A/N: Happy Friday! What a busy week. Hope you enjoy this new chapter, though I should probably add a trigger for abuse. I think it's still well within the T rating, though.

Let me know what you think. :) Thank you again for reading, reviewing, favorite-ing, and following!

She checked the safety of her Beretta before sliding it into her thigh holster, shoved her tablet into her pack and slung it over her shoulder. Consulting her watch as she left the armory, she picked up the pace. Five minutes. Barely enough time. She ran through a mental checklist of everything she would need for the several-day-long voyage as she hurried toward the gate room, hoping she wasn't forgetting anything.

Tablet? Check.

Voice recorder? Check.

Cameras? Check.

Batteries? Check.

Even more batteries? Check.

Notebook and pencils? Check and check.

Inhaler and nebulizer? Check.

Lost in her thoughts, she at first didn't notice the heavy footfall of boots, nor did she realize anyone was behind her until a man's voice, arrogant but disguised in flattery, called out to her.

"Hey there, beautiful!"

Trusting she could give him the slip around the next corner, she increased her already hasty speed, but he continued to follow her down the corridor.

"Ah, don't be so modest, Emma," he called. "You know I'm talking to you."

She stopped abruptly, closed her eyes, took a deep breath in mental preparation, and spun to face her pursuer. "Corporal Hanson," she greeted as politely as possible.

"Mornin', beautiful,'" he smiled, hands planted on his hips.

She forced a smile back. "I've asked you several times not to call me that."

"I'm just callin' it like it is," he replied with a smirk.

Emma glanced at the floor for a second, then lifted her gaze. Maybe if she dared to look him right in the eyes, he would take her seriously. "It undermines my professionalism," she countered.

"Then what do you suggest I use instead?" He gave her a cocky tilt of the head, awaiting an answer. "Ace? Einstein? Smarty pants?"

"How about 'Doctor?'" she retorted, the ferocity of her own voice startling her.

The corner of his mouth twitched with amusement… and she didn't like it one bit.

"Look, I'm in a bit of a hurry." She glanced over her shoulder and down the hall. "Did you need something?"

He narrowed his eyes at her. "If I didn't know any better, I'd say you're trying to avoid me, Emma."

She inhaled deeply, tried once more to draw from the Southern hospitality her mother had drilled into her since she could talk, and offered him a sugar-coated lie. "Of course not. It's just that I'm heading out with Sheppard's team in about three minutes, and I can't be late. I really have to go." Turning to take her leave, he grabbed her by the wrist and pulled her back to face him. She glanced down, confused and alarmed.

"You know, you did this last night, too," he said. "You said you'd have dinner with me, but then when I came to pick you up, you flaked."

She attempted to wrench her arm away, but his grip was too tight. "Corporal, I said I'd maybe have dinner with you sometime." She couldn't believe he needed her to explain that maybe sometime translated to never ever, not interested, but I'm trying to be nice and not hurt your feelings too badly. "I happened to be busy last night." She glared up at him. "Now let me go," she demanded, struggling to conceal the tremor in her voice.

"Well, when works for you?" he persisted.

Her wrist was still trapped, the skin twisting and tugging beneath his fingers.

He flashed what would otherwise be a charming smile. "Gimme a time and a day and I'll be there with bells on."

"Take a hint, Corporal. I have to go," she said as nicely as she could.

"But I'm not done talking to you." His voice was disturbingly calm.

"I told you, I'm in a hurry," she insisted. She then turned her back to him, but his hold on her was still too strong.

He moved so fast, she didn't realize what was happening until her backpack was flush against the wall. Both of his hands now clutched to her forearms, holding her still. Suddenly her heart pounded in her throat, her vision blurred, and her lungs constricted.

"Let me go," she croaked.

"Emma, I am just trying to have a conversation with you, but you won't give me the fucking time of day. That's a little rude, don't you think?"

Emma scowled at him, trying to regulate her breathing.

"I thought we had something…back in Colorado."

"We worked together for less than a year and went on one date," she argued. "I'd hardly call that something." Her throat was closing, but she willed her voice to remain steady.

"I just want to get to know you," he said in a would-be innocent tone, shaking his head. "You have to admit – I've waited long enough for that second date."

"This is how you ask for a second date?" she wheezed with incredulity. "Boy, you sure got a skewed perception on how to court a lady."

His hold on her arms grew stronger and she stifled a whimper as his fingers dug into her flesh.

"Look," she said with more conviction, staring into his eyes, "I've been in this exact same situation with men just like you –"

"Really?" he sneered. "I wouldn't think you were the type of girl to like it up against a wall. But then again, I guess that's something you find out on a third or fourth date."

"You don't scare me," she declared as strongly and clearly as an impending asthma attack would allow. "Let me go or I will report you. I'll file a report against you for harassing a female scientist."

He stepped closer and she cringed at the warmth of his breath on her neck.

She angled her face as far away from his as she could. "You'll be out of here so fast," she warned him.

"With what proof?" he challenged.

Her eyes flickered over to one of the ceiling-mounted security cameras.

He followed her gaze with his own. "You looking at that camera?" he pointed with his chin. "What about that one over there?" He looked toward another one.

She tried to inhale, but every gasp of air caught in her throat.

"You know, I may not get to go off world much or be the one who saves the day, but being a key member of base security does have its perks," he started. "Like for instance, I happen to know there's a tiny blind spot in this corridor that neither of those cameras reach."

She hated herself for gulping, but the accumulation of saliva at back of her mouth became unbearable, making her already difficult breathing even more impossible.

"And guess where we're standing…"

He was bluffing. He had to be. But she remained silent, unmoving. She knew she should kick him, knee him in the groin, grab her handgun…something; but she simply could not will her limbs to move or make her fingers reach for her weapon. She couldn't even speak. Just as she began to feel lightheaded, footsteps and distant voices from down the hall met her ears and a tiny glimmer of hope swelled in her chest.

"You know what else I have access to as part of security?" he carried on, the threat of impending discovery seemingly having no effect on him. "Information about living quarters, door access codes." He leaned even closer and whispered in her ear. "Room 414, South Pier…right?"

A chill ran up her spine as his cold blue eyes met hers.

The voices grew louder and he started to pull away. "You know, just in case I wanna drop by and discuss that second date." He let her go. "Have fun on your trip…beautiful," he said brightly as he left her there, pressed against the wall.

She released a shallow, rattling breath and fumbled through her TAC vest pockets, trying to remember which one held her rescue inhaler. Medicine delivered, she glanced down at her watch again. Two minutes past eight. The entire interaction with the corporal had lasted less than three minutes, but it had felt like an hour. Stifling a cough – if she started, she wouldn't be able to stop – she stumbled down the corridor toward the gate room.

One by one, the chevrons engaged, glittering along the rim of the Stargate. Ronon turned around and, to his surprise, laid eyes on Eva who was zipping up a small black pack.

"What the hell are you doing here?"

She shrugged. "Woolsey told me to be here," she answered as she flung the bag onto her back.

He looked her up and down. "Unarmed?"

She unsheathed a long dagger and showed it to him. "He said I could bring a knife."

Sheppard took a step forward to stand level with them. "It was a special request from Dr. Rogers," he explained, clipping his P-90 to his vest. "Woolsey didn't have a problem with it and neither did I, so here she is."

Ronon let out a quiet snort. The only reason Sheppard didn't have a problem with it was because it was Rogers who made the request.

"You've seen me fight," Eva said, defending herself. "You know I won't be a burden."

Ronon brought his hand to his forehead, shook his head, and turned to face the gate again. There was no good reason to bring a teenager on a mission, regardless of how low-risk it might be.

The gate activated and cast a flickering blue glow over the embarkation room.

"Does anyone know where Dr. Rogers is?" Teyla asked the group.

A voice came from the far end of the room. "I'm here," she announced, hurrying through the corridor that led from the armory. "Sorry I'm late."

Ronon surveyed her and furrowed his brow. She looked awful. Her face was pale – almost blue, her normally smooth, straight hair was disheveled, and beads of sweat dotted her forehead and upper lip. She advanced into the room and stood next to him.

"First time off world?" he asked with an entertained smirk.

She hardly even looked back at him. "What?" she asked with a very feminine breathiness that made his pulse quicken.

"You just seem a little nervous," he observed.

"Oh," she replied absentmindedly. "No, it's not my first time."

He expected more of an explanation from her to excuse her tardiness and ruffled appearance, but she left it at that.

"You packin' heat over there, Rogers?" Sheppard called, tapping at his own weapon tethered to his chest.

"Am I from Texas or not?" Her tone seemed jocular, but her voice sounded strangely hoarse. "I would have preferred a .22-gauge shotgun, but I didn't see any of those in the armory." She offered Sheppard a strained smile.

"Just checking. Sometimes you sciencey people get so occupied with your scanners, and your computers, and all your other fancy technology, you forget to bring along a weapon, too." He shot a knowing glare over to McKay.

"That was one time!" he whined.

Ronon glanced down at Rogers who was staring blankly at a spot just behind the gate, oblivious to the bickering between Sheppard and McKay going on right next to her. Despite her earlier joke, her lack of attention and the raspiness of her voice made him worry. Was she going to be like this the entire time? Hopefully not. They had a long journey ahead of them and a distracted member of their expedition could prove a significant hindrance.

Two by two, they approached the gate – Sheppard and Teyla taking point, Eva and McKay behind them, until Ronon and Rogers were the only two still left in the gate room. Rogers paused, stared up at the event horizon, and took in a breath of air that whistled as it entered her lungs. He regarded her with concern and a bit of surprise before she stepped through the puddle.

And he thought Eva was going to be the one he'd have to look after on this mission…

A/N: Hope you enjoyed! Stay tuned for hopefully more this weekend.