Payment for the Pain

Chapter 10;

Sheppard swung his legs off the side of the bed and Rodney jumped up to help him. Once standing he tested his foot against the floor. He raised his head, smiling. "Oh, we have got to get some of this stuff." He turned to Rodney. "I think I can actually wear my boot. Where'd you put it?"

"What? How should I know where your boot is? It's probably with the rest of your stuff," he said as he turned away to reach for Sheppard's pack. He heard a sound of quickly suppressed laughter behind him and turned back to Sheppard with a frown. "What?"

Sheppard smirked and pulled him upright and spun him around. "Nice of you to guard it with your life, McKay," he said as he started to untie the boot still attached to Rodney's pack back as Rodney strained to look over his own shoulder at it.

Sheppard untied it and sat down on the bed to put it on and laced it up. He reached out and Rodney helped him up again. He put pressure on his foot gingerly and then with more force. He smiled. "It's good." He turned to the girl. "Lead the way."

They walked up the street behind their guide. John considered asking her about the ceremony but knew from experience if it was bad they never told you anyway. They used innocent code words like 'see the inner you' and 'test the strength of your words' which generally translated to 'the use of spears or knifes'.

They walked into the hall, a cool darkness after the warmth of the sun. He could feel his body tensing, mind alert, watching for the danger. He could feel the rest of his team doing likewise, even Rodney. He could tell by the silence and knew without looking that Rodney was throwing furtive glances between his team looking for the signal that they had seen something he had missed, always missed. He had learnt to watch them instead, trusting them to see the danger, trusting them to tell him when to run out of there.

The girl indicated a corner in the hallway. "You can leave your packs here. They will remain untouched, you have our promise," she said, nerves blatant in her voice. Sheppard knew that not every one was used to travellers through the stargate and he had to decide if the nerves were due to the strangeness of the events or due to trying to hide something.

Outwardly, John was relaxed, smiling. A trick he had learnt when dealing with CO's he had no respect for. His inner feelings and emotions very rarely showed outside, unless he wanted them to, unless he trusted someone enough to show them. He did not trust these people yet, not enough to risk his team if he was wrong. He finally nodded, removing his pack and placing it in the corner as he nodded affirmation to Rodney to follow suit. He kept his gun holstered and hoped they would not test his resolve this far.

Once, he and Rodney had put down their packs the girl led them into a room where Kitarcha and his advisors were already seated. The girl indicated to the chairs opposite them. Colonel sat opposite Kitarcha with Teyla on his right and Rodney on his left with Ronon beyond him, nearest the door. Sheppard smiled and nodded to Kitarcha who smiled and nodded back before asking, "Are you well, Colonel John Sheppard?"

"Yes, thank you Leader Kitarcha Samaross." John said, using his formal title in return and receiving an approving look from Teyla.

Kitarcha smiled and nodded, "Then we will begin."

Sheppard could feel Rodney tense next to him. He kept himself relaxed as people started to file in but couldn't help the apprehension climb when they stationed themselves behind every person in the room. Suddenly a hand appeared in his side vision and he leant away from it even as he realised the hand had a cup in it and watched as it was placed on the table in front of him. He ignored Rodney who had nearly fallen off his chair as he jumped so violently. He glanced back to Kitarcha, who was watching him intently, and he nodded back and smiled.

"Erm, Colonel?" Rodney said hesitantly, as he indicated his cup.

Sheppard kept his eyes on Kitarcha as he leant forward slightly. "Doctor Rodney McKay has a bad reaction to some liquids. Would it be okay if I tasted to make sure it is safe for him?"

Shock registered on Kitarchas face as he and his advisors shot looks towards Rodney, who shifted nervously and back to him before nodding vigorously. "Yes, of course. The thought that we could harm one of you," Kitarcha shook his head plaintively. He indicated with a wave of his arm, "Please, please, try the Balsamore."

They all watched intently as Sheppard lifted the cup to his lips and took a sip, holding it in his mouth as he ran his tongue through the liquid, taking his time. He noticed Rodney watching him and he turned to face him as he swallowed. "It's okay, Rodney," he said as he placed the cup back in front of him.

Rodney did not look all that pleased which helped Sheppard find his smile as he turned back to Kitarcha who beamed broadly before he spoke. "That is good. Please, if you would, repeat our actions."

Kitarcha and his advisors all raised their cups and waited patiently. Sheppard and his team raised theirs hesitantly. "May truth and honesty always bind our friendship," Kitarcha intoned before they all took a sip and placing their cups in front of the person to their right. Sheppard and his team repeated their phrase and took a sip from their cups, placing them to their right.

Kitarcha picked up the cup in front of him and waited again patiently. Sheppard saw the grimace of disgust that crossed Rodney's face as he reached forward tentatively to pick up what had been Ronon's cup. Sheppard noticed that he had surreptitiously picked it up at an angle so he could twist it to take a sip from a clean place on the rim. You can face a wraith with a 9mm but won't risk taking a sip from someone else's cup – You're a strange little man, Rodney, he thought with affection as he raised his own cup.

"May the trust that started our friendship never die," Kitarcha intoned as he again took a sip and passed the drink to his right. Sheppard and his team repeated his actions.

"May our future forever be bound to each other," Kitarcha intoned, repeating the procedure. Sheppard saw Rodney shoot him a glance at this, which he ignored. Yes, I recognise that line but let's give them the benefit of doubt. Sheppard and his team followed suit.

"May the trust, honesty and friendship we found here today bring joy to both our people," Kitarcha intoned. Sheppard and his team repeated the action.

Kitarcha stood, beaming wide. "Friends, let us celebrate the finding of each other," he said as he clapped his hands and people flooded in with platters of food that they placed on the table. "Please, eat your fill. We will discuss the ways we can help each other over dinner."

Sheppard noted that Rodney was a lot happier to share their food than he was their cups. They talked through dinner, discussing the things they were able to trade. Sheppard had already told them that they would not trade weapons before they left on the gauntlet. He found it easier to make that clear from the beginning now. They traded medicines, training, farming techniques against their medicine, food and knowledge of the Pegasus galaxy. He requested a sample of the treemoss paste and requested a viewing of their ancient technology. He also gave a promise of help in the future and told them how to contact them should they need it.

As the negotiations neared an end he found himself relaxing slightly. No knives so far, although judging by Rodney's face he probably would have preferred that to sharing someone else's germs.

In direct contrast to himself, Rodney was getting more restless. That chat earlier must have had an effect. You wouldn't normally be this patient with ancient tech in the offering. He decided to put Rodney out of his misery.

"When would we be able to look at the technology of the ancients?" he asked.

Kitarcha answered to Rodney with a grin. "I will gladly take you after we have finished our food."

Rodney pushed his plate away. "Ready when you are… er Leader Kitarcha Samaross. The only thing that counts higher than food, Sheppard found himself smirking.

"Very well," Kitarcha said, smiling indulgently as though Rodney was a small child waiting for a promised treat. He clapped his hands and a server stepped forward to his chair. "Please fetch the guide, Machal Petieross." The server nodded and left the room.

One by one, they pushed their plates forward as they finished and by the time the server returned they had all finished and the servers were collecting the plates. Behind the server stood a man in the local dress, who bowed to Kitarcha.

He was older than Sheppard had expected but he could determine that age mattered not. He could sense the strength in his wiry limbs that enabled him to venture in the wild, regardless of the weather. He reminded him of an old Romany peasant whose age always belied their strength and endurance.

"Good day, Machal Petieross. We have made new friends," Kitarcha said as he indicated Sheppard and his team with a sweep of his arm. "They wish to see the things the Ancients left in our care. I will accompany them if you will lead us."

Machal looked them over and then returned his gaze to Kitarcha. "I would be honoured, Leader Kitarcha Simaross," he said as he gave a half bow.

Kitarcha smiled and Sheppard had the confusing feeling that the choice had been Machal's and not Kitarcha's. Either way, they were given permission and he for one did not really care where it came from. Kitarcha looked to Rodney, "Do you need to fetch anything before we leave?"

Rodney was nearly bouncing in his seat as he replied. "No, no. Our packs are in the hallway. Ready to leave when you are." He said, already starting to rise.

Sheppard was still reeling from the fact that the ceremony was over without incident… and knives. He still did not relax totally and he made eye contact with Ronon before they left the table. He was not surprised to see that Ronon was no more relaxed than he was. They made their way out of the hall, always expecting the worst. Sheppard was on one side of Rodney and Ronon on the other with Teyla behind and McKay totally oblivious to his protection and Sheppard comfortable in the knowledge that this format worked. They had plenty of experience to know without a doubt.

All relaxed and friendly smiles on the outside, but all coiled tight and alert inside. They left the hall in 'Quick Run and bring Rodney' formation.

TBC.