A/N: Word count is 479. Thank you for all those reading. Happy New Year to all those out there. Have a happy and healthy one.


Still Avoiding

February 15

John stood at the far end of mess hall as he watched Teyla playing with her son...or was it his son too. He had always wondered about their one night of passion and mostly put it to the back of his mind because Teyla seemed to be genuinely happy with Kanaan after Torren's birth. It wasn't until during their five month stay on Earth that he realized the Athosians relationship was not what it seemed. Then when Rodney did his not so subtle prodding a month and a half ago, John knew he needed to talk to Teyla.

"You still haven't talked to her, have you?" Rodney said his mouth half-full.

Sheppard turned to see what McKay was eating and saw a small bunch of grapes in the man's hand. He took a few for himself, "What exactly do I say to her? There is no delicate way to ask the question." John pointed to the mother and son.

"This is not like you."

"But this not exactly a normal situation. What would you do if Katie came back with a kid that looked and acted like you?" John tried to deflect the situation away from him.

Rodney started to choke on the grape he was eating, "Umm...that's not funny. But after I passed out..."

"Like you did at dinner last night."

The scientist face turned bright red, "You heard about that?"

John was glad he found the perfect way to take the heat off him, "The whole base knows. Valentine's Day dinner with your girlfriend in the mess hall? In the mess, seriously? Then you hyperventilate and pass out. Not one of your finest moments. What made you pass out?"

Rodney cleared his throat, "Um...yeah." He smirked, "I know what you are doing. Let's get off my screw up and back to you." The Canadian looked at Teyla and Torren having a tender mother/son moment, "Just look at that cocky grin. If that doesn't have John Sheppard written all over it, I don't know what does."

The torn man watch the scene before him and a fond smile tugged at the corner of his lips.

"You still have a thing for her?" Rodney said with a laugh. He thought he had been imagining things; the glances that lasted a second too long or the touches that were slightly more than friendly.

John glared at his friend, knowing the usually oblivious man was right, "You know, for once you're right."

"What are you talking about? I'm always right."

"You keep telling yourself that," John slapped Rodney on the back. He took a deep breath as he headed toward the duo, "How's my favorite little man?" The man with the messy hair held his arms open wide for Torren.

"John," Teyla said with a wide smile as she watched her son race into his namesake's arms with a roaring laugh.

To be Continued...


A/n: Left a little nugget in there for ya, Dani :)