CHAPTER 20 – THE FESTIVAL

He found himself in the jumper bay later that evening, Ronon lounging against the side of a jumper – big weapon resting comfortably at his side. He was attempting to give last minute instructions to Nicole, wanting to make sure she went into the celebration with wide open eyes and as much intell as he was able to give her. She stood in front of him, sometimes rolling her eyes as he repeated the instructions to her and flicking the occasional glance over John's shoulder to see Ronon unashamedly grinning at her.

John huffed a breath, the temptation to take her over his knee and give her a spanking growing stronger by the minute. And when that particular temptation suddenly turned into an erotic pleasure, he felt a clenching in his gut and simply stopped talked and stared down at her. She saw it come into his eyes, and there was an answering flare in hers. Ronon saw it, and gave a groan of disgust, turning tail and heading in the jumper. The floorshow was no longer any fun.

"You'll be careful out there tonight, John?" All teasing was gone from her voice and she no longer felt the need to wind him up.

His hand rose and moved softly down her hair until it reached the end, then using the momentum, he tugged so that she moved closer to him. He looked down into her face and saw the concern there, and knew immediately where it came from and felt honoured that it was directed at him.

"Hey... don't you worry about me, Nic. This is what I do, I'd rather you spent the energy in taking care of yourself. Makes my job easier..."

Her hand snaked around his neck and pulled slightly so that it brought his head down towards hers and he no longer held back. Dropping his head down, he touched her lips gently, then when she applied more pressure, he increased his own so that he could taste the flavour that was inherently her and knew that he could get lost in these feelings that were coursing through him. Her body moved into his and he felt her in all the places they touched, as though the sudden heat generated melded them together. It was John who pulled free and looked down into her flushed face and as he heard her shuddering breath he ran a hand gently down her cheek, following down until it rested at her waist.

"Ok, wow... it's been a long time... and that was... wow..." Her voice was warm as treacle and a little wistful, as though remembering another time, another place.

"Eloquent, Miss Harmon. I see why you rely on pictures to say what you mean..."

She swatted him around the ear and pulled away, this time slanting a grin in his direction before she stepped on board the jumper. There, she thought. Back on the horse now, so to speak, and I didn't get thrown off. Not yet... If I hold on to those reins tightly enough, perhaps I can enjoy the ride.

And the smile stayed on her face throughout the short trip across the Lantien sea and was still there when they left the jumper to join the celebration. Partly due in fact that John held her tightly beside him and the touch of his hand was like a promise that her life could know the light again.

"I'm gonna get some Ruus wine. Want me to bring some back? John? Nicole?"

"We're good Ronon – need to keep our wits about us tonight." John waved him away, but Nicole called out.

"Change the 'we' to "I", Ronon. Yes please to the wine... I'd love to try some. John can keep his wits about him, and I'll let mine have a little help." She widened her eyes as John seemed about to protest and put a finger on his lips to silence him. He smiled against her fingers and dragged her closer so that he could thread his hands in her long hair, tipping her face up to his.

"Dance?"

"Thought we were working, Colonel Sheppard... later maybe. I want to take some photos. The firelight is amazing, and the expressions on their faces – so open and unguarded. So different than most of the faces you see on earth. They have more to fight for here, yet they have less. Does that make sense?"

"Yeah, and I know what you mean. Go and take your photos. I'll not be far away, and I'll keep you in my sight. Always."

She pulled away and slung her camera into her hand and John watched as she disappeared into the crowd. He had no trouble keeping his eyes on her. She radiated her own kind of energy, sparking as though alight with some special as yet, undiscovered, element. He watched the men within the group, their eyes drawn to her also, as though of their own accord. She was oblivious to their attentions. Even when several Athosian men stopped her to ask her to dance, he watched her politely, laughingly decline and bring her camera up to her face, again and again. At one point Ronon sidled closer to her and handed her a giant tanker of Ruus wine, and he sighed. She had no idea how potent that particular drink was and wondered if the ensuing headache in the morning was going to be worth the small pleasure that it would bring tonight.

The wine brought a warmth to her and she felt the buzz as alcohol coursing through her small frame and flooded her mind with emotional overload. Her camera always in hand, she saw pictures where there were none and saw paintings and art where there had been nothing before. Half an hour later she found herself in John's arms, dancing to a tune that she did not know, but felt through to her very core.

Looking down into her flushed face, he smiled. "I see the wine is doing it's thing... hmmm?"

"If you mean giving me this delicious feeling of being on top of the world? Then, yeah... bring me some more. Tastes... yummy."

His head dipped down and her ran his tongue over her lips, causing her her laugh. "Yep!" He agreed. "Tastes... yummy."

She stumbled slightly and he tucked her a little tighter against him. "Mmm, I think you have definitely had enough embibement, Miss Nicole Harmon. You are a little drunk, and while I have been carefully observing all those gathered here, I have been unable to locate anyone who is acting in the least suspicious. Seems like they decided not to take this opportunity after all."

"S'ok, John. We got to dance... I got to take some photos... and life feels pretty damn fine about now. But nature calls... so if you'll save the next dance for me... oh, and if Ronon comes by, then yes, I'll take another flagon of that... Ruus... mmmm."

She whirled away from him, eyes sparkling and drifted off in the direction of the bathrooms and John stared after her. Hoping that his heart was not on his sleeve right now. A guy needed to have a little dignity, after all. Ronon clapped him on the back, bringing him out of his reverie. In his hand he held another tankard of the wine for Nicole, and John shook his head.

"The lady has had enough Ronon – she's a lightweight and this stuff will knock her for six."

"You guys seem to have stopped fighting... long enough to dance, anyway." Ronon took a long drink of his own wine, regarding his friend thoughtfully.

"She's under my skin, Ronon. No getting around that."

"She feel the same?" Ronon felt the need to look out for his friend.

"She will, Ronon. She will."