Todd was at a loss. It puzzled him to no end that, although he wasn't any longer actively hiding from the Colonel, there still was no increase in the number of their encounters. The only possible conclusion to be drawn from what he had noticed was, quite obviously, that Sheppard was the one who did the avoiding now.

And Todd seriously had no idea why that might be the case. He didn't know of anything he had done that might have led to this course of action from the human's side. Apart from his decidedly stupid turn of avoiding, maybe, which he preferred not to think about.

With no option except waiting and wondering and seeing whether the problem resolved itself, Todd again set to work. He immersed himself in configurations for ZPMs and several programs to reduce the energy drain, improved the Wraith to Lantean translator and spent a few hours each day first searching for the Colonel and then trying to find an opportunity to speak to him alone, depending on the current circumstances.

He easily could have used more of his time for that last self-imposed task and certainly would have liked to, but, even though he didn't avoid the man anymore, he also didn't want to impose on him. It was evident that Sheppard did not wish to be in his company and Todd would respect that. However, it didn't mean he couldn't try now and again.

But it was hard, seeing the Colonel with friends and co-workers, watching him laugh with those around him when he himself couldn't be a part of it. Todd realized for the first time that he liked to talk to the human as much as he enjoyed his silent presence. That was a first for him.

He could sometimes read the man as if their minds were connected, other times his body spoke a language as foreign to him as Sheppard's thoughts. It was just another baffling aspect about him and their relationship that Todd hadn't fully figured out yet. But he still had time for that, because, after all, the Wraith were a patient race.

While he hoped and waited for a change in Sheppard's behavior, the only stress relief available to Todd was physical exercise, seeing how others, when not cornering him for information regarding his relationship to the Colonel, were still remarkably tense when he was around. And away from the man he already had a short enough temper without jumpy humans.

But even such training quickly turned out to be rather uneventful without an opponent and, other than Sheppard, the only willing sparring partners were Major Lorne, who, as the man's second in command, considered it his obligation to volunteer then and again, and Teyla and Ronon, who, based on their individual conditions, had come up with different styles and tactics and were actually worthy adversaries.

As a matter of fact, Todd was just waiting for latter to approach him after the athosian woman and Dr. McKay had already had their turn in confronting him about their team leader. He wasn't disappointed and didn't even have to wait for it too long. And, as was his custom, the Satedan used hardly any words and instead mostly let his actions speak for themselves.

So it came that, during one of their fights, he suddenly found himself pushed against a wall with what had to be all of the man's strength, a bantos rod pressed against his throat. The former runner growled lowly, "I still don't like you."

Todd found that hardly surprising, understanding the general fear, hate and disgust of most humans on a certain level if he ignored the fact that the only difference between Wraith and humans was that the humans lived on beings they couldn't communicate with and Ronon's contempt specifically, since his experience as a Runner and the destruction of his home world were perfect examples of some of the greatest wrongdoings of the Wraith. Still, he couldn't help but find the continuing hostility exhausting, seeing how many a time it made proceedings for them more difficult while working together.

Knowing that the Satedan's resentment would never cease to be, he therefore simply bared his teeth in response. He could hardly defend himself if he wanted the both of them to leave the room uninjured, seeing how in such a situation the Satedan would perceive any move as an attack and act accordingly, which in turn would most likely lead to a full-blown fight.

Ronon narrowed his eyes at him then and pushed just that little bit harder, so Todd felt the pressure on his neck building, not quite hurting or even causing any real damage, but affecting his breathing nonetheless. Instinctively he flexed his hands and hissed, but the human unblinkingly ground out, "Unfortunately, I can't say the same for Sheppard. For some absurd reason he really seems to have taken a liking to you."

"Well, I can't say I'm averse to that", Todd smirked, because maybe his hopes really weren't founded on mere assumptions. Maybe he really could be as sure of the Colonel's inclination towards him as everyone else had to be to discuss it with him again and again.

The Satedan scoffed, "Yeah, sure." His face remained a hard mask, though he finally loosened his grip and stepped back. "Now, if you hurt him, and I don't care how or why, I'll kill you. I'll do it painfully and no matter what you might think, don't believe for even one second I'd hesitate for the alliance or 'cause Sheppard could still have some feelings for you. We'd be better off without you either way."

Todd was momentarily dazed and not by what the man had said, since he really had anticipated no less and would've actually been disappointed if there hadn't been the traditional threat on his life, but by how the man had said it. It must have been the most words Ronon had ever spoken to him and that definitely made an impression. He nodded, but he couldn't refrain from derisively biting out, "I shall take heed of your warning then, should I not? After all, only a dead Wraith is a good Wraith, right?"

At least he could respect the former runner for not making a secret of what he thought and not trying to feign camaraderie. He'd prefer a more civilized interaction with the man, if only for Sheppard's sake, but he doubted that'd be possible. Therefore, he also didn't hold the Satedan back, when he stormed off and away, leaving him to his thoughts.

He was indeed amused by the fact that the least encouraging discussion was the one to convince him of his chances. If anything, that speech was most likely meant to intimidate him and scare him off. But Todd was known for principally acting against all expectations, which was why he worked so well with the humans.

When Sheppard stumbled upon him only minutes later, still standing somewhat lost in the Gym, it had to be coincidence paired with luck. The man noticed him not until he had already stepped a few feet into the room and by then it would have been far too obvious to turn around and go back again. The Colonel must have realized the same, because, although he hesitated, in the end, he didn't run.

Seeing the bantos sticks in his hands, the human lifted an eyebrow and chose a pair for himself, before he silently walked over to the middle of the room, seemingly waiting for him to play along. Todd all too gladly indulged him.

However, first of all he had to clarify some things. He would never outright admit it, but he was still in desperate need of some reassurance in regards to their relationship.

"You like me." It was a revelation Todd still found hard to grasp. So, it might not be a question, but he nevertheless wanted a hopefully affirmative answer. While they circled each other, he expectantly stared at Sheppard, watching him intently for any sign on what he thought.

The Colonel raised his chin almost defiantly. "Yes. Any reason why I shouldn't?" Gripping his weapons more tightly, the man took another step towards him.

Todd chuckled at that, a small smile playing on his lips as he made his own move forward. "I hope not. I was just wondering if you liked me enough to protect me from any further lectures on the part of your friends, particularly the ones who do not share that sentiment."

"Oh, I think I like you just right. Wanna test out how much?" Sheppard grinned and, though challenging, to Todd his words sounded like an offer and a promise equally.

Unfortunately, that new information was rather distracting and embarrassingly he found himself quicker on the ground than he would have liked and than he would ever admit to, considering that he wanted to keep his dignity. Despite that, their fight ended with a success for him as well, because, to his great satisfaction, Sheppard landed on top of him when he lost his balance after the final strike and that certainly made it all worth it.