Chapter 4

John was the first into the room, closely followed by Teyla as he pulled her along. Just as quickly though he halted at the sight in front of him; Rodney cradling Elizabeth close to him, tears trickling from his eyes.

"Oh God." He murmured, slowing his steps. "She's not-is she?" The dreaded word was skipped, but not by his brain, and he numbly watched as Beckett pushed through the small forming crowd, towards the body. Instinctively he drew Teyla near, the Athosian heralding no complaint as she too stared.

Rodney was the worst of course, only moving when pushed by Beckett, the Doctor checking her vitals. "She's alive." He breathed, a sigh of relief echoing out from him and through everyone else. "But she ain't the best, we gotta get 'er to the medical area." Looking to Rodney, he asked. "How long she been like this?"

Rodney just blinked back to him, those tears still trickling. Slowly he awoke, only to murmur. "I-I don't know. I just came and found her a few minutes ago, but, well I left around half an hour ago, maybe a little more, and that's usually the time when she…" His strength was almost as depleted as Elizabeth's, and his voice trailed off.

Carson just watched him, before nodding. "Right, so around forty-five minutes or so at the most then, which ain't so bad. O'course it depends on when she actually fell. We'll determine that soon." Gesturing to two of the nearest medics, the three of them slipped her on to a stretcher, before quietly leading her out.

Rodney stayed in his sunken position upon the floor, jumping obviously when John moved to place a hand on his shoulder. "You alright-no, sorry, that's a stupid question." Rodney's head agreed, before he looked around. The small group that had formed hadn't disappeared just yet, waiting and watching Rodney with obvious concern. Furiously wiping away his tears, he jumped up, turning to them all fully. "Don't you vultures have anything better to do then gawp?!"

"Hey, they're just concerned." John warned him, hand bracing on his shoulder a little more this time. "No-one's here to stare okay, we're just concerned."

"Maybe you are." Rodney spat, glancing between him and Teyla. "But they don't even know me! Or Elizabeth; none of them respect her, she said that herself." The awed silence that followed only fuelled Rodney's anger, and he glared at them all as he stormed out.

"Should we not follow?" Teyla asked, moving then to do so. However John's hand moved to grasp her arm, and he shook his head. "No. Knowing Rodney, it's better to let him work his steam off. Besides, if we need him, we know where he'll be."

"With Elizabeth." Teyla murmured, before drawing John over away from the slowly dissipating crowd. "But there must be something we can do?"

"We try and find out what happened. Let's start with the lab." Giving a 'shoo' expression towards the few people who still remained, he then gestured to the left side of the lab. "You take that side, I'll take this one."

Teyla frowned, even as she moved towards the left. "What exactly are we looking for?"

"Anything." John replied, as he pulled out his gun. "Absolutely anything that could've caused Elizabeth to hurt herself like that."

Mimicking John's actions, Teyla frowned. "Could not this just have been some sort of accident though John? It is possible…" Her voice trailed off then, as John looked to her.

"You know Elizabeth just as well as I do now Teyla, do you really think she's that clumsy?"

Teyla pursed her lips at that, thinking it over. Finally though, she had to admit. "No, I cannot see it."

"Then lets start looking." John replied ominously with a nod, slowly stepping forward, his gun aimed and ready.

------

Rodney steamed through the corridors, his anger and fear only increasing the desire to see Elizabeth, to be there when she awoke. Eventually he broke into a run, trying his best to ignore the lack of breath that soon followed. By the time he reached the infirmary, Elizabeth was already laid out in her bed, various monitoring devices having been attached to her. Carson stepped forward and greeted him with a soft smile. "No need ta look so worried Rodney, she's just sleeping."

Rodney blinked to him, ignoring the incredible pull to look towards Elizabeth. "She's okay then? Nothing wrong with her?"

"Well I wouldn't say that." Carson replied with a raised eyebrow, before moving over to the bed. "She did smack 'er head pretty bad on your table. Got a few raised levels of adrenaline and such, not ta mention a mild concussion, but that'll soon be explained by whatever caused 'er ta fall."

Rodney gulped quite obviously, staring down at her sleeping form. Of course right now, she looked so peaceful, the bandage on her head showing the only real damage to her. One of the nurses helpfully brought a chair along, gesturing for him to sit. Doing as he was told for once in his life, his gaze never wavered from Elizabeth, hand gently resting upon hers. "Do you know what happened?" He eventually murmured.

Carson merely shook his head, flipping his chart back over. "Tha adrenaline I'd say was caused by some kinda strong event before she fell, fight-or-flight really. Can't say exactly what o'course, but indications show she had some sort o' shock."

Rodney frowned at that, gaze swiftly darting up to Beckett. "Wait a minute, are you saying she was attacked?" Fiercely his hand clasped around hers now, concern obvious in his features.

There was a deep sigh, Carson slipping the chart back into its slot on the bed. "Now, ah never said that did ah?" Folding his arms, he continued. "The best I can say is that it was a shock. The only damage she's got is the gash to her head, which we know was from the table 'cos of the blood there."

But then… "How? Why?" Rodney asked, shooting up from the chair. "Elizabeth's not that stupid; she wouldn't just stumble and fall, and hit the table. Maybe something pushed her?"

"Or someone?" Carson added, musing aloud.

"You think someone intentionally hurt her?" Rodney's eyes widened at that, his skin paling her. "I swear if anyone touched her, then I'll kill-"

"You do realise o'course Rodney, that you were the last one to see 'er?"

"What?!" Rodney suddenly cried, glaring to him. "You're suggesting that I hurt Elizabeth? I'd never do that! I-I lo-"

"He didn't hurt me…" Came a sudden quite murmur from below them both, Elizabeth's eyelids slowly flickering open, before she sent Rodney a dazzling smile. "He saved me."

The both of them blinking at that, Carson then sighed to Rodney. "I'm not the one who'd think that Rodney, believe me, I was only suggestin' what others woulda thought. Now, I'll leave you both alone."

Rodney watched him go with a deep frown, before turning back to Elizabeth as her hand clasped around his. "Rodney." She murmured softly, that same dazzling smile sent to him. Frowning still, Rodney returned to his seat, making no effort to retract his hand. "You seem like you're actually pleased to see me." He commented, watching her.

Elizabeth just continued to smile, while her grasp tightened around his hand. "Of course I am." She replied softly, her head tilting so that her gaze could meet his fully. "I went to see you at dinner. I missed you."

This was definitely weird. Rodney's surprise was evident, and he chuckled. "I guess they've been filling you with a lot of drugs eh? I'll leave you and come back when you're more yourself." He winced then as her grip tightened a weird focus within her eyes. She was a lot stronger then she looked. "Or not." He added lamely, sitting back down.

"Please, don't leave Rodney. Don't ever leave." That focus in her eyes began to unnerve him a bit, and he babbled. "Uh, I won't, I promise. I'm always here, always in the base. But I should go and check on the lab, really I should." The last bit was through gritted teeth, as Elizabeth's grip strengthened to that of a vice. "I don't want you to go!" She replied, more forcefully this time.

"Hey, hey, no distressin' ma patients!" Carson shouted, striding over to the bed. "What's goin' on here?"

"I was just about to leave." Rodney replied, noticing that as soon as Carson appeared, her grip suddenly released. "I think whatever drugs you've put Elizabeth on are a little too strong, she wasn't hurt that badly."

"But, I didn't put 'er on any drugs." Carson replied, noticing too late that Rodney had already gone, rubbing his hand as he went. Shaking his head, he glanced down to Elizabeth, surprised to find her so suddenly asleep. "Some people 'eh?" Sighing, he shook his head, before leaving to conduct some more tests.

------

Elizabeth awoke fully, that rainbow cloud still enveloping her. "What the hell is going on?!" She shouted, turning this way and that, trying to perceive anything. But all that came back were piercing emotions. Desire. Hunger. Desire. Hunger-wait, Rodney! "Rodney!" She shouted through the haze, trying to pierce it. "Rodney, you've gotta help me!"

Wait, wasn't he going? "No, don't go, DON'T GO!" She shouted, feeling herself grab hold of his hand. He had to stay, he just had too, and he had to help her. Too late though she felt the wince in his face, wincing herself. And Carson suddenly there. Releasing the grip, she shook her head. "No, I-I don't want to hurt him." Make Him Happy. The thought stuck in her mind, and she nodded. "Yes, make him happy. I don't want to hurt him. I want him to help me." Desire Him. "Y-yes, I suppose so." Elizabeth murmured, as she watched him go, feeling strength slowly going from her body. Good. Soon. Desire Fulfilled.

"Yes." Elizabeth murmured softly, as she drifted off to sleep once more.

------

"Anything?" John asked as he caught sight of Teyla.

"I am sorry, I have found nothing." Teyla replied with a soft sigh, strapping the gun back onto her. "There are many of Dr. McKay's discoveries here, but none which would seem to pose a threat."

"Great." John muttered, as he slotted his gun back. "Maybe we were looking in the wrong place anyway. I mean she fell at the table right?"

Teyla nodded, moving back to the front of the lab with him. "So you are saying that the cause has most likely not been moved from there."

"Well deduced my dear Watson." John quipped back to her, before adding. "Never mind, I'll explain later. There's only one problem though, that table was empty."

Teyla furrowed her brow softly, hands lacing behind her back. "John, you have forgotten also the arguments between the two Doctors, perhaps-"

"No." John immediately interrupted with. "There's no way on Earth, Atlantis, or any other planet that McKay would ever hurt Elizabeth. I mean, that'd be as insane as me hurting you."

"But I believe, not as insane as me hurting you?" Teyla smiled back to him, before moving forward.

John laughed, arms spreading. "Hey, if you wanna go, lets go girl. I've seen those sticks you use, they don't look so tough."

"Yes, but I do not necessarily need sticks." Teyla replied to him with, what John would've sworn, was a flirtatious smile, before kneeling down. "I believe I have found something. This canister, it looks familiar."

"Canister?" John kneeled down beside her, grasping it. "Oh geeze." He groaned, showing it to her properly. "It's the canister from the planet! And it's empty!"

Teyla blinked at that, studying it along with him. "But, I thought Dr. McKay said the force field was the strongest he had ever seen, that it could not be broken?"

John snorted at that, glancing back to her. "Have you ever known McKay to actually tell us the problems with an Ancient technology? He's always so concerned about the advantages; he never thinks it could fail."

Sighing then, Teyla asked. "But what does this mean? That the gas inside was actually something else?"

"It'd sure explain your weird feelings Teyla." Settling down fully on the floor, he tightened his grasp around the canister as if it was going to fly away or something, before continuing. "You never did finish that Athosian story of yours. You were up to the part about some demon kid or something?"

Teyla slipped into a cross-legged position, hands resting upon her knees. Scrutinising John, she replied. "I remember I had told you about the mother dying yes, and the father seeing her going to the Peace."

"In a glorious cloud of rainbow colours yadda, yadda, yadda."

Teyla shot him a look, before continuing. "Yes. As I said, the father thought nothing more of it. Obviously he was saddened by the loss of his wife and child, but within time, his grief passed, and he fell in love with one of his good friends."

"And let me guess." John mused then. "She became pregnant, he found out she had a demon child within her, and then they both died, with glorious rainbow coloured funeral?"

"I thought you said you had not heard this before?" Teyla asked, eyebrow rising.

"I guessed." John replied, before sighing. "Look, is there a moral, or some kind of actual ending to this story?"

"Yes. As you said, this continued to happen. The man became frightened, and decided to consult the Council. Unfortunately, they did not believe him, and he was sent away. By the time the Council eventually noticed, it was too late. There had been thousands of sightings of these rainbow spirits. They would inhabit women, causing them to mate, and then die with their child."

"Wait a minute, didn't the guys ever say no?" Hell that sounded impossible even as he said it.

"Many tried yes." Teyla replied, her eyes now sorrowful as she immersed herself fully in the tale. "However there were now so many spirits, that they were easily overcome. With the strength in numbers, the men were inhabited too, and mating occurred easily."

"But, if what you're saying is true then, the woman would eventually die out right? Because they died at childbirth, with the kid."

Teyla nodded to that, before sighing. "That was the power of the demons. They were constantly hungry, and their hunger could only be fulfilled by the energy of a host. When the women were there, the demon would grow within her, consuming her and helping the child-demon to grow, multiplying in numbers. However when only the men remained, they were overtaken also, ripped apart from the inside."

John winced obviously at that, trying his best not to imagine that. "So, that planet we stepped on is the planet then." Shuddering, a thought then struck him. "Wait a minute, if it really is the world, and all that happened… how the hell did it get a force field on it?"

To that, Teyla just shrugged. "I do not know. The force field was never mentioned within the story. My Father only told it, to warn me of the dangers of allowing your demons to be set free. Going to the Peace, must involve all of you, such as happened truly to the Ancestors."

"Hmm, yeh." John murmured, before glancing back to her. "Look, we'd better find McKay. He was the one who knew the most about this canister."

"But this is a difficult time for him, it seems a little-"

"Callous?" John supplied, before clambering back up from the floor. "We've got no choice Teyla. This demon thing, or whatever it is, is loose in the city now, and if you're right, then it could start off a seriously damaging chain reaction."

At that moment McKay walked into the lab, blinking as he saw John and Teyla. "You guys still here?" He asked, before his gaze fell to what John was carrying. "What the-where did you get that from?"

"We found it on the floor." Teyla replied for John, before gesturing to it. "There is no doubt at what it is Doctor. I have told John of a tale, that tells the story of the planet we visited, but it made no mention of the force field we found there."

"But it was helpful in one way." John smiled to Teyla, before explaining to them both. "It tells us that this problem was started by the Ancients, so no doubt, it was solved by them too. Which means-"

"It might be in the database!" Rodney suddenly exclaimed, a wide grin on his features. "Then all we have to do is what they did, and we're free of this… whatever it is." Taking the canister from John, he grinned. "I'll start working on this right now."

"McKay." John suddenly stopped him, concern obvious on his face. "Wait a minute, we need to talk." Sighing a little, he asked. "How is Elizabeth?"

"Well, Carson said she seems to be okay, just a bit of a shock before she hit her head off the table." Rodney waved the canister absently here. "Probably just this thing escaping, no doubt it knocked her back and caused her to fall."

"Nothing else?" John probed further, watching Rodney carefully.

Rolling his eyes, Rodney sighed. "What are you trying to get at?"

"I believe..." Teyla said softly. "That John is trying to ascertain what exactly happened to the rainbow creature…"

"What, you think it shot inside Elizabeth or something?" Rodney suddenly scoffed. "Look, we don't even know for certain that this gas is anything more then that. I mean, not every gas thing is going to be some sort of half-ascended alien that will automatically inhabit people is it?"

"No…" Teyla cautioned, before adding. "However, the story my Father told…"

"Is a story Teyla." Rodney snapped back to her. "Probably a tale to scare you and the rest of the Athosians when you were children. Look, I spoke to Elizabeth, she's a bit woozy from the head hit, but apart from that, she's absolutely fine."

Teyla pursed her lips, a rare flicker of her anger. "Doctor, that tale is one that has been passed down from generations to generat-"

"Generations of simpletons." Rodney scoffed once more. "Look, I don't have time for fanciful tales Teyla. I'm going to do my job, and work on the facts." Not even bothering to say any more, he moved off further into the lab.

John gently placed his hand on the small of Teyla's back, pushing her forward out of the lab, even as she started to reply. "Just forget him Teyla." John soothed, as they stepped out of the lab. "He's obviously upset after what happened to Elizabeth, and the best thing for him right now is to study that canister."

"There was no need to insult my people though." Teyla defended herself with, arms folding as the two walked. "I know the Doctor sees us as 'simple', but we are happy with the life we have chosen."

"Look, he knows that deep down, he really does. But you know McKay; he lashes out when he's hurt." John nudged her a little then, grinning. "He'll come crawling soon enough, probably when this is all finished with."

"Yes, I suppose you are right." Teyla mused, before frowning a touch. "Do you truly believe that the alien creature is within Doctor Weir? We have no proof of the fact…"

"Maybe not." John replied. "But we do know some facts. That rainbow thing is definitely some kind of weird alien presence, most likely a more intelligent form of that energy-eating monster we had to deal with before. We also know that Elizabeth was the last one with it. I can't see the thing being too choosy."

"It is certainly possible." Teyla agreed, before adding. "However, again we have no proof of the fact."

"Then we get proof."

As Teyla gave him a 'how' expression, John just grinned. "Well put it this way, there's only one way to find out, and that's to speak to Elizabeth."

Teyla nodded to that, changing her movements as he did to head for the infirmary. "Perhaps, Dr. Beckett has found some things that could tell us if indeed she is different."

"Maybe, but I wouldn't hold out any hope. This is a job for my expert interrogation techniques." Thankfully John didn't see Teyla's dubious look at that, quickly switching to a smile that matched his own, before they both headed into the medical bay.

Elizabeth poked her head around the corner once more, letting a sigh of relief pass her mouth. Gone, they were gone. Tilting her head side-to-side, she moved off once more. This new body was certainly different to what they had been used too, a little more primitive, but the energy was there nonetheless. It was so easy, her weakness so obvious. At times of course she awoke, but only enough to aid in any questions. The hunger was hard, but the flesh aided in keeping it at bay, enough for clear thought anyway.

Ah, the lab. Where her mate, as she read, often resided. There was no concept in the mind of what was truly attractive, but to this one, this… Rodney seemed to be. Smoothing down her clothes, she stepped inside.

"Rodney." Came her pleasant greeting, a warm smile sent, even as he sent her a surprised look. Calmer. The human had been scared by the outburst before. This would take time. For now at least, that was not a problem.

"Elizabeth." Rodney was certainly surprised, gaze shifting to her head. The cut had already begun to heal, bandage removed. "I guess it was just superficial or something."

"Yes." Elizabeth replied, before laughing softly. Laughter, another old memory. Further, she stepped into the lab. Alone with them, was always the better option. Her own gaze swept the area, suddenly focusing on the canister. With a quick flick, the canister was in her hand. "What is this doing here?" She snapped, hand trembling as she resisted the urge to crush it. Despite her anger, she knew that would alarm the human.

Rodney blinked, gently moving to take it back from her. "It's the canister Elizabeth, remember?" Her grip subsided enough for him to remove it as he supplied. "I was just taking it apart; see what was wrong with it."

"Oh." Elizabeth nodded to that, trying her best to hide her pleasure. "Good, it should be dismantled."

Rodney frowned at her, idly pushing the canister away before his gaze flickered to her head once more. "Are you sure you should be up and about? I'm surprised Beckett let you out so early."

"He was most kind." Elizabeth replied, smile frozen. "Said that there was no more need for me to rest, as my head was much better. And the rest of me. Rodney…" Gently, her voice warmed a little, a sound that made Rodney relax. It sounded like Elizabeth. "I'm sorry for the argument, and the way that I scared you in the bed. I was just worried that you were going to leave because, well, because I trust you so much." Stepping very close, she murmured to him. "Do you trust me?"

Rodney gulped quite obviously, a reflexive response with Elizabeth's proximity. "O-of course I do." He then replied, a warm smile coming to his features. "I trust you completely Elizabeth. When you were hurt, I was so worried about you, but now-"

"Now, I'm much better." One hand braced on the table, bringing her closer to him, her words finished with a soft breath. "Thanks to you."

"Me?" Rodney squeaked, before promptly clearing his throat. "Uh, I mean, me? I-I just found you Elizabeth that's all, if you'd collapsed anywhere else..."

"It wasn't just then." Elizabeth murmured her other hand rising to gently caress his cheek. "From the first moment I met you, you saved me Rodney. You, Rodney McKay, are my saviour."

Oh God, she was leaning in! Rodney gulped once more, heart ready to pop out of his chest at any moment, and it was an inevitable pull. Those soft lips of hers, her eyelashes fluttering closer, and all he could do was lean in, give in to what he'd denied himself for so long…

"Get the hell off of him you life-sucking-rainbow-hell-monster! Or so help me, I'll shoot you right now, even if it is Elizabeth's body."

Rodney didn't dart back as his body had hoped, namely because of the strong grip that Elizabeth had somehow enacted upon him, but his head did turn to spot John, Ford, Teyla and a few guards he didn't know the name of and had never bothered to find out. All of them had some sort of weapon raised. "What the hell do you think you're doing?" Rodney finally managed to ask, gently extricating himself from the rather awkward position with Elizabeth, aided by the fact that she too stepped away. "It comes to something when I can't enjoy an int... uh, have a private conversation with Dr. Weir in my own lab!"

"That is not Dr. Weir." Teyla replied, gun still poised on Elizabeth.

"Well, in a way it is." Ford pointed out, silencing quickly though as John just shot him a look.

"Basically, it's Dr. Weir's body, it's just not her controlling it." John explained, gun quickly re-aiming on Elizabeth. "Hey, you're not going anywhere missy."

"John, stop this!" Elizabeth replied, her eyes wide. "I know you've disrespected me before, but this is ridiculous! It's nothing short of treason!"

"Yeah, maybe if you weren't some freaky rainbow alien!" Ford shouted, his own gun focusing on her once more. "Now we can either do this the hard way or-"

"Ford." John cautioned, his head shaking.

Rodney just couldn't believe any of this, moving in front of Elizabeth. "If anything, you're the ones who are crazy! There's nothing wrong with Elizabeth, okay?"

"I dunno about that, she was going to kiss you Rodney."

He ignored the quip from Ford, continuing. "Look, while you're in here playing 'shoot the leader' that alien thing is out there taking control of someone!"

"Fine, fine." John replied, his gun slowly lowering, despite the looks from his small armed group. "But just tell me one thing then. If she's so innocent, why did she try to kill Beckett?"

"What?!" Rodney cried, gaze snapping to Elizabeth. "You tried to kill Carson?" Even he couldn't believe he was saying it, but still, she had seemed weird. And all of a sudden going to kiss him? Was it too good to be true?