Author's Note:
1) It is good to be back.
2) This chapter is working off of the previous chapter and Sheppard's perception of Bates and his attitude. I realize we don't all interpret Bates during season 1 in the same way, but if you can promise to try to see this chapter through that lens, you won't be disappointed!

Teyla has finally been detained.
Whatever Major Sheppard has to say on the matter, at least Bates can rest in the knowledge that she is in custody.
Also, he knows Dr. Weir has his back.
That makes it a lot easier to deal with Sheppard and his inconsistent, incoherent ramblings about how the woman can be trusted.

All jewelry and other extraneous items have been removed from Teyla's person, the detail assigned to her reports.
They're holding it for him when he has a minute to come and collect it.

Good news, especially because it must mean Teyla is in a mood to be cooperative.
Finally, Bates thinks. We might actually get a few answers that make sense here without Captain America going ape-shit crazy and keeping us away from them.

Teyla's posture is tense, her frame tightly coiled as she sits on the bench inside the cell.
She looks like she could spring to attack at a moment's notice.
Thankfully, she's behind bars, and there's a shield that prevents her from reaching out and grabbing someone to demand her freedom.
God bless the Ancients…

"Here's what was on the prisoner when she got here," one of the specialists says as he hands Bates a burlap sack.
Her P-90 must already be back in the armory.
No big deal – he'll have the guys there tear it apart and make sure nothing's in it.
The key to this whole mess is now in his hands, though.
He can feel it.

"How is Lieutenant Ford?"
Both Bates and the specialist he's been talking to look up at the sound of Teyla's voice.
She's standing now, walking towards the row of bars nearest to them.
If he hadn't gotten a report from medical already as to the younger man's condition, he wouldn't bother to give her a response, but since he already has it, and she did (whatever her motivation) bring Ford back through the gate when she could have left him behind…
Well, if it will secure a little bit more of her cooperation, he might as well give it to her.

"Still unconscious," he answers, wincing a little bit inwardly when he is unable to completely keep the bite out of his tone.
Well, what do you expect? She's responsible for this entire mess…

"I am not responsible for what happened," she goes on, her own voice clipping.
And the fact that she is defending herself from what he is thinking?
Well, how do they know that the Athosians don't have some creepy mind-reading trick up their sleeves somewhere?

"You'll have to pardon my skepticism," he replies, tapping the barrel of the rifle as he does so.

"The evidence will prove my innocence."

Just like that, the clip disappears from her voice, and Bates is a bit disappointed.
He was expecting more drama, more fire breathing, more…
Something more than the nothing she says as she turns around to take her seat on the bench.
Just stares at nothing and no one in particular.
It's pretty damn creepy.

"Thank you, Specialist."
Bates turns his attention away from her, and back to the task at hand because this needs to get done.
Also, he really doesn't want Teyla to think she has him rattled.
"Yes, sir," the Specialist answers.

Bates takes his exit, then, dropping by the armory to see if they have Teyla's weapon.
They do, he confirms, and he gives them the order to tear it apart, reminding them to set aside anything that looks a little suspicious for inspection later.
He is not going to get put through the wringer for leaving stone unturned.

Once that's done, Bates heads for the science department.
There's only one person he trusts to find a transmitter amongst the bag's contents.
McKay might not like it, but he can be convinced to get the job done.

Of that, Bates is certain.