A/N: First of all, many thanks to our reviewers for the first chapter. We very much appreciate it. And secondly - we apologize for the long wait. Now, we hope you enjoy!

-Chapter 2-

"Seriously… Why we even have to bring this sucker with us in the first place is beyond me. . . And why did he have to be so heavy?" Rodney asked them once again, huffing and puffing while he dragged the Wraith's body behind him. Both he and Sheppard gripped one arm apiece.

"Shut up, McKay," Ronon grumbled at him, while Sheppard muttered the same thing from his position next to the scientist.

Teyla chuckled soundlessly by his side, the movement of her chest against his arm attracting his attention.

Ronon glanced at her chest again, the feeding wound now covered up by her tack-vest, though he could still see the torn jacket underneath. She'd managed to convince him to let her walk, though he kept his arm firmly around her waist despite the frown she'd given him. She was determined to keep appearances up, but it was obvious she had gotten a fair share of beating. She was slightly favoring her left leg, and her ribs must have gotten bruised, as she flinched away from his arm when he wound it too tightly around her waist. He didn't want to hurt her, but she needed his support, and he was happy to give it to her.

"… must be more than 200 pounds," Rodney complained, groaning loudly.

"We're almost at the Gate, Rodney, now shut your mouth before I make Ronon shut it for you," Sheppard threatened, smirking at Ronon over his shoulder – pulling his face straight again when Rodney looked his way.

Ronon smirked at Rodney, who had slowed down and was casting him a disbelieving look. Adding some teeth to the smirk made him look ahead again, and move considerably faster than before. The scientist still wasn't quite sure whether to trust Ronon or not, to his and Sheppard's amusement.

Teyla cast him a disapproving look, making him feel just a tad guilty about teasing the doctor so much. But it didn't last long.

The Gate came into sight now, to his relief. The sooner Teyla got checked out by the doctor, the better – and he would be happy to get off this planet, and wash the smell of death away.

((()))

The shocked faces of the people in the Gate- and control rooms of Atlantis when the frontline team exited the big ring were unanimously ones of shock. It wasn't every day a team came home dragging the corpse of a Wraith, or supporting a team member that had obviously been fed on by a Wraith with no outward signs of being affected.

Teyla watched with tired amusement as Rodney dropped his half of the load and crossed his arms. "If Carson wants the bloody thing, he can darn well come and get it himself!" the scientist complained.

John groaned as he dropped his half. "McKay," he growled from between his teeth. "It's not that far to a transporter, and then not far past that to the infirmary. You can carry it a few hundred feet more!"

"But I have a bad back," Rodney complained.

Teyla was already in motion, Ronon's gentle arm around her waist urging her around their bickering team mates. As they passed by on the scientist's side, she heard a low sound come from the big Satedan that just might have been a growl. His desired effect was instantaneous as McKay snatched up the Wraith's arm and almost started dragging it toward the hall on his own. John had to scurry to catch up.

Tired and achy, Teyla reluctantly allowed herself to lean into Ronon's powerful form. She was sure her ankle was twisted at the least, sprained at worst; she was positive about at least three bruised ribs; her head pounded and throbbed; and the feeding wound in her chest was burning and tender. All she wanted to do was collapse somewhere and sleep off the pain. To forget what had just happened.

She closed her eyes briefly in the transporter, happy for the moment of rest. Then they were in the hall again, and moments later in the infirmary.

Carson Beckett looked up from his desk when he heard the commotion. He jumped up when he saw them, hurrying toward them with his dimpled smile. "Where did ye find this?" he asked.

Rodney dropped the arm he'd been holding, and this time it was obvious that nothing would make him grab it again. "We brought it back for you to play with," he said. "We killed it there on Hoffa. Well, actually – I did. I shot it and saved the day," Rodney added, raising his hand and pretending not to notice Sheppard's raised eyebrow.

Beckett's clear blue eyes darkened briefly, then lightened again. "I'll start the autopsy immediately," he said, rubbing his hands together.

Once more, Ronon pushed past McKay, drawing Teyla along with him. "Teyla's hurt," he said simply.

Carson's attention was immediately drawn to her. "Lass!" he gasped. "What happened to you?"

Teyla opened her mouth to reply, but was cut off when Ronon picked her up again, this time to carry her across the room to the infirmary bed. "She was fed on," he said grimly.

Carson, who gasped and hurried over across the room, didn't waste any time starting the medical examination. Shooing the others away, he gently pulled her tac-vest to the side. "You don't look any older, lass. I take it he didn't get a chance to start the feeding process?"

Teyla shook her head. "He did not. Rodney shot him before he had the chance."

"Aye, seems like it…" Carson muttered, relief showing on his face, smoothing out the lines around his eyes. "Tell me what happened," he requested, listening to her heart briefly, and taking some blood.

She did her best to retell the whole story, though it seemed too short for a happening that had seemed to take hours at the time. Carson nodded every now and then, asking questions when she got into detail about the fight.

Pressing the piece of cotton wool against her vein, Carson gently prodded her ribs, deciding that she needed an x-ray, however hard she tried not to flinch.

Her ankle was merely sprained, so Carson bandaged it loosely, making sure it was supported, but wouldn't be deprived of movement.

Teyla was relieved when he finally left her alone to go test the blood sample. She heard voices outside the infirmary – Ronon, John, and Rodney undoubtedly bringing Elizabeth up to speed on what had happened on the planet. She allowed the soft sounds to lull her into a welcome doze.

She was still entirely aware of what was going on around her, even though she was asleep. She heard Carson moving around, the voices of her friends outside, air moving through the vents to cool the room. . .

Footsteps. She unconsciously tensed, but was too afraid to open her eyes. What if the Wraith wasn't really dead, and had just been biding its time while it healed? A knot formed in her stomach, tightening and growing until she found it hard to breathe. Her hands unconsciously formed fists at her sides as she tried very hard not to scream. She was so terrified she could hardly move.

The presence paused next to her, as if considering its next move. Teyla nearly whimpered in fear. She felt something nearing her, then land on her chest.

Broken from her frozen fear, Teyla screamed and shot straight up on the bed, her hand flying out to grasp whatever it was that had reached for her. She was startled to see equally astonished blue eyes only inches from hers, set in Carson's worried face.

It was then Teyla saw the blanket on her lap, and she felt heat rush into her cheeks. The kindly doctor had only been trying to cover her with a blanket, and to thank him she'd completely lost her cool, nearly attacking him in the process.

The door across the room snapped open and her team mates plus Elizabeth poured into the room, Rodney and Elizabeth in the back. Ronon and John had their weapons in hand, obviously ready for just what Teyla had thought had been happening.

It had been a dream of some sort, one that had fed off her fears. Withdrawing from Carson, she put her head down on her blanket-covered knees and slowly shook it from side to side. "I am sorry," she said shakily. "It was – just a dream."

A dream she knew would come back to haunt her many more times.

((()))

Kicking his foot against one of the empty bedposts in a rhythmic beat, Ronon stared over at Teyla's bed while resting his head on one of his palms. She seemed lost in her thoughts, a slight frown on her face while she chewed on her lip.

She'd calmed down a bit after her nightmare, though still seemed a bit edgy. No one had asked about it, anyone could guess what she'd been dreaming about.

"Would you cut that out?" Carson whispered, looking up from behind his desk, his eyebrows raised.

Ronon shrugged, slumping down a bit more in his chair, crossing his arms.

Carson sighed, giving him one of those knowing looks. "You know… She'll be here for wee bit longer, I'll keep her here overnight, and there's no point in you staying here all this time."

Another shrug. "I don't mind," Ronon murmured.

It didn't take long for Teyla to doze off again, exhaustion finally winning over her fear of facing more dreams. Her head drooping on her shoulder, and her eyelids fluttering restlessly, Ronon stood up quietly, moving closer to her bed.

The blanket had bundled up at her legs, so he reached out to cover her with it before standing back, sending Carson a warning look, who was smirking at him, his cheeks dimpled.

"I'm gonna take a walk, I'll be around," he told him, striding out of the infirmary, and trying not to hear Carson's soft chuckle.

Aimlessly wandering through the halls of the Ancestors' city, Ronon made sure to stick close to the infirmary, so that he'd be close in case Teyla woke up screaming again.

He wasn't exactly a pro at the whole comforting thing, but he was one of the few, like Teyla, to survive a Wraith trying to feed on you. He would at least understand those emotions, and what he liked about Teyla, she was tough, not the weepy type. He wasn't sure anyone would stay untouched by this kind of an experience though, that's why he made sure to be there for her.

The infirmary came into sight again as he turned another corner, but he decided not to go inside. Leaning against the wall, just around the corner, he glanced outside, trying to estimate how much time had passed. He'd been walking for about 2 hours, according to the sunlight; he'd get dinner in a little bit.

He could stay for a while longer.

((()))

The lights were dimmed when Teyla woke, a little disoriented. After she realized she was in the infirmary, she wondered how long she'd slept. She did feel better than she had before, so probably a couple of hours, maybe three.

Sitting up cautiously, she looked around to make sure there wasn't anyone around. All the other beds were made up neatly, empty of occupants. From that angle she could just see Carson's desk – it was unoccupied. Surely he wouldn't mind if she left the infirmary, even if it was only long enough to get something to eat. She was surprisingly ravenous.

Casting one last cautious look around just to make sure she hadn't missed anyone lurking in the shadows, Teyla threw off the blankets. Only then did she realize they'd been pulled up to her shoulders and carefully tucked around her so she wouldn't get cold. Bless you, Carson. Sliding off the bed, she kept one hand on the mattress until she made sure her wrapped ankle could support her weight. Satisfied, she started for the door at a somewhat slower than normal pace. Even though she was still dressed in infirmary pajamas, she was sure no one would say anything to her, especially if she told them she was going right back after getting something to eat. It was later in the evening, so the cafeteria should be basically empty.

Just in case she'd missed someone, Teyla looked around one last time before she opened the door into the hall. Carefully sliding her head around the corner, she looked both ways before stepping out. The hall was empty.

She turned right and started down the hall, her mouth already set on whatever the cook had prepared. Anything was better than infirmary food.

"Going somewhere?"

Teyla jumped, a soft shriek of surprise leaving her lips as she whirled to face the owner of the voice. Ronon sat against the wall, knees pulled up to his chest, a slight grin on his lips. "Ronon!" She'd missed him because she had been looking for people walking down the halls, not sitting on the floor right outside the door.

Still grinning, Ronon fluidly rose to his full height, deliberately looming over her. "You weren't doing too badly sneaking until you got to the door. Always check the floor – you never know what might be lurking."

She didn't bother to let him intimidate her. "I will remember that next time. Now, if you will excuse me, I was going to the cafeteria—"

"You're not anymore." Ronon gently took her arm, used his opposite hand to activate the door controls, then led her back into the infirmary. He deliberately slowed his steps to accommodate her injured ankle. "You're going to stay right here while I go get something for you."

Teyla opened her mouth to complain, but Ronon grabbed her by the waist and lifted her up to set her on her bed as if she were a child. "Stay here," he said. "If I catch you sneaking out again. . ." He turned and left the infirmary with one last backward glance at her, leaving his threat dangling.

Sighing in defeat, she reclined against the pillows and laid her head back after settling the covers across her lap. The infirmary was quiet, almost infuriatingly so, leaving her with nothing to occupy herself until Ronon returned. She wasn't tired anymore, so she couldn't sleep, and if she were entirely honest she didn't want to sleep for fear of her nightmare returning.

The infirmary door opened, and she looked up to see Rodney coming in. "Rodney?" she asked in surprise.

"Hi," he said. His gaze darted nervously around the room. Obviously he was trying to avoid her own eyes. "I-I just wanted to come check on you, see how you're doing?"

Teyla smiled softly. "I feel much better," she said. "I think all I needed was a little rest, but Dr. Beckett is insisting on keeping me overnight for observation."

Rodney nodded, looking relieved. "I know a nap always helps me feel better," he said. "And it's probably just as well he does – you know, just in case something—" He trailed off, as if seeming to realize how insensitive his comment was. "Um – I should probably go. If – if you need anything – radio me, okay?"

Smiling, Teyla accepted how sincere Rodney was, even if he wasn't quite sure to express it. "Thank you, Rodney. I appreciate your concern. I will see you tomorrow?"

McKay nodded quickly. "Elizabeth put off the debriefing until tomorrow – so – maybe we could meet for breakfast, the team? Then head to the debrief afterwards?"

"I will see you there. Good night, Rodney."

"Good night." Nodding once more, McKay hurried for the door, sliding to a startled halt when it opened before him. He opened his mouth to say something when he saw Ronon standing there balancing a tray in one hand. The scientist thought better of it and quickly pushed past his newest teammate, in a rush to get away.

Teyla shifted to sit tailor style so Ronon could set the tray down in front of her. She was surprised when she saw how much food it held; then smiled when she saw him slip his shoes off so he could sit across from her. "I hadn't eaten yet, anyway," he said. "D'you mind?"

"Not at all." Smiling at how almost absurd the whole situation felt, she reached out to pick up the bottle of cold tea he'd brought. Somehow it tasted better since someone other than a nurse had brought it to her.

"Sheppard came by while you were asleep," Ronon said as he handed her a napkin with the tableware wrapped inside. "He said to tell you he'll see you tomorrow at breakfast with the team before the debrief."

It would seem everyone had been conspiring against her. She knew they all meant well, to help her stave off the memories and nightmares. It made her feel happy, knowing they all loved her so. "Thank you," she said quietly.

"For what?" Ronon stared at her, puzzled.

"For telling me," she said, chickening out. She was going to tell him thanks for watching out for her and bringing her the meal, but she didn't know him that well yet, and didn't want to push past some unspoken boundary.

He smiled at her, and this time his eyes lit up. She couldn't remember ever seeing his eyes such a bright color before – for that matter, she couldn't remember ever seeing him that happy before. "You're welcome," he said. The inflection in his tone made her think he knew that she was thanking him for more than what she'd said.

They finished the meal in comfortable silence, each afraid to pop the comfortable bubble they'd settled into. At last Ronon slid off the bed, setting the tray on the bed next to Teyla's while he put his shoes back on. "I'll see you in the morning?" he asked.

"I look forward to it," she replied. Swallowing hard, Teyla hoped she hadn't overstepped the boundary yet again as she sank back against her pillows, halfway hoping she'd disappear.

"Me too." Ronon hesitated, then quickly and awkwardly tugged the blankets up and tucked them around her shoulders. "'Night," he whispered, then snatched the tray up and left.

This time Teyla let the soft smile she'd been suppressing curl her lips. So it hadn't been Carson who'd pulled the covers up over her earlier. . .

For the majority of that night, she was able to sleep blessedly free of nightmares.

-To Be Continued-

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