Chapter: 25 – John

Note: Okay so this is yet another massive chapter that just happens to be from John's pov. But, my excuse is that this chapter couldn't have been split without losing a lot.

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What worried John about what he saw was not so much the large numbers of the enemy, nor was it the clear delight on their faces through the binoculars. No, what worried him was that they were lined up around the camp and that they were not even trying to conceal themselves. This was going to hit and it was going to hit big time.

He struggled backwards along his belly to Violet Eyes and the other scout.

"Have they encircled the entire camp?" He asked.

"Those scouts that lived said yes, but there is one open section in the line." The scout reported.

"They are hoping to frighten us away?" Violet Eyes asked. "They are not even trying to hide themselves. Why have they not attacked?"

John slid the binoculars into their pocket on his vest, mentally running through scenarios. "They're intimidating us, hoping half the camp will just run through the hole in the line they've left open. They'll probably wait till night to attack so we can't pick them off as they run over the ridge and across the flat ground around the camp. They're settling down to wait by what I saw, but they're looking forward to the fight that's for sure." He added as he wiped the light sweat from his forehead.

"Should we run then? Move the camp?" The scout asked.

"These hunters will not let us run." Violet Eyes replied. "They will kill anyone who runs through that gap in their line and take anything they carry with them."

"You can't know that. They probably want the camp itself. We should run, take what we can and let them take the camp." The scout argued back.

"Do you really think those people will just allow us to leave? They have killed any of our people they had seen before. Why would they change now?" Violet Eyes stated, his nerves clearly rising. John's sure were. He had to get back to Teyla.

"They have never tried to attack us like this before, so maybe they will let us run." The scout replied, sounding desperate now. "There will be more chance of surviving to try and run than to remain. We will surely die if we stay here." He spat and moved to get up and run back to the camp.

John caught the front of the man's jacket. "You run around the camp screaming that everyone's going to die then we'll have a riot on our hands and people will kill each other long before the enemy reaches us. They want us to run; they're trying to herd us where they want us and I for one am not planning to do anything they want me to."

"You can stay here and die if you choose." The scout spat back, pulling his jacket free from John's hand. He scrabbled up to his feet and ran away down the ridge and away to the camp beyond.

"There will be a riot anyway." Violet Eyes said as they watched the man run flat out towards the camp. "Maybe we should try and run."

John looked back over the boulder he was hidden behind and looked at the clear dark line of hunters sitting and waiting against the pale landscape. "Maybe." He had scouted out a few small areas in the landscape that might be escape routes, but he knew the enemy would be prepared for that. After all they had clearly been planning this for some time.

"There are so many of them." Violet Eyes uttered, his voice finally showing the fear John shared.

John nodded. "I think they've joined forces against us."

"Do you think we should run?" Violet Eyes asked.

John took a worrying breath. "I don't know, but I wouldn't be surprised if that gap in the line around the camp was going to close up soon, or maybe they're going to use it as a killing ground for those running."

"The main ship is heavily built. We would have a greater chance hiding in there." Violet Eyes stated.

John had discussed that idea with Teyla several times already. "If we seal it up will the systems still work?" He asked.

"Yes. But, we would be trapped inside with the enemy laying siege outside."

John hated the idea, but else was there to do other than to try to find a break in the enemy line. "We'd probably have a better chance if we barricade in and wait for the opportunity to break out later." He swore to himself; where would they go even if they did escape? They would be back to wandering the wilderness and Teyla was so large now…

John took a breath and looked out at the enemy again. "They're settling down for now. I think we've got till night till they make their move."

Violet Eyes nodded and together they made their way back down the ridge. The urge to run was so strong that John realised he was clenching his hands so tightly that his nails were cutting into his palms. He had to get back to Teyla, see was she thought; they could risk trying to find a break in the line, perhaps fight their way through with some others or barricade into the ship. It wasn't much of a choice.

They reached the camp in quick time, exchanged nods and both headed off in separate directions. John headed down the streets already feeling the tension rising up his back, tightening his shoulders uncomfortably. He had known this day was coming, but now it was finally here he hadn't realised how much he had wanted to stay safe in the camp. This place had been okay for the past months and at least here there had been a chance that his kid could be born somewhere stable and with some medical care. But, no; now he was forced to drag Teyla out into the wilderness with him. If they lived long enough would she be forced to have the baby out there in a cave somewhere? What if something went wrong?

He turned the last corner and hurried as subtly as possible towards the tent. She better be back from the washroom, as he had no idea how much time had passed since he had left her in the hydroponics bay. He needed to plan. They would have to pack everything and fill the water skins and make a decision.

He pushed aside the tent flap and saw Teyla was knelt on the mat and she looked up with wide eyes full of relief. He headed straight over to the bucket of water to wash away the sticky dirt and dust from his hands.

"We've got serious trouble." He stated as he bent over the bucket. "They've surrounded the camp, but for one convenient break in the line. I think they're gonna hit when its dark. We can either try to run or barricade into the ship." He said as he wiped his hands dry on his trousers and reached for the water skins. Only then did he realise they weren't in their normal place. He turned to ask Teyla only to notice that she had the bags already packed. His eyes fell from her flushed face to the birthing dress she wore.

"No, no, no, no." He rushed to her side. "Not now." Up close he noticed her forehead was sweaty and her hands were around her belly. "Not now, Teyla." He begged her.

She gave him a half smile that looked tired. "I do not think I have any choice, John."

"It's too early." He added, as if that would help slow things. "What is it with your kids and their timing?!"

A contraction hit her then and she let out a sharp cry as she doubled forward. He forgot his protests and reached for her. She caught his hand and squeezed it with a deathly tight grip. He silently swore his way through the pain as she panted her way through hers. Finally she relaxed, but she didn't let go of his hand and only then did he realise how afraid she was. He reached up and brushed her hair away from her face.

"It's okay. We'll go to the infirmary. They're not going to attack until its dark, so we've probably got hours left." He argued, though in typical form they had no idea how long the day would be. The sun had still been high in the sky and moving slowly when he had returned to the camp. They really might have hours.

Her hand tightened even further around his. "I can not make it to the infirmary now. It is moving along too quickly." He heard her worry; this wasn't right. Labour lasted hours and the contractions gradually built.

"I'll carry you okay." He added, looking down at her round belly. He wasn't entirely sure he could carry her, but he would damn well manage it. He wished Ronon was here. He reached for the bags she had already packed, but her hand tightened on his again so forcefully he cried out himself.

She cried out louder though through the next contraction, panting as she sat down onto the sleeping mat. "No, John. This baby is coming now." She panted out.

"What?" He demanded in shock as she released his hand and sat back against the cushions.

She looked up at him once the contraction passed her eyes fierce and worried at the same time. "I will have to have it here."

John looked down at her bare legs as she settled herself onto the mat, reclining back slightly against the cushions she had made. Panic flared to life in his chest and he suddenly found he couldn't move. Things were moving too fast, what if the baby needed medical help?

"John?" She demanded.

"Teyla, we need a nurse or something…" He uttered.

She reached out to him, grasping him abruptly by the front of his vest. "John, if Rodney can do it, then you can do it." She explained.

He looked down into her dark eyes, seeing her need for him to be strong and to help her. That was all he needed and the realisation that she was right; if Rodney could do it…

He nodded and sat back, pulling off his vest and jacket, dropping them down with the bags and he moved to the bucket of water. He paused.

"I'm just going outside; that crazy woman who cooks her vegetable soup looked like she had some hot water." He added. Teyla nodded and he rushed out of the tent into the still bright day.

The woman was indeed sitting outside her tent across the street and John hurried as casually as he could over to her large fire on which two buckets of water were steaming. The old woman looked up from where she was cutting the vegetable slices into tiny pieces ready to make a soup.

"Any chance you could spare some of this hot water?" John asked very politely, surprised at the steadiness of his voice as he pointed to a bucket.

The old woman squinted up at him and then looked around him back towards their tent and then back up at him. "Your young on its way?" She asked.

John was surprised at her insight, but maybe he looked a state, or she might have seen Teyla earlier. He nodded.

The woman looked down at the bucket nearest John. "Take it." She looked off down the street to where a group were rushing out of their tent, bags full and hurrying down the street and away. The news was spreading. "I do not think there will be need for much soup tonight, will there?" She said.

John looked into her old knowing eyes and shook his head. "It'll be best if you get to the main ship. They'll be barricading in later."

She nodded and waved her knife to the bucket of water before John. He nodded again and picked up the hot bucket and carried it away, looking once over his shoulder as he re-entered the tent; the old woman had gone back to her vegetable chopping.

Teyla was in the middle of another contraction as he entered. "I'm here, I'm here." He babbled as he set down the bucket near her and quickly grabbed the small dish of soap and washed down his hands and after a thought his forearms as well. Her contraction passed and she was left panting, fast and shallowly. He looked down to see her face nervous and worried; her eyes wide and scared; he couldn't remember seeing Teyla so scared before.

"Hey, take it easy, okay." He offered as he settled closer to her.

"It is too early, John."

A wave of calm passed through John. It had been a gift to him in the military; the ability to focus whilst under stress, to perform when everyone else around you was in chaos. Right now she needed him and she was in pain. He crawled right up beside her and set a hand on her knee. "It's gonna be okay, Teyla. You know what this place is like; it's probably been nine months and we don't know it. The nurse said all the kids are born smaller here, so it's probably that everything's fine and we just got our timing wrong." He smiled down at her. "It wouldn't be the first time for us."

She smiled up at him at that and she took a deeper breath. He stroked his hand over her raised knee and her body relaxed. She nodded and her usual calmer, centred expression returned. "They'll attack tonight?" She asked.

"It's still bright outside; we've got plenty of time." He added, hoping he was right.

She nodded, but then in contradiction to his words her next contraction hit and she reached out for his hand again. He offered his already injured hand and winced his way through his minor pain, watching as her whole body shook with pain. He was shocked to actually see her belly undulate, a wave of movement passing under her dress.

"John, it is coming now." She panted out as she spread her legs further.

Pushing aside his fear he knelt round her leg, sitting between her spread legs and he pulled the bucket of water and some clean rags closer. She paused panting as her body relaxed again. John looked up her body and she took another breath before the next contraction hit. John dropped his eyes to see the top of the baby's head suddenly appear. He reached out supporting the tiny area of the baby he could see. He couldn't believe she was managing this!

Teyla's body dropped and she groaned as the contraction passed. John looked back up to her. "I can see the head, you need to really push next time, okay?" He said, aware that he was simply repeating what she was quite clearly aware of, but it felt like the right thing to say. She nodded and after a beat she sat up slightly, reaching out she grasped the neckline of his shirt and set one of her bare feet against on his shoulder. John braced himself against her to help and then she cried out as she pushed. Her cry was so primal and loud that it would have been frightening if he hadn't been too busy watching the baby suddenly be forced out of her and then it was mostly in his hands and he pulled the tiny thing out of her completely, the cord following behind. Teyla released his shoulder and laid back with a gasp.

John stared at the still and horribly bloodshot coloured baby in his hands as he laid it down on a rag, but the nurse had warned him that was often the case. He wiped the tiny mouth and nose as best he could, sliding the tip of his little finger over its mouth and suddenly it jerked, its arms and legs moving, surprising him and an almighty cry that almost rivalled Teyla's last cry echoed throughout the tent. John's mind blanked for a moment as he looked down at his child; alive and screaming for attention and clearly annoyed at what had just happened to it. It was okay. His mind returned and he remembered he needed to tie the cord.

"I need a tie for the cord." He managed to say as he looked up at Teyla, but she was already reaching for the pockets in his vest where he kept the ties the nurse had given him. She handed one to him and he took it quickly as he leant down over the baby and judging the right distance he tied off the cord and he sat back looking along the cord and as promised a white spot was forming half way along. He pulled out his knife, paused to clean it and then sliced through the cord. He buried the knife in the ground near him and turned back to the baby.

"Is it okay?" Teyla panted clearly exhausted.

John looked up at her from between her legs. "Two arms, two legs." He smiled up at her. She handed him a handful of rags and he took them from her slightly shaking hand. He dipped a rag into the warm water in the bucket and leant back over the baby and very gently began to clean it down. Only then as he wiped its body and legs did he realise something else. He looked back up at Teyla. "It's a girl." He told her. She smiled with tears in her eyes. John looked back down at his daughter and decided she was clean enough and very carefully he slid his hands under her tiny body.

He picked her up very carefully, worried he might hurt her. She was so small; she fit into his hands perfectly. He sat up with her and carefully leant over Teyla. She had opened the laces at the top of her dress so she could lay the baby against her skin. Teyla took their daughter and John watched as Teyla laid their child against her golden skin. His eyes watered up at that image and he blinked them away, but more arrived to take their place. His family.

Teyla looked up at him, her own tears running down her cheeks. John leant up over her again and gently kissed her before looking down at his daughter again. The cries had almost stopped and her tiny cheek was pressed tightly against Teyla and she looked like she was ready to fall asleep.

John tore his eyes away from the baby and sat back running through in his mind what else needed doing. Teyla wasn't out of risk yet and he needed to get her to the infirmary to be tidied up and the afterbirth to be delivered. The baby needed to be checked over. Some shouting outside also drew him quickly back to the current situation; they definitely needed to get to the infirmary before any kind of riot broke out.

He looked up at Teyla and their daughter and he wanted nothing more than to stay here with them and enjoy this moment, but time was against them; it always seemed to be. He had a daughter now and he needed to make sure she survived as did her mother. "We need to get to the infirmary asap." He said gently to Teyla. She looked up from the baby and smiled at him before she blinked away her light tears and he watched her assess the situation as he had done.

He grabbed some more rags and cleaned Teyla as well as he could and then helped her up. "You going to be able to walk?" He asked worried. He might have to carry her after all.

"I should be fine." She replied as John handed her the sling she had made and John took his daughter briefly, once again shocked at how small and vulnerable she felt. The tiny little eyelids broke open for a second and John stared down with a smile at the large dark blue eyes that looked back at him. Teyla took her back and John helped settle her into the soft inner blankets of the sling. John then picked up the two bags, took one last look around the tent and then wrapped his arm around Teyla.

They stepped out into what looked like a scene from an end of the world movie. People were scrabbling around throwing things into bags and rushing down the streets. John pulled Teyla tightly to his side and he felt her push her long knife into his hand. He gripped the knife and pulled her along with him as they hurried as quickly as they could through the running people and ignored the panic that was spreading throughout the camp.

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TBC