The next morning, Carson appeared at Ria's bedside with a wheelchair.

"Is that for me?" she asked the doctor, her expression showing her dislike of the idea.

When he nodded, she continued. "I don't know how to break this to you Dr Beckett, but I mastered the art of vertical perambulation at a very young age."

"I don't doubt that for a minute," the doctor replied, an amused smile on his face. "And I suspect you caused your mother a few extra premature grey hairs in the process."

"You've not been talking to her?" Ria replied, a look of mock horror on her face.

"No, lass," Carson reassured her. "You know that's not possible. Since I don't have any personal details about you."

"You undressed me," she said, a mischievous grin on her face. "That's fairly personal."

The doctor blushed, making her grin more. "You've not been talking to Rodney again, have you?" he asked.

"I do believe we did have a conversation or two yesterday," Ria replied, still grinning.

"So the pair of you are ganging up on me now?" Carson said, an amused smile on his face.

"No fear," Ria added. "I've too much sense to try and alienate my doctor. But you know something," she said grinning at Carson. "I do think Rodney is genuinely worried about the thought of the nurses undressing him, and then discussing his 'attributes'."

"Thank you for that nugget of information," Carson said, giving her a grateful smile. "It might just come in useful the next time Rodney wants me to test out another bit of ancient technology he's found."

"Why does he want you to test it out?" Ria asked, a slightly puzzled look on her face.

Carson realised he had already given too much away. "Och," he replied. "You know what Rodney's like. He always asks you to do the daftest things," he said evasively.

"You still don't trust me," Ria said quietly, looking at Carson with hurt in her eyes.

"It's no a matter of trust, lass. Not of you personally," he said gently, putting his hand on her arm. "We've had our fingers burnt too often in the past, and we've grown wary."

Ria put her hand over his, and squeezed his hand gently. "I promise you this Carson," she said, a serious expression in her eyes. "I will never do anything to deliberately hurt or harm you." He looked into her eyes, trying to read her expression. Instead he felt she was the one reaching into his soul.

Eventually, he broke eye contact, and looked down at their joined hands. "Aye, lass, I believe you," he said softly. "But now I need to get you to the conference room before they send out a search party for us."

OoOoO

There was a certain tension in the room as Carson wheeled Ria in. Her eyes circled the room, resting on each person. Before anyone could say anything, Ria got to her feet and addressed them. "Look," she said, a note of authority in her voice. "I haven't come here to cause tension amongst you. I come as a friend, not to trick you or to gain information from you, but to share knowledge with you, and I hope, friendship." Her green eyes again circled the room, resting firstly on John and then on Elizabeth. "You have differing views on me," she said softly. "But don't let that become a cause of dispute between you. I will abide by any restrictions you place on me, as long as you let me go free, when I ask you to."

"You talk about sharing knowledge," John said. "What information can you give us?" Elizabeth shot him a sharp look. His cloaked hostility towards Ria confused her. It was not like John to react like this.

"Stargate addresses," came the prompt reply. "As I said before, I'm an explorer. Over the years, I've visited many planets, and travelled through many Stargates. I can add to your knowledge of them."

"And what do you want in return?" he asked.

"To share your journey for a while," she replied simply. "I travel alone, and it can be lonely. I miss human contact. All I ask is to spend a little time with you, and to enjoy your company."

She paused for a moment, then continued. "Why don't you trust me Colonel Sheppard?" she asked directly.

Elizabeth looked at Carson, her eyebrows raised. Carson shrugged in response. This was a side of Ria he hadn't seen before. All frivolity had gone. The seriousness of her tone was added to by the maturity and insightfulness of what she was saying. The playful woman who had teased him earlier had been replaced by a woman of quiet authority.

"It's not that I don't trust you," John responded.

"Then you hide your trust well, Colonel," Ria interrupted.

"We've had a number of bad experiences, and I'm being cautious," John said, trying not to sound churlish.

"I can accept caution, Colonel," Ria said. "It has kept me alive in many situations. Let's say that we agree to be cautious about each other. Will you let me join you for a while?"

Everyone else, even Rodney, had kept quiet during this exchange. However, enforced silence proved too much for the scientist. "Do you know where we could get ZPMs?" he asked eagerly. "Things about this long, cylindrical, flashes," he continued.

"Yes, Rodney," Ria replied. "I know what you're talking about."

"That makes a change," Ronon said under his breath.

"I believe one of the planets I visited had such a device. I could take you there, if you'd like."

"Very convenient," Sheppard interrupted. Elizabeth turned and looked at him. It was not like John to be this churlish with someone who was a potential ally. He was treating Ria with the caution, verging on mistrust, that he might extend to Kolya or Cowen.

Ria turned on John. "If you wish, Colonel, I can leave now," she said. "I have learned very little of your people, so I can't be perceived as a threat. So I'll go, if that's what you want, and leave you to brood in peace." With that she left the room.

"Colonel," Carson said, looking at John with hurt in his eyes. "There was no need to be so harsh on the lass. All she has done is offered to help us. I cannae see why you're so upset by her being here. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'll go and check on my patient. I don't like when my patients are upset unnecessarily." He followed Ria out of the room.

All eyes turned to John. "What?" he said, defensively.

"If anyone is acting suspiciously, at the moment, Colonel, it's you," Rodney said pointedly.

"She has offered to share information with us," Teyla said, in a reasonable tone. "And all she asks is for companionship in her travels."

"I know, I know," John said, exasperated with himself as much as anything else. "I can't explain my reaction to her. It's like a phobia, it's irrational, but there is something about her that creeps me out."

"Maybe it's because she's immune to your charms, Colonel," Rodney said, smirking.

"I'm not that shallow, Rodney," John said.

"I think we should take her up on her offer. If she can find us another ZPM, then I think it's worth any risk that Colonel Phobia here might perceive."

"I agree," Elizabeth said, shooting a glance at John. "I respect your caution, Colonel, but I think Rodney's right. But please keep a close eye on her at all times."