Chapter 27: A new home.

John sat back and enjoyed the ride, as Teyla pushed him out of the infirmary and down the passageway.

"Ummm… Teyla, Sweetie this is the wrong way to go to either of our quarters."

He'd never called her Sweetie before and he remembered when she was pregnant and had to be interviewed by Mr Coolidge of the IOA that he had called her honey. He knew that she had wanted to inflict much harm on him at the time, so he immediately regretted it when she replied to him.

"Did you just call me Sweetie?"

He shuddered at the tone in her voice, but he couldn't see her face, so he didn't really know what she was thinking, "yes I did. I'm sorry didn't you like it?"

There was silence, so he braced himself for her disapproval and anger, but he was surprised that it didn't come.

"No honey I think I like it, but only you can call me Sweetie, if anyone else does I will be forced to inflict much harm on them."

John laughed out loud that was one on the things he loved most about Teyla, she could defend herself is she needed to. He hoped that at some point she would allow him to protect her if needed as well. He also decided that he really liked it when Teyla called him honey.

"In that case sweetie, where are we going?" He asked suspiciously, as they were heading towards the south pier.

"You will find out in a few minutes honey."

He kept quiet as Teyla continued to wheel him towards the unknown location, he had his suspicions as to where they might be heading, but he wasn't sure. He vaguely remembered her talking about them getting an apartment together at some point and he really hoped that was where they were heading right now.

They arrived at their destination a few minutes later and Teyla opened the door to their new apartment. Pushing himself inside he was amazed by what he saw. In the main area there was a spacious kitchen and dining room, a large living space with a floor to ceiling window; leading to a balcony that over looked the south pier.

Wheeling himself out on to the balcony his breath was taken away by the amazing view. Heading back into the living space he noticed that Teyla had set up his recliner and TV

He smiled at her, "Thank you for all of this Teyla?

"Welcome home John. I thought I would set up your chair and Television in this room, as I know that you will still need to rest your leg for a large proportion of each day. Would you like to sit down now?"

"Can I see the rest of the apartment now?"

She nodded and wheeled him into room on the left side of the living space. There were cupboards along and entire wall. There was a passageway next to the room they had just looked at, so they headed down it until they came to a large room with a balcony overlooking to ocean. There was an ensuite with a toilet, shower and bath, next to that was a huge walk in closet.

"This definitely has to be our room," John told her with a grin that lit up his entire face.

She wheeled him onto the balcony and he took in the stunning view and it completely took his breath away.

"Wow this would be and incredible place to watch the sunset."

"I had exactly the same thought when I first saw it. Let's go inside and I'll show you the rest of the apartment."

Exiting the large room into the passage way again, she showed him the two rooms off to one side of the passage and the one on the other side. They all had cupboards set up along an entire wall. She showed him the bathroom and toilet on the side that only had one room.

John looked around the spare rooms and he certainly had a good idea what they may be able to use those for, "Ummm… Teyla look at all these extra rooms…ummm, do you think we could use them if we have more children?"

"How would we end up with more children honey?" He didn't miss the twinkle in her eye as she spoke.

He blushed as he answered, "I'll show you how at some stage." He quickly changed to subject to avoid further embarrassment, "now I'm feeling really tired and I think I'd like to have a nap."

"Would you like to sit in your recliner, or would you like to try the new bed I had delivered?"

He raised his eyebrows and smirked at her, as he answered, "I think I would like to try the new bed, but only if you try it with me."

"Well Ronon has delivered Torren to Jennifer and Mr Woolsey does not require my assistance with anything at this time, so I think I would like to join you for a nap."

"Absolutely fantastic," he stated and wheeled himself over to the bed and managed to pull himself into it.

He patted the side of the bed indicating to Teyla that she should climb in with him. It didn't take long for her climb in next to him and then he was able to hold her in his arms; something he had been dreaming of for a long time.

Closing his eyes he smelt the fragrant sent of her hair and felt the smoothness of her skin and it wasn't long before he fell into a deep sleep.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Woolsey sat at his desk eating his sandwich; he wondered why he always seemed to be in his office. Being and administrator had to be one of the worst jobs in the universe. It seemed that the paperwork was and insurmountable task, but yet he kept going with it. He knew that he couldn't ask for a better place to work than Atlantis. He had met people from all over the Pegasus galaxy and had worked with some of the top minds that earth had to offer, so it wasn't all that bad.

Now that he knew that Colonel Sheppard would be back on light duty in a weeks' time it made his job a lot easier. He never realised how much he relied on him for his experience and wisdom until he was injured and that happened far too often for his liking.

He decided that when he had the chance he would go and visit Colonel Sheppard in his new apartment; just to check up on him and see how he was going.

His thoughts were interrupted, by a knock at the door, looking up he found Chuck standing in the door way.

He nodded at him and encouraged him to enter his office, "what can I do for you Chuck?"

"Jonah from the giant's council wishes to come to Atlantis and speak with you Mr Woolsey."

He took a deep breath before replying. The last thing he wanted right now was to talk to the giants. Although they had been helpful in tracking down the giants who had abducted and tortured Colonel Sheppard, he still found them arrogant and condescending.

"When would he like to meet?" He asked with a pained expression on his face.

He noticed the worried look on Chucks face and he knew that he was on the other side of the gate even before Chuck answered, "He's on the other side of the gate now and he is demanding to talk to you now."

"Okay Chuck, let him through and send him to my office."

He sat down and put his head in his hands, he knew that he had a few minutes to try and compose himself before Jonah arrived. It was a good thing that diplomacy was one of his strengths otherwise he would have shoved him through the nearest space gate a long time ago. Now I'm beginning to sound like Ronon, he thought as he sat up and straightened his Jacket, just as a loud voice boomed through his office door.

"Mr Woolsey, how good to see you again. I trust all is well."

Woolsey plastered his best smile on his face, "Jonah what can I do for you."

"I was wondering how Colonel Sheppard was? Radim told me what Goliath and his buddies did to him."

"He is well and should suffer no permanent damage."

"That is good to hear, I would hate to think that one of our own would be responsible for any permanent damage to one of our allies."

The man was nearly eight foot tall, so even when he was sitting down he was much taller than he was, but that wasn't what made him nervous, it was the way he said things that worried him. Jonah really had no concern for Colonel Sheppard; all he was worried about was his alliance with the coalition of planets.

He did his best to keep his fake smile on his face, as he spoke, "Thank you for your concern Jonah I will pass your well wishes on to Colonel Sheppard."

"Good now we have discussed that matter, I would like to ask you where your doctors are with the vaccine for the Red spot."

Woolsey actually felt like hitting the man, but he knew that wouldn't be very diplomatic, as they needed as many planets as part of the coalition as they could find.

"Doctors' Keller and Beckett tell me it's at least six weeks away."

"Can you let me know when they are finished, as I want to ask them to come and vaccinate, some of our children." Jonah asked him with what could only be described as a patronising tone.

"I will let you know, when they are ready."

"Thankyou Mr Woolsey. I must go now, as I have a meeting with the Ladon Radim," he boasted, as he stood up and left Woolsey's office.

He was glad to see the back of him, as much as they needed allies, he really didn't have to like the people he worked with.

A few minutes later he heard the gate engage and he let out a sigh of relief when it shut down, knowing that the Giant was gone for now.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

John awoke sometime later only to find something fluffy in his face it felt like hair, but why would there be hair in his face and what the hell was that pounding in his head, as he slowly became more aware he realised that the hair was Teyla's and someone was knocking on his door, but he had no idea why.

He looked down at Teyla and saw that she was starting to awake. I could certainly get use to this; he thought when she smiled at him.

"Teyla Sweetie, there's someone at the door and I have no idea where my crutches are right now."

Teyla looked at the clock and proclaimed, "It is 1700 hours and Amelia and Ronon were supposed to be bringing Torren back. I have also arranged for the rest of our friends to come over and share a meal with us. I hope you do not mind Honey, but I have missed getting together as a group."

John smiled, as the pounding on the door continued, "Sweetie, I'm going to guess that is probably Rodney at the door and he certainly won't stop until you let him in."

"I will just go and let him in and then I will bring you your crutches."

Watching Teyla walk away was a highlight of any day for him, he loved watching her from any angle, but for some reason he loved the way she walked and the back showed the best angle of her completing that particular movement.

Fifteen minutes later when he finally managed to make it to the lounge area, he was greeted by his son throwing himself at him and if it wasn't for Teyla, he would have fallen flat on his face. "Daddy you home?" Torren squealed and John was pleased to hear that he had progressed to calling him daddy.

"Hey pal how are you, I've really missed you since I've been in the infirmary?"

"Me too daddy."

"How about you let me sit in my chair and then you can climb on my lap," before he had a chance to hobble over to his recliner, Rodney was in his face.

"Hey Sheppard aren't you going to say hello to the rest of us, we missed you too?"

John plastered a smile on his face, "sure thing Rodney, just let me sit down and then if you want to talk to me you can."

Once he had sat in his chair he took a moment to notice what was going on around him, Jennifer was talking to Carson over in the corner, Woolsey and Ronon were talking to Lorne and Teyla was talking to Amelia. All of his friends were all in one place and they were here to welcome him home and to celebrate his and Teyla's new apartment.

He had barely finished his thought when Rodney started talking in his ear, "hey Sheppard, you really need to come down to the lab and help me test out some of the ancient devices I've found."

Looking at his friend all he could do was smile, he loved Rodney's enthusiasm for all thing ancient, but unfortunately at the moment he never wanted to go near and piece of ancient technology ever again; except for Atlantis of course.

"Rodney there is absolutely no way I want to go near a piece of ancient technology right now and besides, I'm on light duty."

He watched Rodney closely expecting him to say something and was relieved when he didn't, so he asked him the question that had been bothering him ever since he woke up in the infirmary, "Rodney how did you know about the implants in my brain and leg?"

Rodney looked uncomfortable as he answered, "Well as much as I'd like to say it was my brilliance that saved you, I can't it was actually Todd who saved the day once again. Apparently he knew of the devices and suspected that they had been placed in your body. It turns out that Goliath had some wraith DNA and was able to use the devices to manipulate your body and mind."

"I guess I owe him one then."

Rodney wrung his hands together and John knew that he wasn't going to like what he said. "Well the last thing Todd said to me when he left Atlantis was 'tell Sheppard he owes me two'."

He moaned at the thought, "I hate being indebted to anyone, especially Todd."

Rodney shrugged, "well I'd hate to say it, but he has come through for us on more than one occasion."

"I know and I guess we'll need him in the future again, but right now I don't want to think about it. I want to enjoy being her with my family and friends."

"Fair enough," Rodney said as he walked away.

He lay back in his chair with his son asleep in his lap. Things had been difficult for him over the last three weeks, but looking around his brand new home at his friends and family, he knew that no matter what happened they would always be there for him; even when he was angry at them for some reason.

He looked over at Teyla who was deep in conversation with her two best friends, Jennifer and Amelia, he was so lucky to have her. She smiled at him from across the room and he felt more contented than he had for a long time.

To him this was a perfect moment in time, right now he didn't want to be anywhere or be with anyone else.

TBC…