Chapter 8

He's standing outside Daedalus medical, watching through the window as Dr. Beckett and his limited staff scramble to help Alessa. Everyone's in masks, but Ronon can see their eyes. The darkness of defeat in their eyes. A shake of a head from one nurse to Dr. Beckett makes his fists clench and he nearly decks Sheppard as the Colonel lays a hand on his shoulder from behind.

"Easy, Ronon." He holds up a cup of steaming coffee. "Thought you could use some." Ronon shakes his head. He never got a taste for the bitter liquid. He actually prefers the tea Alessa is so fond of – with a squirt of lemon.

Sheppard shrugs then sips the drink himself. Ronon turns back to the observations window. He can't see Alessa at all. Green sheets surround her body, hiding her from view…he needs to see her. See that he hasn't failed her completely.

"Sorry it took so long for us to get back to you," Sheppard says quietly. Ronon grunts. Teyla already explained about the two-hour hyperspace trip back to the planet. Given that they couldn't bring a jumper through the gate, Sheppard wanted to have the necessary firepower in case the Wraith had company in orbit. Aside from the bodies on the surface, the Wraith were gone when the team returned.

"Well," McKay says, ambling toward them from around the corner with Teyla in tow. "Though I didn't get the opportunity to study the tracking device you mentioned – which is really too bad considering… we could have used a chance to dismantle it–"

"Rodney," Teyla puts an edge in her voice.

Off Ronon's sideways glare, McKay stops in his tracks and shakes a hand. "Not that that's important right now, of course." Ronon turns back to the window, barely listening as the doctor babbles. "Still, it must have been a short range device, like the one Teyla had as a necklace. Plus, I think it was specific to that particular hive. Which makes some sort of sense if it's the same hive with the Wraith she shot before. Either way, the fact that it could elicit shocks and immobilize the target disturbs me to no end."

"Their technology is even more advanced," Teyla adds somberly.

Ignoring them, Ronon backs up as Beckett leaves the other room. He brushes passed his team, rounds the corner and nearly slams into the doctor. Beckett pulls up short. Ronon can feel Sheppard, McKay and Teyla behind him. "We've stabilized her blood pressure, given her two units…" Beckett says. "But we can't wait to return to Atlantis. The abdominal wound is too severe. We have to start surgery now."

"Doc…" Sheppard starts.

"Aye, Colonel. I'd much prefer getting her back to the city…but it's not going to happen." He looks straight at Ronon. "You did good, son…staving off the blood loss as best possible. The surgery is delicate…it will take time. You should rest." With that, Beckett returns to the other room.

"I'm not going away."

"Not away," Sheppard says. "Just…use one of the empty quarters. Clean up…eat something. We can save the debrief for Atlantis."

Ronon turns toward his commanding officer. "I'm not leaving her."

Teyla's hand rests on his arm again. "No one is saying you should, Ronon. But…perhaps a shower would refresh you." He glances at her; there's compassion in her gaze. "One of us will remain on watch at all times." McKay's about to protest but Teyla gives him her special 'look' that shuts him up immediately.

"She's right," Sheppard adds. "Any news and we'll get you immediately." There's something in Sheppard's eyes, a new understanding when he holds Ronon's gaze. "Trust me."

After a long, silent moment, Ronon nods. He does need to get cleaned up otherwise Beckett will not let him see Alessa after surgery. And he has to be there. She has to know she can count on him…always.

1 WEEK AGO

"I have never been to this world before," Teyla offered as they step beyond the large boulder shielding the Stargate from Wraith darts but not foot travelers.

"That's what makes this job such an adventure," Sheppard said. Ronon could not be certain if he was serious or not.

"Adventure? This is a waste of time," McKay grumbled.

Ronon caught the slight smirk lifting the side of Alessa's mouth, even though she dropped her head just a touch so that her dark hair would fall forward and conceal her face.

"Dr. D'Angelos and Dr. Weir believe differently, McKay…so quit already," Sheppard said.

"I just don't see why we have to—"

"McKay," Ronon growled. "Stop talking."

That seemed to work rather well, especially when at least thirty young people suddenly appeared out of no where, surrounding them with knives, arrows and staffs raised. Ronon pulled his gun instantly and heard the familiar click of Sheppard's P-90. But Alessa's hand covered Ronon's and with little effort, she urged him to lower the gun.

"Doctor—" Sheppard started.

Ignoring him, Alessa took a few steps forward, speaking in a tongue Ronon did not recognize. An elderly woman made her way through the crowd of warriors – both male and female – and stopped before the linguist.

Alessa pulled something from her pocket – it looked like a small slab of black rock – and handed it to the old woman. She spoke in that language again. The woman held the offering pressed between her palms and raised it overhead. She said something in the same language, turned to the warriors and lowered her hands, cradling the stone out for them to see.

Two at a time, the warriors lowered their weapons and came forward. With fingertips, they each touched the black stone then stepped aside, retrieved their weapons and walked away from the group.

Smiling, Alessa turned back to the team and motioned with her hand for them to relax. "It's okay. They're only looking to protect themselves."

Sheppard's eyes narrowed. "Oh…sure…now you tell us."

Letting the locals go about their ritual, Alessa returned to the group. "I apologize, Col. Sheppard. I was not sure there would still be people living here. The last translation was over four hundred years old. And given the cullings…"

Teyla nodded. "You could not be certain they had survived."

Alessa shrugged. "Plus. The language is a tough one." She sighed. "I could have just as easily invited them to kill us all – without knowing it, of course."

McKay blanched. "Oh, wonderful. Thanks for that!"

Alessa hid her face again, but Ronon caught the sly smirk reappearing.

The old woman turned to them, speaking in her language and pulling Alessa's attention. They talked for several moments before Alessa turned back to him and the team. "We've been invited to join them for evening feast and the blending ceremony."

"Wonderful," McKay said, rolling his eyes.

"Blending?" Sheppard asked, always wary after a certain 'ceremony' on P5E-889 left him and McKay married. That had been beyond amusing for everyone involved…except Sheppard and McKay, of course. Ronon recalled Sheppard going out of his way to flirt with and probably bed as many women as possible following that incident, as if he needed to prove he was not with McKay.

"Roughly translated," Alessa said. "It has to do with the joining of our cultures." She took a deep breath then added: "But really, I just think it means…they're having a party." She shrugged. "After which we'll be taken to the 'library of knowledge' and hopefully granted access."

Sheppard made a face. "Sounds like a plan."

As they followed the old woman and the warriors, McKay grumbled about everything from the pollen in the air to the fact that they couldn't bring a puddle jumper. Sheppard muttered to Teyla, "For once I'm actually hoping she knocks him unconscious." And Teyla chuckled.

"What was that?" McKay asked.

Ronon was able to ignore them so he could focus more on Alessa. When she wasn't speaking with the old woman, she was writing notes into her journal. Ever since her discovery the past week, Alessa had been full of energy: smiling, laughing, even making jokes. She told him she had a new outlook on life. She was going to try and have more fun with her work. She even mentioned that it had something to do with Ronon. "You've made things…easier. I really appreciate that. I hope you know," she told him the other day.

When Dr. Weir reported that there had been no new injuries or accidents since he took over as Alessa's bodyguard, Ronon took some pride in that. But at the same time, he worried about what would happen when he was needed elsewhere. Would Alessa's tendency toward disaster resurface?

Probably.

So, Ronon decided that in whatever time he had left he could not simply be her bodyguard. He had to now train her to be less invisible and less nervous around men. If she could relax with him, she could do so with anyone else. She was going to have to change because he knew that the others around her would refuse to do so.

This new 'outlook' would come in handy for such training once they got back to Atlantis.

The trek to the village was long and it was nearly dark when they finally arrive. A rather large village with small homes made from the natural resources of the world surrounded a circular clearing where the feast had already been prepared. Torches lined the area giving everything a warm glow.

As they arrived, the remaining members of the village came to greet the old woman. They all wanted to touch the stone. A few of those that already had touched it came to the team's aid, ushering them toward the food and then a table to sit at. As they sat with their full plates, beverages were brought. Alessa spoke with one of the men who helped serve them. A moment later she said: "Don't drink too much. I believe it's alcohol."

"Good to know," Sheppard said taking a sip.

Ronon didn't care so much, he gulped his down. It tasted of fruit, very sweet. A refill came promptly, but he took more time with that.

"Did they happen to mention citrus by chance…hmmm?"

Sheppard sighed. "I've got the adrenaline if you go into shock. Of course, you can always decide not to eat." He grinned. At McKay's gaping-mouth expression, Teyla, Ronon and Alessa exchanged amused glances.

The food was amazingly good as far as Ronon was concerned and there was plenty to go around. From what Alessa could tell them, this was how the village always ate…together. They shared all meals; all produce for the good of the village. Alessa's eyes were wide with wonder at the thought of such a community of people.

Dancing followed the meal and the team watched from the sidelines. Many of the people tried to urge them to join in, but Sheppard steadfastly refused as did Teyla and McKay. Ronon, however, had had his fill of the local brew and was feeling very cheerful and full of energy. He grabbed Alessa's hand and pulled her out into the crowd. There were many cheers around them.

Given their difference in height, Ronon found it easier to wrap his arms around her and pick her up off her feet while he swung her around. It didn't register to him that she was shaking until he looked into her eyes and saw something he never expected…or wanted to see there…

Ronon released her instantly. "I'm sorry, Alessa…I didn't mean to scare you."

She shook her head quickly, looking down at her boots. "No…no…you didn't." When she glanced up at him with her shy smile, he could tell that was the truth. But he had seen fear in her eyes, he's sure of it. If it wasn't because of him…what then?

"You…ah…startled me…that's all."

That wasn't a lie, but it wasn't the whole truth either. She was hiding something. Ronon lifted her chin, forcing her to look into his eyes again. Before he could ask her anything else, a hush fell over the crowd. People parted and opened a circle around Alessa and him. They looked around: Ronon warily, Alessa nervously. Then the old woman appeared, stepping forward carrying the black stone Alessa had given her earlier. She motioned with it.

"Oh…? Now?" Alessa nodded to Sheppard. "I guess we go now, Colonel." Alessa stepped forward to follow the woman but Ronon grasped her hand. She gave his hand a gentle squeeze. "Back to work."

Ronon took his place one step behind Alessa, followed by the rest of his team.

It wasn't a long walk to the 'library' but it was dark. The trail went through solid woods until they came upon a small mountain of stone. Alessa had her flashlight ready and immediately started searching for something. As she consulted her notes and continued to work, Teyla came up to Ronon.

She brushed her shoulder against his arm. When he turned to her, she whispered low enough so that none but he could hear. "Is it wise to pursue such a … delicate woman, Ronon?" Ronon was about to protest but she raised that eyebrow telling him it was of no use. "I fear you are not seeing the possibility that—"

"What?" He lowered his head so that he could glare at her evenly. How could she judge him? "That I could hurt her?"

She continued in that smooth, low voice, unwilling to draw attention. "I have heard of …your needs… your encounters with other women on Atlantis. It is not impossible… do you not agree."

He could feel his blood flowing hot under his skin. His fingers curled into fists. "I would never hurt Alessa."

"I believe you would never want to hurt her, Ronon. But wants and needs are not always compatible."

Teyla left him wondering about that. Maybe that was exactly what had scared Alessa. If Teyla knew of his bed partners, if they spoke of their times with him… of the things he would do, his endurance…the roughness with which he took some of them – even though they requested such things – Alessa could easily know the same. If she didn't fear him…perhaps she feared she wasn't right for him. Or that she couldn't please him.

Alessa's cry of joy pulled him out of the dark thoughts and returned Ronon to the present task. He watched as she took the stone from the woman and placed it in a groove in the wall. The stone slipped into place with an audible click.

The ground shook. The rocks around them rattled against each other and then one simply fell into the ground…or more accurately, slid into a crevice that opened beneath it, revealing a dark tunnel leading into the mountain.

Alessa was ready to rush in when Sheppard grabbed her arm and pulled her back. He glanced at Ronon, giving him a silent warning to keep her out then the Colonel took point, followed by Teyla to check out the location.

Less than an hour later, they were all heading back to the village. "Well, that was a complete waste of time."

"Was not, McKay. Now we know where the ruins are."

"Which we would have been able to find hours ago if we hadn't been bothered to 'blend' with the locals. It's less than a mile from the gate! We could have been there and gone already…but nooooo."

"As I recall, Dr. McKay," Teyla said in her usual diplomatic tone. "You quite enjoyed the evening feast."

McKay crossed his arms. "It was rather good."

"The village elder is so very happy to have the sacred library opened that we have been offered lodging for the night. We are not required to sleep amongst the pollen and grasses you are not fond of," she continued.

Sheppard smacked McKay on the back of the head. "See…look on the bright side for a change."

The next day they found the ruins and made camp. It was easier than returning to Atlantis every night since Alessa preferred working until she nearly dropped. Two days in a row, Ronon had to forcefully remove her from the stone structure that seemed covered in endless ancient writings. Even McKay was astonished by her long hours, and he rarely slept while on Atlantis.

Four days later Alessa rushed out of the ruins urgently writing in her journal, a giant smile spread across her face. "ZPM! I know where –"

"Wraith!" Sheppard yelled.

And Ronon broke his vow.

Perhaps she was right to be afraid.