Stranded

by obsessed1

The team become stranded on an unknown planet with little hope of escape. Hurt/comfort. Apologies re formatting. Fanfic did not want to play nice. Any mistakes misspellings or otherwise are mine.

The tree to his right splintered and a palm sized smoking hole revealed a frightened native on the other side. Immediately, recognising the source of the damage, Sheppard doubled back.

"Warning fire only!" he snapped, pushing Ronon's wrist down and forcing his second shot into the dirt.

Ronon scowled as he flipped the weapon to stun.

The native circled back and Sheppard watched him draw his weapon. He sought cover behind a tree, but not before an arrow clipped his arm. It stung like a bitch and he was vaguely aware of a spreading warmth, but he didn't have time to deal with it. He waited a beat, laid down suppressive fire and then retreated towards the 'gate certain that Ronon was right behind him.

McKay was in the process of dialing the alpha site, his IDC in the possession of their pursuers, as was Sheppard's. He bobbed anxiously as they sprinted towards him.

"Don't wait for us! Go through!" Sheppard ordered.

Ronon body-checked him out of the path of another arrow and he just managed to keep his balance as he hit the event horizon with a satisfying whoosh.

On the other side, energy spent, Sheppard sagged to his knees.

"What the hell, Teyla," he said, between pants.

Teyla appeared at his side with a first aid kit and started to fuss over the wound on his arm. "The Maryans have never reacted in such a manner before," she explained as she worked. "We have visited their markets many times in the past and they have always been very welcoming."

Sheppard hiked his t-shirt sleeve up so that she could assess the wound. "I didn't feel particularly welcome."

"I didn't see any market," Ronon said.

"No," Teyla said, her voice quiet. "I am sorry John. I do not know why they reacted like that."

Mckay walked past them and turned in a tight circle, his attention elsewhere, "Well, it looked like they'd shut up shop."

"Aldred mentioned that many of their people and patrons had gone missing."

Sheppard held gauze in place while Teyla wrapped a bandage around his arm. "What, and they thought we'd taken them?"

Teyla rocked back on her heels and wiped her hands on her pants. "I do not know. They were clearly frightened."

"Why would they think we had anything to do with it?" McKay said, as he made another circuit of the 'gate. "What would we even want with their people?"

Sheppard stood wearily. "We turn up with more sophisticated weapons and we don't look like anyone else from around here. I guess they were suspicious."

"Crazy more like. They know Teyla ergo they should trust us."

"I am as surprised by their reaction as you are," Teyla said. "But, they were clearly very upset."

"They're upset? I'm upset. I nearly died!"

"What are you doing? Sheppard said, finally taking in the surroundings beyond his bleeding arm. "McKay, where are we?"

McKay blanched. "I dont know."

"You don't know?" Sheppard walked over to him. "You dialed the alpha site, right?"

"Yes."

"Did you misdial?"

"Misdial?" Mckay chuffed out a laugh. "Have you seen how big the buttons are?"

Sheppard scrunched his eyebrows, then smiled. "You misdialed."

"I did not. I dialed the alpha site."

Ronon looked up from his crouched position, where he was picking his fingernails with his knife. "Then where are we?"

"Well," McKay flustered. "We're not there obviously."

"Obviously," Sheppard said, crossing his arms and hissing when he knocked his wounded arm.

"Look, just be grateful that we didn't come out of a space gate."

There was that. Sheppard was tired and hurt and wanted nothing more than to get back to Atlantis, shower and eat. He patted McKay on the shoulder. "Just get us home."

"Well, you see. That's not the only thing."

Sheppard glared.

"I've been trying to find the DHD but...there doesn't appear to be one."

It was Sheppards turn to sound incredulous. "Of course there's one." He swivelled on his heel, but all he could see was the 'gate, an expanse of dirt in one direction and the gentle incline of a hill in the other. "Maybe it's hiding."

"It's not playing hide and seek, Colonel. It's not here"

"It must be here. Everyone fan out."

"There are only so many places it can be," McKay groused. "I've already looked. What did you think I was doing before? I wasn't trying to get my calisthenics quota for the day. It's not here."

"What about this?"

They turned in unison to where Ronon was standing. There was a deep groove in the ground by his feet that was littered with assorted debris. He kicked up a dust cloud and a symbol uncovered.

"It's gone," McKay said.

"I can see that," Sheppard said.

"Well, this is just wonderful isn't it? Not only do we get attacked by angry natives, but now we're stranded."

"We are not stranded." Teyla said, trying to assuage his growing panic.

"Without a DHD we cannot dial the gate and without the gate we can't get back to Atlantis."

"Just cool it," Sheppard said. He pointed up the hill. "There's a building up there. Maybe there's a communications array or a ship or something that we can use to get us back and if we miss our check in then-"

"Then another team will gate to the land of the angry people and they won't know where we've gone because we don't even know where we've gone."

Sheppard looked away for a second. To collect himself. McKay was prone to panic, but it never made it any less annoying. Especially when he was the one with actual provocation to get back to Atlantis. "You're not thinking straight."

He waited and the penny dropped.

"They'll check the last gate address dialed."

"Mis-dialed," Sheppard amended.

"And then they'll get stranded here too."

"Well, at least we'll have company," Sheppard said.

Preparing to set off, he went to attach his P-90 to his vest, but instead brushed the fabric of his black T-shirt. The villagers had stripped them of their belongings when they'd been falsely accused of kidnap and briefly imprisoned.

"What gear do you have?"

"My vest," Teyla said, stating the obvious as she checked the pockets. "I have a few more field dressings, our radios, my handgun and my knife."

Ronon held up his stunner and his knife.

Sheppard one handed his weapon and checked his BDU pockets. "I've got a few extra mags. McKay?"

McKay cleared his throat before reaching behind his back to pull his tablet out of his waistband.

"That's it?"

"It's all I had time to grab before you were pushing me on."

"How many times Rodney?! If you have a choice, grab the weapon."

"I panicked. You only managed to grab your P-90. Look at all the stuff Teyla managed to get!"

Sheppard rolled his eyes. McKay was making it sound as if Teyla had cleaned up on a game show. Well done! You're taking home this automatic assault weapon, a tactical vest and these standard issue gauze bandages.

"That's not the point, Rodney. I'd have got more if I hadn't been pushing you out of the way of an incoming arrow."

Teyla handed them each a radio; Shepard didn't miss the consolatory look she gave to McKay as she handed him his.

SGASGASGASGASGA

The path to the top of the hill was surprisingly easy. Somebody had not long been through with a machete and cleared a path. That was encouraging. If the route was used regularly then it meant that somebody was using it to get down to the 'gate; the only landmark that Sheppard could see as he turned back to scan the horizon. McKay bumped into his back. Sheppard made an 'after you' gesture, but McKay stood statuesque.

"Who knows what could be up ahead!"

Sheppard readjusted the grip on his weapon and started back up the hill. It took another half hour before they were cresting the hill and confronting the building.

"You thinking what I'm thinking?" Sheppard asked McKay as he fell into step next to him.

"It looks Atlantean." McKay, now more interested in having made a discovery than the potential dangers, picked up his pace. Sheppard grabbed the back of his jacket and pulled him up short.

There was an entrance, but it wasn't a formal one. Whoever had gained access had blown a hole in the side of the building.

"Oh, yes," McKay said, "After you."

Sheppard switched the light on his P90 and shone it into the opening. It revealed a corridor with a spiral stairway that led up a floor.

"Okay, we don't know what we're going to find so I'll lead, Ronon next, McKay and then Teyla take our six."

With a firm nod, he headed in. He hated how he'd become so reliant on his LSD; on earth he'd never had the luxury of knowing where enemies would pop up, but the Pegasus galaxy had spoiled him. Retraining his senses to pick up on noises rather than a blip, he headed cautiously towards a stairwell and shone the light upwards. Quietly, he climbed. The stairs opened out into a control room. Out of reflex, his fingers brushed the nearest console and he was surprised when the room started to light up. Shutters were rising from the windows flooding the floor with light. Overhead the ventilation system hummed, signaling that air was circulating. Rows of HUD's lit up one wall and beyond a pane of opaque glass, yet more lights blinkered away.

McKay elbowed past him. "You?"

Sheppard winced. If there was anyone around, then they knew they were here now. Plus, the whirring machinery would cover anyones approach from the adjoining corridors.

"Sorry," he offered. "See if you can get a map up and-"

"Scan for life signs" McKay finished. "On it!"

He marched over to what looked like the primary control console and started tapping away. He made annoyed grunts and groans as he discovered that systems weren't working correctly or a button was smashed where he needed it. He used his tablet to hook up to the system and gave Sheppard a deliberately pointed look. Okay, yes, in this instance the tablet was mightier than the handgun.

They paced the room restlessly waiting for McKay to have his AHA! moment, checking dark corners and straining to hear if there were any bad guys lurking beyond.

"I think this is some kind of data storage facility," McKay was saying to nobody in particular. "Although, there's not so much in the way of data. Somebody's wiped the system."

"Recently?" Sheppard asked, joining him. Ronon and Teyla crowded his shoulder.

"There's no time stamp if that's what you're asking."

Sheppard shrugged.

"What have you found?" Ronon asked.

McKay directed his attention back to his readouts. He was silent as he worked, prompting Sheppard to jab him in the arm. McKay jerked his head up, mouth stretched into a thin line.

"Rodney."

McKay huffed out a breath to signal his annoyance. "I'm not detecting any other life signs, but there's a lot of damage to this console." McKay gestured to the battered buttons and cracked screens.

"So let's assume we're flying blind," Sheppard said.

"I have found this." He stabbed at his screen and a blueprint for the facility popped up.

Sheppard studied the plan, feeling Ronon and Teyla's elbows in his side as they tried to see too.

The plan showed the control room as a circle and off that there were several corridors leading in a straight line before bisecting each other. It looked like a giant bicycle wheel, the corridor's spokes.

"If this is a data storage facility then there's going to be limited resources. These rooms-" he pointed at the screen. "-will probably be lined by data banks like on Atlantis. I'm guessing these rooms here will be for habitation, that's possibly a commissary, but this-" McKay reached over and thumbed the screen and another image overlaid the first. This one showed one stairwell and a large circular room.

Sheppard squinted as he looked at the image, trying to work out why it looked so familiar.

"It's a hangar bay," McKay said. "And there's that smile."

Sheppard couldn't help it. "You think there are ships?"

McKay snatched his tablet back and unhooked it from the console.

"Only one way to find out."

Hands still positioned as if they were holding the tablet, Sheppard dropped them to his sides. If there were ships then maybe they could 'borrow' one to get off this planet. Most of them were equipped with DHD's and if not they might be able to get a message off to Atlantis.

"You guys hold the fort and we'll go check this out. Stay alert. We don't know that we're not alone."

McKay sighed loudly. "Why did you look at me when you said that?"

"I didn't." Sheppard said, but then he added, "But it would have been useful to know if there's anyone else here."

SGASGASGASGASGA

Sheppard gently nudged McKay's shoulder to straighten his course down the corridor. McKay, as usual, was oblivious. Sheppard wondered if he should just let him faceplant a wall. Maybe it would teach him to pay more attention to his surroundings.

"This is amazing," McKay said, engrossed in the information that he had managed to salvage from the system.

Sheppard nodded and half listened to McKay's monologue, more focused on the dark corners that they passed. McKay wouldn't have noticed, but Sheppard had; evidence of recent occupation; clothes abandoned, food remnants, and there was a strong smell of urine that indicated a nearby latrine. A number of the door consoles were bashed in too. Somebody had been here recently, or was still here. Sheppard stopped to peer into a room, some sort of storage area, and McKay walked on ahead, completely unaware that he was talking to dead air. Sheppard jogged a little to catch up to him. Usually he'd be hounding McKay to hurry up, but out of the field and with fresh research in his hands he was a speedy bastard.

"This has to be an ancient facility," McKay said, finally looking up to get a response from Sheppard. "And if it's some sort of repository then the information that was wiped could be invaluable."

"Yeah, sure," Sheppard said.

"Were you even listening to me?"

Sheppard palmed the door open to the hangar steps. "I was listening."

"What was I saying then?" McKay asked, as they ascended the circular staircase.

"Words," Sheppard told him irritably. "Lots and lots of words."

Mckay choked out a breath. "Are you- this could be huge. Do you know how many virtually intact ancient facilities that we come across besides Atlantis?"

"I'm a little more concerned about getting out of this ancient facility right now Rodney."

"So am I, but if we have to be stranded somewhere, better that its a place where I can-"

"Geek out, yeah yeah. You already said the system's been wiped."

"Yes, but maybe there's a way to recover it."

Sheppard waved him quiet. They'd reached the top of the staircase and he needed to be able to hear if there was anybody lurking up there. McKay jabbed his arm in quiet retaliation and it was Sheppards turn to roll his eyes.

Satisfied that they were alone, he ascended the last few steps.

It was a hangar bay and it was extensive, covering the entire ground floor footprint. Above them was a retractable roof that was currently closed. He counted four jumpers arranged side by side in front of a glass wall.

"Why do I feel like I'm in a vivarium?"

He realized that he was talking to himself. McKay was already pin-balling from one Jumper to the next. Sheppard strolled over to the window. The hanger was at the top of the facility and there was a steep hill that was in the direct line of the stargate. So close and yet so-

"Sheppard!"

He startled, reflexively bringing his P-90 up.

McKay appeared from the rear of the closest Jumper, ignored the weapon pointed at his centre mass, and gestured for Sheppard to join him.

"Three of the Jumpers are beyond repair, but this one looks to have some juice. I need you to power it up while I check the readouts."

"You didn't say the magic word," he said, edging past McKay to get to the front.

"What?" McKay said. "Now."

Sheppard grinned. He sat in the pilot seat and thought ON. The reaction was instantaneous. Sheppard settled back in his seat, the gentle thrum of the engines a relaxing counterpoint to McKays running commentary. He'd never told anyone before, but on the nights where sleep is hard to come by, he goes down to the jumper bay and starts one up. He doesn't fly anywhere. He just sits, relaxes and-

"Stop stop!" McKay snapped suddenly, "Turn it off now!"

Sheppard jerked his eyes open at McKay's panicked tone and quickly thought OFF. The ship stilled in an instant.

"What happened?"

"The right drive pod is overfiring. If we push it, it'll overload."

Sheppard swiveled the pilot seat to face McKay. "I can probably compensate for that."

"I don't think you can even compensate for the laws of physics." McKay said.

"Can you fix it?"

"I don't think so. The control crystals are fried."

"Could you-"

"I thought about that, but they're broken in the other Jumpers too. This isn't normal wear and tear, Sheppard."

"You think somebody damaged it deliberately?"

McKay dropped down onto the rear bench, winding the wire from his tablet around his fingers. "I don't know why someone would do that though."

Sheppard stood and looked out of the front portal and to the stargate beyond. "Couldn't we dial up from here?"

"We need to be closer."

"Can't you boost its range?"

"It's not wifi, colonel."

"So we need to find another way out of here."

"With no DHD and no jumper our options are limited."

"Could we broadcast a signal?"

"Maybe. But those systems are pretty damaged." McKay planted his hands either side of him and stood.

"We'll need to get an inventory going - ration out food, find water-" Sheppard said, forming a plan for their stay. "At least we've got the shelter part covered."

SGASGASGASGA

Much as McKay wanted to learn more about this facility, now that their options for leaving were reduced, so was his thirst for knowledge. Paradise is only paradise as long as you can leave. Sheppard and Ronon, and Teyla to a degree thrived in this environment. They never seemed to mind sleeping upright in awkward positions or foregoing several meals in the name of survival, but McKay liked his orthopedic mattress and a full stomach. On missions, the division of labour was usually tipped in one's favour; where there was research and technology McKay was in his element and the others would be restless, or they would be knee deep in bullets and his skills took a backseat.

They arrived back at the control room, where Ronon was sentried at the door. Sheppard stopped to get a status update and made an after you gesture to allow McKay to pass in the narrow corridor. He made a beeline for the main console, motivated by thoughts of getting the communications system up and running so that they could get out of here before a night on a hard floor beckoned.

He was so focused on his task that he missed the gentle touch to his shoulder and nearly jumped out of his skin when he turned and nearly flattened Teyla. She steadied him with two hands.

"I am sorry, Rodney."

He took the canteen of water that she offered and took a long sip, before remembering that none of them had their canteens when they arrived in the facility. He went to drink and speak at the same time and ended up choking out his words; "Where did you get this?"

"While you were exploring, I found an unopened container in what looked like a commissary."

"Are you sure this is water? An unopened container sounds a little suspicious? Did you test the PH-"

Teyla leaned into him, her mouth pressing into a thin line. "I can assure you that it is water."

"You can't blame me for being too careful. You have no idea how many times I have nearly drank colourless, odourless acid in my lab because some idiot left it out unlabelled on the side." He paused. "You're sure it's not acid?"

Teyla stared at him.

McKay took another experimental sip. He could taste the iodine tablet that she had slipped into it. "Did you manage to find any food?"

"Most of the containers that I found were empty. I found a few packaged items, but that is all. And this seems to be the last of the water."

"What about water from taps?" She shook her head. "I'll take a look. It could be that their filtration system was shut off and needs re-initialising." He handed the canteen back to her, another thought brewing. "You washed this-"

"Yes, I washed this canteen out thoroughly before using it."

McKay twisted his hands awkwardly. He couldn't help it if he had a very heightened level of self preservation. As she was walking away, he mentally kicked himself for being ungrateful and shouted, "Thank you."

"You are quite welcome Rodney," Teyla said.

He turned back to his work, feeling the water sit like a boulder in his stomach.

As he worked he listened to the others. Teyla was instructing Sheppard to sit down. Interest piqued, he turned to watch the interaction over the top of his tablet.

"It's fine," Sheppard was saying as he sat.

"You are bleeding through the bandage."

Even from where he was standing McKay could see that the bandage was sodden. Sheppard's arm was streaked with blood.

"Let Teyla look at it," Ronon ordered.

"It's fine."

"Is it not bothering you?" To Sheppards obvious wince Teyla nodded. "Let me take a look."

"You know, you are allowed to admit that you're in pain."

Sheppard looked over to McKay, his jaw working silently as he scowled.

"The wound is very deep," Teyla remarked. "And still bleeding."

Sheppard stiffened as Teyla pressed hard to staunch the blood.

"You see, that clearly hurts."

"P.M.A Rodney, P.M.A."

Ronon and Teyla shared confused looks.

"Positive mental attitude," McKay provided. "But then Sheppard would say that. His arm could be on the floor in front of him and he'd tell you he was fine."

"I just dont need to complain like you do. It's unhelpful, especially on a mission."

"He's right." Ronon moved away from the doorway. "You give into pain, that's when you feel it. That's when you start giving up."

"Oh please, pain is a warning that you should stop."

"Sometimes you don't have that choice. When I was a runner-"

"Yes, yes…" McKay waved his hand dismissively. "When you were a runner you never slept, ate and so forth." He was going to continue, but then he glanced down at his tablet. "Oh crap."

"What?" Sheppard asked, rushing to his side. Teyla followed, still in the process of fixing his bandage in place.

McKay asked him to wait while he checked the data on the screen. He could sense Sheppard's impatience.

"What is it?"

"We're already broadcasting a signal on long range sensors." He scrolled through the tablet, from top to bottom then bottom to top. All the while Sheppard was practically breathing down his neck.

"How long has it been broadcasting?"

"It doesn't say. It might have come on when you activated the system."

"Find out," Sheppard said. "I want to know what we're broadcasting." He went to step down and turned back again. "You want to give those life signs a check again too."

SGASGASGASGA

While McKay worked, Sheppard and Ronon walked the outer hallways. They cautiously checked any rooms that they came across, scanning the interiors with a methodical eye, noting anything of interest that they could feed back to McKay. Sheppard pinched the bridge of nose and squeezed his eyes shut for a second; he was getting a headache. He was probably dehydrated and their dwindling water supply wasn't going to help matters. Managing without food was one thing, but water was vital.

"You okay?"

Ronon had stopped up ahead and, annoyed that his headache was providing an unwanted distraction, Sheppard just gave him a nod and moved to join him. They continued in silence, coming out onto the corridor that they'd dubbed the outer wheel. The problem was that as the hallway curved, it meant that there was a never ending blindspot ahead of them. Sheppard was about to say as much, when they rounded the corner and came face to face with the barrel of a gun.

"Who turned on the lights?"

Sheppard had raised his weapon at the same time as Ronon, expecting a fight, not that question. He licked his lips as he regarded the man in front of him; tall, lean build, shoulder length greasy hair and a steady aim on his forehead.

"I said, who turned on the lights?" the man said with a hint of desperation.

"They were already on when we got here," Sheppard said. "We gated here by accident. We're just trying to get home. I'm Lt Colonel John Sheppard and this is Ronon Dex."

The man shook his head. "Nothing was working. One of you must have the gene. Who is it?"

"I was hoping for a name."

The man sucked his teeth, agitated. "My name is Kaylen."

"Okay Kaylen, so now we're acquainted, why don't we lower our weapons?"

Kaylen was thinking about it, lowering his arm, but then Sheppard's radio squawked to life, and startled he was refocusing his aim.

"Wait" Sheppard said, holding one hand out to him. "It's just my teammate."

Kaylen thumbed the trigger. "How many?"

"Two others," Sheppard said. "Just…" he clicked the radio off, stalling McKay mid-sentence. "We just want to get home. Are you alone?"

Kaylen nodded.

"Stranded like us?"

He nodded again.

"Okay, so maybe we can help each other."

Sheppard made a show at lowering his weapon and he could feel Ronon tensing beside him. Kaylen finally started to mirror him, but Sheppard could see Ronons pulse blaster in his peripheral. Not for the first time today, he reached out and forced the Satedan's wrist down. He knew Ronon would be pissed, but right now they needed this guy on side. He might know something that could help them to get back to Atlantis.

Sheppard reached for his radio, clicked it back on. "McKay?"

"Why did you cut me off? I was trying to tell you that I got lifesigns working. There's a lifesign right on top of you."

Sheppard rolled his eyes. "We're aware of that."

"Oh, well…. Are you okay? I assume you are if you're talking to me."

"We're fine. We've made a friend." He gave Kaylen a pointed look and he confirmed with a smile.

"Oh, well ask him to tell his friend to come out from hiding then."

Sheppards finger tensed over his p90 trigger. "What friend?"

"There's a hallway ahead of you that branches inward. There's a stationary lifesign in there."

"I'll check it out." He signed off. "Kaylen, I thought you said you were alone."

Kaylen pushed away from the wall he'd been leaning against. "I am." His eyes widened. "There's a stasis pod." He turned and started walking away, shouting out a "Are you coming?" before disappearing around the corner.

Sheppard turned to Ronon and seeing that he was still harbouring a grudge about before, sighed. "Don't look at me like that."

SGASGASGASGA

Kaylen led them to the room that McKay had been referring to. The doors were retracted, but he could see that they'd previously been wedged open, a metal bar resting conspicuously between them. It was another large room and arranged around a central pillar was a bank of stasis pods. The walls of the room were flat and unadorned.

Kaylen waited for them in front of one of the pods. Inside was an elderly man with white robes and long grey hair, frozen in perfect stillness. The pod itself was damaged; the glass was dented and the control panel was smashed in places as if somebody had tried to force their way in.

Sensing Sheppard's questing, Kaylen owned up. " I tried to get him out."

"Who is he?" Ronon asked, taking up a position behind Kaylen. His way of being intimidating without directly intimidating.

"I don't know. He was here when I arrived. He got scared, did something to the systems and then locked himself in there." He leaned into the pod, his breath misting up the glass. "I think he could get us off this planet."

"How long have you been here exactly?" Sheppard asked.

"Oh two lunar cycles." At Sheppard's confused look he explained, "A long time. I ran out of food some time ago and there is little water left. I've searched as far as I could and this is it."

"We'll get McKay to take a look. He might be able to get him out."

"He has the ancient touch?"

"No." Sheppard answered quickly. "But he has a knack with this kind of technology."

Kaylen chuckled. "I have been here for a long time. I know this is ancient technology and I know you need a special touch to operate it." He hooked a thumb over his shoulder. "The old man here has it. And one of your team has it. Or all of your team." He looked between them. "Who is it?"

Sheppard sighed. He didn't have time for this. What did it matter if he knew or not? He'd have to activate the stasis pod to open it eventually and that would be hard to hide.

"I have the gene," Sheppard said. He ignored the glare that Ronon was giving him. "Nobody else."

Kaylens eyes lit up. He grinned, his demeanor suddenly switching from on guard to open and relaxed. "I knew it." he jabbed a finger into Sheppard's chest. "That is wonderful."

"Why?"

"It has taken me days to access some of the rooms here and trying to negotiate the hallways in the dark has been...difficult."

Sheppard felt little relief from the admission.

"Hey, you wouldn't know anything about a signal that's being broadcast on long range sensors?"

Kaylen stiffened. "No. I haven't been able to get anything working. Maybe the old man did it…. Maybe it's a beacon?"

A mayday call. That was a distinct possibility if he was scared by Kaylens arrival.

"We'll figure it out," Sheppard said.

SGASGASGASGA

Kaylen paced the room as they waited for McKay to arrive. Sheppard waited by the door and as Ronon stood at his shoulder he could sense his unease.

"There's something off about him. I don't like it," Ronon said, eyes forward.

"Yeah I know," Sheppard said, matching his hushed tone.

"Guy says he's been here for two cycles, barely surviving, but he's a good weight. You see his fingernails. Clean. His clothes are like new. The soles of his boots are intact."

"Yeah it doesn't add up." Kaylen glanced over his shoulder and Sheppard smiled, eyes forward as he asked. "How long is two cycles anyway?"

"18 months in your earth terms."

Kaylen turned back to the pod, shifting from one foot to the other. Distracted at least.

"I get it. He should be looking a little worse for wear." They stood in silence for a while, Sheppard engaged in thoughts of missions where they had been stranded for days and looked in worse condition.

"What do you want to do?"

"Just keep an eye on him. Your gun's set to stun right?"

There was a click. "It is now."

"Look, about earlier-"

There were footsteps down the hallways. McKay was already speaking as he rounded the corner, pace brisk and clearly irritated that he had been called away from figuring out the signal. Teyla followed behind, her mouth set in a firm line. Apparently she had had to listen to said diatribe on their walk.

"Kaylen," Sheppard said, drawing the young man's attention away from the pod. "This is Doctor Rodney McKay." Mckay barely looked up. "And this is Teyla Emmagen."

Kaylen stepped aside and allowed McKay to access the pod. Teyla greeted Kaylen with a smile.

"The colonel said that you have been here for many months."

"I have."

Kaylen's response was curt. Teyla persevered regardless, "Where are you from?"

"Imari," Kaylen said. His tone became genial, but his body language was guarded. Sheppard couldn't help but feel that he was lying.

"I know of them," Teyla said, holding her hand out palm facing upwards. Kaylen regarded it strangely before imitating her. Not the response that Teyla was expecting from her expression, she dropped her hand to her side. " So you must know Alissa and her father Katrick?"

"Of course. They are good friends," Kaylen said. He cleared his throat. "What about you? Where do you hail from?"

"I am Athosian. Though we had to flee our homeworld a long time ago. We were lucky enough to run into the colonel and his people and they took us in."

"Where's that?"

"We took up refuge on an uninhabited planet," Teyla informed him, towing the official line that they gave to people they were unsure of.

"An ancient uninhabitable planet?"

"No," Sheppard interjected. "Just your regular backwater planet. No frills."

"Seems like a shame. What with your gift."

McKay suddenly turned on his heel. "Did you damage this?"

If Kaylen was taken aback by the harsh tone, he didn't show it. He merely side stepped Teyla and stood chest to chest with McKay. "I was trying to get him out."

Mckay didn't budge, "Yes smashing things repeatedly often makes things magically open."

"Worked on my laptop a few weeks back," Sheppard countered.

"Yes well," McKay said, giving him the side eye. "I'm going to have to take out this whole panel and then switch the crystals, but I should be able to get it open."

"I'm sorry," Kaylen said. "I was desperate. Is this going to take long?"

McKay gave Sheppard a pointed look, because he was usually asking that question.

Sheppard shrugged. "Well?"

"It won't take long." He turned back to the pod and started using his knife to loosen one of the panels.

While he worked they engaged in small talk; Kaylen was being evasive about… well everything. He skirted around queries about his homeworld, dodged questions about family and gave more vague details about his arrival on the planet.

Sheppard asked again, "So, nobody else has come through the 'gate in all that time?"

"No."

"I am surprised," Teyla looked up from where she was sitting at McKays feet.

"Me too," McKay added, crawling out from under the console to comment. "We all just so happen to accidentally 'gate here? The only way that would happen would be interference of the dialing device from the origin planet or a solar event re-diverting the wormhole to the next 'gate and the odds of that are...well, let's just say it doesn't happen that often."

"Happened to SG-1." Ronon remarked.

"Yes. Well-."

"And me."

"Yes, Sheppard. But the odds of it occurring again are-"

"So," Teyla said, stopping McKay before he could ramble on. "Are we to understand that there was an issue with the dialing device that we used?"

"Normally, yes, but that planet had heavy footfall and Kaylen says that nobody else has come through this 'gate."

"They did say that their people were going missing." Ronon said.

"What and the 'gate has just been sending them off to different planets for the last few years. It doesn't make sense." McKay's voice became muffled as he disappeared into the console again. "And who would do that? For what reason?"

"Nobody has come through?" Sheppard asked. "You're sure you haven't-"

"I've been alone," Kaylen snapped suddenly. "Do you not believe me?"

"No," Teyla said, standing. "No, we are not saying that."

"There's nowhere to go on this planet. If somebody had come through then I would have known about it."

"We are simply trying to figure out what has happened, to all of us."

"I get it. You think I'm lying. Nobody else has come through. How many times do I have to say that!"

"We are suggesting that-"

"Okay," Sheppard said, getting between Teyla and Kaylen. "Nobody is accusing you of anything. As Teyla said, we're just trying to figure this thing out."

"I want to get off this planet as much as you do," Kaylen said. "And he can get us out of here."

"Yes I can," McKay said, missing that Kaylen was referring to the man in the stasis pod. "We're ready to go, I just need to reinitialise the system from the control room and replace the crystals in the main unit here."

"I will go with you," Teyla said.

Sheppard knew that her preference would be to stay, but he sensed it was her way of diffusing the tense situation with Kaylen. He appreciated the gesture. The last thing they needed was to add hostility into the mix.

"I can check the subroutine I was running on the long range signal at the same time. Don't open anything until I'm back," McKay said. "Unless you think this man is dangerous, in which case feel free to open it while I'm gone."

"Funny. Don't take too long."

"I'll go with them," Ronon said after they'd left. "Make sure McKay doesn't get distracted."

Sheppard jogged to catch him before he could leave and with enough distance between them and their friend said, "What are you really doing?"

"I just told you."

"Come on," Sheppard said. "You're going to poke around some more, right?"

"Are you okay with him?"

Sheppard glanced over his shoulder. Then back to the Satedan. "We'll be fine."

Ronon left him at the door,

"Guess that just leaves us," Kaylen said. He was by the stasis pod again, hands pressed against the glass.

"I guess so."

The doors snicked shut behind him and Sheppard ventured over to the stasis pod keenly aware that Kaylen was watching his every move.

"You've been here a while. How've you managed to survive?"

"Oh you get pretty creative when you have to."

"I've been there," Sheppard said.

Kaylen regarded him with a smile, then looked over his shoulder to the door. "Where did the other one go? Ronon."

"He hates waiting around. He'll be exploring."

The change in Kaylen's body language was slight, but Sheppard didn't miss it. Was he nervous?

"He won't find anything."

"Probably," Sheppard said. "I mean, you've been through this whole place. Right?"

SGASGASGASGA

McKay studied the data on his tablet. His subroutine was still running, numbers scrolling down the screen as it analysed the outgoing transmissions. Satisfied that it was making steady progress, he started to access the systems to shut down the bank of stasis pods.

He turned to see Teyla looking troubled.

"I'm sure Torren is fine."

"Thank you Rodney. It is not Torren that I am worried about. He is in good hands on Atlantis."

"Then why the crinkled brow?" To Teyla's expression, he said. "You scrunch your face up when you're worried."

"I had not realised. Or that you noticed."

That was the truth. She didn't think that McKay noticed these things, but he did. He gave the illusion of being self-centered, but naturally over time he had picked up on their individual nuances. For instance, when Ronon was angry he got quieter than normal. And he paced, a lot. Much of the time on missions, he would wander off alone, almost in the hope that he would find something or someone to be angry at. And Sheppard; Sheppard licked his lips when he was thinking, and his eyes crinkled when he was hurting. He'd seen it today, but Sheppard being Sheppard had brushed it off, feigning indifference to the pain that he was clearly feeling. And right now, Teyla was troubled by something.

"I believe Kaylen is lying to us."

"What gave you that impression?" McKay refocused on the console. "Was it his weird nervous energy or the fact that he didn't directly answer a single question we asked him? Or is it just because this is our luck?"

"When I greeted him, I used the Imari greeting. He clearly did not recognise the gesture. And Karick died a decade ago and yet he spoke of him as if he were still living."

"So, he's lying. What's new?"

He switched the pods off and then waited a moment before reinitialising them.

"How long will this take? I would like to get back to the colonel."

"Nearly done," McKay said.

SGASGASGASGA

Ronon followed the outer corridors, fingers tracing the wall as he went. Now that the systems were initialized by Sheppard, he could access every room and with each search he felt less settled.

There were signs of recent occupation; not by one person but by many. Kaylen had assured them that he had been alone all this time, but what he was seeing didn't support that. He leaned down and picked up a small wooden object that was half concealed by a chair leg. He turned it over in his hands, realizing that it was a child's toy; a carving of an animal that he didn't recognise. He pocketed it and left the room, stalking down the corridors to interrogate Kaylen.

He was about to turn the corner and take the route back to the stasis room, when he noticed an alcove that he hadn't spotted before. The door seemed fused shut, the door panel damaged as if it had been deliberately sabotaged. He tried to prise it open, noting a distinct coppery smell, but the door wouldn't open.

He was about to radio McKay about getting it open when Sheppard announced that they were ready to open the pod.

SGASGASGASGASGA

McKay entered the stasis room at the same time as Ronon; his broad shoulders taking up much of the doorway and forcing McKay to accelerate. Sheppard smiled, noting McKay's eyeroll and subsequent scowl as he approached the stasis pod. He immediately set to work reseating the crystals.

All the while Kaylen shadowed him. When McKay finally stood he bumped into Kaylen; his expression pained.

"Excuse me," he said in a tone usually reserved for his staff.

He jabbed at his tablet and then gestured to the panel, indicating that he was good to go.

"Okay," Sheppard said. "Everyone back. We don't know how this guy's gonna react when we wake him up. Last thing he'll remember is being chased into this pod."

Predictably, McKay had tucked himself behind Teyla who was holding her weapon in a battle ready stance. Kaylen was positioned more forward than the others. With a glance at Ronon, the Satedan understood and pressed his arm across Kaylens chest to, for Ronon, gently bring him back into line. Kaylen transmitted his displeasure in being manhandled.

Sheppard repositioned his own weapon and went to touch the control, stopping just short of it. It suddenly occurred to him that they had taken Kaylen's word about this man being able to help. What if that wasn't the case and this man was working with him?

"John, is everything okay?" Teyla asked.

He nodded, mentally calculating their options. Figuring this really was the only way they would get some answers about leaving this planet, he went ahead and placed his hand onto the control. A light signalled that his gene had registered and the pod started to come to life. Billows of white air gushed into the pod, obscuring the man inside as the heavy glass front started to rise.

There was a beat, Sheppard was aware that Ronon was holding Kaylen back, and then as the mist cleared the confused old man took a faltering step forwards. Sheppard reached for him, but he was a deadweight forcing Sheppard down to the ground with him. A weapon landed between them.

Sheppard held out a hand, imploring the others to wait, until he knew the man's intentions. Though he seriously doubted the man had the strength to attack them anyway.

The man licked cracked lips. Clearing his throat experimentally before saying, "You opened the pod?"

"Yes," Sheppard said.

"You have the gene? I can trust you?"

Sheppard nodded again.

There was a flicker of relief. "My name is Harlen. I am the caretaker of this facility."

"I'm Lt Colonel John Sheppard," he said.

As Sheppard introduced the rest of his team, Harlen seemed surprised at the company. "And this is Kaylen."

Harlen's gaze stalled on Kaylen. Up until now the old man's body trembled with shock, but he suddenly stilled.

"I'm sorry," Harlen said, rubbing his face. "I'm feeling a little faint."

"Perhaps you will feel better if you lie down," Teyla said, offering her jacket as a cushion.

Sheppard was balling the jacket up under his head when he felt a tug on his dog tags. He ducked his head, turning his ear towards Harlen's mouth.

"You cannot trust that man," Harlen whispered.

Sheppard was about to say that he'd already worked that out when the old man started to cough. He jerked back as Harlen turned to his side. A fine spray of blood misted the floor.

"John?"

Teyla motioned to where she had pushed Harlen's robes aside. There was a dark red stain spreading.

"You're hurt," Sheppard said, reflexively looking at Kaylen whose expression was unmoved. "We need to-"

"No, there's no time," Harlen urged.

And Sheppard knew he was right. With the rate of blood loss, he'd be dead before they even found medical supplies. Harlen gripped Sheppard's hand. Something sharp dug into his palm.

Sheppard edged in closer, as Harlen whispered, "I need you to take this and to get off this planet.."

"We were hoping you might have an idea about that." Sheppard discreetly pocketed whatever the old man had given him. "The dialing device is destroyed."

Harlen was clearly disappointed. "The ships?"

"No."

The old man was fading, his eyelids fluttering closed. Teyla was pressing against the stomach wound, but it was a futile attempt. He shook Harlen's shoulder and when that did nothing he rubbed his fist into the man's sternum. His eyes snapped open and he gasped.

"Harlen, is there another way out of here?"

The old man was struggling to stay alert, as he mumbled "The ship-"

"They don't work."

"There's a ship in orbit. You can recall it from the main control room."

McKay was surging forward and with the break in form, Kaylen was there too. "The control panels are damaged. I'm not sure I can recall it."

"Sure you can," Sheppard said, not wanting the man's last words to be negativity and defeat from McKay.

Harlen's eyes were closing.

"Oh, right," McKay stuttered. "Yes. I can."

Kaylen edged forward. He placed his hands on the old man's chest, repeating his name to stir him.

Teyla removed her fingers from Harlen's neck. "He is gone."

"No," Kaylen snapped. "He can't be. He needs to tell us-"

"I am sorry," Teyla said.

Aware that all eyes were suddenly on him, Kaylen spoke.

"I didn't realise I'd hit him." His eyes watered. "Honestly, I didn't know."

It was a good performance. Sheppard almost believed it.

He stood, nodded at Ronon and they slipped away to the corridor.

He turned his back to the room and removed the object he'd been handed. It was a small rectangular chip, the size of a thumb nail. It had been important to Harlen. Important enough for him to want Sheppard to conceal it from Kaylen.

"What is that?" Ronon asked, keeping watch over Sheppard's shoulder.

"A data stick? McKay did say the system had been wiped." He pocketed it quickly as the others approached.

"I'll head back to the control room. See if I can find the ship," McKay said as he passed.

"After you," Sheppard said as Teyla and Kaylen moved past him.

"What do you want to do about him."

"Keep an eye on him for the moment." He went to follow, but Ronon gripped his shoulder.

"What is it?"

"I think I found something. Could do with your help."

SGASGASGASGA

Sheppard followed Ronon as they negotiated the hallway, anxious at leaving Kaylen alone with Teyla and McKay. He knew that Teyla was capable, and Kaylen had remained compliant, but the old man's words were a constant reminder that they could be too complacent.

"What is it?" Sheppard said, coming to stop by Ronon.

In front of him was a closed door. It looked unremarkable enough, but the smell….

"Why do I get the feeling we're not going to like what we find behind this door," Sheppard said, going to attach his P90 to his tac vest for the hundredth time and remembering for the hundredth time that he wasn't wearing it. He settled for standing it up against the corridor wall.

"Door controls not working." Ronon said.

Sheppard could see why; what was left of it was a mangled mess. Without a word, he got into position next to Ronon to lever the door open.

With their combined strength, they managed to get the door opened inch by inch. With it, a metallic sickness soured the air, and before Sheppard even stepped inside, he knew what he was going to find. In truth, he'd know what they'd find before they'd even opened the door, but it was the sheer scale of what was within which was unexpected.

They were both soldiers and they had seen their fair share of horrors, but a glance at Ronon told him that he was struggling too.

The room was filled with bodies; so many that they were piled on top of each other. The air was thick with rotting flesh, the floor a combination of sticky and encrusted with blood. There must have been about fifty bodies from floor to ceiling; young, old, male, female. Families.

Sheppard crouched beside a young woman; her skin was grey and cold. Her eyes open and unseeing. Another body was still cold, but the blood pooled next to it was still tacky which meant that they hadn't been dead long.

In one corner of the room, there were piles of discarded clothes. Beside that was a separate stack of bags, shoes, food and water. All the necessities to survive for an extended period of time.

He stood, a combination of trying not to breathe too deeply and the surrounding bloodbath leaving him uncharacteristically light-headed. He turned to Ronon and nodded. The Satedan was already at the door, the message clear.

He clicked his radio.

"Teyla. Can you go somewhere private?"

"Yes. Is something wrong?"

"Kaylen. He's dangerous. You need to keep him-"

He turned, intending to catch up with Ronon, but felt something slam into his right temple. Just as he was processing what had happened a second blow turned the lights out.

SGASGASGASGASGA

"Sheppard? Are you there?"

"Sheppard?"

The voices coming from his radio woke him. It took longer than it should have for him to open his eyes, and when he did, bile surged up his throat as the room tilted on its axis. He'd caught a glimpse of the ceiling and rolled onto his side in case was actually going to throw up.

His cheek touched the cold floor. He lay there for a while; a steady headache pulsing behind his eyes and the unmistakable sensation of blood trailing a route from his forehead to the end of his nose.

He didn't want to move. Couldn't summon his brain to instruct the rest of his body that it needed to get up. It didn't matter, because he was suddenly being hauled into a seated position. The change in his equilibrium didn't do anything for his unsettled stomach and he sat there, swallowing back bile, while whoever it was ransacked his pockets. A rush of cold air against his foot informed him that his boots and socks were being removed. To what end, he wasn't sure.

He opened his eyes, squinting against the light, to see Kaylen inspecting the inside of his boot.

"Not your size," Sheppard managed.

Kaylen dropped the boot and crouched, gripping Sheppard's t-shirt to yank him forward.

"Where is it? I know he gave it to you."

He couldn't think clearly. What was he talking about? And the radio… he could hear his team's repeated calls for him.

Kaylen let go, allowing Sheppard to slump back against the wall, and picked up the radio. He turned dials and pressed a number of the buttons in an attempt to mute it.

"How do I get them to shut up?"

"They won't. Not until they hear from me." McKay's increasingly frantic call for him was hurting his head. "Just let me talk to them. I'll tell them I'm fine and they'll play nice."

Kaylen laughed. "And have you tell them where you are?"

Sheppard scanned the room. "I couldn't tell you where I am right now." He reached up to swipe blood off his chin. "Look, you want to talk. We can talk. But if I don't answer them, they're going to come looking and that will be bad for you."

"You think I'm scared of them?"

"We're hiding from them, aren't we?"

Kaylen's posture had changed. Gone was the forced nervousness and jittery hands. Gone was the hurt look of somebody that was being unduly misjudged. He turned in one fluid, controlled movement and leveled his gaze at Sheppard. He smiled.

"I will kill them all."

"More reason for me to keep them away. Just, let me tell them I'm okay."

Kaylen seemed to consider it. Finally, he dropped the radio into Sheppard's lap.

"Keep it so I can hear what you're saying.."

Sheppard gripped the radio tightly and tapped the talk button. "McKay?"

"Oh my god, Sheppard, are you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine."

"Why aren't you answering your radio?"

"Thought I heard something. Turned it off for a minute."

"Kaylen?"

"No. Still searching."

"I am sorry John. I turned away for a second and he slipped out."

"Don't worry about it Teyla. Look, I'll check in again soon."

"Are you sure you are okay?" Teyla asked suddenly.

"Yeah. I'm great," he said automatically. "I mean, my arm hurts like a bitch. Feeling a bit light headed and tired. Every time I move my arm it's like a thousand ants stinging me. I'll need some painkillers next time I see you."

There was a long pause and he wondered if they'd heard any of that. Kaylen was about to take the radio off him, when McKay chimed back in.

"Okay. And you'll go to the infirmary when we get back. No griping?"

"Gladly. I'll be the first one through the 'gate."

McKay chuckled. "That will be the day. Be careful. See you soon."

Sheppard toggled the switch to mute and Kaylen snatched it out of his hand.

SGASGASGASGASGA

McKay silenced his radio.

"So Sheppards in trouble."

Teyla nodded, also having seen through Sheppards disguised plea for back up. Had he thought about it more, it really was a sad indictment that for Sheppard to admit pain was a red flag to them.

"Where is he?" Teyla said, nodding to the control room screen.

He could tell that Teyla was angry with herself, but it hadn't been her fault. Kaylen had taken off while both of their backs were turned. Since then they'd both been trying to hail Ronon and Sheppard with no luck to warn them that he was unsupervised.

McKay started tapping buttons on his tablet. He'd already started a subroutine to scan for a ship in orbit and he'd have to pause it to bring anything else online.

"Find Ronon," he snapped. "Get him-"

"Im here," Ronon announced, stopping short as he scanned the room. "Sheppard not back?"

"No. Where were you?"

"Coming here." He glanced around, hands on his hips, not even out of breath from his sprint. "Where's the creep?"

"He took off. We think that creep has already found Sheppard."

"He radioed? Where is he?"

"Yes. But he didn't let on much. Just said his arm was hurting and played up his injuries."

Ronon nodded. "Yeah. He's in trouble. You got him on life signs?"

"I'm on it." McKay said, furiously typing.

SGASGASGASGA

"Look," Sheppard said. "I'm not exactly clear on what your deal is, but-"

"I just want the data stick that the old man gave you."

Sheppard feigned surprise. "What data stick?"

"Do not play with me colonel."

Sheppard readjusted his position. His back was beginning to seize up and craning his neck to follow Kaylen as he paced, was aggravating his headache. He sighed heavily. "I don't have it."

"He downloaded everything from the systems. He had it when he went into stasis. I know he did. But it's not on him now and you were the one that was talking to him." He crouched down. "Where. Is. It?"

The fact that Kaylen had clearly searched the dead man's body was unsettling.

"I told you. I don't have it." Then a thought crystalised. "You knew you'd shot him."

Kaylen gestured with his weapon. " I estimated he only had moments when we got him out."

"You let me condemn him to death."

"He was in stasis."

"Exactly. And you made us wake him up so that he could die. Painfully. You ever been shot in the stomach?"

Kaylen aimed his weapon at Sheppard's midsection. "No. Have you?"

He hadn't but he'd seen it all too often. The smell of perforated bowels and stomach acid, unforgettable. He'd had men beg him to put them out of their misery.

"Let me make this clear. I don't care about his well being. I just want the data stick."

"And when you have it. Then what? You're still trapped here like the rest of us."

"That's where you're wrong. I have a ride. I get out of here with the data stick and you can be a nice meal."

Sheppard's heart caught in his throat. Meal.

"You're working with the wraith."

Kaylen remained silent.

"What's going on?"

Kaylen sat against the opposite wall, resting his weapon on his knee.

"When you activated the systems you also activated a wraith beacon. They're on their way now."

Clearly enjoying the look on Sheppard's face, Kaylen elaborated.

"I really did end up here by chance. I had nowhere else to go so I picked an address at random. But, after Harlen was easily scared and shut everything down I couldn't leave. I was trapped with him in that room for weeks. In the dark, with barely any food or water. And all the while, he was just staring at me through the glass."

He paused. The bravado fading for a moment as he told his story.

"I'd given up hope of ever getting out. Then one day a wraith ship turns up, blasts a hole in the side of the building and they find me. They were after data. They were going to kill me until I convinced them otherwise."

"You volunteered to wait until the right candidate came through the gate so you could trick them into opening the stasis pod."

"And you happily obliged."

"And I'm guessing as this isn't a high footfall planet you needed some candidates, right?"

"Now you're thinking like me. Yes. I suggested a well visited trade planet, they diverted the 'gate and not only did I have people, but I also had a never ending stream of supplies."

"Why didn't you just wait for someone with the gene and then get them to fly out of here or use the dialing device?"

"I couldn't. The wraith destroyed the dialing mechanism so I couldn't leave and they sabotaged the ships."

"Sounds like they didn't trust you."

Kaylen flinched.

"So all of this, is just to get off this planet? " he smiled. "They'll kill you."

"No, they'll kill you and your friends. And I'll watch. Where is the data stick?"

"I don't have it. Or maybe I do. You know, you hit me pretty hard and I can't remember."

Frustrated, Kaylen marched over, gripped his T-shirt and hauled him up to stand. The gun between them was pushed into Sheppard's gut.

"Stop playing games."

"I don't get anything out of this deal. I tell you, you kill me. I don't tell you and the wraith kills me."

Kaylens jaw clenched. "Maybe I should ask your friends."

"They didn't talk to the old man."

"No, but I'm sure their discomfort would make you talk."

"I don't think you'd do that. Because I think you know I'm not telling you shit and that you're outnumbered."

"I've been outnumbered before. I'm good at picking people off one by one."

"You picked off defenseless people. Well done."

Kaylen's eyes narrowed before he angrily slammed his fist into the wall by Sheppard's head.

It was now or never.

Sheppard ducked under Kaylen's outstretched arm and twisted his weapon bearing hand behind his back. As predicted, Kaylen dropped the gun.

Kaylen growled and launched himself into Sheppard, using his shoulder to drive them both to the ground. Tangled together, Sheppard elbowed Kaylen in the jaw. His head snapped back, but it didn't stop him and he retaliated by gouging a finger into the wound in his arm. Sheppard, caught off guard, screamed a stream of expletives and released his hold. While dark spots crowded his vision, Kaylen made a break for his weapon.

Sheppard pushed through the dizziness to stand and tackled him from behind. Kaylen altered position at the last minute, spinning and catching Sheppard in a bear hug. The way that Kaylen moved and his proficiency with hand to hand combat was unexpected. He was also stronger than he looked; his arms were crushing his chest. He could barely breathe.

As they struggled, they'd drifted forward, close enough for Sheppard to kick off the wall. They both sailed backwards and Kaylen grunted when his back connected with a glass cabinet that shattered on impact.

Sheppard was released and collapsed to the floor. Searching for a weapon, he found a glass shard and stabbed it into Kaylen's ankle. Kaylen screamed and dropped to the floor, reflexively pulling the shard out. An arc of blood spurted across the nearest wall.

Sheppard advanced, receiving a glass covered backhand for his efforts that made his vision whiteout. Kaylen was eyeing his weapon and Sheppard found the closest object, his boot, and pounded it into Kaylens face repeatedly until the man had stilled.

He collapsed back into his heels, breathing heavily, seeing the rise and fall of Kaylens chest as confirmation that he wasn't dead.

He reached down to pull a slither of glass out of his wrist and looked up as Ronon barrelled through the door, gun raised.

"Hey," Sheppard said, dropping back into his butt.

SGASGASGASGASGA

McKay looked up from the console, relieved to see Ronon. Over his shoulder was Kaylen and he dropped him unceremoniously to the floor, instructing Teyla to tie him up. Moments later Sheppard arrived and he couldn't help but grimace. The side of his face was covered in blood and he was half squinting against the room lights. He batted away Ronons steadying hand and climbed the dias.

"You all caught up?"

"Yes," McKay said, unable to stop staring. "Ronon told us about the nightmare inducing room of death that you found."

"Yeah there's something else too." He explained about the Wraith and McKay did a good job of hiding his fear. "See if you can turn off that beacon."

To McKays look, Sheppard straightened up. "I'm fine. Head wounds bleed."

"Yes well that's bleeding a lot. Maybe you should sit down."

Sheppard scowled. "You found that ship yet?"

"No. I'm still looking. If it's in orbit it could be on the other side of the planet. Sheppard?"

Sheppard quickly dropped his hands from his eyes and offered a weak smile. "I'm fine. Keep looking."

He descended the stairs, eyeing Kaylen as he went, but started towards the exit.

"Where are you going?"

Sheppard waved a hand at him. "I'm just going to get some air. I'll be right back."

He left them all exchanging glances. Teyla stood.

"I will check on him."

SGASGASGASGA

Sheppard descended the stairs of the main control room. Every step jarred his head and his jaw was aching from clenching his teeth. There was a cool breeze flowing down the adjoining hallway which gave respite from the stuffy interior of the facility.

He was beginning to think that he was feeling better, but the minute he stepped outside he vomited in a nearby bush. The edges of his vision crackled like static. He remained bent over for a while, periodically spitting bile and waiting to see if the dizziness was going to stop anytime soon.

After a while, he became aware of a presence behind him and knew just from the way they moved who it was.

"Hi Teyla," he said, still not moving from his stooped position.

"Are you sick?"

He wiped his mouth and slowly straightened up.

"John?"

"I think I have a concussion," he said, permitting her to guide him to sit down.

Away from the others he allowed her ministrations. Testament to how crappy he was feeling, he let her poke and prod away while he sat with his eyes squeezed shut.

"John?"

He opened one eye. "Your head wound is deep but clotting." She knelt down in front of him. "Track my finger." He did. "Close your eyes and then open them again." He did. "Are you injured anywhere else?"

"Nothing serious…" but to her look he scowled, "What?"

Teyla sat back on her heels, her expression of concern poorly concealed.

"Your right eye is tracking slower than the left and it's slightly more dilated."

"I just got seven bells knocked out of me," he patted her shoulder. "How did you get so good at this?"

She smiled.

"Doctor Beckett."

"Figured we get injured so much we needed a bit more than standard first aid in the field huh?"

"John," she reached for his hand. "I'm worried that there is bleeding on the brain. Without tre-"

"I know," he said, rising to his feet. The change in balance made his vision tilt again. He realised he was gripping Teyla's upper arm tightly. "Sorry," he said, letting go. "There's not much we can do about it now."

Teyla nodded sadly.

They stood for a moment in companionable silence looking out towards the 'gate.

"If only we could move the gate closer." Teyla said.

If only….

Teyla turned her back to the horizon. " Do you feel well enough to return?"

"Yeah," he said, blinking a few times to clear his vision.

SGASGASGASGA

Sheppard returned to the control room with Teyla. He didn't miss the worried glance she shot Ronon and knew it would only be a matter of time before she was letting him into her confidence.

He took a seat against the wall, aching muscles protesting and closed his eyes.

"Not looking too good there, Sheppard."

He opened one eye to see Kaylen attempting to reposition himself to get more comfortable. His hands were tied behind his back, feet bound with ripped up fabric. He was glad to see that he was sporting a number of bruises and cuts. Under his ankle was a pool of blood from where Sheppard had caught him with the shard of glass.

He watched Sheppard expectantly. "I'm feeling just fine, Kaylen. Don't you worry about me."

"I worry about you dying before you can tell me where my data stick is."

McKay turned from the screen and watched them over his data pad. Interest suddenly piqued.

"You have it?" And then to Sheppard's murderous look he amended, "Of course you don't have it."

Sheppard refocused on Kaylen. "I told you. He didn't give me anything."

"And I told you that I know you're lying."

"Say, just for the sake of argument, I did have it. You really think I'd let it be handed over to the wraith."

"I think they'll make you hand it over when they get here."

Sheppard chuffed out a laugh. "They're going to kill you." He closed his eyes again: the lights of the room making his eyeballs vibrate. He'd had concussions plenty of times, but this was by far the worst. Nothing seemed to help either. He'd give his right arm for some tylenol about now. "You said you had nowhere to go? Looks like you haven't been missed. No one's come looking for you."

Kaylen was silent.

"I hit a nerve?"

"I was banished "

"Banished. For what?"

"That doesn't matter."

"Was it for murder?."

Kaylen leaned in. "You know, after a while, you really start to enjoy it. The younger ones were the best. They liked to hide. Made it fun."

Sheppard couldn't stop himself. He turned and grabbed Kaylen by the throat; suddenly sick of the man's voice. Kaylen made a choking sound but he was still smiling; even as Teyla gently pulled him away.

"John," she admonished.

Sheppard stood and took a step back.

"Hit a nerve?" Kaylen said. "John?"

Keeping his gaze leveled at Kaylen, he asked. "McKay, how are we doing with that ship?"

McKay was statuesque, his mouth opened in surprise at what had just happened. He took a beat to recover his composure." Nothing, but there is a debris field that could once have been a Jumper. There's something else too."

Sheppard joined him on the Dias, leaning against the console as McKay pointed at the screen. There was a large mass inching forward very slowly.

"How long till it gets here?"

"I don't know an hour, hour and a half at most. Assuming they send out darts when they get in range."

A wave of vertigo suddenly had him pitching to the side. McKay caught his elbow and managed to right him before he could go over.

"You don't look good."

Sheppard took a couple of long breaths to force his stomach to come back under control. Last thing he wanted was to throw up again. "I'm okay," he said.

McKay leaned in closer. "You're slurring your words. How hard did he hit you?"

Sheppard looked up through half closed eyes. He cleared his throat cautiously. "It's a concussion. A bad one. I'm okay."

McKay let go and he remained upright, though his fingers were white where he was gripping the console.

"I just need a minute."

"Okay, well while you take a minute I'll just silently panic."

"What is wrong?" Teyla asked, her and Ronon crowding both of them.

"Sheppard is taking a minute."

Sheppard waved his hand at them. "I'm fine." But he still didn't trust letting go of the console. He let them talk over him.

"We have visitors,." McKay said,

"What's going on?" Kaylen sing-songed from across the room. "Are my friends here?"

Ronon bumped his shoulder as he studied the screen. "The wraith."

"Yes."

"And the ship?" Teyla asked.

"Looks like it was destroyed."

"Then we must leave. Perhaps take our chances on the planet."

"I've been everywhere." Kaylen shouted. "There's nowhere to go. And they'll find you."

"You know," McKay said, his voice laced with repressed ire. "We could still get out of here. Somehow.."

Ronon leaned in, his voice a whisper. "You gotta plan then?"

There was a telling delay before McKay replied, "Well, no. Not yet."

Sheppard's nausea eased enough to get involved in the conversation. "I have an idea how we could get out of here."

SGASGASGASGA

"You want me to purposefully overload the drive pod?"

Sheppard pulled his hands away from where he'd been massaging his temples.

"Yes, well the other one."

In the cramped confines of the hallway, McKay was pacing back and forth.

"It's not as crazy as it sounds."

From his sentry position at the doorway, Ronon countered, "Sounds a little crazy." To Sheppard's glare he amended. "I'm not against it."

"We get them to discharge at the same time. The Jumper propels forward, slides down the hill and close enough to the gate to use the ship's own dialling device."

McKay took a deep breath to fuel his forthcoming objections. Sometimes, Sheppard wished they could just forgo this part where he pulled his plan apart, but then got onboard anyway.

"There are a number of things that could go wrong. The drive pods could just explode, rendering the ship useless. It may be impossible to get them to overload at the same time. The pods might fire but there could be inefficient inertia to drive the ship forward. And, If after all that, and you're not dead, and the ship manages to go down the hill, you can't guarantee that it would go in a straight line or that it would end up close enough to the 'gate for us to dial out."

"So you'll try?"

McKay's shoulders slumped with acceptance. "We'll need to shoot out the glass in front of it. It will slow the Jumper."

"Okay," Sheppard said, gingerly pushing away from the wall. "Leave that to Ronon." He gave McKay's shoulder a friendly pat. "It's our best shot. Unless you have any better ideas?"

McKay remained silent.

"So, there we go."

McKay's pacing started again. But this time, with purpose as he outlined what he'd need to do. "Somebody's going to have to be inside to fire the Jumper up."

"I know."

"We can close the bulkhead doors and whoever is inside will be safe from the blast. In theory." Sheppard noticed McKay's gaze fall to his blood stained cheek. "I guess I'll do it."

"No," Sheppard countered. "I'll do it. We'll need you in case something goes wrong.'"

"John," Teyla warned.

"I'm doing it." he said, already regretting the sharpness in his voice.

SGASGASGASGA

It took five consecutive blasts from Ronon's weapon to shatter the glass in front of the Jumper. McKay reappeared from where he had sought cover in the Jumper reprimanding them for not giving him more notice.

Ronon shrugged it off. Most of the glass had fallen outside. He didn't see what the issue was. Sheppard, sitting on one of the rear benches of the Jumper, simply smiled, clearly amused by McKay's ability to scare easily.

He crossed the distance, glass crunching underfoot with every step, and came to sit next to Sheppard.

He waited as Sheppard checked in with Teyla again. She'd volunteered to watch Kaylen and she was more than capable, but he could tell that Sheppard didn't like it.

"What's the plan?"

"When McKay's ready you all need to head down to the 'gate. Hopefully, I'll pass you on the way down."

"And if you don't?"

"Look, I know McKay's not sold on the idea, but if we can get the ship moving I can probably nudge it in the right direction, even without the drive pods," he said, seeing that McKay was glaring at him from across the aisle. "There are additional thrusters that act like brakes in the forward section."

"That will probably short out when the drive pods blow."

To Ronon's arched eyebrow, Sheppard said, "They're on an independent circuit. They're designed to slow the Jumper's descent should the drive pods malfunction. By applying them separately on the way down I should be able to correct my course."

Even though Ronon knew that Sheppard was smarter than he pretended, he was still surprised by his knowledge of the Jumpers.

"Sheppard, they're not meant to be used for extended periods."

"I know. Short bursts."

Both men stared each other down and Ronon couldn't help but grin. While they both professed their irritation, there was a mutual respect. The fact that McKay merely sighed and turned back to the job in hand was evidence enough. Ronon had seen McKay in full intellectual rant mode and he rarely backed down. For Sheppard, he'd usually concede defeat.

"What about the creep?"

"The creep?" Sheppard asked. Then realised who he was referring to. "Oh, that creep. I don't know."

"I say we leave him here."

"I agree with Ronon," McKay said. "He wants to be reunited with his friends, let him."

"If we have a chance of getting out of here, then we should take him with us."

McKay dropped a handful of wires. "You're kidding right?" He looked at Ronon. "He's not thinking straight."

"Hey," Sheppard admonished.

"Well, clearly you aren't because any rational person would just leave the serial killer here."

"I'm not saying let him go."

Ronon realised what he was saying but he didn't agree with it. "Hand him over to his people for punishment."

"Yeah. Maybe."

That was the problem with Sheppard sometimes. They guy was too honourable. Kaylen didn't deserve mercy, but he wondered if Sheppard's previous experiences with the wraith were colouring his decisions here. They'd never really talked about it, but they'd all seen the wraith feeding on him. Maybe, regardless of who it was, he didn't think they deserved that same fate.

"How much longer McKay? We're on a deadline."

"Oh, I'm sorry. I hadn't realised." McKay checked his tablet. "Not much longer. This isn't an exact science. Usually I'm trying to prevent things from blowing up."

"I'm just-"

"Ten more minutes. Give me ten more minutes."

"As soon as you're done, you need to high tail it out of here. Shut everything down. Take Kaylen with you. If he puts up a fight then you can leave him."

SGASGASGASGA

Teyla could see that her radio was smashed beyond her outstretched arm. She moved her legs experimentally, but the muscles in her stomach contracted and she ended up curled up around the pain. She continued to press her hand against her stomach, feeling blood slip between her fingers. It wasn't a deep cut. Kaylen had swiped at her with a shard of glass that had whistled through the fabric of her top and created a large gash. It was the follow up kick to her ribs that had her in agony.

She groaned and attempted to sit again, feeling foolish for having fallen for Kaylen's ruse. He'd claimed he was losing too much blood and when she looked, there was indeed a pool of fresh blood under his legs. Distracted, he had made his move. Apparently he'd managed to cut himself free a while back, but had been waiting for the opportunity to break free.

He'd thought that he had hurt her more seriously. Though her stomach wasn't deeply cut, it was still bleeding enough to convince him that she was going to bleed to death. He'd tested his theory by kicking her and by some miracle she managed to stifle a scream and remain prone. As his footsteps distanced, she finally allowed a cry to escape her lips.

She managed to sit and get the pain under control with a meditation trick. She reached for the radio and pushed a loose wire back into place. Mercilessly, a green light blinked on.

She depressed the talk button.

SGASGASGASGASGA

McKay went to close the compartment above the drive pod and then thought better of it. It was about to be blown to smithereens. It didn't matter if it was out of place.

"You done?"

Sheppard was still sitting on the rear bench. He'd barely moved since they'd arrived and that was unlike the colonel. Rarely was he happy to sit while others grafted. He'd find something to do. On the occasion, he could see that he wasn't having much choice in the matter. There was a nasty wound in his hairline that was still oozing. His face and neck were covered in dried blood. There were bruises and scratches all over his forearms and elbows. Teyla had taken them aside and revealed her concerns about potential bleeding on the brain. McKay had dismissed it at first because she tended to worry anyway, but he was worried. He was quiet and drowsy, his words slurred.

"Maybe I should be the one to stay in the Jumper," he said.

Sheppard gave him the look.

"Okay. If you're sure."

"I'm s-"

"John, Ronon. Are you there?"

"Hey, why didn't she ask for me?"

Sheppard gave him another familiar look. One that told him to can it. "Teyla, what's wrong? You okay?"

"I'm sorry John. Kaylen has escaped. I don't know where he is."

"Are you hurt?"

"I am injured, but not seriously. I'm sorry, he-"

"Teyla, we're getting out of here now. Stay there. Ronon and McKay are on their way."

"What about Kaylen?"

"He can stay here and meet his friends." He kept the channel open as he directed the others to get out of there.

"What happened to taking him with us?"

" Sudden change of heart. You see him on the way, feel free to shoot him on sight."

"But what if we don't."

"McKay, the sooner you guys leave, the sooner I can fire this up and we can get the hell out of here."

SGASGASGASGASGA

"We've got Teyla. Cut up pretty bad, but she's okay."

"Any sign of our friend?"

"I followed a trail of blood, but it disappeared. I can stay and-"

"No. You guys get out of here."

"Watch your back."

Sheppard watched his team beginning their descent.

"Thanks buddy."

Teyla was walking on her own, but Ronon had his arm tucked around her waist. McKay was doing a half run, half walk behind them in an attempt to keep up. Even injured, Teyla was fast. But then she was just as determined and stubborn as the rest of them. He watched the top of their heads disappear over the crest of the hill. He went to lean against the glass, remembering at the last second that there wasn't any. He edged backwards.

He turned on his heel, quickening his pace as traversed the Jumper ramp. McKay had set everything up, so all he needed to do was start the ship as usual. Then wait.

He sat down in the pilot seat and initiated the close sequence for the rear door, leaning at the same time to pick his weapon up from the co-pilot seat. His fingers caught air. The weapon was gone.

There was an ominous click behind him, that wasn't the rear doors snicking shut.

Sheppard didn't even turn around. He knew who it was.

"You're lucky my team didn't find you first." he said. They were trapped in the Jumper together, he was unarmed so he had little choice but to say, "We have a plan to get out of here. If it works, you can come with us"

"And you'll just let me go? After everything I've done."

"I'll give you a headstart at least," Sheppard said.

He placed his right hand onto the controls and thought on.

"I'd take a seat if I were you or I'm gonna close you behind these bulkhead doors."

The ship was powering up. There was a distinct vibration underfoot.

"You're lying. You won't let me go. Stand up, Sheppard!"

Sheppard complied. He made an adjustment to the controls and the HUD flashed up.

"What are you doing?"

"Closing those doors," Sheppard said.

The bulkhead doors started to retract and when Kaylen stepped in to avoid being trapped in the rear compartment, Sheppard grabbed the barrel of his P90 and tore it out of Kaylen's hands. He took a seat again and the ship continued to shake. Usually they wouldn't feel a thing, but the inertial dampeners were unrepairable.

"If you cross me, I'll kill you," Kaylen snapped.

Sheppard could barely hear him over the whining of the drive pods.

"Yeah, yeah. I'd sit down and strap in if I were you." Sheppard said, pointedly clicking the belt over his chest.

A wave of heat swept through the compartment and he could smell something acrid. His headache was almost overshadowed by the noise.

Something in the console sparked as Kaylen sat down. Smoke was coming out of a vent above Sheppard's head. He was starting to think that the ship was just going to break apart before they could get anywhere when there was a high pitched keening noise, followed by a bang. The ship jolted forwards, the sound of metal on metal signaling that they had cleared the window. Now on the shale the ship was increasing in speed, dust kicked up onto the forward screen making it impossible to see beyond. The Jumper was maintaining a descent speed, but the right drive pod had over fired and the back end was swinging out.

"We're going to go over!" Kaylen shouted.

Sheppard ignored him, firing up the front thrusters to try and get them back on track, but they weren't making a difference. Trees rushed past the front portal as they twisted, descending the hill side on.

"Come on," Sheppard coaxed, trying the thrusters again.

The ship corrected and the 'gate was in view, but it wasn't long before they were twisting again. He fired the left thruster, it had the desired effect, swinging them back into position.

They just had to wait and-

The ship suddenly jolted.

The front thruster had blown and with it, the ship pivoted and cantered.

Sheppard ordered Kaylen to brace before the inevitable happened.

The ship started to roll. They were both strapped into seats, but that didn't mean it didn't hurt.

SGASGASGASGA

The ship was creaking. There was the unmistakable smell of burned out conduits. Something in the rear compartment dropped to the floor with a clang. Sheppard lifted his head, his cheek stuck on the console, tacky with blood. His head wound had reopened. Or maybe it was a new injury. At this point he didn't have a clue. He clamped his eyes shut against a wave of dizziness and sat with his head in his hands, trying in vain to force composure into his aching body.

"Sh…….dial the 'gate"

His radio. He could hear three sets of voices all shouting at once urging him to dial up. Were the wraith here? He unclipped his belt. He didn't even try to stop his fall. The world was shifting in and out of focus and his team's urgent voices faded in and out.

"...Dial…"

"The 'gate……"

He gripped the console and righted himself. His focus was to get the 'gate dialed up and get the hell out of there before the Wraith made an appearance.

He started to dial. The symbols lit up. They were close enough to connect.

He glanced at Kaylen who was stirring.

"Sheppard!"

He pressed the last symbol.

"Sheppard. Don't dial the 'gate!"

Sheppard's hand hovered over the last button.

All three members of his team were shouting for his attention. He grabbed the radio.

"Stop dialing! The Jumper is across the 'gate. If you activate it, it's going to take out the front section."

"What?"

"The ship is a little closer to the 'gate than we hoped. It's too close to the event horizon. Do not dial."

Sheppard tentatively removed his hand and managed to stand. He could see the 'gate now.

"Sheppard? You still there?"

"What?"

"John, are you injured?"

"I'm good." he said out of habit. "If we're going to get out of here, we'll need-"

"No, we'll figure something out." McKay snapped. "Just don't press anything. Wait for us. Okay?"

"Yeah. I'll wait."

What they'd figure out, he wasn't sure. There was only one way out of there and they had the means to do it; only it would vapourise whoever pushed that final button. If it meant that his team could get free then he was happy to oblige, but he knew they'd have to go through the motions before they could allow it.

Resolute, he advanced on the console, but at the last minute something connected with the side of his face.

Kaylen stood over him, one hand wielding Sheppard's P90 and the other was up to his head where there was a sizable gash. Blood was trickling between his fingers, snaking down his bare arm…

"Where's the data stick?"

Sheppard laughed. He couldn't help it.

Kaylen retaliated with a swift kick to his med-section. "Your plan has failed. You can't dial out."

Sheppard moved to his knees, holding one hand out to deflect any new blows. "I don't have it."

"I know you have it. You don't want the wraith to have it and the information it holds is valuable. To you? I don't know. But it's worth something."

"It's over Kaylen." But even as spoke he noticed something over Kaylen's shoulder. A white blip in the sky moving at speed. He wondered at first if it was the precursor to a brain aneurysm, it sure felt like it, but then he realised what it was. It wouldn't take long to reach them.

Kaylen risked a look. He turned back to Sheppard and hauled him to stand.

"Well, it looks like my ride is here."

"Sheppard, are you seeing this?"

McKay's tinny voice came from the radio, out of reach on the pilot seat.

"Yeah, you seeing this Sheppard?" Kaylen mocked. He jabbed the end of the gun into Sheppard's stomach. "Tell me where it is."

"No."

"So you do know where it is?"

"Maybe."

Kaylen screamed and pushed Sheppard back against the bulkhead doors, his mouth twisting with anger. He was desperate now; the impending arrival of the Wraith was enough to make him panic. Sheppard pushed Kaylen backwards, but in the confines of the small space they tumbled as one and he only just stopped his hand short of accidentally depressing the DHD.

He turned, arcing his fist to connect with the side of Kaylen's face. He made only brief contact; a combination of the slick blood on Kaylen's cheek and his overpowered punch left him open. Kaylen took advantage, kneeing him in the side. He landed on his knees, unable to move before his P90 was positioned under his chin. Kaylen depressed the trigger and there was an audible click.

He threw the weapon aside on realizing that the mag had come out in the crash.

They turned in unison as something streaked across the sky. Kaylen growled and turned to unleash another volley of punches, but Sheppard was ready for him. For a while, they were tangled; fingers gouging, fists landing, until Sheppard lost his footing and sailed backwards.

He was expecting to connect with the bulkhead doors but instead connected with something solid and unyielding.

He righted himself to see Ronon stood there with his gun raised.

"You finished?" he said with a smile.

Kaylen was statuesque, hands in the air.

"The Wraith are here," Ronon said.

"We noticed," Sheppard said limping to his side.

"There's only one way out of here," Kaylen said. "You're stuck. If you hand me the data now I will let you leave. You can hide from the Wraith."

"Yeah, we don't do hiding," Ronon said, finger twitching on the trigger.

"You've bought this on yourself then," Kaylen threatened.

As Kaylen continued his diatribe, Sheppard took in Kaylen's positioning. The P90 was lying at his feet, the pilot chair turned so that the arm was just behind his knee. Momentum was all it would take. He regarded Ronon's aim and stood aside with a small nod.

Ronon fired while simultaneously yanking Sheppard towards the rear of the ship. He just had time to see Kaylen stumble, fall back onto the console before he was vapourised by the event horizon.

Sheppard sat there dumbly for a minute. In the event horizon's wake, there was nothing left of the front compartment. Or Kaylen.

"Go!" Ronon snapped, urging him on.

Four darts passed overhead as they exited the Jumper. A fifth's beam narrowly missed Ronon as he rolled to the side.

"Through the 'gate" Sheppard commanded. McKay and Teyla disappeared first and he followed.

SGASGASGASGA

On the other side of the 'gate, Sheppard fell to his knees and immediately started to retch again. Ronon was patting him on the back and making light of his prone position.

"Where are we?" McKay said. "This isn't the Alpha site!"

Sheppard tried to speak, but he couldn't between his dry heaves.

"You mis-dialed?"

"No," Teyla said. "I recognise this place."

"It's the market planet," Ronon said, somewhere over Sheppard's head.

He rested his elbows on the ground and dropped his forehead to the ground. He just needed a second.

McKay appeared next to him; his voice close to his ear and infused with such incredulity that Sheppard had no choice but to interact. He raised his head. "You need to fix their 'gate first. Can't let anyone else end up stranded."

McKay turned to the others, expecting support.

"Do not look at me like that Rodney. I am okay. John has made the right decision."

Sheppard couldn't help but smile.

"It's not you, I'm worried about," McKay said, as he made his way towards the DHD.

Teyla smiled. "Thank you for your concern, Rodney."

"No, I didn't mean it like that."

"I know," Teyla said.

Sheppard knew that McKay was referring to him. To make a point, he forced himself to his feet. There were still arrows embedded in the 'gate and lying in the dirt from their previous assault. Thankfully there was no sign of the marketeers.

He made his way over to Teyla. She was sitting by the DHD, McKay's jacket balled up against her stomach.

"How're you doing?"

"I am in pain. But, once you have a child-"

Sheppard chuckled. "I get it."

"How are you feeling?"

"Like my head's about to explode," he said. To McKay's look, he said. "Must be bad if I'm admitting it, right?"

"Maybe you should sit down?" McKay said.

Sheppard shook his head and regretted it. If he stopped again, he'd stay down. "McKay, how long is this going to take?"

"I'm being as quick as I can."

SGASGASGASGASGA

True to his word, it didn't take McKay that long to fix the 'gate and they were once again stepping onto Atlantis. Ronon had returned to the villagers to explain what had happened to their missing people and to reacquire their IDC's and the remainder of their kit so that they didn't have to take another detour on their way home. Teyla had sat quietly the entire time, but Sheppard had refused to be still. He'd told them earlier that day, that if you stopped then that was when you gave into pain. Maybe there was something to that after all, because while he was pacing and focused on the return to Atlantis, he almost passed for a well man.

Back on Atlantis, Teyla was helped onto a gurney and whisked away to the infirmary. In typical Sheppard fashion, he stayed behind to update Carter.

McKay stood to the side, to offer comment now and then, but could see that now that everything had settled and stilled, Sheppard was beginning to get a glassy look in his eyes.

Carter stopped mid sentence, "Colonel Sheppard?"

McKay wasn't entirely surprised when said Colonel suddenly collapsed.

"Colonel Sheppard?"

Carter immediately called for help, while McKay waited with Sheppard. Now that he was still, he could see just how badly Sheppard was messed up.

Doctor Keller tapped his shoulder and he jumped. She looked just as concerned as he felt.

"What happened? I was just talking to him."

McKay moved out of her way to enable her to work.

"He has a concussion. Teyla was worried about bleeding because his eye was dilated or something."

Keller was doing a sternum rub and Sheppard wasn't responding. Even McKay knew that wasn't a good sign.

"He's going to be okay, right?"

Keller called the medics over and as a team lifted him onto a gurney.

"I don't know. We need to get him under the scanner." She noticed his bloody arm. "What's this from?"

"He got hit by an arrow too." To her look, he shrugged. "You know Sheppard."

Keller, sadly, did know him.

McKay followed the gurney. In the infirmary, Ronon was out of his seat, while Teyla was busy moving off her bed. Keller asked them to wait as they drew a curtain around Sheppard.

"McKay, I told you to wait!" Keller said, as they were positioning Sheppard under the scanner.

"I'm staying," he said, crossing his arms.

Ignoring him, Keller went to the readouts.

"Well?"

"Rodney, I would prefer you to wait outside until we have a picture of the colonel's health." After a short standoff, she admitted defeat and rotated the screen.

The scanner always impressed with its detailed images of the human body. For a moment he took in, surprised that Sheppard didn't have more metal rods pinning him together. There was one in his shoulder and another in his knee. He couldn't remember those injuries occurring on Atlantis so they must have been pre-gate travel. He stopped on the white area over Sheppard's brain.

"It looks like there is a small bleed on the brain." To McKay's horrified look Keller assured him. "We can usually control it with medication."

"Usually?"

"Yes. We've caught it early. We'll have to watch and wait for now."

McKay looked over the scan again. He noticed something else. Something in his arm.

"What's what?"

Keller studied the image. "I'm not sure. Shrapnel?"

SGASGASGASGASGA

Sheppard didn't know how long he'd been out, but he didn't care. He was warm and comfortable and, miraculously, he didn't have a headache. He'd wanted to sleep a little longer, but he'd already flinched and he could hear the unmistakable squeak of one of the infirmary chairs. In fact, he sadly knew it was the red plastic chair. Clearly he was spending too much time there.

He opened his eyes. McKay was leaning forward expectantly.

"Hey," Sheppard said.

"You hid it in your arm?"

He blinked a few times. He was hoping for a how're you feeling? Or Do you need some water?

"Sheppard."

"What?"

McKay rolled his eyes. The curtain whipped open and Keller appeared, gently moving McKay back so that she could attend to Sheppard.

"Nice to see you awake. How are you feeling?"

Sheppard ignored the barely contained excitement radiating from McKay and moved to sit upright with Keller's help. "Okay. A little tired. How's Teyla?"

"She's doing fine. We discharged her yesterday."

There was quiet as Keller checked his OBs and wrote up his chart.

"Well, everything's looking good. Do you remember much of what happened?"

"I got my ass handed to me several times."

Keller smiled, flushing involuntarily at his admission. "The blow to your head caused a small brain bleed which we thankfully managed to get under control with medication. You may find that you'll be prone to headaches and a little dizziness over the next few months, but that will diminish in time." She put her hands in her pockets. "You also have nasty bruising on your ribs, which I'm not going to lie, is going to be uncomfortable for a while, so you'll be taking some heavy duty painkillers until that heals."

Sheppard sighed. "So, I guess I'm grounded for a while."

"I'm afraid so."

McKay stood, his chair scraping back loudly. "Are we going to mention the other thing?"

Keller took a step back and held her hand out in an after-you gesture.

"When you were under the scanner we noticed something in your arm."

Sheppard knew what he was referring to but he deliberately schooled his expression to neutrality.

"You hid it in your arm. The data stick!" McKay turned to Keller, a grin spreading. "He had it the whole time."

"I know Rodney. You have told us all, many times."

Sheppard fingered the bandage on his arm. "I figured I already had the best hiding place. He wasn't going to go digging around in there."

"Very clever and a little disgusting," Keller said. "You'll be pleased to know that we removed it without further damage, cleaned it out and gave you a shot of antibiotics."

"Thanks."

"Yes, yes. It was gross and I insisted it was thoroughly cleaned and sanitised before I looked at it."

"And?

"And Sheppard, it's amazing. The data we have collected so far outstrips anything we have learned from Atlantis. I'm only a fraction of the way through but-"

"Rodney."

"We couldn't have asked for-"

"Rodney," Keller warned again.

Seeing Sheppard was already flagging, he nodded. "We can go over this later."

"Thank you Rodney."

"Of course," McKay said, but he was clearly a little disappointed. He awkwardly patted his leg through the blanket. "It can wait. I mean… it's just the single handed most important discovery that I have made since we arrived."

Keller shot him an amused look.

"You discovered?"

"Well, us, we as a team of course."

Sheppard settled down the bed to get comfortable. He wasn't exactly on top form, but he mentally logged that argument for a later date.

"Time to go Rodney and let the colonel rest."

McKay bobbed on his heels. There was that grin again. "I'll be back in an hour!" he added, before disappearing out of view.

"Looks like you've made him very happy." Keller said, slowly drawing the curtain back.

Sheppard closed his eyes. "I don't know what's more painful. Wedging a data stick into a raw open wound or listening to McKay fanboy over this for the next few days."

He heard Keller laugh as she walked away.