This is a response to a Challenge issues in the J/T Thread from this past summer (08/06).
Quiet Moments
John watched the movie credits scroll down the television screen. A quick look at the clock on the wall confirmed that it was nearly three in the morning. Dropping his head back against the sofa, he yawned. The movie marathon was officially over. Rodney, Carson, Elizabeth and Ronon had all gone to bed leaving him and Teyla alone for the long haul. He glanced at the head resting on his shoulder and smiled; his sleeping beauty. John brushed Teyla's hair back from her face and gently traced a finger down the slope of her nose. Lowering his hand, he sighed. Beautiful, but off limits.
She was his Achilles' heel, his one weakness. When John had first realized how deep his feelings were for Teyla he hadn't been ready to accept them and so he'd turned his attention to other devices; work and women. He'd told himself that it was better that way. Teyla was a friend, a teammate, not someone to be trifled with. And now……..John had set the rules, but it was killing him to play by them. What bothered him most were the moments. Those quiet moments with Teyla where he wondered what would have happened if he'd taken a chance. Moments that had passed too soon, leaving John riddled with doubts and regret. He closed his eyes, trying not to think of the past, but rather concentrate on the here and now. It was time for bed.
Hoping to wake Teyla as gently as possible, John wiggled his shoulder. She sighed, snuggling deeper into his side. He glanced down at her and wiggled again. Suddenly, Teyla lifted her head and turned to look at John, she paused, her lips less than an inch away from his own. He gazed into her almond shaped eyes and glanced down at her dewy lips. It was a temptation that he couldn't resist. John leaned forward, softly brushing his lips against Teyla's. He waited, giving her the chance to pull back if she wished. Slowly, John began to apply more pressure and she opened to him. He deepened the kiss, using his tongue to explore the contours of Teyla's mouth.
Teyla pulled back, ending the kiss. She reached up, brushing her hand against John's cheek and sighed. This wasn't a dream. It was really happening. Closing her eyes, she smiled. Teyla didn't know what had brought this on, but she thanked the Ancestors for it anyway. Too many times she'd dreamed of something like this only to stand by and watch John walk into the arms of another woman. He was discrete, but she wasn't stupid. Teyla didn't expect this to last forever. Life in this galaxy had taught her that there was no such thing. She would accept it for what it was and hold the memories close to her heart, until the day she died. She shifted to face John fully. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she pulled him down and captured his lips in another kiss.
John lowered Teyla back against the sofa. Lifting a little, he allowed her to pull his shirt over his head. She glanced up as the lounge door slid closed and locked and the lights dimmed. Teyla arched a brow at John, who shrugged. Laughing, she continued to unbuckle his belt as he leaned forward taking her mouth in a passionate kiss.
Neither spoke. There were no words of undying love. No promises of forever. There was only here and now. This night. This quiet moment.