A/N: Wow, thanks for all the reviews. You guys are awesome. Oh, I forgot to say before, thanks to skypig21 for the info I needed to pull off this story.

Chapter 3

Rodney found himself falling asleep despite the warnings to keep alert. Unfortunately, every time he closed his eyes he saw the girl with her doll and that was enough to snap him back to the conscious world. Sometimes he saw her while awake, but ignored the hallucinations for the sake of his sanity.

Shifting his position slightly, he watched Teyla examine the rest of the room, taking an inordinate amount of time to look at herself in the mirror.

His eyes were on the verge of closing again when he felt someone grab his arm. Jolting awake, he pulled the limb away only for Carson to take it back again. "As long as we're stuck here waiting, I'm gonna get some liquids in you. No arguing."

"Yes, because when the crazy homicidal maniac shows himself, he'll gladly wait for me to remove the IV before attacking. Brilliant plan."

"What makes you think it is a man?" Teyla asked, not turning away from her reflection.

"What?"

"You said 'shows himself' implying the person is a man."

"Oh. I don't know. Look, I didn't mean anything by it. It just takes too long to say 'himself or herself', and really, why bother?"

"Who said there was a killer? Aren't we all jumping to conclusions a might bit fast here?"

Wincing as the needle entered his vein wall, Rodney turned and glared at his aggressor. "You don't know how to take no for an answer, do you?"

"Not when it comes to your health, I don't. Now stop griping and get some sleep. Teyla and I will let you know if the boogey man comes calling."

"I hate creepy places. Especially creepy places that are deep down under the ground and filled with homicidal maniacs. I just think you should all be aware of that."

"Aye, Rodney. We have guessed that much."

Beckett returned to tending to his real patient.

"He said someone pushed him," Rodney muttered, not for the first time. "You're sure you didn't see anyone?"

"No. I was not aware of anyone else with us." Teyla had opened the door to the bathhouse, no longer satisfied with searching the small room, but she was still visible through the wide double doors. She wandered past two oval tubs, each of which could hold five people, and toward a set of shelves covered in folded cloths.

"But how can you not notice someone in that situation? Surely something had to have caught your attention."

Teyla's hand froze on the towels. Her voice was barely audible. "There was blood."

"Excuse me?"

"Blood. I had seen blood in the kitchen when I heard the woman scream. And there was blood again on the walls."

"And you didn't think to mention this before?"

"It wasn't real. Neither was the scream. I do not care for this place."

Rodney pushed himself up, examining his teammate closely. "Are you okay?" She was shaking, her voice strangely monotonic.

"No, I do not think I am. I believe we are all in great danger here."

Teyla was scared, Rodney realized. Terrified even. Rodney shivered because he knew that if she was all worked up over this bunker, there was a good reason to be.

Beside him, Beckett sounded just as worried. "What do you mean the blood and scream were all in your head. Teyla, what are you saying?"

"I cannot explain. But neither of you see blood on the mirror, do you?"

Taken aback, Rodney grabbed his IV bag, heading toward the object in question. There was nothing there, but that didn't stop him from looking closely, as if leaning in would reveal something he hadn't seen before. A wave of static rippled through the mirror, but it only lasted a second.

Beside him, Carson was also searching for the mysterious blood. "There isn't a thing there," he remarked.

"Exactly. But I did see it, earlier, when Sheppard and I had first found this room, and again a few minutes ago."

"Maybe you should sit down," Carson said, his voice barely louder than a whisper, as though scared of frightening her further.

Teyla shook her head, almost as if she were forcing herself out of a trance. Straightening her uniform and grabbing the towels, she moved forward. "I am sorry. I do not know what has come over me." She handed the materials to Carson without explanation, and he then placed them by the bed. Rodney figured they'd be useful for cleaning Lorne's wounds when it came time to re-bandage them. For once they wouldn't have to resort to using the clothes off their backs.

"We're all exhausted," Carson answered. "Maybe we just need a good nights sleep.

Returning to his seat, Rodney pushed his legs close to his chest. "It's this place," he muttered. "Everywhere I look I see this creepy little girl and her broken doll. She's not really there, I don't think, but I keep seeing her." It was easier to confess, now that Teyla had spoken of her experiences, but he still felt silly for mentioning anything. "I mean, I'm sure it's my imagination. This place gives me the creeps."

"Aye, I think it does that to all of us. Let's hope Ronon and Sheppard find something soon enough."

"Rodney," Teyla asked, "much of this place is holographic, correct? Much like the information hologram on Atlantis?"

Rodney nodded. "Yeah, you can tell when part of the environment flickers."

"So could it be that whatever is controlling the program is producing these images for a split second before…"

Rodney turned, smiling slightly. He had known for a while now that Teyla had a lot of smarts potential. But then he realized the flaw in her logic. "No. Sorry. When I've seen the girl, you were looking right in her direction. Unless this computer is tapped into our minds and we're each seeing something different, I don't know."

Teyla looked disappointed, lowering herself to the floor. "I cannot shake the feeling that something terrible took place here."

"Would you two please be quiet. This place is unsettling enough without hearing you go on about things," Carson cried.

Rodney turned toward Carson, who was making a show of checking Lorne's blood pressure. "You're seeing something, too, aren't you?"

"Maybe so, but it isn't real so it doesn't matter. Now if you'd please change the conversation, I'd really appreciate it."

Rodney had seen Carson worked up many times, especially offworld. The doctor wasn't much for traveling long distances and would have gladly kept to Atlantis if he'd had the choice. "Fine, what would you like to talk about? Unicorns and puppies perhaps?" He swung his hands in the air, the line attached to his wrist pulling.

Rodney looked down at the IV, confused. He knew if it was just dehydration, Carson would have made him drink water. So what was the doctor secretly slipping him and why wasn't he telling? Rodney suspected it had something to do with the shock he received upstairs. Maybe there was something wrong with him and Carson didn't want to say. Rodney did, after all, feel dizzy and tired, his head pounding worse than before.

"What are you giving me?" he finally asked.

"What's that?"

"The IV. What's in the bag?"

"Water for your dehydration."

Carson was a bad liar.

"Really?" Rodney crossed his arms incredulously. "Would you like me to point out all the logical flaws with that statement or do you want to tell me what is going on?"

At first, Carson seemed confused, looking at the bag, but then he looked up, more sure of himself. "Aye, I slipped you a little pain medicine for that headache you're obviously having, and just a little cocktail to keep you going."

Rodney suspected Carson was still lying, but didn't press the subject. He trusted Carson with his life, even if the lack of information would drive him crazy.

There was a loud squeak as one of the doors opened. All three of them jumped, before aiming their weapons, only to find Ronon entering. John was slumped over his shoulder, unconscious.

"Bloody hell, what's happened now?" Carson and Rodney leaped forward, but Ronon refused their assistance in lowering Sheppard onto the floor.

"Not sure," Ronon shrugged. "But his head's bleeding."

Rodney reached for the towels, handing them to Carson before the doctor had a chance to ask.

"Looks like he took quite the blow. Definitely been hit with something," Carson muttered.

Teyla came by their sides carrying a small basin full of water. "Tell us what you can remember," she instructed.

Ronon shrugged, but Rodney noticed his clenched fists. "There was no one there; I would have seen them. One minute he's looking in a closet, the next he's on the floor unconscious."

There weren't many people that could get past Ronon undetected, much less attack one of his friends under his nose. Rodney had been hoping it would be Ronon's strength that would keep them all from getting killed down here, but this latest failing left little hope in that. Turning to Sheppard, Rodney reached for one of his hands.

"He's going to be okay, right?"

"I can't say for sure. He's likely to have a concussion, but I think we can stop the bleeding. We'll just have to wait for him to wake up to know more."

"There are two more bedrooms. I'll grab blankets," Ronon muttered, rushing off, his fists still clenched. Whoever had attacked Sheppard and Lorne was in for a beating once Ronon found them, that was for sure.

It only took a moment for Ronon to re-emerge, and then everyone helped get Sheppard comfortable as Carson tied a neat bandage around his forehead.

"So the only thing we can conclude from all of this is that someone is definitely trying to kill us. Well, I don't know about you all, but I feel comforted." Rodney hadn't let go of Sheppard's hand, and didn't plan to either. There was something comforting about the warm touch. It reassured him that Sheppard was indeed alive, which meant there was still hope of escaping this godforsaken place.

"Did you find any computers?" Rodney asked, remembering why the two had left in the first place.

"No, but there are two locked rooms on this level and one locked room upstairs. I think I can get through."

Rodney was on his feet before he knew what he was doing, once again ripping the IV out of his arm. "I'm coming with you."

"You are?"

"Yes, I am. Don't sound so shocked. Look, I want to be alive as much as the next guy, but the sooner I get to a computer, the sooner I can get us out of here."

Standing up had only worsened his dizziness. He managed to keep his balance and not fall over, but it took a lot more work than it should have. Knowing the others were watching him, he forced himself to move. "Let's go."

Ronon would have preferred Rodney stayed behind. For one, the man obviously wasn't feeling well and he'd likely slow things down. For two, Rodney was great with technology and bad with a gun. Still, he didn't complain, knowing that the sooner they got Rodney to a computer, the better.

They made their way out into the corridor, where Rodney immediately stopped them with a wave of his hand. "Do you hear that?"

"Hear what?"

"That, that music! Oh, God, I'm hearing things aren't I? Just like Teyla and that scream!"

Ronon listened carefully, recognizing the strange sounds from one floor up. "We accidentally activated a musician hologram when we stepped on the dance floor. Must not have turned off yet."

"Oh, thank God," Rodney visibly relaxed, hunching over. "I though I was going crazy." Then Rodney straightened as if staring at something. Ronon turned, but there was nothing there.

"We should go."

Rodney seemed to forget where he was, his stare blank, and then he blinked a few times before moving forward. "Right, of course."

"Are you okay?"

"Yes, I'm fine. Now, are we moving or not?" He snapped his fingers and Ronon reluctantly followed, his patience waning.

They came to the door that Ronon had noted was only accessible from the surrounding corridor, one of the few rooms without multiple entrances.

"So how do you propose we open it? I suspect if forcing it down with brute strength was an option, you would have already done so. Judging by the blast marks, your weapon wasn't much help either." Rodney sounded snide, another reason Ronon hadn't wanted him to tag along. There were times he could handle the little man, but here, in this place, was not one of them. Everything in this bunker seemed to heighten his sense of agitation and anger, making him feel out of control. He couldn't pinpoint what it was, but he knew it was there.

"Can't force our way in," Ronon answered matter-of-factly.

"Okay, so what's the plan?"

Ronon allowed himself a brief smile; for once he knew something Rodney didn't. He held up a ring of strange silver pieces, each with flat computer-like ends attached to the bottom and a curvy design on the top. "I have a key."

"Oh," Rodney said, clearly taken aback. "How did you get those?"

"Found 'em upstairs in the large bedroom. Figured one of these had to work."

Ignoring Rodney's mutterings, Ronon placed each key in, one by one, until at last the door swung open. He heard Rodney gasp from behind him, and Ronon himself couldn't help but feel disgusted.

"Oh my God, how many…That's just…" Apparently Rodney was at a loss for words, but it didn't last long. "We are really going to die aren't we? I mean, this is the proof, right? What if the killer…what if he killed all of them?" He motioned toward the bones that littered the ground in a pile almost as big as Ronon.

"Calm down. We don't even know there's a killer yet."

"Calm down? Are you kidding? Are you seeing the same thing I am because that is not good! I mean, really not good!"

Ronon looked back, seeing Rodney's pale face, half hidden behind a handkerchief. "You'll be okay. I'll see to it." He wasn't sure why he had said it, but he meant every word. He always did. His team was his family and he wasn't going to let anyone harm them. The fact someone had already gotten to Sheppard just made him that much more angry.

Rodney looked taken aback. "Really?"

"Yeah."

"Didn't help Shep…nevermind. I, uh, thanks."

The second room was rectangular, small compared to many of the others, but it was more crowded than the rest. A set of wood beds aligned each row. Each had a single pillow and a thin blanket. In the middle of the room were water basins and towels.

"This is so much better than skeletons," Rodney muttered, keeping behind Ronon as they searched.

The third and final destination was nearest to the master bedroom upstairs. It too only seemed to have a single entrance. As Ronon turned the key he heard a distant crash from within, followed by the sound of scurrying feet.

"Did you hear that?" Rodney asked, trying to whisper but failing.

"Yeah." Ronon motioned for him to be quiet as they both prepared for what might be beyond the door. As it swung open, Ronon examined the room in a single gaze. Computers lined every wall, as well as monitors filled with static. Toward his left he noticed movement, slight but definitely there. Reaching down, he ripped away the blocking chair and grabbed the person hidden there.

"Who are you?" Ronon demanded. He grabbed her shoulders, using them to pin her to the wall.

The woman seemed to shrink into her tattered dress, her wide terrified eyes trying to look anywhere but into his. "No. No, please, don't hurt me!"

Her hair was gray, decorated in braided patterns similar to the holograms, but strands flew in every direction. Her eyes were different as well. Her irises were black as the night, completely indistinguishable from her pupils. Her skin was slightly wrinkled, but he didn't figure her to be any older than fifty in Satedan years.

"You attacked my friends."

"No! It wasn't me! You must believe me!" She tried to kick away, desperate to wiggle free, but Ronon knew she was no match for him.

"What do you mean it wasn't you?" Rodney asked. "You're the only stranger here and, oh look, you're hiding in a locked room full of computers. You should know that my friend here doesn't take too kindly to people messing with us."

The woman stopped wiggling, looking to both of them as though pleading for her life. "Please, please, stop!" she cried, tears rolling down her face. "Leave me alone, please!"

"Wait." Rodney started pacing, snapping his fingers. "This room has a jamming device. That's why we didn't pick up your life sign and that's also why I couldn't pinpoint where the computers were! I'm right, aren't I?"

If anything, the woman began to struggle more. "Let me go!"

Ronon could see where Rodney was going with this. If one room was blocked from the sensors… Tightening his hold on her, he leaned closer. "How many more of you are there?"

"What? None. Please, please, don't hurt me!"

She was still sobbing, her body shaking under his hold, but he would not be fooled. "How many?"

"I already told you! None! I'm the only one. The last survivor. Don't you understand? The last of my people!"

Ronon could see Rodney shrink behind him, uncomfortable with the situation, but knowing he needed to let Ronon do his thing. As long as he didn't get in the way, that was fine. He saw the scientist reach for the computers, distracting himself with the controls. Good. Maybe he'd find their way out of this place at last. If he didn't pass out that was. Rodney really wasn't looking well.

Keeping his feral stare on the woman, Ronon said calmly, "I don't believe you."

The woman slackened in his grasp, no longer struggling. She stared back, as if no longer afraid. "That's your choice, but it's the truth."

Ronon was divided. Part of him sensed she was honest, but the other part knew that someone had attacked his teammates, and there really was only one stranger here. So either there were others or this frail woman was their aggressor. He examined her, looking for any sign of deceit, but finding none.

"Why did you attack us?"

"I didn't!"

"Then who did?"

The woman's breaths evened, but she was more afraid than when he had first grabbed her and started asking questions. The strange part was, he didn't think that fear was directed at him.

"Then who did?" he repeated.

"The dark," she whispered. "The same dark that killed them cycles ago. The dark we tried to escape by hiding down here, but from which there was no escape. The same dark that will kill all of you now." Ronon was just about to demand real answers, when the woman turned toward Rodney with a strange expression. "He's seen it. I know he has! The girl visits you, doesn't she?"

Ronon had had enough of her antics. Part of him wanted to kill her now and end this trouble for good, but he knew it was not his team's way, and valuable information might be lost. If they killed her, they might be trapped forever. But there was more to it. He could see Rodney frozen in the background. He was staring at the controls, shivering.

"I know you have. Tell him!"

Rodney swung around, stepping further away from them, his back leaning against the controls. "You're putting the images in our heads," he said. "You are, aren't you? You can make us see things that aren't there. You're trying to convince us that we're going crazy?"

The woman shook her head vigorously. "No!" she cried. "It's not me. The girl…she is…she was my sister. But it's not her. It never was her! The dark can make you see things. It controls you. Don't you see?"

Ronon growled. He had no time for lies and Rodney's hypothesis was much more likely.

"Get us out of here. Now," he demanded.

"I can't!" the woman said, fresh tears crawling down her skin. "I've been trying to leave for so long, but it won't let me. And even if it did, out there is no less safe. It lives there same as here."

"You don't want to see me angry," Ronon snarled. "I suggest you tell us how to leave."

Instead of cowering more, the woman forced a strong expression, glaring at him. "There is only one way. The same way everyone else left, and you've found them, haven't you? Downstairs, locked away in the storage closet. On the surface, lying in piles on the ground. There's only one way out and that's it. Death," she whispered the last word with reverence.

No sooner had she uttered 'death' than a loud crashing sound filled the room. Ronon did not let go, did not dare to turn his gaze from her, but from his peripheral vision he could see what had happened. One of the chairs was toppled on its side. Beside it, Rodney lay motionless.

TBC