Again, thank you for the feedback! Thanks also to Bkeasbey (hope I got the name right) who caught my big oops in part 3!

Part 3 has been changed and uploaded with corrections--anyone else catch them? grin>

Also to Tipper for volunteering to look through this one more time in case I missed anything.

On to Chapter 4:

Rodney stared at the transporter's lit panel and let his hand hover for a moment as he debated where he wanted to go next. Carson had ordered him to eat and get rest. He'd obediently done the first, but even as tired as he felt, he wasn't sure he could handle the quiet solitude of his room right now. He knew, though, that he could find plenty to do. He could check on the experiments currently running in the main lab or better yet, he could make his way back to the control room. He was certain that, with a little uninterrupted concentration,he would be able to boost the sensors on the long range scanner. It wouldn't be much, but maybe it would give them enough warning to evacuate in case the Wraith had been able to get information about the city from Ford.

Ford.

The dull throb in Rodney's thigh twinged painfully as he shifted his weight and Rodney hissed. "Damn it." He jabbed the panel, choosing the destination closet to his quarters and slumped heavily against the wall when the doors snicked closed. He'd leave the scanner to Zelenkafor now.

He should have thought to ask Carson for stronger painkillers when the doctor had insisted he get rest. He wasn't supposed to be up on his leg any longer than necessary. He shuddered as the transporter doors slid openagain, trying not to think about how much a simple graze hurt. What would it feel like if Ford's aim had been better? If Ronon hadn't attacked Aidan when he had? McKay swallowed the sudden panic in his throat and commanded his stomach to quit flip-flopping. If Ford had aimed better…he wouldn't be feeling a thing right now.

"It's over," he reminded himself as he pushed away from the wall. Thinking about what could have happened was pointless.

Stepping out of the transporter, McKay was surprised to find Ronon pacing the small hallway near the main section of residential quarters. Two strident looking marines had obviously been assigned to escort the newcomer and they now barred the man's path.

Rodney didn't know what was going on but he easily read the tension, the scowling expressions and the fact that the situation was close to spiraling out of control. One of the marinesalready had his hand resting lightly on his sidearm.

Inwardly, McKay groaned. He should walk away, he told himself. He needed to stay out of it, it was none of his business. He tried to rationalize, but he knew it wouldn't work. He did owe the big guy.

"You can not go any further without Colonel Sheppard's consent."

Rodney listened as jarhead number one emphatically stood his ground.

"What's going on?" heasked casually, managing to startle the other three. The marines spun around, drawing their weapons on him and he jumped back defensively. "Hey. Hey. Hey," Rodney hissed as he stumbled, his leg buckling slightly. "Just me. Just me."

"Dr. McKay."

Rodney could hear the frustration and annoyance in the marine's voice, but ignored it as he read the name 'Mead' on his shirt and then glanced up at Ronon. The runner stood staring over their heads.

"What's going on?" McKay asked again. The second marine's name appeared to be 'Burnes'.

"We can't let him go into unapproved areas of the city," Burnes, explained as if Dex wasn't standing directly behind him.

"Sheppard has to okay it," Mead filled in.

McKay looked at Ronon again, surprised to find the Runner watching him. Something in the warrior's eyes hit home. "He can come with me." He waved his hand indicating the soldiers should move.

"He can't," Mead insisted.

Crossing his arms in front of him, Rodney snorted. "Because why?" heasked caustically. "Your radios don't work?"

Burnes had the intelligence to look embarrassed. "Uh…well."

"Exactly," Rodney snapped, waving his hand again. This time the two allowed Ronon to move past them. "Radio Colonel Sheppard and tell him I insisted. That way if he has a problem with this, you're free to blame me."

Rodney made it a point to ignore the radio communication behind him as he fell into a slow step beside Ronon. He knew that Sheppard was probably going to get onto him for interfering with a military issue, but he didn't really care. What was one more wedge between them at this point? He'd seen the desperation and need in Ronon's eyes and he had understood. It had reminded of him of how it felt when the walls seemed to close in on him and spaces grew too small.

It took longer than he would have liked to reach his destination and by the time they did, Rodney couldn't hide his limp any longer. The balcony was straight ahead and McKay let Ronon precede him, stopping the two marines with one of his best scowls. "There's no place to go out there. Wait here."

"We're supposed to stay with him at all times," Mead managed to keep his voice level, but Rodney could tell the man was furious.

"Can you see him from here?" Rodney challenged sarcastically, pointing to the ornate wall of glass through which they could obviously see the entire balcony.

"Yes," Mead growled through clenched teeth.

"Good. Then you're obeying your orders." McKay turned, not really caring that he was blatantly baiting the two and stepped out into the crisp evening air.

A brisk wind sent a shiver through him as he watched the Satedan.

Ronon stood at the rail, his fingers grasping it tightly. His head bowed and his shoulders slouched and seemed to shudder. It wasn't what Rodney expected. He thought of walking to the railing, but the twinge of pain in his leg had turned back into a burning fire that crawled up and down his leg like hot needles stabbing into his flesh. He leaned back against the glass and simply studied the man before him, trying to figure out what was wrong with himself.

Itwasn't like him to voluntarily go off and take responsibility for some complete stranger, particularly one as fierce and intimidating as this guy. He crossed his arms around his middle, trying to ignore the cold as the wind picked up. Then again—Ronon hadn't looked intimidating in the hallway. He'd looked lost and very young. Rodney wondered how old the man in front of him really was. How old had Ronon been when the Wraith had started using him as game in their twisted version of hunting?

"Thanks." Ronon's voice was thick with emotion and he didn't look back at McKay. "I needed this—to get outside."

"No problem." Rodney shrugged. "Figured I owed you."

Ronon turned at this, his eyes intense and questioning.

"The tree and all." McKay looked past the runner. "Ford."

"Yeah."

Silence fell between them again. Rodney avoided meeting Ronon's eyes, concentrating instead on not shivering. The sun was nearly set; it'd be dark soon. Colder.

"My world is gone," Ronon's heavy whisper seemed to catch in his throat.

Rodney's gaze snapped to Dex. "What?"

"Sateda." Ronon blinked rapidly, his eyes darkening. "The Wraith destroyed it."

"Oh God." Rodney's mind raced. An entire world…another entire world. That explained Ronon's emotions. "You're…the only one left?"

Ronon nodded and turned back to the ocean.

"Oh God." Rodney forced himself to move, ignoring the pain as he stepped up beside Dex. "What will you do?"

Shrugging, Ronon shook his head. "Told Sheppard I'd help find Ford."

"Yeah, well, I'm sure you could stay on here. Regardless…if you wanted." Rodney nodded, completely unsure of what to say.

"Why?" Ronon questioned darkly. "Why would I want to stay here? So I can get to know you all and then watch you die, too? So I can get settled just to lose it all again? What's the point? I'm not that stupid."

Rodney snorted and shook his head, squinting out at the sinking sun. "Sure sounds stupid to me."

"What?" Ronon glared at him and though Rodney knew he was on dangerous ground, for some reason he felt it was important for him to press on.

"Look, I'm in no way saying that I understand or have ever felt what you're feeling but closing yourself off because you're afraid of getting hurt again? That's ridiculous." He rubbed the back of his neck, feeling exhausted as he sighed and went on. "God, if you actually have the chance at friendship and family, to belong to something…are you really going to reject it because you're afraid?"

Ronon looked as if he wanted to strangle McKay but Rodney figured he might as well finish. Maybe the runner was listening.

"I'm the first one to admit that I'm a horrible people person and that I've watched more coworkers and friends die here..," he swallowed the sudden lump in his throat as Peter's face flashed through his mind, "...in the last year than in my entire life, not to mention how many times we've barely escaped without another loss. Hell, you think I'm happy about Ford?" His voice broke this time and he looked out at the dark churning water.

It took him a minute but then he took a deep breath and spoke again. "The point I'm trying to make—I'd never choose to go through this alone. I may not have many friends but I value what I do have, what's offered to me at least." He looked back up at Ronon. "It hurt to lose them but I wouldn't trade the memories I have or the support we shared just to avoid the hurt of their loss. And pushing them away..." Heshook his head. "It wouldn't have saved them either. That's not living, Ronon, and even though Carson cut that tracking device out of your back…you'd still be running."

He sighed wearily as the lights of Atlantis came on around them, making the sky and water seem even darker. He was wondering if Ronon was going to kill him now when John's angry voice split the silence like lightning.

"What the hell do you think you're doing out here, McKay?"