I've been waiting 3 chapters to get to this point. I"m finally here! WOOHOOO! but this is not done yet!Thank you to all of you who have left me a review and have kept up with this story. It's gone through a lot of changes but I"m excited about it again. This was inspired by my friend Elffin in Gateworld in the JT thread so I dedicate this one to her. She loves her Shep Whump so I hope I did this story justice.

THIS ONE IS FOR YOU ELFFITA!

Thanks to Loveconquers for beating this for me...SMOOCH

Please leave me a review. It makes me happy!

Chapter 12

Being accustomed to the real fears of the Pegasus Galaxy had become second nature to John Sheppard; he’d seen it all. Creatures with flaccid gray hair, fingers that curled and sucked the life out of you with a single thrust, entities that existed only in your mind, allies that tortured and killed you. Hell, John experienced his entire life in a blink of an eye, died and came back to life healthier and younger looking all in a matter of minutes. Yes, he’s seen it all. And yet, every single time, something new would arise that would make the rest of his encounters in this galaxy looked petty and meaningless.

Watching Rodney bleed to death, Ronon fight to his death, the Daedalus disintegrate into thin air, and Lorne and his team slaughtered as if he was watching Saw III in one gigantic screen TV was one of those moments that he cared not to live, ever! One that certainly made all his other nightmares diminish as a simple thought that flutters and disappears in the midst of the storm.

The grotesque twisted faces and the unbent shapes of their bodies buried in his saturated brain still didn’t allow his body to respond as quick as he would have like it to. Teyla’s tight grasp startled him, and for a second he let his head move instinctively in her direction, seeing in her eyes the same horror that drew his face.

Dim lights and darkened shadows filled John’s eyes. Everything inside the cave and everyone in it froze. Something intrusive lurked among them. An apparition drifting, swirling all around them assaulted his being. Unable to move, John couldn’t feel his extremities. Something was pumping air into his lungs, unlike anything he’d ever felt before, not painful, not deadly, simply foreign.

He reared up so fast that spots appeared in his vision and for a split second, nothing was clearly visible. Slowly, he felt the numbness in his fingers pass, his legs weak, but his mind clear. The spots faded and soon his eyes fell on Teyla's ghostly appearance, revealing her tormented soul, her motionless features staring at the massacre unveiling in front of them.

He wanted to shield her from this nightmare so badly, every single cell in his body armed and waiting for the simple command to protect her at all cost.

Furiously, he turned to see Lindia nearing them both. Anger flooded his veins as he realized that this was something not unfamiliar to these people. She fixed him with a glance that could stab anyone straight through like a sharp knife. And that’s when John realized this was no woman or thing to be trifled with. He couldn’t explain it, but behind that innocent mask laid dormant the real monster within. And that thought alone revealed her true self.

John’s entire body twitched at the thought of what this woman had in mind for them. He gave out a long sigh and begged for Teyla to respond to his pleading. He shifted his stance nervously towards Teyla, her fingers curling tightly around his. John stepped closer to the portal moving away from Lindia’s frozen form. Something deep within him told him that he needed to move himself and Teyla away from this woman, this stranger, this thing, this creature.

Glancing back at Teyla, seeing her puzzled expression, understanding hitting him like a fast train heading in your direction unable to dodge its collision, at that very moment he realized what he had to do. Determination was his drive, survival was his shield, and his love for Teyla was his strength.

He had no weapons; he had nothing that would protect him and Teyla. And yet, he knew staying was no longer an option.

Clutching onto Teyla hard enough to wake her from her reverie, John moved back, hoping that the portal would transport him back to the ruins, back to his team.

Her eyes spoke her fears, but her movements spoke of her willingness to let John lead the way. She bonded with these people. Something about them attracted her to them, and it was something completely unexplainable. John cast an understanding glance in her direction. They were marked from the beginning, almost destined to find this journey unraveling the threads of time, watching and controlling their every move.

Of course, John would have bought all of this if he believed in any of that stuff. But living in the Pegasus did provide a new insight that not everything that he once believed, a myth, a legend, a child’s scary story, wouldn’t be so far from the truth in this mysterious and puzzling galaxy so far away from home.

Without warning, something impacted his heart. The thought of leaving this life behind meant that a part of he and Teyla would be lost here somewhere. What that was he didn’t know. And the thought of losing any part of himself and more so any part of her, of his love, was something that he simply couldn’t bear.

The thought of it unnerved him and for a second he looked deep into Teyla’s eyes wondering, contemplating what this time with her had done to their relationship. If it wasn’t for the irony of it all, John would even think of staying behind, forgetting all about Atlantis, if only to give her that peace of mind, that happiness that she so deserved. But, he was certain that they would find their own happiness amidst the chaos and in the turn of events of this crazy life of theirs.

But what’s gone is past. And ahead awaited their future, and right now, they had no time to ponder on what was lost. His friends needed him, and he needed to get back to Atlantis, back to his home, back to start anew with Teyla.

One look, and his eyes bore into hers and with just a glance John clearly saw the meaning behind her darkened eyes; there was no protest, no suggestions, no regrets. This was as it should be, and she understood. John pursued his lips, wondering if he had made the right decision. And then without looking back, he allowed the portal to pull him in with Teyla right at his side.

He had barely noticed the most horrifying sight of all when John felt Teyla’s fingers slip away from his. As his body stood right in front of the portal, a magnetizing force pulled him into the shield preventing him from grabbing hold of Teyla’s arm. Vaguely, he could hear her calling him, and right behind her, a creature unlike anything he’d ever seen before, advancing right next to her, holding out its arms ready to engulf her in its being.

The time portal shifted. Terror entered his mind as John saw Linda reach out for Teyla. Her fingers flexed, trying to grab John but she was slipping away from his grasp.

John cried out her name, but he could see all the confusion in her eyes. She was out of his reach and unaware of the creature’s presence.

Where did it come from? He didn’t know. And there was no time for that either.

John couldn’t stop the force pulling him inside the portal, but he’d be damned if he was going to let Teyla stay behind. With one swift thrust, he pulled his body forward, extended his arm as hard as he could, barely reaching Teyla’s fingers. He grabbed her, and with one strong pull he clutched her body against his.

But the creature lunged itself on top of Teyla, reaching her shoulders and ferociously letting her fall back away from John’s grasp. John’s cry of anger and rage filled the cave and with one last thrust, he reached out to Teyla fervently as her body finally clashed against his. Immediately, John wrapped her tightly against his chest. The forced shield pulled their bodies together engulfing them into its pool.

In a matter of seconds, John and Teyla’s body landed roughly on the ground. Instinctively, John sprung to his feet scanning the area for any unwelcome greeters.

“Teyla, you alright?” He moved to her side, but his eyes continued to scan the area for any signs of danger.

“Yes,” she replied breathlessly as she stood up next to him dusting her skirt.

“What the hell was that—thing?” he asked finally getting the chance to look at her closely.

“I do not know, John.”

John watched as her saddened, moistened eyes clouded her face.

A Wraith Dart hovered over them, and John took Teyla’s arm, rushing them both to safety in the crumpled ruins. Watching the Dart fly by, John realized they were standing in the same ruins where he had last seen Rodney’s lifeless body.

Signaling Teyla to stay undercover, John crouched low, gathering himself the courage to see if he spotted the scientist where he had last seen him only minutes before.

He reached the consoles and with one quick nod in Teyla’s direction and, she moved swiftly to join his side.

To his surprise, there was nothing and most significantly, no one there.

“Where’s McKay? He was right here. Did I imagine that?”

“Yes, this is the console where we last saw Rodney.” He could hear the agony in her tone.

Up above, the chime of the Wraith Dart approaching startled John into military mode. He knew that he and Teyla had no weapons. The odds were not in their favor.

“John!” Teyla warned him.

“We need to find some weapons and find the others.” Without allowing her to reply, he pulled her towards him as they ran back to the woods in search for Ronon.

His breath quickened and his blood pumped fast and hard. John ran through the woods with Teyla in his heel. He could feel her determination, for he felt it just the same. Nothing seemed to make any sense.

All that mattered now was helping his team mates and then from there who knew what was next.

Hauling to a stop, he signaled Teyla to do the same. She was so close to him that her fast, warm breath fanned the back of his neck.

“I do not see any signs of Ronon’s presence here, John. He could not have left so soon with so many surrounding him.” She spoke exactly what he was thinking.

“Where the hell are they?”

Suddenly, another Wraith dart hovered above them and this time it spotted their presence and started turning, heading in their direction.

“RUN!” John cried as he pushed Teyla along into the woods, finding refuge in its entrapped branches. They both started the long arduous chase in the dense thick folds of the forest.

The sound of the Wraith beaming down onto the surface was not mistaken by John and Teyla. One glance, and they both knew what had to be done. John hesitated for a second, not wanting to be parted from her side, but soon realized it was their only chance to survive. With one nod, they both parted, heading in opposite directions.

After running for what seemed hours, sweat streaming down his temple lobe, he stopped to catch his breath, and to see if he could see anyone familiar. John scanned the area again forcing back his thoughts that Teyla was out there, alone, unarmed, confused and worried. All not good motivators to prepare right before a fight with one Wraith, never mind over a dozen of them.

In the distance, John watched as the Wraith figures materialized by the dozens right before his eyes. He expected to see something, some kind of warning that would point him in the direction of the rest of his team, but there was none.

In the midst of the turbulent scene, he could make out the pediment, the unblemished shape of Teyla. He pushed himself forward to make out her clear form, letting out a long, deep breath he didn’t even realized he’d being holding.

Her brown almond shaped eyes surveyed the area and a new found strength filled John’s heart at the thought that she was his, and how he savored her presence next to his every day and every night for the past several months.

Pushing back his thoughts and concentrating on what’s ahead, he moved carefully through the twigs and branches nearing her without giving away her position.

Just when he could clearly see her image in front of him, he felt a strong grip grabbing the back of his shirt, pulling him up to his feet with one swift jolt.

“Oh, crap!”

Immediately John scrutinized his surrounding, hoping to find anything that he could use to defend himself. But the Wraith that had helped him up to his feet had other plans in mind.

Pulling on the front of his shirt, the Wraith quickly grabbed John, hoisting up in the air and flinging his body across several feet in the air, landing him harshly on the ground.

Aware of his demise, the only thing John was concerned about at that moment was that Teyla would come to his rescue in no time, exposing herself and endangering her life in the process.

“Look big, guy. This isn’t a fair fight.” John painfully stood up, “Can I at least get one of your stunners to make this a fair match?”

As the Wraith approached, John saw a huge stick from behind him slamming him hard around the side of his waist, causing the big Hulk to steer his direction towards his new perpetrator.

“Teyla!” John shouted with concern.

In an instant, John flung his body on top of the big giant, causing the Wraith to squirm and twist in all directions trying to detach the new addition to its already enlarged body.

John held on tight around his neck, trying desperately to cut his oxygen level in hopes to get him to pass out.

“I’ve always wondered what a piggy back ride would feel like from this high up.” John gasped as he rung his arms around the Wraith’s neck even tighter.

“John!” He heard the panic in Teyla’s voice and soon felt what her concern was about. The Wraith had decided that banging John’s body against a tree trunk was a good way to get him off his back.

“You’re a smart ass aren’t you, big fella?” he gasped in pain.

“Do not toy with him, John.” He watched Teyla grabbed a larger stick as her body prepared for the collision.

“Yeah, well do you have any other ideas, sweetheart, cause I’m really hanging by a thread here!” he choked out the last words as the Wraith continued to pummel his body against the tree trunk with all his mighty strength.

Just when John thought his body couldn’t stand the pressure anymore, the Wraith stopped and John’s body collapsed to the ground mercilessly.

Catching his breath, he marveled as Teyla readied for a match with the Wraith, waiting for the enemy to strike. John watched in total admiration as Teyla sparred her opponent with one quick move to his side. Triumphantly, she pressed her sticks between the engrossed thighs of her assailant and instantly the Wraith lost its balance, giving John the chance to jump on him again this time with the stunner that the mighty one dropped while crashing John’s body against the tree trunk.

They both toppled to the ground unceremoniously. John stood his ground and crouched above the Wraith’s body, beating him densely.

To his morbid surprise, another Wraith came into the scene and started fighting with Teyla. She had managed to kick his stunner out of its hands, and they both sparred savagely, racing against time.

His eyes watched as Teyla held her ground, but to his disadvantage the Wraith that he had pinned down to the ground grabbed him by the neck, easily blocking his air passage and sending him on a wild darkened ride.

As the Wraith brought them both up to a standing position, John’s eyes went over to Teyla as instantly their eyes met. That was the only second needed for the Wraith to make his move, slamming his stick against Teyla’s side, forcing her to wince in pain. John witnessed as she lost her balance, but still maintain her stick in her hand striking the Wraith without causing any harm.

Suddenly, John felt his neck tightened. Instinctively, John put both hands around his attacker’s hands in hopes of loosening the grip. His eyes moved back to Teyla and this time his mind went in a blank haze.

The Wraith struck Teyla, causing her to fall back and land on the ground hard. He took the stick in his hand and with one strong blow he plunged the stick in her stomach causing her to cry out in pain as the gush of blood streamed all over her upper body.

“NOOOOOOOOO!” a cry of terror escape John’s lips as raged fueled his muscles and his entire body went into overdrive.

Violently, John used his legs to kick the Wraith. His actions and his cry of pain caused the Wraith to loose his grip, giving John a second to headlock the beast.

It had the right affect and soon John took that opportunity to unwrap his hands from his neck causing his body to plunge onto the ground.

Rushing to Teyla’s side, a sudden rush of adrenaline pumped through his veins in pure rage.

“Teyla” he choked, “You’re going to make it.”

“John” she whispered.

He sensed the Wraith nearing and the blaze of hell and fury weren’t enough to describe the murderous eyes that pierced his soul.

Slowly turning, John stood. His hand squeezed Teyla’s fingers tightly, but he felt nothing in return. Closing his eyes and calling on a power stronger than him, he dared face two Wraith to a fight where death was only a means of conquer.

One last glance in Teyla’s direction, and his heart stopped beating. Her lifeless, wretched body slumped in the ground burned his mind and tore his soul. Whatever trace of compassion was left in him vanished instantly, and the only feeling in him was revenge.

“You’ve just signed your death sentence!” he threatened.

Savagely, John fought both beasts singled handed. He took up position and with his left arm extended, he readied himself for both assaults. He first moved to ward off a possible kick at the small of the back, hip, and left side, then he moved in circular cuts to the left and right, quickly bending downward in the direction and grabbing a hold of Teyla’s stick.

His opponents were standing well out of reach, waiting for an opportunity to present itself. John positioned his body and head well out of stick range. Seeing an opening, John placed his right heel firmly on the ground and aimed a kick with his foot at one of the Wraith’s heart.

Anticipating danger, the Wraith transferred the whole weight of his body to his left onto his right leg which enabled him at the critical moment to withdraw his massive foot very quickly – but nothing could avoid the kick on the shin. John’s aim was only used as a diversion in the attack – for when the Wraith drew his body closer, John struck the stick in its abdomen with all his might, causing one Wraith to fall back helplessly to the ground.

With a death kill look, John leaned over the Wraith’s body and yanked his stick even further, forgetting all about the second opponent as his mind strayed to the Wraith’s first victims.

“This is for Rodney,” he dug the stick deeper, “This is for Ronon and Lorne!” With one swift move, he extracted the stick only to plunge it again on the top of his head. “And this is for the Daedalus team.”

Unknown to him, the second Wraith attacked him from behind, drawing his stick to John’s ankle causing him to scampered back in pain, but fueling him to even more heights of anger.

“Feeling a bit left out, buddy? Don’t worry. There’s a reason I left you for last.” Blood seeping all over his body, defiantly he neared the Wraith, no trace of fear, but instead hatred and revenge in his bloodshot eyes. “You don’t get to hurt her the way you did and have your life end so graciously like his by my hands!”

Standing in position with his right foot forward, knees bent, right arm extended, his eyes told his opponent of his invitation to attack, holding his guard rather low. The Wraith understood his message and accepted the invitation leading off to strike John’s head.

But John was prepared. He parried -- an easy matter, and he prepared for the blow -- Simultaneously jumping well onto the Wraith’s right, he crouched down, made a low, sweeping cut to his knees, bringing down the beast to the ground.

By pure chance, the Wraith sprung to his feet as if he was simply struck down by a light gust of wind. He came to John’s side with all his might, and John knew this was going to hurt badly, if not incapacitate him, but one look to his right told him that this had to end soon if he was to save Teyla in any way.

Waiting and ready for the strike, the Wraith advanced and hit him straight in his shin. Finding that he got under his guard, his adversary drew back his right foot and prepared to give John a back-handed cut across the face. However, John foiled his attempt by keeping close to him and striking him in the chest with the point of his stick.

With one swift move, John plunged the stick deeper and soon the mighty beast descended like the mighty warrior, pounding and trembling as his body landed on the ground. With one last strike, John moved to his side and struck the beast with the stick, striking him in the heart.

“This is what I felt when you struck her down!” He reared the beast and put one foot on his abdomen deepening the stick and turning it around the Wraith’s heart, “I’m not going to kill you completely. I want you to feel real pain!” He came back up, his body now completely atop the beast crying out in pain. “Your last breath will be my last as well. I want you to feel what I’m feeling right at this very moment, you son of a bitch!”

He closed his eyes and cried once more, “Death is what you want the most right now, but it’s not coming to you soon enough!”

Out of the darkness and into the light, John felt only pain and confusion, when to his surprise a sharp Wraith Stun Blaster broke through his skin, making it clear to John that this sharp blade rupturing out of his abdomen wasn’t a very good sign.

He looked back at his assailant. Another Wraith had come into the scene. He thrust the sharp pointed blade out of John’s body causing him to fall back breathlessly.

Holding onto his wound, John’s eyes tried to focus and clear his mind. Carefully, he looked at his faculties. Yup, he was in deep shit! He didn’t know if it was the buzzing at the back of his neck, or the ringing in his ear that gave him the clear sign that things hadn’t quite gone as planned.

He failed his friends, he failed Atlantis, but most of all he failed her; his friend; his wife, the woman he loved, Teyla.

The urgency to find her struck him at once. His last breath could not be taken without the sight of her face in his eyes. His eyes wondered fervently until he spotted her form. Her warmth, her breath, her face was all he wanted to see, feel and touch. Slowly he walked towards her body lying in the ground, pale and lifeless.

Tears sprung immediately in his eyes at the thought of what her last thoughts were. He advanced towards her, unwilling to let anything stand in the way of seeing her for the last time.

Finally, he reached her still form and brokenly, he dropped on his knees.

“Teyla.” It was all he could form in his dry lips as his body slumped to the ground, but not before his hands gently grazed the coldness of her face.

X X X

“Sheppard! SHEPPARD!” a voiced thundered through his head making it impossible for him to sleep.

Was he sleeping?

“Sheppard, WAKE UP! We don’t have too much time!”

It was that voice again! Why the hell won’t they just let him be? His head was throbbing. Hell, did he even have a head?

Slipping, he was slipping. Slipping against the waters, against time, against….and then…there she was…laughing, twirling, seductively advancing towards him in a frenzy of lust and desire.

And she called him. Melodiously, her voice rang in his ears, causing a tingling sensation all over his body. And then, she teased him.

Her hands barely touched his skin, but it was enough to spike up the hairs on the back o of his neck while her fingers aroused all his senses.

Yes, she seduced him. The calling of his flesh burned inside him. He longed for her. His body mind and soul cried out to her.

Finally, he reached out and touched her. Bodies collided as one. Her body was on fire. Hell, he was burning, too! Flames engulfed all around them and all that mattered was her touch, her lips, her body clinging, molding to his ever careful touch.

His fingers melted in her form. Hot, hot, hot! His hands slid to the back of her nape to the bottom of her spine, bringing her tightly against him. Arching in response, he felt her body tremble at the slightest of his touch, and he urged her along. In heated bliss, they danced harmoniously as his mouth neared her lips, her eyes burning with desire and the sight of her fueled his need and lust for her. Tenderly, but possessively, he caressed her.

“Teyla!” he whispered in her ears.

Slowly his lips opened and then…

“What the Hell are you doing Sheppard?”

John sprung up in a sitting position and instantly scanned the area.

Where was he? What the hell happened to him? And who the hell cranked up the thermostat!

He was hot! And surprisingly full of energy!

He felt like he could run not one marathon, but two or three, hell even four marathons in one shot and still not break a sweat. Whatever this surge was pumping through his body, he liked it!

“Listen to me Sheppard. I don’t know how long this serum is going to last. You've got to get to the gate, NOW!”

What the hell? Who the heck interrupted him? And what the hell was that noise in the back of his head? And what’s with the tingling sensation? He checked his vitals. Damn, where the hell are his fingers?

Head intact. No sign of brain damage. Pulse? Check. There’s that ringing again. Is it his alarm clock? What’s that taste in his mouth?

Crap! Is he bleeding? And why the hell is it so damn hot?

“Sheppard! Snap out of it!”

Immediately, his eyes bored on that familiar voice, “Ford?”

“I thought I’d lost you for good, Sir. I was afraid I gave you too much.”

His eyes widened in horror. Everything was coming to clarity.

In one swift stride, he pushed Ford out of his way and sprung toward Teyla’s body. He reached her in a matter of seconds.

“Teyla!!!” he eyes bore no mercy and his wrath was pure and unadulterated hatred.

“She was badly wounded, John. I’m not sure if this serum will be enough to keep her alive until you get back to Atlantis.”

His menacing eyes struck Ford and instinctively he moved back.

Yeah, that was painful!

“Care to explain what is going on here, Ford?” his voice croaked, “What did you do to me and Teyla?”

He felt her pulse, weak, but it was there.

“I don’t have time to go into details, Sheppard. Her life is at the brink of death. All you need to know right now is that this planet is going to blow up in a matter of seconds. I’m going to hold off the Wraith while you make it to the gate.”

John gritted his teeth. Everything was starting to make sense again. But he was still extremely hot, and his body started to tremble uncontrollably. He moved closer to Ford, but his eyes strayed back to Teyla’s.

“Oh, you are going to give me some very quick answers, Ford. Cause for all I know you could be one of them!”

“And risk her life even further?” John could see the strain on the young man's face. Whatever happened here, it’s not something he wanted to admit to his Commanding Officer. But John knew that the last thing he remembered, he was sure he was dead. And so was---

“Look, I was dead! So, I think you get to tell me how the hell you brought me back from the dead! And I’m sure that Teyla was not in any good shape either.”

He and Teyla were dead and you don’t simply rise from the dead with a blink of an eye. Well, at least not without some sort of explanation.

“I gave you a shot of Wraith enzyme. You and Teyla were as good as dead, John. The regular shot that I have wasn’t going to do it. These Wraiths aren’t your typical soldiers. What’s pumping through your system right now, is what’s keeping you and Teyla alive.”

John narrowed his eyes unable to quite comprehend what the young man was telling him.

“You did what, Ford?”

“Your injuries were deadly. I just saved you and Teyla. You can thank me later!”

“Yeah, I figured as much when I saw a pointed stunner ruptured right through my abdomen, Ford. But I’ve yet to learn of this miracle cure that you seem to have your hands on.”

He glanced back at Teyla. The clear picture of a stick protruding out of her mid-section vividly engraved in his mind.

His hands roamed her side and in the pool of blood staining her entire waist, John pulled her shirt aside, exposing her waist, and noticed her wound begin to close and heal on its own.

With eyes widened he cried, “Ford!”

“Don’t ask, Sir. Just be thankful and run.”

With a new found strength, John narrowed his eyes at Ford.

“How did you get your hands on that? And how did you get here? Last time I saw you, you were in a ship that blew up right in front of my face and now you want me to think you saved my life with some god forsaken Wraith Serum!!!!”

He was yelling, and he didn’t regret it!

“Didn’t you learn from the last time not to mess around with that crap!”

Suddenly, two Wraith Darts hovered over them. Quickly, John wrapped one arm around the back of Teyla’s neck and one to the back of her knees, lifting her up in one swift move.

Ford covered for him as he made his way into the forest with Teyla in his arms.

Running through the woods, his body felt alive and pumped with new energy. Teyla’s body felt lightweight in his arms. Hell yeah! He could really get used to this.

A hand held his shoulders, and he instinctively turned around to see Ford right behind him.

“You need to make it to the gate, Sheppard. The serum isn’t going to last long.”

“Do I want to know how you got your hands on that?”

“Teyla needs medical assistance. You do too.”

“Fine, why don’t you go ahead and dial the gate for me.”

“I’m going to cover you from above. There are too many darts around. You won’t make it!”

“Fine, why don’t you take Teyla and I’ll fly the dart.”

“No!”

“I’m not having this conversation with you, Ford!”

“You aren’t in charge here, Sheppard.”

“Oh, really!?--”

Teyla’s weight was starting to weigh him down. His legs weakened. The buzzing returned.

“Alright, I”ll follow your lead. But don’t you think that just because I took a couple of months off for some R&R give you the right to order me around. Got it!”

A weak smile spread across Ford’s lips.

“Keep heading north. You’ll see the gate. You don’t have any more time left.”

Ford started to head out when John called out.

“Ford? I”ll see you back in Atlantis!”

“You can count on it, Sir.” He smiled.

John looked down at Teyla’s pale face, then quickly glanced back at Ford who was still looking at him.

“Thank you, for the both of us.”

The young man nodded and left.

John ran through the woods again, the Wraith Darts moving closer to his position.

From a distance he spotted the Stargate.

All around it there were Wraith Soldiers.

“Right, how the hell are we going to pass those guys?” He looked down at Teyla’s sleeping form. Her wound was healing but a bead of sweat was slowly coming down her cheeks. She probably had a fever or she was suffering from the same burning sensation that he was.

“Did he say anything about invisible powers?” He looked down at Teyla hoping to see her bright smile.

Nothing.

“Alright, so we’re doing this the hard way, and you’re not even awake to see me in action and save the day once again. Damn it, I need to carry a camcorder!”

Just when he was about to head to the Stargate, a Wraith Dart came into the scene activating the beaming device and with one quick sweep all the Wraith disappeared into the light.

“Alright, so that’s okay if you don’t always see me in action. You’ll just have to settle for me telling you how I slaughtered a whole Wraith Armada while holding you in my arms.” He looked down and Teyla and held her head up to his face, “It will be a great story to tell the grandkids, trust me.”

He ran to the DHD, and with one hand plugged in his IDC and waited for the pool of matter to activate.

In a matter of seconds, the gush substance sprung forward, and John ran up the steps with Teyla in his arms and jumped into the event horizon…

And soon stood on the front of the gate room of Atlantis--

He held Teyla’s limp form close to his face and whispered in her ear, “We’re home, sweetheart—we’re home!”

In the distance, he heard the sounds of the alarm, the bustle of the medical team around him. Guards standing readied around him as he clung Teyla’s body closer to his.

His head buzzed. His legs trembled. His knees buckled and his hands felt very heavy. Fear raped his body at the thought of losing his bearings.

“Sheppard!” He heard a wolfish thunder from a far. “Let her go.”

He looked up, “Ronon?”

He pressed Teyla tighter against his chest.

“Let her go, Sheppard!”

Finally, two strong arms lifted her off his arms as he loosened his grip.

The sounds came from afar. The room was really spinning horribly. He no longer felt his extremities, and the pain shot through him like a lighting bolt.

He forced his eyes open and saw her body being carried away in a stretcher.

Barely a whisper he called to her, “Teyla!”

Falling on his knees, John’s body crashed on the floor.