"Ok McKay, which way?" Sheppard asked as they moved down the foul smelling corridors of the Hive.
"We need to take a left in..now." McKay said. "Yeah that way." He added pointing down a side corridor.
"A bit more notice would be nice." Sheppard chastised as headed off on the new path.
"Is Jennifer remaining in the same location?" Teyla asked.
McKay glanced at the screen before answering. "She doesn't seem to have moved at all."
"Any sign of Ronon yet?" Sheppard questioned.
"Not yet, but the scan is only sixty-three percent complete." McKay explained before directing. "Right ahead, oh and Wraith ahead." Sheppard and Teyla immediately slowed their pace and carefully rounded the corner to see three Wraith. Three wraith who were clearly not expecting company and were anticipating even less the P90 bullets that tore through their chests moments before they dropped lifeless to the floor.
"Any more of them?" Sheppard questioned.
"Not nearby." McKay answered as he added. "left again."
"Any sign of Ronon yet?"
"Nope. As soon as I have anything I'll let you know." McKay answered causing Sheppard to curse. The colonel then tapped his radio.
"Lorne you read?"
"Yes Sir?"
"Everything ok?"
"So far."
"Good. When you get Todd to a terminal I want him to look up Ronon's location."
"Yes Sir." Lore replied as Sheppard continued down the corridor.
"Jennifer should be just up here on the left." McKay whispered. "But there are more Wraith between us and her."
"How many?"
"Two." McKay answered.
Once again Sheppard and Teyla edged forward until they could see the Wraith. Once again they were taken out before either Wraith could give any return fire.
With the coast clear McKay came out of the shadows and pointed to a cell. "In there."
"Open it." Sheppard ordered as he approached the cell and looked through the bars into the darkened cell.
"Doc you hear me?" He asked, but got no reply. He raised his P90 and shone the torch on it into the cell. "You sure this is it?" He asked McKay.
"Yes I am sure." The scientist responded as he tried to open the cell. When the doors finally opened Sheppard and Teyla cautiously entered and used their torches to try and bring light to the cell.
"Doc?" Sheppard called as moved into the middle of the dungeon. He then saw a small shape in the darkness of the corner.
"Jennifer?" Teyla called as she followed Sheppard's torch beam. Still their calls went unanswered. Cautiously they approached the shape. As they neared the shape became more defined and they could make out that it was Jennifer huddled in the corner on the floor. Her knees brought up to her chest, whilst her arms were tightly wrapped round them. Her head lowered and hidden, by the darkness, from them.
Filled with trepidation over what they might discover they approached and knelt down, Teyla in front of her, Sheppard to her side.
Sheppard reached out and gently touched Jennifer's shoulder causing her to flinch and look up. "Hey doc. It is ok, you are safe now." He said, relieved when he saw that her face was as young as he remembered and not shrivelled from feeding. Jennifer stared at him, well through him, and did not speak.
Teyla and Sheppard exchanged concerned glances before Teyla tried to communicate.
"Jennifer, you are safe now. Are you hurt?" She asked gently, but again Jennifer remained silent.
Sheppard turned back to the entrance of the cell where McKay looked on concerned. "Any luck finding Ronon yet?" The Colonel asked. The moment he said Ronon's name Jennifer said softly.
"He's dead."
Before her words had fully registered Lorne's voice came over the radio.
"Go ahead Lorne." Sheppard responded as the shock began to set in.
"Sir, Todd has scanned the ship and there is no sign of Ronon. Todd swears that there is no record of him being brought onboard."
"Yeah." Sheppard croaked as realisation hit. Pulling himself together he said. "As soon as you are done head to the Jumper." Signing off, Sheppard stood and tried to lift Jennifer who immediately began to resist.
"Come on doc we need to get you home." He attempted. Either due to his words or sheer exhaustion Jennifer stopped struggling and returned to her almost trance like state. Cradling her tightly he turned towards Teyla and McKay who looked as shocked as he felt. "Lets go and keep an eye out for hostiles.
McKay silently nodded as Sheppard carried the broken form of Jennifer out of the cell.
Apart from McKay's directions and Wraith warnings the journey was carried out in silence until Lorne's voice once again came over the radio.
"We are back at the Jumper Sir. The self-destruct is rigged up to be operated from the Jumper."
"Good work Major we are two minutes out." Sheppard said, his voice heavy. "As soon as we are on board get us the hell away from here and blow the Hive."
"Yes Sir." Lorne responded, surprised that he was being asked to fly the Jumper.
When Sheppard's team entered the Jumper two minutes later a deathly hush immediately descended as the crew saw who was nestled in Sheppard's arms. As the Jumper doors shut, John took a seat on the bench, as far away from Todd as possible and held Jennifer close. As a stunned Lorne took off Teyla raided the Jumper for a blanket which she placed round Jennifer, who remained unmoving and silent in John's arms.
When the Jumper was a safe distance from the Hive and the self-destruct activated no one felt the normal buzz associated with the destruction of a Hive. Instead the Jumper silently made its way through the gate.