Finally another installment! I have a few good excuses as to why this is so short. One: I just started a new job painting chairlifts at a local ski hill and I come home only to fall into bed exhausted. Two: I apparently gave up dividing this story into chapters when I wrote it down so now I am left to make the breaks where ever. There: Insommia has struck once again and I had an urge to post something. Some please enjoy this short segment!

XXI

Elizabeth hadn't woken feeling so refreshed since…well she couldn't remember the last time saihe had gotten such a good night's rest. Languidly she stretched but froze when her body brushed against another solid, warm body. Slowly, fearfully she opened her eyes to Ronon's dark amused ones. Last night came flooding back to her then and she blushed violently, remembering her wanton behavior. She clutched the sheet to her nude form and wondered why she was feeling amusement despite the mortifying situation.

"There's nothing to be embarrassed about," Ronon said, a catch in his voice like he was trying to hold back laughter.

Suddenly it hit her that it was Ronon's amusement she was feeling. Terrified of sharing emotions like this, Elizabeth scrambled off the bed taking the sheet with her. She bolted into the bathroom and locked the door behind her.

Amusement turned to irritation at her constant running away from him. Ronon climbed off the bed and strode over to the bathroom door. "Elizabeth come out. There is nothing to be afraid of."

The only reply was the sound of the shower starting.

"Elizabeth!" he hollered, "You can't keep running away from me! We need to talk. You promised me we'd talk."

In the bathroom, Elizabeth was ignoring Ronon's muffled shouts. Instead she concentrated her energies on erasing last night's activities off her body. How did he get in my room last night? She wondered. She had been too far gone to pay attention. All she remembered was fantasizing about him and suddenly he was there. "Ugh," she banged her head against the shower wall as her thoughts went in circles. He was right. She had to talk to him. Resolve this matter one way or another.

Her decision made, she stepped out of the shower and groaned with despair when she realized she had no clothing. Know Ronon was still just beyond the door, she straightened she shoulders and schooled her face into an emotionless mask and stepped out of the bathroom clad only in a towel.

On second thought, maybe she should've used the sheet. It covered more she thought to herself when Ronon's eyes immediately drawn to her long pale legs.

"Ronon," she said, bringing his eyes back up to her face. "I really don't know what to do about this…thing between us. As leader of Atlantis I really can't consort with those who work for me. If the IOA or airforce were to hear I was in a relationship my position would no doubt be called into question. And that is something I don't want. However as I understand it, we are connected to one another. And a part of me likes it. I know you can be very persistent so I think we should try a more…intimate relationship."

Ronon's eyes lit up at her words, but before he could get a word in she continued on, "But this relationship must remain a secret. I know the IOA and Airforce regulations mean nothing to you, but they can cost me everything and if word of this affair should reach them, I will be dismissed and sent back to Earth for good." She looked at him sternly. "You tell no one of this and there will be no PDAs and we will give no one any reason to think we are together."

Ronon nodded, satisfied for the moment with her terms of their relationship. He knew things would soon change. "What is PDAs?"

"Public displays of affection."

He nodded again and stepped closer wanting to kiss her now that he had her full consent.

But Elizabeth sidestepped, escaping his outstretched arms. "Not now. I need to get to work." However upon seeing Ronon's hurt look, she relented. "One kiss."

Ronon bounded forward and gathered her in his arms, capturing her lips in a passionate kiss. It was the kind of kiss that made her want to forget work and fall back into bed with him. Elizabeth threaded her finger through his thick hair and kissed him back just as passionately. She was so caught up in it, she didn't notice how he managed to push the towel covering her to the floor. That is until she felt his hand palm her bare breast. With both hands on his chest she pushed him away. Their lips separated with an audible pop.

"Go," she ordered breathlessly, pointing at the door.

He ignored her, stepping back to sweep his eyes up her body with a predatory glint in his eye.

"Go Ronon," she said again, pushing him in the direction of the door.

He moved to the door and pressed his ear against it, listening for people in the hall. Hearing no one he turned back towards the center of the room only to fine it empty. Elizabeth was back in the bathroom. Shrugging to himself, he left.

X-X-X-X-X-X

The nest time he saw Elizabeth was the 0700 meeting. He itched to go to her, but heeding her earlier warnings he instead forced himself to sit down at his usual place at the conference table. Elizabeth too had a hard time keeping her eyes off Ronon as he moved about the room. So she busied herself with her laptop.

When she looked up again everyone was seated and looking at her expectantly. "I trust you all know why I called you all here this morning.," she began coolly, looking around the room, "But to rehash, I have managed to translate the map Ronon recovered from the pirates. Basically it gives the coordinates of the planet where the ZPM is located. The map itself corresponds to a location on the planet. This planet does not have a Stargate so I want Colonel Sheppard's team to tale a puddlejumper to MX5-499 – the closest planet- and fly the remaining distance."

John nodded eagerly, "A piece of cake."

Elizabeth frowned at his casualness, "We have no intel on this planet. For all we know it could be another pirate stronghold."

"Don't worry, the jumper will be cloaked," Sheppard reassured.

She nodded, lips pursed, "Good. However Rodney promised me our new ship will be ready in a few days time. If needed we'll send the ship after you."

"The maiden voyage of the Queen Elizabeth is a rescue mission for me and my team? I feel so honored," John quipped.

Elizabeth narrowed her eyes at him but refrained from replying in the same juvenile fashion. "Colonel you and your team have a go at 1300. I suggest you make the necessary preparations now."

As the team filed out of the room, Ronon lingered behind. "Is sending me off on a long mission your way of avoiding me some more?" he asked annoyance clear in his voice.

"No. You are part of Colonel Sheppard's team therefore you go on the team's missions and I treat you like a member of the team. Regardless of what is going on between us personally," she snapped back.

Ronon glowered at her. "Fine," he said and left.

X-X-X-X-X-X

Later both were regretting their words to one another but they were both to stubborn to be the first to step forward and make amends. But when had there been time? So Elizabeth found herself on the balcony overlooking the gateroom as the puddlejumper holding Sheppard's team descended from the docking bay above to hover in front of the active gate. She could see Ronon in the front seat riding shotgun next to John. She willed him to look up, to understand what she couldn't say out loud.

He didn't look up.

Feeling put off but not showing it, Elizabeth tapped her headset. "Good luck," she said gravely worrying as she always did when Atlantis's finest went through the Stargate. John met her eyes, grinned and saluted her before turning the jumper about and disappearing through the wormhole.

Already Elizabeth was regretting sending Ronon away. There was a dull ache in her, a knot of worry for him lodged in her chest. She flopped down on her bed, glad the day was over. She wished she had at least spoken to Dex before he left. Now her cold words filled her with regret and all she could do was sit on her hands and wait for the team to return.

Although she was exhausted, sleep eluded her. She tossed and turned furious about the return to insomnia after one night of satisfying rest. Burying her face in her pillow, she stilled when she caught Ronon's lingering scent. Finally she was able to relax enough to drift off into sleep.

Four: It's my story, aren't I allowed to do what I want with it? Hope you enjoyed.