fateandfortune | Just two vampires, traveling the galaxy... [For Todd the Wraith]

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Just two vampires, traveling the galaxy... [For Todd the Wraith]

[continued from here]

It was a pleasant surprise to glance over and see Todd asleep on the bed, relaxed and peaceful. He can't have gotten much quality rest the night before propped up in the chair as he had been, certainly not when he'd been woken by her nightmare. She hoped that didn't happen again tonight, he had important things to take care of tomorrow; she didn't know all of the details, but with a civil war going on between his people, he needed his wits about him.

To that end, Rogue forced herself to stay awake for hours into the night, eating the dinner he'd brought for her and looking through one of the books from the collection he'd shown her before their sparring session. She didn't recognize anything on the pages, but it gave her a topic for conversation with the voices in her head, providing ample entertainment to pass the time. Eventually she fell asleep herself, the book held carefully to her chest as she curled up in the armchair, her boots set on the floor beside it. It was a fairly deep sleep, and she didn't dream for one of the first times in many weeks, something she was eternally grateful for when she awoke.

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Todd had been about to finally pick up his fork when she stopped him and bolted as quickly as her injured ribs allowed, coming back shortly with...cheese?

He didn't see how dumping more of it on this dish could make it any better.

Perhaps this was an earth special. All worlds had their customs, food especially...

Was it better to try it first or ask what it was first?

Deciding it best that he not become a picky eater, he decided to try it before asking. Mimicking Rogue, he wound some of the yellow strings around a fork and took a mouthful.

Who knew worms could be so good?

The tangy-sweet tomato sauce and the salty sharpness of the cheese were a great combination, and he braved the bullocks too, finding them just as good.

Rogue grinned as Todd finally tried the food and proceeded to eat without further hesitation. At least he didn't hate it.

"This dish is called spaghetti and meatballs," she told him, guessing that he might be wondering. "Spaghetti is made from wheat flour, like bread, and the meatballs are ground beef rolled into this shape. It's a common dish on Earth, noodles are easy to come by and filling."

She'd actually contemplated trying to make her own pasta during the past two weeks. They hadn't had flour, but certain vegetables could be used instead for a similar effect. She just hadn't had the chance to experiment with it yet.

He paused with another forkful of noodles to his mouth when she seemed to read his mind and tell him what he was eating.

He looked down at his tray again.

"Oh." and he continued eating, deciding not to divulge what he thought it had been.

"Are you sneaking into my room tonight or staying in your own?" he asked

She might have asked him about that oh and what exactly it meant when he practically blindsided her with his next question. Well, if that was how he was going to be...

"Do you have a preference, Commander?" she returned, letting her southern drawl warm the words that were definitely an attempt at flirting. Her usual manner had come back in spades during the time she'd spent with Sheppard and the rest, and while it wasn't as easy with Todd, that wasn't going to stop her from trying.

He blinked at her rather odd change in manner but replied, "Before I fall asleep preferably."

He'd fallen back to sleep easily enough after she left but still. Sort of a bother to get up.

Another forkful of spaghetti made him realize he'd been rather idiotic to think it was worms. Although..."ground beef" was still rather vague...

That was it? How... disappointing. Maybe it was a Wraith thing, or a Todd thing. Or maybe she was just out of practice. She'd have to try again, see if she could figure out which it was.

"I'll keep that in mind," she commented with slightly narrowed eyes, playfully of course. She may have felt like death run over, but the company was pleasant enough to balance out the evening.

Rogue was about to make her second attempt at getting under Todd's skin when Sheppard appeared at their table, depositing a small plate at Rogue's elbow. Her eyes widened at the slice of chocolate cake resting there and she turned a very questioning gaze up to the colonel.

"After the day you've had, I figured you could use some cake," he said with an easy shrug, then turned with a grin toward Todd. "Sorry Todd, last piece."

Rogue called his attention back by spearing a forkful of the moist, fluffy chocolate creation and audibly moaned in pleasure as it practically melted on her tongue. From the way Sheppard's eyebrows shot up, it may have been bordering on inappropriate for public ears. As if she really cared.

Pointing her fork at the colonel, she informed him, "Remember that marriage proposal I mentioned earlier? I'm picking out the ring tomorrow."

Sheppard just chuckled at that and shook his head. "I'm looking forward to it," he told her before excusing himself and leaving them to their own devices again.

Todd wasn't quite sure what she was getting at...was she...

Sheppard then appeared with...cake. It was so sweet, he could practically taste it in between his pasta. It was...strange. But then again, a moment ago he believed he'd been eating one of the more stranger dishes he'd ever encountered.

It was hard to tell if they were being serious. Was this...cake, a marriage proposal custom on earth? He didn't figure Sheppard for the type to move so quickly, but then again the man was in his prime so it stood to reason he'd be looking for a woman to settle with. Couldn't be a colonel forever.

He cleaned his plate and sipped his water, contemplating if he should visit his crew in the hospital before bed or it was best to leave them be and let them rest...

"Where would you get a ring?" he asked her. As much as Atlantis was a city, he doubted there was a jewelry shop within it.

Rogue laughed at his question, a quiet laugh to save his pride and her ribs. She'd forced herself to finish her own pasta before moving back to the delicious cake, and she'd just finished savoring a bite of it when he asked.

"It was just a joke," she explained with a fond smile. "This morning, Sheppard said he might be able to scrounge up some instant coffee to send with us, so I had to bring up marriage. I'm a caffeine addict who hasn't had coffee in years. And then he brought me chocolate, and well, that was that."

She probably wasn't making any sense to him, not having actually explained the joke. "It was just my way of thanking him," she clarified. "Flirting is one of my main forms of communication. I think Wraith must be immune to it, though, or you are at least."

Ah, joking, should have guessed. That was Sheppard for you, even while they were imprisoned together, and he'd fed off him, the man had kept his humor.

He understood now and he smiled at that. But then chuckled as she confirmed she had been flirting playfully. A strange thing.

"Well, you are outside my species" he pointed out "Wraith don't show affection, remember?"

"No, you don't," she acknowledged, playing with her fork, pondering rather than having another bite of cake. She really hadn't learned much about that part of Wraith culture, but that didn't mean she wasn't curious. "But you must have ways of showing individual interest in someone."

Or maybe not. She could be completely off base. And that's why she was inquiring.

"Of course" he answered "Most of it is done-" he tapped his temple. Telepathically. "But unlike humans we don't take partners for life. We live far too long and grow tiresome of one mate. Only the queen remains relatively monogamous. Though occasionally she might tire of her commander and summon a worshiper to play with instead."

Todd cocked his head. "Why so interested? Or...are we back to our question games?" he grinned.

Telepathy, of course. A Wraith trait she most definitely did not possess, for which she was eternally grateful. She had enough going on in her head without that thrown into the mix.

She shrugged with one shoulder, her gaze falling to the half-eaten cake on her plate. "I'm always interested in how people relate to one another, especially species other than my own," she said. "It's what happens when you can't easily participate, you try and live vicariously through others."

Glancing up at him again, she added, "And not all humans are monogamous. That's actually not as common as you might think."

"Are they now?" he asked cocking his head. Interesting.

His marine escort came over. "Doctor Keller wants to see you."

"Something wrong?" Todd asked. He'd not been given an ear piece so his communications came through his poor marine escort of the day.

The marine spoke into his earpiece to confirm if it was an emergency or not. "She says no."

Todd nodded once then got up, deciding he'd best see what the doctor wanted. Looking to Rogue he said, "We'll talk more tonight if you want." and headed for the infirmary with his personal guard.

Turned out Keller wanted to confirm with him how much serum they needed after his crew were done being inoculated as Todd and his ship would be distributing it to the other hives, minimizing the risk of Atlantis being discovered. For good measure, he checked in on the first new seven. Thus far, age seemed to have nothing to do with the serum's side effects, which boded well for the youngster's inoculation tomorrow.

Another check with Keller before he headed for his room for the night.

Rogue had taken her time finishing her cake, enjoying every last morsel of it because after the next few days, who knew when she might be able to have sweet, delicious chocolate again? Even when she'd nearly licked the plate clean, she stayed sitting at the table, having finally found just the right position for sitting that made breathing almost bearable. In the end, the only thing that made her move was the realization that the Tylenol was beginning to wear off and she'd need to make her own trip to the hospital for another dose.

She'd gotten halfway there when she ran into Dr. Beckett, who'd been on the way to meet her himself. Rogue took the tiny paper cup of pills with a grateful smile and promised to check in with Carson again in the morning.

Rogue had nearly forgotten Todd's parting words when she spotted the marine outside his door. Well, he had extended the offer... She rang the equivalent of an Atlantis doorbell and when the door swished open, she asked with a cheeky grin, "You weren't sleeping yet, right?"

"And even if I were, you'd still have rung." he pointed out with a smirk and stepped aside.

The marine narrowed his eyes at the pair, frowned, then shrugged, going about his boring job for the evening.

Todd sat down on the couch, moving the book he'd been reading aside.

"Enjoy your cake?" He asked, glancing to her cup of pills.

Rogue smiled dreamily at the memory of the cake and sighed. "You have no idea," she said before starting the struggle of lowering herself onto the couch. The last few inches were taken in more of a tumble than anything and she groaned audibly.

"A lot more than that, that's for sure," she managed to squeeze out between clenched teeth. As soon as the spike of pain ebbed, she upended the pills into her mouth and swallowed them dry, because no way was she getting up again to get a drink of water. Grimacing as the taste of the pill's coating hit her tongue, she commented grimly, "Or that."

Todd watched her struggle, but didn't help. She was fine on her own, and if she needed help, she'd ask for it.

"You should have just gone to bed" he stated. She didn't have to get up early after all and it wasn't like she could spar even if she wanted to.

He didn't call for the marine to get her out though. If she wanted to stay, then so be it.

"Best avoid any relaxing areas where McKay can corner you or he'll question you to death." he advised with a chuckle.

Rogue was used to doing things on her own, and it meant a lot for Todd to let her do things on her own steam. A human man probably would have jumped in to try and help and just gotten on her nerves.

"Oh lord, I didn't even think of that," she said with a completely horrified look. "I should have waited to do this," she gestured to her side, "until we were ready to leave. We've got days left, there's no way I'll be able to avoid him the entire time." Even the thought of trying was exhausting.

Which brought to mind what he had said about going to bed. Lifting the now empty paper cup, she told him, "It's going to take a while for these to kick in, I won't be able to sleep until they do even if I try."

The commander laughed at that. McKay would undoubtedly do his best in the coming days to get her to answer more questions. He wouldn't be surprised if on the last day the man followed them to the pier for just one more answer.

He chuffed at her bed answer. Fair enough.

"How much of Atlantis did Sheppard show you?" he asked. The city was quite incredible. Every time he got to be on it, it was always a treat. After all, he and the rest of his kin had fought over a hundred years to defeat the Lanteans and gain control of it.

Rogue leaned her head back against the couch and smiled. "All the main tourist attractions, according to him," she answered, her eyes on the stars beyond the window. "We were out walking for at least an hour, I think, and then he showed me the Puddle Jumpers and it was all pilot talk from there."

She glanced over at Todd. "He said he'd take me out in one before we left if there was time." She hoped it happened. She missed flying desperately, and even if she wouldn't be able to pilot the ship herself, it would still be amazing to be out there in the air again.

"It's quite a place, even after being here for several years I don't believe they have uncovered all of its secrets."

Despite Woolsey's dislike of strange and "dangerous" things, Todd was glad the rest of Atlantis seemed to disagree and had accepted Rogue. Ronon even sparred with her, always a good sign.

"I'm sure there will be time, all gate travel is suspended until all the inoculations are dealt with. Probably to ensure no emergencies happen in the middle of all this. Just be sure Doctor McKay doesn't tag along" he chuckled

"If he tries, he'll find himself swimming back to the city," she announced with a dark look, completely serious. The scientist could use the exercise, it would be good for him. Better than her knocking him out, at least, which was an equally tempting solution.

Her expression lightening, she asked him, "Your crew are doing alright?" She realized that if something were wrong, he would be in the hospital with them, but she still wanted to ask and hear it from him. She genuinely cared about what happened to his crew, and she was looking forward to the gradual getting-to-know-you with these ones she hadn't yet properly met.

"The side effects faded out the same as last time, thus far, no surprises." he said "They'll be back on their feet tomorrow, which is when the real test is as that's when our youngest will get the therapy. You met him at our first spar."

So far, his crew were the "mid-level" age. Born after the Lantean war but before the Genii came to be the real pain they were at the height of their power. This one however was easily defeated in age by many here on Atlantis. Not the youngest in the alliance but this would prove whether age factored into the therapy, improving or worsening it.

He was concerned for him, she could see that clearly. The underlying source of the concern was less apparent, whether of a Commander for his underling, one Wraith for another, or simply for what that might mean for the future of the gene therapy. The reason didn't matter much to Rogue.

"I remember him well," she acknowledged. "He has spunk. I'm sure he'll pull through all this just as well as the others."

An acknowledged grunt. "Unfortunately the serum for the drones will have to wait until our next visit as there hasn't been enough time to know if its working. Which probably means most of those on board will have to be put into hibernation once we leave here."

He'd been hoping for the therapy to be a success but it seems there was a significant difference between the males and the drones feeding mechanism. Which, there actually was, drones began life feeding on humans, not on "normal" food like males and females did.

And that was another problem in that of itself. As he had no queen, there was no female to try the gene therapy on, and none of the others would likely submit to be test subjects until it was proven to be safe and effective. Next rendezvous with the other commanders he'd have to ask them to change their minds about that, otherwise the queens would still be feeding on humans until his own assumed her throne...if she settled on him in the first place.

hehe

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