Sorry for long delay nothing seems to be coming easily at the moment. Thank you for reviews, next chapter should be up much faster.

Chapter Nine

Leila made her way slowly towards Teyla's quarters. She detoured by every window and balcony she could find.

Evan had suffered only some minor bruising and had dismissed her heartfelt apology with an impatient wave of his hand, concerned only, it seemed, for her own wellbeing. Her fears proved unfounded as, far from hating Leila, the young Major had become more attentive than ever. The only person who spent more time with her than Evan was Teyla, who had taken over Leila's sparring training.

The ocean surrounding Atlantis was magnificent, and unlike anything she'd ever seen but… Leila missed the forest. She yearned for the trees that stretched into the cloudbank, and the river whose gentle beauty had long ago compelled her grandmother to stop running with the newborn Leila and rest. The river where her house still stood.

Leila's guard had been relaxed, though Leila suspected the change was a result of an unwillingness on her guards part to follow her around the city all day than on any merit of her own. Leila had a need for near constant for movement and even Evan had tired of following Leila around the city for hours at a time.

As Leila approached her destination her sensitive ears picked up two voices, Teyla and Evan.

Leila didn't exactly mean to eavesdrop, but her hearing was more sensitive than that of a normal human and she could hear their voices from down the hallway, while she was still out of sight.

And Evan was speaking loudly, his voice agitated, "I have no idea what you are talking about, I could never-"

Teyla cut Evan off. "I am sorry, if I have offended you. I am just unsure as to whether your feelings are clear."

Silence fell between the two and Leila wondered if Teyla had a laid a hand on Evan's shoulder. She knew first hand the power of Teyla's touch. "Leila is still fragile, Evan, and you need to be prepared that even when she is ready; you may not be who she wants."

Leila was in sight now and she reached out carefully with her thoughts and brushed Teyla's mind, she didn't want them to keep talking about her, for some reason what she had heard of their conversation made her feel sick to her stomach. Teyla looked up at her, surprised at the contact, "Leila," she greeted.

Evan turned to her, but his smile, usually so easy and natural appeared forced.

"Leila is presenting her translations with Samantha and the team this morning," Teyla explained to Evan.

"Good luck," he murmured, "I'll leave you to it."

Teyla watched him go with an unidentifiable expression on her face, which softened into a gentle smile when she looked to Leila. The Athosian shrugged her shoulders and inclined her head, "Shall we go?"

^*^*%^&$%

As much as possible, Leila had avoided Ronon, for entirely different to reasons to when she had first arrived in Atlantis. She didn't know what to think about what had happened on that balcony. She didn't know how.

When she was near the giant, Leila found she could not ignore him. Her eyes, all on their own, consistently found their way to him, her body was acutely aware of him, and reacted to his every word and movement. It was distracting, embarrassing and sickening. She hated the way she felt when she was near him.

So she had changed strategy.

No longer would her eyes drift over to him, no longer would her face burn when he caught her sneaking glances at him. After all, Leila was sure it was his fault, and she would not give him the satisfaction of making her uncomfortable.

And it was working.

"In summary, I believe we can conclude that the wraith are very afraid of Michael and what the future holds for them, they are banding together in a last ditch attempt to stave off his hybrid army and secure worlds uncontaminated by the Hothom virus" Leila finished her recap of what she learned, her eyes not leaving Ronon for a second. For the first time since she had met him, he seemed uncomfortable. In fact, if he was capable of showing such weakness, Leila swore that the big man would be squirming in his seat.

This thought sent a thrill through the young woman; by giving into her instinctual need to watch him she had unnerved Ronon far more effectively than by avoiding him. From the moment she had entered the room she had stared at him, trying her best to bore holes through the side of his face.

Leila felt a twinge of shame at her behaviour, after all Ronon hadn't really done anything wrong. But he did unnerved her... was it really so petty to want to return the favour?

Ronon had stopped trying to return her gaze, Leila didn't need to blink so there was no way he could win, and his eyes were currently fixated on the door, his handsome face set in a deep scowl.

He hadn't said a word during the proceedings, and appeared unlikely to.

%^$%^$^%$^

Sam took a mental step back to consider what they knew. The wraith were ceasing their infighting and banding together to repel Michael's attempts at genocide, and Michael's only weakness appeared that to be that his hybrids were not yet perfected. Sam looked to Teyla, who instinctively understood and inclined her head slightly. Leila was a perfect mix of wraith and human, with the strengths of the wraith unhindered by the need to feed on humans. It was of the utmost importance that she be kept from Michael. There was no doubt in either of their minds that Leila would give Michael the information he needed to perfect his clones. Even knowledge of the possibility of a wraith mating with humans could doom the galaxy.

John had been watching the meaningful glances that passed between the women, when he caught Teyla's eye he nodded that he too understood. He looked to Ronon, whose scowl deepened, but who gave a nod of agreement. No one bothered to try and alert McKay to the unspoken agreement, he was not sensitive enough to perceive their meaning. Leila could not be allowed to fall into Michael's hands. Leila would remain in Atlantis until Michael and his legacy were destroyed.

^*&^*^*(&(*

Sam concluded the meeting and the team filed out, Rodney prattling to Sam about some adjustments he was about to make to the cities defence systems. Teyla looked back from the door to where the tense pair remained.

Leila stood in the centre of the room glaring daggers at Ronon, who was sprawled back in his chair, but still focussed on the door. He was an intimidating figure, but Teyla could tell he was uncomfortable under her gaze. She left the room before allowing herself to smile; laughing at them now would be like throwing fuel on a fire. She had faith they would work it out, hopefully before one of them was permanently injured.

^*^*^*&^*&

Ronon wasn't sure which was more difficult, returning the girl's baleful gaze or trying to ignore her. His senses were acutely aware of her every movement and he knew without looking that she was still standing in the centre of the room, Ronon could feel her eyes watching him.

Without the incumbency of the team, Ronon once again turned his face to her and looked Leila in the eye. He relaxed into his seat, and met her fierce glare, his eyes bright with the challenge. He knew Sheppard would disapprove, but he would not be bullied by a five foot half breed.

She seemed taken aback by his sudden change in demeanour, and Ronon received some satisfaction from her uncertainty.

Leila's eyes broke away and looked quickly around the room, and her eyes widened as the realisation that they were alone dawned on her. A sudden tension seemed to fill the room and Ronon could hear Leila quickened breathing until she shifted, as anxiety clouding her eyes. Ronon's eyes darkened as he watched her, refusing to respond to the apprehension in her large eyes.

Suddenly the girl spun on her heel and bolted from the room.

Ronon remained motionless; trying to process what had passed between them and wondered absently if they ever be able to interact normally.

The image of her on the balcony just after he had saved her filled his mind; her pale eyes shining through the tears. And he remembered her awkward apology outside the infirmary, the anguish that had wracked her delicate features and the pain that offset her voice.

Ronon was moving, following her, before his mind registered what he was doing.

He remembered her broken and dying, chained to her cell like an animal.

What was he doing?

A surge of anger rose up unbidden in Ronon's chest. She had come to his home, won everyone over and then proceeded to spend her time confusing the hell out of him – running from him, attacking him, ignoring him, staring at him.

Ahead of him Leila stepped into the transporter and Ronon shifted into a run. The runner overtook her then spun lithely and slammed his hands against the wall on either side of her face.

"What the hell is your problem?" he hissed at the girl.

Ronon watched as her body drew back into the wall, he noticed her eyes widen with fear and dart to the exit. Fight or flight.

To his intense surprise, Ronon immediately regretted his rash actions, "Leila," he murmured. He wanted to say something, but nothing seemed appropriate. He didn't know what he wanted from her; he didn't know why he had her pinned against a wall.

Her eyes found his and softened, but she didn't relax. His large dark frame towered over her slight form and Ronon realised suddenly that her perfect, pale face was a lot closer than he thought. Her full lower lip trembled.

A screeching alarm penetrated the fog that had descended over his thoughts as the doors to the transporter began to rapidly close.

Ronon watched in horror as Leila ducked under his arm and attempted to escape through the closing gap, then grabbed the girl around the waist and hauled her back against his body just as the door sealed shut.

They were trapped.