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The Tender Trap

Chapter 11

There was still a nagging pain deep within his shoulder, but John pushed back his discomfort keeping his face expressionless as Beckett examined the fading wound with his gloved fingers. The Scot was watching, looking for a reaction. John didn't give him one. He wanted back to active duty, and if it meant telling a white lie to achieve his objective, he could live with that.

"I hear you've been out running with Ronon."

It was a rhetorical question, common knowledge in the base but Carson's disinterested tone didn't fool him. "I took fire in my shoulder – not my legs." Caught unawares John hissed when the medic pressed into the healing exit wound on his back. Damn it.

Carson pulled off his gloves and moved back around to face his patient. "Don't try to be smart with me, son. For one, I've been your doctor for quite a while now and I know all your moves. Secondly, I don't ask questions or give examinations for the hell of it – I'm just trying to do my job!"

When the medic fired his used gloves into the trash with such force the container rattled and nearly fell over, John realized he'd over stepped the mark. Carson had saved his sorry ass more times than he cared to remember. He owed him his life. He also owed him respect. The guy didn't deserve his bad attitude or cheap cracks.

"I'm sorry, Carson. I just want to get back to active duty." This time he didn't hold back the slight wince as he pulled on his shirt. "There's all this activity taking place on Raedelous and I feel like a freaking spectator. I want…need to get over there to see how things are going."

Carson had stopped frowning, but he remained silent as he pulled up a chair to sit beside the examination table.

"Look, John, I don't have a problem with you running – provided you don't overdo it. You've made great progress with the physical therapy, but until you have full range of movement in that arm without it causing you pain, I'm sorry, but I cannae grant your request. If I sign you fit for active duty I'm putting you back in harms way, and that would be irresponsible." Carson gave him a wry smile. "Now…while I'm the first to admit you're off par, is better than most men's good days, the fact is you could face a situation where that arm would let you down at a critical moment. That's something I'm not prepared to risk."

John knew when he was beat. He let out a long sigh. "So…how long?"

Carson stood up as John slid off the examination table, and onto his feet. "Another week…maybe ten days. I know that's not what you want to hear but don't push it. Overdoing things will only delay the healing time."

"Message received…loud and clear." John responded without sarcasm this time, as he finished fastening the last of his buttons, and pushed the tail of his black duty shirt inside his pants.

"How are things between you and Camista these days?" Carson asked. "Has she forgiven you yet?"

His hair was standing on end. It wasn't regulation at the best of times, but he swept a hand through to try and neaten it a bit. He wished he could mend bridges with his young friend as easily. "Frosty. She's still pissed I didn't give her the heads up about what I was planning."

"But if you had, it's unlikely she would have gone to the mainland." Carson reasoned, as he shook his head slowly.

"You know that, and so do I…Deep down I think she knows it too, but she still refuses to speak to me outside of the conference room. The way she enounces Colonel, makes my flesh crawl. On the bright side, at least she's speaking to Teyla again."

The medic patted him on the back. "Try not to worry about it. She likes you. Cares for you even. She wouldn't have named her son after you otherwise. Give it time. At the moment she feels betrayed, even if it was done for the best possible intentions. Once the sanctuary starts taking shape, I'm sure she'll come round."

"That could take a while," John muttered sadly under his breath, "We posted the proposals in the clearing two weeks ago, but Pellista is still playing hard ball. Daalen and Camista have identified a suitable site, and have even started mapping out the foundations, but it could all be for nothing. Without the Vergonans agreement, the plan will be dead in the water."

"Keep the faith, Colonel. Mind, if there is anything I can do to help…apart from putting you back on active duty…let me know." Carson had been walking with him, but stopped at the entrance of the infirmary.

John thanked him, and started down towards his office. He couldn't fault the medic for doing his job but, he was bummed. Instead of the trip he'd planned to take Camista to the planet, he was going to be stuck doing paperwork – again. John didn't regret what he'd done, and if he had to do the same again, he would, but he wanted to make peace with her.

Truth was he missed her. There was nothing like that between them, hell no. She was much too young for starters, and although pretty, Camista wasn't his type. What he missed was the snarky comebacks, and the innocent but uncompromising way she viewed life. She was a straight talker and he liked that. He didn't have a sister, but Camista would have fitted into his dysfunctional family really well. She would sure have given his old man a run for his money.

The smile died on his lips when Woolsey's voice came over the radio. "Could you report to my office, Colonel? It appears we have received a reply from the Vergonans."

Woolsey was a polite guy who always made it sound like it was a request, but they both knew otherwise.

"I'm on my way." He automatically responded, although this was one meeting he wouldn't miss even if he got the chance.

Alarms bells were ringing in his head, but he tried not to be negative. It was a good thing the Vergonans had finally responded, wasn't it? But the question had to be asked - why now? John didn't know why he was feeling so uneasy, after all this was what they'd all wanted. For their plan to succeed, if there was ever to be peace on the planet, if Camista was ever going to be able to return home with her child, both tribes needed to come to some sort of agreement. He curbed the feeling of foreboding twisting his gut, and tried to keep an open mind.

ooooOoooo

Pellista swept into the 'gateroom with all the arrogance and bravado John had expected from his one brief encounter with the Priestess.

If the woman was fazed by the jumper ride, or amazed by the magnificence of her surroundings, there was no outward sign of it. He couldn't help being impressed. If her indifference was an act, then it was an Oscar-winning performance. If not, she really was going to be a tough nut to crack. An ominous sign they were in for an interesting meeting was the twisted smile playing on her lips as she peered up at the balcony where he was standing. He didn't flinch under her gaze, but it was kinda weird looking at a faded image of the young woman standing next to him. Unless time was unkind to the girl by his side, this would be how Camista would look in another twenty-five to thirty years.

Only the fine lines on her brow and around her eyes, and mouth marked her as past her fortieth year, but Pellista still looked hot. The still taut jaw line, defined muscle tone, and killer figure would be envied by many women half her age. The odd, stray grey hair mingled amongst the long, red curls gathered into a top knot perched precariously on top of her head didn't detract from her appeal. She was a good looking woman, and it was pretty clear Daalen thought so too. He hadn't taken his eyes off her since she entered the room. The couple had made a daughter together. Not for the first time John wondered if their union had been as dispassionate as their custom indicated it should be.

Regardless, even though Camista was the image of her mother, her eyes were Daalen's. Over the last few weeks he'd watched them as they'd worked together, and whether she wanted to acknowledge it or not, in many ways Camista was her father's daughter. She possessed his laconic sense of humor, and also shared some of her father's mannerisms. They were both left-handed for one, and the way they cocked their heads to one side when they were listening, had almost made him laugh out loud when they'd done it in unison. It was strange seeing the DNA shared between the three adults, but this wasn't one of Carson's lectures. It was time to put his game face on.

"I don't know why she came. Mother isn't interested in the sanctuary, let alone having lasting peace."

It was the most Camista had said to him in weeks, and he held back a smile. "You could be right, but we don't know that for sure. We have to give her and this plan a chance. As to why she came, I think that's pretty obvious. She came to see you."

Camista reached over and took his hand. "I don't know if I can go through with this, John. Did you see her expression? She's playing with us, waiting for us…me…to fail." The young woman looked more vulnerable than he'd ever seen her. More afraid than she'd been in the throes of childbirth. "I feel sick...Mother has always had the power to intimidate me, and I know she will do everything she can to show me up in front of you all as the silly, frightened young woman who ran away from her responsibilities."

John squeezed the hand still in his. "Maybe she did have that power once, but I've never seen it. There was no trace of fear in the girl I met in the forest. Hell, it was me who was scared shitless when I first knocked on your door." He smiled softly trying to coax a smile, but it didn't have the desired effect. Camista still looked spooked. "Look, what you did…walking away from the only life you'd ever known, a life you loved, to live amongst strangers…just so you could keep your child - that took courage. You grew up to your responsibilities, Camista, you didn't run away from them. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise."

"Do you really believe that?" She asked almost in a whisper.

John rested his hands on her shoulders, and turned her to face him. "Yes, Camista, I do. And for the record I'm not in the habit of saying things I don't mean."

"Thank you, John…Thank you for believing in me, and for coming up with a plan so outrageous it might even work. But, if you ever lie to me again…" The girl's eyes flashed, but the twitch at the corners of her mouth showed there was no real anger there.

"Technically it was an omission, not a lie -" He rubbed his neck, and licked his lips that had suddenly become dry.

Camista threw him a warning look. "Do it again, and I'll take you to the gym and teach you a lesson. Teyla has been showing me some new moves."

"So you think you can take me down, huh?" John scrubbed the stubble on his chin in an attempt to hide the grin from the audience in Woolsey's office. "Tell you what, kid. Once I'm back on active duty you can show me what you've got. Right now, how about we go show your mother that her little girl is all grown up."

Then came the smile he'd been looking for as she crooked her arm through his. "Let's…I have lived in her shadow for long enough."

ooooOoooo

It was a small group gathered around the conference room. Carson had been and gone. His report hadn't gone down well with the Priestess. John could have sworn the temperature had plummeted under her chilly glare. To give him his due, the Scot hadn't baulked under her scrutiny. In his usual no nonsense tone, he'd told her how it was going to be if they carried on as they were, and left. Now only he, Daalen, Camista and Woolsey were left to convince the stony-faced Vergonan to come on side. It wasn't going well.

He'd seen more warmth from a Wraith Queen. The Priestess was clearly taking her title to heart as she sat back, and looked down her nose at them with thinly veiled disdain. John was proud of Camista. Despite her earlier fear she glowed with enthusiasm as she and Daalen took it in turns to outline the proposals for the sanctuary. The father and daughter double act were the only thing to get a reaction from her during the entire meeting. When they started to speak, Pellista raised an eyebrow and a soft flush grew up her neck turning into two scarlet blotches high in her cheeks. He watched as her jaw hardened, but still she said nothing.

Hours passed, and the atmosphere became fraught with tension as her silence continued. To her credit Camista didn't break. Her voice stayed strong, and the only trace of emotion was the glint of anger in the piercing blue eyes. Only when they had finished their presentation did Pellista take a sip of water from the glass in front of her, then slowly rose to her feet.

She allowed her gaze to roam around the room, but it settled on her daughter. "This has been very interesting."

Camista coloured under her gaze, and her mouth formed a thin line. "I hope you will at least consider our proposals, Mother…and allow my sisters to hear them."

The older woman gave out a harsh laugh. "My, my - Colonel Sheppard, what have to done to my little girl? She left Vergonan a child. You have made a woman out of her."

John ignored the implication. It was obvious she was trying to get a rise out of her kid, but he wasn't going to be played. "Me…I can't take credit for what was already there. All Camista got from me was the chance to be herself."

Camista threw him a grateful look, but Pellista was livid. Her eyes were flashing with barely suppressed rage. He wondered when the last time someone had spoken to her like that. Then he remembered – it was him.

Woolsey closed his laptop and also got to his feet. "Thank you all for coming. I realise this is a difficult situation, one that I don't expect to be resolved overnight. However…Priestess, I would ask you to consider what has been discussed here today, and, once you have had an opportunity to confer with your tribe I hope we can meet again to discuss the matter further."

The lady in question bowed slightly. "Thank you, Mr Woolsey. This has certainly given me a lot to think about." She turned to daughter. "Camista, I would very much like to meet the child who has caused all this fuss."

Camista, who had been quietly seething, looked up surprised, brightening at the unexpected request. "Of course! With your permission Mr Woolsey, may I take my mother to the living quarters?"

Woolsey went very quiet, and John could see by his guarded expression he was about to refuse.

"If you agree, I'm happy to go with them." John offered. "I'll even escort our visitors off the base once we're done."

"Thank you, Colonel. Now if you will all excuse me I have another meeting to attend."

With Woolsey gone, Daalen sauntered over to stand beside them. "He's a fine looking child, Pellista. Young John has the same shade of hair you had the first time we met." He scanned her face. "Although, I must admit to preferring it the way it looks now. The years have been kind to you."

Pellista gave him a tight smile. "How kind…but flattery as you know, Daalen, will get you absolutely nowhere."

In response Daalen just shrugged. "Still the same, eh, Pellista?" He smiled. "Maybe once we get the Sanctuary up and running I can do something to change your opinion about me. In the meantime, Colonel Sheppard, would it be a great inconvenience if I could return now? There is much I need to discuss with my men."

John nodded. He was acutely aware of Pellista watching him as he touched his radio, but figured he was being paranoid. It was only natural their technology would look strange to a simple race like the Vergonans.

Left with the two women, John could feel the tension growing between them. Given her attitude, he had been surprised at Pellista's request. Camista, who had been initially delighted that her mother wanted to acknowledge her grandson, was now becoming wary. He couldn't blame her. The older woman oozed arrogance. Her eyes seemed to bore into everything and everyone as she seemed to glide, her full shirts swishing along the hallway. John wanted to grab some lunch, hit the gym, and finish the last of the staff evaluations. Most of all, he wanted her gone.

Camista had moved into her own quarters after the spat with Teyla. The two girls were good now, but the arrangement had stuck. Given the impromptu visit, he was glad. If she had still been living with Teyla, Pellista would have taken the wrong reason from it. The way things stood now, living on her own as a single mom was another illustration that Camista didn't need anyone to take care of them. Of course mommy dearest didn't make any comment. Her attitude was pissing him off – big time.

Inside the utilitarian quarters, Camista had made a home. There was a multicoloured throw in greens and golds with matching cushions scattered over the bed. A dark wood rocking chair – a gift from the Athosians – stood in the corner. Tubs of cream, powder and other baby regalia were lined up on the desk which she'd made into a makeshift dresser. As they walked further inside the sound of singing drifting from the bathroom was unmistakable. When Teyla came round the door with the baby wriggling in her arms, her eyes lit up when she saw them.

"Camista…he has been such a good boy." She smiled down at the newly bathed baby, before carefully handing him over to his mom. "And you must be…"

"My mother…Mother, this is Teyla." Camista smiled at her friend, as she made the introduction. "Teyla…thank you for taking such good care of him." The young mother then turned the child round to meet his grandma.

Pellista started at her daughter, barely glancing at the child in her arms. John reckoned she was waiting for Camista to give Teyla the rest of her title. From her daughter's expression she would be waiting a very long time. Teyla was picking up on the vibes between them, and raised an eyebrow. John rolled his eyes. When the silence was starting to stretch out again, he decided to take matters into his own hands.

"He's a cute little guy, isn't he?" As John bent down to tickle the child's chin, he could see how hurt Camista was.

Pellista seemed to give herself a shake, and without making a move to hold him, scanned the baby up and down. "He looks healthy enough…and his hair marks him as being of royal blood. Then again, with his lineage I wouldn't have expected anything less. Camista, this child is going to be a leader of his tribe one day – the Semalaen tribe. The woman I saw today is someone who is worthy of being my successor. When are you going to stop this nonsense and come home? I want you by my side."

Camista held the baby so close, he started to cry. There were tears glistening in her own eyes and John was afraid she was going to cry, but she didn't. Her voice was cool and clipped as she answered.

"For now this is my home. These people have given me more support and love than you have ever done. But when I do return to the planet…and I will, I will make a new home for myself and my child. Whether you like it or not change is coming, Mother, so you'd better start getting used to the idea." Camista's shoulders were rigid at the end of her speech, but she hadn't broken down. The young woman even managed to give him a small smile. "Colonel Sheppard. Would you please show my mother out? I need to attend to my child."

Teyla didn't need to be asked to stay behind. John was glad. Camista would need a friend to comfort her after the fiery exchange.

He didn't even try to make conversation as they walked the remaining distance to the jumper bay. He wanted the bitch out of his base.

If his position didn't demand that protocol be followed, he would have left her with the pilot and walked away. Unfortunately, he didn't have that luxury. John settled on the basics. "I hope you enjoy the flight."

Her harsh laughter took him by surprise. "You are a very strange man, Colonel John Sheppard. My daughter obviously thinks that you can do anything, but this isn't over. We will meet again…of that you can be certain."

ooooOoooo

TBC

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