Chapter 20: Rest and relaxation.
John sat on the veranda of his house overlooking the beach in Maui. It had been two weeks since he'd been released from the SGC infirmary and he still felt exhausted most of the time. His shoulder was still pretty useless, but was healing well and Carson has promised that he would be able to start physical therapy by the end of the week. The cast on his right leg was due to come off the next day, so he could start therapy on that as well. His left wrist would still be in a cast for another five or six weeks, so he would still have it on when he went back to Atlantis in two weeks' time.
At least he would be able to go back to Atlantis to finish his rehabilitation this time and for that he was eternally grateful, for some reason the SGC had relaxed their stance on severely injured people being allowed to stay, despite the fact that it was still considered a war zone. The SGC had asked Claudia if she would be willing to go to Atlantis and take a job, because they really needed a good physical therapist and she had eagerly accepted on the condition that she could take her kids with her. Which wasn't a problem as Jane had accepted a job as a school teacher on Atlantis, so there would be a school; Dave was also going with them to manage the budget of the expedition. So all in all he was feeling positive about the future.
A purring sound pervaded his thoughts and he was surprised to see that Puss was looking up at him. Since Puss had met Torren, the cat seemed to enjoy spending more time with Torren than him, so it was a rarity these days for Puss to come to him. They had come to the conclusion after an extensive search to find the cat's owner that he was abandoned, so John had claimed him for his own. He never used to be a cat person, but Puss had offered him comfort and friendship while he was in captivity, so they had become fast friends.
"Hey Puss, do you need me for something?" He asked the cat with a smirk on his face."
Puss jumped on his lap and snuggled up to him and he welcomed the warmth, since he felt a chill in the air despite the warm day. He had a blanket over him at Carson and Claudia's insistence. They were both as bad as one another when it came to being a mother hen, but he knew that they only had his best interests at heart, so he humoured them.
A little voice called to him from the beach, "Da loot Sandtastle."
"That's great T.J," he replied looking at the pile of sand that resembled a sandcastle.
He watched Torren playing with Claudia's children and he was glad that they were all getting along, since Torren didn't have too many friends on Atlantis. Tyler and Beth were six year old twins and they were both the splitting image of their mother with their blonde hair and bright blue eyes and they absolutely adored Torren.
Looking towards the ocean he saw that Rodney and Dave were sitting on the beach having just come out of the water and from what he could see of Rodney's mannerisms he had hated every single moment of it.
He knew that the ladies were in the house getting the salads ready for lunch and doing whatever ladies did when they got together; probably talking about him and Dave and Carson and Ronon had gone to visit Carson's family in Scotland for a few days.
Sighing he closed his eyes, all he had to do right now was rest and get well, which was becoming boring fast. But he knew that when he began his physical therapy, it was going to be hard work, so the time for lounging around and doing nothing would be over.
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Dave exited the water, with Rodney following. The only problem was that Rodney was constantly complaining.
"I hate the water, why did you make me go in the water, do you have any idea what that will do to my skin?"
He rolled his eyes at the scientist still wondering how he and John could be such close friends. "Don't worry Dr McKay you can have a shower before lunch and then you can stay inside for the afternoon if you want to."
"I think I might have to do that. I don't want to end up with sunstroke after all." Rodney commented.
He'd had enough of Rodney's complaining, so he decided to change the subject, "Dr McKay can I ask you a personal question?" He asked apprehension.
Rodney smiled at him, which was a rare sight. He thought that he'd only seen him smile once since they had been here. "You want to know how Sheppard and I are such good friends, considering how different we are to one another."
He nodded his head waiting for Rodney to continue.
"I guess that he has always accepted me for who I am and never tried to change me. He recognises my genius and doesn't judge me for it. He is very smart himself and can often keep up with some of my ideas and I respect him for that, it's not very often you see a flyboy with that level of intelligence.
There was one time where I was suffering from a disease where my memories were slowly being stripped away from me, I was losing myself day by day and in the end I could barely remember my own name, I tried to say goodbye to him, but he wouldn't let me. He told me that if I forgot him that he would keep reminding me of who he was and in that moment, he was the truest friend anyone could ever hope to have. Of course I got better, but I've never forgotten what he did for me."
Dave nodded in reflection of what Rodney had just told him, "thank you for being there for him. It's good to know that he has good friends and family looking out for him. I decided to relinquish that role a long time ago and I hope that I have earnt the right to be his brother again."
He was relieved when Rodney smiled at him, "believe me he talks about you a lot these days, so I think that you are definitely his brother again."
Dave paused, thinking about what he was going to say next. "Why don't you ever call him John?"
"I guess I mostly call him Colonel out of respect for his rank, but other than that I've always called him Sheppard, I've no idea why."
Dave was beginning to feel uncomfortable with the conversation, so he thought that it was probably a good time to end it, "how about we head up to the house to have a shower and I'll cook some meat on the outdoor grill. I think the ladies have been making some salads to eat."
"Sounds good to me," Rodney answered trying to get to his feet.
Dave held out his hand and pulled him to his feet. They walked back to the house in silence and Dave felt as if he knew his brother and his brother's friend a little better from the conversation that they'd just had.
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Teyla was enjoying spending time with Claudia and Jane; they were actually trying to teach her how to cook. She had told them both that cooking wasn't one of her best skills, but one day she wanted to be able to cook for Torren and John. So they had volunteered to give her some pointers and when they got back to Atlantis they would continue to help her.
Once the salads were made, they sat down to enjoy a cup of tea, while Rodney and David cooked the steaks on the outdoor grill.
She listened as Jane told them all about her new wedding plans. Jane and Dave had decided that they were going to put their wedding plans on hold and get married on Atlantis.
She was shocked when Jane asked her, "Teyla would you like to be my maid of honour at my wedding?"
"I would be honoured, but why me?"
"Well I don't exactly know anyone else on Atlantis and I can't tell anyone back on earth about Atlantis now, can I?" Jane smirked and then looked at her before she continued on in a more serious tone," and besides you're family and I would love to have you standing beside me on my wedding day."
"Well in that case I accept."
She watched as Jane turned to address Claudia. "Claudia would you like to be a bridesmaid in my wedding?"
A smile crossed Claudia's face, "I would be absolutely honoured."
"Well in that case let's celebrate," Jane suggested opening a bottle of red wine.
Teyla took a glass off of her, just as Dave came in the room, "food's ready, maybe you ladies should set the table and stop drinking all of the wine." he said with a twinkle in his eye.
"I'll go and get the kids from upstairs," Claudia volunteered.
Teyla glared at him, "I will go and get John." She suggested, as she left the kitchen.
She went around to the back of the house and found that John was dozing off with Puss in his lap. She smiled at him; it wasn't often that she saw him looking so relaxed. Carson had told her rest and relaxation were the best things to aid his healing.
OOOOOOOOOOOOOO
John was dozing when a voice pervaded his consciousness, "John dinner is almost ready, and I am going to take you to the table now?"
It took his muddled brain a minute realise what was going on and when he opened his eyes, he was happy to see Teyla looking down at him, "Hey Teyla."
"I'm going to help you into your wheelchair and then we're going to have lunch around the other side of the house." Teyla reiterated for him.
It wasn't that hard to get into the wheelchair, because he had one leg working, his arms were still useless though. Puss wasn't happy when John moved and he was dumped on the floor, so he started hissing at Teyla.
"Do not get angry with me Puss; you may hop back on John's lap when he is in his wheelchair." Teyla chastised him.
Once he was in his wheelchair John chuckled, "I don't think he likes you right now."
"I do not care John he is a cat and does not own or control me. Therefore he must know that I am boss."
He smirked at her, "I hear you Teyla, but good luck with Puss believing you."
Teyla adjusted the blanket that was over him and as soon as she'd finished Puss took the opportunity to jump on his lap again.
"John you cannot take that cat back to Atlantis with you!" Teyla told him forcefully.
His mood quickly changed, as he was upset by what she had said and upset by the tone she had used; absolutely no-one understood what he had been through over the last couple of months first with what Klow did to him and then Athena. No-one seemed to understand at the point where he felt like giving up; Puss had been there for him.
"You don't understand anything Teyla, so why don't you just leave me alone and go and have some lunch?" He turned away from her and really hoped that she would leave him alone.
"I will save some dinner for you and leave you alone, but I will be back later to see how you are going."
He was glad when she finally left him alone. Over the last two weeks he'd had plenty of time to think about what had happened to him and he knew that if Puss hadn't have befriended him he probably would have given up. When Puss had come along he had no idea how long it would be before someone came to rescue him and it wasn't long after that he'd totally given up on anyone ever coming to save him.
Looking out over the ocean he felt tears brimming in his eyes. Would he ever be well and whole again and when he was, would he be injured or tortured again. Perhaps it was time he took himself off active duty and worked from Atlantis. He was a father now after all and he definitely intended to ask Teyla to marry him one day soon.
There were clouds on the horizon despite the fact that it was a warm and sunny. He shivered at the slight chill in the air and did his best to pull the blanket up around his neck with his casted arm. Closing his eyes he started to think of all of the good things in his life and all of the things he had to look forward too and it wasn't long before he felt positive about his future again.
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Teyla left John sitting alone on the veranda, she had absolutely no idea what his problem was. She had noticed that he hand moody the last week or so, but she suspected that he would get over it in time, just like he always did. And what was with the cat, she never took John for an animal lover, but he seemed a little obsessed with the cat, as did Torren.
"Where's Sheppard?" Rodney asked her when she finally arrived back at the table.
"He told me that he wanted to be left alone for the moment, so I figured I would come and eat some lunch first and then I can go back and see him later."
"Maybe I'll go and see him, do you think I should go and see him?" Rodney suggested sounding concerned.
"Do not disturb him now Dr McKay, maybe you can go and see him when you have finished your lunch." Teyla told him firmly.
"No!" Rodney responded forcefully and when he spoke again his voice was much softer, "I'm going to see him now. There's no way I'm going to sit and eat my lunch while Sheppard is wallowing in self-pity. I want him to enjoy lunch with the rest of us."
Before she had a chance to answer him Torren interrupted, "where Da, where Puss?"
She sighed, even though Torren was a very inquisitive child he needed to learn to pay attention, "As I have just told everyone, Daddy is around the other side of the house and he would like some time alone."
Torren looked up at her with his puppy dog eyes, "me go and see Daddy?"
Teyla was shocked, she'd never heard him call John Daddy before and in that moment she felt incredibly proud of her son, "Uncle Rodney is going to see him now and then hopefully Daddy will come around and join us for lunch."
She was relieved when Torren just nodded his head and went back to his food.
"I'm going to talk to him now." Rodney told her standing to her feet.
"Just do not mention the cat. I suggested that he could not take him to Atlantis and his mood changed in a flash."
"I love cats, so I think it would be cool to have a cat on Atlantis." Rodney told her, before turning around and heading to the front of the house.
"What is about that cat?" She muttered; as she sat down to start her meal.
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
"Hey Puss, I wonder how you're going to survive on Atlantis," John asked him, while stroking him with the tip of his fingers on his casted hand.
The cat purred at him and for the moment he felt content, he was alone with his cat sitting watching the ocean, what more could he ask for.
Closing his eyes, he listened to the sounds of things around him, the purring of the cat, the sound of people on the beach and the pounding of the waves against the shore, he could get used to this. He'd definitely have to come back here when he was feeling better, he could spend some time in the water surfing.
His eye shot open, when a loud voice pervaded his thoughts, "What the hell are you doing around here Sheppard?!"
John was incredulous, why the hell was here when all he wanted to be was left alone right now. "McKay I'm not in the mood for this, right now!"
"What is you problem, why can't you just come round and have lunch with us and don't use the excuse that no-one understands what you've been through, because you know what you're right we can't understand what you've been through, but we want help you!" Rodney yelled at him.
John's eyes blazed in anger. "Well I don't want your help; right now I just want to be left alone!"
Rodney spoke again and he was calmer this time, "well, I'm just going to sit with you until you want to talk, whether it's now or later."
He watched as Rodney pulled up a chair and sat down next to him, taking a deep breath he looked at his friend, "Rodney I'll be alright, you don't have to sit here with me."
"I know I don't have to, but I want to," Rodney said and he took a deep breath before continuing. "Do you remember when I had that parasite in my brain?"
"Yeah, what of it?"
"I don't remember much of what happened during that time, but one thing I do remember is that you never gave up on me and you were always there for me. I just want to return the favour."
John smiled at him, "thanks buddy, I really appreciate the offer, but honestly I'm fine."
"So will you come and have lunch with us, Puss is invited of course," Rodney pleaded with him?
He decided that he wasn't quite ready to go to lunch yet, so he changed the subject, "Rodney do you think I'm an idiot for being so attached to a cat?"
Puss purred and jumped on Rodney's lap. "No I don't think you're an idiot at all, a friend is a friend whether it's a human or an animal. I personally love cats."
"I'm glad I'm not crazy for wanting Puss to come back to Atlantis."
Rodney chuckled at him, "I wonder what Woolsey will say, when you tell him you're bringing a cat home with you?"
"Who cares right now McKay, all I want to do is eat."
"I suggest we're quick before Dave eats all of the food," Rodney smirked dumping Puss in John's lap as he stood up.
John smirked as Puss immediately started purring again.
OOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Teyla sat at the table listening to the conversations going on around her, but not really paying attention to them. Her thoughts were on John, she wondered if he was going to be alright long term. Her thoughts were interrupted when Rodney wheeled John up to the table.
"Hey where's my food," John announced as Rodney wheeled him up to the table next to Claudia?
"I saved you some steak and a baked potato, little brother." Dave informed him.
"How about a beer or two, "John asked, using his famous crooked grin.
Teyla rolled her eyes at him; he certainly knew how to get his own way.
"Yes John you can have a couple of beers," Claudia told him with a smile.
Rodney chuckled, "Sheppard, that Kirk look gets them every time."
John glared at him, "Shut it McKay!"
Teyla sat and watched what was going on around her, the conversation was lively and John seemed to be in a good mood. She only hoped that things would stay that way.
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
"Yes John you can have a couple of beers," Claudia told him with a smile.
Rodney chuckled, "Sheppard, that Kirk look gets them every time."
John glared at him, "Shut it McKay!"
"Hey I'm just saying." Rodney replied.
John turned to look at Claudia, "how about you feed me and has anyone got a straw for my beer?"
"Sure have gorgeous," Jane announced and brought out the pink sparkly straw with the giraffe on it.
"Really is this payback for something?" He asked with a pained look on his face.
"No handsome, it's just that I thought you needed some cheering up," Jane whispered in his ear, before she put the straw up to his mouth.
John rolled his eyes, "I can't win, "he mumbled, as he took a sip of the beer
The fun and laughter continued throughout the meal and by the time he had finished his steak and beer, he was beginning to feel incredibly tired again, he couldn't wait to get back on his feet again and get back to normality.
"Hey guys, do you think you can push me around the back again, so that I can watch the beach and have an afternoon nap."
"Sure thing Sheppard," Rodney said, grabbing the back of his chair ready to push him around the back of the house again.
Teyla kissed him on the cheek. "I will come and sit with you soon John."
"I'm going to take the kids for a swim." Dave announced and then he turned to Claudia, Teyla and Jane, "are you guys coming."
Teyla smiled at him, "I think I will stay and do the dishes."
"Claudia, Jane?" Dave asked them with pleading eyes.
"I think I'll help Teyla with the dishes," Claudia announced.
"I'll come." Jane told him and it was obvious to John that the pleading in his brother's eyes had worked on her.
John was glad when Rodney started to move and Puss started to purr, obviously happy to be on the move as well. They arrived at his favourite place on the back Veranda and Rodney helped him into his favourite chair. Puss jumped on his lap again and snuggled close. Looking over at the beach he saw Dave and Jane rushing towards the water with the three children, he wondered if they would have kids one day, because they were certainly good with them.
"Hey Sheppard, I'm just going to get my computer and do some work, I hope you don't mind?"
"Go right ahead McKay, I think I'm going to sleep."
He felt his eyelids drooping again and he wasn't worried about anything, because right now there was no place that he'd rather be, so he let himself fall into a deep contented sleep.
When he awoke again the sun was low on the horizon and he was alone, looking across the beach he realised that Dave, Jane and the kids were nowhere in sight. They must have gone inside, hethought as his eyes scanned the horizon. He strained his ears to try and hear the children and from what he could hear, he suspected that they were playing around the other side of the house.
A voice interrupted his musings, "Are you okay John?"
He looked up to find that Teyla was sitting next to him, "Hey Teyla, what's everyone else up too?"
"The kids are playing around the front with Dave and Jane and Claudia and Rodney are in the kitchen washing dishes."
He raised his eyebrow, "really McKay washing dishes?"
"Yes I know that it is hard to believe, but what is even harder to believe is that Claudia seems to be enjoying his company, so with everyone else occupied, I thought that I might come and enjoy the sunset with you and Puss."
He snuggled up to Teyla when she put her arm around him and he looked out at the ocean and saw that the sun was beginning to set, it was really very beautiful. The sky was a pale pink and became a deep crimson near the horizon, the bright orange ball of fire bobbed on the horizon, before finally disappearing and plunging the world into an eerie grey light which would be replaced by darkness in a short amount of time. Despite the greyness of dusk the world around him was alive with sights and sounds and at that moment he felt happy to be alive and surrounded by his family and friends. It had been a long hard road over the last couple of months and he knew that the road ahead would be just as difficult, but he also knew that he had the best family in two galaxies and with their love and support he could face anything that life threw at him.
Fin…
I want to thank everyone who had stayed with this story until the end. I would also like to thank everyone who has reviewed and commented, I really appreciate your support.