Part 7 of 10

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Teyla adjusted her grip around Ergo's waist and hitched his arm higher across her shoulder before bearing the brunt of his weight as they climbed the last step out of the tunnels. As relieved as she was to see the tapestry covered opening before them, it didn't temper her worry.

Rodney had slipped back into unconsciousness only moments after his quiet complaint as they freed him. It'd taken Carson by surprise and panicked them all until Beckett had been able to reassure them that Rodney's vitals had stabilized...for now. There was still so much they didn't know about McKay's injuries though and that made the task of getting him out of the tunnels complicated.

Carson had refused to allow either Ronon or John to hoist McKay into a fireman's carry, emphatically insisting they needed to keep him as immobile as possible. Sheppard had argued for speed over caution until Beckett had spouted out the high likelihood that McKay could be suffering from a spinal injury or internal bleeding...or both.

John had paled considerably then and ordered Ronon to help him find something they could use to transport Rodney. They'd settled on the long, relatively flat piece of debris they had pulled off McKay.

With Carson leading the way with a flashlight, and Ronon carrying Ergo in the fireman's carry behind them, Teyla and John had carried the stretcher with Rodney on it. By the time they reached the most cluttered area of the tunnels, Ergo was through with being carried and Teyla was honest enough with herself to know that Ronon would be better at handling the stretcher over the debris they had to climb through, so she let Dex take her end of the stretcher and had moved to help Ergo.

Now, finally, with a weary relief, Teyla pushed the tapestries aside and helped Ergo into the dimly lit passageway. Behind her, she could hear Carson directing Sheppard and Ronon up the steps with their burden. Taking a minute, she breathed deeply, trying now to refocus on what needed to be done next and not on her sore muscles or the painful blisters across her palms left by the ragged edge of the stretcher.

The first thing they needed was to contact Atlantis. There was no time to carry Rodney out on foot and neither John nor Carson were fit for the hike back to the jumper anyway. Teyla sighed and rubbed the back of her hand across her forehead as she helped Ergo sit down along the wall. Either she or Ronon could run back to the jumper to radio Atlantis for help...but neither of them could fly the ship back to the tower. There was no way John should be running or flying, but Teyla knew that the Colonel would insist regardless of his own state of health and injuries. She really didn't know yet how badly he was injured since he brushed off anyone's concern every time he was questioned. If only they weren't out of radio range with the gate or...

"Teyla."

Teyla spun in surprise at the new voice, a smile already forming. "Major Lorne."

Lorne grinned as Mara stepped back and out of the way. He dropped his pack next to Ergo as the four marines behind him caught up. "Dr. Weir was concerned when you guys didn't check in again. Problems?"

Teyla nodded. "It is good to see you. We need..."

"Easy there, easy. Keep him level." Carson parted the tapestries as he backed out of the tunnel's entrance.

Teyla quickly moved to catch and hold the curtains out of the way. Lorne stepped forward as well. "What can we do, Doc?"

Beckett jumped in surprise and then grinned. "Take the Colonel's end of the stretcher," he ordered immediately. "And please tell me you brought the jumper with you?"

"Sure did. Only took a minute to find it on our scanner." Lorne waited, his expression changing to concern as Sheppard and Ronon stepped into full view. His gaze swept over McKay's still form as he moved to take John's place. "He gonna be okay?"

Carson nodded as he reached for Rodney's wrist again. "Aye, I hope so."

There was a moment of silence as everyone watched Carson's expression closely, waiting for any signal of how McKay was doing.

Finally Carson sensed the inactivity. "What the devil are ya doing?" he snapped at Lorne. "We need to get back to Atlantis- now." He turned to the other marines from Lorne's team. "Two of you take this one," he waved his good arm at Ergo, "to the alpha site and get his leg tended to. He shouldn't need surgery but have the doctor on duty there take x-rays to make sure. The rest of you," he turned back to Lorne, "get Rodney and John into the jumper...now."

Teyla smiled as soldiers twice Beckett's size jumped into frenzied activity to follow his orders. Lorne and Ronon went first, Mara quietly leading the way back through the corridors. John followed with the reluctant acceptance of help from Lorne's team and grumbling about the fact that he was 'just a little dizzy'. The last two members of Lorne's team supported Ergo between them and followed the others.

Finally, it was just Carson and Teyla left, but Carson had yet to move. Teyla watched him, noting the lines of concern etched on his face. Concern or pain...or both. She wondered what he was thinking.

"Dr. Beckett." She moved beside him but he didn't respond. Fear flashed through her. Was Carson hurt more than he'd let on or was he that worried about Rodney? "Carson?" she tried again, touching his uninjured arm lightly.

He looked at her, almost startled, his eyes wide with pain, worry and fear...and then it was gone, replaced with the softness and gentle reassuring strength she was so used to. "Let's go then."