Betrothal
Chapter 5
Dr. Elizabeth Weir glanced at her watch for the fiftieth time. SGA-1 was late in contacting Atlantis, and with each passing minute, Elizabeth had disturbing visions of the team in trouble. Still, she had agreed with John that she would wait until they were due to call before sending reinforcements.
That hour was about to end, and she nodded to the team she had assembled.
As the dialing sequence began, however, suddenly the gate roared to life. As the technician announced the SGA-1 team identification, Elizabeth watched as Halling emerged from the gate, alone. Swallowing hard, she descended the steps.
"Halling! Where is the rest of the team?" Elizabeth demanded as the tall Athosian stumbled over to her. Halling's face was pale, and Elizabeth suddenly noticed his head was bleeding.
"Dr. Beckett to the gate room," she barked into her headset. She took hold of Halling's arm, steering him towards a chair. As he sat, his gaze flashed around the room.
"Teyla. I need to speak to Teyla," Halling said. Elizabeth keyed her headset again, this time calling for Teyla to come to the gate room. Dr. Weir again began to question Halling, her voice tight with worry, but the Athosian just shook his head.
Teyla entered the room, and hurried to Halling's side. Directly behind her was Dr. Beckett. Kneeling down at Halling's side, Carson gently probed the area where blood was congealed. Halling winced in pain, and Carson clucked in sympathy.
"He needs to come down to medical, Dr. Weir," Carson stated. Halling shook his head, his eyes on Teyla.
"Keir has the team. He says unless you come….alone…he will kill them." Halling's voice was subdued, his eyes anxious.
Teyla shot to her feet, her face white. She swayed, and Carson let out a startled shout as her knees buckled. Catching the woman carefully, Dr. Beckett gently lowered her to the floor.
Within moments, Teyla's eyes flickered open, to the concerned faces of Carson Beckett and Elizabeth Weir. As she tried to sit up, Carson shushed her.
"You've had a shock, lass. Just take it easy for a minute," Carson's kind Scottish brogue penetrated Teyla's confusion. Then Halling's words broke her stupor.
Keir was alive….and he had John, Rodney and Ronon. They would be killed if she didn't return. Teyla pushed herself up, and, with some reluctant help from Carson, managed to stand.
Dr. Weir was looking at Teyla, her face registering her concern. "Teyla, who's Keir? What's going on?"
Slowly, Teyla explained. In a voice that sometimes dropped so low Elizabeth had to strain to hear her, Teyla related the entire incident of ten years ago. As Teyla spoke, Carson began pacing nervously, his hands clenching and unclenching.
"I must go," Teyla announced, and Elizabeth put out a hand to stop her. Carson, too, had paused, and moved to block her passage.
"Oh no you don't, lass. This Keir fellow….you're not going anywhere near him," Carson stated, emotion making his brogue even thicker. He glanced at Elizabeth, who was chewing on her lower lip. Halling had remained unmoved and silent throughout.
"Halling?" Teyla's voice was sharp. Halling raised his gaze, meeting his leader's eyes. Halling related the events of the SGA-1 team from their arrival to their capture.
"He demands that you come, alone. If anyone else comes through the stargate, he will kill the others," he said, running hand through his hair.
"Dr. Weir, we have no choice. I will go to Keir…perhaps I can arrange another…trade," Teyla said. Elizabeth's eyes flashed as the meaning of Teyla's words became clear.
Carson was shaking his head, his face revealing his distress. He stared at Teyla, seeing the fear behind her resolve. His gaze went to Dr. Weir, who only looked resigned. Frantically he tried to think of another option, but his mind remained stubbornly blank.
"Teyla, I don't want anything to happen to John and the others, but I'm not willing to sacrifice you in order to save them," Elizabeth said.
"If you let me go, perhaps I can buy some time while you think of a plan for rescue," Teyla offered. Elizabeth's look was doubtful, and Carson looked ready to burst. Suddenly, he froze, his eye catching something in the control room.
"I think I might have an idea…" The Scotsman said thoughtfully. He turned to Teyla and Elizabeth, a plan forming in his mind. "We're going to need Dr. Zelenka in here…"
