CHAPTER 9 ATHOSIAN CELEBRATION
It took Elizabeth several video conference calls to earth to first convince them that their plan could possibly hold some measure of success, and secondly to get some help with the legal and political side of things. It had not gone down especially well and General O'Neill, when first approached with that plan had almost snapped her head off. It had taken some clear and cohesive arguing on her part to get him to the point where he was comfortable taking it further up the chain of command and that also meant getting the IOA involved.
John popped into the control room after a final video conference call and found Elizabeth looking frazzled and just a little out of breath.
"So, not going well then?" John shuffled a little, feeling some guilt at being the one to throw all this at her, then unable to run with it at this point. This part of the negotiation needed to be handled by Elizabeth as leader of the base and she was required to liasion with earth in situations like this.
"I think we're there John... it's been a battle. They were insistent that we are spectators in this galaxy, passive assistance only and this is certainly beyond the description of passive. Mallon was spent some time with me during the video links and with a Advocate background and very clear headed, she has been invaluable in getting across her story and the story of her people. I can understand the reticence that earth are showing, I felt the same misgivings when you told me. We can't interfere most of the time, otherwise we are forcing evolution onto a world that is not yet ready to progress to the next level. It is finding a delicate balance. Without Mallon to co-ordinate it every step of the way, I doubt that earth would even consider it a possibility."
"So, still some details to iron out then?" John had something he wanted to do with a certain young lady, and was checking his window of opportunity, however he did not realise just how transparent he was.
"You've got a few days yet John, still a lot of detail to iron you. So whatever it is that you want to do, that's got you all jumpy under the collar, go ahead and get it done before you spontaneously combust..." She smiled at him, taking some of the sting out of her words.
"I just wanted to spend a little time taking Mallon to the mainland. They have a harvest celebration over there tomorrow night as you know, and a lot of the base personnel will be heading over to celebrate the harvest moon and the successful harvest of their first crop of earth seeded apples."
"And you want to escort a certain young lady over there I am assuming..." Elizabeth raised an eyebrow at John. "I hope you know what you're doing with her John... she's led an incredibly sheltered life, brought up and tossed into a world where their rules and regulations govern everything they do every minute of the day. She has known little freedom and you need to tread carefully... not overwhelm her. I don't mean to step into your personal business... but we've all developed a lot of respect, and dare I say it... feelings... for Mallon and her brother and I'd hate to see her hurt."
John's face was serious as he replied. "Not on my agenda Elizabeth. And contrary to popular belief, my reputation on this base with women, is overrated, believe me! How many relationships have I been in since coming here...?"
"Are we talking dates... or relationships...?" Elizabeth smiled. John was right – the rumours on the base did spread quickly and she knew that many of them were unsubstantiated.
"On one hand Elizabeth. They can be counted. On one hand..."
"Ah.. but the offworld women?"
"Ok... so maybe two hands..." and chuckling he went to leave the room. "But Mallon, I'll go slow with her... she is different, and I'm not really sure where my feelings are for her... sometimes I feel myself pulling back, just because I know she has led such a sheltered life, other times, God, I want her..."
"Ok, John, I have a mental picture... enough information...!" Shaking her head at him as he left, she did however frown. She had developed a soft spot for the young girl and her brother and knew that she had been hurt enough in her life. Interfere if she must, be she didn't want John taking advantage of her naivete.
They met in the jumper room, a group of Atlantis personnel, excited about the prospect of a celebration for different reasons. Teyla happy that her people had managed to rebuild what had been taken away from them and proud that they had managed to get through their first successful harvest and produce the first earth seeded fruit. Tonight they would taste the apples cooked in a variety of ways. Rodney was simply excited at the prospect of food... and lots of it and knowing that lemons did not feature at all in the diet of the Athosians, this meant that he could eat all the featured foods without worrying about citrus allergies.
Ronon had begun a tenuous relationship with one of the Athosian woman, and this would be their first night spent together, provided the evening went to plan for him. He was mentally working out how he could get her alone and away from her family later... and make a discreet exit to a less populated area where they could spend some time alone.
Mallon and Farek both looked around with wonder, excited at the prospect of sharing a celebration with people who were happy to welcome strangers into their midst. Mallon had dressed carefully for the occasion, having been given some special clothes to wear by Teyla. Teyla felt some doubt about the budding relationship that was forming between the Colonel and the young Mallon, she felt that the girl was too young and impressionable, not so much in years, but in maturity and emotional levels and she feared that John was not the man whom she should entrust her heart to. But chose not to interfere, and instead looked at the girl with pride as she looked around the jumper bay, her eyes searching for Colonel Sheppard.
For Mallon looked lovely. Her long hair had been carefully styled by Teyla and she had given her the barest hint of makeup to accentuate her beautiful eyes and high cheekbones and her face, beautiful before, now looked stunning, with smokey mysterious eyes. Teyla had found her a floor length dress in coloured silk like fabric, that draped beautiful from her bust, showing just a nice amount of cleavage, designed to enhance rather than overpower and the soft smile on her face only made her face appear more womanly.
Teyla saw the moment that John walked into the jumper bay. He faltered when he saw Mallon, and she saw the slight frown that marred his face and wondered at what was going through his head right now. He was a good man, and a good friend and she only wanted the best for him. Perhaps it was time for him to find some happiness of his own. His casual base romances had been few, despite the jokes made, and he was generally very selective about the women that he had become involved in. Teyla knew that there had been someone serious on earth, a long time ago, but that there had been no serious romance since, just casual dates.
Mallon's eyes lit up when she saw John and he seemed to gather himself, and after acknowledging several other personnel as he moved past them, he really only had eyes for the young woman, and moved to her side as soon as he was able.
"You do look lovely Mallon – really... are you looking forward to the celebration?" He took her hand and tucked it into his elbow so that he could escort her onto one of the jumpers and bent his head slightly to hear her answer.
"A celebration sounds wonderful John. We do not have such things on my planet, there is very little to celebrate – you are simply expected to do your job with little reward. I understand that you celebrate many things as humans in your world – the day of your birth, a present exchanging day, a chocolate exchanging day... oh so many days to celebrate. Your lives on earth must be a continual celebration – I have to wonder whether you get a lot of work done in the allocated time?"
"Aahh Mallon... the secret to our success... we work hard and we play hard and for the most part, it seems to work well for us. We have learnt that reward through celebration allows you to return to work refreshed and you generally find the desire to work harder. It is a cycle. We need to rest, yes, but we also need to have fun... that is going to be my mission tonight Mallon – I'm going to teach you how to have fun!"
He felt the swish of the silky material rub along his arm and he felt that small flame of need whisper through him again and bent his head down just as she looked up at him, moving his lips softly across hers and whispering, "...and I'll start right here..." He saw her shiver in anticipation and closed his eyes briefly knowing that he had started them on a path that was like a moving walkway, stay on and enjoy the ride or get off... and he knew that there was no way in hell that he was jumping off.
A large bonfire was alight on the beach and many of the Athosian people were already laughing and gathered around the fire, and the smell of cooking meat permeated the air. Rodney sniffed the air appreciatively when they arrived and left the jumper.
"Barbeque... smells good on any world... mmmmm..." He smiled in delight and headed towards the bonfire, intent on staying as close to the food as he could. Ronon spied his new lady friend. She stood on the fringes of the crowd and watched his arrival, his tall rangy body easy to see amongst the Lantien arrivals. Farek was quick to leave also... he had seen a game of football that was in progress, a game that John had taught the Athosian people not long after their arrival and having sent to earth for the appropriate equipment, they were now in possession of bright shiny new balls. John winked at Mallon, grabbed her hand and led her over the the football game as well.
"What is this John? Running around after a round object? For what purpose does one do this?"
He held a hand to his heart, a lazy smile on his face. "I'm shocked Mallon – this is our national sport, more or less. Football. A game of strategy, skill and not for the faint hearted."
Mallon looked at the game somewhat skeptically. "This does not look especially complicated."
"Ahh... then I shall just have to convince you..." John rolled up his sleeves, and flicking a finger under her chin he charged into the ruckus of the game and was soon running and dodging, and tackling the Athosian children and adults who had joined in the impromptu game. Mallon watched from the sidelines, smiling at the silliness, enjoying the laughter and the look of delight on both John's face and the children's as they dodged around him trying to trip him up and get the ball off him.
Teyla moved beside her, watching the game herself. "He has brought a lot of happiness to my people Mallon, especially the children. They adore him. He takes the time always, to spend time playing with them, reading earth stories to them and they see him as brave and strong and all the boys wish to grow up and be like him, and all the girls wish to grow up and become betrothed to him. He is many things to many people. You have chosen well, Mallon..."
"I don't know that I have chosen anything Teyla... I suspect that it has chosen me... there was little choice in the feelings that I have."
The game began to escalate as one team began to get an advantage over the other, and a somewhat sweaty Colonel jogged over to her, his hair plastered down onto his head, laughter in his eyes.
"Come on Mallon, we're short on team members.. come and give us a hand..." He reached for her hand pulling her toward the makeshift field.
"No.. I have no idea how to play... I would be in the way..."
Her carried on pulling her and she began to laugh. "I'm not dressing for running around and kicking that round thing... stop John..."
He was pushed into the middle of the field just as the ball came hurtling up the centre, kicked by one of the younger players from the other side. She shrieked as it sailed through the air, and John standing behind her called "catch it...!"
She had no idea what to do, went by instinct and reaching up her hands, somehow managed to catch the ball as it flew overhead and shrieked again as several players came running towards her, looking as though they were going to run her over. "Run Mallon, turn and run to the other end of the field. I'll run defense... just run."
She did just that, hitching up her skirt in one hand, holding the ball in the other and she ran, hair streaming out behind her and John running defense behind her stopping the younger players from getting near her. As she neared the end of the field, she heard him call. "Come on Mallon, touch it down..." Not having any idea what that meant, she slowed down and at that point one of the players had slipped through John's defense and came at her from behind with a flying tackle, causing her her nose dive into the dirt, right by the touch line... sending the ball out of her hands and over the line.
Laughing, John ran up, and dropped down beside her to help her up. Her face was streaked with dirt as were her legs, and as she sat there in the dusty field, she felt such a burst of happiness for the first time that she could remember, that she laughed out loud, and helped John to rub the dirt off her legs, then grinned wider as her attempted to get the smears of dirt off her face.
"That sweetheart, was a 'hail mary' – good job! Shame about your lovely dress... I hope it's not ruined." He helped her up, then bent a little to brush down the back of the dress and straightened it a little, smiling at the streaks of dirt that still smudged her face. "Not such the serious little lawyer now..." His thumb slid across her lips and they parted of their own accord, and she saw the darkening of his eyes as he registered their softness.
"Come on..." he growled, a little disconcerted now. "Let's go get something to eat." grabbing her hand he pulled her toward the bonfire, following the smell of the cooking meat and she shook her head not really understanding his many moods.
Rodney was already sitting down on a log with a full plate of food on his lap and his hands full of meat that was making a rapid path between his plate and his mouth. John shook his head slightly. Rodney ate whenever. Whenever he was stressed. Whenever he was sad. Whenever he was nervous. Just whenever.
Grabbing two of the earthenware plates that were stacked up to one side and passing two cups of the Ruus wine for Mallon to hold, he stacked up their plates with delicious smelling food, then led her away to the other side of the fire, where they could enjoy a bit of privacy but still watch the others. Some were eating still, and others had started an impromptu music performance, with instruments used by the Athosians mixed with earth instruments played by Atlantis personnel. Mallon leaned comfortably against John, happy to take small pieces of food from the plate and listen to the music.
Her sigh of contentment had him taking her plate from her and passing her the cup of wine. His glance was slightly hooded. "Drink this Mallon.. has a bit of a punch, but quite tasty... it'll get your head spinning just a little..."
"And that would be a good thing John?" She smiled at him, their shoulders touching comfortably and she mentally traced his features as the firelight flickered over him, marvelling at just how handsome he was. She wanted to touch him, follow the play of the flames as they moved with a melody of their own, and emboldened by the few sips of wine that she was not used to, she did just that, feeling his breath hitch just a little as his fingers ran over his skin. He tossed back the rest of his wine, waited until she took a few more sips of hers and saw her pupils begin to dilate a little from the unaccustomed alcohol, then took her cup placing it on the sand and pulled her to her feet taking her into his arms. He began moving her to the soft music that was playing and she melted slightly against the shape of his body, feeling his breath warm and comforting on her neck, then his lips were following his breath and it was warm... and very pleasant.
They moved together to the music, unaware of eyes that followed them, unaware of the concern that Elizabeth directed their way, then he was moving her away from the fire, away from the people and onto a darkened area of the beach where there was no light. He drew her down on to the sand, lying down and pulling her down beside her so that she fit against his body, her dress riding high on her legs and unbidden, his hand reached up and along the expanse of leg, feeling her shudder as he did this. His mouth was busy too, tracing fiery paths across her cheeks, down her neck and dipping lower so that it flickered across her cleavage, leaving her gasping slightly with sensations she was not familiar with.
He pulled back them, putting some distance between them, knowing that it was not the time to take her fully into a relationship that he could not commit to yet. A tiny sane corner of his mind knew that this would not be fair on her, and he needed to come to terms with what he felt for her before just treating her with casual intimacy. He touched his forehead against hers, closing his eyes as he calmed his own breathing and waited for hers to do the same, then smoothed her dress down her lovely legs before putting a little distance between them.
"What is it John.. have I done something to displease you?"
"Never, sweetheart. I just want to slow things down a little... we will become lovers, I can promise you that.. but not yet, and not here. I want it to be special for you, and now is not the right time."
"It feels like the right time John.. I want you..."
"And I want you Mallon, don't ever think that I don't... but soon, ok love? Soon..." He pulled her to her feet and tucking her against the side of his body he slowly walked her back toward the fire, seeing the look that Elizabeth gave him, and the slight nod that acknowledged the fact that he was trying to slow things down.
"May we dance again John... I enjoy the music and the feel of your body close to mine.. there are some many new and wonderful sensations... when it comes time to liberate my world, to change the laws as you talk about, I think we should make dancing something that is a regular thing.. dances and barbeques and walks on the beach. All people should be allowed to experience these things, don't you think?"
"I do Mallon, those things and much much more, that's why I want to help your people fight for the right to make their own choices and their decisions. Soon, we will be able to set them free from the tyranny that they are currently under and then it will be time for us to make a decision on the direction that you and I will travel down."
"I do not wish to be where you are not... even if it means helping my people – in the beginning yes, because I know that they will need me, but after your coup has been completed, then I would like to find a way for us to be together."
"Your call sweetheart...I know how I feel, but I need to be sure how you feel and now is not the time to make decisions when your world stands on the bring of civil unrest. I'll be there for you as I'll be there for your people. And soon our plan will be put into place, and you'll have a good place to raise families and for your people to be happy."
"New beginnings John..."
