Lines: Reconciling Chapter 1, a stargate: atlantis fanfic

Title: Lines: Reconciling

Chapter: Chapter 1 – Return

Author: Marianne H. Stillie

Category: Missing Scene for "Misbegotten"

Rating: T

Pairing: Ronon and Elizabeth

Series: The Lines Series 2

Season: Season 3

Summary: The Wraith aren't the only ones keeping Ronon and Elizabeth from a reunion.

Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters and places for Stargate Atlantis are the property of MGM Worldwide Television Distribution, Sony Pictures Television and Acme Shark Cooper/Wright Productions. This piece of fan fiction was created for entertainment, not monetary purposes and no infringement on copyrights or trademarks are intended. Previously unrecognized characters, places and this story are copyrighted to the author. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author.

Archive: Please do not archive anywhere without the author's permission.

Author's Note: This three chapter story highlights certain aspects of Ronon's complex personality: the lonely man, the angry warrior and the passionate lover.

With groveling apologies to 'coldqueen' for keeping her waiting SOOOOO long for the first Season 3 ROZ Lines Story. Hope it was worth the wait!

XxX

Lines: Reconciling

Chapter 1 – Return

Ronon completed another circuit around the new encampment. He never minded the solitude of night watch, starting from his first sentry duty as an eighteen year old new recruit in the Satedan military. There were Atlantis people here and it was his responsibility to protect them. It was one of the small things the Wraith had deprived him of for seven years. Now the Wraith and certain people on Earth were depriving him of Elizabeth and his anger was growing along with his loneliness.

They had been in Atlantis for two days after ending the threat to Earth. His first stop had been his room to clean up and change clothes. As soon as he entered, he knew Elizabeth had been sleeping there during the weeks he'd been away. Along with the sweet musky scent of her body, there had been strands of her hair on the pillows. He almost broke down right then but he needed to get to the control room.

Teyla was there initiating the scheduled check-in with Earth. He stood a short distance behind her, watching as the faraway image from Earth filled the screen. As soon as he saw his lover's beautiful face, his emotionally starved body reacted with its usual intensity. After the two women had completed their formal conversation, he stepped forward so that he could be seen across the light years. Elizabeth's face had transformed into a radiant smile of relief and joy at seeing him alive and well. He returned the smile and nodded, then turned and walked out of the control room. He knew she would understand the brevity.

Over a big meal that evening he, Sheppard, Teyla, McKay and Beckett had discussed the move to the uninhabited planet. The next day he and Teyla had helped the Doc sort and pack the medical supplies he would need while Sheppard hovered over McKay as the scientist tinkered with the hive ship controls.

By the third morning, supplies and personnel had been loaded onto the hive ship and they were on their way. He was glad to be leaving his new home for the time being. Without Elizabeth there, it was a very empty place.

He threw himself into the hard work of setting up the camp, hoping it would be that extra dose of exhaustion that would allow him to sleep. If tonight was a repeat of the previous two, he would spend it fitfully tossing and turning, trying to control his growing apprehension over Elizabeth. He knew the humans on Earth wouldn't hurt her, but they could separate them forever.

A sudden urge to shout out his desolation into the still night made him realize he needed the company of an understanding friend. Even if he couldn't talk about Elizabeth, since no one was supposed to know about their relationship, some simple conversation would be better than the heavy silence that was choking him.

He made his way to the tent he and his teammates would be occupying during their stay. Pushing aside the tent flap, Ronon stepped inside and called, "Sheppard?" He stopped short when he saw the tableau before him. The lamplight was low but he easily recognized the two figures on the cot.

John Sheppard looked up and motioned for him to go back outside. Ronon knew he shouldn't be watching his team leader's actions but his emotions were in such turmoil, he stood silent and still as Sheppard gave Teyla's sleeping face another gentle caress. Smiling contentedly, the older man leaned over her supine body and kissed her forehead.

Outside the two men began walking away from the tent, easily falling into step from a year's worth of fighting together.

Ronon broke the silence, "Sorry about that."

John laughed softly. "In the long list of possible compromising positions, that was pretty tame." His voice changing to deep concern, he said, "Piloting the hive ship for the first time really exhausted her."

Several silent yards further and John asked, "Can't sleep again?"

Through gritted teeth, Ronon answered, "So many Wraith around brings back that runner instinct."

"What you need is some serious downtime with Elizabeth."

Ronon stopped so suddenly, John was two steps ahead before he could stop. Turning, he waited patiently for his teammate to speak.

"You know?"

"Why is it that everyone thinks I'm totally dense about intimate emotional situations? Yes, I know about you and Elizabeth. I knew even before Teyla did. I just don't talk about that stuff."

"You don't mind?"

John laughed. "How can I put this? Elizabeth's needed… certain things in her life that Atlantis can't provide. I've never seen her as happy and contented as she's been since you showed up. I suspect you're now providing those 'things' in abundance. Right?"

Ronon snickered at Sheppard's indirect phrasing and continued the gentlemanly conversation, "If you mean, do I love her, I do."

"Yeah. That too."

Both men laughed and resumed their walk.

"I've been away from her too long, Sheppard. All the hatred and anger is twisting my insides so hard, the control is falling apart."

John hesitated before he answered. He'd been concerned about Ronon's violent reactions and frigid attitude since he first saw Michael on the hive ship. "Once Elizabeth's back in Atlantis, you'll get your balance back."

The darkness seemed to intensify the hardness in his voice as Ronon answered, "What if she doesn't come back? From what Teyla said, the politicians back on your world want her out."

John sighed. "This may be a different galaxy, but from what I've seen, human politicians are pretty much the same all over."

"On Sateda, the corrupt ones did what was expedient and the rest of us dealt with the consequences," Ronon said, the bitter events of his past pricking his long-suppressed memories.

"Yeah," John added worriedly. The harsh shadows he saw on Ronon's face were much deeper than his own. He had Teyla back with him. His friend's lover was a galaxy away and might never return.

They had reached the northern edge of the encampment, well away from all the tents and their occupants. John stopped and turned to Ronon. "I've never been the spiritual type, but I've come to believe in some kind of destiny working behind the scenes. Elizabeth and I wound up here in Pegasus through some pretty crazy circumstances. I really believe that, for us, finding Teyla and you were the real reasons we were brought here. The Wraith and everything else we've encountered are secondary to finally finding our deepest heart's desire."

Ronon smiled. "You're definitely not dense, Sheppard. Elizabeth would call you philosophically eloquent."

"You've been hanging around a master diplomat too much."

Looking back at the way they'd come, Ronon said, "I don't know about you, but I'm tired."

Together the two men walked back to their tent.

As he lay on the cot, Ronon pictured Elizabeth's face in all her diverse moods. Settling on one, he closed his eyes. He willed himself to dream of that look of satiated pleasure she gave him each time they made love.