I'm so pleased people are still enjoying my story! (Because I'm having fun writing it ;) ) Thanks so much for the great reviews! I'm flattered. :D I'm sorry for the delay in updating. RL has been whumping ME lately, I've been working weekends and long hours. Hopefully that ended last week! :)
Now… where was I…?
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Ronon's legs burned but he kept pushing, doggedly moving through the snow, each step taking him closer to the Stargate; closer to help. Motion from the corner of his eye stopped him dead in his tracks. His hand flew to his gun and he pulled it, the sound of it powering up giving him some comfort. Ronon's gaze narrowed. Through the trees and not so far away, he could see shadows lurking, pacing him; following on a parallel course.
Ronon resisted the urge to fire as the movements… the patterns of the pack suddenly drove him to the conclusion he couldn't deny. He'd spent seven years on the run from the Wraith; pursuing and being pursued. Instinctively, he knew what was happening and that intuition couldn't be silenced.
He was being hunted.
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"Can't you wake him?" Rodney stared at John's closed eyes and fidgeted. He wanted nothing more than to see them open. He wouldn't even mind enduring some smartass comment from the colonel. At least he'd be awake…
"No." Teyla pulled John tighter against her. "We must find another way to warm him."
"Ronon will be back soon with help," Rodney replied more to reassure himself than anything else. "Carson'll fix him up." He stared at Teyla who nodded silently, her face a mask of worry.
"Perhaps I should go to the village for help," Teyla sighed. "It is not far. They may be primitive, but still can provide us with shelter and warmth. That would help John tremendously."
"By the time you get to the village, convince them to help us and return, Ronon will be back with Carson in tow." Rodney rummaged around in the pack and pulled out a compressed waterproof tarp. Compacted down, it was barely larger than a credit card. Rodney stood and walked towards the rocks.
"What are you doing?" Teyla questioned.
"Getting out of the avalanche path," Rodney answered as he stopped behind the shadow of one of the boulders and shook the tarp open. "Really wouldn't make my day to be buried in another slide." He eyed the tarp for a moment. It wasn't big, just big enough for Sheppard and Teyla, but that was all they needed.
Teyla nodded. "Very well. The tarp will help if only to get him off the wet snow."
Rodney nodded as he made his way back to her. "That's the idea."
Teyla scooted back and crouched, her arms looped under John's. "Take his legs."
Rodney carefully slid his hand under John's broken leg and grabbed the pant cuff of his other before slowly rising. He glanced up at Teyla who silently lifted the colonel. She was strong, stronger than any woman Rodney had ever met, but Sheppard wasn't a small man and it was difficult for her to lift him. It was slow going but they managed to carry him to off the glacial field.
Rodney crouched, settling John's lower body on the tarp. He panted slightly. There was no way she and he could carry John for any reasonable distance. Not unconscious and as dead weight. Rodney cursed under his breath. Where's Muscles Dex when you need him?
He left John in Teyla's care and walked back across the snow, retrieving their gear and the emergency pack. He once more dug through their supplies and produced two small packages. "Here," Rodney held out the chemical packs to Teyla. "Warming packs. Maybe we can use them to help warm him up… at least his vital areas." He struck his fist into the center of one of the packs, breaking the internal seal before shaking it vigorously. Reaching under the blanket, he placed the rapidly warming pack under John's arm and against his ribcage. Rodney looked up in time to see Teyla repeat the process with the other one.
"Good thinking, Rodney," Teyla smiled slightly.
"Yeah," Rodney muttered. He stood and rubbed his gloved hands against his thighs as he paced aimlessly. He never did well with waiting, especially if he didn't have something to do… and this was one of those times. What was he supposed to do? Teyla was caring for John, Ronon was off getting help and he… Rodney sighed. He was pacing. Great. So helpful…
Teyla's loud sigh startled him.
"What? Is he okay?" Rodney spun and stared at John.
"He is unchanged." Teyla answered quietly.
Rodney stared at John's closed eyes and pale skin. How many times had Sheppard risked his life to save them? How many times had he succeeded? Yet now, he needed help and all they could do was sit there. Abruptly, Rodney tapped his radio. "Ronon, this is McKay. Sheppard doesn't have all the time in the world here. What's going on? Where are you?" He looked down at Teyla as both of them listened to the silence. "Ronon, this is McKay. Do you copy?" He winced as static greeted his hail before the unmistakable sound of Ronon's gun firing had him damn near tearing his headset off.
"Malneks…" Ronon's transmission broke, "almost… gate."
Rodney's jaw dropped. Suddenly the loud echoes of gunfire on his headset didn't matter. "Oh god…" Rodney's hand dropped to his sidearm. "Ronon we…" his voice trailed off as words escaped him.
"Care… Sheppard…" Ronon's voice broke through the static. ".. worry… bout… me…"
Rodney's gaze fixed on the tree line. "We have to help him!"
"We cannot," Teyla's voice was quiet. "Not and still be able to care for John. Ronon knows that." She shook her head. "If he is nearly to the gate then we would not be able to get there in time to make any difference. He will either kill the Malneks and get through to Atlantis or…" her voice trailed off. She took a deep breath. "Either way, John cannot wait. One of us must go on to the village for help." She sat up straighter. "I believe it should be me."
"What?" Rodney stiffened. "And leave me here alone with Sheppard? What if more Malnek's find us? What… what do I…" he waved his hand at John's unconscious form, "do with him?"
Teyla's small smile was thin. "Then you go to the village and I will stay with John," she reasoned.
Rodney froze, immediately weighing his options. Strike out through the woods for the village and then find a way to convince a bunch of natives to help them? Yeah not his forte. Or… stay with Sheppard…
"Rodney," Teyla's voice was urgent.
Rodney squeezed his eyes shut. "Alright, okay! I'll stay. You'll probably have better luck with the villagers anyway."
Teyla nodded once. "I think it is best." She sat up straighter and gently pushed John forward. "Come, you must hold him close to you and share body heat. He is still very cold."
Rodney winced slightly. "The things I do for team and city…" he muttered.
"Rodney, he needs your help," Teyla answered.
Rodney waved. "I know, I get it, I just…" he sighed. "Never mind."
Teyla smiled slightly, her gaze understanding before she stood, her hands still holding John's upper body.
Rodney took a deep breath, unzipped his parka and sat down right behind the colonel before edging his way forward, one leg on each side of John, until Teyla could gently lay John's body back against Rodney's chest. Rodney pulled his parka edges around John as much as possible and Teyla tucked the blanket in tightly around him.
"I will go as fast as I can," she reassured him as she checked the load on her P-90 before zipping up her parka.
Rodney could only manage a nod. The rest of his mind was preoccupied with just how cold John felt. "Hurry," he added hastily.
"I will." Without another word, Teyla took off at as fast a run as she could manage in the uneven snow.
Rodney watched her go. "Hurry," he repeated quietly.
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Ronon had been hunted many times, mostly by Wraith, but sometimes by animals as he'd ran from one wild planet to another always trying to stay ahead of the Wraith. He'd fought wild animals before, but few had ever been as ruthless as these.
He'd tried not to fire until he'd had no choice, knowing the confrontation would bring the rest of the pack down on him, but when a Malnek had leapt out at him from behind some bushes, he hadn't had a choice.
Ronon backed up against a large overturned stump and fired again, his well placed shot bringing down another Malnek. He had no idea how large the pack was, but he'd already killed six and more were still coming.
Ronon spun left, his next shot taking a Malnek between the eyes, before he twisted right, taking out another one that threatened to hamstring him. Shouting his defiance, he fired over and over, each shot finding its target. It was only when he spun right again, that, in an instant, his instincts let him know he'd made a wrong move. Dispatching the Malnek in front of him, he wasn't fast enough to catch the one at his back, before it latched onto his leg. Ronon's cry of pain was more rage filled than anything as he slammed the butt of his gun down on the attacking Malnek and then shot it but not before another one grabbed his right arm. Ronon felt himself being pulled off balance and fought with everything he had. He knew if the Malneks pulled him to the ground, the fight would be over.
He kicked the Malnek as hard as he could, ignoring the pain as the force of his kick tore the animal from his arm. He quickly shot it, and then downed another that leapt straight at him.
Suddenly, it was over. It took Ronon a minute to realize that he wasn't being attacked anymore; to feel the silence around him. As his adrenaline started to fade, Ronon slumped back against the stump, his breaths coming in great gasps. His knees buckled and before he knew it, he was sitting in the cold snow. Ronon forced himself to lift his head. He looked down at his arm and gritted his teeth at the blood that flowed freely from it. His gaze fixed on his leg that wasn't much better.
Ronon took a deep breath and forced himself to stand. The gate wasn't far and the longer he sat there, the more blood he'd lose and the weaker he'd get. He closed his eyes for a moment, the image of Sheppard, half dead and needing help, searing in his mind's eye. Swallowing against a wave of nausea, Ronon staggered forward and pushed his way through the snow. He knew there were probably more Malneks out there and if they found his trail of blood he'd never be able to fight them off in his condition.
His grip tightened on his gun as he pushed on, the distant gate the only focal point he had.
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"You really should wake up you know. Overdone dramatics aren't your style." Rodney looked down at John's closed eyes. "Sheppard?" He sighed. "Damn."
Rodney shifted his weight slightly. "Bet you're wondering now if this mission was worth it." He looked around. "Of course you're not. You're unconscious. Next time someone has intelligence they want to share, don't ask me to come along!" He frowned. "I really suck at this you know. Of all the people on Atlantis, I'm the one that has to sit here and babysit you. I hate babysitting. Kids and I just don't get along, and… you know? You're like some big damned kid sometimes. What was with the water balloon last week? I was perfectly content to just do my thing and you… you can do yours. You and Conan want to go at it, fine! Leave me out of it, especially when I'm working! You do know that technology and water don't mix right?"
"Five year olds," he muttered. "You two are a couple of five year olds! As if I don't have my hands full enough dealing with a department full of inept egomaniacs intent on doing something stupid at every turn, I have to dodge water missiles from a couple of five year olds trapped in adult bodies!"
Rodney scrubbed a gloved hand over his face. "My ass is numb now, no thanks to you. You could at least have the decency to wake up and talk to me. Feel like I'm talking to a rock… or Ronon." He chuckled. "good thing you're not sitting here with him. He wouldn't say a word."
"… some-thing… to be said… for that…"
Rodney's eyes widened. He craned his head to the side and looked down, his gaze locking on a set of glassy hazel eyes. "Sheppard? You there?"
"N… no. Yo-ur… imagin-ation…." John stuttered.
Rodney scowled, his irritation rising. Even half dead, he's a smartass.... "Funny." His arms tightened slightly as he felt John's shivers.
"Tey-la? Ro-non…?"
"Getting help," Rodney answered, trying to keep his voice even and casual. "Teyla is trying to reach the village, Ronon..." his voice trailed off.
"What about… Ronon?"
Rodney could feel John tense in his arms and hastily continued. "He headed back to the gate to get help from Atlantis, that's all."
"N-no… it's not…" John answered. Even weak his voice still held a note of confidence.
Rodney swallowed and forced himself to sound confident. "Yes, it is. He's probably back to Atlantis right now. That, of course, leaves me here with you."
"Obvi-ous-ly…" John shifted his weight and grunted in pain.
"Hey," Rodney answered immediately. "Don't move around so much."
John exhaled sharply. "Ye-eah," he stammered.
Rodney's brows furrowed as he stared down at his friend. For all his irritations, Sheppard really was the closest thing Rodney had or ever had, to a best friend. Talk about unlikely… Everything that came out of Rodney's mouth, Sheppard took in stride, and in the thirty-six years of his life, Rodney had never met someone who had that particular talent. Even Jeanie. Combined with the fact that Sheppard was smart… really smart, not that Rodney would ever admit that aloud, and somehow the laid back colonel had worked his way inside Rodney's guard. Besides, all joking aside, Sheppard was really a hero, although he'd never own up to it. Part of Rodney admired that trait in the man; yet one more factoid he'd never admit. Ultimately, John was his friend, and in his lifetime, Rodney'd had very few of those. He knew his face showed a level of vulnerability he'd never want anyone to see and for the moment, he was glad John's back was against his chest and he couldn't see his expression. "Sheppard?" he ventured quietly.
"Hmmm…?" John's voice was slurred and drowsy.
"You need to… you know, stay awake," Rodney answered.
"Yeah…" John whispered.
"Hey!" Rodney shook him slightly. "Don't make me launch into another monologue here."
"Hell… no…" John answered. He blinked hard before seeming to force his eyes open. "Da-amn c-cold…"
Rodney swallowed hard. "I... I know." He tightened his arms around John and shed his snappy attitude, leaving behind only the concern he had for his friend. "Just hang in there, help's coming."
"I… know." John answered. He took a deep, shuddering breath. "Rodney… Thanks."
Rodney looked around for a moment before nodding. "You're welcome… John."
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The DHD was the only thing that kept Ronon from falling as he staggered heavily into it. He blinked hard forcing his vision to focus as he punched one symbol after another, meticulously dialing Atlantis' address. His hand fell hard on the center of the DHD and he looked up as the wormhole flushed into existence. Reaching inside his left vambrace, he pulled out his IDC and sent his code before pushing himself away from the DHD.
His legs were leaden, each step grueling as he pushed himself through the snow towards the active gate. Suddenly, he heard a growl from behind and without turning, knew the Malneks had found him. Pushing himself, he demanded more from his legs, but blood loss and injury sapped his strength. As he neared the event horizon, he turned, his gaze fixing on a silver Malnek that leapt towards him.
Ronon's hand dropped to his gun, but it never cleared the holster as the Malnek plowed into his chest.
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"Incoming wormhole."
Elizabeth hastily crossed the small bridge between her office and Ops. She looked at her technician, Chuck, expectantly.
Chuck nodded. "Ronon's IDC."
Elizabeth smiled. "Lower the shield." She tapped her hand once on one of the Ancient control panels before quickly walking out of ops and down the gate room stairs. Halfway across the gate room she stopped and watched the active Stargate expectantly but the seconds dragged by, a whisper of concern started inside her. She reached up, activating her radio. "Ronon, this is Weir. You and your team are clear to return." Silence greeted her hail. She looked up towards ops and continued speaking on the radio. "Is the signal getting through?"
"Yes, ma'am," Chuck responded.
Elizabeth nodded, the whisper of worry in her gut intensifying. "Ronon, this is Weir. Please respond." She made eye contact with one of the gate room security officers and nodded. He nodded back before signaling his team. Immediately, they all raised weapons and stared at the gate.
A ripple in the wormhole heralded an incoming traveler, but her moment of relief was short lived. Elizabeth instinctively recoiled as Ronon fell backwards through the gate and slid across the floor, his hands around the neck of a large, dog-like beast. It was hard to tell the beast from Ronon and she knew none of the SO's could find a clean shot. "Security to the gate room!"
One of the soldiers dropped his gun and pulled a knife before running to Ronon's aid. He buried his knife in the back of the beast before jumping out of the way. The distraction was all they needed. The creature let go of Ronon and jumped off him, providing the soldiers with a clean shot. It was over in a matter of seconds as the beast crumpled under gunfire.
"Ronon!" Elizabeth ran across the gate room. "Medical team to the gate room immediately!" she ordered. She looked past Ronon as the wormhole disengaged. Kneeling next to him, she stared into his eyes. "Where's the rest of your team?"
"Sheppard…" Ronon panted. "Caught in an avalanche. Malneks…"
Elizabeth glanced at the dead beast before looking back to Ronon. "That's a Malnek?" She was familiar with the name; it'd been mentioned often enough in the mission report from when they'd been captured by the Wraith, but to see one up close… Elizabeth shuddered slightly. She looked back to Ronon. "Teyla? Rodney?"
"With Sheppard…" Ronon struggled to sit up.
"Easy," Elizabeth placed a firm hand on his chest. She tapped her headset with the other. "Major Lorne, report to the gate room immediately." Elizabeth looked down as Ronon pressed a Life Signs Detector into her hand.
"McKay says… Zelenka can use this… to fix the Jumpers so they can… fly on the planet…"
Elizabeth took the detector and nodded.
"What the bloody hell is that?"
Elizabeth looked up to see Carson sidestep the dead Malnek and rush to Ronon's side.
Carson knelt. "Easy son."
Elizabeth stood and looked up at ops. "Dr. Zelenka come down here," she called. She watched as the short Czech scientist hurried down the stairs. When he was close to her she held out the detector to him. "We need to take a Jumper to M7G-949. Ronon says that Rodney modified this device to work in spite of the planet's magnetic fields. Can you use it as a model to modify a Jumper?"
Zelenka looked down at Ronon before meeting gazes with Elizabeth again. "Is possible. What has happened?"
Elizabeth shook her head. "I don't know for sure. Something about Malneks and avalanches. What we do know is that Colonel Sheppard, Rodney and Teyla are in trouble." She nodded her head at the detector. "Can you make the changes, Radek?"
Zelenka nodded once. "I will get to work on it right away. Excuse me." Turning he trotted across the gate room and back up the stairs presumably towards the Jumper Bay.
Elizabeth looked down, watching the medical team work over Ronon. "Carson?" She questioned.
"He's lost a lot of blood. I'm amazed he was still on his feet at all. I need to get him to the infirmary immediately." Carson glanced up. "What's this of avalanches and Colonel Sheppard?"
Elizabeth shook her head. "I don't know, not yet."
Carson nodded once as his team lifted Ronon on to a stretcher. "Aye. Keep me informed. I'm probably pulling Dr. Sanson from vascular surgery into this one, so if there's a medical emergency off world, I'll be there." Without another word he quickly followed Ronon's stretcher from the gate room.
Elizabeth took a moment to stare at the inactive gate, before she caught sight of Major Lorne entering the gate room from the southern door. He stutter stepped as he caught sight of the dead Malnek before rushing over to her.
"What the hell happened?"
Elizabeth turned away from the gate. "I'll fill you in as we go, Major, but Colonel Sheppard's team is in trouble and we need to come up with a plan to help them."