Title: Secrets
Author: Marianne H. Stillie
Categories: Introspective POV Episode Tag for Trinity
Rating: K+
Pairing: Ronon/Elizabeth
Series: Atlantis 'Time' Stories – Story #3
Season: Season 2
Sequel To: Alone, Conversations
Summary: Elizabeth notices an unusual change in Ronon's behavior.
Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters and places for Stargate Atlantis are the property of MGM Worldwide Television Distribution, Sony Pictures Television and Acme Shark Cooper/Wright Productions. This piece of fan fiction was created for entertainment, not monetary purposes and no infringement on copyrights or trademarks are intended. Previously unrecognized characters, places and this story are copyrighted to the author. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author.
Archive: Please do not archive anywhere without the author's permission.
Copyright (c) 2006 Marianne H. Stillie
Secrets
He's been avoiding me all week. And when he's forced to be in my presence, his face is closed and wary, his eyes turned elsewhere. His cold distance is sudden and new, more puzzling than his settling-in when he first came here.
I was so sure he was content being in Atlantis and a part of us. The nod and smile he gave me after the rescue from Olesia was the first time I sensed he saw me as more than a stranger. It was also the first time I wasn't afraid of the wild warrior he had become because of the Wraith.
The night before the Dorandan fiasco started, I walked into the mess hall and heard the most incredible explosion of male laughter. It came from a table where Sheppard, Beckett, Lorne and several other men were heavily involved in a high-stakes game of poker. The laugh had come from Ronon. The new guy, who was just learning the intricacies of that cutthroat card game, had won big and was delighting in it, while the veterans were groaning loudly. After getting a fresh cup of tea from the service bar, I watched them from a distance. His smiles and laughter as part of the group gave me a pleasant warmth, as if I personally was the cause of his happiness.
I've never sensed an inclination in him to lie, but ever since he came back from Belkan… I wonder if something happened while he was away. Teyla would know, but I can't ask. She's become very protective of him. And then there's that warrior code they live by.
I won't pursue this. Not unless the distance persists. I can't have one of my key people keeping secrets that could endanger others.