"Colonel Sheppard." Larrin greeted from her chair as John's modified team was led into a small room.
"Larrin." John replied cautiously.
Larrin slowly stood and looked to Lorne as she said. "Told you he was capable of coming to see me."
"I hear you're spreading rumours about me." John commented, saving his second in command from having to answer Larrin. "You know, if you wanted a date you just had to ask?"
"Date?" Larrin asked confused.
"Yeah, you know, a romantic evening, dinner by candle light-" John started to explain only for Rodney to interrupt.
"Or in your case strange bondage rituals."
Ignoring Rodney and stepping towards John Larrin responded. "Your ego is unaffected by your injury."
"I'm not the one spreading rumours about us." John pointed out. Larrin then smiled a sickly sweet smile and stepped forward so she invaded John's personal space and said.
"That rumour was that you were my….what did your people call it?"
"Concubine." McKay answered.
"That's right, my male concubine. So based on that if I wanted a date I wouldn't ask, I'd just take."
"With that attitude your single status is understandable." John shot back, never loosing eye contact with the Traveller.
"I prefer not to be held back by the weak minded." Larrin responded before spinning on her heels and walking away from John. As she did so she asked. "So what brings you here Sheppard?"
"I want the prisoner."
"Which prisoner?" Larrin asked with out turning.
"The one with a vendetta against me and my people. The one who ordered an attack on me."
"Dravid? No."
"What do you mean no?"
"No." Larrin replied, turning round to face John. "It's really not a difficult concept."
"His people tried to kill me and destroyed one of my ships."
"You're still alive." Larrin pointed out.
"Your concern is touching. But my living status is no thanks to your prisoner."
"You killed three of his people." Larrin stated.
"In self defence. Besides they wouldn't have been killed if they hadn't attacked us."
"Tell that to the dead." Larrin shot back.
"Why are you on his side?" John asked in disbelief. "You're at war with him."
"Not anymore."
"What does that mean?"
"We're allies now." Larrin shrugged.
"Just like that?" Rodney asked as disbelieving as Sheppard.
"No. Not just like that." Larrin replied. "After some negotiations and after Dravid gave me a gift of several ships and some equipment."
"He throw in a new Jumper for us?" John asked.
"Jumper?" Larrin questioned.
"The ship of mine his people destroyed."
"A Gateship? No. The negotiations were focused on less trivial things."
"So he gives you gifts and now your friends?" John asked.
"You jealous?" Larrin asked, causing John to pull a face that conveyed his opinion of that statement.
"Out here, living like we do, we can not afford to be at war any longer than necessary. Especially with the Wraith returning in such numbers. There will always be the odd skirmish, but anything more serious is brought to a swift conclusion. Perhaps if you followed a similar approach you'd not be at war with half the galaxy."
"We're not at war with half the galaxy." John pointed out.
"Not what I hear." Larrin replied cryptically before turning once more and saying. "But enough of this. I have promised Dravid my protection. If you want him you'll have to go through me. But I'd advise against it."
"Why's that?" John asked. The question once again causing Larrin to walk towards John. This time she stopped mere centimetres from him and leant forward and whispered in his ear.
"Because we both know you'd lose." She then pulled back slightly and brushed some dirt off John's shoulder before adding. "If it makes you feel better, I have sent word to the other factions that you are also under my protection and not to be harmed."
"And that gets us what exactly?" Rodney asked, sounding as irritable as he felt.
"Well that depends." Larrin answered walking round John towards Rodney.
"On what?" Teyla asked.
"At the moment I lead the strongest faction."
"Which is only strong thanks to me activating technology for you." John interrupted.
"Which is in part due to the extra technology we have at our disposal." Larrin clarified. "Whilst we hold that advantage, being under my protection will keep you safe."
"But if you lost your advantage we'd become targets again?" Teyla asked.
"In simple terms yes." Larrin agreed.
"So you want us to activate more technology for you?" Rodney guessed.
"That is only a short term solution. We need the ability to do it ourselves."
"And where would that leave us?" John asked.
"That depends on how we gain the ability. I have heard you're people have done experiments to give people the ability."
"And where exactly did you hear that?" John asked. Larrin turned so she was looking at John's back and leaned into him and stated.
"I have my sources."
"I'm confused." Lorne said quietly to Teyla and Rodney. "We came here to get the prisoner, why does it sound like not only are we coming away empty handed but Larrin is trying to extort things from us?"
"Because we let Kirk handle the negotiations." Rodney explained. "Show him a beautiful woman and his ability to act diminishes. Show him a beautiful Ancient woman and it's game over."
"Relax." Larrin said forcing the trio to focus on her again. "For now, I have no intention of forcing you to give me something that would help my people."
"For now?" Rodney asked.
"Currently our relationship, although frustrating, works. I will not jeopardise it, as long as you continue to help us when needed. In return I will stop you being attacked by the other factions. And when Dravid's faction goes to war with me again I will personally tell you where he is."
"Does Dravid know of your loyalty?" John asked.
"Why do you think he handed over so many ships? He knows he has to keep me happy and when he doesn't I will no longer protect him from you. But in return for my promise that I will one day help you get to Dravid I will borrow you for a few minutes while you activate some technology for me." Larrin said, once again invading John's personal space. "Do we have a deal?"
"One piece of technology." John said.
"Three." Larrin countered.
"Two and I get veto rights."
"You have a deal." Larrin smiled before turning to the others. "Make yourselves comfortable. I'll bring him back in one piece." With that she led John from the room.
"Anyone else thinking we lost in that round?" Lorne asked.
"Perhaps in future we should bring Woolsey along." Rodney suggested.
"I think there are some things he'd be far happier not knowing about." Teyla pointed out.
A/N: Thanks for reading and reviewing. Next chapter up on Monday.