18
Ronon sees Sheppard coming down the corridor away from the gym. He's slouching, rubbing the back of his head and seems to be deep in thought. Perhaps Teyla whacked him around a bit, though it seems too early considering it's only been two weeks since he was given the cure. "Colonel," Ronon says coming up to the man.
"Hey, Ronon."
"Where are you headed?"
He motions toward the end of the long hall where the transporter is. "Kinda hungry actually. Thinking about the mess. You?"
"Same." Ronon looks the man over, having never seen him in these kinds of clothes. He not only looks different, but Ronon doesn't see the Colonel when he's dressed this way. He sees…Sheppard. Just some guy out for a walk. "How are you today?"
"According to Beckett, I'm 100% John Sheppard," he says, lifting his chin and wrinkling his brows. "Been making the rounds…the apologies. You just missed Teyla."
Ronon nods. "Saw her. She seemed…distracted."
"Hmm."
"Apologies?"
He sighs, stuffing both hands into his pockets and rocking on his feet. "Yeah. Kinda had some time to remember what happened when I wasn't myself."
"Right. So am I next on your list?"
"You?" Sheppard's eyes widen. "You shot me!"
Ronon bobs his head and smirks, watching Sheppard from under his brows. "Twice."
Sheppard nods and heads down the corridor again. "Yeah. Guess I had it coming."
Ronon grunts. "More than you know."
Sheppard stops and looks pointedly at him, narrowing his gaze. "Okay, I'm still fuzzy on quite a bit of what happened—barely remember attacking Elizabeth. But I'm sure I didn't do anything to you."
Ronon's about to blurt it out, but backtracks instantly remembering how much Jax doesn't want Sheppard to know about her encounter with Bugman. "I'm saying…in general. You did whack a couple of the men pretty hard."
Sheppard nods again; flashes of guilt and embarrassment color his face. Then he lifts his gaze and smirks a little. "Kinda miss the power though…you know?"
"Understanding. Who wouldn't?"
They're nearing the end of the corridor when high-pitched keening or shrieking comes their way. Before they can react, Lt. Laura Cadman races around the right hand corner and plows squarely into Sheppard on Ronon's left. She bumps into him and backs off giggling like a child, clutching her hand to her mouth.
"Lieutenant?" Sheppard asks in his usual 'what's-going-on' manner.
Before she answers, Laura ducks left towards the wall as a red ball flies through the air, missing her and hitting Sheppard square in the chest, exploding all over him in a spray of water. Both Ronon and Sheppard look down at the man's now soaking shirt. Sheppard blinks repeatedly, not even removing his hands from his pants pockets. He seems…stunned.
Ronon looks up seeing Jax's at the corner, eyes wide. "Whooops!" Her dark blue T-shirt and her sweat pants are also dripping with water. But more amazing is the fact that she's giggling just like the Lieutenant. Her wild eyes glisten with laughter. She's holding another one of those water bombs in her hand and eyeing Laura intently.
The Lieutenant raises her hands in defense, but not soon enough. Jax throws the bomb, hitting the other woman in the head, and water sprays everywhere, even onto Ronon, leaving Laura squealing with laughter.
"Hoo-ra!" Jax hollers and does a strange jerking dance without music that makes Ronon chuckle.
Sheppard pulls at his shirt front, the water making it flap loudly as he shakes it. Ronon can clearly see the smirk that Sheppard is struggling to hide. "What the hell is going on soldier?"
Lt. Cadman takes a step back, trying to stand up straight, but wobbling in her boots. "Sir…" she sputters then glances back at Jax and starts laughing again. She bends forward, clutching her side and nearly falls, forcing Ronon to step up and grab hold of her. Her hands grip his forearms, her touch warm and tingly on his flesh. "Whoa…you're all kinds of pretty, aren't you," she slurs. Then she's running her hands over his shirt. "Wanna show me your tree house, Tarzan?"
Suddenly, Jax is in front of them, giggling and smiling. She grabs hold of Laura's head, pulling her in for a whisper, something that Ronon can't hear, but makes the Lieutenant blush and giggle even more, then Laura says to him. "Call me Jane." Jax winks at Ronon, grinning and giggling again.
"Isn't your name Laura?" Ronon's confusion seems to fuel their laughter and they stumble over each other, falling backward onto the floor with thumps, Laura's legs tangling with Jax's which makes them laugh harder.
"Oh, oww," they chorus only to look at each other and start laughing hysterically again.
Sheppard nails Laura with his official Colonel voice. "Soldier. What's up with you two?"
Laura tries to sit up, but she's too tangled with Jax. "Don't you mean down, sir?" Then she sputters more laughter. Jax falls onto her back, giggling so hard her body shakes.
He's doing his best to be stern, but Ronon likes seeing Jax this way. Their laughter is almost contagious. Ronon looks to Sheppard. "Drunk?"
"That'd be my guess." He shakes out his shirt again. "Where'd they get water balloons?"
Laura raises her hand as she sits up, her legs in a V in front of her. "To the winner go the spoils, sir." She laughs again. "Girls' Poker night winner right here." She points to herself with both thumbs.
A moment later, she pulls small colorful pieces of what he assumes makes up the water bombs from her pocket, showing them to Sheppard with a grin that Ronon thinks only kids have. "Wanna play?" She tries to blow air into one but her cheeks nearly burst from the effort and it pops out of her mouth and hits the floor a few feet away. She gushes with laughter again.
Jax pushes Laura off her as she grabs the handful of the things—what did Sheppard call them? Water balloons—out of the soldier's hand and stuffs them down the front of her wet shirt. She gets up with her usual dancers grace, only to bump chest-to-chest into Sheppard.
Jax's eyes widen as she stares up at the man. Her hand roams down his slick shirt. "Wow," she sighs gleefully. "You're all muscle, Sheppard." She flashes a smile that makes Ronon worry for Sheppard's safety. "Weeeet…muscle," she drags out the word in a dangerous whisper. Her hand continues traveling lower and Sheppard doesn't seem to be in any hurry to stop her. In fact, he seems absolutely transfixed in the spot, his eyes on hers. Ronon grabs Jax's wrist, stopping her exploration. "Ronon…" She pouts, wrinkling her brows. "Party pooper." She yanks her hand away from him, placing it on Sheppard's chest again, fingering the top button until it pops free. "Ooh…look what I did." Sheppard gazes at her as if she's some of that chocolate the Atlantians enjoy so much.
"I think I've found them!" From around the corner the beautiful Dr. Katriana Morgan arrives, looking a bit weary and impatient. She taps her headset. "Yes, I have them." Ronon simply can't get enough of the doctor's voice. McKay told him she's English…though she does not speak the same way as the others who use the language. There is such a variety in these Earth women. His eyes travel to Lt. Cadman as she groans and gets to her feet.
"Mom's home." Jax glares at the doctor, maneuvering herself slightly behind Sheppard, though her fingers dip into his shirt where she released the button.
"Sorry, gentlemen." Dr. Morgan says in that wonderful accent.
Sheppard seems to shake off the spell Jax placed on him and he looks toward the young scientist. "What's happening?"
"Unfortunately Dr. McKay."
"What'd Rodney do now?"
"Sit and spin." Laura sputters with a laugh, and drops herself against Ronon, forcing him to steady her again by grabbing her elbows. She leans into him, wrapping an arm around his waist and resting her free hand on his chest. Again, his eyes leave Dr. Morgan for the lieutenant.
"Before reading the proper documentation, he had Jax activate a new Ancient device." She sighs. "And it appears to have 'infected' both women."
Sheppard's still raw to that word considering his recent ordeal. He steps closer to the doctor—forcing Jax's hand to drop, but he catches it in his—suddenly very protective. "Infected?"
"How?" Ronon can feel his attention being split between the dark-haired doctor and the soldier with the fiery eyes and flame red hair. Laura caresses her lips with her finger, her pink tongue darting out and licking the fingertip. Ronon swallows hard, pulling his gaze from hers.
"It's a small device, looks like a polished stone. Jax activated it when he asked but then proceeded to play hot potato with Lt. Cadman here…refusing to give the device back to Dr. McKay." She motions to both women. "And as you can see…it's left them somewhat giddy."
"And erotically charged," Laura growls, dipping her hand under Ronon's shirt; her touch sending sensational shocks of pleasure straight to his—
Ronon's worry alarm blares in his head, especially when he hears Jax moan in agreement and sees her nuzzling Sheppard's neck. Sheppard chuckles deep in his throat and only half-heartedly pushes her away. Ronon's about to take action when Sheppard finally gets separated from her. "Okay…" he points an authoritative finger. "Stop."
Jax bites her bottom lip and opens her eyes wide and innocent then that bottom lip is free, pouting like Ronon's never seen. "Uh…Sheppard?"
Before the man can react, a crooked little smile plays at Jax's lips and she grabs Sheppard by the back of the head and attacks his mouth with hers.
"Oh, bloody hell, Jax," Dr. Morgan groans.
"You go girl!" Laura cheers.
Sheppard's pretty much a lost cause as her fingers comb into his hair and his arms wrap around her, pulling Jax in tighter; but Ronon can't find a logical reason to come to the other man's rescue. Especially since Jax would probably want to kill him for the effort. In fact, Ronon's finding it difficult to not grab hold of Laura in the same manner.
"I think she wants him on her team." Laura cozies up to Ronon, caressing his face then running a finger down his arm. He can feel the heat of her body against his. The curve of her hip, the softness of full breasts. "You can be on me…" she giggles. "My team." And slaps his butt. Ronon grunts, thoroughly tempted to put Cadman in her place…or up against a wall. She smells so good. And his hands seem to have a mind of their own, one roaming up her back and into that gorgeous hair, the other grasping her hand away from her mouth so he can feel her fingers with his.
Jax breaks the kiss, leaving Sheppard panting and her smiling wickedly. He clears his throat and looks to Dr. Morgan with creased brows. "How long is this supposed to last?" Ronon's not sure but he thinks Sheppard's hoping for a few hours…alone with Jax.
What would Dr. Weir think? Ronon wonders…not that she ever seems to notice the poor man salivating after her. Ronon gives a mental laugh. Sheppard and Jax are exactly alike in that respect.
Sheppard's face turns serious with concern. "I mean…are they contagious?"
"Don't seem to be. They've come in contact with many people since escaping the lab. No one else has become-"
"Horny." Laura giggles.
"Overly playful." Dr. Morgan sighs again. "McKay's still trying to figure out what happened. Ladies. You need to return with me to the lab. Now."
"Ohhh…" they whine in unison.
Ronon's pretty sure he didn't join them in that. Pretty sure Sheppard didn't either. Poor Sheppard. The guy looks like he's been hit by lightning or something. His hair all wild from Jax's fingers, his mouth hanging open, and his eyes are probably picturing her without so much clothing. Ronon has to avert his gaze from Laura as the same thought plagues him. But when he looks to Dr. Morgan, she's no longer wearing much of anything either.
Jax draws a finger up over Sheppard's chest and moves slightly behind his left arm. She tugs at his ear lobe. "She's so…British, isn't she?" Then Sheppard jerks a bit, making Ronon turn—but wishing he hadn't—seeing Jax cupping Sheppard's butt. "All muscle," Jax moans. Then she makes a strange noise, something that Ronon can only describe as 'woof' and Sheppard turns slightly toward her and they lock eyes again.
Dr. Morgan seems at the end of her patience. "We need to get them confined…before… anything else happens."
"What happened?" Sheppard manages to turn back to the doctor, shaking his head as if to clear it of thoughts of Jax naked.
Laura and Jax giggle. Dr. Morgan tries to keep a stern face, but a hint of a smile slips out. "Once they dropped the device, but before we knew what effect it had on them, they grabbed some duct tape and proceeded to play…Ring Around The Rosy with Dr. McKay's chair." The two women laugh again, this time louder. "While he was sitting in it."
"They taped McKay to a chair?" Sheppard asks and Dr. Morgan nods, still trying not to smile.
Ronon can't hold back the chuckle and he sees Sheppard's grin. "Really?" Ronon asks, looking down at Laura. Her lips are so full and wet. He simply wants to take her here and now. Just do it! Push her into the wall and taste her. She wants you to! No… he looks away. Something's wrong with her. She's infected with something that's making her behave irrationally. He can't take advantage of that.
"Wow," Sheppard grins like a kid. "Can I see?"
He glances at Sheppard. He can't let him either. Though not caressing him any longer, Jax still hovers near the man, sniffing him. She slips his arm around her shoulders and plays with his fingers, bringing one to her mouth and nipping at it, Sheppard rubs the side of his face against her hair.
Jax obviously doesn't know what she's doing. Ronon has to stop her before it's too late.
But what if she does know…if he stops her, she'll never forgive him. She's wanted Sheppard for so long…and he seems to feel the same way right now.
Ronon doesn't know what to do. He wants to protect Jax. But he wants her to be happy as well.
"We already released him," Dr. Morgan says.
Laura and Jax groan. "Oh…why?"
"Because it was wrong of you to do that, ladies."
"But it was so fun," Jax says, stomping her foot.
"Not to mention, constructive," Laura adds.
Ronon wonders if Sheppard's been infected too even given the doctor's pronouncement that they're not contagious, it's still possible. Now three of them could be in trouble. Good thing he's able to keep his head. He'll have to look out for all of them. Laura's hands are on his chest again, moving in slow circles down his stomach. She's staring up at him with those gleaming, fiery eyes.
Jax stands on her toes and says something to Sheppard that makes him smirk and nod.
Dr. Morgan reaches for Jax. "Back off Britishney," she chuckles and so does Laura. "We're outta here." She grabs Laura's hand and they take off down the corridor as two security guards come at them. Laura pulls Jax to the right and they ditch the security by getting on the transporter.
Dr. Morgan grumbles. "Bloody hell! What took you men so long? We've been keeping them distracted waiting for you." She nods to Ronon and Sheppard. "Nicely done by the way."
Ronon raises his brows, glancing at Sheppard. Not so sure they had any say in the matter.
"No one said it was an emergency," one of the soldiers retorts.
Starting to lose her cool, Dr. Morgan glowers. "I have to do everything myself! Go on then. Find out where they went." She narrows her gaze on Sheppard and Ronon. "Are you all right, gentlemen?"
Sheppard's hands are in his pockets and he's rocking on his feet. He raises a brow and nods to her. "Never better."
"Good. Like I said. Dr. McKay is working on it. Can't imagine what the Ancients were thinking making a device that turns someone instantly…well…playful like that."
Sheppard nods, pressing his lips together tight. "They are a mystery."
"Mad buggers if you ask me."
"And only Jax and Lt. Cadman have touched the device?" Sheppard asks.
"Well, Dr. McKay did as well, but he hasn't had any reaction. He's working on it, like I said." She goes to meet the security detail.
Ronon nudges Sheppard's arm. "Think they'll find 'em?"
"Nope." He glances up at Ronon. "Seriously…you and Jax. No attraction?"
"No."
"But she's so…There's something really wrong with you, man."
"Considering I've seen her naked. I guess so." Ronon starts toward the transporter. "What's the story with Cadman? Love that hair."
"She's got a thing for…" Sheppard follows a bit behind. "Wha…you saw Jax naked?"
"A little." Ronon feels his stomach flop and all his muscles tighten when he thinks about Laura. And now, he's getting a headache.
"Well?" Sheppard raises his brows. "Spill, how was it?"
"How was what?"
"Jax…naked."
Ronon grimaces, pressing his fingers against his temple. "I don't know…wrong."
Sheppard's brows crease, his fingers are grinding at his temples too. "What…she's…wrong?"
Ronon shakes his head then wishes he didn't. "No, man. Seeing her was…plain wrong. I tried not to look."
"Definitely something wrong with you, Ronon."
He shrugs then growls. "I wish I knew where she went."
"Jax?"
"Laura."
Sheppard nods, giving in to a full smile as he steps on the transporter. "I know where they're going to be."
Ronon drops his head against the infirmary pillow with a grumble. He's never known this kind of pain. And he's known pain. It's as if he can feel the blood pumping through his brain and it wants to gush out of his eyes and ears. How did Jax put it after her first night in the infirmary several months ago…who's the man with the bongos? For some reason, though he doesn't know what bongos are…it feels appropriate.
His head didn't hurt this bad before. Not when he was around Laura.
Sheppard's straddling the gurney next to him and Laura and Jax are across the room. They're all under guard by nurses as they wait for Dr. Beckett to return with the test results. Dr. Weir made an appearance earlier and Ronon got the distinct impression the woman was laughing at all of them.
Laura's glaring at no one in particular and her hands are clutching her head as she leans forward in her sitting position. Jax looks a bit confused, though she has that well-established blank mask floating in and out. She's watching all three of them, as if assessing who to kill. It's a bit disconcerting when her gaze falls on Sheppard and a slight predatory smirk plays at her lips before the blank mask falls into place again.
The past five hours are pretty much a blur to all of them it seems.
…They stepped onto the transporter and Sheppard pressed a section of the city. Then they're making good time toward the South pier, usually an hour's walk from the rest of the city. Strangely, the closer they got, the less Ronon's head hurt. When they made it three-quarters of the way, they found weapons waiting.
A different kind of weapon, however. Ronon pressed a finger into the squishy skin of the water balloon. The women left each of them two in the middle of the corridor. Sheppard took the blue ones and Ronon the green. Clearly the women were baiting them into a hunt. Ronon could hear giggles echoing throughout the corridors as they each chose a target to track down. Ronon went looking for Laura while Sheppard searched out Jax…
"Okay, here we go," Dr. Beckett says all too cheerfully as he enters.
Ronon sits up, grimacing against the pain in his head.
…He hit Laura with one balloon, but missed with the other. Somehow she came around behind him and hit him twice: once in the back and then in the front as he turned to face her. "Tag, your it," she bounced with glee and ran off down the empty corridor, laughing. Ronon followed...
"Good news. There's no infection. In fact, you're all perfectly healthy adults…except for elevated levels of certain brain chemicals."
Sheppard narrows his gaze at the doctor. "What chemicals?"
…Searching for Laura, Ronon passed by a room where Sheppard had clearly cornered Jax, literally against a wall, his hands traveling upward to her…
Beckett raises his brows. "Acetylcholine, phenyl ethylamine, nor epinephrine and dopamine." Ronon stares at the man, waiting for an explanation, as do the other three. "Would you like a break down, Colonel?"
Sheppard grimaces. "Please."
"Okay then. I hope no one here is too bashful—though given how you were…occupied when the search team found y'all, I doubt there's any need for that." He grins slyly. "Here goes. Acetylcholine is a neurotransmitter related to sexual performance and arousal. A surge of phenyl ethylamine in the limbic system gives feelings of bliss. Nor epinephrine mixed with dopamine and the phenyl ethylamine gives an overwhelming feeling of infatuation."
Ronon looks at the doctor from under his brows. "And that means?"
It's Laura who speak ups. "We were high on sex."
Beckett nods. "Arousal actually." He taps his headset. "Rodney you can come in now and explain how this is your fault."
The infirmary door swishes open and McKay enters, shoulders hunched, and carrying a laptop. He doesn't meet anyone's gaze, keeping his attention on the computer. "It's not my fault, Carson."
"Yes it is," Dr. Morgan states as she follows him inside. "It's entirely your fault."
"If it's anyone's…it's…" he points to Jax. "Hers." Jax raises that single brow and glares daggers at McKay, though he doesn't look up to catch them. "Not intentionally, of course."
"Just tell us what happened, Rodney," Sheppard says, trying to keep the edge out of his voice.
…Ronon was falling. He followed Laura through a door, and she managed to drop him onto his back before he knew what was happening. Then she straddled him at the waist, her hands diving under his shirt. She's smiling and…
"I've decoded some of the text regarding the device. Seems it was the Ancients' idea of Champagne at a wedding."
"What?" All four stare at him.
McKay starts talking fast. Almost too fast for Ronon's sore brain to keep up. "The device apparently was an ancient marital aid, given to women on their wedding night. It accesses part of the brain that releases chemicals that make them…"
"Erotically charged?" Jax asks when McKay stops.
"Yes." He glances at Dr. Morgan then back at his laptop. "It's not the only thing however."
Dr. Morgan speaks up. "Seems the Ancients also managed to find a way to increase the production and release of pheromones…both aerial and tactile."
"Pheromones?" Ronon asks even as Sheppard groans at the word.
Beckett nods. "Odorless chemical signals individuals release that affect the physiology or behavior of other members of the same species, most notably of opposing gender."
"They dramatically increase both desirability and sexual attractiveness in both men and women." Dr. Morgan adds.
"And the Ancients took it a step further." Sheppard nods in understanding.
"Aye. They incorporated it into the gene, Colonel, to heighten the…experience. Which would explain why…well, you and Jax were so easily afflicted, considering you both have natural control over the ATA."
"I don't have the gene," Ronon protests.
"No," Beckett nods. "But the device still managed to affect Lt. Cadman though with a lower level release of the chemicals, even though she too does not have the ATA gene. So…"
"It's a woman thing," Rodney says quickly.
"Excuse me?" Laura's eyes widen.
"The device was designed specifically with the double-x chromosome in mind, human or Atlantian. The woman activates the device, which increases her…"
"Arousal," Beckett supplies. "It's not a dirty word, Rodney."
"Anyway. As stated, it increases the woman's pheromones, including the ability to transfer them through touch. But what the chemical release also does, it increases the senses…so she can…"
"Sniff out her mate?" Sheppard says ruefully.
"Pretty much," McKay finishes.
Ronon remembers Jax's behavior around Sheppard. Everything he's hearing now makes perfect sense with her earlier actions.
"From what I've been able to decipher," Dr. Morgan speaks up. "By increasing the woman's desire for her mate and in turn his desire for her, it increased the likelihood of off-spring."
Jax and Laura exchange glances. "Ahh."
…Ronon could see Laura leaning over him, pressing her body into his, her mouth so close all he had to do was—
"We've found them," Major Lorne said with a smirk and a shake of his head.
"Oh, crap," Laura said. "We were just getting to know each other." And she got up…
Sheppard moves, making the gurney squeak. "So…why didn't anyone else get affected?" He looks at Dr. Morgan. "You said they ran into other people. I'm assuming other men…"
"You are correct."
"And you said it could be transmitted through touch," Sheppard continues.
"And Jax touched me," Ronon says. "No reaction."
"Thank God," Jax groans. Ronon nods agreement at that.
"But not everyone is attracted to the same scent," McKay snaps.
"He's right," Beckett adds. "The two individuals must already be attracted to each other for the chemical to…activate the libido."
…Lorne led Ronon and Laura out into the corridor, finding Sheppard and Jax already waiting with Dr. Morgan, both looking a bit worse for wear, but holding hands…
"Really?" Ronon looks pointedly at Sheppard who at least has the intelligence to lower his gaze as he chews on his lip. Then Ronon catches sight of Jax, her eyes wide with shock. She sees him and puts her shield into place.
Ronon raises his brows only to get more pounding for it. He groans against the pain again. "Well, the Ancients weren't too smart…leaving such a nasty price to pay. Can't imagine anyone wanting to use the thing."
"Don't worry, lad. The headache should dissipate in time. It's a build up of the chemicals, you see. It shouldn't be more than a day for your body to reabsorb them. That's if you stay away from Lt. Cadman." Beckett's tone has a touch of anger and a serious warning tinged in it. Ronon catches a slight smile from Laura towards Beckett.
The doctor continues. "That's why we're keeping you at a distance from the lass'. Otherwise the chemicals would continue to build…only to be stopped by…" Ronon notices the doctor's face turning pink.
"Consummation," Dr. Morgan adds stoically.
Sheppard bites his lip and rubs the back of his neck, looking at the ground. Ronon glances at Jax who's biting her upper lip. She catches him watching and quickly drops her head into her hands, as if it hurts. Ronon shakes his head, trying to hide a grin.
Sheppard looks all too guilty as well. Him, Ronon wants to pound into the ground…a couple hundred feet into the ground. He simply feels it's his duty…for Jax's honor. But at the same time…he can't help laughing at both of them.
Everyone looks at Ronon as if he's crazy, but he can't stop laughing.