Title: Our Mrs. Sheppard

Pairing: Sparky

Spoilers: Nothing specific. We'll say through season 3.

Disclaimer: I don't own them or Firefly. sigh

Summary: Sometimes John's off-world shenanigans catch up with him. And sometimes Elizabeth gets involved. Sparky.

Author's note: Hey guys. Thanks for the reviews! It's good to hear that you're enjoying the story so far.

Chapter 4- Friend of the Groom

"Ow."

Teyla sighed. She had noticed at dinner that John seemed out of sorts. While this was not that surprising given the events of the afternoon, she had also been in Atlantis long enough to know it was the kind of mood usually brought on by an argument with Elizabeth. So, about an hour after dinner she had gone to the gym for the purpose of finding John. As she predicted he was there, looking like he was trying to decide between going for a run or hitting a punching bag. Deciding to help her friend, she had extended an invitation to him to spar. John wasn't the type of man to talk about his feelings. From what she could gather he was the most open with Elizabeth out of all of them, which was great except when she was the cause of his mental distress. However, John was rather forthcoming with her when they were sparring. She liked to think of it as a nice way of beating the truth out of him. In any case, he had accepted her invitation, and like she thought, was so distracted that she was pulling moves on him he had learned to block and counter months ago.

"Ready to go again, or would you like to take a short break?" She asked. They had been sparring for a half hour or so and John really wasn't doing well.

"Let's go again." He said, twirling one of the sticks absently while settling into a fighting stance. "I just can't seem to react to that move of yours tonight."

"Hmm." She replied with a knowing look and took a position opposite him.

They started once again, the sticks striking each other in rapid succession. Teyla saw a few openings in his defenses, but chose to take the one that would end up with John laying flat on his back.

"Oof." The air rushed out of John as he landed. He lay there on his back for a minute, looking up at her. "What did you mean with the….hmmmmm?"

"What do you think I meant?" She asked. These things usually went better when he started the conversation rather than her.

"Teyla," He said in a warning tone and grabbed her hand to pull himself up. "Let's go again."

"As you wish."

After another round, at the conclusion of which she landed a firm whack on his right leg, John was willing to take a break. They sat down on one of the side benches with some water. Only a few minutes had passed before John turned to her.

"I'm distracted tonight."

"Yes you are. I think at this point Jinto could beat you." She replied with a comforting smile.

"Hey, I'm not that bad." He protested and scrubbed a hand through his hair. "It's just been a weird day."

"I'd imagine so." When John didn't say anything for a minute or two she decided to press the issue. "I hear that things with Elizabeth didn't go so well."

"She called me Colonel." He muttered.

"Have you talked to her since this afternoon?" She asked, pretty sure that he hadn't or he wouldn't be in this state.

"No. She's probably still mad at me." He said.

"Elizabeth was angry?" Teyla asked. John had said irritated at dinner, but anger was different.

"Yeah. Or disappointed. Or both." John sighed. "I probably should apologize to her again. I didn't mean for this to happen, still not exactly sure how it did either."

"Who was the woman, again?" Teyla realized that she hadn't heard that much about that part of the story. Since she had been around Sheppard most of the time while they were on Gandria, it was likely she had met the hopeful bride.

"Her name is Imely. I sort of remember her, but I don't know how she could have gotten the idea that….well, I suppose it doesn't matter now."

"Except that everyone is making fun of you and Elizabeth's angry with you." She pointed out.

"Thanks for reminding me." He groaned, leaning back against the wall. "Rodney has a list."

"Would you really have expected anything else?"

"No, but I'm hoping he'll get distracted by something shiny and ancient soon." He turned his head and gave her a small smile. "And I think I'll apologize to Elizabeth tomorrow."

Teyla then decided to try to shove her friends in the right direction. This dance that John and Elizabeth kept doing around each other was amusing at times, but ultimately needed to end. She wanted her friends to be happy, and it was obvious to her and several other people that they would be if they stopped being so stubborn, opened their eyes and actually talked to each other. Maybe this event had left them both enough off balance that they would actually get some place if they talked tonight. "Why tomorrow? It's not that late, you should go talk to her tonight."

John opened his mouth and then closed it with a frown. "No reason I guess, just don't want to disturb her."

"I doubt it would be a disruption. If anything it would ease her mind and yours." She said sweetly. "And then you can put the matter behind you."

"Okay." John drew the word out and gave her a considering look. "Thanks Teyla. Have a good evening."

Teyla watched as he got up and headed for the door with a determined set to his face. She congratulated herself; this little conversation of theirs had turned out particularly well.

TBC…..

AN: Okay, I promise that in the next chapter Elizabeth and John will actually talk again. I meant to make it part of this one, but I'm having a little trouble deciding which way to take the conversation. Although after rewatching a couple of episodes of SGA, I'm definitely leaning in one direction now…..