Teyla felt faint. She desperately looked around, not sure what she should do. She wanted to go after Ronan, but she didn't know if she would be stopped. She heard someone behind her.
"Teyla!" it was Prim. Teyla let out a quick breath. "He volunteered! Why would he do that?" she asked, still tearful about Katniss. Prim was with Gale who was looking cautiously at Teyla.
"Because he is not the smartest man. Are we allowed to go see them before they go?" Teyla asked quickly. Prim nodded.
"We're going now. Do you want to come?" Prim asked. Teyla nodded. This may be the only chance she would be able to see Ronan. She had no idea when Sheppard would return from briefing Dr. Weir.
"Come with us," Prim took Teyla's hand. She looked at Gale who looked confused. "She's a friend. Come on, I need to see my sister." Prim said, her voice shaking.
They went to the Justice Building where they were apparently holding Ronan and Katniss. The tributes, according to Prim, were allowed to say goodbye to loved ones. Gale and Prim entered the building, Teyla entering after them. Prim went to a door where they were holding Katniss. Teyla was directed to a different door.
The door opened and Teyla entered. "Five minutes," the guard who let her in said gruffly. She shut the door behind her and turned to see a stoic looking Ronan. She let out a noise of anger.
"Ronan how could you do this?" she asked him roughly, her anger was palpable. Ronan didn't flinch.
"I've got a plan, Teyla. You need to trust me." He said simply. Teyla ran her hands through her hair and paced the floor.
"I do not think you understand the gravity of the situation! You are being put in a ring full of kids and being ordered to slaughter them! How can you be so calm?" Teyla demanded. She stopped pacing and stared at him. Ronan tilted his head.
"I know exactly what I'm getting into—"
"I do not think you do! Ronan, you are always doing this, you are reckless and thick headed and you will not be persuaded!" Teyla said sharply. Ronan glowered at her.
"Listen to me!" he hissed, slamming the table. "I know these kids are going into that ring to kill each other. That's why I volunteered. Teyla, we can't just sit by and watch this happen. Did you see the agonized look on Prim's face when her sister volunteered? Or did you hear the pained screamed of Katniss as she volunteered? I can't let her die. I promised Prim." Ronan said, his voice harsh. Teyla was stunned.
"Ronan, who are you? Do you hear yourself? You are putting your life on the line for people you barely know—"
"Is that wrong?" he challenged her. "Isn't that part of what we do? We help people. Or is it just one huge gain for us," he said in disgust. Teyla had no words.
"What is your plan." She asked softly, taking a seat. Ronan's hardened stare lessened.
"I go in there, figure a way to talk to one of the government people. I tell them our people want to become trading partners, but they have to call off the games. If they don't then we hit them from the inside out. Stage a rebellion inside the games, convince the kids that they don't have to kill each other!" Ronan said, and he leaned back, arms folded as he waited Teyla's input.
Teyla shook her head. "Many things could go wrong, Ronan." She said calmly. Ronan leaned forward.
"You don't think I know that? Of course they could! But I'd rather do something than just walk away!" Ronan said fiercely.
"We must go. I will contact Colonel Sheppard and we will sneak you out—" Teyla suggested, but Ronan stood up so fast, the chair flung backwards.
"No! You can run, Teyla, but I'm done running. And I will not turn my back on people who need me. It goes against everything we've worked for." Ronan said savagely.
The door opened, and the guard peered in. "Time's up," he said. Teyla's eyes widened with fear. Ronan stared down at her harshly.
"Tell Sheppard I won't be needing his recuse team. He can either help, or leave me alone." Ronan said and the guard preceded to enter and take Teyla's arm. She jerked him off.
"Ronan, no, I—" Teyla began but Ronan growled.
"Get her out." He said harshly, and the guard took a more firm grip on her arm. Teyla wrenched the guard's arm and shoved him against the wall. The guard looked at her in shock, but made no move. Teyla glared at Ronan.
"I will tell Sheppard that you are in consideration of his help. He will not be pleased you are making such a foolish decision!" she said harshly. "We could have helped them another way. Other than risking your life. Watch for us." Was the last thing she said, and then she was gone. Ronan scowled after her. His attention turned to the guard on the ground, still stunned.
"Get out." He said roughly. The guard straightened himself up, a bit mortified, and he left and shut the door.
Teyla was beside herself in anger. Why did he have to be so thick headed? She turned to see a tear-stained Prim and her mother and Gale. Prim rushed over to Teyla and hugged her. "Is he okay? Is he scared?" Prim questioned, looking tearful again. Teyla felt a pain in her heart. She knew Ronan was right. But he was going about it the wrong way. But she did admire his passion for the young girl, for the lives of these people.
"He is alright. Do you wish to see him?" Teyla asked. Prim nodded. Teyla led Prim over to his door, but the guard held up a hand.
"Someone is already in there. Wait your turn," the guard said. Teyla looked up in consternation. Nobody else knew Ronan, except for her and Prim. Who could have…?
Her mind flashed to the crowd when the other boy's name was called. Peeta something. Of course. He would want to thank Ronan for saving his life. Teyla waited with Prim, stroking her hair. Prim's mother was staring off in the distance, looking empty.
"She always does this. She did it with Daddy." Prim said in a hushed voice, clinging to Teyla's arm. Although Prim was talking in a hushed voice, her mother's ears caught the word "daddy" and straightened up. She looked at Prim.
"Prim, come here." She said and Prim ran to her mother, and they embraced. "I am so sorry. I'm here, I'm here for you." She said, stroking Prim's hair. Prim began to cry and Teyla turned away, feeling overwhelmed with grief for this family. First losing a father, and now they might lose a sister.
Ronan sat on the chair, not expecting anyone else to come in. That would be easier. He didn't expect anyone to come in, he knew no one. Except there was a knock on the door.
Ronan looked up, not sure what to do. He waited. The door slowly opened, and in peered the blond boy that Ronan didn't recognize at first. Until the boy came into full view. It was the boy he had volunteered for. Peeta Mellark.
"Hey," the boy said stiffly. Ronan nodded, but remained silent. The boy shuffled in, and the guard called out, "Five minutes." And the door shut. The boy cautiously took a chair and sat down. He looked extremely nervous. Ronan watched him quietly.
"I…I'm Peeta Mellark, the kid you volunteered for?" he prompted quietly. Ronan sat up a little, and he nodded. Peeta swallowed. He ducked his head, and then looked up. "I just…I wanted to say thank you. And also…why did you do it?" he asked, looking baffled. Ronan shrugged. "Can you…can you just say something? Please? I'm really confused." Peeta said, a bit desperately. Ronan sighed inwardly. He leaned forward a little bit.
"My name is Ronan Dex and I volunteered for you because I don't think children should be publicly slaughtered on national television, do you?" Ronan questioned him. Peeta looked stunned, one that Ronan could talk, two of what he said. He shook his head. "That's why. You're welcome. Take care of your family." Ronan said but Peeta shook his head.
"They don't care for me much. Except for Dad, maybe. But thanks anyway. But I do have something to tell you," Peeta said quickly, glancing at the door. "Do you have a death wish?" he asked. Ronan snorted and laughed a little.
"Not even close. I plan to start a rebellion within." He said simply. He was surprised to hear himself disclose this to the boy. But he supposed they had somewhat of a bond. He saved the boy's life. Peeta's eyes widened.
"That's what I thought. No one in their right mind would volunteer for me. If you want to start a rebellion, keep the girl, Katniss alive at all costs. She doesn't know the effect she has on people. Her volunteering proves that. There hasn't been a volunteer in District 12 in years." Peeta said passionately. Ronan looked at him curiously.
"You have a crush on this girl?" he asked bluntly. Peeta reddened.
"Wha—? No! But I know she's the person who will help you start this rebellion. But she's a bit cold and distant, you'll have to get close to her somehow." Peeta said. Ronan considered this.
"Something we have in common. Alright, I'll think about it. Anything else I need to know?" Ronan asked. Peeta looked at him.
"The Games are ruthless. I've never seen you before, so I'm assuming you don't know much about them, which I have no idea how that's possible. But I won't question it. Our people need help, we can't keep going like this." Peeta said. Ronan nodded. "They will make sure you are miserable and suffering and they will try to kill you off. Never let your guard down. You look like you can handle things on your own pretty well." Peeta said. Ronan nodded.
"Got it. Hey thanks," he said to Peeta and he gave a hollow laugh.
"No problem at all. Thank you again." Peeta said, and he stood and left. The door shut and Ronan was slightly astonished by the boy. But then again it reaffirmed what he was doing completely. He would save these kids. It was bad enough the Wraith were out culling people, these people were throwing kids against each other for amusement. It made Ronan burn with fury.
The door opened again, and this time Ronan doubted he would be able to hold it together. It was little Prim looking scared and tiny. She ran in as he stood up. She hugged him around the waist and he hugged her back.
"Prim, what're you doing here?" he asked, his voice cracking. Prim looked up at him, angry tears in her eyes.
"Why would you do this? You didn't even know that kid! I don't want them to take you and Katniss," she began silently crying into Ronan's shirt. Ronan stood there, not sure what to do. He awkwardly patted her on the back. He sat down and had her look at him.
"Hey, I'm doing this for Katniss. I'm going to make sure she comes out of that ring alive, okay?" he said gently. Prim shook her head.
"What about you? Don't you love that lady outside? She's so sad you volunteered." Prim said woefully. Ronan looked at her in surprise. He then gave a grim smile.
"Did she send you in here to make me feel guilty?" he asked hoarsely. Prim glowered.
"It's not funny. And no, I wanted to say g-goodbye. I don't want you to die." Her voice trembled and he drew her in for a hug.
"I won't. I promise, I'm going to get everyone out safe." He promised. Prim jerked back, her tears gone. She looked shocked.
"You can't do that. The Capitol won't let you. They'll kill you for trying." Prim said, looking terrified he even suggested an idea. Ronan drew her in.
"But I have a secret weapon. Promise not to tell anyone?" he asked her. She wiped at her face and nodded eagerly. "I have friends who can help. Don't worry about me or Katniss, we'll be fine." He said, rubbing her head. Prim let out a tiny sigh.
"You better. Or I'll never forgive you." She said harshly. Ronan laughed.
"Got it. Now go, and don't be sad. Katniss and I will have more strength if you're strong too." He said and she nodded bravely, sniffling. She wiped her tears away.
"No more tears. Good luck," she said and she kissed Ronan on the cheek. He was shocked by this, but she was already bounding out of the room. Ronan sat back in his chair, exhausted by the whole ordeal.
How in the world would he get all of those kids out of there?
Teyla visited Katniss briefly. She gave her survival tips on staying alive, and Katniss thanked her. Teyla gave her a hug, which she hadn't anticipated doing. But she could tell Katniss appreciated it. Teyla assured Katniss that Ronan had the best intentions and he foolishly planned on getting everyone out safely.
"Is that even possible?" Teyla asked Katniss before she left. Katniss looked stunned.
"No one has ever tried it. I've never heard of that before, if all the kids just didn't fight. The Capitol would start wiping us out probably, and injure our families as a warning or punishment. I'll speak with Ronan. Maybe we can start a rebellion. It'd be mad though," Katniss said, shaking her head. Teyla was torn. But evidently she knew the right way to go on the matter.
"It is better than sitting and waiting to die. Might as well go out fighting." She said and Katniss laughed dryly.
"The Capitol's in for a surprise if they think I'm just going to lie down for them. Thank you, Teyla. I appreciate this." She said sincerely. Teyla nodded.
"Good luck. I do not want to give you false hope, but my people may be able to stop this from ever happening again. This practice is cruel and we cannot let it progress any longer." Teyla said darkly. Katniss looked up, hope sparking in her eyes.
"Too late. Whatever, just go. Ronan and I will figure out something." Katniss said, and Teyla nodded. She gave Katniss one last hug, and then left. She shut the door, and began walking out of the Justice Building.
"Teyla! Where are you going?" Prim shouted after her. Teyla stopped and turned.
"I must go tell my friends what happened. I will be back soon, you must tell me how these Games work, if it is not too much trouble," she said to Prim and Gale. Gale stopped her. He was exceedingly handsome, Teyla wondered how Katniss was not with him already.
"Who are you? How well do you know Katniss?" he asked. Teyla sighed impatiently.
"I can answer your questions at a later time, and yes we are somewhat newly found friends. All you need to know is is that I'm here to help, and so are my friends. Would you mind educating me and my friends on how the Games work?" Teyla pleaded. Gale looked shocked.
"It is unheard of that anybody hasn't heard of the games, where are you from?" he asked suddenly. Teyla winced.
"At a later time, I shall be back. Thank you, Prim." She said hurriedly. Teyla left and headed back for the puddle jumper. It was sad and lonely without Ronan having her back.
The puddle jumper had returned and Sheppard and Rodney were waiting. Sheppard saw her and nodded lazily, standing up straight.
"Where's Ronan?" he asked, noticing the emptiness. Rodney was eating a power bar and watching them.
Teyla, out of breath, swallowed and shook her head. "He has done a most foolish thing. During the Reaping, Katniss's sister was called. She volunteered, and once the boy tribute was called, Ronan volunteered." Teyla said, whilst regaining her breath. Sheppard's eyes widened and McKay dropped his power bar with a moan.
"He did what?" as Teyla had suspected, Sheppard was livid. He leaned forward and his eyes were popping.
"He volunteered! He was speaking of starting a rebellion so as to stop the Games from happening! I do not know what has gotten into him, but we must go back before they take him away!" Teyla said urgently. Sheppard swore loudly.
"Crap, crap, crap. McKay, drop the food, lets go. I have a large Sateden friend to hurt. What was he thinking?" Sheppard roared.
"I do not know. But is it anyway possible we could help these people?" Teyla asked hopefully. The faces of Prim, Katniss, and their mother was still fresh in her mind. It wracked her with pain.
"I don't know! Maybe, if Ronan hadn't gone berserk! We'll figure it out when we get there. For the love of crap, this is fantastic."
They hurried back to Katniss's house, Sheppard furious, Rodney confused, and Teyla hoping they would be able to help these people. If not, this could end very bad indeed.