomach rebelled and he knew he was going to be sick and looked around for anything he could use. A basin on the bedside table was within reach and Rodney felt the burning acid rise in his throat. He heard someone enter the room and felt hands on his back, but could not speak as again and again his body shook with the force of dry heaves.
"Easy, Rodney, you are okay."
"Tey...Teyla?"
"I am here," Teyla said and smiled sympathetically at the ill man.
"What happened…feels like I've been fed on by a whole hive," McKay told her.
"I can see that…you just need to rest. I believe Carson would say you have a concussion," Emmagan explained.
"Where is Carson?"
"He's back on Atlantis. Are you okay?"
"No…no I'm not," McKay told her and lay back on the bed as the room seemed to spin on an unsteady axis. He moaned softly and turned on his side as Teyla gently rubbed her hands on his shoulders. "She got away didn't she?"
"Yes, she did," Teyla answered softly.
"Dammit, she's going to go after Sheppard and there's nothing we can do to stop her."
"We will just have to find him first," the Athosian vowed.
"How long have we been here?"
"We rescued you yesterday…"
"What time is it?"
"Noon...are you hungry?"
"Not right now," McKay answered, his stomach churning uncontrollably. His head hurt worse when he kept his eyes open so he closed them and sighed tiredly.
"Rodney, Kierra made something that will help your headache and stomach," Teyla said.
"More backwoods medicine…I think I'd rather have Carson…"
"Carson is not here, Rodney…do you trust me?"
"Of course I do," McKay answered.
"Then believe me when I tell you there is nothing in this that will harm you. I watched Kierra prepare it and it will help you sleep and feel better," Emmagan explained and smiled when the Canadian reluctantly took a sip of the sweet nectar.
"It's good," Rodney told her. "We're no closer to finding him, Teyla."
"I know, Rodney, but we will. It is just a matter of time…"
"What if time is running out for him? What if…"
"I have heard people say that the 'what if' game never has a winner because there are more 'what ifs' than there are answers. Be strong, Rodney, I promise we will find him," Emmagan said and waited for him to finish the liquid. She knew it would help him sleep and hoped it would be a restful one and not wrought with the nightmares that had plagued him since John Sheppard's disappearance.
"Thank you, Teyla," McKay said and closed his eyes. Images immediately formed as he drifted toward sleep. John Sheppard smiling as the wind ruffled his hair while he stood on one of the high balconies of Atlantis. The sarcastic humor that was often the norm with their friendship, a strange friendship, yet one he would never change. A heavy sigh escaped as he gave in to the sleep his mind and body craved, silently praying John Sheppard was still alive.
SGASGASGASGASGA
Elizabeth Weir stood on the high balcony overlooking the ocean as the waves crashed against the lower levels. A high wind whipped the ocean in a spray that didn't quite reach her, but the scent was unmistakably the same as the salt water on Earth. It gave her a sense of home, but sometimes it also made her homesick.
Her home, God she missed the safety of her world, one untouched by the wraith, at least for now. As a doctor, and an explorer Elizabeth understood that what she did, what they all did when they made that first step through the Stargate was to open up a box, Pandora's Box and they could never close it again. All they could do was keep the world…all worlds safe from the monsters that knew how to travel, but even that was a dream, one that held no certainties.
"A penny for your thoughts."
Elizabeth turned and a half smile appeared as she looked at the man who'd just joined her. "Hello, Carson, how is Major Reid?"
"He's doing better. I'm going to release him in the morning," Beckett said of the man who was his only patient in the infirmary. The man had been injured during a mission to PK3-27 while helping a native family douse a fire that broke out in their treetop home. He'd inhaled a lot of smoke and received minor burns to his hands, but he was expected to make a full recovery.
"That's good to hear," Weir said.
"Aye, that it is…did you hear anything from Major Lorne?"
"Yes, he checked in an hour ago. They were able to rescue Rodney, but Shazzia escaped."
"Is Rodney okay?"
"Lorne said he has a concussion…"
"He should return to Atlantis."
"I know, but you know Rodney as well as I do. He's set on seeing this through."
"So you think they'll find Colonel Sheppard?" Beckett asked softly.
"I don't know, Carson, it's been so long and every time they think they're getting closer something happens. I don't want to lose anyone else," Weir said softly.
"We have to think positive, Elizabeth…John Sheppard would never give up on us and we can't give up on him."
"I'm trying not to, but…" Weir said and knew Beckett understood how she felt. Somehow John Sheppard had become the heart and soul of Atlantis without even realizing it and until he returned a piece of city would grieve right along with them. She shook her head at the thought of giving the city the qualities of a sentient being and wondered if anyone else had ever thought of it that way.
"How long has it been since you've had a decent night sleep, Elizabeth?" Beckett asked softly.
"I don't know Carson…probably before John Sheppard disappeared. It's hard losing people…especially one who's proven how valuable he is to this mission."
"Yes, he is valuable, Elizabeth, but so is everyone else. I could prescribe something to help you sleep."
"No, thank you, Carson, I'd rather not," Weir said and returned her attention to the water hitting the city far below. "Did you know Sheppard loved to hit golf balls up here?"
"Perhaps you should try it," Beckett suggested when he noticed the golf clubs leaning against the wall next to the door.
"I did…it didn't help."
"Perhaps not, but it's keeping hope alive," the physician offered and lifted a club. He placed a ball on the surface and struck it, smiling as it sailed out into the ocean before handing the club to Weir. It felt good, familiar, and he silently prayed he would see Sheppard standing here again.
TBC