Don't own a thing…Darn it!
No Spoilers whatsoever…all made up!
The Stargate burst to life as the blue-white wave of the wormhole stabilized into the shimmering face of the event horizon.
Moments later Lt. Col. John Sheppard and his team stepped through. The gate immediately shutting down after Teyla, Ronon and Rodney were completely through.
"Well," John Sheppard said, putting on his black aviator sunglasses to shade his eyes from the glaring sun, "Let's see what's on this world." He looked around, taking in the vast vegetation, blue sky and the rocky cliffs sitting in the distance.
"I have not been to this world before Colonel," Teyla stated, walking over to examine a flowering bush growing just off of the Stargate's DHD, "But I recognize this flower."
Teyla bent and snapped the stem of a flower and held it in her hands.
It was a beautiful flower; it filled Teyla's hands with its large teardrop, orange petals that surrounded a deep, purple center.
"I have always known this flower to grow in only one place. A world called Dados…I have not been there for some time now," Teyla commented absently, a far away look in her eyes as she held the flower in her hand, gently stroking one of the soft petals.
"Right, pretty flower," Rodney quipped "but not exactly an astounding discovery that is going to help Atlantis fight off the wraith if they come back to attack us."
Ronon took a step closer to Rodney, glaring down at him, his height a great deterrent for Rodney to stop talking.
"Rodney…" Sheppard warned as he walked over to where Teyla stood.
"Dr. McKay is right Col…this flower just reminded me of someone I use to know…someone lost long ago…" Teyla made to drop the flower on the ground but stopped and instead reached up to her hair and slipped the stem into the hair band of her ponytail at the base of her neck.
"Shall we continue?" Teyla asked looking Col. Sheppard in his eyes before turning and heading out.
They headed out in the direction of the cliffs, Ronon on point, scouting ahead for signs of a path or settlement. Teyla followed slightly ahead of Col. Sheppard and Rodney took up the back and could be heard grumbling ever so often about the heat and the damage the sun was no doubt doing to his fair complexion.
But John was not paying attention instead his thoughts focused on the woman walking in front of him.
John knew Teyla. He could interpret a smile, a raised eyebrow and even her silence. They way she stood, the tilt of her head…over the past two years he knew Teyla better than anyone else yet…John stared at the flower nestled in her hair…yet what did he know of her past.
Teyla didn't talk much of her past, seeming to want to strive forward instead of looking back. With all she and her people had been through in their lives John could understand her desire to move on but sometimes…he wished that she would open up to him.
Then again, John thought, he wasn't exactly an open book concerning his past either. Sure he shared with Teyla his love of football and Ferris Wheels but as far as talking about his family…
As if Teyla could sense John watching her, she stopped to look back at him, her head slightly tilted to one side in question.
John caught her gaze and threw her a wide grin. Teyla lifted her eyebrows in amusement and waited until he was next to her before continuing to walk.
They immediately fell into a comfortable rhythm, neither speaking but both entirely aware of the other.
They continued walking hearing Rodney complain about the possible blisters his new prescription shoes were giving him when suddenly Ronon appeared on the path before them.
"I've found a trail. It leads up into the cliffs…maybe an hour old."
John and Teyla exchanged glances, "Let's pick up the pace! Rodney quit your complaining and let's see if we can catch up with the locals."
"Pick up the pace? I think I'm getting a blister; these shoes are new, just arrived with the shipment from the Dadelous. They have therapeutic soles recommended for my back; I don't think that they were meant for hard travel. Perhaps it would be better if I just stayed her…'
"Rodney!"
"All right, all right, I'm moving Col, but don't expect me to be happy about it."
The team set off at a quick pace to follow the trail Ronon had found, towing a limping and grumbling Rodney with them.
The trail wound itself up the cliffs, its steep angle of ascent proving a slight problem for the Atlantis team.
"Um, there doesn't happen to be an easier way up is there?" Col. Sheppard asked his head angled up to follow the incline of the path.
"Well, that is truly a tragedy, "Rodney remarked rather happily, "Looks like we'll have to send a lower echelon team to scout out the area so we can…"
Rodney's voice trailed off as Ronon set out climbing the steep trail. "What you're a mountain goat too, Tarzan?"
With a sideways glance at Rodney, Teyla started to follow Ronon, Sheppard right behind her.
"You can stay here if you want Rodney, but since we're not to sure if the locals are friendlies…I would be on the lookout."
"I would also be aware of the natural inhabitants of this forest…animals and such…we would not want you to get attacked…" Teyla added bracing her foot on a jutted out rock and stepping up, her hand found a niche in the uneven surface of the path and she pulled herself up.
John couldn't help but grin at Teyla's remark…she really had been spending too much time around him…not that that was a bad thing…
John followed closely behind Teyla, keeping on eye on her footing to make sure she didn't slip or lose her grip.
"Attacked?" Rodney almost squeaked, "maybe I better accompany you…just in case…ah, you know I might be needed." Rodney quickly stepped up to the cliff and started to climb as well.
Teyla and John shared a quick smile before continuing their ascent.
They climbed for nearly an hour, Rodney's complaints now mirroring the sentiments of his fellow team members, though they wouldn't admit to it.
"We're almost to the top…I see a ledge…the path ends here…," Ronon's words were welcomed as everyone was feeling the affects of the long hike/climb.
Ronon reached the top first, "There's a cave…the path leads into it…I'm going to go check it out"
"You do that…we'll be right up" John said with a slight wheeze.
"Are you all right Col?" Teyla looked down at John, a slight smile flickering on her lips.
"Yeah, just peachy….its Rodney you should be worried about"
"Are…we…all…most…there?" Rodney huffed and puffed the words out,
"Yes Dr. McKay, we are almost there." Teyla reassured, reaching the top herself.
John was right behind her. They then both reached down and each grabbing one of Rodney's hands pulled him the rest of the way up where he promptly collapsed on the ground in an exhausted lump, "I'll just stay here for a few minutes."
Teyla bent down next Dr. Mckay, a little worried about his current state. John was about to tell her that he would be fine when…
When a projectile of sorts when flying by him nearly winging him in the arm. Instinct took over as John dropped into a crouch bringing his P-90 into attention, "Teyla take cover...Rodney, go with her."
Teyla grabbed Rodney by his arm and pulled him behind a fallen tree trunk that lay a few feet away.
John continued to scan the area…
"I would put your weapon down if you don't want any harm to come to your friend here"
And with that John saw Ronon, hands tied behind his back roughly tossed out of the cave opening, followed by three men, caring some unknown weapons; one pointed at Ronon, the other two pointed at John himself.
John looked at Ronon and saw defiance written across his features, "Okay, everyone take it easy…we didn't come here looking for a fight."
"We came here looking for allies against the wraith," John whirled around to see Teyla slowly standing up her hands in the air. She came out from around the tree to stand beside John.
John threw her an incredulous look but her eyes just flickered upward. John followed her gaze and saw hidden in the upper area of the cliff more men, all their weapons pointing at him… and now Teyla. John slowly lowered his weapon.
One of the men watching Ronon came over and took John's weapon, "Who are you…why are you?"
"I'm Lt. Col. John Sheppard. The man you have before you is a member of my team, Ronon Dex. The man cowering behind the tree is Dr. Mckay, another member of my team and this is…"
"Teyla Emmagan of Athos"
John started at the new voice that came from within the cave. He turned to look at Teyla who also had a puzzled expression on her face.
"Yes, I am Teyla, leader of the Athosian people" Teyla took a step forward only to have John quickly place a hand on her elbow to stop her.
"Who are you?" John demanded.
"Teyla knows me" and with that a man came out and into view. He was a tall man, possibly early thirties if one was judging by Earth standards. He had blonde hair that swept past his shoulders and hard grey eyes that softened when they rested upon Teyla.
Beneath his hand John felt Teyla stiffen. He turned his head to look at her, "Teyla?"
"It can't be…' the whispered words matched the stricken look reflected in her eyes.
The blonde man walked closer until he was standing in front of Teyla. He reached up as if he were going to cup her cheek but instead he reached behind her head and pulled the orange flower out of her hair band, 'You remembered."
