"Sheppard." Ronon's deep voice stopped John in his tracks.

He turned. "Yeah?"

"I need to return to Sateda."

"You don't beat around the bush, do you?" Sheppard eyed him. "Why?"

"Um. . .it's a Satedan celebration. Called the Day of Remembrance." Ronon looked somewhat uncomfortable. "It celebrates those who have fought and fallen in battle."

"Oh." Sheppard shrugged. "Like Memorial Day or Veteran's Day back on Earth." Seeing Ronon's blank expression, he continued, "Memorial Day honors veterans who died, and Veteran's Day honors all military veterans."

"Yeah, something like that." Ronon eyed him. "So?"

Sheppard looked around the village. Teyla sparred with a young woman from Geir's village while Kalle watched appreciatively. Marks and Novak walked side by side, their faces lit in spite of their plans to work in the fields. And Rodney hadn't come out of his "lab" in two days. Sheppard had started taking food to him when he realized that the physicist wouldn't appear until he'd fully worked through the loss of the ZPM that Ladon Radim had promised. He licked his lips. "Does this Day of Remembrance have to be celebrated on Sateda?"

"No." Ronon narrowed his eyes. "You want to do the ceremony here?"

"Yeah. Why not?" Sheppard shrugged. "We're creating a whole new society here. Why not incorporate an important day from Sateda?"

Ronon actually grinned. "I still need to go to Sateda. Part of the celebration requires the armor of a fallen soldier. It is like the dog tags you and Lorne wear. The armor is burned, symbolizing laying them to rest. It's the first time I've had a chance to celebrate since. . . ."

Sheppard nodded, not needing Ronon to say any more. "When is this Day of Remembrance?"

"Next week."

"I'll go with you, get what we need for the celebration." He spied a form coming toward Kiah. "But, right now, I've got a meeting to get to. How does two days from now sound?"

"Good." Ronon left him standing alone and headed for the sparring ring.

Sheppard turned toward the approaching figure and let out a deep breath. He wasn't a diplomat, and he found it easier to pass the responsibility to Lorne rather than handle it himself. But he doubted Geir would be put off for long. Grinding his teeth together, John decided to buck up and deal with business.

"Major Sheppard." Geir greeted him with a smile. His eldest daughter, Olina, accompanied him. "I had hoped you would be available. There is much to discuss."

"Great." Sheppard forced a happy tone into his voice. "Let's step into the great hall."

Geir turned, smiling at Olina. "I will be fine, my dear."

Olina flushed and nodded. "Very well. Call me if you need anything." She headed straight for the sparring ring, where Ronon and Lorne now challenged one another.

Sheppard vaguely wondered if Olina had a thing for either of the men. Instead of saying anything to her father, he led Geir into the great hall and motioned him into the chair Lorne typically occupied. Before he settled, he thought about Lorne's news of a spy in their midst and closed the window behind him. Had that been only yesterday?

Geir never questioned his actions. "There is much to discuss." He leaned forward. "I have a delegation from one of our trading partners coming in a week's time. He will be able to supply you with much-needed cloth and wool."

"Cloth. . . ." Sheppard stopped just short of saying he had no need of fabrics and that he didn't do crafts. Then, he understood. With the year progressing, the village would need blankets and curtains, not to mention new clothing. He'd already noticed his uniform becoming frayed from continual wear and washing. "That's probably a good thing. What will he want?"

Geir shrugged. "What everyone wants when they come to Kiah. Seed. As you have seen, we have a relatively fast-growing plant your people call corn. It always produces an overabundance, even in dry years. This has brought Kiah a steady supply of necessities. Though, with your people here, we will be required to trade more of our seed than normal."

Sheppard nodded. "But I thought the agreement was that we would help you with resupply once harvest came."

"It is. And, with the first of the ears starting to ripen, we will make it through the summer." Geir smiled. "I believe I also saw your people plant more than average for a village of this size."

"You did." Sheppard shrugged. "I figured the extra couldn't hurt. Give us an edge against the coming winter with people not accustomed to this world."

"You are a wise man, Major Sheppard."

"Call me John."

"Very well." Geir rose. "So you will authorize me to negotiate for your people as well?"

Sheppard let out a deep breath. He wasn't a diplomat, and Teyla had done enough. He supposed he could ask her to sit in on the negotiations, but her presence could be seen as a sign of mistrust. He nodded. "That works for me."

Geir walked toward the door. "There is another matter I would discuss with you, John. Though I admit it is somewhat personal."

"Oh?"

"Gisli."

Sheppard's heart jumped at the mention of his girlfriend. "What about her?"

"I know that you have been courting her. That you have taken her for flights in your ship and for picnics."

"Is that a problem?" John kept his tone light on purpose, not willing to allow Geir to see just how much his questions unsettled him.

"No." Geir eyed him. "Unless you have taken liberties that would result in. . .shall we say. . .unforeseen complications."

"No!" Sheppard stopped walking and faced Geir. "I know what your people think about. . .that, and I have kept it proper." Mostly, he thought. Last night, Gisli had planted a rather intense kiss on him before he'd been able to resist. Not that he wanted to resist.

Geir seemed amused at his panic. "Relax, John. I simply want to know what your intentions are concerning my daughter."

"Intentions?" Sheppard blinked and forced himself to breathe. What were his intentions? He'd thought about this before he began this relationship, and he honestly hadn't considered it since. He knew Geir's views on intimacy before marriage, and he'd wanted to avoid that because he didn't want to get married any time soon. Not even to Gisli. "Uh. . .I have to be honest and tell you that I haven't really thought that far into the future. Not that I don't intend to treat your daughter well. It's just. . . I'm not really good with relationships. And I want to be sure. . . That is, make sure I don't hurt her."

As he spoke, Geir's smile grew. "I am satisfied." His eyes moved to a place over Sheppard's shoulder. "Though, unless I misread the situation, I may need to try to intimidate yet another man."

Sheppard turned and saw Olina standing at the fence around the sparring ring, smiling as she watched Ronon and Lorne. John's eyebrows rose as he realized that Lorne was holding his own. . .barely. Sweat covered the other major, causing his t-shirt to cling to his body, while Ronon looked completely comfortable. As the two watched, Ronon swept Lorne's feet from beneath him in a spectacular move that also put a nice rip in the back of Lorne's shirt. Olina flushed and glanced away, though she snuck peeks at the two men now laughing at one another.

Sheppard grinned at Geir. "Yeah. Good luck with that."

Geir laughed with him and moved to his daughter's side while Lorne headed for his cabin. Olina's eyes trailed after him before returning to Ronon. Sheppard blinked. Apparently the young woman hadn't yet chosen the man she wanted as a suitor.

When had he started thinking in such archaic terms? He shook his head and left the village center. His time with Gisli and Geir had changed his manner of speaking, not to mention Teyla and the Athosians. Thinking about the Athosians, Sheppard found Jinto working at the edge of town and nudged his arm. "Can you get away?"

"Major Sheppard!" The boy grinned. "I think so."

"Good." John grinned. "C'mon. I'll make sure the work gets done."

Jinto dropped the hoe he'd been using to weed a patch of earth for something Teyla called a "kitchen garden." As they left Kiah, he spotted Teyla and Kalle walking side-by-side. A large, dark medallion rested on Kalle's chest, and he realized Teyla had wasted no time in giving the pendant to him. She'd barely acquired it two days ago. She spied John and Jinto leaving the village and smiled, sending a nod his way. Sheppard stopped at his cabin long enough to grab something he'd jury-rigged.

"What's that?" Jinto asked.

"It's a ball." Sheppard frowned at the roughly oblong-shaped bit of leather and fabric. "You'll see."

They walked until they'd reached an open field not used for crops before John faced Jinto. "Now, what I'm gonna teach you is called football. American football, that is."

For the next two hours, the two laughed and threw the "football" all over the field while Sheppard taught the boy the basics of America's favorite sport.

oOo

Gisli burst through the door and stared at the man sitting at his table. "You have news?"

"I have news." He pushed to his feet and grabbed her into a rough, passionate kiss. When they came up for air, his eyes sparkled, and he gave her a smug grin. "The formula is complete. And successful."

"You are certain?"

"I have seen the results myself." He kissed her again. "Soon, we will not be required to stay apart for so long. This separation is too difficult."

"I am sure all husbands say the same thing when they must stay away from their wives." Gisli giggled as he started backing her toward the second room of the cabin. "Though I admit to being quite happy to return here."

"As am I." He kissed her again, and they kept speaking to a minimum, although their sounds of passion carried through the open window. Neither of them cared, for they were too hungry for the other to be embarrassed if anyone heard. When they had satisfied themselves, he held her close. "This parting will end soon. I promise."

"You have said that before," she pouted.

"I mean it this time." He rubbed her bare shoulder. "We just need the correct opening."

Gisli pushed herself up on her elbow and stared into the eyes that had captured her heart for years. Ever since he'd come to this world as the survivor of a Wraith culling, he'd held her heart in his hands. To have his heart and to satisfy herself with his body thrilled her, and she refused to surrender it to anything her father wanted. She scowled. "My father spoke with Sheppard today."

Her husband shifted. "And this is a problem?"

"Yes." She touched his lips. "If he decides to pursue a union with Sheppard. . . ."

"No other man will have you." Her husband tightened his hold and laid her head on his chest where she could hear his heartbeat. "Of that, I am certain. Even if I have to remove you from this world."

Gisli smiled and pushed back onto her elbow yet again, though she did not stay there for long. Soon, their conversation halted again, and she let her anticipation of the day when she could admit to being a married woman build. Soon. When every piece was in place, all would know.

oOo

Lorne glared at the delegation that entered Kiah. Ladon Radim, along with two of his guards, walked directly to the infirmary. Dahlia appeared in the doorway, looking healthy and happy. The two greeted one another, and they walked out of the village. Lorne frowned. At this time of night, just as the sun set, those two could be discussing anything. Her treatment. His rule of the Genii. Or the means to overthrow Kiah.

Rather than following them, Lorne turned from the infirmary and headed for his cabin. Sheppard had agreed to allow Radim visiting rights, and Lorne had no say in it. He still hated to see the Genii walking so openly in Kiah. His recent incarceration, as well as proof of Kavanagh's accusations concerning the spy, made him suspicious. Unable to trust openly.

Speaking of Kavanagh, he thought wryly as the man appeared from his cabin and headed out for the evening. Someone must have seriously angered Kavanagh for him to work at night and try to sleep through the noise of the day. Either that or he spied on Gisli.

Gisli. Kavanagh had accused her of being the spy, and Lorne had yet to tell Sheppard. He didn't want to see the anger on his CO's face, not when the man looked to be falling in love with her. He had decided to wait until he had more proof than Kavanagh's suspicions and jealousy before he told Sheppard of Gisli's involvement. If she was even involved.

"You are happy here?" The question floated through the open window, and Lorne recognized Radim's voice. He stepped to the wall next to the window and blew out his lamp so he wasn't seen eavesdropping.

"Yes." Dahlia's voice had regained strength the longer she'd been in Kiah. "Dr. Beckett is kind, and my recovery goes well. I look forward to rejoining our people when I am healed."

"From what Dr. Beckett tells me, that may take some time." Radim seemed pensive tonight. "We are in the process of renovating many of the labs, turning our attention to more worthy goals than the building of atomic weapons. Part of that is medical treatments."

"Ladon, surely you're not suggesting that I return to our people." Dahlia sounded reluctant. "I like it here."

"Or do you like a particular physician?" After a long pause, Radim continued, "If you and Dr. Beckett develop anything from this, then I am happy for you. But the Genii can use your expertise."

"I know." Dahlia sighed, and the two moved out of earshot.

Suspicion reared its ugly head, and Lorne stared into the darkness. Did he follow them? Eavesdrop some more? Or let them alone, hoping for the best? In the recent past, Radim had done everything he said he would do. Would that trend hold?

What if the Genii had nothing to do with the spy in their midst? That question occurred to Lorne as he slipped under the thin military-issue blanket he'd brought from the Alpha site. While the Genii seemed to be the most prominent race in this galaxy that employed espionage, others could conceivably send a woman undercover. If that were true, however, which race had done so? The people of Kiah had not been involved in galactic matters recently. They merely wanted to survive, like everyone else in this forsaken galaxy.

He needed to paint, to let his mind slip into neutral so he could think things through. Lorne pushed back the blanket and lit his lamp yet again. He'd acquired some soft charcoal pencils and rough paper from a recent trading mission, but he hadn't yet taken time to truly sketch. Now, as he propped himself against the wall of his cabin, he let out a deep breath and stared at the blank sheet of paper.

What should he draw? If he couldn't paint, he usually drew something. Anything. But, now, nothing came to mind. Oh, he supposed he could sketch the woman he saw listening to Sheppard's conversation, but that would get them nowhere. He supposed he could sketch his memories of his mother and sister, but that would simply depress him. Or should he draw something related to Kiah? Shaking his head, he carefully replaced the paper and pencils and put out his lamp. He knew he'd slipped far from the unflappable major everyone knew him to be if he couldn't even figure out what to draw. Maybe he needed a break, a day where he wandered and didn't worry about spies and women and Earth and any number of bad things happening.

Frustrated at himself, Lorne prepared for bed and forced himself to sleep.

~TBC