Title: These Secretive Walls
Author: scy
Feedback: scynneh@yahoo.com
Disclaimer: Not mine.
Fandom: Stargate: Atlantis
Pairing: Sheppard/Ronon (implied, maybe), gen
Spoilers: Season 2, the first few episodes
Rating: PG
Summary: Ronon isn't sure if Sheppard is worth following.
Author's Notes: Prompted by a conversation with Bone, so thank you, hon. *mwah*
June 2006




They brought Ronon through the gate with no more fanfare than if he'd been a visitor who would only be around for awhile. There were people waiting when they stepped through the other side, more in one place than he'd seen in a very long time. Ronon felt himself slouch and deliberately stalked past the onlookers as if he didn't have guards flanking him to make sure that he never stepped wrong.

Ronon was used to slipping through forests and the wilds of planets that he never lingered on, but to move in a crowd without pushing them aside was another skill that he didn't recall and he would only learn what was necessary while he rested briefly before returning to Sateda.

*
The first night in the city of the Ancestors, Ronon lay awake, grainy images of the ruin which had been his homeward flickering against closed eyelids. He had waited years to have a chance at returning home; all the pain he'd suffered had been bearable because he knew there was a place for him, and now that certainty was gone. He didn't have anywhere to go or even know where to begin looking. As he drifted off, he only had the footage of Sateda and the words of people he owed a debt to keep him company.

The guards were under strict orders not to be too friendly, but even had they been free to socialize, Ronon wouldn't have answer to them. His comrades were dead, Kell too, and there was nobody to give him direction that he could follow.

He learned the routine, went where he was told, didn't interfere with the lives of these people, but it was only to fill the time, he was a soldier without a mission.

*
Sheppard's words were something to consider, the offer of being a member of the Colonel's team and the opportunity to remain in Atlantis. The man didn't seem much like any commander Ronon had ever served under, and even his standing was questionable.

A woman was in charge of the city, not merely a female with training, but a scientist who continually came up against the militaristic attitude of her subordinates and had to broker compromise between the different camps. if she and Sheppard hadn't been able to communicate as well as they did, Ronon foresaw a serious misunderstanding in the making. Instead, Ronon watched them standing on the balcony overlooking the gate room unobtrusively observing from his seat on a bench.

They stood close together, not touching in any way that stated they had claimed one another, and yet Ronon sensed that their professionalism was not impenetrable. It seemed curious that they had not sought to solidify their alliance with a physical union, but many things about the people from beyond his galaxy were strange to Ronon.

When he was approached by Sheppard, Ronon found that he was not satisfied with only knowing the most basic facts; he wanted insight into this city and its people, in particular, the man who might lead him into battle.

*
By the time Sheppard had been give clearance to accept Ronon, he'd had time to consider the Earthman's offer and he had an answer that brought a half smile to Sheppard's face.

"I accept your offer," he said, wondering if there were other formalities to allegiance that he didn't have knowledge of.

"That's good," Sheppard said, and motioned for Ronon's guards to stand down.

"Now that you're staying the rules are going to change. You can walk around pretty much wherever you like, so long as yo don't head into a restricted area." He paused, holding something in his mouth as if he didn't quite know how Ronon would react.

Ronon knew how to read men, and although he made no boast about having a guide to the ways of John Sheppard, he felt he should demonstrate some degree of perceptiveness. "What else?"

"Elizabeth has decided that you're going to need to learn our ways, and she thinks you need a chaperone to steer you along." Sheppard said 'chaperone' as if the word tasted bitter, and Ronon came to a solution that he found agreeable.

"May I follow you?"

"She was thinking more of one of the soldiers, strictly as an off-duty shadowing deal, no guns, no guards."

"I would rather it was you," Ronon said firmly. He searched for another way to make his wishes clear, and added, "It is what I want."

"Alright, I'll let her know." Sheppard's expression was friendly enough, but Ronon didn't take that as a measure of his mood.

"I don't have a lot of spare time to show you around, you're going to have to be mostly on your own."

"I can manage," Ronon replied. He had no need of assistance in learning the layout of a compound, and he hadn't yet learned to trace Sheppard's steps, or learn his methods.

"Just let me know if you need anything," Sheppard instructed, and Ronon nodded, watching Sheppard and the guards leave. In his mind, the terms of the agreement were acceptable; he had both permission to roam freely, and an opening to map what he did not understand. The chance would not be wasted.

*
Sheppard's estimation of his spare time was accurate, and unless he set out to if the man, Ronon was left to his own devices when he wasn't taking part in drills or at meals.

But he did look for Sheppard, and it turned out that the man stuck around to do his job and saw to a number of matters that usually weren't within the scope of a commander's concern, but as soon as he got some small space of personal time, he headed deep into Atlantis.

It didn't seem possible; this according to one of the many scientist that populated the city, for Lieutenant Colonel Sheppard to step through a doorway and case to register on any of the sensors.

"It's the gene," McKay snarled at his team one morning when he was seeking Sheppard's assistance in activating a piece of machinery left by the Ancestors. McKay speculated 'it could be useful or it might just be a very tacky paperweight, but either way, they wouldn't know until the man with the natural ability showed his face.'

Based on the way McKay was carrying on at a steadily increasing volume, Ronon would have suggested that it was likely that Sheppard needed a break, but he didn't care to be pursued by a man who could see to it that none of the doors worked and would switch all of the shower controls so that Ronon was alternately frozen and scalded.

It wasn't as if he could avoid taking regular showers; it was one of Elizabeth Weir's rules, and in fact, Ronon had found that he was becoming accustomed to being clean. Not hat he would tell McKay or anyone else; most of them still thought that he was a savage only kept in line by Sheppard, and the assumption let Ronon get away with a lot of questionable behavior.

*
It wasn't until after they had escaped the prison camp that Ronon felt it was time to track Sheppard down during one of his excursions. Enough time had passed that he knew protocol as well as how to get around it, and the mission had given him cause to wonder about Sheppard. He had thought the man was some sort of figurehead in the field, able to issue orders and follow the rules, but then he had acted contrary to everything Ronon had presumed to be true.

He had been restrained, again and all that had kept him focused was what he would do to the ones who had captured him. Nothing should have been able to hold him back, but Sheppard didn't back down, and when he gave an order in a low, fierce voice, Ronon was able to accept its weight.

The mere idea of someone else having the authority to control him was unsettling, even if he welcomed the security of a competent leader, and he could not fully accept his place without having a greater understanding of the man himself.

Sheppard's custom to debrief with Elizabeth after each mission, and once they had covered whatever was necessary, Sheppard was at liberty to fill his time however he saw fit.

Ronon already knew that Sheppard would walk out of command, take a few turns and vanish from everything but line of sight. He was determined to track the man through the city, following the same route and learning what he could from his footsteps.

All of his training aside., Ronon didn't count on the pursuit being an easy one; Sheppard had already done the expected, and so he was ready for the trend to continue.

*
To watch him leave command and meander through the corridors, there was no outward indication that he was anything but unconcerned. he nodded to various personnel as they met, finding time to smile or exchange words with everyone.

Ronon hung back, not making eye contact with anyone, blending in by keeping his distance. If he came too close, people reacted strongly, when he was not so near, they stayed calm.

Sheppard said nothing that would indicate he was aware of Ronon's presence, but as his path took him into the areas least inhabited and then to those used solely for storage, his steps quickened..

Since there was no longer the option of pretending that he was just taking a walk Ronon allowed himself to move with sound.

"Are you bored or something?"

"No."

"You've been at my heels for the last ten minutes; either you don't have anything better to do, or you want something."

Motionless in the center of the hallway with his back turned, Sheppard's posture was unhelpful and Ronon waited for a hint of what he was thinking.

"Does it offend you?" Ronon wasn't adept at apologies, but he didn't know Sheppard well enough to be sure that one wasn't appropriate.

"Nope, I was just checking." Sheppard half-turned so that Ronon could see his face. "But if you're trying to follow me, you're going about it all wrong."

As someone who'd literally made his living by tracking and hiding, Ronon thought that Sheppard's words were meant as a challenge. Unsure as he was about other customs, he was familiar with the ways to accept such an offer and did so with a change in stance and a roll of his shoulders. He wasn't looking to threaten Sheppard, but to communicate readiness. With his speed and endurance there was no way for Sheppard to outrun him, but he would relish the attempt.

"Okay, then," Sheppard said agreeably, and as he kept still, the easy pose slipped for a second, and there was so much in the way he stood that Ronon suddenly realized how difficult it was to not reach out to take what was just being realized before it was offered.

"If you're serious," Sheppard said slowly, not waiting for Ronon's answer, his intentions were already clear, and Sheppard nodded. "Fine, let's see if you can keep up,' and he took off.

Ronon knew that he was probably faster than Sheppard was definitely stronger, but he didn't anticipate that making this any easier.

When he came around the corner, Sheppard had disappeared, and Ronon moved to take the next turn.

It was three more corners before Ronon even caught a hint of Sheppard's scent, and he thought that was because Sheppard had deliberately slowed his pace and was lingering so that Ronon could track him. The advantage was a small one but Ronon utilized it fully.

Just when he thought he'd closed in through, there was yet another door that opened grudgingly, a flight of stairs that went nowhere, of metal grating clanging underfoot that both gave away his position and was no help in guiding him choose his route.

All of the misdirection Sheppard provided was maddening, but that somehow combined with the efforts of Atlantis.

No matter how loudly McKay declared the city to be only an exceptional piece of engineering, but not really sentient, Ronon knew otherwise. The floor and walls hummed when Sheppard passed, lights showed him paths where none had existed for centuries, and it was as if this was done to please him.

Ronon learned to follow Sheppard's trail with all of his senses, finding that he couldn't rely too heavily on the obvious because he suspected Atlantis might have learned how to play along with Sheppard.

*
When Sheppard finally let Ronon find him the Colonel had settled himself on a ledge overlooking the ocean. This time, when Ronon approached, he kept his steps silent and watched the distinct lack of a shift in muscles from loose to alert. By this point, he was certain that Sheppard knew exactly where he was, and therefore he didn't have to react as if he'd just caught on.

Sheppard motioned to an open spot on the ledge.

"C'mon, sit down, take it easy."

Permission granted, Ronon lowered himself toe the sun-heated stone and felt some of his tension fall away.

"Not too bad," Sheppard observed, and Ronon allowed himself a small smile.

"Atlantis gave you an edge."

Sheppard gave him an unrepentant grin. "She might have."

However Sheppard had wooed the city, Ronon didn't know, but it was obvious that the city of the Ancestors was not immune to Sheppard's charms. Even the way he leaned against her walls was evocative of one supported by a lover, and although stone could not reshape itself. Ronon guessed Atlantis gave the matter some thought.

Sheppard was not unaware of Atlantis' regard, and as she gave up her secrets, he let down his guard. He could see Sheppard relax, aware of his surroundings, but allowing the heat of the afternoon to seep into still limbs and for the passage of minutes to slow.

Ronon was being permitted to see this, for some reason, and he hesitated at asking what his role was for the moment.

There was nobody calling him to attention or deploying to to yet another unfamiliar planet. For the time being, it was acceptable to stay in one place, rest without it being in preparation for a mission. He wondered whether that wasn't the very thing that Sheppard sought to tell him.

As he watched the ocean and Sheppard's half-closed eyes, Ronon discovered that there was a kind of waiting that had no urgency to it, and he was able to admit that he could learn to enjoy such a thing.

-end