A/N: This DaSN submission is dedicated to Lithane. As anyone who has read my work knows, John and Larrin are not my favorite ship. In fact, it's one of my very least favorite right up there with Jennifer and Ronon. The fact that I've written this story just means that I will do things for family and friends that I would never do for anyone else. Happy Belated Birthday, friend!
FYI - Adult themes inside. This story has received the seal of approval from Lithane's spouse, ladygris.
Word count: 975
Enjoy,
~Sandy
Dark and Stormy Night Challenge
Sheppard
It was a dark and stormy night as Sheppard made his way through the halls of the ship that now served as the Travelers' residential quarters. Today was his and Larrin's anniversary…sort of. This was the day they'd first met four years ago when she'd captured and, he snorted, threatened to kill him several times despite their mutual attraction. And he'd actually admired her for it because, in the end, she was only doing what she thought was right for her people. No one could find fault with that.
He carried a bottle of champagne he'd ordered from Earth and chocolate covered fruit that looked like strawberries but had a different flavor and no seeds. Katana had assured him his fiancé wasn't allergic to them or to chocolate. Setting the ice bucket on the floor, he used his free hand to try and make his hair behave though he knew it was useless. His mother had tried her own brand of behavior modification on him and his hair though neither had worked.
The only time he hadn't had a problem with his hair was when he first went into basic and he'd been given the usual buzz cut. One side of his mouth lifted in remembrance. He'd hated it! But when he'd moved up through the ranks a little, the powers that be were a little more lax about hair styles. Though longer than many in the military, his was still regulation. And no way would he cut it that short again because he loved it when Larrin ran her finger through it while they were just sitting and talking or after hours of making love. Either activity suited him just fine as long as he did it with her.
He knocked on the door and it slid open on one of the most beautiful sights he'd ever seen. Sitting on the bed propped up by pillows, Larrin had one leg bent at the knee, the other straight with the sheet coming up between her legs and barely covering her up to her collarbone. Her right side was uncovered as well as were her arms and shoulders. One hand had gathered the material between her breasts with the other arm up over her head, her hand on the back of her neck. Around her neck was the guitar pick necklace the Athosian craftsman had made for him to present to her as a token of his love.
Her come-hither smile dropped to his right side where he wore the weapon she'd given him as her token and he wore for all to see. He felt her eyes on him the entire time he was opening the bottle and pouring them each a glass of the sparkling beverage.
The hand behind her head came out, her index finger gesturing him to her. He did as she asked, perching on the side of the bed and handing her one of the glasses. "On Earth, we celebrate special occasions with champagne. It's sort of a fancy wine."
"I wasn't certain you'd remembered."
John grinned, one eyebrow lifted impertinently. "How could I forget? It was the first time we kissed…"
"…then I shot you in the ass."
He kept his gaze steady on hers. "Let's leave that part out when we tell our kids the story of how we met."
She'd taken a drink from the glass and choked on it. "Kids? As in more than one?"
"Yeah." He sipped the champagne. "I was thinking three, maybe four mini-me's running around is about all this universe can handle."
"Oh? And what makes you think they'll all be boys or look like you?"
"Me having all girls?" Shaking his head wryly, he grinned again. "Ya know, now that I think about it, I kinda like the idea of being the only guy in a household of women."
Larrin sat up, set both their glasses on the bedside table and framed his face with her palms. "Why don't we discuss it now?" Her words were innocent though her expression was not.
Feigning indifference, John stood up. "Sorry, but I really need to get back to Atlantis. We have drills and inspections. There're reports for Woolsey, General O'Neill and the IOA. And best of all, they're serving meat loaf in the Mess Hall tonight."
Relaxing back again, this time both hands going behind her head and allowing the sheet to slide down just a little. "Sure I can't change your mind?"
"I don't think you realize just how good this meat loaf is." She just smiled at him. "If you have a better offer, let's hear it. But I do wanna warn you that it'll have to be pretty special."
She arched her back, the sheet slipping a little more. "Only one way to find out."
With a shrug, he reached out and lifted the edge of the sheet letting nothing of what he was thinking show on his face. He turned his head quizzically side to side, like a dog trying to figure out what his favorite human was saying.
"Well?"
John removed his jacket, unbuckled his weapon, tossing both on the table next to the ice bucket. Sitting in the chair, he slowly and methodically removed his boots, tucking his socks inside. Hanging one arm over the back of the chair he crossed his feet at the ankles. He gave her a casual shrug and said, "Uncle."
"Uncle?" Larrin was confused by the reference.
"It means 'you win'." Without warning, he launched himself off the chair and dived onto the bed wrapping her in his arms and rolling until she was on top of him making her squeal.
For the rest of the night, the inside of their room was filled with light, warmth…and love. Who cared if it was a dark and stormy night?
End
