Title: Harvest Moon

Series: Stargate Atlantis

Theme: Drama /Romance

Characters: Teyla & (Kanaan/John); Cast of SGA, SG-1

Rating/Warning: R/Sexual Situations/Language

Summary: For now, nothing was set in stone. There was still hope.

Links: http:/devinem27 dot livejournal dot com

Preface

Teyla watched John as he approached their table. Something was wrong. She could tell by the look on his face. It was blank of emotion, but stiff bordering on anger and his gaze was hard, hard enough to sting. She'd seen the look many times before, mainly when he was given an order he didn't agree with, but was required to follow. And considering that he'd just left a meeting with Richard Woolsey, she knew that whatever was upsetting him would affect them all. She sighed as he settled into the seat across from hers and waited for him to speak.

John glanced at Teyla, but spoke to the table at large.

"Atlantis is scheduled to go back to Pegasus in two weeks."

The announcement was greeted with five seconds of silence before the questions began.

Rodney rolled his eyes. This was the third time they'd rescheduled Atlantis' departure. He wouldn't believe it until they fired up the engines and reached orbit.

"When will Woolsey make the official announcement?"

John chewed his mouthful of cheeseburger, before answering his question.

"Tomorrow morning. All of the teams should be back by then as long as there are no complications."

John smirked knowing how unlikely that was. When had there ever not been a complication? Teyla nodded understanding his skepticism. She continued to wait patiently as he answered questions from Evan, Amelia, Jennifer and Rodney about preparations for the departure, but it was Ronon's question that fell parallel to her own. He'd closely watched John as well and knew that something wasn't right.

"Sheppard, what's wrong?"

The table fell silent again waiting for his answer. John glanced at Ronon and then shifted his gaze back to Teyla.

"The IOA has agreed to a one year mission to reassess the Wraith threat. They consider the incident with Todd's underling to be an isolated one and want to weigh the possibility of another attack. Our job will be to gain as much intel as possible about the Wraith's knowledge of Earth and report any serious findings back to the SGC. After the year is up Atlantis will return to Earth for six months for additional repairs and restoration. During that time the IOA will determine whether or not Atlantis' mission will continue in Pegasus or be scrubbed and have the city reassigned."

Teyla leaned back in her chair, stunned by the news and what it could potentially mean to the team, to her and to her people. She felt Kanaan's warm hand grasp and gently squeeze her own and bowed her head. No one spoke as the enormity of the situation sank in. One by one they completed their lunch in silence and left the table until only Ronon, Kanaan, Torren, Teyla and John remained. Teyla watched John as he ate and then finally asked a question of her own.

"What did Woolsey have to say about this?"

John shrugged.

"He's upset. He thinks the IOA is feeling a little too comfortable because we destroyed the Super Hive and we have Todd in custody. He said he will try his best to make them realize how dangerous the situation is, but admits he's worried. He fears that by next year no matter what our findings are they will twist our words around to fit their needs and have the mission scrubbed. "

Teyla stole a few fries and handed them to Torren, who sat in a highchair at the end of the table.

"But for now nothing has been decided. So there's still hope, right?"

John nodded as he chewed that last of his fries, his gaze locked on Teyla's.

"Yes. All we can do is hope for the best, but be prepared for the worst."

Ronon shoved Kanaan with his forearm, interrupting the man's quiet observation of John and Teyla.

"You coming tonight?"

John zeroed in on his question, more than happy for the change in conversation.

"You have to come. It's poker. Besides, you deserve a night away from the old ball and chain."

He winced, but otherwise ignored the kick that Teyla had just planted on his leg.

"Torren and I are not burdens to be endured."

She argued.

John grinned at her in mock confusion.

"Who said anything about TJ?"

He grinned, catching her foot under the table and nearly pulled her from her seat. Teyla grabbed onto the arms of her chair and tried to wiggle free. Torren, or TJ if you asked John, laughed happily at his mother's antics and clapped his hands. Kanaan glanced from his son to John and Teyla and back again. The corners of his mouth curved upward in a smile.

"I will be there."

He replied finally answering Ronon's question.

Teyla smiled, relieved to see that Kanaan was again making an effort to connect with her friends. She still worried about him feeling at home here, remembering how isolated she'd once felt when the Athosians had first left the city. He'd tried on a few other occasions to hang out with her teammates, some successful and some not so successful which prompted her next comment.

"May I make one small…well two small requests?"

Ronon sighed confident that whatever she wanted would pretty much ruin their fun. Both he and John responded at the same time.

"No!"

Teyla continued, ignoring them.

"I would appreciated it if you returned him to me in one piece and preferably conscious."

John and Ronon shared a quick look before turning away. They remembered to two incidents to which Teyla referred. The first being an accident during a sparring session which had resulted in Kanaan getting a broken nose, the second being a drinking game that had gotten little out of hand. They'd all gotten pretty wasted that night and had suffered the consequences the next day.

"John."

Teyla said his name pulling him back to the present.

"Hhhmm?"

Was his only reply.

"John."

"What?"

He asked frowning at her. He gestured towards Kanaan who had yet to say anything.

"He's a grown man able to make his own decisions. Besides, what kind of friend would I be to deny a thirsty man a drink?"

Teyla glared at him angrily and he was pretty sure that Ronon's laughter wasn't helping the situation. John glanced at his watch and sighed. He pushed back from the table and picked up his tray.

"We've got to go."

He gently ruffled TJ's hair and then glanced pointedly at Kanaan.

"I'll see you at eight o'clock sharp."

Teyla watched as John and Ronon dropped off their trays and left the dining hall. She shook her head in exasperation. She softly wiped the food from Torren's face and hands and stacked his dishes on her tray. She considered readdressing the subject with John and Ronon later, but knew she would be wasting her breath. At the moment, there were more important things to be concerned with. Like finding her people once they returned to Pegasus and figuring out how the Athosians, now so few in number, would continue to survive. The rest, she wouldn't worry about. She would deal with that if or when it became necessary to do so. For now, nothing was set in stone. There was still hope.

Author's note: This story was actually inspired by a song called Harvest Moon. Many are familiar with Neil Young's version, but there's also a version sung by Cassandra Wilson. It's a beautiful rendition that combines Cassandra's velvet vocals, lovely instrumentals and the soothing sounds of nature. You can copy and paste the link to my Live Journal page to hear the song. For some reason this song reminds me of Teyla, the gentle Athosian side of Teyla. This is her story. This is how I see her and this is how I feel she sees John. (Clears throat) Ok, I'm going to stop now, because I miss SGA way too much. I know the first chapter is short, but there's more to come. D.