I know, I know... I always say that I'll do better with updates. I wish life weren't so crazy all the time. But I will get better at organizing my time. And I especially wanted to update before I left for vacation (to Hawaii! That's my vacation shoutout :D). And I'm hoping that while on holiday, I can rest and brainstorm. Yay! And again, thank you for all your feedback. I greatly appreciate it!

Unbeta'd. Cause my beta is out of town (Hi Geeky!). So I apologize in advance for anything and everything horrendous.

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Chapter Eleven: Foot in Mouth

Henry Spencer sighed loudly. Lassiter and Juliet weren't providing the information he wanted. Not to mention, his mind was preoccupied. John Sheppard, his ex-wife's dumb ass son,was the last person he needed hanging around Shawn. The two together were like piss and vinegar. Or at least that's how Shawn became when the older brother was in close proximity with his son. And that was, simply put, annoying.

Juliet hadn't budged from her spot on Henry's front porch. "You mean to tell us, you're not concerned in the slightest about Shawn and Gus's well being?"

"Who said I wasn't?" He glanced up toward Lassiter. "Look, they haven't even been missing for 24 hours. If they're with John, they're probably in the middle of some stupid stunt... solving their current case."

Lassiter seemed to agree with Henry. But apparently Juliet wasn't quite convinced, which Lassie sensed. So he prodded Henry further.. "We already solved the case. In fact, we have the our suspect in custody with a enough evidence to attach a life sentence... And he was the last to see them."

Juliet continued, "And ... even though I believe that Colonel Sheppard is highly capable of taking care of hims-"

"A Colonel!?" Henry narrowed his eyes. "How on Earth did Sheppard make Colonel... Are you sure this is the same person?"

Now it was Juliet's place to look annoyed.

"Ok ok..." Henry spoke up before either one of the officers did. "Just keep me posted. But I promise you... they'll turn up. And when they do, I have a bone to pick with Sheppard."

As if readying himself for a 'psychic reading', Ronon sat down at a table and crossed his arms in front of his chest. His dark brown and unwavering gaze were leveled intensely at Shawn, no doubt waiting for something uncanny to spout forth from the newcomer.

Shawn took this an opportunity to scan the scruffy-haired man. The one called Ronon was an obvious and easy case study. He was a victim of trauma and had suffered apparent loss. A distant, despondent attitude? Yep. Prickly exterior? Very much so. Rough and tough facade? Does that really need to be answered? A trusting soul who easily puts faith in others? Hell to the no.

The species called the 'Wraith' seemed anything but easy to defeat. Especially if they were on the top of the food chain. And Ronon made taking out Wraith look like a walk in the park.

Of course Shawn had only seen Ronon take out one... but then again, it wasn't hard to figure it out.

Teyla was looked eager, she seemed unsure what was to happen next. Gus was impatiently waiting for Shawn to speak. As was Ronon.

"Ok! Ok. Ok..." Shawn held up his pointer finger dramatically. "I got it!"

Shawn pulled up a seat next to Ronon and stared at him with an intensified gaze. Ronon merely raised a brow at the show. Meanwhile, the entire commissary channeled their undivided attention towards the psychic and the warrior.

"Got what?" Ronon asked, his voice bored.

Shawn lowered his chin. "Buddy," he started quietly. "Are you sure it's alright if I divulge information out loud."

Ronon narrowed his eyes, while pulling away from Shawn. "Right. You have information on me...Uh huh." He shook his head. "And I'm not your buddy."

Taken aback at that, Shawn also pulled away, ready to open fire verbally. "Your family, your friends... all that you know is gone. Dead. I see a..." Shawn shut his eyes momentarily. "I see a war. A bloody battle taking place."

Ronon's eyes widened, but before he could stop him from progressing further, Shawn stood up from his seat and started acting everything out.

"You lost everyone you cared about. And all that's left is the hollow being you are today. And now... and now you simply soldier on..." Shawn's eyes thrust open and he faced his 'client'. "It's ok, friend. You are no longer alone. You are no longer..." Before he could continue, Ronon growled while shoving Shawn violently into a commissary table and stormed off, avoiding all the eyes that were now on him.

Shawn, hardly affected by the push, called out to Ronon before he left. "You will be here," Shawn patted his chest softly. "Here in our hearts..."

Once Ronon was out of sight, Shawn's overly concerned face broke into a grin. The patrons around him clapped as though they had just witnesses a touching Gilmore Girls moment. And he merely brushed off the attention.

"That was amazing, dude!" "You're so right about Ronon!" "I think he should have group therapy!" A few people called out simultaneously.

A handful of scientists gave Shawn pats on the back before they left the cafeteria.

Gus sidled up to him. "Uh... How did you...?"

"An educated guess. The lone wolf exterior, the complete disregard for a lengthy vocabulary..."

Gus could see his point. "I think you hit a nerve. He's going to kill you later. You do realize that right..."

"Yeah, I kind of thought about that." Shawn's mouth twisted into a hybrid of a frowning smile. "Still, I think I sold it."

Teyla was convinced, as far as they could see. "Well, Shawn and Gus, you've certainly... made an impression. However..," her thousand watt smile set them at ease, "I wonder if it was wise searching Ronon's soul like that."

Shawn nodded emphatically. "Teyla, you couldn't be more right. But I don't feel like the day's been completed without a good soul searching."

With a slight confused nod, she seemed to understand. Sort of. While Gus only rolled his eyes.

Teyla then gestured to their table and their untouched food. "Shall we continue with dinner? I'd hate for it to get cold."

Gus couldn't agree more. "Cold. Like the way Ronon's going to take you down... You're going to be out cold."

Shawn knew he should have opened up a sensitive subject on such an nonsensitive being, but Gus was right. Shawn should probably avoid Ronon. For a few hours. Maybe.

John was halfway down to the cafeteria's sitting room when he saw Ronon lumbering down the hallway towards him.

"Hey, have you seen....?"

John's query was cut short with Ronon's visage. "Oh. I've seen him alright," the Runner growled, brushing past John.

Before John could ask what went wrong, Ronon was long gone.

"Hooo-boy. This is going to be interesting."

He walked into the commissary and at once spotted Gus and Shawn right where he had left them. From what he could tell, they were quietly enjoying dinner with Teyla. All seemed normal. But as the old saying went, 'not all is as it seems.'

Teyla perked up once she noticed John and she motioned him over. "Oh, Colonel! Over here!"

As he walked closer, he nodded towards Teyla before acknowledging the other two.

"Your brother informed me that he's a psychic," she informed him.

Oh. No.

John's face fell slightly, but it wasn't enough for Teyla to spot. "Did you now?" He looked at Shawn. His younger brother smiled broadly. Gus looked jut as guilty.

John shook his head and took a seat next to Teyla. Before he could ask what the damage was, Teyla interjected.

"And... Shawn psychically read Ronon."

This time, John's face fell and his eyes widened. Both Shawn and Gus appeared nonchalant about it, but they knew they had crossed the line with John.

"Wait. What?" He huffed. "Do you know what he's capable of?"

Shawn nodded. "Um yeah." He held his hands up and gave John a display of 'spirit fingers'. "I psychically read him, remember? I mean, he may look like a Wookie, but he's certainly not as cuddly. And he will most definitely pull your arms out of your sockets." He then chuckled

Teyla seemed entertained by the exchange between the brothers. "You know, John, I do believe Shawn was... right on the money, is that how'd you say it?"

John's mouth was a grim line. "Hm. You don't say."

Gus was now preoccupied with shoveling food in his face. Shawn was emphatically pointing to the sticky rice like substance on his plate.

"What is this stuff? It's great!" His subject change was quite obvious.

"It's quinoa," Teyla answered.

"Oh yum. Never heard of it. Is that an alien grain or something?"

"No, Shawn, I have quinoa at home," Gus added.

"You're kidding?"

John wasn't immune to a subject change. In the least. "Guys, let's wrap this up. Teyla's busy. And we are as well."

Teyla opened her mouth, "Actually, I'm no-"

He placed an hand on her shoulder and gave her an easy grin. "No, believe me ... you're busy" He wanted to speak to Gus and Shawn, ok, mainly Shawn, alone.

"Oh right." She nodded. "I am busy." Teyla practically winked. She knew full well that John had plans with his half-brother and Gus.

After a bit of prodding, Shawn and Gus were finally accompanying John down the main hallway of the city.

Gus smiled. "Wow, Teyla is...."

"Hot? Smoking? A crazy hot and smoking combo?" Shawn asked.

"Excuse me, that's my teammate..." John interrupted.

"Oh sorry, bro. Are you and her... y'know 'teammate teammates?'" He nudged John slightly.

John merely rolled his eyes. "No. I'm her commanding officer..."

Gus grinned. "Whatever you say."

John halted in front of a gray door after the short jaunt.

"Where are -..." Shawn's question was cut short when door swished open, revealing a comfortable looking room complete with Earth-like features.

"Johnny Cash. A surf board. A guitar. I'm guessing this is your home away from home."

John nodded. "Yep. This is it." He walked into his living quarters and Gus and Shawn followed suit, while the door swished closed behind them.

Gus seemed impressed. "Looks nice and cozy."

Shawn was looking around at every small detail. "You don't have any pictures of... well, of anyone..." He trailed off.

With a low sigh, John nodded. He knew that would be brought of up. However, before he could speak up, there was a soft knock at the door.

Using it as an opportunity to get away from the present subject, John went to open the door. The smiling face of Elizabeth Weir was standing there to greet him.

"I was hoping to catch you guys before you headed for bed," she said. She then fixed her attentions to the two foreigners in the room. "You two must be the famous Shawn and Gus."

"Been here for only a few hours and we're already famous?" Shawn asked. He grinned at Gus. "Those are good odds."

"Gus and Shawn," John motioned to Weir. "This is Dr. Elizabeth Weir. She's the leader of Atlantis."

The two smiled and said their hellos.

Weir immediately stated off hand that John and Shawn looked a like. She could see where they were related.

This made Gus snicker. And Shawn simply replied, "But we all know who's more attractive. Still, let's keep that little tidbit to ourselves shall we?"

Weir smiled and shook her head at Shawn's response. "So. Which one of you is the so-called psychic?"

This shocked John. It also weirded him out that information passed far too fast on Atlantis. But he had already come to that conclusion hours ago. The gossip mill in the city was astounding.

Gus was quick to point to Shawn without realizing that John was giving him a 'no, don't answer that' face. Shawn also simultaneously raised his hand.

"Wait... how did you...-" John asked Elizabeth before Shawn could make some smart-ass comment.

Weir shrugged. "Zelenka. Conners. Chuck.... Oh and McKay. Apparently there was some kind of display in the cafeteria." To John's dismay, Elizabeth seem actually amused by all this. "And I must say, I'm sorry I missed out on it all. Though," she turned to Shawn, "you picked a very unlikely guinea pig in Ronon."

Shawn shrugged. "Well, I just did what I do best. Actually, scratch that... What I do best is making guacamole. So... well, you get the idea. And Ronon seemed up for it. I only hoped to ease his suffering."

With that, Weir guffawed a rather loud laugh.

Gus looked grim. "Shawn, the only suffering that'll need to be eased is yours. After Ronon gives you a beat down."

Weir sobered up after she looked down at the watch on her wrist. "It's getting late.... John, did you show Shawn and Gus their living arrangements for the time being?"

"Oh, are we like staying until tomorrow or something?" Gus asked.

Weir looked at John. And he smiled sheepishly. "Make that a week. Or so."

"A week!?" Shawn and Gus choroused. Only, Shawn seemed far more excited about the prospect than Gus. Naturally.

"Wait wait wait. No no no." Gus shook his head. "I have a conference call scheduled tomorrow with the largest pharmaceutical supplier in North America. North America! As in also Canada!"

"Dude," Shawn looked over at his friend. "Last time I checked we were in a different galaxy. And unless they have an amazing land line with no hidden fees, I think you're missing your conference call."

With a sigh, Gus slowly took a seat on John's bed.

"Along those lines..." Weird smiled. "I've cleared it with Colonel Sheppard you can accompany him and his team to a planet through the Stargate tomorrow."

John wasn't sure if it was such a good idea now. But, then again, he was the one who had suggested it in the first place.

"Wait, you mean... we're going to be making first contact with some alien race?"

"Not exactly. No."

Gus, though it should have a dream come true, looked as though he needed to lie down.

"How could this day get any more awesome?" Shawn was grinning from ear to ear.

Sauntering up behind Dr. Weir, Ronon poked his head into John's room. He looked directly at Shawn. "You. Me. In the sparring room."

With that, Ronon walked away, leaving the room in stunned silence.

John raised a brow. "Wow. You must have really pissed him off." He knew that he wouldn't let anything go too far if Ronon truly tried something rash. Of course, he promised himself that he'd return both Shawn and Gus in one piece. Regardless of how many Wraith killing-machines they managed to anger in the process.

Gus laughed. "I think your best day ever is going to end in a beat down."

"You know, Shawn, you don't have to take him up on his offer..." John stated after getting a worrisome glance from Weir. "But it you do, I'll be happy to teach you some moves." This made Weir's eyes widen.

Shawn nodded. "Bring it on, Ronon O'Brien."

Let me know what you think so far. Thank you for reading, as always!! :D

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