Warning : see chapter 1
December 10, 2006
Kendra had joined Teyla in her quarters. The two women shared a moment together to celebrate the death of Kendra's father. The assistant had talked about him and Teyla had convinced him to organize a memorial tea to honor him.
"It's been ten years already, time flies" Kendra murmurs while drinking her tea.
"We always talk about your father, but don't you have an adoptive mother ?" Teyla asks.
"No, it was just him and me. I had a stepmother for three years but she was a... witch. She took advantage of him and today, I don't care what she has become" replies the young woman.
Someone knocked on his door. Teyla opened letting Rodney in. Kendra frowned when she saw the worried look on the scientist's face.
"Are you doing well ?" Kendra asks.
"As you may know, I have to be mentally prepared to make the climb if I don't want to die. So, you could say that in a sense, I'm not doing well" assures Rodney.
'Do you need anything ?" Teyla asks.
"Yes, I wanted to know if I could participate in the sessions that you are giving to Ronon" replies the scientist.
"Sure, we start in an hour" Kendra agrees, indicating the time.
"Perfect" Rodney adds, greeting the two women.
He went out leaving them. Rodney walked around enjoying this hour of tranquility. He found Ronon in a hallway.
"Ronon !" calls Mckay.
The scientist ran towards him.
"I searched the canteen and the gymnasium but you weren't there," he admits.
Ronon continued on his way.
"So where are you going ? To the shooting range ? Are you going to practice ?" Rodney asks.
"I don't need to train" says the Sedien.
"Of course" adds the scientist.
He rushed in front of him, stopping his path.
"Look, I don't know how much time I have left, so I'm going to get straight to the point. And I have to say it's a very personal question and I hope you don't hit me," Mckay assures.
Ronon remained silent but listened to him anyway.
"I know you have scars made by the wraiths and I would like to know if this represents a victory or a constant reminder of your past ?" Rodney asked.
"Since I can't do anything about it, I manage not to think about it" admits the warrior.
"That's very wise…" murmurs the scientist.
Mckay looked around noticing that there was no one there. He suddenly hugged Ronon. The Satedian patted him on the shoulder as a thank you. Rodney stepped back, slightly embarrassed.
"You won't want them, I hope. I made them disappear" he reveals as he leaves.
Ronon touched his back insisting that the scientist hadn't lied. Afterwards, Rodney went to the office. He and the warrior crossed paths. Ronon narrows his eyes, wondering why he is there.
"I asked Miss Lloyd if I could attend your session," says the scientist.
They entered together. Kendra had two mats prepared and began her session.
"Start by trying to relax" advises the young woman.
"Easier said than done," Rodney replies.
Ronon lay down, closing his eyes. He controlled his breathing as the scientist took cues from him. Kendra placed her hands over her face. Perplexity showed on Mckay's face.
"Leave it to you" declares the young woman.
"Forgive me for this gesture" adds Rodney.
Kendra raises an eyebrow. He quickly gets up, hugging the young woman in his arms. She let out a plaintive whine, catching Ronon's attention. He saw the scene with a frown. Rodney let go of the young woman who fell backwards onto the ground. Rodney left the scene on his way to Sheppard's quarters. A tear rolled down Kendra's cheek. The doors closed as Ronon knelt before her.
"Everything is fine ?" asked the warrior.
"I-I think…" Kendra stutters.
"Do you feel lighter ?" he questions.
She nodded. Ronon smiled as he helped her up. She took off her jacket and your t-shirt, ending up in a tank top. She gasped seeing that her body was clean. She no longer had any scars. She had all disappeared. She looked at his back, pinching herself.
"It's not a dream," she whispers.
Ronon approached, narrowing his eyes. Kendra put her clothing back on. She turned to him.
"You had the same thing" guesses the young woman.
"Yes…" he confirms, standing next to her.
Kendra wiped away her tears. She controlled her breathing, smiling. She rested her head on Ronon's shoulder admiring the Lantian waters. She took advantage of the quiet minutes by promising herself to thank Rodney.
Kendra finally stepped back, putting away Rodney's rug.
"Do you want to continue the session ?" she asked.
"You always do that," he commented.
"Do what ?" asks Kendra.
"You still need to have contact with me. Why ?" questions the warrior.
Kendra realized he was right. She felt more comfortable in his presence.
"I'm sorry that it bothered you. I will avoid doing it in the future" she assures, turning her back on him.
Ronon came over and patted him on the shoulder. She looked out of the corner of her eye.
"I think you do it unconsciously. It's my child who needs contact" assures the warrior.
"Your son," Kendra corrects.
Ronon looked at him in surprise.
"A son…" he murmurs, raising his eyebrows.
"My daughter is Michael's child" admits the young woman.
Ronon looked at his stomach.
"I already told you, we will face it together" evokes the Sedien.
"Then we'll be co-parents," Kendra admits.
"Co-parents ?" asks Ronon.
"We will raise his children together, you will have the right to have custody of your son but I will stay with my daughter. We will be a family in some sense. But we don't have to commit to any relationship together. We are friends, that's already enough," explains the young woman.
"I agree with you. I have to admit that I don't mind raising your daughter like mine" admits the Satédien.
"Then you'll be her adoptive father," Kendra agrees.
"I agree with you regarding our current relationship. I don't feel ready to have a relationship with anyone," reveals Ronon.
"I understand, with what you have experienced, it is normal that you take the time to think about the potential relationships that you could develop in the future. Know that I will support you whatever you do" declares the assistant.
They smiled at each other, accepting this decision together. Communication was the basis of any good relationship. They eventually returned to the infirmary and Carson received instructions from Mckay at the last second. They returned to the alumni lab and Rodney was saved. Kendra thanked him by giving him two tickets to go to an opera. Rodney took advantage of his day off to accompany Katie Brown to this event that was offered to him. When he returned to Atlantis, he thanked Kendra for the romantic evening he had spent with Katie. This greatly improved their relationship.
Kendra offered him a meal in the canteen and they took the opportunity to get to know each other better. They discovered surprising things like the fact that they were fatally allergic to citrus fruits and that they knew how to play the piano. Kendra knew this would be the start of a beautiful friendship.