Please see first chapter for disclaimer, rating, warnings, pairing, etc.
Part 9/21
-Chapter 8- Atlantis
"So, both Carson and I have run all the tests that we could think of, and found nothing," Rodney explained. It was the summing up of a very long and somewhat unnecessary briefing.
"Nothing?!" John exclaimed. He was frustrated that he had just endured a boring lecture for nothing.
Rodney put something on the table in front of him. John didn't know what it was, since he'd stopped paying attention a half hour ago. "That's right. We thought we'd at least find a faint radio admission or some signal, but we didn't. Whatever's giving Ronon these dreams, or hallucinations, or whatever it is he's having – it isn't anything that we can detect, let alone stop."
Elizabeth leaned forward and put the fingertips of both hands together. "But we do know for sure that the people who originally captured him are still getting information from him?" she questioned.
"Yes," Carson spoke up, his first time to talk since Rodney cut him off two sentences into the presentation. "There's no other explanation for the dreams he's still having."
"Speaking of that, how's it comin' with the whole de-brain-washing thing?" John directed the question at Teyla, who had been quiet since she arrived. Come to think of it, she'd been quiet since yesterday afternoon.
She inhaled sharply, as if the question stung. "He seems to be – confident that this is the false world. He will not talk to me. He asked me if I had a message from the Ancestors."
John paused and touched his mouth, thinking. Wow. Whatever they're doing to him, he must really be happy. Obviously, there's the whole "married to Teyla" thing, but— He looked up and Elizabeth and then down at the table again. Who does he think he is? Mister Matchmaker? He looked back up at Elizabeth.
She happened to look back. Their eyes met, and they both smiled.
Then again— He came back to earth – Atlantis – with a thump. He really had to reset those idioms. The ones like: "what on earth," "back to earth," and "the best thing in the world." Daydreaming again. He cleared his throat and addressed Teyla again. "That doesn't sound much like him, thinking that you were supposed to send a message to him," he said quizzically.
"Perhaps, but—" she paused and blushed. "It is something I would have him ask if we were. . .married." She obviously wished she hadn't said anything.
John nodded once, somehow sharing her embarrassment. "Ah."
Elizabeth looked to her left and right: at Teyla, then John. She knew she needed to say something to break the awkward tension. She sighed. "I think the best thing for now is for you—" she looked at Teyla "—to keep trying to befriend him. Once he trusts you, he may be more willing to listen."
Teyla's expression told John that, had she come from Earth, she would have said "duh." She wasn't, however, so she nodded. "I believe that is wise."
"Does anyone else have anything to say?" She scanned the room as she waited for an answer. None was forthcoming.
John could sense that she felt the same thing that he did: an absence. He followed her gaze and saw Elizabeth, Carson, Rodney, and Teyla, but a valuable person was missing. How long until the sixth member could join them again? He missed his friend.
"No? Then I'll see you here the same time tomorrow." She looked at Rodney and Carson. "Keep looking," she told them. Then, not waiting around to hear Rodney's snarky comments, she immediately pushed away from the table and walked out.
John stood and ran to follow her out. "'Lizbeth! Wait up!" Honestly, he didn't know what he wanted to say. He just wanted to talk.
She turned sharply in her office to face his voice.
John ran into her office and jumped to seat himself on her desk. He sat there as she shot him an amused smile and sat next to him in her chair. "I was just wondering. . ." He stopped and fiddled with one of the Athosian figurines on her desk. "Do you think this is as crazy as I do?"
She raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?" She crossed her arms and put her elbows on her desk, her right touching John's thigh.
He took a mint out of the crystal dish on her desk, nearly falling off from the far stretch, and popped it in his mouth. "I don't know. It's just, how can they be getting the information from him? There isn't even a signal or anything. We disconnected him. I saw Rodney do it."
"There is a lot of technology that we haven't even dreamed of. We know the Ancients weren't the only technologically advanced race in this galaxy. Plus, there isn't a signal that we've detected." She leaned back in her chair and swiveled it left and right, left and right.
There was a pause, filled with nothing but them staring at each other. Of course, John was the one to break it. A gleam entered his eyes and he opened his mouth. "So, what do you think of us being. . .engaged." He widened his eyes at the thought.
She stopped swiveling and waited for his reaction, afraid to say the wrong thing.
John had worked with Elizabeth for a while now. Consequentially, he knew her. She was very good at hiding her emotions; it was something that made her a good diplomat. He could tell when she was happy, sad, embarrassed, or, in this case, when she was hiding something.
"I think it's a good way for the Quitari to put us both into his dreams," she said at last, diplomatically.
He nodded and hopped off the desk. "Sure, me too." Why was she lying? Why was he lying? He didn't know why he felt so – strongly about them being engaged. Something about it made him happy. "So, I'll see you—?" he asked from the doorway.
She looked up from her desk. "Um—" She typed something into her computer. "It looks like you don't have anything until tomorrow morning's meeting. Same time as today." She looked up at him, hiding something in her eyes.
He swung his arms for no reason. "Okay, then it is." He turned to leave, but stopped. "Unless—" He twisted back around just in time to see her erase a smile from her face and look up.
"Unless?" she asked.
He took a step forward. "Lunch? I'll pick you up."
She smiled again. "It's a da-d-deal." She cut herself off, afraid to say the wrong thing.
"A deal it is." He grinned. And the grin didn't leave his face until he picked her up at noon.
Briefing room
Teyla sat quietly and watched Elizabeth, John, and then Rodney leave. Then it was just her and Carson, and he was on his way out.
"Are you okay, love?" he asked as he passed her.
"I am fine. I was just – thinking," she half-lied.
He nodded, obviously understanding the lie. "Well – make sure to get some rest."
She nodded. "I will."
He still wasn't leaving. She sensed that he was waiting for her to say something else, but she had nothing to say. He just knocked on the table in front of her, smiled wanly, and walked out.
What am I to do? My only task is to befriend Ronon, but he will not talk to me. Maybe I should get some rest. He will talk when he is—
"Hey," a warm, soft, familiar voice said from the doorway.
She snapped her head in that direction. "Ronon!" Her heart warmed immediately.
"Look, I'm sorry for the things I said." He took a small step forward, looking like a child apologizing to his mother.
She stood. "So you believe me?" she asked with obvious hope in her voice.
He took another small step forward. "No."
She lowered her head, feeling defeat rest heavily in her chest.
He took one more step forward, now as close as social rules allowed. "But," he told her in a friendly voice, "I'm willing to forget about it now. I still don't believe you, but I don't see a point in fighting you any more." It was obvious he'd thought about what to say for a while.
"I ask nothing more of you." I wonder what made him change his mind? she thought to herself. "How did you find me?" She watched him sit on the table by where she was seated before.
"I don't know. It was like I knew this was where you'd be." Ronon's rich voice was so – warm. It had been so long since they'd last talked that just hearing it again made her feel so right.
How can he not know? Why can he not understand that he knew I was here because this is his home? She wanted to tell him, to explain why he knew, but she'd agreed to just be his friend. "How long have you been awake?" What time is it, anyway? She looked at her watch, reading 1013 hours. Still fairly early, but late for him to be up.
"Not long. Doc said I'm still recovering and I need to get a lot of sleep. I don't mind." He paused, shrugged, and smiled.
Teyla could tell that he wanted to say something, but she didn't know what. She just waited until he worked up the courage to say it or changed his mind. She waited, just looking into his eyes, trying to read what he was thinking.
Ronon's stomach growled. "I'm hungry. Do you want to try the 'eating together' thing again?"
Teyla smiled. This is the Ronon that I know. "Sounds good." Even though I had breakfast a few hours ago. Maybe it will be an early lunch.
Commissary
Rodney was in the commissary for his between-breakfast-and-lunch meal when he heard familiar laughing. He smiled curiously and turned around. Ronon and Teyla? Why would they be here? What's so funny? Are they laughing at me?
He walked over and sat beside Teyla, still slightly afraid of Ronon. "What's so funny?"
"Nothing," Ronon said quickly before Teyla could answer.
It was about me. And John says I'm self-centered for thinking everything's about me. That shows him! I'm right! That was when an obvious tension settled over the table.
It was obvious they were trying hard not to talk about the dreams, but they didn't know what else to say. Maybe I should just leave so they can make fun of me again. No, that would be too obvious.
So he stayed. He stayed, and they all ate in silence. Awkward silence.
I wonder what they're thinking. I bet he hates me for coming over here. He didn't care what Teyla thought, she had enough self-control to not turn him into a human doughnut. Ronon, on the other hand, Rodney wasn't so sure about.
It wasn't until he heard utensils jingling Rodney realized he'd avoided eye contact. He looked up from his food to see them leaving. Thank goodness! he nearly said out loud.
As he watched them walk away, he remembered how they used to be. Before they ever went to Quitari. He saw the way they glanced at each other. Maybe they weren't laughing at me after all.
Halls, outside the commissary
"What would you like to do next?" Teyla asked as they strolled down aimlessly down the halls.
"After McKay back there, I think I could beat something up. Wanna spar?" He turned down a hall without waiting for an answer: headed toward the gym.
Teyla smiled and stayed by his side, just like the old days. How does he know where to go? How does he know that we spar together? Isn't this all supposed to be new to him? She wanted to ask these things so badly, but knew her questions should wait. "Yes. That sounds very nice. However, I do need to change first."
"What? You can't beat me in that?" He scanned her sleeveless tank and black pants, what she normally wore around Atlantis.
She stared at him. Is he joking, or asking me not to change?
He chuckled. "I'm just joking. I'll go ahead and warm up, though," he informed her.
They arrived at the gym and separated. Ronon entered and Teyla walked on, in the direction of her quarters.
Gym
Teyla ducked, swerved, and struck; a move she did often while sparring Ronon. He sure remembers this. It must be because he was once a Runner. Things like that never leave, she thought while absorbing a blow to her shoulder.
Ronon struck, succeeded, and ducked; barely avoiding a hit to his ribs.
They had been sparring for nearly an hour, and they both were exhausted. Not that either was willing to admit it.
Teyla struck with her left rod, and blocked with her right forearm. Then she started all over: struck, blocked, struck, blocked, and hit his wrist; sent a rod flying.
She could he him swallow a lump in his throat and anger fill his eyes. He was going Satedan soldier on her butt!
He blocked a blow with his remaining rod in his right hand and grabbed her right rod with his free hand.
She wasn't expecting this, but reflexes kicked in. She moved her left hand over and around his and flipped him.
He went down hard, but with her rod in his hand.
She sat on top of him; was thrown off in a matter of seconds.
She quickly regained her ground, got to her feet and twirled the one rod that remained.
He jumped up, charged at her, and pinned her against the wall, rods crossed at her neck.
She didn't say anything; she was too busy trying to catch her breath. She watched his eyes. At first, they were filled with pure fury. He had gone berserk, acting solely on his animal instinct. After a moment of standing there like that, however, they changed.
She realized he was as out of breath as she was.
"Ahh – so I beat fake you too," he said after he released her.
She slowly walked over to her water bottle. "You what?" She flipped the top and took a long, much deserved drink.
"It's just that whenever I spar the real you, you always lose." He grabbed a towel off the rack and mopped his sweaty face.
"Oh." If he still thinks that this is false, then why is he acting like he used to?
She put the bottle back in her duffle, and realized Ronon was looking at it lustfully. He hadn't brought his own. "Would you like a drink?" she asked and held it out to him.
He was across the room in less than a second. "You don't mind?" he asked, making sure that she was serious about the offer.
She shook her head. "I do not." She took two more deep breaths. Now she could breathe at her normal, steady pace.
Ronon seized it as soon as she shook her head and finished it off in three long draughts. Upon finishing, he wiped his beard and sighed. "Thank you," he said genuinely.
She took the empty bottle and placed it on top of her bag. "You are welcome," she said formally.
He walked around her, toward the door. "I don't know about you, but I really need a shower."
"I agree. Contact me later if you have any questions or want to talk." If he begins to understand, then he might want to know how the Quitari captured him. She knew it was just wishful thinking.
"I will." He smiled.
She smiled back and watched him leave. Ronon. . . I really miss you.
Teyla's quarters
After her shower, Teyla went directly to get a late lunch, but that was hours ago. Since then, she'd focused on calming her nerves.
Teyla finished her meditations and walked out onto the balcony. She had a lot to think about, but her mind wouldn't let her focus. She prayed the calm sea and red sunset would help settle her mind.
Her mind was settled, but her stomach wasn't. She'd barely been outside two minutes when she heard her stomach growl. She snapped her head over to look at the clock. Ancestors! The commissary closed dinner down five minutes ago. At least they will still have the leftovers.
She ran into her room and rushed to put her shoes on, she was going to have to hurry.
She went to the door to her quarters and heard a well-known noise. Her radio frequency had just opened up. "Teyla, I'm hungry," Ronon's voice admitted.
"I will meet you there in three minutes." She opened her door.
"No, I'm hungry now." He said, propped up in her doorway.
She smiled. "We must run. They are replacing dinner with snacks for the night."
"Then we've really gotta hurry!" He took off running.
He was so fast she couldn't keep up with him. He stopped, waited until she was even with him, and grabbed her hand. He pulled her along.
Ronon pushed her so hard one of her shoes fell off, but she didn't mind. She'd find it later. She started to laugh, because she hadn't run this fast since – well, ever. She felt like she was flying.
"See? Just in time!" Ronon grabbed some food out of the hands of a worker on their way to the kitchen.
It was a tray full of meat, and Teyla knew she had to find something more. All that was left was the salad serving bowl, but it was enough for her.
She met up with Ronon again, who'd gathered the plates and utensils. "Looks like a feast to me."
Teyla smiled at their table of meat and salad. "It does," she kidded. It reminded her of when she was a child and always pretended every meal was a feast. That everything was grander and better than ever before.
"Let's dig in." He grabbed a slice of roast beef and took a bite out of it.
Teyla picked up her a fork and dished salad onto her plate, then put cubed ham on top of it. After watching him for a minute more, she took her first bite. It really was a feast.
Quarters' hall
"Hey! I've been looking for you guys! It's movie night!" John called to them from the other end of the hall.
"I had forgotten," Teyla admitted as she put the shoe she'd lost earlier on again. They both knew Ronon didn't need an excuse.
He jogged up to them. "You still up to it? Rodney's looking forward to it," he hinted, nearly begged.
"I am. What about you?" Ronon asked her.
"Sure," she said, eyes heavy.
They walked toward John's quarters.
"What's the movie?" Ronon asked as an afterthought.
"A Dog's Breakfast," John said as he opened the door for his guests.
Teyla snagged a seat on the couch. "I have never heard you speak of it." She scooted over to make room for Ronon.
"Yeah, it's not that good," John whispered as he sat in his swivel chair.
Rodney, who was already there waiting for the others to arrive, jumped up. He nearly spilled the popcorn out of his lap. "It is too! It's a great movie!"
John started it up. "Sure it is, sure it is," he tried to soothe his teammate.
A few minutes into it, Teyla started to feel really tired – more like exhausted. Her eyes got heavy, and she could no longer keep her head up. Subconsciously, she laid it on the closest thing to her: Ronon's shoulder.
He looked down at her and smiled.
She could feel his breath on the top of her head, but she was too tired to notice.
Ronon turned back and watched the movie. As far as dreams go, this one isn't all that bad.
To Be Continued
