Hello friends! We're back for another update! I hope you enjoyed the last one. I really appreciate all of your support. It constantly blows me away how many of us SG-A fans are still out there! You are the best readers ever! I love to read your comments and so appreciate all of your votes. 

Happy Reading! 

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Common Ground Cont.

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Kai was the last one to walk back through the stargate. They had been on the planet for over an hour, trying to find any clues of where they may have taken John. Stepping back into the gate room felt a little like giving up. John had been missing for almost two hours now and it felt like he was getting further and further out of reach with every passing minute and she was helpless to prevent it. The gate addresses McKay had gathered didn't make her feel any better. It would be nearly impossible to find him that way.

Elizabeth was waiting as they came back through the stargate. She was wringing her hands anxiously, and her eyes flickered over all of their glum faces as the marines filed past her. "Anything?" she asked as Teyla, Kai, McKay, and Ronon all stopped in front of her. She flinched when she met Kai's emotionless gaze. Elizabeth didn't understand how she could claim to care about Sheppard and yet seem to feel nothing when he was missing.

"There was no sign of Colonel Sheppard or our attackers," Teyla reported drawing Elizabeth's attention off of Kai.

"They covered their tracks well," Ronon confirmed.

"There's a good chance he was taken off world, so I gathered the last fifty or so gate addresses that were dialed," McKay said holding up his tablet.

"That should be helpful," Elizabeth said with a nod. Her eyes flickered once more to Kai, but the other woman's hard expression made her uncomfortable and she looked back at McKay "Since the transmission which summoned us to the planet was sent using a code we gave to the Genii, that should be our starting point."

Anger shot through Kai as she thought about the Genii. Supposedly they were currently their allies, but she had never and would never trust them. Kai's eyes glittered with determination and she nodded. It was obvious the Genii were responsible and she was glad Elizabeth had realized they would need to confront them. "When do we leave?" she asked tightly.

McKay looked back and forth between them in disbelief. "What are you going to do, just ask the Genii if one of them took Sheppard?" McKay asked sarcastically.

The Stargate activated behind them. "Yes," Weir said simply. "I am."

McKay looked back at the gate. "So is this-?"

"Yes, it is," she confirmed and she turned to meet their guests.

Kai was impressed that Elizabeth would be so forward with the Genii. In her experience Elizabeth usually was more diplomatic. Kai turned around and stepped up next to Weir clasping her hands behind her back. Her entire body was thrumming with the need for action but emotion wouldn't help now. Summoning every ounce of training the Mortii had given her she forced her personal feelings down so she could focus on solving the problem and getting John back.

"Incoming wormhole," Chuck called from up in the control room. "We are receiving the new identification code."

"Security teams stand by," Elizabeth instructed. The marines stepped up to form a half circle around the Stargate with their guns in their hands. Ronon took a position on the opposite side of Weir from Kai so when the Genii stepped through the gate the first thing they would see would be their leader flanked by the Mortii and Satedan.

"Lower the shield," Elizabeth instructed.

Ladon and three of his personal security walked across the event horizon. His eyes flickered over the imposing show of strength, but if Ronon and Kai made him uneasy he didn't show it. Ladon turned his full attention to Elizabeth as though the others were beneath his notice.

"Welcome Ladon," Elizabeth greeted.

"I came as soon as I-" Ladon started to say.

Unwilling to wait out their pleasantries Ronon shoved forward into Ladon's face. "What have you done with Sheppard?" Ronon growled.

Ladon for his part didn't appear intimidated, despite the fact that Ronon towered almost six inches over him and was radiating with barely contained rage.

"Ronon!" Elizabeth said sharply. "He is here as our guest."

Ronon's shoulders were tense with rage as he fought to restrain himself. The slimy Genii in front of him knew where Sheppard was, he was certain of it. 

"Ronon," Kai said his name calmly. Somehow her quiet, firm tone resounded through the room even more effectively than Weir's sharp reprimand had.

Ronon's eyes flickered to Kai and though he growled in his throat he listened to her and took a step back. He would follow Kai's lead in this. Regardless of what Weir decided, he knew she would do whatever was necessary to get Sheppard back. 

Elizabeth seemed unhappy Ronon had listened to Kai instead of her, but she was determined to keep things professional. She turned and nodded to Ladon in welcome.

"How can I help?" Ladon asked, smiling warmly at Elizabeth.

The marines stepped up and began collecting the Genii's weapons. Ladon watched curiously, but didn't complain as his men were searched. 

"I'm sorry this is necessary, but under the circumstances-" Elizabeth said. "I'm sure you can understand."

Ladon nodded. "I came here as a friend, Doctor Weir, I hope to leave as one."

"And we appreciate your concern for Colonel Sheppard," Elizabeth said.

"Despite the fact that it was your complete incompetence that lead to his capture," McKay called from behind them.

Kai bit back a smirk. McKay was just as worried about John as she and Ronon were and he wasn't likely to keep his mouth shut.

"Rodney," Elizabeth corrected sharply.

"I'm sorry," McKay responded although he didn't sound very sorry to Kai. "-but there is no disputing the fact that it was a code we provided to the Genii that was used to lure us to the planet where we were ambushed."

"Doctor McKay is quite correct," Ladon said soothingly although he kept his attention on Weir. "You entrusted us with the codes and I allowed them to be stolen from us. How and by whom is an ongoing investigation, but I must assume it was someone close to me."

Kai locked her eyes on the Genii leader. "Or this was part of your plan," Kai said tightly.

Ladon frowned. "Pardon me?" he asked formally.

"It would not be the first time," Kai growled taking a measure step closer to him.

Ladon shot Kai a withering look, but the flash of fear had been obvious to everyone standing in the room. He turned to Elizabeth. "I say this rhetorically since I should think it is obvious, but if I were involved in this in anyway, or if my intentions were anything less than honorable," he said nodding his head toward Kai. "Would I have come to Atlantis?" he asked Weir.

"With you?" Ronon rumbled. "Who knows...all I know is that my friend has been kidnapped and you had something to do with it."

Ladon's jaw tightened and he stepped up into Ronon's space. "Which is why I have walked away from significant responsibilities as leader of my people to come here and offer my help," he snapped. He turned back to face Elizabeth. "Now, you can either let me do that, or you can continue to berate me for my mistake. The choice is yours."

Kai stalked a step closer to Ladon, her eyes glinting dangerously as she flipped her Blade through her fingers. "We have more choices than that," she promised him in a sultry tone. 

Ladon's eyes dropped to the Blade in her fingers and he sucked in a breath as fear flickered through his eyes. 

"Kai!" Elizabeth snapped, pushing her way between the two of them. 

Ladon cleared his throat as he fought to rein in his fear. "I see no reason to stay here if this is how you are going to let it treat me," Ladon said imperiously, turning away from Kai to face Elizabeth.

"Trust me, you're not going anywhere," Ronon growled from beside Kai. "And her name is Kai," he added. 

"Ronon, Kai," Elizabeth said sharply, turning to address them. "I understand how you feel, believe me, I do, but we're going to deal with this my way," she said firmly. Never had it been more clear to her that she had very little control over the two of them. It was only their good graces and Sheppard's leadership that kept Kai and Ronon in line. Her eyes flickered to Teyla but the she didn't seem concerned with their behavior at all.

Kai sank her teeth into her lip but held her ground. She would obey for now. She was going to get her Bonded back no matter the consequences.

Elizabeth nodded politely to Ladon as though that were the end of it. "Let's continue this in my office," she said holding her arm out in invitation. Kai and Ronon both shifted their weight and Weir's eyes narrowed. "Privately," she ground out firmly. 

Ladon stepped between them, shooting them a smug smile. Kai's hands clasped into fists and Ronon's hand landed on her shoulder stopping her from retaliating as Ladon and Elizabeth headed up the stairs to her office. 

"We'll do it our way if it comes to that," Ronon promised her. 

Kai nodded. Yes they would.

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John woke as they were tying him to a chair. This wasn't going to be good. The guards stood and glowered down at him imposingly. He leaned back against the chair to alleviate the pressure on his wrists, and stretched his legs out casually. He wouldn't give these assholes an ounce of the fear they were clearly searching for. One of the men wheeled what looked like a camera from the 1950's out and began setting it up in front of him. This was not going to go his way at all.

The door opened again and Kolya walked into the room.

"Kolya," John greeted tightly, he rotated his wrists to see if there was any give in the ropes. There wasn't . 

"It's been some time," Kolya said standing in front of him.

"You must have really missed me to go through all this trouble," John said.

Kolya flashed a grim smile as though he were getting himself reacquainted with Colonel Sheppard's particular brand of humor.

"Nice harpoon gun by the way," John griped.

"To capture an extraordinary soldier takes extraordinary measures," Kolya said holding his hands out as though he had no other choice.

John scowled at him. There was something off here. Normally Kolya was more reactive than this. "I'll take that as a compliment," he said tightly. 

"As you should Colonel," Kolya agreed and he moved towards John, leaning in so their faces were closer. "Just as you should understand that this, this is not personal. As soon as my goal is achieved you will be returned to Atlantis."

John glared up at Kolya defiantly. "That simple huh?" he challenged, not believing Kolya for a second. Kolya had gone to great lengths to try to kill him in the past. Just letting him go didn't make any sense. 

Kolya nodded.

"What do you want?" John pressed.

"It's not a question of what I want. It's a question of who," Kolya said.

John felt his stomach turn as his mind began to race. There were only so many people on Atlantis who were genuinely unique and would be useful to the Genii. McKay was the top of the list...and Kai. He jerked with all his strength against the ropes. He wouldn't let Kolya get anywhere near either one of them. 

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Down in the gate room Kai paced back and forth agitatedly. The more she was getting herself worked up the more uneasy the Genii soldiers became. She flipped the Blade through her fingers, rolling the knife so everyone could see it. Soon even Rutherford's marines started to look uneasy.

"Kai," Teyla said quietly. 

Kai pulled up, looking at the Athosian expectantly. 

Teyla pressed her lips into a grim line. "Never mind," she said quietly. Buried beneath all of her anger, Teyla knew Kai had to be terrified for John. She had seen John before when Kai was taken, but she had never witnessed Kai when John was in danger in this manner. It was a difficult choice to determine which of them was more terrifying in their rage. 

Ronon stepped up next to Kai and jerked his chin towards Weir's office. "Can you hear anything?" Ronon asked in a low tone, barely moving his lips so only Kai would have been able to hear him.

She paced another line, flipping the knife once more and nodded once subtly. 

Ronon approached her, standing with their shoulders close to each other. He bent down so when Kai spoke it would be near his ear. 

"He's saying something about how important this alliance is to him, and that they have the two other people who knew the code already in custody," Kai said tightly, her grip tightened around the Blade.

"Well, then we have somewhere to start," Ronon said.

Kai nodded. If Weir didn't get the job done she and Ronon would go through the Genii and interrogate their people themselves. 

"We have an unscheduled off-world activation," Chuck called.

Ronon and Kai both turned to the control room. McKay moved almost as fast as Kai, taking the stairs two at a time. He practically dove into the work station to find out who was on the other end of the transmission. Kai stepped up beside him, resting her free hand on the back of his chair so she could read over his shoulder. 

"Identification code?" Elizabeth asked, coming out of her office with Ladon trailing behind her.

"None," McKay reported back, his fingers flying over the keyboard.  "-but we are receiving analog video signal," McKay reported back.

"We can trace that if they stay online long enough," Kai muttered and she rushed over to one of the other stations. She slapped her Blade down on the counter beside the keyboard. "Starting a trace," she called to McKay. 

"Bring it up," Elizabeth ordered McKay.

The overhead screen flickered and a video of Commander Kolya appeared. The transmission was fuzzy and filled with lines, making it difficult to see his surroundings. The camera was tight on him, his shoulders filling the frame. "Doctor Weir if you are receiving this please respond," Kolya ordered.

Kai felt her stomach drop. If it was Kolya, John was as good as dead. The leader of the Genii hated John and had tried to kill him several times in the past. There was no way he would take the chance of letting John go, not after John had nearly killed him the last two times they had encountered one another. 

"Who the hell is he?" Ronon rumbled.

"Kolya, a Genii leader who once tried to take Atlantis," Teyla reported. She glanced over her shoulder. "Ladon was part of his strike team. Kai and the Colonel stopped them."

Ronon glanced towards Kai and nodded his approval. All of a sudden Ladon's fear of Kai made sense. They had a history, and not a friendly one. 

"I do know you're there, Doctor," Kolya's voice was incredibly calm. "The existence of Atlantis is no secret among the Genii. It would be pointless not to answer."

Elizabeth let out a tight sigh, shooting Ladon an impatient look before she turned back to Rodney. "Open a channel," she ordered. 

"You'll have audio. They don't have the technology to receive a video transmission while broadcasting," McKay told her. "The longer you keep him on the line the more likely we'll get a trace." 

Elizabeth nodded her understanding and McKay opened the channel. "This is Doctor Weir," Elizabeth said after a moment.

"Oh good, I wanted to be certain you were there to see this," Kolya growled. He took a step off to the side allowing the frame to take in the rest of the room.

Kai sucked a breath as her eyes landed on John strapped to a chair in the middle of the screen. She straightened from the terminal and took a step closer to the screen. Johns arms and legs were tied to the chair, and there was a white gag tied in his mouth. Not really a surprise. John had made his ability to annoy Kolya in record time a point of pride. She only hoped his mouth hadn't gotten him into more trouble. John for his part was sitting slouched in the chair, glaring at the camera and looking bored.

"What did you do to him?" McKay snapped, shoving himself to his feet.

"Absolutely nothing whatsoever," Kolya responded, recognizing McKay's voice.

"Let me paraphrase that, what are you planning on doing to him?" McKay demanded.

"It's quite simple really, I would like to make a trade," Kolya said reasonably.

"Before we can continue this conversation another second, I want to speak with Sheppard," Elizabeth demanded.

"Be my guest," Kolya said holding his hand out in invitation.

"We'll paraphrase that too. We would like him to be able to speak to us," Elizabeth said resolutely. She would not be intimidated by Kolya. It was obvious he had set this whole thing up to try and rattle her into making an emotional decision. She refused to give in.

Kolya nodded and smiled. "Very well," he turned around and gestured to his men to pull down the gag.

As soon as it was lowered John glared into the camera. "On my command authority, whatever he asks, don't do it!" John shouted.

The soldier immediately started wrestling with Sheppard, trying to get the gag back in place as Kolya laughed. "Well as you can see, he's his usual charming self," Kolya said chuckling.

Kai tightened her hands into fists as she fought to contain the rage that formed a fine tremble in her body. She could feel the tension rising in the room. Kolya was far to cocky for her to think this would turn out the way they wanted. 

"Explain your terms Kolya," Weir demanded.

"I have heard the familiar voices of yourself and Doctor McKay, but there is one person I know is there who has yet to speak. Ladon Radim is with you, is he not?" Kolya asked.

"Why would Ladon be here?" Elizabeth asked, although her eyes had settled shrewdly on Ladon.

Kai's jaw tightened. So whatever this was, was Ladon's fault. John was in this position because of something Ladon had done. She wouldn't forget it. 

Kolya smirked into the camera. "Why to preserve his precious alliance with you Doctor Weir. So that the Genii might remain in the favor of Atlantis. My sources have already confirmed this, so there's no point in denying the fact. Turn him over to me, and Colonel Sheppard will be released immediately," Kolya said.

Elizabeth looked from Ladon over to McKay, Ronon and finally her gaze settled on Kai. "I'll need time to consider your offer," she said ignoring the look Kai gave her. Kai wasn't leader here, she had only herself to consider. Elizabeth had to think of everyone in the expedition. 

Kolya nodded as though he had expected that. "Allow me to help expedite your decision," he said. Kolya stepped back out of the way. The camera turned towards the door. It opened theatrically and two soldiers came in pulling a chained Wraith between them. They brought the Wraith towards where Sheppard was restrained. John's eyes widened and he immediately began fighting the ropes. 

"Oh my god," Elizabeth said, bringing her hands up to cover her mouth.

"Sheppard could have left you to rot!" McKay yelled frantically. "Down in that hole when we last met, Kolya. He does not deserve this!"

"Let's be clear Doctor McKay," Kolya said from off screen. "No one does."

The soldiers brought the Wraith around, and positioned it right in front of Sheppard.

Kai couldn't breathe. She stepped up to the screen, her eyes locked on John's face as she fought to memorize every inch of it. The soldiers unlocked some sort of metal glove that encased the Wraith's feeding hand.

"Kolya!" Kai shouted. "I'll find you. I swear to the maker there is no place in this galaxy you can hide from me!"

John's eyes flickered to the camera and a pained look crossed his face as he heard Kai's voice. 

"Is that your pet Mortii I hear?" Kolya asked, peaking in from the side of the camera. "If I remember correctly it is rather fond of the Colonel," Kolya said chuckling as though the notion that Kai could have emotions was amusing to him. "I trust you can control your pet," Kolya said. "Or does it speak for you?"

"Don't do this. Don't do it," Elizabeth begged, her voice breaking with emotion.

"The choice is your's Doctor Weir," Kolya said calmly. Behind him the soldiers were struggling to hold the Wraith back from Sheppard now that it's hand was free. It leaned towards the meal in front of it, growling low in it's throat. 

"Do we have an agreement?" Kolya asked calmly as though there wasn't a raging Wraith just behind him.

Every eye in the control room went to Elizabeth. All but Kai. She couldn't take her eyes off of John. He was glaring at Kolya, his eyes narrowed angrily; defiant to the last. It was an easy and obvious choice. Kai waited for Elizabeth to agree to give up the Genii rat. She only hoped Kolya would let John go as he promised once he had Ladon. 

"Very well," Kolya said gravely and he nodded at the soldiers. 

"No! Wait! " Kai shouted, her head snapping to Elizabeth, but Weir didn't say a word to stop them. 

Kai's hands came up to cover her mouth in horror. It felt like she was watching it all in slow motion, but it happened too fast for her to do anything to prevent it. The soldiers released the Wraith's feeding hand and it slammed it's palm against Sheppard's chest. Kai couldn't breathe. It felt like it was her the wraith was sucking the life from. A strangled, pained sound tore from her throat. Ronon's large hand closed around her shoulder as she took another step towards the screen.

"Enough," Kolya called after a moment. The soldiers wrestled the wraith back away from Sheppard. The wraith fought them, tossing one of them across the room. Kai had a terrifying moment where it looked like the Wraith might escape and finish what it started. More soldiers ran into the room and dragged it away as it snarled it's rage at being prevented from finishing the feeding. 

As soon as the Wraith was gone Kai locked her eyes on John. He hung in his restraints, his chest rising and falling as he fought to catch his breath. His black hair was threaded with grey and there were deep lines around his eyes and mouth as though he had aged twenty years before their eyes. It looked like it took every ounce of his strength, but he managed to lift his chin and stare straight into the camera. He shook his head slowly. It felt like he was locking eyes with her specifically, as though he knew she would be watching. Of course she would be, where else would she be? It felt like the message was for her though. He didn't want her to come for him. She tightened her jaw even as tears filled her eyes and she covered her mouth with her hand. She wouldn't leave him there, no matter what he said. 

"You crossed a line Kolya," Elizabeth growled.

"We've found that a minimum of three hours between feeding sessions is crucial to ensure the body has sufficient time to recover from the trauma. That's the time you have to decide. Three hours," Kolya growled and the screen went dead.

Kai stood in the middle of the room staring at the black screen feeling like she had been cut adrift. She could hear and feel movement and arguments all around her, but none of it mattered. She was frozen with her hand still covering her mouth as she realized the truth. Kolya would never let John go now. Kolya would kill him, as he had always intended to do. Elizabeth had left him there to be killed, all to protect her precious alliance with the Genii. Her eyes cut over to Ladon; the man who had tried to take Atlantis, and who would have happily let her and John die during his coup. The only reason he had helped them escape was because it suited him and his desire for power. Elizabeth had sacrificed John for him. Rage tore through Kai so fast and hot, tears were still running down her cheeks as she began to shake. 

"Kai," Elizabeth said gently. Her tone was sympathetic as though she would comfort Kai. 

Kai turned cold eyes towards the leader of Atlantis. "You did this," she said hollowly. 

Elizabeth pulled back in confusion. "What?" she asked in genuine surprise. 

"You," Kai said carefully. "You did this."

"Kai-" Teyla said in a warning voice. She had never seen Kai like this before. Kai had always had absolute control of her emotions. Seeing her lose that control was truly frightening. Elizabeth seemed to only see the tears on Kai's cheeks, she had missed her clenched fists that were shaking with Kai's barely contained rage. 

Ronon glanced back and forth between Teyla and Kai and seemed to understand at once. He took a step forward to intervene. "Little sister-" he started to say, but Kai had already turned on Elizabeth. 

Kai let her hand fly and slapped the leader of Atlantis. The entire room flinched as the crack echoed off the walls of the control room. Elizabeth's head snapped to the side and she reached up to cup her cheek as her eyes widened in fear and surprise. At last she seemed to understand the danger standing in front of her. 

"How dare you," Kai hissed. "You traded John's life for his," Kai snarled and she pointed at Ladon. 

"Kai-" Elizabeth started to say again, but no matter how strong she tried to sound there was a slight tremble of fear in her voice. "He's still alive, we could..."

Kai's storm grey eyes glittered dangerously and Elizabeth stopped speaking. Kai lifted her chin, the tears still rolling down her cheeks. "If John dies, I swear to you here and now the two of you will join him."

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Hello friends! I hope you enjoyed the update!