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"John seems to be enjoying himself tonight, Teyla," Tenyse commented as they watched the groups of people frolic in the large barn that was holding the town dance. John was on the dance floor and Kelina was showing him some of the moves typically done for this type of music.

"Yes," Teyla replied. "I am happy to see him having fun. He has spent so much time working lately, clearing stumps and expanding the garden and I think this evening's festivities will help him relax some. And Kelina seems to be enjoying dancing with John herself."

She watched as John and Kelina linked arms and swung around the dance floor, Kelina's face alight with pleasure.

Tenyse grinned. "I believe Kelina has a bit of a crush on John. She is always talking about him and how kind he is to her and how handsome."

Teyla smiled but a gleam entered her eyes. "Should I be jealous? John certainly does seem to enjoy her company."

Both women laughed and a third voice piped in behind them. "After the way he kisses you goodbye in the morning, I do not think you need be jealous of anyone, Teyla." Shalise joined them in watching the fun.

"Morning kisses out in public, Teyla?" Tenyse teased. "Is this proper?"

Teyla blushed furiously and Shalise explained, "It is usually on the front porch before Teyla enters the clinic in the morning. But I must admit I enjoy watching. John is a very quiet man but he does so care for you, Teyla. That is fairly obvious."

Teyla knew that John did care for her. He had been even more solicitous of her since they had discovered she was expecting a child a month ago. And as she was now about three months along she was beginning to feel the tightness in her clothes. The waist of the skirt she was wearing tonight had needed to be left unbuttoned in order to fit and she feared she would need some new outfits soon.

Shalise was the only one who knew as of yet and she was thrilled to learn that John had been fine about the baby, even excited. But he had also been a bit worried and almost every morning when he walked her to the clinic, which he insisted on doing now, he would ask Shalise a question about her condition.

Shalise had been patient and had graciously instructed them both on what to expect from each trimester and appropriate foods and herbs to consume and what to avoid. And John had been a stickler in making sure Teyla got what she needed. Teyla had humored him but was secretly thrilled that he was so interested in her well being and that of their baby.

And she loved when he had his little conversations with their child as he did routinely each morning upon waking and every evening as they prepared for bed. He would inform the child what was going on in town and what progress he was making on the water heater or his frustration that removing stumps from the ground was hard work and how he longed for just a tiny bit of C-4 to help move the process along.

"Yes, John has been wonderful since we arrived here. And you Shalise, I believe Tolden has been showing you quite a bit of caring this evening as well. He has hardly left your side. I am surprised you are here speaking with us now." Teyla attempted to take the attention away from herself.

It was Shalise's turn to blush. She looked around the room then leaned in close to the other two women. "Yes, he has asked me to marry him and I believe I will say yes."

Teyla and Tenyse smiled greatly and gave Shalise a hug. "He has been hoping to ask you for some time or so Finn has told me," Tenyse revealed.

"We are pleased for you, Shalise. The two of you make a very nice couple. I hope you will be happy," Teyla offered.

She knew Shalise's first husband had been killed about seven winters ago by a jacktu, one of the wild beasts that occasionally came down from the mountains in the winter months. They had only been married for a few years and had not had any children yet.

That was when Shalise had decided to start her training as a healer and Dr. Valetudo had been more than happy to begin her studies. She knew that her husband could possibly have been saved had a knowledgeable person been able to close and suture his wounds but unfortunately none was available and he had bled to death before one could be beckoned to the town.

"Have you decided when you will be wed?" Tenyse asked in a mischievous tone.

"I have not told him yes yet," Shalise admitted. "That is why he is across the room. I believe he is sulking."

Teyla gave her a little push and instructed, "Go and tell him. Put the man out of his misery and then we will celebrate."

Shalise looked across to where Tolden was standing with several other men but his eyes were glued to Shalise. She threw him a sultry look and strolled casually across the room. His eyes grew intense and he looked hopeful as he met her halfway. They walked arm in arm to the door and went outside.

Teyla followed them with her eyes then looked back to where John and Kelina were exiting the dance floor, John's arm thrown casually over the young girl's shoulder. Kelina was beaming with pleasure.

"Kelina's definitely put me through the paces," John huffed as they came closer. "I might not need to go for my run in the morning."

"That is unfortunate," Teyla replied with no little bit of cheek. "I had thought to go out running with you tomorrow."

"Really," John grinned and slipped his hand from Kelina's shoulder to lean in closer to Teyla. "Maybe I should still go then; except it's almost impossible to actually get you out of bed these days."

Teyla noticed Kelina's smile dim as John removed his hand so she addressed the girl, "Kelina, thank you so much for keeping John busy. Otherwise he has a tendency to get in too much trouble."

Kelina smiled shyly again and John looked behind them at the table laden with drinks. He moved toward it and grabbed a few non-alcoholic ones and offered them to Kelina and Teyla. They took them thankfully then John grabbed a few of the cups of ale and offered one to Tenyse. Tenyse looked curiously at John's choice of drink for Teyla then began sipping her own.

When Kelina finished her drink she excused herself to go find some friends. Teyla watched as she approached several other teenage girls and she smiled when she saw them all look in John's direction and start to giggle. Obviously Kelina was getting a fair amount of attention for having just spent so much time with him. Apparently Kelina was not the only one who thought John was attractive.

And Teyla could hardly blame them. He did look especially nice tonight. His dark pants were slim fitting and his navy blue shirt tucked into them showed his nicely muscled torso and long, thin legs. Teyla herself felt her heart flutter wildly when she knew he would be sliding into her bed tonight. And even the freshly trimmed beard did not distract from the overall appearance.

She was still undecided on the beard. She had finally gotten used to it but had to admit it did tickle when they kissed. She wondered how it would feel if it moved over other parts of her. Her body warmed at the thought and she wondered if she was ready for the next step in their relationship. They had been stalled on kissing, though John had begun moving his lips further down her neck and she had yet to complain.

Who would complain about John's lips on their neck? Teyla thought humorously. She certainly had not. And she was so thankful that John had taken things slow, especially considering what they had already done in the past. She knew many men would assume to take liberties since they had already travelled that path. But John did no such thing. He was starting at the beginning and taking his time. Well except for the fact that they slept in the same bed every night cuddled close together.

But that had been therapeutic for them both. She still had nightmares about the time they were held, both by the slavers and by the masters. Nightmares that ended with John not being there to save her from being completely assaulted by the guards. But when she woke panicked in the middle of the night, John was always there to hold her and lull her back to sleep with whispered assurances. And she knew she had helped a few nights when his dreams had haunted him. The presence of the other was extremely comforting and she wondered how she would have survived had they actually gotten back to Atlantis instead of coming here. They would not have been in the same bed or even in the same room.

But thoughts of Atlantis were sometimes too painful to really focus on so she let her gaze wander around the room at all the amazing people who had allowed them to join in their life. She saw that Finn had now joined his wife next to them and their son Zeth was across the room with Sarana. He had gotten up the nerve to ask her father if he could court her. He was only eighteen but on this world and many others in this galaxy, life began much younger.

She thought of Tenyse and Finn who were only a handful of years older than she and John yet they had teenage children. She and John were just having their first. That thought brought other thoughts to mind and she wondered if they would have more children or if this would be their only. John had truly been thrilled that they were having a baby but would he wish to try for more? Of course the point would not matter if they never went beyond the kissing they were now engaging in.

She saw that Finn was dragging Tenyse onto the dance floor now that the band was playing something slower and Tenyse called back to them, "John, I believe Teyla wishes to dance, also."

John smiled down at Teyla and tilted his head in the direction of the dance floor. "Shall we trip the lights fantastic?"

Teyla's brows furrowed in confusion and John took her hand and said, "It's just an Earth way of saying 'do you want to dance?' Come on, I'm not giving you a choice. My arms are getting a little lonely and need you in them."

Teyla knew she could not refuse John when he was being so charming and sweet. She went willingly into them and he drew her in close; one arm on her back, the other holding her hand near his heart. He moved his head close to her ear and whispered, "Hmmm, this is much better. This slow stuff isn't so taxing on the old body."

Teyla chuckled knowing John's body was far from old. "You know Kelina and her friends do not have that opinion. Apparently they all think you are quite nice to look at."

John looked decidedly uncomfortable and Teyla chuckled again at the face he made. She shrugged and told him, "They are teenage girls and most are boy crazy at that age. But I will protect you from them if you wish."

"Really?" John managed a smile at this. "And how exactly would you do this?"

Teyla's smile was serene yet held a bit of sass in it. "I will simply show them that you are spoken for and they may not have you."

John was enjoying her playful banter and continued with it, his voice gruff and low. "And what would show them this?"

"Well, first I must display some outward sign of my affection for you." She moved her lips and pressed them gently against his. "This will most likely do."

"And is that all it takes?" John asked with a devilish grin.

"Not entirely, no," Teyla teased. "I believe you will need to also exhibit some form of attraction and affection for me as well."

John's eyes peered around nervously. "Here in the middle of all this?"

Teyla simply chuckled knowing John was not at all comfortable with displaying his emotions in public. Teyla's hand on his shoulder moved to his cheek and assured him, "Do not worry, John, I believe they are aware of our relationship, especially as we live together."

John sighed that he was off the hook but then noticed the group of teenage girls all staring at him from a corner of the room and giggling to each other. Maybe just a small exhibit of attraction would be okay. He tucked his nose into Teyla's hair and nuzzled her neck and Teyla moved her head fractionally to allow for this action. His lips then skimmed across her cheek and nibbled at her lips momentarily.

John rotated Teyla slowly and asked, "Have they stopped staring? Do you think they're convinced?"

Teyla saw the girls all deep in a heavy sigh at John's tender motions and she knew he had only strengthened their opinion of him. But she also knew that these girls all knew of John's relationship with Teyla and would never do anything to interfere with it. Their thoughts of John were nothing more than a teenage girl's romantic dream. When she was young she had dreamed of some tall, handsome man coming along to carry her away.

And as she looked at John she realized that she now had that. He was tall and most definitely handsome and he had carried her away from what would have been an unspeakable life. She felt sudden emotion well inside her and pulled John closer.

"Thank you, John, for being here with me and for all you have done," she said and her voice cracked at the last word keeping her from finishing her thought.

John lowered his lips to her ear and whispered, "You know I'd do anything for you, Teyla. You mean everything to me. Don't ever forget that."

Teyla gave a tiny nod and repeated, "And you mean everything to me, John."

John had forgotten about the giggling girls and just held Teyla close as the music finished. They spent more time on the dance floor both slow and fast and Teyla laughed at John's enthusiasm with swinging her around in his arms at the rollicking music.

Teyla noticed when Shalise and Tolden came back in and Tolden's face was beaming with enthusiasm and pride. She tilted her chin in their direction and said, "Tolden asked Shalise to marry him and I believe she just accepted the proposal."

John gazed in the direction Teyla was indicating and rolled his eyes. "It's about time. Finn told me he wanted to do it since this past winter. Guess he finally got up the nerve."

Teyla gave a genuine smile and replied, "I am very happy for them. I know Shalise loves him very much and they will be good together."

Apparently the news travelled quickly around the barn and more drinks were poured and toasts given. Then the people with small children started heading home and more drink was poured. Teyla laughed at the antics of some of the adults and several times caught some of the teenagers trying to sneak some of the ale. John had stopped drinking the ale earlier on and when the party started getting really rowdy he asked if Teyla was ready to go home. She was.

They went to say goodbye to Finn and Tenyse and the kids but they also had decided to depart. Finn went to tear Zeth away from Sarana and John volunteered to retrieve Kelina from her group of giggling girlfriends. John almost wished he hadn't when they all stared at him as he walked over.

"Ready, kiddo? Your folks are all set to leave and so are we." When he saw the look of envy from all her friends and Kelina's shy smile, he was thankful he had come. She was a sweet kid and if he could make her a bit more confident then he was happy to do it.

He looped his arm around her shoulder and pulled her in the direction of the door where the others were waiting. He waited until they walked out then removed his arm and pulled gently on her braid giving her a wink. Then he sidled up to Teyla and slid his hand around her waist.

The conversation was general for the first few minutes then John brought up the subject he and Teyla had decided they would share with their closest friends. Although he did it in a roundabout way.

"So, Finn, I was thinking I wanted to add some space onto the cottage. I was wondering if you could maybe give me a hand with that."

Finn looked curiously at him and asked, "How much space?"

John looked down at the ground and said, "I was thinking two rooms off the left side of the house. Teyla and I are still sleeping in the main room."

"And what is the other room for?" Tenyse asked suspiciously.

John gazed down at Teyla and they both tried to hide the goofy grins that had appeared on their faces. "Well, … the uh, … family's expanding and we'll need another room come winter."

Finn stopped dead in his tracks but Tenyse jumped up and ran over to Teyla to engulf her in a big hug. "I had a notion that was the case."

Finn looked curiously at his wife. "How did you know?"

Tenyse rolled her eyes. "Because I am observant of the things around us. Teyla did not partake of the ale this evening or have wine anytime we shared a meal recently. And there are parts of her that have begun to fill out a bit more." She looked pointedly at Teyla's chest but only for a moment.

John saw where her eyes had gone albeit quickly and he had taken notice of that, too. Not that he spent a whole lot of time staring at that part of her anatomy, he tried to convince himself.

Finn shoved his hand out in front of John and clapped him on the back as they shook. "Congratulations, John! Welcome to parenthood."

As Kelina gave Teyla an excited hug, John looked at Finn sheepishly. "I told Teyla you might have to give me lessons on what to do."

Finn slapped his back again and gave a hearty laugh. "Oh no, my friend, that is something you must learn all on your own. It is a rite of passage. But I would be happy to offer advice from time to time should you feel overwhelmed."

"I always accept free advice," John admitted as they began to move down the road again.

Finn lagged behind a bit and lowered his voice. "My advice for now is to be as helpful and kind as you are able. Pregnant women have a tendency to be very emotional. It is something to do with the change in their bodies as they carry the child."

"Hormones," John grinned. "Just what I need on top of everything else that's been thrown at us."

Finn just sent him an empathetic glance and John felt guilty knowing this man understood more than any what they were going through. He quickly brought up the subject of the addition again, not really wanting to get into any emotional ramifications of their situation. He hated discussing feelings and especially didn't want to say anything while Kelina and Zeth were in earshot. They still didn't know exactly what their mother had gone through and he didn't think they ever needed to.

A few minutes later they were saying goodbye to them with more hugs and handshakes and Teyla and John continued down the road to their place. Once inside, John made sure the fire was going strong even though the nights had started to be warmer. If they still had embers in the morning it was easier to get a fire going to heat food or water.

They both went through their nightly routine and John moved behind the screen in his sleep pants only, looking for his shirt.

"Teyla, have you seen my black t-shirt?" he asked her back and saw her nightgown tonight, while still loose, was sleeveless, probably due to the warmer weather.

Teyla turned around and John saw that she hadn't buttoned up any of the top front buttons yet and he got a tantalizing peek at the golden mounds that had been filling out more lately. He tore his eyes from the distracting sight and tried to focus on her face.

"I am sorry, John. I washed it this afternoon and I fear it is still on the line outside. But it is warm tonight so do not feel you must wear it. I am not offended by the sight of your bare chest."

He could see devilment in Teyla's eyes and so he grinned and said, "Okay, so long as you aren't offended."

Teyla slid into the bed and John sat next to her realizing she had yet to button up her gown. He lowered his eyes briefly and pointed out, "Um, you're uh… kind of still undone there."

Teyla's eyes glanced down and she gave an impish smirk. "Are you offended at the sight of my chest then, John?"

Teyla moved closer and kneeled up next to John and reached her mouth to touch his. John pressed his lips back against hers and groaned, "No, not offended in the least."

John rose to his knees also and slipped his arms around her back. He deepened the kiss and felt Teyla respond equally. Her hands roamed his chest and his breath sucked in at the feel of those hands on his skin.

Teyla ran her fingers through the hair on John's chest, something she had longed to do ever since she had seen it after cutting his shirt open when the Iratus bug had been attached. Of course that had hardly been the time to focus on his chest as they had been trying to keep him alive. But now he was definitely alive and so she had no qualms about exploring.

John's lips continued to explore also and she felt his tongue run across her bottom lip. Her tongue felt compelled to meet his and very soon they were engaged in a fierce parry and thrust.

Teyla moved her hands around to John's sides and back, running them over the taught muscles there, enjoying the feel immensely. John's lips skimmed away from hers and journeyed across her cheek and down her neck where they nibbled and nipped until Teyla was panting at the longing coursing through her. Her short nails dug into John's back and he let out a groan, easing back slightly from her.

The fabric of her nightgown had slipped off one shoulder exposing all of one breast and the groan got a tiny bit louder as John took in the astounding view. His lips drifted to her bare shoulder to lick and nibble some more then began to roam further south.

As his mouth approached the rounded swell, he gave warning, "Tell me to stop if you're uncomfortable with anything, Teyla."

Teyla felt his lips glide across her breast and then felt his tongue poke out to flick against the erect center. A tiny whimper escaped and she managed to breathe out, "I do not think uncomfortable would be the best word to describe what I am feeling right now. But the beard does tickle slightly. I had wondered about that."

John rubbed his face against her skin and asked, "Do you want me to shave it off? I will, you know."

Teyla rubbed her hand over his face and answered, "No, I feel that this is my John Sheppard, the one who shows me how much he cares for me. The one I am sharing my life with. The clean shaven one, though my best friend, has kept himself and his feelings hidden from me, and I much prefer this one."

John didn't answer except for a pleasant hum as he continued to assail her senses with his hands and mouth. As his mouth moved across to pay homage to the other side, the fabric on that side slipped off also. Teyla drew her hands out of the folds and wrapped them around John's shoulders and head to draw him in further. He leaned back as far as Teyla would allow and feasted his eyes on the image of her with her gown bunched around her waist and her top fully exposed.

Teyla could tell he was aroused by the sight of her this way and it made her desire flame even higher. Her hands ran through his hair and over his back as his lips remained fastened to her chest. She lowered her head and placed her lips on his head and occasionally he would look up and capture her lips with his while caressing her torso with his hands and fingers, his thumbs flicking over her sensitive nubs. Then he would lower his lips again to suck and caress with his mouth and tongue.

Teyla wasn't sure how long they stayed that way with John focusing his attention between her chest and her lips but she was enjoying it. But when John attempted to place her on her back she stiffened. The memory of that position was still too harsh to repeat.

John felt her pause and looked at her eyes to see the tiny flicker of fear and his gut twisted when he realized what she was remembering. So he laid back himself and kept his hands firmly on her waist, letting her take the lead. She smiled her gratitude and leaned over him to press her lips to his again. He sighed in relief that she wasn't completely freaked out and returned the kiss.

They kissed for a few more minutes then Teyla shifted a bit so John's lips could move down her neck and again roam over her chest. John chuckled softly and whispered, "I think you like when I do this."

Teyla braced her elbows on either side of John's head as he worked his magic and replied, "I think you are correct."

John was more than happy to oblige and his hands moved up and down the silky skin of her back as he teased her front. He could see Teyla's content smile as he sucked on her nipples and ran his tongue around the golden mounds.

His hands itched to lower even further onto her luscious backside that he admired daily, although unfortunately fully clothed. It was only in his imagination or the brief memories of the times he preferred to forget, that he saw it in its natural state. But Teyla was slowly sinking onto his chest and had started pressing her lips to his collar bone as she settled warmly against him.

Most nights she slept with her head resting against him but right now she was fully parallel and her knees rested on either side of his hips. He knew he was aroused and hoped she didn't feel the fear that it might set off in her at the knowledge. But she continued to move her lips over his neck and her hand over his shoulder. He held her close and moved his hands in small circles over her back.

He felt her fully relax against him and pressed a light kiss into her hair. He tried to concentrate on his own arousal and breathe evenly to lessen the discomfort. Teyla seemed to sense what he was going through and slid her hand lower on his chest, down the path of hair past his navel.

"I am sorry, John, I know that was not fair to you. Do you wish me to …?"

John stopped Teyla's hand from going any lower and his eyes darkened. "No, Teyla, it wasn't unfair and I don't need you to do anything else but lie right here next to me. I've … got a few issues of my own to work out with some things."

The image of himself, tied to the bed as the twins had decided what to play, raced through his mind and his jaw clenched. He had managed to talk them out of what they had started doing by telling them he could pleasure them more if his hands were free. And he could pleasure both of them at the same time and neither would have to wait. But he wasn't proud of the stroking and caressing he had done until they were absorbed enough for him to tie their hands to the bed and gag them. But it had gotten him free and he had made it to Teyla before she had been brutalized. He couldn't feel too guilty but shame; sure there was plenty of that.

He took a deep breath and squeezed his eyes shut for a second then noticed Teyla's agonized look as he opened them again. Tears welled in her eyes and he could see a tear ready to fall and he didn't want that. She had enough trauma to deal with of her own.

"No, Teyla, don't cry for me," he begged as he turned them both so they were on their sides facing each other, a very neutral position for them. "I'm okay, really. And I'm perfectly fine with going slow in this relationship. Actually I'm very okay with taking it slow, for you as well as for me. Don't ever feel you have to go further than you're comfortable with. I think we're gonna get there, eventually." His smile turned crooked at that.

"I hope we'll get there and I don't care how long it takes," John moved his face closer to touch his nose to hers. "I'll be right here, even if it takes forever. What I have with you right now is more than I ever thought I could have and it's been incredible."

Another tear slid down Teyla's cheek but her grateful smile let John know that he'd said the right thing. He kissed her lips softly then moved further down her torso. Teyla's eyes widened in surprise and he gave her a charming grin.

"Just saying good night to the baby." And he moved her nightgown just a bit lower so he could gaze at her typically flat tummy which now was slightly more rounded. Teyla relaxed on her back and allowed him to kiss her bare stomach, the sight of it eliciting more moisture to fill her eyes.

"Hey, squirt, just wanted to say good night and let you know I'm getting really excited to see you start growing right here in your Mom's belly. I'm guessing it's going to be amazing when you really get big and I can see and feel you move. You may not have gotten your start with the best of circumstances but I want you to know that I've always cared about your Mom and I think she kind of liked me, too."

John got a little slap to the side of his head for that last remark and he chuckled. "Okay, maybe she liked me a bit more than that. The point is that we both are thrilled that we've got you to look forward to. And we love you, a lot."

He kissed Teyla's belly again then sat up and rearranged her gown so she could slide her arms back in again. When that was done, John rested against his pillow and pulled Teyla back into his arms.

His hand touched the buttons on the front and he questioned, "Do you want me to do these up?"

Teyla's eyebrows rose impishly and she said, "No, unless it will be too distracting to you while you attempt to sleep."

John's arms tightened around her and he growled, "Everything about you is distracting to me. Why should this little view be any different from any other night?"

Teyla pulled the sheets up to their waists and kept the buttons undone but as she rested against him in her typical fashion everything was hidden anyway. John snuggled deeper into the mattress and held her close. They'd crossed a few hurdles tonight, a few very large hurdles and his stomach flipped at the possibilities that opened.

But he also realized that maybe Teyla wasn't the only one with hang-ups and baggage that needed dealing with. He'd discovered some of his own. But if they took time and helped each other with care and affection, he knew they could overcome it all. And that thought was the biggest relief of all.

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