Remember, Never to Forget---44
John Sheppard opened his eyes and looked around the unfamiliar room. He tried to remember why he was no longer on Atlantis, but his head felt like it was filled with cotton. He lay still for a few minutes, letting the images flow through his mind before sitting up and rubbing his hands across his face.
John stood and walked to the window, staring out at the dark landscape and remembered Rodney asking him to go to a place called The Retreat. He took a deep breath of air and caught just a hint of wildflowers carried by the soft breeze that ruffled his too long hair.
A sudden image flashed across his mind, a memory that had long been buried of his mother complaining that he needed a haircut. She'd taken him and his brother to the barber shop in the city where they'd both been given the full treatment. He thought of his mother's touch and her soft hands and just a subtle hint of jasmine. That's what the scent reminded him of and he knew his memory was returning.
John made his way across the floor and opened the door, listening for any sign of movement, but it seemed as if everyone was sleeping. With quiet steps he walked to the main door and opened it without making a sound. The night sky was illuminated with bright stars twinkling on an inky black canvas that took his breath away.
John stepped onto the path leading away from the house and listened for the sounds of the night. A sharp call of a bird was followed by something that sounded like a timber wolf, while crickets added their own special music giving the late hour a calming influence over the sleeping house.
John thought about his life, amazed at how quickly his memories were returning since drinking whatever it was Kierra had given him. He remembered Atlantis, he remembered his family on Earth, but most of all he remembered the people of the Atlantis Expedition. The ones that had come to mean so much to him and had put their faith in him to help lead them in the fight against enemies like the Wraith.
The landscape, although alien to him offered him time fro reflection and he followed the path leading away from the house. He knew he should tell someone where he was going, but right now he needed to be alone and soak in the memories that seemed to be returning each time he blinked his eyes.
"Better be careful, John, the path is treacherous to those who don't know their way."
"Suduko, right?" John asked of the man who'd stepped in his path.
"That is correct. Has Kierra's ale helped you?"
"Yes, it has. My memories are returning," Sheppard answered.
"Your friends will be glad to hear that. They have been very worried about you."
"Thanks…where does this path lead?"
"To a cliff that overlooks a valley created by the Gods and explored by very few," Suduko told him.
"You explored it though," John stated.
"Yes, I have," the bigger man answered simply and looked down the darkened pathway.
"How far?"
"Perhaps ten minutes, but you are limping…"
"It's nothing…Carson will fix it when I get back to Atlantis," John explained.
"Would you like to see the valley?"
"Yes," John answered and followed Suduko along the path. The man was right about it being treacherous, but as long as he took the time to find his footing he was fine.
"McKay did not find any of the trees or roots he was searching for."
"Are they back already?"
"They returned several hours ago while you were sleeping," Suduko answered.
"Kierra used the last of it on me?"
"Yes, she did."
"Damn, I wish she hadn't done that. Someday someone important might need it."
"Do not look down on Kierra's gift to you, John, she chose to give it to you because she sensed that you were a good man and that your people needed you," Suduko told him and stopped as they exited the path into a clearing where night birds called out a warning. "The Valley of Dreams."
"Is that what you call it?"
"My mother said it was something out of her dreams and the name seemed to stick," Suduko explained, wondering why he was revealing so much to this man. They were quiet as the looked out over the valley until John spoke softly beside him.
"McKay said you knew what it was like to be a slave."
"I do."
"Was it Shazzia?"
"Yes, but it was many cycles ago," Suduko answered.
"How did you escape?"
"I had help, but the memories of my time with her are very strong. Shazzia will never change her ways and until she is caught and brought to justice you are in danger, John."
"She sold me to Hawk."
"Yes, but she has sense spoken to others of her mistake. She wants you back because you are military, but that is only a small part of it. Shazzia truly believes she has the right to own you."
"She doesn't…no one has the right to own another person. I'm going to stop her before she screws with someone else's life," John said.
"There will always be slavers, John."
"I know, but as long as there are people willing to fight them, then they'll never have any kind of peace. I won't stop until I find her and Hawk."
"There has been no word of Hawk since you escaped. It is possible he is in hiding and…"
"No, not Hawk. That bastard is out there somewhere and when I meet him again…"
"Shariel and Kudrone spoke of his defeat at your hands," Suduko told him. "Kudrone also sent word that Tyrel of Glione is doing well and that his people look to him as a leader since he returned. He spoke of your bravery in facing Hawk and making him grant Tyrel's freedom while you remained a slave."
"I don't think it was bravery," John said softly.
"Perhaps not, but others do and you should know stories of your bravery are being told on many worlds. You may become a legend before long," Suduko offered.
"What about you, Suduko, aren't you a legend?"
"No, I don't think so."
"You escaped Shazzia and if I remember McKay's stories correctly you're one of the few that escaped her and lived to talk about it. That makes you a legend whether you want to be one or not," John said, frowning when he spotted a blinking light that seemed out of context in the blanket of stars.
SGASGASGASGASGA
Shazzia was more than a little pleased by the changes she'd made to the ship Domitar had given her. The weapons capability had more than doubled, while the engines had been modified and she could outrun almost any vessel in the Pegasus Galaxy. Her engineer had also discovered a new device that allowed them to transport out of the ship, but he hadn't figured out how to bring them back yet. It didn't really matter because she knew instinctively that one of the two life signs they detected during the last sweep was John Sheppard.
Shazzia had no idea who the second man was, and right now it didn't matter. She wanted Sheppard back, had done everything she could to find him and Domitar had given her the news that he was staying with Suduko. Now they were cloaked and flying low, the ships engines so silent it could not be heard unless you knew it was there.
Shazzia felt her heartbeat speeding up at the thought of how close she was to the virile Atlantian and she reached for the weapon she'd placed on the console beside her.
"Shazzia, are you sure you should go down there?"
"Defano, he is there. I can feel his presence and he will bow down to me as is my right. John Sheppard belongs to me and I will have him back," Shazzia said, ignoring the fact that she'd sold him to Hawk. He had not been strong enough to hold on to the Atlantian and now she would take him back and make damn sure no one interfered.
"What about the other presence? What if he does not allow you to take John Sheppard?"
"Then he will die or become a slave," Shazzia told him. "It's time, Defano, bring us closer-"
"How many are you taking with you?"
"You and two others. I do not believe they are expecting us at this late hour and the fewer we take the less chance of anyone else discovering us," Shazzia answered confidently.
SGASGASGASGASGA
Kudrone knew that Shariel was worried about something, but so far she hadn't told him why they were in such a hurry to reach Suduko's home. He knew she was still not completely cut off from her former life and that many of her associates were angered by her actions. It made him love her more than ever and he vowed to stay with her no matter what happened.
"Shariel, tell me why it is so important to reach Suduko's home."
"There have been rumors amongst the slavers, Kudrone," Shariel answered.
"What kind of rumors?"
"Shazzia had a new ship and she was seen speaking to one of Domitar's people at a bar on Eros," the former slaver explained.
"Domitar is her father and perhaps he was simply enquiring after his daughter's wellbeing," Kudrone suggested hopefully.
"We both know better than that, My Love," Shariel said and held him close. "Shazzia would not show herself unless she has information on John Sheppard. She is not strong enough to try anything more."
"John Sheppard is safe on Atlantis."
"No, word reached me through several acquaintances that John Sheppard and several other Atlantians have journeyed to Suduko's home."
"Why would they do that?" Kudrone asked worriedly.
"I am not sure, but I believe it has to do with helping Sheppard heal," Shariel answered. "That is the reason I have diverted from our original course."
"We are going to help Sheppard and his people?"
"That is the plan," Shariel answered.
"How long before we reach Suduko's home?"
"Not soon enough to stop Shazzia," Shariel told him and saw the look of worry on his face. "We'll get there, Kudrone, and I promise you I'll do everything I can to stop Shazzia."
"Thank you, Shariel, you have changed so much and I love that you would do this for not only me, but everyone who has been hurt by slavery."
"You made it possible, Kudrone, and I will not go back to that life. Come, we must hurry if we are to help them at all," the woman ordered and took control of the craft.
SGASGASGASGASGA
"What the hell is that?" John said as the light seemed to wink in and out of focus.
"I do not know, but perhaps we should get back to the house," Suduko warned and turned just as something materialized directly in front of him.
"Hello, Suduko, are you happy to see me?" Shazzia asked and aimed her weapon at the big man even as she trained her eyes on the man standing slightly behind and to the left of him. "Hello, John, remember me?"
"Should I?" John asked, frowning as he looked at the newcomer.
Suduko saw the woman falter slightly, but she quickly regained her composure as two of her henchmen disarmed him. He knew the Atlantian remembered this slaver, and he would play along with whatever ruse John came up with. The fact that Shazzia had caught them in the open grated on his nerves, but it did not mean they were in a no win situation…far from it because he saw something of a twin spirit in John Sheppard.
Shazzia slipped past Suduko and stood in front of the man she'd once owned and smiled at the thought of renewing that ownership. The Atlantian did not shy away from her, even when she reached out to run her fingers along his strong jaw line. "Now, John, something tells me you're lying to me, but that is expected and gives me something exciting to look for when I have you back in my bed. You do remember my bed, John; we shared some special times before I sold you to Hawk?"
"Who are you?" John asked innocently, keeping the emotions from his face.
"Come now, John, I find it hard to believe you do not remember our time together."
"I don't," John told her, smiling inwardly at the anger that flared in her eyes. God help him, but he remembered his time with her all too well, but it felt good to make her believe he had no memory of their time together.
"It does not matter, John, for I will have time to make new memories with you," Shazzia said and turned to the other man. "It pleases me that you will also return to my care, Suduko, for I have missed your unique brand of begging…"
"I never begged you for anything, Shazzia!"
"That's not how I remember it, but we will also have time to renew our friendship."
"We'd rather not," John told her and stepped up beside the bigger man.
"I am afraid you have no choice in the matter, John. It seems you and Suduko are to be my guest whether you want to or not."
"I am not a slave anymore, Shazzia," Suduko vowed.
"Yes, you are, Suduko, because once I own you it is forever…"
"What about John, you sold him to Hawk. Let him go and I will go with you…"
"I must say that is a very tempting offer, Suduko, but you and John will both be coming with me."
"That's not going to happen," John told her.
"It appears I have the advantage here, John…"
"Appearances can be deceiving, Shazzia," John said with a grin. He'd seen movement in the brush behind Shazzia's henchmen and knew they were no longer alone. Instincts told him it was his team and anyone else who'd been at Suduko's home and that meant Shazzia was about to find out she didn't hold all the cards.
"I grow tired," Shazzia said and pointed her weapon at John Sheppard. "It is time to leave."
SGASGASGASGASGA
Ronon had woken when he heard the door of the house open. He'd found the house too warm and decided to make his bed under the stars. The cool evening breeze had lulled him to sleep, but he'd never been a deep sleeper and watched as John Sheppard moved toward the path leading toward the valley.
Ronon trusted Kierra and knew there was nothing in the liquid she'd given Sheppard that would hurt him, and hoped it helped him regain his memory. McKay and Teyla had returned empty handed, but if it worked as it was supposed to then the last of the roots had been used for a worthy cause.
The Satedan stood up and followed Sheppard down the path, staying far enough behind so the Colonel would not know he was there until he was ready to show himself. When he heard Suduko's voice, Ronon decided he should leave the two men to talk in private and headed back to the house.
Just before he'd returned to his bed for the night Ronon heard a strange sound overhead and looked up to see a flash of bright light that lasted less than a second. He knew it could have been his imagination, but something about it felt wrong and he walked off the porch step and tried to find out where it was. The path it was taking led to the valley where Suduko and Sheppard were and Ronon acted instantly.
Dex hurried into the house and called out, rousing McKay who'd fallen asleep in a chair in front of the fireplace. "Teyla, McKay, we've got trouble."
"What the hell…what kind of trouble could we possibly have at four in the morning?"
"Bad trouble…"
"Is there any other kind, Ronon? I mean really trouble is trouble…"
"Shut up and grab your weapon, McKay!" Dex ordered.
"Ronon, what's wrong?" Teyla asked from the room at the end of the hallway.
"Not sure, Teyla, but John and Suduko are out at the valley and there were lights in the sky," Ronon explained.
"You're going to let a few lights scare you? What if it's just a falling star or two?" McKay spat.
"Rodney, Ronon knows the difference between a falling star and a sip," Teyla said.
"Look we're wasting time…McKay stay here…Teyla are you coming?" Dex asked.
"I'm coming," the Canadian snapped and grabbed his weapon.
"We're coming too," Bendor said as he and Kierra joined their guests.
"There are two ways to reach the valley." Kierra explained. "Ronon, you, Teyla, and Dr. McKay keep on the main trail. Bendor and I will come in from the back."
"What if Ronon is wrong?" McKay asked.
"Then we will al have a laugh at his expense, but if he is right then we will be there to help John and Suduko," Emmagan said as they hurried from the house.
SGASGASGASGASGA
Shazzia smiled seductively as she moved around John and stood with her weapon pressed against his lower back. "It is time to renew our acquaintance, John," she whispered.
"I don't think so," John said and twisted until he was ale to grab the gun. He'd banked on her wanting him alive and knew if he was wrong he was a dead man. The sound of a gun being discharged and raised voices quickly followed by more gunshots and the familiar sound of Ronon's gun drowned out everything else. John stared into Shazzia's eyes as pain shot through his body and he cried out as his legs bent and the woman's weight dragged him to the ground.
"John!"
TBC