Bloodlines4
John caught Moira's arm as they reached the stairs. "So, baby...seriously? Every afternoon?" he asked into her ear. Not knowing whether she was flirting or teasing him. Not caring as long as she was coming on to him.
"Like clockwork, sweetie," she replied softly, leading him up the stairs. "You could have set your watch by it. Hell, you could have set your cock by it, John. You could have planned on a full-on hard-on at two o'clock every day. Every day, John, why we could have trained your ordnance to become aroused at exactly that...oh here we are." She entered the conference room. Looked back. "John?"
John was staring at her, standing on the stairs. Resumed walking and followed her into the room. To the head of the table. Sat as Evan and his team filed in, casting glances at the pair. John tore his gaze from Moira as she sat near him. He gestured to the data screen. Punched a button. "MALP footage from PJ3M29. Note the rocky terrain. Little vegetation. Those ruins in the distance could be an Ancient structure."
"Looks like it sustained heavy damage, sir," Evan commented. Ruined spires were pointing at the sky like fingers on the film. "It looks to be of Ancient design."
"Yes, but disused. Maybe for centuries. Who knows? This planet is a little out of the way but still in the database so it's worth a visit," John agreed.
"John? It's not one of the planets on the grid, or rather out of it, is it?" Moira asked. The other men exchanged confused expressions, but John nodded, understanding her.
"Yes. It is. I'm pursuing a theory of my own. This one is the closest to the planets that have two or more of your designated criteria."
"Sir? Is there something I should know?" Evan asked, looking from Moira to John. Back again.
"No, major. Not yet," John decided. "It's just a theory. A work in progress."
"What theory?" Moira asked, intrigued. Curious.
"Later. It's a routine mission, nothing spectacular, but take note of everything."
"Are there any energy signatures?" Thomas Kavanaugh asked. He adjusted his glasses.
"No. None. It's still worth investigating. DHD is intact. Your priority is to check out those ruins. That structure. The usual meet and greet, of course."
"Is there a village nearby, sir?" Aaron Josephes asked.
"Not within two klicks, at least not detected by the MALP. All protocols are to be observed. I need you to take special notice of anything unusual. Particularly in that structure. Weapons damage and so forth. We've run into some alien tech and there might be more. By alien I mean tech and structures not Ancient or Wraith. Something else. Something new, or rather something old. Older than both, possibly. Any questions?" John looked over as Ronon Dex entered.
"Sorry. What did I miss?" the Satedan asked. He took a seat. Gaze lingering on Moira for a moment.
"Not much. As I was saying, SOP apply. Anything interesting turns up in that structure radio Atlantis so we can send a full science team, if necessary, and–"
"Excuse me, colonel," Moira interrupted, "why is Ronon here? Is this a joint mission with your own team?"
John replied evenly, "No. He might be going with you. But I guess not now. As I was saying any kind of Ancient or even alien tech should be reported ASAP to us and we–"
"Why? Why would you assign Ronon to a SOP meet and greet?" she persisted. "To us? Or did you mean to me?" She glanced at Ronon. The Satedan smiled. Warmly. Too warmly. Moira looked at John. "You didn't! You didn't!" She stood. "John!"
He shrugged. "Contingency, Moira. I had to so he would know the reason he was going and the gravity of the responsibility. But it's a moot point now since you are not going. Now, as I was trying to say, if you–"
"Excuse me, sir, Moira's not going with us?" Evan asked, glancing at her. "Sounds like we need her on this," he commented.
"Damn it, John! Must you tell everyone? I don't need a chaperone! No offense, Ronon."
"None taken," he assured with a smile.
"You do," John argued. "It's done. If not on this mission on any mission you are on. And if Ronon is not available it will be Reynolds. Now, as I was saying, if you do encounter any–"
"No! I do not need a bodyguard! It would be a waste of Ronon's time, or Reynolds' time, and impinges on my team! I don't need to be looked after like a child, colonel! Let me do my job. Let Evan do his."
"With all due respect, sir, Moira has a point," Evan noted.
"I don't recall asking you, major," John informed, glancing at him. He met Moira's angry gaze. "I am letting you do your job. Or rather I will when I am absolutely certain it is safe. Once that is proven to me and you feel up to it you can go on missions. But you will have Ronon or Reynolds with you at all–"
"No! I don't need bodyguards!" she repeated. "What's next, John? A squad of marines? I'm surprised that you're not going to tag along!"
"Don't push me, Moira, or I will tag along on every mission, or just suspend you from the team," he threatened.
"Sir, I am perfectly capable of looking after Moira, whatever the circumstances," Evan offered.
"Are you, major? If you might recall things are very different now."
"Because you married her, sir?" Aaron asked, bewildered. He faltered under John's glare.
"They're married?" Thomas asked in astonishment. He stared at John, then Moira. Eyes huge behind his glasses as he could hardly believe his ears.
"No, lieutenant. There's another reason," John stated. "As the major fully knows."
"And rest assured, sir, I will take note of that and act accordingly, as will Moira," Evan stated. Irritated at John's apparent lack of trust. His apparent doubts over Evan's ability.
"John, no! This ends now. No more!" Moira stated firmly. "You will treat me like any member of Lorne's team. No bodyguards. As much as you may want to keep me here I will do my job until I can't do it or feel I am a liability to my team."
"That's not what you said earlier, Moira! Or does throwing up every morning not count as a liability? Or being tired, " he asked, "because in my book it does! And until I determine that 'Gate travel is safe for you, completely safe for both of you the pair of you are restricted to Atlantis effective immediately! You don't want bodyguards? Fine. Then you are restricted to base as of now!"
"You can't do that, John!"
"I just did, Moira."
"Sir! I believe the choice should be Moira's," Evan tried to intervene. "Whether to go or not to go. Whether to have a guard or not. The choice is hers."
"The choice is mine, major, as military commander of Atlantis," John reminded.
"As commander, John, or as my husband?" she challenged. "It is my choice! Not–"
"As both, Moira, and no, it's my choice! When and how to assign team members. Now I believe your participation here is no longer necessary. Go to our rooms and you can choose your Doritos," he said snidely, dismissing her.
"No! Don't you dare order me around like the good little wife, or one of your marines, colonel! I don't care if you want me to go sit in that room for nine months like your fucking incubator! I am a member of Major Lorne's team and will go on any mission I–"
"You will do as you are told, Doctor Sheppard, by the military commander of Atlantis! That is an order that even civilians have to obey! Do I make myself clear?" John was having a hard time reigning in his anger. Her fury fueling his. Her seeming disregard for the baby she was carrying. His baby. His son.
"You can't–" she protested hotly.
"I can! I just did!" He slammed his open palm on the table. Data pads rattled. Thomas almost jumped out of his chair in fright. Evan's eyes narrowed in irritation. Aaron stared in alarm. Ronon merely shook his head, not at all surprised. "Now go!"
She glared at him. Stomach twisting with anger, chagrin. "You son of a bitch! I wish I wasn't pregnant with your child!" She stormed out of the room. Furious.
A tense silence stretched. Stretched. John was staring after her, pissed. Rattled. Hurt by her last words. He watched her progress down the stairs. She nearly tripped in her haste. Then her quick stride across the control room, almost shoving a technician out of her way. Ponytail flying wildly behind her like a flag, beckoning.
"Um...sir, I'm sure she didn't mean that," Evan ameliorated. "She's very upset and didn't know what she was saying. Frankly, sir, I don't blame her. You are treating her like an invalid. No,
worse than that. Like she can't take care of herself. Like she can't take care of the pregnancy. Like she can't do her job and be pregnant at the same time."
"Don't, major. Not another word," John warned.
But Evan persisted. "I'll go talk to her, sir. I can calm her down, reason with her."
"No. I can handle my own wife, major," John said tersely.
"Can you, sir? Because it seems to me making her this upset can't be good for her," Evan challenged, "or for the baby. Frankly, sir, you don't seem to know how to handle Moira at all." A gasp escaped Aaron's lips. Thomas stared, wide-eyed. Ronon looked from one man to the other. "Nor can the fact that you are impinging on her own choices, her own decision, not to mention mine as team leader."
John scowled dangerously. Moved to his feet. "Not another word, major," he warned quietly. "You depart in thirty. As ordered. Ronon, you stand down on this one. Dismissed." John strode out of the room.
The men exchanged glances. Stunned, surprised at the heated confrontation. The startling revelations. "Wow. Moira...Moira is pregnant?" Aaron asked.
"Believe it or not, yes," Evan agreed with a shrug. Almost with disapproval.
"I still can't believe she married him! Married him!" Thomas exclaimed, but cowered as Ronon's gaze fell hard on him. "I'm just saying..." he meekly muttered.