AN: I'm glad you all seem to be enjoying it so far!

Chapter 2

"Teyl ... on, any ..." Came the cracked and distorted message to the Atlantis crew in the clearing. "... der attack! Some ... wrong ... Shep ...! He ... and ... s try ... kill m ... lenka! ... repeat, ... under attack ... get ... here ... help us!"

Teyla looked at Ronon, then at the scientists scattered around the machinery. Though the words was garbled, the message was clear, and the two knew immediately what needed to be done. Living their lives under constant threat of sudden attack by the Wraith had taught them both how to react under these kinds of circumstances.

"Everyone!" Ronon barked, "Drop what you're doing and get to the gate!" Since virtually everyone had heard the panicked broadcast, there was no argument. Thompsen began leading the troupe back towards the gate, with Ronon loping behind, making sure everyone kept up. Teyla lagged behind in the clearing for a moment, tapping her earpiece.

"Dr. McKay, do you read me?" she asked, hoping she'd be able to get a better idea of the situation. The only response she got were a few half syllables and a lot of static. After a brief pause to weigh the situation, she turned to catch up with the group. She knew that she and Ronon needed to make sure the other scientists got to the gate safely. They could go in search of Sheppard, McKay, and Zelenka once the others were safely back on Atlantis, and they could get Lorne and his men in as reinforcements. She had a pretty good idea of where to start looking.

Teyla used the time on their breakneck trip to the gate to sort out the report she would give to Weir, even while keeping alert for any ambushes. By the time the last of the group had arrived at the gate, the guard who had been stationed there had already dialed and the wormhole had stabilized. Teyla sent her IDC, then opened a channel to Atlantis

"Atlantis, this is Teyla, is Dr. Weir there?" the Athosian asked.

"I'm here," came the voice of Dr. Elizabeth Weir. "What's going on? The next scheduled report isn't for another three hours. Is everything all right?"

"Unfortunately not," Teyla said, her voice grim. "Moments ago, we received a distress call from Dr. McKay. There was a great deal of interference in the transmission, and we were unable to reestablish communication; but it was clear that they were under attack. We are sending the rest of the science team through now until we can ascertain what is happening."

"Good thinking, but who is 'they'?" Weir asked, concern heavy in her voice. Teyla continued as the science team began making their way through the event horizon.

"The last report I had from Colonel Sheppard was that he was taking Dr. McKay and Dr. Zelenka to investigate an energy reading coming from the woods nearby," Teyla informed her. "I believe I have a good idea of where to start searching, so as soon as the science team is through, Ronon and I shall go to help them."

"Wait until I can send through another team to help you. I don't want anyone getting hurt. Once everyone is through, shut down the gate and we'll send through reinforcements." Weir paused, presumably processing the information being thrown at her. "Were there any signs at all that this attack was coming?" she finally asked.

"None," Teyla said, shaking her head. "In fact, to the best of our knowledge, this planet is devoid of intelligent life."

"Could it be the Wraith?"

"It is doubtful. None have come through the gate, and if a hive ship was nearby, I believe that I would have sensed it long ago. Also, they would have attacked first where there was a larger group of people in a clear area, not three men, most likely under the cover of trees." The last of the science team disappeared through the gate, and Ronon shut the device down, cutting off Teyla's conversation. She shot him a glare, which he ignored. In spite of her irritation, she knew that the sooner the incoming wormhole could be established, the sooner they would be on their way to finding the others.

"Let's go," Ronon said, turning on his heel and heading back towards the clearing, back in the direction he'd seen Sheppard and the scientists take off in earlier.

"We should wait for the others," Teyla said, but her voice was not as stern as it could have been.

"They can catch up," Ronon said. Teyla paused only a moment before she nodded. Her concern for her teammates overrode any other considerations. She and Ronon took off, both with the same thought: that the men were probably near the strange rock wall that they had encountered earlier. It had interfered with Klein's sensor, so it might well interfere with communications as well. Teyla tried again, anyway.

"Dr. McKay, this is Teyla, do you read me? Colonel Sheppard, are you there? Dr. Zelenka?" There was no response, only dead air. The two poured on the speed, both nimbly making their way through brush that would have tripped up most other members of the expedition. In less than thirty minutes, they had made their way back to the rock wall. They paused briefly to check in each cave they passed, but found no signs that the men had come to trouble there. Until, of course, they came to the cave where Sheppard, McKay and Zelenka had gone in earlier.

A rucksack lay on the floor of the cave, there was a P-90 by the entrance, and the ground had been torn up by bullets and scrambling feet. Ronon and Teyla exchanged glances and brought their weapons up in a ready position as they began scouring the area in detail. Ronon picked up the discarded P-90, then lead the way as they followed the scrabbled trail of upturned dirt into the trees perpendicular to the rock wall. They had only gone about a hundred feet or so before they came to the crumpled form of a man in the drab blue-gray of an Atlantis uniform.

Teyla rushed forward, while Ronon kept his weapon ready to ward off who - or what - ever had taken down his c/o. Sheppard was sprawled out on his face in the dirt, 9 mil still clutched in his grip. He was pale, and unresponsive as Teyla tried to rouse him.

"We need to get him back to Atlantis as quickly as possible," Teyla said. "He needs medical attention." Ronon made quick check of the area, but the only sign of the doctors was a trail of blood that he noticed several yards away from where the colonel lay. He growled slightly in his throat, not pleased with the situation. On the one hand, Sheppard needed medical attention, and Teyla was probably right -- the sooner the better. Teyla was strong, but there was no way that she could carry the colonel all the way back to the gate by herself; and there was no way that Ronon would let her stay out here and search for the scientists by herself with the attacker still on the loose. On the other hand, he hated to turn back and lose time in their search for the other men, who were doubtlessly injured. Ronon did not like to leave people behind, even if they weren't really his people. They were the closest he had anymore. He heaved a sigh.

"Right, let's get him back," he growled, hoisting the colonel over his shoulders, putting the other man's 9 mil in the waist band of his pants. Their progress back towards the gate was significantly slowed by the new burden of Sheppard's unconscious form across Ronon's back. As they make their way past the edge of the rock wall, their radios crackled to life.

"Teyla, Ronon, come in," came the voice of Major Lorne. He did not sound pleased.

"Teyla here, Major."

"I thought Dr. Weir told you to wait for us," the major said, and the irritation in his voice would have given Rodney McKay a run for his money.

"Indeed she did, but there is no point worrying about that right now. We have found Colonel Sheppard, and he is unconscious and needs to get to Dr. Beckett right away." Quickly, Teyla instructed Lorne and his men how to get to their current location. The trail should be fairly visible at that point, since it had been traveled several times that day already.

Lorne and his three men met up with Teyla, Ronon, and Sheppard halfway back to the clearing from the rock face. The major made a face when he saw Sheppard, but even Teyla was unsure what precisely was going through his mind. A few barked orders later, two of Lorne's men had taken Sheppard from Ronon and were headed back to the gate.

"Where are Zelenka and McKay?" Lorne asked.

"We didn't see them near Sheppard," Ronon said, "But there was a trail of blood leading away from the spot where they were attacked." No further words were necessary as the four warriors took off in search of the missing scientists.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

The adrenaline had officially worn off. Radek shivered slightly as a cold breeze dragged across his bare back and arms, still damp with sweat and blood. His shirt was pooled in his lap, his fists balled into the material and his teeth clenched as McKay inexpertly tended to his wound. He drew a sharp breath as Rodney did something to his shoulder that hurt like hell. Radek hoped that the injury wasn't too bad. The bullet had passed right through the muscle on the side of his shoulder, but he could still move his hand and fingers. The waves of pain that radiated down his forearm and into his chest, though, put him in a mindset to not really care how serious it truly was. He just wanted it to stop hurting. He hissed, squeezing his eyes tight against the pain.

"Quit complaining, it's just a flesh wound," Rodney snapped, though Radek hadn't uttered a word since the process of cleaning had begun. "You're just lucky I've got my vest on. Otherwise, we'd have no medical supplies" Radek rolled his eyes and grit his teeth.

"Perhaps if I'd had more than a thirty second warning that we were venturing into the deep woods, I would have put mine on as well," he muttered through his gritted teeth. "And perhaps I would still have had my gear pack if we had not needed to run for our lives. But the situation is what it is, and I would not qualify any part of it as 'lucky'." He paused and thought for a moment. "Except for the fact that we are alive," he added. As McKay worked on his shoulder, another wave of pain rolled over him, and he bit back a cry. "As for 'just a flesh wound,' how about I shoot you in the shoulder and then we will see how much of a big deal it is." Rodney was quiet for a moment.

"Ok, I've found something to disinfect the wounds with," McKay finally said.

"What, peroxide?" Zelenka asked. Oh, this was going to sting.

"Not quite..." McKay replied. Zelenka turned to face him, and saw Rodney holding a small handful of alcohol prep pads.

"You're kidding, right? Then what, put a band-aid on when you're done?" Zelenka snapped.

"Hey, I don't have much to work with here!" Rodney replied in kind. "Just shut up and let me do this so that you can take care of my leg!" Radek took a deep breath, but forced himself to remain silent and hold still. He had no problems arguing with Rodney, but the bullet wounds in his shoulder was a greater concern than the Canadian treating him, for the moment.

Ten minutes, half a dozen alcohol pads, two field bandages, lots of swearing, and makeshift sling later, Radek's shoulder was as cared for as it was going to be in their current situation. The Czech turned his attention to Rodney and his damaged limb.

While nothing was visibly wrong with McKay's knee, when his right boot and sock were removed, the ugly purple swelling of his ankle left no doubt that something was seriously twisted, sprained, broken, or otherwise damaged. After rummaging around in the pockets of Rodney's vest, the best thing they had turned up was two rolls of gauze.

"Well that's just wonderful!" McKay groused as Radek prepared to wrap his ankle.

"I only have one good arm at the moment, so unless you want to do this yourself, I suggest you stop complaining," Zelenka retorted.

"I would do it myself, but I can't reach down to my ankle without bending my knee, which hurts almost as badly!"

"Well it is not my fault that you are both inflexible and have a low tolerance for pain. Now hold still, because as I said, this not an easy task to do one-handed." Rodney managed to hold still, but continued to grumble and swear as Radek slowly wound the gauze taught around his ankle. Since none of the obscenities were actually directed at him, Radek decided to not give Rodney any extra grief about it. After all, he mused, thinking of when Rodney had been bandaging his own wound, it really was a good thing that Rodney didn't speak czech.

Soon enough, Rodney was thoroughly bandaged, and Radek had even scrounged up a sturdy looking branch that McKay could use as a crutch. Zelenka collapsed against the half rotted trunk of the tree they were sheltering behind, taking care not to slam his shoulder into the rough surface. He closed his eyes and focused on his breathing for a minute. Too soon, though, Rodney's voice cut into his attempts to relax some of the pain away.

"We should go back to the hill," McKay said, "Try to find our radios, make contact with any rescue parties." He had clicked to bossy and analytic mode. He'd found it was the best way to ward off the panic that these kinds of situations inevitably brought on.

"Do you think it is safe? Colonel Sheppard --"

"Was not himself, but was obviously fighting whatever... whatever had happened," McKay interrupted waspishly. He was doing his best to hide his fear for his friend. While running for his life, he didn't need to think about much of anything except putting one foot in front of the other. Now, though, he really didn't want to think about Sheppard; at least not until he was in a position to be able to do something to help him. "If he hasn't caught up to us by now, he probably won't. And if he does come along in the next five minutes, do you really think you can run any more?" Radek thought about it a moment before shaking his head slowly.

"Fine, but remember that I cannot carry you," Zelenka sighed, dragging himself back to his feet.

"Obviously," McKay retorted. "You can at least help me up, though!" Zelenka offered McKay his left hand, which the larger man took, hauling himself to his feet. Using the branch to steady himself, he tested his ability to move. He grimaced as sharp pain stabbed upwards from his leg, but he was able to move without falling over.

Slowly, the men began to make their way back towards the hill they had tumbled down earlier. It was tough going, but eventually they worked out a kind of strange three-legged gait, with Rodney holding his crutch on his left side and Radek supporting him on his right. McKay glanced over at Zelenka, and was shocked at how pale the other man really was. He hadn't noticed it earlier, and wondered how much blood his colleague had actually lost.

When they finally came to the foot of the slope, Radek helped Rodney sit, then began feeling around for their radios. Rodney began searching as well, though not moving, so it was actually only looking really hard. It was neither sense of sight nor touch that led the men to their lost equipment, though. It was the sound of static and distorted voices calling their names.

"Doc ... Kay, Zele ... read us?" Both men's eyes were drawn to a spot on the ground about five feet up the slope. Radek reached up to grab the headset, but he had hardly gotten it in his grasp before Rodney had managed to drag himself to his feet and snatch it away from him. He wasted no time fixing the piece to his ear and responding to the call.

"This is Dr. McKay," he said. "Your transmission is very broken up."

"McKay!" came the slightly less garbled voice that Rodney recognized to be Major Lorne.

"Major! I never thought I'd be glad to hear your voice," he said, relief flooding him. "Have you found Colonel Sheppard? How is he?"

"He is unconscious ... n his way back to Atlantis ... Dr. Beckett ... are for him," came Teyla's voice. The transmission was getting stronger, and Rodney hoped that meant that they were getting closer. "How are you ... Zelenka? ... were becoming concerned. There is quite a lot of blood."

"We're alive, but the sooner we can get back to Atlantis, the better," McKay replied, casting a quick glance at Radek, who was still looking decidedly white.

"Do either of you ... a gun?" Lorne asked. Rodney made sure that he indeed still had his sidearm before confirming. "Good. Do you know if ... attacker is still in the area?" McKay's jaw hung open, and for a moment he was speechless.

"Did you completely miss my initial transmission? It was Colonel Sheppard who attacked us. He was..." McKay trailed off, not really wanting to discuss how Sheppard had tried to kill him and Zelenka. McKay had never had many friends, and now that he'd found a few, the thought of losing them made him ill, and this was too damn close for comfort. "He was not himself," he snapped. "But it was Sheppard who attacked us. Unless there are any mountain lions around, the greatest danger we are in at the moment is starving to death." The line was silent for longer than McKay liked. "Lorne? Teyla? Still there?" he asked nervously. He peeked again at Radek, who was now laying on his back, his face tight with pain.

"We're here, McKay," Lorne's voice came back. His tone was unreadable. "Fire a few shot ... air so we can figure ... close we are." Rodney paused for a moment, then fumbled to draw his sidearm. Shaking slightly, he pointed the muzzle towards the canopy and squeezed the trigger twice.

A mile or so away, Teyla, Ronon, and Lorne heard the shots break the quiet of the woods, and they took off running towards the source of the sound.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXX

End Notes: Ok, next chapter should be up in a few days as well. Remember, the more comments I get, the longer I stay at my computer, and the longer I stay at my computer, the more I stare at the story, and the more I stare at the story, the faster I write it! (Ok, I shut up now and go back to writing constructive stuff... like whumpage...)

Oh, and in case it isn't obvious yet, I'm Zelenka-centric in my writing (though I do my best to be fair to all). Telling me how much you like Zelenka will make me happy that I'm not the only geek out there!