A/N: If you guys don't review, the chances of this story not being finished increase. Not to mention, I update quicker with a steady stream of encouragement. Once again, Chapter 12 Beta'd by Angw

A/N: If you haven't noticed already, I really don't like Ronon.

The next morning had to be one of the most beautiful mornings John had ever seen. The sun was just above the horizon, turning the water into a yellow-orange color which painted the city in the same light. He was sitting in his usual spot, with Teyla sitting across from him. When he wasn't looking out at the water, he was looking at her.

He still couldn't believe it. One more trial and he'd be married to... well... Teyla. There was no way to describe how he felt. The nagging doubt however, still resided in the back of his mind. He knew that anyone could challenge his right. He was expecting Ronon to do just that. Also, no one had seen Ronon since John had returned to Atlantis yesterday.

John figured that Ronon would challenge him. He'd spent most of the evening practicing with Teyla. He felt prepared, but he knew that wasn't going to be enough. He was going to need a lot of luck to defeat Ronon.

They finished breakfast and headed for the jumper bay. John could simply feel the elation burning within him. He remembered how she'd caused him to melt the previous night. It'd taken him several hours to finally get his shaking under control. Once again, he was shaking visibly.

He powered up the jumper and activated his radio. "This is Jumper one, requesting permission to take off."

"Jumper one, hold on." One of the control room technicians said. "You've got two passengers on their way."

"Who?"

"Doctor Weir and Doctor McKay."

"Alright. We'll wait."

"It seems our secret is no longer a secret." Teyla said.

John smiled. "No, it's not, but Elizabeth and Rodney are the closest to family I have. I'm glad their coming. At least I know I won't have to fight either of them."

Teyla nervously laughed.

John immediately noticed something was wrong. "Teyla, is something bothering you?"

"I am worried about who may challenge you. I fear for your safety."

"I'd be lying if I said I wasn't worried, but... I don't have much of a choice in the matter. I'm going to marry you, and nothing is going to stop me." He gave her hand a brief squeeze. "Now, don't worry. I'll be fine." He threw her a lopsided grin.

"Hope you don't mind." Elizabeth said as she and Rodney climbed into the jumper. "It's not everyday that I get to see my senior military commander get married."

"No, I guess not." John smirked. He took off and shot towards the mainland. He wasn't surprised that Elizabeth and Rodney had come along. He guessed Rodney would find the Athosian customs a little barbaric, but he trusted Elizabeth to keep Rodney quiet during his final trial.

He glanced over at Teyla, she was still visibly nervous. He took one hand off the controls and held hers. It seemed to reassure her slightly. It was all he could hope for as he raced towards the mainland.

"So what actually happens during this trial?" Rodney asked.

Teyla breathed deeply. "John must announce his intentions to the entire village. Then, anyone who wishes to challenge his right to me can. He must face them in single combat. He must show his true devotion to me."

"How barbaric." Rodney said. "I thought we'd all evolved above fighting for women. That was more common in the stone age."

"Shut up Rodney." John snapped. "It's Athosian tradition. I may not always agree with it, but I'll respect it." He smiled warmly at Teyla.

XXX

The village had prepared for his arrival. Everyone in the Athosian village was assembled around the village square. It was a small clearing in the center of the village. He walked into the village still holding Teyla hand.

Waiting for them in the center of the village was Jarlin. The old woman smiled. She was holding the vase that had the flowers in it. "Welcome back Colonel Sheppard. Are you prepared?"

"Yes."

"Then place the flowers in Teyla's hair."

John pulled both of the flowers from the vase and placed them awkwardly behind her ears. He turned back to Jarlin. "Ehhh... now what?"

Jarlin turned to Teyla. "Has he completed the third trial?"

"Yes." Teyla showed Jarlin the necklace.

"Then we proceed to the final trial. You Colonel Sheppard, must announce your intentions."

"How?" John hissed.

"Openly, for all to hear."

John cleared his throat. "I wish for Teyla to take my hand in marriage. I have completed the first three trial, this is the fourth and final."

"He has declared his intentions." Jarlin's voice boomed. "Do any object to this union?"

"I do!" Ronon stepped out from the crowd. He looked like he hadn't slept in days. "I object to this. I claim Teyla as my own."

His bold statement made the crowd begin to talk amongst themselves. It was obviously something they hadn't expected. John breathed in deeply, calming himself. "Don't do this Ronon." He said in response.

"And why not Sheppard?" Ronon approached menacingly. "She's the real reason I stayed. She's the reason I'm still here. If she told you half the things I've done, you wouldn't be so keen to trust me."

"Considering you put a knife to my throat not so long ago, I haven't had reason to trust you."

"Don't make me kill you Sheppard." Ronon said quietly.

"And you think that's going to get you Teyla!" John yelled in response.

Ronon drew his knife. "Then let's settle it here and now."

"ENOUGH!" Jarlin yelled. "This will be settled in the traditional Athosian style. You will fight, but in the true Athosian form. The winner, will receive Teyla."

John felt his heart leap into his throat. What had he gotten himself into? He accepted the Athosian fighting sticks from Jarlin. He quickly stretched. He was going to need every ounce of his strength.

After he was done stretching he handed his jacket to Teyla. He took both her hands in his. "I'm doing this for you." He kissed her hands. He could see the pain in her eyes. In a way, he felt relieved. He knew without a doubt that she loved him. The last of his demons seemed to slide away as he turned back to face Ronon.

Ronon was impossible to read. He held only a single stick in a double handed grip. John held a stick in each of his hands, painfully aware of the leverage advantage Ronon had against him. John stepped forward. He carefully began to circle around an imaginary point between him and Ronon.

He offered a quick and silent prayer. He wasn't religious. He hadn't been to church since he'd been nine. He just figured he needed any help he could get. He leaped forward, making a short swing with his left hand. Ronon parried it and returned the swing.

John leaped back, shunting the blow aside. He held his left stick high, his right low, waiting for Ronon's next attack. I never came, at least not as John was expecting it. John parried a one handed swing easily, only to find Ronon's fist slammed into his face.

John spun away from the blow. It hurt. He didn't feel that he'd broken anything. He rapidly ducked back into the fight, swinging low. He rolled backwards as Ronon tried to return the attack. He felt the stick hit his back as he stood back up. He then felt a similar impact on his stomach.

He fell over. He rolled to avoid the next series of attacks. This time he leaped back up, swinging defensively. He managed to hit Ronon's face twice. He shunted aside a massive double handed blow from Ronon and elbowed Ronon in the chest. He then ducked out of the way as Ronon made a horizontal swing that would've knocked him over.

He could easily imagine Teyla watching with horror from the sidelines. He didn't have time to find her though. He had to concentrate fully on Ronon if he was to have any chance of winning. He spun defensively as Ronon tried to land another quick blow.

His spin was knocked off when Ronon punched him again. Disorientated, he fell to the ground. He rolled, disorientating himself even more. He then kicked up blindly with his right foot. He was lucky, he'd hit Ronon in the kneecap. Ronon swore something in another language.

John had only a second to get back on his feet before Ronon attacked again. The attacks were merciless, withering. John kept stepping back and turning. He had to wait for an opening. He saw it, attacking with a single stick. The attack caused Ronon to swear again, but it didn't stop Ronon from punching John in the face again.

John feel back, hitting the ground with a painful thump. He rolled, pain shot through his head from the impact. He blindly tried to defend himself as Ronon hauled him to his feet, only to shove him to the ground again.

John winced in pain. He was sure he had a concussion. He tried to haul himself to hit feet, but collapsed before he'd even managed to get on his knees. Ronon landed another blow to John's undefended back. John grunted, then rolled.

The pain was extraordinary. He could barely think. He forced himself to try and stand. He managed to get back up on his hands and knees. He spit the blood out of his mouth. He then tried to get on his feet. He felt another impact, this time on his chest. He fell back to the ground.

He couldn't summon the strength to do anything. His body simply seemed to be giving up. He could feel his eyes fill with tears as the darkness claimed him. He'd failed Teyla.

XXX

He opened his eyes. He could feel a dull throbbing in the back of his head. He decided it would be best not to move. He glanced around. He was in a small room, it looked like an Athosian dwelling. He was covered in warm blankets. Off to his side was a medical drip.

He shook his head. Instantly, the dull pain turned into white fire, threatening to consume him. He forced himself to calm down and think slowly. He slowly remembered the fight, how he'd failed. He felt like screaming. He then noticed a single person in the room with him.

His eyes slowly began to focus again. The person was asleep, their hands on his chest. It took him a second to realize it was Teyla. He tried to say something, anything. "Teyla." He eventually croaked.

Her head lifted, her cheeks were stained with tears. She instantly gripped his hand in both of hers. "John..."

"I know." He said. "I... failed... you.." He managed a lopsided grin. "I'm... sorry."

"No." She replied instantly. "No you haven't. I told you that I would marry you, and I will."

"But what about the trial. I failed."

"No..." Teyla began to cry. "You have not failed. You were beaten until you couldn't respond."

"Doesn't that mean he..."

"NO! I would never marry someone who is who Ronon is. Even if I must be exiled from my people, I would never do that."

"I can't ask..."

"But you know that I will."
John smiled, feeling that their situations were reversed from an earlier conversation. "What happened after I blacked out?"

Teyla leaned in close. "Listen carefully..."

Teyla ran out into the clearing. She had seen the brutality of Ronon's attacks. She shoved him out of the way. He tried to grab her. She glared at him. "STAY BACK RONON!" She said coldly. "Or you will not live to see another day."

Her threat seemed to stop him. He backed out of her way.

She sat down on her knees, rolling John over on his back. His eyes were closed. She could see a single tear running down the side of his face. She listened for breathing, it was barely there. She turned to Elizabeth. "Get Doctor Beckett here immediately."

Ronon turned to the crowd. "I've won. I declare my right as victor. Teyla is mine."

Teyla stood up from John's side. "I will never, ever love you!" He voice was darker than space itself. "Stand down."

"You cannot deny tradition." Jarlin said slowly. "He has the right."

Teyla turned in fury. "Then I am no longer a member of Athosian society. He has no right!"

"Child, you are acting in anger." Jarlin said. "As the daughter of Tagan you must not."

"I do not care if the ancestors themselves say that he has the right. I will not honor it. John tried to honor our customs, and this is how he is received. I hate Ronon. He abused my friendship for revenge. He lied. John has never lied to me. John has never done anything but love me. I love him and him alone in return." She returned to his side.

"That is what happened." Teyla finished. "I am exiled. Though much of the village disagrees with Jarlin, they cannot deny tradition."

"God Teyla." John replied. "I'm so sorry I cause all this. If I'd just kept my..."

"I would be in the same place I am now. At least this way, I know that someone still loves me." She squeezed his hand. "And I will always love him in return."

John wished he could comfort her, but his body wouldn't let him. "I assume Beckett came by."

"Yes." Teyla replied. "He should be told you're awake." She stood up. "I'll go get him." She left the room only to reappear a second later with Carson.

"Well laddie," Carson began, "I'd say you're one tough person. You've got no actual broken bones, but you'll be sore for a long time. That bump on your head has gone down, but it'll take a little while to fully heal. We'll be moving you back to Atlantis in a few hours."

"What about Ronon?"

"Elizabeth's got him locked in the cell on Atlantis. You've been asleep for most of the day. I dare say, Teyla hasn't left you side the entire time."

"Thanks Doc." Carson busied himself checking the medical drip. "I'm going to give you a few more painkillers. They might make you a wee bit drowsy, but you'll feel significantly better." After administering the medication, Carson left the room. "I'll leave you two alone." He said as he left.

John felt the dull throbbing in his head slowly begin to fade. He turned his head towards Teyla. "Once I'm back on my feet. I'll have Elizabeth marry us. She knows a thing or two about that."

"I would appreciate that." Teyla said quietly.

"Do me one favor."

"Anything?"

"Smile."

Teyla smiled.

"Thanks." He loved her smile. He loved everything about her."

A/N: Now I could be an evil author and stop here, but I'm sure that those of you reading want to hear more about the order of time. That picks up quickly in the next chapter. Leave me a little bit of encouragement... please.