Author's Notes:- Thanks to Stonedtoad for betaing.
People were a little upset by the way I left the last part...I can't imagine why?
Anyway, hope you all enjoy.
*********************************************
Rodney held his lover's body close to him barely aware of the shots exploding around his head as grief and disbelief filled him.
"McKay," Sheppard yelled, "McKay I need some help here."
Before Rodney could move or even think about what was going on the Major fell at his side a gaping hole where his heart should be.
"No," Rodney cried, shock flowing through him as his friend lay dead beside him, he pulled Kiara's body closer to him trying to understand what had happened. A shadow covered him and Rodney looked up to find someone standing above him who he thought and hoped he'd never see again.
"Letje?"
"Hello Rodney," Letje smiled a sickeningly sweet smile at him, "Did you miss me sweetie?"
Rodney stared in horror at the woman standing above him his throat contracted as Letje leaned down and pulled Kiara away from him staring down disdainfully at her sister's dead body.
"I'm so glad I got rid of the red," Letje tossed her brown hair before motioning to the men just behind her; they grabbed Rodney off the ground away from Kiara and Sheppard who both lay unmoving.
Letje took one more look at her sister's body and kicked her head so Kiara wasn't looking at her before turning to where Rodney was being held, staring at the bodies of the people he loved.
-
Rodney strained against the restraints holding him to the wall as Letje attached the collar around his neck once more.
"Oh Rodney," she laughed sweetly, "This suits you so much."
"You're dead," Rodney spat at her.
"Really?" Letje stepped away from him leaning against the opposite wall, "Do I look dead?"
"Major Sheppard killed you," Rodney said, "I saw it."
"He really isn't all that good then," Letje laughed, "Or wasn't considering he now has a gaping hole in his chest where his heart used to be."
Rodney shut his eyes hoping to stop her seeing the anguish in them. He kept them closed tighter as she slid her hand across his chest until she grabbed his face.
"Are you upset?" she asked a mock pout on her lips.
"Go to hell," Rodney snapped.
"After all your friends," she replied hitting the activation switch on the collar, sighing and leaning back against the wall with an amused smile as she watched him scream.
*********************************************
Sheppard forced his eyes open wondering why he could see Ford standing with his face pressed against a wall; he frowned working out that he was lying on the ground meaning it was more than likely Ford was too.
He twisted his head slightly seeing Teyla not that far from him and just beyond her lay Kiara. No Rodney though, Sheppard noted.
A door opened and Sheppard lay still watching them waiting to see what they were going to do. Two men entered and completely ignored him, Ford and Teyla going straight to Kiara.
"Make sure you give her it all," the first one said, "We don't want an awake Enforcer around here."
The second man injected Kiara with a liquid before they left, ignoring the Atlantis team.
Sheppard finally relaxed enough to let out a groan and pulled himself off the ground, a groan came from Teyla and he quickly moved to her.
"Hey you okay?" he whispered as she stared up at him.
The Athosian woman shook her head as she took his hand to pull herself to a stand, "What happened?"
"I think we hit some sort of forcefield," Sheppard shrugged, "Must have knocked us out. Check Ford."
Teyla nodded, "I do not see Dr McKay."
"Neither do I," Sheppard grimaced, "I've a feeling whoever's in charge kept him separate for a reason though."
Teyla knelt down beside the youngest member of the team shaking him awake, "How is Kiara?"
"They gave her something," Sheppard replied as he tried to wake up the Enforcer, "I'm guessing some sort of sedative."
"Heya," Kiara yelled suddenly grabbing Sheppard's arm, "What?"
"You're awake," Sheppard said amazed pulling her to her feet.
Her eyes widened as she swayed, "What?"
Sheppard groaned she was definitely drugged; he glanced over to find Ford had managed to get to his feet. He and Teyla were watching Sheppard waiting.
"We need to get out of here and find McKay," Sheppard said, "And we have to get her sobered up."
Teyla frowned, "I am unsure we could do that unless we return to Atlantis."
"First we need to get out of here," Sheppard shook his head he heard someone coming towards their cell, "Alright Ford grab Kiara. Teyla let's bust out of here."
-
Kiara was murmuring a song as they moved further along the tunnels. Sheppard was going by instinct, hoping he'd find a clue as to where McKay was because he was damned if he was going to leave his friend here.
A yell of pain echoed through the hall and Kiara became slightly more alert.
"McKay," she breathed, her eyes refocused a little.
"We must help him," Teyla pointed out.
"Come on," Sheppard moved them following the cry of pain; he drew the weapon he had managed to procure when escaping before taking the lead.
Ford and Teyla followed supporting Kiara between them. She was having trouble putting one foot in front of the other so they were practically dragging her along as she continued to mumble to herself. They all stopped dead as they found their friend, he was strapped to a chair a helmet covering his face, long black gloves on his hands.
Rodney jerked suddenly screaming again as a man sat watching behind a computer desk.
"Trist," Kiara muttered under her breath, she leaned heavily against Teyla.
Sheppard nodded, "We get rid of him first then find a way out of here."
"I like that plan," Ford told him.
*********************************************
Sheppard left Kiara with Teyla while Ford moved slowly through the room sliding in unnoticed by the man sitting watching Rodney.
Sheppard stepped into the room, "Hi," he grinned making Trist look up amazed.
"How did you escape," he growled, "The Enforcer was incapacitated."
"We don't need her," Ford said from behind Trist making him turn, "Hi," he grinned as well before punching out their captor.
"Enjoying yourself Lieutenant?" Sheppard asked wryly before looking around, "Tie him up. Teyla get Kiara over here now."
"I do not know how much help she shall be," Teyla grimaced as she helped the Enforcer over and sitting her down.
"Kiara what is this?" Sheppard demanded.
"It's a secret," Kiara whispered, "Shh."
"You have to let me in on the secret," Sheppard replied looking annoyed.
"He's seeing things that aren't real," Kiara replied in a sing-song voice swinging her hands around in a circle.
"I swear I wish I could tape her right now," Sheppard said to the others, "What do you mean?"
"It's like the things the Gamekeeper used," Ford burst out suddenly.
"The what now?" Sheppard asked confused.
Ford grinned slightly; he always forgot the Major was brought into the project just before going to Atlantis so hadn't had time to read up on SGC missions.
"It was near the beginning of the second year the SGC," Ford explained, "SG1 went to this planet that had all these people in Virtual reality chairs a bit like this."
"So," Sheppard cried, "Can you get him out?"
Ford shrugged, "According to General O'Neill there was a way out clearly marked but you had to know what to look for."
"Well that's just great," Sheppard snapped.
"There's a out way," Kiara told them as she leaned back, "Need to..." she slapped her hands together nearly missing, "Clap."
"This only helps us if we can tell McKay," Sheppard mused, "One of us has to go in there."
"I will," Ford and Teyla volunteered together.
"I do can that," Kiara giggled making Sheppard shake his head.
"I'll do it," Sheppard told them moving towards the seat beside Rodney looking at his second in command, "Think you can plug me in?"
"It seems simple enough," Ford told him, "Just put on the helmet and I'll activate it. I think I can help you once you're in as well."
Sheppard nodded, he slipped on the gloves and put on the helmet feeling just a little claustrophobic as Ford flicked the switch.
-
"Don't," Rodney cried as Letje's men pushed Ford and Teyla towards him, "Let them go."
Letje laughed producing a gun he was sure she must have taken from him, "So they can go back home and tell the others where you are?"
"Let them go," Rodney repeated harshly.
Letje laughed again, "I'm thinking no," she placed the gun at the base of Ford's neck and fired.
"No!!!!!!" Rodney choked as bile rose to his throat, he forced it back, "You psychotic bitch."
"Oh I love when you call me that," Letje smiled placing the gun at Teyla's temple, "Say goodbye."
"I wouldn't," a new voice interrupted making Rodney gasp in relief and amazement.
"John?" he breathed.
"Rodney, this isn't real," Sheppard told him walking forward, "It's a simulation created by a VR helmet thingy. Just clap."
"And how can he do that Major?" Letje asked walking towards him a feral grin covering her face nodding to Rodney's restrained hands before aiming at Sheppard.
"Ford," Sheppard called to the air, "A little help would be nice."
A few seconds later the gun disappeared and Sheppard grinned as it appeared in his hands, "I'm in charge and you're a figment of computer software. Ford release McKay from his bonds."
Rodney gasped catching himself from falling forward as his arms were freed.
"Clap your hands together Rodney," Sheppard ordered, "The gloves they have on you in the real world will let you out."
Rodney moved to him, "Are you sure?"
"Kiara told us how," Sheppard assured him seeing relief fill his eyes.
"She's alive," Rodney breathed grasping Sheppard's shoulder before grabbing the gun from him and turning on Letje, "Never again," he snapped at her firing off the rest of the clip into her, "I won't let you get to me ever again."
Dropping the gun he slammed his hands together, Sheppard did the same thing a few moments later.
*********************************************
"What the hell happened to her?" Rodney demanded as he helped Kiara along the corridors.
"She was drugged," Sheppard explained, "They wanted to keep the Enforcer out of the way, they obviously weren't counting on us being able to get out without her."
"Well she's pretty useless like this," Rodney noted as he had to catch her from falling while she giggled.
"She still managed to get you out of the VR," Ford told him.
Rodney didn't get a chance to reply as shouts came from behind them, he grabbed Kiara pulling her back into a corner. As she started to giggle again he clamped his hand across her mouth.
"Shh," he breathed in her ear, "You have to be quiet."
She snuggled back against him and Rodney rested his forehead against the back of her head relaxing for a moment allowing relief to flow through him that she was alive, that he hadn't lost her and that his family were alive as well.
"Major," Teyla called softly once they were able to talk, "I have found something, several ships."
"Great," Sheppard nodded, "McKay, come on get her in there. We need Kiara to get the ship started."
Rodney frowned knowing how bad an idea this would be but he just wrapped his arm around Kiara and pulled her along with them.
-
Their smart escape plan suddenly wasn't so smart, as all of a sudden several people were shooting at them.
"Go," Sheppard yelled shooting back, "Move guys now."
Rodney hauled Kiara into the ship and placed her in the pilot's seat, "Kiara, you have to start this."
She gave him a glazed smile reaching out and stroking his cheek, "You're cute when you're worried."
Rodney smiled despite the situation, "And you're adorable when you're high," he replied flatly, "Kiara, honey you need to start the ship."
"McKay?" Sheppard yelled as he, Ford and Teyla continued to fire back at their attackers.
"I'm trying," Rodney yelled back before turning to the Enforcer, "Kiara, please we need you to do this."
She stared at him before turning and punching a few buttons, grinning inanely as the engines hummed and came to life.
"Major, we're good to go," Rodney yelled pulling Kiara out of the pilot's seat he moved her to another one strapping her in as Sheppard slid into the pilot's seat and took control.
Sheppard pointed the ship towards the Stargate to get them home.
"Wait," Rodney told him, "We just leave? We did nothing to stop them."
"And what can we do McKay?" Sheppard snapped, "We're outnumbered."
"Sidon," a soft voice floated through them.
Rodney and Sheppard turned to Kiara who had been dozing she looked up at them fighting sleep, "Call Sidon, now."
"Do it," Rodney told Sheppard.
"Ford dial," Sheppard ordered, "The moment it opens call Sidon then shut it down, don't wait for an answer."
Ford nodded and did as ordered. Sheppard flew the ship back round the Stargate frowning as another few ships appeared behind them.
"Everyone hold on," he yelled banking hard to the right.
Teyla grabbed the back of his chair as Ford grabbed the armrest. Rodney grabbed Kiara holding her into the seat; she'd lost her fight against the drug and had slipped into unconsciousness.
"Gate's just opened again," Ford commented before staring in amazement, "Anyone ever seen a whole bunch of Enforcers before?"
Rodney turned and saw a sea of black and silver heading out of the Stargate as well as several ships, "Wow."
Sheppard grinned and set the ship down watching with a grin, "It's nice to have them on our side."
*********************************************
"I'm going to be sick," Kiara muttered waking up finally; she blinked finding Rodney sitting at her side, "McKay, good to see you."
He leaned over and gently kissed her forehead, "Mutual," he grinned, seeing her face blanch he grabbed a bowl just in time as she was sick, "Maybe not."
"What happened?" she murmured leaning back against the pillow.
"You started the ship, we called Sidon and Enforcers came through and they're all gone," Rodney smiled, "Sidon was very impressed."
"You're safe," she sighed relieved before looking at him concerned, "What about the VR thing, are you going to tell me about it?"
He frowned, "Maybe later. You need to get some more rest."
Kiara reached out and touched his face, "You will tell me right?"
He glanced away and Kiara grabbed his hand forcing him to look back at her, "McKay I want to know and you are going to tell me."
He frowned again before nodding, "I promise. Now get some rest."
Kiara sighed her eyes closing as she slipped back into unconsciousness. Rodney sat beside her holding her hand for a while trying to get rid of the emptiness that filled him when he thought she'd been killed. Watching her sleep her chest rising and falling with each deep breath he couldn't get rid of the image of her lying dead in his arms.
-
"I want to thank you for your help," Sidon told Elizabeth as they sat in her office, "With the help of your team we managed to capture almost all of them."
"Almost all?" Elizabeth asked worriedly.
"I'm afraid Trist, our main target, managed as usual to escape," Sidon grimaced, "But I don't believe he'll be much trouble after all this."
"I don't agree," Kiara said as she walked in Rodney at her side keeping a watchful eye on her.
"Kiara," Sidon frowned, "Why doesn't that surprise me?"
"Because you know her well," Rodney replied guiding Kiara to a seat.
"What do you mean?" Elizabeth turned to the Enforcer, "Why do you think he'll be trouble as opposed to what Commandant Sidon believes?"
Kiara turned to Rodney and squeezing his hand, "Trist was after revenge. From what Rodney told me about when he was in the VR Trist was after Rodney to get revenge on him for Letje's death."
"John killed Letje," Elizabeth stated.
"But Letje was after Dr McKay," Sidon replied, "So that's why."
"Then it isn't over," Rodney groaned dropping his head onto the table.
Kiara rested her hand on his shoulder, "I have a small idea," she announced, Sidon groaned making her grimace, "It's not that bad," she defended herself.
"Kiara, having been in the middle of a few of your plans," Rodney spoke up, "I'm scared."
She frowned at him before turning back to her boss, "Sidon, the graduation ceremony is coming up. We can use that."
Sidon nodded before grinning, "I have an even better idea."
-
Kiara sat watching as Rodney paced the room looking frustrated.
"You can't change my mind," she told him, "You know that."
He turned to her, "I don't get why you feel the need to do this. You're putting your life at risk."
"For you," she replied standing to face him, "Why can't you understand that McKay? I'm doing this for you."
Rodney reached out and touched her cheek, "I'm not worth it."
"You are to me," she told him fiercely, "Don't you get that? Can't you understand that McKay? You're important to me."
He stared at her amazed, "I guess I've never had that before, I've never had someone in my life who ranks me as important."
Kiara slipped her arms around his neck, "You have now," she breathed before kissing him.
*********************************************
Kiara grimaced at Sidon, "I didn't agree to this," she could see Sheppard and the team laughing at her annoyance which annoyed her even more, "I don't want a promotion."
"Whether you want it or not," Sidon told her, "You are being given the rank of Lotarn. Kiara you want to stay on Atlantis but we still need you as an Enforcer this is the only way it will work."
She grimaced at him.
"Not to mention," Sidon continued ignoring her, "This is the perfect way to draw Trist out if he is after revenge on you."
"He's after McKay," Kiara retorted.
"Who will be with you as you are promoted," Sidon grinned.
Kiara stalked away from him muttering under her breath leaving Sheppard and Sidon smirking at each other.
-
"I don't get this," Rodney said as he and Kiara walked towards the stage, "Are you sure he won't just blow up the building?"
Kiara shook her head, "Trist likes to be up close and personal when he kills. Trust me he'll come after us face to face."
"Oh and that makes me feel safe," Rodney grimaced.
"McKay," Kiara stopped him walking making him turn to her, "We've beaten everything before this and we have the entire Enforcer force as well as Major Sheppard and the rest of the team protecting us."
"I still want this over with," he sighed.
Kiara wrapped her arms around his neck, "So do I. Especially since I really don't want this."
"You deserve this Kiara," Rodney told her, "You do."
Kiara gave an indelicate snort, "McKay, I have been an Enforcer a good part of my life, being promoted from Uted to Lotarn is something I never wanted. Lotarn's aren't known for going out to get the bad guy."
"But you can remain an Enforcer," Rodney reminded her, "And stay on Atlantis. Isn't that a good thing?"
She sighed nodding, "I guess."
"Come on let's go be target practice," Rodney rolled his eyes as they headed to take their places.
-
Rodney watched as Kiara stood before Sidon receiving her promotion, pride for her shone in his eyes and he knew although she seemed to hate this idea she was proud of herself.
"Lotarn Delton," Sidon announced as everyone applauded.
As the noise died down Rodney became aware of someone still clapping, each slap slow and measured as everyone looked around wondering where the noise was coming from.
"McKay," Kiara snapped moving to him as Trist appeared onto the stage beside them just before a force field sprung up around the three of them. Sheppard tried to get to them but was thrown across the stage.
"Yes that's right," Trist snarled moving closer to them, "Protect him. Kiara, he's responsible for your sister's death."
"Letje was responsible for her own death," Kiara replied sharply her eyes narrowed.
"And I'll be responsible for both of yours," Trist yelled lunging at them.
Kiara pushed Rodney back as she jumped out of the way of his knife; she rebounded off the field which threw her into the chair Rodney had been sitting on. Trist moved to stab Rodney but was shocked as the scientist grabbed his attacker's wrist twisting so that he had Trist's arm bent up behind his back. Kiara pulled herself to her feet and removed a stun weapon from her uniform.
"We take it personally when someone tries to kill us," she grinned at Trist before hitting him with a blast from the stunner, "Sweet dreams."
When Trist dropped to the floor Kiara searched him discovering the control for the field, switching it off allowing Enforcers to remove Trist as the Earth team moved to their friend to make sure he was alright.
Kiara turned to Sidon, "I told you this promotion was a bad idea."
*********************************************
Kiara sighed in relief as they entered Rodney's quarters dropping her new uniform jacket onto the chair. Instead of the silver of the rank of Uted she now had a red one which she kept checking in the mirror thoughtfully throughout the day.
"Well that was a fun day," she sighed, "An unwanted promotion and an attempt on our lives. Who says we don't do anything fun?"
Rodney laughed, "You did deserve it."
"Which one?" she asked with an amused roll of her eyes.
"I'll have to think about that," he replied, he caught her hand and pulled her over to him, "You know we haven't been alone since you got back."
Kiara wrapped her arms around his neck glancing around the room, "I'd say we're alone now."
With a grin Rodney leaned in and kissed her.
Much later Kiara was almost sleeping beside him as Rodney stroked her cheek.
"I missed you," he whispered to her smiling at her sleepy smile, "I'm glad you're back."
"Me too," Kiara murmured cuddling closer to him.
"Marry me?" he blurted out.
"Course I will," she sighed as she fell asleep.
Rodney pulled her closer to him smiling, after a few moments the pain in his head reached the point where he could stand it no longer. Reaching into the drawer beside his bed he pulled out the pills, throwing several back he closed his eyes to sleep letting them take effect.
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