A/N: First of all, thank you so much to those of you who sent me a quick review after the last section! I can't tell you how happy it makes me when I open my email to find reviews; you guys are awesome! I need to apologize for the delay in getting this one posted (as it's been done for a couple of days) and in just how short this section is. All I can offer by way of an excuse is that Ronon's not a very talkative guy anyway! ;) One more section to come after this one, and it's nearly finished, so hopefully, I can get it done and posted before the weekend, but please don't forget to drop me a quick review and let me know what you think!

Ronon

The sound of the bantos sticks connecting resonated through the gym, spilling out into the hallway where Ronon sat against the wall, shoulders hunched, eyes closed as he replayed the last three days over in his mind.

He'd screwed up beyond belief; of that, he was sure. The look on Sheppard's face when Dr. Weir ordered them to return was one that he was certain he would never forget. He had let his commander down and for that, he knew he must be punished.

It had been three days since he'd lost McKay. Three days full of sweeps and searches of the planet, but it was as if the doctor had simply disappeared, leaving no trace as to where he might have been taken. McKay was not a warrior and knew nothing of leaving tracks for others to follow. If they ever found him, Ronon was making it his personal mission to teach him to do just that.

Closing his eyes, he exhaled a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding and pushed himself to his feet. It had been over an hour since the science team led by Dr. Zelenka set off for the planet they'd last encountered McKay. They'd extended the range on the scanners, hoping that if obnoxious scientist was still on the planet, they would pick up his life sign. Sheppard wanted to escort them, wanted to be there if they located McKay, but Weir had put her foot down. Sheppard had run the team ragged over the last three days and despite the fact that he'd looked as though he was only seconds away from decking her, she'd ordered them to stay back.

Ronon was certain that was why he'd escaped with Teyla to the gym. He needed an outlet for his anger, something to focus on other than the fact that they might never find McKay at all. After all, a life sign detector was only good if the person you were searching for was still alive.

Pushing that thought from his mind, he stepped into the gym. The loud woosh of the doors, however, caught Sheppard's attention and in the split second that he glanced up to identify the intruder, Teyla swung, catching him in the side with her stick.

Sheppard went down on his knees, his own sticks clattering to the floor in front of him as he gripped his side, his teeth clenched in pain. Out of instinct, Ronon moved forward, though it was the anger in Sheppard's voice that stopped him.

"Go."

Ronon stopped in his tracks, holding his hands up in surrender as he looked over his commander.

"I mean it, Ronon," John managed, his voice tight as he swatted Teyla's hands away. "Go, because I promise you, if you're still here when I catch my breath, I'm going to kick your ass."

On any other day, it would have taken every ounce of strength he possessed to keep from laughing at that, but today, he could see that Sheppard meant it. Nodding his head, he pulled his blaster from his holster, laying it down on the table. His knives soon followed, one by one until he was unarmed.

"Okay."

He bowed his head in silent acceptance, waiting for the punishment he knew he deserved. They'd trusted him; Sheppard, Teyla and McKay. They'd put their faith in him, trusting that he would protect them with his life as he knew they would all do for him and he had let them down.

He could hear John getting to his feet, could hear Teyla's quiet words, begging John to stop, pleading on his behalf and all of a sudden, it was too much.

"I'm sorry, Sheppard. I screwed up."

The sound of footsteps ceased, as did Teyla's urgent words, but he did not lift his head. He could not bring himself to look at the man whose trust he'd broken.

"When we find him…" Sheppard trailed off, the words seemingly catching in his throat.

"I know," Ronon responded, lifting his eyes briefly as the radio crackled loudly in his ear.

"Colonel Sheppard?"

Ronon watched as Sheppard reached up, tapping his own ear piece before speaking. "Go ahead, Elizabeth."

"Report to the control room immediately. I think we've found him."