« In the arms of the angel »
Disclaimer: Stargate Atlantis and all characters are © Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc., the Sci Fi Channel, and Acme Shark. No infringement is intended. All hosted works are © their respective owners and may not be used or reproduced without the owners' permission.
Series:the story takes place after the end of season 5.
Status:complete. (Story in 2 chapters)
Rating: T.
Summary: Amelia is having a bad day. Ronon does not help matters much and McKay assumes the role of the unexpected confidant.
Author's notes:
-Thanks to Jen-NCIS-lover who helped me with the translation. Jen, you're a great beta !
-Music: (1) "Bad day" Daniel Powter/(2)"The man who couldn't cry" Johnny Cash/ (3) ""Wicked game" Chris Isaak (Why? Because I like listen to the music when I read and because I like these songs…)
Chapter 1
1-Amelia pulled an angry hand down on the poor radio alarm clock before thrusting her head under the blanket again.
She wasn't asleep anymore. Her eyes had been wide open for about an hour already. So there she lie, wide awake and fully aware of today's date, May the 18th.
Atlantis was back on the blue planet since a month ago and the Earth calendar resumed its normal course.
May, the 18th.
A knot tightened the young woman's throat as the memories poured in and began their undermining work.
"No… Not yet." She thinks hurriedly. She oozed out of her bed in haste and rushed straight into the shower.
OooooO
Ronon was taking advantage of the first quiet hours of the morning, jogging in the deserted areas of the city.
Back in the tower he had met Rodney, who was heading to his laboratory. With one hand on his eternal data-pad and the other around a thermos of coffee, he stated that he had only slept three hours last night due to a maintenance problem with the hyperdrive.
"McKay!"
The scientist's head barely rose to meet his, "What? Ah, yes, hi Ronon." The physicist replied.
"I am expecting you this evening."
"This evening?"
"In the training room for your introduction to the sword. "
Rodney stared at the Satedan, rolling his eyes. Searching his mind, he wondered when he had the brilliant idea to ask for a particular course on swordplay. Finally, after recounting the events over the past few days, he found the appropriate memory.
This was all John's fault! They had a movie night the week earlier and watched "Kill Bill". Rodney had claimed that "with good equipment, everything was easier" so Sheppard had challenged him to a sword fight in a month, where John would kick his ass. Jennifer was there and she had taken the bet. Well ok, it was John and Jennifer's fault then.
Why did he always watch action movies with Sheppard and Ronon anyways? Why not a good Czech feature with Zelenka?
Ronon's deep voice brought him back to reality, "So?" The Satedan added.
Don't seem like a coward in Jennifer's eyes.
"The sword... Yes... 7 pm," Rodney grumbled, moving away.
OooooO
Richard Woolsey was fuming. As soon as Amelia took her post, the leader of Atlantis quickly moved out of his office to join her.
"Amelia! I need your help."
"Yes Mr. Woolsey, I'm listening."
"I'm going to receive a package."
Amelia stared at his boss in surprise but Woolsey went on, "A big package. I want it to be delivered in a room on level -10."
Now the young woman was even more intrigued. A mysterious parcel, rather imposing, that Woolsey wanted placed in an uninhabited part of the city.
"So, you need me..." She began.
"I need a teleportation tag for this object. The Daedalus will then make the delivery."
"Am I to assume that the object will not pass through the door?" Amelia speculated.
"Can I be assured of your discretion?" He asked, leaning toward the young woman, lowering his voice.
Would she finally get a clue?
She nodded and he continued, "I don't want anyone to know. Only you, Caldwell, and myself. Promise me."
It was not a request, rather it was an order. Amelia sighed, how could she talk to anyone when she didn't even know what was in this package!
"Of course sir," She replied politely, with a small smile, "I'll find it immediately."
With these words, Richard Woolsey returned perkily to his office.
Chuck arrived a few minutes later and sat down at his post next to the young lady. He gave her a cautious glance. She was looking at the screen, concentrating on the list of tasks to perform.
He gave her a second sidelong glance, much less discreet this time, causing Amelia to sigh. She knew exactly why Chuck hesitated like this.
Then came a third look. Before Chuck could even say a word, Amelia turned abruptly toward him, her face closed.
"Chuck, every year, it's the same thing. I don't want to go out for a drink or see a movie. I especially don't want to go horseback riding or sailing. I know that you want to help me and that you want to change my mind but I'm fine. Thank you for your concern but we have work to do."
Chuck remained motionless for a moment and Amelia returned to the list.
He slowly swung back to face his screen, a little disappointed. "Are you sure? I'm on duty tonight but I can be replaced." He offered in a desperate last attempt.
Amelia turned her head toward him and Chuck gave her his best puppy-dog eyes.
"You've planned something with Ronon haven't you?"
The young woman smiled at him with sincerity this time. He was a really good friend.
"No Chuck, he doesn't know."
The technician looked at her in astonishment, "He doesn't know that your family ..." He trailed off, refraining from continuing.
Amelia appreciated it, "No, he doesn't know that it's the anniversary of their death today." She answered.
OoooooO
Sitting alone in her room, Amelia thought about what happened earlier in the afternoon:
After the lunch, she had taken advantage of Woolsey's departure level -10 to sneak into his office, claiming to have a case to file. She was increasingly curious about the contents of the "package".
And there, sitting on the blotting pad, she had seen it. A floor plan with the empty room, C96, circled in red. Posed above sat a small envelope with a card. She quickly read the elegant and neat writing:
"I'm giving it back to you. Sorry, a hammer is broken. Regards, Maggie."
Amelia recalled that Woolsey had an ex-wife named Maggie. Immediately, something clicked in her head. The young woman couldn't believe it. Now she knew what the package was!
She had left the control room in a state of intense excitement and put ten long minutes into calming herself down.
Now, as she stood in the shower, she let the hot water run down her skin, resting her body. The soothing liquid usually seemed to take all of her bad thoughts away. All Amelia wanted was to empty her mind but the ghosts were still there. As she stepped out of the shower, she forced herself to think about the living beings.
Grabbing a tank top, a pair of fluid pants, and her cardigan, she looked to the clock. It was 6 pm and she knew Ronon would be in his quarters.
For the last two weeks, they saw each other regularly. This made the young woman very happy. She spent every day getting to know him better and what she discovered about his personality comforted her, giving her the idea that this man was perfect for her. The other day they had almost kissed on the balcony.
But of course, Sheppard had arrived, unannounced, to offer his "dude" a game of golf. Sorry to ruin the moment, he moved away, apologizing. But it was too late; the spell had been broken and Ronon fled.
She found the Satedan tended to run away too often. She found him... hesitant. Perhaps he didn't feel the same as she does.
They had spoken at length about their life before Atlantis. Ronon had even confided to her that he had never spoken so much to anyone, not even to Sheppard or Teyla. Amelia had felt real pride; she never used to talk about her moods, her feelings, and her weaknesses, but with him, she was confident. She saw that listening to her was not a problem for him.
Yet, because of Ronon, day after day, a strange feeling was growing stronger in her chest. She dared not call it by its real name.
Love… Maybe?
At that moment, she wanted to see him. To touch him. Adjusting her braided flip flops, she left the room.
OoooO
2-Ronon was sitting on his bed, listening to the Johnny Cash album Sheppard lent him while checking the settings of his blaster. Suddenly, someone knocked at the door and the Satedan got up to open it.
Amelia.
He didn't expect to see her until tomorrow.
"Hi." She said, slightly embarrassed.
"Hi." Ronon replied, suddenly feeling equally as awkward.
After ten long seconds, the ex-runner realized she was still waiting on the threshold.
"Uh, Come in..." He snapped, pointing inside.
The young woman entered the room.
"I prefer Bob Dylan ..." Amelia said with a small smile.
"It's Sheppard's..." The Satedan stated, letting his sentence trail off.
Ronon hastened to turn the music off, but instead of this, the radio continued in the background -3-.
"Yes, of course. He is a big fan." Amelia finished.
They were now facing each other eye to eye. Ronon turned and placed his gun on the dresser.
It was the first time Amelia entered in his room. She recognized the sober taste of the Satedan… almost minimalist. The bed was covered with several tanned skins, two swords exposed on the wall, a few sticks of incense on the head of the bed, and the smell of amber floating in the air.
Ronon continued to observe her, slightly puzzled, and Amelia felt it was time to explain the reason for her visit. But did she know the answer herself? The urge to see him and to feel him close to her had overpowered her. The atmosphere of the room felt as if it was charged with an invisible electric field. Their eyes couldn't be detached from each others.
Amelia took a step towards him but he did not move, instead he lowered his head to meet hers.
"I just wanted ..." She muttered.
She moved forward again and arrived in front of his powerful chest. Putting her hand over Ronon's heart, she felt the beating accelerate under her fingertips.
Slowly pushing herself on her tiptoes, she caught the ex-runner's lips in hers. Clinging to his shoulders, she moved closer, pinning her body against his, enjoying the subtle taste of his mouth. Letting her hand come down gently to his belly she stopped on his perfect abs so that she could feel them through the thin fabric of his T-shirt.
For a moment Amelia thought he would finally return the kiss. But instead, Ronon suddenly pulled away from her, catching his breath quickly.
His eyes shone, but his gaze was avoiding Amelia's one.
"I have to join McKay in the training room. Sorry." He threw over his shoulder, leaving the room.
Amelia stood paralyzed in the center of the room. She didn't know if she would burst out laughing or into tears.
At least the message was clear.
Still stunned by Ronon's reaction, she returned to her quarters.
TBC…
Next chapter soon…I hope…. Please REVIEW!