A/N: Episode Four Chapter One is up.
Thanks for reading. All mistakes are mine though sadly I own nothing.
Chapter One:
It had been almost a month since the team had return to Atlantis minus one of their core components and Teyla's absence was as noticeable now as it was when they first stepped out of the jumper. Outwardly, each of them sought to reassure one another that they were fine, but beneath the surface, a plethora of emotions raged.
In an effort to focus the attentions of his prized team, Woolsey had ordered the SGA team to the primitive world of Cassidia in the hopes of striking a trade deal for some food supplies. Ever since the explosion destroyed one of the supply caches, Atlantis' rations had dwindled considerably and a food shipment from Earth could still be weeks away.
Sheppard and his team had travelled back and forth between Atlantis and Cassidia for three weeks, each time returning more frustrated as the fastidious Cassidians sought to change the terms each and every time they visited. Ironically, what had been an idea to focus the team had simply served to remind them of why Teyla was sorely missed. None of them possessed her level of diplomacy and that was what was most needed in dealing with the Cassidians.
Alas she was not there and they had to persevere. To that end, the team plus Doctor Beckett, who had been reassigned to SGA-1 in Teyla's absence, had returned to Cassidia with a counter-proposal that they considered fair and reasonable. Although the Cassidian negotiator Anaris was sure to find some fault with the deal, exacerbating what was already an extremely frustrating assignment for all concerned.
- - SGA - -
"So we are agreed?" asked Anaris, sounding as frustrated as anyone that the deal was stalling.
Rodney, Ronon and Beckett awaited Sheppard response but the only signal that the Colonel emitted was a loud snore, indicating just how fruitless the seven hour talks had been for everyone involved. Not wishing to offend their guests by telling them he had dozed off, the team reacted quickly to cover for his lapse into slumber.
"He's..." started Rodney.
"Meditating." finished Carson, a proud nod to his friends at his own quickness.
"Meditating? What is this?" enquired Anaris.
"It's...a technique to...help...process information better." said Rodney, stumbling over the words that were still forming in his mind.
"Truly? We must request the Colonel show us this, meditating. It sounds most beneficial."
As Anaris had been speaking, Ronon had slowly but surely been increasing both the frequency and strength of the kicks to Sheppard shins, hoping to wake his sleeping friend. Eventually, a kick so powerful that the table itself shook was enough to rouse Sheppard, who peered around sleepy-eyed in search of a familiar environment. Unfortunately for him, he was still at the negotiating table.
"I'm here...I'm good" he offered meekly.
"Sheppard, I was just informing Anaris of your meditation techniques, demonstrating how dedicated you are to making these talks work" said Rodney, gesturing as subtlety as possible for Sheppard to play along.
"Of... course... We have your offer and we will...consider it carefully. We must consult with our leader before we can commit to anything however." said Sheppard, displaying a diplomatic effort that had been sorely missing until this point.
"Naturally. We shall reconvene here in two days to hear your response. Good day, Colonel" offered Anaris before he and his delegation offered their regards and departed, leaving the team alone.
"You owe us" said McKay, handing Sheppard the document containing the Cassidians offer.
"Big time." added Ronon.
"Fine. If we ever finish these negotiations, I'll have something special for your three." offered Sheppard cryptically.
With that, he stood and made his way out of the meeting hall and into the village proper. It was a fairly small settlement but had a significant surplus after the latest harvest. Sheppard enjoyed the rather idyllic setting for a brief few seconds before ordering his team back to the gate.
- - SGA - -
They arrived back at Atlantis and found it much as they had left it. Whether it was the events of the past few months or the chill of their new, icy surroundings, Atlantis and its inhabitants were far more subdued than normal. As Rodney raced off to check in with Zelenka to ensure nothing else had gone wrong, Doctor Beckett had also escaped, no doubt eager for some sleep after such tiresome work.
Sheppard was not so lucky, knowing he had to brief Woolsey on his mission and bring the Cassidians' counter-counter offer before him. He had an inkling that Woolsey would likely approve the deal but as it was essentially a civilian matter, he required his official approval before he could sign any agreement.
"Colonel. I hope you are bringing me good news" said Woolsey wearily as he peered up from the mountain of paperwork in front of him.
"Well...they didn't say no." said Sheppard
"I'm guessing they didn't say yes either." said Woolsey to which Sheppard merely nodded.
"They put together their own counter offer. I think we should accept it sir."
"Oh, why is that?"
"Because anymore negotiations and I might end up going crazy. Well, crazier."
Woolsey offered a brief chuckle at the Colonel's remarks. He had to hand it to Sheppard, he had handled the negotiations well till this point. By all accounts, the Cassidians were a particularly difficult people to strike a deal with, especially if you were not as diplomatically adept like Sheppard was.
"Very well Colonel, you get some rest. I'll look over this and let you know tomorrow."
"Thank you sir" offered Sheppard politely as he headed for the exit.
Sheppard soon realised he hadn't eaten since early that morning and decided to head to the mess, hoping to find something remotely decent to eat. Sure enough, a few leftovers from the main meal remained and he stacked his plate high, eager to replenish the energy expended keeping himself awake for as long as he did today.
- - SGA - -
Ronon had been desperately working up the courage to face Amelia since they had both returned to Atlantis. But with everything that had transpired and with the team off-world for long stretches at a time now, it was proving difficult to find the right moment. Decided he could no longer procrastinate, he made his way to the control room, hoping to catch her at the end of her shift. Unfortunately for him, only Alex remained in the control room at such a late time.
"Hey Ronon, what can I do for you?" enquired Alex.
"I'm looking for Amelia?" enquired Ronon in his usual gruff tone.
"She's just gone off-duty, I think she said something about a work out.." offered Alex.
"Thanks."
Ronon set off at a gallop towards the gym, desperately hoping to catch her there. Fortunately, this time she was still there, stretching and warming up for some early-morning workouts. Ronon crept into the room, silently, not wishing to disturb her during her routine. But as if she somehow felt his presence, she offered a polite "hi".
"Hi back." said Ronon.
An awkward silence engulfed the entire gym room and neither knew what to say or were keen for the other to start. Eventually Ronon decided that it was he who needed to speak first.
"Look Amelia, I'm sorry."
"Sorry for what?" asked Amelia confused.
"For not calling, back on Earth."
"You were busy, I understand. And I wasn't sure you'd even know how to use a phone." she teased playfully.
"Spending time around Sheppard, you learn a lot. Some of it is even useful." he offered.
Now was the time he needed to ask. The question had been eating away at him for months now and he needed to know, one way or the other. He was unsure of her response and that scared him. Only a little, but more than facing off against a wraith warrior.
"Are we good?" he asked hesitantly.
She paused momentarily, as if weighing up her answer and decision carefully. Ronon did not like this at all.
"Well it depends..."
"On what?"
"On whether you wanna stay and workout with me. And then maybe grab some food?" she said happily.
Relief washed over Ronon at her answer and he moved in quickly to embrace her, the intimate hug providing both of them with everything they needed to know about one another. Just as swiftly as he had hugged her, he released her from his arms and readied himself in a fighting stance, knowing just how ferocious this workout could get.