Please see first chapter for disclaimer, rating, warning, pairings, etc.
Part 2/?
-Chapter 1-
Haunted
The first brushes of pink and purple lightened the horizon as Teyla stepped out of the cave she now called home. Pulling her coat on over her pants and shirt, she padded barefoot across the dew-washed grass to the edge of the cliff. She stood for a moment admiring the view before sitting down and leaning back against a large, smooth rock. Early morning had always been her favorite part of the day. There was just something about watching the sun rise that filled her with a renewed sense of being alive, and a fervor for her work.
Teyla leaned her head back against the rock and closed her eyes, concentrating on the early-morning sounds that had become so familiar over the past month. Birds chirped and sang from their leafy perches; from deeper in the woods came the sound of the brook washing over rocks; the last howls and hoots of night animals grew distant, then faded completely. She continued to listen to the chorus, her concentration easily flowing from one sound to the next.
She knew Ronon was there before she heard the scuff of shoe against rock. "Good morning, Ronon." She slowly allowed her eyes to drift open. It was still mostly dark, but her eyes were adjusted to the little existing light. She could just discern the outline of his body as he moved closer.
Ronon sat down next to her, his shoulder brushing against hers. "Morning. You're up early again." He turned his head to gaze off toward the horizon. "It's going to be another beautiful sunrise."
Teyla had come to look forward to mornings on this planet, with Ronon. "Yes, it is." She curled her knees up to her chest and wrapped her arms around them. "I love this planet. I am glad you knew of it."
She could not see him, but somehow she knew he was smiling again. "Me too." He leaned forward a little, and she swallowed hard when his arm brushed hers again. "I'm surprised you're not still in bed."
Teyla continued to watch the shifting colors heralding the sunrise. "I could not sleep. Last night brought too many things for me to think about."
Ronon sighed. "I know how you feel. I don't suppose I could talk you into staying here while I go check out Belsa?"
She smiled at the horizon, knowing Ronon couldn't see it. "No more than you talked me out of accompanying you to Kvash."
Frustration was obvious in Ronon's voice when he responded. "I had a feeling." They continued to watch the sunrise in silence for a few comfortable minutes. Then, "D'you miss Atlantis, sometimes?"
Teyla turned to face Ronon. She had been expecting that question; she was just surprised it had taken him this long to ask her. "Sometimes. What about you?"
Ronon gazed steadily at her, torn emotions in his eyes. "Sometimes. I can't say what I really miss the most. There's a lot that I don't. Too much noise, so many people – they all were so ordered, thought everything out first. There was no spontaneity." The corner of his mouth tilted upwards a little. "I suppose I miss the gym the most. We never spar anymore."
She wished she dared tell him it was this she missed most, as well. "We will have to find time for that soon." She thought back to the gym, bathed in a rainbow of colors by sunlight filtering in through the beautiful stained glass windows. The room was another glowing example of the Ancestral city's lavishness, with its soaring towers and graceful design. Someday they would both go back. Today, however, was not that day. "But first, we must take care of business."
He turned back to her, eyes tired. "Yeah. Business first." He sounded resigned.
By now the sun was up. Ronon shot one last glance to the horizon, as if trying to hold on to their early-morning peace for a moment longer. Then he sighed, his muscular shoulders lifting and then lowering. "No. Breakfast first." He scrambled to his feet and then reached a hand back down towards her. "Then business."
Teyla allowed the smile tickling her lips to bloom. She reached up and took Ronon's hand. He tugged her to her feet. "Agreed."
As they companionably walked back to the cave they called home, Teyla resisted the urge to look over her shoulder toward the horizon. For some reason, she felt that she would later need to call upon the memory of this early-morning calm.
-Belsa-
Belsa was the direct opposite of Kvash in almost every way. The latter was dark, crowded, and dirty; the former full of spacious buildings and happy, friendly people. Thousands of lights along the street made it seem like the middle of the day. Merchants lined the avenue, calling out the benefits of their wares and the matching prices. Customers gathered around, laughing and trading as they ignored the two strangers making their way through their midst. Apparently the people of Belsa never slept.
Ronon kept his head down, his long dreadlocks hiding his face. Teyla knew he did not feel comfortable in crowded places; his mood had definitely darkened since they'd left home. For the first time in almost two years he'd be coming face-to-face with one of his people, and he was not looking forward to the encounter. He had long ago said that Atlantis was his home now, and her people his.
Teyla never disputed him.
People flowed around them like a rainbow-colored sea; the noises and smells and sights assaulted their senses. Despite all the chaos, Teyla still found it somehow – beautiful. This world pulsed with life, a beacon of hope in the Pegasus galaxy. Not every world was catastrophically ravaged by the Wraith; Belsa was proof of this. Just being here made her feel encouraged.
Ronon and Teyla passed the limits of the city, and with it the lights. The lamps were now few and far between; the streets nearly deserted. Stars could now be seen blanketing the sky. The sounds of the market faded into the distance and then disappeared altogether. Now it seemed like they were on a completely different world.
Her companion touched her shoulder and motioned to a small house. "That's it. You ready for this?"
Teyla tipped her head to the side and attempted a smile. "I am not the one to whom you should address that question."
Ronon's eyes flickered darker for a moment, then he sighed again. "You're right. I suppose I'm ready." His hand brushed hers, held and squeezed, then released. He drew his powerful shoulders back, lifting his head. He crossed the expanse between where they'd paused and the door in three determined strides; hesitated only a moment before knocking firmly and loudly.
Teyla stayed behind him. She shifted only a little so she could see past Ronon's arm when someone finally answered the hail.
Abruptly the door swung open. Dim yellow light spilled from inside as if fleeing.
"Dex. It has been a long time." The man in the doorway's voice was rough, as rough as he looked. Teyla actually saw more similarities between this man and the one that she and Ronon had dealt with the night before, than between him and Ronon. The only thing she could see in common between this man and Ronon was the black Satedan army tattoo on the left side of his neck. Other than that, they could have been from two very different worlds.
The fact was not comforting.
Only Teyla could see the way Ronon's shoulders twitched ever-so-slightly beneath his coat. "So it has. How is life treating you, Kartos?"
A gravelly laugh pierced the air. "Drop the formalities; you and I both know you don't want to be here." He stepped back and opened the door wider. "Come in, and bring your lady friend with you."
Teyla saw Ronon's hand reflexively jerk a little closer to his blaster at Kartos' words. She briefly brushed gentle fingers against his arm as she followed him in, coolly ignoring the appraising – then approving – look Kartos gave her.
"Where is he?" Ronon was obviously not interested in any more talk. His body language shouted hostility; anger smoldered in his eyes.
A distant part of Teyla's mind whispered he was a fuse just waiting for a lit match. The thought made her swallow hard and hope for a quick meeting. She wasn't sure her nerves could take another scene like she'd faced the night before.
Kartos arched an eyebrow and tipped his head. "This way. Follow me."
Not another back room. Teyla was getting thoroughly tired both of dimly-lit back rooms, and the nefarious types they inevitably held.
Instead of a curtain this time, it was another door that opened to admit Ronon and Teyla. Kartos mumbled something about drinks and then disappeared, shutting the door behind him.
Teyla half-expected to hear the click of a lock; she relaxed just a little when she didn't. Next to her, Ronon was scanning the room for Larson Gathos. Teyla followed his gaze, quietly noting the placement of each piece of furniture in the room. She needed to know should they have to make a quick getaway. That was a necessity that had developed since they'd left Atlantis; the motion came as second nature to her now.
"So you're Ronon Dex." A low, sarcastic chuckle rumbled from the one dark corner in the room. "I've heard a lot about you."
That voice. . . Familiarity crawled along the base of her neck, eliciting a shiver. It can't be, she told herself firmly. But that did not stop dread from forming a pit in her stomach.
"Larson Gathos. We've been looking for you a while. Seems like you're a hard man to find. You don't even exist on most worlds." Ronon's voice dripped acid.
Another chuckle. "But you're very well known. Wraith-slayer, Wraith-bringer – you have many names on the thousands of worlds in this galaxy. Some hail you as a hero – like most of your people – and some would just as soon kill you as look at you." That voice dripped with smarmy superiority; it was obvious he knew just where to strike. "Like me."
Teyla had to grasp Ronon's arm with all her strength to keep him from pouncing on his insulter. "What is your point?" she questioned. Ice lined her tone.
The sharp thud of two chair legs hitting the ground was followed directly by a movement in the shadows. "Teyla Emmagan, daughter of Tagan. Athosian; leader of her people."
She forced herself not to grimace as she felt the muscles in Ronon's arm tense even more beneath her hands. "I am."
The shadow moved again, but not enough to where the light could illuminate him. "The Council said you'd never make it. You needed someone else to help you."
Teyla could feel a familiar hostility in the gaze Larson had pinned on her. Her mind reeled; her emotions went into overload. Ancestors, no. Please no. Not him.
When he spoke again, no doubt was left in her mind. "Someone like me. You recognize me now, don't you, Teyla?" Another two steps forward brought him within the range of the lights.
For a moment Teyla stared into the evil face that had haunted her dreams for years. The face she had finally managed to forget. The face of the man who had betrayed both her and her people.
"Garros!" She screamed the name, ready to lunge forward and take the man by the throat. Ronon, however, moved faster. He got his arms around her waist before she could launch herself. "You Wraithspawn! Betrayer!" She struggled against Ronon, trying to break loose. Red hazed over her vision, the instinct to kill making her wild. But it was pointless.
Garros smiled superiorly. "Welcome, my betrothed."
-To Be Continued-
Okay, I know I am going to be so dead after that, lol. I hope you enjoyed this chapter, and the next should be up soon!
StarSkimmer: Thank you! I'm really glad that you liked the prologue, and the Ronon/Teyla interaction, I always love writing them together. Here's the update, sorry it took me a little while. Thank you so much for the review, and I hope that you enjoy this chapter!
Alex: I'm really glad that you like this story! I hope this chapter answered some of your questions. I promise more and more will be explained as the fic goes on. Thank you so much for your review, and I hope that you enjoy this chapter!
Hannah 554: Yay! Thank you! I'm really glad that you liked the Ronon/Teyla in the last chapter, there's more in the beginning of this one. Here's the update, I'm sorry it took me a little while. Thank you so much for the review, and I hope that you enjoy this chapter!
AthosionWarrior: Thank you! Here's the update, sorry it took me a little while. There's more Teyla in this chapter – including something from her past. Also more Teyla to come in the next few chapters. Thank you so much for your review, and I hope that you enjoy this chapter!
