Disclaimer - I do not own SGA nor am I making a profit from this.
A/N - Thank you bailey1ak for your wonderful friendship and beta work.
Hours later Ronon left the catwalk he'd been occupying since Orla left, he headed toward the crew quarters. Sheppard's quarters to be exact.
Ronon strode down the corridors aware people were staring but not caring if they looked at him in sympathy or simple curiosity. Over the years he'd lived in Atlantis he'd become accustomed to their stares, his size and gruff manner working as a good barrier for anyone attempting to do anything but stare.
Ronon activated the chime to Sheppard's door, moments later the door opened revealing the man in question.
Sheppard opened his door relief washing over him momentarily as he saw it was Ronon. While he was glad the man had stopped isolating himself, he now worried at what had stopped his isolation.
"Ronon, wanna come in?" Sheppard asked trying to sound casual.
Ronon merely shrugged and moved forward until he stood inside Sheppard's quarters, he crossed his arms in front of his chest and stared at the Colonel.
"Wanna watch a movie?" Sheppard looked at the Satedan thinking to himself they'd been this way with each other before, when Ronon first arrived. Sheppard would ask questions, albeit awkwardly. Ronon had done what he was doing now, just stared at Sheppard.
"No," Ronon gruffly responded, sighing tiredly. "I want to go off world for a while," he continued looking at Sheppard.
"Thought you might, anywhere in particular?" Sheppard replied, he'd dreaded this.
"Belkan, thought I'd catch up with Solen Sincha," Ronon simply stated.
"How long?" the Colonel quizzed.
"Dunno, few days maybe, maybe more," Ronon replied noncommittally.
"Thought you might. Spoke to Mr. Woolsey 'bout it. He said okay but, asked if you'd do something for us?" Sheppard watched as Ronon's eyes narrowed in suspicion.
"What?" Ronon grumbled.
"Take a radio with you and please check in once a day, so we don't worry buddy?" Sheppard hoped he wasn't going to have to argue with Ronon.
"Fine," Ronon snorted, he should've realized Woolsey would want him to check in.
"When you planning on going?" the Colonel said sounding relieved they weren't headed for an argument.
"Get a bag packed then go… twenty minutes," Ronon answered making for the door, he palmed the door open as Sheppard called out.
"Ronon, what about the guys? You gonna let Teyla and McKay know you're going?" Sheppard inquired.
"You can do that Sheppard," Ronon answered walking out the door.
Sheppard watched the door close; he guessed he should be happy Ronon had even come to him instead of just leaving.
Twenty minutes later Sheppard stood in the gate room, Teyla and McKay standing next to him as they watched the imposing figure of the ex-Runner come into view. Ronon wore his black leather floor length coat, creating an even more commanding physique. He carried in one hand a black canvas bag.
"Hey buddy, got everything you need? Radio?" Sheppard smiled awkwardly, he knew how much Ronon loathed the radio yet he wanted a way to contact the big guy.
"Yep," was all Ronon replied.
"Ronon, come back to us soon," Teyla smiled warmly.
"Yeah, don't do anything I wouldn't," Rodney uttered nervously, who else was he going to have to say goodbye to today?
Ronon snorted at Rodney's remark, "McKay I intend to do nothing but things you wouldn't do."
"Oh right, well don't tell Orla," Rodney winced at his careless remark especially when he heard the hiss of air from Ronon as he breathed in releasing a growl at the scientist.
"Ronon, Rodney did not mean to upset you," Teyla interceded between the two men.
"Chuck, dial the gate," Sheppard called out, hoping the gate sequence would attract Ronon's attention enough to ensure Rodney didn't have a trip to the infirmary.
As the chevrons came into place and the wormhole's shimmering force came to life, Ronon turned his attention from the relieved man at his side.
"See you," was all he called out to the trio who'd come to see him off.
"A few days Ronon," Sheppard called out watching the man disappear through the Stargate.
"Think he'll come back?" Rodney asked absently.
"Course he will, Orla will be back Rodney," Sheppard snapped a little too quickly.
Ronon had walked about the town on Belkan where Solen lived a few times, it never really improved. The place was dusty, crowded with people looking to make a profit from someone else's misfortune.
He finally reached the tavern Solen now called home. He'd asked once why a room in the tavern, didn't he want his own space? Solen had just looked at him and told him he'd had a home once and Ronon knew that, he just didn't feel like trying to play happy families with his family dead. Ronon had understood and felt the same, until Orla.
The heavy wooden door creaked open and his eyes took a few moments to become accustom to the low lighting inside of the tavern. There were a few patrons scattered about the tavern he noted as he walked toward the bar. He watched the woman working the bar, she was short. Her hair flame red, apparently it matched her temperament as she struck out at the man she'd just passed with a tankard when his hands had wandered where they shouldn't.
Ronon waited for the woman to regain control of the bar before making his way to the bar himself.
The flame haired woman looked to Ronon, "What do you want?"
Ronon snorted, she obviously liked being here, "A room, a clean one," he glared at the woman.
She disappeared coming back with a heavy key, Ronon paid for two nights and a jug of ale. He sat staring at the amber liquid. He remembered the last time he'd sampled this ale, Teyla had thrown him on the cot in the room telling him he'd had enough. He'd killed Kell the following morning.
The tavern door opened letting in a brief rush of fresh air. Solen Sincha instantly spotted his fellow Satedan, Ronon Dex. He wondered what had occurred that was so bad he'd leave Atlantis for Belkan. He hoped Ronon hadn't messed things up with that woman Orla. He'd seen Ronon happy on Sateda with Melena, but with Orla it was different. He didn't know why but it just seemed more real, Ronon seemed more contented he chuckled to himself, probably had to do with their age.
Solen walked toward Ronon who in turn twisted around on his stool smirking at Solen.
"Ronon, it's good to see you," he smacked his hand onto the mans broad shoulders.
"Solen," Ronon rumbled.
"What brings you to Belkan?" Solen curiously asked.
"Wanted a few days away from Atlantis, thought I'd drop by," Ronon answered his facing showing none of the emotion of the last few days.
"Got a room?" Solen inquired.
"Yep, paid for two nights," Ronon waved the heavy key in his hand.
"Go drop your stuff upstairs and we'll drink, make sure you lock the door, this place is full of thieves," Solen chuckled moving a little to allow Ronon to leave and find his room.
Ronon re-entered the main part of the tavern, he instantly saw Solen nursing a few ales beckoning him over to the table. Ronon approached the table pulling out one of the chairs twisting it so he could sit and lean forward on the back of the chair.
"So, what do you need?" Solen using the well known Satedan bluntness.
"Nothing," Ronon answered between gulps of the ale, he'd had better but it would do what he needed it to do.
"Then what did you say?" Solen continued his interrogation of his friend.
"What?" Ronon looked slightly confused at his friend's question.
"You're obviously in trouble so… what did you say? You know saying 'woman, get undressed' isn't actually talking Ronon? You know my friend I'll let you in on a secret. Women fall for your obvious good looks and strong silent type. However, eventually you have to talk to them Ronon, grunting won't work. Orla fed up trying to decipher your grunts?" Solen teased his friend.
Ronon rolled his eyes and growled his disapproval at Solen who didn't actually seem to care. "I didn't say anything wrong," he muttered gruffly.
"Then you must have done something wrong. You have a wonderful home on Atlantis where you live with a beautiful woman. So why the hell would you want to be in this flea pit?" Solen stated the teasing having stopped; he grew concerned at Ronon's still stoic face.
Ronon explained the whole situation to Solen as they ordered more beer.
"Ronon if you want my advice my friend, you have nothing to worry about. Orla loves you and will be back, she just might be gone a while. That's not a problem for you is it, you'd wait?" Solen already knew the answers he just wondered if Ronon needed to hear himself answer.
"I'll wait, just…" Ronon growled in frustration before he could end the sentence. He rose kicking the chair and approached the bar demanding more ale for him and Solen.
"Ronon, sit down. You're gonna have to work on your patience. Maybe that Teyla could help, she looks the patient type," Solen guided Ronon back to their table.
Ronon snorted, "She tried to teach me to meditate."
"And?" Solen grinned having a good idea of what would have happened.
"Fell asleep," Ronon could help but chuckle himself at the memory of Teyla threatening him with a bantos rod.
Solen laughed, he'd been right. Ronon had always been a man of action, men like him only stopped for a few reasons, women, food and sleep.
"So you came to Belkan to get away from all the reminders?" Solen nodded his head understanding how Ronon felt.
"Partly, but I also wanted to get drunk for a bit. Teyla's the only one who can keep up with me on Atlantis but she'd just want to talk about feelings," Ronon swung his arm in a dismissive gesture, he really didn't need Teyla trying to get him to talk about feelings, he needed to numb them.
"What makes you think I won't ask you?" Solen asked keeping his face stoic for as long as possible, before he and Ronon erupted into great belly laughs which both men had trouble calming from.
The occupants watched the two men getting drunk, laughing like teenagers, mainly due to the ale. They watched as both men slapped at each other in mock fighting until the largest man hit and pushed his friend off his chair.
The flame headed woman approached the two men; she wasn't stupid by any means and recognized Solen but not his companion. He was huge, both in height and breadth. He looked strong too; he was a soldier for sure. She knew she could tease and even provoke Solen at times but the other one might not take to being talked to in such a manner by a woman. She'd have to use tact something she rarely like to use.
"Gentlemen, I think it's time you had some food, soak up some of that ale?" the woman politely asked watching Solen get back into his seat scowling at the larger man.
"Sure, two of whatever's good," Solen responded amused at Darla's polite manner, he'd only known the red head to be out spoken and at times quite the viscous fighter. He grinned, Ronon. People never knew how to approach him; caution was always advised he'd told people.
Two bowls of meat stew and a small loaf was brought to the table along with more ales. They ate with gusto their stews and another helping before washing it and the bread down with more ale.
Ronon not caring for manners or appearances after so much ale wiped his mouth with the sleeve of his shirt and belched loudly. "Was good," Ronon muttered belching once more.
Both men carried on their drinking until the tavern was shut. Darla took away the tankards scattered about the table shaking her head the two men were asleep snoring loudly at the table. She'd have to get the innkeeper to help Solen and the other one up to their rooms.
"Callum, come sort this mess out," Darla shouted not waking either man.
The weary innkeeper walked into the bar and toward the red headed woman. "What mess woman?" he sighed.
"Those two, the big one's in room 4," she answered him.
"Do you think I'm stupid Darla, those two are Satedan, I'm not waking a sleeping Solen and if his giant friends like him then I'm not waking him either. If you think I'm carrying that large one up to his room then think again, I like being able to use my back," Callum walked off back toward the kitchen.
"What should I do with them then?" Darla hissed at the innkeepers back.
"Let 'em sleep, charge 'em extra tomorrow for the hassle," he grinned at the prospect of more cash.
The following morning the men awoke their heads aching, throats parched, necks and backs stiff from slouching over the table all night.
The men continued as they had the day before, drinking the day away and eating. Ronon never checked in with Atlantis as agreed.
"Colonel Sheppard, I appreciate your worry over Ronon but he's been gone less than forty-eight hours. Yes he's missed his check in but are you really surprised?" Woolsey asked, he'd hoped to have heard from Ronon but couldn't find it in him to be that surprised at not.
"I know what you mean Sir, but. This is Ronon and he made me a promise, he's hurting right now and well to be honest he probably is okay, just want to make sure Sir. He's part of my team," Sheppard argued hoping Woolsey wouldn't fight him too much.
"Very well Colonel, your team has a go but Colonel, Ronon needs to know Atlantis tried to fight for Dr. Grant," Woolsey pointed out tiredly.
"He knows, sir. He just needed to escape for a while," Sheppard quietly stated.
"So exactly why do you need me, Sheppard?" McKay snapped fiddling with his TAC vest, he had better things to do than go caveman hunting.
"I don't need you McKay, Ronon does. He needs his friends right now and we're gonna help the big guy whether he wants us to or not, got it?" Sheppard bit back
"I'm sure Ronon and Solen are fine John," Teyla smiled not quite believing her own words.
The trio walked the town of Belkan heading for the tavern where they'd last seen Solen Sincha.
Sheppard pushed at the heavy door walking in his eyes trying to become accustom to the poor lighting. McKay and Teyla followed behind the Colonel.
"Oh great, we've gone back to medieval times," McKay grimaced looking about the tavern.
"Rodney," was all Teyla said but it meant so much more.
Sheppard spotted the two men playing some sort of card game, he assumed it was cards. Sheppard, Teyla and McKay walked over to Ronon and Solen, on closer inspection it became obvious the two men were drunk.
"Hey buddy, Solen," Sheppard smiled looking between the two men.
"Sheppard!" Ronon exclaimed sounding surprised, he pushed back his chair and swayed. Righting himself Ronon turned toward Sheppard clasping his shoulders with his huge paws before grabbing hold of the man to steady himself.
"Ronon, buddy, no offense but you stink of ale and sweat. When did you last take a bath?" Sheppard grimaced at the stale smell coming from the man.
"Good to see you too buddy," Ronon pushed at Sheppard sending him backward into Rodney and Teyla. "Teyla!" Ronon grinned drunkenly stepping toward the woman.
"Ronon, I think you have had more than enough ale. Maybe Colonel you and Rodney could help Ronon upstairs?" Teyla made the instruction sound like a question.
"Why me, have you seen how drunk he is. He's not light you know, all that muscle and hair weighs a ton," McKay whined earning himself a confused look from Ronon.
"Sheppard I'll help you get Ronon upstairs," Solen interjected suddenly looking more sober than Ronon.
Sheppard watched the man, he didn't seem drunk anymore. "Solen, you're suddenly…" Sheppard stopped mid-sentence as the man in question shook his head.
"Thanks Solen, come on buddy let's get you upstairs," Sheppard grabbed at one of Ronon's arms.
"Why are we going upstairs?" Ronon asked confused.
"You need to freshen up, change your shirt, it's covered in food and you've had enough ale," Sheppard stated pulling one of Ronon's huge arms around him as Solen mirrored Sheppard on Ronon's other side.
Slowly they got their charge up the stairs and into room 4, it took a lot of effort but finally they had Ronon in his room.
Ronon stumbled from the men grabbing at his shirt he pulled it off throwing the garment to the floor. His back to the men he fumbled through the bag on his bed for a clean shirt.
Sheppard watched as Ronon pulled at the shirt he wore throwing it to the floor. Sheppard was about to steady the big man when he noticed the tattoo on Ronon's back, neat design he thought.
"When you get that tattoo Ronon?" Sheppard asked looking at the design.
"While ago," was all Ronon uttered.
Sheppard was about to ask another question when Solen grabbed at his arm again shaking his head, stopping Sheppard from asking his question. That's when both men heard the loud thump as Ronon collapsed on the cot in the room and started snoring. They made Ronon comfortable as they could and left the room heading back to the bar.
As they headed back toward the table Teyla and McKay occupied Sheppard turned to Solen, "So, gonna explain how you're sober and why I can't ask Ronon about that tattoo?"
"I'm sober because I asked Darla over there behind the bar to give me water every other drink, so somebody was watching Ronon's back, the man needed to lose himself for a while. Ronon's got many enemies, he's a good man a better man than me. He came to me for help and I gave it. Ronon has very few vulnerabilities so his enemies have to wait and hope he makes a mistake. Now would be that time." Solen took a drink this time of ale Darla had just handed him.
"The tattoo you're talking about is a design of sorts but not like you mean, it's part Satedan, I can't read the other part but I'm pretty sure I know what it is. Your language, what's it called?" Solen asked Sheppard.
"English is the dominant language on Atlantis," McKay offered.
"The tattoo you saw Sheppard says "Beloved One" in Satedan but woven between the two words is something I can't read. Considering what the Satedan symbols stand for I'd bet my life the other bit says Orla."
TBC.... Please review