Author's Note 1/27: Thanks everyone for being so patient while I got over my writer's block on this story. I've gone back and updated Chapter 11, fleshing it out and adding some stuff that made it easier for me to continue on into this chapter. I highly recommend you go back and read Chapter 11 if you haven't done so recently. Thanks again!
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Rodney kept going over the events of the last few hours trying to make sense of what had happened. He had been dragged from the courtyard just inside the Ancient Gates that Emma had so miraculously opened to what he was sure would be a horrible death. Instead he found himself treated like an honored guest. They had bathed him, given him a new set of clothes, fed him, and deposited him in a large room that looked like some sort of medieval reception hall. They had treated him very well indeed. Except that they had refused to answer any of his questions about what was going on, and more importantly, about where Emma was.
Rodney couldn't get the last image of Emma out of his mind. She had looked so scared, so helpless. And there had been nothing he could do. He needed to get out of here and find her. He needed to know that she was safe. By now they would have figured out that she was one of the chosen ones, as they called it, and he had no idea if that knowledge would protect her or sentence her to some punishment worse than death.
Rodney looked around the hall. Large windows let in plenty of light but were too high for him to get to. A fireplace stood at the far end of the room taking up one whole wall. And in between were all sorts of seating arrangements including a very large table that could seat at least twenty quite easily.
He tried the door through which he had entered – it was locked. Working his way around the room he tried every door there was only to find them all locked. Looking back at the windows he decided they were his best chance at escape. He pulled a table over against the wall, but still couldn't reach them. Perhaps if he just stacked a few chairs on top of the table he could climb up to the ledge. He would figure out how to get out of the window and down the other side later. Rodney grabbed one of the smaller chairs nearby and lifted it onto the table. Standing on top of the chair, he was still a good five feet away from the nearest window.
As he started pulling over another chair, he heard a door open. He turned to see Emma enter the far side of the hall.
A wave of intense emotions rushed over Rodney as he ran over to her. "Where have you been," he demanded a little too harshly. Are you alright?"
Emma nodded, looking up at Rodney with a smile.
Rodney checked her over thoroughly. Why wasn't she saying anything? Her silence was making him nervous. She looked unharmed, but he needed to hear her tell him so herself. He grabbed her by the shoulders. "Emma, did they hurt you?" By now Rodney was close to panic. She seemed so small standing there in front of him.
"I'm fine," Emma managed to get out. She never took her eyes off of his face. "They didn't hurt me. They've been treating me very well. But nobody will tell me anything."
"They wouldn't tell me anything either," Rodney replied letting her go. Relief washed over him as he realized she was alright. "Come on. Help me find a way out of here."
He turned to see Emma still smiling at him. "What?"
"Nothing," Emma looked away quickly.
"What's wrong?" Rodney grabbed her again, pulling her back toward him. His stomach knotted at the thought of what they might have done to her. "Oh my God, they did hurt you." He looked into Emma's face for some sign that the terrible images running through his mind were only his imagination.
"No, oh no, Rodney, I'm fine. Really." She quickly put her hand on his arm to calm him. Emma looked up at him again with that same smile on her face. "You were worried about me."
Rodney took a step back. He never wanted her to know how much he worried about her, either here or on Atlantis. He didn't want to see that look of pity on her face when she would have to tell him she didn't return his feelings.
"Of course I was worried about you. It's my job. I'm responsible for you," Rodney snapped back. He had to let her believe that she was simply a member of his team and nothing more.
"Uh huh," Emma just smiled.
Rodney saw her smiling at him again. Obviously his explanation hadn't been enough. "And, uh Carson would kill me if I lost you out here." Rodney mumbled as he turned away.
"Oh." Emma's smile faltered.
Rodney glanced at her out of the corner of his eye. Hopefully that last statement would satisfy her. He turned his attention back to finding an escape route. "We've got to get out of here." He grabbed her hand and started toward the doors.
"Rodney," Emma stood firm.
Rodney continued pulling on her arm. "We've got to find that door you came through."
"Rodney," she repeated. Emma looked down at her hand held tightly in his.
"What," he asked trying not to snap at her again. He had no idea what was wrong with her, but he did know he needed her help getting out of here.
"You look nice," Emma said quietly.
Rodney stopped what he was doing. He looked down to see what had caught her attention so. He was wearing a pair of fitted trousers that tucked into riding boots, and a loose linen shirt that didn't quite close all the way. He felt like he had stepped off the cover of one of those ridiculous romance novels. He had almost refused them when they were first offered, but since his own clothes had disappeared there was no other option.
"Oh, this," he replied casually, not sure how to respond to her compliment.
Rodney in turn took a good long look at Emma for the first time since they had been reunited. She was wearing a dress very similar to the one in Rodney's dream from the previous night. The style was a little different, but the effect was the same. Her red curls were artfully arranged softly around her face. He felt his body responding to her. How could he have not noticed how amazing she looked before now. "And you look… you look…" He was at a loss for words.
"Beautiful?"
Startled to hear another voice, Rodney and Emma turned to see a stranger step out of the shadows accompanied by two armed guards.
"Who are you," Rodney asked not even trying to hide his annoyance. He didn't appreciate the interruption. And he didn't appreciate someone else telling Emma how beautiful she looked. That was his job. Or it would be once he got up the nerve to do so.
The stranger eyed Rodney intently. He glanced down to see him holding Emma's hand. Rodney quickly released it and took a step forward.
Instantly the guards pulled their weapons, ready to defend against any attack. The stranger waved them off with a slight gesture and they retreated back into the shadows.
"I must apologize for the misunderstanding. We did not realize that you were allowed access to the temple."
"Misunderstanding?" Rodney's irritation grew into a barely controlled anger. "Is that what you call being ambushed and force marched without any knowledge of where we were headed or if we were even going to survive? We are not used to being treated this way."
He eyed Rodney coolly. "We are not used to strangers arriving unannounced. You must understand our caution."
Emma studied the stranger standing before them. He was the most handsome man she had ever seen. He was well over six feet tall, sturdily built, with wavy black hair falling carelessly over his broad shoulders. He was wearing an old fashioned linen shirt similar to the one that Rodney wore. But this one exposed an extremely well-built chest.
There was an aura of power about this man, the way he had been able to control his guards with a wave of his hand. And yet she was sure she saw a hint of kindness in his face. Emma knew immediately that he was the key to their returning safely to Atlantis.
"We've been treated very well since we reached the city," she volunteered. Emma saw Rodney's head whip around towards her, but she steadfastly ignored him. Someone had to remain calm, and it certainly wasn't going to be him.
She watched the stranger turn his attention to her. She couldn't take her eyes off of him as he made his way toward her. He looked at her as if he were seeing right through to her inner core. Emma felt herself blush.
"I'm glad to hear that. We are known here in Istvan for our hospitality. We would hate to tarnish our reputation."
Rodney stepped forward between the two of them. "Well then perhaps you can tell us who you are," he replied sharply. "Like I said, we are not used to such treatment."
"Of course, how forgetful of me. My name is Alexander." He smiled warmly, never taking his eyes off of Emma. "You two have managed to create quite a stir here today. Especially you."
He stepped past Rodney and lifted Emma's hand, gently brushing her fingers with his lips. She could feel herself blushing again as she tried to hide the small shiver that went through her. She normally wasn't attracted to such brutally handsome men, but there was no denying his animal magnetism and charm.
Rodney watched the intimate act unfolding before him. He grabbed Emma's hand and quickly pulled it away from Alexander.
"Yes, well, now that you've told us who you are, perhaps you can tell us how to get back to our ship. We'd like to go home now."
Emma cautiously glanced at the guards to see if they would do anything in response to Rodney's actions. Luckily they continued to stand quietly in the shadows, but Emma could feel their presence and knew it wouldn't take much for them to come running.
"First things first. You know who I am, now it's my turn to find out who you are," Alexander replied.
Rodney pulled Emma behind him. "My name is Dr. Rodney McKay and this is Dr. Emma Grayson."
"Doctors of medicine?" Alexander asked, genuinely curious.
"Scientists," Emma volunteered.
"Scientists." Alexander examined Emma. "Have you traveled very far?"
Emma looked into Alexander's deep brown eyes, all thoughts of what she was planning to say leaving her mind. Again she sensed that they could trust this man. If only she could convince Rodney of that without sounding like a silly schoolgirl.
"Yes, we have come a long way, and we would like to get back. So if you'll excuse us we'll just be on our way." Rodney grabbed Emma's hand and started walking toward the doors.
"But you should see our city first. Please, you are our guests. Let me make amends for our little misunderstanding earlier."
Alexander's mood seemed to shift. Emma glanced at Rodney. She wasn't sure if they were being invited to see the city, or if they were being subtly told that they weren't leaving, no matter how much they wanted to.
"I'm sure you have a fine city, a little backwards perhaps," Rodney replied, "But we really do have to get back."
"Nonsense," Alexander replied. "We have much to offer visitors. We should at least talk before you leave. We don't know anything about each other." He took Emma's arm in his. "I would love to give you a tour of the palace. The gardens are famous in this part of the galaxy for their beauty."
Rodney's ears perked up. "Did you say galaxy?"
Alexander looked back at Rodney. "You sound surprised." He smiled, barely hiding his amusement. "Yes, we have travelers from other planets visit our city, even if it is a little backwards."
Alexander had by this time pulled Emma toward the doors leading out to the gardens. Some time during their conversation, they had been opened and she could now see the grounds. She also noticed several more guards close by.
"Do you always have armed guards around you," Emma asked. "Or are they for our benefit?"
Alexander smiled at her and she thought she would melt right there into the floor. She had to admit she liked the attention this man was paying her. "It is always prudent to be cautious when dealing with the unknown," he replied.
"Are we the unknown?"
Alexander continued to smile at her. He moved his face in toward her and said almost in a whisper, "I am hoping it will not be that way for long."
Emma heard a snort from behind her.
"Uh, about those travelers," Rodney asked. "You must have some kind of trading system set up. We, uh, might be able to trade with you. Perhaps you have some Ancient artifacts lying around you're not using."
Emma looked at Rodney. "Lying around?"
"Yes," Rodney looked at Emma defensively. "I thought they might have some extra items they might not be using. They don't seem to be using much technology around here."
"We can discuss trade later," Alexander interrupted. "First you must see our city. I have arranged for you to have your own tour of the city, Dr. McKay. Perhaps we can show you what little technology we have lying around. Then you can decide for yourself if we have anything worth trading."
Rodney watched Emma walk out into the gardens with Alexander arm in arm. "On second thought I'll stay with Dr. Grayson, if you don't mind. I would prefer it if we were not separated."
"Whatever you wish," he replied. As if on cue, a door opened at the far end of the hall and Rodney turned to see two women enter. They were as beautiful as Alexander was handsome. Emma watched as Rodney fell suddenly silent. The way he was looking at these women caused a small pang to shoot through her stomach. She wasn't sure what it was, but it certainly couldn't be jealousy. She and Rodney couldn't spend ten minutes alone without going at each other's throats. But then again just moments earlier she had been anxiously waiting for Rodney to tell her how beautiful she looked in her new dress, hoping he'd noticed.
"I'll just send your tour guides away."
"I, um… I, ah… I'd hate to pass up your hospitality," Rodney sputtered. "I'd love to have your, um, tour guides show me their technology. I mean your city."
The two women smiled and walked over to Rodney, each taking one of his arms. Emma watched the three of them leave, a ridiculously silly grin plastered on Rodney's face. Atlantis would never hear the end of his stories once they got back. If they got back.
She turned toward Alexander and smiled. "How did you know he liked blondes?"
"Blondes, really? I would think he would be more partial to redheads."
At that Emma blushed yet again as he led her outside.
They walked leisurely through the gardens, Alexander occasionally pointing out sites of interest. The grounds of the palace did indeed live up to their reputation as the most beautiful in the galaxy. Emma felt comfortable with this man, safe. She finally felt that she could relax. And yet she sensed that he was holding something back.
"Tell me about where you come from." Alexander sat Emma down on a bench in a secluded area. She could still see the palace nearby. She could also see several guards discreetly stationed around them.
"There's nothing much to tell." Emma was trying to decide how much she could say without revealing too much about Atlantis.
"We are part of a small colony of explorers and scientists. We are looking to meet people like ourselves."
"Like yourselves." Alexander repeated.
Emma looked up at him. "Yes. People interested in learning about other cultures, helping other people." She stopped and studied his face. "Does that sound like you?"
Alexander quietly turned away from Emma, ignoring her question. She watched him, unsure of his silence.
"Tell me about what happened when you approached the city gates today." He turned back to watch her. Emma could feel the intensity of his gaze.
"I'm not sure what you mean." Now it was her turn to turn away. She couldn't tell him that she had the Ancient gene and the abilities that went with it. She didn't know yet what it meant to be a chosen one on this planet.
She felt him close to her. He leaned over her and took her chin in his hand, lifting it toward him. He was only inches away. "Are you a chosen one?"
Emma could feel her body tense. "I… I…" she looked down, trying to remain calm. She wished Rodney were here. Suddenly she didn't feel quite as safe as before. She was feeling a little too nervous alone with Alexander, even if there were a dozen guards nearby.
She felt Alexander's hand brush her face. "I know your answer. And you are safe here."
Emma looked up at him, into his dark eyes and knew he was telling her the truth. "And Rodney?"
"Your companion is safe, too." Alexander smiled at her and stood up. His mood once again became light and casual. "There has not been a chosen one in the city since before I was born. We did not believe we would ever see one again." He studied her once more. "Are there many where you come from?"
Emma was not sure how to answer. Certainly there were many on Atlantis, but she knew that as of now, she was the only one who could manipulate her Ancient genes so effectively.
"There are some," she answered cautiously.
"And you are allowed to leave your city?"
"Of course," she replied lightly. "We are no different than the rest of our people. We are free to come and go as we please." Something in the way he had asked the question caused warning bells to go off in Emma's head. "Are chosen ones not allowed that kind of freedom here in Istvan?"
Alexander sat down next to her. "You must understand that as our number of chosen ones dwindled we grew very protective of them. But even keeping them protected in the city did not prevent them from dying out."
"What happened? Didn't their children inherit their abilities?"
Alexander looked confused. "Children? Our chosen ones did not have children."
So that was it, Emma thought. A simple genetics experiment gone horribly wrong. If the Ancients didn't procreate, how could the Ancient gene be passed down from generation to generation.
Alexander looked at her curiously. "You can have children?"
"Well, yes, I guess so." Emma didn't like the turn this conversation was taking. She was becoming very uncomfortable at the mention of children. "You know, I think I should go find Dr. McKay. He'll be wondering what happened to me."
Alexander had been deep in thought. "Dr. McKay. Is he your husband?"
She could see that Alexander was struggling with the information she had given him. "No," she said quickly. "Absolutely not. I mean, we could if we wanted to I guess, but we don't, so we're not." She hoped that he could follow what she said, because it had made absolutely no sense to her. She stood up, trying to remain calm, but the thought that someone could think of her and Rodney together had come as quite a shock. It was something that she hadn't even thought of herself. Except for last night. And again this morning. But that seemed so long ago right now.
"Forgive me. It's just that, well, the guards had reported that at first they thought you two were married."
"Why would they think we were married?"
"Well, it seems you two fight as if you were married."
Emma looked at him indignantly. "It's obvious our cultures are quite different." She started back towards the palace.
Alexander came up behind her. "Please. I'm not sure what I said, but please forgive me. Meeting you today has come as quite a surprise to me, to our people. I'm afraid my manners have not been their best." By now Alexander was standing in front of her, just inches away. She could feel the heat from his body. Her emotions were starting to overwhelm her and she didn't know which way to turn.
"I'd like to go back now if you don't mind. It's been a long day." She stood in front of him not daring to look into his face. Just this morning she had been thinking how nice it was to wake up in Rodney's arms, even if it had been an accident, and now here she was in these gardens, in front of the most handsome man she had ever seen, wondering what it would be like to kiss him.
He looked at her for a moment. "I'll take you back," he said softly. They walked back toward the palace, armed guards continuing to escort them at a discreet distance.
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Chapter 12 - 1/27/2006
