Title : Love Can't Hide
Date : 9th May 2007
Author : ElaineDex
Chapter : 1 of ?
Rating : M
Pairing : Lt. Cl. John Sheppard/Lyssa Hunter, Ronon Dex/Dr. Ellie Harrison
Archiving : None
Warning : Some sexual content, possible swearing.
Spoilers : This storey follows on from Love After Love.
Feedback : Yes
Disclaimer : Only Ellie is mine, Stargate/Atlantis and all their characters are not. Lyssa Hunter belongs to Kazavid.
Summary : Following her second reunion with Ronon, Lyssa realises that maybe he wasn't her 'one true love' after all.
As Dr. Ellie Harrison walked up the make-shift aisle to marry Ronon Dex, Lyssa Hunter looked on, her heart not half as broken as she would have imagined it would be had she been witnessing this scene five months ago.
Her eyes flicked to Lt. Colonel John Sheppard who stood by Ronon's side at the top of 'the aisle', watching Ellie's approach and her heart did a strange kind of flip-flop at the sight of him in his official Earth's Air Force Uniform.
He was so handsome with his dark floppy hair. And why did he look so cute with his sunglasses on?
As Ellie passed close by, Lyssa looked at the woman whom she had once considered her love rival and realised just how right Ellie was for Ronon and just how wrong she had been.
Ellie needed Ronon to protect her and their baby, Hope, who was currently in Dr. Beckett's arms, where as Lyssa, once Ronon had taught her all he knew, was quite capable of looking after herself. Also, Lyssa had been quite young when she met Ronon and well, things change.
Her eyes flicked back to Sheppard and she blushed, something she rarely did, as she realised his sunglasses' hidden eyes were looking directly at her. She felt the heat of his gaze, hotter than the sun that was beating down upon them in the meadow on the mainland where Ronon and Ellie had decided to have their wedding.
She looked away quickly and Sheppard's lips twitched in a hidden smile. He knew the effect he had on Lyssa. Knew just how overwhelmed she felt at falling for someone new and he liked the feeling it gave him. As though he was in control.
He knew she was struggling, adjusting to being attracted to someone who was not of this Galaxy and he looked forward to getting to know her better. The one thing he wasn't looking forward to was telling Ronon of his interest in his old girlfriend.
He glanced at Ronon who was watching Ellie as she drew near them, a look of intense happiness upon his face. He had never seen Ronon looking so happy and he just hoped Ronon would be happy for him….and Lyssa.
The ceremony went off without a hitch and Sheppard clapped with the rest of the congregation as Ellie and Ronon kissed to seal their union.
The celebrations began in earnest afterwards and everyone felt they could, for once, be happy and let their guard down.
The main meal was over and the dancing and evening celebrations had begun and Sheppard was just about to seek out Lyssa when Ellie approached him.
"John", she said, grasping one of his hands in one of her small ones.
"Ellie, you looked beautiful today", he said stooping to kiss her cheek and Ellie smiled.
"Are you saying I look terrible normally?", she asked and he had the good grace to look embarrassed as she tapped his arm playfully.
"No …….I ….you do. You look nice", he said as he took in the long ivory coloured gown she wore which he had heard Teyla's friends, here on the mainland, had made for her.
"John…don't panic. Have you spoke to Lyssa today?", Ellie asked and John looked at her, shock clear on his face.
"Why…um…why would I talk to Lyssa?", he asked and Ellie grinned at him.
"I know you have feelings for each other. Lyssa told me that day with Michael", Ellie replied.
"Does er, does Ronon know?", Sheppard asked, gulping when Ellie shook her head.
"No. I promised Lyssa I wouldn't mention anything. She only told me to convince me that Ronon actually wanted me and not her, but John…..I don't like keeping secrets from him. Please tell Ronon soon. I know he won't appreciate being kept in the dark….by any of us".
Sheppard sighed. "Ellie, I don't even know myself what's happening between me and Lyssa. How can I tell Ronon?".
"How can you tell me what?", Ronon asked gruffly, suddenly appearing beside them and pulling Ellie back close against his broad chest.
Sheppard and Ellie exchanged a sharp look as Ronon looked at them both suspiciously and eventually Sheppard said,
"Oh…it's nothing. Really".
Ronon smiled, his arms tightening around Ellie as he said,
"Come on, you can tell me. What is it?".
Sheppard shrugged, "Ah…I" and he looked disdainfully at Ellie as she blurted,
"He wants to dance with me".
Ronon looked at Sheppard thinking it was a strange request.
"Oh", he said, then added, "Well, you'll have to wait. I need to be alone with my wife right now".
"No problem", Sheppard said giving Ellie a look that said 'Dance with you? Couldn't you have picked something a little different?' as Ronon pulled her away and Ellie stuck her tongue out at him in response.
Sheppard sighed and looked around, his eyes finally finding Lyssa. He saw she was watching Ronon and Ellie walking away and he walked casually over to her.
"Hey", he said, watching as she started at the sound of his voice. She must have been deep in thought, but about what?
"Are you ok?"
"Yes", Lyssa answered, smiling at him.
"You sure?", Sheppard asked and Lyssa nodded.
"I'm sure".
Not wanting to pry too much Sheppard bumped his shoulder against hers and said,
"This is supposed to be a party so let's have some fun".
"What did you have in mind?", Lyssa asked and Sheppard blinked at her. He would like to tell her exactly what he had on his mind but maybe she wasn't ready to hear it just yet.
He looked around and spotted Rodney lurking with intent over by the food table and he smiled wickedly.
"Come on….I have a plan".
After convincing Rodney that he had just eaten something that contained something that brought out one of his many allergic reactions and that he was indeed breaking out in huge red spots, Sheppard and Lyssa dissolved into fits of laughter as he ran away all but screaming for Beckett.
"He's so easy to get", Sheppard said as he regained control of himself and Lyssa nodded.
"He is, but that was cruel", and she swiped the tears of laughter away from the corners of her eyes.
"It's good to see you smile", Sheppard said suddenly, his hand reaching for her face but he had to snatch it away as Teyla approached them, Hope cradled in her arms.
"Lyssa, John", Teyla greeted them. "Would it be possible for one of you to watch Hope for me for five minutes? I promised Ellie and Ronon I would have her for tonight but I am desperate to visit the rest rooms".
Sheppard and Lyssa looked at one another and when Lyssa saw the look of complete horror on Sheppard's face at the prospect of having to hold the baby she held out her arms to Teyla.
"I'll take her", she said and Teyla passed her Hope gratefully and then dashed off.
Lyssa adjusted the baby in her arms and looked down at her.
Sheppard watched on with interest as Lyssa made soft crooning noises at Hope who gurgled back happily.
"Do you think she looks like Ronon?", he asked leaning closer to gingerly look at the baby.
"She has his mouth", Lyssa said, tracing a finger over the baby's small mouth and Sheppard frowned.
"About Ronon…", he began, almost jumping out of his skin as a large hand crashed down upon his shoulder.
"You're making me nervous, I keep hearing my name coming from your mouth", Ronon said and Sheppard laughed.
"Good, you're here. Where's Ellie, I want that dance?", and as he spotted Ellie nearby he headed off and Lyssa watched him go looking slightly confused.
"What is with him tonight?", Ronon asked and Lyssa shrugged.
"Maybe he's had too much of Dr. Zelenka's home brew", she suggested and Ronon laughed.
"Do you want me to take her?", he asked looking at Hope and Lyssa held the baby out to him.
"Sure. Teyla needed the rest room", she said and Ronon nodded.
"So. How's your mystery romance coming along?", he asked after a moment and Lyssa looked at him, her eyes widening.
"Um, it er, it, well….", she stuttered and Ronon reached out and touched her arm.
"Look, it's none of my business", then a thought dawned on him. "He hasn't already got a wife on Earth has he?" he asked and Lyssa shook her head.
"No, nothing like that", she replied.
Just then they heard Ellie cry out and Ronon and Lyssa instantly turned only to find Ellie and Sheppard sprawled on the floor in fits of laughter.
"I really can't understand why he wanted to dance", Ronon said and Lyssa shook her head.
"Me neither".
End Of Chapter 1