Mrs. Beckett, ch. 3 (R)
Nov. 6th, 2006 06:33 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
skidmo_ficTitle: Mrs. Beckett
Rating: R
Pairing: Carson/Other
Spoilers: none
Disclaimer: None of these characters belong to me...sadly
Feedback: yes, please.
Summary: Ronon picks up a stray on a mission
Laria woke early and listened to Carson’s soft snores for a few minutes before getting out of bed. Even after six months of marriage, she still reveled in the feeling of safety she felt waking up in his arms. Atlantis had become her home, and Carson was the living embodiment of that home.
She watched him sleeping while she dressed for the day. She was going on a mission with Sheppard’s team, and she needed to be at the briefing in half an hour, but she was torn between letting Carson sleep after the late night he’d had and waking him to say goodbye.
She didn’t have to waiver for long as Carson was rolling over and blinking blearily at her. Smiling, he sat up in bed and said, “Good morning, love. Have a nice sleep?”
“I slept well, Cars. I’m off on a mission today, so I’ve got to get going to breakfast soon.”
Carson stretched and slid out of bed. “If you can wait just a tick, I’ll come have breakfast with you before you go.”
Laria smiled at him, “Of course.” She walked out of the bedroom to find her shoes. Col. Sheppard and Dr. McKay had discovered a wing of the city with larger quarters that were obviously meant for families, and, as a wedding present, they had fixed one up for Carson and Laria.
When Carson finally emerged from the bedroom, Laria looked up from putting on her shoes and smiled. “All ready?”
“Almost,” he said, then crossed the room, embraced and kissed her. “Now I’m ready.”
***
The mission started out like most of their missions lately. McKay whined about how far the settlement was from the Stargate, Sheppard made fun of him for whining, Ronon eyed their surroundings warily, and Laria watched them all interacting.
When she had gone on her first mission with them, she had watched them because she wanted to get a feel for the dynamic of the group. She decided that the best way to find where she was likely to fit in was to watch them and determine what place was left for her.
Now she knew that the place left for her was silent observer. She didn’t mind though. She found the team fascinating. They didn’t often request her presence on a mission, but Teyla was on the mainland taking some well-deserved leave, so Sheppard had asked Dr. Weir to let Laria come along as their “linguistic expert.” Laria knew Sheppard only brought her along because he was afraid she got bored on Atlantis all day with nothing to do, but the truth was she enjoyed the freedom she had in the city. She would often wander around taking part in whatever activities she happened upon. When Dr. McKay was on a mission, she would go down to the labs and ask Dr. Zelenka what they were working on. She found the science fascinating, but McKay wasn’t patient enough to explain it to her. He usually ended up yelling at her for wasting his time, so she’d long ago stopped visiting the labs when he was there. When she wasn’t in the labs, she would spend time in the gym watching the others sparring and sometimes joining in herself. Carson never said so, but Laria knew he didn’t approve of her fighting. He was ridiculously protective of her sometimes. She knew he only worried because he cared so much, though, so she humored him as much as possible.
He’d given her his best concerned look when she’d left on this mission, but she just smiled and said, “I’ll be back tomorrow, Cars. Don’t throw any parties while I’m away.”
As they approached the settlement, Laria remembered the laugh he’d given at that. No matter how worried he was, he’d always forget about it if she managed to make him laugh.
Sheppard led the way as they meandered towards the huge stone building that seemed to be located at the center of the town.
“Looks like some sort of city hall,” Sheppard said.
“I think it’s more likely to be a temple of some sort, Colonel,” Laria replied.
McKay snorted, “I just hope they don’t expect us to participate in any weird alien religious ceremonies.”
***
The natives had been quite friendly at first. Their chief priest had offered to show them the city. McKay wanted to see the temple because there were massive energy readings coming from that area, but the priest insisted they learn more of the ways of their people before entering the holy site.
Sheppard determined the people to be harmless, so he didn’t offer much resistence when the team was split up to be shown different areas of interest. Ronon and Sheppard were taken to see the city’s defenses while McKay and Laria were taken to the archives.
While Laria was looking at some of the historical records available, McKay got distracted by an erratic energy field he was picking up and decided to head out on his own. Laria assured him she’d be fine, and he left her to her books.
Two hours later, McKay caught up with Ronon and Sheppard.
“Where’s Laria?” Ronon demanded, looking none too pleased that McKay had left her alone.
“She’s in the library. I wanted to check out a weird energy reading I was getting, and she wanted to stay and do homework.”
Sheppard stepped in front of Ronon, who was glowering menacingly at McKay. “Well, let’s go get her and see if they’ll let us into the temple now.”
They went back to the archives, but Laria had already gone.
Sheppard found the chief priest and asked, “Hey, have you seen the girl we brought with us? We left her in the archives, but she’s not there any more.”
The priest smiled cheerfully and said, “She’s being prepared.”
“Prepared for what?” McKay asked.
“For the ceremony.”
Ronon stiffened, his hand moving to the handle of his gun. “What ceremony?” he growled.
The priest clapped his hands together, his eyes glowing, “The Ceremony of Blessing. Surely you read about it in the archives, Dr. McKay.”
McKay cleared his throat nervously, “Um...I must have skipped over that bit. Er...what exactly does the ceremony involve?”
The priest was practically giddy with excitement by this time. “It is a very ancient ceremony, and we have not had cause to perform it in many generations. Whenever any strangers come to our people, if there is a woman amongst them, she must participate in the Ceremony of Blessing.”
Ronon was emitting a low growling sound by this point, so Sheppard stepped between him and the priest. “And what happens in this Ceremony of Blessing? Exactly?” he asked.
“The woman is taken into the rooms of cleansing to be prepared, and then she is brought into the center of the Sacred Ring in the Temple of the Ancestors where she offers her body as a blessing for the land.”
“You’re going to kill her?!” shrieked McKay.
Ronon’s hand moved to draw his weapon, but Sheppard stopped him. While the priest had been talking, several of the larger men from the city had formed a circle around them. They now had bows and crossbows pulled and aimed at the team.
The priest sighed and shook his head. “My predecessor warned me that outsiders were often opposed to the Ceremony, but do not fear. She will not be killed. She offers her body to a man who stands in the place of all people to receive her blessing.”
“You’re going to rape her?!” shouted Sheppard.
“No, of course not. It is not rape. It is the Blessing. Now, if you will please hand over your weapons, you will not be harmed.”
When they had dropped their weapons to the ground and the men had collected them, the priest continued, “You will of course be welcome to attend the Ceremony if you wish. All are invited to observe.”
“You sick bastard!” Ronon had clearly had enough. He lunged at the priest, but was tackled by four men before he reached him.
“I am sorry you do not understand the privilege that is being bestowed upon your friend. She will be returned to you after the Ceremony, and you may return to your home if that is your wish.”
Sheppard swallowed the disgust that he couldn’t keep from his face. “And who, exactly, is she going to be ‘blessing’?”
“It can be anyone. All are eligible.”
“So, it could be one of us then?” Ronon asked.
“Of course! If one of you was to participate in the Blessing, it would be that much stronger. I did not think you would be interested, since the Ceremony seems so offensive to you.”
Sheppard stepped forward again. “We’ll need to talk about it first, but one of us might be interested.”
“Certainly, friends. I’m afraid we will have to keep you restrained until the Ceremony is complete if you do not choose to participate or observe. My men will escort you to a building where you’ll be kept comfortable for the time being. If you decide you’d like to participate, just let one of them know, and I will come and fetch you. The Blessing will take place in an hour, so you must decide before then.”
When they reached the hut, Sheppard and McKay both slumped into the chairs that were provided for them. Ronon stood completely stiff, arms crossed over his chest.
When McKay had calmed down a little, he glared at Ronon. “What the hell were you thinking? One of us? That’s Beckett’s wife we’re talking about here.”
“Would you rather it was a complete stranger?” Ronon snarled.
“Both of you just shut up for a minute, will you?” Sheppard interjected. “Ronon’s right, McKay. It would be easier for her if it was someone she knew. There’s no telling how one of those men would treat her. I’ll do it.”
“Excuse me?” said McKay, his eyebrows shooting up into his hairline. “I don’t think so. I was Beckett’s best man. It’s my responsibility.” McKay looked absolutely terrified at the thought.
“Neither of you is going to touch her.” Ronon’s hands were clenched into fists as he said, “I promised Dr. Beckett that I would protect her when we were off-world. It’s my fault this happened. I never should have let her go off with McKay. I’ll do it.”
They both knew better then to argue with Ronon when he was that angry.
Sheppard nodded at him and called for the guard.
***
Laria was huddled in the corner of an opulent bathing chamber somewhere in the basement of the temple. She’d been brought there by the chief priest with the promise of being shown the secrets of the temple. It was only later that he had explained the Ceremony to her. Since then, she’d been bathed and oiled by several of the priests. Her clothes had been taken and she was draped in some sort of sheer blue robe. Various men had come by to check on her. They leered in her direction, and even being in the same room as them made her feel dirty. Eventually she had been left alone. She trembled in the corner, waiting for someone to come and take her to the Sacred Ring. They had given her some sort of wine to help calm her, and she suspected it was laced with something stronger because the world around her was becoming hazy.
Finally, after what seemed like hours, a priestess came to escort her to the Sacred Ring. The priestess blathered on about what an honor it was to be chosen to perform the Blessing, but Laria was trying her best to block it out. She was also trying not to think of what would happen when she arrived at the Ring. Trying not to think of the strange man who would be waiting for her. Would he be oiled as she was? Naked? Or wrapped in a blue robe? Most of all, she was trying not to think of Carson.
The priestess was leading her up a staircase. They came out into the light of day in the center of a huge arena filled with people, on a round stage with an altar-like edifice in the center. Laria looked up, determined to face this ordeal with as much courage as possible. When, instead of a strange man, naked and leering, she saw Ronon, stripped to the waist and glaring at anyone within ten feet of him, she almost laughed.
Ronon. Of course he would be there. Ronon was her savior. He was her protector. He would never let her face something like this alone.
He reached out to her. She went to him, and he folded her in his arms. She tucked her face into the hollow of his neck, so that his tattoo was all she could see. For a moment he just held her, stroking her hair. Then he whispered, “Forget it all. Forget all of them. It’s only you and me. There’s no one else. It’s just you and me, in your cave, and it’s a cold, cold night. Will you let me hold you? Will you let me keep you warm?”
Her heart was pounding, and she could hear the blood rushing in her ears. She closed her eyes and thought of the cave. She thought of the night they had spent there together. Thought of the way it had felt to be with another person after so long. She inhaled his scent, sweat and leather and blood. She opened her eyes and stared at his tattoo before whispering, “Yes.”
When it was over, he kissed her forehead and softly said, “I’m sorry.”
-tbc
Chapter Four: Coming Home
Rating: R
Pairing: Carson/Other
Spoilers: none
Disclaimer: None of these characters belong to me...sadly
Feedback: yes, please.
Summary: Ronon picks up a stray on a mission
Laria woke early and listened to Carson’s soft snores for a few minutes before getting out of bed. Even after six months of marriage, she still reveled in the feeling of safety she felt waking up in his arms. Atlantis had become her home, and Carson was the living embodiment of that home.
She watched him sleeping while she dressed for the day. She was going on a mission with Sheppard’s team, and she needed to be at the briefing in half an hour, but she was torn between letting Carson sleep after the late night he’d had and waking him to say goodbye.
She didn’t have to waiver for long as Carson was rolling over and blinking blearily at her. Smiling, he sat up in bed and said, “Good morning, love. Have a nice sleep?”
“I slept well, Cars. I’m off on a mission today, so I’ve got to get going to breakfast soon.”
Carson stretched and slid out of bed. “If you can wait just a tick, I’ll come have breakfast with you before you go.”
Laria smiled at him, “Of course.” She walked out of the bedroom to find her shoes. Col. Sheppard and Dr. McKay had discovered a wing of the city with larger quarters that were obviously meant for families, and, as a wedding present, they had fixed one up for Carson and Laria.
When Carson finally emerged from the bedroom, Laria looked up from putting on her shoes and smiled. “All ready?”
“Almost,” he said, then crossed the room, embraced and kissed her. “Now I’m ready.”
***
The mission started out like most of their missions lately. McKay whined about how far the settlement was from the Stargate, Sheppard made fun of him for whining, Ronon eyed their surroundings warily, and Laria watched them all interacting.
When she had gone on her first mission with them, she had watched them because she wanted to get a feel for the dynamic of the group. She decided that the best way to find where she was likely to fit in was to watch them and determine what place was left for her.
Now she knew that the place left for her was silent observer. She didn’t mind though. She found the team fascinating. They didn’t often request her presence on a mission, but Teyla was on the mainland taking some well-deserved leave, so Sheppard had asked Dr. Weir to let Laria come along as their “linguistic expert.” Laria knew Sheppard only brought her along because he was afraid she got bored on Atlantis all day with nothing to do, but the truth was she enjoyed the freedom she had in the city. She would often wander around taking part in whatever activities she happened upon. When Dr. McKay was on a mission, she would go down to the labs and ask Dr. Zelenka what they were working on. She found the science fascinating, but McKay wasn’t patient enough to explain it to her. He usually ended up yelling at her for wasting his time, so she’d long ago stopped visiting the labs when he was there. When she wasn’t in the labs, she would spend time in the gym watching the others sparring and sometimes joining in herself. Carson never said so, but Laria knew he didn’t approve of her fighting. He was ridiculously protective of her sometimes. She knew he only worried because he cared so much, though, so she humored him as much as possible.
He’d given her his best concerned look when she’d left on this mission, but she just smiled and said, “I’ll be back tomorrow, Cars. Don’t throw any parties while I’m away.”
As they approached the settlement, Laria remembered the laugh he’d given at that. No matter how worried he was, he’d always forget about it if she managed to make him laugh.
Sheppard led the way as they meandered towards the huge stone building that seemed to be located at the center of the town.
“Looks like some sort of city hall,” Sheppard said.
“I think it’s more likely to be a temple of some sort, Colonel,” Laria replied.
McKay snorted, “I just hope they don’t expect us to participate in any weird alien religious ceremonies.”
***
The natives had been quite friendly at first. Their chief priest had offered to show them the city. McKay wanted to see the temple because there were massive energy readings coming from that area, but the priest insisted they learn more of the ways of their people before entering the holy site.
Sheppard determined the people to be harmless, so he didn’t offer much resistence when the team was split up to be shown different areas of interest. Ronon and Sheppard were taken to see the city’s defenses while McKay and Laria were taken to the archives.
While Laria was looking at some of the historical records available, McKay got distracted by an erratic energy field he was picking up and decided to head out on his own. Laria assured him she’d be fine, and he left her to her books.
Two hours later, McKay caught up with Ronon and Sheppard.
“Where’s Laria?” Ronon demanded, looking none too pleased that McKay had left her alone.
“She’s in the library. I wanted to check out a weird energy reading I was getting, and she wanted to stay and do homework.”
Sheppard stepped in front of Ronon, who was glowering menacingly at McKay. “Well, let’s go get her and see if they’ll let us into the temple now.”
They went back to the archives, but Laria had already gone.
Sheppard found the chief priest and asked, “Hey, have you seen the girl we brought with us? We left her in the archives, but she’s not there any more.”
The priest smiled cheerfully and said, “She’s being prepared.”
“Prepared for what?” McKay asked.
“For the ceremony.”
Ronon stiffened, his hand moving to the handle of his gun. “What ceremony?” he growled.
The priest clapped his hands together, his eyes glowing, “The Ceremony of Blessing. Surely you read about it in the archives, Dr. McKay.”
McKay cleared his throat nervously, “Um...I must have skipped over that bit. Er...what exactly does the ceremony involve?”
The priest was practically giddy with excitement by this time. “It is a very ancient ceremony, and we have not had cause to perform it in many generations. Whenever any strangers come to our people, if there is a woman amongst them, she must participate in the Ceremony of Blessing.”
Ronon was emitting a low growling sound by this point, so Sheppard stepped between him and the priest. “And what happens in this Ceremony of Blessing? Exactly?” he asked.
“The woman is taken into the rooms of cleansing to be prepared, and then she is brought into the center of the Sacred Ring in the Temple of the Ancestors where she offers her body as a blessing for the land.”
“You’re going to kill her?!” shrieked McKay.
Ronon’s hand moved to draw his weapon, but Sheppard stopped him. While the priest had been talking, several of the larger men from the city had formed a circle around them. They now had bows and crossbows pulled and aimed at the team.
The priest sighed and shook his head. “My predecessor warned me that outsiders were often opposed to the Ceremony, but do not fear. She will not be killed. She offers her body to a man who stands in the place of all people to receive her blessing.”
“You’re going to rape her?!” shouted Sheppard.
“No, of course not. It is not rape. It is the Blessing. Now, if you will please hand over your weapons, you will not be harmed.”
When they had dropped their weapons to the ground and the men had collected them, the priest continued, “You will of course be welcome to attend the Ceremony if you wish. All are invited to observe.”
“You sick bastard!” Ronon had clearly had enough. He lunged at the priest, but was tackled by four men before he reached him.
“I am sorry you do not understand the privilege that is being bestowed upon your friend. She will be returned to you after the Ceremony, and you may return to your home if that is your wish.”
Sheppard swallowed the disgust that he couldn’t keep from his face. “And who, exactly, is she going to be ‘blessing’?”
“It can be anyone. All are eligible.”
“So, it could be one of us then?” Ronon asked.
“Of course! If one of you was to participate in the Blessing, it would be that much stronger. I did not think you would be interested, since the Ceremony seems so offensive to you.”
Sheppard stepped forward again. “We’ll need to talk about it first, but one of us might be interested.”
“Certainly, friends. I’m afraid we will have to keep you restrained until the Ceremony is complete if you do not choose to participate or observe. My men will escort you to a building where you’ll be kept comfortable for the time being. If you decide you’d like to participate, just let one of them know, and I will come and fetch you. The Blessing will take place in an hour, so you must decide before then.”
When they reached the hut, Sheppard and McKay both slumped into the chairs that were provided for them. Ronon stood completely stiff, arms crossed over his chest.
When McKay had calmed down a little, he glared at Ronon. “What the hell were you thinking? One of us? That’s Beckett’s wife we’re talking about here.”
“Would you rather it was a complete stranger?” Ronon snarled.
“Both of you just shut up for a minute, will you?” Sheppard interjected. “Ronon’s right, McKay. It would be easier for her if it was someone she knew. There’s no telling how one of those men would treat her. I’ll do it.”
“Excuse me?” said McKay, his eyebrows shooting up into his hairline. “I don’t think so. I was Beckett’s best man. It’s my responsibility.” McKay looked absolutely terrified at the thought.
“Neither of you is going to touch her.” Ronon’s hands were clenched into fists as he said, “I promised Dr. Beckett that I would protect her when we were off-world. It’s my fault this happened. I never should have let her go off with McKay. I’ll do it.”
They both knew better then to argue with Ronon when he was that angry.
Sheppard nodded at him and called for the guard.
***
Laria was huddled in the corner of an opulent bathing chamber somewhere in the basement of the temple. She’d been brought there by the chief priest with the promise of being shown the secrets of the temple. It was only later that he had explained the Ceremony to her. Since then, she’d been bathed and oiled by several of the priests. Her clothes had been taken and she was draped in some sort of sheer blue robe. Various men had come by to check on her. They leered in her direction, and even being in the same room as them made her feel dirty. Eventually she had been left alone. She trembled in the corner, waiting for someone to come and take her to the Sacred Ring. They had given her some sort of wine to help calm her, and she suspected it was laced with something stronger because the world around her was becoming hazy.
Finally, after what seemed like hours, a priestess came to escort her to the Sacred Ring. The priestess blathered on about what an honor it was to be chosen to perform the Blessing, but Laria was trying her best to block it out. She was also trying not to think of what would happen when she arrived at the Ring. Trying not to think of the strange man who would be waiting for her. Would he be oiled as she was? Naked? Or wrapped in a blue robe? Most of all, she was trying not to think of Carson.
The priestess was leading her up a staircase. They came out into the light of day in the center of a huge arena filled with people, on a round stage with an altar-like edifice in the center. Laria looked up, determined to face this ordeal with as much courage as possible. When, instead of a strange man, naked and leering, she saw Ronon, stripped to the waist and glaring at anyone within ten feet of him, she almost laughed.
Ronon. Of course he would be there. Ronon was her savior. He was her protector. He would never let her face something like this alone.
He reached out to her. She went to him, and he folded her in his arms. She tucked her face into the hollow of his neck, so that his tattoo was all she could see. For a moment he just held her, stroking her hair. Then he whispered, “Forget it all. Forget all of them. It’s only you and me. There’s no one else. It’s just you and me, in your cave, and it’s a cold, cold night. Will you let me hold you? Will you let me keep you warm?”
Her heart was pounding, and she could hear the blood rushing in her ears. She closed her eyes and thought of the cave. She thought of the night they had spent there together. Thought of the way it had felt to be with another person after so long. She inhaled his scent, sweat and leather and blood. She opened her eyes and stared at his tattoo before whispering, “Yes.”
When it was over, he kissed her forehead and softly said, “I’m sorry.”
-tbc
Chapter Four: Coming Home
