STARGATE ATLANTIS

TO SEE THE SUN IN WINTERTIME

Chapter Four

SGA SGA SGA

Teyla/Jotan was having a tough morning. Her sleep right through to the morning had been repeatedly broken by nightmares; or most probably flashbacks to her previous existence. For the weeks she had now been with Aliass and family, she had kept her secret fear of her amnesia situation to herself, but she knew everyone was growing more and more worried about her nightmares. She feared who she really was as the flashbacks were sometimes violent and bloody.

Then John had arrived.

The moment she saw him; even unconscious, bloody and bruised, she had felt a connection immediately. She fussed over him and would not leave him alone. The feel of him under her hands felt familiar and it was almost like small electrical shocks. But then he had woken up days later, whilst she and Aliass had continually cared for him, and he made no move to initiate a reunion. He had not known her after all. Her heart had secretly fallen that day.

As John responded to treatment and his strength grew, he was obviously enjoying her company as she often caught him watching her out of the corner of her eye. Sometimes he looked like he was figuring something out, sometimes he looked crestfallen. Most of the times he was with her his smile came from his eyes and she could not help but return it with a beaming one. She had not felt this way in a long time with a man she felt, and she was positive he was starting to have feelings for her other than just friendship. But he had his memories; knew where he belonged, and he would probably leave them soon. He continued to walk with a limp; his leg and back obviously still bothered him. Thankfully, though, he was over the poisoning of his voice, but his answers were still controlled into a couple of words here and there, and if you were watching closely, you could see him swallow in slight discomfort.

"Jotan! You are not paying attention." Pitini called out.

"Of my goodness, I am sorry. I was away in a trance."

"I know, I have been calling you over for ages."

Teyla jumped the couple of large boulders in the direction of her friend to see what was up. Pitini was about the same age as her, and had an adventurous spirit that Teyla admired. She would often look after her two young children to allow her some time alone with her husband so that they could travel the long distance to the village to gather supplies they could not grow or kill for food and clothing themselves.

"What have you found?" Teyla reached her side and balanced in time on her toes to not topple over into a chasm. "Whoa. This gap was not here before. Am I right?"

Pitini shook her head. "A crack appeared days ago, and we have been watching it ever since the small quake hit the caves and sand a couple of weeks ago now.

"Will this reach where we sleep eventually?"

"Shebo doesn't think so. It is more that…" She pointed into the distance. "…I wanted you to see." She whispered.

Teyla didn't see anything to begin with, and then something moved that had been static. In fact, two things moved. "What am I looking at?"

"Tenderfeet; two of them."

"Tenderfeet?"

"Perhaps on your world they are called something else. These are the young of a large cat that lives in the back caves where no-body can live for it is too sharp and ragged."

"Oh yes, I see them. Are they dangerous?"

"Not the tenderfeet, although they seem a size to be able to leave on their own soon. Their den mother, though…oh yes!"

The caves ahead had a high roof, and several ledges; it would make a great landscape for animals to live and breed. The acoustics turned out to be piercing a moment later as Teyla and Pitini watched the small animals. A scream reverberated with a loud volume that went through Teyla's stomach in dread, and drained any colour from Pitini's face.

"Keiri. That was Keiri!" She started to run forward to find her daughter to see what had happened, but Teyla had to hold her back. A large yellow and black cat was stalking her daughter in the distance. She must have fallen down a hole, as her ankle seemed wedged and she was now unable to get away from the imminent danger she was in.

"The cat is too near your daughter. Do not startle it. It will pounce."

Pitini started shaking. "What…what will be do?"

Teyla spun around looking for something she could protect themselves with, but also use as a weapon against the cat's attack.

Meanwhile Keiri had seen her mother and kept calling her. The loud cries were making the cat annoyed; her very long black tail swished backwards and forwards as she crept every closer the terrified child.

As if their situation wasn't dire enough, to the right of where Teyla and Pitini currently walked closer, the larger male cat; obviously the father, decided to stalk them.

Teyla held onto Pitini's arm and pushed her behind her. "I only have this stick to protect us, but it solid and heavy and I know I can use it to defend myself. Let us creep forward. It is vital we reach Keiri before the car pounces."

"Please. Yes!""

Teyla watched the male cat walk closer and closer to them. She cast an eye over to the mother cat and was at least happy that for now it seemed to have stilled in its movements; possibly waiting on the male cat to join her.

As they walked, they heard some of their friends and family shout on them, but Teyla could not make out what was being said; too intent on the two cats.

Suddenly, the larger cat whirled to look behind her and then to its mate and back again. They seemed to be able to share their plans with a single look, because as one they leapt. The female for Keiri, and the male for Teyla and Pitini.

Next, two shrill shots could be heard from a discharging rifle. Time stood still for just a second before anyone realised that the cats had both been shot in succession, mid-flight.

Several villagers ran to free Keiri. Keiri's father, Sholmi, grabbed Pitini's arm and made their way over to her as she was freed from the rocks. Teyla stood stock still, just staring at the young cats as they ran away into another part of the caverns. She then turned around slowly to see what had happened just in time to see John lower the rifle he had obviously fired the killer shots from. His face had never looked this serious before. Teyla took a jolting step backwards; she had a vision of him shooting a different gun. It was black and he had it tucked up under his chin ready to fire on…on…something – the vision vanished. She put her hand to her mouth as he came up to her.

"Jotan. Are you okay?"

Aliass and Shebo touched her arm. She looked up at them in shock before looking at John.

"You! I saw you shoot something before today, but with another gun…a vision. It was a vision of you…before…a black gun. There was danger all around. I was there…with others…"

John continued to look at her, not knowing what to say or do. He had at last plucked up the courage to ask Shebo if they kept munitions in the guarded cave. Shebo had grinned, knowing he would get round to showing him it eventually. John had been impressed with the array of weapons; cleaned and ready for any situation they called for. He had just explained to Shebo that he was a sniper back home, and what that meant, when the screams could be heard deep into the back of the caves. With a nod from Shebo, he grabbed the nearest rifle, ran after the villagers, and stopped within range of the unfolding situation; loading, and executing the kill shots in record time, stunning everyone with his ability.

Now, John hurried a look at Aliass, waiting on any advice to go forward with the, obviously in shock, Teyla. Her memories were returning. Aliass slowly nodded her head, and pulled her husband's sleeve to follow her, leaving the two on their own. John handed the rifle over to Shebo as he left, and sat down on a high boulder beside her. His little run into the cave had hurt his leg somewhat. Teyla sat also and just kept staring at him.

"Are you okay?"

Teyla looked confused. "I know you, don't I? Please don't lie to me."

John nodded. He licked his lips. "Yes, I do know you. We thought it best for your memories to return and not be forced. It would only have confused you. Have they returned?"

Teyla took a huge breath in, before releasing it slowly. "No…yes, not really. Snatches. I dream…a lot. Horrid creatures in the night attack me."

"They are wraith. Not known on this planet that I have heard of, so far."

"Wraith." Teyla repeated. She closed her eyes and a vision of them popped into her head. She held her wound and screamed silently with her mouth open. She fell to her knees, but John grabbed her and held her whilst she sobbed. "I remember. I remember…John…I remember…" she hiccupped.

John rocked her back and forwards where they knelt, smoothing her hair and whispering assurances.

"Torren! My Torren…I am a mother!"

"Ssh. I know. A good one. Your son is safe."

Teyla touched her head. "I was shot. I woke up here…" She turned to look at him. "Ronon, everyone…they would think I died. YOU, would think I died."

John nodded and held her tighter. "We were devastated. I didn't want to go on, so I became reckless afterwards. I caused trouble, and…well, they now also think I died."

Teyla whimpered in his arms, but held on tight. They rocked backwards and forwards for a time, until Teyla turned to look at him with blood-shot eyes. "I knew the moment I saw you there was something; we seemed to have a connection."

"I could hardly hide my surprise and delight when I woke up briefly and you were holding me in the healing waters one of the times."

Teyla flushed. "Aliass was the one to wash you mostly, I…"

John laughed. "I wouldn't have minded if it was you, Teyla."

"John Sheppard! Huh…that's right, my name is Teyla."

"It is. I quite liked Jotan, though, as well."

"I did, too. John. Oh, my goodness, the others, do you know what happened to them? We must go back!"

John stood and took Teyla's hand for her to stand.

"They are in my thoughts every second of every day. I am almost strong enough to go back there. It would have been foolish before now. But word has come that the village is holding some brutal games that all the villages compete in. There will also be stalls there. People showing off their skills. Shebo and his sons are thinking of a way to get me inside somehow without drawing too much attention Ronon and the others way."

Teyla squeezed his hand. " Our way in!"

"No…"

"You will not leave me behind, John. I am part of your team. I DO remember everything now." Teyla felt her face go red this time in anger.

John raised his hands. "Okay, okay. OUR way in. You can use your sticks, and I have just found myself some guns."

Teyla stood and walked right up to John before bowing and pressing her forehead to his. John leaned into the traditional Athosian greeting. The funny thing was no-body drew apart for a good few seconds, until Teyla wavered as she was standing slightly off balance. John simply pulled her in to his embrace and held her tight. "Teyla." He breathed into her hair. "I thought you have died."

Teyla pulled his head down to her shoulder. "I am here."

Eventually, John, let a deep breath out. "Things have changed, now."

Teyla stepped back and nodded, smiling at him in understanding. "Perhaps our 'deaths' gave us the shock we needed."

John stood and kissed the top of her head. "Don't ever put me through that again. I cannot lose you."

"Nor I, you, John Sheppard."

"That's my name. Don't ever forget it."

Teyla kissed his lips. "I won't."

"When we get back, then…Atlantis, I mean. We must, talk this through properly…you know what I mean…"

"I don't believe I do. I have no intention of talking too much."

John's eyes about popped out of his head. "Don't tease me. I have been very ill. It's not good for my blood pressure."

"Then I should bathe you in the healing waters, taking your clothes off first and lying you down so that the warm water soothes you."

"Sounds, um, good. What's next?" John wetted his lips. His heart beat speeding up.

"I run a sponge, soaked in oils over you and then dry you as you stand up. Then…"

John had had enough talk. He grabbed her biceps and literally smashed his lips against Teyla's and wasted no time in forcing his tongue between her lips and into her soft mouth where hers met his in a frenzied attack. John moved his hands to her head and held her there, just kissing and kissing her until he broke free from her mouth and traced his lips over her head, cheeks and finally her throat, before leaving one last soft kiss on her lips. "I have wanted to do that for so long. I thought I had lost you…" His voice drifted off as he nuzzled her neck.

Teyla reached back and then took his head into her hands seeking his eyes.

"I am here, now, John." She smiled and winked.

"Vixen!" John remarked.

"What is that?" Teyla asked.

"Never mind, another time. Come, we had better see how Keiri is."

"We must, I got distracted." She stopped suddenly and looked at him with all seriousness. "How are you, really, John? Now remember, I can see through your 'fine' answers now."

"To lie would be dangerous, Teyla. I truly am much better. Yes, the skin on my leg feels tight and it aches still. Aliass has made a leather guard for me to wear around it to protect it from further injury."

"Your back?"

"Its fine, and my throat is getting better every day."

She judged him. "I believe you."

Together they walked back to the fire pit where the villagers had congregated to see the small girl alive and well. When word got round that Teyla's memories had come flooding back, they were all over her like a rash. Their hands were separated in the rush, and John already pined for the soft touch of skin in his hand.

Aliass came his way and hugged him. "I saw you two…get ... reacquainted!"

"You did?" John said and grinned.

"I am happy for you, John…but very sad at the same time. I am soon going to watch two friends I have grown to love leave us to save their friends. I just hope neither of you get hurt in the process."

"We'll try not to. I have to do this, Aliass."

"Oh, my boy. I understand. It's just I am an old woman and I have seen too much…as have you. Your poor body has been damaged so many times…"

John put a finger on her lips. "I will always visit, and I am going to be just fine this time. I have Teyla watching my back."

"She is a warrior too?"

"A splendid leader of people, now an important part of my team. Very special fighting techniques!"

"I understand, but I am heart-broken."

The rest of the day and night saw village morale high. They were excited to watch John and Teyla together, and John sensed that they had all suspected they were fairly matched.

When it came time for everyone to go to sleep, John held tight to Teyla's hand. "I just want to hold you. Is that okay with you?"

Teyla nodded, and wordlessly John put his back as far against the wall as he could get onto the narrow mattress. Teyla then pushed herself backwards into his front and felt his arm go round her. He nuzzled into her hair and breathed in her scent. He fell asleep almost immediately, with Teyla swiftly following. The pair slept until morning was broken by the sound of the animals stirring.

"What do we do now?" Teyla asked, as she felt him move.

"We go and save our friends."

Teyla nodded. "Today is a new beginning in our lives."

"And the end of our old one. I love you, Teyla."

"I love you, too."

"Let's go get our team, and go home."

…..

Chuuann sat upon his ride way out in the flat, golden desert, but still in view of the fortress village. The morning's light was a heavy, hot weight on his back already, making him sweat in his robes. The merry-makers, sports people and traders made him dizzy with noise and distraction ... even in this far distance. Today he sat watching the area in daylight. It held a different light from the evening when he usually liked to watch where lights were lit, showing where the most amount of people resided. It had been a trick taught him in the past. He felt he understood the village better this way. His master would want to know the larger amount, not the least.

He munched on a breakfast of nuts and dates. Good for building and maintaining his stamina. He would wait out here until his master came for the games later today. Just one thing…

Yesterday, he was more than surprised to see somebody he had not seen in years. Ronon Dex.

He had not even known if he was still alive these days. He chewed on a nut with gusto. Would this mean his master might have a battle on his hands he did not expect? Was Ronon imprisoned alone?

Chuuann heard a couple of Namco fly over-head. Their long wings caused a gentle breeze as they passed. Chuuann chuckled following their departure. It was like the birds already knew there would be a share of surplus bodies for them to feed on soon. Chuuann shivered. There would be too many dead bodies EVERYWHERE by the day's end.

Bodies…. Chuuann shivered again…

His beast adjusted its position and rocked him back into the here and now. Chuuann breathed out and pulled the reins, forcing the large beast to still again.

Not yet. Not yet.

…..

They had had to leave during the night to reach the village in time for the morning games.

It was the first time John and Teyla had been back to the sandstone walls. They shared a look and then a forced, supportive smile. They had left Aliass behind. She could not bear to see the village. Although she expected her shopping list to be fulfilled, she had no want to know about the games themselves. It caused a sensation throughout the land that did not settle on her well. She never hid these feelings.

Shebo fronted the caravan, of course. He was a surprisingly fit and agile man for his advancing years. If John was not focused on retrieving his friends, he might have followed his lead, but as it was, he would not involve him, or his sons in what he saw as his fight; and Teyla's fight. They got them enrolled. That was as far as John wanted to take it. Still, he knew they had involved themselves as voluntary look-outs. John and Teyla just thanked them.

The plan was to split up about a mile from the village, but when the time came, it would not go to plan.

Teyla suddenly cried out and clutched her head.

John rode quickly towards her. "Teyla! Teyla? What is it?"

Her face was ashen. Her eyes rolled back slightly. John got nearer to her. "No, no!"

Teyla came to herself and panted. "Wraith!"

SGA SGA SGA

To be continued …..