First off thanks again for all the wonderful reviews. I see the FanFiction awards are out at last. Congrats to all the winners. And although my story 'For Love of a Friend' didn't win, I was thrilled to be nominated in the first place. This chapter is slightly longer. Hope you enjoy.

Part 10 – The Hunt is On.

Teyla arrived back in the infirmary to find Carson, Rodney, Elizabeth and Ronon gathered in the doctor's office. "Who is sitting with the Colonel?" she asked with concern.

"A nurse at the moment," Elizabeth replied, "But this won't take long, then I'll sit with him."

"All right then," called Carson, "Rodney has found out that the creature comes from a planet called Menzur."

"Yes," Rodney butted in. "According to the database, the insect they called a Turaka wasn't even considered poisonous, but we have to remember that there has been ten thousand years of evolution since then."

"Are you sure it's the same creature?" asked Elizabeth.

"Yes, yes, I've compared notes and pictures. Although like you thought, Teyla , there are other insects similar to it." Rodney clarified. "Now as I was saying, the Ancients recorded it as being harmless to humans but they did note that it caught its prey, usually very small manuals or vermin, by biting them and injecting a poison. Studies showed that the toxin was so mild that it didn't affect large animals or humans. Now let's image that this toxin has somehow evolved into something stronger, deadlier?"

Carson nodded slowly. "Aye, that's possible or the Ancients got it wrong."

"Isn't this all beside the point," Ronon interrupted them. "The more time we talk, the greater the possibility that Sheppard won't make it. You do what you like, but I'm going to Menzur to find out all I can about this bug. Then capture one and bring it back for the doc to make his anti-whatever."

Carson looked thoughtful. "Aye, lad, you're absolutely right."

Elizabeth nodded her head in agreement, Rodney stayed quiet and pensive before adding. "Let's hope Menzur has a gate address."

Teyla looked at him, surprised that Rodney could be so short sighted at times. "If it is the same insect, Dr. McKay, then Menzur must have a gate. Otherwise someone could not have obtained one to place in the Colonel's sleeping bag to being with."

Rodney slapped his forehead. "Sorry, just a little worried here. Tends to scramble the brain."

Teyla knew that was only the half of it. Although Rodney would never admit it aloud, he was terrified that this time nothing could save his friend from the clutches of death. "That is quite understandable, Dr. McKay, I know how you feel. Let us waste no more time, I will accompany Ronon."

Stretching his tall frame, Ronon was already heading out of the office when he called back to Teyla. "Okay, let's go!"

Teyla spoke as she moved to go after him. "Take care of John and we will be back as soon as possible."

Everyone nodded in unison but Rodney headed out after them. "I'll go ahead and get the gate address set up."

-SGA-

Restricting tightness in his chest woke him and he panicked, panting, unable to get enough air through the pain and constriction of his lungs. No air meant he couldn't scream or call out for help, so he thrashed about in agitation until a burry figure appeared over him. "John, lad, ya need to calm down and try breathing deeper and slower. We've ya on oxygen but it's the pain that's making ya think ya can't breathe. Can ya hear me, son, your lungs are okay." Carson pleaded as he injected another dose of morphine into the IV.

John heard Carson through the white noise. He tried to do what the Scottish doctor told him but pain ripped through his lungs like red-hot needles with each desperate gasp. The urge to scream continued to prevail but the air still wouldn't come. Tears formed in his eyes and rolled down his cheeks as he longed for this to end, to be free of the pain. He felt someone hold him. A soft voice whispered his name and the faint aroma of perfume assaulted his senses, calming his panic as the pain migrated from his lungs to assault his back, giving him air to scream.

Elizabeth held him close as the screams turned to sobs as mercifully the morphine began to dull the agony. She turned to Carson, this time allowing her tears to show. "It's getting more difficult to control the pain isn't?" she whispered, hoping John wouldn't hear.

"Aye, lass," Carson whispered back. "I need to look at his ankle but I don't want to cause him more pain. If ya could keep holding him, it may help."

Elizabeth nodded as Carson gently pulled back the dressing that now covered the inflamed skin. She gasped at the terrible discoloration and swelling around the supposed bite site. John's sobs grew louder and a few whimpers escaped his raw, swollen lips as Carson applied some creams and covered the area again. Elizabeth held him and murmured softly to calm him through the pain.

Carson sighed before looking directly at Elizabeth and the man she held. Concluding that John had fallen asleep again, he whispered. "We now know that the toxin is causing tissue destruction around the bite wound. I don't think I have to tell ya what that means if we don't get an antitoxin soon."

Elizabeth nodded her head. She knew exactly what Carson was getting at. The tissue destruction would spread until every cell in John's body was destroyed. She lowered her cheek onto his unruly hair and prayed.

-SGA-

Kavanagh made a pretense of inspecting the equipment that had been his excuse for coming to the mainland. Of course, there was nothing wrong with the small generator that powered the radio transmitter but only he knew that. The small glitch he had programmed into it had made it seem so.

Standing from his crouched position, he straightened to see Davon staring at him from one of the elaborate tents the Athosian people called home. He waved to him and gathered up his things before going over to the man. "How are you my friend?"

Davon looked at him with almost an air of distaste. "You are not my friend. We are partners in…"

Kavanagh put a finger to his lips. "Shush it's not safe to talk here."

"All right, we will go for a nice long walk in the woods. You have brought me some beer. Yes?"

Kavanagh sighed. "Yes, I have a couple of bottles with me but you're only having one."

Davon looked disappointed for a second before he led the way to the nearest path into the woods. They didn't notice Corporal Higgins move to follow them at a safe distance.

Once they were well out of earshot of the community, Davon took the offered beer and drank a healthy gulp. "Well my partner, is the Doucav dead?"

Kavanagh smiled a sickly grin. "Getting there, slowly but surely. They say he's in a great deal of pain and so far they have no idea why."

"That is good to hear. Soon my Teyla will be back with me and we can be married. You have done well, my partner and I will never betray you if the truth comes out."

Kavanagh was satisfied with his words for now and he saw no reason to take action against the Athosian, so he raised his own bottle of beer and proclaimed, loudly. "Here's to the greatest Doucav killers in the galaxy."

"Yes to us. Kav and Dav. Oh and the Turaka, of course." Davon toasted, just a loudly. Kavanagh cringed slightly at his words but refrained from telling the man about the missing insect.

Corporal Higgins had been puzzled as to why these two men needed to drink beer in private so deep in the woods. Puzzled that was until he heard the scientist's last sentence taking about killing someone. He watched for a bit longer before tucking the small digital camcorder into his jacket. Moving with the stealth that his special ops training had taught him, he carefully turned away and headed back towards the village.

-SGA-

Like most inhabited planets in the Pegasus galaxy, Menzur was richly covered in lush green vegetation. The climate near the gate was humid and warm. Trees stood tall with large canopies of copious leaves. Mossy vines hung like curtains intertwined between the branches, reaching down towards the dense and leafy forest floor. If either Teyla or Ronon had been from Earth, they would have said it reminded them of a tropical rainforest.

It had been dark when the pair had first emerged through the gate but as they walked towards the nearest community along a well-trodden sandy road, the sun began to rise above the forest canopy. They listened as the quieter squawks and insect noise gave way to a chorus of bird song. Occasional howls echoed through the forest as the animal life woke up to greet the sun.

"Somewhere in there is probably a Turaka." Teyla noted as she kept up with Ronon's longer strides.

The usually fearless Satedan looked a little dubious. "Yeah, but I'd rather get local advise first before attempting to find one."

Teyla nodded. "Yes, but Dr. Kavanagh must have acquired one from someone that comes here to trade or visit." She didn't like the implications of that because the records had shown that the planet had never been dialed directly from Atlantis. However, that didn't mean that someone hadn't gone to another location first and then dialed out to Menzur.

Ronon grunted in acknowledgment at Teyla's reasoning. "So you also think that Kavanagh is somehow involved in this?"

"Yes, and I only hope that we can find some evidence to prove it. Then my friend, I would gladly allow you to eliminate him, slowly, but I have a feeling that the others would not allow that no matter how angry they feel."

"Huh…we can always put a Turaka in his pants."

Teyla smiled. "Yes, we could. Although, I am hoping that Dr. Beckett will have this antitoxin by then."

"Yeah, but it would sure give him a scare and maybe cause a heart attack."

"I have faith in the people of Atlantis, Ronon, and if Dr. Kavanagh is guilty of this horrendous crime then he will send for many years to one of their prisons back on Earth."

Ronon nodded and remained silent as they neared a small settlement. The sandy road eventually gave way to a paved roadway, which was lined with simple wooden houses that were bordered by rough fences surrounding well-kept gardens. Several side roads also led to other houses, likewise built of wood.

So early in the morning only a few locals wandered the streets. When they noticed the visitors, they paid them no heed as they went about their business.

"We'd better find the local inn or what passes for it." Ronon muttered.

"Yes, I would think that is probably the best place to get our information." Teyla agreed.

Looking around they eventually came across a building that could be an inn but the door was firmly closed. "That is the wrong place if you be looking for a breakfast house." A female voice called to them.

Ronon and Teyla turned as one to face a middle-aged woman with jet-black hair. "Could you please tell us where we could find one?" Teyla asked her.

"You need to go to the house right on the end of this road. Dolan runs the place and his wife does a good breakfast spread. Are you here for the market, strangers?"

Teyla nodded and smiled. "Yes, we are."

"Looking to buy something are you?" Ronon and Teyla both nodded and moved away before she could say anything else.

"Why didn't you ask her about the Turaka?" Ronon muttered, once they were out of earshot.

Teyla sighed. "I had a feeling she was not the right person to obtain useful information from."

"Yeah, you're probably right. Have you got anything to trade with?"

Teyla held up her large bag, "I always come well prepared."

A few minutes later they entered a dwelling proclaiming itself as 'Dolan's Eatery' and at this early hour they were the only patrons around so they sat themselves at the table nearest to a small bar.

A short pudgy man entered the room from a side door. "You are early strangers, but if you do not mind waiting a while, my wife will be down soon to start the cooking."

"No, that is fine." Teyla answered him. "Maybe while we wait you could give us some information."

"Yes, of course, I will help you if I can." The man answered, although he flashed them a look as if he expected to be rewarded for this service.

Teyla would be willing to reward him if she deemed it necessary. So clearing her throat, she asked. "You have a creature on this planet call a Turaka. Could you please give us some information about it?"

The pudgy man turned white for a second before murmuring. "Why do you want to know about that awful creature?"

Ronon answered before Teyla could. "We need information to help a friend who has been bitten by one."

The man snorted through his nose. "Sorry to hear that, but you'd best get back to your friend and use that fancy gun of yours to put him out of his misery. Believe me, it would be the kindest thing to do."

Teyla felt a tear form, as she looked the eatery owner right in the face. "We will not give up on him that easily. We have some excellent doctors and if we can take one or two of these creatures home, I believe they can find a cure."

"Huh, I am sorry, little lady, but there is no cure. If there were then our doctors would have found one for sure."

Teyla didn't want to undermine the abilities of their doctors, so she was very diplomatic in her reply. "I am sure your doctors have worked very hard to find a cure but we come from another world, so maybe they will find something your doctors failed to see."

"You come from another world? Then may I ask how your friend got bitten?"

"We believe the creature was obtained here and used as a tool for murder." Ronon growled.

"Really?" The owner rubbed is chin. "What a terrible thing to do. My name is Dolan by the way. Now if you feel that you need to help your friend even though it is a useless gesture then go to the market. It begins in an hour and when you get there ask for a man called Galen. He can tell you all about the Turaka. He is even crazy enough to catch the devils."

Teyla thanked the man and waited for their breakfast.

An hour later, they wandered into the market place looking for Galen. The market was full of colorful stands laden with plentiful home products and groceries, and even though it was still early, the market was full of shoppers going about their daily routine.

As Teyla didn't have a clue as to what this Galen character looked like, she stopped at a quieter stall and asked an elderly woman for directions. The woman moved a gnarled finger and pointed towards a large stand covered in a multitude of goods, including some caged animals. Teyla thanked her and moved off.

When they came to the stall, the man behind it was younger than they'd expected, as he was probably somewhere around John or Rodney's age.

The stall owner dealt with the few customers before turning his attention to them. "What can I do for you strangers?" he asked in a pleasant voice.

Ronon came right to the point. "You're Mr. Galen right?" The man gave a short nod. "We're looking for a Turaka."

Galen looked flabbergasted. "You have got to be joking with me?"

"No, we are very serious." Teyla answered him.

The man gestured with his hand. "No, that's not what I meant, sweet lady. What I meant was, why all of a sudden, is there so much interest in that horrible creature. You are the second enquiry this quarter moon."

Ronon and Teyla exchanged a glance. "Could you tell us who the first one was?" Ronon asked.

"I didn't get his name but err…let me think. He was…umm…a short little man about your age. Paid me well with all kinds of funny stuff, most of which I've managed to sell for a good profit. I've only got a few things left because I just can't understand how they work or what they are."

Saying no more, he dug under the stall and produced a packet, which he passed to Teyla. She looked at it with shock as she recognized the English writing so clearly printed across the front. Passing the pack to Ronon, she muttered. "This item comes from Dr. Beckett's infirmary. I do believe it is called a suppository and is used when someone is unable to…err…go to the toilet."

Ronon looked at it and grunted. Handing the package back to the storekeeper, he muttered. "Yeah, I remember those well," Thinking of the time not so many weeks back when he was in Beckett's care after his capture and run in with the super Wraith on Sateda.

Teyla suppressed a smile, but this was no time for light conversation, and although she wanted to know more about the first buyer, time was pressing on. "Can we obtain a Turaka from you?"

Galen laughed at that. "Now why would you want one of them, pretty lady?"

Ronon shifted and opened his mouth to say something condescending, but Teyla silenced him with a gesture. "The creature you sold was used to poison a very important man in our city. We wish to obtain another live example to give to our doctors so that they may find a cure."

Galen lost it and his laughter echoed across the market place. However, after seeing their angry glares, he quickly calmed down. "I am sorry, I wasn't laughing at the poor man's plight, but there is no cure against the bite of a Turaka. Depending on the victim's size, a human will take about six days to die of the most horrible and painful death imaginable, other than being taken by a Wraith that is. So go home and use that fancy gun on him, it would be the kindest thing to do."

This time Ronon couldn't hold back his irritation. Grabbing the smaller man's collar, he pulled him closer and murmured deeply. "We've been told that before but let us be the judge of whether he can be cured or not. Can you provide us with one of these creatures or not?"

Galen gulped and squealed in a voice suddenly two octaves higher than normal. "No."

"What do you mean by no?" Ronon growled back.

"I haven't got one at the moment," Galen stammered, "But if you are that desperate and pay me well, I could be persuaded to check the Mogel traps. Sometimes one gets in there to feed."

Ronon looked ready to explode but Teyla's calming voice eased his temper. "If you find us a Turaka, we will be more than willing to pay you handsomely plus extra if you can give us further information about the first buyer."

Quickly extracting himself from Ronon's grip, Galen thrust out a hand. "Okay, missy, I'll do my best but there's no guarantee. I'll have to trust you but I will need a little incentive here."

Teyla sighed, "Very well." Digging into her bag, she produced several pieces of Athosian jewelry and handed them over.

Galen looked at them with interest. "Very nice. The first buyer gave me some similar pieces and they sold very quickly."

Teyla's face went white with shock. Ronon saw her reaction and tried to calm her by saying. "That doesn't mean he was an Athosian."

"No," she murmured, "But I have this awful feeling deep inside that one of my people is somehow involved. What was he wearing?" she asked the storekeeper.

"Clothes a little like yours, but the jacket was a type of rough home spun cloth." Galen didn't see Teyla's face go even paler as he started to close up his store. Changing the subject, the man continued talking. "The traps are located about two miles from here in the Kayla swamp area. I'll need a few minutes to secure my stall and collect my cages."

"Collect cages?" Ronon asked.

"Yes, while I'm up there as might as well collect any trapped Mogel's as well."

Teyla had recovered from her shock enough to look at him and ask. "What is a Mogel?"

"It's a very small rodent and the Turaka's favorite food. I collect them to sell in the market as pets. The local children love them being all furry and sweet to look at."

He stopped talking as he finished covering his goods. Then turning to Ronon, he thrust several small cages into his hands and shouted to the neighboring storeowner. "Can you keep an eye on my things, Brent? These crazy folk want a Turaka, so we're off to find them one."

The other storekeeper nodded and several shoppers turned to look at the strangers as if they were out of their minds as they moved off behind Galen.

tbc