Never Alone Again: Chapter 3-Everything I Need To Break You
For Sanssong...
The echo scared her, as did her own heart pounding. Teyla forced herself to breath. Yet for the life of her, she couldn't slow her own breathing. Her heart continued to pound as if it had a will of its own.
“Teyla, are you okay?” Elizabeth's voice cut through the fog surrounding her mind, bringing her back into the present.
Her body seemed to transition with her mind, slowly relaxing from whatever tension had caused every muscle in her body to ache with pain and bring her to the verge of a heart attack. She still felt lost.
“Where am I?” She asked, amazed at how breathless she sounded.
“You're in the infirmary.” Kate's voice drew attention to the blond doctor. “Do you remember what happened?”
She glanced around, remembering the battle at the entrance to the cave. Ronon and Rodney came running back. Even he looked tired from the hard running they'd been doing in the last few minutes.
“There's another entrance on the other side of this cave.” Rodney said between gasps.
“No enemies.” Ronon finished.
“Good, here's the plan. Teyla goes...”
Teyla must've been distracted by him giving out orders because she didn't see the enemy that shot her. Ronon immediately took the enemy down, but Teyla was already clutching the side of her stomach. Her hand came back bloody.
She noted Ronon and Rodney were standing beside her. That allowed her to calm down, until she remembered that one person was missing. “Where is Colonel Sheppard?”
Elizabeth swallowed, nervously averting her eyes, but she answered the question. “Colonel Sheppard didn't make it back.”
The statement shocked Teyla. He always made it back. Why would this time be any different? She forced herself to think, but for the life of her she couldn't.
“You were wounded.” Ronon said gruffly. “Sheppard told me to take McKay and make for the gate. He wouldn't have it any other way.”
Teyla tried to clear her head. All she could dig up were half, fuzzy memories of being carried by Ronon, but one memory stood out. The tactile feeling of his forehead to hers, something she knew purely by touch.
She knew the touch from their sparring sessions, from the times he brought her to the mainland, from the times he'd left her for a weekend on the mainland. It was a symbol of their friendship, a way of demonstrating it at all times. She wasn't afraid to show it.
Why she'd latched onto that memory, she didn't know. “I remember him placing his forehead to mine.”
Rodney fidgeted nervously. “He did that right before he told Ronon and I to get the hell out of there.'”
“We barely made it to the gate in time.” Ronon added. “If we hadn't left then, we would all have been captured.”
“There was no way to...” Teyla trailed off, knowing the answer before it was given.
“No.” Ronon confirmed unnecessarily.
She allowed her tense body to fully relax, breathing deeply as she did. Her hand went to the bandage. She remembered being shot: the feeling of shock. Why hadn't she stayed conscious longer? She had to attribute it to fatigue; they had been fighting for a long time.
Kate cleared her throat nervously. “Teyla, when you woke up you screamed Colonel Sheppard's name, do you know why?”
Teyla narrowed her gaze. All she remembered was waking to her whole body in overdrive. “I do not remember that.”
“Are you sure?” Kate said gently.
Teyla found it hard to be mad at the doctor. “I am sure. Though of all my memories after being wounded I can only remember is his touch. The rest is difficult to remember.”
“You were unconscious Teyla.” Carson stated. He'd stayed quiet up until now. “I'm surprised you remember anything at all.”
Kate shifted positions to stand next to the brain wave scanner. The scanner now read normal brain wave patterns, but she knew what it had been reading only moments before. “Teyla, do have a headache?”
Teyla fixed the doctor with a calm stare. “No, I feel tired, but I do not have a headache.”
“I think you need some rest.” Carson said. “I'll let Ronon and Rodney stay for a wee bit, but I want the rest of you to let her rest.”
Teyla met Carson's gaze and silently thanked him for letting Ronon and Rodney stay for a bit, she needed the company. Her body had relaxed, but she could still feel the lingering affects of her rude awakening.
Elizabeth and Kate quietly left. Carson checked her IV. It was still securely in position. “Do you want a sedative Teyla?”
“No, not now.” Teyla said. “I am fine.”
Carson nodded. “Five minutes.” He said to Ronon and Rodney. “I'll be back to check on you then lass.”
XXX
“It's back to normal.” Kate said to Elizabeth as they stepped into the transporter.
“Why would that be?” Elizabeth asked, having noted the same thing.
“I don't know. I've never encountered anything like it.” Kate pressed the button that would take them to the control room. “Whatever it was, it dissipated when we woke her up.”
“Do you know why Teyla scream John's name?” Elizabeth stepped out of the transporter on onto the spiral staircase. “Or why she didn't remember it.”
“It could just be shock.” Kate replied. “She might have wanted to say his name before her subconscious mind finally took over when she became unconscious. I've heard of situations like that.”
“But why didn't she remember it?” Elizabeth pressed as she walked into her office, the door sliding open as she did.
“I don't have an answer. I know Colonel Sheppard and Teyla are very good friends, maybe she did it completely unconsciously.” Kate shook her head. “To be honest, I don't have an answer. This is so far beyond anything I've ever seen before.”
Elizabeth sat down and leaned back in her chair. “Do you think she'll just remember.”
“It's possible.” Kate admitted. “Hopefully in time Teyla will remember what happened, and then maybe all the pieces will fall into place.”
One of the gate technicians stumbled into her office. “Doctor Weir, Colonel Caldwell is on subspace.”
Elizabeth sat back up and walked into the control room, grabbing the open headset at the technician's station. “Colonel, please tell me you have good news.”
Colonel Caldwell glanced down. Elizabeth immediately knew this wasn't going to be what she wanted to hear. After a moment he faced her. “We found the planet surrounded by some type of alien fleet. We tried to communicate, but they opened fire.”
“Did you get Colonel Sheppard?” Elizabeth said, her voice betraying her concern and knowledge of what was going to happen.
“We tried to get close enough to beam him out, but we'd barely gone halfway before we had to turn around and enter hyperspace. As it is we suffered some serious damage. The Colonel's implant was still active, but we have no way of knowing whether he's alive or dead. He didn't reply to radio calls.”
“You're positive?” Elizabeth asked.
“I had an officer trying to establish contact with him the entire time. No response.” He leaned closer to the screen. “I'm sorry Doctor. The Daedalus should be back in Atlantis in twelve hours time. We'll need to dock to complete repairs.”
“Of course.” Elizabeth replied. She stifled a tear. “I'll have them ready for you. Atlantis out.”
“Daedalus out.” Caldwell signed off, his image replaced by static.
Elizabeth took a deep breath, then headed back into her office. Kate was still sitting in the chair across from her desk, but Elizabeth knew she could see right through her. Elizabeth forced a smile.
“All bad news.” Kate said quietly. It was a statement, not a question.
“They encountered an alien fleet and couldn't get John out.” Elizabeth turned around. “God, how am I going to tell his team.”
Kate didn't reply immediately. “I'd offer to tell them, but...” Kate shook her head. “...but that's your job. It'll mean more coming from you.”
“I know.” Elizabeth replied. “I don't know how Teyla's going to take it, or Ronon and Rodney for that matter.”
“They will have to cope.” Kate said, sounding unconvinced, but sincere. “It's a hard lesson, one they have to learn.”
XXX
Teyla closed her eyes and lay back against the pillows. Ronon and Rodney had both left, as per Carson's instructions. She hadn't wanted them to leave, but Carson left no room for questions. That left her alone, but peacefully so.
She should have known something was wrong when Elizabeth walked in, her gait unsteady and tears hidden just behind her eyes. Maybe it was the mild sedative already in her body, but maybe it was just because she couldn't believe he wouldn't make it back.
Teyla dimly smiled at Elizabeth. “Doctor Weir, you have good news?”
Elizabeth glanced at her feet and then around the room, not being able to meet Teyla's gaze. “We just received word from the Daedalus...” She trailed off, not being able to continue, knowing that Teyla caught the meaning.
“They encountered resistance?” Teyla asked, her voice quiet, calm. It hid her true feelings, raging emotions that threatened to break loose. Anger, fear, all mixed together into one big feeling of dread buried deep in her heart.
“A space fleet of some kind. They couldn't get close enough.” Elizabeth said quietly “They also weren't able to reach him on the radio.” Elizabeth brushed away a tear.
Teyla calmly met Elizabeth's gaze. Her face had drained of expression. “There must be another way.” Teyla's voice was rich with determination.
Elizabeth turned away, not wanting Teyla to see her cry. “I'm sorry Teyla. I just don't know if there is a...”
“There is always a way.” Teyla replied coldly, calmly, rationally. She knew risks had to be taken, but she'd gladly take them.
XXX
By the time he finally regained control, John couldn't believe it was over, even temporarily. He could feel his heart still pounding from the visions. He silently wished for a cardiac arrest, just to end the pain, just to end the memories burned into his mind.
In the empty black void he was mercilessly alone, able to cry quietly to himself. His mind was exhausted from watching his friends suffer. He kept trying to tell himself it wasn't real, but his soul refused to accept it.
He could already feel his cheeks wet from the repeated images of his friends dying, sometimes by his own hand, sometimes by Orin's, sometimes for other reasons. It was gnawing at him, threatening to burn through the thin line that was protecting him, preventing him from completely losing it. It was preventing him from telling Orin everything, just so the pain would stop and he'd be allowed to die.
Of course he knew that wouldn't be the end. Orin wouldn't just let him die. If he still had control over his own body, he would've killed himself awhile ago. He didn't even know how long he'd been like this. After the first piece of information was given, the cycle would start all over again.
He lay on his back, his body spread across nothing like it was a floor. He closed his eyes, trying to stop the tears. He kept telling himself that his team wouldn't give up on him. He knew they wouldn't. He knew Elizabeth wouldn't without a really good reason.
An enemy army could very likely be that reason. He groaned. His team wouldn't abandon him, but there would be nothing they could do. He moaned, realizing how much it would hurt them, realizing how much it would hurt him. He had to let them go, so that Orin could get nothing from them.
He closed his eyes. “I'm sorry.” He muttered, just as the world began to reform around him.
XXX
A feeling seemed to imprint itself on Teyla. She felt remorse; yet it wasn't hers. The infirmary was quiet, calm, yet Teyla felt the sudden urge to leave. She didn't want to be here, where the lights were shining brightly. She wanted to mourn in private.
Carson had removed the IV line an hour ago, telling her to rest. She'd tried, yet she couldn't seem to get John out of her mind. She felt cold inside, knowing there was nothing being done for him. Knowing that he was dead or captured hurt her even more.
Hospital scrubs were plain, but enough. Thankfully, she'd gotten the shirt and pants. She cast one look to Carson's office, before sliding off the bed and onto her feet. Pain shot up her side for a split second, then vanished. She breathed deeply, then walked right out of the infirmary.
In hindsight, Carson would be angry that she'd left, but she felt an overwhelming urge to leave, to be alone where she could think. The halls were mercifully deserted, at least, the path she was taking was.
It was a seldom used path, which winded along the outside ring of the central tower. It required the use of stairs to get up it, which most expedition members avoided, preferring the transporters. Teyla enjoyed just walking, occasionally looking out onto the sea from one of the panoramic windows along the walls.
She finally emerged in the living quarters section. Right on the edge, the farthest from the gate room, was her room. Just down the hall, was John's. She paused briefly at her room, she knew that'd be the first place they'd look for her.
She glanced down the hall, then turned and walked towards John's room. Maybe something there would bring her comfort. It wouldn't be the first time she'd been in there. One night he'd been explaining the guitar he'd had brought in with the Daedalus. Another night she'd just wanted someone to talk to.
Ronon was waiting for her, leaning against the door as she came around the corner. “Beckett's looking for you.”
“Ronon please, I just need a few minutes.” Teyla's voice was laced with frustration and despair.
Ronon nodded. “Do what you need to. I'll keep Beckett away until you do.” He stopped leaning on the door frame.
“Thank you Ronon.”
Teyla stepped forward and keyed the door. It opened on command, revealing the interior she knew so well. She crossed the threshold of the door and it closed behind her. She'd never been in his room without him. The silence was unnerving.
She slowly walked around the edge of the room, her hand drifting along the top of the shelf that lined the wall. Her hand stopped on the football he kept in his room. It's worn texture immediately reminded her of the time he spent on the mainland with the Athosian kids, teaching them football. Jinto had finally made a football of his own a few months ago.
She moved on, letting her hand slide onto the guitar. It made her smile as she remembered him showing her his 'hobby.' She smiled, remembering that it hadn't sounded like music, or anything she had ever heard before.
“You're trying to get into my mind.” Bob said from inside the cell.
Immediately John tensed, knowing what was happening. His hand drifted closer and closer to his gun. Then Teyla clutched her head in pain, collapsing to the floor. He opened the cell and started firing.
Bob seemed unaffected, stepping forward, pushing John out of the way and onto the floor. John rolled over, realizing that the guards where no longer present, nor was Ford. Teyla was shaking on the floor, her whole body convulsing in agony as Bob approached.
“Leave her alone!” John yelled.
A voice echoed in Teyla's skull, making it hard to focus. Then it disappeared, as soon as it had begun. She glanced over at the nightstand next to his bed. On it rested, War and Peace. John had explained the concept of the book to her, but admitted to only reading about ten pages so far.
John shoved Bob aside, trying to get him away from Teyla. His gun was missing now, so it was just him. “Get out of her mind!” He yelled, emphasizing it with a roundhouse kick to Bob's stomach.
Again, the voice, this time louder, enough for her to realize it was John's. She shook her head, hoping to clear it. She knew she couldn't connect with him, but she had never heard voices before. The only other time she'd heard voices was when the Wraith were connecting with her, but she knew there were none.
There was none of the usual cold feeling that accompanied their presence. Even though she'd long ago learned to coup with that, she still knew the feeling. This feeling made her sick, it wasn't of malice, but of pure unbridled anguish.
John never saw Orin come up behind him and grab him, pinning him in position with the sword drawn around his neck. John struggled as Bob stood back up, standing over Teyla. Bob knelt down, placing one hand firmly around her throat, the other coming back for the inevitable feeding. John screamed and intensified his struggling, not caring if he took his own head off.
The wave hit her with the force of a stunner, knocking her down to her knees. “John.” She gasped.
Then Bob's hand descended roughly into her chest, complete with the sick noise of life being drained from her.
The second wave knocked her completely to the ground.
“Just tell me what I want!” Orin said calmly, almost mockingly.
“Don't.” Teyla said quietly, not knowing why.
“Fuck you!” John said, as the wraith vanished.
“Then watch her die.” Orin said, vanishing himself.
The blind wave of agony sent her straight into darkness.
The echo scared her, as did her own heart pounding. Teyla forced herself to breath. Yet for the life of her, she couldn't slow her own breathing. Her heart continued to pound as if it had a will of its own.
“Teyla, are you okay?” Elizabeth's voice cut through the fog surrounding her mind, bringing her back into the present.
Her body seemed to transition with her mind, slowly relaxing from whatever tension had caused every muscle in her body to ache with pain and bring her to the verge of a heart attack. She still felt lost.
“Where am I?” She asked, amazed at how breathless she sounded.
“You're in the infirmary.” Kate's voice drew attention to the blond doctor. “Do you remember what happened?”
She glanced around, remembering the battle at the entrance to the cave. Ronon and Rodney came running back. Even he looked tired from the hard running they'd been doing in the last few minutes.
“There's another entrance on the other side of this cave.” Rodney said between gasps.
“No enemies.” Ronon finished.
“Good, here's the plan. Teyla goes...”
Teyla must've been distracted by him giving out orders because she didn't see the enemy that shot her. Ronon immediately took the enemy down, but Teyla was already clutching the side of her stomach. Her hand came back bloody.
She noted Ronon and Rodney were standing beside her. That allowed her to calm down, until she remembered that one person was missing. “Where is Colonel Sheppard?”
Elizabeth swallowed, nervously averting her eyes, but she answered the question. “Colonel Sheppard didn't make it back.”
The statement shocked Teyla. He always made it back. Why would this time be any different? She forced herself to think, but for the life of her she couldn't.
“You were wounded.” Ronon said gruffly. “Sheppard told me to take McKay and make for the gate. He wouldn't have it any other way.”
Teyla tried to clear her head. All she could dig up were half, fuzzy memories of being carried by Ronon, but one memory stood out. The tactile feeling of his forehead to hers, something she knew purely by touch.
She knew the touch from their sparring sessions, from the times he brought her to the mainland, from the times he'd left her for a weekend on the mainland. It was a symbol of their friendship, a way of demonstrating it at all times. She wasn't afraid to show it.
Why she'd latched onto that memory, she didn't know. “I remember him placing his forehead to mine.”
Rodney fidgeted nervously. “He did that right before he told Ronon and I to get the hell out of there.'”
“We barely made it to the gate in time.” Ronon added. “If we hadn't left then, we would all have been captured.”
“There was no way to...” Teyla trailed off, knowing the answer before it was given.
“No.” Ronon confirmed unnecessarily.
She allowed her tense body to fully relax, breathing deeply as she did. Her hand went to the bandage. She remembered being shot: the feeling of shock. Why hadn't she stayed conscious longer? She had to attribute it to fatigue; they had been fighting for a long time.
Kate cleared her throat nervously. “Teyla, when you woke up you screamed Colonel Sheppard's name, do you know why?”
Teyla narrowed her gaze. All she remembered was waking to her whole body in overdrive. “I do not remember that.”
“Are you sure?” Kate said gently.
Teyla found it hard to be mad at the doctor. “I am sure. Though of all my memories after being wounded I can only remember is his touch. The rest is difficult to remember.”
“You were unconscious Teyla.” Carson stated. He'd stayed quiet up until now. “I'm surprised you remember anything at all.”
Kate shifted positions to stand next to the brain wave scanner. The scanner now read normal brain wave patterns, but she knew what it had been reading only moments before. “Teyla, do have a headache?”
Teyla fixed the doctor with a calm stare. “No, I feel tired, but I do not have a headache.”
“I think you need some rest.” Carson said. “I'll let Ronon and Rodney stay for a wee bit, but I want the rest of you to let her rest.”
Teyla met Carson's gaze and silently thanked him for letting Ronon and Rodney stay for a bit, she needed the company. Her body had relaxed, but she could still feel the lingering affects of her rude awakening.
Elizabeth and Kate quietly left. Carson checked her IV. It was still securely in position. “Do you want a sedative Teyla?”
“No, not now.” Teyla said. “I am fine.”
Carson nodded. “Five minutes.” He said to Ronon and Rodney. “I'll be back to check on you then lass.”
XXX
“It's back to normal.” Kate said to Elizabeth as they stepped into the transporter.
“Why would that be?” Elizabeth asked, having noted the same thing.
“I don't know. I've never encountered anything like it.” Kate pressed the button that would take them to the control room. “Whatever it was, it dissipated when we woke her up.”
“Do you know why Teyla scream John's name?” Elizabeth stepped out of the transporter on onto the spiral staircase. “Or why she didn't remember it.”
“It could just be shock.” Kate replied. “She might have wanted to say his name before her subconscious mind finally took over when she became unconscious. I've heard of situations like that.”
“But why didn't she remember it?” Elizabeth pressed as she walked into her office, the door sliding open as she did.
“I don't have an answer. I know Colonel Sheppard and Teyla are very good friends, maybe she did it completely unconsciously.” Kate shook her head. “To be honest, I don't have an answer. This is so far beyond anything I've ever seen before.”
Elizabeth sat down and leaned back in her chair. “Do you think she'll just remember.”
“It's possible.” Kate admitted. “Hopefully in time Teyla will remember what happened, and then maybe all the pieces will fall into place.”
One of the gate technicians stumbled into her office. “Doctor Weir, Colonel Caldwell is on subspace.”
Elizabeth sat back up and walked into the control room, grabbing the open headset at the technician's station. “Colonel, please tell me you have good news.”
Colonel Caldwell glanced down. Elizabeth immediately knew this wasn't going to be what she wanted to hear. After a moment he faced her. “We found the planet surrounded by some type of alien fleet. We tried to communicate, but they opened fire.”
“Did you get Colonel Sheppard?” Elizabeth said, her voice betraying her concern and knowledge of what was going to happen.
“We tried to get close enough to beam him out, but we'd barely gone halfway before we had to turn around and enter hyperspace. As it is we suffered some serious damage. The Colonel's implant was still active, but we have no way of knowing whether he's alive or dead. He didn't reply to radio calls.”
“You're positive?” Elizabeth asked.
“I had an officer trying to establish contact with him the entire time. No response.” He leaned closer to the screen. “I'm sorry Doctor. The Daedalus should be back in Atlantis in twelve hours time. We'll need to dock to complete repairs.”
“Of course.” Elizabeth replied. She stifled a tear. “I'll have them ready for you. Atlantis out.”
“Daedalus out.” Caldwell signed off, his image replaced by static.
Elizabeth took a deep breath, then headed back into her office. Kate was still sitting in the chair across from her desk, but Elizabeth knew she could see right through her. Elizabeth forced a smile.
“All bad news.” Kate said quietly. It was a statement, not a question.
“They encountered an alien fleet and couldn't get John out.” Elizabeth turned around. “God, how am I going to tell his team.”
Kate didn't reply immediately. “I'd offer to tell them, but...” Kate shook her head. “...but that's your job. It'll mean more coming from you.”
“I know.” Elizabeth replied. “I don't know how Teyla's going to take it, or Ronon and Rodney for that matter.”
“They will have to cope.” Kate said, sounding unconvinced, but sincere. “It's a hard lesson, one they have to learn.”
XXX
Teyla closed her eyes and lay back against the pillows. Ronon and Rodney had both left, as per Carson's instructions. She hadn't wanted them to leave, but Carson left no room for questions. That left her alone, but peacefully so.
She should have known something was wrong when Elizabeth walked in, her gait unsteady and tears hidden just behind her eyes. Maybe it was the mild sedative already in her body, but maybe it was just because she couldn't believe he wouldn't make it back.
Teyla dimly smiled at Elizabeth. “Doctor Weir, you have good news?”
Elizabeth glanced at her feet and then around the room, not being able to meet Teyla's gaze. “We just received word from the Daedalus...” She trailed off, not being able to continue, knowing that Teyla caught the meaning.
“They encountered resistance?” Teyla asked, her voice quiet, calm. It hid her true feelings, raging emotions that threatened to break loose. Anger, fear, all mixed together into one big feeling of dread buried deep in her heart.
“A space fleet of some kind. They couldn't get close enough.” Elizabeth said quietly “They also weren't able to reach him on the radio.” Elizabeth brushed away a tear.
Teyla calmly met Elizabeth's gaze. Her face had drained of expression. “There must be another way.” Teyla's voice was rich with determination.
Elizabeth turned away, not wanting Teyla to see her cry. “I'm sorry Teyla. I just don't know if there is a...”
“There is always a way.” Teyla replied coldly, calmly, rationally. She knew risks had to be taken, but she'd gladly take them.
XXX
By the time he finally regained control, John couldn't believe it was over, even temporarily. He could feel his heart still pounding from the visions. He silently wished for a cardiac arrest, just to end the pain, just to end the memories burned into his mind.
In the empty black void he was mercilessly alone, able to cry quietly to himself. His mind was exhausted from watching his friends suffer. He kept trying to tell himself it wasn't real, but his soul refused to accept it.
He could already feel his cheeks wet from the repeated images of his friends dying, sometimes by his own hand, sometimes by Orin's, sometimes for other reasons. It was gnawing at him, threatening to burn through the thin line that was protecting him, preventing him from completely losing it. It was preventing him from telling Orin everything, just so the pain would stop and he'd be allowed to die.
Of course he knew that wouldn't be the end. Orin wouldn't just let him die. If he still had control over his own body, he would've killed himself awhile ago. He didn't even know how long he'd been like this. After the first piece of information was given, the cycle would start all over again.
He lay on his back, his body spread across nothing like it was a floor. He closed his eyes, trying to stop the tears. He kept telling himself that his team wouldn't give up on him. He knew they wouldn't. He knew Elizabeth wouldn't without a really good reason.
An enemy army could very likely be that reason. He groaned. His team wouldn't abandon him, but there would be nothing they could do. He moaned, realizing how much it would hurt them, realizing how much it would hurt him. He had to let them go, so that Orin could get nothing from them.
He closed his eyes. “I'm sorry.” He muttered, just as the world began to reform around him.
XXX
A feeling seemed to imprint itself on Teyla. She felt remorse; yet it wasn't hers. The infirmary was quiet, calm, yet Teyla felt the sudden urge to leave. She didn't want to be here, where the lights were shining brightly. She wanted to mourn in private.
Carson had removed the IV line an hour ago, telling her to rest. She'd tried, yet she couldn't seem to get John out of her mind. She felt cold inside, knowing there was nothing being done for him. Knowing that he was dead or captured hurt her even more.
Hospital scrubs were plain, but enough. Thankfully, she'd gotten the shirt and pants. She cast one look to Carson's office, before sliding off the bed and onto her feet. Pain shot up her side for a split second, then vanished. She breathed deeply, then walked right out of the infirmary.
In hindsight, Carson would be angry that she'd left, but she felt an overwhelming urge to leave, to be alone where she could think. The halls were mercifully deserted, at least, the path she was taking was.
It was a seldom used path, which winded along the outside ring of the central tower. It required the use of stairs to get up it, which most expedition members avoided, preferring the transporters. Teyla enjoyed just walking, occasionally looking out onto the sea from one of the panoramic windows along the walls.
She finally emerged in the living quarters section. Right on the edge, the farthest from the gate room, was her room. Just down the hall, was John's. She paused briefly at her room, she knew that'd be the first place they'd look for her.
She glanced down the hall, then turned and walked towards John's room. Maybe something there would bring her comfort. It wouldn't be the first time she'd been in there. One night he'd been explaining the guitar he'd had brought in with the Daedalus. Another night she'd just wanted someone to talk to.
Ronon was waiting for her, leaning against the door as she came around the corner. “Beckett's looking for you.”
“Ronon please, I just need a few minutes.” Teyla's voice was laced with frustration and despair.
Ronon nodded. “Do what you need to. I'll keep Beckett away until you do.” He stopped leaning on the door frame.
“Thank you Ronon.”
Teyla stepped forward and keyed the door. It opened on command, revealing the interior she knew so well. She crossed the threshold of the door and it closed behind her. She'd never been in his room without him. The silence was unnerving.
She slowly walked around the edge of the room, her hand drifting along the top of the shelf that lined the wall. Her hand stopped on the football he kept in his room. It's worn texture immediately reminded her of the time he spent on the mainland with the Athosian kids, teaching them football. Jinto had finally made a football of his own a few months ago.
She moved on, letting her hand slide onto the guitar. It made her smile as she remembered him showing her his 'hobby.' She smiled, remembering that it hadn't sounded like music, or anything she had ever heard before.
“You're trying to get into my mind.” Bob said from inside the cell.
Immediately John tensed, knowing what was happening. His hand drifted closer and closer to his gun. Then Teyla clutched her head in pain, collapsing to the floor. He opened the cell and started firing.
Bob seemed unaffected, stepping forward, pushing John out of the way and onto the floor. John rolled over, realizing that the guards where no longer present, nor was Ford. Teyla was shaking on the floor, her whole body convulsing in agony as Bob approached.
“Leave her alone!” John yelled.
A voice echoed in Teyla's skull, making it hard to focus. Then it disappeared, as soon as it had begun. She glanced over at the nightstand next to his bed. On it rested, War and Peace. John had explained the concept of the book to her, but admitted to only reading about ten pages so far.
John shoved Bob aside, trying to get him away from Teyla. His gun was missing now, so it was just him. “Get out of her mind!” He yelled, emphasizing it with a roundhouse kick to Bob's stomach.
Again, the voice, this time louder, enough for her to realize it was John's. She shook her head, hoping to clear it. She knew she couldn't connect with him, but she had never heard voices before. The only other time she'd heard voices was when the Wraith were connecting with her, but she knew there were none.
There was none of the usual cold feeling that accompanied their presence. Even though she'd long ago learned to coup with that, she still knew the feeling. This feeling made her sick, it wasn't of malice, but of pure unbridled anguish.
John never saw Orin come up behind him and grab him, pinning him in position with the sword drawn around his neck. John struggled as Bob stood back up, standing over Teyla. Bob knelt down, placing one hand firmly around her throat, the other coming back for the inevitable feeding. John screamed and intensified his struggling, not caring if he took his own head off.
The wave hit her with the force of a stunner, knocking her down to her knees. “John.” She gasped.
Then Bob's hand descended roughly into her chest, complete with the sick noise of life being drained from her.
The second wave knocked her completely to the ground.
“Just tell me what I want!” Orin said calmly, almost mockingly.
“Don't.” Teyla said quietly, not knowing why.
“Fuck you!” John said, as the wraith vanished.
“Then watch her die.” Orin said, vanishing himself.
The blind wave of agony sent her straight into darkness.