PARADISE
By NotTasha

PART 11: SNACK

The damn things were everywhere. Sheppard had brought down five of them, but they still circled the pool, snapping, laughing, growling, disappearing into the undergrowth. He'd reloaded – his only spare clip. Ford was beside him, taking aim and firing at another of the horrible things. It yelped as he struck it.

"How many?" Sheppard asked, searching out another target.

"I think there's still seven or so," Aiden responded. He nodded toward the one that had just fallen. "Make that six."

"Uh-huh," Sheppard voiced, keeping his eyes traveling. He couldn't be certain of Ford's count. The things kept moving… coming in and out of shadow. Appearing for a moment and then disappearing again –determined to get to them in spite of the losses. The starving things continued their insane cackling – as if they felt themselves in charge.

This wasn't good.

A growl sounded so near his ear that Sheppard jumped, turning sharply to face grinning teeth. Above him on a ledge, the creature leapt, mouth gaping. He brought his weapon around sharply, knowing he was late.

Another report filled the air and the big thing fell on him, slamming him back into the earth, its head lolling against his shoulder in an almost cozy position.

Sheppard thrust the dead creature from him. He rolled, looking up in time to see something else come toward them.

Teyla tore through the undergrowth, as agile as any of the creatures. As if on cue, the ground shook again. Whether they were startled by the Athosian's sudden appearance – or frightened by the volcano's tremors -- the dogs turned shy. They darted away, yipping and yowling and laughing as they ran, disappearing into the depths of the forest.

"Major Sheppard!" Teyla called as Sheppard made it to his feet. "Lt. Ford, are you unhurt?"

"We're fine," Sheppard responded. He nodded to the carcass near his feet. "Thanks." Looking back at Teyla, he furrowed his brow. "Where's McKay?"

"He's directly behind me," Teyla answered confidently, then turned and stared into the un-peopled wood. She made a movement to retrace her steps when a startled shout filled the air, followed by a pain-filled scream.

"Oh no," Sheppard exhaled, taking off – retracing the path that Teyla had just blazed. The major could hear Teyla and Ford behind him, but he didn't turn to see them. Son of a bitch… son of a bitch… didn't he listen to anything I said to him? Stick to together! What was he thinking? Goddamn him! Shit! I told him that everyone had to stay in pairs, but here's Teyla… and…

Oh, Teyla… Sheppard felt his forehead tighten as he ran. Damn it, Teyla… you left him!

He ran, leaping over downed trees, shoving aside branches and wasn't bothered that they were whipping into the people just behind him.

"McKay!" he called. "Rodney!" He could still hear the Canadian shouting, screaming, yelling for help, sounding absolutely terrified. And, underscoring the panicked cries, was the weird cackling of those wretched dogs.

Where is he? Where is he? Damn it! How much further? Where'd you leave him, Teyla?

Still obscured by too many branches, Sheppard finally spotted him. McKay was on his back, straining to press away the wicked head of one of the animals. A big one, it stood with its paws firmly planted on Rodney's chest. Its triangular-head strained against physicist's hands, jerking and pulling in its attempt to attack again. It growled, it laughed, it droned with that horrible ominous sound – trying to get at Rodney's throat. It giggled as if it thought this was funny. It dug at him.

A second creature -- smaller that the first, a half-grown pup perhaps -- had snagged Rodney's leg and pulled. Another pup snarled and nipped at the big one, wanting to get in as well, attempting to get a piece for itself. Their discordant voices filled the chorus.

Rodney kicked, trying to dislodge the one at his leg. He rocked, attempting to roll out from under big one, as he forced its head back. The third creature suddenly dove in, snapping onto his left arm and pulling it back. The biggest one, its head half-freed, drew back for a moment, and snickered as if savoring the moment.

Sheppard finally broke free of the impeding branches. He raised his weapon and fired at the thing that had held Rodney down. It let out a yelp and was flung, propelled by Rodney's hand as well as the bullets force. Twisting as it landed, the creature was on its feet again, snapping, snarling and ready to pounce on its prey once more. Sheppard didn't give it a chance as his second bullet finished off the thing.

The other two let loose their holds for a moment and skittering about wildly, not understanding what had happened to mama. Then, seeing that she was gone, they both turned on Rodney again. Ford and Teyla cut them down before they could reach him.

Sheppard sprinted the final steps, to where Rodney lay, his hands still in the air as if he expected to continue his battle with them. Rodney's shirt was bloody. His face was splattered with red. His pants and sleeves were torn and bloodstained. He looked absolutely lost as he panted, his eyes darted, not really seeing Sheppard, still looking for the things that had attacked him.

"Rodney," Sheppard called, falling to his knees beside his friend, kicking away the body of one of the creatures. "Rodney, it's okay. We're here. We got them. They're gone!"

Damn it! Damn it! There was a nasty gash across Rodney's shoulder; bites on his arm and leg were bleeding, too -- vicious looking scratches ran down his chest where the big one had flailed at him.

"Hang on, Rodney." Sheppard pulled back on McKay's torn shirt to get a better look at what the thing had done. Aw, crap… aw hell. His shoulder was a mess – lots of blood – mangled. Shit! Oh… shit!

Rodney's eyes continued to dart as he gasped for breath, one of his grasping hands latched onto Sheppard's leg, but he seemed otherwise unaware of their presence, still looking for the dogs and not understanding how they could have disappeared.

"It's okay, Rodney," Sheppard continued plaintively. "Rodney, listen, we're here. Rodney, it's me -- John."

McKay gave him no sign that he'd heard.

Teyla was there, sitting beside them, taking Rodney's free hand, and speaking softly in a language John didn't understand. She pressed her other hand to Rodney's pale face, uttering soothing, beautiful, senseless words that seemed to calm the man.

Rodney's eyes lost their unclear cast. He gasped and licked his lips, and his eyes suddenly focused on Teyla, seeing her. He gave her a half-hearted smile, and then spotted Sheppard. "They're here!" he gasped. "Those… those dogs… they're… they're…"

"They're gone, Rodney," Sheppard tried to sound convinced, glancing up to Ford to ensure that the Lieutenant was protecting them. Ford stood, his gaze constantly moving, his weapon held ready. "They're gone!" the major said with greater authority.

"I tried…" Rodney panted. "I just couldn't… I fell and I…" He didn't seem able to catch his breath.

"It's okay. Rodney, it's okay," Sheppard continued his placations, not believing what he said, just wanting to calm the terrified man. Yeah, right, everything's okay. Those sons-of-bitches were trying to tear him apart, split him like a wishbone. For the love of God, they were going to eat him alive.

Teyla kept up her cooing language that almost sounded like a song -- a pretty and mesmerizing thing.

McKay's frightened eyes tracked about, switching from Sheppard to Teyla, and then to Ford above them, and finally returned to Teyla, her song seeming to draw him. He listened to her for a moment, blinking slowly. Finally, he spoke, "I couldn't get it off. I … I tried… I tripped. Stupid of me. My fault. I should have been…"

"Quiet, McKay," Sheppard said, sounding steely and soothing at the same time. "Just quiet, okay? Don't talk." He tried to school his expression as examined the bite at Rodney's shoulder, as McKay still clutched at him. The thing had torn up his shoulder. The other bites didn't seem as bad – but they weren't good. The scratches down his chest looked painful.

Glancing up, Sheppard caught sight of Ford. The soldier looked down at them, seeing the wounds, trying to look strong and brave, but the worry showed through. Their eyes met for only a moment and then the lieutenant returned his attention to the forest – looking for any more of the awful things.

"We've got to get him back to camp," Sheppard said, knowing that their supplies were there – including the ridiculously small first aid kit. The major wasn't going to split the team up again, and there was nothing here to help them. The wounds bled, but McKay would make it to the camp. "Teyla, cover our six. Ford, we're carrying him."

Teyla bit her lip, looking guilty and sorrowful as she stopped her assurances and released her grip on Rodney. He let her go without a fuss, letting his hand drop to his side, but his eyes followed her as she stood.

"It's okay, Rodney," John assured, wishing that anything could be okay now – no water, few supplies, a disabled DHD and now the only person who could fix it was badly injured. Yeah, this was one hell of a paradise!

McKay still panted, whether it was pain or fear – Sheppard had no idea. "You need to calm down, Rodney. It's very important you calm down." The last thing they needed was for him to go into shock. "Everything is going to be all right."

Rodney's eyes suddenly met his, and the terrified look changed to one of distain, as McKay uttered, "Yeah… right. Everything is going to be hunky-dory. Are you expecting Glinda, the Good Witch, to float in her, wave her wand and send everyone home?"

The sardonic tone made John smile in spite of himself, glad to hear McKay finally sound like McKay. Somehow it made Sheppard believe his own earlier assurances. "All we need now is the ruby slippers," he commented.

Ford waited until Teyla was prepared with her P-90, then he dropped down and gave Sheppard a troubled look. Strangely enough, Sheppard quirked a smile as if this was nothing. Taking a resolute breath, Aiden took his position at Rodney's legs. "It's okay, Doc," he said, attempting a light tone as he clipped his weapon onto his vest. "We'll getcha back to the camp and get you fixed up. Don't worry, I won't drop you."

But McKay gasped painfully as they lifted him, and they knew the trek back to their camp would not be an easy one.

--
TBC-
A/N: Mmmmm... soft filling...