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Sanctuary Cont
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"I'm fine McKay," Kai assured Rodney for the hundredth time although she didn't sound too convincing even to her own ears. Her headache had turned into a debilitating migraine and blood was still flowing from her nose. She had wadded up her jacket to try and stop the flow, but it wasn't helping.
"Last time you said that you nearly collapsed," McKay argued. He had Kai's arm over his neck and was supporting her as the two walked slowly towards the infirmary. It was a long walk to the tower from the Southwest pier and he was already huffing and out of breath. "I'm either taking you to the infirmary, or we can call Beckett to send a gurney."
Kai wanted to argue. Her pride demanded she at least walked by herself but the truth was McKay was right. Whatever had happened had her equilibrium completely thrown off, she couldn't balance on her own. She was dizzy and every small movement made the lights streak and her head swim.
"I can call someone else McKay," she said, gritting her teeth against the pain.
"Who's going to come this far out, Captain Kirk?" McKay muttered in disgust. "He's a little busy with our guest."
Kai frowned as she panted against the pain. "Who is Captain Kirk? I haven't met him."
"He's-" McKay started to explain and shook his head. "It's not important. Let's keep moving. We need to get you to Beckett. It could be an aneurysm or concussion or-" Kai sagged unconscious in McKay's arms and it was all he could do not to drop her. He lowered her to the ground and reached up to activate his radio. "This is McKay! I have a medical emergency on the Southwest Pier!"
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"Obviously this was Chaya!"
Kai groaned as she came awake to the sound of McKay's raised voice.
Weir's reply was stern. "We don't have any evidence and we can't go around accusing-"
Every small noise was a painful stab in her temples. Stealing herself against the lights Kai's eyes fluttered open. She was laying in a bed in the infirmary. Beckett appeared at her bed side. "Welcome back," he said gently. "How are you feeling?"
Kai grimaced and raised a hand to her temples. "Like someone tried to split my head open from the inside."
McKay made a noise of triumph. "See."
Beckett moved away from the bed obligingly and the lights dimmed.
Weir looked back and forth between Kai and McKay in concern. "Chaya did this to you?" she asked.
It took effort for Kai to lift her head off the pillow and the pressure in her head increased with the motion. "I can't say for sure," Kai said honestly. "I've had a headache all day. It just got worse after our encounter."
"So there's no concrete evidence that it was Chaya who caused this," Beckett defended.
McKay groaned. "Kai said it herself, she shook her hand and she couldn't move! Chaya left and Kai got a bloody nose and passed out. How is this not an attack?!"
"I don't know that it was an attack," Kai said turning to Weir. "It was something...it felt more like..." Kai shook her head. "I don't know, like she was trying to communicate with me maybe. She just kept looking at me like she was waiting for something."
Weir straightened and crossed her arms over her chest. "So you are telepathic?"
"Just..." Kai started to say and grunted as she realized she had once again been caught keeping things from them. "A little," she admitted.
"And you declined to mention it in your briefing," Weir accused.
Kai lifted her chin. She had been with them long enough now she was more confident in her place here. "So did you," she returned.
"Touche," Weir agreed.
Kai grimaced and leaned back against the pillows.
"But you're saying you've psychic abilities?" Beckett clarified. "Like the scans show?"
Kai opened her eyes, squinting against even the dim light. She held up her two fingers close together. "Just a little. I can't actually do anything useful with it."
"Define useful..." Weir said with interest.
Kai shrugged. "According to our histories some Lantians could read minds, move objects, some histories suggest the most powerful of them could predict the future."
"And your people?" Weir asked.
Kai shook her head. "My caste is only taught to defend ourselves from telepathic attack. I can sometimes sense when the Wraith are communicating telepathically, or trying to implant images in another's mind, but I can't do anything about it..."
"So you can sense telepathy?" Beckett asked with interest.
"Worst super power ever," McKay grumbled, but everyone ignored him.
Kai shrugged. "Only sometimes. It isn't something valued nor bred for in my caste. Zian's are prized for physical prowess over mental abilities."
McKay looked disgusted, but Weir had tilted her head in interest. Kai knew the Doctor's fascination with Ancients and in the interest of being one hundred percent honest, she continued. "But there are stories," Kai began, "Rumors about the Outland tribes, the Mortii not tied to the Grand council or The Academy. They are only beholden to the tribunal. They reproduce the natural way-"
"Instead of the unnatural way?" Mckay interrupted frowning in disgust.
Kai turned to him and lifted her chin. She wouldn't apologize to him for her culture. "Instead of artificially, in labs," she corrected. "They choose mates and can become what the stories call Bonded. The Bonded can share a telepathic link."
"Interesting," Beckett said thoughtfully. "And you've never-"
"Bonded?" Kai asked. "No."
"That's a quick reaction," Weir observed.
Kai shrugged. "In my caste taking a mate is forbidden. Attachment of any kind is looked upon as weakness and as I understand it, Bonding requires a deep emotional connection. Absolute trust. Absolute loyalty. Once Bonded it is never ended nor repeated. You Bond for life."
Weir leaned forward intently. "What if they die? Can you pick another?"
"It's my understanding you don't decide to be Bonded. You may choose a mate to spend your life with but that doesn't guarantee a Bond nor would a Bond guarantee a mate I would imagine," Kai replied.
Weir considered all Kai had said. She wanted badly to learn more about the Mortii and the Ancients that had led to the creation of such a culture, but there were more important matters at hand. "So you think Chaya attempted to communicate with you telepathically?" Weir asked after a moment.
Kai shrugged. "I honestly don't know what happened Doctor Weir. I was never very good at telepathy and my caste was not given much instruction. As I told McKay," she said gesturing towards Rodney. "I've had a headache all day. I was out for a walk when she said she wanted to meet me. I shook her hand and I couldn't move, when she left I could move again and then I passed out."
"Well," Beckett said thoughtfully. "You're scans came back clear, but I'm going to have to insist that you be given time to rest," Beckett said stepping forward and looking pointedly at Weir and McKay. "Whatever happened there appears to be no lasting damage," he held out a small container containing four pills. "Take these, they'll help you sleep and alleviate some of the pain. I've adjusted the dose to compensate for your physiology. "
Kai nodded gratefully and swallowed the pills dry.
Weir smiled warmly at Kai. "Try to get some rest," she said laying a comforting hand on the woman's ankle. Kai fought the urge not to stiffen at the contact. Weir was just trying to be reassuring.
"Elizabeth you can't be-" McKay started to rail.
Weir grabbed Rodney's arm and pulled him out of the room. "Rodney," she snapped glancing over his shoulder at Kai.
"It's not going to do any good," he told her. "She can still hear us out here."
Elizabeth sighed and pulled him further down the hall. "Kai needs to rest, but I think we need to get to the bottom of this, don't you?"
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Chaya and Sheppard walked into the conference room together. Even though it was the middle of the night Weir and McKay were seated at the table. John stiffened when he saw Bates was standing behind them, his hands clasped behind his back. He was wearing full tactical gear.
John frowned, looking over the three of them. Bates hadn't been out on a mission which meant Weir had asked him to arm himself. "What the hell is going on?" he asked crossing his arms over his chest. Chaya stood at his side, slightly behind him as though he would protect her from the others in the room.
Weir lifted her chin, and John recognized the composed mask she wore when dealing with an opposing leader, but Chaya wasn't their enemy. He really felt like he had been making progress over the course of the day to convince her to change her mind.
"We would like to ask the same thing," Weir said calmly.
Beside her McKay was practically squirming in his seat as he glared at Chaya. McKay had shown nothing but derision toward Chaya since she first showed interest in John back on the planet.
John glanced back at Chaya. Was this some kind of intervention? Nothing had happened between him and the priestess, but the grim looks on everyone's faces made it clear none of them thought that. Despite her obvious feelings and willingness, John had held back. He wasn't exactly sure why, but he had learned to trust his instincts and kept things strictly professional.
"Nothing happened," John said defensively, gesturing back at Chaya.
Weir arched her brows meaningfully but Rodney shoved himself to his feet, sending his chair rolling away behind him. "Oh yeah?" he challenged. "Tell that to Kai."
John froze, his thoughts whirling. "Zian?" he asked in confusion.
"Yes Major, she's laying in the infirmary after a run in with your little friend here," McKay said stabbing a finger towards Chaya.
"What?" John asked, he stepped back, putting distance between them so his back was facing the wall. His eyes flickered to Bates who already had his hand resting on his sidearm.
Weir stood as well. "We aren't accusing anyone of anything. What happened to Kai could have very well been an accident. I'm sorry Chaya we just need to get to the bottom of-"
"For gods sake Elizabeth stop apologizing," McKay groaned. "We know she did something to Kai." McKay said pointedly.
Chaya went very still. She glanced back and forth between all of them uncomfortably.
McKay narrowed his eyes thoughtfully. "The question is, what and how?"
"McKay," John snapped sharply. Even if Chaya wasn't exactly what she said she was, they needed to tread carefully. She still controlled whether or not they could use her planet, and if she was powerful enough to do something to Kai then she was dangerous. McKay's bullheaded approach could push her over the edge. His hand moved closer to his gun.
"She's an ancient," Rodney declared suddenly.
John's head snapped around to McKay. "She's what?" he demanded.
Rodney ignored Sheppard and took a step around the table towards Chaya. "I'm right aren't I? The perfect health, the energy weapon, the fact that she has the gene. It's the only logical explanation."
"What in the hell are you talking about?" John asked.
Rodney shook his head, his thoughts racing so fast his mouth had trouble keeping pace. "I'm guessing you're right, Elizabeth, she wasn't actually trying to hurt Kai. You thought Kai was an Ancient, and just wanted to try and talk to one of your own, didn't you?" Rodney demanded.
Chaya looked down at her hands.
"I just don't understand the act," McKay said, his tone more gentle. "I mean you must know we would give just about anything to talk to you, to learn from you. I mean what is it? Were you checking us out?"
Chaya lifted her chin. "I see that in my desire to come to Atlantis I have revealed too much of myself."
"He's right?" Weir and Sheppard asked in unison.
Chaya nodded. "I am what you call an Ancient. And it is also true that I can never offer your people sanctuary. But you are wrong as to why I came here."
"Why did you come here?" John asked more gently. If she really was an Ancient the amount they could learn from her was incredible. He couldn't believe one was still alive. It had been over ten thousand years since Atlantis fell.
"I have lived in solitude for so long that when the invitation was extended for me to come to Atlantis, I-" she shook her head. "I shouldn't have," she quickly admonished herself. "And then when I heard...but if you would permit me, I wish to take back the damage I've done to your friend."
"You mean Kai?" Weir asked cautiously.
Chaya nodded. "I did not mean to harm her. I heard about her people from Doctor Beckett, and when I saw her, she was so much like my people I believed I could communicate with her, as we did so long ago. I was wrong. I did not realize I damaged her."
Chaya rose to her feet and looked over at them all. "I am sorry for the deception." Then she disappeared in a swirl of light and energy.
John was the first to recover. He whirled around and bolted towards the infirmary. He footsteps pounded loudly down the halls. When he reached the infirmary the doors hissed open. Kai was on her feet, swaying slightly as she struggled for balance. Her back was to the door but he could see the knife in her hand.
"Major," Kai said in a low voice without needing to look. Even through the haze of drugs Beckett had given her she could hear him.
"You will not need that," Chaya said serenely. "I am not here to hurt you. If you will permit me, I would like to heal the damage I wrought." She reached for Kai, but Kai pulled back, tripping over her feet as she tried to get away.
Kai kept her eyes locked on the threat in the room. She immediately felt better having the major standing with her. The sedative Beckett had given her made it difficult to focus. "I don't want her to touch me," Kai said in a low voice and she stumbled.
John stepped up behind her, catching her arm in one hand to steady her as he drew his gun with the other. He wasn't convinced Chaya was his enemy, but he wasn't going to let her anywhere near Kai again either.
"Please," Chaya was saying, holding her hands out as she took another step towards her.
John glanced down at Kai. Her face was pale and pinched with pain. There were dark bags under her eyes. She looked so vulnerable, standing in bare feet as she faced off against the Ancient woman and yet she gripped the knife determinedly and refused to back down. It made something tighten in his chest.
"Don't touch me," Kai warned through gritted teeth, she flinched as she felt a telepathic shift. Instead of the attack she was expecting however, it was the familiar gentle bump.
Chaya stopped moving, she looked back and forth between Kai and John frowning. She opened her mouth to say something, but Beckett stepped into the room behind her.
"I think it best you listen to her lassie," Beckett warned, the Scot puffed himself up threateningly as he glanced towards where the Major was supporting Kai.
"Chaya-" John started to say.
"It's all right," she said nodding sadly. "I've stayed here long enough," she said and she moved to leave the room.
Beckett came forward and took Kai's arm. "Are you okay?" he asked.
Kai nodded. "Yeah," she said. She reached to slide the knife back in place but she missed the sheath. John took it from her with gentle fingers. "I think I need to lay back down," she said.
"I think that's a good idea," Beckett agreed as he helped Kai slip beneath the covers.
John stood back waiting. "Is she okay?" he asked seriously. "She seemed-"
"She's fine," Beckett assured him. "She has three times the amount of sedative in her system it would take to put you down."
John's eyes widened. He turned back towards the door. "I should-"
"Go," Beckett told him. "We'll be fine."
John nodded grimly and ran down the hall after Chaya.
"Chaya wait," John called trotting after her. Chaya paused and turned to face him. "You and your people are the reason we came here in the first place," he said.
"John I-" she started to say and she paused frowning. Her body went rigid and her eyes had a far away look to them. "I can't-" Chaya said, shaking her head suddenly. "I can't," and she collapsed. She would have hit the floor if John hadn't caught her. "No," she said pushing away from him.
"What the hell was that?" John asked.
"They're coming for them," she said her eyes widening in fear. "I should have never left them."
Weir and McKay rounded in the corner, both of them breathing heavily.
John grabbed Chaya's arm, spinning her around to face him. "What's going on," he demanded.
"I'm sorry John," she said and she stepped back away from him, her form shimmered until it was one of pure light and disappeared.
"Doctor Weir! We have gate activation," a voice came through the comms. "We can't shut it down!" Only a second later the voice came back. "The gate has shut itself down."
Weir and John turned to one another, their eyes wide.
"What just happened?" Doctor Weir asked.
"There's only one way to find out," John said, turning towards the jumper bay.
Weir nodded. "Go!"
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John came through the gate in time to see a large bolt of energy rise up through space and destroy an entire fleet of Wraith ships. He let out a low whistle. He had a pretty good idea now of who was responsible for the impressive weapon. He set the jumper down near Chaya's remote temple. The entire place seemed deserted. He turned to check upstairs when he heard movement behind him.
He whirled around, his hand landing on his gun. He relaxed only a small amount when he saw her behind him.
"Is it Chaya? Or Athar?" John challenged. "Just curious," he added sardonically.
Chaya stepped towards him but stopped when he tensed. "When I was a mortal I lived here, this was my home. When those of use who you call The Ancients Ascended we were supposed to leave behind us all human ties. Some of us found that difficult."
"So you couldn't stand by and watch your people get wiped out by the Wraith," John filled in for her.
Chaya nodded solemnly. "When their terrible fleet approached I lashed out with my mind and with a single thought destroyed them all. The others of my kind did not approve of such interference of corporeal matters. And so I was exiled. My punishment was the unending protection of this planet."
John scowled at her. "Why pretend to be human at all?" he asked suspiciously.
"So that from time to time I may walk among the people, know them as the good, kind souls they are. For thousands of years I have come and gone from the villages never staying too long nor allowing myself to get attached to anyone. I am permitted to safe guard my people, but my people only. This is my punishment. This is what makes it punishment. I can never give you what you desire. If your people came here for my protection, the others would stop me. Do you understand? I can never help your people." she said turning away from him.
"I'm not willing to walk away that easily, there's so much more we can learn from you."
"I can't John," she said. "The others won't allow it," she said.
"That's just-"
"Their highest law is to never interfere. I am bound by those laws. However much I wish to help you," she said sincerely and she looked down at her hands as though she didn't recognize them. "I did not mean to hurt your friend," she reached out and caught John's hand. She paused and a ghost of a smile crossed her face.
"What?" John asked, frowning at the dreamy smile on Chaya's face.
"You have been so guarded," she said. "Had I not looked into her mind and seen you together I'm not sure I would have seen it myself."
"Seen what?" John asked in confusion.
Chaya smiled at him. "A Bond," she said simply. Then she flashed him a radiant smile and faded in a shimmer of pure light.
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So...what did you think? I hope you enjoyed the update!
As we progress through the seasons I plan on skipping some of the episodes here and there in the interest of progressing John and Kai's relationship. If there are any episodes in particular you want to read let me know! I'd love to hear from you!