Status: Completed 2/13/2009

Word Count: 1,806

Author's Notes: I promise, the next part will reveal a little more about the creatures! Again, thanks to Annie and Cheryl for the beta!

"Gaaaa," John cried out in pain as the razor sharp claws of the creature's left hand dug into his right shoulder, cutting through his vest as though it wasn't even there. Its right hand slammed into his chest, effectively pinning him to the ground. He'd lost his grip on his weapon when the creature had struck and could feel it digging painfully into his back. Grasping desperately with his right hand, he removed his knife from its sheath and buried it into the creature's back. It's howl of pain and anger ripped through the air, but it kept him in its vise-like grip.

John's vision began to cloud as he pulled his knife out and prepared to strike it again. Just as he was about to plunge the knife down again, Teyla came up from behind and grabbed a handful of its long, mangled hair. Using her free hand, she drew her own knife across the wretched creature's throat. Blood spurted from severed vessels in its throat as it tried to scream, but as quickly as the attack had begun, it was over. The beast's body gave one last spasm then fell to the ground lifelessly.

Ford, who had been covering McKay, or at least John was almost positive that's what he'd been doing, came up beside Teyla, his P-90 trained on the unmoving creature. Not wanting to take any chances, John scrambled away from it as quickly as his injuries would allow.

Teyla wiped the blood from her knife, sheathed it, and then walked over to John, kneeling beside him to inspect the shoulder wound.

He pushed her hand away. "Not now."

"The wound is deep," she said pulling back the damaged clothing.

"Not now, Teyla," he said, pushing her hand away. "There's no way that's the only one of those things out here and blood and decaying flesh may attract them. Even if they aren't, there may be other wildlife around here that could be. We need to put some space between us."

Teyla looked ready to argue, but reconsidered and gave him a concessionary sigh and held out her hand, pulling John to his feet. Releasing he hand and nodding his thanks, John took a few steps and stumbled, grateful Teyla was close-by to catch him before he could fall. Cursing his weakness, he leaned on her, allowing her to take some of his weight. Ford must have seen him stumble and rushed forward to offer his assistance, but John waved him off.

"Take point," John told Ford. "Teyla and I will cover our sixes." Turning towards McKay, who looked scared out of his mind -and rightfully so- he said, "McKay, stay between us." Pointing to McKay's sidearm, he added, "Get your weapon out." The scientist was qualified, barely, on the P-90, but John had not yet been able to convince the man to actually carry one on missions. His aim was only marginally better with the 9-mil. McKay had also protested being forced to carry even the handgun, but John had held his ground on that one. McKay either carried the weapon, or he stayed on Atlantis. There was no way in hell he was having an unarmed person on his team.

McKay opened his mouth to say something, shut it, then opened it again, "Fine."

John took out his 9-mil and handed it to Teyla, who immediately removed the safety for him then handed it back. At that moment, he was immensely glad that he'd forced himself to fire left-handed. His aim was nearly as good with his left hand as it was with his right. "Move out."

Ford hesitated for just a few seconds as he glanced at John's shoulder then turned and started walking. As they moved out, Teyla still had one arm wrapped firmly around his waist and gave no indication that she had any intention of letting go. John considered shrugging off her help, but Ford had set a brisk pace and he doubted he could keep up for long without help.

Nearly two hours later, Teyla spoke. "John, we must stop. You must let me tend to your shoulder."

Teyla's concern was evident as she spoke and John knew it would be foolish to refuse. His shoulder was throbbing unmercifully and although the bleeding had slowed considerably, he could tell it had not yet stopped. Teyla was also shouldering more of his weight than he cared to admit and he'd been slowing down, forcing the group to slow their pace as well. Besides, he figured they were far enough away from the dead creature now. Glancing at his watch, he realized it was getting close to lunchtime anyway.

"Ford," he called out to the lieutenant. "Let's take a break, thirty minutes, no fire."

Ford stopped; looking at John, he nodded. As the young man turned, John said, "Ford, soon as the area is secure, make sure you eat." Ford nodded again then turned and went about setting up a perimeter.

Teyla helped John get his pack and vest off then helped him sit on a nearby stump. Slowly, painfully, she helped him pull his ruined shirt off. His injured ribs protested almost as much as his shoulder did, and he had to bite back a cry of pain. That done Teyla removed the medical kits from both of their packs. As she set about cleaning his shoulder, his thoughts drifted back to the creatures. Whatever they were, they looked spookily familiar and John couldn't shake the feeling that he'd seen them before. He'd stared into the things eyes as he'd stabbed it; they were cold, black, and soulless orbs.

He steadied his breathing as much as possible as Teyla cleaned the wounds on his shoulder. What he really wanted to know was why the creatures seemed to be targeting him? Was it because he was always in the front, just a coincidence, or was it something else?

A sharp pain lanced through his shoulder pulling a groan from him. He looked at Teyla, who winced in sympathy.

"Sorry," she said apologetically.

"'s okay. Just . . . owww . . . try to hurry . . . hurry up . . . please." John knew Teyla was working as fast as she could, but it damn well hurt! He groaned again as she pressed a bandage to the wounds on the back of his shoulder then one to the front. She used the ace bandage from his kit to wrap his shoulder. Once done, she rubbed some of the antibiotic cream gently onto the abrasions on his face.

"I must really look a sight, huh?" he asked Teyla, wincing as she touched a particularly sensitive spot.

Obviously avoiding the question, she simply said, "It is a good thing we are close to the Stargate. We are running low on bandages."

He watched silently as she cleaned up the mess and put the unused supplies away.

John hadn't realized he'd closed his eyes until he felt a hand gently shake him. Looking up, he saw Teyla squatting in front of him, an open MRE in her free hand. The Athosian women looked at him with concern.

"You must eat. You need to keep up your strength."

Briefly, John considered refusing the food. He wasn't really hungry. His better judgment won out though and he accepted the food gratefully. Looking at what she'd given him, he couldn't help the small smile that played across his lips. She'd opened all of the inner packages and had given him one that was easy to eat one-handed.

"Did Ford eat?" he asked Teyla.

"He is eating now." She pointed to her left and John turned to see the lieutenant eating his own MRE. He couldn't help the feeling of pride as he noticed that the young man's attention was not on his food; he was constantly scanning the area, only occasionally looking at what he was eating.

"What about McKay?"

"He is also eating."

John looked to see Rodney half heartedly eating his MRE. It struck him as odd that the scientist had not yet finished eating, but he chose not to remark on it. Nodding, John said, "You need to eat, too."

"I have already prepared my lunch," Teyla replied, pointing to another open MRE a few feet away. Opening his canteen, she helped him to take a drink, then set it next to him on the ground still open.

Ten minutes later John had eaten all he could. Teyla gave him a disapproving look, but said nothing as she took the not even half-eaten food from him. "Time to move out," he informed her. Help me get my shirt back on, please."

"You should rest," Teyla told him as she picked up his shirt.

"No time. We don't how many more of those things are out there, or how close they are. We need to get to the 'gate. Preferably before nightfall."

Teyla nodded and helped John with the painful process of putting his shirt back on. He resisted the urge to scream as she helped him with his vest.

"Perhaps we should divide the contents of your pack between mine and Lieutenant Ford's. You should not be carrying anything in your condition."

John opened his mouth to protest, but Ford, who had come up beside him without him realizing it, spoke, "Teyla's right, sir. She and I should put your things into our pack, or we should just leave yours behind."

At this point, leaving his pack behind was not an option. John knew they were right though, he had lost a lot of blood and was really beginning to feel lethargic. Carrying the extra weight would only wear him out faster and slow the group down. Finally, he relented. "Fine, just do it quickly."

Moving quickly Teyla and Ford emptied his pack and divided the contents evenly amongst their own. John was surprised when, without a word, McKay picked up his now empty pack and took it upon himself to carry it. Without a way to contact Earth, their supplies were limited, even something as simple as a pack would be difficult to replace.

Without being told to, Ford did one last sweep of the area. Once he finished he came back to where John sat and helped him to his feet.

"Ford, you're on point again, Teyla and I will cover our sixes. McKay, stick close to Ford. Stay alert, people. I seriously doubt we've seen the last of those creatures." John was unable to repress his shudder as he mentioned the creatures.

Everyone nodded in agreement. Ford started walking, followed closely by McKay. John stifled a moan as he put his injured arm around Teyla's shoulders and she wrapped an arm around his waist. Together, they set off behind the others, John's 9-mil still clutched tightly in his left hand ready to fire if necessary.

TBC