Author's Note: Just a fluff/drama warning for this chapter. Enjoy! ~lg

oOo

"Colonel Sheppard." Carson's voice interrupted the intense sparring session between Sheppard and Teyla. He didn't dare take his eyes off of the Athosian for anything and saw the spark of humor show when he clearly wanted to turn. Over the last month, he'd worked on the relationships between himself and his team, finding his footing as their leader once again even though he still struggled with bouts of restlessness that drove him to run further and longer in the evenings.

"Just a sec, Doc." Sheppard raised an eyebrow at Teyla, clearly challenging her. He had seen the cracks beginning to develop in her stony exterior, but hadn't yet been able to break through. Perhaps today would be the day. If not, he'd talk with Carson to find out what the good doctor wanted and then try to find another way to break through Teyla's toughness.

Acting faster than Sheppard remembered, Teyla stepped close to him, moved with the grace of a ballerina, and flipped him onto his back in the sand. His breath left him in a rush, and he blinked up at her smug face. He knew for a fact that he hadn't allowed Carson to distract him, so he figured that his momentary mental slip had been all she needed to prove her superiority. Either that, or she was better than he realized.

Rolling onto his side, Sheppard saw Carson visibly cringing at the sidelines and coughed. Sand went up his nose, making the sensation even worse. Teyla's feet appeared, and he warily eyed the hand she held out for him. Rather than choosing to make a scene, Sheppard took it and grinned when she yanked him upright. "Thanks. Do you mind if I take a few moments?" He motioned toward Carson as he said it.

"Fine." Teyla turned back toward the sparring ring. "But I have plans to meet up with Lieutenant Morales in ten minutes, so you should make your meeting quick if you wish for a rematch."

"Oh. Okay." Sheppard waved. "Have fun, then."

Watching Teyla walk away, he frowned. Her shoulders were set, and she wore typical Athosian clothing. But a lot had changed with her while he'd been off world having fun. She was harsher, and she emanated an air of "Approach at your own risk." He again berated himself for not seeing that she would also need his help to overcome what they'd gone through on Kiah. Out of every person on Sateda, he and Teyla could best understand one another, but he hadn't taken the time to look beyond his own hurt.

Pushing these thoughts from his mind, Sheppard took a long swig of water and moved to Carson's side. The doctor had taken to hovering a bit after performing that physical, concerned over Sheppard's higher-than-normal blood pressure and signs of stress. "Hey, Doc. Not time for the daily check yet."

Carson rolled his eyes. "I thought ye might like to know that I've completed my tests."

Sheppard's brows rose. "Mara?"

"Aye." Carson met his eyes, looking a slight bit nervous. "Did ye want to do this here? Perhaps it would be better to find someplace quiet where we can talk."

"Doc!" Sheppard hated sounding so harsh but figured Carson would babble if left alone. While he could handle it on most days, he didn't want to delay the news about Mara's kid any longer. "Just tell me."

"Right." Carson smiled. "I can safely say, son, that the child is not yours. It took us a wee bit longer to reprogram that device than I thought it should, but Rodney wanted to be certain before we started runnin' scans on Dr. Novak-Marks again. An' his tweaks to the programmin' along with the DNA scans we took while Mara was still here are conclusive. She's not expectin' your baby."

Sheppard was unprepared for how that news hit him. He'd known for weeks that he would be relieved, but he hadn't anticipated his knees going a bit weak and his breathing hitching as he absorbed the news. He wasn't going to be a father. The woman who assumed he'd impregnated her had, in fact, been with other men. After a moment to just regain control of his breathing, he looked at Carson. "Do you know who the father is?"

"Aye," Carson said regretfully. "An' she's no' gonna like it."

"Who?"

"Otho."

"The Chamberlain?" Sheppard's voice rose. "I didn't know they were. . . ." While he didn't mind imagining that night that he and Mara had shared the guest chamber, he really didn't want to imagine Otho and Mara.

Carson shrugged. "My guess is that she was already expectin' when she came to you. Tests show her about three weeks further along than what she thought. I honestly didn't notice it at the time because she's carryin' a small baby. I'm a wee bit concerned for the child, actually, an' would like to take Shani with me when I go see Mara tomorrow."

Sheppard's head came up at that. "Why?"

"Why would I go see her?"

"Why take Shani?"

Carson's grin told him the doctor knew what he meant all along. "Well, Shani's been trainin' with me to become the midwife. As you know, women tend to be more comfortable with women. On top o' that, most feudal societies don't like their wives to see a doctor without another woman present. Havin' Shani with me would help all the way 'round."

"Oh." Sheppard nodded, still working through the incredible relief that had poured through him moments ago. "Okay."

Carson chuckled. "I'll ask ye again in the mornin', lad. For now, why don't ye think about gettin' some rest."

"Yeah. Good idea." Sheppard waved and headed for his house in something of a daze. He'd not intended to react so poorly to the news, but the sheer relief was indescribable. Even now, he felt like he could breathe again. I'm not going to be a dad! Ironically, most men were thrilled at the opposite news of that statement. But Sheppard couldn't feel bad for his relief. He didn't know Mara and had no desire to spend the rest of his life reminded of Gisli. While he would have done the right thing by Mara's kid, he also knew that he couldn't abandon his people. She would have had to come to Sateda, and, somehow, he just couldn't see her anywhere but in the Tower. While she didn't lord her status as a noble over her people like her father had and her brother would have, she was still very influenced by the way she'd been raised. Sheppard knew they would have clashed on many things and was grateful he wouldn't have to find out about that.

At his house, he took a few moments to bathe and get the sand off of his body. Not to mention the horrible feeling of having slept with a girl who slept with a guy who had tried to kill him. Then, he dropped into bed and stared at the ceiling, letting go of the tension that he'd carried since Mara's visit. He wasn't her baby's father, and she no longer had any power over him.

He drifted to sleep and rested for the remainder of the day.

oOo

Spring on Sateda brought torrential rains with it. Olina had spent those rainy days in her home, dutifully stitching the beautiful blue fabric that Shani had given her. The pitiful garden in the back of the house had sprouted, and she now watched with regret. If her plans for that evening went the way she hoped, she wouldn't be returning here.

Moving away from the window, she checked the water she'd drawn from the well and heated. In addition to the rains, spring also brought flowers. Olina had taken petals from one absolutely beautiful pink bush and crushed them into scented oil. The bath tub she had was tiny, but it was enough to leave her skin and hair lightly scented. The rain from that day had become a drizzle, and she heard people rushing here and there. Ronon wasn't due at her house for another three hours, giving her enough time to accomplish her task.

The blue gown was complete, a near replica of the one destroyed when Kolya attacked Kiah. Her hair would soon shine in the fading daylight, and she knew it would dry in waves that always seemed to fascinate Ronon. In the last four weeks, he had shared more about his life on Sateda before the Wraith came than he ever had, and they'd grown closer. Much closer. Several times, he'd left her with a growl after a long, intense kiss, and Olina grinned with delight that she had such power over him. Of course, he had the same power over her, and many nights saw her staring at the ceiling as she dealt with the new sensations and desires coursing through her.

Well, no more. That day, she had gone to see Dr. Beckett, and he'd removed her cast. Her arm was stiff and still sore, but she would not wait another moment for what she wanted. She'd heard through the grapevine that Ronon had set up house near the clinic, and she had done her homework well. She had passed by once to determine the exact location but left him alone. Interrupting his work would be for tonight.

After bathing and washing her hair, she carefully combed the tangles from her hair and dressed in the gown she'd made. The blue cloth had a shimmer to it, one that lent an elegant air to every move she made. She twirled, smiling. The skirt fell to the tops of her feet while the bodice was snug against her torso. It was a dress meant to please Ronon and Ronon alone. She had not inserted a white modesty panel in the neckline, knowing that only one man would see her like this. Instead, she'd spent hours daydreaming about his reaction when she saw her wear the gown for the first time.

Lacing up the bodice so it was appropriately tight wasn't a problem. She'd added ties to the sides, much like Ataliyan gowns did, and she made certain the bows on her hips were placed perfectly. The white ties contrasted sharply with the rich blue, and she smiled.

Once dressed, with her hair mostly dry and curling in the humidity, Olina donned the second garment she'd made just for that day. The thick cloak covered her from head to toe, the hood keeping her hair as dry as possible. She rubbed her thumb and forefinger together, smiling ruefully at the healing blisters on them. She'd made Ronon a thick shirt out of the fabric as well, using that as the excuse when he spotted the blisters. But it was her own desire to be joined to him that kept her sewing late into the night after he'd gone home.

Stepping out of her home one final time, Olina turned toward the clinic. The faint daylight had faded, and lights glowed out of windows. Spring's rains had washed much of the grime from Sateda, and she often smiled as she strolled through the streets. While most were still in ruins, enough of the city had been inhabited that it actually looked like a thriving community. Flowers were planted, homes tended, children laughed, and families prospered. The few people she met on this walk nodded politely, and she kept her focus on her destination.

A sense of nervousness coiled in her stomach. What if Ronon didn't accept what she came offering him tonight? He'd already stated he preferred Kiah's way of marriage over anything with a fancy ceremony, but they had not fully discussed the timing of their joining. In addition to that, Olina had no experience in such affairs, leaving flirting and clandestine trysts with lovers to her sister. In fact, this very tradition from Kiah was why Gisli and Kalle could say they were legally married. And, now, she would do the same thing with Ronon. It left a slightly sour taste in her mouth that she now understood her sister a bit more than she had a few months ago.

Pushing Gisli from her mind, Olina hesitated to cross into the yard that Ronon had prepared. The house he'd spent the last month working on was set a ways back from the street, leaving room for a pathway and enclosed garden. The door was closed, but lights burned inside as she spied furniture carefully laid out and a kitchen already stocked. The yard had been planted with some sort of grass based on the green sprouts coming up, and it even had flowerbeds along the pathway. In Olina's mind, it was perfect.

Pushing through the gate, she walked to the door and knocked before she lost her resolve. She heard Ronon call for her to enter and stepped inside, absorbing the uniquely masculine yet utterly charming feel of the home. He'd obviously taken her tastes into account based on the coloring, but Ronon was still Satedan at the core. And it showed in his choice of furniture, fabrics, and accessories.

He appeared before she'd fully absorbed her impressions. "Olina?"

"Ronon." She smiled, seeing the stunned expression on his face. He was clearly fresh from the bath. "I know you were planning to come to my house, but I thought I would meet you here."

"Okay." He adapted to her change of plans well, pulling her into his arms for a long, slow kiss. When he pulled back, he looked a bit concerned. "Is everything okay?"

"Yes!" She smiled. "You and I had discussed something about a month ago, and I must admit. I am tired of waiting."

His brow lowered as he registered her meaning. "Olina, I told you that I wanted to see your arm healed up and a home ready for you. I don't have. . . ."

She interrupted, looking pointedly around. "It looks wonderful, Ronon."

"But. . . ."

She put a finger over his lips, deliberately using the arm that had been broken. He touched her wrist, blinking and then grinning when he realized that the cast was gone. "Dr. Beckett said I should be careful for the next few days. But I am certain he will not mind me becoming better acquainted with my new husband."

"Husband?" Ronon's grin widened as he pulled her against him with another growl. She had learned he communicated best through actions and wasn't alarmed at his seemingly inane questions. Instead, she returned his kiss, smiling when he drew away from her. "You're sure?" he asked.

"More sure than I've ever been." She put a hand on his face, feeling freshly shaved skin and finding the softness in his wild appearance. "Ronon, I love you, and I want to spend the rest of my days with you. No one else."

The effect of her words was instantaneous. All hesitation fell away as he took her hand. "Let me show you the house first."

Olina chuckled and allowed him to escort her to the back garden—where he'd planted all the same plants she'd thought she would miss, the bedroom—with that gorgeous flower fluttering around the window, the front room—with its open floor waiting to be filled to her specific needs, and the closet-sized washroom. She gave her approval on everything, loving it even more because he had taken the time to consider her needs and desires in setting up this home. But, once the tour was over, she led him back into the living area, sighing happily when he again wrapped his arms around her. Just before kissing her again, he whispered the words that made all the preparation she'd done worth it. "I love you, too. And I accept your proposal and take you as my wife." Reaching to her neckline, he untied the cloak she still wore and pushed it off of her shoulders.

He loved the dress as much as she'd hoped.

oOo

Peter Kavanagh slipped through rain-drenched streets on his way to Lorne's home. He'd seen something that day that had shaken him to the core and knew that he could no longer string Orsic along. What he'd been asked to do went against every loyalty that he'd developed in the past weeks. Sateda was in more danger than any of them realized, and he refused to watch the downfall of yet another planet. But he had to be careful. His meeting that day with Orsic showed him that.

Thinking back to the moment the Wraith commander walked into that room still shook Kavanagh. He'd willingly followed Orsic to the new planet, not minding that he was, in essence, betraying Sateda. Orsic had warned him of that very fact, unaware that Kavanagh's betrayal of Sateda was actually his duty to the planet he now called home. On the other world, one to which Kavanagh remembered the coordinates, he had stared in amazement at the large, industrial compound that Orsic and his brother, Ondre, had established. A blond woman pushed her way to Ondre's side, and her introduction startled Kavanagh: Calixte, the woman who stabbed Sheppard. Her seduction of the colonel now made sense, especially after Orsic explained that he still kept up the work that Kell had begun.

Then, the other shoe dropped. A Wraith walked through the door, leaving Kavanagh speechless when he spoke amicably with Orsic. Apparently, this group of rogue Satedans had chosen to work with the Wraith, giving up one village a month for culling to be allowed freedom to continue their work. Kavanagh knew the Wraith were not that magnanimous and so kept his mouth shut. Now, however, he knew he needed to speak.

Lorne was home—unlike Ronon. He answered Kavanagh's knock and let him inside quickly. "What?"

"Call Sheppard." Kavanagh stayed away from the window. "I'll wait here."

Lorne clearly realized something was wrong and left immediately. Kavanagh endured the seemingly endless wait until the man returned with Sheppard in tow.

Sheppard appeared tolerant of Kavanagh's presence. "You got something?"

"Yeah." Kavanagh swallowed. "Orsic and his men? They're in league with the Wraith."

"The Wraith?" Lorne's eyes bugged out of his head. "You're sure?"

"Yeah." For once, Kavanagh wasn't upset that his word had been questioned. "Orsic took me to their base of operations today. I met the Wraith commander they work for."

"Wait." Sheppard held up a hand. "They work for the Wraith? As in, Wraith worshipers?"

"Not that I can tell." Kavanagh huffed. "Look, I know you wanted me to infiltrate their team and find out some information for you, but I don't think I can do this."

"You've done enough." Sheppard headed for the door. "I'm gonna go arrest that son of a. . . ." He stopped speaking as he yanked the door open and encountered the business end of a blaster similar to Ronon's.

Orsic pushed his way into the small house. "Well, well, well." He snarled. "So, my new team member had an ulterior motive after all."

Kavanagh glared. "You followed me?"

"I had to make sure my base was secure." Orsic grinned. "Now, as soon as I've taken care of the three of you, I'll contact my people and have them move to a new world. We've done it before, and it probably won't be the last time."

Sheppard stayed very still. "Don't go gettin' all full of yourself, Chief. We've still got a distinct advantage over you."

"What's that?" Orsic asked. "Ronon?" He laughed. "He's too busy with that Kian woman tonight to even care what's happening over here."

Lorne and Sheppard both blinked at that news but didn't respond to the idea that Orsic had all of them under surveillance. Kavanagh kept his mouth shut as Sheppard grinned. "Hey, I'm not about to judge him," the colonel said. "And, for the record, I wasn't talking about Ronon."

Lorne moved almost quicker than Kavanagh could see. The major managed to disarm Orsic before the Satedan responded in kind. Lorne went flying across the room and slammed into the wall, dazing him a bit. Sheppard jumped into the fray at that moment and also went flying. Orsic laughed and kept right on laughing until the two Air Force men teamed up on him.

The fight lasted for a long time, trashing everything in Lorne's home save for the draped painting that Kavanagh inadvertently shielded. He ducked as pots, pans, tables, chairs, and fists flew. Soon, all three men were battered and bleeding. Sheppard and Lorne were smaller and faster than Orsic, but Orsic had sheer bulk and strength on them. He used it to throw one off, dazing him, while fighting with the other. Kavanagh had never been that brave, and he crouched beside the painting until it looked like Orsic would win. The Satedan had thrown Lorne across the room, and the major had yet to get up from where he'd fallen. And Sheppard was currently helpless in a sleeper hold that would eventually kill him.

In all the chaos, however, Orsic had not looked for his weapon. It had fallen and been scooted toward Kavanagh's little corner. Now, the scientist-turned-double-agent scrambled for it and, without thinking, shot Orsic in the back. The Satedan fell over after a low growl, taking Sheppard with him. As he rolled onto his back, he glared at Kavanagh. "You have no idea what you've done!"

Kavanagh stood over him with the gun. "I wouldn't be so sure."

"I never liked you!"

"The feeling's mutual." Kavanagh's finger twitched on the trigger. "You shouldn't have tried to betray us."

Orsic laughed at that, but it cut off in a gurgle. As Sheppard relearned how to breathe, the man's gaze became fixed, and his head lolled to one side. Sheppard reached over to check for a pulse and cursed when he couldn't find one. "What'd you do that for?" he demanded as he glared at Kavanagh.

"He was going to kill you." Kavanagh dropped the weapon in his hand.

Sheppard shrugged as if to say, "You have a point." Moving to Lorne's side, he shook the major gently.

Lorne groaned but woke, blinking at the light. "Great. A concussion."

"Yeah." Sheppard sighed. "Orsic's dead."

"Great," Lorne said again, dragging out the word this time. "I wanted to get the address to his off world base first."

Kavanagh snickered. "Why do you think I came to you tonight?" He held up the scrap of paper on which he'd drawn the symbols. "Now, don't you think you should arrest the remainder of Orsic's men?"

"Yeah." Sheppard snatched the paper out of his hand. "Good work, Kavanagh. Now, go get Dr. Beckett."

oOo

The next morning, Shani walked through the gate only at Evan's insistence. Given the different day/night cycle on Mara's world, Carson chose to leave well before dawn on Sateda. He'd come to awaken her at the given time, looking incredibly tired and confessing to not having slept. Apparently, one of the Satedans picked a fight with Evan and Sheppard, and Carson had patched up the two Air Force officers. Shani had gone to see Evan right away and, while he was bruised and a bit concussed, smiled when she realized he would be okay. He insisted she go with Carson and finish this business with Mara.

Now, Shani stared in amazement. Carson had said this throne room looked almost identical to the one on Atlantis, the glaring difference being the throne chair instead of the Stargate. But the beauty was breathtaking, so much more amazing than the ruins that had fascinated Javan for years. She listened as Carson quietly talked about Atlantis, about his time in the City of the Ancestors, and about losing that city. His tone was tired and sad all at once, and she knew he was thinking about friends he'd lost that day.

Mara swept into the room before much more conversation could be had. Her pregnancy was becoming obvious now, and she wore a dress that would grow with her as her child grew. "Dr. Beckett. Welcome!"

"Mara." Carson offered the girl a smile, knowing that she was the leader on this world as well as a patient. "We finished our tests."

Mara's gaze moved from Carson to Shani and back. She swallowed nervously and turned to the entourage following her. "Leave us." The command in her tone was unmistakable. With much murmuring, the entire court turned and walked out the door they'd just used to enter. Finally, Mara straightened and looked Carson in the eye. "Tell me."

Carson cleared his throat. "I'm sorry to tell ye like this, but the child is not Colonel Sheppard's."

Shani watched Mara's face fall and stepped forward when the younger woman sagged. Leading her to the nearest chair, she kept a hand on her wrist to monitor her pulse. Mara blinked. "You are certain?"

"Aye," Carson said softly. He knelt in front of Mara. "But, if you're willin', we're able to offer our services to you for the duration of your. . .uh. . .confinement. Shani is a skilled healer an' is workin' with me to become a midwife to our people as well."

Mara looked at Shani. "You would not mind?"

"Of course not." Shani smiled. "It would be my honor."

Mara nodded and then stood. "Would you give me a few hours to think this over?"

"Of course," Carson replied.

Mara waved a hand, and a guard Shani had not noticed before moved forward. "He will see the both of you to a room where you can wait and have some refreshments."

The two followed the guard as Mara moved to a window and looked out. None of them noticed the eyes watching from the shadows and the delighted grin on the face of the figure that followed Shani and Carson.

~TBC