FIC: Green Eyed Monster. Part 1/3 (SGA)
Dec. 1st, 2009 11:41 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
ashinaeGreen-Eyed Monster
by![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
ashinae and linden_jay
Pairing: Sheppard/McKay
Rating/Warnings: NC-17
Spoilers: None for any major plot points. Assumes you've watched the show. Set sometime before Season Four.
Disclaimer: Not written for profit.
Summary: John didn't like it. Not one bit. And nobody could make him.
Note: This is a multi-part, but complete, story. This is not a work in progress.
Green-Eyed Monster
It was one of those worlds where idyllic was an understatement. The place even smelled pretty. Fresh and sunshiny and just all around nice.
The Traian township was full of equally nice people, open and friendly even with the constant threat of the Wraith lingering just there, just outside of everything. They were as friendly as Bergstrom had said they were, offering them food and water, flowers for Teyla, a place for them to sit in the town square as they waited for the magistrate. A small child deposited a cat on Ronon's lap without explanation, then ran off to his mother's side, peeking around her, wiggling chubby little fingers at them in a wave.
"Why did you get a cat?" Rodney asked, in his usual not-all-that-quiet-at-all-actually whisper. "I didn't get a cat. Sheppard didn't get a cat."
"You want the cat?" Ronon asked as he ran a hand down the purring feline's back.
"No, that's not the point, I just don't understand why you got a cat, and I didn't. That's a pretty strange kind of favouritism, don't you think?" Rodney muttered.
Ronon shrugged a bit. "I don't think it's strange."
(John gave Teyla a long-suffering look--she gave him an ever-patient smile.)
"Maybe they thought you looked hungry," Rodney snarked at him.
"Maybe they think you don't deserve a cat," Ronon replied.
"All right, don't make me send you two home," John said, pointing at them.
"What? He started it," Rodney said, pointing back at Ronon.
"Rodney... I'm sure if you wanted, Ronon would let you pet the cat," Teyla suggested.
Rodney huffed and looked away from all of them.
"Would not," Ronon muttered.
John looked up at the ridiculously pleasant blue sky. Not a cloud to be seen. The sun was up at just the perfect angle to spread light throughout the entire town square--and on the tall, handsome, smiling man who approached them through the crowd.
"Welcome, friends," he said. "I am Canoc Parlan, chief magistrate of Traia." When John got to his feet, the man continued, "And you must be Colonel Sheppard." He shook John's hand. "And Doctor McKay, Ronon Dex, and Teyla Emmagan. Welcome. Major Bergstrom spoke very highly of you."
"And he of you," Teyla said, smiling back at the magistrate and standing as well.
Rodney looked bored. Diplomacy wasn't exactly his area.
"That's good to hear," Canoc said. "Come, friends, walk with me. I'll give you the tour and we can discuss trade." He gestured, and as he started to walk, John fell in step with him. "We have food and textiles we would be glad to provide for the City of the Ancestors," he said, "but I cannot imagine it is at all an adequate enough thing to repay you for bringing Dr McKay to look at the devices the Ancestors left behind to safeguard my people."
"Actually, speaking of that," Rodney said, just falling short of interrupting the man, "why don't you show me to the devices right away? After all, you don't need me to discuss trade." Shiny new technology versus long-winded discussion of trade of food and textiles? Easy choice.
"Very well, Doctor," Canoc said. "I'll show you myself--it's not far outside of town. Though we have certainly expanded, we try to stay as close to these devices as we can, in hope that they would protect us when the Wraith return."
"Yes, well... that's possible. Not exactly likely, but it is possible," Rodney said, moving up closer to Canoc as they kept walking. "Obviously there are devices that can protect from the Wraith, when they're not completely based on folk stories and superstitious nonsense--"
"Rodney," Teyla said firmly, before she smiled at Canoc. "We're very pleased that you've asked for our help. I'm sure Doctor McKay will do everything he can."
And if he didn't, John was sure he could encourage Rodney to do so.
"And we will all be very grateful," Canoc said. "We will do whatever we can to repay you for your assistance." He looked at Rodney and gave him a brilliant smile.
"Yes, well, that's wonderful," Rodney said, looking back at Canoc and smiling in return, if not quite as glowingly. "Very much appreciated."
"And there it is," Canoc said, indicating the crumbling stone structure containing several pieces of Ancient technology. "The Sanctuary. The Guardians, Auron and Sabin, will be able to keep an eye on you, Doctor McKay. Let them know if you need anything."
"Excellent--thank you," Rodney said, clapping his hands together and looking like he was practically itching to get to it. "Well, I don't want to keep the rest of you from your thrilling... trade negotiations, so I'll just... right." He reclaimed the bag that Ronon had been carrying for him and headed toward the structure.
"If you need anything, Doctor McKay," Canoc called after him, "anything at all."
"Yes... yes, of course!" Rodney called back, waving his hand about demonstratively.
Teyla looked over at John, managing not to smile. Somehow. "Perhaps Ronon should keep an eye on him. In case... well. In case."
"Probably a good idea," John said. "Ronon, why don't you stay here with Rodney?"
Ronon looked up from petting the cat. "Sure," he said. Anything would be better than taking part in the negotiations.
Teyla smiled at Ronon, then turned her attention back to Canoc. "I believe you mentioned a tour?"
*
"I don't like him," John said quietly to Teyla. The sun was beginning to set; the sky was beginning to take on a gorgeous golden sort of hue. John didn't like the sunset, either. It was too nice.
"Do you think he might be untrustworthy in some way? Not what he seems?" Teyla asked.
"Exactly," John said. He glanced over his shoulder (yeah, real subtle there), and took Teyla's arm, drawing her a little further away from the crowd of people. "Nobody's that nice all the time."
Teyla let him draw her away, looking back toward the crowd, a thoughtful expression on her face. "I'm not certain you're right about that, John. Katie Brown, for example. She's particularly nice, all the time."
"Well, she's different."
"You aren't just saying that because Katie Brown is from Earth, are you?"
John fidgeted and looked away. "Of course not."
Teyla held back a sigh. "I'm not sure being nice is a reason to suspect someone."
"And everything here is just... neat. Neat and perfect and tidy," John pointed out. "Someone might as well be holding up a sign that says 'it's a trap'."
"You've said that every time we've been somewhere that is... what was the word Doctor Beckett used.... idyllic. Every time we've been somewhere idyllic since the Genii homeworld."
John's eyes narrowed as he looked back at the Traians gathered about the town square, setting out a feast to celebrate the remarkably easy trade agreement they'd hammered out. "Maybe they're just like the Genii," he said.
"If they are, I'm certain that we'll discover that soon enough. But Major Bergstrom spent a great deal of time with them, and seemed quite sure."
"And he said that they wanted to negotiate specifically with us," John said. "And now we're all probably dead idiots for being here."
"Rodney does have a reputation," Teyla pointed out. "As does our team."
John was grasping at straws. "Maybe they won't let us leave."
She looked curiously at him. "Are you bored, Colonel Sheppard?"
"What? No. We had a good day. It's nice here. I just don't like him."
"You just seem very certain that something dangerous or sinister is happening. And usually, it's Rodney who's concerned, or Ronon who has a bad feeling about someone, and they seem very relaxed around the magistrate, and the people here," Teyla said.
"I can't have a bad feeling sometimes, too?"
"Of course. It's not... standard."
"Good, then," John said, and turned to watch as Rodney and Ronon came back into the town. And Canoc immediately went over to them, greeting Rodney in particular very warmly.
John frowned. A lot.
"He seems perfectly nice. And very fond of Rodney," Teyla said, in an undertone.
"Yeah," John said, "very fond." And he didn't like it. Not one bit. And nobody could make him.
Teyla hid another sigh.
"Come on," John said, and urged her over. He didn't want to leave Canoc alone with Rodney any longer than he needed to. "So how'd the work go?" he asked, very loudly, as he approached. "Any luck getting things up and running?"
Rodney had been in the middle of a long and very excited monologue that he was directing at Canoc, complete with hand gestures. "Colonel--I was just explaining that they might actually have something here that's not superstition or some absurd and completely implausible folk tale," he said, turning to John very briefly, then back to Canoc. "I need more time--more equipment, and a lot more coffee, but I think it's possible that there might be something very worth studying here."
"That's wonderful, Doctor McKay," Canoc said, clasping his shoulder. "Wonderful. Anything at all you need, we will provide for you. But first..." He gestured to the great tables of food. "Will you join us for our evening meal?"
Rodney looked at the tables that were practically groaning with food. "Oh... oh, I think I could find the time for that, yes."
Right. Feed Rodney, he'd follow you anywhere. John scowled.
Thank goodness they had to go home tonight to get equipment for Rodney.
Before long, Rodney was settled in at a table with more than his fair share of the food on a plate, still talking a mile a minute, even while he ate. "So I really think I need to get right back to it--I think I'm already fairly close to something brilliant."
"You'll be able to get right back to it tomorrow," John said. Of course, he intended to have an epiphany sometime between now and then, about why they could never, ever return here and somehow manage to lose the planet's address from their database.
Rodney shook his head, swallowing an impossibly large bite of bread. "Ridiculous. I've written down everything I need, and even Zelenka should be capable of putting that together. I can manage find on what I've got now to start with."
"We should go home and report to Elizabeth," John said.
Ronon looked over at him as though he'd sprouted a second head.
"I'm sure that you and I could take care of that, Colonel," Teyla suggested. "We don't all need to go back."
"There, see? Settled. Excellent," Rodney said, getting up, plate still half-full. "I'm just going to take this back to the site and get back to it then. See you tomorrow. Canoc!" he called, heading over to him.
John watched Rodney walk away and Canoc follow him, with an expression of mingled horror, anger, and disbelief. He looked at Ronon, who appeared to be about to say something, and said, "You stay here and keep an eye on Rodney."
"I--"
"Keep him out of trouble."
"You--"
"And keep an eye on Canoc."
"Sheppard."
"What?"
"Eat your dinner." Ronon got up, filled his plate a little more, then followed Rodney and Canoc away.
John looked like someone had just kicked his dog.
Teyla reached over and patted him on the hand.
It seemed like the thing to do.
*
"Surely you must be exhausted, Doctor McKay," Canoc said. Then he stifled a yawn.
"What? No, no, no, no, no. Five days on amphetamines and caffeine is exhausted. This... this is just... I need to rest my eyes for a moment," Rodney said, leaning back and rubbing at his eyes with the back of his hand.
"Doctor." Canoc approached, stifled another yawn, and put his hand on Rodney's shoulder. "Would you not work better on a good night's sleep?"
"Really, I'm fine," Rodney shook his head. "Just... okay, I've probably got some time, right? Where's Ronon?"
"I think he's dozing," Canoc said.
"Am not." Ronon got to his feet, stretched his shoulders and neck, and looked at Rodney. "You look terrible. Go get some sleep."
"You know, in some cultures, it's considered polite to not tell people that they look terrible when they've been working for twelve hours straight. You might want to consider that," Rodney told him.
Ronon shrugged. Whatever. Sheppard did tell him to keep an eye on Rodney.
"You need to sleep, Doctor," Canoc said. "There's no use working yourself to utter exhaustion just for us."
"All right... I can feel you rolling your eyes at me," Rodney pointed back at Ronon, "so to avoid any more of that, I think sleep might not be a bad idea."
"Good," Canoc said. "Rooms were prepared for both of you. Please, follow me."
Rodney grabbed a few things that he wasn't about to leave at the site (and the remains of some kind of dinner bun that was really quite good, even all these hours later), and grinned at Ronon.
Ronon shook his head and followed along a few paces behind Canoc and Rodney.
"I cannot thank you enough for all of your hard work," Canoc told Rodney. He tugged his cloak a little tighter; he was cold and tired. "This means so much to my people."
"It's nothing, really," Rodney said, all false modesty and smiles. "It's fascinating technology, and I'm sure you and the Colonel worked out some fascinating things involving textiles."
"We did indeed," Canoc said, "though I'm not sure he likes me so much."
"What? Don't be ridiculous, the Colonel likes everyone. It's a flaw," Rodney said, waving it off.
Behind them, Ronon snorted.
Canoc looked back at Ronon, then looked at Rodney again. "Only if you're certain," he said, dubiously.
"It's military thing, I'm sure. I'll want to get back to things as soon as possible in the morning... I'm assuming there will be breakfast?" Rodney said.
"It's the most important meal of the day," Canoc told him with a bright smile.
He was very cheerful. That was strange. But some people were just strange like that. "Excellent," Rodney said.
Ronon was guided to one house, where a family with a young child (the same child who had given him the cat earlier) warmly welcomed him to stay for the night. Then Canoc carried on down the lane, and let Rodney into his own house. "If you don't mind, Doctor McKay, we do not wear shoes in our homes." He pulled off his boots and left them by the door.
"Ah, yes... of course," Rodney said. Local customs, the sort of thing Teyla was always telling him he had to remember to respect. He slipped out of his shoes and left them next to Canoc's boots.
"There," Canoc said, "right at home now. This way, this way." He led Rodney to the back of the house. "You can have this room. I'm just across the hall, if you need me. For anything."
"Yes, thank you very much," Rodney said, yawning demonstratively. "I think I'll be just fine, but if I need you, well, I'll be sure to let you know."
"Good," Canoc murmured. He touched Rodney's shoulder again, then slipped off into his bedroom. He left the door ajar.
Rodney didn't even seem to notice. Within five minutes, he was face down on the mattress, covers pulled up to his ears, snoring away.
*
John leaned back against a tree, arms crossed, and watched Canoc hover over Rodney, who was talking very fast about the Ancient technology in the Sanctuary.
"He has stupid hair," John announced, to no one in particular.
Ronon looked at Teyla. Here we go again.
"Do you think his hair might be a contributing factor in the danger you're sensing, regarding the magistrate?" Teyla asked, making it sound like a very reasonable question... and a ridiculous one. Both at the same time.
"Look at it," John said. "It just sticks up all over the place. How are you supposed to trust a guy with hair like that?"
Ronon tilted his head back against the rocks behind him. Maybe he should go find that kid with the cat. Leave Teyla to deal with Sheppard; otherwise Ronon might throttle him.
Teyla looked at John's hair, then at Canoc's, then at John's again. "You may have a point," she said, deciding not to mention that their hair was really startlingly alike. "But Rodney said that he was perfectly hospitable, and a generous host. He even shared his house with Rodney last night."
"He shared his what?"
"They are a friendly people. To open your doors to a stranger and let them stay with you is a huge sign of faith and trust, and for the magistrate to take Rodney in was a high sign of favour," Teyla told him.
"Favour." John snorted. "Sure. Favour. He can't take his eyes--or hands, if you haven't noticed--off of him." Did he say that part out loud? Yes, yes, he did. Oops.
Teyla turned slowly to look at John, after raising an eyebrow at Ronon. "Are you... suggesting that the magistrate of the village has... an interest in Rodney?"
John looked distinctly sulky. "Maybe I am."
She looked at Ronon again, privately wondering if she was getting a migraine. "Is this a problem?"
Ronon was so not getting involved in this one. At all. Except maybe to point and laugh.
"Well, it's just, Rodney can't exactly stay here, or anything, can he? We need him back on Atlantis. So pretty-boy magistrate is just going to have to pine away from afar," John said.
"You think the magistrate is pretty, John?" Teyla was definitely getting a migraine.
Ronon snickered.
"What!" John exclaimed. "No, where did you get that idea!"
"You just said it yourself. You called him a pretty boy." Teyla looked over at him and examined him critically. "I believe man is more accurate, given his age, and the level of muscle development." She was still deadpan, but the flash of wicked in her eyes that only Ronon could see might have given her away. To Ronon, at least.
"Muscle development?" John scoffed. "And I didn't say he was pretty. I don't know what you're talking about."
"Didn't you hear him, Ronon? Or am I mistaken?" Teyla asked.
"Oh, I heard him," Ronon said.
"You did not," John snapped.
"I remember what I heard. You said, 'So pretty-boy magistrate is just going to have to pine away from afar'."
Who knew that Ronon had that kind of memory? John scowled.
"I'm sure we could invite him to Atlantis," Teyla suggested. "Doctor Weir has been talking about strengthening our alliances with friendly planets."
John looked utterly horrorstruck at this prospect. "Invite him to Atlantis?"
"If, as you say, he'll be pining for Rodney, it seems the polite thing to do," Teyla said, looking over at Rodney and Canoc again. "They do seem to be getting on well. Rodney's even sharing his food."
"What?" John looked over to watch Rodney hand half of his sandwich to Canoc. Oh, this was bad. This was very bad. Rodney never shared his food!
"They seem to have formed a close working relationship, and perhaps a friendship too," Teyla said. "Is that not a good thing, Colonel?"
"No, it's not," John huffed, under his breath. He put his sunglasses on.
"Doctor Weir seemed pleased when we gave our report," Teyla reminded him.
"Well, of course. We're going to be able to get food and access to Ancient technology from the Traians."
"And a strong ally in Canoc. The... pretty-boy magistrate," Teyla repeated, hiding another smile.
"Stop saying that," John said. "He's not pretty."
"He has a certain roguish charm," Teyla argued, looking to Ronon for support.
"I guess," Ronon said, "but he's really not my type."
"You two are not funny," John muttered.
Teyla just smiled serenely. She found the entire situation funny. Very, very funny.
John didn't. He pushed away from the tree he was leaning against, and went over to join Rodney and Canoc. "Well," he said, "any new breakthroughs?"
"I think so--I really do think so, although it's difficult to be sure at this point, especially when I'm being interrupted," Rodney said, giving John a look, then giving Canoc a smile and sigh, as though he were apologising for John's interference.
"I have to make sure everything's running smoothly." John reached for a handful of grapes from Rodney's stash of snacks.
Rodney reached out and smacked the back of John's hand.
John drew his hand back. "Hey!"
"Don't steal my grapes--I need those, what if my blood sugar drops?" Rodney demanded. "Now--are you here to steal food, or are you here to check up on me?"
John frowned and crossed his arms. "I'm here to check on how things are going."
"Things are going fine," Rodney said. "Now just... shoo and go do something else, because right now, you're getting in the way of scientific progress."
John looked at Rodney for a moment longer, then closed his mouth instead of replying with whatever snarky reply was going to come out first. He didn't want to give Canoc the satisfaction of hearing him say something mean to Rodney, though he did glare at Canoc a little from behind his sunglasses before he stomped away.
"So," Teyla spoke up, as soon as John was back in range. "Did that go well?"
John huffed. "I can't even talk to Rodney alone. Canoc won't let him out of his sight."
Teyla raised an eyebrow, but only a little bit. "You do realise that Rodney's voice tends to carry, don't you?" And that they heard everything he'd said. And the surrounding villagers probably had as well.
John looked sulky. He leaned against the tree again and watched Canoc carefully.
Skeevy bastard.
*
"I don't like him, Elizabeth," said John, as he followed her through the city on her way to the mess hall.
"Sheppard thinks Canoc's 'too nice'," Ronon supplied as he followed John. He found the whole thing funny, which drove John nuts, and which Ronon found funnier.
"'Too nice'?" Elizabeth repeated, exchanging looks quickly with Ronon before she turned her attention back to John. Sort of. She was paying a lot more attention to the fact that she was hungry. "That's something we worry about now?"
"Look, the last time we came across people who were this nice and quaint and friendly, they turned out to be the Genii," John persisted. "Maybe the Traians are the Genii's long-lost cousins."
"Has there been any evidence of something like that?" Elizabeth asked. "People being secretive... disappearing at odd times... questions that are going unanswered... anything at all?"
"No," Ronon answered before John could try to stretch any truth there.
"They're all very, very friendly," John admitted, grudgingly. "They'll let us go anywhere. In fact, they're happy to take us anywhere we want to go."
"Rodney's reports have all been very favourable," Elizabeth said. "He seems to think we've found a real ally worth having with the town magistrate."
John frowned. "Rodney doesn't like anyone."
"I believe his exact words were 'not as idiotic as you'd expect for someone dumb enough to have gone into politics'. From Rodney, that's practically mushy," Elizabeth smiled.
Those words just made John frown even more. "Maybe that's exactly what Canoc wants. To lull us into a sense of false security and... and..." Attack them with pitchforks and bread?
"And what, Sheppard?" Ronon sounded deeply amused.
John glared at him.
"No, I'm curious," Elizabeth said, actually turning to face John this time. "If you have a specific concern, and you think they're a potential danger, then that's something we need to seriously consider. I'm just not seeing anything as of yet that convinces me that's the case."
Why was everyone so blind to the problem? John frowned. "I don't have anything specific just yet, but I'm working on it."
"Well, as soon as you've got something specific, I'm all ears," Elizabeth said. "My door is always open, John. Until then, we'll continue to proceed as we have been."
"All right," John said, grudgingly. He watched as Elizabeth and Ronon went into the mess. How could anyone eat at a time like this?
Right. Back to the township. Where he was greeted warmly by Delma, Canoc's cousin, and she told him he could find Canoc and Rodney at the Sanctuary. Where Canoc was helping Rodney. Actually helping. Hands-on helping. John stood there, stunned, because Rodney wasn't even yelling at the guy.
Clearly, there must be witchcraft involved. Everything made sense that way.
[Part Two]
by
ashinae and linden_jayPairing: Sheppard/McKay
Rating/Warnings: NC-17
Spoilers: None for any major plot points. Assumes you've watched the show. Set sometime before Season Four.
Disclaimer: Not written for profit.
Summary: John didn't like it. Not one bit. And nobody could make him.
Note: This is a multi-part, but complete, story. This is not a work in progress.
It was one of those worlds where idyllic was an understatement. The place even smelled pretty. Fresh and sunshiny and just all around nice.
The Traian township was full of equally nice people, open and friendly even with the constant threat of the Wraith lingering just there, just outside of everything. They were as friendly as Bergstrom had said they were, offering them food and water, flowers for Teyla, a place for them to sit in the town square as they waited for the magistrate. A small child deposited a cat on Ronon's lap without explanation, then ran off to his mother's side, peeking around her, wiggling chubby little fingers at them in a wave.
"Why did you get a cat?" Rodney asked, in his usual not-all-that-quiet-at-all-actually whisper. "I didn't get a cat. Sheppard didn't get a cat."
"You want the cat?" Ronon asked as he ran a hand down the purring feline's back.
"No, that's not the point, I just don't understand why you got a cat, and I didn't. That's a pretty strange kind of favouritism, don't you think?" Rodney muttered.
Ronon shrugged a bit. "I don't think it's strange."
(John gave Teyla a long-suffering look--she gave him an ever-patient smile.)
"Maybe they thought you looked hungry," Rodney snarked at him.
"Maybe they think you don't deserve a cat," Ronon replied.
"All right, don't make me send you two home," John said, pointing at them.
"What? He started it," Rodney said, pointing back at Ronon.
"Rodney... I'm sure if you wanted, Ronon would let you pet the cat," Teyla suggested.
Rodney huffed and looked away from all of them.
"Would not," Ronon muttered.
John looked up at the ridiculously pleasant blue sky. Not a cloud to be seen. The sun was up at just the perfect angle to spread light throughout the entire town square--and on the tall, handsome, smiling man who approached them through the crowd.
"Welcome, friends," he said. "I am Canoc Parlan, chief magistrate of Traia." When John got to his feet, the man continued, "And you must be Colonel Sheppard." He shook John's hand. "And Doctor McKay, Ronon Dex, and Teyla Emmagan. Welcome. Major Bergstrom spoke very highly of you."
"And he of you," Teyla said, smiling back at the magistrate and standing as well.
Rodney looked bored. Diplomacy wasn't exactly his area.
"That's good to hear," Canoc said. "Come, friends, walk with me. I'll give you the tour and we can discuss trade." He gestured, and as he started to walk, John fell in step with him. "We have food and textiles we would be glad to provide for the City of the Ancestors," he said, "but I cannot imagine it is at all an adequate enough thing to repay you for bringing Dr McKay to look at the devices the Ancestors left behind to safeguard my people."
"Actually, speaking of that," Rodney said, just falling short of interrupting the man, "why don't you show me to the devices right away? After all, you don't need me to discuss trade." Shiny new technology versus long-winded discussion of trade of food and textiles? Easy choice.
"Very well, Doctor," Canoc said. "I'll show you myself--it's not far outside of town. Though we have certainly expanded, we try to stay as close to these devices as we can, in hope that they would protect us when the Wraith return."
"Yes, well... that's possible. Not exactly likely, but it is possible," Rodney said, moving up closer to Canoc as they kept walking. "Obviously there are devices that can protect from the Wraith, when they're not completely based on folk stories and superstitious nonsense--"
"Rodney," Teyla said firmly, before she smiled at Canoc. "We're very pleased that you've asked for our help. I'm sure Doctor McKay will do everything he can."
And if he didn't, John was sure he could encourage Rodney to do so.
"And we will all be very grateful," Canoc said. "We will do whatever we can to repay you for your assistance." He looked at Rodney and gave him a brilliant smile.
"Yes, well, that's wonderful," Rodney said, looking back at Canoc and smiling in return, if not quite as glowingly. "Very much appreciated."
"And there it is," Canoc said, indicating the crumbling stone structure containing several pieces of Ancient technology. "The Sanctuary. The Guardians, Auron and Sabin, will be able to keep an eye on you, Doctor McKay. Let them know if you need anything."
"Excellent--thank you," Rodney said, clapping his hands together and looking like he was practically itching to get to it. "Well, I don't want to keep the rest of you from your thrilling... trade negotiations, so I'll just... right." He reclaimed the bag that Ronon had been carrying for him and headed toward the structure.
"If you need anything, Doctor McKay," Canoc called after him, "anything at all."
"Yes... yes, of course!" Rodney called back, waving his hand about demonstratively.
Teyla looked over at John, managing not to smile. Somehow. "Perhaps Ronon should keep an eye on him. In case... well. In case."
"Probably a good idea," John said. "Ronon, why don't you stay here with Rodney?"
Ronon looked up from petting the cat. "Sure," he said. Anything would be better than taking part in the negotiations.
Teyla smiled at Ronon, then turned her attention back to Canoc. "I believe you mentioned a tour?"
"I don't like him," John said quietly to Teyla. The sun was beginning to set; the sky was beginning to take on a gorgeous golden sort of hue. John didn't like the sunset, either. It was too nice.
"Do you think he might be untrustworthy in some way? Not what he seems?" Teyla asked.
"Exactly," John said. He glanced over his shoulder (yeah, real subtle there), and took Teyla's arm, drawing her a little further away from the crowd of people. "Nobody's that nice all the time."
Teyla let him draw her away, looking back toward the crowd, a thoughtful expression on her face. "I'm not certain you're right about that, John. Katie Brown, for example. She's particularly nice, all the time."
"Well, she's different."
"You aren't just saying that because Katie Brown is from Earth, are you?"
John fidgeted and looked away. "Of course not."
Teyla held back a sigh. "I'm not sure being nice is a reason to suspect someone."
"And everything here is just... neat. Neat and perfect and tidy," John pointed out. "Someone might as well be holding up a sign that says 'it's a trap'."
"You've said that every time we've been somewhere that is... what was the word Doctor Beckett used.... idyllic. Every time we've been somewhere idyllic since the Genii homeworld."
John's eyes narrowed as he looked back at the Traians gathered about the town square, setting out a feast to celebrate the remarkably easy trade agreement they'd hammered out. "Maybe they're just like the Genii," he said.
"If they are, I'm certain that we'll discover that soon enough. But Major Bergstrom spent a great deal of time with them, and seemed quite sure."
"And he said that they wanted to negotiate specifically with us," John said. "And now we're all probably dead idiots for being here."
"Rodney does have a reputation," Teyla pointed out. "As does our team."
John was grasping at straws. "Maybe they won't let us leave."
She looked curiously at him. "Are you bored, Colonel Sheppard?"
"What? No. We had a good day. It's nice here. I just don't like him."
"You just seem very certain that something dangerous or sinister is happening. And usually, it's Rodney who's concerned, or Ronon who has a bad feeling about someone, and they seem very relaxed around the magistrate, and the people here," Teyla said.
"I can't have a bad feeling sometimes, too?"
"Of course. It's not... standard."
"Good, then," John said, and turned to watch as Rodney and Ronon came back into the town. And Canoc immediately went over to them, greeting Rodney in particular very warmly.
John frowned. A lot.
"He seems perfectly nice. And very fond of Rodney," Teyla said, in an undertone.
"Yeah," John said, "very fond." And he didn't like it. Not one bit. And nobody could make him.
Teyla hid another sigh.
"Come on," John said, and urged her over. He didn't want to leave Canoc alone with Rodney any longer than he needed to. "So how'd the work go?" he asked, very loudly, as he approached. "Any luck getting things up and running?"
Rodney had been in the middle of a long and very excited monologue that he was directing at Canoc, complete with hand gestures. "Colonel--I was just explaining that they might actually have something here that's not superstition or some absurd and completely implausible folk tale," he said, turning to John very briefly, then back to Canoc. "I need more time--more equipment, and a lot more coffee, but I think it's possible that there might be something very worth studying here."
"That's wonderful, Doctor McKay," Canoc said, clasping his shoulder. "Wonderful. Anything at all you need, we will provide for you. But first..." He gestured to the great tables of food. "Will you join us for our evening meal?"
Rodney looked at the tables that were practically groaning with food. "Oh... oh, I think I could find the time for that, yes."
Right. Feed Rodney, he'd follow you anywhere. John scowled.
Thank goodness they had to go home tonight to get equipment for Rodney.
Before long, Rodney was settled in at a table with more than his fair share of the food on a plate, still talking a mile a minute, even while he ate. "So I really think I need to get right back to it--I think I'm already fairly close to something brilliant."
"You'll be able to get right back to it tomorrow," John said. Of course, he intended to have an epiphany sometime between now and then, about why they could never, ever return here and somehow manage to lose the planet's address from their database.
Rodney shook his head, swallowing an impossibly large bite of bread. "Ridiculous. I've written down everything I need, and even Zelenka should be capable of putting that together. I can manage find on what I've got now to start with."
"We should go home and report to Elizabeth," John said.
Ronon looked over at him as though he'd sprouted a second head.
"I'm sure that you and I could take care of that, Colonel," Teyla suggested. "We don't all need to go back."
"There, see? Settled. Excellent," Rodney said, getting up, plate still half-full. "I'm just going to take this back to the site and get back to it then. See you tomorrow. Canoc!" he called, heading over to him.
John watched Rodney walk away and Canoc follow him, with an expression of mingled horror, anger, and disbelief. He looked at Ronon, who appeared to be about to say something, and said, "You stay here and keep an eye on Rodney."
"I--"
"Keep him out of trouble."
"You--"
"And keep an eye on Canoc."
"Sheppard."
"What?"
"Eat your dinner." Ronon got up, filled his plate a little more, then followed Rodney and Canoc away.
John looked like someone had just kicked his dog.
Teyla reached over and patted him on the hand.
It seemed like the thing to do.
"Surely you must be exhausted, Doctor McKay," Canoc said. Then he stifled a yawn.
"What? No, no, no, no, no. Five days on amphetamines and caffeine is exhausted. This... this is just... I need to rest my eyes for a moment," Rodney said, leaning back and rubbing at his eyes with the back of his hand.
"Doctor." Canoc approached, stifled another yawn, and put his hand on Rodney's shoulder. "Would you not work better on a good night's sleep?"
"Really, I'm fine," Rodney shook his head. "Just... okay, I've probably got some time, right? Where's Ronon?"
"I think he's dozing," Canoc said.
"Am not." Ronon got to his feet, stretched his shoulders and neck, and looked at Rodney. "You look terrible. Go get some sleep."
"You know, in some cultures, it's considered polite to not tell people that they look terrible when they've been working for twelve hours straight. You might want to consider that," Rodney told him.
Ronon shrugged. Whatever. Sheppard did tell him to keep an eye on Rodney.
"You need to sleep, Doctor," Canoc said. "There's no use working yourself to utter exhaustion just for us."
"All right... I can feel you rolling your eyes at me," Rodney pointed back at Ronon, "so to avoid any more of that, I think sleep might not be a bad idea."
"Good," Canoc said. "Rooms were prepared for both of you. Please, follow me."
Rodney grabbed a few things that he wasn't about to leave at the site (and the remains of some kind of dinner bun that was really quite good, even all these hours later), and grinned at Ronon.
Ronon shook his head and followed along a few paces behind Canoc and Rodney.
"I cannot thank you enough for all of your hard work," Canoc told Rodney. He tugged his cloak a little tighter; he was cold and tired. "This means so much to my people."
"It's nothing, really," Rodney said, all false modesty and smiles. "It's fascinating technology, and I'm sure you and the Colonel worked out some fascinating things involving textiles."
"We did indeed," Canoc said, "though I'm not sure he likes me so much."
"What? Don't be ridiculous, the Colonel likes everyone. It's a flaw," Rodney said, waving it off.
Behind them, Ronon snorted.
Canoc looked back at Ronon, then looked at Rodney again. "Only if you're certain," he said, dubiously.
"It's military thing, I'm sure. I'll want to get back to things as soon as possible in the morning... I'm assuming there will be breakfast?" Rodney said.
"It's the most important meal of the day," Canoc told him with a bright smile.
He was very cheerful. That was strange. But some people were just strange like that. "Excellent," Rodney said.
Ronon was guided to one house, where a family with a young child (the same child who had given him the cat earlier) warmly welcomed him to stay for the night. Then Canoc carried on down the lane, and let Rodney into his own house. "If you don't mind, Doctor McKay, we do not wear shoes in our homes." He pulled off his boots and left them by the door.
"Ah, yes... of course," Rodney said. Local customs, the sort of thing Teyla was always telling him he had to remember to respect. He slipped out of his shoes and left them next to Canoc's boots.
"There," Canoc said, "right at home now. This way, this way." He led Rodney to the back of the house. "You can have this room. I'm just across the hall, if you need me. For anything."
"Yes, thank you very much," Rodney said, yawning demonstratively. "I think I'll be just fine, but if I need you, well, I'll be sure to let you know."
"Good," Canoc murmured. He touched Rodney's shoulder again, then slipped off into his bedroom. He left the door ajar.
Rodney didn't even seem to notice. Within five minutes, he was face down on the mattress, covers pulled up to his ears, snoring away.
John leaned back against a tree, arms crossed, and watched Canoc hover over Rodney, who was talking very fast about the Ancient technology in the Sanctuary.
"He has stupid hair," John announced, to no one in particular.
Ronon looked at Teyla. Here we go again.
"Do you think his hair might be a contributing factor in the danger you're sensing, regarding the magistrate?" Teyla asked, making it sound like a very reasonable question... and a ridiculous one. Both at the same time.
"Look at it," John said. "It just sticks up all over the place. How are you supposed to trust a guy with hair like that?"
Ronon tilted his head back against the rocks behind him. Maybe he should go find that kid with the cat. Leave Teyla to deal with Sheppard; otherwise Ronon might throttle him.
Teyla looked at John's hair, then at Canoc's, then at John's again. "You may have a point," she said, deciding not to mention that their hair was really startlingly alike. "But Rodney said that he was perfectly hospitable, and a generous host. He even shared his house with Rodney last night."
"He shared his what?"
"They are a friendly people. To open your doors to a stranger and let them stay with you is a huge sign of faith and trust, and for the magistrate to take Rodney in was a high sign of favour," Teyla told him.
"Favour." John snorted. "Sure. Favour. He can't take his eyes--or hands, if you haven't noticed--off of him." Did he say that part out loud? Yes, yes, he did. Oops.
Teyla turned slowly to look at John, after raising an eyebrow at Ronon. "Are you... suggesting that the magistrate of the village has... an interest in Rodney?"
John looked distinctly sulky. "Maybe I am."
She looked at Ronon again, privately wondering if she was getting a migraine. "Is this a problem?"
Ronon was so not getting involved in this one. At all. Except maybe to point and laugh.
"Well, it's just, Rodney can't exactly stay here, or anything, can he? We need him back on Atlantis. So pretty-boy magistrate is just going to have to pine away from afar," John said.
"You think the magistrate is pretty, John?" Teyla was definitely getting a migraine.
Ronon snickered.
"What!" John exclaimed. "No, where did you get that idea!"
"You just said it yourself. You called him a pretty boy." Teyla looked over at him and examined him critically. "I believe man is more accurate, given his age, and the level of muscle development." She was still deadpan, but the flash of wicked in her eyes that only Ronon could see might have given her away. To Ronon, at least.
"Muscle development?" John scoffed. "And I didn't say he was pretty. I don't know what you're talking about."
"Didn't you hear him, Ronon? Or am I mistaken?" Teyla asked.
"Oh, I heard him," Ronon said.
"You did not," John snapped.
"I remember what I heard. You said, 'So pretty-boy magistrate is just going to have to pine away from afar'."
Who knew that Ronon had that kind of memory? John scowled.
"I'm sure we could invite him to Atlantis," Teyla suggested. "Doctor Weir has been talking about strengthening our alliances with friendly planets."
John looked utterly horrorstruck at this prospect. "Invite him to Atlantis?"
"If, as you say, he'll be pining for Rodney, it seems the polite thing to do," Teyla said, looking over at Rodney and Canoc again. "They do seem to be getting on well. Rodney's even sharing his food."
"What?" John looked over to watch Rodney hand half of his sandwich to Canoc. Oh, this was bad. This was very bad. Rodney never shared his food!
"They seem to have formed a close working relationship, and perhaps a friendship too," Teyla said. "Is that not a good thing, Colonel?"
"No, it's not," John huffed, under his breath. He put his sunglasses on.
"Doctor Weir seemed pleased when we gave our report," Teyla reminded him.
"Well, of course. We're going to be able to get food and access to Ancient technology from the Traians."
"And a strong ally in Canoc. The... pretty-boy magistrate," Teyla repeated, hiding another smile.
"Stop saying that," John said. "He's not pretty."
"He has a certain roguish charm," Teyla argued, looking to Ronon for support.
"I guess," Ronon said, "but he's really not my type."
"You two are not funny," John muttered.
Teyla just smiled serenely. She found the entire situation funny. Very, very funny.
John didn't. He pushed away from the tree he was leaning against, and went over to join Rodney and Canoc. "Well," he said, "any new breakthroughs?"
"I think so--I really do think so, although it's difficult to be sure at this point, especially when I'm being interrupted," Rodney said, giving John a look, then giving Canoc a smile and sigh, as though he were apologising for John's interference.
"I have to make sure everything's running smoothly." John reached for a handful of grapes from Rodney's stash of snacks.
Rodney reached out and smacked the back of John's hand.
John drew his hand back. "Hey!"
"Don't steal my grapes--I need those, what if my blood sugar drops?" Rodney demanded. "Now--are you here to steal food, or are you here to check up on me?"
John frowned and crossed his arms. "I'm here to check on how things are going."
"Things are going fine," Rodney said. "Now just... shoo and go do something else, because right now, you're getting in the way of scientific progress."
John looked at Rodney for a moment longer, then closed his mouth instead of replying with whatever snarky reply was going to come out first. He didn't want to give Canoc the satisfaction of hearing him say something mean to Rodney, though he did glare at Canoc a little from behind his sunglasses before he stomped away.
"So," Teyla spoke up, as soon as John was back in range. "Did that go well?"
John huffed. "I can't even talk to Rodney alone. Canoc won't let him out of his sight."
Teyla raised an eyebrow, but only a little bit. "You do realise that Rodney's voice tends to carry, don't you?" And that they heard everything he'd said. And the surrounding villagers probably had as well.
John looked sulky. He leaned against the tree again and watched Canoc carefully.
Skeevy bastard.
"I don't like him, Elizabeth," said John, as he followed her through the city on her way to the mess hall.
"Sheppard thinks Canoc's 'too nice'," Ronon supplied as he followed John. He found the whole thing funny, which drove John nuts, and which Ronon found funnier.
"'Too nice'?" Elizabeth repeated, exchanging looks quickly with Ronon before she turned her attention back to John. Sort of. She was paying a lot more attention to the fact that she was hungry. "That's something we worry about now?"
"Look, the last time we came across people who were this nice and quaint and friendly, they turned out to be the Genii," John persisted. "Maybe the Traians are the Genii's long-lost cousins."
"Has there been any evidence of something like that?" Elizabeth asked. "People being secretive... disappearing at odd times... questions that are going unanswered... anything at all?"
"No," Ronon answered before John could try to stretch any truth there.
"They're all very, very friendly," John admitted, grudgingly. "They'll let us go anywhere. In fact, they're happy to take us anywhere we want to go."
"Rodney's reports have all been very favourable," Elizabeth said. "He seems to think we've found a real ally worth having with the town magistrate."
John frowned. "Rodney doesn't like anyone."
"I believe his exact words were 'not as idiotic as you'd expect for someone dumb enough to have gone into politics'. From Rodney, that's practically mushy," Elizabeth smiled.
Those words just made John frown even more. "Maybe that's exactly what Canoc wants. To lull us into a sense of false security and... and..." Attack them with pitchforks and bread?
"And what, Sheppard?" Ronon sounded deeply amused.
John glared at him.
"No, I'm curious," Elizabeth said, actually turning to face John this time. "If you have a specific concern, and you think they're a potential danger, then that's something we need to seriously consider. I'm just not seeing anything as of yet that convinces me that's the case."
Why was everyone so blind to the problem? John frowned. "I don't have anything specific just yet, but I'm working on it."
"Well, as soon as you've got something specific, I'm all ears," Elizabeth said. "My door is always open, John. Until then, we'll continue to proceed as we have been."
"All right," John said, grudgingly. He watched as Elizabeth and Ronon went into the mess. How could anyone eat at a time like this?
Right. Back to the township. Where he was greeted warmly by Delma, Canoc's cousin, and she told him he could find Canoc and Rodney at the Sanctuary. Where Canoc was helping Rodney. Actually helping. Hands-on helping. John stood there, stunned, because Rodney wasn't even yelling at the guy.
Clearly, there must be witchcraft involved. Everything made sense that way.
[Part Two]
