Note: Now that the Jack & John story arch has been fully established, on to what you guys have been waiting for. ;)

"Surprise!" Everyone yelled as John and Teyla entered.

John frowned but Teyla just smiled and wandered to greet her other friends.

Vala and Rodney went up to John.

"Where you surprised?" Vala asked, excitement evident.

"Surprised?.. We all knew about it..." Sheppard remarked.

Rodney's eyes widened at the yellow object in John's hand. "What.. What's that for?"

Sheppard put an arm around Rodney's neck, pulling him closer. Rodney tensed up. Fear written all over his face.

"Oh you know.. Returning the favour. You gave me this party and made everyone give me gifts.. So I decided to get you a little something."

"Uh, no thanks..." Rodney tried to back away but Sheppard held him firmly. His free hand tosses the lemon in the air and catching it.

"Play nice you two." Carson stated looking over them. "We wouldn't want a life and death situation at such a lovely party now do we?"

Sheppard let McKay go. Rodney gave one last horrified glance at John's hand then scurried off as Ronon grinned, thumping him on the back.

"Enjoy the stardom while you can... O'Neill." Vala winked as she wandered off. Sheppard groaned, rolling his eyes.

John sighed and gave nods as people exclaimed pleasantries, awkward congratulations and wishes.

Sheppard felt off about the whole thing. He hated all of the unnecessary attention.

He noticed O'Neill himself had resided himself to eating cake, keeping his mouth stuffed so he didn't have to talk to people.

Sheppard slipped off to a balcony and looked over the San Francisco Bay.

He heard someone come up behind him and sighed. Couldn't he just get one minute alone? He thought to himself. He turned and noticed it was Carter.

"Colonel."

"Colonel." Sam greeted back with a smile.

She stepped up beside him and looked over the railing. She then turned back to him. "Getting some fresh air?"

"Yeah." Sheppard shook his head. "It's a mad house in there."

"Don't worry. This'll get the shock out of everyone's system."

"Hopefully..."

Sam turned around and leaned against the rail as she looked at him. "So how are you doing?"

"Why does everyone ask that?"

Sam frowned. "Okay.. Let's talk about something else."

"Football?"

Sam gave him a funny look.

"'War and Peace'? I haven't finished reading it yet so no spoilers."

Sam sighed and shook her head. "You wouldn't happen to be interested in quantum mechanics would you?"

"Heh, I get enough of that from McKay... How about we get a drink?

"You're actually willing to go back in there?" Sam asked with a raised eyebrow.

Sheppard frowned. "Well no.. But we could sneak out and make out way to the cafeteria by ourselves. Just ditch this whole thing."

"By ourselves huh?.. Wouldn't someone notice the guest of honour is missing?"

"Well then they'll just have to bug O'Neill." Sheppard motioned to her. "So you're in?"

Sam looked back at the party. She figured it would be much better to ditch and avoid Jack's guilty looks.
"Sure."

John smiled and tilted his head back. "Well alright then."

Sheppard and Carter stepped back out of the balcony and went past the party.
He noticed a few people where starting to make there way over to talk to them, so he put his arm around Sam and made an effort to hurry through the crowd unchallenged.

Sam noticed the strange looks Felger and McKay where giving the pair as they stared at John's arm. Obviously trying to figure out a logical reason why the two where leaving together and in such close proximity. Vala was also giving a annoyed look between her and McKay. Sam inner sighed and wished Vala would just make Rodney more obvious to her feelings, if only so that McKay would stop obsessing over her and get over it. The same went with Felger and Dr. Angstrom.

Teal'c went in front of them just as they made it too the door. "Colonel Carter, and Colonel Sheppard."

"Hey Teal'c." Sam smiled at him.

"I believe Vala wished the commencement of 'Happy Birthday' to be sung and for Colonel Sheppard to receive the rest of his presents."

Sheppard sighed. There was no way around the big man. "Um, no thanks."

"Do you wish not to participate in the festivities Colonel Sheppard?" Teal'c asked with an eyebrow raise.

"Not really if I'm being perfectly honest." John answered.

O'Neill wandered over, to the rescue. "Uh, that's alright T." He thumped Teal'c's arm. "Let the kid get a breather. It's been a big day and he hasn't had his nap yet."

Teal'c raised his eyebrow once more. "I see."

"So you won't tell anyone we left right?" Sam asked.

"Indeed. I see no reason too Colonel Carter. Everyone will see for themselves once you are in fact gone."

"Thanks T." Sam smiled.

Teal'c bowed his head and stood aside as the two left.

"Then you'll let me leave too right?" O'Neill asked as he started past him.

"You could, but I believe you started a bet with Colonel Mitchell that you could eat a whole cake. If you leave now you will loose."

"Well.. I never said I could eat it in one whole sitting." O'Neill pointed out.

Teal'c raised an eyebrow and O'Neill smirked.

"Their was indeed no time limit on the rules." Teal'c conceded.

"Indeed." Jack winked.