Title : Love After Love

Author : ElaineDex
Date 07.05.07

Part 13 of 15
Characters : Ronon, Ellie, People of Atlantis and the SGC, Lyssa Hunter.
Archiving : None
Spoilers : This part of the storey has bits in it that follow on from Kazavid's 'Reunions' explaining what happened to Lyssa
afterwards (my version of events). Also a small reference to a part from Behind The Mask.
Disclaimers : Only Ellie is mine, Stargate/Atlantis and all their characters do not. Lyssa Hunter is kindly on loan from Kazavid.

Feedback : Yes

Summery : Will Ellie and Ronon's love stand the test of time and all that fate has to throw at them?

Chapter 13

Ellie awoke a few hours after her and Ronon's talk feeling a mixture of sadness and relief.

Part of her was thinking she was totally stupid for pushing Ronon away, let alone turning down his offer of marriage but another part of her was sort of glad she had set him free.

She explained to Teyla later as they sat in the mess hall.

"You set someone free and if they come back to you, you know they're yours, or something like that".

Teyla looked at her,

"You do not wish to fight for Ronon's love?", she asked and Ellie half-smiled.

"I'm hardly in a position to fight Lyssa and even if I was I don't think I'd win".

"I did not mean physically fight", Teyla replied and Ellie touched her friend's hand.

"I know. I have to do this Teyla, for my own sake. He has promised to be there for me at the birth and I know he will be around for the baby and I do not wish to tie him to my side if he is in love with another woman. He would end up hating me".

"I understand", Teyla replied.

Just then Lyssa entered the mess hall accompanied by Sheppard and Ellie looked away as they glanced around for somewhere to sit.

Sheppard spotted Teyla and headed over before Lyssa could ask him to stop. Sighing, she followed him and stopped as they drew level with Teyla and Ellie's table.

"Hey guys", Sheppard said sliding in the seat next to Teyla, leaving Lyssa stood looking dubiously at the empty seat next to Ellie.

Eventually Ellie looked up at her and said,

"Please, sit down".

Lyssa nodded. She could tell Ellie was struggling but respected her for her graciousness.

Just then though, Ronon strode into the hall and Lyssa almost felt Ellie squirm as he began to walk toward them.

There were no more seats and just as Lyssa was about to stand, Ellie beat her to it.

"You can have my seat", she said and Ronon moved so he was behind her.

"You don't have to go", he said quietly and Lyssa listened silently as Ellie turned to face him.

"I know but I should get to the lab. I feel like I haven't done any work for days".

Ronon nodded and moved the chair back slightly so Ellie could get out.

"I'll see you later", she said to no-one in particular as she left and a flurry of responses followed her.

As Ronon took Ellie's place, Teyla said,

"I should go too. I am teaching Dr Heightmeyer self-defence shortly and I should prepare".

As she left, Sheppard stood,

"I'm just gonna get something to eat. Either of you two want anything?" he asked but Lyssa and Ronon shook their heads so he headed off to the other side of the hall.

"Wow. We know how to clear a table. I'll work on the room next", Lyssa said dryly and Ronon's lips twitched in an almost smile.

"Have you made your mind up about how long you're going to stay?", he asked and Lyssa shrugged.

"I'm not sure. Sheppard has mentioned that maybe Weir is interested in offering me a place on of your teams".

"Doing what?", Ronon asked and Lyssa turned to glare at him.

"Don't forget, you taught me everything you know. I'd be as useful to the other teams as you are to Sheppard's team".

"So you're interested?", Ronon asked and Lyssa groaned as she realised he'd only been trying to goad her so that he could judge if she was going to stick around or not.

She was out of practice where Ronon Dex was concerned.

"I may do", was all she was willing to give him just now.

They sat for a moment until Ronon said,

"Ellie and I have decided to cool things while we sort out our feelings".

"You're having problems?", Lyssa asked, surprised and Ronon nodded. At length he explained what Michael had done and how he and Ellie seemed unable to resolve the trust thing.

"You can't blame Ellie. Do you not remember what happened between us? You were quick to judge me and look where that got us", Lyssa said and Ronon looked at her.

"I should have believed you back then", he said and Lyssa looked away.

"Let's not do this again Ronon. We resolved all that".

Ronon nodded. He saw Sheppard heading back with a tray piled high with food and said quickly,

"I'd like to spend some time with you. Catch up?".

"We'll see", she replied as Sheppard's tray crashed down in front of them.

ooOoo

Days turned into weeks and Lyssa became a regular face again around Atlantis. Ronon spent time with her and also made sure he checked in with Ellie.

Despite his growing relationship with Lyssa he began to catch himself watching Ellie when he knew she wasn't aware of him. Much like he had done before they'd gotten together and he began to wonder if that was significant.

ooOoo

Ellie was about seven months pregnant when Emerson and The Odyssey returned to Atlantis, the Daedalus returning to Earth for a short while.

"Ellie...you look amazing", Emerson said pulling her against him and Ellie laughed, her face blushing.

"Oh, sure I do", she replied and as they pulled apart she smoothed a hand over her rounded abdomen almost self-consciously.

"I brought you some things", Emerson said taking her hand.

He took her aboard the ship and tears filled her eyes when she saw he had brought numerous things from home for the baby. A pushchair, a carry seat, clothing and a whole host of care products and baby food. He had also brought her a couple of maternity dresses.

"Paul. I don't know how to thank you", she said, squeezing his hand as she wiped at her eyes.

"You don't have to. Just know that I'm here for you", Emerson replied, pulling her close again and Ellie nodded, her face against his shoulder.

"I know you are".

ooOoo

Ronon and Lyssa stood on one of the upper-most balconies high above the ocean, staring out at the view.

"It's been good, catching up", Ronon said and Lyssa smiled.

"Hmm", she said, almost as though she wasn't listening.

"Lyssa?", Ronon said and she turned and looked at him.

"How do you feel about me?", he asked and Lyssa glanced away.

"I um, I...", she trailed off as Ronon suddenly gripped her shoulders.

"Lyssa I have to do something. I need to know...", he trailed off as his lips met hers.

ooOoo

Ellie was in one of the highest storage rooms in Atlantis looking for an artefact that Rodney had 'misplaced' when she got the first pain. It streaked around her abdomen with such strength that it took her breath away and she gasped and bent forward, gripping her bump.

"Oh...wow, that hurt", she breathed to herself as it subsided and she was able straighten up.

She reached for a book that was on the shelf above her and the pain came back, the book tumbling to the floor as she groaned and bent again.

She slowly made her way out onto the walk-way and leaned against the wall. She needed to get to the infirmary as something was obviously wrong. She had two months to go yet and this should not be happening now. Pain gripped her again and she suddenly felt warm and sticky in between her legs.

Frightened, she reached down and felt under her dress, she gasped when she pulled her hand away and saw her fingers where covered in blood.

She sank onto the floor and tapped her ear-piece frantically.

"Ronon?!", she bit out, her breath catching as pain streaked through her again.

"Ronon...please..", she tried again when he didn't immediately respond.

Damn it this was his baby too. Where was he?

"Ellie? What is it?", Ronon said, touching his hand to his ear-piece and twisting slightly so he faced away from Lyssa who watched on with interest, touching her fingers to her lips.

"Ronon...there's something wrong with me...the baby..I...ouch", Ellie replied, pausing as another pain hit her.

"Ronon, I'm bleeding!", she cried.

"Where are you?", Ronon said urgently, hardly glancing at Lyssa as he moved back inside.

"Ellie?!", he bellowed when she didn't answer.

"Up on the...on the storage level", she eventually replied, her voice strained.

"I'm on my way", he said.

"Ronon, what's going on?", Lyssa asked, instinctively following him.

"Ellie's in trouble", he replied, not slowing his pace as he responded.

They reached the floor above them in record time and saw Ellie sat on the floor of the hallway up ahead.

Lyssa watched as Ronon kneeled at Ellie's side and saw her show him her blood stained fingers. She watched, a lump in her throat as Ronon gathered Ellie into his arms gently and stood. Ellie wrapped her arms around his neck, hiding her tear-stained face in the crook of his neck as he strode away with her.

Lyssa followed behind as they headed for the infirmary, meeting up with Sheppard along the way.

As they stood outside waiting for news, Sheppard took Lyssa's hand in his and she knew she had made the right decision when she'd decided to stay on Atlantis.

End of Part 13