Chapter Fourteen

Rodney read through the database of the Ancient lab. Jennifer had gone back to the infirmary to check on her patients, leaving him with little distractions. The only disturbance was Radek reading over his shoulder. He tried to ignore him and focus on the data, but Radek's presence pressed into his back.

"Don't you have somewhere to be?" he snapped.

"I thought you might need some help going over all this data," Zelenka answered. "Dr. Keller said it was a lot."

"I don't need help." Rodney glared at the man's reflection in the screen. "Will you go away so I can read this?"

Zelenka flung his hands up and walked away, shouting in Czech. Rodney rolled his eyes then continued to scroll through the data.

An hour later, and on his way to going cross eyed, Rodney sat back in his chair, scowling at the screen. He barely tapped the surface of what the lab was used for. He ran a hand through his hair in frustration.

"Do you need help now?" Zelenka asked.

Rodney looked at the other scientist and sighed. Grumbling, he motioned for Zelenka to take the computer beside him.

"I was able to find some notes on a couple of experiments they were conducting. I haven't found the results or even what kind of experiments they were. Yet."

"I take half then?" Zelenka asked, sitting beside him.

"Right," Rodney said, typing on the keys. "I'll send it over to you."

"How large was the lab?"

Rodney eyed the man, not in the mood to start a conversation.

"Bigger than this room," he answered, writing down some notes of his own. "It was pristine as if someone went down there and cleaned it. There wasn't anything there, no artifacts or devices. It was creepy."

"Are you thinking of taking a team down there?"

Rolling his eyes skyward, he said. "Before I even consider it, I want to analyze this data. For all we know whatever they tested in that lab is still there and its not butterflies and puppies."

"Just asking."

"Well don't," he snapped, narrowing his eyes at the other scientist. "Let's focus on this."

"Dr. McKay," a voice spoke in his ear.

Rodney closed his eyes, pushing down the urge to yell. Whatever it was might be important and needed his attention. He hoped. He tapped his earpiece.

"McKay here, what do you want?" And it better be life or death.

"The gate activated and someone wants to speak with you."

Rodney blinked. "Who is it?"

"They wouldn't say; just that they wanted to speak with you."

Shaking his head, Rodney climbed to his feet. His curiosity piqued, he looked at Zelenka.

"I'll keep looking."

He nodded and headed out of the lab. Why would anyone ask for him? If someone needed help they'd have called Sheppard or Woolsey.

He strolled toward the stairs and Sheppard came jogging up to him from the other direction. Rodney raised an eyebrow. Did the Colonel get the call as well?

"Don't tell me you're off to bother Dr. Keller?"

Rodney eyed the man with disdain. "No. I got a call from the gate room saying someone wanted to speak to me."

"That's interesting."

"It's even more interesting when the person refuses to identify themselves."

"And you're still going to talk to them?"

"Talk and that's all," Rodney said, stepping up the staircase into the control room. He spotted Chuck at the controls and strode toward him. "Did they say why they wanted to speak to me?"

"No."

A chill went up his spine and he stared at the blue horizon. Something didn't feel right. His stomach churned and his heart rate increased. Taking a deep breath, he moved around the console.

"This is Dr. McKay," he said, folding his arms across his chest. "Who are you and what to do you want?"

"Dr. McKay, nice of you to be prompt."

A flicker of apprehension coursed through him when the familiar voice filled the room.

"Tareen," Sheppard said, his voice a growl.

"What do you want?" Rodney ripped out the words impatiently.

"Ah, right to the point," Tareen said, a smile in his voice. It grated on Rodney's nerves and he narrowed his eyes at the horizon.

"You didn't think I was going to let you get away, did you? I'm not done with you."

Rodney rolled his eyes. "I got away, Tareen. I believe we are done."

"I have your girlfriend," Tareen said.

His stomach churned with anxiety and frustration and he stared in disbelief at Sheppard. Fear threatened to choke him.

Sheppard pressed his earpiece and walked away. Rodney turned his gaze back to the horizon.

"I don't know what you're talking about," he said, cocking his head to the side. "She's right here with me."

"Say something, darling, he doesn't believe me."

"Rodney!"

Ice water sliced through him, chilling him to the bone. He leaned against the console behind him, a vise wrapping around his heart.

"That's enough."

"Jennifer is still in the infirmary," Sheppard said, standing beside him. "She's fine."

"He has Kaylee," Rodney whispered.

"Come through that gate and we'll finish what we started," Tareen stated. "I'm sure you know what will happen if you don't."

Rodney closed his eyes and ran his hands over his face. He looked at Sheppard, who stared back with concern.

"I have to go," he said, standing. "He'll hurt her if I don't."

"And come alone," Tareen said as if he heard them. "I'll give you ten minutes."

Rodney sighed. "I can't let him hurt her."

"She's not alone, Rodney," Sheppard said. "Her friends are also on that planet."

"They probably don't know she's there," he said, heading back down the stairs to get his gear. "I'm all she has."

"You're not seriously considering going? He'll kill you."

"Better me than her."

Sheppard grabbed his arm and spun him around. He pointed a finger in Rodney's face. "Don't talk like that! I'm not letting you go through that gate only to end up dead."

"He wants me to figure out what that device does," Rodney growled, yanking his arm from Sheppard's grasp.

"And when you do, he'll kill you. No, you're not going."

"She's not going to die because of me." He spun on his heel and headed down the corridor.

"Then you're not going alone," Sheppard said, catching up to him.

"If I don't, he'll hurt her."

"He won't know. I'll arrive a few minutes after you. Give you enough time to get ahead of me. I'll search for her friends and get them to help."

Rodney sighed, realizing he wouldn't convince Sheppard to stay put. "Fine."

Sheppard slapped him on the back, but it didn't relieve his fears. He turned and continued down the hallway.

Several minutes later, Rodney stood before the horizon, making sure he had everything he needed. His backpack with his computer inside was strapped to his back and his gun to his right leg. He took a deep breath and glanced at Sheppard to his left.

"Good luck," Sheppard said.

"You, too." His gaze fell on the horizon. "This is McKay, I'm coming through."

"I knew you wouldn't let her down," Tareen said in a mocking voice. "We'll be waiting."

"Great." Rodney rolled his eyes and stepped through the gate.

~*~

Kaylee watched Rodney appear through the horizon. Her heart leaped at the sight of him dressed all in black. He looked at her, his blue eyes filled with concern. She offered him a slight smile and he nodded.

"Are you all right?" Rodney asked, stepped toward her.

"She's fine," Tareen answered, reminding her he stood beside her. "Continue to cooperate and she'll stay that way."

Rodney glared at him, but didn't step any closer. His stance exuded pent up tension and anger. If she didn't know better, she'd swear he was trying to keep himself from attacking the man.

"Let's get this over with. Where's the device?"

"Waiting for you at my house," Tareen said, a smile in his voice.

The gate shut down as if cutting off their only means of escape.

"Let's go," Tareen said, grabbing her arm. He yanked her forward and she winced. She stumbled, but caught her balance.

"You don't have to manhandle her," Rodney said, his voice was inflamed and belligerent.

"You two have caused me a lot of trouble," Tareen growled. "Allow me the courtesy of taking it out on you."

Kaylee took a deep breath to calm her nerves. The man thought she was Jennifer. She didn't know how, she wasn't wearing anything that resembled Jennifer's clothes.

It doesn't matter. I'm not going to let him think otherwise.

She looked over at Rodney. He hadn't said anything to the contrary, but she knew he wouldn't let anything happen to her. He was a caring person, regardless of what he wanted others to think. He'd come through that gate no matter who she was or wasn't.

I just hope it doesn't get him killed.

~*~

Jennifer finished stitching Ronon's forehead and placed a bandage on the wound.

"My advice is to duck next time," she said, stepping away.

"I did," he answered, his voice gruff as always. "Teyla hit me with the other stick."

She smirked and tossed her gloves into the biohazard wastebasket.

"I suggest avoiding sticks for a couple of days," she said, crossing her arms.

"I'll take that under advisement," Ronon said, standing.

Jennifer shook her head as Ronon left the infirmary. She checked her watch and smiled. It was almost time for dinner. Pulling the band from her hair, she shook out the brown locks. She took off her white coat and tossed it on the chair at her desk.

"I'm going to dinner," she said, strolling toward the door. "Call me if there's anything."

"Right, Doctor," the evening nurse said.

Finger-combing her hair, Jennifer headed down the corridor to the lab. She knew Rodney would more than likely forget about their date. Ever since they'd found that laboratory, he'd been focused on trying to discover its secrets.

Guess I'll have to go down there and remind him.

With a spring in her step, she hurried down to Rodney's home away from home. They planned to take one of the jumpers to the mainland and have a picnic near the ocean. Excitement grew within her. She couldn't wait.

"Rodney, are you ready?" Jennifer asked, stepping into the lab. She stopped when she saw his empty desk. Staring at it, she pressed her earpiece. "Rodney, where are you?"

Silence.

"He went to the gate room," Zelenka said, behind her. She turned and saw him holding a tray full of food.

"Why?"

The scientist shrugged and went around her to sit at the desk. "Someone called him. Don't know why, so he went to find out."

Jennifer tapped her earpiece again. "Rodney, this is Jennifer. Answer please."

Silence. Frustration grew and she stared at Zelenka. "He won't answer."

Zelenka looked at her, stunned. He tapped his earpiece. "Rodney, this is Radek. Are you there?"

He shook his head and dread spread through Jennifer.

"Control, this is Dr. Keller. Where's Dr. McKay?"

"This is Chuck. Dr. McKay went through the gate a couple of hours ago."

"Why?"

"Someone called wanting to talk to him. When he got here, the person wanted him to come through the gate or he'd hurt you."

Jennifer's fear spiked, her heart raced. "Tareen."

"That's what he said his name was," Chuck said. "He hasn't been back since. Sheppard went through after him, though."

Relief flowed through her, but it didn't ease her fear.

"Dr. McKay knew I was still here," she said.

"He went through anyway."

She closed her eyes, realizing what was going on. Tareen had captured Kaylee, thinking the mechanic was her.

"Tareen kidnapped the wrong woman," she said, looking at Zelenka. "He abducted Kaylee."

"Will he know his mistake?"

"Let's hope not or else they're both dead," she breathed.

Not knowing what else to do, she left the lab and hurried to the infirmary. She didn't want to wait for Sheppard to rescue Rodney and Kaylee. She'd go mad. Instead, she was going to get him back herself.

Entering the infirmary, Jennifer grabbed her medical kit and her jacket. She turned around and nearly ran into Teyla. She jumped, startled.

Teyla's gaze fell on the med kit then looked at her. "What's wrong?"

"Rodney's in trouble," she said, making her way to the Gateroom. "John went after him, but I can't stand by and wait. I have to do something."

"And get yourself hurt in the process?" Teyla asked, stepping in front of her. "What makes you think he's in trouble?"

"Tareen," Jennifer answered, maneuvering around Teyla to continue down the hallway. "I know he'll hurt Rodney if only to get back at him."

"If Rodney allowed himself to be taken by Tareen then he has a plan of his own," the Athosian said, her footsteps loud in the corridor. "You'll only make things worse by going."

"I'm not staying here waiting for news on his well-being. I know if Tareen realizes he has the wrong woman…"

"He kidnapped Kaylee?" Teyla asked in surprise. She grabbed Jennifer's arm, pulling her to a stop. "Then you should not go."

Jennifer stared at the other woman, knowing Teyla was right, but not caring. She had to get Rodney back. He had done the same for her.

"It's my turn to rescue him," she said softly. "He knew how dangerous it was, but he came for me. I can't leave him in the hands of that monster, knowing what will happen if I do."

"Then allow me to come with you," Teyla said, determination in her eyes.

Jennifer nodded. "I'll probably need backup."

"I'll see you at the gate," Teyla said then turned and headed down the corridor.

Taking a deep breath, Jennifer hurried toward the gate room.

~*~

The sun hovered above the horizon when the town came into view. A spark of remembrance crossed Rodney's mind. He groaned, realizing he was supposed to take Jennifer to the mainland for dinner.

She's probably wondering where I am. I bet she thought I forgot again.

The activity of the town was minimal for the time of day. People were packing their wares away or heading home. Some didn't bother to look their way while others smiled and nodded as they passed. Instinct bit at Rodney to signal for help, but he knew better. He'd only endanger themselves and anyone who tried to help. His only hope was to outsmart this man fast enough to escape with Kaylee.

Hopefully sooner rather than later.

They arrived at Tareen's house in no time. He motioned for them to head inside and followed after them, closing the door.

"Shall we head into the basement?" Rodney couldn't help asking. He glared at the man, his hand itching to grab his gun.

"No," Tareen said, stepping closer to him. "I want to keep an eye on you. Hand over that gun or you're girlfriend gets hurt."

His gaze feel on Kaylee and the pleading in her eyes tore at him. His mind raced through scenarios, hoping to find one where they both could get out of this alive if he pulled his gun now. None of them worked. Mentally grumbling, he pulled his gun out of its holster and handed it to Tareen.

"Good," Tareen said, smiling too broadly. "You're cooperating very well."

Tareen waved the gun like a pointer and motioned toward the table in the center of the room. The silver device was already on top, waiting for Rodney.

"You can use the table," Tareen said. "And to keep you from even thinking about escaping…"

Gunshot exploded and hot pain stabbed through him. He doubled over sinking to his knees.

"Rodney!" Kaylee shouted, dropping down beside him.

"Since she's a doctor, she knows how to heal you."

Clutching his stomach, he scowled up at the man. The urge to tell Tareen he screwed up toppled on the edge of Rodney's tongue. He tamped it down.

"You have two days to figure out what that device does," Tareen said.

"Or what?"

"I believe you know, Dr. McKay." Tareen smiled and left the room.

Kaylee dragged him over to the side of the room. Rodney closed his eyes and leaned back against the wall. The slamming of the door announced Tareen's departure. Tension left his body and he opened his eyes to look at the fear in Kaylee's gaze.

"How could he do that to you?" Kaylee asked in a frightened voice.

"He wants to prove a point," he said, wincing at the pain. "And he thinks you can fix it."

"Well, that's where he's wrong," she said.

Rodney looked at her, realizing she was his only hope if he was to stay alive. Taking a breath he soon regretted, he narrowed his eyes at her.

"Just stop the bleeding," he snapped, wanting her to focus.

"How?" Kaylee looked around the room.

Gritting his teeth to keep from barking at her, he growled. "Check the drawers for some kind of cloth. This is a kitchen if you haven't noticed, there's bound to be napkins of some sort in here."

"Right," she said, smiling sheepishly.

He refrained from rolling his eyes while she stood and rummaged through the drawers. Drowsiness dug its claws into him, trying to drag him down. He fought it, knowing he needed to stay awake if they were both going to get out of here.

"Found something," she said.

"Oh, for small favors."

Kneeling beside him, she pulled up his shirt. He hissed in pain and forced himself to hold still.

"It doesn't look good," she said, her fingers reaching out to touch the wound.

"Put the damn cloth on the wound," he growled.

She jumped, but did what he said. "You don't have to shout. I'm scared, too."

Rodney said nothing as she pressed the cloth against his injury. He closed his eyes, resting his head against the wall.

"We're probably going to need another one," Kaylee said softly.

"Then get another one," he bit out, not opening his eyes.

"That bullet needs to come out."

"No kidding."

"I can try to get it out."

His eyes flew open and he stared at her. She looked back at him with fear and concern in her eyes and a little determination. He saw in her gaze that she wasn't about to let him die.

"If we're going to continue this charade that I'm Dr. Keller then I need to get that bullet out, especially if he comes back here to check on us."

Blinking through the agony sweeping through him, he realized she was right. They had no idea when Tareen would be back and he couldn't very well go anywhere in the condition he was in now.

"Fine," he said through clenched teeth. "Just hit me over the head before you get started."

"I'm not going to hit you," she said, getting to her feet. "I will help you onto the table, though."

"Great," he mumbled as she helped him to his feet. "Just what I was thinking."