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TITLE: Pegasus Ascendant - Part Three
SUMMARY: The Earther expedition settles into Pegasus, and it's not long before antagonists and allies begin to form.
CATEGORY: AU, gen, action-adventure, drama
CHARACTERS: Teyla, Sumner, Elizabeth, Ronon, John, Sora, Kel...assorted others.
RATING: PG-13
NOTES: This is the calm before the storm hits in the next section. And it's a big storm. I'm a little freaked at the magnitude of it! The next chapter probably won't be out for a while, though - I'm trying to finish off my![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-community.gif)
sgabigbang in the meantime. I apologise for the wait and will do my utmost to make the next chapter worth the wait! *grins*
Pegasus Ascendant
Part One | Part Two
Part Three
Teyla could say that such issues would be dealt with when they arose.
She was the one who had to deal with them.
"We were expecting that our quarters would be together," Colonel Sumner said in a tone of voice that was not quite a demand. "In the same area. For convenience."
Given the man's suspicious manner, Teyla doubted convenience was at the heart of his concerns.
"That is not possible," Teyla said calmly as Zarin Auborrhon of Brenh'ren opened his mouth to make a cutting observation. "There are only so many rooms that are set up as living quarters and they are scattered through the city. We can provide you with a map of who has been assigned to which room..."
"That will be fine," Elizabeth Weir's smile was somewhat apologetic. "It's not easy having new people in the city, I'm sure."
"We're used to it," said Zarin, his voice clipped and reedy. "There are people from ten different planets in the City right now. Not all arrived at once." He snapped his organisation unit closed with annoyed briskness, and eyed the group of ten or twelve Earthers who were in this group. "Now, if you'll come with me..."
He stalked down the corridor, not waiting to see if they followed. Teyla indicated that Colonel Sumner and Dr. Weir should go after Zarin, and was surprised when Dr. Weir ushered the others on, but remained behind herself. "Dr. Weir?"
"I'm sorry about Colonel Sumner," the other woman said apologetically, as they walked along behind the others.
"No more than I am about Zarin." Now that an apology had been tendered, Teyla could feel a thread of amusement at Colonel Sumner's behaviour, even if she did not appreciate being regarded and treated as a minor adjunct to the military personnel in the city. Her amusement vanished with Elizabeth's next words.
"You have to understand, we've just lost everything that we considered home. Most of us are still struggling with that..."
Teyla wondered how frank she could be with Dr. Weir. The Earthers had proclaimed themselves open-minded, but what was spoken was not always truth.
In the end, she decided to trust to the woman's background - a true peaceholder would make the effort to understand and meet halfway. She did not know Dr. Weir well, but she had high hopes for the Earther woman's capabilities based on what she had seen today.
"Experience has shown us that it is easiest to integrate newcomers into the life of the city. They are set to work with people from another culture, disputes are managed by peaceholders from other planets, and they are encouraged to try new foods and develop new habits. Some cling to the way of life they have known, others grow and extend themselves beyond it."
"And you think we're clinging?"
"You have good reason." Teyla acknowledged the defensiveness, then stepped back to allow a cluster of medical personnel to emerge from a transporter, and flashed a brief smile at Melena as she went past. "Yet if you truly cannot return home, is not the cause greater for you to become of the city?"
The other woman seemed troubled at Teyla's words. Her brows drew together in a frown. "We want to preserve who we are."
"And we also wish to preserve who you are. Your knowledge is different to ours, your world seems unlike anything we know in Pegasus. It is not that you will cease to become of Earth - but you will become of Earth and of the city."
Teyla paused at an intersection, allowing the Earther group to continue on through the corridors. She was to meet with the Hoffans shortly and had to travel to another part of the city. As she indicated this to Dr. Weir, the other woman spoke up.
"I won't force them to integrate. It goes against our beliefs."
"Neither will we force them to integrate." Teyla replied calmly, although she was privately annoyed at the implications of the statement and what the Earthers seemed to think of the city alliance. "Change walks its own measure, but there is no harm in matching its steps."
"Well... I'll speak with Colonel Sumner about it, but I don't know how much it will do."
"That will be enough."
Dr. Weir nodded, although her expression was distracted as she went.
But as Teyla went down to her meeting with the Hoffan alliance, she sighed and wondered if she had made a mistake.
--
Given the noise that had echoed down the corridor, Teyla almost expected all-out warfare between city security and Earther.
But, no, as she approached the room, she realised the cheers and jeers lacked the edge of true fighting, carrying more of the echo of friendly challenge than war. So she was not entirely surprised to find those in the training hall clustered around the broad mats where Sora was taking on one of the Earth military.
"...one of our best in hand-to-hand," Kel was saying to Colonel Sumner as Teyla approached. "The Genii are skilled in close combat."
"And the Satedans?"
Kel hefted the gun that never left his side, a faint smile touching his lips. "Weaponry, of course."
"I see." Colonel Sumner turned towards Teyla. "Miss Emmagen."
"Colonel Sumner, Kel," Teyla gave the nearby spectators a brief glance, but her attention was on Sora. The young Genii looked at a disadvantage as she faced the tall, well-muscled Earth warrior, but Teyla knew that appearances were deceiving. "Who carries the honours, so far?"
"One to them, one to us," said Kel calmly. "Ronon outshot their representative, they beat us in wrestling. This is the decider."
Teyla watched as Sora retreated, then twisted out of the way as her opponent came at her. The petite woman dug her fingers into his arm and used his momentum to swing him down as she moved behind him. A moment later, she had him by the throat with her 'knife' - a short length of stick - pressing on his windpipe.
There were cheers and sighs of exasperation, and Teyla saw money changing hands as wagers were won or lost. Most of the betters were Satedan, although she noted that several of the Genii had put their money behind Sora and were reaping the benefits, also. A couple of the Earthers seemed to be getting into the spirit of the exchange, even if their commander turned and frowned a little at some of his subordinates.
Sora's smile glittered as she turned to receive the towel Ronon handed her, swiping it across bare skin wreathed in a fine slick of sweat. More than a few men from Earth watched her walk away, and Teyla imagined the petite Genii woman would be receiving more than a little interest from the Earth men.
Unlike the city security, the Earther military group was entirely male. Most seemed at ease in the mixed company; taking their cues from the men from the city alliance. That, at least, would be one less argument with the Earthers - it seemed that women were not unknown among their fighters, even if none had chosen to come with them to the city.
Still, Teyla was not unaware of the glances being cast her way by several of the Earth men. Their gazes slid away, embarrassed to be caught watching, although at least one returned her gaze with a steady stare and nodded in acknowledgement.
Colonel Sumner was commenting on Sora's agility - apparently the man she'd defeated was one of their best.
"Sora's one of our best," said Kel, not without an element of pride. "She heads up a city detachment. We presently have nine of them keeping order in the city, but with your roster and your people, we'll increase to eleven."
A flicker crossed the austere face. "I'd like to keep my people together for a while - the first few weeks at least. After that, we'll see. Do your people go off-world through the Stargate much?"
He'd directed the question at Teyla, so Teyla answered it.
"Most of our contacts through the Ring are peaceful peoples, but where there are disputes we provide mediation. Armed if necessary, but not obvious."
"Right. I'd like to get hold a list of the armed and unarmed conflicts within the city and without - if you've kept a record."
It was not a demand. Not quite. But Kel's features grew tautly austere, and Teyla intervened before he could take offence. "Your people will be able to observe how things are handled in the city over the next few days, Colonel Sumner. Experience is always a more effective teacher than study." And integration opens minds faster than segregation.
She kept that thought to herself for the moment. Now was not the time to argue that point as the ice-blue gaze rested on her face for a long moment; Teyla held herself steady beneath it.
"We prefer to learn things the easy way than the hard," he said at last. "But, since you insist, we're willing to compromise."
Teyla accepted the compromise with a smile and a murmur of approval, although Kel seemed less content with it.
"So what brings you here, Teyla?"
She did not point out that she was often in the training hall, stretching and practising alongside many of the city's security personnel. Clearly, while he had accepted the Earthers' presence in the city, he was still displeased with her part in their arrival.
"I was passing in the vicinity and heard the noise."
"Thought we were declaring war on each other?" Colonel Sumner asked, amused.
"Mere curiosity," she said dismissively. Teyla did not wish to give him any reason to condescend, even if the thought had crossed her mind for a moment. "And I wished to extend a dinner invitation to Colonel Sumner and his lieutenants."
Kel nodded and turned to Colonel Sumner. "It's the custom to have the leaders of a new group to a sunset dinner comprised of the key people of the city."
"Tonight's a little early."
"I agree. Tomorrow night would be better for us as well," said Teyla. "You have endured a great deal today, and would doubtless appreciate the time to yourselves for this moment. In addition, many of your people are on your planet and arrangements must be made for them. You and your lieutenants are invited, as are Dr. Weir and the key scientific and medical of your group."
She noted the sharpness of the Colonel's gaze as it rested upon her. He could play the game of politics and politeness, she had no doubt, but he preferred the more direct methods. She respected that, even if she disliked his smirk.
"Integration again?"
"An opportunity to socialise," Teyla kept her voice level. "Or do your people not mingle outside of their duties?"
He inclined his head slightly. "They do, and they will be there. Should we RSVP?"
Teyla looked to Kel for the meaning of the word. He shrugged, and she took the interpretation from the context. "If you will let Dr. Weir or one of the peaceholders know how many of your people will attend, then that will assist those who are preparing the food."
"I imagine there'll be food appropriate to our digestions?"
"Given that Dr. McKay is likely to be of the party, I believe that precautions are being taken."
A peculiar expression that hovered on the Colonel's face, and Teyla suspected she had been a little unsubtle in mentioning Dr. McKay's particularity regarding his eating requirements.
Then a smile graced his face, softening the harsh lines of his features. He suddenly seemed much younger and considerably more approachable. "We will do our best to be less trouble than Dr. McKay, Ms. Emmagen."
Teyla hoped that her countenance had not betrayed her reaction at the unexpected softening of the previously prickly Earther. Still, in spite of her astonishment, she managed a faint smile and a dry response. "That would be appreciated, Colonel Sumner."
--
Ronon hit the ground with a harsh grunt, rolling with the momentum of his fall. He stopped on his elbow, but flopped onto his back in a gesture of exhaustion. "I hate when you do that," he grumbled.
Teyla grinned, lowered her bantos and crossed the room to gather up her waterskin. "Then you should work to ensure that I do it less often," she said over her shoulder. Outside the city, the airy-veiled day had faded to velvet night.
After a moment, Ronon joined her at the window, leaning against the corner of the embrasure. "Not going another round?"
She glanced at her day-measure - still two hours to sleep. "No," she decided. "I have no will for more conflict today."
"Was it as bad as you thought?"
"I did not think it would be bad."
"Not what I meant."
Teyla fixed the stopper back in the waterskin and slipped the loop into her carry-strap. "It will be more work to integrate them - more than any other culture we have brought into the city." And, had she realised how much, would she still have invited them to come through?
"They're far from home."
"Which is why I make allowances. Still," her lips twisted, "it may be some time before they accept that we have different ways of doing things."
Silently, Teyla acknowledged that it might be some time before the city accepted that these newcomes had different ways of doing things.
"The noisy one," Ronon said with a wicked grin. "Think they'd miss him if I threw him off a balcony?"
"Yes," Teyla said, although her mouth twitched as she imagined Ronon hauling Dr. McKay by the collar and throwing him off a pier into the sea. "We will give them time."
Time and time alone would reveal the faultlines in the bedrock of Earther nature. Teyla would not hasten it with her prejudice.
"What do you think of them?" Ronon rested a shoulder against the wall and took a slurp from his waterskin.
There were few in the city to whom Teyla would have vouched such information, but Ronon was a friend as well as a sparring companion and her insight into the military as well as the Satedan mindset. His rough-and-ready ease was pleasant contrast to the politic smoothness of her friends among the Genii, or even Teyla's own people who valued calm and self-control.
"It is early days," she said. "They are far from home. They must be given time to settle."
"And if they continue to cause trouble?"
"Are you also borrowing storms?"
He snorted and stuffed the cap back onto his waterskin, grabbing his sticks and his sweat-cloth.
Teyla waited for him to pick up his things before leading the way out of the small sparring room. "What are your thoughts on the Earthers?"
Ronon took his time answering, shortening his long lope to match stride with her. "Don't like that Beckett guy much."
Her mouth twitched with laughter. "That is only because Melena is presently more interested in the knowledge he has to impart to her of Earth medical practises than she is in you."
Ronon shrugged. "Maybe I just don't like him." But the grin on his face said otherwise as he loped off down the corridor towards the medical wing, his dreadlocks bouncing around his shoulders with puppyish enthusiasm.
Teyla watched him go, envious of his cheerful unconcern.
At least one person suffered no undue concern over the Earther presence in the city.
Reshouldering her carry strap, Teyla continued through the halls to her own rooms. She would have a hot shower, then make her way back to her office to just read through the peacemaker reviews of the day before she went back to her quarters for the night.
The corridors were quieter at this time, most people having retired to their quarters or to the common relaxation areas of the city, and Teyla passed few people as she went.
At present, the city was far from full, with a mere half-thousand people from over a dozen different planets making this their home. Still, it was a very large city, with many levels and rooms, and all manner of places and spaces, not all of which had been filled by the alliance.
Sixty people from Earth would not stretch their resources. It might stretch the city's perspectives, but not their resources.
As she swung into her room, Teyla smiled ruefully to herself. Stretching resources was generally less painful than stretching perceptions.
She showered and changed in the peace of her quarters, lighting a scent-candle to clear the air and prepare it for her evening meditation. Then she made her way to her office, past the control room, where a Genii technician was humming quietly to herself, and pausing on the balcony to look down at the Hall of Greeting. One of the shadowy figures on duty lifted a hand to her and she lifted a hand back, smiling, then stopped.
There was a man seated on the steps before the Ring of the Ancestors, down in the shadows of the Hall of Greeting.
His clothing marked him of Earth, his pose was one of patient waiting, leaning forward with his elbows on his knees, yet Teyla could not imagine who he awaited. Then he shifted, leaning back on his hands like a man enjoying the summer sun, and his gaze lifted to the balcony.
With a start of surprise, Teyla met eyes like the shifting sea on a grey morning, and realised he was waiting on her.
Intrigued and curious, she passed the still-humming Genii technician and went down to him. The lights were lowered in the Hall at the present time - why waste the energy if no-one was expected back, but she recognised him as he turned his head in profile.
He had been introduced as one of Colonel Sumner's officers, one of the 'key personnel' of the Earther expedition - Major John Sheppard.
"Hey," he said, casual and relaxed. "Join me?"
With a faint smile, Teyla seated herself, settling her light jacket around her shoulders as she imitated his sprawling pose. "It is an impressive view."
"Yeah," he said, leaning back to meet her gaze. "I figured it looks pretty weird to be sitting on the stairs in broad daylight. At least there aren't too many people to see right now." He indicated the empty space down on the floor below them. "I'm John Sheppard, by the way."
"Teyla Emmagen." Teyla took his outstretched hand as Elizabeth Weir had showed her earlier, a brief, firm grip. "I believe we have already met this morning."
His grip was also firm, gentling before he returned to leaning on his elbows, his legs stretched out before him. "Yeah, well, I figured it wouldn't hurt to re-introduce myself. After meeting so many people, names and faces tend to get all blurry. Of course, you're probably better at remembering all that."
Teyla smiled. "It comes with practise. We have integrated several cultures into the city since we first discovered it."
"So I hear. So was today better or worse than average? Or don't I want to know?"
"I believe that today's confusion was quite customary for a new group in the city." She did not mention that tomorrow would be more difficult as the Earthers came to grips with their new home, and the city came to grips with the new people in their midst.
"I guess tomorrow will be worse, when it all sinks in," he murmured.
"For my people or yours?"
"Both," he answered promptly. "Although I guess, since we don't have a way home, my people are now your people."
Teyla acknowledged this with a wry smile. "True. You are of the city now."
She paused.
In the quiet dark, an awareness was growing in her skin, like a fire banked that had only just been uncovered to shed its heat. During the day, the demands of the city blocked out all but the most immediate concerns. She had felt the faintest twinges as she moved through the city, ensuring the comfort and integration of the Earthers, but they had gone unattended in the busy tone of the day.
The Earthers had spoken of 'the gene', but it's true meaning had not hit her until she sat down beside John Sheppard.
"What?"
"You are of the city now," she repeated. "You, more than most."
The dark head turned to look at her, and the light from up in the control room caught the colour of his eyes, and she saw that they were not so like the sea after all, but coloured like moss in the shadows of the forest. "What do you mean?"
"Do you feel it?"
"Yes," he said. "I feel like..." He hesitated, apparently embarrassed. "I feel like I've come home."
Teyla wondered why he seemed to expect her to laugh at such sentiments. "You are of the lineage of the Ancestors," she said. "The city welcomes you. More so than most of your people, as I understand it."
"Because I have the Ancient gene?"
"Because you are of the lineage of the Ancestors," said Teyla, using her own people's phrase for it.
Beside her, his shoulders rose and fell in a shrug. "Honestly? I didn't know about it until a couple of weeks ago. One minute, I'm ferrying people between McMurdo and the Antarctic base thinking I'm going to be there the rest of my career, the next, they tell me that there's life beyond Earth and I've been co-opted to travel to another galaxy."
He leaned back on the stairs above them and stared up at the great arch of the Ring of the Ancestors, with its darkened window of coloured glass. "And, you don't want to know about that."
"Perhaps I do," she contradicted him. "Everyone in this city has their story of how they came to be here, in the City of the Ancestors, each one unique and personal."
From the corner of her eye, she saw his head turn towards her. "What's yours?" Then, hastily, he added, "You don't have to answer if you don't want to."
Teyla smiled. "My story is also my father's story. He sought this city for many years."
"And found it."
Teyla felt her mouth curve with the warmth of that Athosian morning, the cool curve of the connection button beneath her palm, the breathless wonder of the Hall of Greeting shrouded in the green and blue shadows of the sea bed.
"Yes," she said. "He did."
When she looked back, he was watching her. "So it really is your city in a way."
"It belongs to all the peoples of this galaxy." Hastily, Teyla recalled who she was talking to and corrected herself. "All the heirs of the Ancestors." The familiar phrase - her father's catchphrase - would have to be changed now that the Earthers had come.
She wondered if there were yet other cultures whose lives had been touched by the Ancestors and perhaps sought the city of their origin, even as had her father and the Earthers.
"So, do you have people of 'the lineage of the Ancestors' in the city right now?"
"Several. The gift is rare enough, although there are some planets who have it in greater measure than others." Her mouth twitched. "If you have the gene in strong enough measure, you will find yourself approached over the next few days."
"Approached?"
"At least one culture has bred for the gift; there are several of their representatives in the city. They will be interested in your companions and in you."
He stared at her. "And they'll...proposition me?"
His expression made her laugh with its combination of astonishment and horror. "You have never been propositioned before?" Different cultures held different points of attraction, but she had trouble imagining John Sheppard wanting for a partner.
"Well, yes, but..." He rubbed a hand across the back of his neck. "Not like this. Or for this reason."
"I do not know your ways, but here, in Pegasus, you are free to accept or refuse without reprisal."
"Oh, we have that too," he said hastily, "I mean, you can accept or refuse without consequences. Theoretically." He grimaced and looked down at his feet. "It can get...complex."
"I do not believe relationships in any culture are simple. People are complex creatures, motivated by many things."
"I guess. So," he sat up and returned to the pose in which she'd first seen him tonight - leaning forward, with his elbows on his knees, although now he was smiling back at her over his shoulder, "have you worked out our motivations yet?"
Teyla grinned as she sat up, dusting off her hands as she straightened her back. "It is only your first day. Give me at least until the next restday to have you categorised."
"And when's the next restday?"
"Two days from now."
He had a nice smile when he employed it - neither too bold, nor too knowing - a smile that held both frank directness and secrets. "Well, in the interests of helping you categorise us, how about we do breakfast tomorrow?"
She wondered if he was aware that, in certain cultures in the city, the invitation to breakfast together was equivalent to an invitation to bed. Her mouth twitched, imagining his expression if she took his hand and led him to her rooms. Would he accept or demur? What kind of lover would he be if he accepted?
"Did I say something funny?"
Teyla decided not to explain. The moment of curiosity had passed, and some things were better kept to the self. "The morning meal is served in the hall from an early hour, but I customarily meditate at dawn."
"Oh." He seemed to take this as a rejection, and looked away.
Teyla touched his knee and, when he started, recalled that the Earthers were not ones for casual contact in the way of the Satedans or the Ladari. She tucked her hand back in her lap with a wry smile. "I will be glad to share your company during the morning meal once my meditations are done."
"It's a date." He hesitated, then. "Um, you probably don't even know what a date is."
"A meeting between people?"
"A meeting between people...usually for, um, personal intimate purposes. Not that I'm intending anything... I mean, not that there's anything wrong with you... Oh hell..." One hand rubbed at the back of his neck as Teyla laughed, but softly so as not to cause offence.
"Major Sheppard, when so many people from different cultures share the same city, one learns to accept the differences in language and meaning. Had you issued your breakfast invitation to one of the Lord Protector's people, you would not be returning to your bed alone tonight."
His eyes widened. "Oh."
"However, I will not presume on your personal hospitality - at least not tonight," she told him with an arch twinkle in her eyes to let him know she was joking.
This time, the tilt of the mouth held mischief. "Well, you know, we could always take a raincheck."
"A raincheck?"
"Uh, that means to delay something. To put something off." He leaned towards her with a confiding air. "See, you've already learned a new Earth term. Two."
"And will learn many more tomorrow during our 'date', I am sure, Major."
"Well, when it comes to learning, Teyla, do you mind if I make one suggestion?"
"I do not mind the suggestion. I may choose to reject it, however."
"If you do, I'll be very hurt." His mouth quirked. "I think you can learn to call me 'John' when we're off the clock. When we're not being formal, I mean," he corrected himself.
"Very well," Teyla said, "I will learn to not be formal with you." She paused and flashed him a brief, sideways smile. "John."
--
SUMMARY: The Earther expedition settles into Pegasus, and it's not long before antagonists and allies begin to form.
CATEGORY: AU, gen, action-adventure, drama
CHARACTERS: Teyla, Sumner, Elizabeth, Ronon, John, Sora, Kel...assorted others.
RATING: PG-13
NOTES: This is the calm before the storm hits in the next section. And it's a big storm. I'm a little freaked at the magnitude of it! The next chapter probably won't be out for a while, though - I'm trying to finish off my
sgabigbang in the meantime. I apologise for the wait and will do my utmost to make the next chapter worth the wait! *grins*Part One | Part Two
Part Three
Teyla could say that such issues would be dealt with when they arose.
She was the one who had to deal with them.
"We were expecting that our quarters would be together," Colonel Sumner said in a tone of voice that was not quite a demand. "In the same area. For convenience."
Given the man's suspicious manner, Teyla doubted convenience was at the heart of his concerns.
"That is not possible," Teyla said calmly as Zarin Auborrhon of Brenh'ren opened his mouth to make a cutting observation. "There are only so many rooms that are set up as living quarters and they are scattered through the city. We can provide you with a map of who has been assigned to which room..."
"That will be fine," Elizabeth Weir's smile was somewhat apologetic. "It's not easy having new people in the city, I'm sure."
"We're used to it," said Zarin, his voice clipped and reedy. "There are people from ten different planets in the City right now. Not all arrived at once." He snapped his organisation unit closed with annoyed briskness, and eyed the group of ten or twelve Earthers who were in this group. "Now, if you'll come with me..."
He stalked down the corridor, not waiting to see if they followed. Teyla indicated that Colonel Sumner and Dr. Weir should go after Zarin, and was surprised when Dr. Weir ushered the others on, but remained behind herself. "Dr. Weir?"
"I'm sorry about Colonel Sumner," the other woman said apologetically, as they walked along behind the others.
"No more than I am about Zarin." Now that an apology had been tendered, Teyla could feel a thread of amusement at Colonel Sumner's behaviour, even if she did not appreciate being regarded and treated as a minor adjunct to the military personnel in the city. Her amusement vanished with Elizabeth's next words.
"You have to understand, we've just lost everything that we considered home. Most of us are still struggling with that..."
Teyla wondered how frank she could be with Dr. Weir. The Earthers had proclaimed themselves open-minded, but what was spoken was not always truth.
In the end, she decided to trust to the woman's background - a true peaceholder would make the effort to understand and meet halfway. She did not know Dr. Weir well, but she had high hopes for the Earther woman's capabilities based on what she had seen today.
"Experience has shown us that it is easiest to integrate newcomers into the life of the city. They are set to work with people from another culture, disputes are managed by peaceholders from other planets, and they are encouraged to try new foods and develop new habits. Some cling to the way of life they have known, others grow and extend themselves beyond it."
"And you think we're clinging?"
"You have good reason." Teyla acknowledged the defensiveness, then stepped back to allow a cluster of medical personnel to emerge from a transporter, and flashed a brief smile at Melena as she went past. "Yet if you truly cannot return home, is not the cause greater for you to become of the city?"
The other woman seemed troubled at Teyla's words. Her brows drew together in a frown. "We want to preserve who we are."
"And we also wish to preserve who you are. Your knowledge is different to ours, your world seems unlike anything we know in Pegasus. It is not that you will cease to become of Earth - but you will become of Earth and of the city."
Teyla paused at an intersection, allowing the Earther group to continue on through the corridors. She was to meet with the Hoffans shortly and had to travel to another part of the city. As she indicated this to Dr. Weir, the other woman spoke up.
"I won't force them to integrate. It goes against our beliefs."
"Neither will we force them to integrate." Teyla replied calmly, although she was privately annoyed at the implications of the statement and what the Earthers seemed to think of the city alliance. "Change walks its own measure, but there is no harm in matching its steps."
"Well... I'll speak with Colonel Sumner about it, but I don't know how much it will do."
"That will be enough."
Dr. Weir nodded, although her expression was distracted as she went.
But as Teyla went down to her meeting with the Hoffan alliance, she sighed and wondered if she had made a mistake.
--
Given the noise that had echoed down the corridor, Teyla almost expected all-out warfare between city security and Earther.
But, no, as she approached the room, she realised the cheers and jeers lacked the edge of true fighting, carrying more of the echo of friendly challenge than war. So she was not entirely surprised to find those in the training hall clustered around the broad mats where Sora was taking on one of the Earth military.
"...one of our best in hand-to-hand," Kel was saying to Colonel Sumner as Teyla approached. "The Genii are skilled in close combat."
"And the Satedans?"
Kel hefted the gun that never left his side, a faint smile touching his lips. "Weaponry, of course."
"I see." Colonel Sumner turned towards Teyla. "Miss Emmagen."
"Colonel Sumner, Kel," Teyla gave the nearby spectators a brief glance, but her attention was on Sora. The young Genii looked at a disadvantage as she faced the tall, well-muscled Earth warrior, but Teyla knew that appearances were deceiving. "Who carries the honours, so far?"
"One to them, one to us," said Kel calmly. "Ronon outshot their representative, they beat us in wrestling. This is the decider."
Teyla watched as Sora retreated, then twisted out of the way as her opponent came at her. The petite woman dug her fingers into his arm and used his momentum to swing him down as she moved behind him. A moment later, she had him by the throat with her 'knife' - a short length of stick - pressing on his windpipe.
There were cheers and sighs of exasperation, and Teyla saw money changing hands as wagers were won or lost. Most of the betters were Satedan, although she noted that several of the Genii had put their money behind Sora and were reaping the benefits, also. A couple of the Earthers seemed to be getting into the spirit of the exchange, even if their commander turned and frowned a little at some of his subordinates.
Sora's smile glittered as she turned to receive the towel Ronon handed her, swiping it across bare skin wreathed in a fine slick of sweat. More than a few men from Earth watched her walk away, and Teyla imagined the petite Genii woman would be receiving more than a little interest from the Earth men.
Unlike the city security, the Earther military group was entirely male. Most seemed at ease in the mixed company; taking their cues from the men from the city alliance. That, at least, would be one less argument with the Earthers - it seemed that women were not unknown among their fighters, even if none had chosen to come with them to the city.
Still, Teyla was not unaware of the glances being cast her way by several of the Earth men. Their gazes slid away, embarrassed to be caught watching, although at least one returned her gaze with a steady stare and nodded in acknowledgement.
Colonel Sumner was commenting on Sora's agility - apparently the man she'd defeated was one of their best.
"Sora's one of our best," said Kel, not without an element of pride. "She heads up a city detachment. We presently have nine of them keeping order in the city, but with your roster and your people, we'll increase to eleven."
A flicker crossed the austere face. "I'd like to keep my people together for a while - the first few weeks at least. After that, we'll see. Do your people go off-world through the Stargate much?"
He'd directed the question at Teyla, so Teyla answered it.
"Most of our contacts through the Ring are peaceful peoples, but where there are disputes we provide mediation. Armed if necessary, but not obvious."
"Right. I'd like to get hold a list of the armed and unarmed conflicts within the city and without - if you've kept a record."
It was not a demand. Not quite. But Kel's features grew tautly austere, and Teyla intervened before he could take offence. "Your people will be able to observe how things are handled in the city over the next few days, Colonel Sumner. Experience is always a more effective teacher than study." And integration opens minds faster than segregation.
She kept that thought to herself for the moment. Now was not the time to argue that point as the ice-blue gaze rested on her face for a long moment; Teyla held herself steady beneath it.
"We prefer to learn things the easy way than the hard," he said at last. "But, since you insist, we're willing to compromise."
Teyla accepted the compromise with a smile and a murmur of approval, although Kel seemed less content with it.
"So what brings you here, Teyla?"
She did not point out that she was often in the training hall, stretching and practising alongside many of the city's security personnel. Clearly, while he had accepted the Earthers' presence in the city, he was still displeased with her part in their arrival.
"I was passing in the vicinity and heard the noise."
"Thought we were declaring war on each other?" Colonel Sumner asked, amused.
"Mere curiosity," she said dismissively. Teyla did not wish to give him any reason to condescend, even if the thought had crossed her mind for a moment. "And I wished to extend a dinner invitation to Colonel Sumner and his lieutenants."
Kel nodded and turned to Colonel Sumner. "It's the custom to have the leaders of a new group to a sunset dinner comprised of the key people of the city."
"Tonight's a little early."
"I agree. Tomorrow night would be better for us as well," said Teyla. "You have endured a great deal today, and would doubtless appreciate the time to yourselves for this moment. In addition, many of your people are on your planet and arrangements must be made for them. You and your lieutenants are invited, as are Dr. Weir and the key scientific and medical of your group."
She noted the sharpness of the Colonel's gaze as it rested upon her. He could play the game of politics and politeness, she had no doubt, but he preferred the more direct methods. She respected that, even if she disliked his smirk.
"Integration again?"
"An opportunity to socialise," Teyla kept her voice level. "Or do your people not mingle outside of their duties?"
He inclined his head slightly. "They do, and they will be there. Should we RSVP?"
Teyla looked to Kel for the meaning of the word. He shrugged, and she took the interpretation from the context. "If you will let Dr. Weir or one of the peaceholders know how many of your people will attend, then that will assist those who are preparing the food."
"I imagine there'll be food appropriate to our digestions?"
"Given that Dr. McKay is likely to be of the party, I believe that precautions are being taken."
A peculiar expression that hovered on the Colonel's face, and Teyla suspected she had been a little unsubtle in mentioning Dr. McKay's particularity regarding his eating requirements.
Then a smile graced his face, softening the harsh lines of his features. He suddenly seemed much younger and considerably more approachable. "We will do our best to be less trouble than Dr. McKay, Ms. Emmagen."
Teyla hoped that her countenance had not betrayed her reaction at the unexpected softening of the previously prickly Earther. Still, in spite of her astonishment, she managed a faint smile and a dry response. "That would be appreciated, Colonel Sumner."
--
Ronon hit the ground with a harsh grunt, rolling with the momentum of his fall. He stopped on his elbow, but flopped onto his back in a gesture of exhaustion. "I hate when you do that," he grumbled.
Teyla grinned, lowered her bantos and crossed the room to gather up her waterskin. "Then you should work to ensure that I do it less often," she said over her shoulder. Outside the city, the airy-veiled day had faded to velvet night.
After a moment, Ronon joined her at the window, leaning against the corner of the embrasure. "Not going another round?"
She glanced at her day-measure - still two hours to sleep. "No," she decided. "I have no will for more conflict today."
"Was it as bad as you thought?"
"I did not think it would be bad."
"Not what I meant."
Teyla fixed the stopper back in the waterskin and slipped the loop into her carry-strap. "It will be more work to integrate them - more than any other culture we have brought into the city." And, had she realised how much, would she still have invited them to come through?
"They're far from home."
"Which is why I make allowances. Still," her lips twisted, "it may be some time before they accept that we have different ways of doing things."
Silently, Teyla acknowledged that it might be some time before the city accepted that these newcomes had different ways of doing things.
"The noisy one," Ronon said with a wicked grin. "Think they'd miss him if I threw him off a balcony?"
"Yes," Teyla said, although her mouth twitched as she imagined Ronon hauling Dr. McKay by the collar and throwing him off a pier into the sea. "We will give them time."
Time and time alone would reveal the faultlines in the bedrock of Earther nature. Teyla would not hasten it with her prejudice.
"What do you think of them?" Ronon rested a shoulder against the wall and took a slurp from his waterskin.
There were few in the city to whom Teyla would have vouched such information, but Ronon was a friend as well as a sparring companion and her insight into the military as well as the Satedan mindset. His rough-and-ready ease was pleasant contrast to the politic smoothness of her friends among the Genii, or even Teyla's own people who valued calm and self-control.
"It is early days," she said. "They are far from home. They must be given time to settle."
"And if they continue to cause trouble?"
"Are you also borrowing storms?"
He snorted and stuffed the cap back onto his waterskin, grabbing his sticks and his sweat-cloth.
Teyla waited for him to pick up his things before leading the way out of the small sparring room. "What are your thoughts on the Earthers?"
Ronon took his time answering, shortening his long lope to match stride with her. "Don't like that Beckett guy much."
Her mouth twitched with laughter. "That is only because Melena is presently more interested in the knowledge he has to impart to her of Earth medical practises than she is in you."
Ronon shrugged. "Maybe I just don't like him." But the grin on his face said otherwise as he loped off down the corridor towards the medical wing, his dreadlocks bouncing around his shoulders with puppyish enthusiasm.
Teyla watched him go, envious of his cheerful unconcern.
At least one person suffered no undue concern over the Earther presence in the city.
Reshouldering her carry strap, Teyla continued through the halls to her own rooms. She would have a hot shower, then make her way back to her office to just read through the peacemaker reviews of the day before she went back to her quarters for the night.
The corridors were quieter at this time, most people having retired to their quarters or to the common relaxation areas of the city, and Teyla passed few people as she went.
At present, the city was far from full, with a mere half-thousand people from over a dozen different planets making this their home. Still, it was a very large city, with many levels and rooms, and all manner of places and spaces, not all of which had been filled by the alliance.
Sixty people from Earth would not stretch their resources. It might stretch the city's perspectives, but not their resources.
As she swung into her room, Teyla smiled ruefully to herself. Stretching resources was generally less painful than stretching perceptions.
She showered and changed in the peace of her quarters, lighting a scent-candle to clear the air and prepare it for her evening meditation. Then she made her way to her office, past the control room, where a Genii technician was humming quietly to herself, and pausing on the balcony to look down at the Hall of Greeting. One of the shadowy figures on duty lifted a hand to her and she lifted a hand back, smiling, then stopped.
There was a man seated on the steps before the Ring of the Ancestors, down in the shadows of the Hall of Greeting.
His clothing marked him of Earth, his pose was one of patient waiting, leaning forward with his elbows on his knees, yet Teyla could not imagine who he awaited. Then he shifted, leaning back on his hands like a man enjoying the summer sun, and his gaze lifted to the balcony.
With a start of surprise, Teyla met eyes like the shifting sea on a grey morning, and realised he was waiting on her.
Intrigued and curious, she passed the still-humming Genii technician and went down to him. The lights were lowered in the Hall at the present time - why waste the energy if no-one was expected back, but she recognised him as he turned his head in profile.
He had been introduced as one of Colonel Sumner's officers, one of the 'key personnel' of the Earther expedition - Major John Sheppard.
"Hey," he said, casual and relaxed. "Join me?"
With a faint smile, Teyla seated herself, settling her light jacket around her shoulders as she imitated his sprawling pose. "It is an impressive view."
"Yeah," he said, leaning back to meet her gaze. "I figured it looks pretty weird to be sitting on the stairs in broad daylight. At least there aren't too many people to see right now." He indicated the empty space down on the floor below them. "I'm John Sheppard, by the way."
"Teyla Emmagen." Teyla took his outstretched hand as Elizabeth Weir had showed her earlier, a brief, firm grip. "I believe we have already met this morning."
His grip was also firm, gentling before he returned to leaning on his elbows, his legs stretched out before him. "Yeah, well, I figured it wouldn't hurt to re-introduce myself. After meeting so many people, names and faces tend to get all blurry. Of course, you're probably better at remembering all that."
Teyla smiled. "It comes with practise. We have integrated several cultures into the city since we first discovered it."
"So I hear. So was today better or worse than average? Or don't I want to know?"
"I believe that today's confusion was quite customary for a new group in the city." She did not mention that tomorrow would be more difficult as the Earthers came to grips with their new home, and the city came to grips with the new people in their midst.
"I guess tomorrow will be worse, when it all sinks in," he murmured.
"For my people or yours?"
"Both," he answered promptly. "Although I guess, since we don't have a way home, my people are now your people."
Teyla acknowledged this with a wry smile. "True. You are of the city now."
She paused.
In the quiet dark, an awareness was growing in her skin, like a fire banked that had only just been uncovered to shed its heat. During the day, the demands of the city blocked out all but the most immediate concerns. She had felt the faintest twinges as she moved through the city, ensuring the comfort and integration of the Earthers, but they had gone unattended in the busy tone of the day.
The Earthers had spoken of 'the gene', but it's true meaning had not hit her until she sat down beside John Sheppard.
"What?"
"You are of the city now," she repeated. "You, more than most."
The dark head turned to look at her, and the light from up in the control room caught the colour of his eyes, and she saw that they were not so like the sea after all, but coloured like moss in the shadows of the forest. "What do you mean?"
"Do you feel it?"
"Yes," he said. "I feel like..." He hesitated, apparently embarrassed. "I feel like I've come home."
Teyla wondered why he seemed to expect her to laugh at such sentiments. "You are of the lineage of the Ancestors," she said. "The city welcomes you. More so than most of your people, as I understand it."
"Because I have the Ancient gene?"
"Because you are of the lineage of the Ancestors," said Teyla, using her own people's phrase for it.
Beside her, his shoulders rose and fell in a shrug. "Honestly? I didn't know about it until a couple of weeks ago. One minute, I'm ferrying people between McMurdo and the Antarctic base thinking I'm going to be there the rest of my career, the next, they tell me that there's life beyond Earth and I've been co-opted to travel to another galaxy."
He leaned back on the stairs above them and stared up at the great arch of the Ring of the Ancestors, with its darkened window of coloured glass. "And, you don't want to know about that."
"Perhaps I do," she contradicted him. "Everyone in this city has their story of how they came to be here, in the City of the Ancestors, each one unique and personal."
From the corner of her eye, she saw his head turn towards her. "What's yours?" Then, hastily, he added, "You don't have to answer if you don't want to."
Teyla smiled. "My story is also my father's story. He sought this city for many years."
"And found it."
Teyla felt her mouth curve with the warmth of that Athosian morning, the cool curve of the connection button beneath her palm, the breathless wonder of the Hall of Greeting shrouded in the green and blue shadows of the sea bed.
"Yes," she said. "He did."
When she looked back, he was watching her. "So it really is your city in a way."
"It belongs to all the peoples of this galaxy." Hastily, Teyla recalled who she was talking to and corrected herself. "All the heirs of the Ancestors." The familiar phrase - her father's catchphrase - would have to be changed now that the Earthers had come.
She wondered if there were yet other cultures whose lives had been touched by the Ancestors and perhaps sought the city of their origin, even as had her father and the Earthers.
"So, do you have people of 'the lineage of the Ancestors' in the city right now?"
"Several. The gift is rare enough, although there are some planets who have it in greater measure than others." Her mouth twitched. "If you have the gene in strong enough measure, you will find yourself approached over the next few days."
"Approached?"
"At least one culture has bred for the gift; there are several of their representatives in the city. They will be interested in your companions and in you."
He stared at her. "And they'll...proposition me?"
His expression made her laugh with its combination of astonishment and horror. "You have never been propositioned before?" Different cultures held different points of attraction, but she had trouble imagining John Sheppard wanting for a partner.
"Well, yes, but..." He rubbed a hand across the back of his neck. "Not like this. Or for this reason."
"I do not know your ways, but here, in Pegasus, you are free to accept or refuse without reprisal."
"Oh, we have that too," he said hastily, "I mean, you can accept or refuse without consequences. Theoretically." He grimaced and looked down at his feet. "It can get...complex."
"I do not believe relationships in any culture are simple. People are complex creatures, motivated by many things."
"I guess. So," he sat up and returned to the pose in which she'd first seen him tonight - leaning forward, with his elbows on his knees, although now he was smiling back at her over his shoulder, "have you worked out our motivations yet?"
Teyla grinned as she sat up, dusting off her hands as she straightened her back. "It is only your first day. Give me at least until the next restday to have you categorised."
"And when's the next restday?"
"Two days from now."
He had a nice smile when he employed it - neither too bold, nor too knowing - a smile that held both frank directness and secrets. "Well, in the interests of helping you categorise us, how about we do breakfast tomorrow?"
She wondered if he was aware that, in certain cultures in the city, the invitation to breakfast together was equivalent to an invitation to bed. Her mouth twitched, imagining his expression if she took his hand and led him to her rooms. Would he accept or demur? What kind of lover would he be if he accepted?
"Did I say something funny?"
Teyla decided not to explain. The moment of curiosity had passed, and some things were better kept to the self. "The morning meal is served in the hall from an early hour, but I customarily meditate at dawn."
"Oh." He seemed to take this as a rejection, and looked away.
Teyla touched his knee and, when he started, recalled that the Earthers were not ones for casual contact in the way of the Satedans or the Ladari. She tucked her hand back in her lap with a wry smile. "I will be glad to share your company during the morning meal once my meditations are done."
"It's a date." He hesitated, then. "Um, you probably don't even know what a date is."
"A meeting between people?"
"A meeting between people...usually for, um, personal intimate purposes. Not that I'm intending anything... I mean, not that there's anything wrong with you... Oh hell..." One hand rubbed at the back of his neck as Teyla laughed, but softly so as not to cause offence.
"Major Sheppard, when so many people from different cultures share the same city, one learns to accept the differences in language and meaning. Had you issued your breakfast invitation to one of the Lord Protector's people, you would not be returning to your bed alone tonight."
His eyes widened. "Oh."
"However, I will not presume on your personal hospitality - at least not tonight," she told him with an arch twinkle in her eyes to let him know she was joking.
This time, the tilt of the mouth held mischief. "Well, you know, we could always take a raincheck."
"A raincheck?"
"Uh, that means to delay something. To put something off." He leaned towards her with a confiding air. "See, you've already learned a new Earth term. Two."
"And will learn many more tomorrow during our 'date', I am sure, Major."
"Well, when it comes to learning, Teyla, do you mind if I make one suggestion?"
"I do not mind the suggestion. I may choose to reject it, however."
"If you do, I'll be very hurt." His mouth quirked. "I think you can learn to call me 'John' when we're off the clock. When we're not being formal, I mean," he corrected himself.
"Very well," Teyla said, "I will learn to not be formal with you." She paused and flashed him a brief, sideways smile. "John."
--
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And the Teyla and John friendship needed to start somewhere - especially since they're going to be spending a fair bit of time in each others' company (along with a number of others) in the coming chapters.
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Hee. I'm not entirely sure "fun" is the right word right now! :D
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Good luck with big bang.
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Thanks for continuing this story. :)
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Also, I really enjoyed John's introduction. It seems really appropriate, somehow, that it was in a really informal situation.
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And the Teyla and John friendship needed to start somewhere - especially since they're going to be spending a fair bit of time in each others' company (along with a number of others) in the coming chapters.
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Hee. I'm not entirely sure "fun" is the right word right now! :D
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Good luck with big bang.
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Thanks for continuing this story. :)
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Also, I really enjoyed John's introduction. It seems really appropriate, somehow, that it was in a really informal situation.
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