A/N: Okay all of you Teyla/Shep fans, this chapter's for you. Enjoy Madame Hardy! This is my favorite chapter so far and my husband loves it. Hmm...read on and discover why.
Chapter 20: Teyla's Next Visit
The next morning, the Major was presented with a bowl of... "Oatmeal?" the Major exclaimed staring in disbelief at the gooey substance. "Oatmeal?" he repeated with pure disgust. "Do you have any idea what oatmeal does to me."
Teyla couldn't resist a grin at the Major's objections. "I'm sure Dr. Beckett wouldn't have approved of it if he did not think it would be of benefit to you."
The Major made a contentious face. He really didn't want to give her a hard time and be a bad patient but...oatmeal? Why couldn't it have been watery eggs or something...anything else. Even liquefied bacon would have been better.
Teyla was loading up a spoon with the bland cereal. She was going to help the Major eat the first couple of spoonfuls as she had done with the soup and then allow him to finish the rest on his own.
"All right, Major, open wide." The Major did what he was asked and made a less than amused face. At least someone had the decency to put sugar in it and add a little butter and cream.
"There you go Major. That wasn't so bad, was it? Now you must eat the rest yourself so that you may regain the strength in your arms. I must retrieve some more supplies. I want to see all of that gone by the time I return."
"Yes, ma'am," John replied in an exaggerated tone of respect.
After a few minutes, Teyla came back pushing a cart loaded with a plastic cylindrical container of what looked like soapy water, a body sponge, and several towels.
The Major, having finished his oatmeal placed the empty bowel on the valet, and looked suspiciously at Teyla and the contents on the cart. "Teyla...what's that for?" he questioned cautiously.
"This is for your bath," Teyla simply replied.
"Bath?"
"Yes, I have been assigned to give you your baths."
The Major was struck speechless for just a moment a look of mild shock on his face, eyes wide open. "Excuse me?" he finally managed to eek out.
"I am to help you wash until you can do it for yourself."
Was this some sick joke of the Docs? "Oh, no...no way! Not only no, but hell no," the Major stammered out.
"But Major Sheppard, it is necessary," Teyla argued back.
"Isn't the nurse supposed to do this?" With the nurse there was a sense of 'clinicalness' but with Teyla...? That was way too intimate for his taste.
"The nurse is not available this morning and besides there aren't enough personnel to assist in your care so I agreed to help."
The Major, now slightly embarrassed continued to resist. "I really don't think this is such a good idea. Dr. Beckett!" he called trying to enlist the Doctor's help. "Dr. Beckett!" There had to be some sort of mix-up.
"Please, Major Sheppard. You are not embarrassed, are you?"
"Well...you have to understand that among our people, a bath is a very private matter," he stumbled trying to find the right words.
"Major, it is not as though I have not known a man before."
TMI... that was way too much information. The Major proceeded to turn various shades of pink and red. He liked Teyla well enough. Actually, probably more than he should.
"As a leader of my people, I have had to assist with the care of the ill and infirmed. This is nothing new to me."
"I didn't mean to offend you it's just that..." That he liked Teyla wasn't making this any easier.
Before John could find the words to complete his protest, Dr. Beckett came over to see what the commotion was about. Teyla seeing the Doctor approach shot an accusing glance at the Major and reported, "He is not being very cooperative."
"Now, now, Major. Am I going to have to give you a sedative just so that you can have your bath?" Seeing that he wasn't going to get any support from the Doctor, this was going from bad to worse very quickly for the Major.
"Okay, okay," John acquiesced, "you don't have to sedate me."
"Now that's a good patient," Dr. Beckett ribbed. "Let me know if you need anything, lass," he reminded Teyla as he left giving them some privacy and laughing inwardly to himself.
"Thank you, Doctor," Teyla replied as she started to reach behind the Major's neck to unfasten and the Major's hospital gown. Not expecting this, the Major raised his hands in self-defense.
"Ah...I think I can do that myself." He unfastened the gown and making sure he had the sheet pulled up over his chest, slipped the gown out form beneath the covers. Teyla took it and disposed of it on the lower shelf of the cart.
She reached for a towel and proceeded to position it underneath the Major's shoulder and side to catch any excess water that dripped during the bath. The Major watched apprehensively as Teyla dipped the body sponge in the container of soapy water making small splashing noises as she wrung out the excess water.
Teyla began with one of the Major's arms. She took his hand and somehow managed to simultaneously wash and massage the muscles on each finger. She slowly moved up his forearm making small, deliberate circular movements. She eased her way past his elbow and up to his shoulder.
The Major made every bad face in his repertoire feeling very uncomfortable as Teyla made her way up his neck refreshing the sponge in the soapy water every so often. She dried off his arm and proceeded to the other side. By the time she had completed washing his other arm, the Major was beginning to relax into her soothing touch and the warmth of the water followed by being patted dry with a fluffy towel.
Teyla began to hum a sweet Athosian lullaby. It was a haunting tune, one that the Major had remember hearing her sing to the children their first night here on Atlantis to soothe their fears. It was now, in turn, having a soothing effect on him.
The Major closed his eyes as Teyla gently washed his face being careful of the bruises that were now only slightly visible. She gave him a small towel to dry himself off as she dipped the sponge for her next pass.
Teyla deftly made her way down the Major's upper chest. She was making the same small circular massaging movements with the sponge. The Major hadn't realized how sore his muscles felt. Somehow, Teyla seemed to put more into her efforts than the nurse did. She was definitely skillful. He could definitely get used to this.
She made her way down over his ribs being careful of the bruised ones, to his upper abdomen, and then down to his lower abdomen finally drying him off with the towel. She immediately covered his upper body with the sheet so that he didn't catch cold.
Teyla made her way down to the Major's legs. She started to hum another lullaby that the Major didn't recognize. He was content in listening to her hum rather than having a conversation. Teyla uncovered one of the Major's legs and discreetly tucked the sheet around his lower torso much like a massage therapist would do. She positioned a towel under his leg to once again catch the excess liquid.
She began with his upper thigh, doing the same washing and manipulating of his muscles as before. She took notice of how well toned and defined he was. She could appreciate what a good specimen of a man he was. She made her way down over his knee to his calf, ankle, and finally washed his foot. She noticed how perfectly even his toes were and how high his arches were. In her culture, this would be a sign of a man's stability and leadership qualities. Two qualities she had always admired about he Major. She repeated the same procedure on his other leg.
She glanced back at the Major whose eyes were halfway closed and gave him a sweet smile. Gone was the man who earlier was protesting his bath to be replaced by a very relaxed, content, gentleman. The Major rewarded Teyla with a small contented grin.
Teyla had the Major roll over on his side intending to lightly scrub his back. She stopped humming, taken aback by what she found. She frowned and was saddened by the scars and remaining bruises the Major still showed from his ordeal with the Xenotites.
The Major was so relaxed that he was just about dozing off and almost didn't hear Teyla calling out to him. "Major Sheppard?"
"Hmph...?"
"Major, please let me know if the water feels unpleasant on your back"
"...'kay," the Major managed.
Teyla continued with the bath being sure to dab rather than rub the Major's back. She did not want to disturb the bruises and soreness that still remained. The Major had snuggled down into his pillow and Teyla was relieved when he did not indicate any discomfort.
Teyla continued down to the Major's backside. She couldn't help but notice the redness and irritation she found there. She wrung out the sponge and began to carefully dab at this tender area. The Major flinched at her touch, abruptly coming out of his relaxed state. His breathing quickened, coming in small gasps and it was all he could do to keep form going into all out panic mode.
'Its okay, its just Teyla,' he reminded himself as he tried to get his breathing under control. He had a death grip on his pillow.
Teyla, taking notice of the Major's distress immediately stopped what she was doing. The Doctor had warned that he may have moments such as this. Growing concerned to his reaction she asked, "Are you unwell, Major Sheppard."
"I'm alright. I just had a bad...memory."
Teyla quickly dried the Major's posterior and covered him with the sheet. "I'm sorry, Major, I did not mean to cause you any discomfort."
"I know. Its okay, Teyla, I know you didn't mean it," he half whispered now much more composed.
She helped him roll over onto his back. "I would never do anything to cause you any harm," she assured him placing a gentle hand on his chest and brushing his cheek with her hand.
"I know," he said looking into her concerned face. He really didn't like to see her looking so sad.
"Are you finished already? That was quick." The Major tried to lighten the mood. Up to that point, he really was enjoying the Athosian version of a bath.
"Actually, Major," Teyla smiled her sweet smile, "we are not quite finished. There is one remaining area left on your body that needs to be washed."
"Really...gosh, I could have sworn you got everything," John said beginning to feel a little embarrassed again knowing exactly what she was alluding to.
"You can either wash yourself, or you can allow me to do it for you," Teyla suggested.
"Ah...yeah, I believe I can muster up enough energy to do it myself. Sure...okay," the Major stammered.
Teyla gave him a knowing grin and handed the Major the soft body sponge. "Here you go, Major. You will be needing this."
Major Sheppard took the sponge hesitantly. "Would you mind turning around?"
Teyla stopped grinning and tilting her head gave the Major a perplexed look. Sometimes he could be so...mysterious.
"I just need a little privacy."
Teyla nodded her head in understanding. "Ah..." she said as she fulfilled the Major's request.
The Major quickly performed his ritual. "Umm...can I have a towel, please?"
Teyla figuring the Major probably still didn't want her to turn around took a towel off the cart and passed it back over her shoulder to him. The Major yanked the towel from her hand and quickly dried himself off under the sheet.
"All done," he reported.
Teyla took that as her cue to turn back around and relieved the Major of the sponge and towel placing them back on the cart. She handed the Major a clean hospital gown and helped him fasten it around his neck while he tucked it under the sheets.
Teyla grew serious. "Major Sheppard, what exactly did your torturers do to you?" Teyla asked in a stern voice even though she suspected exactly what the redness she found was all about. "They did more than simply beat you did they not?" Her voice was laced with anger now.
The Major figured what she found would be a dead give-away. He was starting to perspire and was extremely reluctant to tell Teyla about the abuse. He just couldn't bring himself to talk about it. Not even with Elizabeth and the Doc even though they knew what he had gone through.
"I...I can't talk about it right now. I'm just not ready." His voice was a combination of sadness, shame, and anxiety. Please don't ask me about that. Ask me anything else but please not that." He was now growing agitated.
Teyla sensed his distress. "Shh...it is all right, Major," she soothed. "I was just not aware of all of your injuries. I am just in shock at what I discovered. Do not concern yourself with this. We must concentrate on your healing."
The Major shook his head in agreement. "Just don't tell anyone about it, okay? I mean Dr. Weir and the Doctor know, but I don't exactly need it getting around."
"Of course, Major. Your secret is safe with me." It suddenly dawned on Teyla why Dr. Beckett and Dr. Weir chose to keep this detail from the team.
After a few moments of comfortable silence between them, the Major glanced at Teyla, a mischievous twinkle in his eye. "Thanks for the bath."
"Anytime," the Athosian woman replied having enjoyed giving the bath herself. "I have to go now."
"Aw...do you have to?" the Major overemphasized a pout.
"Yes, unfortunately, I have other duties to attend to. I will return later to help you with your lunch."
"Promise?" There was that puppy dog look again. The one that always made Teyla give in to him.
"I promise." Teyla leaned over and gave the Major a kiss goodbye on his cheek.
She took the cart with her as she turned to leave the infirmary. On her way out, she turned and gave the Major a small wave. A pink-cheeked Major gave her a small wave back and a sheepish smile. Oh, yeah...he liked her way more that he probably should. He would be looking forward to lunch. He also didn't realize how much he had missed the beautiful Athosian over the past week. Maybe this physical therapy wasn't going to be such a bad thing, after all.