Sorry for the delay folks – I've been ill since the weekend. But now that my head finally doesn't feel like it's about to explode, I've been able to write again, which is nice. Enjoy!

They made unexpectedly quick progress through the forest, as Stanis led them towards their goal. John was surprised at how quickly and quietly the boy moved. He gave Ronon a run for his money as far as that was concerned.

The boy kept looking up at the Runner, looking for approval, for confirmation that he was doing well. Ronon didn't seem to notice this, at first, but as the boy continued to shoot anxious glances at him, the big man gave the boy a smile of approval. The boy's face split into a grin of pleasure, and he seemed to increase his speed.

As the approached their destination, it became very obvious that the villagers hadn't adopted their quickly and quietly approach. It was very obvious where the group were, and it wasn't all that far ahead of Sheppard and his group.

"So much for not announcing their arrival," Sheppard said, earning a snort from Ronon.

The group approached the clearing where the villagers were gathered. It was obvious that Silis' control over their makeshift army was minimal. The villagers were milling around, gathering in small groups, arguing with each other.

John and Ronon exchanged a glance of exasperation.

Before they could do anything, there was a rustling sound in the trees off to their left. The sound was too soft for the most of the villagers to hear it over the sound of their arguing. However, the sight that appeared through the trees drew all eyes. It was the first time the villagers had ever seen a Wraith. Their eyes showed their horror, coming face to face with their worst nightmare. And to make it worse, this creature held Shela in its arms.

John wasn't sure, but he thought he recognised the Wraith. If he wasn't mistaken, it was one of the Wraith involved in Carson's experiment. If he was here, hopefully Carson and Rodney would be near by.

oOoOoOo

Everything had happened so quickly that Rodney hadn't had time to move. He stood looking after Shela, then turning and looking at Carson's crumpled form. He knew he should really go after the child, protect her from the Wraith. But his real loyalty lay with his friend, and he moved instinctively towards Carson.

However, by the time his indecision had ended, Rodney found that Michael had beaten him to it. The Wraith stood over Carson, an almost triumphant look on his face.

"Okay," Rodney said, trying to stop his voice from shaking. "Dead doctor here," he continued. "If you don't do something to help him, all that research he'd down will be useless. And don't expect me to carry on his work. All the voodoo stuff is gibberish to me."

Michael turned to look at the scientist, giving him that condescending stare the Wraith seemed to have perfected over the years. He then turned back to Carson, reaching down to the doctor's chest. With the first touch, Carson's eyes flew open, a vivid blue. But it was a lifeless blue too. There was no spark there, no essence of character that made Carson uniquely himself.

Gradually, as Rodney watched, caught between revulsion and fascination, Carson's eyes showed his return to life. Those eyes softened and then lit up with hatred mixed with fear. It was obvious that Carson did not like the fact he owed his life to the Wraith.

However, as full cognizance returned to Carson's eyes, anger replaced the other emotions.

"Where's Shela?" he asked, sending an accusatory look in Michael's direction.

"Dying obviously isn't good for the memory," Rodney thought, distractedly.

The Scot's demand was met by silence. He looked at the two in front of him. Michael's look was one of amused triumph. Rodney looked guilty.

"Rodney?" the Scot prompted.

"That Wraith, the one from the planet," Rodney began.

"Merrick," Carson prompted.

"Yes, that one," Rodney continued. "He took her out, under his arm. I couldn't stop him," he added defensively.

"You bastard!" Carson cried, rushing at Michael.

"Don't you remember what happened the last time you tried that, Dr Beckett?" Michael said tauntingly.

Carson stopped in his tracks, a hint of a memory returning. He turned round to look at the wall, the one against which he had crashed. He saw the traces of blood smeared there. His blood. Distractedly, he lifted his hand to his head, to the place where the wound had been. He felt nothing. No cut, no scar, no pain.

"You're going to pay for this, Michael," he promised the Wraith.

"I think you might be the one to pay the price, Dr Beckett," Michael said, his superior tone really getting on Rodney's nerves now. "You don't cheat death without repercussions," the Wraith added, ominously.

"What do you mean?" Rodney asked, thinking not just of Carson, but also of John.

"That would be one too many secrets to reveal," Michael replied, cryptically. With that remark, the Wraith turned, and left the room before either man could recover his composure enough to respond.

"What do you think he meant?" Rodney asked the physician.

"I wish I knew," Carson replied, a troubled look in his eyes.

oOoOoOo

John surveyed the area, his mind working quickly to see if he could work out where the Wraith had come from. Before his eyes could find some opening, Ronon nudged him, and then nodded towards the trees behind the Wraith. John then saw what the Satedan's sharp eyes had noted. Hidden behind the trees, very well camouflaged, was a wooden door. Teyla had followed their eyes, and she too noted the door.

"We need a diversion," John whispered to the others. But before anyone could act, they heard Silis' voice rise above the chaotic voices of the villagers.

"Just who are you?" he challenged the Wraith.

"That is unimportant," Merrick replied. "You are to leave here, now."

"Not without the girl," another of the villagers replied.

"If you leave now, the girl lives," Merrick replied.

"Yes, right," John muttered under his breath.

"And if we don't go?" Silis asked.

"Then she dies, here and now, in front of you," Merrick said, a certain note of relish in his voice.

Before John or the others could react, Stanis leapt forward.

"No!" he cried as he ran towards the Wraith and his sister. "Put her down you great big bully. Put her down and pick on someone your own size."

"I think we have our diversion," Teyla whispered.

John nodded, and turned to Ronon to check on his readiness to slip into the Wraith's hideaway. However, the other man wasn't there. With his usual speed and stealth, the Satedan had moved towards the Wraith, until he stood protectively over the boy.

"Yes," he commented, in response to Stanis' last remark. "Why don't you pick on someone your own size?"

"Great!" John muttered sarcastically. "Sometimes I think he should have come fitted with a leash." Teyla looked at him quizzically.

"Never mind," he continued, in response to her unasked question. "Come on, let's get in there."

"What about Ronon?" Teyla asked.

"I think he's got just about enough help," John responded, nodding in the direction of their team-mate. Sure enough, ranged behind Ronon, in his confrontation with the Wraith, were all the villagers.

"Anyway," John replied. "He's a big boy, and he can look after himself."

"And Rodney and Carson cannot?" Teyla asked, as they slipped in the door.

As if in response to her question, their entrance into the Wraith's hiding place was greeted with a cry of anguish. It was a cry that they both recognised. It was the sound of Dr Rodney McKay in pain.