Author's note: Thanks to everyone who's read & reviewed the story so far. I have actually finished writing it and it will be ten chapters long. Thanks to anne57 for beta-ing
The remainder of the day had been whirlwind of activity.
After sitting with his mother when she had woken up, and a meal in the mess which Carson had insisted on, Ro had returned to M7S-282 with Teyla and Ronan, along with Elizabeth. She hadn't had many opportunities to go off world but she had a feeling that this one would be worth it. Carson had rounded up a list of all the medical supplies he thought they could spare and it was considerable. By the time they arrived at the village, Ro was being inundated by people inquiring after him and his mother.
"These new friends wish to trade." Ro cried out happily. "They bring medicine and knowledge!"
The merchants could barely keep their excitement hidden. Good medicine was hard to come by. Elizabeth put her arm on Ro's shoulder to get his attention.
"Any idea of where we should begin?" The boy pointed to the stall with grains on display.
"Zedan sells a grain which is... cool." The earth word sounded slightly odd coming from his mouth, but Teyla and Ronan chuckled to themselves. The group headed over. "Zedan, this is Elizabeth. She wishes to trade for grain."
"Which type of grain do you like? I have many." The man smiled brightly, a smile Elizabeth returned.
"Which one makes the nicest bread?"
"That would be the Piya seed." He pointed to slightly green seed, which resembled wheat. "It needs to be crushed before making bread, but the effort is small. You can always eat the Piya itself of course."
"Then we'll definitely be wanting some."
"Zedan, show her the Cotpup!" Ro was clearly excited at this option.
"Of course!" The merchant motioned towards a basket with appeared to be corn kernels, in bright colours of blue, green and red. "This is the Cotpup. It grows tall in the field, and is fine when cooked by the fire." The merchant lowered his voice, as if telling a secret. "But, if the seed is allowed to dry hard, then heated slowly in a pot, it bursts into a soft puff."
Teyla suddenly became very interested at this point. After all, it sounded very similar to an earth dish she had grown fond of. She placed her hand on Ro's arm.
"Ro, is the Cotpup like popcorn?" The boy thought for a moment, then smiled excitedly, nodding his head. "Elizabeth, I believe that many would be pleased with us if we traded for this."
Elizabeth agreed. She knew firsthand how quickly the popcorn supplies from earth disappeared from the mess. Movie nights quickly needed to have the supplies rationed to maintain order. She nodded at the merchant, who bowed his head.
"We shall set terms with the other merchants you trade with."
The next stop was a produce cart, which was almost overflowing with roots, vegetables and fruits. Ro introduced her to the merchant.
"Elizabeth, this is Leon. He is my teacher in the fields." The boy took the man's hand by his own and held it to his chest. "Forgive my absence from the fields. My new friends have needed my help." The man simply chuckled and ruffled the boys' hair.
"Ro, you worry yourself." He looked up at Elizabeth with a bright face, reminding her of her grandfather. Their demeanour was similar. "The boy works harder than any other I have known. I can spare him to help others easily. Now, what interests you?"
Elizabeth talked with Leon about what he was offering, this time it was Teyla who was offering input as she was more familiar with the food on display. Ronan shook his head at the discussion over a leafy vegetable resembling lettuce, but kept his comments to himself. It was never a good idea to interrupt a trade, no matter what world you were on. Ro also watched proceedings until the end when he held out a purple root towards Elizabeth.
"This would be of great benefit. The Moon root is versatile and is like the... the... potatoes that you have."
"The cooks would definitely appreciate that." To herself, she wondered if they made good fries.
After the items for trade were decided, Elizabeth sat down with the two merchants to agree on terms. It did not take long for all parties to agree and Elizabeth promised to send for the medical supplies. Heading back to the stargate, Ro ducked into his house and returned with a large leather sack.
"What is that Ro?"
"It is the knowledge of the Ancestors. I thought you would enjoy reading from them."
"Indeed I would." Privately, Elizabeth knew that this was an understatement, as she was desperate to read anything she could.
Upon returning to Atlantis, she radioed the infirmary to bring the supplies to the gateroom for trade. She sent Teyla and Ronan, along with two teams of marines back through to the planet with the supplies. She would have sent Ro as well, but Zelenka was finding other ways to capitalise on the boys' time. I didn't take long for the stargate to activate again.
"Off world activation." Chuck called from the control room. "It's Lieutenant Donaldson's IDC"
"Lower the shield. Tell the KP staff that they have goods to transport from the gateroom."
Chuck nodded as Elizabeth raced down the stairs to greet the team returning. As the gateroom began to fill with larger amounts of grain and vegetables than expected, she was worried that something might have been misinterpreted. Teyla saw the look of confusion on her face and walked over, carrying a large sack.
"The merchants were very pleased with the quality of our supplies that they decided we had been treated unfairly. They insisted on correcting this error with a suitable amount of supplies. Ronan was most pleased with the adjustment"
They looked towards the gate as he appeared out of the event horizon, carrying what looked to be a side of a beef, all cleaned up and ready for cooking, but this was almost eight feet long. He looked up at Elizabeth, with the biggest grin on his face.
"It's a side of Hayop. It's rare to get the meat unless you hunt them yourself." As he walked off, Elizabeth was now smiling. Teyla returned the grin.
"It was a gesture of good faith on their part. I believe that they are most excited to trade with us again. And Ronan is correct, the meat is rare and it is good to eat."
"What does it taste like?"
"It is most similar to beef in flavour."
Elizabeth smiled and went to check on Ro. Radek and some of the other scientists had been desperate to spend some time with the boy, as they had noticed energy increases following him wherever he went on Atlantis, similar to the way the city reacted to Colonel Sheppard, but on a larger scale. They had found systems activate and organise themselves more efficiently if the boy had been in proximity to them. Elizabeth agreed that they could have Ro spend some time with them, but only if Sheppard came with them. The next couple of hours had Radek leading Ro and Sheppard around to various consoles and labs, his scientific mind working in overdrive at what possibilities were being unlocked. It came as no surprise when Carson called Elizabeth, who relayed to Colonel Sheppard that not only did the boy possess the ATA gene, but it was one of the strongest expressions they had ever seen.
It was this last fact that was one of Colonel Sheppard's motivators for visiting the infirmary. He had hoped that the boy might be able to convince the city to forgive him. He just wanted to have a warm shower again. As he entered the infirmary, he found Ro standing back slightly from his mother, who was having a rather spirited discussion from her bed with Carson.
"He has returned to our home today Doctor Beckett."
"I understand that love, but..."
"And you have found nothing that suggest he is not in full health."
"Again, that is true, but..."
"Then I see no reason that my son cannot enjoy walking around this grand city of the Ancestors."
Sheppard smiled at this. He couldn't help agreeing with her.
"She's got ya there Carson."
"Aye, that she has." The Scott admitted. "I suppose he can sleep somewhere else tonight. But you need your rest. You've had quite an ordeal and you need time ta heal."
"I could take Ro around the city. Heck, he can even crash on my couch." The boy looked up at the Colonel with a puzzled look.
"You wish for me to damage this... couch?"
"I believe the Colonel means that you can stay with him tonight my child."
The boy walked over to his mother and held her hand to his forehead. "Rest well Mother."
"Come on Ro, I'll show you around."
Sheppard gestured towards the open door and Ro followed him out. They first walked towards one of the many balconies that looked out over the city. Ro looked out with awe, a massive smile on his face.
"Are all the works of the Ancestors this grand?"
"They're all great, but Atlantis is something special."
The boy nodded in understanding. They continued through the halls, with the lights glowing just a little bit brighter as they walked.
"Zelenka was right, the city likes you Ro." Ro didn't hear Colonel Sheppard make that comment as he had run ahead to the central staircase. For the boy, it seemed that it went up and down forever. Sheppard caught him up. "How about we grab a bite at the mess?"
The boy nodded in agreement. He was relatively quiet on the walk as he was taking in what he was seeing. Arriving in the mess, they grabbed their trays and looked at the options. The chefs had wasted no time in utilising the fresh produce that had been traded earlier in the day. Sheppard read the labels in front of the larger dishes.
"Pegasus purple moon fries?" He asked the corporal on KP duty.
"Yes sir. Made from moon root. Tastes just like fries from home. Goes really well with the hamburgers."
Sheppard was satisfied with that answer and the pair both took hamburgers, with a plate of fries to share. Ro seemed to savour the taste of the burger, while Sheppard had to admit that the Pegasus fries were just as good as ones from earth. Maybe even slightly better. Following the meal, they headed towards the Colonel's quarters. When they entered, Sheppard took one step in and stopped. The air was warm.
"Is something wrong John?" The boy had turned to see why he had stopped.
"No, nothing's wrong Ro."
Sheppard wasted no time showing Ro where the bathroom was, along with the aforementioned couch. The boy retired to the shower.
"How's the water Ro?" Sheppard called.
"It is most pleasant. The water is warm and soothing."
Sheppard smiled, hoping that the water would be warm for him. After the boy was done and changed, he turned on the water in the shower and reached out a hand into the spray. "Dammit!" he exclaimed pulling his hand back out of the icy water. Evidently the city still had not forgiven him. His shower was quick, as most of them had been recently, before he changed and headed out to see Ro laying on the couch, staring at the roof. The boy noticed Sheppard's approach and moved to sit up, the Colonel motioning for him to stay where he was.
"If you're tired Ro, it's fine."
"My thanks for allowing me to... crash on your couch John."
"No problem Ro. Goodnight."
Ro fell asleep quickly on the couch, leaving Sheppard alone with his thoughts, which like most evenings drifted to the loss of his friend. Lying on his bed, he drifted slowly into a dream where he saw Rodney being carried away time and time again, never quite being able to save him. His unrestful sleep was interrupted by someone pleading softly. Sheppard couldn't quite make out what was being said until he heard a loud cry.
"NO!"
This jostled the Colonel awake, only to hear someone rush out of the door of his quarters crying. Even in his sleep deprived state, he quickly worked out that something had bothered Ro in his sleep. He got up and fumbled for his jacket, before chasing after him. After trying to track him down for a few minutes, and still facing temperamental doors slowing him down, Sheppard leaned against a wall in the empty hall to catch his breath.
"Come on Atlantis, can you give me a break this time?" The door to the transporter at the end of the hall opened, with a dot on the southeast pier flashing. "All right, I'll trust you on this."
He entered the transporter and hit the flashing dot. For the first time in months, the door closed, then opened to reveal the hall leading to the pier. Colonel Sheppard thanked the city in his thoughts and walked towards the open door at the end of the hall. Looking out on the pier, he saw a lone figure seated by the edge, looking up at the sky. It was a very clear night, with the stars adding their own reflections to the lights of Atlantis in the ocean.
"The stars are singing this night John." The boy hadn't turned to him, but Sheppard took this as an invitation to sit down, which he did, swinging his legs over the edge of the pier. "I saw your friends suffer at the hands of Kolya. He wanted the secrets of the city for himself."
"I'm sorry you had to see that Ro. That wasn't pleasant for us."
"But you survived. Rodney powered the shield and you all were safe." Sheppard knew what Ro was saying was true, but it only served to remind him of his failure with Rodney. "She told me that you seek solace here."
"Who told you?"
"Atlantis."
"You mean the city spoke to you?"
The boy turned his head away from the sky and faced Sheppard.
"Have you not heard her?"
"I have." Sheppard admitted, before sighing. "The city isn't exactly happy with me."
"She has lost he who cared for her."
"I know. It's my fault."
Ro placed his hand on Sheppard's shoulder. "It is not your fault John. You must see that"
"I can't forget what happened."
Sheppard's turned away slightly, his shame and guilt resting heavily on him, like most nights. They sat there in silence for a few minutes before Ro gently grabbed Sheppard's head and turned him so they were facing each other.
"The city mourns her loss, but you must forgive yourself. Your pain in her care is of your own creation. The city responds to your thoughts, but your thoughts on yourself are harsh. You must..." Ro paused, searching for the right words, smiling suddenly. "Give yourself a break."
Sheppard chuckled slightly at the earth phrase the boy had picked up.
"Where did you hear that?"
"Your manner of speaking is very different, but I am a fast learner."
"I'll bet you are."
"Calm your feelings John. You will see Rodney McKay of Canada again."
Sheppard had to admit that despite his guilt, the boy was right. It would take time for him to truly forgive himself, but he knew now that he had to. He sighed and looked back at the starlit sky.
"Have you found the signs of the Ancestors in the sky John?"
"I'm not sure."
"Follow those stars in this manner." The boy traced a pattern between certain stars. "That is the pattern of Tahnan."
Looking at the bright stars Ro pointed to, John realised that he had seen the pattern before.
"Like the glyph on the stargate."
"The Ancestors gave the stars to guide us. Be it on our own worlds or through the Rings they left." He traced another pattern. "This is Subido. The teachings hold that Subido is near to them."
John sat beside the boy as he pointed out the constellations on the stargate that were viewable from Lantea. For the moment, his life seemed just that little bit quieter. Ruining the moment with perfect timing came a panicked voice from the control room over his radio.
"Doctor Weir, Colonel Sheppard, Doctor Zelenka to the control room immediately."
"Control room this is Sheppard" He replied in a frustrated voice. "What's going on?"
"We have just detected three hive ships headed directly for us."
