Fic: Warrior (1/4)

[sgarb_mod]

Author:
shippen_stand
Wordcount: ~30,000
Rating: mild NC-17
Pairing(s): McKay/Sheppard
Summary: The Cananth people have an underground Ancient facility where they shelter when the Wraith come, called the Haven and Help. The haven is obvious, but what is the help? They all have the Ancient gene, and a quiet steady confidence that John can't help envying. When a mission goes bad, John begins to question both who and what he is. Thinking of the Cananth, and remembering Marine Col. Everett, who led the force that helped save Atlantis, John wishes he had that same single-minded assurance - even if it fractures his changing relationship with Rodney.
Warning(s) highlight to read: Canon character deathdisappearance (Ford); OC deaths, including children; horror elements. This is in one section only, not throughout the story.
Notes: This is set after "The Storm/The Eye" and "Sanctuary", and canon happens in the background up through "Intruder". Ends before "Runner".
Rapid and amazing beta provided by tesserae. If there is anything wrong, it's my fault. If it's good, it's to her credit.

Companion piece to Warrior.



Warrior

There was nothing but what Teyla had told them to expect on PXC-145. They stepped out of the wormhole into a forest clearing, three paths leading away through the trees. John did not relax his grip on his weapon. There were too many places for cover here. He could feel Ford's tension, and knew he was scanning the area, too.

"Teyla? Which way we should go?"

"The Cananth keep one settlement always on the left-hand path. They call it the meeting place." She stepped forward, then paused to look back at John. "The Athosians did not often trade with the Cananth, for we had little that they needed, but they were friendly."

Ford said, "So were the Genii."

Teyla smiled grimly at John. "The Genii. I had always wondered why they seemed to have no spark. It shouldn't have surprised me that all their ceremonies were camouflage. I assure you that the Cananth are more fun." Teyla huffed a small laugh. "In fact, the Genii never invited the Cananth to any of their harvest festivals. I suspect they kept trying to dance."

"I'm all for fun," John said. "Not sure about dancing."

"Somehow I can't imagine the Genii dancing," said McKay, "unless it was one of those Dance! Dance! things where they shoot at your feet." The bitterness in McKay's voice was no surprise. His arm was healed, but he was still trying to deal with a traumatic event as Heightmeyer kept reminding John.

Ford said. "The Genii were pretty uptight, even when we thought they were bumpkins. She's trying to say these people are probably more like what they seem."

"I know what she's trying to say, Lieutenant," said McKay, and then turned to business. "There's no energy signature beyond the gate itself. No life signs in fifty meters bigger than a large cat."

"How's the arm?" John asked.

"You ask me after we go through the gate? It's fine. It's been fine for a week." McKay sounded peeved. That was normal. John relaxed a little.

"Feels good to be going on a mission again, sir," said Ford.

"Sure does," said John.

"So," said McKay, "are we going to stand here, or are we going in search of steak?"

Ford grinned. "I could use a good steak. First people we've visited who might trade meat."

"If we have anything they want," said John. "Okay. Let's move. Ford, take our six."

Away from the gate, there was less undergrowth, and the trees grew tall, the branches starting about twenty feet high. The wide path was springy under John's boots and the air was fresh. When Teyla said the Cananth were herders, John expected something more like a cattle farm, with the overriding smell of digested hay. This felt like a park.

"Major!" Ford's voice came at the same time John heard the crack and felt something whistle past his head. He could see movements in the trees ahead, and as one, his team left the path and took cover behind the tall trees. Wood splintered over Teyla's head and John motioned for them to go deeper into the trees, pulling up his P90. Ford clicked the safety off his weapon, and John heard McKay mutter some complaint.

"Teyla?" John said. "I thought you said they were nice people."

"They normally are. They are usually willing to trade."

"So, what, they want to trade shots?" Ford asked, as another crack sounded, close.

John glanced over and Teyla was no longer sighting down her P90. Her eyes moved, surveying, but she looked calm, not wary. "I suspect the Cananth could hit us if they wanted to."

"So why aren't they?"

"Perhaps this is a challenge. We do not look like typical traders. I am not wearing Athosian clothes."

Ford snorted. "What's the challenge? If we fire back, we'll win."

Two impacts threw up dirt near the trees they were using for cover. John saw McKay flinch, but Teyla bent and picked up two stones, quick and careful, eyes on the direction of the volley. "They have markings," she said, turning them over in her hands.

"Do you know what they mean?" McKay asked. "Something like, May this rock kill my enemies?"

"Hmm," Teyla said, and then glanced up at John. "I believe you should fire over their heads. Perhaps aim to knock down a major branch."

John took aim and fired a burst, and the top of a tree on the other side of the path cracked, throwing splinters and branches. Everything was quiet for a few moments, and then there was a faint rustle of movement around them. John raised his weapon and Ford moved to cover McKay. Seven people, men and women, stepped out onto the path. Several had weapons at their belts. John threw a glance over his shoulder. Three more stood visible through the trees about thirty feet away, hands held palm open toward them. The clothing was the only thing alike about them, at least from this distance-typical Pegasus tunics and leggings. Whatever they looked like, John was pretty sure there were more people in the trees.

He shared a look with Teyla and shook his head. They'd established a pattern over the last few months, and he tended to let her open discussions, but not this time. He stepped out from behind the tree and walked back to the path, hands on his weapon. When nobody made a move, he lowered it slightly. "I usually tell people we're peaceful traders."

A heavyset woman stepped forward. Her brown hair was cut fairly short. "We usually welcome peaceful traders."

McKay answered before John could reply. "With rocks?"

"You do not look peaceful," the woman said, "but you shot deliberately to warn, not to wound."

"Of course we did!" McKay said.

"We kind of outgun you," Ford muttered, but John turned his head slightly to tell them both to be quiet.

"We're really not interested in hurting anyone," John said. "Like I said, peaceful traders."

This was Teyla's cue, and she stepped forward next to John. "We are cautious, Kaline, having found danger many times when we stepped through the Ancestor's ring, even among people I held as friends." She let her P90 drop and turned her palms outward.

"Teyla!" said the woman. "I would not have known you in those outlandish clothes."

"It is good to see you, again. Much has happened since my last visit."

The woman raised an arm across her body, hand in a fist. As the cloth fell back, John could see parallel bars of tattoos running up from the wrist toward the elbow. Each line seemed to have a slightly different design, but it was hard to tell from this far away. Teyla imitated the gesture, and they touched at the wrists. "We heard the city of the Ancestors was awake, and new people had come. To see you among them is a comforting thought."

"You have never thrown rocks at me before," Teyla said. "Has there been trouble?"

"Heard about the Genii, too. I'm going to miss tava beans." She shrugged. "We've been friends since your father's father's mother. Didn't know it was you, and don't know your new friends."

John said, "If we'd fired more than a warning shot?"

"We would have killed you." Kaline gave a high whistle, and figures began to drop from the trees until they were surrounded by at least thirty people. John's hands tightened reflexively on his P90, but he schooled himself not to raise it. Kaline smiled and said, "Very glad we didn't have to."

"So are we," McKay said.

Teyla made the introductions. "Kaline often speaks for the Cananth," she said. "This is Major John Sheppard, charged with the safety of the Ancestor's city. Lt. Aiden Ford, who aids him in that task. Dr. Rodney McKay, who studies how things work, and fixes them."

Still smiling, Kaline said, "Please, come with us." She spoke softly to a young man standing next to her, and he nodded and gestured to several others. They took off down the path at a jog. Another dozen faded back into the trees, and John watched one of them climb with the aid of a cord, moving rapidly up a trunk in inchworm steps and swinging easily to the first branch. The rest of their welcoming committee fell into step, ahead and behind. Teyla walked next to Kaline, who tucked her hand in Teyla's arm.

John couldn't hear their conversation. For all that Teyla seemed comfortable, he wasn't ready to relax. "McKay," he said, but he looked at Ford and nodded for him to take the rear. McKay stepped up next to him. "Anything?"

"Hadn't been looking, what with the rocks going over our head." He pulled out the life signs detector and peered at the screen. "Hmmm." He handed it to John and reached back to rip his computer off his pack. John could see from the detector that they were being shadowed by more than the company on the road. It was what he would do. McKay made the humming noise again. "That's funny."

"What kind of funny?"

"There's an area of no energy, or maybe not no energy, but remarkably stable energy at fifty percent of background fluctuations."

"You want to explain that?"

"There's always some sort of background energy or radiation, fairly constant, but this seems a bit too constant. Consistent."

"Any natural explanation?"

"Could be." McKays's fingers started tapping. "I'm going to set this up for automatic monitoring."

"Is it a shield of some kind?" John asked.

"What, you think maybe hiding technology from the Wraith? Huh." McKay tapped one-handed on his laptop. When the path curved to the left, John had to herd him in the right direction. He could hear Ford start to talk with the Cananth making up the rear guard, caution threading through the surface friendliness. People underestimated Ford's ability to observe and to hear past the words, and John would want to hear later what he thought of the Cananth.

They'd walked almost a mile when the smells started to change, woodsmoke giving way to blood. And not just blood, but guts, too. He froze.

John's sudden halt put Ford on alert, and he brought his gun up to scan the rest of the area. McKay walked on, oblivious. "McKay! Teyla!"

McKay stopped, looked up, and stowed his tablet quickly. Teyla turned, and gently pulled her arm from Kaline's. "John?"

"Is something wrong?" asked Kaline.

"I smell blood." He didn't say death.

As Teyla neared him her nose wrinkled. She put a hand on his arm. "Animals, John. The have a slaughter ground."

"The prevailing winds are usually from another direction," Kaline said, coming closer. John glanced at her. "Does the smell disturb you?"

"I..." He couldn't finish the sentence. He didn't know what to say.

"We have seen... many things, lately," Teyla said, her hand was still on John's arm, but she spoke to Kaline. He shifted away from her, letting his P90 down and giving his face a small smile.

"Well," said Kaline, "can't welcome you properly without roasting a rhunok."

"Thank you," John said, and heard Ford chuckle behind him. Teyla and Kaline turned back up the path.

"We don't usually, uh, smell that unless something bad is happening," Ford said, falling back into step with the men he'd been talking to.

"People smell different," said one of them.

John's foot did not fall on the next step, and he turned the hesitation into waiting for Ford and his new friends to catch up. "Know the difference, do you?" John saw Ford glance over at him, but he kept his gaze on the young man who spoke. He was as tall as John, broad, and his dark hair was pulled back into a braid.

The three of them stopped, causing the few following to halt as well. The young man didn't look away from John, but face went a bit gray under the brown. "You can't be thinking we would..." His horror at the thought was evident, and the others following shifted, looking suddenly ready, their hands moving to the slings at their belts.

"These guys are fighters, Major," said Ford. "They've seen what we've seen." He smiled. "My uncle had a farm, and, yeah. Cow shit is totally different. Still don't want it on your shoes, though."

John felt his heart start to slow, although he hadn't been aware of it speeding up. "No, I guess not," he said. He looked back at the young Cananth, cocked his head and laughed as if to himself. "Just caught me off guard there. No offense meant. We're kind of new around here."

"What you implied is deeply offensive to us, but only because it is not... unheard of. There are worlds where such practices can be found. How any can imitate the Wraith, I do not understand."

"You and me both," said John. "Please, I..." He wasn't sure how to apologize.

"You meant no offense, so I'll take none." With those words the other fighters seemed to relax.

John looked up to see McKay trailing Teyla and Kaline ahead. He caught Ford's eye and nodded up the trail, and Ford moved to guard McKay. He turned back to the Cananth and tried to smile. "Major John Sheppard."

"Kanor. I guard and I herd. Do I call you all that long name?"

"Sheppard's fine."

"Does it mean anything?"

John thought for a minute. "Someone who watches flocks, who herds."

Kanor grinned. "You guard and you herd, like me. You are more, I think, because you are major. I asked to be no more." John wondered how it could be so simple, but Kanor held up his arm in the gesture Kaline had used with Teyla, exposing a line of four tattoos. They were similar to Kaline's but there were fewer. This close John could see that each bar was made up of distinct patterns. John imitated the movement, and they bumped their wrists together, John's watch catching on Kanor's skin. "What is that?"

"It's called a watch. It tracks time. When I'm on a different planet, I know what time of day it is back home."

"Is it from the Ancestors?"

John shook his head. "No, we made them."

"The Wraith have permitted this?"

John had a pat answer for this, "The Wraith do not know where we live. It's pretty far from here."

Kanor hesitated, and said, "I should like to see it some time."

Yeah, so would I, John thought, but he just smiled. "I guess we should catch up with the others."

As they set off down the path, Kanor asked, "May I ask? Underneath?" He held up his own wrist, showing the four tattooed bar designs.

"Nothing... like that," John said. He wasn't used to anyone asking about his wrists. "Can I ask what they mean?"

"Sometimes we must become something new," Kanor said. John glanced at the wrists of the others. Some had one or two marks, three at the most. They seemed to go with age, but not completely. Maybe they had to do with some kind of ritual.

They walked for another few minutes before a bend in the path led them to the meeting place, a small settlement of wood-framed buildings with bark roofs and walls made from hides. Teyla had said the Cananth were nomadic, and the buildings, hidden away beneath the trees and difficult to see from the air, bore it out. There was a clear space, mostly covered by a canopy of branches some forty feet above the ground. In the middle was the fire John had smelled. People were setting up trestle tables, benches, low seats. John knew this script--the impromptu feast.

Kaline had paused, waiting with Teyla for them to catch up. McKay barely looked up in time to avoid bumping into them. When John and Kanor caught up, Kaline nodded dismissal, and the escort group left for other tasks.

"So," said Kaline, "Teyla tells me you want to trade for our rhunoks."

"Well, we're not well set to raise our own meat animals," John said. McKay snorted, but at least he was paying attention to something other than his tablet. "We have medical supplies, technical know-how. What would you be interested in from us?"

"I can see that you have metal."

"Yes?" John could feel himself draw out the word. Out of the corner of his eye he could see McKay turning in a circle where he stood, his eyes never leaving the tablet.

"Knives. We need good knives." Kaline sounded final, and her curt nod shook her short hair from behind one ear. "One per beast."

John glanced at Teyla. She had a very neutral expression. Whenever she approved of a trade offer, she would look agreeable, so John figured that Kaline was trying to gouge them. In some bargains he would be expected to insult the merchandise, but he suspected that would not go over well with Kaline. "Well," he said, "we don't even know if we like the taste of rhunok."

Kaline laughed in a short bark. "Well, you shall find out, and when you taste it, you'll think a knife is a bargain!"

"Major," McKay said suddenly, "we need to--" He broke off and pointed off in the direction of the setting sun.

Teyla said, "Dr. McKay would like to explore. Would you permit them to walk in that direction?"

"What's he looking at?" Kaline asked.

"Very sensitive instrument," McKay said. "Do you have any old Ancient ruins?"

"Ruins? No. You point to our haven and help."

Teyla said, "Dr. McKay is very interested in anything from the Ancestors. I have never heard you mention this place before."

"No reason," Kaline said, "We've never needed it when you were here."

"May we see it?" Teyla asked.

Kaline paused. "Because it is you, Teyla." She considered for another moment. "The Ancestors gave the haven to us, yes, but it is not ruined, no. We would not let that happen."

"So," said Mckay. "Lead the way."

Kaline raised her eyebrows and glanced at Teyla, who said smoothly, "As I said, Dr. McKay is very interested in learning anything he can from the gifts of the Ancestors. Please excuse his single mindedness."

"Well, if you won't talk deal until you've tasted our meat, I suppose it'll keep you out from underfoot for a bit." She gestured. "Kanor, would you lead our new friends to the Haven and Help." John could hear the emphasis in the words now. It was a formal title.

"Of course." Kanor nodded to John and led the way out of the settlement. Five more Cananth followed behind, and John noted that they all carried slings at their belts. This place was important enough that they would not let strangers in unguarded. John approved, and hoped McKay didn't do anything stupid.

The path through the trees began to rise, and John mentally grumbled about the thick, high canopy of the trees, which made it hard to see if this was just a rise or the led to a larger mountain. "Tell me about this place," he said to Kanor.

"This is where we go when the Wraith come. They have not been able to find us there."

"Some kind of dampening field," McKay said.

"So that's why it's haven and help?" John asked.

"Haven for hiding, help for helping," Kanor said.

"What kind of help?" John asked, prompting the answer he knew McKay wanted.

"To become what we are," Kanor said, "what we need to be. I guard and I herd, and so do you. How did you know who you are?" The question needled John, and he didn’t answer. Kanor continued smoothly, "I've spent time on other worlds. We all do. Other people sometimes know what they are, and sometimes don't. When they don't, you can tell they are out of balance. The whole people suffer."

John wasn't sure what to make of that. "Sometimes people are more than one thing."

"Like us. We do not just guard. Herding requires more than simple guarding. You have to find the patterns, sense the threats to come, plan for what is needed when there are no threats. Sometimes people like us need to become leaders, and it helps us change, adds to who we are." Kanor smiled over at John. "But I am never confused. And when I need to be something else, I can return to ask for help." Kanor held out his wrist, and John made the connection. The bars probably represented every trip to this Help, whatever it was. "When our young people are unsure, we let the Ancestors help them. When we must become new things, the Ancestors help us. We have tried to help others, but it seems that we are particularly blessed. It does not help people who are not Cananth."

Which was about as clear as some of McKay’s explanations. He smiled politely and moved ahead to peer over McKay’s shoulder. "Anything interesting?"

"I want to see what it looks like when we're inside that field." McKay said. His eyes were fixed on the tablet "If we could replicate it, we might be able to hide from the Wraith. Whatever it is, I'll bet there's a ZPM involved."

They didn't have much farther to go. The hillside sloped up abruptly, and when Kanor walked up to the rock wall, there was a ripple, and then a opening. It looked like a cave at first glance, but it was too square, and under the grass and moss, John could see stone and metal. It seemed Ancient, from what he could see. McKay was walking straight toward it, glancing back and forth between the opening and his tablet.

John glanced at Ford, who stepped closer to McKay and snapped on the light on his P90. "You won't need that," Kanor said, stepping through the doorway. "Come." As soon as he entered, lights appeared along the wall, dimly illuminating a dirt-covered floor. They followed Kanor, and as soon as John passed inside, the lights brightened.

Kanor turned. "What is this?"

"I, uh..."

Kanor herded them out. The rock wall slid into place behind them, and he turned to McKay. “Go back in, please.”

McKay frowned but approached the wall. It rippled, and when he stepped cautiously through the opening, the lights glowed dimly.

“Step back out,” Kanor said. McKay took a step back, and the rock re-appeared. “Now you.” He pointed to Ford, but neither he nor Teyla could induce it to open.

Kanor looked at John. "He is one of us, then. We could help him if he wanted, to know himself and become who he is."

John was still processing the notion that Kanor and all the Cananth probably carried the Ancient gene.

"Help me how?" McKay said. "I know what I am."

"Then tell me," Kanor said, in a tone that expected McKay to reply, like a lamb being called back to the flock. John was surprised at Kanor's focus on McKay. The lights hadn't gone super bright for him. "Tell me what you are." Kanor didn't threaten, but his posture had shifted, and John didn't know what Kanor might do. John put his hands on his P90, and glanced to see that Ford, standing behind McKay, had done the same.

McKay sputtered for a brief moment, and then put his chin up. "I'm the smartest man in two galaxies."

"True," Kanor said slowly, considering the answer, "but you have some confusion." He reached toward McKay, who did not flinch. Ford took a step forward, and Kanor shook his head. His shoulders relaxed and he ran the back of his fingers down McKay's arm. "You do not care for yourself."

Ford snorted, and John's lips twitched. But McKay was looking at his arm where Kanor had touched him, confusion on his face. Kanor smiled kindly at him. "You need to learn to dance. Too much here," he gestured toward McKay's head. "Not enough here," Kanor said, putting his hand flat on his own torso, and taking two sinuous steps. John looked away, not wanting to watch the masculine grace so openly displayed.

"If I tried that, I'd put my back out," grumbled McKay, but the complaint seemed more like habit. He watched Kanor, and then shook his head.

Kanor turned to John. "Now you. Step through. I think we all know what we will find."

John nodded and walked to the opening again. As he expected, the lights came on brightly. He tried to turn them down by thinking at them, but they didn't respond. The dirt eventually gave way to very familiar floors, the same colors and textures as Atlantis. He put a hand on the wall and thought the command. lower lights. They dimmed a bit, but were still brighter than they were for McKay or Kanor. "What are you?" Kanor asked, his voice soft and intimate.

John looked over his shoulder, a careful half-smile on his face. "I guard and I herd. Among our people, I serve as Major."

"But you are even more than I thought you were."

John turned away and muttered, "A walking on switch."

"Many things," Kanor said. "But we should go back now. I have much to tell Kaline. We have not found brothers like you on any planet." He ran his fingers down John's sleeve, smiling broadly. "We planned to simply welcome you, but I think we will want to celebrate."

"You're not going to try to keep me here, are you?" John tried to keep his voice light.

"Why would we do that?" Kanor's touch turned to a light grip, turning John back to the opening. "You are very suspicious, my dear important herding guard. Let's go see Kaline."

"McKay will want to look around," John protested.

"He can stay with Narin and Maline." Kanor called the names, and a man and a woman from the honor guard came in. "Show McKay our Haven and Help. Do not let him seek help yet. He is not ready. We must speak with Kaline."

They parted at the entrance. Teyla joined John, and catching John’s glance, Ford moved to to guard McKay. John wondered if he ever noticed how well protected he was off world.

They walked in silence, which surprised John. He had expected questions. It had taken them half an hour to hike up, but the trip down was faster. Back at the settlement, people were moving about, making ready for a party by setting up benches and rough timber trestles. Kanor took him straight to one of the buildings. "Kaline," he said, as they entered, "The Ancestors speak to Sheppard."

"Well," John began, but Kaline was already answering.

"How do you mean?"

"The lights in the Haven light for him, and for another. McKay."

"And you only brought him? Why?"

"Because I have never seen the lights so bright."

Kaline looked at John, and he shifted uncomfortably under her gaze. "We..." he said, and then stopped, not sure of what to say. We know what causes that? To Kanor, she said, "Bring the other, too. He should not be in the Haven and Help until we know who he is."

Kanor nodded. "He does not know who he is." John heard him leave at a run.

"Teyla, did you know this?"

"I did not know of your Haven and Help, but I did know that Major Sheppard was gifted with the ability to--" She hesitated. "--waken the Ancestor's artifacts."

"I see. Would you have told me this?"

"We do not speak of it."

"And you, Major Sheppard?"

John shifted his weight. Teyla was treading carefully. "On other worlds there were people who wanted me to stay."

"Against your will." Kaline nodded. "We understand. Happens to us, too. Never met anyone else like us. All your people like you?"

John shook his head. "Pretty rare." He wasn't going to say that they could give people the Ancient gene. "Most of us don't have it. Some have it weakly, like McKay."

Kaline looked at him sharply, and John felt himself blush. He hadn't meant to insult them by saying their Ancient gene was weak. "Well, I think we have something in common," Kaline said after a moment, with a kind of finality. "Good to know we're not the only ones. And you seem to know what you are." She raised her arm, and John knocked wrists with her again. "Tell me about the Ancestor's city, and what exactly happened with the Genii."

John let Teyla take the lead. She knew what not to say, and he wanted her to strengthen her friendship with Kaline. About twenty minutes later, he could hear McKay outside the door, and Kanor led him in.

"What's the deal?" McKay asked. "I didn't find the power source, but there is definitely something interesting about that field from the inside. I haven't seen any control panels, but just when I thought I was getting somewhere I get hauled back here, which isn't exactly the best use of--"

John cut him off. "They all have the gene," John said.

McKay stared open-mouthed. "All of them?" John nodded, and McKay said, "Oh."

"Don't start thinking what I think you're thinking."

"What? Did you just say what I thought you said? You can't know what I'm think--"

Kaline cleared her throat. "It's been tried."

"What?" McKay said. "What's been--"

"Tried to use us to use things the Ancestors left." Kaline's voice was light, almost amused. "We don't permit it."

"We would not do that," John said. "We might invite you, but the choice would be yours." He put on a smile that he almost felt. "It's not as if I liked it when they've tried that with me."

Kaline cocked her head and looked at John for a long moment. "I will trust you."

"Thank you."

"I might even bargain fair for the rhunok," she said, and then laughed. "Come. Eat, drink, dance. You dance, yes?"

"No," said McKay, but he glanced at Kanor.

"Been known to," said John, and that earned him a look from McKay.

"Then put away your weapons," said Kaline. "Let's celebrate friendship."

***

John tasted everything before McKay did, checking for any taste of citrus. There was a drink that McKay liked, but it didn't appeal to John, and even though he hadn't tasted alcohol, it had an effect on McKay. John was glad he'd passed it up, because he hated getting buzzed off planet. Teyla and Ford did not seem too bothered by it, but McKay soon was grinning, enjoying himself.

It was dark, the food mostly eaten, including the very tasty roasted rhunok, and the Cananth danced. They all danced. Some of it reminded John of a cross between Greek or Balkan cultures and Brazilian Samba, sometimes with complicated steps in a line. Sometimes the dancers broke into small groups or pairs, or danced solo. Some groups mixed men and women, others had only one sex, or only a set number of dancers making complicated patterns to the music of stringed instruments, pipes, and drums. Teyla joined them, following steps as if they were familiar. Smiling widely, Ford followed, and the Cananth helped guide him.

Eventually, Kanor took John's hands and brought him to his feet, and John gave in, sliding into the music as much as he could let himself. In the clubs, anonymous without his dog tags, he had danced and lost himself in a sea of rhythm and sweat and men. He restrained himself here, but he matched Kanor, learning steps and following patterns. It was impossible not to smile. It was equally impossible not to watch Kanor. The grace he'd shown up at the cave, talking to McKay, was nothing compared to the subtle and sinuous moves he made now, his hips sliding. It wasn't crude, but it was sex. John dragged his eyes up to Kanor's face, framed by the long brown curls that had escaped from his braid. Kanor smiled, gesturing at him to move closer, and John looked away, keeping his movements in his feet and his knees. He couldn’t do this, not here, and not now. He glanced over at McKay, and found him staring.

When the music began to change, John smiled at Kanor, shooting for polite, and nodded toward McKay. Kanor nodded back, but his look was knowing. He said, "He might dance with you, and it would ease our minds to see it."

"Been... a long time since I danced like this," John said. "I, uh. I mean, thank you."

Kanor squeezed John's shoulder, and the touch felt hot. John schooled his face, and Kanor threw a glance at McKay before turning to go. John watched Kanor walk away, wondering if he'd read any of that right, and wishing he could have danced with Kanor the way Kanor danced with him.

McKay ignored him as he sat down. John leaned over. "They have a fully charged ZPM."

"That's nice," McKay said, swaying and looking at the dancers, then straightened up and said, "Wait. Really?"

"No. I just wanted to see if you were paying attention." John took a breath. "Ever dance like that?"

"I don't know how."

"It's easy." John stood and held a hand out to McKay, who took it and got to his feet. John had to steady him a bit, and then stood next to him, their backs to the main group. "Just follow me." They stepped left, then right, in the easiest dance possible. McKay wasn’t graceful, but his sense of rhythm was excellent, so John turned to face him and they swayed in time. They kept moving through several changes of the music, and McKay followed John's increasingly complex lead until, laughing, McKay sat down again.

"Not bad, McKay."

"Hmm." McKay stared off at the dancers for a while, accepting another refill. After he had drunk about half of it, he turned to John, his lopsided smile on his face. "Do you know the one about the physicist, the engineer and the biologist who were trying to win at the race track?"

"No," John said. "How much have you had to drink?"

"Some," McKay said, but drawled out the word, almost slurring. "So, physicist, engineer and biologist, betting on horses. You know the joke?"

"Why don't you tell me."

"Well, they're all trying to use their disciplines to pick winning horses, and the physicist is the one who cleans up." McKay started laughing.

"That's the punch line?" John asks

McKay took a breath, and then giggled again. "Well, they all talk about what technique they used. The biologist says he looked at the breeding lines and each animal's physics-- I mean physiology. The engineer says he looked at each animal's biomechanics to make predictions. Those didn't work so well--you know, because they lost all their bets--and so they look at the physicist, who won, and ask what he did." He giggled again.

"So, what did the physicist do?"

"He says to them, 'First, I assume horses are spherical.'" McKay rocked back laughing.

"Yeah, that's a real knee-slapper," but McKay fell into John, now laughing harder, and the more John thought about it, the funnier it was. It occured to him that it was the first time he'd ever heard McKay tell a joke. In another moment realized that McKay was still leaning on him. "Tell me another," he said, pushing McKay upright.

"Did you hear the one about the 10 patent lawyers and the 10 engineers?" John hadn't heard it, and the next thing he knew, McKay was doing what amounted to stand-up geek humor, including a detailed comparison of the original Star Wars trilogy with Scooby Doo. "I mean, think about it. They pull off Darth Vader's helmet, and it's 'Look, it's old man Skywalker from the farm!'"

John snorted once and said, "And I would've gotten away with it too, if it weren't for you pesky kids."

McKay pointed at him and laughed. "Exactly! Found that on the early days of the 'net. Can't remember who wrote it."

McKay giving credit. That was interesting. John noticed that people were drifting away from the fire. Teyla was smiling, talking with Kaline and another man. Ford danced with a circle of men, picking up their steps and moving in time. It was a dance for late evenings, the rhythms slow and the dancers moving more closely together. For the few still on their feet, it was a prelude to other things.

McKay was leaning on him again. John knew how to find their sleeping place, so he hauled McKay to his feet. They walked over to Teyla to say good night to her and Kaline. John caught Ford's eye, and he looked at one of the women and back to John. John followed his gaze to a pretty girl of medium build with short curly hair, looking at Ford from under her lashes.

John leaned down. "Teyla. Can you find out these people's feelings on, you know, um, sex with outsiders? I don't want Ford to get in trouble."

"I already know, John. Three women have asked about approaching you, but I have politely declined."

"They were asking your permission?"

"More like advice, and making sure you were not already obliged. I told them that part of what you are involves protecting Dr. McKay. Dancing with Dr. McKay dispelled any doubts." Teyla paused, reticent. "That was well done."

"Thanks," John said, but he wasn't sure what to make of it. "So, if Ford..."

"They would welcome a child from him, and the woman's name is Sanor. She is free to make her own choice."

John nodded. It explained why the Cananth all looked so different, even if he couldn't keep their names straight. "Okay then, and, um, thank you for, you know... that dodge."

"I did not want anyone to disturb you and Dr. McKay."

"Yeah, he's in rare form. Whatever it is they're serving went straight to his head. I need to get him out of here before he does something stupid."

"Hmm," Teyla said.

John stood and caught Ford's eye, looked at the woman, and nodded. Ford grinned. He wouldn't be joining them tonight.

McKay seemed unaware of the by-play, and John led him to the room they'd been given, one with an actual door. It showed signs of hasty re-arrangement. John wondered who they'd displaced, who last slept on these furs. Their tac vests were already there, along with their packs, the weapons cached inside and locked, the gesture of trust Kaline had requested. As soon as the door was closed, McKay stripped, unselfconscious. He stopped at his boxers, which had a Mario Brothers illustration involving a mushroom and the word "Bigger". John turned away, taking off his shirt and awkwardly pulling off his boots, intending to sleep in his T-shirt and BDUs. He turned to see McKay watching him. It was a look he'd never seen on his face. His face was flushed, and his eyes half lidded. His hair stuck out in all directions, and his mouth had a half smile. He was relaxed, and that was a rare state for Rodney McKay.

They stared at each other a moment too long, and then McKay tilted his head. "The only thing that would make this night perfect would be getting laid. I didn't expect you to be here tonight. I assumed you'd be off with one of the local nubiles."

"Nubiles?" John frowned.

"Oh, you know. Alien women. The whole Kirk thing. You seem to attract women from all kinds of cultures."

John snorted. "Right."

"Oh, come on, even I can see it a mile away," McKay started to say and then stopped suddenly. Oh, shit, John thought. McKay continued carefully, "You don't see it coming because you're not looking for it."

John schooled his face. "Maybe." He could feel a rush of adrenaline, heart rate rising and his face going warm, so he dropped his shoulders and put on a lazy grin. He wondered if he'd let something show when he danced with Kanor.

McKay asked, "Have you ever been to Las Vegas?"

"A time or two," John said, not knowing where this was going. "You?"

"I was barred from the city for life back in uni. Card counting."

That didn't surprise John. "This isn't exactly bright lights and blackjack. What made you think of Vegas?"

"The thing called the Vegas Rule," McKay said.

John didn't like where this was going. "As in What happens in...?"

"Right. Stays in." McKay takes a breath. "I'm invoking it. I mean, I know we're not in Vegas now, but I'd like to invoke it, because I have the urge to ask you something."

"We're a long way from Las Vegas." He knew it was weak, but it was the best he could muster under McKay's astute gaze.

"Well, I didn't think the Vegas Rule was actually tied to a specific location," McKay started. "Look, it's a theoretical construct that will allow, theoretically, interactions that won't impact life outside the defined Vegas Rule zone."

Now he sounded more like McKay, the speed of the words and cadence that stemmed from either the socially awkward or scientifically excited McKay. This time, John couldn’t tell which it was. He opened his mouth, intending to deny McKay the right to invoke the Vegas rule on the technicality of location when McKay announced, "So, theoretical construct accepted. Vegas Rule."

John schooled his face again, but his shoulders wouldn't drop back down. "What do you want to ask?"

"This is more a matter of confirmation of the validity of a hypothesis, not necessarily prurient interest, but I wouldn't be honest if I didn't indicate that I have a personal stake in the outcome. I mean, in general, the answer to this question won't make a difference in our working relationship regardless of the answer, unless you decide to hit me, or take offense, or something."

McKay was in full verbal stream mode. "Okay, okay. Vegas Rule. You can ask. I'll answer if I want."

McKay looked at John, narrowed his eyes for a moment, and then said, "Are you gay?"

The question pulled at John in strange places, and his stomach felt like it suddenly reached the floor. The Cananth had talked so much about knowing what you are that the question hit in a way he couldn't deflect. But he said, "No." It wasn't a lie in his mind. He had always preferred--strongly preferred--sex with men. He could not imagine waving at the crowds from the float of a Pride parade.

"Huh. I could have sworn. I mean, the data were starting to strongly lean that way." McKay sat up in bed, arms crossed and one hand supporting his chin.

John let his eyes linger on McKay's shoulders and biceps, which were larger and better shaped than most people probably suspected. There was exactly the right amount of hair across McKay's chest, and his nipples were tight in the cooling air. He swallowed, pulling his gaze up to McKay's face. "Why did you ask?"

"Personal interest, I guess." McKay blushed and dropped his glance.

"Are you gay?" John asked.

"Sort of flexible." John snorted, but McKay continued. "We were having such a good time dancing, and you actually get my jokes, and if this had been a normal date back on Earth I would guess I'd be getting lucky right about now. Instead we're having what should be an awkward conversation and isn't really, and oh God, what was in that drink?" McKay flopped backward on the bed. "I'm just not aware that it's awkward, am I?" He flung his arm over his eyes.

"Not so much." Something about this McKay, up to the gills in whatever was passed for alcohol here, made John relax a bit. "Vegas," he said, meaning that it wouldn't affect their working relationship later.

"But I'm not getting laid tonight, am I? Oh God, I can't even believe I just asked that. Or that I was that stupid. I could have sworn..."

"No," John said, and swallowed. "You're not that stupid."

McKay dropped his arm. "Did you just mean what I thought you meant, because even for you..."

"Vegas." John said. "Good night, McKay."

John pulled on his boots sat outside the door for half an hour, watching as the feast wound down, trying not to think about what he had just done. McKay wasn't the most discreet person. On the other hand, John would never have expected the strange kind of come-on McKay had just given him. A group of people started to clean the area and re-arrange it. John stood, thought for a moment, and then decided to go help them. When he got back to the room, McKay was asleep. John lay down next to him, outside the furs that covered McKay. From the faint scent and the smile on McKay's face, John knew that McKay had probably jacked off. He ignored his visceral response, and made himself go to sleep.

***

"So," said Elizabeth, looking down the conference table at them. "The Cananth?"

"They are very interesting, Dr. Weir," said Teyla. "They have meat to trade, and they are interested in metal tools." She glanced at John.

"They all seem to have the Ancient gene," he said. "And they have some Ancient facility that can hide them from the Wraith. They call it their Haven and Help."

Elizabeth's eyebrows went up. "A population with the gene? That would be--" But she stopped when she saw John shake his head. "No?"

"Some of them will want to visit, but don't make any plans for them. They won’t like that... They may let McKay back to examine this Haven place, but there's something sacred about it for them."

"I see." She gave John a look that said she planned to hear more later. "Your report said that they are herders, but their methods seem very different from Earth cultures. They herd within forests instead of on plains and fields. I'd like to send an anthropologist with the next team."

"They are adept at limiting the effect of the Wraith. They keep only one small village near the stargate to greet potential traders, and perhaps strengthen their lines." Ford blushed and shifted in his seat. Teyla continued without a sideways glance. "But their people follow the herds and are scattered widely."

Elizabeth nodded. "No permanence means no mining, no farming. I think we can find ways to trade knives and other tools they might find useful. We haven't had a good source of meat yet. What do these rhunoks look like?"

"They looked more like bison than anything else," Ford said, "but they're about the size of goats. The hair is really soft. The Cananth use them for everything - clothing, tools, food. Because of the Wraith they can't do anything permanent, anything big. But I don't think we should judge them by the home-spun clothes. They think. A lot."

"And they dance," John said.

Teyla said, "Worlds here in Pegasus find different ways to live in the shadow of the Wraith. The Cananth find joy." Teyla smiled softly. "And they dance."

Elizabeth raised her eyebrows, but all she said was, "Major, your thoughts?"

"Seemed like fine people," John said. "Teams in the future need to watch out for that drink they were serving. Doesn't taste like alcohol, but there's something in it." McKay was unnaturally still, the bounce of his pen suddenly frozen.

Elizabeth glanced between them. "Anything I should know?"

"They still want to trade with us, right?" John kept his voice and body nonchalant. "I don't think we got out of hand."

"There is one more thing you should know," Teyla said. "I didn't quite realize how deep this ran in their culture, but it is important to them that each of them know who they are, or what they are. The help part of their Haven and Help seems to be important."

"Any indication what that might mean?" Elizabeth asked. Teyla shook her head. "All the more reason to try to learn more about the facility. Rodney? You haven't said much."

"They may have a ZPM, and they may have transporters."

"Did you see it?" John asked.

"No, but they said they can bring people in from all over the planet, and that means transporters. And that means power. Although from their perspective, all over the planet could be less than a hundred kilometers."

"Could you find out anything about the dampening field you mentioned? How does it work?"

"Still not sure. I need to bring in some different sensors. They wouldn't actually let me look at anything that mattered. I didn't see any control consoles, or even the places that sounded like transporters."

"So you want to go back?"

McKay glared at her. "Of course."

John said, "So, are we done here for now?"

"Yes. Let's put this on the agenda for our meeting tomorrow morning. I'd like to plan how to approach the Cananth next." Elizabeth smiled. "I'm sure everyone on Atlantis is looking forward to a good hamburger."

They rose from the table, and instead of turning toward the labs, McKay followed John. "I don't remember anything after you leaving. I didn't, you know..." McKay waved his hands around, the gesture stiffer than usual.

"You went to sleep," John said.

"Good. That explains why I only remember everything up to that point. Thanks for not punching me."

John didn't want this brought up at all. "You're breaking the rule," he said, his voice so neutral as to sound cold even to himself. He didn't want McKay turning this into an opportunity for bonding.

McKay's eyes flared a moment, hurt by the rebuff, but he caught himself quickly. "Stays in... Right. Apologies, Major." He turned quickly toward the science labs.

"None needed," John said, to his back.

Continued in part 2.