This time he woke up first. John rose up on one elbow and looked at the woman beside him. When he met Nancy, he had thought himself in love. When it had quickly faded, he realized that it was love, just not the right type. He also realized that their quick marriage was his father's doing as Patrick had hoped that having a wife would keep John out of combat zones or, even better, get him to resign his commission. It did neither, and as things worsened between them, he spent less time on leave and more time in hot zones because they were less stressful than dealing with his father and Nancy.

Looking down at Teyla, he realized that here, in this woman, he had found the other half of his soul. She didn't want him because he was rich – she could care less. She loved him for his beautiful soul and his mind along with his body. She accepted him for who he is, not who she wanted him to be.

Moving quietly, he went to the pool and bathed. Realizing that he hadn't shaved in two days, he moved to get out of the water in order to get his razor. As he walked out of the pool, his foot slipped and he fell back into the pool. Fortunately, he didn't fall far. Unfortunately, he hit his head on a rock.

Something startled Teyla awake and she knew something was wrong. John was not on the blanket beside her and the fire had died down. She stood and looked around to see if he had gone to gather fruit for breakfast, but the carry basket was still near the tent. Now truly worried, she checked the area for tracks. The only tracks she found were theirs. His most recent tracks headed for the tent and then towards the pool. There were none coming back.

Glad that she had slipped on a t-shirt and shorts to sleep in, Teyla rushed to the pool, dreading what she would find. Her worst fears were realized as she spotted him lying limp in the pool; the water near him tinged pink with blood. She scrambled around the pool to check on him. He was partially in the pool, his head and upper chest on the shore, the blood from his head injury dripping into the pool. Heart in her throat, she put her hand to his neck, relieved to find a pulse.

Lightly tapping him on the cheek, Teyla called his name, using both mind and voice. "John, can you hear me? Wake up, John."

No response. Teyla knew immediately that this was bad. She knew she shouldn't move him, but she couldn't leave him where he was. Leaning over, Teyla grasped John under the arms and pulled him from the pool. Once she had him up on land, she grabbed a towel and covered him with it, using another towel as a compress for his head wound. Knowing he needed medical attention, she hurried to his pack. In the bottom was a paper packet next to his radio. Grabbing the packet and radio as well as a field bandage, she moved to their campfire and built it up as the fire needed to be hot to release the chemical marker in the pack. Once tossed on the fire, it would release a red smoke that would signal to the outpost that there was trouble.

As she waited for the fire, she went to John and applied the field dressing to his injury. He never moved as she bandaged his head. Once the fire was hot enough, Teyla threw the packet on and waited until the first wisps of smoke started to rise. Moving quickly, she packed up their gear, checking occasionally on John. He had not roused and she was definitely worried.

Ronon was fishing when he saw the red smoke. That was John's signal that there was trouble. A bad feeling settled in the pit of his stomach as he picked up his pole, throwing the couple of fish he had in a bucket nearby back in before heading off to find McKay, tapping his radio as he moved.

"Teyla? Sheppard?"

"Ronon, it is Teyla. John is injured. He fell and hit his head. We need to get him back to Atlantis."

Ronon grunted. "Be there soon."

Rodney McKay was enjoying himself. Five days without Sheppard, Teyla was off somewhere and Ronon was leaving him alone, spending his time fishing and running. When Ronon rushed in on the fifth day and pulled him to his feet and towards the jumper, McKay was alarmed.

"Hey, what's going on Conan? What's the rush? Is the outpost being attacked? Where're Sheppard and Teyla?"

Pulling the scientist along, Ronon pointed and replied without loosening his grip. "Red smoke. One of them is in trouble. We need to go."

Rodney pulled his arm free and grabbed his bag as they moved past it, tucking his tablet in as he went. Reaching the jumper, Rodney quickly got it moving. Landing on the beach near the two canoes, Ronon had the ramp down before the jumper settled; medical supplies in hand. He followed the path to the campsite, where he found Teyla hovering over an unconscious Sheppard.

As Ronon handed her the items he had known she would need, Teyla did what she could for John. His pupils were sluggish and the swelling lump was still slowly seeping blood under a field bandage. She secured a spinal collar around his neck to stabilize his head before Ronon helped her slide John onto a backboard. While she waited, Teyla had grabbed his shorts and slipped them on him as she knew John would not appreciate being naked if he were awake. She could hear Rodney at the campsite gathering the packs and putting the fire out.

Back in Atlantis, the jumper was met by Carson Beckett. He had already received the basics of the Colonel's condition as the jumper approached the Gate. He boarded as soon as the jumper settled, not waiting for the ramp to touch the deck. Quickly assessing his patient, he did not like what he saw and had him on a gurney and on his way to the infirmary as quick as possible.

Once in the infirmary, Carson had Sheppard under the scanner as soon as possible. The bleeding lump covered a skull fracture underneath and there were signs of swelling. As the nurses prepped the Colonel, Carson scrubbed for surgery to clean the wound and insert a drain tube. Fortunately minor, but the pressure needed to be relieved before function was impaired.

He entered the OR, Sheppard already prepped. Melanie, one of the surgical nurses, had already shaved the portion of the pilot's skull where the bleeding was. Hopefully, Sheppard would never notice, but Carson knew from past experience that that was wishful thinking as he got to work.

Out in the waiting area, Ronon was watching Teyla as McKay paced, muttering about household accidents and clumsy Colonels. He was sure that her plan had worked, but he needed to know.

"How'd it go?"

Teyla looked up, worry and fear plain in her eyes. "It went well. Better than I expected actually." She smiled as she remembered their lovemaking of the previous days. "He accepted my proposal."

Rodney stopped his pacing. "Proposal, what proposal?"

Ronon allowed a rare full smile to grace his face. "Teyla proposed to Sheppard. He accepted."

Rodney was stunned, not sure he was hearing what he thought he was. "He accepted …her proposal… of what, marriage?"

Teyla blushed. "Yes, Rodney. He accepted my proposal of marriage."

"Oh…um…that's great." Rodney was almost speechless in shock. Then a thought occurred. "Um…I know I'm pretty clueless when it comes to cultural differences, but don't Athosians believe in the man making the first move and announcing his intentions?"

Teyla nodded. "We do, but, as you know, John is not the most articulate person when it comes to feelings. I thought about this for a long time and decided to take Dr Hewston's advice. I realized that John had already expressed his interest a very long time ago, and that his actions were saying what his words could not. To have endured what he did to rescue me from Michael made me listen to his words more closely."

Rodney frowned. "What words? You just said he never said anything aloud."

Teyla gave Rodney the type of look that you give to someone who is being purposefully obtuse. "Have you not heard of body language? Sometimes, body language is the clearest of all to understand. John was shouting, but I was not listening."

Rodney resumed his pacing lost in thought. He suddenly stopped in front of Teyla again. "Um, does this… are we…is this going to split us up?"

"Nope, not gonna happen." Ronon snorted at the look of panic on McKay's face.

"Oh, good." A stark expression of relief crossed Rodney's face. "I didn't want to break in a new team since I've got all of you trained."

Rodney was saved by Carson's appearance. The Scot was tired, but did not appear overly worried. "The Colonel will be fine. In addition to the knot on his head, he has a minor skull fracture. There is some swelling, but I put in a drain and he's on anti-inflammatory drugs to relieve the swelling." Seeing the looks on the trio's faces, Carson waved at what the staff called 'The Colonel's Corner'. "He'll be out in a few moments. Keep an eye on him as he's still comin' out of the anesthesia. Let me know the minute he wakes and do not agitate him." Here Carson directed a hairy eyeball at Rodney. "That especially applies to you. No snark fests for a while."

Carson looked at Teyla, then at Ronon and Rodney. "Rodney, why don't you take first shift? Ronon, please go shower. I like fishing, but I dinna want the infirmary smellin' of it." Ronon grinned and headed off as Rodney headed for John's corner. After the boys left, Carson turned to Teyla. "Teyla, lass, I have a question. Ye were with John for the last three days, correct?"

Teyla nodded. "Yes. We were on the island together."

"Do ye know how he got the mark on the back of his neck?"

Carson was surprised by the Athosian's blush.

"I did that."

Carson looked at the warrior woman and thought about a lot of things that he had noticed, including a certain Colonel's protectiveness.

"Ah, the two o' ye finally decided to get together. Is there to be a weddin'?"

Teyla nodded and smiled, grateful that she would not have to spell it out. "Yes, although we have set no date. John wants to speak with Richard and General O'Neill before we announce it."

Carson approved. "Aye, he's the right of it. I know the two o' ye are gonna take yer time about this. I can also tell you that the two o' ye have compatible blood types if ye're plannin' on makin' any more wee bairns." At her look of confusion, he clarified. "Sometimes, two people have incompatible blood types. This can cause birth defects or even still births."

Teyla understood. Carson had explained blood types early on after they had come to Atlantis. This was good to know.

"Thank you, Carson."

Carson gave her a hug. "Now, off with ye an' see if ye can keep the lad out o' trouble."