A/N: As promised, here is the next installment. I'm sorry to say but it might be a week or more between this episode and the next one. My personal life has decided to take an unsavory turn and it's causing me no end of misery. I was going to wait a while longer before giving you all this one but, having confessed the woes of my real life, I thought you all deserved something to chew. So here it is; read, review and enjoy. Cheers!


Episode V: Jealousy

Kenny the wraith was not in a good mood. The situation he was now confronted with was not a part of the plan. A plan that had been meticulously thought out and constructed as to avoid pitfalls like the one he was now proverbially staring straight in the face. Not for the first time, both he and his commander had apparently woefully overlooked the alarming ability of the Atlantians to – after becoming involved in a situation – utterly annihilate all carefully laid stratagems. It irked the young wraith to no end. Unfortunately, Kenny knew that they could not complete the desired task without the Atlantian's participation. If, somehow, it could be done without their assistance then he would have borrowed the human's own terminology and told Colonel John Sheppard to "shove it" before proceeding to throw the whole lot of them off of his hive.

That action however, no matter how much the young wraith longed to do it, was not an option.

In his commander's absence, Kenny had been charged with first securing the Atlantians and then with preparing them for the episode that was to come. The plan had been simple: the one called Teyla was to reprise her role as their hive's queen and leader of their alliance in order to proposition more queens to join their faction and swell their numbers. Katherine's participation had not been a part of the bargain.

And yet, here she stood.

Sheppard's reason for insisting that his sister go along with them had been arguably a good point. Katherine did have the seemingly mystical ability to keep the Eldest in line. When Kenny considered what had happened the last time he and his commander had tried this subterfuge, it was no small wonder that the human militant leader of Atlantis did not trust the pair of them. It was completely reasonable for Sheppard to therefore want to have another he could trust in on the operation to insure its fluidity. However equitable a request it was, Kenny could not exactly tell the human that having Katherine play in this game would do more harm than good. Given her exchange with his commander in the most recent past, the young wraith could see nothing profitable coming out of her addition to their scheme.

But, with the Eldest already on his way to the summit location and already out of communications range, Kenny had been forced to accept the condition and take both females rather than to take none. The plan was too important and it's outcome too pivotal to abolish simply because Colonel Sheppard had set up an unprepared-for condition. It did, however, put Kenny in a rather precarious predicament. He now had to decide how to incorporate Katherine into the scheme in a way that would maintain their artifice's integrity and, still more arduous, he had to find a way to tell his commander about it.

Kenny was dreading it.

~xXx~

"And you are certain, that this plan of yours will work?"

Todd sighed; the silence that he had been enjoying disappeared as Romulus voiced his continued skepticism over the scheme that the former High Commander of Wraith had decided was the most superlative way to solve a particular problem. His companion's incredulity was understandable to a degree. Romulus was not used to having to use intrigue and subterfuge in order to achieve a desired objective. It was a stark reminder to what once had been and what now was. The wraith had fallen far from their past ways. The very thought of just how far always sickened him.

"Yes," Todd replied, sparing a glance to his left at the wraith who sat beside him before once more fixating his eyes on the flight controls of the transport. "I am certain."

Romulus was far from completely convinced. The very idea of having the human Teyla made up in costume and in disguise as a female wraith so that she might act the part of Todd's queen was absurd and sounded to Romulus to be extremely far-fetched. Valloran had assured him that the farce had worked and worked well once before but, even with that reassurance, the elder wraith was not wholly placated. In his mind, he simply did not see that the plan could work.

His doubts had little to do with the acting abilities of the one called Teyla. Having spent some time with her, Romulus knew that she was powerful enough in stance and assertion of presence to be able to conform to the role admirably. His conflict was with Valloran and his current state of mind. Had his friend thought to implement this particular procedure at any other time in the most recent past, then Romulus would have had no doubts as to whether or not it would have produced a positive result; he was quiet certain that it would. Now, however, the same could not be said. Valloran was less than well at present and seemed to be fairing poorer and poorer as time passed. The reason for this change was well known to the elder wraith but seemed not to be to the younger whom, in Romulus' opinion, was currently suffering under the most oppressing case of denial in what had to be Valloran's entire life-time if not his as well. It was whole and truly sad when one stopped to think about it and, because of his involvement with the situation, Romulus was forced to stop and consider the situation quite regularly.

Like now.

Turning so that he might regard Valloran in profile as his companion stared fixatedly out the front of the craft, his mind obviously lost in the labyrinth that were his thoughts of late, Romulus found that he could no longer help himself from repeating the comment that he had made quite often as of late ever since Valloran had made the most stupid mistake of his life.

"You are an idiot."

The not quite eldest of wraith let out an annoyed sounding snarl of derision. "Do not start," he commanded his companion tersely. "I am well aware of your standing opinion in the matter and, I tell you, now is not the time to discuss it."

Romulus snorted. "Now is the perfect time," he argued, determined to finally force Valloran into having an honest and open conversation about what he had done.

Todd hissed. "Is it?" he inquired, his voice threatening. "I fail to see that it is."

The elder wraith smirked, not at all put off by the note of promised violence present in Valloran's undertones. "That is because, as I believe that I have already stated, you are an idiot."

Todd lost it. His temper has become incredibly short as of late and Romulus' continued prodding had finally pushed him past his zone of comfort. "I am not an idiot for doing what is best for her even if, in so doing, I damn myself!"

If Valloran thought that his outburst would move Romulus off of the topic then then younger wraith was sadly mistaken. Romulus had known Valloran all of his life; their acquaintance with one another beginning when both wraith had still been in their early adolescences, and while the majority of wraith had taken to calling Valloran the Eldest, it was a mistaken belief that he was the oldest wraith to still live. Romulus himself had almost three hundred years over him and it was this advance that had allowed him to gain a complete understanding of his friend. For example, Romulus knew, as so few others did, that if one wanted to wrest honesty from the former High Commander concerning the state of his emotional wellbeing then the most certain way to achieve this was to excite him to anger. In anger, Valloran oft forgot his façade of passive indifference and so, Romulus was rather pleased with his impassioned expulsion rather than anxious of it as any other wraith other them himself – and most likely Katherine – would have been.

It meant that mayhap, just possibly, they might actually get somewhere in their discussion.

"I beg to differ," Romulus replied curtly, lazily tracing a pattern on the secondary navigations terminal before him. "Your idiocy stems from the fact that you presume to know what is or is not best for Katherine and in that you are most dismally wrong in assuming that by ending your relationship with her you are in fact protecting her."

Romulus' continued argument that he had actually done more harm to her than good by breaking with her made Todd's already volatile temperament come very near the boiling point. Growling in warning, he shot a dark look towards his travelling companion and hissed. "You cannot argue that she is not in an increased amount of danger because of her connection to me!"

The elder wraith snorted. "She is in danger already, Valloran. She is an Atlantian, a soldier for her people and sister to Colonel Sheppard. Any danger that she might be in as your chosen is no more than that which she currently lives under," the wraith shook his head. "You do her more damage away from her than ever you could do by her side."

"She was made into a runner because of me!" Todd reminded his fellow, his voice containing a harder edge to it than he had used in a long while. "She was hunted across the stars and back in order to punish me!"

Where Romulus wanted very much to tell Valloran exactly what he had done when he had broken away from Katherine and what the consequences thereof would be, the wraith held his tongue. Ganos had told him that Valloran was not yet ready to know the full truth and Romulus was astute enough to know that even if Valloran were told, he would not likely believe it. In order for the implication of his actions to become fully known to him, the Eldest would have to see for himself the pain and destruction that his folly had caused. That would be the only way to convince him and, for this reason, Romulus bit his tongue.

"As you say," he said resisting the urge to say more. He might not be able to tell Valloran that he had all but sentenced her to death by walking away but he could further enlighten him into the depths of his own stupidity and nearsightedness. "I do wonder however," he continued as the craft began to once more travel forwards towards their destination, "if you realize just what the potential consequences of your actions will reap you?"

Todd let out an irritated hiss and gripped his hands more tightly around the flight controls. "Of course I do," he asserted forcefully. "How can I not?"

Very easily, Romulus thought to himself. He did not voice this comment however; and chose instead to say, "Are you certain? Perhaps there is some –"

"Will you be silent!" Todd snarled, jerking on the controls perhaps a bit harder than was absolutely necessary. They had come within range of their destination and were now coming in for their descent. Todd guided the ship downwards as, beside him, Romulus fell quiet.

He did not remain so for long. "What will happen when you see her again?" he questioned. "Have you prepared yourself for that eventuality or have you allowed yourself to suffer under the illusion that, having broken from her, you will never see her again?"

Todd let out a grunt and felt a wave of remorse and regret sweep through him. Truth be told, he had given it a great deal of thought and come to the conclusion that in order to preserve his sanity and keep himself from doing something idiotic like Romulus kept insisting that he had already done, he had decided that it would be best if he kept away from her for a time; the length of which he had not yet determined. "I have."

Romulus felt his left eye-ridge drift upwards in question. "And?"

Todd let out a sigh. "And I do not plan on seeing her again anytime soon. This way, when we do meet again, I will have had time to steel myself and she will have had time to move on.

Romulus let out a grunt as the transport was flown into a hanger and then set down. "We shall see."

Shutting down the engines and standing, Todd turned towards Romulus and invited him to do the same. "Come," he said, their previous topic of conversation dying away as they found themselves surrounded once more by a world from which they were forced to hide; never letting their true faces or intentions being seen. "There is one that I would have you meet."

Romulus nodded and followed Valloran from the transport. Waiting for them in the hanger bay was a group of three wraith. The female was most obviously a queen, although something about her seemed to give Romulus the impression that she was wholly dissimilar to any of the other queens he had met since the termination of his incarceration. He thought that it was perhaps her height, which was greater than most female wraith, or perhaps it was the glint in her more-green-than-gold eyes or mayhap even the way she stood. Whatever the reason, Romulus knew instinctively that this queen would be different than all of the others.

Upon their approach the queen looked first to her hive's commander and then to it's second, silently instructing both males to show the proper respect for the Eldest and whomever it was that he had brought with him, before facing her eyes forwards and bowing her own head in reverence for the male that had now come to a stop before her.

"Eldest."

Todd jerked his head downwards in acknowledgment. "Maliaka," he said, using her name in the place of a salutation. She looked up and their eyes met. For a moment they stood still, their gazes locked, before Todd broke the contact and gestured towards Romulus. "Allow me to present my Second. He is an elder like I and has been most loyal to me for far longer than most."

The queen, Maliaka, turned her green eyes – which upon closer examination proved to be streaked with veins of the deepest emerald – towards the male that the Eldest had indicated. "It is a pleasure and an honor to meet one such as you, Elder," she put forth, inclining her head towards him just as she had done to the Eldest. It would not do for her to be seen by anyone not in the Eldest's alliance bowing to a male and so the nod was slight, barely able to be seen by anyone that did not know to specifically look for it. The male, in turn, bowed towards her slightly, bending at his waist.

"Queen."

Maliaka felt the lips of her mouth curl upwards at the male's simple response. "Come," she began, already motioning for her commanders to begin walking. "Let us travel to a location better prepared for the discussion that I am sure you would like to have."

Todd and Romulus obediently followed the queen as she led them towards the suite of rooms that had been prepared within the complex to be used by the Eldest and his party. As soon as they were in relative safety behind closed doors, Todd turned towards Maliaka and offered the queen he had once served a more pronounced and emphatic nod.

"I trust that I might find you well?" he asked of her, as Maliaka settled herself down into one of the cushioned seats that adorned the common room.

The queen nodded. "You may indeed," she replied and then waved for all four of the males standing about her to be seated themselves. Some propriety must be practiced even whilst they were in their own rooms but, it need only be in their actions. Watched they might be but overheard, that was most unlikely.

Todd sat stiffly in his own chair as Romulus and Maliaka's second did the same. Her hive commander, however, did not sit and remained standing, positioning himself behind and slightly to the left of his queen in what could only be deducted as a stance of protection. Todd glared at him.

"Afraid that I might deliver your queen into harm, Varkan?"

The hive commander, Varkan, let out a hiss. "I am not afraid that you might harm her, eldest," he said evenly, his eyes narrowed. "The same cannot be said, however, of your companion."

Todd growled. "You may trust me that he will do her no harm."

Romulus felt himself smirk. He rather got the impression that Maliaka's hive commander, Varkan, and Valloran did not overly like one another much. Interesting. He would have to watch their interactions more closely.

Varkan openly glared at the Eldest. "Seeing as you are no longer my queen's hive commander and I am, you will forgive me if I take no one's word when in regards to her safety."

Todd opened his mouth to retort but was waylaid.

"An admirable sentiment coming from one so young," Romulus commented, speaking up before Valloran and the young commander could continue to argue. He looked over the standing wraith and found approval there of what he saw. "You are to be commended."

Seeing that Romulus was not offended by Varkan's mistrust of him, Todd let the matter go and began to speak of why he was here and what needed to be accomplished during the duration of their subterfuge. "Very well," he began, turning to fix his eyes on Maliaka who turned her gaze to his once she was done giving her commander an appraising look. He snorted. It was to be expected after all; Varkan was not only her hive commander, he was also her son. "I trust you know what your role will be during this, my subterfuge?"

Maliaka nodded. "It intrigues me," she began, a slight frown to her face. "I would never have thought that the humans of Atlantis would prove to be so useful."

Todd grunted. "They are good for a great many things," he agreed before he instantly sobered, his thoughts straying once more to Katherine. He shook himself and shoved his thoughts aside, returning himself to the present. He had charged Maliaka in helping Teyla maintain her presence and guise of a queen throughout their stay at the hidden complex; one of the few planet-based meeting places that the wraith still utilized. He had thought to ease her time of it this time around as the experience had been particularly draining on her when last they had gone down this road. It was the only kindness that he could give her and so he gave it freely. Teyla had earned his respect long ago and Todd could think of no other way than to offer her help to show her his regard.

Romulus took to looking pointedly at Valloran. "Some more than others."

Todd turned towards him and opened his mouth to speak only to close it once more as the doors to the chamber were opened and one of the complexes' worshipers stepped through. Bowing profusely, which annoyed Todd, the worshipper spoke to the floor without ever lifting his eyes.

"There is a message for you my Lord, coming from a ship which is now in orbit."

Todd hissed and inclined his head. "I will receive it here," he confirmed, motioning with one hand for the worshipper to retreat. The terrified human did so and left the wraith alone once more.

Maliaka turned to him. "Myself and my commanders shall depart then, so that you can review your message," she said, beginning to walk backwards towards the door, Varkan and his second following her. "It is good to see you once more, Eldest. I shall meet you outside the banquet hall this evening so that we may present a joint front for the benefit of the council."

Todd inclined his head absentmindedly and stood; stepping over to the communications terminal as Maliaka and her party took their leave and shut the massive wooden doors behind them in their wake. Inputting his access code, Todd was pleased to see Kenny's image appear on the screen.

"Ah, second, you have arrived," he greeted the young wraith. "Well done."

Kenny scowled. "Do not offer your sentiments of gratitude for my haste just yet, my Commander," he said ruefully, frowning.

Todd's left eye-ridge lifted upwards. "Oh?" he questioned, curious. "And why might I hold my reserve?"

The young wraith made a face and swallowed his nervousness. It was best if he got it over with; delaying would more likely than not only anger his commander further. "Colonel Sheppard imposed a condition. One that, in your absence, I was forced to accept."

Darting his eyes to the left, Romulus could well see that Valloran was beginning to grow irritated. He frowned, wondering what stipulation the human could have forced that would make the young wraith that Valloran had made his hive second look so uneasy.

Todd felt his lip beginning to curl upwards in contempt for the human male that seemed to have it his life's purpose to make him miserable. And to think, not so long ago they had been on almost amicable terms. "Oh?" he inquired, watching as the young wraith on screen shifted uneasily. Whatever clause Sheppard had levied, Todd had the feeling that he would not like it. "And what stipulation did Sheppard force you to accept?"

Kenny swallowed and again shifted his weight to his left foot. "He does not trust us and fears that we have, like last time, not told him everything. Therefore, it was his insistence that Teyla not venture into the foray alone."

Todd made a face and hissed darkly; he should have known that the human would do something that would compromise the integrity of his plan. "Pray tell me, my second," he said, his voice dripping disdain, "Whose presence will we be forced to maintain for the duration of our ploy?"

Kenny gulped. "Katherine's."

As soon as he said it, Kenny cringed and Romulus' eyes snapped to the side so that he might be able to catch the look on Valloran's face. The sight that met him was not something that he had ever seen before.

Valloran looked absolutely terrified.

Upon hearing her name fall from his second's lips, Todd felt the blood in his veins freeze as a fear such as he had never before known began to well up inside of him, threatening to drown him. Katherine was coming, would soon be here in his presence once more and Todd found that he could not stomach the thought of facing her after so short a time. The muscles in his abdomen clenched and spasmed their protest as his heart fell from his chest and plummeted down towards his feet. No, this could not be happening. It was too soon, it was too fast. She could not be so near. He was not ready, he could not face her. Could not look into her eyes and see past the image of her crying out to him to stay, to not leave her, that had been burned into his brain.

His horror manifested itself in the form of a terrified sounding groan which did not sound at all as though it ought to be coming from him. In tone and resonance it sounded like a noise that might be made by a small animal that had been trodden upon and Todd might have been embarrassed if not for the fact that he hardly cared at the moment what sort of sounds he might be making. His mind had more pressing matters to concern itself with as it was currently in the midst of attempting to regain conscious thought. Finally, he succeeded and managed to let out a strangled and forced sounding yelp.

"WHAT!""

As amusing as it was to hear Valloran utter a sound that was more suited to a small, furry, probably harmless creature that had been badly frightened by some unknown evil, Romulus could not help but feel sorry for his friend even if this entire situation was only as much as he deserved. It was Valloran's own fault that this was happening to him and as the former high commander let out a loud expletive that demanded answers, Romulus thought back to what Ganos had told him would happen.

"You will know when it is time to act," she had told him not so many days previously when last they had spoken. "She will be brought to him when he least expects her." Well, Valloran was certainly not expecting her now. It would seem as though the ascended Lantean's plan had, with this one bit of news, been put into motion.

On screen, Kenny visible cringed at the onslaught of almost palpable anger that was being directed towards him via his commander. "Forgive me," he stammered. "But I was forced to either consent to Sheppard's regulations or to arrive here alone and without Teyla. Knowing as I do of the importance of this mission I was not willing to let us fail so easily. As a result, I gave my consent to his demands. We now must find a way to incorporate Katherine into our game or be forced to fold completely. Other than transporting her here, I leave what is to be done with her up to you."

To this, Todd had nothing to say and so Romulus took over the task of answering for him. "We will see to her placement within our charade," he informed the young commander, receiving a nod from him before which was returned before he shut down the communications terminal and turned towards his speechless and silently fuming companion. "Now," he mused aloud as Valloran walked away from him and sank down into a nearby chair, "We shall see how well your convictions stand."

Still unable to think lest he voice all of his thoughts in quick, riddled succession, Todd said nothing to Romulus' comment and simply took to glaring at the elder wraith heatedly as if he could assign blame to him for this happening simply by looking at him strongly enough.

It did not work and Romulus soon wandered over to stand over him, looking down on his suddenly defeated-looking commander. "Valloran," he began, "Look at me."

Todd begrudgingly looked up and lifted one eye-ridge as if to ask, what?

The elder wraith let loose a long, low sigh. "Well you be able to handle this…unforeseen complication that Sheppard has thrust our way?"

For a moment, Todd continued to dwell in his self-imposed silence but, after a few moments had passed, the wraith finally consented to speak. "I will do what I must. This mission is too important to do otherwise. I will be fine."

Not unsurprisingly, Romulus did not believe him. "Are you certain?"

Todd glared at him. "You do not think me capable of remaining detached?" he demanded, somewhat injured that Romulus' faith in his abilities would have deteriorated so quickly. "I have done so before! It is well within my ability to –"

"In earlier cases you were not so emotionally involved as you were and still are – despite your insistence to the contrary – with Katherine," he shot Todd a pointed look as so to remind the younger wraith who, exactly, he was speaking to. "I do not have as much faith in you as you seem to have in yourself."

Growling throatily, Todd rose swiftly to his feet and turned the full brunt of his glare onto Romulus' person. "I must prepare myself, that is all," he insisted with conviction, almost enough to convince even himself that all would be well. But it was lie and he knew it. With Katherine so near, he would be lucky if he could force himself to function properly let along engage in a difficult and complicated political subterfuge. "When they arrive, you will see to it that they are apprised of their parts in all of this. Make Katherine into whatever you like; she is fully capable of performing any role well."

With that his final word on the subject, Todd turned on his heel and left; incarcerating himself into his room and then leaning back against the door in order to calm and stabilize himself.

Still out in the main common room, Romulus sighed and began to consider what role to cast for Katherine. He had an idea of what he could do with her that would both put her in a position to always be near Teyla and still be able to maintain absolute secrecy as to her true nature. The wraith let loose a breath he had not known he had been holding and steadily began to make his way back through the complex's corridors towards the hanger bay so that he might be there when both Teyla and Katherine arrived.

~xXx~

"You are not my Commander."

Romulus could not help but smirk. The greeting was in everything, exactly the sort of rebuke a queen of wraith would have made if she were in Teyla's position and, in light of this, the elder wraith could not help himself; he was instantly impressed. "Indeed, I am not, my Queen," he responded to her, bending forwards slightly in a respectable bow. Straightening, he continued, "Your commander sends me in his stead. I hope that that is acceptable to you?"

Teyla, who recognized the wraith before her, lifted her head upwards in a practiced expression of disinterest, as if to say that she did not really care who met her or not, and sniffed. "You will do," she said haughtily, folding her hands in front of her as she continued to look at him. "Now take me to my quarters. The journey here has made me tired and I should like to rest."

Again, Romulus found himself impressed by the sheer presence that this diminutive female processed and her ability to make herself seem large even though she was, in reality, quite small. Sketching another bow although this one not so low as the one previous, Romulus gestured respectively for Teyla to begin walking first before he fell into step besides her; Katherine trailing along behind them in a perfect semblance of submissive obedience. He had cast one fleeting look at her as she and Teyla had disembarked from the transport. What he had seen was worrisome. Her eyes were no longer alight with life but dulled and heavy, their color resembling that of tarnished metal; something that had perhaps once been silver but was so no longer. The sight was a pain to see.

Ganos had explained to him that Katherine would be the one to suffer the most throughout this ordeal and, while Romulus had protested this, the wraith knew that there was simply no other way. Valloran believed that a binding had to be consummated in the flesh before it could be completed. What he did not understand was that this was not necessarily true. In the forced bindings undergone by the highborn classes yes, a consummation of body was required, but in a natural binding, the only consummation required was that of essence; of soul. Valloran also did not understand that to break a nature bond — one that was wholly and utterly complete — was to thrust both male and female into a slow and painful descent into sadness, despair, depravity and eventually death. He and Katherine had been bound, their souls made into one, their lives and essences fused. When he had shattered that connection he had been, essentially, killing them both.

But he did not understand that. Perhaps he could not. It was more than simply his blood status that perpetuated this block of comprehension. It was his life, his history that held him back as well. Valloran had not had an easy life and had known little in the way of happiness despite his considerable longevity. He had experienced fulfillment, achievement and the joys that came from those victories — but not true contentment. That pleasure, the kind one can only find in the heart of another, one who desires them and carried affection for them without want of anything in return, had always eluded him. Romulus knew that in the most secret recesses of his heart, Valloran believed that he was not worthy to know such things. He thought himself to cold, too hardened and too tarnished to deserve such devotion from another. It was these thoughts, these secret beliefs that had driven him to let go of Katherine so easily. He did not think that he deserved her and so did not think that he was worth fighting for.

He was wrong.

Katherine, Romulus knew, would fight with all that she had; give everything, simply to be his. Valloran could not and would not see this, not yet. Ganos had promised that one day the stars themselves would have cause to tremble in fear of her rage because another thought to take Valloran from her side. Romulus prayed to any that would listen that he would survive to see that day come to pass. But first, in order to ensure that there was such a day, he had to make Valloran see what he stood to lose if he continued to drive Katherine further and further away.

Everything.

It was with this thought in his mind that Romulus opened the doors to the suite and allowed first Teyla and then Katherine to enter first, before coming in behind them and gesturing for them both to be seated. Once both females had made themselves comfortable, Romulus felt a tangible amount of tension bleed itself from the room. For this ease, the wraith let himself sigh as he chose a chair opposite both Teyla and Katherine and began to speak.

"I trust," he began, his eyes roving over the both of them, "that neither of you were given much of an explanation for the reason behind this…" he waved about the room in general, "game."

Teyla shook her head. "We were not. Todd only said that I was needed to once more play the part of queen; he did not elaborate over much."

Romulus let out a grunt. "No, I much imagine he did not," his eyes slid over the shorter of the two females who, still somewhat to his awe, had been transformed into a much desirable and domineering wraith queen. "I am to assume then, that you have questions?"

Again, Teyla nodded. "I do," she paused and then looked sideways at Kate who had not said a word since well before they had left Atlantis. The younger woman's silence was beginning to worry her. "Kate?" she didn't look up. Teyla sighed and continued. "Do you have anything you would wish to ask? Perhaps as pertaining to what your role will be?"

At this, Kate finally did lift her eyes and look at Teyla but could not find it within her to actually speak. She hadn't wanted to come on this mission. When John had told her that he wanted someone else to go along on this one, Kate had all but begged him not to make her go. She hadn't thought that she could face Todd so soon after their breakup but she, of course, hadn't told her brother this. He'd made her go anyways and now, just knowing that Todd was here, somewhere, even though she hadn't seen him yet, made Kate's heart ache with pain and dread. What would happen when she actually did see him again? What would she do? What would he do? Clearing her thoughts, Kate pushed the questions aside and tried to force herself to speak.

"I will explain to Katherine her role in these proceedings after I have given you the overall mission that we are hoping to here achieve," Romulus began hurriedly so as to save the suffering female the need to respond. He could sense her desire that she was elsewhere and knew instinctively that she had not wanted to come with Teyla but had rather been forced to do so. He pitied her and longed to ease her distress. He could not, however, act now. Teyla was in need of an explanation and, once she was dealt with, then he could see to Katherine.

He looked once more to Teyla. "Our purpose here it to recruit more queens to join our cause," he began, careful to keep his voice even so as to not appear concerned; his worry for Katherine was mounting by the second. "There are but two queens who swear alliance to Va-the commander. We need more."

Teyla understood. "And for this you need to make it seem as though Todd is not the rogue male that the other queens had made him out to be. You need for it to be seen that he does in fact bow to a queen."

Romulus inclined his head, pleased that the human was able to grasp the gist of their plot. "Yes."

Teyla sighed. "Very well," she lifted her head up just slightly and tilted it to the left. "Am I to assume that there is some significance to our location?"

Again, Romulus inclined his head once more pleased with her deduction. "There is. The wraith do not often stand much on ceremony, but there are some that still adhere to the old ways. The queens who are now gathering here are those of an older order and like to, upon occasions such as this, resurrect and act out what once was," he paused and peered steadily at the imposter queen. "Know you anything of the wraith courts?"

Teyla shook he head. "I do not, no."

Kate made a noise in the back of her throat as though she would like to say something but thought better of it. Romulus shot her a look but said nothing, returning his gaze to Teyla's.

"The idea is simple. While we are here we will be allowed to carry on in any manner in which we choose while all the while being closely watched. If our behaviour is to the matron's liking, then some of them might offer to add their forces to our cause. If it is not, then we walk away with nothing."

"I am to understand then," Teyla began, trying to work out a conclusion in her head. "That we are, in essence, on leave for the entire time that we are here?"

Romulus nodded. "Yes. There will be certain group activities such as the banquet tonight – an ode to the days when we used to gather to consume food in a much different way than we do at present – and several formal sources of entertainment. But, for the most part, we are encouraged to behave in our natural ways while being scrutinized by many eyes, from many places all at once."

"And without your knowledge," Teyla stated firmly.

Romulus tilted his head towards her in acknowledgement. "Yes. At all times we are being watched; you must be careful in all that you do."

Teyla sighed and bowed her head, resigned to do this because she knew that, if Todd won and got rid of the queens, then the world would be better for it. His goal for his people was an admirable one and, while people such as John might refuse to see it for what it was, Teyla was not so blind. Helping him achieve his goals would, in the end, help them achieve theirs. She would not have agreed to this otherwise.

Romulus eyed her. "Now, if you have no further questions?" when she shook her head, he stood and gestured for her to do the same before motioning forwards to a door besides the one behind which Valloran was inscrolled. "These are to be your quarters. There is a gown laid out for you to wear for the gathering this evening. If you would like to rest before what will be, I am sure, a long and difficult eve, I suggest you do so. I, meanwhile, will explain to Katherine what her role in tonight's events will be."

Going forwards, Teyla thanked the wraith and then entered her room. She cast one look back at Kate before she closed her doors but otherwise said nothing. Kate would come to her when she was ready and Teyla would not push her. Sighing, she shut the door and went to the bed to lie down and rest.

Back in the common room, Romulus turned to look down on the still docilely seated Katherine as soon as Teyla's chamber doors were shut. Wordlessly he crossed to her and held out a hand to aid her to rise. When she looked up at him and then slid her hand into his, he gently pulled her to her feet before softly whispering, "Come with me."

Kate allowed him to lead her to yet another door — this one across from Teyla's and what she assumed was Todd's room. Entering, she let the wraith take her to the bed where he helped her to sit before lowering himself to his knees before her.

For a moment, Romulus said nothing his mind going back over his last encounter with the female at whose feet he now knelt. It had not been a conscious decision on his part to drop down beside her and comfort her but rather, pure instinct. Katherine was a strong and virile female and to see her reduced to such a wretched state had torn at his heart.

Much as did the look she wore on her face at present.

"Romulus."

Kate looked up, her eyes narrowing, surprise sketching itself across her face. "What?"

The wraith reached out and took one of her hands, lying limp in her lap, in both of his. "My name is Romulus," he said, giving her captured appendage a light squeeze.

Kate stared at him. "I-"

"You need say nothing," Romulus interrupted her as he rose from the floor and settled himself down onto the bed besides her. "My name is mine to give to whom I choose and I would give it freely to you so that you may call me by it," he smiled gently. "When we are alone of course."

Kate nodded absentmindedly. "Of course."

Silence fell between them once more and then, after several moments, he began to speak again. "You are not well."

Kate shook her head. "No. I-I haven't been sleeping."

"Or consuming food."

She shook her head again. "Or eating."

Romulus peered at her. "You should. You would do yourself harm if you –"

"What difference does it make?" Kate said suddenly, cutting him off. Looking up, her eyes blazed with a renewed spark of life as they searched out and met with his. "I'm dying, I can feel it. What does it matter if I force myself to eat or take pills so that I can sleep if I'll be dead soon anyways"

This confession surprised the wraith. Normally, the separation sickness that took hold in broken pairs did not set in so quickly; it took time. Katherine and Valloran had only been separated for some ten days, if that. She should not be dying already and, moreover, she should not be aware yet that it was happening.

"A prolonged illness would achieve nothing," a voice spoke into Romulus' subconscious and the wraith froze. "In order to make him understand, to make him see, we have taken the liberty of expediting the process."

Romulus felt his heart come hammering to a stop inside of his ribcage. When Ganos had told him that Katherine's pain would be augmented, he had not thought that she had meant to this extreme. "How long does she have?" he asked the voice while, outwardly, he took to gently stoking Katherine's hand with his thumb in what he hoped was a gesture she would find comforting.

"Not long," the voice answered back and the wraith cursed. "What would normally take years will now take but a few days."

"Days!" Romulus mentally yelped, feeling as though someone had kicked his feet out from under him and sent him crashing to the floor. "You would do that to her? Make her suffer so greatly in such a short amount of time? Have you no compassion? She does not –"

"It is your task to ease her suffering," the voice interrupted him. "Allow her what small pleasures are afforded to her and encourage her to take them and make the most of them. Valloran must be made to understand, to see with his own eyes her deterioration or else he will never come to terms with what he must do if he is to save her. This is how it must be."

And then the voice was gone and Romulus' mind was his own again save for the part of it in which Andromeda permanently dwelt. Shaking his head to clear it, the wraith gave an inward growl of disapproval for the Lantean's plan but knew that Ganos was correct in how it all had to go. Valloran would react to only what he himself bore witness to and so Katherine must be made to suffer before his very eyes. Not for the first time, Romulus had the strong urge to beat the truth of the matter into Valloran's thick skull. Surely that would prove to be just as effective as Ganos' master plan.

Thoughts of bringing Valloran physical pain brought a sudden idea to Romulus which caused the wraith to grin evilly. "Katherine," he began, twisting towards the female whose hand he still held. The flare of life that had appeared in her eyes but moments before was now gone and her grey orbs had reverted back to their diminished and lustreless hue. Nonetheless, she lifted her gaze to him and waited to hear what he had to say. Romulus took a great gulp of breath before he continued. "There are many positions in which you could be placed that would keep you near to Teyla but, I wonder, if perhaps there is one from which you will benefit more than the others."

Kate felt her brow crease in confusion. "What do you mean?"

Romulus leaned towards her and caught up her other hand from her lap so that he now held them both. "It would not be wrong of you to wish to repay Valloran some measure of the pain that he has fostered onto you," his eyes locked with hers and he held them, the both of them unblinking. "There is one position which you could take that would do this."

Kate didn't know what to think. She didn't want to hurt Todd, but at the same time she did want him to feel something, anything. He had been so cold when he had walked away from her that it had made her think he didn't care at all. Maybe, just maybe, a little revenge wouldn't be so bad. "What is it?"

Romulus felt a slight smirk begin to twist the corners of his mouth upwards. "A Queen's handmaiden is a highly coveted position amongst female worshipers. Out of all the humans in a hive, the one chosen by the queen to serve her personal needs and to be a sort of companion to her is held above all the rest; virtually untouchable. No commander may issue orders to her, as the only one to whom she answers is her queen and none may touch her if she is not willing. A queen's handmaiden has, save for the services she provides her queen, absolute freedom and may do as she wills."

The wraith paused and took to eyeing the female before he continued. "Were you to be cast in this dye then you would be able to move freely, be always near to Teyla and have the ability to…do certain things that would incite some un-comfortableness on Valloran's part."

Kate was curious. "Like what?"

Romulus grinned. "There will be performances held at the banquet this evening. Each party, ourselves included, will be expected to present some sort of entertainment. I would have you be ours."

Now, Kate was enthralled. "How?"

"My Commander tells me that you enjoy the art of dance," he looked squarely at her, totally captivated by the eagerness that had displaced some of the pain her features carried. "Is this true?"

Kate nodded. "Yes."

The notion that he had had earlier now fully formed, Romulus stood and pulled Katherine up with him. "Then allow me to teach you a particular dance which will, not only entertain, but will also allow you to have a revenge that is more than due."

Looking up at the wraith who had given her his name and who Kate knew would prove to be as good a friend to her as any of her own, she let herself nod.

With a smile, Romulus began to teach.

~xXx~

Todd was agitated and was certain that everyone in the room with him at present could feel it. He had hid in his chambers for as long as he could before the time arrived for him to take his leave and face the others. It was a relief to him that, upon his exit of her quarters, he did not immediately see Katherine. Instead there was only Teyla and the female said nothing to him as soon as she saw him. Her only acknowledgment was a minute nod in his direction and for this, Todd was most grateful. He and she had sat in absolute silence for some ten minutes or so before Romulus came to them from what he assumed was the room that had been given to Katherine.

At his emergence, both Todd and Teyla looked up.

"Where is Kate?" Teyla asked noticing that, as she mentioned her friend, Todd cringed ever so slightly. It would appear as though he was not as unaffected as she had been led to believe. She fixed her eyes on the other wraith and waited for a response.

Romulus stopped before the pretend queen and inclined his head. "She is just finishing with her dress," he informed her, shooting a quick glance towards Valloran to see that, while the wraith was putting every effort into appearing disinterested, he was, in actuality, waiting on baited breath. "She should be done shortly."

Teyla nodded, relieved. When Kate hadn't appeared, she had begun to grow worried that perhaps the strain of the situation had grown to be too much for the younger woman to bear. It was cruel of John, to have insisted so heavily that his sister take part in this ploy. If Teyla had had her way, Kate would have stayed in Atlantis and she would have gone through with this whole ordeal alone.

"Very well," she said, keeping her eyes focused on the other wraith. "May I ask what role she has been styled to play?"

"You may," Romulus answered and noted that, again, Valloran seemed to be totally invested in whatever he was next about to say. He levelled his eyes upon the diminutive female. "She will be acting as your handmaiden during this undertaking."

Satisfied, Teyla accepted his answer while, far less from satisfied, Todd felt the breath catch in his throat.

"For what reason have you cast this role for her?" he demanded, angry. A queen's handmaiden might be untouchable but she was almost always a focal point to some extent. It was a diversionary tactic that the queens employed for their own protection. They let their handmaidens distract those around, drawing unwanted attentions towards themselves and away from their queens. Todd did not like to think about how so many of his fellow male wraith's eyes would suddenly be drawn and pinned on Katherine.

The thought made his almost physically ill.

At Valloran's outburst, Romulus suffered a silent grin. The news of Katherine's position having had the exact effect that he had prepared for it to have; Valloran was already seething with jealousy. Good, he thought to himself, Let him see what he has given up by watching those around him lust after what was once his. The realization will do him good.

"Several," he responded vocally, facing off with Valloran from across the room. "In this capacity she will be kept near Teyla so that she may watch out for her as per Sheppard's instruction. It would also not be seen as amiss if, as handmaiden, she is kept always in the company of her queen wherever she may go. The position affords her a small measure of freedom to also come and go as she pleases," he shot his friend a look. "Or, would you rather I had made her into a companion to either yourself or I? Given how you acted the last time she was considered yours, I did not think that that option was viable."

Todd hissed and opened his mouth to respond only to freeze as the subject of their debate emerged from her quarters. As soon as his eyes fell on her, Todd felt as though all of his breath had been sucked out of him, making it most difficult to breath. As though some unseen force was controlling his actions, he took a step forwards and then came up short, simply allowing himself to look at her. Romulus had done a good job of seeing that she was clothed as a queen's handmaiden should be. The gown she wore was alluring and catching to the eye and seemed to always be moving as though it were being blown gently by an unseen breeze. The skirt was yoked and had alternating panels of solid and sheer material that allowed her legs to be seen from foot to hip; the bodice was revealing to say the very least and while it did cover the majority of her breasts it did not quite cover them all. Todd swallowed hard at the thought that anyone who saw her would be able to see so much of the woman he desired above all others.

Forcefully pulling his eyes from Katherine, the libidinous wraith shot a heated glare of deepest loathing straight at Romulus who did not seem to care at all that Katherine was being put on display. In fact, looking at him more closely now, Todd could see that his friend looked almost amused. Todd could only conclude that it would appear as though Romulus had done this on purpose in order to gain a reaction from him as well as from everyone else. It made Todd furious to know that he had succeeded; at seeing Katherine dressed so provocatively his own need for her had flared and now threatened to consume him completely.

Romulus would pay for this, he swore it.

Completely unconcerned by Valloran's silent vow to make him suffer for his actions, Romulus turned towards Teyla as Katherine continued to walk forwards until she was positioned next to her queen. Valloran's eyes widened as they beheld the back of her gown which could more accurately be described as a lack thereof and narrowed at him. Romulus ignored him and spoke to the pretend queen. "Shall we?"

Teyla inclined her head and then began the procession, heading towards the banquet hall as Romulus placed mental directions directly into her mind. Valloran was too busy silently trying to control his reaction to Katherine to be so forthcoming and so it fell to Romulus to make certain that Teyla knew where to go. Their entrance to the grand hall was a stunning one as by that time Valloran had managed to pull his thoughts away from Katherine and take his proper place at Teyla's side. All eyes turned towards them as they made their ways inwards towards the table settings that had been designated for their use.

As they walked, Teyla was able to see that there was not nearly so much food as she would have thought there would be for a banquet. Mostly, it would seem, there were many smaller dishes of fruit and other pleasurable things to eat and a great deal of wine. While Todd helped her to sit before doing so himself, Teyla took the time to look out at the others who filled the hall. The other queens looked more regal than the ones that she was used to seeing. Their appearances were formal, their heads and necks bejewelled, their hair styled and their gowns enriched with tucks and folds that made the whole lot of them seem that much more intimidating. Teyla was suddenly glad for her own gown — even if it was much simpler than the ones worn by the other queens. Their dresses seemed to be, in a way, over-complicated. As though they were compensating for something they lacked. Teyla was very curious to know what, exactly, that was and if it was in fact the same for them all.

Besides her, Todd was in the throes of a great difficulty. Katherine had taken to standing but a pace behind him, in between himself and Teyla. Her person could be well seen by all and, looking up, Todd caught more than one commander eyeing her appreciatively. Scowling, he reached forwards and took his goblet, downing the contents in one great gulp. Setting the cup back down on the table, he waved at a hovering worshiper to come and refill it. As he raised his goblet to drink once more, he heard Romulus' voice sound in his head.

"Should you not slow down? It would not do to have you inebriated before the conclusion of the meal."

Todd shot a mental growl at his companion. "Do not test me," his mental voice resonated darkly. "I may do as I please. You have no right to question me."

Romulus let out a snort and leaned towards him. "Mayhap not," he said aloud, careful to keep his voice low so as to not be over heard. "But you forget, I think, where we are. You said that you could handle this if only you had time to prepare yourself for her coming," the wraith paused and eyed what was now Valloran's third goblet of wine. "This is not handling it."

The younger wraith let loose a dry sounding snarl that lacked volume but not malice. "Perhaps I spoke unwisely."

Romulus sniffed and returned to sitting upright. "It would seem as though you have been doing that quite a lot lately."

Todd ignored the comment and took to leaning back in his chair. At that moment, Maliaka and her party made their entrance and immediately came towards them. In his distracted state, Todd did not see the look of surprise that flashed across Varkan's face as the three wraith arrived at their seats and proceeded to sit. Nor did he see Katherine's answering look of acknowledgment, as she, for but a moment, locked her eyes to Varkan's.

Romulus, however, did.

Varkan had taken to fixing his gaze directly onto Katherine who, although she was more covert about it, was likewise looking at him. The cast of her eyes told the watching Romulus that there was a history with the two of them; something intimate. He knew that he needed to find out what it was.

"Katherine."

Kate's eyes jumped away from Varkan's as she heard Romulus' mental voice sound in her head. "Yes?"

"You have a history with him," came the reply and Kate did not need for the elder wraith to specify who he was talking about. He had seen her looking at him. "What does it entail?"

She hesitated but then remembered how Romulus had comforted her when he had found her crying on Todd's hive. She knew she could trust him and so, she began to explain. "We were both held captive by Michael. He was using Vark- the wraith as a stud to impregnate the women he captured so he could make more of his hybrids the natural way. I was the last woman given to him."

Romulus had to fight hard not to allow his shock to show on his outwards features. "You have mated?" he asked knowing that if Valloran were to learn of this then the consequences would be dire indeed as far as Varkan was concerned.

"No," Kate replied before adding, "But we got close. We started to but John rescued us before we could…finish."

"Ah, I see," Romulus said, feeling somewhat relived. A sudden though occurred to him as he thought back over what Katherine had told him. When she had first responded to him, she had started to call Varkan by name. "You know his name?"

Her reply was delayed. "I do. He told me. He didn't want me to think of it as rape so he told me his name to show me that it wasn't."

Respect for the young wraith commander began to form in Romulus' mind. That he would give up so freely that part of himself in order to show a kindness to Katherine endeared him to the elder wraith. It proved that he was different than the majority of the young commanders that Romulus had thus far met since his release from his imprisonment. Valloran may not have a high opinion of this male but, having heard of his treatment and consideration for Katherine, Romulus found that he did. The young wraith might have been lacking in years but he was old and wise in spirit and nature.

"That is good," he replied back to Katherine as, around them, the banquet began in earnest and more than one conversation was begun. "Perhaps, when the meal is through, I can arrange it so that you may speak to him if you would wish it."

Her gratitude was almost palpable. "Thank you."

"Think nothing of it, my Lady Katherine," Romulus responded, gracing her name with a title that reflected the admiration and respect that he held for her. She was truly a most deserving female. If she could be saved, then one day she would be most great indeed. With his last words their conversation ended and Romulus returned his attention to the doings of the others about him. The entertainment had already begun and, at present, another queen's handmaiden was standing in the center of the square formed by the tables, signing a song that had quite a haunting melody to it. She was not bad but her voice was not as pleasing at it could be. Romulus tuned her out.

"What art will Katherine be performing?"

The question was a quiet one that Romulus barely heard. Turning his gaze towards Valloran he answered simply. "I have taught her a dance."

Todd swallowed hard as the memory of the dance that he had shared with her sprang unbidden to the forefront of his mind. "What sort of dance?" he found himself asking, needing a distraction to take him away from his ruminations. At times, memory was a curse rather than a blessing. He would give anything to simply forget.

Romulus offered his commander a noncommittal shrug of one shoulder as he had often times seen the Atlantians do. "An entertaining one."

Todd growled. "That is not an acceptable answer."

Romulus shifted his eyes away from Valloran and focused them on the newest performer, a male that was now juggling and throwing a great many blades. "You shall have to wait and see," he said casually, taking a small drink from his own goblet. He was still on his first while Valloran-— if he had been counting correctly — was halfway through his eighth. "I will say that her offering will be more pleasing than this one, however; if not the most enjoyable of the evening."

Todd was not so certain that he liked the sound of that. The idea of Katherine's performance being the most pleasurable meant that she would be remembered and he was not sure that he wanted her to be so endeared to so many. He was still thinking about it when the head matron turned towards his party with an expectant look on her face.

"Eldest."

Todd looked up, his thoughts dissipating. "Yes?"

The queen looked steadily at him, a haughty and disdainful expression on her face no doubt derived from his last visit to a summit such as this. Then he had had but a young queen at his side and no entertainment to offer. The queen sneered. "Do you and your…queen have an offering for us this eve or have you once more arrived unprepared?"

Todd growled at the female's gall but was saved the effort of answering when Teyla spoke for him. "We do," she said, her voice sounding just as superior as the queen's that had spoken. Gesturing with one of her hands, she indicated Kate. "My handmaiden will dance for us."

Surprise flashed across the matron's face as she turned to share looks with her sisters. Returning her gaze to Teyla, she said, "Will you require any music for her art?"

Teyla inclined her head. "She will direct you," she replied and then, coldly, added, "It would do you well not to doubt either me or my commander's preparedness again, queen. If you do, I shall be more than pleased to see you regret it."

Pride for Teyla's performance crept up Todd's spine as she cast her a quick and approving glance. The matron's all took her meaning as the threat that it was and simmered amongst themselves for a moment before falling silent. Todd was about to give his pretend queen a congratulatory compliment when his eyes caught sight of Katherine. He felt his entire being go cold in an instant as she walked out into the empty space at the center of the arranged tables and took up her starting position. Standing at the ready, Todd heard whispers began to filter throughout the room and was able to catch more than one stray thought in passing as all eyes, both male and female, became wholly focused on her.

A soft, rhythmic melody began to play as those entertainers that had gone before her and who had played instruments took up the tune that Kate had provided for them. Slowly she began to move, putting every conscious effort she had into her movements so that they appeared to be effortlessly fluid. Romulus had told her that this dance was meant to invoke and inspire the senses and Kate could well see why. Her dance reminded her of a cross between a harem dance and ballet set to a beat that made the very blood in her veins pulse. As she turned, she finally caught sight of Todd's face and had to repress the smirk that threatened to appear across her lips at the expression on his face.

Romulus, it would seem, had been right.

As Katherine continued to dance about before him, her body moving with a sensual grace that bordered on erotic, Todd felt every cell in his body begin to respond to her. He could not help it nor, apparently, could any of the others. Katherine had, in moments, captured the enthralled attention of every male in the room. Even a fair few of the queens were watching her through hooded eyes as they unconsciously wetted their lips. The whispering thoughts became amplified and, within moments, Todd found himself privy to a great many awakened desires that centered on Katherine. The discovery was like a shock to his system although it did nothing to quell his own almost unbearable want of her that had begun in his belly and was now sweeping outwards, swallowing him whole. He could not breath, could not think, could do nothing but watch her as she moved about before him, the one true object of his heart's most desperate desire put on display for all to see.

The melody peaked and Todd felt his entire being go perfectly still, completely enraptured, as Katherine performed one last set of flowing, graceful, suggestive movements before her dance drew to a final close and her body came to a rest. As soon as she stopped moving, Todd's trance ended and his mind erupted in a fit of jealousy that, as had his captivation moments before, threatened to drown him. Clutching his hands where they rested on the arms of his chair, he fought to maintain his facade as Katherine took her leave of the arena and returned to her place by his and Teyla's side.

The rest of the banquet went by quickly as Todd lost himself in his inner turmoil. It was difficult to discern which emotion was more prevalent at the moment; his jealousy or his desire. In the end, his lust won out and, at the conclusion of the meal, the elder wraith quickened to his feet with the utmost haste. Abandoning his party, he swept towards his former queen with a single-mindedness that bordered on obsession. Maliaka turned to greet him as he approached her but he gave her no time to offer him a salutation. Reaching out, he grabbed a hold of her arm and began to pull her along behind him as he made to quit the great hall entirely.

"Eldest," the queen explained, quite put off by his behaviour. "What –"

"I have need of you," was his only reply and Maliaka, astute female that she was, instantly understood.

"Very well then," she responded, taking over the lead and pulling out of his grasp. "Come, my chambers are this way."

Todd inclined his head gratefully and followed her, his stride purposeful as the two of them disappeared into the complexes' many twisting corridors.

Left behind, Romulus could only shake his head at Valloran's behaviour. He had not counted on this reaction from him and knew that his friend's intentions for the queen were no secret to anyone who had witnessed his retreat. Katherine looked stricken and Romulus felt most sorry for her.

Varkan, likewise, looked to be less than pleased.

"I do detest it when he does that," the young wraith said darkly as he and his second convened with the Elder the Eldest had introduced to them and the great wraith's false queen and handmaiden.

Teyla, Romulus and Kate all looked towards him questioningly. "He has done this before?" Teyla asked, curious. It was obvious to her what Todd was planning to do and, in light of this, she shot a look towards Kate to see how she had taken it. She looks as though another part of her has died, Teyla thought to herself as she gazed at her friend and, in retrospect, thought that perhaps a part of her had.

Varkan nodded "Unfortunately," he looked to the female whom he knew was not truly a queen. Katherine had retreated towards the kitchens to assist with the clean-up of the meal and so, the pretend queen was left without an escort back to her chambers. "If I may," he began, indicating his second. "In the absence of your commander, I offer you my second to see that you are returned safely to your chambers. Is this acceptable to you?"

If Teyla was surprised by the offer, she did not show it. "It is," she replied and then allowed the indicated wraith to lead her back towards her rooms. Romulus remained behind and caught a hold of Varkan before the young wraith would take his own leave.

Startled, Varkan looked up at the elder. "Yes?" he inquired.

Romulus looked down on him. "You have a history with Katherine," he stated plainly and saw, much to his pleasure, the young wraith's eyes widen.

"I do," Varkan answered, careful to keep his voice low. "What matter of concern is it to you?"

Romulus snorted and pulled the wraith along with him as he retreated into the shadows. "It is my concern because I believe you have the ability to help her at what is a most difficult time for her."

Concern filled Varkan's thoughts at the confession. "What ails her?" he asked inquisitively.

Romulus released him and shuddered a long, low sigh. "Her heart has been much put upon as of late. She suffers her pain in silence but, I know that it is there," he paused and took to eyeing Varkan steadily. "Perhaps, you can find something to help ease her strife. Something that is within your power to give to her perhaps?"

Varkan was not so sure he had heard right. It sounded a great deal as though the elder was asking him to offer her physical comfort in some form; it did not take much imagination to think of what. "Such as?"

Romulus drew himself up to his full height. "I trust you to be able to devise of something appropriate," he informed the commander, turning to go. "See that she gives you her consent before you act. If I find that you have harmed her, I shall make you pay most dearly."

Varkan looked affronted. "I would not ever harm her!" he hissed dangerously. "Would that you would know that! She is much deserving of –"

"That she is," Romulus interrupted him, pleased with the wraith's response to his threat; he had been most indignant. "Now go. Help her to forget if only for a short while."

With that sentiment, the elder vanished and Varkan stood there for a moment not quite certain that what had appeared to happen had actually taken place. After a moment's reflection, he decided that it had and so, he took himself in search of Katherine. Truth be told, he had spent much of the meal trying to devise of a way to speak with her and was more than willing to let the Elder's plan be his method for achieving this. As it stood, he found her quickly enough and took himself to her side in haste. He saw her still as she became aware of him and then, slowly, turn. Only then, now that he was so close to her, did he see the pain that clung to her and shrouded her like a veil.

He felt his breath catch. "Katherine," he whispered, his voice soft, soothing almost, much as it had been when they had been together in the Abomination's cell. "What is wrong? Tell me."

Kate looked up at the wraith who she had so long ago met and never thought to see again. She had thought that it would be Romulus that came to offer her comfort. Instead, he seemed to have sent Varkan instead. "I –"

The wraith let out a hiss and came to stand before her, all the memories of their time imprisoned together flying forwards at his call. Throughout their shared capture, Varkan had developed a deep and abiding respect for the sister of Colonel John Sheppard. To see her look at him now through broken eyes caused the young wraith a great deal of pain. Reaching out with his feeding hand, he tentatively let it fall onto her cheek as he turned her face upwards towards his.

"Who did this to you?"

Kate shook her head and closed her eyes, fighting the tears that threatened to come. "I…I can't. He –"

"Shhhh. You do not need to tell me, I make no demands of you," he soothed her, coming closer still. "Tell me how I may help. I owe you my life, Katherine. Allow me to repay you in any way that I am able."

Kate looked up and saw nothing but sincerity in Varkan's golden eyes. A sudden desire flared up within her as she thought back to their capture at the hands of Michael. She had given him her consent then and found that, now, in the place of the emotional emptiness that her break up with Todd had left her with, it would not be so bad to give him her consent again. Perhaps then she would regain some feeling that could help chase away the hollow feeling that had taken hold of her entire being.

With this in mind, she took a tentative step towards him, watching as his eyes widened in slight surprise. "You could," she began, her voice sounding less than sure. This was bold, even for her. "I mean, I-I need to forget. Please, h-help me to forget."

It would appear as though the Elder had known what she needed after all and, knowing that he had the consent of not only one of Katherine's protectors but also the female herself, he gently took her hand in his and began to take her away from the kitchens. "Come with me," he whispered gently to her. "I will do all that I am able."

Kate nodded and allowed Varkan to lead her towards his room.

~xXx~

With one final thrust the act was done and Todd felt his body's release wash over him, quelling the desire that had begun to pool, hot, in his belly the moment that Katherine had begun her dance. His climax was nowhere near as satisfying as he would have liked and he could already tell that it was not enough to completely quench the dry, thirst-like need that had slowly begun to build for her since he and she had been so unexpectedly thrown together some hours before but he could manage it now where before, it had threatened to choke him. Pulling himself back, he retreated and set about righting his clothing which, he had not even bothered to remove.

This, his copulation, had been about sating a need and nothing more. Maliaka, gracious female that she was, knew and understood this. She had said nothing to him throughout the process and now, as he pulled away, simply lowered her skirts and then proceeded to sink into an awaiting chair. Through hooded eyes, she watched as he righted himself.

"I trust your needs were met?"

Todd grunted and continued working on the laces that would bind together the fly of his pants. "They were," his hands stilled and, for a moment, he let his eyes meet hers. "Were yours?"

Maliaka allowed herself a small smile. She had been a young queen and had taken her power by force from the previous ruling female. As such, she could not be seen to choose favorites from amongst the male commanders of her hive. The Eldest, when he had come to her, knew this and knew that as a female she had as much need for physical release as any male. He had proposed this exchange of release for release in order to both keep up both his own body's needs and to help her to quell her own. It had worked well for them and Maliaka was quite pleased to have been given the opportunity to continue with him in this manner now. It had certainly been fulfilling.

"Yes."

Todd let out a hiss and stooped low so that he might retrieve his belt from off the floor. Pulling it around his waist, he fastened the buckle and then stood straight allowing his eyes to seek out and find the female who had allowed him use of her body just as he had allowed her the use of his. "I thank you."

Maliaka inclined her head and rose gracefully to stand before the now perfectly presented male who, if one did not know in what activity they had both just participated, would not have guessed that such had happened at all. "No gratitude needs be given," she told him, folding her hands in front of her daintily. "The pleasure was mutual."

The eldest felt himself nod and then, without so much as another look at his most recent mating partner, took his leave of her apartments. The walk back to his own suite of rooms allowed him the time to right his thoughts and prepare himself for once more being so near to the one true object of his desire. When he entered the common room, however, it was only to come face to face with a rather worried looking Teyla. Neither Katherine nor Romulus was anywhere to be seen.

"What is wrong?"

Teyla fidgeted and stopped her pacing so that she might look up at Todd. "Kate had not yet returned from the kitchens," she informed him, a frown creasing her mouth as she spoke. "I was not aware that it would take so long for her to return to our chambers. She should –"

"She should have completed her duties and returned by now," Todd interrupted her, his own concern coloring his tone as he spoke. "Has my commander not yet returned? Perhaps he and she –"

Todd's words were cut off by the sound of the door opening and, as one, he and Teyla both turned and found a relaxed and quite unconcerned Romulus entering. The male stopped when his eyes landed on the both of them.

"Is something the matter?" he asked, sounding curious.

Teyla came towards him. "Kate has not yet come back from the kitchens," she looked upwards at the wraith who was perhaps some three inches taller than Todd. "Have you seen her? Do you know if –"

Romulus inclined his head and chanced a quick look towards Valloran. He would not have thought that his friend would have returned from his own venture so soon but then again, he understood that Valloran's encounter with Maliaka had been about nothing more than sex and a quick release of pent up lust. Katherine's night with Varkan would undoubtedly be more prolonged; a true affair rather than just a quick sport of the flesh.

"I do."

Teyla's eyes looked anxious and strangely human despite her wraith-like appearance. "Well?" she asked, the nervousness over the wellbeing of her friend evident in her voice. "Where is she?"

Romulus took a deep breath and steeled himself for what he was about to reveal. "You must forgive me for not coming to you sooner with the knowledge but, rest assured that Katherine is fine. She will simply not be returning to these chambers this eve."

Todd's eyes widened as Teyla's own threatened to pop right out of her head. "Will she not?" the pretend queen asked, confused. "Where is she?"

Romulus opened his mouth.

"Yes," Todd finally found his own voice and turned the full force of it and his heated gaze onto Romulus. "Where is she?"

The elder looked towards Valloran. "Surely you can fathom a reason why she would wish to make her bed elsewhere. Given the recentness of your own activities I am sure that it is not out of reach of your capabilities."

Todd felt the majority of his extremities go numb as he was sure ice crystals began to form in his blood, freezing it in his veins. "She…" his mind could not comprehend the situation that had been forced upon it. "She…no, that is impossible. She would do no such thing."

Romulus looked at him squarely. "You did."

Todd let out a pained sounding growl. "That is different."

Romulus lifted one brow-ridge. "Is it?" he asked. "How?"

"I –" Todd felt his vocal cords seize up making speaking difficult. "I have a pre-existing exchange with one who is willing. Katherine does not –"

"Oh I assure you that both she and the one she would bed are most willing, so let go of that concern if that is what plagues you," Romulus eyed him. "She will be forced to do nothing. She chose quite well her partner for this eve although, I cannot help but wonder if mayhap she would not have chosen anyone if she had not seen –"

"Seen what?" Todd wailed, his normally deep multi-toned voice sounding most shrill and high pitched. "What did she –" realization caught up with him and the already conflicted wraith found himself not only at a loss for words but also with a suddenly guilty conscience. "She saw –"

"You, yes," Romulus continued for him when it looked like Valloran would be unable to do so. "You did not hide your intentions so well, my commander. She asked me if what she thought you were about to do was indeed your intent and I answered her in the affirmative. It is then, I believe, that she made up her mind to accept an offer that had been made to her previously."

Never in his life had Todd felt so much pain as the realization came crashing down on his head that, at this very moment in time, his Katherine – the only female that he had ever truly wished could be his – was entertaining another with the pleasures of her flesh. The thought was almost too painful to continue to contemplate and yet, he could not help it. His mind was kept occupied conjuring up images of her in the throes of passion whilst pinned under the larger body of some nameless male wraith; her body writhing under whomever she had consented to in exaggerated pleasure.

"Why did you not lie?" he demanded of Romulus whom he turned to, a stricken look on his face. "Why did you feel that you had to tell her the truth of what I planned t–"

"You would have had me lie?" Romulus asked, the slightest tint of anger crawling up his throat and into his voice. "Katherine deserves better than to be lied to. I hold her in too much respect to be so dishonest with her even if it would have spared her a great deal of pain," he fixed Valloran with a look that stilled the other wraith where he stood. "You did not see her face when she became aware of what your intentions were. Never have I seen anyone, not even you now, look at me in such anguish."

Remorse for his actions came crashing down on Todd like so many tons of stone that the wraith felt his knees weaken and threaten to buckle. He held himself up, however; and continued to face his oldest companion. His concentration on Romulus' gaze the only thing currently keeping his emotions constrained.

"You are certain that Kate is willing?"

Pulling his gaze from Valloran's, Romulus looked towards Teyla and nodded. He opened his mouth to assure her further but did not get the chance as the once high commander of wraith suddenly tore himself out of the room and barricaded himself within his bedchamber. The door had been shut for no more than a hair's breadth of a moment before a loud, ear-splitting, anger-filled and anguished-sounding roar of rage burst out from behind it and began to ripple and echo around the many rooms that made up their suite. It was a haunting sound, one that bespoke deep personal sadness the depth of which Teyla could not fathom. She did not, however, feel sorry for him. Todd had brought this down upon himself but, still, the reason for which he was so upset still tugged at her and bade her turn back to the other wraith.

"What game do you play?" she hissed, her eyes narrowed in accusation.

Romulus looked down on her. "It is no game I assure you," he informed her and it was the truth. The gambit that he was working for Ganos was no ploy but a maneuver to try and right a wrong that was long ago done. There was no question of whether or not it would work as there would be if it were something less serious as the human suggested. It simply had to work because to not would be to damn Valloran, Katherine and all the wraith to an agonizing and painfully spiraling end.

Teyla was not so easily reassured. "Then what is your meaning?" she demanded, drawing herself up to her full height as she let her worry for her friend fuel her determination to wrest answers from this wraith. "Why did you not lie to her as Todd said? Surely it would have saved her the pain of –"

"Yes but it would not achieve the desired purpose," Romulus cut her off realizing too late that he had not meant to say that. Teyla's eyes widened and then returned to narrowed slits as she continued to look upon him unfavorably.

"What do you mean?" she seethed, her anger flaring up dangerously.

Ganos had told him to tell no one and so the wraith scrambled to correct his error. He could not take it back and so he thought to elaborate just enough so as to convince the human that he was not acting out of pure fancy. "Suffice to say that there are those, greater beings then I, that are invested in a positive outcome to this whole affair."

Teyla felt her eyes widen. "Who?"

"That I cannot tell you," Romulus explained finding that he very much wished that he could. Teyla was an insightful human whose assistance in this matter would have been greatly appreciated. "Simply know that they mean neither V-Todd nor Katherine any harm. It is indeed their intent to see them both much contented."

Teyla thought to press the wraith harder but thought better of it and accepted the explanation that was offered to her. "Very well," she conceded, bowing her head in resignation and stepping back. "But," and here she once more locked her eyes onto those of the wraith, "See that in your manipulations, Kate is not harmed. If she is, in any way, then I shall hold you responsible and I will make you pay for it most dearly."

The humans' loyalty to her friend was commendable and Romulus found himself only too willing to agree to her terms, although he felt obligated to add, "Sometimes a wound must first be cut more deeply in order to heal. I shall, however, only do what is necessary. This I promise you."

Since what the wraith said was true enough, Teyla let herself nod to him before she took her leave of the wraith and the room and retreated to her quarters. As the door closed, the pretend queen let out a heavy sigh and leaned her head forwards to rest against the cool wood of the door. The following days, she knew, would not be easy.

"There is very little in life that is."

Startled, Teyla turned and found herself facing a figure that had not been in her room moments before. "Who –"

The figure, a woman with chestnut hair and hazel eyes, smiled gently towards Teyla and rose up through the air so that she seemed to float just above the floor. As she did this she allowed her body to begin to resonate light so that she now appeared to be glowing just slightly.

Realization dawned on Teyla's face. "You, you are an ancestor; a Lantean."

"I am," the specter-like woman replied, inclining her head softly. "You may call me Ganos."

Teyla nodded mutely, too awed to speak. When finally she did find her voice, she took one tentative step forwards. "Please, forgive me," she began, her eyes no longer so wide that they hurt. "But I do not understand –"

"You wished to know who had such a vested interest in the outcome of Katherine and Valloran's lives."

Teyla blinked, her hand flying up to partially cover her mouth in shock. "You!"

Ganos inclined he head. "Yes," she held out a hand and gestured for the wraith who was not really a wraith to seat herself on her bed. "Come, sit Teyla Emmagan and I will tell you what I am able to. Know that you have a touch of destiny to you any that, in listening to me you might well be able to ensure a positive future for you, your people and all the humans of this galaxy."

Nodding mutely, Teyla sat down, folded her hands into her lap and listened.

~xXx~

"Has my commander risen yet?"

The worshiper attending to Maliaka's hair shook her head in the negative. "No, my queen, he has not."

Maliaka felt herself frown. It was not like her son to remain in slumber for so long. Unless he had been entertaining a female the night before, he was normally the first on the hive to awaken. The queen frowned. She had not thought that he could have possibly spent the night with another, but she supposed that it was a possibility. Waving the worshipper away, she took leave of her room and crossed the common room to her commander's chambers. Lifting a hand, she rapped smartly against his door.

"Commander?"

Within the darkened chamber, Varkan lifted his head from his contemplation of the sleeping Katherine. Hearing his queen's call, he issued a soft curse as he drew himself up from his bed and quickly grabbed his discarded pants from up off the floor. Dressing quickly, he crossed his room and opened his door only to come face to face with his incredulous motem.

"Yes?"

Maliaka took in the sight of her son's appearance and drew the conclusion that he had most certainly not spent the night alone. Lifting one brow-ridge, she regarded him as he remained firmly planted in his doorway, blocking any view she might have glimpsed of his bed mate. "Entertaining worshipers again are we?" she inquired, a note of disappointment to her voice. Varkan indulged himself in the pleasures of human females far too often in her opinion.

Her son hissed and made a face. "Not exactly."

His motem eyed him suspiciously. "What do you mean, not exactly?" she inquired, attempting to push past her very solidly built spawn so that she might see with whom he had kept company with the night previously. When he remained immobile, she hissed and glared up at him. "Will you move? I am not inclined to be forgiving at this particular moment in t –"

"Varkan?"

Maliaka froze, her eyes widening before they narrowed into accusatory slits as she took to looking furiously at her son. "You have given your name to a worship –"

"She is not a worshipper!" Varkan cut his motem off before she could finish speaking. "She is deserving of a great many things and it is my name to give to whomever I –"

But this point his motem was no longer listening and, with a great shove against his chest, she managed to push past him and enter his room. A cry went up from her throat as she beheld the female just waking up in her son's bed. "You!"

Kate's eyes flew open and she sat bolt upright in Varkan's bed, the sheets clutched to her chest in a vain attempt to cover herself. Looking at the bright, angry eyes of the queen now standing there staring at her, her mind was just able to tell her that this was the female that Todd had most certainly fucked last night. Realizing this, she glared right back. "You know," she said hotly, her voice dripping malice and disdain, "It's rude to just barge into somebody else's room."

Behind his motem, Varkan had to try very hard to keep himself form snorting. Katherine of Atlantis was a dangerous female to rile up, and his motem, with her entrance and exclamation, had most certainly done just that. The fallout would be entertaining to say the least.

Maliaka bristled, shocked at the gall of the human female. "How dare you speak to me that way! I am wraith and you are no more than a –"

"She is not a worshiper," Varkan inserted, needing for his motem to know this before she did something that would most likely only anger Katherine farther. "How many times must I tell you this, Motem?"

Maliaka was not amused nor was she satisfied with her son's insistence that the human in his bed was not exactly what she appeared to be. "Then pray," she demanded, rounding on her only surviving child. "What and who is she that you would intrust her with your name and invite her to speak to me in such a disrespectful w-"

"My name," Kate called out over the angry queen, not giving Varkan the chance to introduce her, "Is Kate," the queen rounded on her, a curious expression on her face. Kate ignored it. "But you might know me better as Katherine."

Katherine.

There was but one human that Maliaka knew of by that name that would have earned the right to call her commander by his given name. Feeling her mouth fall open in stupefied shock and incredulous awe, the queen could do nothing but stare.

Varkan decided it was time to give his motem an explanation. Stepping around her, he took up a position in front of her and gestured behind him at the now smirking Katherine. "May I introduce you, my queen, to Katherine of Atlantis; the female responsible for my return to you some time ago."

Shaking the shock from her system, Maliaka cleared her mind and closed her mouth; her eyes remaining fixed on the woman lounging back on her son's bed draped in nothing but his bedclothes. Stars! Her son had bedded Katherine of Atlantis. Still in awe, she struggled to find her voice.

"I must thank you," she finally managed, swallowing the remainder of her astonishment. "For facilitating my commander's return to me from his capture at the hands of the one you call Michael. You are in my debt."

Kate sat up straight and tried to look as dignified as she could with her hair tussled from sex and from sleep while wearing absolutely nothing at all. She must've managed fairly well because the queen suddenly looked away. "I'll remember that."

Maliaka kept her eyes on the floor before lifting them and looking mutely at her son. "See her off," she instructed him mentally. "Then come to me once you have bid her farewell."

With that, she turned on her heel and swept out of her commander's room, most eager to return to hers. She did not know for what reason the Lady Katherine of Atlantis was involved in this game of deception by the Eldest, but she could not find that she cared. It was not her place to question and so, she took her exit and left both the woman and her son to their own devices, her thoughts already preoccupied on other, less bothersome things.

With his motem gone, Varkan let loose a sigh and returned to his bed and the women in it. "That was entertaining."

Kate snickered. "Yes, quite," she ran a hand through her hair and looked at the wraith she'd spent the night with. He had been kind to her, gentle. Or, at least he had been until she had gotten a bit aggressive herself. After that, he had responded in kind. Her body still tingled with the memory of the way he had touched her and with how he had made her feel. Her heart was by no means healed but the physical pleasure had managed to dull some of the pain. She no longer felt like dying with every breath that she took.

The wraith hissed and slid towards Katherine, bringing her into the circle of his arms as he leaned forwards and laid a soft kiss onto her shoulder. "You were satisfied?" he asked, his breath making the hair at the nape of her neck flutter gently.

Kate nodded and leaned back against Varkan's chest. "Very."

He smirked. "That is good. I would have hated to be a disappointment to you."

Kate snickered. "You were very good," she informed him, sighing. "I needed that."

"I am most happy to oblige."

Kate sighed smiled and then pulled back from him, standing up and letting his sheets fall away as she set about gathering up her clothes. It was time to end their affair and return to the rest of the world. She smiled inwardly to herself and wondered if Todd had been told where she had spent the night.

"If he can fuck around then so can you," she told herself heatedly. "It goes both ways."

"Must you go?"

Kate looked up from smoothing down her skirt and nodded. "Unfortunately"

Varkan rose and come to stand before her, reaching out so that he could lift her chin upwards towards his. "Should you have further need of me, you need only ask and I am at your disposal."

"Thanks," Kate replied, offering the wraith one last kiss before she pulled away for the final time and took her leave.

With a sigh, Varkan watched her go and then began to dress for the day himself.

~xXx~

When Kate re-entered the rooms that had been given to Teyla to use she found Romulus alone waiting for her. "Hi."

The wraith inclined his head and looked up at her from his chair. "I trust you had an enjoyable evening?" he asked conversationally.

Kate nodded. "I did," she looked at him. "You told him to go find me didn't you?"

Romulus nodded. "I did. I sensed that you were in need of comfort. May I trust that he provided it for you?"

Again, Kate nodded. "He did. I feel…less bad now."

Romulus stood. "That is a good thing to hear," he looked over her for a moment before continuing to speak. "Teyla and Valloran are gone from here at present," he held out his arm for her to take. "Might I take you to them so that you can re-join your queen?"

Letting the taking of his offered arm be her answer, Kate was taken from the room and led through the corridors of the complex. "Thank you," she said, softly, as they walked. "For letting me go last night. I…I needed some time away."

Romulus understood and told her as much. "You need not thank me, my Lady Katherine," he said to her, taking her down another passageway and then right down a wide hallway that lead outside to a small courtyard. "I know that you needed the comfort of another to take the place of your emotional deficiency. Would that I could have provided it for you but, alas, I am much taken."

Kate smiled. She knew this, although neither he nor his lady love knew that she knew. "Andromeda."

Romulus looked down on her in surprise. "How –"

Kate looked up at him as he led her to within sight of Teyla and, not unexpectantly, Varkan and his queen who were grouped together with her own false queen and a brooding Todd. "I know that she was a companion during the war she told me. I could also tell from the way she talked about it that she didn't hate the wraith that had taken her," she offered Romulus a smile. "When we were all in Atlantis together, I saw the way she kept looking at you. It wasn't hard to figure out."

Clever female, Romulus thought inwardly as he and his travelling companion stopped besides the seated members of their party. Teyla looked up from the table game she had been playing with Maliaka, Varkan grinned, and Valloran looked up suddenly as though he had been slapped. "My queen," he said to Teyla, letting go of Katherine's arm and presenting her to the false queen with great ceremony. "I return your handmaiden to you."

Teyla nodded and looked pointedly at Kate who fell into a graceful sitting pose at Teyla's feet. The Athosian woman began to gently stoke her handmaiden's hair absentmindedly. "I thank you, for her return," she said to the other wraith before she forced herself to focus back on the game she played against the other queen.

Kate leaned into the caress and closed her eyes. Above her, Varkan smiled warmly down on her; pleased to see her again so soon after her departure.

Todd noticed.

His mind had been in an utter state of turmoil since Romulus had informed both he and Teyla the night previously that Katherine had let another, as of yet unknown wraith, take her to bed. Because of this, Todd had not slept at all and stayed awake all night awaiting her return. But she had not come. When morning finally arrived and Teyla had woken, he had to abandon his vigil of the door and go with his false queen to procure a morning meal. When they had returned to their quarters, Katherine had still not yet returned and Todd's misery had then taken on a whole new depth. It was obvious to him that where his own affair had been short and nothing more than a means by which to bleed away some of the lust that he could not relieve himself of with Katherine, her own dalliance was about so much more than a quick climax. Why else would she still not have yet returned if it were otherwise? When Teyla had requested that he take her outside so that she could quit her rooms and see the day, he had not had the will to refuse her as distracted and despondent as he was. Maliaka and her commander's addition to their party had gone by unobserved by the elder wraith who had remained lost in thought until he had looked up and seen Romulus arrive with Katherine in his company.

At once all of his thoughts had fled his mind so that there was only her. He had sought to catch her eye but she had ignored him. Feeling dejected, he had dropped his eyes only to catch the look that Varkan was gracing his Katherine with. He did not like the expression he wore and so, as Romulus came to join him and the other much younger male, he thought to inquire after it.

"Any what, may I ask, is so fascinating about my queen's handmaiden?" he demanded, his voice almost but not quite a growl.

Varkan looked taken aback at the ferocity in the Eldest's tone. He knew that the elder wraith had no love or appreciation for him but, he had never been addressed before with such open disdain. What in the name of the stars had he done to deserve it? "Why do you assume that I find her fascinating?" he asked defensively, his eyes narrowed as he looked back at the wraith who had had the most hand in rearing him.

Todd scowled. "Do not take me for a fool," he bit out tersely. "I can well see that –"

"It would be best, my commander, if you let go the subject," Romulus interjected over Valloran's angry voice. "Now is neither the time nor the place for such an open discussion."

Todd glared at him. "Now you would tell me what to do? I will be commanded by no o-"

"Tell me," Maliaka's voice cut through his own and made all three males look up at her. She was looking down at Katherine. "Do you enjoy very much the art of dance?"

Kate nodded. "I do."

Maliaka smiled. She had seen the look her son had given the girl when the elder had brought her to them and, as a motem, she thought to make her only child happy by allowing him to continue on with the human. Standing, she first looked to the false queen for permission before gesturing for Katherine to come to her. Once the girl was before her, she reached out and grasped her hand in hers and let her over to her commandeer and son. Nodding at him to come forwards, she presented Katherine to him and stood back as soon as their hands were joined.

To the side, Todd felt jealousy crawl up his belly and clench its hand, ice cold, around his heart. He did not like the way in which Varkan had begun to look at Katherine nor the way in which she had begun to look at him in return.

Oblivious to the Eldest's inner turmoil, Maliaka ordered the worshipers nearby to begin to play a melody by which to dance before giving farther instruction to both Katherine and Varkan. As the song began, the pair of them began to take the proper steps of the partner's dance that Maliaka had explained to them. Once she was sure that they both would do fine on their own, she stepped back and re-joined the others.

The Eldest appeared at her side. "What are you doing?" he hissed, his voice sounding strained, almost forced as though he were holding something unpleasant back.

Confused by his demeanour, Maliaka answered honestly. "Cultivating an attraction," she watched as Varkan brought Katherine around again before their steps repeated themselves. "My commander likes her."

Todd let out an angry and resentful hiss. "Your commander likes anything that has the appropriate parts and holds still long enough."

Feeling indignant on her son's behalf, the queen shot an angry glace at the Eldest of wraith. "He is not so liberal as he once was with his affections, and besides, his attraction for Katherine is different."

Todd opened his mouth to say something else but stilled most suddenly. "What did you call her?" he demanded hotly, rounding on the queen who did not seem to be at all alarmed by the tone of his voice.

Maliaka was nonplused. Nodding towards the woman her son held tightly in his embrace, she said frankly, "While I might have been unaware of her identity last night, the oversight has since been corrected. Varkan informed me of whom and what she is this morning."

"And how does your commander know anything about her!" Todd pressed, worry leeching its way into his blood and taking precedence over his jealousy. Somehow, he knew that nothing could come of the conversation he was about to have.

"This is not their first meeting," Maliaka said simply.

Todd was now more than slightly worried. He remembered what had happened when he had learned of Caavin's history with Katherine and wondered if whatever her past with Varkan was in any way similar. He prayed, silently, that it was not. "Is it not?" he forced himself to say, careful to keep his emotions in check lest they spill forth and take him over. A deep sense of foreboding had begun to build up within him and he was most eager to see it quelled and sent away.

Maliaka shook her head. "No."

Todd fought to control his temper. "And how, did they meet then, exactly?"

The queen sighed. "They met while both being held in the captivity of the hybrid I believe you have told me the Atlantians call Michael," she pulled her gaze away from the dancing pair who were now conversing amicably, and looked upwards at the Eldest. The expression on his face told her a great deal more than any words he might have spoken could have. "I see you know of the circumstance to which I refer."

Unable to fully respond, Todd could do nothing more then give a minute nod of his head.

Maliaka continued speaking. "I wonder," she went on, "If, after this game of ours is over, my Commander should like to pay court to her, would you object to his suit?"

Now, Todd did react. Turning to glare at her he snarled, "And what makes you think that he would seek to court her? Would he not simply do as he normally does and bed her before tossing her aside?"

The queen's gaze turned cold. "If that were the way of it then, I assure you, he would not be so keen now to spend time with her."

Todd's heart stopped cold. "What do you mean?"

Maliaka sniffed. "If my son's intentions towards Katherine were as you claim then he would not now be investing so much time in her," he nodded towards the pair that had stopped dancing and had now fallen into an easy conversation with both Teyla and the other elder. "As you can see, he is inclined towards her still and so, I rather think you owe me an apology for your accusation of his intent."

Understanding was not always a privilege and as the truth came crashing down on top of Todd's head, the elder wraith could bare it no more and choose to, instead of lashing out, walk away. He was certain that his lack of a response must have confused Maliaka but he could not really find it in his heart to truly care. He needed to get away, needed to put a distance between himself and Katherine and her lover or else he could not be held responsible for his actions. With his head held as high as he could manage it, his heart all but broken within his chest, Valloran, once high commander of all wraith, literally ran away.

~xXx~

Romulus came to him some time later. Ignoring Valloran's growl to be left alone, the elder wraith entered his quarters anyway and took to staring at the individual who was secreted within, shrouded in darkness as he allowed himself to continuously brood. It was a sight to see, truly, Romulus thought, as he came closer and finally sat across from Valloran in a chair opposite him. Leaning back, the second wraith regarded the first before tentatively drawing the breath to speak.

"Whatever is the matter with you?"

Todd snarled and looked up, fixing Romulus with a reproachful glare. "How can you ask me that?" he demanded, his voice cold. "How! Did you not see them, he and her? Together? You would have had me remain behind and watch another openly court –"

"Well, it seems only fair that you should have had to watch them. Katherine had to watch you all but drag Maliaka out of the banquet hall and I can assure you, she knew exactly what your intent was and what, soon, you would be doing."

Todd snapped. "You blame me for her actions!"

Romulus did not respond to Valloran's aggression and, instead, simply stated, "Her actions are not something that one should be attempting to find blame in. You sought release and so did she. She is not yours Valloran; you cannot fault her for wanting the same thing as did you and for doing that which was in her power to obtain it."

"SHE IS THE REASON THAT I REQUIRED A RELEASE IN THE FIRST PLACE!" Todd screamed furiously, surging to his feet as he bore down on the still impassive Romulus who seemed to be not at all bothered by his outrage. "Do you have any idea of what state her performance last eve put me in! Do you!"

"Pray," said Romulus calmly, which only seemed to incense Valloran more, "Enlighten me."

Growling viciously, Todd began to pace back and forth as he raged. "Have you ever felt a desire, a need so powerful that it brought you pain? She did that to me, under your instruction. I did what I had to afterwards. You cannot fault me –"

"You went to Maliaka in an attempt to drive Katherine from your mind in much the same way as she sought out and will continue to seek out Varkan in order so that she might drive you from hers," Romulus gazed steadily back into his friend's eyes which had turned amber in his fury and pain. "It goes both ways Valloran. You cannot have anyone you choose and not allow Katherine the same courtesy."

Todd let out a hiss much like that of an angry hellsa cat. "Anyone but him! She may take anyone that she pleases save for –"

To this declaration, Romulus did respond and, as Valloran had done before him, leapt to his feet. "You have no say Valloran!" he screamed back to the impossible wraith who could not seem to grasp this very clear fact. "That is what you do not seem to understand. You hold no more sway over her; she may do what she pleases. I told you that you did not fully grasp the consequences of your actions and now I see that I was right. You do not understand what you have done by releasing her! You are now nothing to her and she now nothing to y –"

"SHE WILL ALWAYS BE EVERYTHING TO ME!" Todd responded, looking for all the world as though he wished to die in that moment.

Pity replaced Romulus' anger as his hardened gaze softened considerably. "Then you should not have let her go."

While he would never admit it, Todd was beginning to think that Romulus was correct on that score more than he was on anything else. Seeing Katherine entertain another, knowing that she had let another touch her as he longed to, knowing that it was Varkan who had penetrated her body the eve before; it was all too much for him to bear. His actions had come back to haunt him and, try as he might, Todd could not chase away the ghosts that those actions had produced. They taunted him with what he could no longer claim as his and drove all other thoughts from his mind until there was only Katherine.

Stars, what had he done?

"Why?" he whispered brokenly, his entire body sagging forwards as he collapsed back onto his bed, the back of his eyes stinging painfully. If, at the moment, it would have been biologically possible for him to cry, then Todd had no doubt in his mind that he would not have been able to stop himself from doing so. "Why did she –" but he could not finish his thought, the effort was simply too much.

Romulus answered anyway, not needing to hear the rest of Valloran's unvoiced thought to know what his friend was attempting to ask. "In the absence of an emotional connection, Katherine most likely seeks to fill the void with a physical one," he looked down upon the defeated wraith who, finally, was beginning to understand. Thanks be to the stars. "Since you will not even give her that, she seeks to find it elsewhere. You cannot find fault with that when you are guilty of the same desire."

"And if I were?" Todd asked hollowly, his voice sounding distant even to his own ears.

Romulus frowned. "If you were to what?"

Todd looked up, desperation shining, nakedly, in his golden eyes. "If I were to meet her physical needs, what then? Would she cease to seek it elsewhere?"

It was a desperate attempt and Romulus knew it. Valloran was grasping for any reason he could now to justify creating some sort of connection with Katherine for fear that if he did not, then he would lose her completely. What he failed to understand was that Katherine would not take him even if he were to offer. "She would not take you," he said aloud, pinning Valloran with a look. "Her purpose for engaging in a purely physical relationship with another is to spare her emotions their continued torment. She could not bed you and not invest her heart in you once more. Can you not see that?"

If he were completely sane at the moment, Todd might have well been able to see the glaring flaw in his logic, but as he was currently treading the very thin line between insanity and depravity, he could not at the moment see his folly. To him, it made perfect sense and he was convinced that this was the way in which he could solve his dilemma. He could keep her as his lover without making her his mate, that would keep the queens from seeking to use her against him while still allowing him to have her close to him. It would work, it had to work, his mind depended on it.

"She will accept me," he said, convinced in his feverish mind that what he said was true. "She must."

Romulus shook his head pityingly. "She will not," he looked forwards at the dejected and defeated wraith who had all but completely lost it. "She will not accept you and then, then you will fully understand the idiocy of your actions."

Todd growled and rounded on Romulus. "She will! I know she will! She must still desire me or else she would not have gone to another to drive me from her mind. She will accept my offer; she will."

Valloran was talking foolishly now and Romulus could do nothing but reiterate that she would not accept his body in the place of his heart. Valloran ignored him and began to pace erratically around his room like a crazed animal that had been locked inside of a cage.

"She will not," Romulus said one last time as Valloran finally stopped his pacing and turned the full brunt of his maddened gaze directly at him.

"We shall see," the crazed wraith insisted stubbornly before he drew open his door and, presumably, went in search of the very object of his desire. Knowing as he did that this situation could only end badly, Romulus sighed loudly and sat down to wait out Valloran's return. His friend would require comfort when she rejected him and he would provide it. It was the only thing that he could do.

The rest was up to Ganos.

~xXx~

Todd searched for several long minutes; minutes that stretched on for what seemed like an eternity, until he found what he was looking for. Stopping to watch her for but a moment, he stood in the shadows and observed her without her knowledge until, finally, he could bare it no longer and stepped forwards, making his presence known.

Kate looked up at the sound of his approach. Todd was coming towards her and she felt her heart clench involuntarily as he came closer and closer still. Thankfully, Varkan and his queen had gone back to their own apartments some time before, so that the only company she had at the moment was Teyla.

As if sensing her friend's unease, the Athosian woman drew closer to Kate as the wraith neared until he finally stopped before the both of them. There was a strange look to his eyes as he focused forward on the seated Kate. Teyla was suddenly wary. "Commander," she began anxiously, "What-"

"I would speak to Katherine alone," he interrupted the false queen without pretence. "Please, go."

Unaccustomed to hearing Todd say the word please in any request, Teyla nonetheless hesitated and looked uncertainly towards Kate. The younger woman was pleading her with her eyes to not leave her alone with him, and so Teyla turned to face the wraith once more and stood, shielding Kate with her body. "No."

Todd hissed dangerously. "I will not ask you again, my queen," he sneered the title aware that they were still under scrutiny. "Take your presence elsewhere."

Teyla was unafraid, although perhaps she should have been. Kate needed her protection and she would not leave her alone to suffer yet another pain by Todd's hand, no matter what threat there was to her person. "I will not leave her to you; you have done more than enough to her as it is. Anything you wish to say you may say it with me present."

As it appeared that Teyla would not budge, Todd snarled his displeasure but began to speak anyway. He would not back down, not now. He had to know her answer to his proposal. "I have a proposition for you, my Katherine, if you would have it."

At hearing him once more refer to her as 'his' Katherine, Kate was filled with a rage so powerful that, for a moment, she forgot her fear. Leaping to her feet, she came out from behind Teyla and faced Todd dead on. "I am not yours! You gave me up, remember? You can't honestly think that you can still call me that!"

Katherine's indignant anger was not something he had prepared himself for and Todd was taken quite aback. "I…might have made an error when last we met," he began not at all as sure of himself as he had been just moments before.

Kate scoffed at him. "Oh really?" she asked darkly, her eyes darkening. "Just now figuring that out are we? You're an idiot!"

If Romulus were here to hear her say this, Todd was sure his fellow wraith would laugh and say he told him so, but as he was not, Todd simply ploughed onwards without stopping to defend himself from her accusations of his lack of intelligence. "I regret the manner in which we parted and seek to correct it if you would let me."

Kate, somehow, had the feeling that whatever Todd was about to suggest wasn't that they get should get back together. "Oh yeah?" she asked sceptically. "How?"

Todd took a deep breath. "I cannot give you all of me that you desire, but I can give you a part of me," he looked at her, hoping to convey to her his meaning without actually having to say it. "A part," he went on, "That will fulfill at least your physical needs, if not those of your heart."

Kate felt her eyes widen. Was he really suggesting…? No, Kate wouldn't have it. She couldn't take part of him and not end up wanting all of him. "No."

Todd felt his breath catch in his throat. "I do not understand," he began, truly confused as to her response. "How can you refuse –"

"It's simple," Kate explained to him. "It's all or nothing. If I can't have all of you then I don't want any part of you. Your body's not a consolation prize, not when you've already offered me everything. I'm sorry, but my answer is no."

Her words froze his blood and stopped his heart. No, she had to accept him. She had to. "Katherine, please," he begged her, completely heedless of his pride, or really, of anything else. "Please take me. I cannot lose you!"

Kate blinked and took a step backwards, the onslaught of Todd's desperation taking root in her very soul. "No," she repeated again, softly this time. "I-I can't; no."

"Please!" Todd was most frantic now, and as if to make it clear to her how truly despondent he really was, he reached out to grab her. She avoided his grasp and shrank back against Teyla, who suddenly wrapped her arms around the younger woman and then put her behind her so that she stood, once more, between her and Todd. "Please Katherine, take me. I will do whatever it is you want, be whatever it is you want me to be, just, do not leave me."

The fact that he was parroting the words that she had cried out desperately to him when he'd broken up with her without seeming to realize it made the whole situation feel almost surreal. Knowing that if she stayed any longer, she might grant him her consent, Kate began to forcefully pull away from the wraith muttering over and over again as she did so, "No…no…no."

"Katherine, do not go, please do not go. I cannot lose you, please do not –"

"You've already lost me," Kate whispered and, even though her voice was barely audible, Todd heard, and seemed to freeze. Feeling what was left of her heart shatter and then turn to dust, she lifted her eyes up to his and held them as steadily as she was able. For a moment, the world itself seemed to still and cease to move, but the moment passed and then Kate pulled her eyes away, turned, and fled.

"Katherine!" Todd called out to her, screaming her name as she rushed past him. "Katherine! Please, do not…no! KATHERINE!"

Teyla stood by and watched as Todd the wraith finally broke. It was a pity to see the once great being fall to his knees and scream out his pain to the heavens for all the stars to hear. Wordlessly, Teyla walked away and left him there to wallow in his own devastation, for he finally understood the full consequences of what he had done. He had damned them both and now, the end was drawing swiftly nearer. With haste, Teyla took herself back to her chambers and found Kate huddled within her room, crying as though her life were ending.

And it was. As the false queen knelt down and took the tearful woman gently into her arms, holding her tightly as though she were not but a child, Teyla knew that as her tears leaked down her face, so too did her life drain away. All that she could think of in that movement was that she hoped that this was what Ganos had wanted, and that it would all be over quickly.

~xXx~

Unseen by all, the being once known as Ganos Lal began to set the stage for the final phase of her grand design. Teyla was correct, it would all be over soon and she, as well as all the others, much looked forwards to that great day. Valloran and Katherine had a destiny, and it was imperative that they survive to enact it.

If they did not, then all would truly be lost.


A/N: You know the drill. Reviews are the only way fanfiction authors get paid. Put a penny in my cup and make my day. I do so enjoy hearing from all of you. Until next time, cheers!