Spoilers: Based vaguely on the spoilers for season 4.

Disclaimers: I in no way own any part of the Stargate world, if only!! Think of the fun I could have!!!

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John woke to the sound of rain against his window. Winter was fast approaching and he could feel the new chill in the air against his face. He shifted down into the warmth of the duvet and listened to the wind in the trees outside his window. He glanced at his alarm clock; 4:20am. She was probably down there on the sofa again. It was extra cold tonight and John didn't like the idea of her and Tagan sleeping down there in that large cold room. Maybe he should at least take down her duvet for her. He rolled up and off his bed, and headed out of his bedroom.

Her bedroom door was open only slightly, maybe tonight was one of those rare times she actually fell asleep in her bed? He trod down the stairs, but sure enough there she was curled up on the sofa.

He turned off the tv, stood over her small frame and frowned. She looked so small and vulnerable. Not like Teyla at tall. As with every night he pondered on what to do. She was sleeping at least, why not on a sofa? But, it bothered John. Something about seeing her alone and cold down here – it bothered him. He had continued not to push the issue with her, but he really had had enough. He sat on the edge of the coffee table by the sofa and stared at her beautiful face. Reaching out he pulled her blanket back up over her bare arm. His hand brushed her skin and felt the chill and the goosebumps covering her bare arm. He reached up and brushed some stray hair from her cheek, her skin too cold to the touch.

"Teyla." He whispered.

She stirred quickly, indicating to John that her sleep had not been as deep as he had hoped. She blinked up at him.

"Teyla, it's very cold down here. I'm gonna move Tagan up to my room, it's warmer up there. Okay?" He whispered, using some of his authority tone.

Her eyes moved to Tagan's crib in the dark and she mumbled an agreement, before her eyes slid shut again.

John moved to Tagan, softly lifted him from his crib and carried him up stairs. As quietly as possible he moved the crib out from Teyla's room and into his, placing in on the far side of the room, where the air was warmest. Tagan settled quickly, as John tucked him in. Happy Tagan was comfortable he turned his attention back to Teyla. He moved towards her room to pick up her duvet and take it down to her. He didn't really understand why she couldn't sleep in her bed. The room was comfortable enough and she seemed to like it. He grabbed the duvet and carried it down the stairs.

She was asleep again. He stood over her with the duvet in his hand. How could she be comfortable all tucked up and cold like this? The sofa was comfortable enough, but it wasn't a bed. The lounge air seemed even colder than before. The blanket had fallen from her arm again, and he saw the goosebumps back over her skin. Something snapped deep inside then, he had had enough of this.

He dropped the duvet on the end of the sofa and reached down, slipping his arms under her and lifted her up off the sofa. Her body felt small, but secure in his arms as he lifted her, taking all her body weight in his arms and rested her against his chest. Though she was small, he could feel the solidity of her. She still maintained her Bantos training, and he could feel the underlying strength to her as he held her against him. She stirred sleepily awake and blinked up at him.

"Enough now, Teyla. You're not going to stay down here, it's too cold." He stated as he headed to the stairs with her. He could hear the anger in his voice and regretted it, but he was not having her down here another night. Not if he had anything to do with it.

Teyla stirred against him, realising what he was doing. He gently resisted her attempts to wriggle out of his arms. He could see she was confused and sleepy, as she blinked up at him in confusion. If she really wanted to she could break free of his arms and he would let her go, but he steadily ignored her weak protests and held her tighter against his chest.

"You're not sleeping down here in the cold, Teyla." He stated again.

She stopped her wriggling, probably too tired to protest further he guessed. He began to climb the stairs, and she relaxed against him finally, one hand sliding over his shoulder to help balance her weight against him. The sensation of her hand grazing against the back of his bare neck distracted him and he almost lost his footing for a moment. He recovered quickly and hopefully with his dignity intact.

John reached the top of the stairs and paused. If he put her in her bed she may not sleep again, then she would end up down stairs again. Well, not this time. He turned to the left towards his own room. Kicking the door open he moved to his own rumpled bed.

"If you're not going to sleep in your own bed you can at least keep warm in mine." He muttered as he placed her on the edge of his large double bed. He knew his logic was a bit off, but he just wanted to keep her close. Keep her warm. She didn't say anything and he took her silence as acceptance.

He helped her swing her body round to settle under the duvet and he set about pulling the covers over her securely. He didn't look at her face, not wanting to have to deal with any emotion her expression may reveal. Satisfied she was tucked in, he closed the door firmly, checked briefly that Tagan was still asleep and headed round to the other side of the bed.

He slipped under the slightly cooler side of the bed and settled himself down near the centre. Only then did he look over at her. She was still sleepy, her gaze soft and glazed. But she didn't look like she was going to bolt anywhere. Then she began snuggling down under the duvet seeking the warmth that he had filled the covers with when he had slept there. She settled finally on her front, head against the mattress, ignoring the pillow.

He was more than a little surprised at his actions and he hoped he hadn't upset her too much. He could barely believe had just picked Teyla up and put her in his bed!

But, she had stayed. He looked over at her again, her eyes were closed and she appeared relaxed. He laid on his side and took in the image of Teyla laying beside him, in his bed. She may have some choice words for him tomorrow when she was properly awake, but that was to be worried about tomorrow. For now she was safe and warm in his bed, where he could make sure she got a good nights sleep. He closed his eyes and began to drift to sleep.

He became aware that she was moving around in the bed next to him a lot. He opened one eye a crack, to see her turning over and trying to find a comfortable position. He could hear her breathing next to him, knew she wasn't falling back to sleep. A few minutes later she turned over onto her front again.

"Teyla, go to sleep." John muttered softly as he reached out under the covers and pressed his hand onto her back. She stilled, her back tense under his hand.

"I am sorry, John." She whispered.

He didn't respond, instead he found himself stroking her back, in what he hoped was a soothing motion. He hoped once again, that he wasn't stepping too far over the line, that this wouldn't make her jump up and run from the room for sure. But, instead to his surprise and eternal delight, she took a deep breath and he felt her back relax finally beneath his touch.

Her eyes briefly met his through the dark before they drifted shut. He kept up the soothing motions for quite a while, drawing idle circles on her back. It felt good to be able to help her, and admittedly it was especially good to be able to touch her without feeling awkward. He listened to her breathing deepen and her whole body relaxed into the mattress next to him. He wasn't sure what she would say tomorrow about his actions, but for now she was warm and asleep.

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TBC