A/N: This is the first piece of fanfic I ever wrote. That was 2 years ago, and it's still a WiP. *hangs head* There are currently 15 completed chapters, with more mostly done. I'm hoping that posting it will give me the kick up the bum that I need to finish it! :) Due to numerous changes I've made since my first draft, I'm going to categorise this as un-beta'd.

When the night comes - chapter 1

"I still don't see why we have to come at this time of night!" Ronon complained as he, Sheppard, Rodney and Teyla stepped through the gate to P3M499. "Who the hell holds trade negotiations at dusk? It's stupid, it's just… well, it's just weird!"

The whole team sighed, but it was Teyla that spoke. "We are aware that you are not happy about this arrangement Ronon, as you have told us several times. We have discussed this - it was not appropriate to begin trading negotiations without speaking with Dr. Weir first. We had not expected to discuss such things on our initial visit to a new planet."

"I know that, I was here remember? It just doesn't feel right, that's all. I don't care what their customs are…it's just -"

"Weird?" interjected McKay, rolling his eyes, and sighing very loudly.

Finally, Sheppard spoke. "When in Rome Rodney, when in Rome."

McKay immediately protested. "People in Rome used to bugger everyone in sight! There's a limit to what I'll do for the team Sheppard, and that's way beyond it!"

"You say that like it's the end of the world Rodney, I'd expect a little more commitment from you. Where's your team spirit?"

Sheppard was obviously amused by his own question judging by the trademark one-sided-smirk-come-smile he was sporting. Ronon didn't get the joke, but he laughed anyway. The exasperated look from McKay, combined with the wide smile which was now spreading over Sheppard's face and hazel eyes, was enough for Ronon to understand that he was meant to find this funny. He made a mental note to ask Sheppard what buggering was when they got back to Atlantis. Earth terminology was strange, but Ronon still liked to know what things meant. He'd had more than a few altercations with several members of the expedition from a lack of understanding of their terminology, so now he made sure he knew what was what.

~ . ~ . ~ . ~ . ~

The nervous short mousy haired man, whose name had slipped Ronon's mind, greeted them and began to steer them towards the village. He seemed in a hurry to get them there, looking around often. The planet looked different now - almost eerie in this half-light, which made Ronon uneasy. It made it difficult for his eyes to adjust to his surroundings, leaving him reliant on only his hearing and sense of smell.

Not since his days as a Runner had he been in this situation, which made him even more uncomfortable, with a feeling that he was no longer on top of his game - a shadow of his former self. It wasn't the first time he'd felt like he was losing his edge, despite all the reassurances from Sheppard and Teyla that he was in the same form now, as the day he arrived in Atlantis.

His long fingers were itching to unholster his gun, to have the familiar and reassuring weight and shape of it in his hand. Sheppard seemed to have read his mind and Ronon was startled when Sheppard laid a hand in the middle of his back. Using his lightning quick reflexes he spun himself around, pulling out his gun at the same time.

"Easy there, big guy!" Sheppard said soothingly, now wrapping his other hand around Ronon's wrist to stop him raising it any higher. Ronon's heart was pounding. He was angry, and if he was honest, more than a little ashamed that he'd been so caught up in trying to sense his surroundings, that Sheppard had been able to get so close to him. He was also aware that his carelessness wasn't the only reason his heart was beating out of its normal rhythm.

Ronon had found himself increasingly aware of Sheppard lately, in ways which he had never been aware of any other man. They'd spent years in each other's company, on countless missions, sparring, running, movie nights and other social events. In fact Ronon couldn't think of many occasions when he and Sheppard weren't together, either alone or with the team; but something was different now.

~ . ~ . ~ . ~ . ~

As the two men looked at each other, Ronon could feel the heat radiating from Sheppard's hands. It was spreading across his back and wrist, the Colonel's grip strong on both areas. Ronon's breath caught as he looked directly into Sheppard's eyes – he had moved so close that Ronon could smell him. Feeling heat rising in his cheeks he quickly looked away, pulling his wrist away from Sheppard's still firm grip. "Sorry, old habits" he croaked.

"I know buddy, it's ok. We'll get out of here as soon as we can, and then I'll kick your ass in the gym!"

Ronon found himself laughing, the heat in his face fading now. "You mean you can try to kick my ass?"

"Hey, give a guy a break – I can live in hope!" Sheppard threw back, laughing as another grin spread across his face. Sheppard turned and looked ahead to the rest of the team. The two men had fallen quite far behind, and Ronon began to think it would be better for them to stay as a full unit. He was distracted from that thought when he became aware of heat travelling down his back and onto his hip. He looked down and saw Sheppard's hand resting there.

"Uh buddy…you wanna move your hand?"

Sheppard looked into Ronon's eyes, then down to his hip where his hand was resting, sounding a little surprised he said "Oh, sorry!". He looked directly at Ronon again before sliding it away.

Feeling even more flustered now Ronon nodded towards the rest of the group and they set off, quickening their pace as they went.

"Race you?" Sheppard asked, with that childlike taunting edge in his voice, and then he was off! Ronon was about to catch him up when he found himself helplessly watching the Colonel run. Although the light was fading fast, Ronon could see the petrol blue BDU's pulled taut over his muscular thighs and backside, and found that actually, he didn't feel like running right now.

TBC...