Author's Note: I would like to thank my beta reader, Nika Dixon, for her guidance and her quick review of this chapter despite having much of her own writing to do. 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.

Yes, I know I re-published this chapter but after Yours. Truly. Emily's review I decided that she was right and that I hadn't done this chapter the justice that it deserved. The outcome hasn't changed but the journey has hopefully improved. Drop me a line and let me know what you think and thanks to everyone for their continued support. If you haven't left a review yet then, please do before the journey comes to an end. It's easy. All comments are welcome and I will reply. Now on with the adventure.

Chapter 35

The Dart hit the ground at a sharp angle, the nose buckling as it dug into the ground. The forward momentum carried the rear of the vessel forward flipping it over several times. The nose of the vessel was the first part to break off barely slowing the ship's forward momentum. The next to go was a wing as the tip caught on a large boulder, its loss changing the centre of gravity of the stricken vessel affecting the direction of rotation bring the other wing into contact with the ground. It too was stripped from the vessel as it left a trail of debris and damaged landscape behind it. Last to go before the ship finally screeched to a stop resting against an earth embankment was an engine. The silence that followed was broken only by the sound of damaged wiring arcing in the one engine that remained as the smoke continued to pour out marking it's final resting spot.

Ronon followed the trail of destruction wondering whether his friend could have survived such a violent landing. He forced himself to move faster, to overcome the pain that was flaring in his injured leg and use it to drive him forward. He heard the sound of the crash. The sound of a vessel being torn apart in its dying moments, the sound of tearing metal coming to him carried by the wind, sounds drawn out as gravity and friction worked on slowing the vessel. How far away the Dart was when the sounds ceased he could not tell. All he knew was that his friend needed him and he could not, would not let him down.

The ground beneath his feet started to rise as he approached the small crest. Soon his lungs were burning with the effort required to maintain his speed as the blood loss from the injury to his thigh began to exact its price. How much damage had it sustained in the process? Much if the sounds he heard were any indication. He cleared his mind not wanting his thoughts to distract him from his purpose. He paused at the top of the crest and scanned the small valley that lay before him. He could see the scar that the Dart had carved into the damp earth stretching away to the horizon drawing his eye to the rising black smoke in the distance marking where his friend probably lay. Hopefully still alive. He glanced over his shoulder and spotted McKay doing his best to catch up. He was still quite a distance behind him but not so far that he couldn't see the pained look on his face as the scientist placed physical demands on his body that it was still ill-trained for even after all this time on Sheppard's team.

"Pick up the pace, McKay." yelled Ronon. He saw McKay lift his head and look in his direction, misery and worry combining on his face. Satisfied that his words had caused an increase in McKay's pace he turned his attention back towards the valley and began making his way down the slippery slope, slithering his way down as quickly as he could his arms spread out to maintain his balance as the mud threatened to take his feet out from under him.

His feet quickly found the base of the valley and he raced along following the deep gouge willing the distance between him and the downed craft to shorten as he passed what appeared to be the remains of one wing. He came across the other wing a short time later grimacing as he thought about the chances of surviving a crash that could wreak so much damage. The land beneath his feet began to rise again as he finally approached the embankment that had become the final resting spot for the Dart. He only hoped it wasn't the final resting place for his friend.

Smoke still rose from the single remaining engine as it slowly burnt itself out, the smell turning the air acrid as he neared. He could see the main capsule now and it appeared to be in one piece. Could his friend have survived? The canopy was still closed increasing the concern that his friend might be dead or too injured to open the canopy himself? He pushed the thoughts from his mind, he'd know the answers soon enough. He reached for the canopy and gave it a tug but it refused to budge.

He tried again putting all of his weight behind it, grunting with the effort but still it refused to move. His fist hit the canopy as a growl of frustration left his throat. He stared at the spot he had hit hoping to see a mark, some sign that he could break through the material that was between him and Sheppard. At the same time he listened for some sign that his friend was still alive and had heard him. Hearing nothing he took a step back and pulled his blaster from its holster aiming it at the point where the canopy joined the body of the vessel.

He heard Rodney gasping for breath before he saw him, face red and barely able to stand as he tried to gulp in enough air to satisfy his body's demands. He saw Rodney's gaze travel from his own face to the weapon he held in his hand and where it was pointed.

"Oh…that'll…help…him." managed Rodney between gulps of air.

"You got a better idea to get this thing open?" asked Ronon slipping his weapon back into it's holster.

McKay stepped over to the vessel and leaned in to inspect the mechanism that kept the canopy locked shut before holding his hand out and looking back at Ronon. "Matter of fact, I do. Give me one of your knives."

Ronon reached into his hair and pulled out a small knife handing it over to Rodney who took the weapon and slid the blade into the locking mechanism. A few moments of careful manipulation later and he was rewarded by a soft click as the mechanism released. Rodney moved to the other side of the vessel and repeated the maneuver, grinning when he heard the second click.

"Try it now."

Ronon pulled on the canopy again. "It's still stuck."

McKay added his weight to Ronon's but it made no difference. Johnson arrived moments later his breathing worse than McKay's had been. Ronon gave him a look of disgust, perhaps he would discuss the necessity for scientists to undergo fitness training to prepare them for off-world missions with Sheppard when they returned to Atlantis. Johnson noticed what they were attempting to do and added his weight to McKay's.

Ronon was starting to think that the canopy was never going to shift and their friend would remain trapped when he felt it give slightly. "It's moving." The news spurred the others on and finally the canopy slid open.

"Is he…" asked Rodney too scared to complete his question.

Sheppard was slumped over, his eyes closed and the side of his face covered in fresh blood. Ronon reached into the vessel and felt for a pulse. "He's alive."

"Thank god." replied Rodney "Should we be moving him? What about spinal injuries?"

Ronon paused in his movement to pull Sheppard from the Dart. "He could die if we wait to get help from Atlantis." He didn't wait for a response from Rodney before lifting Sheppard from the cockpit and carrying his limp form away from the still smouldering craft laying him gently on ground.

Rodney followed his movements with his eyes shocked to see how lifeless his best friend looked. He swallowed down the revulsion that the sight of so much blood caused. He never had been good with sick or injured people but this seemed to be his destiny in the Pegasus galaxy especially where Sheppard was concerned. He tried to shake off his fear that Sheppard wouldn't make it back to Atlantis alive and moved to join Ronon as he started to check his injuries. Kneeling down by Sheppard's head he tentatively reached out to check for a pulse himself, wanting the confirmation that his friend was indeed still alive, that Ronon hadn't been mistaken. He breathed a sigh of relief when he found one, even though it felt weak and fluttery.

Sheppard groaned as he started to regain consciousness. Rodney peered at him expectantly. "Sheppard?" He was disappointed to see that Sheppard gave no sign that he had heard his name, his eyes only half open and unfocused. Sheppard made a choking sound and Rodney recognised it quickly turning him onto his side where he promptly vomited what remained of a power-bar Rodney had forced on him earlier. He wrinkled his own nose at the smell and concentrated on rolling Sheppard back and trying to ignore his own nausea.

Ronon continued his checks and noticed the blood on Sheppard's leg, He quickly found the still bleeding injury, shrapnel visible in the wound. A field dressing appeared in his field of vision and he glanced up to see Rodney holding it out to him. Nodding he took the bandage from Rodney and used it to strap Sheppard's leg in a bid to stop the blood flow. Sheppard grunted as Ronon tightened the bandage.

Rodney glanced at Sheppard's face and saw the pain etched there. "You always have to be the hero." remarked Rodney as he checked the fresh head wound before extracting another bandage from his vest and wrapping it around Sheppard's head. "If you keep hitting your head like this and you'll have to retake that Mensa test." He ignored the glare that Ronon threw his way.

Ronon checked Sheppard over for any other injuries that required immediate attention, finding the broken ribs but knowing there was little that he could do for those. "We need to get him back to the gate. I'll carry him."

"I can walk."

Ronon looked back down at his friend, seeing the recognition in his eyes. "It will be quicker if I carry you."

"Walk." repeated Sheppard.

"What did I say about being stoic?" asked Rodney "Let him carry you. If you must walk save it for the stargate."

Sheppard looked at his friend's face and saw the fear written there. Fear for him. He nodded his acceptance, closing his eyes for a moment against the spinning sensation the ill-considered movement had triggered. Ronon lifted Sheppard's left arm to pick him up. Rodney noticed the remaining colour drain from Sheppard's face as he cried out in pain before he passed out again. Ronon quickly lowered Sheppard's arm concerned that he had caused his friend more pain.

"Crap. That's his injured arm. He must've taken the bandage off to fly the Dart." Rodney grabbed another bandage and strapped Sheppard's arm to his chest to protect it from further movement.

Ronon moved to Sheppard's other side and gently lifted him as he pushed himself upright. "Let's take him home".

"We have to find the locals first." replied Rodney "We need them to convince Atlantis that this isn't a trick to get them to lower the shield. Their settlement is on the other side of the gate."

"We'd better get moving then." replied Ronon as he started back up the embankment ignoring the complaint from his injured thigh. He'd fought the Wraith with worse, he'd make it back to the gate.

Rodney gathered his gear and followed. Johnson looked across at the remains of the Wraith vessel amazed that anyone could've survived the crash given the damage the vehicle had sustained.

"Move your butt, Johnson." yelled Rodney from over the embankment.

Johnson turned away from the wreckage and started after the others.

Rodney looked over at his friend as he struggled to keep up with the pace Ronon had set. Sheppard's eyes remained closed for which he was grateful. Sheppard had a high pain threshold and he often played down his injuries but it had been obvious that he was really hurting this time. He was sure Sheppard had hit his head again when the Dart had crashed. If he survived this Beckett would probably ground him for weeks maybe months. And Sheppard would hate every minute of it making the life of everyone around him insufferable until he was allowed back on duty. But he was willing to put up with it if it meant he got his best friend back in one piece. He made a mental note to order a bunch of extra DVDs in the next supply run. By the time they arrived on the Daedalus Sheppard would be well and truly getting stir crazy and ready for a distraction.

"McKay."

Ronon's voice broke him out of his reverie and he noticed the locals approaching many wearing chainmail and all bearing swords. He recognized the big man leading the group as Tylus. His long grey hair was tied back neatly in the same style worn by all of the local men. A thick beard clinging to his chin barely disguising the scar that ran along his jaw line disappearing behind the damaged ear lobe and into the thick hair. Ronon acknowledged his approach with a slight nod of the head. One warrior to another.

"Tylus just the people we were looking for." greeted McKay stepping forward to meet the group.

Tylus looked across at Ronon and the injured man that he carried before glancing back at the charred remains of a Dart engine still smouldering beside the torn earth and finally returning his attention to the man stood before him looking tired and dishevelled.

"Dr McKay. Oron was on watch and reported seeing a Wraith Dart come through the Ring of the Ancestors. He did not report seeing your arrival. What has happened here? Who is this man?"

"Ah…We were in the…um…Dart." replied Rodney waving his hand in Ronon's direction.

"We stole it." added Ronon.

"Yes, what he said. Colonel Sheppard flew it-"

"There are no Wraith?" asked Tylus.

"No Wraith. Look, the Colonel has been injured and we need to get him back to Atlantis so that our medical people can treat him."

"Then why do you come here? Why did you not simply dial Atlantis in the first place?" asked a smaller man from behind Tylus.

"Unfortunately it's not that simple. We were trapped on another world and we've been gone for two months. Atlantis most likely thinks that we are dead. They are not going to trust that we are who we say we are." explained Rodney.

"We need your help." added Ronon.

Sheppard groaned as he started to regain consciousness. Tylus walked over and inspected the injured man as his eyes fluttered open. He could see for himself that the man's injuries were serious.

"We will help. We are not far from the Ring. Darus run ahead and contact Atlantis, tell them that we have found their missing people. We will be but minutes behind you. Go."

TBC

A/N: Oh dear, poor Shep. Will the boys get him home before he suffers any more injuries? How will Weir react if they do get home? If you wanna know you'll have to submit a review using that grey button. You know the one. If you don't it's time to make friends with it. You know you want to. A new chapter will be coming to a PC near you.