Title: Simple Things
Author: Cindy Ryan
Pairings: Sheppard/Keller. Keller/Lorne friendship
Summary: Married just under a month Jen's off world luck strikes again. Sometimes we forget the simple things don't mean the same to others.
Author's notes: For Nika

"You do not sleep when she is gone, do you?"Teyla asked with a smile as she joined John by the railing overlooking the gateroom.

John grinned. "Am I that transparent?"

Teyla patted his arm. "Only to those who know you. It is natural to worry."

"My wife's luck off world isn't the best."John replied quietly as he returned his gaze to the gate.

It'd been less than a month since he and Jen were married. It'd flown by so fast and had only gotten better.
John knew there would be times when they were off world separately. Still it killed him to know he wasn't there to protect her.
Not that he didn't have faith in Evan.

"Unscheduled off world activation!"Lieutenant Crisler shouted from the control room as the chevrons started to light up on the gate.

John and Teyla exchanged an anxious look before they moved quickly for the control room.

"Activate the shield!"John ordered as he came to stand behind Crisler.

"Shield up."Crisler confirmed as he scanned the readouts before him. "Receiving Lieutenant Matthews's IDC."

/Shit./ John swore silently trying to clamp down his worry.

"Open the shield."John ordered as he ran to the stairs and took them two at a time. Teyla was close at his heels.

They reached the gate room just as the last chevron locked.

The event horizon bloomed and Matthews, Connors and Everson stumbled in followed by a blast of snow.

Sheppard keyed his earpiece. "Med team to the gate room!"

Matthews shook his head as a cough racked his thin frame. "We're alright, Sir."

"What happened?"John demanded as Teyla steadied Everson.

Matthews met Sheppard's gaze. "I'm sorry, Colonel. The Major ordered me to go."

"Lieutenant….."John prompted through a clenched jaw.

"They arrested Major Lorne."Matthews explained.

John blinked in surprise not liking at all where this was going. "For what?"

Matthews shook his head. "We don't know…..they wouldn't tell us."

"What about Dr. Sheppard?"Teyla asked worriedly.
She knew Evan would give his life for Jennifer and the fact that he was imprisoned and she wasn't here…..

Matthews swallowed hard as he met Sheppard's intense gaze. "They arrested her as well."

John opened his mouth but no sound came out.
He quickly closed it.
After a moment John keyed his earpiece.

"Lieutenant Crisler, get Woosley out of bed."

"Yes, Sir."

"Colonel."Matthews began tentatively. "There's something else you need to know."

"What?"John asked as fear inched its way up his spine.

Matthews cleared his throat just as the med team arrived. "Dr. Sheppard's hurt, Sir. They hit her….knocked her out."

John closed his eyes against the turmoil of emotions. The son-of-a-bitch that hit her was going to pay and pay dearly.
The mere thought of Jennifer in any kind of pain made John's blood boil.

John knew he had to control his anger.
He couldn't lose it.
Jen needed him.

"Sir?"Matthews prompted.

John opened his eyes and nodded tightly. "Let Sokun check you out and then meet us in Woosley's office."

Matthews nodded. "Yes, Sir."

John walked toward the stairs and then turned back to Matthews. "Lieutenant, when we get back…….."

"He's yours, Sir."Matthews replied with a grim nod. "Understood."

John turned and walked back toward the stairs and up to the control room. Each movement he made radiated anger and worry.

Teyla followed quietly in John's wake.