It's All Relative

A Sequel to Relatively Speaking

Chapter 4

A Convenient Place For Dreams

"Do you love her?"

John was startled but refused to show it. Of all the questions he expected from Kaleb, that wasn't one of them. He stiffened his back and clamped his lips together. It was a strange feeling having the ex-husband of the woman he was seeing wanting to know his intentions especially when he didn't know them himself. The military man searched inside himself, attempting to create an ambiguous response that would neither confirm nor deny his feelings, whatever they were.

"Well, do you?" Kaleb asked when John didn't immediately respond.

"What are you doing here, Kaleb? Haven't you caused enough trouble?" Jeannie had come looking for John when he hadn't returned and heard the voices in the front room.

Her ex-husband had the good sense to look remorseful. He cast a look at John that told him their conversation wasn't over. "I, uh, came to apologize. Don't go, Colonel Sheppard. You should hear this, too." He said the words without any sarcasm.

John had made it as far as the doorway to the kitchen but stopped and turned back, uneasy about being included in what should be a private conversation. He didn't require an apology for himself but stayed to hear what Kaleb had to say for Jeannie's sake.

"Zarita and I were friends in college. When the divorce was final, she called to give her condolences. I told her some of what I was afraid might happen and suspected but had never talked about before. She convinced me to file the lawsuit…" he paused, obviously discomfited by the fact that he'd been so easily influenced, "…and the addendum to the divorce decree."

Jeannie let out a growl of frustration. She'd obviously had this conversation with him, and others, before. "John and I…"

"…never had an affair?" A tear appeared in the corner of one eye as he put a hand on his chest. "In my heart I knew it wasn't true. When we were married, we promised to always tell each other everything and we did…up until this last time. You wouldn't give me any details. All you would talk about was how happy you were that Mer was going to be alright and what a good friend Sheppard was to him…and you."

"But that's all he ever was until…"

Kaleb made a sound of frustration. "I know!" He shouted this last taking a deep breath to reign in the frustration he had with himself. "…and now I've ruined everything." His shoulders hunched and he turned away from the look on her face. "You all probably hate me now, especially Madison."

"Oh, Kaleb." Jeannie tentatively reached out a hand to touch his shoulder. "No one hates you."

"No, you pity me. That's even worse."

"We don't hate you and we don't pity you, Kaleb." John also came to stand beside him and added his voice. "How did you get here?" He asked quietly.

Kaleb's head turned at the non-sequiter. "Um, got a ride. Why?"

The military man gestured in the direction of the back yard. "Come sit with us. Have a beer and spend a little time with your daughter before she goes to bed."

John took a beer from the 'fridge while Jeannie walked with Kaleb to the back yard. Woolsey, Rodney and Jennifer were tossing a ball with the blond girl whose face lit up when she saw her father.

"Daddy!"

Madison ran to Kaleb and he swept her into a tight hug. "How's daddy's little angel?"

"I'm great! Yesterday at school, we took a field trip to the zoo. We rode the train and I got to touch a snake!" Kaleb sat down and Madison jumped in his lap talking a mile a minute about everything.

John set Kaleb's beer on the table beside him and moved away to give them space. A few moments later Jeannie came to stand beside him. She nudged him with her shoulder and whispered, "Thanks."

"For?"

"Being a friend again."

John looked down at his feet and made a self-deprecating shrug, hands in his pockets.

Jeannie watched her ex-husband now tossing the Frisbee with his daughter, Jennifer, Rodney and Woolsey, remembering what she'd heard Kaleb asking John before she'd interrupted. "So, do you?"

"Do I what?"

She turned to look up at him, her smile sliding away. "Love me."

He looked down at her then away. He'd been asking himself that same question for a while now and still hadn't come to any conclusions. "I…" Then, with a sudden surge of clarity, John's emotions showed themselves to him. He cleared his throat and said, "No, I don't."

Jeannie inhaled sharply and turned away so he wouldn't see the hurt in her eyes. She'd known there was a possibility that he wouldn't ever love her or that he wasn't able to do so in the traditional sense. Mostly from the things that Meredith had and hadn't said about his friend but also from her own observations. Before she knew it, her feet had carried her into the house, John's voice calling to her. She ignored his entreaties and kept going until his hand wrapped around her upper arm and jerked her to a stop just as she reached the middle of the front room. Where she was headed she had no idea but hadn't expected him to follow her.

"Jeannie, will you please just listen?"

She jerked her arm from his grasp and glared at him. "Why? So you can tell me again you don't love me?"

"Yes. No! I mean, you didn't let me finish."

The glare remained as she faced him with an expression of impatient irritation on her pretty face. "Then please, John, by all means, finish." She waved her arms dramatically in typical McKay fashion.

Now that he had her undivided attention he was uncertain how to proceed. His mouth opened and closed a few times but nothing came out. When she again turned away, he put a hand on her shoulder to stop her. "I never said I don't care."

"Funny, that doesn't sound much like undying devotion."

"Because it isn't." She snorted and tried to turn away again but he took her hand to stop her, linking their fingers together. "What I was going to say before I was forced to chase you was…I don't love you yet." Her unblinking stare made him edgy so he hurried through what he wanted to say before he lost his nerve. "But I think I'm…beginning to."

"Oh. Uh, that's good. Great."

Before she could completely wrap her head around his words he pulled her close and just held her against his chest until she finally began to relax. Rodney found them just like that a few minutes later. He rolled his eyes from the kitchen doorway, grabbed four more beers and a bottle of water then was gone.

John ordered Chinese takeout for everyone though Kaleb declined the invitation to join them after getting a phone call. Kaleb said he had to go and was headed for the patio door just as John's cell phone rang. The Air Force officer answered, spoke quietly for a few moments, gathered the others around to let them know what was happening then called out to the teacher, "Kaleb, wait!"

Jeannie was speaking urgently to Madison. "…and don't forget your homework this time."

Kaleb watched his daughter close the patio door and heard her running footsteps in the upstairs hall a few moments later. "What's going on?"

"There's a situation at the SGC." Jeannie told him quietly. "You need to take Madison tonight."

"Um…"

John and Jeannie went to stand with the others but before he touched his headset, John reached in his pocket and tossed the keys to the rental. Kaleb caught them automatically. "Mind returning it for us?" The English teacher watched them with open-mouthed shock as they went from a group of friends just having fun together to defenders of the galaxy in less time than it took to take a breath.

"I…guess not." Kaleb was further shocked when John put his arm around Jeannie's waist, his hand resting intimately on the front curve of her hip pulling her close to his side.

When Jeannie felt John's arm slide around her she stopped speaking to look up at him. He was looking down at her with the smile that always made her breath catch. As long as they'd been seeing each other he'd never once made a public display of affection aside from offering his arm when they were out walking or taking her hand to help her out of the car. Now he was doing it not only in front of her brother and his wife, but her ex-husband as well. And suddenly, she didn't need to hear the words because his actions spoke for themselves. She rested her hand on his chest a moment as he tapped his headset and said, "Hammond, this is Sheppard. Five ready to transport."

Kaleb had never seen a transport before and took a step back when they disappeared. The shock began to wear off and he went inside just as Madison came downstairs. A car pulled up in front of the house as Kaleb hooked Madison's backpack over one shoulder. "I know you don't usually stay with me on a school night but your mom and her friends had to leave." He cast about for a plausible reason for Jeannie and the others departure when Madison shrugged as if it were an everyday occurrence.

She slipped her jacket on then reached for her pillow and overnight bag. "They probably had to go to that Stargate place."

Her dad was struck nearly speechless. "Um, where did you hear that word, Maddie?"

"From mom and Colonel Sheppard. Heard them talking one night when they thought I was asleep. It's where mom works with him, Uncle Mer, Aunt Jennifer and Mr. Woolsey." She opened the front door and stepped outside with her dad behind her. "I don't know what it is but it's a big secret."

"I know. Uh, come on. There's someone I want you to meet." Kaleb locked the front door and gave Madison back her key. The window of the shiny black Lexus idling at the curb hummed down as they reached the driver's door. "Madison, this is my friend Zarita. Zarita, this is my little angel, Madison."

"Pleased to meet you, Madison. You're dad's told me all about you." Zarita smiled at the girl who just stared at her for a few moments before smiling back.

"Zarita's a pretty name."

"Why thank you." Zarita didn't often have contact with children aside from her nieces and nephews.

"Are you my dad's new girlfriend? 'Cause he really needs someone to take care of him when I'm not around."

Taken aback by the outspoken child, Zarita's smile dimmed slightly. She and Kaleb exchanged an awkward glance as he shrugged and gave her a nod. "Yeah, I guess I am his girlfriend."

A Few Months Later

"Thanks for coming." Jeannie hugged Rodney and Jennifer then led them to the kitchen. She handed Rodney a big bowl of spinach salad and took a pitcher of tea from the 'fridge.

"What's this all about?"

She served the salad, poured them each a glass of iced tea then sat down across from them. "Can't I invite my brother and his wife to lunch without there being an ulterior motive?" Though there were only the three of them, the table was set for four. Rodney didn't notice but Jennifer did.

He took a huge bite of the salad and chewed while Jennifer answered. "Don't pay any attention to him. You know we love spending time with you and Madison. Where is our favorite niece?"

"She's your only niece, and she's at a friend's." She rolled her eyes at her brother's expression while exchanging a knowing glance with Jennifer.

Rodney reached for his napkin, his eyes becoming concerned. "What has Kaleb done now?"

"Everything's fine on that front. We've even started to become friends. Sort of. Been going to family counseling. John, too, if you can believe that. Kaleb now has someone he can talk to about all of this besides me."

Rodney shook his head at the knowledge that his commitment-phobic friend was actually in family therapy and relaxed in his seat. "Good. The IOA is still deciding if or when Atlantis will be returning to Pegasus and wouldn't take kindly to Woolsey beaming out in the middle of a meeting."

"Yeah, I know." Jeannie took a deep breath and speared a forkful of salad.

"Where is John? It's almost like he's been avoiding me the last few days."

The signal heralding a beam-in reached them just before John came into sight. "Hi." He gave Jeannie a quick kiss then sat beside her and served himself a generous helping of salad.

The friends greeted each other then concentrated on eating. There was silence for a few moments then Jeannie said, "By the way, I hope the two of you are free four weeks from Saturday."

Rodney and Jennifer conferred silently. "We're free. Another ballet recital?"

Jeannie gave him a small smile. "No. John and I are getting married."

She said it so casually that Rodney didn't catch it immediately. When he did, the shock rolled through him and he just stared open-mouthed at the diamond solitaire sparkling on Jeannie's left hand extended out in front of her. He finally snapped his mouth shut and his eyes filled with anger when he remembered something. "Oh, no! You're not…"

"What?" Her eyes went wide when she realized what he was asking. "Meredith! No!"

Rodney finally relaxed, his breath rushing out. He took a second serving of salad. "Oh, good. I mean, not that it would be a bad thing…that is, I don't want…but then why are you, uh…" He looked at Jennifer, uncertainly. "Wanna help me out here?"

Jennifer patted his hand in comfort. "He's trying to say that he's very happy for the two of you and he'd love to walk you down the aisle, Jeannie."

"That's sweet of him to offer but Will's gonna to do that."

"Nononono! I'm you're closest male relative and as such it is my job to…"

John interrupted with a smirk. "That's our Meredith." The Colonel had picked up Jeannie's habit of calling her brother by the name he detested. "Always jumping to conclusions. You aren't walking her down the aisle because you're gonna be the best man."

"Oh." Rodney grinned, obviously appeased as he let out a long sigh of relief. He speared a huge bite of his salad watching John watch him but speaking to Jeannie. "Well, I guess having John as a brother-in-law won't be so bad. It could be worse." The physicist made a dramatic pause until he certain he had everyone's undivided attention. "You could be marrying Zelenka."

Almost Two Years Later

John, Teyla, Ronon and Rodney followed the path through the woods until they came to a large open field. To his left and right were AR-3 and AR-9. Major Anne Teldy stopped walking and turned to face the way they'd come just as the radio crackled. "Colonel Sheppard, come in." Lieutenant Colonel Evan Lorne's voice sounded more tense than usual.

"Sheppard."

"What's your 20, Colonel? And is Doctor McKay with you?" A blast of static made John wince just as Rodney stepped up to his side.

"What's going on?" The physicist asked.

John rolled his eyes. "You know as much as I do, Rodney." He pressed the talk button.

"We're about 1.5 klicks southeast of the Stargate and yeah, McKay's here."

"On my way to your location with Doctor Zelenka. ETA, ten. You and Doctor McKay are needed back at base ASAP."

Rodney huffed and held up his scanner. "We can't go back. We're almost to that underground energy signature the MALP detected. It's just over…" he pointed over his shoulder.

The full bird Colonel waved at his friend and brother-in-law as if he were a pesky insect. "What's up, Colonel?"

"Sir, Doctor Sheppard's been taken to the Infirmary. Her contractions have started. Doctor Keller said to hurry."

The two men shared a look equal parts alarm and fear. "On our way!" To Teyla and Ronon he said, "Stay!"

Rodney had already started jogging in the direction of the Stargate when John caught up to him. By the time they'd gone a half a klick, the physicist was already winded and John took pity on him. "You don't have to come, Meredith. Jeannie will understand."

Rodney panted and shook his head. "I missed Madison's birth. I'm not missing my nephew's, too."

John grinned and slapped him on the back. The grin stayed with him until they got to the Stargate. Rodney dialed then headed for the wormhole. Just as he reached it he realized he was alone and turned around to see John standing one hand on the DHD, eyes wide and unblinking. "John, come on! I don't wanna miss this."

"I-I just realized something, Rodney." The Colonel gulped. "I'm gonna be a father, not just a step-father."

Rodney snorted. "Yeah, yeah, yeah. Let's go!"

"But it just hit me. I mean really hit me. There's gonna be a little me running around soon and he's gonna be calling me 'dad'."

"Jennifer explained all that to me." Rodney rolled his eyes. "It's what happens when your wife gets pregnant."

"I know, but until now it's just been a dream, something that was gonna happen in some far off future." His breathing increased and he put a hand to his chest. "Now that it's real, I-I don't think I can do it."

"The future's a convenient place for dreams but it's time to wake up and smell the baby powder."

"You don't understand. My dad sucked at being a father. What if I suck at it, too?" Rodney came to John's side just as he slid down to sit on the ground. He hesitated briefly before gently squeezing his friend's shoulder while the other man tried to pull in air. "Oh, crap! I can't breathe!"

"You're gonna do fine. Now come on. Up you go." Rodney shifted his grip from the top of John's shoulder to around his bicep. "We have to get going." He tugged but his friend was too heavy to lift without his co-operation. "Look, John, this was incredibly funny the first few times it happened but now it's just annoying."

"I'm gonna puke!"

The physicist rolled his eyes. This was different. He was bolstering John's confidence instead of the other way around. "You did that the first time and the second time. You are not gonna do it again!" Rodney placed his hand on the back of John's neck and shoved his head between his knees.

This new position startled John and he finally rallied. "The hell are you doing? Get off!" He pushed Rodney's hand away and the world spun crazily as he rolled to his hands and knees but didn't stand.

"This is the last time I'm gonna do this." Rodney took a deep breath and spit out what was obviously a practiced speech. "I know you doubt yourself, what sort of father you'll be. I've thought about it too ever since Jennifer and I started trying to have a baby. But trust me, John, you are gonna to be a great dad. All you have to do is remember what your dad did and do the opposite."

"Really?" His friend looked up at him.

"Yes! Now get your ass on your feet…" Rodney again tried to get him to stand and this time it worked. John swayed on his feet, gripping Rodney's arm to keep from falling. "Ready to do this?"

John took a few more gulps of air, straightened his back, pulled his shoulders back and nodded. "Let's go have a baby!" The two men, once just friends, now brothers, passed through the event horizon and a moment later, it shut down.

TBC