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It was a little after dawn when the Genii found them. The wraith startled awake first, his superior senses picked up the subtle rustle of the soldiers moving through the underbrush. He turned and saw Sheppard had fallen asleep on watch. Injured as he was, the wraith couldn't do much to protect them, and Sheppard was in no shape to fight off the five men he could hear, not in the state he was in. The Wraith had no choice.

The Wraith climbed to his feet and approached John. John's eyes snapped open, his hand tensed to close around his gun, but there was nothing to grip. His fingers felt clumsy and stiff, the joints aching. It must have fallen from his hand when he slept.

"They are coming," The Wraith snarled and without warning he slammed his palm against John's chest.

John had grown accustomed to the feeling of being drained. This was different. There was more intent to this feeding and it went so much further than any of the other feedings that had ever come before. The Wraith was holding nothing back. The bastard had betrayed him as John always suspected he would and this was the end.

John felt his body shrivel around himself. It lightened as the muscles atrophied and he wasted away until there was nothing left. The very act of breathing took every ounce of strength he had left. The Wraith jerked his back and John's body fell back against the forest floor, too weak to hold himself up.

Somewhere off in the trees he could hear the wraith fighting the soldiers, but he couldn't do anything about it. He couldn't bring himself to care. It took every part of himself to just keep breathing. He was so tired. All he wanted was to close his eyes and go to sleep, but if he did that he knew he would never wake up. He locked his eyes on the trees overhead and forced his tired thoughts to focus on Kai. If he closed his eyes he would never see Kai again. He chest felt heavier and heavier as he fought to keep breathing. Just thinking about Kai made him feel somehow warmer.

The Wraith came back either moments or hours later. Time had no meaning. The Wraith crouched over John's wasted body. John leaned up, straining every muscle he had to scowl at the bastard. "Finish it," he snarled, knowing there was no going back now.

"As I told you John Sheppard," The Wraith said cocking his head to the side. "There is much about Wraith you do not know," and he pressed his palm back against John's chest.

A blast of heat opened up in John's chest and he wondered if he was having a heart attack.

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Kai piloted them through the stargate. The activation would notify the Genii that they had come and so she cloaked as soon as they were through. The Genii fired their weapons at the jumper, but their small arms did little to hurt the jumper.

As soon as they came through the Stargate, Kai pushed against the Bond. For the first time since John left she felt something on the other end. It was weak though, like he was faraway. She had never had the bond feel that way before. She chewed on her lip. She didn't know how the Wraith feeding could effect the Bond or him for that matter.

"John's here," Kai told them. Everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

"The facility is straight ahead," McKay said from the co-pilot's chair. "There's life signs on the surface however, miles from the bunker."

"How many?" Ronon asked, leaning forward.

"At first there was eight, then four...I don't get it, now just the two," McKay said with a frown.

"Sheppard," Kai said half under her breath. She hoped against hope that she was right, and it was him off in the woods, killing Genii soldiers. It certainly sounded like him.

"But what's going on down there?" Carson asked.

"Well, one of them is definitely Sheppard," McKay agreed as he studied the readings. "His subcutaneous transmitter is still broadcasting."

"Could the other be Kolya?" Teyla asked.

"Let's hope so," Ronon agreed. His eyes flickered to Kai. "We'll get him," he promised her and though it was unclear which 'he' Ronon meant, Kai knew Ronon would fight with every thing he had to save John and make Kolya pay.

"Let's land 100 meters south of their position," Ronon suggested.

Kai nodded in agreement and set down the Jumper in a small clearing. They all filed out of the jumper and paused at the base of the ramp, getting their bearings. Kai flinched as a sudden jolt came through the bond. She closed her eyes, trying desperately to follow that feeling back and force the bond to stretch and open wider but the Bond was so faint she could barely feel it.

"You okay?" Ronon asked. "Can you feel him?"

Kai's eyes snapped open. "I feel him, but-" she shook her head. "Somethings wrong."

There were tracks everywhere, but it was impossible to tell which belonged to whom. Ronon settled on choosing the ones least alike that walked off into the forest. "They go the opposite way of the gate," he called to them.

"There's a chance they didn't know which way to go once they escaped," Teyla pointed out. She stayed at the back of the group, watching over Beckett and McKay as Kai and Ronon set off into the trees.

Kai felt nothing but relief to know John had been strong enough to escape, but she couldn't shake the feeling something was wrong. Beckett and the others were struggling to keep up as she and Ronon strode through the dense underbrush. Kai could feel John, she knew he was here, she only wished the connection was somehow stronger, more useful in helping them find him.

"I'm picking up life signs ahead," McKay reported.

Kai looked up at Ronon. "You go left, I'll go right," she said and she turned to the marines, gesturing which ones were to follow her and which should go with Ronon. No one in their group was going to argue when Kai took point. The intensity in her eyes was almost frightening.

Kai slid through the trees, mindful that there could be additional Genii or traps hidden in the thick undergrowth.  As she got closer to the thicket she heard John gasp. Throwing caution to the wind, she bolted towards the sound.

"John!" Kai shouted, not caring who heard her. If they tried to find her, they would leave him alone. She poured her focus into pumping her body faster. She darted through the tree line and spotted a wraith, bent over John's body. Pure fear surged through Kai. It was like the whole universe stood still between one heart beat and the next. He had already been so far gone in the last transmission there was no way his body could survive another feeding. The Wraith would kill him if he fed again.

While her thoughts tripped over themselves her body moved. Without breaking stride she jerked her Blades into her palms and she didn't hesitate. She launched herself at the Wraith. Kai was mid-leap when a burst of energy surged through the Bond. She jerked like she had just been electrocuted. She stumbled and knew in that moment her strike wouldn't work. Instead, she caught the Wraith around the midsection and using her own momentum, dragged him away from John.

She kicked clear of the Wraith with a forward roll that put her between the Wraith and John. The Bond was pulsating with so much energy she found it difficult to focus. She wanted to turn and check on him, but the Wraith was back on it's feet in a defensive crouch.

The wraith cocked its head to the side as it regarded her. It moved and she adjusted, placing herself continuously between it and John. This seemed to amuse the Wraith, but Kai didn't care. All that mattered was keeping John safe. Her eyes narrowed in on the Wraith's shoulders and hands. It bunched it's muscles as though it were going to advance and Kai tightened. She wasn't willing to give up her defensive position protecting John even to take out this Wraith. She wouldn't leave him. Ronon was coming.

The Wraith was so distracted by Kai it didn't hear Ronon until he stepped out of the underbrush, and leveled his gun.  While the Wraith had seemed amused by Kai, he whirled to face Ronon with a menacing snarl.

"Wait!" John's voice bellowed loud and strong behind Kai.

All but forgetting the Wraith Kai turned, her mouth open in surprise.

"That's an order!" John barked, stepping up into the middle of the group to make sure no one attacked the wraith before he could explain. Knowing Kai and Ronon he was surprised the wraith wasn't already dead.

Kai's heart jumped up in her throat. John looked fine. Better than fine actually. His eyes were bright and his skin was flushed, but most importantly the Bond thrummed powerfully between them.

"I don't understand," Beckett stammered. Staring down the barrel of the P-90 he had pointed at the Wraith. "We all saw what he did to you."

John stepped forward past Ronon and Kai. His shoulder brushed against Kai's, in that way he did when he was trying to be reassuring, but his gaze was focused on the Wraith. "He just undid it," John said stepping between everyone and the Wraith.

"Lower your weapons," John ordered turning to the marines.

Everyone looked back and forth uncertainly. Sheppard was the ranking office, but his commands didn't make sense to them. The Wraith tensed, waiting to be attacked.

"How is this possible?" Teyla gasped.

"Don't ask me," John muttered.

The wraith turned back to face John and stood up straight and proud. "The gift of life is reserved only for our most devout worshippers...and our brothers."

John tensed at his words. "Well I guess there's a lot about the Wraith we still don't know," he conceded.

The Wraith shrugged. "Sheppard gave me back my life. I merely repaid the debt."

"What debt?" Rodney stammered. "Are you kidding, he looks younger than he did before."

Ronon refused to take his eyes or his gun off of the wraith, but he leaned into Sheppard. "What about Koyla?"

Sheppard snapped his fingers and padded himself down, but couldn't find the Genii radio. He ran back to where he had been laying on the forest floor and snatched it up, twisting the nob. "Kolya, this is Sheppard."

There was no response.

"Kolya?" John's voice took the dark edge to it. "I figured you'd run. Next time I kill you on sight, you hear me?"

John made a noise of disgust when there was still no response and he threw the radio away from him. He turned back to find Kai watching him carefully. Her grey eyes were wary as she studied his movements, looking for the slightest hint something might be off.

"Let's get off this rock, huh?" he said with a cocky smile.

Kai exhaled for maybe the first time since he was taken prisoner. He was safe and standing in front of her. She hadn't realized until that moment how certain she had been of his fate. How frightened she had been that she would lose him. She didn't know how to express all of the emotions she was feeling. Not trusting her voice she just nodded tightly. John frowned in concern.

"What about him?" Ronon asked, pulling John's attention away from Kai.

John looked over Ronon's shoulder at the Wraith. "We had a deal right?" he asked.

The Wraith chuckled, his eyes running over Sheppard's men who still surrounded him. "I did not truly expect you to honor it."

Ronon held out his gun to Sheppard, offering to let John kill the wraith who had fed on him. John took the gun in his hand, staring down at the weapon. He was torn between duty and honor. He had given the wraith his word, they had fought together and protected one another. The wraith could have easily left him to die. He didn't have to do what he did.

The wraith looked over the group curiously as he wait. His eyes landed on Kai and his head tilted as he stared at her. He sniffed the air curiously, and his whole body tensed as though he had been struck with an electric shock. Unconsciously, the wraith leaned towards Kai, its eyes sparkling with interest.

John's jaw tensed a moment before he moved. He jerked Ronon's gun up and fired straight at the Wraith's chest. Deal or no deal he wouldn't risk Kai. The Wraith dropped to the ground as everyone pulled back in shock.

Ronon swiped his gun back, and checked it. "You didn't kill him," he grumbled.

"No, I didn't," John turned to the marines. "Get him in the jumper, we're going to drop him off somewhere."

Sheppard stepped towards his team. "Thanks for showing up," he said in a bright voice as he patted Beckett on the shoulder.

"Oh sure," Rodney grumbled and they all moved back through the woods towards the jumper.

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It was dark when the Wraith regained consciousness. He woke roaring. He stilled however when he saw John standing before him alone. "Ah, Sheppard," he said, some of the tension leaving his frame. "I thought you-" he started to say.

"There's a lot you don't know about humans," John replied.

The wraith looked around himself thoughtfully. "Ah, I see, next time we meet..."

"All bets are off," John promised him.

"Your Queen-" Todd started. "She would have killed me for what she thought I did to you."

A smirk tugged at John's lips. He wondered what Kai would think of being called his queen by a wraith. "Yes, she would have," John agreed.

Todd tilted his head as he regarded the colonel. "She is something I have never encountered before. Most believe they are only legends. The perfect food. If she is your's John Sheppard, keep her away from my kind."

"I try," John told him sincerely.

Todd snorted. "Ah, yes, Queens are not so easily handled. They must be...persuaded."

A dart whizzed overhead and they both turned to look up at it. John took the opportunity to step back into the cloaked jumper undetected. There Ronon, Kai and Teyla were waiting. Kai was in the pilots chair. She moved her hands over the controls expertly, closing the rear hatch at the same time she took off. John dropped down into the co-pilots chair.

He checked the controls but didn't say anything. There was something elegant to the way Kai piloted. He liked to watch her. While most men were forceful, she always reminded him of someone playing an instrument. Her hands moved elegantly over the controls, every movement was decisive and controlled.

Kai hadn't spoke two words to him since they left the Genii base. He could practically feel the tension rolling off of her. He didn't know if she was pissed about his deal with the wraith, or that they didn't get Kolya...whatever it was, she was totally locked down, and showing no hint of emotion. It hadn't exactly been the romantic reunion he had been envisioning when they saw each other again. He needed to talk to her alone. It was hard to have a heart to heart with a whole team of marines in ear shot.

Kai forced her whole body into lock down. She could feel her emotions roiling inside of her and she refused to let them show. Every single one of her senses was attuned to John, his heartbeat, his breathing, just him. He was here and safe but she couldn't shake the feeling of vulnerability and desperation. She had nearly lost him and now he was right here and she didn't know how to react. So she closed herself off and focused on flying them home. She just needed time to figure out what she was feeling and she couldn't do that surrounded by everyone else.

When they landed in the jumper bay John turned to face Kai. He opened his mouth to say something, however before he could get anything out she stood and left without a word. John blew out a frustrated sigh.

John shoved to his feet to follow, but Beckett stepped in his way.

"Not so fast, Colonel," Beckett said. "I need to run some tests. Make sure you're as good as new."

"I am," John assured him quickly. And he was. He hadn't felt this good in as long as he could remember. He felt almost jittery with unspent energy. He glanced past Beckett to see Kai turn the corner and stride out of sight. "I promise," he added distractedly.

Beckett shot the Colonel a look of disbelief. "I'll be the judge of that. Let's go."

"Ah Colonel," Teyla called, stepping towards him and Beckett. Her gaze flickered to Beckett and he nodded, stepping aside giving them space.

"A moment?" Teyla asked Sheppard.

John stepped closer to Teyla with a frown. "Yeah, what's up?"

Teyla glanced around them and waited as the rest of the marines dispersed, leaving just her, Ronon and Sheppard.  "I wasn't sure if you noticed, but Kai was quiet when we were on the planet."

"Kai's not the most chatty person most days," John pointed out and Ronon nodded in agreement. Something was wrong with Kai and he needed time to talk to her alone. He didn't need Teyla interfering. It would be just his luck that the Athosian would try to find Kai while he was stuck in the infirmary.

"Normally I would agree with you," Teyla said nodding gently. "But I feel like it's important you understand what happened while you were gone. I think it might be affecting her."

John frowned.

"Kai struck Doctor Weir," Teyla said.

John looked back and forth between the two of them in confusion, his eyebrows shooting up. "Kai did what?" he asked.

"She had it coming," Ronon said with a shrug.

John couldn't imagine Elizabeth saying something that would manage to get Kai riled up that badly. Kai just wasn't that easily shaken.

"We also discovered your location through the interrogation of a Genii traitor," Teyla told him.

John crossed his arms over his chest. "Okay..." he drew out the word, not understanding how this could somehow be more important than Kai striking Elizabeth. He pinched the bridge of his nose. Now he needed to talk to Elizabeth before he spoke with Kai, after he got out of the infirmary that is.  

"Kai was the one who conducted the interrogations...physically. I fear that it has effected her...I'm so sorry Colonel, we never should have let her..."

Ronon snorted and shook his head. "That's stupid. Beating the crap out of that Genii didn't touch Kai. She's pissed about something else. Good luck," he said clapping Sheppard on the shoulder. "You're gonna need it," he called as he turned and headed down the hall.

John sighed. He was pretty sure Ronon was right. 

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