Author's Notes: Thanks to Stonedtoad for betaing.

Only one more episode to go.

Enjoy

Tim sat on the grass as he waited for the others to catch up with Lonnie and find out what happened with her friend. The colony was actually quite nice with fresh air and green grass, he just hoped this was all a misunderstanding.

"I like this place," Kate said as she sat by his side.

"Should I ask why you're here?" Tim didn't bother turning to look at her, "Or just accept it as one of those things you can't answer?"

Kate chuckled nudging him with her shoulder, "You're finally learning."

He frowned at her but didn't bother making any sort of comeback.

"I take it the others are floating around somewhere?" Kate asked amused.

Tim nodded before looking at her. He still wasn't used to the short cropped hair or the all black outfit she seemed to wear every time he saw her now.

"Should you be here?" Tim asked.

Kate chuckled, "Of course not."

He let out along sigh, "Kate, with all the security around please don't get yourself into trouble."

"I'm always in trouble," she reminded him before squeezing his arm, "See you later."

x

Kate walked slowly through the colony enjoying the 'sunlight'; she grimaced when the klaxon sounded alerting them of the prisoner riot.

"Typical," she sighed in annoyance, "Why could they not wait for ten minutes."

Heading back to where her ship was docked she pulled on her headset, "Mac, we have some escaped prisoners here. I'll bet anything he's with them."

"Do what you can to get to him," Mac told her, "We need the information he has."

Kate sighed in annoyance, "Fine, I'll attach myself to the Seaquest and follow them."

"Be careful," Mac reminded her, "Tobias is almost ready to carry out the plan."

"I'll talk to you later."

Osiris research base was not easy to get into with all the attention it was getting but Kate was a master of sneaking in where she shouldn't be. It was a skill she hadn't used for a long time until the ten years jump but it had been honed recently.

She eased her way slowly through the corridors before finding a way into the ventilation shafts. It was easy to find the hostages as Freeman was extremely predictable and she had seen him do this before.

Looking down she scanned the people in the room before swearing softly, he wasn't there.

Easing her way slowly through the shafts Kate tried to work out where he would be in the station. It was that big but she couldn't just wander around all day because something was going to happen soon if Freeman was in charge.

"Where the hell are you?" Kate muttered annoyed as she continued to crawl before stopping and shaking her head in annoyance at her own stupidity. She knew exactly where he would be.

x

The man checking the computer system grabbed his gun when Kate dropped onto the ground beside him.

"Kitten?" he growled in astonishment and annoyance.

Kate smiled up at the large man, "Did you miss me, Mash?"

He moved and grabbed her in a tight embrace, Kate let out an oomph as he squeezed her. She had first met the large scarred man when she was eleven and despite what he was, he had taken to the little girl bringing her sweets whenever he was on Darrow. He was also the one who taught her how to use her knife properly.

"Need to breathe," Kate reminded him with a slight gasp.

Mash released her and set her down dropping a kiss on her forehead, "What are you doing here?"

"Mac needs the information," she told him, "Now. Otherwise trust me I would not be here."

Mash frowned at her, "This is not the time or the place."

"Well since you decided to join the prison break I had no other choice," she rolled her eyes at him, "Just give me the chip so I can get out of here before Freeman starts a war."

Mash held out his hand and Kate placed her knife in his hand waiting for him to cut the chip out of his thigh. He handed her the chip and knife back taking the cloth she gave him to stop the blood.

Kate made sure the chip was safe before she turned to him, "How are you getting out?"

"I have a plan," he replied, "You don't have to worry about me."

She looked up at him, "I could squeeze you into my sub. If you need me to?"

Mash reached out and rested his hand on her cheek, "Get out of here, Kitten."

With an annoyed sigh Kate let him boost her up into the vents once more. She paused when she heard shouting coming from nearby.

Crawling through Kate frowned to see Lucas and Henderson being grabbed. She had no way to help them. All she could do was slide back to where Mash was waiting.

"Why are you still here?" he demanded sharply when she poked her head out catching his attention.

"If Freeman hurts Lucas," she told him, "Then you kill him."

"Kitten."

"Mac expects you back," she cut him off; "I'll see you then."

x

Tim sat with his eyes fixed on the console in front of him; he could see the small sub attached to the station. He knew it was Kate and knew he should report it to Hudson but he couldn't bring himself to. No matter what had happened Tim was always going to protect her. Besides telling someone she was there wouldn't help them right now.

Right now he had to find a way to get a team onto the station to help Lucas and Lonnie.

"Mr O'Neill," Hudson appeared at his side, "Tell me some good news."

"Wish I could, Sir," Tim grimaced.

Hudson sighed annoyed, "Let me know the moment..."

"I will," Tim nodded.

The Captain left to talk to Ford and Tim watched the screen again waiting for something to happen.

It had been a long day.

When Tim had left the bridge he was caught by Dr Perry and asked to help with the prisoners as some didn't speak much English. Thankfully they were almost all settled in the infirmary or a room or, in a few cases, the brig. Walking out to the room he found the door blocked by a man almost a foot taller than he was with dark eyes and several scars on his face.

"Can I help you?" Tim asked unnerved, "Do you need the doctor?"

The man stared at him before looking around to ensure there was no one else there, "You're O'Neill."

Perturbed Tim nodded slowly.

The man smiled, or that was what Tim thought it was, "Kitten has talked about you."

"Kate?"

The man nodded, "I wanted to meet you."

"Why?"

The laugh made Tim frown even more confused, "Because of the influence you've had on her. There are very few people in this world she cares for and if you ever hurt her I will kill you."

Tim's eyes widened wincing when the man slapped his shoulder before he walked back to the bed in the corner of the infirmary.

"Thank you for your help, Lieutenant," Dr Perry said coming over to him.

Tim nodded and headed out glancing back at where the strange man lay apparently sleeping.

It had been a long day.