Reunited
I was training in the gym with Keith when Ronon strolled in, glanced around, and walked towards us. I stopped mid-bout with Keith, and we turned out attention to the hulking figure approaching us. As he neared, it was clear his attention was on me.
"Molli," he said, "we're going on a mission and Sheppard wants you with us."
"When's the briefing?" I asked.
"It's already happened." Ronon rubbed the back of his neck. "Sheppard told me to brief you on the way to gear-up."
"Oh. Okay. Bye, Keith." I handed Keith my fighting sticks, grabbed my jacket and left with Ronon.
"Bye!" Keith called after me.
"What's the situation? Why isn't Keith coming with us?"
"We got a message from dear old Todd." Ronon's voice turned venomous. "He wants to meet with Sheppard's team and the Doc. We figured it'd be good to keep the crew small, and Sheppard and me both think you're the best person to bring with us."
"Oh." My stomach fluttered at the praise. "Where's the meeting?"
"His hive ship."
My blood ran cold. Hive ships held no good memories for me. My hand clenched involuntarily at my side and didn't go unnoticed by Ronon.
"I don't like it either, but I feel better knowing you'll be with us."
He had such faith. How was it so easy for people to trust others? We arrived in the gear-up room, where John, Teyla, Rodney and Jennifer were amidst their preparations. I clipped on a vest, packed it with my basic medical kit, some explosives and general survival equipment. Once we were all dressed, John marched us up two levels to the Jumper Bay, where we boarded a Jumper. John took the pilot seat and Rodney, Teyla and Jennifer sat up the front, leaving Ronon and I to stretch out on the back seats comfortably. The Jumper activated and descended into the Ring, where it was already active. A voice echoed through the radio.
"Colonel Sheppard," Richard said, "you have a go."
"We'll be back in time for dinner," John said. I exhaled as the familiar tingle of the Ring filled my body, then inhaled as we reached the other side. Ronon pulled out his knife and began flipping it between his fingers.
"I still say we should've brought back-up," I heard Rodney say, "another Jumper, a Marine unit – something."
"This is intended to be a diplomatic mission Rodney," Teyla responded. "What kind of message would that send?"
"A strong one, hopefully," Rodney grumbled.
"It was a risk enough bringing Molli along," John said. "I don't wanna risk the safety of this mission. Everybody's gonna be fine if they don't panic."
"Easier said than done." Rodney huffed.
"There they are," John said. I leant forward in my seat until I could see through the viewport. Indeed, the hive ship loomed close. It still blew my mind how machines like that and the Jumper could operate in space, a place where nothing could survive.
"My god," Jennifer gasped, "how big is that thing?"
"Never seen a hive in space, huh?" John asked. She shook her head.
"I've never seen one, period. I mean, I've seen video logs but never in person."
"Ah, you never forget your first," Rodney said, almost smugly. The console beeped.
"They know we're here," Ronon said.
"Apparently." Rodney glanced at his screen. "I'm receiving a transmission."
"Docking instructions," John said.
"What, no 'Hullo, greetings weary travellers'?" Rodney said sarcastically.
"Guess not." John turned his attention to the Jumper controls. "So much for the red carpet." The Jumper approached the hive, frighteningly close, and then we were inside. John followed the instructions and landed in the designated spot.
"So, what happens now?" Jennifer asked. Her voice trembled. She was a doctor, not a soldier. I couldn't blame her from being nervous.
"If history has taught us anything," Rodney said, "this is the part where we get double-crossed and taken prisoner."
"That will not happen this time, Rodney," Teyla said determinedly. "We were invited, remember?"
"And that makes a difference," Rodney snapped. Someone knocked twice on the side of the Jumper.
"Right on cue," John muttered. Everyone approached the rear hatch and raised weapons as John pressed the button to open the hatch. It lowered, and a group of Venator waited outside, weapons aimed at us. We, in turn, raised our own weapons. "This looks a little familiar," John snapped.
"Lower your weapons," a familiar voice said. The Venator lowered their stun weapons as Todd came into view. "My apologies," he said to us, "you understand – you can't be too careful." As we all stood down, he opened his arms. "Welcome to my ship!"
We followed the group of Venator – who surprised me by not disarming us – deep into the ship and to a room with a long wooden table surrounded by chairs. It looked so out of place in this organic structure. Candles, drinking cups and bowls of fruit adorned it. A Venator already sat at the table, and he stood as we entered.
"This is my second-in-command." Todd gestured to the Venator at the table. "I've asked him to be a part of these discussions. Please, sit."
"Hm," John said, "fruit bowl – nice touch." We sat down and Rodney took a piece of fruit.
"Well," Todd said, "we picked them up on our travels. I thought it would make our discussions more comfortable. I hope they prove as delicious as the farmers who grew them." He smiled wickedly at Rodney as he lowered the fruit. I hoped he was joking.
"Alright," John interrupted, "let's just get this over with."
"So," Todd threaded his fingers together, "I understand you have a proposal – a breakthrough of some kind?" John looked at Jennifer.
"This is Doctor Keller. She's our Chief Medical Officer and she's gonna explain everything to you."
She coughed nervously. "Well, um, as you may already know, we recently stumbled across a lab belonging to Michael, the Wraith we…"
"I know who he is," Todd said.
"Uh, of course you do."
"Word of your success against him has spread rapidly among my kind. We are very grateful."
"Trust me," John said, "we didn't do it for you."
"Anyway," Jennifer cleared her throat, "we recovered a database from his lab that allowed us to continue his research into-"
"Well, for what purpose?" Todd snapped. He didn't quiver as Jennifer leant forward and looked him right in the eye.
"We've come up with a gene therapy that alters Wraith DNA in a small but significant way. In a nutshell, we think we can make it so that you and any other Wraith we treat will never need to feed on humans again."
My stomach leapt and I hoped that no one noticed the surprise on my face. This was the first I'd heard of a gene therapy. If I could take some, find Solus and inject him, he'd never have to feed again. We could live our lives in solitude without him needing to leave to feed. Beneath the table, my leg jiggled of its own accord. My mind raced with possibilities.
"This is absurd," Todd said, his voice bringing me back to the present.
"Well, actually," she said, "it's not as big of a change as you might think. Your bodies already contain all the organs necessary to digest food.
"Here." John tossed a piece of fruit to Todd. "Try this."
Todd examined the fruit thoughtfully. "If I consume this, it may give me a moment's pleasure, but it will not sustain me." He placed it on the table like he was handling explosives.
"But that can change," Jennifer said, "at least in theory."
"Why would we want this? Of what benefit is it?"
"Well, think about it," John said, "you could put yourself on regular food. You could give up all those tiresome cullings."
"It would give you a significant advantage over other hives," Teyla added. Ronon and I exchanged a glance. Todd wasn't convinced.
"Not to mention I could stop waiting for a chance to kill you," John said. "In theory."
"Our current feeding process gives us strength, our ability to heal, our longevity," Todd said.
"Well, um," Jennifer hesitated, "we're not entirely sure how this change will affect your, um… gifts. They may continue, although possibly in a diminished form."
"Possibly." Todd frowned.
"It's difficult to know from tests. We can't be sure until we administer it to, um, live subjects."
"Let's not forget," Rodney said, "that Michael spread the modified Hoffan drug to dozens of worlds – possibly more. I mean, no one knows for sure, right, which means that every time you feed, you're taking a risk."
"Bottom line is," John concluded, "there's not enough food to go around. That's why you Wraith are at each other's throats, so… here's your chance." John leant back in his chair, smiling confidently. Todd looked like he'd swallowed rotten fruit. He stood and nodded to his second, who also stood.
"We will go and consider your proposal," he said. "My third-in-command is across the hall if you require anything." The two Venator swept from the room, rather suddenly, and John turned to me.
"Go keep an eye on the third," he said. "Stay on the radio."
"Okay." I stood and left the room, exuding a confidence that I didn't feel. I didn't want to be alone in a room with a Venator. The door hissed shut behind me and I stood in the hallway, bones heavy, watching the fog swirl around my ankles. Footsteps sounded at the other end of the corridor and I looked up. Two masked Venator walked towards me. I stepped out of their way, waved my hand over the door controls on the opposite side of the hallway, and stepped through. They walked past without concerning themselves with me and I exhaled.
I was better than this. I had been a runner for six years. I couldn't let myself be scared by Venator now, there was no reason to be. I could defeat them easy. Just breathe.
I set my jaw and turned to face the third. They stood at a table in the centre of the room, illuminated by a ceiling light, tinkering with a small tablet-like device. I cleared my throat and they turned to face me. My shaking hand reached up and switched off my radio.
He looked different from when I'd last seen him. His hair was the same length, but tamer. He wore a high-necked, black coat and every inch of his presentation was tidy. However, nothing could change the sun-shaped tattoo on his cheek, nor the soft-round hazel eyes that widened when they rested on me. He looked every bit the head scientist that he used to be.
"Molli." There was nothing but surprise in his voice. "What are you…?"
"Solus, I…" My throat constricted. So many suppressed emotions rose to the surface and I clapped my hands over my mouth to fight back a sob.
"Is it really you?" he whispered. He stepped forward, hand outstretched, and I closed the distance in two large strides, slamming our bodies together, becoming a tangled mess of limbs as we clutched at each other. My hands fisted in his coat and hair, while his hands were everywhere, touching whatever he could reach.
"I can't believe you're here," I gasped, holding him close, tears filling my vision.
"You are real. You are not a dream."
Then his lips were on mine, pressing hungrily, desperately, as if he was afraid I was going to disappear if he stopped. I kissed him back, my body becoming alive again, and for several blissful moments we weren't two bodies, but one. I couldn't tell where he ended, and I began.
I pulled back, gasping for breath, cheeks wet with tears, and he lifted a hand and wiped my tears away.
"What are you doing here?" he whispered.
"I'm not a runner anymore. The Lanteans freed me." I smiled weakly. My heart felt full for the first time in months. All the drama with Keith and Evan faded away. It wasn't important, not when my husband stood in front of me.
"You are with them, now?" He kissed my forehead.
"Yeah, for now. I had nowhere else to go. I didn't know where you were." I buried my head in his chest, inhaling his scent. He still smelt so wonderfully masculine. "Can we run away together? Now? Take a ship and go?"
"That is the most enticing offer I have received in a long while," he breathed. My heart hammered. I knew he would say no. Things were different now. We had responsibilities.
"No, I get it. It's okay to say no."
"The time is not right. I have too much unfinished work here." He squeezed me tight. "You are alive. You are safe. I prayed to the ancestors every day for your survival."
I didn't want to let go. I didn't want this moment to end. "I've learnt so much about myself since getting to Atlantis."
"Do you enjoy it there?"
"Sometimes." I tightened my grip on the back of his coat. "All I want is to be with you. Just the two of us, like before."
"I want nothing more." He smiled into my hair. "I can rest easy now."
"Have you been here the whole time?"
"Yes. I have been serving this Commander the entire time."
"Are they nice to you?"
"I am treated well. The Commander acknowledges that my genetics have no effect on my work and his acceptance is shared among the crew." He pushed me back so he could look into my eyes. "Do the Lanteans treat you well?"
"I guess." I recalled how draining it was, being around them all the time. "It's hard at times."
"I understand." He rubbed his thumb along my hairline. "Humans are complicated." His gaze softened. "I have missed you every single day. I hope you know that."
"Solus…" My head suddenly felt very light.
"You mean the world to me." His voice was husky in my ear. I moaned and pulled him into a kiss. His mouth fit so well against mine and our bodies fit even better, hips pressed together in a manner that I'd only ever experienced with him. I wanted him to ravish me, to do the things to me that I'd dreamt about for so long. I wanted our bare flesh pressed together. I wanted him moving within me. I wanted to hear his breath in my ear, to hear the sounds he made when I caressed certain parts of him. My hands moved of their own accord, slipping beneath his coat and lifting the hem of his shirt-
"Step away from her."
We jumped apart at the sudden, scarily familiar voice. Teyla took in my dishevelled hair, swollen lips and flushed cheeks. She raised her gun at Solus, confusion all over her features.
"What are you doing?" I blurted. My head swam. It was bad if someone saw us, right? Why couldn't I think straight?
"Are you a Wraith worshipper?" she demanded.
"What? No!"
"What is this." Her voice took on a dangerous edge. I glanced between her and Solus, head spinning.
"Teyla… he's my husband."