Stargate Atlantis: Path of the Storm

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Chapter Twenty-Eight

While McKay and Zelenka argued once again about the correct way to go about testing the different addresses and in what order, Ford made his way down to the infirmary to speak with Doctor Beckett. On the walk down, Aiden had to keep fighting the urge to grin as he glanced down to the antidote he now held in his hands. The antidote that would eventually help Teyla, it was a strange experience for Ford as normally he had his entire team around him. Now, however, he felt completely alone.

He carried on walking until he arrived at the infirmary and stepped through the doors. "Hey Doc," Ford said as cheerfully as he could muster, however any joy he was feeling instantly ebbed away as soon as he laid eyes on Teyla.

Carson Beckett looked up from behind the sheet he had drawn around one of the other beds where his latest patient was recovering. One of the marines, Sgt. Nicolas had been brought in this morning after one of their routine drills had gone horribly wrong. Fortunately, it would have been a lot worse and the lad was going to make a splendid recovery. He popped his head around the curtain. "Hello Lieutenant," he said with some surprise.

Ford walked up to Teyla's bedside and gazed upon the Athosian, he didn't pretend to know anything about medicine. He had no idea what most of the machines around her were doing, as his medical knowledge was extremely limited. He knew basic first aid in the field but this was something else completely and he didn't say anything as Beckett walked over to him.

"I had to put her on the respirator twenty minutes ago," Carson said gently. Ford looked to the tube then to the machine it was connected too; it was breathing for her. He nodded slowly but remained silent. "I hate to sound…pushy…but were you able to get anything from the Bre'tar?" Still nothing. "Lieutenant?" Again, Ford didn't say a word and it couldn't seem to be capable of looking away from Teyla. "Aiden!"

That snapped Ford out of it almost instantly and he turned back to Carson, immediately thrusting out the container in the doctor's hands. "We got it," Ford answered, although he was still a little shell-shocked. The Scottish doctor held it up to the light before looking back to Ford.

"I will have to run an analysis on this before I proceed," Carson said after a moment of consideration. "I can't administer it without checking it doesn't contain anything that could hasten Teyla's illness."

"I'm certain it won't Doc," Aiden replied with a confident tone. "But do what you gotta do."

"I plan too," he said in response and saw where Ford had returned his gaze. "Don't ye worry about Teyla soon, she's in safe hands."

"I don't doubt it," Ford said taking one last look at her before walking over to the doors; he wanted to be in the control room when anything happened. Carson lowered the antidote and watched the young man carefully.

"Aiden." As Ford turned round, he didn't correct him or show any kind of anger at someone calling him that. "Any news on Major Sheppard?"

"Not yet Doc," Ford replied with a tired expression. "But you'll know as soon as we know." With that, disappeared through the doors and allowed Carson to get on with his work.

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Yet again, Kolya had done his little disappearing act and left Sheppard feeling all the more pissed off. "What the Hell does that man think he is playing at?" Sheppard muttered as he looked over to Matriya. "I mean you're capable of reading his mind. Care to give me a heads up?"

"That would be violating his trust," the woman snapped viciously with a hard look to match.

"You have no trouble violating mine," Sheppard retorted as Mike watched on in amusement.

"I do not know you."

"And that what…makes it all right?" Sheppard asked raising his eyebrows, he couldn't believe any of this was happening to him.

"It makes it," Matriya replied tightening the grip on her weapon. "Acceptable."

"Acceptable my ass," Sheppard shouted moving away and taking a seat. "Where I come from, invading someone's privacy isn't a thing to be taken lightly." Matriya gave him another harsh look as she walked up to the bars.

"We are not on your world Sheppard," she said vehemently. "If you had stayed there, the Wraith would not have awaken prematurely."

"You think this is my fault?" John asked getting to his feet once more and coming face to face with her. The only thing separating them was a couple of inches of steel. "The Wraith have been in this galaxy for thousands of years, they would have woken up sooner or later."

"We would have preferred later," Matriya answered calmly. Sheppard inhaled deeply then counted to ten slowly. "At least you will have a chance to redeem yourself."

"With Kolya's plan," Sheppard snorted.

"Don't dismiss him so easily, what he is proposing to do. It could ensure the people of this galaxy will never have to fear the Wraith again."

Matriya seemed very confident of what Kolya wanted to do; she believed in him and had great faith in the plan. "What is he planning to do?" Sheppard asked finally looking up to her. She studied him with exceeding scepticism. "I'm going to find out one way or the other Matriya," Sheppard added. The woman appeared to be seriously considering it, after all what harm would telling him do? Kolya was going to tell him eventually.

Mike the Wraith decided he was not going to pass up this opportunity, Matriya was in close proximity to him and she wasn't going to get any closer. He stood up and walked over to the bars, staring her up and down. She glanced to Mike, saw she was in no danger and then carried on looking at Sheppard. Mike lowered his head and closed his eyes to concentrate on the task he was about to perform.

"Come on," Sheppard said although he wasn't quite pleading with her. Quickly, she lowered her head and didn't move. John frowned at her as she was still, too still. He glanced to the Wraith who was doing the exact same thing then back to Matriya. "What the hell?" he uttered softly.

Matriya's head shot up and she looked around slowly then down to her hands. She flexed her fingers and rotated her wrists as if she hadn't done such a thing before, as if she hadn't used them before. Turning to face the Wraith, she walked over to the door and pulled out a key.

"What are you doing?" Sheppard asked quietly, trying to keep his tone even. He looked back to Mike who didn't make any effort to move or acknowledge her in anyway. She inserted the key into the lock as far as it would go then turned it slowly until there was a small but audible click. "Are you insane?" Sheppard said raising his voice. "What are you doing!"

Blinking, Matriya stepped back and wobbled unsteadily as Mike finally looked up at her. Sheppard didn't know what had just happened but he didn't like it at all. Matriya looked around in confusion then over to Sheppard.

"Lock the door," he said quickly.

"What?" she asked.

"You unlocked the door," he said motioning over to Mike who stood patiently, probably awaiting his moment. Matriya just stared at him blankly. "Lock it!" She looked back over to the door and saw the key was in the lock, she checked her belt then back to the door. Matriya moved forward and reached for the key but Mike pushed the door with all his strength, slamming it into her.

She groaned as it sent her off balance and Mike grabbed her by the hair while his other hand struck her in the chest. She didn't scream or offer any resistance, she didn't have time too and once Mike was done he inhaled deeply.

Mike looked over to Sheppard, dropped Matriya to the floor and smiled coldly.

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