I really don't like leaving a long delay between updates but that's writer's block for you. Hopefully this chapter will make up for the long delay.

I want to thank Laura-Ella, GallifreyanGhostGirl, The Queen of Confusion, TheRedKommie, Mwhahahaha18, trecebo, pat, aussie guy, AngelInTrianing, JB, Data Seeker, Bobboky and chaosknight for their fantastic reviews and for those that took their time to read.

Chapter 6 - Enigmatic Ordeals

For the next week, Ron had joined Tara for meditation to help relax and calm his mind. According to Tara, calming the mind was essential to control ones powers. And if he couldn't control his powers, then he could end up hurting someone.

For their meditation, they met in Tara's room as she had everything set up. She had invited Teyla to join them and help her but she was called off for a mission, which apparently had to do with a 'game' that Sheppard and McKay had been playing for a while. She didn't get the details but it had to be bad if both Sheppard and McKay were involved.

Tara sat on the floor, cross-legged with the back of her upturned hands resting on her knees. A candle sat in front of her, burning with a soft glow.

Her eyes remained closed as she continued to speak slowly and calmly. "... and then slowly exhale, allowing each breath to cleanse you, restoring your body and spirit." Tara took a slow breath, and continued. "Feel your mind clearing ... open to all that surrounds you."

Ron sat not too far behind Tara, with his hands resting on his knees and his eyes closed. Other then his breathing, there was no movement coming from Ron.

Tara took another slow breath. "Embrace the silence."

As she smiled gently, lowering her head, Tara was prepared to take another slow breath, but was startled by Ron who started to snore loudly. Tara opened her eyes, frowning.

"Ron?"

Ron snore loudly again. Tara rolled her eyes and turned to look at him, then turn away again with an exasperated look on her face. This was the twentieth time Ron fell asleep during meditation. Although she knew he was having dreams, some nightmares, he refused to talk about it. He kept saying that he was alright but she knew better. Something was bothering him.

With how many times Ron kept falling asleep, Tara had to resorted to her secret weapon that she was finally able to get a hold of, courtesy of Jack O'Neill.

Tara casually walked over to her computer and played the one audio file.

'Stoppable! Front and center, now!' Came the audio recording of Mr. Barkin in his usual shouting tough tone.

In record time that even Tara never saw coming, Ron was on his feet faster then an average human, shouting. "I'm up, Mr. B. I'm not..."

Ron stopped when he realized that Barkin wasn't in the room. It was only Tara, who had a stern expression on her face that would make even a strict woman of a top secret government facility scared.

"You fell asleep... again." Tara informed Ron, then calmly chastised. "How can you concentrate on meditation if you can't stay awake?"

"I'm sorry." Ron yawned, rubbing his eyes to try and wake himself up some more. "I didn't get much sleep last night."

"More stressful dreams?" Tara questioned.

Ron hesitated for but a moment. "No."

Tara was getting agitated with Ron's stubbornness about his sleep. He kept denying the dreams and some nightmares, despite that he knew that Tara knew about them. The dreams didn't seem so bad when he learned about the Stargate but when he got to Atlantis, it became more frequent, and sometimes kept him from sleep. He barely slept any more.

It wasn't like Ron was always having nightmares but he couldn't understand why he was having those dreams about Atlantis and about places in the city he had never been to before but knew more of the separate rooms and labs in the city then everyone else combined.

"You need to speak with Dr. Kate Heightmeyer," Tara advised. "She's been able to help oth..."

"I don't need help!" Tara was taken back from Ron's small outburst. He remained tense for several moments before the realization of his tone came back. He wasn't sure if it was the nightmares that went along with his dreams or the lack of sleep but he had to admit that he needed to speak with someone.

"I'll speak with..." Ron spoke but was interrupted.

"I've already talked to Dr. Kate Heightmeyer." Tara said, concerned and a little shaken. "You can go when you're ready."

Ron would've waited until after he eaten to see the psychologist but at Tara's insistence, Ron went right after meditation lessons. He managed to stay awake and it helped to calm his mind and relax his nerves, if but a little.

Despite the lack of time he was in Atlantis, Ron seemed to have learned his way around very quickly. Like he was there before but a long time ago.

The door opened with a swishing sound and Ron entered the room. A woman with long brown hair and dressed in a more casual wardrobe then professional remained seated on a chair.

"You must be Ron Stoppable." Dr. Heightmeyer smiled. "Come in. Tara must have finally convinced you to come."

"Then you know what I'm here for." Ron took a seat on the chair

Dr. Heightmeyer's expression remained neutral as she spoke. "I understand that you haven't been sleeping well."

"Well, it's... more complicated then that." Ron admitted. "It's just some dreams."

"Why don't you explain your dreams." Dr. Heightmeyer suggested.

Ron seemed hesitant for several moments, then relented. "I'm not sure what's going on, but it seems to be during a time of war..."

Elizabeth Weir entered the Mess Hall, and went straight for the food table for a bottle of water. She was taking a break from the negotiations from the people of Hallona and Geldar. Things have been better when Sheppard and McKay used a 'doomsday' scenario to convince the learders, Nola and Baden, that war wasn't the answer.

With her water bottle in hand, Weir turned to leave but spot John and Rodney sitting either side of a table nearby, playing a game.

"Gentlemen." Elizabeth came closer to see the both of them in the middle of a game of chess.

"How's it going?" Sheppard asked.

"Ah, it's still going. We're just taking a break." Weir replied. "There's a lot of animosity to be unraveled but I think they are finally willing to at least try to make it work."

"Well, it's about time." Rodney commented, concentrating on his next move.

"Yeah. And you two? Called a truce yet?" Weir inquired, especially since the recent problems were their fault.

"Yeah, sure. We're good." John didn't sound as if it was completely true.

"Yeah, don't worry." Rodney assured her. "We're gonna stick to chess from now on."

John made a move on the chessboard. "As long as Rodney doesn't cheat."

Rodney glared at John with a little bit of arrogance. "Oh, please, like I need to cheat playing you?"

"OK, I'll leave you to it, then." Elizabeth walked away, leaving the two to their game.

Rodney saw a move he could make to win, and took it without even a second thought.

"Ha!" Rodney said, triumphantly. He knew he was several moves away from winning.

John just took one quick look at the board and casually made a move and took one of Rodney's pieces.

"Ha." John dropped the piece off to the side. "Checkmate."

"What?" Rodney cried and looked at the board, fanatically. John just causally shrugged. "Oh, no-no-no-no-no. What happened there?"

"What happened there is I just kicked your butt." John grinned.

"No, no, I was distracted. She was, uh ..." Rodney couldn't think of any real excuse to help him in that situation. "OK, we're going again. Best of ten."

Rodney started to setup the board again as Kate Heightmeyer approached the two.

"Colonel Sheppard," Kate spoke, handing John a file. "I have something I need you to look at."

John read through the report, which was about Ron. It was about his state of mind but mostly about his dreams and nightmares. John wasn't about to expect anything much but one of the detailed dreams was nearly identical to a story from the Elizabeth Weir they found in a Stasis Chamber.

"Are set." Rodney declared. "Ready to finally lose?"

Without a word, John took his Queen and knocked Rodney's King off the board. "Checkmate."

"You can't do that!" Rodney shrieked. "That's cheating!"

"I've got more important business to do," John stood up, report in hand. "Then to beat you fairly for the 10th time."

"I was going to beat you this time, and you know that!" Rodney ranted. Kate couldn't believe that someone like Rodney McKay was here on Atlantis. "Besides, what's more important?"

"Ron had a dream, nearly identical to a story from the other Elizabeth Weir that was found in the stasis chamber." Kate informed him. "And he was never told about it to begin with."

"How can you be so sure it's important." Rodney, now more interested in Ron's problems then losing to Sheppard, followed the Colonel and Psychiatrist out the mess hall. "He could have found about it any other way."

"That's what I'm about to find out." John replied.

"Dr. McKay, perhaps you see speak with Tara about this." Kate suggested.

Before Sheppard could object, Rodney was already down the corridor and through the transporter.

"Why would you suggest that Rodney speak with Tara?" Even Sheppard couldn't believe anyone would suggest that Rodney speak with anybody.

"I thought it would be good to know if Tara might help." Kate didn't understand why Sheppard would be against this, especially since she knew Rodney.

"Let's hope he doesn't do anything stupid." Sheppard wanted to smack himself for those exact words.

Ron remained in Dr. Heightmeyer's office when she went to speak with Dr. Weir. He wasn't sure what was going on but he sensed it had something to do with what he just told Dr. Heightmeyer. He wish he got something to eat since he hadn't eaten since the previous night, but he didn't care much since his mind was more as ease since talking to Dr. Heightmeyer.

Ron's attention was directed to the door opening. John Sheppard entered, with a folder in hand with Dr. Heightmeyer right behind him.

"Is something... wrong?" Ron asked, hesitantly.

"I just have a few questions." Sheppard took a seat across from Ron, and Kate sat in her traditional seat.

"Just because I had some dreams?" Ron asked. "Can they be that important?"

"It actually depends on something." Kate replied. "Like how those dreams came to you."

Ron's eyes shifted from Kate to John and back again. "I... don't know. Why do you ask?"

"Because we think that somehow those four devices did more then give you powers." John said. "Like maybe, gave you someone's memories."

"Is that even possible?" Ron asked, doubtful.

"Anything is," John replied, then added. "Apparently."

"If that's true," Ron started. "Then what does that mean for me?"

Kate shrugged. "Then you might have more information in your subconscious that you might not know about."

"Like maybe a weapon left behind by the Ancients." John suggested.

"Then how am I suppose to know anything?" Ron said. "I can't just will that information to you."

"I know they just come to you through dreams," Kate said, then suggested, "but we have a device that can help you get that information easier."

"Would it hurt?" Ron asked, cautiously.

"Maybe at first." John said. "But you have healing abilities that should ease the pain."

Ron didn't take long to think about it. If getting this information would help him to sleep better, then he would use the device. He wasn't sure if there was a downside to all this but didn't care much.

"I'll do it." Ron said. "Let's get started."

"We don't actually have it here." Kate admitted. "It's at Stargate Command, but I'll request to have it shipped here."

"How long until it arrives?" Ron asked.

"The intergalactic gate-bridge has been experiencing problems," John said. "So we'll have to have it shipped here on the Daedalus. So about a few weeks."

"Until then, come see me if you have any more problems." Kate advised.

The instant Ron was released, he went straight to the mess hall. At first, it was unusual for the members of the expedition to see a kid in Atlantis but had grown use to it. Ron had tried to learn of who was who and what they did, so he would know who to go to in case of an emergency. But he mostly went to John Sheppard, Rodney McKay and Elizabeth Weir for anything.

Having a former military turned teacher had it's advantages. Ron had learned many things of the military life style, including military time and to understand the military personal, in general. But he didn't have to put that military information to any use until he arrived here.

Arriving in the mess hall, Ron went straight to the table and grabbed a tray and collected his lunch.

"You seem to be doing better today." Alex, the Atlantis chef, commented on Ron's unusual state of happiness.

Ron managed to pile food on his tray without going overboard. "Had problems with sleeping but Tara finally convinced me to see Dr. Heightmeyer."

Ron and Alex were birds of a feather. They weren't popular in school but they had a few close friends that were popular. Only child and great in the kitchen but their personality were completely different. They became friends because they had similar interests.

"Bad dreams, huh?" Alex poured some mashed potatoes on Ron's plate.

Ron thought about it for a moment. "In a matter of speaking."

Ron grabbed a bottle of water and picked out a table to commence to enjoy his meal. Nothing tasted sweeter then that meal but he ate quickly. Pending on her availability, Ron was to meet up with Telya for a sparring session, as was part of the lessons Tara put him through.

Ron thought Tara was trying to have him killed after the first sparring session with Telya, which resulted in a concussion and a broken bone, but was healed very quickly. He knew Telya didn't mean to actually hurt him like that but what was his fault was when he told her not to go easy on him.

After watching Ronon spar with Telya, he quickly dismissed the thought that Tara was trying to have him killed. Ronon was strong and intimating with just one glare but was somehow no match for Telya. Ronon wasn't the type of person to hold back while Teyla was. He never wanted to spar with the Sateden unless he knew he would win.

When Ron finished his meal, he departed to the Gym for his sparring session. He had yet to actually leave his sessions without so much as a bruise and this time, planned to avoid being hit with Teyla's baton stick, at least once.

This was going to be a long day.

John Sheppard finally got the call from Dr. Carson Beckett he was waiting for. He had been waiting for a while for answers that would answer his dilemma and he was hoping Beckett would have the answer or something that would help him answer the mystery he couldn't figure out.

The door to the Infirmary opened with a swish and Sheppard entered. Dr. Beckett was sitting at his desk, double-checking his findings.

"You have something Beckett?" John approached.

"Ay, Colonel," The Scottish doctor replied. "Although I don't have a name yet, I have found this."

John looked over the record, and some of the information seemed familiar but he didn't know from where, while some other information actually surprised him.

"What is it?" Carson took notice of the look of surprise on the Colonel's face.

"Can you also do one more favor for me?" John requested.

Ron was practically crawling the first several meters until his healing abilities finally kicked in and he was limping. Never again would he spar with Teyla until he was stronger and able to withstand her skills. Ron could have swore that Teyla could take on Kim and Shego at once, one handed, and could come out unscathed.

"Just sixty more feet." Ron said to himself as he continued to carry himself. "Until I can finally rest in my own bed."

"You okay?"

Ron turned to find Sheppard walking down the corridor and toward him. "Tara has me sparring with Teyla."

"Ouch." John winced. "What did you do to get her mad?"

"Actually, Tara said it would help me," Ron commented, then frowned. "But I think I did something that got her mad."

"At least you're not sparring with Ronon," John started. "Then you seriously made her mad."

Ron lightly chuckled but still felt sore all over his body. "Could you help me?"

"Sure, I was actually coming by to check up on you two." Sheppard replied and helped Ron get to his room. "Have you been having any more strange..."

"No, I haven't." Ron replied, almost regrettably, which was strange for him. "But you'll be the first to know. I heard you and Rodney had been playing a certain ga..."

"I don't need to be remained." Sheppard warned Ron as they neared the two rooms. "We managed a truce, but knowing Rodney, it might not last long."

"Some people can..." Ron trailed off and his attention went to Tara's room right next to his, and he felt that something was wrong in there.

"What's wrong..." Sheppard stopped himself when he realize what he was going to say and what happened earlier that day. "McKay."

Ignoring the soreness, Ron went right to the door to Tara's room and opened it. Walking in, nothing seemed wrong. Tara sat on her bed in a meditative state, her legs crossed. Her face was calm but Ron knew that Tara was upset. He didn't need to read her mind to know that. She only meditated when she was helping Ron or upset.

And right now, she was seriously upset.

Ron approached her. "What's wrong?"

Tara held back her emotions as she spoke. "Rodney McKay is a jerk. It took every ounce of will power not to strike out at him." She paused to hold back a tear, then added, "And then some."

"What did McKay do?" Sheppard demanded.

Tara's blue eyes opened and she turned to Sheppard, like she trusted him more then her own adoptive parents. Just looking into her eyes showed some pain.

"It was about the nightmares Ron was having..."

~Flashback~

Rodney was sitting on the chair, leading back. Kate Heightmeyer suggested Rodney talk with Tara about Ron's nightmares and he wasn't making much headway.

"He didn't tell you?" Rodney sounded annoyed but toned it down. "Didn't you read his mind or something when he first started having them?"

"I didn't think I had a right to intrude on his privacy," Tara replied, albeit irritated. "But after a while, I had no choice since he wasn't telling me. I'm not sure what they're about."

"Huh! I'm surprised that he didn't confide in you." Rodney looked thoughtful.

"Because we're dating?" Tara asked, eyebrow raising.

"Yeah." Rodney said, then quickly asked, "How does someone like him get someone like you?"

Tara didn't reply but just glared at him with daggers in her eyes. Rodney made a mental note not to ask her about her choices in boyfriends.

"Let's not dwell on that," Tara advised, some anger in her tone. "And get back to Ron's problems."

"Not much we can actually do." Rodney admitted. "We have the technology to actually download people's memories into other people's minds but since it's like a subconscious memory, it'll be tricky."

"I'm pretty sure I can figure out how to reprogram it to tap into the subconscious mind." Tara smirked.

"No offence, blondie, but I have five PH.D.s and could do it better then you can." Rodney said with a smug grin.

It wasn't until several moments before Rodney noticed the expression in Tara's face and he remembered what he said.

~End Flashback~

"...and I threatened him if he didn't leave." Tara finished, more hurt by the memory.

"Didn't he have the decency to even apologize?" Sheppard demanded.

"I think he tried but I'm not sure." Tara replied, Ron taking a seat next to her to comfort her. "I was just so angry."

"Where is he?" Ron turned to Sheppard, anger festering within and his tone was evident of that. "I want to..."

"I know you're not going to talk to him." Sheppard said. "And beating him up won't help or make you feel better."

"Then I'll report him to Dr. Weir." Ron's voice raising as he got off the bed and marched to the door.

Ron's hand raise to open the door but Sheppard stopped in Ron's way and stopped his hand. "I will handle this."

Ron and Tara watched as a smirk climbed Sheppard's face.

"I will make sure this situation is handled," Sheppard's smirk was evident of his promise. "properly."

I shall leave it at that, and let everyone guess of what is to come. Hopefully it won't be too long this time.

As always, leave a review, comment, concern, suggestions and/or constructive criticisms you may have. No flames and keep it clean.