John leaned heavily on the bars, still stuck inside the cage as Teyla was escorted across the campsite towards Jennifer and the Moltan soldiers.

"Okay," Rodney appeared on John's left, and gripped the bars. "So how is this helpful?"

"Because Teyla will make sure the Doc doesn't do anything crazy." John replied, his answer not quite as confident sounding as he wanted.

"Right." Rodney nodded, then paused. "And exactly how is that going to get us out of here?"

"The Athosians have a treaty with the Moltans." Ronon shifted his weight and leaned further into the corner where he'd wedged himself. Directionally it was the closest he could get to Jennifer while still confined to the cage.

"Uh huh." Rodney rolled his eyes. "Yeah, I got that. Thank you Mr. Observant."

Ronon made a low noise in the back of his throat.

John thwacked Rodney across the back of the head.

"Hey!" Rodney scowled at the Colonel.

"Do you have a death wish?" John hissed, tipping his head towards Ronon. "He's finally stopped trying to rip the bars apart with his bare hands."

Rodney looked past John to where Ronon was giving him a cold stare. "What? I just meant…I mean…I…" The scientist stopped his back-peddling and clamped his mouth shut.

John thought that was probably the smartest move. He glanced over to his right, wondering just how the Satedan was managing to remain so outwardly calm. If he'd been in the same position—watching his eight months pregnant wife sitting alone amongst a band of mercenaries without his protection—he would most likely be climbing the walls. Although technically…Ronon had been climbing the walls—bars—just a few moments before.

Yeah…not good.

If there's one thing he'd learned over the years, was that a calm Ronon was a dangerous Ronon.

Kind of like a cobra right before it struck and killed you.

John only hoped Teyla could work her magic before over-protective-husband-and-almost-daddy finally snapped and killed her new found trading partners.

Across the campsite, Jen used Teyla's approach to mask her concentrated stare towards her husband. She knew the relaxed slant in Ronon's hips as he angled himself against the bars was all for show. The intensity with which he watched her told Jen he was almost at his limit.

The minute he started to pace the bars, she knew she'd have maybe five minutes tops before he cracked.

Jen mentally willed him to breathe. She was too far away to see his expression with any clarity, but she knew how dark his eyes would be. He was furious with her—with the Moltens—and was barely holding it in. She hoped he'd give her the time she needed to get them all out safely. Now that Teyla was here, the Athosian would settle things diplomatically, and they'd all be home in time for supper.

Kale stood abruptly as Teyla, accompanied by two guards, stopped in front of him. The Molten leader angled his head, his frown betraying his disbelief and mistrust. "Teyla Emmagen I presume?"

Jen pushed herself up out of the chair and stepped towards the group.

Teyla blatantly ignored Kale's question and looked directly at Jen. "Jennifer, are you okay?" She placed her hand lightly on Jen's shoulder.

Jen nodded, lightly tapping Teyla's hand. "I'm fine. Tired. Hungry. Ready to go home."

"Don't worry," Teyla nodded and squeezed Jen's shoulder, flashing her a light smile before her face turned serious. "We won't be much longer," she turned pointedly towards Kale and raised an eyebrow. "Will we?"

Kale scowled at Teyla.

The Athosian hooked her arm through Jen's, and pulled the Doctor around the large man and angled her towards the table and chairs. "Sit, Jennifer."

Jen gladly obeyed. Dropping into the wooden chair with a sigh, she rolled her shoulders and waited for Teyla to move into the seat beside her. Last to move was Kale, who was still giving Teyla a commanding glare.

Once the trio was seated, Jen let Teyla take control.

The Athosian raised a sculpted eyebrow and turned her gaze to Kale. "Halling said your people offered a good trade. Weapons and information for food and a safe haven if needed."

"Your man was a skilled negotiator," he offered, giving Jen a sideways glance.

"Hey, I never said I was a negotiator," Jen mumbled.

"Halling also said," Teyla continued. "That your people seemed fair and competent."

Kale angled his head at the offhand compliment.

"If you wish to continue the treaty you will release the others." Teyla said firmly, angling her head towards the cage and the trio of men watching intently from behind the bars.

"They are not Athosian." Kale shook his head slightly, his eyes narrowing.

"That does not matter," Teyla countered. "They are also my people."

Kale snorted and glanced from one woman to the other. "You two seem to collect people the way most collect weaponry."

Teyla made a face. "We find it comes in…handy."

"I bet you do."

"Okay." Jen tried to lean forward but her stomach met the table and she gave up with a resigned sigh. "You said you had a treaty with the Athosians, so just honor the damn thing and let them out."

"Correct." Kale leaned towards her, his expression closed. "A treaty with the Athosians."

Jen let out an exasperated snort. "Now look here, buddy…"

"Jennifer…" Teyla warned, placing a firm hand on Jen's arm.

"No, Teyla," Jen scowled at Kale. "I've pretty much had enough of this circle talk. He either has a treaty or he doesn't. I'm tired. I'm hungry. And I want to go home." She pushed her chair back and rose with effort, her voice climbing in time with her position.

Teyla stood with her, holding a firm hand on Jen's arm. "Jennifer…" the Athosian warned.

"What I am not…" Jen continued to glower at Kale. "is in any mood to play patty-cake with a Neanderthal who's too stupid to realize he's about 30 seconds shy of finding out why it's better to make friends with Atlantis than enemies! I mean come on…?" She looked at Teyla incredulously, flipping her palm upwards towards Kale. "How can he not have heard of us? We've blown up how many hives by now? Darts? Wraith? Half a galaxy?"

Teyla pulled Jen to the side, angling her away from Kale when the Moltan leader shot to his feet.

Jen glared at him, of half a mind to poke him firmly in the chest, except Teyla wasn't holding her arm so tightly. "We've probably even saved his ass at least once and this is the thanks we get? Locked in a cage?"

"Jennifer!" Teyla said with more volume.

"He doesn't even have claim on the land for goodness sake! You can't just claim an unoccupied planet and then lock people up for trespassing!"

"Doctor Keller!" Teyla shouted.

"What!" Jen yelled, and snapped her head around to face Teyla.

Teyla took a deep breath and angled her head to the side. Jen turned to see that most of the men in the camp had stepped forward, forming an almost perfect circle around them. Fingers gripped weapons and each man watched their leader for any commands.

"Great." Jen muttered, and turned back towards Kale, who was standing to the side with his arms threaded across his chest. "Oh don't give me that look," she pursed her lips. "You know I'm right. Now tell them to back off."

Dropping his arms, Kale stepped closer, closing the distance until he was standing belly to belly with Jen. Teyla stiffened beside her but Jen wasn't not about to let him intimidate her into admitting she might have gone a little too far with her rant. With her palms planted firmly on her hips she straightened her spine and bumped her belly firmly against his. She scowled up at him, refusing to budge. When Kale made no further move, Jen raised an eyebrow.

"Release them. Now." She said firmly.

Kale blinked.

Tipped his head.

Then burst out laughing.

He waved his hand dismissively at the man to his left, who walked towards the cage.

Jen knees wobbled slightly as she realized the mercinary wasn't about to cause harm…he simply unlocked the door.

"Are you sure you will not marry me?" Kale asked with a smug smile and Jen's head snapped back around. Kale turned towards Teyla. "It would certainly solidify our treaty."

"Hmmm." Teyla frowned. "I do not think her husband would approve."

Kale snorted. "Introduce us sometime."

"Why?" Teyla glanced sideways at Jen, then back to Kale.

Kale shrugged and flexed his shoulders. "Perhaps I will…convince him…to change his mind."

Jen opened her mouth to retort but her field of vision was immediately blocked by a wide expanse of brown leather. She bit back a snicker. "Kale, I'd like you to meet my husband."

"Your…" The Molton leader slowly shifted his gaze from Ronon's face to where Jen was peering out from between Ronon and John.

She smiled and gave Kale a wiggling finger wave from behind the two men.

"Doc," John stage whispered over his shoulder. "Please don't provoke the man who just released us from a jail cell."

Jen sighed and dropped her hand. "Spoil sport," she muttered.

Rodney shushed her and she turned towards him. "What?" she mouthed.

He gave her a wide eyed glare.

Jen sighed and rolled her eyes. "Fine."

Teyla made quick introductions then stepped back while John demanded the return of their obviously empty weapons.

At Kale's nod, a trio of mercenaries stepped forward and dropped the Tac-vests and weapons on the ground John's feet. Ronon continued to stare at Kale until Kale turned away and glared in turn at one of his men. The man rolled his eyes and stepped forward, withdrawing Ronon's blaster from behind his back. Ronon quickly retrieved it.

"Chewey…" John warned under his breath.

Ronon released his death-grip on the blaster and dropped it into his holster.

Tired of staring at Ronon's back, Jen tapped him firmly in the middle of the spine. His shoulders released only a small amount of tension as he stepped to the side and turned towards her. Jen slipped her arm around his waist and leaned into him. "Home now?"

He snorted, and glanced at John, who was pulling on his Tac-vest and checking the pockets.

"I don't see why not." John snapped his P90 to one of the front hooks and angled his head towards the Moltan leader. "Unless you have anything else you'd like to share?"

Rodney groaned, his hands hovering over the velcro straps on his vest. "You just had to ask…"

Kale eyed the Colonel with a smirk. "Your weapons are empty, you know…"

Ronon's blaster was up before Kale finished his sentence. "Not mine." He growled.

Kale's soldiers immediately stepped up from behind their leader, their weapons raised.

Rodney let out a small squeak and stepped back, bumping into Jen.

Jen sighed. "Ronon…he's not worth it."

Kale stared at Ronon, his smile gone.

With a grimace, Ronon slowly lowered his arm.

Jen turned and stepped forward, walking slowly towards the far side of the camp, accompanied by Teyla and Rodney. John and Ronon were the last to follow as they walked backwards, putting distance between themselves and the Moltan's.

"Jennifer!" Kale called out.

Jen stiffened and turned, trepidation twisting up her spine. "Yes?"

"You are also a terrible bluffer."

"What?" She frowned.

"You are lucky I did not believe you when you said you did not come here alone."

"And why's that?" John asked.

Kale shrugged. "A pregnant woman who would walk into the enemy camp alone is simply crazy. A pregnant woman who would walk into an enemy camp alone while her army hides in waiting isn't just crazy, she's dangerous." Kale angled his head. "I might have killed dangerous."

"Oh she's dangerous all right." A man's voice called out from the far side of the camp.

Everyone turned in surprise Evan broke through the underbrush, flanked by Ellis and Browne. All three men had their P90's raised and aimed at Kale and his men. Movement from the rear and from behind the cages revealed both Major Buchannan's team, and Major Teldy's team.

Kale's men spun with rifles raised, but they didn't know which direction to cover. Several spun in circles as the Lantean teams closed in. A shimmering of air above turned all eyes to the heavens as three jumpers uncloaked, hovering in formation above the open area of the campsite.

"Major." John nodded at Evan.

"Colonel."

"But…" Kale sputtered, his gaze dropping from the jumpers to Jen. "You were not…you would have...I do not believe it."

Jen shrugged and gave him a half smile. "Guess it's a good thing you didn't believe me then, huh."

"So…" John turned back towards Kale. "You were saying?"

"I…what?" Kale shook his head, fighting to regain his composure. "I was…merely stating a fact."

"Hmm." John nodded. "Well, our rides are here, so, we're gonna jet."

Kale continued to stare at Jen as she turned and walked towards a landing Jumper.

"Don't worry," Evan said in passing as he angled himself away from Kale and his men. "We'll make sure she doesn't bother you any more."

"I heard that." Jen called over her shoulder.

The other teams closed ranks, flanking the groups as they moved towards the jumpers.

Off to one side, John stood next to Evan, watching as Kale's men dropped their weapons into the dirt at Major Buchannan's urging.

"Three teams?" John asked.

Evan shrugged. "Better safe than sorry."

"I only ordered two on standby."

"I added one of my own." Evan angled his head. "Just in case."

John nodded slowly. "How long did you wait?"

"We didn't." Evan grinned. "I figured if you weren't back early, it was a bad sign. We were loaded up and waiting before Chuck tried your com."

"Right." John nodded, turning as the teams took turns boarding the jumpers. They backed slowly towards the last jumper, where Ronon, Ellis, and Browne stood guard with weapons aimed at the Moltans.

"New rule?" Evan asked.

"New rule." John said firmly. "No leaving the city. What. So. Ever."

"Team on the inside?"

"Always." John nodded. "I don't want her even going to the damn bathroom alone."

"Armed?"

John dropped his chin and stared at his second-in-command.

"Right." Evan nodded slowly as he moved up the ramp of the jumper. "Dumb question."

"What's a dumb question?" Rodney asked as the hatch lifted closed.

"If you're hungry." John smirked.

"Yeah, that is a dumb question." Ronon snorted.

"Stuff it." Rodney whined. "You know I have—"

"Hypoglycaemia," a chorus of voices mimicked.

Rodney sighed and glared at Evan, who couldn't hold his laughter. "Oh shut up and drive."

.

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Author's Notes: I'm sorry this chapter took so long to post! It's been crazy since my book came out (yay!) and GLENN's been giving me issues wanting me to just get on to the 9th month! They wouldn't give me any idea on how Jen was going to get the boys free! Next stop - the 9th month! Auntie Laura to the rescue! --- Nika