Chapter Five: Changes

In the two weeks his father had been on Atlantis John hadn't once tried to talk to Teyla telepathically or otherwise. He absorbed himself in his work, rarely emerging for food. People were growing concerned with his behaviour. Especially Teyla. Normally even when they weren't using their connection Teyla could always sense John's presence or emotions, now he had permanently blocked her from his mind. The last felling she remembered experiencing before this emptiness was one of pain but expectancy at the same time. She'd been with Rodney at the time. She remembered telling Rodney that his father had entered just as he blocked her; Rodney seemed to have an idea of what was wrong pretty soon but wouldn't tell her.

"John!" She yelled as he sneaked down the corridor. "You are supposed to be sparring with me today." She told him quite sternly, his hard eyes softened a little.

"I…I can't…my father is staying on…Atlantis permanently…I…I have to sort out arrangements for him. So…Sorry." John quickly hurried down the corridor, Teyla turned round and headed straight back towards Rodney's lab, where Michael Bates also was.

"Rodney, John just avoided me." Rodney was examining something in a test tube.

"He's been avoiding everyone Teyla." Michael told her. "Are you okay you look a little shocked."

"I am fine. Have you ever known John to become nervous talking to anyone or worried and stutter."

"No, why?" Bate shocked a little shocked himself at her question.

"He just was in the corridor with me. I was going to ask him about scheduling a sparring lesson with me."

"John loves to spar with you." Rodney looked up from his experiment as he said it.

"Not any more."

"Have you considered talking to Dr Weir about ordering him to take up sessions?"

"He would be furious."

"But at least you'd get to talk to him. Telepath to telepath, man to woman… Wait has he flirted with you since his father arrived?"

"No." Rodney stumbled back, resting a hand over his chest.

"Oh my god, get Carson in here I'm having a heart attack from shock." At Mike's glare Rodney acted normal again – or at least Rodney McKay normal. "Maybe we should get Kate to check him over at least." Teyla raised her eyebrow at Bates. "Hey it's a thought. Captain Kirk isn't acting normal."

"I should speak to Dr Weir and see what she can do." Teyla turned to leave but Bates grabbed her wrist.

"Be careful, you know she'd use your bond against you to get at John."

"I will be careful Michael, do not worry about me." Bates looked at his 'sister'.

"I worry about you sister." Teyla smiled and they bowed their heads to each other.

An hour later John had received orders to train with Teyla the next day just before their mission. John couldn't even refuse.