Author's Note: I would like to thank my beta reader, Nika Dixon, for her guidance. Any mistakes here are purely my own.

Disclaimer: I do not own the rights to Stargate Atlantis or the characters. The only thing that is mine are any original thoughts or characters that you may find here.

A/N: I apologise profusely for the time it has taken me to update this story. I can only hope that you'll forgive me. As a reward for your patience this chapter is longer than the norm and the next chapter is already with my beta. So please hang in there. Your reward is more action and more whump.

Chapter 14

"There's nothing wrong with my eyes, Doc," complained Sheppard when Beckett flashed a light into his right eye.

"Aye, Colonel . Just being thorough," replied Beckett as he turned his attention to Sheppard's left eye before dropping the penlight into his pocket. "Okay. I'm going to release ya but I want ya to take it easy. No more handling Ancient devices no matter how much Rodney badgers -"

"I didn't badger him. Is that what he's being saying?"

Carson turned to see Rodney push the curtain aside as he approached Sheppard's bed. "Rodney, have ya no respect for privacy?"

"What..." Rodney raised a hand to his radio before replying. "Okay. Thanks." He returned his attention to Sheppard and Carson. "Teyla and Ronon are back from Daleria. They're headed here for their post-mission check and to debrief."

Sheppard pushed himself off the bed and reached for his uniform shirt.

"Yes, right. I'll just wait out here then," replied Rodney as he quickly backed out through the curtain, pulling it closed behind himself.

Sheppard smirked at Rodney's reaction. Some things never changed for which he was grateful. He slipped on his shirt trying to hide the wince from Carson as his shoulder reminded him that it would still be a while before it completely healed. The look on Carson's face told him that he hadn't succeeded.

"Aren't ya forgetting something, lad?" asked Carson holding up the Sheppard's sling.

"Sorry, doc, not this time. I'll need two arms." replied Sheppard.

"Och, I know ya want to go after her but ya're in nae fit state to mount a rescue. That break in your collar bone is healing nicely but it's far from full strength."

Sheppard could tell from the thickening of Carson's accent that he really wasn't happy with him but he'd already made up his mind and no-one, not even Carson, was going to change it. "I'm going, Carson." Sheppard heard Carson's sigh and knew he'd won that round. It surprised him a little as he had expected more of a fight from the good doctor.

"Aye, I guessed you would nae matter what I said but I want ya to eat a decent meal before ya go, at least."

Sheppard nodded his acceptance and replied, "Thanks, Carson."

"I'm not finished yet," added Carson, "I'll be going with ya."

Sheppard didn't want any non-combatants on the rescue mission team. Not this time. He knew there was always a chance of injuries but his men knew the risks and were more than capable of providing basic field medicine. He could count on one hand the number of times that Carson had been off-world in a similar situation. He would just be another person for him to worry about. "Carson, I-"

"I'm not asking for ya permission, Colonel. Elizabeth might be injured."

Sheppard felt his stomach clench as Carson's words triggered a memory from his nightmare. An image of Elizabeth being dragged through the gate with a gun held to her chin. Carson was right. He gave a nod of approval before moving towards the curtain. "Okay, Doc. Conference room in one hour for mission briefing."

ooOoo

Teyla entered the infirmary with Ronon one step behind her. She could see the privacy curtain drawn around the bed that was usually reserved for her team leader and assumed that he was still resting. She wished that she could leave him to his rest but he would want to know what she had seen on Daleria even though she had no news on Elizabeth.

"Carson's with him doing his usual voodoo torture."

Teyla turned to see Rodney watching her and Dr Keller approaching behind him.

"Is he okay?" asked Teyla. She had been surprised at the news that her team leader was still in the infirmary and she was concerned as to what it meant. She knew that John was still recovering from his injuries from his last time off-world but she suspected it was Elizabeth's absence that was responsible for his current state. She had seen the worry that he tried to hide from her even before Sargeant Clarke's attempted contact, but she knew him too well.

"He will be. Now let's get the two of you checked out," replied Keller, leading Teyla and Ronon towards a gurney away from the curtained off cubicle.

Teyla settled herself on the gurney as Keller prepared to take a sample of blood, a routine that she had grown used to since coming to Atlantis and joining the Colonel's team. A routine that she understood but right now she wished things were different. Her normal patience was absent. Maybe it was the dread of telling her friend that she had no news of Elizabeth. Or maybe it was just a yearning to return to Daleria with her team mates so that they may find her and the missing team.

A glance across at Ronon showed her a similar impatience. Movement behind him caught her eye and she turned her attention to the person exiting from the curtained off area. Despite her misgivings she was glad to see John walking toward her.

" What did you find out? " asked John.

"Wilson's dead." stated Ronon ignoring the shocked look that Keller gave him.

Teyla heard the quiet anger in Ronon's voice. An anger she shared. She looked to John. His eyes lowered for a moment, closing himself off as he often did. But she knew the signs and could see them in him now as the muscles along his jaw line rippled. With leadership came responsibility and John took his responsibilities seriously, taking every death personally. His anger was no less than hers and the Dalerians would pay for what they had done.

"And the others?" asked Sheppard.

"The Dalerians are holding Sargeant Clarke in a compound in the township." replied Teyla. "We saw no sign of Elizabeth or the others."

"What? Why not?" asked Rodney. "What were you doing? You were gone for hours. How-"

Ronon turned his glare on Rodney, stopping the man in the middle of his tirade. "Something is going on."

"No kidding, Conan. We already knew that," replied Rodney.

It was Sheppard's turn to throw a glare at Rodney before he asked, "Any idea what?"

"No. There is a curfew in place and many armed men patrolling." replied Teyla.

"They're probably afraid of us and what Sheppard will do to them." stated Rodney.

"I do not think so. The gate was not guarded. Whatever it is that they expect, it is not us that they fear the most."

"They should," stated Ronon.

" Get cleaned up. We'll meet back in the conference room in thirty minutes to plan our attack." replied Sheppard before leaving the infirmary.

Teyla turned to Dr Keller and received a nod from her indicating that she was free to go.

"He should tell her," stated Ronon.

"I agree," replied Teyla.

"Tell who what?" asked Rodney.

"Thought you were a genius?" replied Ronon.

"I am. So are you going to tell me?"

"No."

Teyla sighed as she turned to leave. Rodney and Ronon were like brothers to her but at times they behaved more like children.

ooOoo

After leaving the infirmary Sheppard turned towards his quarters intent on a quick shower to help clear the remaining cobwebs clouding his thoughts. He hated the after effects of the drugs Beckett had given him. He'd been reluctant to accept them but he knew he couldn't have led the rescue mission with the migraine affecting him. Beckett had made that quite clear and for once he had agreed. His promise to eat a proper meal was a different matter. He knew Beckett meant well but right now all he could think about was her and the need to find her and the others before they suffered the same fate as Wilson. He could only hope that it wasn't too late already.

As military commander her safety was his responsibility. But he knew his fear for her was much more than the normal fear he felt for a missing team member. He'd had nothing else to think about recently when he had spent three long hours alone in a Wraith dart battling his injuries as he tried getting his team mates back home safely. Time enough to realise how he truly felt about Elizabeth and to consider what actions the IOA would take against Elizabeth if he acted on his feelings. And more than enough time to know that he couldn't lose her. If he did he'd lose himself.

He didn't understand the motives behind the actions of the Dalerians and he didn't really care. He just wanted his people back. He knew that his team would want to go on the rescue mission but storming the Dalerian compound would require more than one team if they were to pull it off. They would require a couple of jumpers and he knew just the person to fly the second jumper. He activated his radio as he entered his room. "Lieutenant Paxton."

He tugged his jacket off while he waited for a response and tossed it carelessly onto his desk knocking over a picture frame. "Lieutenant, I want you and a team of marines in the conference room for a mission briefing in twenty minutes. And bring another jumper pilot."

He tossed his radio carelessly beside his jacket scrubbing a hand across his face before stepping into his bathroom. Moments later he was stood under a stream of hot water feeling his lethargy washing away as the water did its job. He needed to be on his A game for this mission and this was the quickest way he knew to clear his head. A few minutes was all he needed before he shut off the water and reached for a towel.

He dressed in a fresh uniform quickly aware that he was due in the conference room shortly. He moved to grab his radio and jacket from the desk and noticed the fallen picture frame. The wooden frame had been a birthday gift from Elizabeth. She had seen the picture that he kept on his desk and felt it needed a better home than the one it had propped up against his copy of War and Peace. She had asked the Athosians to make it and then surprised him with it that first year not long after he'd given her a clay pot for her birthday. The frame was rustic much as the pot had been but what it held was one of his most treasured possessions. For some reason Zelenka had brought a camera along one movie night and taken pictures of his team. Elizabeth had joined them after much cajoling on his part. The evening had been nice with her sat by his side sharing a bowl of popcorn. Zelenka had captured the moment where the popcorn had gone flying when they had playfully fought over the last handful. The look of Elizabeth's surprise as popcorn rained down on her when he'd suddenly let go of the bowl was priceless. He remembered that her shock had soon turned to a smile when she'd realised she had won. He'd give anything to see her smiling face again. To find her and bring her home.

He placed the frame back in its spot on his desk before grabbing his jacket and radio. A glance at his watch told him it was time to head to the conference room.

ooOoo

Rodney was on his way to the briefing when he saw Sheppard step out of the transporter and head towards the conference room. Rodney sped up, wanting to catch up to him. Pulling up alongside him he could see what Carson had seen. A person who was still recovering from serious injuries, not someone who should be leading a rescue mission. But he also saw a friend. A determined friend who took the safety of everyone on the expedition team personally. He knew he couldn't stop Sheppard from leading the mission. All he could do was lend his support. He heard a suspicious rumbling noise coming from Sheppard, reminding him of the spare snack he'd freed from the kitchen earlier.

"Oh I nearly forgot. This is for you." stated McKay pulling a slightly squashed muffin from his pocket.

Sheppard looked down at the bedraggled looking snack wrapped in a serviette. "Um...Thanks." he replied as he accepted the misshapen muffin. "What was it before you sat on it?"

"What? I thought you said you passed the Mensa test?"

Sheppard ignored Rodney's jibe as he broke off a piece and popped it into his mouth. The taste brought a smile to his face, "Chocolate, my favourite."

"Double chocolate," responded Rodney returning the smile.

"Even better."

ooOoo

Sheppard's eyes fell on Beckett, noting the scowl that was directed at him. No doubt Beckett would want a word with him later about his choice of sustenance. For now he intended to ignore him. He took his seat conscious that he occupied Elizabeth's normal spot, and placed the remnants of the muffin on the table before getting down to business.

"Teyla and Ronon have found two of our people, Clarke and Wilson. Wilson is dead and Clarke is being held in a compound in the Dalerian village. As for the others, we don't know. It's possible that they're being held at the same location. What we do know is that the Dalerians cannot be trusted. Teyla?" Sheppard looked to Teyla for her to continue.

"There are many military patrols on the move and there is a curfew in place in the village. The gate was not guarded but that may have changed since our return. The compound is in the heart of the village and it is surrounded by a high stone wall. There appears to be only one entrance and it is guarded. We saw Sargeant Clarke being taken to a building that stood apart from the others. There was a single guard on the door. It was not possible to determine whether anyone else is being held in the same building. "

"And Wilson?" asked Lieutenant Paxton.

"The Dalerians were transporting his body along with several others back to the village. We did not recognise any of the other bodies. Their dress was like that of the Dalerian towns-folk."

"They killed their own people?" asked Rodney.

"We do not know that," replied Teyla.

"They could've been killed by our people defending themselves," added Paxton.

"Whatever happened I intend to get our people back. We'll make our approach in two cloaked jumpers. Beckett you'll ride with me but you'll be staying in the jumper. Lieutenant Paxton, your team will be in the second jumper providing backup and a diversion should we need it." Sheppard looked at the people sat around the table as he continued, "We go in quiet and hopefully leave with our people before anyone is any the wiser."

"The Daedulus is only a couple of days away. Couldn't we divert them?" asked Paxton.

McKay shook his head in response. "No. Daleria is further away from Earth than Atlantis so even at maximum speed they'd take too long to get there."

"Any more questions?" asked Sheppard as he looked around the table again. "Okay, gear up, we're heading out in fifteen minutes. Rodney contact Caldwell and fill him in, in the meantime you're in charge."

"What?"

"You heard me. You're sitting this one out," replied Sheppard. "With all of the senior staff off world you're needed here."

"That's never stopped us before. You need me. What if you need to get a door open?"

Sheppard had known that McKay wouldn't like his decision. That was why he hadn't told him earlier. And he wasn't really lying. McKay would be needed on Atlantis to take charge if they didn't return. He had no illusions about the potential for things to go pear shaped on Daleria. Ideally they would have flown a recon flight before sending in troops to mount a rescue but something told him that they didn't have time for that. He just hoped that they hadn't left the rescue too late already.

He had another reason as well, though, for leaving McKay behind and it was a purely selfish one. Rodney was smart and brave. He'd proven that since joining his team but he was still a civilian and breaking into a military compound was not something he should be asked to do. But Rodney would do it because of their friendship and he just could not allow it. Not when he had marines available who were trained for the job. He didn't want to risk losing any more of the people he cared about. He had lost enough over the years.

"That's why we have C4," replied Sheppard as he started towards the armoury to gear up.

"Okay, bad example. What if something happens to the jumper, who is going to fix it if I'm not there?"

"We'll manage," replied Sheppard stopping suddenly when Rodney's hand grabbed his arm and swung him round. "No Rodney. I know you want to help and you can by keeping Atlantis running. Military only this time."

"And Beckett," whined Rodney.

"And Beckett – only to treat the injured. We'll get her back." Sheppard studied his friend's face and saw reluctant acceptance. That would have to do.

ooOoo

Rodney stood at the railing overlooking the gate room watching as Sheppard's jumper gently lowered into the room and hovered before the open gate.

"Leave the lights on for us, McKay."

"Good luck, Colonel," replied Rodney as he watched the jumper disappear into the event horizon quickly followed by the second jumper. Moments later the gate shut down and he again wondered why everyone in the Pegasus galaxy seemed hell bent on deception. He could only hope that Sheppard would be able to find their missing people and bring them safely home. He knew if anyone could it would be Sheppard with his dogged determination and never leave anyone behind philosophy.

TBC

A/N: Goodie I hear you say, finally Sheppard is on his way to rescue Elizabeth from the evil people threatening her with torture if she doesn't help them in their genocidal plans. But can it really be that simple? Well I guess it could but with me writing it, it's unlikely. So if you want to see what kind of trouble Sheppard can get into on Daleria trying to rescue everyone then you had better bribe the author with a review . And while you're there, why not sign up for a story alert so you don't miss any of the coming action and whumpage. There's plenty for everyone.