A New Beginning

Ronon Dex had been on Atlantis for a few months, he was pleased to be apart of Col. Sheppard's team and was a valued member now. His friendship with Sheppard, Teyla, Beckett and Rodney was growing but he was still lonely. Seven years of running made him a solace creature, not able to make friends with anyone, or stay in any one place for more than a night. It was hard for him to adjust now that he was back in society, but he was getting there. Dr Weir decided he would benefit from some off world time staying with Teyla and her people on Athos. Teyla had become sparring partners with Ronon and they were spending more time with each other as the days went on. When Ronon and Teyla arrived on Athos, her people welcomed the Satedan; he was not unlike them, strong, warrior type and willing to help others….

"Ronon, I would like to show you the place where our ancestors first lived here on Athos, would you take a walk with me?"

"Sure, I'd like that" Ronon smiled at Teyla, she was keen to show Ronon as much of her history as she could and felt he would like to get away from the village for a while. He liked Teyla very much; she had always been kind to him and was the only one that could match his fighting abilities. He also thought she was beautiful and quite often would sit and stare at her when she was unaware, but turned away before she could catch him. For a longtime, he had not received any comfort from a woman. Teyla was pretty and her smile always made him tingle. When they sparred together he could get close to her without being 'close', he liked that. He didn't feel ready to begin a relationship with anyone but liked having contact with her, even though it was usually from her fist or elbow as it slammed into his face.

"Very well, this way" Teyla headed towards the old city. Ronon followed happily, she reminded him of Satedan women, strong and fearless. They had been on Athos for only a couple of days, Ronon had helped with the training, Teyla valued his expertise where hand-to-hand combat was concerned, and it made interesting lessons for the Athosian's.

As they reached the old city, the ruins, Teyla stood and gazed for a moment, she had memories from when she was a child, she would play here and her father would teach her of the drawings on the walls. Ronon walked slowly towards the freezes, running his hands over the drawings, as if trying to recall the past. Teyla began to tell Ronon of how the cullings from the Wraith had come and gone, their numbers dwindles but then rose again, only to be culled some time later, it was the way of. Ronon looked towards Teyla as she spoke, his hatred for the Wraith burned inside him like a fever. They destroyed everyone on Sateda. He could never forgive them. Dedicating his life to eradicate the Wraith was his promise to himself after they turned him into a runner.

Ronon continued to study the drawings on the walls of the ancient city, moving further along to 'read' the stories. Teyla realized she may have made a mistake in bringing Ronon here, she didn't realize it would trigger his own memories of the attack on Sateda. He had only spoken briefly of the last days there. Never sharing his pain, he usually stopped when it became too difficult to continue and would change the subject or say he had something to do.

Teyla moved towards Ronon who was now looking quite sad. "I am sorry Ronon, I did not mean to bring sadness to you" She moved towards him and placed her hand on his as it rested against the wall. Ronon didn't move, he stared at the paintings, the images of the Wraith burning into his eyes as they ravaged Teyla's home world.

"I'm all alone Teyla". Ronon's voice was soft, he struggled to speak. "My people are all gone and I'm alone". Turning to look at Teyla, his eyes filled with tears. Instantly she brought her other hand to his shoulder "you are NOT alone Ronon" For the first time ever Teyla didn't see 'Ronon the warrior'. His beautiful eyes were tearful, he tried to hold back his pain but it seemed the tears were intent on breaking their banks and spilling out. As she stared at the Satedan, she felt her heartbreak. His pain was her pain, she wanted to reach out to him so badly and tell him everything would be all right but was afraid he would not accept her love. She had wished to be closer to Ronon from when he first came to live with them on Atlantis, but he was a solace creature that did not crave companionship, or at least, that's what she thought. His prowess in the training room was unmatched. Her admiration for his fighting abilities could not be taken lightly; she was always considered the best but was happy to surrender that title to Ronon. But before her now was someone different.

Ronon could feel the tears falling onto his cheeks, he had tried to hard to not let this happen but seeing the drawings brought everything back to him. His eyes gazed into Teyla's and while he didn't want pity, he found warmth in her face. Kneeling down on one knee, he gazed up to the beautiful woman. Without hesitation, Teyla reached her hands around him and held him close to her body. Accepting her comfort Ronon hugged her, he squeezed her tightly as his voice broke into cries of pain. His sobbing was uncontrollable and for the first time in seven years, he broke down. Teyla's hands held onto the Satedan's dreads as she held him close to her body. The warmth from her heart enveloped Ronon as she tried to heal his wounded heart with the love from her own.

After a while Ronon managed to bring back calmness, he didn't surrender his hold on Teyla, but continued to hug her tightly. Teyla was in no rush to release him; she would stay here for as long as Ronon needed her. Resting her cheek against the top of Ronon's head, she squeezed him "I am sorry Ronon that all of these thing's happened to you, know that I am here for you, always". As Teyla finished speaking he released the tight hold and gazed up at her. He had not wanted this to happen, he would have preferred his first embrace with Teyla to be of a romantic nature instead of a comfort hug. However, looking up to the beautiful warrior he was pleased she had responded the way she had. They stared for a moment before Teyla bowed her forehead to meet with Ronon's, the traditional custom of the Athosian's and then suggested they take a slow walk back to the village, if he was ready.

The day's events had not affected Ronon, as soon as he was back at the village he seemed to be back to his usual self. He helped the villagers with their tasks, as did Teyla, before they settled down to their evening meal. The celebrations were under way, their first batch of Athosian wine was now ready for sampling and it was tradition that this would be done once all the crops where harvested. Their hard work over the last few days was to be rewarded and everyone took part in the festivities. Ronon and Teyla sat together and she introduced him to the wine, he wasn't used to such a strong brew and the others laughed when he winced at the taste. However, he got used to it and before long he was laughing and joking with the rest of the men and towards the end of the evening, he was well away to being wasted.

Later when most of the villagers had passed out, Ronon and just a few of the hardier men were still standing – Teyla hadn't drank much and was still pretty much sober and realizing if she didn't stop Ronon now, he would be ill tomorrow.

"I think you have had more than enough of our brew for one evening Ronon," she laughed when she spoke and when he turned to face her, his eyes were glazed. Laughing and giggling, he was obviously feeling the effects. He smiled like a child at Teyla, as a naughty boy would to his mother who was trying to instill discipline. "Okay" he giggled. He tried to stand but swayed and almost fell over. Teyla quickly grabbed him. "Let us go Ronon; I will assist you to your bed" Ronon half leaned and half-staggered with Teyla to his sleeping area. Falling onto his back, he was still fully clothed. "Do you think you can manage to remove your own clothing?"

"Yup" as he smiled back at his beautiful assistant who was now finding it hard to control her own giggles at his humorous antics. "Very well, then I will say goodnight" Teyla acknowledged Ronon with a gentle nod of the head and left him to slumber.

Teyla had no idea how late it was into the night when she awoke to the cries of Ronon calling her name. Her bed was next to Ronon's, although separated by a divider for privacy, her sudden awakening made her jump up quickly to see what the trouble was.

"Teyla! Teyla!"

As Teyla approach Ronon, he was flaying his arms and kicking his legs but still half asleep. The sweat on his forehead glistened as he shook his head from side to side, his pain seemingly hurtful. "NO! Teyla!"

"Ronon, I am here" Teyla knelt on the bed over the stressed man and placed her hands on his shoulders to steady his motions. Ronon's eyes sprang open at her touch. "Teyla! I …I thought you'd left me". His voice was pitiful. Reaching his hands up to Teyla's face he stared as if wondering where he was and what was happening. "I am here Ronon, you had a bad dream, do not be afraid, I have not left you" Her soothing voice calmed the Satedan and he relaxed his body and let out a sigh. Teyla brushed her hand over Ronon's forehead, wiping away the heat. Her fingers traced over his hair as she soothed him. "You are safe" Ronon's breaths were rapid but he was starting to relax and realizing his actions gave an apologetic look to Teyla. "I'm sorry"

"It is fine, do not worry" Teyla's eyes were full of empathy; she continued to touch the Satedan's hair with her delicate fingers, as if still easing his tension. After a few moments, she removed her hands from her touching and tried to get off the bed. Ronon reached for her hands quickly before she could move away. "Please, stay with me, just until I fall asleep" His eyes were pleading. Not answering immediately but staring into his beautiful hazel/green eyes, Teyla nodded. Ronon shuffled his mass to one side of the bed, as Teyla leaned over to the other side she raised the blanket and tucked her feet into the warmth. Ronon had managed to undress himself despite his drunken condition but Teyla was wearing her pajamas, a gift from Dr Weir, which she was now thankful for. Sliding her body into the bed, she tried not to touch Ronon's hot body. However, he had already raised his arm in readiness to accept her closer and before she could settle, he had already draped his arm around her shoulder and pulled her close. His other hand he wrapped around her tiny waist. Teyla placed her arm around his bulk and rested her head to his chest. He let out a long breath and mewled as he hugged his pretty Athosian. Within moments, he was fast asleep. Teyla lay still, she listened as Ronon's dreams began to stir him again, his muscles twitched and he let out a soft groan every so often, it seemed he was troubled constantly in his dreams by his past. Teyla's aim was to wait until he was asleep then she could slip away unnoticed.