FIC: Sins Of The Father Chapter 6
Title: Sins Of The Father Chapter 6
Author: joaniexjony
SINS OF THE FATHER
CHAPTER 6
He couldn't remember getting sick, but why else would mom be in his bed? John snuggled in closer relishing the heat of her breath against his neck, but he didn't feel warm, in fact he was cold…freezing, and his entire body was really, really sore.
His chest felt like a weight was pressed against it, his throat rough and painful. What he really wanted was a warm glass of Martha's lemonade. She always made it especially for him when he was ill, but he didn't want to move. Each movement was agony, sharp spikes of pain shooting through his back, neck, hell all of him, and it just felt good lying there nice and still, listening as she snored…
"R…ny?"
John tried to speak, but started coughing, then groaned as he reawakened all the pains in his body.
"Sheppard, would you stop fidgeting. It took me long enough to get to sleep. Wait…you're awake? You're okay? Well not okay, obviously…oh, thank goodness. When they brought you back I thought…well you know."
He didn't want to move as even the smallest motion hurt, but he felt rather than saw Rodney leave the bed. A few moments later, he felt a firm arm go behind his neck and gently lay him onto his back, then he saw his friend's concerned face come into view as he put a glass of water to his lips.
"Not too much, John. I'd guess by the way your bony ass has been sticking into me all night you haven't eaten for quite a while, and I don't want you being sick." His eyes felt dry and gritty but Rodney's, searching his, just looked relieved.
"Thanks…"
"It was only a glass of water, Sheppard." McKay put the glass down, and pushed the covers firmly up around John's neck.
"For saving my life…"
"Oh...You'd have done the same for me."
"I know, but you did it all the same. Still, I think we should keep what happened just between ourselves, don't you?" John saw Rodney's face flush with embarrassment.
"I don't have a problem with that, although the memory of those boxers has scarred me for life. Really, Sheppard, 'James Bond - Licensed to thrill.' are you serious? Anyway, Lucretia? Jusana? Whatever the hell she's called told me if…when you woke up to get you what every you need. So I'm guessing something to eat?"
John nodded, and watched McKay walk over to the opening and say something to the guard. The next he knew he was awoken by voices, as the young man handed something on a tray to Rodney...it smelt good.
McKay came and sat on the edge of the bed. "Food first, then you can go back to sleep. Do you need any help?"
After spending so much time restrained, John was determined to get some control back of his body. However when he tried to sit up, his aching arms refused to support him, and he yelped, as his back went into spasms.
McKay shook his head. "I'll take that as a yes you idiot. Why didn't you say you were in that much pain? How long did the bitch keep you chained up for anyway?"
John spluttered on a mouthful of broth. He really hated being spoon-fed, although at the moment he had no choice. It was almost as if he was still restrained, as his arms, legs, in fact his whole body was so sore he could hardly move.
"Dunno. When I couldn't answer her questions, she pumped me full of drugs…really painful shit. Then, when I still wouldn't talk, because I didn't know the answers, she told me I would be strapped to a wall with only comfort breaks and no food for two days. How long was I gone?"
McKay's eyes flashed with anger. "Well I spent three, nearly four sessions in the lab since you were gone…so I'm guessing close to four days. No wonder you can't move. Have you seen the state of your body?"
"My neck was anchored to the wall for almost all of that time, and I was left in the dark, so the answer to that question would be no. But if it's any consolation I hurt like hell, so I have a pretty good idea where the cuts and bruises are."
He saw McKay quickly look away, visably upset. Damn. Him and his big mouth. He really hadn't meant to hurt his feelings. Their abduction, Rodney being forced to work till he was fit to drop, him nearly dying again for no good reason, was all just one big freaking mess. "I'm sorry, Rodney. I didn't mean to have a go at you. I'm just sore, tired, and I know this isn't over, not by a long way. Friends?"
"Only you would have to ask that. Go to sleep, Sheppard you look like crap. When you wake up…"
McKay turned around, just for a second to put the half empty bowl on the table, but when he looked back, Sheppard was fast asleep.
"Sleep tight, John, you need all the rest you can get. When you wake up, I have quite a story to tell you…"
ooooOoooo
Most of the next couple of days John spent sleeping, eating whatever was handed to him, and eventually managed to sit up on his own without screaming the house down. Okay, so maybe that was a bit of an exaggeration, but being kept restrained for all that time had definitely done a number on his back and neck. On the plus side though, his leg was feeling better, and with McKay's help, he'd finally been able to stand on both feet, at least for a couple of minutes.
McKay had also brought him up to speed as to why Jusana was so pissed at him. For a while he just stared at the photo…speechless. John couldn't deny the guy looked like him, but as for being his dad? Patrick Sheppard would never win any father of the year awards, but he definitely was his dad, and although the old man was an asshole, at least he wasn't a megalomaniac serial killer like Forant.
Question was, what the hell were they going to do? McKay told him Marcen had refused his offer of help from Atlantis, but the young moron was still forcing Rodney to try and find a way of removing the bracelet here. In the meantime no bracelet meant no escape. And, no escape meant he would still be here when the psycho bitch from hell paid another visit, which knowing his luck, would probably be very soon.
ooooOoooo
Standing gingerly with two hands against the wall for support, John flexed each of his muscles in turn, wincing as the barely healed lacerations caught against the rough material of his borrowed cotton tunic. Even turning his neck slowly from side to side made him flinch, but he was relieved that his range of motion was nearly back to normal, and at least the painful muscle spasms had stopped.
"Good evening, Colonel Sheppard. How are you feeling today?"
Crap…John recognised the voice and his heart sank, knowing break time was over. "Still in pain, you'll be glad to hear."
He took his hands off the wall and turned around to face her, disconcerted to see her smiling.
"I really must apologise for my guard. It was never my intention to leave you restrained for that length of time, nor had I authorised him to beat you. Your punishment was deserved certainly, however he took it upon himself to disobey my instructions, so for his lapse in judgement, he too has been punished. I am happy to see you are looking better though and back on your feet, although still favouring your leg. Would you like me to check your wound?"
So, there it was. He'd been expecting it. Good cop, bad cop…the carrot and the stick. What every the hell you called it the ploy was always the same. Show your prisoner it doesn't have to be all hardship and pain. If you just do what we want, tell us want we want etc, we can be reasonable…
"The legs healing fine…thank you." John kept his eyes fixed upon her face, waiting for her next move, like some sick, twisted game of chess.
Her mouth twitched. Sheppard reckoned making that smile must really be hurting, then he saw her jaw set into a firm line. And here we go again…
"Right, well, Marcen has told me you have seen the photograph and now understand why you are here. It was never my intention, Colonel, to hold you accountable for another man's crimes. Still, although I have been assured that you are who you say you are, I still believe you are not entirely innocent in all this. It is still my belief that you resemble Forant too closely not to be aware of his existence, or have some knowledge of his past. Therefore, I still require information from you so that I can bring him to justice. What I require is simple, a current address of where he is living, or if he has passed away, proof of his demise."
John started to speak but she silenced him with a look. "Please, Colonel Sheppard for your own sake, don't say anything now. Take tonight to consider your response, and in the morning we will talk again. I would rather not cause you any more pain, but believe me when I say, I will if I have to."
ooooOoooo
Sheppard limped around the room watched suspiciously by the guard, until his leg nearly gave out and he punched the wall with frustration. He watched as the blood welled up through the small, jagged cuts on his knuckles and winced... Damn it. John cursed though gritted teeth as he shook his hand while making his way slowly back to bed exhausted. Too restless to sleep, too helpless to do anything more than stay where he was.
"What the hell have you done to your hand?" John hadn't heard McKay come into the room, and pulled his hand back as back as Rodney went to take a closer look.
"Fine. If you want to end up with blood poisoning, then that's okay with me." McKay glared at him, then suddenly his look turned to one of concern.
"She's been to see you, hasn't she? But you're still here, so that's a good thing…right?"
John slumped back against the pillows and closed his eyes. The nagging headache which had been lingering all day suddenly started pounding against the inside of his skull, making even the dimly lit room look far too bright.
"You aren't a genius for nothing are you, McKay. Sorry…Yup, she's been and that," he pointed to a barely touched meal sitting on a tray "will probably be my last supper."
Rodney flopped down hard on the opposite bed, his eyes desolate. "Oh…"
"Is that it…Oh? No brilliant plan to save the day? No good news to tell me Marcen has finally come to his senses? That's all you can say...Oh! You really are losing your touch, McKay."
"I know, I'm sorry, Sheppard."
John cracked open an eye, and immediately felt guilty as he saw a dejected Rodney staring down at the floor. "Just ignore me, Rodney. My leg's killing me, and I have the headache from hell. Still, regardless of how bad I feel now, I know none of it will even compare to what's in store when I can't answer her dumb, dumb questions!"
"At least let me see what I can do for your hand." Rodney tore off some of his bed sheet and soaked it the wash basin, before starting to clean up the torn bloody skin.
"Thanks, Rodney, and I really am sorry about before. Anyway, how did things go today, any progress? Is Marcen still okay?"
The scientist shook his head. "Nothing new. For some reason, I don't understand why, but Marcen can't seem to get the device to work the way it was designed. He initially managed to get from the lab on Tynos to here, then from here to the surrounding village, but no further. But that's all we would need if I could just get him to agree to help us."
McKay stood up and started pacing the room. "Actually to tell you the truth, the idiot is getting worse. Oh, he tried to hide it, but I saw more blotches on his arm and we still can't figure out how to remove the blasted thing. He knows he'll die without help, so I don't understand why he won't let us go and take him back with us to Atlantis."
Sheppard suddenly saw Rodney raise his fist, about to hit the wall. "I wouldn't do that, McKay…" Once he caught Rodney's attention, he waved his own damaged hand in the air.
"Right…" McKay dropped his hand, and instead lent his head against the wall for a moment before turning to look at his friend. "What the hell are we going to do, Sheppard?"
"Well, tonight I'm going to try and get some rest and so should you. Then tomorrow, I'll have no choice but to suck up whatever she has in store for me. It won't be the first time someone's hurt me, and hopefully it won't be the last." John attempted a smile. "But, there is something I need you to do for me."
"Sure, anything. What is it?"
"When a chance comes for you to escape, and it will, I don't want you searching for me." He saw Rodney about to protest. "I mean it, Rodney, I'll even make it an order if I have to. Look, I'm not being noble but Marcen was right, you would get lost if you tried looking for me, and I don't want you dying down here. Please, I want you…need you, to get back to Atlantis and bring back help."
"No way, Sheppard. I'm not leaving without you, and I'm a civilian remember? So I won't obey your stupid order either. Just because I'm not a soldier doesn't mean I don't follow your code. What is it you're actually saying anyway? 'Leave no man behind' doesn't apply to you?
Suddenly he saw McKay's eyes grow angry and the scientist turned on him. "Hold on just a minute…I know what this is really about. You don't think I'm capable of getting us out of here, do you? It was fine before when I was using my skills to get the bracelet, but now we know I'm not going to get it in time, you don't think I'm up to the job."
"McKay…" John glared at his friend. Then meeting the hurt, concern conflicting in his bereft eyes, his anger melted away. "Rodney…I think you are one of the most capable men I have ever met, and one of the bravest. If it makes you feel any better, if our roles were reversed, I wouldn't be able to find you either. There are just too many damn tunnels down here. Once I leave this room tomorrow, there's no way you'll be able to find me without help; Ronon, Teyla, plus a squad of marines. It's just too dangerous for one man, even a genius like you. So please, would you do that for me, as a friend?"
John saw the fight leave McKay, leaving behind a grim look of acceptance. "Okay, fine. I'll do what you ask, but I don't have to like it. Jusana's a sadistic bitch, John, what are you going to do when she starts working you over?"
"Survive, Rodney, just survive. For as long at it takes you guys to find me…"
ooooOoooo
TBC
Author: joaniexjony
SINS OF THE FATHER
CHAPTER 6
He couldn't remember getting sick, but why else would mom be in his bed? John snuggled in closer relishing the heat of her breath against his neck, but he didn't feel warm, in fact he was cold…freezing, and his entire body was really, really sore.
His chest felt like a weight was pressed against it, his throat rough and painful. What he really wanted was a warm glass of Martha's lemonade. She always made it especially for him when he was ill, but he didn't want to move. Each movement was agony, sharp spikes of pain shooting through his back, neck, hell all of him, and it just felt good lying there nice and still, listening as she snored…
"R…ny?"
John tried to speak, but started coughing, then groaned as he reawakened all the pains in his body.
"Sheppard, would you stop fidgeting. It took me long enough to get to sleep. Wait…you're awake? You're okay? Well not okay, obviously…oh, thank goodness. When they brought you back I thought…well you know."
He didn't want to move as even the smallest motion hurt, but he felt rather than saw Rodney leave the bed. A few moments later, he felt a firm arm go behind his neck and gently lay him onto his back, then he saw his friend's concerned face come into view as he put a glass of water to his lips.
"Not too much, John. I'd guess by the way your bony ass has been sticking into me all night you haven't eaten for quite a while, and I don't want you being sick." His eyes felt dry and gritty but Rodney's, searching his, just looked relieved.
"Thanks…"
"It was only a glass of water, Sheppard." McKay put the glass down, and pushed the covers firmly up around John's neck.
"For saving my life…"
"Oh...You'd have done the same for me."
"I know, but you did it all the same. Still, I think we should keep what happened just between ourselves, don't you?" John saw Rodney's face flush with embarrassment.
"I don't have a problem with that, although the memory of those boxers has scarred me for life. Really, Sheppard, 'James Bond - Licensed to thrill.' are you serious? Anyway, Lucretia? Jusana? Whatever the hell she's called told me if…when you woke up to get you what every you need. So I'm guessing something to eat?"
John nodded, and watched McKay walk over to the opening and say something to the guard. The next he knew he was awoken by voices, as the young man handed something on a tray to Rodney...it smelt good.
McKay came and sat on the edge of the bed. "Food first, then you can go back to sleep. Do you need any help?"
After spending so much time restrained, John was determined to get some control back of his body. However when he tried to sit up, his aching arms refused to support him, and he yelped, as his back went into spasms.
McKay shook his head. "I'll take that as a yes you idiot. Why didn't you say you were in that much pain? How long did the bitch keep you chained up for anyway?"
John spluttered on a mouthful of broth. He really hated being spoon-fed, although at the moment he had no choice. It was almost as if he was still restrained, as his arms, legs, in fact his whole body was so sore he could hardly move.
"Dunno. When I couldn't answer her questions, she pumped me full of drugs…really painful shit. Then, when I still wouldn't talk, because I didn't know the answers, she told me I would be strapped to a wall with only comfort breaks and no food for two days. How long was I gone?"
McKay's eyes flashed with anger. "Well I spent three, nearly four sessions in the lab since you were gone…so I'm guessing close to four days. No wonder you can't move. Have you seen the state of your body?"
"My neck was anchored to the wall for almost all of that time, and I was left in the dark, so the answer to that question would be no. But if it's any consolation I hurt like hell, so I have a pretty good idea where the cuts and bruises are."
He saw McKay quickly look away, visably upset. Damn. Him and his big mouth. He really hadn't meant to hurt his feelings. Their abduction, Rodney being forced to work till he was fit to drop, him nearly dying again for no good reason, was all just one big freaking mess. "I'm sorry, Rodney. I didn't mean to have a go at you. I'm just sore, tired, and I know this isn't over, not by a long way. Friends?"
"Only you would have to ask that. Go to sleep, Sheppard you look like crap. When you wake up…"
McKay turned around, just for a second to put the half empty bowl on the table, but when he looked back, Sheppard was fast asleep.
"Sleep tight, John, you need all the rest you can get. When you wake up, I have quite a story to tell you…"
ooooOoooo
Most of the next couple of days John spent sleeping, eating whatever was handed to him, and eventually managed to sit up on his own without screaming the house down. Okay, so maybe that was a bit of an exaggeration, but being kept restrained for all that time had definitely done a number on his back and neck. On the plus side though, his leg was feeling better, and with McKay's help, he'd finally been able to stand on both feet, at least for a couple of minutes.
McKay had also brought him up to speed as to why Jusana was so pissed at him. For a while he just stared at the photo…speechless. John couldn't deny the guy looked like him, but as for being his dad? Patrick Sheppard would never win any father of the year awards, but he definitely was his dad, and although the old man was an asshole, at least he wasn't a megalomaniac serial killer like Forant.
Question was, what the hell were they going to do? McKay told him Marcen had refused his offer of help from Atlantis, but the young moron was still forcing Rodney to try and find a way of removing the bracelet here. In the meantime no bracelet meant no escape. And, no escape meant he would still be here when the psycho bitch from hell paid another visit, which knowing his luck, would probably be very soon.
ooooOoooo
Standing gingerly with two hands against the wall for support, John flexed each of his muscles in turn, wincing as the barely healed lacerations caught against the rough material of his borrowed cotton tunic. Even turning his neck slowly from side to side made him flinch, but he was relieved that his range of motion was nearly back to normal, and at least the painful muscle spasms had stopped.
"Good evening, Colonel Sheppard. How are you feeling today?"
Crap…John recognised the voice and his heart sank, knowing break time was over. "Still in pain, you'll be glad to hear."
He took his hands off the wall and turned around to face her, disconcerted to see her smiling.
"I really must apologise for my guard. It was never my intention to leave you restrained for that length of time, nor had I authorised him to beat you. Your punishment was deserved certainly, however he took it upon himself to disobey my instructions, so for his lapse in judgement, he too has been punished. I am happy to see you are looking better though and back on your feet, although still favouring your leg. Would you like me to check your wound?"
So, there it was. He'd been expecting it. Good cop, bad cop…the carrot and the stick. What every the hell you called it the ploy was always the same. Show your prisoner it doesn't have to be all hardship and pain. If you just do what we want, tell us want we want etc, we can be reasonable…
"The legs healing fine…thank you." John kept his eyes fixed upon her face, waiting for her next move, like some sick, twisted game of chess.
Her mouth twitched. Sheppard reckoned making that smile must really be hurting, then he saw her jaw set into a firm line. And here we go again…
"Right, well, Marcen has told me you have seen the photograph and now understand why you are here. It was never my intention, Colonel, to hold you accountable for another man's crimes. Still, although I have been assured that you are who you say you are, I still believe you are not entirely innocent in all this. It is still my belief that you resemble Forant too closely not to be aware of his existence, or have some knowledge of his past. Therefore, I still require information from you so that I can bring him to justice. What I require is simple, a current address of where he is living, or if he has passed away, proof of his demise."
John started to speak but she silenced him with a look. "Please, Colonel Sheppard for your own sake, don't say anything now. Take tonight to consider your response, and in the morning we will talk again. I would rather not cause you any more pain, but believe me when I say, I will if I have to."
ooooOoooo
Sheppard limped around the room watched suspiciously by the guard, until his leg nearly gave out and he punched the wall with frustration. He watched as the blood welled up through the small, jagged cuts on his knuckles and winced... Damn it. John cursed though gritted teeth as he shook his hand while making his way slowly back to bed exhausted. Too restless to sleep, too helpless to do anything more than stay where he was.
"What the hell have you done to your hand?" John hadn't heard McKay come into the room, and pulled his hand back as back as Rodney went to take a closer look.
"Fine. If you want to end up with blood poisoning, then that's okay with me." McKay glared at him, then suddenly his look turned to one of concern.
"She's been to see you, hasn't she? But you're still here, so that's a good thing…right?"
John slumped back against the pillows and closed his eyes. The nagging headache which had been lingering all day suddenly started pounding against the inside of his skull, making even the dimly lit room look far too bright.
"You aren't a genius for nothing are you, McKay. Sorry…Yup, she's been and that," he pointed to a barely touched meal sitting on a tray "will probably be my last supper."
Rodney flopped down hard on the opposite bed, his eyes desolate. "Oh…"
"Is that it…Oh? No brilliant plan to save the day? No good news to tell me Marcen has finally come to his senses? That's all you can say...Oh! You really are losing your touch, McKay."
"I know, I'm sorry, Sheppard."
John cracked open an eye, and immediately felt guilty as he saw a dejected Rodney staring down at the floor. "Just ignore me, Rodney. My leg's killing me, and I have the headache from hell. Still, regardless of how bad I feel now, I know none of it will even compare to what's in store when I can't answer her dumb, dumb questions!"
"At least let me see what I can do for your hand." Rodney tore off some of his bed sheet and soaked it the wash basin, before starting to clean up the torn bloody skin.
"Thanks, Rodney, and I really am sorry about before. Anyway, how did things go today, any progress? Is Marcen still okay?"
The scientist shook his head. "Nothing new. For some reason, I don't understand why, but Marcen can't seem to get the device to work the way it was designed. He initially managed to get from the lab on Tynos to here, then from here to the surrounding village, but no further. But that's all we would need if I could just get him to agree to help us."
McKay stood up and started pacing the room. "Actually to tell you the truth, the idiot is getting worse. Oh, he tried to hide it, but I saw more blotches on his arm and we still can't figure out how to remove the blasted thing. He knows he'll die without help, so I don't understand why he won't let us go and take him back with us to Atlantis."
Sheppard suddenly saw Rodney raise his fist, about to hit the wall. "I wouldn't do that, McKay…" Once he caught Rodney's attention, he waved his own damaged hand in the air.
"Right…" McKay dropped his hand, and instead lent his head against the wall for a moment before turning to look at his friend. "What the hell are we going to do, Sheppard?"
"Well, tonight I'm going to try and get some rest and so should you. Then tomorrow, I'll have no choice but to suck up whatever she has in store for me. It won't be the first time someone's hurt me, and hopefully it won't be the last." John attempted a smile. "But, there is something I need you to do for me."
"Sure, anything. What is it?"
"When a chance comes for you to escape, and it will, I don't want you searching for me." He saw Rodney about to protest. "I mean it, Rodney, I'll even make it an order if I have to. Look, I'm not being noble but Marcen was right, you would get lost if you tried looking for me, and I don't want you dying down here. Please, I want you…need you, to get back to Atlantis and bring back help."
"No way, Sheppard. I'm not leaving without you, and I'm a civilian remember? So I won't obey your stupid order either. Just because I'm not a soldier doesn't mean I don't follow your code. What is it you're actually saying anyway? 'Leave no man behind' doesn't apply to you?
Suddenly he saw McKay's eyes grow angry and the scientist turned on him. "Hold on just a minute…I know what this is really about. You don't think I'm capable of getting us out of here, do you? It was fine before when I was using my skills to get the bracelet, but now we know I'm not going to get it in time, you don't think I'm up to the job."
"McKay…" John glared at his friend. Then meeting the hurt, concern conflicting in his bereft eyes, his anger melted away. "Rodney…I think you are one of the most capable men I have ever met, and one of the bravest. If it makes you feel any better, if our roles were reversed, I wouldn't be able to find you either. There are just too many damn tunnels down here. Once I leave this room tomorrow, there's no way you'll be able to find me without help; Ronon, Teyla, plus a squad of marines. It's just too dangerous for one man, even a genius like you. So please, would you do that for me, as a friend?"
John saw the fight leave McKay, leaving behind a grim look of acceptance. "Okay, fine. I'll do what you ask, but I don't have to like it. Jusana's a sadistic bitch, John, what are you going to do when she starts working you over?"
"Survive, Rodney, just survive. For as long at it takes you guys to find me…"
ooooOoooo
TBC