Action/Adventure, Week 2: What Comes Around - A Sateda Redux (2/2)
Title: What Comes Around - A Sateda Redux
Author: ldyanne
Genre: Action/Adventure
Prompt: Déjà Vu
Word Count: 15,000
Rating: PG for language and violence
Warnings: None
Summary: They had rescued Ronon from Sateda, but the Wraith weren't going to let him go that easily.
Part One
They didn't get far before Rodney's ankle was too painful to be walked on.
"Okay, just leave me here," Rodney said doing his best to be noble and trying to decide what Sheppard would do.
"Don't be stupid," Ronon rolled his eyes. Privately Rodney thought Ronon was spending way too much time with the marines. He was beginning to sound like them. "I would never hear the end of it if I actually left you here."
"That's true, Sheppard would be pretty mad if you did that," Rodney nodded his agreement leaning hard against Ronon.
"Not Sheppard. You. I'd never hear the end of it from you. Come on." Ronon slid his arm around Rodney. It was kind of awkward because he was so tall, but they made it work. "We're almost to the place I'm going to leave the tracker. Then we can go to the hospital and I'll find you a crutch or something."
They limped along with Ronon taking most of Rodney's weight. They were on the outskirts of the city now. There was less destruction; the buildings were nearly intact, just showing signs of age and disuse. The road had traces of greenery on either side. Rodney could see trees ahead.
"Just out of curiosity," Rodney said, trying to take his mind off the stabbing pain of his ankle, "what are you going to do with the tracking device?"
Ronon gave him a sideways glance at that, like he didn't want to share his plan or something.
"What?" Rodney snapped. "Are you afraid I'm going to judge your plan?"
Ronon shrugged. It nearly threw Rodney off balance.
"Fine," Rodney snapped at him. Between the ankle and the Wraith and being stuck in the smoking, festering ruin of Sateda his mood was thoroughly ruined. "Keep it to yourself. I don't want to know."
Ronon firmed up his grip around Rodney's waist. "Fine."
"Fine."
They walked in silence for a few minutes.
Finally Ronon broke. "We're taking it to the river."
"River? I don't think that will drown out the signal there, big guy; remember it was in your back, covered in blood and..."
"I'm going to float it down the river on a boat," Ronon interrupted his rant.
"A boat?" Did they have boats on Sateda? Evidently.
"Every year we had a celebration. We would feast and sing all day. We celebrated the passing of another year without the return of the Wraith. At day's end we would gather at the river. We would float little boats we'd made down the river." Rodney stared at him in amazement. This was the most that he had ever heard Ronon speak.
Ronon ignored Rodney as he continued with his story. "The boats contained our prayers to the Ancestors for peace, for a good harvest, that the Wraith would never return. Things like that." He shrugged. "No one knew where the river went, so we always thought the river flowed straight to the Ancestors, that they would get our prayers. I know it's probably stupid..." Ronon looked away uncomfortable at having revealed so much of himself.
Rodney shook him a little. "No, actually it's not stupid. I bet it was cool to see all those boats floating down the river at sunset."
Ronon flashed a grin at Rodney. He looked so young in that moment. Too young to have seen his world destroyed. Too young to have spent seven years running for his life. "It was. Everybody made their own boats. They were all sizes and shapes. I always carved a new one every year. Some people would go down river and try to retrieve the boats that went aground on the bank, but I never did. I always thought that the Ancestors got my prayers." Ronon's voice trailed off as he realized that they never did. The Ancestors were gone from the Pegasus Galaxy long before the Satedans began their tradition.
"It's a good plan, putting the tracking device on a boat and floating it down the river," Rodney said, thinking furiously. "It'll lead the Wraith away from us. It'll make them crazy that they can't find you. Hopefully it'll buy us some time before they figure it out."
Ronon grinned again, a quick flash of teeth. "That's what I was thinking, too. Come on, we're almost there."
Usually when Ronon said that, they still had a five-mile trek ahead of them, but this time he was as good as his word. They went around a curve in the road, and it was there in front of them. The river. Rodney remembered spotting it from the air. It had looked like a blue ribbon woven through the green and brown of the land. Now he could see that it was a wide, muddy river. It was moving fast, too. Ronon threw a stick into it; it was swept downstream, rapidly disappearing from their sight.
"This is going to work," Rodney declared. "Wait, do you have a boat?"
Ronon smirked at him. He pulled Rodney to the side of the road where there was an outcropping of rock.
"I used to come out here sometimes. Just to sit and watch the river go by and whittle," Ronon told him, like they had all the time in the world.
Rodney tapped his watch. "Do I need to remind you that we're on a time constraint here?" It was all well and good to reminisce and he was glad that Ronon had some happy memories, but was it really the time? "The Wraith are going to be on our tail again any minute."
Ronon shook his head. "You really need to slow down and enjoy things, McKay. You're going to have a heart attack someday."
Rodney had had this lecture way too many times from Carson, no way was he going to take it from Conan the Barbarian. "Oh, not you, too. I'll have you know that I'm a very calm person. It's not my fault that everyone around me..." he trailed off when Ronon pulled a stone away from the outcropping to reveal a hollow inside. He stuck his hand inside.
"No, wait," Rodney had time to gasp out, "you don't know what's inside there. There could be a poisonous snake... Oh."
Ronon held up a small carved wooden boat triumphantly. It wasn't much bigger than his hand. It was intricately carved with delicate lines and a graceful symmetry to it. He offered it to Rodney.
"Wow, this is beautiful, Ronon." He traced a finger over its hull. It was smooth, the wood buffed to remove any harsh edges or splinters. He balanced it in his hand, studying it carefully. "If it doesn't run into anything in the river or go aground, it should keep sailing pretty far."
Ronon nodded. His chest was puffed out, pleased at Rodney's praise. "That's what I thought, too." Taking the little boat he helped Rodney lean against the outcropping. Then he pulled the specimen jar out of his coat pocket. He placed it into the hull of the boat. It was deep enough the jar fit in it comfortably; there was little danger of the boat tipping and the jar falling out accidently.
With a few long strides Ronon was at the water's edge where he knelt. It looked to Rodney like he bowed his head briefly before he released the little craft into the water with a push.
It spun in place twice, then it caught the current and it was off, down the river. They stood and watched it -- Ronon at the river's edge, Rodney from his vantage point at the outcropping of rock as it disappeared quickly from sight.
They heard the distinctive whine of the Wraith dart before they spotted it.
Ronon ran to Rodney, giving him an arm to lean on. They sprinted for the safety of the trees as quickly as they could with Ronon burdened by Rodney's weight. They made it without being spotted. They settled in to wait.
They weren't there long before four Wraith appeared on the road they'd just come down. One of them kept checking a device on his wrist.
"Is that how they tracked you?" Rodney asked, careful to keep his voice as low as possible.
Ronon didn't even bother answering; he just scowled at Rodney.
Rodney scowled right back at him.
Finally Ronon nodded.
"Thank you," Rodney breathed with a roll of his eyes to punctuate his sarcasm.
Ronon shoved his shoulder in a clear message to shut up.
Rodney watched, almost holding his breath as the Wraith passed by their hiding spot. They went straight to the water's edge. One Wraith pointed in the direction their boat had gone. They began to follow along the edge of the river.
Once they were out of sight, Rodney let out a relieved breath.
"I can't believe that worked."
Ronon stared at him, his eyes narrowed. "You said it would."
"Well, sure I said it would. I didn't have a better idea at the time."
Ronon glared at Rodney, but he offered him his arm anyway. They started back towards the city as fast as they could go.
~~~~~
They made it back to the jumper without further incident. Teyla ran out to meet them, gripping Ronon's arm tightly.
"I am glad to see that you are well," she said.
"Sheppard?" Rodney asked.
When they'd asked about him when they reported in, Carson had just said, "Hurry please."
Teyla shook her head. "It is not good. He was further injured in an encounter with the Wraith. Carson said we must get him back to Atlantis as soon as possible."
She led them into the cloaked jumper. Sheppard's gurney had been placed on one of the seats; he had two IVs hooked into the webbing over his head, the tubing snaking down and into the ports in his arms. He was wearing an oxygen mask and a small machine was sitting on the floor beside him making irregular beeps. Ronon didn't think it sounded quite right.
Carson greeted them with, "We've got to get him back to Atlantis now. How far is the gate?"
Ronon thought about the four of them carrying Sheppard on a gurney through the deepening Satedan twilight. It wasn't going to be long before the Wraith would see through the ruse he and McKay had perpetrated and then they'd have the Wraith on their trail again.
He shook his head. "Too far by foot." Ronon turned to look at McKay.
Rodney didn't even protest this time. "Help me to the front," he said. "Let me see what I can do."
Ronon helped him into the cockpit. He was going to stay and help, but Teyla insisted that he go back and let Carson see to his wounds.
Mostly Ronon didn't want to be in the back where he had to look at Sheppard's beaten body. The entire team was on Sateda because of him. It was his fault that Sheppard was injured and laying at death's door.
But when Teyla glared at you, you did what she said. He knew what it was like to be on the receiving end of her bantos rods. If he didn't do what she wanted, she'd make what the Wraith did to him look like a love tap.
He went back hesitantly, reluctant to pull the doctor away from Sheppard's side.
"He's resting for now," Carson said when Ronon appeared in the doorway. "Come and sit, let me take a look at you."
Ronon sat. "How's he doing?" He gestured at Sheppard.
Carson's face set in a grim line. "He's holding his own. He'll be fine if we can just get him home to Atlantis soon."
Carson's hands were gentle as he checked over Ronon. He clucked at the bruises. He checked the bandage on Ronon's back. When he found the wound on Ronon's leg where he had pulled the metal from it he stared at Ronon.
"How have you been walking on this?"
Ronon shrugged. "I had to, that's all," he answered gruffly.
"Is that Ronon?" Sheppard's voice surprised them both.
Carson moved over to him, although Ronon stayed where he was, uncertain how to face this man that he respected so much.
He hadn't really thought much of Sheppard when he first met him. Sheppard had just seemed too laid back to be a good commander. Then Sheppard had invited Ronon to join his team, to join their fight against the Wraith. Ronon had joined them, not because he thought Sheppard was a good leader, but because they seemed to have the resources to give the Wraith a hell of a fight. He was all for that.
Then he saw John Sheppard in action. He saw his intensity and his determination to make a difference in the Pegasus Galaxy. Ronon didn't hold it against the man because he woke up the Wraith. Anyone could have done that. But he did find much to respect in Sheppard's desire to fight back against the Wraith, to draw a line and protect everyone that he could. He respected Sheppard's creed of 'no man left behind.' Ronon had to leave too many people behind in his life; he had wanted to believe that someone would come get him.
He hadn't really believed they would, until they did.
"Ronon?" Sheppard whispered.
"Here," Ronon answered. He owed Sheppard much more than an answer. He owed him his life.
Sheppard's arm lifted in Ronon's direction, beckoning Ronon to him.
Ronon went, falling to his knees next to Sheppard.
Sheppard just stared at him. "You okay?" he asked finally.
Ronon ducked his head a little. "I'm fine," he said gruffly. "You look a little beat up."
"Killed a few more Wraith," Sheppard said. "It's always a good time. You gonna be okay?" Sheppard asked. Ronon knew he was asking about so much more than his physical injuries.
"Will be," he said. "Doc's taking care of me."
The answer must have been the right one. Sheppard nodded in satisfaction. His eyes closed and his head lolled to the side.
"Doc?" Ronon couldn't help the alarm in his voice.
"It's alright, he's just sleeping. Why don't you see if you can motivate Rodney to hurry?"
Ronon grinned at the thought. He nodded. "I can do that."
The jumper lit up around them before he could even rise.
Teyla appeared in the doorway between the passenger area and the cockpit. "Rodney says to hold on to something. This may be a rough ride."
The jumper did lurch a bit as it lifted into the air. The inertial dampeners that McKay was so proud of must be off line. But they were moving in the direction of the gate.
Ronon stayed to help steady the colonel.
Sheppard opened his eyes at one point to mutter, "Rodney never could fly in a straight line."
Rodney insisted that they stay earthbound when he could because of the damage to the jumper. It took an agonizingly long time, Ronon didn't really know how long, but it seemed like hours.
Once they made it to the gate Rodney settled the jumper back to the ground and powered it down.
"Why did we stop? What are you waiting for?" Ronon snarled when Teyla and Rodney joined them in the back of the jumper. "We need to get him through the gate."
"Oh, I just thought we'd stop and have a picnic," Rodney snapped. He leaned against the door, careful to keep his weight off of his foot. "Why do you think we stopped? There are Wraith out there guarding the gate."
"Ronon," Teyla's voice was sharp, "Rodney, we do not need this now. We need to figure out how we are going to get Colonel Sheppard home."
Ronon bit back his impatience. He knew they all felt the strain as he did. They just didn't have the extra burden of guilt that he carried for having gotten them into this in the first place.
"Hey, it's alright," Sheppard's hand was on his shoulder, "you'll think of something. You guys are a good team. I trust you," he slurred.
Carson must have him on the good drugs, Ronon decided. Sheppard usually didn't share so much.
"Okay, so what are we going to do?" He stared at the other three. He wanted nothing more than to go out and kill the Wraith. He didn't think that plan was going to work this time.
Rodney bit back whatever snappish reply he had been going to make, making a visible effort to gather himself.
"Why can we not just dial the gate from the jumper and go through cloaked?" Teyla asked. She studied them each in turn with her calm, serene gaze. Ronon could practically feel her projecting her calm onto all of them.
Rodney opened his mouth to object. "I...." he shut his mouth as he searched for a hole in Teyla's plan.
"It could work," Ronon allowed reluctantly. Somehow he thought it should be harder. He'd spent the day fighting the Wraith, running from them, he wanted to kill these last few while he had the chance. But Sheppard's best chance lay in them getting off Sateda as quickly and with as little fuss as possible. Ronon could fight the Wraith some other day, he decided.
"We could maybe blow up something with a drone to draw them away from the gate, it would help our chances if we don't get shot at anymore," Rodney supplied.
"Whatever you're going to do, do it quickly," Carson said, his voice urgent. "I need to get the colonel home." He wasn't telling them just how bad it was, but they all knew that John Sheppard didn't sleep when there was a fight to be had.
"Let's do it," Ronon declared.
Rodney turned and limped back to the front. Ronon followed him, leaving Teyla to help the doctor with Sheppard. He took the co-pilot's seat while Rodney got the jumper started.
Getting home was almost anti-climatic.
Rodney blew up some trees with a drone. The Wraith ran to investigate. Ronon dialed the DHD and sent their code. Then they were through the gate and home.
Ronon sat, almost unable to process that he was really back in Atlantis. In the back of the jumper the medical team swarmed the colonel.
Teyla joined them after Carson and the medical team left with Sheppard.
"Carson says you must come to the infirmary, also."
"We'll be right there," Rodney said as he shut down the jumper's systems. "Just give us a minute."
She regarded them steadily for a moment before she nodded and left them alone.
They just sat staring out the windshield. It was cracked and splintered; spitting at it would make it fall out of its frame. Ronon now understood why McKay was so certain the jumper wouldn't have stood up to space travel.
"We did it," McKay said, quiet wonder in his voice.
"Yeah," Ronon agreed.
"So, what do you say? The infirmary?" McKay slid a sideways glance his way, probably trying to judge if he needed to call a medical team.
Ronon shrugged. "Rather go to the mess hall, get something to eat."
Rodney gaped at him, taken aback for all of two seconds, then he said, "I could eat."
~~~~~
Rodney really liked it when the team had downtime. He had enough work and research to do in the city that he could stay busy for the rest of his life. He didn't mind going out on missions, if he told the truth he'd begun to look forward to them, but his heart was still in his work in the city: researching the treasures she offered, working on her systems, finding out what made her tick. They'd been there for over two years now and they still found new things every day.
His teammates were less sanguine about free time. Teyla took the time to visit her people on the mainland. Ronon went back to Sateda a couple of times. He brought back some things for his quarters -- colorful throws, a painting that he hung on the wall over his bed that Rodney found disturbing and compelling at the same time, more weapons. Ronon also went on missions with some of the other teams. He told Rodney he didn't like sitting still.
It had been three weeks since they'd returned from Sateda. The first week Sheppard had been drugged to the gills and mostly just slept. At least one member of the team was always at his side. As time went by, and his condition improved, they were pulled away with other things -- Rodney had to keep an eye on his minions to make sure they didn't blow up the city, Ronon and Teyla spent a lot of time off-world. It left Sheppard to his own devices once he was awake enough to be restless.
Since he was the one in the city, Rodney got most of the calls when Sheppard was bored and needed someone to entertain him. He went with a minimum of grumbling. Sheppard was his friend, and he enjoyed his company, although he might tell him otherwise. They could spend hours arguing over who was the best villain on Batman or whether a DeLorean really could be a kick-ass time machine. Many times Rodney worked while Sheppard slept. He would ridicule the other man when he woke up for being such a wimp. Secretly Rodney was just as glad to sit at his side while Sheppard slept; he liked to hear the steady rhythm of his breathing, watch as his condition improved.
Rodney wasn't surprised when he finally got The call from Sheppard.
"McKay, you have got to get me out of here. I am going insane." Sheppard's voice over the radio was tinged with desperation.
Rodney knew he had to act fast or there would be sharp needles and invasive exams in Sheppard's future. You just didn't piss off the infirmary staff. Sheppard was well enough now that the nurses no longer doted on him as they did their checks -- fluffing his pillows or sneaking him an extra jello cup. Now they glared at him when they went by or, worse yet, snorted when he tried to persuade them to let him out, "just for a little while."
Rodney began saving and shutting down his work. "I'll be right there," he told Sheppard. "Don't do anything stupid."
"Thank you, McKay," Sheppard sounded pathetically grateful.
He tapped his radio on the way out of his lab, "Carson," he said, "I'm on my way."
"Aye, thank you, lad. I was thinking of throwing him out myself."
Rodney chuckled at the weary tone in Carson's voice. He took the opportunity to call Ronon and Teyla and tell them what was happening. Neither of them were unduly surprised.
While Carson swore Sheppard was getting better, the doctor wouldn't let his patient out of the infirmary on his own. He'd insisted on a wheelchair when Sheppard was allowed to the conference room for the debrief on the Sateda mission.
Rodney had savored the sour look on Caldwell's face when he realized that team Sheppard had made it home on their own, without any assistance from the Daedalus.
Carson was waiting for Rodney just outside the infirmary with a wheelchair. "Remember, don't let him overtax himself. Don't keep him out too long, I want him back in time for..."
Rodney commandeered the wheelchair, waving Carson aside. "Yes, yes, mom, I know the rules. I'll have him home before dark."
Carson stood in his way, refusing to let Rodney enter the infirmary until he'd had his say.
"I'm serious, Rodney. The colonel was very seriously injured. He came close to never being able to walk again. If he were back on Earth, he wouldn't. It's only because of the Ancient equipment we've discovered that has helped us heal the damage to his back. We have to go very slowly here. I won't take any chances."
"And neither will I, Carson." Rodney met Carson's eyes, hoping that the doctor could read in his eyes that he was very serious about Sheppard's recovery, too.
Carson nodded at last, stepping aside.
"Don't worry, I won't let him take any moonlight dips in the ocean," Rodney called over his shoulder just to make Carson splutter.
Rodney went immediately to Sheppard's bed; it was set in an alcove to give him a little privacy during his prolonged stay.
"You called?" he announced himself.
Sheppard pushed himself up on his elbows, hissing at Rodney. "Sh... The nurses all left a minute ago and I don't know where Carson went to. Let's get out quick before anyone comes along and stops us." He sat, swinging his legs over the side of the bed.
Rodney hurried to help him. Sheppard frowned his displeasure at the necessity, but let Rodney take most of his weight as they transferred him to the wheelchair. He was only just starting to get sensation back in his legs; there was no way he was walking out of the infirmary on his own.
Rodney pulled a blanket over his lap. Sheppard did rebel at that.
"Oh, come on, Rodney, it's warm outside," he threw the blanket back on his bed.
Rodney picked it back up draping it over Sheppard's lap. "And if you catch cold on our little jailbreak, Carson will handcuff you to the bed for the rest of your stay. Do you really want that?"
With a frustrated huff Sheppard allowed Rodney to tuck in the blanket, then he just ignored it, like it wasn't there.
Rodney took them to the West Pier. It was a little further away, but it was the sunniest at this time of day. Besides that Ronon had requested it. Rodney was curious about what he had planned.
It was late afternoon in Atlantis. The sun was dipping toward the horizon when they reached the pier. Teyla and Ronon were already there waiting for them. Teyla had spread a blanket out, along with a basket of food -- it looked like enough food to feed the whole expedition, although Rodney did not intend to invite them, this party was just for his team. An it's-good-to-be-alive party.
They helped Sheppard out of the chair and settled him comfortably onto the blanket. He sprawled out with a sigh, all arms and awkward legs. They devoured Teyla's food, they all ate too much and soaked up the sun. They didn't talk much, just enjoyed each other's company.
When the sun was settling into the horizon, sending fingers of gold dancing across the water, Ronon cleared his throat. He ducked his head when they all turned to him expectantly.
"I had something I thought we could do," he said, uncertain for once.
"What is it, big guy?" Sheppard asked. He looked at Rodney and Teyla, but they had to shake their heads, they had no idea what Ronon was up to.
"We had this thing we used to do in Sateda, I told McKay about it. The festival of boats."
They all nodded, they had heard the story at the debrief.
"Well, I've had some time one my hands and so I made us each a boat." He pulled forward a box that had been sitting to the side unnoticed. He pulled the lid off slowly. "I did some research," he smirked at Rodney's raised brow, "and found out about the different kinds of Earth boats." He pulled out the first boat; it was a perfect outrigger, painted white. It had Athos stenciled on the side. He handed it to Teyla.
"Ronon," she turned the boat, admiring it. "I do not know what to say. Thank you."
Ronon shrugged, "It's nothing."
The next boat was more like a sailboat; it even had billowing white sails. It was painted black. The name on the side, in white letters, was Cash.
"I..." John smoothed a finger over the hull. "Thanks."
"You're welcome," Ronon said, ducking his head down to hide a pleased grin.
Rodney wouldn't say that he was anxious about his boat, he just wasn't sure Ronon liked him enough to make him one, too. When Ronon pulled the catamaran out and handed it to Rodney, his eyes might have welled up a little.
It was painted grey with Batman painted on the side, again in white letters. Rodney rubbed a hand over his eyes, muttering, "Damn sea air."
Ronon's grin broke out full. He pulled out one more boat. It was a canoe, simple and elegant. It was stained but not painted. It had Sateda stenciled on its side.
"Ronon, these are amazing," Teyla spoke for all of them. Rodney was glad. He wasn't quite sure what to say.
"What are we doing with them?" Sheppard asked.
Ronon took a deep breath. He regarded them all, one by one.
"I didn't really wasn't sure guys were going to come for me," he said
"Ronon," Sheppard began to protest.
Ronon held up his hand. "I didn't doubt you'd want to, I just didn't think you'd be able to find me."
"Thanks for your lack of faith there," Rodney snarked.
Ronon shrugged, "I know better now. And I thought, now that I had a home and a... new family, I should have a festival of boats. I thought we could send our prayers to the Ancestors."
He indicated a stack of paper that he'd brought with him.
Teyla spoke before Rodney could start into a diatribe on the Ancestors and the chance of them answering any kind of prayers. "We would be honored to join you in this tradition," she said.
Sheppard nodded his agreement. Ronon looked at Rodney. He snorted and nodded his agreement.
Ronon passed out the paper. "I didn't think we would write prayers on them." He gave Rodney a level stare, "I know that the Ancestors don't answer prayers. I thought we could write what we are most thankful for on them."
"That is a lovely idea, Ronon," Teyla said.
John just held his paper, staring out over the water thoughtfully.
The mood was getting altogether too serious. "Well, I hope you all write that you're thankful for my genius," Rodney informed them. "Without me, you'd all be dead by now."
He got the desired snort from Sheppard and a tolerant smile from Teyla. Ronon made a rude noise. Yeah, he was definitely spending too much time with the marines.
Rodney bent to his paper, considering what he was going to write. He leaned over to spy on Sheppard to see that he had written 'team' on his paper. Sheppard saw him looking and pulled it away before he folded it up and put it into his boat.
Teyla wrote 'family' in large blocky letters, she even underlined it. Ronon wrote something in an unfamiliar script. Rodney nodded at it.
"It's Satedan," Ronon said. "It says 'freedom.'
"What are you going to write, McKay?" Sheppard gestured at his still blank paper.
Rodney looked around at the faces of his friends and teammates. He considered how close they had all came to dying, how thankful he was that they hadn't. He bent over his paper and wrote 'being alive.'
He caught Sheppard's eye, he just nodded.
Taking their boats, Ronon knelt at the water's edge and placed each one in. They bobbed gently with the waves, moving further away from the pier with each wave they rode. The sails on Sheppard's sailboat caught the wind and it surged ahead of the others.
They didn't have many days like this where they weren't running for their lives or trying to avert the next disaster. Rodney thought they'd earned it this time. He didn't mention that it was probably time for them to take Sheppard back to the infirmary. Carson knew where they were. He was just going to sit and enjoy the sun and the water and the company of his friends for just a little while longer.
Author: ldyanne
Genre: Action/Adventure
Prompt: Déjà Vu
Word Count: 15,000
Rating: PG for language and violence
Warnings: None
Summary: They had rescued Ronon from Sateda, but the Wraith weren't going to let him go that easily.
Part One
They didn't get far before Rodney's ankle was too painful to be walked on.
"Okay, just leave me here," Rodney said doing his best to be noble and trying to decide what Sheppard would do.
"Don't be stupid," Ronon rolled his eyes. Privately Rodney thought Ronon was spending way too much time with the marines. He was beginning to sound like them. "I would never hear the end of it if I actually left you here."
"That's true, Sheppard would be pretty mad if you did that," Rodney nodded his agreement leaning hard against Ronon.
"Not Sheppard. You. I'd never hear the end of it from you. Come on." Ronon slid his arm around Rodney. It was kind of awkward because he was so tall, but they made it work. "We're almost to the place I'm going to leave the tracker. Then we can go to the hospital and I'll find you a crutch or something."
They limped along with Ronon taking most of Rodney's weight. They were on the outskirts of the city now. There was less destruction; the buildings were nearly intact, just showing signs of age and disuse. The road had traces of greenery on either side. Rodney could see trees ahead.
"Just out of curiosity," Rodney said, trying to take his mind off the stabbing pain of his ankle, "what are you going to do with the tracking device?"
Ronon gave him a sideways glance at that, like he didn't want to share his plan or something.
"What?" Rodney snapped. "Are you afraid I'm going to judge your plan?"
Ronon shrugged. It nearly threw Rodney off balance.
"Fine," Rodney snapped at him. Between the ankle and the Wraith and being stuck in the smoking, festering ruin of Sateda his mood was thoroughly ruined. "Keep it to yourself. I don't want to know."
Ronon firmed up his grip around Rodney's waist. "Fine."
"Fine."
They walked in silence for a few minutes.
Finally Ronon broke. "We're taking it to the river."
"River? I don't think that will drown out the signal there, big guy; remember it was in your back, covered in blood and..."
"I'm going to float it down the river on a boat," Ronon interrupted his rant.
"A boat?" Did they have boats on Sateda? Evidently.
"Every year we had a celebration. We would feast and sing all day. We celebrated the passing of another year without the return of the Wraith. At day's end we would gather at the river. We would float little boats we'd made down the river." Rodney stared at him in amazement. This was the most that he had ever heard Ronon speak.
Ronon ignored Rodney as he continued with his story. "The boats contained our prayers to the Ancestors for peace, for a good harvest, that the Wraith would never return. Things like that." He shrugged. "No one knew where the river went, so we always thought the river flowed straight to the Ancestors, that they would get our prayers. I know it's probably stupid..." Ronon looked away uncomfortable at having revealed so much of himself.
Rodney shook him a little. "No, actually it's not stupid. I bet it was cool to see all those boats floating down the river at sunset."
Ronon flashed a grin at Rodney. He looked so young in that moment. Too young to have seen his world destroyed. Too young to have spent seven years running for his life. "It was. Everybody made their own boats. They were all sizes and shapes. I always carved a new one every year. Some people would go down river and try to retrieve the boats that went aground on the bank, but I never did. I always thought that the Ancestors got my prayers." Ronon's voice trailed off as he realized that they never did. The Ancestors were gone from the Pegasus Galaxy long before the Satedans began their tradition.
"It's a good plan, putting the tracking device on a boat and floating it down the river," Rodney said, thinking furiously. "It'll lead the Wraith away from us. It'll make them crazy that they can't find you. Hopefully it'll buy us some time before they figure it out."
Ronon grinned again, a quick flash of teeth. "That's what I was thinking, too. Come on, we're almost there."
Usually when Ronon said that, they still had a five-mile trek ahead of them, but this time he was as good as his word. They went around a curve in the road, and it was there in front of them. The river. Rodney remembered spotting it from the air. It had looked like a blue ribbon woven through the green and brown of the land. Now he could see that it was a wide, muddy river. It was moving fast, too. Ronon threw a stick into it; it was swept downstream, rapidly disappearing from their sight.
"This is going to work," Rodney declared. "Wait, do you have a boat?"
Ronon smirked at him. He pulled Rodney to the side of the road where there was an outcropping of rock.
"I used to come out here sometimes. Just to sit and watch the river go by and whittle," Ronon told him, like they had all the time in the world.
Rodney tapped his watch. "Do I need to remind you that we're on a time constraint here?" It was all well and good to reminisce and he was glad that Ronon had some happy memories, but was it really the time? "The Wraith are going to be on our tail again any minute."
Ronon shook his head. "You really need to slow down and enjoy things, McKay. You're going to have a heart attack someday."
Rodney had had this lecture way too many times from Carson, no way was he going to take it from Conan the Barbarian. "Oh, not you, too. I'll have you know that I'm a very calm person. It's not my fault that everyone around me..." he trailed off when Ronon pulled a stone away from the outcropping to reveal a hollow inside. He stuck his hand inside.
"No, wait," Rodney had time to gasp out, "you don't know what's inside there. There could be a poisonous snake... Oh."
Ronon held up a small carved wooden boat triumphantly. It wasn't much bigger than his hand. It was intricately carved with delicate lines and a graceful symmetry to it. He offered it to Rodney.
"Wow, this is beautiful, Ronon." He traced a finger over its hull. It was smooth, the wood buffed to remove any harsh edges or splinters. He balanced it in his hand, studying it carefully. "If it doesn't run into anything in the river or go aground, it should keep sailing pretty far."
Ronon nodded. His chest was puffed out, pleased at Rodney's praise. "That's what I thought, too." Taking the little boat he helped Rodney lean against the outcropping. Then he pulled the specimen jar out of his coat pocket. He placed it into the hull of the boat. It was deep enough the jar fit in it comfortably; there was little danger of the boat tipping and the jar falling out accidently.
With a few long strides Ronon was at the water's edge where he knelt. It looked to Rodney like he bowed his head briefly before he released the little craft into the water with a push.
It spun in place twice, then it caught the current and it was off, down the river. They stood and watched it -- Ronon at the river's edge, Rodney from his vantage point at the outcropping of rock as it disappeared quickly from sight.
They heard the distinctive whine of the Wraith dart before they spotted it.
Ronon ran to Rodney, giving him an arm to lean on. They sprinted for the safety of the trees as quickly as they could with Ronon burdened by Rodney's weight. They made it without being spotted. They settled in to wait.
They weren't there long before four Wraith appeared on the road they'd just come down. One of them kept checking a device on his wrist.
"Is that how they tracked you?" Rodney asked, careful to keep his voice as low as possible.
Ronon didn't even bother answering; he just scowled at Rodney.
Rodney scowled right back at him.
Finally Ronon nodded.
"Thank you," Rodney breathed with a roll of his eyes to punctuate his sarcasm.
Ronon shoved his shoulder in a clear message to shut up.
Rodney watched, almost holding his breath as the Wraith passed by their hiding spot. They went straight to the water's edge. One Wraith pointed in the direction their boat had gone. They began to follow along the edge of the river.
Once they were out of sight, Rodney let out a relieved breath.
"I can't believe that worked."
Ronon stared at him, his eyes narrowed. "You said it would."
"Well, sure I said it would. I didn't have a better idea at the time."
Ronon glared at Rodney, but he offered him his arm anyway. They started back towards the city as fast as they could go.
~~~~~
They made it back to the jumper without further incident. Teyla ran out to meet them, gripping Ronon's arm tightly.
"I am glad to see that you are well," she said.
"Sheppard?" Rodney asked.
When they'd asked about him when they reported in, Carson had just said, "Hurry please."
Teyla shook her head. "It is not good. He was further injured in an encounter with the Wraith. Carson said we must get him back to Atlantis as soon as possible."
She led them into the cloaked jumper. Sheppard's gurney had been placed on one of the seats; he had two IVs hooked into the webbing over his head, the tubing snaking down and into the ports in his arms. He was wearing an oxygen mask and a small machine was sitting on the floor beside him making irregular beeps. Ronon didn't think it sounded quite right.
Carson greeted them with, "We've got to get him back to Atlantis now. How far is the gate?"
Ronon thought about the four of them carrying Sheppard on a gurney through the deepening Satedan twilight. It wasn't going to be long before the Wraith would see through the ruse he and McKay had perpetrated and then they'd have the Wraith on their trail again.
He shook his head. "Too far by foot." Ronon turned to look at McKay.
Rodney didn't even protest this time. "Help me to the front," he said. "Let me see what I can do."
Ronon helped him into the cockpit. He was going to stay and help, but Teyla insisted that he go back and let Carson see to his wounds.
Mostly Ronon didn't want to be in the back where he had to look at Sheppard's beaten body. The entire team was on Sateda because of him. It was his fault that Sheppard was injured and laying at death's door.
But when Teyla glared at you, you did what she said. He knew what it was like to be on the receiving end of her bantos rods. If he didn't do what she wanted, she'd make what the Wraith did to him look like a love tap.
He went back hesitantly, reluctant to pull the doctor away from Sheppard's side.
"He's resting for now," Carson said when Ronon appeared in the doorway. "Come and sit, let me take a look at you."
Ronon sat. "How's he doing?" He gestured at Sheppard.
Carson's face set in a grim line. "He's holding his own. He'll be fine if we can just get him home to Atlantis soon."
Carson's hands were gentle as he checked over Ronon. He clucked at the bruises. He checked the bandage on Ronon's back. When he found the wound on Ronon's leg where he had pulled the metal from it he stared at Ronon.
"How have you been walking on this?"
Ronon shrugged. "I had to, that's all," he answered gruffly.
"Is that Ronon?" Sheppard's voice surprised them both.
Carson moved over to him, although Ronon stayed where he was, uncertain how to face this man that he respected so much.
He hadn't really thought much of Sheppard when he first met him. Sheppard had just seemed too laid back to be a good commander. Then Sheppard had invited Ronon to join his team, to join their fight against the Wraith. Ronon had joined them, not because he thought Sheppard was a good leader, but because they seemed to have the resources to give the Wraith a hell of a fight. He was all for that.
Then he saw John Sheppard in action. He saw his intensity and his determination to make a difference in the Pegasus Galaxy. Ronon didn't hold it against the man because he woke up the Wraith. Anyone could have done that. But he did find much to respect in Sheppard's desire to fight back against the Wraith, to draw a line and protect everyone that he could. He respected Sheppard's creed of 'no man left behind.' Ronon had to leave too many people behind in his life; he had wanted to believe that someone would come get him.
He hadn't really believed they would, until they did.
"Ronon?" Sheppard whispered.
"Here," Ronon answered. He owed Sheppard much more than an answer. He owed him his life.
Sheppard's arm lifted in Ronon's direction, beckoning Ronon to him.
Ronon went, falling to his knees next to Sheppard.
Sheppard just stared at him. "You okay?" he asked finally.
Ronon ducked his head a little. "I'm fine," he said gruffly. "You look a little beat up."
"Killed a few more Wraith," Sheppard said. "It's always a good time. You gonna be okay?" Sheppard asked. Ronon knew he was asking about so much more than his physical injuries.
"Will be," he said. "Doc's taking care of me."
The answer must have been the right one. Sheppard nodded in satisfaction. His eyes closed and his head lolled to the side.
"Doc?" Ronon couldn't help the alarm in his voice.
"It's alright, he's just sleeping. Why don't you see if you can motivate Rodney to hurry?"
Ronon grinned at the thought. He nodded. "I can do that."
The jumper lit up around them before he could even rise.
Teyla appeared in the doorway between the passenger area and the cockpit. "Rodney says to hold on to something. This may be a rough ride."
The jumper did lurch a bit as it lifted into the air. The inertial dampeners that McKay was so proud of must be off line. But they were moving in the direction of the gate.
Ronon stayed to help steady the colonel.
Sheppard opened his eyes at one point to mutter, "Rodney never could fly in a straight line."
Rodney insisted that they stay earthbound when he could because of the damage to the jumper. It took an agonizingly long time, Ronon didn't really know how long, but it seemed like hours.
Once they made it to the gate Rodney settled the jumper back to the ground and powered it down.
"Why did we stop? What are you waiting for?" Ronon snarled when Teyla and Rodney joined them in the back of the jumper. "We need to get him through the gate."
"Oh, I just thought we'd stop and have a picnic," Rodney snapped. He leaned against the door, careful to keep his weight off of his foot. "Why do you think we stopped? There are Wraith out there guarding the gate."
"Ronon," Teyla's voice was sharp, "Rodney, we do not need this now. We need to figure out how we are going to get Colonel Sheppard home."
Ronon bit back his impatience. He knew they all felt the strain as he did. They just didn't have the extra burden of guilt that he carried for having gotten them into this in the first place.
"Hey, it's alright," Sheppard's hand was on his shoulder, "you'll think of something. You guys are a good team. I trust you," he slurred.
Carson must have him on the good drugs, Ronon decided. Sheppard usually didn't share so much.
"Okay, so what are we going to do?" He stared at the other three. He wanted nothing more than to go out and kill the Wraith. He didn't think that plan was going to work this time.
Rodney bit back whatever snappish reply he had been going to make, making a visible effort to gather himself.
"Why can we not just dial the gate from the jumper and go through cloaked?" Teyla asked. She studied them each in turn with her calm, serene gaze. Ronon could practically feel her projecting her calm onto all of them.
Rodney opened his mouth to object. "I...." he shut his mouth as he searched for a hole in Teyla's plan.
"It could work," Ronon allowed reluctantly. Somehow he thought it should be harder. He'd spent the day fighting the Wraith, running from them, he wanted to kill these last few while he had the chance. But Sheppard's best chance lay in them getting off Sateda as quickly and with as little fuss as possible. Ronon could fight the Wraith some other day, he decided.
"We could maybe blow up something with a drone to draw them away from the gate, it would help our chances if we don't get shot at anymore," Rodney supplied.
"Whatever you're going to do, do it quickly," Carson said, his voice urgent. "I need to get the colonel home." He wasn't telling them just how bad it was, but they all knew that John Sheppard didn't sleep when there was a fight to be had.
"Let's do it," Ronon declared.
Rodney turned and limped back to the front. Ronon followed him, leaving Teyla to help the doctor with Sheppard. He took the co-pilot's seat while Rodney got the jumper started.
Getting home was almost anti-climatic.
Rodney blew up some trees with a drone. The Wraith ran to investigate. Ronon dialed the DHD and sent their code. Then they were through the gate and home.
Ronon sat, almost unable to process that he was really back in Atlantis. In the back of the jumper the medical team swarmed the colonel.
Teyla joined them after Carson and the medical team left with Sheppard.
"Carson says you must come to the infirmary, also."
"We'll be right there," Rodney said as he shut down the jumper's systems. "Just give us a minute."
She regarded them steadily for a moment before she nodded and left them alone.
They just sat staring out the windshield. It was cracked and splintered; spitting at it would make it fall out of its frame. Ronon now understood why McKay was so certain the jumper wouldn't have stood up to space travel.
"We did it," McKay said, quiet wonder in his voice.
"Yeah," Ronon agreed.
"So, what do you say? The infirmary?" McKay slid a sideways glance his way, probably trying to judge if he needed to call a medical team.
Ronon shrugged. "Rather go to the mess hall, get something to eat."
Rodney gaped at him, taken aback for all of two seconds, then he said, "I could eat."
~~~~~
Rodney really liked it when the team had downtime. He had enough work and research to do in the city that he could stay busy for the rest of his life. He didn't mind going out on missions, if he told the truth he'd begun to look forward to them, but his heart was still in his work in the city: researching the treasures she offered, working on her systems, finding out what made her tick. They'd been there for over two years now and they still found new things every day.
His teammates were less sanguine about free time. Teyla took the time to visit her people on the mainland. Ronon went back to Sateda a couple of times. He brought back some things for his quarters -- colorful throws, a painting that he hung on the wall over his bed that Rodney found disturbing and compelling at the same time, more weapons. Ronon also went on missions with some of the other teams. He told Rodney he didn't like sitting still.
It had been three weeks since they'd returned from Sateda. The first week Sheppard had been drugged to the gills and mostly just slept. At least one member of the team was always at his side. As time went by, and his condition improved, they were pulled away with other things -- Rodney had to keep an eye on his minions to make sure they didn't blow up the city, Ronon and Teyla spent a lot of time off-world. It left Sheppard to his own devices once he was awake enough to be restless.
Since he was the one in the city, Rodney got most of the calls when Sheppard was bored and needed someone to entertain him. He went with a minimum of grumbling. Sheppard was his friend, and he enjoyed his company, although he might tell him otherwise. They could spend hours arguing over who was the best villain on Batman or whether a DeLorean really could be a kick-ass time machine. Many times Rodney worked while Sheppard slept. He would ridicule the other man when he woke up for being such a wimp. Secretly Rodney was just as glad to sit at his side while Sheppard slept; he liked to hear the steady rhythm of his breathing, watch as his condition improved.
Rodney wasn't surprised when he finally got The call from Sheppard.
"McKay, you have got to get me out of here. I am going insane." Sheppard's voice over the radio was tinged with desperation.
Rodney knew he had to act fast or there would be sharp needles and invasive exams in Sheppard's future. You just didn't piss off the infirmary staff. Sheppard was well enough now that the nurses no longer doted on him as they did their checks -- fluffing his pillows or sneaking him an extra jello cup. Now they glared at him when they went by or, worse yet, snorted when he tried to persuade them to let him out, "just for a little while."
Rodney began saving and shutting down his work. "I'll be right there," he told Sheppard. "Don't do anything stupid."
"Thank you, McKay," Sheppard sounded pathetically grateful.
He tapped his radio on the way out of his lab, "Carson," he said, "I'm on my way."
"Aye, thank you, lad. I was thinking of throwing him out myself."
Rodney chuckled at the weary tone in Carson's voice. He took the opportunity to call Ronon and Teyla and tell them what was happening. Neither of them were unduly surprised.
While Carson swore Sheppard was getting better, the doctor wouldn't let his patient out of the infirmary on his own. He'd insisted on a wheelchair when Sheppard was allowed to the conference room for the debrief on the Sateda mission.
Rodney had savored the sour look on Caldwell's face when he realized that team Sheppard had made it home on their own, without any assistance from the Daedalus.
Carson was waiting for Rodney just outside the infirmary with a wheelchair. "Remember, don't let him overtax himself. Don't keep him out too long, I want him back in time for..."
Rodney commandeered the wheelchair, waving Carson aside. "Yes, yes, mom, I know the rules. I'll have him home before dark."
Carson stood in his way, refusing to let Rodney enter the infirmary until he'd had his say.
"I'm serious, Rodney. The colonel was very seriously injured. He came close to never being able to walk again. If he were back on Earth, he wouldn't. It's only because of the Ancient equipment we've discovered that has helped us heal the damage to his back. We have to go very slowly here. I won't take any chances."
"And neither will I, Carson." Rodney met Carson's eyes, hoping that the doctor could read in his eyes that he was very serious about Sheppard's recovery, too.
Carson nodded at last, stepping aside.
"Don't worry, I won't let him take any moonlight dips in the ocean," Rodney called over his shoulder just to make Carson splutter.
Rodney went immediately to Sheppard's bed; it was set in an alcove to give him a little privacy during his prolonged stay.
"You called?" he announced himself.
Sheppard pushed himself up on his elbows, hissing at Rodney. "Sh... The nurses all left a minute ago and I don't know where Carson went to. Let's get out quick before anyone comes along and stops us." He sat, swinging his legs over the side of the bed.
Rodney hurried to help him. Sheppard frowned his displeasure at the necessity, but let Rodney take most of his weight as they transferred him to the wheelchair. He was only just starting to get sensation back in his legs; there was no way he was walking out of the infirmary on his own.
Rodney pulled a blanket over his lap. Sheppard did rebel at that.
"Oh, come on, Rodney, it's warm outside," he threw the blanket back on his bed.
Rodney picked it back up draping it over Sheppard's lap. "And if you catch cold on our little jailbreak, Carson will handcuff you to the bed for the rest of your stay. Do you really want that?"
With a frustrated huff Sheppard allowed Rodney to tuck in the blanket, then he just ignored it, like it wasn't there.
Rodney took them to the West Pier. It was a little further away, but it was the sunniest at this time of day. Besides that Ronon had requested it. Rodney was curious about what he had planned.
It was late afternoon in Atlantis. The sun was dipping toward the horizon when they reached the pier. Teyla and Ronon were already there waiting for them. Teyla had spread a blanket out, along with a basket of food -- it looked like enough food to feed the whole expedition, although Rodney did not intend to invite them, this party was just for his team. An it's-good-to-be-alive party.
They helped Sheppard out of the chair and settled him comfortably onto the blanket. He sprawled out with a sigh, all arms and awkward legs. They devoured Teyla's food, they all ate too much and soaked up the sun. They didn't talk much, just enjoyed each other's company.
When the sun was settling into the horizon, sending fingers of gold dancing across the water, Ronon cleared his throat. He ducked his head when they all turned to him expectantly.
"I had something I thought we could do," he said, uncertain for once.
"What is it, big guy?" Sheppard asked. He looked at Rodney and Teyla, but they had to shake their heads, they had no idea what Ronon was up to.
"We had this thing we used to do in Sateda, I told McKay about it. The festival of boats."
They all nodded, they had heard the story at the debrief.
"Well, I've had some time one my hands and so I made us each a boat." He pulled forward a box that had been sitting to the side unnoticed. He pulled the lid off slowly. "I did some research," he smirked at Rodney's raised brow, "and found out about the different kinds of Earth boats." He pulled out the first boat; it was a perfect outrigger, painted white. It had Athos stenciled on the side. He handed it to Teyla.
"Ronon," she turned the boat, admiring it. "I do not know what to say. Thank you."
Ronon shrugged, "It's nothing."
The next boat was more like a sailboat; it even had billowing white sails. It was painted black. The name on the side, in white letters, was Cash.
"I..." John smoothed a finger over the hull. "Thanks."
"You're welcome," Ronon said, ducking his head down to hide a pleased grin.
Rodney wouldn't say that he was anxious about his boat, he just wasn't sure Ronon liked him enough to make him one, too. When Ronon pulled the catamaran out and handed it to Rodney, his eyes might have welled up a little.
It was painted grey with Batman painted on the side, again in white letters. Rodney rubbed a hand over his eyes, muttering, "Damn sea air."
Ronon's grin broke out full. He pulled out one more boat. It was a canoe, simple and elegant. It was stained but not painted. It had Sateda stenciled on its side.
"Ronon, these are amazing," Teyla spoke for all of them. Rodney was glad. He wasn't quite sure what to say.
"What are we doing with them?" Sheppard asked.
Ronon took a deep breath. He regarded them all, one by one.
"I didn't really wasn't sure guys were going to come for me," he said
"Ronon," Sheppard began to protest.
Ronon held up his hand. "I didn't doubt you'd want to, I just didn't think you'd be able to find me."
"Thanks for your lack of faith there," Rodney snarked.
Ronon shrugged, "I know better now. And I thought, now that I had a home and a... new family, I should have a festival of boats. I thought we could send our prayers to the Ancestors."
He indicated a stack of paper that he'd brought with him.
Teyla spoke before Rodney could start into a diatribe on the Ancestors and the chance of them answering any kind of prayers. "We would be honored to join you in this tradition," she said.
Sheppard nodded his agreement. Ronon looked at Rodney. He snorted and nodded his agreement.
Ronon passed out the paper. "I didn't think we would write prayers on them." He gave Rodney a level stare, "I know that the Ancestors don't answer prayers. I thought we could write what we are most thankful for on them."
"That is a lovely idea, Ronon," Teyla said.
John just held his paper, staring out over the water thoughtfully.
The mood was getting altogether too serious. "Well, I hope you all write that you're thankful for my genius," Rodney informed them. "Without me, you'd all be dead by now."
He got the desired snort from Sheppard and a tolerant smile from Teyla. Ronon made a rude noise. Yeah, he was definitely spending too much time with the marines.
Rodney bent to his paper, considering what he was going to write. He leaned over to spy on Sheppard to see that he had written 'team' on his paper. Sheppard saw him looking and pulled it away before he folded it up and put it into his boat.
Teyla wrote 'family' in large blocky letters, she even underlined it. Ronon wrote something in an unfamiliar script. Rodney nodded at it.
"It's Satedan," Ronon said. "It says 'freedom.'
"What are you going to write, McKay?" Sheppard gestured at his still blank paper.
Rodney looked around at the faces of his friends and teammates. He considered how close they had all came to dying, how thankful he was that they hadn't. He bent over his paper and wrote 'being alive.'
He caught Sheppard's eye, he just nodded.
Taking their boats, Ronon knelt at the water's edge and placed each one in. They bobbed gently with the waves, moving further away from the pier with each wave they rode. The sails on Sheppard's sailboat caught the wind and it surged ahead of the others.
They didn't have many days like this where they weren't running for their lives or trying to avert the next disaster. Rodney thought they'd earned it this time. He didn't mention that it was probably time for them to take Sheppard back to the infirmary. Carson knew where they were. He was just going to sit and enjoy the sun and the water and the company of his friends for just a little while longer.