Chapter 3

Sheppard tiredly leaned against the shower wall. He was exhausted but wired at the same time. This last mission was a close call, too close for his taste. It was their first visit to the world and their ways were…different. Women weren't treated as slaves per say but they were considered property all the same. So naturally when the town's people laid eyes on Teyla the questions opened like a flood gate. Was she for sale? Did one of them own her? Was she shared? Where did you find her? One even asked if she was a screamer. What the hell kind of question was that?

Even though their ways were a bit on the primitive side they weren't violent. Once it was explained that Teyla was no one's property they seemed to respect the team's ways and allowed them access to town for trade. But that didn't stop everyone from watching Teyla like a hawk. He could tell it made her a little uncomfortable but she would not show weakness to a potential ally. They were hurriedly escorted to a hut where they would be greeted by the leader of the village.

"This place reminds me of a world that SG-1 visited years ago. The women had to be fully clothed at all times and couldn't be seen in public without a male escort. And when they were in public they had to cover their faces. It was much like a Muslim culture," McKay babbled once they were alone in the hut.

"We're a long way from Iraq McKay," Sheppard pointed out quietly looking around the tent. His eyes fell on Teyla who looked a little uneasy. "You gonna be okay with this?" he asked concerned. If she was uncomfortable with the situation then they would head for the gate immediately.

She looked to him and nodded, "If I were not afraid of offending them I would suggest I return to Atlantis, but I think that will merely make negotiations uneasy."

"I'd say things are already uneasy," Ronon noted looking through a crack in the tent. People were gathering outside listening, conversing, no doubt about Teyla and whom she traveled with. "People are gathering outside. No doubt they're interested to see a new female."

Before anyone could reply two men barged into the tent with stern looks. Sheppard quickly stood in front of Teyla and Ronon stepped up behind her. It was instinct on both their parts and the damage was done. They showed their hosts they were frightened in a manner of speaking. They were afraid they would try and take Teyla from. But what did they expect when people came barging into the tent with a purpose.

"I am Darius, leader of these lands," he introduced himself. "What is your purpose here? My man has informed me that your female is not for trade."

Sheppard stepped forward but still a safe distance with Teyla. "I'm Lieutenant Colonel John Sheppard, leader of my team." He turned and gestured towards the others. "Big guy's Ronon, Dr. McKay and…" he hesitated when coming to Teyla. "…this is Teyla."

Darius looked around Sheppard and blatantly looked Teyla up and down. "You still have not answered my question," he insisted calmly but persistent all at once.

Sheppard clenched his jaw but kept his cool. "No, we're not here to trade women," he answered with practiced strain. "We would like to trade food and the such, possibly…"

"…then we have nothing further to discuss. My men will escort you back to the gate and unless you wish to trade your females in the future please do not return," Darius ordered quit plainly as he started to exit the tent.

Teyla had not realized she was holding her breath till Darius left the tent.

"Well that went well," Rodney pointed out bluntly. "It's no wonder no one knows about this world."

"Let's just…" Sheppard was cut off when five men entered the tent armed. He instantly went on the offensive and grabbed his weapon but did not pull it.

"Darius has asked us to escort you back to the gate," one of them informed.

"No problem," Sheppard offered and started for the door. He glanced over his shoulder to signal Teyla to follow but one of the men stepped in front of her.

"The female stays."

Ronon pulled his stunner and pointed it to the man nearest Teyla and Sheppard in one motion had her away and pointing his P90 at the group. "I don't think so," Sheppard said dangerously calm. He took Teyla's hand and helped her towards the exit while keeping his cross hairs on the men before them. "Were gonna walk out of here nice…and easy…"

"We won't permit you take the female with you."

Ronon moved like lightning and had the end of his stunner against the man's head. "You were saying," he smirked while Rodney quickly pulled his 9mm from his holster and flanked Teyla on her right with Sheppard on her left. As they neared the entrance the group of men became jittery.

"You cannot take her! A bid has been placed upon her!" one of the men cried desperately.

"Well that's just too bad! Ronon!" Sheppard grabbed Teyla by the elbow and guided her out of the tent without a word or glance. Rodney quickly followed their lead and Ronon took up the rear.

"John…" Teyla breathed seeing a group of men approach them from the entrance of the village.

Sheppard saw this and clenched his jaw. "Dammit…" he hissed quickly surveying their surroundings. Things were starting to look ugly and the last he wanted was to fight an entire village over Teyla. Okay, looks like I'm gonna have to go with plan B he thought. He pulled Teyla close and whispered to her, "Follow my lead."

"Stop them!" It was Darius.

Close to ten men surrounded them and Sheppard shuffled Teyla in the middle between himself, Ronon and Rodney. "What the hell's going on?" he insisted trying to sound offended. "I told you she's not for sale."

Darius motioned for a man behind him to step forward. He was medium sized man. He looked to be around fifty years of age, 5'10", long brown hair and blue eyes. "This man has placed a bid on your female. If you wish to keep her I suggest you counter him. Otherwise, he is well within his rights to take her by force," Darius explained as if they were having an everyday discussion.

Sheppard nodded, "Okay." He pulled out his pistol and fired three shots at the men's feet then aimed directly at them. "How about this, your friend revokes his bid and lives or…if he so much as touches her I will make sure he dies a slow, agonizing death and keep her anyway…so…what's it gonna be?"

"This is preposterous!" The man declared glaring between Darius and Sheppard.

"Darius!"

All eyes turned to a very old man that could barely walk on his own. He had three escorts with him who seemed to be body guards of some sort. There were also two females that followed behind them but they would not look up from the ground. Darius, the old man and the rest of the men bowed respectfully to the newcomer.

"What is the meaning of this?" the old man asked never taking his eyes from Darius.

"My lord?" Darius bowed again then pointed to Teyla. "A bid has been placed on their female but this man is unwilling to counter or release her into our custody."

The old man turned and looked at Sheppard and Teyla. "Is this your female?" he asked Sheppard nodding to Teyla.

"She's part of my team…we're explorers," he glanced at Teyla. "We don't treat our women the same as your people."

Instead of sneering or looking insulting the old man merely looked at them indifferently. He then looked to Darius with disgust. "It seems you have place an ill bid upon this woman Darius and you Luther should no better than to steal women. They are to be bought if they are for sale!" he turned his attention back to Sheppard. "Forgive our insults and unfamiliar ways. Our ways are not your ways but we can share respect. You may return through the gate at this time…no one will stop you."

Without another word Sheppard turned and guided Teyla along with Ronon and Rodney following behind. They walked in relative silence to the gate. All still too appalled at the rash behavior of the villagers. Without incident they returned to Atlantis, received their post mission ops and held their briefing. Of course Elizabeth had no intention of every visiting the world again and neither did the team.

John stepped out of the shower and dried himself off and pulled on a pair of sweat pants and walked into his room. And there on his bed was Teyla sleeping soundly all curled up in her favorite blanket. She must have come in while I was in the shower he realized as he quietly made his way over to the bed. He kneeled down in front of her and tilted his head. She was even more beautiful while she slept. No angel in creation could compare to her ethereal beauty.

After a long moment of watching her he realized how fatigued he was and softly stood to make his way around the bed to get in with her on the other side. Quietly so not to disturb her he climbed in behind her and wrapped his arms around her slender waist. She stirred lightly but did not wake as she resettled herself against his chest. He got comfortable and closed his eyes and exhaled slowly.

"I love you…" he breathed into her hair before he drifted away.

Author's Note: I know what you're thinking, where the hell is the sex? I promise there will be sex just be patient. I wanted this chapter to be more about comfort and realization. Hope it wasn't too jerky or anything, but please let me know what you think.