Chapter Seven

It had taken almost ten minutes to convince Jennifer to release Rodney.

It had taken seconds for him to make it to the isolation room where Rayne was being held.

Three guards stood watch as Rodney and Rayne talked – well – if you could call it talking.

Rodney's talking had turned into a shouting match.

For every insult Rodney had given her, Rayne had one better.

John had to bite on his lip to stop himself laughing out loud as he and Woolsey watched from above.

"What makes you think that I care what you people think about me? Yeah, so I have nanites, doesn't mean I'm gonna kill everyone!"

"We don't know what you're capable of! Look, all I'm asking is that you tell us where you got your nanites from and how they work-"

"And I'm trying to tell you that I DON'T KNOW! For a man that claims to be the world's smartest man you are so dumb when it comes to understanding the English language!" She bellowed. "Listen carefully so you actually understand me this time – I. DON'T. KNOW!"

John looked over to Woolsey. "It makes you wonder what their marriage was like." He chuckled.

"You told Doctor Keller that the nanites are your immune system and that you need them, how do you know this if you don't know where they came from?"

"I don't know! Believe me I would tell you if I knew! All I know is that they're there and I have no idea how they got there or why!" She folded her arms and turned away from him. "I don't know why I'm even bothering; you've never really believed anything I've ever said!" She said sadly.

"What?" Rodney squeaked. "I've always believed you!"

"Have not!"

"Have too!"

Woolsey cocked his head to the side as the argument continued. "Do you think we should break it up?"

"Nah, I think he actually needs this." John smirked.

"What do you mean? I've always listened to you!"

Rayne mouth dropped open. "Do I need to remind you of our wedding day?"

"Why do you always bring that up?" He whined. "Every argument always ends with the fact that I forgot one tiny thing!"

"ONE TINY THING? You never turned up! I didn't see you again for three days! THREE days, Meredith!" She growled.

"Don't call me that, please…I go by Rodney now." He grumbled.

"Oh, 'so what a name change and all in the past is forgotten'?" Quoting Rodney's own words she leaned heavily on the bed.

"I think we've got a little off-track here…"

"Mr Woolsey, Colonel Sheppard…I have some news about the nanites." Radek looked to where Rodney was desperately trying to change the subject. "He's still in there? Anyway, I can confirm that the nanites are only designed to be used as an immune system…she cannot infect anyone else with them as they can only work within her body."

John frowned. "So they were made specifically for her?"

Radek shrugged. "That I do not know…we tried introducing live tissue to them but they didn't react…no, they are her immune system as much as antibodies are ours." He handed Richard Woolsey his data-pad.

"You're certain of this?"

"Yes." Radek confirmed.

Woolsey looked over to John. "She can be released but still have a guard with her at all times, I just want to be sure." Radek followed Woolsey out of the room, leaving John alone.

"Rayne?" He called over the mic. Both Rodney and Rayne looked up shocked, as though they'd forgotten he was there. "How would you like to get out of there?"

"Oh, please!" She begged.

"Rodney, can I have a word please?" John said with a smile.

Rodney closed his eyes and groaned. "I'm not going to like this, am I?"

John chuckled as he made his way to the isolation room's main door.

"What?" Rodney asked, folding his arms across his chest.

"Zelenka's confirmed that the nanites are her immune system only and Woolsey's given permission for her to be released from here."

"See, I told you!" Rayne squawked from behind them.

"He's finished already? It's only been…" Raising his arm he looked at his watch. "THREE hours? We've been in here for three hours?"

"Felt more like ten to me!"

"Will you shut up!" He snapped, turning round.

Rayne folded her arms slowly and raised her eyebrows. "Is that anyway to talk to your ex-wife?" She stepped closer.

"Okay kids, time to break it up…Rodney, I expect Jennifer's waiting for you to take her to lunch so you ought to-"

"I'm going, I'm going." Rodney turned and walked away from them, not even looking back.

"Thank you."

"You two always been like that?" John asked.

Rayne smiled faintly. "Not at first…can get some clothes? I don't think I'm supposed to be walking round in these." She pointed down to the scrubs she was wearing.

"Let's take you to the infirmary first then we'll see what we can do…Phaedra's gone back to your world for some…things…shall we?"

"Yes, sir!" She mock saluted and followed him into the main part of the infirmary.

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%

An hour later, Rayne had been given a change of clothes donated by various people until Phaedra returned from Ordan and was eating alone in the mess, her guard standing close by.

Both she and Phaedra had been assigned temporary quarters as long as they needed for the negotiation.

Rayne hadn't been surprised when it was Radek that had turned up at the first meeting instead of Rodney.

Not that she could blame him.

No matter what Rodney might do or say now, it couldn't compensate for what happened all those years ago.

Not that it had been her choice to leave in the first place.

"Penny fer yer thoughts?"

She looked up to where the voice came from. "I'm sorry?" She'd almost forgotten where she was.

"I don't mean t'intrude but yer looking lonely…would ye mind if I joined ye?" Carson asked.

Rayne smiled at the dark-haired man. "Please…my name is Rayne Vhar."

"Carson Beckett…it's a pleasure meeting you." He sat down with his tray. "So…yer t'lass that's got our Rodney all riled up."

She leaned forward. "Does everyone know?"

"Some…not many though." He smiled. "So how yer finding Atlantis then?"

"Beautiful…it's hard to imagine that it's lasted this long in perfect condition."

"Aye, we've had our mishaps though…people have died fer this city…and its people."

"Life's like that though Carson, when it's your time there's nothing you can do about it."

Carson chuckled.

"What?"

"Oh, nothing…just remembered something funny."

"When I was younger I always wanted to be surrounded by a city such as Atlantis, but actually being here…it's not what I imagined."

Carson smiled. "Aye, that's life."

Rayne returned the smile.

They continued talking for almost an hour, until John turned up to whisk Rayne away.

"It was a pleasure talking with you Carson…maybe we can do it again?"

"Sure…I'd like that."

She gave a small wave and left the table.

Perhaps she could call Atlantis home after all.

TBC…so what are people thinking so far? Please no flames! literally or figuratively, i'm doing my best =]'