Chapter Two: Promises made and Promises Kept
It was about 4 days later when Rodney was in his personal quarters when his computer beeped at him. Rodney peeked out of the bathroom all the while trying to dry his hair and walked over to his desk that had his computer there. He saw on the monitor screen that Teyla had Instant Messaged him. He smiled to himself, feeling very pleased with her! He tossed the wet towel down on the back of the chair, and grabbed his clean shirt that was on top of the seat and put it on before sitting down on the chair.
On the monitor:
TeylaMulan: My appointment has been postponed till tomorrow. Is that okay?
Rodney thought for a minute and tried to think back if he had anything important scheduled for tomorrow. He shook his head and typed back;
FamousMckay: Sure its okay, I have nothing currently scheduled with Radek and I'm sure I can rearrange things if on the offhand that it does happen.
TeylaMulan: Okay, the appointment is at 2:30 please don't be late.
FamousMckay: Do you want me to come by and pick you up so we can go to the office together?
TeylaMulan: That will be fine.
FamousMckay: Hey, you feel up to eating something? I'm starving!
TeylaMulan: You're always hungry Rodney, but yes, I do feel hungry too? Are you sure you're not pregnant? LOL
Rodney stared back at that screen with a miffed look on his face. Why does everyone think that though?! Sure he eats a lot of food, but he lives a high pressured life, it's not being easy being famous!
FamousMckay: No I'm not pregnant! I will see you at the mess hall.
TeylaMulan: Okay, see you there!
The computer chirped a response letting Rodney know that Teyla signed off. He sighed and got up from his desk. Closed his laptop and unplugged it. He clicked his fingers in the attempt to remember what he was going to do before Teyla IMed him. He suddenly remembered and grabbed his coat off the bed and put it on and then ran to the door only he stopped and growled to himself. He hurriedly grabbed his laptop and left his quarters.
On the way to the mess hall, he heard his name being called and turned around to see Ronon walking towards him in big strides. Rodney shook his head and waited till Ronon was besides him before he continued walking towards the mess hall.
"I've heard that you've been helping Teyla with her situation."
Rodney nodded, "Yeah, I have. Well, someone had to. It's bad enough that Sheppard isn't talking to her, no one else in Atlantis….not you Ronon, you're not really….um…"
"I know what you mean Rodney, I'm from around here, it's normal to me but to your people, it's different. I think no one really knows what to do or to say to Teyla anymore."
Rodney looked up at Ronon, "Exactly, and I figured that why should it be that way. I'm okay with it, granted it's not the way "we" do it but Teyla has a right to have some sort of future. If that future means that she has her own child, so be it."
Ronon looked down at Rodney, feeling quiet pleased with him and he smirked at him, and "What are we going to do about Sheppard?"
Rodney stopped in his tracks for a minute and Ronon was wondering why so he followed Rodney's gaze and saw what Rodney saw.
In the mess hall was Teyla and John who were loudly arguing and anyone that was in the mess hall was in shock. Even Ronon and Rodney could hear it very clearly.
"I don't care Teyla; you will not be reinstated to the team till after you have the baby! I will not be responsible for your heath or the baby's health! It's a no brainer!" shouted John.
"John, plenty of women have been in combat while they've been pregnant and I refuse to stand aside and not fight. It's my fight too!" pointed out Teyla who had her hands on her hip.
"Well, I'm the team leader and what I say goes!" glared John at Teyla.
Ronon looked at Rodney before he spoke, "I think we better step in before things gets worse. If I know Teyla…"
"She's going to do something drastic to Sheppard real fast!" Rodney finished Ronon's train of thought.
Before Rodney and Ronon could step forward to prevent Teyla's reaction it had already happened.
SMACK!! The noise alone was loud enough to be heard all over Atlantis and all Rodney and Ronon could do was stare at Teyla who had already slapped John across the face and storm away in a hurry. Everyone else in the mess hall was busy staring at John who had the utter look of horror on his face.
John just stood there, not moving but he was very mad. "How dare she slap me? I'm her commanding officer and she dares slaps me! In front of others in under my command!"
Rodney looked at Ronon and then spoke hurriedly, "I will go after Teyla and you, feel free to smack Sheppard around a little.", as Rodney went to follow after Teyla, leaving Ronon complementing on what to say or do to Sheppard.
Rodney ran after Teyla all the while realizing that he wasn't made to run after or away from anything but still he pushed on. He was getting annoyed in the meantime; people were still gawking at him as he ran on after Teyla.
"Rodney, I need to talk to you about these calculations." Radek demanded as he got in front of Rodney holding his portable laptop in front of Rodney's face. All Rodney could do is glare at him as he shoved Radek aside.
"I don't have time Radek!" yelled Rodney as he continued to run. Radek was left feeling quite stunned over Rodney's actions. Never before has Rodney turned down an opportunity to prove that he was the superior one in science.
Finally Rodney managed to make it to Teyla's quarters feeling quite out of breath as he swiped his hand over the door crystal. He feared that Teyla would lock the door to be away from people after that outburst with Sheppard. To his surprise the door slid open and he stepped inside quietly. He put down his laptop and went towards the patio doors that led outside to a private porch. He saw Teyla there, but she was crying softly. Rodney felt a tug at his heart and went swiftly towards her and simply held her. She turned around and cried against his shoulders and all Rodney could do is rub her back and hair and wait till she stops crying. He hated to see someone he had great respect for reduced to tears.
Meanwhile, Ronon swaggered up to Sheppard and looked down on him. Sheppard looked at Ronon with a peevish look on his face.
"Why are you being an ass Sheppard?" asked Ronon.
Sheppard was startled with the frankness of Ronon's question, "I just want to do the right thing by Teyla and if it means that she's off the team till after she has the baby. I don't want to be held responsible if something should happen to her or to her baby."
Ronon sighed, "Look Sheppard, Teyla and I are used to our women fighting even in this condition. It's a luxury we can't afford to have. We need every able bodied person. Besides, we're hardier than you folks are. Its time you realize that."
"Well, since I'm her commanding officer I have to decide what's best, not what she thinks its best? Now if you excuse me, I have to go and do some overdue paperwork." Sheppard snarled as he stepped around Ronon and walked away.
Ronon watched Sheppard storm away and muttered to himself, "What are you going to do when Rodney refuses to be on your team then just to stay with Teyla?"
"Ronon?" asked a female voice that belonged to Dr. Jennifer Keller.
Ronon turned around and faced a concerned Dr. Keller.
"I've heard what happened between Teyla and John, actually, its kind of hard not to hear with the way they were yelling." Jennifer commented to Ronon.
Ronon grunted in agreement and stood thinking for a bit before he asked a question to Jennifer, "I thought Teyla had an appointment today? I know Rodney was looking forward to it."
Jennifer was stunned, "Rodney was looking forward to Teyla's appointment? The man does everything to stay away from Sick Bay and he wanted to be there!"
Ronon smiled at Jennifer's comment, "I know, I myself was shocked to hear that but I honestly believe that Rodney wants to be there for her."
"Okay, now this I have to sit down. I wonder if Carter has heard of this by now." Jennifer mused out loud as she sat down in the nearest chair. Ronon looked at Jennifer and thought for a minute.
"Dr. Keller, would you please report to Col. Carter's office?"
"I think that answers your question." Ronon smiled.
"Of all the timing in this place, word sure gets around fast!" muttered Jennifer as she tugged at her earpiece and replied, "I'll be there in a few minutes."
Ronon helped Jennifer out of her seat and sent her on her way as he too followed since he wanted to hear what Carter would say about this turn of events and wanted to say something in Teyla's defense.
Back in Teyla's room, Rodney had managed somehow to calm Teyla down and they were sitting on the patio chairs talking.
"I don't know what to do with Col. Sheppard now. I can't believe he would think that I am incapable of doing my duty." Teyla sighed in disappointment.
Rodney closed his eyes and opened them up again to see that Teyla was staring at him most intensely, "Look, Sheppard is acting like any soldier in our military would do if they found out that one of their own team members was expecting but what Sheppard has forgotten for the moment is that you're not exactly held up to the same rules as our females in combat are. Therein lies the problem, he's simply over reacting to all of this. I however, don't agree with how he's handling it and how he is treating you in the process. I have half a mind to…"
"Dr. McKay, would you please report to Col. Carter's office."
Rodney's eyes narrowed in frustration as he toggled his ear piece to respond to the command from Major Lorne, "Major, I'm currently busy right now, would you please do not disturb me for a few more minutes!"
"I'm sorry Dr. McKay, but Col. Carter has insisted you come to the office now! Now don't go shooting the messenger here."
Rodney looked at Teyla most apologetically and shrugged his shoulders as he clumsily got up from his chair and gestured to his ear piece and tried to say something but Teyla stopped him.
"Its okay Rodney, I will remain here if you wish to further talk more of this. Before you do go, after you are done with whatever you have been called for, please stop by the Mess hall and pick up two trays of food for us both. We both have to eat, but more so for me since I didn't get the chance to eat anything as of yet and I'm sure Dr. Keller would be most displeased to find out that I haven't eaten my lunch today."
Rodney nodded in understanding as he tried to say something but was at a loss for words so he just left Teyla sitting out on her deck looking out to the ocean. He felt like he was abandoning her in the most important time of her life. He shook his head and ran his hands down the door sensors to open the door and left.
It was then Teyla was back in her room and looked at her bed and smiled. She went to her bed and picked up Rodney's laptop and thought if she should call him back but decided that he'll be back later and his laptop was safer here than where ever he was going to. She didn't even bother to ask where he was going and knew that Major Lorne was the one who summoned him. She was sorely tempted to find out what is going on but decided against it. She put the laptop down next to her laptop and walked back out to the deck and settled down in her chair and waited for Rodney's return.
