TWO
"Off-world activation," Chucked called, pulling Elizabeth away from the summaries John had graciously written about the many reports she'd left him to ignore during her two days off. The man never ceased to amaze her.
Leaving the paperwork, she went out into the control room and waited. "It's Halling's IDC," Chuck said after the wormhole established.
"Let him in."
The sound of the shield dropping was followed by the arrival of Halling stepping through the event horizon alone. Elizabeth leaned over the railing and he caught her gaze. "We have a problem," he said and Elizabeth's gut clenched.
Sheppard's team, minus one and plus two others, had gone to M4R-301 where the local kingdom, Lartnec Msagro, possessed impressive holistic medicines that rivaled the pharmaceuticals from Earth, according to Halling and Teyla. Their society also managed to avoid Wraith cullings due to some genetic anomaly similar to Ronon's. Though, as they did with Sateda, the Wraith hadn't gone to the extreme of wiping out the people. Rodney figured the planet may have a device similar to M7G-677 that makes all Wraith technology inert.
Teyla was supposed to introduce the team to the Man-of-Arms or Lord Treyhil, but she ended up in the infirmary three days ago, and because of her high tolerance for pain, she was very close to death's door, Carson had told them in his thick brogue that only came out to play when he was really pissed off. So, Halling took her place in the introductions and Lorne took her place as the fourth on the team.
"What happened?" Elizabeth asked as Halling entered her office.
"I am uncertain of the circumstances because the incident took place without my attendance as I was visiting friends in a nearby village. However…Colonel Sheppard and his team have been arrested for crimes against the kingdom."
"What!"
"It seems Col. Sheppard dishonored the Man-of-Arms, Treyhil, by touching his eldest daughter."
Elizabeth's eyes nearly shot out of her head. "He what!"
Halling took a step back. "As I stated, I do not know the details of the incident, but I have been assured by the Colonel that this was unintentional. The other members of the team clearly believe the Colonel is indeed innocent of any crimes as does the daughter." He took a deep breath. "However, the accusation stands and they were sentenced a short while ago. I was able to stay the judgment when I mentioned that you are the sovereign leader of the team."
"I see."
"Unless you make an appeal to negotiate their release, they will be summarily executed in two days."
Elizabeth sighed, shaking her head. It's always something, John! Another world. Another girl. What could he have been thinking!
"I will leave quickly. I need to make a few arrangements." She stepped around her desk then looked up at Halling. "Will you join me please?"
Halling nodded. "I would like to look in on Teyla first."
"I will meet you at the gate in an hour then." Halling bowed his head and retreated to the infirmary. Elizabeth sank into her chair and palmed her face. John…what am I going to do with you?
Elizabeth made the arrangements with Caldwell to look over the city while she was away on the trip. He insisted she take a squad of her own, but Elizabeth was concerned about an unnecessary show of force…she was trying to negotiate the release of prisoners not start a war. She conceded to taking two soldiers of her choice and Caldwell agreed. She chose Cadman and Maddog. It may be sexist of her, but given that the last team consisted of four men plus Halling, Elizabeth considered Treyhil may be more receptive to a show of feminine strength.
And even in this galaxy, female soldiers tended to be dismissed as threats early on.
Halling joined them and they waited for the gate to dial. The wormhole established and they were about to step through when Teyla staggered into the gate room: "Stop!"
They halted. Halling rushed to Teyla's side, getting a hold on her before she collapsed to the floor. Elizabeth joined them. "Teyla?"
Carson came running up the ramp from the infirmary, clearly agitated. "Teyla…lass. You can't go gallivanting off like that after abdominal surgery."
"I am fine," she said, though she looked terribly pale and pained. Perspiration beaded her skin making her clammy to the touch.
Elizabeth rested a hand on Teyla's arm. "What's wrong?"
"Dr. Weir. You cannot meet with Treyhil."
"Why not?"
Teyla's eyes darted to Halling and Carson then rested on Elizabeth. "I have my reasons."
Elizabeth realized instantly that those reasons could not be heard by all ears, specifically Carson's and Halling's. "It's that important?"
"You must not go."
Elizabeth backed up and waved at Chuck. "Shut it down."
The wormhole extinguished. Elizabeth glanced at Cadman and Maddog. "Stand down… for now. I will let you know."
"Yes ma'am," they said as one.
oOo
Carson finished taking Teyla's blood pressure after resettling her in the infirmary bed. He was not pleased by her recent exercise. Given the nature of her surgery, she should be up and around by now, though with effort, but she'd been in serious condition by the time Carson got her under the knife and infection had set in.
Elizabeth had never seen someone so strong brought down by something as innocuous as appendicitis, but here in the Pegasus Galaxy the problem seemed to be a regular death threat.
Well not anymore if Carson had anything to say about it.
Teyla relaxed into her pillows, her hand shaking as she wiped it across her damp face. "I apologize Dr. Beckett. But it could not be helped. You refused to let me speak with Dr. Weir."
"Aye, lass. Just don't go on anymore run-abouts. You could pull the sutures open." Carson patted Teyla's hand and left her to speak with Elizabeth.
Halling stood off to the side and Teyla caught his eyes. "It is a private matter, Halling." She lowered her chin and leveled her gaze on him. "For leaders."
Without any sign that her words had wounded him or made him feel inferior, Halling bowed and stepped out of the infirmary. "I await news of our return trip, Dr. Weir."
"Thank you Halling." Elizabeth offered him a slim smile before turning back to Teyla. It did not matter what Teyla said, she was not about to let Sheppard and his team face execution. She would be going to meet with Treyhil. However, Teyla's information could come in handy during negotiations for her team's release. "Please, tell me." Elizabeth pulled up a chair and sat next to Teyla's side.
After a shuddering sigh that seemed to be more from exhaustion than anything else, Teyla told her the tale. Elizabeth's blood raced through her veins, hot and then cold. She couldn't stop the shiver that traced her spine. It seems Treyhil's people have a different sense of personal responsibility to one's people.
One that Elizabeth found both frightening and yet intriguing…from a sociological stand point.
"You understand why I was forbidden to visit the planet while my father was still alive?"
"I do. He was trying to protect you."
Teyla nodded. "And yet, by not informing me about the kingdom's rites, he left me with no hope of making the decision on my own. I believed them to be decent trading partners, which they truly are. And they could make great allies for Atlantis."
"But…"
"I had no choice but to comply with the rites once I became leader. My people desperately needed the medicines at that time. I could not leave them empty handed simply because I was unknown to a man." She sighed. "As their leader, it was my responsibility to take care of my people. And I do not look upon the negotiations as anything other than a necessary requirement. It is not uncommon amongst tribes to trade with what they have to offer."
Elizabeth understood what had upset Teyla so much about her going to the planet. "But my world does not negotiate in this manner."
She nodded again. "You use words. Barter with other…less personal…materials. I fear you will not be able to fulfill the trade negotiations as I had. It does not seem to be in your nature."
Elizabeth sat in silence for a long time and noticed that Teyla's eyes had closed. After some more time had passed and the Athosian woman had not stirred, Elizabeth put the chair back and turned to leave the infirmary.
"Dr. Weir?"
She turned back to Teyla. "I cannot let them die, Teyla." She straightened her spine. "I am the leader."
"Do you plan on going through with the rites of negotiation?"
Elizabeth felt her heart thud to a stop. How could she blithely do that? The SGC… everyone on Atlantis would know. John would know.
And yet if she didn't? John would die. She bowed to Teyla. "I will let you know."
But Teyla was already asleep.
oOo
"I don't have a lot of time," Elizabeth told Laura and Sharon. They were sitting at the poker table, though no game was in progress. It was only the three of them. But of all the women on Atlantis, Elizabeth felt more comfortable with these two than any others. It was a strange bond they'd created over a short time. She trusted them with her life which included looking out for her best interests…and protect her from herself.
"And it doesn't seem like you have much choice," Laura said stoically. "They've been sentenced to death."
Elizabeth shot out of her chair and stomped around the room. "I know. I know."
Sharon raised her hand. "I'm confused. If this is the requirement…or rite by all leaders… what does the man do if the leader's male?"
"Apparently…it doesn't make a difference to the kingdom."
"Really?" Both Laura and Sharon said.
"I'm surmising it's more about acquiescence on both parties than anything else."
"Well, it's only one night, right. A one time thing that never happens again," Sharon said with a shrug. "How bad could it be?" She stretched arms overhead. "Teyla said he's hot, right?"
"And apparently he's very generous and…impressive. From her description of Treyhil, I think he might resemble Antonio Bandaras when he was in Interview with the Vampire."
Sharon's eyes widened. "Smokin!" Laura smacked Sharon's shoulder. "What?" She whined rubbing the spot. "Bandaras was totally hot in that role. All that long black hair…" They all thought on that a moment and a universal sigh echoed in the small room.
Elizabeth groaned. Was she really having a hot flash over some man she's never met? She shook it off. "That's really not the point. Or even the problem I have with this entire situation."
"As Kat said, you are due," Laura scrunched her nose, trying to make it all seem less grim.
"And generous…which means the big O, I'm guessing," Sharon added. "Maybe more than one if you're lucky."
Elizabeth dropped heavily back into her chair and cradled her head in her hands. Yes, she was due for some old-fashioned mattress pounding, but…"Everyone would find out that I prostituted myself…for god's sake! I could lose my job over this."
Sharon leaned on her elbows. "But you'd be saving the lives of your men. Could you live with yourself even if you lost Atlantis?"
Elizabeth considered that for the briefest moment. "Yes." Then she felt tears threatening to spill, she swallowed them down hard. "But I'd lose any chance I had with John."
"Ah…I say screw 'em both," Sharon growled. "If you were Sheppard and this was a woman leader, he'd drop trow instantly…get off and save his team. The only reason you're hesitating is because of the crap that's been instilled in you since birth. Women aren't supposed to like sex as much as men. Aren't supposed to need it. And God forbid they get something out of it. You know, besides a nice coat or a blender or something."
Elizabeth and Laura gaped at Sharon following her little outburst. She cleared her throat. "Sorry. That female empowerment stuff I got out of a college course tends to rear its ugly head occasionally."
Laura smirked at Elizabeth then the three of them sat in silence…thinking.
It was Laura who spoke again, quietly as if trying to keep the secret even from the city itself. She leaned forward on the table, hands clasped in front of her. The other two joined in the same way. "Sheppard doesn't have to find out. No one does." Her brows rose toward Elizabeth. "In fact…I have an idea how to let you keep both your job and your respect as the city leader." Laura turned and looked right at her. "If you're willing."
Elizabeth kept thinking about Teyla's expression when the Athosian spoke of Treyhil as the best lover she'd ever known. He had been her first, and though there had not been any love in the relationship, Treyhil had been caring and gentle, bringing her to the epitome of pleasure. Teyla even regretted that the rite only took place once for the alliance to be brokered. Elizabeth shuddered slightly. It had been so long since she felt that.
The thought of having one night of consensual sex for the sake of four men's lives actually kind of paled in comparison to having a really great orgasm…for about two seconds, okay, maybe five, then she remembered what she was bargaining for and reality came crashing down. "What's your plan?"
Laura explained what she had in mind. Both Elizabeth and Sharon listened, nodding along at the same points. Sharon rested her chin on the back of her hand. "Sounds like a good idea. I think it could work." She looked to Elizabeth. "Do you think Teyla will go along?"
"I do." She watched the two women, not seeing soldiers right now, but trusted friends. Confidents. "All right." She took hold of a hand from each woman. "Let's get the leader of Atlantis laid."
They giggled together. The secret pact making all of them feel like teenagers trying to outsmart their oppressive parents.
oOo
"You are certain this is the decision," Teyla said. "Treyhil will only negotiate with consent."
Elizabeth held up a hand. "It's understood, Teyla. The only question is…are you able to go along and make the introductions. I cannot have Halling do this."
"You do not trust him?"
Elizabeth held her breath. "It's not that. But even you did not wish to speak of this in his presence. We need to keep this completely confidential. Not even the Sheppard or his team is to know what's being done to gain their freedom."
"You are correct. It is a private matter." She narrowed her eyes on Elizabeth. "How will you deal with Dr. Beckett?"
"I have my accomplices. They are ready to help with your escape when you give the word."
"Very well. I will need clothing."
"And pain medication."
"I am fine."
"I insist."
Teyla looked like she was going to fight the point, but Elizabeth raised her don't-mess-with-me brow and the Athosian backed down with a slim smile.
Now for the other matter.
Elizabeth wasn't going to let this episode end with an STD or unwanted pregnancy. But there was one thing Carson knew about the Atlantis leader that most—well except her poker-night friends—didn't know. Elizabeth had no use of condoms or the pill because she'd been inactive for nearly two years. Asking Carson for anything would be held in strictest confidence, but the man would ask questions, if only for her health. And she had no answers to give him. Not now. Luckily, though, the man did have a girlfriend who had plenty of access to new discoveries made by the good doctor.
Seems the Atlantians were quite up there on the preventive measures. They'd created a microbicide gel for women that not only prevented pregnancy but killed any other nasty invader before it had a chance to take hold. She'd heard of a discovery on Earth a while back, but the scientist couldn't get the funding to proceed…something about Viagra beating her to the money.
The only problem on Atlantis was that no one had actually tested the gel on humans. So far only those women with the gene, who'd volunteered, had been integrated into the study Carson was doing.
Guess it's a good a time as any to test on a regular human female, Elizabeth decided as she found the cabinet Laura had told her to search. She found a small vial of the gel and secreted it away in her jacket pocket.
Task complete, Elizabeth went out to meet her co-conspirators and set the rescue plan in motion.
