Chapter 23: Full circle.
John was glad when they finally arrived at the top of the stairs and he felt even better when he finally felt the sunlight on his face. It had been a long morning and he was ready for a relaxing afternoon with his team. The sun was high in the sky and when he looked at his watch, he realised that it was after midday on the planet.
He walked along in silence enjoying the sun of his face and the gentle breeze in his hair, until Teyla came up alongside of him, "it is certainly good to be out in the sun again," she said taking his hand.
"It certainly is, and I can't wait to go and set up camp. I'm feeling pretty hungry as well, so it must be about lunch time."
"I am sure when we arrive, we can find something to eat." She replied with a gorgeous smile.
"I really can't wait to tell you about the things that I found in the lab," Rodney said coming up alongside of him and talking way to fast and loud.
John felt a headache coming on and he longed for some time away from Rodney, as he'd spent way too much time with him the night before and despite the fact that Rodney was one of his best friends, he could be a real pain in the neck at times, "as I said before McKay, I look forward to it, but I would appreciate it if you don't mention it again until dinner time!"
He raced on ahead of Rodney still holding Teyla's hand and was relieved when they arrived at the jumper a few minutes later, opening the hatch he let go of Teyla's hand and went straight to the pilot's chair too prepare the jumper for take-off.
He was so intent on what he was doing that he barely noticed when Ronon came up and sat next to him, "are you alright Sheppard?"
What was with Ronon today, for some reason he kept asking him how he was. The truth was that he was completely fine except for the fact that Rodney was annoying him. He made up his mind that once they had landed the jumper, he was going to disappear to the river like he did the first time he was on the planet.
His thoughts were interrupted when Rodney spoke to him in a harsh tone, "earth to Sheppard are you with us!?"
"What!" He answered with annoyance.
"I'm just wondering how you are." Ronon asked with concern.
Finally, he answered him, "I'm fine!"
Ronon got up and went to the back of the jumper and Teyla took his place in the co-pilot's chair, "Perhaps we should get moving." She suggested with a smile.
Teyla always knew how to make him feel better, she was the total opposite of Rodney and that's exactly what he needed right now. He smiled at her and concentrated on getting the jumper into the air.
Twenty minutes later, he landed the jumper in the clearing they had used on the first camping trip. John was really beginning to feel hungry, but he knew that he wanted some alone time first; well, some time away from Rodney anyway.
"I'll grab some MRE's and then we can go hunting or fishing to find something for dinner." Ronon suggested before opening the back of the jumper.
"Thanks Buddy, you must have read my mind."
John followed Ronon out of the jumper and took in a breath of fresh air, he turned to Rodney and smiled, "smell that fresh mountain air and look at the magnificent view."
John walked around the clearing and took in the view and it was as beautiful as he remembered it, he could see the snow-capped mountains and from where he was standing, they were remarkably close. There was woodlands as far as the eye could see, but among them there were wildflowers, of red and blue, green, and yellow. There were birds in the sky above them and small creatures scampering across the ground. It was a stunning sight and for the moment it brought him and incredible sense of peace.
Teyla came up alongside of him, "John it is beautiful here, it is a shame that everything went wrong on your first trip. I hope that this time we can enjoy everything that this place has to offer."
"I know, it's incredibly peaceful isn't it?"
His peace was destroyed a few minutes later when Rodney started complaining, "Teyla look at the size of the flowers, I'm glad I brought some extra antihistamines with me this time, because the pollen is really potent.
John decided that he really wanted to get away from Rodney for a while, "I think I'm going for a walk to the river. I'll fill up the water containers while I'm there."
"I'm going to explore the surrounding area," Ronon suggested.
"I think I'll just stay here and keep an eye on the jumper." Rodney stated and it was obvious that he felt safe close to the jumper.
"I think I will stay here and keep Rodney company," Teyla suggested.
"I'll catch you later," Ronon said to them as he turned to leave.
John ambled down a narrow path, which led to the river and it wasn't long until he heard the sound of rushing water. Five minutes later he arrived at the river and it was as magnificent as he remembered, he could see waterfalls running down steep cliffs upstream, and downstream, he could see the river snaking through green grasslands, where large animals appeared to be grazing.
Taking a deep breath, he sat down by the river to enjoy a few more minutes of peace before he headed back to the others. Looking around and taking in his surroundings, he was happy to see that the bees that he had encountered the last time he was here were long gone, so he closed his eyes and listened to the sounds around him and it wasn't long before he fell into a deep sleep.
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Ronon watched his friend leave and he felt incredibly worried about him. He knew that he still wasn't sleeping well and although John assured him that the nightmares had ended, he still suspected that he never got more than about four or five hours of sleep a night. He knew that his friend's emotional state had improved immensely since he had opened up to Teyla a few weeks ago, but he also knew that he still had a long way to go.
He looked around and found that Rodney was sitting on a log in the middle of the clearing, "I'm going to find something for dinner, "he told the scientist.
Rodney glared at him and it was evident that he didn't like the idea of his dinner being caught, but that was nothing new, he'd reacted exactly the same way the last time. "I think I'm going to sit here and have a rest. I'll see you when you get back."
"Catch you later, McKay."
Looking around he realised that Teyla must have gone into the jumper and he imagined that she was probably in the jumper reading one of the romance novels that all of the women on Atlantis were so fond of.
His assumptions were proven correct when he went into the jumper to collect his things a few minutes later.
"Are you happy to stay here Teyla, or would you like to come hunting with me?"
"Thank you for asking Ronon," she said looking up from her book, "but I will stay here to keep an eye on Rodney."
He nodded at her and went about collecting his things.
After collecting his knife, his gun, and a sack to put his kill in, he headed off into the woods; he was going to enjoy himself. It wasn't long before he started to see small creatures' hopping through the woods and before too long, he saw deer like creatures in the distance, but he decided that it would probably be easier to kill a few of the smaller hare like creatures for their dinner. He smiled remembering how sweet the meet had tasted when they had eaten it on their first camping trip eight weeks ago.
He followed a few for short distance, before deciding to go in for the kill. It took him three quick shots with his weapon, and he brought three animals down, he intended to spend the afternoon skinning them and cleaning them, before cooking them over a fire this evening. What better way to spend an afternoon, he thought? I'm sure Sheppard and Teyla will help me cook them, but McKay definitely won't. It took him a few minutes to put his kill in the sack, before heading back to the campsite.
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Rodney sat on the log looking intently at his surroundings, for some reason the bees that had been there the first time they had been there had totally disappeared, which was a good thing, because there was absolutely no way, he wanted to be stung by one of them. He remembered back to the state Sheppard had been in when he'd come back from the river the first time and he started to panic, what if Sheppard had been stung again, or what if he had been bitten by something far worse than a spider?
"Are you alright Dr McKay?" Teyla asked interrupting his panic.
He looked up at her, as she sat down next to him, "huh," he said taking a while to realise what she was saying to him, "oh yes I'm fine, I was just thinking?"
Standing up he decided that he might go for a walk and collect some firewood; he knew that they would need a fire for the evening, so he might as well pull his weight and do something, "I think I'll go for a walk."
Heading off into the woods he decided that he might as well have a look at some of the wildflowers along the way. He had remembered to bring extra antihistamines after all.
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Teyla sat on the log and watched Rodney leave, she had no idea how John, Rodney and Ronon had survived on their own on their first camping trip, sometimes it was like she was dealing with three children when she dealt with them.
Smiling she thought fondly of John and she knew that at times he was the biggest kid of all. That was when he didn't have the weight of the world on his shoulders, which seemed to be way to often recently. It had been way to long since she'd seen the child like wonder in his eyes. When they had first met, he had spoken of Ferris Wheels and all sorts of things that excited him, then he had smiled his crooked grin and told her that he loved a good cup of tea and that they were almost friends already. She knew then that he would play a big part in her life. But since he'd been in the Pegasus galaxy he had seen and experienced a lot and that had to change a person.
Ronon was a complete enigma and with all that he had seen he should have had the weight of the world on his shoulders and there was no way that he should have known how to have fun, but there were times when he and John got together and were watching movies or on a run together when she could see a sparkle in his eyes that definitely shouldn't be there.
Then there was Rodney, who was supposed to be a genius, but sometimes he had no idea how to keep his mouth shut, much like an oversized toddler. She loved the banter that went on between Rodney and John at times and although it drove her nuts at times, she knew that they were only having fun.
She loved each of them for who they were, she loved Ronon and Rodney like the brothers she'd never had, and John was her soul mate and the love of her life.
Not knowing how long the others would be gone for she decided to go for a walk herself and perhaps she would look for some firewood at the same time.
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
When John awoke again, he felt incredibly hot and he had no idea how long he'd been asleep. The gentle breeze that he had felt earlier was long gone and the sun had become hotter as the afternoon had progressed.
Deciding that there was only one way to cool of he took his shirt, boots, and socks off and jumped into the river. The cold water shocked him at first, but this time it was cool and refreshing and he didn't have to deal with bees or bee stings.
The water seemed much calmer than it had the last time he was here, so he relished in its coolness, he swam, floated on his back and on more on one occasion he climbed onto a large rock and dove in, but the thing he enjoyed the most was that he was alone.
When he was injured and in the infirmary, he had spent way too much time inside and he couldn't really do anything, and it had frustrated the hell out of him. Normally he was an extremely active person and couldn't sit still for long and he had always been that way even as a kid, so right now he was enjoying every single moment of being out in the sun and being able to swim in the river.
Eventually he decided that it was time to get out and he found that he was shivering, despite the fact that it was a warm day. He knew that there was no reason for him to be back at the campsite in a hurry, so closing his eyes, he thought that it wouldn't hurt to rest for a while, and it wasn't long before he fell into a deep sleep.
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Ronon arrived back in the clearing to find that McKay, Teyla or Sheppard weren't there. Obviously, Sheppard wasn't back yet, but he had no idea where McKay or Teyla would have gone, he thought that McKay was going to rest and Teyla was going to stay with him. Shrugging his shoulders, he decided to get something to eat before he started to skin the animals that he'd caught for dinner.
Grabbing an MRE and a couple of power bars out of the jumper he went and sat on the log in the centre of the clearing.
It wasn't long before he heard someone running through the woods and it didn't take too long to hear who it was when the complaining started.
"What is it with the flowers on this planet, the pollen is on steroids?" Rodney whined entering the clearing.
Ronon could see that his eyes were red and swollen and his nose was running from where he was sitting in the middle of the clearing. He thought about making some comment about the fact that he should have remembered that from the last time they were here, but in the end, he thought that he would try and be nice. "Are you okay McKay."
"No, I'm not okay, can't you see that. I need to find some antihistamines and then I should be alright by tomorrow, providing I don't sniff any of the flowers on this planet ever again and thank God those bees have gone, because I wouldn't want to be stung by one of them.
It was at times like this that Ronon wished that Sheppard or Teyla were there, Sheppard knew how to humour him and then Teyla would placate him. He had absolutely no idea how to handle the scientist when he was as distraught as he was now.
Again, he thought about saying something about the fact that he should have learnt a lesson from the last time he was here, but again he decided to hold his tongue. "Why don't you sit down and have a drink of water and something to eat," He suggested attempting to soothe him.
Rodney looked around the clearing before saying anything, "where is Sheppard, he should have been back now with the water? Do you think we should go and look for him?"
Ronon just shrugged his shoulders, "he said that he wanted some peace and quiet, so I'm sure he'll come back when he is good and ready."
"Yes, but what if we run out of water before he gets back?"
Ronon just rolled his eyes, he could have sworn he was trapped in a time loop, he seemed to remember having the exact same conversation the last time that they were here. "Well, we'll just have to go to the river to get some," he answered with as much patience as he could muster.
He was relieved when Rodney didn't argue, "I'll just go and take an antihistamine and then I'll come and sit with you and have something to eat."
"I'm going to skin and clean our dinner after I've eaten, so why don't you go and get some firewood?" Ronon suggested.
"Dam it! I knew there was something I forgot to do," Rodney spluttered, "that is why I went on a walk, to collect firewood."
"Well at least now you won't have to watch me prepare the food for dinner." Ronon smirked as Rodney walked away.
"Do not worry about collecting firewood Dr McKay, I have found plenty and made a nice big pile just outside of the clearing and I would appreciate your help to carry some into the clearing, so that we can light a fire." Teyla suggested as she approached the clearing.
"Uhh... alright, I can try and help but I know that I can't carry much, because I don't want to hurt my back."
Ronon chuckled as the two of them left, at least Rodney wasn't complaining about the flowers anymore and he didn't want to say anything about the fact that he'd forgotten to take his antihistamines.
Once the others had left Ronon sat in silence enjoying the sounds all-around of him, it had been a long time since he'd just enjoyed himself in nature, and he wondered whether Sheppard was enjoying it as much as he was.
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
When John awoke again, the sun was low in the sky and he found that he was beginning to feel cold. He must have been exhausted after the lack of sleep from the night before and the mornings activities and he suspected that he must have slept for hours. His pants were completely dry after his afternoon nap, so all he had to do was put on his boots and socks and his shirt, before heading back to the camp site.
Looking at his watch he realised that he'd been gone for over four hours and he hoped that the others weren't worried about him, but then he knew that Ronon and Teyla wouldn't worry about him until after dark. For some reason they knew when he needed to be left alone, unlike Rodney, who had no idea what anyone needed or wanted at a particular moment.
It was probably still an hour until dark, so he decided that he would stay where he was and enjoy the peace and quiet for a while longer before heading back to camp. He shuddered when he thought of the stupid questions that Rodney had asked them the last time they had sat around the campfire and he certainly wasn't looking forward to playing any of Rodney's stupid games.
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Rodney felt a chill in the air as night fell on their campsite and he was beginning to worry about his friend. Ronon had spent the afternoon skinning and preparing their dinner while he and Teyla had built a fire and kept it going, but there had been no sign of Sheppard. He was beginning to panic, remembering back to what had happened to his friend the last time they were here.
They hadn't bothered to go to the river to look for him, as Ronon had told him that Sheppard needed some alone time, since he hadn't been sleeping well. So, they had just left him on his own, but now that it was almost dark, he thought that they should probably go and look for him.
He walked over to Ronon who was sitting on a log at the edge of the clearing, "I'm worried about Sheppard, I've been trying to contact him all afternoon via the coms and there's been no response, so I think we should go and look for him." He stated in a matter-of-fact tone.
"I think you're right," Ronon mumbled, "I'm going to go and have a look by the river, why don't you stay here McKay in case he comes back on his own."
He shuddered at the thought of traipsing through the woods at night looking for Sheppard, so he really hoped that he did come back on his own.
"I really hope that he does Conon, because the last thing we need is a missing flyboy to worry about. I just really hope that nothing has happened to him, but even he couldn't be that unlucky. Could he?"
Ronon grunted as he left, so Rodney went and sat next to the fire, hoping that they would find John quickly.
A few minutes after Ronon had left, Sheppard wandered into the clearing and Rodney took a good look at him trying to ascertain if he was injured.
"Sheppard are you alright?"
"Sure I am, I've just spent the afternoon swimming and sleeping," he said putting the water containers down.
Rodney was incredulous, how could he be so calm after what had happened to him the last time, "and you didn't bother to contact us? Anything could have happened to you!"
John just shrugged his shoulders at him, "I left my coms in the jumper." He looked around the clearing before continuing, "where's Teyla?"
Rodney thought about continuing his rant, but thought better of it, he suspected that John had disappeared for the afternoon to get away from him and the last thing he needed was for John to be angry with him for the rest of the evening, "she's in the jumper," he said answering his question.
"Great I think I need to go and get a pullover anyway, "I'll catch you later McKay," he said before walking off in the direction of the jumper.
Sitting back down on the log he listened to the sounds of night-time in the woods, it freaked him out a little, but he knew that Sheppard and Teyla were nearby in the jumper and Ronon would probably be back soon, so he really had nothing to worry about.
Soon Ronon would be cooking dinner and they would all sit around the campfire telling stories and playing games and he found that he was really looking forward to it.
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
When John entered the jumper, he was surprised to find that Teyla was fast asleep on one of the back benches. He really wanted to wake her, but then he wondered if he should just leave her to sleep, but then he wouldn't have the pleasure of her company for the evening. As much as he enjoyed being with Rodney and Ronon, having Teyla with them on this trip certainly made it a lot more bearable.
In the end he didn't have to decide, because after a few minutes of staring at her, she opened her eyes and looked up at him, "John you are back from your walk. Did you enjoy yourself?"
"I actually went for a swim in the river and believe it or not I had a fantastic time. What about you what have you been up to while I've been gone?"
"I went and collected some firewood and then I came back to the jumper to read, but I soon fell asleep."
John rolled his eyes at her, he had a fairly good idea what she was reading, but he thought he'd ask anyway, "and what are you reading at the moment?"
He couldn't help but chuckle when she blushed, "I am reading a romance novel that Amelia gave me to read, she is the new woman working in the control room."
"Of course you are," he said with his trademark crooked grin, "how about you come and have some dinner, I think that Ronon has cooked some of the meat that we had last time we were here?"
"I will be there in a moment, I just want to change into some warm clothes," she told him with a smile.
His eyes opened wide at the thought, "would you like me to help you with that?" He asked with a twinkle in his eye.
"I think I will be alright for now, but perhaps you can help me at another time," she said playfully, and he defiantly loved the playful side of her.
Leaving the jumper, he headed over to the fire and found that Ronon and Rodney were sitting on a log, sitting next to Ronon he realised that they were already eating.
He took a deep breath trying the inhale the fragrance of the meat, "what's for dinner?"
"It's the same meat as we had last time," Rodney said stating the obvious.
"Yeah, I got that McKay, so can I have some meat and a beer?"
"I've already put a six pack in some cold water," Ronon informed him.
"Thanks Chewie."
He was happy when Ronon gave him some food and a beer and a few minutes later, he was even happier when Teyla joined them.
"May I have some of that delicious looking meat?" She asked Ronon, as she sat down next to John.
"I'll get you some sweetie," John offered and when he realised what he'd just called her he felt embarrassed, or perhaps even a little scared.
"Thank you honey," she replied, and he decided that he actually liked the idea of having pet names for one another.
"Can you two, stop being so lovey dovey. As much as I am happy that the two of you have finally gotten together, I don't need to feel sick every time I watch the two of you together!" Rodney ranted with a disgusted look on his face.
"I think it's sweet," Ronon commented.
John rolled his eyes, for about the fiftieth time that day, what was wrong with Ronon today, he seemed so much softer and mushier than normal.
"I think I will just sit here and enjoy my meat and beer and when I have finished if I am still hungry, I will toast some marshmallows, while having another beer." John told then trying to hide his embarrassment.
"That sounds like a lovely idea John." Teyla said and he was relieved that she didn't call him honey again. At that moment he decided that terms of affection should only be used in private.
"You know what?" Rodney asked excitedly, "we haven't played any games on this trip yet."
"And what game would you like to play Dr McKay?" Teyla asked sweetly and John didn't miss the eye roll that she gave Rodney behind his back.
"Favourite movie or movie franchise of all time?" Rodney asked them with excitement, although to John it looked as if he was already a little drunk.
"But didn't you ask us that last time McKay?" Ronon grumbled and it was obvious that he didn't really want to play it again.
"Yes, but Teyla wasn't here, so maybe we should play for her benefit!" Rodney said and John immediately thought of a two-year-old trying to get his own way.
"Please…?" Rodney begged.
"Jurassic park, "Ronon answered with impatience.
"Sheppard, what is your favourite movie, or franchise."
"You should know by now McKay that it's 'Back to the future'."
Ronon who had barely spoken until now, spoke up, "Okay McKay what's your favourite movie?"
"I can't choose, there's just too many."
"Of course, there is," John muttered under his breath.
"Do you have a favourite movie or movie franchise Teyla?" Rodney asked and he still seemed way to excited in John's opinion.
Teyla answered him with one of her sweetest smiles, "I do not believe I have one. John has shown me far too many movies to choose a favourite."
"Oh, come on, you have to choose one," Rodney said in a sing song voice.
John just laughed at him, "hey buddy I think you've had enough to drink, if you drink anymore, you're going to have a hangover in the morning."
"'m.. right." Rodney slurred and this time both John and Ronon burst out laughing.
When he finally stopped laughing, he sat in silence observing his friends, his family around him. The fun and games continued, and he realised that he had come full circle. A lot had happened over eight weeks since the vacation from hell, but here he was in the same spot, enjoying a camping trip with Rodney and Ronon, but this time it was even better, because Teyla was there with them.
Later that night when he lay in his sleeping bag by the fire, he looked over at his sleeping friends around him, he knew that despite the difficult times that he had been through since coming to the Pegasus galaxy, he would be alright, because he had the best family that anyone could ever ask for alongside of him.
Fin…
I want to thank everyone who's stuck with this story to the end. Thank you to all of those who have reviewed, I am totally overwhelmed by the support and encouragement for this story, I'm glad that you've enjoyed it.
I'm sorry if I haven't had a chance to PM everyone personally.
For those of you waiting on new chapters of 'Becoming whole', it is my intention to go on and finish it next.