Authors Note:
For those who read Chapter 7 before I added the extra note at the bottom - I amended that chapter to take the reference to Ronan out of it because Sabina hadn't met him as of the end of that chapter. Apologies for the error which is now corrected.
Chapter 8: He's now convinced I'm a threat to the city.
You know, weird crap seemed to happen a lot on Atlantis. That was never truer than the day Doctor McKay came back with the consciousness of Lieutenant Laura Cadman in his head. I was called in by Doctor Zelenka to assist in interfacing with the Wraith Dart – we'd made modifications to Rodney's translation program but there were still many aspects of the Wraith language that required ad hoc translations. I'd never witnessed anything quite as disturbing as Rodney apparently arguing with himself – an opinion obviously shared by John, Doctor Weir and Doctor Zelenka if the looks on their faces were any indication.
Over the next day or so I continued to assist Doctor Zelenka as best I could with the Wraith Dart, learning a lot about Wraith technology in the process. I'd done all the translating I could long before any real solutions to Rodney's problem had been found. Even though it would have been nice to hang around and help in some other capacity I knew I'd just be in the way and so returned to my usual duties, hopeful that Doctor Zelenka would come through for Rodney.
John was busy assessing the skills of Ronan Dex, the man they'd brought back from P3M-736. I hadn't actually met Ronan myself at that stage but Teyla regaled me with the story of how he'd insisted Doctor Beckett operate on him without the benefit of an anaesthetic. John was pretty impressed with Ronan's fighting and shooting skills and wanted to put Ronan on his off world team right there and then. I had to remind him that Doctor Weir would have to approve that assignment herself and that she'd probably not be impressed John had already offered a spot to Ronan without asking her first.
While John went off to convince Doctor Weir he'd made the right call with Ronan, I made my way to the gym for my usual practice session with Teyla. When I got there she was already sparring with a very tall, imposing man who could only be Ronan Dex. A poker faced Marine stood off to one side of the room, impassively watching their display. They traded blows almost faster than I could follow before coming to an impasse, sticks held to each other's throats. I decided that was as good a time as any, and cleared my throat to announce my presence.
"Sabina," Teyla greeted with me with pleasure, stepping back from Ronan and bowing slightly. I watched as he returned the gesture before turning to look at me without expression. As I took a few steps into the room I realised that this guy was seriously big – I wasn't short myself but I'd guess he was almost twenty centimetres taller than me. To go with that height he had the build of a warrior, coupled with long dreadlocked hair and a serious, intimidating demeanour. The beard and moustache he sported gave him an almost piratical appearance.
"Sabina, this is Specialist Ronan Dex," Teyla introduced us. "Ronan, this is Sabina Scott. Sabina works with the Ancient artefacts and language."
"You're joining Colonel Sheppard's team," I decided up front that this guy was not the small talk kind.
"Haven't decided yet," Ronan admitted.
"Well, for when you do decide," I continued. "Welcome to Atlantis." Ronan made no reply but I could tell he was faintly surprised by my response. "Are you ready for our practice?" I turned and directed my question to Teyla.
"I am ready," Teyla agreed.
"Mind if I stay?" Ronan surprised us by asking.
Teyla looked across at me in query and I shrugged to indicate that it was up to her. "Not at all," Teyla agreed graciously.
We took up our positions in the centre of the room, bowing respectfully before assuming defensive postures. Although I had demonstrated some skill against those three Marines I wasn't in Teyla's league. After almost a year of practice I could now hold my own in defence against her and sometimes even produce attacking moves that surprised her. John and I were more evenly matched – the result of a sparring match between us was by no means a foregone conclusion like it was when I sparred with Teyla.
I drowned out all distractions surrounding us and focussed my full attention on Teyla. We traded moves, with Teyla instructing me each time she managed to get through my defences. Towards the end of our session I almost got a hit aimed at Teyla's knees past her defences. She grinned in delight and congratulated me on my near success. We ended our session with the usual bow of respect before I again thanked her for her time in training me.
"You're good," I'd forgotten Ronan was even there until he spoke.
"It's all relative," I dismissed the compliment. I took my leave of Teyla and was surprised when Ronan did likewise before following me from the room. We walked down the corridor in mutual silence, accompanied by Ronan's Marine escort.
"Does that bother you?" I asked, gesturing back at his escort.
"I understand the reason," Ronan deflected my question. "You a scientist?" he asked curiously.
"God no," I laughed. "I leave the big brain stuff to the likes of Doctor McKay and Doctor Zelenka."
"But you're not military?" Ronan persisted.
"Nope," I agreed, volunteering no further information.
"Then what are you?" Ronan asked rather rudely.
"Late for lunch," I quipped, glancing down at my watch. "I'll see you around," I added, before turning and jogging off down the corridor. I wasn't sure what that had all been about but resolved to not let his apparent suspicion bother me. John had told me Ronan had spent the last seven years running from the Wraith – maybe he was that suspicious of everyone.
Since I was joining John for lunch I took the time to stop off at my quarters to shower and change. We were into the third day of Rodney being possessed by the presence of Lieutenant Cadman and I was eager to hear if any progress had been made. Spotting John immediately I hurried over and threw myself into the chair next to him.
"Sorry I'm late," I apologised. "I met your new team member – Ronan. I think he's now convinced I'm a threat to the city."
"Elizabeth wants to talk to Ronan herself first, so it's still not official," John admitted. "What'd you say to make him suspicious?"
"Nothing much," I insisted. "Ronan was trying to label me as either scientist or military and I refused to go along with either of those tags."
"Well he's coming this way so maybe you could think up another label you are comfortable with," John said in a low tone. "Ronan," he called out in a louder voice.
"Sheppard," Ronan responded, frowning when he realised he knew the person sitting with the Colonel.
"Ronan," I greeted in a friendly tone. "Long time no see." John gave me a pointed look, wordlessly instructing me not to be so flippant.
"Join us," he invited, pointing to the chair across from him. Ronan slumped in the chair, stretching his long legs out to the side.
"I hear you already met Sabina," John put an arm around my shoulders and drew me in close to his side. I looked at him in surprise and found him pointedly looking at Ronan instead of at me.
"Yeah," Ronan looked from me to John and then back at me again. "Is he your mate?"
"Mate?" I almost choked on the coffee I'd just taken a sip of.
"Sabina doesn't like ... labels," John drawled, helpfully slapping me on the back as I coughed. "If by mate you mean are we a couple, then yes."
"Mate," Ronan slouched back in his chair, glancing at John to judge his reaction. "As in pledged, betrothed, joined ... whatever word you guys use for that."
"The word is married," I answered. "And although it's really none of your business the answer is no."
"You're available then?" Ronan continued, still looking more at John than me.
"No," John glared at Ronan before adding "where we come from two people can be committed to each other without being married – that's what Sabina and I are."
"So you don't believe in marriage?" Ronan asked. I frowned as I tried to work out why he was persisting with this line of questioning. Before John could answer I stepped in, thinking that perhaps I knew what Ronan was really asking.
"We take our commitments very seriously," I told him calmly. "We have to be sure that we can live up to them before we take that step. Once we make a commitment we stick to it, defend it at all costs, and fight for it if we have to."
Ronan nodded as he registered what I was really trying to say – that John would not have made the offer for him to join team Sheppard unless he meant it. That John was offering Ronan more than just a job or a place to live – he was offering him the chance to belong somewhere, as well as our protection and our loyalty in the fight against the Wraith.
"If Doctor Weir agrees," Ronan glanced at John briefly before looking down at the table, "I accept your offer."
"Cool," John had that look that said he was well pleased with his world. We both knew that John would get around Doctor Weir with no effort at all so Ronan joining his team was now a done deal.
"How's Rodney?" I'd almost forgotten to ask in my confusion over Ronan's seemingly personal questions.
"He came up with the idea to tie in the Wraith dematerialiser with the Stargate – worked like a charm," John said, still smiling. "He's recovering in the infirmary, with Lieutenant Cadman in the next bed."
"That's great," I was relieved that both of them were okay. "I'll leave you guys to talk about ... whatever it is guys talk about when we women aren't around,"
I rose from the table and stood beside John's chair. When he looked up at me curiously I couldn't resist the temptation to lean down and lay a steaming kiss on him. Just before I was in danger of losing myself in him I reluctantly pulled away, running one hand regretfully through his hair before straightening up.
"I'll see you later," I said huskily, leaving the table and walking slowly towards the doors. I couldn't help but overhear part of their conversation as I walked away.
"Dangerous woman," Ronan commented.
"You have no idea," John replied.
Grinning gleefully, I continued on my way.
Authors Note:
I always liked that scene in SG1 Children of the Gods - when Sha're lays that kiss on Daniel before he goes off to show O'Neill the gate address room – hence putting a similar one in this chapter.