AN: I was aiming to have this chapter up over the weekend but things got really busy and I didn't get much chance to sit in front of my computer. Sorry for the delay.

Thanks Chesi66 for your review and PM, I poured over both. Nice to hear from you also, Garber Baby

Sara POV

Natara looked up as I entered the room with Ronon behind me.

"Daddy!" she shrieked in delight as she dropped the doll she was playing with and ran towards him, her small hands extended out front.

The tension went out of Ronon's frame and he dropped slowly to one knee, barely managing to open his arms before Natara propelled herself into them. He enfolded her and held her to him, lifting her feet off the ground as she clung tightly to his neck. For a moment both of them were still, the only movement being the deep rise and fall of Ronon's chest as he drew ragged breaths.

Gradually, he loosened his hold a little so he could sit back and look at her.

"Daddy no go 'way," Natara told him, her face solemn.

He looked back at her, his expression equally as serious. "No," he whispered, his voice slightly broken. "I'm not going anywhere."

He pressed his lips to her temple and I tore my eyes away from them both for long enough to acknowledge Erik and Isobel who were also in the room. Seated together on the settee, Isobel was perched on my brother's lap with her slender arms wrapped around his neck, while Summer curled up beside him with her thumb in her mouth. Max, not wanting to be left out, clutched at his father's leg as he waved his new toy sword at him.

"Sorry I didn't wait for you," Erik told me as he ruffled Max's dark hair. I noticed the white bandage that was wrapped around his forearm. "When the call came through from Marcus, I didn't see the point in staying around any longer."

"It's fine," I assured him. "It's better you were here anyway… with Isobel and everyone." I knelt down next to Ronon and leaned over to kiss Natara.

"Hey sweetie," I whispered as I smoothed her curls back from her face. She looked at me for a moment and then turned away.

"Want daddy," she buried her face in Ronon's neck.

I smiled and stepped back. I was lucky enough to have already had Ronon to myself so it was only fair she have her turn too. I sat down on the chair behind them both and for the first time in over a week I let myself truly relax.

"How are you holding up?" Erik asked from across the room.

Something in his tone made me wary and I met his eyes to find he was studying me closely. It dawned on me that he knew about Rydan and I guessed John must have told him back on Atlantis.

"I'm okay," I told him, and was surprised to discover it was the truth. Having Ronon back and my family reunited somehow made everything that happened on Danisine seem very far away. I suspected I might not always feel this way, but for now I was content to go with the sentiment. Erik however seemed to have other ideas.

"Whose idea was it? To have you approach Rydan like that?"

Oh no… First Ronon and now him. I realized I should have expected he'd react like this. "It was my idea," I told him. "No one else's."

He looked at me for a moment and then gestured towards the door, "Can I talk to you for a moment?"

It crossed my mind to tell him no, that he could speak his piece right here in front of everyone, but because of the children I relented. I didn't want to mar their day by having an argument with Erik in front of them – and an argument was exactly where I suspected we were headed. How dare he get all over-bearing on me the moment he got home? Reluctantly, I stood up and prepared to leave the room.

Erik shifted out from beneath Isobel. I'll be back in a moment," he told her as he gave her a quick kiss on the lips.

I looked at Ronon, and was disappointed to see him nod to Erik in silent support. What was with the two of them? Couldn't they both just be happy to be home instead of concerning themselves with the how and why? I decided I would deal with Ronon later – after I'd put my brother in his place. I left the room quickly, taking pleasure in making Erik have to hurry to catch up. He caught my arm outside his study and pulled me inside, closing the door behind us.

"What?" I rounded on him, but to my surprise he would not let my arm go. Instead he pulled me to him and gave me a long hug.

"I missed you, crazy sister."

He could have told me that in front of the others. Wary, if a little less angry, I pulled away. "So, what's this all about?"

"Isobel tells me you did a great job of organizing Troy's wake. Thank you, I know it must have been hard for you."

I eyed him warily. This was Erik's way, disarm you with niceties and then bring up the subject that really mattered. I'd seen him employ this strategy countless times with the men who worked under him – and it usually got him results, but it wouldn't work with me. I knew him too well. "You don't need to thank me," I told him in clipped tones. "He was my cousin too."

"I know," he rested his hand upon his hip. "But I believe in giving credit where it's due, and by all accounts you really stepped up while I was away."

I sighed. "Erik, could this not have waited?"

"It could have," he agreed, "But I need to know what went on out there today. Who made the call to follow your idea through? Was it Marcus… or the Colonel from Atlantis?"

He was so predictable, I had to fight not to roll my eyes. "Why?" I countered. "You weren't there. What difference does it make whose decision it was?"

"Marcus is one of my best men. If he's taking risks that put people's lives in danger, I need to know about it. Particularly when that person happens to be my only sister."

"Oh, for God's sake," I jammed my hands on top of my hips and looked at him squarely. "You should hear yourself! If it wasn't for Marcus, you and Ronon would probably not be here right now. You should be thanking him instead of doubting him."

"So, it was Marcus then?" Ever sharp, he picked up on my slip.

"Yes. It was Marcus who made the final decision. Although I did manage to talk Colonel Sheppard around too."

He gave me a long look and then sighed and ran his hand through his hair. "You can be so darned head strong."

I raised my eyebrows. "Look who's talking."

"Okay," he sighed. "I guess I've got what I need for now. I'll take this up with Marcus when he gets back."

His tone made me worry about the repercussions Marcus might face because of me. "Don't be hard on him," I warned. "You weren't there. We didn't have any other choice."

He stared at me in silence, his blue eyes piercing.

"Marcus had my back out there. He wouldn't have let anything happen to me."

He nodded. "I know we owe a lot to him. I'm just not sure putting you in position where you had to stab someone in cold blood was the best of plans."

I winced at the bald reminder of what I had done. "That was my choice. I didn't have to kill Rydan. Marcus asked me to incapacitate him for a moment. He… he would have taken over as soon as he was finished with the guards."

Erik sighed. "At least it seems the two of you have put your differences aside anyway."

I paused for a moment. "We were never really at odds with each other… Not so much that either of us let it affected our work."

"Tension in the ranks is never a good thing," Erik countered. "Wherever possible I like us all to get along. It requires too much planning to keep conflicting parties working apart from each other."

I suspected he was no longer talking about Marcus and I, but about Marcus and Ronon. "I guess that's why they call you General then," I smiled.

He smiled back and the mood between us lifted. "Alright, let's leave it at that then. I'll hear what Marcus has to say for himself tomorrow… Right now, we've both got better things to be doing than standing here arguing with each other."

"You call this arguing?" I raised my eyebrows. "I was just getting started."

"Don't I know it," he rolled his eyes and opened the door to let me out. "Get back out there to that man of yours. At least he knows how to handle you."

"Are you paying Ronon a compliment or implying I'm stroppy?" I asked.

He flashed me a smug look. "You figure it out."

We both laughed and were still smiling when we re-entered the room to rejoin the others

"Well, well," Isobel said when she saw us. "This looks promising. I was worried the two of you were about to do each other some serious harm."

I looked at Erik. Despite how domineering he could be, it really was good to have him home. "As sorely as I was tempted," I told Isobel, "I think I've done enough damage for one day."

Everyone smiled, especially Ronon. He seemed pleased that I was able to joke – however poorly – about what had happened with Rydan. I walked over to the armchair where he was sitting with Natara on his lap.

"I'm going to get something to eat and then give Natara her bath before bed. Do you want anything?"

He shook his head. "I'll give Natara her bath," he said as he bounced her on his knee. "Then I might turn in."

"Great," I readily agreed. "I'll grab a bite, and make a check of the cottage for when Marissa gets back." I leaned forward and kissed him on the mouth. "I'll meet you in bed after I'm done."

His green eyes held mine and a pull started deep inside me. I gave him a tiny nod of recognition and then bent to kiss Natara before leaving the two of them together.

oOo

My tasks took about an hour to complete and Thornby was in darkness by the time I returned from the cottage. I took a quick shower before checking in on Natara on the way to our bedroom. To my surprise, I found her bed was empty and I smiled as I realized where she would be.

I crept across the corridor and slowly pushed the door to our room open. The bedside lamp was on, and Ronon was lying on the bed propped up against a mound of pillows with his eyes closed. His torso was bare as were his feet, crossed at the ankles beneath the bottoms of his trousers. On top of his chest lay Natara, sound asleep on her stomach and dressed in her favorite white cotton nightgown. Her hair had been left to dry naturally and was curled into tight ringlets that exactly matched the color of her father's dreadlocks.

The picture of them together was so perfect that for a moment I hovered in the doorway and simply stared. Natara brought out something in Ronon that always affected me, no matter how many times I had seen it before. For a man who could strike fear so easily into the heart of his adversaries, he was the complete opposite when it came to his daughter. Even now as he slept his had rested lightly across her back, strong and protective as he held her to him.

I shrugged out of my nightgown and hung it over the handle on the wardrobe. The evening air cooled the satin of my red nightgown and as I approached the bed, Ronon opened his eyes.

He gave me a lazy smile and extended his free arm out towards me on the bed and silently invited me to climb up beside him. I did as he asked, flicking my hair away from my face as I lay on my side facing him and rested my head in the crook of his shoulder. Natara's face was inches from my own and I tilted my head to place a soft kiss on her forehead. She smelled of shampoo and her skin was smooth and clean.

"How'd you get on," Ronon asked, his voice low.

"Good. I won't need to get up early now if Marissa arrives back first thing. Everything is ready and waiting."

"I like the sound of that," he curled his arm around my back and stroked my bare shoulder with his fingertips.

"Me too," I told him as I nuzzled his chest with my nose. He smelled like soap and wood-musk, an earthy scent that I always associated with him. "But only if you're here with me."

"I'll be here."

I sat up slightly and propped my head against my hand so I could look down at him. "How was Nat? Did she enjoy her bath?"

"Uh huh. Never realized one small person could displace so much water."

I grinned. "She loves splashing."

"So I found out," his face grew serious. "I want to spend more time with her."

His words made me ache deep inside. It wasn't like he was never around to begin with, in fact I would be willing to bet he was more of a hands-on father than most of those in Tarus, but still he wanted to do more. The ache inside me deepened and slowly morphed into something I had not been aware of until now. I wanted to have another baby with him. The realization was such a surprise that I must have fallen silent because he shook me gently.

"Something the matter?" he turned his head and studied me closely. "You've gone all quiet."

I thought for a moment. Was this the right time to tell him what I was thinking? I'd only just discovered the idea myself, and to be fair, he'd never raised the issue before. Maybe he felt Natara was enough? "Uh…" I stammered, "I'm just tired, and pleased to have you home."

He looked at me, his eyes suddenly dark with desire. "Not too tired, I hope?"

"No," I ran my fingertips down his side, deliberately dragging my nails against his skin. "No too tired."

He looked at me and then at Natara, still asleep on his chest.

"I'll get her," I said as I scooped her up into my arms. She was warm and heavy against my chest and she did not stir as I swung my legs over the side of the bed and carried her back to her own room. I placed her in bed carefully and tucked her in before returning to Ronon.

I found him under the blankets and as he held them up for me to slip under and join him, I discovered he had removed the last of his clothes. The satin of my nightgown quickly warmed as I climbed into bed and pressed myself to him.

"I like what you're wearing," he said as he rolled me onto my back beneath him.

His body pushed against me, hard and lean and radiating heat. "I like what you're wearing more."

He smiled and dropped his head to kiss me. By the time he was finished every nerve ending in my body was tingling with anticipation. He slid his hand up my bare thigh and pushed my nightgown higher to bare me to his touch. I was already shamelessly aroused, and when his fingers located and stroked my nub I arched myself towards him and moaned softly.

He kissed me again, this time penetrating me with his tongue at the same time as his fingers eased into me down below. The feeling was exquisite and my mouth and hips quickly fell into rhythm with him so that I was building… building… I stiffened, and my body peaked and then tumbled over the edge into a long, beautiful, rolling orgasm.

"Wow," I gasped as he released my mouth and removed his hand. "That was…" I grinned and hid my face in his chest. "I didn't realize I could do that so quickly."

He chuckled, a deep masculine that I would have find highly arousing had I not been in the immediate afterglow of my release.

"I want the next one to be slow," he whispered as he lifted my chin and pressed a soft kiss to the base of my throat. His breath fanned my skin as he kissed me slowly all the way from throat to ear. As much as I was tempted to let him continue, I put out my hand and gently pushed him away.

"I want to touch you too," I told him as I pushed him onto his back beside me. He looked up at me, his green eyes hooded behind dark eyelashes, and I traced my fingertip along his the arch of his eyebrow. He held my gaze as I did the same with the other and then ran my forefinger down the ridge of his nose and passed it gently across his parted lips. He had beautiful lips, thick and full, and framed by dark whiskers that tickled my skin when he kissed me. I smiled as I remembered how good they felt when pressed to various parts of my body as well.

"What?" he asked as he saw my amusement.

I smiled again. "I'm just admiring you," I told him. "You're beautiful. You know that?"

He gave me a doubtful look. "Men aren't beautiful."

I laughed. "Yes they are… Well, some of them are. You, most definitely."

I brushed the backs of my knuckles against the soft hollow of his cheek and slowly traced his jaw and the thick column of muscle that ran down the side of his neck. I was lying on his right but if I leaned over I could see his tattoo from Sateda. He lay completely motionless while I completed my explorations. Never one to fidget, he was always either still or in action – and it was unnerving how fast he could switch from one to the other.

I leaned in and pressed my lips to his chest. His muscles were heavy and smooth, dipping slightly at the shoulder and then swelling again over his biceps and down over his forearms. I flicked my tongue across his nipple and then slid my hand lower down his chest.

"You've got a beautiful stomach," I teased as I caressed the solid muscles in his abdomen.

He was silent, but I noticed his chest had begun to rise and fall more rapidly with intake of breath. It seemed his early objection be being called beautiful was forgotten now that I was getting closer to the source of his desire.

I inched lower and closed my hand around him. "And a beautiful cock," I told him as I began to stroke him.

He grunted and I looked up to see that his eyes were closed. So a man could not be beautiful, but his appendage could be? O-kay. I smiled as I grazed my lips and teeth down his abdomen to join my hand. He was already hard and swollen and I took him in my mouth and sucked him gently.

He grunted again and tangled his fingers in my hair in encouragement. I loved seeing him so disarmed and I deliberately alternated my pressure and rhythm to prolong my power over him for as long as possible. When sweat beaded on his skin and his hands in my hair became taught and still, I stopped.

He groaned, and his hands fell to his sides as he relaxed back against the bed, breathing heavily. "You drive me crazy," he rasped.

I grinned. It was the second time I'd been called crazy that day and yet neither time offended me. I gave him a few moments to calm down and then straddled his hips, careful to avoid contact with him. My nightgown brushed against his stomach as I leaned forward to kiss his mouth his hands found my knees on either side of his waist. Slowly, he dragged my nightgown up to expose my thighs and I reached down to guide him towards my entrance. When he was in position I eased myself down onto him.

For the second time that day he filled me and I closed my eyes in ecstasy as he lifted his hips to fill me even further.

"Ronon," I whispered as I willingly gave him control again.

He rolled his hips another few times and then sat up beneath me and caught me with his arms around my waist. My knees were still bent, and I sat up straight as he crossed his legs beneath me. This was… different. I quickly realized that the shift in position brought my center into direct contact with his lower abdomen and if I rocked myself against him it produced a delicious friction. I soon found myself doing just that. Again and again. Until I closed my eyes and threw my head back as I rode him in a frenzy of pleasure.

He found my nipple with his teeth and bit down.

Oh my!

He thrust upwards into me once again and I came undone completely. I climaxed with an intensity that left me breathless and limp in his arms.

He supported me as he reached his own release, emitting a groan of pleasure as he erupted deep inside me. Both exhausted, we fell back against the sheets together to catch our breath.

"Wow," I panted, and then giggled as I realized how ridiculous I sounded. Unable to help myself I said it again. "Wow."

He chuckled, and I smiled into his chest, my cheek in almost the exact same place as Natara's had been a short time before. The rhythmic thud of his heart resounded in my ear, solid and dependable.

"I love you," he said as he wrapped his arms around my back.

If I died right now I realized I would be content. He lifted my hand and pressed it to his lips and I stiffened as I realized that although he had the wrong hand, I still had not put my ring back on. I sat up and rolled away from him.

"What are you doing?" he asked as I fished around on the nightstand.

I located my ring and pushed it back onto my finger. "There," I held it up for him to see. "That's better."

"Much," he agreed as snuggled back towards him beneath the covers.

I closed my eyes and felt myself begin to drift. As sleep threatened to overcome me, I realized I had not spoken to Ronon about Marcus. After all of the support he had given me the past week I hated to think that Ronon might still see him as a threat, or worse, feel he had acted rashly with my safety. I debated bringing up the subject with Ronon now – not in the least so I could tell him about Marcus's infatuation with Marissa – but then decided against it. Right now, Ronon was home and he was safe and that was all that mattered. Everything else could wait until morning.