STARGATE ATLANTIS

TO SEE THE SUN IN WINTERTIME

Chapter Six

Authors Note: Thank you for all your kind words and your patience. I have kept you waiting long enough, so please find another chapter hereunder. My emotions are still all over the place, but I am committed to finishing the story so hold that thought please...

SGA SGA SGA

Flickers of scenes in a Hive.

Pain pulsing enough to bring on a headache.

A summons.

A retreat.

A demand.

Too strong…back-out, back-out…there was curiosity...

"Teyla!"

"Ah, my head…wha…t. John?"

"Oh, my goodness. What were you thinking?" John was mad and worried all at the same time, as he looked down upon Teyla writhing on the ground. He held her hand and stroked her knuckles. "Are you with me?"

Teyla saw the deep black/blue sky overhead and a very apprehensive looking John in front of her, but she couldn't quite ground herself as to what was going on. Eventually, her eyes met John's and she saw the concern in his one exposed eye that held a look of wordless surprise.

For a moment Teyla was lost to the numb feeling of losing a period of time. Then it all came flooding back to her in waves. She bolted upright, standing with such a speed John fell down onto his backside, his gammy leg not being able to hold him upright. He reached up and pulled her arm until she was sitting again. She acquiesced.

"Are you with me?" He repeated.

Teyla nodded, sucking in her bottom lip. "I am sorry. I only meant to briefly search for signs of wraith. It was stupid of me."

"Never mind. I need to know. Did you find out anything?"

Teyla searched her memories, headache dulling down to just a nuisance in the back-ground. "There is certainly wraith activity. That's about all I can say, John." Teyla looked sheepish.

John grimaced, held onto his cheek, as it must have stretched over his burn. "Damn. We need to save more than just our friends now."

"Everyone!" Teyla breathed and they both shivered at how big their situation had just become.

"But who to tell? Our original captor? His second? …what he did to you; me…? I'd gladly feed him to the wraith myself!"

Teyla sighed. "I am sorry, John."

John linked his arm with hers and drew her head down to his shoulder. "Perhaps you should have waited until I could have pulled you out quicker, but as it is, at least we have useful Intel now."

"Your poor face." Teyla tilted back his head. What she could see under the material of the bandage was red, and puffy looking. "We should change the dressing. Put more salve on it."

"I know. Quickly, though…we have an evening walk to take."

A clean bandage on, and a meal in their stomachs, John and Teyla walked hand in hand around the many stalls that glittered at night and still open for business well into dark. The many flags and canvas panels that surrounded each one gently flapped in a cool breeze. At the sides of each stall, stood tall stone columns with fire torches that cast an amber glow on the smiling and excited faces in the crowd. John saw the village in a new light that could have been exciting if it wasn't for the dark under-tones of its usual day job. The people looked happy and expectant - what wares could they buy? New and different foods to have a sample of, or even take part in unofficial wrestling matches; and even here, the handling of exotic snakes and creatures that made John shiver just looking at them, had the crowd roaring in glee.

John looked behind him to where all the tents were; a sudden chill going through him like he was being watched. He shrugged it off, but gripped Teyla's hand tighter. She seemed to read his mind, and moved that bit closer to him; for warmth, or support? Probably both.

"I saw two of Shebo's sons earlier, by the way." John whispered.

"As have I – several times." She smiled

"Okay, here we go. Into the path of the enemy. You have anything hidden on you?"

Teyla flashed him a look. Did he have to ask?

John smirked. "Sorry, just jumpy."

Teyla nodded her agreement, then, together they entered the village.

…..

If it was busy outside the walls; it was hectic inside. Many guards thronged the pathways surrounding the main arena, marching several prisoners in organised groups to clean, rake sand, and generally set up all five arenas' for the following days' worth of entertainment.

Teyla's breath quickened and she pulled John around.

Andy was there, filling several small hessian bags with sand, using the most undersized shovel John had ever seen. He, and three others, laboriously filled the bags and then neatly stacked them in organised piles beside a wagon.

One guard noticed their fixed attention, and moved to walk towards them. John acted like nothing was bothering him. He pulled Teyla into an embrace; kissing her with passion and moving his hands up and down her body.

"Get a room you two!" The guard laughed. "Move it!"

John broke from the kiss, but kept his hand on Teyla's back seductively moving down to her backside and groping it as they walked away in the other direction.

"Teyla, I am sorry. I had to keep up the charade." John felt flush under his bandage, he turned her to face him – only to see her with a raised eyebrow and a somewhat cheeky look about her."

"I was sorry you stopped!"

John flashed her a huge one-side grin, then winced as his healing wound was tugged again. Teyla put her palm on the side of his head. "I am sorry for making you smile."

"I'm not. Let's move on."

As they circuited the arenas, John kept his one eye on Andy's movements. He was proud to see the young marine was constantly watching everything about him. He made a mental note to try and not let him see them, though. Knowing they were alive might change the way they behave from that moment on. He whispered his thoughts to Teyla and she agreed. They gave Andy a wide berth.

Moving on to look past the arenas and into the buildings themselves, John, again, felt like he was being watched. He was very pleased that he sported a new disguise; just in case it was a guard that recognised him from before – if someone was watching him at all. He could just be paranoid.

John led Teyla to the area in which he had lived in for a couple of weeks, and whilst they thought her dead. John's heart was hammering in his chest. They already knew Ronon was alive; they had just found, Andy. Togo and Shola? Knowing how these people worked here, they would certainly not have been happy with these two letting them attempt to enter the village initially. But it was his greatest hope that he would find Rodney and Carson alive within the next few minutes.

Actually, it was seconds. Coming towards them and talking at speed was Rodney. "…shut up, I'm talking. You want the truth? Here's the truth. If you endanger my fingers, I will be unable to work. No work from me, and you will not…" They turned a corner, and John and Teyla breathed out a sigh of relief. They had had no-where to hide at the short notice; he would have walked straight into them. Thank goodness for the village's occasional sharp angles.

John smiled, despite his damaged face. Sounded like Rodney was okay.

And with knowing this, he decided that there was no way Carson could have died here. They already used him as a doctor – they would not kill a man that they needed for their own needs. So, with that knowledge, John moved his head in the direction they had just came. "I've seen enough, let's go."

"I agree. We both need our sleep. Your face is red and bruising. You need to rest."

John took a step forward and paused. There it was again. That feeling.

It was the flames on one of the pillars that showed a bejewelled hand just smooth across the surface of it as if it was a beautiful woman. He stepped round it and focused his attention of the pair. "Beautiful, isn't it?"

"What do you speak of?" John answered in a lower pitched voice than normal; hiding his southern drawl.

"This material here. Soft, almost. I like nice, pretty things."

"So I see." said John, looking at his rings. Rings that had pointed to his second to torture him. His hand curled.

"You both have come far for the festivities?" Their previous captor's tone was jovial and overly friendly – he was digging for clues.

"The Trakda Caves. We are Sand Dwellers." John replied, hoping against hope that his 'tan' was up to par, and that he wouldn't be interested in his bandage.

"Ah, almost locals." He cocked his head to the side, looking Teyla up and down in a manner that had John's other hand curling. "You are buying?"

"Hmm. Yes. Some supplies." Teyla spoke slowly, like a whisper.

"I watched you both in your rounds today. You, young lady, have a very special skill with those sticks."

"I am very proficient." Her tone spoke honestly, which amused him somewhat.

"And you, sir. I do not recall a bandage on your face earlier. Were you attacked?"

John swithered what answer to give him. He wetted his lips and raised a hand to the wound, making sure his robes bared no skin on his arm. "An unfortunate accident that left me with no explanation."

"Did you report it?" His questions becoming sure and fast.

"I saw no need to spoil the day with my wife, here."

"I see. Please accept my apologies that your visit was met with such obvious discomfort."

John smiled and started to walk away. Teyla stayed by his side. They had only gone two steps when their old captor spoke again. "Shame you will never leave here unscarred."

John and Teyla stopped in their tracks. Just what was meant by that statement?

John tilted his head in acknowledgment, and tried to walk away at a normal pace, but he felt Teyla step up a gear, and he resigned into it himself.

"John?" Teyla dared, a few minutes later, as they meandered their way out of the thick sandy walls and back out into the desert night air.

"I know, I know. Do you think he knows who we are?"

"How could he? He has no reason to think we are both still alive."

"No. Still. His words seemed measured, somehow."

"I agree. We must be very wary, and avoid him if we can... John?" His face had taken on a far-away look.

"I felt like some-one was watching us, but I don't think it was him... Aiden, I mean. The people are afraid of the man in the purple robes."

"And yet, you think it to be him?"

John sighed and breathed out, running a hand up to his bandage. "I don't know, and what's with the purple robes anyway." He shook his head. "I'm beat, let's call it a night. My face is driving me mad."

"It must be very painful."

John shrugged. Stoic as ever.

They arrived at their camp. After more cleansing and salve, John bore a new bandage, but Teyla omitted the wads of bandage around his head for a comfier sleeping arrangement. "If that stays put, you can lie down on a pillow." She tapped the edges with some of Aliass medical salve to make it stick.

"Good idea. Erm, speaking of pillows."

Teyla grinned wickedly. "You think to have your own tent; your own sleeping arrangements. Then, you are far mistaken, Colonel!"

Teyla gently held his jaw, and went up on her toes until her mouth came up to his lips, pressing her body into him. John smashed his lips into hers and grabbed her around her waist throwing her, almost roughly, down onto the carpeted area on top of the soft sand underneath. He fell to his knees, leaning over her and then quickly leaned down to kiss her. Softly at first, and then when his tongue sought prominence in her mouth, they both sparred and sucked their tongues against the other until it left them panting.

John reluctantly drew back. "Not here. Not rushed. I want to adore you, Teyla, not ravish you."

Teyla pretend pouted. "I don't know, I quite like it when…"

John silenced her with another kissing session that curled her toes and left her panting, leaving them both smiling and just watching each other.

"When I got my memory back watching you holding that gun, John. It was like I had just woken up to the fact that I long to be with you forever."

"I hope to be with you, too, Teyla. It was odd speaking to you when you were Jotan – when you didn't know who I was. I felt like my heart had stopped and it only came alive when you remembered me again."

John lay down on his back, and pulled Teyla in with his left arm. She gladly rolled into his side and placed her arm over his chest. John kissed the top of her head before smoothing down her hair. "Do you remember being shot, now?"

Teyla's hairs tickled his face when she shook her head. "No. Thank goodness. Do you remember this Drenching?"

"Unfortunately." John groaned out.

"You were very ill when you arrived at the caves. We were worried for you. You had received such a beating, and what these birds did to you as well..."

John squeezed her hand to stop her. He did not particularly want to remember it all at the moment. "It's all in the past now. Tomorrow we have our heats, and we have to contend with Aiden, who wants to kill me; possibly everyone on my team. I know it's him. We have to be extra careful and watch each other's backs."

"I know. His attack on you earlier happened so fast. I wonder why he did that."

"With Aiden high on enzyme, anything is possible. His mind has been twisted."

"Tomorrow we shall see. I hope you manage to sleep well. Good-night, John."

John shifted position to be more comfortable holding Teyla, and kissed her shoulder. "Good-night." He said, and allowed himself to fall asleep beside her knowing that they were safe enough surrounded by all the other campers. For now anyway.

…..

In the Hall of Light, Chuuann once again met with the balding man whose fingers dripped with jewels. No-one strolled the Hall except the two of them.

"I've heard tales that you caused a bit of a sensation with one of our visiting contestants. Care to explain yourself."

Chuuann smoothed down his robes and looked side-ways towards him. "He crossed my path and paid me no respects." He said simply, denying the nosy man the juicy tale he obviously sought.

"Surely not! Every-one knows of whom you serve."

Quick as a flash, Chuuann had a small dagger at his throat, the man's head pushed back by Chuuann's hand on his forehead. The ground under their feet trembled slightly. "You do not EVER speak of what is secret. No-one knows the truth. They think I slave for one single master. The fools believe in what tales I spin before I arrive – that must not CHANGE! No matter what you tell me, I do not trust this Hall to not have somebody listening to our conversation." With a strong shove of his forehead, he let the man go and watched as he stumbled a couple of steps back and then swiped his throat clean of a droplet of blood.

With a critical eye, the balding man thought out the situation and quickly bowed his head. "You have warned me. I have not listened."

Chuuann wiped his small blade on a nearby swag of material that adorned the walls between each pillar. They were as red as blood, Chuuann noted.

"I will tell you that I gave the man, earlier, a warning shot of what could happen if he stood in my way…our way, again. Now you listen to me. I have already re-organised my masters to visit on the last day instead of the first as you promised more people will appear then, and that would be pleasing for my masters to see a large crowd to greet them. You will still get all the jewels and wealth that I can give you in turn, and my masters will have the slaves we intend to take with us after the games." Here, Chuuann stopped for a second. Perhaps revelling in the fact that the bejewelled, balding man had no idea he would also be one of them. What feeding there were for his masters coming up; it also meant a steady supply of enzyme for him. This man would not pry and meddle and figure out what was going to happen.

Chuuann smiled within himself. He had been promised a release from his duties after this great cull. He longed for life on a planet he had discovered a year gone by now. Surely he would be set free with all the enzyme he needed to survive. They had promised him that. After all, he, alone, had come up with idea of these games so that there would a large crowd in one place after another throughout the planet within the next few days. The silly man grovelling beside him had no idea that the wealth he sought, would be his downfall soon.

The balding man bowed his head and was surprised to see a small velvet box appear in the purple robed man's hand. He took it and delighted at the glorious green gem inserted solid golden ring. "A small taster." Chuuann said, and knew by the way the man marvelled at the light hitting it as it fitted on his finger, he had his attention.

"Tomorrow, then." He said.

"I have organised a smooth day for every event. Everything is in place, also, for the third day when I will be delighted to host your masters."

Chuuann's eyes grew darker. "For the third day." He said, turning away to leave the bejewelled man admiring his new ring.

His quick pace had him leave the Hall and enter into the much darker night it had become. He thought he heard faint steps of soft leather to his right, but the speed at which he could move showed him nothing when he raced that way. Edgy. He was needing some enzyme.

…..

Chuuann reached the caves where his master awaited an update of the days events. He dismounted his beast and held lightly onto the soft leather reins knowing it would not leave his side anyway. It was old and loyal through value of his full stomach; curtesy of Chuuann's clever thinking.

"It is him?"

Chuuann heard the throaty rumble long before his deep purple dressed master came forward to greet him at the entrance to their hiding place. He absentmindedly scratched his hand and groaned. He was overdue some enzyme and his body was starting to demand to be fed himself.

"I am sure of it. The man responsible for waking your brethren prematurely lies sleeping just a couple of miles away at the village walls."

"He saw you?"

With his master being so strong in mind; enough to rip memories from him like stripping meat from a bone, Chuuann had no choice but to tell him of his passing by him and causing the incident.

His master walked round him a couple of times. "You wish to take out your own revenge on the man. Using valuable time on it when your carefully laid plans could have been opened wide."

Chuuann bowed quickly, lips suddenly dry. "I only doused him with the sand fire. I wished to disguise him from the bald man so he would not recognise him and make it an issue..."

"Yes, yes ... you were correct. Another distraction we did not need."

A long leather clad arm reached over his shoulder, tapping his breastbone on the way over. Chuuann held his palm open and a small bottle was dropped into it.

Enzyme. He had the equipment to use it in his leather holdall. Chuuann grinned. He nodded his thanks and the arm slid slowly away from him.

"You serve us well, Chuuann. Perhaps I was hasty at agreeing your release." There was a hitch in his breathing then. " ...but perhaps I have some new candidates that with a little persuasion...and ecstasy... can take on your responsibilities, hmm?"

"More than a couple...my master, my Queen."

Quick as a flash a leather finger pressed his lips in fast from in front of him. The Queens hood fell back and he looked straight into her grey face with lips that brightly blazed a violet haze to them, and eyes that were crazed with the nature of her kind.

"Silence, Chuuann. No-one need know who your master is. In this land especially, I must remain hidden in this ragged robe. You do not need to suffer defeat against me if you listen to my commands. They are not even difficult are they, hmm?"

Helplessly hoping she would step back from him, Chuuann bowed lower, forcing the fingers from his lips.

"Your secret remains, as ever."

The queen stepped back from him and he stood straight. "All they know is your master is something to be revered. Purple is for me to wear only. Something like this is what these idiots can cling to and manifest into a whole world of ideas and imaginings.

"Your wishes have been made manifest. They are even terrified to wear purple now in case it offends you. You, in their eyes, have brought prominence and riches to their village. They await your appearance on the third day with much excitement – and even await the surprise guests I drop mention of every so often."

The Queen cocked her head to the side to judge him. "This is your idea, Chuuann...this 'event!'.

These are humans. Do you not doubt what you Do?"

Chuuann took no time to answer. He didn't need to. He held the bottle up and grinned maniacally.

The Queen laughed. "Truly , you are one of us." She bared her teeth and disappeared back into the cave not expecting him to follow.

Chuuann breathed out. He wanted away from her to be alone with his enzyme.

He wanted to forget what he had just done to Sheppard and the others - condemn them to death.

Perhaps even something worse.

SGA SGA SGA

To be continued...