Disclaimer : I do not own Stargate Atlantis nor am I making a profit from this story, I do own Dr. Orla Grant though.

Rating : M for sexual content

Plot : Off World, Mud, mild whumpage and hopefully a pairing you will all love.

Pairings : Ronon Dex/Orla Grant more later

Spoilers : Set in Season 5 but I had changed a few things, Ronon has Season 4 hair NOT that wig, Teyla has not had her baby (hurry up John), Laura Cadman is now stationed on Atlantis and Carson Beckett is the CMO, I love him sorry.

A Massive thank you to bailey1ak for you patience and guidance your a star *hugs*.

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The weight on the hillside from the debris and extra mud deposited from the last landslide had finally become too much. The hillside finally let go of it's heavy load sending it straight into the path of team, picking up speed as it did. Trees fell like wheat being harvested in a field.

Sheppard had McKay by the TAC vest trying to get the man to move quicker even though he was struggling himself, they were making progress, slow progress.

"Move Rodney," Sheppard gasped.

Rodney never responded, he was too scared and too exhausted. Got to keep moving was all he could hear in his head.

In front was Ronon. Clasped in his each of his large hands was Orla and Teyla.

Rodney saw from the corner of his eye that Ronon had a firm grip on each of the women. Rodney knew Teyla was giving her all, her training kicking in automatically and with Ronon's strong grip on her propelling her forward out of danger she would be okay.

Orla was different, she was out of her depth. Rodney knew that Ronon would never let go of the woman he loved, he would get her home even if he had to drag her the entire way.

Then it happened…

The landslide caught up with them, carrying pieces of, well…..everything.

Sheppard still had hold of Rodney's TAC vest and pushed them both with all his might sideways and away from the main flow of debris and slush.

Rodney screamed in confusion, pain and fear.

Sheppard landed on McKay, winding them both. They scrabbled for a foothold amongst the trees Sheppard had flung them into. Panic wasn't far away, their friends were still out there with the landslide trying to overtake them.

Ronon held onto the women with all his might. His chest burned with the exertion, his arms shook from the force of holding the women upright and trying to move with speed through the mud. His mind raced, they needed the Stargate but it was to far away. Sheppard would look after McKay and he knew Teyla would fight to stay with him. Orla was different she was vulnerable. Ronon would do everything he could to keep her safe, even if it cost him his life.

For the first time since before the fall of Sateda, Ronon Dex said prayers to the Ancient Ones begging them… save her.

Ronon knew the landslide was behind them and they needed to get out of the way. Ronon released Orla's wrist and grabbed at her TAC vest for a firmer hold. He gritted his teeth, dragged every ounce of effort from his body and tried to drag both women with him to the left away from the danger.

Ronon landed hard just past the main flow, on his shoulder and hip, grunting with pain.

Teyla had been flung just in front of him and landed so near he could hear her gasping for breath over the noise of the landslide.

Ronon's hand was on Orla's TAC vest, he wasn't letting go. She was to his right, struggling to get her breath and trying to get a hold of anything to stop her from falling away from Ronon.

That's when the Ancients decided to ignore Ronon's prayers.

Ronon sat up letting go of Teyla about to scoop Orla into his body to protect her when a boulder came down with the flow and hit Ronon on his right arm causing a terrible searing pain. For a second his reflexes were stunned and his hand opened and let go of Orla, as he did nature grabbed her and took her from him.

The last he saw of her was a pale arm before it sank into the slushy river.

Overcome with sheer panic Ronon grabbed the small pack from his back and flung it at Teyla and dived into the torrent, if he couldn't find her then he would die trying.

Sheppard, Teyla and Rodney had witnessed their friend throw himself to certain death.

Sheppard heard but couldn't stop the screaming coming from his own mouth.

Rodney was numb, he started to shout "This isn't right, this can't be happening."

Teyla was momentarily paralyzed, her friends were gone, knowing the chances of survival would be bleak. She silently asked the gods, why do you always take the good ones?

TBC.... Please Review.