Truth...

Disclaimer: I own nothing. I'm just playing with the characters for my own entertainment.

Notes: AU for "Critical Mass." What if Kavanagh hadn't fainted? This idea has been nagging at me since I saw the episode. Dr. Weir was bothered by her decision but she got off easy since Kavanagh fainted. But how worse would it be if he hadn't done so? There is a lot of Kavanagh whumping in this but I do really like the guy. (He reminds me of myself in many ways.)I just wanted the episode to be darker. Also, since he's never given a name on the show, I decided he looked like a Jason so that's what I'm using. There are going to be three chapters total.

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Dr. Jason Kavanagh sat in the interrogation room, drumming his fingers on the table impatiently. Weir had departed a while ago but still he was forced to stay here and fume about his treatment. How dare she think he would plant a bomb? She didn't even know him. He wasn't a murderer. He may be arrogant but no more than McKay and everyone seemed to tolerate him just fine.

When the door opened, he fully expected it would be someone entering to tell him he was free to go. This was all a big misunderstanding after all. Instead, it was Sheppard's pet Neanderthal, Ronon Dex. He stood up nervously. He didn't know this man but there was a very obvious threat in the way he was advancing towards him, knife in hand.

Weir must have sent him to intimidate Kavanagh but it wasn't going to work. She was a pacifist and he knew she would never send someone to torture him. It would be a violation of her own principles. His only concern was that she wasn't here. If she HAD sent this man to torture him, she wouldn't have the stomach to watch and her absence made him slightly more nervous. Still, he couldn't believe anything violent was going to happen here.

"What do you want?" He was proud that he spoke clearly as Ronon circled around behind him and his voice didn't waver. He managed to resist the urge to turn to see what he was doing. This was just another intimidation technique. Well, he'd put up with bullies his whole life and he wasn't going to fall for it this time.

"You know what I want. The access codes. NOW." Kavanagh rolled his eyes.

"I don't have them. You're wasting your..." A hand seized the back of his head and slammed it down. He was too surprised to even struggle as he hit the table hard and slid down to the floor. His glasses slid off his face and he heard them smash as he spat blood from his split lip. This couldn't be happening. He couldn't be locked in a room with a madman who was going to beat him to a bloody pulp for answers he didn't possess.

Ronon hauled him to his feet. The big man stared at Kavanagh with no expression. The man may as well have been an insect for all that flat gaze betrayed. Kavanagh could taste blood and his vision was blurry from more than just the loss of his glasses.

"Tell me the codes." He shook his head and was rewarded with a punch in the gut that dropped him to his knees. Ronan grabbed his ponytail and forced his head back. The fear was obvious on the scientist's face as he stared wide-eyed at the big man. He couldn't hide it anymore. Kavanagh was wheezing for breath now but he had enough left to gasp as the knife cut a burning line across his arm. The blood began to soak into his sleeve. "I can keep this up for as long as necessary. The codes."

"Please. I...don't have them. This is wrong. You can't..." Whatever else he might have said was lost in a scream as Ronan casually reached down and snapped the scientist's left wrist.

Sheppard ran down the corridor as fast as he could. He had to stop Ronon before it was too late. The two soldiers guarding the door to the interrogation room gave him startled salutes as he raced past them but he never even saw them. He burst through the door and then skidded to a stunned halt at the sight before him.

Ronon was holding Dr. Kavanagh up by the front of his shirt. The scientist was splattered with his own blood and hung limply from Ronan's tight grip. He was breathing in jagged gasps and he was clearly going to be spending a good amount of time in the infirmary. But at least he was alive and none of the injuries looked permanent.

"Let him go, Ronon. He's not the saboteur. It's Caldwell." Stunned surprise played across the big man's face. He looked at his victim and then lowered Kavanagh to the ground. The injured man curled into the fetal position, shivering and moaning in pain as he cradled his wounded arm to his body. Sheppard shuddered inwardly. This was going to be a bad situation later but right now they had Caldwell to deal with. He summoned the guards and had them get the medics for Kavanagh. Repercussions would have to wait.