Remember, Never to Forget---30
"John, it is time to greet our guests," Hawk said gently as he waited for the injured man to open his eyes. The shot Kudrone had given him kept the slave asleep for nearly twelve hours and although still pale, John did look remarkably better.
John didn't say anything as Hawk handed him the garments that marked him as a slave. He hated the feel of the coarse material against his skin, but it was better than nothing and he quickly donned the clothing as Hawk watched him.
"You will do well, John," Hawk offered.
"How do you know?"
"I have first hand knowledge of how well you fight when you believe in something. You either fight the way you did with me or Kudrone takes your place. I can assure you he will not last long," the bigger man explained.
"You're a mean bastard, Hawk."
"John, you take liberties while we are alone and I allow it, but if you ever attempt something like that in public I will have you whipped. Come, Shariel's ship is docking and I want to see her reaction to Kudrone."
"Why don't you release him?"
"I told you I need him to work on the Ancient technology I have gathered through the years."
"Someday you'll find yourself a slave and when that day comes…"
"It never will, John, come, it is time," Hawk said and opened the door to find Kudrone waiting for them.
"Shariel's ship has docked," Kudrone said excitedly.
"I know…one would think you were anxious to greet her…"
"Hawk, please…can't we…can I…" Kudrone said as the other man placed a collar around his neck and attached a length of chain before doing the same to John.
"Shariel needs to know you are my property," Hawk said with a smile as he led the way along the deserted corridors.
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Shariel looked at the group waiting to be granted access to the underground chambers. She'd docked her ship and knew Hawk had been notified of her arrival. Her heart raced with the thought of seeing Kudrone again, and she wanted this mission to succeed so that she could be reunited with him.
Suduko knew of the fights that took place here, but the newcomers could mess everything up if their friend really was Hawk's slave. Shariel wanted to make sure they understood how important it was not to show any kind of recognition if 'John' was indeed their missing man. If Hawk sensed the real reason they were there then things could go to hell real fast.
"There are a few things we should go over before Hawk gets here," Shariel said and pointedly looked toward McKay. "We are here as guests and Hawk could easily have us barred from these chambers if he so desires. It is important that we obey his rules and not ask for a private audience with him until after the fights are completed."
"You mean we have to watch them?" McKay asked disgustedly.
"That's exactly what we must do," Shariel explained. "If your friend is here than you must not acknowledge him in any way, shape, or form. If Hawk senses anything…"
"He won't," Ronan said and looked pointedly at McKay.
"Why are you looking at me like that? It's not as if I'm going to get all blubbery and turn on the waterworks," the Canadian spat.
"Rodney," Teyla said softly and waited for the scientist to look at her. "We've all been through a lot and you've been blaming yourself for what happened to John…it would only make sense for you to get emotional if…when you see him."
"Oh, and you and Ronan won't. I seem to remember Ronan getting highly emotional when he found out Carson had killed the Wraith who was hunting him. He even hugged him for God's sake…"
"Rodney…"
"And you've been known to get all blubbery too, Teyla…"
"I know, Rodney, but Shariel just wants to make sure we don't do anything that could get John hurt," Emmagan told him.
"Listen to her, Dr. McKay, or I will leave you all on the ship," Shariel warned.
"No, we need…I need to be there," McKay said.
"And you will, Rodney, we all will," the Athosian assured him. "Shariel, we know what's involved and we will conduct ourselves accordingly."
"Very well, Hawk should be arriving any minute," Shariel told them and pressed the buttons to open the rear hatch.
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John walked slightly behind Hawk's right side, hating the way the man seemed to be putting both him and Kudrone on display. He'd jerked his head a few times, but there was no doubt who was in control and John was disgusted at being unable to escape this humiliation. They neared the docking bay and he watched as Hawk's fingers keyed in the correct sequence of symbols and numbers before the door opened and they stepped inside.
There were several ships already there and John wondered if there was any chance he could take one before anyone knew what he was thinking, but a sharp tug on the chain brought his attention back to the present.
"John, I know exactly what you're thinking and I warn you there is no escape for you…not now…not ever," the big man warned as the rear hatch of the nearest ship opened.
"Shariel," Kudrone whispered, fighting the urge to go to the woman.
"Hello, Shariel, it is good to see you again," Hawk said.
"Thank you, Hawk, you look well," Shariel said and felt Suduko on her right. She glanced at the man to Hawk's right and wondered if it was the man the Atlantians were looking for.
Rodney McKay bit his lip as he caught sight of John Sheppard. Oh the man looked different, looked as if a strong wind could blow him away. There were dark rims around the eyes that were usually so full of life, but were now filled with a blankness that spoke of pain. He fought the urge to strike out at Sheppard's captor and felt Teyla's hand on his arm. He forced himself to look away from the 'slave' and tried to quell the nausea churning through his gut. There were times when he wondered if this was a wild goose chase, but now, with John Sheppard close enough to touch, Rodney felt as if he'd been granted his deepest wish.
"Easy, Rodney, now is not the time," Teyla whispered when she felt McKay try to pull away from her.
"I should kill the bastard!" Ronan ground out and wished he'd kept his weapon with him in spite of the warnings from Shariel. He hated what he saw when he looked at John Sheppard and felt the urge to lash out, but Teyla's hand on his arm calmed his instincts.
Teyla knew how the two men felt as she touched their arms. She wanted to act out on her anger just as much as they did, but she understood how damning those actions could be. They were on Hawk's turf and amongst his friends which meant they were outnumbered and would wind up becoming prisoners or 'slaves' themselves if Hawk found out the real reason they were there.
"So, Shariel, I see you have several new slaves yourself," Hawk offered and gazed at the newcomers who stood just behind her.
"One must keep up with the times, besides, appearances are everything are they not, Hawk?" Shariel asked.
"They certainly are. Who is the female?"
"Her name is Teyla…I discovered her amongst the warrior tribes of Jarcusion," Shariel answered.
"She has a strange coloring for a Jarcusion," Hawk observed.
"Her mother was Jarcusion…her father is unknown," Shariel explained.
John listened to Hawk and Shariel talk, but his eyes had locked onto the trio who were slightly behind the woman. There was something familiar about them, but of the three it was the man with the short hair that called to him. He'd seen that face before, in his dreams when the storms raged and he needed a safe harbor. "Rodney," he whispered and saw the man's head come up as if he'd heard him, but John knew that was not possible.
"Hawk, is it possible to have a private meeting with you at the end of the challenges?" Shariel asked.
"You ask that every time, Shariel, the answer is still no. Kudrone belongs to me and he stays where he is."
"Perhaps I have something new to offer. Something that just might make you change your mind," the woman said.
"You say that every time, but I do enjoy watching you and Kudrone squirm. I will meet with you when the others have gone, but for now I have other guests to greet." Hawk smiled and led his slaves away from Shariel and her entourage, and felt as if there were daggers flying in his direction.
"He looks like hell," McKay said softly.
"Yes, he does, but he is alive, Rodney…everything else will take care of itself once we get him out of here and back to Atlantis," Teyla said.
"I'll kill him," Ronan said, his words dark with undisguised anger.
"You need to be silent until we reach my quarters," Shariel warned, but she knew exactly how they felt. She hated that Hawk continued to hold Kudrone, the man she had chosen as her life mate, and hoped they could act on their plans to free both men.
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John frowned and glanced over his shoulder, hoping to catch a glimpse of the man who seemed to be his lifeline, not only in his dreams, but in reality as well. What was it about him that made John feel as if he'd come home? Why did he want to shout his name, even though it also conjured up new nightmares of creatures that could easily tear him apart?
"John, are you all right?"
"I'm okay…just tired," John answered and realized it was only partially true. They'd greeted four groups since Shariel's arrival, but John's mind wandered to the arrival of Shariel. He was tired, but he was also exhilarated about seeing the newcomers again.
"Hawk, perhaps we should let John get some rest," Kudrone tried.
"Are you tired, John?" Hawk asked.
"A little," John answered, hoping his 'owner' would return him to their quarters so he could relax and think about why these people gave him hope.
"I believe we have done our duty as hosts," Hawk offered. "I will have our meal brought to my quarters and you can give John something to help him sleep. I believe tomorrow you and Glayne will meet for the first time, but you will not fight until the final day of the storms."
John remained silent as they made their way toward Hawk's quarters. He entered as soon as the man opened the door and closed his eyes as several images flashed across his mind. A hand latched onto his arm and led him toward the small bed he'd be using. He sat down heavily and felt a tremor run down his spine as Hawk watched him closely.
"John…"
"I'm okay, Kudrone, just been a long day," John assured him.
"Why don't you lie down and get some rest?"
"Sounds like a plan," John said and lay back as he closed his eyes. He drifted toward sleep, frowning when the faces of the newcomers invaded his dreams.
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"Sonofabitch!" McKay spat once they were in Shariel's quarters. His heart was trip hammering in his chest and he was sure it would explode if he didn't calm down.
"Rodney, you need to be calm," Teyla warned.
"Calm? Not likely…did you see him, Teyla…Sheppard looks like hell!" McKay snapped.
"Yes, he does, but right now his looking like hell is a wonderful thing," Teyla said.
"What do you mean?" the Canadian asked.
"He's alive, Rodney, no matter how bad he looks it doesn't matter because he is alive!" Emmagan said and saw a hint of a smile on McKay's face.
"Damn right!" the scientist agreed and looked at Ronan Dex who looked like an unleashed storm cloud on the brink erupting with explosive energy.
"We need to get him home," Dex told them.
"We will, Ronan," Teyla assured the big Setedan.
Ronan didn't comment as he thought about John Sheppard. The man had been the first one to accept him for who he was and had not tried to change him. He'd offered him a spot on his team and had taken up his cause with Elizabeth Weir. When the four of them fought together it felt as if they were insurmountable, that they could defeat the darkest enemy known to man.
John Sheppard was a big part of that and since they'd 'seen' him die, the team dynamics had changed. It was as if the very soul had been ripped out of it, but now they had a chance to get him back if they could just hold onto their anger and curb their need for revenge.
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'Blow it! God Damn you, McKay, blow it now! McKay…please…just do it…please…Rodney…blow it…'
Hawk watched the sleeping man and listened as he mumbled unintelligible words even as his body contorted on the bed. Kudrone was eating, but he had no interest in food as he studied his 'slave'. There was no mistaking the sorrow and pain caused by whatever John was dreaming about and Hawk wondered what could possibly have caused so many emotions in this man. It brought new emotions to him and he wanted to protect John, but he fought those emotions in an effort to distance himself from his property.
"What are you seeing, John?" Hawk asked softly as John's face screwed up in pain.
"Blow it! God Damn you, McKay, blow it now!" John screamed as he tried to escape the creature that held him captive in mandible like claws that pinched his skin and threatened to tear him apart. His breathing grew labored as someone shook him and the nightmarish images receded and reality seemed to kick him in the gut.
"Who is McKay, John?" Hawk asked.
"I don't know," John answered and sat up, rubbing at his eyes as he did so.
"John, I warned you what would happen if I find out you're lying to me…"
"I don't know who he is, Hawk…hell I don't even know who I am…"
"I'm beginning to think your memory loss is not as far reaching as you lead me to believe," Hawk said, the words leaving no doubt as to what would happen if he discovered John's memory had returned.
"I don't really give a damn anymore, Hawk," John snapped and found his wrist caught in a vice like grip.
"John, do you need another lesson in humility?"
"Go to hell!" John spat as images of the man he knew only as Rodney made him desperate for freedom.
"I have warned you, John…"
"Hawk, please, he…"
"Be silent, Kudrone!" Hawk snapped as he stood up and pulled his recalcitrant slave to his feet. "It is time you were punished…"
"Hawk, you want him to fight…"
"Kudrone, you will be silent or you will join him!" Hawk warned. "Go tell the others there is to be a special show at the cages!"
John shook his head when Kudrone went to speak and saw the eyes fill with sorrow before Hawk pulled him from the room. They strode purposefully toward the fighting chambers and he wasn't surprised to see several people already filing in.
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"What do you think is happening, Shariel?" Teyla asked as they made their way toward the cages where the fights took place.
"Hawk does not usually offer entertainment of this sort unless he is angry. Someone will be punished and if I am correct it is either Kudrone or John," Shariel answered and heard a guttural curse from the big man standing to her left. "I must warn you all not to interfere or all will be lost."
"Shariel, if it is Kudrone will you be able to stand by and watch?" Teyla asked, worried that she would react if it was John Sheppard being punished.
"I have done so on several occasions because to do otherwise would simply make matters worse for him," Shariel offered as they reached the cages in time to see Hawk lead his 'slave' to the center of a circle of chairs. She turned and placed a restraining hand on the big Setedan as Suduko did the same.
"You will not help him by interfering now," Suduko warned in an icy tone.
"We can't just stand by and do nothing!" McKay snapped.
"We can and we will, Rodney, or we won't be able to help him at all!" Teyla warned and fought her own angry urge to kill the hated slaver.
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John stood with his head held high as Hawk took his arms and locked his wrists into a set of metal cuffs hanging from hooks placed at the top of the cage and spaced two feet apart. His arms were lifted until he stood on the tips of his toes, but he refused to show anything, but contempt.
"John has been warned that he would be punished if he continued to defy me, and you all know I do not make idle threats. John must learn his place in my world and I promise there will be no doubt in his mind of that place once I have finished today," Hawk warned and moved to stand in front of his 'slave'. "John, if you wish to apologize then I will reconsider…"
"Go to hell!" John spat and swore he saw a hint of a smile on a stranger's face. A stranger who seemed familiar to him with the long dreadlocks and the dark anger in the set of his shoulders and the eyes that stared directly at him.
"Very well, John," Hawk said and reached for the whip that hung from the hook next to the metal cuffs. "You will be given ten lashes…"
Again Teyla found herself having to control the two men, but she was glad because it kept her mind off her own outrage as Hawk spoke of punishing their friend. She hated seeing John chained up like an animal and punished for being who he was, who he'd always been.
John held his body still as Hawk ran the handle of the whip down his back and finally ripped the shirt from his body. John closed his eyes and waited for the first blow, but when it came nothing could have prepared him for the fire that erupted along battered nerves. He shook uncontrollably as the second blow landed and fought to keep silent as the third and fourth struck his bare skin. He waited expectantly for the fifth, but was shocked when Hawk's voice spoke in his ear.
"You are the only one who can stop this, John, all it takes is an apology and for you to act as a slave should."
"No…never hap…happen…"
"Very well," Hawk said and drew back his arm before delivering a blow that rocked the 'slave with a force far beyond anything he'd felt before.
Rodney cringed and felt his heart skip a beat as pain filled cry escaped John Sheppard's throat. He leaned heavily against Ronan as the big Setedan fought to stay where he was. The sixth and seventh blow landed with such ferocity that left John Sheppard unconscious. By the time the eighth and ninth blows landed there were cheers from most of the spectators, but there were three who would have torn the place down if they could have saved their friend from the harsh treatment.
John had no idea how he stayed conscious as the last blow landed on his back and he felt something wet that spoke of broken skin and blood. He swallowed convulsively as the nauseating pain built to a sickening crescendo that threatened to drive him into a dark abyss from where there was no escape. He felt a hand on his back and shook with the excruciating fire that burned through his ravaged flesh.
"Perhaps now you understand that I will not allow you to disobey me," Hawk said as he reached up and released his 'slave's' hands. He could feel John fighting to control the tremors that shook his body and quickly lifted him into his arms. He could see Shariel watching him and frowned when he noticed the trio standing with her and wondered why they looked as if they would tear him apart if given the chance.
John chose to keep his eyes closed and did not have the strength to fight his 'owner' as he carried him away from the cages. He felt someone watching him and opened his eyes as he passed the familiar stranger once more. 'Help me, Rodney,' he thought just before the darkness descended and he could no longer fight it.
TBC