As Dawn collapsed Daniel managed to catch her just before she hit the floor.
"What happened?" John shouted from the other side of the room.
"I don't know. She came over, pushed me out of the way and put both hands on the interface. Next thing I know she's falling." Daniel responded.
Faith was already there, taking Dawn's fragile looking form from Daniel.
"What have you done Lil' D?"
"Time to wrap this up, we need to get Dawn to the infirmary." John ordered.
Faith was already heading out of the door with Dawn. She had promised to protect her, it hadn't even been a week and she had already failed.
"You guys better keep up." Faith warned as she set a hard pace.
They were back at the jumper in half the time it had taken to descend into the cavern. The steps were taken two at a time. Daniel had offered to take Dawn but Faith had just growled at him. The rest of the trip was in silence.
John was at the controls in a flash.
"Dr Jackson, once we are airborne radio the camp. Let them know we are taking wounded back. We will establish radio contact once we are back on Atlantis, for now they are to continue with their work. There might be something to help Dawn in those books."
Dr Jackson nodded and headed to the back of the jumper where his radio was. Faith was barely aware of what was going on around her. She only knew that everything felt like it was taking too long. She couldn't do anything for Dawn except hold her, there was no mystical help on its way from Willow or a genius idea from Giles. There was just her and she was terrified that wasn't going to be enough.
"What's our ETA?" Faith asked John.
"With a little reckless flying we'll be back at the gate in 15 minutes. I'll dial Atlantis as soon as we are in range and get a med team standing by."
Faith nodded, it was all too slow.
"Dawn, I don't know whether you can hear me but whatever is going on you need to hold on. You're a Summers and that means a fighter." She whispered to the younger girl.
Daniel reappeared near the front with a rather pale expression on his face.
"What's the matter with you?" John asked the Doctor.
"Major Lehane had a few choice words to say about your order. She'll stay as you're her CO, but I think she will make you aware of that fact later."
"Good, she can keep them working and keep them safe. In case we disturbed anything down there."
The 10 minutes it took to get within dialling distance felt more like hours but they got there eventually.
"Atlantis this is Sheppard. I need a med team ready in the jumper bay. I'm bringing in Dawn unconscious."
"Acknowledged Colonel Sheppard, what happened?" Dr Weir's voice came through on the radio.
"She touched an Ancient device and collapsed, we'll debrief once she's in the infirmary. Approaching gate now."
John slowed the jumper just as they reached the gate. As soon as they were through the jumper went in to auto pilot and guided them in to the jumper bay where Dr Beckett was ready and waiting.
Faith was up in a flash and had the rear hatch open before John or Daniel could even get out of their seats. She gently laid her on the gurney Dr Beckett had ready.
"What happened, lass?"
We found a lab, Danny was at one of the interfaces looking through data when Dawn came over and touched it then she just collapsed."
The Doctor nodded as he started looking for vitals. "She has a pulse but it weak. I want her in the infirmary for an immediate CAT scan and ECG."
With that order the med team was on the move with Dawn towards the infirmary.
"Faith, you go with Dawn. We'll let Dr Weir know what's going on." Daniel told the Slayer gently.
She nodded and headed after the med team and her closest friend.
"So am I right in telling me you have found a secret Ancient weapon cache?"
Dr Jackson and John were in the briefing room with Dr Weir catching her up with what had happened in the last few hours. It was a lot to digest for anybody and it didn't help that both men weren't exactly giving the debriefing their full attention. They hadn't heard anything about Dawn yet and neither could stop from thinking the worst.
"From what we could see there are six Lantean ships there. We were just scouting one of them before the incident. We actually examined very little of the ship. The only room we had a look over was the lab where Dawn..."Dr Jackson cut off.
"Do we have any idea why Dawn reacted to the interface like that? From what you have told me Dr Jackson was using the interface with no issues before Dawn interacted with it?" Dr Weir asked the men.
"I honestly don't know. I was doing my best to shift through the little data I could access when Dawn just pushed me to the side and touched the terminal. She didn't even respond when I called her name." Dr Jackson answered.
"It was calling to her." A voice cut in.
In the doorway stood rather weary Faith leant against the frame.
"Faith how is she?" Dr Weir asked.
"The Doc says she's unconscious but stable. He said he'll be here shortly after he's run a few more tests."
"What do you mean it called to her?" John asked. It was his first full sentence since they had walked into the debriefing. Dr Jackson had given most of the report to Dr Weir with a few prods and additions from the Colonel.
"Before she touched it she was sensing something like I had been the entire time we were down there. We were close to whatever was causing my senses to go haywire, so close that even an untrained Slayer would sense it. I told her to focus and she did. That interface was what was causing my bad feeling. The minute Dawn touched it I couldn't sense it anymore."
"What does that mean?" Dr Weir prompted.
"I have no idea, it's like the threat just disappeared."
Dr Weir studied Faith for a moment "Is there anyway whatever it was could have jumped in to Dawn? It wouldn't be the first time Ancient technology has interacted with the user a little too much."
"I suppose it's possible." Faith answered as she finally came all the way in to the room and slumped into one of the chairs. "Until Dawn wakes up we're not going to have the full story."
"Well, Dawn's in the best hands with Dr Beckett. The best thing we can do for her is to try and get some answers as to what might have caused this. John, find Rodney and ask him to assemble a science team and round up Major Lorne's team as back up as well as SGA teams 9 and 6. Find Teyla to take back with you where you can meet up with Ronon. I think we had best start scouting these ships. I want them ready to move in an hour. I'll meet you in the gate room."
"You're coming with us?" John asked.
"I think I need to see this to actually allow it to sink in."
"I'm going to stay here with Dawn, in case she wakes up." Dr Jackson informed them. "Rodney is more than capable of going through the data."
"But-" Faith objected before she was cut off by the Doctor.
"Faith I promise, if her eyes even flutter I will dial out and get in contact. You are more use to her out there than in here and if they meet anything dangerous you're invaluable" He reassured her.
Faith was going to argue but she could see his point and sitting thinking about things was never a good thing for Faith, she needed to keep moving and doing something.
"I can't believe I've been ordered to stay here while one of my people is unconscious in the infirmary." Natalie ranted as she paced back and forth.
Just as Ronon was about to tell her to stop whining his radio let off a crackle.
"This is Atlantis; you have two jumpers en route to your location. Ronon can you and Natalie be ready to meet, your team's on board." Chucks voice came through.
"On our way" Ronon replied as he grabbed his gun and made his way to the clearing where they had been having jumpers land, Natalie hot on his heels.
"Thank God!" Natalie remarked.
Ronon quickly glanced behind him to see the determination on the little brunette's face. This so called Slayer was a strange military officer. All the others that Ronon had seen from Earth were extremely well disciplined and were good at keeping calm in any situation, with the exception of Colonel Sheppard on occasion that is. This woman however, was the complete opposite. Although she had done as Colonel Sheppard had asked it was only by the smallest fragment of self control that had kept her here. That and Ronon standing in the doorway and telling her that running in all fired up wasn't going to help the situation. She was fiery and seemed to have little patience, something that Ronon could relate to. He wasn't best known for always making decisions with a cool head. This situation had been difficult for him as well. For whatever reason that crazy blue eyed woman laying unconscious in the infirmary had gotten under his skin and he couldn't help but feel slightly protective over her. However, he also knew if he and Natalie had ignored the order they would have left this base without any real defence if anything were to happen and he couldn't leave these people defenceless
They made it to the clearing just as Ronon began to hear the jumpers set down. John was the only one to get out. He looked tired and worn.
"Ronon, it's good to see you buddy, it been a long day." John greeted the Satedan wearily.
Ronon step into line with his friend and grabbed his shoulder. "So I've heard."
"Ronon you're with me, Natalie I need you to stay here, keep them working and keep them safe."
"No way, I'm coming with you!" Natalie exclaimed, enraged. "Sir" she added as an afterthought.
"Major Lehane we have enough bodies on the jumpers for the mission in hand. I need you to make sure these linguists are safe. That not even taking in to account you apparently can read this language with ease. There could be something that could help Dawn in here. You handle this side of things, we'll handle the other."
"Can you at least tell if Dawn is okay...and Faith?"
"Dawn is stable but she is unconscious. Dr Jackson is staying with her. Faith...she's holding up."
Natalie nodded. "If you need back up radio, it would only take me a few minutes to get there if I had to."
"How..." John was about to ask before Natalie raised one perfectly arched eyebrow at him. "Right...still getting used to this whole super powers deal."
"Keep me in the loop sir."
John nodded then turned back towards the jumper. Faith had wanted to come out and tell her sister what was happening but John had a feeling that Major Lehane would have been more inclined to argue with her sister. She may be fiery but the Major would follow a direct order if she could see his point. John could see a whole different scenario playing out when John ordered her to do something she couldn't see his reasons for or she saw a better way.
Ronon was hot on his heels and the rear hatch was quickly sealed back up to carry on towards the cavern.
"Major Lorne, we ready to go?" He asked the other pilot in the second jumper.
"Yes sir."
They had three SGA teams not including John's team as well as a science team and Faith and Dr Weir on board both the jumpers. It was a tight squeeze but it wasn't a long distance. All the team leaders had been briefed on the 'abilities' of their new civilian contractor. Dr Weir had been in the process of giving them all a full debriefing on their new additions when the call had come in about Dawn. Which meant they weren't too sure how to take the super powered woman who was now part of their base, it was a lot to digest in such a short amount of time and John was sure that more than a few were sceptical about the idea. He knew he would have been if he hadn't seen them in action.
It didn't take long before they were set down in the same place John had left the jumper before. The journey was one of silence. Rodney and his science team were almost vibrating with anticipation but the fact they had found such an incredible thing had put a lot of them in awe. If they could get them flying it would give them a significant advantage against the Wraith, not that John had that particular issue on his mind now. He would celebrate once Dawn was awake.
It took a few minutes to get everyone off the jumper as well as the tech equipment the scientists had brought along. Once they were all off and in their teams, Elizabeth and Faith joined John and his team.
"Ok so how we gonna play this?" Faith asked.
"Major Lowe, you and your team are going to stay out here, make sure no one gets in. We don't know if these ships have beacons and I don't want any surprise visitors. Captain Andrews, you're going to the control room with Zelenka and the rest of the scientists, establish what state of the systems is on the ship. Dr Jackson seemed to believe the power was failing. If so we need a way to fix that. Major Lorne I want you to take a look around the cavern. Do not enter any of the other ships, just assess the area and let me know if you find anything of interest or concern. My team, we're with Rodney along with Elizabeth. Faith I'd like you to go with Lorne and his team, you'll be a help if they meet anything nasty out there. Is everyone clear on their task?" With nods of assent all around John looked to Rodney. "We ready?"
"Oh yeah, we just need to get this equipment in then we're ready to go."
"Great, everyone move out."
With that order the teams began to move. John and Captains Andrew's teams brought the equipment in for the scientists and split ways when the latter headed to the control room with Dr Zelenka.
"Keep in radio contact and stay alert." John told the Captain.
With a 'yes sir' the team was gone to complete their task.
"Stay alert, really? This place hasn't been touched in 10,000 years I doubts there any threats down here." Rodney remarked.
"Tell that to Dawn." Ronon growled as he shoved past the doctor.
Rodney looked at John with confusion. "What did I do?"
John just shook his head a pointed towards where they were headed. John knew Rodney was a good man at heart but sometimes, well most of the time actually, he didn't think before he spoke.
"You are quite good at this leadership stuff." Elizabeth pointed out as they made their way to the lab.
"Elizabeth I'm sorry, I should have thought about the fact you were there. It's just second nature to roll out the plan off world." He apologised.
Elizabeth smiled. "You don't need to apologise John, you are what keeps your team together when you are off world. You're decisions always seem to get you out of jams and keep us in the right direction when on missions. I trust your judgement, you know that."
"Thanks, that's not always true though."
Elizabeth was quiet for a moment and she studied the man next to her.
"What happened to Dawn isn't your fault John, both you and Faith seem to be blaming yourself but there was no way either of you could realise the interface would have this affect on her. Dr Jackson had used the same interface and he is perfectly fine."
"I know, doesn't help much though. She just needs to wake up."
"And she will, if anyone can find out what the interface has done its Rodney.
John did agree with that. God, the man could be a pain in his ass but he was the best at fixing problems of a technical origin.
"Right here we are." John announced as he opened the door.
Rodney was the first one in, a look of awe on his face. He snapped out of it once he remembered why they were here. He didn't know Dawn very well and could honestly say he wasn't ecstatic that she and her friends had arrived at Atlantis but that didn't mean he was about the let her stay in a coma if he could fix it. "Which terminal was it?" He asked John.
He pointed towards the lab station that was the culprit for their current situation.
"Just be careful, I don't to add anyone else to the infirmary."
"Yes, I'm always careful." Rodney replied as he took a set at the interface and plugged in his tablet.
"Right, let's see what this baby has to tell us."
Faith kept pace with Major Lorne as they patrolled further down than they had gone previously. To Major Lorne, Faith knew she looked like she wasn't much attention to her surroundings but there wasn't much that was going to sneak up on her. She'd hear anything long before the sharp and alert soldier boys even noticed something was amiss.
"Have you been with the expedition long?" Faith asked him, breaking the silence.
Lorne took his eyes of their path to look at her and give her a slight smile.
"I came with the ship that came to help defend Atlantis a year after we sent the first people through. I've been with the Stargate program for awhile now."
"You were with the one on Earth?"
"Yep, but I prefer being out here." Lorne answered.
Faith let the silence come back for awhile, not really knowing what else to say. It was the Major that filled it again.
"I've had a bit of your back story, I got the feeling Dr Weir didn't even scratch the surface when it comes to you though."
Faith looked at him quizzically. "There's not much to me GI Joe, point me at a baddie to put down and I get it done. End of story."
Lorne gave her a little half smile. "Miss Lehane, I've been in the military since I left school. I know the look of a soldier that's got a story to tell and I do believe you are one. You've been in your profession for a while as well from what I hear."
Faith snorted. "You could say that. I took a sabbatical for a couple of years a while back but came back for the annual shitstorm. That and orange really isn't my colour."
That was an unexpected response from the small woman. He wasn't sure what she was hinting at but he had an idea. He wouldn't press the issue however. If Sheppard and Weir thought she was safe to be here, he trusted them.
"I'm sorry to hear about your friend, Dawn. I'm sure Rodney will find something to help her. It's what he does."
Faith looked shocked he had offered her some sympathy. It wasn't something Faith dealt with very well, even now. "Yeah, that and test the patience of any human being he comes in contact with from what I've seen."
Lorne laughed. "He's...an acquired taste but there's a lot more to him than you initially see. I have a feeling you'd know all about that though wouldn't you?"
Again the Major managed to shock her. She didn't like being surprised by people, she liked what she knew. At least then she could predict their actions. As she looked at him she couldn't see any malice in his eyes, but that didn't mean it wasn't there. She didn't respond to the question.
"I'm gonna go on ahead and see if I can see anything further up."
She didn't wait for his response and took off further up the pathway. She wanted some distance between her and the man that asked too many questions.
She didn't look back to see a very confused Major watching her.
"John, are you alright?" Teyla asked her team leader. She hadn't had much of a chance to catch up with the Colonel since issue after issue seemed to creep up. She had a good sense of the man now and his moods. She could tell something was eating at him.
"I'm good."
"John, we are better friends than that, you do not have to lie to me."
John looked at the short athosian woman. She was right; the woman seemed to know when there was an issue with any of their team. Even if no one else noticed you could guarantee Teyla had known something was wrong.
"I'm just concerned for Dawn, she's on my team less than a week and she's in the infirmary and we have no idea what's wrong with her."
Teyla nodded, she could see his point but she knew that was only the top layer of what was on his mind. "You care for her."
John eyes shot to meet Teyla's. "Teyla, I barely know her. Sure there's an attraction, she's a beautiful woman. I care for her as one of my team members.
"If that is how you wish to play it John then so be it but I will give you one small piece of advice. You are not the only one in denial and confused about how they feel towards this little whirlwind that has entered your life."
John looked confused until her glance went to Ronon who was stood near the door, keeping watch.
"Teyla, I think you have finally lost your mind."
"We will see. Just please tread carefully." She genuinely asked.
John agreed to keep the woman happy but he still thought she was off base on the whole situation. Yes, he had kissed Dawn but it had been heat of the moment. He was definitely attracted to her but the way Teyla had described it you would think he was falling for her.
Was he?
No. Not a chance. John hadn't had a serious relationship since his ex wife and he liked it that way. His line of work meant there wasn't room for that. He couldn't leave someone every time he went on a mission knowing there was a chance he might not come back. Unfortunately, that was a very real chance in their line of work.
Then he found himself looking at Ronon again. He had seen how protective he had gotten over the little Slayer/Ancient but he had assumed they had come to a mutual understanding when they had drawn sparring. Ronon had great respect for anyone that could hold their own in fight but was it more than respect?
He was so wrapped up in his internal monologue that he hadn't noticed that Rodney had started getting that look in his eyes when he'd nearly cracked something.
"Yes, I've finally managed to get around the interfaces protocols and in to its programming.
"Finally? We've been here 20 minutes." Ronon told him.
"Well that's a long time for me. Give me a minute while a take a look...oh no"
"Rodney" John growled. "Use your words."
"I know what's happening to Dawn but there isn't anything I can do about it. We just have to wait it out."
"What does that mean?" John was beginning to get frustrated.
Ronan put down the tablet and looked at John. "The Ancients down here were working on some pretty important stuff, so important they couldn't risk losing the research if one of them was to you know...die. So it seems they thought of a way to safe guard against that."
"Which is?" Elizabeth asked with more patience than John.
"The interface isn't just a computer; the researcher downloaded his actual mind into it."
"Are you telling me there is an Ancient's mind in Dawn?"
"Basically, yes but it isn't permanent." Rodney informed them. "It seems it's programmed to almost act as a video journal of sorts, just a lot more complex. Once it's finished showing Dawn what it needs to it will retreat from her."
"How long's that gonna take and why didn't if affect Dr Jackson?" Ronon asked, looking like he wasn't going to like the answer.
"Honestly, I have no idea. I've only got the programmes basic outline. It will take me longer to go in depth with it, but Dawn's going to have to get through this by herself."
"Just keep digging, I want to know everything about that interface." John told him as he marched out of the room.
"Where are you going?" Teyla shouted after to him.
"To tell Faith and hope to God she doesn't shoot the messenger."