Season 2 - sometime after Epiphany

John Sheppard strode hurriedly down the corridor, knowing he was going to get a chewing out by Elizabeth for being late. Ever since the Thaen'ri had come to the city tensions had been running high and everyone seemed to be on edge. Arguments and fights were breaking out all over the city and he'd been forced into the role of peacekeeper, settling the arguments and breaking up the fights. That was why he was late. Sergeants Conrad and Deacon had fallen out over a minor incident and it had degenerated into a fight. He'd had to take a security team to break it up. The tension was getting to him too and he had a nagging feeling of apprehension that he couldn't identify and couldn't shake. Sighing in frustration he walked into the room where they were holding a reception for the Thaen'ri and saw Elizabeth talking to a beautiful young woman. She was part of the Thaen'ri delegation who had come to Atlantis to finalize a trade agreement. As John walked into the room she looked up at him, and that look hit him like a bolt of lightning. He stopped dead, a tight band around his chest making it difficult to breath. A hole opened somewhere deep within him and the grief hit him like a sledgehammer. Unable to move, unable to breath he stood for a long moment that seemed like an eternity. Eventually, forcing himself to move, he headed for a door which led out onto a balcony. Moving to the railing, he gripped it so hard his knuckles turned white. Hot emotion surged through him and he began to shake. Unable to contain it any longer, he bowed his head and began to cry. He stood for a long time, emotions raging out of control until finally, it was over. There was a deep aching void within him, leaving him feeling desperately hurt and alone. He dried his face with his sleeve and with no clear idea of where he was going or what he would do he made his way back out into the corridor and headed for the far side of the city. Finding his way out onto another balcony he stood staring out across the ocean as a gentle breeze ruffled his hair.

Elizabeth looked around the room in irritation, wondering where John was. As military commander he was supposed to be here, helping to entertain their guests. She walked over to where Marcus was standing and said, "Major. Have you seen Colonel Sheppard?"
"No ma'am." Marcus replied, looking uncomfortable.
"I'd like you to find him for me and bring him here." said Elizabeth. "Tell him he better have a damn good reason for being late."
"Yes ma'am." said Marcus. He didn't envy John when Elizabeth finally got hold of him. He left the reception and went to the control room. "Have you seen Colonel Sheppard?" he asked Neil Preston who was on duty.
"Yeah, he was headed for the reception." Preston replied.
"He never made it." said Marcus. "Can you locate him?"
"Should be able to." replied Preston. His hands moved rapidly over the console in front of him and a map of the city appeared on the main view screen. Not finding John in the immediate vicinity, he widened the search until he finally found him. "He's a long way off." said Preston. "Right on the far side of the city."
"What on earth is he doing there?" muttered Marcus. Keying the mic on his commlink he said, "Colonel Sheppard this is Major Lorne. Come in please." Not getting a response he tried again. "Colonel Sheppard, come in please."
A moment later John responded. "This is Sheppard. What do you want Major?"
Marcus and Preston shared a look. They both heard the strain in John's voice.
"Are you okay Colonel?" asked Marcus.
"I'm... fine." replied John. "Now what can I do for you?"
"Sir, Dr. Weir wants to know why you're not at the reception." said Marcus.
"You'll have to give her my apologies and tell her that I won't make it." said John.
"She's going to want to know why sir." said Marcus.
"Tell her..." John began but trailed off. A moment later he said, "Tell her there's something I need to take care of."
Preston looked at Marcus. "You think he's okay?" he asked.
"I don't know." replied Marcus, troubled by what he heard in John's voice. He looked at Preston. "Weir's going to have his hide for this."
"I'm glad it's not me she's going to be yelling at." said Preston.
"That's for sure." agreed Marcus. "I better go tell her what's going on."
"Good luck." said Preston.

Marcus made his way to where Elizabeth was standing with Rodney.
"I don't see Colonel Sheppard." said Elizabeth pointedly.
"No ma'am." said Marcus. "He sends his apologies and says he won't be able to make it."
"He's a dead man." said Rodney.
Elizabeth ignored him. "Did he say why?" she asked.
"He said there was something he had to take care of." replied Marcus.
"I see." said Elizabeth. Her tone didn't bode well for John.

Elizabeth considered summoning John to her office to chew him out but decided to go to him instead. She was furious with him for avoiding the reception but there was a nagging doubt at the back of her mind. John might be wilful but this was completely out of character. When she eventually found him he was still on the balcony, sitting with his back to the wall, his knees drawn up to his chest as he stared out across the ocean. Angry, she strode up to him but as she got close she began to notice things and her anger melted away. He looked lost and hurt as he sat with his shoulders hunched and his arms clasped tight around his legs. She could feel the tension radiating off him and as she came up beside him she could see the redness around his eyes. "John, what's wrong?" she asked in concern as she knelt next to him.
John looked at her and she was shocked by the raw grief in his eyes. He looked away again and then spoke, his voice thick with emotion. "Her name was Ariana and she was the most beautiful woman I have ever met. She had long honey blond hair that reached all the way down her back and she had the most amazing smoky blue eyes."
Elizabeth realised with a start that John had just described Liana, a member of the Thaen'ri delegation.
"She owned a ranch in Wyoming and we were going to get married as soon as my tour in the Gulf was over." continued John. "I was owed some leave so we decided to spend it in Dubai. We were due to meet at Bahrain airport but I was delayed so I sent a chopper to get her." John began to shake as he relived the memory.
Elizabeth put a hand on his arm to reassure him. "Go on." she prompted gently.
"I went out to the airstrip to meet them." said John, barely able to talk past the hurt that tightened his chest. In his mind he saw once again the helicopter making its final approach, saw the flash of the rocket and then the explosion as it tore the helicopter apart. Tears streaked his face as the events of that awful day played themselves out in his mind.
"What happened?" asked Elizabeth, her own voice tight with emotion as she felt John's pain.
For a moment John couldn't speak, then, his voice breaking, he said, "They killed her!" Overpowering grief surged through him as he saw the helicopter falling out of the sky in a massive ball of flame. He'd tried to get to her through the flames but several airmen dragged him away. All he could do was watch as the fire burned out of control.
"Oh John, I'm so sorry!" said Elizabeth, her own tears now flowing freely. She held him for a long time while he cried.

Some time later John and Elizabeth started walking back to the inhabited areas of the city. They'd sat for a long time talking, allowing John to finally regain some degree of control over his emotions. Now, as they made their way back, Elizabeth turned to him and said, "John, I want you to go to the mainland until the Thaen'ri have gone."
"I still have a job to do." said John. "Whatever is going on is not going to stop just because I'm not here."
"I know that." said Elizabeth. "I appreciate what you're doing to keep the peace but this time you need to put yourself first. Take Rodney with you. Use it as a training exercise if you have to but you need to go."
John sighed. "Okay." he said.
"Get what you need and go straight to the jumper bay. I'll bring Rodney." said Elizabeth. She gripped his arm tightly before going off in search of Rodney.
John looked after her thoughtfully for a moment before heading for his quarters.

Rodney looked up as Elizabeth entered the science lab. "Are you okay?" he asked as he took in her red eyes and strained expression.
"I'm fine, but I need a favour" Elizabeth replied.
"Name it." said Rodney.
"I need you to go to the mainland with Colonel Sheppard." Elizabeth replied.
"Elizabeth, what's going on?" asked Rodney.
"I can't tell you Rodney." replied Elizabeth. "All I can say is that John Sheppard needs our help right now."
"I'll get my gear." said Rodney. "How long are we going for?"
"Until the Thaen'ri leave Atlantis." replied Elizabeth.
"The Thaen'ri have something to do with this?" asked Rodney.
"I'm not sure." replied Elizabeth. "Something strange has been going on ever since they arrived. It could just be coincidence but I'm not inclined to believe that right now."
Rodney burned with curiosity but he held onto his questions as he gathered up his gear. When he was ready he and Elizabeth made their way to the jumper bay where John was waiting for them. Rodney was stunned to see John grief stricken and looking so vulnerable. John was a pillar of strength and confidence that Rodney relied on even though he would never admit it. To see John like this shocked Rodney to the core.
"Rodney." said John, a slight quaver in his voice. The grief was like an aching void within him and he was finding it increasingly difficult to maintain control.
"John." said Rodney, shocked into informality.
"You better get going." said Elizabeth gently.
"See you in a few days." said John.
"Take as many days as you need." said Elizabeth.
John nodded and made his way to the jumper's flight deck. As Rodney made to follow him Elizabeth put a hand on his arm, stopping him.
"Take care of him." she said softly.
"I will." said Rodney. Troubled, he followed John into the jumper.

"So, where are we going?" ventured Rodney after they had flown in silence for a while.
John brought up the main display. "A recent survey located some caves deep in the interior. I thought we could go down and have a look."
"Caves." said Rodney. He sighed in resignation. He was pretty sure John knew about his claustrophobia but decided now was not the time to bring it up.
John was silent a moment and then said, "How does the claustrophobia thing work exactly? You're fine in the jumper and in Atlantis, why not in a cave?"
"Caves are dark and they could collapse at any moment." replied Rodney, trying to moderate his sarcastic tone.
"They've probably been there for hundreds of years." said John. "They're not going to collapse now."
"You don't know that." replied Rodney. "The slightest sound could be enough to destabilize the whole thing."
"Come on Rodney. I bet there have been plenty of animals in and out of those caves." said John.
"Animals? As in wild animals?" asked Rodney anxiously.
"I'm sure they're not very big." said John, with a slight smile. The verbal fencing was helping to get his mind of his troubles.
"You don't know that." said Rodney, his sarcasm reasserting itself. "There could be bears or anything in there."
"You don't get bears in the Pegasus galaxy Rodney." said John.
"How do you know?" countered Rodney. "Just because they don't call them bears doesn't mean there aren't bears. Who's to say that life didn't evolve along similar lines to Earth? This is an Earth-like environment after all."
"What are the chances of that happening?" asked John. "The odds must be astronomical."
"Well.... yes." conceded Rodney. "But it could still happen."
"We'll know soon enough." said John. "We're nearly there." He found what looked like a suitable landing place and set the jumper down. "We'll make camp and then go up and take a look."
"I can't wait." said Rodney dryly.

John approached the entrance to the first cave warily. He scanned the ground but there was no obvious sign of prints or habitation. Switching on the flashlight he stepped inside and swept the light across the interior. The cave was large and airy, with an undisturbed, sandy floor. As John moved further in, he caught a strange, slightly unpleasant scent. He played the flashlight across the walls and the ceiling but could find nothing to account for it.
"Is it safe?" asked Rodney from the entrance.
"It's fine." replied John. He continued on towards the back of the cave, the scent becoming stronger the further he went.
"What is that smell?" asked Rodney as he joined John.
"I don't know but it's coming from back here." said John. As he approached the rear wall he began to see several small objects littering the ground. Bending down to pick one up he discovered it was a small bone.
"What's that?" asked Rodney.
John handed it to him. "Leg bone." he said. "Something's been killing whatever passes for rodents around here."
Rodney looked around nervously. "I thought you said there was nothing in here." he said, his voice rising in pitch.
"Relax Rodney. Whatever did the killing flew in." said John, also looking around. His senses were prickling, warning him of potential danger. "Let's move back to the entrance." he said.
They were half across the cave when the grief suddenly hit John. He staggered, unable to breathe as that terrible, aching loneliness gripped him like a vice.
"John?" asked Rodney, forgetting his fear for the moment. "What is it?"
"I can't do this again." said John, his whole body trembling from the powerful emotions raging through him.
"Can't do what? What do you mean?" asked Rodney.
"You can't help him doctor." said a voice from the entrance of the cave. It was Liana.
"What?" said Rodney in confusion.
"Stand aside." said Liana. "John Sheppard is ours."
Determination replacing confusion, Rodney stood in front of John and drew his handgun. "I don't think so." he said.
Liana turned the forced of her gaze on Rodney. Unable to look away, he gasped as doubt and uncertainty hit him like body blows. What did he think he was going to do anyway? Shoot the woman? He was a scientist not a soldier. The gun wavered and dipped as he struggled with his doubts.
Behind him, John was fighting a losing battle. "Shoot her Rodney!" he yelled in desperation. Liana's likeness to Ariana hurt him badly and he knew he could never pull the trigger himself.
"I can't!" said Rodney as fresh doubt assailed him. He knew then that he had failed. Failed the one man who truly was his friend and who now depended on him to save them both. "I'm sorry." he said, tears in his eyes as the overwhelming feeling of failure washed over him.
Realizing Liana was somehow the cause of all this, John drew his gun but his hand was shaking so badly he couldn't aim it. Gripping the weapon in both hands he pointed it in her general direction and tried to force himself to pull the trigger.
"You wouldn't shoot me, would you John?" asked Liana, her voice soft and seductive. "I've come back for you so we can be together again."
"No!" said John. "Ariana died! However much you look like her, you aren't her!"
"I could be." replied Liana. "If you'll let me."
A tight band constricted John's chest as the grief surged once more. Ariana's death played across his mind with startling clarity and his wounded spirit quailed before the fresh onslaught of emotion. Wanting the agony to stop, John lowered his gun.
Liana smiled in triumph and held out her hand. At that instant there was a blood-curdling shriek from the rear of the cave and a large shadow detached itself from the ceiling. It drove straight at John as he spun around, aiming his gun. Before he could get off a shot it slammed into him, its claws ripping through his vest and across his chest as it picked him up and threw him across the cave. With frightening agility it changed direction and went for Rodney. He fired in panic, none of his shots connecting. The creature veered avoiding the gunfire and struck. Claws raking across arm and shoulder it threw Rodney against a wall with enough force to knock him out.
.Liana looked on in horror, realizing she had seriously miscalculated. Unaware of the creature in the cave, she hadn't directed her energies solely at the two men. The overspill had caught the creature while it slept off its last meal and maddened it to the point where it attacked the men, something it would not have done naturally. Now, it was focusing its attention on her. With an angry flick of her hand she directed a short burst of fear at the creature. Caught by surprise, it tumbled to the ground as it tried to stop its dive to turn and flee. Shaken, it managed to lumber into the air and retreat, chittering to the back of the cave.
Liana knelt next to John and gently caressed his face. His eyes flickered open.
"Ariana." he mumbled.
"I'm here John." said Liana, smiling.

"You asked to see me?" asked Norlyn, the leader of the trade delegation.
"Yes. Thank you for coming." replied Elizabeth. "Please, have a seat." She waited until Norlyn had seated himself before asking, "What can you tell me about Liana?"
"She is a priestess of Xan'tra." replied Norlyn. "Why do you ask?"
"Before I answer can you tell me if you noticed anything strange among your people? Fights breaking out, things like that?" replied Elizabeth.
Norlyn gave Elizabeth a strange look. "From the moment she arrived among our people, tensions have been very high. There have been fights as you say, as well as other things."
"How long has she been with you?" asked Elizabeth.
"A few days." replied Norlyn. "She appeared shortly before our journey here, saying she wished to accompany us. We saw no reason to refuse her."
"Since your arrival we have experienced increased tensions among our people too." said Elizabeth. "We have had fights, people have been terrified for no reason, we even had one attempted suicide. We believe Liana may be responsible."
"How is that possible?" asked Norlyn.
"That's what we need to find out." replied Elizabeth. She activated her commlink. "Major Lorne. Could you please bring Liana to my office."
"Yes ma'am." replied Marcus. He quickly made his way to where the delegation had been quartered and knocked on Liana's door. Getting no response he turned to the SO on guard at her door. "Has Liana left her quarters at all?"
"No sir." replied the SO.
Marcus hesitated a moment then ran his hand across the door sensor to open it. "Liana?" he called through the open door. Still not getting a response he entered the room to find that Liana was gone. "This is Major Lorne. We have a security breach. Liana of the Thaen'ri delegation is missing from her quarters." he said as he keyed his commlink.
"Major, I would like you to organize teams to search the city and then report to my office." said Elizabeth. She looked grimly at Norlyn. "Liana is missing. Is there anything else you can tell me about her?"
"I'm afraid not. We had never heard of the Xan'tra until a few days ago." replied Norlyn. "She seemed sincere enough so we did not question her."
Before Elizabeth could comment further, Ronan and Teyla entered the office.
"We'd like to assist in the search." said Teyla.
"Thank you." said Elizabeth. "Ronan your help will be much appreciated. Teyla, I have something else I need you to do." She quickly outlined what had been happening in the city and her suspicions regarding Liana, only leaving out the circumstances surrounding John. "I need you to warn your people to be on their guard and also see if you can find out anything about the Xan'tra."
"I will need someone to fly me across to the mainland.." said Teyla.
"Take Sgt. Stackhouse." replied Elizabeth.
As they turned to leave, Marcus approached across the control room. Ronan stopped to wait for him while Teyla went to find Stackhouse.
"You wanted to see me?" asked Marcus as soon as he reached the office.
"I need you to take a team across to the mainland and locate Colonel Sheppard and Dr. McKay." said Elizabeth. "Tell them what's happened and that I need them to return to Atlantis."
"May I ask what they're doing on the mainland?" asked Marcus.
"Special mission." replied Elizabeth. "This is very important Major. I need them back here as soon as possible. Oh, and take Dr. Beckett with you."
"Dr. Beckett?" asked Marcus.
"Yes, you may need him." replied Elizabeth. "That will be all Major."
"I'll get right on it." said Marcus. He wondered what kind of special mission could take away the military commander in the middle of a crisis but he refrained from asking. And why did he need to take a doctor?

"It is good to see you again Teyla." said Halling. He clasped Teyla's hands and touched her forehead with his in the ritual greeting.
"I have missed you." said Teyla. "You are well I trust?"
"I am very well, thank you." replied Halling. "What has brought you back to your people?"
Teyla ignored the gentle reproach in his voice. "I have come to warn you of a possible threat." she replied. "Have you heard of the Xan'tra?"
"The Xan'tra?" replied Halling. "I haven't heard of them for a long time. Why do you ask?"
Teyla quickly explained what had been happening. "What can you tell us about them?" she asked.
"It is said they are similar to the Wraith but they have no physical body." replied Halling. "From what I remember they were said to feed on strong emotions. They would affect everyone in a chosen village until they found one in whom the emotions were strongest. The Xan'tra would then drain them until there was nothing left."
"They died?" asked Teyla.
"Not exactly." said Halling. "It might have been better if they had."
"How do we fight them?" asked Teyla.
"I do not know." replied Halling.

"Atlantis, this is Major Lorne." said Marcus.
"Go ahead Major." said Elizabeth.
"We've located the puddlejumper but there's no sign of Dr. McKay or Colonel Sheppard." said Marcus. "We're going in for a closer look."
"Okay Major. Let me know what you find." said Elizabeth, a chill of foreboding running down her back. She hoped they were in time.
Marcus set the jumper down near Jumper One and reset the H.U.D. to search for the two men's radio signals. He found them a bit further out than he was expecting. "Looks like they're in a cave." he said.
"A cave?" asked Carson in surprise. "Rodney's claustrophobic. Why would he be in a cave?"
"I don't know Doc. Why don't we go ask them?" suggested Marcus.
It took Marcus and the team half an hour to reach the cave. The life signs detector showed both John and Rodney were near the entrance but neither was moving.
"Colonel Sheppard! Dr. McKay!" called Marcus. There was no response. He signaled everyone to ready their weapons and led them cautiously into the cave, Carson prudently bringing up the rear. He saw John almost immediately, lying flat on his back near the entrance. A quick sweep of his light revealed Rodney lying against a wall. "Clarke, check out Dr. McKay. The rest of you spread out and search the cave." he ordered. He followed Carson to John's side and was dismayed to see John's shirt and vest soaked in blood.
Working quickly Carson checked John's vital signs and was relieved to find him alive but weak from loss of blood.
"Is he alive?" asked Marcus.
"Aye, but he's lost a lot of blood." replied Carson. "We need to stop the bleeding before we can move him."
"Major!" called Clarke. "Dr. McKay's been badly hurt. He's losing blood."
Carson and Marcus joined Clarke. They could see immediately that Rodney's wounds were more serious than John's. There were deep gashes from wrist to shoulder which were bleeding freely and blood on the side of his head revealed a contusion where he had hit the wall.
"This is not good." said Carson. "I need Dr. McKay moved to the entrance, near Colonel Sheppard, and I will need the assistance of two of your men."
"You got it." said Marcus. "Dawson!" he called. When Dawson joined them he continued. "I need you and Clarke to move Dr. McKay close to Colonel Sheppard and then assist Dr. Beckett."
"Yes sir." said Dawson. As carefully as they could, he and Clarke picked up Rodney and carried him over to where John was lying. As they set him down Carson broke open the medical kit and began issuing rapid instructions.
Marcus left them to it and gathered his men to get a report.
"The cave's empty sir, except for some creature up near the ceiling at the back." said Carlson.
"Does it pose a threat?" asked Marcus, thinking of John and Rodney's injuries.
"It appears to prey only on small mammals sir." replied Carlson. "There are a number of small animal bones scattered around the rear of the cave."
"Something attacked Sheppard and McKay so I want a watch set up just below the cave." said Marcus. "Johnson, Tennant I want you to return to the jumpers and bring back two stretchers. We're going to need them."
With a chorus of "Yes sir." the men moved to obey. Marcus watched them go and then turned his attention to Carson, Clarke and Dawson. All three men's hands were bloody as they worked to stop the bleeding. Marcus wondered what could possibly have taken place here. He wished Ronan was here to try and make sense of the tracks but he was with the security teams searching the city. Ever since the trade delegation had arrived things had started to fall apart in Atlantis and he had a gut feeling this attack was somehow connected. If only he knew how.

"Atlantis, this is Major Lorne. We're declaring a medical emergency. Please have medical teams standing by in the jumper bay." said Marcus.
"Roger that." said Preston, alerting the infirmary to the situation.
"Major, this is Dr. Weir." said Elizabeth, her heart hammering. "What kind of emergency?"
"Colonel Sheppard and Dr. McKay appear to have been attacked by some kind of animal." replied Marcus. "They've both lost a lot of blood."
Elizabeth didn't know what to say for a moment. This wasn't what she had been expecting. "Roger that Major. Medical teams will be waiting for you when you arrive."

"We'll need to set up units of blood for transfusions." said Carson as they wheeled the gurneys towards the infirmary. "The wounds are deep and will need to be stitched and Dr. McKay will need an x-ray of that head wound to make sure there isn't a fracture."
Staff scattered in all directions to carry out Carson's instructions.
Meanwhile, Elizabeth had asked Marcus to come to her office.
"Can you tell me what's going on Doctor?" asked Marcus.
"There is a woman with the trade delegation who is more than she appears to be." replied Elizabeth. "According to our information, she is high priestess to a race of aliens called the Xan'tra. These aliens feed off emotional energy. You may have noticed the fights breaking out all over the city. The Xan'tra enhance strong emotion in order to feed off of it."
"Similar to the way the Wraith enzyme works only on emotions." said Marcus.
"Yes, exactly." said Elizabeth. "Liana has disappeared and it's my belief that she's going after Colonel Sheppard."
"What makes you say that?" asked Marcus.
"From what Halling has told us, the Xan'tra affect everyone in a chosen area until they can single out one specific individual with the strongest emotions." replied Elizabeth. "For reasons I can't explain, I believe that individual is John Sheppard."
"Which is presumably why he went to the mainland." said Marcus.
"Not exactly." replied Elizabeth. "We only came by this information after Colonel Sheppard left. I sent him there for a different reason."
"Did it have anything to do with the current situation?" asked Marcus.
"Yes." replied Elizabeth. "I'm sorry Major, but the reason is privileged information. Suffice it to say, it's why Colonel Sheppard has been singled out."
Marcus burned with curiosity but he knew better than to pursue it. Instead he asked, "What do the Xan'tra do with the person they single out?"
"According to Halling they completely drain the victim who then falls into a coma from which they never recover." replied Elizabeth.
Marcus was silent a moment then asked, "Do we know how to fight them?"
"Again, no but I'm hoping there's something in the Ancient database that will help us." replied Elizabeth. "Dr. Zelenka is conducting a search."
Marcus considered his options. "I'd like to send teams offworld to see if we can find out more about these aliens." he said.
"Agreed." said Elizabeth. "Send Teyla and Ronon with them. They may be able to help."
Marcus nodded his assent and left to organize the teams.
Elizabeth went out into the Control Room to where Radek was working. "How's it going?" she asked.
"Slowly." replied Radek. "The Ancient database is large. It will take time to find anything."
"Time is something we may not have a lot of." said Elizabeth.

Elizabeth looked up from her work as Carson politely tapped on the door. "Carson. Come in." she said. "How are Colonel Sheppard and Dr. McKay?"
"Rodney's injuries are considerably worse as his arm and shoulder were unprotected but both of them are resting comfortably." replied Carson. "I'm concerned about Colonel Sheppard though. He should have regained consciousness by now but he is showing no signs of doing so."
"What about Rodney?" asked Elizabeth, her stomach tied in knots. Her worst fear had just been realized.
"He hasn't regained consciousness either but he received a head injury." replied Carson. "It may be a while before he's awake."
"There's something you should know." said Elizabeth reluctantly. "I have reason to believe John Sheppard is under attack from a previously unknown alien species." She went on to tell Carson everything she had learned about the Xan'tra.
"That explains all the strange behavior lately." said Carson.
"Is there any way to detect an attack on Sheppard?" asked Elizabeth.
"Do you have any idea which emotion will be the strongest?" asked Carson.
"Grief." replied Elizabeth. "It's very powerful Carson."
"What happened?" asked Carson.
"John's fiancée was killed in a rocket attack during his tour in the Middle East." replied Elizabeth. "He watched it happen."
"Dear God." said Carson. "Mind you, it explains a great deal."
"What do you mean?" asked Elizabeth.
Carson hesitated, unsure if what he was about to say would be considered patient/doctor privilege or not. In the end he decided it wasn't. "You're aware John Sheppard always takes the late shifts when he's not offworld?" he asked. When Elizabeth nodded he continued. "You may not be aware that he suffers what are sometimes quite horrific nightmares."
"No, I didn't know." said Elizabeth, startled.
"I only found out by accident." said Carson. "I was going by his quarters one night when I heard him shouting. When I finally managed to wake him he was quite distressed but he refused to talk about it. At first I thought it was the death of Colonel Sumner but I gradually became convinced that it was something else. I had no idea it was something like this."
"Why didn't you inform me?" asked Elizabeth. "I could have gotten Kate Heightmeyer involved."
"He won't talk to her." replied Carson. "I've tried several times to convince him but he won't hear of it. I never told you because it never affected his performance." He didn't tell Elizabeth he'd been prescribing sleeping tablets to John since that first night.
There was a long moment of silence, then Elizabeth asked quietly, "Is there a scan that will tell us if John is under attack?"
"I think I can re-configure the Ancient scanners to detect abnormal emotional states." replied Carson. "It should give us what we need."
"Thank you Carson." said Elizabeth. "Let me know what you find."

John knelt on the desert floor, his body shaking from the grief raging through him. Before him the wreckage of the helicopter burned uncontrollably. He didn't know how long he'd been there but it was as if someone had taken this moment and frozen it for all eternity. Tears streaked his face as he wept openly. As the pain tore him apart he didn't think it was possible to hurt any more. He was wrong. She came to him, stepping out of the burning wreckage and walking towards him. The long, honey-blond hair, the sensuous way she walked, drove a knife straight through his heart. She stopped near him and John looked up into her beautiful, smokey blue eyes.
"Why are you doing this?" he asked, his voice little more than a hoarse whisper.
"You're pain gives us strength." replied Liana, as she gently smoothed the hair away from his forehead.
"Us?" asked John, fighting the raw emotion that surged at her touch.
"We are to the Wraith as the Ancients are to you." replied Liana gently.
"How is that possible?" asked John.
"That is no longer important." said Liana. "Soon you will have given us all that we need and then we shall sleep for a time."
"Why me?" asked John.
"When we scanned your people you stood out like a shining beacon." replied Liana. "Although suppressed, your grief is so powerful it drew us to you. It was simple enough to bring it to the surface."
"And the rest of the city? You are affecting them too?" asked John.
Liana smiled. "You alone are not sufficient to sustain us. We use the accumulated energy of the others to augment what we get from you." she said.
"What will happen to them?" asked John.
"Nothing. When we leave they will return to normal." replied Liana. "It will not be so with you though."
"So I'm going to die?" asked John.
"Once we have taken all that we need there will be nothing left." replied Liana. "You're body cannot stand the strain imposed on it while we drain your mind."
John looked away from Liana and back to the helicopter, his chest constricting painfully. He desperately wanted this to stop, wanted to put an end to the pain that was slowly killing him. "Don't do this." he pleaded.
"I'm sorry." said Liana. She ran her fingers gently down his cheek before fading and disappearing, leaving him alone to be consumed by his grief.

"How are they?" asked Elizabeth as she stood by Rodney's bed.
"Rodney's condition is unchanged." replied Carson. "The head wound is not serious but he's unlikely to regain consciousness for a few hours yet."
"And John?" asked Elizabeth.
Carson sighed. "Not good." he said. "The scanners show his emotions are running abnormally high. Sustaining that level of mental energy is putting tremendous strain on his body as well as his mind. It's simply a question of which burns out first."
"Is there anything you can do for him?" asked Elizabeth anxiously.
"Not much." replied Carson. "We need to do something soon or it will be too late to save him."
Elizabeth fought down a rising tide of emotions and tried to think. It wasn't easy with her eyes taking in the tubes and wires crisscrossing John's body. "What about a medically induced coma?" she asked. "Can you shut him down enough to stop the Xan'tra feeding off his emotions?"
"It's risky." said Carson. "I may have to put him so far down we couldn't get him back again."
"But it could work?" pressed Elizabeth.
"Aye, it could work." replied Carson reluctantly. "But I would only use it as a last resort and maybe not even then."
"I hope it won't come to that," said Elizabeth. "but at least it gives us an option."

Marcus sighed in frustration. This was the fifth village they had visited and so far they had nothing to show for it. The Athosians seemed to be the only ones who had ever heard of the Xan'tra. At this rate, by the time they found out anything it would be too late to save Colonel Sheppard. He led his team down to the Stargate and was just about to dial the next planet when he was struck by a sudden thought. If the only information they had was old stories, where was the only place in the galaxy where there was someone old enough to know the stories first hand? Quickly he dialed in the address and led his team through the Gate.

"Thank you for seeing us Marin." said Teyla.
"It's good to see you again Teyla." said Marin warmly. "In what way can I help? Your message said it was urgent."
"Do any of your old stories speak of a race called the Xan'tra?" asked Teyla.
"I'm not familiar with that name." replied Marin. "Can you tell me anything about them?"
"From what we know they are an ancient race, possibly from the time of the Ancestors." replied Teyla. "It is said they had no physical form and that whenever they were present emotions would run out of control."
"People get angry or afraid for no reason. Fights break out, others cry or try and kill themselves. Everyone seems to go crazy." said Stackhouse.
"I may have heard something like this a long time ago." said Marin thoughtfully. "Why do you need to know?"
"We believe they are among our people." replied Teyla.
Marin looked shocked for a moment and then said, "Come with me." Turning, he led the way to a dwelling on the far side of the village. An old man was sitting on the verandah enjoying the sun. "Please forgive this intrusion Jareth but these people need your help."
Jareth's eyes settled on Teyla. "What can I do for the daughter of Tagan?"
"You knew my father?" asked Teyla, startled.
"For many years." replied Jareth with a smile.
"I am honored to meet you." said Teyla with an answering smile. "I need to know what you know about the Xan'tra."
"It's been many a long year since I last heard that name." said Jareth. "The stories passed down through my family are few but they all say the Xan'tra are a dangerous enemy. They are much like the Wraith but they do not feed on the body. They feed instead on the mind."
"How do we fight them?" asked Teyla.
Jareth was silent for a long moment. "There is nothing in the stories to say how they may be defeated. I assume by your question that they have attacked your people?"
"Yes." replied Teyla. "They appear to have singled out one man in particular."
"Then you do not have much time." said Jareth. "They will drain him until there is nothing left, then they will discard him and move on."
"They will take another?" asked Teyla in concern.
"Not among your people." replied Jareth. "They will disappear for a time and then attack another village on a different world."
"We must find a way to stop them!" said Stackhouse in frustration.
"If there is a way, it has not been passed down in the stories." said Jareth. "I am sorry I cannot be of more help."
"You have been of great help. Thank you." said Teyla.

"I heard about this guy when I was a runner." said Ronan. "His family have been storytellers for many generations. If anyone knows about the Xan'tra he will."
"I hope so because we're running out of time." said Sgt. Barnes.
As they approached the village, they were greeted by a number of villagers.
"Ronan! It's good to see you again." said Baris as he clasped Ronan's arm in greeting.
"It's good to see you too." said Ronan. "We need to talk to Dehlin. Is he here?"
"You're in luck. He's just returned." replied Baris. "Come on, I'll take you to him."
Baris led them through the village to where a man was handing out fruit to a group of children. They waited until he had finished and the delighted children had scattered before approaching.
"Dehlin." said Ronan with a smile. "Still spoiling the children I see."
"Someone has to." said Dehlin, smiling as he watched the children. "It's been a long time Ronan." he said more seriously. "Still running from the Wraith?"
"No. I met some people who helped remove the tracking device." replied Ronan.
"These people?" asked Dehlin, indicating Barnes and his men.
"Yes." replied Ronan. "We need your help Dehlin. We've been attacked by the Xan'tra. Is there anything you can tell us that will help us fight them?"
"They are an old, old enemy." replied Dehlin. "The stories say they were from the time of the Ancestors but no-one knows where they came from. They prey on the mind in much the same way the Wraith prey on the body. It is said that they have no physical form except one who is a priest or a priestess. That one would go among a chosen village causing contention and fear which the others fed on. Then they would single out a particular person and would drain them fully, destroying their mind in the process. When they had their fill they would disappear for a time only to reappear somewhere else."
"They hibernate like the Wraith?" asked Ronan.
"No-one knows." replied Dehlin. "Have they singled someone out yet?"
"It appears so, yes." replied Ronan. "How do we fight them?"
"I don't know but the priest or priestess is the key." replied Dehlin. "Kill them and you may be able to save the one that's been taken."
"Thank you." said Ronan gratefully.
"Good luck." said Dehlin. "Don't leave it so long before your next visit."
"I won't." promised Ronan.

Carson had just finished changing Rodney's dressings when Rodney stirred and moaned. His eyes flickered open and he stared blearily at Carson.
"Rodney?" said Carson.
"Carson. What happened?" asked Rodney as he tried to get his eyes to focus.
"We were hoping you could tell us." said Carson. "You appear to have been attacked by some kind of animal."
"Sheppard!" said Rodney suddenly. "Is he okay? Did she hurt him?"
Carson's eyes flicked across to the other bed where John lay, pale and still. "He's here." he replied evasively. "Why don't you tell me what happened?"
"We went to investigate a cave." said Rodney as he struggled to remember. "Liana followed us. She... I...." he stumbled to a halt as he remembered the feeling of failure that had washed over him.
"What did she do?" asked Carson gently.
"She did something to us." said Rodney, his voice distraught. "Oh God Carson, I couldn't help him! He needed me and I couldn't do it, I couldn't shoot her. I failed him." Tears flowed freely down his cheeks.
"It's not your fault Rodney." said Carson reassuringly. "Liana attacked your mind. There was nothing you could have done to stop her."
"I could have tried!" snapped Rodney. "Sheppard did. He fought her every step of the way!"
Aye, and he still paid a heavy price. thought Carson. Aloud he said, "How did you get the injuries?"
"There was something in the cave with us." replied Rodney. "It attacked us. Sheppard was thrown across the cave. That's the last I saw before I was attacked. How is he?"
"He lost a lot of blood like you but his injuries aren't severe." said Carson. "Why don't you try and get some rest. We can talk about this later."
Rodney was too keyed up to be put off. "What aren't you telling me Carson?"
"Rodney.." began Carson but Rodney cut across him.
"I want to know Carson!" he demanded.
Carson sighed. "Brain wave scans show Colonel Sheppard is under attack from the Xan'tra." he said.
"Xan'tra?" asked Rodney.
"That's what the aliens are called." replied Carson. "They feed on emotional energy."
"What's being done to help him?" asked Rodney.
"We have teams offworld looking for information and Radek is searching the Ancient database." replied Carson. "Elizabeth could give you a better idea of what's going on."
"Elizabeth, yes. I need to talk to her." said Rodney. He threw back the covers and swung his legs over the side of the bed, an action he instantly regretted as it made his head swim.
"Where do you think you're going?" demanded Carson.
"I need to see Elizabeth." snapped Rodney.
"You are not walking around the corridors in your condition!" said Carson adamantly.
"Carson." said Rodney warningly.
"No Rodney." said Carson. "Now get back into bed. I'll let Elizabeth know you want to see her."
Rodney did as he was told without arguing any further. The concussion and loss of blood were making themselves felt and he didn't feel so good. As he got settled he glanced over to where John lay. John's stillness frightened him and he felt once again that he had failed his friend.

"Chaya! Chaya Sar! I need to talk to you!" called Marcus. He swept his gaze around the temple, hoping she would come.
"What can I do for you Major?" asked Chaya from the balcony above Marcus.
"John Sheppard needs your help." said Marcus.
Chaya frowned and hurried down the stairs. "What has happened?" she asked in concern.
"He's been attacked by the Xan'tra" replied Marcus. "We need your help to fight them."
Chaya drew in her breath sharply. She knew all about the Xan'tra and how they preyed on humans. They had tried to attack her people once but she had driven them off and they had never tried again. Now they were attacking someone who meant a great deal to her yet she was powerless to help him. Although she could leave her planet for a short time she was forbidden to do anything. It would violate the terms of her exile. Whatever else, her people had to be her first priority even if it mean the death of one who held her heart. Her heart aching, she turned away from Marcus with tears in her eyes.
"Chaya?" asked Marcus. "Will you help us?"
"I can't." replied Chaya, distressed. "I am forbidden to interfere."
"If we don't find a way to stop the Xan'tra John Sheppard will die." said Marcus.
"Do you think I don't know that?" demanded Chaya angrily as she spun to face Marcus. "If I help him I will be forced to abandon my people. I cannot do that, no matter what the consequences."
"Can you at least tell us about the Xan'tra? How do we fight them?" asked Marcus.
Chaya was silent a moment. "The Xan'tra are non-corporeal." she said. "They are what the Wraith will eventually become, just as we are the next step in your evolution."
"Ascended Wraith?" asked Marcus in disbelief.
"In a manner of speaking." replied Chaya. "My people used various means to experiment with ascension. One such was a DNA manipulation device which works incrementally, artificially advancing a human toward ascension. One of these devices was being transported to one of our research facilities when the Wraith attacked. They captured the device and the scientist transporting it. From him they learned how to use it. Three of them achieved ascension before we were able to destroy the device. Of the three, one is able to take on human form and she acts as a channel for the others. She will move among a chosen group of people enhancing their feelings and emotions, as it is this upon which they feed. They seek out one in whom these emotions are strongest, draining them until there is nothing left."
"Why only one?" asked Marcus.
"One is enough to satisfy their hunger. At least for a time." replied Chaya.
"So you're saying all we can do is stand by and watch Colonel Sheppard die." said Marcus harshly.
Chaya didn't speak for a moment, she couldn't. It hurt too much. Eventually she managed to say, "The female. She is vulnerable in her corporeal form and can be killed. Only then can you stop them." With that she turned and left them.

"You wanted to see me?" asked Elizabeth.
"Yes." replied Radek. "I have found a reference to the Xan'tra in the Ancient database."
"What does it say?" asked Elizabeth.
"It confirms the Xan'tra are non-corporeal." replied Radek. "Apparently they attacked Atlantis causing widespread chaos in the city."
"Does it say how the Ancients defeated them?" asked Elizabeth.
"They didn't." replied Radek. "They created some sort of device to detect the Xan'tra. When they used it the Xan'tra fled and never returned."
"Until now." said Elizabeth.
"Yes." agreed Radek.
"Is there any way we could re-create this device?" asked Elizabeth.
Radek checked the database for a moment before answering. "All the technical specifications are here. I believe we could use them to build the device."
"Use whatever resources you need." said Elizabeth. "Colonel Sheppard doesn't have a lot of time."
"I understand." said Radek. "It will be done as quickly as possible."
Elizabeth smiled. "Thank you Radek." she said. She returned to her office, leaving him with a feeling of gratification.
Feeling pleased, Radek went out into the main lab. The first thing he saw was Leslie Stuart with her arms around Patricia Philips who was crying. "Are you all right? What happened?" he asked in concern.
"Kavanaugh." replied Leslie. "He's even more arrogant and puffed up than usual and he's going around like he owns the place. He belittled Pat in front of the entire science team."
"Right." said Radek, suddenly possessed by an irrational anger. He marched across the lab to where Kavanaugh was busily tearing strips off Bradley Scott, a young technician.
Kavanaugh spotted Radek and turned to greet him. "Why if it isn't McKay's little sidekick." he sneered. "Something I can do for you little man?"
Infuriated, Radek walked up to Kavanaugh and without a word hit him with a haymaker punch. Kavanaugh's head snapped back and his eyes glazed as he went over backwards. He hit the ground and lay without moving. There was a moment's stunned silence and then the lab erupted in cheers. Radek grinned happily as he suddenly became the most popular man on the science team.

"Offworld activation!" said Preston. "Its Major Lorne's IDC."
"Lower the shield." said Elizabeth.
Within minutes Marcus and his team were through the Gate. He dismissed his team and went straight up to the control room. Ronan and Teyla were there ahead of him.
"What have you got for us Major?" asked Elizabeth.
"The Xan'tra are similar to the Ancients only they're the next evolution of the Wraith." replied Marcus.
"The Wraith!" said Elizabeth, startled.
"Yes ma'am." replied Marcus. He went on to tell them what Chaya had said. "The only way we're going to defeat them is to kill Liana."
"How do we do that when she has no physical form?" asked Teyla.
"She assumed human form once, we can make her do it again." answered Marcus. "We just need to figure out how."
"Dr. Zelenka has found information in the Ancient database about a device that can detect the Xan'tra." said Elizabeth. "Maybe there's a way it can be used to make Liana corporeal."
"What about McKay? Could he help?" asked Ronan.
"How is Dr. McKay?" asked Teyla.
"He's regained consciousness and has been asking to see me." replied Elizabeth. "I was going to go to the infirmary after our meeting."
"Why don't we go now?" asked Ronan.
Surprised, Elizabeth was momentarily speechless. She still wasn't used to Ronan's bluntness. "Okay." she said, rising. "Let's go see what Rodney has to say."
Carson looked up as the four of them entered. He frowned, not pleased to have the infirmary turned into a conference room but under the circumstances there was little else they could do. He met them by Rodney's bed.
"How is Colonel Sheppard?" asked Elizabeth.
"His condition is slowly deteriorating." replied Carson. "The assault on his mind is too much for his body to handle. He's burning out."
"We may have a solution but we need Rodney's help." said Elizabeth.
"What do you need?" asked Rodney.
Marcus quickly explained the situation. "How do we make Liana assume her corporeal form?" he asked after he had finished.
Rodney considered for a moment. "If this device is anything like a transphase eradication rod maybe we won't have to."
"What's one of those?" asked Marcus.
"It's a Go'auld weapon capable of making invisible enemies visible." replied Rodney.
"Didn't they use one of those with the Retu back on Earth?" asked Elizabeth.
"Yes, yes." said Rodney impatiently. "Once we detect the Xan'tra the device should allow us to see them."
"What then?" asked Marcus. "We can't kill her until she becomes corporeal."
"We can't be sure of that." said Rodney. "Old stories aren't usually very accurate."
"Actually, my information couldn't be more accurate." said Marcus.
"What do you mean?" asked Elizabeth.
Marcus hesitated. He was fairly sure he'd broken a few rules by going straight to Chaya. "My information comes from Chaya Sar." he said eventually.
"I see." said Elizabeth giving him a hard look. "We'll talk about this later."
"Yes ma'am." said Marcus.
"Chaya Sar?" asked Ronan.
"She is one of the Ancestors." said Teyla.
"Couldn't she do something about the Xan'tra?" asked Ronan.
"Long story short." snapped Rodney in irritation. "She's exiled to Proculus and can't or won't help us."
"Rodney." said Elizabeth warningly. "She's given us what we need to kill Liana. It's up to us to make it happen."
"How do we do that?" asked Marcus.
"I need a laptop and Radek Zelenka." said Rodney. "We should be able to come up with something."
"I don't want you taxing your strength." said Carson. "It won't help Colonel Sheppard if you collapse."
"I'll be fine." said Rodney. "Besides, I'll be right here where you can keep an eye on me."
"Don't think I won't!" snapped Carson.
"Gentlemen." said Elizabeth. "Let's not forget why we're here. It's worth remembering the Xan'tra have a way of enhancing strong emotions. Try and keep your tempers in check."
"I'm sorry Elizabeth." said Carson, contritely.
"So am I." said Rodney.
"Good." said Elizabeth. "I believe we all have work to do." she added in a tone of dismissal. After they had gone she went over to John and laid a gentle hand on his arm. "Hang in there John." she said quietly.
"What happened Elizabeth? Why have the Xan'tra gone after him?" asked Rodney.
"His fiancée was killed while he was in the Middle East. He saw it all happen." replied Elizabeth.
"Grief." said Rodney in sudden understanding. "There's nothing stronger."
"The form Liana took is Ariana's." said Elizabeth.
"And now they're using that to sustain a level of grief that's off the charts." said Rodney. "It must be ripping him apart."
"We have to save him Rodney." said Elizabeth.
"I'll do everything I can." said Rodney.

John got shakily to his feet and approached the helicopter. The heat from the raging inferno kept him at a distance as he circled the wreckage. Unable to bear the pain any longer his one thought was to throw himself into the fire.
"Don't be a fool John." said a familiar voice behind him. The pain tightened his chest, almost making his knees buckle.
"Stay away from me!" John sobbed as he took a step closer to the fire. The heat was overpowering and seared his throat as he struggled to breathe.
"I can't let you do that." said Liana as she appeared suddenly in front of John.
"You can't stop me." said John in a strangled voice. "Sooner or later I'll find a way."
"Oh really?" said Liana. She snapped her fingers and the flames abruptly went out. In the blackened and twisted wreckage John could clearly see the bodies of the victims, including Ariana's. The sight was actually worse than the flames had been.
John collapsed to his knees and buried his faced in his hands. Desperately hurt and alone he cried, the grief twisting through him like a knife.

"There's something I'd like to know." said Radek. "If, as I suspect, Liana is here in the infirmary why isn't she trying to stop us building this device?"
"I don't know." said Rodney tiredly. "Why don't you ask her?"
"Your sarcasm isn't helping." said Radek pointedly.
"I'm sorry." snapped Rodney. "My arm is killing me and I have a headache. I'm tired and it's difficult enough to concentrate without all these questions."
Radek swore under his breath and went to get Carson. "Rodney needs some painkillers." he said.
Carson sighed. "He's pushing himself too hard. I'm only allowing this because Colonel Sheppard is running out of time."
"We should be finished soon." said Radek. "We're working on final details."
"The sooner the better, for both their sakes." said Carson.

"Doctor, do you have a moment." asked Marcus from the door to Elizabeth's office.
"Of course Major. Come in." said Elizabeth.
"Don't you think it's strange the Xan'tra haven't stopped us building this device?" asked Marcus, unconsciously echoing Radek's question.
"Yes I do." replied Elizabeth. "Perhaps they share the Wraith arrogance that nothing can defeat them."
"Possibly, or maybe they know that what we're doing won't work." said Marcus.
"I have considered that." said Elizabeth. "The only way to know for certain is to go ahead and try it."
"Colonel Sheppard may not have time for us to try this more than once." said Marcus.
"I'm aware of that." said Elizabeth. "Chaya would never have suggested this if she didn't think we could pull it off. She and John shared a special relationship and I believe she would do everything she could for him within the terms of her exile."
"I don't know how he does it." said Marcus with a half smile.
"What do you mean?" asked Elizabeth curiously.
"Of all the women in the Pegasus Galaxy Colonel Sheppard picks the two that are ascended." replied Marcus.
"He does seem to have all the luck." said Elizabeth with a smile.
"Not all of it." said Radek from the doorway. "Liana is ascended too."
"How's the device coming along?" asked Elizabeth, serious once again.
"We're almost finished." replied Radek. "We're just making final adjustments and then we're ready to test it."
"How soon?" asked Elizabeth.
"Half hour at the most." replied Radek.
"Major, I want you, Teyla and Ronan with us in the infirmary when we test the device." said Elizabeth. "Bring a Wraith handgun. I don't want to risk a stray bullet hitting Colonel Sheppard."

"It's entirely possible the Xan'tra could attack us when we use the device. We have no idea what powers they possess so be prepared for anything." warned Elizabeth.
They were all gathered in the infirmary where an area had been cleared around John's bed. His vital signs had continued to drop steadily and he was now very weak. Radek made an adjustment on the device and signaled that he was ready. Tension grew as everyone looked to Elizabeth for the final signal.
"Now." said Elizabeth.
Radek activated the device and swept the beam across John's bed. There above him hung an amorphous mass. Almost immediately a wall of doubt and confusion hit the team gathered around Radek.
"We can't do this! We'll kill the Colonel!" said Marcus, lowering his weapon.
"Don't trust your feelings!" said Elizabeth urgently. "The Xan'tra are using them against you!"
"It's too dangerous!" said Teyla. "Colonel Sheppard will die if we don't stop what we're doing."
"She's right." said Ronan, also lowering his weapon. "I can't do this."
"Well I can." said Carson, his voice soft but determined. He fired the Wraith handgun hitting the mass dead center. There was an ear-splitting shriek which made everyone flinch then Liana appeared suddenly beside John's bed.
"Fools! Your weapons cannot harm us!" she said vehemently. "By attacking us you only increase your friend's torment." She stretched out her left hand over John's bed. He stirred, crying out as pain ripped through him. It was Liana's second, and final, mistake. The first had been to become corporeal. John's cry galvanized the team into action, overcoming the doubts and fears that had been thrown at them. As one they fired. Liana was thrown backwards by the combined blast, hitting the wall behind her. She collapsed to the floor , shimmered and faded to nothing. There was a distant wail as the other two fled.
"Is she dead?" demanded Rodney.
"I think so." replied Elizabeth in relief.

"John, help me!" begged Ariana.
John looked up to see Ariana struggling to free herself from the wreckage. There was a moment of stunned disbelief then he rushed to her side to help her. He pulled at the burnt and twisted metal, uncaring that the sharp edges cut his hands. It was only when he pulled the metal away that he saw the wound in her abdomen. As gently as he could he lifted her clear of the wreckage and carried her a short distance away. Kneeling, he gently set her down. She leaned against him, her breathing ragged from the pain.
"I'm sorry for everything I've put you through." she said.
"Don't." said John, his hands trembling as he gently pushed back the hair from her cheek.
Ariana reached up and touched his face, her fingers tracing the line of his jaw. "I love you." she said. Her eyes widened in surprise and she drew in a sharp breath. As she exhaled her eyes closed and her body relaxed. John knelt for a long time holding the woman he loved but knowing deep in his heart that it was Liana that he held.

It was the day after the Xan'tra had been defeated and John was once again on a balcony overlooking the ocean. Carson had wanted to keep him in the infirmary under observation but he had needed the solitude. He stared out across the water, an aching emptiness within him. He closed his eyes as the breeze ruffled his hair and caught the scent of her perfume. His chest tightened as he remembered the lingering touch of her fingers on his cheek, a touch that seemed suddenly real. He drew in a surprised breath and opened his eyes. She stood before him, her long hair catching the breeze, her beautiful eyes filled with love.
"John." said Ariana gently as she took his hands in hers.
"I've missed you." said John, his emotions so strong he could barely breathe.
"I know." said Ariana. "I wish it could have otherwise but it had to be that way."
"Why?" asked John, his voice filled with anguish.
"I am not permitted to tell you." replied Ariana sadly. "But I can tell you this. We will be together again one day."
"And in the meantime?" asked John, his heart aching.
"Shh." said Ariana, touching his lips with her fingers. "I have a gift for you." She placed her hand over his heart and within a few seconds John felt a warm glow. It spread through his chest replacing the aching grief that haunted him with the warmth of her love. "I love you John." Ariana breathed as she kissed him. With a last lingering caress she slowly faded and was gone.
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