"Focus, McKay!"
"I am focusing. What do you think I'm doing? I … OW!"
The wooden practice sword fell to the ground as McKay clutched at his injured arm, glaring. Ronon simply grinned, twirling his own weapon easily with his left hand. Although his right arm felt fine, Beckett had insisted it remain wrapped in a sling and had placed Ronon under the strict order to 'take it easy'. Ronon had kept his promise - fighting left-handed against McKay was easy, almost too easy.
"Come on McKay," he prodded, indicating the fallen weapon. "One more time."
"I think I've been beat up enough for one day," the scientist stated, moving to the side bench and grabbing his water bottle. "Don't you have someone else to abuse?"
"You're the one who wanted to learn more self defense," Ronon reminded him.
"Defense, yes, as in able to not get hit. Not defense as in 'let's turn Rodney into a punching bag.'"
"Oh it's not that bad," Sheppard called from the doorway. "You lasted at least ten seconds that time." McKay turned and frowned as the solider walked into the room, taking a seat on the bench next to Ula. "You agree, don't you?" The creature's tails flicked in agreement. "See? Even Ula thinks so."
"Don't you have something better to be …" McKay stopped, looking at the creature. "Really?" Seeing the tails flick again, McKay's face switched from annoyance to pride. "Well, I've always been a fast learner." He missed the amused look that passed between the warrior and soldier.
"Have they decided?" Ronon asked Sheppard, uncapping and taking a long drink from his water bottle. He was referring to the meeting between Weir, Teyla, and several Velian diplomats that had been arranged on a neutral planet.
"Yep," the soldier replied, "They just came back a few minutes ago. Thought you'd like to know."
"Do tell," McKay muttered, taking a seat next to Ula, one hand absently stroking her soft fur. With the exception of a small scar along her back, she had made a full recovery. "The anxiety is killing me. Course, they did a good job doing that too."
"You didn't even have a scratch," Sheppard reminded him, then instantly regretted it as a hurt look crossed his friend's face. McKay still felt guilty over the injuries of his teammates: Ula delivering the message, Ronon defending him, Sheppard battling the Dart, Teyla fighting the guards to reach him. Everyone had been hurt, all because of him.
"So?" Ronon asked to change the topic. He knew McKay had asked him for training as a result of the Velian incident. The scientist felt had useless during the escape attempt even though Ronon had pointed out if he hadn't hacked into the systems to begin, with they never would have managed to get away.
"Well for starters," Sheppard answered, "turns out only a few of the Velians outside the facility even knew of its existence. Once the rest found out what had happened, Kizel was quickly stripped of his rank, along the entire council and several of the top scientists who supported him. Actually, they've been stripped, literally. Seems the punishment on Velia is to drop off the offenders in a remote part of the planet to fend for themselves for a few weeks. They reportedly have very few repeat offenders."
Ronon grinned at the image it conjured up. "Effective. Go on."
"The village quickly elected a new Magistrate and council. As of today, Suya is the new leader of the Velians."
"Suya? You're kidding right? Isn't she just a kid?" McKay asked. He had remembered seeing the young girl with Teyla soon after they had been rescued from the facility. Lorne had informed him of her assistance in finding them.
"Age isn't as important as knowledge. She knows the workings of Velia better than anyone."
"Yea for her," was the muttered response.
"You should be grateful, Rodney. She's the one who sought out a peace treaty, as well as promising an open trade agreement in any and all science and technology they discover in addition to granting us full access to the facility. You'll be able to continue your study of those Ancient doodads you love so much."
"Uh, yeah, no thanks. Think I'll pass." He didn't have any intention on returning to that facility for a long time.
"She thought you'd say that, so she brought several items along as a token of her apology. Lorne had them brought to your lab."
"Really?" The scientist seemed to perk up, standing and grabbing his pack. "Well, in that case, guess I could take a look after all." Ula jumped off the bench and followed him out of the room. A moment later he poked his head back in. "Don't forget your lesson," he reminded Ronon before disappearing again.
"Lesson?" Sheppard asked with a raised eye. "What lesson could Rodney possibly teach, Sarcasm 101?"
Ronon smirked. "Not quite. Figured I should try to understand a little of what he does, instead of just pretending."
"Not a bad idea. Just don't think I could take Rodney as my teacher. Wonder if I could coach a few lessons from Radek." He grabbed Ronon's bag, much to the annoyance of the other.
"I can carry it."
"I know. I just don't feel like having Carson yell at me when he sees you've been working out, despite his orders to take it easy."
"That was easy," Ronon grumbled.
"I know," Sheppard replied with a knowing smile, which caused a soft chuckle from the warrior. McKay really was improving, albeit ever so slowly, yet it wasn't even close to a challenge. Whereas the scientist had been exhausted Ronon hadn't even broken a sweat. He moved his right arm; it was barely sore thanks the skilled hands of one Doctor Beckett. Maybe the good doctor would free him from the cursed 'light duty' a few days early.
"If you think Carson is going to allow you off light duty, think again," Sheppard informed him, having read thoughtful expression on his face. "Believe me, I know." Ronon's look of disappointment made the solider laugh. "Come on, let's drop this bag off and grab some lunch. I hear they're serving brownies today. Better hurry before Rodney grabs them all."
oOo oOo oOo
"Well lassie, seems like you'll make a full recovery, although you may experience sharp headaches in the future."
"Thank you, Doctor Beckett." Lying on the infirmary bed, wrapped within so many layers of bandages she could barely move, Deidre bowed her head toward the physician. "I owe you my life. I am in your debt."
"Nonsense," he gently scolded her, "it's my job as a doctor to see to the welfare of my patients, all of them. Now, how do you feel? Any pain?"
"No, sir," she replied truthfully. Deidre still could not believe the kindness these strangers had shown her. She first thought she had been brought to meet the Ancestors, lying in a room with the most beautiful stained glass windows she had ever seen. Then the doctor had appeared and explained what happened, how she had been rescued and brought to a small sanctuary to recover. She had nearly broken down, unable to comprehend the compassion shown her way. The medicines used were far beyond anything she had ever known on Velia. What a fool Kizel had been to dismiss such an important item, trading it away without a second thought while ordering her to capture the scientist. Though she was simply following orders, she would never forgive herself for such deceit.
"I've told ye before, call me Carson."
"Sorry, sir." He let out a soft sigh. When the medical team had brought Deidre into the operating room, he could hardly believe the amount of injuries she had sustained. Yet with patience and skill each wound had been cleaned and treated, each broken bone set. Although she would require physical therapy and several months to fully heal, he didn't doubt her resolve to do so.
"Now you remember what I told you about slowly working your muscles back?"
"I remember. Take it slow and steady, a little more each day. If I push myself too hard, you will personally come after me." He laughed.
"Memorized it word for word? I'm impressed. Let's see if you can follow orders better than my regular patients."
"I heard that," came a voice from the hallway. Sheppard stepped inside, taking a position nearby. On his way back from lunch he had decided to stop by and check in on their 'guest'. "How are you feeling?" he asked Deidre.
"Well thanks to Doctor Beckett, and alive thanks to you, Colonel Sheppard. I have not had the chance to thank you properly for what you did. And I cannot apologize enough for what I have done."
Sheppard waved her off with his good hand. "Just following orders. I know how that goes. Question is what are you going to do now?"
"Take it slow and steady," she answered seriously, which caused Beckett to laugh again.
"I believe he means now that Kizel is gone, lass."
"Oh. I will serve the new Magistrate faithfully, as I have always done. But only as long as she follows the right path," she added. "I will never again follow orders so blindly."
"Good to hear," the solider told her. "You're an amazing pilot. I expect a friendly rematch once you're back to normal."
Deidre struggled to place her right fist over her heart. "It is a promise, Colonel Sheppard," she answered solemnly before smiling. Next time, she would win for sure.
oOo oOo oOo
"Doctor Weir, I still cannot thank you enough for your hospitality," Suya stated, bowing low to the leader of the Atlantis expedition. "After what happened to Doctor McKay and Specialist Dex, we are forever in your debt." Nearly a month had passed since the incident. Once again meeting on a neutral planet, Suya had come to personally offer thanks for a recent shipment of much needed medicine. As a token of gratitude she had brought several more Ancient artifacts that had recently been found in hidden in the Kizel's chamber.
"There is no debt, Suya," Weir informed her. "Those in your government who committed the crime have been punished."
"Still, if only I had known what was happening," Suya started, but Weir stopped her.
"But you didn't. Most of your people didn't. What is important is that once you found out, you risked your own safety to help my people. That is what makes a person strong and what makes you a true friend."
"And you ours." The young Magistrate offered a shy smile in response, reaching into one of her pockets and taking out a small green crystal. "This has been in my family for many generations, passed from mother to daughter during her coming of age ceremony. It is a symbol of remembrance for the past, dedication for the present, and hope for the future."
"Suya, I cannot take something of such value to you."
"Please, Doctor Weir." Reluctantly, Weir took the offered item. The three-sided crystal was only a few inches long, and etched onto each side were several Ancient characters. Rotating it she read each side: Tribute, Devotion, Hope.
"Thank you," she said sincerely. Suya simply smiled, offering another bow before moving back to where her escort waited near the Ancestral ring. With a nod of her head, the ring was dialed and the Velians departed. Though she was young, Weir had no doubts that Suya would be both a wise and kind Magistrate who would lead her people into prosperity. Reverently placing the crystal in her pocket, Weir moved back to her own escort.
"Alright," she told them, "let's go home."
oOo oOo oOo
"No, no, no! Again!" Ronon let out a deep growl, causing McKay to unconsciously take a couple steps back. "That is, you're close but not close enough?" With a frustrated sigh Ronon awkwardly switched two more crystals and the door slid open. Finally. "See, that wasn't so hard."
"Yeah, sure," he responded, closing up the panel as McKay had instructed. Basic Crystals 101, the scientist had called it. Sure didn't seem basic. Most of the crystals looked alike, and it was mainly luck he managed to get the door open in only three tries.
"Now that you got that, it's time for something a little more complicated."
"Not now."
"What do you mean not now?" McKay asked in annoyance. "This was your idea, remember? It's not like I don't have better things to do than sit here watching you exchange crystals all day long." His mouth snapped shut when Ronon turned toward him.
"I mean it's your turn. Today is takedown techniques."
"What? Oh, uh, about that. See, my arms still a little sore from the last time and…"
"McKay." The scientist instantly went quiet. "Your idea, remember?"
"Oh, right." Dejectedly, McKay picked up his pack. "Guess I'll just drop this off at my lab first."
"Don't be late this time," Ronon warned him. With a loud sigh, McKay headed out, absently rubbing at his arms. Ula jumped off the bench to follow but paused, turning back toward the warrior with what looked like amusement at the situation. Wait, was she laughing at him? "Get out of here," he grumbled. Another amused look and she was gone, back to the side of the one she had chosen to protect.
With a sigh Ronon picked up the small bag of tools McKay had given him to practice with. He still didn't understand most of it, but he was slowly learning. He knew he'd never be a real scientist, but at least next time he wouldn't be completely useless either. Now he just had to make sure McKay felt the same way in a fight. A sly grin crept onto his face as he thought of the perfect technique to teach. Sure there might be some bruising, but what was training without a few bumps and scrapes? With a light hum he headed toward the gym, eager to begin.
