Lines: Reconciling Chapter 2, a stargate: atlantis fanfic

Title: Lines: Reconciling

Chapter: Chapter 2 – Interview

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.

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Lines: Reconciling

Chapter 2 – Interview

Her smile across the table had been like all the sunrises that had warmed this world since the beginning of time, and he hadn't been able to take his eyes off her.

Ronon's joy at having his lover back in Atlantis was short-lived. The stranger from Earth had entered the room and proceeded to take over the staff meeting.

A new line had come between him and Elizabeth at that moment. Now, as he sat across from Woolsey, he knew he had to call on all the control and discipline he had learned, as a soldier on Sateda and since he'd come here, to get through this interview.

The man skimmed several pages of notes as he said, "You've been here in Atlantis for almost a year now, Mr. Dex, and have become an integral part of Colonel Sheppard's team." Putting the papers down on the conference room table, he looked up at Ronon pointedly. "Based on your deeply personal and painful history with the Wraith, it must have been very difficult for you to accept Dr. Weir's decision to move forward with the retrovirus project."

Woolsey's words tripped one of the worst memories from his past that Ronon had kept locked tightly away since he'd been taken from his home world. It jolted him deeply but he was able to hide his emotional slip under a cover of words that this person would pay more attention to. "I was a soldier on my home world, trained to both give and take orders."

"You don't strike me as the type to follow orders blindly. Are you that loyal to Dr. Weir?"

"She's earned my loyalty, many times over. And the decisions weren't only hers. We all had a part in the execution of the experiment, and the aftermath."

"Very commendable. But the choices that were made almost cost you your life. What disturbs me even more is that the body count is still rising."

Ronon leaned forward and rested both his arms directly in front of Woolsey. It pleased him to see the Earth bureaucrat sit back suddenly so that there was a safe zone of space between them again. "There are always casualties in a war. And this is a war. Whether the battles are here and now or in the future, I'll make sure the casualty count on my enemy's side is much higher than mine."

"Will you feel the same the next time you have to fight the Wraith because of another bad decision made by the leader of this expedition?" Woolsey asked sharply.

Ronon controlled the anger that rose at the insinuated insult to Elizabeth. "I don't wear a uniform anymore, but I'm still a soldier. I've stayed here because I believe in this place and trust the people in command. If Dr. Weir asks, I'll do whatever needs to be done."

"I sincerely hope it won't come to that," Woolsey said as he gathered his papers and put them in his briefcase.

Ronon ignored the man's obvious attempt to dismiss him. In a low, urgent voice he said, "The Pegasus Galaxy isn't easy. Those of us who live here have had to make decisions and hope they were the right ones. If they weren't, we've had to deal with the consequences. The Wraith threat is the worst it's ever been. For us to win this war will take harsh choices that most of your people don't want to commit to, now or in the long term. If they only want the easy wins, all of you should go home now."

Woolsey looked at Ronon silently then said, "I appreciate your candor, Mr. Dex." He stood up and held out his hand.

Ronon returned the handshake, allowing his grip to convey the intensity of his feelings. To Woolsey's credit, the man didn't flinch at the painful pressure.

Suppressing a smile of satisfaction that he'd made his point, he let the handshake end. He had risked his life more than once for these people. He wouldn't give up all the precious things he had found here easily, not to the Wraith or to these Earth bureaucrats.

As he exited the conference room, he saw Elizabeth standing at her office door. After all the long weeks without the woman he loved, he wanted desperately to go to her and wrap his aching arms around her body. He reached deeply inside himself to find that one last bit of control he needed.

Softening the harsh expression he knew was on his face from the interview, he smiled lovingly. He read both anxiety and longing in her eyes. With a slow nod, he hoped to dispel her anxiety. Her longing and his own would have to wait until the threat from Earth was gone.