Chapter Four

Jennifer listened to the pounding of the rain. She'd managed to get her feet untied, but a lot of good it would do when the door was locked. She considered dragging the table over to the wall in order to climb out the window. A flash of lightning showed her she'd barely fit through the tiny window. Her only way out now was to overpower her captor when he opened the door.

I can't let him capture Rodney.

She had no idea what the man had planned for the scientist, but it couldn't be good. She knew Rodney was out there searching for her. She had to find him first. That meant she needed to get out of here.

Guess I get to knock the guy out.

Using the wall at her back, she climbed to her feet. She felt her way in the darkness to the steps leading up to the door. Her blood pounding in her ears, she knelt beside the steps and waited for her captor to come down. She held her breath, not wanting to give away her position.

A click sounded like a clap of thunder in the silence. Jennifer braced herself, ready to attack as the door squeaked open. A candle made its way down the steps and she slowly got to her feet. She needed to time it right or the man would counter her attack.

He stepped on the second to last step and she made her move. Flinging herself at the man, she used her bound hands like the end of a battering ram and aimed straight for his side. He didn't see her coming and the two landed hard on the dirt floor.

Dazed, she rolled away from the man. She turned her head and saw the man slumped against the wall. Keeping an eye on him, she forced herself to her feet. Taking a deep breath, she hurried up the steps and freedom.

Find Rodney, she told herself over and over. Find him and get back to Atlantis.

Her footfalls thudded against the hard wood floors of the house. Lightning flashed through the windows lighting her way briefly. A corner appeared in the short-lived flash and she turned to find herself in a large room. A fire burned in a fireplace to her right, casting a warm glow across the room.

Her breathing was the only sound in the house. She looked around the room, searching for something to cut the ropes binding her hands. She spotted a knife on the table to her left. She hurried to it and picked up the weapon. Listening for any sound of the man coming at her, she quickly cut her bindings.

Finally. She tossed the knife onto the table and raced to the door. Yanking the door open, she rushed into the rain. She instantly became drenched in the heavy downpour. She spun around, trying to determine where Rodney would go if he made his way back to the village. Would he go to the first building he came to?

"Oh, where are you?" Jennifer asked, brushing her wet hair out of her eyes.

Taking a deep breath, she decided to start her search in the east side of town nearest the gate. She hoped he'd be in one of the houses there. If not, she'd have to find shelter herself and wait until morning to begin again.

Thunder sounded overhead, startling her. She looked behind her and saw a shadow coming after her.

Oh, God!

Picking up her pace, Jennifer rounded a corner between two buildings and pressed herself against the wall. She closed her eyes, hoping the man would run by. She held her breath and slipped deeper into the shadows. She chanced a peek and only the rain appeared in the space between the houses.

She waited a few more moments to be sure then stepped into the street. She scanned her surroundings searching for the man. Seeing nothing, she hurried down the street.

~*~

Rodney stared out the window, the gloomy downpour souring his already dismal mood. He glared at the rain, wishing it would stop so he could continue his search for Jennifer. His patience was wearing thin and he doubted he could hold out much longer before he hit something.

"Staring at the rain isn't going to make it stop," Reynolds said behind him.

Rodney rolled his eyes to stare at the man. "Forgive me for wanting to take a moment to brood."

"I take it you're always like this."

"Give the man a cookie," Rodney said, turning to watch the rain.

"How did you put up with him?" Simon asked Kaylee in what he thought was a whisper.

"I can hear you. And she put up with me just fine."

"I'd like to hear it from her, if you don't mind," Simon snapped.

Rodney scoffed and looked out the window again. He really didn't care what Kaylee said. He wanted to get out of here and find Jennifer.

If only this damn rain would stop.

"He's not so bad," Kaylee said in a cheerful voice. "He's a bit abrasive, but I think there's something about him that makes you like him."

Rodney shook his head. Here was someone else to add to the short list of people who saw right through him. It still amazed him there were those who saw passed his wall of snark and saw what he tried to protect inside.

A flash of lightning brought his attention back to the raging storm outside. Sighing, he ran his hand through his hair. It didn't look like the rain would let up any time soon. Closing his eyes, he rested his forehead against the cold window. Exhaustion was setting in, but he refused to give in to it.

I have to find Jennifer.

"You really want to catch a cold?" Simon's voice cut into his thoughts.

Rodney turned and glared at the man. He sat at the table, Kaylee sitting beside him. Malcolm paced the floor, his hands behind his back. They all looked at him as if waiting for him to crack. He narrowed his eyes and turned back to the window.

"I'm fine," he said, his voice more of a growl. "I'm waiting for the damn rain to stop."

A clap of thunder mocked him and his hands clinched into fists. He realized then it was his claustrophobia kicking in that caused his irritation and need to bolt. It was the reason why he stared out into the stormy night. Even though the room was huge the walls seemed to close in on him.

"It's not going to stop any time soon," Reynolds reminded him.

"Well then, there's no sense in waiting, now is there?" Rodney snapped and headed for the front door.

"Rodney!" Kaylee shouted.

He heard the sound of wood scraping against wood, but he didn't turn around. His hand reached the doorknob when heavy boots rushed toward him. He opened the door, but Malcolm's hand shoved it closed.

"Get your hand off the damn door," Rodney growled, glaring at the western revival reject.

"I offered to help you find your Dr. Keller and I meant it," Reynolds said calmly. "That means you'll stay here until the rain stops. If we have to sleep here the entire night, then we will."

Rodney narrowed his eyes and shoved Malcolm from the door. He yanked the door open and stepped out into the rain only to be dragged back into the house. Flung across the room, he stumbled into the table. He held onto a chair to keep from falling to the floor. Glaring at Malcolm, he unhooked his gun from its holster.

"Don't even try it," Malcolm said, reaching for his gun.

"Rodney, don't," Kaylee said, holding her hand up as if to calm him. "There doesn't need to be any bullets flying. Let's just calm down and think like rational people. We're all tired, so let's get some sleep. We'll all feel better in the morning."

Rodney's right hand clinched over his gun. His heart thudded in his chest and every nerve in his body was on edge, waiting.

"Mal, that goes for you as well," Kaylee said. "He's just worried about his friend. You don't need to shoot him."

"I'm used to it," Rodney bit out, lifting his chin and staring down his nose at Reynolds. "I get things aimed at me all the time."

"Did anyone ever fire?" Malcolm asked, narrowing his eyes.

"Yes and I'm still here," Rodney answered. A hand on his shoulder dragged his attention to Kaylee. The worry in his eyes caused him to sigh. Sighing in resignation, he folded his arms across his chest. "Fine. I'll stay here, but it's in protest."

"I'd be disappointed if it weren't," Malcolm remarked and returned to his pacing.

"And people think I have a bad temperament," Rodney said, shaking his head. He pulled out a chair and sat down. Placing his head in his hands, he sighed again.

"It'll be all right," Kaylee said, rubbing his back. "You'll find her."

The motion soothed him even if the words couldn't. He looked up at her, not able to get over how much she resembled Jennifer. He wanted to image it was her, just for a moment. Believe she was right here with him and he could forget about running out into the rain. He stared into her eyes, wanting to take her in his arms and wrap her warmth around him.

Kaylee looked into Rodney's blue eyes and watched them darken. Her heart fluttered at the expression falling over his features. It was a look of longing. She fought down the urge to comfort him, knowing it'd only make matters worse for him.

The sound of a throat clearing caught her and Rodney's attention. She looked toward Simon, who stared back at her with a mixed expression of concern and suspicion. Moving toward him, she smiled and sat down beside him.

"If Malcolm doesn't trust him, neither should you," Simon whispered.

"I don't know why you two think he deserves out mistrust," she said. "He's just looking for his friend who happens to look like me."

"Exactly. He might get so impatient he decides to take you, thinking you're as close as he's going to get to his friend."

Kaylee looked at Rodney, who stared at the tabletop. He looked so forlorn her heart ached for him. She couldn't see him kidnapping her because he wanted his friend back so bad. He didn't seem the type. Under all that harshness she saw the caring person he truly was.

"He wouldn't," Kaylee said, turning her gaze to Simon. "He'd want to real Jennifer Keller more than he'd want someone who just looks like her. He'd know the difference."

Simon shook his head, but said nothing. Sighing, Kaylee looked at Rodney. He ran his hand through his hair and turned his blue eyes to her. Eyes filled with longing and worry. Simon's words floated back to her and she wondered for a moment if Rodney really would take her back to his city as a substitute.

A flash of lightning lit his eyes. Her breath caught. She'd never seen eyes so blue. It'd be so easy to let him kidnap her.

"It's getting late," Mal said, breaking her out of the spell. "Let's get some sleep."

Rodney blinked and pushed himself to his feet. He looked worn out and ready to collapse. Kaylee got to her feet, but Simon stopped her with a hand on her arm.

"There're only three beds, so someone gets to sleep on the floor," Mal said.

"Don't look at me," Kaylee said. "I'm getting the room by myself. You three can fight it out."

Rodney glared at them, daring them to argue with him. "My back won't let me sleep on the floor, so I'm taking a bed."

He stomped toward the door on the left, yanking it open. Not bothering to say anything, he went inside, slamming the door behind him.

"I have a feeling we're not getting any sleep," Simon said, sighing.

"Don't look at me. I'm going to sleep like a baby. You get to watch him."

Kaylee rolled her eyes. "He's not going to kidnap me or escape into the storm. Just let him sleep."

Simon looked away clearly chastised, but Mal stared at her. Shaking his head, he went to the room on the left and opened the door.

"I'm sorry, Kaylee," Simon said when they were alone. "I'm just worried about you. We don't know anything about him."

"His name is Dr. Rodney McKay. He's a scientist. I just want to help him find his friend."

"If he gives us any trouble, Mal will have his head."

"He's not going to cause us trouble," Kaylee said, determined to ease Simon's mind.

"You better hope not, for his sake."

~*~

Jennifer stumbled and slid a few feet in the mud. Her eyes closed, she took a few moments to catch her breath. She groaned at the aching fire shooting through her legs. She didn't know how long she'd been running, but something told her she had to keep going. Rodney depended on her.

Looking behind her, she blinked through the rain. In the darkness, she didn't see the red headed man coming after her. Sighing, she pushed herself to her feet.

Have to keep going. I need to find Rodney and get him back to Atlantis.

Forcing one foot in front of the other, Jennifer trudged down the street. The wind picked up, the cold hitting her full in the face. Her breath caught, but she continued on. She wasn't going to let anything stop her.

Her foot caught on something and she fell face first into the mud. She tried to get to her feet, but something forced her back into the mud. She cried out in surprise.

"Looks like you should have stayed hidden," a voice said from above her.

Her heart pounded in her chest. She closed her eyes, realizing the man had found her. She turned over and stared up at her captor. He knelt beside her, his hand on her leg.

"You're coming back with me," he said, smiling. "I can't very well get what I want if you're going to take him away."

"He's not going to do what you want!" Jennifer shouted.

The man laughed, shaking his head. "He will, dear, even if I have to torture you."

Her eyes widened and her pulse raced at the thought. She lifted her left leg and kicked the man in the head. He let go of her. She kicked him again just to be sure he was dazed enough. Getting to her feet, she ran as far from him as she could.

"Rodney!" Jennifer called, hoping he'd hear her above the storm. "Rodney, where are you?"

Why did this village have to be so big?

She tripped, but retrieved her balance. Thunder sounded in the distance making her run faster. Up ahead, she spotted lights from a house. Her heart soured.

Rodney. He has to be there. Please be there.

"Rodney!" Jennifer called. She kept her eyes on the lights, hoping whoever was inside could help her. She needed to get away from the man and get warm. Her nose ran and her throat ached.

Her feet throbbed from the running and her lungs burned. She wiped the rain from her eyes and locked on the door ahead of her. She slowed her pace to keep from slamming into the door.

"Rodney!" She reached for the doorknob only to be thrown back.

She cried out as she landed on her back. The wind knocked out of her, all she could do was stare up at the man.

"I told you," he said, grabbing her and yanking her to her feet. "You are not going to escape from me."

She elbowed him, but he backhanded her. Shocking pain sliced through her, stunning her. She blinked through the agony and tried to struggle out of his hold.

"Let me go!" Jennifer snarled.

"No," he growled in her ear, holding her arms behind her. "Not until your scientist friend is in my control."

Jennifer stepped on the man's foot. He inhaled sharply and forced her back against him. Bringing his arm around her throat, he hissed into her ear.

"Fight me some more or try to escape and I will kill him. Do you understand me?"

She nodded, her heart pounding with fear. She closed her eyes, knowing there was no way to warn Rodney without getting him killed in the process.

"Let's go, dearest," the man said, shoving the business end of a gun into her back.

Jennifer looked toward the house with the lights. A sense of dread and loss came over her. It seemed the only way she'd ever see Rodney again was if he walked right into this madman's trap.

"Get moving," the man growled, shoving her forward. "Don't try anything or I'll shoot you where it'll hurt, but won't kill you."

She picked up her pace, her heart heavy. If only the man hadn't taken her earpiece, she could have warned Rodney earlier. Had he tried to contact her? She hoped he didn't come alone. It'd be less likely Rodney would be taken hostage then.

Be careful, Rodney, if you come at all.

~*~

"Jennifer, can you hear me?" Rodney said into his earpiece. "Please respond."

He stood in the small bedroom, being stared at by Malcolm Reynolds. Turning slightly, he ignored the man as his worry grew.

"Jennifer, are you there?" Rodney demanded, resisting the urge to pace. Sighing in frustration, he turned gaze to Reynolds.

"Maybe the storm is interfering with your device," Reynolds offered.

Rodney narrowed his eyes sideways at the man. "Oh, thanks for your input, Mr. Mechanical Expert. Anything else you want to tell the genius?"

Reynolds raised an eyebrow. "You're a genius?"

Rodney rolled his eyes, his hands in motion. "I have several PhDs in fields you wouldn't be able to wrap your head around. I'm able to fix devices you wouldn't know how to use…"

"You really are full of yourself, aren't you?" Reynolds interrupted. "All you really need in this world is this."

Reynolds patted his gun and Rodney folded his arms across his chest.

"You're one of those," he said, not impressed. "The shoot first and think about questions later type. I know someone just like you."

Reynolds smiled. "I bet he thinks you're full of yourself, too. I'm surprised he hasn't shot you."

"I see I'm going to have to sleep with one eye open," Rodney said, taking his jacket off and tossing it over the bedpost.

"I won't shoot you," Reynolds replied. "You took care of Kaylee and that tells me in all your arrogance you're an honorable person. That puts you on my good side."

Rodney smirked. "Oh, well thank you for putting me on your good side. That makes me feel so much better."

Reynolds shook his head. "I'm going to have to meet your people. I want to know how they put up with you."

Rodney took off his side arm and set it on the nearby dresser. He sat on the bed and took off his boots.

"They'd love you," he said, lying on the bed. "You're right up their alley."

Resting his hands on his stomach, he closed his eyes and listened to the sound of the rain pounding the roof of the house. It lulled him into a fitful sleep.