"I will take him Major," intones Teyla and only his quick reflexes keep him from jumping in shock and dropping Rodney. Teyla is one of the few people on Atlantis that can completely sneak up upon him without giving away her prescence. "You have the meeting to go to after all,"
"This will only take an hour," says John as he carefully hands Rodney over to Teyla, making sure they don't wake him up. John didn't like the slight bruises on Rodney's arms or the fact that he could see Rodney's ribs when Carson was examining him. "I'll leave if it takes longer,"
"As you should," says Teyla with a soft smile. "Rodney needs you now more than Atlantis does."
John smiles at that, knowing now that no matter what, nothing'll break up the team. Teyla would probably beat them with her sticks if they tried.
"Now go," says Teyla. "Rodney and I shall be in my quarters. I do believe it will more pleasant for him to wake up to than the harshness of yours."
"Touche Teyla," says John with a laugh before taking off towards the designated Briefing Room. Though his dragon protests the abandonment of his mate so soon, both sides know that Teyla is a worthy protector in lieu of John himself. As he reaches the room, he stops in the doorway and just looks at everyone who has assembled. It seems the only one that hasn't arrived is Kavanaugh. Elizabeth, of course, has commandeered the one seat that'll allow her to see everyone at the same time and it just spreads out from them. Heightmeyer and Allenbee are on either side of Elizabeth while Bates, Gaul, and Adams are sitting infront of Elizabeth. Matthews and Castril on are Allenbee's left side while Radek, Aiden, and Carson are between Bates and Heightmeyer.
"You're a Hunter?" asks Castril with a sneer.
"Dragon Aristos, Katagaria," drawls John. "Label yourselves, now."
"Dragon Arcadian," says Carson.
"Leopard Sentinel, Katagaria," says Radek a bit coldly.
Aiden grins at Radek's tone. "Wolf. Arcadian,"
"Leopard, Arcadian," says Bates.
"Arcadian Bear," says Heightmeyer and many of them wince. Bears are not ones to mess with, especially when they're mad. To date, only dragons have come out of any battle with bears alive. However, it does explain why Heightmeyer is so patient.
"Katagaria Tiger," says Gaul.
"Arcadian Cougar," grins Adams before he and Gaul snicker. John rolls his eyes, well acquianted with their shinanigans due to Rodney.
"Katagaria Cougar," says Allenbee with a grin at Adams. He laughs.
"Katagaria Bear," says Matthews causing another collective wince.
"Arcadian Tiger," says Castril, still glaring at John.
"Well...why have ye called this meeting Elizabeth?" asks Carson before any fights can break out between counterparts...though he's not sure on the bears. They've always seemed to get along despite the hatred that usually exists between Arcadian and Katagaria counterparts.
"How secret does this have to be?" asks Elizabeth.
"Honestly, i'm not sure," says John. "Usually on Earth it's kept secret except from one's Mate because you're never really sure what reaction you'll get from humans."
"However, since most of the human personnel on Atlantis have dealed with the Goa'uld, and now the Wraith...they may be more open-minded about it than most would," says Heightmeyer. "Though I would wait on that for now. We have more pressing engagements,"
"True," acknowledges Elizabeth. "Alright...what exactly are your powers? I know you all can time travel under the full moon..."
"Hmm...honestly? We can do pretty much anything we want," says Allenbee. "We don't have limitations on what we can and can't do except for the time travel. That is only during full moons,"
"I don't have that limitation," says John. "As an Aristos, i'm unparalled in power."
"So you are one of those rare Hunters," says Radek more to himself.
"And the feuds?" asks Elizabeth.
"Will be ended on Atlantis," says John and there is no doubt that they will end. "There's too few of us to continue the feuds and we have other things to worry about."
"Lifespans? Mates?"
"Traditionally...we can live to about a thousand years old," says Gaul. "Our Mates, once found, will share that. They will die when we die."
"Why has this come out now?" asks Castril. "What brought us to your attentions?"
"Nearly six hours ago, Dr. McKay was turned into a child by the Uythosians," says Elizabeth. "As he did, the Mate Mark appeared on his palm, which I confronted Major Sheppard about,"
"Yes, Rodney is my Mate," says John coldly.
"Why aren't you with him?" asks Heightmeyer concerned. "We don't abandon our mates, especially if they're in trouble,"
"Teyla's with him," says John. He and Elizabeth barely hold back their laughter as Radek, Aiden, Carson, Bates, Gaul, Adams, Heightmeyer, Allenbee, Matthews, and Castril wince. More than once have some of them gotten on Teyla's nerves and they haven't forgotten her retaliation.
"Are we sure she's not a Were?" asks Matthews rubbing the back of his neck.
"Positive," says John. "She's purely human...well, human and wraith."
"Do the Wraith know about you?" asks Elizabeth. The Wraith could potentially survive on the Weres for decades if they ration it correctly.
"No," says John emphatically. "And they won't. We can always hide ourselves from them because they cannot sense magic. I know, i've done it quite a few times."
Meanwhile in Teyla's quarters, Rodney is fast asleep on Teyla's bed while she is talking quietly to Hallen, her fingers gently brushing through Rodney's hair.
"This is absurd!" protests Hallen quietly. "The Uythosians have never been this cruel. You and I both know Relina was never like this Teyla!"
"I know," says Teyla calmly. "However, I saw her vindictiveness with my own eyes Hallen. It seems she has forgotten her Athosian roots."
"Mama," murmurs Rodney in the silence following Teyla's statement. Looking down at Rodney, Teyla smiles. Rodney has curled up against her pillow, clutching it tightly, his head resting against her thigh.
"You're safe Rodney," says Teyla soothingly. "Relax now."
Rodney murmurs again, a soft sound of contentment, before falling deeper into sleep.
"He is protected here," says Hallen.
"Yes, he is," says Teyla before looking Hallen dead in his eyes. "Do spread it among the refugees. I have not missed their contempt towards him."
"Nor have I," says Hallen, "However, we do not have to do anything."
"Oh?" asks Teyla.
"That scientist...a Dr. Kavan?" asks Hallen.
"I believe you mean Dr. Kavanaugh?" asks Teyla.
"Ah yes," says Hallen. "Him. I saw him dressing down some of the refugees we saved when they began showing their contempt towards Dr. McKay. I do not believe he saw me."
"He confuses me," says Teyla honestly. "He is cruel towards everyone including Major Sheppard and Elizabeth, and yet he protects us when we do not know."
"I have heard from Wex that Dr. Kavanaugh is hiding something that happened to him," says Hallen. "Maybe he believes he is alone here."
"That will change," says Teyla. "I do not believe he will be alone much longer...especially if Sergeant Bates has his way."
"He is awake," says Hallen as he sees Rodney looking up at him and Teyla in confusion and wariness.
"Hello Rodney," says Teyla warmly. "Do you remember me?"
"Y-You're the nice lady," says Rodney quietly. "W-Where's Dragon?"
"Dragon?" asks Hallen.
"I believe you mean Major Sheppard," says Teyla. "He is in a meeting with Dr. Weir,"
"Oh," says Rodney softly before looking at Hallen. "Who are you?"
"I am Hallen," says Hallen.
"Hallen." Rodney states before just looking at the two. He can't understand why he feels safe around them and Major Sheppard when he's never felt safe before. "Where's Mama and Papa?"
"Gone," says Teyla.
"Good?" asks Rodney. Teyla nods and Rodney frowns. He's smarter than people believe and knows they're lying to him about something. He can't figure out what though. Looking back up at Teyla, Rodney frowns again before becoming confused as Teyla and Hallen try not to laugh. "What's so funny?"
"You remind us of a friend of ours," says Teyla truthfully. If what Rodney told her about his childhood is true, then this seven year old Rodney is just as smart as the adult Rodney. "And that is a good thing Rodney."
"I wanna see Major Sheppard," says Rodney.
"Of course," says Teyla before getting up and picking Rodney up. Rodney curls up against her, surprised and pleased by the gesture. Mama never held him so protectively, or so loved.
Back in the Briefing Room, John is sitting between Radek and Aiden, rubbing his temples. They've gone from explaining the Katagaria/Arcadian ways to Elizabeth to a fighting match. Luckily, no one has gone to fists yet. It's all verbal.
"Fuck you Gaul," snarls Castril. "You're *Katagaria*! No *Arcadian* would e-"
"I believe you should quit Lieutenant Castril," says Teyla as she enters, Rodney in her arms and awake. Kneeling, she lets Rodney go and he runs to John, all but leaping into his arms. Slowly, Rodney relaxes in John's arms, something telling him he's now safe. "No one appreciates hypocrites or bigots."
"You promised," declares Rodney to John in the silence following Teyla's statement, causing Radek, Aiden, Gaul, Adams, and Carson to stifle their laughter.
"That I did," says John standing. "Do you want to come Teyla?"
"No, I believe I shall stay here," says Teyla. "Rodney has taken to Hallen though, if you don't mind taking him along."
"Nah," says John. He turns to face the Katagarias and Arcadians in the room. "The meeting's adjourned and if I hear of any fighting, i'll send you to the mainland for a month with your powers binded." He walks out of the room.
"I need to go hunt down Kavanaugh," mutters Radek as he stands. "With Rodney gone, we'll have to work twice as hard." He leaves, Gaul, Adams, and Carson following not even a minute later. Aiden shrugs and gets up. He left Reke with some Athosians which probably wasn't the best idea. Heightmeyer, Allenbee, Matthews, and Castril go their own seperate ways, leaving Elizabeth and Teyla in the room alone.
"I believe Atlantis will never be the same again," says Teyla with a soft smile causing Elizabeth to laugh.
~TBC~
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