Chapter 29: Promotions.

Teyla watched the proceedings with pride, she was so proud of her husband. John certainly wasn't the same man that she had met seven years ago. He was her husband and a father to her children and now he was officially the leader of Atlantis. She certainly never thought of him as a leader of people back then, but she was happy that she was wrong about him.

She was startled out of her musings when the gateroom erupted into applause. Looking up at the podium she realised that they were taking a short break from proceedings. She stood up wanting to go and congratulate John and was relieved when he headed down the stairs to see her.

"John I am so proud of you," She told him and gave him a kiss on the cheek.

She was stunned when he pulled away from her. Then she remembered that although everyone on Atlantis knew they were married and had three children, he still felt uncomfortable with them showing affection outside there apartment, especially around a gathering like this one.

"Umm… I just came over to see how you were going," he said looking into her eyes.

"I am fine John as are the children. Luckily they appear to be asleep right now and hopefully they will remain that way for a while longer." She replied with a sigh of relief.

"Well I'd better get back now, General O'Neil wants to get started shortly," he told her and she was surprised when he leant over and gave her a kiss on the cheek.

Once he had gone back to the podium, she looked around to see that Dave was staring at her with a big smirk on his face, "What can I do for you Dave?" She asked calmly.

"I was surprised that John kissed you with all of these people watching."

"I know it does seem strange for John to show affection in front of all of these people, but maybe he is excited and not in his right mind." She commented rolling her eyes.

"Well I guess we'd better sit down again, because it looks as in General O'Neill is about to begin." Dave suggested.

Teyla sat down and watched and faced the podium, she was happy to see that so many of her friends were being promoted today, but there was one name that wasn't on the official list that she had kept secret since before her honeymoon.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

John stood next to Sam and Jack as the promotion ceremony began. Richard had gone to sit down, as his part in the ceremony was over.

When the General started to speak, John stood up straighter; he was excited for his people, Lorne and Teldy in particular. They had held the rank of Major for a long time and it was long past time that they were both promoted.

His chest swelled with pride watching his soldiers being promoted, but they weren't his troops any longer, as of today they were Lorne's troops and he was responsible not just for them, but every person on Atlantis civilian and soldier alike.

There were only four promotions being given out today, so it wasn't long before General O'Neil was calling out Major Teldy.

"And this young woman has performed admirably in her role as a major always giving one hundred percent or more to her duties, so it gives me great pleasure to promote Major Ann Teldy to Lt Colonel with all of the privileges afforded to that rank."

This time he heard it when the crowd erupted in applause, once Teldy had reached the podium, he stood on one side of her and Sam stood on the other and he placed her new insignia on her shoulder epaulet and Sam did the same on the other side.

"Ladies and gentlemen I present to you Lt Colonel Ann Teldy." Jack announced and the crowd cheered.

Once the crowd had calmed down, Jack spoke again, "I would now like to talk to you about a man who has served as Colonel Sheppard's 2IC for many years and before that he served on a SGC team and he has held the rank of Major for a long time, so it is with great honour that I call Major Evan Lorne to the platform."

The noise was deafening as Major Lorne walked to the front and stood beside Jack. "Major Lorne has certainly gone above and beyond the call of duty on many occasions, so it is with great satisfaction that I promote Major Evan Lorne to the rank of Lt Colonel with all of the privileges afforded to that rank."

Once the new insignia had been placed on Lorne's shoulder epaulets, the crowd erupted again and it took quite a while before it was quiet again and when the noise had subsided, Jack spoke again, "Ladies and gentlemen I present to you your military commander, Lt Colonel Evan Lorne."

The applause was considerably less as Lorne went and sat down and in no time at all the room was silent and every eye was on General O'Neill again.

John was actually relieved that the ceremony was over, because at least he could get off his feet and sit down and have some lunch with his friends and family. He had arranged a small get together in one of the rec rooms to say a private goodbye to Woolsey. The rest of the expedition would say farewell over the next couple of days.

His thoughts were interrupted when General O'Neill began to speak again and it took a while for his mind to register what he was saying.

"We have one more promotion to give out this afternoon."

Really, John thought, how come I wasn't told.

"This promotion goes to a man who I have come to respect a great deal and in the seven plus years that I have known him, he has been prepared to give his life to protect others on many occasions, we are grateful that it hasn't come to that, but I know if it wasn't for this man many of you wouldn't be here today; myself included, so it is with great honour that I promote Colonel John Sheppard to the rank Brigadier General with all the privileges afforded that rank."

John stepped forward and allowed Generals' O'Neill and Carter place his new insignia on his shoulder epaulets. He was literally speechless and had no idea what to say. The crowd erupted into the loudest applause of the afternoon and then they all started chanting "speech, speech."

He took a deep breath not quite knowing what to say, he opened his mouth and hoped that something would come out, "Umm…, I literally have no idea what to say, I really wasn't expecting this, but I guess I would like to say thank you to everyone who has ever believed in me, first to Elizabeth, who I miss every day and Generals' O'Neill and Carter thank you for your support, I couldn't have come this far without it. Richard Woolsey, it has been and honour working with you and thank you for continuing to believe in me in the time that we have worked together. To my best friends and team, Dr Rodney McKay and Ronon Dex, to the two doctors who have continued to patch me up from my many injuries year after year, Dr Jennifer Keller and Dr Carson Beckett and finally to my family, my brother Dave and his fiancée Jane and my wife Teyla Emmagan-Sheppard who has been by my side through everything."

He stepped down from the podium as the crowd cheered again and this time he knew he was in total shock, this is something that he hadn't expected in a million years. Looking out on the crowd he saw Teyla with the biggest grin on her face and Dave's was equally as big.

"Ladies and Gentlemen I present to you, your leader and the head of the Atlantis expedition, Brigadier General John Sheppard." He nodded at John before continuing, "This brings this ceremony to an end. Thank you."

John stood quietly and watched the crowd thin out, he wasn't really in the mood for conversation right now, he just wanted to revel in whatever it was that he was feeling, so he was immensely grateful when no-one came up to congratulate him, at least initially.

A voice invaded his thoughts, "Congratulations Sheppard,"

"Thankyou Ronon, did you know about this? Did any of you know about this?" He asked his friends and family, who had come to stand beside him.

"Well…"Teyla began, before Rodney interrupted.

"I didn't have a clue, why would they bother to tell me anything I'm, just a scientist after all!"

This time Teyla interrupted him and John was immensely grateful, because he suspected that Rodney was about to have one of his famous rants.

"Mr Woolsey told before our honeymoon that your military wished to promote you, but he made me promise to keep it a secret. I must admit I found it very difficult, especially when you started to complain that Caldwell and Ellis had been promoted."

"Jane and I had no idea General." Dave added and it seemed weird that he was addressing him by the rank of General.

"We are so proud of you John," Jane told him, giving him a kiss on the cheek.

"Yes, well shall we head of to lunch," he suggested feeling very uncomfortable with the conversation.

"An excellent idea General Sheppard," Dave said with a smirk, before turning serious. "Honestly John I am so proud of you and I'm sure if Dad could see you now he would be too."

He was even more embarrassed than he was before when Dave pulled him in for a hug, which he accepted for a second or two, before he pulled away.

"Thanks Dave."

"Okay I'm off to lunch them," Rodney announced turning around and heading out of the gateroom.

John was about to follow when General O'Neill called to him.

"John can you come into Woolsey's office; or should I say your office, there's something I need to discuss with you?"

"I'll see you at lunch in a minute," he told Teyla before heading up the stairs to meet General O'Neill.

"What can I do for you Jack," he asked as he entered his new office.

"First of all congratulations John, you really deserve this promotion, even Landry agrees."

"Really General Landry, since when did he ever think much of me?" He snorted.

"You'd be surprised to know that it was on his recommendation to the president that I was informed and when I found out that the president agreed with Landry, I put up my hand and said that I wanted to be the one to promote you."

John was shocked that Landry had recommended him; he always suspected that Landry hated him, especially since the incident where he had stolen a jumper to go and rescue Woolsey and O'Neill form the replicators when they had taken over Atlantis, while he was on earth.

"Well I must admit that surprises me, I always thought that General Landry hated the fact that I was in a senior position in Atlantis."

"I know that he didn't think much of you in the beginning, especially after that incident when you disobeyed a direct order to come and save Woolsey and my asses, but as time has gone by he has come to respect and even admire you."

For the second time that afternoon he was total speechless.

"Anyway John, what I wanted to talk to you about is, although you are no longer in command of the military, when it comes to matters that effect the safety of Atlantis, the final decision is in your hands. If Caldwell, Ellis, or Carter try to order Col Lorne, as to what he should do, the ultimate decision is yours, as you are still his superior officer."

He felt relieved, because that was one of his worries when he had heard that the starship commanders had been promoted, but now they were all the same rank it made matters much easier.

"Thank you, Jack."

"You're welcome General Sheppard, now how about we go and join the others for lunch?"

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Teyla watched as her husband entered the rec room, he was the most handsome man she had ever seen and despite the fact that he was well into his forties now, he was still incredibly attractive. His once black hair was sprinkled with grey and there were a few more lines around his eyes, but he was still her husband and he was still a man who had achieved incredible things in his life and she was more proud of him now than she had ever been.

Watching him in his dress blues, she remembered back to her wedding day, which was the last time that he had worn them, his expressive hazel eyes were sparkling that day as well. Life had certainly been hard on him, but he had never lost his zeal and enjoyment for life, despite the fact that there were times when she knew that he wanted to give up.

Looking over at Dave and Jane, she saw how much they enjoyed looking after her children and she really hoped that they would have their own one day. Torren was holding Tobias and Tobias seemed content in his brother's arms. Jane held Charin and she seemed to be trying to put her entire fist in her mouth, which was something she tried to do often these days.

Her children were so lucky to have the opportunity to grow up on Atlantis with all its technological wonders and when they were old enough they would have access to earth and its many opportunities as well. But the biggest blessing of their life would be their father, he was such a strong honourable man and her children were lucky to have him.

She was startled from her musings by a hissing voice, "Ah Teyla, how are you this afternoon?"

Looking up she saw that Todd was looking down at her and she had to smile when she saw that he'd actually found a pair of pants long enough to cover his ankles.

"Todd it is good to see you again, I did not know that you were joining us for lunch today."

Todd smiled at her showing his crooked yellow teeth, "I wanted to make it to the ceremony, but I had a meeting with the coalition of planets, so I wasn't able to make it in time."

"I am glad you can join us for lunch, I am sure that John appreciates it."

"What do I appreciate," John asked walking up to join them.

"Ahh General Sheppard, it's good to see you again." Todd said shaking his hand, before continuing, "Congratulations on your promotion, I'm sorry that I couldn't make it to the ceremony."

"I'm glad you could make it to lunch. I know how much you enjoy pizza and beer."

Excellent," Todd hissed sitting down next to Teyla.

Teyla was relieved when John sat down on the other side of her and held her hand. She was happy to see that Dave and Jane head fed the twins and they were now in their pusher fast asleep. Torren seemed to be happy babbling away to Dave about anything he could think off.

"I hear that you went to Lucida for your honeymoon recently." Todd said with a raised eyebrow.

Teyla looked at him and wondered why he was so interested in such things. "Yes and we were wondering why it hadn't been culled in ten generations."

Todd chuckled, before he answered, "Just think about it? What to people do on a pleasure planet?"

"Ohhh…." Teyla said as the realisation dawned on her.

"Many people go to Lucida to celebrate their joining, or bonding, so the wraith see it as a place to increase their breeding stocks, so they leave it alone. Many women come away from the planet pregnant, because it is such a romantic environment."

"How do you know so much about Romance Todd?" John asked with a smirk on his face.

"Your Dr Beckett gave me some books on human procreation and Dr Keller gave me some books on romance and I quite enjoyed them."

John chuckled at him, "Who would have guessed that you were a romantic Todd."

"I must admit, romance has me intrigued, one day I may have to try it." Todd said with a strange look in his eyes, one which Teyla couldn't quite place.

Before the conversation could continue, John spoke to her, "I'm sorry sweetie, but I have to disappear for a short time." He said and kissed her on the cheek.

She watched as John left and then turned around to see that Todd was staring at her, "so what did you get up to on your honeymoon Teyla?"

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

John left the rec room and headed down to the gym. Lorne had contacted him a few minutes ago to tell him that a fight had broken out, between two marines and they refused to end it until they spoke to General Sheppard.

"You could have just thrown them in the brig," John suggested.

"I know, but I thought I would grant their request and then throw them in the brig for insubordination." Lorne explained.

John laughed; he knew there was a reason that he had promoted Lorne.

They arrived in the gym a few minutes later to find that the two marines were still fighting and they didn't look good. They were cut and bruised and one of them seemed to have a broken arm.

"Gentlemen I want you to stop what you are doing and listen to me!" John yelled, trying to stand in between them, but unfortunalty they didn't seem to want to stop and one of them hit him in his face.

"Stop it now!" He yelled, putting his hand over his face and falling to his knees and watching the blood drip to the floor.

"I'm sorry sir." Lt James said, holding his broken arm close.

"I don't know what happened," Lt Jones said, looking down at him.

"Col, Lorne take them to the brig and send a doctor down to see them."

"With pleasure sir," Lorne said as he grabbed the two men by the shoulders and led them out of the gym.

John tapped his earpiece and called the infirmary, "Sheppard to the infirmary, come in please?"

He was relieved when Jennifer answered so quickly, "go ahead General."

"Can you send a doctor to the holding cells, there is a couple of injured marines being taken there? I believe one of them has a broken arm."

"I will send Carson down, are you okay General Sheppard?"

"I'm fine Sheppard out."

He tried to stand up and all of a sudden, he felt dizzy and had to sit down again. It was then that he knew that he wasn't.

He tapped his earpiece again, "Sheppard to the infirmary, I'm in the gym and I think I'm going to pass out."

He never heard a reply, because less than a second later he lost consciousness.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Jennifer had just sent Carson off to the holding cells when her com activated again.

"Sheppard to the infirmary, I'm in the gym and I think I'm going to pass out."

"General Sheppard, are you alright?"

There no response, so she grabbed her bag, a couple of nurses and a gurney and headed for the gym.

When she arrived she wasn't happy by what she saw, Sheppard was lying on his side and it was obvious that he had taken a hard knock to the head. There was a large gash above his left eye and already she could see that his eye was swollen shut and the whole side of his face was beginning to turn black and blue.

"General can you hear me?"

He moaned and started to retch, so she helped him stay on his side while he emptied his stomach contents.

"General can you hear me?" she asked him again, as she shone her pen light in his eyes.

"I hear you doc," he told her squinting at the light.

"Okay let's get you to the infirmary and then I want to take a scan of you face, to see if there are any fractures."

"I'm fine really and I can walk to the infirmary if I must be checked over."

She watched as he tried to get to his feet, but she wasn't surprised when he fell to the ground and started moaning.

"Right General, I think we'll get you on the gurney and get you to the infirmary as soon as possible."

It didn't take long to load the General onto the gurney and take him to infirmary; soon after they reached the infirmary he lost consciousness again.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Teyla rushed through the hallways of Atlantis; she was heading towards the waiting room of the infirmary.

She arrived a short time later to and empty room and it was obvious no-one else had received the message that John was injured again. Sitting down she looked towards the doors leading to the infirmary willing them to open.

When they didn't open she looked back at the other door, just in time for Dave to walk through.

"Teyla what's happened?"

"Apparently he tried to break up a fight between two marines in the gym and his head got in the way of someone's fist."

"Why was he in the gym breaking up fights? Surely that is Colonel Lorne's Job?" Dave asked with a confused look on his face.

"I have just spoken with Evan and he said that the two men insisted on speaking with John, Lorne assures me that they are now in the holding cells and are waiting to speak to him."

"I hope he's going to be okay, I'm supposed to be getting married in two days' time and I can't get married without him."

Before Teyla had a chance to reply, Jennifer entered the room.

Teyla walked up to meet her. "How is he Jennifer?"

"Well he's going to have a severe headache when he wakes up, but there appears to be no skull fracture or concussion."

"Can we see him," Dave asked, coming up alongside Teyla.

"Yes, you can see him for a while, but I'd like to keep him overnight for observation."

Jennifer turned and headed out of the room and Teyla and Dave quickly followed. Once they had reached the infirmary Teyla rushed to John's bedside and she was happy to see that the only part of him that seemed to be damaged was his left eye and forehead.

She sat down next to him and held his hand, hoping that he would wake up soon and then she would know that he was okay.

"I'll go and help Jane look after your children and come back later," Dave told her walking across the room to hold John's hand.

She watched as Dave looked down at his brother with a concerned look, "I'll catch you later brother and you'd better be on your feet for my wedding day. I can't get married without you."

John chose that moment to moan and open his eyes, but he only managed to open them for a few seconds before he lost consciousness again.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

John moaned as wakefulness came to him, he had no idea what had happened and where he was, but the one thing he did know was that he had a sore eye and a huge headache. He struggled to open his eyes, but found that he could only open one of them. He moaned again and was comforted when someone took his and started to talk to him soothingly.

"John, it is Teyla, try and stay still, Dave has just gone to find Carson and he can tell you what is going on?"

"Teyla." He whispered, more of a statement that a question.

"Wha….?" He said and he was horrified to hear how slurred his voice sounded.

Another voice pervaded his consciousness and he was dismayed that it was too loud, "Hey Laddie how are you feeling?" Carson asked him.

"Shush…." He whispered, desperate for some peace and quiet to try and relieve his pounding head and sore eye.

"Sorry lad, do you remember what happened?" Carson asked a lot more quietly this time.

"Tried… to…break…up…fight…between…Jones…and…James, "he said trying to breathe through the pain of the pounding in his head and the stabbing pain behind his left eye.

Dave's voice entered the conversation and unfortunately he wasn't talking softly either, "that's right little brother, but Colonel Lorne has them both in holding cells and he is waiting on you to talk to them, before he administers a punishment."

John slammed his eye shut as a sudden wave of pain crossed his forehead. "Can…everyone…please…be quiet."

To his relief Carson told everyone except Teyla to leave the room.

"Okay laddie, I'm going to give you something for the pain, so that you can go back to sleep. I want Teyla to put some ice on that eye again as well." Carson told him, before injecting a syringe of pain medication into his IV.

"Sure Doc, but when can I get out of here?" John asked feeling a little better as the pain meds began to take effect.

"We'll see how you are in the morning and if you are feeling better, you can go home and then you can rest for a day or two, before Woolsey leaves. Luckily, you don't have a concussion and there are no skull or facial fractures."

"You'll get no argument from me doc."

It wasn't long before he felt his eyelids drooping again and the last thing he felt before the darkness claimed him again was Teyla's soft silky hand in his.

TBC…