Start Chapter 16

"That went better than I expected," John said walking out of the room leaving Teyla alone as per her request.

Ronon grunted walking along the hallway opening every door he came across "Is there a gym anywhere on this ship?"

"Yeah come on," a smile spreading across his face Ronon hated to be cooped up and knowing that the Athosians were in danger probably didn't make it any better.

***

Ronon was whopping Sheppard's ass worse than usual due to John's lack of practice. As Sheppard picked himself off the floor for the sixth time since they had started Ronon started to complain, "Man you really suck now, I would have thought you and Teyla would been sparring."

"Yeah well I guess she just didn't want to," he said striking out at the Satedan who easily blocked and countered. "We've actually found some cool stuff and I think being here has taken her mind off of missions for awhile."

"She must have not liked being away from the search for her people though," he said hitting John on the arm.

"Actually we found some information about her people so that kept her really busy apparently there's stuff about me in there to but I didn't look at it."

"Anything about any of us?"

"Teyla but I don't recall anything about you or Rodney I can show you if you want," he offered just dodging a vicious blow to his abdomen.

"Naw I'm fine," he deflected Sheppard's blows and started back with a few light one's of his own, "So what have you and Teyla been doing?"

"Mainly research and well you know about the ship you?"

He shrugged, "Usual missions sparring and Rodney got engaged to Katie Brown,"

"Really he finally proposed?"

"Yeah he got trapped with her in a room and Atlantis went into lockdown fortunately we were able to get some people down from the ships in orbit to rescue us."

"Where'd you get trapped?"

"Infirmary with Keller,"

"How was that?"

"eh she wanted to get to know me better."

"You two hook up?"

"No," a hint of sadness snuck into his eyes as he remembered the woman he had lost on Sateda.

John seized the momentary distraction in his sparring partner and managed to land a few blows, "Still too soon?"

Ronon recovered and sent a fury of blows at John forcing him back, the series of attacks was all the answer John needed as he once again fell to the floor. They shared a smile at how well they knew each other, and what the other needed. As John picked himself off the floor he indicated that he was done with sparring for now.

"What about you and Teyla?" he asked throwing his stuff back into the bag he had brought with him.

John picked himself off the floor leaving the rods on the side of the room, "What about us?" he warned causing Ronon to smile amusingly at him. John took the lead and headed to the nearest teleporter. "Where do you want to go?"

"I don't know its your ship what do you do here?"

He tapped a button on the screen, "Come on I'll show you the bridge that might interest you."

***

Sheppard sat down on the control chair as he walked into the room and looked to see if there was anything he could do to interest Ronon finding nothing he decided to look for Sateda in the ships database. "Hey Ronon check this out," he pointed to a screen off to the side that flickered to life and filled with text. He saw Ronon's confused look and got up from the chair, "it's about Sateda actually I don't know how it has this information but look here this about when the Wraith recaptured you and sent you back."

Ronon grunted but made no attempt to look at the data. "Not a fan of history I presume. How about hmmm," he thought for a moment.

Ancient interrupted his chain of thought, "Perhaps Specialist Dex would enjoy a battle simulation?"

"What kind?" Ronon asked Sheppard as he got up from the chair.

"Just get in Ronon," he said smiling and heading over to the door. He turned and looked at Ancient nodding to him as he left the room.

***

After 20 minutes of watching Ronon sitting in the chair John had left the bridge and headed back down to the bedroom. As the door slid open light filtered into the room he noticed how dark the room was for the early afternoon. He glanced around at the candles Teyla had laid out around the room he spotted her on the floor meditating, "Teyla?"

She had been meditating since they had left her so many hours before and had finally been starting to obtain some control over the emotions that had raged within her, hate, despair, anger, and hopelessness. But when he had interrupted he caused others to join the fray. When she had initially told him about her pregnancy he had been angry and avoided talking to her. But since arriving, he'd most definitely been kinder he'd been offering to help her and generally their friendship had begun to return to its previous state, a pleasant surprise for her after the weeks of little awkward contact. "Yes John?" She asked continuing with her meditation not even opening an eye to look at him.

He walked over to her softly and sat in the position he had been taught years ago by the now ascended Teer. He sat quietly for a few minutes waiting for her to finish. She bowed her head which he took as a sign she was finished however he still spoke in subdued tones, "When do you want me to fly you back to Atlantis?"

Her eyes flickered open gently and she faced him, "If you do not mind I would like to prepare before I see them."

He nodded, "You know that I'm…we're here for you and if you need anything we'll be happy to oblige."

"Thank you John I know."

"Then I guess I'll leave you," he started to stand up when she placed a hand on his knee.

"You may join me if you wish," she smiled warmly at him.

"Are you uh sure I'm not the greatest at mediating."

"Yes John I would…appreciate the company."

***

"Doctor?" the marine asked as he entered the room that had previously held the two Athosians. He was met by a series of turned heads and various forms of yes, "Doctor Keller," he corrected causing many to turn away grumbling.

"Yes Lieutenant," she asked from across the room head buried in the readouts on a tablet.

He approached her, "Colonel Carter would like to know when you're going to be ready to return to Atlantis she'd like a report on your progress here." He turned and walked back towards the door loitering just outside waiting for her to emerge. When she did he led the way towards the gate attempting to start a conversation with her but finding that she wasn't interested in any small talk.

"Doctor have you made any progress?"

"Yes, where is Rodney?"

"Probably in the mess hall, the briefing is in 20 minutes and you know him and food."

She nodded and headed to the mess hall.

End Chapter 16

A/N Read and review please, thanks.