Author's Note: Tag to Midway.

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Chapter 10 – Stranded

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The Daedalus will be here soon. Ronon and Teal'c will take care of the Wraith and the Daedalus will come when they find out they can't contact Midway. Soon, and then another week and a half to Atlantis.

It had been over a week since he'd sealed himself inside and even through the bulkhead, John could still hear them. Kavanaugh's droning voice reverberated through the metal shell of the jumper. His nerves were frayed beyond recognition. He did his best to relax. He listened to music, tried to get some sleep. He was trained to deal with situations like this and he would this time, too, but before, he'd never had a reason to be somewhere else.

For all he knew, she thought he was dead. They hadn't been able to report to Atlantis before evacuating Midway station and without a stargate within range of the jumper, they had no way to send a signal to the city to let them know what had happened. They were stranded and there was nothing to do but wait for rescue.

And apparently TALK!

John rose from his chair and kicked the bulkhead door to the rear compartment. The resulting bang shook the walls of the jumper and made his foot throb, but the chatter from the back ceased, making it well worth the discomfort.

Hobbling back to the pilot's chair, John swiveled around and checked the sensor readings for the thousandth time. Nothing. Damn it!

If his foot wasn't still hurting, he probably would've started pacing the cabin again, but instead he threw the headphones back over his ears and curled up in the seat.

There was no point in fighting time, so he closed his eyes and sought sleep again. At least things would seem to go faster. If he could just sleep ...

"We scooped them up and we're headed your way, Atlantis," Caldwell's voice said over the comms.

"Thank you, Colonel. We look forward to seeing you again," Sam said. The conversation ended and the blue pool of the event horizon disappeared. Everyone in the tower heaved a sigh of relief. They had managed to establish contact with Earth and knew that the Wraith threat had been dealt with, but there was no sign of the people they sent to the Midway station.

Sam supposed she had a visit to make. She left the control platform and entered the transporter.

Teyla had been spending most of her time, lately, in the gym with Ronon after receiving clearance from Dr. Keller to step up her activity level. But, she had hardly left her quarters in days. To Sam, it was totally understandable. For a while, her entire team was unaccounted for. She knew better than anyone the kind of bond that can develop between teammates.

Sam and the Athosian woman had both been thrilled when they had gotten word that Ronon and Teal'c were both safe on Earth, but Dr. McKay and Col. Sheppard were still missing. And if the rumors she had been hearing were true, Sheppard was no longer just a teammate.

She rang the bell to Teyla's door and heard a soft "come in" from the inside. Stepping through the threshold, she saw Teyla sitting on the floor in a meditation pose.

"Teyla?"

Teyla cocked her head toward Carter to indicate that she was listening, but she didn't turn around.

"The Daedalus just made contact. They're safe."

Seeing the tension in Teyla's body visibly dissipating, Sam asked, "Do you mind if I sit down?"

Teyla smiled and said, "Of course not."

Sam sank to the floor and crossed her legs. No longer fearful of what Sam had to say, Teyla twisted her body so she and the colonel were face to face.

"Midway's been destroyed, so traveling by Daedalus, they won't be here for another week or so, but..."

"...they are coming," Teyla finished.

Grinning, Sam said, "Yeah." The two women took a moment to let the alleviation of their current worries wash over them.

Curious, Sam asked, "So ... you and Sheppard? Is it true?"

Teyla couldn't hide the mild surprise in her face or the beaming smile in her eyes at the mention of his name. "Does everyone know?"

"I wouldn't doubt it. You know how hard it is to keep a secret around here," Sam affirmed, adding with a wink, "although, McKay probably has no idea."

"Rodney ..." Teyla sighed in amusement.

"So, am I safe in assuming it's serious?" Sam asked. "Because, I don't believe John would risk your friendship on something that wasn't."

"I believe it is. We have not discussed it, but it is what my heart is telling me."

Nodding in approval, Sam said, "I'm happy for you."

"Thank you, Colonel."

The friends chatted for a while and when Sam finally left, she was honestly happy for the couple and more than a little envious.

Nearly two weeks later, John and the other errant members of the expedition were beamed down from the Daedalus. The second McKay's feet hit the ground, he made for his lab, mumbling something about incompetence and his lab being in one piece. Not for the first time, John was glad Rodney wasn't his boss. As for him, he knew he was in for meeting after meeting. There's nothing worse for the paperwork than unexpectedly taking the better part of a month off.

Hours later and still no sign of Teyla, John's mind was wandering and he started to fidget. But getting away with that when you are one of only two people in the room is next to impossible.

"John," Sam said, calling for his attention.

"Sorry," he apologized.

Sighing, Sam set down her computer pad. "Why don't take the rest of the day off, John? We're about done here, anyway."

Without hesitation, he jumped up and said cheerfully, "Okay. I'll see you later."

"Wait! One more thing," she called.

"Yeah?"

"Sit down, John."

Glum, but curious, he took his seat and waited.

"Teyla's in the infirmary with Dr. Keller getting her final evals done. All signs are good though, that she's ready rejoin the team," Sam explained, but John was waiting for the bad news. "She needs to be reassigned, John."

Pursing his lips, he said quietly, "I know."

"I hate breaking up your team, but given your ... relationship ... it has to be done."

Scowling, but agreeing, John offered, "I was thinking she'd be a good fit with Major Lorne's team."

"I agree," Sam said with a nod. "He'll take good care of her."

"Is that all, Colonel?" John asked.

"We'll need to look through and see who's available to take her place, but it can wait."

Sheppard took that as a dismissal and marched out.

Rounding the corner to her quarters, Teyla startled when she saw him standing there, waiting for her. She wouldn't have thought it possible, but it had been so long since she'd laid eyes on him, she had forgotten just how handsome he was.

With a bright smile, she called to him. "John."

Busy staring at the floor, he hadn't seen her yet. "Teyla," he responded nervously. His eyes darted around the corridor, looking for any extra pairs of eyes watching them. When he didn't find any, he ran to her and embraced her.

"I missed you," he whispered in her ear and Teyla's heart felt like it was going to burst.

"I missed you, too."

Taking her hand, they walked to her door and went inside. No sooner had the door closed behind them, than his lips were on hers. He kissed her with a hunger that he never had before and she happily returned the kiss with all the fire in her.

Teyla's nimble fingers reached for the buttons on his uniform and undid them one by one, and John pried his hands away from around her body to shake it off.

"How'd it ... go ... with the doc?" he murmured, failing to stop kissing her long enough to speak. Maneuvering her against the wall, his breath coming hard and fast, he pushed her loose, copper-colored hair away from her neck to allow him better access.

"I am perfectly healthy," she gasped as his lips caressed her neck.

"Good."

In the nights following ladies' poker night, he'd gotten to know her body pretty well, but he'd never dared to push her or himself too far. But having to go so long without touching her, talking to her, or seeing her, John was ready to push.

He ripped off his t-shirt, lifted Teyla off her feet and carried her to the bedroom. After setting her down, he kicked off his shoes and laid down with her. Teyla reached for him greedily. The mere inch of space he'd left was far too much. She ran her hand up and down his bare chest, savoring the feel of his skin, as they met again.

They rolled around, tasting and enjoying each other, until John hit a roadblock. Teyla's top proved too difficult for his hormone-fueled brain to process. Teyla giggled at his frustration and removed the offending garment in seconds, leaving John stunned at the beauty of her bared chest.

He pulled her to him, sliding his chest against hers, and he groaned at the sensation. Returning his lips to hers, every cell of his skin was charged. He was completely unprepared for how this woman made him feel and he wanted so badly to show her.

Laying them back down on the soft sheets, his hand moved to her breast. Cupping it gently, his lips followed and sucked on her nipple. Teyla's back went rigid and strained toward him, as he began to assault her senses. He took his time, enjoying the noises coming from her.

He had keyed her up so swiftly and so well, after a few minutes, her hands were fumbling at his belt. She unbuckled it and went to work on his button and zipper. Once free, Teyla's hands had room to reach for their intended target. With his gorgeous, muscular body on top of hers, she slid her hands inside his pants and grabbed his behind.

John smiled at her enthusiasm and returned the favor. He reached between them and made quick work of her pants. Pulling off of her, he slid them off her legs and tossed them on the floor. He shimmied out of his, while Teyla watched in appreciation. Left in only his boxer-briefs, there was no hiding...well, anything.

"Take them off, John," Teyla seductively suggested.

He grinned ear-to-ear and obeyed orders like a good soldier would. Jumping back onto the bed, their bodies pressed together, John's finger slid to her hip, under the thin strap of lace, and removed her panties.

Both of their hearts pounded on and on, as they explored each other. They left no inch untouched and with every moan, every new sensation, they were only spurred on.

"John, please!" she cried, reaching her limit. She wanted him inside her so badly. "I need you!"

His eyes were pitch black as he stared into her and kissed her deeply. His tongue danced with hers and then, he pulled away. Teyla protested the sudden loss of him in her arms, but he was back in a second.

He tossed a wrapper at the trash and moved over her body, trembling. She could feel him pressing at her entrance.

His husky voice said to her, "If it hurts at all, I want you to stop me."

All she could do was nod. She clung to him as he slowly entered her. She gasped and he paused, mistaking her pleasure for pain.

"No, don't stop!" she begged.

He moved again, filling her up. She was so tight, he nearly came right then. He stayed as still as he could, allowing her body to adjust to him and fighting the temptation to do what his body was screaming for him to do. He watched the expressions rolling over her face and kissed her softly, as he started to move inside her.

It was a slow dance at first. They were one and they wanted it to last. Their hips rocked together as their fingers entwined.

"Teyla..." he growled as the tempo sped up. He could feel her tightening around him, her body tensing underneath him and he pushed harder into her.

The added pressure sent her over the edge and he continued to push into her as she cried in ecstasy. He wasn't far behind. Another few strokes and he groaned as his body released.

Unable to hold himself up anymore, he laid his head on her chest and her arms folded over him.

"God, Teyla," he murmured against her skin. "That was ..."

Words failed him. He lifted his tired head to kiss her lips. He moved to pull out of her body, but she stopped him. "Stay," she said, running her fingers through his hair. He neither had the ability nor the desire to deny her anything at that moment, so he stayed until he couldn't anymore.

John was sprawled all over the bed, tangled in her sheets. The sheets were soft against his bare torso and tried to lull him back to sleep. His outstretched arm searched for Teyla, but didn't have any luck. He peered through his sleepy eyelids and looked around the room. All he saw were the piles of discarded clothes and several used condoms in the trash.

"Teyla?" he muttered, too tired to properly mold his words into something intelligible. Listening for a response, but not getting one, John's ears tuned into a familiar hum.

She's in the shower.

John smiled a sleepy, goofy smile to himself at the very dirty place his thoughts took him.