"So you admit attacking Dr Keller?" Sheppard asked.
"Yes."
"Why'd you do it?" The Colonel continued, unable to understand why someone would attack Jennifer then confess so easily.
"She didn't deserve him."
"Who? Lorne?"
"Yes. She's not good enough for him."
"But you are?"
"Yes."
"You know Major Lorne well?"
"Yes."
"And you think beating his girlfriend up is going to what exactly?"
"See how weak and unworthy she is."
"And yet he is at her bedside and you are alone." Sheppard said invoking a flash of anger to spark in Price's eyes.
"You've been on base for three months and not caused any trouble so why now?" Sheppard continued.
"I didn't know she was a problem before." She replied coldly and calmly.
"You have help?" Sheppard asked growing increasingly disconcerted by Price's cold and calculating demeanour.
"I didn't need help." She answered dismissively.
"Anything you want to offer in your defence?" Sheppard questioned, needing a break before he did something that would be frowned upon.
"I did what I had to. He''ll see soon." Price answered. Sheppard shook his head in disgust and left the room, wishing there were traditional doors around so he could slam one.
"Colonel." Woolsey said as Sheppard emerged from the interrogation room.
"She confessed to the attack and said she had no help. So I guess that's that." The Colonel said, although he had a feeling there was more going on than he was aware of.
"I'm afraid not. I have just received information that may complicated things."
"What information?"
"There has been another attack, same MO."
"Who?"
"Dr Taylor. His injuries were worse than Dr Keller's, but the medical team say he will make a full recovery."
"Taylor's a big guy." Sheppard said. "When did it happen?"
"An hour ago, when Dr Price was guarded in the interrogation room."
"So either there's a partnership or Price is innocent. Either way she is covering for someone."
"If she's innocent why would she confess?" Woolsey asked.
"Money, mis-guided loyalty. The question is why would anyone attack the doc and Taylor in the first place?" Sheppard threw back.
"Did you believe her confession?" Woolsey questioned.
"I don't know. There is something not right about the situation, but I can't place it."
"What are you planning on doing?"
"I know you don't like civilians on base loosing their civil liberties, but until we get to the bottom of this Price is staying in detention, no matter how long it takes. Even if she was not involved in the attack there is something wrong. I am going to investigate this second attack, but in the mean time I want a psych eval of Price and I want to talk to the rest of her team. Plus we should get some tests run on Price, but I'm not happy at her being in the infirmary so we should get a med team over here." Sheppard listed, more to himself than Woolsey.
"You have my full support Colonel." Woolsey said as he turned to leave, thinking his presence was no longer required..
"I want her kept under maximum security Captain." Sheppard ordered a marine. "And Ronon is not allowed here. If he approaches call me immediately." He added before heading down to the site of the second attack.
"Hey you." Lorne smiled at Jennifer as she began to stir.
"Thought you were on the mainland." Jennifer said. "How long have I been out?"
"They called me back when they found you." Lorne explained as he rubbed his thumb over Jennifer's right hand. "How are you feeling?"
"You shouldn't be here. You were safer out there." Jennifer said, beginning to get worked up. "It was-" She said only for Lorne to cut her off.
"Easy there. I'm safe here."
"What if she goes after you?" Jennifer asked, her face grimacing from the pain washing over her.
"They've found her and locked her up." Lorne said, trying to soothe Jennifer. "I'm sorry you went through that because of me." He added.
"Not your fault." Jennifer said.
"You want me to get Marie?" Lorne asked noticing the flash of pain in her eyes. When she nodded her response Lorne's guilt and concern swelled. Kissing her on the forehead he went to find Marie.
"Any news?" Woolsey asked when he met Sheppard at the transporter an hour later.
"No witnesses to Taylor's attack. I've talked to Price's team and they couldn't tell me anything useful. No signs she was about to go nuts. They did seem, I don't know, Myers was not his normal self. But that could have been shock. Price is normally a meek, well behaved team member."
"You think they could have been involved?" Woolsey asked.
"No. I don't know. It's possible, but they were all training when Taylor was attacked." Sheppard replied. "I'm hoping the doc will be up for talking and can help clarify things."
"Let's hope so. Where's Ronon?"
"I've sent him to look for clues from Keller's attack."
"Clues?"
"Using his heightened tracking skills I thought he could wonder the corridors looking for evidence."
"Evidence? Colonel I admit that forensics is not my strong suit, but seeing how many people walk these corridors and seeing that the professionals have already scoured the area, I think that is a bit far fetched."
"Yes, but it keeps Ronon occupied and my marines in one piece."
"Of course." Woolsey replied following Sheppard's train of thought as the two entered the infirmary.
"Something happened?" Sheppard asked noticing that Lorne and Teyla were in the main area of the infirmary and not at Jennifer's bedside.
"They're just checking her out." Lorne replied, when Sheppard and Woolsey reached him.
"How's she doing?" The Colonel probed.
"Ok I guess."
"She up for talking?"
"Teyla said you had Price in custody." Lorne stated, unsure why they suddenly wanted to talk to her.
"Yes." Sheppard said.
"She confess?"
"Yes."
"Then why do you want to talk to Jen?" Lorne asked.
"Firstly, I need to hear from the doc what happened and secondly, there has been another attack, since Price has been under guard."
"So Jen could still be in danger?" Lorne asked, worry swirling in his eyes.
"Yes, which is why she has her own protection detail until this is sorted. So back to my original question is the doc up for talking?"
"I think Colonel you will find that is a question for me, not the Major." Dr Cole said approaching the group.
"So?" Sheppard asked.
"Five minutes and you are not to work her up." Cole replied sternly.
"Thank you doctor."
"Five minutes." Cole repeated walking off.
As the group walked into the area sealed off for Jennifer, the young CMO looked surprised by the large number of visitors. Lorne walked straight to Jennifer's side and grabbing her hand he gave it a reassuring squeeze.
"Hey doc." Sheppard smiled, whilst inside his blood boiled with anger at what had happened. "How you doing?"
"Ok."
"That's good. You up for telling us what happened?"
"I went out for a run. I thought I was being followed, but I thought I was being stupid so I kept going. Then I heard someone near me, I tried to get my radio, but dropped it. I tried to get to a more crowded part of the city, but she caught me."
"She?" Woolsey asked.
"Dr Price."
"She is definitely the one who attacked you?" Sheppard probed further, both men wanting to be absolutely clear who had attacked her.
"Yes. Evan said you'd caught her."
"We have and she confessed, but we needed to hear your side of the story." Sheppard replied, slightly uneasily.
"Has something else happened?" Jennifer asked, noticing Sheppard's unusual body language. As she asked Lorne squeezed her hand tighter.
"There has been another attack, since Price has been in custody." Woolsey answered. "So was anyone else involved in your attack?"
"Not that I saw. She didn't exactly need backup." Jennifer replied, a note of self-loathing in her voice.
"She say anything during the attack?" Sheppard pressed further. Instead of answering straight away Jennifer glanced at Lorne.
"Major. I need you to talk to the shrink and fill him in on every interaction you have had with Price." Sheppard quickly ordered.
"But..." Lorne said looking at Jennifer.
"I will remain here." Teyla assured him as Jennifer said.
"I'll be fine."
Reluctantly Lorne kissed Jennifer's forehead and left the room. As soon as he was gone Sheppard asked.
"So what'd she say?"
"She said I wasn't worthy and she would ensure I would not be a problem for long. I lost consciousness soon after that."
"Ok. Thanks doc, we'll let you get some rest." Sheppard said, trying to offer Jennifer a comforting smile. "I'll send Lorne back shortly."