This is my first SGA; hope y'all enjoy. Just a note, this fic is set before Beckett dies in season three.
Pairings: Sheppard/Teyla
Chapter one
John Sheppard leant against the icy railing and looked to the horizon, which was ablaze with a radiant fusion of pink and gold, indicating the coming of a new day.
Quite at peace, he sipped his coffee; breathing in the fresh aroma of the beans, mingled with the refreshing salt air as a slight breeze gently ruffled his dark hair and raised the skin on his bare torso.
Below him, the sparkling ocean waves, lapped up against the ancient city and small dolphin like animals leapt gracefully into the air before splashing back into the depths.
John chuckled quietly as the creatures continued to frolic playfully in the waters of Atlanta.
"You are late for our session, Colonel Sheppard." Came a soft voice from behind him.
The Colonel, startled, whipped his head around, surprised to see Teyla Emmagan standing at the sliding door of his new room.
"You did not answer when I knocked, so I let myself in. I hope you do not mind," she added, her tawny skin flushing slightly at the sight of his bare chest.
He smiled. "Not at all Teyla. And I apologize. I was up a little early," he lied. " And its such a nice day. "Why don't you join me?"
Teyla stepped from the dark room almost hesitantly, and slowly stepped up beside him, trying very hard, not to look at his well toned body.
"Have you even been to sleep yet, John?" she inquired.
The Colonel sighed. "No. I haven't been able to," he confessed, scrubbing a hand over the light stubble that dusted his jaw.
Teyla nodded. She understood that sometimes stress made it hard to get comfortable, despite the fact that they had inhabited Atlantis for over two years.
For several minutes, they stood quietly, watching the animal's leap and splash, and savoring the warmth of the newly risen sun, before Teyla broke the silence.
"We should begin our morning session. The recreation room will not be deserted long. Ronon will be up soon," she said, facing John, who just smiled, his hazel eyes sparkling mischievously as she flushed once more.
"Just let me change. You can wait outside for me,"
"You need to concentrate John." Teyla commented as he struggled to his feet after being thrown to the floor. "You are usually a lot harder to subdue."
"Yet, still, you subdue," he panted, picking up his fallen sticks.
Teyla rolled her eyes slightly, a habit picked up from her long stay with the earthlings.
"Lets try that again. This time, focus on your breathing. Allow each breath to fill you completely, and the moves will flow more naturally," she instructed, circling the Colonel at a low crouch.
John spun the Banta Rods with an easy flick of his wrists and watched her eyes closely, sensing an almost predatory flicker in her warm dark eyes.
He was the first to strike out, and Teyla was quick to block, dancing through her steps, almost intricately.
The wooden rods clashed loudly as the two continued their random routine, but as always, something lingered at the back of John's mind, distracting him.
He spaced out for a moment, before rushing back to reality as one of the rods collided heavily with his stomach.
The breath whooshed from his lungs as he collapsed to the floor gripping his abdomen tightly.
"You still are not concentrating, John!" Teyla exclaimed, offering a hand to help him up.
"I'm sorry. I don't know what's wrong. Can we try again?"
Teyla's face softened. "I think you've had enough for today Colonel. Maybe we should go and get something to eat. I sense that you are hungry," she said with a soft smile.
"Oh, you can detect hunger now?" John asked with a smirk.
"No, but I can hear quite well," she replied, packing her equipment back into her bag as the Colonel's stomach grumbled.
"I guess I could use a bite to eat," he admitted, wiping the sweat from his face and arms with a towel.
Teyla swung her bag over her shoulder and swiped her hand over the console by the door.
It hissed open, admitting them into the corridor beyond.
"Just allow me to drop my things off and I will join you,"
John nodded and followed close behind her, staring at his as he did. He knew this part of the city back to front now; he knew where he was going by instinct.
"Are you listening to me John?"
Sheppard whipped his head up just in time to avoid a collision with her.
"Huh?"
The Athosian woman frowned and tilted her head slightly. "Are you sure that nothing is wrong, Colonel Sheppard?" she inquired.
"Yeah, I'm just a little tired, that's all. Thanks for the concern," he said with a smile. "Now lets get some food,"
It was still quite early, so the commissary was still slightly empty, save for a few odd people, here and there, including one Ronon Dex, who was plowing his way through what looked to be a second serving of oatmeal.
"Hey there Chewie, you enjoying that?" John asked, taking a seat opposite the large Satedan, and placing his tray down.
"'Morning," came the standard muffled reply, as Ronon continued to shovel large spoonfuls of food into his mouth.
Teyla joined them only seconds later, watching him eat with a look of mild curiosity etched into her feline features.
He looked up at both of them with dark eyes and shrugged. "What?"
"Nothing…its just…a lot of people are gonna be hungry when they get up, and there aint gonna be anything left, by the time you're finished here," John commented, digging into his own breakfast with furious gusto, while Teyla took small and delicate mouthfuls, watching the two men eat with a smile.
"I take it you are both quite hungry," she muttered, mainly to herself, but still John turned to her.
"Hey, a growing boy needs to eat," He said with a shrug.
"I think it has been quite some time since you were a boy, Colonel Sheppard," Teyla teased, sipping her apple juice.
John didn't grace the warrant with an answer. He just continued to eat, ignoring the headache that was creeping up on him.
He knew it was only a symptom of sleep deprivation, and more fool him for staying awake for seventy-two hours, trying to finish a report for the International Oversight Advisory back on earth. He would've left it, if it Mr. Wolsey wasn't demanding it every second of the day.
John put the spoon down, as the headache intensified, leaving him nauseas and dizzy. Yep. He was definitely blaming Wolsey for this.
"John? John!"
Sheppard was only slightly aware of what was going on around him as and overwhelming urge to sleep assailed him.
"Colonel Sheppard!"
Teyla shook him roughly, and he snapped to attention, suddenly alert.
"What? What's wrong?" he inquired.
"You…I think you need to see Dr. Beckett," Teyla said, peering into his eyes. "How long has it been since you last slept?"
"I dunno. Two, three days, maybe," he replied with a yawn. "The IOA want that report, and you know me, I'm not one for secretarial work,"
"Come. We're taking you to the infirmary," Teyla insisted, pulling out his chair.
"Can't we bring the infirmary here? I don't think getting up is such a good idea for me at the moment,"
"John, you need to see Carson,"
"I-I know," he yawned, getting up slowly. "It's just that…" John swayed on the spot.
Teyla gripped his forearm. "What?"
"I'm not gonna make it…"
And with that, he fell backwards, landing awkwardly on the floor, unconscious…
This may not seem to tie in with the story, but it will later on. I hope you enjoyed, and reviews would be lovely:D