AN Guess now that 'The Kindred' parts one and two have aired this fic must be considered AU. I may go back and change a few minor things that don't really affect the story line later. But I'll wait until the season finale has aired, since there'll probably be more bugs that need fixing. I'll let you know if and when I change anything in the earlier chapters.

Escape

"So, gimme the news, Doc," John said when Carson had finished his examination and joined him in the lab. With McKay's help, Sheppard had disabled the stun device that had been hooked up to the trip wire, making the passage through the door now safe.

"His vital signs are amazingly stable, considering what he's been through. In a way, Michael did us a favour. It appears that he was planning tae prolong this… procedure as much as possible, so he made sure Ronon's condition would not deteriorate too much."

He pointed at the IV bottles hanging over the table. "Two of them contain glucose and saline solutions to prevent malnutrition and dehydration."

"What about the other two?"

"One is a sedative. It was being administered when we arrived, but I've shut it off in the meantime. The other is a stimulant. I can only guess that it was used to keep Ronon from blacking out during…"

He broke off, looking at the still figure. Teyla was standing at Ronon's side, one hand gently stroking his hair. Carson had removed the wooden spikes and dressed the wounds, but the metal pins were still embedded in his shoulders, sides and the top of his thighs. At least the attachments had been removed.

Swallowing hard, Sheppard asked, "What's with those pins?"

Carson flinched. "I'll need more sophisticated equipment tae remove them without doing further damage. They were inserted right into nerve centers, and then hooked up tae the generator we found next door." He shook his head. "I don't get it. This is not like Michael at all. He's an ice cold, calculating maniac, but he's first and foremost a scientist. Inflicting pain only for pain's sake..."

"The stargate just activated!" McKay's panicked voice interrupted the doctor. "Sheppard, do you read? The gate's open, and… oh no, a dart just came through!"

"I heard you, Rodney!" Cursing under his breath, John turned to Beckett.

"We need to get out of here. You said one of those bottles contains a stimulant?" Carson nodded. "Do you think it would bring Ronon around enough so he can walk with some help?"

"You canna be serious…" Beckett began to sputter, but Sheppard cut him short. "Look, Doc, it would take at least the three of us to carry him. But then we can't defend ourselves against whoever just gated through. So I'm not asking you if this is a good idea, I'm asking you if it's possible."

"I don't think you realize…"

"Doc?" There was a warning undertone in the word.

"Alright! Aye, it is possible. But the repercussions…"

"Good enough for me. Do it."

John turned to Teyla. "You stay here and help Carson. I'll go ahead and clear the way. As soon as you can, get going. I'll meet you by the exit."

Teyla nodded. Sheppard half ran out of the room, activating his comm along the way.

"Rodney? What's the score?"

"The dart deposited four drones. They're heading for the hatch that leads to the tunnels."

After switching the feed, Carson picked up a syringe and jabbed the needle into a port on the IV line. Seeing Teyla's questioning look, he just said, "Morphine."

Then they stood together quietly, waiting for the drugs to take effect. After a few minutes, Ronon's eyelids began to flutter. He groaned, turning his head right and left as he struggled out of unconsciousness. Teyla put a calming hand on his forehead, and leaned over him. Very slowly, Ronon's eyes opened. They were distant and seemed to look straight through her. Blinking a few times, he tried to bring her face into focus.

"Be still. We are here, you are safe," Teyla whispered. Then her head jerked around as she heard the familiar sound of a P-90. Ronon tried to turn as well, and seemed surprised that his hands were no langer shackled. Lifting one arm, he looked distractedly at the red welts around his wrist. Another burst of machine gun fire galvanized Beckett into action.

"Ronon, lad, do ye think ye can sit up?" he asked.

There was no reply. Ronon was still staring at his wrist. Carson nodded at Teyla, and together they managed to manhandle the Satedan to a sitting position, his long legs dangling over the side of the table.

"Ye okay so far, lad?" Beckett asked.

Ronon looked at him. "I'm fine," he said finally. His voice was expressionless, like a robot's. But hearing the reply they knew so well brought a slight smile to the faces of his team mates.

"Alright then, let's see if ye can stand." Supporting him on both sides, they slid Ronon off the table and onto his feet. For a moment it appeared that his knees would buckle, but then the Satedan managed to stand. Carson took off his uniform jacket and put it around Ronon's shoulders.

The retort of a P-90 echoed through the hallways again, and then they heard Sheppard's voice over the comm.

"Okay, that took care of those four. Should I look out for any more, McKay?"

"Negative. The dart continued right after dropping its cargo."

"Maybe there's another facility on this planet, but we can check that out next time," John replied, obvious relief in his voice. "Doc, Teyla, how's it going with Ronon?"

"He's on his feet, and I think he'll be able to walk," Carson replied.

"Don't worry about me," Ronon mumbled.

"I will decide what to worry about, thank you very much. But right now, let's try to get you out of here, alright?"