DISCLAIMER: I don't own any Atlantis character although I wouldn't mind renting a couple of them.

A/N: Umm….shields…

Authors note: Thanks for the encouraging reviews! About the time I think no one is reading why finish – I get a review. Sorry this chapter took so long. I've been working two jobs and trying to keep up with All Good Things happening with A DOG'S BREAKFAST.

CHAPTER 11 THROUGH THE GATE

"Unscheduled off world activation." Chuck, the control room tech, shouted scrambling to verify who had dialed in.

Sheppard's team and Dr. Weir had barely exited the gate room and now they rushed back in Dr. Weir and McKay running up the stairs toward the control room. McKay taking position at one of the many laptops interfaced into the Ancient database as Dr. Weir stated "I thought all teams were in." Sheppard, Ronon, and Teyla took position with the other marines weapons pointed toward the gate even though the shield was activated.

"They are." Chuck replied tersely.

Suddenly the room was filled with the crackling and arcing of electricity and the sounds of multiple weapons being chambered as marines scrambled for safety from the electricity. Moments later the gate shut down and Dr. Weir and Rodney rushed to the railing to see every weapon aimed at four crumpled forms on the gate room floor.

"Ki?!" Sheppard, Teyla, and McKay all said at the same time. Sheppard stepped forward stopping abruptly when McKay shouted, "Don't touch her!" as he headed for the stairs clattering down them and shoving his way through the marines and dropping to his knees beside her still body.

He reached out to touch her, but was stopped by Sheppard's hand on his shoulder. "They came right through the shield, McKay. Is there something you'd like to tell us?"

"Oh, yeah, right, Colonel. I forgot. The aliens that drugged us and wanted to constrain us can just step right through our shields. Sorry I didn't think to tell you that!" He snapped bitingly as he shrugged Sheppard's hand off and gently lifted Ki from the floor and into his arms to the amazement of everyone but Sheppard and Teyla. One hand tenderly pushed her hair back from her face while he murmured, "Ki, come on, Ki. I know you're tired, but, really, sleeping on our gate room floor we do use it quite often." He joked, but there was panic in his voice as she lay pale and still. That was his way when frightened – deflect.

Ki groaned. Her head hurt, no her entire body hurt, and she was partially laying on something hard. Then she felt a soft touch, a trickle of energy and heard Rodney's voice. "Got…your…attention." She mumbled jokingly through the pain as she forced her eyes open and tried to make them focus even though they insisted on seeing two and three of everything.

Worried blue eyes gazed down at her. "Never lost it." Rodney murmured softly, so softly that only Sheppard and Teyla standing right behind him heard him and traded speculative glances.

She heard moans as the others began to stir; heard Sheppard call stand down and get Beckett.

"Carson is on his way." Dr. Weir said softly from behind him. "Let's get them to the infirmary. We can ask questions later."

"Questions like how they slipped through the gate's shield?" Sheppard hid his concerns behind his lazy drawl.

"Yes, questions like that and why they are unconscious." Dr. Weir replied in a hard, authoritative voice not hiding her worry.

Moments later Carson and several med techs hurried into the room with gurneys and gently lifted the barely conscious people onto the gurneys checking pulses quickly before hurrying back down the corridor with their charges. Rodney settled Kilaran on a gurney and with a defiant glare at the hapless tech strode down the corridor beside her.

A small skirmish almost broke out in the infirmary when the nurses tried to get McKay to wait outside while they checked out Kilaran and he obstinately refused to budge from her side. The nurse gratefully handed the matter over to Dr. Beckett and hurried off to check on one of the others.

"Rodney, you know you have to wait out here while we check her out." Dr. Beckett tried reasoning with him. "You'll only get in the way and distract us with questions that we don't have answers for yet." He took in the resolute tilt of McKay's chin and sighed, but remained firm. "We'll take good care of her, Rodney and I'll let you in as soon as we have her settled." As soon as he saw signs of relenting in Rodney's face he called the nurse to take Kilaran behind a curtain.

"I'm staying right here." Rodney jabbed a finger at the floor where he was standing and glared at Carson. Carson knowing he had got all the concession he was going to get and still confused about why Rodney was so worked up over this girl just nodded briskly and disappeared behind the curtain.

Thirty minutes later or an eternity, depending on the side of the curtain you were on, Carson emerged and saw that Sheppard and Dr. Weir had joined Rodney.

"How is she?" Rodney leaped forward.

"They all took a nasty shock, but they're going to be fine." Carson responded soothingly while shooting a questioning look to Sheppard who just smirked and shrugged.

"I need to see her, Carson." Rodney fairly vibrated with anxiety.

"She's sleeping right now, Rodney." Carson grabbed his arm to stop him as he headed for the curtain.

"Then it won't hurt, will it?" McKay snapped obstinately shaking loose from Carson's grip.

Carson looked like he was going to refuse until Sheppard interjected. "He won't leave until you let him see her."

Carson's eyes narrowed and he looked back and forth between the two men. "What aren't ya tellin' me?"

Rodney clamped his mouth shut mulishly and glared at Sheppard who just stared back innocently as he held his peace.

"Fine, don' tell me. Five minutes, Rodney, no more and…" Carson huffed, trailing off as Rodney disappeared behind the curtain.

"I've never seen him like that before." Carson murmured to no one in particular staring perplexed at the shadowed outline of the abrasive scientist currently sitting next to the hospital bed quietly murmuring to the sleeping lass.

"Have they said anything yet, Carson?" Dr. Weir asked more worried about the security of Atlantis if people could pass through the shields than Rodney's behavior.

"No, Elizabeth, sorry, they haven't regained consciousness for more than a few seconds and weren't really lucid then. At this point we're just going to have to wait for their bodies to decide to wake up."

Elizabeth nodded. "Let me know, please, as soon as any of them wake up."

"Of course, Elizabeth."

Dr. Weir shot Sheppard a 'stay alert' look and walked out.

oOo

Kilaran groaned. Her head felt like it was splitting in two and – ouch – her whole body hurt! She felt concern/worry/comfort wash over her just as a soft touch feathered over her forehead and down the side of her face. "Easy. It's okay; you're safe."

She blinked slowly letting reality reform around her. Gradually, her focus returned and with it anxious blue eyes peering down at her. "Rodney?" she closed her eyes against the light, a frown knitting her forehead as she winced in pain.

"Easy," he soothed. "You can talk later just listen for now." His thumb rubbed gentle circles across her hand. "Chaz, Teesa, Myr they're all here and doing as well as you are."

"That well, huh?" She moaned as she shifted a little on the bed and remnants of fire traced through her nerves.

"Hey, I've been worse myself and Carson's voodoo has pulled me through." He tried for upbeat and encouraging.

Ki licked her lips. "Moric…" she swallowed around her dry throat and felt an ice chip slip between her lips and swallowed again. "Moric…angry…my defiance…banished…tossed through gate."

The thumb went still. "Your father? Our shield was up. I don't know how you survived." Angry disbelief roughened his voice.

The corner of her mouth twitched. "Shields tuned...us." She yawned and struggled against the darkness when she felt shock travel through him until she heard him from down a long tunnel whisper. "Sleep, Honey…talk later."

He turned to leave and saw Sheppard standing quietly just inside the curtain. He knew everything he was feeling was reflected in his face; knew he hadn't had time to put the mask back on. He knew because he saw the commiseration in Sheppard's gaze. He brushed past him feeling raw and unsettled and not ready to handle Sheppard and continued out into the hallway. It wasn't that he didn't want to care, but he definitely didn't want others to be able to tell that he cared; didn't want his personal feelings on public display for everyone to carve up and poke at and make fun of.

"McKay!" Sheppard strode out after him.

"What?" McKay snapped, swinging around to face him bracing for the ribbing he just knew was coming, furious at the moment that Sheppard could read him like a book even when the mask was in place although that was reason they were friends.

"Did she say the shields are tuned to them? Is that possible? Can we change it?" Somehow Sheppard managed to sound disbelieving and incredibly curious at the same time. He might rib McKay later, but not now, not when he was emotionally raw, not when it would actually hurt him.

"Yes, she did." Shields he could talk about. "Can we change it? That's what I'm on my way to find out, Colonel." McKay started down the hall again Sheppard keeping pace with him. McKay tapped his earpiece. "Radek." He paused waiting for a response. "Meet me in the gate room with the laptops and cables to connect to the Gate." Another pause and an annoyed look. "Wasting time. I'll explain when you get to the gate room. McKay out." He tapped his earpiece.

The two men walked silently down the corridors to the transporter. They entered the transporter and just as he hit the destination Sheppard glances over at McKay and unable to resist says, "Honey?" Rodney barely has time to glare before they are transported and the doors swish open into the corridor leading to the gate room.

"Hon.."

"Not in the mood, Colonel." McKay snaps, cutting him off and striding into the gate room. Radek is already there connecting the cables when they walk in.

"Right. How bout I go inform Elizabeth what's going on?" Sheppard clapped Rodney on the arm in silent apology and ran up the stairs toward Dr. Weir's office.

"Rodney what is this about?" Radek asks while he continues connecting the last cable to the Star Gate.

"Kilaran and her kitar slid right through the shield." McKay waves at the now silent Gate. "She said something about the shield being tuned to them. We need to find out if that's possible…"

"Obviously, it is since they did not go splat." Radek retorted as he started typing on his laptop.

McKay visibly paled at the thought. "Yes, well, um…we need to discover how it was done and if it can be changed. If they could pass through anyone from Elui could pass through."

"They were unconscious, Rodney. Not a very effective offensive tactic." Sheppard added dryly.

"Moric sent them through – banished them. He could've been the reason for their unconsciousness."

Radek stopped typing and looked up at McKay. "We need to recalibrate shield."

"Hmm…brilliant idea, Radek. Why didn't I think of that?"

Several hours later Dr. Weir appeared with Sheppard to ask, "Any luck, gentlemen?"

"Not really." "Actually, yes." McKay and Radek looked at each other.

"Which is it?"

"Well, Elizabeth," McKay stared Radek down. "We've found what we believe are the controls for the energy field."

"We still do not know how to access them or how to change the shield frequency without possibly putting shield off-line."

"I doubt a little tweaking would disrupt the shield." McKay ground out in annoyance.

"We need to find their frequency before we tamper with our shield." Radek responded forcefully.

"That's a given…" Suddenly, McKay's whipped around toward the corridor. "She's awake." He grinned broadly and headed out of the gate room Sheppard and Dr. Weir right behind him as their earpieces chirped and Dr. Beckett informed them that their visitors were awake, lucid, and willing to talk.

Behind them a confused Radek muttered, "How does he know she's awake?"

The gate room guards just shrugged and continued to look bored. It was the Pegasus Galaxy after all and it would take a lot more than what had just occurred to fluster those who had been stationed here for awhile although a grinning McKay was definitely a little disturbing.

They entered the infirmary to find Chaz, Teesa, and Myr gathered around Kilaran, who was propped up looking pale and drawn, as if to protect her from harm. "Dr. McKay!" Chaz burst out when they sighted him and the entire kitar visibly relaxed causing the entire nursing staff to look confused since they tended to get tenser around him.

"Chaz, Teesa, Myr, feeling better?" Rodney asked, nodding at them as they shifted to allow him past them to Kilaran and then they shifted again closing McKay into their circle of protection. Waking up in a strange place surrounded by strangers had unnerved them somewhat. Dr. McKay and Sheppard they knew and respected so now that they were here the kitar felt a little easier.

Kilaran gripped the hand that took hold of hers and with a sigh shut her eyes drifting somewhere between wakefulness and sleep trusting that no harm would come to anyone while he was there.

"Better, yes. We weren't as drained as Ki so we weren't affected quite as severely." Myr replied still a tad bit shock-y from both the blast that had sent them flying through the gate and the reality of being banished from their home.

"About that," Dr. Weir stepped forward. "Just what exactly happened?"

They glanced at Ki who waved a limp hand in permission indicating she was paying more attention than she seemed to be. Answer their questions, Kichas she whispered broadband so everyone involved heard her reminding them that their guests had powers they did not.

"Moric showed up at the gate moments after you left furious that we escorted you to the gate instead of to him. He accused Ki of openly defying him. When she would not back down, but reminded him that he was accountable just like anyone else he became absolutely enraged. Next thing we know residence guards are there and Moric's banishing us from Elui unless we can convince you to agree to the alliance. He must have given Ki an additional mental slap the way she's hurting." Teesa was bristling with anger as she explained what happened.

In the silence that followed the only sound was the sudden chuckle that came from McKay. Everyone turned to stare at him in surprise. "What? No one else sees the humor?" He looked around at the group his gaze finally landing on Sheppard. "Surely, you get it." And grinned broadly when he saw the light of understanding in Sheppard's eyes.

"He just handed us what we wanted – for free." Sheppard explained with a grin. "We wanted help fighting the Wraith. He just tossed his best Kitar through the gate and into our laps."

"And," Rodney held up a finger, "told them not to come back."

Suddenly, everyone was grinning and chuckling until McKay's earpiece chirped and Radek asked, "Rodney, have you gotten their frequencies yet?"

"What?" He looked confused for a second. "No, no we haven't gotten that far yet Radek. Why? Is there an urgency I don't know about?"

"No, no. I just thought this might be one emergency we'd want to deal with before it happened. I could be wrong." His tone implied he knew he wasn't wrong.

"Not wrong, Radek. Give me just a little more time." McKay ignored the deadpan sarcasm.

"I should have brought book." Radek mumbled and clicked off.

"Rodney, what else do you need?" Kilaran asked in a tired whisper. Her silver eyes dark with worry and pain flickered open sweeping across his face before closing again.

"It can wait."

"Don't. Don't coddle me," she slid a wicked grin his way, "unless you can really afford to then go right ahead and pamper away."

He caught the look and the desire that slid through their linked hands and flushed hotly. "Frequencies. We need, ah, to know which frequency ranges you, um, operate on so we can recalibrate the shield on the gate."

"The shields of Atlantis have always admitted the Elui. The Atlanteans arranged it that way on purpose so that we could come and go and they remain safe from their enemies. Why would you change it? We are not your enemy." Chaz asked puzzled.

"Can you assure us that Moric won't use force or mental coercion against us if we continue to refuse to his terms?" Dr. Weir asked calmly.

"He wouldn't…" spluttered Chaz and Teesa horrified at the very idea.

"No." Kilaran overruled them. "A week ago I would have said he would not as well, but I sensed a great desperation in him earlier. Do what ever tests you need to do to ensure the safety of your people." Her eyelids fluttered shut and she wasn't aware of anything else as sleep claimed her once more.

oOo

Late the next morning Kilaran awoke confused at first to find herself in the infirmary on Atlantis. At first she thought she had fallen asleep after helping Parker, but then she shifted sideways and saw Myr asleep in a chair next to her bed and the events of the past couple days came flooding back. Myr She sat up looking around for the others.

Ki? Myr started to her feet and crossed to the bed. How are you feeling? Any better?

Yeah, a little battered, but okay. What's going on?

Your Dr. McKay has Teesa and Chaz zooming back and forth through the city's shield trying to figure out how the shields recognize us.

Kilaran flushed at the gentle, familiar teasing and gave Myr a shy smile and a slow blink. Has he had any luck?

A little I think. He's ranting a lot less and rapidly discussing in some type of shorthand speak to Dr. Zelenka who understands him quite well even though no one else does.

Both women were laughing when Dr. Beckett appeared at the foot of the bed. "Morning, lass. Feeling better, are we?"

"Yes, and hungry." Ki's stomach growled as if on cue causing more laughter.

"Well, then, let's get you released and I'll get you an escort to the cafeteria."

"Thank you, but first I'd like to see Parker. He is still here?" Ki swung her feet off the bed and only then realized she wasn't wearing her clothes, but some type of light weight pajama. She fingered them quizzically.

Scrubs they call them

And where are my clothes, Myr? And who put me in these? Ki allowed a little 'royal' miff enter her voice.

Her clothes appeared on the bed beside her. Don't worry it was one of the female nurses.

"Just a minute, Kilaran." Carson spoke up. "I don't think you're quite ready to be healing Parker. You were quite exhausted yesterday and don't look much better today."

"You're right. I'm not, but I am well enough to let him know he will be healed." She slid off the bed weaving a little before the room settled and she regained her balance. She placed a hand on her head and groaned. "I feel like…" she broke off with a blink and a swallow as she remembered the powerful mental blast her father and 'smacked' her with.

Myr laid a sympathetic hand on her arm momentarily as Carson said softly, "Parker is this way. I'll go see if he's awake."

"Ki…"

Banished, Myr she wailed images of their world, their home, their friends flashing between them as tears swam in her eyes. Suddenly Teesa and Chaz were there with them and they were all hugging her tightly, ignoring the zing, grieving the loss of their home.

Ki stiffened as she became aware of the absolute silence around them broken only by the quiet, steady beep of heart rate monitor. Everyone in the infirmary could feel the grief she felt until she realized it and threw up stronger shields. "I'm okay." They loosened their hold on her, but didn't step back as they continued to watch her with heavy hearts and sad eyes. She swiped at her eyes and squared her shoulders. "Really, I'm fine." She moved past them and down the infirmary to where Parker lay propped up.

"Cpl Parker, my name is Kilaran. You weren't awake when I was here last time."

Parker gazed at her silently as if deciding whether or not he wanted to say something. Finally, his eyes shifted – away and back again. "No offense Ma'am," he drawled, "but I druthered you'd let me die than be like this." He waved a hand at his unresponsive lower half. "A burden to everyone that's what."

A mix of emotions washed over Ki from the young marine helplessness/bitterness/anger/worry/fear. She tightened her shields slightly so she wasn't drowning in his feelings. "Then it's a good thing I don't intend to let you stay this way." She smiled gently at him as she sank into the chair next to his bed. "Intensive healing takes a lot of energy." She held his gaze as she explained. "Energy from both the patient and the healer that's why I couldn't finish the other day we were both tapped out."

"Dr. Beckett said there weren't anything to do be done for me." Parker looked confused and guarded against false hope.

"True as far as he is concerned with medicine and technology, but I heal differently. I heal with my mind. I see what's wrong within your body and…" she paused searching for the right words. "You do not have words I need. Simply put I show your body the way it should be and give it the energy to correct itself."

"Y'all can really do that?" He looked at her and her kitar in complete amazement.

"No," Chaz shook his head. "Kilaran is the healer. We have different abilities."

"Oh."

"If you wish for me to help, I will come back tonight or in the morning depending on my energy levels."

"'Course I want you to help." Parker exclaimed. "Did ya hear that, Ang?" He addressed someone behind them. "This here's, Kilaran, and she says she's gonna fix me right up!"

Kilaran turned to see a grim faced red head at the foot of the bed. "I heard, Ben." She said softly before turning her attention to Kilaran. "Don't know who you are, but don't be promising what you can't deliver. He doesn't need more disappointing."

Kilaran stood and held a hand up to stop the bristling outburst from her kitar. "I always deliver on my promises." Slowly, she walked back down the infirmary toward the doors looking for the escort Carson was to get them.

How could her kitar still be standing beside her? She had finally pushed her father too hard, too far and now, now they were paying for it with her. Her alone, she could bear it. She didn't have family that she would miss overly much, but Myr had a daughter and Teesa, a son. Her vision blurred, Chaz – Chaz should be ranting at her not supporting her when she stumbled against something she couldn't make out – Chaz with someone to love, someone who won't be told the truth of what happened, someone whom he may never see again.

Stop it. They all melded together in her mind. We are here with you because we believe as you do. We are your kitar, your family. If we are angered, and we are, it is at Moric and Neressa, not at you. We will trust in our new friends and have confidence that we will see our other loved ones again. And we will not sacrifice our morals to do so.

I don't deserve any of you

Yes, you do! And more – him.

"Ki? What happened? Carson! I thought you were taking care of her." Chaz gratefully relinquished his hold as McKay's arms wrapped around her. He led her to a nearby chair as Carson came running from his office.

"What the bloody…? She was fine just minutes ago. In fact, she insisted on speaking to Parker."

"She will be fine.' Myr stated firmly. "The banishment is just starting to sink in and she is feeling guilty that we were banished with her."

Teesa hmmpfed, "As if we would let her come alone."

"It won't be long before the guilt goes and the anger comes." Chaz added.

Ki drew a deep breath inhaling McKay's scent before reluctantly leaning back in the chair putting a little distance between them. "I don't need my inner thoughts bandied about in public." She snapped glaring at three impassive faces. "I just need something to eat and something to do besides sit and brood over everything. We were waiting on an escort to the cafeteria."

"And here we are." Sheppard chimed in. Everyone turned to see Sheppard, Ronon, and Teyla in the doorway.

"Elizabeth thinks they need three…" McKay started angrily.

"Easy, Rodney, we were hungry so we volunteered. Thought they might prefer people they know."