She always loved a mystery. When she was little she wasn't Dr. Elizabeth Weir, far from it, the last thing she wanted to be was a civilian liaison to the military. She didn't even know a person could be a doctor and not go into medicine. No, after she decided she wasn't going to be the next Amelia Earhart, or prima ballerina to Mikhail Barishnikov, or the next Dorothy Hamill, she chose the next best thing.

She wanted to be a heroine in an Agatha Christie novel.

For years mysteries filled her bookshelves, read so many times that they fell apart into yellowed leaflets. Once she had chosen her profession, she had inadvertently realized her dream. Her work did have a bit of mystery about it, always trying to figure out what the other person really meant, what they really wanted. Now, here on Atlantis, she was free to work on an abundance of mysteries at one time, enough pleasure to allow her to disregard the few battered novels she had with her, and focus on the current problem in the form of a young woman lying on the infirmary bed.

Teyla was bruised, but not severely. Dr. Carson Beckett, resident medical miracle worker, had been more concerned with the internal bleeding, but after what he called a minor procedure, and what Weir called downright disgusting, she was healing. She looked pale. Such a young, robust, healthy complexion had no business looking so ill. "Is there any news from the planet?" she asked quietly.

"Not yet, no." Carson checked the drip from Teyla's IV. "I've not heard a word since Teyla was brought in. How is Lt. Ford?"

"Feeling loads of undeserved guilt."

"Did he say what happened?"

"All he said was that the town went crazy, and people started running. Teyla was crushed in the crowds." She leaned over slightly and rubbed the Athosian's arm, trying to imagine a hoard of people that could take down the warrior unawares.

"Trampled near to death would be a better description, but she is strong. I do believe she'll heal quickly." Beckett glanced around and leaned his head close to Elizabeth's. "I don't mind telling you, it's almost a relief. Now I know she's human, so to speak."

Weir jerked back, surprised, then smiled in understanding. "Coming from anyone else, that comment would seemed almost macabre."

"Aye, but you know what I mean."

She did. It was a medical observation laced with humor. Teyla was rarely injured, to the point of his accusing her of carrying a secret invisible shield much like what Rodney had discovered shortly after their arrival on the station. He had treated Ford numerous times, and Sheppard on occasion, and poor Rodney seemed to be on his permanent guest list. But when he'd learned that the injured party was Teyla, and the degree to which she was injured, he was stunned into silence and had to force himself to move. The care with which he straightened her blanket and smoothed back her hair spoke volumes. Weir left him to his ministrations.

Ford was just outside, sitting in the "oh shit" chair. It was a unforgiving metal chair that had been placed just outside the door to allow concerned friends to wait for news of the injured or sick with being underfoot. There was no waiting room. No one knew who initially placed the chair there, but no one had bothered to move it, nor had they bothered to add another chair to it. It remained solitary, almost poignant. It was an unwritten rule that anyone sitting in the "oh shit" chair was obviously under duress, and as such should be left alone. But as Weir came around the corner Ford jumped to attention, his young face carved in concern. "How is she?"

His question was the "oh shit" override. "Aiden, she'll be fine." Elizabeth took the young man's arm and guided him away from the door. He looked better, less panicked, less shocked. "Have you been able to recall exactly what happened?"

His nod was small, but firm. "Yes ma'am, now that I've had time to think, it's a little more clear. The events I mean, I still don't know why it happened."

"Do you feel like meeting me in my office in ten minutes?"

"Yes ma'am."

"Did you get something to eat like I asked?"

Ford managed a smile, which turned back the clock on his features to near prepubescent. "I'm okay Dr. Weir, really. I'll meet you in ten."

"I'll be waiting." Weir gave him a reassuring nod, glad to see the unpleasantness of events fading from his face. The walk down the hall seemed longer than usual; even so she had no recollection of entering the control room. There was no bustle, everyone worked calmly.

Technician Lorenz looked up, his hand to his headset. "Dr. Weir! Major Sheppard just called in."

"It's about time." She tapped her headset. "Major? What's going on?"

The voice came across more clearly than she expected. "I guess Lt. Ford filled you in?"

"Barely. What can you tell me?"

"Well, the people here have calmed down a bit, but I still don't know what happened. We had a feast, slept, then everyone went nuts. How's Teyla?"

"She had to have her arm set, but so far Dr. Beckett can find no major internal damage. She should be fine. Will you be returning now?"

"Uh. . .not yet." She didn't like the hesitation in his voice. "There's a bit of a problem."

"What is it?"

"Rodney seems to have disappeared."

Huge leaves slapped at Rodney's face as he ran. He had no idea where he was going, and could care less. He just wanted to get away from the angry mob that had suddenly turned on him faster than the prosecution at OJ's trial. It was insanity; one minute he was asleep, he wasn't even sure he had made it to his own bed but he vaguely remembered being covered, and the next minute he was on his feet and running, and his stomach was hating him for it. The humidity made breathing difficult. The deeper into the jungle he ran, the wetter he became. In some oddly serene back corner of his mind he felt concern for bodily stench, and hoped his deodorant would hold out. It wasn't until the raging voices behind him ebbed and his lungs were ready to explode that he doubled over, gasping for air, cursing his aching ribs. He collapsed to his knees, hands to the moist soil beneath him. Sweat dripped down his nose, tickling, but he didn't bother to wipe it off. That simple motion required more effort than he was willing to put into it. His breathing gradually eased, allowing him to plop on his backside and study the trees around him. He realized that, rather than following a path, he had pretty much trail-blazed one. And not being a tracker, the odds of finding his way back was pretty slim, not that he wanted to return. Not just yet. Those damned bloodthirsty rags of people had already done him in once, he wasn't allowing it again. His stomach cramped and he groaned and curled his arm around it. Fuck, wasn't this over with? Hadn't he suffered their evil dishes enough? He was surprised there was anything left in him to hurt.

He managed to crawl through the lush plant life and hide himself within the folds of branches that supported huge paddle shaped leaves. There was no way his body would let him go anywhere. He was perfectly willing to accept that.

Teyla Emmagen opened her eyes, and tried not to gasp at the unfamiliar pain she was suddenly feeling. White lights glared down at her, and a form quickly shadowed it. "How are you feeling?"

She winced, not certain she was seeing clearly. "Dr. Beckett?"

"Aye. How are you feeling?"

She was confused. She remembered noises, and yelling. She remembered standing still, then falling to her knees, the weight of the people crushing her as they stepped on her in their haste. "How did I get here?"

"Young Lt. Ford carried you." Carson sounded impressed. "He was bound and determined to get you here in one piece."

"Did he succeed?" Because she was feeling quite disjointed.

There was a smile in his voice. "He did. You've suffered some injuries, and you'll be sore for a while, but you'll make a full recovery." He patted her hand soothingly.

"What of the others?"

"Aiden is fine. Major Sheppard is still on the planet."

She turned her head gingerly. "Was a reason given for what happened? Was there an attack?" She hated lying there. She hated being a victim.

"We don't know what happened, nothing's been said as of yet. The Major is still investigating back on the planet."

"I see." She turned her head again, then frowned. "Nothing has been said of Dr. McKay."

"That. Yes, well . . ." he took a seat on the side of her bed, "Major Sheppard is looking for him."

Teyla started to sit up, and was pressed back down. "He is missing?"

"For the moment."

"Then I must go and help. "

She knew that look. She'd seen it used on Dr. McKay and Major Sheppard, and braced herself against the anger she felt rising in her gut. "Now Teyla, you are in no condition, and you know that. Lt. Ford will be returning shortly, and depending on the news that the Major sends back, we have two teams ready to assist. What you need is your rest. You'll be up and about soon enough."

Teyla was adamant. "Dr. Beckett, Dr. McKay is a part of my team. I am sure you can understand when I say that I must go back and assist with the search."

"Aye, love, I do understand. But my answer is still no."

"But we do not know what caused these people to run! There could be danger . . ."

"Teyla," Carson leaned over her, not allowing her to try and push up from the bed again, "Rodney and I go back a ways. As annoying as he is, and he's a downright bugger at times, he's still a very good friend. Do you not think I want to join in the search as well? Trust me when I say that I understand your frustration."

Teyla backed down. Her posture showed that his words has taken hold. "Forgive me. I am so used to being a part of the team that I forget how hard it must be to just. . .wait."

Carson gave a heavy sigh. "I've grown used to it. Doesn't mean I like it one bit." He rose. "They may very well need you, and I want you out there, but not yet. Besides, the major's a pretty resourceful fellow. If anyone can find Rodney, he can. Poor fool probably ran and is caught in the branches of a tree somewhere."

Teyla gave a wry smile. "He does have a talent for the extraordinary."

"It suits him. Do you need something for pain?"

"I am fine."

"Good." Carson smiled. "Rest then. I'll let you know something as soon as I hear word."

Teyla nodded her thanks and closed her eyes. Her face tightened into a frown as the cries of the crowd washed over her memory.

Misner Caugh was no help. For such an excellent host, he suddenly seemed reluctant. "You mean you haven't seen him anywhere?" John stood with his P90 in plain view. Sweat dripped towards his eyes, but he was determined not to wipe it away.

"Your friend probably retreated to the jungle." Caugh wouldn't look John in the eye, and it unnerved him.

"I've been through the jungle. He isn't there."

"The area is vast, you couldn't possibly have covered enough ground." He waved his fat hand around in the air. "There really is no where else to go! I do not understand what you ask of me!"

That was true enough. Rodney had to either be in the village, which he definitely wasn't, or in the jungle, which not only was more likely, but the only other option. "I guess he ran faster than I gave him credit for." Never mind he spent nearly six hours searching. The only logical explanation was that Rodney's sense of direction was as infallible as his magnetic personality, and he was headed away from the village rather than towards it. "How long before the sun sets?"

"Soon."

"You have very short days here."

"Not so much as that, but the rains come." Caugh pointed to the dark clouds over the distant mountain. "See there? It will rain for several days. The clouds thicken the skies."

John sighed. "Oh, that's just great." Now he could look for a miserable, scared physicist with a ruptured stomach and the flu. Maybe he should just leave him to the jungle.

"I would hurry."

Okay, leaving him wasn't an option. "Listen, if he returns, just tell him to stay put, okay?"

"I shall tell him to remain."

"Thank you." John sighed and headed back into the jungle.