Chapter 11

Wait a minute! You're telling me that Teyla's been talking to the Doc…..about me? Ronon nodded his head and shrugged. "Yeah. They're women AND they're friends. That's what women who're friends do." At this, John snorted. "And now the Doc has come to you…what, on Teyla's behalf so YOU could talk to ME? Gimme a break, we're not in high school here! If Teyla had something to say to me, then why didn't she just tell me?" Ronon just gave John the 'duh' look and said, "Because that's not how women who're friends, who wanna to tell a guy something, do it." John's eyebrows shot up. This did NOT sound like Ronon – the friend who knew a hundred ways to kill a man, and had used almost every one of them!

"Since when do you know so much about women, who're friends, who talk and who……oh what the hell -- since when did you and the Doc start having 'pillow talk' anyway?" Ronon flushed, not having heard the reference before, but understanding its meaning. He continued speaking, determined not to let John distract him by bringing up his and Jennifer's relationship. "Look, Teyla just said you've been treating her like she's fragile and helpless….and it's kinda starting to annoy her."

John was incredulous. "You mean, I pull out her chair, carry things for her, bring her strawberries AND mustard at 2:00 in the morning when she's having a craving, and she's COMPLAINING? I've been rubbing her feet, massaging her back, and fluffing her pillows. Are you telling me she doesn't want that? I thought ALL pregnant women wanted that!"

"I'm sure she does like all that stuff, but Teyla's a proud woman – a warrior, and you're treating her different now. She's afraid it might be out of pity." John was shocked. "Pity! I have NEVER pitied her! She's the strongest, bravest, most honorable, determined, stubborn, beautiful women I've ever known!" Ronon grinned. "You need to tell HER that, not me. But….you might want to leave out the stubborn part.

John sagged back against the couch and absently picked at the label on his beer, thinking over what Ronon had said. After a few moments, the Satedan spoke again hesitantly. "There's one other, um, thing….that Teyla talked to Jenn about…" Ronon flushed again and then spat out, "Jenn said Teyla's been having these…..urges…..probably because of the pregnancy and something called….hormones….and…."

John's eyes narrowed and he cut Ronon off sharply. "What kind of urges?" At the knowing look from Ronon, John's jaw dropped. "You mean…..THOSE kind of urges?" Ronon nodded his head, not quite able to meet John's gaze. "Well, what's that got to do with me?" John asked defensively. Again, the "duh" look was shot his way.

John was irritated. He SO did not want to be having this conversation with Ronon – or anybody for that matter! He was about to get up and walk out of Ronon's room when his friend's words stopped him. "This morning Teyla and Jenn were talking about ways to get Teyla's labor to start on its own so they don't have to induce it medically and Jenn suggested sex and……."

Again John cut him off "So…..what, does that mean she wants to have sex with me because she wants to have sex with ME…..or because she wants to get this pregnancy over with?" Ronon just gave him a cocky grin. "Does it matter?"

Shocked, John replied "Of course it mat….well, maybe it…..well, I would just like to know, that's all!" He knew he sounded like a petulant child but he couldn't help it. Dammit, all he had thought about the last few months was having sex with Teyla but he had tried hard to suppress his own 'urges', telling himself that he was a low-down hound dog for lusting after a pregnant woman, especially one who was still in mourning for her unborn child's father. But was she still in mourning? Would she have sex with him, but be thinking of Kanaan? That was a thought that truly turned John's stomach.

John continued to stammer on, "But we can't…..I mean, I might hurt her….or the baby….I mean…..how do you……get around..." He trailed off, his hands flailing and his face flushed. Ronon's grin widened. "You get creative." Ronon then watched John thoughtfully as his friend stared off into space, obviously contemplating what they had just been talking about.

After finishing his beer, John went straight to his quarters and into the shower. As he scrubbed his body under the steamy spray, he thought back over his life since first meeting Teyla. They had always enjoyed each other's company but lately it had been more like he felt a strong need to be with her, by her side, almost constantly. And as much as he tried to believe it, he knew that it wasn't just because he was worried about the health and well-being of a pregnant friend. John wanted to be with her because he loved her.

There, under the rapidly cooling shower, he finally admitted it to himself -- he loved Teyla and wanted a relationship with her -- A long-term relationship, not just friendship and not just sex. He wanted to be a husband to her and a father to her son. But he truly didn't know if that's what Teyla wanted and he frowned at himself when he realized that he was scared to come right out and ask her.

Out of the shower, John shaved and dressed, and made up his mind. Teyla might not want him for forever, but it seemed that she wanted him for now – and that was going to have to be good enough. He shook his head as he exited his quarters, amazed at his own feelings. Since when had he gone from "love 'em and leave 'em" to "take what you can get"? He gritted his teeth and proceeded to his next destination – the infirmary.