Disclaimer: I do not one any rights concerning the original stories and characters of Atlantis.
Title: Going Home
Rating: M
Summary: After the events of Building a New Life the expedition returns to Pegasus and moves to their new and hopefully final home planet. While things settle, an old enemy infiltrates the city to finally reach his goal. But before he can complete his task, he has to kill the one man that could stop him, Colonel John Sheppard. The only hope for rescue comes from an unexpected source, but will he be heard before it's too late.
Warnings: Violence in later Chapters
Thanks Amy for another awesome job of being my Beta.
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As most know of me this fic has been completed before being posted. It has a total of ten Chapters. I would really know what you think so leave me a review or PM. It also might make me post faster ;)
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Chapter One
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Going Home
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He was hungry. No, hungry didn't quite cover it, but he was not starving yet either. Nevertheless every fiber of his body burned with the need to consume. He was surrounded by food; there just was nothing he could afford to consume. He was the ally of this food, though right now he was more its prisoner. He settled in the middle of his small quarters and slowly sank deeper into himself. He would sleep, the deep sleep, not for long, just a little to conserve his energy. He was still strong. He had consumed richly before meeting with him and in hindsight it had been a good decision.
He would wait and hope to be set free, once back in their galaxy. He wondered if he really would be released or if finally all debts had been paid and he would meet the final fate and ceased to exist.
Though many of the worshippers believed that they would move on to another existence after death and he knew that the old enemy had found a way to keep living even after death without the restraints of a body, he also knew there was nothing afterwards, not for his kind anyway. He stopped his thought - he needed to sleep. They would be home soon.
XOXOXOXOXO
Teyla felt like she was being pushed into a warm and soft place, exactly like she always felt in the aftermath of their lovemaking. John's solid weight against her, pressing her into the mattress as the final waves of passion ebbed away.
His harsh breaths still in her ear, she clutched him to her, knowing he was about to move and lift away. He never went far, always pulling her in his embrace again. Still as soon as he moved from her and their intimate connection was broken, the deep cold feeling in the pit of her stomach returned.
The feeling that told her a wraith was in the city.
For the past six weeks they had been gone so often that Teyla hadn't realized how her new relationship with John influenced her perception of the wraith. John and Torren's warm presences made the cold she felt regarding the wraith seem even harsher when she and John were not together.
She tried to push the feeling away, but it stood in such stark contrast to her overall feelings that it was hard to ignore.
As long as she was close to her family she could concentrate on them, but in the few moments when she returned from her passionate high and her awareness shifted from solely concentrating on John and what he did to her, back to the world, it froze her insides. Tonight, Teyla didn't want to feel that way so she hooked her legs around John and pulled him even closer when he shifted.
John moved his arms under her and Teyla reluctantly loosened her hold on his upper torso while his hips remained firmly in place against hers.
Teyla had her eyes closed and decided to keep it that way, aware that John was curiously watching her. She knew he could feel her insecurity as she could feel his resulting confusion. John pushed her hair from her face and place soft kisses on her eyelids and nose before turning to her mouth.
Teyla sighed when he pulled back, holding him firmly in place with her legs however. "It's not that I want to complain. I'd gladly stay like this for the rest of my life," he said his voice a mix of amusement, worry and wonder, "but we both know I'm not a light weight."
Teyla knew he was right. He was starting to get heavy where he pressed against her even though he held most of his weight with his arms. Teyla sighed again and reluctantly released her hold on his hips. She tensed, waiting for the cold to come, but to her surprise nothing happened.
Her eyes snapped open and she blinked in the semi darkness in surprise. John shifted to his side next to her, his head propped up by his arm.
"Care to explain what this is all about?" he asked, noting Teyla's confusion. Teyla blushed and ducked her head into John's chest, embarrassed by her silly behavior. John's free hand started to stroke her back and Teyla relaxed into his caress.
She looked up into his loving eyes, biting her lip.
"I explained to you once what feeling the wraith was like?"
"Like feeling cold on the inside," he answered, clearly confused as to what the wraith had to do with their love life.
Teyla nodded. "Over the years I have learned to accept the feeling." Now John nodded. "However," she sighed, "since being with you the feeling has changed."
John blinked at her, still confused. "I am so happy and content with you that the feeling has become harsher, colder somehow," she explained. "When we make love everything around me vanishes and it stays that way as long as we are …," she wondered how to say the next part.
"Connected?" John offered.
"Yes," she agreed relieved. "And when we part, the feeling returns so strongly it takes my breath away."
John pulled Teyla into his arms, not sure what else to do, placing a kiss in her hair.
"I'm sorry. I didn't realize."
Teyla shook her head. "How should you?"
John shrugged and pulled Teyla close in his embrace. He wanted to protect Teyla and didn't like that she had to feel that way though he was glad that the problem would not be around for much longer. They would reach their new home in a few hours and John was intent on getting rid of their guest as soon as possible, one way or the other.
Teyla snuggled into John, soaking up the warmth of his body and mind. She was surprised the cold feeling still hadn't returned, but decided to push any thought of that away and just enjoy John next to her.
XOXOXOXOXO
Something permeated John's sleep addled brain. He listened in the darkness for TJ, but instead of the expected whimper, a muffled voice sounded in the silence.
"Colonel Sheppard, please come in."
John snapped his com from the night table and slipped as quickly and stealthily as possible from the bed, hoping not to wake Teyla and stepped into the bath room.
"This is Sheppard," he said, his voice just above a whisper.
"I'm sorry to interrupt, sir. There is a problem with the prisoner. We already called for Dr. Keller."
"Keep your distance. I'll be down in ten minutes. Don't let Keller get in there just yet."
John grabbed his clothes, already placed for the next day.
"Understood, sir."
John quickly cleaned himself and got dressed.
"Is everything alright?" Teyla asked as John walked out of the bath room. He should have known she would wake.
"Go back to sleep, everything is fine. I just have to check on something," he soothed her.
"Did they kill Todd?" Teyla's question froze John midstride.
"What?"
"I do not feel him."
John shrugged. "I don't think they would call me or Dr. Keller in that case."
"I do not feel wraith that are hibernating."
"Okay." John quickly moved to the bed and placed a quick kiss on Teyla's forehead.
"Go back to sleep," he said once more. "We'll have a lot of work later."
Teyla nodded, but was sure sleep wouldn't come without John beside her. Her mind was occupied with the sudden absence of the cold. She returned John's second good night kiss and pulled the sheets higher over her nude body.
"I love you," she called after him in a low voice, before settling down on her pillow, looking at the ceiling.
XOXOXOXOXO
"What happened?" John asked, entering the brig, Ronon close behind him.
"Not sure, sir," Major Teldy said, looking up from Keller holding a hand scanner. John was surprised for a moment, but then remembered that Rodney had told him that they had found an entry in the new data base explaining how to keep the med scanner operational even if the user didn't have the gene.
The room was crowded. In addition to Dr. Keller, her med team, Major Teldy, the two usual SO's four extra marines were in the room.
John looked at Todd who seemed frozen in time and groaned.
"He has put himself in a state of hibernation," Keller confirmed what Teyla had already guessed.
John tore his gaze away from the wraith to look at Keller, eyebrow raised.
"The scanner shows his metabolism is considerably slower than usual."
"Could he just be sleeping?"
"No," Keller said looking sorry.
"Great!"
"Want me to kill him?"
John glared at Ronon; he would love to allow Ronon to do just that.
"Yeah, just have to talk to Woolsey first."
Ronon grumbled and put his gun back into his holster.
John's mind was racing. He so didn't need another topic on his plate right now and he wanted to get rid of Todd. He sighed.
"Okay, we wait for now. I'm talking to Woolsey. As soon as we're home we're taking care of this." John turned to Keller. "Try to find out what he can do in this state, if he can contact other wraith and alert them to us. It's your turn," he said pointing at Ronon and his gun.
…
Todd chuckled inwardly. He wasn't really hibernating. He had put his body close to that state to conserve his strength for the time being. This way his mind was masked as was his presence, though he still could hear their conversations. They wouldn't know.
His life lay in the hands of the one that ruled, though the true ruler was the one who had just left - the one with a strong mind able to defy a queen. John Sheppard was one of the few he feared. And the others he feared were not human at all. Not even his queen scared him as much. He chuckled silently - he could smell his queen all over the human male as if she was here too.
John Sheppard was worthy of a queen's attention, even if she was a human queen, he chuckled inwardly again. They were fitting companions. Nature couldn't have chosen better. If they would create a child it would be strong, a child with the ability to control both Ancestor and wraith technology alike.
He needed to free himself and flee. He sank deeper into sleep to think about his options. He needed to hide from his queen.
XOXOXOXOXO
When John came back home, Teyla was asleep again. He pondered if he should slip back into bed next to her, but a look at his watch showed him he had to get up soon anyway. He quietly slipped into the bathroom to take a full shower.
When he was done and dressed again, he stealthily slipped through the room and into the nursery, closing the sliding door behind him.
TJ was awake too, quietly playing in his bed. He looked up and grinned when he saw John.
"Dada," he squealed, clapping his hands. John picked the boy up.
"Morning, buddy," he said placing a kiss on the boy's cheek. "You slept all right?"
Torren chuckled and snuggled in to John. After a moment of snuggling John started to get the boy ready for the day.
"Okay, we have to be very quiet. Mommy is still sleeping," John explained when he was done. For emphasis he put his fingers against TJ's lips. "Shhh"
"Shhh," TJ mimicked the sound John made.
John was surprised when TJ actually managed to keep quiet while sneaking through the bedroom. He settled the boy on his play blanket and started preparing breakfast.
He was almost done when the door chimes rang, announcing an early morning visitor. John looked at TJ and the boy looked back at him before turning his attention to the door, obviously curious. "Let's see who's there," John said moving to the door.
"Mr. Woolsey," he said surprised stepping to the side to let his boss inside.
"Good morning, Colonel," Mr. Woolsey greeted and stepped into the room. "Major Teldy briefed me about Todd."
"What is about Todd?" Teyla's sleep filled voice came from the side.
"Why don't we sit down and talk?" John said calmly.
Woolsey and Teyla nodded.
Teyla wore a gown and John had to stifle his imagination from wondering what or if she wore anything under it.
Teyla quickly greeted her son before settling down. John set a cup of tea in front of her and she thanked him with one of her brilliant smiles. He sat down after pouring coffee for himself and Woolsey.
"I came here because I think you're right and we should delay the topic until we are settled. Dr. Keller said as long as he is in that state he is not able to communicate."
"I do not feel him either," Teyla threw in.
Woolsey nodded. "I ordered Dr. Keller to monitor Todd and inform us of any change. I leave it up to you what to do about him. We still need him alive though."
"Understood."
Woolsey nodded, satisfied and started on the next topic, which was the return of the Athosians.
"Dr. McKay said he will need about thirty six hours to calibrate the gate and get it working. I spoke to Colonel Caldwell. The Daedalus is ready to beam you three and Ronon as well as several teams up so you can speak to Halling, and if needed, help the Athosians pack."
Teyla looked at John, who nodded slightly, telling her that he would come if she wanted him to. They hadn't talked about that specific topic.
"Thank you Mr. Woolsey, if you will excuse me I need to get ready as well." Teyla started to get up.
"I have to go anyway," Woolsey stated getting up too. "I shall see you later."
XOXOXOXOXO
"Come on," Rodney groused, tapping impatiently on the work station. "Sheppard?"
"Kind of busy here," John's distracted voice answered over the com. Rodney huffed. How hard could it be to land the city when the systems were doing most of the work anyway?
Rodney looked at the readouts again. "What are you doing?"
Now it was John's turn to huff. "I'm trying to land the city without causing a tsunami," he said his voice strained as he tried to keep the city level.
"Just put her down already," Rodney complained.
John sighed. "Just calm down and let me work," he checked the readouts one more time and then gave the command for the stardrive to slowly shut down further. He wasn't going to flood the piers this time. He had enough systems at his disposal to slowly lower the city towards the surface of their new home.
This time the city glided to the surface and when they touched the water the inertial dampers were not overtaxed and only a small tremor traveled through the city.
The chair straightened but John stayed seated, grinning.
"Like a leaf touching the surface of a lake," he stated.
Rodney groaned into his ear.
"That's another bet you lost."
"Yeah, yeah, technically you cheated."
"What?"
"You stopped the city."
"Check the readouts."
"Crap," Rodney buried his face in his hands as the readouts clearly showed that despite the fact that Sheppard had slowed the city dramatically it never had stopped sinking.
"You lost," Ronon said next to Rodney and the scientist grimaced at the Satedan. He was about to give a smart return when Woolsey moved over.
"What's our status?" Woolsey interrupted, obviously not in the mood for the team's banter.
John reclined in the chair once more; checking the systems, while Rodney and his team used the readouts Sheppard and the systems provided to adjust the settings.
XOXOXOXOXO
"Colonel Caldwell," John greeted, and the marine contingent behind John snapped to attention.
"Mr. Dex, Miss Emmagen," Caldwell greeted before turning to John. "Colonel Sheppard, I hear congratulations are in order on your promotion," he added, eying the toddler held by Sheppard warily, obviously not very happy to be transporting Torren, too. Torren also seemed to sense that he was not necessarily welcome. His back was turned to Caldwell and he was looking over John's shoulder at the troops he knew.
"Thank you, Colonel," John returned slightly embarrassed.
"We won't use the ZPM powered drive so it will take about twenty hours to get to Athos," Caldwell turned to business. "We prepared quarters for you."
Several airmen came in to show the teams to their rooms. Each team would share one room.
When only Ronon, Teyla, John and Torren remained, Caldwell spoke up again.
"I'll show you your quarters," he explained starting to move. "I've scheduled several meetings to inform you of the newest developments." He looked at Teyla. "Mr. Woolsey said I should brief Miss Emmagen on the newest developments among the coalition and our allies," Caldwell paused as he seemed to consider something.
"I'm sorry, but Mr. Woolsey didn't inform me Torren would be accompanying you," Caldwell said to Teyla. "Dr. Novak offered to share her quarters. We will need to arrange that, if you will give me some time."
"That won't be necessary," John interrupted. "Teyla and I can share a room and Ronon can sleep in the room with Lorne's team. They're one man short anyway."
Ronon nodded.
Caldwell stopped a moment in surprise before moving on. Usually, Sheppard never shared his quarters with just Teyla. Caldwell was sure it was to avoid giving any food to the rumor mill about his feelings towards his teammate. Maybe now that she had a kid with one of her own people he thought it wouldn't matter, as there was obviously nothing between the two.
He looked at Teyla, who smiled back. "If Miss Emmagen doesn't mind?" just to make sure.
"I do not mind sharing with Colonel Sheppard," Teyla said while looking at John. At his nod she added, "I just have one request."
Caldwell nodded at her to go ahead.
"I would prefer if you would not call me Miss Emmagen anymore."
"I didn't know you had married," Caldwell interrupted, looking confused.
"Oh, it was not planned. I am surprised you have not heard yet," Teyla said smiling again. "I decided to take my husband's name, too."
Caldwell looked at John, who looked decidedly too innocent as he smiled back. Why should he have heard about her getting married? Athosian gossip rarely made it to the Daedalus. Of course, if she had married someone from Earth, he surely would have heard that.
"How should I call you then?" he asked looking back at Teyla.
"Mrs. Sheppard."
Caldwell froze in the middle of the corridor, his head snapping to Sheppard holding the baby and smirking.
"Thought you heard," John said shrugging. He saw Caldwell's jaw tighten, obviously trying to figure out what to say.
"Congratulations then," Caldwell said after a moment and then started to move again.
For the next few minutes the group moved on in silence. John was sure the Colonel was wondering what had happened and planned on figuring out if the SGC knew what was going on.
Caldwell cleared his throat.
"I have scheduled our meeting for 1100 hours standard Atlantis time," he told John. "Miss Em.. Mrs. Sheppard, our meeting is scheduled for 1400 hours."
"Very well," Teyla said and John just nodded.
"Okay, this is your room," Caldwell said opening the door. "'I'll get someone to escort Mr. Dex to his quarters. If you'll excuse me I have to be on the bridge."
"Thank you, Colonel," Teyla said.
"I will come to the bridge on time."
Caldwell nodded and left without another word.
"I really thought he would know and just be his charming self," John said after a moment, turning to the others.
"Humpf," Ronon grumbled not commenting further.
Teyla shook her head, turning and taking Torren from John to get the boy settled.
After a few minutes an airman showed up to show Ronon to Lorne's quarters.
XOXOXOXOXO
John sat on TJ's thick play blanket that he had spread in the mess hall. His eyes concentrated on TJ while his thoughts were on what Caldwell had told him.
The wraith were still fighting each other, the Genii had retreated and were mostly quiet, which was never a good sign and the coalition was still growing. Not much had changed though, which was oddly comforting. They still had a lot to explore.
John focused back on TJ.
His little son was glued to the window watching hyperspace pass, oohing and ahhing. Every now and then he seemed to find something especially interesting as his oohs were followed by a squeal of delight or chuckling.
Eight hours had passed since they had left and John was enjoying a quiet evening with TJ. Teyla had been required to meet with Caldwell again and confer with Woolsey to discuss coalition matters and politics. John had happily declined, using TJ as his excuse. Teyla could give him the cliff note version later. Ronon and the others were in the gym.
"Owjihh" TJ squealed again and John couldn't help chuckle.
Finally his son turned to look at him, leaving imprints of his face and hands on the glass. John wondered what Caldwell would say if he found out. TJ turned fully and took a wobbly step towards him. John held out his hand to offer help and support.
TJ looked at the offered hand and then looked up grinning at John. He took another wobbly step and looked up once more. Suddenly TJ just let himself fall on his diaper padded butt. John shook his head, watching as TJ crawled over to him.
Once he reached John, he started to pull himself up using his dad as leverage.
When he was standing again, TJ grabbed for John's dog tags and John had just enough time to keep him from falling on his butt again and pulling his chain with him.
"Hey buddy, no." John said loosening his son's grasp. He turned TJ and sat him down, holding a toy in front of him to play with. "You can play with your toys."
Teyla watched John from the line while choosing something to eat. She loved the way John handled Torren. The two really looked and interacted like father and son.
Though Torren had her skin color and eyes, when you looked at his messy curly hair you could get the impression he was John's biological son.
"Hey!" John looked up when Teyla approached. "How's it going?"
"Very good," Teyla said smiling at John.
"Larrin asked for a meeting," she disclosed when she settled down on the blanket next to John and TJ.
John smirked and Teyla noted with satisfaction that he seemed embarrassed at the thought of the woman he once had courted. Since coming together some time ago, she had suspected that it had only been a defense mechanism and that he had never really been that interested in Larrin, now she knew.
She watched Torren climbing up and down on John while she ate. Every now and then he eyed Teyla's tray with mild interest, but suddenly he reached out.
"You already had dinner," John said firm, grabbing Torren to keep him from grabbing food off the tray. "You only would get sick by eating more."
TJ pouted but resigned himself to sitting between John's legs.
Teyla smiled. John hadn't needed to get loud or use force to get their son to do what he was supposed to do.
John smiled back at her and they sat in silence watching Torren play in front of them.
XOXOXOXOXO
Teyla watched John's sleeping features. He had fallen asleep quite some time ago and Teyla admired his bare chest while sleep evaded her. Tomorrow she would see her people, and she wondered if they would accept her choice of John as her husband.
They had talked about the topic earlier and John had left it up to her what she wanted them to know right away. He would take the backseat if she needed him to.
She had been grateful, but she also had known then that she would not hide her relationship or how far it had progressed. She loved John, as did Torren and he would call John Dada. They were a family and she wanted her people to know.
She snuggled into John's chest, listening to Torren's soft snores echoing through the small cabin and John's deep breaths under her.
Tomorrow they would offer her people not only a place to stay for now, but a new home that she hoped they would accept.
