Sparring Session
The steady rhythm of staffs meeting echoed through the room.
Click,clack.
Click,clack.
Click.
Thwak!
"Ow!" Sheppard howled in pain, shaking his hands. His staff fell to the floor.
"Major Sheppard, you are not concentrating."
Sheppard put his hands on his hips and sighed.
"Shall we continue?'
"No," John shook his head, "we need to talk." Scooping up his staff, Sheppard walked to the bench and plopped down by his backpack.
Teyla followed at a slower pace.
She'd known something was bothering him. Major Sheppard had been acting strangely from the moment he arrived. His mind seemed to be somewhere else.
Teyla sat on the bench laying her staff at her feet. She grabbed her bottle of water and turned to Sheppard. "What is it that you would like to discuss Major?"
John leaned back, briefly closing his eyes.
Teyla watched the emotions play across his face.
John struggled to find the right words.
A few moments passed.
She tilted her head trying to make eye contact. "Major Sheppard, what is it?"
John opened his mouth and then shut it. He was at a loss on how to approach the subject. John tried to remember the exact words that Lt. Ford swore up and down that he'd said, hoping they'd jog her memory.
"Why don't you just call me John?"
Teyla paused. She remembered those words all too clearly. The first time Sheppard said them he had been under the influence of a truth serum. She wondered why he chose them now. Teyla searched his face for answers, but his expression was blank. He was tense. She could feel it. This was important to him.
She gave a slow smile, "Okay. John."
Sheppard let out a slow breath and returned the smile.
"Is that what you wanted to talk about?"
John looked away, his smile falling a bit. Here it goes.
"Teyla, I considered you a good friend." He looked into her eyes, "and I would never want to say or do anything to hurt or offend you.
Aw. Teyla nodded in understanding.
"I admire you. You are compassionate, you are strong, and you are beautiful.
Teyla looked down, fidgeting with her hands. She could feel a blush spreading across her cheeks.
John placed his hand on top of hers.
She looked up.
"I just wanted to make sure that something that I don't even remember saying, doesn't put a strain on our friendship.
"Major Sh-, John."
He smiled.
"I am honored that you consider me a friend. I too, highly value your friendship. You have saved my life on many occasions, and stood with me against my accusers. From the moment we met, you have been a true friend. I thank you.
John shrugged, "Well, when you put it like that."
She continued. "While in that chair, you were under the influence of a powerful drug. You said things that you would not normally say." Teyla tilted her head. "How could I be angry with you for that?"
Sheppard felt a huge weight lift from his shoulders. He could breathe easier.
"Thank you."
Teyla smiled. "You are welcome."
It was over. He had worried for nothing. She understood.
John returned her smile, "Shall we continue?"
They picked up their staffs and moved to the center of the room.
Teyla nodded that she was ready.
They circled one another.
He attacked.
She blocked.
The loud sound of their staffs meeting echoed through the room.
"John?"
Click, clack.
Click.
"What is a rack?"
Thwak!