Disclaimers: I do not own these characters; this is written for fun, I make no money etc.

Spoilers: Siege Parts 2, 3, Hot Zone

A/N: Apologies to emergencyfan – see the perfect Tag to Siege 3…Casualties of War. I did abandon this when I read that, but it's come back to bite me. So I finished it, and here it is. If I have stolen great phrases from anyone else and not realised it, sorry, and thanks!

Summary: After the Siege Part 3. Did you see what Ford did to Zelenka? Czeched out!


Part One: Aftermath

Elizabeth watched as John left the 'gateroom, then turned and slowly made her way back up the stairs. Moments ago Aiden Ford had left in a jumper, and he had left a dark shadow hanging over John. Not only over him, she knew. They should be ecstatic that the Wraith fleet was leaving and the cloaked city had fooled this enemy. Instead, there was a deep sorrow.

As she neared the control desks, she could tell something was wrong. Rodney McKay was agitated and his voice was desperate.

"Radek! Respond!" McKay looked up and saw Elizabeth. "I can't raise Zelenka – he's in the jumper bay…what if Ford…?" his left his mouth hanging open, his face a mask of worry.

Elizabeth tapped her earpiece. "Major Sheppard, can you get back here, I need you to go to the jumper bay and check on Dr Zelenka." She nodded at McKay, and continued speaking into her radio. "Dr Beckett, we may need a medical team in the jumper bay."

They heard the Scot's brogue in reply, "Right away, Dr Weir, and Teyla is coming with us, too."

McKay had been firing instructions at his fellow Canadian who seemed to have stepped effortlessly into the shoes of Peter Grodin to manage the city systems. "If there is any fluctuation, any at all, you call me right away, OK?"

McKay began heading for the stairs. "Elizabeth, whatever has happened to Zelenka, I need to make sure the stealth generator stays online; I need to get up there myself." He was waiting for her nod, and he got it.

Major Sheppard raced past her, and up the stairs three at a time, and McKay was chasing him towards the upper level.

There was a lot of noise below the control deck, and when Elizabeth peered over she could see Carson, Teyla, and two medical technicians marching with purpose in her direction. Carson was uttering short commands and imparting his thoughts to them, they were nodding grimly and clutching their bags hard.

Elizabeth looked upwards reflexively as she heard Sheppard's voice coming over her earpiece. He was directing his comments to Beckett, telling him what had just happened, and it made her heart cold to hear his strained tones.

"…Looks like he just got punched out cold… Damn, so much blood…Hurry, Carson…"

"Breathing? Pulse?" Carson's clipped brogue seemed surreal as she watched him sweep past her and up the stairs fast.

"Pulse, yes, oh, geez…He must be breathing, I can't tell easily…"

She swallowed hard as she listened, her mind racing with scenarios, considering any further action she could make to impact the situation. There was none.


A/N: I have five short parts written. Hope you enjoy!