A/N: With the amount of reviews I got for chapter 1, there has to be at least a chapter two (If not a chapter 3, 4, 5, 6, 7…etc). This story won't be too long however.

John had long put his promise to hit Rodney out of his head, yet the snickering and the gossip continued. John was starting to feel the urge to his someone again. He suppressed it.

The truth was he felt so helpless to help her. He couldn't even begin to imagine what it was like for her to have to fight off the wraith from her mind. His mind has always been his own.

There was nothing more in the world, or more correctly, the universe he wouldn't do to try and help Teyla. He knew threatening those around him wouldn't help, and he had been out of line. John slowly made his way back to the chair room. He owed Rodney an apology.

Rodney was under the console to the side of the room, looking very involved in his work. John took a deep breath. "Rodney, I owe you an apology."

"I swear, I didn't tell anyone!" Rodney panicked, not listening.

"No Rodney!" John said forcefully, making sure the scientist understood. "I owe you an apology. I shouldn't have threatened you like that." He paused and titled his head. "And in hindsight, you're right I do feel that way about her."

Rodney climbed up from under the console. "Colonel, I know that you really love her, that's why you try so hard for her."

"It's not about love, at least not in the romantic kind." John grimaced; Rodney wasn't the expert on this subject.

"That's what I mean. You care for her, more than you care for anyone else." Rodney paused and glanced at his feet. "She's been having nightmares again, right?" Rodney said this nervously.

"Yeah," John admitted, "I feel like there's something I should be doing, but I know I can't do anything. I hate feeling this helpless."

"As far as I know, you are doing something. You're being what any person who loved her would. You're just simply being there for her, right?"

"That's all I can do."

"I'm not an expert one this subject, hard as that may seem, but I think that's all anyone can expect of you."

John allowed a small smile. "Maybe you're right."

"Although I think you're just going to have to deal with the rumors."

"Why is that?"

"Well for one, they're spreading like a wildfire. Secondly, at least half the city thinks you and Teyla are already together and have been for sometime."
John laughed. "Thanks Rodney, I don't deserve to have a friend like you."
"The feeling is mutual Colonel." Rodney paused. "Now, if you wouldn't mind working with me some more."

John shrugged. It was the least he could do.

XXX

John found himself slightly calmer as he walked the halls that night. He was doing his usual rounds, making sure nobody was doing anything suspicious or sneaking around. He laughed; he'd snuck into the kitchen one night with Ford, Teyla, and Rodney and eaten the last of the city's ice cream in the dead of night slightly over a year ago.

They hadn't had ice cream since Ford disappeared. It hurt too much. Every time he saw chocolate ice, he thought of Ford. He though of how he'd failed his friend, the one person who'd accepted him the easiest as military leader on Atlantis. He'd had to fight to earn the rest of their trust.

He finished his rounds at around 11:00PM and headed back towards his quarters. He had a mission tomorrow afternoon. He also had sparring with Teyla in the morning. He briefly stopped in front of the door to Teyla's quarters; he wondered what had made him stop.

He just felt like he needed to be here, as if something was about to happen. He hadn't stood there for more than a second when he heard Teyla scream. He instantly overrode the lock on her door and entered.

She was sitting up in her bed, the covers tangled around her legs. She had one hand on her forehead. He could see her chest rise and fall in rapid succession and she was covered in sweat.

"You okay?" He asked from the doorway.

She shook her head yes. "I will be fine." She said between breaths.

"Alright, I just happened to be outside the door when I heard you scream. I was worried." He smiled. "But if you're okay, I'll keep going."

"It was another nightmare." Teyla admitted. "I don't even remember what about."

Realizing that she wanted him to stay he crossed the room and sat down next to her. He placed an arm around her shoulder. "I remember being scarred for days about going to bed after I had one nightmare." He titled his head and smiled. "But that was a long time ago."

"I have had nightmares since I was a little girl." Teyla said. "Sometimes I wish I didn't possess this gift to hear the wraith."

"I wish I could help you." John said. "But I know that I can't. I have no idea what you go through every night, but I wish I could help you."

"Thank you John." Teyla glanced at him. "That means a lot to me."

"I'm glad it does." He stood up. "But I'd better get going. If you need anything, don't hesitate to wake me."

Teyla nodded.

He stepped out of the room, closing the door behind him. He stepped into his room. He changed and then slipped into bed. He fell asleep almost before he'd pull the covers over his head.