Chapter 9

Corynn leaned on the balcony, her fingers playing with the small blue crystal at her throat. Colonel Sheppard and his team were in a meeting with Dr. Weir, updating the expedition leader on the mission. John had gently ordered Corynn to report to Dr. Beckett, his green eyes troubled. There was no need for her to attend this meeting, and relive the destruction of her ship.

Corynn sighed. After a barrage of tests, Dr. Beckett had gruffly admitted that she was physically fine. Tired, heart-broken and angry, but fine. She had returned to her quarters, but soon found herself pacing restlessly. Her feet had led her to this balcony, overlooking the endless blue ocean of the Atlantean world. Momentarily enthralled, she had turned her mind to the matter at hand. She needed to decide what to do now.

Tristan was still out there. While every fiber of Corynn's being cried for her to find a way to get home, she knew she couldn't leave until her cousin had been dealt with. He was her responsibility, not the Atlanteans. Upon their arrival, Dr. McKay had ordered an intensive, long-range sweep be performed, as well as cloaking the city, but no trace of the man had been found. Once more, he had disappeared.

And then there was the matter of getting her home. She had the means, but she knew that once she activated her beacon, Tristan would be able to locate her…and the Atlanteans. She had been reluctant to use the beacon, hoping that the signal on board her ship would be sufficient. But, now, with the Nomad destroyed…

Corynn looked up as Dr. Weir approached her. The expedition leader was alone, her face grim. Corynn straightened, trying to prepare herself for the worst. After all, because of her, Sheppard and his team had nearly been killed. Corynn wouldn't be surprised if they locked her up or banished her from the city.

"Corynn. How do you feel?" Elizabeth's serious visage had been replaced with genuine concern. She leaned her weight against the railing, her brown curls buffeted by the gentle ocean breeze.

"I am fine, Dr. Weir. Thank you." Corynn waited, keeping her eyes on Elizabeth's face. She saw no malice, only kindness, even understanding.

"I'm sure you have a good idea of our discussion inside," Elizabeth stated. Corynn only nodded, trying to hide her tension. Her fingers twined around the necklace, tugging at the crystal and caressing it nervously.

Elizabeth paused for a long moment, wondering how John always managed to talk her into these things. Add one more stray to the litter.

"We would like you to stay, as a guest, for as long as you wish. You should be warned, however, that Dr. McKay has already decided that you will become a member of his science team. If you accept, that is." Elizabeth watched as Corynn's mouth dropped, her eyes widening in surprise. She stood still for a moment, processing Elizabeth's words, then, almost reluctantly, shook her head.

"While your offer is most generous, Dr. Weir, as leader of my people, I have a responsibility to return to them. I will only remain on Atlantis until a way back to my people can be achieved."

Elizabeth nodded. Corynn had examined star maps located in Atlantis' database, and they had been shocked to see that the area she and her people considered "home" had been on the opposite side of the Pegasus galaxy. Rodney and Radek had searched in vain for a stargate address to get her close to it, but had failed. And using a puddlejumper would take months – a flight the jumper was incapable of managing. Even the Daedelus would take weeks to get her home, a trip Elizabeth was sure Colonel Caldwell would refuse to consider. Especially for one alien woman. So, until another solution could be found, Corynn was now a guest of the Atlanteans.

"I also have to determine the fate of Tristan," Corynn added. She stiffened as she spoke the name of her cousin, her anger at his treachery obvious in her stance. Elizabeth only nodded again. John and his team had described the encounter with Corynn's cousin, reiterating how dangerous this man really was. After that, Elizabeth had had her reservations about allowing Corynn to stay, but John – and Rodney, surprisingly – had jumped to the woman's defense, declaring that to let her leave would all but guarantee her death. Reluctantly, Elizabeth had agreed. She hated putting Atlantis and her people at risk, but she would not allow an innocent woman to killed, either.

"I understand. Rodney's working on that, trying to track your cousin's last coordinates. And when Colonel Caldwell gets in range, we'll have him start an immediate sweep with the Daedelus. We'll find him." Elizabeth watched as Corynn relaxed noticeably. Gratitude radiated from the woman, and she bowed her head in a show of deference.

"Thank you, Dr. Weir. Your words are most welcome. I promise to repay you – all of you – for your kindness." Corynn let a small smile drift across her face, and was rewarded with a wry grin from Elizabeth.

"Well, don't thank me just yet. Remember, Dr. McKay has already recruited you for his team. And he's not the…easiest person to work with, at times. You just may regret staying here."

oOo

"Dr. McKay! If you would be quiet for one second, then perhaps we would be able to…" Corynn's exasperated words were cut off by the angry retort of the scientist.

"I know what I'm doing, thank you very much! I've worked with literally hundreds of Ancient devices, and activating this one should be a breeze. After all, you managed it and you don't have the ATA gene." Rodney's voice was slightly condescending, and he tugged the recalibrator out of Corynn's hands. She glared at him, her mouth turning down as he plopped it on to the table top.

"You don't need this Aayy-Tee-Aay gene to operate this device. It works on any crystal, so long as it…" Once again, Rodney cut her off, ignoring her huff of impatience, and leaning over the small device. He selected a crystal as he spoke, sliding it down into the cradle.

"Yes, yes, so long as they are keyed to Ancient technology. I know all about it, after all I am the lead scientist…" With a yelp, he leapt back as a small flash arced across the crystal, follow by a crackling noise. The crystal's small white glow rapidly faded to a dark brown, then died out all together.

"Damn it! Why the hell did that happen?" He turned his blue gaze on the woman, who stood with her arms crossed over her chest. A smile – was that gloating? – was plastered across her face, and Rodney suddenly felt his anger spike.

"Look, you're supposed to be helping me! We can't afford to lose anymore crystals! Will you just look at this?" His tone turned from anger to disgust as he yanked the now-ruined crystal from the recalibrator, tracing the small hairline crack.

"Wait a minute! You're blaming me? I was trying to show you the proper method, but you just ignored my words!" Corynn's hands were now on her hips, and her aqua-blue eyes flared. Dr. Weir was right – McKay was not the easiest person to work with. This was the fifth argument they'd had in an hour. Throwing up her hands, and grumbling angrily, she paced the small control room, easily avoiding the cascading wires and access panels that lay around. Radek – clever man that he was – had escaped hours ago, apparently to get some sleep. Now, tired and aggravated beyond all comprehension, Corynn was ready to abandon Dr. McKay as well.

Suddenly, Rodney hissed and clutched at his right arm. Lack of sleep and constant motion had caused his arm to begin aching again, and now familiar waves of pain rushed through him. Corynn immediately forgot about her anger, rushing to the physicist's side.

"Let me see! Damn it, Rodney, let me see your arm!" She grabbed up his arm, her fingers running over the white scar. She could sense some tremoring in the muscles, but nothing more. Perhaps a bit of pain, but nothing like before. Still…she closed her eyes, letting her warmth flow into his hand, reducing his pain, relaxing the muscles. There.

She opened her eyes to see his own gaze fixed on her face. His features were twisted, partly irritated, mostly embarrassed. She dropped his arm, stepping away, unsure of his reaction. Usually, he was just…angry that she had touched him.

Rodney tugged at his sleeve, unconsciously rubbing at his arm. Once more, she had taken away his pain. Acutely aware that he had never properly thanked her for healing him, he cleared his throat.

"Ahhhh….thanks. I mean, for this time and for, you know, before." He watched as Corynn's face screwed up, and then she burst out in laughter. Now he really was getting mad. Who did she think she was, laughing at him while he was trying to show his gratitude? He clamped his arms across his chest, glaring down at the giggling woman.

"Oh, I'm sorry, Dr. McKay! But that seemed so…difficult for you to do. I must be tired; normally, I wouldn't be so rude." She tittered again, her blue eyes glowing. He remained still, his arms still crossed, but his face relaxing. Rodney may get angry, but he rarely held a grudge.

"Rodney." His unwound his arms, then bent down to the table top.

"What?" Corynn wiped a hand across her face, relieved that the scientist hadn't taken offense at her reaction to his show of thanks.

"Call me Rodney. And you're forgiven, provided you tell me what I did wrong." His voice was quick, but not sharp, and Corynn had to bite back a grin. She mentally amended Elizabeth's description of Dr. McKay: not the easiest, certainly, but also not the worst. You just had to get used to his impatient, stubborn, demanding ways.

"Okay…Rodney. Now, watch me…" she leaned over the device, unaware of the scientist's bright blue eyes on her as she walked him through the procedure.

TBC