A big thank you to everyone who is sticking with this story. I know this is a slow build up, but it will be worth your wait, I promise! ;-)

Chapter 9

'And you're sure it's missing?' Sam clarified, trying not to show her true feelings about John's accusation.

'Well, I can't find it, and it's not where Keller left it, so –'

' – so you're assume Sarayah came in here last night and stole your sweatband, even though there were two Frahs posted outside her door all night?'

Sheppard glanced at Ronon, as if seeking support. Like an obedient pet, the Satedan joined in. 'It's not just that, things got moved around in here. None of us did it.'

This really wasn't what Sam needed. Being trapped here with Sarayah was understandably making Sheppard paranoid, but now it seemed the feeling was spreading.

'I don't know...it's not much to go on,' she said, realising she was shaking her head as she spoke. She forced herself to stop. Negativity wasn't going to help the situation at all, and would more than likely spur the colonel on in making his accusations. 'Don't you think if she managed to infiltrate your room she'd be more likely to take something she could use to her advantage...like a weapon?'

Sheppard shook his head now. 'I don't think this was meant to be anything more than a mind-game on this occasion. Look, I'm not suggesting we report it to the Frahs or put out an APB. But if she can get in and out of here without waking a single one of us, she might not stop at taking stuff next time.'

'Okay,' Sam nodded, now understanding his concerns. 'We'll take it in turns for the watch.'

'That's all I ask.'

It was somewhat of a relief to her that he wasn't pushing for some kind of interrogation or search of her quarters. The evidence of Sarayah's supposed ingress was circumstantial at best, and the Frahs already seemed stretched to the limit of their patience with their accusations. They didn't judge. She got that. But John did, and she didn't blame him.

'Okay, well, I think it might be best if Rodney and I head back up to the 'gate and put a few more hours in there,' she said, rising from Sheppard's bunk where they had congregated and picking up her pack. She dipped her head toward Lorne's team to silently instruct them it was time to depart, as Rodney quickly rammed a power bar into his mouth whole to free up his hands.

'Maybe you could use Teyla, too,' Sheppard offered.

Sam thought in an odd suggestion, but when she read his expression, she knew he wasn't telling her, but asking her to take his teammate with her. He didn't think she was safe there; he was protecting her. Well, if it eased his mind just a little, perhaps allowed him to relax and get the rest he quite clearly needed, she could accommodate his simple request.

'Good idea, the fresh air will do you good, Teyla. Grab your things.'

Teyla cast a pained look at John, as if she saw this as some kind of rejection. Sam supposed in days gone by, John would have wanted the tiny Athosian fighting at his side. But things were different now, and Sheppard was the type who would never forgive himself if anything happened to her. She knew John felt a great responsibility for those under his command, and took any failures personally. Elizabeth's loss had deeply affected him, as had Dr Heightmeyer's, though he had not often worked too closely with her, and now this...well, clearly he wanted to make sure no one else was lost on his watch.

As they left the building, they were immediately approached by Frah Lisso. He smiled broadly, and spread his hands as he stopped before them. 'Ah, Teyla. You are looking remarkably well this morning considering the troubles of the past night. Impending motherhood obviously suits you well.'

'Thank you, Frah Lisso,' she said, smiling in return.

'May I enquire where you are all going?'

Sam fielded the question, since McKay had been about to and she really didn't think she could deal with any more trouble right now. 'We're heading out to the Stargate again. We didn't get to put much thought into the dialling problem yesterday, not with the unfortunate incident with Colonel Sheppard, so we thought we'd start early and make up for lost time.'

His smile faded slightly, but soon returned. 'So, you won't be joining us for breakfast?'

She shook her head. 'I'm afraid not...but thank you for the offer.'

'You are most welcome. Perhaps another morning.'

'Hopefully not,' Rodney muttered, and although Sam instinctively knew he'd only said that because he hoped they would solve the glitch today, she couldn't help but wish he'd been blessed with a little more tact.

'Yes...perhaps,' she said through her fixed grin, then, throwing Rodney a filthy look, she ordered the team to move out, leaving the Frah watching them leave and looking a little irked.

The morning was far more pleasant than the previous day, temperate and with only the finest wisps of cloud so, hopefully, no rain. That would make their work easier, not that they would let a bit of precipitation stop them.

They covered the six clicks to the gate in a little over an hour, Rodney slumping to the ground with a groan as they arrived. Teyla, too, looked tired, but Sam could forgive her for that. She'd never endured the joys of pregnancy herself, didn't know if she ever would, but she'd heard about how tiring it could be, so it was impressive Teyla had kept up the pace, refusing to stop even when the opportunity was offered. She looked tense, smiling patiently but stiffly, as Rodney grumbled about the blisters he now had on top of his blisters, and Sam suspected that her body might be with them, but her mind was elsewhere.

As they neared the DHD, things suddenly took a huge leap from bad to worse.

'Oh, now, would you look at that?' Rodney cried, throwing his arms up in despair as they spotted the control systems had been damaged, the dialling symbols and control crystals smashed to pieces. A large rock lay nearby, obviously the implement employed in the sabotage. 'Now do you believe Sheppard about Sarayah?'

Sam chewed the inside of her cheek thoughtfully. Sarayah had to be their number one suspect, but this seemed a little graceless compared to the pranks in the house. 'Okay, I guess this means we may take a little longer to fix the problem than we thought, but it's not insurmountable.'

'Not insurmountable? Have you seen this thing,' he shrieked, picking up shards of the symbols and dropping them back onto the DHD. 'We could build a new one quicker!'

'It may not be pretty when we've finished with it, but with some parts from Atlantis we can fix it, McKay. You get set up – I just have to do a few things first. Teyla, would you join me?'

'Of course.'

They walked a short distance away, into the midst of a small copse, and then Sam stopped and gave Teyla her warmest smile.

In return, Teyla simply looked puzzled. 'I do not understand, Colonel. What is it you want me to do here?'

'Oh, that was just a cover to stop McKay trying to follow us,' Sam told her. 'I wanted to get your feelings on what happened back at camp this morning. I get the impression you're the one most likely to give me an impartial opinion.'

'What is it you want to know? I was in your room all night. I didn't see anything.'

'I know – it's more your gut instinct I'm interested in. Do we have something to worry about, or is Colonel Sheppard –'

Teyla's reaction to her implied doubt was instant. 'Colonel Sheppard is not prone to flights of fancy, Colonel Carter. And Sarayah does have a habit of taking his things to keep for herself. This could be a warning...or even a game. From what I have learned of her 'illness', unnerving him in this way would be quite in character for her.'

'You know about sociopaths?'

'I spoke with Kate often about Sarayah. Of course, she was unable to discuss specifics of Sarayah's own counselling, but she did explain the illness in great detail to help me understand my feelings toward her, and those of the colonel.'

'I see. I must confess, after hearing what she accused him of yesterday, I can understand John's anger and mistrust.'

'I doubt that any of us who have not experienced obsession of this level could ever truly understand how John feels...' Teyla rolled her eyes, wrapping her slender arms around herself, across her stomach, her eyes now glistening with emotion. 'I feel I am an additional burden to him here, just another thing for him to worry about. He does not believe me capable of defending myself against her.'

Hormones, Sam thought, remembering how her brother had complained about his wife's constant mood swings throughout her pregnancies. 'I'm sure that isn't how he feels at all –'

'He only agreed to my coming because he thought it was a straight forward reconnaissance mission. Now he is angry with himself for doing so, and I feel a great guilt that I put so much pressure on him to let me join in.'

'You are still an effective member of this team, Teyla. You're pregnant, not sick.'

'But I am compromised. If it were a choice between others and myself, knowing my child would live...I am no longer sure I would take the risk.'

'John understands that. We all do. Don't beat yourself up about it.'

Static burst through on her radio, then Rodney's voice whined, 'Not wishing to sound facetious here, Sam, but I seem to recall you said we would be working on the 'gate problems. A little help here?'

'Be right there, Rodney.' She gave Teyla's shoulder a squeeze. 'Don't worry too much, Teyla. John has Ronon there with him. I can't think of anyone more suited to protect him, can you?'

Teyla choked out a laugh. 'No, I cannot. Sarayah would be most unwise to cross him.' She wiped tears from her eyes and forced on her customary smile. 'Thank you for your concern, Colonel Carter. It has helped to get these feelings into the open.'

'Hey, I know what it's like to be the only woman on a team,' Sam beamed, rubbing her arm. 'Sometimes you just need another woman to talk to. So remember, my door's always open...well, not here obviously, but, you know what I mean.'

'I do...and thank you.'

Teyla grasped Sam's upper arms and pressed her forehead to against hers. Sam recognised the Athosian greeting and felt honoured that she'd shared it with her. Now to tackle McKay...she doubted his greeting would be so warm.

oooOOOooo

John woke from another nightmare, staring up at the bare plaster ceiling until his heart returned to what could laughingly be called a regular rhythm, though it was still far faster than he knew was normal. He could hear Ronon and Keller talking in the next room, and from the few words he caught, he and Sarayah were the hot topic of conversation. It had to be hot for Ronon to be using so many words.

'No...and...not move it. I didn't see him...at all. He says...slept all night.'

'But we di...Sarayah, either. It's just ...plausible that Sheppard...in the night...and he jus...n't remember.'

He was always pretty good at jigsaws, crosswords and mental arithmetic. Piecing it all together and adding it all up from the cryptic clues, he realised Keller was suggesting he'd moved things himself during the night and had been too out of his head to remember. Great, so his own people thought he was losing it. Maybe he was.

But whatever they thought about last night, he knew Sarayah was up to something. He decided it was time to head over to Frah Mussa's house for another little chat. Maybe he could shed some light on things.

He slipped on his sling to ease the ache in his arm, and had almost made it out the door before either Ronon or Jennifer noticed. 'Uh, and just where do you think you're going, Colonel?' she asked, folding her arms and trying to look cross.

'Just...out,' he said, feeling like a teenager caught trying to sneak out to a party after being grounded. 'I'm getting stir-crazy staring at the same four walls.'

'I'm not sure you should be out and about just yet,' she advised him, giving Ronon and anxious glance.

'I feel fine now,' he assured her, forcing on a crooked smile. 'Besides, I'm not talking about a 10 mile run, just a stroll around the village.'

'I'll come with you,' Ronon said, getting out of the seat he'd sprawled in.

'No need to –'

'I'm coming,' Ronon insisted, and Sheppard knew there was no point in arguing. Ronon had a certain look that came into his eyes once he'd made his mind up about something, and it was there right now.

Sheppard nodded and carried on to the door with the big man in tow, enjoying the breeze as they exited the stale air of the building. Tipping his face skyward, he took a moment to enjoy the afternoon sun. Though this region of Guedeseo was warm, and his room had been hot while the sun had fallen across it that morning, his previous night's sickness had left him suffering from a residual chill, and the natural warmth outside of the now shady building was very welcome.

'Where'd you wanna go?' Ronon asked him, interrupting his moment of meditation.

Sheppard took a deep breath of warm air and looked over at Frah Mussa's house. 'I think I should thank our host for his help last night.'

Ronon nodded and gestured for him to lead the way. Glad for the show of confidence in his ability to at least walk unsupported, Sheppard trudged his way over to the building, disappointed to find that even that short journey took far more out of him than he would ever admit.

The Frah sat at his desk studying an ancient tome, and didn't look up as they entered. Supposing the older man might be a little hard of hearing, Sheppard cleared his throat loudly enough to be heard.

The Frah's head snapped up from his reading. 'Oh...Colonel Sheppard. I'm glad to see you looking so much better this morning. Please...sit down.'

Before Sheppard could make any move to retrieve one of the simple wooden chairs set back against the wall, Ronon grabbed two and swung them in front of Frah Mussa's desk.

Sheppard gave him a smile and didn't complain, knowing it would only sound churlish, but he hated it when people felt compelled to do those kinds of things for him. As Ronon sat down beside him he heard a distinct moan from the reed bindings holding the uprights and rails together. It held, although Sheppard half expected him to disappear in a heap of broken wood and dust at any moment.

'I must confess I'm surprised to see you up today. Most people take a few days to find their feet again after lantha berry poisoning,' the Frah told him, his genuine amazement shining through in his tone.

'Well, I guess I must have had a smaller dose than most of them. I didn't eat any, so I probably didn't have much in my system.'

'Yes,' the Frah agreed. 'You might be right. Though a small amount on the skin is harmless if cleaned off, if some juice entered the bloodstream you would certainly have felt the effects. I hope the others in your party now understand the dangers of ingesting the berries.'

'Don't worry. We all know the risks of eating unidentified foods,' Sheppard assured him. Then, seeing the Frah's concerned look, he added, 'but I'll be sure to tell them anyway.'

Seeming relieved by that concession, the Frah closed his book and leaned his clasped hands on top of it. 'You are a lucky man, Colonel Sheppard. Many do not survive the experience. Perhaps the Divine One wishes you to live after all.'

'Yeah...maybe...Uh, you know...I've been thinking...We really should be doing more to make ourselves useful while we're here. Is there something we can help you with?'

'Dr Keller said you can't to do anything physical, remember?' Ronon rumbled at his side.

'Quite right. I wouldn't expect anything of you at this time, Colonel...however, there is some site clearing your friend here can help with, if you wouldn't mind?' the Frah asked.

Ronon peered at Sheppard from the corner of his eye, waiting for his agreement, which he readily gave. The Satedan shrugged. 'Sure. Where d'you need me?'

'We are expanding our arable land to grow a rich crop to transport with us when we migrate in a few months time. It is a fast growing grain for making our bread, and if we plant it in the next few days, it should be ready when the time comes to leave. There is need for much more food with our growing population, and some of my fellow Frahs and other villagers are felling the trees and shrubs from a previously unfarmed area of land. If you go outside and find Frah Riggo, he will guide you there. He is currently readying the frenock and cart to transport the seed up to the field, so he will not be hard to spot.'

'Frenock? That's an animal, right?' the Satedan asked.

'Yes, one of our cattle. They are strong and hardy beasts with many uses...particularly good for hauling heavy loads.'

'Should be easy to find.' Ronon headed for the door, stopping only long enough to say, 'Straight back to Keller when you've finished here, Sheppard.'

'You have my word,' the colonel promised him.

'I am certain we will have the land ready in good time with his help,' Frah Mussa beamed, clearly pleased with the trade for their accommodation. 'The migration is hard on all of us, and anything we can do to prepare our crops and cattle for the journey is a bonus. I noticed many of your friends appear to follow Sarayah around the village. Perhaps they could assist her with her work, too?'

'Sure. I'll have a word with them for you,' Sheppard offered, about to activate his radio. Frah Mussa held up an open palm in his direction to stop him.

'Before you do that, Colonel, I wonder if I might ask you a question?'

Puzzled, Sheppard nodded slowly. 'Sure.'

'Last night, when you were ill, you suffered some hallucinations...and I believe they may have concerned Sarayah.'

Although he really didn't appreciate the reminder, Sheppard was intrigued to know what direction he was taking this in. 'That's right, although there were some other things...'

'You seemed...afraid of her.'

That statement didn't sit well with him, even if it was true. He shifted stiffly in his seat. 'Well, I was pretty freaked out at the time.' Realising 'freaked out' meant nothing to the man sitting in front of him, he offered clarification. 'I was vulnerable...sick...I didn't want her anywhere near me.'

Frah Mussa nodded his understanding, his eyes locked on Sheppard's as if reading him. For the first time, the colonel felt like Mussa was actually appraising him, something he thought he had no interest in.

'I have heard much about your previous encounters from Sarayah, but you have kept fairly quiet on the subject. I should very much like to hear what you have to say, Colonel Sheppard.'

Frowning, the colonel averted his gaze, preferring to look out of the window as he thought. He'd never actually told anyone the specifics of the tortures he'd endured during his time with the Atrascans. The finer details weren't particularly relevant, so he'd simply omitted them, painting the picture of events with a far broader brush. But here was a man who was completely unbiased by nature, one who when he left this planet he would never have to see again. Perhaps this was exactly the kind of person he could talk to, someone to whom he could finally unburden himself and lift the cloud of depression and secrecy that had loomed over him, choking the life and humour out of him since Sarayah's escaped from Medulsa. He wanted to remember what it was like to be the John Sheppard who had tossed a coin that had changed his future, the John Sheppard who had entered Atlantis with eyes wide with wonder and hope for an exciting future. But no, he would never be that man again. Too many things had happened – too many people had been lost...

'I'll understand if you prefer not to tell me –'

'It's not that,' Sheppard mumbled, forcing himself to resume eye contact. 'It's just...I don't talk...much.'

'A private man? I understand.'

And Sheppard knew at that moment the opportunity was lost to him, his chance to alleviate his strain sabotaged by his own words. He wouldn't tell Mussa what had happened now because he'd given himself an excuse not to. But this did seem a prudent time to ask him to heed his prior warnings. 'All I will say is don't trust anything she says. She lies, she manipulates, she twists things and people to her own benefit and then casts them aside when she's finished with them. She is very, very dangerous, despite all outward appearances.'

This time, unlike on the previous occasions he'd tried to warn him, Frah Mussa appeared to give his words due weight. 'Having seen your reaction last night, I find myself more willing to listen to you than I am to Sarayah this day.'

'Be careful, Frah Mussa, that almost sounds like a judgment,' Sheppard said, suppressing the smirk trying to fight its way free.

'More an observation,' the man told him. 'Only the Divine One ever truly judges the peoples of Guedeseo. I am merely opening my mind to your suggestions since the everyday protection and survival of the inhabitants of this village is a Frah's ultimate responsibility.'

'Sounds smart. And I have a question for you now, Frah Mussa. Did you post those two men Sarayah asked for outside her quarters all night, or did you decide I was too incapacitated to make it worthwhile leaving them there?'

The Frah nodded. 'Sarayah was most insistent that we still have someone outside her door. Two men at a time took short shifts throughout the night.'

Insisted, huh? Though he hated being so suspicious of everything she did, that sounded like someone looking for an alibi to him. 'And she stayed in her room all night?'

'No one has reported otherwise.' The man eyed him, leaning back in his seat and making it creak in distress. 'Is there a problem, Colonel Sheppard?'

'No...I was just interested,' he lied, pushing up slowly to allow his weak legs time to get used to bearing his weight before trying to walk. 'Anyway, I think I've taken up enough of your time, so I'm going to head back to my room to get some more rest.'

Frah Mussa rose with him and followed him to the door. 'Not at all, Colonel Sheppard. My door is always open to those who wish to talk. That is what the community here on Guedeseo is all about.'

He placed a reassuring hand on the colonel's shoulder, and because he wasn't wearing his gloves Sheppard noticed for the first time that this man, too, had the end joints of his fingers missing. He didn't react, deciding the question might be best kept for another time since it might be considered an intrusion. Frah Mussa was coming around to his way of thinking, and he had no desire to do anything to jeopardise that. 'Take care of yourself, Colonel. Rest is key to your recovery.'

'Don't worry, I already have several people nagging me about the same thing,' Sheppard smiled, heading shakily out into the sunlight again.

He'd made it halfway across the square when a voice stopped him in his tracks. 'Good afternoon, Colonel. It is good to see you out and about so soon.'

It was Meritza, the girl who had brought him his uniform.

'It's good to be out,' he replied, coming to a halt and waiting for her to join him. 'And you can call me John.'

'Meritza,' she told him, blushing again, though he remembered her name from Keller's earlier introduction.

'You look busy,' he smiled, hoping to put the anxious girl at her ease. She was carrying a basket full of various ingredients that looked pretty heavy and she set it down, straightening out the kinks in her spine. 'I hope you don't mind my asking, Meritza, but what's a girl like you doing in a place like this?' He inwardly cringed at what could have been interpreted as a clumsy attempt at a chat up line, but which thankfully held no such connotation for her.

She looked at the ground as she tried to find words to answer him. 'I am just as sinful as the others here, Colonel...John...maybe more so. I have killed a man...I had to come here and seek forgiveness.'

Sheppard looked at the woman standing in front of him – frail, gentle and softly spoken, with waves of blonde hair swept up and secured at the nape of her neck. He couldn't imagine her ever lifting a hand in anger, but he supposed all things were possible. 'Well, killing isn't always a sin...sometimes there are extenuating circumstances...'

She looked puzzled, brushing some dirt from her hands onto her skirts. 'Violence is never the answer...'

'That depends on why you did it,' he pointed out. He wanted the details, but didn't want to ask outright. If it got back to the Frah that he'd been prying into people's pasts it might make him unpopular again.

'I...I killed...the father of my children,' she blurted out, raising blue, tear-filled eyes to his.

That stunned him into momentary silence. He wanted to say something supportive, but she hadn't exactly given him enough material to work with. 'Well...I'm sure you had good reason...'

'He was beating the children...he had drunk too much yarkan ale and they had broken a dish while helping me prepare supper. He was furious and wouldn't stop hitting them. I had to do something...'

'Of course you did,' he agreed, knowing he would have done just the same. 'You were thinking of your kids –'

'I couldn't forgive myself...our society says all killing is sinful...so I came here to be judged.'

'And who has your kids now?'

'My parents have taken them in...I could not stay...I would have been cast out anyway if I hadn't come here. This is our way.'

Sheppard resisted the urge to tell her that was a damned stupid law because it wasn't exactly his business, even though he knew she'd done what had to be done.

Suddenly, Meritza's face blanched and she dipped to pick up the basket, scurrying away. 'I...I must go. There is much to do before this evening's meal.'

Thinking her sudden departure rather odd, it took Sheppard a few moments longer to sense eyes on him. He turned and found Sarayah standing a few feet behind him – alone. Looking past her, he hoped to spot at least one of the marines they'd put on her tail, but he was disappointed.

'Hello, John,' she said, smiling though her eyes remained hard. 'You look as if you were expecting someone else.'

'I was...actually,' he replied, scouring the various alleyways behind her while his brain rattled through at least a dozen expletives.

'I suppose you mean your people...the ones who've been trailing after me all day?'

He allowed his eyes to drift to hers now. 'Well, the idea was that they kept you in view.'

'Oh, don't blame them, John,' she smirked, swinging her shoulders coquettishly. 'A woman has to have some privacy, so...I gave them the slip for a while.'

'Yes...so I see.' He tried not to look as vulnerable as he felt right at that point, with his oversized shirt hanging low enough to expose some of his chest and his arm strapped up in a sling. He would have a few words to say to her guard detail when they reported in, that was for sure. 'Well, much as I'd love to stand here and exchange pleasantries...'

'I'm happy to see you pulled through everything that happened yesterday. Almost dying twice in one day must be out of the ordinary...even for you.'

'Not when you're around,' he muttered.

'You think those things were my doing? I'm flattered,' she grinned, making him feel like punching her square in the teeth. 'But I think you'll find the Divine One can't be influenced...not even by me. If it could be, I certainly wouldn't have allowed it to come so close to killing you.'

'No, because that would be stealing all your fun, wouldn't it?' he sniped, tiring of the conversation and pushing past her to cover the rest of the ground to the hut where Dr Keller awaited his return.

'But that was the old me, John,' she called after him. 'I've come to Guedeseo to pay for my past behaviour. It's not as if I knew you would eventually track me here and we would end up trapped...with no way off the planet.'

Ice shards stabbed into Sheppard's spine, and he stumbled to a halt, turning to face her again. From the way her eyes held his, sparkling with amusement, he realised that was exactly what she'd suspected would happen, or had at least assumed she could engineer when someone from the Atlantis crew eventually traced her there. This was always going to happen, but fate had handed him to her somewhat sooner than her plans had calculated. That was why she'd looked so genuinely shocked when they'd run into her on the first day. Maybe that would play in his favour. Yeah, sure. Clutching at straws now, John?

'Well, we have people working on that problem right now, so...you may be disappointed yet,' he told her, furious with himself for sounding so desperate.

'The journey to Guedeseo has been a one-way trip for thousands of years. What makes you and your people so sure that's about to change?' she asked

'Colonel Carter is just as smart as McKay when it comes to this stuff. Between them, they'll fix the gate.'

Her smile dropped a fraction at his words, and he knew he had her worried. She already knew McKay was smart because he'd fixed the weapon on Medulsa, but two people that intelligent...they had to stand a chance and that was something she clearly hadn't factored into her plans.

'I wish them luck,' she spat, her tone as poisonous as lantha berries. She turned away herself this time, no doubt trying to hide her frustration.

'Oh, and I'd like it back,' he called as she retreated.

She looked back at him, frowning. 'Like what back?'

'The sweatband you took from my nightstand.'

She shook her head, feigning confusion. 'I don't know what you mean, I was in my room –' but that same sparkle in her eyes told him the truth.

'Let's cut the crap!' he snapped back, the sound of footsteps rapidly approaching from behind him now. 'I know you were in our room last night, but you won't manage it again because there'll be someone on the door looking out for you.'

Rather unnervingly, she smirked, as if that would have little effect. Sheppard felt a small hand wrap around his arm and looked down into the alarmed face of Dr Keller.

'Colonel! Are you all right?'

'I'm good,' he insisted, snatching his arm away from her so fast he left her swaying.

Sarayah gave Dr Keller a broad smile and then strode away. Sheppard silently fumed that Jennifer had rushed to his rescue that way, further fuelling Sarayah's belief in female superiority, no doubt. He knew she'd been well intentioned, but he would have preferred the doctor to give him a chance to rescue himself before assuming he was in distress.

'What did she want?' the doctor asked him, watching her go.

'To mess with my head,' he grumbled, walking away himself now, leaving Jennifer trailing in his wake. He was tired, angry and hungry, but more than anything he was frightened...frightened because he now knew Sarayah definitely hadn't come here looking for any kind of redemption, only for a way to draw him to her on a planet she thought would be their final resting place...one way or another.