Title: In Choice and Freedom
Chapter: 1 – Haven
Part: 1/?
Rating: M
Warnings: AU world, violence, mention of drug use, and sexual scenes.
Disclaimers: I earn no money from this, and I own no part of the Stargate world, only the characters that I create for myself.
Spoilers: Set in established AU world, set in equivalent time to mid season 3.

Note: This fic is a direct sequel to 'Late Night Visitors', and is therefore set after all previous Alliance fics. As a quick summary, chronologically speaking in the AU universe - first there was the 'Iketani Trilogy' (First Contacts, Convergence of Acquaintances, and Dark Shadows Rising), which was followed by 'Interlude' and then 'Late Night Visitors'. It's fun to have finally run full circle from John and Teyla's first meeting to the events of 'Late Night Visitors' (which I wrote first before everything else), and now I can take you all on the ride that takes John and Teyla forward in this AU universe. I really hope you enjoy it.

Note2: I have been absent from the writing world for a few months as some might have noticed, as due to personal reasons I was not inclined to write any romantic fic. However, I have not been sitting idle, for I decided to focus on this my next big Alliance fic. It is act one essentially of a new over-riding arc of stories. So think of this fic is only part one, but an entire story in itself. As such, and not wanting to let people down again with posting before I finish a fic, I held back posting until I had finished it completely. At just over 140,000 words it is now complete (I know!) and I'm looking forward to posting it all up quickly. Thank you all for your patience and I hope that people are still supporting our ship despite the years passed since the show disappeared from our screens. At least we have our recognition in the official legacy novels that have been released – which I recommend reading. Much love, Wedjatqi x

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Chapter 1 - Haven

It was the perfect location, perfectly placed, perfectly designed and implemented. The massive walls and ceiling built solidly in stone and brick, and lined with metal plating would stop anything getting in, forming a haven of safety and secrecy.

Only one large tunnel led off the vast inner chamber, leading to more intimate rooms, and on to the more basic needs of the community – toilets, fresh water supply from the underground well, and two very well stocked kitchens. Everything that was needed all precisely provided.

Roth was very pleased with himself for this. It was just perfect.

Moving up the single tall metal staircase, he stretched out a hand, running it across the closest smooth reinforced wall, inhaling the smell of the newly forged metal and newly dried bonding agents. This place could withstand any attack, any siege, and it was all perfectly done.

Up at the top of the staircase, the main entrance was protected by three inner doors, each hermetically sealable and guarded and booby trapped if necessary. Nothing would get in here, nothing could break into the haven he had created.

A haven free for the true experience, free of all tyranny.

On its grand opening this night, people were flowing into Haven, all specifically invited, all equally invested in this wondrous achievement.

Everyone entering knew him, all smiling and nodding as they passed him on his way up the stairs. He saw the approval and excitement in their eyes. He had fielded so many compliments already this day, but he happily received more. It was just as it should be, perfect.

As the last group passed by him, their heels and boots clinking on the metal steps, he looked out at the vast main chamber below. So many likeminded people all safe and together. Here they could be free. Here they could do what they wished.

Here they could fly free.

"Roth," a voice called to him urgently. "He is not yet here."

With an in breath of patience, Roth turned and proceeded up the last steps to the innermost door that protected the entrance to Haven.

Malden was a less than pleasant man, but he was passionate about his beliefs and he had contacts that had been very useful. He had approached Roth a few months previously, apparently having lost favour with his previous employer, Dantu, after a deal had not been completed. Roth hadn't been entirely encouraged to take Malden in, but he had been with Dantu for many years and had known every single one of his contacts. With the descent of Dreamstation, all the suppliers and handlers had been in a craze to organise new ties and alliances, and Roth had had to step in to provide some much needed order.

Creass was still out there, but Roth had different ideals to that thug who was now apparently in hiding. Roth was focused purely on the supply and use, not on petty criminal acts and financial gain as Creass always had been. Roth had easily acquired many of the connections of Creass' previous business, but had focused them far more ideally. And thus Haven had been created.

And into its welcoming arms, all were welcome that were known, which included the rather anxious and less than fragrant Malden. Roth would have to remind him to use the washing facilities once Haven was securely closed.

"He will be here, Malden. Calm yourself," Roth assured him as he passed through the innermost doors. Ahead the security he had assigned nodded in greeting. "Everyone accounted for?" He asked the closest guard.

"Yes, Roth, all but Khor."

"He will be here," Roth assured them as well. "Set about starting up the music and lights. Tell the kitchens to start handing out the welcoming drinks."

"Yes, Roth," one guard nodded as he lifted his communicator and began to relay the orders.

Roth kept on walking, Malden skittering along behind him, through the next two open doorways and up a short stairwell up to the large thick metal main entrance. One of the two thick doors stood open, cold night air seeping in from outside, making the walls seem colder than nature should allow them to be.

Roth stepped up into the open doorway and took in a deep breath of the fresh alien air. It would be his last for several days, and though he would be happy enough to remain in Haven for that time, he took time to enjoy the cold air filling his lungs.

"Where is Khor?" Malden asked worriedly behind him, his shifting feet seeming more agitated than was appropriate.

"Why are you so anxious?" Roth demanded calmly. "He will be here. It is much for his profit as our plan."

Malden lowered his eyes at the challenge. "I've just heard how good this new Quantum is – they say he's advanced the effects almost twice as much."

"And that will not change in the short time you have to wait until he is here," Roth logically supplied.

Young addicts were always difficult, but there was something about Malden that seemed always especially nervous. He was often seen glancing over his shoulder as if he expected some spectre to descend upon him at any moment. Perhaps he had been hunted by Wraith before now. Roth took another breath and forced himself to be calm and have patience for the young man.

"Why do you not go down and help assist the others to set everything up?" He suggested.

"But, if Khor...?"

"It will make no difference if you are here or further down in the chamber," Roth argued. "He will arrive when he does."

Malden's eyes slid to the dark sky past Roth's shoulders and he nodded. "I'll check to see if everything is ready," he suggested and scurried away down the steps.

Feeling instantly more at ease, Roth stepped out through the main entrance into the night air. The guards stood outside all nodded at him. They were wrapped up in multiple layers against the chilled night of this dead planet, but soon enough they could step inside into the warmth as well.

Roth looked out at the bare landscape beyond Haven. It was an empty world, long since destroyed and mutilated by the Wraith. If there had been a Portal on the planet, it had been taken a very long time ago. There was no way to reach Haven without transport, and he had supplied it all. Out to the right, on a flat plain a good walk from the hidden entrance to Haven, over twenty transport ships were concealed from above. Only one man and one ship was missing still. Roth had no doubt that Khor would arrive, but he seemed to always be one for dramatic entrances.

He was a strange man, but he had what Roth and his community required.

"There," one of the guards called out, indicating up into the dark distance.

A tiny bead of red light blinked in and out as it passed through the thin clouds. Khor was here.

Roth watched as the ship rushed through the sky, dipping down out of the clouds, down towards the parking plain. Khor had insisted on bringing his own ship, but since Roth had seen the ship enough times, he had agreed. Khor had as much to enjoy and benefit from with Haven as he did.

Khor's small black ship slowed, turned, and dropped vertically down to the plain. Roth watched the ship lower to the pale ground, saw the lights shut down and darkness swallow the ship as its pilot rolled it forward under the camouflaged area.

"Tell them he is here," Roth ordered one of the guards, who turned and raced away inside, his own excitement plain. Moments later a roar of delight echoed up from the depths of Haven, and Roth smiled. Music, loud and rampant, began, rumbling up from the chamber, voices rising in celebration of life and freedom.

One of the guards stepped closer. "I've heard that his Quantum is amazing. It sets the soul free like nothing else."

"So I have heard," Roth replied. He was looking forward to trying the new version of Quantum as much as the others, but everything had its time, and first he needed to ensure all was well. He would make certain Haven's community were safely sealed inside and then he would allow himself to slip into that altered state, so wondrous, so freeing...

He cleared his throat, the anticipation like a living creature inside his chest, demanding its freedom, crying out for the moment of connection with everything. If Khor's latest version of Quantum really was as amazing as everyone had heard...

With a forceful push of will, Roth forced his thoughts away from what was to come and instead focused on Khor's approach from the plain. He realised that more time had passed than he had been aware, which meant that his own need was growing far too fast. It just had been too many days since he had had time to take a dose of Quantum, but now, all his plans were coming to fruition, all perfection personified, and then he could enjoy his freedom.

The guards moving anxiously and excitedly beside him, Roth watched Khor's form emerge from the shadows. He had his ever present assistant with him, a bland bald man, who held a large metal box. The new Quantum.

Subtly wiping his now sweating palms against his sides, Roth stepped forward to meet Khor.

He was a tall and quiet man. He had rarely ever shown any emotion that Roth had seen during any of their meetings. Apparently, he had been involved with Quantum supply for some time, but it had only been in the absence of Creass, that Khor had stepped forward as a major supplier outside the Alliance border. No one knew where he came from, from which world he was borne, but then that wasn't anything new in their line of business.

However, there was something silently intimidating about Khor, with his direct emotionless stare. Roth wondered if Khor ever took his own Quantum, because it was difficult to imagine the man lost in the wonder and endless peace of the drug.

"Welcome, Khor," Roth greeted him as they met in the open space outside Haven. "Welcome to Haven."

Khor looked beyond him towards the entrance and his lips lifted in something close to a smile. "So I see. I have the very best and latest of my creations here." He indicated the metal box the other man held as if its weight was nothing. "Shall we begin?"

Roth smiled. "Yes, welcome Khor. Those inside have heard much of your new adaptations and are looking forward to the experience."

Khor nodded and moved forward, his assistant at his elbow, into the entrance to Haven. "You said to bring enough for at least six hundred."

"Yes," Roth replied as he worked to keep up with Khor's long strides down the stairs and through the inner doors.

The music was pounding loud in here, vibrating off the solid metal lined walls, and it felt as if they were descending into his dream made real. Perfection was almost here.

Roth turned and looked up towards the guards behind him. "Lock it up," he ordered and the loud clang of the main door slammed shut up the steps.

Feeling as if his chest was vibrating with his excitement, Roth hurried to catch up with Khor as he passed through the last of the inner doors and out onto the landing overlooking the vast chamber below. It was filled with music, light, and voices, and as they saw Khor's arrival, the loudest cheer Roth had ever heard rose up, echoing throughout Haven.

It was perfection indeed.

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The auditorium was beautiful. The high ceiling decorated in sweeping blues and greens, interspersed with spiralling browns. A decor Teyla could easily identify as very Ancestor. Though she saw much of Ancestor technology in her life, Atlantis was something very unique. An entire city built by the Ancestors, in which they had lived, and died. To stand here in their city felt as if she could be standing in the days of the Ancestors themselves.

There was something enticing, relaxing, and inspiring about this ancient city. It had survived so many thousands of years and now was the focus of a vital new move towards possible unity for this galaxy. It was almost enough to make her begin to believe, as her father and people did, that the Ancestors still watched over those they had left behind.

If any day their influence was needed again in this city, it was now.

The auditorium was fully packed, but all eyes were focused on the central tables. It had been three months of planning, designing, convincing and even threatening, to fill those tables and the seats behind them.

The High Council had resisted this meeting, had preferred to stand broken and undecided on their stance with Atlantis. Too many in their numbers saw Atlantis as a threat, or as a very real enemy who had been responsible for the assassination of one of their number. Despite evidence, assurance, and Atlantis' own peaceful trade agreements with four major systems within the Alliance, those factions held tight to their beliefs. Most days, Teyla would agree that people could believe what they wished, but when those beliefs began to harm all those within the Alliance, it had been time for the Military Council to force things with the High Council.

It had been a calculated risk, and one that would likely have consequences she could not yet predict, but the pressure had succeeded in bringing about this meeting.

A meeting to formally agree a non-aggression treaty between the Alliance and Atlantis.

The treaty, which she and father had helped to draft, was in itself simple and direct enough that there should not have been too much of a problem getting all parties to agree. However, life was never simple.

Teyla looked away from the political debating between the central tables, to the encircling observers. Half were a mix of ambassadors and observers from the Alliance, but the other half were a far more desperate and angry looking group. Hallow and malnourished eyes looked out from the outskirts of the other side of the auditorium, as they listened to the possible future of their worlds. Atlantis had taken in a vast number of refugees over the last few months, to the point where they were struggling to supply basic food for them. Apparently, there were several worlds far beyond the Alliance border which had agreed to take in some of the refugees, but those agreements often hinged on trade and protection agreements with Atlantis.

She knew from John that most of those possible refugee agreements would also hinge on the outcome of this treaty. Many of the worlds who would take in those displaced by the Wraith's ravenous and vicious clearing of entire solar systems just beyond the Alliance's expanding border, were adamant that they must in turn be protected from the Alliance.

Fear of the Alliance appeared to be as strong as the fear of the Wraith these days, which worried Teyla greatly, but not as much as the Wraith's renewed power these last few months. It appeared that a large majority of the remaining Hives had organised an alliance of their own, and were systematically working to surround the Alliance's borders with their own strip of territory, working to hem them in. The tactic was working as well, for several systems had been entirely seeded with space mines, patrolled by Wraith cruisers and Hives. The populations of entire worlds beyond the border had disappeared to feed such a massive Wraith undertaking, and Teyla knew that allies outside that Wraith border would be vital. If Atlantis, and perhaps hopefully the Travellers eventually as well, could attack the Wraith at their back as the Alliance attacked the front, then there was every chance that the Wraith could be broken.

Such had been the Military Council's argument to the High Council over this meeting with Atlantis. It would be an easy and cheap price to have peace with a potentially powerful ally, but it seemed that she and her fellow warriors had not factored in pride and suspicion.

John had reminded her only last night that not everyone thought as Elite did, as any warrior did. Politicians did not care about honour. They did not worry over saving lives the same way that a warrior did. They thought differently, often planning their next move years ahead that would gain them and their people a more stable and rich standing.

John had been far closer to the truth than he had realised. For the Alliance was not only facing difficulties at the outskirts of its borders, but also within. For Atlantis was not the only cause for disagreement between the most powerful in the Alliance. Cracks were forming in long held agreements. Those who had established the first binding agreements that had originally formed the Alliance were no longer in charge. These days, those in power had spent most of their lives in peace, and the danger of the Wraith was only a distant childhood memory. Now the bonds between systems and planets were not formed through friendship and shared war wounds. Those in power did not know those they dealt with so well, their own worlds growing rapidly in population size and demand. They kept their own counsel, and the distribution of wealth, medical care, technology and food throughout the massive and densely populated Alliance was far from equal. Words of revolution against governments and the High Council were heard more than ever before.

Only last night she had shared as much with John over the situation with the Genii. They had been one of the strongest factions within the Alliance, having been one of the first to stand up to the Wraith successfully. They were strong, military-minded and full of pride, but their government had begun to weaken. For too many years, the supreme Leader of the Genii and his closest advisors had focused on amassing their own personal status and wealth, so that now their own people had begun to rebel. She had confided to John that the outcome of this non-aggression treaty would likely turn the tide either way for the Genii. The Genii people saw Atlantis as a valuable resource, for their own benefit, and if their ruling body did not see that resource secured then a revolution would likely follow.

It seemed that one particular Genii had sought to push for that revolution faster though. She had not heard his name before, and that concerned her.

Acastus Kolya.

He had apparently been a military commander who had led an invasion into Atlantis during a particularly weak moment for the city. John and his people had thwarted the attack and the Genii had immediately disowned any knowledge of Kolya's actions. John had thought Kolya dead, having shot him in the chest in the last instance of Kolya's escape from the city, but last night, it had emerged that John had been mistaken.

For Kolya had attempted to assassinate John.

Just the thought of it, of the memory of that man holding a gun up at John's face, it angered her in a way that had her break her eyes away from the full auditorium.

If she had not been sleeping in John's quarters last night...

The assassin had slipped into the room when John had gone to the bathroom in the middle of the night, and as such John had been taken completely by surprise when he had emerged from the bathroom to find a gun pointed at him.

Having woken when John had left the bed, she had seen the assassin slip in from the balcony. She had chosen her moment carefully, not wanting to draw attention to her and lose her moment of surprise.

If she had not agreed to stay the night with John last night, he would likely have been killed - assassinated by this Kolya out of revenge and political sabotage.

John had joked the event off after the would-be assassin had been removed by Atlantis personnel, but Teyla had not been able to brush aside such an event.

John had begun to be very important to her.

These last few months had been filled with almost weekly interactions with him on Tjaru, as he, Father and Mr Woolsey had worked to draft the non-aggression treaty, and forge stronger bonds for Atlantis with others within the Alliance. Truthfully speaking, she had not needed to be as present on Tjaru as she had been, but since she had taken over much of the Elite representative's tasks with Nalla on the Military Council, she had had excuse enough to stay on Tjaru so frequently recently.

She had not intended to spend so much time with John, to happen to always been in Tjaru on the two days she knew Atlantis visited Athos. To the outside, it hopefully had appeared that she and John had simply been working together, and forging a respectful friendship. With Halling and Si also occasionally being in Tjaru to talk with John and others from Atlantis, it seemed innocent enough. News of the Elite's favour towards Atlantis had begun to spread and as such there had been a surprising number of visitors to Tjaru requesting to meet those from Atlantis.

And such, with her own duties and the presence of Atlantis, there were plenty of valid and important reasons why her presence in Tjaru had been so frequent.

It had had nothing to do with her desire to see John so much. With the overwhelming urge she had to pull him to her quarters each time she saw him, to tear his clothes from his body and lie with him for as long as they could snatch time without suspicion.

What had started as an agreement to share only one afternoon together had slipped into one more evening when they had accidently met on Pelydr. Only they had then seen each other a few days later while she had been on Athos, overseeing the installation of Elkaska's gift to Zabetha and Rhakshar. She and John had found themselves left alone together, as both Father and Mr Woolsey had hoped they would share military information with each other. It had been an opportunity that had been difficult to cast aside. She had led him to her quarters and had barely shut the door before they had been upon each other. It had started a pattern of interactions that continued to this day.

When with others, they were in control, carefully phrasing questions and answers, and working towards a common goal of peace between the Alliance and Atlantis. When they were alone however, she could not keep her hands off him, and he seemed to share the same desperate passion. Some days they had had barely ten minutes alone together, but never were they wasted minutes.

And a few times they had almost been caught, but for now their ongoing affair remained secret. Last night's assassination attempt appeared to confirm that, and it had saved John's life.

Her eyes slid to where he now sat in the auditorium. He was seated beside Mr Woolsey and Mr Faxon, the two ambassadors of Atlantis leading their side's part in the long-winded negotiations. The three of them had worked well together so far, arguing calmly and logically.

A sudden heavy sigh to her left drew Teyla's attention from John's handsome profile.

"It appears that this will not be resolved today," Kari muttered with no small amount of boredom in her voice. "Can we not just force the High Council to sign the treaty?"

Teyla smiled at the whispered suggestion from her fellow Elite warrior. "I do not think that will help matters," Teyla replied quietly. Though it certainly would make life so much easier if the Elite could do just that.

Kari sighed again and pulled out her electronic pad. "It would get us out of here quicker."

Teyla nodded, but inwardly she had no complaints at staying in Atlantis a further night.

She had oddly enjoyed sleeping in John's bed last night. Though they had shared many enjoyable hours over the last few months in bed together, last night had been the first and only time she had spent the entire night with him. Despite the rude interruption of the would-be assassin, she had enjoyed last night. She had found great pleasure from the simple sound of John's steady soft breathing beside her, and the weight of his arm draped over her as he slept. She had even allowed him to lie over her briefly while they had kissed and stroked one another.

Last night had been dramatic and exciting in equal measures - she wondered what tonight would bring.

"Nalla has sent a data-burst through the Atlantis Portal," Kari reported.

Teyla looked round to her colleague, the faint blue light of the pad glowing up across Kari's narrow features. She was a strong and stoic Elite warrior, though perhaps rather quick to form an opinion, but Teyla greatly valued her by her side. Even in such a boring situation as watching over the treaty negotiations. The Elite had agreed among themselves that the Elite would not be directly involved in the treaty talks, but that they would be present. It was important that the Elite be seen as part of the Military Council and Military force, but not in a way that might place their own pressure on the High Council. Though many had suggested the Elite could be more effective in changing policy, since they had the support of almost the entire population of the Alliance, the Elite remained a non-political group. At least for now.

"Anything of interest?" Teyla asked Kari, feeling her own boredom and hoping for some distraction. There was only so long and frequently she could watch John without someone perhaps noticing. She had become rather skilled at managing how often she looked at him and for how long, all while controlling her expression.

"Nothing yet on the border battles, they are all still ongoing from this morning. Mmm this is of interest," Kari pondered, "there was a riot this morning on Aria."

Teyla snapped her head back round from looking at John, who's voice had lifted above the others. "On Aria?"

The High Council met on Aria. It was considered the unofficial centre of the Alliance, having been the first world protected by the emerging Elite and Alliance Military back when the Alliance had been first formed. It was a highly advanced and peaceful planet, with the most heightened security as expected for the residence of the High Council.

"Nalla reports it was mostly peaceful, though several ringleaders were arrested for aggressive incitement."

"What were they protesting about?" Teyla asked.

Kari frowned in the light of her pad. "They were mostly of the religious idea that Atlantis should be restored to those of this galaxy. The ringleaders were advocating that the High Council take the city by force."

Teyla sighed and frowned up towards the beautifully decorated ceiling of the auditorium.

"And it seems that Oneakka is continuing his attempt to clean the galaxy of drug dealers until he finds Creass," Kari added, some humour now apparent in her voice.

Teyla looked back to her. "What did he do this time?"

"Apparently he closed down an entire sector of the Western City on Litan. There are fifteen store owners in Enforcement custody and a massive amount of rose grain was set alight."

"Is he attempting to save Litan from the mulling affects of rose beer?" Teyla asked, amused despite herself.

Kari smiled. "Apparently the smoke could be seen all the way to the Portal."

"I imagine the Western City will smell like burnt rose grain for many weeks."

"He did manage to find someone who used to trade out of Dreamstation, but then there were many of them," Kari continued. She sighed as she lowered the pad. "We should have sent him out to the outer Lantana battle with Seifer."

"You know as well as I do that nothing in this universe will redirect Oneakka when he is set on course," Teyla replied, her gaze sliding back to John, having deemed enough time had passed until she could look at him again.

Beside him, Mr Woolsey was rubbing his forehead with what appeared to be exhausted impatience. She had not seen the politician pushed to that point before. She tuned into what was being said.

"...Atlantis cannot withhold territory from us," Eydis was saying, quite loudly. He was the negotiator assigned by the noticeably absent High Council, "you have no rights. You are not even of this galaxy!" It was an argument that had been used frequently against Atlantis over the last two days.

"If we have no right over unclaimed territory, then neither should your people," Ambassador Faxon replied calmly. He had been assigned, along with Mr Woolsey, by Earth to lead the Atlantis side of the negotiations over the treaty. He seemed a very able and approachable man. He also had a strong will, which was serving him well.

"This is our galaxy," Eydis replied.

"And that was our planet!" A man shouted from the side of the room. "You storm in and take over our world." He was one of the many refugees watching the political debate.

Eydis glanced towards the man with an expression horribly close to disgust. "You have asked Atlantis to speak for you, so there must be no interaction from the walls."

Ambassador Faxon held his hand up to the angry man behind his table, silently asking for calm. The refugees in the room were representatives of the many others filling Atlantis' east pier. They likely had been world and group leaders, and as such had been invited by Atlantis to be present in the auditorium to observe and give evidence. It had been a calculated and wise move by Atlantis, for by putting so many worlds and faces on display for the Alliance to see, it was no longer just a political theoretical debate solely against Atlantis. Today's choices impacted real lives for residents of this galaxy.

"They understand, Ambassador," Faxon replied to Edyis. "You can understand that this is a difficult issue for them."

"For all of us," another one of the refugee leaders proclaimed from his seat and that side of the auditorium exploded into shouts and cheers.

Faxon held his hands up again for quiet, but silence only came many minutes later once the refugee leaders themselves had calmed and asked for quiet among their own people.

"Mr Eydis," Faxon began. "Please understand that these worlds that you invade, do not always want your protection."

"Yet they benefit from it," Eydis replied. "Once within the Alliance territory, they will be protected constantly from the Wraith. Alliance warriors will shed their breath and blood for them, to keep them alive."

"No one is arguing that the Alliance aren't doing a great job out there," John put in. "But, what's the point if you're not going to respect the people you're protecting?"

"They're building an Empire that is what they're doing, they wish to rule us all," one of the watching refugees shouted and the room filled with shouts once more.

"We are definitely not going to get out of here today," Kari sighed.

"No, it does not appear that we are," Teyla agreed.

A door slid open to the left and she and Kari both looked round to see that Halling had entered.

"Thank Hastos and Sythus," Kari muttered as she moved to meet her relief. Halling exchanged some words with her that made him smile.

Teyla looked back to the angry faces in the auditorium. She was not concerned though. These people were not ready for violence, they were just expressing their opinion. She suspected that Colonel Carter would have spoken with the refugee leaders about such matters. It would do no good to send in the most angry and violent of those displaced by the Alliance. Peace was the objective of these negotiations.

"It appears to be the same here as it was this morning," Halling stated as he arrived at her side.

"Indeed it is," Teyla agreed as she scanned the faces of those watching from the Alliance side. "However, I believe that opinions are slowly shifting." There were far more thoughtful expressions to be seen there than as angry and worried as yesterday.

Halling nodded beside her and they fell into silence as they listened to Eydis begin again on the subject of unclaimed territory.

"I spent some time sparring with several of the Marines last night," Halling said quietly after a while.

Teyla smiled. "Did you enjoy yourself?"

"It was very informative," Halling replied, his eyes forward. "I attempted to visit you afterwards to discuss what I had learnt."

Teyla stiffened, but she kept her gaze forward, working to keep her shoulders relaxed.

"You were not in the guest quarters that were assigned to you," Halling finished.

"I could not sleep and went for a walk," Teyla supplied, hating lying to her friend, though it was not entirely a lie. She and John had walked, first, for he had wanted to show her some of his favourite places in the city.

"With Major Sheppard?" Halling asked.

She made sure not to look in John's direction as she replied. "For some of my walk."

"Be careful, Teyla," Halling warned quietly but insistently, surprising her.

She felt a rush of annoyance and almost anger at her friend's words. Never had she involved herself in Halling's personal life. Even back when he and Oneakka had been feuding over the same woman, actually breaking into a fight during one sparring session. She clenched her jaw tightly, holding back the words she wished to say to him. She reminded herself that Halling was her friend and just concerned - he wasn't questioning her judgement. However, that did not mean she wished to discuss this with him.

She glanced at him. "A Genii attempted to assassinate John last night," she informed him.

"I know," Halling replied, "I have just questioned the man. He said that a woman saved Major Sheppard."

Teyla looked away, back to the negotiations.

"He did not see your face though."

Teyla glanced at him again. "My personal relationships are my own, Halling," she stated as quietly as he had.

"I know that, Teyla," Halling replied. "But in this, there could be political and lasting consequences."

Teyla scoffed at the suggestion as she looked away, making light of the argument, though she had considered the same frequently. "No one will care with whom I share a bed."

"Would you have said the same of Iketani?" Halling asked.

Teyla snapped her head round, staring up at her friend. "Are you comparing my actions to that traitor?" She asked quietly, shocked and insulted. How could Halling of all people say such a thing?

Halling held up his hands, his eyes sliding away from hers to the room around them and then back. "Of course not, Teyla. But, others might."

Teyla gestured towards the rest of the busy room. "They will become allies."

"Not yet," Halling replied. "And a non-aggression treaty is not the same as an alliance."

"You know these people are trustworthy," Teyla insisted.

"For now, but what if a day comes when he must choose between his people and you?" Halling pushed. "Do you think he will abandon all he knows? Would you?"

"It will never come to such a decision, Halling," Teyla replied. "We both have our allegiances, and nothing will change that."

Halling stared at her. "I am only concerned-"

"I appreciate your concern," she interrupted as she turned back towards the rest of the room, "but it is unnecessary. We both understand the nature of what we share. It is for the short-term, and as such, why should I not enjoy what others do?" She demanded, looking up at Halling again. "I know you have had relationships with women from outside military ranks, Si has his many women on Athos - so is it only male Elite you think are able to have intimate relationships?"

Halling frowned at her. She had not wanted to turn the discussion into an argument, but she felt angry with him and wanted to hurt him back a little. It was unfair of him to question her like this.

"You know I do not think that way," Halling argued. "I am only looking out for your wellbeing-"

"I do not need you to," she replied sharply. He was worse than her father, for Father at least had made no indication that he knew that anything existed but friendship between her and John. Even if he suspected otherwise. But Halling it appeared did not trust her judgement and professionalism when it came to an affair of her own.

Silence fell between them like a thick wall of pressure.

A sliver of guilt slid through her, but she squashed it. For how many years had she witnessed her fellow Elite enjoy short-lived affairs, heard of the consequences and teasing afterwards. Why was she any different? Was she not allowed such distractions like everyone else?

"I am not questioning your personal choices," Halling said quietly. "I only question that it is him."

Teyla's gaze locked onto John.

"He may one day be your enemy, Teyla. That is the only reason why I am saying this."

"And Oneakka was not your enemy for a while?" She asked, looking up at him.

"That was different," Halling replied, and there was a touch of a self-admonishing smile to his lips.

"Of course, he was not your lover," she replied, humour of her own slipping into the comment despite her still annoyed nerves.

Halling made a protesting noise and looked away. "I suppose I deserved that mental image."

Teyla smiled tightly again, her heart still beating strangely fast at their disagreement. She realised had reacted quite dramatically.

She looked back to John.

It was just a short-lived affair. They both knew that.

Why should she not enjoy him while she could?

"It was different with the disagreement between Oneakka and myself," Halling said thoughtfully next to her. "We are like brothers, and, despite what happened and may happen in our lives, I will always love him."

Halling's last words echoing through her, Teyla watched John talking, his handsome face lit with determination as he argued hard and fast for his people.

00000
TBC