Epilogue

The city was darkened for the evening, with the lights in many of the corridors dimmed in deference of the late hour. Standing on one of the many balconies, dressed in soft leather pants and an intricately embroidered tunic, Ronon Dex looked out over the water and the rest of the city, not really paying all that much attention to what he was seeing, even though the view was magnificent – even in the near dark.

"I figured you'd have been in bed by now…"

He'd been aware of her approach. Not a lot got by him, after all – not after years of constantly being on the run. He just hadn't known who was coming, or if they'd even stop. When she spoke, though, he shook his head, not turning around.

"I'm not sleepy."

Melony Mitchell was wearing sweats and a bulky sweatshirt against the chill of the night, and she stepped up to stand beside him at the rail, looking out as well. She'd slept most of the afternoon and evening, and had woken needing a cup of coffee and some fresh air. Kissing Carson softly, and telling him she'd be back in a bit, she'd left her quarters and headed for the commissary. Only to have seen him standing alone in the moonlight. A stance she recognized well, since she tended to stand in the same place much of the time. It was a good place to think, she knew.

"Need to talk?"

"Not really."

She didn't reply, but she also didn't move, watching the waves below them barely lit up against the bright moon that was out, and the fainter lights coming from the other side of the city. A couple of minutes later, Dex spoke again.

"McKay seems pretty certain of this planet he and your Jaffa found."

"Teal'c isn't my Jaffa," Melony replied. "But yes, he does seem sure of himself. He usually is, though."

"With good reason?"

"Most of the time. You don't necessarily need to tell him I said that, though."

Ronon nodded, still looking out over the ocean.

"They destroyed my planet… it doesn't seem to be enough that we're only going to get a few at a time…"

"There aren't a lot left…"

"I know. They've escaped me."

Meaning he'd wanted to have his own justice. And she didn't blame him a bit.

"They killed a very good friend of mine," she said, softly. "They tortured him trying to get him to tell them where his home was – where they could find a new feeding ground."

"He didn't tell them?"

She shook her head.

"No."

They were both silent for a while, reliving their own hurts, and the city and the ocean around them moved on.

"I want the rest of them dead…" he finally said.

"I know."

"You'll help?"

"Yes."

He nodded.

"I could probably make myself useful around here while we wait for some to take the bait…"

"I was hoping you would. I know Colonel Sheppard could put your abilities to good use."

"Is he in charge? Or are you?"

"Doctor Weir is. Then him."

"But he takes orders from you…"

"I outrank him."

"Then you're in charge…"

"It's complicated," she admitted. "But he's in charge of the military aspect here on Atlantis. I just help where I can."

"Which is what I'll be doing?"

"Yes."

"So does he do what I tell him?"

She smiled.

"He'll listen to your suggestions, I can promise you that."

"And the Jaffa?"

"They probably won't."

"But they'll listen to you…"

"Yes."

"They're very impressive."

"Yes."

"I could probably even learn something from them…"

"If you stick around and keep an open mind about them you will. I learn from them every day."

He nodded, and looked over at her for the first time.

"You're a hard person to understand."

Melony smiled, looking over at him as well.

"I was thinking the same thing about you."

He looked down at her shirt, ready to change the subject.

"What's a Green Bay Packers?"

"A sports team from where I'm from. A football team."

"Football?"

"It's a game," she told him. "A wonderful game that I'm considering teaching the Jaffa, just so I can have someone to play it with here."

"You think they'd play a game just for you?"

Melony smiled.

"Football isn't just any game, Ronon. It's the greatest game… You'd probably like it."

"Yeah?"

He hadn't had a lot of time to think of anything fun the last seven years, and suddenly wanted to know more.

She nodded.

"Come on. We'll go wake up Colonel Sheppard and steal his tape, and I'll show you."

"What?"

She smiled, and took his arm, pulling him away from the rail – and his bleak thoughts.

"Come on. You'll see."

Intrigued, he allowed her to pull him, and turned his back on the view. As amazing as the city itself was, he was a part of it now, and would have plenty of nights to stand and stare out at the waves and the view. For now… he'd learn about something else. Something fun. The Wraith would come, he was certain. He could wait.

The end!

So! Now we have Ronon Dex, who I absolutely love! I hope you liked the story!