Chapter 6

Corynn strolled down the unfamiliar hallways of Atlantis, her eyes roaming over the lines and contours of the corridor. Occasionally, she would pause, running her hands over the glossy surfaces, or peering through one of the many windows at the rolling sea. Two days had passed since she had spoken with Elizabeth and the others, and she had finally been allowed to leave the infirmary. Dr. Beckett had warned her to take it easy, but Corynn felt almost completely recovered. Restlessness had overtaken her as she sat in the infirmary, and she had been delighted when they released her, so long as she agreed to follow their rules.

Five steps behind her trailed Major Lorne, her current watch dog. As a bodyguard, he was great: quiet, but willing to show her around. Corynn liked him, and recognized why Colonel Sheppard had made the Major his second-in-command. She also understood the need to have her followed, as she was still a relative stranger to these people. But, she wished that they would tell her if they had found any trace of Tristan – or what they planned to do with her. And the fate of her ship.

It was the matter of her ship that was leading her to the lab. From what Dr. McKay had said, the ship was beyond repair. 'Junk,' he had called it. For a moment, Corynn's anger had flared into life. The Nomad had been her home for many years, and to have someone call it junk was insulting. But, she knew full well the damage Tristan had inflicted on the vessel, and, in all honesty, Dr. McKay was probably right. Tactless, but right.

She rounded the corner, and slowed her steps as she heard shouting emanating from within the lab. She exchanged a quick glance with Major Lorne, who only nodded. She halted as she entered the doorway, her eyes fastened on the red face of the physicist. He was berating a smaller man, one who stood before him stubbornly, shaking his head.

"No, no, no! Radek, how many times to we have to go over this? Do I have to do everything myself?" Rodney's voice was razor-sharp. He slammed something down on to the desk top, and glared at the other man. Corynn noticed that he was rubbing at his arm again, and, as she peered closer, she could see the appendage trembling.

"Rodney! I did exactly as you specified! It is not my fault that your grand scheme failed to work!" Corynn's gaze switched to the smaller man, who, she noted wryly, stood his ground against the formidable anger of the physicist.

Suddenly, Rodney stopped, his face going deathly pale. He clenched his arm against his chest. Puzzled, the other scientist – Radek, she recalled – took a step forward. Rodney quickly backed away, then spun and ran towards the exit. Corynn barely had enough time to slide out of the way before he rushed passed.

Making a quick decision, Corynn whirled around and raced after him. A moment later, Major Lorne was on her heels.

Rodney barreled through the hallways, finally arriving at his quarters. He mentally screamed for the door to open, then rushed into the solitude of his room. He stood, his head down, his chest heaving, his aching arm pulled tightly against his chest. His entire body was locked, trying to control the agony running through his arm.

A hand on his shoulder caused him to cry out. Whirling around, he looked down to see the concerned face of their alien guest. Her eyes were compassionate, yet determined, and she kept her hand on his good arm.

"Get out!" he spat. He shook her hand off, backing away from her, unsure of her intentions. Behind her, Major Lorne was on his radio, either calling for backup or a medical team. Either way, Rodney suddenly knew that his pain would no longer be a secret. And this upset him more than anything.

Corynn took a step towards the scientist. "I can help you," she stated. She watched distrust flow across his face, and his blue eyes narrowed.

"Why should I believe you?' he asked hoarsely. His eyes flicked up as Colonel Sheppard, Dr. Weir and Dr. Beckett all came running into his room. He shuddered as another wave of pain raced along his arm. Carson quickly ran to his side, but Rodney yanked away. He gasped, and sank to his bed, bending over as he shielded himself from the eyes of his friends.

"McKay! What the hell…? What did you do to him?" John turned his furious gaze on to Corynn.

Corynn met his gaze evenly. "He is injured, and in pain. I only offered to help him."

Elizabeth stepped forward. "Carson? Did you know about this?" She crouched next to Rodney, laying one hand on his knee. He ignored her, his focus on controlling the physical pain of his arm.

Dr. Beckett nodded, running a hand through his hair. "Aye. I'm afraid the stab wound to his arm had some complications. He's been in pain for a few months now. He made me promise not to tell." Carson clammed up, realizing his last statement sounded juvenile.

"'He' is right here, thank you. And I would appreciate it if you would all leave me alone. Now." Rodney's voice was strained, but he managed to peer up, his eyes a combination of fury, pain and defeat.

"I can help him," Corynn said again. Immediately, everyone's eyes focused on the woman. She remained still, then, as Elizabeth rose to her feet and went to Sheppard's side, she leaned in towards the scientist. "Please. Let me help you."

Rodney remained silent, his eyes meeting hers. For the first time, he noticed that they were a strange turquoise color. Another wave of pain flowed through his arm, and he groaned aloud. Shaking, he finally nodded. Anything was better than this pain.

"What will you do, lass?" Carson asked suspiciously. Corynn ignored him, moving closer to Dr. McKay, then kneeling on the floor before him. As the others watched, she gently removed his jacket, exposing the wounded arm for all to see. Both John and Elizabeth gasped as they saw the tremors vibrating under his skin.

"Close your eyes," Corynn said softly. "I need to see the injury, go back to the moment of it's infliction. This may cause you some distress, but it's only a memory." John and Elizabeth exchanged puzzled looks at her words – see the injury? Rodney said nothing, just bowed his head, his eyes squeezed shut.

Carson knew that the scientist had to be in agony to allow this woman – a complete stranger – to even touch him.

As the others watched, Corynn took in a deep breath. She reached out with both hands, one settling over the scar, tracing the mark on the skin. Her other hand encircled Rodney's wrist, her fingers rubbing lightly at the blue veins just below the surface of his skin.

Immediately, Rodney felt her. He cringed, expecting her touch to cause his arm to throb even more. Instead, a warm, soft tingle flowed from her hands into his arm, coursing beyond the pain and into his body. The spasms began to abate, and he slowly relaxed, lulled by the sensation of her fingertips against his skin. Her touch soothed, the gentle circular motion almost hypnotic.

The sound of her voice caught the others off guard. They had watched, fascinated, as Corynn had rubbed at Rodney's arm. The physicist had sagged slightly, but the lines of pain carved into his face had lessened significantly.

"There is a storm," Corynn whispered. "A very dangerous storm. You are afraid. It will destroy the city – destroy your home." Her eyes closed, Corynn tilted her head, seeking out the information from this man's mind. She could feel him resist for a moment, but then he relented, allowing her access to this memory. She could feel his confusion, and his fear, and she took a moment to reassure him, her thoughts connecting briefly with his. Although no words were spoken, Rodney nodded once, not quite understanding what she was doing, but sensing that she meant him no harm.

"Yes," Rodney answered. "A storm. Hurricane." His voice sounded distant, detached.

"You need to protect the city, but something…someone is stopping you. An enemy." Corynn's voice remained calm, belying the panic that McKay's memory evoked. He had been frightened. Both the storm and this enemy had been beyond his control, and Rodney McKay was a man who thrived on control.

Behind her, Corynn could hear the others stir. She ignored them; her entire focus was on Dr. McKay and his pain.

"He…stabbed you." Both Corynn and Rodney reared their heads back, the memory overwhelming them both. Corynn could feel the pain of the blade as Kolya plunged it into Rodney's arm, twisting it violently, enjoying the scientist's cries of pain. Rodney let out a shuddering moan, and John took a step forward. Only Carson's hand on his arm kept him from yanking Corynn away from his friend's side.

Corynn's voice continued. "He threatened Elizabeth. He threatened to torture her, to cut her if you did not reveal the reason you had remained on Atlantis." At this statement, both John and Elizabeth shared a horrified look. This was something Rodney had never revealed to either of them. They turned back as Corynn's voice changed, becoming analytical.

"I can see the wound, see where the knife entered." She remained silent for a long moment, then a small smile lifted her mouth. "There. There is the damage."

Her forehead screwed up as she concentrated, letting her fingers glide across Rodney's scar, the pressure of her fingers increasing and becoming more insistent. The scientist had relaxed, now sitting quietly, his eyes still closed.

A few moments later, a smile of satisfaction on her face, Corynn opened her eyes. She reached up with her right hand, brushing her fingers across Rodney's forehead and murmuring to him quietly. He blinked open his eyes, and John was relieved to see any remnant of pain was gone. The scientist merely looked exhausted.

"You need to rest," Corynn advised Rodney. "The nerves will heal, and you should regain full use of your arm within a matter of days. But do not rush it," she warned. She rose to her feet, watching as he slumped back on to his bed. Within moments, he was snoring lightly.

Corynn turned to the others. Questions lurked behind their eyes, and she mentally sighed. She was as tired as Dr. McKay, and only wanted to lie down for awhile. Experiencing his trauma had been exhausting, as well as sharing his pain.

"Carson?" Elizabeth asked. The physician was leaning over Rodney, checking his pulse, and examining his arm.

"He seems to be fine, Dr. Weir. When he wakes up, I'll have him come to the infirmary for a complete check up." Carson turned, his eyes scanning the alien woman. Noticing the fatigue around her eyes, her took her arm, and led her towards the door.

"And it looks like you could use a bit of rest yourself, lass." He shot a warning look at Sheppard and Elizabeth, then guided Corynn out the door.

John took one last look at Rodney, satisfying himself that the physicist was, indeed, all right. He followed Elizabeth out the door, his mind replaying the scene between Rodney and the woman. While he was grateful that Corynn had helped his friend, the Colonel was disturbed. What other secret abilities did this woman have? And would she use them against them?"

TBC