14

Ronon walks through the Stargate with Teyla, returning from Belkan. He can hear Dr. Weir yelling in her office and looks up, seeing the object of her derision is none other than McKay. Seems as though the scientist has managed to blow something up. Ronon hopes he's not put in charge of clean up this time.

Teyla barely glances at him as they walk through the room. He shouldn't be surprised. She was truly upset and believes he used her. Which he did, though for a good reason. She did warn him not to tell the others what took place with Kel, but he finds himself heading straight for Jax's room.

He's disappointed when she doesn't answer.

He needs to bathe anyway, so he heads to his quarters instead.

Ronon's getting dressed when the door chimes. He opens his it, finding Sheppard looking slightly disturbed, being pushed from behind by Jax. "Mind if I…we…come in?" He asks as Jax gives him a gentle but effective shove. Ronon steps aside and they quickly slink in.

Jax glances over her shoulder, then taps the door closed. "That was close."

"What's happening?" Ronon pulls on his shirt.

Sheppard shoves his hands in his pockets and drop his gaze to the floor. "Oh…I'm…"

"He's hiding," Jax says with a smirk. She nudges Sheppard in the arm. "You're safe here. He's afraid of Ronon."

Ronon crosses his arms. "Who?"

"Dr. McKay," Jax says smiling slyly.

"Really?" Ronon looks over Sheppard before landing his gaze on Jax. Over the passed couple of weeks, he's seen subtle changes in her. She's more energetic. Her eyes seem to have a bit more gleam to them. She's not as shy around Sheppard as before. Mostly, thought, she laughs more easily when she and Ronon are together. Not a lot, but enough for now. Otherwise, she's the same tough, don't-touch-me woman he met months ago. But he likes the changes. "Something I should be concerned about?"

Sheppard drops into the desk chair and makes a face. "Not so much. He blew up a solar system."

Jax shakes her head. "Silly man." Sheppard darts his eyes to her, his expression a mingle of amusement and shock.

Ronon's brows shoot up. "Really? I figured it was more like one of those labs he's always talking about."

The Colonel bites his lip. "I was kinda there…"

"He helped him?"

Sheppard's defensive gaze lands on Ronon. "But only because he swore to me he could do it."

"Blow up a solar system?"

"No," he scowls. "Make the weapon work."

"Did he?"

"Yeah…but-"

"A bit too well, I'd say." Jax adds, grinning at Sheppard's embarrassment. She's enjoying his predicament quite a lot.

Sheppard scratches his head. "Eliz…Dr. Weir's pissed at both of us."

Ronon nods, understanding. "Ahh."

Jax claps her hands together. "Looks like I'm outta the dog house. Yes!" Her grin grows and she sticks her tongue between her teeth. "What?" She looks between the two men. "I can't be happy that I'm not the only screw up around here?" She sighs. "I got too wired on caffeine… not make a whole lotta planets go boom." She winks. "Keeps things in perspective."

Sheppard rolls his eyes and crosses his arms. "How was Belkan?"

"Hot."

"Hmm," Jax says, watching him wearily.

"What?"

She shrugs, raises that arched brow. "Well…you stayed overnight…with Teyla."

Sheppard narrows his gaze on Ronon. "Anything I should be concerned about?"

Ronon glares at Jax. "No."

Sheppard's gaze bounces between Ronon and Jax then he claps his hands as he gets up. "Good. Wouldn't want anything to muss up the works." Sheppard checks his watch. "That should do it." He goes to the door.

"You're welcome," Jax says. Ronon notices she still doesn't meet Sheppard's gaze even as he smiles at her.

"Thank you, Jax." Then he opens the door and slips into the hallway.

Before the door closes, Ronon clearly makes out McKay calling to the Colonel. Jax laughs silently, shaking her head. "Another silly man." She claps her hands once. "I have news."

"What?"

"Remember I mentioned I needed a real massage table?" Ronon nods and she smiles. "I'm getting three. When the Daedalus returns. Dr. Beckett put in the request. Plus…since my classes or no more…"

"Classes?"

She makes a face. "Seems the ladies of Atlantis are…uncomfortable being around me now… since my unfortunate…mmm." She nods as she says, "overdose." Then she shrugs, not showing the slightest amount of insult. "At least it gets Sheppard off my back. You know, the whole 'dance show' thingy. Well, anyway. Since I now have one less activity to distract me, Dr. Beckett wants me to teach massage therapy to a couple of the nurses and any volunteers." She grins, moving closer. "Wanna volunteer?"

Ronon wrinkles his brow and backs up a step. "No."

"Party pooper." She crosses her arms. "You do realize you're pretty much the only person who talks to me these days. Without the usual preamble of the 'pity-stare' or the awkward glances for a quick get-a-way."

"I…didn't know."

She shrugs again. "No biggie. You know me…" She tilts her head. "Actually. You do know me." She chuckles. "You're the only one who really does."

"What about Dr. Weir?"

"She knows my code. It's a military thing from Gen. O'Neill. Means…she's stuck with me…no matter what."

"You can't go home."

Her eyes widen. "I am home." She lifts her chin and steps closer to him. Her eyes burrow into his. "What happened?"

Ronon shakes his head. "Don't know what you're talking about."

"I saw your face when Sheppard mentioned Belkan. And when I said Teyla…there you go."

"What?"

"You're eye twitched."

"Did not." She raises her brow again, staring at him, willing him into speech. It works. "I found out something."

"Okay."

"There are survivors from Setia."

"You're world?" She smiles and it even touches her eyes. "That's wonderful. How many?"

"Maybe 300."

Before he knows it, Jax wraps her arms around him, giving him a tremendous hug. "Oh, I'm so happy for you." But before he can react, she breaks away. "Sorry. I didn't…" She backs into the wall. "Sorry."

"Jax," he catches her eyes. "It's fine." Ronon sits on the bed, watching her carefully. She flashes a smile, but stays near the wall, almost to the door, crossing her arms.

After some silence, she tilts her head and catches his gaze full on. "There's something else."

"No."

"You're not as happy as you should be. What happened with Teyla?"

Teyla warned him but deep inside, Ronon wants to tell Jax. He wants to know that she understands. So he tells her how he shot Kel in cold blood.

She's quiet for a long time, just watching him with those hard to read eyes. Her face as blank as usual. Then she says. "I'd be mad too." His heart sinks and he drops his gaze to the floor. Jax steps over to him. "Did he deserve it?"

"He deserved worse."

She sits on the bed next to him, her shoulder against his arm. "Too bad you couldn't have taken your time."

Ronon looks down at her, seeing that darkness in her eyes, that rage. "Teyla said you would not understand."

"Me? Or Earthlings in general."

He motions with his hand. "Everyone."

Jax nods. "She's probably right." She raises that brow again. "Then again…most of them have never known betrayal." She takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly. "Ronon?"

"Yes."

"Could I give you a hug?"

Ronon nods, not sure he can talk around the lump in his throat. Her arms wrap around his middle and she rests her head against his chest. Ronon dares to drape his arm across her shoulders. She doesn't flinch or flee.

Very subtle changes. But wonderful changes nevertheless.