A/N:

nebbyJen – Ronon just felt it coming, you know? He's got instinct, you see?
drufan – Yeah, but he has a remote DHD, see? (runs away in embarrassment)
Silverthreads – Thanks, I liked that too ;)
Fanwoman – Physics? Well, I guess…Newton I suppose…

Special announcement:
Ladies and Gentlemen, it is appeal night in the UK's BBC Children in Need. In honour of the 17 reviewers who have submitted a total of 31 reviews so far for this fic (both those being prime numbers, by the way) I am donating £48 to Children In Need.
Many thanks to…angw, Janine, flah7, szhismine, Dr. Dredd, Fanwoman, Silverthreads, Rojoca, drufan, Xtin2000, rippleseditor, Erikstrulove, NenyaVilyaNenya, Rocketlover, Luna, nebbyJen, and fanaddict.

Now I just have to finish the fic… crucial moment coming here…
Phew! Hang on tight!

Chapter Six

Sheppard watched as the Canadian swallowed hard, and, with a quick, anxious glance at him, scrambled round until he could lower his legs over the edge. There were many roots, and they seemed to hold fast as he let himself down.

"Jinto!" McKay called. "I'm gonna come down and help you climb up, just hang on." He slowly lowered himself from root to root, working around the boys so he didn't disturb their holds.

Sheppard watched the scientist as he groped his way down the chasm wall, mud coating his front, rain falling on his back. McKay was a little soft around the middle, but those arms were strong, and his hands belied their deftness. He was glad he'd put McKay on his team in the first place; those arms had pulled him out of a tight spot on more than one occasion. The radio drew him out of his concentration.

"Colonel Sheppard, this is Teyla."

Sheppard sat back on his heels. "Go ahead, Teyla."

"I am down by the river. I cannot get across to Ronon, but I can see him, and he has brought Halling and Myro from the river."

Oh thank God. Sheppard rubbed rain off his face for the umpteenth time as he waited for the status report. "And…?"

"I do not think they are dead. Ronon was resuscitating Myro. They are both lying in the recovery position. There is much blood also."

Crap. "OK. The jumpers should be here any moment. Tell them where you are, get yourselves out of there."

When Teyla had given her affirmative, Sheppard returned his attention to McKay. He had brought himself right under Wex, and both boys were beginning to scramble upwards. Above the roar of the water, he could hear their sobs and grunts as they tried to reach safety. McKay looked pale but determined as he came up behind.

Jinto had found roots and rocks enough to bring him to the lip of the chasm. Sheppard held his breath as he watched the boy try to lever himself the last couple of feet. The effort was clearly consuming.

"That's it, Jinto! Go on!" Sheppard called. If only he wasn't so far away... And then the boy was over, crawling away from the edge. He looked down and saw Wex clinging on with grubby hands, knuckles whitened with the strain. "Come on, Wex, just a little further!" he encouraged. Wex's head came around and up, to look at the Colonel. What John saw there made the blood leave his feet. Wex's mouth dropped open, as the root he was holding slowly pulled away from the chasm wall. He seemed unable to let go and find another anchor.

Wex dropped silently down the chasm wall, but McKay grabbed for him, shouting, "No,no,no,no,no…" and then the boy was held, dangling by his wrist. McKay's hand grasped firmly, his face tortured by the exertion.

"Hold on, McKay!" Sheppard lay flat on his front, as if to somehow get closer, but it was a vain gesture.

Wex tried to reach out with his free arm, to grasp a rock or a root. His feet connected with the wall, but he couldn't steady himself. He let out a gasp as he realised that McKay could just not hold him any longer.

Sheppard watched in horror as Wex slipped from McKay's hand, but in that instant, he cried out as he saw what happened next. "McKay!"

As Wex's wrist had slipped from his wet, muddy hand, McKay appeared to let go himself, and the boy and the man had fallen together, cries of fear joining Sheppard's cry, as they descended into the churning torrent.

TBC soon...