Large boulders blocked the light of the setting sun, sending streaks of shadow across the ground. A spread of green grass covered the terrain, and uneven patches of ground jutted up over the center plain creating an intricate maze. Teyla breathed in an even breath and then peeked out from the angled rock she hid behind. It reached up a few centimeters above her head keeping her shrouded completely in shadow. Two rivers ran across the land intersecting west of the rock field that took up the center of the square kilometer battlefield. She could see the enemy crouched flush against the bank of the near river. His attention was diverted. He was scanning the forest to the south of the field. A tangle of vines and sticky gossamer threaded webs left by strange creatures made the forest a good place for hiding. The woodland slowly changed as it wrapped around the field until it transformed into a natural mine field. Teyla glanced behind her to the east to the giant spires made by the thorn forest. Her mind played games with her, and for a moment in the eerie yellow light, the forest seemed like a horde of decaying bones. At the beginning of the initial attack, two people from her team had been killed when they were driven into the thorn forest. Teyla turned away with a mix of anxiety and excitement. She had the shot.

"Don't move," a voice suddenly whispered from behind her.

"John?" She was relieved to hear his voice. She had been wandering alone for the past fifteen minutes, wondering how many of her team were still alive and unsure of the enemy's position.

"Your three o'clock, 60 degrees up," he called out. She looked behind the rock, except this time focusing on the sharp ridges of the mountain north of her. The man had an RPG fixed on her position. Was he waiting for her to make her kill?

"What is he waiting for?" Teyla asked. "He can see me clear from this angle."

"He is waiting for you to notice him and panic. He wants you to retreat in my direction because they still don't know where I am." John hesitated for a moment. "I was with Ronon when he got killed. It's just you and me, Teyla."

"How many do they have on the field?" She kept her eyes locked on the man.

"Two. Their third is roaming."

"John, I can duck and run towards the thorn forest."

"He can hit you with a ricochet shot. Look behind you." Another bolder tilted behind her at an odd angle. The shooter could send the shot over her head and catch her with the blast as she ran through the trenches. Her body remained calm even though her mind was crying out in panic. How did this happen? Why hadn't she seen it?

"John, if I get hit—"

"You're not going to get hit. This is not a one man kill. I need you. We have too much to lose."

"I'll break forest side, and you go river side. There's no other way," Teyla said with her forehead resting against the cool rock.

"Okay, but I'll take care of the snake. We can storm the mountain from opposite sides and meet up to take out the mountain king up there. The other one will slink into view eventually." His voice was encouraging and animated. He diffused the most stressful and impossible situations with humor. She pressed her fingers against the rock forcing herself to share his optimism.

"I'm ready," she whispered as if he were standing beside her.

"Duck down and make him think you're moving. He'll have to shoot to your current position. Otherwise he'll change vector if he sees where you're running."

That had been her plan. She smiled to herself. John didn't often warn her of something that she was already aware of. Was he nervous?

"Go," he called out.

She ducked, and then sprinted the moment she heard the rocket fire. At the same time, John ran from his hiding spot at the edge of the forest. He caught a glimpse of Teyla's graceful form dashing out of the field and rolling into the tangle bursh of the thorn trees. His mind refocused and he clipped Teyla's target on the riverbank. The shooter on the mountain had moved by the time he was able to scan the ledge again. Now there were two unknown targets. John made his way to the rockface, and chose a climb that let him approach farther to the left side.

"Teyla, are you up for a climb?" It was a risk using the com, but he needed her.

"You have one on your four," her voice called through. "I'm going up on the forest side. It will take me awhile to get up, but the ground will be good."

"I'll see you when you're up then."

The man was there just like Teyla had said. John could see him climbing slowly down below to his right. It would be difficult for the man to get a steady shot from below, but John simply let his arm hang limp and tilted his wrist, then pulled the trigger. The man cried out from the initial pain of the impact when the shot hit his collarbone, and John continued his ascent knowing that the man was disabled. From the heights of the mountain, he could see Teyla's old position in the rock field. She had saved him already, so now they were even. One more kill and the war would be over.

As he crept along the top face, John caught sight of a figure moving around the mountain on the terrace below him. He kept up with the man's pace while he moved towards the eastern side of the mountain. John slowed when his enemy finally stopped, only to be horrified when the man raised his gun. Teyla! John quickly raced farther ahead until the trees cleared and saw Teyla brushing her dusty hands off against her pants after having just finished her climb. She was caught off guard when two rounds slammed against her chest and staggered backwards, red streaks gushed down the front of her vest

"Teyla!" John saw that the ledge behind her dropped straight down. He jumped down to her level, ran, and caught her by both hands and then he waist. Tears filled her eyes and she struggled to breathe from pain and fear.

"Breathe," John said softly. "Close your eyes and breathe. I've got you. You didn't fall." She bowed her head against his chest, and he held her against him while her breathing steadied.

"Auh!" John gasped. Teyla reached up and caught his jaw so she could see his face. He smiled. "I guess that means the war is over." He turned slightly and Teyla saw the streak of red paint plastered to the back of his vest.

"Thank you, John," she whispered. "You saved my—"

"I'll cry if you say anything else," John interrupted. He quickly kissed her forehead and then smiled down at her. "Let's get the surrender out of the way. I'd like to get off of this damn mountain."

"You were voted as the most likely to be the last man standing for Atlantis, Colonel. At least some people won their bets on you," the shooter called out as he approached.

John turned away from Teyla. "I can't win all the time, Rob"

"Holy fuckin' shit! John?"

John took Teyla's hand and pulled her to a spot away from the ledge. "Are you okay?" he asked her, ignoring Rob.

"Let me sit here for a moment." She smiled when he sat beside her.

"John, I didn't know she was so close to the edge. I would have waited to take the shot. Jesus, Teyla! I almost killed you!"

"I guess that is always a risk when you participate in a war-game," she replied. John rubbed her shoulder. Their bodies were struggling to ease the surge of adrenaline that now left them in semi-shock.

"It will be your word against mine, John. I'll say you shot me first and that I hit you with a reflex shot. You would have had it for Atlantis anyway. You would have pegged me from above after I hit her."

"John, he hit you from behind," Teyla reminded.

"She's right." John pulled Teyla to her feet. Rob smiled and backed away, and John sent a blue paintball round into his chest. Then John exchanged vests with Teyla and adjusted them so the kill marks would fit their story. John radioed in to base when they got to the foot of the mountain. Together they crossed over one of the river bridges, and headed towards the blue team from Atlantis and the red team from Stargate Command that approached from the river valley. Everyone carried fire torches with them to provide light in the newly set darkness. Teyla and John drifted apart and easily found distraction among friends and rivals as the party began.

---

Dr. Elizabeth Weir stood on the docks off of the west pier of the city of Atlantis. She twirled an ink pen in her right hand out of nervous habit even though she was completely calm. The morning light grew in intensity as the night clouds cleared from the sky. The air was thick with the smell of salt water. The last of the fishing boats were setting off towards the deep ocean. She had enjoyed fishing as a child. The endemic species of fish in the waters of Atlantis were in popular demand off world.

"You are welcome to come with for our next catch, doctor," a boat captain said as he passed by her. He was carrying hook-filled cages signifying that he was a crab fisherman. His boat had just settled into port. They worked for their catch at night.

"I'm not sure I'm still immune to sea sickness, Walt. Especially at night."

He laughed and winked at her before heading towards his ship. Rodney McKay skipped over the thick ropes that had been uncoiled to dry across the dock. He approached casually with his hands stuffed in his pockets, but by the expression on his face Elizabeth knew he was not happy.

"Something wrong?" she asked.

"You would know," he replied. "Do you sit up at night planning ways to torture me?"

"Passive aggression is a bit underhanded for a diplomat. What did I do?"

"You are plotting to send me on a shopping excursion. I am really busy right now. I don't have time to go off world for anything so trivial."

"How did you hear about this?" Elizabeth laughed. "I was going to brief everyone this afternoon. You don't even know the details. It is hardly a shopping excursion anyway. You will know I am torturing you when I specify a makeover, shoe shopping, and a photo shoot as part of the torture."

"You have too many projects going on right now, Elizabeth," he said.

"Atlantis just got a pay raise. I have to spend the money somehow. I heard you made money off the game too."

"Bur you are also making money off of your private enterprises."

"The people of Atlantis are capable of taking over. It feels more like a city now, don't you think?" she asked. He rolled his eyes and returned his hands to his pockets again. "Stargate Command is finally untying the noose around my neck. I'm not a military officer. I do better running things my way," she said.

"Well, I kind of agree on that one, since I'm nonmilitary as well. Are you planning to demote Col. Sheppard to civilian then?"

"John would never make it as a civilian. He's fine as he is, and he does a good job of mediating between me and the lions at Stargate Command. Rodney, why don't you pretend you didn't hear anything about this next mission. Be open-minded. I think you are addicted to your lab."

"There's no addiction, Elizabeth. I've come to you as a concerned citizen. I highly regard my well being."

"Did you know the fishermen are taking on passengers to share the high-adventure open water experience?" she asked. He looked around the pier and then stared at the last of the shipping boats leaving the dock.

He glared at her with narrow eyes. "Do you remember what I said about my regard for my well being?"

---

Teyla kicked he leg up in an arch catching Ronon's cheek, but he backed away quick enough to avoid its intended effect. He grinned and swung out whacking her shoulder, but she hit him back hard in the chest. He drew in a sharp breath and continued fighting.

"You've been lifting too many crates, and working on too many engines lately," she mocked as she kicked at his left knee. He stumbled, but recovered immediately and hit her in the stomach. She crouched low forcing herself not to react to the shock wave of pain.

"Someone has forgotten how to fight, and it isn't me. Have things been a bit too diplomatic for you lately, Teyla? Your spirit's been watered down by pretty words."

"You'd be out of a job if I didn't do what I do. Without trade you'd be bored out of your mind," she taunted.

"Really? I'd probably get to spend more time beating you up in the name of combat exercises." He caught her arm, spun her around, and pinned her against him. "You used to be able to beat me at this. Something wrong?" he whispered over her shoulder.

"You got killed before I did in the game." She kicked her foot back against him forcing him to release her. She didn't like where things were going. He was half serious with his stance. This wasn't a fight to him. It was an excuse. She swung out and he blocked. Giving in was the only. When he made his next attack, she delayed her defense just enough for him to hit her hard. She stumbled back and then fell.

"I'm sorry," he said immediately. She got up and rubbed her left shoulder and chest where she got hit.

"I'm fine. That's proof that you're right. I think that's it for me today," she said with relief. She looked up and then looked away. She saw in his eyes that he knew she had done it on purpose, but by his confused look he didn't seem to know why she had done it.

"Look who's avoiding work today," John called out to them as he entered the gym. "You both are holding up a briefing right now. I'd give you both demerits if you were under my command. Elizabeth prefers to ask nicely. I hope you have a good excuse."
He left quickly without waiting for a response. Ronon laughed softly with understanding as he observed Teyla's reaction to the interruption.

"What?" she asked.

"I see that you have a habit of not being honest with people and misjudging situations. That is a strange habit for someone who makes a living as an ambassador and mediator. Not very leader-like," he grinned.

"Ronon I—"

He cut her of with a playful tap of his fist against her jaw. "I have to wonder why everyone can't read you as clearly as I can. Maybe it's because I'm from Pegasus too. Quit being paranoid. If I felt something like that for you I would say it. You don't have to beat yourself up when you get uncomfortable in a situation. The answer is no, Teyla. You're breaking someone's heart, but it isn't mine."

"I'm sorry, Ronon," she said, completely embarassed.

"Don't apologize to me. We've got a briefing to attend. I didn't realize how late it had gotten." He followed her out of the gym with a smile on his face. He wondered how long she had thought he had had feelings for her. It was a surprise to him. Maybe he had been too busy being amused by her shy affection for someone else. Poor Teyla.

---

Rodney worked at the end of the conference table with a silent indifference as he listened to Elizabeth explain the mission. He knew it was considered rude to be working on something else when he should have been taking notes. It was a miserable time of year for him. Stargate Command had made their usual spew of demands, but with his workload from Elizabeth he was left with little time for his own projects, or even free time to relax. He had won a ton of money on the war games, but he hadn't had a chance to spend any of it. He hadn't planned on using his physics degree for designing microchips and electrical parts, or even overseeing the scientific operations at the manufacturing plant on the mainland. Cursing had become a personal trademark, and he was one of Ronon's biggest customers, only to be outdone by Dr. Carson Beckett. Yes, black market trade had skyrocketed along with general trade. He had a flask of whiskey in his pocket, but it was too risky to pull it out, although he wouldn't be surprised if Elizabeth was the first person to take a nip. All of them had changed over the past few months. Mostly for the better. Mostly.

"Why haven't we heard of these people before?" John asked. "This far into our occupation of Atlantis, I think we should have found every world in Pegasus that was equal to Earth."

"The Ixori are not from this quadrant of the galaxy. Their gate address is S11 274," Elizabeth said.

"Wow, I've never heard of S vector addresses," Carson said.

"Rodney?" Elizabeth asked.

"Um, they are a long way off. You would have to gate to an outer rim P address. None of the ones around here have any of the gate symbols that would create the sequencing needed to open an event horizon to that address."

"How did you find them?" Teyla asked.

"By asking a lot of questions," Elizabeth said with a smile. "Their trade partners were not very eager to share information about them. I am sure they are guarding their trade assets, and from what I understand about the Ixori, that is wise. I've learned enough over the past few months to be comfortable sending a team with goods to trade."

"Team?" Rodney asked.

"Everyone in this room excluding me. As much as I would like to go, there is no way I can leave the city when it is this busy."

"Damnit! Sorry," Rodney said quickly. "How soon are we shipping out? I still have loose ends dangling on several projects."

"I'll give you a day, but we have trade ships coming in at the end of the next week and I will need you to handle the transactions, Teyla."

"Sure," Teyla nodded.

"What exactly are we going to be doing there?" Carson asked.

"The Ixori are known for their modern technology. From what I have learned, they are the center world of trade in the S quadrant of Pegasus. Carson, I am sending you because I hear their medical science is more advanced than what we have on Earth. I don't know how accepting they will be of us. Especially because I have no contact name to give them, and they have no reason to trust us. It is worth an attempt though."

Ronon let out a sarcastic laugh. "This should be fun."

"Awe, we do this kind of thing all the time. Walk into danger without a clue," John smiled. "Do we get to keep our guns?"

"They will expect us to have a few weapons on our ship, but we shouldn't carry anything with us planetside," Teyla said.

"How come you've never heard of them, Teyla?" John asked.

"I don't know everything about this galaxy."

"Anything else, Elizabeth?"

"That's it. Don't take too long packing. I want you to leave tomorrow at 1000 hours. Dismissed," Elizabeth said. Rodney was the first to leave the room. "John, would you stay for a moment?"

"Sure." John casually leaned against the table. "What's up?"

"This world does not have a gate. I wanted to let you break the news to the team. I need you to approve the mission before you go. I hoped everyone would react positively to it, and now that they have I need to know if it is safe for you to go through two gates to get there?"

"Two gates?"

"You will have to gate to a P quadrant planet and then to a S quadrant planet with a gate near the Ixori home world. It will take you a day or two to get there from the S gate. I don't know what's out there, but I was honest when I said I didn't learn very much when I was asking questions. I found out how to get there and what the people are like, but that's it."

"We'll be okay," John asured. "People who focus their efforts on trade tend to do everything they can to keep out of aggressive scenarios."

"Fine. I just needed to hear it from you. Are you doing anything right now? I was going to get something to eat. Would you care to join me?" she asked.

He shrugged. "I'm due a break. I hear the fishing season has been good."

---

"I'm surprised. Where do you get this stuff?" John asked as he took another sip of Vizoran ale.

"It's a secret. I keep tabs on the dirty circuits by patronizing them. Carson and I do it out of moral obligation,"

"I don't believe a word of that."

"You don't have to," Elizabeth winked. "You aren't supposed to believe anything when you're drunk."

"Are we drunk?" John looked around the cafeteria. It was completely empty, and they remained hidden in a corner booth with red high back cushioned benches and a light gray table. Elizabeth stretched her feet across to rest on the seat beside John. They were a quarter way through a tall bottle that contained a dark amber liquid. A empty bottle was pushed aside next to a tray containing empty plates. Elizabeth took a sip from her glass.

"I am. If you say no you're lying," she grinned. "What are you doing after this?"

"Sleeping this off," he replied. "Then I'm due for another run at the gambit of work. You?"

"Sounds like a good plan."

He stood and capped the bottle. It wouldn't be as good re-dredged, but he couldn't drink another drop. Or maybe he wouldn't. Elizabeth stared up as he cleared the table and walked off to dump the trays. She was half way through a new glass when he returned. She had reopened the bottle.

"It's not good to drink alone, and I am done for the night," John said.

"Just stay and talk with me. You can cap it again. I'm done." She drained the last sip and grinned. "See." Their conversation had been very general. She wasn't as much of a drinker as she thought she was. She laughed at boring things and had eaten very little of her dinner. He glanced at his watch forcing a list of duties from his mind. She was stressed out. She was trapped by the city of Atlantis.

"Give me your hand. I'll make sure you don't bump into walls on your way to your room." He left the bottle on the table. He would get it later. She swayed a bit when she stood up and clasp his arm tightly.

"You are so nice to me. Did I ever thank you for that?" she asked.

"All the time," he patronized.

She walked calmly with her arm locked around his. He knew she was dizzy, and he hoped she wouldn't throw up. She opened her door and quickly turned off the light when it flashed in her eyes. He waited for her to let go, but was surprised when he felt her hand on his cheek.

"You could use some sleep, Elizabeth." He took her hand in his hand and then tried to release it from her returned grip.

"I'm not as drunk as you think I am. Stay with me awhile, John." He had seen this coming, and kicked himself for being optimistic that it wouldn't happen. Things would get screwed up if she got hurt. He had trouble with confrontations. He was standing in front of the wrong person. It wasn't her heart he was willing to risk breaking. No, that was a lie. He didn't take risks with lives.

"We can talk later, Elizabeth." He rubbed her shoulder hoping to soften the rejection. She wandered off in the darkness and he left the room.

---

Teyla moved her body around the dark gym with a steady rhythm. She wasn't holding bantos rods. Instead, she held a strange music in her mind as she spun around and flipped backwards, the crouched low. She slowly brought her hands up and then pivoted on her right foot.

"Teyla?" John called out when he recognized her in the dark. She opened her eyes and caught her breath.

"Were you looking for me?" she asked.

"No. I was looking for a quiet place to hide."

"It's late."

"I could say the same thing to you. What are you doing?"

"Getting rid of stress. I think," she replied.

"Is it working?"

"I haven't been in here long enough to find out."

"I probably should just head to bed. If that works you will have to teach me, although I doubt I'd be able to land some of those flips without killing myself."

He had done better at excusing himself from similar situations in the past. Hindu pushups weren't the most glamorous of exercises to do while other people were watching. He'd pass on his workout. He'd had enough awkward moments for the day.

Teyla watched him leave and then sat on the mat in silence. She was way over the line. It had already caused tension between her and Ronon. She was insecure and emotional. She looked up towards the door. She had never been to his world. How could she possibly understand what he wanted?

---

The trips through the two gates were uneventful, and things seemed to go well even though everyone on the team held the mission in such negative regard. They were all inconvenienced by the mission. Rodney had made a futile attempt to convince Elizabeth that even with the appeal of its splendor, the trip could wait. At first, the symbols on the Stargate at the edge of the P-quadrant were the only strange things they saw in the new quadrant of space. It looked like any other mission.

They made their day's journey in silence, and then they saw it. All five of them crowded around the cockpit window as they approached the planet. Several giant space stations orbited the planet, surrounded by a swarm of intra-system traffic.

"It's a weapon's array. They can blast anything that comes near the planet if they want. Let's hope they're convinced we're here to trade," Rodney said.

"Are you sure they will respond to the language our message is coded in, Teyla. We can still change the data card," John said.

"That is a trade language common on the quadrant rim. They should know it."

"Woah!" John was startled when two small ships fell into formation beside him. The com whined until it matched the frequency of the incoming transmission. A strange voice gave a quick command. "Teyla?" John looked at her for the interpretation.

"They want you to follow the escort in or we will be shot down."

"That's good to know. Why don't all of you sit somewhere and strap in. I think they sent the escort out of protection to guide us in. The atmosphere is a bit harsh." The ship jerked violently, and everyone quickly backed away to sit down.

Large cities spread out over the planet. The temperate climate made the land between the cities ideal for farming. Air ships circulated through strict traffic patterns. John followed the ships into an assigned position that flew towards one of the cities. His heart beat quickly. The tall buildings reminded him of a place he had once called home. He felt as though he were about to land at a city on Earth. Clear rivers and aqueducts flowed through the city, and gardens wound through canyons of industrial buildings with a grandeur that matched the old Rome of Earth. Ships surrounded the trade port like a swarm of bees. Teyla translated the landing instructions, and John set the ship down on ledge that extended out from the port. Every bit of annoyance at the mission had faded from each person on the team and was replaced by wonder and curiosity.

Teyla was the first to leave the ship. Her eyes locked onto the foreign sun, drawing on its light and warmth for a moment. Only two people were waiting for them on the landing. John finished powering down the jumper and was the last to join them. He stood beside Teyla who moved with a diplomatic grace he had become familiar with.

"Greetings, we come as friends and wish to trade," Teyla said.

"You are welcome. I am Sorrel Ecru, one of the elders in our trade guild. We were very glad to get your message." John breathed a breath of relief when he understood the man. The man spoke in one of the two Pegasus languages he had learned well over the past three years. He looked beyond the ledge and conceded that he wouldn't mind if the man spoke one of the three languages he still didn't know very well. As long as he understood something the man said. "My assistant Sienna and I will be your liaisons while you are here. Are there any other people or ships we should prepare for?"

"No we come as a party of greeting this time. We come from the city of Atlantis. I am Teyla Emmagan of Athos, the leader of the Athosian people." She gently touched John's arm. "Colonel John Sheppard is one of the leaders of the city, and Dr. Rodney McKay as well," she said as she motioned to Rodney. "Dr. Carson Beckett is our city's chief medical officer. Ronon Dex is from the world Sateda. He and I are allied with the people from Earth who now occupy Atlantis."

"Your people are not Lanteans? I see you are able to fly their ships," Sorrel said to John.

"No, we aren't Lantean, but we have learned to use most of the technology they left behind in the city."

"I have never heard of Earth," Sorrel said.

"We came from the Milky Way galaxy through the Stargate."

"Why?"

"To learn from other races, to explore, and to trade."

"Your people at Atlantis are fortunate to have made such good allies." Sorrel smiled at Teyla. "Especially one such as Teyla of Athos. I met your father once."

"Thank you," Teyla whispered, although unsure if it was the correct thing to say.

"I will show you where you will stay," Sienna said. "When you are settled, we can prepare an itinerary for you. You are welcome to move about without restriction, and you are free to ask questions. We are accustomed to foreigners in the city."

"It was good to meet all of you. I will see you again," Sorrel said before he left. All of the others followed Sienna into the trade port.

---

"You really should try this, Sheppard," Rodney said as he held out a small paper carton.

"What is it?" John pushed a crate further into the loading bay and then glanced at the peach colored dessert.

"I don't remember what they call it, but it's kind of like tapioca pudding. Well no, more like a mix of pudding and a snow cone, except the snow cone part doesn't melt and the pudding isn't—I give up. It's good though...and cold."

John dipped his index finger in, drew out a small clump and tastws it. "You're right. It's good and I have no idea how to describe it. Can you imagine the black market sales climb that would occur if this got introduced at Atlantis?"

"I thought you were the leading officer of the law in the city?"

"I didn't say I was going to do it. I'd probably have to break up a bunch of fights over ice cream. I'm glad to see that you've made a new friend in the few hours we've been here."

Rodney glanced around the bay. "Did you have to unload all of this by yourself? Where are Teyla, Carson, and Ronon?"

"They are with Sorrel looking for things we want to buy. I didn't have to unload anything. I was just rechecking the inventory. Elizabeth forgot to log one of the items she had included, so I had to check the crates first before I added it to the count."

"I just thought you would be negotiating with Teyla," Rodney said.

"She is doing what she does best. She knows what Elizabeth wants better than I do. I'm the pilot and the hired gun."

"That's it?"

"Well, I could get a cup of that stuff and become a tourist too."

"Being a tourist is not so bad," Rodney replied.

"I need to get this to Sorrel first."

"I'll give you a loan if you need money," Rodney called back after turning towards the door. John ejected a data card from his data pad and followed Rodney out of the room.

---

The Trade Port was a city by itself. It was a massive building that stretched out for two kilometers at the edge of the city and rose above the ground 100 stories. Six towers stood above the building to serve as landing ports for large ships, while the smaller ships were free to land on any of the thousand landing bays that jutted out from the sides of the circular port. The inside had the feel of an international airport, a large mall, and a chaotic flea market all in one. John agreed that Ixori was the center world in the S-quadrant of the galaxy. Both native and foreign traders owned shops in the port.

Rodney had abandoned him an hour before to have a discussion with a man selling voice remote toys. John massaged his temples hoping to ease the emerging headache that was probably a result of the cold whatever he and Rodney had eaten too much of. He looked down at the electronic map in his hand. He was close to the position represented by the light that was blinking on it. All five of them had one, so as long as he had his map with him the others would know where to find him.

"Teyla?" John called when he stopped half way into a shop. Teyla was seated next to a woman who was explaining the information on the computer screen in front of them. The walls of the shop were a soft blue and all of the furniture was white. The store name was not written in the standard trade language he had been using, but he guessed that it was a health shop of some sort.

"Hi, John. Come look at this." When she turned, he saw that she had changed out of the clothes she had been wearing earlier. She was wearing a light teal colored dress that had thin strap sleeves. It was beautiful, but designed to look casual. From the look of the fabric it was probably very comfortable and soft.

"What am I looking at?" he asked forcing himself to look away from her body. It wasn't often that he saw her in a different outfit. Everyone at Atlantis seemed to be wearing uniforms all the time. Even when off duty.

"Certain toxins and pathogens cause the ends of DNA sequences to shorten until they are no longer able to replicate. Cerise is telling me about a medicine that targets the telomere sequence of the DNA and keeps it from getting cut away. I was telling her about the different cancers Dr. Beckett has dealt with. We were discussing whether it could help cancer patients since cancer is an unnatural replication of the DNA telomere and sitnalta medicines stabilizes telomere sequences that are subject to harsh conditions."

"Where is Carson? I'm surprised he isn't here to look at this."

"He is touring the hospital right now. I'll tell him about this when he gets back."

"So, you're saying you just found the cure for cancer?" John asked.

"Dr. Beckett will have to decide that." She stood up and took her map from the counter and put in her bag. "Thank you Cerise, we will talk again."

"Yes, come back," the woman replied.

"I didn't know you knew so much about science or genetics," John said when they were finally out in the open walkway.

"Actually I just learned all of that today. Every world I go to I learn something new."

"Sure," John smiled.

"How are things going? Sorrel said the transaction was successful, but I was waiting to hear it from you. "

"Things went well, and everything is loaded on the jumper, ready to go. You are really good at shopping. You picked out some nice stuff. I like your dress," he added.

"Thank you. It was a gift from Sorrel. He talks about my father with respect, but he won't tell me anything about when they met or why, even though I asked," she said.

"Some people respect the past, but don't like bringing it up I guess," John replied. "I think I've explored a good portion of a small fraction of this trade port to know the location of a few good restaurants. Would you like to join me for dinner?"

"Yes, I'm hungry and I've been crippled by the help of guides from the moment we got here," she said.

"Then I'm your guide." He held out his hand and she instinctively took it.

He gently pulled her into the flow of traffic and then reluctantly let go. They walked silently for a short ways, but began commenting on the people and shops they passed until they carried a steady conversation with ease.

The Lapis restaurant extended out from the trade port and was enclosed by glass so that while the diners were eating they could see the city, the countryside beyond it, and the traffic in the sky. It was fancy, but John had justified his choice by the fact that the restaurant served Rodney's ice-cream. He made a point to tell her about it before they arrived so it wouldn't seem like an afterthought. Beside her he felt underdressed.

"Worth it?" John asked. Teyla's eyes were closed and she was evaluating the flavor of the dessert that was properly known as cinnabar.

"Worth what?" she replied.

"Going to dinner with me?"

"This is very good," she smiled pointing to the small dish. "Was my reaction worth bringing me here?"

"It was the pretense for having your company to myself for a whole hour. We should hang out more often," John said.

"We do," Teyla replied.

"I said hang out, not work out. Sparring doesn't count."

John squinted his eyes and turned away from the window that was in his direct line of vision. He finally brought his right hand up to block out the light completely.

"Are you okay?" Teyla asked.

"I have a headache. I think I ate too much of that stuff. That's why I didn't order any," John replied.

"Did you take anything for it?"

"Yes. It's not working. Actually it has gotten worse in the last hour."

"I guess this is a bad time to talk business then," Teyla laughed sympathetically.

"Business?"

"They have offered to give me an extensive tour of the guild holdings over the next week. This list of trade goods to choose from is enormous. I think it would help Elizabeth if we had a full understand of what the Ixori have to offer in trade. They are also interested to know more about Atlantis."

"So, you want to stay here?" John asked.

"Yes, if that is alright?"

"I have to admit that people who run a trade port that can keep transaction time down to one day are worth learning from. Can you imagine what things would be like at Atlantis if we could get that good?" Teyla laughed in agreement. "So, tomorrow Carson, Ronon, Rodney, and I will head back to Atlantis and leave you here by yourself for a week. Are you sure your are comfortable enough around these people to stay alone?"

"No. That is why this involves you. I was wondering if you would stay with me. You understand more about Atlantis, and I can't answer any of their questions about Earth. It would also help to get your perspective on everything here, and I'd rather not spend a week sifting through all of this alone."

"I don't think Carson will be thrilled when he finds out he is going to be flying the ship back to Atlantis by himself, but I think cinnabar will make a nice peace offering. Do you think he likes ice cream?"

"Thank you, John," she smiled. She stood quickly and pressed her fingers against his hand. "I must go tell Sorrel that we will stay."

"Good, I'm going to hit my bunk."

---

They said their goodbyes as the morning sun rose over the city. The wind, the buildings, and the angle of sunlight reminded John of the city of Chicago. Teyla wrote a detailed report for Elizabeth and entrusted it to Carson whom she was relieved to see smiling. Ronon had spent the last day wandering the port by himself. A broad smile touched his face when she told him John would be staying behind with her. He loaded a crate of his own into the jumper and waved back to John and Teyla before disappearing completely. The jumper lifted off with its escort, and they both stayed to watch it break atmosphere.

"What?" Teyla asked.

"Huh?" John turned to Teyla.

"Did you say something?"

"No. Did you hear me say something?" John asked.

"Lack of sleep probably. My mind wouldn't shut off last night."

"I know the feeling, except my problem was more about pain than the off switch."

"Your headache didn't go away?" Teyla asked.

"I've knocked it down to a dull throb, but I can't take anything for another four hours. I'll live. What's first on our agenda?" John asked.

"We are moving. Sorrel has an apartment for us on one of the higher levels that is closer to the guild offices." She hesitated for a second. "It has two bedrooms. I didn't want to negotiate with their generosity."

"Nothing to negotiate. I'll even give you first pick of the rooms."

"Alright." She pulled out her map and typed in a sequence of numbers before putting it back in her bag.

"What are you doing?" John asked.

"Flagging a sky coach," she said.

"I thought we were going to move our stuff."

"They moved it for us, now we just have to move ourselves."

Right, John thought.

There were cut flowers in a vase on the table, the kitchen was stocked, and the apartment was elegantly furnished. Teyla's stuff had been neatly placed at the foot of the beds in one of the rooms eliminating her chance to pick.

"John?"

"Yeah?" He heard her steps in the hall and then she looked into his room. He was arranging his clothes in the closet. He stared at her silently waiting for her to say something.

"You didn't say anything?"

"No. Are you okay?"

"This sounds bad, but I'm hearing things. I keep feeling like you've just asked me a question. Even when I'm alone in the port I keep feeling like someone has just said something to me that I can't quite understand. The pressure, gravity, climate, and flora might have something to do with it. I've had worse reactions on other worlds."

"Well it could be the food like in my case. Things don't seem to be getting better and I haven't had any ice cream today."
John and Teyla walked out of the park across from the trade port, and caught a sky cab back to their apartment. They talked the whole way even after an exhausting day. They had been on Ixori for two days since the others had returned to Atlantis, and John had thanked Teyla several times for the invite because every place they went turned out to be like a fascinating museum exhibit or a section of an amusement park. They were given the chance to tour the port's operations center, various trade ally centers, and two factories. Their third day they planned to visit the sea port and see the holdings of the agriculture industry. Then, in the afternoon, they would have lunch with the guild quorum. They had spent a few hours after dinner shopping for clothes to wear for the event.

Teyla ran her hand down the smooth, deep red fabric of the skirt of her long dress. The clothing store had rich purple walls draped with brocade fabrics that were on display. Large racks displayed other quality fabrics. The computer displayed an inventory of every color and make of clothing imaginable. John and Teyla stood in the middle of an octagon of mirrors. John pulled at the open collar of a shirt that was the same color as her dress. They stared into the same mirror.

"Do you think they'll let us keep this?" Teyla laughed. She turned and touched the fabric of his collar. He quickly took her hand on impulse.

"They had better. I want to see you wear that again," John smiled. "And I like this shirt. Great fabric, huh? I think Rodney left some money in our account."

"We will find out. Do people wear clothes like this on Earth when they go to business meetings?" Teyla asked. She turned back to look at their reflection in the mirror.

"No, but this isn't a business meeting. It is dinner with the powers that be. The idea is to dress our best because they will be looking at all of our flaws."

She nodded. "I've been to those kind of dinners before, but I've never had to dress up." What a primitive people I lead, Teyla thought. These people have more to offer Atlantis. Just like other women have more to offer him. She laughed out loud. "I'm going to change. We won't make it to that cafe in time for lunch if we don't hurry." She couldn't remember the last time she had lapsed into self pity. It was not in her blood. She had other flaws. She looked back to his reflection in the mirror and smiled.

The cab docked against the landing to their apartment and he followed her inside. He had a new respect for her career as a diplomat, negotiator, and trader, and maybe a slight envy at her natural ease with all of it. He had had so much fun since they arrived on the world, but he wasn't sure if it was because of the work or her company.

They didn't say much when they got inside their apartment. They mirrored each other in movement. He went to the his room to take a shower, and she shut her door to do the same.
Rodney sat at a table in the loading bay typing in comments about the inventory on a laptop. Ronon was busy sorting through the crates he had just unloaded from the jumper. They said very little to each other while eating from small containers of cinnabar.

"Anything else hidden in the jumper?" Rodney asked.

"That's it. Things must be busy here. All of the jumpers are out and no one is around," Ronon replied.

"They all could have gone on vacation without us."

"Sounds like wishful thinking there. The moment people find out you found any form of ice cream you won't look so happy."

"I thought we agreed not to tell," Rodney said just as Elizabeth walked into the room. "Good afternoon, Elizabeth." He set the carton on the table and pushed it back so it was hidden behind the computer screen. Elizabeth glanced at Ronon who casually nodded with his arm hidden behind his back.

"Hi, did I come at a bad time?"

"Nope, we're unloading."

"If you are hiding off world food I hope Carson checked it first," she said.

Ronon cleared his throat and pointed to the door. Carson walked through eating from a container of cinnabar.

"I see. That good?" Elizabeth asked.

"You wouldn't believe this world. The Ixori are an amazing race of people. You should go with us on the return trip," Carson said.

"Return trip? You've already planned to go back?" she asked. Carson walked closer and set his carton on the table.

"They invited Teyla to stay and tour the world for a week," Carson replied. "And Rodney is probably almost out of this stuff."

"Why did they ask Teyla to stay?" Elizabeth asked. She eyed Carson's container, but waved her hand when he held it out to her.

"You should have seen her when she was talking to the merchants and leaders," Carson said. "She translated most of the time for me because they often spoke in languages I didn't understand. I didn't know she knew so many languages. When they come back you will know everything about the world and what they have to offer in trade."

"Wait, they? Where's John? Did he stay too?"

"Teyla asked him to stay so he could answer their questions about Earth," Rodney replied.

"I would hate for her to be there by herself. He will probably observe from a military angle. When he comes back I'm sure we will know more about the weapons they trade and what worlds trade for them."

"I thought you knew all of the races in this quadrant that traded with the Ixori," Ronon said. "You said there were only a few who actually knew the planet existed."

"Not really. I didn't directly ask questions of anyone. I mostly pieced together bits of information that I overheard."

"That's a little sketchy for your norm, Elizabeth. Your goal of making Atlantis an intergalactic trade port is making you a bit reckless," Rodney said.

"Well it did turn out well. Very well, actually. You gamble well, Elizabeth," Carson laughed. "I'd love to show you everything we got. I'm quite proud of it."

"Sure, but we need to have a formal debriefing in an hour. I need full reports."

"Already waiting for your eyes," Rodney said.

"Oh, good and what is that?" she asked.

"This?" Carson asked picking up his carton. "It's got a funny name, but we call it Ixori ice-cream."

"Or Rodney's high priced pink wonder," Ronon added.

"Or heaven in a box," Rodney said. "Would you like some, Elizabeth?"

---

"Teyla," a voice whispered. "Teyla!"

Teyla sat up in bed and listened. It wasn't real. Her room was quiet and the door was shut. She and John had made a game of her "hearing voices" that day.

"God, please! Teyla, help me..."

She flung herself out of bed. She had heard John's voice so clearly. She hated that she had wasted time trying to figure out if it was really him. She crossed the hall and flicked on the light. He was passed out on the middle of the floor, half way to the bathroom. He only wore a pair of loose navy pants. His hair and skin were dripping with sweat. She rolled him onto his back and sat down next to him. She pulled him up by the shoulders and held him against her so he would stay sitting up. He was breathing and his eyes were open, but he was struggling to talk.

"John. When was the last time you took medicine? Did you take too much?"

He struggled to form the words and finally closed his eyes, overwhelmed with panic and frustration.

"Help me!"

His mouth was closed, but she heard the words as if he had inflected them with a painful groan.

"Did you take anything?" she repeated.

"No...not for several hours. Hurry, help me. I'm going to die." He was still unable to speak.

"I'm here, and I won't let that happen," she said to him.

She eased him back to the floor and then pushed the button Sorrel had specified for emergencies.

"What is the nature of your emergency?" a voice replied.

"My friend is going into some type of shock. I am trying to keep him conscious. Please alert Sorrel and send a medical team quickly."

She went back and sat beside him. She held his hand in silence and stared down into his eyes while she waited. Her hands were cool against his feverish skin. She held her hand to his forehead and he closed his eyes as the coolness eased some of the tension in his body.

Don't let me fall, she heard faintly.

A quick knock sounded and then four medics entered the room. Three of them lifted John onto a gurney and the fourth led Teyla out to the waiting air skiff.

"Has he been hurt by anything or taken any medicine in the past few hours?" the man asked.

"No. He complained about a headache soon after we got to the planet." They left the apartment, and walked out onto the landing where the small medical ship waited. The medic followed Teyla inside, then the door shut, and the ship propelled forward at a rapid speed. Teyla gripped the bottom of the seat before continuing. "We thought it might be some type of allergy. He is in great pain."

"Teyla, where are you?"

"Is there anything you can do?" Teyla said ignoring John's voice in her mind.

"His fever is very high. We are tying to bring that down. It won't take the doctors long to stabilize him once we get to the hospital," the medic replied.

"Teyla? Where is she? Go back and get her! Turn around!"

Teyla quickly glanced to the back of the skiff where the medics were helping John. He was struggling against the restraints they had put him in. With the speed the ship was moving at, it was too dangerous for her to get up.

"I'm right here, John. They said you are going to be okay. You won't be in pain much longer."

The man studied her face for a moment when she looked foreword again, and then turned towards the cockpit to talk to the pilot.

Teyla had to run to keep up with the medics when they rushed John into the hospital. Words from the different conversations around her jumbled together in her head. John continued to call out to her. She could tell his mind was slipping. He wasn't even conscious he was saying her name. It was like a programmed response to the pain.

"Are you alright, Teyla?" Sorrel asked. She hadn't noticed him approach. She watched the doctors work through a pane of glass that created a window into the ER room. From the reaction of the doctors, things were not going well. Tears blurred her eyes. They fell onto her cheeks before she could wipe them away. What would she do if he died? How could he die on a world that held so many cures for sickness? This was not a stab wound or a bullet wound. This would not be a warrior's death.

"I don't know what to say," Teyla whispered. "He's absorbed more pain than anyone I have known, but nothing like this.

"I can't see!!! What did you do! Teyla, they are killing me!"

Inside the room, something clattered to the ground and, one of the doctors fell hard when John's arm flung out to the side against him.

"John!" Teyla jerked open the door and ran into the room.

"Get out of here! We will take care of him," one of the doctors said as he blocked her way. She tried to pass, but he grabbed her shoulders and pushed her towards the door.

Move out of my way or I will kill you, she thought before she made her second charge. As if sensing her determination, the doctor quickly moved to the side and glanced back at Sorrel.

John was breathing on his own, but he was attached to several wires and tubes. His body was shaking violently from a seizure. The doctors backed away from him when she approached, but continued to monitor him. He turned his head slightly when she touched his cheek.

"I can't see," he screamed in her mind.

She held her right hand to his forehead and her left hand to his throat so she could feel is pulse. His body was uncontrollable.

"You are having a Grand Mal seizure. When it passes you will be able to see again. Can you feel my hands, John?"

"Yes."

"Concentrate on my hands. Concentrate on my voice." Even before she finished speaking his body went still. He blinked and turned his head more, and she knew he could see again."

"Thank you," he whispered with his own lips.

Teyla backed away and let the doctors continue. Sorrel was talking with the doctor who had tried to block her. She decided he was probably the supervisor. They were going over scans and lab work. She turned her attention back to John. His head was turned sideways so he could see her.

I'm here. I won't let you fall, she thought. She closed her eyes so he wouldn't see the tears, but kept herself from looking away.

I know.

She blinked open in surprise, but his eyes were closed again. Had he heard her thoughts?

"Teyla," she heard a voice call from behind.

"Yes?"

"I would like to speak to you." She was looking at Sorrel, but his mouth had not moved.

"What are you doing to us?" she demanded.

"Nothing, but come with me. We need to talk," Sorrel said out loud.

"I can't leave him."

"Some of the things we must discuss are not safe for him to hear right now. You will not be far from him, and you will hear him call when he needs you."

They entered a small office and Teyla leaned against the wall. She was too restless to sit down, angry at the Ixori for whatever they were hiding, and afraid that John would be too sick to call out to her, afraid that he would die without her knowing.

"He will be alright for now," Sorrel said.

"But he is still not stable," Teyla added.

"This is Dr. Russet. We need to explain some things to you and then you will be free to decide how we are to proceed."

"Explain then," Teyla replied.

"Over 10,000 years ago a faction of Wraith were drawn to terrestrial life," Sorrel began. "Their thirst for blood lessened and they colonized a planet near here called Brisceaus. They helped us establish the trade empire we have today. Our original alliance was out of fear. We thought they would kill us if we did not give them what they wanted. Over time we learned to understand them, even though we kept our fear for the others of the race of Wraith. The Lantians learned that there was a race of people helping the Wraith. They sent a fleet out and attacked us without warning. In a day our cities were completely destroyed and only 50,000 people remained alive by the time the Wraith on Brisceaus learned we were under attack. They came to help and decimated the fleet and left half of their people to care for us while the other half went to attack the city of Atlantis. Rorand, the Wraith leader of Brisceaus asked the Lantian fleet commander why they attacked the Ixori when it was not them but the Wraith at Brisceaus who were their enemy. The man replied that the Ixori were easier to kill. The Briscean Wraith later regretted their attack on Atlantis that had been done out of rage because most of them died and Atlantis sent another armada to attack, except this time with orders to kill the Briscean Wraith as well as what was left of the Ixori people.

"In preparation for the Lantians, the Brisceans spent several weeks hauling in vast amounts of gamboge ore from an uninhabitable world. The radiation from it hits the Lantian genetic matrix like a gamma ray would you and me. It is only harmful to them. The Lantians quickly retreated because the rays reached out to the ships in orbit. The ore has degraded greatly over thousands of years of time to where it only gives off a slight amount of radiation now. The greatest cachet of it was buried under this city. That is why it is so strong here. If you were in one of the smaller cites it might have taken a full week for John Sheppard to get sick."

"So, because he has the Lantian gene he is vulnerable to this?" Teyla asked.

"We know that the city of Atlantis, their ships, and their technology can only be operated by people who have a remnant of their genes. We know many people have the Lantian gene, but John has more than a gene. There are many things that can be missed when looking at DNA. His people probably didn't have the adequate technology for accurate analysis, but your friend has an almost complete Lantian genetic matrix. I am sure it became incomplete as it was passed down through his family line, but it is a dominant complex. The radiation is killing him right now."

"John is an Ancient!" Teyla said trying to contain her shock.

"It is unfortunate," Sorrel said.

"You said it would have taken a week for him to get sick in the other cities. Is all of the planet affected by the radiation?" Teyla asked.

"You have to understand, we didn't want the Lantians anywhere near this planet. Gravity draws the radiation inward toward the equatorial regions. The southern pole is melted completely right now since it is summer. The ground is stable in the north, and we have settlements there, but it is winter and the northern most city is abandoned during the winter."

"Would you give us a ship and a pilot to take us to the Stargate? It is only a day's flight to the gate." She glanced back and forth between their faces.

Dr. Russet finally broke the silence that had resonated after her question. She dreaded their answer because both Sorrel and the doctor seemed uncomfortable with the direction the conversation was going. "We can't do that. The only reason your friend is still alive right now is because you are Briscean. We do not respect the life of a Lantian no matter how many generations it is removed from its ancestors."

"I am Briscean? You can't be serious." Teyla laughed.

"It is difficult to rebuild a civilization with only 50,000 people under such harsh conditions. The Brisceans lived among us and helped us increase our numbers until all traces of Wraith faded from the population, and we became one race. Only our ability to touch each other's mind remains of the Wraith."

"You didn't answer my question, Sorrel. How am I Briscean?"

"Your mother was Briscean, not Athosian," Sorrel replied. "I met your father on Selkon when you were a child. He was very passionate in expressing his hatred for the Wraith. He called them an unstoppable plague. When I met him he was a great leader, but he was consumed with bitterness. His wife had been killed in a Wraith attack only a few months before. He told me that his wife had been able to sense the Wraith. He considered it to be an advantage that was useful to the Athosian people. She heard the echo of their voices in her mind when they were near. In the end, it wasn't enough to save her from their attack. I wasn't sure then, but I knew both you and she were Briscean when you were able to hear us when you arrived here. That trait is also part of a dominant genetic complex"

"The voices?" Teyla asked.

"You have a powerful ability to shut off your mind. We never thought we'd be able to make you hear us," Sorrel said.

"What about John? I can hear him," Teyla said.

"You have your mind shut off so completely from others. If you took the time you could probably learn to hear anyone. Our culture is centered around this. We are careful with it when we trade because people on other worlds project their thoughts all the time and don't even realize that our race can hear them."

"You really would have let John die if I had not been a descendant of the Brisceans?" Teyla asked.

"All societies have harsh laws that they live by," Sorrel replied. "You are a leader, Teyla, so you should know that. Our people once vowed that no Lantian would touch Ixori soil and live. John has been here three days and treated with kindness. That is all we have to offer. Your people will be back in five days. Our doctors will do what they can, but the only safe place is up north, outside of the radiation field."

"Will he get better then?"

"The radiation was intended to kill," Dr. Russet replied. "I have never seen anyone survive it."

"I am sorry, Teyla because he is our enemy, but your friend. We will give you all that you need, but his life is up to you," Sorrel said.

Teyla covered her eyes, but the tension in her body kept her from crying again. "Your people once made alliances with an enemy. The Lantians then attacked that alliance and now you resent them, yet here I have made an alliance with John and you seek too attack us."

"We are not attacking him. We simply can't help in the way you want us to," Sorrel said. "Are you allied to this one man or just to the people from Earth at Atlantis."

"I love him and that is an alliance in its on rite. He has saved my life before and I will fight to save his."

"But does he love you? Is he really worth your tears and pain?" Sorrel replied.

"Atlantis will not trade with you if you let him die," Teyla said with anger. "I need cold weather gear, a communications relay, maps, and supplies. Will you give me medicines?" she asked. They were silent. She struggled to keep her body under control. In desperation she had admitted her feelings for John out loud, and now they probably despised her for it. A descendant of the Ixori and Briscean should not feel this way about a Lantian. They were waiting for him to die while she was desperate for him to live.

What's wrong, Teyla?

She stiffened. She had projecting her fear and pain towards John along with her concern.

"I'm coming," she echoed back

He sat beside her, half conscious, cradled against her. He was able to understand that his Lantian genes were vulnerable to some type of radiation. He felt cold, and Teyla's hands were warm. He could tell they were flying, and by the lilt and vibrations of the aircraft he knew the weather conditions outside were harsh.

"Where are we going?"

"Some place cold, but safe," she replied.

"Wake me up when we get there. I don't want to make you carry me again."

The aircraft set down in the abandoned resort town. A medic took one of John's arms and Teyla held the other as they made their way into a house. Two of the crew people made several trips to bring supplies inside. John was barely conscious when Teyla set him on a couch.

"There is wood in the cellar that will feed the fireplace in the room. All of the supplies you asked for are along one of the walls in the kitchen. Sorrel will keep in touch with you and let you know when your people arrive. That is all we can do," the medic said.

"I understand." She refused to say thank you. It was below zero in the house. They hadn't bothered to light a fire for her, but two lamps were lit. The town was not used in the winter so it was not wired for heating. The house had been chosen because it had a fireplace in one of the rooms, which was built for aesthetics, but was also functional.

Teyla draped blankets over John and then spent the next ten minutes hauling wood up and lighting a fire. It was slow to take light. It had been a long time since she had done traditional house keeping duties. She put sheets and blankets on the bed and then helped John get into it. He didn't seem to be in any pain anymore, but he was tired and he still had a fever. The heat didn't circulate much past the area around the bed. There was no gas in the stove when she tried to light it. Her hands were throbbing and she struggled to keep her eyes open, so she gave up and went back to the bedroom to check on John. She was afraid he was having another seizure when she saw him shaking, but then she realized he was cold. The fire added nothing more than light to the room. She tucked the blankets around him and pulled the knit hat over his ears. She stood watching him for a moment. Nothing had changed.

"Survival," she whispered to herself. She dropped her coat to the ground on the other side of the bed and slipped in beside him. It felt like she was laying between two sheets of ice. She pushed over to where her body was beside his, and laid her head on his shoulder and her right arm rested on his chest, then she fell asleep.

---

John woke up to the comfortable smell of burning wood. He wasn't sure how long he had been out, but he was glad there were bits and pieces that he could remember. He moved slightly and felt pressure on his chest. He smiled when he saw Teyla curled up beside him. The room was freezing and he wasn't sure he wanted to abandon her warmth. He forced himself to move. He gave himself a brief tour of the house and found the bathroom. He doubted the plumbing was working. Why had they gotten dumped in a cold, barley functional house? It was one of the many issues they would have to discuss later. By the arrangement of the supplies on the counter, he realized that the stove wasn't working and that Teyla had probably planned to cook something over the fire. He didn't remember Polar Bear camp outs being this cold. Sleeping outside in below zero weather and cooking meals over open fires had once been a hobby. He resented that he had once been so enthusiastic about survival scenarios--he glanced through the bedroom door at Teyla--but then he did get to wake up beside a warm beautiful woman. He smiled. It had taken a near death experience to finally get her in bed with him. Why hadn't he done something sooner? They had had the chemistry for so long. It would probably be easier sleeping beside her unconscious, because it would be difficult to keep from touching her now. He busied himself building up the fire and cooking.

"Teyla," John whispered. "Sit up." Teyla was shocked to see John standing over her holding a cup of soup.

"John, what are you doing! I thought you were sick?" She sat up with a pillow behind her and held her hands out to take the cup.

"I'm better now, although I'll need your help filling in the gaps. Are we on winter vacation?" He pushed the covers back and sat beside her. She took a long drink of soup to delay her answer. "That bad?" he asked.

"On this world the Lantians are seen as the enemy. You have almost a complete complex of their genes. Your body has been reacting to the remnant radiation of a weapon they put in place over 10,000 years ago." John was shocked to learn that he was the enemy and to see how much pain Teyla had been through to keep him alive. She told him everything Sorrel had told her about the Ixori, the Briscean, and her own connection to them as well as a chronicle of events and symptoms that took place from the moment she found him in his room.

"You really heard me?" he asked.

"You were responding to some of my thoughts too, which has me confused. I thought it was only the Ixori and Briscean who could understand projected thought."

"Did you tell them that I could?" he asked.

"No. I wanted to talk to you about it first," she replied.

"So now we are on the subject of mind reading."

"Mind reading is not possible. I was only able to pick up what you projected my way, your need for help and your pain."

"Just like I was able to get impressions of your fear and frustration," John said. "This is new. Okay, what am I telling you right now."

"This is serious, John. It's not supposed to be a game."

"Answer the question." He was serious, she could see that it was more than a game to him.

"Do I want more soup," she replied.

"Good. Do you want more soup?"

"No," she whispered as she handed him her cup. He set both of theirs on the floor beside the bed.

"Your turn."

"You want me to project something to you?" she asked. He nodded. She looked away from him and gazed at the pile of embers on the hearth. John had added more wood to the fire, and she could feel the blazing heat on her face. But in the cold it would burn away so quickly and they would have to add more wood soon. Things had changed so quickly. A day ago they both had been sharing the wonder of a city tour...

"And now we are sharing a bed," John completed with a grin. "I'd say that's progress." She turned back in surprise. "My experiment does have a point," he continued. "It may be helpful for us to be able to communicate this way, and now we know how easily we can. That means if we want to keep from projecting personal thoughts we will have to be aware of our thinking."

"I guess we have a few days to learn how to do that." She crawled out of bed and pulled on her coat.

"Where are you going?" he asked when she walked towards the door.

"I wanted to check the transmitter to see if maybe Elizabeth sent a team back early."

"Is there any special frequency? The thing out there was running static no matter what I tried to do. I was trying to radio for hot water," John said.

"Are you serious? It's not working?"

"Not when I tried it fifteen minutes ago. I think a blizzard is setting in. Did they look at the weather before they sent us here?"

"They want you to die, John," Teyla said bluntly. "They won't kill you, but they won't do anything to help you survive."

"Well what about you? Don't they care about you?" John asked.

"I think they are becoming less concerned for my well being."

"Why?"

"Because I am helping you," she said with an even face.

"You just lied to me," he laughed. "You didn't even have to project it." She stepped back closer to the fire and he crept out of bed and walked towards her. "You told them you loved me and they've been hearing my mind say that I love you back, so I guess that is enough for them to want us both dead." He waited for her to speak. "Say something, Teyla."

Every enemy and every battle they faced seemed to drive them closer. It only made sense that one day they would finally touch. "We have to find a way out of here. I don't think they will allow our team to land safely, especially if they plan for us to be dead by then.

"How did you just change the subject?" John asked.

"I thought we were talking about people wanting to kill us and possibly the next team from Atlantis when they got here."

"Yes, I know." John took her arm and gently pulled her close so he could see her face. He probed her mind, but her thoughts were guarded now. "What about the part after that?"

She jerked back. "What do you want me to say? How long have I been at Atlantis, John? Regardless of my feelings for you this is a poor time for you to suddenly find any to contribute. I don't plan to die here. Especially in your arms." He sat down at the foot of the bed. They both were freezing.

"I don't have to find anything suddenly, Teyla. What should I tell your people? Hi, my name is John Sheppard. I'm in love with your leader. Please accept me and my foreign ways. You've been at Atlantis long enough for me to realize how important you are in this galaxy, not just to the Athosians and our people at Atlantis, but to every race we've have contact with. They all know and respect you. But now, you've made it easier for me to cross the line. I now know that you feel the same way about me, and you've saved my life in a way that requires me to sleep very close to you."

"Oh," she whispered sincerely. "I was afraid of saying anything because I am not like the women of your world."

"My world? You are my world, Teyla. I've been afraid of losing you for too long, but I haven't been able to get myself to ask you on a date without first coming up with some kind of formal excuse for it."

"We still need to find a way to get off of this planet," she said.

"Your body is struggling to generate heat, and I can sense that it is making you nauseous, Teyla. Let's solve one problem at a time." He stood and walked slowly towards her. When he was close, she touched both of her hands to his face and kissed him. "We can figure something out when we are back in bed and your skin is touching mine," his voice echoed in her mind.