Teyla jogged Torren on her hip as she paced the hall, trying desperately to get him to sleep. She had purposely come to a part of the city where no one would be trying to sleep or work; she didn't want her son's cries to disturb others. Torren began to quiet slowly, but then she tripped over her feet as fatigue settled in. Placing her head on Torren's, she began to softly weep—thoughts of Kanaan running through her exhausted mind.
"Teyla?" She looked up at the near whisper to see Major Lorne standing close by. He was wearing his black PT clothes and a worried frown. Why his concern should get to her, she didn't know, but she began to cry harder.
"Hey, hey, hey. What's wrong? Shhh…" Lorne's arms were strong and warm as they encircled her and Torren. Gently, he plucked Torren from her grasp. He held the baby in one arm, the other going around her shoulders to pull her close as he rocked them both, making quiet shushing noises. It wasn't long before Torren stopped crying and so, too, did Teyla. She looked up to see the major's gaze riveted on Torren, a small smile playing on his lips.
"I'm sorry, Major. I don't know what…" His patient gaze, as it moved to her, made her stomach flip about nervously.
"Forget about it, Teyla. You've been through a lot. You're exhausted. You're allowed to be human, you know."
"But I am a leader. I need to be strong." She knew she should move out of his embrace, but it was so comforting to be held once more.
"Even the strongest people need to have moments of weakness now and again. Your secret's safe with me."
His words touched her and a hesitant smile lit her lips. "Thank you, Major."
"Call me Evan." His voice was husky and Teyla felt a familiar, if long gone, shudder of desire run along her body and head straight for her core.
"Thank you, Evan." Teyla parted her lips as she gazed up at him.
His eyes were hooded as he smiled down at her. "I think we should get you two home and tucked into bed." Teyla felt her breathing grow fast in anticipation as Evan leaned down, his lips a bare inch from hers. He ducked his head to the side and whispered in her ear. "Then one day when you're more rested, I'd like to come by and visit you both. Maybe I could help you keep Torren asleep all night and cook you my famous scrambled eggs in the morning."
Teyla felt another shudder of desire surge through her body. "I think I'd like that very much, Evan."