STARGATE ATLANTIS

PRIMIS : THE HURTING

SGA SGA SGA

Pain.

It was like a thousand knives stabbing him all over keeping his body in a constant state of agony. Movement hurt, so he decided to stay still and inactive, willing it all away. Eventually he managed to relax his body enough and he felt a lack of feeling come over his limbs. He was exhausted. So tired that he could not even shift his body into a more comfortable position. Eyes remained glued shut, and his hearing was almost non-existent, but he knew his team were there somehow looking after him. He only wished he had more strength to protect them. Perhaps if he just a sleep now he would feel better in a short while.

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"He's very still."

"Make a change from ten minutes ago, Rodney." Carson said quietly. "You should sleep too, have a few minutes to relax."

"How can I relax when we are in a Hive ship, and John is…well, I don't know what John is right now."

Carson had no reply to that so he just patted Rodney's boot and went to sit down beside him. "That seizure will have him sleeping a time to recover from it. Honestly, Rodney, some shut eye is what we should all be doing right now so we are stronger for what happens next….for when John wakes!"

"Okay, okay. I'll try anyway."

"Good lad." Carson smiled even though his eyes were constantly watching John for signs of another seizure. He was the most worried he had ever been for him. He looked around their cell and noticed a couple of his friends asleep. Teyla, who continued to sit with John, seemed to be meditating; her eyes tightly shut, although her body was still; just short sweeps of John's hand with her own gave him a sign she was actually awake. Turning his head the other way, he caught up with the stare of Ronon watching his friend so intently he hardly blinked.

Ronon felt the doc's eyes on him so he turned slightly to nod his way in acknowledgement. "That was tough to watch." He admitted.

"Never a nice thing to witness." Carson admitted. "Are you okay?"

"Fine. Get some sleep yourself, Doc. John will need you soon enough."

"I suppose you are right. Wake me up if anything happens."

"Sure thing."

"I'm awake now anyway, Carson." Keller said. "I'll watch over him."

"Okay, lass. I get the hint. See you in an hour."

"Or more!"

"Aye, aye." Carson lay down and closed his eyes and tried to force himself to sleep.

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"Walk with me?"

"Why would I do that?"

"I'm new to the area. I need someone to show me around."

"I'm sure there would be others more willing to do that."

"I know. But I'd like you to do it."

John was outside his favourite café turning his heavy legs slowly 360 degrees just admiring the views and the heat of the afternoon sun warming his face.

He stopped to look down at his booted feet when she started speaking to him. "It's funny I can't seem to move very well anyway." He looked up and the woman slowly removed her hood. She moved her head up so her face could also bathe in the heat of the sun. John thought she was startlingly beautiful in a strange sort of way.

"Mm, lovely." She stated.

"Yes, it is." John agreed and strangely wanting to say 'come here often?' but thought it inappropriate somehow. So he settled for, "You know, I feel we have met before."

"We have actually."

That piqued John's interest. "We have?"

"Sure, not long ago actually."

John was stumped. "Nope. Don't remember when that would have been…oh, wait…"

"Yes?" The woman asked quickly.

"Nah, it's nothing… I would have remembered you."

"Are you sure you don't remember? Just take your time."

John looked up at her quizzically. "Why so desperate for me to remember you?"

"Only because it's very important to me that you do."

"Why?" John was getting a bit jumpy now. Something did not feel right.

"Because it has to be that you remember me yourself for us to be together as one."

"What are you talking about? I don't want to be…"

"Enough just now. Enjoy the view, I will be back."

"Yeah, well lady, I'm not sure when I'll be back here." John turned away from the woman, a bit freaked out by her unusual conversation. She then muttered something and John looked round again to see she had vanished, seemingly into thin air.

"What the hell…?"

He spoke out loud.

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"That's what we want to know!" McKay said back to John, kneeling at his side as he woke up.

"Wha…?" John started and coughed. Carson was there with a cup of water. "Here. Drink it in slow slips." Teyla took the cup from Carson and smiled at John whilst supporting his head. John took the cup from Teyla, and with shaky hands he drank his fill, getting slightly annoyed at the attention he was receiving. He handed the cup back, wiped his mouth, and struggled into a sitting position, wincing with the pain and stiffness in his muscles and joints.

"How do you feel, John?" Carson smiled, also kneeling beside him, John noticed.

"Okay, what's going on? Three friends kneeling beside me, the rest watching me like a hawk. I feel like an exhibit!"

"What do you remember about the last few hours?" Carson asked, slightly happier to see some colour come back into his cheeks.

John looked from Carson to Teyla and then Ronon before turning back to Carson; ignoring McKay as he looked flushed red for some reason. "We were with Santana and got captured by the Wraith." He paused. "Oh, bloody hell. That long-haired Wraith was there again, he…"

Teyla moved to take his hand. "John?" She pressed.

John felt a shiver run through him and flashes of memories that made no sense flicked through his mind so fast he had to take a steadying grip of Teyla's hand.

"John. Are you okay?" Carson moved closer to check him out.

Gradually, John seemed more aware again and slowed his breathing that had got quite fast. He ran his hand through his hair. "I've got to get out of here. WE have to get out of here. She's coming for me." He spoke the words so seriously, Teyla was taken aback. "We will, John. We will."

"You had quite a long seizure, John. How are you feeling?"

John looked Carson in the eye. "Stiff, sore. Is that why?"

Carson nodded sympathetically. "Aye, son. Take it easy now."

"You had dreams?" Ronon asked from leaning against the door.

John looked up at him and in the same monotone he nodded and said, "Yeah. But I can't make sense of them."

"It's okay. Ignore them. You are awake now, and that's all that matters. If you are up to some excitement, we have some good news for you?"

"You do? In here?"

"We are on the Hive you were forced to work on back on Amitiyaz."

"How is that good news?"

Teyla tutted and grabbed his chin. "Do not be so quick!" She smiled. "For it is also the same Hive that landed on Chol and took two of your friends away is it not?"

John scowled at the thought of it, but nodded in agreement. Slowly, when he had time to really notice that everyone was smiling, John leaned forward. "Teyla…?"

"Arla is here, John. She is very well and unhurt, although she does not know where Vari is and that obviously upsets her. She was here earlier with the water, she will be back to see you somehow I am sure."

John felt a lump in his throat and tears suddenly threatened to spill. "Arla's really here?" He whispered.

Teyla nodded and hugged him. John wrapped his arms around her also and breathed in her scent as he squeezed her tight. "Thank goodness." He whispered into her hair. "Thank goodness." John felt a bit shaky after all the excitement and moved to sit up against a wall. Ronon took no for an answer and fairly hauled him into position, with John not even protesting, his smile was broad as he looked up at him; he looked forward to seeing his friend again.

"She's nice." Ronon said.

"Just as I imagined." Teyla said. "I thanked her for looking after Torren."

John's eyes dimmed at the thought of Torren alone on Atlantis, but he shook it off for the sake of Teyla's mood and accepted the further cup of water from Keller.

"We were worried you would become quite badly dehydrated."

"Ah, thanks. Was I out long?"

"A few hours."

There was a tickling of a memory brewing at the back of his mind. He shook his head to clear it. "Ok, well, I'm here now, so what have I missed?"

"Oh you know, the usual!" McKay whined.

Carson intervened though before he could rile John up further. "John. Rest." That's an order.

John looked at all the worried faces of his friends and just sighed. He nodded towards Carson, too tired to talk anyway.

For the next few minutes, John fought sleep and his eyes darted back and forward towards the door hoping that Arla would appear. He smiled in relief again. To know that his friend was alive after all was the most amazing feeling – he finally understood the phrase 'warm and fuzzy!'

He felt Teyla's cool hand in his and he clenched it tighter before letting it go, suddenly remembering earlier.

"Please John, hold my hand. You did not hurt me earlier."

"I thought perhaps I did…sorry!"

Teyla just leaned forward and wiped the hair from his eyes. She simply shook her head and held his gaze until he melted into it and smiled.

"I wonder what Santana's story is?" Rodney broke the moment.

John coughed, suddenly embarrassed in front of his friends and took back command of his emotions and became military leader again now that he was feeling better.

"That's what I want to know. Why would anyone willingly want to enter a hive for goodness sake? Regardless of the fact you are immune to their feeding hand, they could still kill you."

"Man's an idiot!" Ronon said.

Footsteps coming their way froze the friends from speaking further.

Van'te'enna appeared, flanked by four drones.

"Ah, you are awake. Good!"

"No thanks to you probably!" John pushed his body up against the wall to stand before the long-haired wraith and glowered when Van'te'enna kept grinning for too long. "Always taking the easy way out with me, eh? Afraid, I'll take you in a fight?"

Everyone froze and looked at John in shock that he would goad the wraith like this in his weakened condition.

All except Ronon who came to subtly stand beside him and offer support.

Van'te'enna then cocked his head to the side to study him. "I would like that Sheppard – very much! Problem is my queen has a purpose for you, so – for now – I have to just…toy with you, shall I say!" He reached into his pocket and brought out the little device that caused him so much trouble earlier.

"Shall I? Or do you want to come peacefully?"

"He isn't going anywhere with you...buddy!" Ronon spat, as the others came to the door also and stood with John.

"You really thing he has a choice? Hmm? The queen shall be here soon enough…" he looked at John. "…surely you feel her mind calling out to you, Sheppard?"

Van'te'enna stroked the device in small movements and Sheppard just waited on him to press the button and render him unconscious because he was not willingly going anywhere with the long-haired wraith and his drones.

He might have known it would not be that simple.

"Of course." said Van'te'enna. "…a little persuasion can go a long way to obedience."

John had not noticed a further two drones standing slightly out of view to his left, but as soon as the long-haired wraith raised his arm, they walked forward with Arla, looking petrified, held between them.

"John!" She gasped when his eyes met hers.

"Arla!" He looked sharply back to Van'te'enna. "They are hurting her."

Van'te'enna waved again and surprised John by allowing Arla to dart forward towards his cell door. He reached an arm out and Arla hung on for dear life with her hand tightly wrapped around his fore arm. "How good it is to see you again, my friend."

"Enough of this." Van'te'enna snapped. "I recognised her from before. She plays a placating role in your ability to come with me cooperatively, Sheppard, does she not?"

John was going to answer him, but the wraith continued. "After all, it would be a shame to – snack on her – in front of you, just because you wish to fight my commands."

A chorus of protests fluttered behind John like demented bats, but he knew he didn't have a choice. Van'te'enna would keep that promise, this he knew of Wraith.

He lowered his head and Van'te'enna ordered his drones into the cell to push the others back.

"Nobody fight them." John commanded strongly. "Ronon!" He growled out, not even turning round to look at him, knowing he would have attempted it.

Ronon roared towards the drones as they entered the cell, but he realised Arla was the bait here and in very real danger of losing her life in front of them; in front of John especially, so he would not be party to that guilt. There was still a chance that her life would be saved if they left her alone. But, John…?

John Sheppard strode purposefully out of his cell and looked back at his friends just the once and gave a small smile. "I want to say, 'I'll be back' – but, hey, maybe that's a tad cliché!"

"How…just how can you he make jokes just now?" Rodney derided.

"John?" Teyla whispered.

John stopped walking and turned his head to the side without moving it further. "I hear you, Teyla." Was all he said, and then he was forced forward to walk and eventually out of their sight.

Teyla moaned quietly to herself and didn't move from her position until Arla briefly touched her hand as she was also moved away. "Stay strong, Teyla!" She said, even though her eyes betrayed her own words.

There were no words circulating now. Teyla knew her friends were just as worried as her. They just had to be patient and wait on his return – hopefully in one piece.

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Santana watched Van'te'enna lead the Colonel into the viewing room from above it; hidden by several rolls of cable that Van'te'enna had led him to, telling him not to leave. He had found the cables expertly woven in place to hide him from the view of others. It was strange to say the least that the wraith would do this for him so covertly, but he seemed to be keeping his promise to him - for now. He could not complain. It seemed the wraith did have some sort of honour promise sealed so many years earlier when he had saved him from disgrace. Time had not been a factor in the return oath – it only seemed like yesterday now anyway.

But to watch the man below being strapped to a chair by his ankles, arms, stomach and throat was not good viewing - no matter that he had interrogated men himself that very way before. It was unsettling to watch and he felt like a voyeur. He caught a quick glance his way by Van'te'enna, and felt a shudder go through him. Why was he making him watch this?

A unique, dull, thumping alarm had started up quite some time before, and he only now became aware of it again when it abruptly stopped. Looking frantically below to catch Van'te'enna's expression as to what was happening, he noticed that all the drones, and he, had stopped their work on securing Sheppard to the chair, and they now stood behind it in attentive silence with Van'te'enna standing near the door in expectation.

"At last! It must be her!" Santana muttered to himself. After all these years, Santana was going to set his eyes on the wraith queen that years ago he waved goodbye to for the last time. Mus'va'lan had stolen his dreams, his thoughts, his very being, and shaped him into the man he had become today. Because of her, he wasn't sure if he even liked that person.

Van'te'enna walked forward, and Santana pushed through his hiding support to get his first glance. His breath was ripped from his body as he watched her walk – no, glide – into the room.

She was as tall as he remembered; even for a queen, and he noticed she had matured further into a stronger female presence; that much was obvious as her physique had taken on the form of a very impressive and strong queen to be admired, and no doubt feared by others.

Her hair was like moving liquid blood; red and flowing down past her shoulders to the very bottom of her back. Her dark grey silk dress moulded against her curves that her dark red travelling cloak failed to hide from his hungry eyes. She was as strangely beautiful to him as she had been previously- and damn him for feeling that way about a wraith.

Santana's breath caught in his throat and he became aware Van'te'enna had turned to watch his reaction. He was not too happy about it either if his expression was anything to go by. Santana ducked back under cover as he found himself getting too near to the glass Van'te'enna had warned him not to approach, and tried to slow his immediate reaction of running straight towards her and damn the risks.

He deliberately slowed his breathing, and watched instead as Sheppard kept eye contact with the impressive figure coming towards him.

"Shep-pard." She drawled out slowly. That's when Santana became aware for the first time that he had sound in the small interrogation room as well as vision.

"It surprises me that you can still resist me after all I have tried so far…BUT… I am nothing, if not patient – something unique to me, and yet, not my brethren it seems. You see, Sheppard, I would rather draw this out so it is done properly and wait a time, than rush and our bond not become complete."

"Never going to hap…"

Santana reflexively drew back when the queen back-handed Sheppard hard, his head whipping to the side. He chewed his own lip when he witnessed the man spit out the blood from his mouth, the blow had caused him. Slowly, Sheppard turned his head to glare at her, but that blow must have hurt although he hid it well. Again, what was this? Respect for the man enough to make him have regrets in his part with their capture. Someone so virile, should not have to comply to a wraith queen like she was trying to do with him.

And why was that? Was it jealousy on his part? With Mus'va'lan anything was possible he had to remember.

Some conversation between the queen and her quarry must have continued for a time, because Santana noticed she had moved to a wall built unit behind Sheppard's chair. She took from a shelf a small round bowl and started back to where Sheppard was incredibly trying to break free of his bonds.

The wraith queen only smiled at his attempts and put a hand on his shoulder when she returned to face him. "You will only hurt yourself and waste that special blood of yours."

Santana licked his lips this time. You could not hide the tension coming from Sheppard. His face had turned a bright red and he seemed to be straining against something – of course! Mus'va'lan was trying the mind meld, even as she walked to and fro, wafting the bowl in front of his eyes.

Whatever was in there had Sheppard's rapt attention, and he was clearly unhappy about it. Sweat poured down the side of his face and his fingers gripped the chair that he could grab until his knuckled were white with effort.

Mus'va'lan stroked his head and then yanked it back with a fist full of hair.

"Should not what I have to tempt you with help to open you up to my mind, Sheppard? Together, we could be strong and unprovoked. Wouldn't you like that Is this not proof of that?

"Never…going…to…happen, bitch!" Mus'va'lan slammed the bowl back down and threw her long hair back over her shoulders before stooping down to put a hand on each side of Sheppard's head.

Santana glowered and balled his fist. He didn't want her angry when he finally met up with her. Sheppard was spoiling his promised audience after this session and all he could do was watch and wait to see what she had planned next for Sheppard with annoyance at the man's lack of cooperation. Could he not just join her and be done!

And yet, Santana hated himself for thinking that and leaned against the side wall with a weary sigh. He had such mixed emotions just now. He had waited possibly a life time for this meeting with Mus'va'lan again and he didn't need any distractions.

But his quest had not changed; and he had to remember that, or his life before today would be forfeit and he would have forever failed.

No. Sheppard was incidental. He could not allow him to change his course, no matter what befell the man.

"Wait! Are you hiding something from me, human?"

Mus'va'lan had broken the silence with a verbal question and it made Santana jump.

He had watched as she had pressed further and further against Sheppard's head until he flailed in the hard chair against the pain and discomfort she was causing him.

It was a little word, brought on by physical and mental luring, but when Sheppard said, "Yes." Santana knew the man was reluctantly breaking.

The queen stepped back; a slow smile breaking on her face as she lowered her arms. She sought out Van'te'enna. "Seems our little human here is shielding another that he does not want me to know about. Am I missing something?"

A nervous tick above Santana's left eye brow throbbed in time to his heart. If the queen found about him through Sheppard, and not the careful handling of Van'te'enna, then he did not know if he would survive the meeting after all. Too much was at stake if this was handled wrongly.

The queen was obviously poking around in Sheppard's brain for more clues as she held his head again, staring at him, until blood started flowing from both nostrils. Sheppard's head seemed to loll on his shoulder until Mus'va'lan, in disgust, viciously knocked his head back and turned to Van'te'enna who was wringing his hands in a seemingly human motion of nervousness.

"A woman. A half wraith. He hides her identity well, but I have felt her anyway." She turned her coat to walk away before giving Sheppard one last glance. "The others that were captured with him and her. What are they to him?"

Van'te'enna took a stride towards her. "His fellow soldiers, I believe, my queen. There were only a few."

"Keep them alive – for now, anyway. They may be of use in his…training!" She turned to leave the room again, "Van'te'enna… the one he tries to hide, is she the mother of the boy, Torren?"

Van'te'enna; now knowing, she hadn't been talking about Santana after all, became all business. "I believe so, given their…fondness for each other that I have witnessed."

Mus'va'lan nodded and raised an eyebrow at that. "Keep him here for a time so that his friends worry. Arrange for him to be cleaned up and the bleeding stopped."

Van'te'enna eagerly started to organise things.

"Oh, and Van'te'enna?"

He stood straight. "Yes, my queen."

"How did you manage to capture him when I, myself, have failed to bring him in using my mind …my STRONG mind?"

Van'te'enna gave Santana's hiding position a quick glance before walking up to the queen smiling. "My device rendered him unconscious."

"But how did you know where to find him?"

Van'te'enna did not prolong his answer for it would bring unwanted attention his way. He had to be honest enough. Santana held his breath. "A contact, if you like, I have with a Carakan, my queen."

"Be sure to reward him well, then."

She walked briskly out of the door, leaving an unconscious Sheppard being tended to by some drones. The long-haired wraith stared up at an empty space to some, but for him, it held something that required him to be honourable, but could possibly change his position with the queen and coming Empress. Very soon, he would have to choose which honourable position he would have to fulfil first. Van'te'enna sighed.

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"John?"

"Um, yeah…"

"Thanks for the information."

John shivered and then everything went black.

"…even though it was forced."

Mus'va'lan smirked whilst turning to just catch Van'te'enna glance up at the viewing room.

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TO BE CONTINUED…