A short chapter while I wait for things download. Please enjoy and tell me what you think!

XX

Elizabeth was running through the hall of the Ancient city. She was filled with such an impatience that she couldn't force herself to a more dignified walk. Luckily the corridor she was running along was a more deserted area of the south tower. She burst through a door leading to a balcony and stopped short.

Ronon stopped his impatient pacing and stared at Elizabeth framed in the doorway. "I was beginning to think you weren't going to show."

"Word got out that I deciphered the map. I was swamped by curious scientists and soldiers alike," Elizabeth replied, slightly breathless. "I got here as soon as I could get away," she defended herself.

Ronon nodded, relived that she come. Some of it must have showed on his face because Elizabeth noticed.

"Did you really think I wouldn't come?" she asked, crossing her arms in front of her, "I understand that we need to talk about…whatever is going on between us." Seeing Ronon wasn't going to say anything, she plowed on, "Okay, look. You're a very attractive man, a really great guy, and I'm flattered by the attention and I'd be lying if I said I wasn't attracted to you, but I make it a point not to date people who work for me. So we really have to stop these clandestine encounters."

Ronon scowled, "It's not that simple."

"Ronon, I'm not saying we stop being friends for anything like that. You just have to stop with the heavy gazes and kisses. I am the leader of this expedition and I need to maintain a level of decorum. And to be honest, I really don't have time for a relationship." She looked up at his stormy face. "I am sorry Ronon. But you must understand-"

"No," he cut her off, "I can't stop."

Elizabeth's eyes widened but before she could speak, he did, "And neither can you."

"What?! Ronon, it's not a matter of wanting, it's that we have too. It would be very unprofessional of us to pursue a relationship."

"That doesn't matter."

"I think that it does."

"No!" Ronon near shouted, "You don't understand. That night on the pirate ship…" Elizabeth blushed in remembrance of that wild night. "We were irrevocably bonded that night."

"What do you mean 'irrevocably bonded'?" Elizabeth rasped.

"It couldn't have happened if we hadn't both wanted it."

"That night we were both under the influence of an alien aphrodisiac. Willing isn't what I would call that."

"There had to be a part of you that was willing otherwise the enzyme wouldn't take."

"What enzyme? Are you saying we still under the influence of that drug?" Elizabeth's voice rose in panic.

Ronon looked at her. What the hell was she talking about? Then it hit him. That damn potion the pirate queen had slipped them. "No. We are under no influence. What I am saying is when a male of my race finds his life mate; the first night they are together he releases an enzyme into his chosen female. This enzyme helps to create a mental and physical bond between mates. In some cases the bond grows so strong the couple can talk mind to mind. This bond has been created and is growing between the two of us." Ronon stopped talking and looked at Elizabeth, nervous for her reaction.

She wasn't looking at him. Instead she stared over his shoulder at the sea shining far beneath them. "There is no way to negate the effects of this enzyme or get rid of it or anything?" she finally asked, her tone distant.

A part of Ronon was crushed at her rejection, but a bigger part of him expected it from the independent woman standing in front of him. "No," he said shortly, "I am sorry, it was unintentional. I…I have been attracted to you for a long while now, but you must have been feeling the same about me for this to have happened."

Elizabeth redirected her gaze to look at him sharply in the eye. "What do you mean?"

"The enzyme won't take unless the female is willing. Otherwise her body rejects it."

Elizabeth opened her mouth to say maybe the aphrodisiac is their systems had an effect on the enzyme, but stopped before she could get the words out. She did want to be with Ronon. He was good looking, attentive, caring, strong, and made her feel safe. It struck her that she didn't mind as much as she should about being his mate.

His voice broke her out of her musings, "Let me show you." And he stepped up to her and slowly, giving her time to pull away, brought his hand up to cup her face.

Elizabeth didn't move, couldn't move, staring helplessly into his liquid dark eyes. He slid his hand back into her soft brown curls and lowered his lips to hers in a light kiss. Although he longed to deepen it, he instead pulled back, not wanting to pressure her. Just show her his love.

Elizabeth's tongue darted out to lick suddenly dry lips and Ronon had to kiss her again. This time he did deepen it and Elizabeth was surprised to find herself kissing back with an ever increasing huger. Finally when breathing became an issue did they pull away from each other.

"See," panted Ronon, "you responded to me better then you have to any other man."

Suddenly it hit Elizabeth like a punch in the stomach. Bonded to Ronon, able to know his feelings and pains for the rest of her life. She stood there frozen, overwhelmed. It was like marriage but with no chance for divorce.

Ronon, worried for her, reached out and grasp her arm. His touch brought her back to herself causing her to jump and pull away from him. "I'm sorry," she stammered, backing towards the door, trying not to notice the hurt look on the big warrior's face. "But I really can't do this right now. I…I…" Unable to think of anything to say, she turned and fled.

"You still don't underst-" the door hissed shut, cutting off the rest of his words.

Elizabeth was grateful for the late hour as she hurried through the halls of Atlantis to her room. It meant there were few people and she met no one all the way back to her quarters. She sagged into a chair as he door closed behind her, her mind tumbling with everything Ronon had told her. The more she thought about it, the more she realized how deep in she was. With a sigh, she heaved herself off the chair, planning on dealing with the whole mess after finally getting a good night's rest.

As she unbuttoned her pants, her fingers brushed against her sex and she couldn't stop a small moan from escaping her lips. 'I'm so Goddamn horny' she thought as she touched herself again, feeling a fresh rush of wetness between her legs. Giving up trying to fight her body, she stripped off the rest of her clothing and fell naked into her bed. She blamed Ronon for riling her up with his passionate kisses and her erotic dreams. One hand danced up her thigh towards her slit, while the other came up to play with a hard nipple.

Unbidden Ronon came to mind as she ran a finger through her dripping pussy lips to circle her clit. Writhing on the bed, she began to pleasure herself.

She was so far gone that when she felt her hands brushed aside and Ronon's fingers enter her, she would only moan encouragement. "More," she rasped, close to the edge now. Ronon brought his mouth to her breasts and she dug her fingers in his thick dreadlocked hair to hold him there. "More," she begged again, thrusting her hips up trying for more contact. He obliged, pushing in a second finger at the same time rubbing her clit with his thumb. With a short scream, Elizabeth orgasmed, her long legs clamping down on Ronon's hand.

As she came down from her high, Ronon moved away, wondering if he grievously overstepped the boundaries.

"Ronon?" Elizabeth smiled sleepily up at him. "Please stay," she patted the bed besides her. "Tomorrow," she yawned, "Tomorrow we'll talk. I promise."

Unable to refuse her, Ronon pulled off his boots, weapons, and tunic and laid down besides her.

"Night," she mumbled, snuggling closer.

Ronon held himself stiff until he was sure Elizabeth was asleep, willing his uncomfortable hard-on to go away. It was a long time before he relaxed enough to drape an arm around his mate and fall asleep.