Chapter Four

Teyla was still kneeling beside John when Major Lorne's voice crackled over the radio, surprising both her and John. She noticed Rodney and Ronon didn't react, but then she remembered they were both without radios – Rodney had given his to Ashina and Ronon's went to Methet.

The pain in John's face softened a little as Lorne said, "Colonel Sheppard, this is Major Lorne, please respond."

Teyla couldn't help but smile herself in relief that help had arrived. She tapped her radio and said, "Major Lorne, it is good to hear your voice."

"And it's good to hear yours, too. What's your situation?"

Teyla put a hand on John's shoulder. "Colonel Sheppard is injured, to what extent I do not know, so are Ronon and Dr. McKay."

"I'm okay," John said as he started to sit up and she stopped him.

"Do not move until the medical team from Atlantis checks you out," she said firmly.

"They aren't down here yet," John said, his voice growing stronger, even defiant, and the Ancestors' blessing must have been upon him, because he even looked more alert.

He raised his head. "Lorne?"

"Yes, sir?"

"Watch your step up there. There's all kinds of instabilities in the ground. Keep everyone back until Zelenka can do a thorough scan. Get down here as soon as you can, but make sure things are secure before you attempt it. I don't want any repeat disastrous performances."

"Yes, sir. I'll radio you when we are in position. Do you need anything?"

Teyla spoke up, "Blankets, a medical kit and water."

Lorne said, "No problem."

The major gave a quick order to one of his men, then said, "It will be down to you in just a minute, along with something to snack on while you wait. We're still transporting equipment and personnel to our location, and it's raining cats and dogs up here. It's going to take some time to get set up, so you better get comfy. Is there anything else you need?"

John looked at the others, then said, "No, we're good til you get here. Just stay in radio contact with updates as they occur. If we need anything, we'll give you a yell. Sheppard out."

He clicked off his radio and started to get up. Teyla placed a hand on John's arm, stopping him. "John, please remain still."

She gave him a stern glare when he made a move to get up again. He lifted his hands in appeasement. "Look, Teyla, I'm just fine, just banged up a little. A few cracked ribs won't kill me. Honest, there's nothing seriously wrong."

"That you know of. You were unconscious."

He shook his head, his defiance gaining more momentum. "It was only a matter of a few minutes."

Teyla frowned. "You were still unconscious."

John put both hands out in front of him. "Admittedly, I was groggy for a bit, but I'm awake now. Come on, you know I've been hurt enough to know when it's bad or not. I'm just banged up."

Lorne's voice came over the radio. This time, Teyla adjusted the setting on her radio to broadcast the signal aloud, so that everyone could hear the conversation. "Sorry to bother you again, sir, but I've got more bad news. Zelenka says those instabilities in the ground now include the whole area below the cliff face, which means your position is now possibly in greater jeopardy."

Rodney gestured with a hand. "Tell them about the signal I detected... "

John nodded. "McKay detected a high frequency signal that seems to tie in with the instabilities in the ground and it might have something to do with the ATA gene, so watch yourself. Have Zelenka check into that, maybe pull Keller in on it, too, and get back to us."

"Will do, sir."

John put his right hand over his ribs and let out a guarded breath. "I think we've been through the worst of it. Now, it's a matter of waiting for you."

"Yes, sir. If you will stand clear of the opening, we'll throw the packages with the med kit and supplies over the edge."

Teyla said, "I will go to retrieve the packs after they throw it down to us. I am better able to move around than the rest of you. I should not be away long."

Ashina looked up at her with a sudden hurt expression. At first, Teyla thought it was Ashina's arm causing her pain, but then Teyla realized her error and patted Ashina on the back as she added, "I meant to say Ashina and I will retrieve the packages."

She glanced at Ronon and Rodney as she spoke, gesturing with her head for them to stay with John, then she stood and started to move away with Ashina at her side.

She hadn't taken more than two steps when John grimaced and got to his knees. "We'll follow you, Teyla. That corner is the safest area in this place. You heard Lorne, the instabilities in the ground up top are worsening. The whole canopy above us could come crashing down. We've got to move and move now."

Teyla sighed. "Very well, but go slow."

With the injuries the three of them had, they had no choice but to go slow. In fact, it took them a little while to stand and begin to follow them. As they did, Teyla and Ashina followed along the cavern wall this time to avoid going through the cascading waterfall they'd passed through before and Teyla wondered just how hard it was raining up above to produce so much runoff so quickly.

Teyla held Ashina's hand as they walked in silence, but Ashina's hand was ice cold and she was trembling. When Teyla looked down at her, she found her sobbing quietly. Teyla knelt down to Ashina's level and asked softly, "What is the matter?"

"My arm hurts... and I want my mamma," she whispered as she held her left arm close to her body, then rubbed her eye with her other hand. "It's been a really long time since Mamma said you were coming to get me. Can't we just climb out now?"

The helpless look in Ashina's deep blue eyes pierced Teyla's heart. Teyla put her arms around the girl and drew her close. Again, she realized how cold Ashina's skin was. They needed more than blankets to warm everyone up, but that would have to wait until they were rescued.

"No, I am afraid climbing out is not an option for us, but we will be out of here soon enough."

Teyla eyed the way her jacket went around Ashina's shoulders like a cape and wished it was heavier.

Ashina shook her head. "I just want my mamma..." she whimpered.

"Perhaps we can call her on the radio." Teyla tapped her headset and said, "Major Lorne?"

"Yes, Teyla," he said, responding right away.

"Would it be possible to speak to Methet, the girl's mother?"

"Let me see where she is," Lorne said, "Hold on."

"Let us walk while we wait to talk to your mother," Teyla said as she stood, placing her hand on Ashina's shoulder.

Ashina stayed by Teyla's side as they continued along the cavern wall to a point where Teyla could easily see anything coming through the opening above. Lorne came back on the radio. "Sorry, Teyla, but the mother's tied up. I'll have her call you when she's done."

Ashina's lower lip began to tremble as Teyla said, "Thank you, Major."

As Teyla finished speaking, Ashina rested her head on Teyla's leg, still trembling from the cold. Teyla paused, then moved them to a nearby rock formation to sit while they waited. After they got situated, Teyla hugged Ashina close to her, hoping her body heat would help warm her.

She ran her fingers over Ashina's forehead, brushing her matted blonde locks away from her face, then paused to look into the girl's eyes again. "How is your arm?"

Ashina looked down at the oversized jacket and the arm hidden underneath it. "It still hurts."

Teyla rubbed a hand across Ashina's back, then leaned down to catch Ashina's eye. "May I see your arm?" she asked.

Ashina nodded and raised the arm carefully with her other hand. Teyla bent closer to examine it, carefully pulling up the wet sleeve of Ashina's shirt. Her little wrist was already dark with bruises and swollen with a huge knot just above the wrist joint.

"This may hurt a little," Teyla said softly, then began to palpate the area, starting at Ashina's elbow, then moving down toward the wrist. When she got to the swollen knot, Ashina gasped, and Teyla drew her hands away quickly.

She helped Ashina move her arm back under the jacket, then leaned over, touching her head to Ashina's. "It looks like you have broken your wrist, little one, but at least it is not a bad break. You will need a splint and a sling to keep your arm from moving too much, and that should be in the med kit. It should be here soon."

Ashina glanced up at her, her eyes filled with tears and she said again, "I just want my mamma."

"I know," Teyla murmured as she hugged her, then something caught Teyla's eye. Something white, which was completely out of place amidst the dirt, mud and broken lumber. It extended out from under some debris and she got up to look at it more closely. When she picked it up, she turned and smiled broadly at Ashina, then held out what she'd found.

Ashina's expression lit up as she stood and took her doll into her arms, squeezing the muddy thing in an extended bear hug. "Soho, I thought I lost you!" Ashina exclaimed and then hugged it again as she practically danced in joy.

Teyla patted her on the shoulder and stood in time to see John. Ronon was on his right and Rodney was just behind his left as they approached, still about ten feet away from them. Rodney muttered, "It's not easy climbing over this rubble, you know, especially with a broken knee cap."

In a tone John reserved only for Rodney, he said, "I amgoing as slow as I can without stopping."

John moved stiffly with his right hand tightly holding his ribs, as if to limit movement there. Ronon had used his belt for a makeshift sling to immobilize his injured shoulder and Rodney limped along with his misshapen crutch. What a group they made... but Teyla wouldn't trade them for anything.

Rodney put out a hand when John staggered slightly on the uneven rock, but pulled away when he saw John wasn't going to fall, then he pointed a finger at John.

"Listen, you might feel up to being Colonel Speed Racer already, but my engine is still misfiring, so go slower, damn it."

"As usual," John said with a smirk.

Rodney sputtered indignantly.

Ronon sighed and shook his head. "Just let me help steady you, Sheppard, so that McKay will relax a little."

John smirked again. "You do realize it's McKay you're talking about here, Ronon. Relaxed is not a natural state for him – " John stopped mid-sentence, then let out a long whistle. "Well, look at what we have here."

Teyla glanced to where he was looking and came to a halt, too. There was an entrance several feet away that was cut into that wall of the cavern they were following. She was amazed she hadn't seen it before, but then things had been happening at a pretty fast clip and her attention had been directed elsewhere.

"Sir, we are ready to send down the supplies in two packages. Zelenka suggests you go as far to the north as you can in the cavern. That will be the safest point."

"Way ahead of you, Major," John said. Waving the others toward him, he said, "You can deliver the packages any time."

"Roger that, sir. It's on its way," Lorne said.

Sure enough, two large plastic containers came sailing over the edge and landed in the center of the cavern amidst all the rock and rubble. As if frightened by the appearance, Ashina pressed herself into Teyla's side, and repeated, "I want my mamma."

Ronon caught Teyla's eye and said, "I'll get the containers. You just keep the girl happy."

"And quiet," Rodney muttered under his breath. When he caught Teyla glaring at him, he extended both hands in a dramatic shrug.

Ronon took off after it without another word. Ashina started to cry again and Teyla rocked her slowly. The girl seemed so tired. If she stopped for more than a moment or two, Teyla was sure she would drop right off to sleep.

"Coming through," Rodney said as he pushed his way between Teyla and John on his way to the facility's entrance, stopping in front of the door controls.

As Rodney looked at the door's setup, John peered over Rodney's shoulder. "It looks Ancient-y to me."

McKay rolled his eyes. "Don't get too technical." He sighed. "The entry system has Ancient characteristics, but it's not entirely Ancient technology."

"So it's Ancient-y?"

Rodney just shook his head and muttered, "Ancient-y... that word would never be accepted in a game of Scrabble."

John smiled and said, "I'll take that as a yes."

John tapped his radio and said, "Major, we've just found an entrance to what looks to be an Ancient facility. We're going to check it out."

Lorne's voice was surprised as he said, "An Ancient facility? On this planet?"

"Yeah, I know, it wasn't in the travel brochure," John drawled in a sarcastic tone.

Lorne said, "Well, sir, meaning no disrespect, but shouldn't you just sit tight until we get down there? It won't be that long. An hour tops."

"Who knows, Major, we might find a faster, easier way to get out of here," John replied. "We'll be fine."

"Yes, sir," Lorne said, not sounding happy with the situation, but he accepted it, then he cleared his throat, and said, "Colonel, Dr. Keller has arrived and wants to talk to you."

A moment later, Keller's voice came over the radio. "Colonel Sheppard?"

"Yes, Doctor," John said as he moved closer to the new entrance they'd found.

"I need a rundown on the injuries for you and your team."

John placed his hands on his hips. "All things considered, we were pretty lucky. We're a little battered, but everyone's up and breathing for the moment. Our safety is a more immediate concern."

"You all would have to be extremely lucky to survive that fall without some injury. Dr. Zelenka said that you fell twenty feet to the floor of the cavern."

Teyla spoke up as she slowly paced the area, holding Ashina in her arms, patting the child on the back as she held her close, "Yes, they were, Jennifer. I have briefly examined them and I do not think there are any life-threatening injuries, but I cannot be sure."

Keller paused, then said, "Very well. Keep movement to a minimum and contact me if there is any change."

John nodded. "We'll get back to you as soon as we can."

John turned toward Rodney, noticing he was frowning at the door, deep in thought. "What's wrong?"

Rodney waved his hand up and down in front of the door controls without result, then rubbed a hand over his face. John stepped closer and repeated Rodney's attempt to open the door, and the door still didn't open. Rodney tapped a dirty finger on his chin as he stared at the entry controls. "Weird – this isn't your typical Ancient entry setup."

"You said that already."

John paused as more ground up top crashed down into the center of the cavern. When it went silent again, he scratched at the back of his neck. "Well, Rodney, can you open it or not? It's getting a little crowded down here with what's coming down from above."

Rodney's demeanor shifted with John's question, as if deeply insulted. "Is the Pope Catholic? Of course, I can open it. My question is, should I? We know nothing of this facility. It's not even mentioned in the Ancient database regarding this planet. And it's got more security protocols than the usual."

John took a deep breath, then paused when the movement pained him. "With the distinct possibility that the ceiling could come crashing down on us, I'd say having a safer place to retreat to would be the preferred option."

Rodney nodded in agreement. "True."

John tapped his radio again. "Lorne, is Zelenka with you?"

"Yes, sir."

John watched Rodney work as he said, "Zelenka, have someone check the Ancient database regarding this planet for any type of outposts or facilities. They should have it referenced somewhere."

Rodney leaned closer to John and said in a louder voice, "Radek, calibrate the sensors to compensate for the bedrock, too. Something's flukey there. It might be the mineral composition that masks the sensor readings in this area so completely. It's almost like they didn't want the place to be found. It's probably the reason why we never picked up on it before."

Ashina squirmed in Teyla's arms. She appeared to be fighting off sleep and she wanted to keep moving. Teyla put her on the ground beside her. Ashina hugged Soho for a moment, and then took a few steps away from Teyla.

"Stay close," Teyla reminded her.

Rodney still looked reluctant to work on the door controls and Teyla couldn't blame him. "John, perhaps we should wait."

John shook his head. "If I have to listen to that high-pitched buzzing for another hour, I'll go insane. At least if we are inside, we can try to turn off the damned thing."

Teyla didn't argue with him further. Whatever was behind that signal was causing her friends a great deal of discomfort. Ronon had come to stand behind Rodney, the large duffel bags containing their supplies still slung over his good shoulder.

"Lorne?" John asked after a moment.

"Yes, sir?"

"We'll be on fifteen minute check-ins until further notice. And feel free to contact us if you find out anything interesting on your end."

"Understood. You guys be careful down there."

"We're always careful, Major... it's just that sometimes fate doesn't cooperate with us. Sheppard out."

Ashina now stood beside Rodney, watching him work as she held her doll under the arm with the broken wrist and the radio in her good hand. Rodney nearly jumped when he realized Ashina was at his side, but didn't say anything. Ashina just continued to stare at him, which only made Rodney more uncomfortable.

He glanced at Teyla for direction. She raised an eyebrow to convey to Rodney that he was on his own. With a frown, he glanced at Ashina and said, "I, um, need to get back to work here."

"You hurt your leg, Dr. McKay?" she asked, pointing to his wrapped knee, then stared at the way he was leaning over to reach the door's control systems.

He nodded, looking back at the door controls. "Obviously," he said, distracted as his gaze concentrated on the door's control crystals.

Ashina took another step closer and Rodney stopped his work again as Ashina had apparently ventured too far into his personal space. She carefully slipped the radio into her pocket, then took Soho from underneath her arm and held out it out towards Rodney and said, "Soho can make you feel better. She helped my arm. Maybe she can help your leg."

Rodney's frown deepened as he shook his head. "Thanks, but no. I'm a little too busy working here to stop right now."

Ashina tried one more time to hand Rodney her doll, but Rodney shook his head. "Let Dojo there keep you safe and sound. I'll manage on my own."

"Soho," Ashina corrected him, then went on to say, "You can hold her later if you want... she really likes it when you brush her hair with her special brush my daddy made for me."

Ashina pulled the doll back toward her again, but frowned at the fact Rodney hadn't taken it from her. She looked up at Teyla and fidgeted for a moment. Apparently, she was still not ready to end the conversation, because then she said, "That's okay if you don't want to hold her right now."

She chewed on her lip for a moment. "My mamma sings to me when I don't feel good."

Without looking at her, Rodney said, "That's nice."

"She could sing to you, too – "

Rodney's head turned toward her and he stared at her for a moment, as if he didn't know what to say next, then murmured, "Well, that's very nice of you to offer Slomo – Sojo – or whatever you call it – "

"It's So-ho," Ashina corrected him. "And she's a girl doll."

Rodney paused just long enough for Teyla to know he was counting to ten inside his head. "It's very nice of you to offer Soho and your mother's services, but as I said before, I can't right now, I have work to do."

"Mamma could sing to you on the radio box."

Teyla started to put out a hand as she said, "Ashina – " but when Rodney saw Ashina had put away Soho and now held his radio in her hand, he started to reach toward it.

"Oh, hey, that's my radio. I'd like it back, please. I'll be needing it."

Ashina took a step back and shook her head firmly. "No, it's my radio. My mamma talks to me on it."

Teyla knew Rodney well enough to know he wanted to snatch the radio away from Ashina's fingers, but didn't. Instead, he fought to maintain at least the pretense of good manners as he said quietly, "Listen, it was my radio first – "

John came up to them. He looked at Ashina and winked at her. "Keep the radio, Ashina. I can share mine with him."

Teyla felt Ashina moved back against her leg as John came closer to them. The girl eyed John uneasily. He flashed her one of his crooked smiles and said, "How are you doing, Ashina?"

The lines in Ashina's expression deepened and she slunk closer to Teyla.

She studied him for a moment, then said, "You're the boss of them." She pointed in the direction of Rodney and Ronon, eliciting a snort from Rodney. "They call you Shep-pard, but Teyla calls you John."

John ignored Rodney and smiled as he nodded. "You can call me John or Sheppard, too, if you want."

Her extended forefinger turned in his direction. "You're bleeding," she said in a quiet little voice, gesturing toward a cut above John's left eye.

John brushed at the blood, seeming annoyed by its presence. "Yeah, I know."

"Does it hurt?" she asked, her gaze still focused on him.

John looked down at the way she held her arm. "Not much. Bet your arm hurts more."

She nodded. He knelt down beside her, but she only moved closer against Teyla. John noticed and backed up a little. He met her gaze again and said, "I didn't mean to scare you. Don't worry, we'll take care of you until we can get you back to your mother. Promise."

Ashina peered at him, as if assessing him, then she set down the radio and took her doll in hand. "Teyla found my doll for me."

"She did?" John said, glancing up at her, then back at the doll. "Well, that's good news. She's a very pretty doll. What's her name?"

"Soho." She extended Soho out for John's inspection. It was basically a rag doll whose arms and legs could move. It had brown hair and a sweet smile. Ashina added, "My daddy says Soho keeps bad things away from me."

"That's nice. I could really use a doll like that," John murmured as he touched the doll. To Teyla, he sounded quite sincere.

He pulled back his hand and Ashina tucked the doll under her left armpit, then reached down to pick up the radio with her right hand as if she were going to show him the radio next, but then Radek spoke up, interrupting their conversation.

"Rodney? I see the problem with the sensors you mentioned. The signal is difficult to read. I agree, something, perhaps the mineral makeup of the rock, is creating some type of interference. We can work around that."

"Excuse me for a moment, Ashina," John said as he took a slow breath, holding his ribs as he stood and looked at the door again.

Rodney paused from his work at the door controls. "Let me know when you complete the analysis of that high frequency signal. My gut says it's important in more ways than one."

"Understood... " Zelenka paused, then continued after a moment, "Our people are setting up a more extensive grid, using the lattice work concept over the area. It should be able to support our weight when we go to pull you out.

"Just watch out for rampaging miraffes," Rodney muttered bitterly. "That was so not my fault."

Radek didn't seem to hear the comment, because he continued, "We should have a team down to help you within the next hour."

John said, "We'll be looking forward to it. Who knows? We might have a few more surprises for you by the time you get down here. Sheppard out."

Rodney took a deep breath, did something to the door controls, then paused. The facility's door whooshed open a moment later, surprising those around Rodney. Rodney turned back toward John with a smug expression. "See, I told you I could – "

Before he could finish, Rodney dropped to the ground, his hands over his ears. Teyla stepped forward to help Rodney, then saw John had collapsed, too.

"Ronon," she said quickly, pointing for him to go to Rodney while she went to John's side.

"John, what is it? What is happening?" she asked as she grabbed hold of his arms.

John just shook his head and didn't answer – probably, couldn't answer because he was in too much pain.

Teyla looked at Rodney. Rodney was also writhing on the floor, but at least he was able to speak as he stammered, "It's – it's that damned buzzing. It's deafening now."

There was a small hand at Teyla's shoulder and she glanced over to see Ashina standing there, her eyes wide with fear and worry. "Is Shep-pard okay?" she asked with a hushed voice.

Teyla forced a smile. "Yes, but right now, I need to help him. Stay behind me. I know this is scary, but you are a brave little girl and you've got Soho to protect you while I help Colonel Sheppard."

Teyla's attention turned away from Ashina and back to John. She glanced over at Ronon when he started to stand. "I'll close the door," Ronon said, "That should quiet things down again."

Rodney grabbed Ronon's hand to stop him before he got away. "I've got it in manual override. Help me over there and I'll try to close it."

Ronon and Rodney staggered over to the door with Ronon practically carrying Rodney. Once they got there, Rodney started shifting crystals around inside the opened control panel. Though he cringed every few seconds, he continued to work, but it was without his usual nonstop monologue.

Teyla had maintained her hold of John's arms and could feel his tightly knotted muscles. Whatever it was, it was causing him a great deal of pain. Ashina darted forward from her place behind Teyla and tucked Soho under John's arm.

"He needs Soho," she said quickly before she moved away again. Teyla stared down at John, and then at the doll, and bit her lip in frustration. John needed help, that was for certain, but from who or what, Teyla had no idea.

After a few moments, John let his hands slip away from his ears, though the skin around his eyes was still crinkled up in lines of misery.

"See, I told you Soho would help," Ashina said with a smile.

Teyla wasn't sure if John had heard Ashina or if he'd even known Ashina had put the doll beside him. He took a deep breath, and managed to roll to one side, then got up to his knees, swaying with the movement. His hand was pressed against his ribs and his face was contorted with pain.

"Wait, John," Teyla said, putting a hand on John's shoulder to stop him.

"Can't," he said, then glanced at Rodney. "It's... an... alarm," he rasped.

Rodney nodded. "I know, but I can't get this damned door to close."

"Go... inside," John said, hunched over, still on his knees and breathing hard, his hands now over his ears. "Look for... a shut off switch... inside."

"Wait," Rodney said as he clawed at his backpack. "Radek, what is the status of the high frequency signal? Is the frequency constant or intermittent and has it remained at the same intensity?"

Ronon took the pack from him and opened it, then held it out for Rodney. Rodney wasted no time in pulling out his tablet computer. He connected it to the door controls, and then punched keys in what appeared to be a very haphazard manner.

Zelenka said, "It seems to be increasing in strength. Let me see – "

Without warning, John fell forward from his knees with his hands out on the floor in front of him, gasping loudly. At the same time, Rodney groaned. At first, Teyla thought the buzzing sound had worsened, increasing their discomfort, but then she saw Rodney smile with relief. Ronon managed to grab Rodney before he slid to the ground like a limp noodle.

"I thought that might work," Rodney managed to rasp out as he somehow held onto his computer and his crutch, then his face was scrunched up in pain. "Ow, ow, ow."

Teyla heard the relief present in her own voice as she told Radek, "Rodney did it. He silenced the alarm."

Zelenka's voice was emphatic as he said, "No, Rodney, you may have quieted the buzzing sound, but the alarm is still going and its frequency is continuing to rise."

Before Teyla could say anything, Rodney stood, using Ronon to help him stow away his computer and its connections, then he held onto his crutch for support. "Have to go inside to find the source," he said, breathing heavily.

Teyla glanced at him, then watched John closely, wishing he wasn't nearly so pale. John had pushed himself upright again, but he was still on his knees with Teyla holding onto him tightly.

Radek said, "Okay, but be careful. In the meanwhile, I'll put a team on searching the database for possible Ancient references for this world... still, it will take some time to do such a search."

"The sooner, the better," John said breathlessly as Teyla helped him to his feet. Ashina came around, watching him closely as she picked up her doll from where it had fallen to the ground, then she asked quietly, "Do you need Soho again?"

John smiled down at her, despite the pain he was in, and said, "Not right now, Sweetie, but thanks..." He glanced up at Teyla and added, "Thanks to both of you. Come on, maybe we can help Rodney inside."

He started forward, but Teyla put a hand out to stop him. "Let Ronon take point. You are still far too weak. You will stay back here with Ashina and myself."

John made a face, but didn't argue. Instead, he glanced down at Ashina by his side and he winked at her. With Ronon just ahead of him, Rodney entered the facility. As soon as he stepped inside, the facility's lights brightened.

"Hold up," Ronon said as he put a hand out in Rodney's direction to survey the area around the entryway.

Finally, he nodded and gestured with his weapon in hand for Rodney to follow him inside. That was when Teyla noticed John also had his gun drawn. "It's clear," Ronon said quietly, but she observed John didn't move to holster his weapon.

Rodney looked around nervously, his hand fluttering around the knot on his forehead probing it without really touching it, and said in a raspy tone, "You may have your weapon with you, Ronon, but the rest of us are without our P90s. Trust me, a couple of handguns aren't worth jack shit against the kind of trouble we encounter on a semi-regular basis. Of course, when there are high frequency signals that can fry a man's brains in a matter of minutes, who needs more weapons?"

Rodney was almost out of air by the time he finished speaking. Normally, it amused Teyla whenever Rodney spoke so quickly, but not today.

Ronon merely grunted and waved him on. "You show me what's making that signal, McKay, and I'll blast it for you."

"Of course, you will," Rodney said as he went ahead. "Very reassuring."

John started out behind them, staggering a little at first, but he seemed to be recovering from the episode fairly quickly. Teyla glanced at Ashina, seeing her rub her eyes with fatigue now that the adrenaline in her system was passing. She bent down to pick up the girl and Ashina didn't resist.

"Why don't I carry you and Soho for a moment?" Teyla asked softly. "You were very brave while I was busy."

"Soho keeps the bad stuff away..." Ashina murmured, then leaned her head against Teyla, nestling between Teyla's shoulder and neck, her voice sounding sleepy as she said, "I want my mamma, Teyla. Soho does, too."

"I know, little one, I know. Soon."

Teyla patted her back as she fell into step at the rear of the procession. Almost as if an afterthought, Teyla bent to pick up the two duffel bags with their supplies. She didn't say a word as she followed them inside, wishing for no more trouble, but she wasn't naive enough to believe too much in wishes.

oOoOoOoOo

Chapter 4