NOT THE DADDY...part 12
Pregnancy clock: 4 months, 1 week
Rodney told everyone about the baby moving, and that was not an exaggeration. Everyone on Atlantis knew about it and was either freaked or thrilled.
John was hedging into the freaked zone. Especially when everyone he passed by asked to feel his stomach. Teyla was the only one he let actually feel it, given as how John dropped his sticks during their practice when the baby moved again. But then he got freaked out and took off, going back into hiding in his room until Elizabeth sought him out.
So now John was sitting on the bed and she was in the desk chair, watching him. "I feel like one of those weird attractions in a circus," John finally said. "I need to get out of here for a while."
"Maybe now would be a good time for you and your team to visit Dreya," Elizabeth suggested.
"I think you're right." John could not hide his relief. "Can we go now?"
Elizabeth shook her head, a soft smile curving her lips. "I'll check with the others and you need to get checked by Beckett. When he clears you I'll figure something out. I promise you can go within the next few days." She rose from the chair and moved to stand before him. "That said, I want you to get some rest, John. You look tired."
John didn't deny it. What was the point? He was tired. Tired of being tired. Tired of being sick and peeing of hurting in places he shouldn't hurt. Mostly he was tired of the fact that he was starting to feel as fragile as Beckett insisted he was. "This sucks," he mumbled.
"I bet it does. You're not...made...for this." Elizabeth sounded sincere.
"No kidding." John had more to say but he stopped when the baby moved again. Without thinking he reached for Elizabeth's hand and had to remind himself that his belly was still flat, pulling her in until her palm rested against his lower abdomen. Then he watched her face and it was kind of a kick to see her eyes go wide with wonder. "Kinda cool...hah?"
Elizabeth nodded. "Very cool." She withdrew her hand and offered a watery smile. "I know this hasn't been easy on you, John...but you have to admit, it's amazing."
It was, but it was still overwhelming. John managed to smile at her. "I guess it is, but I'd trade places with you in a heartbeat if I could." And he meant it, even though he felt a twinge of something that might have been regret. Which he promptly ignored. Men weren't supposed to experience pregnancy like this. No matter what books he read, no matter the reassurances that Beckett gave him, John was not prepared to go through this. Period.
"Rest," Elizabeth said gently, nudging John down onto his back. Then she drew the covers over him. "I'll contact you when I get things sorted out."
"'Kay," John mumbled, eyes closed and already half asleep. In fact he didn't even hear Elizabeth leave. He was already wrapped in darkness and dreaming.
OoO
Elizabeth gave them the 'all clear' to head for Eradia. John was excited. He was tired of being relegated to doing paper work. He wanted to do something more physical. More meaningful. Hell...he just wanted off of Atlantis and what felt like a thousand prying eyes. He was in such a good mood at being able to go that he was able to tune out Rodney's complaints to Elizabeth that he shouldn't be allowed to leave. That he was too fragile in his condition and other such rubbish. John had faith in Elizabeth's ability to override Rodney.
Sure enough, fifteen minutes later they were in the Jumper and John was preparing to fly them through the gate.
"This is a bad bad idea," Rodney muttered beneath his breath.
"It's a good idea, Rodney," John replied, still holding on to his good mood, even though his stomach was feeling a bit queasy. Not to mention the fact that his lower back was aching, but John could ignore that. He was almost through the gate. He clicked his radio. "Jumper one is ready to go," he stated.
A click then the reply, "Jumper one is clear. Good luck, Colonel."
Then Weir jumping in with, "Be safe."
"Will do," John acknowledged, then he turned to grin at Rodney, who was seated behind him. "Hang on...we're going through." With that he sent the jumper through the gate to freedom.
oOo
Things never turned out the way John wanted them too. Proof of that was the fact that instead of greeting Dreya and her people with smiles, he had turned green and headed for a nearby bush, only to have Dreya join him a moment later. What pissed John off was the fact that she puked just a tiny bit and here he was, curled up on the floor in their bathroom. A great big ball of misery, was he.
The door opened and Dreya stepped inside, holding a cup of something that was steaming. She knelt beside him, her eyes dark with sympathy and guilt. "This should ease the sickness," she said, holding out the cup. "Just take a few sips."
John felt so miserable he didn't argue the point. He just took the cup and took a sip. Amazingly, his stomach started to settle. "It works," he said, showing his surprise.
"I gave some of the root to Teyla," Dreya said softly. "She will show you how to make it into tea when you get back to Atlantis."
"Thanks." John took another sip then set the cup aside. He accepted the cool cloth that Dreya held out and wiped his face, then he studied her and said, "You look good."
She smiled shyly. "Thank you. I feel well." The smile faded and she shifted to sit beside him, one hand moving to rest on her rounded belly. Just a small rounding, but still there. Still obvious. "How are you feeling, Colonel?"
John sighed then decided to be honest with her. "I have my good moments and my bad moments. This is really...strange."
"You felt the baby move?" Dreya asked.
"Yeah...and heard it's heartbeat. That was cool." John smiled at the memory of that.
Dreya looked stunned. "You could hear the heartbeat?" Her hand brushed over her stomach as she spoke and she sounded wistful.
John realized the Eradians didn't have the technology that Beckett did. "You could come back to Atlantis and Beckett could let you listen," John offered. "It's amazing." Which was the simple truth. IT was amazing.
"I think...I would like that," Dreya allowed.
"Good. You want to come back now?" John was hopeful. He really wanted Dreya to come and stay on Atlantis. He and Beckett had talked about when Dreya went into labor. It would be best if she were on Atlantis in case of complications. Complications that could cost John his life. And hadn't that been a scary conversation. But John had asked to know the facts and Beckett had supplied them. Now with Dreya coming to Atlantis, they could work on her about staying on the mainland and Beckett could convince her to be on Atlantis for her delivery. Which would make John feel a whole lot better.
Dreya looked thoughtful. "I will prepare my things soon," she allowed. "I wish for us to talk first, Colonel...if you don't mind me getting a bit...personal."
John almost laughed at that. "I'm sharing your pregnancy, Dreya. You can't get anymore personal than that so...go ahead. What's on your mind?"
"First...I wish to apologize again for what happened," Dreya stated. "I have been talking with your Doctor Beckett and with Teyla, and I know that you feel things deeply. That you suffer for me, so to speak. We do believe it is because of the strength of your gene. I mean...it is normal for a bondmate to feel things first...but to feel them as strongly as you do...to take the worst of my symptoms…that is unheard of among my people."
"Yeah...well...lucky me," John grumbled, then he wished he could take back the words when Dreya's face fell. "Hey...I'm sorry. I didn't mean that. I mean...I do mean it...sincerely." John realized he was putting his foot in his mouth repeatedly, so he took a breath, exhaled slowly, and tried again. "This is freaking me out, but it's pretty amazing too. I mean...someday when I have kids of my own...my wife will thank you for this experience." John tried to keep his tone light, to sound almost teasing, but there was a sincerity behind what he said. Not that he planned on getting married ever, given his parents destructive marriage, but one never knew. Maybe he'd get lucky some day for real.
Dreya locked eyes with him, as if searching for the truth. Apparently she found it because she smiled and nodded. "Thank you, Colonel. For saying that. And for not hating me."
John simply nodded. No point in admitting that sometimes he did hate her. But that was only when he was feeling truly miserable. Which, at the moment, he wasn't. In fact, he felt pretty darn good. "Hey...want to go for a walk? You can show me around the place. Last time I was here I didn't get to see much of it."
"I would like that," Dreya allowed.
"Good." John got to his feet then offered a hand to pull Dreya up as well. He followed her out and they informed the others of their plans. Then they were outside and John soaked in the scenery and the fresh air and sunshine. He fell into step with Dreya and they wandered about as she showed him her world. John found himself relaxing and enjoying himself until a niggling ache in his lower abdomen became an irritating ache. Then it became a shooting pain that had him worried. "Dreya...are you feeling okay?" John asked, just before a sharp and burning pain had him falling to his knees.
THE END...of part 12