Chapter Five:

The River runs wide

Drake was dying for a break by the time they reached the stone staircase, literally imbedded into the side of a steep dirt hill. Behind him, the other rookies were also straining, their lungs about to burst. The Colonel himself seemed slightly winded, though the native continued on as though he were unable to feel the muscles no doubt tightening throughout his calves and thighs. Drake felt a small sliver of jealousy because of that particular trait.

"Take a ten minute break," The colonel finally called, "then we climb."

Everyone collapsed to the floor, even the Captain seemed more than ready to sit a spell. Drake watched Sheppard slowly lower himself to the ground, slightly wincing as his legs crossed into an Indian style position.

The lieutenant hadn't been meaning to overhear the conversation, but he caught part of it, mostly because he picked up on the slightly concerned tone the native used when speaking to their commander.

"Sheppard," Ronon whispered, handing over a large canteen, "drink some water. You need to keep hydrated."

The colonel just sighed and nodded, taking the canteen and putting it to his lips. The big man seemed relieved to see the Colonel drinking something and yet, he seemed only stiff, as though still concerned about the man. He wondered why…and then he heard it.

"You should have let Keller send you some of the good drugs."

"Ronon, it was the flu, not a large injury I need to be babied for."

"Injury, flu, it's all about the same right now. If you keep forgoing your own, you will find yourself feeling ill again."

Sheppard just glared at him.

"What are you, Beck-" he stopped and Drake felt himself frown at the pained look the two men shared.

"No, I'm not," the man answered, his voice oddly faint, almost gentle.

Sheppard closed his eyes, sighing.

"Sorry Ronon."

The big man said nothing, but he did sit down beside the Colonel and drink some water for himself.

Drake knew then and there, these two were more than commander and follower. They were friends, and oddly, it made Drake feel his CO was more… human, than legend. Huh, he thought to himself, it made him actually like the guy more.

A sudden thought struck him all at once. The colonel has been ill and is running this faster than them?! Drake could only stare in awe.

SGA

Ronon watched Sheppard. The man was obviously still exhausted and seemed a bit distracted as of late. He didn't doubt he knew why, just…he wondered how to help him, while getting past his own emotions in the process…if that were even possible.

With a huff, he stood up and stretched his legs and arms. They needed to keep moving. He glanced up at the sky. For some reason, he felt something bad was going to happen, but for the life of him, he couldn't think what. Perhaps an enemy would show up? Animal? Ancient tech? Well, whatever it was, he would be ready.

"Let's get going," he commented casually.

The men, some of them, groaned, but Sheppard just nodded and stood up, sending an encouraging smile towards his men before sending an amused wink towards Ronon and a smile that told the satedan, he was fine. 'Fine my ass', the Satedan thought to himself, but said nothing. Sheppard knew his own limits and he would have to trust that the man would stay within them, stubborn streak or not.

'Yeah, keep dreaming Ronon,' he thought with a sigh and started up the stone stairs.

SGA

Sheppard stood at the top of the stairs with Ronon, watching as the others neared their location. The staircase was a good… hmm, he had to guess around three or four floors high if one was walking up an apartment building fire escape. Considering the twenty-some miles of running they had just done, nearly without break, it wasn't bad- the time they were making.

Still, he knew the tough part was still to come. Next on their list of tortures and his person favorite (not!) the River. Sheppard didn't know what it was about water, but all in all, he could take it or leave it. Some of his favorite things, such as surfing, scuba diving, snorkeling and yada yada had to do with water, but he knew horror stories from others about different bodies of the blue shimmering liquid and felt in his stomach, that something bad was going to happen to them on this trip and in his experience, the river was the perfect place as any.

Walking along the green shrubs, tall overgrown trees and thin sharp branches that continually snagged their clothing and hair, he finally heard the tale-tale signs of the River. First, the noise. He could hear its distinct roar. Then, the smell. That mildew-like smell that always reminded him of fishing. And lastly, he could sense a drop in the nature around them. Birds were quieter, insects were coming in hoards… Sheppard paused and shivered at the thought, quickly changing gears. Anyways, there were signs, he finished in his head as he walked forward.

"Do we have to cross this?" the colonel heard someone whisper behind him.

He felt himself smirk.

"Alright, buddy up. I don't want anyone crossing this without someone there with them in case something goes wrong."

The eight looked at one another, uncertain.

"Do I need to partner you myself?" he asked, almost like a school teacher speaking to his students.

"No sir," the captain answered, his voice firm.

The man turned to Wesley.

"Walk with me Private."

The boy nodded, almost desperately as he stared at the rapidly moving river. Sheppard saw his fear and felt a sting of regret for forcing the boy through this, but he knew it had to happen and he also knew from his own experience, this was the calmest and easiest section of the river to cross.

"I like your initiative, Captain," Sheppard spoke before turning to the others and saw they had also stepped up beside someone.

"Ronon will go first in case something should happen nearer to the other side. I will go last. Anyone have any questions before we begin?"

The area was silent.

"Good, let's go."

SGA

Ronon waded across the river as though it were hardly anything. Drake watched him with envy before he turned to his partner, Sergeant O'Connor. The older man was watching the native with the same envy before noticing my glance and smiling in reassurance. Only, Drake wasn't sure if the man was reassuring himself or Drake.

"Alright, Johnson, Beard, you're up next."

The two began wading out into the water, neither hurrying ahead of nor dropping behind the other. They remained completely beside one another and it seemed like it helped them as they continued to check each other's progress while simultaneously moving forward at a steady pace. Johnson stumbled slightly near the banks, but Ronon was there with a firm hand to yank the two onto the shore as he watched for the next set.

"Stevens and Wesley."

Wesley looked extremely hesitant, but Stevens was ever patient and calmly allowed the boy to wade in at a very slow pace. Sheppard watched them intently. He was most concerned about the private, but the further they went in and the closer they got to Ronon, the less and less tension seemed to show in the boys shoulders. If anything, he seemed to almost relax once he was completely in to his knees, as deep as the river would allow them to go unless he should lose his footing.

Sheppard felt himself breathe a sigh of relief as the two reached Ronon without issue.

"Alright, Rook and O'Connor."

Drake nodded and turned to his partner who also gave a nod, showing he was ready. The two began wading at a slow pace into the rushing waters and Drake grimaced at the unexpected cold temperature. He had thought it would be cold, but it was much icier than he imagined. Slowly, with his boots the only thing really soaked through, he made his way toward the bank. O'Connor was only slightly behind him, but he seemed to be doing well. The two made it to the shore without issue.

"Alright," Sheppard said, turning to the final two, "Your up, Franks. Price."

The corporal, Price, gave an amused smile before starting into the water. Franks eyed the river with some obvious hate before moving in after him. While Price was taking it relatively smooth, Sheppard noticed the sergeant was moving much slower and seemed to be getting further from his partner with every step, nearly off the path they had designated safe.

"Franks, head closer to Price, you're…" Sheppard didn't even get his entire sentence out when suddenly the man went under without a word, his feet completely out from under him.

Sheppard cursed and Ronon with him as the two began barreling down the edge of the river, desperately searching for a sign. Ronon was just about to jump in, the others with him, when Sheppard felt a hand clutch his vest and nearly drag him into the water. He fought the grip and instead yanked back with all he had as he brought the coughing sergeant from the icy waters and onto the dry shore.

"Sergeant Franks, you alright?" he asked concerned. He may not like the guy, but that didn't mean he wasn't worried; a life was a life.

The man coughed, his body shivering; though whether from cold or fear, Sheppard wasn't certain.

Drake and the others leaned as far as they could towards them, trying to hear his answer. Price, who still hadn't moved from his position near the bank on the other shore, looked on in obvious worry and Sheppard could see, also slight guilt. He wanted to reassure the man it wasn't his fault, but at the moment, he had a bigger problem to handle. For instance, a shocked sergeant who looked like he would rather eat a bullet than go into the river again. Ronon, obviously seeing the same thing, began to wade across, completely silent. The two didn't need words to know they wouldn't be able to coax the man… but then, would stunning him or hitting him, really be the best choice?

"Sergeant, we need to go across."

The man looked at him like he was insane.

"No." he replied coldly, "You can go across, I refuse."

"Sergeant… I am making this a direct order. Go across."

The sergeant stared at him in shock before anger began to set in. He stood up, his fists clenched and Sheppard could see the strike coming, but never felt it. Ronon had intercepted it and had in turn, struck the man across the chin, efficiently knocking him out cold.

"We should send him back," Ronon replied, his own anger beginning to show.

Sheppard just gave a sad smile. He knew his friends reasoning, but he also knew he had just tried to order a man to get over his fear whether he wanted to or not. Honestly, he felt the guy deserved a second chance, just this once.

"Carry him across."

Ronon stared at Sheppard and Sheppard stared back. Finally, having realized he had lost this battle, Ronon looked away.

"Fine," he answered and threw the guy, a bit roughly in Sheppard's opinion, across his shoulders and started through the river.

John just sighed and followed him. It was going to be a long day.