The Prophecy

Chapter 3

It couldn't get much worse, doubts about Teyla's true feeling had already snuck into his thoughts and only the truths could drive out the doubts.

Due to the solar eclipses, there were only regular supply runs scheduled, but no off-world missions. Sheppard was in luck. Sergeant Stackhouse was more than willing to trade his supply run to the Mainland with him.

The formalities of the supply run were quickly concluded. In contrast to Teyla, Halling was always eager to educate humans about the Athosians culture. He regretted that aside from the anthropologists and some linguists who had taken interest in the use of Ancient in Athosian prayers, few humans took any interest in the culture of the people they shared a planet with. Halling greeted John amicably, and John was sure that he knew about his relationship with Teyla, but Halling didn't mention it, but instead invited him to share a meal with him. If Halling was surprised by the turn the conversation was taking, he didn't show it.

"To ensure the survival of our people, we marry as soon as we are adults. If a couple has formed, it is allowed to marry, otherwise, families arrange a marriage. Your scientists told me that this practise is also common in some parts of your planet. The problem our people face is that many of each new generation often do not reach adult age."

"Do you ever marry a second time?"

"Yes, some of us do. It depends on the person's age and whether there are any available partners. I'll remarry when Jinto is older. I have already chosen my wife to be." Halling told him freely.

"So Teyla was married as well?" John dared to ask.

"Yes, of course. Like all adult Athosians. Her husband Vanen died in the same attack in which I lost my wife Ilia. " Halling answered.

"Is Teyla already set to remarry?" John thought of Halling who already had chosen his next wife. The concept of such technical marriage planning, purely geared to the survival of the people, seemed alien to him.

"No. Teyla told me that you are a close friend. Are you considering taking her as your wife?"

"I already asked her. It didn't go well." John winced it the painful memory. "I guess I just wanted to make sure that I didn't commit some kind of cultural offence or violated a custom of yours."

There was a pause before Halling finally answered.

"I'm sure you didn't offend her. Teyla is very open to your culture. But you should have come here before your proposal to her." Halling paused again. "We think you are one of them. I knew that she would reject you."

John stared at Halling, barely believing what he had just heard. Was he the only one he thought that Teyla was truly in love with him while everyone else knew that he was just her favourite boytoy. He had always chalked up the failure of his previous marriage to the stupidity of young age and too much alcohol.

He hadn't had any long term relationship after that until he had met Teyla. Maybe, he thought, he should have gotten the hint, that he just wasn't marriage material. Sure, he was harming, and no doubt, he was popular. He had never had a shortage of offers, not even on Atlantis. But was all people saw in him sex, a convenient one night stand, but not relationship material, nothing too serious?

In fact, aside from Teyla's endless questions about Earth, they hadn't talked very much. They had sex, great sex. So it really was him. Great in the bedroom, sucky at relationships – as his ex-wife had put it.

He tanked Halling and left as quickly as he could. It was only when he was back on Atlantis, leaving the Jumper, that he recalled the odd phrase that Halling had used. 'We think you are one of them' – one of who?

Were they talking about the Ancient gene? Teyla didn't like him switching the light on and off mentally or using the gene to open the doors. He knew that and didn't use the ATA gene when she was around. No problem. If the gene was such a big problem for her, she wouldn't have gotten together with him in the first place, he reasoned. Halling had to have been talking about something else. Shame that he hadn't paid more attention back on the Mainland, he could have asked.

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By the time the tears had stopped and she had managed to bury her emotions beneath the façade of strength and bravery again, it was already past dinnertime. But she knew that Dr. Weir worked until late in her office as she set out on her way to the gate room. As she climbed the stairs to the office, she fleetingly doubted whether getting away from Atlantis, or rather away from John would help, but she just could not face him at the moment. Determined, she knocked on the door and was promptly answered and asked to enter.

"Hello Teyla. What brings you here this late?"

"Dr. Weir. I wanted to ask you about taking some time off. For personal reasons."

"Sure, you haven't had any time off lately. You are schedule for the mission to PX – 923 tomorrow, but after that, I don't see a problem with you taking one or two weeks off. Are you going to stay here?"

"No, I'm planning to visit the Mainland."

TBC

A/N: Yes, the action is developing slowly, but we're getting there soon.