Sara POV

A few days later I approached Erik. Ever since I had temporarily filled his position as head of Tarus I had become aware of the huge amount of work and responsibility he shouldered on a daily basis. I hoped that by speaking with him, he might agree to share some of that work with me.

To my surprise he took to my suggestion readily, and I quickly found myself in charge of a number of non-military operations that aided the general running of the city. The work was interesting as well as rewarding, and best of all it did not interfere too much with the time I spent with Natara.

In this way, I kept myself busy so that the weeks until the wedding went by rapidly. One afternoon I took some time off while Natara was sleeping and went down to see Ronon in the gymnasium. He and Erik were working together to test the men's current fitness levels and they had an obstacle course set up over which they were timing each participant individually.

When I appeared, Ronon broke away from Erik and came over to me.

"Hey," he smiled. "What's happening?"

"Nothing important. I just had a few hours spare and I thought I'd see what you're doing."

He nodded and rested his hand on his hip as he turned to watch one of the men complete the rope climb. Although he appeared at ease, lately I had noticed subtle changes in him that told me he felt otherwise. Nothing big, just small indications that there was something weighing on his mind, yet whatever it was, he had not so far be forthcoming about it. I wondered if tonight in bed might be a good time to bring the subject up myself.

"Check it out," he drew me from my thoughts as he nodded towards a far corner of the room.

I looked over to see Marcus, dressed in sweat pants and a round neck navy t-shirt, standing barefoot on a padded mat. In front of him, also dressed in loose fitting clothes was Marissa. Her long hair was tied back in a ponytail and appeared to be listening intently to something Marcus was telling her.

"What's going on?" I asked Ronon.

"Just watch."

Marissa turned away from Marcus and he immediately grabbed her around the waist and tried to drag her backwards off the mat. To my surprise, Marissa took a step to the side and aimed a mock punch at his groin. As he released her she lifted her elbow violently upwards as if to connect with his jaw.

I smiled. "Self defence."

"Uh huh. They've been working at it most of the day. She's getting pretty good."

I watched Marcus nod his approval and then the two of them replayed the move. This time something went slightly wrong and they both laughed as they stepped apart.

"He's playing it smart," Ronon said, his voice low so he wouldn't be overheard. "Getting her used to being close to him, but giving her control of the situation."

I raised my eyebrows. "You think he's thought of it that way?"

"I do."

Wow. It seemed Marcus was even sweeter on Marissa than I realized. "I just hope it works out for him."

Ronon shrugged. "Guess that depends on her. If it doesn't, at least she'll have learnt how to take care of herself." He turned back to me and gestured towards Eric. "I should keep going before I slow things down too much. You want to stay and watch?"

I nodded. "Sure. I'll take a seat and wait until you're done."

He smiled and pulled me to him to give me a quick hug. "I'll try not to be too long."

I wrapped my arms around his waist and let him hold me for a moment. At least whatever was troubling him did not seem to affect how he was towards me.

I released him and took a seat on the side-lines while he walked over to join Erik. Now that Troy was gone, Erik was looking more and more towards Ronon as his right-hand man. This worried me because I feared it might cause tension if Marcus felt he had been overlooked. I was concerned enough about the matter to approach Erik about it myself, and as I sat and watched him working with Ronon I found myself recalling the conversation we'd had in his office two days ago.

"I have already spoken to Marcus about the whole thing," Erik pressed the tips of his fingertips together beneath his chin and looked at me closely. "He told me that he is happy where he is and is not seeking a promotion."

"Really?" I wasn't sure I believed him.

He shook his head and smiled. "He leads his own squadron, Sara. On top of that he's my best pilot and flight trainer. I think no less of him for declining the additional responsibility."

My face must have shown my doubt because he leaned forward in his chair and rested his elbows upon the desk. "I know it's impossible for you to comprehend, given how driven you are. But I don't believe Marcus has ever desired to rise further than his current position – which I might add, at third in command is no minor role."

I thought of all the hours Marcus and I had put into training back when we were together. Honing our skills at the firing range, working out in the gymnasium, flying together… "But I always thought…" I began, and then trailed off. "I guess I thought that he did."

"He only wanted a promotion because he felt you expected it of him," Erik replied. "You set such high standards for yourself and everything you do… I guess sometimes the people around you feel like they have to live up to them too." He softened his voice. "I'm not trying to criticize you – if anything, it's quite the opposite – but as a woman, you're very independent. Marcus needs someone he can take care of, someone who will look up to him. You've always been more his equal, and that's why the two of you never worked as a couple."

Marcus had once told me the reason he broke things off between us was because he didn't think he was good enough for me. Maybe Erik was more astute than I gave him credit for. "How come you seem to know so much about everyone?"

"I make it my business to know the strengths and weaknesses of everyone on my team."

I nodded. Ever the leader. "I accept that," I told him, and then added, "So long as you realize that anything concerning Ronon and I is strictly off-limits. I don't want you interfering between us."

He held up his hands. "Wouldn't dream of it…"

I raised my eyebrow, sure he wasn't going to just leave it at that. Sure enough, a moment later he went on.

"He doesn't compete with you like Marcus did anyway. The few times I've ever seen you best him, he tends to admire you for it. Which is what you deserve."

His observation caused a warm glow to stir inside me, but I wasn't about to let him see it. I snorted, "It sounds like you've spent way too many hours thinking about the men I see."

"More than you know."

I rolled my eyes. As infuriating as he could be, it was kind of nice to know that he was looking out for me. "Actually," I said on impulse, "I've got a favour to ask you."

He cocked an eyebrow.

"I didn't plan to ask today, but there's something I'd really like you to do for me and now seems like a good opportunity." I paused and took a breath. "I was hoping you might give me away at my wedding."

He broke into a smile and nodded. "Absolutely."

Tears sprang to my eyes, and before I knew it Erik was on his feet and had crossed the floor to pull me to him. The moment should have belonged to my father, but in his absence it seemed fitting to have Erik take his place. After all, he had looked out for me all my life and I was closer to him that I had ever been to my father anyway. Eventually I broke the embrace and stepped back. "Thanks," I told him as I turned to go.

"Anytime."

I glanced over to where Marcus was working with Marissa. He did not seem in the least bit bothered that Ronon was assisting Erik. Instead he was completely focused on Marissa, and he looked… happy. I realized it had been a long time since I had seen him look that way.

"Thought you'd come to watch me?"

I turned to see Ronon standing beside me.

"I was watching you," I told him and then smiled. "I just got a bit distracted."

He glanced towards Marcus. "Should I be worried?"

Not according to Erik. "When have I ever given you reason to worry…" I smiled at him through lowered lashes. "About anything?"

He cocked his eyebrow. "I can think of a time or two."

I stood up and we walked outside together. As much as I wanted to ask him what – if anything – was worrying him, I decided to leave it until tonight.

Ronon POV

After dinner we put Natara to bed and then relaxed in the living room with Erik and Isobel. Thornby had so many rooms that although all four of us lived under the same roof, it was possible to live separate lives unless we chose to spend time together, which was what we had done tonight.

Beside me Sara sat on the settee with her legs curled under her, while across from us Isobel sat in an armchair with Erik resting on the floor between her legs. He had one arm draped over her knee while the other held a glass of ale.

The four of us talked about the upcoming wedding, and then about a supply drop that Erik and I had carried out yesterday. It was a comfortable evening and as it was about to draw to a close, Isobel made the announcement that she and Erik were expecting a baby.

At a subtle sign from Erik I made out that this was news to me and offered my congratulations along with Sara. Under normal circumstances Erik would not have told me about the baby so prematurely, but the time we spent in captivity was anything but ordinary. I wondered if Isobel knew how much the baby had helped him to stay strong over that time.

The four of us said goodnight and Sara and I retired to bed together. As was my habit, I got in first and then waited for her to finish in the bathroom and join me. She appeared a short time later and I watched her undress, her pale skin flawless in the low light of the bedside lamp. Even after all this time the sight of her still aroused me and I admired the long lines of her body as she shook her hair free about her shoulders and joined me beneath the blankets.

I rolled over and kissed her, and she smiled against my mouth.

"You're so easy," she teased as she felt my arousal against her thigh.

I smiled. "Don't hear you complaining

"No…" She pressed herself back against me. "But I might if you don't hurry up and make love to me."

I smiled, and took her in my arms properly. That I could do!

Half an hour later we fell back on the bed together, breathless and satisfied, cocooned in the warm afterglow of our lovemaking. I wrapped my arm around her back while she lay sprawled on top of me, her cheek resting upon my chest. As our breath slowed and returned to normal, I felt her fingertips idly circle my nipple.

"You've been quiet lately," she whispered. "Is there something you want to talk about?"

So much for fooling myself into thinking I could keep anything from her. "Talking about it won't help," I sighed in resignation. "It's not like anything can be changed."

She lifted her head and met my eyes. "What do you mean?"

I sighed. She wasn't going to let this go. "I didn't want to bring it up…" I told her, "Seeing as you still have nightmares every other night."

She frowned. "You know about that?"

"It's not hard to tell. The way you toss and turn. Sometimes you say things out loud."

"Oh," she bit her lip. "What kinds of things?"

I shook my head. Mostly her words were incoherent, but sometimes the odd phrase came together and I knew she was dreaming about Rydan. "Nothing to worry about," I told her.

She lowered her eyes. "I didn't realize I disturbed you… Sorry."

"Don't be. It's not your fault."

"So… this is why you won't talk to me?" She asked. "Because whatever you're worried about has to do with Danisine… or… or with him?"

Even safe in bed beside me, she couldn't bring herself to say Rydan's name. I rubbed her back. "Kind of."

She sat up slightly. "Keeping it from me isn't going to help. Tell me."

I broke her gaze and stared up at the ceiling. "It was my fault we ended up on Danisine."

"What?" she exclaimed. "But that's ridiculous. How could it possibly be your fault?"

"The tattoo on my neck. Rydan's seen it before… word was out he'd pay good money for anyone bearing a similar mark."

She frowned. "But how…" She trailed off and then slowly pushed herself upright beside me as understanding dawned. "He's met others from Sateda?"

I nodded.

"When?" She looked around the room and I got the impression she might jump out of bed any moment and prepare to go in search for the people I spoke of.

I reached up and grasped her arm. "They're gone," I told her, my voice rough even to my own ears. I took a moment to regain control and then added. "We can't do anything for them."

Her frame sagged. "Really?" she asked. "You're sure?"

I nodded. "They died in the ring before I arrived. Two of them."

"I can't believe you're only telling me this now," she shook her head. "This is…huge."

"I thought if I could take down Rydan and his set-up, it would be enough…" I told her. "But it's not. I keep thinking about the men. What if I'd met them first?"

She lay on my chest and put her arms around me. "Do you know who they were?"

I nodded. "One of them. Calden Leit. He fought for my battalion." I pictured him as I had known him back on Sateda. "He was fearless. One of the best fighters I have ever known…. The other, I never learned his name."

"I'm sorry."

I took a deep breath and exhaled. I had been right to avoid talking about the matter. It didn't help, if anything it made it worse – like it was more real somehow.

"Don't you see what this means?" She whispered. "If there were other survivors from Sateda, then there could still be more."

"It was a long time ago," I told her. "I've travelled to a lot of places and never found anything to make me believe it."

"Until now."

She pressed her lips to my chest and I looked down at her. She was always so optimistic, so intent on seeing the positive in any situation… and I loved her for it. "I don't ever want to be without you," I told her.

She smiled up at me. "That makes two of us. Three, if you count Natara."

The tension I had been feeling slowly began to ease. I loved my daughter on a level all her own. She was my life – there was nothing I would not do for her. Sara knew this of course, and I suspected it was why she had brought her up.

"I've been wanting to talk to you about something," she said, and lowered her eyes from my gaze.

I realized that whatever she wanted to say, she was nervous about it. After a moment, she met my eyes again. "How do you feel about having another baby?"

My stomach did a somersault. "You're pregnant?"

"No… but I was thinking that I might like to be. Again."

"Really?" I couldn't stop the smile that tugged at the corners of my mouth

She nodded. "Having you gone like that… It made me realize what's important. I want to have another baby with you."

I met her stare evenly. "I've wanted to hear you to say that for a long time."

She looked surprised. "I didn't know. You never gave any indication…"

"I know you found it hard staying home with Natara while I was off-world, going on missions. I didn't want to pressure you."

Her expression grew sober. "I wish you'd told me what you wanted."

"I'm telling you now."

She nodded, and a slow smile crept across her lips. "We're really going to do this then…?"

"Looks like it," I returned her smile.

"I hope we have a boy."

"I'll be happy with either."

She grinned and cuddled close to me. "I'm so excited."

I laughed. "It might not happen right away."

"I know. But it did last time. Which reminds me… Do you mind if we wait until after the wedding? Kadria's organized a few drinks with the girls the night before. It's only another week."

I nodded, and lifted her chin with my fingertip. "I can wait another week. But then I'm going to hold you to it."

She giggled. "What if I change my mind?"

I narrowed my eyes and then quickly flipped her over so that she was pinned beneath me. She shrieked in surprise and then abruptly quietened as I took her nipple between my teeth. "Then I'll change it back," I murmured as I released her nipple and slipped my hand down between her thighs. "And I think we both know how determined I can be."

She sighed and parted her legs, and without further discussion I entered her again.

o0o

A/N: Thank you so much puffally for reviewing my last chapter. Chesi66, I hope is up and running for you again. Only two chapters to go