Plan B consisted of McKay and Sheppard breaking off from the group once they reentered the jungle and returning to the stronghold to rescue Zelenka. The major had made sure that Weir, Teyla, Ford and Kavanagh were well on their way to the cloaked jumper before doubling back with McKay. He felt they would be fairly safe with Teyla and Ford to keep guard until they could return with Zelenka. They had waited until the cover of darkness when McKay had jimmied one of the garden gates and a small side door. Lady..or rather, Gentleman luck was on their side and they managed to slip in unnoticed.

"This is like trying to find a needle in a haystack," complained McKay as they stealthily worked their way though the palace. They hugged the wall behind a plant as a tall blonde exited a doorway further up the hall. She paused and leaned back into the room she had just vacated.

"Goodnight, Radek," she said in a throaty contralto voice that left no doubt as to what, or who, had been most recently occupying her time.

Sheppard and McKay exchanged excited glances. They watched as she disappeared around the corner and were just about to move when two more ladies exited from the same doorway.

"Rest well, Radek."

"Pleasant dreams."

"Are you kidding me?" Sheppard asked McKay as they exchanged another glance, this one somewhat disbelieving as the two women also made their way down the corridor. He shook his head as he watched a fourth woman wish the Czech goodnight and make her way down the hall. "One of us is going to have to go in there and get him."

"What if there's more? They'll raise the alarm."

"Good point…" He glanced around, noticing one of the filmy hooded cloaks that the ladies of the court seemed to favor hanging from a hook in a nearby window embrasure. Snapping his fingers in sudden inspiration, "camouflage," he darted over to retrieve it before returning to their hiding place. "This looks to be your size, McKay."

"No! Absolutely not."

"Got a better idea?" Sheppard asked. When McKay didn't volunteer an alternate solution, he suggested, "Odds/Evens?"

McKay gave him an unpleasant look. "Evens."

In unison the two men hit their fists into their palm. "One, two, three."

Odds!" exclaimed Sheppard happily. He handed the cloak to the scientist who donned it with bad grace. He pulled the hood up a little more to conceal McKay's face further and struggled to suppress a smile.

"Shut up!" said McKay. Jerking the cloak out of Sheppard's hand, he walked up to the door and pulled it open a crack. He remained somewhat out of sight in the hallway for a moment before entering. A few seconds later he poked his head back out and gave the all clear.

Sheppard entered and stood stunned for a moment, taking in the mounds of pillows, incense, wine, food…and one apparently sated Czech. "Is he okay?"

"Seems to be," said a bemused McKay.

"Then for Pete's sake, Dr. Z., put some clothes on!" Sheppard exclaimed, throwing a pillow so that it landed in a strategic area. "That's between you and God." The Czech was wearing a beatific smile and little else.

"Disturbing, isn't it," commented McKay dryly. He handed Sheppard a cloak he'd found in the room. "Help me get this on him. He's falling down drunk."

Sheppard picked up the wine and sniffed it. "More likely drugged, like Kavanagh."

"Whatever. He's already made a pass at me. Let's get him out of here."

Sheppard put the goblet back down and helped dress the Czech. He was propping the now modestly, if somewhat strangely, dressed scientist against the wall when another cloak was thrust into his hand.

"Camouflage," McKay reminded him. The scientist did a quick search of the room as Sheppard grimaced in distaste and pulled the filmy beaded cape over his head.

"What are you looking for?"

"His glasses." He stopped dead, hearing voices in the hallway. Luckily the owners continued down the corridor without pausing.

"Forget it, let's get out of here," Sheppard urged, giving Zelenka a shake to wake him from his dozing. "Up and at 'em."

"Wait, I got them!" McKay said, grabbing them off a table and shoving them under the cloak and into a vest pocket for safekeeping.

Properly attired, they made for the corridor. "Come on, Radek," said McKay, tugging on the Czech's arm.

He peered at them blurrily. "We do not need to leave. Everything you dream of is here," he said with a lascivious smile and waving his hands as if presenting himself as a prize.

"For the love of….wipe that silly smile off your face and get moving!" exclaimed Sheppard, giving Radek an emphatic shove in the direction of their planned escape.

"Careful, I bruise easily!" he admonished them.

"Yes, yes, you're a delicate peach," quipped Sheppard, shoving them into an alcove as a group of women walked by and disappear around the corner.

McKay yelped, jumping away from the Czech as if he'd been stung.

Zelenka gave a low laugh and arched his eyebrows several times in succession.

"Quiet, you two," warned Sheppard.

"Tell that to Mr. Grabby-hands, here," hissed McKay; careful to stay out of arm's reach of their colleague.

In the meantime Zelenka started walking back the way they came. "Wrong way Casanova," said Sheppard, grabbing the wayward scientist's collar and hauling him back around in the other direction.

"I mustn't keep the mistresses waiting," he said, smiling broadly and waving in the direction the group of women had gone.

"Is he kidding?" McKay asked.

"What do you think?" asked Sheppard. He grabbed one of Zelenka's arms and urged McKay to do the same. "Let's go."

"Ladies, ladies, please! There is enough Radek to share," said the scientist lazily as they hustled him further down the hallway.

Sheppard let go of Zelenka's arm and flattened himself against the wall, peering cautiously around the corner. He jerked his head back, but not in time.

"Stop!" exclaimed a voice down the hall.