Disclaimer: Don't own, don't make any money from my "borrowing" of these beloved characters.

John had learned the hard way through the years to listen to his gut. It had started churning before they'd even returned from Entara. It was a pre-industrial world, held back only by the devastation the Wraith raids had on both their population and their infrastructure. In spite of the challenges, they were somehow at the cusp of advancement, notably without any of the creepiness of the Genii. Of course Elizabeth had wanted to visit and John had run out of reasons to convince her to stay behind. Reasons he was willing to share, at any rate.

A branch lashed the side of his face and he grimaced. That one would leave a mark. He really wished, this once, that his gut had been wrong.

"Elizabeth!" John reached to steady her when she stumbled over something hidden beneath their line of sight on the forest floor.

They continued running, John sticking closely to her side. It was difficult to navigate through the forest; trees and foliage were thick and there wasn't anything beginning to resemble a path. The trees began to thin out and he was relieved to see his team already across the clearing and approaching the Stargate. They'd been split up soon after the gunfire erupted. McKay headed directly for the dial, Ronon and Teyla taking defensive positions to either side.

John spun around, quickly scanning the forest behind them one last time before they left the tree cover. Still no sign of the locals closing in. He was still stunned at their about face. The Entarins had welcomed his team warmly just days ago, encouraging them to return soon with Elizabeth. Today, warning shots rang out before they'd even entered the heart of town. John swiveled forward again and crashed into Elizabeth's back. She'd halted abruptly just outside the tree line as gunfire erupted suddenly from the east.

"John, look." She swept the hair from her face, her eyes stretching wide as she pointed east. "Ford!"

His head snapped sideways. A slight smile twitched on his lips when he spotted Ford. He'd survived the hive ship after all. The trees were less dense towards the east and John could easily see Fords' ragtag team as they moved in haphazard formation through the forest, the men at its center struggling with a large crate. A raid. The initial rush of relief he'd felt plummeted headfirst into sheer exasperation. No wonder the locals had attacked John's team; they thought they were part of Ford's mayhem.

Fords' team cut horizontally through the forest on course for the Stargate, adding a secondary team of hostiles in pursuit…and crossfire. John's teeth clenched tightly. They weren't going to make it to the gate. He drew Elizabeth back into the tree line and started scanning for better cover. A bullet grazed the tree beside him, sending bark splintering against his face. John cursed softly under his breath. The Entarins pursing his team were closing the gap.

"C'mon." John grabbed Elizabeth's hand, tugging her into motion. They darted away from the gunfire, towards the descending sun.

John's eyes settled on large cluster of rocks against the ridgeline. Maybe they could tuck away there and ride this thing out. He raised his P90, indicating towards that direction and they sprinted towards the rocky bluffs. The forest was thicker here, providing better cover, but his team was now blocked from view.

He slowed as they approached the rocky cliffs, déjà vu falling heavy in his chest as he noted a thick carpet of vines, not quite covering what appeared to be a cave opening.

"Colonel Sheppard, what's your position?" McKay's voice crackled on the radio.

John tapped his earbud. "Guy's, we're cut off. Get out of here while you can. You can come back later when it's clear."

"Colonel, we can wait-" Teyla's voice was lost as an explosion pierced the air, sending tremors rumbling through the earth.

What the hell… It sounded like the blast from a rocket launcher. "Get out of here, that's an order!"

John scowled as static filled the radio. He'd no idea if they'd heard him. He eyed the cave opening carefully, considering the option. That blast had fallen too close, he wasn't so sure they'd have the luxury of riding this out after all. Biting down on his lip, he snatched a couple of smaller rocks that littered the ground around them. Time to test his theory. He swept away the vines and flung the rocks at the opening. There was a silvery shimmer as they crossed the threshold and disappeared. It was just like the entry to the cloister.

Elizabeth nudged his shoulder. "Is that what I think it is?"

"Pretty sure." John wiped away some of the moss covering the nearby wall, finding markings similar to what they'd ignored when he entered the cloister the prior year.

"Welcome." Elizabeth breathed softly, trailing her hand across the ancient etchings. "Ascension."

His gut coiled at the thought of being stuck inside a time dilation field again. He'd loathed the hours of endless meditation and soul searching in the cloister. He shook it off. The gunfire had grown closer; he had only one choice that would ensure Elizabeth's safety.

John snatched another small rock and hastily scratched on the wall of stone near the portal opening. X marks the spot, he thought wryly. It was the best he could manage in the moments he had to spare.

"John, we can't-"

The earth shook as a second explosion struck much closer, the force sending rocks raining down the cliffs before them.

He grabbed Elizabeth's tactical vest and hauled her into his arms so they wouldn't get separated and enter the force field at different times. "Better hold on."

He was confident, but not a hundred percent certain, what they'd find on the other side. He couldn't risk her arriving before he did.

There was an odd glint to Elizabeth's eyes, but she nodded, quickly slipping her arms around his waist. Her fingers latched onto his belt loops just as a third explosion knocked them off their feet and they tumbled through the shield barrier.

TBC- Remaining chapters are basically finished, just editing/polishing.

A/N: It's been several years since I've written, my apologizes for any kind of crazy that slipped by.