Author's Note: First off, I'd like to thank everyone for their reviews and for putting up with my typos and misspelling of Ronon's name (sorry). This chapter is a little different. I felt compelled to write it, but I'm not sure why. Maybe it will play a part in another story later on, who knows? Anyway, I hope you at least get a laugh. I did.

Devine

Connection

Lt. Aiden Ford and Ronon Dex walked through the corridors of Atlantis. They where headed to the mess hall for a late lunch.

"Did you like it?"

Aiden glanced up at Ronon.

"Yeah, but I still think it sucks that Han was blind while Leia had on that outfit. Can you imagine what his reaction would have been?"

"Like John seeing Teyla in her wedding clothes?"

Ronon smiled.

"Exactly, so why make him blind?"

"Because the movie is rated PG for children, not N-17."

Ronon frowned.

"What?"

"Aiden, Lt. Ford, come in?"

Aiden paused at the sound of Dr. Beckett's voice and activated his ear communicator.

"This is Ford, go ahead."

"Have you seen Rodney? I've been trying to get him on the communicator, but am not getting any response."

"Sorry Doc, Ronon and I were just leaving the lounge for the mess hall. Would you like for me to swing by the lab and check on him?"

"If you would? I hate to be a bother, but I was supposed to meet him for lunch and I've been delayed. I don't want him to wait. You know how he gets if he hasn't eaten."

Aiden smirked.

"Sure thing Doc. I'll swing by the lab. Ford out."

Aiden turned to Ronon.

"If you want, I'll catch up with you in the mess hall?"

Ronon shrugged.

"I'm in no hurry."

Dr. Rodney McKay placed the disk on the table and sighed. For the life of him he couldn't figure out what the thing was for and it was driving him insane. It was another device from the interrogation room in which they'd discovered the 'truth chair' and the 'memory prompter'. This particular item had been locked inside a metal case and stored on a shelf with a number of other gadgets. The disk was approximately three inches wide and a half an inch thick. It was dark grey and had no markings. Rodney searched the lab records for information on the device, but hadn't found anything that remotely described the object. For all he knew it could be the Ancient version of a hockey puck. Rodney had just let out another long sigh when Ronon and Aiden walked into the lab.

"Hey, Carson's been trying to contact you. He wanted you to know that he's been delayed in the infirmary, so go ahead to lunch without him. We're on our way there now."

Rodney glanced at his watch.

"Thanks, I didn't realize how late it was."

Ronon walked around the lab looking at the many devices stored on the shelves. He paused by Rodney and snatched up the small disk.

"What's this?"

Rodney glanced at Ronon and reached for the disk.

"Hey, be careful with that!"

Ronon held it out of his reach.

"What is it?"

"Something that you shouldn't be touching is what it is, now give it back!"

Ronon raised a brow.

"So basically, you don't know what it is."

"I have an idea, but I'd rather not say until I'm one hundred percent sure."

"Then you don't know."

"Yes, I do."

"No, you don't."

"Yes, I do."

"Liar."

Rodney frowned and held out his hand.

"Would you just give me the damned disk?"

Ronon glared at McKay.

"Sure."

He slammed the device into Rodney's hand making him wince.

"Ow!"

Ronon turned to leave, and then paused.

"What's that noise?"

He looked at Rodney.

"That's me howling in pain you Neanderthal. Would you look at my hand!"

"Not you, the other noise."

They stood silently. A soft high toned whine could be heard. Rodney looked down at the device in his hand. A small red light flashed three times. With each flash to tone's volume steadily increased. Aiden walked over to the table to look at the device.

"What's it doing?"

"I don't know."

Suddenly a bright light filled the room. Ronon closed his eyes against the intense pain it caused. He groaned and fell to his knees surrendering to unconsciousness.


Teyla wrinkled her nose; she could feel something brush softly across it. A few moments later she felt it again. She opened her eyes and rubbed her nose with her hand. She looked at John soundly sleeping. Teyla closed her eyes and snuggled into a more comfortable position. Once she started to drift off to sleep, she felt it again. This time her eyes snapped open and she stared at John. After a few moments he opened one eye to see if she was asleep. Realizing he was busted, he laughed.

"Good morning."

"Morning."

"It's about time you woke up."

Teyla paused mid stretch.

"What time is it?"

"Six."

"In the morning?"

"Yeah, I've been up for a whole hour."

Her eyebrows rose.

"And you felt the need to wake me as well?"

John smiled.

"Of course."

Teyla sat up in the bed and smiled at him. She mimicked his words.

"Of course."

Before slapping him in the head with her pillow. She giggled. John didn't move, but she could hear his muffled voice. Teyla removed the pillow so she could understand him.

"What?"

He gave her a sinister look.

"This means war!"

John wiggled his eyebrows, causing her to laugh.

"Oh, really?"

"Really."

Teyla lunged for the foot of the bed, only to have him grab her ankle and drag her across the mattress. They wrestled for a few minutes before John pinned her to the bed. He lay between her legs and held down one wrist with each of his hands. John glanced down, watching Teyla pant for air, momentarily distracted by the rise and fall of her breasts. She tried to pull free, but he tightened his grip.

"Hhmm? What type of punishment shall I give my captive?"

His eyes lit up and he smiled.

"I know."

John pulled Teyla's hands above her head and used one hand to hold them in place. He held up his other hand curving his fingers as if they were claws. John glanced at his hand, and then looked at Teyla. His eyes widened.

"Here comes the 'Tickle Monster'."

Teyla erupted into a fit of giggles. She squirmed and bucked trying to get free, but it was no use. When it came to brute strength she was at the disadvantage. John tickled her until she could barely breathe. When she couldn't take any more, he laid beside her while she caught her breath. She turned to him and gazed into his eyes. He smiled.

"Last night, I forgot to tell you something."

Teyla tilted her head in question. John pulled her close.

"I love you too."

He kissed her deeply. Within moments, they were caught up in a passionate embrace that soon lead to other pleasures.

General Sheppard walked into the kitchen and headed straight for the coffee pot. He reached into the cupboard for a mug and then turned to look at his nephew. John Rico stood leaning against the kitchen sink. He was staring out of the window while he devoured a large bowl of Fruit Loops.

"Ouch!"

Rico frowned and shook his head.

"What are you doing?"

"Watching Teyla beat the shit out of Shep."

John Sr.'s brow knotted in confusion. He filled his mug with coffee and joined Rico in front of the window. Glancing out, he could see John and Teyla facing one another. They both held a pair of long sticks. For a while they simply circled each other, eyes alert, but then John attacked. His initial instinct was to berate his son for assaulting a woman, but as he watched his shock turned to awe. John's skill was amazing. Strength, height, and agility were on his side, but no matter what he did, his skill was no match for Teyla's. She was extraordinary. Her movements were graceful, quick, and deadly. Together they moved in a dance that was beautiful, yet disturbing.

"Sssss."

Both men winced. She had him. John was on his knees, Teyla had her knee in his back and her sticks across his throat. She was stretching his neck, waiting to see if he could get free of her hold. He must have called it quits because she suddenly released him. She held out her hand and pulled him to his feet. They briefly bowed to each other and then shared a kiss. Picking up their gear, they headed for the back door. Teyla smiled at the two men leaning against the sink.

"Good morning."

"Good morning."

John closed the door, following her into the room.

"Hey Shep, when you married Teyla did she give them to you or did you have to ask to get them back?"

John frowned.

"Ask for what?"

Rico grinned.

"Your balls, man."

He tipped his head back and laughed at his own joke, ducking when something hit him in the head.

"Hey!"

John Sr. looked at Rico and shook his head.

"You're so crude."

John snickered, while Teyla watched in confusion.

"So Teyla, did you learn to fight like that in Toronto?"

John Sr. looked at his son and daughter-in-law waiting for a response. John sighed.

"Can we discuss this after we clean up?"

"Sure, Rico and I are going to run a few errands. We'll be back in time for lunch."


Aiden squint his eyes until they adjusted to the bright light. He could hear someone talking across the room. Slowly he glanced around. It was the infirmary. He took a deep breath, trying to control the panic that threatened to overtake him. The last few times he'd been in here hadn't been too great. Every since the Wraith attack and subsequent rehabilitation from the Wraith enzyme, he'd done everything he could to stay out of this room. But this time, at least, he wasn't alone. Aiden sat up and looked to his left and right. Ronon and Rodney were still unconscious. He looked at Drs. Weir and Beckett having a hushed conversation at Carson's desk.

"Doc?"

A few seconds later they were by his side.

"Take it easy Aiden. How do you feel?"

"It's kinda bright in here, but other than that, I'm fine."

Elizabeth rested a hand on his arm.

"Are you sure?"

Aiden smiled.

"Yes, Mother Hen. Really, I'm fine ma'am."

Elizabeth smirked.

"Can you tell us what happened?"

He looked at Carson.

"We went to tell Rodney that you'd be delayed for lunch. He was in the lab messing with some kind of Ancient device was. Ronon picked it up and started teasing Rodney because he didn't know what it was. When he gave the disk back to Rodney it activated. It made this noise that grew louder and louder. Then there was this bright flash. I remember feeling a sharp pain in my head. I guess I blacked out, because the next thing I remember is waking up here."

Aiden shrugged.

"How did we get here?"

Carson folded his arms.

"My delay didn't take as long as I thought it would, so I went to the lab to try and catch up with you guys. When I arrived, you were all laying on the floor unconscious."

Ronon sat up in the bed and groaned. He squint his eyes.

"Damn it's bright in here."

Carson moved to his side.

"How are you felling?"

"Fine."

Another groan could be heard, this time from Rodney. He pulled the covers over his head.

"Turn down the lights. What is this, a disco?"

Carson and Elizabeth glanced at each other. With all three patients awake, Carson asked again what happened. Rodney mentioned the red light on the disk, but other than, that their stories were basically the same.

"Well gentlemen, I've run a few tests, but so far they have all come back negative. I'm still waiting for your MRIs, but other than that I see no reason to keep you here. The only symptom that you seem to be suffering from is sensitivity to light, but that is expected if the flash was as bright as you said it was. I'm limiting your activities to your quarters and the mess hall for tonight. I'll be by to check on you this evening. I want to see you all here tomorrow morning at 10. Get some rest lads."

Amid much grumbling, Aiden, Ronon, and Rodney gathered their clothes to get dressed. Dr. Weir requested Carson keep her apprised of any change in their status and left the infirmary.

Aiden entered his quarters, not bothering to turn on the lights. He sat on the bed and kicked off his shoes. Pushing the power button on the compact disc player, he pulled on his headphones and lay back on the bed.

Ronon walked into his quarters and turned on the lights. Squinting his eyes and quickly tuned them off again. He continued into the room until he reached the punching bag in the corner. Within moments he had a steady rhythm.

Rodney stepped through his doorway and sighed in relief; the hallway light was killing his eyes. He paused at his desk to turn on a small lamp and his lap top. After making a cup of coffee he sat at the computer to catch up on his notes. Thirty minutes later he paused for a quick review. Rodney frowned. He didn't remember typing it, but the words stared back at him from the screen. Scheme, scheme, plot, plot; I'm looking for that number one spot. Keeping it going, it won't stop. I'm coming for that number one spot.

"What the hell?"

Ronon sat in the chair and closed his eyes. He'd been hearing a buzzing sound for the last thirty minutes, that was steadily growing louder and louder. A second ago, he would have sworn he heard someone talking and music. Ronon tried to clear his mind. He froze, there it was again. He knew that voice. It was Aiden and he was singing.


John watched Teyla as she leaned over the kitchen sink to wash her hands. She looked sexy in her strapless sundress, its form compliment her shape and the peach coloring made her skin glow. John stood behind Teyla and leaned into her, placing of soft kiss on her neck. He put a hand on either side of the sink trapping her between his arms. Teyla slowly turned. She held up her soapy hands, and then wrapped them loosely around John's neck.

"I though you were going to make me one of your fabulous turkey sandwiches?"

"I will, later. Right now I seem to be hungry for something else."

Teyla smiled into his eyes.

"Whatever you wish, Sidi."

She watched as his eyes darkened before he pulled her into a kiss. Teyla sighed enjoying the tingling sensation she felt low in her stomach as John leaned her against the counter. She ran her hands through his hair as he deepened the kiss even further. She could feel his hands easing her skirt higher.

"John!"

They froze.

"Maybe we should set a few ground rules, while you're visiting. Rule number one, no sex in the kitchen. No, let me change that. No sex in any room other than your bedroom."

John pulled back from the kiss and smoothed down Teyla's skirt. He turned to his father.

"When you say bedroom, does that include the adjoining bathroom?"

John Sr. rolled his eyes.

"Fine, sure." John smiled.

"And the hal- ?"

"For Christ's sake John, from now on, no sex in any room other than your bedroom."

He smirked.

"Deal."

His father sighed and shook his head. He turned to look at Rico, who was grinning from ear to ear.

"What are you smiling at?"

Rico raised an eyebrow.

"I say we let them finish."

John Sr. glared. He continued into the kitchen mumbling something about raising perverts. Teyla blush bright red.

"Sir, I'm so-."

"Don't worry about it, my dear. I don't blame you; I blame the nut that you're married to."

Forty-five minutes later they were all seated around the table enjoying turkey sandwiches, chips and lemonade for lunch. Everyone was just about done eating when John looked at his father.

"Well, what would you like to know?"

"First off, you should know that Rico and I already know about the Stargate program."

"I am aware."

"Then why did you lie and say that Teyla was from Toronto?"

"Why would you ask a question to which you already know the answer?"

Rico smiled.

"He's got you there Unc."

John Sr. glared at Rico, and then turned to Teyla.

"You are from the Pegasus Galaxy?"

"Yes, Athos is my home world, but my people now live on the mainland near Atlantis."

"How did you two meet?"

"When the expedition first arrived in Atlantis, we soon realized that the city was underwater. The energy shield holding back the ocean was depleting, and would soon collapse. We went on a scouting mission, looking for an evacuation site. The first planet we dialed was Athos. Soon after arriving, we were taken to the leader of the Athosians, Teyla. From the moment we met there was a…connection. We've been friends ever since, eventually it grew into love."

"Why did you go to Atlantis?"

John felt a rush of old anger.

"Truthfully, because I didn't think you gave a damn whether I was dead or alive."

He shrugged.

"I wanted space. That's what they were offering. I really didn't dwell on the mission itself. They needed me, so I went."

"That hell hole in the Antarctic wasn't space enough for you?"

"I knew that occasionally you were checking up on me. And I didn't want you involved in my life in any way."

His father frowned.

"Are you crazy? Leaving the country I can see, leaving the planet even, but going to another galaxy? They didn't even know if you would ever make it home."

"And yet here I am."

He glanced at Teyla.

"Here we are. I'll admit the decision I made was a bit rash, but it was one of the best decisions I've ever made in my life. The harsh reality of being stranded in a galaxy far away from home made me grow up fast and come to realize what's important."

John Sr. sighed.

"When do you return to Atlantis?"

"Twelve days."

"How long will you stay here?"

Teyla glanced at John, awaiting his reply, he returned her gaze.

"Our original plan was for just a couple of days, but I guess we could stay a little longer."

She smiled.


Elizabeth walked into the infirmary. Carson had contacted her and requested she report there immediately. When she arrived, she'd expected to see one or two figures lying near death, not Ronon, Aiden, and Rodney having a staring contest.

"Carson, what's going on?"

Dr. Beckett looked at her and sighed.

"Oh, thank God. We have a serious problem."

"What are they doing?"

"From what I can see by the expressions on their faces, they're arguing?"

Elizabeth frowned.

"Don't you usually have to exchange words to have an argument?"

Carson turned to look at her.

"But that's just it. They are."

He watched Elizabeth's face fell, and nodded.

"The device Rodney was working on. I think its function was to turn regular people into telepaths. And if the experiments went anything like how this little scenario is unfolding, I can see why they stopped."

"They can read everyone's thoughts?"

"No, only each others."

Rodney gasped. Ronon lunged at Rodney, but Aiden blocked his path. They shared a look. Ronon nodded and smiled. Rodney looked around nervously.

"Elizabeth!"

Ronon yelled.

"Go ahead hide behind your woman, from what I hear it wouldn't be the first time."

Carson snickered, and then cleared his throat. Elizabeth looked at the three of them.

"What is going on?"

"Ronon says that he's going to slit my throat while I sleep and Aiden is considering helping him."

She sighed.

"Rodney, they're not going to kill you."

She glared at Aiden and Ronon.

"Besides they need you to figure out how the device works so you can put everything back to normal."

Aiden smiled.

"I'm sure Zelenka could figure it out. We really don't need Rodney."

Elizabeth rolled her eyes.

"But what if you need the original three to reverse the effects, adding Zelenka to the equation could just start a new connection between you three, instead of reversing what's already been done."

Ronon frowned.

"Your point?"

"In exchange for Rodney's assistance you both have to swear not to do him any physical harm."

Aiden and Ronon sighed.

"Fine."

Elizabeth smiled.

"Good, now Rodney do you think you can figure out how to fix this?"

"Actually yes, but if I remember what I read correctly, this can't be reversed it has to run its course."

"I'll have Zelenka meet you in the lab. The sooner we get this done the better."

It only took Rodney and Radek a couple of hours to find the experimental notes for the 'telepathy device'. They soon learned that the device had four stages, the first being the relay of thought, second was emotion, and third was vision. The fourth was the ability to briefly take possession or control of one of the other bodies. With each stage came additional symptoms; sensitivity to light, emotional imbalance, headaches, and convulsions. They discussed their findings with Elizabeth, Carson, Aiden, and Ronon, who all agreed, that the sooner they proceeded through each stage, the better. They arranged a schedule; one that allowed for recuperation and medical observation between each stage. It was implemented immediately.

By day three, a haggard Rodney, chipper Aiden and equally upbeat Ronon met in the lab. Aiden and Ronon noted Rodney's appearance and laughed. They couldn't help it. Today was there last day of fun, so they enjoyed it while they could. They'd made the promise not to physically hurt Rodney, but that didn't mean that couldn't torture him with mean thoughts, angry emotions, horrible vision, and the threat of possession.

Rodney sighed. Over the last few days he'd come to understand and take to heart the phrase 'ignorance is bliss'. He couldn't wait for this nightmare to end. He hadn't slept or ate much. Every time he tried Dr. Jekyll or Mr. Hyde would start harassing him.

"Are you two ready yet?"

Rodney went to the shelf and pulled down the case containing the disk. He sat the case on the table, unlocked it and pushed back the lid. Aiden and Ronon stood on either side of him. Aiden smiled.

"Yeah, we're ready."

Rodney reached for the disk, only to have Ronon snatch it out of the case before he could touch it. He leaned forward threateningly.

"Just so you know, this may end, but this inbred, homicidal, lumpy haired freak will never forget what you said."

Aiden smirked.

"Nor will his schizophrenic, Wraith enzyme induced, side kick."

Ronon slapped the device into his hand applying extra pressure. Rodney winced.

"Why don't you just kill me now and get it over with?"

A bright flash filled the room and all three men dropped to the floor unconscious.